#Day10 #21dayOfNostr
One thing I’ve noticed is the lack of conversation on Nostr about the power of Zaps for local businesses. I’m not talking about online stores—I mean mom-and-pop shops like your local grocery or barber. Not the “buy my online course” type.
For example, Instagram is packed with content from local businesses showcasing their shops, with users commenting, liking, and sharing if it’s good. But Instagram’s primary goal is to harvest data and trap users in its algorithm. Nostr offers something better: the power of interaction PLUS the ability to tip these businesses. That’s invaluable.
The use case is clear: send Zaps to local businesses and support the community by engaging with their content.
However, there are a few obvious challenges that I believe can be resolved with time:
Niche Usage: Bitcoin and Lightning are still early in their adoption, and Nostr is even more niche. (Is “nicher” a word? Let’s make it one!)
Education: Bitcoin and Lightning are still on their educational journey, mainly driven by algorithm-driven platforms. Nostr, on the other hand, is being propelled by the ultimate word-of-mouth machine. That’s incredible to think about.
Volatility: This is a big hurdle for small businesses using Bitcoin. Convincing them to accept small transactions in a “volatile” currency is a tough sell. Plus, the infrastructure for seamless interoperability is still developing—we’re just so early.
Nostr represents freedom, self-sovereignty, and individualism—the very reasons these small businesses exist in the first place. They crave the freedom of working outside traditional employment, being individuals, and giving back to their local community - with a sense of purpose. But the system is rigged, and running a small business often becomes just another job, with extra responsibility.
I believe Nostr has the potential to keep these small businesses motivated and enthusiastic about their journey.
