In this episode of Bitcoin Magazine’s “Meet The Taco Plebs”, my good friend, “man of the people,” joined Vake. He has been on the Bitcoin scene for much longer than many and provided a quality insight into what was happening around BTC in 2013 and 2014.
Vake is pleading right and I had a chance to meet him in person earlier this year. The day I flew into Texas for the popular Bitcoin-only BitBlockBoom! Conference, I met him and a few others for lunch. We had a lovely discussion on many different topics related to Bitcoin and can say that he has a deep understanding of it.
Below are some of Vake’s best thoughts that were shared during the interview. And be sure to watch the full episode for more.
How did you find Bitcoin and knock down the rabbit hole?
“I got involved with Bitcoin in April 2013, when the $ 100 price broke and was getting a lot of news coverage. I was fairly liberal before that, and a big fan of Ron Paul’s 2008 and 2012 presidential runs.
“His book, ‘End the Fed,’ which came out in 2009, was a huge influence on me. So when I first heard about Bitcoin while watching an interview with Jeffrey Tucker on YouTube (which is no longer on YouTube), it made intuitive sense to me. However, it took about six months to buy my first sats, as I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a scam before committing money to it. Since then, it has been an endless rabbit hole as my understanding of Bitcoin has deepened significantly. ”
How Has Bitcoin Changed Your Life?
“Picking up sats has obviously provided a financial benefit, but it has also encouraged me to become more active. Now, I look at all my spending much more carefully and try to avoid buying what I don’t need.
“Bitcoin has also given me a lot more optimism about the future; before that, being a liberal was a very depressing affair because it felt like we were constantly losing ground to an ever expanding state. Now, it feels like we finally have a tool to fight back, one that can’t be stopped. ”
What do you consider to be the most amazing thing about Bitcoin?
“There are many attributes about Bitcoin that are appealing; the scarcity, the censorship-resistance, but what stuck with me most was the unbelievability. I had heard stories of refugees fleeing danger, like the Jews leaving Nazi Germany, who often had to leave all their belongings and life savings. In a world where governments can capture bank accounts and property, it was quite clear that there is an intrinsic value to having an asset that you cannot take (but which you can only surrender). ”
How Would You Advise Someone To Learn AAbout Bitcoin? What Are Your Favorite Podcasts, Articles and Books?
“I use a great deal of Bitcoin content basically every day, and we currently live in an embarrassment of wealth. I listen to more than two dozen Bitcoin podcasts regularly, but if I had to pick one and only one, I’d say ‘Tales From The Crypt,’ because I rarely miss an episode. The Rabbit Hole Recap episodes with Marty and Matt are the best way to stay on top of the constant developments in this space, and Marty always gets interesting guests to interview.
“As far as articles go, the mempool section at the Satoshi Nakamoto Foundation are some of my favorite content in this space. When I first got into Bitcoin and quality writing was much rarer, the Nakamoto Foundation was one of the only reliable sources of information.
“As far as books go, I usually direct someone new to ‘Inventing Bitcoin’ by Yan Pritzker, because it’s very short and straightforward to explain. I am currently trying to get a more technical grasp of Bitcoin, and for that I have been slowly going through ‘Grokking Bitcoin’ by Kalle Rosenbaum. ”
What Is Your Best Bitcoin Field?
“When I present Bitcoin to family and friends, I tell them it is a form of currency that cannot be ruined or confiscated, making it fundamentally better than fiat currency. Unfortunately, the pitch rarely seems to work. I have told hundreds of people about bitcoin over the years – friends, family, coworkers, bosses, dates – and only a few of them took it seriously and bought in. “
Ever thought of contributing to Bitcoin Magazine?
Bitcoin Magazine is currently seeking submissions for articles for Bitcoin’s unforgettable 2020, as well as what’s in store for Bitcoin in 2021. If you have ideas for articles and want to contribute, please contact [email protected].
