About This Project
What is Softwar?
The Source Material: Jason Lowery's MIT Thesis
A really long school paper from MIT about why Bitcoin might be more important than people think. Not as money, but as a defense system.
"Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin" is a 400-page thesis submitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2023 by Major Jason P. Lowery, a U.S. Space Force officer.
The thesis argues that Bitcoin is fundamentally misunderstood when viewed through a financial lens. Instead, Lowery proposes that proof-of-work protocols represent a novel form of physical power projection technology, one that could replace kinetic warfare with non-lethal energy competition.
"Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin" is a master's thesis submitted to the MIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2023, supervised by academic faculty. Authored by Major Jason P. Lowery (U.S. Space Force), it spans approximately 400 pages and includes 97 figures.
The thesis draws on established frameworks from thermodynamics, game theory, and military strategy to argue that proof-of-work protocols constitute a novel form of physical power projection technology. Lowery proposes that Bitcoin is fundamentally misunderstood when evaluated through monetary or financial frameworks, and should instead be analyzed as a non-kinetic power projection system capable of replacing destructive warfare with non-lethal energy competition.
What This Website Is
We took a 400-page paper full of big words and turned it into something anyone can understand. You pick how deep you want to go.
This is an educational translation of Lowery's thesis, designed to make its arguments accessible to anyone, from curious teenagers to national security professionals. We use three depth levels (Simple, Standard, Deep) so you can engage with the material at whatever level feels right.
This is an educational translation of Lowery's thesis, designed to make its arguments accessible to anyone, from curious teenagers to national security professionals. We use three depth levels (Simple, Standard, Deep) so you can engage with the material at whatever level feels right.
The translation methodology uses a three-tier audience model: the Curious Newcomer (Simple depth, with ELI5 analogies and minimal jargon), the Engaged Adult (Standard depth, offering a full narrative with historical parallels), and the Deep Diver (Deep depth, featuring academic language, direct thesis quotes with page references, and citations). The depth toggle maps directly to these audiences, allowing each reader to self-select into the level of engagement appropriate for their background and interest.
What This Website Is NOT
- Not a Bitcoin investment pitch. The thesis argues Bitcoin is about power, not money
- Not a full thesis reproduction, but a translation and distillation with pointers to the source
- Not politically partisan. The national security framing is the author's theory, clearly attributed
- Not a crypto/web3 project. No wallets, no tokens, no NFTs. Pure educational content
- Not sanitized. The uncomfortable parts are presented directly
The Author: Major Jason P. Lowery
Major Jason P. Lowery is a U.S. Space Force officer who submitted this thesis as part of his studies at MIT. His background spans military strategy, systems engineering, and national security policy. The thesis represents his personal academic work and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any U.S. government agency.