Crypto and the Kafkaesque | Opinion

As a long-time crypto investor and literature enthusiast, I can’t help but draw parallels between the works of Franz Kafka and the often perplexing and paradoxical nature of the cryptocurrency world. The sense of existential anxiety and futility that permeates Kafka’s novels finds striking resonance in the volatile and unpredictable realm of digital currencies.


As a crypto investor and literature enthusiast, I’d like to take you on a unique journey this week. Let’s delve into the world of cryptocurrencies and explore its most surreal moments that echo the works of Franz Kafka, who passed away 100 years ago on June 3, 1924. Get ready for an intriguing ride through the unexpected twists and turns in crypto that mirror the enigmatic author’s literary masterpieces.

Crypto and the Kafkaesque | Opinion

Picture yourself in a maze of confounding and irrational circumstances, with no control over the impersonal and all-powerful forces that govern your reality. This unsettling distortion of the world is encapsulated by the term “Kafkaesque,” inspired by the works of Franz Kafka, the Czech-German author. In novels such as “The Trial” (1914), “The Castle” (1922), and “The Metamorphosis” (1912), Kafka’s stories have left indelible marks on modern literature, portraying characters ensnared in existential anguish and futility. Remarkably, the Kafkaesque themes echo the complex and frequently dystopian nature of cryptocurrency. Despite the potential for financial freedom, these narratives are all too often marred by paradox and disenchantment.

Wojak, crypto, and the Kafkaesque

In 1922, Franz Kafka wrote and in 1924 published his last work, “A Hunger Artist,” which gained posthumous recognition the same year he tragically passed away from advanced laryngeal tuberculosis. This debilitating disease caused him to starve to death due to complications. The narrative of this poignant tale revolves around a dedicated artist who, as part of his craft, undergoes prolonged periods of fasting. His self-inflicted suffering draws crowds fascinated by his suffering. However, public interest in his performance wanes over time, resulting in the hunger artist’s eventual isolation and demise.

In this scenario, an individual finds himself in a predicament strikingly similar to that of crypto’s most renowned character – the wojak. This McDonald’s night manager becomes fixated on acquiring wealth swiftly, leading him down a dangerous path akin to compulsive gambling. The volatile and frequently disheartening experience of crypto trading and investment leaves the wojak in a state of deep despair and disenchantment. Just as hunger haunted Kafka’s artist, cheap ramen noodles consume the struggling wage earner who dreams of striking it rich with a Solana meme coin. Such an existence can only be described as quintessentially Kafkaesque.

Crypto and the Kafkaesque | Opinion

Satoshi Nakamoto as Joseph K.

Without revealing personal anecdotes, let’s pivot to discussing the concept of “Kafkaesque” using Satoshi Nakamoto as a modern-day parallel. In Franz Kafka’s “The Castle” (1922), the character K. faces an enigmatic and unreachable bureaucratic power, much like Satoshi who kept his identity hidden from the public. Kafka expressed skepticism towards the pronouncements of authorities, warning “Don’t believe everything officials say.” He asserted his rights and determination to claim them.

In “The Trial” by Kafka, the protagonist Joseph K. is unexpectedly arrested despite his certainty of innocence. This scenario echoes the predicament faced by key figures in the cryptocurrency world, such as Satoshi Nakamoto or Changpeng Zhao, who navigate through regulatory uncertainties and shifting stances on crypto. The EU’s proposed MiCA legislation adds to the confusion in Europe, while the US continues to grapple with inconsistent approaches from figures like Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

KafkaCrypto: towards a new theory of technology and doomer

To ponder further, consider the concept of paradox – a quintessential Kafkaesque predicament. This notion hinges on the possibility that opposing truths can coexist. Cryptocurrencies were devised to bypass conventional financial structures and their regulatory frameworks. However, as the market expands, there arises an increasing need for regulation to combat fraud, shield consumers, and maintain market equilibrium. Ironically, these regulations frequently clash with privacy-centric solutions such as Monero or Tornado Cash.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed an intriguing contradiction: the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, which was supposed to disrupt centralized systems, has started to intersect with them in unexpected ways. Take China and Russia’s plans to introduce central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). This paradoxical situation is akin to having your encrypted financial freedom under the control of authoritarian governments. It feels like we’ve reached the epitome of Kafkaesque, where crypto exists in a limbo between decentralization and state surveillance.

Kafka observed in “The Trial” that their overconfident demeanor was a result of their foolishness rather than intelligence or knowledge of the true nature of justice. This idea shares some similarities with the concept of effective altruism popular in contemporary crypto circles, including Sam Bankman-Fried’s perspective on crypto capitalism – where deceit is justified for the greater good.

Cryptocurrency promotes financial self-reliance and personal management of one’s economic persona. However, as we commemorate the hundredth anniversary of Kafka’s demise, it becomes apparent that the crypto sector shares several enigmatic traits reminiscent of Kafka’s works. The elusive character of Satoshi Nakamoto, the unassuming wojak, and the perplexing duality of crypto scams represent just a few of these qualities. Furthermore, the paradoxical nature of decentralization and regulation raises questions about the true extent of autonomy in this realm. In Kafka’s own words:

“Every revolution evaporates and leaves behind only the slime of a new bureaucracy.”

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2024-06-04 07:26