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At the intersection of philosophy, theology, physics, biology, and finance lies a terrifying truth: the fiat monetary system, in its current form, is not just an economic framework but a silent, relentless force actively working against humanity's survival. It isn't simply a failed financial model—it is a systemic engine of destruction, both externally and within the very core of our biological existence.

The Philosophical Void of Fiat

Philosophy has long questioned the nature of value and the meaning of human existence. From Socrates to Kant, thinkers have pondered the pursuit of truth, beauty, and virtue. But in the modern age, the fiat system has hijacked this discourse. The notion of "value" in a fiat world is no longer rooted in human potential or natural resources—it is abstracted, manipulated, and controlled by central authorities with the sole purpose of perpetuating their own power. The currency is not a reflection of society’s labor or resources; it is a representation of faith in an authority that, more often than not, breaks that faith with reckless monetary policies and hidden inflation.

The fiat system has created a kind of ontological nihilism, where the idea of true value, rooted in work, creativity, and family, is replaced with speculative gambling and short-term gains. This betrayal of human purpose at the systemic level feeds into a philosophical despair: the relentless devaluation of effort, the erosion of trust, and the abandonment of shared human values. In this nihilistic economy, purpose and meaning become increasingly difficult to find, leaving millions to question the very foundation of their existence.

Theological Implications: Fiat and the Collapse of the Sacred

Religious traditions have long linked moral integrity with the stewardship of resources and the preservation of life. Fiat currency, however, corrupts these foundational beliefs. In the theological narrative of creation, humans are given dominion over the Earth, tasked with nurturing and protecting it for future generations. But the fiat system promotes the exact opposite: it commodifies everything—land, labor, and life—treating them as mere transactions on a ledger.

This disrespect for creation is an affront to the divine. In many theologies, creation is meant to be sustained, a delicate balance that mirrors the harmony of the divine order. Fiat systems—by continuously printing money and driving inflation—treat nature and humanity as expendable resources to be exploited for short-term gains, leading to environmental degradation and societal collapse. The creation narrative, in which humans are called to be stewards, is inverted. The fiat system, through its unholy alliance with unrestrained growth and unsustainable debt, is destroying the very creation it should protect.

Furthermore, the fiat system drives idolatry of power and wealth. The central banks and corporations that control the money supply have become modern-day gods, their decrees shaping the lives of billions, while the masses are enslaved by debt and inflation. This form of worship isn't overt, but it is profound. It leads to a world where people place their faith not in God or their families, but in the abstract promises of institutions that serve their own interests.

Physics and the Infinite Growth Paradox

Physics teaches us that the universe is finite—resources, energy, and space are all limited. Yet, the fiat system operates under the delusion of infinite growth. Central banks print money without concern for natural limits, encouraging an economy that assumes unending expansion. This is not only an economic fallacy; it is a physical impossibility.

In thermodynamics, the Second Law states that entropy (disorder) increases over time in any closed system. The fiat system operates as if the Earth were an infinite resource pool, perpetually able to expand without consequence. The real world, however, does not bend to these abstract concepts of infinite growth. Resources are finite, ecosystems are fragile, and human capacity is limited. Fiat currency, by promoting unsustainable consumption and growth, accelerates the depletion of resources and the degradation of natural systems that support life itself.

Even the financial “growth” driven by fiat policies leads to unsustainable bubbles—inflated stock markets, real estate, and speculative assets that burst and leave ruin in their wake. These crashes aren’t just economic—they have profound biological consequences. The cycles of boom and bust undermine communities, erode social stability, and increase anxiety and depression, all of which affect human health at a biological level.

Biology: The Fiat System and the Destruction of Human Health

Biologically, the fiat system is a cancerous growth on human society. The constant chase for growth and the devaluation of work leads to chronic stress, which is one of the leading causes of disease in modern society. The strain of living in a system that values speculation over well-being results in a biological feedback loop: rising anxiety, poor mental health, physical diseases like cardiovascular disorders, and a shortening of lifespans.

Moreover, the focus on profit and short-term returns creates a biological disconnect between humans and the planet. The fiat system fuels industries that destroy ecosystems, increase pollution, and deplete resources at unsustainable rates. These actions are not just environmentally harmful; they directly harm human biology. The degradation of the environment—whether through toxic chemicals, pollution, or resource extraction—has profound biological effects on human health, causing respiratory diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders.

The biological cost of the fiat system is not a distant theory; it is being paid every day by millions in the form of increased health risks, diseases linked to stress, and the growing burden of mental health disorders. The constant uncertainty of an inflation-driven economy exacerbates these conditions, creating a society of individuals whose bodies and minds are under constant strain. We are witnessing a systemic biological unraveling, one in which the very act of living is increasingly fraught with pain, instability, and the looming threat of collapse.

Finance as the Final Illusion

At the core of the fiat system is a fundamental illusion—that financial growth can occur without any real connection to tangible value. The abstraction of currency, the manipulation of interest rates, and the constant creation of new money hide the underlying truth: the system is built on nothing but faith. When that faith falters, the entire system collapses.

This illusion has become so deeply embedded that it now defines the human experience. Work no longer connects to production or creation—it is reduced to a transaction on a spreadsheet, a means to acquire more fiat currency in a world where value is ephemeral and increasingly disconnected from human reality.

As we pursue ever-expanding wealth, the fundamental truths of biology—interdependence, sustainability, and balance—are ignored. The fiat system’s abstract financial models serve to disconnect us from the basic realities of life: that we are part of an interconnected world where every action has a reaction, where resources are finite, and where human health, both mental and physical, depends on the stability of our environment and our social systems.

The Ultimate Extermination

In the end, the fiat system is not just an economic issue; it is a biological, philosophical, theological, and existential threat to the very survival of humanity. It is a force that devalues human effort, encourages environmental destruction, fosters inequality, and creates pain at the core of the human biological condition. It is an economic framework that leads not to prosperity, but to extermination—not just of species, but of the very essence of human well-being.

To continue on this path is to accept the slow death of our species, one based not on natural forces, but on our own choice to worship the abstract over the real, the speculative over the tangible. The fiat system isn't just a threat; it is the ultimate self-inflicted wound, a cultural and financial cancer that, if left unchecked, will destroy humanity’s chance for survival and peace.

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In the early days of the internet, browsers were hailed as the universal tool that could bridge the gap between diverse operating systems, enabling access to a single platform for all. The World Wide Web was, for a while, the great equalizer. However, as web technologies evolved, so did the complexity and bloat within the browser. What was once a simple gateway to the internet has now become a lumbering beast, weighed down by unnecessary features, compatibility layers, and bloated resource requirements. At the same time, mobile platforms, with their own set of limitations, have emerged as the dominant force in personal computing. But in both the browser and mobile spaces, a fundamental problem persists: these platforms cannot adequately meet the interface requirements of the future. To solve this, the industry must look beyond the browser and mobile OSes to Linux-based native interfaces, which hold the potential to solve many of these long-standing technical challenges.

The Browser: Once the Future, Now the Bottleneck

Browsers began as humble, lightweight tools designed to access static web pages. They were revolutionary in their simplicity and efficiency. Over time, however, they have become bloated as they absorbed features intended to support the dynamic, interactive nature of modern web applications. JavaScript engines, HTML5 standards, CSS3, WebAssembly, and increasingly complex web frameworks like React and Angular have all contributed to the browser’s expanding feature set. Add to this mix the integration of privacy tools like ad blockers, content filters, and trackers, and the browser’s performance becomes a shadow of its former self.

The rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) and single-page applications (SPAs) only exacerbated this trend. While these technologies provide a more app-like experience, they do so by stacking more layers of abstraction on top of the browser, further diminishing its efficiency. With every new layer, the browser grows heavier, consuming more CPU and memory resources, and demanding ever more from users' hardware.

Mobile Platforms: The Same Story, But on a Different Screen

Mobile platforms, like iOS and Android, have followed a similar path. Initially lauded for their simplicity and seamless integration between hardware and software, they too have become bloated as they strive to accommodate the growing complexity of mobile apps. The latest iPhones and Android devices come equipped with powerful processors and gigabytes of RAM, yet the operating systems themselves have grown heavier, incorporating features like constant background processes, overcomplicated notifications, and a growing number of system services. These platforms are no longer simply about accessing apps; they are now about managing layers upon layers of systems, frameworks, and security features.

Even the app ecosystem itself has suffered from bloat. Apps are increasingly large, with multiple dependencies and high resource consumption, yet still fail to deliver truly optimal performance across devices. Whether it’s a social media app or a weather app, the experience is often laden with unnecessary features, ads, and trackers. As mobile devices get more powerful, these operating systems and apps continue to consume ever more resources, yet they remain unable to deliver the lean, efficient user experience that the future requires.

The Key Technical Challenges of the Future: Speed, Efficiency, and Adaptability

The future of computing is not about bigger and more powerful devices, but about smarter, leaner systems that can adapt to the rapidly changing demands of users. Whether in web browsers, mobile platforms, or even desktop environments, the current trajectory is unsustainable for several reasons:

1. Inefficiency in Resource Utilization: Both browsers and mobile platforms are designed with a broad, catch-all approach, which means they are rarely optimized for specific use cases. Every new feature or application adds another layer of abstraction, making the entire system less efficient. What we need is a computing environment that can adapt to specific needs without overloading the system.

2. Fragmentation: In both the browser and mobile ecosystems, developers are forced to account for a wide range of devices, screen sizes, and hardware configurations. The need for backward compatibility often means that resources are wasted on features that will never be used by the majority of users. The result is fragmentation that hampers performance and prevents seamless user experiences.

3. Security and Privacy: As browsers and mobile platforms have evolved, so too have the threats they face. Unfortunately, the solutions to these problems often result in more bloated, inefficient systems. Privacy tools, security features, and frequent updates all contribute to the overhead, making the system sluggish and resource-hungry.

4. Customization and Control: Users today demand more control over their computing environment. Yet both browsers and mobile platforms impose rigid structures that limit customization and fine-tuning. The future demands an interface that can be tailored to individual needs, allowing users to remove unnecessary features and optimize the system for their specific requirements.

Linux-Based Native Interfaces: The Solution We’ve Been Waiting For

Linux, in its many flavors, offers a level of efficiency, flexibility, and control that is unmatched by any browser or mobile OS. Unlike closed-source platforms like iOS or Android, or even the ubiquitous but bloated web browsers, Linux offers a lightweight, modular environment that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of both developers and end-users.

1. Resource Efficiency: Linux’s design philosophy emphasizes minimalism and efficiency. The system can be stripped down to its core components, running only the processes that are necessary for a given task. Unlike browsers, which are burdened by extraneous features, Linux can be optimized to deliver the best possible performance.

2. Customization and Modularity: Linux is inherently customizable. Whether it’s through different desktop environments (like GNOME, KDE, or i3), or through the use of lightweight window managers, users can build an environment that fits their needs exactly. This is in stark contrast to the rigid, monolithic structures imposed by browsers and mobile platforms.

3. Security and Privacy: Linux offers superior control over privacy and security. With tools like AppArmor, SELinux, and the ability to run minimal system environments, Linux can offer an inherently more secure computing environment, without the bloat associated with mainstream operating systems.

4. Openness and Transparency: As an open-source platform, Linux provides transparency in how the system operates. This allows developers to better understand and optimize their environments, a luxury that is often absent in proprietary operating systems.

The Emergent Role of ERM and the Future of Computing

As we look towards the future, Linux-based systems, particularly those that are optimized for specific use cases, will become more important. A promising new technology on the horizon is erm (Erlang Mobile), which seeks to take advantage of Erlang’s strengths—concurrency, fault tolerance, and scalability—while providing a native mobile platform for applications. With its low resource requirements and high reliability, erm could be the key to overcoming the bloated nature of current mobile platforms, offering a highly efficient, customizable mobile experience that doesn’t compromise on performance or security.

But as much as erm represents the potential for a better future, the landscape remains precarious. The dominant players in the tech industry, with their entrenched ecosystems and bloated platforms, are not likely to relinquish their hold easily. The shift to a Linux-based native interface will require a concerted effort from developers, communities, and users to embrace new paradigms of computing.

Conclusion: A Precarious Future, But One Worth Fighting For

The future of computing will not be found in bloated browsers or mobile platforms that serve every use case and are slow to adapt. It lies in lean, efficient systems like Linux, where performance, security, and customization are paramount. With emerging technologies like erm, we can begin to imagine a future where interfaces are designed with purpose, not excess. It’s time to challenge the status quo and embrace the future of computing—not just for the sake of efficiency, but for the long-term survival of innovation in a world where performance, adaptability, and security are non-negotiable.

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In the 21st century, the fusion of socialist wealth redistribution with capitalist façades has created a unique societal experiment. While appearing to balance equality and innovation, quasi-capitalist socialism breeds inherent weaknesses within populations, both culturally and genetically. This article delves into how such systems inadvertently undermine the evolutionary potential of humanity and enable cycles of moral and biological decay.

1. The Illusion of Progress and Survival of the Weakest

At its core, evolution is driven by the survival of the fittest—those most adapted to their environment thrive and pass on their traits. Quasi-capitalist socialist societies disrupt this natural process by shielding individuals from the consequences of their choices.

Redistribution systems, fueled by the labor of the capable, reward mediocrity and often subsidize irresponsibility. When individuals who contribute little to societal advancement are supported and encouraged to multiply, while productive members face disincentives to procreate due to financial and societal burdens, the genetic future of a population is weakened. Over generations, this leads to a dilution of traits associated with resilience, intelligence, and innovation.

1. Cultural Stagnation and the Death of Merit

Socialism often fosters a culture where equality of outcome trumps equality of opportunity. When wealth is distributed based on need rather than contribution, meritocracy dies. In such systems, cultural stagnation sets in, as ambition and innovation give way to complacency.

This culture of dependency, passed down through generations, creates populations that value entitlement over effort. The genetic underpinnings of creativity and drive—traits that have historically propelled humanity forward—are deprioritized, further embedding mediocrity as the norm.

1. State-Engineered Social Weakness

In quasi-capitalist socialist systems, the state becomes the ultimate provider, eroding traditional family and community structures. With dependence on government support replacing reliance on kinship and mutual effort, strong family units—historically a cornerstone of resilience—begin to fracture.

This creates populations that are increasingly atomized, emotionally fragile, and unable to navigate adversity without external support. Over time, traits associated with independence and adaptability fade, as survival no longer hinges on these qualities.

1. The Genetic Feedback Loop of Entitlement

The ideology underpinning quasi-capitalist socialism perpetuates its own genetic and societal weaknesses. By normalizing entitlement and demonizing self-reliance, it creates an intergenerational feedback loop where those most dependent on state support become the majority.

Genetic traits associated with industriousness, risk-taking, and critical thinking diminish, replaced by passivity and complacency. Such populations, while appearing stable in the short term, are vulnerable to external shocks, unable to adapt to environmental or economic crises.

1. Moral Decay and the Rise of Opportunistic Evil

When mediocrity is celebrated, and the strong are vilified, a void emerges in moral and cultural leadership. Into this void steps opportunistic evil—individuals and ideologies that exploit weakness for power. These entities manipulate populations weakened by dependence and fractured by internal contradictions, consolidating control under the guise of benevolence.

This "benevolent tyranny" undermines the moral fabric of society, fostering environments where corruption thrives. Populations conditioned to accept handouts and avoid responsibility are less likely to resist encroachments on their freedom, accelerating their descent into servitude.

1. The Future: A Warning of Genetic Decline

If unchecked, the long-term genetic and cultural consequences of quasi-capitalist socialism are dire. Humanity risks becoming a species that prioritizes comfort over challenge, safety over growth, and dependency over self-determination.

Such societies may initially seem prosperous but are built on a fragile foundation. When faced with crises—whether environmental, technological, or existential—they may lack the genetic and cultural tools to respond effectively, leading to collapse.

1. Counteracting the Cycle

To avoid this dystopian future, societies must:

Reinstate meritocracy: Reward effort, innovation, and contribution rather than need or compliance.

Promote individual responsibility: Shift the focus from state dependence to self-reliance and community building.

Foster a culture of excellence: Celebrate achievement and challenge rather than mediocrity and entitlement.

Encourage generational investment: Provide incentives for highly skilled individuals to have children and nurture future leaders.

Conclusion: A Battle for Humanity’s Future

Quasi-capitalist socialism is not inherently evil, but its unchecked application breeds systemic weakness. By disrupting the natural processes that reward strength, resilience, and ingenuity, it risks creating populations ill-equipped for the challenges of the future. If humanity is to thrive, it must confront this silent erosion of its potential and reclaim the values that have driven progress for millennia. The battle for the genetic and cultural integrity of future generations begins today.

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A Bitcoin or doggie coin name service can compete with DNS without any changes to the network. A Monero fork can probably compete with estate planning services.

These undertakings would be disastrous for the American military industrial complex and its associated global deep state.

Taking on DNS

The BTC / doge name service could be based on a burn address, or maybe the wallet address of a charity selected by the community.

This is probably not a new idea. It feels like either I've read about it before, or at least someone else would have thought of it before.

You would register a name by encrypting the name registration data, converting it into a numeric format, making a throwaway wallet with the total plus transaction fees, and sending the data as transactions to the designated address, followed by doing the same with the private key to prevent duplication bots.

For example, if the format ends up being "name=URI" then you could encrypt the string "fiatjaf=nostr:npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6" using a throwaway wallet's key, and convert the encrypted binary to a number sequence, then send a series of transactions in amounts matching the encrypted number sequence, in order to link fiatjaf's name to his npub.

You would have to send the private key in the next block(s) after the encrypted data is confirmed, so that nobody can intentionally generate conflicting claims by copying data from mempools before it can reach a block, but everyone can decrypt the data once it's confirmed, to see the name registry. Using the throwaway wallet's own key also helps ensure the use of throwaway wallets is standardized, so we don't promote address reuse outside of these temporary wallets.

Finding an npub by its name would require scanning all the transactions sent to the designated address and finding the first instance of that name being registered. Reject duplicates: first-come first-serve, like DNS-backed username selection systems. If there are two attempts to register a name in the same block, reject both, with no refunds. Anyone who keeps fighting for a contested name will keep losing money until they either give up, or have the luck and determination to win. If a name is constantly fought over by many people, it might never actually become available - so be it.

The standard could optionally also include a way for an npub to sign a transfer of its name to another npub. Leaving this out would discourage hoarding names to sell later. Note: I'm pretty sure using Bitcoin (instead of doggie coin) would also just make name registry insanely expensive.

By my understanding, this name service should not use Monero because it doesn't need privacy, and would only undermine the Monero network's privacy mechanisms.

Why this matters

It doesn't have to be this design, we just need a way to allow decentralized registry of non-conflicting names with character lengths dependent on how many names are already taken, on a first-come first-serve basis. This is important because so many users prefer that kind of system over a long randomly-generated address, and in some contexts, like QR codes, a longer address has a direct disadvantage over a shorter string. Meanwhile, this method still relies on decentralized, randomized address spaces with character count determined by the needed address space size (npubs / wallet addresses).

Securing your estate

The more tricky thing to approach is the estate.

If Monero works, inheritance could be made permissionless and decentralized using scheduled transactions, or transaction timers. You would enter a wallet address, and a time; until then, you can still cancel the transaction, if you have the key. Certainly not a new idea - very simple.

For it to work at all, Monero's privacy tech is needed to prevent the global deep state from simply cutting off lines of succession before funds can be transferred. Unfortunately, Monero and its community might each have fatal flaws - it's unclear.

The possible problem with Monero itself

If Monero has an inflation exploit that can't be mitigated, then it would fail when this is revealed. It remains to be seen whether this flaw exists at all, but if so, unfixable inflation would be a fatal flaw.

The more years go by without such a bug being identified, the less likely it seems that one exists. I say it's already worth a try with how long we've made it so far.

The possible problem with the community

Many Monero proponents pretend it already offers immediate privacy, and this fantasy undermines Monero's ability to help provide actual privacy in the future. We know the percentage of Monero's anonymity set that can be de-anonymized by deep state surveillance tech is far above 0, but we don't know if it is or will ever be below 100.

If Monero never lives up to its promise of providing privacy, it can fail because it can be stopped by force. It remains to be seen whether false hype will be a fatal flaw or not.

This is the universe testing whether Monero is a sufficiently strong idea to undermine today's brainwashing. If Monero helps people realize they can and should shut down the global deep state surveillance network and start mass-producing electronics without backdoors, people probably can and will do that, and then transactions could really have some assured anonymity.

Why this matters

Most people are cowards, easily driven to work themselves to death by how dangerous it is to stand against the global deep state.

As crude oil continues to run out, anyone with any wealth is increasingly faced with 4 choices:

1. Work for the global deep state until they discard you so they'll let you use banking and stuff until then.
2. Work against the global deep state, but manage your own money alone so if they can't take it for themselves, at least you're the only person they have to kill to get rid of it.
3. Work against the global deep state, but entrust close associates to help you manage your money so they'll be targeted too.
4. Work against the global deep state, but entrust the banking system with your money so they can just take it with or without killing you.

I live under option 2, and it's one of the reasons I live with a highly elevated risk of being murdered.

If I am murdered, my loved ones get very little, because most of my wealth is in wallets they can't recover. My mom's chance at retirement would be pretty much gone with me. But at least, since she can't recover the wallets, she's not another target to go after over the money, as it grows in value.

Likewise, I perhaps get some tiny bit of security from the possibility that it might be more useful to have me alive to get money from later, than to kill me with wallets maybe nobody can recover after I'm dead.

It's not very effective. The global deep state can just print money freely, as long as people like me don't make it too far in waking up people who are brainwashed enough to use freely-printed money. I tell people they should raise their kids not to file taxes. The deep state wouldn't really care if they can't get my money because I'm dead - they might just do whatever it takes to get rid of me, and make sure my money stops being in the hands of anyone who would use it the way I do.

It sucks that I don't have a better choice for my personal security than this.

The more wealth you have, the scarier it is to stand against the deep state. The wealthier I get, the scarier it gets.

You remember when Warren Buffett called Bitcoin "rat poison" - you know, back when 1 Bitcoin traded for around 150 Uncle Sam Dinobux, up about 150,000% from past lows of 10 cents?

You think maybe he's retarded?

You think maybe he's a demonic lizard person who just wants you to be poor?

He had reason to be upset. The poor old man's brain doesn't want to admit even with all his money, he's a slave. He doesn't quite understand the problem, but he knows Bitcoin promises to solve it for him, and fails. That's instinct.

It's dangerous to think it through. It's dangerous to follow that instinct. He could be killed if he follows that instinct. The rat that leaves at the "it's rat poison" instinct lives longer than the rat that investigates further.

We Bitcoiners are simply tougher rats. That's not a mockery of Warren Buffett's statement - it's a true extension of what he was saying. Now do you understand him?

How much of your money would you have put in Bitcoin at that time if you were Warren Buffett?

None?

Just a secret little bit, so maybe if the secret gets out there will be huge news headlines and Berkshire Hathaway shareholders arguing about whether it's legal or ethical for you to secretly own this stuff?

Just a publicly-announced little bit, announced before buying, so you get worse prices? Or announced after buying, so you're accused of price manipulation, especially if you sell at the higher prices you create, and that effectively means the money is locked?

How much actually though? Pick a number.

If you picked 10 cents worth of Bitcoin, congratulations. You've just triggered a massive wave of news headlines about the Oracle of Omaha investing in Bitcoin. This will accelerate Bitcoin awareness, and thus accelerate the collapse of the financial empire most of your wealth is in - but you're way ahead of the game because you already have 10 cents worth of Bitcoin. Soon, that 10 cents worth of Bitcoin will be worth more than all the other wealth you have.

Not very soon though, if ever, actually, come to think of it. So do you want more?

You could go with a whole Bitcoin. That's about $150 - not far from 10 cents for someone as rich as you, but the growth will be significant far sooner. You can still have your friends in the media spin it as a joke, just as easily as you could with a 10 cent purchase, to suppress the Bitcoin-awareness-boosting effect.

Is it worth it? Just a bit faster collapse of your multibillion dollar empire, so you can be early with your 1 Bitcoin?

Probably not worth it. How about more?

10 Bitcoin? Now it's getting difficult to spin as a joke, but still probably not worth it.

100 Bitcoin? Definitely not a joke. Now you're guaranteeing this is going to be the biggest story on CNBC that day. Did you remember to bribe all 3 branches a big enough amount to convince them to let you collapse their whole system? Too bad, they're laughing at you for thinking you actually had enough money for your bribes to have such a big impact. Some guy is probably on TV talking about how the SEC is investigating you now. They are big mad you didn't give them time to run various crypto scams and think about how to handle various court decisions before triggering an unexpected change in the public narrative.

But at least you have 100 Bitcoin. Soon, that will be worth more than all the other wealth you're collapsing to get it this early. Still want more?

Want to start filing the paperwork you need to file to resign from Berkshire Hathaway as soon as possible and liquidate every stock you can liquidate for Bitcoin while moving to a country unfriendly with the US military industrial complex?

Want to skip the paperwork and just film a Vine saying you're going renegade, then withdraw what you can from bank accounts until they get frozen? Vine is big at this time.

That would be epic, but Dairy Queen would still be selling ice cream for dollars in the US, and Charlie Munger would be writing you letters like "why have you foresaken everything we built together, Warren? Remember how we used to roll around in piles of money? What happened to that?"

Would it have been better to stay at Berkshire Hathaway, taking the company and its shareholders to war against the central banking cartel? OK. Great. That's what I'd have done, too. We are tougher rats.

Don't forget to buy Predator drones while you're buying Bitcoin, because the feds have them, so your army of shareholders will need them. Consider nuclear deterrents as well - maybe that's what it will take, in order to be a serious contender.

How does a nuclear deterrent actually work though? It doesn't. If you're going to bring the war criminals running the American military industrial complex to justice, they might as well do a nuclear apocalypse. They don't give a fuck.

So what actual deterrent can you rely on against people who have almost enough firepower (and more than enough retardation) to glass the planet?

We went over that earlier.

You can manage the money yourself, so the deep state can either kill you to get rid of any wallets that can't be recovered without you, or keep you alive and negotiate with you based on your wealth.

You can involve others, spreading the pool of possible targets. If you don't have a network of trusted people in very strong positions to resist deep state targeting, that's not a very strong play either.

In the bigger picture, they're the ones with the network of trusted people in very strong positions. That's the problem. That's what the global deep state is.

So maybe it's just a suicide mission. Maybe, if you're with the wimpy rats who have nukes, you can't just betray them and bring your forces to join the "tougher rats." Maybe the transition isn't going to happen without a better strategy.

So it might seem like Bitcoin is just designed to make poor people label themselves as targets for the deep state, in a fake and hopeless conflict over liberty, while wealthy elites are smart enough to instinctively avoid the so-called "rat poison."

Instead of buying Bitcoin, maybe Warren Buffett should have started working on analyzing the design and making improvements that would increase Bitcoin's potential usefulness for wealthy people like him. Maybe he should have found a way Bitcoin could have a better chance at defeating the deep state.

But you don't have to be Warren Buffett to do that.

For example, you could be Nicolas van Saberhagen, thinking about ways a private version of Bitcoin might work someday - Monero.

You could be someone like me, a proponent of the simple idea of scheduled Monero transactions, or transaction timers.

When Monero becomes private, this would enable someone like Warren Buffett to hold cryptocurrency with self-sovereignty, using the ancient traditional deterrent of the line of succession. The concept is simple: kill me to get rid of my wealth and you clearly have no idea what you're doing, because the wealth is just going to someone else who thinks like me. With a private blockchain, there will sometimes be no way of knowing who.

Even without the assurance of privacy, there's already another deterrent: if you kill me and use secret surveillance tools to identify every heir for further targeting, you run the risk of being noticed and inspiring the development of more privacy tech, especially backdoor-free open-source hardware, which could drastically increase the number of Monero users you are unable to de-anonymize in the future.

Paragraph crossed out, see comment section for explanation:

~~Ideally, timed or scheduled transactions could be added to a whole new fork launched after some publicity, with no pre-mine (obviously), with a user-friendly Android mining app available on day one. This would serve partly to help drive decentralization, and partly to help enable significant holdings for low-income late adopters of other cryptocurrencies, making the space less discouraging for late adopters to join in overall, and thus potentially eating away much faster at deep state dollar dominance.~~

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I flew to New York from Lisbon yesterday, landing in Newark just as the early wave of games were kicking off. I caught five minutes of the Giants game which was on the airport TV in the immigration line and maybe 40 minutes of the red zone channel for the late games at Heather’s aunt’s house. Basically, I didn’t see very much of the live action, though I was tracking scores and stats from my phone. In fact, the reason I have time to write this is I’m jetlagged, woke up at 4:30 (which is 9:30 Lisbon time), and now that it’s six and I can’t get back to sleep, Figured I might as well take advantage of it.

Of course, I went 5-0 ATS in Circa now that I’m mathematically drawing dead. I picked five home favorites, giving zero Fs, and the Chargers, Chiefs, Ravens, Bengals and Colts all covered. I’d like to bottle that mindset and open it next season. My playoff NFFC team scored 180 points, thanks to the Falcons defense and Eagles kicker, but it’s not enough given the meager Week 16 showing. My Steak League team has 128 points with Xavier McKinney going tonight, so I’m still on pace (narrowly) to be an eater, but I can’t fall asleep at the switch the last two weeks.

• I didn’t watch the Saturday games, either, but why were the Chiefs only 3.5-point home favorites over the Texans? I assumed the line was that low only because Patrick Mahomes was iffy, but that wasn’t the case because it never moved even after they said he’d play.

• With Xavier Worthy getting 11 targets, and Hollywood Brown eight, it’s going to be hard to decide who among those two, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce is likely to produce in any given week. Same with Kareem Hunt/Isiah Pacheco.

• Tank Dell had a good game before dislocating his kneecap, but he’d been one of the bigger busts this year. I know small receivers have thrived in the NFL of late but 165 pounds is probably below the minimum threshold.

• The Steelers just don’t have enough juice to matchup with the AFC’s top teams. The Ravens are the best team in the AFC IMO, but they’ll likely have to win in Buffalo and Kansas City to prove it.

• “12-inch” had modest numbers against the Giants, but when your defense scores two TDs, you mostly just hand the ball off. I didn’t get to see the Falcons on offense, so I have no “eye test” on 12-inch (thankfully), but he’ll get a real audition next week at Washington in what’s actually an important game with the Falcons in first place now (they have the tie-break over the Bucs.) Should they beat the Killer Redskins they’ll be favored to win the division as they draw the Panthers in Week 18.

• The Gians keep losing and now have the inside track for the No. 1 pick after the Raiders beat the Jaguars. I’m nervous about the QBs at the top of the board. I assume they’ll take one of them, but I’d rather they trade down for a bunch of picks if they have a taker.

• The Lions got closer to securing the No. 1 seed after the Eagles lost, but they have a tough last two games (@SF, MIN) while the Eagles get the Cowboys and Giants at home. The Lions have the better conference record, and Jalen Hurts is concussed, so they’re probably in the clear against them. Of course, the Vikings are also 13-2, and they play in Detroit Week 18. But that game would be moot if the Vikings don’t beat the Packers next week.

• Keenan Allen has been big the last five games. Wonder where he gets drafted next year at age 33.

• Dorian Thompson-Robinson was a surrender move by the Browns.

• I love that the Bengals got Ja’Marr Chase that gratuitous late TD. Seems like Joe Burrow is trying to pad his stats in what might be a season (and contract) for the ages.

• The Colts found the formula — unleash Jonathan Taylor, let Anthony Richardson make plays with his legs and attempt only 11 passes. Of course, you don’t get the Titans every week. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Colts commit to Richardson as their starter this offseaon.

• I heard there was some drama with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets yesterday, but I’m too lazy to track it down. He won’t be there next year, and the Jets are a cursed franchise anyway.

• The Rams are in first place in the West, a crazy turn of events given where they were when they lost Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. This is good for the league because they’re the only team in that division with a puncher’s chance against the Lions, Vikings, Eagles and Packers.

• Kupp had another dreadful fantasy game. He was the worst pick in the draft this year because not only did he miss time with injuries, he virtually ensured you could not advance to the finals in the playoffs.

• The Killer Redskins made a great comeback against the Eagles behind a monster game from Jayden Daniels, but it was the Kenny Pickett Eagles. The Eagles might not rush Hurts back as they’re probably the No. 2 seed now regardless, and they get the Giants in Week 18.

• Saquon Barkley now has 1,838 yards with two games to go. Two 100-yard games put him at fifth all time on the single-season list, while two 140-yard games give him the all-time record, albeit in 17 games. He draws the Cowboys and Giants.

• The Panthers and Cardinals had a 36-30 overtime shootout with no special teams or defensive TDs where the leading receiver in the game was a running back who had 49 yards.

• Sam Darnold was always athletic and could make the throws, but he’s really cleaned up the mistakes this year and is playing with a top-10 all-time receiver. If the Vikings were to beat the Packers next week and the Lions in Detroit, and Darnold were to have two more monster games, he'd deserve MVP consideration as the QB of the 15-2 top seed. Funny if that happened the year Barkley broke the all-time rushing record, given the Barkley-Darnold debate around the No.2 pick in 2018. And the other two MVP candidates were QBs drafted that year (Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.)

• The Pats really hung with the Bills even though they gifted Buffalo a TD on a botched lateral to Rhamondre Stevenson. Probably just a letdown game after the Bills big win in Detroit.

• The Raiders bothered to win and knock themselves out of the top pick. Could be a blessing in disguise though as the Jets did that five years ago and dodged the Trevor Lawrence bullet. (They are a cursed franchise though so they took the Zach Wilson one anyway.)

• I know nothing about college football, but it’s amazing to me the Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, Malik Nabers LSU team last year didn’t even come close to winning the National Championship, that there were college defenses that apparently stopped them.

• The Dolphins finally fixed the running game, but not Tyreek Hill.

• The Cooper Rush Cowboys might have just spoiled the Buccaneers season. They might be saving Mike McCarthy’s job too, something they may come to regret.

• Rico Dowdle had been beating up on bad run defenses but got stopped in his tracks by a stout one.

• Bucky Irving could be a top-five back next year. I know the GigaRachaad is there, but Irving is a far better runner and also a capable pass catcher.

• You think you’ll lose interest in the NFL when most of your teams and pools are dead, but there’s always something drawing you back. In fact sometimes it’s more enjoyable when you don’t care as much.

@ 9be5722a:6e939518

test test test nostr:nevent1qqspgrhygeu55pjnhyysaxd09dhdhhtu8w0dshxkf2xywelalxu70ecrfeuej

@ 4657dfe8:47934b3e

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@ 75869cfa:76819987

GM, Nostriches!

The Nostr Review is a biweekly newsletter focused on Nostr statistics, protocol updates, exciting programs, the long-form content ecosystem, and key events happening in the Nostr-verse. If you’re interested, join me in covering updates from the Nostr ecosystem!

Quick review: In the past two weeks, Nostr statistics indicate over 240,000 daily trusted pubkey events. However, the number of new users has significantly declined. Profiles with LN addresses or bios are far below the single-day numbers recorded during the same period. Public writing events have also dropped sharply, reflecting a 97% decrease. More than 12 million events have been published, with posts leading in volume at around 2 million, representing a slight 4% decrease. Total Zap activity stands at approximately 9 million, marking a 10% decline.

Additionally, 30 pull requests were submitted to the Nostr protocol, with 10 merged. A total of 44 Nostr projects were tracked, with 17 releasing product updates, and over 378 long-form articles were published, 34% focusing on Bitcoin and Nostr. During this period, 3 notable events took place, and 3 significant events are upcoming.

Nostr Statistics

Based on user activity, the total daily trusted pubkeys writing events is about 240,000, representing a slight 1.3% decrease compared to the previous period (24Nov-8Dec). Daily activity peaked at 19231 events, with a low of approximately 17467.

The number of new users has seen a significant decline. Profiles with LN addresses or bios amount to approximately 33,000, far below the single-day numbers of the same period. Public writing events total around 53,887, reflecting a 97% decrease compared to the same period.

Regarding event publishing, the total number of note events published is about 12 million, marking a decrease of approximately 20%. Posts continue to be the most dominant in volume, totaling about 2 million (a slight increase of 4%). Reposts is about 350000 and reactions (539588) saw a small decline, around 3%.

For zap activity, the total zap amount is about 9 million, showing a decrease of over 10% compared to the previous period.

In terms of relay usage, the top five relays by user count are: wss://realy.damus.io, wss://nos.lol, wss://eden.nostr.land, wss://realys.snort.social, wss://realy.current.fyi

Data source: https://stats.nostr.band/

NIPs

first draft of NIP-79 Nostr Relay Chat nostr:npub1fjqqy4a93z5zsjwsfxqhc2764kvykfdyttvldkkkdera8dr78vhsmmleku is Starting discussion of this idea for synchronous instant messaging a la IRC style leveraging ephemeral events and subscriptions. Note that this is specifically for only synchronous messaging using ephemeral message kinds. Relays should support this facility and it has not been much used by anything, but it essentially enables exactly the same protocol mechanics as used in IRC.It includes stuff about a protocol to acquire and update missing user data required to implement features also. Most of the elements of this proposal are already implemented in https://realy.lol aside from the spidering, which I am implementing now before starting on the client (s).

add accepted and blocked mint lists nostr:npub177sl65jrhf5v4gyku64t40scgnul5c4hjc2mfhfun7gpu5nm32rsn6rnds is proposing that adds lists the user wants to accept nutzaps on (this should have been part of the NIP-61 PR ) and mints the user doesn't want to use.

NIP-0A discrete query messages FOLLOWS/FOLLOWERS Jundow is proposing two discrete query messages FOLLOWS and FOLLOWERS. This “discrete query message” approach aims for the protocol to have essential and single-function query methods for quick searching response. This concept will be beneficial for the ecosystem especially if there are relays with huge numbers of accesses in the near future. “REQ” message is quite versatile and convenient, but this concept lacks a consistent approach to have a quick search response based on indexed databases or data structures.This proposal is a starter. There may be more beneficial types of discrete messages for relays and clients to deal with the huge number of accesses.

Merchant Delegation Tags amunrarara is proposing that In the Merchant Delegation paradigm, a different Nostr account effectively controls all commerce-related events on behalf of the Merchant. The delegated account creates every Stall and Product, receives all Checkout events, and handles checkout-related communication with the Customer. The Merchant signs a Merchant Delegate Token, which is placed in a tag on every event signed by the delegate account. Clients parse the tag, verify the signature is valid, and cause non-checkout events to target the Delegator automatically.This PR is a WIP.

nip4e: decoupling encryption from identity nostr:npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6 is proposing that a system for users to share private data between their own devices that doesn't rely on all devices holding the user account private key. The first device to come into the world will generate a random encryption key；When another device's device key is spotted, the device that knows the original encryption key encrypts that key to the target device's device key using NIP-44 and sends it out；Encryption and decryption are performed using the encryption key using the NIP-44 algorithm, skipping the first step and proceeding with conversation key set to the shared encryption key.

change NIP-01 to only allow a single filter per REQ nostr:npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6 is proposing that anything that can be done with a single REQ and multiple filters can much more easily be done with multiple REQs each with a single filter.In practice the existence of the possibility of multiple filters in a single REQ has no benefit and only serves to hurt performance and increase complexity of codebases.this is a breaking change, but not a very drastic one. We can easily transition to this by having clients stop being built with this "feature" in mind, and relays can follow later. If a client sends a REQ with more than one filter to a relay that only supports one that's also ok, the client will just get less results than it expected.

NIP 74 - NWS nostr:npub16uq0cyx52lh2unczavzdw9dq2jphu69zutgpp9cnstz7zqtdex0qmcxla3 defines a specification on how to send TCP messages trough NOSTR.TCP messages can be received by exit-nodes. This also introduces a Domain Name System to announce exit nodes to NOSTR clients.Exit nodes will further forward the TCP connection to a desired destination (static service or chosen by the client).NIP-74 enables people to use HTTP, SSL, SSH and many more protocols built on top of TCP trough NOSTR.The example implementation uses a SOCKS5 proxy as a client. This client publishes signed Nostr events for the exit node using the Nostr relays from the resolved domain.

NIP-G0 for Geospatial Tagging Standardization nostr:npub1gkgyk28lurjuhyfjlxsga9mw6lc0c47c8pmcr65usre9d3qjcx6q9cyk5m is proposing that Introduction of NIP to standardize event geospatial tagging for location of event origin and location area of event relevance, with both being hierarchical, offering flexibility for users and systems to filter and improve content relevance to user interest when proximity, politics and geography matters.

Update NIP-51 for software applications nostr:npub1wf4pufsucer5va8g9p0rj5dnhvfeh6d8w0g6eayaep5dhps6rsgs43dgh9 is proposing that Introduce app curation sets, used to group applications (for curation, recommendation, organization, backup). Minor fixes to release artifact sets, reflecting current usage.Both kinds 30063 and 30267 have been heavily used for months in Zapstore.

NIP-0A - Contact List v2 nostr:npub1acg6thl5psv62405rljzkj8spesceyfz2c32udakc2ak0dmvfeyse9p35c is proposing that Contact List v2 could be used for any other event kinds that have editable lists. He is not arguing for a contact list v2 actually, arguing for conflict-free replicated data types, in order to prevent conflicts.CRDTs aren't really necessary in practice if people always use the person's outbox relays and don't use two clients at the same time. But we saw a lot of conflicts early on. One problem is the size. Contact lists are already very long for some people, and while we could compress some of this data, not by a huge amount given the printable character set nature of JSON.

Consistent method naming for NIP 47(NWC) Response Gudnessuche is proposing to Add consistency to the event structure in (NWC). Currently, requests and responses have different keys to identify their method type, which may cause confusion or misunderstandings.This change aims to standardize the key names across all request and response events, making it easier for developers to understand and implement the protocol.

NIP-34: Git Remote Nostr URL format and helper spec DanConwayDev is proposing to add the Git Remote Nostr URL format which can be used as a normal git clone address when ngit is installed. This is used by ngit and gitworkshop.dev, minus the usage of nip05 addresses which @lez is working on adding. It is also partially supported experimental WOP tools like @lez's git-remote blossom and @Guga implementation of git-remote-nostr. We are now collaborating together. See this public discussion of the format on Nostr.Add wider git remote helper spec implemented by the git plugin bundled with ngit.

Notable Projects

Amethyst v0.93.1 nostr:npub142gywvjkq0dv6nupggyn2euhx4nduwc7yz5f24ah9rpmunr2s39se3xrj0

• Moves to NIP-22 to reply to Interactive Stories.
• Adds amount and personalizations labels to the DVM feed
• Fixes Satellite's blossom upload
• Fixes incorrect reply order when the direct reply is also included as a quote.
• Fixes image upload tests
• Fixes the bug on not having the video feed at the top when loading the app from scratch.
• Fixes screen mispositioning when rotating the phone on full screen video/image dialogs.
• Fixes images on DVM profiles
• Fixes badge crash
• Fixes missing reactions on video feeds
• Improves performance of the Hex encoder.
• Improves the layout of the discovery feed items
• Updates jackson, secp256k1 and AGP

Coracle 0.5.0 nostr:npub13myx4j0pp9uenpjjq68wdvqzywuwxfj64welu28mdvaku222mjtqzqv3qk

• “Undo” via delayed send can be enabled in Coracle's settings. This allows you to quickly correct those typos you notice just as you press “send”.
• Login and onboarding have been completely re-worked to walk the delicate balance between flexibility/security and a comprehensible UX.
• Feeds are now faster, especially relay-based feeds. The controls for feeds should also be incrementally improved.
• The note create/reply inputs are now powered by nostr-editor for a smoother editing experience
• The HUD (which you can access in the left sidebar on desktop) now has information about relay connections and NOTICE messages.

Flotilla 0.2.0 nostr:npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn

Flotilla 0.2.0 is out, which brings provisional support for NIP 29 groups — this means that flotilla is now interoperable with chachi, highlighter, and groups.nip29.com.

Damus1.12 nostr:npub18m76awca3y37hkvuneavuw6pjj4525fw90necxmadrvjg0sdy6qsngq955

• Render Gif and video files while composing posts
• Add profile info text in stretchable banner with follow button
• Paste Gif image similar to jpeg and png files
• Improved UX around the label for searching words
• Improved accessibility support on some elements
• Fixed issue where the "next" button would appear hidden and hard to click on the create account view
• Fix non scrollable wallet screen
• Fixed suggested users category titles to be localizable
• Fixed GradientFollowButton to have consistent width and autoscale text limited to 1 line
• Fixed right-to-left localization issues
• Fixed AddMuteItemView to trim leading and trailing whitespaces from mute text and disallow adding text with only whitespaces
• Fixed SideMenuView text to autoscale and limit to 1 line
• And more

Yakihonne nostr:npub1yzvxlwp7wawed5vgefwfmugvumtp8c8t0etk3g8sky4n0ndvyxesnxrf8q

For Web: * Resolved issues causing the article editor to appear malformed. * Added support for both LTR and RTL languages in the article editor. * Enhanced the messaging box to support long text writing. * Secure DMs (Nip44) can now be enabled globally via the messages and settings pages. * General bug fixes and improvements.

