#471: Fighting The Digital Dollar And AI Surveillance with Whitney Webb & Mark Goodwin
Dec 30, 2023
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Whitney Webb, investigative journalist specializing in surveillance technologies, and Mark Goodwin discuss Farmington, the digital dollar, stablecoins, transitioning to CBDCs, crisis as a pretense for surveillance and war, digital ID, preventing Bitcoin co-opting, AI-controlled life, and building alternatives.
Central Bank Digital Currencies offer a surveillable digital currency system to replace the unsustainable petro dollar system.
The private sector's involvement in the development of CBDCs helps overcome public resistance and ensures convenience.
Fear tactics and cyber threats may be employed to accelerate the adoption of CBDCs and digital IDs.
The transition to CBDCs is influenced by global geopolitics and regional conflicts, emphasizing the need for caution.
There is a danger of powerful entities co-opting and monetizing Bitcoin, urging individuals to protect its decentralized nature.
AI-driven surveillance and centralized control pose risks to society and individual freedom that must be actively resisted and alternatives built.
Deep dives
CBDCs replacing the petro dollar system
The current petro dollar system is being replaced by Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) that are backed by energy commodities, similar to how the petro dollar was backed by oil. This transition is driven by the fact that the petro dollar system is becoming unsustainable, with trillions of dollars of debt and excessive money printing. CBDCs offer a more secure and surveillable digital currency system that can control financial transactions and eliminate financial privacy. However, the rollout of CBDCs may require a major event, such as a cyber attack, to create fear and panic, leading to the adoption of these digital currencies.
Private sector involvement in CBDCs and stablecoins
The private sector, particularly major banks and tech companies, are playing a crucial role in the development and implementation of CBDCs and stablecoins. Their involvement allows for a smoother transition and increased acceptance of these digital currencies. Companies like PayPal, Venmo, and major banks are integrating stablecoin technologies into their platforms, enabling the exchange and use of digital currencies. This private sector engagement not only ensures convenience and ease-of-use but also helps to overcome public resistance to CBDCs, as people may be more accepting when presented as a private-sector venture rather than a purely government initiative.
Fear tactics and cyber threats to drive adoption
To accelerate the adoption of CBDCs and digital IDs, fear tactics and cyber threats are likely to be employed. An orchestrated cyber attack or a series of cyber attacks could create panic and a perception of vulnerability in the existing financial system. This fear may then be used to justify the need for enhanced surveillance, digital IDs, and the replacement of traditional currencies with CBDCs. By framing privacy as a security risk, they can convince the public that total transparency and control are necessary for protection against cyber threats.
Global geopolitics and regional conflicts
The transition to CBDCs and the broader digital currency landscape is intertwined with global geopolitics and regional conflicts. The shifting power dynamics and regional wars, particularly in the Middle East, may also contribute to the push for digital currencies. Iran's involvement with BRICS, the influence of Israel, the potential for regional conflicts, and the need to maintain control over financial systems all play a role in shaping the future of digital currencies. These factors highlight the need for caution and awareness as bitcoin becomes more integrated into the macroeconomic system.
The infiltration of stablecoins and the danger of control
The podcast discusses the infiltration of stablecoins by Wall Street and big tech companies, highlighting the dangers of giving them control over the financial system. It emphasizes the need for individuals to divest from these powerful entities and focus on building alternative systems that are not co-opted. The risks of tokenizing the entire natural world and the control that central banks and governments have over the future of digital currencies are also explored.
The manipulation of narratives and misinformation tactics
The podcast examines the manipulation of narratives that is prevalent in mainstream and alternative media. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and not blindly trusting politicians or information presented by these sources. The use of fear tactics, social engineering, and AI-generated content to control and influence public perception is highlighted, urging individuals to be aware of these strategies and seek out alternative sources of information.
The risks of co-opting and monetizing Bitcoin
The podcast raises concerns about the potential co-opting and monetization of Bitcoin by powerful entities such as Wall Street and Silicon Valley. It emphasizes the need to preserve the decentralized and anti-establishment nature of Bitcoin while ensuring that it remains a tool for individual empowerment and freedom from the traditional financial system. The importance of education, thoughtful decision-making, and building on the open protocol of Bitcoin is emphasized.
The dangers of AI-driven surveillance and centralized control
The podcast delves into the dangers of AI-driven surveillance and centralized control in various aspects of society. It discusses the use of AI algorithms for targeted assassinations and the manipulation of internet infrastructure by intelligence agencies. The infiltration and control of technology companies by powerful individuals and their potential to shape narratives and control data are highlighted, underscoring the need for vigilance and actively resisting these trends.
The Dangers of AI and Big Tech
The podcast episode explores the dangers of AI and Big Tech. It highlights how data collection and centralization by intelligence agencies after 9/11 led to the current push for all data to be warehoused in one central spot. The episode discusses the use of AI by Big Tech to manipulate and control individuals, leading to the creation of a lower class of subhumans. The potential for AI to create unseen realities and the loss of human cognitive abilities are also highlighted. The speaker encourages divesting from big tech and emphasizes the importance of building alternatives and protecting individual freedom.
The Need to Resist Co-opting of Bitcoin and Alternative Media
The podcast episode warns against the co-opting of Bitcoin and alternative media. It cautions against trusting figures like Peter Thiel, who claim to be libertarian but support projects like Palantir, which empower the state and undermine freedom. The episode emphasizes the importance of being aware of the actions and motives of those in power. It calls for building sustainable alternatives and resisting apathy. The speaker encourages individuals to prioritize critical thinking skills and engage in real-world activities that promote creativity and community building.
Building Local, Sustainable Alternatives
The podcast episode emphasizes the need to build local, sustainable alternatives. It highlights the importance of developing skills and knowledge that are being lost in a society dependent on technology and convenience. The episode encourages individuals to engage in activities such as 3D printing, growing food, and developing offline libraries. It stresses the need to decrease dependency on big tech, disconnect from screens, and actively create and build in order to preserve humanity's ability to think critically and resist control.
Whitney on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_whitneywebb
Mark on Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgoodw_in
0:00 - Intro 6:17 - Exposition on Farmington and Fluent Finance 12:47 - Stablecoins 21:18 - Transitioning to CBDC 35:30 - Crisis as pretense for surveillance and war 53:59 - Digital ID 1:04:02 - Powell’s not your pal 1:07:37 - Figuring out the de facto CBDC 1:13:41 - Manufactured consent psyops 1:18:46 - National figureheads 1:28:56 - Social media warzone 1:37:04 - Preventing Bitcoin co-opting 1:49:13 - They’ll profile and surveil everyone 1:59:05 - Fighting AI-controlled life 2:25:37 - Building alternatives 2:34:50 - Wrapping up
