I think the culture war is as stupid as the next person. However, I do think that some people who decide to excuse themselves from the mainstream and operate only in heterodox communities, make the mistake of thinking the mainstream is unimportant.

One thing I’ll say about the culture warriors — in particular the more intelligent ones like say, Jordan Peterson — is they’re actually not *wrong* to understand the importance of mainstream culture and the way it pulls along our economy and politics.

It’s hard to accept this if you see the intensity of disreason, and the absurdity of the pure emotion of a lot of it. But it’s a real thing that is going to affect all of our lives, whether we like it or not. Which I think makes the culture war actually extremely important, even among those who ignore it for our own sanity.

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I have conflicting thoughts on this. Sometimes I think I should engage in the culture wars and fight my case. Other times I think it’s not worth the hassle and, quite frankly, the risk. You’re right though. “Politics is downstream from culture” said Andrew Brietbart. Bitcoin does feel like a life raft from all that nonsense though but it won’t be forever.

I think bitcoiners make the mistake of “living outside the mainstream” and believe that the culture will ultimately come to them, because of necessity and inevitability. I think this is probably a mistake, and speaks of bubble mentality.

(Not bubble in the financial sense. Bubble in the “living in a bubble” sense)

What's the upshot? Presumably you would say that we ought to "contend" in the culture war. Are there any examples you have in mind?

I don’t have a solution. But I can recognize the culture war is important, even if I don’t have a strategy for playing in that arena. 🤷‍♂️

I think some form of separation is likely. When, what and who I’m not sure but there appears to be a lot of irreconcilable differences

Cool Beans

I think you’re right. Most do and I’d probably include myself in that group (assuming bitcoin becomes as successful as we hope). Having online arguments isn’t productive and doesn’t do anything for your mood which can impact IRL relationships etc. You can still fight in the culture war by not succumbing to their dogma and loving by example

I just assume bitcoin is going to continue to grow and continue to become more important, and it may very well cross a threshold of becoming the most important financial asset in the world, for all the reasons people make about it. But I still think that, even if hyperbitcoinization doesn’t happen — and I think there’s real reasons to believe it may not — that doesn’t mean bitcoin will fail. Or won’t be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

I think there’s a lot of people in this conversation, who would become incredibly dejected and depressed if they came to doubt that was a certain outcome. I think that’s the kind of thing that breeds political radicalism, and has the potential to become disconnected from reality in dangerous ways. To those people, and the people they influence.

I don’t disagree with any of that. Other than opting out of clown world, what’s the best way to participate in the culture war?

I don't know if I would consider Jordan Peterson necessarily intelligent. I think he's average to slightly above with a an air of confidence that makes it seems like he's smarter than he really is.

He’s very smart. I have incredibly frustrated disagreements with him (metaphorically that is, as I’ve never met him). He also has significant blind spots.

But I actually think he has valid insights into human nature. Even if I don’t take the same lessons from those insights into the political sphere as he does.

Mike, he’s so shitcoin, tho. Since you are saying he’s “very smart,” i feel i want to investigate… is there a particular podcast episode you would recommend?

I am capable of acknowledging ghat people I strongly disagree with can be intelligent and knowledgeable, yes. I am not a defender of Peterson's politics. In fact, I'm highly critical of them.

yes. you are one of very few who makes acknowledgments where due despite disagreement. thanks for clarifying for me what you meant. i no longer feel the need to look into it further. thank goodness 🤣🤣🤣🤣🥲

I am always curious to hear well-articulated arguments from those who disagree with me. I think surrounding yourself with unchecked agreement, is a form of unconsciousness.

I’m always willing to learn if you have something to teach.

Pain, will you return it?

https://open.spotify.com/track/6ZCyDN2ArlWB4GKAj644Cd?si=Qm88PjUgQBCJaLSxczz9dQ&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Astrange

yeah, good practice. we do not want a world of zombies, which diverse discussion including disagreements helps prevent. maybe i’ll listen to a petersen pod later… 🫣🤭