# Agorism Hackers Study Guide

During the 90s, the crypto-anarchists sought to apply the emerging
technology of cryptography to create online zones which contain
the seed of resistance in their code. Cryptocurrency descends from
that lineage, and lies at the intersection of economics, politics
and technology.

The agorists were a community who believed in leveraging economic power
to create free and democratic parallel societies.  We define revolution
as a transformation in the moral and political fabric of society. By
leveraging crypto technology, we can create free online zones.

Money takes money forms, whether cash, credit, loans or debt, and
changes properties depending on location. Measures like interest rates
and inflation obscure local differences. In fact the source of power
lies in economic networks, and money is a unit of account between
these networks. By understanding economics, we can use technological
techniques to greatly influence the material and political worlds,
encoding them with our values and philosophy.

## Methodology

We critique the student-teacher relation, where a teacher dictates
a course schedule to a student who has to learn the material.

1. Students are not self led, and instead become reliant on an
   instructor, instead of developing independently.
2. Creativity is supressed since students do not explore and engage
   with knowledge in a dialectic way.

In our system, we have a system of mentorship. Everybody engages in
study and research inside the organization.  Subjects are not separated
from one another and we encourage people to read multiple subjects,
but in a directed way.  Our aim is to train leaders, and bring people
up. Therefore they must possess:

1. Strategic knowledge to be able to make strong macro analysis and
   direct activity.
2. Strong skills to directly affect change themselves.

We emphasize a combination of both. As Marx said: ideas should
not gather dust in books. We must put our ideas into action through
practice. However blind undirected action is wasted effort. Therefore
we seek to foster both aspects in participants.

With the mentorship system, whenever members are studying, they
are self directed but under the influence of more senior mentors.
If they get stuck, they can ask mentors for assistance to get past
difficult concepts or discuss ideas to gain a better understanding.
Learning through dialogue is encouraged since it creates stronger
bonds and relations between people in the community.

## Progression

### Mandatory Initial Stage

Everybody in the organization must study philosophy and programming
as essential skills. To start there are two objects of study:

1. ["Manifesto for a Democratic Civilization"](http://139.162.132.101/books/philosophy/1.civilization.pdf)
   by Ocalan, is 3 separate books. You should complete at least 1 book
   for the initial stage, and then study the other two as you continue
   further into later stages.
2. ["Project Based Python Programming"](http://139.162.132.101/books/python/Eric%20Matthes%20-%20Python%20Crash%20Course%20A%20Hands-On%2C%20Project-Based%20Introduction%20to%20Programming%20%282016%2C%20No%20Starch%20Press%29.pdf)
   this will teach you Python programming which will be an essential
   skill for any branch you decide to continue onto.

Programming takes time and dedicated to become proficient at. Many
people give up during the initial phase which can take more than a
year. You have to push through it. Once you master programming, it
becomes enjoyable and fun. Code is the medium of our organization,
and we are hacker-artists.

### Branches

All branches take roughly the same time to become highly proficient
in, around 1-2 years, but even after 6 months, adherents can begin
using their acquired knowledge in a practical way with small limited
tasks. We actively encourage the combination of theory and practice
to strengthen one another.

#### Token Scientist

Token engineering is a new emerging science. Tokens are a breakthrough
in building online networks, since we have a means to engineer
incentive mechanisms and encourage certain user behaviours.

DeFi protocols in crypto make extensive use of token engineering to
design how liquidity flows in and out of networks, and is an important
key part of leveraging crypto economic power.

To become proficient in this area requires study of economics,
mathematics, and finance. It also makes heavy use of Python programming
to build simulations and economic models.

