@ a17fb4ed:c53f7e91

Charcuterie Boards are perfect for parties and easy to create. With just a few basics you can bring great flavor to your next get together. I made this one for my work Christmas party a week ago and it was a hit. The following is the board I built. ## Meats - **Italian Dry Salame**: A classic charcuterie staple with rich, savory flavors - **Dry Hard Salami Con Vino**: A wine-infused salami that adds a sophisticated touch to your board <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/4c42e112a0bde43face2b45e0b98fd9b13e5103721c395e5b9a4f8f01565c500.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/bb0a31bd0a22a1cf5d8b73de6203deb19153235af8d163401097a8f73151898b.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/52577649d61e08a20716de902593499f4ce944759ddc309dde79bb8ca8c60d70.jpg"> ## Cheeses - **Extra Sharp Cheddar**: Provides a bold, tangy flavor profile - **Dill Havarti**: Offers a creamy texture with a hint of fresh dill - **Boursin Spreadable Garlic and Herb**: A soft, flavorful spread perfect for easy enjoyment - **60 Day Blue Cheese**: Adds a strong, distinctive taste to complement the meats <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/6879739a5f4e4955c074d2eac7ee2c4e2b91b0562923685e1df7c737f89dd58f.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/ebc767265267d83e8caeb31ae0358ce6e7d70a28ff910e5081f5d6828ce33b65.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/e1a9ef29dd79274412fa91551acbd6c5f751219bcd8122d84d0f95a2a948d0db.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/64b4d5cac6e8fbebb108f6d8ebc438ace96ce3bce3e086f71291fbfa28357048.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/027b54307d8e03593229af413e6c9c3d04bae8cca7df8777e85f477f91288061.jpg"> ## Crackers - **Bruschettini Snack Size Italian Bruschetta Toast**: Authentic Italian-style base - **Crunchmaster Original Multi-Seed**: A crispy, nutritious option - **Brenton Original with Sea Salt**: Classic cracker with a touch of saltiness - **Cabaret Crispy and Buttery**: A rich, indulgent cracker choice <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/59623ddcd99be51e1543cd693c2490571850bdb64d1f597773892ddd26c59f8f.jpg"> ## Delightful Add-Ons - **Chocolate Covered Cherries**: A sweet contrast to savory meats and cheeses - **Local Hive Hot Honey**: Adds a spicy-sweet element - **Pitted Olives**: Brings a briny, Mediterranean touch <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/5718466231a0c1ead412051da1ae2a89de2c54376059e6831d01a872300e83cf.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/89c7117d5b9085a8512a922e93d1aa0e4bfb0ebc8e28d9bad332cfb0f322e3bf.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/b91a7d830b97bf9b63cac683f14a313715675511aa0f3aacd3f2c70106fe944e.jpg"> ## Platter and Serving Essentials - **Wooden Board**: Provides a rustic, elegant presentation - **Spoon**: Drizzle on the honey - **Spreading Utensils**: For soft cheeses and spreads - **Toothpicks**: Retrieving the olives - **Bowls**: For randoms small items - **Cracker Container**: Keeps crackers organized <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/1df49e095be72e16b55c59585ec1534ce36986dbfe98b634544c2d4d902e227f.jpg"> ## Final Progression <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/f981cc4c8f864ef112041f246956263f2db1c796d016cea26197ab1ef1463d11.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/85c3c71321cafc7d7bcfec9b2df2e7b0d61964a6dac3051490df6a3695a7d24e.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/8ba9f6e44c7893b78af56341e87e1c9e0306908a3de3da97a6a3c19235e9d606.jpg"> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/d244f1f5d0c12c3c4b57b571aa742fa05c1109d9cd5ecbecce6e87f601aea103.jpg"> Remember you can make these boards your own way. Hope you take some of the ideas and create something tasting. Cheers, Yooper #foodstr #nostr #cheese #salami #charcuterie #crackers #honey

@ 6e4f2866:a76f7a29

Have you ever felt like you’re running as fast as you can in life, only to find yourself in the same spot? Trying to achieve goals, optimise yourself only to feel unfulfilled & lacking. That’s the hamster wheel—an exhausting, repetitive cycle that holds us captive in patterns we didn’t consciously choose. These aren’t just bad habits; they’re deep-rooted default programs born from early life experiences. Let’s explore what these hamster wheels are, how they shape us, and most importantly, how we can step off them for good.  **What Are Hamster Wheels?** \ \ The term #hamsterwheels ( hamstr) is a metaphor for the unconscious patterns that keep us stuck. I discovered these wheels through my own introspection & seeing these patterns in my clients. Imagine a wheel turning endlessly, powered by our own efforts but leading nowhere. These programs are often formed in childhood, when trauma, disconnection, or unmet needs force us to develop defense mechanisms to survive. They worked back then, but now they just keep us spinning. \ **The Mechanics of a Hamster Wheel** \ \ Every hamster wheel has two opposing forces—gain and loss, right and wrong, attention and neglect, let down & support & unable & able. We strive to stay on the “good” side: gaining approval, being right, or receiving attention. But inevitably, the wheel flips, and we find ourselves losing, being wrong, or feeling ignored. It’s a cruel cycle of frustration that feels impossible to escape. 
You will be positioned on the left side or right side when you look at the wheel. One is yin dominant, non doing, unable, more of a victim. One is Yang, always doing, high achiever, seen as a winner. 

\ \ Left side is safe in the unableness so will self sacrifice when they are to feel able to& start to achieve. So as they climb up the wheel to the right, they will lose interest or confidence in what they are doing, either sliding back exhausted in their endeavour or flipping over into victimhood. They long to be confident & win at life but deep down feel they cannot. 

\ \ Right sided dwellers have to be right, are constantly striving & hate (kryptonite) feeling unable. When they feel unable they will become enraged. They are compelled to gain valuableness in their own eyes and those of others. They are usually very difficult to work with as working with a therapist makes them feel unable. They will eventually put so much energy running up the right side that they will be flung backwards into usableness often times falling into deep depression (unableness) or even attracting illness. 

They always attract unableness & the left sided experiences to balance themselves out. 

The wheel always balances itself out. This is the way of the hamster wheel. 
 <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/e5840d9bdce3054ac91fe51c9aa617a53831ad5f76317293c3db06dda3789ec4.png"> \ \ Here’s the kicker: these wheels are powered by our deepest fears and insecurities. They keep us stuck not because we’re lazy or unmotivated, but because they’ve become our default way of operating, they are our automated defence systems. \ **Common Hamster Wheels** \ \ There are five key hamster wheels that we all grapple with: 1. Gain/Loss: The endless chase for more—more success, more love, more recognition—followed by the crushing fear of losing it all. 2. Right/Wrong: The compulsion to always be right, which leads to the paralyzing fear of being wrong. 3. Attention/Neglect: Oscillating between craving attention and fearing rejection or neglect. 4. Able/Unable: Striving to prove we’re capable, only to feel crushed by moments of doubt or failure. 5. Support/Let Down: Giving endlessly to others for validation, but feeling betrayed or let down when it’s not reciprocated.

If you watch your thoughts closely you will see these programs or songs at the root of all your thoughts. **How Hamster Wheels Impact Your Life** \ \ These patterns influence every aspect of our lives: our relationships, careers, and even our self-worth. They dictate how we act, how we think, and even how we feel. For example: - The drive to gain approval often results in feeling unworthy. - A relentless pursuit of success can spiral into burnout and self-criticism. - Efforts to avoid neglect might lead to overcompensating and losing yourself in the process. And the hardest part? These wheels feel like home. They’re familiar, and stepping off them can feel terrifying.

They quite literally create your reality. \ Breaking the Cycle The good news? You can break free. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Here’s how: 1. Observe Without Judgment: Start by noticing your patterns. This is real #meditation What thoughts or actions are you repeating? Don’t judge yourself—just observe. Awareness is the first step to freedom. 2. Understand the Roots: These wheels didn’t come from nowhere. They’re the result of unmet needs or childhood traumas. By understanding their origins, you can begin to dismantle their power. 3. Reject External Solutions: No guru, book, or quick fix can save you. True freedom comes from within. The moment you stop looking for external validation, the wheel starts to lose its grip.

You must take full responsibility for everything in your life. Only you can do this proof of work. \ Final Thoughts Hamster wheels aren’t your fault, but they are your responsibility. They’ve been running your life long enough. Isn’t it time to take back control? Imagine stepping off the wheel, feeling the ground beneath your feet for the first time. That’s where real freedom begins. So, what hamster wheel are you on? Are you ready to step off and embrace a life of clarity, peace, and purpose? The journey starts here, with a single step: observation. Everything else flows from there.

@ d83793e3:3de45629

2Q is a cutting-edge digital platform designed to provide users with smooth, efficient, and secure interactions. Built with advanced technology and a user-focused approach, 2Q combines innovation with practicality to create a reliable and modern environment for all users. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or new to digital platforms, 2Q ensures a satisfying experience tailored to meet your needs. The platform’s intuitive interface is one of its standout features. With a clean design and strategically organized layout, 2Q makes it easy for users to navigate and access its various features. Every detail is optimized for convenience, ensuring that even first-time users can quickly adapt and explore the platform without difficulty. The simplicity and functionality of 2Q’s interface highlight its commitment to user-friendly design. https://2q-online.com Security is a top priority for 2Q. Employing state-of-the-art encryption technology, the platform ensures the safety of user data and transactions. This robust security framework provides peace of mind, allowing users to focus on their activities without worrying about potential risks. Additionally, 2Q continuously updates its systems to stay ahead of emerging threats, reinforcing its reputation as a secure and trustworthy platform. 2Q also excels in customer support, with a dedicated team available around the clock to assist users. Whether resolving technical issues or providing guidance, the support team is always ready to ensure a hassle-free experience. This level of dedication reflects 2Q’s focus on creating a supportive and engaging environment for its users. With its blend of modern technology, strong security, and exceptional user support, 2Q stands out as a versatile and reliable digital platform. By constantly innovating and adapting to user needs, 2Q continues to set a benchmark for quality and efficiency in the digital space.

@ 361d3e1e:50bc10a8

<https://forex-strategy.com/2024/12/27/prices-wars-investments-a-guide-for-2025/> What to invest in and what to avoid as a bad investment? Prices, wars, investments - a guide for 2025. The end of Brussels-centered governance is in sight. What are our predictions for 2025? #europe #usa #year2025 #forecasts #politics #war #russia #israel #trump #dollar #bitcoin #gold

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

 The past few weeks have been uneventful for me, spent mostly shuttling between the hospital and the hostel. Every other day, I made my way to the hospital for a foot dressing change — the only time I ventured outside. It was a routine walk, one that led me along a single road to the hospital and back. Despite the limited movement, I captured a few photos along the way, which I’d like to share with you today.  During this time, I kept myself busy at the hostel, sorting through old travel data. As I sifted through my memories and photos, it struck me: I’ve been living a nomadic life for nearly 8 years now. It all started back in 2016 when I was sitting in the small town of Korb in Germany, pondering what to do with my life. It was a tough time, and I don’t want to go into the details, but by the end of that year, I decided to take the plunge and start traveling. Initially, I planned to visit a friend in March 2017, but that fell through. I quickly reworked my plan and decided to visit my grandparents farm, or rather, where it once stood. The only hitch was that I had no money for the trip. So, I hitchhiked, took buses, and walked there, which ended up being a life-changing adventure. Later, a journalist mentioned this journey in an article on migration. And that’s how it all began — the start of my nomadic lifestyle.  Fast forward almost 8 years, and here I am, sitting at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro with a healing foot that still needs some care. It’s almost better, though it remains sensitive due to the thin skin, and it needs to strengthen before it’s fully healed. I hope I’ve learned from this and that such an injury won’t happen again. I’ve extended my stay in Moshi until December 30th, and I might stay until the start of the new year. As for where I’ll go next, I’m still unsure. I’ve thought about taking a bus east and then coming back by train, or perhaps heading west and making a loop south to east, ultimately returning to where I am now.  *The image above is called a Christmas tree because it reveals its full beauty only during the Christmas season.* Last night, I thought about attending a BBQ festival, now that my foot is almost healed. But when I arrived, the police officer didn’t understand English and called a man for clarification. He told me I couldn’t enter Uhuru Park because there was a meeting happening. I didn’t want to argue with them, so I turned back. It was a small loss — the entrance fee was 10k TZS, which included two free beers, and the BBQ meat was 20k TZS. But instead, I wandered around the area, discovering beautiful cafes, bars, and artist shops. It was a peaceful stroll, and I plan to return during the day to explore more. Currently, I’m sitting in the hostel bar, downloading some travel videos from my cloud. The internet here isn’t the most stable, so the process takes longer than I’d like. Once downloaded, I’ll upload them to another cloud service where I can access and work on them. This is the reality of my work as a traveler — sometimes progress feels slow, especially when the internet connection is unreliable. But as always, I remain hopeful that I’ll find a place with better connectivity soon.  *The image above shows a banana transport. The area around Moshi is known for its extensive banana farming.* Lately, I’ve been trying to fix my fedora so I can edit videos offline, but I’ve run into some technical issues. The drivers for HD/4K and MP4 aren’t working as expected. If anyone knows what I need to install on my ThinkPad T470s to fix this, I’d appreciate the advice! I also considered learning LaTeX to write my blog posts and convert them into Markdown, but I’m still a novice when it comes to LaTeX. In the past, I used Kile, but I’ve since moved away from KDE, though I still use Digikam and Kdenlive for photo and video editing. Kdenlive, however, doesn’t seem to handle MP4 files properly, which is another challenge I’m trying to figure out. On top of everything, I’ve been thinking a lot about ways to earn some extra money. The last few months have been financially challenging — I’ve had medical bills to cover, including paying for a child’s hospital expenses in Kenya. It has made me rethink how I manage my money. As a minimalist, I try to keep my costs low, but sometimes things come up that are beyond my control. I’m working on finding new ways to supplement my income, and hopefully, I’ll come up with some ideas soon. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a few photos from Moshi, a town at the base of Kilimanjaro. It has a pleasant climate and offers a relaxed vibe, even though there’s not much to do. I hope you enjoy these images, and I’ll share more updates soon as my journey continues. Stay tuned for more adventures!  *Image above: He thought he needed to show off his strength when he saw me and lifted the TukTuk.*      *The image above features a mosque with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. I took this photo yesterday during my visit to Uhuru Park.*  ## Support *Feel free to support me by sending some sats via the lightning network to rubenstorm@sats.mobi*

@ acbcec47:dd305bec

## Prepare starter - 1 part starter (~30g) - 2 parts wholemeal rye flour (~60g) - 2 parts warm water (~60g) Stir well, then leave to stand warm and covered until the volume has almost doubled.  Once the starter has doubled in volume and a light cap has formed, it can be used for the dough.  ## Ingredients - Flour (2/3 550/1100 wheat flour, 1/3 997 rye flour) = 600g - Water: 60% of the flour quantity = 360g warm water - Starter: 20% of the flour quantity = 120g starter - Salt: 3% of the flour = 18g  Put the rest of the starter (about 30g) back in the fridge for the next batch. Knead everything well for 5 minutes, then leave to stand warm and covered.  ## Fermenting First fermenting phase in one piece until the volume has almost doubled.  Then divide into portions ...   Shape and leave to rise on the baking tray for 1-2 hours.   ## Baking - Preheat oven to 230°C (450°F) - Just before baking, cut in the top of the rolls with a razor blade, so that they can extend  - Bake for 20 min with steam/cover at 210°C (410°F) - Then remove the steam/cover and bake another 15-20 min at 180°C (360°F)  Enjoy ...  

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

The NFL is becoming like the NBA — there are games almost every day, it seems, and not many of them are good. Don’t get me wrong, I like having games on in the background during holidays as much as the next guy, but there’s a big difference from being in the background and meriting your focused attention. I caught a little of Chiefs-Steelers. It’s obvious there are only three, maybe four, teams that can possibly make the Super Bowl in the AFC. The Texans, Steelers, Broncos (and probably the Chargers) are drawing dead. I don’t just mean they’re underdogs, I mean there’s no point in even playing the games. I caught more of Texans-Ravens, and it was even worse. The Texans offense has nothing, and their defense can’t stop real teams like the Ravens or Bills. C.J. Stroud was so promising as a rookie, but he’s in a dead-end environment right now with that offensive line and coaching. Mercifully I caught none of the Seahawks 6-3 win over the Bears. I had the Bears +3.5 in my home picking pool, so that was good. Also, I should have used the Ravens in Circa (easiest money of all time), but I didn’t have time to get the Christmas Day games in before submitting. - Seems like players are dropping like flies now. I had to drop CeeDee Lamb for KaVontae Turpin in the Steak League, and half the league including Malik Nabers, Jalen Hurts, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, Tee Higgins, etc. are missing practices and/or questionable to play. Just a war of attrition at this point. - Maybe Mike Tomlin had to switch to Russell Wilson after Justin Fields’ substandard play, but it would have been better for the Steelers to have developed Fields and found out. Wilson gives them no upside whatsoever. - Isiah Pacheco is hurt again. It was only a matter of time before he fell apart, given his insanely hard running style. Marion The Barbarian 2.0. - Xavier Worthy has come on of late. I wanted Brian Thomas in my Dynasty League, but he went one pick before me, so I settled on Worthy who might yet be worthy. - Travis Kelce was wide open on at least four throws, like the Steelers didn’t bother covering him. Very odd. - The Chiefs have locked up the No. 1 seed at 15-1 after a Wednesday game. Which means they have 11 days off until a rest-your-starters game in Week 18, and two weeks off after that due to the bye. This team is like the 1972 Dolphins in that no one thinks it’s the greatest of all-time despite the record. If the Chiefs tried in Week 18, which they won’t, they could go 16-1 and become the only team besides the 2007 Patriots to win 16 regular season games. - The Ravens win and Steelers loss also is perfect for the Chiefs because now the Ravens will almost certainly play the Bills in the Divisional Round. The Chiefs get a bye, then an easy home game and only have to beat the winner of the Bills-Ravens war in Arrowhead to get to yet another Super Bowl. - Josh Allen makes heroic plays every game, but Lamar Jackson makes it look easy. I like the Ravens to make it to Arrowhead for the AFC Title game, even though the game will be in Buffalo. - Derrick Henry now has 1,783 yards with one game to go and is averaging 5.8 YPC on the year, a career high. No doubt Hall of Famer.

@ 4dffec17:4c4cbd48

The name Satoshi Nakamoto is one of the biggest mysteries of the 21st century. Known as the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi introduced the world to blockchain technology by publishing the Bitcoin whitepaper in 2008. This groundbreaking document detailed a decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency that operates without the need for a central authority. Despite the monumental impact of Bitcoin, Satoshi’s identity remains unknown. Some believe Satoshi is a single genius coder, while others speculate it’s a group of developers. What’s certain is that Satoshi left behind a legacy that revolutionized the way we think about money, trust, and technology. Stay tuned as we explore more about Satoshi Nakamoto and the fascinating world of cryptocurrency in our upcoming posts. #bitcoin #satoshi #freedom #social #finance

@ 16d11430:61640947

As digital systems and payment platforms scale to meet growing global demands, the underlying scalability issues pose severe challenges, especially for the IT workers tasked with managing and maintaining these systems. This exploration delves into the multifaceted dynamics of these challenges and their cascading human costs. --- 1. The Escalating Demand for Scalability Unprecedented Growth in Digital Transactions Digital payment systems like Brazil’s Pix and RTPS have seen exponential growth. For instance, Pix is projected to surpass credit card usage in Brazil by 2025. Global real-time payment volumes are expected to grow by 28% CAGR annually, pushing existing infrastructure to its limits. Implications for IT Workers IT teams face mounting pressure to prevent outages, maintain uptime, and scale systems rapidly to avoid bottlenecks. This leads to longer hours, reduced work-life balance, and chronic stress. --- 2. The Technical Debt Trap Legacy Systems Many payment systems still rely on legacy infrastructure that struggles to support modern demands. Retrofitting these systems is costly and labor-intensive, falling disproportionately on IT workers. Compounding Complexity Every temporary fix adds technical debt, increasing the complexity of maintaining and scaling the system. IT workers are caught in a cycle of “patch and pray,” with little time for proper upgrades or optimizations. Human Cost Constant firefighting leaves IT workers physically and emotionally drained, with increased risks of burnout and mental health issues. --- 3. The Always-On Work Culture 24/7 System Uptime Payment systems are expected to operate without interruption, requiring IT teams to be on-call around the clock. The "always-on" expectation exacerbates sleep deprivation and disrupts circadian rhythms. Impact on Productivity Sleep-deprived workers make more errors, leading to cascading failures that further strain systems and create additional work. Health Implications Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to long-term health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, depression, and anxiety. --- 4. The Leadership Vacuum Poor Strategic Vision Many organizations lack leaders capable of addressing scalability challenges proactively, leaving IT workers unsupported. A 2023 Global Leadership Forecast revealed that only 40% of leaders believe their management skills are adequate, a steep decline from previous years. Blame Culture When systems fail, IT workers often bear the brunt of blame, even when failures are systemic rather than individual. This creates a toxic work environment, further exacerbating stress and employee turnover. --- 5. Economic Pressures and Workforce Exploitation Understaffed Teams Many organizations prioritize cost-cutting, leaving IT teams understaffed and overworked. Outsourcing to cheaper labor markets often results in poorly trained staff, increasing workloads for experienced workers. Automation Pressures Companies increasingly rely on automation to scale systems, yet IT workers are tasked with maintaining these automated solutions, which often fail under unforeseen circumstances. The human workforce becomes a safety net for automated processes, intensifying their workload during critical failures. --- 6. Escalating Security Threats Cyberattacks on Payment Systems Scaling systems are prime targets for cybercriminals. For instance, DDoS attacks and ransomware are increasing in frequency. IT workers must constantly defend against these threats while maintaining system performance. Emotional and Professional Toll The constant threat of breaches creates a high-pressure environment where mistakes can have catastrophic consequences, impacting workers’ confidence and job security. --- 7. The Psychological Toll of Perpetual Scaling Unrealistic Expectations Management often sets unattainable goals for system scalability without understanding the technical or human constraints. Workers are caught in a cycle of failure, feeling inadequate despite their best efforts. Burnout and Attrition A study by the American Psychological Association shows that chronic workplace stress increases employee turnover, with tech roles experiencing a 30% higher burnout rate compared to other industries. This not only affects current workers but also leads to a talent drain, making scalability even harder to achieve. --- 8. Generational Impact Mentorship Deficit Experienced IT workers leaving due to burnout create a vacuum, leaving younger generations without guidance. The knowledge gap exacerbates system failures, perpetuating the scalability crisis. Reduced Innovation Overburdened workers have less time and energy for innovation, stalling technological progress and leaving future generations to deal with outdated, crumbling infrastructure. --- Solutions to Mitigate the Human Cost 1. Invest in Scalability-First Infrastructure Organizations must prioritize scalable architectures, such as cloud-native solutions, to reduce the human workload. 2. Support IT Workers Provide mental health resources, fair compensation, and reasonable workloads to prevent burnout. 3. Address Leadership Deficits Train leaders to understand the technical and human aspects of scalability challenges. 4. Automate Responsibly Use automation to complement, not replace, human expertise, and invest in training workers to manage automated systems effectively. 5. Build Resilience Develop robust incident response protocols and cross-train teams to handle failures collaboratively. --- Conclusion The scalability crisis in digital systems is not just a technical challenge—it’s a human one. Without significant structural changes, IT workers will face an unbearable stranglehold, leading to widespread burnout, attrition, and long-term generational consequences. Addressing this crisis requires immediate action from organizations to prioritize both technological and human scalability, ensuring a sustainable future for workers and systems alike.

