Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies In Popular Culture

One of the clear signs that cryptocurrencies in general and bitcoin in particular have captivated the mainstream, is their appearance in popular TV shows, movies and art. There is no doubt that bitcoin especially has been the focus of mainstream media for quite a while and it has played an increasingly significant role in certain TV and movie genres. Bitcoin art on the other hand, has captivated the minds of many, particularly with the attempts to depict a coin in a manner taken from the core philosophy of realist art.

Popular culture surrounding bitcoin has developed quite a bit, and as is expected, it has taken on many contemporary facets as well. Apart from digital art and illustrations, bitcoin is also a prominent theme dominating all sorts of memes. All these facets of popular culture in which bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are playing a big role, not only show us how far they have made it into mainstream thought, but also offers a unique prism through which we can see the ideas that dominate popular culture.

Many of these ideas are based on partial pieces of information that have been perpetuated as biases. TV shows for example, often portray bitcoin in a negative light. It is almost like if bitcoin was the 21^st century villain. This is why the cryptocurrency is so prominent in TV shows and movies that belong to the crime fiction genre.

TV Shows Featuring Bitcoin

Show	Air Date	Season	Episode	Episode Name
The Good Wife	January 15, 2012	3	13	Bitcoin for Dummies
The Simpsons	December 8, 2013	25	7	Yellow Subterfuge
Jeopardy	December 12, 2013	30
Almost Human	December 16, 2013	1	6	Arrhythmia
Person of Interest	January 14, 2014	3	13	4C
House of Cards	February 14, 2014	2	2	Chapter 15
Almost Human	March 3, 2014	1	13	Straw Man
Parks and Recreation	March 13, 2014	6	16	New Slogan
Silicon Valley	April 20, 2014	1	3	Article of Incorporation
The Simpsons	September 28, 2014	26	1	Clowns in the Dumps
NCIS LA	October 6, 2014	6	2	Inelegant Heart
Supernatural	October 28, 2014	10	4	Paper Moon
Jeopardy	December 16, 2014	31
Marry Me	February 3, 2015	1	12
Inside Man	February 19, 2015	3	5	Morgan Makes Cents Out Of Bitcoin

On the other hand, as bitcoin and high tech development become more popular, TV shows like Silicon Valley will gain prominence and bitcoin cultural references will be more positive. This is also an example of how success in high tech or FinTech will gradually change popular culture. Precisely art could become the discipline that spearheads this cultural change. There is a fair amount of art that portrays bitcoin as a desirable element of the future. The following painting shows bitcoin in a positive light:

Notice the miners of centuries past pitted against the bitcoin miners. Clearly the artist wanted to paint an encouraging picture of the future, in which dirty mining that damages the environment, is replaced by environmentally friendly bitcoin mining that augurs a more pleasant scenery. Both miners are engaged in a game of cards against each other, and this is the kind of imagery that many would be able to relate to when they hear about the clash between the old economy and the new.

Since the cryptocurrency revolution is still in its infancy, references to bitcoin in popular culture will keep on growing. We have created this special section to track and even attempt to influence the way bitcoin is depicted in popular art. We will have special articles written about the subject, and we will also make an attempt at producing original pieces of art. We hope to generate greater interest in the subject, as well as cultural contributions from all our readers.