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A frequent saying has appeared in the Bitcoin community: mend the currency, mend the world. While there is ample reason to be hopeful about Bitcoin’s influence on society, it is insufficient to depend solely on lines of code to amend our reality. Instead, in this discourse on the ethics of immutability, I contend that transforming oneself is the genuine revolution, and collectively, as participants in this global ecosystem, we embody the revolution of transformation.
Bitcoin was crafted to be decentralized, resistant to censorship, open source, and unseizable, traits that differentiate it from conventional banking and financial systems. The structure of Bitcoin ensures that no central authority can randomly confiscate funds or obstruct transactions on the network. The clear, permissionless characteristic of its code permits anyone to engage without needing consent from intermediaries or gatekeepers. It grants individuals the ability to transact and safeguard value beyond the grasp of censorship, monetary devaluation, and financial oppression from governments and banks.
These features have led numerous individuals to perceive Bitcoin not merely as a novel form of currency, but as an instrument of liberation in the digital era. In “On Revolution,” Hannah Arendt remarks
“the existence of a free individual required the presence of others. Therefore, freedom itself necessitated a space where individuals could gather.”
My aspiration is that this gathering may manifest as a global, decentralized financial network.
The framework and means through which we can exemplify digital freedom have already been presented to us — the actions of Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s originator.
As Bitcoin enthusiasts, we frequently ponder, “What constitutes being a Bitcoiner?” Typically, replies include merely holding bitcoin, executing transactions, believing in the worth of sound currency, managing a node, or any combination thereof.
Clearly, these are essential but inadequate, I argue, to identify as a Bitcoiner. One cannot be considered a Christian simply due to owning a Bible. Beliefs, and crucially, one’s actions are vital to uphold the principles of Bitcoin. The community has not given sufficient acknowledgment to the fact that Satoshi relinquished vast wealth and notoriety so that we could freely engage in this network. It is this legacy and its significance for Bitcoin users that I investigate in this essay. We must uphold this spirit of Satoshi by honoring and advocating for the freedom of others, if we are to genuinely mend the world.
The Immutability Legacy of Satoshi Nakamoto
In stepping away, Satoshi Nakamoto embodied the notion that Bitcoin was intended to belong to its community, not to its creator or a central authority. Equally remarkable is Satoshi’s choice to remain unidentified. To this day, the true identity of Satoshi remains a mystery, and the creator’s forum contributions and emails never disclosed personal information. This anonymity was very much aligned with the Cypherpunk ethos that shaped Bitcoin’s evolution, a culture that champions privacy and allows ideas to articulate themselves rather than leaning on authority. Satoshi himself was explicit about evading any cult of personality. When a media stir in 2014 led to the erroneous “doxxing” of a Californian individual (Dorian Nakamoto) as Bitcoin’s founder, the genuine Satoshi seemingly resurfaced online solely to proclaim, “I am not Dorian Nakamoto.” Beyond that clarification, the inventor never sought fame or recognition.
One of the most significant symbols of Satoshi Nakamoto’s legacy is that he never liquidated his bitcoin assets. It is estimated that Satoshi mined approximately 1 million BTC (bitcoin) in the network’s early days. Notably, none of those coins have ever been transferred or utilized — they remain untouched on the blockchain. At the current market value, that reserve would rank Satoshi among the wealthiest individuals globally. Nevertheless, the creator opted to leave that wealth untouched. We do not definitively know why Satoshi never utilized his coins. However, the impact of this abstention has been profound. By refraining from profiting from his creation, Satoshi exhibited integrity and a belief in the project’s long-term vision. Almost like a relic or monument on the blockchain, those unspent coins have become evidence of his contribution and demonstrate that the founder did not seek personal gain.
In the Bitcoin community, this fact is frequently referenced to highlight the purity of Bitcoin’s roots. The monetary framework Satoshi established was decentralized and equitable, providing early participants an opportunity by preventing the creator from exploiting any undue advantage. Satoshi willingly sacrificed certain liberties (such as the freedom to cash in wealth or the freedom to enjoy fame) for the sake of Bitcoin’s triumph and credibility. This personal sacrifice set a potent ethical precedent and established numerous values that the Bitcoin community continues to cherish: decentralization, open engagement, neutrality, and the notion that principles take precedence over individual benefit.
