I think, along lines of the 2nd essay that there is a cyclic nature to this, and we're in a later cycle of mops and sociopaths. Sociopaths are already here and probably a first wave (or 2nd or third) of sociopaths have come and gone. Bitcoin isn't just an idea, it also produces stuff (Bitcoin, which has economic worth for now at least) so we've ratcheted up at least a few times.

The 2nd essay mentioned a lull leading to institutionalism and I think we're about there with this US crypto summit. Also if one buys the premise that sociopaths are drawn to power, nation states and secret services are definitely sociopaths in this framework. Who's to say what happens when/if they get a quantum computer powered by brainoids or something.