Sophie von Laer on the metamorphic capacity of Bitcoin to disrupt our worldviews.
A force of revolution has emerged, captivating the minds of individuals and redefining the very essence of freedom and liberty. The thinkers and doers of the Bitcoin ecosystem have defined Bitcoin as more than just money; it is energy, a social contract, a source of power, and a tool for human rights and building communities. Today, we add another dimension to this picture: Bitcoin as a philosophy and worldview. Bitcoin serves as a transformative and action-oriented personal philosophy that facilitates a paradigm shift in power dynamics, economics, governance, and our perception of reality itself. Falling down the Bitcoin rabbit hole is an extraordinary journey that has the potential to change one’s worldview. In this article, we will explore this journey through the lens of transformative learning theory.
Transformative learning theory, developed by Jack Mezirow, is a process in which individuals undergo a deep and fundamental shift in their beliefs, perspectives, and worldview. This shift occurs when individuals are confronted with a new reality that disrupts conventional wisdom and challenges their long-held assumptions. It involves experiencing a disorienting dilemma that challenges established norms and forces them to actively engage in reflection and action to construct new meaning and transformative change. As individuals delve into the Bitcoin rabbit hole, they are confronted with a paradigm shift that invites them to explore new possibilities and reimagine the nature of money and financial systems. Bitcoin operates on principles vastly different from those of traditional centralized monetary systems. It embraces decentralization, empowering individuals to become their own custodians of wealth and engage in peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries. The journey from a fiat reality where one is ruled by governments and authorities to a new reality where individuals own their financial destinies is a historically unfamiliar and awe-inspiring transformation.
Bitcoin shatters the hierarchical view of reality in which we are accustomed to being ruled by masters, governments, or monarchs. It introduces self-sovereignty and self-ownership, challenging the established power structures. This disorienting dilemma prompts individuals to critically assess their reality and take action. In the Bitcoin ecosystem, power becomes a network effect rather than a top-down hierarchical structure. The fluidity of power mirrors the structure of a blockchain, where individuals are nodes capable of communicating with one another. The power is equally distributed between individuals giving them the right to create their own future. Permission is no longer needed from unreachable politicians; every individual can be a change agent. This power distribution model extends to society, fostering autonomy on a greater scale.
The transformative journey of Bitcoin involves several stages. The first step is encountering the disorienting dilemma, followed by a critical assessment of one’s reality. The next step is taking action and becoming the hero of one’s own story, contributing and adding value to this new reality. Bitcoiners are known for their ability to put forth valuable insights, ideas, and collaborations, prioritizing action over complacency. Trying new roles and identities is another crucial step in the transformative journey. Bitcoiners often find themselves reexamining their self-identity and experimenting with new ways of showing up in the world. They experiment by becoming podcasters, thought leaders, speakers, developers, organizational leaders, and builders of the future. Through trial and error, they emerge more resilient and anti-fragile. The adaptive leaders of Bitcoin develop a culture that celebrates and incentivizes entrepreneurship and experimentation, making room for more self-examination and discovery.
Bitcoin embodies the promise of liberty, granting unparalleled financial sovereignty and transcending boundaries of fiat money and censorship. As individuals embark on the transformative journey of learning, they encounter a disorienting dilemma, critically assess their reality, and take action. Through this process, they redefine their roles and identities, questioning established norms and embracing the complexities of the Bitcoin paradigm. Bitcoin’s disruptive power challenges centralized planning, leading to a profound change in personal philosophy and identity. It ignites a transformative ripple effect, inspiring individuals to shape their destinies and pave the way for a society where freedom, liberty, and individual empowerment intertwine.
