I got this idea on my mind the other night: what would I do if I need to relearn Bitcoin from scratch again? ( Interestingly enough, zapsammy asked a similar question ) ; Here was what I came up with, sharing it out loud, hopefully they are also useful for anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed in the ocean of information.

Unlearn to Learn

I've noticed that everyone will understand Bitcoin at the time when they are ready, that's something that can't be rushed or forced.
It took me quite a long time to fully understand Bitcoin and I'm still learning something new from time to time, and it changed me in many ways - I started to simply use Bitcoin as a tool for international transfers because I was nomading around and needed to have the local currency in hand, but the banks either charged too many fees, offered bad rates, simply too slow or even with certain restrictions. Later, I saw it as a good investment as the number was going up. Logically, I turned my attention to the shiner crypto projects too, but then I found out that, wait, Bitcoin is actually freedom money, it's my own money and NO one can take it away, that was a really powerful wake up moment, but then can I really spend it and where? As I kept exploring, I wanted to figure out how I could earn this hard money too.
Not sure which stage you are in, but you are in the right place if you are curious and with an open mind to get a glimpse of the future!

Simple Steps

1. Read the White Paper

Don't freak out if you still have no clue what it means: https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf

2. Read Darthcoin's Guide

This is the one you need, especially If you have limited time: https://darth-coin.github.io/
I was quite an average Bitcoiner before finding Darth's guide, and I spent some time reading as much as I could and safely said it's the best and most practical Bitcoin guide out there, even full of humor. Take your time to absorb and pay attention to the details; it could be one month, six months, one year, or even longer; Be patient and enjoy the journey.
Two MUST reads

3. Get your Hand Dirty 🧪

You can't learn how to swim simply by reading, using $20 or any small amount that you are comfortable with to get some Bitcoin, of course, you can even earn it; Here are some recommendations for going down this rabbit hole or simply learning as you go, your curiosity is the best teacher!
-> Buy or earn some Bitcoin to get started
The first step is the hardest, but you can either buy it from exchanges, from friends, ATMs, or earn it.
Resources
-> Create an Onchain Wallet
Learn how to create a wallet and most importantly: how to keep the seeds, then withdraw the BTC you buy or earn to this freshly created Onchain wallet and restore it from another wallet to see the magic!
Recommended wallets
And understand the difference between hot and cold wallets, optionally, even create your own cold wallet instead of buying any hardware wallets, as this could be one of the most empowering moments in your Bitcoin journey. ✨
-> Swap from Onchain to Lightning
Try to understand what's Lightning and why it exists in the first place, aka what problem it is trying to solve and learn how to use it. In an ideal world, you should only use Onchain funds for saving and opening LN channels, while funds in Lightning is for daily spending.
Resources
->Test with Different Lightning Wallets
There is no such thing as the BEST wallet, better learn how to use each, from custodial wallets to non-custodial ones, and maximize what each wallet has to offer.
Recommended wallets
More here
-> Learn about the Nodes
Running your own node brings a much better understanding of how Bitcoin works; I started to run an Umbrel node around 2021, and I had absolutely no clue what I was doing at that time, but I kept digging, doing tests, and learning from mistakes, all those experiences made my testing with mobile nodes and transitioning living in Bitcoin so much easier.
But read this before getting into running a home node; if you decide to walk this path, here is a good and simple direction:
  • Choose which Node to get started.
  • How to choose the right peers with 1ML.
    one trick on the peer's choice depends on your usage, e.g. do you use it to spend or receive?
    • if mainly for spending, then you can connect with the shops or companies' nodes where you spend mostly;
    • if mainly for receiving, then you can connect with the popular wallets' node;
    • Or, simply look for those with low fees and well-connected good nodes.
  • How to open and close channels with Thunderhub, especially paying attention to choosing public or private channels.
  • What are the inbound and outbound liquidity, and how to manage them.
  • Most importantly, how to restore it when SHTF.
However, as time passed by and many improvements have been made, e.g., you can even run a node in your mobile now with Zeus ( I, II ) and Blixt, both are really powerful and a MUST to have.
-> Go More Technical
Learn about Mempool, UTXO and how to do labels, how to verify software, or even nerding out.
And, all these mentioned above are only the iceberg; Stay curious and keep digging!

4. Leverage the Brains in SN

Checking out some of the great posts, making good use of the search, asking good questions, and sharing what you have learned while having fun and even earning some precious sats; A well-kept secret here is that you are pretty much being paid to learn, and I've written two guides to help you level up the fun, and including some other really good ones:
Here is the simple hack of SNing:
Writing original content, zapping the great work that you like, or contributing with your skills, or simply hanging out in the daily @saloon to share fun things or newly learned tips and tricks. ✌🏽

5 . Stay humble and Integrate Bitcoin into your Life

You don't need to wait for the whole world to start accepting BTC, or the so-called "Bitcoin country", all you need is people or businesses around you to start; Be the change! Bitcoin Circular Economy starts from a normal living man and woman like you and me.
Some first-hand stories from Bitcoiners:
Here is my first attempt at simplifying the Bitcoin learning rabbit hole, these shall cover the basic information one needs to reach a good understanding of it, but the learning journey never stops! And I realized that most information about Bitcoin is already freely available as I was writing this piece, there is really no excuse for saying that you don't understand Bitcoin.
And for the more experienced Bitcoiners, what would you do if you need to relearn Bitcoin from scratch again?
Thanks @Natalia!
I like your posts too much ! They are best for learning! You present your point with precision yet so comprehensive!
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Amazing article for beginners. Well described. Best Suggestions are start with white paper and Darthcoin's Guide. Great job. Bookmarked. Also going to suggest to newcomers.
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reading + learning from doing ✌🏽
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I would like the top post of a week to be this.
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Amazing post. Thanks for doing so much work for people like us. Grand salute
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Amazing post for beginners in Bitcoin! Thank you @Natalia
I'm gonna include this post in the starter pack for new Stackers.
This is the starter pack you need right now.. enjoy..

