My guest today is Mike Brock, CEO of TBD, (a part of Block), which focuses on building open source, decentralized technologies. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike discusses Bitcoin’s relationship to politics, culture, and decentralization. He argues against simplistic views of Bitcoin as an all-encompassing solution and for nuance over maximalism. We discuss Bitcoin as a tool, the risks of centralization, using Bitcoin to advance liberal democracy and human freedom, romantics v skeptics, and more. I really enjoy Mike’s perspectives, passion for optimism and philosophy, and commitment to decentralized tech. Are we as divided as we think? Mike doesn’t seem to think so, and feels we are more united and bipartisan in many ways than people, especially on social media, will have us think.
Mike Brock
twitter: https://twitter.com/brockm
Trey Walsh
https://nostree.me/Trey@progressivebitcoiner.com
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00:00:00 Start
00:02:58 Mike Brock’s Background
00:08:20 Bitcoin is Political But Not Partisan
00:13:44 Bitcoin Culture Lacks Diversity
00:24:00 Bitcoin as an Instrument
00:32:39 Bitcoin Adoption Will Be Gradual
00:44:54 Politics Are Calming Down
00:50:48 Leaving Twitter and Echo Chambers
01:00:10 The Risks of Centralization
01:08:12 Decentralizing Social Media
01:13:40 Promoting Open Debate in Bitcoin
01:23:29 Romantics vs. Cynics
01:27:30 Focusing On What Really Matters
01:38:04 Social Media Less Important Than We Think
01:44:10 On Political Polarization
01:49:43 Improving Bitcoin Culture
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