Editor's Note: This article discusses the changing role of Ethereum in the development of Rollup, L2, L3, and other technologies. As projects launch their own chains through Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS), teams' focus gradually shifts to products, users, and tokens, moving away from alignment with Ethereum. The author uses the metaphor of an "Orphaned Mother" to illustrate how Ethereum becomes the "mother" of projects that deviate from it, with ETH being diluted in the process. The author asks: If Ethereum doesn't want to become this kind of "mother," how should it respond to these changes?
The following is the original content (slightly edited for readability):
The Ethereum community has spent a lot of time discussing whether Rollup, L2, and L3 extract value from Ethereum L1. In the past 24 hours, @ameensol, @haydenzadams, @wmougayar, @siobh_eth, @TrustlessState and others have been deeply involved in this discussion.
My view is: Any action that moves transactions and activities away from Ethereum L1 is essentially a value extraction behavior.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. But I believe that in the long run, this will indeed affect the ETH asset.
Let me explain from two perspectives: one is an analogy with Toyota, and the other is a Rollup project in the real world that I once advised.
While working at Toyota, I learned a principle from my Lean mentor called Genchi Genbutsu (現地現物). It means: "Go and see for yourself." Don't rely solely on data panels or second-hand information, but directly experience the thing itself. This idea has deeply influenced my way of analyzing ecosystems like Ethereum.
Genchi Genbutsu teaches you to avoid falling into abstract traps.
Data is certainly helpful, but without first-hand actual experience, data is incomplete.
I've been involved in the launch of several Rollup projects, and each time I witnessed the same changes. And the interesting part begins here.
Here, I want to introduce a concept: "Orphaned Mother".
In philosophy, this term refers to disciplines like physics, mathematics, and economics that were originally born from philosophy.
Philosophy nurtured them, but after its "children" grew up, they left, ultimately leaving her as an orphaned mother.
Each new Rollup, L2, L3 makes Ethereum gradually become that "orphaned mother".
Years ago, I advised a Rollup project focused on a specific field. All team members were staunch Ethereum believers - I had known them since the ETH San Francisco event in 2017.
Initially, they were idealists.
They were using Rollup-as-a-Service providers like @gelatonetwork, @alt_layer, @conduitxyz, or @Calderaxyz. These companies are excellent and served their customers well.
The entire process was very simple, taking less than 30 minutes: you would own your own chain.
From that moment, everything began to change.
After launching, their mindset changed. They were no longer just builders, but became entrepreneurs.
Their focus shifted to products, users, community, and growth. They were fully invested in their own chain and token.
Whether to stay aligned with Ethereum? That was no longer even in the top ten priorities.
This isn't a criticism of them, but the reality of the situation.
When you operate your own chain, your thinking changes. You optimize your own flywheel, your own incentive mechanisms, your own token.
Ethereum becomes that orphaned mother.
Back to Genchi Genbutsu - go and see for yourself.
Launch your own Rollup, use a RaaS, try to develop it, issue your own token. Experience firsthand how your mindset shifts from ETH-maxi to token founder. You'll feel this change.
Let me summarize:
(1) Launching your own chain transforms you from a builder aligned with Ethereum to a business owner.
(2) This owner's mindset makes ETH optional.
(3) Don't just take my word for it, go and verify for yourself.
This is neither good nor bad, it just is. But if Ethereum wants to avoid becoming the "orphaned mother" in the modular stack, it needs to proactively address this dynamic.
In this model, ETH as an asset will indeed be diluted. The question is: How should we respond?
Welcome to join the BlockBeats official community:
Telegram Subscription Group: https://t.me/theblockbeats
Telegram Discussion Group: https://t.me/BlockBeats_App
Twitter Official Account: https://twitter.com/BlockBeatsAsia
