U.S. major Lowery’s groundbreaking concept of “Softwar” reveals how the unique attributes of bitcoin can be harnessed to enhance national security by imposing non-violent constraints on malicious actors.
In recent news, a thesis paper on the potential impact of bitcoin on national security has climbed the charts to become an Amazon bestseller. The book, titled “Softwar” was authored by Jason P. Lowery, a U.S. Space Force major.
Lowery explores the potential dangers that decentralized digital currencies like bitcoin pose to national security.
The major delves into the unique attributes of bitcoin, such as its decentralized nature, anonymous transactions, and limited supply, to examine how these qualities could potentially disrupt traditional financial systems and challenge governments’ ability to enforce regulations and maintain stability.
The extensive 350-page volume combines insights from diverse disciplines such as anthropology and computer science to develop and investigate Lowery’s “Power Projection Theory.”
At its core, Lowery suggests that the proof-of-work mechanism, which is fundamental to bitcoin transaction validation, can be harnessed by military forces to impose non-violent constraints on malicious actors through the significant physical effort required for computational processing.
The book asserts, “bitcoin could signify a ‘softwar’ or an electro cyber-defense strategy, rather than simply a peer-to-peer digital cash system.” It further explains, “while most software can only impose logical restrictions on computers, bitcoin has the capability to physically restrain computers.”
In the acknowledgments section of the book, Lowery expresses gratitude to some of bitcoin’s staunchest supporters, such as MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor and Peter McCormack.
Additionally, Lowery highlights the potential risk to national security if the U.S. government holds inadequate bitcoin reserves, especially if the network is employed as a cybersecurity instrument.
“Softwar” highlights the need for governments and regulators to understand the implications of cryptocurrency on national security and to develop appropriate policies to mitigate potential risks.
The book’s success on Amazon’s bestseller list demonstrates the growing interest in the subject and the urgency of addressing the potential threats that can be exposed by blockchain and digital currencies.
