Let’s seriously consider some of the skeptical perspectives on my last post. If you’re someone who thinks, “Dude, you can’t have money getting more valuable over time because then no one will want to work, and the economy will shut down and it’ll be anarchy!”—I hear you. And I want to explore that possibility fairly.

Would a Bitcoin Economy Collapse?

In a hypothetical scenario—where Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation allows people to cover their living expenses indefinitely with minimal spending—could the economy collapse? If everyone suddenly decided to “opt out” of contributing to society, would we reach a breaking point?

Possibly. But this assumption rests on two flawed ideas:

That people only work for money and would stop striving for anything else once their needs were met.
That the economy would remain static while technology evolves.

People Work for More Than Just Money

History and psychology tell us that money alone is not the primary motivator for human effort. The rise of open-source software is a perfect example—developers worldwide contribute their time and expertise for free, not because they have to, but because they want to solve problems, build something meaningful, and be part of a community. Linux, Wikipedia, and Bitcoin itself all exist because people are driven by curiosity, passion, and the desire to make an impact.

There’s also the concept of Ikigai, the Japanese philosophy of finding purpose in work. Studies show that people who retire early, without meaningful engagement in something stimulating, tend to experience a sharp decline in mental and physical health. Even when people have financial security, they seek fulfillment—whether through art, science, community involvement, or innovation.

Examples of Wealth Leading to More Productivity

We already have examples of financial freedom leading to more creation, not less. Look at trust fund beneficiaries: sure, some may choose leisure, but others become venture capitalists, philanthropists, or passionate creators. The Renaissance was partially fueled by wealthy patrons funding artists, inventors, and scientists. Today, we see tech entrepreneurs reinvesting their wealth into space exploration, AI, or longevity research.

If people’s basic needs were met through Bitcoin’s appreciation, many wouldn’t just sit around. They’d explore, build, and create. The question isn’t whether people would stop working—it’s whether society is structured to allow them to pursue meaningful work instead of just grinding for survival.

***Renaissance (Past, Present, & Future) – Generated by DALL-E***
*Prompt Used to Generate Image:*
“A dynamic, visually striking digital painting showcasing the impact of financial freedom on creativity and innovation across different eras. The image is divided into three interconnected sections, each representing a different time period:
**The Renaissance Era** – A grand, candle-lit workshop where wealthy patrons observe artists painting, inventors sketching blueprints for flying machines, and early scientists experimenting with glass beakers. The scene is rich with classical European architecture, detailed paintings, and golden lighting.
**The Modern Age** – A sleek, high-tech startup hub where venture capitalists discuss investments, young innovators work on futuristic devices, and philanthropists strategize global development projects. Large digital screens display graphs of space investments, AI breakthroughs, and medical advancements. The atmosphere is vibrant and collaborative.
**The Future** – A visionary cityscape with advanced space technology, AI-driven robots, and futuristic laboratories researching longevity. A diverse group of entrepreneurs, dressed in modern yet practical attire, are gathered around a holographic projection of Mars colonization plans and human genome editing. The lighting is bright and futuristic, emphasizing progress and ambition.
The composition seamlessly blends these time periods, symbolizing the continuity of financial freedom fueling human progress. The color palette transitions from warm Renaissance hues to cool, sleek futuristic tones, reinforcing the evolution of creativity and investment over time.”

The Role of AI in Preventing Economic Collapse

This is where AI fundamentally reshapes the equation. The reality is, AI is already taking over mundane, repetitive jobs—ones that require little to no human ingenuity. This shift won’t stall the economy; it will enhance human potential.

Right now, millions of people are locked into roles that don’t tap into their creativity, intelligence, or problem-solving skills. AI won’t just replace jobs—it will free up minds to pursue work that actually matters.

Industries Already Being Transformed by AI

The AI revolution isn’t a future event—it’s happening now. Take customer service: chatbots and AI-powered virtual assistants handle millions of interactions daily, eliminating the need for repetitive, script-based human labor. In manufacturing, robots have automated tasks that once required numerous workers. Even within white-collar jobs, AI is optimizing workflows—automating legal document review, assisting with medical diagnoses, and helping scientists analyze vast datasets faster than any human could.