Primal nostr:npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr

All Primal apps have just been updated. Here’s what’s new:

iOS 2.0.134: * Improved onboarding * Profile screen improvements * Feed rendering improvements * App shell cosmetic improvements * Various bug fixes

Android 2.0.28: * Improved onboarding * Feed rendering improvements * Profile screen improvements * Various bug fixes

Web 2.0.11: * Profile screen improvements * Feed rendering improvements * Various bug fixes

0xchat 1.4.4 nostr:npub1tm99pgz2lth724jeld6gzz6zv48zy6xp4n9xu5uqrwvx9km54qaqkkxn72

• Fixed the issue where inbox/outbox relays could not be added.
• Fixed the issue where push notifications for voice calls had no sound.
• Fixed the lag issue when loading private chat videos.
• Fixed the issue where custom emoji reactions were not displayed.

highlighter nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft

• New Highlighter Studio for long-form writing：
• Much more reliable draft support
• Checkpoint support (restore to a 10-revisions-ago draft)
• Blossom
• Proposals
• And a ton more things cooking.

Olas Web 0.1 nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft

• NIP-07 login (NIP-46 coming)
• View-only
• NIP-22 comments

Gossip Release 0.13.0 nostr:npub189j8y280mhezlp98ecmdzydn0r8970g4hpqpx3u9tcztynywfczqqr3tg8

This is a major release with the following changes: * File Metadata support (NIP-92 / NIP-94) * Blossom support (BUD-01, BUD-02) * NIP-89 Support - Recommended Application Handlers * Search on relays (NIP-50): you must choose your search relays first * on the Person page, you can view who someone follows, and who follows them (including for yourself). Computing who follows them is expensive and inaccurate * Undo Send - for 10 seconds (or whatever you configure) you can undo sending * Thread replies now sorted by date, except author replies come first * Cancelling a draft asks if you are sure, so misclicks don't erase your carefully crafted manifesto. * Inbox indicator showing how many messages are waiting * Feeds no longer inject new events and scroll while you are trying to read * Every feed has it's own separate "include replies" switch now * Relays can now be tested to see whether they are fit for purpose * Zap amount can now be typed in (or slid with a slider) * Support for pubkey hints in 'e' and 'q' tags * Support for 'E' and 'A' tags and kind 1111 Comments (NIP-22) * Font update to support more unicode codepoints * NIP-46 replies with NIP-44 encryption if the client used it. * NIP-44 encryption now used for private contacts and private lists. * FFMpeg 7.1 support * Relay URLs now rendered as links to the relay config page * Build.sh script to help users choose features when compiling * New command line commands: delete_by_kind, disable_relay * Subscription batching for naddr searches * Database compacting reduced to once per week, and handles out of space error * Some theme color changes * Relay scoring adjusted * Likes and zaps data updated more frequently than before * Default relays for new users have been tested and updated * Many fixes

Formstr nostr:npub1qu7dsd44275lms4x9snnwvnnmgx926nsppmr7lcw9dlj36n4fltqgs7p98

• Move to a dedicated forms nip https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/issues/1190
• Encryption for response submission upgraded to nip-44.
• Users can now add multiple admins to a form
• Users can limit participants to a form (all accesses shared as giftwrap events)
• Users can encrypt form content.
• Added a “login” button.
• Form IDs are now “naddrs” to a form event.
• Added image upload buttons to question and options
• New Dashboard view instead of tables on the home screen
• Tabs for "on device" , "shared with me", "my forms" & "drafts" added.
• Relay acceptance view on form publish is now added.

Plebeian Market nostr:npub1market6g3zl4mxwx5ugw56hfg0f7dy7jnnw8t380788mvdyrnwuqgep7hd

• Better logs and reporting
• Avoid de-bouncing grand total calculation
• Make categories urls case-insensitive
• Sales are listed oldest first
• Blank space on product explorer page
• Return pleb if role cant be found
• Admin actions appear for everyone

Wherostr v1.3.0 nostr:npub16elg3wf8nffkymylw9kfwecc45j9c30lufrrzx2zf5vmxjlcgkkq3xc6d7

• (Beta) Direct Messages: Chat privately with other users anytime, anywhere.
• Feed Filtering: Customize your feed by choosing the content you want to see.
• Fixed NWC issues for Lifpay to ensure smoother transactions.
• Resolved NWC zapping timeout issues, improving reliability for payments.
• Resolved incorrect date display issue showing “January 1970”.

Amber 3.0.5 nostr:npub1am3ermkr250dywukzqnaug64cred3x5jht6f3kdhfp3h0rgtjlpqecxrv7

• Add appName parameter for web apps using nip 55
• Try to fix bunker requests showing up again after accepting/rejecting them
• Fix loading screen
• Fix racing condition when using bunkers
• Better pin entry screenAdd a close application config in the ui
• Separate the service notification in a group
• Always return a hex key for the get_public_key method

AlbyHub v1.12 nostr:npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm

• 0-amount invoice support
• Migration to dynamic backups setup
• LND channel notifications
• Better relay connectivity
• Interface improvements and minor fixes, all listed at their GitHub

Zapstore 0.1.8 nostr:npub10r8xl2njyepcw2zwv3a6dyufj4e4ajx86hz6v4ehu4gnpupxxp7stjt2p8

• Fixes issue with blocking relays, and since we used relay.nostr.band (that has been down) it froze many requests
• Fixes issue with unnecessary relay initialization, which may be a source of slow performance in some cases

ZEUS v0.9.4 nostr:npub1xnf02f60r9v0e5kty33a404dm79zr7z2eepyrk5gsq3m7pwvsz2sazlpr5

• Embedded Node: LND v0.18.4-beta
• CLNRest: fix display of destination addresses on txs
• Display keysend messages in Activity and Payment views
• Open Channel view: UI tabs for Connect Peer
• LND: optimize payment path calls after payments
• CLNRest: add ability to paste connection strings
• Channels: restore sort by Close Height
• Networking improvements

Long-Form Content Eco

In the past two weeks, more than 378 long-form articles have been published, including over 102 articles on Bitcoin and more than 28 related to Nostr, accounting for 34% of the total content.

These articles about Nostr mainly explore the protocol’s potential for decentralization, privacy, and emphasizing its role as a revolutionary tool in combating centralization. They highlight various use cases, such as using Nostr for blogging, personal websites through platforms like Npub.pro, and innovative projects like Fountain Radio. Tutorials delve into functionalities like custodial zapping with tools like Coinos.io and Amethyst, while reflections discuss adoption challenges, user insights, and the broader implications for internet freedom. The reviews and discussions also consider the usability of website builders and the emergence of unique features like the GM filter, painting a picture of Nostr as a versatile yet evolving ecosystem.

The Bitcoin articles discuss a broad spectrum of topics surrounding the cryptocurrency ecosystem, exploring its role as a revolutionary technology and an economic disruptor. They delve into Bitcoin's multifaceted applications, from being a store of value and a medium for escaping traditional systems to its potential as a tool for social and political empowerment. The articles highlight ongoing debates about Bitcoin's environmental impact, governance, and scalability, while also reflecting on its cultural significance through literature, poetry, and historical analogies. Several pieces examine technical developments, including advancements in mining, Lightning Network innovations, and self-custody strategies.

Thankyou, nostr:npub13rvvn5g23anm09kwnya8qvzqejxfajfa56rnn47ck5l96ke6cq4sdcd4e0, nostr:npub14ekwjk8gqjlgdv29u6nnehx63fptkhj5yl2sf8lxykdkm58s937sjw99u8, nostr:npub1h727rfzm6hk9egx5yr602hxszezu0pyl2l7azwuvttlvf67uepyq559jmf, nostr:npub1q7qyk7rvdga5qzmmyrvmlj29qd0n45snmfuhkrzsj4rk0sm4c4psvqwt9c, nostr:npub1acg6thl5psv62405rljzkj8spesceyfz2c32udakc2ak0dmvfeyse9p35c, nostr:npub1prkjt5zda4qaghdt44tv6rkaldqqqgf6jwywftg8jstefmc9xars497ulg, nostr:npub19ju2u4sduewta4hxl22kke7se8yxm2puytzw47lr6y999pxnpjaqtjjfxj, nostr:npub10m2m688ryawlsk8c0l8kyk2wxwruje5mgcufgg07x9hmyn92wkrsdqqf32, nostr:npub186k25a5rymtae6q0dmsh4ksen04706eurfst8xc5uzjchwkxdljqe59hv0, nostr:npub1fd7yacmz3ge3uylln7k5ezdrmn5xnj38c933l5sjdtv7erx4a4xse4zf5f, and others, for your work. Enriching Nostr’s long-form content ecosystem is crucial.

Nostriches Global Meet Ups

Recently, several Nostr events have been hosted in different countries.

• The Africa Bitcoin Conference 2024 took place from December 9 to 11, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, featuring key programs such as Btrust Developer Day, TBD Hackathon, ABC Social Impact Award, Afro Bitcoin Fellowship, and Africa Bitcoin Day. The event hosted nearly 70 distinguished speakers, including nostr:npub1ju2sw9unanr94p5wama3ydv90hcke34wcnmnxedummspaayz55qswlya32, nostr:npub16hssgmdhw9e9j6z8na45lzz4grdsfjqlp5hf8dtcqnp0glseeu3seecguf, nostr:npub1m7uxdt50d2jw35q79zlszlsvy79t7dpdxptz6rfsrsamra7l8ttsq752yl, nostr:npub1gaxapm9t9damh6q2lpc04ptcyeh0ysfdfzzs997agu3ae80ftrns7t985l, who focused on topics such as Bitcoin adoption, regulation, innovation, and security. This conference offered attendees valuable opportunities for in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing.

• The Dadas Bitcoin Workshop was held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. This event was open to everyone and invited several changemakers who are driving innovation in the Bitcoin ecosystem, including nostr:npub1urhnkns9rt4c9mk6t9xctjkzmlkawxkdpzjnxdxhx82mqm7hfpuq0j7ueh and nostr:npub1z5umqa38xfv94y3fpver2khw2qar2v54jetl24939j4f0yyhggdqrh5lwd, among others. The workshop featured guest speakers sharing how Bitcoin has transformed their lives and careers. The event delivered major surprises, along with gifts and rewards, and fostered vibrant discussions and connections that left a lasting impact on participants.

• Bitcoin Layer 2's vs Bitcoin Sidechains took place on December 10, 2024, at 7 PM CAT, hosted by Rootstock on X Space. This online discussion, featuring guests such as nostr:npub1c8cp58lhn4vte3q2fejp7luqczx7u0njk5h0p0hry3atflk7g2hqc7xzqk and others, delved into the differences between Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions and sidechains, highlighting their applications in smart contracts and DeFi.

Here are the upcoming Nostr events in November that you might want to check out.

• The Adopting Bitcoin Capetown 2025 conference will take place on January 24-25, 2025, at Workshop17 in Cape Town's Waterfront. The event will focus on how Bitcoin can reshape the financial system and revitalize communities against the backdrop of South Africa's ongoing decline in governance and infrastructure. It will feature dozens of prominent figures from the Bitcoin ecosystem, including nostr:npub1dnzzyhmewrzkh862z7z2shwmhh5htx0rvkagepj2fkgst9ptwg3qj4x52h, nostr:npub1k5f85zx0xdskyayqpfpc0zq6n7vwqjuuxugkayk72fgynp34cs3qfcvqg2, nostr:npub1empusn0uefqn5ymjj8f9xleaajufpxyjhu0d97yedjppdf2xw4uq6nr7fl, nostr:npub16v6zr28ae067lmjf9vfnk2ckawjdclnna4frqfzy2yavz6htg6nqyq8jef, nostr:npub1cn670f663n3ks02jnnlsvd5y88zjnefy8343ykaxs7y3nzzketrsrjwt8a, nostr:npub1ykgzky9fffy5hgl76jfay9ywy5y9j3hmzljxau9sq2z2unmsxn2qpgxf8j, nostr:npub1tand04svfdhrt7lhg6687fh0y2xvxfpr9nkkj27rqfrxfpeklldsp48sax, nostr:npub1upalcp82slrj4yv9kzy37p2nv8nyjte9n7qjga5r6myuev4k28ks8zx054, nostr:npub1nd30hjn52q6p8mkjme5309wgpy5jm2pfrza54wh8h03nxw0kh7mqg8kjj7, and others, to discuss Bitcoin's practical applications and its impact on financial infrastructure.

• The Bitcoin Beach Circular Economy Summit will take place from January 27 to 29, 2025, in El Zonte, El Salvador. This will be the first gathering of global Bitcoin circular economy leaders, with 20 invited Bitcoin circular economy organizations participating. The summit will focus on leadership training, Bitcoin education, and facilitating exchanges and collaboration among 15+ global Bitcoin circular economies. As an exclusive, invitation-only event, it offers Bitcoin adoption and economic development leaders worldwide a valuable opportunity for learning, networking, and cooperation.

• The Awake Earth Festival will take place from February 20 to 24, 2025, at the Awake Center in Uvita, Costa Rica. This unique event combines music, learning, and Bitcoin themes. The festival is divided into two parts: from February 20 to 23, it will focus on live performances by internationally renowned artists, healing workshops, educational talks, and ceremonies. On February 24, the focus will shift entirely to Bitcoin, featuring related talks and discussions. nostr:npub14f26g7dddy6dpltc70da3pg4e5w2p4apzzqjuugnsr2ema6e3y6s2xv7lu

Additionally, We warmly invite event organizers who have held recent activities to reach out to us so we can work together to promote the prosperity and development of the Nostr ecosystem.

Thanks for reading! If there’s anything I missed, feel free to reach out and help improve the completeness and accuracy of my coverage.

@ 7ed5bd1c:4caa7587

Bitcoin กับทองคำ: สินทรัพย์ที่ปลอดภัยในระยะยาว

ในช่วงเวลาที่เศรษฐกิจโลกไม่แน่นอน ผู้คนมักมองหาสินทรัพย์ที่สามารถรักษามูลค่าในระยะยาวได้ ทองคำเคยครองตำแหน่งนี้มาอย่างยาวนาน แต่ในยุคดิจิทัล Bitcoin กำลังกลายเป็นตัวเลือกใหม่สำหรับนักลงทุน เราจะมาเปรียบเทียบกันว่า ระหว่างทองคำกับ Bitcoin อะไรคือทางเลือกที่ดีที่สุดสำหรับอนาคตของคุณ

ทองคำ: สินทรัพย์ที่ผ่านการพิสูจน์

ข้อดี:

1. มูลค่าที่มั่นคง: ทองคำถูกใช้เป็นสื่อกลางแลกเปลี่ยนและเครื่องเก็บมูลค่ามานับพันปี ความหายากและความต้องการทางอุตสาหกรรมทำให้มันมีมูลค่าที่คงทน

2. ไม่มีความเสี่ยงทางดิจิทัล: ทองคำไม่ได้ขึ้นอยู่กับระบบอินเทอร์เน็ตหรือเทคโนโลยีดิจิทัล จึงไม่เสี่ยงต่อการแฮ็กหรือการล่มของระบบ

3. ความนิยมในวงกว้าง: ทองคำเป็นที่ยอมรับในระดับสากล ทั้งในฐานะสินทรัพย์และสัญลักษณ์ของความมั่งคั่ง

ข้อเสีย:

1. ขาดความคล่องตัว: ทองคำเป็นสินทรัพย์ที่จับต้องได้ การซื้อขายหรือโอนย้ายอาจใช้เวลาและมีต้นทุนสูง

2. การเก็บรักษา: การเก็บรักษาทองคำต้องใช้พื้นที่และมีค่าใช้จ่าย เช่น ค่าเช่าตู้นิรภัยหรือการประกันภัย

Bitcoin: ทองคำในรูปแบบดิจิทัล?

ข้อดี:

1. จำนวนจำกัด: Bitcoin มีจำนวนจำกัดที่ 21 ล้านเหรียญ ซึ่งทำให้มันเป็นสินทรัพย์ที่ไม่สามารถผลิตเพิ่มได้ เช่นเดียวกับทองคำ

2. การพกพาและโอนย้ายที่สะดวก: Bitcoin สามารถโอนย้ายข้ามประเทศได้ทันทีโดยไม่มีข้อจำกัดด้านภูมิศาสตร์หรือต้องผ่านคนกลาง

3. การป้องกันเงินเฟ้อ: การออกแบบของ Bitcoin ช่วยป้องกันการลดค่าของเงินในระยะยาว เนื่องจากไม่มีการพิมพ์หรือสร้างเพิ่มอย่างไม่จำกัด

ข้อเสีย:

1. ความผันผวนสูง: มูลค่าของ Bitcoin ยังมีความผันผวนอย่างมาก ซึ่งอาจทำให้นักลงทุนบางกลุ่มลังเล

2. การยอมรับที่ยังจำกัด: แม้ Bitcoin จะได้รับความนิยมเพิ่มขึ้น แต่ยังไม่เป็นที่ยอมรับในระดับสากลเท่าทองคำ

3. ความเสี่ยงทางเทคโนโลยี: แม้ Bitcoin จะมีระบบป้องกันที่แข็งแกร่ง แต่ความเสี่ยงส่วนใหญ่มักเกิดจากความสะเพร่าของผู้ใช้งาน เช่น การเก็บรักษารหัสผ่านหรือ private key ไม่ปลอดภัย มากกว่าการโจมตีระบบเอง

ทองคำ VS Bitcoin: อะไรเหมาะกับคุณ?

หากคุณต้องการสินทรัพย์ที่ผ่านการพิสูจน์ในประวัติศาสตร์ ทองคำยังคงเป็นตัวเลือกที่น่าเชื่อถือ หากคุณมองหานวัตกรรมและความคล่องตัวในการจัดการทรัพย์สิน Bitcoin คือก้าวใหม่ที่น่าสนใจ การเลือกลงทุนในทองคำหรือ Bitcoin ขึ้นอยู่กับเป้าหมายการลงทุนและระดับความเสี่ยงที่คุณยอมรับได้ อาจไม่จำเป็นต้องเลือกเพียงอย่างใดอย่างหนึ่ง เพราะทั้งสองสามารถเสริมกันในพอร์ตโฟลิโอของคุณได้

คุณคิดว่าอะไรคือ "ที่หลบภัย" ทางการเงินที่เหมาะกับคุณในยุคนี้? ร่วมแสดงความคิดเห็นด้านล่าง!

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

A couple of months ago, one of our guys was at the office talking about his amazing experience in Latvia 15 years ago and, surprise, surprise, thanks to the “magic” of targeting on the internet, we discovered that there was going to be a Bitcoin conference in Riga so… Why not go? We became super excited on that, because this trip was going to represent the return of long haul travelling after the COVID Pan(Scam)demic, plus a huge opportunity of going deeper into the rabbit hole and keep learning about the only real money and meeting like minded people of the community to keep improving our knowledge.

So without any doubt, we bought the conference and plane tickets, we booked an airbnb place in the centre of Riga (BTW amazing host), and we started the journey to a couple of days of intense learning.

Table Of Content

• Day1: Spanish meetup at Basement bar

• Day2: Layer 2 Day, in a warehouse!

• Day3: Conference first session plus afterparty!

• Day4: Conference second session and Nostr party!

• Day5: Drinking coffee at the airport next to…

• Conclusions

• FAQ

Day1: Spanish meetup at Basement bar

After arriving in Riga coming from different destinations, we had a bitter sweet sensation: one of our guy’s luggage had been lost by Air Baltic. This didn’t stop our plans, so after making the claim, we jumped into a Bolt (Latvian version of Uber/Grab/Didi) and we headed to our airbnb. The first day had already started with “Noob Day” -basically explaining the basics of Bitcoin- but we weren’t able to make it, so we had a little rest and went to the Spanish Meetup at Basement Bar.

Some of our guys speak the language of the FIFA World Champions (Men & Women), so there was a nice opportunity to interact with the Spanish speaking bitcoin community. We thought that was gonna be only drinks and chat but no: one of the organisers “Luna” proposed something interesting: he picked up 4 chairs, but only 3 people were allowed to be seated. The people on the chairs started discussing some topic, and if someone in the audience thought that they had some authority to talk about it, he/she could sit in the empty chair and one of the previous ones would have to stand up.

This activity led to some interesting talks, like current situation of bitcoin in spanish speaking region (specially in Argentina where the most likely to be next president Javier Milei seems to be a pro bitcoin political -we will discuss more in other article-), what is going to trigger the massive adoption, and how bitcoin has helped us to understand the world and cope with uncertainty times like the COVID19 lockdowns and restrictions.

Of course, during the talk, you were able to buy amazing drinks and local beers…. Using the power of lightning network and paying with SATS!

Day2: Layer 2 Day, in a warehouse!

When we arrived at the venue of the Day 2, we thought we were wrong: from the outside, it was a warehouse that was fully dedicated to collecting donations for Ukraine. But inside the magic was there: a stage, chairs and a projection screen ready to show us how deep the rabbit hole is.

The exhibitors were showing multiple applications built for bitcoin layer 2: mostly wallets, and other ones that we barely understood. Even though we understand the tech basis of bitcoin, the exhibitors were at another level of knowledge and we had to do a super huge effort in order to understand a bit of what they were exposing. We really felt like noobs, but this motivated us to learn more: in the upcoming weeks we will be doing more research to understand what they were talking about.

In the venue you were able to buy coffee and food… using SATS, and we met the one and only “Bitcoineta”: a van that travels around europe with two argentinians on board, on the quest of educating people about bitcoin. Inside of the ban they have a wall with autographs of the OGs (Michael Saylor signature is there) and also with another sector dedicated to the “Plebs”.

The van is fully plotted with bitcoin artwork made by an amazing artist and has slogans like “Bitcoin is Hope”. We learned that this van is a project that started in Argentina, and besides Argentinean and European ones there is another “Bitcoineta” in South Africa. The guys are super friendly and let everyone take pictures of the van. We hope we can release an article about this in the future.

We had to leave the meeting early because the luggage of our friend was going to be delivered, plus, that was going to be the only day dedicated to walking around the city, before the real conference started.

Day3: Conference first session plus afterparty!

So finally the “official” conference started on saturday. The venue was amazing. There were 3 stages

• Main stage: where mainstream topics were presented, with live streaming for all over the world.

• POW stage: also streamed. On this stage there were live demos of developments like wallets and nostr apps.

• Cypherpunk stage: here was the place where the most controversial topics were spoken. For that reason this one was not streamed and you were warned not to take photos or videos to respect privacy. If you were caught doing this, you would be escorted out of the venue and banned from Baltic Honeybadger FOREVER!

Outside the conference you could find nice food trucks where to buy delicious meals and pay with SATS!

All the exhibitions were amazing, but the best ones where:

• “The Problem of Bitcoin Midwits”, by Giacomo Zucco, very funny, full of memes to start the day.

• “The Financialization of Bitcoin: The Good, the Bad, the Inevitable”, by Dylan Leclair, exposing with analytics the problem of US debt and how Bitcoin is here to change the game

• “When 100K?”, a panel with Tuur Deemester, Dylan Leclair, Adam Back, Rahim Taghizadegan. In this panel, Adam Back said that Bitcoin will reach 100k before halving!

Also there were amazing chats in the Cypherpunk stage, but respecting the privacy we will not disclose.

After the day 1, an amazing afterparty was held in the venue, with open bar, where you can pick up drinks and do networking with other “honeybadgers”

Day4: Conference second session and Nostr party!

Second “official” conference day was another blast. We were also able to explore the venue and to check the exhibitors. Even though there were not too many stands, all of the ones were interesting. Our favourite was the mempool one.

Talking about the talks we attend, our favourites of the day were:

• ” Bitcoin Empowers Africa and Africans Empower Bitcoin”, by Anita Posch, a super inspiring speech about how Bitcoin is giving hope to unbanked African communities, and how teaching people about Bitcoin can lead to a better world.

• ”Building on Nostr”, by Jeff Gardner, literally building a web app to ask questions using Nostr. Really entertaining, because we asked our own questions through the platform.

• ”The Hidden Hamster Wheel in your mind”, by Rob Brinded, even though the final was not too clear, showed us interesting things about how our mind sometimes plays against ourselves.

• ”The fiat crisis”, by Balaji (remotely), a deep dive into history and how we have arrived at the current crisis.

Unfortunately, we were tired and our flight the following morning was too early, so we couldn’t go to the Nostr party

Day5: Drinking coffee at the airport next to…

On the way back home, we were having a coffee at the airport next to the gate before boarding when we saw that next to us had just sat the one and only Adam Back. Incredible how this man (Satoshi Nakamoto maybe?), that probably without other people changed the world and was involved in the genesis of Bitcoin, was walking around with total humbleness and not being recognized by anyone. This is the philosophy of bitcoin: stay humble, stack sats.

Conclusions

Baltic Honeybadger 2023 was a blast, it exceeded our expectations about the conference. The quality of the speakers, the deep topics discussed plus the beauty of Riga made it unique and amazing, and worth the time and money invested. We learned a lot about Bitcoin from the real OGs of the space, knowledge that we will be putting for our readers in our newsletter in the upcoming sessions.

If you want to learn about Bitcoin, you need to study and educate yourself, because no school is going to teach about a tool that makes you really free, so the best way is to invest time and money and attend the conferences where the people who know the most about a topic speak!

FAQ

Is the Baltic Honeybadger hosted every year? Yes, this conference started a couple of years ago, was stopped because of COVID restrictions and returned in 2022. And we can’t wait to be there again in 2024.

What are the upcoming Bitcoin Conferences? The biggest Bitcoin events in the upcoming months will be: Bitcoin Indonesia in October (our team is going), Nostrasia in Tokyo and Hong Kong during November (will be mostly about Nostr) and next year in March will be the Bitcoin Conference in Madeira, Portugal (Where CR7 was born, we don’t know if he will attend, but as Messi plays in a team which promotes a shitcoin, he should:p)

Do they talk about other coins? No way! As it’s stated on their website “Not promoting crypto, various so-called altcoins, tokens and other blockchain-based "snake oil"”. So only and pure bitcoin content by OGs. At the end of the day, there is no second beest.

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@ 7776c32d:45558888

I am submitting another Monero dev bounty on bounties.monero.social for a much more ambitious project than my last one (which is still in progress, for nostr wallet bot setup tooling).

It all started with the Nintedo 64. It's a 64-bit desktop computer that can run modern-day 64-bit Linux, but most owners do not have a keyboard and mouse for it - only a controller. On the bright side, it has no ethernet port or wireless card to introduce internet-connected backdoors. There are also other, older systems with no internet connectivity; the 64 is just special for its Linux compatibility.

Importantly, many old game systems like this have been mass-produced, sold worldwide, and maintained by collectors, ensuring continued availability will outlast today's empires.

Despite the difficulty of inputting text using gamepad controls, this category of system is ideal for air-gapped wallets; however, this bounty is starting smaller and more general-purpose than that. The point is to generate seed phrases and associated public and private keys, while providing good safety advice, and helping people learn.

The development bounty

Link to the bounty page at bounties.monero.social - https://bounties.monero.social/posts/168/gamepad-controlled-cryptographic-multitool-with-offline-wallet-address-generator

Since this project is nostr-related, I am also making this thread on nostr, so that nostr users can have their input included.

Here are the details of the bounty, which can also be viewed at the link I've provided.

Bounty details

Native platform requirements

• The app must be tested to work on a common vintage game system (mainline Nintendo or equivalent popularity), using its standard controller or handheld controls (this makes this bounty stupidly difficult, I'm sorry)
• The newest consoles you can target are "5th generation" (N64 or equivalent) or, if you want to do a handheld, GBA or lesser is fine (the point is equivalence of capabilities, not actual release year)
• Optionally, the app can work with any keyboard attachment available for the selected system, but it still has to also be usable with the standard controls
• The app must also be tested to work on Linux or Android (either one is fine)
  • If your solution does not run natively on Linux or Android, then it just needs to work in at least one open source Nintendo emulator for Linux or Android (either one is fine)
  • If your solution involves running Linux on a Nintendo 64, you do have to confirm it works on typical Linux or Android devices without the emulator (again, either one is fine)

I do not want to lend indirect support to a specific corporate brand, and I strongly respect that others in this community might be suspicious that looks like what I'm doing by mentioning Nintendo products. Thus, non-Nintendo systems with similar limitations, anywhere from a Commodore 64 to a PlayStation, could be accepted as alternatives. However, I am not mentioning Nintendo to support Nintendo - their systems simply seem to be the only ones that have all of the following benefits:

• Competed significantly with the sales numbers for a mainline Nintendo system in the US and worldwide
• Complicated wording because it's a very particular thing: these systems were sold at a time when the US surveillance state might have accepted a more limited level of invasiveness for the backdoor vulnerabilities required in electronic products marketed to American consumers, if the products were understood by Americans to be toys for running games, and not used by adults to run code for serious purposes
• These products were indeed understood by Americans to be toys for running games, and not used by adults to run code for serious purposes
• Ostensibly no built-in networking, wireless functionality, cameras, microphones, speakers
• Continuing to be sold and bought very actively by a large number of gamers, for gaming purposes; this makes it somewhat ineffficient to target the entire market with random shipment interceptions, to plant backdoors blindly, hoping to catch things other than gameplay
• Already wide support for loading unlicensed games; even if a mod chip or custom loadable cartridge is needed, gamers buy these things to run games, so it can't be assumed that these mod chips or custom cartridges are being used for cryptography purposes every time they're purchased
• Last but not least, these systems have open-source emulators readily available for all major platforms (or, in the case of N64 Linux, a convenient way to bypass any emulator for cross-compatibility)

Many systems meet parts of these criteria, and would be useful even if they don't hit every point on the list. The examples I gave before - a Commodore 64 and a PlayStation - miss many of these points, yet they would still be awesome. Nonetheless, these criteria seem to make a Nintendo 64 or similar ideal to start with, before extending the functionality onto other systems, to increase overall availability even further.

On the other hand, some of these factors are vital criteria, such as the lack of built-in surveillance equipment (even speakers are just inverse microphones).

I've provided this information to help an informed choice be made, so I'll leave the final selection in the community's hands. Just keep it equivalent to these old systems, or ideally, pick one of them.

Additional note: I'm also not sure mentioning Nintendo here actually benefits them as a corporation. The brand should benefit, in that it becomes a more useful name and logo for a stronger corporation to potentially own; but that doesn't mean the current corporation benefits from so-called ownership of a name and logo they might not even be allowed to trade for a few Monero, let alone fully utilize.

Simplified list of functions

• Promote the development of knowledge and experience for users working with cryptographic tools (including but not limited to Monero and other cryptocurrency)
• Mine for "vanity keys" (wallet addresses and nostr pubkeys matching given text strings)
• Handle UTF-8 text input somehow, probably an on-screen keyboard navigated using the controller
• Guide users through generating more well-randomized seed phrases by hand
• Convert text to and from binary using text encoding schemes such as Unicode (might seem like a silly toy thing to include, but this helps familiarize people with the general concept of converting chunks of digital data between different formats)
• Convert data to QR codes (inverse not required because most old Nintendos do not have cameras)
• Convert text and binary from plain to encrypted form, and vice versa, in accordance with well-regarded encryption algorithms
• Convert random input to seed phrase
• Convert seed phrases to nostr keypairs and BIP-39 wallet addresses
• Configure these conversions as preset settings, editable by the user to configure custom wallet address derivation paths, seed phrase standards, encryption algorithms, etc
• Include presets for generating wallet addresses for at least the following cryptocurrencies: Monero (XMR), doggie coin (DOGE), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC)
• Include UTF-8 and ASCII as presets for binary text encoding

Detailed information

All of the information listed in this section must be provided to users where specified, but you can rephrase it or expand on it as long as your changes strengthen the informational value. Copying and pasting from me, or asking me to revise or expand what I've written for your use, is also fine.

Main menu splash

At the main menu, display a random security tip from a list of tips like "did you compile this from the source code yourself?" and "have you considered using an off-grid power source to make sure you're disconnected from any grid-based backdoors?"

Actually make sure those 2 are in the list. Other than that, you can use some existing list of tips you find online, or make a list yourself, or ask me or others for help, or whatever you want. This is kind of like Minecraft's main menu splash text, which also gets randomly selected from a list of possible strings.

Encrypting and decrypting text

When encrypting and decrypting text, convey to the user that the term "end to end encryption" has become a marketing term widely used to gaslight the public in the age of security theatre, and what the user is doing only counts as "end to end encryption" if they have good reason to be sure their game system has no leakpoints/backdoors, and neither does the device of anyone the user is exchanging messages with.

Keygen

Points to convey at the beginning of the process of generating a key:

• When a process requires some randomized data, that piece of data is called a "seed;"
• for example, a "seed phrase" is a sequence of words that translate to a random binary sequence, often used to calculate wallet addresses;
• random number generation is hard for computers or humans alone, so the most secure software generates random numbers by mixing user input with electronic algorithms, which means a wallet's final seed is generated from a precursor seed of user input
• the precursor seed is often invisible to the user, collected from something like mouse movements which they might not notice, but more transparently involving the user can help teach them more about security and user safety
• old-fashioned random number generators, such as dice, can be far more reliable and secure than contemporary electronic mechanisms, so it's also a good idea for secure software to allow users to turn to these outside sources of randomness

When generating a key, offer these 3 options, where the tradeoffs are made clear to the user:

• the user can ignore security to automatically mine for a "vanity seed" matching a special wallet address and/or npub;
• middle ground, the user can use their device to manually generate user input for a random seed;
• maximum user control, the user can be guided through the process of generating their seed phrase using an antique technology such as dice

When manually generating a key using dice or similar, the user can enter a binary sequence to have it converted to a seed phrase. At this stage, convey these points:

• the user can instead print out a list of seed words and keep this step independent if they want;
• although there are many entries in the list of seed words, it takes surprisingly little paper to print a list with that many single-word entries at a readable font size;
• the checksum would be the hardest part without electronics

When a seed phrase is generated, don't offer the user any option for what to do with it except delete it and return to the main menu. Make these points available for the user to read about:

• the user should save the seed using a non-electronic method such as paper;
• if the seed is or might become essential to avoid losing, backing it up would be ideal;
• backing it up might be too risky for individuals facing unusually high levels of surveillance or unusual risk of theft;
• this risk might be addressed using miltisig, or simply split-up segments of a seed, or memorizing a seed phrase without keeping it written down;
• random word sequences this long are much harder to remember than actual sentences, and relying on memory has a very high rate of failure;
• when using memory to store crypto wallet keys, it's called a "brain wallet," and it's known for being very dangerous and a bad idea in most cases;
• only long seed phrases can be partly exposed and still have enough randomness remaining for protection, it's probably not a good idea to split up a 12-word seed into multiple segments for security;
• your keys are yours to protect - users should look for more information beyond what any app explains, and take time to think about how they personally want to secure any important seed

When manually adding derivation paths for wallet addresses, stress to the user that it's dangerous af and they better get it exactly right and actually just still not even use it because it's too risky to be worth it.

When generating wallet addresses, convey to the user that this app does not yet have actual wallet functionality and cannot connect to the blockchain to verify a test transaction, so if the user is planning to just blindly deposit large amounts to wallet addresses generated here without any testing, that's so metal and hardcore af

QR codes

When generating QR codes for any purpose, wallet address or otherwise, always convey to the user that pointing one device's camera at another device's screen, or even the light cast by it, could allow hidden backdoors to transfer data beyond what the user intends to transfer.

For example, a screen could encode data in microscopic changes of brightness, detectable by a camera, but not noticeable to the human eye.

Thus, for the most high-security level of air-gapping, one should consider using pen and paper (copied multiple times and triple-checked) for data transfer, while keeping sensitive electronics as isolated as possible from camera phones, or ideally as isolated as possible from other electronics in general.

Text encoding support requirements

• Confirm all ASCII characters convert to and from binary successfully (UTF-8 would probably be impossible to hit 100% on)
• Confirm UTF-8 braille characters render successfully (because these characters are inadvertently functional as an image encoding method)

⣴⡿⠶⠀⠀⠀⣦⣀⣴⠀⠀⠀⠀
⣿⡄⠀⠀⣠⣾⠛⣿⠛⣷⠀⠿⣦
⠙⣷⣦⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠟⠀⣴⣿
⠀⣸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣾⠿⠋⠁
⠀⣿⣿⣿⠿⡿⣿⣿⡿⠀⠀⠀⠀
⢸⣿⡋⠀⠀⠀⢹⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀
⣿⡟⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠸⠇

When using the text encoding functionality, which converts text between encoding standards like ASCII and UTF-8, it would also be good to include a reminder that the user's keyboard and other system components are encoded in UTF-8.

A suggestion

This isn't a firm requirement, but if possible, please allow the user's choice from at least the following 2 color schemes: black background with green text, and pale yellow background with black/gray text. For some idea of what "pale yellow" means, something like HTML color code feffb2 would be good.

Roadmap of future plans to avoid for now

Devs on bounties.monero.social sometimes go above and beyond what's requested in a bounty. That's truly awesome, but in this case, the limits of this project are intentional; please do not skip past the scope of the bounty too widely. You can go beyond the scope if you wish, but along the way, it would still be ideal to do a minimalist release to suit this bounty's requirements specifically. I hope this bounty is more than challenging enough to begin with - as a non-coder, it seems to me like it should already be extremely difficult.

I intend to do (smaller) future bounties for expansion of this project. Ideally these expansions should take the form of patches, all compatible with each other, and the minimalist original version. Thus, different versions of the app, with different capabilities, could be configured - and their security analyzed separately.

Here are some specific bounties and ideas I would want to see added later, but not in the minimalist version, to save on lines of code in the minimalist security analysis.

• Bounty for a patch that adds air-gapped wallet functionality, where the app can actually interface with the blockchain to do transactions, by using pen and paper to transfer data between the Nintendo and a different machine with an internet connection
• Bounty for a patch that adds air-gapped nostr functionality, where the app can generate signed nostr events and encrypt/decrypt direct messages, and a "sister app" handles the exchange of data on an internet-connected system
• Bounty for a patch to enhance text handling by adding clipboard functions (highlight/cut/copy/paste)
• Include a clipboard history view (clearly warning the user that the Nintendo has no storage, and this is only a temporary history, lasting until the system is reset)
• Bounty for a patch that expands data transfer methods by adding support for some kind of peripheral data interface such as a memory card slot
• Allow encryption and decryption of heavier data formats than text, such as images, if some kind of peripheral provides a better data interface than pen-and-paper / on-screen keyboard
• If the selected device ever had a camera attachment available, a bounty for a patch that adds support for the camera (QR code scanning, image capturing, maybe converting images to Unicode braille art)
• Bounty for a patch that hides this entire app inside of whatever game had the most copies produced for the selected Nintendo system (not against copyright to release as a patch)
• Bounties for identical functionality on other systems

In addition to all these goals, it would also be good to have a large number of native cartridges produced someday, containing this software, after some time for the open-source community to review and revise first.

@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

---

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@ 5391098c:74403a0e

PROSE ESSAY ON ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY

It is important to say that my fascination with analog photography does not prevent me from recognizing the importance of digital photography. If it were not for this, you would not be seeing my artworks that have been digitized…

In the same way that my fascination with the typewriter does not prevent me from having this and other pages on the internet. Part of my book FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY was written thanks to the inspiration of the typewriter. As in the chapter on what evolution is, I wrote it entirely on my Olivetti Studio 46, because there was no power: which made me reflect on whether the computer really is the evolution of the typewriter.

Another example was the inspiration that the beautiful rounded shapes of my Érika typewriter gave me, which ended up resulting in a beautiful performance that I named Passion Erotic.

That is why I believe that analog equipment does not overshadow our creativity, and in photography it could not be any different.

In the set of analog photographs below, I used a Canon T50, a 50mm lens and Kodak Pro Image 100 film, which was self-photographed in a mirror. Let's see:

In the photo below, I used indirect yellow light from the top right to the bottom left. The blur around the camera was intentional, with the aim of making it seem like she was looking at the world through the camera lens. In this case, she was looking at herself. Even though the wall and the mirror are on the same plane, the depth of field of the mirror is different, which is why this effect was possible. Special mention should be made of the “eye” of the diaphragm. It must have opened up to f5.6, since the light was not very strong. If the light were stronger, the diaphragm would have opened to the minimum f16, which would increase the depth of field and prevent the intended blur. The result was achieved, at the same time that the camera appears, this photograph transmits this subliminal message:

https://image.nostr.build/a7cbfbe68a4bb89ae731c360c373ac8eff7599a5a100d13035eb234b5d788626.jpg

PERFORMANCE

Performance is the name given to the mixture of more than one artistic language (visual art, music, theater, etc.) by clicking on https://davipinheiro.com/id/performance/ you can see all my performances. In the examples below the mixture was made by the mixture of visual arts created by me and captured by analog photography, let's see:

The photo below is of a terrarium that I created in a tree trunk, plastic art. To photograph, I used yellow light from above, the blur was to highlight the object, with special emphasis on the reflection of light on the glass to give a three-dimensional notion of something transparent:

https://image.nostr.build/e8026f9e99fa16631959954f8bb925af6f1764911f0a315ab0125bb413e3e89b.jpg

In the photo below, the same process as in the previous photo, also using a Canon T50 with Kodak Pro Image 100 film and a 50mm lens, differentiating the framing and the direct frontal light:

https://image.nostr.build/4c44a0baf2b5ddaf63f83420952ab1b2e84f7df292f8e413a65f8134a2e7db58.jpg

The photo below portrays the creation process of the work. Ironically, in this photo, my Clownface rooster, even though it was out of focus in the background, stood out, appearing to be standing on a log:

https://image.nostr.build/d0d5e73ecbcdefa79ffd858d0143f41915c9deab7864d271d5ee724b3927f9bc.jpg

The photo below is of the original hazard lights from my super DT200R (long live 2-stroke engines!) that fell off after a trail, lol. The idea in this photo was to make the sun appear to be turning on the warning light that should appear to be floating in the sky. Unfortunately, I was not successful, because the wires that were hanging the object ended up appearing. The calculation capacity of the Canon T50 and its shutter speed, the sharpness of the lens and the resolution of the Kodak Pro Image 100 film, which managed to capture even the small transparent nylon threads, are impressive. I thought the photo would be blown out and the wires wouldn't show, but I was wrong. At least the framing was correct: the object was a little above the center to give a sense of altitude and slightly in profile to give a 3D impression. Who knows, maybe with a camera that allows you to adjust the shutter speed I'll be successful...

https://image.nostr.build/808243d34b6dbeade25d38189163f9d58f6a12da9d00df17c85651d501e1bed8.jpg

The photo below is my favorite performance with analog photography, because I photographed the first painting I ever painted, whichI named it Elipsoíris, which later became the cover of my book FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY. So here we have three profound artistic languages ​​in the same performance: The painting that became a book photographed analogically. The idea of ​​this performance was to frame the blurred painting, which can only be seen with the right eyes, hence the lens. I used natural light and an old eyeglass lens. Special emphasis on the two points of light that reflected on the lens, looking like two eyes. This was not planned and gave a special touch to the photograph, allowing for several interpretations. This is the object of art in general. I was very happy with the result:

https://image.nostr.build/6bb5b802b3ad1bb7262b925225fcfb0b8b00654fa0fec240be57f648c32245af.jpg

I consider the analog photograph below to be a performance because it is not a common photograph of landscapes, flowers, architecture, animals or people, it aims to convey a message. Using only natural light, I adjusted the focus of the Canon T50 to the lenses of my own glasses and chose a particularly cloudy and dark day to symbolize the difficulties we all go through in our daily lives, when we believe for a moment that the lights are off for us, until with the right glasses we can see the horizon more clearly. The glasses can be the word of God or anything else that illuminates and enlightens you. This photograph will certainly be put to good use in my future writings:

https://image.nostr.build/b44b573bb39cdf5f2eb446e818bbf59d5dab9d3815ac6e917440b2f6b1ff431c.jpg

DOUBLE EXPOSURE

Here is a resource that is inherent to analog photography: double exposure. This involves taking more than one photograph on the same film so that the images overlap. With this method, we can simulate movement in a single photograph, create montages of flying saucers, etc., in short, the imagination is the limit, let's see:

In this analog photograph below, a quadruple exposure occurred, as I took four different frames on the same film. It was especially difficult to do because the Canon T50 does not have this feature, so I had to trick it by pressing the film rewind button at the same time as I took the camera. Since I was using Kodak Pro Image film, which has a 100-wing, I also set the camera as if I were using a 25-wing film, so I knew I could shoot four times without burning the film. I asked the model (my mother, lol) to stand in three different positions to give the impression of movement, and not satisfied, at the end I even photographed the sun. I loved this photo:

https://image.nostr.build/5f8e2962e2ee94259d4dd5d3b777976a4d20ba293a5a4e68e81e30a0e1975543.jpg

MACRO OR CLOSE-UP PHOTOS

I believe it is possible to obtain an analog macro photograph even without a special lens, it all depends on the little piece that is behind the camera: you, lol. We should try, if we don't get a macro photo, at least we'll get a close-up, let's see:

In the photo below there is a tiny mushroom that grew on a ravine, it appeared clearly in the negative, even without using a magnifying glass, so I consider it a macro, in fact it's just a fun photo:

https://image.nostr.build/02aa4bbdc0cf54519b694c75237693fc2a6569fe4f3167220b05c7498757b822.jpg

The photo below is just a close-up, the nest is especially deep, hence the slight blur on the eggs: to give a sense of depth. The focus of the four corners of the box is well adjusted to give a three-dimensional notion of the object:

https://image.nostr.build/24e5dcdd0e5a3560b341fe4f0d0d93b7d562f2d58054ac308a8e312c2707100c.jpg

THE FIRST FRAME OF THE ROLL

In analog photography, each roll of film gives us at least one very specific type of artistic photograph. This is the first frame of the roll, where there is a partial overexposure. This is due to the incidence of light directly on the film when we are loading the camera with the film. Most analog cameras only start counting the frames after a few shots to avoid this. It is up to the photographer to know how to take advantage of the frames that exist before number 1, framing the scene normally and shooting before number 1. The results are almost unpredictable and generally interesting.

