Inside Schloss Heinrichshorst. Photo: Nikolaos Symeonidis
While von Heinrichshorst said he would support the limitless growth of opt-in virtual nation (VN) states, which corresponds to his own world view, he is cautiously optimistic about the feasible, full-scale implementation of Bitnation.I came away from Schloss Heinrichshorst more confused about Bitnation. What is the point, exactly? Who is it catering to? Is it a viable solution to inequality, or just some fleeting, newfangled idea meant to stir up debate?Read more: Bitcoin Is Too Libertarian to Save the Developing World, Says UN Paper
Through some targeted programs, Bitnation has been able to address specific inadequacies of the European nation-state model. The platform's Refugee Emergency Response project, for example, provides emergency digital ID cards and Bitcoin Visa cards to people escaping war-torn countries and arriving on the shores of Europe.In the wake of #Brexit I have become a citizen of @MyBitNation. It has huge potential and is gaining momentum. #BlockchainsNotBorders
— Kate Craig-Wood (@Memset_Kate) June 24, 2016
As many refugees have their identification confiscated when fleeing, blockchain technology could help to verify individuals who can't physically prove their legal status; debit cards can provide much needed funds to families. While the EU Parliament voted for a hands-off approach to blockchain regulation, the technology's usage varies across the continent, and Greece, which is the landing point for most Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghani refugees arriving by boat, has no specific legislation on Bitcoin."We don't need to improve existing nation-states, we need to make them redundant"
Architectural bits, downtown Berlin. Photo: Nikolaos Symeonidis
It's also a view motivated by extreme crypto-libertarian philosophies, which necessitates both an internet connection (when only 40 percent of the world has ever gone online) and an affinity for 17th century Western political thinkers. But notions of freedom differ across cultures and religions."A lot of libertarians… think that the mere fact of being "free" makes you empowered," said Brett Scott, an author and independent researcher who has written on blockchain technology for the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. "It's all founded on these notions of negative liberty, which is like, as long as nobody stops you, everything is fine. This is not at all how societies work."Proponents of Bitnation repeatedly stressed that freedom of choice doesn't have to fall into a collectivism versus individualism binary. No one is forced to use Bitnation, Tarkowski Tempelhof insists. Instead, it's about opting in or opting out.But "merely not having somebody stop you doesn't equate empowerment," Scott told me. "Empowerment involves having your needs authentically met and having support structures that enable you to live your life, and flexibility within those [structures] so you can express your individuality.""Today's Bitnation is very limited, but could grow into something"
Inside the faraday cage at Schloss Heinrichshorst. Photo: Nikolaos Symeonidis