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@ The Modern Sovereign
2025-05-27 23:32:40
The Red Herring Fallacy in Bitcoin Debates
In the world of Bitcoin, few things derail a productive conversation faster than a “red herring” — a classic logical fallacy where someone introduces an irrelevant point to distract from the actual issue.
Example:
“Bitcoin uses a lot of energy. That’s why we should invest in CBDCs instead.”
This is a red herring. While Bitcoin’s energy use is a valid topic, bringing in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) — which serve entirely different purposes and come with their own trade-offs — shifts the discussion away from evaluating Bitcoin on its own merits. It distracts, rather than addresses, the concern.
Why it matters:
Red herrings often show up in debates about:
- Environmental impact
- Regulatory risks
- Criminal use cases
- “Better” alternatives (like NFTs, altcoins, or CBDCs)
These distractions often dodge the core discussion: Is Bitcoin a sound, decentralized, censorship-resistant monetary system?
Next time you're in a Bitcoin debate, watch for red herrings. Stick to the main argument. And when someone tries to distract, just smile and say: “Interesting point, but let’s get back to Bitcoin.” #Bitcoin https://image.nostr.build/c57bb3f0a5d734073fa4a9221608e22dd416b6955833125106e515851f680c43.jpg