<center>https://s14.postimg.org/7cbn97t9d/20161108_203634.jpg</center>

Inspired to write this after my first, and also very interesting meetup with a fellow Steemian: @shla-rafia 

Two days ago I posted [this up](https://steemit.com/blog/@kevinwong/touched-down-amsterdam) and @shla-rafia reached out and he was reasonably near to where I was. I did a quick check on his account before deciding on a meetup. I remember reading some of his posts, and the blog seems personable and consistent. So we met up in a nice, warm coffee-shop off one corner.

# Two dots connected.
We hit it off like old pals right away, anchoring on relatable topics like Steemit, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies in general, before going to more personal stories. After a good hour, I was quickly reminded that these kind of interactions are not immediately replaceable by social media. I think I've read his posts before, but of course, the fullness of his character just wasn't there. But after meeting up, his blogroll becomes way more relevant now - as it should.

He has actually talked to hundreds of people about Steemit ever since he got into Amsterdam two months ago. A real nice, friendly, and enterprising individual. We forgot to take pictures.

Blockchain brings people together. Is that an overstatement?

# Blockchain as universal language.
We have two modes of communication. First being the loose, flowery language that we use everyday like English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, etc. These are social languages, and they have the power to sway the hearts of men. The other kind of language can be best described as scientific, precise language. That is how scientists, mathematicians, programmers, architects, and such are able to collaborate and synthesize knowledge all around the world.

So now we have here a social blockchain acting as universal language with precise protocols. And it's built to support  spoken language at its core for distributed judgement. Unlike the lofty declarations of men and nations, a blockchain is codified to perform as expected. It serves as a background process for building strong communities and incentivizing contributions.


# More dots connected.

So I met @roelandp, @firepower, @anyx, and @steemrollin yesterday and honestly, this kind of friendship is not something that I experience everyday, also knowing that we're all really people from different walks of life. Maybe that's simply the magic of a social-centric blockchain. Or maybe I'm just new to making friends online lol.

We had BBQ and cakes yesterday night. It was good.

https://s13.postimg.org/hrbhabp93/15036555_10154655344471798_1621894102660519841_n.jpg
<center>Image by @firepower</center>

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