Trump's Sh*tcoin vs. Bitcoin: Literature, Family, and Politics with Robert Breedlove (WiM547)

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Jan 21, 2025

Robert Breedlove, a freedom maximalist and creator of the "What Is Money?" podcast, dives deep into Bitcoin's philosophical implications. He critiques alternative cryptocurrencies, dubbing them manipulative, while championing Bitcoin as a secure asset. The discussion spans the importance of literature in understanding money, the erosion of private property rights, and how Bitcoin can protect individual wealth from government overreach. Breedlove also reflects on societal shifts and advocates for independent thought amid political polarization.

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ADVICE

Societal Devolution

Society's shift from Milton's worldview to Mein Kampf in 300 years is a concerning devolution.
This devolution stems from the loss of biblical Christian values and rise of totalitarian ideologies.

INSIGHT

The Nature of Evil

Evil is believing one's knowledge is complete, fostering a totalitarian attitude.
This totalizing knowledge justifies imposing one's utopian vision on others by any means.

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Money Honey

A Simple 7-Step Guide for Getting Your Financial $hit Together

Rachel Richards

In 'Money Honey,' Rachel Richards provides straightforward strategies for managing income, cutting unnecessary expenses, and saving for the future. The book outlines a 7-step guide that includes knowing your current financial situation, setting financial goals, growing your savings, establishing emergency and retirement funds, and investing wisely. Richards also covers topics such as handling debt, understanding investment options like stocks and bonds, minimizing taxes, and securing proper insurance coverage. She emphasizes the importance of financial education and making personal finance fun and understandable.

Paradise Lost

John Milton

Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden. The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights[1][3][5].

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom[2][4][5].

Credit Theory of Money

Alfred Mitchell-Innes

The Sovereign Individual

Mastering the Transition to the Information Age

James Dale Davidson

William Rees-Mogg

The book explores the greatest economic and political transition in centuries, predicting the shift from an industrial to an information-based society. Davidson and Rees-Mogg argue that this transition will liberate individuals, alter the power of government, and lead to the rise of digital currency and cyberspace. They foresee a future where individuals will be freed from government oppression and prejudice, and where states will struggle to collect taxes due to the ease of transferring assets electronically. The authors also discuss the potential for prosperity and renewal in the face of radical changes in human history as we move into the new millennium[1][2][4].

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Published in 1949, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' is a cautionary tale set in a future where the world is divided into three totalitarian super-states: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel follows Winston Smith, a minor functionary in the Ministry of Truth in Oceania, who begins to question the all-pervasive authority of the Party and its leader, Big Brother. Winston's rebellion, fueled by his forbidden love affair with Julia and his interest in the mysterious Brotherhood, ultimately leads to his capture and brutal reeducation by the Thought Police. The novel explores themes of mass surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, serving as a powerful warning about the dangers of unaccountable governments and the erosion of individual freedom and dignity.

The creature from Jekyll Island

G. Edward Griffin

This book delves into the history and operations of the Federal Reserve, exposing what the author believes are its secretive and manipulative practices. Griffin argues that the Federal Reserve, despite its name, is not a government entity but a cartel of bankers who have significant control over the U.S. monetary system. The book details the clandestine meeting on Jekyll Island where the plans for the Federal Reserve were formulated and how this system has led to economic instability, wars, and other societal issues. Written in an accessible style, the book aims to educate readers about the inner workings of the financial system and the potential dangers of fiat currency and central banking[1][4][5].

The Communist Manifesto

Friedrich Engels

Karl Marx

The Autobiography of Charles G. Finney

The Amazing Story of How Half a Million Souls Were Converted Through One Man's Ministry

Charles G. Finney

This autobiography chronicles the life and ministry of Charles G. Finney, a pivotal figure in American Christianity during the 19th century. Finney's narrative includes his sudden conversion in 1821, his extensive preaching and teaching throughout the eastern and southern United States, and his role in promoting social reforms such as abolitionism and equal education. The book provides valuable insights into Finney's principles for revival and his experiences as a leader in the Second Great Awakening. First published in 1876, this edition was condensed and updated to make the principles of revival accessible to contemporary readers.

A Rhetoric of Motives

Kenneth Burke

Published in 1950, 'A Rhetoric of Motives' by Kenneth Burke delves into the intricate world of communication, exploring how rhetoric is not merely a tool for persuasion but a fundamental aspect of human interaction and society. Burke invites readers to unravel the nuances of motive and identification as the cornerstones of rhetoric, shedding light on how people connect with one another through shared symbols and language. The book challenges readers to rethink the ways in which we influence and are influenced by others, emphasizing the ethical dimensions of rhetoric and its role in shaping our perceptions and relationships. Burke's theory of dramatism is central, conceptualizing human behavior as a form of drama and using the dramatistic method, which includes the Pentad: Act, Scene, Agent, Agency, and Purpose, to analyze human interaction[1][3][4].

The Ethics of Money Production

Guido Hülsmann

This book explores the ethics and economics of money production from ancient times to the present. Hülsmann argues that the government monopoly on money production has no ethical or economic justification and advocates for private money production. He disputes centuries of assumptions about money management by governments and central banks, suggesting that money should be treated as a privately produced good like other commodities. The book also examines historical and theoretical perspectives, including the works of 14th-century Bishop Nicole Oresme, to make a strong case for the privatization of money production and the separation of money from state control.

On the Origins of Money

Carl Menger

Douglas French

In this work, Carl Menger challenges prevailing theories of his time by introducing a bottom-up perspective on the origin of money. He argues that money does not arise from state decree or collective agreement but evolves naturally from individuals' subjective valuations of goods. Menger emphasizes the marketability and divisibility of commodities, explaining how goods like gold and silver became widely accepted as money due to their inherent utility. The book also delves into the historical development of money, transitioning from barter systems to monetary economies, and introduces the concept of the regression theorem to explain the value of money. Douglas French provides an introduction to this edition, highlighting the significance of Menger's work in the context of the Austrian School of Economics.

Trump's Sh*tcoin vs. Bitcoin: Literature, Family, and Politics with Robert Breedlove (WiM547)

Recommended Reading on Money and Banking

Societal Devolution

The Nature of Evil