Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin" by Jason Lowery is a compelling exploration of an increasingly influential subject in our digital age: how to defend ourselves against totalitarianism in both real-space and cyberspace. Lowery navigates us through the intricate universe of a novel theory named “Power Projection”. He intricately maps the contours of the burgeoning digital landscape, emphasizing the intertwined themes of power, trust, strategic interest, and cybersecurity.
The resulting thesis is a work of profound intellectual depth. Its engaging prose carries transformative implications that span from the defense mechanisms of the first cells to the futuristic strategies that will protect nations against attacks from hostile forces. Tyrannical authoritarianism, misinformation, hacking, corruption, and violence itself are all products of one equation: what is the cost of attack? From single-celled organisms to modern nation-states and the people they govern, Lowery, in clear and lucid language, compels the reader to consider what he terms the 'primordial economics' that shaped this benefit-to-cost-of-attack ratio governing the way all power flows.
In "Softwar", Lowery provides a theory of power projection that is a riveting fusion of physics, natural selection, and evolutionary theory. The book dissects power projection throughout the evolution of organisms, placing particular emphasis on human evolution during the emergence of agrarian society. This exploration serves as the foundation for understanding the concept of Proof-of-Work (exemplified by Bitcoin), which he rebrands as 'Bitpower', not merely as a digital currency, but as a novel medium of power projection in cyberspace.
At the heart of Lowery's argument is the notion of 'proof of power'. He posits that Bitpower represents a physical manifestation of proof-of-power in cyberspace, offering an innovative means of securing resources and enforcing policies in a realm devoid of physical force. He likens Bitpower to deer antlers, where both function to increase the cost of attack without lethally endangering the attacker. This reframing of Bitcoin, not merely as a financial tool, but as an instrument for asserting power and fostering cooperation, is both exciting and thought-provoking.
One area of Lowery's work that could benefit from expansion is his exploration of the potential dangers posed by an abstract power hierarchy in a proof-of-stake-based cyberspace, particularly as it relates to AI. The idea that the greatest threat may not come from human control over administrative access to digital resources, but rather from an unchecked AI operating without real-world constraints, is especially thought-provoking. The potential for a rogue AI to wield uncontrolled power over humanity's digital resources in cyberspace, unchecked by real-world limitations, presents a chilling existential threat. An entire section should be dedicated to exploring this idea in future editions.
All in all, "Softwar" is an essential read for anyone interested in both physics and evolutionary theory, eager to comprehend the intricate and rapidly evolving world of protecting bits in cyberspace, and understanding its broader societal and geopolitical ramifications. It presents a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly shape discussions about these issues in the years to come. In its most idealized future form, it may even save countless human lives by establishing a bounded prosperity loop where we compete, not with violent kinetic force leading to mutual destruction, but with nonlethal electric force, propelling our species into a major evolutionary transition of mutual survival. This riveting read truly underscores how the power of the future lies not just in our hands, but in the very bits and bytes of our interconnected world.
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Wow! This theory is incredibly insightful and thought provoking!