@ e1d968f7:5d90f764

One of the most valuable skills in this industry isn’t about appearance or physicality—it’s about learning to read people. Understanding someone’s emotions, intentions, and desires from the moment they walk in the door is a skill I’ve honed over time. It’s about picking up on both verbal and non-verbal cues to create an experience tailored to each individual. --- ### **The Importance of First Impressions** The first few moments of a meeting set the tone for everything that follows. - **Body Language:** The way someone stands, how they look at you, their posture—these all provide clues about how they’re feeling. - **Facial Expressions:** A smile or a furrowed brow can say more than words ever could. - **Voice and Tone:** Is their voice steady or shaking? Are they soft-spoken, or do they speak with confidence? These can reveal nerves, excitement, or something else entirely. --- ### **Paying Attention to the Unspoken** While words are important, it’s often what’s not said that reveals the most. - **Subtle Shifts:** A change in breathing, a lingering glance, or fidgeting hands can indicate anxiety or anticipation. - **Comfort Levels:** A relaxed posture or engaging in more relaxed conversation shows they’re settling in. Tension might point to discomfort or uncertainty. --- ### **The Emotional Temperature** Each client brings their own energy into the room. Being able to gauge their mood helps tailor the experience. - **Stress vs. Relaxation:** Some clients may arrive stressed, needing someone to help them unwind. Others might be in a playful mood, eager for light-hearted fun. - **Vulnerability:** Occasionally, clients may come seeking emotional connection or comfort, making it important to be sensitive to their needs. --- ### **Trusting Your Instincts** Over time, you learn to trust your gut. There are moments when you sense something isn’t quite right, and it’s essential to honour that feeling. - **Reading Between the Lines:** Sometimes, clients may not be direct about what they want or need. It’s your job to gently read between the lines, offering them a safe space to express themselves. - **Comfort and Boundaries:** Understanding when to push forward or back off is a fine balance that only comes with experience. --- ### **A Skill That Grows** Learning to read people isn’t something that happens overnight—it’s developed with every interaction, every client, and every experience. It’s a combination of observation, intuition, and empathy. And in many ways, it’s what makes this job not just about the physical, but about connecting with someone on a deeper level. Rebecca x

@ 68ce44e4:ecd5f574

Xenea Wallet Daily Quiz (27 Dec)  Complete now : https://xenea.app/register/167mZpWf7A #XENEAwallet #xeneaquiz #CryptoAirdrop #cryptonews #EarnFreeCrypto #bitcoin

@ 31bdca15:aac01582

 Honestly, this is hilarious on some level. To anyone with average intelligence it was clear from the beginning that Elon is not for free speech. # Up until today Here is are the major impediments to free speech on X the every platform as to my knowledge: - Banning the account that tracks Elons private jet. It is kind of understandable on a human level but this was the first sign that there is no free speech on X. There is no compromise, there isn't even a slippery slope: either there is free speech or there is not. It should also be noted that accounts that track Taylor Swifts jet ARE STILL UP! Hypocrisy. - Banning the word "cisgender". Even if you're a rightwing "anti-woke" culture warrior I expect you to acknowledge that any compromises to free speech are destroying all free speech, including the ones one does not agree with # Yesterday night  I do not think that freedom of speech is freedom of reach. But I do consider what happened tonight a wakeup call for everyone who is still in denial. Major impediments to reach until yesterday were afaik only on broad strokes on liberal and leftist accounts and maybe a few people personally like probably Grimes and Ron Desantis. Major impediments to reach as of today: - Laura Loomer personally and a forceful removal of all her paid subscribers  - "The conservative OG" had their organization badge removed, all accounts associated lost their blue check reach multiplier (they are still paying tho) - Speculative: I suspect but do not know for sure that accounts associated with the VC or tech scene got a malus now. If it's the same malus or a softer one than liberal/leftist have is unclear. Maybe Twitter engineers have programmed a whole system for manual malus factors now. - Individually suspended accounts:  It seems like Elon personally was angered yesterday night with a few people ratioing him personally and they got a ban personally. # Conclusion You do not get free speech just because it's "your guy" who's in charge. A digital town square must not centralized. It could consist of multiple plattforms (e.g. Fediverse) or one decentralized plattform (e.g. Nostr). But it cannot be one plattform. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/825944

@ 228dde34:b5d0345e

##### BY Cheryl Nya, Glenda Chong, and Jonathan Tan ##### Hype Issue #60 ###### Join CHERYL NYA, GLENDA CHONG and JONATHAN TAN as they explore how Singaporean cafe owner, Sunshine Irene, celebrates Christmas through charity.  *Sunshine Irene, first row, third from the right, as Santarina, and her husband as Santa, with the youth volunteers at the 2023 NY Cafe Christmas carnival. Photo by Xaen.* On Christmas Day, a quiet cafe in the Upper Thompson neighbourhood is filled with many volunteers doing charity work and blessing others as festive lights, holiday music, and a cheerful buzz perfectly capture the true spirit of the Christmas holiday. Meet Irene, 51, the person behind this lively holiday cheer at NY Cafe’s annual Christmas carnival. Over the years, she has become a community pillar due to her charity work. She shares how this event got started, “So last year, we had the privilege of hosting a very fun [and] fulfilling charity Christmas event at NY cafe”. What has now become a festive tradition was once originated by a group of women and youths, alongside Irene, with a generous determination to give back to the community.“[Partnering with Community Chest, a charity organisation in Singapore], we put up a few events, carnivals, booths, workshops, and all funds that we collect one hundred percent go to charity,” Irene shares.  *Interactive storytelling by NY Cafe’s very own Santa was well-received by the crowd. Photo by NY Cafe.* The NY Cafe Christmas carnival was truly a dream. There were booths that offered fun activities like terrarium making, ornament painting and colouring, giving everyone the opportunity to unleash their creativity. Santa’s storytelling corner was a big hit with the kids, as was the ‘Decorate Your Own Cupcakes and Donuts’ booth. The caroling was a crowd favourite, with classic Christmas hits drawing smiles from all. The lucky draw, or ‘blessed draw’ as they called it, also treated the winners to delightful Christmas gifts to take home.   *A group of youths came down on Christmas day to volunteer at the NY Cafe Christmas carnival, where they facilitated the activities and engaged the guests. Photo by NY Cafe.* But Irene’s favourite part? All the activities were facilitated by youth volunteers. “They were like my hands and legs running the carnival,” she remembers fondly. Witnessing the smiles they brought to their audience and the joy reflected back on their own was the greatest gift of all. This year, however, the cafe’s carnival has been scaled back to more of a cosy hearth than a blazing bonfire. Why a smaller carnival? Irene explains that it has to do with the hurdles the cafe faced this year. “The main reason is because we lost the cafe… because the building was sold,” Irene says. This forced NY Cafe to close and with that, a venue to run any charity events was lost.   *Irene ran a small booth at One Sentosa Cove this year, to raise and donate funds to charity in the festive spirit of giving. Photo by Irene.* Despite such circumstances, instead of forfeiting a carnival completely, Irene scaled back on the festivities by hosting a mini pop-up store in One Sentosa Cove and one near Lentor, the neighbourhood NY Cafe had originated from as it was “for the neighbourhood community”. Another setback Irene faced was the lack of outreach resulting from having no resources and capacity. “Because we did not have the outreach… the [turnout] was not good enough to raise much funds. So I would say that the charity part may not be as successful as [it was in] previous years,” Irene admits. However, while the cafe may have faced shadows of unmet expectations and goals, they did not lose sight of the light. The carnival’s flame burned smaller this year, yet its warmth still reached the hearts of the neighbourhood. “We [could have done better] in [terms of reaching out]… but what we gain is awareness,” Irene says. “The neighbourhood knows that…there is this thing going on and they are very happy. They would be keen to be contributors [to the event] moving forward.” Ultimately, hosting this year’s Christmas charity had its share of problems and challenges; but it’s a tradition that Irene wants to uphold. “What sparks me to do this? It's a lot to do with [my desire] to spark joy in other people's lives, in any small ways that we can,” Irene shares. The emphasis on charity has always been one of Irene’s core values. “In my life, most decisions that I have made were led by growth and contributions, these two big values of my life; so doing charity has always been one of the big pillars of my life.” The joy that comes with seeing her impact on the lives of the less fortunate is a powerful motivator for Irene’s efforts. Moreover, Irene hopes that her dedication to helping others will encourage her children to do the same. “I also hope that my kids are able to be a contributor in someone's life as well,” Irene says. “Since they are very young, I have exposed them to do charity and create impact on others' lives as well.”  *The volunteers who step up to bless the less fortunate in the same spirit of giving make it all worth it. Photo by NY Cafe.* And so, over the years, Irene’s annual charity events have served as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Year after year, volunteers step up and work together to bless the less fortunate on this very special day. “Witnessing the volunteers, the people stepping up, stepping forward to be a contributor, that really melts my heart,” Irene shares. “And regardless of what role they play, they actually contribute wholeheartedly, and they also immerse and enjoy themselves.” Every year as Christmas approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of bright light, lavish gifts and extravagant festivities, losing sight of the true spirit of giving and kindness. Perhaps Irene’s commitment to spreading charity every year serves as a reminder to us of what Christmas should really be about. “It's a season to remember people who touched our lives, or people whose lives we want to touch, and give them a little gift to help them remember… there's love around, and there's warmth around everybody,” Irene says.

@ 8eabf864:d2ed9af6

Opinion about Tangem - Crypto wallet (iphone) <!--HEADER END--> Thank you for your hard work. The iOS version seems to be compilable, although the official has not responded yet. https://www.reddit.com/r/Tangem/s/le3YBkTwPm <!--FOOTER START--> #WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion [Join the conversation!](https://walletscrutiny.com/iphone/com.tangem.Tangem)

@ 5ee71c0a:b0506ae6

Hey, anyone who reads this—thanks for keeping me (somewhat) accountable. I’m not big on formal New Year’s resolutions, but I do like to review the past year to see where I’ve done well, where I’m lacking, and what new habits I can form in 2025. Wait, isn’t that a resolution? Anyway. One thing that’s always been important to me is freedom of speech. I plan to keep using X/Twitter—yes, it has shortcomings, but so does every platform. None will ever be perfect for everyone. That said, I believe strongly in decentralization. I’ve been exploring [Nostr](https://nostr.how) for the past two years. Now, I want to use it more often, learn its possibilities, and contribute where I can. I’ve also posted this on [Habla.news](https://habla.news), a Nostr community for long-form content, to encourage myself (and anyone else) to try new platforms and keep an open mind. There’s a lot happening with Nostr, Lightning, and other Bitcoin-related projects. It reminds me of the early internet—everyone was contributing, and we had no idea what would stick. I miss those days, and it’s exciting to see a new community forming. Speaking of the early internet, I think it’s time I set up a blog or personal site. It’s been ages! Neocities feels retro and has a growing community, so I might start there. Work will be busy in 2025—2024 was already intense, and the bar is always rising. So I’m not going to overload myself with extra goals. Still, many of my work goals, like earning new certifications, blend into my personal ambitions. In 2024, I did well with my health goals. In 2025, I want to build on that, but in small steps. For Q1, I’ll re-establish my Peloton routine; in Q2-Q3, I’ll get back into heavier weight training. I miss lifting and want to push myself again. I also miss reading—especially sci-fi. It’s high time I make space for that. So, this is my short list of goals. I’m sure I’ll refine it as the year unfolds. Thanks for reading, and if you want to connect with me on Nostr, here’s my info: nostr:npub1tmn3czhv2wzxvt4mpanttd8parnxgq528c0hzfehfm4rlvzsdtnqghwkhd

@ 16d11430:61640947

The technology sector is currently grappling with a pervasive yet often overlooked issue: dopamine dysregulation among its workforce. This neurochemical imbalance, exacerbated by the industry's high-paced environment and constant digital engagement, is leading to significant declines in employee well-being and productivity. Compounding this problem is a notable deterioration in leadership quality, which threatens to inflict lasting damage on both the current workforce and future generations. Dopamine Dysregulation in Tech Workers Dopamine, a neurotransmitter integral to reward processing and motivation, is susceptible to dysregulation through chronic stress and overstimulation—conditions prevalent in the tech industry. A recent study highlights that chronic stress can alter dopamine receptor density and sensitivity, making it increasingly challenging to achieve the same level of reward and exacerbating feelings of frustration and demotivation. The tech industry's relentless pace, characterized by tight deadlines and continuous digital interaction, fosters an environment ripe for such dysregulation. The constant influx of notifications and the pressure to multitask can lead to a state of perpetual overstimulation, disrupting natural dopamine cycles and diminishing the brain's ability to derive pleasure from offline activities. Lack of Institutional Insight Despite the growing prevalence of dopamine-related burnout, there is a conspicuous absence of institutional acknowledgment and intervention. Many organizations remain oblivious to the neurochemical underpinnings of employee burnout, often attributing declines in productivity to personal shortcomings rather than systemic issues. This oversight results in inadequate support structures and a failure to implement necessary changes to mitigate stressors inherent in the tech work environment. Decline in Leadership Quality Exacerbating the situation is a marked decline in leadership quality within the tech sector. The 2023 Global Leadership Forecast reports that only 40% of leaders believe their companies have high-quality leadership—a 17% drop from two years prior and the most significant decline in a decade. This leadership deficit manifests in several ways: Inadequate Support for Employee Well-being: Leaders are failing to recognize and address the neurobiological aspects of employee burnout, resulting in insufficient mental health support and wellness initiatives. Poor Change Management: The rapid evolution of technology necessitates agile leadership. However, many leaders lack the skills to manage change effectively, leading to organizational instability and increased employee stress. Erosion of Trust: Inconsistent communication and a lack of transparency from leadership erode employee trust, further contributing to workplace stress and dissatisfaction. Risks of Long-term Generational Effects The convergence of dopamine dysregulation and declining leadership quality poses significant risks for long-term generational effects: Sustained Mental Health Issues: Without intervention, current employees may suffer prolonged mental health challenges, including chronic burnout and depression, which can extend into future generations through learned behaviors and coping mechanisms. Diminished Innovation: A workforce plagued by motivation deficits and led by ineffective leaders is less likely to produce innovative solutions, potentially stymieing technological progress for years to come. Workforce Attrition: The tech industry may experience a talent drain as individuals seek healthier work environments, leading to a loss of experienced professionals and a gap in mentorship for emerging talent. Conclusion The silent pandemic of dopamine dysregulation among tech workers, compounded by a decline in leadership quality, demands immediate attention. Institutions must develop a deeper understanding of the neurobiological factors contributing to employee burnout and implement comprehensive strategies to address them. Simultaneously, a reinvigoration of leadership development programs is essential to equip leaders with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern tech landscape. Failure to act may result in enduring detriments to both the current workforce and future generations.

@ 56494b83:aa95511b

The Goal of Christmas But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:4–6) There are 4 phrases that I want to address from this passage Fullness of time Born of a woman Redeem those under the law Receive adoption as sons. One of the attributes of God is what theologians call his “eternity” This means God is without beginning or end. He is free from all succession of time. He is outside of time. In fact he is the cause of time. from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2) And upon hearing this some Christians might make the mistake of thinking that God is not concerned with time. “Well since God is not bound by time like we are, he must be detached from it, or maybe disinterested” But the opposite is actually true. The God of the Bible is extremely concerned with keeping time. In Genesis 1: God defines what a constitutes a day. There was evening and there was morning, the first day. He decides how many days it will take him to create the world. He uses the sun and the moon and the stars as “time-keepers” And As we keep reading Genesis we come to long lists of names: specifically the descendants of Seth, and God tells us how many years they live. All other events in the world are dated in relation to Seth. But we can keep going: God teaches Israel to keep time. He gives them a calendar when they come out of Egypt. Referencing passover God says in exodus 12 “This month (march/April) shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you." (Exodus 12:2) Pentecost comes in the third month. (Celebrating the giving of the law) The 7th month was for celebrating the feast of booths, (when the people lived tents in the wilderness.) On and on we could go, but the point I am trying to make is this: timing is everything. You know that famous passage in Ecclesiastes 3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Our lives are patterned after different times. Weeping and laughing Breaking down and building up. A time to speak and a time to keep silence. And then after this run—on list Solomon says: [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.(Ecclesiastes 3:11) God governs time. He orchestrates the times. He has in his mind a divine time-table in which he has written all events and circumstances into his perfect story. Down to the second. And the great demonstration of this is the incarnation. In the fullness of time, God sent forth his son. The Son of God entered into time to show us the father. And he did this without ceasing to be the LORD of time himself. Theologian Peter Leithart writes: “God came to us in time, not to rescue us from time, but to redeem all times. God the Son entered time so that whatever time it is - a time to live, a time to die; a time to seek, a time to give up; a time to weep or a time to rejoice - each and every time is a time of encounter with God in Christ through the Spirit.” You and I can talk with God, meet with him, commune with the father and with the son and with the Holy Spirit at any any time, because God has entered into our time in the person of his son. Many have asked: why was Christ born 2000 years ago? Scholars point to the common greek langauge shared by much of the world (making evangelization easier) Some point to the centuries-long era known as the Pax Romana; (roman peace= where THE WORLD was by and large at free from major wars. Others have observed that the mythological god’s of Greece and Rome had been tried and found wanting: In other words, men and women everywhere were primed to hear and accept the one true religion. Historically, this is all true. But if we think about this biblically, we see that the arrival of the Messiah was perfectly—timed. The law of Moses, ESTABLISHED 2000 YEARS PRIOR, had made it clear: human beings need a savior.! All of us are law breakers! It had been hundreds of years since a true prophet had spoken. All of Israel’s history was pointing forward to the promised “serpent—crusher” from genesis 3. The people had been waiting CENTURIES for the SON who was promised. 
the anticipation kept building! Why? Because, as theologian GK Beale writes: “no prior son had ever been able to put an end to the law’s condemning control!” Nobody had shown up and proven themselves to be the SaVIOR. And the entire OLD testament seems to have been written so that we would anticipate the Son of GoD. Every lamb slaughtered pointed us to the TRUE LAMB. Every bowl full of incense burned pointed to the fragrant offering of Christ. Every King installed in Israel pointed to the one true King whose kingdom would have no end. Every priest ordained pointed to the great high Priest, who would not offer up the blood of bulls and goats, but his very own blood. God is the creator of TIME, and at Christmas we are invited to celebrate when he entered time. And this leads us to the second phrase: “born of a woman” Almost a 1000 years ago, a theologian by the name of Anselm wrote a book called “why God became a man” He begins his book with a discussion of sin, which he defines as “not rendering to God what is his due” (namely the submission of our entire will to his) When we do not submit to him, we are stealing from him, robbing his glory; we are dishonoring him. And God, who is perfectly JUST, cannot over look this. Here then is the problem: if we are to be forgiven, we must repay what we owe, but we are incapable of doing this. “The price tag exceeds the capability of the fallen sons of Adam to pay.” Anselm says: our present obedience and good works cannot make satisfaction for our sins, since these are required of us anyway. “The sinner owes what he cannot repay, and unless he repays it he cannot be saved.” We cannot save ourselves. And here is where Anselm begins to point out the solution to our dilemma. “There is no one who can make this satisfaction [for sin] except God himself… But no one ought to make it except man; otherwise man does not make satisfaction… Therefore, it is necessary that one who is God—man should make it. It is needful that the very same person who is to make this satisfaction be perfect God and perfect man, since no one can do it, except one who is truly God, and no one ought to do it, except one who is truly man.” John Stott summarizes this teaching well: “Jesus Christ is therefore the Only Savior, since he is the only person in whom the “should” and the “could” are united, being himself both God and man.” I realize this is pretty ‘high’ theology…but it is my opinion that Christmas EVE is the perfect time to hear these precious doctrines once again. The wages of sin is death. We know that. And if you and I were EVER going to be saved, it would be because God himself came to save us. But God cannot die. So the eternal son of God had to be made like us. He had to put on our human nature. Christmas reminds us that Redemption required incarnation. This leads us to the third phrase: Christ was born to Redeem those under the law. God gave his people the law…and we were unable to keep it, unable to obey it. Earlier in his Galatians Paul said For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Galatians 3:10) And then a few verses later he says that the God-man secured our redemption by becoming a curse for us. Cursed is everyone hanged on a tree. Bible readers know this: there are many examples. Pharaoh’s baker was hung on a tree. (Gen. 40) The 5 kings of Canaan were hung on trees (josh. 10) David’s Rebel son Absalom died while hanging on a tree. The wicked Haman (from the story of Esther) was hung on a tree intended for another. Christmas reminds us that the holy son of God, the only perfect man who ever lived, would grow up and receive the culminating shame of all those in the Scripture who were cursed by God. The child in the manger would grow up to be cursed. The child the shepherds came to see, would, 33 years later, be forsaken by his Father. Christ endured the curse of the law so that a mysterious, divine exchange might take place. He takes our curse that we might receive his blessing. As one another puts it: “he became sin with our sin, so that we may become righteous with his righteousness.” (Stott) This kind of talk can be a bit confusing for us. Its mystical not physical. It’s spiritual, not material. The exchange that has taken place in the soul of the believer is not something that we can see. I came across an analogy from John Calvin that I had never before considered…you remember the story from genesis 27, when Isaac (who is very old and blind) blesses his younger son Jacob INSTEAD of Esau. ? Rebekah knows that her husband wants to bless his firstborn son…and so when Esau leaves to go hunting, she makes a plan to cook up Isaac’s favorite dinner, and she convinces Jacob to bring his father the food and ‘steal the blessing’ And of course Jacob objects: “uh, Mother, this plan of yours won’t work….I am a smooth man. . . and my brother Esau is hairy!” But Rebekah persuades him to put on Esau’s clothing. . .goat skins on his hands and on his neck. Now: don’t ask me how this worked, because I don’t really know. . . but it works. And as I am fond of saying: every page of scripture points us to Christ, if we have eyes to see….and when we don’t have eyes to see, we can be assisted with saints who saw more than us: John Calvin: “as Jacob did not of himself deserve the right of the first—born, concealed in his brothers clothing, and wearing his brothers coat, which gave out an agreeable odor, he ingratiated himself with his father, so that to his own benefit, he receive the blessing while impersonating another. And we, in like manner hide under the precious purity of our firstborn brother, Christ, so that we may be attested righteous in God sight… And this is, indeed, the truth, for in order that we may appear before God's face unto salvation we must smell sweetly with his odor, and our vices must be covered and buried by his perfection.” The younger brother gets the blessing he doesn’t deserve because he’s wearing his brother’s clothes! Here then is the gospel on Christmas Eve. Christ Jesus the Lord voluntarily puts on your stinky garments, and by faith you get to put on his royal white linen! Disobedient rebels can be clothed with the righteousness of the son. Praise God. And now we come to the purpose of Christmas. when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son. . . so that we might receive adoption. . . (Galatians 4:4–5) The goal of Christmas is adoption. At just the right time, God sent his son because he wanted a bigger family. J.I. Packer wrote many years ago: “The revelation to the believer that God is his Father is in a sense the climax of the Bible.” There can be no greater gift, no higher privilege than receiving a place in God’s own family. I can approach God without fear, because he is Father. the fatherhood of God implies affection. He loves me like a perfect father loves his children. I have his name placed upon me. I have his Spirit given to me. I have his inheritance waiting for me. But Paul adds the phrase “as sons” in the text. The goal of Christmas is to receive adoption “as sons” Why doesn’t Paul say “receive adoption as sons & daughters!?” It’s not a mistake to leave out daughters. He doubles down in the next verse. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6) Theologian Michael Reeves provides us with the glorious answer: (why daughters is not included) “Paul is seeking to be as clear as he can that the status all believers are given is, quite specifically, the status of the son, himself. For God does not give us some exulted, but general standing before himself: the son shares with us, his own Sonship… Paul wants you and me to see that believers get to share the very cry of the son himself. In the garden of Gethsemane, talking in private to his father, Jesus had called him, “Abba, Father.” Arguing that the Spirit of the Son makes us call out the very same words, Paul is demonstrating as intimately and visually as he can that in Christ, we get to share the very relationship with the father that the son himself has always enjoyed. The personal name he has for his father we are allowed to share. We can come before the Almighty and say—or stutter!— with a beloved son’s own confidence, “Abba!” . . . The son of God became human that we humans might become sons of God.” At the exact right time, time god sent his son, born of a woman…to redeem us and adopt us and give us his spirit and make us sons of God. “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. . . you loved me before the foundation of the world. . . . I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them.” (John 17:22–26) Redemption required the incarnation. The point of the incarnation was adoption. And adoption means God loves just like he loves his Eternal son. He has always has, and he always will. This Christmas, rejoice in the truth that because the Son of God became a man…you and I are beloved sons of God.

