Bitcoin, a 30,000ft View with Jeff Booth & Alex Gladstein

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Jeff Booth is the Author of The Price of Tomorrow & General Partner at Ego Death Capital and Alex Gladstein is Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation. In this interview, we discuss the devastating effects of currency devaluation, the systemic issues of exploitation, debt, and inequality, and the potential of Bitcoin to provide economic hope and empowerment.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:10:14 Modern monetary slavery
00:21:54 IMF profit & global insolvency
00:29:25 Bitcoin vs cyclical oppression
00:39:52 El Salvador, Argentina, & Africa
00:49:58 Mining; volatility; transition
00:54:45 Debt; bitcoinisation, building the future
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#Bitcoin #Finance #Economics
****
“Imagine if it was a democratic process…and the government went to the people and said ‘hey who wants a 44% reduction in their purchasing power next Wednesday?’ Zero people would raise their hands obviously…devaluations can never be democratic; but the economic part of it is the hidden repression - this is the part they always hide from you.”
- Alex Gladstein
Jeff Booth is the Author of The Price of Tomorrow & CEO/Chairman of Ego Death Capital and Alex Gladstein is Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation. In this interview, we discuss the devastating effects of currency devaluation, the systemic issues of exploitation, debt, and inequality, and the potential of Bitcoin to provide economic hope and empowerment.
- - - -
In mid-November, the Malawian government announced a sharp devaluation of its currency, which resulted in instant price increases for commodities such as fuel and electricity of 40%. This has devastating effects on people already struggling to make ends meet. To add further insult, there is a serious lack of transparency in the process. The injustice of the situation is glaring, with no one held accountable for the harm caused by the devaluation.
Our conversation touched on the hidden nature of modern-day slavery disguised as economics. We highlighted how the West's living standards are based on stealing resources and exploiting cheap labour from countries like Malawi. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plays a role in ensuring cheap goods for the West, but their public statements focus on stabilising the world and reducing poverty.
We also discussed the issue of wages in sub-Saharan African countries, which have not recovered from their peak in the 1970s. The impact of debt and interest payments on these countries' budgets is ruinous, with a significant percentage of their annual budget going towards paying off debt. The entire global economic system is based on theft, and the uncomfortable truth is that the rate of theft influences economic conditions in the West.
Bitcoin, as a decentralised system, reveals the truth about what is happening in the world. Bitcoin allows individuals to protect themselves from devaluation and move into a system that doesn't constantly steal their wages. We were fortunate to see how Bitcoin can bring positive change to countries like Malawi, where Bitcoin mining is enabling a remote village to utilise hydro energy to power the village and generate income.

[@Abstratica]

Peter and Danny - This is one of the most impactful interviews you've done. Thank you.

[@fredjohnston7022]

Everything said here has been said before, but everyone is becoming more direct about it. It's finally sinking in. Fiat is a control tool by the Elites (sounds like a conspiracy theory but the control valve was figured out thousands of years ago while clipping coins and its only been since Bitcoin we, the people, have a way to escape the slavery. Gold never worked because it was ALWAYS used as a way to settle the slaves - then it was slowly eroded in favor of the Elites.

[@janrothen]

Definitely the most important WBD interview of 2023.

[@Tonyous]

I emphatically agree!!

[@JB026]

Jeff always gets a like, Alex is a plus

[@breadandcircuses321]

“Currency devaluation is a crime” and remember Jeff in past said “CBDCs are surveillance disguised as money”

[@BTC_Reef]

Jeff and Alex are probably my favorite guests!

[@janrothen]

The most important WBD interview of 2023.

[@jkg466]

I have to say, despite the noise, it's nice to watch and listen to them discussing on a flight. It feels like you are sitting there with them

[@moralhazard1]

"Currency devaluation is happening all over the globe, it's just different rates of theft" 💯 Jeff is the GOAT!

[@MarcBitcoin]

That must be the best video about Bitcoin I have watched in a lonnnnggg time! So frustrating but so good to remember we came into Bitcoin out of greed but stayed for the revolution! Love you guys!

[@christinewillis7545]

Danny, Peter, Alex, Jeff - your passion to help people adopt Bitcoin anywhere in the world is like a contagion. Catching on everywhere and there's no antidote. BIS, IMF, WB, UN - can't stop this. They are dying and they don't know it yet. BTC marches on - from the bottom up. Thank you for empowering, enabling and educating.

[@michaeldunworth2194]

This was brilliant! Wow! Wildly informative, and such a novel setting! This is proof of work, literally in the country observing it all. Crazy!

[@williamcatt5570]

I see Jeff and Alex and immediately hit like.

[@RalphStriewski]

Wow - love that chat! Made me almost crying for anger and rage. Imagine not having bitcoin and decentralized networks like Nostr.

[@shakenbake6303]

Jeff is the man! #Bitcoin Only!!!

[@johnp21M]

That was excellent. Well done guys.

[@ibukunoluwaeweje6655]

Great job Peter & Danny!

[@jimnichols5584]

So much signal and hope at 30,000ft. Thanks.

