Are Bitcoin culture's memes (e.g., Laser Eyes, HODL images) already a form of 'new folk art'?

Oh, that's a really interesting question. In my opinion, viewing Bitcoin memes as a "new form of folk art" is quite fitting.

Let me give you an analogy, and you'll understand.

What was "folk art" in the past? It might have been paper-cuts made by grandmothers in villages, folk songs sung by people while working in the fields, or small trinkets casually carved by carpenters. These things had a few characteristics:

1. Creators were ordinary people: Not court painters or professional artists, but just ordinary folks in the community.
2. Circulated within a community: The patterns of paper-cuts, the melodies of folk songs, all circulated within a village or region. Everyone understood them instantly upon seeing or hearing them.
3. Expressed common emotions and stories: Paper-cuts might represent hopes for the New Year, and folk songs might tell a legendary story or express longing for love. They were a group's "secret code" and emotional sustenance.

Now, let's look at Bitcoin's "laser eyes" and "HODL."

See, isn't it exactly the same?

First, who are the creators? Not great artists or large corporations. The term HODL originated when a guy, drunk, misspelled "HOLD" as "HODL" in a forum post. His post, full of emotion and determination to hold on even during a price crash, instantly went viral. People found the term incredibly apt, and it spread. "Laser eyes" are similar; loyal Bitcoin fans started Photoshopping this effect onto their social media avatars to express a "bullish, full-belief" state, and others quickly followed suit. These were all spontaneously created by ordinary netizens.

Second, in which circle does it circulate? Primarily within the large community focused on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. If you show a "HODL" image to someone who knows nothing about Bitcoin, they might be completely confused. But within this community, everyone instantly understands that it means "no matter how the price fluctuates, hold on, have long-term confidence." It's a consensus, a "secret handshake."

Finally, what does it express? This is the most folk art-like aspect. It's not just a simple image; it has stories, emotions, and values behind it.

• HODL: Represents resilience and conviction when facing immense pressure and temptation. It's a legendary tale of how early adopters persevered through roller-coaster market conditions.
• Laser Eyes: Represent a strong sense of identity and future outlook. Putting on laser eyes is like wearing your home team's jersey or a tribe member painting a totem; it's a declaration: "I am part of this community, and I believe Bitcoin's future will be unstoppable, like a laser."

So, you see, while one is created in the digital world with keyboards and Photoshop, and the other in the real world with scissors and voices, their core essence is the same: created by ordinary people within a specific community to express that community's shared beliefs, stories, and identity.

Therefore, calling these memes a "new folk art" of the digital age, or "digital folk art," is, I think, entirely appropriate. They are the totems and songs of the Bitcoin "digital tribe."