@ 36bedab2:524acad4

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@ 36bedab2:524acad4

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@ a012dc82:6458a70d

**Table Of Content** - TwelveFold: A Fusion of Art and Blockchain - The Cipher Puzzle Series: A Test of Wit - The Mechanics: How to Participate - Competition Rules and Details - Conclusions - FAQ The Bored Ape Yacht Club, a name that resonates deeply within the NFT community, is expanding its horizons. Venturing beyond their typical domain, they have introduced a captivating puzzle-solving competition. This isn't just any competition; it's an opportunity for enthusiasts to engage, challenge their intellect, and stand a chance to win Bitcoin rewards, merging the worlds of crypto and gaming in an exciting new way. **TwelveFold: A Fusion of Art and Blockchain** Behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club is Yuga Labs, an innovative creator that never ceases to surprise. Their latest creation, the TwelveFold collection, is a series of 300 generative art pieces. But what sets TwelveFold apart is its foundation on the Ordinals protocol. This groundbreaking protocol allows for the "inscription" of NFT-like artwork directly onto the immutable Bitcoin blockchain. The TwelveFold collection isn't just about art; it's a representation of the intricate dance between time, mathematics, and variability, offering a fresh perspective on the convergence of art and technology. **The Cipher Puzzle Series: A Test of Wit** Inspired by the Bitcoin-centric artwork, Yuga Labs has unveiled a cipher puzzle series that beckons participants from all corners. These aren't your everyday puzzles; they are intricately designed challenges that reflect the core essence and philosophy behind the TwelveFold collection. Every puzzle solved brings participants closer to Bitcoin rewards, making the challenge not just a test of wit but also a potential gateway to crypto riches. **The Mechanics: How to Participate** For 12 consecutive weeks, Yuga Labs will roll out a new "Moon Puzzle". These puzzles, shrouded in mystery and allure, promise a reward of 0.12 Bitcoin for the first solver. But the climax arrives in the 13th week. Instead of another Moon Puzzle, participants are presented with the "Sun Puzzle". The stakes are higher, with the winner being bestowed with one of the coveted TwelveFold Ordinals. These unique art pieces, which are making waves in the Magic Eden secondary marketplace, have a starting price tag of approximately 0.9 BTC. Participation is open to all, irrespective of whether you own a TwelveFold asset. However, a subtle hint from Yuga Labs suggests that asset owners might be in for an exclusive treat. To dive into this challenge, one needs an Ordinals Bitcoin wallet, options include Xverse or Unisat. The process is straightforward: visit the TwelveFold website, pick a puzzle, and let your mind wander into the realms of creativity and logic. Once you believe you've cracked the code, the answer is inscribed on-chain using satoshis, etching its presence forever on the Bitcoin blockchain. **Competition Rules and Details** Every puzzle has room for just one victor. In scenarios where multiple participants arrive at the correct solution simultaneously, the tie-breaker is the inscription number, with preference given to the lower number. Winning isn't just about solving the puzzle; winners must also navigate the formalities, which include filling out requisite tax forms to lay claim to their Bitcoin bounty. **Conclusion** Yuga Labs' TwelveFold challenge is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of art, blockchain, and the spirit of competition. As the crypto community watches with bated breath, participants from across the globe are delving deep into the puzzles, each hoping to emerge as the next Bitcoin victor. With the inaugural puzzle already deciphered, the gauntlet has been thrown. The question remains: are you ready to take on the TwelveFold challenge? **FAQ** **What is the TwelveFold Challenge?** It's a puzzle-solving competition by Yuga Labs, offering participants a chance to win Bitcoin rewards. **How long does the challenge last?** The challenge spans 13 weeks, with a new puzzle released each week. **What are the rewards for solving the puzzles?** For the first 12 weeks, winners receive 0.12 Bitcoin. In the 13th week, the prize is one of the TwelveFold Ordinals. **Do I need to own a TwelveFold asset to participate?** No, the challenge is open to everyone. However, TwelveFold asset owners might receive special perks. **How do I submit my puzzle answers?** Answers are inscribed on-chain via satoshis using an Ordinals Bitcoin wallet. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: [@croxroadnews](https://x.com/croxroadnewsco)** **Instagram: [@croxroadnews.co](https://www.instagram.com/croxroadnews.co/)** **Youtube: [@croxroadnews](https://www.youtube.com/@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.*

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Love's worshippers alone can know The thousand mysteries that are his; His blazing torch, his twanging bow, His blooming age are mysteries. A charming science—but the day Were all too short to con it o'er; So take of me this little lay, A sample of its boundless lore. As once, beneath the fragrant shade Of myrtles breathing heaven's own air, The children, Love and Folly, played— A quarrel rose betwixt the pair. Love said the gods should do him right— But Folly vowed to do it then, And struck him, o'er the orbs of sight, So hard, he never saw again. His lovely mother's grief was deep, She called for vengeance on the deed; A beauty does not vainly weep, Nor coldly does a mother plead. A shade came o'er the eternal bliss That fills the dwellers of the skies; Even stony-hearted Nemesis, And Rhadamanthus, wiped their eyes. "Behold," she said, "this lovely boy," While streamed afresh her graceful tears, "Immortal, yet shut out from joy And sunshine, all his future years. The child can never take, you see, A single step without a staff— The harshest punishment would be Too lenient for the crime by half." All said that Love had suffered wrong, And well that wrong should be repaid; Then weighed the public interest long, And long the party's interest weighed. And thus decreed the court above— "Since Love is blind from Folly's blow, Let Folly be the guide of Love, Where'er the boy may choose to go."

@ 16d11430:61640947

While Europeans were sealing agreements and greetings with handshakes, civilizations in the Indian subcontinent and Asia were elevating hand gestures to an intricate art form and spiritual practice. Hand mudras, meaning "seals" or "gestures" in Sanskrit, have long been a profound expression of the connection between the body, mind, and spirit. From the precision of classical Indian dance to the meditative stillness of yogic practices, mudras symbolize the articulation of human dexterity and the channeling of energy through the hands. --- The Origins of Mudras: A Historical Perspective Mudras trace their origins to the ancient spiritual practices of the Indian subcontinent, dating back to the Vedic period (1500–500 BCE). Initially described in the sacred texts of the Vedas and later elaborated in Tantric and Buddhist traditions, mudras became integral to rituals, meditation, and artistic expression. 1. Vedic Rituals and Spiritual Energy In Vedic rituals, priests used specific hand gestures to invoke divine forces, seal intentions, and direct spiritual energy. These gestures were seen as a bridge between the human and the divine, a symbolic language that conveyed unspoken truths. (The Vedas: An Anthology by Wendy Doniger) 2. Buddhist Influence Across Asia As Buddhism spread from India to regions like Tibet, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, mudras became central to meditation and iconography. The Dhyana Mudra (gesture of meditation) and the Vitarka Mudra (gesture of teaching) are prominently depicted in statues of the Buddha, symbolizing states of inner peace and wisdom. (Mudras in Buddhist Art by Frederick Asher) --- Mudras in Classical Dance: The Pinnacle of Dexterity The Indian classical dance forms—Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and others—perfected the articulation of the hands through hasta mudras (hand gestures). These gestures, cataloged in texts like the Natya Shastra (200 BCE–200 CE), serve as a sophisticated language to narrate stories, express emotions, and symbolize universal truths. (The Natya Shastra: A Treatise on Dance and Drama by Manomohan Ghosh) 1. Complexity and Precision Each dance form requires the performer to master dozens of mudras, which involve precise positioning of the fingers and palms. For example: The Pataka Mudra (flat hand) symbolizes a flag, and its variations convey wind, rivers, or blessings. The Hamsasya Mudra (swan’s beak) represents delicacy, often used to signify picking a flower or holding a jewel. 2. Embodiment of Dexterity These gestures demand exceptional finger dexterity and neuromuscular control, training the brain to enhance focus, coordination, and memory. The dancer's hands become extensions of their soul, weaving stories that transcend spoken language. (Dance in India: The Art of Precision and Emotion by Kapila Vatsyayan) --- Mudras in Yoga and Meditation: A Gateway to Inner Activation Beyond dance, mudras are integral to yoga and meditation, believed to direct prana (life energy) within the body. By forming specific gestures with the hands, practitioners stimulate energy pathways, harmonize the mind, and deepen meditation. 1. Therapeutic Benefits The Gyan Mudra (gesture of knowledge), with the thumb and index finger touching, is said to enhance concentration and calm the mind. (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda) The Prana Mudra (gesture of life) energizes the body by activating dormant energy reserves. 2. Holistic Activation Mudras work on the principles of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of health, balancing the five elements within the body—earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The hands become a microcosm of the body, with each finger representing a specific element. (Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Vasant Lad) --- Beyond India: Hand Forms in Asian Arts The influence of Indian mudras extended to Asian art forms, including Japanese mudrā in martial arts and Chinese qigong practices. In Southeast Asia, classical dance forms like Balinese and Khmer dance incorporate mudras as an essential element, showcasing the dexterity of the human hand in storytelling and spiritual expression. 1. Tibetan and Japanese Rituals In Tibetan Buddhism, vajra mudras are used in esoteric rituals to symbolize cosmic forces. Similarly, in Japanese shingon practices, mudras accompany mantras to invoke specific deities. (Tibetan Ritual Practices by John Powers) 2. Visual Perfection Southeast Asian sculptures, such as those in Angkor Wat, depict deities with elaborate hand gestures, representing divine attributes and cosmic harmony. (Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia by Peter D. Sharrock) --- The Profound Significance of Mudras Mudras are far more than physical gestures; they are a language of the body that communicates with the universe. They unite art, spirituality, and science, demonstrating how hand dexterity can be a profound expression of human potential. In the modern era, mudras remain relevant as tools for holistic health and mindfulness. Their ancient legacy reminds us of the extraordinary capabilities of the human hand—not just as a tool for grasping but as a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical. --- Key Takeaway: While the handshake reflects strength and intent in the West, the mudra exemplifies the ultimate articulation of human dexterity and spirituality in the East. Through dance, yoga, and meditation, these gestures symbolize the profound connection between the body, mind, and cosmos, showcasing the timeless beauty of the human hand. --- References: 1. Doniger, Wendy. The Vedas: An Anthology. 2. Asher, Frederick. Mudras in Buddhist Art. 3. Ghosh, Manomohan. The Natya Shastra: A Treatise on Dance and Drama. 4. Vatsyayan, Kapila. Dance in India: The Art of Precision and Emotion. 5. Satchidananda, Swami. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. 6. Lad, Vasant. Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. 7. Powers, John. Tibetan Ritual Practices. 8. Sharrock, Peter D. Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia.

@ 16d11430:61640947

Grip strength and finger dexterity are uniquely tied to human neuromuscular wellbeing. These attributes go beyond their apparent utility, delving into evolutionary, physiological, and cultural dimensions. They not only signify physical health but also embody symbolic gestures like handshaking, reflecting capacity, intent, and mutual understanding in human interactions. Neuromuscular Wellbeing: The Foundation of Grip Strength and Dexterity 1. Grip Strength: A Biomarker of Overall Health Grip strength serves as a reliable biomarker for neuromuscular health. Studies have demonstrated its predictive value for outcomes like cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and longevity. Grip strength reflects the integrated function of muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, making it an ideal measure of overall physical resilience. Physiological Insights: Strong grip strength is associated with robust neuromuscular function. This involves the coordination of motor neurons and muscle fibers, indicating an individual's capacity to perform complex tasks. Grip strength also correlates with brain health, as neural efficiency influences fine motor skills and physical force generation. Preventative Indicator: Declines in grip strength can signal neuromuscular or systemic health issues, such as neurodegenerative diseases, making it a critical diagnostic tool. 2. Finger Dexterity: Precision in Action Finger dexterity, encompassing coordination, fine motor skills, and adaptability, highlights the intricate control of hand muscles. This ability is crucial for various tasks, from typing to playing musical instruments, underscoring its link to neuromuscular health. Cognitive Connection: Dexterity tasks stimulate brain regions responsible for planning and executing movement. Regular practice can enhance neuroplasticity, improving both motor and cognitive functions. Rehabilitation Applications: Finger dexterity exercises are integral in neuro-rehabilitation, aiding recovery from strokes, injuries, or neurological disorders. The Cultural Legacy of Handshaking: A Symbol of Grip Strength and Intent Handshaking, though becoming an archaic relic in some cultures, remains a fascinating lens through which grip strength’s symbolic significance can be viewed. 1. Historical and Cultural Roots The handshake, dating back to ancient times, originally served as a gesture of trust. A firm handshake was a non-verbal way of communicating strength, intent, and mutual respect. Anthropological evidence links it to the need for physical signals of peace and camaraderie in negotiations or greetings. 2. Strength and Intent in the Handshake Grip Strength as a Measure: A firm handshake historically conveyed physical capability and confidence. Weak handshakes often carried connotations of poor health or dishonesty, though these interpretations are culturally relative. Intent and Transparency: The act involved direct physical contact, symbolizing openness and the absence of concealed weapons, reinforcing its role as a non-verbal declaration of peace and trust. Archaic but Relevant: Why Grip Still Matters In an era where handshaking is less common, the underlying principles of grip strength and neuromuscular health remain profoundly relevant. Even as the handshake fades, its symbolic role persists in different forms, like the pressure and control exhibited in sports or tactile professions. Bridging Neuromuscular Wellbeing and Cultural Practices By understanding the deep connection between physical grip and broader health, we gain insights into human evolution and societal interactions. Grip strength and finger dexterity are far more than isolated physical traits; they are essential indicators of our holistic health and functional capacity. Handshakes may be vanishing, but their essence—a quick, tangible measure of strength, confidence, and intent—remains a testament to the interconnectedness of our physical and social existence. --- References: 1. Dodds, R., et al. (2014). Grip strength across the life course: normative data from twelve British studies. PLoS ONE. 2. Bohannon, R. W. (2019). Grip strength: an indispensable biomarker for older adults. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 3. Stewart, L. (2020). The history and significance of handshaking. Cultural Anthropology Journal. 4. Bechtold, M., et al. (2016). Finger dexterity as an indicator of cognitive function. Journal of Neurology and Rehabilitation.

@ 16d11430:61640947

For Yadov Towri, dismantling the trap was only the beginning. As the city descended into chaos, its architects fled or were consumed by the very system they had built. Yadov had believed his work was done. But as the trap fell, something unexpected happened: the void it left behind began to call to him. The city, even in its freedom, was a machine that demanded order. The billions of lives crammed into its sprawl couldn’t function without a structure to guide them. And as Yadov walked among them, their anguish and confusion pressed against his mind like a tide. His empathy, once his greatest strength, now became a curse, inundating him with the pain of millions. The Lure of Power At first, Yadov resisted. He sought to lead, to build a better system free of the corruption that had enslaved the city. But the burden of guiding so many was immense. His heightened sensitivity began to fracture under the weight of collective misery. Every cry, every unspoken plea for help, resonated in his mind until it became unbearable. In a moment of desperation, he reached inward, tapping into the reservoir of psychic energy he had absorbed over years of navigating the trap. He found a way to silence the noise—not by healing, but by feeding. By taking their despair into himself, he dulled the ache of his empathy. It started as a survival mechanism, but it didn’t end there. The Transformation As Yadov siphoned the city’s anguish, he discovered something unexpected: power. The despair he absorbed didn’t just quiet his mind—it strengthened him. His senses became sharper, his endurance limitless. He could move through the city like a shadow, bending its will to his own. The empathy that had once driven him to liberate became the tool through which he dominated. Yadov justified his actions at first. He told himself that by taking on the city’s pain, he was sparing its people from suffering. But the power was intoxicating. He began to manipulate the city’s new leaders, bending them to his will. The systems he had torn down were rebuilt—not to enslave, but to channel misery directly to him. The New Trap Under Yadov’s quiet rule, the city transformed. The chaotic freedom he had unleashed was replaced by a new kind of control. The population, unaware of his influence, found themselves drawn into an invisible web of dependence. The struggles of daily life were not as overtly brutal as before, but they were carefully calibrated to create just enough tension, frustration, and despair to feed Yadov’s growing hunger. Public transport became slightly less crowded but always late. Workspaces allowed more personal freedom but with unspoken expectations that fostered guilt and self-doubt. The city’s poverty wasn’t eradicated, only redistributed in subtler ways. Everything was designed to extract psychic energy while maintaining the illusion of progress. The Rise of a Psychic Vampire Yadov’s power grew beyond the city. As his influence spread, he began to attract others like him—people who had discovered the power of psychic feeding but lacked his control. He took them under his wing, creating a network of psychic vampires who ruled from the shadows. Together, they refined the art of siphoning despair, turning it into an efficient, self-sustaining system. The billions who lived in the city became the lifeblood of this new empire. Their misery was harvested in ways they barely understood: through bureaucratic frustrations, subtle social manipulations, and carefully orchestrated crises. The system no longer needed visible overlords. Its oppression was quiet, seamless, and absolute. The Price of Power Yadov, once the liberator, was now the kingpin of a new trap, far more insidious than the one he had destroyed. He told himself he was different—that his rule was necessary, that the energy he took was nothing compared to the peace he provided. But deep down, he knew the truth. The city’s pain was his lifeline, and without it, he would crumble. The people, for their part, sensed the change but couldn’t articulate it. They felt the weight of an unseen force, the faint pull of despair that never quite left them. They whispered of ghosts in the city, of an invisible hand that guided their lives. They called it the Shadow King. The Resistance But even in the darkest systems, resistance is inevitable. Among the billions, a few began to notice the patterns, to piece together the truth. They saw how every improvement was a trap, every freedom a leash. And in the quiet corners of the city, they began to organize. Yadov felt them—tiny sparks of defiance flickering at the edges of his perception. At first, he dismissed them. But as the resistance grew, so did their power. Unlike the masses, these rebels didn’t radiate despair. They carried something else: hope. And hope, Yadov realized, was poison to his kind. A Reckoning The resistance’s leader, a young woman named Senka, possessed a mind unlike any Yadov had encountered. Her hope wasn’t blind or naïve—it was calculated, weaponized. She and her followers began to unravel the psychic network Yadov had built, using the very tools he had once wielded against the original trap. As their influence spread, Yadov found his grip on the city weakening. The despair he had fed on for so long began to wane, replaced by a growing wave of defiance. He could feel the system he had built collapsing, just as he had once destroyed the one before it. The Final Question Yadov faced a choice: to crush the resistance and tighten his grip on the city, or to let it fall and risk becoming the very thing he had once despised. The power he had gained whispered seductively, promising him dominion if only he would embrace it fully. But his healer’s heart, buried deep beneath layers of corruption, still flickered faintly. As the city teetered on the brink of another transformation, Yadov stood at the crossroads of his own humanity. Would he embrace the monstrous king he had become, or would he finally, truly, set the city free?

