I started Bitcoin day 2 by taking a small amount of mushrooms so "not everyone at the conference seemed like an asshole". Ultimately I don't think that worked it just made my tummy ache.
Day 2 was no longer industry badge holders only so it was massively more busy. Really the first day in a way. First of all there were way more pigs and rent-a-pigs. 2+ private companies, locale PD, TSA, and secret service off the top. Plus of course a few "totally not cops" wandering around not suspiciously at all. This made the line into the main stage area so long that you would find its tail randomly in the middle of the convention floor hundreds of yards away from the security checkpoint.
The vibe today was different as well. With so many more people the level of grift has lowered. Now not only were there bitcoiners trying to sell each other new wallets or advertising yet another mining resale service but just regular type people. You could tell by the way they looked around with vague confusion yet obvious hope. Many people are drawn to Bitcoin for an alternative to whatever isn't working. I can't afford my groceries any more and these bitcoiners say they can help let's check it out sorta deal.
There were many keynotes and talks today. As yesterday they ranged from mind melting libertarian screeds to intriguing bits of tech talk.
Phill Zimmerman, inventor of PGP, gave a short talk about why the US is fighting against E2EE. Pretty good besides his need to keep saying "the US is doing this, obviously china is doing it more"
It was also a day of political speeches on the main stage. All MCd by this guy:
The human rights foundation spoke about people needing to check their financial privileges and argued that Bitcoin allows those in disadvantaged areas to potentially transmit value sans government approval and banking institutions. Perhaps the most compelling talk of the day and at least attempting to make a True case for crypto.
By now though I had only drank 3 cups of coffee, including some free Bitcoin coffee (not made by robots which were broken today whenever I walked by), and nothing else. My stomach was loving it.
Unfortunately I was looking masc today and wouldn't you know it at Bitcoin 2024 the men's bathrooms had long lines and the women's didn't. Didn't want to argue with libertarians about gender so no quick women's room run for me.
In the afternoon the main stage had senators Tim Scott and Cynthia Lummis. Who spent the whole time just saying each other's names repeatedly. "If the government controls the money then they control us" says two senators to standing ovation.
20 minutes late they finally shut up and allow the giant Snowden head to dominate the stage. He gave perhaps the best talk of the day and essentially begged everyone to take his warnings about the lack of privacy on BTC blcokchain seriously. Lots of clapping and yet the block chain remains insecure. But that's what he's always done. Begged to be taken seriously while everyone pretends to care but does not heed him. Declares the US to be (becoming) the "Land of the fee home of the slave" to end his speech.
Between every speech ads play. This trailer for "God bless bitcoin" was incessant. Don't worry the animation remains shitty
Next was RFK jr. Now this was when the crowd really got wild. Absolutely jam packed audience. Nowhere to stand but the far back of the giant hall. He declares his Bitcoin policy. He declares himself the first Bitcoin president And says it's strange that since the fall of the Soviet Union America has gotten less free. A paradox he says. LOL. He ends his speech with something like "I'm not red, blue or even purple. Those are the party's colors. I consider myself orange. Trump may have orange hair but I have an orange heart" crowd goes fuckin insane.
Finally it was Russell Brand and the CEO of Rumble's turn. They just spent the few minutes I was there going back and forth about how awesome each other is.
I couldn't handle anymore so I stumbled out of the convention hall to try and find some food away from the conference. As a final goodbye for the day I saw the Cyber truck Bitcoin edition from the header. I've seen more bazingamobiles here than I have anywhere else ever. Most aren't quite so ugly just the normal amount.
I'm so tired. Tomorrow surely will be great. They've banned large bags and backpacks from the whole convention for the day. Trump will be there at 3 rumors persist that Harris will show up. The lines will be longer.
These photos are big maybe i should shrink em for tomorrow.
The human rights foundation spoke about people needing to check their financial privileges and argued that Bitcoin allows those in disadvantaged areas to potentially transmit value sans government approval and banking institutions
they are talking about bypassing capital controls in developing countries, not sanctions.
And says it's strange that since the fall of the Soviet Union America has gotten less free. A paradox he says. LOL.
All the inequality charts skyrocketing after the USSR fell is just a coincidence
Excellent post, day 2 sounds way better than day one from a purely anthropological perspective
Also:
Unfortunately I was looking masc today and wouldn't you know it at Bitcoin 2024 the men's bathrooms had long lines and the women's didn't.
