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Erik Cason
bd9eb657c25b4f6cda68871ce26259d1f9bc62420487e3224905b674a710a45a
I like to talk about bitcoin and philosophy. Cofounder Vora.io https://store.bitcoinmagazine.com/products/cryptosovereignty

Better AI, deeper propaganda, higher price acceleration, and much greater vitriol and hatred on social media and from standard liberals as well.

Replying to Avatar GeoFitz

nostr:npub1hk0tv47ztd8kekngsuwwycje68umccjzqjr7xgjfqkm8ffcs53dqvv20pf "Cryptosovereignty - The Encrypted Political Philosophy of Bitcoin" has been a life-altering read for me, a transformative journey from being a casual observer to a passionate advocate of Bitcoin's deeper philosophy.

Attending the Bitcoin Conference in Amsterdam was a pivotal solo decision, driven by an inner voice that seemed to understand my path better than I did. In a cool, warehouse-style venue, amidst enthusiasts and experts, I initially felt out of my depth. But there, I found clarity in the words of one speaker – @ErikCason

Erik's panel discussion, "Exploring Crypto Sovereignty," alongside Jameson Loop and Bruce Fenton, was an enlightenment session. It wasn’t just what he said but the perspective he brought to Bitcoin that resonated with me on a profound level. His words were more than information; they were an invitation to a journey.

Grabbing the last copy of Erik's book felt like seizing a treasure. Since then, each day has been a deep dive into its pages. It's not a quick read; it's a meditation. Each chapter, each line holds thoughts and ideas that require time to absorb, reflect, and internalize. The book speaks from a higher dimension, offering wisdom that’s both revolutionary and deeply human.

This is not a book review, more of a few points I wrote down after asking myself the question… Now having finished Erik’s book what have I learnt?

1. Understanding Bitcoin's Uniqueness:

Erik's articulation of the distinction between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has been an eye-opener. Bitcoin stands apart for its groundbreaking concepts – the power of the private key, the principle of self-custody, the robustness of proof of work, and the anonymity and genius of Satoshi Nakamoto. It’s a 'once in the history of mankind' moment, a miracle in the timeline of financial evolution. I had previously dabbled in various altcoins, naively equating them with Bitcoin. But this book has made me realize the chasm that lies between Bitcoin and everything else in the crypto space.

2. The Mirage of Crypto Riches: Like many others, I was drawn to the crypto world by the allure of quick riches. Buying Bitcoin and Ethereum through Coinbase, I dreamed of turning them into a fortune. The market crash was a rude awakening, leaving me disillusioned and skeptical. But Erik's book has shifted my focus from the price of Bitcoin to its intrinsic value. Bitcoin is not a stepping stone back to fiat; it's a complete paradigm shift in understanding wealth and value. I’m never converting a single satoshi back to fiat!!

3. The Spiritual Side of Bitcoin: A Personal Awakening

A profoundly impactful aspect of Erik Cason's book, particularly the chapter titled "Messianic Bitcoin," was the revelation of Bitcoin as more than just digital currency - as a potential savior from societal maladies. This concept resonated deeply with my two-decade journey in transpersonal psychology and spirituality, an intersection I had never anticipated with Bitcoin.Erik's portrayal of Bitcoin as a 'Messiah' - a technology that could vanquish the societal 'anti-christ' of control, manipulation, and centralization - was a profound realization. It sparked a personal awakening, aligning with my own experiences in spiritual and transformational work. Just as one's journey towards Bitcoin often starts with a deep, personal inner call, so does the path of spiritual growth. It's about listening to that quiet voice inside that knows there's something fundamentally wrong with the world, that there must be a better way.This journey often requires the courage to go against societal norms, to trust our inner wisdom over the doubts and criticisms from those around us. In Bitcoin, this is mirrored in the concept of the private key - a secret, a personal treasure of wisdom and autonomy, akin to our inner spiritual sanctuary. It reminds me of Morpheus’s line from 'The Matrix': “I can only show you the door, you’re the one that has to walk through it.” This applies perfectly to both Bitcoin and our own spiritual journeys.My encounter with Erik's book, especially the 'Messianic Bitcoin' chapter, was a personal revelation. It highlighted a shared gift between Bitcoiners and spiritual seekers: the ability to tap into an inner source of wisdom unique to each individual and then to trust and act on it. This personal takeaway, though not explicitly stated in the book, has been a cornerstone of my understanding of Bitcoin's role in our lives - as a technology and as a spiritual guide.

4. The Dark Reality of Fiat Money: Erik dives deep into the sinister nature of the fiat system. It's not just an economic issue; it's a moral one. The book lays bare how fiat money fuels war machines and feeds into a surveillance state. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are portrayed as the ultimate tool of control, a dystopian reality that Bitcoin can help us escape from. Understanding this has been both shocking and enlightening.

