Episode 63: Bitcoin and Cyber-libertarianism—Interview with David Golumbia

Brendan and Andrew interview David Golumbia, author of The Politics of Bitcoin: Software as Right-Wing Extremism. Much of the discussion focuses on cyber-libertarianism: its peculiar conception of freedom, its extremist ideas, and how the rise of Bitcoin has led to the mainstreaming of cyber-libertarian ideology. David argues that many Bitcoin enthusiasts who do not regard themselves as ideological, have imbibed much of the cyber-libertarian outlook and vocabulary. He and the co-hosts also discuss what Bitcoin is, whether it is (or can become) money, whether it is decentralized, and whether one needs to understand the fine points of blockchain technology in order to discuss Bitcoin intelligently. And David fact-checks and theory-checks a good deal of the nonsense said about Bitcoin.

 
The episode’s current-events segment is on the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign’s statement of solidarity with the people of Ukraine against Russian imperialism.

 
Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by MHI, but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.

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