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From Kartik: > A client has a one-way dependency on Merkle. The only growth option for a client is to acquire new users. Building in crypto is hard enough, no need for the dependency. I think having to "acquire new users" is key here. Consumer apps get adoption only if they provide some unique experience. Yes, alt FC clients can innovate, but generally people just want to see the feed and interact with their mutuals IMO, for which WC is more than enough.
Didn‘t they have flink before nook? I remember that they even implemented the Solidity sign up process. So they must have been aware?! I guess I‘m wondering why this wasn‘t clear from the getgo and what they‘re aiming for. Seems like they want to tap into a source of users immediately, for which I can still respect them.
I wonder if that would encourage Merkle to be more supportive of other clients, or will they keep betting on WC as a primary client until they grow significantly? IIRC, Dan said at Farcon that they don't think alt-clients would get popular before Farcaster gets to 1M-10M users.
To concentrate efforts on major tasks, developers need to work together instead of individually. It is generally difficult to accomplish things with scattered efforts.