Bitcoin is not only an investment tool but also a transformation of philosophy and lifestyle.

Written by: Bram Kanstein, Block unicorn

Translated by: Block unicorn

Preface

In today's rapidly changing world, millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) are facing unprecedented economic and social challenges. The rapid advancement of technology has brought convenience and efficiency, but at the same time, the flaws of the fiat currency system, the accumulation of debt, and the increasing economic uncertainty have left many feeling lost or even hopeless about the future. The program "Bitcoin for Millennials" delves into the nature of money, revealing how Bitcoin provides this generation with a tool to break free from the constraints of the traditional financial system and regain control over their economic destiny.

This article combines key points from the program to explore how Bitcoin offers millennials economic autonomy and the time and space to thrive in an AI-driven future. From critiques of the fiat currency system to Bitcoin's transparent rule design and its potential synergies with AI technology, this article systematically explains why Bitcoin is not just an investment tool but a transformation of philosophy and lifestyle.

The Disillusionment of Millennials and the Fit with Bitcoin

Millennials grew up in an era of technological optimism, educated to believe that hard work, attending college, and finding a high-paying job would lead to financial freedom. However, reality has been contrary to this narrative. The program mentions that millennials have experienced multiple economic crises—from the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis to the 2023 banking crisis, along with ongoing inflation and debt issues. These events have exposed the fragility of the fiat currency system: continuous currency devaluation, misappropriated pensions, skyrocketing housing prices and living costs, leading many to abandon their dreams of starting a family due to economic pressure.

The program's host shares his personal experience of realizing at age 30 that bank savings did not truly belong to him, a revelation stemming from understanding the fractional reserve system. This sense of disillusionment drove him to study Bitcoin deeply, ultimately concluding that Bitcoin's decentralization, fixed total supply (21 million coins), and transparent rules make it an ideal tool to combat the flaws of the fiat currency system. As "digital natives," millennials have witnessed the transition from analog to digital, and their adaptability to technological change makes them more receptive to Bitcoin as a blockchain-based innovative currency form.

Bitcoin is not just an investment; it represents a shift in mindset. It encourages people to question the status quo and re-examine the core question of "what is money." As stated in the program: "No one truly understands how money works, but that is precisely the design of the fiat currency system—maintaining its 'Ponzi scheme' through complexity and information asymmetry." Bitcoin, with its simple and transparent rules, offers millennials the opportunity to break free from this "magic" constraint.

The "High-Speed Garbage Economy" of the Fiat Currency System and the Hindrance to Innovation

The program describes the fiat currency economy as a "high-speed garbage system," with the core issue being short-termism driven by inflation and currency devaluation. As the purchasing power of fiat currency continues to decline, people are incentivized to consume immediately rather than save or invest in long-term goals. This incentive structure not only hinders personal planning but also stifles innovation. As cited in the program from the book "The Price of Tomorrow," technological advancements should bring about deflationary effects (lower prices, increased efficiency), but the fiat currency system offsets these benefits through artificial monetary expansion.

For example, predictions from the 1960s suggested that by 2000, technological advancements would lead to widespread wealth and leisure time. However, the reality is that most people work longer hours and face higher living costs, with single-income families nearly becoming a thing of the past. The root of this disparity lies in the distorted incentives of the fiat currency system: it forces people to chase more "units" (like dollars or euros), while the actual value of these units continues to shrink.

In contrast, Bitcoin's fixed total supply and decentralized nature make it a more reliable means of storing value. Bitcoin's scarcity (only 21 million coins will ever exist) makes it an "absolutely limited" asset, akin to human time and energy. This scarcity not only protects purchasing power but also provides individuals with the "time and space" to think, experiment, and innovate without being driven by short-term survival pressures.

Bitcoin Empowers Individuals with Autonomy and Time Space

One of Bitcoin's core values is that it grants individuals economic autonomy. The program repeatedly emphasizes that Bitcoin's "trustless" mechanism (based on rules rather than rulers) allows users to operate without relying on banks, governments, or other intermediaries. This autonomy is especially important for millennials, as they are at a critical stage in their careers and family lives, needing to plan for retirement or other long-term goals over the next 30 years.

