Vitalik Buterin
@vitalik.eth
Degen communism: the only correct political ideology https://vitalik.eth.limo/general/2024/04/01/dc.html
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Venkatesh Rao ☀️
@vgr
😬😩 Ok I have deep issues with this essay, starting with semantics degen = degeneracy = system expressing less than full dimensionality of behavior = tending to nihilism Chaos is almost the exact opposite. It’s maximal dimensionality. The fetishized stability of communism *is* degeneracy.
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Venkatesh Rao ☀️
@vgr
Degens as in crypto aren’t seeking chaos or “action” or full expression or a system’s potential. At *best* they are parasitic actors who do some culling of weak parts. At worst they drain energy and weaken whole system. Common good and stability coupling is not a values preference. It’s a comorbidity to cure
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Venkatesh Rao ☀️
@vgr
I like a lot of the specific ideas, from making small investors whole first to harberger taxes to suspicion of high-minded civility posturing. But “degen communism” is a terrible umbrella frame for it conceptually and PR-wise. The gestalt essence of what you’re describing is neither degen, nor communist
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