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@ Marconius Solidus
2023-09-12 16:43:24About discovering Bitcoin, Austrian economics, Privacy & Security and questioning everything
Beginning
In 2020, I had about 200$ in my bank account. Still, I became interested in this whole “Make money with money thing”. I started studying stock market — more precisely value investing. That led me to studying how money works. I began to watch all those videos about how federal reserve works (by Goldbugs mostly, so no Bitcoin yet).
Then came the Lockdown. And the Bitcoin dump to 5000$. So I became greedy when others were fearful and inspired by the motto of one of the richest Bitcoin hater, I bought some sats. At the time, I didn’t know how this would affect my life. I wasn’t some laser-eyed fanboy to buy just to hold. I understood the implications of huge money printing that was coming. But little I knew that Bitcoin is not only about money.
Discovery
After some time of inactivity and consolidating my existing Bitcoin knowledge, I read Separation of money and state (Czech version). It was life-changing. It describes Austrian economics, nature of the state and other aspects of Bitcoin. I also dived into Bitcoin Twitter. At this point, everything started to click in. If you fall down the Rabbit hole this much, It will lead you to certain conclusions.
Enlightenment and Conclusions
Austrian economics will give you better understanding of the world around you. It’s more about human nature and psychology. If you view world as red vs blue, you’ll be left confused. If you view the world as individuals and groups with driven by self-interest, everything will start to click in.
Studying nature of the state will help you realize that it won’t get better with next elections. And that in government you will find only incompetent morons or competent thieves.
You will also shift from high to low time preferences. I started caring more about my health — started weightlifting, having proper diet. Now I’m diving into martial arts.
And last but not least: learning about Internet Privacy & Security, which will require separate part of this post.
Internet Privacy & Security
To be honest, I’m not sure how I discovered this topic. It was even before diving into BT, so probably YouTube. But the topic immersed me. I started with basic things like browser trackers and password management. Then I ended up on more obscure things (for me at the time) like servers with self hosted privacy services.
I found out how important privacy (not only online) is. What also interested me was its overlap with Bitcoin. And I also began to realize that Bitcoin is an essential, next piece of puzzle. And the puzzle being human sovereignty, individuals seclusion from state and tyranny.
But online P&S is often confusing and complicated. And when it gets complicated, that’s when you make a mistake. Today, not taking P&S seriously might not be fatal. Unfortunately, governments ability to spy on their citizens rises. In the future it will be no longer option to protect your online Privacy & Security.
End of a Beginning
After spending some time in my Twitter bubble, I started to search my purpose and began to figure out what I want to do in my life.
Even if they are multiple different topics that I enjoyed on TW (from economics to health & fitness), Privacy and Security was the one that interested me the most.
Above, I promised that it will require separate part of this post. But at the end, this whole blog will be focused on this topic. I will try to simplify it, so even non-tech savvy would understand and could implement measures to be protected. Without confusion of having too many options and need to understand nuances in those options. All that in one place.
Thank you for reading my story, I’ll myself see where it takes me. If you want to get Privacy & Security tips, or simply follow my journey, follow me on Twitter.
”Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where.”
“Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.”
– Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland