Siddarth Shukla

Taking Responsibility in a World of Corruption

There comes a point in life where we’re confronted with the reality of the world we live in. Whether it’s government systems, family dynamics, or personal struggles, we begin to see the cracks in the foundation. We notice that the people and institutions we’ve trusted might not always have our best interests at heart. And often, our response is to blame. We blame the government, we blame our families, we blame those around us. But, deep down, this blame becomes a form of escape—a way to avoid the real, uncomfortable truth that the responsibility to change things ultimately lies within us.

I’ve gone through this. Like many people, I found myself blaming politicians for the economic state of the world. I blamed my parents for their control or neglect in certain aspects of my upbringing. I blamed my friends for not being supportive enough, and sometimes I even blamed myself for not being strong enough to rise above it all. But what I eventually came to realize is that blame is a trap. It’s a way of staying passive, of avoiding the hard work that comes with changing your life, your mindset, and your future.

Accepting Corruption and Staying Stuck

We live in a world where it’s easy to accept the dysfunction of the systems around us. Whether it’s the manipulation of banks, the flawed political systems, or the toxic family dynamics that control us, we see the dysfunction but we don’t fight back. We think, “This is just the way things are. Who am I to challenge it?”

Just as people often face their struggles and doubt whether they should act, we face the institutions and systems in our lives that are clearly broken. But instead of stepping up and confronting them, we often retreat into rationalization. We think that fighting these corrupt systems will only drag us down into the mess. So, we choose inaction. We convince ourselves that if we engage in these battles, we’ll end up just as corrupt, just as broken, just as dysfunctional as the people or systems we oppose.

It’s easy to see this in our modern-day institutions:

• We accept the corruption of banks, knowing that they’re printing money at will, devaluing our savings, and manipulating interest rates to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Yet, instead of adopting a solution like Bitcoin, which offers financial freedom and transparency, we think, “Why bother? This is the way things have always been.”
• We accept the dysfunction of family dynamics, allowing toxic relationships to dominate our lives. We fear that if we push back, if we create boundaries, it’ll make things worse. So, we stay quiet and complicit, even though we know things need to change.
• We accept the actions of politicians, blaming them for their greed and corruption but doing little to hold them accountable. Instead, we grumble about the system but don’t take real action to create change, thinking that fighting back will just make us bitter or jaded.

This acceptance is a form of passivity. It’s easier to say, “This is just the way things are,” than it is to face the uncomfortable truth that change starts with us. We have to take responsibility for the world we live in, the relationships we tolerate, and the financial systems we participate in.

Blame as an Escape

Blaming others becomes a way of escaping the hard work of change. We see it all the time:

• People blame politicians for their economic struggles, without ever questioning their own spending habits, career choices, or ability to adapt.
• People blame parents for not giving them the perfect childhood, not realizing that they are now adults who can take control of their own lives and make different choices.
• People blame friends or siblings for not being supportive, when in reality, they haven’t even been honest about what kind of support they need or set the boundaries required for those relationships to thrive.

Blame is a form of escapism. It allows us to stay passive, to avoid the discomfort of change, and to rationalize why it’s better to stay where we are. But the truth is, if we accept the dysfunction, we’re not staying neutral—we’re allowing corruption, dysfunction, and injustice to continue.

The Trap of Thinking “They’re Just Too Far Gone”

Another rationalization we make is thinking that the systems we’re fighting against are too corrupt, too far gone, to be worth fighting. It’s easy to see the manipulative nature of banks, governments, or even family members and think, “Why fight it? They’ll just drag me down.”

But this thinking is a trap. It’s a way to justify inaction because the thought of getting involved feels overwhelming. It’s easier to blame the system than to face the reality that we have the power to change it. And by not taking action, we allow the very corruption, dysfunction, and injustice we despise to win.

Financial Dependency and the Struggle for Boundaries

One of the reasons we fail to set boundaries with people—whether it’s in our families or workplaces—is because of financial dependency. If you rely on your family for money, or you need your job to stay afloat, setting boundaries can feel like a threat to your survival. Your workplace may be abusing you, your family may be overbearing, but because they control your financial security, you feel powerless to push back.

The first step to reclaiming power is financial freedom, and that begins with understanding money. Unfortunately, most people’s understanding of money is limited by the fiat system, which is manipulated and controlled by governments and central banks. True financial freedom comes when we understand that money doesn’t have to be tied to these systems. Bitcoin, with its decentralized nature and scarcity, offers a way out. It’s a tool that gives you control over your own wealth, free from manipulation.

When you have financial freedom, you can set the boundaries you need without fear. You won’t have to endure a toxic workplace or tolerate unhealthy family dynamics just because you need the paycheck. Financial independence allows you to reclaim your personal sovereignty.

Breaking Free: Choosing Responsibility Over Blame

So, how do we break free from this cycle of blame and passivity? It starts with taking responsibility. It starts with recognizing that we have more power than we think, but that power comes with the burden of action. When we choose to stop blaming others and start taking control of our own lives, we begin the process of true change.

Here’s how we can start:

1. Stop Blaming Politicians: Yes, the system is corrupt. Yes, the banks are flawed. But we can choose to take part in systems like Bitcoin, which offers financial freedom and personal responsibility. We can start holding politicians accountable and supporting systems that are transparent and decentralized.
2. Stop Blaming Family: Family dynamics can be toxic, but we are not powerless. Setting boundaries, having honest conversations, and making choices that prioritize our mental health are all within our control.
3. Stop Blaming Friends and Siblings: Relationships require work and communication. If we need support, we need to ask for it. If boundaries are being crossed, we need to set them. Blaming others for not reading our minds is just another way to avoid taking responsibility.

If Satoshi Thought Like That, There Would Be No Bitcoin

Imagine if Satoshi Nakamoto had thought the same way. If Satoshi had blamed the banking system, the central authorities, or the people around him without taking any action, there would be no Bitcoin. Instead, Satoshi took responsibility. He saw the potential of the technology around him and created a system that could work for the people—a decentralized, transparent, and scarce form of money that could avoid the tyranny of banks and give individuals real financial sovereignty.

Satoshi didn’t sit around blaming others; he built a solution. He showed us that it’s possible to break free from the corrupt, centralized systems that dominate our world. Bitcoin is the ultimate example of taking action instead of blaming, of creating a new world rather than accepting the broken one.

Bitcoin: A Path to Financial Responsibility

One way to reclaim our power is through financial sovereignty. Systems like Bitcoin offer us the chance to opt out of the corrupt, manipulated fiat system that keeps us passive. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature means that it can’t be manipulated by governments or banks. It’s scarce, like gold, and offers a way to store value without fear of inflation or manipulation.

In the same way that we can set boundaries in our relationships, we can also set boundaries in our financial lives by adopting Bitcoin and other decentralized systems. These systems allow us to take control of our wealth, to protect our hard-earned savings from the greed and corruption of central banks and governments.

Bitcoin represents the ultimate rejection of passivity. It’s a way of saying, “I won’t be part of this corrupt system anymore. I’m taking control of my financial future.”

Conclusion: Embracing Action Over Blame

In the end, the choice is simple. We can continue to blame others—politicians, banks, family members—for the dysfunction in our lives, or we can take responsibility and start making changes. Whether it’s adopting Bitcoin, setting boundaries with loved ones, or holding politicians accountable, the power to change lies within us.

Blame is easy. Action is hard. But the rewards of taking control of our lives, of stepping into our power, far outweigh the comfort of staying passive. Now is the time to reject the blame game, take responsibility, and start building the life we want.