Bitcoiners

Bitcoin is revolutionary. So revolutionary that people who have been falling down the rabbit hole for many years, still have their minds blown on a regular basis. These people are not falling or reflecting alone though. Whether we call it a community or not (I do), there exists a growing number of people falling together down this glorious rabbit hole. Sharing thoughts, insights and opinions on the way. They find themselves aligned through a common interest and belief in Bitcoin, and often experience a strong sense of brotherhood/sisterhood as a result.

These people are not orderly organized top down, not uniform in opinions and beliefs. Very far from it. Bitcoiners are a savage and diverse group of rebels, of all creeds. Not even the love of meat, guns or a libertarian worldview can be attributed to all of them. They are only really united through their love of Bitcoin.

This means the culture they create together, Bitcoin culture, is a very strange and interesting beast.

Toxicity

As a result of being such a diverse and independently minded group, Bitcoiners don’t only fight common enemies, like Central Banks and shitforkers; infighting is also a common occurance. You will be called out, not only for any action or statement that goes against the broader Bitcoin ethos, but also for anything that triggers one of the many invisible structures of understanding, suspicion, opinion and narratives that exist within the community.

This kind of community response, and culture, may seem hostile to some newcomers. Especially if they have been conditioned into a soft skinned outrage culture, and the endless mantra of relativism and compromise.

These newcomers are usually blissfully unaware that Bitcoin’s history is riddled with people who were once respected and trusted figures, only to turn bad and attempt to use their clout to attack Bitcoin. Usually under the guise of well intentioned concern, and always employing false narratives and misinformation. For Bitcoiners who have been here for a while, all these lessons have calcified into an attitude where there is very little room or patience for bullshit and frauds, and a fine tuned radar to detect insincerity and hidden agendas. This kind of attitude has been coined «toxicity», or «toxic maximalism». Initially employed by shitcoiners and bad actors to brand Bitcoiners as hateful and malevolent people, the term was quickly picked up by Bitcoiners themselves. Both as a meme, and an accolade describing them as someone defending Bitcoin, even if it means hurting someones feelings by being unwilling to compromise.

This toxicity can manifest in many forms, some more savage and offensive than others. But its intent is always, at its core, to educate, to hold the line against the ceaseless flood of false narratives, shitcoins, frauds and bad actors. It stems from a love of Bitcoin, and a reflexive urge to defend it from different forms of attack. Toxic maximalism forms a vital part of the Honeybadger’s armor, and I consider it a virtue. The battles of UASF and No2X would not have been won if toxicity was replaced with compromise. There is simply no room for compromise in a protocol that above all needs to stay decentralized.

Toxicity is just one property that can be found in abundance in this space. Not everyone shares it, or applauds it, but it’s there. Alongside friendliness, willingness to help, a great sense of humor (Bitcoin trolling and memes are world class), honesty and many other more or less endearing qualities commonly found among Bitcoiners.

Citadel21

Bitcoin culture is rich and varied. It contains a multitude of voices, opinions and flavors. We have great artists, using their skills and creativity to express the paradigm shifting promise of Bitcoin. Accomplished authors expressing their thoughts on what Bitcoin is and how it changes the world. Meme makers of the highest caliber. Philosophers, sublime trolls, taco connoisseurs, rogue economists, armchair epidemiologists, deadlift savages, masked elipto-boxers and cosplay anarchists. All kinds of brilliant weirdos. They form a seemingly chaotic soup of expression and interaction, but it’s not all noise. Far from it. Citadel21 aims to curate this chaos and put some of the best, coolest and weirdest pieces of raw signal on display.

We will publish a broad array of voices. You don’t need to be well known, have a large following or even have any previous experience writing or contributing. You don’t need to be toxic, and you don’t need to avoid being toxic. If your stuff has merit, it will get published here. And the main merit we are looking for is that the content is raw, honest and authentic. Real Bitcoin content with no other agenda than sharing what the Bitcoin journey has stirred up inside you.

We love the idea of not only publishing great stuff from people who already have a voice, but to give more of a voice to the plebs out there. Some of the coolest and most inspiring thoughts and content is found among the Bitcoin plebs. They speak their mind, uncensored and unafraid of stepping on some toes. Their raw and inspired interactions form an essential part of the landscape that is Bitcoin culture, and they deserve to be amplified and reach a wider audience! We are happy to have several legit pleb voices on display in this first volume of Citadel21, and hope to see contributions from many more in the volumes ahead.

We plan to release a new volume on the 21st of every month, if you feel you have something to share, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Welcome to Citadel21.