TL;DR "Bitcoin mining is arguably the best possible use of electricity in Venezuela because it's providing the country with what it needs most—a relatively stable currency that retains its value across borders."
http://reason.com/archives/2016/11/28/the-secret-dangerous-w...
> ... making life tolerable—if not always easy—in the midst of a socialist hell.
I have no idea how it is in Venezuela, but as a citizen of former socialist / now capitalist republic I take such articles with a grain of salt.
One could also argue that they are basically stealing the (heavily subsidized) energy from other citizens of Venezuela. In capitalism such thing would be normal, but in socialism it is far from it.
They are not 'stealing' the energy 'from other citizens' they are using the energy that the bad repressive government of Venezuela provides. Its the governments prorogative to subsidize energy, and they have to deal with the consequences.
I however agree that 'in the midst of a socialist hell' is not an apportierte way to write an article.
The only reasonable thing about free markets is that they bring home the bacon from the exploitation of the proles. How wonderfully "free", to be forced to sell your labour and be treated as any other commodity.
Is that bad?