Satoshi’s coins, remaining untouched on the ledger, are an immutable testament to those values, reminding us that the founder’s pledge to freedom was not merely in words but in actions. This legacy beckons us to contemplate the type of community Bitcoin was meant to cultivate, and it provides a real-world transition into broader philosophical inquiries about freedom and responsibility, which, as Bitcoiners, we must ponder as we embody Bitcoin’s realization of freedom.
Bitcoin and the Concept of Freedom
What do we mean by “freedom,” especially within a societal framework? Thinkers have wrestled with this inquiry for centuries. One particularly enlightening viewpoint comes from the 20th-century existentialist Simone de Beauvoir, whose work “The Ethics of Ambiguity” (1947) examines the essence of freedom and the ethical obligations it encompasses. Beauvoir’s reflections can assist us in drawing connections between Bitcoin’s ethos and a broader philosophy of mutual freedom and autonomy.
A critical idea within Beauvoir’s ethics is that freedom is a collective, interdependent state. She dismisses the idea that freedom is merely the capacity for an isolated individual to do anything they wish. Instead, true freedom is “a positive and constructive process” that unavoidably involves other individuals. One individual’s liberty is amplified by the freedom of others and diminishes when others are oppressed. I cannot be genuinely free, she asserts, if I inhabit a world where others are enslaved or silenced because I exist in a human realm of connections and my own possibilities are entwined with those of my fellow beings. The authors of “Resistance Money” affirm this ethos in their statements:
“Cypherpunk code empowers individuals. Yet, with currency, merely writing code is insufficient. For money is, as we’ve observed, a network good. Bitcoin isn’t DIY currency – do it yourself.
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It is, DIT – do it collectively. Utilizing bitcoin signifies engaging with users in endorsing resistance currency for those in need, regardless of the consent or collaboration of authorities.”
This principle of reciprocity implies that we each hold a duty to advocate for the liberty of everyone, not merely our own individual freedom. Beauvoir famously articulates that the liberty of others must be honored and they must be assisted in achieving their own emancipation — such as being liberated by the ability to utilize a censorship-resistant financial network, for instance. It’s insufficient to simply refrain from coercing others; a genuine ethics calls upon us to proactively advocate for and enhance the freedom of those surrounding us. This might involve educating those lacking understanding, opposing unjust political systems that repress individuals, or striving to mitigate poverty and other circumstances that restrict a person’s opportunities. Freedom, according to Beauvoir’s view, is intrinsically social and collaborative.
This ideology resonates profoundly with the spirit of open-source, decentralized networks like Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s value proposition is not solely that “I individually possess my money,” but also that everyone can engage as equals under shared regulations. Contrast that structure with the status quo of Cantillon effects, where the norm is to accept moral peril.
The Bitcoin network becomes increasingly secure and beneficial as more individuals engage with it (more nodes, more miners, more liquidity), illustrating freedom as mutually reinforcing. Instead of perceiving freedom as a zero-sum pursuit, contemporary thinkers like Beauvoir regard it as inherently social and mutually enriching, an insight applicable to a monetary network as well. A decentralized currency functions effectively precisely because it is open and accessible to everyone; my financial freedom is supported by others participating and amplifying the network effects. As more individuals embrace bitcoin, it becomes increasingly difficult for any single authority to suppress transactions for anyone — network decentralization represents a form of reciprocal empowerment for its users. This reflects Beauvoir’s assertion that an individual’s freedom can only expand through the freedom of others.
Genuine freedom is consequently reciprocal, and we can observe a parallel in Bitcoin’s philosophy: If a participant in the network (like a miner or node) attempts to censor or deceive others, they jeopardize the very system that guarantees their own financial independence. In fact, Bitcoin’s consensus regulations ensure that attempts to censor or double-spend will only adversely affect the aggressor — honest nodes will dismiss invalid blocks, and the aggressor squanders resources. The network is designed to reward collaboration (adhering to the rules) and render interference futile. While Beauvoir was discussing human rights and ethical relationships, the parallel is that the freedom to transact, akin to freedom of expression, functions best when universally respected. No one is truly “free” in a monetary context if a central authority can freeze their account at will. Critically, obstructing others from transacting (for instance, lobbying to censor specific addresses or users) would ultimately endanger one’s own safety and liberty within the network.
