What Bitcoin Did

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A Progressive View of Bitcoin with Margot Paez

Peter McCormack

Interview | Description | Timestamps | Show Notes

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A Progressive View of Bitcoin with Margot Paez - WBD478 Peter McCormack

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Margot Paez is a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute specialising in Renewable Energy and Environmental Studies. In this interview, we discuss the Occupy movement, a broken capitalist system, and a pragmatic approach to our energy future.

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Bitcoin is often labelled as being a currency for libertarians. But, it is increasingly clear that Bitcoin appeals to a wide range of people with a myriad of political leanings. This includes a growing number of progressives who see in the protocol a means of enabling a fairer and less economically stratified society.

That Bitcoin appeals to such disparate communities speaks to both the strength of Bitcoin, but also the weakness of the current system. If those on both the right and left are disenchanted with the status quo, that is obviously a strong signal that a major societal change is warranted. Further, it means we have to assess why we’re so polarised if we fundamentally agree with each other.

There is a debate to be had regarding language, labels, unconscious bias, and manipulation of opinions. The issue is that these false divisions are affecting reasoned consideration of all the major issues affecting modern civilisation, particularly in relation to climate change.

The practical implication is that both sides of the climate change debate are resistant to effective and pragmatic measures. Is it possible to view these issues without a political lens?

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00:03:53: Introductions
00:05:39: The Occupy movement and the LA homeless
00:12:41: The need for structure in society
00:23:56: Fallout from the Financial Crisis
00:30:22: Pro markets and anti-capitalism
00:42:06: The problem with divisiveness
00:48:30: Wealth inequality
00:55:40: Libertarians and being pro-regulation
00:59:47: Positive and negative liberty
01:05:27: Bitcoin fixes this and incentivises communalism
01:13:25: Bitcoin and progressivism
01:23:01: Margot's background in climate change
01:32:43: Educating the climate sceptics
01:37:37: Misinformation, propaganda and incentive models
01:41:40: Current climate crisis and irreversible damage
01:44:22: Renewable energy and the Bitcoin solutions
01:53:59: Degrowth explained
01:58:04: Nuclear energy and coal
02:15:27: Final comments

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