What is the Cypherpunk spirit of Ethereum? From Decentralization to the New Generation Reboot Movement

You may have heard the term "Cypherpunk", perhaps mentioned by some crypto OG on Twitter, or maybe you heard it at some blockchain conference. But what exactly is the spirit of Cypherpunk? What unique connection does it have with Ethereum? In the latest tweet thread shared by the official Ethereum account, community member @post_polar_ provides a profound analysis of the Cypherpunk philosophy, historical origins, and modern extensions of Ethereum, taking us into this revolution at the intersection of technology and culture.

Core values: The Ethereum version of Cypherpunk has these four pillars.

He stated that the Cypherpunk spirit of Ethereum cannot be summarized in a single phrase, but can be simplified into four core values:

Decentralization: Distributing power as much as possible among all participants, rather than concentrating it in the hands of a few.

Permissionlessness: Anyone can use Ethereum without the need for others' consent.

Censorship Resistance: All transactions are treated equally, and no one can arbitrarily block them.

Credible Neutrality: The system is designed to be impartial to anyone, ensuring fairness, which is a unique value emphasized by Vitalik Buterin.

Regarding the definition of Cypherpunk, different people have different versions.

Although the four points mentioned above are mainstream views, diverse opinions will naturally arise within decentralized communities. For example:

@pcaversaccio emphasizes privacy, security, and censorship resistance in the "Ethereum Cypherpunk Manifesto," which is supported by immutability, open access, global collaboration, and continuous evolution.

Vitalik added auditability and a cooperative mindset in "Make Ethereum Cypherpunk Again."

These differences are not shortcomings; instead, they reflect that Cypherpunk is a constantly evolving and dialectical culture.

Understanding the ideological roots and academic context of Cypherpunk

This cultural trend is not without foundation; it has a rich intellectual basis and academic research support:

@kelsiemvn has conducted an in-depth exploration of the intellectual history of the encryption movement.

@annbrody7 is an ethnographer of Ethereum, analyzing how Cypherpunk shaped the early Ethereum community.

@jayapapaya depicts Cypherpunk from the perspective of a "hacker engineer" and combines it with the dream of a decentralized network.

From Books to Memes: How Cypherpunks Thrive in Contemporary Community Culture

Two important works, "The Cryptopians" (by @laurashin) and "The Infinite Machine" (by @CamiRusso), document the influence of Cypherpunk during the early establishment of Ethereum. In today's community, two voices have emerged:

Some people miss the past OG Cypherpunk, believing that its spirit has faded;

There are also OGs like @LefterisJP and @drnickA continuously speaking out on stage, awakening the community's commitment to value.

Neo-Cypherpunk and the Passing of the Baton to the New Generation

Although the OG may be tired, the new generation is also taking over:

Web3 Privacy Now: Supporting traditional values while advocating for Cypherpunk to "reboot" for a new era.

Women in Web3 Privacy: Expanding the inclusivity and diversity of this movement.

Fileverse:提出金句「我們能當 Cypherpunk 的時間比他們當 Degen 還長」。

Rotki and Radicle: These dApps are also built with a Cypherpunk mindset, emphasizing privacy and decentralization.

Cultural Fusion: Cypherpunk x Degen?

The seemingly opposing two cultures have recently shown a trend of mixing. For example, the Milady community has successfully combined the wildness of Degen with the idealism of Cypherpunk, showcasing a unique subcultural charm.

What is Cypherpunk? A continually ongoing faith experiment.

Finally, @_enoch reminds us: "Cypherpunk demands not just technology, but a belief." This belief prevents us from being blinded by the temptation of capital and ensures that Ethereum does not become a cynical bubble experiment. And @sassal0x's summary also draws a conclusion: "This is Ethereum."

From the initial data privacy movement to today's cultural foundation of Web3, Cypherpunk is not just history; it is shaping the future. Whether OG, Neo-Cypherpunk, or the new hybrid culture between Degen and idealism, they collectively weave the value map belonging to Ethereum. This is not a nostalgia trip; it is a relay of faith. Cypherpunk, never-ending.

What is the Cypherpunk spirit of Ethereum? From decentralization to the new generation reboot movement, it first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.