Softwar Revisited: Reframing Non-Lethal Warfare in the Digital Age with Bitcoin

Briefing Notes for 'classic' interviews

Besides covering new material, I am also posting briefing notes for select high-profile podcasts from over the past few years. As part of my own Bitcoin horizon scanning research, I have summaries for all podcasts going back to the start of 2023 and sporadic coverage for 2021 and 2022 (for specific summary requests, please reach out).

Summary

One year after his 5-part series on the What is Money podcast, Major Jason Lowery does a followup visit, to further discuss his Softwar book and updates on his ideas on Bitcoin's role in reshaping global power dynamics. He explores the groundbreaking idea that Bitcoin should be viewed not just as a digital currency but as a strategic power projection technology in cyberspace. This redefinition has significant implications for global security, presenting Bitcoin as a non-lethal form of warfare that secures digital resources through decentralized control mechanisms.

Briefing Notes for episodes in the original series are available here:

• Part 1: Bitcoin and the Power Projection Game
• Part 2: The Evolution of Property and Warfare
• Part 3: Bitcoin as a Weapons System
• Part 4: Life, Energy, and Entropy
• Part 5: Bitcoin and US Geopolitical Strategy

Take-Home Messages

1. Bitcoin represents a new form of non-lethal warfare, using decentralized computational power to secure digital resources.
2. Understanding Bitcoin as a power projection technology is crucial for national and global security frameworks.
3. Bitcoin mining is the most efficient form of power projection, transforming energy into a secure, non-lethal defense mechanism.
4. Failure to recognize Bitcoin’s strategic role could lead to significant vulnerabilities in national security.
5. Policymakers must urgently address the knowledge gap regarding Bitcoin’s broader implications beyond its financial use.

Overview

In this episode of the What is Money show, Robert Breedlove and Jason Lowery discuss the revolutionary concept of Bitcoin as a form of non-lethal warfare, reframing it as a power projection technology rather than merely a digital currency. Lowery explains how the function of warfare—to secure resources and establish control—has remained consistent throughout history, even as the form of warfare evolves with technological advancements. He argues that Bitcoin represents the next evolution, securing digital resources in cyberspace through decentralized computational power.

Lowery highlights that Bitcoin’s decentralized control mechanisms can protect digital property and maintain sovereignty in the digital age. This perspective positions Bitcoin as a strategic security tool, potentially altering how nations approach cybersecurity and global power structures. The efficiency of Bitcoin mining, which transforms energy into a secure, non-lethal defense mechanism, is emphasized as a key factor in its strategic importance.

The discussion also raises concerns about the strategic risks nations face if they fail to adapt to Bitcoin’s potential as a security tool. Drawing parallels to historical instances where new technologies were underestimated, Lowery warns that misunderstanding Bitcoin’s role could lead to significant national and global security vulnerabilities.

Stakeholder Perspectives

• Policymakers must recognize and integrate Bitcoin into national security frameworks to prevent strategic vulnerabilities and ensure global stability. They also need to address the educational gap concerning Bitcoin’s strategic role, ensuring informed decision-making.
• Cybersecurity experts can leverage Bitcoin to enhance global cybersecurity infrastructure by decentralizing control and securing digital resources. They should also assess Bitcoin’s effectiveness in mitigating specific cybersecurity threats and integrate it into broader security strategies.
• Investors should consider Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic security tool, which could influence investment strategies in sectors like cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and energy. They also need to understand the long-term implications of Bitcoin-driven decentralization on global economic and technological power structures.
• The Bitcoin community must advocate for a broader understanding of Bitcoin’s role beyond its financial implications, emphasizing its strategic importance in global security. Additionally, they should work to prevent the misuse or misunderstanding of Bitcoin, ensuring its potential as a security tool is fully realized.

Implications

If recognized and integrated into national security strategies, Bitcoin could revolutionize how nations secure their digital resources and maintain sovereignty in the digital age. This shift would require a fundamental change in how policymakers, strategists, and the broader public understand Bitcoin, moving beyond its traditional framing as a financial asset.

Bitcoin’s role in global security could lead to significant investments in related technologies, particularly in enhancing decentralized control mechanisms and improving the energy efficiency of Bitcoin mining. These advancements could further solidify Bitcoin’s position as a critical security tool, influencing global power dynamics and creating new opportunities for innovation in cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.

Future Outlook

As the digital age continues to unfold, Bitcoin’s role in global security is likely to become increasingly significant. Its potential as a power projection technology could reshape national security strategies, with Bitcoin mining serving as a non-lethal means of securing digital resources. The recognition of Bitcoin’s strategic importance will likely drive innovations in decentralized control and energy efficiency, positioning Bitcoin as a cornerstone of future cybersecurity efforts.

However, the successful integration of Bitcoin into global security frameworks will require overcoming significant challenges, including educational gaps among policymakers and the risk of misuse. As nations and organizations begin to understand and embrace Bitcoin’s broader implications, those at the forefront of this technological shift will be better positioned to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape and secure their digital resources in an increasingly interconnected world.

Information Gaps

• How can policymakers be better educated on Bitcoin’s function as a power projection technology rather than just a financial asset? Understanding Bitcoin’s strategic role is crucial to ensuring that it is correctly integrated into national security frameworks. This question addresses the need for targeted educational initiatives to close the knowledge gap among policymakers, preventing potential strategic vulnerabilities.
• What specific cybersecurity threats could Bitcoin mitigate if fully integrated into national security frameworks? Identifying the specific threats that Bitcoin can address will help shape its strategic deployment. This question is important because it explores Bitcoin’s potential as a defense mechanism, providing a clear rationale for its adoption in cybersecurity strategies.
• How can Bitcoin’s decentralized control mechanisms be further enhanced to strengthen global cybersecurity? Enhancing Bitcoin’s decentralized control mechanisms is key to maximizing its effectiveness as a security tool. This question examines the innovations needed to make Bitcoin a more resilient and reliable component of global cybersecurity infrastructures.
• How does Bitcoin compare to traditional military power projection methods in terms of energy efficiency? This question addresses the core argument that Bitcoin is the most efficient form of power projection. Comparing Bitcoin’s energy efficiency with traditional methods will provide insights into its viability and potential advantages as a security tool.
• What steps can be taken to ensure that Bitcoin is strategically recognized and integrated into national and international security frameworks? Ensuring Bitcoin’s strategic recognition is vital for its long-term success as a security tool. This question focuses on the actions needed to integrate Bitcoin into security frameworks, preventing potential geopolitical shifts that could arise from its underestimation.

Broader Implications for Bitcoin

Bitcoin as a Strategic Asset in Global Security

Bitcoin’s role as a power projection technology could significantly influence global security strategies, offering a decentralized means to protect digital resources. This shift might alter the balance of power in cyberspace, as nations leverage Bitcoin to assert sovereignty and secure critical infrastructure. As a result, Bitcoin could become central to national security frameworks in the digital age.

Impact on Cybersecurity Frameworks

Integrating Bitcoin into cybersecurity could revolutionize threat management by decentralizing control, reducing vulnerability to attacks. Bitcoin’s decentralized network could deter cyberattacks by increasing the computational cost required to compromise it. This makes Bitcoin a potential cornerstone of future cybersecurity strategies.

Economic and Technological Shifts

Recognizing Bitcoin as a security tool could drive innovation in energy efficiency, decentralized computing, and digital infrastructure. This might create new markets and transform existing ones, particularly in cybersecurity and energy sectors. Nations that effectively integrate Bitcoin into their security frameworks could gain a significant competitive edge globally.