This is an editorial by Mickey Koss, a graduate of West Point University with a degree in Economics. He spent his four years in the Infantry before transferring to the Treasury Corps.
“It was before my time… Of course it’s true, everyone knows it’s true.”
The above is a quote from the movie “The Sea Beast”. Bitcoin is not specifically mentioned in this movie, but this may be one of the best Bitcoin movies I have ever seen.
The work is set in a fictional world plagued by a perpetual war between a maritime economic powerhouse and a band of monsters who seem to attack ships out of nowhere. The protagonist of the story, the Hunter, patrols the seas in near-constant combat conditions, fighting to keep trade routes open and safe. Instead, he will be paid after he gives proof of defeating the monster to the monarchy.
It was a fairly blatant critique of the military-industrial complex, but the deeper theme I saw was that the media-propaganda complex exerted on society the harmful effects of desensitizing people and obscuring objective truth. was a strong influence.
learn history or repeat it
I think the reasons for “The Sea Beast” are: This work had a big impact on me because it is essentially a story about what can happen to society when the truth is obscured by revisionists and propaganda. Ultimately, it was up to the individual to exercise discernment and break through the trance in society that had perpetuated violence for generations. After all, rulers have power because the people have allowed it.
American culture and history are replete with individualism and critical thinking, such as the idea that taxation without representation is immoral.This ideal led to the War of Independence that eventually founded this country. But now people are afraid to have real, engaging conversations, especially in public. That’s because it can be seen as “wrong-minded” or offensive, and can ultimately lead to suspension from public life and digital banishment.
Bitcoin activates many things, but what I think is most important is the identification of truth.
Bitcoin is basically an exercise in regaining discernment. To learn the truth and understand its true value, we must sift through a plethora of propaganda and Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD). Insight and critical thinking are required to truly understand Bitcoin. And once critical mass is reached, a stubborn minority becomes entrenched in the culture.
Moreover, if you can amass your hard-earned wealth in a self-sovereign way, the courage to speak freely becomes self-evident. No more worries about cancellations or bank debits. Changes in time preferences are also likely to increase savings rates, making people more financially stable and less likely to fear retirement or job loss, which may be holding them back.
“You can be a hero, but you can also be wrong.”
I know many Bitcoiners criticize the military and government in particular. They hate war in all its forms and want it to end with the dawn of a new hard money standard. Of course, this is a worthy goal. But I must urge Bitcoiner to decouple service members from the policy decisions they are responsible for making.
According to Jordan Peterson’s analysis I’ve seen, one of the main reasons individuals join the military is the desire to find meaning and purpose in life. Peterson argues that young people often lack a clear sense of direction and purpose, and that the structure and discipline of military life can give them a sense of belonging and fulfillment. In addition, an army can provide opportunities for personal growth, challenge and adventure, as well as a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Many people lost their lives in the pursuit, so we celebrate the day of remembrance with Fallen Soldiers Memorial Day. Nevertheless, some much-needed criticism was dismissed in the name of the military.
In this context, “The Sea Beast”‘s line, “You can be a hero and still be wrong,” was particularly memorable. Without the ability to see objective facts, it is difficult to ascertain objective truth. Insight is a skill, but this skill has been greatly atrophied across society in recent years. Perhaps that is one reason why the cry for governments to protect us has become so loud.
Truth without arguments and disagreements does not exist, and its characteristics rise from unpleasant to completely insecure. But creeping protectionism comes at a price. The slowly eroding freedom may never be regained. The very freedoms that so many soldiers gave their lives to protect, the very soldiers we owe a duty to remember on Memorial Day.
If we want to remember and honor those sacrifices, perhaps the best way to do so in this day and age is to exercise discernment. Critical thinking is a skill that can be learned and possibly re-learned. Bitcoin helps people take back responsibility in their lives and yes, it also helps them use critical thinking to separate fact from fiction, propaganda from news.
Bitcoin reinvigorates critical thinking, and critical thinking leads to truth. Some humbly accept it. Others get slapped in the face with it and eventually have to experience the pain of ego death. Truth is the only way to honor those who died in battle. Have the courage to choose the truth and live without relying on lies.
This is a guest post by Mickey Koss. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of his BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
