One night recently, I was writing 4 apps someone asked me to program for them. With 3 of them done and little going on, I decided to complete the fourth one for the person. So, I was in the middle of writing the last app for the person and I heard “What’s Bitcoin?” loudly behind me.
Really quick let me give you a brief insight into myself. First, I have had ADHD all my life. That isn’t “Just Saying” I have it, my official last test score was 137 which is on the very extreme case of ADHD. Point being, I must have at least one TV on and my 317 GB music drive playing while programming on 8 different monitors. Secondly, bitcoin and Blockchain are my life every second of every day since my first encounter with both November 2009. Most know that about me and I apologize for those who are reading that about me again, however, I just wanted to inform anyone who does not know that. Plus it plays a role in what I’m writing about.
Back to the point. Anytime I hear “What’s Bitcoin?” It sparks a great deal of interest to me. Especially when it comes from a movie or anything on Television. Why? Because I want to see 1) what context is being used to describe bitcoin, 2) how accurate the movie or reporters are in using bitcoin in the subject matter, 3) what they are trying to sadly make us extremely early adopters relive, and hopefully, 4) a proper, truthful, eye opening account of what bitcoin and Blockchain can/will do to improve every area of everyday life for the general public. Simply put about point 4, I am hoping to see a major media outlet or movie show the general public the amazing possibilities of both technologies, accurately, truthfully and in an unbiased manner.
When I heard those two words, I could not tell you what was on or even the word spoken prior to those words. Of course my attention immediately diverted to the screen behind me in my office and simply restarted the movie. Prior to this event, I had seen the title of the movie and had absolutely no interest in watching it. I do not agree with the premise for which the “Dark Web” has branched off and become. It never was for illegal activities, Cyber Security destroyers or for that matter Bitcoin. It was simply started to provide anonymity for users who valued their privacy. So, the fact the movie writers inference bitcoin and the “Dark Web” together is undoubtably the worst uneducated misrepresentation I’ve seen. Consider this, that misrepresentation would Criminal Corporate Defamation IF bitcoin was a closed source system owned by one entity.
I haven’t even gotten into the movie’s horrible gross negligence to this point so far. I have described only hearing the word “bitcoin” used in the movie titled Unfriended: Dark Web. Interestingly enough, “Unfriended” is a Facebook term and that is curiously the second problem with the title and the movie context. Yes I know they the whole movie was filmed using Facebook Video Messenger, but look beyond that obvious point to see why I said that comment. It should be pretty easy to see the conflicting issues.
As I begin to watch the movie, struggling to keep my attention from anything but the movie, Finally the part I heard comes up. I would bet anything that the writers were one and done users of bitcoin. That most likely had $50 of bitcoin stolen from a 4 character password protected account or wallet. The same 4 character password that they use for each and everything they need a password for, or again Gross Negligence of their safety. So, they decided to group the #3 and #1 greatest technologies of my generation with one of the worst internet branched ideas, plus murder and torture.(I was born in 1979 and yes I said Blockchain is greater than the Internet’s development) Ignoring my side note, What the hell does bitcoin and Blockchain have to do with deviant, sick human conditions? Nothing!! How the hell did they use the branded Blockchain name and company without serious blowback from Blockchain, the Company?? To that I cannot give a remotely sane answer or idea.
My interests were spiked instantly once bitcoin entered the movie. But in no way were my interests from approval from the writers smear campaign against bitcoin and probably their Blockchain wallet that held their bitcoin I assumed was hacked. I thought it was interesting that Matias was a programmer, portrayed, and had no real idea what bitcoin was himself. However, he sure knew how to spell Ethereum without flinching. Personally, if this terrible movie was linked to Ethereum, you would not be reading my ramblings. That is quite public my view point on Ethereum and the nightmares know as ERC’s have and continue to cause the world of Crypto, so I’ll spare you that.
Besides the defamatory use of both bitcoin and Blockchain, I have many issues within the movie that borderline right against pure negligence. For another time maybe. I understand movies are movies, meaning what you see isn’t real life. Even true story movies are mostly false representations of the truth. When a movie like this one in particular spotlights something, bitcoin in this case as the main plot changing point in a manner that is so falsely represented, something must be said. I’m all for imaginative movies and ideas but that’s what they must be, not real or real things used in a completely malicious way. I said bitcoin and Blockchain are my life so this hit me wrong on every level. Growth of bitcoin and Blockchain uncapitalized is still new and not past the breaking point. As much as I would like it to be and have thought it was about 6 times now. Then something like this comes out and from my extensive knowledge of bitcoin and it’s growth, the people that never used bitcoin but wanted to before seeing this abomination, 44% of them will never use bitcoin. The only salvation is that the movie is terrible and in movie numbers, it was only seen by a very small number of people, again by movie standards.
I know I did not say anything close to what I felt like saying but I hope my point was made.