During a recent event at Ace Hotel Brooklyn, actor and director Ben McKenzie made headlines by questioning the current state of the publication WIRED, asking when it had allegedly “‘DIED,’ all caps.” McKenzie, known for his role as Ryan on the popular television series The O.C. and for his vocal skepticism towards cryptocurrency, participated in this tongue-in-cheek moment as part of the ongoing celebrity tradition of reading critical tweets — though this time, the focus wasn’t on him but rather on the magazine hosting the event.
The evening, marking the first of a hoped-for series called WIRED@Night, attracted around 100 attendees eager to discuss the future of cryptocurrency over drinks from local partners including Aplos, Faccia Brutto, The Sorting Table, and Manojo. McKenzie’s contemporaneous projects fueled the discussion; he co-authored the book Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud and recently released an independent documentary titled Everyone Is Lying to You for Money.
During a conversation with WIRED senior correspondent Andy Greenberg, who is renowned for his reporting on the darker aspects of cryptocurrency, McKenzie shared insights from both his book and film. He recounted his travels to locations such as El Salvador, a notable crypto hub, to gain a deeper understanding of the technology’s continued allure despite its controversial reputation.
One significant point raised by McKenzie was the issue of male loneliness, which he identified as a driving factor behind the appeal of cryptocurrency. He emphasized that many individuals are drawn to the desire for genuine community, finding that the online nature of cryptocurrency often manifests as a form of extreme gambling. This trend, he argued, gained particular traction during the Covid-19 pandemic, as people sought alternative means of connection amid widespread isolation.
The event served as a reminder of the ongoing dialogue around the implications of digital spaces and their capacity to foster both connection and detachment. As attendees ponder the complexities of cryptocurrency, McKenzie’s remarks highlight the need for more in-person interactions to combat the pervasive feelings of loneliness that can accompany digital experiences.
