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There seems to be quite a bit of overlap between cryptocurrency enthusiasts (at least those of the silicon valley variety) and get-enlightened-quick people, and

• _yb2s 2y ago
  Sure, but as someone with zero interest in crypto who has found ideas from Stoicism very useful to make my life better since long before cryptocurrencies existed- conflating an ancient philosophy followed by some of the greatest leaders in history with an obnoxious ponzi scheme fad seems absurd. I can understand how they could be associated if you were first introduced to Stoicism from hearing that cryptobros liked it, but otherwise didn't know much about it. Personally, it helped me navigate some incredibly difficult times in my life with more dignity and strength than I otherwise would have had. There is a 2000 year history of many people I admire doing the same with these ideas- Viktor Frankl in Auschwitz, James Stockdale as a POW in Vietnam, etc. To me because it requires hard, introspective, painful, and slow personal work that doesn't "pay off" with profits, attention, etc. it is sort of the polar opposite of shallow trends to get rich or "enlightened" fast and easy. The Neal Stephenson thing, if anyone didn't get it was a joke about how his books often involve cryptography and cryptocurrency themes together with ancient characters that time travel and/or are immortal.