Join the Bitcoin District Book Club! We meet every month to explore new and exciting rabbit holes by reading books that are popular with bitcoiners.
Join us for a deep dive into The Praxeology of Privacy by Max Hillebrand. In this session, we'll explore the philosophical foundations of privacy, why it is essential for individual liberty, and how modern cryptography enables people to defend it in an increasingly surveilled world.
Drawing from Austrian economics, libertarian ethics, and cypherpunk philosophy, Hillebrand argues that privacy is not merely a preference or convenience, but a natural consequence of self-ownership and voluntary human action. He builds a case for why financial privacy, private communication, and digital sovereignty are indispensable to a free society—and why cryptographic tools are among the most important technologies for preserving them.
We'll discuss the ethical arguments for privacy, the relationship between Bitcoin and individual freedom, the tradeoffs between transparency and surveillance, and how technologies such as Bitcoin, Nostr, and end-to-end encryption fit into a broader vision of peaceful resistance through open-source software.
Whether you're a longtime cypherpunk or simply curious why privacy matters in the digital age, The Praxeology of Privacy offers a thought-provoking framework for understanding the connection between technology, economics, and human freedom.
Get the book here.
Event Notes:
* Discussion Starters: We'll kick things off with a few key questions around privacy, self-ownership, Bitcoin, and the role of cryptography in a free society, but feel free to bring your own perspectives.
* Future Reads: Let us know if you have recommendations for future book club selections! We'll add them to the list posted on our website.
* Afterwards: Feel free to join us at PubKey after the meeting to hang out, continue the conversation, and grab some food!
Getting There:
* 📍 Teaism – Penn Quarter
* 🔴🟢🟡 Gallery Place/Chinatown + 2 min walk
* Parking: Street & garage parking available nearby