I just finished Jason Lowery’s thesis… Wow. It honestly has impacted my view of the world and bitpower (aka bitcoin).The chapters build upon themselves in a way that helped me to understand and actually believe in the novel theory of power projections and the strategic national significance of bitcoin. I now understand the concepts of Abstract Power projection and Physical Power projection both of which are vitally important in all areas of life.As I read through it.. my initial thoughts tend to follow my experiences around me to believe that Abstract Power projection is the best form of power projection (even though I didn’t have a word for “abstract power projection previously). TBH, before reading this thesis I would have said something like “War is unnecessary.. and that intelligent people can avoid war.. we just need the right people in charge to be secure/safe/avoid war”.I believe it is likely that most people think this way in a “domesticated” society including myself (this will make more sense once you read the thesis, I know it seems harsh..). I understood for the first time why physical power projection cannot be ignored and also why the ability to project physical power cannot be given up. Once I grasped these concepts I was able to see their implications in cyberspace (btw, learn what cyberspace is before dismissing it).All software outside of physical cost function protocols are a form of abstract power projection which allow users no defense against bad actors who have zero/near zero “cost” to attack and unlimited benefit to gain.. I agree with Jason that these abstract power projections will be exploited over time because of the Benefit-to-cost ratio dynamic. With no way to project physical power in an abstract power projection software, there is no way to win. The only question is… how long will it take to be exploited because of your/my “lack of ability to project physical power” in the abstract power projection system that I participate in. Jason’s argument that proof of stake isn’t competitive with proof of work was incredible (they are two diffrent systems in which one is real (watts) and one is not (imaginary). I see why Jason would desperately want to get away from the “clean energy” argument that is widely used to promote the efficacy of BTC mining. I commend those making the argument that clean energy makes BTC mining worth the cost.. but I learned today that it’s the wrong argument. Billions of years of power projection theory played out over time to tell us that we need watts to secure bits of information.Finally, Softwar.. wow. This is a world that I want to live in. I did believe that BTC would improve the world before reading this theory and that it could help prevent wars but it was all based on the monetary aspect/assumptions I had of the BTC protocol. I see now that this new information fills in a lot of gaps and makes my argument for this much stronger. I want to live in a world in which “mutually assured preservation” is the physical power projection of choice. This thesis is a step closer in creating a world in which physical power projections can be expressed in cyberspace. This changes nearly everything.Great work.. Jason!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2023
The chapters build upon themselves in a way that helped me to understand and actually believe in the novel theory of power projections and the strategic national significance of bitcoin. I now understand the concepts of Abstract Power projection and Physical Power projection both of which are vitally important in all areas of life.
As I read through it.. my initial thoughts tend to follow my experiences around me to believe that Abstract Power projection is the best form of power projection (even though I didn’t have a word for “abstract power projection previously). TBH, before reading this thesis I would have said something like “War is unnecessary.. and that intelligent people can avoid war.. we just need the right people in charge to be secure/safe/avoid war”.
I believe it is likely that most people think this way in a “domesticated” society including myself (this will make more sense once you read the thesis, I know it seems harsh..). I understood for the first time why physical power projection cannot be ignored and also why the ability to project physical power cannot be given up. Once I grasped these concepts I was able to see their implications in cyberspace (btw, learn what cyberspace is before dismissing it).
All software outside of physical cost function protocols are a form of abstract power projection which allow users no defense against bad actors who have zero/near zero “cost” to attack and unlimited benefit to gain.. I agree with Jason that these abstract power projections will be exploited over time because of the Benefit-to-cost ratio dynamic. With no way to project physical power in an abstract power projection software, there is no way to win. The only question is… how long will it take to be exploited because of your/my “lack of ability to project physical power” in the abstract power projection system that I participate in. Jason’s argument that proof of stake isn’t competitive with proof of work was incredible (they are two diffrent systems in which one is real (watts) and one is not (imaginary). I see why Jason would desperately want to get away from the “clean energy” argument that is widely used to promote the efficacy of BTC mining. I commend those making the argument that clean energy makes BTC mining worth the cost.. but I learned today that it’s the wrong argument. Billions of years of power projection theory played out over time to tell us that we need watts to secure bits of information.
Finally, Softwar.. wow. This is a world that I want to live in. I did believe that BTC would improve the world before reading this theory and that it could help prevent wars but it was all based on the monetary aspect/assumptions I had of the BTC protocol. I see now that this new information fills in a lot of gaps and makes my argument for this much stronger. I want to live in a world in which “mutually assured preservation” is the physical power projection of choice. This thesis is a step closer in creating a world in which physical power projections can be expressed in cyberspace. This changes nearly everything.
Great work.. Jason!
Wow! This theory is incredibly insightful and thought provoking!
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2023
I just finished Jason Lowery’s thesis… Wow. It honestly has impacted my view of the world and bitpower (aka bitcoin).Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2023
The chapters build upon themselves in a way that helped me to understand and actually believe in the novel theory of power projections and the strategic national significance of bitcoin. I now understand the concepts of Abstract Power projection and Physical Power projection both of which are vitally important in all areas of life.
