This is an op-ed by Mickey Koss, a West Point graduate with a degree in economics. He spent four years in the infantry before transferring to the Finance Corps.
“It was before my time… Of course it’s true, everyone knows it’s true.”
The quote above is from the movie “Sea Monster”. And while the movie doesn’t specifically mention Bitcoin, it may be one of the best Bitcoin movies I’ve ever seen.
It is set in a fantasy world where there is perpetual warfare between a seafaring economic powerhouse and a group of monsters that seem to attack ships out of nowhere. Fishermen, the protagonists of the story, patrol the seas in an almost constant state of combat, fighting to keep trade routes open and safe. In return, they are paid after providing proof of their monster killing to the monarchy.
It was a fairly frank critique of the military-industrial complex, though the deeper theme I saw was the toxic effects the propaganda-media complex has on society, diminishing people’s ability to discern, and obscuring objective truth.
Learn or repeat history
I think the reason behind the “sea monster” It had such an impact on me because, at its core, it is the story of what can happen to a society when the truth becomes obscured by history and revisionist propaganda. In the end, it was up to individuals to practice discrimination, breaking the societal euphoria that had perpetuated violence for generations. In the end, the rulers only had power because the people allowed them to.
American culture and history is rich in individualism and critical thought, such as the idea that taxation without representation is immoral. This ideal It eventually led to the Revolutionary War that established this country. But now, people are afraid to have real, engaging conversations, especially in public, because it might be seen as “wrong thinking” or offensive, ultimately leading to the nullification of their public lives and their digital exile.
Bitcoin reinvigorates many things, but the most important I think is discerning the truth.
Bitcoin is basically an exercise in regaining your power of discernment. One must sift through a plethora of propaganda, fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) in order to know the truth and see the true value. The journey one must take in order to truly understand Bitcoin requires discernment and critical thinking. And once we reach a critical mass, the stubborn minority becomes firmly entrenched in the culture.
Furthermore, once you are able to store your hard-earned wealth in a self-sovereign fashion, the courage to speak freely becomes self-evident. No more worries of cancellation and debanking. Changes in time preference are also likely to increase your savings rate, making people more financially stable and less afraid of leaving or losing a job that might hold them back.
“You can be a hero and still be wrong.”
I know that many bitcoin creators are particularly critical of the military and governments. They hate war in all its forms and hope to end it with the dawn of a new standard for hard money. This is, of course, a worthy goal. But I must urge Bitcoin clients to separate service members from the policy decisions they are charged with implementing.
According to Jordan Peterson’s analysis that I’ve seen, one of the main reasons people join the military is the desire to find meaning and purpose in life. Peterson argues that young men often lack a clear sense of direction and purpose, and the structure and discipline of military life can provide them with a sense of belonging and fulfillment. In addition, the military can provide opportunities for personal growth, challenge, and adventure, as well as provide a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Many died in the hunt, hence the Day of Remembrance we celebrate on Remembrance Day. However, some much-needed criticism was crushed in the name of the forces.
The line “You can be a hero and still be wrong” from “Sea Monster” was particularly striking in this context. Without the ability to see objective facts, it is difficult to ascertain objective truth. Discrimination is a skill, a skill that has atrophied greatly throughout society in the past years. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the government’s cries for our protection have grown so loud.
There is no truth without debate and disagreement, and its prescriptions have been elevated from being uncomfortable to being completely insecure. However, creeping protectionism also has its costs; The slow erosion of freedoms to which we may never return. The very freedoms that so many service members died protecting, the very service members we are charged with remembering on Memorial Day.
If we are to remember and honor those sacrifices, perhaps the best way to do so in the present age is to exercise our discernment. Critical thinking is a skill that can be learned or relearned in specific situations. Bitcoin helps those seeking to take back responsibility in their lives and, yes, exercise some critical thinking in order to discern fact from fiction and hype from news.
Bitcoin activates critical thinking, and critical thinking leads to the truth. Some have the humility to accept it. Others must be slapped in the face by it, eventually causing them to experience the pain of ego death. Truth is the only way to honor the fallen. Have the courage to choose the truth, and live not by lying.
This is a guest post by Mikey Koss. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.