@ d6affa19:9110b177

At the heart of a Female-Led Relationship (FLR) is the woman's position of authority and the man's surrender to her lead. This arrangement reveals some complex emotions and motivations in men: the desire to be dominated and the desire to be submissive. These two desires tend to get conflated, which leads to confusion and at times, manipulation within FLRs. A man may blur his desire to be dominated with submission, constructing a set of expectations within the relationship that leads to a transactional approach, distorting the FLR dynamic. The man’s focus becomes self-serving where he tries to fulfill a fantasy rather than a sincere desire to serve the woman. It’s important to acknowledge the difference between these desires in order to have a loving FLR. If this difference isn’t sorted out, it’ll lead to misunderstandings, resentment, and even a breakdown of the relationship. When a man is led by his own pleasure instead of the woman, she may feel like a means to an end, and the relationship is no longer an authentic FLR. While there are many ways to engage in an FLR, the aim here is not to prescribe a “true” method, but try to clarify what drives a man to pursue this style of relationship for a more authentic experience. Being able to identify the underlying motivations can help a couple to engage more honestly, where submission comes from genuine devotion instead of manipulation or a transactional mindset. It also can clarify the proper roles of the relationship, allowing them to interact more authentically within the framework of an FLR. Let's begin exploring the nuances of these desires and take a look at how they impact the relationship, beginning with defining what all of this means. ## Defining Terms: Surrendering to Who? ### The Desire to be Dominated So what does it mean to have a desire to be dominated? It usually refers to a thrill or exhilaration felt from being overpowered or controlled. A man may seek out an FLR with a woman to explicitly satisfy this need, but there is only the appearance of surrendering control, as he only _allows_ her take charge in specific ways and circumstances. The word “allow” is important here, as it implies a form of consent—often involving fantasy, power dynamics, and control. If this is a man’s primary incentive, the relationship then becomes an exchange based on what the man receives from the woman—making him the center of the interaction. A man may desire to be dominated for a number of reasons: * To seek validation or affirmation * To explore vulnerability * For emotional release * To avoid responsibility * Simply to chase sexual gratification In any case, if he allows himself to be largely motivated by this desire, he’ll invert the dynamic by prioritizing his own satisfaction over the woman’s. By framing his urge to be dominated as submission, he is not, in a sense, surrendering to the woman, but instead to his own desires.  ### The Desire to be Submissive In contrast, when a man’s primary motivation is the desire to be submissive, his surrender is no longer conditional, but an offering. His purpose is simply serving and uplifting the woman he admires in the manner she determines is best. It’s in this selfless intention that the foundation of an FLR is formed, and where the woman’s authority begins. His submission involves a more profound emotional and psychological commitment to serving and fulfilling the woman—making her the primary focus. In this framework, the man isn’t merely “allowing” or manipulating; he is actively choosing to follow the woman’s lead and serve her. This intention is what makes an FLR truly Female-led. ## Misconceptions About Submission in FLRs ### Confusing Desires The desire to be dominated and the desire to be submissive often coexist. Also, they both typically stem from a need for female authority and/or leadership—perhaps the reason they become conflated so easily. However, it's important to stress that they are not the same thing. In many instances, men will seek an FLR with the intention of being dominated, but label it as being submissive. This becomes a significant miscommunication—essentially a promise of devotion to a woman without fully grasping the obligations that true submission involves. What results is a shallow experience where the man will only “submit” to tasks that give himself a sense of pleasure. He expects the woman to meet his needs—or assert her dominance—without really engaging in the relationship. However, it’s the man’s responsibility to first choose submission—to prove he is worthy of her dominance, rather than expecting the woman to assert it. ### Recognizing True Submission True submission contrasts this because the man doesn’t lead with expectations but consciously accepts his role and actively chooses to support the woman’s leadership. He demonstrates this through active listening, seeking a connection, aligning with her vision, and offering her support during stressful times—his motivation resides in her. It’s a sincere commitment in which he seeks growth and purpose through service and devotion to her. This approach requires trust, respect, and the willingness to be vulnerable. Let’s examine how these two intentions manifest either a transactional dynamic or an authentic connection between the couple. ## Uncovering the Heart of Submission: Transactional vs. Authentic Approaches  ### How the Dynamic Becomes Transactional In an FLR, it remains a man’s role to initiate, but this initiation comes from his submission to the woman. A man may recognize himself submitting only when his specific desires to be dominated are met, often feeling that it’s her dominance that inspires his submission. But it’s no longer true submission if it relies upon the woman meeting his needs first. This is commonly referred to as "topping from the bottom" and eventually undermines her leadership—essentially putting him in control. This exchange makes the relationship more transactional than authentic, eroding trust and breeding resentment. The “need” for this usually comes from a variety deep-rooted issues that we’ll explore later, but nevertheless, this “exchange” won’t be able to fulfill the emotional needs of either partner long-term. ### Characteristics of Genuine Surrender Genuine submission comes from a desire for emotional connection with the woman, rather than as a means to fulfill a fantasy. Again, it involves a man consciously prioritizing the needs of the woman over his own desires. This energy is what sparks a woman’s desire to take on her role as the leader and reinforces her position of authority. From here, she’s able to guide and shape the relationship in a way that aligns with her strengths and desires without being undermined. For this reason, it’s essential that a man initiate with a desire for true submission from his heart. But how does a man discover this desire and nurture it? ## Emotional Work and Self-Knowledge ### The Courage in Surrender Embracing true submission requires quite a bit of emotional work for a man, especially some deep self-reflection to understand his own desires and insecurities. What does true submission mean to him, and why is he drawn to it? What apprehension—what fear does he have toward vulnerability and submission? Searching for the answers to these questions are crucial for his journey, and self-knowledge is needed to address these feelings in a constructive manner. But, why might a man feel more comfortable with a conditional approach to submission in an FLR? Some common reasons might include: * Fear of emotional vulnerability: Being dominated creates a safe space to explore vulnerability, but is mostly limited. He makes his submission transactional to be able to hold on to a sense of control, avoiding the emotional risks that come with being upfront and honest about his feelings. * Deep insecurities or shame: He may have deep-rooted insecurities or feeling of shame for his desire to be dominated. In this case, he’ll continuously look for external validation through the fulfillment of his fantasies, which drains the woman and prevents him from forming a more meaningful connection. * Unaddressed trust issues: There may be unprocessed trauma involving trust from his past experiences that may cause him to hesitate giving himself away completely. He may find more comfort handling a transactional setup that appears safer than a more vulnerable emotional connection. * Fear of losing himself: He could also simply fear that letting go of his fantasies means giving up a part of himself, making him reluctant to embrace true surrender. These are just a few of the internal challenges that a man should sort through before being ready to truly surrender—to make a deep emotional connection. Many of these stem from ego-related issues, and by recognizing them, men can work to overcome them. Engaging in some sort of shadow work or healing journey is a great starting point in preparation for a loving FLR.  ### Open Communication On top of the emotional work required, being able to communicate effectively has to be a top priority to maintain the authenticity in the relationship. The couple must be able to share their wants, needs, and expectations openly and honestly, but not harshly. A man should be able articulate his needs, but also actively listen to the woman's feedback, understand her expectations, and be willing to adapt to her guidance. Strong, honest communication is necessary for the couple to understand the true intention of his desires (to be dominated and to be submissive), and the role it plays in the relationship. Does the man push for the woman to dominate more? Is he frustrated that she shows a bit more hesitancy? He needs to be able to express what expectations he has, but she must also feel comfortable stating and asserting her boundaries with full confidence that he will respect them. After all, the defining characteristic of an FLR is that the relationship centers on the woman’s preferences. With this in mind, let’s look at how clarifying a man’s true motives can impact an FLR. ## How This Applies to FLRs ### Exploring Motivations By separating the desire to be dominated from the desire to be submissive, a man will be able to discover his true motivations. Is being a submissive partner in an FLR truly what he desires? Or does he simply want a safe space to explore his sexuality? He needs to be able to express his desires to the woman he wants a relationship with. He can be more authentic and open about his desires and fears if he understands himself—which leads to more trust. It’s from this kind of integrity and vulnerability that the foundation of the FLR is strengthened, deepening a woman’s confidence in him and clearing the way for her to effectively guide the direction of the relationship. ### The Devotional Heart Another important aspect of this separation is that a man will be more able to focus on what he brings to the FLR (his surrender, his devotion, his submission) and less on what he receives. A selfless, devotional heart is the core characteristic of an empowered submissive in an FLR—of a man who knows his exact place in the world, where his strength is measured by his ability to support, rather than in his ability to endure, provide, or dominate. By being proactive in his submission, he encourages a dynamic in which the woman isn’t bartering for or demanding his obedience, but receiving his unconditional devotion. Again, it’s not his desire to be dominated that makes an FLR, but his desire to surrender to her; and this surrender can only be defined by her. Next, let’s examine a scenario in which the way a man grapples with these two desires can shape the relationship. ## How Authenticity Reinforces the Woman's Authority  Looking at how these desires play out in practice is helpful for understanding the woman's perspective in an FLR. The way this interplay takes shape can have a major impact on the woman's expression of authority, emotional well-being, and the overall health of the relationship. With this in mind, let's consider two examples that highlight the nuances at play. ### The Transactional Approach In this first scenario, a man might express his desire for the woman to take charge—typically in the bedroom, but he could also want her to “order him” tasks or chores. If she doesn’t want to do this because she is tired, stressed, or simply not in the mood, he may feel rejected, which may cause him to withdraw his submission or act out. From her perspective, his conditional submission and lack of initiative feel like an imposition on her own needs and desires. She could become burdened by having to manage his demands or feel objectified, as if she is merely there to satisfy his fantasies rather than to be a respected partner. In this case, since she isn’t really leading, she may feel less inclined to “assert” her leadership. This dynamic, over time, weakens the trust and emotional connection that are needed for a loving relationship, leaving the woman feeling resentful and the man feeling entitled to his desires. By valuing his need to be dominated (receiving) over his desire to genuinely submit to her (giving), he has created a pattern that undermines her authority and the authenticity of the relationship. ### The Authentic Approach Now let's examine a different approach. Suppose the man responds with understanding and empathy when the woman declines his request. Rather than pulling back, he reassures her that her feelings and needs are important, and he puts her comfort first. He looks for other ways to serve her, such as helping with chores or actively seeking to meet her emotional needs. This response requires a great deal of emotional resiliency. Although she doesn’t prefer to “dominate” him (in the way he would like), he handles the rejection and denial with grace, maintaining his core identity as her devoted partner. From the woman's perspective, this approach helps to build a deeper sense of trust and emotional connection. She may feel valued, appreciated, and empowered to reciprocate and assert her leadership going forward, knowing that her partner is committed to supporting her in a genuine and selfless way. Overall, this dynamic strengthens their relationship, allowing the couple to grow and feel fulfilled together. ## Embracing True Submission: The Path to Fulfilling FLRs In conclusion, understanding the differences between the desire to be dominated and the desire to be submissive are key to building a healthy and fulfilling FLR. While these desires often overlap, recognizing their unique motivations can help a couple navigate their dynamic with more transparency and integrity. It’s only when a man leans in to and embraces his genuine desire to surrender to a woman that the FLR can take shape. This isn’t to say that the desire to be dominated isn’t relevant to an FLR. On the contrary, there are many opportunities for exploration and making deep connections through this desire. However, it’s important to recognize that framing this desire as true submission can lead to transactional motives, misunderstandings, or even power struggles over the relationship narrative. Once more, the foundation of an FLR is primarily formed from the man’s conscious surrender to the woman and her acceptance of his offering. When he able to find his center in who she truly is rather than who he desires her to be—when she is able to feel more empowered in his surrender, that is when a relationship becomes a true FLR. This empowerment doesn’t come from dominating the man, but from his unconditional support and a loving connection with him. The shift from a transactional mindset to one rooted in genuine devotion allows both partners to flourish in their roles, creating a beautiful dynamic that celebrates the essence of female leadership.

@ 16d11430:61640947

The metropolis was a living maze, a chaotic symphony of ambition, desperation, and survival. It wasn’t merely a city—it was a crucible, an intricate system designed to test and grind the human spirit. For some, it was a beacon of opportunity; for others, a labyrinth of pain and struggle. Yadov Towri, born of a lineage of healers, was an anomaly within his heritage. Where his ancestors had mended and soothed, he endured and resisted. His unique blend of empathy, physical agility, and endurance made him an outlier—someone who didn’t just survive the trap but thrived within its crushing gears. The Morning Assault The mornings were never kind. A cacophony of relentless noise shattered any semblance of peace—alarms, shouts, machinery, and the ever-present drone of humanity. Cramped living spaces overflowed with activity, leaving no room for solitude. People jostled for basic necessities, their fatigue palpable. For Yadov, this was the air he had always breathed. Where others staggered through the oppressive start of the day, he moved with practiced ease, absorbing the chaos without letting it claim him. His finely tuned empathy allowed him to predict and evade the surges of bodies and conflict, navigating the melee like a shadow. The Daily Gauntlet The streets were a relentless obstacle course. Public transport bulged with humanity, its overcrowded platforms and vehicles turning every journey into a battle for space. Sidewalks teemed with hawkers, pedestrians, and stray animals. The air carried the acrid smell of exhaust, mingling with the hum of endless activity. For the unprepared, it was overwhelming. For Yadov, it was a game. His agility let him weave through the crowd, while his empathy read the ebb and flow of tension and frustration. Each step was calculated, each movement purposeful. The chaos became his ally, obscuring him from prying eyes. Poverty and Crime’s Shadows The city was a landscape of extremes, where towering structures loomed over crumbling tenements. The specter of crime lingered everywhere—pickpockets in crowded markets, petty gangs in shadowed alleys, and the pervasive fear of exploitation. Poverty wasn’t just economic; it was a state of existence, etched into the faces of its victims. Yadov, attuned to the pain of others, couldn’t ignore the weight of it. He saw families torn apart by desperation, children hardened by survival, and the hollowed eyes of those crushed by unrelenting struggle. Yet he carried this knowledge like a blade, honed to cut through the trap’s layers. The Psychological Traps The workplace was no sanctuary. Overcrowded offices and factories became arenas of psychological warfare. Collective rituals of conformity, hazing from superiors, and constant surveillance stripped individuals of identity. The relentless hum of machinery and human voices blurred the lines between person and cog. For Yadov, the psychological traps were the most insidious. But his healer’s heritage gave him insight into the minds of those around him. He saw their fears and insecurities, unraveling the invisible threads that bound them. His empathy became his shield, allowing him to endure the psychological barrage without breaking. The Lunchtime Struggle Food was a battleground. Crowded cafeterias and street vendors became stages for tense negotiations and desperate scuffles. Space and time were luxuries few could afford, and securing even the simplest meal required cunning and perseverance. Yadov turned these skirmishes into opportunities. His ability to anticipate movements and emotions let him slip through the fray unnoticed, securing what he needed with minimal effort. For him, it wasn’t just about sustenance—it was another test of the trap’s design. Mental Barrage The demands of the day didn’t relent after lunch. Endless tasks and puzzles—both literal and metaphorical—kept minds overclocked and spirits drained. The psychological toll was immense, leaving most people numb, broken, or both. Yadov saw these moments as crucibles. His mind, sharpened by the challenges of the trap, worked with precision. He dissected problems with surgical clarity, finding solutions where others saw only chaos. It wasn’t just survival; it was mastery. Discovering the Trap’s Masters Over time, Yadov pieced together the truth. The trap wasn’t a natural consequence of urban life—it was a deliberate construction. Its architects were shadowy figures: exploiters who thrived on the city’s chaos and despair. Politicians, criminals, and psychic manipulators worked together to weave an intricate web of control. But Yadov was more than a product of the trap. His empathy let him see cracks in its structure, and his endurance gave him the strength to exploit them. The same traits that helped him navigate the system now turned him into its adversary. Turning the System Against Itself Yadov’s presence became a disruption. His sensitivity and resilience began to destabilize the psychic control that bound the city’s inhabitants. Those who came into contact with him found their illusions shattering, their subjugation slipping away. Rituals of conformity dissolved into chaos, and enforcers of the system faltered under his quiet defiance. He didn’t fight with violence. His weapons were subtle: a whisper of doubt, a flicker of resistance, a spark of individuality. The psychic manipulations that had ensnared the city were no match for his clarity, and the trap’s architects found their power crumbling. The Collapse As Yadov’s influence spread, the city began to unravel. The exploited masses, awakening to their own agency, turned on their oppressors. The psychic manipulators, once untouchable, became targets of the very system they had controlled. The intricate web of the trap dissolved into chaos, its architects fleeing or falling. A New Cycle With the trap dismantled, the city found itself at a crossroads. Freed from its chains, it began to reshape itself. The people, no longer cogs in a faceless machine, began to reclaim their identities. Yadov disappeared into the backdrop, his role fulfilled. He wasn’t a savior or a hero; he was a survivor, a product of the trap who had transcended it. And as the first light of dawn illuminated the city, it carried with it the promise of a new beginning—one born not of control, but of freedom and resilience.

@ a4a6b584:1e05b95b

### **Step 1: Secure Your Device** 1. **Install an Antivirus Program** Download and install a trusted antivirus program to scan files for potential malware. - For Linux: [Calm Antivirus](https://www.clamav.net/) - For Windows: [CalmWin Antivirus](https://clamwin.com/) 2. **Install a VPN** A VPN is essential for maintaining privacy and security. It will encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address. - Recommended: [Mullvad VPN](https://mullvad.net/), which accepts Bitcoin for anonymous payment. 3. **Install a Torrent Program** You’ll need a torrent client to download files. - Recommended: [Deluge](https://deluge-torrent.org/) 4. **Install the Tor Browser** To access The Pirate Bay or its proxies, you’ll need the privacy-focused [Tor Browser](https://www.torproject.org/). --- ### **Step 2: Prepare Your Setup** - Ensure your **VPN is running and connected**. - Open the **Tor Browser**. - Launch **Deluge** to have your torrent client ready. --- ### **Step 3: Using Tor Go to The Pirate Bay via Onion Service or Find a Trusted Pirate Bay Proxy** Accessing The Pirate Bay directly can be challenging due to restrictions in some regions. Proxy sites often fill the gap. - The Pirate Bay Onion service: http://piratebayo3klnzokct3wt5yyxb2vpebbuyjl7m623iaxmqhsd52coid.onion - Or find a trusted proxy: Use a site like [Pirateproxy](https://github.com/proxyninja/Pirateproxy) or a reliable Tor directory for updated lists. --- ### **Step 4: Search for Linux Distros** 1. On The Pirate Bay, navigate to the **"OtherOS"** category under the **Applications** section. 2. Enter your desired Linux distro in the search bar (e.g., "Ubuntu," "Arch Linux"). --- ### **Step 5: Select a Torrent** 1. **Filter the Results**: - Look for torrents with the **highest seeders (SE)** and the **fewest leechers (LE)**. - Trusted users are marked with a green skull icon—these are usually safe uploads. 2. **Copy the Magnet Link**: - Right-click on the magnet icon next to the trusted torrent and select "Copy Link." --- ### **Step 6: Start the Download** 1. In **Deluge**, paste the copied magnet link into the “Add Torrent” box. 2. Click **OK** to start the download. 3. Monitor the progress until the download completes. --- ### **Step 7: Scan the Downloaded File** Once the file is downloaded: 1. **Scan for viruses**: Right-click the file and use Calm or CalmWin to verify its integrity. 2. If the file passes the scan, it’s ready for use. --- ### **Step 8: Manage Your File** - **Seed or Remove**: - To help the torrent community, keep seeding the file by leaving it in your torrent client. - To stop seeding, right-click the file in Deluge and remove it. - **Move for Long-Term Storage**: Transfer the file to a secure directory for regular use. --- ### **Notes on Safety and Ethics** - **Verify Legitimacy**: Ensure the torrent you are downloading is for an official Linux distribution. Torrents with unusual names or details should be avoided. - **Support the Developers**: Consider visiting the official websites of Linux distros ([Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/), [Arch Linux](https://archlinux.org/)) to support their work directly. --- By following these steps, you can safely and privately download Linux distributions while contributing to the open-source community.

