Cypherpunk Values are Dying, but They’re Not Dead Yet
The author recalls Grandad’s distrust of banks and preference for hiding cash at home—a practice rooted in wartime scarcity and deep concern for privacy. When Grandad died, hidden savings were found in various spots around his house, though much of the money had lost value due to inflation. This strong privacy stance reflected the norms of his generation, who viewed privacy as a basic right and were wary of surveillance and centralized authority. In contrast, today’s world features pervasive data collection, surveillance, and diminishing individual control over identity, data, and property. Privacy tools are often stigmatized, and the expectation of transparency has eroded privacy as a social norm. The piece argues that privacy and self-sovereignty are under threat, calling these basic rights that must be reclaimed and protected before they disappear entirely, and announces a new show addressing these issues for those who value civil liberties and decentralization.
