William Luther, an associate professor and director at Florida Atlantic University, Thomas Hogan, a professor at the University of Austin, and Josh Hendrickson, chair of the economics department at the University of Mississippi, share their diverse insights on Bitcoin. They explore whether Bitcoin could foster fiscal responsibility in government and its potential as a reserve asset amidst rising U.S. debt. The trio reflects on Bitcoin's journey into mainstream acceptance, the interplay between monetary policy and government control, and personal stories illuminating the current economic landscape.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Bitcoin Exposure
William Luther first heard about Bitcoin in 2010 through his graduate advisor Larry White's proto-Bitcoiner group.
His early involvement came naturally from research discussions in digital money prior to Bitcoin's launch.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Bitcoin for Research Purposes
Thomas Hogan and William Luther traded Bitcoin in 2010-2011 primarily for research purposes.
They explored Bitcoin as a non-governmental money and its potential impact on monetary systems.
insights INSIGHT
Bitcoin's Market Launch Insight
Bitcoin challenged prior economic views that launching intrinsically worthless money was nearly impossible.
The role of coordination in establishing initial value was key to Bitcoin's successful market adoption.
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Dreamland by Sam Quinones tells the story of two powerful drug industries—that of prescription opiates and black tar heroin—driven by capitalism and greed. The book examines how the medical community's shift towards pain relief, fueled by pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, and the influx of black tar heroin from Mexico, contributed to the opiate epidemic. Quinones uses personal anecdotes, historical context, and a cast of characters including pharmaceutical pioneers, Mexican entrepreneurs, and narcotics investigators to illustrate the catastrophic impact on American communities. The book also highlights the role of community in recovery and the need for addressing the underlying social and economic issues that contributed to the epidemic.
Human action
A Treatise on Economics
Ludwig von Mises
Human Action is Ludwig von Mises' magnum opus, where he defends an a priori foundation for praxeology and methodological individualism. The book argues that the free-market economy outdistances any government-planned system and serves as the foundation of civilization. Mises explains complex market phenomena as the outcomes of countless conscious, purposive actions and choices of individuals. He critiques government attempts to regulate and control economic activities, emphasizing the futility and counter-productiveness of such interventions. The book is a systematic treatment of the whole body of social and economic relations, integrating various economic problems into a comprehensive system[2][4][5].
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.
Better Money
Better Money
Gold, Fiat, or Bitcoin
George Selgin
Larry White's 'Better Money' is a comprehensive exploration of monetary systems, comparing gold, fiat currencies, and Bitcoin. The book examines the historical performance of different monetary regimes, analyzing their stability, efficiency, and susceptibility to government control. White argues for the superiority of market-driven monetary systems, where individuals have the freedom to choose their preferred form of money. He provides a detailed analysis of the Austrian School of Economics' perspective on money and banking. The book also explores the potential of Bitcoin as a decentralized and censorship-resistant alternative to traditional fiat currencies. Ultimately, 'Better Money' advocates for a more competitive and sound monetary environment that fosters economic stability and individual liberty.
Bitcoin Policy Institute Economists, Senior Fellows, and Professors Josh Hendrickson, Thomas Hogan & William Luther join Walker on THE Bitcoin Podcast to talk about Bitcoin policy in America, their journeys to discovering Bitcoin, dollar dominance, inflation, the economic state of America, our unsustainable national debt, Bitcoin Strategic Reserves, monetary policy game theory, and whether Bitcoin can save America from itself.