I admit to feeling nostalgic for Noam Chomsky. Chomsky is a controversial figure, but he is also a hero for his writings on consent and conformity, and perhaps the most articulate voice against the development of the deep state. Chomsky, now 95 years old, suffered a severe stroke last year and is unable to speak. This article is not about Chomsky, but it was inspired by him. Bitcoin is a functioning electronic peer-to-peer cash system, but the world built around it is very alienated and disconnected from the rest of society. We are effectively siloed, and anyone who thinks this will help adoption is dreaming. The room stinks, and I think this little bitcoin world is not working for Bitcoin.
The irony of Bitcoin lovers, the kind of people who read this article, is that they, or we, believe that they are immune to propaganda, that they are immune to a process that produces consent for decisions that are not their own, and that they would not approve of if given the opportunity to consider them independently.
Bad news. You are no exception. In fact, I believe that many of the people who call themselves “pro-Bitcoin” today have only become “pro-Bitcoin” because of the propaganda. An entire cultural reproduction machine has been built around Bitcoin, and it is incredibly reactionary and in many ways bigoted.
For example, displaying an LGBTQ flag with the Bitcoin symbol on it is far from controversial. Attacks against transgender and queer people, who make up well over 90% of Bitcoin holders, are commonplace. Abusive behavior against women is also commonplace.
This cultural reproduction machine manifests itself in the form of popular influencers, who are often millennial men who spend long periods of time photographing themselves in front of the mirror flaunting their muscles. It really makes you wonder how big those muscles must get to protect the fragile self-esteem buried beneath those muscle fibers.
These influencers aren’t selling you anything real. They’re not selling you a way out of the existing system. All they’re doing is providing you with a simple narrative that will help you sleep well at night. You’ll be fine. Just remember. Everything bad that’s happening is because of the “money printing presses blabbing” and transgender ideology.
I call this the cultural reproduction machine because I see more and more people with the same narrow-minded, ignorant and prejudiced ideas taking up space. These ideas are spreading and poisoning the minds of good people. I would encourage those who hold these ideas to stop for a moment and ask themselves: “Where do these ideas come from? Since when did I start believing this?” Realize that the stories around you are often crafted to make you think that you invented them yourself.
If you’re new to Bitcoin, remember that you don’t have to conform to mainstream thinking. You don’t have to support the orange guy who likes orange coins (or at least claims to do so). You don’t have to eat steak every day or hate seed oil. You don’t have to believe in transgender ideology or hate queer people. You don’t have to have an altar in your garage where you pray to Hayek every night, waiting for the day collectivists are finally wiped off the planet.
The reality is that Bitcoin is for everyone who needs it. Bitcoin is not political money. Bitcoin does not need political parties or nations. All Bitcoin needs is for people to use it and learn how it works.
Noam Chomsky made a very good point about society’s problems that still applies today. American democracy creates alienation because it is not a real democracy. He said that ordinary people feel alienated when the political system functions without the input of the people. It is clear that many of you are here feeling alienated by this corporate-run society. It is normal to react. But don’t let the loudest voices persuade you to act against your interests. Bitcoin wins when we accept each other as we are. Bitcoin wins when we maintain a healthy skepticism of our political leaders and their promises. Bitcoin wins when we unite against the forces that are trying to destroy us.
I’m sure I’ve offended many of you, but that’s the purpose of this stream-of-consciousness rant: I want you to be angry. I want those who disagree with you to realize that they are not alone. No matter how suffocating the tendencies of bigotry and fascism in this space are right now, there are still many who disagree.
You are not alone.
This is a guest post by Margot Paez. The opinions expressed here are entirely the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
