Bitcoin Revolution
An revolution that came out of a desire that led to an idea.
Kuo knew he shouldn't have joined the group on the dark web that he did. He was bored one night though and so started perusing the online communities looking for something that caught his interest. He happened on a chat about banks. He lived in China. Communist and oppressive. They watched everything that everyone did. The government had complete control over every part of the Chinese person's life. Their money, financial security, food, prosperity, thoughts. The news was full of propaganda and no one had the freedom to do anything. Everything that wasn't approved of by the state was done in secrecy. So Kuo knew he could get into deep shit. A hole he could never dig himself out of. Perhaps it was the excitement of getting caught is what led him back to the online group over and over again. There they would have open discussions about politics, how things would be so different without the heavy boot of the state. There were other members from different countries of course. Some from the United States, Canada, Mozambique, France, Poland. Many different nationalities but with all the same like minded thoughts. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. He had started to talk to 3 other people regularly. All he knew about their identities were their screen names. LagunaSnizzard289, Yolomarken156, Frakenbrake856. The four of them would have their own chat sessions. Lately they would talk about how it would be great to have a way to make money that no one could trace. They started to punt ideas around. All their backgrounds were in coding and networks. Kuo was the one who came up with the idea of "mining". LagunaSnizzard289 came up with the idea of peer-to-peer networking. Yolomarken156 came up with block-chains. Kuo was the one who started to play around with the code.
On this particular night, sitting in his tiny apartment, with rice and chicken in a bowl in front of him, he decided to share his code with the others.
They had already started the chat a few minutes ago and were joking around and about what they would do if they could make this work and become billionaires.
"I have something...", wrote Kuo. "It's not much."
He shared his code to the chat window. No one responded. He figured they were analyzing his code. Looking at it with interest. It seemed like an eternity when he saw the message from Frakenbrake856.
"Holy Shit!" That was the first message Kuo saw. Then others started popping up.
"Genius"
"Awesome"
"Let's do this"
Kuo smiled. Pride filled him, growing deep in his belly and rising to his chest. A warm feeling he hadn’t felt since he was 18 years old. Of course he couldn’t tell anyone about this. It was illegal. The four secret identities divided up the work and decided to talk again in a week. Kuo logged off and finished his rice and chicken, thinking about his next steps. It was late, so he turned off his screen and went to bed.
During the next week, after work each day Kuo went home and worked on his part of the code. He would sit at his computer for hours working on this code, each night he felt more and more hope. He began to want to share this new way of acquiring money with the world. He wanted others to prosper. He felt he was starting to finally contribute something for humanity. A new way of thinking. Freedom from financial oppression. Freedom for humanity. For anyone that wanted it. He started to formulate a vision for this little project. He didn’t want to get rich off of other people’s money...he wanted to show the world a new way of making money and keeping it. A new currency that was managed by the people, not corporations not governments, but truly by the people of every nation and walk of life. This was true freedom, he thought.
They met again in their group chat at the end of the week. The four of them. They shared their code and put it together. It was a start. They would keep working at it until it was perfect. It would take months, maybe years, but they were all on their way to making the perfect banking system. During this chat they decided they would share this with the world. Open source code for anyone to download and use. No fees. Free to help humanity. To show the world that it can be free from oppressive corporations and governments.
This was the start of a revolution.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Patricia Krzystek and writers in The Swamp and other communities.
My Feathered Colleague
Working from home for the last 18 months has been interesting to say the least. I started working from home regularly in March 2020, when COVID-19 made its appearance in Calgary, AB. It was a scary time. My 11-year-old daughter at the time didn’t leave the house for an entire 6 weeks. We lived in a 3-bedroom apartment at that time, and no kidding, she didn’t even go outside on the balcony because she was so scared to get sick.
By Patricia Krzystek4 years ago in Petlife
Why Black History Matters in America?
