Hello, Hiveans! After a short break during the holidays, the Hive Community Spotlight series is back, and I couldn’t be more excited to restart this series. As announced in my main account, I'll now be using this account to publish the interviews.
The Spotlight is all about showcasing the incredible individuals who contribute to the Hive ecosystem in unique ways, and this edition is no exception. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on @dbooster, an Italian-American expat in Japan, who is a passionate photographer, haiku enthusiast, and long-time Hive contributor.
Here's a brief summary of the interview with @dbooster
| Section | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Self-Description | American photographer and translator in Japan, seeking beauty through photos and the perfect haiku. |
| Discovery of Hive | Found Hive (then Steemit) in 2017 via an interview with Dan Larimer; hooked by the platform’s potential. |
| Life in Japan | Inspired by a fascination with Japanese culture; finds living abroad invaluable for broadening perspectives. |
| Finance Interests | Enjoys both traditional markets and crypto; advises newcomers to start by consuming lots of information. |
| Hive Projects | Actively involved in PIMP, The Alliance, and BRO; values collaboration and mutual support. |
| Challenges & Motivation | Faces challenges in community engagement but stays consistent due to a love for writing. |
| Creative Pursuits | Haiku best reflects his personality, deeply tied to his 25 years of Zen Buddhism practice. |
| Music Preferences | Fond of 1980s New Wave and jazz, particularly Japanese jazz; recommends Eiji Kitamura’s clarinet music. |
| Desired Change | Advocates for more empathy to reduce corruption and foster better human connections. |
| Message to Hive | "Buy more Hive!" |
Welcome to the Spotlight! How would you describe yourself in a few words?
The description I put at the bottom of every post is probably as good as anything: David is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.
How did you first get to know Hive, and what has been your motivation to keep staying and sharing your content over the years?
Around early 2017 Jeff Berwick interviewed Dan Larimer. I have always thought Berwick was a little screwy, but for some reason that interview showed up on my YouTube recommendation list, and something about it made me click and watch. Both of them made Steemit seem pretty exciting, so I immediately tried to sign-up. At the time, unless you paid a certain amount of STEEM (which, being new to crypto, I had no idea how to do) you had to go on a wait list. Months went by, but around Sept I finally was accepted and received my email to signup. I was kind of disappointed that I missed the gold rush of that first year, but I did get in a little bit before the huge bull market that hit STEEM in early Jan 2018, driving STEEM up to almost $9 and SBD up to $22. Unfortunately I hadn't been here long enough to have built enough of a position to take advantage of that, but I did see enough benefits to be hooked.
Sticking around in the STEEM years was easy. We had a huge community and much more activity. I was active in several poetry and writing groups, the main one being The Writers Block, which was an offshoot of PAL. Sticking around since the hard fork has been more difficult, because so many people left, but there is enough interesting here to keep me around.
As an Italian-American expat in Japan, what inspired your move, and how has living there influenced your worldview and creative pursuits?
Wanting something different combined with a fascination of Japanese culture led me here. Being in a foreign country always is eyeopening. I've read enough accounts from expats in many different countries to understand that it hits most people the same way. If you are open minded enough, the exposure is priceless.
You've written extensively in the LeoFinance community. What financial or crypto topics excite you the most, and what advice do you have for newcomers who are just getting into these areas?
I don't recommend the Leo community anymore, nor have I written there in some time. I find all of finance interesting. Most people around here are more obsessed with crypto, but I find the traditional stock and bond markets just as interesting. Newcomers here should do what you should always do when you are new to anything: take some time to just inhale as much information as possible, be it reading posts or watching videos, or both.
What projects are you actively involved in on Hive, and how do you see these projects contributing to the community's growth?
I am actively involved with PIMP and have been with them since the beginning. I've been a part of The Alliance nearly since my start on Steemit/Hive 8 years ago. Both are run by @enginewitty. The Alliance is probably the most welcoming place on this blockchain. Everyone is friendly and helps out each other. I'm also fairly active with BRO and @raymondspeak's other tokens.
What challenges have you faced as a creator on Hive, and how have you managed to overcome them while staying consistent and motivated?
I don't know if I have much of a secret to being motivated. I enjoy writing, making it not so hard to churn something out everyday.
Photography, haiku, and more -- you have so many creative pursuits. Which of these do you feel best reflects your personality, and why?
Definitely haiku. I have studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for the past 25 years. Haiku exemplifies Zen in a way that nothing else does.
Music can be such a big part of life. What's your favorite genre or artist, and do you have any particular songs that inspire you?
I have a soft spot for popular 1980s music. Probably mostly New Wave hits, which defined the sound of that era. But beyond that, I enjoy all music genres and styles. These days my favorite might be jazz, particularly Japanese jazz, but anything with a clarinet attracts me. Look up Eiji Kitamura for some great stuff.
If you were given the power to change one thing about people, either on Hive or in the world at large, what would it be, and why?
Oh that's easy: more empathy. People are in general good, but fear in general and more specifically fear of survival which these days means not having enough money motivate people to do not so nice things. All the corruption we see in the world at large and on Hive too is caused by that at the root. One consequence of this fear is we look inwards instead of outwards and forget that other people are human too and have hopes and dreams just like we do. Bringing more empathy into the situation wouldn't solve all the problems of the world, but it would be a huge step.
What message or advice do you want to leave for the hive community?
Buy more Hive 😃
Thank you, @dbooster, for taking the time to share your journey, experiences, and wisdom with the Hive Community Spotlight series. Your dedication to Hive, creative pursuits, and unique perspectives have truly inspired many in the community. It’s a privilege to highlight your contributions, and we’re grateful for your openness and thoughtful responses. Keep being an amazing part of the Hive ecosystem!
Projects/community highlights
PIMP: @dbooster has been actively involved with PIMP from the start. This project offers an opportunity for token holders to engage and earn rewards within the Hive ecosystem, supporting community-driven initiatives.
The Alliance: @dbooster has been a member of The Alliance nearly since their beginning on Hive. Known for being one of the most welcoming communities, The Alliance encourages collaboration and mutual support among members, helping each other grow and thrive on the blockchain.
BRO and @raymondspeak's Tokens: @dbooster has also been fairly engaged with the BRO project and other tokens by @raymondspeak. These tokens help contribute to Hive's diverse ecosystem and expand its reach.
Conclusion
Thank you all for joining us in this edition of the Hive Community Spotlight! Your continued support and engagement make this series meaningful and inspiring. We hope you enjoyed learning more about @dbooster and his incredible journey. Stay tuned for more exciting interviews, and thank you for being a part of this thriving Hive community!
Special thanks to:
@thekittygirl
@wesphilbin
@snook
For their valuable support. See you all in the next edition 🤗
20% Payout goes to the interviewee