[@TheRealDerekS]

Cleaning the audio at that elevation and with the unbelievable background noise mid flight... I applaud the endeavor. Everytime Jeff breaks things down to their basic reality, I am blown away... he is like a new age Socrates... there is none wiser in the land than jeff booth!

[@AllNighterHeider]

Love the glass half full perspective. I too appreciated being able to hear understand rather than complain about the extra noise.

[@jackwatts5204]

Good title and good original/new content. Thank you.

[@IloveDrMartens]

I see Jeff Booth I click play

[@TimHoekstra]

Taking podcasting to new heights 😆

[@tbone8737]

Outstanding podcast Peter.

[@stanleynnaemekaorajiaka8109]

I need to read a book written by Alex Gladstein.

[@adiintel1]

Fantastic book goes down another part of the rabbit 🐇 hole. " Check your financial privilege "

[@byronhambly]

"Hidden Repression: How the IMF and World Bank Sell Exploitation as Development" by Alex Gladstein

[@Cronus6]

Check your financial privilege is amazing. The IMF and world bank book is on its way

[@REZZA2020]

They were called Modernisation or 'structural adjustment' loans and issued by the IMF to third world nations. Subsequently IMF and World Bank would in-debit small Nation States to exploit for cheap labour. It is a form of European economic-colonialism. Part of 6 years of my life studying BSW. They were culturally devastating recasting tribes and local culture into persons residing in 'poverty'. Modernisation programs are about establishing factories within localities with cheap exploitable labor for the capitalist-production of goods for export via Western Multinational corporations. In short, IMF come in, promise the world, promise increased quality of living and "modernisation" instead turn these small nation into slave labor-factories

[@toncoppens3962]

Everybody should see this. If you are new to BTC and Jeff is to blurry for you, you should study him. If you do everything happening in the world makes a lot more sense.

[@_ben_sisko]

This is the best WBD episode ever - Wakanda Forever 🥰

[@MarkMcelligottPeaches]

Geoff and Alex need to write up the steps for everyone watching this to use to store their wealth and how to exchange their wealth outside of the USD financial system. This is a must for all Bitcoin evangelists.

[@MikeStillUK]

Listen to the whole thing it’s well worth it, you get used to the background noise.

[@HIPN0T1ZE]

33:50 conversation about Bitcoin starts. But you should listen from the beginning it's informative.

[@AllNighterHeider]

Absolutely great content!!! And mostly constructive and positive comments. What a community 👍 Thanks dudes

[@lastnamefirstname2390]

These are my favorite 2 Bitcoiners. Insightful and wise. They understand the corruption and theft inherent to the system.

[@richardcasey4439]

Excellent discussion

[@Throbbing_Erectionist]

Legends.

[@donmurray5860]

great pod...nice work!

[@EdCross]

This was great! Thanks guys

[@off-roadingcars]

Love it! I woke up to this great episode!

[@dongeorge3441]

As I do my fiat thing here in sleepy Edmonton Canada (and convert it to BTC as fast as I'm able), it takes shows like this to keep me motivated that the world is changing and fast. Well done Gentlemen. 👊👊

[@MarkMcelligottPeaches]

Sorry Jeff, I should have spelt your name correctly. You presented a very easy way of understanding macro financial processing from a fiat and then Bitcoin perspective. Thank you.

[@nfabiao]

Two incredibly intelligent men were interviewed by a genuinely curious host!

[@e350mn]

I now understand how the United States and other wealthy countries have extracted the economic energy of so many human beings around the world. Makes me sad and now mad.

[@zpatrik]

Amazing episode guys ❤

[@mareksbi6531]

Always a pleasure listening to Jeff and Alex

[@keepitreal829]

Awesome talk thanks so much.

[@jordan_BTC]

Jeff booth!!!!

[@CowboyInTheJungle21]

This is a good one boys! Great work.

[@lukebaker8263]

Buy bitcoin

[@adiintel1]

Will do.

[@seandarrah828]

This was very heart lifting… Thank you guys!

[@keithmckenzie5593]

Another great episode. Bravo.

[@richbirecki]

I listen to Jeff Booth always. What would Jeff do?

[@btdoe3259]

To escape the local tyrannical ruler has been the game for thousands of years 😮

[@Nackoo20004]

This is why Bitcoin only

[@Lucolabang]

Wonderful show/ Weird opening seatbelt shot ;))

[@thecandleman5129]

brilliant discussion to peace a lot of knowledge together !!!!!!

[@jingmu1289]

You guys are amazing 👍

[@TheBitcoinRevolution]

Wild! Love all the guys.

[@Tonyous]

Man, i am so bummed i watched this incredible content so late! I am gonna share the Hell out of this one. Well done lads, well done!

[@raymondgill9796]

Really interesting and insightful. Two questions arise. If competition will drive prices down to the marginal cost of production won't it drive wages down to subsistence levels too? And the other question I pose to all free marketeers. Surely in a free market there are no immigration controls or borders?

[@bitcoinpoemspro1406]

Excellent

[@seanmcgrattan1845]

Did you guys just orange pill the entire plane?

[@georgemcnaughton7839]

Yes sir yes sir

[@alexispolicarpio903]

Where can I see a video of the bitcoin mining site they are talking about?

