It’s no secret that those who feel threatened by Bitcoin will attack it. Just a month ago, The New York Times published a malicious article on the energy consumption of Bitcoin mining. Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts has repeatedly attacked Bitcoin from various angles, leading to the launch of an “anti-crypto army” targeting Bitcoin as a danger to consumers, while misleading the public on the environmental impact of Bitcoin.
These verbal attacks are not isolated and the examples above represent only a small piece of the upward climb Bitcoin must mass adoption. To put it mildly, Bitcoin has disrupted countless industries, making centralized authorities fearful of losing their monopoly on the currency and the power that comes with it. Bitcoin is essentially “calling the bluff” of corrupt bureaucrats and endlessly-inflatable fiat currencies that enrich those who own the assets while eating away at the purchasing power of the living paycheck to paycheck. Since Bitcoin is location-agnostic and able to use flexible load, it naturally increases the demand for the cheapest energy sources, which are usually stranded natural gas or renewables.
So, why are so many elected officials and companies trying to shame and work to ban Bitcoin mining? Probably because their egos prevent them from understanding the value proposition of Bitcoin, but the facts speak for themselves.
Alana Mediavilla is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, business owner, filmmaker and Bitcoiner. He has one hell of a resume and a passion for storytelling. Armed with his Bitcoin knowledge and skillset, Mediavilla decided to film and produce the documentary “Dirty Coin,” which highlights the value of Bitcoin mining while simultaneously debunking the theory that Bitcoin mining is bad for the environment. .
It was a privilege to hear his story and I know you will find his love of Bitcoin inspiring.
What is your professional background?
I have been an artist and entrepreneur all my life. Can’t help. Started my production company in Silicon Valley 11 years ago and was recruited to be a video producer at Google Cloud for almost five years while still running my creative agency for other big people in technology. In 2021, I parted ways with Google full-time to focus my efforts on my company and my own IP and films.
How did you first learn about Bitcoin and what attracted you to it?
I learned about Bitcoin during my daughter’s ballet class in Campbell, California. A friend of mine who has his daughter in the same class told me to buy as much bitcoin as I could spend that week. He told me it would go up, so I degend Bitcoin. That made me pay attention to it and when my Cuban grandfather told me he knew people who sent bitcoin to Cuba, I dug into what Bitcoin really was. What I found blew my mind and continues to do so to this day.
How do you usually respond to Bitcoin naysayers, especially those close to you?
I made a feature documentary explaining my position to them XD.
This is understandably against Bitcoin. Crypto is a clown show and many don’t see the difference between Bitcoin and shitcoins. Add to that that many people are raised with an energy scarcity mentality so having a crypto “hog all energy” is definitely alarming. The issue is that this is not the case. Is the industry perfect? Hell no! But do we analyze the energy use of other industries in the same way? Have we studied enough to know about situations where having an energy-hungry industry like Bitcoin mining can be a good thing, like cases with flare mitigation or being a buyer of last resort in the middle of nowhere?
Understanding more factual information about the space won’t help but create better conversations about Bitcoin.
In your opinion, why is it important to close the gender gap in interest and adoption of Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is for everyone. Closing the gender gap brings diversity to Bitcoin users and advocates. Women are especially good at influencing their social circles and communities. More women in the Bitcoin space means more women promoting Bitcoin in a grassroots way. We need all kinds of people to take root in financial sovereignty and that starts with conversations around the dinner table that mothers are always responsible for leading. Whether a woman is financially independent or supports her partner who carries that responsibility for the family, women who understand the importance of Bitcoin means more support to other women, people in their community, and most importantly, their families.
This is a guest post by Becca Bratcher. The opinions expressed are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.