How do Layer 2 networks (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism) improve user experience?

That's an excellent question. Many people, when first encountering blockchain, are often discouraged by Ethereum's high Gas fees and slow transaction speeds. The emergence of Layer 2 solutions can be seen as a direct answer to this pain point, making it affordable and accessible for ordinary users.

As an experienced user, I'll explain it to you in plain language.

How Layer 2 Networks (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism) Improve User Experience

Imagine Ethereum's mainnet (Layer 1) as the most central and crucial main road in a city. This road is extremely safe and reliable, and all the most important vehicles (like armored trucks or government officials' cars) must use it. But precisely because it's so important, the traffic volume is enormous, leading to:

Severe Traffic Jams: During peak hours (e.g., when a popular NFT is launched), you might have to wait a very long time to get through.
Exorbitant Tolls: Because the road has limited capacity, if you want to pass through quickly, you have to pay a hefty 'toll' (which is the Gas Fee).

This kind of experience is a disaster for ordinary users. I might just want to swap $100 for some other tokens on a Decentralized Exchange (DEX), only to find that the 'toll' is $80. Who can afford that?

Now, Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism are like expressways or elevated highways built above this main road.