It's a great, erection-inducing (metaphorically speaking) read. It goes into the simple game theory among the different players (from individual adopters to companies and nation states) and speculates about how the 'suddenly' point of no return will happen.
It rightly instills a sense of urgency. As in: if you don't bitcoinize, you'll be screwed. Pushed down the chasm of irrelevance. Not by some evil doings of Bitcoin, but by your own choices and the market's voluntary, non-coercive response to them.
Normies think people buy bitcoin to make money (without ever stopping to think what money is). But sometimes I can't help buy feel I buy bitcoin because I don't want to be squashed like a cockroach.
A friend of mine has reservations about Bitcoin, because, in her view:
  • It will increase inequality in the world
  • It will cause environmental destruction
I can't make sense of this stance. Whatever Bitcoin does, if it's adopted so widely as to have a big impact on the world (whether it's something as nefarious as making either of the above concerns a reality, or something beneficial), it's in my interest to own some (and since I think the world is heading towards hyperbitcoinization, I want to own as much as possible). That's what my survival instinct tells me.
Bitcoin will do what it's meant to do and if that's something bad, my not stacking sats can't save the world from it. However, my stacking sats can save my own rear end. And if that's the only thing I can save, I will do what it takes to save it, because I'd rather save that than nothing.
Her attitude is akin to being on a sinking ship and saying "I don't like the idea that the ship is sinking, it rubs my sensitivity the wrong way. Ships shouldn't sink, it's not fair that they do. So instead of jumping on a life boat, I'll sink with it."
Bitcoin is not an evil creation, but a discovery of mathematical facts. Opposing its implications is futile, like opposing nature, and shows an absence of a survival instinct.
The good thing is, there is enough life boats for everyone, some are bigger and better than others. If you didn't jump on one of those comfortable ones that were more like yachts and left early, you can still catch a floating truck tire. Or you can 'heroically' drown in the name of equality.
It will increase inequality in the world
Looking at an alternative way to live, and seeing flaws in it, therefore deciding the alternative is not good, never thinking whether the alternative is better. Usually lives beside 'fear of change' and 'comfort in status quo' and sometimes 'already elite in this system, don't want that to change.' Here, survival instinct and fear might motivate where nothing else will. However, it is immoral for anyone to try and create such conditions for 'educational purposes' (or entertainment.)
It will cause environmental destruction
Factually incorrect manipulation narrative that could have been concocted by P.R. firms on behalf of existing institutionals, while they scoop up cheap coin.
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Here, survival instinct and fear might motivate where nothing else will.
I'd rather people acquired bitcoin for reasons other than fear, but if nothing else motivates them, creating a bit of a sense of urgency is justified. It's no different to announcing the ship is sinking or a hurricane is coming, when you strongly believe that's the case.
But if that doesn't work, I don't know what will.
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With persuasion, not use of force - for sure, I agree. Thanks for making that distinction.
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420 sats \ 2 replies \ @freetx 28 Mar
It will increase inequality in the world It will cause environmental destruction
I no longer advocate nor initiate bitcoin discussions with people. If they ask directly, I will happily talk about it and give me views.
Over time I've strained some friendships by talking about bitcoin in 2012-2013 timeframe.
Counter-intuitively, some people harbor a weird resentment against me because they chose not to buy. Now they feel like they missed out (they really haven't) but well, I can no longer talk to them about it because it brings up too many sore subjects.
There is another person in my life who did buy, but then they sold shortly after....at the time the told me repeatedly to sell since it was "going to be outlawed soon". Predictably they too harbor some weird resentment about the situation so we rarely talk about finance things anymore.
The end result is: Its basically impossible to help anyone unless they directly ask for it. Even in cases where you do convince them, it is likely it won't work out anyway.
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Thanks for the input.
The only reason I brought it up with her is she asked me about it a couple of years ago. Very few people have. Most of my friends don't know I'm involved.
I could have brought it up around the 2022 low, but bull markets are better timing for getting people interested. I guess it's too early for her. Maybe she'll come back asking at the 2025 peak, or the 2029 one.
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Strained friendships, damn
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Normies should be informed that is NOT necessary to buy Bitcoin. You can earn it too. Just ask to be paid in Bitcoin. Those that already accumulated BTC for years and do not have anymore fiat, will start paying for goods and services in sats.
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Do you get paid in btc?
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Amazing read! A thought provoking one.
Let's first turn Millions into Billions. I mean adoption is the key. The world population is now eying at 8 Billion and Bitcoin adoption is hardly around 50 million. Isn't it something we need to address much before thinking about 'trillions', Pricewise
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Adoption will happen, no concerns here. I just don't want my friends to be among the last ones to adopt it.
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Don’t want communists buying BTC anyway. The people who love freedom will have money for once, not the con artists.
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