Bitcoin's Impact on Freedom and Society

Vijay Selvam digs into the first principles of Bitcoin, why it matters, how it works, and what makes it the greatest tool against authoritarian states. From his background on Wall Street during the 2008 financial crisis to writing Principles of Bitcoin, Vijay explains why digital scarcity is a paradigm-shifting invention and why separating money from the state may be one of the most important moments in human history.

We explore why narratives like “digital gold” are both useful and limiting, how Bitcoin embodies Enlightenment values of decentralization, and why its real political and philosophical implications go far beyond finance. Vijay also shares why the greatest threats to Bitcoin come from within, and how Bitcoin serves as both a mirror and a peaceful revolution for humanity.

In this episode:

- The 2008 financial crisis and discovering Bitcoin

- Digital scarcity and the core innovation of Bitcoin

- Separation of money and state vs. church and state

- Narratives: digital gold, freedom money, and beyond

- Bitcoin’s political and philosophical ramifications

- Why Bitcoin is a mirror that forces self-reflection

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