Argentine Tango in Web3, Coding, and Technology
Argentine Tango originated in the River Plate region of South America in the late 1800s and has taken over the world since then.
The sensual, intimate dance is danced in milongas (dance halls) worldwide, with a large following in Europe and North America.
While Argentine Tango may have started as a way for people to express themselves and connect with others through music and dance, it has also been used in more unexpected places, such as Web3, coding, and technology.
People might think, “How could the Argentine Tango, a dance, be related to web3, coding, and technology?” The answer lies in the fact that the Argentine Tango is all about connection and communication.
It might seem far-fetched for now, but the more we learn about tango and technology, the more we’ll see the gray area between them.
What Is Web3?
Web 3.0 or Web3 might still be confusing to many, which is understandable because it is relatively new.
Web 3.0 is the third stage of development of the World Wide Web.
The first stage, Web 1.0, was all about creating static web pages that were simply informative. Web 2.0 took this further by making web pages more interactive and dynamic. Now, Web 3.0 is all about using the Semantic Web to create more intelligent and interactive web pages.
According to Forbes, Web3 is “the ‘read/write/own’ upgrade to the internet.”
It is being built on the backs of Web 2.0 companies and protocols but with a few important differences.
Web3 is designed to be decentralized from the ground up, meaning there is no single point of control or failure.
Web3 is also being built to be more private and secure, giving users more control over their data. Finally, it is being made more inclusive, focusing on giving everyone a voice and a platform to be heard.
Photo from https://www.monocubed.com/blog/what-is-web-3-0/
This vision of Web3 tends to be a more democratic version of today’s online world. It’s centered around the idea of ownership, removing control from the dominant big data companies and other central authorities and handing it to the masses.
This is what’s meant by decentralization.
Decentralization means internet users can transact business peer-to-peer, cutting out intermediaries and removing power from controlling entities. There is a greater focus on user privacy, transparency, and ownership.
Not everyone will agree with or like this vision of Web3. It is still very much in development, but the potential for Web3 to change how we interact with the internet and each other is very exciting.
Tango: Web3 Metaphor
So, where does the Argentine Tango fit into all of this? Well, as it turns out,
the Argentine Tango can be seen as a metaphor for Web3. Web3 is all about connection and communication, and so is the Argentine Tango.
The tango is about listening to your partner and responding to their movements. This metaphor can be taken even further.
Just as Web3 is being built to be more inclusive, the Argentine Tango is also a very inclusive dance.
As said by Ethereum,
Web3 embraces decentralization and is being built, operated, and owned by its users. Web3 puts power in the hands of individuals rather than corporations.
There are many similarities between Web3 and tango.
Decentralized
Decentralization, meaning there is no single point of control or failure, is one of the key aspects of Web3, as well as of the Argentine Tango.
In Web3, according to TechTarget,
“applications and services will be enabled in a distributed approach, where there isn’t a central authority.” We see the same idea in tango. There is no central authority in tango. The couple dances together as equals, each responding to the other’s movements.
For beginners in tango, it is vital to look up to authority when learning the basics, philosophy, and culture. But once they have a grasp of the starters, that is when they “own” their tango.
At first, dance will control the dancers. Eventually, the dancers will know tango deeply until the dance becomes a part of them, and the dance will no longer hold them.
The same is true for Web3. With Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, we were controlled by centralized entities. After generations of learning, progressing, and building, we have now reached a point where we can create Web3. The idea is we are in control of our data and information. We can be the ones who will determine what Web3 will look like.
Permissionless
The decentralized approach is what makes both Web3 and tango inclusive.
Anyone can learn to tango, regardless of age, size, or ability. And anyone can build on Web3, regardless of their location or resources.
According to Ethereum, “everyone has equal access to participate in Web3, and no one gets excluded.”
Web3 is permissionless, meaning anyone can develop applications and services on top of it.
This is very different from Web 2.0, where only those with the resources and connections can participate.
Does the tango have the same principle? Absolutely.
As stated by Hispanic Outlook:
Attending a group class or a milonga is a decision to share the space and surrender to the embrace of people known or unknown. It seeks connection through dance regardless of ideology, ethnicity, profession, age, or sexual condition. It is an attempt to discover what generates a particular interpretation of the dance that is unique and unrepeatable as the couple itself.
Anyone can learn to tango, regardless of age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It does not matter if the learner is a beginner or an expert. What matters is the willingness to connect with another person through dance.
