TD₿: Four Horseman (a documentary) by Renegade, Inc
TL;DR We are living in the Age of Decadence which historically has been the final stage of an empire before its decline.
Hey Bitcoiners,
Since World War II, we have been living through the age of the American Empire. Throughout the years, the U.S. has built the largest military, created a powerful industry, was at the forefront of innovation, amassed great wealth, and exerted that dominance on the rest of the world. It’s been a good run.
However, the reality is all empires eventually end. There is a natural entropy to them. Over time, empires rise, degrade, and eventually fall into chaos and fail. Many Americans have not yet grasped the possibility of the end of America’s supremacy.
Perhaps a question every American should ask themselves is, are we already living through the fall of the American Empire?
In his career, British historian Sir John Bagot Glubb researched the rise and fall of empires and found common traits among them. One takeaway from his work is right before the fall of an empire, every single one of them experienced a period termed the “Age of Decadence.”
Here are some common traits found in the Age of Decadence:
excessive displays of wealth
a large, undisciplined military
a massive disparity between the rich and the poor
the obsession with material goods and sex
the idolization of fashion designers, chefs, and entertainers
a large cohort of consumers depend on the State
the debasement of the currency
It’s hard to read the bullet points above and not immediately think of our society today.
We used to look up to scientists, writers, mathematicians, inventors, and engineers like Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Now people fawn over the Guy Fieri’s and Kim Kardashian’s of the world. Our society is obsessed with who has the best cars, jewelry, and mansions, all while a large cohort of the population is dependent on the State for basic necessities.
With all the resources and technology at our disposal today, how have we developed a system of economics and governance that serves the few at the expense of the wealthy? We live in an age of abundance at a time of extreme wealth and income inequality.
Some would argue greed and corruption are the fundamental ingredients of the flawed system we have that siphons off wealth to the few at the expense of the many. Others would point to the easy money we have as the main culprit. Regardless, I think it’s safe to say that our current monetary system is not working for the majority of people.
This quote comes to mind:
The beauty of Bitcoin is that it turns the destructive nature of greed that results in debasement and inequality in the old system, and makes it productive and enhancing in the new system.
Four Horsemen is an award-winning documentary that features some great interviews (including Mr. Max Keiser himself) that delves into these topics. I consider this a must-watch film. (09/13/2013)
Bitcoin is a new alternative to a system that appears to be in its final stages. I would argue it is the only functional, viable alternative system we have today.
Bitcoin offers hope to an America that’s drowning in its own decadence.
Tick tock next block,
Cory Klippsten
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Meme of the Day
I knew our systems and institutions were a fraud but golly.(I say golly so I don’t cuss). Thank you so so much for sharing that truth. I watched it twice.
Excellent documentary - Four Horsemen.