The Art of Using Stacker News ⚡

The Art of Using Stacker News II ⚡️

Guides on How to Level Up the Fun in SN ⚡

What If You Need to Relearn Bitcoin from Scratch Again? 🤔

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I actually made one too, feel free to use it:) #649466
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Thanks! I've added it too! Kindly look in the comment above!
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wait for my III:) ✌🏽
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I always eagerly wait for your posts! It's not me only, some of my Indian tribe on SN that I could bring, also wait and like your posts too much! You're really amazing!!
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You are right bro.
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I think the best place to start learning about bitcoin is not to start with bitcoin at all but to instead start with the question: "What is money?" It's a great, open-ended question that, in the end, really gets to the heart of what bitcoin is about.
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Good point 🎯 but that one really takes time to unlearn. For me, it also started with why we need to have money in the first place - simply to exchange value.
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163 sats \ 1 reply \ @rheedi0 15 Aug
Yeah makes sense. I think the important thing to realize here is people can come to it in so many different ways. There isn't one approach that necessarily fits everyone. For me I actually came to it from the technology side, mostly just fascinated by the engineering of it all. The money stuff came a lot later.
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indeed - all roads lead to Rome, but newcomers would have a much easier learning path with Darth's guide:) 👀
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what would you do if you need to relearn Bitcoin from scratch again?
This is a hard question.
  1. You can't unlearn Bitcoin :)
  2. I am still learning, even after 12 years in Bitcoinlandia. Knowledge is a lifelong pursuit
  3. Let's say my memory get wiped and discover Bitcoin. My 1st question will be "qui bono?" (from bitcoin). I will always pursue freedom in my life so I will try to use Bitcoin for that. Bitcoin is not the ultimate freedom, is a tool to reach that, if you know how to use it.
Nice write up, simple and to the point.
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the main idea is to help taking away most noise for newcomers and maybe make it easier for future kids to learn:) same as what darth is doing.
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So I should start reading my own guides then... 😂😂😂
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no, you read mine then see what's missing, haha:) 😂😂😂
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hahaha right.
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This is incredible. I'm going to go through it as carefully as I can to make sure I don't miss anything.
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and then chipping in what did I miss 👀✌🏽
I feel the node running part is my weakest, maybe because I never wrote about it.
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100 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby 15 Aug
Learning bitcoin now is much easier than it was say even 5 years ago. These are so many great resources. I think a newbie’s problem now might be information overload rather than a lack of quality info.
I think you have done a nice job narrowing down the progression here if one was a newbie or starting from scratch.
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I think a newbie’s problem now might be information overload rather than a lack of quality info.
agree!
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I really like your point about
restore it from another wallet to see the magic!
I love doing this. It never gets old, and it really does highlight the magic of bitcoin.
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magic internet money! 🧙🏼‍♀️✨ then gets to the point: all you need is well protect the 12 words.
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well if only internet was invented before fiat money, learning bitcoin would have been much easier and intuitive, the counter intuitive fiat monetary system has brainwashed humans to an extent where its take a lot of effort to clear the fog and look clearly
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yes, I guess ppl would discover Bitcoin when they are ready -> when they are facing enough man-made problems and finding the solution.
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I had a lot of fun making my btc atm article. Even though it didnt say a lot, was fun to talk in the comments!
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Excellent write up!
Thanks!
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writing this because part of me wishes someone had told me these when I was tipping my toe in the water. 🧙🏼‍♀️
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69 sats \ 1 reply \ @Golu 16 Aug
Thanks! This is very good article for me. I'm new. New in Bitcoin as well. So such articles! I thought i knew about it a little bit but I don't know anything
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welcome! and I hope this post can help your learning journey easier:)
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Nothing wrong in periodically refreshing your knowledge of bitcoin from scratch. Lines you up for striking a new “nugget” of bitcoin info by so doing
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Love your posts! This one bookmarked indeed! Thanks for summarising all points.
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33 sats \ 0 replies \ @anon 15 Aug
well done man! good start point!
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I would listen to those who have been in the space longer. Initially when I got in the price was rising, and I had unit bias. I would try to do everything I can to break traditional bias's as well as I would try to get a few long-time bitcoiners in my coiner to point out common pitfalls . These long timers I would have likely tried to connect with at a meetup.
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Thanks for the tremendous guide to get started, add LNP2P which is a Telegram bot for buying and selling bitcoin without KYC, if you want to exchange bitcoin on-chain for lightning you can use https://boltz.exchange Regarding the wallets, I would include Phoenix wallet, I have been using it for a long time and in low coverage conditions it works wonderfully as it usually happens where I live, it is non-custodial and includes many new features such as bolt12, splicing to have a single channel
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stackers have outlawed this. turn on wild west mode in your /settings to see outlawed content.