The Road to the Parallel Bitcoin Economy – Bitcoin Magazine
This is an opinion editorial by John G. Dewco-host of The Millennial Media Offensive podcast and a contributor to Bitcoin Magazine.
Texas Slim’s second Beef Initiative conference was recently held in Crawford, Colorado, on Jason Wrich’s property in Fruitland Mesa. The convergence of movements towards local food supply and bitcoin exploitation created a palpable air of intrigue and excitement. The traction achieved so far by the Beef Initiative cements the right direction for bitcoin adoption efforts. Future use of bitcoin will be driven by its association with movements that reduce reliance on manufactured goods through robust local supply chains.
To say that Texas Slim is passionate about food quality and access is a gross understatement. Describing childhood obesity resulted in the only F-bomb at the family-friendly Colorado conference, when Slim rightly described childhood obesity as nothing short of “freaking genocide.” Unfortunately, it must be stated that childhood obesity is a direct function of our global, industrial food supply chain. This is what Slim is fighting against, and Bitcoin compliments the movement beautifully.
What better way to enhance the robust nature of a local supply chain than with an exchange of values impervious to the pejorative theories of an appointed suit? Do you think Jerome Powell could muster a day’s work at Wrich’s ranch? Why should he or anyone else in Washington have the ability to impose third party risk every time a rancher accepts payment for their goods? Do they understand that they have consistently devalued the very blood, sweat and tears ranchers like Wrich have poured into their operations? Fortunately, the farmers in the Beef Initiative have started to walk a new path, absence of the fixing of bureaucrats, manicured hands.
The ranchers present at the conference—Jason Wrich, Weldon and Ann Warren, and Scott Hauck to name a few—had varying knowledge of Bitcoin, but all demonstrated thorough expertise regarding animal husbandry and personal health practices. From the misconceptions surrounding refusing cows to graze protein-rich weeds and the effect of adrenaline on the taste of harvested meat to the effect of soy lecithin (commonly found in candy bars) and the correct ratio of dietary Omega 3 and 6, their passions for harmonious and healthy living were on full display , and they couldn’t be more open to Bitcoin.
The Bitcoin panelists – Matt Odell, Econoalchemist and Arceris among others – effectively drove home the reality of good money. The appeal of bitcoin to ranchers has been greatly increased by recent inflationary pressures, and the need for solid cash is shared by ranchers and bitcoiners alike. Needless to say, the US dollar is proving more undesirable at every meeting of the Federal Open Markets Committee. Ranchers aren’t the only ones outside of Bitcoin to realize this.
The need for a parallel bitcoin economy is real and urgent, but Bitcoiners are not going to fill every role in this economy. As fun as it is to imagine Michael Saylor as my dentist and Jack Dorsey as my butcher, in most cases Bitcoiners will not be able to fill these roles as competently as those who have primarily focused on mastering their respective subject. We do not need to be condemned to substandard services in order to engage in a supply chain and economy that we consider more ethical and secure than the existing supply system. Like the ranchers in the Beef Initiative, all manner of artisans must be brought into the Bitcoin fold.
The opportunity to integrate artisans into the bitcoin economy is now, and Texas Slim’s Beef Initiative is the definitive model. The model addresses increasing demand for high-quality local beef due to recent global supply chain manipulation and rising costs of industrially raised and processed, nutritionally inferior grain-fed beef. The model also provides value to the farmers for their participation in the initiative. Beef Initiative ranchers benefit from exposure to new consumers, additional opportunities for association with value-aligned members of their industry, and increased legitimacy for regenerative and against-the-grain practices.
The work of Texas Slim’s Beef Initiative is being proven before our eyes, and the only question is, “How can this model be applied to all aspects of the parallel bitcoin economy?” Adaptation and use of this model should be the focus of bitcoin adoption advocates. At the Colorado Beef Initiative, the Econoalchemist actually said, “The energy consumed by proof of work connects Bitcoin to the physical world.” As people who want to drive bitcoin adoption, we also need to connect Bitcoin to the physical world with our advocacy and alliances.
This is a guest post by John G. Dew. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc. or Bitcoin Magazine.
