Bitcoin is a network that has grown tremendously in 15 years. It has also brought about many cultural shifts, not only in the ecosystem as a whole, but in each of its smaller subcommunities. It is not surprising that the culture of Bitcoin has changed as it has grown from being a small niche in a corner on the internet, to now being a major political issue around the globe.
Bitcoin has grown from a niche toy or economic network that is used by a handful of autistic geeks. It is now a major global asset, transferring billions every day. In the course of this growth, things have changed. But I do not think these changes are without negative implications.
Bitcoin has been perceived as having a libertarian, or even rightwing bias. From a theoretical standpoint, it makes sense that some of the early adopters formed communities around Bitcoin based on libertarian principles. Libertarianism is, ostensibly, about an individual asserting his or her rights. own They want freedom and autonomy in their lives. Bitcoins early history was shaped by many different groups of people and ideologies.
Bitcoin was popularized by left-leaning movements like Occupy Wall Street. This large protest movement was created in response to the Great Financial Crisis, which also gave birth to Bitcoin. In the aftermath of the catastrophic consequences caused by the reckless, irresponsible gamblers who were using the everyday savings and investment of people to operate the global economy for their own gain, they too felt the need to remove the banks from the world economy. The governments who deregulated the economy to enable this gambling were also viewed as having a responsibility to take control of it.
These groups both came to this country for the same reason, which is disintermediation. This is done by removing the government and large banks as intermediaries. financial Transactions, heck, even the functioning of the world economy. Bitcoin is associated in popular culture with libertarianism and the right-wing political spectrum.
Problem is, most have not adhered to their stated beliefs.
Bitcoin is designed as an open, disintermediated system. Anyone and everyone may use it. This is not a technical article. People reading it understand perfectly that Bitcoin needs constraints to keep the decentralization which gives the currency its value. Compromise of these constraints would be a fatal shot. Ich am talking philosophically.
Scaling Bitcoin so that it is as accessible as possible to the greatest number of people will be a challenge for the near future, or even forever. These are limitations imposed by the technology.
Bitcoin does not impose any restrictions on a human or personal level. Bitcoin is an open, voluntary consensus system whose nature and functionality are defined by this voluntary consensus. Its users’ and participants’ interactions define its function. It seems that many libertarians, or so called, are deeply disturbed and offended by this.
A large portion of active members, at least in the online community, are acting completely against libertarian principles. Liberty, freedom, and voluntary interactions. Some Bitcoiners, whether libertarian or right-wing, encourage exactly the opposite. They intimidate people and force them to accept their views.
They are more concerned with conformity and the pressure to believe or act in a particular way than they are about respecting individual beliefs and choices that may differ from their own. own. In order to make their worldview and beliefs equated with Bitcoin, they engage in constant shaming campaigns. To enforce the equivalence between their worldview and Bitcoin, they constantly run shaming campaign, which in some cases borders on harassment. “being a Bitcoiner.”
It is not the majority attitude, but it does dominate some communities and the public perception of the Internet. It is in direct contradiction with libertarianism and individual freedom and respect.
Only the progressive and left-leaning Bitcoiners are willing to engage in meaningful dialogue with people who think or view the world differently. Bitcoiners who are progressive and lean left seem to be willing to have meaningful conversations with those who view or think the world differently, without resorting to shame or pressure. own worldview. These are people who work to open up a pathway to Bitcoin adoption to people with different views, backgrounds and needs. They also try to make sure that Bitcoin is available to as many people possible.
People who have different views tend to be shamed, attacked, or discouraged by right-leaning Bitcoiners. Bitcoiners tend to dismiss attempts made by such individuals to solve their problems or needs with Bitcoin. Common chants or reactions are “Bitcoin isn’t for everyone.” You can also find out more about Or “poor people won’t ever actually use Bitcoin self-custodially.” The word embodies an extremely “I’ve got mine, so pull the ladder up behind me” Attitude towards things
Most people who claim this do so in a way that appeals to technical arguments. However, the majority don’t actually provide a technical explanation for it. “forget those people” argument. Argument.
These people wrap themselves up in the fantasy of power, wealth, and influence. The people who tell themselves this are those who were “smart enough” It is important to understand that some people are entitled to a certain position and other do not. “smart enough” do not. This is almost like fetishizing the idea of being that person who Bitcoin was supposed to remove from our daily lives.
Bitcoin is not without its technical limits. Yes, there are technical limitations to Bitcoin. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth embracing and championing. Imagine yourself being the middleman, or waving a hand to make it happen. “the market will solve this” The government is always looking for private companies to turn into deputized agents, executing control over the people. financial Transactions and Lives
Right-wing Bitcoiners also compromise on principles when it comes to government intervention in the markets. While attacking any attempt to avoid regulation or enforcement, they are making excuses or encouraging the influence of government on products and services in the space. The market is being asked to solve all problems. “poor” The same abuse and exploitation of Bitcoiners as with the mainstream currency financial The government can’t enforce the abuse by forcing big private players to be enforcers of Bitcoin if they don’t pretend that Bitcoin even exists.
Sneering is heard when communal custodial systems are discussed. These include ecash and other Lightning-based solutions that could be used in Africa in an efficient, yet non-centralized manner. These solutions are portrayed as either scams in the making or as completely useless. At the same time, critics act like Bitcoin is going to win. It’s as if it is not possible to scale it to be more accessible to people.
I’ve got mine, so fuck you.
Bitcoin’s libertarians have largely forgotten what Bitcoin was designed for. To disintermediate peoples’ financial lives. The system is being institutionalized and Wall Street’s influence on politicians, the pandering of politicians, as well as the increasing institutionalization, are all hailed by the cheering crowd.
“We’re going to get our seat at the table now, don’t upset the game!”
The underlying principle of neutrality and disintermediation is no longer important to them. They are not interested in uplifting the people or giving everyone the opportunity to live and experiment as they please. The scream for homogeneity and conformity. They bow to their worldview. Bitcoin, they believe, is the way that Bitcoin can bend the world around them to fit their lifestyle, beliefs and will. Most people no longer see it as a platform for experimentation and differentiation.
The progressives, leftists and those who arrived through Occupy Wall Street seem more concerned about Bitcoin being the best it can be, for all. This is a fact that needs to be acknowledged and people need to stop being pushed to conform by parasitic forces.
It’s Infinite Diversity, in Infinite Combinations for the geeks. Bitcoin is exactly what it should be.
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Source: bitcoinmagazine.com