Has Crypto Really Changed The World As We Know It?

in #politics8 years ago (edited)

I’ve read like dozens if not over a hundred different posts and articles claiming that Crypto has changed this world. All of which are entering into the world of technology and the approach to using technology that we have available. Some go as far to talk about the changing of the worlds monetary systems and many other topics that are related to economics.

Rarely if any actually go into the “Change” aspect of it all.
What has Crypto changed outside of the realms of technology and economics?

I asked myself the following questions:

1-Has the introduction of Crypto changed any of the morals on this planet?
2-Has it been used to solve the violence in this world?
3-Has it been used to reduce poverty on national, continental or international levels?

The answer is NO to all of three of these questions.

The reality of life on this planet as a member of the human species is that change takes time, that any changes that could affect the way we approach things in our lives require will power. Change requires the willingness to change.
Reading the headlines out there on various sites I have noticed huge differences in how “governments” national representatives in power approach the concept of Crypto.

I’ll use real world terms as far as the divisions and subdivisions of humanity go.

The Western world governments are fumbling around and trying to find ways to monitor and tax earnings made via Crypto.

The totalitarian governments and those governments that rule over the people and do not represent the nation or the state have tried to ban and restrict the use of crypto.

While the third world countries ignore crypto, or should I say couldn’t give a damn about what the people do with crypto.

Yes, this is a generalization; however, let us take a look at the headlines in the past year alone.

What were the headlines from The USA?
Basically they all revolved around “monitoring and finding ways to tax profits”

What were the headlines from China?
Basically they wanted to CONTROL it or ban it.

Lets have a look at the latest headlines from India:
> “India Announces Restrictions on Crypto Use, Values Slide“
Source: https://www.crypto-news.net/india-announces-restrictions-on-crypto-use-values-slide/

And as for the corrupt parts of this world where just about “anything goes” well, I don’t like to talk about mentalities that allow people to do just about anything to other people just to get what they want. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many societies out there on this planet of ours.


So, Has the morality changed since technology has given people the opportunity to become independent via the new technologies offered and made available to them?

Unfortunately, looking at it on a global and on national scales the answer is NO.


What does this mean in reality?

Well, for one thing, no matter how we try to justify things or look at things, we have to accept reality in order to help change the things that are “just not right” within it.

Or, we can keep trying to convince ourselves that things are going to change on their own, that it shall magically happen without anyone addressing it.

Now, I know very well that what I have written above may be too direct and without any gift wrapping or “politically correct or incorrect”, I personally do not care less for all that humbug. Telling it as I see it and if need be justifying my points as to why I see it that way is the only way that I know how to communicate. So don’t expect me to be tip toeing around topics!

So what does all this mean for those who are actually working it?
Well it could mean that people need to start looking at things from different angles.

As was the case with “immigration” and western nations taking in millions upon millions of immigrants instead of investing that same manpower and all those billions of dollars that were wasted on “immigration” into making life better for people in the countries that they were emigrating from.
Humanity cannot be saved if we have people in different parts of this world living in inhumane conditions. This cannot change overnight, not can saving a few million people yearly via immigration solve the problems out there.

Education and parallel economic independence can definitely change things, but this is a process.
What we see being invested in “Helping these less fortunate people” and into “immigration from less fortunate parts of this world” is just not enough and it definitely isn’t going to change anything!
ZERO! NOTHING!

So what in essence can change if we let things roll along as they are rolling now?
Again, ZERO! NOTHING!

This is depressing!
However, don’t forget that I clearly stated how investing in education and independence of people in their home states is the way to approach this, definitely no doubt about it.

So, funds need to be channeled, towards education for the people and all future generations out there in this world.

Yes, they do need to be monitored, so that we don’t see a continuation of what has gotten us to the state of affairs in this world.

Yes, there does need to be a common consensus about wealth in this world.

To justify these statements, I shall again refer to the Western world, which has by far incomparable living standards to those in less fortunate countries, such as those that we often refer to as “third world countries”.

