Steven Pinker’s Idea About How We Think
In a recent interview, Steven Pinker shared a powerful idea about how our minds work. He says we do not think in words. Instead, we think in structures. Pinker calls this inner language “Mentalese.” It is a hidden language of thought that comes before any spoken or written words.
Words are just a tool to share our private thoughts with others. They translate the deep meaning we have in our minds into sounds or letters. This view helps us understand many things differently, from art to politics to computer systems.
Thought Is More Than Just Words
Pinker explains that thinking can involve images, sounds, touch, or abstract ideas. Our thoughts are like a web of ideas connected together. When we speak or write, we only show a small part of this web. This is why sometimes people say, “That’s not what I meant,” or struggle to find the right words.
Translation between languages is hard because words are just the surface. Underneath, different languages share Mentalese. This is why ideas can be shared even if the words are different.
How This Connects to Bitcoin
This idea helps explain why Bitcoin works differently than regular money systems. Most finance deals with words and promises. Banks say money is “available” or a payment is “approved.” These words don’t always reflect reality right away. They rely on trust and rules that can vary.
Bitcoin changes this by focusing on clear, unchanging rules. When you spend Bitcoin, it is recorded in a way both machines and people can understand the same way. Miners and nodes follow strict rules to decide what transactions are valid. The record is public and cannot be changed easily.
In other words, Bitcoin’s system acts like Mentalese—it focuses on structure first, not words. Each transaction is clear and final, like handing someone cash. There are no promises or delays. This makes Bitcoin more certain and trustworthy than regular banking.
Why This Matters in a World Full of Words
Language shapes how we think and how society operates. Experts create new words to explain complex ideas. Teenagers invent slang to express new social meanings. Computers like large language models (LLMs) can use these patterns to influence what people think.
But expensive language and persuasion can cause confusion and delays, especially in important matters like money. Bitcoin provides a solution by anchoring value in clear rules that computers check. This removes the chance for unclear or tricky language to cause problems.
Bitcoin Is Like Mentalese for Money
Pinker’s theory helps us see Bitcoin as a new kind of money. It is not just about words or trust but about clear, direct action. Bitcoin transactions are the action itself, not just a story about it.
The Bitcoin Whitepaper is like a clear technical guide. It shows how to combine rules for time, rewards, and validation so no one has to trust others. The code is the real law, and the network makes sure everyone follows it.
The Future of Clear Value Systems
As language and persuasion tools become more powerful, it is important to use systems like Bitcoin. These systems do not care about who speaks best or how clever the words are. They only check if the rules are followed.
In a world where words can be misleading, Bitcoin offers a way to make sure value is real and secure. It is not just a system for money—it is a new way to represent value with clear, verifiable structure. This makes Bitcoin strong, trusted, and ready for the future.