Lmao even
Definitely more interesting. Not just one type of guy here. Atleast 10 types
Not a crypto guy but shouldn't these freedom and privacy folks be pushing monero? On top of being a grift, is bitcoin controlled opposition at this point?
Talking about monero’s benefits in the crypto environment is the equivalent of talking about toyota’s benefits during a Ford conference call. It doesn’t help people’s portfolios which is all that matters
It's the "OG" so that makes it special somehow.
I would rather have them hold bitcoin tbh. Reduces stress on other cryptos actually used in trade.
All the Russian gray market sites I've seen use USDT-BEP20 now. Before it was USDT-TRC20. Whenever fees start climbing they jump to another one.
Doesn’t the price of bitcoin affect everything else though?
All the Russian gray market sites I've seen use USDT-BEP20
Sounds complicated as hell lol
You'd think but as mentioned in another comment other cryptos not even allowed to be talked about here. Those are alllllll shitcoins
So like, what's the back story? Just curious, what are you doing there?
A parent of mine is a long-term bitcoiner and libertarian. They asked me to go and I wasn't about to say no to a week of no expenses. Plus sometimes I like torturing myself by seeing what the other side is saying so to speak. It's like going to reddit but real life.
Yes I hate myself why do you ask.
this is amazing and thanks for your succinct and funny summary -- i'd love to do some shrooms and mosey around this shitfest too
Glad you're enjoying! but ya ya I do just like getting in the shit and seeing what's happening. Real hog over here.
The truth is when I got the invite I knew i had to go just to post
Incredible content, thank you for sacrificing your sanity for us. The popularity of RFK there is unsurprising, but still inexplicable.
His cheers are just about as big as trump is getting now... Maybe bigger.
I must say. You are braver than the troops for deciding to go to a reddit meetup. 🫡
Braver than the troops
Has anyone talked about other cryptocurrencies or just Bitcoin. Also, Bitcoin is outdated and bad technology. Why is it still popular?
It has institutional backing now with financial giants like Blackrock and Fidelity now offering their own Bitcoin ETFs. Funnily enough, Vanguard, true to their reputation as the safe and boring brokerage, outright banned their users from buying bitcoin stocks.
And hardcore Bitcoin advocates really despise all other cryptocurrencies. They refer to them as shitcoins and gambling tokens (without a hint of irony) whereas they view Bitcoin as a commodity or "digital gold".
Funnily enough, Vanguard, true to their reputation as the safe and boring brokerage, outright banned their users from buying bitcoin stocks.
Vanguard of the Investotariat
Ya are you here... Because your second paragraph is dead on. Exactly the terminology I've heard constantly
lol it's cringe enough just reading the words, I can't imagine how much worse it is coming out of some dweeb's mouth in person.
Bitcoin is a security, not a currency. I wonder how many people realize that this is a glorified conference over a stock and not a technology.
Discussions of others are all but banned. Occasionally mentioned in passing but any direct mentions are roundly booed.
It seems to just be momentum. It's the one that's big so it is the one. No other needed or wanted. Does seem to be a case of stacking newer and newer tech on older and older tech.
As they say "what's the second best? There is no second best!" There is only Bitcoin
Trump will be there at 3 rumors persist that Harris will show up
In the same place? Doubt.
According to the organizer they reached out to her campaign and were/are still talking. But no announcement yet makes it seem very unlikely.
Definitely not on the same stage at the same time. No way. Trump's not gonna share a stage with anyone
I imagine that security was pretty lax for this event up until this. Did you notice Secret Service swarming the area in preparation for Trump's arrival? Have they installed metal detectors?
Day 1: concert style security. Quick metal detector and bag check if ya had a backpack
Day 2: 2nd layer of bigger metal detectors. Few Police officers. One or two uniformed SS.
Today: backpack and bags fully banned. Tons of uniformed SS highly armed plus many men wondering around wearing oddly bulky suits as if something was being g worn under them...
So yes more and more.
You deserve more drugs for hurting yourself in this fashion for our amusement.
Just heard a rumor musk will be here with trump... Let us see
Somehow they managed to make the cybertruck even uglier. And then parked it across a bike lane, of course.
The line to see trump is so long. It winds through the whole convention hall. Hundreds of meters atleast. Lucky I know where a second security checkpoint is that has no line at all
