I attended the Bitcoin Freedom Festival in Uvita, Costa Rica from January 18-20. It was a unique event unlike any Bitcoin rally I've ever attended. There were over 30 speakers during the festival so I won't try to cover them all but there was one session that stood out and featured a panel of Indigenous women who all spoke through an interpreter. This committee said two things on the final morning that capture the essence of the festival. First, I explained that they were guided by the Great Spirit to be there on that platform. [“I came because the Great Spirit opened the path” which included a car to the venue.] The wind speaks to us, the water speaks to us, and the trees speak to us. “Always talk about what gives us energy,” Grandpa says. Some of these ideas may seem strange to the Western mind addicted to its screens and disconnected from life.
Bitcoin is natural money!
Then one of the panelists described Bitcoin in a way I had never heard before. She called it natural currency or “natural money.” It was one of those moments when the obvious flash hits you like a lightning bolt. “Bitcoin is natural money.” Hold it, did she say Bitcoin is natural money? Holy crap “Bitcoin is natural money!!” Completely ignorant people say that Bitcoin is not backed by anything, but that is laughably wrong, and there is no point even dealing with someone who holds this uninformed view. Some Bitcoiners like to say that Bitcoin is “energy-backed money,” which is something many Bitcoiners (most notably Eric Yakis, author of The 7th Property) vehemently refute. Eric says Bitcoin is “faithful” in energy, which I agree is a better framework.
However, this wise woman in the woods gave Bitcoin the best framework yet: “natural money.” You start with running water, methane, hydrocarbons, wind or solar. All of these elements come from nature and are then converted into electricity that allows Bitcoin miners [ASIC’S] To start the hash that eventually leads to Bitcoin. Without these natural resources there is no Bitcoin. Statement of fact. Start with something natural and end with Bitcoin. The idea that every country in the world has natural resources that previously could not be converted into natural money is not lost on people in Africa or Costa Rica. [Note: Anyone reading this who loves this idea of natural money AND wants to author a children’s book on the topic please reach out to me.]
Paper currencies are the opposite of natural money
Compare what is needed to produce “natural money” with every fiat currency in the world or any of the best alternative currencies. Trillions of US dollars can be created from nothing in seconds as long as you are the governor of the central bank or someone holding an inside position [ONE OF THE PRIVILEGED FEW] Who can produce money from nothing, certainly not from nature. Paper currencies are the opposite of natural money!! “Stick this in your pipe and smoke it, Senator Warren!” Artificial fiat. Bitcoin is normal.
Natural money, not Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the term given to fanatics, ideology and movement. There's nothing wrong with the term Bitcoin, but consider the hostile energy that has been built up against it? Our opponents have built some bitter narratives against it. Are they nonsense? Challenge!!! Does most of the world know that? no!!!
The problem: Bitcoin is used as a derisive term by Bitcoin's biggest enemies, haters, and detractors. I have personally witnessed young and old get excited at the mention of the word Bitcoin.
Solution: Natural funds are more accessible for beginners. Imagine if we asked Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett, or Peter Schiff this question: “What are your thoughts on physical money?” Their responses will make them look like buffoons and ignorant.
Natural Money quietly, peacefully and softly creates curiosity about the idea that there is something in the world called Natural Money. There are all sorts of implicit adjectives around this term that neutralize Bitcoin's attack surface. It also reduces the attack surface by Bitcoin opponents because it is very difficult to attack “natural money.” Natural money is of the people, for the people and by the people. You could be against “natural money,” of course, but it seems unnatural for you to do so. It eliminates some of the typical attacks and arrows thrown at Bitcoin.
It is the first natural money native to the Internet. It does not require much explanation other than to say that it is the only form of money fueled or sourced by natural resources. Who wants to oppose “natural money”? [As an experiment, go back and read your favorite or next article about bitcoin but substitute the term “natural money” each time the word bitcoin appears. How does it land on you?]
Call to action
As we gathered around a roaring bonfire on the beach that final night in Playa Hermosa as the festival came to a close, I shared this indigenous woman's vision with other festival-goers and it resonated. So as a final thought, I invite you to consider implementing the “soft fork” in your language use from this point forward and share its wisdom widely. In my view, you captured the essence of Bitcoin by calling it “natural money.”
From now on, when you get the chance, I suggest you use the phrase “natural money” twice more when describing Bitcoin. Why? There is a large segment of the population that is likely to be curious about natural funds. Psychologically and subconsciously, the world has been starved for natural money since Nixon closed the gold window in 1971. Bitcoin can seem like a cult or religious fanatic to those who fail to appreciate its supernatural impact on humanity. There have been dozens of negative narratives thrown at Bitcoin since its inception. To me, it seems more accurate and satisfying to refer to Bitcoin as natural money. One festival attendee even created a Twitter account #naturalmoney. As a gesture of respect to this wise woman, tell us you agree with her.
This is a guest post by Mark Maria. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
