Our main goal at DNN is to address fake and sensationalized news by holding everyone in the news dissemination process accountable. In order to cultivate accountability, we’re leveraging on blockchain technology and digital currencies to ensure transparency and incentivize active participation in the media landscape. In addition, we’re also counting on a team of professional and academic advisors for their infinite industry knowledge and insightful ideas.
As we continue to work towards our goals, we’re eager to share their wisdom with you. Join us every Thursday for an in-depth Q&A with one of our talented DNN advisors, and get to know some of the visionaries behind the DNN platform.
This week we’re chatting with Dario D’Aprile, owner of Human and Machine Ltd, a product management and design consultancy.
Q: How did you first come across the Decentralized News Network, and what were your initial thoughts on the project?
A: I Met Dondrey Taylor at a blockchain event in London. I was looking for a decentralized initiative in the publishing space. At the beginning, I didn’t get a full overview of the project, and therefore didn’t understand the behavioural economics behind it, and how it could sustain journalists and newsmakers.
Q: Now that you’ve had some time to fundamentally understand the DNN platform and how it works, tell us about a platform feature that most excites you. Are you more excited for the blockchain component, or the article review process?
A: Over time, I discovered more about the platform and acquired a better understanding of how DNN works on a fundamental level. I’m excited to see where the project goes in the future.
Q: What is your specific area of influence on the DNN project?
A: Media publishing. In the past, I have built worldwide publishing ecosystems for brands, such as National Geographic and News Corp. I’ve built multinational communities of bloggers, scaled content libraries across different countries and cultures, and I have experienced first-hand the challenges that the media industry is facing when it comes to monetizing the content and providing value to writers.
Q: As the owner of a product management and design consultancy firm, how do you effectively integrate research and logistical development tactics with the creativity required to help your clients make a real impact in the world?
A: I believe in building a long term relationship with my clients. All projects start with a pre-engagement phase, a workshop where I assess the brief and we define objectives. If the client decides to move forward, we start a more structured process: primarily designed to align business objectives with the customer’s needs.
More to the point, the correct definition and prioritization of the customer’s inner needs is what guarantees the success of the initiative.
Q: You’ve implemented a number of transformative programs for noteworthy organizations — National Geographic, News International, Adobe. Tell us about a project you’re most proud of producing and why.
A: I launched the National Geographic community of travel bloggers back in 2009. I’m proud of the fact that I helped bloggers report on important topics in some of the most inaccessible places in the world. Writers, photographers, filmmakers could finally share their purpose in travelling, and over a million travel stories have been made accessible to everybody connected to internet.
Q: What got you interested in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies? What do you envision for the future of DNN and blockchain?
Freedom, justice and democracy are at risk. HTTP Technology enabled a super efficient way to share information but created media monopolies and a very polluted information system. Blockchain Technology brings a new opportunity.
DNN is building the standards for accuracy, trust, and sustainability in the news arena. We can achieve a more sustainable and collaborative society mainly with a more responsible way to exchange information.
Offering insight and guidance, advisors are a crucial component to the success of any blockchain startup. In fact, mentors play an important role in the self development of human beings. With that being said, who is your role model, and or mentor, and why?
We frequently fail to reach our potential, mainly because our talent isn’t enough to deal with the set of challenges we are facing in everyday life and business. My role model is my wife: Ceire is the most generous person I know, she constantly works on building up my confidence and resilience.
What is your favourite book and why?
Q: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. Ben is straight talking, gives practical advice, and he is admirably honest in pointing out that there are no easy answers in life and that it’s all about sharing the mistakes we made.
About DNN
DNN (Decentralized News Network) is a news curation platform powered by the Ethereum blockchain. It’s our goal to encourage the dissemination of factual, unbiased political news by incentivizing accountability at all levels of the news consumption process. We’re news for the people, by the people.
Our DNN token presale is currently live. Contact presale@dnn.media to participate.
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