Ethereum gas is the most raw display of power dynamics in business and I think we've had enough

When you try to buy a jpeg or lose money in DeFi and that “friendly” Metamask dialogue pops up asking you to pay $100+ in gas, the Ethereum network is treating you and your hard earned money with disrespect.

I get it, gas helps the blockchain validate transactions, and yes, whoever is running the nodes needs to get paid. But are those nodes really worth you paying the equivalent of 20 Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes to swap two shitcoins? I think not.

Even more disrespectful is when Metamask shows you the option to pay low, medium, high gas fees. First, the “low” gas fee still costs at least 10 Pumpkin spice lattes. Second, even if you pay “high” gas the transaction still takes longer than you driving to the local coffee shop, waiting in line, buying the Pumpkin Spice with Oat Milk and Stevia, chatting with the Barista, and getting your order. This is a total power “get in line” move that Ethereum pulls on everyone of us.

If you think I’m done ranting I’m not. Let’s talk about all the hard-working people who are trying to make one-click checkout happen in the face of the mafia, government conspiracy, and fast-growing T-shirt companies. The fact that Ethereum takes 10 min+ to process each transaction AND charges $100+ in gas is an insult in the face of all of these hard working employees who are fighting the good fight.

So look, I totally get that you think Ethereum is the world’s decentralized computer and blah blah blah. But we have suffered this naked one-sided relationship for far too long. It’s high time that we demand the following:

1. Easier L2 onramps that doesn’t require $100+ bridge fee
2. A better way to reduce gas other than Ethereum prices dropping in half
3. For Ethereum to migrate to AWS so transaction can be processed instantly

Do I wish there were a more nuanced and technical approach? Yes, but I think we’ve been patient enough.

Alright, my pumpkin spice latte is ready, ttyl.

Also posted to Twitter: https://twitter.com/petergyang/status/1487126706519306241?s=20&t=yQufSkIwup8fwECcWEbKjw. This is satire btw