Edward Snowden and political activist Daniel Ellsberg have collaborated on a piece of Ethereum-based NFT artwork. The artwork will be auctioned off to raise money for their respective causes via a new live-streamed interactive show called PleasrHouse from the Web3 collective PleasrDAO.
Quick Take:
- The first episode of PleasrHouse, Web3 community collective PleasrDAO’s interactive live auction show, features government whistleblower Edward Snowden auctioning a newly created NFT.
- Snowden collaborated with political activist Daniel Ellsberg on the one-of-a-kind piece, “Wouldn’t You Go to Prison to Help End This War?”
- Ellsberg and Snowden will be interviewed and PleasrDAO’s documentary will be shown at the auction on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 3 p.m. ET. The auction proceeds will support both figures’ political causes.
What’s the Purpose?
Edward Snowden and the Web3 community have become close friends over the years. It has happened, with the decentralized, censorship-resistant nature of the blockchain attracting the whistleblower. Given that, Snowden’s history of exposing mass surveillance attracted the Web3 community. Snowden released and sold an NFT called “Stay Free” for 2,224 ETH ($5.5 million at the time). The seller? PleasrDAO is a group of DeFi fans on Web3 that was started by fans of the NFT leader PplPleasr (Emily Yang).
“[PleasrDAO] got to know Snowden and the Freedom of the Press Foundation when we acquired Snowden’s ‘Stay Free’ NFT. It’s an amazing piece, and the funds raised from the auction funded a year-plus of Freedom of the Press Foundation operating costs.”
PleasrDAO Head of Marketing Chris Eberle
The collaborative work is based on Ellsberg’s famous Pentagon Papers leak. It also features vintage footage of the activist from an interview given in 1971 from the Boston courthouse steps. The place also marks where Ellsberg turned himself in to the authorities.
When asked about the consequences of his actions, Ellsberg replied, “Wouldn’t you go to prison to help end this war?”. The Pentagon Papers, which dance across the work, filter the interview. Interestingly, a special custom software created the video for the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
Moreover, the proceeds from the auction of that piece reportedly covered more than a year of Freedom of the Press Foundation’s operating expenses. According to the DAO, it purchased the piece as part of its mission to collect NFTs. So it’s no surprise that Edward Snowden’s next NFT will feature on PleasrDAO’s live show this week.
Basically, PleasrDAO wants to change the way live art auctions are usually done with PleasrHouse. Each episode will focus on a different piece of art. Plus, the show wants to talk about how important it is through original content and interviews. The episode will end with a high-profile auction for the piece.
Not to mention, The Freedom of the Press Foundation and the Daniel Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy will split the auction proceeds.
Edward Snowden NFT Auction: The Future
PleasrHouse’s first episode aims for something out of the ordinary. In the fight against government corruption and overreach, Snowden and Ellsberg are household names. They are also allowing Web3 enthusiasts to participate in the Edward Snowden NFT Auction on the blockchain, which could be quite exciting and profitable. PleasrHouse is aiming for a big impact in the future, with more episodes in the works.
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