Simple vs. Easy: Escaping the Fiat Matrix vs the True Cost of Staying In

One of the defining characteristics of the fiat matrix is The Ministry of Truth's control of the language. We continue to see examples of this play out, from their attempt to redefine "recession" in 2020 to support the assertion that we weren't already in one, to forcing compliance when it comes to using inappropriate pronouns, as is the case when they attempt to force us to use plural pronouns to refer to a singular person. The fact is, words and their meanings matter, as that is how we arrange our understanding of most concepts. Take, for example, the distinction of simple versus easy. These two concepts often get conflated, but they’re worlds apart—and nowhere is this clearer than in our relationship with money, goals, and the fiat matrix. Opting out of fiat by embracing Bitcoin is simple, but it’s far from easy. The same goes for training for a marathon or hitting fitness goals. Meanwhile, the “easy” choice of staying tethered to fiat leads to a life that’s anything but easy—trapped by inflation, wage stagnation, and the looming threat of centralized control via CBDCs (central bank digital currencies). Let’s unpack this contrast and see what it reveals about the paths we choose.

Simple, But Not Easy: The Path to Freedom

Let’s start with escaping the fiat matrix. The process is simple: exchange your fiat currency, which is increasingly worthless because of its limitless supply, for Bitcoin, which is worth increasingly more because of its absolutely scarcity. You can transact with satoshis, which are to Bitcoin what cents are to the Dollar, in the same way you send money via Venmo…like, the exact same user experience. A single Bitcoin is made up of 100 million satoshis which you can easily use to transfer value, just like Paypal except without banks or intermediaries. You can store your Bitcoin securely with a private key, cutting out third parties from your money entirely. It’s a straightforward path to financial sovereignty—no complex steps, no advanced degree required.

But simple doesn’t mean easy. Building independence from fiat through fully functioning circular economies—where Bitcoin is widely accepted for goods, services, and wages—is a monumental challenge. Right now, Bitcoin adoption is growing, but it’s far from universal. A 2024 report from Chainalysis shows Bitcoin transactions settled $2 trillion in value last year, yet most businesses still don’t accept it directly outside of purpose built circular economies popping up like Bitcoin Beach (El Salvador), Bitcoin Jungle (Costa Rica), Bitcoin Isla (Cancun), and various others. Although adoption may seem slow, the expansion of users in the Bitcoin ecosystem is actually outpacing adoption of the internet over the same period of time. And this is despite the fact that, at its core, Bitcoin is helping users to unsubscribe from State controlled currency. More and more people are coming together, not by force or control, but spontaneously and willingly to build a circular economies despite the regulatory hurdles, the need to educate communities, as well as the massive cultural shift involving societal norms like money. It’s a simple concept, but the execution? Not easy at all.

The same principle applies to other goals, like training for a marathon or hitting fitness targets. The process is simple: lace up your shoes, run consistently, eat well, and rest. There’s no mystery to it—follow the plan, and you’ll get there. But anyone who’s trained for a marathon knows it’s not easy. Waking up at 5 a.m. for long runs, pushing through soreness, and sticking to a diet when temptation beckons—it can be grueling. A 2023 study from the American College of Sports Medicine found that only 5% of people who start marathon training actually finish one, often because the grind wears them down. Simple, yes. Easy, no.

The “Easy” Choice: Staying in the Fiat Matrix

Now, contrast this with the “easy” choice: staying staked to the fiat matrix. It’s the path of least resistance—keep your money in a bank, spend with your credit or debit card, and go with the flow. No need to learn about private keys or worry about volatility. Central banks and governments have made fiat the default for a reason: it’s frictionless to use. In 2023, the U.S. M2 money supply hit $21 trillion, per the Federal Reserve, ensuring there’s always enough fiat to keep the system humming. It’s the easy choice, the one most people make on a daily basis by default, without a second thought.

But here’s the catch: this “easy” choice leads to a life that’s anything but easy. Fiat’s abundance erodes value through inflation, leaving you chasing forever losses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the dollar’s purchasing power has fallen dramatically—what cost $1 in 1971 costs over $7 in 2023. If you’re saving in fiat, you’re losing ground every year as you have your time, and life energy, stolen from you. In 2022, with inflation at 8% and savings account rates below 1%, the average saver lost 7% of their money’s real value. That’s not easy—it’s a slow bleed.

