Similar to Hiromi, I also chose Bitcoin this week.
Last week, this Newsweek article by Leah McGrath Goodman on the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the secretive creator of Bitcoin generated massive attention. I decided to curate the Internet’s response to the article.
Along with its focus on Bitcoin’s creator, the article was notable in that it was the cover story of Newsweek, which returned to print for the first time in 14 months.
1. Newsweek Posts Article
The creator of Bitcoin is worth $400 million, but he lives in a modest home outside of L.A. http://t.co/C9frgU1Iod pic.twitter.com/4452ciMx9K
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) March 6, 2014
2. Bitcoin’s Lead Developer Tweets
I'm disappointed Newsweek decided to dox the Nakamoto family, and regret talking to Leah.
— Gavin Andresen (@gavinandresen) March 6, 2014
3. Reddit’s r/bitcoin responds
Bitcoin enthusiasts on Reddit generally express skepticism at the article and are upset that Satoshi Nakamoto was “doxed.” Some anger is directed at Goodman, the author of the Newsweek article.
4. Goodman interviewed by IBTimes
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5. Man Denies He’s Bitcoin Founder
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6. The “Real” Satoshi Nakamoto Responds
In a Bitcoin forum where the Bitcoin founder has been active in the past, the following is posted: “I am not Dorian Nakamoto”
7. NewsGenius Annotation of Newsweek Article Created
The annotation argues that the evidence in the article in support of Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity is “extraordinarily thin.” Interestingly, the main annotators are Balaji Srinivasan and Marc Andreessen, two general partners of the well-known Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
William – nice work. I like that you chose a finite list of media to highlight for us in what was a widely reported story this week. I also like the focus on personal testimony from the reporter and her subject and the Internet response forums like reddit and the rapgenius annotation.