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Bitcoin has caused me to reconsider a commonly held idea about the history of the United States, and by extension history in general.
I’ve thought for awhile now that we could be living in a time on par with, and surpassing, the importance of the American Revolution. /1
I’ve thought for awhile now that we could be living in a time on par with, and surpassing, the importance of the American Revolution. /1
Along with that comes the idea that we are seeing in “Bitcoin world” a gathering of minds on par with those which made up the Founding Fathers.
The FF are commonly seen as an extraordinary gathering of just the right individuals at just the right time, and there is truth /2
The FF are commonly seen as an extraordinary gathering of just the right individuals at just the right time, and there is truth /2
to that idea. Men of not just extraordinary boldness, but possessed of the ability to consider how the various components of their system would interact into the future, and to make the right trade-offs to preserve the core ideals.
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“How lucky we were to have had just the right people in place at that moment” goes the common narrative.
But I’ve come to think that it’s not quite a matter of the stars aligning perfectly. I think that a powerful idea can in a way become so “alive” that /4
But I’ve come to think that it’s not quite a matter of the stars aligning perfectly. I think that a powerful idea can in a way become so “alive” that /4
it draws in or symbolically “births” those who continue to carry it forward.
Think of some of your heroes on the bitcoin space. Many of them would have been or actually were successful in the traditional financial world. And if not for bitcoin, they probably would have /5
Think of some of your heroes on the bitcoin space. Many of them would have been or actually were successful in the traditional financial world. And if not for bitcoin, they probably would have /5
led lucrative careers and ordinary lives, successfully perpetuating the standard while impacting few with original thoughts or insights.
Others among them are people who really never felt at home in the world, and lost the energy and passion for making their mark until /6
Others among them are people who really never felt at home in the world, and lost the energy and passion for making their mark until /6
they found a community which helped them to realize that yes, there really IS something wrong, and it’s not the fact that they refuse to accept it.
In either case, it was both the power of the idea and the singular opportunity to bring forth deep once-in-many-lifetimes /7
In either case, it was both the power of the idea and the singular opportunity to bring forth deep once-in-many-lifetimes /7
change which has raised these individuals up to something better than what they would have been otherwise.
Someone whose most memorable achievement in fiat finance may once have been driving an expensive car and playing Pebble Beach will now found themselves in /8
Someone whose most memorable achievement in fiat finance may once have been driving an expensive car and playing Pebble Beach will now found themselves in /8
the history books of future generations for innovations which brought about a new world, or for writings which helped the common man understand that the monetary systems which so heavily ruled their lives were not simply a given which had to be accepted. /9
Others who didn’t fit in with the traditional educational/corporate ladder and may have found themselves “living in mom’s basement” now working among people who treat them for who they are instead of what credentials they carry from ossified institutions, as they /10
build the infrastructure which will consign those very institutions to where they belong.
That great individuals are going to revolutionize the world through Bitcoin is not in doubt, but I think we should appreciate that Bitcoin itself is bringing out the latent /11
That great individuals are going to revolutionize the world through Bitcoin is not in doubt, but I think we should appreciate that Bitcoin itself is bringing out the latent /11
greatness within these individuals, in an incredibly powerful feedback loop.
It was such a force which made men who could have lived extremely comfortable lives as landed gentry or wealthy merchants risk everything...social scorn, the wrath of the government, /12
It was such a force which made men who could have lived extremely comfortable lives as landed gentry or wealthy merchants risk everything...social scorn, the wrath of the government, /12
the extortions of their own family members to “be reasonable” and kneel to the existing order, and even death for “treason” to bring this idea to fruition.
Most of us are well familiar with the “Weak men create hard times...” saying. It has a companion: /13
Most of us are well familiar with the “Weak men create hard times...” saying. It has a companion: /13
A great man can create an extraordinary idea, and that idea in turn creates a community of great men.
/14 End
/14 End
