Episode
#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
2:40:35
Published: Sat Oct 16 2021
Description
Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and the Oslo Freedom Forum. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Stripe: https://stripe.com - Paperspace: https://gradient.run/lex to get $15 credit - Codecademy: https://codecademy.com and use code LEX to get 15% off - NI: https://www.ni.com/perspectives - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Alex's Twitter: https://twitter.com/gladstein The Little Bitcoin Book: https://littlebitcoinbook.com/ Human Rights Foundation: https://hrf.org/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (08:36) - Universal human rights (22:35) - Authoritarianism (32:46) - AIs impact on civil liberties (44:09) - Edward Snowden and government surveillance (47:48) - Money (52:01) - Bitcoin (1:07:48) - Government response to Bitcoin (1:18:19) - The blockchain (1:23:42) - Can Bitcoin fail? (1:26:33) - Bitcoin scams (1:30:17) - Patriotism (1:32:41) - Human Rights Foundation (1:37:15) - Conflict with China (1:40:05) - Corporate accountability (1:55:27) - Garry Kasparov and the HRF (2:00:36) - Journalism, conversations, and truth (2:07:50) - Alex's book recommendations (2:15:56) - Attacks on Bitcoin (2:17:35) - The future of humanity (2:21:57) - Advice for young people (2:33:13) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Alex Gladstein focuses on how cryptocurrency and especially Bitcoin can be a tool for empowering democracy and civil liberties in the world, particularly in parts of the world that are living under authoritarian regimes.
00:00 - 02:02 (02:02)
Summary
Alex Gladstein focuses on how cryptocurrency and especially Bitcoin can be a tool for empowering democracy and civil liberties in the world, particularly in parts of the world that are living under authoritarian regimes.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Use the promo code LEX at Code Academy Pro to get 15% off and enjoy the best tools for learning to code.
02:02 - 07:55 (05:53)
Summary
Use the promo code LEX at Code Academy Pro to get 15% off and enjoy the best tools for learning to code.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The fundamental, negative rights such as free speech, privacy, and property rights are the foundation of a free and democratic society, and it is important to distinguish them from positive rights which often require government intervention or another individual's resources.
07:55 - 17:08 (09:13)
Summary
The fundamental, negative rights such as free speech, privacy, and property rights are the foundation of a free and democratic society, and it is important to distinguish them from positive rights which often require government intervention or another individual's resources. Human rights activists should prioritize protecting these negative rights as they are the table on which other rights and liberties rest.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The number of people living under authoritarianism surpasses those affected by refugees, natural disasters, poverty and lack of access to clean drinking water.
17:08 - 22:52 (05:44)
Summary
The number of people living under authoritarianism surpasses those affected by refugees, natural disasters, poverty and lack of access to clean drinking water. The control of state infrastructure and compute infrastructure is directly proportional.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The difference between free societies and authoritarian regimes lies in their approach towards free speech.
22:53 - 28:41 (05:47)
Summary
The difference between free societies and authoritarian regimes lies in their approach towards free speech. While free societies consider free speech as the foundation of the pyramid, authoritarian regimes are like a political desert where individuals don't have the freedom to speak their mind.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The digital transformation of the world has raised concerns about the progress of democracy and open societies.
28:41 - 32:39 (03:58)
Summary
The digital transformation of the world has raised concerns about the progress of democracy and open societies. While almost half of the world currently lives under democracy, past limitations show there's still progress to be made.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
While there is a growing concern about big data analysis and surveillance technology being used to benefit authoritarian governments, there is also potential for these tools to give power to individuals and combat oppressive regimes.
32:40 - 42:01 (09:21)
Summary
While there is a growing concern about big data analysis and surveillance technology being used to benefit authoritarian governments, there is also potential for these tools to give power to individuals and combat oppressive regimes.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast explores the trade-offs individuals make between privacy and freedom in a free society, where people have not necessarily experienced the negative outcomes of sacrificing privacy for security, yet they must make daily choices to strike a balance between the two.
42:01 - 46:46 (04:44)
Summary
This podcast explores the trade-offs individuals make between privacy and freedom in a free society, where people have not necessarily experienced the negative outcomes of sacrificing privacy for security, yet they must make daily choices to strike a balance between the two.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Bitcoin has become a tool for people in countries like Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela to combat hyperinflation and authoritarianism by providing a way to move their wealth out of the country and make payments.
46:46 - 55:11 (08:24)
Summary
Bitcoin has become a tool for people in countries like Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela to combat hyperinflation and authoritarianism by providing a way to move their wealth out of the country and make payments. Money, therefore, is really about control and Bitcoin offers an alternative to centralized control.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of bearer instruments and their application to Bitcoin is discussed, along with a comparison of Bitcoin wallets to traditional bank accounts.
55:11 - 1:03:04 (07:53)
Summary
The concept of bearer instruments and their application to Bitcoin is discussed, along with a comparison of Bitcoin wallets to traditional bank accounts.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The number 2 cryptocurrency in the world is Tether, which is centralized and has blacklists.
1:03:05 - 1:08:53 (05:48)
Summary
The number 2 cryptocurrency in the world is Tether, which is centralized and has blacklists. Every other cryptocurrency either has an inflationary policy or its monetary policy can be changed by a small group of people, so it's unclear if any of them will overtake Bitcoin as a mechanism in the future.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Next 10 years will see countries compete to stack Bitcoin as a form of money the government does not control.
1:08:53 - 1:14:38 (05:45)
Summary
The Next 10 years will see countries compete to stack Bitcoin as a form of money the government does not control. NGU is the Trojan horse, inside of which is FGU, freedom go up technology.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Lightning Network is being adopted by Bitcoin exchanges as a way to scale on a second layer and maintain privacy through its onion-routed protocol.
