This past weekend I attended BitBlockBoom, my first Bitcoin conference. @bitblockboom

Here's my summary thread:

Despite a nearby hurricane, the fear of coronavirus, and travel restrictions on Canadians, this year's BitBlockBoom hosted more participants than ever before (over 220). @GaryLeland.

Peaceful agorists, militant libertarians, preppers, ex-gold bug hippies, Bitcoiners, ex-shitcoiners, and cypherpunks mingled to discuss politics, the state of the nation, economics, and game theory.

There were cutting roasts and impassioned toasts. I met Bitcoin influencers and Bitcoin nobodies, and some anonymous twitter accounts doxxed themselves. It was, by far, the best conference I have ever been to.

The best part was the many-hours long happy hours. The whiskey-drinking carnivores outnumbered the Bitcoin teetotalers. We discussed democracy, the appeal of rural America, logic trumping statistics, politics as a power grab, homeschooling, and the importance of family.

It felt refreshing to speak freely with people who shared a similar world view, people who would be pro-vaccine but anti-mandatory-vaccine.

My biggest fascination was how Bitcoiners differed from most Americans. Bitcoiners seem more fit ( @vandrewattycpa), more disagreeable ( @hodl_american), more independent, more curious ( @Breedlove22), more optimistic ( @KayBeSee), and more skeptical than the average American.

They developed a culture of always carrying a fake coffee cup everywhere so that no hotel employee could tell them to put their mask on. @surferjimw @My_Livin_Truth @BITVOLT7

The only moment I felt uncomfortable came in the closing ceremony when the crowd began chanting @MartyBent name. I love Marty Bent. For those of you who haven’t listened to his podcast, @TFTC21, I highly recommend his content.

But the more I study Bitcoin, the more I have logically confirmed my innate distrust of mob psychology and cultish shows of devotion. Every person is fallible. I loved talking to Marty Bent in person about Bitcoin mining from flared gas, but our interaction humanized him.

@MartyBent, like all BitBlockBoom attendees, is just another Bitcoiner. He's smart and funny, but if he shitcoins I will gladly slay him. Bitcoin in the long-term teaches you about self-responsibility, self-ownership, and independent validation of truth.

So, go to Bitcoin conferences,
Slay your heroes,
Connect with friends,
And put no man above yourself.

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