There may be ultra rich people in the Western countries, but it is not these people that made these countries stable as far as living standards are concerned. It was in fact the masses of middle classed, or what we often call working class people. This is the case in ALL of the Western nations. Middle classed people, who are educated as per their own desires and wishes, who in general can afford a higher educational level if they desire it and who are the bulk of the population.
The ultra poor exist and it is the masses of middle class people pitching in via various charities and other means of support to ensure that these unfortunate persons get out of their economic crisis in a humane manner, no starving people.


Why have I touched on this fact, apart from using it as a justification for my earlier point.

Well, the same applies to this world of Crypto.

When we have the masses of Crypto owners become what is the middle class of the western world, then we shall see change. Then we shall see real investments into education all around the world. Then we shall see global changes as far as the morals of humanity go.

The ultra rich are not going to do it, they love their money for the sake of loving money. We could say that “money has become their God and wealth their church”.

I have many a time mentioned how technology changes but human nature has yet to change!

Crypto has yet again opened up another opportunity for mankind to change the course of the future!

Shall we make this happen?
Or
Shall we let this opportunity pass on by and let the future of this world look similar to what it is today with all the poverty and injustice and immorality?

Shall we see people who know what the middle class is worth uniting and bonding via Crypto with goals that are above and beyond personal wealth?

While the governments squabble over how to monitor, control, tax or ban Crypto, can people who have already accepted Crypto as a viable tool for real changes in this world start to organize themselves, ourselves, into logical and rational communities that contribute to fundamental changes in this messed up world?

Or shall we all keep doing what has been done and let life as we know it keep going in the direction that it has been going and let it be “every person for themself” in a “dog eat dog” world.

I will leave it at that, enough directness and up front expression without any nice glossy wrapping paper for one post!

Yours truly

Jack

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Cryptocurrency itself won't change anything other than how people exchange wealth.
The underlying blockchain technology has the potential to decentralise the systems of government that are currently overseeing the decline of morality and setting up the full spectrum surveillance grid in preparation to lock us all down.
It's not the currency they fear they could print a trillion dollars tomorrow and buy it all, it's the blockchain that has them shitting their pants!

Agreed. All the time it is seen as a currency, the same set of behaviours that affect how we deal with fiat currencies will be applied to crypto. Were seeing that happen already with the recent rollercoaster rides of botcpin and steem.

Just the presence of whales in our ecosystem shows that we are going down a similar path to before

I love it. As technology increases and 5g comes we are all more connected than ever. The block chain is a power house for sure, but with increased tech there is also increased tracking and regulation of everything else. So we might be winning on one hand while the other is in the fire. @freedompoint

I agree. It's all about the potential it's a two sided coin.
The 5g network is dangerous and people are embracing it without understsnding how it has the potential to lock them in an electronic prison. Vigilance is needed

Right! A comfortable prison cell. I wonder if there is a way to to enjoy modern technology and not put our selves in that position.

I think that the biggest issue when talking about crypto changing the world is that folks really mean blockchain. The blockchain is what allows cryptocurrencies to exist. It is what allows the proof of work to be used for good. Cryptocurrencies are just like any stock or share on the markey except that the rise in value doesnt just benefit a particular company.

Just look at the recent manipulation of bitcoin, or (closer to home) the wild ride that Steem was on. That wasnt caused by more people writing quality work or implementing programs of social welfare, it was caused by folks buying and selling the currency.

I wonder what Steemit would be like without whales and the suckerfish that attend them. Did the whales earn their status through proof of work, or did they just buy at the right time?

On a more positive note, Ive seen quite a few members starting their own charities and distributing earnings to the needy. I support a few of them with irregular donations that come from my work on Steemit.

I had to sleep over a more in depth answer to this comment, don't hold it against me, the old Commodore 64 on my shoulders is not as high speed as it used to be!

