Bitcoin is a Pioneer Species with Brandon Quittem

 
 

Where to find the show

Download Episode MP3 File
The file will open in a new window. Click down arrow to download the file.

“Bitcoin mining is everything you don’t understand about energy, combined with everything you don’t understand about Bitcoin.”
— Brandon Quittem

SHOW DESCRIPTION

Brandon Quittem is a writer and Communications Director for Swan Bitcoin. In this interview, we discuss his latest article: ‘Bitcoin is a Pioneer Species’, where he compares Bitcoin miners to species that settle and populate barren landscapes triggering the development of more advanced ecosystems.

- - - -

The acceptance of Bitcoin is an acceptance of the need for continuous education and receptivity. This past year has shown why: Bitcoin mining has been transformed from being a critical but specific cog in the often misunderstood Proof of Work protocol to a tool with the potential to transform the global energy industry. Nobody foresaw this.

Going down the rabbit hole now involves gaining knowledge of energy systems: production methods, grids, distribution networks, batteries, energy economics etc. This knowledge is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that the veil of ignorance is lifted on this vital industry showing politicians are driving blind with their policy decisions. A curse in that those sceptical that Bitcoin can change finance, are now incredulous when we state it can transform energy too.

But the logic is clear. Bitcoin can harness electrical energy anywhere in the world. In doing so it can facilitate and thereby fast-track the build-out of energy in isolated environments, becoming a bridge for costly downstream investment needed to connect such sources to a grid. All of this without any need for a state subsidy, or international coordination.

Bitcoin can therefore revitalise existing populations: currently, a billion people don’t have access to electricity. Imagine what benefits could be brought by integrating these people into the digital economy. Bitcoin mining can also be the pioneer species for previously uninhabited areas of the planet. It can take barren areas and provide the economic basis from which further development can grow. Contemplating that should make it clear: we’re still so very early!

TIMESTAMPS

00:01:46: Introductions and Pacific Bitcoin Conference 2022
00:09:49: Mastering energy
00:18:25: Global warming and climate change
00:29:28: Bitcoin is a Pioneer Species
00:40:52: Excessive energy costs in the UK and Europe
00:48:16: The Fourth Turning
00:53:42: Energy myths and misconceptions
00:59:02: The transition from fossil fuels to nuclear
01:01:53: Climate hysteria, and deflationary money
01:13:32: Proof of work, and hodling vs spending Bitcoin
01:24:55: Bitcoin mining and energy symbiosis
01:30:18: Early adopters
01:33:54: Parallel societies vs megacities
01:38:40: Bitcoin's moral imperative
01:42:54: Final comments

 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you enjoy The What Bitcoin Did Podcast you can help support the show by doing the following:

If you are interested in sponsoring the show, you can read more about that here or please feel free to drop me an email to discuss options.

SPONSORS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SHOW NOTES

Connect with Brandon:

Mentioned in the interview:

Other Relevant WBD Podcasts:

PodcastPeter McCormack