Unless you have been organge-pilled, purchasing a cryptocurrency or Bitcoin seems ludicrous. If you do not do your own research (DYOR), the fear uncertainty and doubt (FUD) of the bear market, mainstream media, is sure to take you down. In the bear, altcoins lose 90-95% of their value, and this is expected, normal! And the Bitcoin also dumps (this bear its moved from the all-time high of 69K to a paltry 16K, circa 23K at writing)*.
And all of this volatility, is to be expected.
So why do we orange-pilled folk proceed? Why keep playing here in the crypto-verse when it is clearly so uncertain, versatile, unregulated and risky?
Answer: I have a why.
If you have a why, you can withstand almost any bear or FUD, because you expect volatility as the price of admission AND you have a why.
For example, I continue to invest in and play Splinterlands, the play-to-earn or play-to-own modeled game on the Hive blockchain. My investment has decreased significantly over the past year. And, I know full well that the value of my investment will return and then some. How do I know this? I don't know for certain, but I do believe that it will because I know there is a cycle to crypto, and right now SPS is in the altcoin sewer- right where it is supposed to be. And, there's plenty of black swans, Mt. Goxes, FTX-SBF's and FUD to go around. These are just the nightthings we see, but they are phantoms.
The rhythm of crypto is just doing what she does, like the phases of the moon. Sit tight, she will shine brightly again. If you have a why, it is a heck of a lot easier to overlook the bear FUD, continue to invest, stake and HODL.
Question: So what's your why?
Answer: Quite quite simply, I believe in the values - the basic tenants of this de-centralized system and what this could mean for mankind. This would sound a bit silly to the casual observer, considering I am discussing a game, but it is far more profound than a game. I am supporting and attracted to the philosophical values of the crypto and WEB3 worlds that are being actualized - lived and practiced in real-time here. Splinterlands is just one such WEB3 community that I happened to find in tumbling down the crytpo rabbit hole. The creators are deeply bought into WEB3 ethos, and I love it here and want it to stay.
And that is why I keep coming back; it is my alignment with the ethos of the community, the values it stands for an what is it trying to create!
Here are just a handful of these values. Let's start with five key philosophical values guiding WEB3:
Decentralization: The main idea behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrency is that it is decentralized, meaning that it operates independently of a central authority like the government or corporation. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger- the blockchain- and verified by a network of computers rather than a single entity like a bank.
Censorship resistance: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are designed to resist censorship, meaning that transactions cannot be blocked or reversed by a central authority. This allows for more freedom and autonomy in financial transactions. The blockchain doesn't lie; transactions that have occurred are recorded permanently and cannot be deleted.
Privacy: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer more privacy than traditional financial systems. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger, but the identity of the parties involved is not revealed. This allows for more anonymity and control over personal information. Some argue that things like the ENS Ethereum naming system jeopardize this by making people's transactions more easily identifiable or visible, however this choice is solely granted to the autonomous individual not to a corporation or other authority making decisions on their data.
Autonomy: Autonomy is the ability to have self-governance and self-sovereignty. In WEB3, individuals can take control of their own digital identities and assets, as well as the ability to participate in decentralized decision-making processes. This allows for greater freedom and empowerment for individuals and communities.
- Financial Inclusion: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can provide financial services to the unbanked or underbanked, allowing them to participate in the global economy. This is a huge deal. If you care about equalizing opportunities for all human beings across the globe, you will likely vibe with this ethos. For example, Cardano creator (ADA is their primary coin) Charles Hoskinson have led the charge to bring this technology to these populations as one of their first objectives by making money transfers more accessible to those in other countries. Before this, the fees charged by centralized entities were gauging those less fortunate. It would cost someone over $20 to send a family member $10. WEB3 makes money more accessible and aims to provide access to financial and other services to individuals who may not have had access to them before, such as individuals in developing countries or unbanked individuals.
These values are reflected in various Web3 projects, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized social networks, and decentralized play-to-own gaming, like Splinterlands. The goal of Web3 is to create a more open, decentralized, and equitable internet for all.
Does this way of thinking light up anything within you?
Does it fit with your moral compass, values, or ideals?
Suppose you can give yourself even five minutes of undisturbed time. In that case, this contemplative WEB3 meditation is one way to come into conscious contact with the decentralized community's core values and consider whether these values align with the world you would like to live in. Do they fit with your ethos?
Here is a simple meditation exercise that you can use to imagine and try on the value of decentralization:
Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit where you will not be disturbed. You can also lie down flat. Keep your spine straight, relaxed, and gently held upright if you use a sitting posture.
Begin by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths in and out.
As you exhale, imagine yourself letting go of any stress or tension in your body. Release anything going on right now; shelve it. When you are finished here, you can pick up those worries. For now, let that shit go.
Imagine a society with no centralized authority, no authority or corporation controlling the flow of information or the distribution of resources and access to money. The banks are relics.
Imagine now that, within this society, everyone has a voice and can participate in decision-making, regardless of their background or status. Are you truly comfortable with sharing this access? Notice how you feel when imagining this.
Now imagine too that you are entirely in control of your own money; you hold your Keys to your digital wealth, it's easily transportable, you no longer pay bank fees to withdraw it, and the government has no access to your money unless you condone this, you are in complete control of the when where and how of it. And best of all, the gatekeepers of today, the financial system and bankers, no longer control who will be given credit and access to larger pools of resources and money. Additionally, you earn rewards from staking your money in communities you believe in; it is no longer earning a paltry .05% in a bank somewhere while you pay off outrageous credit cards from these same banks loaning out other people's stores of cash at 28% APR, etc. Instead, the wealth on such things is more evenly distributed across members of this community system.
At the same time, remember and consider that there is also no ultimate authority; decentralization means you are ultimately accepting complete and total responsibility for your choices and crypto. You are the KEY HOLDER. And if you forget your password or keyword phrase or misplace or lose your keys, they may be unrecoverable. How does this land with you imagining this responsibility and accountability you will hold yourself? Is this tolerable, or does it feel like too significant a burden? Just notice how this feels in your body; notice if it gels with you.
Hold this vision in your mind for a few minutes, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the idea of a decentralized world, noticing your response to the ideas...a resonance with or resistance to such a reality.
Take one last deep breath and slowly open your eyes, feeling refreshed and energized by your visualization.
You can continue this exercise for as long as you like and adjust the content to make it more personal. This is meant to assist you in knowing yourself more thoroughly. The exercise is your meditation; you can make it as straightforward or detailed as you like.
Thanks for reading
Posted using Splintertalk