It is vital to recognize that my statements have not been penned in the years following WWII; that despite the current unrest, American life is unlikely to experience a full-scale kinetic conflict as we did in the last century.
We must then ponder, what does revolution resemble when there is no oppressor? And what does reciprocal freedom signify in 21st-century American existence? While one might argue, like Arendt, that we inhabit an oligarchy, fiat as an economic structure lacks a monarch or tyrant to overthrow. A modern perspective on freedom necessitates a dynamic approach to addressing this question. Confronting oppression when there is no monarch is comparable to technological creative destruction — an evolution not requiring brute force but substituting the system from the outside.
American existence is governed by systems of oppression that subtly impact our freedoms. It is pointless to compare the year 2025 to a century ago where questions of freedoms could more readily be divided into simple positive and negative binaries. Instead, the limitations on one’s freedoms in contemporary American existence become more ambiguous. Again, posing questions such as: What freedoms are curtailed when paid advertising impacts our consumer behavior, social media orchestrates the algorithms, processed foods influence our cognition, Citizens United diminishes our impact in our democracy, or for our current purposes when a financial and economic structure reduces purchasing power and concentrates wealth by design?
We exist in an era of remarkable abundance and security, so it is effortless to drift into passive involvement in community and political life; it is simple to adopt the existence of a serious man (Beauvoir’s archetype of an individual who avoids the responsibility of reciprocal freedom by adhering to rigid values as if they were unchangeable truths, making them susceptible to justifying harmful actions in the name of their “sacred” cause).
de Beauvoir also presents a moral necessity: Solidarity in the quest for freedom. It’s insufficient to refrain from causing harm; we are urged to engage and endeavor to alter conditions that deny others their freedom. She noted that authentic ethics involves aiding others in broadening their scope of action and choice. This could be interpreted (in our context) as a call to support technologies or movements that empower those who have been marginalized by traditional systems. Reflect on how Bitcoin has been utilized by dissidents, journalists, or citizens in nations with capital controls and hyperinflation. Since Bitcoin is censorship-resistant and borderless, it enabled, for instance, WikiLeaks to receive donations in 2010 when PayPal and banks (under governmental pressure) obstructed funds. It has assisted individuals in Venezuela or Zimbabwe in circumventing destructive monetary policies and retaining savings in a currency that their authorities cannot devalue.
During the Russian-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Bitcoin donations were directly sent to Ukraine when traditional avenues were limited, exemplifying the network’s neutrality and availability. It has also offered a method for migrant workers and refugees to transport and send assets when the banking system excludes them.
All these instances illustrate individuals reclaiming freedom in the face of oppression or adversity, supported by a global community of Bitcoin users and developers who sustain the network. To draw a parallel to Beauvoir: Those who contribute to Bitcoin’s development or adoption in repressive contexts are, in a sense, aiding others in liberating themselves. They are participating in a form of solidarity that resonates with the ethical vision Beauvoir articulates — a “tangible commitment to the freedom of our fellow men,” as she described it, which entails actively resisting structures that confine others’ autonomy. Viewing Bitcoin through Beauvoir’s existential lens enhances the concept of reciprocal freedom. Bitcoin operates as a mechanism of augmented freedom not because it allows an individual to escape society, but because it fosters a new form of society, one founded on voluntary participation, equitable rules, and mutual empowerment rather than hierarchical control. It embodies the principle that my financial freedom is intricately linked to yours. It challenges the community to uphold not just their own rights but the rights of others, ensuring the network remains open and accessible. As Beauvoir emphasized, freedom acquires significance only when we commit ourselves to defending and expanding the freedom of all.
Beauvoir’s sentiment is mirrored in José Ortega y Gasset’s,
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“The Revolt of the Masses,” which urges us to grasp that
“every fate is dramatic, tragic in its profound significance. Whoever has not sensed the peril of our era pulsating beneath his grasp has not truly delved into the essence of fate; he has merely skimmed its surface.”
