How has the cryptocurrency wealth myth changed people's perceptions of social mobility?

Let's put it this way, we need to start by discussing the "path to success" that was common for our parents' generation.

In the past, the generally accepted path for social mobility, or "moving up," was quite clear: study hard, get into a good university, find a stable job, work diligently your entire career, get promotions and raises, buy a house and a car – that was considered success. It was a slow but tangible ladder.

Cryptocurrencies, particularly the early Bitcoin stories where "ten thousand Bitcoins bought a pizza" later turned into billions, were like a "super elevator" that anyone could ride, suddenly appearing right next to this crowded traditional ladder.

Its impact on people's perceptions is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. "There are other paths!" – Shattering the myth of traditional routes

The biggest shock was that it made many people, especially the younger generation, realize that "success" isn't achieved through a single path. When they witnessed individuals accumulate wealth in a few years, or even months, with just a few hundred or thousand yuan – wealth they might never earn in a lifetime – the traditional narrative of "study hard, join a big company, pay off your mortgage" began to seem rather bleak.

It's like everyone is laboriously climbing a mountain, only to suddenly see someone rocket to the summit. You might not take a rocket yourself, but you'll certainly wonder, "Is all this strenuous climbing truly worth it?" This kind of thought can shake many people's traditional belief that "hard work always pays off."

2. Creating an illusion of "fairness" and offering new hope

Traditional financial investments, such as stocks and funds, have high entry barriers and often feel like "a rich person's game." You need to understand complex financial reports, monitor macroeconomic trends, and possess substantial capital.

Cryptocurrency, however, is different; it gives the impression of an extremely low barrier to entry. You don't need advanced financial knowledge or powerful connections; all you need is a smartphone and a few tens or hundreds of yuan to get started. This creates the illusion that "everyone is on the same starting line." It disregards your education, background, or network, focusing solely on your boldness and luck. For many ordinary people who feel constrained by "rules" in the real world, this is undoubtedly a massive temptation, a dreamland for a "rags-to-riches" story.

3. Amplifying anxiety and a speculative mindset

The flip side of this hope is immense anxiety, commonly known as "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out).

Wealth myths are constantly amplified by media and communities; every day, you hear stories of certain coins multiplying hundreds or thousands of times. This generates an extreme sense of anxiety: "If I don't get on this train now, I'll truly miss my chance to turn my life around." This mindset fosters a desire for quick gains, leading people to abandon the belief in gradual value accumulation and instead become obsessed with finding the next "secret" to overnight wealth. Many no longer care about a project's technology or the problems it solves, but only "will it go up?" and "when will it pump?"

4. Shaking the very definition of "wealth"

Previously, we believed wealth was earned through labor and value creation. However, the wealth-creation narratives surrounding cryptocurrency often appear more like a pure capital transfer game, or even a consensus built on thin air. A "Dogecoin" joke can create millionaires, prompting many to reconsider: What exactly is wealth? Is its essence value, consensus, or merely timing and luck?

In summary:

The wealth myths of cryptocurrency have dropped a bombshell into our increasingly "卷" (hyper-competitive/involutionary) society.

It offers a dream and hope of seemingly "overtaking on a curve" (achieving rapid success) for those who feel hopeless on traditional paths. Yet, simultaneously, it acts like a massive casino, drawing countless individuals with tales of sudden riches, thereby intensifying the speculative atmosphere and wealth anxiety throughout society.

It has led people to no longer fully subscribe to the belief that "heaven rewards diligence," but instead to embrace the idea that "choice outweighs effort," or even that "luck trumps everything." This shift in perspective is difficult to categorize as purely good or bad, but it has undeniably and profoundly altered our generation's views on success, hard work, and social mobility.