Now, let’s speak about Robin Hood, we could? You understand, the dashing lad in tights who gallivanted round Sherwood Forest, robbing the wealthy to feed the poor? Nice story, that. But when you concentrate on it, Robin Hood’s modus operandi was a bit outdated. I imply, why steal from the wealthy when you may simply construct your personal magical foreign money and make the wealthy irrelevant? Enter: Satoshi Nakamoto, the digital age’s reply to Robin Hood… with out all of the uncomfortable wardrobe selections.
Now, for these of you unfamiliar with Satoshi, he (or she, or they, or probably your nan—who is aware of?) is the mysterious creator of Bitcoin. And as an alternative of sticking it to the person by looting gold-filled wagons, Satoshi performed the lengthy sport: they constructed a brand-new monetary system. A decentralized, peer-to-peer one which doesn’t depend on anyone financial institution, authorities, or stocky sheriff demanding his reduce. How’s that for a Twenty first-century improve?
Right here’s the very best bit: Satoshi didn’t steal from the wealthy. Oh no. Too predictable. Too cliché. As a substitute, Satoshi “stole” from themselves. You see, they might have caught round to be hailed because the genius creator of Bitcoin—possibly even gotten a cameo on some Netflix documentary, full with dramatic music and close-ups of keyboard clicks. However they didn’t. Like a modern-day hero with completely zero curiosity in a knighthood (or any “hood,” for that matter), Satoshi simply disappeared. Left behind the keys to a monetary revolution and ghosted us all sooner than somebody with unhealthy Wi-Fi on a Zoom name.
And what’s even funnier? The 1.1 million Bitcoin Satoshi mined within the early days are nonetheless sitting there. Unmoved. Untouched. Satoshi didn’t even money out like some actuality present contestant after successful a lifetime provide of anonymity. Nope. They simply let the fortune pile up prefer it’s the world’s largest “Take a penny, depart a penny” jar. Discuss self-control—although, if we’re sincere, it’s the final word type of trolling, isn’t it? “Right here’s a gazillion {dollars}. However you may’t have it, and neither can I. Ha!”
Now, let’s discuss in regards to the Robin Hood parallels. Robin Hood, bless his coronary heart, had the very best of intentions, didn’t he? Steal from the bloated, grasping wealthy, give to the needy poor. What a man. However have you ever ever tried stealing from the wealthy? They’re fairly good at hanging onto their stuff—complete authorized groups devoted to it, actually. So as an alternative of enjoying that sport, Satoshi created a system the place everybody might take part—wealthy, poor, and that man down the road who all the time tries to promote you “classic” VHS tapes. And nobody’s the wiser who Satoshi even is. The last word “one for all, and all for one” situation, with out the faff of crossbows and merry males.
And that’s the place Bitcoin is available in. It’s like Robin Hood’s treasure chest, however with lots much less horseback using and way more math. As a substitute of counting on central banks to let you know what you may and might’t do with your personal cash (cheeky, aren’t they?), Bitcoin places energy again in your arms. You don’t want permission. You don’t want a checking account. Heck, you don’t even must put on inexperienced tights. (Although if you wish to put on inexperienced tights, go forward—I’m not right here to guage. A lot.)
So, whereas Robin Hood was working round with a bow and arrow, Satoshi gave us all a digital sword. Certain, it’s invisible and runs on blockchain know-how moderately than precise pointy bits, however it slices by the nonsense of economic gatekeepers simply the identical. Wish to ship cash to a mate throughout the globe with out paying a intermediary? Achieved. Wish to choose out of a system the place wealthy folks get richer and the remainder of us simply watch? Right here’s your ticket.
However the pièce de résistance, the true work of genius right here? Satoshi didn’t wait round for applause. No ebook excursions, no TED Talks, no Vainness Honest spreads. Simply dropped the mic (or laptop computer, because it have been) and disappeared into the digital evening just like the true nameless legend they’re. Satoshi is the Robin Hood we deserve—and maybe the one we didn’t even know we would have liked. The hero who constructed a monetary revolution, didn’t take a single penny for themselves, and vanished.
It’s the type of modern-day Robin Hood story that makes you suppose: Why steal from the wealthy when you may steal from your self—and provides everybody a shot on the loot?
Effectively performed, Satoshi. Effectively performed.
This text is a Take. Opinions expressed are totally the writer’s and don’t essentially replicate these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.