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers! In Russia, the State Duma passed sweeping amendments granting officials the ability to equate “funding extremist activities” with “financing terrorism.” These changes allow officials to label anyone accused of spreading “fake news” or “discrediting” the military and authorities as “terrorists and extremists.” This development threatens activists and civil society organizations with intensified financial repression, including frozen accounts, restricted access to funds, and strict withdrawal limits.   Meanwhile, North Korea’s currency crisis continues to worsen, pushing citizens to abandon the North Korean won in favor of barter. As exchange rates for foreign currencies soar, merchants and money changers increasingly demand tangible goods like rice and fuel and no longer accept North Korean won for imported goods and foreign currencies.  In technology news, Tando, a Bitcoin payment app in Kenya, received significant attention at the 2024 Africa Bitcoin Conference for integrating the Bitcoin Lightning Network with M-PESA, Kenya’s mobile money system. This allows people to use Bitcoin to buy things across the country while merchants receive Kenyan shillings, bridging the gap between the local financial system and Bitcoin. \ \ Finally, we feature the latest episode of the Dissidents and Dictators podcast, featuring Togolese human rights activist Farida Nabourema sharing her first-hand experience growing up under the Gnassingbé dictatorship. She believes Bitcoin can enable greater transparency and offer a financial lifeline for citizens in Togo and across Africa. **Now, let’s dive right in!** ### [**Subscribe Here**](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a) ## **GLOBAL NEWS** #### **Russia | Sweeping Amendments Expand Financial Repression Against Dissidents** Russia’s State Duma made sweeping [amendments](https://meduza.io/en/cards/russia-just-expanded-its-definition-of-money-laundering-crimes-to-enable-far-broader-political-repressions-against-terrorists-and-extremists) to 48 federal laws, granting officials the power to equate “funding extremist activities” with “financing terrorism.” This move allows the regime to directly target individuals, activists, and nonprofit organizations suspected of spreading “fake news” or “discrediting” the military and regime. Once designated as a “terrorist” or “extremist,” a person or organization [faces](https://meduza.io/en/cards/russia-just-expanded-its-definition-of-money-laundering-crimes-to-enable-far-broader-political-repressions-against-terrorists-and-extremists) frozen bank accounts, restricted access to funds, and a withdrawal cap of just [10,000 rubles](https://meduza.io/en/cards/russia-just-expanded-its-definition-of-money-laundering-crimes-to-enable-far-broader-political-repressions-against-terrorists-and-extremists) ($95) per month — a limit that extends to each dependent in their family. Compounding these hardships, employers often refuse to hire individuals on these government lists. #### **North Korea | Failing Currency Forces Return to Barter** North Korea’s [currency crisis](https://www.dailynk.com/english/n-koreas-currency-crisis-forces-return-to-barter-economy/) is forcing citizens to abandon the depreciating won currency in favor of barter. As exchange rates for foreign currencies like the US dollar and Chinese yuan hit [record highs](https://www.dailynk.com/english/n-koreas-currency-crisis-forces-return-to-barter-economy/), merchants and money changers now demand commodities (such as rice and fuel) for foreign currencies and imported goods. One such example is trading around [2 kilograms](https://www.dailynk.com/english/n-koreas-currency-crisis-forces-return-to-barter-economy/) of rice for a single dollar. This collapse leaves those without access to foreign currency in increasingly precarious financial positions and struggling to secure food and basic necessities. Even farmers, once [partially compensated](https://www.dailynk.com/english/n-koreas-currency-crisis-forces-return-to-barter-economy/) with valuable goods, now increasingly receive devalued cash, worsening nationwide food insecurity. #### **Nicaragua | Human Rights Abuses and Financial Repression Exposed** Under Daniel Ortega’s authoritarian rule, Nicaragua [exemplifies](https://havanatimes.org/features/nicaragua-the-ortega-regimes-hideous-human-rights-record/) the devastating intersection of financial repression and human rights abuses. New reports [detail](https://havanatimes.org/features/nicaragua-the-ortega-regimes-hideous-human-rights-record/) how the regime has confiscated over [$250 million](https://havanatimes.org/features/nicaragua-the-ortega-regimes-hideous-human-rights-record/) in assets, dissolved more than [5,200 NGOs](https://havanatimes.org/features/nicaragua-the-ortega-regimes-hideous-human-rights-record/), canceled pensions, and frozen bank accounts, leaving citizens financially vulnerable and silenced. Since Ortega’s return to power in 2007, and especially after the 2018 protests, his government has dismantled civil society, crushed political opposition, and eradicated independent media. Hundreds have been killed and exiled, and in 2023 and 2024 alone, [452 political opponents](https://havanatimes.org/features/nicaragua-the-ortega-regimes-hideous-human-rights-record/) were stripped of their citizenship. #### **El Salvador | Bitcoin Adoption Limited as Government Comes to Terms With IMF** El Salvador [finalized](https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/18/pr-24485-el-salvador-imf-reaches-staff-level-agreement-on-an-eff-arrangement) a $1.4 billion agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the government’s economic reform agenda at the cost of scaling back some of its Bitcoin policies. The deal will make accepting Bitcoin in the private sector voluntary, require all taxes to be paid in US dollars (as opposed to making it possible to pay in BTC), and see Chivo, the government-supported Bitcoin wallet, gradually unwound. In addition, the government will enhance “transparency, regulation, and supervision of digital assets” and establish a stronger Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework. #### **Malaysia | Parliament Passes Repressive Media Bills Amidst Financial Struggles** Earlier this year, Malaysia’s ringgit currency plunged to a [26-year low](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/ringgit-decline-rise-malaysia-currency-low-brain-drain-government-4343531), [driving up](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/ringgit-decline-rise-malaysia-currency-low-brain-drain-government-4343531) prices nationwide. As families struggled with a higher cost of living, officials passed an [amendment](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/18/cops-can-now-freeze-seize-mule-bank-accounts-to-prevent-scam-victims-money-from-being-withdrawn/157236) granting law enforcement the power to freeze bank accounts suspected of fraud. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s parliament is [passing](https://globalvoices.org/2024/12/16/online-safety-or-censorship-malaysias-parliament-passes-two-contentious-media-bills/) two more bills to regulate media and online spaces, allowing officials to censor content and request user data from service providers without approval. Critics warn the vague language in these laws will likely be exploited to silence dissent and stifle public discourse. As financial hardships mount, Malaysia’s online spaces become increasingly controlled, eroding freedom of expression and financial autonomy. ## BITCOIN NEWS #### **Tando | Bridging Bitcoin and Everyday Payments in Kenya** [Tando](https://tando.me), a new bitcoin payments app and HRF grantee, [makes it easy to spend bitcoin](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/takes/tando-was-all-the-rage-at-this-years-africa-bitcoin-conference?new) anywhere in Kenya by integrating with M-PESA, Kenya’s mobile money system. Users simply download the Tando app, enter the merchant’s M-PESA number, and input the amount owed in Kenyan shillings. The app calculates the required amount of bitcoin and generates a Lightning invoice, which users pay through their own Bitcoin wallet. Tando then converts the sats to shillings and completes the transaction instantly ([you can watch this one-minute live demo here](https://x.com/AnitaPosch/status/1863916169209520432)). For Kenyans excluded from M-PESA due to Know-Your-Customer regulations, Tando provides a practical solution that bridges Bitcoin and local financial systems to make everyday transactions easier. #### **Yakihonne | Adds Support for Improved Encrypted Direct Messaging** [YakiHonne](https://yakihonne.com/), a Nostr client, champions free speech and facilitates Bitcoin payments across 170 countries. Recent updates have made the platform more user-friendly and secure. The updated text editor now supports multiple languages, including right-to-left scripts, enhancing accessibility for a global audience. Messaging capabilities have been upgraded to allow longer texts, and users can now activate Secure DMs ([NIP 44](https://github.com/paulmillr/nip44)) for encrypted messaging on Nostr. These improvements make YakiHonne an appealing communication platform for pro-democracy and human rights activists, offering secure messaging and the ability to receive payments in Bitcoin in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. #### **Mostro | Making Bitcoin More Accessible and Private** [Mostro](https://mostro.network/), a private and peer-to-peer (P2P) Bitcoin exchange built on Nostr, made significant strides this year toward empowering human rights defenders and nonprofits with accessible, private, and censorship-resistant financial tools. Created by Venezuelan developer [Francisco Calderon](https://x.com/negrunch), the platform implemented advanced key management which allows users to rotate the keys used for every bitcoin trade. This adds a layer of privacy critical for those operating under authoritarian regimes. Additionally, Mostro adopted [NIP-69](https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/69.md), standardizing all peer-to-peer orders on Nostr, creating a larger liquidity pool, and making trades more accessible for users. Finally, Mostro will soon launch a mobile app (currently in the testing phase), helping democratize Bitcoin access by providing individuals with a user-friendly mobile interface. #### **Foundation | Introduces Personal Security Platform**   [Foundation](https://foundation.xyz), a Bitcoin hardware wallet company, [introduced Passport Prime](https://foundation.xyz/2024/12/introducing-passport-prime/), which they call “the world’s first Personal Security Platform.” Designed to protect users’ bitcoin and digital lives, Passport Prime offers a Bitcoin wallet, multi-factor authentication, secure file storage, and a Seed Vault to organize seed phrases. It does not require usernames, passwords, or email addresses, making it an interesting option for privacy-conscious users, particularly pro-democracy and human rights activists operating under authoritarian regimes. You can learn more about Passport Prime [here](https://foundation.xyz/2024/12/introducing-passport-prime/). #### **BTrust Builders | Applications for 2024 ₿OSS Cohort Close Tomorrow** Applications for the [2025 ₿OSS Cohort](https://bitcoinke.io/2024/12/the-btrust-builders-2025-cohort/), hosted by [Btrust Builders](https://www.btrust.tech/builders) in partnership with Chaincode Labs, close tomorrow, Dec. 27, 2024. This part-time, three-month, fully remote program is tailored to African developers seeking to contribute to Bitcoin open-source software (₿OSS), in order to increase the potential for use cases in a region where three-quarters of the governments are authoritarian regimes. The program is open to developers of all experience levels, and it provides hands-on technical training, career-building opportunities, and mentorship. If you’re a developer interested in this program, you can apply [here](https://bitcoinke.io/2024/12/the-btrust-builders-2025-cohort/). ## RECOMMENDED CONTENT #### **Is Bitcoin a Lifeline for Africa with Farida Nabourema** In this episode of [Dissidents and Dictators](https://www.youtube.com/@DissidentsandDictators), an HRF podcast, Togolese human rights activist Farida Nabourema reveals her experience growing up under the Gnassingbé dictatorship—a single-family autocracy that has ruled Togo for over 50 years. Nabourema shares insights into the corruption and lack of trust that permeates Togo’s financial system and discusses how Bitcoin can enable greater transparency and offer a lifeline for citizens in Togo and across Africa, where authoritarian regimes stifle financial freedom. Watch the full episode [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeRFW8XsAno). *If this article was forwarded to you and you enjoyed reading it, please consider subscribing to the Financial Freedom Report [here](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a).* *Support the newsletter by donating bitcoin to HRF’s Financial Freedom program [via BTCPay](https://hrf.org/btc).*\ *Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit tips, stories, news, and ideas by emailing us at ffreport @ [hrf.org](http://hrf.org/)* *The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is accepting grant proposals on an ongoing basis. The Bitcoin Development Fund is looking to support Bitcoin developers, community builders, and educators. Submit proposals [here](https://forms.monday.com/forms/57019f8829449d9e729d9e3545a237ea?r=use1)*. [**Subscribe to newsletter**](http://financialfreedomreport.org/)\ [**Apply for a grant**](https://forms.monday.com/forms/57019f8829449d9e729d9e3545a237ea?r=use1&mc_cid=39c1c9b7e8&mc_eid=778e9876e3)\ [**Support our work**](https://hrf.org/btc?mc_cid=39c1c9b7e8&mc_eid=778e9876e3)\ [**Visit our website**](https://hrf.org/programs/financial-freedom/)

@ ee90543f:9363457f

В Москве стартовало тестирование амбициозного проекта "Умные улицы", который обещает значительно изменить облик городской инфраструктуры и повысить качество жизни москвичей. Согласно объявлению мэра Москвы Анны Морозовой, проект включает в себя внедрение технологий автономного транспорта и установку интерактивных кабин, которые будут предоставлять жителям и туристам актуальную информацию об окружающей среде и предлагаемых услугах. Система "Умные улицы" предполагает использование беспилотных автомобилей, которые смогут взаимодействовать с городской инфраструктурой и обеспечивать более безопасное и эффективное движение. Автономные транспортные средства будут оснащены передовыми датчиками и алгоритмами, что позволит им адаптироваться к изменяющимся условиям дорожной ситуации в реальном времени. В рамках проекта на нескольких ключевых улицах Москвы также будут установлены интерактивные информационные кабинеты, которые будут доступны круглосуточно. Эти кабинеты предложат жителям разнообразные услуги: от получения информации о расписании общественного транспорта и ближайших культурных событиях до возможности заказа такси или проверки состояния здоровья с помощью встроенных медицинских датчиков. "Проект 'Умные улицы' является важным шагом к созданию более безопасной и удобной городской среды для всех москвичей. Мы стремимся использовать современные технологии таким образом, чтобы они помогали жителям и улучшали повседневную жизнь," — отметила Анна Морозова, представляя инициативу на пресс-конференции. Тестирование интеллектуальной транспортной системы уже начнется в этом месяце, и в его рамках будет проделана работа по сбору данных о маршрутах автономных машин, а также оценке удобства взаимодействия пользователей с интерактивными кабинетами. Ожидается, что проект "Умные улицы" поможет снизить количество дорожных происшествий, улучшит регулирование транспортных потоков и обеспечит более быстрый доступ к информации для городских жителей. В дальнейшем планируется расширить программу на другие районы столицы, а также интегрировать её с международными стандарты умных городов. Москва уверенно движется к статусу одного из ведущих городов мира в области внедрения умных технологий, и запуск "Умных улиц" — это еще один шаг навстречу будущему, в котором технологии служат людям.

@ ee90543f:9363457f

В Москве состоялось официальное открытие первого в мире интернет-музея, который предлагает пользователям уникальную возможность погрузиться в богатство искусства и истории, не выходя из дома. Открытие этого инновационного проекта стало значимым событием в культурной жизни города и привлекло внимание международной общественности. Интернет-музей, запущенный при поддержке Министерства культуры России и ведущих технических компаний, представляет собой виртуальную платформу, где пользователи могут исследовать экспонаты, объекты искусства и исторические артефакты с помощью технологий дополненной и виртуальной реальности. Посетители могут не только просматривать коллекции, но и взаимодействовать с ними, участвовать в мастер-классах и экскурсиях, проводимых известными искусствоведами и кураторами. Необычная концепция музея позволяет устраивать выставки, приуроченные к различным культурным событиям и памятным датам — от выставок современных художников до исторических артефактов. Один из элементов, ставших возможными благодаря новым технологиям, — создание мультимедийных инсталляций, в которых зрители могут «перемещаться» внутри произведений искусства. Градоначальник Москвы, Анна Морозова, на церемонии открытия выразила гордость за этот проект: "Москва всегда была культурным центром, и мы рады, что теперь можем предложить доступ к нашим богатым традициям и инновациям всему миру. Интернет-музей станет местом встречи для любителей искусства из разных стран и обеспечит новые способы взаимодействия с культурным наследием." Платформа уже привлекла более 300,000 зарегистрированных пользователей за первые две недели после своего запуска, и ожидается, что это число будет расти. Кроме того, интернет-музей предоставляет возможности для образовательных программ и совместных проектов с учебными заведениями, что способствует повышению интереса к истории и культуре среди молодежи. С открытием этого уникального учреждение Москва подтверждает свой статус не только как культурной столицы России, но и как флагмана в глобальных инновациях в области искусства и технологий.

@ ab216c04:c00fe2d7

Good morning. I’m writing my first public read with nostr as a way to introduce what I work on when people visit my profile. I studied computer science with a keen interest in education technology because I felt that the promise of the internet fell short when it came to its potential to transform education. I don’t believe it failed outright, but like our approach to identity, media and money, education seemed to have embarked in the wrong direction. I think the role of educational technology is not to configure how students and teachers communicate, but to support an environment that encourages the most natural form of education. Teachers should teach and students should learn, but there are economic constraints that make that challenging in too many ways to highlight. To keep things short, I believe there can be new ways to financialize internet properties to support schools economically in a way that isn’t mostly dependent on the value of housing properties or state & federal taxation policies. To spark imagination, I say that you can “create scholarships with learning” but the idea at scale essentially means the ability to redefine the infamous red line. Many people in 2024 now see Bitcoin as a sort of treasury system, and most recognize Bitcoin as a store value. Likewise, people now view decentralized identity as a mechanism to better represent an individual’s durable interactions with technology. If you pause to think about it, one can appreciate how all of these concepts also play a crucial role in the educational process. For example, how much economic value is lost when a 4th year engineering student drops out of college or transfers schools? The centralization of our transcripts and educational resources fails to precisely define our academic progress. This is a failure of education technology. And what if schools, well-funded by expensive properties and high incomes, can realistically and pragmatically connect with schools that are far more dependent on state and federal distributions? What if we could expand the scope, the circumstances and conditions of education finance beyond physical borders? So that’s what I work on, and my participation in nostr has been an incredible leap toward materializing these ideas, which you can experience on platforms like: - Learn coding with AI: <https://robotsbuildingeducation.com> - Track scholarships and draft essays with AI: <https://girlsoncampus.org> - Study citizenship civics with with AI: <https://civico.app> \ And above all else, you are welcome to build and design education technology in the same direction with open software: <https://github.com/RobotsBuildingEducation?tab=repositories>

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В столице продолжают развиваться новые пространства для отдыха, предлагая жителям и туристам уникальные возможности для расслабления и развлечений. Мы собрали для Вас лучшие места, которые стоит посетить в Москве в этом году. Парк "Зеленая волна" Этот новый экологический парк, открывшийся в 2039 году, стал настоящим оазисом в центре города. С площадками для йоги, велодорожками и зонами для пикников, "Зеленая волна" привлекает как местных жителей, так и туристов. Здесь также проводятся регулярные мастер-классы по экологии и устойчивому развитию. Культурный кластер "Светлый город" Расположенный на месте бывших промышленных объектов, этот кластер стал центром культурной жизни Москвы. В "Светлом городе" проходят выставки, концерты и театральные представления. Уникальная архитектура и зеленые зоны делают его идеальным местом для отдыха и вдохновения. Спортивный комплекс "Эко-Спорт" С зелеными крышами и солнечными батареями, этот комплекс предлагает широкий спектр спортивных услуг, включая плавание, фитнес и командные виды спорта. Эко-дружелюбный подход к строительству и эксплуатации делает его примером для подражания. Кафе "Солнечный уголок" Это кафе стало популярным местом для встреч благодаря своему уникальному меню, основанному на местных продуктах. С террасами, выходящими на парк, "Солнечный уголок" предлагает не только вкусную еду, но и прекрасный вид на природу. Тематический парк "Будущее" Открытый в 2038 году, этот парк предлагает интерактивные аттракционы и образовательные программы, посвященные технологиям и экологии. Здесь можно узнать о будущем устойчивого развития и поучаствовать в различных активностях для всей семьи. Не упустите шанс посетить эти уникальные места!

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В Москве открылся первый спортивный комплекс, полностью оснащенный экологически-дружелюбными технологиями. Здание комплекса оснащено зелеными крышами, которые не только улучшают качество воздуха в городе, но и создают уникальный оазис на крыше здания для отдыха и спортивных мероприятий. Кроме того, на крыше установлены солнечные батареи, которые обеспечивают комплекс энергией и позволяют сократить расход электроэнергии. Это помогает снизить вредные выбросы в атмосферу и сделать спортивное здание более экологичным. Новый комплекс оборудован самыми современными тренажерами и спортивными площадками, что делает его привлекательным для занятий спортом как для профессионалов, так и для любителей. Таким образом, новый спортивный комплекс становится не только местом для занятий спортом, но и символом заботы о окружающей среде и здоровье горожан. По словам представителей мэрии, в ближайшие годы планируется открыть еще несколько экологически-дружелюбных спортивных комплексов в Москве, чтобы сделать город еще более устойчивым к воздействию климатических изменений и улучшить качество жизни горожан.

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Сегодня в Москве была официально представлена обновленная система образования, которая сочетает в себе удаленное и очное обучение. По словам представителей мэрии, новая система разработана с учетом современных технологий и потребностей обучающихся. Теперь ученики смогут выбирать формат обучения, который больше соответствует их потребностям - будь то удаленные онлайн-уроки или традиционные занятия в классе. Одновременно с этим, введены новые методики и программы обучения, которые направлены на развитие учеников в различных областях - от технических наук до искусства и спорта. Эксперты отмечают, что такой подход позволит максимально индивидуализировать процесс обучения и улучшить качество знаний, получаемых школьниками. Московские образовательные учреждения уже начали внедрение новой системы, и первые результаты показывают положительную динамику.

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В рамках разработки Стратегии развития образования года Министерство просвещения России объявило о необходимости значительных изменений в подготовке педагогических кадров. Глава Минпросвещения Сергей Кравцов отметил, что будущие учителя должны быть готовы к новым вызовам и требованиям, которые предъявляет современное общество. Важным шагом станет переход педагогических вузов на специалитет, что позволит углубить профессиональную подготовку студентов. Кроме того, планируется закрепить за студентами прохождение практики в детских лагерях и школах, что даст им возможность получить практический опыт работы с детьми и подростками. Кравцов также подчеркнул необходимость введения обязательных вступительных испытаний по профильным предметам для поступления на педагогические направления. Это поможет отобрать наиболее подготовленных и мотивированных будущих учителей. Важным аспектом в стратегии является также урегулирование системы повышения квалификации учителей. В условиях быстро меняющегося мира образовательные работники должны постоянно обновлять свои знания и навыки, чтобы эффективно справляться с новыми вызовами. Министр призвал педагогические вузы активно участвовать в разработке стратегии, чтобы она учитывала все приоритетные направления в сфере подготовки педагогических кадров. Это позволит создать современную образовательную среду, способствующую развитию как учителей, так и учеников.

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В столице России наблюдается значительный сдвиг в подходах к питанию, который формируется под влиянием технологий и растущего интереса к местным продуктам. Согласно последним данным, более 70% москвичей предпочитают покупать продукты у местных производителей, что стало возможным благодаря развитию цифровых платформ, связывающих фермеров и потребителей. Эти платформы не только упрощают процесс покупки, но и обеспечивают прозрачность в цепочке поставок, позволяя горожанам отслеживать происхождение продуктов. Технологии также играют ключевую роль в приготовлении пищи. Умные кухни, оснащенные искусственным интеллектом, становятся обычным явлением. Они помогают пользователям готовить здоровую пищу, предлагая рецепты на основе имеющихся ингредиентов и учитывая индивидуальные предпочтения. Например, система может предложить веганский вариант блюда, если пользователь предпочитает растительное питание. Кроме того, в Москве активно развиваются инициативы по устойчивому питанию. Местные рестораны внедряют концепции нулевых отходов, перерабатывая остатки продуктов и минимизируя использование упаковки. Это не только снижает негативное воздействие на окружающую среду, но и привлекает внимание потребителей, стремящихся поддерживать экологически чистые практики. Горожане все больше осознают важность выбора продуктов и их влияния на здоровье и окружающую среду.

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В этом году Москва стала настоящим центром кулинарных инноваций, где традиционные рецепты переплетаются с современными гастрономическими трендами. Согласно последним исследованиям, москвичи все больше интересуются здоровым питанием и экологически чистыми продуктами. Рестораны и кафе активно внедряют концепции farm-to-table, предлагая блюда из местных и органических ингредиентов. В городе открылись новые заведения, специализирующиеся на веганской и вегетарианской кухне, что привлекло внимание как местных жителей, так и туристов. Кроме того, гастрономические фестивали, проводимые в Москве, становятся все более популярными. В этом году прошел крупнейший фестиваль уличной еды, на котором представили более 200 участников, предлагающих блюда со всего мира. Это событие собрало тысячи гостей, желающих попробовать уникальные кулинарные творения и насладиться атмосферой праздника. Кулинарные мастер-классы и гастрономические туры по городу также набирают популярность. Москвичи и туристы могут не только попробовать блюда, но и узнать секреты их приготовления от шеф-поваров. Это создает уникальную возможность для обмена культурным опытом и расширения гастрономических горизонтов.

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Власти столицы запускают социальный опрос с 10 июня среди жителей и подписчиков на официальных платформах города, чтобы узнать о предпочтениях москвичей в отношении дальнейшего развития городской инфраструктуры. Горожан приглашают поделиться своими идеями о том, что они хотели бы видеть в Москве в ближайшие годы. Опрос охватывает такие важные аспекты, как новые парки, скверы, места для отдыха и развлечений, а также культурные и спортивные мероприятия. Участникам предлагается оценить существующие инициативы и предложить собственные идеи для улучшения качества жизни в столице. "Мы стремимся сделать Москву комфортным и современным городом для жизни, и Ваше мнение имеет большое значение," — отметила пресс-служба мэрии. "Этот опрос даст нам возможность лучше понять потребности горожан и обеспечить максимально удобную и привлекательную городской среду." Опрос продлится до 15 июня. Все желающие могут принять участие и оставить свои предложения на официальных сайтах и в социальных сетях города. Ваши идеи могут помочь преобразовать Москву в более зеленый, комфортный и культурно насыщенный город!

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По данным нового отчета Департамента предпринимательства и инновационного развития Москвы, число зарегистрированных стартапов в городе выросло на 45% по сравнению с предыдущим годом. Основные направления, в которых развиваются новые компании — это информационные технологии, биотехнологии и экологические решения. "Москва становится настоящим центром для стартапов, предлагая предпринимателям все необходимые ресурсы для реализации своих идей," — отметил заместитель мэра по вопросам экономики. Важной частью изменения бизнес-среды стало создание интегрированной системы поддержки стартапов, включающей акселераторы, инкубаторы и менторские программы. Эти инициативы помогают начинающим бизнесменам находить финансирование, развивать свои продукты и выходить на рынок. Одним из самых значимых глобальных трендов, повлиявших на бизнес-среду Москвы, является переход к устойчивым моделям ведения бизнеса. Предприниматели все чаще ориентируются на экологические и социальные аспекты своей деятельности. "Зеленые" стартапы, фокусирующиеся на сокращении углеродного следа и использовании ресурсов, становятся особенно популярными. Правительство Москвы активно поддерживает подобные инициативы, предлагая гранты и субсидии на проекты, направленные на защиту окружающей среды. Не отстает и сфера технологий. В 2040 году в Москве активно развиваются решения на основе искусственного интеллекта и больших данных. Компании используют эти технологии для оптимизации бизнес-процессов и повышения эффективности. "Мы живем в эпоху, когда технологии меняют правила игры, и бизнес должен адаптироваться к новым условиям," — подчеркнул один из ведущих экспертов по инновациям. Согласно последним исследованиям, 72% предпринимателей уверены, что устойчивое развитие и внедрение технологий станут ключевыми факторами их успеха в ближайшие годы. Экономические эксперты прогнозируют, что Москва, продолжая адаптироваться к новым мировым трендам, станет одним из лидеров в сфере инновационного бизнеса на международной арене. Тем самым, изменения в бизнес-среде Москвы 2040 года открывают новые горизонты для предпринимателей, поддерживая стартапы и инновации в эпоху глобальных экономических изменений. Столичные власти демонстрируют активную позицию по созданию комфортных условий для ведения бизнеса, что в свою очередь способствует росту экономики и созданию новых рабочих мест.