As I read through it.. my initial thoughts tend to follow my experiences around me to believe that Abstract Power projection is the best form of power projection (even though I didn’t have a word for “abstract power projection previously). TBH, before reading this thesis I would have said something like “War is unnecessary.. and that intelligent people can avoid war.. we just need the right people in charge to be secure/safe/avoid war”.
I believe it is likely that most people think this way in a “domesticated” society including myself (this will make more sense once you read the thesis, I know it seems harsh..). I understood for the first time why physical power projection cannot be ignored and also why the ability to project physical power cannot be given up. Once I grasped these concepts I was able to see their implications in cyberspace (btw, learn what cyberspace is before dismissing it).
All software outside of physical cost function protocols are a form of abstract power projection which allow users no defense against bad actors who have zero/near zero “cost” to attack and unlimited benefit to gain.. I agree with Jason that these abstract power projections will be exploited over time because of the Benefit-to-cost ratio dynamic. With no way to project physical power in an abstract power projection software, there is no way to win. The only question is… how long will it take to be exploited because of your/my “lack of ability to project physical power” in the abstract power projection system that I participate in. Jason’s argument that proof of stake isn’t competitive with proof of work was incredible (they are two diffrent systems in which one is real (watts) and one is not (imaginary). I see why Jason would desperately want to get away from the “clean energy” argument that is widely used to promote the efficacy of BTC mining. I commend those making the argument that clean energy makes BTC mining worth the cost.. but I learned today that it’s the wrong argument. Billions of years of power projection theory played out over time to tell us that we need watts to secure bits of information.
Finally, Softwar.. wow. This is a world that I want to live in. I did believe that BTC would improve the world before reading this theory and that it could help prevent wars but it was all based on the monetary aspect/assumptions I had of the BTC protocol. I see now that this new information fills in a lot of gaps and makes my argument for this much stronger. I want to live in a world in which “mutually assured preservation” is the physical power projection of choice. This thesis is a step closer in creating a world in which physical power projections can be expressed in cyberspace. This changes nearly everything.
Great work.. Jason!
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Top reviews from other countries
Bryan Perron
WOW
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2023
Bryan Perron
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2023
So here are some bullet points in no specific order:
1. Don't buy this book thinking that you will be reading a book about how Bitcoin works. There are already great publications about this (I've read books from Saifedean Ammous and David St-Onge for that, there are also plenty of resources online already).
2. Bitcoin, not Crypto (I'm selling my $ETH as soon as it gets "unstaked" Zzzzz....IYKYK).
3. As per point #1, there's way more to learn, as per the description of the book on the purchasing page. A lot of subjects are discussed prior to bringing you to the "meat and potatoes" of the thesis. Using scientific concepts from biology, evolution, anthropology, political science, and computer theory. I thought it was taking a long way to get to the action, but once you get to Chapter 5, you understand why the author took so much time to bring you there.
4. I'm part of the plebs like most of you, I don't have a "Ph.D." in my Twitter handle (No disrespect Prof, I like your work, IYKYK), and English isn't my first language, but it only took me a couple of weeks during spare time of my busy life to go through it. You should take the time to do the same.
5. Hopefully, humanity will make a step in the right direction with the technology behind Bitcoin!
6. That's all I've got this morning, I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but... Read it.
7. Let's finish with one of my favorite quote:
“If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry.” Satoshi Nakamoto.
P.S. Jason, I know you're putting a lot of effort on Twitter to push it...and keep pushing, but you really need a smaller version, audio version, and a translated version ASAP... anything to spread the word everywhere! Again, great work! Thanks.
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Thomas
Dinero bien invertido
Reviewed in Mexico on March 14, 2023
Thomas
Reviewed in Mexico on March 14, 2023
El bitcoin es una cuestión de seguridad nacional y así como las naciones lo necesitan también los individuos.
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