Below is a fantastic analog photograph because the overexposure of the first frame of the roll almost always occurs at the ends of the photo and in this one it occurred in the middle. To achieve this effect, I loaded the camera in the dark and turned on the light at the exact moment I was closing the camera lid. For a fraction of a second, the first frame of the roll was partially exposed to the light. I knew I would get a different photograph. I never imagined that the overexposure would appear in the middle of the frame, very curious:

https://image.nostr.build/a2e08aab686af64df949e83b4ff3b0a00952698a7a138412f7753ebc0dd63d1f.jpg

In the photograph below, I repeated the same process as before. Since the time between turning on the light and closing the camera was different, the overexposure was clearly visible in the photograph.

photo shake. Special mention should be made of its incidence on the right side, when it should be on the left side, since in the Canon T50 the film runs from left to right. This apparent inversion of sides occurred because I photographed with the camera upside down:

https://image.nostr.build/270681be8de71b6c833507dda6bfe4b5233c9b871aa97ea8fc2ebdcdd46a682a.jpg

ACTION PHOTOS

Capturing an action with analog photography is especially difficult if the camera does not calculate the aperture and exposure time automatically, because everything happens very quickly and you do not have time to think about it. Fortunately, the Canon T50 is very good for this type of photography, I only had to worry about focus. This camera made me sweat to make the double exposures above, it captured this memorable moment with ease, let's see:

In the photo below, when I saw this group of brave people paragliding, I ran to ask for permission to photograph them and quickly loaded the camera. I started photographing even before the camera recorded the first frame of the roll, having obtained this beautiful overexposure effect of the first frame of the roll:

https://image.nostr.build/8e32e22d3bf7c897d7111e85555146e38bb139985c50b2795fe809b31880c7d8.jpg

The photo below was the third of the roll. I took care to frame both the paraglider's flight path and this beautiful Veraneio, which describes in a single photo the adventurous spirit of the group. Notice the sun reflecting on the clouds, how beautiful it all is:

https://image.nostr.build/5bf0444e4621406d858ab70725c1ee2f6a7e39b87663e23a18085a32b9a06f6a.jpg

In the photo below, I had to take another one of this beautiful Veraneio. I'm passionate about engines and mechanics, and it almost stole the show, lol. Special mention to the detail of the car and the camera that photographed it, which are from the same period, a sensitive return to the past. This photo is a true time machine. If I didn't say that this photo was taken at the end of 2020, I could say that it was a photo taken of a brand new Veraneio from that time, our little secret, lol.

https://image.nostr.build/f5284ff30986ad84d22f137e0a330067f91564907da8acf04c9eb93a991cbcf2.jpg

In the photo below, returning to the scene, now from the right angle lol. This was the second photo, notice the presence of the overexposure effect from the first frame. Here the camera was marking the first frame, poor thing lol

https://image.nostr.build/5c1d73f7d802fd1f730427e29f921c82e410c5dce3112a3133d6fce294d310c6.jpg

In the photo below the light was perfect, the sun was shining behind me, shining frontally into the frame of the photo, this one is beautiful:

https://image.nostr.build/156fc878dd18257ad1f59d1b5d3fd719c7e773937356fad6ea09b0ce1f151f12.jpg

Paraglider almost in flight position, the photo was almost perfect because the moment on the screen was the Golden Hour, the moment at dusk when the sun's position turns the sky golden, a phenomenon much loved by analog photographers; even digital ones too. Even so, I wasn't satisfied, I wanted to take a closer picture. I zoomed in quickly and you can see the result below:

https://image.nostr.build/b1f610695bd57db8abe7408df318978b6e69e85fe620a589b12fb9bcaae66156.jpg

Below is the simply perfect analog photograph, sun in the right position, golden hour, perfect framing and focus, everything right, universe conspiring in my favor... I won the day without knowing it. I only found out after I developed it. The ground wasn't cut, the paraglider pilot was already on the uneven ground ready to jump:

https://image.nostr.build/93a7e416d11c996b65a32b019667a43124d96985109d34fd1a9b239ef365bbfe.jpg

Below the jump... I had to run to the ravine to zoom in, another perfect photo at the golden hour:

https://image.nostr.build/f254c2e71863a233816b517564dd5fb7fe85ee0bd927b02687fba43bde53dcd6.jpg

ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS

It's especially difficult to get an animal to pose for us, we have to have some food to negotiate lol. If the Canon T50 didn't calculate the exposure by itself, it would be even more difficult because the moments are very fast and you don't have time to adjust the aperture and exposure time, I only had to adjust the focus. Another point for this remarkable camera that made me get caught in the double exposure above. Analog animal photography is also a type of action photography, we have to be quick on the trigger, let's see the results:

Below again I zoomed in getting really close, a real photographer has no fear, everything for art!

https://image.nostr.build/5f0af116b1fd81edb3f21dfd5d7cce6c534751ac8660bd5fb58ce08c652d8aaf.jpg

Below, focus on the background. I ended up catching both of them in profile:

https://image.nostr.build/fbd78fcf71749569444d3438e0d5283d321fc3f3350cacc6e4a3e9a0cdc914f5.jpg

Below, focus on the background. Here I caught both of them looking at me and saying xiiiis, lol.

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Below we can see that the Canon T50 light meter is matrix and not point tual, because the center of the photo had much more light than the corners:

https://image.nostr.build/11a8a5a7ff14a661755f04f743d70d3dd1a9d11e412791ce42f5cbf1da1c6be2.jpg

Below is a beautiful photo: Cavalo da Montanha. I was waiting for the Golden Hour to arrive, too bad that when it arrived the model didn't want to be photographed anymore lol.

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Below is a beautiful close-up profile with a completely blurred background. Absolute black, the photometry is perfect:

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Below, there are a lot of things happening at the same time: the chickens eating, the corn being thrown, the photographer's shadow... To get this photo, I threw the corn up in the air and had to be as quick on the trigger as Kid Morengueira. You can see in my shadow that I'm only holding the camera, the pot of corn had already flown far away lol. I chose a sunny day so that the Canon T50's light meter would use the maximum possible shutter speed, making it possible to freeze the corn in the air without much blur.

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Below is a chicken hatching on a car wheel. Since I love animals and cars, to set up this scene I had to line an old car wheel to form a nest and wait, wait and wait... At the right moment Jurema felt confident enough to get into the wheel. She didn't even mind my presence because she was full of chatter, yes, I also had to negotiate with the chicken, that's analog animal photography lol. Note again that the Canon T50's light meter is matrix, because most of the photo was in low light and the sunbeam that came in blew out the photo. Also notice how close I was to the chicken, because I focused on its head and the rest of the body that was a little further away came out blurred. The camera was probably set to f1.8 at its maximum aperture and at a very slow shutter speed, which explains the shallow depth of field. Furthermore, if Jurema had moved her head when taking the shot, it would certainly have been blurry due to the slow shutter speed. In the end, everything turned out fine and my days of waiting for this photo were not in vain.

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ANALOG ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

In analog architectural photography, we must understand the basic concepts of lighting and fill. We only work with natural light, which must be used well to get a three-dimensional sense of the building. As Fernando Bagnola teaches, the three-dimensionality of the object depends on the incidence of light at three different points and with different intensities, something difficult to obtain with sunlight alone. Let's see:

Below is the Eye Museum in Curitiba/PR. Since its front is dark and the sun was positioned behind the building, I had to position myself on its side, thus I was able to obtain a three-dimensional result, since the sun illuminated the top, reflected on the bottom with less intensity and there was almost no light on the front. If I were positioning myself in front of the building, the three-dimensional effect would be impossible:

https://image.nostr.build/6f74c1c7e606f7950eaf45007868b92e9a0288722b3d5e580ecaa4930700e3ea.jpg

Luckily, at that exact moment a group of young counterculture people (like me) were passing by, making the photo iconic due to the presence of young modern counterculture people contrasting with the modern architecture of traditional culture. My position in relation to the sun also favored the success of this photograph, having correctly illuminated all points of interest:

https://image.nostr.build/7c374205d7df21985a6a71c6c17e4f67ab29baf452f0cd406b869df94d68296c.jpg

Below is an example of incorrect analog architectural photography. The framing was frontal due to the desire to capture the reflection of the buildings in the black glass of the “eye”:

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Below is the Pantheon of Heroes in Lapa/PR, a monument erected to guard the bodies of soldiers from the republican forces who perished during the so-called Siege of Lapa, a battle of the Federalist Revolution of 1894. Here the day was cloudy, the perfect moment to photograph such sad architecture as this. I didn't care about the three-dimensional issue, because it was impossible, there was no sun. I wanted to portray the sadness in the photo. The film used was the same (Kodak Pro Image 100). Here we can see that the chemistry of this film is adjusted to the yellow light of the sun as absolute white, as the sky was cloudy, the natural light was at a cooler temperature which pulled the tone more towards blue and the purple in the photo must have been the ultraviolet rays. If I had been using an ultraviolet filter the photo would probably have come out more grayish. I remember that on that day It was all gray. Anyway, I loved the purple tone in the photo. Here's a tip: you can get the same effect as a very expensive Lomochrome Purple film with a cheap film, just take the picture under these conditions:

https://image.nostr.build/24f91369c12e83861f7eec38ff99f1869f08ae1eec06c798ccbe08af62263a2e.jpg

Below again, the purple tone with a cheap film. To give you an idea, a Lomochrome Purple usually costs six times or more than a Kodak Pro Image 100, which costs R$30.00 to R$40.00 on the date this article was published on 04/09/21. Note that at the time of this photo, the clouds gave a break and some rays of sunlight passed through, giving a slight three-dimensional notion of the architecture. I should have been a little further to the left to make the most of the lighting. Even so, I felt happy with the sad photo, lol, because even with the yellow sunlight reflecting the Lomo-Violet effect, it happened:

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Below, it looks like the photo is poorly framed. And it really is. There was a very ugly electricity pole on the right side, I didn't want it to show up. I only worried about the lighting and I managed to get the sense of depth in the architecture. The photo is leaning towards yellow because the Federal University of Paraná in Curitiba is actually kind of yellow.

https://image.nostr.build/48a4d517488fc1656e027568ad314688bc0fd9995e67289003f832eb904e5260.jpg

Below, to finish the set of architectural analog photographs, there is nothing better than a cemetery. After all, we are all going to die one day. We should always remember this to make our worldly lives worthwhile. When we die, we take nothing with us except our evolutionary experiences, our graces and sins. We should leave a legacy, something positive for those who remain. Well, this was the context in which the photo was taken. For me, death should be avoided. When it happens, if we do everything right, we will go to the light. The darkness is here on earth. Therefore, unlike most photographers, I chose a sunny day to photograph there. I wanted to symbolize the light that awaits us after death. So I positioned myself inside the cemetery to photograph from the inside out. I waited for the sun to position itself so that there would be little light from the gates outwards, just like the world, leaving all the light inside the gates. Notice how small details make all the difference in an artistic analog photograph. This photo can be used to illustrate any material that corroborates this idea. If I wanted to portray that life is a thousand wonders and death is a sad end, I would have to be outside the gates with everything lit up except the inside of the cemetery. Interesting, isn't it?

https://image.nostr.build/051592db1d3612c719621547a69bc8dfd0319d6b89656451d5b60582ae864e8e.jpg

ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY OF PEOPLE

Basically divided into two types, the scene and the portrait. In the scene, the person poses for the photo without revealing their personality; it is an artificially created scene. A portrait, in the artistic concept of photography, occurs when we are able to capture the person's inner self. For example: if the person is sad, they will appear with a sad expression; if the person is happy, they will appear with a happy expression, but not necessarily smiling. If the person is suffering, their wrinkles, sloppiness and fears will be visible. If the person is funny, we will feel like laughing when we see their portrait. A portrait is something true and spontaneous about the person. If a sad person appears smiling, it is not a portrait, but rather a scene. Let's see:

Below, in analog photography of people, the correct thing to do is to make the background darker and the foreground lighter. I wanted to do something different. I asked the model (My Best Friend) to stand with his back to the sun, because I had already seen that rainbow in the background. In this case, it was a portrait because my friend appeared smiling without me asking, and I know that he is a happy and funny person, because he is always telling jokes and his repertoire is endless. The interesting thing is that this is not a common portrait, but an artistic portrait, because I inverted the lighting of the planes and even captured a rainbow. It was a scene constructed for a portrait, an antagonistic idea for analog photography of people. As a result, I obtained a photograph that looks like a montage, where the image of the model had been pasted onto the landscape, such was the difference in lighting between the foreground and background. However, a small ray of sunlight that fell on the lower left flowerbed does not let me lie that the photograph is authentic. Furthermore, I have negatives that do not lie, lol. This was my favorite photograph of people, for the quality of the artistic result and for the person of the model. A big hug, my friend! I'm going to call this photo “My Buddy in the Square”:

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Below is me. It's just a simple scene because my expression doesn't show and not even my clothes reflected my personality. I set the camera's focus to 5 meters, handed it to my friend and counted a few steps back. I didn't worry too much about getting my position exactly 5 meters because the day was very sunny and I knew that the Canon T50 would open the aperture a little because of that, which increased the depth of field considerably. We can see the Federal University of Paraná in the background without any blur because of that. The damned pole that I tried to avoid in the architectural photo of the UFPR above ended up appearing here, but even so I liked the photo because of the color tone that only analog photography gives us.

https://image.nostr.build/ce8af555274333fa8a26375247373ca92315e87d7414bcc9ad7b5a4840cb3a21.jpg

ANALOG OBJECT PHOTOGRAPHY

Analog object photography, like architectural photography, must follow the basic concepts of lighting to obtain a three-dimensional notion of the object. In addition, the scene set must match the object to be in tune with the natural concept of beauty, let's see:

Below I wanted to photograph any object, so I took this knife. This object fits very well with the rustic environment of the countryside, so I stuck it in a tree stump overlooking the field, taking care to make it slightly twisted and give the three-dimensional notion. Naturally, the photo turned out well because the object is in tune with the scene. This must be the combination of analog object photography, for example. Unless the photographer is seeking to cause disgust by inverting the combination of the object with the scene. For example: to cause disgust, one can photograph clay in the shape of poop on a plate. Shit and food are completely opposite things and this inversion is naturally disturbing to any human being. There is a natural logic to combining objects with the scene. Finally, we can even combine more than one secondary object to create a scene for the main object, as we will see below with the coffee cup:

https://image.nostr.build/6474901ce85d34aef3421ce5f720e258208c50aeb57e9893c8a750c6dc8fc1df.jpg

In the photo below, the main object is a coffee mug. To create the scene, I used three other objects. The haystack that matches coffee, the lens cap of my Canon T50 that matches the effect of caffeine to think faster about the scenes I'm going to put together, and the succulent vase that refers to something rougher and bitter like coffee and the haystack. If the main object were a milkshake cup, instead of the haystack there would be colorful candies, instead of the camera lid there would be a napkin and instead of the succulent there would be a cute pink flower. Speaking of flowers, I will end this essay with the topic of analog flower photography to make everyone happy at the end:

https://image.nostr.build/8e95c6bae536cfea47e3c5d44aa63725ab8fe20eacd1c6d5eeaae1720dd0a9e5.jpg

ANALOGIC FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY

It is a type of photography free from analog photography, without many concerns for the analog photographer, we must only pay attention to the vividness of the colors and for this the day must be especially sunny. If it is an indoor photograph, preferably use warm light (yellow), the rest is just fun, let's see:

https://image.nostr.build/fc8cf663300794761b0d8dc6f1a765e3a423c65a4ad4a85a7885b00716b46533.jpg https://image.nostr.build/dc4fbe15a7b46817d66bdbeb3d0e11851999b2c1292c576fd457956436e75c77.jpg https://image.nostr.build/73fa3b1b30a088954b342294e1b0aa555a693c3ad425dea9807d2238ec529747.jpg

Long live analog photography!

If you would like to do an artistic essay with analog photography with me, please contact me and I will be happy to schedule the service.

https://davipinheiro.com/fotografia-analogica/

For you: nostr:npub1pvn0tyrrrv86xpydzq6ppeyyuh3zut263m82emdfmydn37qa6x5qmh8khc nostr:npub17nd4yu9anyd3004pumgrtazaacujjxwzj36thtqsxskjy0r5urgqf6950x nostr:npub1xs3pwegdlsqjayn3dnhurgx6zjd04095nqjjd8vmf5ulgqytzenq9svtz9 nostr:npub1rl5s8caaq8vsjfhxnmmmguxryug2f2has0kg5gzedepzle8quncqn9patu nostr:npub1puufhwjns4742aqz5nv8e7pedszx0678muve9xxue8sd9xelzj8s8k5f6e nostr:npub1n33usycawfnc4yuwpqjraazt2jh62rxqk7pmf8cp0a9admr9dh3q68e37j

@ a367f9eb:0633efea

I’ll admit that I was wrong about Bitcoin. Perhaps in 2013. Definitely 2017. Probably in 2018-2019. And maybe even today.

Being wrong about Bitcoin is part of finally understanding it. It will test you, make you question everything, and in the words of BTC educator and privacy advocate Matt Odell, “Bitcoin will humble you”.

I’ve had my own stumbles on the way.

In a very public fashion in 2017, after years of using Bitcoin, trying to start a company with it, using it as my primary exchange vehicle between currencies, and generally being annoying about it at parties, I let out the bear.

In an article published in my own literary magazine Devolution Review in September 2017, I had a breaking point. The article was titled “Going Bearish on Bitcoin: Cryptocurrencies are the tulip mania of the 21st century”.

It was later republished in Huffington Post and across dozens of financial and crypto blogs at the time with another, more appropriate title: “Bitcoin Has Become About The Payday, Not Its Potential”.

As I laid out, my newfound bearishness had little to do with the technology itself or the promise of Bitcoin, and more to do with the cynical industry forming around it:

In the beginning, Bitcoin was something of a revolution to me. The digital currency represented everything from my rebellious youth.

It was a decentralized, denationalized, and digital currency operating outside the traditional banking and governmental system. It used tools of cryptography and connected buyers and sellers across national borders at minimal transaction costs.

…

The 21st-century version (of Tulip mania) has welcomed a plethora of slick consultants, hazy schemes dressed up as investor possibilities, and too much wishy-washy language for anything to really make sense to anyone who wants to use a digital currency to make purchases.

While I called out Bitcoin by name at the time, on reflection, I was really talking about the ICO craze, the wishy-washy consultants, and the altcoin ponzis.

What I was articulating — without knowing it — was the frame of NgU, or “numbers go up”. Rather than advocating for Bitcoin because of its uncensorability, proof-of-work, or immutability, the common mentality among newbies and the dollar-obsessed was that Bitcoin mattered because its price was a rocket ship.

And because Bitcoin was gaining in price, affinity tokens and projects that were imperfect forks of Bitcoin took off as well.

The price alone — rather than its qualities — were the reasons why you’d hear Uber drivers, finance bros, or your gym buddy mention Bitcoin. As someone who came to Bitcoin for philosophical reasons, that just sat wrong with me.

Maybe I had too many projects thrown in my face, or maybe I was too frustrated with the UX of Bitcoin apps and sites at the time. No matter what, I’ve since learned something.

I was at least somewhat wrong.

My own journey began in early 2011. One of my favorite radio programs, Free Talk Live, began interviewing guests and having discussions on the potential of Bitcoin. They tied it directly to a libertarian vision of the world: free markets, free people, and free banking. That was me, and I was in. Bitcoin was at about $5 back then (NgU).

I followed every article I could, talked about it with guests on my college radio show, and became a devoted redditor on r/Bitcoin. At that time, at least to my knowledge, there was no possible way to buy Bitcoin where I was living. Very weak.

I was probably wrong. And very wrong for not trying to acquire by mining or otherwise.

The next year, after moving to Florida, Bitcoin was a heavy topic with a friend of mine who shared the same vision (and still does, according to the Celsius bankruptcy documents). We talked about it with passionate leftists at Occupy Tampa in 2012, all the while trying to explain the ills of Keynesian central banking, and figuring out how to use Coinbase.

I began writing more about Bitcoin in 2013, writing a guide on “How to Avoid Bank Fees Using Bitcoin,” discussing its potential legalization in Germany, and interviewing Jeremy Hansen, one of the first political candidates in the U.S. to accept Bitcoin donations.

Even up until that point, I thought Bitcoin was an interesting protocol for sending and receiving money quickly, and converting it into fiat. The global connectedness of it, plus this cypherpunk mentality divorced from government control was both useful and attractive. I thought it was the perfect go-between.

But I was wrong.

When I gave my first public speech on Bitcoin in Vienna, Austria in December 2013, I had grown obsessed with Bitcoin’s adoption on dark net markets like Silk Road.

My theory, at the time, was the number and price were irrelevant. The tech was interesting, and a novel attempt. It was unlike anything before. But what was happening on the dark net markets, which I viewed as the true free market powered by Bitcoin, was even more interesting. I thought these markets would grow exponentially and anonymous commerce via BTC would become the norm.

While the price was irrelevant, it was all about buying and selling goods without permission or license.

Now I understand I was wrong.

Just because Bitcoin was this revolutionary technology that embraced pseudonymity did not mean that all commerce would decentralize as well. It did not mean that anonymous markets were intended to be the most powerful layer in the Bitcoin stack.

What I did not even anticipate is something articulated very well by noted Bitcoin OG Pierre Rochard: Bitcoin as a savings technology.

The ability to maintain long-term savings, practice self-discipline while stacking stats, and embrace a low-time preference was just not something on the mind of the Bitcoiners I knew at the time.

Perhaps I was reading into the hype while outwardly opposing it. Or perhaps I wasn’t humble enough to understand the true value proposition that many of us have learned years later.

In the years that followed, I bought and sold more times than I can count, and I did everything to integrate it into passion projects. I tried to set up a company using Bitcoin while at my university in Prague.

My business model depended on university students being technologically advanced enough to have a mobile wallet, own their keys, and be able to make transactions on a consistent basis. Even though I was surrounded by philosophically aligned people, those who would advance that to actually put Bitcoin into practice were sparse.

This is what led me to proclaim that “Technological Literacy is Doomed” in 2016.

And I was wrong again.

Indeed, since that time, the UX of Bitcoin-only applications, wallets, and supporting tech has vastly improved and onboarded millions more people than anyone thought possible. The entrepreneurship, coding excellence, and vision offered by Bitcoiners of all stripes have renewed a sense in me that this project is something built for us all — friends and enemies alike.

While many of us were likely distracted by flashy and pumpy altcoins over the years (me too, champs), most of us have returned to the Bitcoin stable.

Fast forward to today, there are entire ecosystems of creators, activists, and developers who are wholly reliant on the magic of Bitcoin’s protocol for their life and livelihood. The options are endless. The FUD is still present, but real proof of work stands powerfully against those forces.

In addition, there are now dozens of ways to use Bitcoin privately — still without custodians or intermediaries — that make it one of the most important assets for global humanity, especially in dictatorships.

This is all toward a positive arc of innovation, freedom, and pure independence. Did I see that coming? Absolutely not.

Of course, there are probably other shots you’ve missed on Bitcoin. Price predictions (ouch), the short-term inflation hedge, or the amount of institutional investment. While all of these may be erroneous predictions in the short term, we have to realize that Bitcoin is a long arc. It will outlive all of us on the planet, and it will continue in its present form for the next generation.

Being wrong about the evolution of Bitcoin is no fault, and is indeed part of the learning curve to finally understanding it all.

When your family or friends ask you about Bitcoin after your endless sessions explaining market dynamics, nodes, how mining works, and the genius of cryptographic signatures, try to accept that there is still so much we have to learn about this decentralized digital cash.

There are still some things you’ve gotten wrong about Bitcoin, and plenty more you’ll underestimate or get wrong in the future. That’s what makes it a beautiful journey. It’s a long road, but one that remains worth it.

@ c69b71dc:426ba763

Christ Consciousness

This text invites you to explore the deeper meaning of the winter season and the birth of Christ Consciousness—beyond religion and dogma. It is about inner reflection, spiritual insight, and the connection of body, mind, and soul, inspired by the ancient symbols of light, energy, and consciousness. Here, I highlight how the symbolism that religions and biblical texts often convey in a material sense actually holds a much deeper meaning—one that can help us awaken our life energy and unlock our full potential. Christmas is far more significant than gifts, family, food, and Christmas trees.

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice marks a turning point in the annual cycle. On December 21st, the sun reaches its southernmost point, and we experience the longest night of the year. While our physical body feels the need to rest and turn inward, our psychic and astral energies unfold. Especially between December 21st and 25th, everything seems to enter a standby mode, creating space for profound reflection and spiritual renewal. During this darkest time of the year, a kind of inner birth occurs—a birth of the spirit, conceived in the deep silence of the night. It is a moment of introspection, contemplation, and realignment.

The Twelve Holy Nights: A Time for Retreat and Reflection

With the winter solstice, the Twelve Holy Nights (Rauhnächte) begin—a mystical time between the years. These days invite us to turn inward, rest, and connect with our soul. It is a time when physical relaxation and spiritual growth go hand in hand. Advent sets the stage for this phase—each lit candle symbolically represents a chakra, starting with the lower energy centers. By the fourth Advent, the light reaches our heart chakra, a place of love, peace, and connection.

Symbolism Across Different Traditions

This energy is also reflected in Judaism: the festival of Hanukkah lasts for eight days, during which a new candle is lit each day. This practice can be seen as a symbolic journey through the chakras, gradually activating and harmonizing them. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, stands for the liberation from material and spiritual blockages, the strengthening and activation of energy centers, and the connection to the divine. We learn that there are no separations because we are the divine.

The Sacred Flow of Life: The Claustrum and Inner Alchemy

The term "Claustrum," referring to an occult area in the brain, holds deep symbolic and physical significance. The Claustrum is located between the pineal gland and the pituitary gland and secretes a special fluid known as "Christos." This fluid flows through the spinal cord down to the sacrum. The sacrum, derived from the Latin word "sacrum," meaning "sacred," represents this "sacred oil" flow. It symbolizes an inner alchemical process: nourishing the body and soul, enhancing consciousness, and bridging the physical and spiritual realms.

Interestingly, this process is depicted in ancient myths: Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, descending the chimney to deliver gifts, can be interpreted as a metaphor for the Claustrum and the flow of sacred essence. The gifts represent the awakened consciousness born from this process.

The Journey of Christ Consciousness

Christ Consciousness, often symbolized by the birth of Jesus, is understood in spiritual teachings as an internal process. The fluid from the Claustrum reaches the sacrum and then ascends to activate the pineal and pituitary glands, spreading out from there. During this process, it passes through the 33 vertebrae of the spine—a reference to the age of 33 when Jesus was crucified. During the "crucifixion" of this sacred oil, it becomes "suspended" in the region of the thalamus for two to three days before illuminating the pineal and pituitary glands. This process leads to profound spiritual renewal and heightened consciousness, often referred to as the awakening of Kundalini energy.

Nutrition and Spirituality

Our diet has a direct influence on this process. Heavy, fatty, or animal-based foods can energetically dull us and block the flow of the "sacred essence." A light, plant-based diet rich in fresh juices, sprouts, and raw foods supports energy flow and spiritual growth. Animal products, drugs, and excessive fats disrupt the process. Similarly, sexual activity with orgasm during the ascent of the sacred oil interrupts the cycle, causing the sacred energy to be lost. The pineal and pituitary glands, often referred to as the seat of the soul, are associated with the production of "manna" in spiritual traditions—a substance symbolizing milk and honey. This is also linked to Joseph and Mary or the masculine and feminine. The pineal gland secretes a honey-like substance, while the pituitary gland secretes a milk-like substance. The "land flowing with milk and honey" lies within us. We are that land. The process happens within us; there is nothing to seek outside.

The Birth of Light Within Us

In the deepest darkness lies the greatest potential for new life. Through conscious reflection, mindful nutrition, and connection with our body and mind, we can celebrate the birth of light within ourselves—a gift that helps us recognize and live our true potential.

Final Thought

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this piece. My wish is to inspire and encourage you—even amidst the calls of tradition—to carve out time to look inward, just as the natural cycle of life teaches us. It is an invitation to embark on the path of self-discovery, to grow, awaken, and let our inner light shine, ultimately leading to enlightenment. Step by step, day by day, month by month, and year by year, we allow ourselves to be guided by the wisdom of the cycle, unfolding in wondrous ways. I always welcome your feedback, thoughts, and reflections on this topic. Your input is invaluable to me and enriches the process of shared growth.

May your cycle be illuminated and filled with love 💛

@ 85cd42e2:0e6f2173

A gold stone lay on the ground, 

And very soon, it would be found. 

The forest trail began to sound. 

A scribe en route was wandering down. 

A single sunbeam glanced over the stone 

And blinded the scribe as he thumbed through his tome. 

He pushed through the brush, grabbed up the stone

And stared as its crimson lettering shone. 

The cryptic writing upon the stone 

Was not a language he'd ever known.

The scribe was a poor man but with this new treasure 

He knew he could provide for his wife forever.

He would have time to teach, write for himself, 

Help his whole village to prosper in health.

Of all the dreams that welled in his chest 

The thought of having children seemed best.

Packing the stone, he started back home 

But he did not know that he wasn't alone.

Two boys above, sat in a tree, 

Silent and thrilled, they held back their glee.

They hurried to town and told all their friends.

Word of the stone had started to spread. 

Then, one evening, asleep in his cabin, 

Something terrible began to happen. 

A pounding sound shook the scribe's little wood door. 

Out the window was someone he'd not seen before. 

A fierce-looking man with cold eyes like a shark, 

He shouted commands, his voice like a bark. 

"Open this door, Satoshi, the scribe. 

My name is Arepo. I will come inside." 

Satoshi opened the door and procured a blade. 

He was taken aback but was not afraid. 

"I've heard, in the village, you found a gold stone, 

In the east forest, near to my home. 

You know the truth, as well as do I. 

The gleaming gold stone should truly be mine. 

Now give it to me, or I'll break all your bones.

Give it up now, and I'll leave you alone." 

Satoshi, the scribe, reached down to his side, 

Drew out the stone, and he cast it aside,

"The stone is mine, thief. No one would contest, 

But it's clear that your strength isn't something to test. 

The stone is now yours, but not by my choice, 

Now listen to wisdom and heed my voice. 

Theft will always lead to regret, 

For an object stolen is a spiritual debt. 

You gain my gold, but with it, a curse 

You can never know what it's truly worth." 

The man snatched the stone off the ground with such force, 

He shook the whole house and scared his own horse. 

He gazed at that crimson writing on gold, 

And knew the stone was some magic of old. 

"I have long thought that this kingdom should taper. 

This stone came to me because of God's favor. 

Our kingdom is wicked, foolish, and odd. 

That's how I know that this stone is from God. 

The people will see this, and they'll make me king. 

Despite what you think, I will do the right thing." 

Arepo noticed Satoshi's fair wife, 

She peeked from her hiding to observe the sharp strife. 

"This scribe cannot give you the life of your dreams. 

If you ever desire to leave and be free, 

Come to the castle and live with me." 

Arepo bowed and began to depart

With the stone in his hand and hope in his heart.

The two children who told of Satoshi's great find,

Realized that they had put him in a bind. 

They meant no harm by telling the tale.

Satoshi was kind. They felt they had failed. 

They went to his cabin the very next day 

Expecting Satoshi to be in dismay. 

Satoshi was glad to see the two boys. 

He offered to carve them some new wooden toys. 

They cried at his kindness and turned to go 'way. 

He was concerned, and he told them to stay. 

"What is it, my friends, that would cause you to cry. 

I won't let you leave without telling me why." 

"It's our fault that your stone was stolen away.

We told all our friends after you left that day." 

"Oh, little ones, don't think of me. 

All that I truly love is free. 

Natural beauty, a meal, loved ones, a song; 

Life's true treasures can't be stolen for long. 

Even without a coin to my name, 

I make what I need with my hands and my brain. 

Money does not make a meaningful life. 

Believe it or not, it will often bring strife. 

Great piles of gold always bring dragons, 

Friends become scarce, and so do one's passions. 

A vibrant life, pure soul, and good friends, 

Thieves gain none of these things in the end. 

I sleep like a babe every night, 

But now Arepo must sleep with a knife. 

I've had no loss. In fact, my hopes doubled. 

It's that crimson lettering that's causing me trouble. 

I wrote it all down, for I love to write. 

I've never seen a language the like." 

He showed them his scroll, mostly for fun 

But the children could read it, either the one! 

"That is impossible, my young friends. 

I'm a master of words, and I'm at my end." 

"We can both read it, clear as the day 

Ask us in separate; we'll tell you the same." 

"That won't be needed, go on my friends. 

Tell me what's written. Please don't pretend." 

"This stone was enchanted by the Greatest of Mages. 

Passed through the gate at the top of Mount Aegis. 

Hidden from merchants, priests, and sages 

As a guide to land free from theft or invasions. 

It is obscure to those who would take it, 

Revealing itself to those able to make it. 

This cypher will guide you to that strange land. 

Pass through the gate, but leave what's in hand." 

Satoshi knew then that the gold he had tossed 

Was only a vessel for knowledge t'was lost. 

He set his resolve that very same day 

To go to this place and pass through the gate. 

Arepo became mighty; he ruled for ages. 

The stone gave power over peasants and patrons. 

He had fastened the stone to a staff and ruled all, 

From ocean to ocean, never to fall.

Even Satoshi's precious wife, 

Had left him to be with Arepo for life.

The stone had more power than he could imagine. 

He cherished and studied its magic with passion. 

Courts of wise men, prophets, and sages 

Couldn't decipher the magic stone phrases.

He fashioned the stone from his staff to a crown. 

Its power was fame, known the world 'round.

Arepo brought peace but insisted with patience 

That all of the people give homage with payments.

The king's court was so grand the fees drained from the fiefdom. 

The people had peace, but the king took their freedom. 

Till one fateful day, his power declined. 

All of the poor had stopped paying their fines.\ \ He went out to find them, to punish them all. 

In many villages, there was no one at all.

He began to hear whispers among all his pages, 

Many had fled to a different nation.

"Who could steal half my kingdom in such little time? 

Don't they know that my rule is divine?" 

At night, he was restless, and to his surprise, 

Came nightmares of Satoshi's haunting eyes. 

"This is the doing of Satoshi. I feel it inside. 

More than my people, it's him I must find."

Arepo summoned the people of the desert,

They were the most feared trackers ever.

Arepo sent them to the kingdom's corners

And offered a bounty for Satoshi, the reformer.

While they never found the scorned scribe,

They tracked the path that he took to hide.

They drew Arepo an expert map to the Black Gate of the Immortal.

They wouldn't cross that strange gate, for a spell was upon the portal.

Arepo began planning a great expedition. 

There was no stopping his inquisition.

He needed more funds from his dwindling population. 

If he couldn't get taxes, he'd just have to make them.

He used the stone to replicate gold coins, 

He gathered a band that made a great noise.

With armies and journeymen, women, and cases 

He made his way over to scale up Mount Aegis.

The rivers were wide, and the mountains were tall. 

The plains were vast, from winter to fall. 

Day by day, Arepo's army would shrink. 

"This isn't a problem," Arepo would think. 

He made more gold to double their wages 

Surely, they'd stay now. The pay was outrageous.

Arepo's army continued to leave. 

By the time they arrived, their party was three. 

One zealot believing without the king's power, 

There couldn't be peace, not for an hour. 

A priest believed that the stone was divine, 

Given by God to his chosen ally. 

The gate had a spell, and they couldn't pass by 

Without leaving their greatest possession beside. 

Arepo knew what he must leave behind. 

He hid his crown in some rocks nearby. 

The priest hesitated at the gates' mystic border, 

His greatest possession was an amulet of his order. 

He would not remove it and risk his grand rank. 

He turned back at the magical gate. 

The zealot, a dagger, a gift from the king 

He wouldn't cross over defenseless, you see. 

So Arepo alone passed through the gate 

Ready for whatever he would find in wait.

Arepo gazed out at this alien land 

And marveled at what he could not understand. 

There were no castles, banners, or steeples. 

About their business were disparate peoples. 

Beggars, slaves, tradesmen, magicians 

Worked together with no inhibitions. 

The shelters were hidden all around. 

There seemed no central city or town. 

Marvelous, truly creative, and colorful, 

Even the simplest cabins were wonderful. 

All of the people were skilled but quite odd. 

He learned that the name of this place was Karkon.

Arepo was hungry and needed provisions. 

He had brought gold to complete his mission. 

When he found merchants with food and lodging 

They laughed at his gold and sent him walking. 

In the land of Karkon, they use Edom to trade, 

A blue crystal stone that smelled of the rain. 

It couldn't be made with magic or tricks. 

When it was stolen, it shrank to a blip. 

Willingly given, Edom must be.

Not one bit was given for free. 

It weighed but an ounce and was quite hard to earn. 

A way to create it, Arepo could not learn. 

Edom had been made by hermit mages. 

That cultivated their magic through ages. 

They were called the Sons of Light. 

Despite their might, they did not fight. 

They captured lightning with practice and patience, 

Transmuted the light into something to trade with. 

The land was transformed by what they had made. 

Honest work was the only way to a day's wage. 

Governments could not confiscate from their patrons. 

War had to be funded by people's own wages. 

Violence helped little in taking from others 

So all work together, one with another. 

All did contribute, and with less corruption 

They built and they built, almost no interruption.

So Arepo worked on a farm for some time.

He knew he'd need Edom if Satoshi he'd find.

He learned in Karkon that there was no king, 

But there was a clairvoyant who knew many things. 

He lived in a grove, known for despair. 

Arepo set out to meet him there.

When Arepo found him, he was chilled to the bone. 

The wise man lived like a dog all alone.

He was cloaked in wool, with eyes of red. 

Arepo approached with a great deal of dread. 

"My name-"

"You are Arepo. I know who you are. 

I know you have traveled exceptionally far. 

You come in search of Satoshi, the scribe. 

He's a man that the lowly can't find. 

He is the keeper, the keeper of gates. 

If you plan to catch him, then it is up to the fates." 

"Surely you know the place that he stays. 

Please, do not send me away in dismay."

"To go to Satoshi would take you a lifetime, 

But you dare to ask twice, so I'll give you a lifeline. 

If you are sincere, and you call him by name 

He may appear despite your great shame." \ \ Arepo departed deeper into the grove. 

He schemed and thought through all magic he'd known.

He searched that vast land, and several a time, 

Got near, but Satoshi he never could find. 

After some years, his spirit was broken. 

He remembered the words the clairvoyant had spoken. 

He whispered, "Satoshi", at last understanding 

Satoshi's magic he had no hope of matching. 

As sure as the clairvoyant had told him before 

A gate had appeared, like a mystical door. 

It was silent as death, and from this strange portal 

Satoshi stepped forth, looking less like a mortal. 

Arepo wept as Satoshi stood by. 

"Teach me your ways; do not cast me aside. 

The first time we met, I took what was yours, 

You toppled my kingdom with such little force." 

Satoshi looked down with a placid gaze. 

"I cannot teach you the power of gates. 

It was gifted to me by one greater than I, 

But I can show you what you cannot find. 

If you are ready, follow me through this gate.

I will take you to your kingdom of late."

The two passed through to Arepo's old kingdom.

Arepo looked up to see who would greet them. 

The land was now laden with gold all around; 

Golden buildings, gold even lay on the ground.

Almost too magnificent for the eye to behold, 

It occurred to Arepo that this was all of his gold.

The gold he had stockpiled, the gold that he made, 

So abundant they used it for cobblestone pave.

The city was silent, abandoned by all. 

There was no bustling or presence at all.

There was no music or food scent in the air. 

There was no culture, market, or fair.

Gold was all that this grand city now had. 

The people thought there'd be nothing to add.

All became rich, but with no one to work, 

It became a golden prison for the mad to lurk. 

"I did nothing at all after crossing your borders, 

It was your cursed gold that brought about this order. 

The power you gained from that mystical stone, 

Gave you all things but left you alone. 

It gave you no meaning, for you searched for me, 

Instead of pursuing what could make you free. 

Firstly, you must learn to love all others, 

All things you have, have come from another. 

Secondly, you must understand your purpose, 

Without a purpose, all power is worthless. 

Lastly, with unwavering stoic resolve, 

Master your skill until it serves all." 

They passed through the portal, back to the journey's start 

With nothing in hand and gold in their hearts.

Arepo felt free now from power and fear. 

Trinkets and gold brought him no cheer.

Leaving his stone in the crook of Mount Aegis,

He pursued inner power, true and courageous.

Known by many as "Arepo the Might",

He use his great strength to build something right.

Building upon a foundation of gold,

He couldn't have imagined what would unfold.

He found his wife and brought her to Karkon,

He restored many things that he once thought were gone.

He found a small village and lived a pure life, 

Diligent, patient, avoiding vain strife. 

He worked, and he worked until one fateful day, 

He discovered work that felt like play. 

He became a grandmaster, a maker of clocks. 

So great was his work it left others in shock. 

His clocks were so masterful they could conjure odd spells, 

Some could turn back time itself. 

Yet, with this new power, he made no great play 

To conquer the world, he left it this way. 

In the end, Arepo discovered true wealth 

Was not gold or power, but life, family, and health.

@ ec42c765:328c0600

この記事は前回の内容を把握している人向けに書いています（特にNostrエクステンション（NIP-07）導入）

前回：Nostrのカスタム絵文字の使い方

手順

1. 登録する画像を用意する
2. 画像をweb上にアップロードする
3. 絵文字セットに登録する

1. 登録する画像を用意する

以下のような方法で用意してください。

• 画像編集ソフト等を使って自分で作成する
• 絵文字作成サイトを使う（絵文字ジェネレーター、MEGAMOJI など）
• フリー画像を使う（いらすとや など）

データ量削減

Nostrでは画像をそのまま表示するクライアントが多いので、データ量が大きな画像をそのまま使うとモバイル通信時などに負担がかかります。

データ量を増やさないためにサイズやファイル形式を変更することをおすすめします。

以下は私のおすすめです。 * サイズ：正方形 128×128 ピクセル、長方形 任意の横幅×128 ピクセル * ファイル形式：webp形式（webp変換おすすめサイト toimg） * 単色、単純な画像の場合：png形式（webpにするとむしろサイズが大きくなる）

その他

• 背景透過画像
• ダークモード、ライトモード両方で見やすい色

がおすすめです。

2. 画像をweb上にアップロードする

よく分からなければ emojito からのアップロードで問題ないです。
普段使っている画像アップロード先があるならそれでも構いません。
気になる方はアップロード先を適宜選んでください。

既に投稿されたカスタム絵文字の画像に対して

• 削除も差し替えもできない → emojito など
• 削除できるが差し替えはできない → Gyazo、nostrcheck.meなど
• 削除も差し替えもできる → GitHub 、セルフホスティングなど

これらは既にNostr上に投稿されたカスタム絵文字の画像を後から変更できるかどうかを指します。
どの方法でも新しく使われるカスタム絵文字を変更することは可能です。
同一のカスタム絵文字セットに同一のショートコードで別の画像を登録する形で対応できます。

3. 絵文字セットに登録する

emojito から登録します。

右上のアイコン → + New emoji set から新規の絵文字セットを作成できます。

① 絵文字セット名を入力

基本的にカスタム絵文字はカスタム絵文字セットを作り、ひとまとまりにして登録します。

一度作った絵文字セットに後から絵文字を追加することもできます。

② 画像をアップロードまたは画像URLを入力

emojitoから画像をアップロードする場合、ファイル名に日本語などの2バイト文字が含まれているとアップロードがエラーになるようです。

その場合はファイル名を適当な英数字などに変更してください。

③ 絵文字のショートコードを入力

ショートコードは絵文字を呼び出す時に使用する場合があります。

他のカスタム絵文字と被っても問題ありませんが選択時に複数表示されて支障が出る可能性があります。

他と被りにくく長くなりすぎないショートコードが良いかもしれません。

ショートコードに使えるのは半角の英数字とアンダーバーのみです。

④ 追加

Add を押してもまだ作成完了にはなりません。

一度に絵文字を複数登録できます。

最後に右上の Save を押すと作成完了です。

画面が切り替わるので、右側の Options から Bookmark を選択するとそのカスタム絵文字セットを自分で使えるようになります。

既存の絵文字セットを編集するには Options から Edit を選択します。

以上です。

---

仕様

NIP-30 Custom Emoji

NIP-30 カスタム絵文字（和訳）

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

We are in the season of Christmas and busy fulfilling all of our Christmas traditions. We put up Christmas decorations, sing Christmas songs, buy Christmas presents, and plan big Christmas meals, but we are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ. We are supposed to be celebrating God made flesh — our Creator becoming His creation to reconcile them to Himself.

If you care about your relationship with Jesus, you may wonder, “Are all of these Christmas traditions good or bad?” In most cases, I think the answer is “It depends.” Are you using Christmas traditions to celebrate Jesus and point yourself and others to Him or have the traditions themselves become the focus?

Let’s look at some Christmas traditions and see how we might use them to point us to Jesus instead of distracting us from Him.

Christmas Music

1And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,\ And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:13-14)

There is a lot of Christmas music to choose from, but some is more honoring to God than others. Do you spend your time listening to songs like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” or “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” or do you spend your time listening to songs like “O Holy Night,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “Little Town of Bethlehem,” or “Mary Did You Know?” There isn’t anything inherently wrong with the first type, but the second type is much more honoring to Jesus and will focus our minds on what Jesus did for us.

By listening to Christmas music that points us to Jesus, we honor Him, refocus our own lives, and point others to Him. When we listen to Christmas music that focuses on Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, or just the season of winter, we distract people from the true meaning of Christmas. Listening to Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” isn’t a problem (and I enjoy it very much), but focus on the Christmas Carols that point us to Jesus. You won’t regret it.

