Libertarianism, liberty and the blockchain
Is there a blockchain for liberty? Or is the whole ecosystem conducive to it? Who the hell knows really? It seems so but the results are far from being conclusive. Ethereum or EOS could start it. Or maybe something else. How does one write the code for it in a smart contract?
Now it goes without saying that block chains, alt currencies and the whole ecosystem surrounding them are far from mainstream and still a bit of a niche for a small but dedicated community. As such I have little surprise when I don't see much mention in a lot of press, aside from curiosity pieces like wow bitcoin got so big and such.
As a libertarian and a guy generally interested in the great philosophical questions of the day I have been visiting all sorts of libertarian sites and blogs, big and small. I also wrote a whole bunch of posts on it.
But I expected to find general interest in the libertarian world greater. After all, the disruptive potential of the tech is significant and it can do much to enhance liberty. So why the low prevalence? Seeing the excitement on things like EOS grow on steemit, many other sites are strangely silent on the whole thing. It is, after all, not bitcoin and maybe ethereum, where most of the crypto coverage begins and ends.
As far as I notice a lot of libertarians are basic philosophy inclined people. Also, they often are crusty curmudgeons who just want these damn kids and their damn crypto of their lawn. They just want to be left alone, more than disrupt the economy. But the problem is they are not left alone.
I am myself of the philosophical inclination, as I wrote far more posts on basic concepts than on crypto, although I may try to change that.
While they do think disruptive tech is all good, they think it matters little in the long run if people do not develop a clear inclination to liberty. As such they rather focus on the fundamentals, rather than the tech. Although most will agree that the internet did a lot for liberty, looking at the state of the world it obviously did not do enough. Liberty is not increasing significantly - not at potential anyway, and it is even decreasing in some ways, although it might have been worse without the internet, which, at the very least, brought more information than ever before to more people. Maybe too much, but what can you do?
The entrenched interests are attempting to getting more entrenched, as is ever the case, and disruptive tech is challenged. There are calls for bans and regulation. Things are not going as smoothly as they should. More and more regulation of internet, communications and associated tech, being Uber, Airbnb or censoring Facebook, the fight is in full swing.
So a lot of libertarians look at the blockchain as just another curiosity, with a bit of potential but without offering any serious challenge to government. The general feeling is “it’s nice, but won’t change anything if the swat team comes barging at your door”
On the other side the blockchain community has plenty of libertarians and anarchist in it, at least in my experience, and in general people dedicated to liberty, although many might not much care for the philosophy of the thing. Techies are generally in it for the tech foremost and the philosophy secondary at best. But one must always be careful with disruptive tech, because the needz moar regulation crowd is ever vigilant.
I wrote a post before about freedom de fact and de jure and here it is . A lot of what the blockchain can do goes straight in the de facto category. Which is better than nothing, but it is ersatz liberty at best. Because the government can and will fuck with you, irrespective of blockchains. Not all of you, obviously. It will pick a few, mostly random. Which is great as long as they don't pick you. But make no mistake they still have the tanks and the guns and the cops and the judges. Alt currencies will not change that. Not in the short or medium term.
So the goal of libertarianism would be to use the new tech as just one more tool to push for liberty, while at the same time finding a way to sell it to people as a concept. But libertarians as well as cryptocurrency communities must keep in mind it will not instantly revolutionize everything. There will be work to do and opposition. It may change. But it will take time. People worked hard getting power and privilege, not going to give it up. Unless they have little choice.
So... anyway... who’s buying EOS?
Good piece @ionescur! I've resteemed and followed you.
I think that digital currencies offer great opportunities for counter-economic activity, slowly but gradually eroding away and undermining the state. But, as you also point out, the state is striking back. Fundamentally, we cannot get away from the importance of ideas. In order to achieve a libertarian world, we must spread the ideas of liberty and change minds by information and education. Thankfully, we can both educate people and support the counter-economy at the same time. People will be more receptive to ideas that have been tried out.
The problem as I see it getting more people to move into cryptocurrency is that it hasn't been dumbed down enough yet. They want a simple understanding of the system behind it. Currently as any person on the street where money originates from and they can't explain it. I've read numerous articles and still struggle to explain how a bank Liam creates new currency. Dollars are simple. It starts when you're a kid and mommy gives you some coins. If you put it in the machine a gum ball comes out. Cryptocurrency needs a physical coin that has value and can be deposited to turn it back into a code on the web. Maybe this exists... I've only ever seen commerative bitcoins.
Upvoted and following. I think technology has a way of changing peoples expectations. They aren't satisfied with the bureaucracy and slowness the state provides when their are alternatives that they have gotten used to.