[@EvanMaddox22]

Any footage of the Malawi trip?

[@altaccount4590]

😊great ideas and conversation! some math: $400T in debt worldwide divided by 8b people is $50,000 dept per person. Its a lot but its not that huge. It’s $100K for half the world. or $200K for the top quarter. Not great but not unmanageable and beyond control, as you seem to claim?

[@CHewittMedia]

52:00: Mate, never stop asking insane questions. Insane maybe to experts who know exactly how these systems work, but those questions are invaluable to newbies.

[@REZZA2020]

Alex Gladstein is doing great work.

[@miropribanic5581]

make this thing big, guys, make it last!

[@azdjedi]

Few. So so few. It's staggering how early we are.

[@user-ed5gv9dp6h]

We want to hear Jeff speak

[@mmhodler5753]

fascinating

[@user-ed5gv9dp6h]

Jeff is the man

[@ChrisvP]

So much hope

[@sageakporherhe783]

Did they rent this flight? Great interview, by the way.

[@thestonemaster81]

Wow that was good

[@bobiq]

Alex, lighten up!

[@P__114]

Incredible

[@ultramurals]

Brilliant

[@wildist]

It's a shame this wasn't in a studio. Surely a plane is one of the worst places to record a podcast.

[@apc4884]

Stop complaining. Maybe it was the only opportunity they had. Something is better than nothing.

[@colecarroll1881]

Those people making $100 a year and you’re completely about plane noise. You’re soft.

[@AllNighterHeider]

I don't see your comment as that negative, more pragmatic than a complaint. I appreciate that they worked with what they had, and I hope someone sitting next to them realized the amazing blessing they had the opportunity to witness.

[@XSurfX]

"We have modern day slavery disguised as economics". 💡

[@Matthew_D]

The way peter said that - I got 100,000 sats says he doesn't reread Price of Tomorrow.

[@bobmccall9725]

Yes Alex - it’s grassroots ❤

[@REZZA2020]

It is absolutely a mirage !

[@Kitsune205]

First interview I've ever seen on a goddamn airplane 🤣

[@bertholdreimann89]

Absolutely phantastic Kontext! Greatful thanks!

[@lookatthetrees7494]

How is a single mining machine hooked to the EV charging station going to be able to get any Bitcoin when it is competing against immense mining facilities for the same Bitcoin ... And with the halving coming along, even harder to get a reward. Can someone explain? Or is it transaction fees they will get and not Bitcoin?

[@emersoncontreras9513]

I use chivo wallet and i have made some money with it and I have used it to buy land and properties 😊

[@hollaera2006]

My God 😮😢 Exploitation of Africacans to this day is utterly disgusting

[@charles-edouardbertrandfab6903]

Can you please remove the high pitch noise coming from the plane in postprod?

[@nacomdt]

Audio a little rough but interesting idea. Good effort, I think orange pill did a plane video maybe hook up with them on tips

[@bryandriscoll4473]

Audio is completely fine to me

[@tomaszg1050]

Ridiculous amount of truth bombs being dropped on this airplane lol

[@thestonemaster81]

Bitcoin is not an investment. It is a transition.

[@joemorgese]

IYKYK

[@MarkMcelligottPeaches]

What is happening to the Malawian citizens is actually happening to all citizens of countries that use the USD to measure its currency. The Austrialian, Canadian, New Zealand,.... citizens are all in the same financial system that the Malawian citizens are in. The middle and upper middle classes of these countries are loosing their financial wealth and economic power to the USD system of the IMF and Federal Reserve. The only way out of this is BITCOIN!!!!!!!!

[@frmcf]

I’m often quite critical of these bitcoin bros and the ‘twitterati’ in general. These people have often made names for themselves just by talking off the top of their heads without a deep knowledge or formal training in their field, and this podcast in particular tends to lap it up mostly quite uncritically. However, Gladstein in particular seems to have done his homework. I know Malawi. I’ve been there multiple times and have friends there, and Gladstein seems to get it. Good discussion overall. I wonder what your fellow passengers thought of it.

[@MarkMcelligottPeaches]

I got to say that the Houthis in Yemen are coming up with an ingenious way of increasing Israel's import costs. Good on the Houthis.

[@adiintel1]

This sounds like Ludwig Von mises what has government done to our money.... im glad satoshi nakamoto came around and invented/discovered BTC. state and money should be separated like what the west did with religion separated it away from state.

[@chevchelios354]

💯👏👏👏👏

[@MarkUllmann12]

Deeply deeply Disturbing

[@TheDustinPeterson]

Great idea BUT…THE AUDIO IS HORRIBLE! Just my .02 sats

[@tierpin]

This is another version of economic hitmen... 2.0.

[@alanseymour1252]

Inflation is not always a (government) crime. Some other uncontrollable forces like inbalances in supply & demand can also inflate prices. Several others. Also if a country cannot modify their own currency via a fed. fiat currency system, one must expect high fluctuations in currency value. In video he presents weighted opinions that are myopic. These are red flags.

[@Hobozakki]

Its painful knowing bitcoin fixes humanitys biggest issues but everybodys so brainwashed into the current system they just dont see it 🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️