is near blockchain worth learning how does it compare to other blockchain technologies?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Near Protocol (often referred to as Near) is a blockchain-based platform designed for decentralized applications (dApps). Near Protocol aims to provide a scalable, secure, and developer-friendly environment for building and deploying dApps.

Near Protocol distinguishes itself from some other blockchain technologies through its focus on scalability and usability. Here are a few key features and aspects of Near Protocol that make it worth considering:

1. Scalability: Near Protocol implements a technique called "sharding" to improve scalability. Sharding involves dividing the network into smaller partitions, or shards, which can process transactions and execute smart contracts independently. This allows for parallel processing and higher throughput, potentially addressing the scalability challenges faced by some other blockchain platforms.

2. Usability and developer-friendly environment: Near Protocol emphasizes ease of use for developers. It provides a set of software development kits (SDKs) and libraries that simplify the process of building dApps. The platform supports popular programming languages like Rust and AssemblyScript, which makes it more accessible to a wider range of developers.

3. Gas efficiency: Near Protocol employs a mechanism called "Nightshade" that optimizes the gas usage of smart contracts. This design helps reduce transaction costs and makes it more cost-effective for users and developers to interact with the blockchain.

4. User experience: Near Protocol focuses on providing a smooth user experience by minimizing transaction confirmation times. The platform achieves this through its "finality" mechanism, which enables near-instant confirmation of transactions, making it suitable for applications that require fast transaction processing.

It's worth noting that the blockchain space is rapidly evolving, and new technologies and platforms may have emerged since my knowledge cutoff. Therefore, it's essential to conduct further research and seek up-to-date information about Near Protocol and its current state, features, and comparative analysis with other blockchain technologies.