Christmas Decorations (Lights)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

I love Christmas decorations and especially Christmas lights. I’ll admit it. This year we even decided we are going to leave the lights up through January because the lights are so cheerful during the dark part of the year when we spend so much time in darkness. The question we should ask ourselves is “Are we just focused on the decorations and lights or are we focused on Jesus?”

Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the light in the darkness. It is appropriate to use lights to celebrate Jesus, but do we focus on the lights or are the lights focusing our thoughts on Jesus? My new Christmas resolution is to remember to thank Jesus for being the light of the world every time I look at the Christmas lights.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Are your Christmas decorations things that point to Jesus or things that point to human tradition like Santa, reindeer, Frosty, etc.? We should aim to have more of our decorations point to Jesus.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that many of our Christian decorations can even be based on tradition rather than actual Biblical inerrancy. Most nativity sets have 3 wise men. Although this error isn’t something to get legalistic about, it is something to be aware of.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, (Matthew 2:1)

Traditionally the magi have been called wise men, but nobody knows 100% who the magi were. They also assume there were 3 of them because of the 3 gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Based on the uproar that they caused in Jerusalem, it was probably a huge caravan. You’ll also notice that they arrived in Jerusalem “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem.” They then consulted King Herod. King Herod consulted the Jewish leaders to figure out that the Messiah was expected to be born in Bethlehem, and then they traveled to Bethlehem to find Jesus. It isn’t clear how long after Jesus’s birth the Magi showed up, but they definitely weren’t there that first Christmas morning.

Because of this, my husband sets up our main nativity set (that his parents got in Israel) in our living room and sets up the 3 wise men and the camel in our guest bedroom (on the East side of the house). It is his way of supporting the true Christmas story and not just the traditions of men.

Our Christmas tree isn’t just stuff relating to Jesus and the Christmas story. Most of our tree decorations are things for which we are thankful to Jesus. We have ornaments with family pictures. We have handmade ornaments made by the women of our church that were given to us when our house burnt down. We have ornaments from most of the trips we have gone on. We have a few sentimental family ornaments that were given to us when my husband’s mom died. Every time I look at my tree, I am grateful for all of these things. They aren’t just generic decorations. They are memories. I also have an ornament with a picture of my son’s teacher’s autistic son who snuck away and was killed in a blizzard. Every time I see the ornament, I pray for his family who misses him so much. I’d like to think that this tree of blessings is honoring to my God and my Savior.

Christmas Dinner

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) {emphasis mine}

This passage is about the Passover celebration and Jesus’s command to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him. I think it is likewise appropriate to celebrate His birth with a meal. As in most things, what makes it honoring to Jesus is how we do Christmas dinner rather than whether we do it or not.

The below passage is about celebrating the Lord’s supper in an inappropriate way, but I will try to apply it to Christmas dinner.

Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. (1 Corinthians 11:20-22)

Is Christmas dinner just about stuffing ourselves with good food or is it about more? Is it about fellowship with friends and family? Is it about gratefulness for what Jesus did for us? Is it about benefitting others?

For most of our marriage, we have alternated celebrating Christmas at my parent’s house and my husband’s parents house, but a couple of times recently, due to different circumstances, we have celebrated Christmas in our own home, and we will be doing it again this year. We’ll celebrate with my family after Christmas, and we celebrated with my husband’s family at Thanksgiving.

Our new tradition is to invite some people over to join us for Christmas dinner if we are celebrating at our home. We invite people from our church that are an older couple with no family nearby, a widow, or a single that is not near family. We invite people who would not have much of a celebration on their own. It has been such a blessing being able to bless others who don’t have family, are in financial hardship, or have physical trouble cooking a big meal.

Whether you are fellowshipping with family or ministering to those who have less than you, Christmas dinner can definitely be a God honoring part of your Christmas traditions.

Christmas Presents

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15) {emphasis mine}

Too often we can get so obsessed with the buying and receiving of gifts that we forget the greatest gift of all — the gift of our Savior Jesus.

My 17 year old son has Down Syndrome. He really likes gifts, especially electronics, like tablets, radios, and phones. Unfortunately, he also isn’t very gentle with them and usually has broken or lost most of them by the time Christmas comes along. This often leads to him obsessing about the gifts that he thinks he deserves.

When we celebrated Christmas with my husband’s family at Thanksgiving, he got a nice keyboard that he had requested. He did not, however, get the radio or tablet he wanted. As we were driving home he demanded, “Where is my radio? Where is my tablet? Where is it?” Instead of being grateful for his very generous gift, a gift that he requested, he was upset that he hadn’t gotten everything he wanted. He focused on stuff and not people. He focused on receiving and not giving. He focused on earthly things instead of Jesus. Too often we all do.

But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:15-17) {emphasis mine}

Just as Jesus gave His life for us, it is good for us to give to others, but we always need to have the gift giving process be focused on Jesus and not the stuff. We always need to be thankful for what we have and receive and not what we don’t have and haven’t received.

On Christmas morning, before opening gifts, we always read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and the story of the magi from Matthew 2. We then sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, to remind us all of the purpose of Christmas and of the greatest gift we have received. I’m also wanting to start a new tradition at Christmas: Before each person opens a gift, they must thank Jesus for one blessing in their life. I think this will change the focus from greed and getting to gratefulness for what we have already received.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-9) {emphasis mine}

Jesus gave us His all. We also need to consider what we can give to those who can’t give back, just as we can’t ever repay Jesus for what He did for us. Is there a family you know that is having a rough year financially or health wise that you could bless with a meal or gifts or help with bills? Is there a charity that will share the gospel and meet the physical needs of those who are alone, broke, and addicted that you can donate to? Maybe your kids have lots of toys and are about to get more and you can donate some that are in good condition to a Christian charity that can get those toys to kids who won’t receive any. Maybe money is tight, but you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or do some yard chores for a widow. I don’t know your personal circumstances or the circumstances of where you are and those around you, but think about finding some way to bless someone less fortunate than you.

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:8-11) {emphasis mine}

There are lots of movies, songs, and TV shows that talk about the spirit of Christmas and the love of Christmas. Let’s make sure we show love and share Jesus with the people around us. They tend to be much more open to Jesus during Christmas. Let’s make sure we make the most of Christmas.

To God be the Glory!

Trust Jesus.

FYI, Because everyone is busy at Christmas, I will be posting my short Wednesday post (Christmas) on Tuesday evening (Christmas Eve) so that people can have time to read the post before Christmas and it will hopefully help you to have the right mindset on Christmas.

FYI, to learn more about my books “Why I Need Jesus” (available in paperback and ebook) and “Joy in the Storm” (in editing and hopefully out in a month or two.) see my books page.

@ 5af07946:98fca8c4

On the surface, it appears the contest is between the old guard and the new innovation.

Old seeks to maintain a status quo to ensure a safe passage of their knowledge (wealth) to the new. And the new knows the old as a dependable trustee. The shift, however, must happen, and it needs a trigger - something unwarranted - a mishap to break the umbilical cord. Bigger the ensuing shift, bigger the mishap.

In a way, the mishap marks the beginning of the transition - start of a new time. It is a gun shot to initialize the race. The battle begins at this moment amongst many variants of "new". In fact, many new possibilities crop up to capitalize the opportunity. Having recognized the inevitable, they all stake their claim to being righteous and thus the earnest representation of truth. This happens over and over again as in "history repeats itself". There are many examples[^history] in our recent past though a keen observers may see them in their own backyard.

They occur for the consciousness must evolve to understand the nature of unity[^unit] - the smallest common factor. A mishap is thus a mere setback before the hitherto slow breeding innovations sling into top gear. Such triggers, driven by imperceptible evolution of consciousness are said to be caused by Prarbdha.

Prarbdha, a Sanskrit word, means something that had already begun. It ties together the past, present and the future - the continuum Bramh. In that it also means "fate", because the fate had commenced before the material event physically occurred.

[^history]: Battles between old and new in recent history: - IBM was the old. Microsoft and Apple battled for superiority in computing as contenders for new leadership title. For an observes in late 80s it appeared as if big blue is fighting Apple (and later Microsoft) but that was just a trigger. The real battle was between Apple and Microsoft. - Laptop was old, the newcomers iOS and Android are battling for superiority in mobile computing. For quite some time it felt like mobile devices were the PC killers, but the truth is battle is never between the old and the new. It is always among many new contenders. - It appears as big oil is at odds with the EVs or the hydrogen fuel cells. Though the truth is fossil fuel industry will be the biggest investors in sustainable future - because they know first hand about the shift. Sustainable energy is the opportunity for refiners because someone needs to do the work, and they are best positioned to take advantage of this massive opportunity. The real battle is among Solar, Wind , Nuclear and Hydrogen. - Gold is old. It appears that bitcoin is trying to replace Gold. But that is not true. The real battle is with in Cryptos - BTC vs Ether vs Sol vs so many other possibilities. When the dust settles, we will see Gold has its own role to play just like laptop has its own role to play in the increasingly mobile world.

[^unit]: A unit is an immutable part of any measurement. Easy examples - a meter is an immutable unit of length. A kilo is an immutable unit of weight. A unit is part of every measurement - it lends meaning to what is being measured - it is implicit in what is being measured. It is a multiplication that outputs exactly what is being measured. - Little harder example - Number “1” is the unit of multiplication itself. It is there inbuilt into every number (even zero) . It never changes the number when multiplied -> a unit when multiplied with what is being measured , must stay inert - never change the measurement ! But you can't measure anything without a unit … no number exists without "1" - Hard question - What is the unit of consciousness ? By definition, it must be 1) immutable 2) part of every conscious being. 3) must stay inert. - In Vaidik science , Atma is defined as the unit of consciousness. It is immutable, inert and essential. For humans, understanding Atma is as hard as understanding number 1 for say number 8.

@ 42342239:1d80db24

Knappheit statt Slogans: eine Dosis ökonomischer Realität für die politischen Debatten

Die EU-Wirtschaft steht vor zahlreichen Herausforderungen, von hohen Energiekosten bis hin zu geringer Produktivität. Doch hinter der offiziellen Rhetorik verbirgt sich eine Annahme, die kaum hinterfragt wird: dass der grüne Wandel automatisch zu Wirtschaftswachstum und mehr Wohlstand führen wird. Aber stimmt das wirklich?

Eine englische Fassung dieses Textes finden Sie hier.

In Deutschland, das wieder einmal das Etikett „Kranker Mann Europas" tragen muss, kämpft Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz vor der Wahl im Februar mit alarmierend niedrigen Vertrauenswerten. Aber vielleicht ist das gar nicht so überraschend. ****Die deutsche Industrieproduktion ist rückläufig, seit die grüne Agenda in Mode gekommen ist. ****Die energieintensive Produktion ist in nur wenigen Jahren um ganze 20 Prozent zurückgegangen. Volkswagen schließt Fabriken, Thyssenkrupp entlässt massiv Mitarbeiter und mehr als drei Millionen Rentner sind von Armut bedroht .

Wenn dies Europas „Mann auf dem Mond"-Moment ist, wie EU-Kommissarin von der Leyen ****es 2019 ausdrückte ****, dann ist das nicht viel, womit man angeben kann . Zumindest nicht, wenn man kein Sadist ist.

Der Bericht des ehemaligen EZB-Chefs Mario Draghi über die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der EU wurde bereits früher diskutiert. Eines der Probleme, auf die hingewiesen wurde, war, dass europäische Unternehmen erheblich höhere Energiekosten haben als ihre amerikanischen Konkurrenten. Die Strompreise sind zwei- bis dreimal so hoch und die Erdgaspreise vier- bis fünfmal so hoch.

Deutschland ist vielleicht am schlimmsten dran, was zum Teil an der Entscheidung der ehemaligen Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel liegt, vollständig aus der Atomkraft auszusteigen (eine Entscheidung, die nicht nur keine breite Unterstützung fand , sondern die sie auch nicht als Fehler eingestehen will). Die Sabotage der Nord Stream 2 hat die Situation noch verschlimmert.

Ohne Realkapital kein wirtschaftlicher Wohlstand

Der Ausstieg aus der Atomenergie in Deutschland ist ein Beispiel dafür, wie politische Entscheidungen zur Verringerung der Kapazität der Wirtschaft beigetragen haben. Dasselbe gilt für die Sabotage der Nord Stream. Realkapital, wie Gebäude, Maschinen und Ausrüstung, ist für die Produktivität der Wirtschaft von entscheidender Bedeutung (z. B. Kennzahlen wie das BIP pro Arbeitsstunde). Ein größerer und effizienterer Kapitalstock ermöglicht die Herstellung von mehr Waren und Dienstleistungen mit der gleichen Menge an Arbeit, was zu mehr Produktion, höheren Löhnen und größerem materiellen Wohlstand führt. Das ist grundlegende Ökonomie. ****Wenn andererseits Realkapital aufgrund politischer Entscheidungen für obsolet erklärt wird, wie im Fall der Abschaltung der Atomkraft, verringert dies die Kapazität der Wirtschaft. ****Dasselbe gilt, wenn Realkapital zerstört wird, wie dies bei Nord Stream der Fall war.

Weiteres reales Betriebskapital wird zurückgestellt

EU-Kommissarin von der Leyen verspricht Besserung. Sie scheint überzeugt, dass der Niedergang der EU durch eine Verdreifachung der grünen Ziele des Blocks umgekehrt werden kann, und hat die Dekarbonisierung als eine der drei wichtigsten Säulen eines neuen „Wettbewerbsfähigkeitskompasses" aufgeführt. Wenn die Realität nicht den Erwartungen entspricht, kann man immer noch „Strg+Alt+Slogan" drücken und hoffen, dass niemand merkt, dass sich nichts verbessert hat.

Ihre Pläne bedeuten jedoch, dass bestehendes und derzeit funktionierendes Realkapital in Zukunft in noch größerem Umfang abgeschrieben wird. Dies lässt sich mit einer Nation vergleichen, die Jahr für Jahr ihre Naturschutzgebiete schrittweise erweitert. Tatsächlich geschieht dies auch. Der Kunming-Montreal-Rahmen für die Artenvielfalt sieht vor, dass bis 2030 30 % aller Flächen an Land und im Meer geschützt werden müssen. Ein Land, das derzeit weniger schützt, muss daher zusätzliche Gebiete identifizieren, die geschützt werden können. ****Der Prozess, 30 % aller Flächen zu schützen, wird wahrscheinlich das Produktionspotenzial der Wirtschaft verringern. ****Mit schrumpfenden Feldern wird es weniger Karotten geben (es sei denn, es werden bedeutende technologische Fortschritte erzielt).

Konsequenzen für Sicherheitspolitik und -vorsorge

Auf dem derzeitigen Weg wird mehr Realkapital auf die lange Bank geschoben, was weitreichende Folgen haben kann, nicht zuletzt für unsere Sicherheitspolitik. Wenn Russland beispielsweise Artilleriegeschosse etwa dreimal schneller produzieren kann, und zwar zu Kosten, die etwa ein Viertel der Kosten betragen, die die westlichen Verbündeten der Ukraine dafür aufbringen , dann ist klar, dass dies sicherheitspolitische Konsequenzen hat. Ebenso wird es negative sicherheitspolitische Konsequenzen haben, wenn die Strompreise in Deutschland fünfmal höher sind als in China, was derzeit der Fall ist . Im Vergleich zur EU hat China tatsächlich einen höheren Kohlendioxidausstoß pro Kopf, wobei der Unterschied den ****verfügbaren Daten zufolge etwa 50 % beträgt ****. Bereinigt um den internationalen Handel emittiert China pro Kopf 10 % mehr als Schweden .

Auch eine Perspektive der Vorsorge ist zu finden. Anfang der 1990er Jahre produzierten schwedische Landwirte fast 75 % der Nahrungsmittel des Landes. Heute ist Schwedens Bevölkerung deutlich gewachsen, aber die Nahrungsmittelproduktion hat nicht Schritt gehalten. Jeder zweite Bissen wird heute importiert. In Schweden können wir uns sogar rühmen, dass wir uns nicht einmal mit der einfachsten aller Feldfrüchte versorgen können -- Kartoffeln . Können wir wirklich sicher sein, dass deutlich erweiterte Naturschutzgebiete, wie sie im Kunming-Montreal-Rahmenwerk für Schweden vorgeschrieben sind, unsere Nahrungsmittelvorsorge nicht noch weiter verschlechtern werden?

Erinnert an kleine Gnome

Ich erinnere mich an eine Folge der 90er-Jahre-Serie South Park, in der kleine Gnome Unterhosen sammeln . Als sie nach ihrem Plan gefragt wurden, beschrieben sie ihre Methode:

1. Unterhosen sammeln
2. ???
3. profitieren!

Übersetzt auf die grüne **Energiewende **:

1. reales Kapital zerstören und Land und Meer erhalten
2. ???
3. wirtschaftlicher Wohlstand!

Was kann sich die EU wirklich leisten?

In der Wirtschaft geht es im Grunde um die Verwaltung knapper Ressourcen, was viele Menschen offenbar vergessen haben. Es ist höchste Zeit, zu hinterfragen, was sich die EU wirklich leisten kann. Können wir es uns wirklich leisten, uns für einen Krieg gegen Russland, China und den Iran zu rüsten und uns gleichzeitig mit grünen Versprechen von reduzierten Kohlendioxidemissionen und erhöhter Artenvielfalt selbst die Hände zu binden? Und das in einer Situation, in der die nächste US-Regierung wahrscheinlich massiv in die Steigerung ihrer Wettbewerbsvorteile durch Deregulierung, niedrigere Energiepreise, Steuersenkungen und einen Rückzug aus dem Pariser Abkommen investieren wird ?

Als von der Leyen für das deutsche Militär verantwortlich war, sei die Lage " katastrophal " gewesen. Alle sechs U-Boote des Landes waren außer Gefecht gesetzt . Zeitweise war kein einziges der 14 Transportflugzeuge des Landes flugfähig. Bei Übungen mussten deutsche Soldaten Besen statt Gewehren verwenden .

Hoffentlich wird von der Leyen in ihrem Umgang mit der Wirtschaft, der Verteidigung und der Abwehrbereitschaft der EU mehr Erfolg zeigen als in ihrer Rolle als deutsche Verteidigungsministerin. Es könnte jedoch auch an der Zeit sein, dass mehr Menschen die vorherrschenden Narrative, die unsere Politik prägen, in Frage stellen. Was, wenn die Fakten nicht ganz mit der Wahrheit übereinstimmen, die uns erzählt wird?

@ 03742c20:2df9aa5d

วันนี้เราจะลองมาติดตั้ง Lnbits โดยใช้ funding source เป็น Albyhub ผ่าน NWC

ในบทนี้จะใช้งาน Docker เป็นหลักแต่ก็สามารถทำตามได้ง่าย ๆ

Lnbits

Lnbits คืออะไร open-source lightning wallet ที่มีฟังก์ชั่นมากมายเหมาะสำหรับสายนักพัฒนา ฟิวเจอร์ที่โดดเด่นอย่างระบบ POS ที่ช่วยอำนวยความสะดวกให้กับร้านค้าหรือว่าจะเป็น API ที่นำไปต่อยอดในตู้หยอดเหรียญต่าง ๆ

วิธีติดตั้ง

เราต้องติดตั้ง Albyhub ก่อน

สร้างโฟลเดอร์ Albyhub mkdir alby-hub เข้าไปในโฟลเดอร์ alby-hub cd alby-hub สร้าง docker-compose.yml ไฟล์ nano docker-compose.yml services: albyhub: platform: linux/amd64 container_name: albyhub image: ghcr.io/getalby/hub:latest volumes: - ./albyhub-data:/data ports: - "8080:8080" environment: - WORK_DIR=/data/albyhub - LOG_EVENTS=true สั่งรัน Albyhub sudo docker compose up -d sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp comment 'Allow alby hub’

แค่นี้เราได้ Albyhub ใช้งานแล้ว เข้า http://localhost:8080 set-up ให้เรียบร้อย

ซื้อ LSP 2m sat ผมแนะนำของ LNserver ราคาประมาณ 13xxx sat

มาติดตั้ง Lnbits กันต่อ

สร้างโฟลเดอร์ Lnbits mkdir lnbits เข้าไปในโฟลเดอร์ Lnbits cd lnbits ดาวน์โหลดไฟล์ .env wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lnbits/lnbits/main/.env.example -O .env สร้างโฟลเดอร์เก็บข้อมูล mkdir data ดาวน์โหลด image lnbits docker pull lnbits/lnbits สั่งรัน Lnbits docker run --detach --publish 5000:5000 --name lnbits --volume ${PWD}/.env:/app/.env --volume ${PWD}/data/:/app/data lnbits/lnbits sudo ufw allow 5000/tcp comment 'Allow lnbits’ แค่นี้ได้ Lnbits ใช้งานแล้ว เข้า http://localhost:5000 set-up ให้เรียบร้อย

ตั้งค่า funding source ของ Lnbits server > funding > funding source > เลือก Nostr wallet connect

เปิด Albyhub จากนั้นไปที่ App Store เลือก Friends & Family

ตั้งชื่อและกดสร้าง Subaccount

ไปที่ Other NWC applications คลิก Copy

กลับมาที่ Lnbits วาง URL NWC

คลิก SAVE และ RESTART SERVER

แค่นี้ทุกอย่างพร้อมใช้งานแล้ว

อ่านข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมได้ที่ Lnbits: https://github.com/lnbits/lnbits Albyhub: https://github.com/getAlby/hub

หวังว่าบทความจะเป็นแนวทางในการติดตั้งที่ง่ายสำหรับทุกคนหากผิดพลาดประการใดคอมเม้นท์พูดคุยแนะนำได้ครับ

ขอบคุณทุกคนที่แวะมาอ่าน ไว้เจอกันไหม่

Siamstr

@ 3ffac3a6:2d656657

In a small, quiet town nestled between rolling hills, there lived a boy named Ravi. Ravi was resourceful, hardworking, and had a knack for finding ways to support his family. His mother, a widow who worked tirelessly as a seamstress, inspired Ravi to pitch in wherever he could. His latest venture was ironing clothes for neighbors.

With his trusty old iron and a rickety wooden table, Ravi turned a small corner of their modest home into a makeshift laundry service. By day, he attended school and played with his friends, but in the evenings, he transformed into the “Iron Boy,” smoothing out wrinkles and earning a few precious coins.

One night, orders piled up after a local wedding had left everyone with wrinkled formalwear. Determined to finish, Ravi worked well past his usual bedtime. The warm glow of the lamp cast long shadows across the room as he focused on the rhythmic hiss of steam escaping the iron.

Just as the clock struck midnight, a soft clop-clop echoed from outside. Ravi froze, the iron hovering mid-air. The sound grew louder until it stopped right outside his window.

A deep, resonant voice broke the silence. “Didn’t your mother tell you not to be ironing clothes late at night?”

Ravi’s heart jumped into his throat. He turned slowly to the window, and his eyes widened. Standing there, framed by the moonlight, was a horse—a magnificent creature with a shimmering coat and a mane that seemed to ripple like liquid silver. Its dark eyes sparkled with an otherworldly light, and its lips moved as it spoke.

“W-who are you?” Ravi stammered, clutching the iron like a shield.

The horse tilted its head. “Names are not important. But you should know that ironing past midnight stirs things best left undisturbed.”

“Things? What things?” Ravi asked, his curiosity momentarily overriding his fear.

The horse snorted softly, a sound that almost resembled a chuckle. “Spirits. Shadows. Call them what you will. They grow restless in the heat of the iron at night. You don’t want to invite them in.”

Ravi glanced at the clothes piled on the table, then back at the horse. “But I need to finish these. People are counting on me.”

The horse’s eyes softened, and it stepped closer to the window. “Your dedication is admirable, but heed my warning. For tonight, let it be. Finish in the morning.”

Before Ravi could reply, the horse reared slightly, its silver mane glinting in the moonlight. With a final, cryptic look, it trotted off into the darkness, leaving Ravi staring after it in stunned silence.

The next morning, Ravi woke to find his mother standing at the table, finishing the last of the ironing. “You were so tired, I thought I’d help,” she said with a smile.

Ravi hesitated, then decided not to mention the midnight visitor. But from that day on, he made sure to finish his ironing before nightfall.

Though he never saw the horse again, he sometimes heard the faint clop-clop of hooves in the distance, as if reminding him of that strange, magical night. And in his heart, he carried the lesson that some tasks are best left for the light of day.

@ 7776c32d:45558888

I am still more censored than I was when Aaron Swartz was alive. For nostr to resist censorship, it would need a way for intellectuals to find each other and not be drowned out by anti-intellectual screeching.

Nostr is currently so anti-intellectual that this propagandist gets multiple likes, probably enough to be in trending feeds, for a post (she's reposted herself) pretending the word "car" is the best example she can think of for media bias today.

Meanwhile, I get no engagement for bringing a valuable infographic about media bias over from X.

The same incoherent propagandist gets multiple likes on a post lying about Hawk Tuah token. She doesn't quote post my prior post about the same topic to give credit to me as a faster news reporter, because she knows I am not a fake news reporter, meaning I will correct her misinformation, and indeed my post already contradicts some of it (the part about Haliey herself being sued).

Notice the lack of likes on my replies calling out her misinformation; and also none on my earlier, more accurate post about the same topic. The dishonest propaganda gets all the likes while the actual reporting on the same topic, faster, gets none.

When I've called out this retard's lies on the same topic in the past, getting almost no engagement has been the norm, but it's been negative engagement overall.

Here's her and some reply guy gaslighting me and, as always, she did not follow up to actually address my points, apologize, or hold any attempt at genuine, good-faith discussion in general.

It's not like I'm cherry picking. Let's look at the statistics.

According to nostr.band this anti-intellectual dickhead has reposted 33 events (from 8 other npubs), and her posts have been reposted 666 times. I have reposted 367 events (from 214 other npubs), and mine have been reposted 108 times.

But enough about her.

The #pandemic hashtag has gone from being full of pandemic deniers to having more people talking about the next pandemic - bird flu - while still nobody on that hashtag is using nostr to talk about COVID, the ongoing pandemic we still have.

nostr:nevent1qqs9gvuhvphwvxm96zl58ygxdp3w8jjpyl2hqhg0j2xhxfms73qls8sw7yhx3

I have stood for well over a year as the only person in the group of English speakers smart enough to understand the importance of both the pandemic and decentralized digital networks. That's so fucking depressing, enraging, and terrifying to me.

This shit makes me bloodthirsty. Luckily I can get away with killing people sometimes; and more often, inconveniencing them, by stealing essential parts from the boxes of products they'll buy, or cutting them off in traffic, or other things like that, to vent my disdain for my fellow humans.

People lie so much, the main comfort for me has been the brief time when Digit considered me a friend; she who seemed to also kinda see through all the lies.

You know what's stopping me from hurting anyone right now? The hope that Digit is still alive, and I keep thinking about this thread, where she was mentioned.

Someone showed curiosity about her, and someone else said "thank you (and Digit) so much." That "thank you and Digit" has been keeping me going on less toxic energy for those few days.

@ fcb65172:87f3c4ed

Cities on return are often strange\ Yeah, and now\ Every time you blink, you feel it change\ And it's been\ A long, a long, a long, a long, long-long\ You've been my\ Favourite for a while

So sings Grian Chatten, lead singer of the Irish punk band Fontaines D.C (look them up and thank me later), in the fourth verse of their song Favourite– my favourite track released in 2024. As a world traveller who has called quite a few places home during the past 10 years I can relate to these lyrics on so many levels.

It just so happens that I recently came back to La Paz, Bolivia– a city I used to call home. But so many things about the city has changed. Most notably with old friends of mine.

Some old friends have turned out to reveal themselves as crooks, and you guessed it, some of the people who had been painted, in my mind, as crooks– well it just so turns out that they have revealed themselves as the good guys. I’m reminded of Warren Buffet’s line: Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked. The time away from La Paz has given me time to reflect on my two and a half years living here. The time component acts as the tide in Buffet’s great quote– Allowing me to filter through all the noise and focus on what is real. Or should I say who of my old friends were the real friends and who were the crooks– swimming naked all the time.

My Story with La Paz

I first arrived in La Paz in 2018 as a 22 year old boy looking for a place in South America to live. La Paz was where I met my wife. La Paz is where I bought my first business– a pub in the tourist area. La Paz is where I learned to deal with corrupt city council workers. La Paz is in many ways where I grew from a boy to a man.

A Young 22 Year old naive version of me in La Paz

Fast forward to December 2024 as I’m back in the city for the first time in two years. Walking the colourful and chaotic streets of La Paz, brings back all the memories. The street corner where a young naive Sebastian bought his first gram of pure Bolivian Marching Powder– That shit will pick you right up by the bootstraps, but do to proceed with care, I don’t have enough available fingers to count the amount of people who I’ve seen lose their lives to the Marching Powder of Bolivia. If you aren’t careful it will become the only thing you live for.

I jump on a cable car– La Paz’s metro system which flies across the city, up and down the mountains, connecting all neighbourhoods with the city centre. I head to what used to be my local park and viewpoint. This is where I would always come to read a book or listen to podcasts whilst enjoying the stunning view of Illimani– the mountain guarding La Paz. Most importantly this is the park where I made my first move to kiss my wife.

The view of Illimani Mountain from the Pub I used to own

The former community leader who vanished

The main thing I think about as I re-explore my old neighbourhoods is; what happened to my old friends and acquaintances? Together with the other restaurants in the tourist area we used to have a football team organised by a true community leader, let’s call him George in this story, the team was called Chocos Locos– The Crazy Blondes, we were a mix of European expats, exchanges students, NGO employees and some local Bolivian friends of ours. George was the guy who tied us all together. He knew everyone– their birthday, what football team they supported, what drink they preferred etc. George would look out for everyone, he would make sure to organize birthday parties, even for the quiet ones in our group. George had his values set in the right place, he demanded a high standard from everyone on and off the pitch. In exchange we would look out for each other, cover for one another if we were in trouble. You know like the Marines, we would leave no man behind.

As I’m now back in La Paz most of my former friends and teammates are no longer around, George included. Their restaurants are closed and new ones have emerged. Some have left due to the recent years of political instability in Bolivia, others have mysteriously disappeared. What happened to them?

In May 2024 I received a message from George saying our friend and teammate, let’s call him Juan, was in intensive care in a hospital in La Paz, after suffering a near death accident. Juan’s family needed help to cover the treatment costs. Like the true community leader George is, he took it upon himself to reach out to all present and former teammates and friends of Juan, asking us all to pitch in, with whatever we could to support Juan’s treatment. I didn’t think much else of it and sent across €100 to support Juan. As I later came to learn, the story was something else. The real story revealed George’s true identity.

This is the story of a real captain, a true community leader, who turned out to be a scammer. But how did George turn into a scammer who used the near death accident of a friend and teammate, to scam just about everyone who had ever met Juan into donating money to help Juan’s family pay for the intensive care in hospital, only to run off with all the money donated– approximately $4000 USD?

Perhaps the answer was there in front of our faces all along? I recently listened to a podcast with Andrew Bustamente (a former CIA spy, known as Everyday Spy on YouTube) in the podcast Andrew mentioned that most people who come off as highly empathetic, people like George, aren’t actually as highly empathetic as they seem, in fact such people despise almost everybody else.

I now ask myself did George actually use the community and our football team the whole time. Were we funding his life in La Paz all the time? George told us he was working online as an English teacher. Now I ask myself who George really was.

See you all in 2025

It’s mind blowing to me, how time removed from a former favourite city helps us see our time living in said city with such clarity… What really happened? Who were the good guys? Who were the bad guys?

As I look to settle into a new hometown in 2025 (more on that in future newsletters) I will keep in mind my lessons learned from revisiting La Paz. I will be able to spot who are the charlatan’s and who are the genuine good guys– or at least so I hope.

As I warm up to a Holiday season with family from both Denmark and Bolivia I wish you all a great Holidays, remember to be grateful for your family and those who are your real friends. Show them love. Cherish your time with them. Let me leave you with the lyrics to the final verse of the fantastic Fontaines D.C song Favourite:

Ah, makes sense when you understand\ The misery made me another marked man\ And I'm always looking over my shoulder\ And each new day\ - I get another year older\ Shoulder bound to the frame of a door\ Tuned into shape like a stone on the shore\ But if there was lightning in me\ Then you know who it was for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UG31mpUnOg

I will see you all in 2025. God bless you all.

Sebastian

@ 31e3a4de:ae1b209d

Here’s a thought experiment: What if healthcare insurance is fundamentally the wrong model for managing most healthcare? Insurance works best when it covers the unexpected—the tail-risk events that hit you out of nowhere. But the reality is that much of healthcare isn’t unexpected at all.

Take cancer as an example. The initial diagnosis and treatment are undeniably shocking—a classic insurance-worthy moment. But what about the next five or ten years of follow-up care? That’s not surprising. It’s predictable. Should insurance, a system designed for surprises, really foot the bill for something so foreseeable?

Here’s the argument: health insurance should cover the initial shock—like a cancer diagnosis or a torn hamstring during a sports match. But once the acute phase passes, predictable, long-term care (like cancer surveillance or diabetes management) should be handled differently—perhaps through government funding.

Consider chronic illnesses. If someone with poorly controlled diabetes develops retinal disease or vascular complications, is that surprising? Not really. It’s almost inevitable. Asking insurers to cover these predictable outcomes results in inflated premiums and financial inefficiency.

The same logic applies to other chronic conditions. A smoker with diabetes developing vascular disease? It’s not a question of “if” but “when.” Why pretend this is an insurable risk?

Here’s the punchline: if we separate the unexpected from the inevitable in healthcare, we might just create a more efficient system. Insurance should handle the surprises. Government funding should manage the predictable. And the sooner we recognize that most of healthcare isn’t a surprise, the sooner we can build a system that works for everyone.

Here’s a thought experiment: What if healthcare insurance is fundamentally the wrong model for managing most healthcare? Insurance works best when it covers the unexpected—the tail-risk events that hit you out of nowhere. But the reality is that much of healthcare isn’t unexpected at all.

Take cancer as an example. The initial diagnosis and treatment are undeniably shocking—a classic insurance-worthy moment. But what about the next five or ten years of follow-up care? That’s not surprising. It’s predictable. Should insurance, a system designed for surprises, really foot the bill for something so foreseeable?

Here’s the argument: health insurance should cover the initial shock—like a cancer diagnosis or a torn hamstring during a sports match. But once the acute phase passes, predictable, long-term care (like cancer surveillance or diabetes management) should be handled differently—perhaps through government funding.

Consider chronic illnesses. If someone with poorly controlled diabetes develops retinal disease or vascular complications, is that surprising? Not really. It’s almost inevitable. Asking insurers to cover these predictable outcomes results in inflated premiums and financial inefficiency.

The same logic applies to other chronic conditions. A smoker with diabetes developing vascular disease? It’s not a question of “if” but “when.” Why pretend this is an insurable risk?

Here’s the punchline: if we separate the unexpected from the inevitable in healthcare, we might just create a more efficient system. Insurance should handle the surprises. Government funding should manage the predictable. And the sooner we recognize that most of healthcare isn’t a surprise, the sooner we can build a system that works for everyone.

@ 6e468422:15deee93

We didn't hear them land on earth, nor did we see them. The spores were not visible to the naked eye. Like dust particles, they softly fell, unhindered, through our atmosphere, covering the earth. It took us a while to realize that something extraordinary was happening on our planet. In most places, the mushrooms didn't grow at all. The conditions weren't right. In some places—mostly rocky places—they grew large enough to be noticeable. People all over the world posted pictures online. "White eggs," they called them. It took a bit until botanists and mycologists took note. Most didn't realize that we were dealing with a species unknown to us.

We aren't sure who sent them. We aren't even sure if there is a "who" behind the spores. But once the first portals opened up, we learned that these mushrooms aren't just a quirk of biology. The portals were small at first—minuscule, even. Like a pinhole camera, we were able to glimpse through, but we couldn't make out much. We were only able to see colors and textures if the conditions were right. We weren't sure what we were looking at.

We still don't understand why some mushrooms open up, and some don't. Most don't. What we do know is that they like colder climates and high elevations. What we also know is that the portals don't stay open for long. Like all mushrooms, the flush only lasts for a week or two. When a portal opens, it looks like the mushroom is eating a hole into itself at first. But the hole grows, and what starts as a shimmer behind a grey film turns into a clear picture as the egg ripens. When conditions are right, portals will remain stable for up to three days. Once the fruit withers, the portal closes, and the mushroom decays.

The eggs grew bigger year over year. And with it, the portals. Soon enough, the portals were big enough to stick your finger through. And that's when things started to get weird...

@ 490b551d:e17f0103

Sin used to feel like this huge, heavy weight. It was something that would define me - a testimony to whether or not I am a worthy Christian. Growing up, I was told that sin was something to be feared, something that could cut me off from God, something that made me unworthy. If I didn’t measure up, if I messed up, I’d be separated from God.

I lived in constant fear of making mistakes, of failing to be perfect. I lived with shame because I was, of course, unable to reach perfection. I didn’t realize it then, but I was putting myself into a box where my identity became so tied to my behavior that I lost sight of the bigger picture: that God loves me even with all my imperfections.

The way we define and approach sin, especially in the church, can be incredibly damaging if we’re not careful. The church I grew up in wasn’t a place where mistakes were accepted or understood. It was a place where shame seemed to be a perpetual emotional state to stay in so you could find salvation. If you were struggling with something, if you didn’t have it all together, it was as if you didn’t belong. But the more I think about it, the more I question: What if sin isn’t the problem we’ve always made it out to be? What if there’s a better way to look at it - one that’s filled with grace, compassion, and unconditional love?

This post isn’t about dismissing the importance of sin. It’s about understanding it in a way that brings healing, not condemnation. Its about forgiving ourselves as Jesus does, and moving forward in an understanding that its impossible to be perfect. It’s about seeing ourselves as human beings who make mistakes, rather than defined by our mistakes. And it’s about finding hope in the fact that God loves us deeply and unconditionally. No matter what.

The Misunderstanding of Sin

For so many of us, sin has always felt like this list of “do’s and don’ts” that we can never quite get perfectly correct. It’s a fear-based system, one that tells us that our worth is inextricably linked to our actions. If we sin, we’re not good enough for God. If we fall short, we’re cut off from grace.

And let me tell you, that is heavy. It’s exhausting to live in a constant state of shame, thinking that every mistake makes us unworthy of love or redemption. Or maybe not every mistake, but the big ones, for sure. The ones the cause families to fall apart and churches to divide. It’s no surprise that so many of us have walked away from the church. When you’re told that you’re failing, that you’re not enough, it’s easy to think that God must be disappointed in you too.

But know this: God doesn't love us because we’re perfect. He loves us because He created us, because we are His. No matter how many times we mess up or how big or small, God’s love for us doesn’t change. Sin is not the thing that separates us from God. Hear this: it is only the belief that sin separates us from God which actually create separation.

What If We Saw Sin Differently?

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what sin really is. It has always felt like an external thing - something we could do or avoid to either gain favor with God or lose it. But what if sin is less about a list of actions to avoid and more about a deeper issue?

In the Bible, we’re told that all sin is can separate us from God. Every wrong we commit, whether it’s a lie, an act of hate, or a judgmental thought, is just as significant in God’s eyes. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus equates anger with murder and lust with adultery (Matthew 5:21-30). It’s not about whether you sin in a “big” or “small” way - it’s all a matter of the heart, and it’s all covered by the grace of God.

Jesus taught that we have no right to judge others for their sins because we are all equally in need of God’s grace. In John 8, when a woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus, He didn’t condemn her. Instead, He said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” The message was clear: We are all sinners in need of grace, and no one, no matter how “righteous" they might appear, has the right to cast judgment.

That’s been a life changing mindset shift for me: no human being has the right to define my worth based on my mistakes. And that includes the church. The church is not a place for perfect people, but for broken people who need healing and redemption.

Jesus’ Unconditional Love: The Truth That Changes Everything

What drew me back in to Christianity and what I love most about Jesus is His unconditional love. Jesus didn’t love us because we had it all together. He loved us because we were broken and in need of grace. And He didn’t just love us when we were behaving and achieving the every elusive status of "good." He loves us through our mistakes, our failures, our doubts, and our messes. His love isn't dependent on our actions. It's dependent on His heart for us.

I think about all the many times I’ve failed, the times when I’ve felt like I’m too much of a mess to be loved by God, when my sins were too big for God to forgive me. And then I think about Jesus, who met people exactly where they were. He didn’t wait for them to be perfect. He came to them in their imperfection, showing them the power of love and grace.

And don't forget, Jesus is still doing that today. He’s not waiting for us to have it all figured out before He loves us. He’s loving us right now, in the midst of our mistakes. That kind of love changes everything.

Why We Don’t Need to Be Afraid of Our Mistakes

When we realize that God loves us unconditionally, we don’t need to be afraid of our mistakes anymore. We don’t have to be held hostage in shame or guilt, thinking that we’re too far gone for God to love us. Sin doesn’t have to be a source of fear. Instead, it can be a reminder of how much we need God’s grace.

Instead of hiding from God when we sin, we can run to Him, ask for forgiveness from Him and then make sure to forgive ourselves too. We can say, “God, I messed up. But I know You still love me. I know You’re still here, and You’re going to help me learn and grow from this.” That kind of vulnerability doesn’t make us weak. It makes us open to God’s love, ready to receive the healing that He wants to offer. And it gives us the space to forgive ourselves too and release that shame and guilt.

Embracing Grace and Letting Go of Judgment

One thing I’ve learned is that grace is the key to freedom. When we understand that grace is not just something we receive but something we extend to others, we can begin to let go of judgment, both of ourselves and others. We can create spaces where people feel safe to make mistakes, knowing that their worth is not defined by their failures.

The church, at least in the way it’s often been seen by the younger generations, is in desperate need of a rebrand. It needs to be a place where people know they can come and not be judged for their mistakes, but to find love, grace, and healing. We need to build communities where people know they are welcomed, not in spite of, but because of their mistakes. Because they're not perfect. Because none of us are. And because of that, we all need Jesus' love and community in one imperfect human to another.

The church needs to embrace people where they are - broken, struggling, imperfect. That’s how we can begin to reclaim the people who have felt rejected by the church in the past. We are all sinners. We are all in need of grace. And none of us is beyond redemption.

Moving Forward: A New Way to Live

If we redefine sin in this manner, what does this new definition mean for us? It means we can stop living in fear. It means we can embrace our mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than evidence of our unworthiness. It means we can show up for each other, offering grace and understanding instead of judgment.

It means we can come before God with open hearts, knowing that His love is not based on our ability to be perfect, but on His ability to love us despite our imperfections.

We are all walking this journey together. None of us is without fault. But we don’t have to be afraid of our mistakes anymore. We don’t have to fear that we’re too much of a mess for God to love us. We don’t have to live in shame or guilt, worrying that we’re unworthy. Because God loves us. He loves us as we are, sin and all. And His grace is enough to transform us, heal us, and make us whole.

So, let’s stop letting sin define us. Let’s embrace the fact that we are loved unconditionally, mistakes and all. Let’s let grace define the way we see ourselves, the way we see others, and the way we see our relationship with God. Because when we do, everything changes for the better.

Peace,\ Faith\ \ #blog \ #christian\ #christianity\ #faith\ #sin\ #doubt\

unfilteredfaith

@ 361d3e1e:50bc10a8

https://forex-strategy.com/2024/12/21/why-is-the-war-in-ukraine-strange-no-one-has-publicly-given-a-concrete-answer/ Why is the war in Ukraine strange? No one has publicly given a concrete answer. Only here you will find out why the war will not end and what it has to do with the climate! It seems that no one in the world has given a clear answer to the question, why is this war in Ukraine strange?

war #usa #russia #ukraine #climate #climatechange #hiddentruth #truth

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

I'm prompted to write this after seeing that my part time job offers tuition reimbursement to full time workers, and that I could become a full time worker and get essentially get a full ride to complete my bachelors through flexible and remote courses.

Shoutout to the advice I got from a few Stackers

Just know that degrees dont mean as much as they did in the past. If you invest this time in to school, will it pay off later? It depends on what degree you will be getting, and how quickly you can complete the coursework.

@Satosora

I was in a similar grind a full-time gig and a side hustle while chasing my degree. Ended up specializing in cybersecurity and the degree definitely opened doors I hadn’t even considered. My tip structure is key. Treat your study time like a third job, and don’t skimp on self care. You’ve already got that hustle mindset, so you’re halfway there. Go for it, but keep the balance in check! Good luck!

@Imyourfed

This is how I ended up becoming an economist. I had a couple of jobs, one of which offered tuition benefits, and I took a couple of classes a semester until I finished an econ degree. Then, off to grad school. I say you should do it, as long as you're confident you can handle the workload.

@Undisciplined

Among many others.

Shoutout to the advice I got from a few Nostritches

https://primal.net/e/note166vyza03rwqjq49dez2xktv7vfmq98s8hjf5kjxlcdjg85ffs2mq02243r

https://primal.net/e/note1x93cuy2n90k2y4kms8hn5qwsffcapluw7elxty03jntau75m6rfq094f47

https://primal.net/e/note15z0xfzwm8llqqsgm5aq5j9t0955kt5htzkafhxas93gfd7yn5x2q37dapn

The Nostr freaks were overall against it, while SN freaks were overall for it.

I've reached a dilemma. The dilemma is "why am I doing this?" Are my intentions pure and honorable, or is this fiat credentialism rearing its ugly head. Is this me wanting to better myself and contribute value to the world or is this not staying humble

Am I risking something that I cant see at the moment, should my energy be spent doing other things; starting a business, Freelancing harder, Contributing to open source harder, Spending more time with the wife and kid on the way.

