Laozi and the rebellious spirit of cryptocurrencies: the philosopher who challenges social codes

Laozi’s thought represents one of the most fascinating pillars of world philosophy, and his influence extends far beyond the boundaries of Eastern culture. In an era where traditional values are constantly questioned, the fundamental message of this great Chinese master resonates with extraordinary strength, especially in the context of cryptocurrencies and contemporary meme culture.

Who is Laozi? The master of “non-action”

Laozi is not simply a figure from Chinese history but rather a living embodiment of a universal philosophical principle. Author of the famous “Tao Te Ching,” one of the most influential texts in human civilization, Laozi taught the art of acting without forcing, moving in harmony with the natural flow of reality. His core ideas revolve around concepts such as action without action, rejection of mainstream currents, abandonment of authoritarian control, and adherence to the natural rhythms of the universe.

Laozi’s influence: from the Tao Te Ching to modern thought

The impact of the “Tao Te Ching” has transcended geographic and temporal boundaries, profoundly influencing Chinese culture, Japanese tradition, and even Western philosophy. Thinkers like Martin Heidegger, Carl Jung, and Claude Lévi-Strauss have found in Laozi’s words a wisdom that surpasses cultural barriers. His teachings are not merely a collection of abstract principles but a practical vision of how individuals should relate to power, society, and themselves.

Why Laozi’s message resonates with the ethos of cryptocurrencies

There is a deep harmony between Laozi’s spirit and the ideology underlying cryptocurrencies. Both represent a rejection of centralized control, an assertion of individual autonomy, and a quest for freedom within natural and decentralized systems. Laozi’s philosophy, with its teaching of non-intervention and harmony with nature, strangely aligns with the concept of distributed consensus and the elimination of intermediaries. Ultimately, the world of cryptocurrencies is the modern manifestation of the Laozi principle: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao,” which in the digital context can be interpreted as rejecting any central authority claiming to define value and meaning.

True memes and the courage to say “no”: Laozi’s lesson

The profound meaning of memes does not lie in their apparent surface—DOGE is not really a dog, PEPE is not truly a frog—but in their radical message of rebellion. They embody the fundamental right to free emotions, to express dissent, to shout “I will not live by your rules.” In this sense, memes carry the same Laozi energy: a quiet yet firm rejection of the established order.

Most Chinese meme projects have failed not due to lack of creative potential but for a deeper reason: the lack of courage to truly claim their identity. Laozi represents that rare combination of traits that would allow a meme to thrive: vulgar without being immoral, authoritative without being antisocial, challenging without breaking laws, selfish yet evoking empathy. It is a paradox that perfectly embodies the spirit of the true rebellious meme.

The paradox of Laozi’s survival in the meme world

If the “Laozi” meme does not survive in the long term, it would not be due to a flaw in the concept itself but rather for a much more human reason: the absence of collective courage to truly pronounce the name “Laozi” with the strength and integrity it deserves. In a world where memes become symbols of individual freedom, the real obstacle is not a lack of wisdom but a scarcity of those who dare to truly say “no” to established systems, just as Laozi taught twenty-five centuries ago.