[naravara]

I think it's simpler than that. The ideology of the post-90s/post-Reagan neoliberal era inculcated a set of hyper-capitalist values that posited humanity as "homo economicus" and operated as if we are little more than producing, consuming animals who exist to mechanically produce generic "economic output" and consume "utility."

This is a deeply unsatisfying and spiritually empty existence. This leads to all the behaviors you mentioned as a form of rebellion and/or attempt at escaping the bonds of that kind of life. This sentiment has been catalogued in a variety of movies, including "Fight Club," the ur-text of Gen X anomie.

[munificent]

As a gen-xer, I agree wholeheartedly that the 80s transition of Americans from being people to being "consumers" was a soul-sucking cultural exercise that has created misery all around.

But crypto bros aren't trying to escape that. They are doubling down on being homo economicus because now they're investing in financial objects that are completely decoupled from even representing something as meaningful as a share of ownership in a business.

I think young men with this mindset will play whatever game society places in front of them. They just need a playing field where they can feel they can compete and have a chance to be seen making a home run. Crypto was there so they jumped on it.

[moistly]

Elon can’t start shipping people off to Mars soon enough, then. When the bros all F off to space, maybe we can finally get some peace and tranquility.