Bitcoin Tech Talk #324
What I've been working on
How Fiat Ruins Everything - My talk from the Lugano Plan B Forum is up! I talk about rent-seeking, merit, providing value and how civilization is being ruined. This was a fun talk for me to put together and without Bitcoin at the end, it would probably leave most of you depressed. But because Bitcoin exists and the arrow of history isn’t pointing down exclusively, there is hope. Fiat may ruin, but Bitcoin fixes.
Cypherpunk Origins Panel - This was a panel I moderated at the Lugano Plan B Forum about the influence of Cypherpunks on Bitcoin. In many ways, this was a dream panel for me with Adam Back, Nick Szabo and Paolo Ardoino. We talked about the origins of the Cypherpunk email list, their commitment to coding and engineering, how digital cash systems evolved and what eventually build Bitcoin.
Stacker News - Some of the best Bitcoin content is on Stacker News and it’s been growing like crazy. It’s one of my go-to spots besides Twitter for a good summary of all the things Bitcoiners are talking about. They just started a new referral program, which this link does for me. If you’re a free subscriber, this is an easy way to support me, but also, to contribute to the Bitcoin conversation.
What I'm up to
Israel and Palestine - I’m in the West Bank this week (specifically Bethlehem) to celebrate Christmas in the city of Christ’s birth. I’ll be going to the Israel side to see many of the other Christian holy sites. Please let me know if there are any specific things I need to check out, both as a Christian and a Bitcoiner.
Year End Reflections - 2022, like the two years before it, has been unlike anything that came before. We’ve been returning to normal after COVID, but we’re also seeing crazy interest rates, a new war between nuclear powers and a sharper birfurcation of the world. It’s also a bear market year for Bitcoin, which has many fiat pundits beating their chests. It’s also good, however, because it’s clearing out the cruft. An essay along these lines are what I’m thinking in addition to the beliefs article that I still have to finish.
2023 - Of course, with the end of one year, we begin another. We’ll start to see how the isolation of Russia economically affects prices, particularly with respect to energy. The severe weather we’re seeing already doesn’t bode well for a lot of energy grids around the world. Thinking through the global implications of the Ukraine war as it enters year two will be important for figuring out what will happen next.
Tweet of the Week
What I’m Shilling
Unchained Capital is a sponsor of this newsletter. I am an advisor and proud to be a part of a company that’s enhancing security for Bitcoin holders. If you need multisig, collaborative custody or bitcoin native financial services, learn more here.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Bitcoin Tech Talk to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.