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В столице России активно развивается спортивная инфраструктура, что способствует популяризации здорового образа жизни среди населения. В этом году городские власти объявили о запуске масштабной программы, направленной на создание новейших спортивных объектов и поддержку инновационных видов спорта. Согласно новым инициативам, в Москве будет построено более 50 современных спортивных комплексов, которые не только обеспечат доступ к традиционным видам спорта, но и создадут условия для менее известных, но стремительно набирающих популярность дисциплин, таких как киберспорт, паркур, фрисби и многие другие. Эти комплексы будут оснащены высокотехнологичным оборудованием и системами умного управления, что сделает занятия спортом более комфортными и эффективными. Особое внимание уделено созданию доступной инфраструктуры для людей с ограниченными возможностями. Все новые спортивные объекты имеют безбарьерный доступ и специальные программы для интеграции людей с инвалидностью в спортивные сообщества. "Мы стремимся сделать спорт доступным для всех, независимо от физических возможностей," — отметила заместитель мэра по вопросам социальной политики. Кроме того, в рамках программы "Спорт для всех" запускаются массовые мероприятия и чемпионаты, которые объединят москвичей разных возрастов. Ожидается, что в 2040 году пройдет первая Летняя Олимпиада среди городов России, которая будет посвящена физической активности и здоровому образу жизни. Московские власти также активно сотрудничает с образовательными учреждениями, внедряя программы по физическому воспитанию и здоровому образу жизни. В школах и вузах будут организованы регулярные спортивные мероприятия, мастер-классы и лекции, посвященные важности физической активности и уходу за своим здоровьем. "Здоровый образ жизни — это не просто тренды, это наша ответственность перед будущими поколениями. Мы делаем все возможное, чтобы каждый москвич имел возможность заниматься спортом и вести активный образ жизни," — подчеркнул мэр Москвы. По данным последних опросов, 78% жителей столицы поддерживают усилия властей по развитию спортивной инфраструктуры и готовы принимать участие в новых инициативах. Создание комфортных условий для занятий спортом и популяризация активного образа жизни помогут москвичам не только поддерживать физическую форму, но и улучшать общее качество жизни в мегаполисе. Таким образом, Москва стремится стать примером для других городов, внедряя инновационные решения и поддерживая активные начинания, направленные на развитие здоровья и благополучия своих жителей.

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В столице России стартуют инновационные программы, направленные на поддержку психологического здоровья школьников и студентов. В условиях растущих нагрузок и стресса, связанных с обучением, власти города и образовательные учреждения осознали необходимость создания эффективных механизмов для предотвращения психологических проблем среди молодежи. Внедрение новых программ стало возможным благодаря сотрудничеству департаментов образования и здравоохранения, а также ведущих психологов и педагогов. Основной целью инициативы является профилактика стресса, тревожности и других психологических расстройств среди учащихся. Одной из ключевых новаций является программа "Здоровый Ум", которая включает в себя регулярные занятия по эмоциональному интеллекуту, медитации и арт-терапии. Эти занятия проводятся как в школах, так и в университетах, что позволяет молодежи научиться справляться с эмоциональными нагрузками и находить способы самовыражения. Кроме того, в рамках программы планируется создание «Психологических Центров Поддержки», куда студенты смогут обращаться за консультациями и помощью. Эти центры будут работать в тесном сотрудничестве с профессиональными психологами и психотерапевтами, что обеспечит доступность качественной психологической помощи. "Психологическое здоровье — это такая же важная часть общего благополучия, как физическое здоровье. Мы хотим создать безопасную и поддерживающую среду для наших детей и молодежи, чтобы они могли развиваться и учиться без лишнего стресса", — заявила начальник Департамента образования Москвы. Также важно отметить, что в 2040 году в московских учебных заведениях запущены программы по повышению осведомленности среди преподавателей о важности психологического здоровья студентов. Учителей обучают распознавать сигналы стресса и выгорания у учащихся, а также предоставляют инструменты для оказания первой помощи в неотложных психологических ситуациях. Ожидается, что новые мероприятия и инициативы улучшат общий психологический климат в образовательных учреждениях, создавая пространство для открытого обсуждения вопросов психического здоровья и формирования здоровых привычек у молодежи. Таким образом, Москва делает важный шаг навстречу будущему, в котором забота о психологическом здоровье станет одним из главных приоритетов в образовательном процессе, поддерживая здоровье и благополучие нового поколения.

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В этом году Москва запускает ряд новых туристических маршрутов, которые учитывают современные тенденции и интересы посетителей. В центре новых маршрутов — интеграция технологий и культурных достопримечательностей. Городские власти внедрили инновационное приложение для смартфонов, которое не только предлагает уникальные экскурсии по историческим местам, но и адаптируется под предпочтения каждого пользователя. Благодаря искусственному интеллекту приложение анализирует интересы туриста и формирует персонализированный маршрут, включая интерактивные задания и викторины, что делает изучение города более увлекательным. Важным шагом в развитии инфраструктуры стало открытие "умных" станций метро, оборудованных цифровыми экранами и бесплатным Wi-Fi. Туристы могут получить актуальную информацию о транспортной доступности, ближайших достопримечательностях и мероприятиях в режиме реального времени. Кроме того, новые станции предлагают удобные пространства для отдыха с зонами coworking и культурными выставками, что делает ожидание поезда приятным и познавательным. Москва также продолжает развивать туристическую инфраструктуру. Построены новые гостиницы и хостелы, многие из которых предлагают уникальные концепции проживания, включая экологически чистые поступления и совместные пространства для общения. Также в столице активно развиваются пешие зоны и велодорожки, что позволяет туристам легче исследовать город и наслаждаться его атмосферой. Согласно данным последнего опроса, 85% туристов отметили, что удобство передвижения и доступность информации о достопримечательностях значимо повышают качество их поездки. Городские власти уверены, что активное внедрение технологий и развитие инфраструктуры позволит Москве сохранить статус одного из самых привлекательных туристических направлений на мировом уровне. "Мы стремимся сделать Москву доступной и комфортной для всех гостей, учитывая их нужды и желания. Инновации и качество обслуживания — наш главный приоритет", — прокомментировала начальник Департамента туризма Москвы. С такими нововведениями Москва продолжает привлекать внимание путешественников со всего мира, предлагая им уникальный опыт и возможность насладиться богатой культурой столицы.

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10 апреля — В столичном метрополитене стартовал запуск нового поколения экологически чистых поездов, разработанных с использованием инновационных технологий и альтернативных источников энергии. Эти поезда, работающие на водородных топливных элементах, обещают значительно сократить углеродные выбросы и повысить энергоэффективность системы. Новая линия, которая соединит центр города с крупнейшими жилыми комплексами на окраинах, будет оснащена современными системами умного управления, которые позволят оптимизировать расписание и минимизировать время ожидания. Каждый поезд оборудован системой рекуперации энергии, что позволит повысить эффективность использования электроэнергии в целом. По словам руководства Московского метрополитена, запуск этой линии — важный шаг в направлении устойчивого транспорта и улучшения качества воздуха в городе. "Мы стремимся создать комфортные условия для пассажиров и в то же время заботиться об экологии. Новые поезда не только ускорят путешествие по городу, но и сделают его более безопасным и приятным", — отметил директор метрополитена. Также планируется расширение сети метро за счет новых станций, которые будут представлять собой не только транспортные узлы, но и культурные пространства с выставками, информационными центрами и общественными зонами. По ожиданиям властей, это нововведение привлечет больше жителей и гостей столицы, а также станет еще одной причиной для гордости москвичей.

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В условиях стремительного развития технологий значимость так называемых «мягких» навыков, таких как умение общаться, работать в команде и проявлять критическое мышление, значительно возросла. Эксперты отмечают, что сегодня работодатели все больше ценят сотрудников, обладающих развитыми софт-скиллами, способными быстро адаптироваться к изменениям и предлагать нестандартные решения. Согласно последним исследованиям, образовательные учреждения начали активно внедрять программы, направленные на развитие коммуникативных способностей, эмоционального интеллекта и других важных мягких навыков среди учащихся. Это связано с тем, что традиционные академические знания уже не могут обеспечить выпускникам успешную карьеру без умения эффективно взаимодействовать с коллегами и справляться с различными профессиональными вызовами. «Интерактивные методы обучения, такие как проектная деятельность, ролевые игры и групповые обсуждения, помогают студентам развивать навыки, необходимые для работы в современных командах», — отмечает Мария Иванова, директор образовательного центра «Прогресс». Она подчеркивает, что такие подходы позволяют учащимся практиковаться в решении реальных задач, что готовит их к конкуренции на рынке труда. Таким образом, современные учебные заведения трансформируются в площадки для комплексной подготовки будущих профессионалов, где наряду с теоретической базой студенты получают возможность развить важные практические компетенции. Развитие софт-скиллов становится основой для создания конкурентоспособных кадров, готовых успешно интегрироваться в динамичную рабочую среду.

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20 июня в Москве были представлены амбициозные архитектурные проекты, которые кардинально изменили облик столицы. В рамках выставки "Город будущего" архитекторы и градостроители продемонстрировали свои шедевры для комфортной городской среды. Помимо этого одним из ключевых проектов стал "Зеленый пояс Москвы", который захватывает обширные сети парков и зеленых зон, соединяющих различные районы города. Архитекторы уверены, что это не только улучшит качество воздуха, но и создаст новые пространства для отдыха и досуга горожан. Также на выставке был представлен проект "Умный город", который включает в себя внедрение современных технологий в инфраструктуру. Это позволит оптимизировать транспортные потоки, улучшить систему освещения и повысить уровень безопасности на улицах. Не обошлось и без обсуждения новых жилых комплексов, которые уже начали строиться с учетом принципов устойчивого развития. Архитекторы акцентировали внимание на использовании экологически чистых материалов и энергоэффективных технологий. Градоначальники и эксперты отметили, что эти проекты не только преобразят Москву, но и сделают ее более удобной для жизни, работы и отдыха. Следите за новостями, чтобы не пропустить дальнейшие обновления о будущем столицы!

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В Москве продолжается активное внедрение передовых технологий, которые кардинально меняют повседневную жизнь москвичей. Умные дома, автономный транспорт и цифровые сервисы становятся неотъемлемой частью городской инфраструктуры. Согласно последним данным, более 80% жилых комплексов в Москве оборудованы системами «умного дома», позволяющими жителям управлять освещением, отоплением и безопасностью через мобильные приложения. Это не только повышает комфорт, но и способствует экономии ресурсов. Также, автономные электробусы и такси, которые курсируют по улицам города, обеспечивают безопасное и эффективное передвижение. Благодаря интеграции с городской системой управления движением, они минимизируют пробки и сокращают время в пути. Кроме того, цифровые платформы для взаимодействия с городскими службами становятся всё более популярными. Москвичи могут легко сообщать о проблемах с инфраструктурой, записываться на прием к врачам и получать информацию о культурных событиях через единую мобильную платформу. Эксперты отмечают, что такие изменения не только улучшают качество жизни, но и делают Москву более устойчивой и экологически чистой.

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И вновь столица демонстрирует выдающиеся успехи в области инклюзии, внедряя инновационные подходы и программы, которые делают город доступным для всех его жителей. Местные власти активно работают над созданием среды, в которой каждый человек, независимо от своих возможностей, может полноценно участвовать в жизни общества. Одним из ключевых направлений является развитие доступного общественного транспорта. Все новые автобусы и трамваи оборудованы специальными местами для людей с ограниченными возможностями. Это позволяет без труда передвигаться по городу и добираться до работы, учебы. В образовательной сфере столица внедряет инклюзивные программы, которые обеспечивают равные возможности для детей с особыми потребностями. Школы активно сотрудничают с психологами и специалистами, чтобы создать индивидуальные образовательные планы, учитывающие потребности каждого ученика. Культурные мероприятия также становятся более доступными. Музеи и театры предлагают специальные сеансы с субтитрами и жестовым переводом, что позволяет людям с нарушениями слуха и зрения наслаждаться искусством наравне с остальными. Городские инициативы по инклюзии не остаются незамеченными. Множество организаций и активистов отмечают, что такие изменения способствуют созданию более сплоченного и дружелюбного общества, где каждый чувствует себя важным и нужным.

@ ee90543f:9363457f

В Москве вступил в силу новый стандарт оказания медицинской помощи: С 26 декабря 2040 года в столице России начинает действовать новый стандарт медицинской помощи, который обещает кардинально изменить подход к здравоохранению и улучшить качество жизни москвичей. Персонализированная медицина: новый стандарт включает внедрение передовых технологий и искусственного интеллекта, что позволяет каждому жителю города получать доступ к персонализированной медицине с учетом индивидуальных особенностей организма. Анализ больших данных и генетическое тестирование помогут врачам заранее выявлять риски заболеваний и разрабатывать профилактические меры для каждого пациента. «Умные» медицинские устройства: Одним из ключевых нововведений является использование «умных» медицинских устройств, которые круглосуточно отслеживают состояние здоровья пациентов и передают данные врачам в режиме реального времени. Это позволит оперативно реагировать на изменения в состоянии здоровья и предотвращать серьезные заболевания до их проявления. Расширение возможностей телемедицины: В рамках нового стандарта значительно расширены возможности телемедицины. Теперь консультации с врачами можно получать не только по видеосвязи, но и с использованием голографических технологий, что делает общение более удобным и эффективным. Поддержка психического здоровья: Также в рамках нового стандарта активно развиваются программы поддержки психического здоровья. В каждом районе города открываются специализированные центры, где жители могут получить помощь психологов и психотерапевтов без необходимости долго ждать. По словам мэра Москвы Сергея Собянина, этот шаг стал важным этапом в развитии системы здравоохранения столицы и позволит обеспечить жителей качественными медицинскими услугами на уровне мировых стандартов.

@ f3df9bc0:a95119eb

# Welcome! 🌱 Interesting places to start: - Latest polished pieces: [[Latest Articles Index]] - Index of all articles by discipline: [[Discipline Index]] ## About this site This site is both a blog & wiki-style digital garden. Some ideas you’ll run into here may be of quality, others will be less interesting, not fully formed, or even just straight wrong. This is intentional. Content here is continuously cultivated and refined as I live my life and gain new experiences, and I welcome challenges to anything I’ve written. The general idea behind this is that my unstructured thought is fast and divergent, but not coherent, and therefore difficult to use in any practical way. The process of writing is a forcing function for taking divergent thought and bringing it into a form that can be reasoned about, improved upon, or discarded as irrelevant. Stalling this process is counter-productive and can lead to a sort of comatose where the mind is stuck in the abstract, waiting for confidence on a particular strain of thought, but never making any progress. Therefore there is no set topic for this garden, instead it’s purpose is to serve as an auxiliary brain for any and all topics that I find interesting and worth spending time refining. ## Contact - nostr: [slipstream@htlc.io](https://nosta.me/slipstream@htlc.io) - farcaster: [@htlc](http://warpcast.com/htlc)

