Barbie’s First Step Into Crypto: Bitcoin is so Ken!

Have you caught wind of the buzzword "Barbenheimer" making the rounds lately? In the ever-evolving landscape of the film industry, there are pivotal moments that revolutionise the very fabric of film production, distribution, and reception. One such moment occurred even before the release of two highly anticipated movies, where an Internet sensation took the world by storm.

At the heart of this viral phenomenon were two seemingly disparate films – "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" – which were slated to hit theaters simultaneously. Their convergence gave birth to the catchy portmanteau "Barbenheimer," captivating the attention of millions and illustrating the profound influence of social media on shaping the future of the film industry.

Online fandoms, always at the forefront of such cultural shifts, coined the term and swiftly embraced the dual theatrical release. With hashtags, memes, and an array of creative fan-made content, social media emerged as the driving force behind the unprecedented success of this cinematic experiment.

Barbie in a Nutshell
Amidst the vibrant shades of pink and undeniable commerciality, Barbie emerges as a standout film, skillfully interweaving a feminist narrative that transcends its doll-centric origins. In this two-hour cinematic journey, we witness Barbie's transformation from a stereotypical figure into a symbol of empowerment, courageously embracing her own agency and venturing into the real world to confront the obstacles of a patriarchal society. The poignant storytelling captures our hearts, even as it navigates within the boundaries set by its role as a company-mandated franchise starter.

And the cast of Barbie is no less star-studded, with the pink-loving title character portrayed by Australian actress Margot Robbie, her kind-of boyfriend Ken played by Ryan Gosling, and alongside a cast including Emma Mackey, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, John Cena, Will Ferrell, Dua Lipa, and so much more!

Barbie has Taken on a Lot of Things, is Bitcoin on Her Radar?
Renowned for her roles in blockbuster movies, including the Barbie film, the Australian actress offered a glimpse into her personal life, unveiling a humourous and endearing term she affectionately uses for her husband's fascination with cryptocurrency – "Big Ken Energy." During an engaging interview with Fandango late June, she shared the delightful revelation that her husband, Tom Ackerley, who also co-produces the Barbie movie, engages in discussions about Bitcoin (BTC) with fellow producer David Heyman.

But how did it start? As the interviewer probed into the term "Ken" and the tell-tale signs of spotting one, Margot could not resist revealing that both she and director Greta Gerwig often found themselves bursting into laughter during these conversations during the filming process.

“That’s such a Ken. That’s so funny because when we were in prep for this movie, two of our wonderful producers, one of whom is also my husband, when David and Tom would like to start talking about Bitcoin (BTC) or something, they’re being such Kens.”

Within the last 24 hours, the crypto community on Twitter, including prominent figures like MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor, social media influencer Layah Heilpern, and crypto influencer Lea Thompson, experienced a mixed response to Margot's statements.

While exploring the intriguing concept of "Ken energy," Mark Travers, the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, offered a different perspective. According to his insights shared in a 13 July report by Forbes, possessing Ken's energy might indicate qualities of selflessness and adaptability to diverse circumstances. This unconventional take on the character of Ken delves into how it challenges conventional gender stereotypes.

“In a universe which revolves around Barbie, Ken has only a supportive role to play, and he plays it gladly...Barbie is and comes before everything, we see male counterpart Ken relegated to the uni-dimensional and purely aesthetic role that women have often been confined to in the past, in a flippant and parody-like manner.”

In Margot’s interview, she touched upon the enigmatic essence of "Ken energy," acknowledging the elusive nature of its definition. As she expressed, attempting to pinpoint precisely what constitutes a Ken or exudes Ken energy proves to be a subjective endeavour. It defies rigid classification and emerges as a more intuitive perception.

"It is not something you can define; it is just something you can sense," Margot asserted, underscoring the intangible quality of this intriguing notion. The beauty lies in its abstract nature, open to personal interpretations and individual experiences.

With optimism in the air, Steven Lubka, a managing director at Swan Bitcoin, interpreted her commentary as a positive outlook for the crypto community.

In the context of the prevailing legal actions against celebrities who have endorsed cryptocurrencies, Margot's remarks about BTC remained concise and impartial. Her comments, though brief, have sparked curiosity about her perspective on the cryptocurrency space, especially given the current regulatory scrutiny faced by celebrity endorsements.

Interpreting This Can Go Both Ways
If you have watched the much-talked about movie, you will understand what this “Ken energy” is all about. But it depends on individual’s interpretation. Subjectively, Ken does not have a whole lot of personality or story other than being linked with Barbie, as the character admitted in the movie. Barbie is Barbie, but what is Ken without Barbie, he lamented as such. Likening BTC to Ken feels like saying there is nothing much to BTC.

In addition, from the context of what she said and how she phrased it, it admittedly feels like it was said by someone who has not much knowledge of crypto or even BTC to begin with. Alluding to Ken being pretty much a mystery despite being around for a long while. Perhaps it was not meant in an insulting way as some perceived, but more of an “I have heard of you for eons but I do not know much about you” kind of situation.

Celebrities Shaping the Public Perception of Crypto
This intriguing phenomenon sheds light on the growing impact of influential figures in shaping public perception towards cryptocurrencies. And as the crypto community buzzes with discussions around this unexpected link, it emphasises the power of pop culture references in shaping our understanding of complex concepts like cryptocurrencies.

Many high-profile personalities have promoted crypto such as the likes of Lindsay Lohan, NeYo, Matt Damon, Akon, Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, Floyd Mayweather, Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, and others. Though more often than not, it seems without much actual knowledge of what they are endorsing or promoting, leading to legal actions being taken against them.

Regardless, with celebrities like Margot Robbie engaging in open discussions about BTC, there lies a potential catalyst for wider adoption and enhanced comprehension of this ground-breaking technology. Would Ken understand what Barbie had said? Probably not. But Allan might!