While Ortega y Gasset applies this notion to the perceived betrayal of his mass individual, it remains a sentiment of great significance. Beauvoir implores us to will ourselves liberated, to liberate others. The potential for achieving this is only met when the will strives to comprehend the fate of others, including the mass individual. We acknowledge the complexity of our own character and fate, but freedom resides in embracing the complexity of others.
The ambiguity of our nature is further clarified by Craig Warmke in his article, “Bitcoin Behind the Veil,” where he analyzes Bitcoin through John Harsanyi’s “veil” concept. Warmke poses the question: “If you had no choice, [and were reborn], in what kind of world would you choose to exist: a world with bitcoin, like our current one, or a world devoid of bitcoin, similar to ours but where bitcoin had never been created?” In a world where over half the population lives under an authoritarian government, your probability of enjoying Western prosperity and freedom is a coin toss, so the logical response to his inquiry is, “yes,” I would prefer to reside in a world with bitcoin.
Warmke’s assertion is not merely a philosophical exercise; it serves as a call to action when we recognize that the fate of others, by mere chance, was not our own. We must then consider what, if any, obligation we, as Bitcoin enthusiasts, possess to counterbalance chance, and what implications that bears for our lives — our immutability?
The Ethics of Immutability
One of Bitcoin’s fundamental technical characteristics is the unchangeability of its blockchain ledger. Once a block of transactions is validated and incorporated into the chain, it becomes virtually unalterable; the record is eternal. This concept of a fixed record of actions offers a vivid metaphor for contemplating life, legacy, and ethical responsibility — a duty toward preserving and enhancing the freedom of others. We might inquire: If your life’s decisions were inscribed like transactions in an immutable ledger, would you be satisfied with the record? Are our actions, in a sense, marked in time as part of our legacy, and how does that affect the way we opt to live?
The idea of an “immutable essence” versus the potential for a fluid being has been a long-standing discussion. Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre contended that for humans, “existence precedes essence.” By this, Sartre suggested that there is no predetermined, unchanging soul or nature that dictates who we are; instead, we perpetually construct ourselves through our choices and actions. We are, in Sartre’s view, “condemned to be free,” entirely accountable for crafting our identity and principles in the absence of any fixed model provided by God or nature. We define ourselves through our decisions and actions. This focus on freedom and sincerity means that moral engagement is something we select and perform, not something imposed by an unchangeable essence or destiny. Every action contributes to the “ledger” of our being. Sartre even posited that in choosing for oneself, one ought to reflect that they are, in a manner, choosing an example for all humanity, akin to every transaction you broadcast to the blockchain becoming part of a public narrative that others can observe.
Now, juxtapose this with other philosophical or spiritual perspectives that do posit an unchangeable core to the self. In Plato’s philosophy and in numerous spiritual traditions, there exists the notion of a soul, something fundamentally constant and divine within a person that endures through transformation. Plato, for example, considered the soul immortal and unchanging in its essence. Certain religious perspectives maintain that salvation or enlightenment is about realizing one’s eternal, unchanged true nature. In such perspectives, moral enhancement may be conceived as uncovering or revealing an already inherent goodness. Conversely, there are also views that emphasize transformation, the belief that one must evolve into something different.
Finally, at the far opposite end, philosophical systems like Buddhism and David Hume’s empiricism reject any fixed self entirely: They argue that the self is an illusion, a succession of transient states with no lasting essence. Buddhism teaches anātman, “no-soul,” asserting that clinging to the idea of an immutable identity is a source of suffering, and liberation arises from acknowledging the transience of all facets of the self. Why do these theoretical stances matter in our context? Because they shape an ethical inquiry: How should we conduct ourselves and interact with the surrounding world? If you are convinced you possess an immutable soul, perhaps you endeavor to keep it pure and untarnished — acting in ways that “timestamp” only what you would desire to be eternally associated with you. (Think of a virtuous person wishing to leave a legacy as immaculate as Satoshi’s unspent coins on the blockchain).
