I'm Jason Maier, author of A Progressive's Case for Bitcoin, AMA! \ stacker news ~AMA

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I'm Jason Maier, author of A Progressive's Case for Bitcoin, AMA!

12.6k sats \ 50 comments \ @cjasonmaier 4 Jun AMA

I wrote a book called A Progressive's Case for Bitcoin and I'm also a high school math teacher. I'm here to answer your questions

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337 sats \ 1 reply \ @Scoresby 4 Jun

What angle do you find most frequently opens the door to folks asking questions about Bitcoin?

222 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

This is a tough one. For most progressive people, there isn't just one thing that works for everyone. It depends on what they are passionate about and what they think is going wrong in the world. The most common argument that gain traction are: positive environmental impacts, empowering victims of violence, standing up to authoritarian regimes.

210 sats \ 1 reply \ @denlillaapan 4 Jun

Hi Jason, glad to have you here! I posted these two questions before #996908

In your debate with David Bailey re: Trump last summer, you said something like "Bitcoiners associating themselves with Trump makes my job as a progressive — explaining bitcoin to progressives — that much harder." How do you feel that has turned out? Harder to orange-pill progressives now than 1 or 2 years ago?
In my salty-ish Bitcoin Magazine review of your book from two years ago, I said that progressivism is incompatible with Bitcoin; that a progressive without big government and money printing is merely a libertarian with a strong social ethos. Have you moved (or rather has bitcoin moved you) at all in your understanding/opinion/ideology in the last few years?

Thanks!

188 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

I think all of the worries I expressed during my discussion with David Bailey have panned out 100%. We see Bitcoin and MAGA completely intertwined and regular folks less able to differentiate between Bitcoin and Crypto. Many people seem less willing to engage with me because the assume I must support Trump. So, yes David Bailey aggressively courting Trump has made wider adoption more difficult.
My wife really hated your review of my book. I'm not sure Bitcoin has moved me much on the progressive vs. Libertarian with a strong social ethos. I am still proud to call myself a progressive and try to engage with people about the pro-social aspects of Bitcoin. I will always hold that there is a role for government in our society and am willing to accept that bitcoin can help make that government more transparent, effective and responsive.

210 sats \ 1 reply \ @Cje95 4 Jun

It would seem to me (I work on Capitol Hill) that within the Progressive Caucus that the younger members seem to be much more open or pro BTC. It seems that the older Members like Rep. Waters and Sen. Warren and Sanders are the big anti BTC voices. Is this the case you are seeing in the real world?

117 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

Yes, indeed. There is a much stronger relationship between age than even party affiliation. My hope is that younger people will continue to gain traction in the party and railing against Bitcoin as a knee-jerk policy decision will fade away.

210 sats \ 10 replies \ @grayruby 4 Jun

Welcome. How is trying to orange pill progressives going?

Must be harder now that Trump is in office and has taken a pro Bitcoin stance.

172 sats \ 9 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

Yes, it actually is a bit harder now. This was one of the worries I had about Bitcoiners courting Trump so aggressively. This is a huge turn off for a lot of moderate and left people who are skeptical of Bitcoin in the first place. If there assumption is that Bitcoin is a scam before they start learning, having Trump involved won't help that assumption. But the GOOD news is that Trump isn't really acting like a Bitcoiner. He's using crypto to enrich himself. So if Democrats play this right, there is an opportunity to distinguish themselves from Trump on Bitcoin. I'm not optimistic, but it is possible.

160 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 4 Jun

You spurred me to write up some thoughts I've been having about the stupidity of allowing ourselves to be reactionaries. I've fallen into this trap before and I really try to not make that mistake. People tell us what something is and we often just accept that instead of trying to understand for ourselves. I hope you are right about this outcome as its pretty obvious Trump is just pandering and scamming people. I hope this happens for the sake of the people.

10 sats \ 7 replies \ @grayruby 4 Jun

i don't think that is going to happen but one can be hopeful that the Dem would embrace a Bitcoin not crypto stance in response to Trump's nonsense. I do think all the crypto nonsense is making people realize how dumb "crypto" is and that is good for Bitcoin in the long term.

160 sats \ 4 replies \ @kepford 4 Jun

I hope you are right about people seeing the crypto nonsense. I think that might be true of the memecoin part but I don't think its true of crypto in general. I think most people don't like crypto at all and just lump bitcoin in with everything else. Memecoins are a part of that. But in the crypto space I think memecoins are being discredited by Trump's nonsense. Just a feeling I have though.

