{"id":9557,"date":"2023-07-17T20:54:40","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T20:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/17\/for-the-culture-jack-butchers-custom-threadguy-opepen-edition-goes-viral\/"},"modified":"2023-07-17T20:54:40","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T20:54:40","slug":"for-the-culture-jack-butchers-custom-threadguy-opepen-edition-goes-viral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/17\/for-the-culture-jack-butchers-custom-threadguy-opepen-edition-goes-viral\/","title":{"rendered":"For the Culture: Jack Butcher’s Custom ThreadGuy Opepen Edition Goes Viral"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The niche internet subculture that is the NFT space has gone through numerous iterations. From market cycles<\/a> to controversies<\/a>, the vernacular, priorities, and overall vibe of what the inhabitants of the blockchain call Web3 has continued to ebb and flow as consistently as the prices of the coins that drive it.<\/p>\n

Yet, one thing has remained certain, and that is, regardless of speculation<\/a>, NFTs have and will always have greater meaning<\/a> than what can be derived from the constraints of art and money. There is a singular culture that has formed within the NFT space, and it\u2019s one that \u2014 despite the scams and selfishness \u2014 hinges on goodwill and camaraderie.<\/p>\n

Recently, multidisciplinary artist Jack Butcher reminded the whole of the metaverse about the true power of the culture that drives it. By launching an open edition in service to the prolific NFT commentator known as ThreadGuy<\/a>, Butcher set off a wave of fanfare that has taken the NFT space by storm. <\/p>\n

Now the rallying cry \u201cfor the culture\u201d has emerged once again. Here\u2019s how it all went down.<\/p>\n

Bored Elon, ThreadGuy, and Opepen<\/h2>\n

Those that have been in the NFT space for even a menial span of time are sure to have come across Butcher\u2019s Opepen project<\/a> by now. Launched\u00a0in January 2023 as a follow-up to Checks<\/a>, the 60-minute mint, which ultimately was released over a series of drops, became a staple in the rise of open editions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From there on, the Pepe the Frog-inspired collection caught fire, evolving with complex mechanics and accruing influence throughout the months that followed. Ultimately, the project was solidified as one of the top endeavors of the NFT market, spurred on by a cult following.<\/p>\n

During that time, a collector known as Bored Elon<\/a> (B.E.) became the number one holder of Opepen NFTs. As a Pepe and Jack Butcher maximalist, the influencer-turned-builder remained steadfast in his conviction that Opepen was a monumentally important facet of NFT culture. <\/p>\n

On July 11, under the moniker\/secondary account Bored Opepen<\/a>, the anon proved this conviction by making ThreadGuy an offer: a first edition Opepen<\/a> (an original Opepen on which countless others were derived) in exchange for his highly-influential Mutant Ape PFP<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Just offered @notthreadguy<\/a> one of my 001 Opepen’s in exchange for his Mutant Ape PFP. Putting this out there publicly so i’m held to the deal. <\/p>\n

Terms are he needs to hold onto the 001 for at least 3 months. I’ll hold the mutant at least 1 year. <\/p>\n

Your move TG pic.twitter.com\/DZHxs40yV7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bored Opepen (@BoredOpepen) July 11, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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Big \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d to @notthreadguy<\/a> for entertaining my offer. The engagement farming is fun, but more importantly I love the spirited and nuanced discussion. No matter your decision, I respect the hell out of you and know you’ll do awesome things. I await your answer at Friday, 12pm PT. pic.twitter.com\/avRQmpqaF1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bored Opepen (@BoredOpepen) July 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

ThreadGuy did not accept the deal, however. Considering the Mutant Ape had already become synonymous with his brand, he turned down the offer and the many more (from B.E. and others) that followed. But the concept of ThreadGuy changing his long-time PFP started to generate discourse throughout Web3, and the influencer\u2019s interest in possibly changing his avatar to an Opepen was undeniable.<\/p>\n

Yet after only a few days of back and forth, with the discourse around the situation growing by the hour, Butcher, the creator of the NFTs at the center of the conversation, blew the whole thing apart by offering ThreadGuy his own custom Opepen.<\/p>\n

The Opepen Threadition<\/h2>\n

On July 13, Jack Butcher, commenting on a bootleg Opepen x Mutant Ape<\/a> PFP ThreadGuy had posted, revealed an official Opepen edition<\/a> stylized and customized specifically for ThreadGuy. Crafted in his unique geometric style, the Opepen featured colorways taken from ThreadGuy\u2019s Mutant Ape reworked to fit the Opepen format. Needless to say, this act of kindness prompted ThreadGuy to change his long-standing PFP before hosting a 3,600-attendee Twitter Space<\/a> to commemorate the moment.<\/p>\n