@ fd78c37f:a0ec0833

The rise of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies has not only changed the global financial landscape but also sparked innovation and development in communities worldwide. In particular, Asia, as a hub for technological innovation and economic growth, has seen multiple Bitcoin communities play a key role in driving the adoption and application of digital currencies. From educational programs to technical support, and from business promotion to policy advocacy, Bitcoin communities in Asia are pushing forward the use and development of Bitcoin across various fields. This article will focus on 20 Bitcoin communities in Asia, exploring their latest progress and future visions in promoting Bitcoin technology, education, and economic empowerment. It aims to provide readers with an in-depth perspective on the Asian Bitcoin ecosystem and its global impact. Thank you, YakiHonne nostr:npub1yzvxlwp7wawed5vgefwfmugvumtp8c8t0etk3g8sky4n0ndvyxesnxrf8q, for supporting the publication of the Bitcoin Community Newsletter. Most of the content has been reviewed and confirmed by the South American communities. If there are any omissions, please feel free to reach out to me. **[1.Bitcoin Indonesia]( https://x.com/bitcoinindo21?s=21)** * **Introduction** Bitcoin Indonesia is an international team of 21 Bitcoin enthusiasts dedicated to enabling the people, businesses, and government of Indonesia to easily access and use Bitcoin. The team's mission is to provide reliable Bitcoin information and educational resources to help Indonesians understand the value and potential of Bitcoin, especially in the digital economy. Through monthly meetups, an online education platform, and professional consulting services, Bitcoin Indonesia bridges the gap between individuals, businesses, and the government, connecting them to the world of Bitcoin. The goal is to educate 100 million Indonesians about Bitcoin by 2030, promoting prosperity and freedom for the nation. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Bitcoin Indonesia community has been actively organizing a series of events focused on promoting and educating people about Bitcoin. In November, the community hosted the [BitDevs Meetup]( https://x.com/bitcoinindo21/status/1865501023579656427), where they explored tools for planning Bitcoin inheritance. They also launched a Bitcoin price prediction giveaway to encourage user engagement. Additionally, the community successfully completed an online diploma course, certifying 38 local participants. They visited the Taruna Bakti Foundation in Bandung, Indonesia, introducing Bitcoin to 700 middle school students and inspiring them to join the Bitcoin community. Meanwhile, the community is gearing up for the upcoming [Team Hackathon]( https://x.com/bitcoinindo21/status/1867339698282140063) in January, where the winning team will receive a prize of 10,000,000 IDR. **[2.Righshift ]( https://yakihonne.com/users/nprofile1qqsvefl02swmsd5fgy7ewhz0dg67fmrnj9dzt9k8wpqjmy5xuuerzas49u935)** nostr:npub1ejn774qahqmgjsfajawy7634unk88y26yktvwuzp9kfgdeejx9mqdm97a5 * **Introduction** Right Shift is a community dedicated to becoming a hub for Bitcoin-related content and discussions. Its mission is to support the growing Thai Bitcoin community by curating and translating high-quality Bitcoin content, providing essential insights and knowledge for navigating the world of hard money. In addition to educational resources, Right Shift offers a curated selection of Bitcoin merchandise and plans to develop more impactful learning experiences in the future. As Bitcoin matures and evolves, the community is committed to driving Bitcoin adoption and a circular economy through its products and marketplace. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Right Shift community has been actively promoting Bitcoin education and awareness through the #Siamstr initiative. They organized various live streams, discussions, and offline meetups in Thailand, such as the "Right Talk" series and the Korat101 gathering, focusing on Bitcoin philosophy, the "Value for Value" (V4V) concept, and utilizing platforms like Nostr to support Bitcoin creators. Additionally, the community has participated in several collaborative projects, developing Bitcoin-related tools such as savings devices and information relay services. **[3.Neutronpay]( https://x.com/neutronpay?s=21)** * **Introduction** Neutronpay is a community focused on empowering businesses and individuals through the use of the Lightning Network to enable borderless, open global finance. With cutting-edge technology, Neutronpay facilitates near-instant transactions, creating a real-time financial ecosystem that operates anywhere, anytime. The platform strives to make the Lightning Network accessible to everyone, from small business owners in rural Vietnam to multinational companies in New York. By eliminating barriers such as currency conversion, transaction fees, and time delays, Neutronpay transforms money into a bridge connecting people, businesses, and ideas. * **Latest Updates** Recently, Neutronpay has been actively expanding its Bitcoin and Lightning Network services, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. They announced [a strategic partnership with BitGo Singapore]( https://x.com/Neutronpay/status/1859470987458445367) to further broaden their offerings. Neutronpay also expanded its payout capabilities to 16 countries, enabling fast and secure Lightning Payments conversion into local currencies. Additionally, they participated in the [2024 Vietnam Tech Impact event]( https://x.com/Neutronpay/status/1864154254811726153), showcasing their innovations in fintech and blockchain applications. These efforts demonstrate Neutronpay's commitment to enabling seamless financial transactions for businesses and consumers through the Lightning Network. **[4.Tokyo citadel]( https://x.com/TokyoCitadel)** * **Introduction** Tokyo Citadel is a community built around the vision of creating a sovereign space for Bitcoin holders to thrive. Inspired by the idea of Bitcoin as a defense against economic collapse and societal unrest, the community aims to gather and educate new Bitcoin users in Tokyo. The concept draws from the notion that Bitcoin can serve as a protective barrier against inflation, government overreach, and authoritarian regimes. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Tokyo Citadel community released several new podcast episodes covering topics such as Bitcoin, macroeconomics, and politics. They discussed subjects like “Meaningless Meetups in Mexico” and “The Ghost of Abe Will Pump Our Bags,” encouraging further discussion about the future of Bitcoin and global economics. Additionally, the community has been actively engaging with members through their Telegram discussion group, fostering exchanges on Bitcoin and related political and economic topics, while continuing to promote Bitcoin education and community building. **[5.Bitcoin Beach Vietnam]( https://x.com/bitcoinbeachvn?s=21)** * **Introduction** Bitcoin Beach Vietnam is inspired by the Bitcoin Beach initiative in El Salvador, aiming to create a Bitcoin-friendly ecosystem in Vietnam. Powered by the Neutronpay Bitcoin Lightning app, it offers seamless VND on/off ramps for easy Bitcoin transactions. * **Latest Updates** Recently, there have been no new updates from the community. The latest event dates back to May 2024, when the Bitcoin Beach Vietnam community highlighted the impressive quality of Vietnamese products and their growing demand globally. **[6.BOB space]( https://yakihonne.com/users/npub1j580xmzqdvqp8rsv04m562kkvfj6yvp226m97yc88q72cxekucesamh4up)** nostr:npub1j580xmzqdvqp8rsv04m562kkvfj6yvp226m97yc88q72cxekucesamh4up * **Introduction** BOB Space is a Bitcoin-focused incubator, coworking space, and hub located in the heart of Krung Thep, Thailand. The community supports Bitcoin education, adoption, and the advocacy of free technology. With a mission to foster innovation, BOB Space hosts a developer residency program aimed at empowering Bitcoin ecosystem developers. Weekly Bitcoin workshops, groundbreaking innovation talks, and technical events such as Bitdevs are organized to bring together like-minded individuals. Additionally, BOB Radio features discussions with Bitcoin builders from around the world, offering valuable insights into the ecosystem. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the BOB Space community hosted the 4Q2024 BitDevs event at the Bitcoin Learning Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The event featured a Socratic-style seminar, delving deep into Bitcoin scaling, with a particular focus on the applications, risks, and future developments of the Ark protocol. In addition, the community shared updates on Bitcoin developer meetups, including the event held in Chiang Mai, as well as a donation to the Bitcoin Development Fund. **[7.The Bitcoin Learning Center]( https://yakihonne.com/users/npub1c9r9lad84kpqwnh09u58vdzwnfsnxcr7a40uf5ulkpdguq4667jsgaxu4k)** nostr:npub1c9r9lad84kpqwnh09u58vdzwnfsnxcr7a40uf5ulkpdguq4667jsgaxu4k * **Introduction** The Bitcoin Learning Center in Chiang Mai is a leading educational hub, co-founded in 2022 by Jimmy Kostro and Napatsanun Chatchayaladasiri (Fai). The center is dedicated to promoting financial inclusion through Bitcoin and creating sustainable economic opportunities for underserved communities in northern Thailand. As a core program of the Kostro Foundation, the center focuses on Bitcoin-centered education, research, and infrastructure development to drive real-world impact. Its mission is to provide communities with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve economic independence through the transformative power of Bitcoin. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the community has been actively promoting Bitcoin-related projects with a strong focus on technical support and community engagement. [A Bitcoin Christmas Party]( https://x.com/JimmyKostro/status/1867413685645586786) was held at the Bitcoin Learning Center in Chiang Mai to strengthen connections among Bitcoin users in the region. Additionally, in collaboration with BOB Space, the community donated Bitcoin mining machines to a remote solar-powered village in northern Thailand, helping local residents transform surplus energy into a source of income. Furthermore, the community organized a high-level Bitcoin meetup, bringing together 50 experienced Bitcoin enthusiasts from over 10 countries for in-depth discussions. **[8.Bitcoiner Malaysia]( https://yakihonne.com/users/npub1x42vvsc96wcnnea38y7390hhgs7f6t8hk4rm08pwtt7stlav9avsv7j5rm)** nostr:npub1x42vvsc96wcnnea38y7390hhgs7f6t8hk4rm08pwtt7stlav9avsv7j5rm * **Introduction** Bitcoin Malaysia is a pioneer in the country's Bitcoin space, established in 2012, dedicated to educating the public about Bitcoin and its applications through various events and resources. The community regularly hosts workshops, meetups, and both online and offline activities, offering opportunities for beginners and professionals to deepen their understanding. Additionally, it focuses on promoting blockchain technology locally, fostering a platform for knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Bitcoiner Malaysia community has been actively promoting Bitcoin education and fostering community engagement. On October 25th, they hosted their monthly meetup at My Espresso Café, where participants used the Lightning Network to purchase coffee or beer, connected with fellow Bitcoin enthusiasts, and explored ways Bitcoin can address societal challenges. Additionally, the community organized a Q&A session featuring renowned Bitcoin experts Saifedean Ammous and Stephan Livera. The discussion delved into key topics such as the comparison between fiat currency and Bitcoin, Bitcoin's role in the global economy, scalability, and lending within the Bitcoin ecosystem. **[9.Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong]( https://x.com/bitcoinorghk?s=21)** * **Introduction** The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong (BAHK), established in the summer of 2012, is dedicated to promoting and advancing Bitcoin and its related technologies in Hong Kong. The association’s mission is to educate the public, the private sector, and government entities about the benefits and risks of Bitcoin, becoming a reliable resource for the local and international Bitcoin communities. Over the years, BAHK has hosted more than 250 events and has built a network of over 5,000 members, including experts from over 30 countries. The association regularly organizes meetups, workshops, and online events to foster collaboration and interaction among Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong has been actively promoting Bitcoin and cryptocurrency-related topics. They hosted a [Bitcoin meetup]( https://x.com/bitcoinorghk/status/1852040284802031903) on November 21, attracting Bitcoin enthusiasts and developers who engaged in discussions about cryptocurrency and its applications while splitting bills using Bitcoin or the Lightning Network. The association has also focused on significant developments such as the attitudes of central banks toward Bitcoin, the Hong Kong government's licensing of cryptocurrency exchanges, and the reaction of Chinese funds to the Bitcoin boom. **[10.Bitcoin Embassy Tel Aviv]( https://x.com/bitcoinembassy?s=21)** * **Introduction** Bitcoin Embassy TLV is a grassroots initiative aimed at providing a space for the community and Bitcoin enthusiasts to engage in discussions about decentralized digital currencies. The embassy organizes various events and projects to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. Founded by Ayal Segev, a core member of the Israeli Bitcoin community, the embassy also involves participants such as programmer and security expert Gil Assayag, and Bitcoin promoter Assaf Bahat. The embassy's mission is to encourage exploration and innovation in the cryptocurrency space. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Bitcoin Embassy has been active with various events and updates. On December 8th, they successfully hosted a celebration in Tel Aviv to mark their 11th anniversary, featuring balloons, music, and cake, which brought together many community members in a festive atmosphere. Additionally, the community shared updates about its white paper, which was released on October 31st, showcasing its ongoing efforts to promote interaction and knowledge-sharing within the Bitcoin community. **[11.Bitcoin Harbour]( https://yakihonne.com/users/npub1aj4z0w4v5ggv8kl6kde5lsqw2jpca296gd60ns3ys9vlwpahx9qqktn9an)** nostr:npub1aj4z0w4v5ggv8kl6kde5lsqw2jpca296gd60ns3ys9vlwpahx9qqktn9an * **Introduction** Bitcoin Harbour is located in Princess Harbour, Johor, Malaysia, just a stone's throw from Singapore, strategically positioned in Southeast Asia. Guided by the principles of low time preference and proof of work, the community is dedicated to creating an inclusive Bitcoin coastal hub—a perfect setting for life, work, and family. * **Latest Updates** Recently, there have been no new updates from the community. The latest event dates back to Aug 2024, an event announcement has been posted for the community's monthly meetup on September 27 at Restoran Arab Zaatar in Puteri Harbour, Johor, Malaysia. The theme is “[Post-Summer Meetup]( https://x.com/BitcoinHarbour/status/1828758487582872002),” offering Bitcoin enthusiasts a chance to connect and engage. **[12.Bitcoin Island Philippines]( https://x.com/btcretreat?s=21)** * **Introduction** Bitcoin Island is a community based in Boracay, Philippines, dedicated to promoting the adoption of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network in the local area. The community's core mission is to encourage merchants to accept Bitcoin payments, creating a Bitcoin-based economic ecosystem that allows residents and visitors to enjoy fast, secure, and low-cost payment experiences. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the community has shared one update，posted featuring a promotional tagline from Pouch.ph，Empowering the Philippines through Bitcoin: Secure, Trusted, and Principled. **[13.Bitcoin Powerhouse Phuket]( https://x.com/BitcoinpowerH21)** * **Introduction** Bitcoin Powerhouse Phuket is a Bitcoin community based in Phuket, Thailand, dedicated to promoting the application and education of Bitcoin in the local area. The community regularly hosts meetups and events, inviting both Bitcoin enthusiasts and newcomers to engage, share experiences, and exchange insights. * **Latest Updates** Recently, there have been no new updates from the community. The latest event dates back to Aug 2024, when they announced the 11th Bitcoin meetup in Phuket, scheduled for September 10 at Nakarin in Kathu. **[14.Bitcoin Saigon]( https://yakihonne.com/users/npub192chqkpxm7lfrgufmfd9a9lj7u54078zdzgtvtgz4yg7smz0e7wqzfswzg)** nostr:npub192chqkpxm7lfrgufmfd9a9lj7u54078zdzgtvtgz4yg7smz0e7wqzfswzg * **Introduction** Bitcoin Saigon was founded by Diana Ngo, Khoa Tran, and Dominik Weil. The community has hosted over 100 events and meetups, bringing together Bitcoin enthusiasts, developers, researchers, and investors. Bitcoin Saigon aims to build a strong local network of Bitcoin supporters, businesses, and developers, fostering education, innovation, and creating job opportunities in the Bitcoin ecosystem. * **Latest Updates** Recently, Bitcoin Saigon has been actively preparing for [the Satoshi Flea Market - Christmas Edition]( https://x.com/BitcoinSaigon/status/1864153097104199684), set to take place in Saigon on December 8, and is calling for donations in the form of sats for the event. The community is also focusing on the first Bitcoin meetup in Hanoi on December 11, where topics on Bitcoin and Austrian economics will be discussed. **[15.Dubai Citadel]( https://x.com/dubaicitadel?s=21)** * **Introduction** Dubai Citadel is a Bitcoin-only community in the UAE, focused on promoting Bitcoin adoption and fostering a strong, decentralized ecosystem. With Dubai's growing role as a hub for cryptocurrency innovation, the community aims to connect Bitcoin enthusiasts, developers, and investors. * **Latest Updates** Recently, there have been no new updates from the community.The latest event dates back to Oct 2024, when it was shared that the UAE has removed the VAT on #Bitcoin transfers and exchanges. **[16.Seoul Bitcoin Meetup]( https://x.com/seoulbitcoin?s=21)** * **Introduction** Seoul Bitcoin is a community that hosts monthly Bitcoin meetups, offering education and technical support, especially for beginners. The meetups are organized by volunteers and focus on Bitcoin technology rather than trading or investing, aiming to share enthusiasm and knowledge about Bitcoin. In addition to regular meetups, the community conducts educational activities via platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Kakaotalk, and provides weekly technical meetups for those interested in a deeper understanding. * **Latest Updates** Recently,there have been no new updates from the community.The latest event dates back to may 2024, when it was announced that the Utreexo test version was released on GitHub, and the publisher mentioned syncing their archive node on a Raspberry Pi 0 . **[17.NZBitcoiners]( https://yakihonne.com/users/nprofile1qqsx4ktd9uwjzk3klflr92x0cmchu7dv6zhs80jgzwehcsusky0u0fgy5ej67)** nostr:npub1dtvk6tcay9drd7n7x25vl3h30eu6e590qwlysyan03pepvglc7jsupqwt2 * **Introduction** NZBitcoiners, after being banned from all crypto/blockchain groups in New Zealand, started a few Bitcoin-only groups to create a focused space for Bitcoin education and community building. These groups aim to foster meaningful discussions, share knowledge, and support the growth of the Bitcoin ecosystem in New Zealand, free from the distractions of other cryptocurrencies. * **Latest Updates** Recently, NZBitcoiners has been actively involved in organizing events and discussions related to Bitcoin and local governance. The community promoted the upcoming “[Business Blueprint” event]( https://x.com/NZBitcoiners/status/1859684329401766137) in Auckland and plans to participate in Bitcoin Week discussions scheduled for February next year. Additionally, they engaged in promoting local meetups, including gatherings at venues like Urbanaut Brewing Co. in Auckland, and continued to share thoughts on New Zealand's political landscape and the importance of Bitcoin for financial sovereignty. **[18.Melbourne Bitcoin Only]( https://x.com/bitcoinmel?s=21)** * **Introduction** Melbourne Bitcoin Only is a community focused solely on Bitcoin, excluding altcoins, ICOs, or “blockchain projects.” It aims to provide a space for learning and discussing Bitcoin-related topics. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced participant, the community is dedicated to education and fostering discussions about Bitcoin's technology, principles, and its role in the financial ecosystem. * **Latest Updates** Recently, there have been no new updates from the community. The latest event dates back to August 2023, when a post was shared about the Bitcoin Jungle Carnival held at the RSL Hall in Murrurundi. **[19.Bitkiwi]( https://x.com/bitkiwi1?s=21)** * **Introduction** Bitkiwi is New Zealand's leading Bitcoin community, publishing The Bitkiwi Brief to provide subscribers with the latest Bitcoin news and analysis. Their mission is to promote the adoption and understanding of Bitcoin in New Zealand, helping community members gain a deeper understanding of Bitcoin's technological, economic, and social impacts. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the Bitkiwi community has been releasing several editions of the Bitkiwi Brief, offering a New Zealand perspective on the latest Bitcoin news. They have also explored Bitcoin-related books, nostr:npub1trr5r2nrpsk6xkjk5a7p6pfcryyt6yzsflwjmz6r7uj7lfkjxxtq78hdpu *Check Your Financial Privilege*, and shared updates on #BitkiwiXII. Additionally, Bitkiwi provided in-depth analysis on Bitcoin's value and the impact of currency devaluation, while continuing to promote the revolutionary ideas of Bitcoin, emphasizing its equality and decentralization. **[20.Bitcoin Sydney]( https://x.com/bitcoin_sydney?s=21)** * **Introduction** Bitcoin Sydney is a vibrant community focused on bringing together Bitcoin enthusiasts through talks, educational events, and social meetups. Monthly Bitcoin-themed talks feature industry experts, while regular “After Work Drinks” offer informal networking opportunities. The community also hosts online “Socratic Seminars” with renowned Bitcoin developers for in-depth discussions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced participant, Bitcoin Sydney provides a platform for learning, sharing, and connecting. * **Latest Updates** Recently, the community has shared an update, which hosted a Q&A session with local legends nostr:npub1qh5sal68c8swet6ut0w5evjmj6vnw29x3k967h7atn45unzjyeyq6ceh9r, nostr:npub1nul4qg8he2dyn3hsyk4a3vcr963vakskyjp43yv9dy7j9frd7yhqh28x3m, and discussed the impact of a Bitcoin-supportive White House and the resulting bull market.

@ 16d11430:61640947

For centuries, financial markets have been shackled by an archaic mindset rooted in Newtonian physics: "What goes up must come down." This belief has dominated the thinking of old-school fiat economists, who view the rise and fall of markets as a natural cycle of gravity-bound economics. But Bitcoin, the digital phoenix, was designed to defy this outdated paradigm. It isn't just an asset class or a currency—it's a revolution in financial physics, unshackling value from centralized control and rewriting the rules of money. The Fiat Fallacy: Gravity Economics Fiat systems are inherently cyclical, prone to inflation, manipulation, and collapse. Central banks print money endlessly, causing value to "come down" as purchasing power erodes. For fiat thinkers, this is unavoidable—a gravitational force they accept as immutable. Yet this mindset ignores Bitcoin’s game-changing properties: its hard cap of 21 million coins, decentralized consensus, and permissionless architecture. Bitcoin is fundamentally non-Newtonian. It doesn’t adhere to traditional financial laws because it isn't bound by the same forces of supply and control. Instead, it operates in a new paradigm: deflationary, transparent, and immune to political meddling. Bitcoin's Escape Velocity Bitcoin's dominance lies in its ability to achieve escape velocity. Unlike fiat currencies, which are constantly being pulled back by inflationary policies, Bitcoin is propelled by its scarcity, adoption, and network effects. Every halving event tightens the supply, creating an upward pressure that fiat systems can't replicate. And as global trust in traditional systems erodes, Bitcoin's gravitational pull grows stronger. This phenomenon is evident in the adoption curve. Institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide are recognizing Bitcoin as a superior store of value, an inflation hedge, and the ultimate form of financial sovereignty. The more participants enter the network, the more its value compounds, creating a virtuous cycle of exponential growth. Humiliating the Old Guard The fiat establishment—steeped in centuries of centralized control—has long dismissed Bitcoin as a bubble, a fad, or even a Ponzi scheme. Yet, year after year, Bitcoin rises from the ashes of their predictions. Its resilience, transparency, and provable scarcity expose the fragility and corruption of fiat systems. The ultimate humiliation for fiat thinkers is Bitcoin's ability to thrive in crises. Where traditional systems falter—be it through hyperinflation, bank failures, or geopolitical instability—Bitcoin becomes a lifeboat. It doesn’t just resist gravity; it flips the entire script. Fiat currencies are revealed as infinite-print illusions, while Bitcoin’s immutable ledger stands as the ultimate arbiter of truth and value. A New Financial Paradigm Bitcoin’s ascent is not merely about price; it’s about domination. It represents a shift from centralized control to individual empowerment, from opaque systems to transparent protocols, from inflationary theft to deflationary savings. It’s a financial singularity, an escape from the gravitational pull of outdated thinking. As Bitcoin continues its trajectory, the old world of "what goes up must come down" will look increasingly absurd. In its place, a new principle will reign: what’s decentralized cannot be stopped. Bitcoin isn’t just leaving Earth’s orbit; it’s becoming the financial universe’s North Star. So buckle up, because Bitcoin isn’t just going up—it’s transcending. And as it does, it will leave the Newtonian thinkers in the dust, staring in disbelief at the rocket that left them behind.

@ c5fede3d:16e03f7b

Se acaba 2024 y el año nuevo asoma, es hora de hacer valoraciones y rendir cuentas. ¿Has cumplido los própositos que te marcaste al iniciar el año? ¿Éxito rotundo o fracaso estrepitoso? En el mundo de las criptomonedas, desde luego, que no hay término medio. Ya lo dicen muchos, o Lambo o Puente. ¿Y tú, en qué lado estás? En esta serie de artículos semanales iré actualizando mi visión sobre el mundo crypto. Concretamente aportaré unas cuantas pinceladas sobre, lo que considero, el portafolio ideal. Las criptomonedas, con sus más y sus menos, han supuesto una revolución en el mundo de las finanzas. Aunque en sus inicios eran vistas como un arma revolucionaria, ahora, con la entrada del gran capital, se ha tratado de institucionalizarlas y ponerlas al servicio del poder global. Que no os engañen, el principal logro ha sido la descentralización de las finanzas, la socialización de la economía particular, la entrega de las llaves de la caja fuerte a su titular, y la consiguiente pérdida de fuerza de los custodios, usureros y demás calaña. ## EL PRIMER PASO🚶 Teniendo las ideas claras, es hora de ir estructurando la cartera. Esta es la parte más importante, porque aquí no se empieza la casa por el tejado, en este artículo estamos en la fase de adquisición del terreno, aún falta por llamar a Manolo y Benito para que empiecen con la faena. Lo primero que tienes que hacer es mirarte al espejo y definirte qué tipo de inversor quieres ser. ¿Vas a hacer muchas transacciones buscando el pelotazo del año entrando de lleno en el mundillo? ¿O prefieres comprar alguna moneda sin interactuar con nada y nadie y a esperar a que suba? [Tengo un artículo que habla de ello](https://open.substack.com/pub/labatallasigue/p/al-toro-que-estamos-en-bullrun?r=425cd3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web). Una vez sepas quién eres, debes elegir tu billetera electrónica de confianza, la que siempre te acompañará. Aquí tienes dos opciones, las billeteras calientes y las frías. ¿Diferencias? Aquí te dejo una tabla comparativa generada por Perplexity AI.  En resumidas cuentas, la billetera fría es para guardar activos y no tocarlos, como si fuera una reserva de oro, sin interactuar con nada ni con nadie. Además, es un dispositivo, un hardware físico donde tú serás el custodio. Ese es su propósito principal y único. Mi recomendación es la billetera de Keystone o la de BitBox. Por otra parte está la billetera caliente, mi preferida, pues con ella tienes la libertad para hacer lo que te venga en gana, es el ticket de entrada al mundo crypto, y además completamente gratuito. Aquí va una recomendación más personalizada, y es que da más seguridad operar con billeteras calientes vinculadas a una red concreta. Ya lo irás viendo, de entrada, lo ideal es tener [Rabby wallet](https://rabby.io/) como extensión de navegador web y [Safepal](https://safepal.com/en/download?product=1) como app móvil. ## GUARDA TU CLAVE PRIVADA 🔐  El momento más importante. Esta es la gran diferencia entre las finanzas tradicionales y la nueva economía. No me detendré en aspectos técnicos relacionados con la tokenización de las finanzas, los contratos inteligentes y demás parafernalia del estilo, lo principal es que entiendas que eres el custodio de tu cuenta billetera, que el banco ha quedado obsoleto y no tienes que delegar ante nadie. Por tanto, eres quien debe garantizar la seguridad de tus activos. ¿Cómo hacerlo? Tienes varios métodos. Al crear la billetera te habrá pedido que introduzcas una contraseña, que te valdrá para acceder a la extensión, o tu huella biométrica para entrar en la app móvil. Pues esa contraseña es el primer candado de la puerta, queda el más importante, la frase semilla, o como me gusta llamarla, la llave maestra. Atiende a esta definición: > Una frase semilla, también conocida como frase de recuperación o frase mnemotécnica, es un conjunto de palabras que se utiliza como clave para acceder y recuperar una billetera de criptomonedas. Generalmente, consta de entre 12 a 24 palabras generadas aleatoriamente durante la configuración de la billetera. Es absolutamente indispensable que guardes a buen recaudo tu frase semilla y no la compartas a nadie. Apúntala en un papel o ingéniatelas para guardarla, siempre offline. Se usa principalmente para recuperar la billetera o migrarla a otro dispositivo. No se utiliza para loguearte en sitios, ni tampoco para compartir tu dirección. ## UN VISTAZO A LA WALLET 💳 Teniendo claro esto, adjunto un esquema sobre los aspectos básicos de una billetera, en esto caso SUI Wallet. Elaborado por el usuario de X, [Fosky68](https://x.com/Fosky68).  Quédate con estos puntos fundamentales: 1. La dirección que suele empezar por 0x y una barbaridad de números es tu clave pública. Con ella recibirás fondos y la compartirás a webs y demás usuarios. También puedes adquirir una identidad que enmascara esa dirección, por ejemplo (perico.eth) a través del servicio ENS. 2. El portafolio es donde tienes las monedas que has ido adquiriendo. ¿Quieres intercambiar una moneda por otra? Eso se llama swap. Ya lo irás viendo. 3. Las redes soportadas, son lo que se conocen como Blockchain, las monedas pueden alojarse en múltiples redes, cada una con sus reglas y sus comisiones de uso, puedes encontrarte $ETH en redes como Optimism, Base o la propia red de ETH. Por eso es fundamental comprobar qué red vas a utilizar, o en que red está alojada la moneda si vas a realizar una operación. ¿Puedes cambiar la moneda entre redes distintas? Sí, se llama hacer un bridge. Pronto, sabrás más de ello. 4. Podrás encontrarte otras funciones adicionales, como un historial de transacciones donde habrá un registro de todas las operaciones que has realizado, o el apartado DeFi (Finanzas Descentralizadas) donde te ofrecerán todas las herramientas para operar y verás el estado de tus inversiones. Teniendo estas nociones básicas, he de felicitarte. Enhorabuena, ya has construido los cimientos de la casa. En el próximo artículo de Semanario Crypto, aprenderás a sortear obstáculos para fondear tu billetera, a cruzar la línea que separa al mundo real del virtual, a ser parte del nuevo orden. Bienvenido al mundo crypto. -------------------------- Descargo de responsabilidad: Toda la información compartida forma parte de mi visión personal y no tiene como objetivo asesorar financieramente. Doy información, no consejos de inversión.

