Bitcoin and Robocop

The future is here, now

Introduction:

My favorite Robocop movie has to be the original one that came out in 1987. It was a blend of a dystopic vision of the future, extreme to the point of comedic violence, funny one liners, satire and deep questions about the nature of man and machine. Robocop, in its 2014 remake, offers a more contemporary glimpse into a dystopian future where technology and corporations hold immense power, raising profound questions about ethics, identity, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement. The movie was set in 2028, which at this point is less than 5 years away and the world imagined in the movie appears to be closer than we think in many ways. In this post, we will explore ten key themes from Robocop and draw parallels to the potential positive impact of Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr on our lives, envisioning a future where technology can act as a catalyst for societal improvement, facilitating greater human flourishing, instead of a techno-dystopia.

1. Ethical Use of Technology:

Robocop raises concerns about the ethical use of technology, especially in law enforcement. Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr, as decentralized protocols, have the potential to create more transparent (with privacy), accountable, and ethical financial systems. By reducing the influence of centralized authorities, these technologies can contribute to a more just, free and equitable society. Bitcoin at the base of this technology stack is ethical money, as Michael Saylor says:

"Bitcoin is a bank in cyberspace, run by incorruptible software, offering a global, affordable, simple, & secure savings account to billions of people that don't have the option or desire to run their own hedge fund."

2. Corporate Influence and Autonomy:

The film portrays corporations with unchecked power, influencing governmental decisions and exploiting technology for their gain. We see this today in the conversation around AI, with huge companies competing for market share while at the same time asking the government to regulate (not to “protect” humanity, but rather to close the door to competition). Before AI, there was and still is “Big Tech” where you are the product and everything you do is tracked and analyzed “for your convenience.” Bitcoin and Lightning Network's decentralized nature, along with Nostr's privacy features, counteract the concentration of power with Big Tech and could facilitate a decentralization of open source AI, allowing the average person to have access to these tools without having to use large permissioned systems. These permissionless technologies empower individuals, fostering economic independence and limiting the potential for corporations and governments to dominate our lives.

3. Identity and Autonomy:

Robocop's central theme revolves around the loss of human identity due to cybernetic enhancements, and yet despite how invasive the technology is, the human spirit finds a way to fight through. Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr prioritize freedom, autonomy and privacy, which are core to human flourishing. These technologies enable individuals to have control over their money, freedom of speech and privacy. By taking more personal responsibility with this tech, we can build stronger and more resilient individuals, families and communities allowing the human spirit to triumph using technology as a tool, rather than an oppressor.

4. Surveillance and Privacy:

The pervasive surveillance depicted in Robocop is a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked surveillance. Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr incorporate privacy-centric features that protect users from unwarranted surveillance. In addition, use of these tools increases individual awareness of the importance of privacy, prompting further research into how to achieve this in a digital connected world. This fosters a society where privacy is respected, and individuals are not constantly under the watchful eye of powerful entities.

5. Resource Allocation and Economic Equality:

Robocop highlights economic disparities, with the wealthy benefiting from advanced technologies while the majority suffer. This is a recurring theme today, with ever increasing wealth disparity.

Here’s a quote from a recent Federal Reserve report:

Key Takeaways

For the second quarter of 2023 (through June 30):

How much wealth inequality is there in the U.S.?

• The top 10% of households by wealth had $7.0 million on average. As a group, they held 69% of total household wealth.

• The bottom 50% of households by wealth had $51,000 on average. As a group, they held only 2.5% of total household wealth.

Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr can contribute to economic equality by providing financial services to anyone who wishes to use it. This includes the unbanked, reducing transaction costs, and democratizing access to global financial markets. Bitcoin “levels the playing field” by giving access to anyone who is willing to learn about it and has the potential to generate significant wealth over time due to its scarcity and continued trend of global adoption.

6. Corruption and Transparency:

The film portrays a corrupt system where powerful entities manipulate the system for their gain. In the end, RoboCop is able to overcome his corporate programming to bring justice, with a little help from the Chairman of the Board (see “You’re Fired” clip below). Corruption is a hallmark of the fiat monetary system. Bitcoin and Lightning Network introduce transparency (with privacy) by recording transactions on a public ledger (Bitcoin) and facilitating fast, cheap, private off-chain payments (Lightning). Nostr, with its privacy features, strikes a balance by allowing selective transparency, empowering individuals to decide when and with whom they share their information. Creators can post content anonymously and cannot be silenced or “cancelled” on a decentralized protocol, as is the case with centralized mainstream social media applications. If one relay drops their content, there are many other relays that can be used instead (including running your own). If you don’t like what someone is posting, you don’t have to follow them. This is the essence of freedom of speech. In addition, by empowering people, these technologies reduce the power of corrupt, centralized governmental and corporate entities.

7. Community Empowerment:

Robocop underscores the importance of community engagement and collective action and also gives some hope that once the people “wake up” and become vocal, governments will act in the correct way to protect privacy and freedom. We are beginning to see people beginning to wake up and vote for big changes recently in elections in Argentina and the Netherlands. Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr can facilitate financial cooperation and empowerment at the community level through a grass roots, bottom up movement. Projects built on these platforms can provide access to financial services, loans, and investment opportunities, fostering community-driven economic growth.

8. Security and Robustness:

The film highlights the vulnerability of a society overly dependent on technology and manipulation of the population through fear. Bitcoin's decentralized and distributed nature, coupled with the security features of Lightning Network and Nostr, can contribute to a more robust and resilient financial infrastructure, less susceptible to single points of failure or malicious attacks. Knowing how to use this tech also gives the average person a sense of hope and security in clown world, which can counteract the constant propaganda of fear (war, disease, crime / violence, polarization, etc.) put forth by governments / corporations and reinforced by the mainstream media.

9. Human-Machine Integration:

Robocop explores the challenges of integrating human and machine elements. While the film portrays the negative consequences, the technologies in question can be harnessed positively. Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr (and also AI in combination with these) can be seen as tools that augment human capabilities in managing finances and improving productivity, fostering a symbiotic relationship rather than a dystopian struggle for control.

10. Global Connectivity:

The movie portrays a world interconnected by technology, for better or worse. Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr exemplify the positive potential of global connectivity peer-to-peer, allowing for seamless and instant cross-border transactions among individuals without the need for permission from banks and other intermediaries. This interconnectedness can contribute to a more globalized yet decentralized financial ecosystem, fostering collaboration and understanding among diverse communities. Indeed, this has the potential to foster a greater sense of global community as a foundation for lasting peace as I discussed in a recent post here:

Conclusion:

In envisioning a future shaped by the positive potential of Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr, we can draw inspiration from the cautionary tales presented in Robocop. By embracing the ethical use of technology, promoting autonomy and privacy, and prioritizing economic equality, these decentralized technologies have the potential to pave the way for a future that is both technologically advanced and socially harmonious. Through careful implementation and collective responsibility, we can ensure that our journey towards a decentralized future avoids the pitfalls of dystopia and instead leads to a more equitable and empowered society.

Thank You For Your Cooperation

Not financial or legal advice, for entertainment only, do your own homework.  I hope you find this post useful as you chart your personal financial course and Build a Bitcoin Fortress in 2023.    

Thanks for following my work. Always remember: freedom, health and positivity!  

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