The program's host shares his personal experience: by accumulating Bitcoin during his college years and early career, he was able to have enough time and financial buffer during unemployment to explore his career direction, ultimately creating a media business. This concept of "time and space" runs throughout the program—Bitcoin is not just a tool for preserving value but a liberating tool that allows people to escape "quiet desperation" (as Henry David Thoreau put it) and pursue a more meaningful life.

Moreover, Bitcoin's decentralized design creates a "positive incentive loop." As stated in the program: "In the Bitcoin system, everyone follows the rules because they know others are following the rules too." This transparency and verifiability eliminate the issues of asymmetric information and power concentration found in the fiat currency system, providing individuals with a fair opportunity to participate.

The Synergy Between Artificial Intelligence and Bitcoin

The program also explores the potential synergies between artificial intelligence (AI) and Bitcoin, noting that the rapid development of AI will further amplify the importance of Bitcoin. As AI technology reshapes the labor market, many traditional jobs (such as knowledge work) may be automated. The pace of AI advancement is accelerating at an astonishing rate, enabling ordinary people to achieve technological innovations in a short time that would have previously taken years. For instance, the host shares his experience of developing a Bitcoin-based file encryption protocol using AI in just 12 hours, demonstrating how AI empowers non-professionals to create groundbreaking results.

However, the rapid development of AI also brings challenges: the concept of intellectual property (IP) may become blurred, as AI can quickly replicate and recreate any publicly available ideas. This means that traditional business models and profit windows may shorten significantly. In this context, Bitcoin, as an immutable and decentralized value storage tool, becomes key to protecting personal wealth and responding to technological disruption. Bitcoin's fixed supply makes it an ideal unit for measuring productivity growth driven by AI, while the inflationary nature of fiat currency undermines the benefits of technological progress.

Additionally, the proliferation of AI will force people to rethink their careers and life goals. The program cites a conversation between Tim Ferriss and Chris Sacca, pointing out that future education and career paths may be entirely different from today. Parents need to prepare their children for a future filled with uncertainty, and Bitcoin provides an economic foundation that allows people the time and space to adapt to these changes and explore profound questions of "who they are and what they can contribute to the world."

From "Red Pill" to "Orange Pill": Awakening and Action

The acceptance of Bitcoin often requires going through a "red pill" moment—realizing the fundamental flaws of the fiat currency system before one can accept the "orange pill" of Bitcoin. This awakening is not just about financial knowledge; it represents a philosophical shift: from passively accepting societal narratives to actively questioning and taking action. The program mentions that many millennials feel discontent with economic issues (such as the Occupy Wall Street movement) but lack effective tools to change the status quo. Bitcoin offers a simple yet powerful course of action: transferring wealth from fiat currency to Bitcoin, thereby exiting the predatory financial system.

This action is not complicated, as the program states: "You just need to replace one currency with another and then wait." However, this simplicity carries profound significance: by choosing Bitcoin, individuals not only protect their wealth but also contribute to broader social change. As more people become aware of the "magic" nature of fiat currency, the adoption of Bitcoin will create a positive feedback loop, ultimately weakening the control of the fiat currency system.

Conclusion

Bitcoin is not just a currency; it is a philosophical tool for combating economic uncertainty and social pressure. For millennials, it offers a path to financial freedom and personal autonomy. In a "high-speed garbage economy" driven by fiat currency, Bitcoin's transparent rules, fixed total supply, and decentralized nature create the "time and space" for people to think, build, and pursue meaningful lives. Especially in the context of AI technology reshaping the world, Bitcoin, as a reliable means of storing value, will help individuals navigate career disruptions and economic uncertainty, redefining future possibilities.

The program "Bitcoin for Millennials" reveals how Bitcoin fundamentally changes millennials' perceptions of money, the future, and self-worth through in-depth discussions and personal stories. As the host states, Bitcoin liberates people from "quiet desperation," leading them toward a future of autonomy and optimism. Whether to cope with impending technological changes or to protect their wealth in a turbulent world, Bitcoin provides millennials with a solid foundation.

In this rapidly changing era, studying Bitcoin, understanding its underlying philosophy, and taking action to integrate it into life is not just a financial strategy but an investment in the future. As the program concludes with an optimistic outlook: through the combination of Bitcoin and AI, humanity may usher in a new Renaissance, refocusing on human connections, community building, and meaningful creation. Regardless of what the future holds, millennials embracing Bitcoin are already paving the way for a more autonomous and brighter future.

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