Even tango allows seniors to join in the fun! As we shared in our article “Who Are ‘Seniors’ and Why Age Doesn’t Matter in Tango,”
Argentine Tango is a therapy for seniors to regain their sense of self.
The dance is not just for the young and able-bodied. It is for everyone who wants to connect with others through the language of tango.
Trustless
“Trustless” in Web3 does not mean “distrustful.” It means that we do not have to rely on a third party to mediate our transactions.
In Web 2.0, we need to trust a third party, such as a bank or a government, to keep our money safe and to ensure that our transactions are valid. With Web3, we can do away with these intermediaries. We can interact directly with each other and rely on smart contracts to validate our transactions.
Similarly, we do not need a third party to mediate our interactions in tango. We do it directly with ourselves and our partners. We can rely on our connection with each other to make the dance work.
The dance floor is there to facilitate our interactions. It is a safe space for us to experiment and play, but it does not mediate our interactions. Moreover, the music is there to guide us, but it does not dictate our movements.
We are the ones who determine what we do with the dance.
There is a considerable responsibility in Web3 that falls on the individual. We are the ones who will determine how Web3 will evolve and build the applications and services that will run. The same responsibility falls on the tango dancer. How we develop and maintain trust with our partners will determine the quality of our dance.
What Is Coding or Computer Programming?
Speaking of Web3, one of its most important aspects is coding or computer programming. Web3 is powered by code, and it is through code that we can interact with decentralized applications.
But what is coding? In its simplest form, according to Grasshopper,
coding is a way of communicating with computers. We use code to tell computers what to do. It is a language that we use to give instructions to computers.
We all have hopes, dreams, and plans for the future. Whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, want to optimize your current job, or are simply searching for a new hobby, coding can help you get closer to your goals. And remember, anyone can learn how to code!
The power of Web3 lies in coding.
Without codes, we cannot create everything we see on the web now. And, of course, we cannot make anything we want to see in the future. It is impossible to have technology without coding.
Tango and Coding
The same can be said about tango.
Tango is a dance that is powered by code. In coding, it is possible to predict outcomes as certain codes result in specific outputs.
In our article “Six Steps? Resolving Tango Algorithm and Breaking the Code,” we discussed tango conditions, directions, and the six tango steps that lead us to possible outcomes.
Yes, tango is just like coding — we have to input the right codes to get the desired outputs!
The most common code we use in computer programming is the if-then statement. MDN says,
In any programming language, the code needs to make decisions and carry out actions accordingly depending on different inputs. For example, in a game, if the player’s number of lives is 0, then it’s game over. In a weather app, if it is being looked at in the morning, show a sunrise graphic; show stars and a moon if it is nighttime.
This is what we do in computer programming: we input a specific condition, and if that condition is met, then a certain action will be carried out.
There are 48 possible outcomes with all six tango steps in tango, driven by the three directions and nine conditions.
Like in computer programming, we use the if-then statement to reach our desired outcome.
The similarity between tango and coding is undeniable. They are both powered by code, have a specific set of instructions, and both result in certain outputs.
Who thought that dance and a computer language could be so similar?
Tango and Technology
Web3, coding, and everything we see on the internet is all powered by technology. It is impossible to stop the developments in technology as much as it is impossible to live without it. We have already seen how tango and technology are related, even if the two seem to be completely different.
In our article “The Benefits of Tango Dancing for Employee Relations in Tech Companies,” we discovered how tango and tech go hand in hand:
The fascinating thing about tango is that you can never just think about yourself, just like creating a SaaS application or particular code. You are partnered with a specific follower or leader on a particular dance floor for a specific song. A whole moment is created on that spot, in that bubble, but you also have to acknowledge the 20 people on a dance floor and be aware of your surroundings.
This makes tango unique: it is a dance that requires awareness and consideration for others.
This is valuable in the tech industry, where it is easy to get lost in our thoughts and work. Tango forces us to be aware of others and to consider their needs.
Many technological advancements use the word “tango” in their names! For example, the Tango phone was a project by Google that aimed to create the “perfect” smartphone. There is also Tango Control for developers.
There is a connection between tango and technology. We might not have noticed it before, but the two have been inseparable all along.
Argentine Tango Is Everywhere, Even in Technology!
Tango is a dance that can be used in many different situations. It goes beyond the dance floor and reaches out to people who might not even be aware of its existence.
Tango is in the way we code and the way we use technology. And the most exciting part is that it can be in how Web3 will develop in the future. Could there be any other dance that can be more versatile than the Argentine Tango? We doubt it!