5. Reward and Responsibility: A Deep-Seated Theme in Bitcoin In my journey through Erik’s book, I stumbled upon an underlying theme that wasn't explicitly outlined in any specific chapter but resonated as a powerful subtext throughout – the symbiosis of reward and responsibility within the realm of Bitcoin. This theme quietly weaves through the pages, revealing itself in the nuances of the narrative.Understanding Bitcoin brings with it a profound sense of freedom – a liberation not just from the conventional financial system but from a deeper, more pervasive sense of societal and economic confinement. However, this freedom isn't a solitary experience; it's intrinsically linked to the collective liberation of all. It brings to life a powerful realization: true freedom with Bitcoin is unattainable unless it's shared by everyone. It's as if the very fabric of Bitcoin is interwoven with this ethos of shared emancipation.This insight has led me to understand that the rewards Bitcoin offers go far beyond financial gains. They encompass a broader, more profound sense of freedom and empowerment. But, crucially, these rewards come hand in hand with an immense responsibility. It’s not just about understanding and utilizing Bitcoin for personal gain. It's about recognizing our role in a larger movement, a collective journey towards financial sovereignty for all.As I delved deeper into the book, I felt a call to action – a call to share the knowledge and understanding of Bitcoin with as many as possible. It’s about lighting the path for others, extending the enlightenment and freedom Bitcoin offers as far and wide as we can. This isn't a journey to be undertaken with an 'I’m alright Jack' mentality. Such an approach would not only be contrary to the ethos of Bitcoin but would also deprive one of the deeper, more meaningful rewards that come with a comprehensive understanding of this technology.

6. Layers Of the Onion: Bitcoin as a Mirror for the Soul

In my exploration of Bitcoin, guided by Erik Cason's profound insights, I've come to cherish a particularly captivating idea: Bitcoin is far more than just a "currency" or a "store of value." These terms, while accurate in their own right, barely scratch the surface of what Bitcoin truly represents. To me, Bitcoin has evolved into something akin to a mirror, a reflective surface within which we can polish our souls.This concept of Bitcoin as a mirror resonates deeply with my understanding of personal growth and transformation. It’s not just a financial instrument; it’s a tool for introspection and self-discovery. Bitcoin reflects back to us our position in the grand spiral of our own transformation. It challenges us, prompts us to question our values, our decisions, and our understanding of freedom and autonomy. This journey of self-reflection and growth is akin to peeling back the layers of an onion - each layer representing deeper insights and more profound understanding.The deeper we delve into the world of Bitcoin, the more we uncover about ourselves and the larger system we are part of. It's a continual process of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Each interaction, each transaction, and each moment of contemplation peels back another layer, revealing more of the core of what Bitcoin – and, by extension, we ourselves – truly are.Erik’s book gently nudges us to recognize that this journey with Bitcoin is endless. Just as with any profound journey of self-discovery, there's always more to learn, more to understand, and more depths to explore. It’s an alluring and exciting prospect, this idea of an ongoing journey down the Bitcoin rabbit hole, a journey that promises not just financial enlightenment but also personal and communal transformation.As we each gaze into this Bitcoin mirror, we don’t just see our individual reflections; we see the emergence of a new community of beings, united in our quest for understanding and growth. This community, this collective journey, is one of the most thrilling aspects of my Bitcoin journey. It’s a shared exploration, where the lessons learned are not just for the individual but for the betterment of the whole. The layers of the onion that we peel back in our individual quests help illuminate the path for others, making the journey not just a solitary endeavor but a collective pilgrimage towards a deeper understanding of both Bitcoin and ourselves.

Erik, your book has been a beacon on my path, guiding me through a transformative journey. I am deeply grateful for your wisdom. Thank You for absolutely Rocking in every way.

btw You are responsible for me being here on NOSTR and this being my first post…. let’s see how this goes….

Cheers

Geoff

Thanks for the long and thoughtful reply Geoff. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my book and write out this response. ❤️🙏

Things are starting to noticeably accelerate on several fronts.

It’s a bit spooky TBH.

This one is called the Iceberg Hermit, about a guy who shipwrecked in the 16th century and lived with Inuit folks for several years.

My 8-year-old son tonight told me after reading one of my favorite books from childhood for about four hours straight that he loves reading.

That felt really nice.

