Mike Leigh's "Naked" reveals Johnny as a figure resonating with today's crypto culture, rejecting state control and societal norms.
Mike Leigh's 1993 film "Naked" offers a stark glimpse into the darker side of England during the late Thatcher years. At its core, the film features Johnny, a character who defies societal norms and resonates with contemporary crypto culture as an intellectual wanderer who rejects state control and societal expectations.
Johnny's narrative begins in a Manchester alley, where he steals a car and heads to London, breaking into his ex-girlfriend's apartment. His two-day journey through the city is marked by aimless wandering and conversations with strangers, reflecting a conscious choice to live off the grid. Johnny’s existence is devoid of conventional markers such as employment, residence, or identification—his lifestyle a rejection of societal contracts that demand loyalty in exchange for state protection.
This anti-establishment stance mirrors the ethos of today's digital nomads and advocates for self-custody, who, instead of living without a physical address, manage their identities through digital wallets and cryptocurrency. The cypherpunk movement of the 1990s echoed similar sentiments, arguing that true sovereignty begins where transparency to authority ceases. Timothy May's "Crypto Anarchist Manifesto" and Eric Hughes's "Cypherpunk Manifesto" both emphasize privacy as a fundamental right, a notion Johnny embodies by choosing anonymity in his interactions.
Confronting the Future
Johnny's monologues often delve into dystopian themes, discussing barcodes, the biblical number 666, and the collapse of civilization. If we reinterpret his fears of identity reduction in terms of modern digital identifiers, the relevance becomes clear: concerns over state-controlled digital currencies and the implications of Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations resonate with his existential dread. Both Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and blockchain technology pose challenges to personal identity, yet the latter offers a degree of anonymity that Johnny would prefer.
In his philosophical pursuits, Johnny engages in what can be termed "intellectual squatting," capturing the attention of unsuspecting individuals with profound discussions. This mirrors the early crypto community's interactions in forums and mailing lists, where ideas permeated traditional economic discourse. Over the years, these exchanges have evolved into recognized institutions, such as Bitcoin ETFs and regulatory frameworks across various nations.
A Solitary Figure in a Connected World
The film concludes ambiguously, with Johnny limping into the shadows of an empty alley. This ending starkly contrasts with the crypto movement's ethos of permanence and record-keeping. While blockchain technology aims to preserve information indefinitely, Johnny's nihilism rejects the notion of leaving a trace. His perspective stands in opposition to the crypto-anarchist belief in constructing alternatives; instead, he embodies a desire to eschew creation altogether.
Johnny's story serves as a cautionary tale about the future, illustrating a relationship with societal systems where the ultimate asset is the ability to disappear. The film's portrayal of his grimaces and interactions suggests a deep understanding of structural limitations, hinting at the existence of exits that remain elusive to many.