These advancements aren’t just about replacing workers; they’re about freeing human effort for higher-level problem-solving. Instead of spending hours on paperwork, a doctor can focus on patient care. Instead of manually coding simple scripts, a programmer can work on complex, creative solutions.

What New Careers Might AI Create?

This transition isn’t about job loss—it’s about job redistribution. The AI revolution is similar to the Industrial Revolution, which replaced manual labor with machinery but also created entirely new industries.

We’re already seeing demand for:

AI Trainers – Individuals who teach AI systems to function more ethically and effectively.
Human-AI Collaboration Designers – Professionals who structure how AI and humans work together efficiently.
Creativity-Focused Roles – Jobs centered around storytelling, research, philosophy, and design that AI struggles to replicate.
Deep Work & Innovation Specialists – As routine work becomes automated, the value of human ingenuity skyrockets.

The question we should be asking isn’t “What jobs will AI take?” but “What jobs will AI make possible?”

The Human Potential Argument

Of course, this transition won’t be without challenges. People will need to adapt. New skills will become necessary, and societies will need to rethink how they support individuals during periods of rapid technological change.

Challenges of an AI-Driven Economy & How to Address Them

The biggest challenge? The education system. Currently, schools are still training individuals for factory-style jobs—emphasizing memorization, standardization, and following instructions (at least that was me 20+ years ago–I’m sure it’s changed some). In an AI-powered world, the most valuable skills will be creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking.

Some solutions:

Personalized AI Tutors – AI could revolutionize education by providing custom-tailored learning experiences.
New Education Models – Imagine a system that prioritizes problem-solving, interdisciplinary thinking, and hands-on projects rather than rote memorization.
Lifelong Learning as the Norm – The idea that one obtains a single degree at 22 and rides that career for life is outdated. AI-driven upskilling will be crucial.

As AI takes over repetitive work, the ability to learn quickly and adapt constantly will become the ultimate superpower.

**Reimagining the Education System - Generated by DALL-E**
Prompt used to generate image:
“A visually striking digital painting illustrating the transformation of education from outdated factory-style learning to an AI-enhanced, nature-integrated future-ready system. The image is divided into two contrasting halves, showing the stark difference between traditional and AI-powered education models.
Left Side – Outdated Education System: A dark, rigid classroom where students sit in uniform rows at wooden desks, staring blankly at a blackboard filled with repetitive memorization exercises. A strict teacher at the front writes standardized test answers while students passively take notes. The environment is dull, with faded colors, harsh fluorescent lighting, and an industrial, factory-like atmosphere, symbolizing outdated educational practices.
Right Side – AI-Powered Future Learning: A bright, open-air futuristic learning space seamlessly blending technology and nature. Students engage with interactive AI tutors using holographic displays, working on real-world projects in a vibrant, green environment with trees, flowing water, and natural light streaming through large windows. AI assistants subtly enhance the learning process, but human interaction and creativity are at the forefront. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a color palette of bright, inspiring hues that emphasize personal growth, adaptability, and the integration of technology with human potential.
At the center of the image, a smooth transition blends the past and future, emphasizing the evolution of education. The left side is cold and restrictive, while the right side is illuminated by sunlight, symbolizing hope, freedom, and an inspiring future of learning where students thrive.”

Looking Ahead: Disrupting Life for the Better

Rather than resist the inevitable, we should lean into the future, shape it proactively, and ensure it benefits everyone, not just a privileged few.

In my next post, I’ll dig deeper into how this disruption could play out and why I believe we’re on the verge of something far greater than just economic survival—we’re on the cusp of redefining what it means to live a fulfilling life.

*Full Disclosure – AI helped me write this article, generate the pictures, make this website, apply SEO techniques – literally everything – and the fascinating thing is, it’s exactly how I would have liked to have done it, just much much faster and probably a bit better.

The Role of AI