Dudeism, a philosophy inspired by “The Big Lebowski,” shares some basic tenets that should intrigue Bitcoiners.
This is an opinion editorial by Hongumart, a frontline health worker.
Inspired by The Dude, the main character in the 1998 Coen Brothers film “The Big Lebowski”, dudeism It is a way of life, philosophy and religion. The main objective of Dudeism is to apply a modern version of taoisman ancient Chinese teaching attributed to Laozi (who rose to prominence in the 6th century), combined with insights from the Greek thinker epicure (who lived from 341 to 270 BC), in a way that reflects the persona of Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski from the film.
Dudeism emphasized the practices of relaxing, keeping calm, and taking it easy when faced with life’s challenges, guided by the belief that this is the best way to live in harmony with ourselves and with others.
Bitcoin is a digital currency that operates on a peer-to-peer network without relying on any intermediary or authority. It was created by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. The main idea behind Bitcoin is to enable online payments that are direct, secure, and independent of any financial institution. Bitcoin is the most popular and widely used cryptocurrency in the world. It has inspired many other cryptocurrencies that offer different features or use cases. Bitcoin’s value and adoption have fluctuated over time, depending on various factors such as regulation, innovation, competition, and market sentiment.
Bitcoin and Dudeism are two seemingly unrelated phenomena, but they do share some striking similarities:
- Both are decentralized and operate peer-to-peer: Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that operates without a central authority or intermediary, relying on a network of nodes to validate transactions and maintain consensus. Dudeism is a religion that rejects dogma and hierarchy, encouraging its followers to find their own ways and live in harmony with themselves and with others.
- Both are inspired by cult movies: Bitcoin was created by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, which, in my opinion, could be a reference to the character Toshiro Mifune in the movie “Yojimbo”. As noted above, Dudeism is based on the philosophy of the protagonist of “The Big Lebowski”, who embodies the principles of Taoism and Zen Buddhism.
- Both are adaptable and resilient: Bitcoin is designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing for innovation and improvement through forks and upgrades. Dudeism is open to interpretation and integration, allowing for diversity and creativity among its adherents.
- Both are countercultural and revolutionary: Bitcoin challenges the status quo of the traditional financial system, offering a more transparent, democratic and inclusive alternative. Dudeism challenges the norms of modern society, offering a more relaxed, authentic and peaceful lifestyle.
Dudeism and Bitcoin also share some similarities in their underlying principles and values. Both are inspired by ancient philosophies that emphasize simplicity, harmony, and freedom. Both are also based on decentralized systems that do not depend on any external authority or intermediary. Both aim to provide alternatives to conventional ways of living and transacting that are often seen as stressful, complicated and oppressive. Both also have a loyal and passionate community of followers who identify with their respective values and cultures.
These are just some of the similarities between Bitcoin and Dudeism. Maybe they’re not so different after all. Maybe they’re both ways of abiding by the same universal truth: that nothing is fixed (except the bitcoin supply), everything flows and we need to take it easy, man.
This is a guest post by Hongumart. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.