Popular Consensus is a decentralized polling and consensus application built on Ethereum and IPFS, utilizing the framework of a Token Curated Registry (TCR) and Ethereum Name Service (ENS) for user authentication. Our application focuses on benefiting the broader Ethereum and Web3 ecosystem by offering a public utility API system for polling, catering to DAOs, and emphasizing the core use of ENS for identity management.

The primary goal of Popular Consensus is to provide a platform for creating and participating in secure, transparent, and censorship-resistant polls, leveraging the power of blockchain technology and token incentives. By using a decentralized infrastructure and ENS for user authentication, we aim to create a trustless environment where poll results are verifiable and tamper-proof.

Benefits to the Broader Community and DAOs:

Popular Consensus offers a public utility API system that enables easy integration with other applications and platforms in the Web3 ecosystem. This functionality empowers DAOs to seamlessly poll their members, gather feedback, and make collective decisions, streamlining their decision-making processes and data storage. By turning Popular Consensus into a TCR-DAO hybrid, we aim to create a self-governing and evolving platform that addresses the unique needs of the community.

The symbiotic relationship between ENS and Popular Consensus is evident in the way they complement each other. ENS serves as the foundation for identity management, while Popular Consensus focuses on providing a reliable and decentralized polling infrastructure. Together, they create a holistic ecosystem where user identities are secure, and decision-making processes are transparent and efficient.

Key Features:

1. ENS-based user authentication: Users log in using their ENS domain, ensuring a seamless and secure experience.
2. Multiple poll settings: Poll creators can choose between public or token-gated polls, single or multiple choice options, and access codes for specific use cases like municipal referendums.
3. Privacy-preserving voting: Implementation of zero-knowledge proofs to protect voter anonymity.
4. Incentivized participation: Users are rewarded with tokens for participating in and curating polls, fostering a healthy ecosystem.
5. Curation and legitimacy: Poll creators can vote on the legitimacy of other polls, maintaining the platform's integrity.
6. Data ownership and control: Poll creators can decide the duration of public data availability and monetize access to their poll data after the poll's completion.
7. Public utility API system: Easy integration with other applications, including DAOs, promoting adoption and extending the utility of the platform.

ENS Small Grants Public Goods Grant Request:

We are seeking funding from the ENS Small Grants Public Goods grant to support the development and deployment of Popular Consensus. Our application benefits the broader Ethereum and Web3 space by leveraging ENS for user authentication and providing a decentralized infrastructure for polling and consensus.

Our primary goals for this grant are:

1. Develop and deploy the smart contracts, front-end, and backend components for Popular Consensus.
2. Integrate ENS and other Ethereum-based tools, libraries, and protocols to enhance the platform's utility and benefit the wider Ethereum ecosystem.
3. Conduct thorough testing, security audits, and optimizations to ensure the platform's security, efficiency, and scalability.
4. Promote the adoption of Popular Consensus and its integration with other Web3 applications, including DAOs, fostering a strong user base and a healthy ecosystem. By securing funding from the ENS Small Grants Public Goods grant, we aim to contribute to the growth and success of the Ethereum and Web3 ecosystem. We believe that Popular Consensus has the potential to become an essential tool for DAOs and other organizations seeking transparent, secure, and decentralized decision-making processes. The integration of ENS for user authentication and the provision of a public utility API system will encourage widespread adoption and collaboration within the community.

With the support of the ENS Small Grants Public Goods grant, we look forward to making Popular Consensus a valuable resource for not only the Web3 space, but the world in general! We hope to foster a more democratic and decentralized future.

P.S. My name is Shaedan Hawse and I'm a 28y/o from British Columbia, Canada that has been obsessed with this idea for the past 8 months. I will admit to using GPT-4 to helping me to formulate my thoughts and put together this application, I view it as a tool and assistant and think it would be foolhardy not to incorporate it into my workflow. This project is still in it's very early stages, as it's basically just me working on it in my free time because of my other work as a web developer. Thank you so much for your time and I hope you really consider the potential to create another useful tool for humanity!

P.P.S. That last part was actually me writing.