It gets worse. Compensation often doesn’t keep up with inflation, leaving everyone to feel like they are on a treadmill with the speed and pitch increasing every year. The Economic Policy Institute notes that U.S. real wages (adjusted for inflation) have barely grown since the 1970s, while the cost of essentials like housing and healthcare has soared. Staying in the fiat matrix means you’re stuck in a system designed to keep you running on a hamster wheel, working harder for less.

Then there’s the looming threat of CBDCs. Central bank digital currencies are on the horizon—over 100 countries, including the U.S., are exploring them as of 2024, per the Atlantic Council. Unlike Bitcoin, CBDCs are fully centralized, giving governments unprecedented control over your money. They can track every transaction, freeze accounts at will, or impose draconian policies like negative interest rates to force spending. China’s digital yuan, already in use by 260 million people, has been criticized for enabling surveillance and control, according to a 2023 Human Rights Watch report. The “easy” choice of fiat comes with a heavy price: a life of financial struggle and loss of autonomy, but more on the draconian nature of CBDCs in its very own blog post to come.

Simple vs. Easy in Everyday Life

This simple-but-not-easy versus easy-but-not-really dynamic isn’t unique to finance—it’s a universal truth. Physical fitness once again provides a great example of this phenomenon playing out. The “easy” choice is skipping the gym, ordering takeout, and binge-watching Netflix. No effort, no discomfort. But the result? A sedentary lifestyle leads to health issues—obesity rates in the U.S. hit 42% in 2023, per the CDC, contributing to heart disease and diabetes. That’s not an easy life; it’s a slow decline. The simple path of consistent exercise and healthy eating, while not easy, leads to a better quality of life in the long run.

The same applies to learning a skill, building a business, or nurturing relationships. The simple path—show up, do the work, stay consistent—is rarely easy. But the “easy” path of avoidance often leads to regret, missed opportunities, and a harder life down the road. The fiat matrix thrives on keeping us in the “easy” lane, distracted by dopamine hits from devices (as I discussed in my last post) and lulled into complacency by the illusion of stability.

Choosing the Simple Path: A Call to Action

So, what are we to do? We must choose the simple path, even though it’s not easy, as it is our only way to gain our sovereignty and break their control over us in the fiat matrix. Exchanging fiat for Bitcoin seeking to transact with others in satoshis is a start—it’s a simple step toward financial independence. When we are met with questions or disbelief from others about our suggested means of transaction, we must take the opportunity to socialize the why, effectively recruiting other to the fight against the fiat matrix. And, ultimately it doesn't stop there, because we will need to reinforce the network toward circular economies where Bitcoin is a viable medium of exchange, as that is our only way to unsubscribe from their matrix. That means supporting businesses that accept BTC, educating others, and advocating for a system that values scarcity over abundance. It’s a long road, but the destination—freedom from the control of the fiat matrix—is worth it.

We can apply this mindset to other areas of life, too. Want to run a marathon? Follow the simple plan, even when it’s not easy. Want to break free from the fiat matrix’s grip? Take the simple steps, just know that the journey will test you because the fiat matrix has self defense mechanism that will kick in, namely others showing skepticism or attempting to make you feel like the crazy one despite the opposite being true. The alternative—staying in the “easy” fiat system—leads to an existence of inflation-driven losses and theft of life energy, wage stagnation, and the ever-tightening draconian grip of CBDCs.

Final Thoughts: Simple Choices for a Better Life

The contrast between simple and easy reveals a profound truth: the paths that lead to real freedom, health, and fulfillment are rarely the easiest ones. Staying in the fiat matrix might feel easy, but it traps us in a cycle of devaluation and control. Opting out, whether through Bitcoin or other deliberate choices, is simple in concept but demands effort and resilience. We must each begin to challenge ourselves by asking what “simple but not easy” choices are you making to break free from the systems holding you back?

Jake Galt