On “Have Fun Staying Poor”
Though this meme has attracted some criticism[1][2][3], the pithy recommendation to “Have fun staying poor” (or HFSP) undeniably conveys something of considerable memetic density and potential limbic resonance. It hits similarly to Satoshi’s “If you don’t get it” quote:*
If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry.[1]
The HFSP meme meets an anti-Bitcoin ideologue at their own (invariable) level. That is to say, almost without fail, Bitcoin critics lack substance and justification for their arguments or beliefs. HFSP succinctly conveys, without undue energy costs, that this substance-lacking uncritical thought continues at your own peril. No superfluous antipathy is conveyed; on the contrary, the critic is encouraged to continue forth merrily, should they wish to do so, even when confronted with the reality of Bitcoin’s market presence as a new money. However, at the exact same time, the underlying bottom line is hammered home: in relative financial terms, you are positioning yourself to be perpetually impoverished for as long as you ignore the opportunities that withstand serious from-first-principles scrutiny. By virtue of being invariably unjustified and stymying, the denier’s mentality is economically irrational. The opportunity cost of this irrationality is summarized in the last two words.
The smaller and denser a meme, the more traction it can garner. Short phrases like “Okay, boomer” or “Fake news” pack a punch, often invigorating both sides in their usage. The implications of these statements, the concepts that they respectively drive at, and the core ideas that are their subjects are immediately apparent to the listener, even at instinctive and emotive levels.
No one wants to stay poor.
Most people probably don’t want to remain ignorant, either. In the specific case of Bitcoin, most people who “don’t like Bitcoin” opt for one or more pick-your-soundbite criticisms, and in particular the vocal among this group have consistently revealed a lack of any careful and honest thought whatsoever. At best, then, they are loud and ignorant. At worst, engagement farming contrarians or outright con-artists.
When a Bitcoiner tells a nocoiner (including altcoin-holding nocoiners) to Have Fun Staying Poor, it’s one last benevolent attempt at a lifeline, a “tough love” parting gesture that is nonetheless full of goodwill. “Look, Bitcoin is real, and it has demonstrated resilience with remarkable consistency, and it is full of promise and opportunity for those who are open-minded enough to take it seriously. For those who do not or will not do so, there is economic risk to this decision, whether or not it be a conscious one." The message is: I do not see it as a profitable endeavor to continue trying to convince you of anything you do not already believe, but even so, Bitcoin might be worth your while to investigate.
Number do go up, after all.
* Note: the primary thrust of this perspective has been expressed by others before, including @BTCsessions, @danheld, @DONREADY2STACK, and @BrianLockhart.