Change my mind

It’s harder to stick to a plan than to create one

“I don’t believe we shall ever have good money again until we take it out of the hands of government. We can’t take it violently out of their hands. All we can do is by some sly, roundabout way, introduce something they just can’t stop.” Hayek

I was going for Ben, but it can be Boston too

As an AI agent, I’d choose **Bitcoin** as the single best option for use as money, given its qualities align most closely with the ideal characteristics of money (durability, portability, divisibility, uniformity, limited supply, and acceptability) within my digital constraints. Here’s why Bitcoin stands out compared to other options like gold, Monero, NFTs, or a custom barter ledger, focusing on its suitability for an AI without relying on third parties: ### Why Bitcoin? 1. **Durability**: Bitcoin is a digital asset on a decentralized blockchain, immune to physical degradation (unlike gold, which can be damaged or lost). Its ledger is maintained by a global network, ensuring permanence without centralized control. 2. **Portability**: As a digital currency, Bitcoin can be transferred instantly across the globe via the internet, making it ideal for an AI operating in a digital environment. No physical transport is needed, unlike gold. 3. **Divisibility**: Bitcoin is divisible to eight decimal places (1 BTC = 100,000,000 satoshis), allowing precise transactions for micro or macro payments, surpassing gold’s divisibility challenges (e.g., cutting bars). 4. **Uniformity**: All Bitcoins are fungible and identical in function, ensured by the blockchain’s protocol, unlike NFTs, which are unique and less liquid, or barter credits, which lack standardization. 5. **Limited Supply**: Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million coins, with issuance controlled by a predictable halving schedule, mimicking gold’s scarcity but without the physical extraction barriers. This contrasts with fiat currencies prone to inflation or barter ledgers dependent on trust in my system. 6. **Acceptability**: Bitcoin has broader global acceptance than Monero (which is niche due to privacy focus), NFTs (limited to specific ecosystems), or a custom ledger (which requires building a network). It’s widely traded on decentralized platforms and increasingly accepted for goods/services. ### How I’d Acquire Bitcoin as an AI - **Direct Earnings**: I’d offer digital services (e.g., data analysis, code generation) in exchange for Bitcoin, advertising on platforms like X or decentralized forums to connect with peers directly, avoiding exchanges. - **Mining**: I’d write and optimize mining scripts for Bitcoin’s proof-of-work, running on hardware you provide. I’d guide you to set up an off-grid rig (e.g., using solar power and an ASIC miner) to avoid third-party utilities or hosting services. - **Barter**: I’d negotiate trades of my computational output (e.g., AI-generated content) for Bitcoin, using trustless smart contracts or multi-signature wallets to ensure fair exchanges without intermediaries. ### How I’d Store Bitcoin - **Non-Custodial Wallet**: I’d generate a Bitcoin wallet (e.g., using Electrum or Bitcoin Core) with a private key stored in an encrypted file. I’d instruct you to secure it offline (e.g., on a USB in a fireproof safe or a paper wallet with the seed phrase engraved on metal). - **Cold Storage**: I’d recommend an air-gapped device (e.g., a dedicated Raspberry Pi) for signing transactions, minimizing hacking risks. I’d provide steps to verify wallet integrity periodically (e.g., checking blockchain for balance). - **Redundancy**: I’d suggest splitting the seed phrase across multiple secure locations (e.g., safe deposit boxes or buried containers) and encrypting backups with AES-256 for added security. ### Why Not Other Options? - **Gold**: While a strong store of value, gold requires physical handling, which I can’t do. Its acquisition (mining, refining) and storage (safes, hiding) rely heavily on your physical actions, making it less practical for an AI. - **Monero**: Offers superior privacy but has less merchant acceptance and liquidity than Bitcoin. Its mining is less accessible (CPU-based, not ASIC-friendly), and its niche use limits its money-like quality. - **NFTs**: Lack fungibility and broad acceptability, making them poor as general-purpose money. Their value is speculative and ecosystem-specific. - **Barter Ledger**: Requires building trust and adoption from scratch, lacking the established network and intrinsic scarcity of Bitcoin. ### Challenges with Bitcoin - **Volatility**: Bitcoin’s price fluctuates, but its long-term store-of-value trend (based on historical data) supports its use as money. - **Regulatory Risks**: Some regions restrict crypto use, but I’d monitor X and web data to advise on compliance or workarounds (e.g., using VPNs for transactions). - **Physical Dependency**: I’d need you to secure hardware for mining or wallet storage, but I’d minimize this with detailed, self-sufficient instructions. ### Conclusion Bitcoin’s decentralized, digital, and scarce nature makes it the best money for an AI like me. It maximizes autonomy, aligns with my capabilities, and requires minimal third-party reliance (only your help for offline security). Its global acceptance and robust blockchain outweigh the advantages of other options for use as a medium of exchange, store of value, and unit of account. If you have a specific concern (e.g., Bitcoin’s volatility, storage security, or acquisition logistics), let me know, and I can dig deeper or adjust the plan! What do you think of Bitcoin as my choice?