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 days ago in The Swamp
US Healthcare Needs Fixing, But There’s No Agreement on How to Do It
Few issues unite Americans more than the belief that the nation’s healthcare system is deeply flawed. Rising costs, uneven access, and persistent gaps in quality have left patients, providers, and policymakers frustrated. Yet despite broad consensus that reform is necessary, there is little agreement on what that reform should look like. Political divisions, economic interests, and ideological differences have made healthcare one of the most contested and complex policy arenas in the United States. A System Under Strain The United States spends more on healthcare per person than any other developed nation, yet millions remain uninsured or underinsured. Even those with coverage often face high deductibles, surprise bills, and limited provider networks. Hospitals struggle with staffing shortages, while rural communities see clinics close due to financial pressure. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many of these weaknesses. Overcrowded hospitals, inconsistent access to testing and treatment, and confusion about insurance coverage highlighted systemic vulnerabilities. While emergency measures temporarily expanded coverage and funding, many of those programs have now expired, renewing concerns about long-term sustainability. Patients increasingly report delaying care due to cost. Prescription drug prices remain a major burden, particularly for older Americans and those with chronic illnesses. These realities have intensified calls for reform across the political spectrum. Competing Visions for Reform Despite agreement on the problem, proposed solutions vary dramatically. Progressives advocate for a government-run or single-payer healthcare system that would guarantee coverage to all Americans. They argue that healthcare is a human right and that removing profit motives would reduce costs and improve equity. Moderates favor building on the existing system created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding subsidies, strengthening public insurance options, and regulating private insurers more aggressively. This approach seeks gradual improvement without dismantling private coverage. Conservatives, meanwhile, emphasize market-based reforms. They propose reducing government regulation, increasing competition among insurers and providers, and allowing consumers more choice. Supporters argue that innovation and competition would lower costs and improve quality over time. These sharply different philosophies reflect deeper disagreements about the role of government in American life. For some, healthcare reform is about social justice; for others, it is about economic freedom and efficiency. The Power of Interest Groups Another obstacle to consensus is the influence of powerful healthcare industry stakeholders. Insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms, hospital systems, and professional associations all have vested interests in shaping reform efforts. Lobbying has played a major role in slowing or reshaping proposed legislation. Efforts to control drug prices, for example, have faced fierce resistance from pharmaceutical companies that argue such measures would limit research and innovation. Hospitals worry that reimbursement cuts could force closures, particularly in underserved areas. These competing pressures make it difficult for lawmakers to craft policies that satisfy both public demands and industry concerns. Federal vs. State Approaches The divide between federal and state authority further complicates reform. Some states have expanded Medicaid and experimented with innovative coverage models, while others have resisted federal programs entirely. This patchwork system results in unequal access depending on where a person lives. A low-income resident in one state may qualify for comprehensive coverage, while a similar individual in another state may remain uninsured. Critics argue that healthcare should not depend on geography, while defenders of state autonomy say local governments are better positioned to tailor solutions. Public Opinion Is Fragmented Surveys show Americans want lower costs and better access, but opinions diverge on how to achieve those goals. Many support protections for preexisting conditions and limits on drug prices, yet fewer agree on sweeping structural change. Fear of disruption plays a role. Millions receive insurance through employers and worry that major reform could jeopardize coverage they depend on. Others distrust government-run systems, citing concerns about bureaucracy and long wait times. This uncertainty creates political risk for lawmakers, who face backlash regardless of the path they choose. Technology and the Future of Care While political debates stall, technology is reshaping healthcare delivery. Telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and digital health records promise improved efficiency and access, particularly for rural and elderly patients. However, these innovations also raise new challenges related to privacy, regulation, and inequality. Not all Americans have access to reliable internet or digital tools, potentially widening disparities rather than closing them. Experts argue that technological progress must be paired with thoughtful policy reform to ensure benefits are shared equitably. A System at a Crossroads The inability to reach agreement has left the US healthcare system in a state of limbo. Incremental changes continue, but comprehensive reform remains elusive. Each election cycle revives the debate, with healthcare consistently ranking among voters’ top concerns. Without consensus, the system risks becoming more fragmented and expensive. Yet any attempt at major reform will require political courage and compromise across ideological lines. Conclusion The United States agrees on one thing: its healthcare system needs fixing. Where it disagrees is on how to do it. Competing visions, powerful interest groups, and public uncertainty have stalled meaningful progress. Until leaders find common ground, millions of Americans will continue navigating a system that is costly, confusing, and unequal. The challenge ahead is not just designing better policy, but rebuilding trust that reform can improve lives without creating new fears. Healthcare remains both a moral question and a political battleground. Whether consensus can be achieved may define the next chapter of American public policy—and determine whether the promise of affordable, accessible care can finally become reality.
By Fiaz Ahmed 5 days ago in The Swamp
Our Song
Evening has given way to night. Gently, I settle next to you on the comfortable, old love seat and reach for your hand. You snatch it away, again. It cuts me to the quick, but I hide the pain, understanding that the reaction is but part of your demented state. Since the accident, your presence here in our cozy home has been clouded by a haze I can't see. Nevertheless, I feel the frigidity of your expressions and it serves as an excruciating reminder of the immeasurable distance between us.
By Dana Crandell7 days ago in Fiction
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.