If instead you believe that identity is something you cultivate, then every decision is akin to mining a new block — a chance to contribute meaningfully to the chain of your life. And if you maintain there is no enduring self, you might concentrate on the present ramifications of actions rather than any lasting record, or you may find significance in contributing to a greater cause (like how in Bitcoin, individual nodes appear and disappear, but the ledger remains; similarly, one could argue that individual lives are ephemeral, yet good deeds can have lasting impacts beyond the self).
The notion of blockchain immutability encourages a thought experiment: What if our actions truly could not be erased or forgotten? In reality, of course, human memory and history are fallible. Yet increasingly, in the digital age, we possess a form of permanent memory (the internet never forgets, and the Bitcoin blockchain literally never forgets transactions).
This demands a new level of moral transparency; it echoes the philosopher John Locke’s analysis of personal identity. Locke contended that it is continuous consciousness (the recollection of one’s actions) that constitutes personal identity, even if the substance (the soul or body) transforms, as long as awareness of past actions remains; the person persists. He presented a famous scenario: If consciousness could be transferred from one soul to another, the person would accompany the consciousness, not with the soul:
“If consciousness can actually be transferred from one soul to another, then a person can endure, despite a change in the soul to which her consciousness is attached.”
In other words, for Locke, the moral self is fundamentally the record of what you’ve contemplated and accomplished — your “ledger” of consciousness. This concept intriguingly aligns with the blockchain metaphor: Personal identity may be perceived as a chain of memories and actions, an ongoing accumulation of “blocks” (experiences) linked by awareness of them. An immutable ledger of one’s transactions serves as an external representation of memory; a permanent consciousness of certain actions. Thus, one could argue that morally, we are (or ought to be) the
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sum of our recalled actions. If we envision those actions as fixed and public, it might inspire living in a manner that requires no concealment or deletion.
The notion of invariability prompts us towards an ethics of responsibility as well. It implies that integrity revolves around acknowledging one’s history and striving to build upon it rather than obscuring it. The concept of invariability pertains to how we reflect on legacy and mortality. Ernest Becker, in “The Denial of Death,” addressed the human desire to achieve something enduring, a “heroic” endeavor to forge an everlasting legacy amidst our ephemeral existence. In a figurative manner, Bitcoin’s ledger provides everyone the opportunity to possess a small everlasting legacy: an address with some coins that may persist eternally in the chain, or an inscription within a transaction (some have even incorporated messages in Bitcoin’s blockchain). Certainly, these are merely data. However, it raises a fundamental question regarding what form of immortality is truly significant. The existentialist perspective would assert that the only authentic immortality we can genuinely attain is through our actions positively impacting others, thus becoming woven into the human narrative. To paraphrase, the sole rationale for our existence is found in the significance our actions impart on the lives of others. Or as one modern actor articulates,
“If you are not enhancing someone else’s life, you are squandering your time.”
An unalterable record is meaningless in itself unless what it chronicles holds value. Thus, although the Bitcoin network guarantees that a transaction is commemorated, it does not dictate what those transactions should encompass. That remains a moral decision. The “ethics of invariability” may suggest: act in such a way that if your actions were eternally recorded for all to observe, they would reflect the person you genuinely aspire to be. Live so that the “timestamp” of your life’s contributions embodies integrity and, in the spirit of Satoshi, serves others. Acknowledge that, unlike a blockchain, a human existence is finite, which adds urgency to acting authentically and bravely now, rather than presuming one can always revise or postpone.
There is no modifying the chain retrospectively. Contemplating invariability ties into inquiries of personal identity and moral duty. Bitcoin’s immutable ledger serves as a technological reflection of the philosophical notion that our actions, once performed, become components of the historical tapestry and of who we are. Whether one tends to embrace the idea of a fixed inner essence or a self that is perpetually reconstructed, in both scenarios, one must grapple with the repercussions of choices. The blockchain paradigm leans towards Locke and Sartre: You are your record (as there is no hidden essence, only proof of what you’ve accomplished). This view can motivate an ethic of honesty, clarity, and consistency. It urges us to make every decision count, to maintain principles even when unseen, for within the Bitcoin network, in a sense, all are always observing. It challenges us to leave behind a legacy that, akin to Bitcoin’s genesis block with its renowned timestamp (“Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks”), embodies a principled stand for others to recall. The invariability of Bitcoin’s blockchain, when metaphorically applied, encourages us to strive for a steadfast core of values, not implying that our character never changes, but that our dedication to specific ethical principles remains resolute and is manifest in our actions.
