We as humans are capable of great and powerful acts of love. We get married to a partner in a union that lasts a lifetime, we raise children and even when they're grown and autonomous they are still given that powerful love that a parent provides. We even extend that love to others, even animals. Humans have shown that we are a species of love. Sadly however we are also a species capable of blind and animalistic hatred. We get divorced when the love we used to have for our partner turns to contempt and violence, we may abuse our children or pets, and we call for violence against those that are different from us. We are indeed capable of extreme hate. And though we ourselves as individuals would think ourselves above the ability to hate, we all have it inside us, at least the capability to exhibit it.
But we move on. The fact we are capable of the act of hate does not mean that we must surrender to it. We are lovers as well. And in 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto set forth one of the greatest acts of love in the 21st century. He created Bitcoin.
I want you to imagine something for an exercise. Take “that” person. You know, the person who boils your blood, who’s sudden appearance in your life can ruin your whole day. It doesn’t need to be that extreme, it could simply be your coworker Patrice who means well but doesn’t know how to read a room. Whether they are your worst enemy or of a class of people you disdain, think to yourself “Should they be allowed to use money?” While a minority of people will provide an instantaneous answer of “yes” or “no”, I would assume many people have never thought of such a question. “What do you mean, allowed to use money?” some might ask in response. Until Bitcoin, I never thought of such questions. Well, what is your answer? If you’re a Bitcoiner I can make an educated guess and I would provide the same answer: an emphatic yes.
Bitcoin has been said to be the money of enemies. An open monetary network that allows anyone to provide proof of work and be able to use deflationary money that doesn’t steal from them. Whether the person is a man or a woman, black or white, even from a religion vastly different from yours, Bitcoin doesn’t care, it will continue to be usable by anyone. Tick Tock, next block. The monetary policy of the banks of the world have allowed continued censorship, theft and the desolation of the livelihoods of people from all across the globe. The global south is put through Hell by the monetary policies from privileged nations, through actions of the IMF and The World Bank and forced to subsidize the wealthy lifestyle of the global north. That’s not a monetary system even for enemies, it’s not even a monetary system for lovers.
We humans are capable of blind and animalistic hatred, yes. But we are also capable of acts of great and powerful love. When Satoshi made Bitcoin, it was done because the world needed money that didn’t steal, didn’t censor, that didn’t hate. Through Bitcoin, the poorest poor and the richest rich are now on the same playing field when it comes to the creation of money, sworn enemies are capable of trade, and the world is able to grow into a brighter future full of love.
Which is why I think;
Bitcoin is the Money of Lovers AND enemies.
Spot on! Bitcoin allows for fairer trades, and, over time, this will translate into a better world with more love and less incentive for betrayal.