The Cult of Personality

[practicaldreamer]

"I don't believe in Elvis, I don't believe in Bhudda, I don't believe in Kennedy, I don't believe in Zimmerman, I don't believe in Beatles, I don't believe in Jesus, I don't believe in Satoshi - I just believe in me"         John Lennon (God, Plastic Ono Band)

Discuss.

[Raize]

While working for the Ron Paul 2012 campaign, the one thing that always stood out as odd to me was the number of people that didn't see Ron Paul as a "fellow traveller" but as an icon for limited government. They, quite literally in some cases, worshipped the man and everything he said. I was troubled by this despite still agreeing with him. This was in Fall of 2011 in Iowa, shortly after the straw poll.

I think that's when I realized that mankind has an enormous capacity for foolishness, regardless the political ideology and doubled-down on my Bitcoin investments. I wrote this shortly thereafter. Bitcoin may one day give everyone on the planet the chance to be their own banker, but it's a responsibility we cannot take lightly. With it comes all the sensible decisions to secure it physically, spend it wisely, and develop a moral standing to be proud of and to interact with others accordingly.

I don't think everyone will be up to the task, but there are many that will find a way to do so, and it's those people I'm most interested in seeing prevail in their efforts. As far as the outliers, especially those that try to use Bitcoin to control others and develop cults of personality, they'll likely get everything they deserve from followers (who deserve the consequences of their actions, no less).

Satoshi's a fellow traveller to cypherpunks the world over, nothing more.

[odolvlobo]

The extent of this worship of Satoshi Nakamoto is disturbing. There are many people that are truly angry that Newsweek has transformed him from a mythical person into a real person (whether or not he has been truly unmasked). There are many others that seem to worship him as a savior and rejoice at his alleged post yesterday as something like the return of Christ.

[practicaldreamer]

.. the one thing that always stood out as odd to me was the number of people that didn't see Ron Paul as a "fellow traveller" but as an icon ... They, quite literally in some cases, worshipped the man

The extent of this worship of Satoshi Nakamoto is disturbing..There are many others that seem to worship him as a savior and rejoice at his alleged post yesterday as something like the return of Christ.

Yes, I completely agree with both of you.

Satoshi Nakamoto as rock star - as saviour - as icon - as celebrity - as Royalty - etc etc.

Philosophers have called it "bad faith", "false consciousness".

We all want to believe - I know I do at least. But, personally, I will not give in to a slavish appeal to authority - I will not give in to blind faith.

The irony of it is that the Bitcoin protocol as laid out in the whitepaper seems to, by design (unless I'm reading it wrong), lead us toward a more self sufficient, individually responsible way of being.

I like a good murder mystery just like the next man - but Bitcoin is no place for either Inspector Poirot or Beyonce  

[Meuh6879]

I believe in ... network.

[jonald_fyookball]

Obama.

[knight22]

John Lennon was nothing more than an arrogant asshole IMO

[jefe541]

John Lennon was nothing more than an arrogant asshole IMO

+1

Btw i believe in my self 

[dank]

"I don't believe in Elvis, I don't believe in Bhudda, I don't believe in Kennedy, I don't believe in Zimmerman, I don't believe in Beatles, I don't believe in Jesus, I don't believe in Satoshi - I just believe in me"         John Lennon (God, Plastic Ono Band)

Discuss.

All those other people are also him, so I don't see why he wouldn't believe in them.