Bitcoin is not politically-neutral.

[jgarzik]

So, the creator's intentions are irrelevant?

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Satoshi_Nakamoto

I think a better answer is:  collectively, most of "us" are here to stay faithful to the technical design parameters Satoshi set forth.  In particular, the important basic rules 21 million bitcoins, decaying block reward (50 -> 25 -> 12.5, ...), 10 minute average target, etc.  Hash algorithm may change; max number of bitcoins will not (not if I can help it, anyway).

Bitcoin is an experimental engineering tool.  Any such system will behave in the wild as the majority of users deem it so, regardless of the creator's intentions.

Anything more is outside the realm of engineering, into the mental and ideological space you project onto bitcoin.

[1714778463]

1714778463

[digigalt]

One is entitled to protection by having the correct amount of value to espouse it whether it be through your inherent value as a human being or direct payment.

So what happens to people who "don't [have] the correct amount of value to espouse it?"

[Anonymous]

Also, irrational people voting for a ruler? That's hopeless. Let's just hire a benevolent dictator! He'll know what's best!

Yes, it is you, Atlas, who have figured out humanity. You have revolutionized political life by determining that your personal income, earned at the behest of those around you, is worth more than a human life. You, who know the true value of a hard day's work. You who have read an Ayn Rand book and come to the conclusion that it is a personal bible.

There's a reason most people don't think the way. It's because it doesn't work. You can't protect yourself in a state of nature setting, you're not likely to be that top percent, and you still can't seem to separate political ideology from reality. Marxism doesn't work for the exact same reasons anarchy-communism doesn't work: people exist.

Also please mote that in an anarchic society those who are greediest and care nothing about other people will be first on the chopping block.

[myrkul]

Also, irrational people voting for a ruler? That's hopeless. Let's just hire a benevolent dictator! He'll know what's best!

Yes, it is you, Atlas, who have figured out humanity. You have revolutionized political life by determining that your personal income, earned at the behest of those around you, is worth more than a human life. You, who know the true value of a hard day's work. You who have read an Ayn Rand book and come to the conclusion that it is a personal bible.

This, Atlas, is why you should never change your name. It shows very clearly the people who have a clue what they're critiquing, and the morons who assume that you're a rand-drone.

[gigabytecoin]

Bitcoin is a tool. It is politically-neutral since it is incapable of holding political views. People on the other hand are not politically-neutral.

It is a tool and tools are designed with a purpose. Tools with a specific purpose will serve these purposes along with their shared sentiments. The purpose is obviously freedom.

If a tool were truly neutral, it would be incapable of anything. To say a screw-driver is neutral is to say it's not for screwing screws when obviously that's its intended purpose.

There is no such thing as a apathetic tool unless it is used inanely with a handicapped view of reality.

Perhaps to you.

I am politically neutral, but I am capable of things.

Think before you speak.

[wumpus]

Tools are neutral by definition, bits and bytes don't practice politics. It's the people using them that can have political direction.

This is the same kind of argument that some countries are using to ban portscanners, exploit generators and such. "The tool is inherently dangerous and evil!". Oh no it isn't, it is simply a very effective tool and can thus be used to advance "good" and "bad" agendas in the same way.

So what do we want bitcoin to be? A "dangerous, political tool" or simply a neutral global decentralized currency. Think about it.

[Anonymous]

Also, irrational people voting for a ruler? That's hopeless. Let's just hire a benevolent dictator! He'll know what's best!

Yes, it is you, Atlas, who have figured out humanity. You have revolutionized political life by determining that your personal income, earned at the behest of those around you, is worth more than a human life. You, who know the true value of a hard day's work. You who have read an Ayn Rand book and come to the conclusion that it is a personal bible.

This, Atlas, is why you should never change your name. It shows very clearly the people who have a clue what they're critiquing, and the morons who assume that you're a rand-drone.

This post makes no sense. I'm critiquing an anarcho-capitalist who very clearly derives his worldviw from a Rand book as evidenced by his strong Objectivist slant and the fact that he tries to write every post as if he himself were Ayn Rand. But please, let's discuss how I don't know what I'm saying while dodging everything I say.

[Anonymous]

Tools are neutral. I am wrong.