Writer at Giveth | University Professor | Former Steward at TEC
🐦 Twitter: @Sugasugsong
👾 Discord: Suga#8514
📨 Telegram: @Sugasug
Where are you from? Tell us about your background.
I grew up in the USA but live in France. I have a PhD and joint-PhD from the University of Washington, Seattle, an MA from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a BA from a California State University in conjunction with the University of California, Berkeley. I also studied undergrad and graduate school in Germany for four years and in France for several years as well.
What is your current title or occupation?
Writer and university professor
Are you working on a project or part of an organization? Tell us more about it and your role in it.
I’m a writer for Giveth and a former steward in the Token Engineering Commons. I’m also a university professor where I teach literature and philosophy.
We know you’re a superhero! What are your special powers/skills?
Single-parent parenting is a pretty special skill. Juggling different lives simultaneously is no small feat. Working in two different worlds (web3 and academia) at the same time is also quite difficult on top of that. I’m trying to find time to write my next book, which is my real passion.
What has been your biggest professional or Web3 achievement yet?
Receiving approval and praise from a revered figure in my field whom I deeply admire and earning a PhD –something I had my eye on since I was 12– were great moments delivered together. Getting my first book contract was pretty exciting. Getting any subsequent book contract is equally exciting! Beginning to learn how to wrap my head around web3 was a great achievement, and having hard work acknowledged has been a real morale booster.
Who/what inspires you in the Web3 or public good space?
I am inspired by this community collectively in its genuine efforts to make a difference in the world using blockchain technology. In particular, I am inspired notably by those individuals who have taken the time to become deeply knowledgeable in the field and are sharing their wisdom through the development of DAOs and other projects whose purpose is to transform how we engage with public goods, how we as a planet can participate in developing better systems of organization including earth-oriented regenerative economics.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?
I look forward to collaborating with Jessica Zartler and Jeff Emmett due to their passion for developing and communicating the benefits of decentralized forms of human organization and the importance of public goods and their restructuring. I also revere Shermin Voshmgir, Angela Kreitenweis, Sebnem Rusitschka, Kevin Owocki, Griff Green, Michael Zargham and so many others.
In my parallel universe, I would like to collaborate with Greta Gerwig or Noah Baumbach on a film adaptation of my novel The Blue of Night. :)
Do you have any hobbies or other interests? We’re curious!
I have run 11 marathons (and a number of half marathons and other short races). I am DIY everything: bikes, cars, clothes, home (electricity, plumbing, carpentry, tiling, plastering, etc.). If something needs mending, I fix it myself. If I don’t know how, I learn and do it.
What’s your motivation to be part of Trusted Seed?
I find it is important to have a structure in place that protects and unites the community that supports and believes in public goods and regenerative economies. I have always believed in the mission; I am lucky to have found the community and am grateful to Tamara Helenius for that introduction.
Is there anything else you want to share with our community? (Fun facts, tips, quotes, promotions, etc.)
I speak French and German. I have 12 brothers and sisters (9 from my mom, me making 10). I was born in prison.