Softwar | Jason Paul Lowery

"Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin" by Jason Paul Lowery is an academic thesis that explores a unique perspective on Bitcoin's role beyond being a financial technology. Lowery argues that Bitcoin is not just a peer-to-peer cash system but represents a new form of digital-age warfare. He frames Bitcoin's underlying proof-of-work technology as a means of power projection in cyberspace, akin to non-lethal military strategy. 

The book introduces a novel "Power Projection Theory," drawing from concepts in biology, evolution, anthropology, political science, and computer theory. It posits that Bitcoin can enable societies to project physical power through digital means, fundamentally changing how nations interact and compete in cyberspace. The thesis emphasizes the need for alternative analyses of proof-of-work technologies to avoid systemic biases in policy-making, particularly in light of US executive orders on digital assets and cybersecurity.

Lowery suggests that Bitcoin could serve as an electro-cyber security tool, allowing nations to impose severe physical costs on adversaries, thereby enhancing national security. This theory challenges the traditional understanding of Bitcoin purely as a financial instrument by highlighting its potential in cybersecurity and strategic warfare.

This book has stirred significant discussion, particularly within the Bitcoin community and among those interested in national security and digital technology. It's seen as both a provocative academic work and a call for rethinking Bitcoin's role in international strategy.

About the Author 

Jason Paul Lowery is an active-duty US Space Force astronautical engineer and a National Defense Fellow at MIT, tasked with advising senior US military leaders on strategic implications of Bitcoin.