This turn of events sent the NFT space into a frenzy. Now that Butcher had offered up a third option to the proceedings happening between ThreadGuy and B.E. \u2014 which were spurred on by Butcher\u2019s art in the first place \u2014 discussions switched from speculation about a potentially monumental trade to Butcher\u2019s goodwill and the humorous and friendly nature of the NFT space.<\/p>\n

From then on, derivatives poured in. Considering the high-profile nature of Butcher\u2019s offering, countless other creators and collectors sought to get in on the action, creating their own stylized version of Opepen. Most notable among these offshoots were a variety of unique pieces created by Jalil<\/a>, an artist and developer that works alongside Butcher on Visualize Value<\/a> and a range of other endeavors.<\/p>\n

Of course, the story doesn\u2019t stop with copycats. Because as the custom Opepen craze was reaching a head, Butcher sent it over the edge on July 16 by launching an open edition collection called the Opepen Threadition<\/a>, which featured a tokenized version of the custom PFP he made for ThreadGuy.<\/p>\n

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Unlike a typical vampire attack which simple looks to extract users of community members from one place to another, this version has the friendly initiating vampire volunteer sincere value and goodwill first, and often times that value will be reciprocated by the recipient.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Bored Opepen (@BoredOpepen) July 15, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Priced at 0.001 ETH (~$2) each, the Opepen Threadition offered anyone a way to join in on the fun. But the mint had a generous aspect to it as well; all proceeds from the sale of Opepen Threaditions were to be allocated back to ThreadGuy as a way to, as Butcher put it, \u201credirect some economic energy\u201d and thank him for the value he consistently adds to the Web3 community.<\/p>\n

For the culture, for the memes<\/h2>\n

After the Opepen Threadition was released, it became clear that the events that had transpired between Bored Elon, ThreadGuy, and Jack Butcher bore far greater significance than what might\u2019ve been expected from a simple rapport between mutuals. The message of camaraderie had spread, even prompting Beeple to comment on the situation<\/a>, which subsequently led to Butcher crafting him his own custom Opepen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The tagline \u201cfor the culture\u201d began trending, and conversations surrounding the benevolent nature of the NFT space began to resurface. Many recalled the way that NFTs used to change lives<\/a> on a near-daily basis and reveled in the fact that having fun had once again become the center of attention<\/a>, if only for the time being.<\/p>\n

Concurrently, the benevolent aspect of the Opepen Threadition started to take shape. And the open edition had, at time of writing, amassed upwards of 32,000 mints, generating more than 32 ETH (around $60,000). Similarly, a collection of eight editions minted by Jalil with a similar goal to direct funds back to ThreadGuy had raised around 7 ETH (~13,000), bringing the total well over $70,000 in ETH. The effect of the Threadition even spread to OpenSea<\/a>, who changed their profile picture and username on Twitter to honor the trend. <\/p>\n

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A creator revolution is underway.<\/p>\n

If you have the eyeballs, you have the leverage.<\/p>\n

Not only in Web3, but especially here.<\/p>\n

Act accordingly.<\/p>\n

(9\/10)<\/p>\n

\u2014 wale.swoosh \ud83d\udc33 (@waleswoosh) July 14, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The power content creators can have on a brand is crazy. <\/p>\n

Floor for Opepen is up 45% just in the past 2 days.<\/p>\n

All because high quality content creators have been talking about them and changing their pfp.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not using creators to grow your brand, you\u2019ll fall behind.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Juan (@0xfJuan) July 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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Is this the way to move forward?<\/p>\n

“collect, have fun, support your favorite creators”<\/p>\n

It’s a solid option moving forward.<\/p>\n

I mean, they are basically donations where you receive a digital collectible.<\/p>\n

This makes it more attractive for people to “donate”. pic.twitter.com\/wLZOXvRAGc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 pius (@notpius) July 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In all, both the convergence of a monetary value being placed on ThreadGuy\u2019s efforts along with the evolution of NFT culture being propelled forward highlighted the Web3 community\u2019s eager remembrance of the true meaning of NFTs and the necessity of creators being paid their dues. <\/p>\n

Although artists in Web3 have found it possible to sustain themselves from their craft, commentators and proponents of blockchain culture have anecdotally needed to rely on collecting and trading to find equilibrium. Of course, with advents like Twitter\u2019s ad-revenue sharing<\/a>, this system may be changing. But in the wake of Opepen, it has become clear that it only takes a small amount of effort and caring for those in the NFT space to uplift their fellow degens.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n