The Last Dance with the past🕺
Source: Dev.to
Introduction
Hello dev.to community!
A week ago I posted my first article introducing myself and explaining that I left web development to focus on cryptography and blockchain architecture (beyond just smart contracts). If you want to read more about it, click here.
In this post I want to explain how I plan to officially close this chapter of my journey.
I’ve decided to quit web development and smart‑contract work as my main focus and concentrate on building my own blockchains and delving deeper into cryptography—a field that captured my interest back in 2022 after reading a book on Bitcoin. For more background, see my first article.
To illustrate the shift, I compare my early learning experiences. When I was taking a JavaScript course, a 2‑hour section at 1.5× speed felt like an eternity, yet I could usually finish the material in real time thanks to notes. In crypto, even a 2‑hour session feels different; the subjects are distinct and require a different learning approach, but the effort feels comparable.
Enough introduction—let’s explore why this transition matters to me.
Leaving something you’ve done for three years, with all its obstacles, pressure, and doubt, without a proper farewell feels like a disregard for yourself and your work. I believe new chapters should have a clear beginning—a date or event that marks the transition.
Hackathon Participation
I decided to take part in my first (and probably last) hackathon, organized by ETHWarsaw in Katowice, running from 17–19 April. This fulfills a long‑standing dream of participating in a hackathon, something I never had time for before.
In discussions with @konark_13, I settled on a Pokémon‑themed project that combines Pokémon, Web3, and zero‑knowledge proofs (I have some experience with Noir). While planning the infrastructure—game logic, events, tools, and database management—I realized I was tired of building the same UI with the same packages as everyone else. Completing this project would represent a triple‑combo of personal fulfillment:
- Closing the web‑dev chapter with honors
- Opening a new chapter focused on cryptography and blockchain architecture
- Achieving a long‑held dream of hackathon participation
Hackathon Application Approval
I was initially unsure whether I would be accepted, as the announcement mentioned a preference for students. Around 4 PM, I checked my mailbox and saw the approval email. I was thrilled—my plan could finally move forward.
Until the hackathon starts, I’ll continue my primary work in cryptography while also revisiting smart‑contract development principles and brainstorming what to build at the event.
Gratitude
I want to thank everyone who has reacted to my posts, followed me, and left comments. Your support means a lot. I hope to become a cryptography expert and share knowledge—explaining concepts like the φ‑function, how SHA algorithms work, and more.
I think I’ll stay on dev.to for a while longer. Cheers! 💜