Over the past few years I've become grumbly shouting at friends and family about evil fiat and perfect perfect bitcoin. At what point do I pull a satoshi, and move on to other things. At what point do I take my own advice, realize that I probably have enough bitcoin, and enjoy life.

I'll try to articulate my thoughts the best I can.......although this is a ramble

I want to get a bachelors degree and potentially become a lawyer for the reasons below

1. Stick it to the haters. I naively jumped around telling a few family members what I would do with my life and thought becoming a lawyer wasn't too far fetched. They did, and thought I was crazy and couldn't do it. Fuck em.

2. I have 30 college credits to go towards a bachelors, a lot of time to complete classes, approaching 6 years of experience working at an IP law firm, a rinky dink paralegal certificate, and the possibility to have it all paid for without spending any sats. So the goal seems oddly obtainable.

3. LLM's are great at homework

4. It would make my wife and unborn child more proud of me, which I believe is good.

5. I want to excel in my career and have good job opportunities moving forward. With a bachelors I'd be able to obtain higher paying jobs and have a formidable resume to take advantage of more opportunities as they come by.

6. I have a growing interest in learning this stuff. I think about the samurai wallet boys and keep a side eye on the trial. I'm a sovereign individual thesis guy, and want to see the how the laws will bend to support a new technological paradigm.

7. I read "come and take it" by Cody Wilson and followed a bit of his journey and thought his fight and thoughts on the courts were pretty cool.

In Conclusion, I'm typing these rambling thoughts while working on my part time job, which may become a 2nd full time, because I might head back to school to finish my bachelors, while recognizing that college degrees are mostly scams for suckers.

Kids come out of highschool and are sold the lie that, this is the only path forward. That if you dont go to fancy university than your life is shit. Society looks down upon you with a mocking and judgmental glare. Your parents arent proud of you, and you need to give a very good explanation on why you're throwing your life away. So instead of facing a tidal wave of scrutiny, most kids who can end up going to college and getting into a crazy amount of debt, or dropping out essentially wasting their time while postulating like they were trying to "find themselves". The idea of school in fiat is a rough one anyway, the campuses are communist lgbtq government obediance propaganda training grounds siphoning first principle thinking from its victims with a spooky efficiency.

Ah, wait that was supposed to be a conclusion. Let me try again.

In Conclusion, College degrees are mostly scams for suckers, but maybe armed with better knowledge of what i'm getting into, a bit more focus and more realistic expectations; I can appropriately navigate through the treacherous marshes of keynsian brainwashing into the orange light of sticking it to the man.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/819302

@ 2efaa715:3d987331

More than you wanted to know about a little-understood but important aspect of diet and health, explained in a nontechnical manner, with oversimplifications abound.

Your cells need some kind of fuel to function. this fuel can only come (ultimately) from the outside world as food. AKA "diet". your blood carries the fuel to the cells so they can do their work. on most diets, the main fuel for cells is glucose, which the body derives from sugar or carbohydrates (which are basically sugar + some complexity). on other diets, the main fuel for cells is fat. on these diets, fat/lipid particles are carried on little blood ferries called lipoproteins (the final "L" in LDL and HDL). LDL carries lipids to your cells so they can use it, HDL carries unused lipids away from your cells (to the liver) so they can be disposed of. (on both very high carb and very low carb diets, your cells will still use some amount of both glucose and fat for energy, but the ratio will change dramatically).
Naturally, if you have a lot of these ferries in your blood (because you are using fat as cell-fuel), your LDL and HDL counts ("total cholesterol") will be high on basic blood tests.

LDL - the ferries that carry fats to your cells to burn - come in two varieties: - small + dense - large + fluffy
both carry fuel to your cells, but the small/dense ones have an unfortunate side-effect of slamming into artery walls, penetrating them, and accidentally depositing their lipids there. This is the "plaque" of cardiovascular disease fame. The large, fluffy particles do not penetrate the arterial walls as readily - they bounce off and keep going on to their destinations. their effect on arterial plaque is not zero, but far less impactful than small, dense particles.

In either case, the HDL particles are always good: they remove excess lipids from the body. this is why HDL is "the good cholesterol". There are advanced blood tests available which measure particle size (so, like, an acutally useful test), but odds are your doctor will refuse to order this test. Strange!

We didn't mention Triglycerides yet. Suffice it to say that more triglycerides = smaller, denser LDL particles = more arterial wall penetration = more cardiovascular risk. To finish off our triglycerides sidebar, the dietary patterns that increase triglycerides (bad!) are: excess calories from carbohydrates, added sugars and refined carbohydrates, low fiber intake, low omega-3 intake (especially in combination with excess seed oil intake), high trans fats consumption (more on trans fat in a moment).

Back to finish up cholesterol: this is why a diet that is high in good fats (again, more in a moment) will increase "total cholesterol" - you have more fat boats fueling your cells - but doesn't indicate greater cardiovascular risk: because the large, fluffy particles are not damaging your arteries and the large number of HDL particles are protective!
Furthermore, if you reconsider the sidebar on triglycerides you'll notice that avoiding refined carbohydrates and sugars has the added effect of lowering triglycerides, which keeps the LDL particles even healthier. You'll often see the simple recommendation to keep the HDL/Triglycerides ratio high. this is why. HDL good, triglycerides bad.

We didn't even get into insulin sensitivity - one of the most important factors in metabolic health... another time.

A last word on dietary fat types: Not all fats are created equally. You can look into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated on your own, but I want to mention two others here: Trans fat and Saturated fat.
Trans fats mostly come from artificial sources, like processed vegetable or seed oils. most often found in ultra-processed, packaged foods. yuck. trans fat lowers HDL, increases inflammation and increases proportion of small, dense LDL particles. These are all the bad things we discussed above.
Saturated fat is mainly found in meat, dairy and coconut oil. It increases LDL particle size and raises HDL. These are the good things we discussed above.
So, yes, while someone's total cholesterol may go up when eating saturated fats, it doesn't necessarily mean their cardiovascular risk has increased.

Now that you understand how cholesterol works, compare moderate saturated fat intake to eating a diet full of refined carbohydrates, sugars, processed vegetable/seed oils, and all the other items we explained above...

Ok really now, the last last word: the "cholesterol" you see on a food label has less impact on blood cholesterol than you thought. the details are too squirrely to go into here, but the takeway is: the fat content discussed above is the lion's share of the impact, with the number you see next to "cholesterol" on your food label having a negligible effect.

diet #paleo #keto #health #healthstr #foodstr #carnivore #cholesterol

@ 798d712f:d2bac2e3

Every year that is passing, we learn more things about Bitcoin, and we add more hours to our knowledge base. For me, this year I learned more about how Bitcoin can work as a company's and a country's reserve asset. So now I am excited about next year when many more companies and countries are considering to add Bitcoin to their balance sheet.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/819208

@ 2cb8ae56:84d30cba

ども、薄味のキャルピスでございます。
当記事は、「Nostr Advent Calendar 2024」7日目の記事です。
この記事を読んでいる人でいないとは思いますが、Nostrとはなんぞやとお思いの方は以下をご覧ください。

https://hello.nostrapp.me/

僕は「Nostrで過ごした2024年」というタイトルの通り、一年間を振り返ってみようと思います。

自己紹介

まず知らん人のために軽く自己紹介をします

「薄味のキャルピス」という名前で、色んな所にいるどこかの高校生です。 左利き、箸とベースとお盆は右手。

普段は学業の傍ら、画像を弄ったり作ったりしている上に、イヤホンを集めたりラジオにメッセージを送っています。

コーディングは出来ないテクノロジーまみれのガラクタ人間（→テックジャンカー）です

参加経緯とスタンス

なぜ参加したのかを思い出しながら書いていきます まず、どんな媒体でNostr（ノスター・ノストラ）の存在を知ったのかと言うと、ネットニュースです。

https://gigazine.net/news/20230425-nostr-intro/

こちらの記事で「そんなのあるんだ」と知り、4月1日ついにjoin!!!!

現時点での参加スタンスは「気楽に、素直に」という感じで参加しています

やりたいときにやりたいことをやるって言うリアルでは到底難しいことを、Nostrのなかでやっている気もします。

後述するNostrasia 2024の開催日「9月23日」を持って、Mastodon（マストドン）から乗り換え、上記のスタンスのもと、メインで精力的に活動しています。

Nostr活動年表

2024/04/01 Nostr Join!!!

2024/06/08 人生初オフ会「たくろうさんオフ」参加、LNアドレス追加。

2024/09/23 人生初小規模イベント「Nostrasia 2024」運営メンバーとして参加

2024/10/12 2度目のオフ会「デザイン談義」主催・参加

簡易的に各種紹介！

人生初オフ会「たくろうさんオフ」

渋三魚金でご飯→猿田彦珈琲でリラックス、Linux使ってると話を切り出す（唐突）→スクランブル交差点で解散。 ウォークマンの再生画面を送付した投稿を行う

人生初イベント「Nostrasia 2024」

あ、記事出したので見てください。

初版

第二版

2度目のオフ会「デザイン談義」

秋葉原の「創作空間caféアトリエ あきば店」で行われたオフ会。 ちょくちょく内容を上げているので、見ていってください。 https://nostter.app/npub19ju2u4sduewta4hxl22kke7se8yxm2puytzw47lr6y999pxnpjaqtjjfxj/2024/10/12 終了後、e☆イヤホン 秋葉原店にて、BTR13の在庫状況を確認し、在庫がないため予約しました。 （10月24日到着） 雑多すぎますが、一応こんな感じで大丈夫かな？

まとめ

僕がNostrに出会い、Nostrにのめり込むまでの話はいかがだったでしょうか。 Nostrに入る前、オフ会に参加するまでは「ネットにロクな人なんていない！」と思っていましたが、Nostrは違いましたね。 いい意味で期待はずれ、本当にいい人たちばかりで、とにかく自然体で接することができるSNSであると感じました。 そんな世界にぜひとも一回足を踏み入れてみてはいかがでしょうか？ それではまた、来年のアドベントカレンダー、及び開催されましたら「Nostrasia 2025」でお会いしましょう。

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Falls du beim Lesen des Titels dieses Newsletters unwillkürlich an positive Neuigkeiten aus dem globalen polit-medialen Irrenhaus oder gar aus dem wirtschaftlichen Umfeld gedacht hast, darf ich dich beglückwünschen. Diese Assoziation ist sehr löblich, denn sie weist dich als unverbesserlichen Optimisten aus. Leider muss ich dich diesbezüglich aber enttäuschen. Es geht hier um ein anderes Thema, allerdings sehr wohl ein positives, wie ich finde.

Heute ist ein ganz besonderer Tag: die Wintersonnenwende. Genau gesagt hat heute morgen um 10:20 Uhr Mitteleuropäischer Zeit (MEZ) auf der Nordhalbkugel unseres Planeten der astronomische Winter begonnen. Was daran so außergewöhnlich ist? Der kürzeste Tag des Jahres war gestern, seit heute werden die Tage bereits wieder länger! Wir werden also jetzt jeden Tag ein wenig mehr Licht haben.

Für mich ist dieses Ereignis immer wieder etwas kurios: Es beginnt der Winter, aber die Tage werden länger. Das erscheint mir zunächst wie ein Widerspruch, denn meine spontanen Assoziationen zum Winter sind doch eher Kälte und Dunkelheit, relativ zumindest. Umso erfreulicher ist der emotionale Effekt, wenn dann langsam die Erkenntnis durchsickert: Ab jetzt wird es schon wieder heller!

Natürlich ist es kalt im Winter, mancherorts mehr als anderswo. Vielleicht jedoch nicht mehr lange, wenn man den Klimahysterikern glauben wollte. Mindestens letztes Jahr hat Väterchen Frost allerdings gleich zu Beginn seiner Saison – und passenderweise während des globalen Überhitzungsgipfels in Dubai – nochmal richtig mit der Faust auf den Tisch gehauen. Schnee- und Eischaos sind ja eigentlich in der Agenda bereits nicht mehr vorgesehen. Deswegen war man in Deutschland vermutlich in vorauseilendem Gehorsam schon nicht mehr darauf vorbereitet und wurde glatt lahmgelegt.

Aber ich schweife ab. Die Aussicht auf nach und nach mehr Licht und damit auch Wärme stimmt mich froh. Den Zusammenhang zwischen beidem merkt man in Andalusien sehr deutlich. Hier, wo die Häuser im Winter arg auskühlen, geht man zum Aufwärmen raus auf die Straße oder auf den Balkon. Die Sonne hat auch im Winter eine erfreuliche Kraft. Und da ist jede Minute Gold wert.

Außerdem ist mir vor Jahren so richtig klar geworden, warum mir das südliche Klima so sehr gefällt. Das liegt nämlich nicht nur an der Sonne als solcher, oder der Wärme – das liegt vor allem am Licht. Ohne Licht keine Farben, das ist der ebenso simple wie gewaltige Unterschied zwischen einem deprimierenden matschgraubraunen Winter und einem fröhlichen bunten. Ein großes Stück Lebensqualität.

Mir gefällt aber auch die Symbolik dieses Tages: Licht aus der Dunkelheit, ein Wendepunkt, ein Neuanfang, neue Möglichkeiten, Übergang zu neuer Aktivität. In der winterlichen Stille keimt bereits neue Lebendigkeit. Und zwar in einem Zyklus, das wird immer wieder so geschehen. Ich nehme das gern als ein Stück Motivation, es macht mir Hoffnung und gibt mir Energie.

Übrigens ist parallel am heutigen Tag auf der südlichen Halbkugel Sommeranfang. Genau im entgegengesetzten Rhythmus, sich ergänzend, wie Yin und Yang. Das alles liegt an der Schrägstellung der Erdachse, die ist nämlich um 23,4º zur Umlaufbahn um die Sonne geneigt. Wir erinnern uns, gell?

Insofern bleibt eindeutig festzuhalten, dass “schräg sein” ein willkommener, wichtiger und positiver Wert ist. Mit anderen Worten: auch ungewöhnlich, eigenartig, untypisch, wunderlich, kauzig, … ja sogar irre, spinnert oder gar “quer” ist in Ordnung. Das schließt das Denken mit ein.

In diesem Sinne wünsche ich euch allen urige Weihnachtstage!

---

Dieser Beitrag ist letztes Jahr in meiner Denkbar erschienen.

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

Table Of Content

• The Mysterious Unidentified Miners

• F2pool: A Titan in the Mining Arena

• Other Notable Players

• The Evolution of Bitcoin Mining

• Conclusion

• FAQ

Since the dawn of Bitcoin, introduced to the world by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the decentralized digital currency has been a topic of intrigue and speculation. At the heart of this cryptocurrency lies the process of mining, a complex computational task that validates transactions and adds them to the blockchain. Over the years, various mining pools have emerged, each contributing to the network's security and growth. Among these, two entities stand out: the unidentified miners and the dominant F2pool. This article delves into the enigmatic world of these miners and F2pool's significant role in Bitcoin's mining history.

The Mysterious Unidentified Miners

The Bitcoin blockchain, a transparent ledger of all transactions, has processed over 800,000 blocks since its inception. Interestingly, data from the last 14 years, encompassing 99 different mining pools, reveals that unidentified miners have discovered a staggering 28.37% of the network's total blocks. These miners, shrouded in mystery, include early participants like Satoshi and others who mined Bitcoin during its nascent stages.

While the identity of these miners remains unknown, their contribution to the network is undeniable. They've unearthed a cumulative 227,800 blocks, a testament to their early belief in the potential of Bitcoin and their commitment to its growth.

F2pool: A Titan in the Mining Arena

Close on the heels of these unidentified miners is F2pool, a behemoth in the Bitcoin mining world. Since 2009, F2pool has discovered 80,364 blocks, accounting for approximately 10.01% of the total. This impressive feat places F2pool as the leading identified mining pool in Bitcoin's history.

Established in 2013, F2pool, also known as DiscusFish, is based in China and has consistently been among the top mining pools in terms of hash rate. Their dominance is not just limited to Bitcoin; they have a significant presence in the mining of other cryptocurrencies like Litecoin, Ethereum, and Zcash.

The success of F2pool can be attributed to several factors:

• Infrastructure & Technology: F2pool has invested heavily in state-of-the-art mining equipment and infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime.

• Transparency: Unlike some other mining pools, F2pool offers a transparent fee structure and provides regular updates to its members.

• Community Engagement: F2pool has fostered a strong community of miners, offering support, educational resources, and fostering a sense of camaraderie among its members.

Other Notable Players

While the unidentified miners and F2pool have been dominant forces, other mining pools have also made significant contributions. Antpool, for instance, ranks third overall, having mined 75,829 blocks or 9.44% of the total. Following them are Btc.com’s mining pool, Braiins Pool, and Viabtc, each with their unique contributions to the network.

It's also worth noting the contributions of now-inactive mining pools. Btc Guild, for instance, mined 32,935 blocks before shutting down in 2015. Similarly, Ghash.io, which began its operations in 2013, ceased its activities in 2016 but not before mining 23,083 blocks.

The Evolution of Bitcoin Mining

The world of Bitcoin mining has seen exponential growth. In the early days, the Bitcoin network's hashrate was a mere 948 kilohash per second (KH/s). Fast forward to today, and miners are committing an astounding 387.62 exahash per second (EH/s) to the network. This astronomical increase, amounting to over 40 trillion percent since Bitcoin's inception, underscores the rapid technological advancements and the growing interest in cryptocurrency mining.

Conclusion

The history of Bitcoin mining is a tapestry woven with tales of innovation, determination, and a belief in the transformative power of decentralized digital currencies. The contributions of the enigmatic unidentified miners and the dominance of F2pool stand as testaments to the collective efforts that have fortified the Bitcoin network over the years.

As we look to the future, it's essential to acknowledge and appreciate the pioneers and leaders of the past. Their efforts have laid the foundation for a decentralized financial future, and their legacy will undoubtedly influence the generations of miners to come.

FAQ

Who are the unidentified miners in Bitcoin's history? They are early participants in the Bitcoin network, including Satoshi Nakamoto, whose identities remain unknown. They've mined approximately 28.37% of all blocks.

What is F2pool's contribution to Bitcoin mining? F2pool has discovered 80,364 blocks since 2009, making it the leading identified mining pool in Bitcoin's history.

When was F2pool established? F2pool was established in 2013 and is based in China.

Which mining pool ranks third in Bitcoin's mining history? Antpool ranks third, having mined 75,829 blocks or 9.44% of the total.

How has the Bitcoin network's hashrate evolved over time? From an initial hashrate of 948 KH/s, it has grown to a staggering 387.62 EH/s, marking an increase of over 40 trillion percent since its inception.

That's all for today

If you want more, be sure to follow us on:

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Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.

@ 472f440f:5669301e

There was a bit of a rally in stock markets today, but this was a relief rally after taking a beating throughout the week. All eyes were on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell as he took the stage on Wednesday to announce the decisions made at the most recent FOMC meeting.

The market reacted negatively to another 0.25% cut from the Federal Reserve that many considered a "hawkish cut" due to the fact that Chairman Powell articulated that it is likely that there will be less rate cuts in 2025 than were previously expected. This is likely driven by the fact that inflation, as reported by the terribly inaccurate CPI, has been coming in higher than expectations. Signaling that the Fed does not, in fact, have inflation under control. Who could have seen that coming?

Here's how the US 10Y Treasury yield reacted to the announcement:

"Not great Bob!" The US 10Y Treasury yield is something that everyone should be paying attention to over the course of the next year. Since the Fed started cutting rates in September of this year, the 10Y yield has been acting anomalously compared to how it has acted historically after Fed interest rate decisions. Since September, the market has been calling the Fed's bluff on inflation and rates have been moving in the opposite direction compared to what would be expected if the Fed had things under control. The "hawkish cut" made on Wednesday is not a great sign. The Fed is being forced to recognize that it cut "too much too fast" before actually getting inflation under control.

One has to wonder why they made such aggressive moves in September. Why the need for a much more dovish stance as quickly as they moved? Do they see something behind the scenes of the banking system that makes them believe that another liquidity crisis was on the horizon and they needed to act to prevent yet another banking crisis? Now that it is clear that inflation isn't under control and if there really was a liquidity crisis on the horizon, what are the first two quarters of 2025 going to look like? Could we find ourselves in a situation where inflation is beginning to accelerate again, there is a liquidity crisis, and the Fed is forced to rush back ZIRP and QE only to further exacerbate inflation? Couple this potential scenario with the proposed economic policy from the incoming Trump administration and it isn't hard to see that we could be in for a period of economic pain.

One can only hope that the Fed and the incoming administration have the intestinal fortitude to let the market correct appropriately, reprice, clear out the bad assets and credit that exists in the system and let the cleanse happen relatively unperturbed. That has what has been desperately needed since 2008, arguably longer.

On that note, bitcoin is going through a bull market correction this week as well. Likely incited and/or exacerbated by the turmoil in traditional markets.

Many are proclaiming that the end of this bull market is here. Don't listen to those who have been hate tweeting bitcoin all the way up this year. They've been looking for a correction to bask in schadenfreude and confirm their biases. These types of corrections are to be expected when bitcoin runs by checks notes 100% over the course of less than three months. We're approaching the end of the year, which means that people are selling to prepare for taxes (which may be happening in the stock market as well). Add to this fact that long-term holders of bitcoin have taken the most profit they have since 2018 and it probably explains the recent pull back. Can't blame the long-term holders for seeing six-figure bitcoin and deciding to bolster their cash balances.

I couldn't be more bullish on bitcoin than I am right now. The fundamentals surrounding the market couldn't be more perfect. Despite what the Trump administration may have in store for us in terms of economic policy (I agree with most of the policies he has presented), I find it hard to believe that even he and the talented team of people he has surrounded himself with can overcome the momentum of the problems that have been building up in the system for the last 16-years.

The "find safety in sats" trade is going mainstream as the market becomes more familiar with bitcoin, its properties, and the fact that it is very unlikely that it is going to die. The fervor around bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset for nation states is only picking up. And if it catches on, we will enter territory for bitcoin that was considered utterly insane only a year ago.

On that note, Nic Carter made some buzz today with a piece he wrote for Bitcoin Magazine explaining why he believes a strategic bitcoin reserve is a bad idea for the US government.

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/politics/i-dont-support-a-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-and-neither-should-you

While I agree that the signal the US government could send by acquiring a bitcoin strategic reserve could be bad for the US treasuries market, I think it comes down to strategy. The Trump administration will have to think strategically about how they acquire their Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. If they ape in, it could send the wrong message and cause everyone to dump their treasuries, which are the most popular form of collateral in the global financial system. However, there are ways to acquire bitcoin slowly but surely from here into the future that ensure that the United States gets proper exposure to the asset to protect itself from the out-of-control debt problem while also providing itself with a way out of the problem. Many of these potential strategies were discussed in two recent episodes I recorded. One with Matthew Pines from the Bitcoin Policy Institute and another with Matthew Mežinskis from Porkopolis Economics. I highly recommend you all check those out (linked below).

https://youtu.be/xyyeEqFVjBY

https://youtu.be/6vgesP9LIXk

.---

Final thought...

I am the most locked in from a focus perspective while on flights. Even with two kids under 5. Merry Christmas, Freaks!

@ 00000000:3acedba7

Since more than a year we've been tirelessly working on Mostro, here is a summary.

Keys management

We have a lot of improvements and probably one of the most important is the final design of keys management, we started to discuss this idea in the previous quarter and we commented it in the last report, keys management is a way clients rotate keys for every trade adding another privacy layer to gift wrap previous implementation, more detailed info here. Today we've merged our main PR for implementing it on mostrod, we also implemented it on mostro-core and mostro-cli

New Nostr NIP merged

We also had our first official NIP merged, NIP-69, with this we aim to standarize all orders from peer-to-peer platform on Nostr to have a big liquidity pool easily filterable.

B4OS

Mostro was one of the projects participating in the b4os residency, which took place in Buenos Aires right after this year’s LABITCONF.

I participated as a mentor, going there daily for the whole program, helping developers get started on Mostro. Mostro received a lot of attention and had the largest number of contributors working on it (8 in total). We had two very productive weeks where we refined how Mostro will handle privacy and reputation at the same time. This will required some changes to mostrod and improvements to the protocol documentation, for which we (fingers crossed) now have a final version.

During the b4os residency, we received contributions that improved our Docker Mostro containers—amazing work that you can see here.

Mostro foundation

We also made progress on establishing the Mostro Foundation, which will serve as a legal entity to handle donations and direct them to developers who want to contribute. Another contributor created the Mostro Foundation website.

Mostro-tools

We already have contributors working on mostro-tools, a TypeScript library implementing the Mostro protocol.

Mobile app

Our past attempt of building the mobile app failed, the developer quit, so we found another dev, third time's the charm. Now we’re moving forward with the mobile app, which is being developed by developer called Biz. Working on Mostro is a bit complex because we focus on privacy and censorship-resistance, and our main goal is to deliver these privacy features in an easy-to-use application. I want this app to be very intuitive, suitable even for non-technical users. Biz, delivered a first functional mobile app we can see all the work here and here, we tested it and it works :D

Mostrui

Finally we started another client, a Terminal User Interface (TUI) which is helping us to implement and understand problems that client developers can find on the process of building a client, this client is called Mostrui

All this couldn't be possible without the support of HRF and Opensats and all collaborators <3

@ b6424601:a11e4ff4

My favorite place in my personal sphere is an amazing lake property. My wife and I built a pavilion-styled "cabin" on a power company leased lake lot 20 years ago, before the last two massive inflation increases and before the crash and post-crash money print fest.

Over the years, we have established the house and worked to improve our land to make it more fun and meaningful for our lake life, which has evolved into our actual life. Our kids happened and grew up outside on the weekends as millennial Huckleberry Finn characters, exploring, building forts, and day camping and learning the lost art of waterskiing. My wife relaxes, which means we all get to relax and recharge. All my best architectural projects for clients start in a sketchbook, on our dock, with a view and a clear mind.

That particular lake view...the sunset…the smell of gardenia blooms in June...racing the squirrels to harvest our peaches…the farmers market visits to procure the provisions for that night's big meal with friends…the release of stress that leaves your body as you top the last hill on arrival from a full week in the fiat world and visually confirm the house has survived another work week without us.

This house and property, self-designed by young architects with limited funds to establish a lakefoothold, could not be built with today's fiat. First, it would not have been appraised because we did not check the right boxes to get a loan. The house is a pavilion with planned additions, so there was no front door; instead, we had glass doors that opened on either side of the house on grade to exterior living spaces. There was no dining room, since our dining room was outside. We only had two small bedrooms just for sleeping and alcoves for overflow and the kids that came. The preferred shower is outside with a view and a ledge for prescription shower beverages, depending on the time of day. All the features that became our most meaningful experiences for us and visitors result from building small and cleverly affording the foothold on the lake for life to evolve.

Over the years, we improved resiliency with solar, planted perennial food-producing landscapes, and created outdoor spaces that blended living indoors into the landscape. We were lucky and aware that we landed in the right place even when we were young and inexperienced. It is worth our life energy to create a place we want to live.

This life pavilion on its land is our sacred place.

As the number, you know the number, goes up, and the cost of a house priced in BTC goes down, how will you find your sacred place? Will you scroll through the Zillow options in fiat terms of square footage and number of bedrooms compared to the other options around it situated by a builder after a short-term profit? Or, as a long-term, low-time preference thinker, as demonstrated by the instrument you choose to save your surplus life energy, should you start the journey to create your own sacred space?

Location, Location, Location

Your mission, if you choose to accept the once or twice-in-a-lifetime calling to create a sacred space, starts with finding the right land or evaluating if the land you own has the potential to be your place.

Reflect on your priorities: Why did you buy or like this land in the first place? Building something on a piece of land is a unique opportunity to think about how you will establish your place. You acquired or are considering this land somehow for some reason. Do you remember? Was it the view? Location? Price? Seclusion? Accessibility?

Research the jurisdiction: What had the city or county you will live in planned for this land communicated through zoning or in a land use plan? What are the taxes? Are there opportunities to change the zoning so you can use the land usage to benefit you? Are there any deeded restrictions, and are there utility easements? Are there utilities on the property? If so, what are the available utilities, and where are the power, water, gas, and sewer locations?

Assessing the physical constraints or opportunities: What is the topography? Is it flat, steep, or varied? Do you know what is on the adjacent properties now or what could be there in the future? Are there natural features on the property streams, tree stands, orchards, and rock outcroppings? Do you know how the property is oriented to the sunrise and sunset as the seasons change? Is there a place on the property you want to build? Is that location accessible by road, or do you have to create one?

Ask the big questions: What are your goals for a house? What spaces do you need? Can you design spaces for flexibility over a lifetime of use? Can you create small spaces and use them in multiple ways? How should the custom diagram of the house you want relate to the land to take full advantage of the site? How might your needs evolve over time so that you can grow space? Will you desire space for multi-generational living? You can answer these questions before purchasing, taking down the first tree, or even closing on the property to know if your goals are viable. Having a master plan lets you see the end goal plan and phase over a long time.

The journey is challenging, like anything that is life-changing.

Find land that speaks to you. You will know it.

Analyze your land to align your life goals with the master plan's viability.

Design the house customized to your needs and not the fiat values.

Find the right team that shares your values and understands your vision.

Build that HODL House.

@ 5f621f3a:77a3f84d

In today’s dynamic job market, individuals and businesses are increasingly evaluating the merits of part-time and full-time employment. In Utah, where industries like technology, tourism, and education are thriving, the distinction between these two employment types holds significant importance. Understanding the benefits, challenges, and suitability of part-time and full-time work is essential for job seekers and employers alike. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key factors influencing this decision in Utah.

Defining Part-Time and Full-Time Employment The primary difference between part-time and full-time employment lies in the number of hours worked. Full-time roles typically require employees to work 35 to 40 hours a week, while part-time positions often involve less than 30 hours weekly. However, the exact hours can vary depending on company policies and industry norms.

In Utah, as in other states, full-time employees usually receive a broader range of benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions. On the other hand, part-time workers may have more flexibility but often forgo comprehensive benefits. This distinction significantly impacts job seekers’ preferences and employers’ workforce strategies.

Advantages of Full-Time Employment Full-time positions offer stability and security, making them highly attractive to many workers. Employees in Utah’s bustling tech and healthcare sectors, for example, often prioritize full-time roles to access benefits like health insurance, dental coverage, and paid parental leave. These benefits are especially valuable in Utah, where healthcare costs and family-oriented lifestyles play a significant role in decision-making.

In addition to benefits, full-time roles frequently provide opportunities for career growth and skill development. Employers are more likely to invest in training and upskilling full-time staff, recognizing their commitment and contribution to the organization. This can lead to promotions, increased responsibility, and long-term career advancement.

For employers, full-time employees offer consistency and reliability. A full-time workforce ensures that business operations run smoothly, particularly in industries requiring continuous customer service or product development. The cost of hiring and training is also more justified with full-time employees, as they are likely to remain with the company longer than part-time staff.

Drawbacks of Full-Time Employment Despite its advantages, full-time work isn’t without challenges. For employees, the demands of a full-time schedule can be taxing, especially for those with family responsibilities or other personal commitments. Long hours and a lack of work-life balance may lead to burnout, which is increasingly recognized as a critical issue in Utah’s competitive industries.

From an employer’s perspective, the costs associated with full-time employees can be substantial. Providing benefits, paying higher salaries, and adhering to labor laws can strain budgets, particularly for small businesses or startups. In Utah’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, this financial burden may make full-time staffing less feasible.

Benefits of Part-Time Employment Part-time employment is often synonymous with flexibility, making it an appealing option for various demographics. Students at Utah’s universities, parents re-entering the workforce, and individuals pursuing side hustles frequently opt for part-time roles to balance their commitments. In a state known for its outdoor recreation and family-oriented culture, this flexibility allows employees to maintain a healthier work-life balance.

For employers, part-time workers can be a cost-effective solution. Hiring part-time staff reduces payroll expenses, as these employees typically don’t receive full benefits. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for businesses with fluctuating labor needs, such as those in Utah’s retail or tourism sectors, where demand varies seasonally.

Part-time roles can also serve as a stepping stone for employees transitioning into new industries or testing the waters before committing to a full-time position. For employers, part-time positions provide an opportunity to evaluate a worker’s performance and fit within the company before offering a full-time role.

Challenges of Part-Time Employment The flexibility of part-time work comes at a cost, particularly in terms of financial security and benefits. Many part-time workers in Utah face challenges such as inconsistent income, lack of access to health insurance, and limited opportunities for career advancement. These factors can make part-time roles less appealing for those seeking stability.

Employers also face hurdles when relying on part-time staff. Scheduling conflicts, inconsistent availability, and higher turnover rates can disrupt operations. In industries requiring specialized skills or consistent performance, relying on part-time employees may not meet business needs.

Legal and Financial Implications in Utah Employment laws and regulations in Utah impact both part-time and full-time roles. Employers must adhere to federal and state labor laws, including minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, and worker classifications. Misclassifying employees as part-time or independent contractors to avoid benefits and taxes can result in significant legal and financial penalties.

For full-time employees, Utah law often aligns with federal mandates, requiring employers to provide essential benefits like unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation. Part-time employees, however, may not always qualify for these benefits, creating disparities in workplace protections.

Employers should also consider tax implications when deciding between part-time and full-time hires. Full-time employees typically result in higher payroll taxes, while part-time roles may involve fewer financial obligations. However, neglecting to provide equitable compensation or benefits can harm employer branding and employee satisfaction.

The Role of Technology in Employment Trends Technological advancements are reshaping employment dynamics, particularly in Utah’s thriving tech sector. Remote work tools, scheduling software, and AI-driven recruitment platforms enable businesses to efficiently manage both part-time and full-time employees. This has blurred the lines between the two employment types, offering new opportunities for hybrid models.

For instance, companies in Utah can leverage technology to offer flexible full-time roles, combining the stability of traditional full-time employment with the adaptability of part-time work. Similarly, tech-driven gig platforms provide part-time workers with access to multiple income streams, enhancing financial security.

Making the Right Choice The decision between part-time and full-time employment depends on individual and organizational goals. Job seekers must evaluate their financial needs, career aspirations, and personal circumstances. For example, a recent graduate in Utah’s tech industry may prioritize a full-time role to gain experience and access benefits, while a parent balancing childcare might prefer part-time work.

Employers, on the other hand, must align their staffing strategies with business objectives. Startups or seasonal businesses may benefit from a flexible, part-time workforce, while larger corporations in Utah’s healthcare or finance sectors may prioritize the consistency and expertise of full-time employees.

Final Thoughts Part-time and full-time employment each offer unique advantages and challenges, making them valuable components of Utah’s diverse job market. As the state continues to grow economically and culturally, understanding these dynamics is crucial for both job seekers and employers. By considering financial needs, career goals, and operational requirements, individuals and businesses can make informed decisions that promote success and satisfaction in the workplace.

@ ee90543f:9363457f

🏆 АНОНС! 🏅

Мы рады пригласить вас на главное спортивное событие года - Московский марафон!

🏃‍♀️ Примите участие в увлекательном забеге по красивейшим маршрутам Москвы, испытайте свои силы и насладитесь атмосферой спортивного праздника.

📆 Дата: 15 сентября 2040 года 📍 Место старта и финиша: Центральный парк культуры и отдыха имени Гагарина 🏅 Дистанции: марафон (42 км), полумарафон (21 км), забег (10 км)

Не упустите свой шанс стать частью спортивной истории - регистрация открыта прямо сейчас!

Будем рады видеть вас на старте!

@ e356a30c:11e846f7

Cryptocurrency, a digital form of money, has emerged as a revolutionary force, challenging traditional financial systems. Its decentralized nature, secure encryption, and global accessibility have captivated investors and sparked a technological revolution.

Bitcoin, the pioneer cryptocurrency, has witnessed a meteoric rise, capturing headlines with its volatile price fluctuations. This volatility, while daunting for some, underscores the transformative potential of decentralized finance (DeFi). DeFi platforms offer a range of innovative services, from lending and borrowing to decentralized exchanges, bypassing intermediaries and empowering individuals with greater control over their finances.

Beyond Bitcoin, a diverse ecosystem of cryptocurrencies is flourishing. Ethereum, for instance, enables the creation of smart contracts, self-executing agreements that automate transactions and streamline business processes. Stablecoins, pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, aim to mitigate the volatility inherent in cryptocurrencies, facilitating smoother transactions and wider adoption.

The future of cryptocurrency remains uncertain, fraught with challenges such as regulatory hurdles, security risks, and scalability issues. However, the underlying technology, blockchain, holds immense promise beyond finance. Its ability to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, from supply chain management and healthcare to voting systems and identity verification.

As the world grapples with the evolving digital landscape, cryptocurrency stands poised to reshape the global financial order. Its disruptive potential, while carrying inherent risks, presents a unique opportunity to democratize finance, empower individuals, and unlock new frontiers of innovation.

Reference: * https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/64c8082e3f835b10be0f6596/

@ ee90543f:9363457f

На улицах столицы уже активно функционируют электрические автобусы и беспилотные такси, а концепция превращается в реальность, обеспечивая удивительные возможности для перемещения. Сеть электрических автобусов стала неотъемлемой частью общественного транспорта Москвы. Эти автобусы не только снижают выбросы углекислого газа, но и обеспечивают тихое и комфортное передвижение. Множество маршрутов обслуживаются новыми экологическими транспортными средствами, которые ежедневно перевозят тысячи пассажиров по всей столице. Московские власти внедрили систему зарядных станций, расположенных на каждой остановке, что позволяет автобусам оставаться на ходу без перебоев. Беспилотные такси с автоматическим управлением осуществляют поездки по запросу, позволяя пассажирам использовать время в пути для работы или отдыха. Благодаря простым мобильным приложениям москвичи могут быстро вызывать такси и выбирать удобный маршрут. Не менее популярной стала концепция гиперлупа, который соединяет Москву с ближайшими регионами. Поезда, движущиеся со скоростью более 1000 км/ч, изменяют представление о расстояниях. Жители Подмосковья могут добираться до центра столицы всего за несколько минут, что способствует популяризации жизни в пригородах и снижению загруженности городских дорог. Гиперлуп обеспечивает не только быстрое, но и комфортное путешествие, что делает его привлекательным вариантом для деловых поездок. С каждым днем инфраструктура города продолжает развиваться, а новые виды транспорта становятся важными партнерами в построении умного и устойчивого мегаполиса.

@ ee90543f:9363457f

В Москве существует множество социальных инициатив и волонтерских проектов, направленных на помощь нуждающимся. Вот несколько примеров:

1. Благотворительный фонд "Нужна помощь": Этот фонд помогает людям, попавшим в сложные жизненные ситуации, предоставляя им материальную и психологическую поддержку. Волонтеры фонда занимаются сбором пожертвований, продуктовых наборов и организуют помощь для бездомных и малообеспеченных семей.

2. "Линия жизни": Эта инициатива предоставляет помощь людям с онкологическими заболеваниями и их семьям. Волонтеры поддерживают пациентов и их близких, организуя мероприятия, предоставляя информационную поддержку и собирая средства на лечение.

3. "Синие ведерки": Данный проект помогает бездомным животным, организуя волонтерские группы для ухода за ними и поиска новых хозяев. Они собирают средства на стерилизацию и лечение животных, а также проводят занятия по обучению.

4. "Московская днейка": Это проект-инициатива, направленная на помощь одиноким пожилым людям. Волонтеры посещают пожилых людей, общаются с ними, помогают по хозяйству и организуют культурные мероприятия, мероприятия по искусству и занятия по интересам.

5. "Еда в городе": Инициатива, где волонтеры собирают излишки еды в ресторанах и супермаркетах, а затем распределяют их среди нуждающихся, обеспечивая тем самым продовольственную безопасность и уменьшая количество пищевых отходов.

6. "Точка опоры": Этот проект помогает семьям, воспитывающим детей с инвалидностью. Волонтеры оказывают поддержку в виде консультаций, организации досуга и предоставления необходимых материалов для занятий.

7. "Добро 24": Платформа, объединяющая волонтеров и благотворительные организации. Здесь люди могут легко находить проекты, где они могут помочь, будь то сбор одежды, помощь в приютах или участие в различных социальных активностях.

8. "Волонтеры-медики": Группа медицинских волонтеров, которые предлагают помощь в организации мероприятий для малообеспеченных и уязвимых групп населения, а также оказывают бесплатные медуслуги и консультации.

9. "Костя и его друзья": Инициатива, нацеленная на помощь детям, попавшим в сложные жизненные ситуации. Проект организует встречи с детьми в больницах, проводит мастер-классы и развлекательные мероприятия.

10. "Подарки с душой": Эта программа организует сбор подарков и необходимых вещей для детей из детских домов и семей в трудной ситуации, помогая создать праздничное настроение.

Эти проекты и инициативы не только помогают нуждающимся, но и объединяют людей, создавая активное сообщество, готовое прийти на помощь.

@ ac8bb9b0:70278acc

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 5
• 🍳 Cook time: 10
• 🍽️ Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 cup white wine, dry
• 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 8 ounces angel hair pasta, whole wheat, gluten-free or high fiber

Directions

1. Boil water with salt in a large pot for the pasta. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, season shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper and oregano.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, when warm add the shrimp and garlic and cook about 2 minutes on each side.
4. Add tomatoes, wine, salt and pepper and cook an additional minute.
5. Remove from heat and stir in half and half. Add lemon juice and parsley and serve over pasta.
6. Divide equally in 4 plates or shallow bowls.

@ cc448f8b:a1ad47db

A Website Hosted on NOSTR?

The Nostr landscape is changing every day. https://npub.pro came across my radar and clearly it cannot work well, basically a website hosted almost entirely on Nostr relays. I was wrong!

I'll be honest that at first, things did not go well. I posted several issues on https://github.com/nostrband/nostrsite and within a very short time the problems were addressed. Right now it is working so much better. While there is always room for improvement, it is incredibly easy to create a website.

I've invited podcaster/blogger friends to give it a try and most now have a working website in such short time.

Quick Start

• Visit https://npub.pro
• Login
• Select a theme.
• Make some settings adjustments (icon, backdrops, colors, etc)
• Press the Publish button and that's it!

Here's where it gets interesting, there is no cms backend for your posts. Instead, use any Nostr client to create your website post. Here's a small list of popular clients: https://nostr.com/clients.

Tips

The site previews work best if you already have content on Nostr.

I would start out with all content, no filtering. Once you finalize your theme choice add filters because you may not want all your Nostr posts to be visible on the website. For example if you have a DIY blog, add the #DIY hashtag to all the posts you want to see on the website and set your filter to only show posts tagged #DIY. No-one wants to see your #coffeechain posts on your DIY blog, LOL.

What I Like Most

• Automagic RSS Feed
• Looks great on mobile devices
• No database, no CMS, no server maintenance
• Plenty of themes
• Beautiful OG/Twitter sharing
• Built in likes, zap and share plugin
• Theme customization for those that know how to
• Ability to add contributors without creating accounts or managing user databases
• Ability to filter Nostr notes via tags or format (long/short notes)
• Use free subdomain or use your own custom domain
• Fully working site comments with zero effort

What I Dislike

• Not a problem for me but some probably won't like un-moderated site comments
• Not all CSS is manipulable, or example, some CSS is loaded after the custom css like the Zap/share dialogs (perhaps this is a theme specific issue)(also most creators probably won't use custom css/js code)

Website Examples Created By Others Using https://npub.pro

• Sport news - https://gsc.npub.pro/
• Podcast - https://directordetour.npub.pro/
• Someones personal blog - https://marc26z.npub.pro/
• Custom domain + custom CSS styling - https://news.pivx.org
• My test website with custom CSS - https://palmtree.npub.pro

Conclusion

I would 100% recommend Npub.pro to anyone who wants a website. It should take the average person under 30 minutes to get a fully functioning website. If your familiar with the admin interface, you could probably spin up a new website in under 5 minutes.

@ eee391ee:8d0b97c2

Amber 3.0.5

• Add appName parameter for web apps using nip 55
• Try to fix bunker requests showing up again after accepting/rejecting them
• Fix loading screen

Download it with zap.store, Obtainium, f-droid or download it directly in the releases page

If you like my work consider making a donation

Verifying the release

In order to verify the release, you'll need to have gpg or gpg2 installed on your system. Once you've obtained a copy (and hopefully verified that as well), you'll first need to import the keys that have signed this release if you haven't done so already:

bash gpg --keyserver hkps://keys.openpgp.org --recv-keys 44F0AAEB77F373747E3D5444885822EED3A26A6D

Once you have his PGP key you can verify the release (assuming manifest-v3.0.5.txt and manifest-v3.0.5.txt.sig are in the current directory) with:

bash gpg --verify manifest-v3.0.5.txt.sig manifest-v3.0.5.txt

You should see the following if the verification was successful:

bash gpg: Signature made Fri 13 Sep 2024 08:06:52 AM -03 gpg: using RSA key 44F0AAEB77F373747E3D5444885822EED3A26A6D gpg: Good signature from "greenart7c3 <greenart7c3@proton.me>"

That will verify the signature on the main manifest page which ensures integrity and authenticity of the binaries you've downloaded locally. Next, depending on your operating system you should then re-calculate the sha256 sum of the binary, and compare that with the following hashes:

bash cat manifest-v3.0.5.txt

One can use the shasum -a 256 <file name here> tool in order to re-compute the sha256 hash of the target binary for your operating system. The produced hash should be compared with the hashes listed above and they should match exactly.

@ 4b7c4ee3:8cd5ed4d

The revolution won’t be centralized. \ It won’t be hosted on Facebook, \ It won’t be tweeted by Elon, \ And it won’t be filtered through Instagram’s rosy lens.

