This topic is a translation of a
topic, created by myself in Russian Local Board. I think it would be interesting to discuss it in general thread as well.
Lately I’ve been reading some discussions and come across a very wide-spread idea that Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general are the prerogative of people with a mathematical and even technological “mindset.” That cryptocurrencies are, first of all, a technology based on calculations, codes and programs. And it is precisely from this side that Bitcoin is of interest.
For a person like me who has received a humanitarian, namely philosophical, education, and who is not exactly far from technological “insides”, but who rather does not find any special interest in this issues, the above-described position seems one-sided and does not take into account the enormous advantage that humanitarian standpoint allows us to see in Bitcoin. And this is the path to freedom.
Freedom is not only one of the philosophical categories, but also the highest individual value. The implementation of personal potential is impossible without freedom. The ancient Greeks generally associated freedom with immortality. For immortality, it is extremely necessary to live to realize one’s own plans and ideas, otherwise a person becomes only a means for fulfilling someone else’s will. Not being able to leave your own unique imprint on your actions and thoughts means existential defeat and guilt for free citizens.
Nowadays, the realization of freedom is inseparably linked with financial opportunities. And we are talking not only about their utilitarian properties, but also about money as a means of influence and control. First of all, over your own life.
Existence and even stability of income does not really mean financial freedom. If an income depends on another person, company, corporation, state, this puts the recipient in a dependent position. No matter how beautifully the importance and value of a particular person in the system is presented, it is always worth remembering that the elements in the system are interchangeable. Therefore, no high position, professional length or experience is a guarantee that a person will be provided for his entire life. Moreover, being inside the system limits and sometimes completely destroys his actual freedom.
So, what does humanitarian education have to do with it? Despite the fact that it is precisely this matter that makes it possible to see and realise these things. Of course, such conclusions can be reached in other, more experienced ways, but they are usually longer and more painful. Whereas theory (from ancient Greek - research, consideration) allows one to arrive at this in an a priori way.
Back to Bitcoin. How many people who understand the technical features of cryptocurrencies decide to “sell” this knowledge by choosing to work for companies or states? How many of them continue to live from salary to salary and believe that stability of income is the greatest happiness, continuing to have a very ordinary existence? Judging by what is generally written on the forum - one of the most advanced meeting places for crypto lovers - these are the majority. I think they should ask themselves whether their education (or self-education) can really change their lives for the better and make them different from the lives of the other 8 billion people. I believe, we all need to periodically ask this question so as not to live a boring, monotonous, stereotyped life.
Cryptocurrencies allow you to earn money without “working” in the usual sense of the word. They allow you not to depend on employer, but to take responsibility for your own actions, successes and failures. They allow you to choose not from a given range of possibilities, but to implement your own, while accepting the consequences. And philosophers who lived several centuries ago help to arrive at all this, although at first glance it may seem that neither they themselves nor their ideas have anything to do with such a technological miracle as cryptocurrencies.
I would like to hear opinion of users regarding the resonance of this topic in their own lives and observations, if there is one and is of interest for discussion.
Perhaps you have examples of philosophers or writers who influenced the formation of your own ideas about financial freedom that you would like to share and discuss.