Bitcoin and a Call to Action
Delving into the philosophy surrounding Bitcoin and freedom is not merely an academic endeavor; it has tangible consequences for how Bitcoin advocates decide to act. The confluence of ideas we have examined — Satoshi’s legacy of altruism and Beauvoir’s principle of assisting others to attain freedom, alongside the metaphor of living transparently and purposefully — collectively herald a contemporary call to action: to exist in accordance with principles of freedom, authenticity, and unity.
Shielding and advocating for the freedom of others: If we embrace Beauvoir’s assertion that “the freedom of other people must be honored and they must be aided in achieving their autonomy,” then a profound implication is to support systems and policies that enhance individuals’ independence. In the realms of finance and technology, this might entail contributing to open-source initiatives, like Bitcoin, that empower individuals with greater control over their data and finances. It might involve opposing censorship, not just in finance but also in expression and access to information. For instance, technologists might devise censorship-resistant communication platforms like Nostr, drawing inspiration from the same ethos as Bitcoin. Advocates might campaign for legal protections for encryption and against financial surveillance that disproportionately impacts dissidents or marginalized populations. Educators and community leaders can strive to demystify technologies like Bitcoin for the general populace (as knowledge equates to power), assisting individuals in understanding how to utilize these resources as a means of liberating them from dependency on authorities. In essence, actively fostering others’ greater freedom might involve anything from guiding a neighbor on securing their digital privacy to supporting human rights organizations that leverage Bitcoin to assist activists under authoritarian regimes. The crux is the spirit of unity: recognizing, as Beauvoir did, that my freedom flourishes when I commit to the freedom of all. The Bitcoin community, at its apex, has exemplified this through global initiatives, establishing Bitcoin circular economies, translating educational resources, and providing aid during crises.
Constructing legacy through action: While the Bitcoin blockchain is immutable, our lives are not, which is a positive aspect. We possess the ability to change, enhance, and adapt. The ethics outlined here promote genuine transformation rather than complacency. Beauvoir admired those who remained dedicated and engaged in improving the human predicament rather than those who sank into cynicism and indifference. In the Bitcoin realm, this parallels the builders and educators who consistently endeavor to improve and make the ecosystem more accessible, in contrast to speculators who may view it merely as a get-rich-quick opportunity. The call to action is to embody the former.
Simone de Beauvoir articulated that authentic ethics necessitates “a tangible commitment” to others and to values, and that one should oppose conditions that oppress or hinder individuals, working to alter those conditions. As Bitcoin supporters, “opting out” simply disguises itself as action, but Bitcoin is revealed through engagement with and for others. In our context, actions might encompass political activism for civil liberties, economic advocacy such as promoting financial literacy or inclusion, or technological initiatives like contributing to decentralized protocols that counter monopolies.
For example, individuals motivated by Bitcoin’s triumph might support other open-source projects focused on secure communication or rally against legislation that aims to undermine encryption. They might participate in local efforts to assist unbanked or underbanked individuals, introducing them to alternatives like Bitcoin or simply aiding them in accessing traditional banking, as the goal is to broaden options. It is noteworthy that Bitcoin enthusiasts are already answering this call to action: Anita Posch, who is imparting knowledge to thousands in
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Africa regarding Bitcoin, Hermann Vivier and Luthando Ndabambi, who have established a Bitcoin circular economy in their modest South African locality, L0la33tz‘s privacy advocacy, Andreas Antonopoulos, whose early Bitcoin promotion was crucial to Bitcoin adoption, Alex Gladstein’s unwavering endeavors with the Human Rights Foundation, among numerous others.
