Conversation about U.S. Major Jason Lowery's "Softwar," exploring the potential of Bitcoin as a revolutionary approach to cybersecurity and a novel form of power projection in the digital age.
Core Argument:
Lowery argues that Bitcoin is not just a monetary protocol but an emerging cyber power projection tactic. Unlike traditional software which logically constrains computers, Bitcoin physically constrains them, imposing real-world energy costs (measured in watts) on malicious actors. This, he posits, could reshape how society secures valuable digital resources.
Key Concepts & Themes:
- Power Projection Theory: Lowery draws parallels between biological organisms and nation-states, emphasizing the universal drive for survival and resource control. He argues that physical power, manifested as watts, serves as a fundamental basis for resolving disputes and establishing dominance hierarchies in both natural and social systems.
- Life's War Against Entropy: The thesis explores the fundamental struggle of living organisms against entropy, highlighting the importance of resource acquisition and efficient energy utilization for survival. Bitcoin, in this context, represents a novel way to secure resources (information) in the digital realm through the expenditure of physical energy.
- Primordial Economics: Lowery introduces the concept of "Benefit-to-Cost Ratio of Attack" (BCRa) as a metric for assessing the vulnerability of resources. He argues that organisms and societies strive to maximize their BCRa by minimizing attack costs and maximizing benefits from resource ownership. Bitcoin, through its proof-of-work mechanism, creates a system where securing information requires significant energy expenditure, thereby raising the BCRa and deterring attacks.
- Dysfunctions of Abstract Power: While acknowledging the utility of abstract power structures like governments, Lowery critiques their susceptibility to corruption and manipulation.
- Bitcoin as a Planetary-Scale Computer: Lowery proposes that Bitcoin could function as the operating system of a planetary-scale computer, utilizing the global electric power grid as its infrastructure. This concept aligns with the idea of planetary-scale computation, which explores the potential of interconnected technologies to create a global computational network.
- Physically Constrained & Thermodynamically Restricted Space: Lowery highlights the unique characteristic of Bitcoin as creating a new type of state space in cyberspace. This space is physically constrained by energy requirements and thermodynamically restricted by the fixed supply of Bitcoin, offering distinct advantages for security and resilience.
- Softwar & Mutually Assured Preservation: Lowery introduces the concept of "softwar" as a non-kinetic form of power competition. He argues that Bitcoin, through its energy-intensive nature, could deter large-scale cyberattacks and foster a state of mutually assured preservation, similar to the concept of mutually assured destruction in nuclear warfare.
Supporting Arguments & Examples:
- Historical Parallels: Lowery draws upon historical examples, ranging from ancient empires to the development of nuclear weapons, to illustrate the evolution of power projection tactics and the persistent drive for dominance.
- Evolution of Computing: The thesis traces the history of computing, emphasizing the shift from physical to abstract power structures in managing computer systems.
- El Salvador's Bitcoin Adoption: Lowery points to El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as a national currency as an early example of nation-state recognition of Bitcoin's potential for financial independence and cybersecurity.
- Gabriel's Horn Paradox: Lowery uses the Gabriel's Horn Paradox, a mathematical concept involving infinite surface area but finite volume, to illustrate how Bitcoin can accommodate an unlimited amount of physical power expenditure while maintaining a fixed supply of "bitpower."
