It’s a common observation especially in the Crypto world that people frequently attempt to take pictures with well-known individuals. This behavior can largely be interpreted as an attempt to leverage and benefit from the person's reputation. However, interestingly, this strategy doesn’t offer as much benefit as one might think. I will try to explain the reason why from the point of view that the reputation works like light.  *Genereated by DALL-E: A well-suited man is taking a selfie with a developer* Taking a selfie with a famous person or talking about a relationship with a reputable individual is essentially just borrowing their illuminating light. Their reputation can shed some light on you, as the sun gives light to the moon. But it never makes the moon emit its own light. The situation with reputation is similar. You cannot build your true reputation without being a star that emits light from within yourself. Relying on others' reputation, such as talking about a famous person and showcasing the relationship, will leave you in the dark once you are apart from them. However, unlike consuming others' reputations for one's own sake, shedding light on an ecosystem helps it flourish by infusing it with vigorous energy. Interestingly, this act of shedding light encourages hidden seeds beneath the soil to sprout, initiating a positive feedback loop. Through interaction within themselves, these new growths begin to thrive and, eventually, emit light of their own. Therefore, when dealing with external reputation, highlighting myself versus illuminating the community leads to surprisingly different outcomes, with the latter resulting in more light being brought into the world. What about local Ethereum events, then? Often, they aim to attract foreign and global recognition to the local community. However, the focus sometimes shifts too much towards importing external reputations, overshadowing the local community's own development. This approach fails to nurture the growth of the local ecosystem or discover hidden talents who share our core values closely. Therefore, local Ethereum events should prioritize engaging the local community, bearing in mind that the purpose of integrating external influences is to let the local scene bask in the vibrant light of the global community. In conclusion, reputation functions like light. Being surrounded by shining stars may make you appear brighter. However, it's important to remember that without focusing on illuminating your community and ecosystem, you risk being left in darkness. If you are someone who already shines brightly, please cast your light on those who share your values. Together, we can create an infinite, beautiful garden where numerous shining stars illuminate the world. Apr 8th, 2024