It is no secret that those who feel threatened by Bitcoin will attack it. Just a month ago, the New York Times published a malicious letter condition On energy use in bitcoin mining. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has repeatedly attacked Bitcoin from a variety of angles, going so far as to launch “Anti-crypto armyTargeting Bitcoin as a danger to consumers, all while misleading the public about the environmental impact of Bitcoin.
These verbal assaults are not isolated and the above examples represent only a small part of the uphill climb that Bitcoin has to collectively embrace. To put it mildly, Bitcoin is disrupting countless industries, making central authorities fear losing their monopoly over money and the power that comes with it. Bitcoin essentially “calls the con” on corrupt bureaucrats and infinitely inflatable fiat currencies that enrich those who own the assets while taking away the purchasing power of those who live paycheck to paycheck. Because Bitcoin is agnostic and able to use flexible loads, it naturally increases the demand for the cheapest energy sources, which are often natural gas or renewables.
So why are so many elected officials and companies trying to discredit and work to ban bitcoin mining? Most likely because their egos prevent them from understanding Bitcoin’s value proposition, but the facts speak for themselves.
Alana Mediavilla is a Wife, Mother, Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Filmmaker, and Bitcoiner. She has an impressive resume and passion for storytelling. Armed with her Bitcoin knowledge and skill set, Mediavilla decided to film and produce the documentary.Dirty coinwhich highlights the value of bitcoin mining while simultaneously breaking down the theory that bitcoin mining is bad for the environment.
It was an honor to hear her story and I know you will find her passion inspiring Bitcoin.
What is your professional background?
I have been an artist and entrepreneur my entire life. Can’t help it. I started my own production company in Silicon Valley 11 years ago and was recruited to be a Google Cloud Video Producer for about five years while I was still running my creative agency for other big tech people. In 2021 I parted ways full time with Google to focus my efforts on my company, my intellectual property rights, and my movies.
How did you first learn about Bitcoin and what drew you to it so definitively?
I learned about Bitcoin during my daughter’s ballet class in Campbell, California. A friend of mine who also had his daughter in the same class told me to buy as many bitcoins as I could lose that week. He told me it was going to go up, so I switched to Bitcoin. It got me interested in it and when my Cuban grandfather told me he knew people were sending bitcoins to Cuba, I researched the truth about bitcoin. What I discovered stunned me and I continue to do so to this day.
How do you usually respond to those who reject bitcoins, especially those close to you?
I’m making a long documentary explaining my position to them XD.
It is understandable to be against Bitcoin. Crypto is a clown show and not many see the difference between Bitcoin and shitcoins. Add to this that many people have been brought up with an energy scarcity mindset, so having some cryptocurrency “takes all the energy” is definitely concerning. The issue is that this is not the case. Is the industry perfect? of course not! But do we examine energy use in other industries in the same way? Have we studied enough to know the situations in which a power-hungry industry like bitcoin mining is a good thing, like in cases of dampening the glow or becoming a buyer of last resort in the middle of nowhere?
Understanding more factual information about the space can only generate better conversations about Bitcoin.
Why do you think it is important to close the gender gap in Bitcoin interest and adoption?
Bitcoin for everyone. Closing the gender gap brings diversity of users and advocates to Bitcoin. Women especially enjoy influence in their social circles and communities. More women in the bitcoin space means more women are grassroots advocates for bitcoin. We need all kinds of people to root for financial supremacy and that starts with conversations around the dinner table that moms are often responsible for leading. Whether the woman is financially independent or supports her partner who takes on this responsibility for the family, women’s understanding of the importance of bitcoin means more support for other women, people in their community, and most importantly, their families.
This is a guest post by Becca Bratcher. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.