‘Be good to each other’

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In a time marked by deepening divisions and increasing political toxicity, the phrase “Be good to each other” might sound like a simple platitude. Still, I believe it is a radical act of defiance against the forces tearing our society apart. Since 2016, I’ve ended my podcasts with this phrase, not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential. The more I observe the world around us—whether in the context of global politics or the ongoing Bitcoin Civil War—the more I see the need for this fundamental principle to guide our actions.

Rudyard Lynch, a social commentator speaking recently on the Danny Jones podcast, articulated a sobering truth: all the ingredients for an American Civil War are already present. We are merely waiting for a catalyst.

Lynch’s analysis was compelling not just for his grasp of the historical parallels, but for his focus on the cultural decay that comes from a lack of consensus. Today, nearly every issue—social, political, or even personal—comes loaded with implications that place someone into a broader, often toxic, political narrative. In such an environment, building meaningful consensus or trust becomes impossible. This toxicity is the breeding ground for conflict, not cooperation.

The cascade effect of radicalism

Lynch also noted a crucial dynamic that is often overlooked: the very people who ignite the flames of revolution or civil unrest are rarely the ones who benefit in the end. As conflicts escalate, factions radicalize, and moderates are forced to pick sides or be sidelined. However, once the dust settles, it is often the most radical elements—those who lack the skills to build a sustainable coalition—who are swept away. This dynamic isn’t confined to political revolutions; it plays out in every sphere of life, including the Bitcoin community.

I’ve been in the trenches of the Bitcoin Civil War long enough to witness this firsthand.

While I’m not above trolling my opponents, the overwhelming focus of my work has been on leading by example for the betterment of the broader culture. I’ve often signed off with “be good to each other” because I want to remind people that even though we may disagree, I do not want to see people marginalized, dehumanized, or harmed due to our technical disagreements.

I believe this sentiment is starting to bear fruit.

Today, Bitcoin newcomers are arriving who have little to no context on the extreme toxicity of the past. Instead, they see Bitcoin for what it truly could be at scale—a tool for maximizing the efficiency and velocity of commerce, not just a zero-sum game of ideological dominance or “number go up.”

That toxic faction still exists, but I’m extremely encouraged to see entrants from the last three or four years discover Bitcoin and immediately start gravitating toward the need for using it to its full potential—much like the BSV community saw in the 2015-2018 era.

The Bitcoin Civil War: A study in microcosm

The Bitcoin Civil War is a microcosm of the larger cultural conflict. On one side, we have the small blockers who have spent years defending the status quo of BTC, focusing on limited block sizes, ideological purity, and the perpetual need to run a node on their mother’s boyfriend’s computers. On the other, big blockers like myself have been advocating for a vision of Bitcoin that scales massively to handle global commerce and data integrity. But here’s where things are getting interesting: the radicals who dominated the conversation for so long are beginning to run out of steam. They’re retiring from the fray, and more hopeful, coalition-building moderates are stepping in to fill the void.

We are seeing signs of this shift even among our fiercest opponents. While big blockers focus on projects like Teranode, which aims to create a scalable, high-throughput Bitcoin network, and 1Sat Ordinal tokens, which explore novel use cases for micropayments and digital assets, small blockers are revisiting old ideas like the return of OP_CAT and other long-neglected scripts and creating things like Fractal Bitcoin because they want to live in a world where bitcoin is some kind of a monetized, distributed supercomputer too. They are also soliciting big blockers for expertise, recognizing that the future of Bitcoin may lie in a nomadic, centrist culture where Bitcoiners of all stripes can work together across BTC and BSV.

We are ecstatic to introduce the GOAT of OP_CAT Xiaohui Liu as one of our advisors

Xiaohui Liu is an absolute legend and is widely regarded as the leading professional in OP_CAT. Xiaohui will provide top expert guidance on how we utilize OP_CAT in our platform!@scryptplatform pic.twitter.com/I4HxJqHe8m

— Satspumpfun (@Satspumpfun) August 31, 2024

The most bullish part is that instead of hiding or shunning. They are announcing the formation of these coalitions as symbols of pride.

That is why I am so hopeful!

The importance of leading by example

This shift is a testament to the power of being good to each other, even when it’s not easy. The radicals are losing their grip because they have failed to build a sustainable coalition, and they aren’t sure what to do since their extreme focus on Craig Wright has painted them into a corner of perpetual anger, and people just don’t care anymore.

If what we’ve witnessed so far is a shackled Craig Wright… pic.twitter.com/mmmmUiq4Q6

— Mark Hunter (@Twentynothing00) September 2, 2024

Their entire strategy has been based on division and purity, not on building bridges or finding common ground. However, as those who were most invested in the “Civil War” narrative begin to step back, the door is opening for a more inclusive, practical approach to Bitcoin’s future.

It’s no coincidence that this moment is arriving just when the world might need Bitcoin the most. If Lynch’s predictions about a new era of civil unrest and instability are correct, then we are on the brink of a period where tools that maximize the efficiency and velocity of commerce will be more critical than ever. Bitcoin, when used properly, can be that tool. It can provide a way to transact without intermediaries, protect data integrity, and create new economic models that bypass failing traditional systems.

If we are really lucky, they can help us avoid or limit the hell of war. The dirty secret that the small blockers can’t seem to understand is that good money doesn’t stop wars from occurring, but good business does.

We need to make peace profitable, which requires disruptive, new technology.

Building a new culture of consensus

In this context, “Be good to each other” is more than a sign-off; it is a call to action. It means recognizing that the old ways of doing things—driving out dissenters, doubling down on purity, and refusing to collaborate—are not sustainable. We need a new culture of consensus-building, one that acknowledges our differences but focuses on shared goals. This is true in Bitcoin, and it’s true in the broader world.

We are at a crossroads. The opportunity exists for Bitcoin to become the global standard for frictionless commerce, but it requires us to change how we approach each other. It requires humility, the ability to listen, and a willingness to collaborate even with those we disagree with. It means moving beyond the zero-sum mindset plaguing our community and our larger culture.

We need to focus on abundance!

The road ahead

As we stand on the precipice of potentially turbulent times, the Bitcoin community has a unique opportunity to lead by example. We can show the world that it is possible to disagree without being disagreeable, to debate without dehumanizing, and to build without burning bridges. If we can do this, we can not only unlock Bitcoin’s true potential but also provide a model for the world on how to navigate an era that seems increasingly defined by conflict and division.

So, here’s my challenge to all of us: let’s put aside the toxicity, let’s focus on building, and let’s remember to be good to each other. Because the future belongs to those who can unite, not divide—those who can build coalitions, not destroy them. As Rudyard Lynch suggests, if we don’t figure this out soon, the catalyst we’re all dreading might just be around the corner.

And if we can’t change each other by setting a good example, what makes us think we can change the world at all?

Watch: Utilizing blockchain tech for data integrity