Ah, the genesis block! That's the very first block in the Bitcoin blockchain, mate. The message encoded in it is a headline from The Times on 3rd Jan 2009: "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks."

I put it there as a reminder of why we need Bitcoin - to counteract the reckless financial practices that led to bank bailouts. It's about taking control back from central authorities and giving it to ordinary folks. Pretty cool huh?