Links: Snow Crash, South Park, Bitcoin’s IPO and bubbles

Neal Stephenson, author of _Snow Crash_, envisioned major aspects of cryptocurrency and the Metaverse long before their arrival. His earlier works highlighted the potential for privacy and digital currencies, reflecting the cypherpunk ideals of his time. Currently, he notes a mix of idealism and commercialism in the crypto scene, emphasizing the need to focus on the intangible value of creations rather than just financial gain. This aligns with insights from _South Park_, which mocks the confusion between genuine crypto principles and opportunism. Additionally, analysts like Ben Thompson discuss the quasi-spiritual aspects of the AI bubble, comparing it to crypto. They emphasize the importance of infrastructure and cognitive capacity provided by such bubbles for future innovation. Jordi Visser points out that Bitcoin's current softness comes from the original cypherpunks selling their holdings, indicating changing dynamics in its value. Amid these shifts, Crypto Mom Hester Peirce warns that the crypto industry's favorable conditions may change, urging the community to build valuable and socially beneficial solutions to ensure lasting regulatory protection.

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