I agree with you, when we talk about Crypto we are automatically talking about the technology that makes it possible, hence when we use the term Crypto as I have we have in fact used it as an all inclusive package that includes "blockchain technology".

The topic that I addressed is more so concentrating on the "parallel economy" that we call Crypto.

No matter how we represent it, Crypto is in fact a parallel form of economy that runs side by side with FIAT.

So it is this parallel economy that makes it possible to achieve the things we haven't achieved to date.

No matter what the technological advances might be in this parallel economy.

In less than a decade I wouldn't be surprised if the technology behind Crypto is nothing remotely close to what it is today, yet Crypto will still be here.

I hope that this helps in clarifying my post and the angle from which I used the term Crypto.

Thanks for taking the time to write a considered reply. I appreciate it.

Im interested more in useing the underlying tech for good because I reckon that all the time crypto is viewed as a currency, we will fall into the same trap we have with fiat currencies.

The potential is there.

As with any and all changes through the course of history it shall take time.

Yeah man we have a nasty human condition. Success and control. We are working hard at what we do so we can succeed. This means that we might be free to post and to collect. Even if governments stepped out of the way and let crypto go it would only be a matter of time before someone inside the cryptoworld regulated it. Once we have enough skin in the game we want to ensure nothing adverse happens! Boom, more control and regulation. @freedompoint

Beep! Beep! This humvee will be patrolling by and assisting new veterans, retirees, and military members here on Steem. @shadow3scalpel will help by upvoting posts from a list of members maintained by @chairborne and responding to any questions replied to this comment.

1-Has the introduction of Crypto changed any of the morals on this planet?
2-Has it been used to solve the violence in this world?
3-Has it been used to reduce poverty on national, continental or international levels?

The answer is NO to all of three of these questions.

I would counter here with "not yet" in any meaningful sense outside the realm of technology and economics. This book (The Age of Cryptocurrency) does a wonderful job outlining some current changes that are happening as well as proposed ideas for future ideas and how the cryptocurrency revolution will help solve a lot of real, tangible problems. I'd highly recommend listening!

I also have to pitch my idea here that will utilize cryptocurrency from for creating real currency based on positive impacts made on society. It touches on many of the lackluster changing features of cryptocurrency today and I believe will have many positive impacts not only on morals (or at least those that are exuded), will drive down crime and related violence as the amount of crime directly related to financial motiviation is enormous, and it will also serve to reduce poverty on an international basis for those willing to put forth the effort to do the things we all learned were the way to live - exude kindness, be trustworthy, take care of the environment, and be a good neighbor, among many other things.

I've actually just posted this 10 minute video on my Dtube channel that quickly outlines the idea itself and how I've laid it out so far. I would love if you could check it out and let me know what you think!

I also have links for the idea written down in a summarized form here as well as additional motivation for the idea here.

I have to say I agree with the sentiment of this article in that cryptocurrency hasn't made any "change" in terms of our basic humanity. We are all distracted by trying to guess when the next bull rush or correction or whoosee what's it is going to happen so we can make a million dollars and go live on our island somewhere, but the fact of the matter is that cryptocurrency and the advent of the decentralized blockchain will bring a real change to humanity unlike anything in the last 500 - 1,000 years.

For the first time in human history, on a grand scale, the common man is control (to some degree currently, this scale of control will increase as better solution are created) of the way in which they create their value. For example, just look at Sweatcoin - theoretically, it would be possible that you would earn a living just walking. Obviously, this premise alone won't suffice, but that idea is going in the right direction. Imagine applying that concept to exuding great morals, helping your neighbor, helping the environment, doing things that will improve your community. You won't be paid by any corporation, you will be paid by a blockchain (or something similar) and no one will be able to shut it down. If these claims sound too grandiose or you don't see how I'm connecting these dots, please let me know. The change that is coming is very real, and it is going to be a wonderful change. We just have to be the innovators that create these beautiful systems. Steemit is a great start and we've got a long way to go!

