Will Bitcoin Lead to Anarchy? with Max Borders (WiM372)
Sep 29, 2023
auto_awesome
Max Borders joins to discuss the bloodless revolution of Bitcoin, the development of morality, how incentives influence people, and the pursuit of happiness. They explore anarchy versus 'panarchy', the advantages and disadvantages of statism, and how Bitcoin changes incentives and morality. The podcast also touches on the genesis of the state, the influence of religion on moral intuitions, and the critique of money monopolization.
Bitcoin has the potential to undermine traditional institutions and challenge the existing paradigm of governance and state structures.
Panarchy offers a framework that allows for the creation of diverse moral political communities based on consent, embracing choice and voluntary participation.
Incentives shape behavior and technological advancements can alter moral intuitions, emphasizing the importance of continuous moral practice and personal responsibility.
Deep dives
Bitcoin as Undermining Paradigm
Bitcoin has the potential to undermine the existing paradigm and challenge traditional institutions. With its decentralized nature and potential for liberation through exit, Bitcoin offers a new perspective on governance and state structures. It presents a subversive innovation that reshapes power dynamics and promotes consensual relationships.
Self-Governance and Panarchy
The concept of self-governance is explored, with a focus on moving towards a bottom-up approach and embracing individual agency. Panarchy is presented as a framework that allows for the creation of different moral political communities based on consent. It acknowledges pluralism and diverse moral sensibilities while emphasizing choice and voluntary participation.
Material Incentives and Moral Orders
The interplay between material incentives and moral orders is discussed. It is recognized that incentives shape behavior, and technological advancements can alter moral intuitions. The importance of continuous moral practice and personal responsibility is emphasized, as individuals are encouraged to cultivate themselves as moral beings.
Reinterpreting the Genesis Story of the State with Bitcoin
Bitcoin has the potential to undermine the current paradigm of the state. It allows individuals to protect their wealth by moving it into a medium like Bitcoin and potentially relocating to a jurisdiction that treats them better. This challenges the traditional narrative of the state and raises questions about the Genesis story, suggesting that Bitcoin could offer an alternative to the current centralized system.
The Role of Religion and Narratology in Guiding Moral Intuitions
Religion, specifically Christianity, has played a significant role in shaping moral intuitions and guiding human behavior. The teachings of Jesus, such as 'love thy neighbor as thyself,' align with universal moral sensibilities present in various religious traditions. Narratology, the study of myths and storytelling, helps us understand how these narratives shape our understanding of ourselves and our moral values. Religion serves as a social technology that establishes a ruleset and lowers the cost of interpersonal trust. The decline of religious affiliation has led to the rise of politics as a replacement, impacting our moral compass and weakening the practice of morality.
Max Borders joins me to discuss the bloodless revolution of Bitcoin, the development of morality, how incentives influence people, and the pursuit of happiness.
Max Borders is the author of The Social Singularity and Underthrow. He is also the Executive Director at Social Evolution.
// OUTLINE // 00:00:00 - Coming up 00:00:40 - Intro 00:02:13 - Helping Lightning Startups with In Wolf's Clothing 00:02:59 - Introducing Max Borders 00:03:32 - Underthrow: What & Why? 00:06:10 - Gandhi's Truth Force 00:07:48 - Bitcoin is a Bloodless Revolution 00:09:06- A Subversive Innovation 00:12:05 - Anarchy vs 'Panarchy' 00:16:50 - Bitcoin Changes the Incentives and Morality 00:19:00 - What is Panarchy? 00:23:05 - Free Market Policy and Statism 00:26:57 - Protection Racket of the State 00:29:10 - Coercion is Inevitable 00:31:02 - Advantages and Disadvantages of Statism 00:34:26 - Secure Your Bitcoin Stash with the iCoin Hardware Wallet 00:35:22 - How Bitcoin Undermines the State Paradigm 00:39:40 - The Blanket of Morality 00:42:34 - Role of Religion in Moral Intuition 00:47:17 - Replacing Religion with Politics 00:49:46 - GOD vs GOV 00:51:01 - Material Incentives & Moral Orders 00:56:47 - Changing the Incentives 01:00:32 - Development of Morality 01:03:02 - Genetic Predisposition 01:05:58 - Effects of Centralization 01:08:35 - A Bitcoin Wallet with Privacy Built-In: Wasabi Wallet 01:09:27 - Alexander Bard's Notion of Narratology 01:14:45 - Reviving the Original Intent of the Constitution 01:18:07 - The Pursuit of Happiness 01:20:34 - The Constitution of Consent Contest 01:23:10 - Where to Find Max on the Internet