Adam and Dom were close friends from before Dom even started working on ICP. I also know for a fact that the OG SNS DAO core teams had regularly scheduled closed door meetings with Adam (not sure if they still do). Any time when the SNS DAOs coordinated something, there's a good bet that it was due to a mandate by Adam. If you need proof, just look at how concentrated the SNS fundraises are. I'm glad some of this is finally coming out. The sad truth is that Dom and Adam both suffer from severe paranoia from being betrayed by people in the past. To be fair, they live in an environment of wealth and intrigue where I'm sure they've faced things that would make anyone paranoid. However, as ironic as it sounds, you can't grow the adoption of a trustless technology if you are untrusting (especially if that causes you to be unwilling to loosen any control over it). Any time a project gets too popular, it's blacklisted. Any time someone tries to contribute to the ecosystem without their blessing, they are considered a threat. So many big crypto brands did try to partner with ICP, but they were all turned down by Dfinity. So many legitimate builders did attempt to contribute, but they were attacked/blacklisted for rubbing Dom or Adam the wrong way until they were forced to leave. Why hasn't ICP attracted any VCs? Because they were turned off by all of the politics going on behind the scenes. The problem with ICP was never the technology. Did we get some value extractors and scammers? Yes, but roughly the same amount as any Web3 ecosystem. Most of the failures are due to incompetence and/or lack of financial traction. However, the general lack of financial traction within ICP is a symptom of deeper issues. I think the wider ecosystem has gotten a sense that there's been something deeper wrong for a long time. ICP is controlled by a handful of early insiders who don't trust anyone, and they see their enemy everywhere and in everything that happens. This is why the ICP ecosystem has sadly developed a culture that can feel so divided and toxic sometimes. This is why I know I'll likely be attacked for posting this. Both Dom and Adam have breathed their paranoia and distrust into everything that's been going on from the top down. Nothing can thrive in an environment of suspicion and distrust, not even an incredible technology which was designed for trustlessness. I really wish this dynamic would change, because the technology could do so much good for the world.