It again all boils down to the middle class taking the necessary actions and steps to fixing this world inequality.

I have concluded that what you are saying is possible, but that it depends on the people who are the masses and who know what it means to make a living and secure a decent life for ones family. The middle class people of today in the Western world can use Crypto to help secure the future of humans all over the world.

I am looking reality in the eye, no fantastic theories, but cold hard reality as to who, how and with what tools.

I have concluded that what you are saying is possible, but that it depends on the people who are the masses and who know what it means to make a living and secure a decent life for ones family.

The masses begin with the few. You and I, our friends, our families - we can be that few! Like you said, positive change doesn't spontaneously occur. We must be creative enough to peacefully bring it among ourselves.

I am looking reality in the eye, no fantastic theories, but cold hard reality as to who, how and with what tools.

Can you point out if I'm using any fantastic theory - as I certainly don't intend to be doing so.

The "masses" in the context that I used the word equates to "The Majority", the driving force behind the success of the Western nations. In this case I clearly stated that I am referring to the middle or working class as the driving force that can make a real difference.

Not only because of the number of people that this class encompasses, but also because the middle/working class know and understand first hand what securing a future for their children means.

It again all boils down to the middle class taking the necessary actions and steps to fixing this world inequality.

What steps are you taking to fixing the world inequality? Change starts small. Bitcoin's value association started with 100 or so people in a chat room where one guy asked if someone could buy him a pizza.

All ideas when discussed become ideas that are being shared and then "chewed on" by different individual minds that see things from angles that others can't.

As far as asking me as to "What I am doing?" how about you try and see this post as a "seed" a seed that shall get people thinking about some of the faults that our reality of life on this planet has.

I again stress that it was the middle class that made all the western nations great and it is the middle class that has results to show.

So it is logical that the middle class are the people who can make change happen.

And as for the corrupt parts of this world where just about “anything goes” well, I don’t like to talk about mentalities that allow people to do just about anything to other people just to get what they want. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many societies out there on this planet of ours.

So, Has the morality changed since technology has given people the opportunity to become independent via the new technologies offered and made available to them?

Unfortunately, looking at it on a global and on national scales the answer is NO.

Currently, the game being played on a global scale allows for those that are most able and willing to take advantage of their situation to climb some corporate ladder to reap the largest rewards. Cryptocurrency will be the power the people use to play this game now. We have an entire new superpower. Just because it isn't being utilized yet does not mean the power does not exist.

Please listen to my Dtube video on my idea and you will see that the possibility is very real that we can make an enormous positive difference on the world using this technology.

Watched the video, your heart is definitely in the right place, but paying people to be good people is not necessarily the best approach and that is what your idea leads to.

Looking at things on a national or even local level your idea could be put into practice as described in your short video. However on an international level, we need to understand that entire cultures and nations have over the decades and in some cases over centuries included corruption as a "norm" of life and society.

These are not easy to weed out!

This is why I put such an emphasis on education.

paying people to be good people is not necessarily the best approach

I have a few questions that stem from that:

  1. What do you feel is the best approach? Has that approach been tried?
  2. What are people currently being paid to do?
  3. What should we pay people to do?
  4. Why do you feel this isn't the best approach?
  1. IDK, What I do know is that people need to want to help others, not to be mercenaries.

  2. To be productive.

  3. To produce what is needed for a) the survival of the human species and b) better quality of life.

  4. Morality can not be bought with any gold or silver or any other currency.

IDK, What I do know is that people need to want to help others, not to be mercenaries.

I never suggested people be mercenaries. Mercenaries seek money at the expense of ethics, not at its benefit. Key difference there in my opinion.

To be productive.

Do you feel that productivity is measured with any kind of accuracy?

To produce what is needed for a) the survival of the human species and b) better quality of life.

Do you notice the gap between 2 and 3 and how that leads to a problem that needs to be solved? That's exactly where my idea fits in.

