How a Workshop Damaged Bitcoin's Reputation \ stacker news ~alter

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How a Workshop Damaged Bitcoin's Reputation

3451 sats \ 28 comments \ @Noobboy 16h alter_native

Hey everyone, I want to share something that happened recently. It’s not just a story; for me, it’s a straight-up tragedy.

Last weekend, my school organized a big workshop about staying safe online. Sounds good, right? They brought in some fancy tech company to run it, and I was actually kind of excited at first. I mean, who wouldn’t want to learn how to stay safe from hackers and scams? But then it all went downhill.They started saying things that honestly felt like fear-mongering. Like, “Don’t visit the dark web, or you’ll definitely get hacked.” Umm, what? Then they said using a VPN is illegal because it’s used to access “blocked content.” Seriously? A VPN is a tool, not some criminal gadget.

It didn’t stop there. They told us we should only use Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo for emails—because apparently, only “reputable companies” can protect your data. Oh, and they insisted we should only browse the internet on Chrome or Safari. No Firefox, no Brave. They even said we must have antivirus software on every single device. And guess what? They conveniently recommended some lame antivirus they were clearly being paid to promote.

Then came the worst part. They started talking about cryptocurrency, specifically Bitcoin. The presenter called it a “stupid, unreliable currency” and claimed it’s only popular with hackers, criminals, and drug dealers. According to them, Bitcoin is a trap, and anyone who buys it will regret it “till their last breath.” I couldn’t believe the nonsense they were saying The workshop was attended by all the students and their parents. They went on to say parents should spy on their kids’ devices, look for apps like VPNs, Tor, or even something as random as two calculator apps (??). They told them to check our browsing history and block us from using any forums or chat apps.

By then, I was very angry. It felt like they were trying to brainwash everyone.The presenter even tried to scare everyone into believing Bitcoin was created by a secret group of hackers and could be hacked any day now thanks to advancements in AI. Like, what? After the workshop ended, my emotions were all over the place. On one hand, I laughed because the things they said were so ridiculous. But mostly, I felt sad and angry. Sad because they probably scared off future Bitcoin enthusiasts who could’ve helped drive the crypto revolution. And angry because I know they were wrong, but my school and teachers just let them spread these lies.

When I got home, my friends and I jumped on a Google Meet to talk about it. Most of them were freaked out. They started enabling MFA (which is good) and using stronger passwords. But then they went full-on paranoid mode and started deleting non-big tech apps and switching to Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. I tried suggesting open-source alternatives that are way better, but no one listened to me. I mean, who’s going to trust a 16-year-old crypto noob LOL

At dinner, my parents brought it up too. They weren’t as paranoid as the other parents, but they did warn me to be careful online. They also said they wouldn’t spy on me, which was a relief. What they don’t know is that I actually hold some Bitcoin. I got it by exchanging cash with my cousin (money I saved from my allowance and doing odd jobs for almost a year. It’s not much, but I’m proud of it) Still, after that workshop, I know I can’t tell my parents about it.

This whole experience just made me realize how easily we can get brainwashed, especially when it comes from experts. I wish I could do something. But for now, I guess I’ll just keep learning about it more on my own.

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156 sats \ 0 replies \ @justin_shocknet 10h

I'm glad you got this experience this at such a young age and saw through it.

This is the story of the rest of your life, remember always that 90~% of "experts" will either be retards or straight up lying to you as a result of bad incentives.

You'll also continue to find that most of the people around you, including those that you like and generally respect, are NPC's outside of their very narrow scope of experience/expertise.

It can be a burden or a blessing, frame it with care.

125 sats \ 5 replies \ @SimpleStacker 16h

What is the name of the workshop provider?

I wouldn't be surprised if they receive government funding and/or funding from Microsoft/Google/Apple.

These orgs love funding activist organizations that go into schools to brainwash kids.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @Noobboy OP 16h

I cannot disclose the name, sorry.

I wouldn't be surprised if they receive government funding and/or funding from Microsoft/Google/Apple.

My God, you're absolutely right. They receive a lot of funding from the government (they are not very transparent)

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @Manikese 15h

Not being able to disclose the name of the “security” company seems fishy.

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 14h

They are close to the government, and it would be pretty easy to trace this much information back to me. So, I can't risk it. Sorry, I’m not Snowden or Assange.

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 15h

For some of these dumb dumbs, they brag about having seal of approval from government

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 15h

They were bragging a lot about their connection with government. It helped them a lot I see now.

46 sats \ 1 reply \ @nerd2ninja 16h

I'm going to search up a good resource for you to be able to quickly share about corporate spying. Cyber punk dystopian media are your friend in providing pushback.

