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David Z. Morris

David Z. Morris

David Z. Morris was CoinDesk's Chief Insights Columnist. He has written about crypto since 2013 for outlets including Fortune, Slate, and Aeon. He is the author of "Bitcoin is Magic," an introduction to Bitcoin's social dynamics. He is a former academic sociologist of technology with a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Iowa. He holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and small amounts of other crypto assets.

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(Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)
Policy
The node
America, Let’s Try Optimism This Thanksgiving
Inflation is certainly a cause for anxiety, but it could be seen as a price worth paying for keeping the economy going during unprecedented calamity.
(Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 26, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. UTC
Nov 26, 2021
The NodeNewslettersOpinionInflation
Like Batman, the IMF has made a habit of inflicting pain in defense of a greater good – or just enforcing the status quo. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Policy
Bitcoin
El Salvador: Who Needs the IMF When You Have Bitcoin?
The IMF is a brutal bully constantly declaring its virtue. It’s about time someone pushed back.
Like Batman, the IMF has made a habit of inflicting pain in defense of a greater good – or just enforcing the status quo. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 24, 2021 at 6:50 p.m. UTC
Nov 24, 2021
BitcoinEl SalvadorNayib BukeleBlockstreamBitfinexOpinionThe NodeNewslettersIMF
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has held power for nearly twenty years. Erdogan has cut interest rates despite high inflation, in a short-term bid to prop up Turkey's economy (Antonio Masiello, Getty Images)
Markets
Turkey
Turkey Makes the Case for Bitcoin as Erdogan Runs the Autocrat’s Inflation Playbook
The longtime ruler’s unhinged monetary policy follows a familiar pattern – and it’s pushing some Turks toward bitcoin.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has held power for nearly twenty years. Erdogan has cut interest rates despite high inflation, in a short-term bid to prop up Turkey's economy (Antonio Masiello, Getty Images)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 19, 2021 at 5:27 p.m. UTC
Nov 19, 2021
TurkeyInflationMonetary PolicyCentral BankingBitcoinThe NodeNewslettersOpinion
The Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, California (prayitnophotography/Flickr)
Finance
Crypto.com
FTX, Crypto.com and the ‘Stadium Curse’
Remember CMGI Field? More like NGMI field.
The Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, California (prayitnophotography/Flickr)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 17, 2021 at 7:53 p.m. UTC
Nov 17, 2021
Crypto.comSportsThe NodeNewslettersOpinion
Saul Martinez/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Finance
Craig wright
Why Are We Still Debating Whether Craig Wright Is Satoshi?
A bold claim and a little financial backing can get you a lot of media mileage – even when nearly nobody believes you.
Saul Martinez/Bloomberg via Getty Images
By David Z. Morris
Nov 16, 2021 at 5:36 p.m. UTC
Nov 16, 2021
Craig WrightBitcoin SVnChainSatoshi NakamotoBitcoinThe NodeOpinionNewsletters
A woman displays a bitcoin wallet on June 16, 2021 in Chiltuipan, El Salvador. Though sometimes affiliated with the Western far right, Bitcoin has been embraced across a broad geographical and political spectrum. (Camilo Freedman/Getty Images)
Consensus Magazine
Politics
Bitcoin Politics From Left to Right and Off the Map
Bitcoin has attracted intense interest from conservatives and right-wingers. But activists from across the political spectrum have found their own good reasons to embrace it.
A woman displays a bitcoin wallet on June 16, 2021 in Chiltuipan, El Salvador. Though sometimes affiliated with the Western far right, Bitcoin has been embraced across a broad geographical and political spectrum. (Camilo Freedman/Getty Images)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 10, 2021 at 7:41 p.m. UTC
Nov 10, 2021
PoliticsOpinionLearn
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 05: Chief Scientist, nChain Dr. Craig Wright speaks on stage during CoinGeek Conference New York at Sheraton Times Square on October 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for CoinGeek )
Finance
Craig wright
Craig Wright’s Latest Funhouse-Mirror Legal Adventure
The whole thing has the bizarre air of a snake eating its own tail, except neither the snake nor the tail actually exist.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 05: Chief Scientist, nChain Dr. Craig Wright speaks on stage during CoinGeek Conference New York at Sheraton Times Square on October 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for CoinGeek )
By David Z. Morris
Nov 5, 2021 at 7:23 p.m. UTC
Nov 5, 2021
Craig WrightnChainSatoshi NakamotoDave KleimanOpinionThe NodeNewsletters
This four-inch tungsten cube weighs as much as those ridiculously huge dumbells at the far end of the rack – a whopping 40 pounds. (Midwest Tungsten)
Technology
Memes
The Cube Movement
The frenzy for Tungsten Cubes may seem like a frivolous meatspace meme. But some profound truths lurk within all that heavy metal.
This four-inch tungsten cube weighs as much as those ridiculously huge dumbells at the far end of the rack – a whopping 40 pounds. (Midwest Tungsten)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 3, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. UTC
Nov 3, 2021
MemesTwitterNic CarterOpinion
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (C) listens to President Joe Biden during a hybrid meeting with corporate chief executives and members of his cabinet to discuss the looming federal debt limit in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on October 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Each of the meeting participants spoke in dire terms about the negative national and global economic reaction to Congress failing to raise the limit and the U.S. defaulting on its debt. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Policy
Regulation
Why Stablecoin Regulation Isn’t ‘Urgent’
The risks are real, but today’s report looks like a power grab.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (C) listens to President Joe Biden during a hybrid meeting with corporate chief executives and members of his cabinet to discuss the looming federal debt limit in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on October 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Each of the meeting participants spoke in dire terms about the negative national and global economic reaction to Congress failing to raise the limit and the U.S. defaulting on its debt. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
By David Z. Morris
Nov 1, 2021 at 9:17 p.m. UTC
Nov 1, 2021
RegulationJoe BidenOCCFDICStablecoinsTetherUSDCOpinion
CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg walks with COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg after a session at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 08, 2021 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Technology
Facebook
Facebook Steals Another Crypto Idea for Its Nonsensical Rebrand
Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the metaverse has little to do with the open, interoperable vision first articulated by the blockchain industry.
CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg walks with COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg after a session at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 08, 2021 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
By David Z. Morris
Oct 29, 2021 at 7:20 p.m. UTC
Oct 29, 2021
FacebookFacebook LibraMark ZuckerbergNFTsOpinion