From Dream Catchers to Web 3.0: A Songwriter’s Journey Through Storytelling, Technology, and Time

How Childhood Creativity, Compassionate Mentorship, and Digital Evolution Shaped My Passion for Poetry and Songwriting

When I reflect on my childhood, one teacher stands out vividly in my memory: Mrs. Rowewriting became a vital lifeline—a creative escape that allowed me to find peace amidst the turmoil.

Mrs. Rowe was not only a dedicated teacher but also an author. I fondly remember the day she brought one of her charming children’s books to class. It was a delightful story about dinosaurs that sparked my passion for Anthropology, a field I chose to study at university in 1993. I felt an intrinsic connection with Mrs. Rowe; we shared a love for storytelling, whether through crafting stories, poetry, or lyrics.

Rediscovering Creative Roots in a Career-Driven World

One of my first poems, inspired by a dream catcher, found its way onto a blog several years ago. However, I regretfully fell out of touch with it as life and work took precedence. Many of us can relate to this—we often find ourselves caught in the societal push to refine our skills for career readiness, sometimes at the expense of our creative pursuits.

From a young age, I immersed myself in writing stories, spending countless hours in my room, listening to the mesmerizing spin of old 45 records and songs playing on the radio. And for those unfamiliar with 45s and 78s, you might be part of a different generation!

Technology and Transformation: From Dial-Up to Web 3.0

This was long before the Internet as we know it today. I distinctly remember paying a hefty $56 per month for dial-up internet access—a significant expense at the time—when everyone was eager to embrace new technology during the early days of the third industrial revolution.

Today, as we step into the fourth era of industrialization—marked by innovations such as driverless cars and the exciting transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0—we witness the world evolving at an astonishing pace.

Understanding the Web’s Evolution

• Web 1.0 (The Static Web): A one-way street where a limited number of creators fed information to a vast audience.
• Web 2.0 (The Social Web): Dynamic, user-generated content and interactivity—bringing engagement but also concerns about data centralization and privacy.
• Web 3.0 (The Decentralized & Intelligent Web): A shift toward decentralization, artificial intelligence, and semantic understanding—empowering users with enhanced security and personalized experiences.

Time, Creativity, and the Power of Hope

What I want to convey is that we are all navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Each of us is seeking our unique place in this world, taking it one step at a time. It reminds me of the beloved poem, “Footprints in the Sand,” which beautifully illustrates how we often lean on hope, believing that during our most challenging moments, we are being carried.

One of my favourite renditions of this poem is sung by Leona Lewis, and remarkably, the official video was released on YouTube fifteen years ago—time truly flies!

Why I Write: Embracing the Creative Voice Within

This is why I emphasize the importance of cherishing every moment of life. Our time is one of the most precious resources we have—more valuable than any form of currency, be it gold, silver, or even digital assets. So, let’s embrace our creative voices, find joy in our journeys, and never hesitate to express ourselves.

Perhaps this is why I enjoy writing poetry, lyrics, and songs—it allows me to share the most profound emotions and feelings with the world around me, even though I am an introverted person in my personal life.

To be continued…

George Michael Bennett
georgemichaelbennett.com
2025-09-25