ericfj on Nostr: Now we layer in Nostr: By layering Nostr atop Bitcoin within Harari’s framework, we ...
Now we layer in Nostr:
By layering Nostr atop Bitcoin within Harari’s framework, we see a coherent “crypto-religious” belief system emerge—grounded in cryptographic decentralization, unified by shared mythology, sustained by ritual and community cohesion, and driven by evangelistic fervor:
1. Belief in a Superhuman Order (Enhanced by Nostr):
If Bitcoin represents belief in cryptographic purity and immutable truth, Nostr expands this faith further into a decentralized communication and information ecosystem. Adherents trust not only cryptography but also a decentralized, censorship-resistant “superhuman” communication layer—one governed not by human intermediaries, but by mathematics, code, and distributed relays.
2. Universal Norms and Shared Values:
Nostr deepens the shared values found in Bitcoin culture—decentralization, censorship resistance, sovereignty, and privacy. Users adhere to norms such as self-hosting relays, verifying identities cryptographically (via keys), and promoting freedom of speech and association. These shared values reinforce the collective “faith.”
3. Collective Myths and Narratives:
Just as Bitcoin mythology revolves around the pseudonymous creator (Satoshi Nakamoto), Nostr’s narrative includes mysterious founders and anonymous developers who created a protocol to free human speech from corporate and governmental constraints. Tales of early adopters (“the pioneers”) and narratives around escaping “big tech tyranny” function like religious origin myths.
4. Rituals and Symbols:
Nostr communities have developed their own rituals and symbols. Users exchange cryptographic “zaps” (small Bitcoin tips via Lightning), share Nostr-specific memes and hashtags (like “#plebchain”), and celebrate milestones such as significant user growth or protocol upgrades. These rituals reinforce collective identity, mirroring religious ceremonies and rites.
5. Social Cohesion and Community Formation:
Nostr fosters decentralized, tightly-knit communities bonded by ideological alignment, common opposition to centralized control, and shared commitment to digital sovereignty. This communal solidarity mirrors religious communities bonded through shared beliefs and practices, further reinforcing social cohesion.
6. Missionary Zeal and Evangelism:
The Nostr community actively evangelizes adoption—encouraging new users, educating about decentralized alternatives, and promoting ideological commitment to “freedom tech.” Like religious missionaries, adherents seek converts by sharing the “good news” of decentralized, censorship-resistant communication and finance.
By layering Nostr atop Bitcoin within Harari’s framework, we see a coherent “crypto-religious” belief system emerge—grounded in cryptographic decentralization, unified by shared mythology, sustained by ritual and community cohesion, and driven by evangelistic fervor:
1. Belief in a Superhuman Order (Enhanced by Nostr):
If Bitcoin represents belief in cryptographic purity and immutable truth, Nostr expands this faith further into a decentralized communication and information ecosystem. Adherents trust not only cryptography but also a decentralized, censorship-resistant “superhuman” communication layer—one governed not by human intermediaries, but by mathematics, code, and distributed relays.
2. Universal Norms and Shared Values:
Nostr deepens the shared values found in Bitcoin culture—decentralization, censorship resistance, sovereignty, and privacy. Users adhere to norms such as self-hosting relays, verifying identities cryptographically (via keys), and promoting freedom of speech and association. These shared values reinforce the collective “faith.”
3. Collective Myths and Narratives:
Just as Bitcoin mythology revolves around the pseudonymous creator (Satoshi Nakamoto), Nostr’s narrative includes mysterious founders and anonymous developers who created a protocol to free human speech from corporate and governmental constraints. Tales of early adopters (“the pioneers”) and narratives around escaping “big tech tyranny” function like religious origin myths.
4. Rituals and Symbols:
Nostr communities have developed their own rituals and symbols. Users exchange cryptographic “zaps” (small Bitcoin tips via Lightning), share Nostr-specific memes and hashtags (like “#plebchain”), and celebrate milestones such as significant user growth or protocol upgrades. These rituals reinforce collective identity, mirroring religious ceremonies and rites.
5. Social Cohesion and Community Formation:
Nostr fosters decentralized, tightly-knit communities bonded by ideological alignment, common opposition to centralized control, and shared commitment to digital sovereignty. This communal solidarity mirrors religious communities bonded through shared beliefs and practices, further reinforcing social cohesion.
6. Missionary Zeal and Evangelism:
The Nostr community actively evangelizes adoption—encouraging new users, educating about decentralized alternatives, and promoting ideological commitment to “freedom tech.” Like religious missionaries, adherents seek converts by sharing the “good news” of decentralized, censorship-resistant communication and finance.
quoting nevent1q…lzh4Exploring ideas with AI while reading good novels is fun:
In Sapiens, Chapter 12 (“The Law of Religion”), Harari defines religion broadly as a system of human norms and values founded on belief in a superhuman order. According to his framework, Bitcoin can be considered a “religion” as follows:
1. Belief in a Superhuman Order:
Bitcoin relies on cryptographic principles and algorithmic trust—abstract concepts that exist independently of human whims. The trust in cryptographic math, decentralization, and scarcity mirrors religious faith in a higher, impersonal order.
2. Universal Norms and Shared Values:
Bitcoin communities share values such as decentralization, transparency, immutability, censorship resistance, and financial sovereignty. Adherents follow normative guidelines that emphasize self-custody, personal responsibility, and skepticism of centralized authority.
3. Collective Myths and Narratives:
Bitcoin is built upon foundational myths, such as the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, the origin story detailed in the Bitcoin whitepaper, and the narrative of financial liberation from corrupt institutions. These stories unify believers and provide a shared identity and purpose.
4. Rituals and Symbols:
Bitcoin culture includes rituals like “HODLing” (holding assets regardless of market conditions), symbolic actions such as celebrating Bitcoin “halving” events, and the widespread use of symbols (₿), language, memes, and art—analogous to religious rituals and symbolism.
5. Social Cohesion and Community Formation:
Bitcoin fosters tight-knit communities with a shared mission to promote adoption and resist established financial structures. Communities exhibit strong cohesion, solidarity, and identity markers, akin to religious congregations.
6. Missionary Zeal and Evangelism:
Bitcoin proponents often exhibit missionary zeal, spreading the “gospel” of decentralized money, advocating adoption, and converting skeptics—similar to religious evangelism.
By Harari’s broad definition of religion as collective belief in a superhuman, abstract order shaping human behavior and social structure, Bitcoin fits comfortably into a modern secular “religious” phenomenon.