The network wasn’t built to make money but it was always part of the process to get it built, and has always used money to incentivise people to get involved, support development by risking capital, to develop applications etc.
So I don’t think it’s fair to frame integration of the token in the running network as a necessarily evil, as something unfortunate. It was described as the “oil” or “fuel” of the network at different times, as much a part of the network as the various algorithms being devised, all in the cause of decentralisation to support universal access to privacy, data sharing and security. The token itself has gone through a range of both implementations and framings (eg no token → token → coin → token).
I see a largely agnostic attitude to money, so long as it supports the fundamentals of Safe Network, which has been a strength. For example it enables the inclusiveness of universal access and has allowed people with very different ideological positions on money to come together with a common interest in the network’s success.
If we started from an ideological position on money we’d have a different network and a different community. I think that’s one of the reasons Safe Network has always felt distinct from just about every other project out there. It’s not about making money but doesn’t demonise money and so can use it appropriately. It has a set of fundamental non-monetary goals which are written down so everyone can decide whether they want in or not, whatever their financial circumstances.
At the same time I have encountered people, intelligent people, who have passed over Safe Network because of their ideological perspective, some see it as about money, while in another case as communistic!
People see what they want to see when they have a strong ideological position on money, and I’m pleased we haven’t had to take one in order to come together in support of those fundamentals. I’m glad to have friends here with very different positions between us. It’s been a shock sometimes!
It’s also good to have a place where I get to hear and question things I’ve not understood because my position comes from my history and circumstances, so it’s good to try and hold beliefs lightly, and choose whether to hold on or let go sometimes. But I digress!