When Normies Come Knocking

Bitcoin is once again a talking point in society. The "Normies" will come.

In the weeks since the Wall Street Bitcoin ETFs went live, the price of Bitcoin has skyrocketed to a price consistently flirting with the all-time-high mark. With this flirtation, Bitcoin is once again the attractive neighbor next door. People who were “out” on Bitcoin when it was hovering around $20,000 now want to understand what all the price action is about. 

If you’re reading this, chances are you know about Bitcoin, own Bitcoin, or believe in Bitcoin. Recently, you have most likely had numerous text messages, phone calls, one-liners at work, or any number of acknowledgments stating that you must be happy with what is going on with Bitcoin. 

If that’s the case, this piece is for you. 

Over the coming weeks, months, and years, there will undoubtedly be billions of people onboarded to Bitcoin. Presently, these normies lack an understanding of what Bitcoin actually is. That’s a blanket statement but I have never met anyone who fully understands Bitcoin and doesn’t own any Bitcoin– hence the statement will stand. 

As someone who knows about Bitcoin, normies in your social circle will come to you and they will try to converse with you about Bitcoin. As a Bitcoiner, it is your role to be an ally to people who are trying to learn about Bitcoin. If they want to learn, they will follow the logical progression for learning about Bitcoin. You will help them get started on their journey. They will choose to spend deliberate time and effort to learn. As I’ve said many times, there is no viable substitute for this work. 

But it isn’t your responsibility to put up with disrespect that may occur from any of these conversations. You can’t help everyone and you don’t need to tolerate the disrespect that comes from someone being unwilling to open their mind, change their opinion, or ask questions to see other perspectives. You can’t force them to want to learn, but you can however demand them to respect you through your unwillingness to accept disrespect. Bitcoiners have grown accustomed to disrespect over the years; I don’t see the frequency of this disrespect stopping any time soon.

The rest of this article will use a framework that came from Alex Epstein in Fossil Future to help you decide if the people you talk about Bitcoin with actually have a desire to learn, or if their statements and mannerisms are riddled with disrespect and should be avoided.

As Bitcoiners, we must shepherd the next group of interested souls. Knowing the signs for when people are actually interested and eager to learn will help aid you on your path to continue Orange Pilling the World. 

1. They explain the evidence for their views rather than just invoking authority

When talking to people about Bitcoin, they will undoubtedly bring up anchoring points related to money and what they believe is valuable to the conversation. They may ask questions or discuss topics surrounding the following:  

“Why is Bitcoin more valuable than a company that produces products like Apple or Tesla?”

“I get dividends from holding these stocks, why would I divest into something else?”

“My risk tolerance is low. I am okay with the returns I get from the S&P 500.”

All of these questions and statements are completely normal and respectful. Questions and opinions drive conversations. As a Bitcoiner, make sure you have rebuttals to keep the conversation going. 

You are looking out for claims that have no basis and no factual evidence to support them made specifically to oppose your thoughts and opinions. If people make these claims with no intention of listening to your responses or with any indication that they are open to changing their opinions, they aren’t giving you the respect you deserve.

2. They distinguish degrees of known and unknown—in their field and for themselves

The best people to debate and have conversations with are people who are very clear about what they know with confidence, what they know with some evidence, and what they are ignorant about. People who are clear with themselves, and with you, about these areas of information are people who are open-minded and can have constructive conversations. These are the people you want to be speaking with. 

Someone may know the innovation behind Nvidia like the back of their hand but may admit they don’t understand the economic terminology and reasoning leading to Bitcoin's value. You can be the bridge to this person for how they close this knowledge gap. 

People who don’t acknowledge the limits of their knowledge are people who think they are always right and will not care to listen to your opinions. These people won’t give you the respect you deserve because they think they already know everything you have to say.

3. They legitimately engage and address competing viewpoints, without evading, demonizing, or straw-manning them. 

In points of any debate, this point particularly shows the character of the person you are speaking with. 

Are they acknowledging your viewpoints about Bitcoin as different from theirs, or are they writing you off as stupid, wrong, or unintelligent? 

Are they handling your rebuttals, questions, and contributions to the conversation politely or are they resorting to belittling and attacking your beliefs? 

Can they counter your arguments accurately or are they smearing them without factual evidence? 

Are they willing to hear your opinion, statistics, and beliefs and have a productive dialogue or do they laugh in your face, call you names, and scoff at what you have to say? 

If they can think critically, ask questions backed by their knowledge, and continue to push the conversation forward in a productive manner, it is easy to see they have a desire to learn more about Bitcoin.

If they resort to belittling you, calling you lucky, and arguing with your statistics without providing their own, they most likely do not have any desire to change their opinion.

Providing respect is a character trait.

But so is being disrespectful.

Recognize and realize who you are conversing with based on how they respond to you.

How a person you are talking to about Bitcoin can respond to and answer your opinions and thoughts will tell you everything you need to know about their desire to learn about Bitcoin.

If they respond with respect and the ability to have a constructive conversation, this says nothing about their ultimate desire to buy Bitcoin but they are at least able to have a conversation with you in the effort to gain more knowledge. Be an ally and answer any questions they have.

If they respond rooted in disrespect and aim to belittle you, they most likely desire to continue to live in a world where they view Bitcoin as worthless and not worth their time. If that’s the case, they aren’t worth your time either. Don’t put up with disrespect when you go out of your way to try to educate people on what you believe and know about Bitcoin. 

Give respect and seek respect in return. Have professional discourse.

The normies are coming, Orange Pill those who want to learn. 

Remember, everyone finds Bitcoin when they deserve to. 

Stack SATs. 

The views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only and should, in no way, be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research when making an investment or trading decision, as each such move involves risk. The team members behind Triana are not financial advisors and do not claim to be qualified to convey information or advice that a registered financial advisor would convey to clients as guidance. Nothing contained in this e-mail/article constitutes, or shall be construed as, an offering of financial instruments, investment advice, or recommendations of an investment strategy. If you are seeking financial advice, find a professional who is right for you.