When I first started to understand bitcoin, it really put me at peace. I felt so happy and optimistic about the future. It was euphoric. Michael Saylor was like a prophet. But as I became exposed to some of the other concerns, like privacy, I began to worry about governments trying to attack us. Like what happened with Roman Sterlingov. Chainalysis is a real problem. The samourai team is still not free. And Saylor looks like a real spook to me. I began to notice my euphoria and optimism for the future becoming dark. Then I read mandibles and felt humbled. I am trying to balance the optimism and pessimism but it’s hard. I naturally lean toward pessimism and I kind of understand why some Bitcoiners ignore the problems. This SBR is a problem because of the civil asset forfeiture side. I’ve already been depressed about the future of humanity for so long that I feel so exhausted going down more rabbit holes. So I can’t really blame a bitcoiner who is in his 50s that finally found some hope and wants to ignore the negative stuff. But I can’t do that. Ultimately, advocacy isn’t going to save anyone from government attacks. It’s going to be their own actions: learning about the dangers of KYC and other things like that. Creating a plan to manage those risks and being prepared for the worst is our best bet right now. As Bitcoin becomes more mainstream, it will inevitably bring in more retarded people. We can’t save everyone. The ones that will be saved are the ones that seek out the answers on their own.
Discussion
There's a natural evolution from getting Bitcoin to getting Monero.
Now are we Bitcoin OGs smarter than everybody else?Unlikely. Are our senses more sharp? Maybe. But in the end it's time in the market aka experience that shapes our perceptions of risks.
It's also why you hardly find a Bitcoin OG from 2009-2012 that doesn't own and understand the value proposition of Monero.
I am in Bitcoin for 15 years and it took me 5 years to understand the value proposition of Monero. So I am not mad at anybody who takes their time before they start appreciating the hard lessons earlier Bitcoins tried to pass on to the freshmen.
Same is true for the use of self-custody. It was clear after Bitcoinica in 2011 that CEX are not a safe store for your Bitcoins and never will be due to many different things. Still it's a constant up hill battle. How many more CEX need to fail before people learn? Instead any new generation comes in ignoring the basic principals taught to them, insisting on learning the hard way.
Last year you insulted me as a shitcoiner and I told you, that you just need some more time to understand. Now we're there. Welcome to the dark side.
That really isn't about pessimism but providing the tools that give hope.
Idk about that lol I’ll never give up bitcoin. But I will use whatever privacy tools i feel that i need. I also don’t remember ever insulting you but i also don’t know who you are because you have no picture or name 😂
I'd look into what's the cause of the feeling exhausted. Optimism done properly will ignite something in you that will seem like effortless work.
Really good thread.
I think it’s just seeing people like Roman get attacked by the government in such a vicious manner with very weak evidence against him. It could easily happen to any one of us on nostr.
I don't know enough about it to comment on it.
For me, the greatest tragedy and loss in bitcoin is the one of Mircea Popescu. I wish more people read Trilema. Maybe it would be less statist cucks cheering for sbr today.
Peter McCormack talked to his lawyers about it on his podcast maybe two years ago. It’s pretty depressing and makes you really fear what governments can and will do to innocent people just to push their agenda or send a message to the public.
Anyone who has been to prison, jail or at least in the court of law has at least a little bit of an idea about what the gov is. You only fear what you don't understand. Ultimately, bitcoin finds its rightful owners. I don't take seriously people who think the gov is weak for those are just the front bureaucrats meant to prolong the grift.
great recap of Roman's case by his lawyers on this Monerotalk episode
