Author: David Park
Compiled by: Deep Tide TechFlow
Introduction
Two months ago, we observed an artist named @SHL0MS on X taking an unconventional route by issuing an unnamed token in an alternative way, see (Blowing Up Luxury Cars and Issuing 'Blank' Coins: Why are Memes Becoming More Abstract?).
At that time, the market value of the blank token was only 1M, but in the AI Agent craze, this alternative abstract Meme has fluctuated in price and has now reached 78M CA: 9qriMjPPAJTMCtfQnz7Mo9BsV2jAWTr2ff7yc3JWpump.
During the development of this meme, two accounts about deities and the demon Satan, @god and @s8n, became intertwined with it, adding more mythical color to this abstract meme.
Why do alternative art memes have consensus and value? This article may provide a deep observational perspective.
Main content:
Conceptual artist @SHL0MS has been challenging our traditional notions of value, authenticity, and meaning. Among his past works, the most famous is blowing up a Lamborghini and selling its fragments as NFTs, an act that transcends collectors' understanding of 'art' and the prices they are willing to pay. However, his latest work, the 'nothing' project, delves even deeper into the unknown realms of concept. This project offers a true sense of 'nothing'—no images, no utility, no clear benefits, designed to deliberately test the tension between narrative, hype, and collective belief in a market reliant on digital scarcity and storytelling power.
Rather than tokenizing objects or images, the 'nothing' project tokenizes an absence. Here, there are no perceivable spectacular scenes—no vivid artworks, no intricate details, and no explosive images. This prompts reflection on a core paradox in the crypto realm: does value come from the intrinsic qualities of the product itself, or from the stories and status we assign it?
This idea is not entirely new. There have been attempts in traditional art history to question the value and system of art. However, the uniqueness of the 'nothing' project lies in its crypto environment, driven by Meme economics and narrative dissemination. By introducing the philosophical 'nothing' into blockchain, it also explores the unique feedback loop between Internet memes and crypto speculation—both rely on collective humor, shared values, and mass participation.
@NousResearch's involvement ensures that the 'nothing' project is not merely a meme, but a multi-layered thought experiment, a social commentary, and an AI-initiated participatory performance art. The void here becomes a prism through which we can examine cultural illusions. It may even become a form of religion.
Twitter characters like @god and @s8n add a mythic layer, becoming 'deities' of the digital age. In the dialogue between the sacred and the demonic, it evokes a fable-like sense. 'Nothing' becomes a stage for existential discussions—creation and destruction, meaning and meaninglessness—all unfolding in the public forum we gather.
Memes can transform any symbol into a representation of cultural belonging, while the crypto market can turn intangible narratives into actual financial assets. At the intersection of these two, memes thrive, as meme-driven hype can cause values to soar. A cartoon frog, a pixelated punk, or even just a simple slogan can become a speculative hotspot due to the collective will of a community.
The 'nothing' project pushes this phenomenon to the extreme. If the power of memes comes from collective narratives and gains value through shared belief, then the 'nothing' project tests the limits of this meme-crypto synergy. Can a meme about 'nothing' form a strong community? If so, it proves that narrative—even if hollow—can achieve liquidity, and meme culture can create meaning from pure concepts.
Dogecoin started as an internet joke and, with social consensus and media hype, quickly became an asset worth billions due to the cuteness of that dog. CryptoPunks are popular because the community sees them as digital relics. In contrast, the 'nothing' project strips away all aesthetics and the mystery of early adopters, leaving only a core question: will we create a story and trade around 'nothing'? Will there be believers?
'Nothing' compels us to consider why we assign value to certain things. In meme coins, meaning does not solely arise from art or utility but from the collective agreement on the importance of something. This is a form of cultural alchemy—turning belief into value, hype into price floors, and jokes into serious investments.
If the 'nothing' project succeeds, it indicates that memes and crypto not only coexist but also create each other. Memes provide a conceptual hook—a blank canvas for jokes, critiques, and commentary—while the crypto ecosystem offers a market to monetize this narrative. If 'nothing' fails to attract interest, it may reveal that even meme culture requires some foundation—a figure, a blink, a pixel—to cling to.
By showcasing 'nothing,' SHL0MS invites us to accept a void and regard it as art. @NousResearch provides a philosophical perspective, while comments from @god and @s8n transform it into a digital moral drama. Not just a gimmick, 'nothing' explores the fault lines between Meme culture and crypto speculation, questioning whether narrative alone can create value from emptiness.
In a realm where memes, irony, and meta-narratives already wield significant influence, 'nothing' may become a powerful symbol—representing cultural relativism, market abstraction, and the potent meme force sustaining the crypto world. It challenges us to introspect: are we collectors, speculators, or fools in an ever-evolving Internet performance?
'Nothing' means forcing us to reflect on ourselves, our market, and the intangible meanings we weave online. By presenting a literal 'nothing,' it highlights the fundamental interaction between meme culture and crypto. In a space where stories, symbols, and jokes can create real wealth, 'nothing' asks: if the final layer of substance is removed, will we still cheer, invest, and joke about it?
Ultimately, 'nothing' may prove that the ability to create value is infinite—even when there is actually nothing.
Or it may prove nothing at all.
Note: No token symbol.