This may be a good starting point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6LsfnBmdnk&list=PLC2233C191A464B26

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 16h

Thankyou

8 sats \ 0 replies \ @xz 13h

Yes, we should all spy on our friends, colleagues and family members to keep ourselves safe. Jesus. I'm very suspicious of any kind of lecture where around 50% of the time is not allocated to an open question panel.

Don't worry about it, I'm middle-aged and it's quite normal for people to be like that. Your peers still have most of their life ahead of them to develop critical thinking.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 8h

Did anyone push back? The teachers?

Glad you saw through it!

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @SpaceHodler 13h

What they don’t know is that I actually hold some Bitcoin. I got it by exchanging cash with my cousin (money I saved from my allowance and doing odd jobs for almost a year.

You have a good cousin, kudos to them.

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 13h

He was the one who encouraged me when I was a bit hesitant to hold some bitcoins. Thanks to him

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @zapsammy 15h

one day u will know enough and it will feel morally wrong to not talk about bitcoin, and anti-surveillance, and freedom, and sovereignty, etc.

perhaps u cud do a soft rebellion by playing bitcoin music (tip_nz, reel richard, man like kweks, other wavlake artists. ytcracker is also cool)? kind of like teenagers play metal and punk rock at home despite how loud it is.

i used to tip-toe around all of these subjects. now when confronted or simply asked, i do not hold back. i'm like a porcupine.

38 sats \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 14h

one day u will know enough and it will feel morally wrong to not talk about bitcoin, and anti-surveillance, and freedom, and sovereignty, etc.

I hope that day will soon become a reality.

perhaps u cud do a soft rebellion by playing bitcoin music (tip_nz, reel richard, man like kweks, other wavlake artists. ytcracker is also cool)? kind of like teenagers play metal and punk rock at home despite how loud it is.

I will not stay quite!

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @john_doe 13h

Spreading fear must be good for there business.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 13h

Spreading fear by brainwashing is worst thing anyone can do

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @Satosora 15h

There will always be people who try to stray you from the right path. Just keep your eyes on the goal and march forward. Stay humble and stack sats.

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @Noobboy OP 15h

I am now more clear about things. Thanks

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @Akg10s33 15h

The truth is that it is outrageous that you could not do anything ... to see how those people paid by evil corporations try to continue brainwashing the following generations to continue their empire of destruction and keep the world asleep like sheep on the way to the slaughterhouse !! We must be alert with our children and that from a very early age they know the truth and that they have freedom of thought and economic freedom !! That as soon as they are of age and generate some profits they want to run out and deposit in a Bank 🤦🤦

1 sat \ 1 reply \ @Noobboy OP 15h

The truth is that it is outrageous that you could not do anything

In that moment, I felt exactly that way and was surprised that not a single adult, including my own dad objected

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @Akg10s33 15h

Most parents when they are in the school facilities or the place where their children study feel like they are obliged or something like that not to contradict or have a different opinion from what the school or the teacher says.. I imagine that it is because of the fear that they will label or directly point out to the student that he comes from a family or has problematic parents!! I would have raised my hand and very politely told them the truth.. I don't want to sound like I'm the best person in the world... But it is not possible that I know what they are trying to do with our children and future generations and I bite my tongue!!! You have to tell the truth.

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @nkmg1c_ventures 12h

TFW you go to a school that grooms human property... many such cases

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @Fabs 13h

Fuck 'em, all of 'em. They know they're wrong but too spineless to accept that they're wrong, miserable little trash cans.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @standardcrypto 5h

Congratulations on losing your virginity.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @purpurato 5h

I guess this is in the US. That country really is on another level with propaganda, jeezus. No wonder why so many people accepted those vaccines and now support the war on Israel and Ukraine....

A good rule of thumb is always do the opposite of what government agencies suggest, it's working pretty good lately.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Jon_Hodl 8h

All of this is literally the polar opposite of what I teach at my privacy talks.

Absolutely use a VPN. I recommend MullVad.
Absolutely use a privacy browser like Brave or the MullVad browser
Absolutely use Tor and the Tor browser. This is especially important if you cannot afford to pay for a VPN.
Use bitcoin and practice good privacy when you do. This includes buying for cash from your friends.

Sad this happened to you but gives me hope that a 16 year old kid knows that everything mention above is a complete lie and should be ignored.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @OriginalSize 8h

If you know a thing or two you can see right through these guys. Some advice is good but that can be bait for a lot of bad advice. Hopefully at least a few took this opportunity to dig deeper. You for example, do you not now have greater suspicion and resolve to escape the matrix?