This is opinion editor Trey Walsh, senior director of youth programs at MassHire Metro North Workforce Council in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Our world has seen dramatic change and change over the past few years: global pandemics, war, political unrest, and growing pessimism about governments, the future health of our planet, and our global financial system. Especially in the Western world and in the United States, there is a group that is increasingly disaffected and in some cases desperate: Gen Z.
But I believe there is one big reason for hope that this generation has yet to fully materialize: Bitcoin.
Generation Z and its impact on the COVID-19 pandemic, inequality, politics, socioeconomic and labor market conditions, and more. there are countless studies and articles discussing the mental health crises it faces. It is clear that these factors have affected this generation, and in many cases there is an extended narrative of despair from environmental groups who have placed the burden of future climate catastrophe on this younger generation now facing “climate”. anxiety,” to politicians who label every election as a fight for our democracy/nation. Previous generations were offered more reasons for optimism—including the relative affordability of the middle-class American dream—my millennial generation was encouraged to be what we wanted to be and to see innovation and creativity at every turn. While my generation has seen the crushing reality of major financial crises, student debt, and some of the same concerns faced by Generation Z, we still have the benefit of growing up in an age of endless possibilities with the advent of the internet. better prepared us for the state of the world today.
I have seen with my own eyes the impact of these issues on the younger generation. As the CEO of youth programs for a Somerville, Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization working with high school partners in our region, it’s clear to me that our youth are facing dire straits, from trying to get through school during COVID-19. then the plight of virtual learning, trying to prepare for the future and work, dealing with college and mental health issues, all while many of these students work to help support the basic needs of their families.
Teachers are overworked and underpaid, and students lack the support they need to address these issues. Families are burdened with rising inflation, a lack of savings, and college has yet to become (if at all) more affordable. Hope, if it is ever to be found, has not been the dominant story in the last few years. However, there is much to hope for with Bitcoin.
Bitcoin, like the internet, is increasing its use cases and possibilities every year. Since Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper dropped on October 31, 2008, following the great financial crisis, more and more hope has been found in the possibilities and use cases of Bitcoin.
Bitcoin is Hope for the Environment
The popular narrative from the mainstream media, politicians (especially from the Democratic party, of which I am a registered voter), and major environmental groups is that Bitcoin is bad for the environment. End of discussion.
Unfortunately, many of Gen Z present this as fact, when the reality is that the possibilities of Bitcoin, especially mining and the positive effects it can have on our environment, are quite limitless and just being realized. Bitcoin promotes the further development of renewable energy and can regulate carbon emissions, stabilize energy grids, bring power to remote parts of the world through financial incentives, and much more. Climate-concerned youth need to be educated on Bitcoin’s benefits to our environment and see all the great potential in fighting climate change, while also spreading prosperity and stability to those who need it most.
Bitcoin is the hope for a more socially just economic system
Gen Z is deeply concerned about injustice, inequality and corporate greed and is increasingly skeptical of ‘capitalism’. Bitcoin offers equal access – a transparent system that cannot be manipulated or controlled. We are doing this young generation a disservice no sharing with them the progressive ideas inherent in Bitcoin that promote financial freedom and greater equality. Are we going to let the banks and the rich be the first to adopt Bitcoin, or should we frame Bitcoin as something that encourages Gen Z to keep this technology of freedom?
Bitcoin is the Hope of Democracy
Gen Z is increasingly skeptical of politicians and our political process in the United States. With bitcoin and the bitcoin standard, fiat incentives in politics are more sharply limited.
Regardless of the intention, Bitcoin is a system based on the principle of “trust, verification”, which means that our policies require more accountability and less manipulation and trust. Now, this by no means completely fixes politics or guarantees a perfect utopian democracy, but it can give hope to this generation that wants their voices heard, the freedom and agency to control their own stories and see a better world. I think that’s a bigger selling point than the World Economic Forum would suggest.
This list of hopes through Bitcoin is just the beginning. Gen Z deserves the opportunity to be presented with stories of hope in Bitcoin, rather than being bombarded with the future hellscape that is increasingly damaging to this generation. While Gen Z is fighting for a better future, Bitcoin must play a central role in this fight for the results they hope to become a reality.
This is a guest post by Trey Walsh. The views expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.