1. ["New Paradigm for Macroeconomics"](http://139.162.132.101/books/economy/werner-macroeconomics.pdf) by Werner. This book will take several months to study but is a strong basis for understanding economics.
    1. Notes from the [introduction](https://wiki.polytech.barcelona/index.php?title=Notes/New_Paradigm_in_Macroeconomics/Introduction) to Werner's book.
    2. [Notes](https://wiki.polytech.barcelona/index.php?title=Notes/Werner) on 'Shifting from Central Planning to a Decentralized Economy
2. ["Understanding Pure Mathematics"](http://139.162.132.101/books/maths/A.%20J.%20Sadler%2C%20D.W.S.Thorning%20-%20Understanding%20Pure%20Mathematics%20%281987%2C%20Oxford%20Up%20Education%29.pdf). We have a full high school mathematics course. This can also be skipped if you already know maths well.
    1. Continuing on with mathematics, you can learn more about stochastics, statistics, probability and analysis.
3. [The DeFi and Token Engineering book](http://139.162.132.101/books/economy/Economics%20and%20Math%20of%20Token%20Engineering%20and%20DeFiV1.1.pdf).

#### Software Developer

Software developers create the end result software that others
use. They take research and create a product from that research
by applying the ideas.  Developers can further be focused more on
creating prototypes from research, or developing prototypes into
polished final products.

To become a senior developer means learning about how the computer
works on a deep level, and learning advanced programming skills.
It takes time to fully master with a lot of early frustration but
is eventually highly rewarding and creative.  Developers are highly
sought after and rare.

1. Learn from various materials about computer architecture, operating systems, and software architecture.
    1. Books such as the history of UNIX or the mythical man month.
    2. Articles by [hintjens.com](http://hintjens.com/blog:19)
2. [Rust programming book](https://doc.rust-lang.org/stable/book/)
3. [Install Arch Linux](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide), learn to use the terminal

#### Cryptography Researcher

Cryptography researchers create the mathematics or repurpose existing
algorithms to craft the weapons or implements of change that the
developers use.  They make use of advanced algebra to exploit the
boundaries or hard limits set by the universe on reality to create
cryptographic schemes that obey certain properties. They are in a
sense reality hackers. They hack reality to create systems that obey
objective properties due to the underlying mathematics. Needless to
say, the advanced cryptographer is a good mathematician.

For cryptography, you will study ["Abstract Algebra"](http://139.162.132.101/books/maths/algebra/%28Dover%20Books%20on%20Mathematics%29%20Charles%20C%20Pinter%20-%20A%20Book%20of%20Abstract%20Algebra-Dover%20Publications%20%282010%29.pdf) by Pinter, and starting with simple cryptographic schemes
gradually move towards learning more complex ones. You will prototype
these schemes using a computer algebra system called
[SAGE](https://doc.sagemath.org/pdf/en/a_tour_of_sage/a_tour_of_sage.pdf).

#### Protocol Engineer

Good knowledge of computer science fundamentals as well as the ability
to write code. There is also study of algebra but not to the same
degree as for cryptography.

The protocol engineer is responsible for blockchain consensus
algorithms, developing p2p networks, and other forms of
distributed synchronization such as CRDTs. They establish the
fundamentals for creating distributed applications and hardening the
anti-censorship properties of crypto. They also harden networks against
de-anonymization attempts through the use of encrypted mixnetworking
and other techniques.

Protocol engineers have to possess a good knowledge about the theory
behind distributed networks, as well as experience in how they work
in practice. This topic is part theory, and part practical. They have
a good grasp of algorithms and computer science theory.

#### Other

Alongside this study, continuing to study Ocalan is required. After
finishing the Ocalan texts, you can then read Werner's book on
economics, as well as Mumford or other philosophers.

Also engagement and familiarization with crypto is a must. Begin
following [this list](https://twitter.com/i/lists/1345778435390640129)
and participating in crypto communities.

## Starting

1. Download and install a simple Linux operating system to get started. Options can be Ubuntu or Manjaro Linux.
2. Watch [Finematics videos](https://www.youtube.com/c/Finematics/videos).
3. Begin the initial stage listed above.
4. Follow the instructions on the Darkfi Book and run [ircd](Book https://darkrenaissance.github.io/darkfi/misc/ircd/ircd.html) to connect with the team.

