I came into Bitcoin in 2017, as many did, and seem to have followed a path well established by those before me. As much as we like to tell ourselves we are special, more intelligent, or sharper than those around us, it would appear many of us share the same flaws.

Sometimes I wish I had known what I know now back when I started, but the realist in me suggests it would not have mattered. Despite this, I want to tell a story that may help those that follow after me. Perhaps some of you reading this now are smarter than I was, perhaps you don’t need to learn a hard lesson. But if you do, I hope this reaches you in a manner that you will take in.

Over time, many of us on Twitter have been involved in conversations with other Bitcoiners that focus on the age old issue of altcoins and trading. The tales are plentiful, and not a day passes where we do not see conversation on this topic. I have thought long and hard about how those of us who have travelled before can put the lessons on this subject into an easy to understand, yet powerful message that those who follow us can learn from.

I needed a message that will warn new travelers of the perils of trading alts, or buying into riskier assets in the hope of finding the next Bitcoin.

There is no next Bitcoin. This is it, our one chance to succeed.

Wreckage from chasing these other chains in the hope of making fast gains is a perilous journey, and many of those that began the voyage into Bitcoin will share their tales of woe, and how they wished they had bought, accumulated, and HODL’d only Bitcoin. I have yet to find many who would not have more bitcoin if they did not trade, and avoided alts.

Despite these warnings, many will fail. 

They will listen, but not hear us. 

Our voices and warnings will be drowned out by the Siren Song… .

Yes, the Siren Song - this is the concept I want all newcomers that read this to really think about. I am Agent HODL and this is my way of steering as many as I can away from the Sirens.

In Greek Mythology, the Sirens take different forms, but primarily they are female creatures that lived at sea, sometimes on rocks, sometimes as Mermaids. 

As the legends go, sailors warned each other of these mythical creatures. The legends warned that any man that heard the Sirens singing would not be able to resist temptation, and they would jump from the safety of the ship only to find themselves in a futile attempt to swim toward these beautiful yet deadly creatures.

Some sailors would tie themselves to the mast of the ship to ensure they couldn’t be tempted by the singing, some filled their ears with candle wax to avoid the sounds.

Those that did nothing and relied on will power alone, found themselves unable to resist, and perished in the rough seas while attempting to reach the Sirens.

And here is my analogy:

As Bitcoiners, we are at sea, on this Bitcoin ship. The storms and waves are merciless. 

We planned our destination before setting off. We left port knowing where we were heading, that we would need to pass the Sirens, and everyone on board knew it would be hard.

We have heard the tales from those that passed before us. To not perish in the rough waters. To not succumb you must resist the call of the Sirens who sing of alt seasons and riches.

Tie yourself to the mast of our ship if you must, put hurdles in your way to make it too much time and effort to do, but avoid the alts at all costs.

The ship is sound, the seas will be rough, but there are enough of us to steer the ship, keep our trajectory true, and ensure we reach our destination.

Will you still be aboard when we arrive?

I know I will be. I know many of those I travel with will be too. 

I also know many with us aboard now won’t make it. Do not let that be you.

I want to see as many of you at port as possible, but I cannot do it for you. You must prepare yourselves.

The waves will be larger than any of us have seen, they will sink deeper, and swell higher than we can fathom, and the Sirens will be constantly on the horizon, calling to you.

If you jump off, the boat does not come back for you. For those that jump, their journey is over. Keep this in mind next time you feel the urge to jump.

HODL on. Do not sell, do not trade, and keep stacking those sats.

Future generations will speak of our journey as if it were a legend itself. We are here now, writing the legend as we sail. We will look back with nostalgia and pride, but we must get there first. 

Do not fail. 

Do not succumb to the Siren song.