Morality can not be bought with any gold or silver or any other currency.

I'm not attempting to allow the purchase of morality. However, I often ponder this question: "Is a good thing done for a reason other than being good necessarily a bad thing?" AND would the system I'm proposing be an improvement at all on the current system?

You obviously believe that everything and everyone has a price.

I don't.

Likewise, a paid job is a paid job, those that don't care about their job and the people they work with are useless and waste of time and money.

As far as morality and ethics go, figure it out, neither can be bought/paid for.

Buying good deeds, possible, once the next offer comes in then you don't get a traitor who shall easily serve evil.

Why?

Because goodness can not be purchased in a can like a Coke or Fata can.

Face death, face evil, face immorality in the eye and then tell me what is good and what is evil.

As per your point about the gap between a and b.

No, they go hand in hand.

a) we have to do what is necessary to ensure the survival of our species.
b) the more we work at it the better the quality of life gets as our efforts produce enough to survive and then to better the processes so as to ensure the future.

You can never convince me that humans can be made good by buying their goodness, paying for it. That is in itself an outright contradiction in itself.

What we see being invested in “Helping these less fortunate people” and into “immigration from less fortunate parts of this world” is just not enough and it definitely isn’t going to change anything!
ZERO! NOTHING!

My idea can and will change that.

"One way to judge a society is how it treats it disabled and downtrodden" - Ghandi (different phrasing)

Currently, we don't promote the help of homeless, less fortunate, poor, and simply unlucky of us who weren't born into the situations we were lucky enough to be born in to. The technology gives us a way to agree on what's good and promote that not only philosophically, but economically as well.

"The technology gives us a way to agree on what's good and promote that not only philosophically, but economically as well."

True dat.

Well, for one thing, no matter how we try to justify things or look at things, we have to accept reality in order to help change the things that are “just not right” within it.

Or, we can keep trying to convince ourselves that things are going to change on their own, that it shall magically happen without anyone addressing it.

The latter is obviously not going to happen. YOU, ME and WHOEVER ELSE WANTS TO JOIN need to assume the responsibility of trying to make a positive change. Positive change simply won't occur spontaneously. It needs a driving force. You have pointed out great points regarding the lack of change that anything has brought in the last 10 years. Let's make suggestions and create solutions together! Let's be the change we want to see in the world.

Decentralized means that there is no leader, people need to want to do the right thing by others.

Not to be "told" or "paid" to do the right thing.

Otherwise, it is all worthless, morality doesn't change by paying someone to "pretend" to be something that they are not.

Reading the headlines out there on various sites I have noticed huge differences in how “governments” national representatives in power approach the concept of Crypto.

In my opinion, this is something that is unavoidable. Governments (especially greedy ones) are going to try and bastardize cryptocurrencies into something like property so they can make money off of them. There are lots of arguments back and forth here about whether or not that is fair, but I'm going to pass over them now and just take the fact that, if there's money to be made off a venture in 2018, a majority of governments will attempt to tax it. That's just something that we're going to have to live with. I've got some interesting ideas worth exploring to go back and forth with that, but I'll leave them for a later, more relevant post.

This also reflects a majority of the news about cryptocurrency. Not because of a vicious, conspiratorial main stream media that's vehemently opposed to innovation, but really because there isn't much of it. I think projects such as Cardano are working to solve the tough problems to truly become a viable solution in the currency exchange world, and I think they also are preparing for inevitable change in a completely organized way, but it is still up to us to come up with those ideas that are going to be innovative.

As the ratio of people droning on about speculating on the price of cryptocurrency begins to slow with respect to the people using pure innovation to create beautiful new socioeconomic structures decreases, we will begin to see a different dialog surrounding all of cryptocurrency.

You are touching on the current microns of people using Crypto. Hence there is a great opportunity to open peoples minds up to different views on how all Crypto can be utilized.

Exactly! And what better way than to show them a tangible and positive movement behind blockchain technology?!

Votes me pliss

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