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78 sats \ 7 replies \ @kepford 17 Feb \ on: The more things change... bitcoin
I think most of us have long accepted this. We won't live in some dream world where the state just rolls over and people accept our view of it... so they aren't wrong there. In my view bitcoin will not convert people to anarcho-capitalism or anything like it. If the state is defeated it will take generations, but the state isn't gonna be defeated without something like bitcoin subverting its power. And in my view this is not dependent on individual's views. Its the incentives of greed and wealth that will bring bitcoin into widespread acceptance.
What I think bitcoiners have to remember is to avoid making heroes out of people like Saylor, the Winklevoss, or even people like Odell and Jack Dorsey. Everyone has their own agendas and incentives. Its obvious to me that Saylor isn't an anarchist. He's never hid that. People put things upon people that they never say because they want desperately to have a hero that is like them. I'm not saying we can't learn from all these people, or that they are evil or bad. I don't know them personally so who knows...
I suspect we will be fighting these battles long after bitcoin is the money of the world. Long after you and I are no longer among the living. Even if all bitcoin did was make wars harder to fund with a hard money that would be a massive win for humanity. I don't think enough people realize just how much of the worlds wars are amplified by the money printer. Take that away and states have to raise direct taxation to fund their wars. They will do it but its harder to sell.
Prepare yourself for more bitcoiners to say things we don't expect as their stash grows in purchasing power. They will be trying to keep targets off their backs. Targets used by state actors. Many will become state actors for this reason. Bill Gates was once not at all interested in lobbying Washington. Once the state went after his creation he became VERY political. I think this is happening with bitcoin and crypto. Clearly its happened with Trump's election.
It is what it is I guess. Bitcoin doesn't care.
bitcoiners have to remember is to avoid making heroes out of people
agreed
In my view bitcoin will not convert people to anarcho-capitalism or anything like it
Indeed bitcoin doesn't care, but if people do not change their mind, bitcoin will be for nothing. Bitcoin doesn't fix anything if people doesn't change their mindset. Bitcoin is THE solution if people consider to change their mind.
And here is how to use Bitcoin as a "solution":
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I think you agree with me that many people today aren't capable of understanding bitcoin. Well... maybe they are capable but they are never going to do it mostly because they are just asleep.
I don't disagree with your statement. Bitcoin is all incentives and it will obsolete things that create bad incentives but people are required to change their actions to change the world. Its not gonna be passive. I just don't see it in any of the generations alive today. Its gonna take time and I hope my descendants live to see it.
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The hard to swallow truth comes from memes:
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People do not want to be sovereign individuals- its too hard and demanding.
People want comfort and security and governments can provide that.
Take away the government and the first thing people will do is to start forming a new one.
Governments are crucial in determining the wealth of nations.
Only Libertarians would argue otherwise and when their 'logic' is challenged they fall suddenly silent...because it does not stand scrutiny. and cannot win a fair and reasoned contest of ideas.
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Even if we disregard the (obvious) fact that not everyone will suddenly become anarchist or libertarian, Bitcoin simply existing makes ending or significantly weakening the state possible.
In other words: without sound and sovereign money, it is not possible. With it, it is possible. Doesn't mean it's guaranteed, and much of what happens rests in the hands and wills of the people.
But going from impossible to possible is like going from 0 to 1. It's a breakthrough.
To push it from possible to probable, that is a whole arc in itself.
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