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Controversy Surrounds Solana’s “America is Back—Time to Accelerate” Ad
The Ad and its Controversial Content
Solana has removed its “America is Back—Time to Accelerate” ad, following intense criticism from the crypto community. The ad, which was posted on Monday, featured patriotic themes and apparent political messaging, particularly against gender diversity.
The ad sparked controversy when a scene in the video showed a young man, supposedly undergoing therapy for “rational thinking syndrome,” saying, “I want to invent technologies, not gender.”
Criticism from the Crypto Community
Critics have argued that the ad contradicts the industry’s foundational values of neutrality and global inclusivity. Many have expressed disappointment and frustration with the ad’s tone, describing it as “offensive,” “cringe,” and “divisive.”
Some industry figures have questioned the judgment behind the ad’s creation. For example, Tyler Bench, CRO of on-chain governance platform Tally.xyz, wrote, “This might be the single most toxic piece of content I have ever consumed. It’s like the Coinbase ads if they were created by an incel who hasn’t left the basement in years.”
Others have attributed the ad’s tone to a deliberate attention-seeking strategy. Mentor Reka, CEO of DEX protocol Avnu.Fi, suggested that the ad was designed to generate buzz through controversy, saying, “This might be Solana’s least inventive ad ever. They clearly went for attention over everything, and well… mission accomplished, I guess.”
Reactions from Industry Figures
Other industry figures have expressed their opinions on the ad. Anneri van der Merwe, product lead at Base, criticized the advertisement for missing the mark, saying, “Offensive, cringe, and pandering. Base is for everyone. Solana co-opted the ‘is for everyone’ phrase last week too. This ad shows there’s still a long way to go in truly embracing that ethos.”
Adam Cochran, partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, questioned the judgment behind the ad’s creation, saying, “The ‘mind virus’ that’s infected the nation is whatever weird circlejerk is going on in Silicon Valley where people are convinced they were oppressed and that this is cool or edgy.”
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Solana’s “America is Back—Time to Accelerate” ad highlights the need for the crypto industry to prioritize inclusivity and neutrality. While the ad may have generated attention, it has also sparked widespread criticism and concern. The industry must strive to promote a culture of respect and understanding, rather than one of division and exclusion.
FAQs
Q: What was the content of the controversial ad?
A: The ad featured patriotic themes and apparent political messaging, particularly against gender diversity, and included a scene where a young man says, “I want to invent technologies, not gender.”
Q: Who criticized the ad?
A: Many industry figures, including Tyler Bench, Anneri van der Merwe, Adam Cochran, and Mentor Reka, criticized the ad for being offensive, cringe, and divisive.
Q: What was the reaction of Solana’s co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko?
A: Anatoly Yakovenko distanced himself from the campaign, suggesting that Solana’s previous ad was better.
Q: What was the purpose of the ad?
A: Some observers suggest that the ad was intended to generate buzz through controversy, rather than promoting a positive message.