## Further Reading

### Current Situation and Macro Overview

* [Gensler Vows Action Against DeFi](https://thedefiant.io/gensler-sec-regulate-all-crypto/)
* [Crypto Mega Theses](https://multicoin.capital/2019/04/24/multicoin-investment-thesis/)
* [The Future of DeFi Must be No KYC](https://medium.com/@Austerity_Sucks/the-future-of-defi-must-be-no-kyc-7ff4578bd72e)
* [Every single Bitcoin product banned in the UK as regulators crack down on crypto](https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/every-single-bitcoin-product-banned-22800240)

## Further Reading

### Current Situation and Macro Overview

* [Gensler Vows Action Against DeFi](https://thedefiant.io/gensler-sec-regulate-all-crypto/)
* [Crypto Mega Theses](https://multicoin.capital/2019/04/24/multicoin-investment-thesis/)
* [The Future of DeFi Must be No KYC](https://medium.com/@Austerity_Sucks/the-future-of-defi-must-be-no-kyc-7ff4578bd72e)
* [Every single Bitcoin product banned in the UK as regulators crack down on crypto](https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/every-single-bitcoin-product-banned-22800240)
* [The DOJ’s ‘Crypto Enforcement Framework’ Argues Against Privacy Tools and for International Regulation](https://www.coindesk.com/crypto-enforcement-framework)
* [The Coming Storm – Terrorists Using Cryptocurrency](https://www.memri.org/reports/coming-storm-%E2%80%93-terrorists-using-cryptocurrency)
* [Report finds $50 billion of cryptocurrency moved out of China hinting at capital flight against Beijing rules](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/21/china-users-move-50-billion-of-cryptocurrency-out-of-country-hinting-at-capital-flight.html)

### Economics 

* [mattigag's required reading](https://twitter.com/mattigags/status/1463430142081093641)
* [Deribit, On Reflexivity and Imitation, Part 1](https://insights.deribit.com/market-research/on-reflexivity-and-imitation/)
    * [Part 2](https://insights.deribit.com/market-research/on-reflexivity-and-imitation-part-2/)
* [The Fraying of the US Global Currency Reserve System](https://www.lynalden.com/fraying-petrodollar-system/)
* [Introduction to Richard Werner: New Paradigm in Marcoeconomics](https://wiki.polytech.barcelona/index.php?title=Notes/New_Paradigm_in_Macroeconomics/Introduction)
* [Shifting from Central Planning to a Decentralized Economy](https://professorwerner.org/shifting-from-central-planning-to-a-decentralised-economy/)
* [The Great Race to Crypto Banking](https://insights.deribit.com/market-research/the-great-race-to-crypto-banking/)
* [Dreams of a Peasant](https://blog.bitmex.com/dreams-of-a-peasant/)
* [DAO Lay Lo Mo](https://cryptohayes.medium.com/dao-lay-lo-mo-3645f517d2d6)
* [Crypto Market Structure](https://arjun.af/crypto-market-structure)

### Web 3.0

* [Ethereum's Political Philosophy Explained](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/07/09/ethereums-political-philosophy-explained/)
* [Squad Wealth](https://otherinter.net/research/squad-wealth/)
* [Prehistory of DAOs](https://gnosisguild.mirror.xyz/t4F5rItMw4-mlpLZf5JQhElbDfQ2JRVKAzEpanyxW1Q)
* [Inventories, not Identities](https://blog.gnosis.pm/inventories-not-identities-7da9a4ec5a3e)
* [The origin of the digital antiquities market (NFTs)](https://whiterabbit1111.medium.com/the-origin-digital-antiquities-market-nfts-1ea9b69c03f9)

### Agorism and crypto-anarchy

* [How to Return to Crypto's Subversive Roots](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2020/08/21/bitcoin-has-lost-its-way-heres-how-to-return-to-cryptos-subversive-roots/)
* [The Crypto Anarchist Manifesto](https://activism.net/cypherpunk/crypto-anarchy.html)
* [Collected Quotations of The Dread Pirate Roberts](https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/04/29/collected-quotations-of-the-dread-pirate-roberts-founder-of-the-drug-site-silk-road-and-radical-libertarian/#196a8231b0c4)
* [New Libertarian Manifesto](https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/samuel-edward-konkin-iii-new-libertarian-manifesto)
* [A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace](https://nakamotoinstitute.org/cyberspace-independence/)
* [A Cypherpunk's Manifesto](https://nakamotoinstitute.org/cypherpunk-manifesto/)
