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Bitcoin is the hardest and most anti-fragile form of money. It has the highest stock-to-flow ratio, meaning it has the lowest inflation rate. Unlike traditional monetary systems, Bitcoin has no gatekeepers or single points of failure, making it highly resilient. Its decentralized nature allows for rapid adaptation and response to threats. Bitcoin's diverse custody options and low switching costs force custodians to provide high-quality services at a competitive price. The specter of quantum computing, often used to discredit Bitcoin, fails to consider that if it were to occur, it would render all cryptography useless, not just Bitcoin's.
Bitcoin is often referred to as digital gold, but it surpasses gold in terms of hardness. It has a fixed supply of 21 million coins and an exponentially increasing stock-to-flow ratio, making it harder than gold. Additionally, Bitcoin's anti-fragility sets it apart from gold. Bitcoin is a constantly evolving and adaptive organism fueled by the collective efforts of network participants. Unlike gold, which is passive and inert, Bitcoin can respond to changing circumstances and threats in real-time.
Bitcoin's digital nature allows for unprecedented speed and portability. It can be transferred at the speed of light, enabling high-frequency and micro-transactions that are not possible with traditional assets like gold. Furthermore, Bitcoin's information-based format allows for various custody schemes. Bitcoin holders have the option to choose their custodians or self-custody their assets, creating a competitive and honest custodial market. Bitcoin's flexibility and diversity in custody options enhance its overall hardness and resilience as a monetary asset.
Bitcoin continuously updates its hardware and software, making it faster and more adaptable compared to gold, which has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Humans have proven their ability to overcome static obstacles, like mountains, by using their dynamism and ingenuity. Betting on Bitcoin's constant evolution and adaptability is a safer choice than relying on the unchanging nature of gold.
Bitcoin's programmable nature allows for the creation of smart software, such as lending and borrowing platforms. It enables users to generate yield by lending Bitcoin, and borrowers can find lenders with different interest rates and loan terms. Bitcoin's strength lies in its ability to channel monetary energy with force and acceleration. It facilitates fast and secure transactions, allowing holders to move and manage their assets efficiently. Compared to gold and traditional assets, Bitcoin offers superior mobility, security, and speed.
Michael Saylor joins me to discuss anthropology, energy, and technology from first principles as we build the intellectual foundation necessary to truly grasp the historic significance of Bitcoin.
00:00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:01:06 - Swan Bitcoin
00:06:23 - Bitcoin as Digital Gold – Harder, Smarter, Stronger, & Faster
00:07:13 - Bitcoin is Harder & Antifragile
00:08:05 - The Fragility of the Great Wall of China
00:10:05 - Military Wisdom - The best defense is a good offense
00:11:05 - Gold is a dumb rock – Bitcoin is a living, dynamically evolving ecosystem
00:13:43 - Importance of Pain to Antifragility of Bitcoin
00:14:17 - Quantum Threats to Bitcoin
00:16:34 - Crashing the World with Photon Bullets
00:17:25 - Managing Political Threats
00:17:48 - Survival of the Hydra – Fight or Flight
00:18:44 - Geopolitical Balance of Power
“Show me the incentive & I’ll show you the outcome” – Munger
00:19:59 - Bitcoin Ethos & Hatred of Gatekeepers
00:20:43 - Roman Military Doctrine & Views on Defense
“Gatekeepers are your weakness”
00:21:20 - Proof of Work vs. Proof of Stake
00:22:18 - “There is no such thing as a free lunch”
00:24:09 - Immune response of the network to an attacker
00:25:20 - Merits of embracing pain rather than running from it.
00:26:25 - Developing the immunity critical to life
00:27:18 - The Mongolian Horde & Genghis Khan
00:28:50 - The hardness of a hornet’s nest
00:30:45 - Merits Private Nodes & Private Keys
00:32:05 - Game Theory & Benefits of Key Optionality & Competition of Custodians
00:33:37 - Drive to improve client/server hardware on Bitcoin network
Wallets, Miners, Exchanges in Aggressive Competition
00:35:05 - Upgrade cycles of Bitcoin vs. Gold
“Humans move mountains”
00:37:47 - Bitcoin is Smarter
00:38:35 - Software applications to improve utility of Bitcoin
00:39:38 - Creating the smartest bank in the world via software
00:40:55 - Creating smart money for a mobile device
00:41:48 - Magical money via software
00:42:38 - Insurance applications
00:42:50 - Problems with Gold & Tokenized Gold
00:43:49 - Betting on dynamics rather than statics
00:44:50 - Developing a Yield Curve on Bitcoin
00:45:50 - Free market interest rates
00:47:14 - Bitcoin is Stronger
00:48:05 - Channeling money with force & acceleration
00:49:50 - Strength Limits of Gold, Stock, Bonds
00:50:43 - Challenges of getting interest on Stocks
00:51:57 - Merits of Competition to create Stronger Money
00:52:34 - Strength from Self-Custody across jurisdictions
00:53:03 - Bitcoin is Faster
00:53:15 - E=MC2 and Benefits of Virtualizing Gold
00:53:36 - Cost of move $100 million around the Earth
00:54:08 - High Frequency Transactions at the Speed of Light
00:54:48 - Ebay of Social Finance
00:55:08 - Systems & Compliance Impedance to Monetary Velocity
00:56:20 - Algorithms to make money while you are sleeping
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See My Work: https://linktr.ee/breedlove22
Contribute Bitcoin: 3D1gfxKZKMtfWaD1bkwiR6JsDzu6e9bZQ7
Stack sats: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/breedlove/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Breedlove22
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