142 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby 4 Jun

You are probably right that most people in general have a negative attitude towards crypto and lump bitcoin in with it but I do think some folks are coming around. I don't see much interest growing interest in crypto like the previous bull markets. I think that's a good thing.

150 sats \ 2 replies \ @kepford 4 Jun

Yeah, I don't see growing interest in bitcoin either though.

view all 2 replies

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

Absolutely. But in the meantime there are a lot of low information people (voters) that conflate Bitcoin and Crypto and Trump isn't helping on that front either. It takes education and being patient with people who are just learning.

110 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 4 Jun

Agreed. We just need to keep educating people on both sides of the aisle. Bitcoin is for everyone after all.

117 sats \ 1 reply \ @benwehrman 4 Jun

When are you coming back to Nostr??

I see it's been a year since you posted, we miss you on the freedom protocol!

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

GREAT Question. I have been thinking about this a lot recently. I try to regulate my social media consumption carefully and decided last year to prune a couple of things so my life would be in more balance. That said, Nostr has been on my mind and I will probably log back in and start posting this summer while I'm on break.

110 sats \ 3 replies \ @siggy47 4 Jun

Have you used Alex Gladstein's work with the Human Rights Foundation as a tool for perhaps attracting those on the left to the societal benefits of bitcoin?

82 sats \ 1 reply \ @cjasonmaier OP 5 Jun

Yes, I think Alex's work is great. I have referenced him in my book and I consider him an asset to the space and my target audience.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 5 Jun

I heard Alex Gladstein speak in Santa Monica, Pacific Bitcoin Conference, October 2023

I think you were there too but I could not attend your lecture/panel because I was working the event

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @Savage 4 Jun

Why would anyone want to use Alex Gladstein's scripted works with the Human Rights Foundation, as a tool for obtaining societal bitcoin benefits?

110 sats \ 3 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 4 Jun

Thanks for all the work you do in the Bitcoin community!

I didn’t know about your book, what would you say to convince me to buy it and give it a read? 🤠

43 sats \ 2 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

The book I wrote was meant as an educational resource for someone who is skeptical of Bitcoin - especially if they assume it's only for libertarians or MAGA folks. I'm willing to bet that most of the books I sell are sold to conservative Bitcoiners who want to give it as a gift to a liberal person they love and care about. Lots of copies go to moms, sisters, coworkers, dads, in laws. :)

110 sats \ 1 reply \ @0xbitcoiner 4 Jun

Nice one, didn’t see that coming. I know a few people who could really use this, might even give it as a gift! Good job. Congrats!

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

Thanks! I'm a life long teacher, so really my goal is to meet people where they are. It's hard to learn something complicated and scary if you don't feel comfortable.

110 sats \ 1 reply \ @benwehrman 4 Jun

What's the craziest conspiracy theory you believe is true...and what's one you believe is BS?

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

I think most conspiracy theories are BS. What's one I believe... I'm not sure I can think of any crazy ones I believe. I do believe that the modern food industry is slowly killing us all because it's cheaper to provide process junk. And the pharmaceutical industry is okay with this because sick people make them money.... not really crazy, sorry.

110 sats \ 4 replies \ @benwehrman 4 Jun

Have your personal views on the left/right spectrum changed at all in recent years since diving deeper into Bitcoin? Have you moved left/right at all on the spectrum?

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

I haven't moved much left or right since being involved in Bitcoin. I do think that being involved in Bitcoin has helped me reevaluate my beliefs through a news lens. The things I care about and the things I think are wrong with this world are all the same. But the reasons behind those problems I feel I understand one level deeper. I have never had any affinity toward Democrats specifically, and that hasn't changed either.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @denlillaapan 4 Jun

stole my question, bro

102 sats \ 1 reply \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

I get this question a lot. I think people are just waiting for me to become a carnivore and start talking bad about feminism just because I like peer to peer permissionless money. Hasn't happened yet. :)

120 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 4 Jun

I'll be here for that day, oh the glory. Will throw a massive (steak!) party, too

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @Savage 4 Jun

How does the book "A progressive case for bitcoin" help some of the problems related to bitcoin in the United States?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 5 Jun

what problems related to bitcoin in the US are you referencing?

