I personally haven't been to El Salvador, but I have a friend whom I trust that was just there for a week. He and his family had a wonderful time. He spent a lot of time there speaking with locals. He asked them about Bukele, Bitcoin, gangs, you name it. Essentially anything negative we hear is all FUD. El Salvador isn't without issues, but for the vast majority of things, they're doing great and all very excited for their future.
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I don't know if its productive to go on a rant about "MSM = brain rot" because the reality is that ship sailed decades ago when all news media got deregulated and could begin reporting on more than just facts. Things like opinion pieces and such. You can thank the Republicans for that one which is a little cute since they are the most vocal about how bad news organizations have become.
What I do know is it is hard to get a clear picture of the current government over there. I think the What Bitcoin Podcast episode with Bukele was interesting because it felt like he has no interest in being an authoritarian dictator but at the same time he was really trying to move the definition of the two words around and also even said something to the tune of "How can I be a dictator, people vote for me!" and his reasoning was something along the lines that people don't vote for dictators or something. It was really stupid reasoning.
I figure it is a situation that only time will tell and I won't think of that government in neither a positive or negative light. Ultimately, Bitcoin is for everyone and everyone will use it. What this means is that we are not obligated to play team politics with anyone. Bitcoin frees you to be objective. Yet, I do see so many people organizing themselves into pro or anti Bukele "teams". There is no need for that, much like there is no need to staunchly identify as either Democrat or Republican to the point where people can only vomit their side's talking points.
I don't even like to consider myself a Bitcoiner for the same reason. Feels like I am pushing myself closer to choosing a tribe, and I want to remain objective when it comes to Bitcoin too.
In any case I think the next 10 years will be critical for El Salvador and Bitcoin will reveal the true nature of their government, just as it will any other government that adopts it. That is why it is a Trojan horse.
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I think MSM didnt get worse but that we are now able to hear so much more from the local scale.
Historically we just haven't been able to effectively communicate and gather info across the globe and had to rely on MSM.
The world is complex and has always been so, but also makes it a lot harder to take your stance on issues.
Whether he is adopting bitcoin to counter USD/IMF grip lock, or purely to gamble on speculation, or use it for tracking citizens, most likely all of these play a part.
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I’ve been skeptical about what is actually going on in El Salvador, but the more shoddy hit pieces that come out against El Salvador, the more I believe that country is on the right path. 🇸🇻 #bitcoin
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Yea the LA Times one really put my antennas up. Time will tell if this is just a LARP or if it truly does save a nation from financial tyranny
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ditto. and i am beginning to realize that it all has to do with the fact that if it is a currency, capital gains, CFTC, SEC regs etc all go out the window. The US cannot regulate other counties currencies and they know they are screwed as soon as another big central American country makes it legal tender
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Regarding international arrivals, Forward Keys highlighted that the most visited destinations in the first quarter of 2022, compared to January-March 2019, were El Salvador with an increase of 39%, followed by the Turks and Caicos Islands with 2%. ; while Costa Rica fell by 9%, Mexico registered a reduction of 6% and the Dominican Republic with a negative figure of 4%.
Translation from Spanish by Google Translate:
(I think the title was either poorly translated or was mis-written. In percentage increase, El Salvador does appear to have blowout numbers. But in absolute numbers, international air travel to other countries, such as Mexico, certainly were an order of magnitude or more greater. El Salvador is a relatively tiny country (geographically and population-wise).
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MSM = Brain Rot
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I can only imagine the content of this article since it's behind a pay wall. I wouldn't give the NY Times even a fiat penny to read this crap.
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I was able to read it for some reason. Here's an archived link: https://archive.ph/5qwdL
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Thanks. Speaking of authoritarian propaganda...
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NYT is just taking their turn in the MSM anti Bitcoin propaganda loop. I tend to just pass them by and not give them the attention.
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Pfhhh ... NY Times.
In U.S., Mainstream News Media Is Nothing More Than Socialist Propaganda
In response to killings, El Salvador's bitcoin president attacks civil liberties https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-04-08/mass-arrests-of-salvadorans-accused-of-being-in-gangs
As El Salvador adopts Bitcoin, its young president is dismantling democracIn response to killings, El Salvador's bitcoin president attacks civil libertiesy https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/as-el-salvador-adopts-bitcoin-its-young-president-is-dismantling-democracy/
El Salvador’s president buys bitcoins ‘naked,’ he boasts. His experiment is costing his nation millions https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/el-salvadors-president-buys-bitcoins-naked-he-boasts-his-experiment-is-costing-his-nation-millions/
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Even 60 Minutes (CBS) tried to do a hit piece, and it only made the bitcoin in SV grow story grow further support, globally!
📺 Bitcoin Beach: How a town in El Salvador became a testing ground for bitcoin | 60 Minutes #19196 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bitcoin-beach-el-salvador-60-minutes-2022-04-10
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Whereas on the street, there's mostly favorable (albeit still mixed) support.
Have you considered moving to El Salvador? #40136
🎥 Bond to Unbind - Bitcoin and El Salvador [full documentary] | Satoshi Pollen #27625
El Salvador Farm to Table Coffee | Paid with lightning #29956
But bitcoin isn't an overnight miracle anywhere in the world. It's a tool that, over time, brings hope, and freedom.
Follow The Money #1 - Bitcoin in El Salvador #29302
Bitcoin in El Salvador - Part 2 with Nayib Bukele #31404
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There is a lot of risk to the fiat status quo world. should El Salvador not just be resilient but become stronger as a result.
Developing countries are watching, and learning.
President Nayib Bukele Announces 44 Countries To Meet In El Salvador To Discuss Bitcoin | Bitcoin Magazine #28738 https://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/el-salvador-president-nayib-bukele-announces-countries-to-discuss-bitcoin
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