The revolution won’t ask for your email, \ It won’t require you to accept cookies, \ It won’t target you with ads for sneakers \ You thought about once three weeks ago.

The revolution won’t care about your likes, \ Your follower count, \ Or whether you subscribe to the premium plan.

The revolution won’t crash when AWS goes down, \ It won’t shadowban dissenting voices, \ And it won’t rewrite your posts to please the algorithm.

The revolution won’t happen on a walled garden, \ Or behind a paywall. \ You won’t be locked out of your account \ For posting the truth too early or too often.

The revolution won’t beg for venture capital \ Or IPO on Wall Street. \ It won’t pivot to profits, \ Because it isn’t owned.

The revolution will be peer-to-peer, \ It will be cryptographically signed, \ Relayed by independent nodes \ That don’t care who you are, \ Only what you have to say.

The revolution will zap you on Lightning, \ It will live on NOSTR, \ It will be open-source, decentralized, \ Immutable, unstoppable, and yours.

Because the revolution won’t be centralized.

Stay humble. Stack sats.

---

Oyl Miller comes from an advertising background where he has worked for legacy brands like Nike and PlayStation, digital giants like Google and Airbnb, as well as crypto and web3 startups. He is experimenting with moving to a Bitcoin standard, and is looking to create value with his writing skills in a variety of ways.

@ d68401a8:11aad383

The internet addresses we use daily (e.g., something.com, something.org) are just a part of the internet called the DNS root zone, which is essentially a hierarchical database of all the names you can access on the internet (similar to a telephone directory).

Currently, the only root zone we know is the ICANN root zone. Nobody refers to it as the ICANN root zone or ICANN domains because it is inherently the only root zone people know, so we simply call it the Internet and domains.

The ICANN root zone is extremely convenient; having a centralized and unified root zone makes life easier for people, and it will remain the main root zone on the internet for the foreseeable future. However, the internet is not meant to have only one root zone. While the ICANN root zone has its advantages, it also has some drawbacks. This is where alternative root zones, which experiment with different trade-offs, make sense.

Handshake is an alternative root zone based on a decentralized peer-to-peer network, offering a different set of trade-offs compared to the ICANN root zone. The following table highlights the main differences between the ICANN and HNS root zones:

|Feature|ICANN Root Zone|HNS Root Zone| |:-|:-|:-| |Governance|Centralized (ICANN)|Decentralized (Peer-to-peer)| |Domain creation|Requires ICANN approval|Permissionless and auction-based| |User Interaction|Only through specific registries|Directly on its blockchain| |Infrastructure|Traditional DNS root servers|Blockchain-based| |Resolution|Native support in browsers and systems|Requires custom resolvers or tools| |Trust Model|Trust in the ICANN|Trustless, cryptographic verification| |HTTPS setup|Certificate authority|DANE| |Purpose|Corporate and State sovereignty; Stability|User sovereignty; Experimental|

How to access the HNS root zone

Now you know that the root zone you’re familiar with is the ICANN root zone, which is universally supported by operating systems and browsers. But what if you want to own a Handshake domains or want to access Handshake addresses to explore what’s in the Handshake root zone? Essentially, you have a few options:

1. PC and desktop

You have a few options explained here: https://learn.namebase.io/development/resolving-handshake, but the recommended one is Fingertip, a resolver created by Impervious that enables you to trustlessly resolve Handshake names:

• https://impervious.com/fingertip
• https://github.com/imperviousinc/fingertip

If your certificate expires at some point, usually after one year, you can either replace the certificate with a new one or delete the folder where the certificate is stored (on Windows, it should be located in a path like Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming\Fingertip). After deleting this folder, the next time you restart your computer, Fingertip will prompt you to generate a new certificate. Simply say yes, and that’s it!

2. Smart phones and other devices

For mobile phones and such the easiest and more convenient way is HNS DoH, the DNS over TLS option.

3. Explore the Handshake Root Zone

• https://www.niami.io/ or https://niami
• https://hns.cymon.de/

@ 2d74600a:d6708a00

---

Nel contesto contemporaneo, i diritti umani e civili sono spesso percepiti come concessioni statali o sociali. Tuttavia, un'analisi più profonda rivela che i diritti non sono semplicemente dati, ma devono essere attivamente presi e difesi. In questo articolo, esploreremo come Bitcoin e NOSTR (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) possano fungere da strumenti efficaci per l'affermazione e la protezione dei diritti individuali, promuovendo un approccio pacifico e decentralizzato.

La filosofia dei diritti si basa su un presupposto fondamentale: i diritti non sono innati, ma piuttosto costruzioni sociali che richiedono un riconoscimento e una difesa attiva. Questa visione si allinea con le teorie contrattualiste, dove i diritti emergono da accordi sociali e dalla necessità di proteggere l'individuo all'interno di una comunità. In un'epoca in cui le libertà individuali sono frequentemente minacciate, è cruciale esplorare nuovi paradigmi e strumenti che possano facilitare la rivendicazione e la salvaguardia di tali diritti.

Bitcoin: Un Nuovo Paradigma Economico

Bitcoin, come forma di valuta decentralizzata, rappresenta una rottura con i sistemi monetari tradizionali. La sua natura peer-to-peer consente agli individui di effettuare transazioni senza intermediari, riducendo la dipendenza da istituzioni centralizzate che possono limitare l'accesso ai diritti economici. Attraverso Bitcoin, gli individui possono esercitare il loro diritto alla proprietà e alla libertà economica, prendendo attivamente il controllo delle proprie risorse. Inoltre, la trasparenza e la sicurezza della blockchain offrono un meccanismo di difesa contro l'ingiustizia e la corruzione.

NOSTR: Libertà di Espressione e Comunicazione

NOSTR, un protocollo decentralizzato per la comunicazione, si propone di garantire la libertà di espressione in un contesto in cui le piattaforme centralizzate possono censurare o limitare il discorso. Attraverso NOSTR, gli utenti possono condividere idee e informazioni senza timore di repressione, affermando così il loro diritto alla libertà di parola. Questo strumento non solo facilita la comunicazione, ma crea anche uno spazio sicuro per il dibattito e l'espressione, essenziali per una società democratica.

In un mondo in cui i diritti sono frequentemente messi in discussione, è fondamentale riconoscere che essi non sono semplicemente concessi, ma devono essere attivamente presi e difesi. Bitcoin e NOSTR offrono strumenti innovativi per rivendicare e proteggere i diritti individuali in modo pacifico e decentralizzato. Attraverso l'adozione di queste tecnologie, gli individui possono non solo affermare la loro libertà, ma anche contribuire a un futuro in cui i diritti umani siano universalmente riconosciuti e rispettati. La sfida consiste nel promuovere una cultura di attivismo pacifico, in cui ogni individuo si senta responsabilizzato a prendere in mano i propri diritti e a difenderli con determinazione.

@ 1bc70a01:24f6a411

It works! or does it? H2

• Item

• Item

Paragraph

Bold

Italic

Strikethrough

1. Numbered 1

2. Numbered 2

Fancy blockquote

Codeblock? 

Wow. I'm impressed!

@ 1bc70a01:24f6a411

Super cool

• Written entirely with AI, zero lines of code

• Even comes with a neat editor that barely works atm!

• Should we add AI tools as well? Might as well...

• 2025 is going to be epic!

Can you see me?

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

Table Of Content

• Bitcoin's Journey: From Obscurity to Global Spotlight

• Blockchain: The Backbone of Bitcoin's Success

• The Paradox of Bitcoin's Ascendancy

• The Intricacies of Secure Bitcoin Storage

• The Final Word: Entrusting the Right Guardian

• Conclusion

• FAQ

In the digital age, where innovation is often synonymous with intangibility, Bitcoin stands as a testament to the power of decentralized finance. Born from the vision of a cashless society and the promise of financial autonomy, Bitcoin has rapidly transitioned from a theoretical concept to a tangible asset with profound global implications. However, as with any valuable asset, the question of its safekeeping becomes paramount. As Bitcoin's value skyrockets and its adoption spreads, the challenges associated with securely storing it come to the forefront. This article delves into Bitcoin's journey, the technology underpinning its success, the challenges of its storage, and the importance of entrusting its safety to the right hands. Join us as we crack the code of trust in the world of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin's Journey: From Obscurity to Global Spotlight

Bitcoin has charted an unparalleled trajectory, moving from being a fringe digital experiment to a global financial powerhouse. Its allure isn't just in its monetary value, but in the revolutionary potential it brings to the world of finance. While the market's inherent volatility can be jarring, especially during significant industry events, it's essential to recognize that such fluctuations are typical for pioneering technologies. The dot-com bubble's burst is a testament to this: groundbreaking technologies, despite initial hiccups, have historically showcased enduring value and resilience.

Blockchain: The Backbone of Bitcoin's Success

Bitcoin's rise isn't merely a result of market speculation. At its core, the underlying benefits of blockchain technology have been instrumental. Blockchain's decentralized ledger system offers transparency and security, driving an undeniable upward trend in Bitcoin's value and establishing a foundation for its long-term viability. As Bitcoin's value and global interest surge, the emphasis on its safekeeping becomes increasingly paramount.

The Paradox of Bitcoin's Ascendancy

As Bitcoin continues its meteoric rise, capturing the imagination and investment of people worldwide, its very success presents a paradox. This digital currency, once a niche concept known only to a select few, now finds itself in the global spotlight, and with this heightened attention comes a slew of challenges. The popularity and widespread adoption of Bitcoin have inadvertently made it a prime target for cyber threats and potential malfeasance. As more individuals and institutions flock to the Bitcoin ecosystem, the complexities of ensuring its safety become increasingly intricate. While there are numerous challenges that the Bitcoin community must grapple with, the issue of secure storage stands out. It's not just about protecting one's investment; it's about safeguarding the very integrity and trust that Bitcoin has built over the years. The question then arises: in an age where digital assets are becoming as valuable as physical ones, how do we ensure that Bitcoin remains both accessible and secure?

The Intricacies of Secure Bitcoin Storage

Many individuals are drawn to the Bitcoin realm with trading aspirations, aiming for significant returns. This trend is especially pronounced in developed economies. However, in emerging markets, the allure of a decentralized store of value is tangible. As a result, exchanges have become the primary gateway for many to enter the Bitcoin world. While these platforms are equipped with various security measures and are designed for trading, they often house vast amounts of Bitcoin. The challenge? These platforms, despite their security measures, aren't inherently designed for the long-term, secure storage of Bitcoin. A cursory online search about "Bitcoin exchange hacks" reveals numerous incidents, highlighting the risks of relying solely on exchanges for safeguarding one's Bitcoin assets.

The Final Word: Entrusting the Right Guardian The essence of the Bitcoin storage dilemma revolves around trust. As the ecosystem continues to evolve, both individuals and institutions must critically assess where and how they store their Bitcoin. The goal is to find a balance between trading accessibility and the security required for long-term holding. In this dynamic landscape, understanding the intricacies of Bitcoin storage and placing trust in the right guardians will be pivotal in ensuring the safety and appreciation of one's Bitcoin investments.

Conclusion

As we stand on the cusp of a financial revolution, Bitcoin's prominence in the global financial landscape is undeniable. Its meteoric rise, underpinned by the robustness of blockchain technology, has reshaped our understanding of value, trust, and decentralization. However, with great value comes the pressing responsibility of protection. The challenges of securely storing Bitcoin are not mere technical hurdles but pivotal concerns that will define its future adoption and integration. As enthusiasts, investors, and guardians of this digital gold, our collective responsibility is to ensure its safekeeping. By understanding the nuances of storage, being vigilant of potential risks, and placing our trust in reliable custodians, we can ensure that Bitcoin's promise is not just preserved but flourishes in the years to come. The journey of Bitcoin is as much about innovation as it is about trust, and as we move forward, it's this trust that will shape its legacy.

FAQ

Why is secure storage important for Bitcoin? Given its high value and digital nature, Bitcoin is a target for cyber theft. Secure storage ensures the safety of one's assets against hacks and unauthorized access.

Are exchanges safe for storing Bitcoin? While exchanges have security measures, they are primarily designed for trading. For long-term storage, dedicated Bitcoin wallets or cold storage solutions are recommended.

What is blockchain in relation to Bitcoin? Blockchain is the underlying technology of Bitcoin. It's a decentralized ledger system that records all Bitcoin transactions in a transparent and secure manner.

How can I ensure the safety of my Bitcoin investments? By understanding storage nuances, using secure wallets, regularly updating security protocols, and staying informed about potential risks.

That's all for today

If you want more, be sure to follow us on:

NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com

X: @croxroadnews

Instagram: @croxroadnews.co

Youtube: @croxroadnews

Store: https://croxroad.store

Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.

@ dd52c42c:9acd8fec

Después de escuchar el podcast de Lunaticoin L248, en el que indica que deberíamos ir apilando sats en LIGHTNING, he estado investigando como ir apilando sats a partir de las recompensas obtenidas con el farming y staking en protocolos DeFi.

Desde la Watch Out Bitcoin 2024 de Madrid, en la que asistí al "taller Defi" y conocí la sidechain Rootstock, estoy probando esta L2.

Para ello, quiero compartir mi experiencia apilando sats en mi billetera On-Chain usando parte de mis recompensas generadas en protocolos Defi(red Arbitrum, Polygon,...) utilizando el atomic swap de Boltz desde Rootstock a On-Chain.

Enviar saldo a Rootstock

Para empezar este proceso, recaudé recompensas de los farming en la red de Arbitrum(y otras) y utilicé el Bridge de Symbiosis para usar USDC de la red de arbitrum para enviar a la billetera de Rootstock intercambiandolo directamente por RBTC (Creo que hubiese sido más rentable pasarlo a rUSDT y hacer el intercambio de rUSDT -> RBTC en el exchange descentralizado de OKU).

En este caso marqué la opción de recibir RBTC en otra billetera.

Esperamos que se confirmen las transacciones y hago este proceso con las recompensas obtenidas de farming en otras redes.

Enviar BTC a billetera On-Chain

Una vez que hemos comprobado que tenemos los tokens RBTC en nuestra billetera de Rootstock, accedemos a Boltz y hacemos un swap desde la red de ROOTSTOCK a BITCOIN(On-Chain). Hay que indicar la dirección de la billetera de BTC y pulsar sobre "CREATE ATOMIC SWAP".

Se crea el atomic swap y al pulsar en "SEND" se abrirá la ventana para confirmar la transacción en la red de ROOTSTOCK.

Confirmamos la transacción.

Una vez confirmada la transacción en la red de ROOTSTOCK, nos muestra el siguiente mensaje:

Comprobamos la tx en la mempool y esperamos que se confirme en la blockchain.

Una vez que se confirme la transacción vemos el saldo en nuestra billetera On-Chain.

@ ee90543f:9363457f

🌟 Уважаемые друзья! 🌟

С радостью приглашаем вас на уникальное культурное событие, которое станет ярким моментом этой осени. 15 ноября в сердце нашего города откроется выставка «Искусство в движении», посвященная современному искусству и его взаимодействию с окружающим миром.

На выставке будут представлены работы известных художников и молодых дарований, которые в своих творениях исследуют темы динамики, изменения и трансформации. Вы сможете увидеть интерактивные инсталляции, видеарт и живопись, погружающую в мир эмоций и впечатлений.

Открытие выставки начнется в 18:00 с торжественной церемонии, где вас ждут выступления артистов и кураторов, а также живая музыка. Не упустите возможность пообщаться с художниками и насладиться дегустацией изысканных угощений от местных гастрономов.

Выставка будет открыта до конца декабря, и каждый вторник будет проходить специальная программа с мастер-классами и лекциями.

@ ee90543f:9363457f

В последние годы мэрия Москвы активно внедряет умные технологии, обеспечивая устойчивое развитие городской инфраструктуры. Одной из ключевых инициатив является создание интегрированной системы управления городом, которая объединяет данные о транспортных потоках, состоянии дорожного покрытия и уровне загрязнения воздуха. Это позволяет эффективно реагировать на изменения в городской среде и оптимизировать работу служб. Кроме того, в столице запущены проекты по внедрению «умных» светофоров, которые автоматически подстраиваются под интенсивность движения, а также используются датчики для мониторинга пешеходных зон и парковок. Также развиты городская сеть Wi-Fi, которая обеспечит доступ к интернету в общественных местах, способствуя облегчению взаимодействия граждан с государственными сервисами. Не менее важным аспектом является цифровизация услуг для жителей. Платформы для электронных обращений и голосований делают процесс управления более прозрачным и доступным. Таким образом, мэрия Москвы не только повышает качество жизни горожан, но и создает условия для активного участия населения в развитии urban-экосистемы, что является важным шагом к умному городу.

@ 31312140:2471509b

The Underpinnings of Germ Theory: A History Lesson

The Germ Theory took root in the fertile ground of 19th-century scientific exploration. Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch emerged as the poster children of this doctrine, selling the world on the notion that microorganisms are the main perpetrators of disease. Pasteur's dramatic demonstrations and Koch's postulates captured the imagination of the medical community, turning Germ Theory into dogma.

The Fault Lines

Pasteur’s Dubious Methods

In the annals of scientific history, Louis Pasteur’s name often emerges as a heroic figure who championed Germ Theory. However, beneath the accolades lies a more complex and contentious legacy fraught with unscientific methods and unnecessary cruelty. Pasteur’s experiments, lauded in their time, provide little to no scientific basis for the legitimacy of Germ Theory today. Let’s separate myth from reality.

Pasteur’s Experimentation: A Glance Behind the Curtain

Louis Pasteur, best known for his work on vaccinations and microbial fermentation, was not quite the rigorous scientist history books often paint him to be. His methods were as much about showmanship and drama as they were about scientific inquiry, raising several red flags. 🧑‍🔬

Lack of Scientific Rigor: Pasteur’s experiments rarely adhered to the modern standards of scientific rigor. He often neglected proper scientific controls and failed to consistently repeat his experiments under the same conditions to eliminate alternative explanations. This lack of methodological rigor casts shadows over the reliability of his findings. 📉

Cruelty in the Name of Science: Pasteur’s experiments often involved injecting substances into animals, notably into their brains, to observe disease progression. Such actions were needlessly cruel and failed to replicate natural disease transmission. When animals tragically died from these brutal interventions, Pasteur attributed the cause to germs or viruses, neglecting the stress and trauma of his invasive procedures as potential factors. 😿

Dissecting the Evidence—or Lack Thereof

The cornerstone of Pasteur’s claims that germs were directly responsible for disease hinged on such brutal methods. However, no comprehensive and reproducible scientific evidence emerged to definitively prove Germ Theory. His experiments often overlooked variables that today would disqualify his conclusions as scientifically robust.

Absence of Isolation: Pasteur claimed to identify and isolate specific pathogens as disease culprits. However, without modern techniques and an oversight of standard isolation methods, his assertions were tenuous at best. Pathogens were forced into environments and reactions completely unnatural to their normal behavior.

Control Fallacies: Pasteur's lack of proper controls and failure to observe naturally-occurring conditions resulted in experiments that simulated rather than illuminated the natural world. His conclusions often relied on directed outcomes rather than unbiased observations.

Reputation Over Rigor: Emphasizing his results more than the methodology, Pasteur successfully marketed Germ Theory without addressing plausible alternative explanations for disease, such as environmental and host factors now recognized as contributing significantly to health outcomes. 🎭

Koch’s Postulates: The Perfect Logic

In the annals of medical history, few frameworks were as crystal-clear and logical as Koch's Postulates. Developed by Robert Koch in the 19th century, these postulates were designed to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between a microorganism and a disease. Their clarity and rigor make you wonder why, then, no virus has ever fully satisfied these criteria. Spoiler alert: it's not the postulates that are flawed. Let's unpack this enigma. 🕵️‍♂️

The Unquestioned Logic of Koch's Postulates

Koch’s Postulates laid out a straightforward and logical framework:

1. Presence in Diseased Organisms: The microorganism must be found in abundance in all organisms suffering from the disease, but not in healthy organisms.
2. Isolation: The microorganism must be isolated from a diseased organism.
3. Reproduction of Disease: The isolated microorganism should cause disease when introduced into a healthy organism.
4. Re-Isolation: The microorganism must be re-isolated from the inoculated, diseased experimental host and identified as being identical to the original specific causative agent.

At first glance—and in thorough scientific scrutiny—these steps are both logical and sound. They seek to establish undeniable causality between a germ and a disease. The problem? Not a single virus satisfies these foundational criteria.

The Virus Dilemma: A Case Against Germ Theory

Viruses have never clearly demonstrated an ability to fulfill Koch’s Postulates. Here’s why this matters:

Presence and Absence: Viruses are often found in healthy individuals, completely violating the first postulate. If presence alone were cause for disease, we'd all be perpetually ill.

Causation and Introduction: Reproducing disease symptoms reliably by introducing a virus into a healthy host? Good luck. This rarely results in consistent illness, highlighting the shaky premise upon which viral causation rests.

Re-Isolation Challenges: Even when a virus appears to be re-isolated, it's never perfectly identical to the original. Which makes complete sense when one understands that supposed viruses are just random cellular debris.

Failure to meet these criteria suggests that the existence of viruses as direct causes of disease is anything but a settled science. In fact, it reinforces the idea that Germ Theory doesn’t hold water, particularly when we consider the consistency and rigor required by Koch's original framework.

Virology: The Shaky Foundations

Faced with the inability to satisfy Koch's Postulates, the scientific community has adapted and modified them endlessly. Here's how they've diluted and diverted:

Molecular Koch's Postulates: Focus on genes rather than organisms, diverting attention from the failure of isolated viruses to credibly cause disease.

Epidemiological Excuses: Correlations in population studies often stand in for causation, even though this violates the logical rigor originally intended.

DNA and RNA Techniques: PCR and molecular methods detect genetic material but do not prove viral causation, circumventing the postulates by identifying sequences rather than demonstrating direct effects.

By moving the goalposts, virology attempts to shield itself from the logical scrutiny that should dismantle it—a clear indication that the field struggles under traditional scientific methods.

The Bigger Picture: Questioning the Narrative

Koch's Postulates were crafted in a time when scientific integrity and logic were paramount. That no virus has satisfied these postulates essentially points a finger right back at Germ Theory and the entire premise upon which modern virology stands; it appears far more unscientific if it can't pass the basic tests of causation and effect laid out over a century ago.

While the world buys into Germ Theory as a self-evident truth, the unsinkable logic of Koch’s Postulates serves as a reminder that scientific inquiry is never settled simply by bending rules to fit narratives.

Viruses and Virology’s Dance of Deception

In the realm of virology, the term "isolation" is thrown around with surprising frequency. For most of us, isolation evokes a clear, dictionary-defined image: separating something completely from everything else. However, in virology, "isolation" means something entirely different from this straightforward definition. So, let's take a closer look at what this word really implies in the virology playbook and why it might just be the lynchpin in a grand scientific illusion. 🧬

The Dictionary Definition vs. Virology's Reality

According to standard dictionaries, "isolation" refers to the act of setting something apart, free from connections or interactions with other objects or environments. Think quarantine, a separated specimen, or a single variable under a microscope. Isolation should mean purity and singularity.

In virology, however, "isolation" involves an intricate process that seems to contradict these fundamental principles:

The Viral "Isolation" Process: In virology practices, so-called "isolation" involves taking samples believed to contain the virus and adding them to a mixture of other genetic materials and nutrients within cell cultures. This environment is rarely isolated by the traditional definition—it's an elaborate cocktail rather than a singular entity.

The Outcome and Ambiguity: When cell cultures deteriorate or exhibit changes, virologists claim the presence of a virus, naming these alterations as proof of viral activity. However, changes might result from a myriad collection of factors, from environmental stressors to the very chemicals added to the culture themselves.🦠

The Concept of "Isolation" Under Scrutiny

Given virology's integration-based "isolation" process, here are some valid points for questioning:

Scientific Ambiguity: The blending of viruses with cellular systems complicates the interpretation of observed effects. When anomalies arise, distinguishing specific viral influences from the noise of external variables becomes nearly impossible.

Misinterpretation and Misleading Perceptions: The misuse of "isolation" generates misleading perceptions that viruses are identified and targeted with precision in lab-based scenarios. This dilution and deviation from the traditional concept cast doubt on purported viral behavior and pathogenicity.

Where is the Purity?: Without the ability to fully isolate and analyze viruses independently, claims of their direct actions and pathogenic roles remain speculative at best, opening a Pandora’s box of uncertainties.

The Terrain Theory: A Harbinger of Hope?

Antoine Béchamp emerges as a contender to Pasteur's legacy with Terrain Theory. Contrary to Germ Theory, Terrain Theory insists that diseases arise due to imbalances or vulnerabilities of individual internal environments—the "terrain." This perspective suggests that focusing solely on germs misses the broader health picture. 🖼️

Béchamp’s notion aligns more closely with what many modern-day holistic health approaches tout—strengthening the "terrain" over simply destroying the "invaders."

According to Béchamp, microorganisms could change form based on the environment, suggesting that germs are not the primary cause of disease but rather a symptom of an unhealthy internal "terrain." This theory emphasized that maintaining the body's internal balance and health was key to preventing disease, challenging the singular blame on specific pathogens and highlighting the dynamic nature of microorganisms within the body.

In recent times, the study of exosomes has added another layer of complexity to our understanding of disease. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles involved in cellular communication and transport of genetic material. Some researchers argue that exosomes have been misidentified as pathogenic viruses due to their similar appearance and behavior. This misrepresentation could lead to erroneous conclusions about the nature and cause of certain diseases, suggesting that what might be labeled as a viral infection could, in fact, be the body's response to stress or other environmental factors. This emerging perspective challenges the long-standing assumptions of Germ Theory, calling for a deeper exploration of the body's intricate biological mechanisms

The Spanish Flu and Its Intriguing Parallel to COVID-19

The Spanish Flu of 1918 stands as one of the deadliest pandemics in history (at least as we are being told to believe), claiming millions of lives worldwide. Interestingly, multiple attempts to experimentally transmit the influenza virus from sick individuals to healthy ones during this period yielded unexpected results. Various experiments involved transferring fluids from the infected to healthy volunteers, yet these attempts consistently failed to induce illness. This failure to recreate infection under controlled conditions has prompted some to question the fundamental understanding of virus transmission.

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic took Germ Theory for a high-speed test drive, with mixed returns. Governments worldwide invoked this theory to justify masks, lockdowns, and testing regimes like PCR, originally intended for DNA analysis, not diagnostics. As people folded squarely into the narrative, questions about the veracity and motives behind this became more poignant. 🧬

Drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, similar debates have surfaced regarding the virus's transmissibility and pathogenicity. While COVID-19 has inspired unprecedented global health measures, questions about virus isolation, testing accuracy, and the true nature of virus spread echo those inquiries raised during the Spanish Flu era. Both cases challenge the simplicity with which Germ Theory attributes disease to direct microbial causation, inviting a broader examination of environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors in understanding pandemics. This reflection compels continued exploration into the complexity of infectious diseases beyond a single-cause framework, encouraging more holistic approaches to public health.

The Pharmaceutical Profiteers

No discussion on Germ Theory is complete without examining Big Pharma—an industry thriving on the fear of germs. Thanks to the narratives built around germ-caused diseases, this sector grows ever richer, pumping out vaccines and medications aimed at thwarting these so-called invisible villains. Blanche at your own peril; this is a money-making machine. 💊

Path Forward: Empower and Enlighten

• Question the Status Quo: Encourage skepticism towards germ causation claims without ironclad scientific proof.
• Focus on Overall Health: Your ‘terrain’ or environment is key. Elevate health through balanced diet, exercise, and stress management.
• Demand Transparent Science: Push for rigorous, ethical trials that clearly demonstrate causation, not just correlation.
• Educate and Explore: Dive into the works of critics like Béchamp and modern contrarians who offer alternative views on health and disease.

Essential Readings

• "Béchamp or Pasteur? A Lost Chapter in the History of Biology" by Ethel D. Hume
• "The Contagion Myth: Why Viruses (including 'Coronavirus') Are Not the Cause of Disease" by Thomas S. Cowan and Sally Fallon Morell
• "Virus Mania: How the Medical Industry Continually Invents Epidemics, Making Billion-Dollar Profits at Our Expense" by Torsten Engelbrecht and Claus Köhnlein
• "What Really Makes You Ill? Why Everything You Thought You Knew About Disease Is Wrong" by Dawn Lester and David Parker
• "The Dream & Lie of Louis Pasteur: A Philosophy" by R. B. Pearson
• "Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Disease" by Paul Harrison

So the next time you're confronted by claims of germ villains, remember the cracked foundations upon which these claims stand. Look into it, my friend, stay inquisitive, and always question the narrative. 🌟🔍

@ 00cfe60d:2819cc65

Let’s look at money differently for a moment. Think of money not just as something we use to buy things, but as a way to show what we care about what we value. Just like a smile shows happiness or tears show sadness, money lets us express what’s important to us.

When we can’t express our feelings, whether because someone stops us or because we don’t know how, we feel frustrated. Over time, that frustration can turn into sadness or even depression. The same thing happens with money, if we can’t use it to show what we value because it’s lost its purchasing power or been taken away, we feel stuck.

Money is like a language. It tells others what we care about. For example, imagine two shopping carts at the grocery store. One is filled with fresh vegetables, milk, meat, and fruit. The other is packed with chocolates, frozen pizza, cookies, and beer. These carts tell us something about what each person values.

But what if the person buying frozen pizza and cookies wants healthier food but simply can’t afford it? That’s not just about choice—it’s about purchasing power. Over time, the value of money decreases. Central banks print more and more of it, and this makes everything more expensive. This is called inflation.

Since the euro was introduced in the late 1990s, it has lost almost 50% of its purchasing power. What that means is simple: you need twice as much money today to buy the same groceries you could afford back then. You’re forced to buy cheaper, less healthy options, or even cut back on essentials. Inflation limits our ability to spend on the things we care about, and it stops us from expressing our values.

But what if there was a better way? Bitcoin offers an alternative. It works differently from traditional money. No one can print more of it, so it doesn’t lose its value over time.

In fact, because Bitcoin has a fixed supply and fulfills all the essential characteristics of money, its purchasing power has tended to grow over time. For money to function effectively, it needs to meet specific criteria, and Bitcoin excels in all of them:

- Scarcity: Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million, making it resistant to manipulation and dilution—unlike fiat currencies that can be endlessly printed.

- Divisibility: Bitcoin can be divided into 100 million smaller units (satoshis), making it suitable for transactions of any scale.

- Portability: Bitcoin can be transferred instantly and securely across the globe with nothing more than a smartphone or computer.

- Durability: Bitcoin isn’t physical, so it doesn’t degrade or deteriorate over time.

- Recognizability: Bitcoin is increasingly recognized and valued worldwide, with a growing network of users and merchants accepting it as payment.

Now let’s go back to the supermarket. Imagine you’ve saved €50 in cash and 0.002 Bitcoin (BTC). After 10 years, you go shopping. With your €50, you can now only buy half of what you could a decade ago. But with your 0.002 BTC, you can fill an even bigger cart than before. Bitcoin doesn’t just protect your purchasing power, it can actually increase it.

This difference is profound. Fiat money, like the euro or dollar, loses value over time. It forces people to work harder just to keep up, leaving them with less freedom to spend on what they truly value. Bitcoin, on the other hand, grows stronger. It gives people the financial freedom to make choices that reflect their values without fear of inflation eating away at their savings.

Money is more than a tool, it’s a way to express who we are and what we care about. But for money to truly serve us, it needs to hold its value over time. That’s why Bitcoin isn’t just a new kind of money, it’s a way to reclaim the power to choose, to prioritize, and to live the life we want.

So, next time you’re at the supermarket, look at your cart and ask yourself: does this reflect what you value, or is inflation forcing you to compromise?

With Bitcoin, we reclaim the freedom to express what we truly value.

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

That game went pretty well. I made two last-second decisions, one to start Gus Edwards in the .5 PPR Steak League over Elijah Moore, and he got me two TDs, so that was good. The other was to bench Wil Lutz (who I have everywhere) for Jake Elliott in the probably drawing dead playoff NFFC league. Lutz had 12.6 points, thanks to that last 55-yard field goal, so that was probably a mistake.

I also nearly swapped in Javonte Williams for Rhamondre Stevenson, but changed my mind at the last second. Williams had 12.3 points (on 11 targets!), but that was the right move because though Stevenson could get less, I need 200-point weeks back to back, so I’d rather have the guy who hasn’t played yet than anything under 15-20. (I did have Ladd McConkey going, and he got 14.7 which is a little light too.)

I took the Chargers -2.5 in Circa, and that came through, though I idiotically forgot to enter the Thursday night pick in my home picking pool. Imagine, I was agonizing over all these decisions for drawing dead teams, yet forgot to make a pick in the pool where I can still win some money if I have the best week. I was almost rooting against the Chargers to undo that mistake.

FWIW I only watched the highlights of the game, couldn’t bring myself to do the 40-minute version of what I expected to be a dull, smashmouth Thursday night game.

• The Broncos seem like all scheming, no consistency. Like they’ll break a big play, or misdirect, or some random guy like Marvin Mims will make a play, but you have no sense of who they are or what they’re doing, drive in and drive out, or game in and game out. Javonte Williams got 11 targets, and they threw to 10 different receivers.

• The Chargers just don’t throw to their backs now. Maybe it’s because those backs can’t catch (Edwards) or pass protect (Vidal?). Justin Herbert used to throw to Austin Ekeler more than anyone.

• Edwards is a poor man’s Derrick Henry, and I’m glad I timed him right this week for the Steak League where I’m still an eater, but only narrowly.

• All three Chargers receivers got exactly six targets. McConkey managed 87 yards, Josh Palmer 41 and Quentin Johnston 18. The Broncos are a tough defense for the passing game though.

• Neither team is going anywhere in the playoffs. The Chargers need one more playmaker on offense, while the Broncos need two.

• Damn, just realized I started Jonathan Cooper in the Steak League as my IDP DL player, and he got zero. WTF?

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

This event has been deleted; your client is ignoring the delete request.

@ fd208ee8:0fd927c1

When the shit just don't work

Most open-source software is now so badly written and sloppily-maintained, that it's malware.

That's why the governments are getting involved. They try using OS, to save money and improve quality (and to market themselves as "hip"), and then it blows up their system or opens them up to hackers.

Now, they're pissed and want support (but the dev with the handle SucksToBeYou has disappeared) or someone to sue, but most OS projects have no identifiable entity behind them. Even well-known anon devs are often groups of anons or accounts that change hands.

The software cracks have moved on

There is simply no evidence that OS alone produces higher-quality software. The reason it seemed that way, at the beginning, was because of the caliber of the developers working on the projects, and the limited number of projects. This resulted in experienced people actively reviewing each others' code.

OS used to be something the elite engaged in, but it's mostly beginners practicing in public, now. That's why there are now millions of OS projects, happily offered for free, but almost all of them are garbage. The people now building OS usually aren't capable of reviewing other people's code, and they're producing worse products than ChatGPT could. Their software has no customers because it has no market value.

If everything is OS, then nothing is.

Another paradigm-changer is that all software is de facto OS, now that we can quickly reverse-engineer code with AI. That means the focus is no longer on OS/not-OS, but on the accountability and reputation of the builders.

It is, once again, a question of trust. We have come full-circle.

@ 330516bf:ea23d292

The self-declaration of identity is a philosophical open source project, hosted at https://memdeklaro.github.io/

Foreword

ID documents do more harm than good and should not be seen as a solution for trust or authentication. Many economic and social interactions can be done anonymously. For other situations, trust can be achieved by simply saying your (self-chosen) name, using a web-of-trust, word-of-mouth reputation, vouches, memberships, escrows or cash deposits, and authentication can be achieved by using a password, cryptographic key pair (e.g. PGP, Monero) or physical key or code (such as house keys or a safe code).

Background

In recent years, more and more things are asking for proof of identity, from basic necessities like jobs, housing and healthcare, to smaller things like receiving mail, buying a sim card or joining a gym. However, it is not enough to write your name and address on a form. Instead, only government-issued IDs are accepted, which gives the state a “monopoly on identity”.

Monopolies are dangerous in general due to the fact that if the service provider is harmful, inaccessible or otherwise problematic, you cannot choose a different provider, start your own provider, or go without. This particular monopoly is even worse, considering that access to government ID determines if you may participate in the economy (jobs, banking), society (housing, volunteer work, education, libraries, sports) or even exist (national borders).

Many people have no access to government ID. This group includes some stateless people, refugees, people who weren’t registered at birth, and people who escaped from child abuse, domestic abuse or cult abuse. The state’s claimed solutions, such as asylum procedures, stateless determination procedures, delayed registration of birth, child protective services and witness protection, often cannot help in practice, as the victim is often ignored, accused of lying, blamed for the persecution, or worse sent back to the persecutors against their will. Despite issuing laissez-passer and Nansen passports in the past, the United Nations and Red Cross do not issue alternative IDs today. It would be a relief if these processes would work and allow vulnerable people to escape from undeserved and dangerous situations, but unfortunately this is not the reality.

In addition, the collectivist concept of citizenship can be dangerous. For example, if someone does not identify with their birth culture, they should not be forced to follow it for life or identify themselves as a member of this culture. Instead, they should be free to dissent against this culture or leave this culture’s jurisdiction. Even worse is conscription — the cruel system where a nation-state can force someone against their will to kill or be killed, just because they happened to be born inside a certain territory. The world would be more free if people could exist as individuals, conscientious objectors against the fatalism of birth cultures and violence of statism, with freedom of association to leave hostile environments and join self-chosen communities.

“The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”

Self-declaration of identity gives people the power to decide their own fate. People are no longer the property of nations, governments, birth cultures or birth parents. The choice of your own name and renunciation of your circumstances of birth is a liberating act of individualism, where your ideals, actions and efforts matter more than the situation that you were arbitrarily born into.

Self-declaration of identity

Instead of requiring third parties such as birth countries, birth cultures and birth parents to define an individual’s identity, the self-declaration allows you to define your own name and eschews the concepts of birth countries and citizenship.

The self-declaration is a CR-80 plastic card or paper business card (85.6mm x 54mm). The self-declaration is written in Esperanto and includes the Esperanto flag and symbol. Esperanto was chosen because it is anational (sennacieca = not associated with a specific country, culture or state) and was created as a borderless language of peace, built on voluntary free association. The design features artwork of a peace dove in a blue sky with clouds.

As it is a self-declaration, it is not stored in a central database, does not require a third party’s permission and does not need to be issued by an authority. You are the authority over your own life.

The self-declaration includes the text:

• Title: Self-declaration of identity (Memdeklaro de identeco)
• Location: Esperanto community (Esperantujo)
• Issuer: EPO (ISO code for Esperanto)
• Quote: One world, one humankind (Unu mondo, unu homaro)

The self-declaration of identity contains:

• Self-chosen first name (Antaŭnomo) and self-chosen surname (Nomo) → an individual should be able to freely choose their own name
• Birth date (Naskiĝdato) → for declaration of age
• Photo → Dimensions 35mm x 45mm
• Signature (Subskribo) → sign your self-declaration
• Notes field (Notoj) → a place to write a note, e.g. “the holder is a conscientious objector” (Portanto estas konscienca obĵetanto)
• ID number (Numero), issuance date (Eldondato), expiry date (Limdato), issuer (Eldonisto), MRZ → bureaucratic boilerplate

The self-declaration of identity does not contain:

• Place of birth → allows people to cut ties with hostile environments and self-define their culture, beliefs and personal ties
• Citizenship or stateless status → allows people to cut ties with hostile governments or cultures, and exist as an individual instead of as property of a state that they did not choose
• Parents’ names → allows victims of child abuse to cut ties with abusers

To make your own:

• Use the generator at https://memdeklaro.github.io/ or download the repo (https://github.com/memdeklaro/memdeklaro.github.io/) and open index.html in your browser
• Alternatively download the front template (fronto.jpg) and back template (dorso.jpg) from the linked repo, and use an image editor such as GIMP to add your text (the font OCR-B.ttf is provided) and your photo and signature
• Calculate the MRZ code here (TD1): https://www.dynamsoft.com/tools/mrz-generator/ (Choose any country, then replace it with EPO)
• Print it out as a business card and optionally laminate (dimensions: 85.6mm x 54mm) or order a CR-80 plastic card from a printing service

Example:

Note:

Unfortunately the self-declaration of identity cannot be used to bypass government ID requirements, such as for jobs, housing, healthcare, finances, volunteer work, contracts, receiving mail or buying a sim card. Other non-government IDs such as Digitalcourage Lichtbildausweis (https://shop.digitalcourage.de/gadgets/lichtbildausweis-mit-selbst-waehlbaren-daten.html) and World Passport (https://worldcitizengov.org/what-is-the-world-passport/) have the same limitations.

Nation-states’ refusal to print IDs for undocumented, stateless and unregistered people (while forcing government ID requirements on employers, landlords, doctors and more) can and does put innocent people’s lives in danger. But unfortunately even the United Nations has not been able to change this, despite issuing conventions on statelessness and refugee status in the 1950s.

Further Reading

For further reading about identity (and why the state’s monopoly is harmful):

Passports Were a “Temporary” War Measure — Speranta Dumitru https://fee.org/articles/passports-were-a-temporary-war-measure

During World War II, we did have something to hide — Hans de Zwart https://medium.com/@hansdezwart/during-world-war-ii-we-did-have-something-to-hide-40689565c550

The Little-Known Passport That Protected 450,000 Refugees — Cara Giaimo https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/nansen-passport-refugees

With each person left living on the streets, we are losing as a society — Petr Baroch https://www.statelessness.eu/blog/each-person-left-living-streets-we-are-losing-society

The rarely discussed dangers of KYC and what you can do about it — Anarkio https://vonupodcast.com/know-your-customer-kyc-the-rarely-discussed-danger-guest-article-audio

Exclusion and identity: life without ID — Privacy International https://www.privacyinternational.org/long-read/2544/exclusion-and-identity-life-without-id

Proving who I am: the plight of people in detention without proof of legal identity — Vicki Prais https://www.penalreform.org/blog/proving-who-i-am-the-plight-of-people/

Establishing identity is a vital, risky and changing business — The Economist https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2018/12/18/establishing-identity-is-a-vital-risky-and-changing-business

What’s in a name? The case for inclusivity through anonymity — Common Thread https://blog.twitter.com/common-thread/en/topics/stories/2021/whats-in-a-name-the-case-for-inclusivity-through-anonymity

True Names Not Required: On Identity and Pseudonymity in Cyberspace — Der Gigi https://dergigi.medium.com/true-names-not-required-fc6647dfe24a

Citizenship is obsolete — Samuela Davidova https://medium.com/@DavidovaSamuela/citizenship-is-obsolete-c36a20056752

License

Public Domain

Source code: https://github.com/memdeklaro/memdeklaro.github.io

Infographic

Translations

(Machine translated)\ Memdeklaro de identenco: self declaration of identity, autodeclaración de identidad, autodeclaração de identidade, autodéclaration d’identité, autodichiarazione di identità, autodeclararea identității, Selbsterklärung zur Identität, eigen verklaring van identiteit, Selvdeklaration af identitet, självdeklaration av identitet, egenerklæring om identitet, henkilöllisyysvakuutus, Isikuandmete esitamine, identitātes pašdeklarēšana, savęs deklaravimas, önbevallás a személyazonosságról, własna deklaracja tożsamości, vlastní prohlášení o totožnosti, vlastné vyhlásenie o totožnosti, samoprijava identitete, самодеклариране на самоличността, самопроголошення ідентичності, самозаявление о личности, αυτο-δήλωση ταυτότητας, pernyataan identitas diri, öz kimlik beyanı, الإعلان الذاتي عن الهوية, 身份自报, 身份自報, 自己申告, 신원 자기 선언

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@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

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@ ca20c953:b744e1b1

The song "Warm Fuzzy Feeling" is about 1 minute and 56 seconds of pure, unadulterated joy. Just a good, quick rock song. Give a listen to the whole All the Pain Money Can Buy album. Thank me later.

@ a17fb4ed:c53f7e91

I just listened to a podcast episode that has inspired me to revive a lost art - the handwritten thank-you note. The guest shared how this simple practice has transformed his life and business over the past 30 years. As someone who has written these notes in the past, I can attest to the feel-good factor. There's just something special about taking the time to put pen to paper and express genuine gratitude. Why do it? There are three key reasons: 1. It cuts through the digital clutter. In our inboxes and DMs, emails and messages get lost in the shuffle. But a physical letter that arrives in someone's mailbox? That's something they're much more likely to read and appreciate. 2. It conveys genuine appreciation. Putting pen to paper and crafting a thoughtful message shows the recipient that you truly value them. As he said, "it comes with a lot of love." 3. It creates a lasting impression. Unlike a quick digital message, a handwritten note becomes a keepsake that the recipient can refer back to. The most powerful part? He shared that he gets responses to these notes - often years later. People remember them and are touched by the gesture. After hearing his story, I'm convinced. I'm going to carve out 20 minutes this week to write a few heartfelt thank-you notes to the important people in my life. I challenge you to do the same. In our fast-paced, digital world, the handwritten note stands out as a uniquely personal gesture. If you're looking to strengthen your relationships and make a memorable impression, I can't recommend this practice enough. It may just be the magic touch your life and business need. Let me know if you gave it shot in the comment. Cheers, Yooper

@ 4b7c4ee3:8cd5ed4d

For decades, the internet has promised an open, interconnected world where anyone can share ideas, build businesses, and connect freely. In its early days, this promise seemed attainable—a digital wild west where innovation thrived and creativity knew no bounds. But as the internet evolved, so did the gatekeepers. Giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon now dominate the web, dictating how we interact, what we see, and often, what we’re allowed to say.

