Why do Bitcoin holders form a unique 'subculture'?

哈，这个问题问得特别好。其实你想想，任何一个“圈子”能形成，都得有点特别的东西，对吧？比如车友会、动漫迷、甚至是苹果的“果粉”，他们都有共同的爱好和语言。比特币持有者这个群体，也是一样，甚至更“极致”一些。我聊聊我的看法，你就明白了。

1. It's Not Just About Making Money; It's More Like a "Belief" or "Faith"

The most crucial point is that for many staunch holders, Bitcoin isn't just an investment; it represents an ideology, a "rebellion" against the existing financial system.

Think of it this way: growing up, we've always been taught that money is controlled by banks and governments. But they can print money at will (like the US frantically printing dollars during the pandemic), which makes your money worth less and less – that's inflation. Many people feel dissatisfied and powerless about this.

But what about Bitcoin? Its total supply is fixed at 21 million, and no one can issue more. It's not controlled by any single country or bank. This "decentralization" and "inflation-resistant" nature makes many feel that this is truly their own wealth, a kind of "digital gold."

So, when you hold Bitcoin, you might unconsciously adopt this philosophy. You're no longer just an "investor"; you become a "believer," trusting that it can change the world and protect your wealth from dilution. With this shared "belief," people naturally gravitate towards each other and stick together.

2. Experiencing the "Rollercoaster" Together Forges Strong Bonds

In stock trading, a 10% fluctuation might make your heart pound, but the Bitcoin community is different. Daily swings of 30% up or 50% down have happened. These drastic fluctuations are like riding one thrilling rollercoaster after another together.

• During bull markets: Everyone celebrates together, shouting "To the moon!" in groups, feeling like the smartest people in the world, on the verge of financial freedom.
• During bear markets: Assets shrink significantly, and outsiders mock and question, calling it a scam. At these times, people within the community encourage each other, saying "HODL" (hold on for dear life), believing in the future, and enduring the winter together.

This kind of "camaraderie in battle" from jointly experiencing extreme highs and lows is something rarely felt in conventional investment circles. Having made big money together, and also having lost so much that you wanted to cry, this strong emotional bond ties everyone tightly together.

3. We Have Our Own "Jargon" and "Memes"

Every subculture has its own language, and the Bitcoin community is no exception. Outsiders might not understand this "jargon," but insiders immediately get it, fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Just to give a few examples:

• HODL: The most classic jargon. It originated when someone, drunk, misspelled "HOLD" as "HODL" on a forum. Later, it was reinterpreted by the community as an acronym for "Hold On for Dear Life," meaning to hold onto your assets no matter how much the market drops.
• Diamond Hands: Describes investors who are as firm as diamonds, holding steadfastly regardless of market volatility.
• Leeks (韭菜): Refers to new investors who buy when prices rise and sell when they fall, repeatedly getting "harvested" by the market.
• Laser Eyes: You might see many people on Twitter photoshopping laser beams onto their profile pictures. This is an identity marker, representing their strong support for Bitcoin and their belief that its price will hit $100,000.

When you can skillfully use these terms in conversation, that feeling of being an "insider" immediately emerges.

4. A Shared "External Pressure" Exists

When a group faces common external criticism and skepticism, its internal cohesion often strengthens.

From its inception, Bitcoin has been surrounded by controversy. Many mainstream media outlets, bankers, and government officials call it a "Ponzi scheme," a "money laundering tool," or "a waste of energy." When holders see these negative reports, they develop a feeling of "you don't understand us," which in turn reinforces their identification with their choice, making them huddle together for warmth and collectively refute these views.

To sum it up:

A group of people, united by a shared, revolutionary "belief" (decentralization, inflation-resistance), who have together endured the market's tumultuous "trials by fire," speaking a "jargon" incomprehensible to outsiders, and collectively facing "skepticism and pressure" from the mainstream world.

Putting all these factors together, it's not hard to understand why they form such a unique and cohesive subculture. This goes far beyond merely "buying a financial product"; it's more like participating in a social experiment and a movement.