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

I'm wrapping up the AMA - but you should always feel free to be in touch on Twitter @ cjasonmaier or through my website www.BitcoinProgressive.com

Thank you and keep working for a bright orange future we deserve.

10 sats \ 4 replies \ @justin_shocknet 4 Jun

It has been argued that Bitcoin is a creation of the National Security state to save US Sovereignty in a world where its institutions have been captured by Globalist "progressives" and the knock-on effects of that around spending, reserve currency status, and trade.

Bitcoin's game theory has also come to exemplify Thielian (Palantir) doctrine of using technology to reshape society through bypass of traditional political "democratic" processes, the same processes that have been weaponized the communist-left (as articulated by McCarthy, Skousen, Hoover, Welch etc)

Further, Bitcoin's premise is one based on property rights, rights which are in-congruent with communist ideology.

These points have never been more self-evident than they are today, so much so that cope is going mainstream:

From the description of your book, you seem quite grounded in how Bitcoin fixes real world problems that "progressives" like to virtue signal about. The problem however is that "progressives" generally care more about who/how problems get solved rather than actually solving them, and this is why Bitcoin gives them the ick.

Is your strategy to re-wire progressives into putting solutions over ideology? or do you have alternative narrative to portray Bitcoin as a tool against nationalist-capitalists?

20 sats \ 3 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

There's a lot to unpack there. LOL.

I'm progressive and I care about solving problems and Bitcoin doesn't give me the ick. I also think that the WSJ describing David Bailey's conference as "Bitcoin goes all in on MAGA" is pretty accurate - not sure wha they'd be coping about.

So perhaps it's time to reexamine your priors. (?)

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @justin_shocknet 4 Jun

I'm progressive and I care about solving problems and Bitcoin doesn't give me the ick

You wouldn't need to write a book if you weren't an outlier

wha they'd be coping about

"Shedding it's anti-government slant" is the cope, Bitcoin being a product of the national security state means it was never anti-government. The conference being a MAGA rally is soft-disclosure / limited hangout of this.

So perhaps it's time to reexamine your priors.

Bringing weak shit like this to an AMA after the excellent set up I gave you? pathetic.

360 sats \ 1 reply \ @cjasonmaier OP 4 Jun

There's a conservative case for bitcoin book too. :)
You're making a lot of assumptions - I don't believe Bitcoin is a product of the national security state.
Your excellent set up was just a framing for me to chose between two ways progressives are bad. I'm not interested in that.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @justin_shocknet 4 Jun

There's a conservative case for bitcoin

Bitcoin is just as ick to conservatives as it is to progressives, if conservatives in the modern sense were effective Bitcoin wouldn't be necessary.

You're making a lot of assumptions

I'm highlighting evidence supporting a thesis, what I want to understand is given the preponderance of that evidence how you square the circle. You don't need to agree with the conclusion.

ways progressives are bad

You were served a lay-up to explain why Bitcoin's global nature make its it anti-nationalist and or that the adoption of solutions regardless of their provenance is emblematic of progressive values.

Your negative response to that set-up projects progressive self-loathing.

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @OT 4 Jun

Even though you don't like the guy, is Trump good for Bitcoin?

136 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 5 Jun

I don't like the guy. And in the very very short term, I think Trump is good for the USD price of Bitcoin. I do not think Trump is good for Bitcoin adoption in the long term, nor do I think he cares about Bitcoin. Instead we're letting him off the hook by claiming to be proBitcoin when in fact he is only into scamming and grifting with crypto to enrich himself.

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @Bell_curve 4 Jun

How long have you been a teacher?

Public or private school?

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @cjasonmaier OP 5 Jun

I have taught math for over 20 years. Both in public and private institutions. College, middle school and high school. Currently I'm at a private HS. I've taught all levels of math from Algebra I through post-calculus electives.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 5 Jun

Thank you for your service!

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Jon_Hodl 7 Jun

Don’t progressives typically support ideals that are antithetical to bitcoin?

I’ve never met a progressive that stood for sound monetary policy and making it easier for people to have and use money outside of the government control.

How do you see progressives adopting money that is antithetical to progressive values?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cjasonmaier OP 10 Jun

Welp - this is a common misconception. That's why I wrote the book. Bitcoin serves a number of pro-social causes and is a great tool for a more equitable and transparent world. sound monetary policy isn't something that should be partisan - and it isn't.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Abilities511 4 Jun freebie

What do you think about Bitcoin