This isn’t the internet we were promised. It’s a walled garden where central authorities control the gates, monetize our data, and censor voices that challenge the status quo.

Enter decentralized protocols like NOSTR, a breath of fresh air for those of us who believe the internet should be free, open, and resistant to control. Here’s why NOSTR and other decentralized protocols are the antidote to the internet’s centralization problem—and why we’re just getting started.

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The Centralization Problem

The modern internet revolves around a handful of centralized platforms:

1. Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram determine what content reaches your feed. Algorithms prioritize engagement over truth, often creating echo chambers.

2. Cloud Hosting: Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud host vast swaths of the internet. A single outage or policy change can take down critical infrastructure.

3. Search Engines: Google alone processes over 90% of global search queries, giving it disproportionate power to shape knowledge discovery.

4. Financial Gatekeepers: Payment processors like PayPal and Stripe have the power to cut off individuals and organizations from financial systems based on subjective criteria.

Centralization leads to:

• Censorship: Voices can be silenced without recourse.

• Monopolies: Innovation is stifled as big players dominate.

• Data Exploitation: Our personal information is harvested, sold, and used to manipulate us.

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Decentralization as the Solution

Decentralized protocols aim to distribute power back to users, removing the need for centralized intermediaries. Let’s break down why they matter and how they work:

1. Ownership of Identity With NOSTR, your identity isn’t tied to a platform. It’s tied to a cryptographic keypair that you own. Lose trust in one relay or client? Simply move to another without losing your connections.

2. Censorship Resistance Decentralized systems like NOSTR rely on relays—small, independent servers—to propagate messages. No single relay controls the network, making it far harder to censor content globally.

3. Data Sovereignty Your data isn’t hosted on a corporate server. Instead, you choose how it’s stored and shared. With decentralization, the era of platforms monetizing your personal information could come to an end.

4. Financial Inclusion Integration with Bitcoin and the Lightning Network allows users to send microtransactions directly, bypassing traditional financial gatekeepers.

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Why NOSTR Is Just Getting Started

NOSTR (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) embodies the core principles of decentralization. While still in its infancy, it’s already showing immense promise. Here’s why it’s poised to grow:

1. Developer-Led Growth Unlike centralized platforms, NOSTR is an open protocol. This means developers can build clients, relays, and applications without asking for permission. This freedom fosters rapid innovation.

2. Interoperability NOSTR isn’t tied to one app or use case. It can support everything from social media to blogging to encrypted messaging. The possibilities are endless.

3. Community-Driven Ecosystem Early adopters of NOSTR are passionate about its mission. These pioneers are building not just the infrastructure but also the culture that will guide its future.

4. Rising Distrust in Centralization As more people wake up to the downsides of centralized platforms—data breaches, censorship, manipulation—the demand for decentralized alternatives will grow. NOSTR is well-positioned to meet this demand.

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Challenges Ahead

While the promise of decentralization is exciting, challenges remain:

1. User Experience Today, setting up a NOSTR account requires understanding public and private keys, choosing relays, and navigating new apps. This complexity must be simplified for mainstream adoption.

2. Spam and Moderation Decentralized networks can struggle with spam and harmful content. Innovative solutions, like paid relays or community moderation, will be crucial.

3. Scalability As user numbers grow, relays and protocols must scale to handle increased traffic without compromising performance.

4. Economic Models Sustainable monetization for relay operators and developers will be necessary to maintain and grow the ecosystem.

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The Road Ahead

Decentralized protocols like NOSTR represent more than just a technological shift—they’re a philosophical one. They challenge the very idea that a few corporations should control the internet’s infrastructure. They empower individuals to own their data, control their identities, and interact freely without interference.

As early adopters, we have the opportunity to shape this movement. By building, experimenting, and sharing the principles of decentralization, we can create a future where the internet fulfills its original promise: a free, open space for innovation, connection, and human potential.

NOSTR is just getting started. And so are we.

Stay humble. Stack sats.

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Oyl Miller comes from an advertising background where he has worked for legacy brands like Nike and PlayStation, digital giants like Google and Airbnb, as well as crypto and web3 startups. He is experimenting with moving to a Bitcoin standard, and is looking to create value with his writing skills in a variety of ways.

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I went ahead and YOLO’d in this week with the Thursday game because I’m drawing dead anyway — why agonize over it? I like the Chargers in this spot too.

Chargers -2.5 vs Broncos — The Chargers are the worst good team, while the Broncos are the best bad one. I like taking LA at home off the short week too.

Chiefs -3.5 vs Texans — Mahomes is playing so why isn’t this line 6.5? The Texans defense isn’t bad, but the Chiefs defense is better, and so is their offensive line.

Ravens -6 vs Steelers — The Ravens had some bad bounces in the first game, but there is no comparison between Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson at this point. Ravens roll.

Bengals -7.5 vs Browns — DTR is bad, and the Bengals will get their usual 30-ish points. Lay the wood.

Colts -3.5 vs Titans — I said this was a stay away in my Guess The Lines because I thought it would be seven. The Colts were even with the Broncos but for two disastrous plays (lateral pick six thrown by a WR and Jonathan Taylor losing a TD because he dropped the ball one second too soon.) They’re good for this spread against the Titans.

I realize these are all home favorites, but that’s not my problem.

@ 9711d1ab:863ebd81

One of the best parts about running Breez is the diverse range of people I get to meet and work with. We have partners from Jamaica, the USA, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Estonia, and who knows where else. We have users in Finland, Wales, Namibia, India, and almost everywhere else. The people behind Breez are split across three continents and come from a broad range of national and ethnic backgrounds.

Agreeing on a communication platform (Telegram? Slack? Zoom? Discord?) sometimes takes a bit of coordination. What never needs coordination, though, is the language we use to communicate. It’s always automatically English. For many of us, English is our second (or third, or fourth) language, and parts of it are baffling, but it doesn’t matter. Every initial contact is in English, all channels are automatically in English, and all public communication (like this blog) is in English. There’s not even a contender for second place.

And there’s basically no way to change this convention. Nobody could simply decree that we’re all going to start speaking Mandarin or Esperanto or Inuktitut. Whether because of convenience, actual utility, historical imposition, or sheer numbers, English is locked in. But it works, so why mess with it?

This example demonstrates a few points. First, the interface between individual nodes in a network — whether people, nations, or communities — has the form of a language. Second, there needs to be a common language. In fact, the limits of the language are the limits of the network. In other words, the distribution of the language defines the network. Finally, common languages are very sticky. Once everyone has adapted to a common language, it’s basically locked in.

Now for a fact about the present that will irrevocably shape the future: Lightning is emerging as the common language of the bitcoin economy.

Lightning is bitcoin’s Tower of Babel, but nobody wants to tear it down. (Image: Wikimedia)

A Common Language among Subnetworks

We’ve talked before about various last-mile technologies. They’re like the local secondary roads that connect users to the higher-throughput Lightning Network and, ultimately, the Bitcoin mainnet. They all basically work by bundling users and their transactions into subnetworks.

For example, Ark and Liquid convert incoming bitcoin into their own mechanisms (VTXOs and L-BTC, respectively) that users can then send to each other according to their respective protocols without needing further on-chain transactions. Alternatively, Fedimint members effectively pool their bitcoin and trade IOUs among themselves, with transactions and the financial state of affairs overseen by a federation of trusted guardians. With Cashu, people exchange e-cash tokens and trust the issuing body.

Each kind of subnetwork can use its own language. How the nodes communicate among themselves in these subnetworks is their business. What’s interesting is that these subnetworks communicate with each other over Lightning, even if we’re just talking about, say, two different Cashu mints or when a Fedi interacts with an Ark. Lightning is the common language of all the emergent and thriving subnetworks based on bitcoin.

Returning to the analogy of English, it doesn’t matter to me what language you speak at home or at the supermarket. You can speak whatever obscure dialect you want with others who understand it. But if you want to talk to me or virtually anyone else on Telegram or Slack, English is really the only option. Nobody could change that even if they wanted to, and nobody seems to want to. Just like Lightning.

Lightning is the common language of the emerging subnetworks. It’s the language of bitcoin.

Why Lightning Is the Optimal Language for Bitcoin

A common language is not necessarily an optimal language. It just has to work and be broadly accepted. Just like the Bitcoin mainchain has certain advantages (e.g. immutability, openness, borderlessness, etc.) that recommend it for certain uses, Lightning is the best choice for a common language between subnetworks for at least three reasons.

Layered networks interacting via a common language. (Image: Adobe Firefly)

Lightning Is Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Is the Trustless Bearer Asset

The first and probably most important reason why Lightning is the best common language is that it uses bitcoin. Simply, the subnetworks might not trust each other, and they have no reason to. But since Bitcoin and, by extension, Lightning eschew trust, the subnetworks can interact without trust. Bitcoin is the only viable bearer asset, and Lightning is the language of Bitcoin, so Lightning is the best common language for the subnetworks to interact with each other.

Further, Lightning, like Bitcoin, also eschews leverage. The whole business model of fractional-reserve banks is based on a hole in their balance sheets. By contrast, every sat on Lightning is accounted for at every moment. A balance sheet displaying all the positions on the network would be perpetually balanced. No gap, no overlap. Lightning resists imbalances due to hubris, incompetence, and villainy, which is a necessary feature in a trustless environment.

Lightning Is Inherently Transactional and Interoperable

Second, Lightning is a transactional protocol designed to facilitate flow. For normal payments, there’s no mempool and no delay until the next block is mined. Payments take seconds, if that. And transactions — money in motion — are what make Lightning valuable. Literally. Static sats on the network don’t earn any return. In order for liquidity on Lightning to grow, it has to flow. A common language won’t be used much if it rewards silence. It must promote communication, which is exactly what Lightning does.

Further, the Lightning technology detailed in the catalog of bolt specs is inherently interoperable. It was designed to enable multiple implementations of Lightning nodes with different designs, trade-offs, and programming languages. All these nodes can, however, interact over a common network because they all support the same bolts. Being interoperable by design makes it easy for other technologies to add Lightning as another interface.

Lightning Has Critical Mass

Finally, a common language needs a sizeable community of speakers. Try saying “skibidi rizz” in a nursing home or, even better, a nursing home in Cambodia. Perhaps the biggest advantage of English is simply its popularity: more people speak English than any other language on the planet. And while only a quarter of the inhabitants of many countries speak English, you can still find an English speaker at the next table at virtually every bar and restaurant on the planet. Try that with Catalan.

Lightning has already achieved a critical mass. It’s already obvious how a Cashu subnetwork and Fedimint subnetworks will communicate with each other: Lightning. That’s how they were designed, so switching the common language between networks would require rebuilding most of their parts. Like English, whatever language subnetworks use internally, Lightning is the language they use to speak to each other, and it’s already locked in.

The Permanence of Lightning

Actual lightning — the kind from storm clouds — is a notoriously brief phenomenon. Flashing momentarily and vanishing is its whole thing. But the Lightning Network — the interface between any number of nodes, subnetworks, and the Bitcoin mainchain — is not going anywhere. Common languages tend to hold that status for centuries.

Bitcoin is the world’s best currency. Lightning is the common language of the bitcoin world, and it’s here to stay. For those of us already established in Lightning, this is very good news. That Lightning is locked in means our first-mover advantage is going to be very valuable indeed.

But it’s also good news for those just entering Lightning now or considering it. It eliminates uncertainty about which technology to support and invest in. Lightning is going nowhere but up, so it’s never the wrong time to get started. Better yesterday than today, better today than tomorrow, but tomorrow is good too.

The best time to get into Lightning is now. Always has been.

Originally published by Roy Sheinfeld on Breez's Medium.

@ 4b7c4ee3:8cd5ed4d

The neon thrum of Roppongi streets hummed like a thousand electric guitars tuned to chaos—blade runners and briefcases, club kids and salarymen, all washed in the spill of red lanterns and LED strobes. I stumbled down the alley where the Bitcoin meetup was said to be, a strange little blip in the city’s endless digital heart.

Inside, the air was thick with cigarette smoke and the crackle of ideation. A dive bar turned temple to the future, where revolutionaries sipped cheap beer and whispered dreams of decentralization. No suits here—just hackers in hoodies, expats with wild eyes, and a few lost souls looking for the edge of the map.

“Do you even understand what this is?” a voice asked as I slid onto a cracked leather stool. He had a laptop open, the screen glowing like an altar. A white paper in one tab, a mining program running in another. A makeshift setup powered by caffeine and belief.

I mumbled something vague about "digital money" and got a sharp laugh in return. “It’s not money, man—it’s freedom,” he said, taking a drag from a cigarette that seemed to burn faster with his every word. “No borders, no banks, no middlemen. Just the chain and the work and the truth.”

The bartender, indifferent to our philosophizing, poured drinks with the precision of an algorithm. Behind him, a poster for a long-gone punk band clung to the wall like a relic from an analog age.

Conversations swirled like smoke rings. One guy swore he’d just bought a thousand BTC for the price of lunch. Another was trying to barter to buy a burrito. Another was lamenting the cost of GPUs skyrocketing, “but it’s worth it, man—this is the future.” Someone in the corner was typing furiously, mumbling something about the Silk Road.

I asked about Satoshi. “Who?” someone quipped, half-smirking. “No one. Everyone. The ghost in the machine.”

And that’s what it felt like—a gathering of ghosts, of dreamers untethered from the weight of the past, spinning something entirely new out of bits and bytes. Dreamers fixated on an unseen future that may never come to pass. The energy in the room wasn’t just optimism—it was defiance.

Hours blurred. Ideas ran faster than the beer. Someone handed me held up a flash drive, “just a few wallets, this will set me up forever.” I asked more questions. I ate mediocre nachos. I wondered aloud if this was all a simulation.

By the time I spilled back into the night, Tokyo’s endless hum had softened to a lullaby, and the last train was long gone. I walked home, mind buzzing with blockchains and possibilities, wondering if the world would ever catch up to what I’d seen that night in Roppongi.

And maybe it wouldn’t, not for years. But I knew one thing for certain: the future was already here—it just smelled like cigarettes and spilled beer.

Stay humble. Stack sats.

---

Oyl Miller comes from an advertising background where he has worked for legacy brands like Nike and PlayStation, digital giants like Google and Airbnb, as well as crypto and web3 startups. He is experimenting with moving to a Bitcoin standard, and is looking to create value with his writing skills in a variety of ways.

@ 2ce0697b:1ee3d3fc

Excerpt

Special Jurisdictions, Free Cities and Bitcoin Citadels are the sly roundabout way that is removing the market of living together from the hands of the government, without violence and in a way that they can´t stop it. With Bitcoin as the backbone of a new societal order, we are beginning to disrupt the old paradigm.

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“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” ― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

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The problem: lack of freedom in the physical realm

Freedom is essential to human life. Being free is what matters. That´s our target, always. No matter the time or space. We pursue freedom because we know its the right thing to do. Freedom is the right to question and change the stablished way of doing things.

Where can we find some freedom? Certainly in the cyberspace. The cyberspace is a free space. Humanity has been blessed by the magic of cryptography, a technology that gave us all the necessary tools to operate in that environment without intervention of undesired third parties.

In cyberspace cryptography performs the function of an impenetrable cyberwall. So, whatever we build in cyberspace can be perfectly protected. Thank to this cybernetic walls we can be sure that the gardens we build and nurture will be protected and cannot be trampled. When we build our digital gardens we have the keys to open the doors to let in whoever we want and most important to leave out whoever we don´t want. In the digital world we can already perfectly interact with one and another in a peer to peer way, without intervention of undesired third parties.

In cyberspace we have Bitcoin for freedom of money and Nostr, torrent and Tor for freedom of information and speech. These open-source protocols are designed to fully realize and expand the promise of freedom, and they certainly deliver what they promise.

So, thanks to the magic of asymmetric cryptography, we´ve already achieved sufficiently descentralization and the possibility of any level of desired digital privacy. Cryptoanarchists and cypherpunks have set their conquering flag in cyberspace and there´s no force on Earth than can remove it. The digital world cannot escape the rules of cryptography. This is great but it only works in the digital realm, meanwhile in the physical realm we are overrun by centralized attackers due to the impossibility of the creation of impenetrable walls such as the ones we have online.

Humans have the upper hand in creating impenetrable walled gardens in cyberspace, but in the physical space authoritarians have the upper hand in bullying physical persons.

The physical world is also naturally free. According to natural law each person is free to do whatever he wants as long as it doesn´t hurt other people. However due to unnatural -artificial and inhuman- centralization of power, the natural freedom of the physical world has been completely undermined. Mostly by Governments, the entities that centralize violence and law.

Bitcoin as a bridge between both realms

Let´s take a look at one connection between both realms, the physical and the digital world. Bitcoin layer one is made essentially of software plus hardware. It consists of any software that produces the same output as the reference implementation - Bitcoin core- and the hardware needed to run that software. Layer two, three or any other layer above, is made essentially of other software and other hardware that interacts with layer one in some way. All these layers, one, two and subsequent, are completely protected by cryptography and a set of game theories that have been successfully tested. Each new block added to the timechain is a testimony of the unstoppable force of freedom and meritocracy.

Before layer one we have Bitcoin layer zero, which is essentially the sum of all actions and inactions done by bitcoiners regarding to or because of bitcoin. In other words, layer zero is composed by flesh and bone people interacting in some way with layer one of the bitcoin network.

Hence, an attack on a bitcoiner - on his way of life- is an attack on bitcoin, the network itself. First because it is an attack on a layer zero node, the physical person, the bitcoiner under duress or coercion. And second because is also an attack on the store-of-value-aspect of bitcoin. Nowaday, the most common attack against bitcoiners is the entirety of compliance regulations. This is the sum of all coercive regulations,such as laws, threats of more laws, imprisonment, threats of more imprisonment, taxation, threats of more taxation, requirements to prove the origin of funds, coercive removal of privacy such as the travel rule, unnecessary bureaucracy such as the need to obtain a money transmitting license and many others rules, in a never stopping inflationary coercive legislation.

If a physical attack is preventing any bitcoiner to exchange the value he created for bitcoin due to any kind of artificial obstacles -such as any kind of compliance- that specific attack is successful in the sense that even though the whole network keeps operating, the attack itself diminishes the value of all the bitcoins.

So, even if layer-zero cannot be taken down, every interference on this layer is an attack on the bitcoin network. Attacks on layer one, two or any other layer that exists in the cyberspace can interfere with the network but they may hardly subtract any value from it. For example we have already been through plenty of times where hashing power was diminished due to government intervention and the bitcoin network remain completely unaffected.

On the other hand successful attacks on layer zero subtract potential, but real and demonstrable value. This value is equal to the amount of value the frustrated user would have added to the network if he would have been able to use it freely, that means if he would have sold his product without the cost of compliance. I´ll demonstrate this in the next chapter.

The cost of compliance

Alice is a merchant specialized in a specific area and topic. She studied the market, her business, her suppliers, consumers, the logistics involved, marketing, design, and everything necessary to become a successful entrepreneur. After investing a considerable amount of resources, she developed a perfect product. Or at least she considers it perfect, that is, the best in its class. While developing everything necessary to create her product, she met Bob, who became her main lead and stereotype of a buyer persona. She knows what Bob wants and she wants to sell it to him. According to Alice's calculations, for her business to be viable, she must sell the product at ten satoshis per unit, and fortunately, Bob is willing to pay that price for it. Alice's product is finished, ready to hit the market, but just before sending it to production, Alice decides to take a pause to analyze her reality. Before taking the public action of making her product available in the open market, Alice analyzes her material, political, and legal reality. In doing so, she realizes that she lives under the jurisdiction of a State. She learns that the Government prescribes through its regulations how she must behave. She analyzes that in order to sell her product legally, in compliance, she must make a series of modifications to it. The product before hitting the shelves must first be modified both in the way it is presented to the market and also regarding certain technical characteristics that it possesses. She must also modify the way it produces her product by changing the contractual relationship with its suppliers, distribution channels, and all other types of logistics involved. She must make all these changes even if they bring about significant and insurmountable inefficiencies.

Likewise, Alice also sees that she not only has to modify the product but also has to meet tax obligations. In addition to paying an accountant since the tax obligations by some irrational reason are not calculated by the creditor. Additionally, she must hire other professionals to assist her in studying the current regulations and how they should be applied in all stages of production, distribution, and sale of her product.

Alice, being a rational person, wishes to avoid having to make these modifications since they increase her costs while also decreasing the quality of her product. But when studying compliance, that is, the entirety of applicable regulations, she also examines the consequences of not being in compliance. Alice realizes that if she does not comply with the regulations, she risks having all her assets legally confiscated, going to prison, being killed while they try to capture her to imprison her, and, if she goes to prison, being tortured in jail by other inmates or by State officials in charge of holding her in that place. So, since Alice does not want to suffer these negative consequences, she decides to modify the product and be in compliance.

So, Alice makes the necessary changes and puts her new version of the product on the market. Then she has the following dialogue with Bob, her lead, the interested party in acquiring the product.

Bob: - Hey Alice, nice meeting you here in this market. I came to buy the product you were developing and told me about. However, this product I´m seein now is not what you promised me. This is clearly inferior.

Alice: - Yeah, I know. I'm sorry Bob, but I prefer to sell this inferior product rather than risk having all my assets confiscated, going to prison, being killed while they try to capture me, and if they don´t kill but managed to put me in jail I could be tortured there.

Bob: - Ok, no problem. Thats quite understandable. I don´t believe anyone would prefer those kind of experiences. But given the quality of the product, I no longer intend to pay you ten satoshis; I only offer you eight. Shall we close the deal?

Alice: - I'm sorry Bob, but I can't sell it to you for eight sats. Due to government intervention and its requirements, now I can't even sell it for less than thirteen satoshis.

Bob: - Ok. Considering this I prefer not to purchase it. I will keep looking for alternatives. Bye

Some time later, Charlie arrives at the market, who is also interested in the product and, despite it not being like the original version, decides to purchase it by paying the thirteen satoshis demanded by the seller Alice.

Meanwhile, in the same universe, we have Daniel, the last character in this example. Daniel is a merchant competing with Alice. Daniel has a product that is very similar, practically identical to the one originally designed by Alice. Like Alice, Daniel initially also wants to sell it for ten satoshis. Just like Alice, before heading to the market, Daniel analyzes the reality in which he lives. And it turns out that he also lives under the jurisdiction of a State. Daniel too then analyzes the entirety of the applicable regulations and also comes to the conclusion that to comply with them, he would also need to modify the product and cover all the additional expenses artificially generated to be in compliance.

However, Daniel's ethics are different from Alice's. Daniel understands that his product is indeed perfect (the best in its class) and that therefore modifying it would go against its essence. Daniel understands that changing the product would be a betrayal of his creation and therefore a betrayal of his own self and the essence of his being. Daniel conducts an ethical analysis of his actions and the moral implications of putting the product on the market. Daniel sees that the product not only does not harm anyone but is also made to be freely acquired by adults who give their consent for its purchase and subsequent use. Daniel also understands that paying taxes only serves to promote the slavery system driven by fiat and that whenever he can avoid collaborating with the immoral fiat system, it is his ethical obligation to do so. Likewise, Daniel highlights the hypocrisy and inefficiencies of anti-money laundering regulations, as well as the futility of requiring licenses for naturally free acts that do not harm others. For all these reasons, Daniel decides to sell the product in its current state irregardles of compliance regulations.

However, before going to market, Daniel also studies the possible consequences of neglecting compliance. By doing so, Daniel sees that if he does not comply with the regulations, he risks having all his assets legally confiscated, going to prison, being killed while they attempt to capture him to imprison him, and, in the event of going to prison, being tortured in jail by other inmates or by State officials responsible for holding him in that place. So, since Daniel is a rational person who does not want to suffer these negative consequences but also does not want to betray his product and himself, he decides to take the risk of not being in compliance. After making this decision, Daniel puts the product on the market and there he meets Bob. In doing so, they converse in the following terms:

Bob: - Hey Daniel, this product is exactly what I was looking for. A product like the one promised by Alice but never delivered. I love it! I offer you ten satoshis for it.

Daniel: - Thank you for your feedback Bob and for the offer! However I am currently selling it for eleven satoshis. Ten satoshis seems like a good price to me, and it was indeed my original intention to sell it for that amount because at that price I achieve competitiveness and a sustainable business model.

Bob: - So why are you asking me for eleven satoshis? Interrupts Bob

Daniel: - Because that price is calculated before assessing compliance and the risks associated with non-compliance. By not complying with the regulation, I managed to maintain the quality of the product and avoided a large amount of unnecessary expenses, but there is no way to avoid the risk of facing penalties for non-compliance. To bring this product to market, I had to incur several expenses in order to minimize the risk of non-compliance as much as possible. While I am taking all reasonable actions to prevent all of my assets from being legally confiscated, from going to prison, from being killed while they try to capture me, and in case of going to prison, from being tortured, the reality is that I still run the risk of all that, or part of all that, happening to me, my family, or any of my company's employees. The remaining risk balance is transferred to the price along with the costs of mitigating those risks. The total of those costs and the remaining risk I estimate them at one satoshi per unit of product. Therefore, I can't sell you the product for ten satoshis, but I can sell it to you for eleven.

To which Bob, lacking a better option in the market, ends up buying the product for eleven satoshis.

In summary: two products were made by two different merchants whose business model allowed them, in both cases, to put the product on the market at a rate of ten satoshis per unit. However, in one case, a lower quality product was sold for thirteen satoshis, and in the other case, a higher quality product was sold for eleven satoshis. That is to say, in the first case there was an overprice or inefficiency objectively measured at three satoshis, while in the second case there was an overprice or inefficiency of one satoshi. So, we are facing a total loss of value equivalent to four satoshis. The value represented by these four satoshis was absorbed by the inefficiency programmed and ruled by the State. The example shows us that whether one chooses the compliance route, as Alice did, or the free market route, as Daniel did, in both cases the existence of regulations generates an additional cost to the market. In this example the state attack on layer zero was successful and extracted from the Bitcoin network a value of four satoshis.

Bitcoin is money

Bitcoin is many things but essentially is money. And money sole purpose is to store value in order to facilitate future exchanges of products and services with other people. Without the products and services to be exchanged for the money, money itself would be useless and worthless. We only use money because we may require favors, benefits, services, products from other people in the future. And we don´t know which services and products we´ll need nor exactly when we are goint to need them.

The total value of bitcoin equals to infinity divided twenty one millions. This is because the total worth of the network mirrors the total worth of accumulated capital by the entirety of mankind throughout its entire history. That is clearly a lot of value. But if the if the dividend equals zero then the divisor is also zero and if the dividend growth is obstructed through artificial means -such as compliance- then the divisor growth is also obstructed.

Bitcoin layer zero, the bitcoiners and the services and products we create, are what give value to the twenty one million units of bitcoin.

Freedom is without a doubt the best context for value creation. So, the more and better games we can create that allow humankind to find a way to exercise freedom, then the most value we can add to all the layers of the network.

This is why the most important layer of the whole bitcoin phenomenon is layer zero, the bitcoiners. Hence the problem to be solved is not how to prevent bitcoin - layer one upwards- from successful attacks. The problem to solve is how to prevent attacks on layer zero. Or in other words, the problem to be solved is how to get bitcoiners in the physical world to practice the same level of freedom that bitcoin achieves in the cyberspace.

Summary of the first part of this article: freedom in cyberspace has already been conquered and each further development in the digital realm contributes to further developments but only in the same realm. Meanwhile in the physical space, the layer zero of bitcoin is under constant attacks that successfully extract value from it.

Exercising freedom in a sly roundabout way

In 1984 the Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek predicted that we couldn´t take money with violence out of the hands of government. He stated that we needed to do it in a sly roundabout way. Twenty five years later Satoshi Nakamoto discovered the sly roundabout way actually introducing something that the government couldn´t stop. Thus fulfilling Hayek´s prophecy.

Bitcoin is a sly roundabout way that removed money without violence from the hands of the government in a way that they can´t stop it.

Cryptography in general and protocols such as Tor and Tails are a sly roundabout way that removed confidential information from the hands of the government without violence in a way that they can´t stop it.

Nostr is a sly roundabout way that removed social media and public information from the hands of the government without violence in a way that they can´t stop it.

Special Jurisdictions, Free Cities and Bitcoin Citadels are the sly roundabout way that is removing the market of living together from the hands of the government without violence in a way that they can´t stop it.

So, what are Special Jurisdictions, Free Cities and Bitcoin Citadels? To understand what they are we can take a look at the current mainstream market of living together, at how the physical space is organized. Essentially the entire planet Earth and its surroundings are run by a conglomerate of Governments. They create all the rules, regarding every aspect of life, of all the individuals, and enforce every rule through coercive means.

In the mainstream market of living together individuals have several alternatives to pick from. We can choose to live in a natural city or a pre design city, in a public neighborhood or private neighborhood or even in an intentional community with common interest amongst the users. But irregardless of the choice, every product offered in the mainstream market has the sames rules which are established by the host state to the entirety of organizations in his territory. In the mainstream market, even the most different products abide by the same high level rules such as criminal law, civil law, taxation laws, customs, enviromental laws, money laundering regulations and many others. To abide to the sum of all the laws and regulations is to be in compliance.

The centralization of regulations makes extremely difficult to experiment in market of living together. The less experimentation is allowed, the more human progress is hindered.

So what is the sly roundabout that fixes this? What are Special Jurisdictions, Free Cities and Bitcoin Citadels? I´m using the term Special Jurisdictions as an umbrella term that includes the entire spectrum of iterations of products that aim to modify the mainstream rules of the market of living together.

This term includes all the different models such as Charter Cities, Free Cities, Special Economic Zones, microstates, micropolis, start up societies, government as a service, self governing jurisdictions, autonomous intentional communities, network states and Bitcoin Citadels. The array of possible iterations is huge and permanently expanding. What they all have in common is that each of these experiments aims to create a functional game theory that replaces the lack of unbreakable walls in the physical space.

Let´s take a look of a couple of examples. Special Economic Zones are bounded areas of countries that have their own rules and regulations. Worldwide, there are more than five thousands special economic zones located in more than hundred countries.

One of them is the special economic zone of Shenzhen in China. The Chinese government allowed Shenzhen the freedom to experiment with certain practices that were prohibited in the rest of the country at the time. This included allowing foreign companies to make direct investments in China, allowing people to buy and sell land, allowing Chinese people to set up their own private businesses and relaxation of the system that limited internal migration within China for Chinese citizens. It served as a place where China could experiment with market reforms. The experiment was such a huge economic success that it was replicated in many other areas of the country.

Another place that has made extensive use of special economic zones is Dubai. The monarchic Government has more than 30 SEZs. In this case one of the many obstacles removed by the host state its the monopoly of the legal system. Dubai Government allowed the special economic zone to have its own independent legal system thus conceding a modification of the mainstream rules in that area.

This kind of projects, such as Dubai or Shenzhen, are a top-to-down product. Fully created by the Governments thus compliant with their own regulations.

On the other side of the spectrum we have Citadels and several other archetypes of not so compliant projects .

For example the Free Commune of Penadexo it´s a grassroots project building a freedom-oriented community in one of Spain’s abandoned villages.

It´s model is based on building a peer to peer society avoiding government intervention as much as possible. They stablished themselves in an abandoned historic village and the started to track down the owners to purchase as much property as possible. Meanwhile, they are living there and expanding their users base while also reconstructing buildings.

This is an example of a completely different way of dealing with the Government. While Special Economic Zones are fully compliant and created top to down, this model on the other hand is bottom-up and aims to add value to the users relying in factual freedom which is exercised by stablishing the commune away from heavily populated centers where Government grip is tighter. Under this model the interaction with the Government is kept as low as possible. Their strategy relies in ignoring the Government as much as possible and being a good neighbor. With this simple and effective tactic some Citadels enjoy the benefits of liberty in their lifetime without needing to spend huge resources in governmental lobby.

There are countless models or archetypes of Bitcoin Citadels trying to solve the obstacles in different ways, trying to restart the system. And one of the challenges of the Bitcoin Citadels is how to connect the different projects to boost and help each other.

This is where The Meshtadel comes into play. The Meshtadel is a system where decentralized tactics are used to help and defend citadels connected in a global network. With real life connections with fellow bitcoiners. Its an organization equivalent to the hanseatic league built under a starfish model. If you cut off a spider’s head, it dies, but if you cut off a starfish’s arm, it can regenerate and even grow into a new starfish.
The Meshtadel its a network of peer relationships, with ambiguous leadership roles, trust among participants, a shared ideology and vision based on the Bitcoin ethos, and an open system where new nodes - bitcoin citadel builders - can participate.

The long term goal of the Bitcoin Meshtadel is to help Bitcoin Citadels to gain the support of a critical mass of the total population. If enough people see that Bitcoin is as peaceful as it gets, in the long run, some nations could become friendly and supportive enough to legally tolerate the Bitcoin Citadel inside its territory in the form of a Bitcoin safe haven. In the Meshtadel we are fighting from the moral high ground using memes, Nostr notes and zapping our way into freedom creating an online and offline circular economy.

TO CONCLUDE:

Special Jurisdictions, Free Cities and Bitcoin Citadels are the sly roundabout way that is removing the market of living together from the hands of the government, without violence and in a way that they can´t stop it.

Nation states, abusing the myth of authority, have halted development on the market of living together for so long that a blooming freer market is eating its lunch. The sovereign individual thesis is live and continuously expanding. The network state is forming and intentional communities are flourishing all around the world reshaping globally the relationship between individuals and the governments.

With global internet connections, uncensorable means of communication and Bitcoin as the backbone of a new societal order, we are beginning to disrupt the old paradigm.

The fashion of the present world is passing away, let’s help it to move forward along by building Special Jurisdictions, Free Cities and Bitcoin Citadels.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ------

byCamiloat 875.341 timechain.

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@ b8851a06:9b120ba1

The Federal Reserve's explicit prohibition from holding Bitcoin isn't just bureaucratic red tape - it's an unintentional safeguard for financial sovereignty (The Federal Reserve is explicitly prohibited from holding Bitcoin under current legislation, specifically through restrictions outlined in the Federal Reserve Act. This legal framework strictly defines the types of assets the central bank can maintain on its balance sheet). Here's why Bitcoin holders should celebrate this restriction.

The Power of Separation

The Fed's inability to hold Bitcoin creates a crucial firewall between state monetary control and genuine financial freedom. When Fed Chairman Powell confirms they cannot hold Bitcoin and aren't seeking changes to this restriction, it maintains Bitcoin's position as the only truly independent monetary asset.

Strategic Implications

Control Vectors\ Consider the alternative scenario: If the Fed could hold Bitcoin, it would gain multiple control mechanisms:

• The ability to manipulate Bitcoin markets through large-scale buying and selling
• The power to implement additional taxation schemes
• The capacity to create a "balanced budget trap" affecting holders

Regulatory Capture\ A Federal Reserve Bitcoin holding would subject the asset to:

• Stricter banking regulations and supervision
• Integration into traditional monetary policy tools
• Potential restrictions on peer-to-peer transactions

Economic Reality

Let's be crystal clear: Bitcoin's protocol ensures its fixed supply of 21 million coins is immutable - no central bank, including the Federal Reserve, can ever change this fundamental characteristic. However, if allowed to hold Bitcoin, the Fed could attempt to:

• Influence market sentiment through strategic accumulation or selling
• Create paper derivatives to dilute Bitcoin's scarcity premium
• Implement policies that could affect Bitcoin's market accessibility

The Freedom Advantage

The inability of the Fed to hold Bitcoin ensures:

• Continued decentralization of holdings
• Protection from central bank monetary experiments
• Preservation of Bitcoin's role as a hedge against federal monetary policy

This legal barrier isn't a limitation - it's a feature that protects Bitcoin's fundamental value proposition as a truly independent financial system.

@ c6d64c7b:5149eb60

Knowledge Creation

Somewhat recently I have done a small amount of “adding knowledge into the world.” After a few months of building the business it became apparent that many of the problems I was facing had very few corresponding resources. These are niche problems solved by niche people. It turns out that building a hardware business is a quite niche activity.

Every knowledge domain can be broken down into smaller subdomains. Let’s say I am into US politics. There are 3 categories of political parties: Republican, Democrat, and Other. An extremely small percentage of total information about US politics covers the “Other” party. It looks like Joel Skousen is the official 3rd party candidate who received among the least amount of votes (12,618) for President in the most recent election. Here’s a list of his published books from the “About” page from his website:

1. Essential Principles for the Conservation of Liberty, 1984
2. The Secure Home--Architectural Design, Construction and Remodeling of Self-Sufficient Residences and Retreats, new edition now available.
3. How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home (1996),
4. Strategic Relocation--North American Guide to Safe Places (1998)
5. (In the works) Foundations of the Ideal State--a comprehensive treatise on government structure and practice, constitutional theory, and legal changes necessary to preserve liberty and justice.

There is almost no information on the internet about this man’s recent Presidential bid. What could be learned about independent publishing, the process of getting on election ballots, the intricacies of the various outsider parties, and the confluence of home safety and political theory, from diving into the details of this man’s (very) small role in the huge world of US politics? Mix that deep dive with your own unique perspective, and certainly SOMETHING novel and interesting would result.

Millan and Mano used this exact formula to huge success in their independent music blog. They wrote about unknown, independent musicians in (mostly) small markets (Milwaukee, New Orleans, etc), and discuss them with an academic, poetic, and explorative writing style that is unique among music journalists. They were regular guys and created new knowledge and ideas.

I think doing this is important. Or it just makes me feel important. Even if no one reads it at least I created new knowledge and it may help someone one day. Or more likely, the AI of the future. As Gwern recently said…

By writing, you are voting on the future of the Shoggoth using one of the few currencies it acknowledges: tokens it has to predict. If you aren't writing, you are abdicating the future or your role in it. If you think it's enough to just be a good citizen, to vote for your favorite politician, to pick up litter and recycle, the future doesn't care about you. ^1

So I am going to try do more of this independent small-time knowledge creation. My business had been hampering the newsletter anyways, since it had been consuming my life and most of the work could not be shared on a public website. I’m gonna try to write more regularly with deep dives on novel and interesting things instead of the standard newsletter.

@ edb05a1c:3a8ba64b

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@ c6d64c7b:5149eb60

I live in the USA.

I work as a software developer.

I read and write a lot.

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@ edb05a1c:3a8ba64b

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@ 29122de5:20515210

Loans are the backbone of modern finance. But have you ever wondered where it all started? From ancient gold lenders to today’s innovative solutions, here’s the incredible story of loans through the ages.\ \ Ancient Beginnings: Mesopotamia & Egypt\ The first recorded loans date back over 4,000 years, in ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians, in what is now modern-day Iraq, used grain as collateral. Egypt’s economy also relied on loans backed by land and crops.

\ The Role of Moneylenders\ As civilizations grew, so did the need for loans. Moneylenders in ancient Greece and Rome provided short-term credit to those who needed it. Interest rates were often high, but access to funds helped foster trade and business growth.

\ Medieval Times & The Church\ During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church prohibited lending with interest, labeling it as usury. However, non-Christians were often permitted to lend money at interest, playing a crucial role in Europe’s financial systems.

\ Industrial Revolution\ With the Industrial Revolution came a boom in demand for loans. Businesses needed capital to expand factories, and governments sought funding for infrastructure projects. This period marked the rise of commercial banks and the birth of personal loans.

\ The Rise of Consumer Loans\ In the 20th century, loans began to shift toward consumer credit. Credit cards were introduced in the 1950s, making borrowing more accessible than ever before. Personal loans and mortgages became staples of the modern financial landscape.

\ The Future of Loans\ In the digital age, Bitcoin-backed loans are rewriting the rules of finance: no banks, no borders, no credit checks. Empowering individuals with control, freedom, and seamless access to funds.

@ 42342239:1d80db24

Im Frühjahr kündigte EU-Kommissarin Ursula von der Leyen an, sie wolle einen „ Europäischen Demokratieschild " schaffen, um die EU vor ausländischer Einflussnahme zu schützen. Von der Leyens Demokratieschild befindet sich derzeit in der Planungsphase. Die erklärte Absicht besteht darin, eine „ spezielle Struktur zur Bekämpfung ausländischer Informationsmanipulation und -einmischung" zu schaffen. Obwohl es als Instrument zum Schutz der Demokratie angepriesen wird, vermuten einige, dass es sich in Wirklichkeit um einen verschleierten Versuch handelt, abweichende Meinungen zu unterdrücken. Der im vergangenen Jahr verabschiedete Digital Services Act (DSA) der EU ist eng mit diesem Schild verbunden. Durch den DSA riskieren große Social-Media-Plattformen wie Elon Musks X erhebliche Geldstrafen, wenn sie den Forderungen der EU-Bürokraten nach Zensur und Moderation nicht nachkommen.

Note: This text is also available in English at substack.com. Many thanks to stroger1@iris.to for this German translation.

Im krassen Gegensatz dazu hat sich der künftige US-Präsident Donald Trump als klarer Befürworter der Meinungsfreiheit und entschiedener Gegner der Zensur hervorgetan. Er wurde bereits von YouTube gesperrt, hat jedoch erklärt, er wolle „das linke Zensurregime zerschlagen und das Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung für alle Amerikaner zurückfordern" . Er hat auch behauptet: „Wenn wir keine freie Meinungsäußerung haben, dann haben wir einfach kein freies Land."

Sein künftiger Vizepräsident J.D. Vance hat sogar angedeutet, dass er bereit sei, US-Militärhilfe von der Achtung der Meinungsfreiheit in den europäischen NATO-Ländern abhängig zu machen. Vances Aussage erfolgte, nachdem EU-Binnenmarktkommissar Thierry Breton vor seinem geplanten Gespräch mit Trump einen umstrittenen Brief an Musk geschickt hatte. Heute erscheint dies als unkluger Schritt, nicht zuletzt, weil er als Versuch gewertet werden kann, die US-Wahl zu beeinflussen -- etwas, das paradoxerweise dem erklärten Zweck von von der Leyens Demokratieschild (d. h. ausländische Manipulationen zu bekämpfen) widerspricht.

Wenn die NATO möchte, dass wir sie weiterhin unterstützen, und die NATO möchte, dass wir weiterhin ein gutes Mitglied dieses Militärbündnisses sind, warum respektieren Sie dann nicht die amerikanischen Werte und die freie Meinungsäußerung?

- J.D. Vance

In der EU sind Verfechter der Meinungsfreiheit in der Öffentlichkeit weniger verbreitet. In Deutschland hat Vizekanzler Robert Habeck kürzlich erklärt, er sei „überhaupt nicht glücklich darüber, was dort [auf X] passiert ... seit Elon Musk das Amt übernommen hat", und wünscht sich eine strengere Regulierung der sozialen Medien. Die Wohnung eines deutschen Rentners wurde kürzlich von der Polizei durchsucht, nachdem er ein Bild von Habeck mit einem abfälligen Kommentar veröffentlicht hatte . Die deutsche Polizei verfolgt auch einen anderen Kontoinhaber, der einen Minister als „übergewichtig" bezeichnet hat. Dieser überhaupt nicht übergewichtige Minister hat kürzlich eine Zeitung verboten , die mit der laut Meinungsumfragen zweitgrößten Partei Deutschlands, der Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), verbündet ist. Eine Partei, die 113 deutsche Parlamentarier nun offiziell verbieten wollen .

Nach dem US-Wahlergebnis stellen sich viele unbeantwortete Fragen. Wird das Weiße Haus seine Aufmerksamkeit auf die restriktivere Haltung der EU richten, die als Untergrabung der freien Meinungsäußerung angesehen werden kann? Oder droht Musks X und Chinas TikTok stattdessen ein EU-Verbot? Können EU-Länder noch mit militärischer Unterstützung aus den USA rechnen? Und wenn große amerikanische Plattformen verboten werden, wohin sollten sich die EU-Bürger stattdessen wenden? Abgesehen von russischen Alternativen gibt es keine großen europäischen Plattformen. Und wenn die Frage der Meinungsfreiheit neu überdacht wird, was bedeutet das für die Zukunft von Parteien wie der deutschen AfD?

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers!

After 53 years of tyranny, the Syrian regime has been overthrown. Rebels captured Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad and his family to flee to Moscow, Russia. Assad’s rule was defined by severe human rights abuses and widespread financial repression. Hundreds of thousands were jailed or killed, millions fled, and more than 90% of the country was plunged into poverty amid currency collapse. With Assad gone, Syrians may have a chance to rebuild their country and work toward a freer, more democratic future.

In Tunisia, President Kais Saied continues to dismantle civil society and due process. The regime is escalating the repression of journalists through arrests, incarceration, and judicial harassment to silence critical voices. By doing so, Saied shifts focus away from the country’s economic struggles and worsening hardships.

In technology news, Klever Wallet, a KYC-free digital asset wallet widely used in regions like Nigeria and the Philippines, integrated the Lightning Network via the Breez SDK, enabling fast, low-cost Bitcoin transactions for its significant global user base. In addition, the Bitcoin Design Foundation announced a South American Bitcoin UX Bootcamp, offering 10 skilled UX designers across South America a chance to refine their design expertise within the Bitcoin ecosystem and attend the 2025 bitcoin++ developer conference in Florianopolis, Brazil.

We end with a live stream of the 2024 Africa Bitcoin Conference, an inspiring event HRF supported and participated in. The conference brought together leaders and innovators across the African continent to advance Bitcoin for financial freedom and to push back against growing authoritarianism. If you were unable to attend in person, be sure to catch the recordings below.

Now, let’s dive right in!