Caring: Satoshi’s legacy and Bitcoin serve as a rallying call to transform ourselves. It is not just the kind actions of Bitcoin’s creator that impose this responsibility upon us but the realization that as the structure of currency has now experienced an enhancement, we too can strive for this. While I applaud and am eager to see the impact this has had for many Bitcoin enthusiasts throughout the years, who have explored ways to enhance their lives through health and financial assurance, improvement must not end there, as Beauvoir and others have highlighted. Indeed, one may be pursuing perfection of mind and body, yet without action, we risk becoming floats on the waves. While foundational, remaining limited to one’s own growth carries no more significance for society than the reclusive monk in search of enlightenment.
The only path to attain true liberty; to be unbound by or influenced by (an undesired element), is to avoid depending on a third party entirely. If freedom signifies a lack of external influence on your autonomy, then there is inevitably an elevation in personal accountability for your decisions. Individual rights should not be inversely linked to individual responsibility. Thus, it is indeed our mutual obligation of freedom to each other and to our communities. We must strive toward a revitalized version of ourselves if we are to pursue a new paradigm of economy and society, as we are the participants in this novel framework. Bitcoin encourages us to reconsider traditional modes of thought and the analysis of our environment. If we can envision a new type of currency, we can also envision a new political entity: the absence of Right versus Left. We can conceive of what generosity, empathy, and altruism signify through the scope of Bitcoin — “free and ready to extend toward a new tomorrow.” Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon, and so too is revolution perpetually a human phenomenon — not merely a technological one.
We are reminded that freedom is not automatically conferred, nor is Bitcoin’s promise — “freedom cannot will itself without embracing itself as an infinite movement.” It must be consistently defended and expanded through our actions. Each of us, akin to a node in a decentralized network, has a duty in safeguarding the freedom of the whole. By remaining anonymous and refraining from cashing out, Satoshi requested not to be exalted; rather, it is our responsibility as users to advance the mission. And as Beauvoir would advocate, that mission loses significance unless it benefits everyone. The genuineness of our cause will be assessed by whether we truly foster greater freedom for others, particularly the least liberated. Our words and deeds can endure as an unchangeable ledger in the consciousness of others, an evident conclusion, yet one whose full significance is not comprehended until you reflect on your own legacy. In other words, the ledger that captures action is the ledger that persists in the recollections of others eternally.
In practice, let this manifest in daily actions: endorsing policies that enhance privacy rights, informing someone about personal financial autonomy, resisting the allure to engage in censorship or bias, and developing technologies that counter coercion. As we pursue this, we should continually pose the challenging questions Beauvoir raised:
“Am I genuinely striving for the liberation of humanity? Is this goal compromised by the methods I employ to achieve it?”
This introspective mindset serves to protect against fanaticism and ensures that freedom, as a principle, is not exploited to rationalize new forms of oppression. In the context of Bitcoin, it signifies balancing idealism with modesty and a constant reassessment of our goals, a equilibrium that can be established through pause and reflection. Most of us are not entrepreneurs or developers, but we can liberate others by granting them a voice to be acknowledged not — suppressed or contested in the moment. To affirm someone else’s lived experience is to provide the freedom of consciousness — of identity, upon which all other positive liberties must be grounded.
The inception of Bitcoin, by an anonymous individual who never sought fortune or authority, is a significant affirmation of freedom. Our community, if we resist becoming entrenched in dogma or tribalism, can sustain that affirmation. However, if it morphs into a means of exclusion, greed, or ideological rigidity, it contravenes its promise to be infinitely more than a mere reduction of its essence. Bitcoin holds ethical significance only when it acts as a movement toward freedom, especially for those who have been previously denied it. Our conclusion is to perceive Bitcoin not merely as a financial asset or a trivial technical advancement, but as part of a broader ethical venture: constructing a world where individuals can transact, express, create, and live per their own will and conscience, constrained solely by the equal liberty of others. Attaining this will necessitate intentional living, courageous actions, and an unwavering dedication to both innovation and freedom.
The instruments are at our disposal; the ledger lies before us. The forthcoming blocks, the ensuing pages of our own history and Bitcoin’s, will be inscribed by what we choose to enact now.
BM Big Reads are weekly, comprehensive articles on various current topics pertinent to Bitcoin and Bitcoiners. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine. If you have a submission you believe aligns with this format, feel free to contact us at editor[at]bitcoinmagazine.com.
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