09: Save The People, Not The Banks: The Potential of Bitcoin in Human Rights Activism with Alex Gladstein

The Global Affair with Nicole Gibson

Today on The Global Affair, we delve into the fascinating realm of civil liberties, human rights, and the transformative power of Bitcoin. Join us as we explore the insights of Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and Vice President of Strategy at the Oslo Freedom Forum.

Gladstein presents a thought-provoking perspective on the possibility of creating a world free from human rights violations. While acknowledging the challenges inherent in such a vision, he encourages us to envision a future where negative traits like greed and jealousy can be channeled and repurposed for the greater good. By designing systems that align self-interest with societal betterment, we can pave the way for a more harmonious and equitable world.

But that's not all. Gladstein's passion for Bitcoin shines through as he explains how this revolutionary digital currency has the potential to reshape the global financial landscape. With Bitcoin, individuals can democratize the creation and distribution of money, liberating themselves from the control of governments and corporations. Its scarcity and decentralized nature make it a valuable asset, offering unparalleled financial freedom and privacy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

[2:59] Acknowledging that human rights violations may never end

[4:27] Harnessing negative traits like greed and jealousy for positive change

[10:07] Understanding conflict-seeking and conflict-avoiding behaviors

[25:42] The differences between Bitcoin, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies

[30:00] The power of Bitcoin as a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and scarce form of money

[43:54]The importance of being open-minded and diving into the world of Bitcoin

RESOURCES

Human Rights Foundation

Instagram

MEMORABLE QUOTES

"Bitcoin is a political act. It is a criticism of the fact that you know, governments can rescue banks, and they do rescue banks as opposed to rescuing the people." [12:45] - Alex Gladstein

"Bitcoin is part of this weird thing that humans have done where they've kind of, you know, unintentionally perhaps, but as a collective traded off this centralized power structure for something that's like much more decentralized." [46:13] -Alex Gladstein

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