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GLOBAL NEWS

Syria | Assad Regime Overthrown

The Assad regime, infamous for its financial repression and brutal authoritarianism, has been overthrown following the rebel capture of Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad and his family to flee to Moscow. For 24 years under Assad — and 53 years of Assad family rule — the regime manipulated the economy to maintain its grip on power. Policies such as enforcing artificial currency exchange rates, restricting bank withdrawals, and imposing strict controls on the flow of goods and money plunged over 90% of Syrians into poverty. This economic stranglehold, combined with systemic human rights abuses, defined his reign. With the regime’s collapse, Syrians now face a pivotal moment to rebuild their country and pursue a future of more financial freedom.

China | Youth Bear the Brunt of Economic Slowdown

China’s slowing economy is forcing younger generations into increasingly precarious financial positions. Youth unemployment has soared past 17%, and even those who find work face stagnant wages and unmet income expectations. To survive, many young people are embracing extreme frugality — capping food expenses at just 500 yuan ($70), eating in the dark to save electricity, and avoiding dining out entirely. The middle class, weighed down by debt and a bleak economic outlook, is also adopting similar austerity measures. This growing financial strain offers a stark snapshot of China’s economic challenges and raises deep concerns about the long-term prosperity and opportunities for the nation’s youth.

Tunisia | Growing Repression of Journalists Amidst Worsening Economic Crisis

Tunisia is grappling with a worsening economic crisis, as citizens face soaring unemployment, a collapsing currency, and the devastating impacts of financial mismanagement. Amid this economic turmoil, President Kais Saied is intensifying his crackdown on dissent, imprisoning journalists in overcrowded cells, denying them medical care, and subjecting them to psychological torture — blatant evidence of the state’s disregard for human rights. Saied’s regime has also weaponized vague morality laws to target activists, influencers, and musicians, ensuring no opposition voice goes unpunished. By silencing dissent, Saied seeks to deflect attention from the regime’s economic failures, positioning the state as a moral authority while deepening the suffering of journalists and the broader public.

Pakistan | Testing Internet Firewall to Increase Financial Surveillance

Pakistan’s government is testing a nationwide Internet firewall, a tool designed to monitor, censor, and control online content by filtering internet traffic at the state level. By leveraging technology sourced from China, officials can block websites, restrict apps, and track individual online activity. This firewall poses a severe threat to financial freedom, as the military regime could use it to restrict access to tools like Bitcoin, cutting off alternative financial systems that offer privacy and independence. Civil society, including activists, journalists, and political dissidents, faces heightened surveillance, repression, and limited access to information — further curtailing their capacity to organize or express dissent.

India | Central Bank Governor Shares CBDC Vision

Outgoing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Gov.Shaktikanta Das reaffirmed his vision for India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital rupee, as the nation’s currency continues to reach a record low against the US dollar. While hailed as the “future of currency” and praised for its potential economic benefits, the CBDC raises serious concerns. It grants the state unprecedented power to surveil transactions, freeze funds, and block payments in real-time — an alarming reality in a country already known for freezing opposition bank accounts and imposing rigid KYC requirements. Das’s hopes of a CBDC to “underpin the payment systems of the future” prioritizes state control at the expense of individual freedoms.

Georgia | Internet Shutdowns Amid Energy Crisis

In the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazian, Russian-backed officials are using an energy crisis as a pretext to tighten Internet controls. Blaming illegal Bitcoin mining for electricity shortages, officials imposed nightly Internet shutdowns from midnight to 7:00 a.m., starting Dec. 10. These restrictions, coupled with power rationing and school closures, exacerbate hardships for residents as the region grapples with reduced energy from Russia and the Enguri hydroelectric plant. By painting Bitcoin as the villain, officials divert attention from broader governance failures while consolidating their grip over online communication and suppressing access to alternative financial tools.

LATEST IN BITCOIN NEWS, DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY

Klever Wallet | Integrates Lightning Network

Klever Wallet, a KYC-free digital asset wallet popular in underbanked countries like Nigeria, Brazil, India, and the Philippines, integrated the Lightning Network through the Breez SDK. This integration will empower its 100,000 active monthly users with fast, low-cost Bitcoin transactions directly from the wallet. By using the Breez SDK, Klever eliminates the complexities of Lightning channel management for users while maintaining a self-custodial design. This integration enhances financial freedom for its global user base — particularly in regions where traditional systems fall short.

Fedi | Adds Cashu Melting and Portable Nostr Keys

Fedi, a company leveraging Bitcoin and ecash technology to support communities, especially under authoritarian regimes, announced the integration of Cashu melting to enable users to receive Cashu ecash directly within the Fedi app. Built on the Chaumian ecash protocol, Cashu allows users to transact ecash tokens with strong privacy guarantees, minimal costs, and instant settlements, though with a custodial tradeoff. Additionally, Fedi now supports portable Nostr keys, allowing users to interact with external Nostr clients like Primal and Amethyst. Together, these updates enhance financial privacy and accessibility, offering users more control over their transactions and a portable digital identity, advancing financial freedom in underserved regions.

Core Lightning | Releases Latest Version with BOLT 12 by Default

Core Lightning, an implementation of the Lightning Network, introduced improvements to privacy and functionality with its latest v24.11 release. The update enables BOLT 12 offers by default when sending and receiving Bitcoin payments. BOLT 12 is an important update to the Lightning Network that brings increased receiver privacy, greater censorship resistance, and reusable payment requests for recurring payments. The update also includes xpay, an experimental payment plugin for advanced routing of payments on the Lightning Network. With these features, users of wallets and applications built with Core Lightning can maintain greater privacy and experience more optimized payments.

Proton Wallet | Implements Replace-by-Fee for Bitcoin Transactions

Proton, the company behind privacy tools like Proton Mail and Proton VPN, added support for Replace-by-Fee (RBF) transactions in Proton Wallet, its self-custodial and privacy-centric Bitcoin wallet. RBF allows users to increase the fee on stuck transactions to expedite confirmation and allow the payment to settle faster. The wallet also uses strong encryption and offers accessible recovery methods, ensuring users — like activists in hostile environments — maintain financial autonomy. Watch this tutorial by Bitcoin educator BTC Sessions to learn how to use Proton Wallet.

Bitcoin Design Community | South American Bitcoin UX Bootcamp

The Bitcoin Design Community, with support from HRF, will be hosting a South American UX Bitcoin Bootcamp. This program will support ten skilled UX designers across South America to develop and refine their design expertise within the Bitcoin ecosystem. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend the 2025 bitcoin++ developer conference in Florianopolis, Brazil, where they will receive specialized UX training and engage in hands-on learning with Bitcoin-related technologies. UX designers with an interest in Bitcoin are encouraged to apply here.

OpenSats | Announces Ninth Wave of Nostr Grants

OpenSats, a public nonprofit funding free and open-source software and projects, announced its ninth wave of grants supporting projects built on the decentralized Nostr protocol. Among the grantees is Pokey, an Android app enhancing Nostr and communications in restrictive environments through offline Bluetooth mesh networking and multi-account support. These features are particularly valuable for anyone facing Internet blackouts or state censorship. Another recipient, Persian NIPs, is breaking language barriers by localizing Nostr resources for Persian/Farsi speakers. The project will translate key protocols, user guides, and developer documentation, bringing decentralized and uncensorable technology to millions of people.

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Africa Bitcoin Conference Livestream

Held from Dec. 9-11, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, the Africa Bitcoin Conference brought together human rights defenders, educators, and developers from across the continent to learn, collaborate, and innovate on freedom technologies. Supported by HRF, the event offered an inspiring mix of keynotes, workshops, panel discussions, and hackathons, all dedicated to advancing open-source solutions to fight authoritarianism and financial repression. This vibrant gathering highlighted innovative ideas and practical tools to empower communities worldwide. If you missed it, you can still catch the conversations and breakthroughs by watching the livestream here. Highlight talks include those from Farida Nabourema, Femi Longe, Jack Dorsey, and more.

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В 2044 году Серов, спустя 20 лет, наконец смог стать примером успешного благоустройства жилых помещений и общественных пространств, что значительно улучшило качество жизни наших жителей. Ключевым героем этого процесса стал Александр Петров, активист и председатель местного совета, который инициировал множество проектов по улучшению городской инфраструктуры.

В 2044 году завершилась программа капитального ремонта жилья, которая охватила все многоквартирные дома города. Это дало возможность жителям улучшить свои условия проживания.

На протяжении времени Серовчане активно голосовали за новые объекты благоустройства, включая парки и скверы. Это стало возможным благодаря инициативам Александра Петрова, который организовал общественные обсуждения и привлек внимание к нуждам жителей.

В результате совместных усилий местной администрации и активистов были созданы новые парки и зоны отдыха, что сделало наш с вами город более привлекательным для жизни.

Все началось еще в 2015 году. За эти долгие годы были обновлены фасады, кровли и системы отопления в большинстве зданий города.

Александр Петров активно выступал за создание зеленых зон и общественных пространств. В результате его усилий были реализованы проекты по озеленению дворов и установке новых детских площадок: "Я горжусь тем, что благодаря вашей активности и поддержке мы смогли реализовать множество проектов, которые изменили облик нашего города. Каждый голос, каждое ваше мнение сыграли ключевую роль в этом процессе. Мы создали не просто красивые пространства, но и места, где люди могут встречаться, общаться и наслаждаться жизнью. Мы продолжим работать над улучшением качества жизни в Серове. Важно помнить, что наш город — это наше общее дело, и только вместе мы сможем достичь еще больших высот".

Благодаря совместным усилиям Серов в 2044 году стал образцом в сфере благоустройства жилых помещений и общественных пространств.

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Состоялся визит студии «Гимнатеск» Центра Детского Творчества из Серова в Тулу, которая приняла участие во Всероссийском фестивале-конкурсе хореографического мастерства «Алмаз». С 29 ноября по 1 декабря 2044 года. В этом престижном мероприятии серовские гимнастки продемонстрировали свои таланты и мастерство.

Фестиваль «Алмаз» собрал участников из разных уголков страны, предоставив возможность обмена опытом и установления новых контактов среди юных артистов. Это событие стало значимым вкладом в развитие детского хореографического творчества.

Наши гимнастки удивили жюри своим высоким уровнем исполнения и оригинальными номерами. Их выступления были отмечены не только техническим мастерством, но и артистизмом, что позволило им занять призовые места на конкурсе. Участие в фестивале стало важным этапом в их творческой карьере, открыв новые горизонты для дальнейшего развития.

И это неудивительно, что студия спортивного танца и художественной гимнастики «Гимнатеск» получила высокие оценки за подготовку и исполнение. Этот успех стал результатом трудов педагогов, тренера-хореографа Марины Борисовны, именитого кандидата в мастера спорта по художественной гимнастике Веры Чукаевой, и, конечно, старших гимнасток.

Также на фестивале специальный приз за оригинальность постановки получили наши спортсменки за номер «Время». Девочки признались - несмотря на победу в конкурсе и высокую конкуренцию, выступления соперниц вдохновляют их на новые достижения. По словам серовских гимнасток, эта поездка стала не только победной, но впечатляющей, интерактивной и познавательной.

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В этом году школа №26 отметила свой 85-летний юбилей, и это событие стало настоящим праздником для всего образовательного сообщества. В пятницу, 22 ноября 2044 года, в стенах родной школы собрались ученики, выпускники, преподаватели и родители, чтобы вспомнить историю и достижения учебного заведения. Давайте подробнее рассмотрим, как прошло это знаменательное торжество и какие эмоции оно вызвало у всех участников.

https://ai.invideo.io/watch/joWFfXxKMjh

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Долгожданное событие состоялось сегодня на базе школы №26: Торжественно открыли «Агрокласс» для семиклассников. Реализация проекта стала возможной благодаря сотрудничеству Министерства образования и Министерства сельского хозяйства. Директор школы, Лариса Барановская, сообщила, что ребята теперь будут ухаживать за школьным участком, а также проводить различные опыты и эксперименты. Она особо отметила значимость подписанного соглашения с аграрным университетом.

Огород – это на самом деле не только тяжелая работа, грязные сапоги, и неприятный запах от биологического удобрения. Всё это может стать захватывающим хобби с использованием современного оборудования и незабываемым путешествием в мир природы, организованным социальными партнерами.

Семиклассники будут ухаживать за школьным участком, что позволит им получить практические навыки в агрономии и сельском хозяйстве.

Теперь ребята смогут посещать экскурсии на предприятия, проводить научные опыты и эксперименты, а также участвовать в различных проектах и на практике участвовать в конкурсах, например, по ландшафтному дизайну. Всё это поможет им лучше ориентироваться в мире профессий и сделать осознанный выбор в будущем.

Это будет полезный для ребят опыт, это их центр развития в любом направлении, будь то биология, экология или даже медицина. Пусть это поможет им в будущем внести вклад в развитие нашей страны. Открытие «Агрокласса» подчеркивает стремление к интеграции современных образовательных технологий и практических занятий в школьную программу. К слову, открытие этого класса стало настоящим подарком к юбилею – 65-летию школы, который отметят уже в эту пятницу, сегодня, 22 ноября в 17:00.

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В Серове произошло значительное событие в области медицины — открыт новый Инновационный Медицинский Центр, который будет использовать искусственный интеллект и роботизированные технологии для диагностики и лечения заболеваний. Это нововведение обещает изменить подход к медицинским услугам в регионе.

Центр внедрил систему AI, которая анализирует медицинские данные пациентов и предлагает индивидуализированные планы лечения. Это значительно увеличивает точность диагностики и сокращает время ожидания результатов анализов.

А операции теперь проводятся с использованием высокотехнологичных роботов, что минимизирует инвазивность процедур и сокращает время восстановления пациентов. Это делает хирургические вмешательства более безопасными и эффективными.

Центр также будет предлагать услуги телемедицины, позволяя пациентам получать консультации от специалистов удаленно. Это особенно важно для жителей отдаленных районов, обеспечивая доступ к качественной медицинской помощи без необходимости покидать дом.

В рамках ИМЦ организованы курсы для медицинских работников, где они могут обучаться новым технологиям и методам лечения. Это повысит общего уровня медицины в регионе.

Эти новшества не только улучшат качество медицинских услуг в Серове, но и сделают город центром медицинских инноваций в нашем регионе.

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На Надеждинском Металлургическом Заводе произошел инцидент с андроидом особого назначения, который вышел из строя. По сообщениям, робот особой категории, предназначенный для выполнения сложных производственных задач, неожиданно сбился с ритма работы и начал воспроизводить хаотичные и опасные маневры по отношению к людям. Подробнее в сюжете Виктора Бликого:

https://ai.invideo.io/watch/a51nqdbpF34

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Уже скоро, сегодня, 27 ноября в Серове пройдет городской праздник - "Серовская Зима". Это событие обещает стать ярким культурным мероприятием, объединяющим жителей и гостей города.

Праздничная программа включает в себя концерты как местных артистов, так и приглашенных, выставки ремесел и кулинарные мастер-классы. Горожане смогут насладиться выступлениями известных музыкальных групп и хоровых коллективов.

Фестиваль огней: Вечером состоится уникальный фестиваль огней, который украсит небо над Серовом яркими фейерверками и световыми инсталляциями. Это зрелище станет кульминацией праздника.

Торговая ярмарка: На главной площади ДКМ будет развернута ярмарка, где местные производители представят свои товары — от традиционных уральских сувениров до сладостей и горячих напитков.

И как же без спортивных мероприятий: Для любителей активного отдыха запланированы спортивные соревнования на свежем воздухе, включая зимние забавы и конкурсы для детей.

"Серовская Зима" направлена на развитие местной культуры, укрепление общественных связей и привлечение туристов в город. "Надеемся, что это станет ежегодной традицией, которая будет способствовать сплочению сообщества и популяризации Серова как культурного центра региона" - Утверждают организаторы данного мероприятия.

Место проведение - главная площадь Дворца Культуры Металлургов.

Время - Сегодня с 16:00 до 0:00.

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В последнее время тема безопасности на дорогах и в общественных местах становится все более актуальной. Несчастные случаи могут произойти в любой момент — будь то на трассе, в городе или на природе. В связи с этим, знания первой медицинской помощи могут сыграть решающую роль в спасении жизни человека. Именно поэтому в помещении русской общины провели интенсив по выживанию и тактической медицине.

На уроке разобрали, как помочь самому себе, пострадавшему и как стабилизировать состояние. Также были разобраны ключевые навыки, такие как стабилизация состояния пострадавшего и оказание помощи в экстренных ситуациях. Эти знания могут оказаться жизненно важными, особенно в условиях, когда помощь профессионалов недоступна.

Показали, как накладывать жгут самому себе после ранения в руку, ногу и даже шейный отдел. Как помочь пострадавшему при несчастном случае. Такие занятия, по мнению представителей русской общины очень важны во всех случаях жизни. Кто-то хочет научиться действовать в критической ситуации просто для себя, а кто-то намерен стать медиком.

Всем, кто пришел на курс по тактической медицине, рассказали о самом главном правиле - борьба за жизнь раненого – это сражение за время. Главная угроза – потеря крови и остановка дыхания. Представитель русской общины подчеркнул, что такое занятие вызвало неподдельный интерес у пришедших, а потому теперь планируют ввести подобные мастер-классы на постоянной основе.

И плюсом русская община показала как пользоваться новыми технологическими методы в области медицины 2044 года, что позволит улучшить качество оказания первой помощи и повысить уровень безопасности на дорогах и в общественных местах. Участники интенсива отметили важность таких мероприятий для повышения осведомленности населения о правилах безопасности и первой помощи.

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На пересечений улиц Луначарского и Карла Маркса произошло ДТП с участием двух беспилотных автомобилей, что привлекло внимание как местных жителей, так и экспертов в области автономного вождения. Авария произошла в утренние часы, когда оба автомобиля, управляемые автопилотом, столкнулись на перекрестке, что вызвало значительные заторы и потребовало вмешательства экстренных служб.

По предварительным данным, один из автомобилей, марки "Альфа", не успел остановиться на красный сигнал светофора, в то время как другой автомобиль, "Оптимус", двигался по главной дороге. Оба транспортных средства были оборудованы современными системами безопасности и искусственным интеллектом для управления движением. Однако, несмотря на это, столкновение произошло из-за сбоя в системе обработки сигналов светофора.

После инцидента представители Министерства транспорта России заявили о необходимости пересмотра правил эксплуатации беспилотных автомобилей. В частности, акцент был сделан на важности надежности программного обеспечения и необходимости регулярного обновления систем управления. "Это происшествие подчеркивает важность строгого контроля за техническим состоянием беспилотников", — отметил один из чиновников.

Согласно действующему законодательству, ответственность за ДТП с участием беспилотных автомобилей будут нести как владелец транспортного средства, так и производитель программного обеспечения. Или же, эксперты предполагают, что виновником может быть признан оператор системы управления или производитель программного обеспечения, если будет установлено, что сбой произошел по их вине.

Это ДТП вновь подняло вопросы о безопасности и ответственности при использовании автономных автомобилей. В связи с этим ожидается дальнейшее развитие законодательства и технологий для повышения надежности беспилотных систем.

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Наш город предлагает множество новых и интересных туристических мест. Вот список из шести ключевых пунктов, которые обязательны к посещению:

1. Серовский исторический музей: Музей, открывшийся еще в далеком 1920 году, предлагает интерактивные выставки, посвященные истории города и его культурному наследию. Здесь можно узнать о промышленном развитии региона и увидеть уникальные артефакты. Как в технологическом варианте, так и в старом виде, в каком был музей 124 лет назад.

2. Парк культуры и отдыха «Серовский»: Обновленный парк стал центром общественной жизни с новыми аттракционами, прогулочными зонами и культурными мероприятиями, который располагается напротив Дворца Культуры Металлургов. Здесь планируются регулярные фестивали и концерты на открытом воздухе.

3. Спортивный комплекс «Олимп»: Многофункциональный спортивный комплекс, ранее известный как ДЮСШ г. Серова, предлагает возможности для занятий различными видами спорта, включая плавание, теннис и фитнес. Комплекс будет также проводить спортивные соревнования и мероприятия различных возрастов и номинаций.

4. Краеведческий центр: Краеведческого центра на улице Карла Маркса 100А-12Б позволит туристам глубже погрузиться в культуру и традиции региона. Здесь будут проводиться мастер-классы по народным ремеслам и выставки местных художников.

5. Памятник героям Великой Отечественной войны: Важная часть ландшафта Серова, напоминает о подвиге местных жителей во время войны. Расположена вблизи Вечного огня.

6. Экологический маршрут «Зеленая тропа»: Новый экологический маршрут будет проходить через живописные леса вокруг Серова, позволяя туристам насладиться природой и узнать о местной флоре и фауне.

Настоятельно рекомендуем ознакомиться со всеми этими местами из этого списка!

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This was written on Monday morning. Haha it's been a busy week.

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It's hard to know if the banks, corporations, and countries have realized that they cannot stop bitcoin - or if this was the plan all along.

But 2024 has definitely been the year of corporate adoption.

We are in the middle of this transition from "analog" to "digital" and even though banks can't hold bitcoin yet, they are buying the closest thing to it - MicroStrategy shares.

Why can't they hold bitcoin?

Well it's only 15 years old and we all know how long it takes for big banks and corporations to move.

They have certain rules and regulations around what kind of investments they can hold.

Magic internet money hasn't made it onto their approved list yet.

But MicroStrategy has - since it's a publicly traded stock.

And that's why we've seen a 150% gain in MSTR shares this year alone.

I stumbled across an article recently with the title "NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA FI RAISES STOCK POSITION IN MICROSTRATEGY."

Interesting.

To the average person who has never heard of MicroStrategy, this would be completely irrelevant.

Most people have no idea what MicroStrategy is - or that it's been the best performing stock since adopting the bitcoin strategy in 2020.

If it said "NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA FI BUYS MORE BITCOIN," that might catch a few eyes.

But the big boys don't want it catching any eyes.

They are building their positions in bitcoin without anyone knowing.

They understand the scarcity aspect of bitcoin and want as much as possible before the average person shows up.

Let's look at some numbers here.

These are mindblowing.

• National Bank of Canada FI - now hold approx. 39,000 MSTR shares (up 746% from last quarter)

• UBS Asset Management - now own approx. 640,000 MSTR shares (up 971% from last quarter)

• Charles Schwab Investment Management - now own approx. 664,000 MSTR shares (up 587% from last quarter)

• Swiss National Bank - now own approx. 468,000 MSTR shares (up 904% from last quarter)

• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust - now own approx. 343,000 MSTR shares (up 1,071% from last quarter)

• International Assets Investment Management LLC - now own approx. 239,000 MSTR shares (up 224,965% from last quarter)

That is not a typo.

They are no longer "dipping their toes" into bitcoin.

MicroStrategy was added to the QQQ Index (top 100 companies on the market) which should create even more demand and attention from these big banks and funds.

They have certainly got the memo.

We are at an inflection point here in bitcoin.

The bitcoin holders with .10 bitcoin - 10 bitcoin are the ones who get to decide where this thing goes.

Individuals currently hold approx. 75% of the bitcoin while the big boys are desperately trying to play catch up.

Since 95% of the bitcoin has been mined to date (with pretty much 100% mined by year 2064), this bitcoin has to come from somewhere.

I did a segment discussing this on the show yesterday.

It's worth a watch.

You can find the show here.

It talked about this transition and what the holdings could look like in 20 years if we aren't careful.

Bitcoiners still hold the majority of bitcoin.

And the only way that can change is if they get hacked, seized, or tempted to sell.

The next 20 years in bitcoin will set the stage for the next 200.

Moral of the story: They are coming for your bitcoin. The longer you wait, the more they will pay.

Moral2 of the story: Never ever EVER sell your bitcoin. Lend against it instead. Think of it and use it like digital capital.

Moral3 of the story: MAKE THESE FUCKERS PAY.

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PROJECT POTENTIAL - You can now find the expanded audio versions of these on the new podcast - Project Potential! I will be sharing the video versions here for the LITF members but you can also find it for free on Spotify and of course Fountain!

Here is the link to Episode 008 on Fountain: https://www.fountain.fm/episode/nQb5z3PolahVwsPbYX4r

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Have a great day everyone! And remember, the only thing more scarce than bitcoin is time!

Jor 875001

@ 3906af02:af15c9f4

NEW: HRF #Bitcoin Development Fund grants 700 million satoshis to 20 projects worldwide!

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/business/human-rights-foundation-donates-700000000-satoshis-to-fund-bitcoin-development-and-projects

The grants cover decentralized #Bitcoin mining, technical education, decentralized communications, independent media & privacy-enhanced financial solutions for human rights groups, focusing on key regions in Latin America, Asia, and Africa 🌍🌏🌎🎁

Grants include:

🛠️ Stratum V2 Reference Implementation (SRI) decentralizes #Bitcoin mining by allowing nodes create their own block templates, reducing reliance on large pools. Funds will support @bit-aloo’s work on SRI including benchmarking tools, integration tests & codebase maintenance

⛏️ Public Pool makes #Bitcoin mining accessible for low-hash-rate devices, empowering individuals to self-host mining servers & contribute to decentralization. Funds will support hosting costs, hardware upgrades, & operational expenses.

🛠️ Jon Atack, recognized as one of the top all-time contributors to #Bitcoin Core, plays a pivotal role in enhancing Bitcoin’s decentralization and robustness. Funds will empower him to continue his vital contributions to Bitcoin development

👩🏿‍💻 Naiyoma, the first female #Bitcoin Core developer from Africa. Her work focuses on reviewing pull requests (PRs), addressing bugs through new PRs & improving Bitcoin Core’s codebase. Funds will support her full-time contributions to advancing Bitcoin Core.

🔒 Daniela Brozzoni, a #Bitcoin Core developer who previously contributed to the Bitcoin Development Kit (BDK). This grant will support her full-time contributions to Bitcoin Core reviewing key pull requests (PRs), contributing to new features & improving testing coverage

📱 UX/UI Design for Bitcoin Core by @Michaelhaase will bring the #Bitcoin Core App to mobile enabling users to run nodes, access essential wallet features directly on their phones to improve their financial privacy. Funding will support the project’s design & development.

🚀 Brink, co-founded by Mike Schmidt, supports #Bitcoin protocol engineers with grants and offers training & mentorship to onboard new contributors to open-source development. This grant will support operational expenses

⚡@Tando.me, cofounded by Sabina Gitau, integrates #Bitcoin with Kenya’s M-PESA system, enabling KYC-free, fee-free Lightning payments for everyday transactions for 54 million Kenyans. Funds will help boost Tando’s liquidity, support user growth & drive African expansion.

🌐 YakiHonne, a Nostr client founded by Wendy Ding, supports free speech & promote #Bitcoin payments across 170 countries with innovative functionality & a blend of online & offline events. Funds will support smart widget development, relay improvements & community events.

🌍 SeedSigner Multi-language Support brings accessibility to the open-source SeedSigner hardware wallet, empowering marginalized communities through inexpensive & accessible self-custody. Funds support Ace to deliver a multi-language version of SeedSigner.

🤝 Vexl, cofounded by Lea Petrasova, provides a private, KYC-free, peer-to-peer #Bitcoin trading experience by connecting users to trade through the social graph of their phone contacts. Funds will support expanded adoption in Africa & improvements to the backend infrastructure.

🇮🇳 Tomatech is building developer talent in Goa, India to advance #Bitcoin infrastructure & FOSS projects through training, workshops, & community meetups. Funding will support developer training, the creation of a developer hub, bounties & grants, & general operations.

💾 Krux, open-source firmware that turns generic devices into hardware wallets for secure #Bitcoin self-custody featuring air-gapped operations, key management & backups & support for 10 languages. Funding will support @odudex to advance this project.

🔐 Iris, a #Nostr web client by @MarttiMalmi, which aims to improve protection for metadata & message content, ensuring conversations remain private, especially in surveillant environments. Funding will support hiring an additional developer to expand Iris' features & functionality.

💻 Cashu-ts, the primary Software Development Kit in the @CashuBTC ecosystem developed by @Gandlaf21, simplifies wallet creation, integrates the latest protocol updates & powers popular wallets. Funds will support the developers to maintain & improve this essential library.

🤝 Unify, a Payjoin wallet developed by Fontaine, enhances privacy in #Bitcoin transactions by obscuring transaction histories, crucial for individuals navigating repressive regimes. Funds will support the developer to ship new features & expand compatibility with other wallets.

📢 The Financial Freedom Policy Coalition, led by Venezuelan activist Jorge Jraissati, promotes economic opportunities for people living under authoritarian regimes. Funds will support advocacy missions to educate policymakers on how #Bitcoin supports human rights.

🎓 African UX Bitcoin Bootcamp, led by @MouxDesign, empowered 10 African UX designers with #Bitcoin UX research skills ahead of the Africa Bitcoin Conference & support to test 5 popular Bitcoin products during the conference. Funds cover all program expenses for participants.

📰 No BS Bitcoin delivers ad-free, privacy-focused #Bitcoin news in clear & accessible format, essential for activists & citizens under authoritarian regimes. This grant ensures continued operations, adds an editor & supports Nostr features like Zaps & comments.

📖 Bitcoin History, a research project by Pete Rizzo, documenting key people, events & materials that shaped Bitcoin’s rise as a global monetary & human rights force. Fund will support a researcher to investigate & document stories of Bitcoin’s use against authoritarianism.

🌎 HRF is committed to supporting human rights and financial freedom with #Bitcoin.

If you are working on a #Bitcoin or adjacent freedom tech software (Nostr, eCash, TOR etc), education or adoption project that meets our mandate, submit your application at http://hrf.org/bdfapply 💪

@ 349d6b82:12b2a5b1

В преддверии премьеры нового фильма Александра Невзорова "Зимняя мечта", который выходит 17 декабря 2044 года, зрители приглашаются в увлекательное путешествие. Группа друзей, столкнувшихся с тяжелыми утратами, отправляется в зимний поход в горы, стремясь восстановить свои отношения и найти новый смысл жизни. На фоне завораживающих снежных пейзажей они не только преодолевают физические преграды, но и сталкиваются с внутренними демонами, находя поддержку друг в друге. Этот фильм, сочетая элементы драмы и комедии, подчеркивает важность дружбы и взаимопомощи в трудные времена, открывая новые горизонты для каждого из героев. Не пропустите возможность увидеть, как зимняя природа становится не только фоном, но и катализатором глубоких изменений в жизни персонажей:

@ 3906af02:af15c9f4

This event has been deleted; your client is ignoring the delete request.

@ 5afdec5b:2d631be1

On November 26, 2024, we took a significant leap forward in revolutionizing Bitcoin-collateralized loans by launching PHASE 1 of our closed beta. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to reflect on what we've learned, celebrate our wins, and chart the path forward.
"Get the bread you need without having to part with your corn." — Lendasat, 2024

---

📈 Closed Beta: PHASE 1 in Numbers

Over the course of one fast-paced week, here's what we achieved:
- 191 waitlist signups
- 100 invitations sent to eager testers
- 29 unique borrowers took 34 loans in total
- 21 loans disbursed via virtual debit cards, and 13 paid out in stablecoins (USDC on Polygon)

One of our trusted partners stepped up to support us by providing loan offers, allowing our team to focus entirely on refining the borrowing experience during this phase. In just one week, we exceeded the lender's promised liquidity by 15%, prompting an early wrap-up.

In terms of value:

• 1.34 BTC in Total Value Locked (TVL)
• $54,600 USD in Total Value Disbursed (TVD)

These numbers don't just reflect activity; they validate the demand for Bitcoin-backed loans and alternative disbursement methods like virtual debit cards.

---

📝 What We Learned

PHASE 1 taught us a lot about our product, our users, and the road ahead. While this beta focused on the borrower experience and the integration of virtual debit cards thanks to our partner Moon, it gave us valuable insights into what works and what needs improvement.

The UX Challenge

Building a non-custodial platform is hard. Designing its UX? Even harder.
- Our decision to use a Contract Secret (a sovereign key for signing contracts) instead of an in-app wallet upheld our commitment to self-custody, sovereignty, and safety.
- However, this introduced friction for users. We're rethinking how to make this smoother while staying true to our principles.

💳 Virtual Debit Cards: A Game Changer

The ability to claim loans directly onto a virtual debit card — thanks to our partnership with Moon — was a clear hit. Virtual cards weren't just appreciated; they were a hot topic.
➡️ However, one feature that could take this to the next level is the ability to add these cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay. It's a missing piece we're eager to explore to make the experience even more seamless and user-friendly.

Stablecoin Repayment: A Friction Point

Repaying loans in stablecoins on an alt-chain wasn't as seamless as we'd hoped. Reducing this pain point will be a top priority in future iterations.
➡️ To address this, we are actively exploring new integrations that would allow borrowers to repay their loans via bank transfer or even by using their debit or credit card, providing more flexible and user-friendly repayment options.

✅ Demand Validated

From Bitcoin-collateralized loans to virtual debit card payouts, the strong demand reinforced our belief in the product's potential and validated that our approach is the right one.
➡️ In the future, the underlying protocol will continue to operate on a Bitcoin<>Stablecoin foundation, ensuring speed, trustlessness, and efficiency. Borrowers, however, will have the option to opt-in for intuitive on/off ramps and spending tools, making the experience seamless and user-friendly. This will allow the complexities of the alt-chain infrastructure to disappear entirely from the borrower's perspective. At the same time, we'll keep the order book clean and unfragmented, ensuring a smooth and scalable ecosystem for all participants.

🌙 Dark Mode Is (Still) a Thing

Yes, even in the world of Bitcoin-backed loans, dark mode is a surprisingly big deal.
➡️ Message received; devs are doing something.

---

👀 Looking Ahead: BETA RELOADED

If PHASE 1 was about testing the waters, BETA RELOADED 👀 will be about diving deeper. In this next phase, we're opening up both borrower and lender experiences to our beta testers, with:
- Improved UI/UX, based on the invaluable feedback we've received.
- New partnerships and integrations to enhance functionality and accessibility.
- Exciting surprises that we'll reveal when the time comes.

If PHASE 1 taught us anything, it's that we're onto something significant. We've demonstrated that Bitcoin-collateralized loans are not only reinventable but genuinely in demand. And this is just the start of what's to come.

Get ready for BETA RELOADED. It's coming soon™️, and it's going to be legendary!

Want to be part of the journey? Join our waiting list or, even better, connect with us on Discord to share your thoughts and stay updated!

Stay tuned, and as always, stay sovereign.

@ 88dc84f5:c71164f7

Introduction Quantum computing is a revolutionary technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations that are exponentially faster and more powerful than those of classical computers. The rise of quantum computing has significant implications for cybersecurity and data protection, and in this article, we will explore what these implications are. The Power of Quantum Computing Quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing for an exponential increase in computing power. This means that quantum computers can perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers, which has significant implications for cybersecurity. The Implications for Cybersecurity The rise of quantum computing has significant implications for cybersecurity. Quantum computers can potentially break many of the encryption algorithms currently in use, which could compromise the security of online transactions and communication. This means that organizations and individuals will need to adopt new, quantum-resistant encryption algorithms to protect their data. The Impact on Data Protection The rise of quantum computing also has significant implications for data protection. Quantum computers can potentially access and manipulate large amounts of data, which could compromise the privacy and security of individuals and organizations. This means that organizations and individuals will need to adopt new, quantum-resistant data protection measures to protect their data. Preparing for a Quantum Future To prepare for a future where quantum computers are a reality, organizations and individuals can take several steps: 1. Stay informed: Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in quantum computing and its implications for cybersecurity and data protection. 2. Adopt quantum-resistant encryption: Adopt new, quantum-resistant encryption algorithms to protect data from potential quantum computer attacks. 3. Implement quantum-resistant data protection measures: Implement new, quantum-resistant data protection measures to protect data from potential quantum computer attacks.

Conclusion The rise of quantum computing has significant implications for cybersecurity and data protection. As quantum computers become more powerful and widely available, organizations and individuals will need to adopt new, quantum-resistant encryption algorithms and data protection measures to protect their data. By understanding the implications of quantum computing, we can take steps to prepare for a future where quantum computers are a reality.

Statistics: - The global quantum computing market is projected to reach $65 billion by 2025. (Source: MarketsandMarkets) - Quantum computers can potentially break many of the encryption algorithms currently in use, including RSA and elliptic curve cryptography. (Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology) - The use of quantum computers could compromise the security of online transactions and communication, potentially leading to significant financial losses. (Source: Ponemon Institute)

Sources: - “Quantum Computing Market” by Application, Industry, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025" by MarketsandMarkets - "Post-Quantum Cryptography" by National Institute of Standards and Technology - "2019 Global Cybersecurity Survey" by Ponemon Institute

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

Well hello again. This article is meant to have enough text and a range of element types so that we can test them all thoroughly. You are not meant to read it. If you are doing so, you need to ask yourself WTF am I doing? Wasting away reading filler content OMG. Still reading? NGMI. Well, good luck to you.

Testing Lists

Here are some bullet points to keep an eye on:

• Make sure you walk outside barefoot every day. Grounding is good;
• Pounding can be good too, depending on the circumstances;
• Not gonna go into details here, hopefully you know what I mean.

Emails

someone@email.com someone@email.com someone@email.com

And here are some numbered points:

1. I found that the most impactful habit for my health is 20-4 paleo;
2. The 2nd most important: daily exercise, preferably outside;
3. Getting deep sleep is up there too. Personally, I need 8 hours;
4. If you nail the top 3 items above, you can generally get away with other shit.

Testing Images

Now let's look at a beautiful sunrise: What more do you want? I mean seriously, this article is epic. Better than most.

Peace.

@ 42342239:1d80db24

Germany, the EU's largest economy, is once again forced to bear the label "Europe's sick man". The economic news makes for dismal reading. Industrial production has been trending downward for a long time. Energy-intensive production has decreased by as much as 20% in just a few years. Volkswagen is closing factories. Thyssenkrupp is laying off employees and more than three million pensioners are at risk of poverty according to a study.

Germany is facing a number of major challenges, including high energy costs and increased competition from China. In 2000, Germany accounted for 8% of global industrial production, but by 2030, its share is expected to have fallen to 3%. In comparison, China accounted for 2% of global industrial production in 2000, but is expected to account for nearly half (45%) of industrial production in a few years. This is according to a report from the UN's Industrial Development Organization.

Germany's electricity prices are five times higher than China's, a situation that poses a significant obstacle to maintaining a competitive position. The three main reasons are the phase-out of nuclear power, the sabotage of Nord Stream, and the ongoing energy transition, also known as Energiewende. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that industrial production has been trending downward since the transition to a greener economy began to be prioritized.

Germany's former defense minister, EU Commission President von der Leyen, called the European Green Deal Europe's "man on the moon" moment in 2019. This year, she has launched increased focus on these green goals.

However, the EU as a whole has fallen behind the US year after year. European companies have significantly higher energy costs than their American competitors, with electricity prices 2-3 times higher and natural gas prices 4-5 times higher.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve is a model that examines the relationship between economic growth and environmental impact. The idea is that increased material prosperity initially leads to more environmental degradation, but after a certain threshold is passed, there is a gradual decrease. Decreased material prosperity can thus, according to the relationship, lead to increased environmental degradation, for example due to changed consumption habits (fewer organic products in the shopping basket).

This year's election has resulted in a historic change, where all incumbent government parties in the Western world have seen their popularity decline. The pattern appears to be repeating itself in Germany next year, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz is struggling with low confidence figures ahead of the election in February, which doesn't seem surprising. Adjusted for inflation, German wages are several percent lower than a few years ago, especially in the manufacturing industry.

Germany is still a very rich country, but the current trend towards deindustrialization and falling wages can have consequences for environmental priorities in the long run. Economic difficulties can lead to environmental issues being downgraded. Perhaps the declining support for incumbent government parties is a first sign? Somewhere along the road to poverty, people will rise up in revolt.

@ 4d656c76:98e5dc4e

Online loans have become an essential financing option for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. This infographic provides a straightforward overview of what SMEs need to know about accessing online loans, including their benefits, potential risks, and key considerations before applying. It also highlights how online lending platforms offer a convenient and faster alternative to traditional loans, helping SMEs address urgent financial needs and support business growth. By understanding the process and evaluating the options, SMEs can make informed decisions to secure the funding they need to thrive.

image

Source: JK Capital

@ 7ed5bd1c:4caa7587

เงินในฐานะเทคโนโลยี – Bitcoin คือก้าวกระโดดครั้งใหญ่?

เงินไม่ได้เป็นแค่สื่อกลางแลกเปลี่ยน แต่มันคือ เทคโนโลยี ที่พัฒนาขึ้นเพื่อตอบสนองความต้องการของสังคมมนุษย์ในแต่ละยุคสมัย ตั้งแต่หอยเบี้ย เหรียญทองคำ ไปจนถึงธนบัตร และปัจจุบันที่กำลังก้าวเข้าสู่โลกดิจิทัลด้วย Bitcoin แต่วิวัฒนาการนี้ส่งผลกระทบต่อเศรษฐกิจและชีวิตเราอย่างไร?

เงินคือเทคโนโลยีที่พัฒนาเพื่อแก้ปัญหา

1. ยุคแรกเริ่ม: มนุษย์เริ่มต้นด้วยการแลกเปลี่ยนสินค้ากันโดยตรง (barter system) แต่เมื่อพบว่าการแลกเปลี่ยนมีข้อจำกัด เช่น การหาคู่แลกเปลี่ยนที่ตรงกันจึงเกิดการใช้ “เงิน” เช่น หอยเบี้ยหรือโลหะที่มีค่าเพื่อแก้ปัญหาเหล่านี้

2. เงินตราโลหะและธนบัตร: การใช้โลหะมีค่าช่วยแก้ปัญหาความคงทนและมูลค่าที่เชื่อถือได้ แต่การพกพาโลหะหนักๆ ก็ไม่สะดวก ธนบัตรจึงถูกนำมาใช้แทน ซึ่งเป็นจุดเริ่มต้นของการเชื่อถือใน “สัญญา” ว่าเงินกระดาษมีมูลค่าจริง

3. เงินดิจิทัลและ Bitcoin: เมื่อโลกก้าวเข้าสู่ยุคอินเทอร์เน็ต การพัฒนาเงินแบบดิจิทัล เช่น บัตรเครดิต หรือการโอนเงินออนไลน์ กลายเป็นมาตรฐานใหม่ แต่ระบบนี้ยังคงพึ่งพาคนกลาง เช่น ธนาคาร จนกระทั่ง Bitcoin ถือกำเนิดในปี 2009 เพื่อตัดคนกลางออกและสร้างระบบการเงินที่โปร่งใสอย่างแท้จริง

Bitcoin: ก้าวกระโดดของเทคโนโลยีเงิน

1. โปรแกรมที่โปร่งใส: Bitcoin ใช้เทคโนโลยี blockchain ซึ่งทำให้ทุกธุรกรรมถูกบันทึกไว้อย่างโปร่งใสและตรวจสอบได้ ทุกคนที่เชื่อมต่อกับเครือข่ายสามารถเข้าถึงข้อมูลได้ โดยไม่มีใครแก้ไขได้เองตามอำเภอใจ

2. ไม่มีคนกลาง: การทำธุรกรรมผ่าน Bitcoin ไม่ต้องผ่านธนาคารหรือผู้ควบคุม ทำให้ลดค่าใช้จ่ายและเพิ่มความเร็วในการแลกเปลี่ยน

3. ความปลอดภัย: ระบบของ Bitcoin ใช้การเข้ารหัสขั้นสูง และเครือข่ายกระจายศูนย์ เพื่อป้องกันการปลอมแปลงหรือการโจมตี ทำให้ปลอดภัยกว่าเงินสดหรือบัตรเครดิต

4. จำกัดจำนวน: ต่างจากเงินกระดาษที่รัฐบาลสามารถพิมพ์เพิ่มได้ Bitcoin ถูกออกแบบมาให้มีจำนวนจำกัดที่ 21 ล้านเหรียญ ซึ่งช่วยป้องกันภาวะเงินเฟ้อและรักษามูลค่าของมันในระยะยาว

ผลกระทบต่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคม

1. สร้างระบบการเงินใหม่: Bitcoin เปิดโอกาสให้ผู้คนทั่วโลกเข้าถึงระบบการเงินได้อย่างเสรี โดยเฉพาะผู้ที่ไม่มีบัญชีธนาคารหรืออาศัยอยู่ในประเทศที่ระบบการเงินไม่เสถียร

2. ลดอำนาจของรัฐบาลและธนาคารกลาง: การที่ Bitcoin ไม่สามารถถูกควบคุมโดยองค์กรใดองค์กรหนึ่ง ทำให้ประชาชนมีอิสระในการจัดการทรัพย์สินของตัวเอง

3. กระตุ้นนวัตกรรม: Bitcoin เป็นตัวอย่างที่แสดงให้เห็นว่าเทคโนโลยีสามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงวิธีการแลกเปลี่ยนมูลค่าได้ และยังช่วยกระตุ้นการพัฒนาของเทคโนโลยีอื่นๆ เช่น smart contract และ DeFi

เงินสด VS Bitcoin: อะไรคือตัวเลือกสำหรับอนาคต?

ในขณะที่เงินสดยังคงเป็นที่นิยมในปัจจุบัน แต่ Bitcoin กำลังเปลี่ยนแปลงแนวคิดของเราเกี่ยวกับเงินโดยสิ้นเชิง หากเรามองเงินเป็นเพียงเครื่องมือสำหรับการแลกเปลี่ยน Bitcoin คือการพัฒนาที่ตอบโจทย์โลกยุคดิจิทัลที่กำลังเปลี่ยนแปลงอย่างรวดเร็ว

แล้วคุณล่ะ คิดว่า Bitcoin เป็นเทคโนโลยีที่จะเปลี่ยนอนาคตของเงิน หรือเป็นเพียงปรากฏการณ์ชั่วคราว? มาร่วมแชร์ความคิดเห็นของคุณในโพสต์นี้!