Debating bitcoin: Invention or discovery? + its future in space with Samson Mow and Dhruv Bansal

In this episode, we sit down with Dhruv Bansal, co-founder of Unchained, and Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, for a friendly debate on whether bitcoin was invented or discovered. We examine how historical inventions and discoveries like mathematics and fire compare to bitcoin, explore the philosophical implications of digital scarcity, and discuss its relevance across civilizations. Dhruv and Samson share their insights on bitcoin as a living organism, potential challenges from quantum computing, and the evolution of its network over time. The conversation also touches on the future of money and mining in a spacefaring civilization, how energy markets intersect with bitcoin, and the practicality of sidechains for interplanetary use. Throughout, we question the boundaries of bitcoin’s definition, its adaptability, and its role as the ultimate form of energy money.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro1:43 Welcome to the debate: invented vs. discovered3:48 Definitions: what makes something invented or discovered?7:53 Analyzing historical examples: math, melodies, and fire12:03 Was bitcoin invented or discovered? Opening arguments20:25 The ship of theseus analogy for bitcoin’s evolution24:09 Addressing quantum computing and potential bitcoin changes30:58 Bitcoin as a living organism and its self-regulation33:19 Does digital scarcity truly exist across civilizations?39:09 Bitcoin’s impact on energy grids and global sustainability42:00 Mars colonization: should Martians adopt bitcoin or a sidechain?47:09 Decentralization vs. centralization of hash power in space52:50 Concluding thoughts: bitcoin’s universal role as energy money1:01:10 The biggest risk to bitcoin—aliens?WHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Dhruv Bansal’s Twitter: https://x.com/dhruvbansal→ Samson Mow’s Twitter: https://x.com/Excellion