Replying to Avatar CosmoCrixter

Dear Eric,

I listen to a fuckton of Bitcoin podcasts and other audio content. It is rare now that while listening to something, I literally get up and cheer, or shout out loud with wild celebratory whoops or, conversely, with insane fury. Today, listening to your WBD interview, at the end of your Synopsis of the Melville story, “Bartleby the Scrivener,” a story I know very well. I actually teared up and then bellowed aloud like a barbarian. I resounded my yawp because I realized that Bitcoin is “the power of last refusal.”

For a time I worked for a publishing company in their subsidiary rights department and I have had some of my own writings published as well. In publishing, we have this concept, as I am sure you know, of “the right of first refusal.” It’s “a contractual right to enter into a business transaction with a person or company before anyone else can.” But Bitcoin is literally the power of last refusal. I never thought about it this way until you spoke about Bartleby. Note that I use the word “power” and not “right” when referring to Bitcoin, because this ability is intrinsic to its nature as property and how it can be managed by a person individually (as opposed to extrinsic).

Bartleby exercises his power of last refusal, in which he literally pledges, unto death, his unwillingness to participate in a world system that he has no truck with. We cannot know what Bartleby’s reasons are: he never tells us (another power!). But because he is a human being, he can choose to die instead of being forced to live under a set of rules that he does not accept. In this sense, the state, the world, the human community, cannot extract from him what it wishes. Bartleby’s conscientious objection constitutes the power of last refusal.

If I choose, upon my death, not to pass on my seed phrase to anyone, or give it up to the state, but instead choose to die with that cryptographically protected secret, I am exercising my power of last refusal. At the last, I force the state to accept my power as a self-realized “moral majority of one,” to bend Thoreau‘s phrase. In my final act, whether it wants to or not, the state has to recognize my self-sovereignty, and it cannot see me only as a unit of labor.

The existence of the power of last refusal opens up, as you say later in the interview, a whole new ethical framework. It means that my conscientious objection is not just an act of language or thought, but an act that tracks materially onto the real world.

Anyway, thanks for the big revelations. I’ll be buying your book today.

Warmly and in brotherhood,

Cosmo Crixter

Great synopsis that gets at what I was trying to convey much better. I’m happy this reference was not lost to all, and it warms my heart that it registered for you so well.

You’ll appreciate the chapter where I finish with referencing Bartleby. Thanks for the listen!

Replying to Avatar jack

Unfortunately I can’t make my keynote nostr:npub1ftw5mdhk9c2zcsc7fzs0vxydxtdqs8jfj2va5egz05hemsm50saqgr8wjt this time. I’ll be on live video instead. Messed up my schedule and my board meeting prevented me from reaching it in time.

Hopefully will see a lot of you in person at nostr:npub1nstrcu63lzpjkz94djajuz2evrgu2psd66cwgc0gz0c0qazezx0q9urg5l!

Dang I wanted to give you a copy of my book.

I’ll hand it off to some folks I know will be at Nostrasia as I can’t make that one.

The bird app is fucking awful and obviously feeding back into hate, bigotry, and violence with all of the gore and porn it’s promoting.

Happy we have each other and a means to stay connected where we are not being barraged with sexual and violent images constantly to keep us trigger, angry, and hurt.

For those of you that have been asking for it Cryptosovereignty is now available as an ebook!

You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Cryptosovereignty-Encrypted-Political-Philosophy-Bitcoin-ebook/dp/B0CKWKJ72P/

I love European cities compared to American ones—it’s so refreshing.

Hit me up if you’re chillin in Amsterdam before the bitcoin conference and wanna get a crew together today to chill out and go deep.

Whew.

Bitcoin conferences can be really overwhelming. So much social interaction and the enjoyment of it all can really push one to some of their physical and mental limits without realizing it. I always try to just take a bit down time each conference day to just sit and be quiet—it really helps me recharge.

“I FIRST HEARD ABOUT BIT COINS IN 2006 BUT I KNOW THE NSA DID IT, NO POINT IN THAT SCAM.

YOUR TOTAL IS $7.45, SIR.”

I have a theory that the softness of the weather out west is part of what contributed to the decline in America’s culture.

Soft weather makes for soft people—aaand I still love that I live in a place that mostly has great weather, just too bad it contributed to the downfall of civilization.

One of my touch point for understanding bitcoin before it existed was writing a thesis to graduate for college about capital controls during the East Asian financial crisis of 1998. When I understood the bitcoin completely circumvented these controls, a real light bulb went off for me.

Yep, once you’ve entered your shipping info you can go into the flow for bitcoin payment with IBEX.

I’ll be signing and selling physical copies of my book Cryptosovereignty at 10am day one at the Pacific bitcoin conference followed by a fireside chat with Tomer Strolight at 11am.

Hope to see y’all there!

https://store.bitcoinmagazine.com/products/cryptosovereignty