Topic: Payment Systems

Jordan Peterson and Dave Rubin are leading a departure from Patreon following the de-platforming of several creators. Peterson announced plans to build a new payment system, which the hosts criticize as a violation of "core competencies." They argue that building a financial infrastructure is a massive undertaking that will distract Peterson from his primary work as a speaker and author.

The trend of deplatforming has extended to consumer services like Airbnb, where users can be banned for their political affiliations or locations. Adam Curry recounts a conversation with Alex Jones, who predicted that activists would eventually target the payment systems of independent creators. The hosts emphasize the importance of alternative systems like Bitcoin to maintain financial autonomy.

The hosts debate the utility of Bitcoin for the value-for-value model, expressing skepticism due to its price volatility and the difficulty of paying rent with cryptocurrency. While some listeners advocate for Bitcoin as a way to bypass the banking system, the hosts prefer direct checks or traditional payment methods for operational stability.