1:14:38 - 1:20:12 (05:33)
Summary
Lightning Network is being adopted by Bitcoin exchanges as a way to scale on a second layer and maintain privacy through its onion-routed protocol. Another privacy tool, cross-input signature aggregation, may compel exchanges to protect user privacy but requires collaboration and may not be adopted for moral reasons.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The use of energy and real-world expenditures in the transaction processing of Bitcoin is what makes it exciting.
1:20:12 - 1:24:32 (04:19)
Summary
The use of energy and real-world expenditures in the transaction processing of Bitcoin is what makes it exciting. Blockchain is a marketing term used later and separating the concept from Bitcoin shows a lack of understanding towards the technology.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the risks associated with putting all of your trust in Airbnb and other platforms that centralize data, and how it could ultimately lead to a lack of individual autonomy.
1:24:32 - 1:33:17 (08:44)
Summary
The speaker discusses the risks associated with putting all of your trust in Airbnb and other platforms that centralize data, and how it could ultimately lead to a lack of individual autonomy.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The power of international solidarity, similar to how the apartheid regime fell, may be a key method for supporting Taiwan in the face of Chinese aggression, which is important not only for moral reasons but also for semiconductor reasons.
1:33:17 - 1:38:50 (05:33)
Summary
The power of international solidarity, similar to how the apartheid regime fell, may be a key method for supporting Taiwan in the face of Chinese aggression, which is important not only for moral reasons but also for semiconductor reasons.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the speaker argues in favor of a decentralized internet, where power is given to individuals to incentivize or de-incentivize content, enabling a more open discourse of ideas, dangerous or not.
1:38:50 - 1:47:28 (08:38)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker argues in favor of a decentralized internet, where power is given to individuals to incentivize or de-incentivize content, enabling a more open discourse of ideas, dangerous or not.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode discusses the benefits of using encrypted messaging services that prioritize privacy, such as Moon Wallet, and the concerns around changes to WhatsApp's terms of service and how they handle user data.
1:47:28 - 1:55:14 (07:45)
Summary
This episode discusses the benefits of using encrypted messaging services that prioritize privacy, such as Moon Wallet, and the concerns around changes to WhatsApp's terms of service and how they handle user data.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Human Rights Foundation chairman, Vaslav Havel, a notable Czech democracy activist, and first democratically elected leader of the Czech Republic, leads discussions on the development of human rights advocacy strategies in the fight against dictatorial regimes.
1:55:15 - 2:00:19 (05:03)
Summary
The Human Rights Foundation chairman, Vaslav Havel, a notable Czech democracy activist, and first democratically elected leader of the Czech Republic, leads discussions on the development of human rights advocacy strategies in the fight against dictatorial regimes.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the speaker shares opinions on how journalism has been poorly done and sensationalized in certain programs.
2:00:19 - 2:08:54 (08:35)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker shares opinions on how journalism has been poorly done and sensationalized in certain programs. She also expresses the burden that comes with authenticating social media followers and sees journalism as essential for a free society.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the speaker recommends "The Man Without a Face" by Masha Gessen, a fascinating book about modern Russia and Putin, and "Mastering Bitcoin" by Andreas Antonopoulos, an engaging book explaining the main concepts about bitcoin and how the network functions.
2:08:54 - 2:12:39 (03:45)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker recommends "The Man Without a Face" by Masha Gessen, a fascinating book about modern Russia and Putin, and "Mastering Bitcoin" by Andreas Antonopoulos, an engaging book explaining the main concepts about bitcoin and how the network functions.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Despite attempts by major governments to suppress Bitcoin by banning citizens from exchanging fiat for it, Bitcoin remains independent and decentralized.
2:12:40 - 2:18:25 (05:45)
Summary
Despite attempts by major governments to suppress Bitcoin by banning citizens from exchanging fiat for it, Bitcoin remains independent and decentralized. Supporters of Bitcoin believe in its potential as a tool for personal freedom, rather than simply a retail payments technology.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker raises issues surrounding personal finance and administrative responsibility when it comes to young people, and questions who creates money and what it means for our future in space colonization.
2:18:25 - 2:24:49 (06:23)
Summary
The speaker raises issues surrounding personal finance and administrative responsibility when it comes to young people, and questions who creates money and what it means for our future in space colonization.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The reason for the Iraq War may have been because Saddam Hussein wanted to sell oil in euros rather than dollars.
2:24:49 - 2:31:01 (06:12)
Summary
The reason for the Iraq War may have been because Saddam Hussein wanted to sell oil in euros rather than dollars. The media could be captured to promote this idea of invading another country, which was seen in the invasion of Iraq.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The pursuit of knowledge, science, innovation, and freedom defines the meaning of life for humans.
2:31:01 - 2:39:39 (08:37)
Summary
The pursuit of knowledge, science, innovation, and freedom defines the meaning of life for humans. The bigger challenge is to prevent the rise of an authoritarian surveillance state in China while also diffusing the military-industrial complex on our side.
Episode#231 – Alex Gladstein: Bitcoin, Authoritarianism, and Human Rights
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the speaker discusses how we can learn from the genocide happening in some countries and build our societies to never have that kind of power concentration ever again.
2:39:39 - 2:40:25 (00:45)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker discusses how we can learn from the genocide happening in some countries and build our societies to never have that kind of power concentration ever again. The speaker also speaks to Alex Glastine about his work and how he is considered one of the beacons of hope for human civilization.