@ e356a30c:11e846f7

Bitcoin's performance during the Christmas season has been a mixed bag, with both Santa Claus rallies and Grinch-like plunges. While the cryptocurrency's volatility can be attributed to various factors, including global economic conditions and regulatory developments, historical data reveals some interesting trends. During bullish market cycles, Bitcoin has often experienced a "Santa Claus rally" in the weeks leading up to and following Christmas. This phenomenon is characterized by increased buying activity and a surge in prices, potentially driven by holiday bonuses and a general sense of optimism. For instance, in 2020, Bitcoin surged by a remarkable 25.63% during the 52nd week, coinciding with the Christmas period. However, bear markets have historically brought notable price declines for Bitcoin during the festive season. Reduced trading volume and increased volatility due to holiday-related market closures can exacerbate price swings. In 2022, for example, Bitcoin experienced a significant decline during the Christmas period, mirroring the broader crypto market downturn. Looking ahead, analysts are cautiously optimistic about Bitcoin's prospects during the upcoming Christmas season. While the cryptocurrency's price remains susceptible to market fluctuations, a combination of positive regulatory developments and a potential economic recovery could fuel a Santa Claus rally. However, the ongoing bear market and geopolitical uncertainties pose significant challenges. Ultimately, Bitcoin's performance during the Christmas season is contingent on a confluence of factors. While historical trends offer valuable insights, it is crucial to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. #bitcoin #Naija

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

# Hello 1 ## Hello 2 ### Hello 3 #### Hello 4 ##### Hello 5 ###### Hello 6 This is a test by nostr:npub13rxpxjc6vh65aay2eswlxejsv0f7530sf64c4arydetpckhfjpustsjeaf that is testing various interoperability of the markdown rendering and NOSTR specific synatx, just to make sure they play nice. nostr:npub13rxpxjc6vh65aay2eswlxejsv0f7530sf64c4arydetpckhfjpustsjeaf npub13rxpxjc6vh65aay2eswlxejsv0f7530sf64c4arydetpckhfjpustsjeaf nostr:npub13rxpxjc6vh65aay2eswlxejsv0f7530sf64c4arydetpckhfjpustsjeaf here is a [link to somewhere](https://duckduckgo.com/) so as to see how it would render and here it is bare-bone https://duckduckgo.com/ just to make sure it is nicely parsed. here is a mention of another article nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpzxvzd935e04fm6g4nqa7dn9qc7nafzlqn4t3t6xgmjkr3dwnyreqqxnzde38qmnsdfk8qmrqwp405km0k and here is a short note: nostr:note1vnqnwzjllzxxufg5e9thz2xspetlplsjq0cn570jswujnmynxjnqmea576 and another one: nostr:note1kyrnyan4hfpn978akv2eqsv8r7rlplaq4j65uxlk3hz5ujk7ehzshwtfmd and one more foe good mesure: nostr:note1dyrd05nt0tapgye3xn4nssfdasskfr3dm2yqz8e8vdtslpgw3ypsa8e7fh one like this: note1dyrd05nt0tapgye3xn4nssfdasskfr3dm2yqz8e8vdtslpgw3ypsa8e7fh here is an event: nostr:nevent1qqsg39vpzl4dz8kwnaerheuavgtqgg6exc4caz8argh6p6jqg549ppqprdmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuam9wd6x2unwvf6xxtnrdakj7hknh7l ## Images  and here is one in the middle of the text  that continues right after. Just to see how this will render ## Some markdown stuff ## Emphasis **This is bold text** __This is bold text__ *This is italic text* _This is italic text_ ~~Strikethrough~~ ## Blockquotes > Blockquotes can also be nested... >> ...by using additional greater-than signs right next to each other... > > > ...or with spaces between arrows. ## Lists Unordered + Create a list by starting a line with `+`, `-`, or `*` + Sub-lists are made by indenting 2 spaces: - Marker character change forces new list start: * Ac tristique libero volutpat at + Facilisis in pretium nisl aliquet - Nulla volutpat aliquam velit + Very easy! Ordered 1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet 2. Consectetur adipiscing elit 3. Integer molestie lorem at massa 1. You can use sequential numbers... 1. ...or keep all the numbers as `1.` Start numbering with offset: 57. foo 1. bar ## Code Inline `code` Indented code // Some comments line 1 of code line 2 of code line 3 of code Block code "fences" ``` Sample text here... ``` Syntax highlighting ``` js var foo = function (bar) { return bar++; }; var veryVeryVeryLongVariableNameWithALongValueAsWell = 123456789012345678901234567890; console.log(foo(5)); ``` ## Tables | Option | Description | | ------ | ----------- | | data | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. | | engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. | | ext | extension to be used for dest files. | Right aligned columns | Option | Description | | ------:| -----------:| | data | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. | | engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. | | ext | extension to be used for dest files. | ### [Footnotes] Footnote 1 link[^first]. Footnote 2 link[^second]. Duplicated footnote reference[^second]. [^first]: Footnote **can have markup** and multiple paragraphs. [^second]: Footnote text.

@ 84b0c46a:417782f5

- [lumilumi](https://lumilumi.app/) The Nostr Web Client. Lightweight modes are available, such as not displaying icon images, not loading images automatically, etc. - [nostr-share-component](https://github.com/TsukemonoGit/nostr-share-component) [Demo](https://tsukemonogit.github.io/nostr-share-component/) - [Nostr Follow Organizer](https://tsukemonogit.github.io/NFO/) Follow List ( kind3 ) organization tool. - [NAKE](https://github.com/TsukemonoGit/nake) NIP-19, NIP-49 Encode/Decode Tool - [chrome extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/nake/pckmdjknadbfalfohabbccmffoohlamk) - [firefox add-on](https://addons.mozilla.org/ja/firefox/addon/nake/) - [nostviewstr](https://nostviewstr.vercel.app/) Addressable or Replaceable Event Editor ( いろんなリストエディター ) - [luminostr](https://tsukemonogit.github.io/luminostr/) Addressable or Replaceable Event Recovery tool ( いろいろリカバリーツール ) - [Nostr Bookmark Recovery Tool](https://nostr-bookmark-recovery-tool.vercel.app/) Bookmark event ( kind:10003,30001,30003 ) recovery tool ( ぶくま復活させたいやつ ) - [Profile Editor](https://nos-profile-arekore.vercel.app/) プロフィールを編集するやつ - [nostr-bookmark-viewer](https://nostr-bookmark-viewer3.vercel.app/) Bookmark event ( kind:10003,30001,30003 ) Editor ( ぶっくまーくをみるやつ ) - [Nostr Note Duplicater](https://dupstr.vercel.app/) Broadcast an event from relay to relay ( イベントをブロードキャストするやつ ) - [もの画像サイト](https://tsukemonogit.github.io/nostr-monoGazo-bot/) - [いろいろbotサイト](https://tsukemonogit.github.io/iroirotest/)

@ 79a7270b:d61d9067

Fifteen years after its creation, Bitcoin continues to break paradigms and solidify its role in the global economic landscape. In 2021, El Salvador adopted it as legal tender, marking a significant turning point. Three years later, its acceptance has advanced considerably, with Wall Street embracing Bitcoin ETFs and U.S. political debates focusing on its adoption as a strategic reserve. With its portability, scarcity, accessibility, and liquidity in a 24/7 open market, Bitcoin distinguishes itself as an asset that transcends the limitations of traditional resources like gold and oil. Unlike these assets, which often face logistical challenges and market constraints, Bitcoin’s digital nature allows for seamless global transactions without physical barriers. Its scarcity mirrors that of gold, preserving its value over time, while its accessibility and round-the-clock liquidity make it an appealing choice for investors and policymakers alike. This unique combination of attributes positions Bitcoin as a versatile and strategic tool, increasingly relevant to advancing national interests in a rapidly digitizing world. The expansion of the BRICS block, whose combined GDP now surpasses that of the G7, has heightened pressures on Western hegemony. These countries are exploring Bitcoin as a neutral and government-independent currency. They are considering denominating international transactions in Bitcoin as part of their broader goal: to create a de-dollarized, independent financial system resilient to Western-imposed sanctions. Game theory sheds light on how Bitcoin adoption creates powerful incentives for nations. If the BRICS use Bitcoin as a strategic asset, Western nations would be compelled to accumulate it to influence the market and counteract sanctions circumvention, making Bitcoin critical for national security. In a scenario where major powers hold Bitcoin, it would be unfeasible to remain competitive without it. This logic extends to Bitcoin mining, the process that validates transactions. By deciding what is confirmed, nations dominating mining operations gain significant influence over transaction flows. Consequently, Bitcoin-accumulating countries will prioritize investing in domestic mining infrastructure, enhancing the network's decentralization and security. For instance, Russia reportedly funds regional initiatives to develop AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure within the BRICS framework through its Sovereign Wealth Fund. This dynamic triggers a chain reaction: as one nation adopts Bitcoin, others are pressured to follow suit to avoid competitive disadvantages. This cycle embodies the essence of game theory, where each player's choices shape the strategies of others, positioning Bitcoin as a critical asset in the global geopolitical arena.

@ fd208ee8:0fd927c1

I just read this, and found it enlightening. > Jung... notes that intelligence can be seen as problem solving at an everyday level..., whereas creativity may represent problem solving for less common issues > Other studies have used metaphor creation as a creativity measure instead of divergent thinking and a spectrum of CHC components instead of just g and have found much higher relationships between creativity and intelligence than past studies https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/3/3/59 I'm unusually intelligent (Who isn't?), but I'm much more creative, than intelligent, and I think that confuses people. The ability to apply intelligence, to solve completely novel problems, on the fly, is something IQ tests don't even claim to measure. They just claim a correlation. Creativity requires taking wild, mental leaps out into nothingness; simply trusting that your brain will land you safely. And this is why I've been at the forefront of massive innovation, over and over, but never got rich off of it. *I'm a starving autist.* Zaps are the first time I've ever made money directly, for solving novel problems. Companies don't do this because there is a span of time between providing a solution and the solution being implemented, and the person building the implementation (or their boss) receives all the credit for the existence of the solution. At best, you can hope to get pawned off with a small bonus. Nobody can remember who came up with the solution, originally, and that person might not even be there, anymore, and probably never filed a patent, and may have no idea that their idea has even been built. They just run across it, later, in a tech magazine or museum, and say, "Well, will you look at that! Someone actually went and built it! Isn't that nice!" Universities at least had the idea of cementing novel solutions in academic papers, but that: 1) only works if you're an academic, and at a university, 2) is an incredibly slow process, not appropriate for a truly innovative field, 3) leads to manifestations of perverse incentives and biased research frameworks, coming from 'publish or perish' policies. But I think long-form notes and zaps solve for this problem. #Alexandria, especially, is being built to cater to this long-suffering class of chronic underachievers. It leaves a written, public, time-stamped record of *Clever Ideas We Have Had*. Because they are clever, the ideas. And we have had them.

@ 16d11430:61640947

Throughout history, monumental structures like the Hindu temples of India and the cathedrals of Rome have stood as testaments to their societies' wealth, power, and cultural identity. Yet, their grandeur also tells a more intimate story—that of the immigrant professionals whose skills and labor transcended borders to fuel these marvels. From Indian artisans traveling across Asia to European guildsmen working on Gothic cathedrals, the contributions of immigrants have shaped the shifting poles of economic and cultural productivity. --- India: Temples Built by Hands From Afar Global Trade and the Diaspora (200 BCE–1200 CE) Hindu temples such as those at Khajuraho and Thanjavur were not just spiritual hubs but also centers of economic power. The intricate carvings and towering gopurams were the work of migrant artisans, who brought techniques and styles from distant lands. Indian merchants and craftsmen, driven by the flourishing trade along the Silk Road and Indian Ocean, carried their skills abroad. They influenced architecture as far as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. The temples in these regions are evidence of the Indian diaspora’s role in spreading not just goods but also cultural and technical expertise. Immigrants Within India The Chola Empire, for instance, employed skilled Tamil architects and migrant artisans from North India. These professionals created masterpieces like the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Their stories are often lost in history, overshadowed by royal patronage. --- Rome and Europe: The Rise of the Cathedrals From Local Guilds to Cross-Border Collaboration (1000 CE–1500 CE) During Europe’s Gothic and Renaissance periods, monumental cathedrals became symbols of growing urban wealth and religious devotion. Immigrant artisans and professionals played a pivotal role in these projects. Example: The construction of Florence's Duomo involved Filippo Brunelleschi, whose inspiration came from travels to Rome and study of ancient ruins, but also relied on migrant laborers from Northern Europe. Guilds in medieval Europe frequently recruited craftsmen from neighboring regions. Stonemasons from France worked on Canterbury Cathedral in England, and German glassmakers brought stained-glass techniques to Italy. Economic Mobility Through Migration These artisans often traveled for better wages and opportunities, their expertise in demand due to Europe’s growing urban centers. Immigrant professionals thus fueled the architectural and economic revival of medieval Europe. --- The Americas: Migrants and Monument Builders Pre-Columbian Contributions (200 CE–1500 CE) In the Americas, monumental structures like Mayan temples and Inca fortresses were built with the knowledge and labor of diverse ethnic groups within these empires. The movement of professionals across regions—such as engineers, astronomers, and masons—helped unify these civilizations. Post-Columbian Transformations After the European conquest, immigrant labor shifted dramatically. African slaves and European settlers were forcibly moved or incentivized to migrate. The resulting blending of skills and techniques reshaped the Americas. For instance, Jesuit missionaries employed indigenous and African artisans to build churches that combined European and native designs. --- Africa: Trade, Temples, and Immigrant Networks Architects of Prosperity (700 CE–1600 CE) Timbuktu’s mosques and the Great Zimbabwe ruins demonstrate the influence of immigrant professionals. Goldsmiths, architects, and traders traveled across the Sahara, linking North Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa. The Malian Empire recruited scholars and architects, such as those from Andalusia, to design mosques like Djinguereber. These immigrants brought innovations in mud-brick construction, a technique that still defines the region's architecture. Colonial Disruption European colonization led to the displacement of local professionals. African labor was exported, and immigrant expertise was replaced with exploitative systems that extracted resources rather than building cultural or architectural heritage. --- Comparative Timeline: Immigrant Contributions Across Regions --- Lessons from Immigrant Professionals 1. Adaptation and Fusion Each wave of migration brought new techniques that were adapted to local contexts. Immigrant professionals blended their expertise with local traditions, creating unique architectural styles. 2. Economic Catalysts Migrants were often drawn by economic opportunities. Their contributions not only elevated architecture but also stimulated local economies, from temple town markets to cathedral cities. 3. Disruption and Resilience Colonialism and conquest frequently disrupted these networks. Yet, immigrant professionals often found ways to rebuild and adapt, preserving their skills for future generations. --- Modern Reflections Today, immigrant professionals continue to be the backbone of global productivity. From the tech hubs of Silicon Valley to architectural marvels in Dubai, their stories echo those of the artisans who built Hindu temples, Roman cathedrals, and pre-Columbian pyramids. Understanding their historical impact offers a nuanced appreciation of how migration shapes our world. --- References 1. Pollock, S. "The Language of the Gods in the World of Men: Sanskrit, Culture, and Power in Premodern India." 2. Spiro Kostof, "A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals." 3. Kenneth R. Hall, "Maritime Trade and State Development in Early Southeast Asia." 4. Robert Bork, "The Geometry of Creation: Architectural Drawing and the Dynamics of Gothic Design." 5. Toby Green, "A Fistful of Shells: West Africa from the Rise of the Slave Trade to the Age of Revolution." 6. Charles Mann, "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus." These references provide deeper insights into the interplay of migration, economics, and monumental architecture across centuries.

@ 50041f6c:cb61480b

Choosing the [right carpet for your home](https://eurobel.com.ph/blogs/how-to-determine-carpet-quality-and-durability/) is more than just a design decision; it’s an investment in comfort, functionality, and long-term value. Carpets serve as the foundation for your living spaces, providing warmth, style, and a sense of coziness. However, not all carpets are created equal. Factors such as material, durability, and maintenance requirements can significantly impact the performance and lifespan of your carpet. In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the right carpet based on quality and durability, ensuring it meets both your aesthetic and practical needs. Understanding Carpet Quality The quality of a carpet is determined by several key factors, each playing a role in its overall appearance, performance, and lifespan. When shopping for a carpet, keep these features in mind: 1. Fiber Type The type of fiber used in a carpet is one of the most important indicators of its quality. Common carpet fibers include: Nylon: Known for its durability, resilience, and stain resistance, nylon is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Polyester: This fiber is soft, affordable, and available in a wide range of colors, though it’s less durable than nylon. Olefin (Polypropylene): Resistant to moisture and stains, olefin is a good option for outdoor or basement carpeting but may not hold up well under heavy foot traffic. Wool: A natural and luxurious fiber, wool offers exceptional softness and durability but requires more maintenance and is more expensive than synthetic options. 2. Pile Density Pile density refers to how closely the fibers are stitched together. Denser carpets are typically more durable and resistant to wear. To test pile density, bend the carpet sample; if you can see the backing, the carpet may not be dense enough for high-traffic areas. 3. Twist Level The twist level refers to how tightly the carpet fibers are twisted. Higher twist levels indicate better durability, as the fibers are less likely to unravel or mat over time. 4. Backing and Construction The backing of a carpet provides its foundation and contributes to its stability. High-quality carpets often have a strong backing and use advanced construction techniques to enhance durability. Choosing the Right Carpet for Your Needs Different areas of your home require carpets with specific qualities to match their function and traffic levels. Here’s how to select the best carpet for each space: 1. Living Room The living room is often a high-traffic area, making durability a top priority. A nylon carpet with a dense pile is a great choice, offering resilience and resistance to stains and wear. Consider neutral tones or patterns that hide dirt and complement your décor. 2. Bedrooms In bedrooms, comfort and softness take precedence. Plush or frieze carpets made from polyester or wool can add a touch of luxury while maintaining a cozy atmosphere. Since bedrooms are typically low-traffic areas, you have more flexibility with fiber choice. 3. Hallways and Stairs Hallways and stairs endure heavy foot traffic and require carpets that can handle wear and tear. Choose a durable, low-pile carpet with a high twist level, such as nylon or olefin. Adding a durable underpad can also extend the life of the carpet in these areas. 4. Basements For basements, moisture resistance is key. Opt for olefin or polyester carpets with a low pile to prevent mold and mildew. Carpets with built-in stain and moisture protection are ideal for these spaces. Factors That Affect Carpet Durability Durability is a critical factor when choosing a carpet, as it determines how well the carpet will perform over time. Consider these elements: 1. Foot Traffic High-traffic areas require carpets made from resilient fibers like nylon or olefin. Look for carpets labeled as “heavy-duty” or “high-traffic” to ensure they can withstand constant use. 2. Maintenance Requirements Carpets that are easier to clean and maintain tend to last longer. Stain-resistant treatments and fibers that repel dirt can significantly reduce maintenance efforts. 3. Padding The padding underneath the carpet plays a vital role in its durability. High-quality padding absorbs impact, reduces wear, and improves comfort. Always pair your carpet with the right underlay for optimal performance. 4. Sun Exposure If your room receives a lot of natural light, consider fade-resistant carpets. UV-treated fibers can help maintain the carpet’s color over time. Tips for Evaluating Carpet Quality When shopping for a carpet, use these tips to assess its quality and durability: Ask for Samples: Bring home carpet samples to test them in your space. Evaluate how they feel underfoot and how they look under your home’s lighting conditions. Check the Warranty: Reputable manufacturers offer warranties that cover wear, stains, and texture retention. A strong warranty is a good indicator of the carpet’s quality. Test Durability: Perform a “rub test” on the sample to see how well the fibers hold up under friction. High-quality carpets will maintain their texture and appearance. Long-Term Care for Your Carpet Even the highest-quality carpet requires proper care to maximize its lifespan. Follow these tips to keep your carpet looking and performing its best: Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week to remove dirt and debris that can damage fibers. Clean Spills Immediately: Blot (don’t rub) spills with a clean cloth and use a mild carpet cleaner if needed. Rotate Furniture: Rearrange furniture periodically to prevent uneven wear on your carpet. Schedule Professional Cleaning: Deep cleaning your carpet every 12-18 months helps remove embedded dirt and rejuvenates its appearance. Final Thoughts Choosing the right carpet involves balancing quality, durability, and design to meet the unique needs of your home. By understanding the factors that influence carpet performance and selecting materials suited to each space, you can invest in a carpet that offers comfort, style, and longevity. Whether you prioritize softness for a bedroom or durability for a hallway, this guide ensures you make an informed decision.

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Setting: Year 3178 In a world where ancient knowledge and advanced technology have fused seamlessly, humanity has perfected the science of temple construction. Drawing from the millennia-old principles of Hindu temple architecture, these structures no longer serve merely as places of worship but as fully functional, living entities capable of manifesting divine beings. These temples are known as Sthapatya-Vimana, powered by an advanced understanding of quantum physics, cosmic geometry, and biotechnological symbiosis. The narrative unfolds in the sacred temple of Mahashivantara, built over centuries atop an ancient leyline convergence. It is the most advanced Sthapatya-Vimana, designed to bring forth Mahadeva, the cosmic destroyer and transformer. The temple is now ready for its activation ritual, known as the Purna-Laya Yajna—a synthesis of science and spirituality, pushing the boundaries of existence itself. --- Prologue: The Activation Begins The temple glimmers under the twin suns of this distant world, its towering Shikhara humming with an imperceptible frequency, a testament to its quantum-engineered design. The sanctum’s walls, made of an iridescent, metamaterial alloy, vibrate in harmony with the fundamental frequency of the universe—Om. Intricate carvings across the structure aren't just ornamental; they are hyperconductive circuits channeling energy from the leyline matrix beneath. Inside the temple, Dr. Aditi Vashishta, an astro-spiritual engineer, leads the ritual. She stands at the center of the Pradakshina Patha, surrounded by a team of quantum physicists, bioengineers, and Vedic scholars. They are clad in ceremonial robes integrated with nano-filament technology, designed to synchronize their bioelectric fields with the temple's energy lattice. Aditi raises her hand, and the room falls silent. A low-frequency hum resonates from the temple core, signaling the alignment of the planetary magnetic field with the galactic center. The ritual has begun. --- The Science of the Divine The temple's design integrates ancient principles with advanced sciences: 1. Quantum Resonance Core: At the heart of the Garbhagriha is a singularity engine—an artificially created micro black hole stabilized within a quantum lattice. It acts as a cosmic anchor, drawing energy from higher dimensions. 2. Biometric Symbiosis: The Mandapa is lined with organic conduits that interact with the biometrics of the ritual participants. Each devotee's heartbeat, brainwave pattern, and bioelectric field amplify the temple's energy flow. 3. Cosmic Harmonics: The temple's structure is calibrated to the Schumann Resonance, creating a standing wave that connects the planet's energy grid to the universal consciousness. 4. Matter Manifestation Matrix: Using a process called quantum decoherence inversion, the temple can collapse higher-dimensional energy patterns into physical reality within the sanctum. --- The Ritual: Purna-Laya Yajna The ritual involves three critical phases: 1. Invocation of the Cosmic Blueprint: Aditi and her team chant ancient mantras encoded with quantum frequencies. These mantras, amplified through the temple's harmonics, establish a connection with the Akashic Field—the universal database of existence. 2. Bioenergetic Synchronization: The participants move in precise patterns around the Pradakshina Patha, their movements creating a dynamic energy field. The temple absorbs this energy, channeling it into the singularity engine. 3. Materialization of the Deity: In the final phase, the temple's quantum resonance core activates, collapsing the higher-dimensional energy signature of Shiva into a physical form. --- The Manifestation As the chant reaches its crescendo, the temple trembles. A radiant beam of light erupts from the Shikhara, piercing the heavens. The singularity engine at the core stabilizes, and within the sanctum, an incandescent figure begins to take shape. The air is heavy with an indescribable presence. Particles in the temple are rearranging themselves, forming the physical manifestation of Mahadeva. His form is both luminous and solid, an impossible combination of matter and energy. His eyes, twin galaxies of infinite depth, open slowly, casting an omniscient gaze over the assembly. The deity speaks, his voice resonating across dimensions, “I am here, born of your faith, your science, and your unity. Speak your purpose.” --- The Divine Purpose The world outside has been ravaged by centuries of environmental degradation and conflict. The temple activation is humanity's last hope—a plea to the divine for guidance, transformation, and renewal. Mahadeva listens, his form pulsating with cosmic energy. With a gesture, he sends waves of regenerative energy across the planet, healing ecosystems, and restoring balance. But the ritual is not without cost. The energy required to manifest Mahadeva has drained the temple's singularity core, destabilizing its structure. The temple begins to disintegrate, its mission complete. The team watches in awe and reverence as Mahadeva ascends, his parting words echoing in their minds: “The divine resides not in temples but in your unity. Carry it forth.” --- Epilogue The activation of the Mahashivantara temple marks a turning point in human history. The world, healed and transformed, no longer needs physical temples to house deities. Instead, humanity learns to channel the divine within themselves, achieving a state of collective enlightenment. The legacy of the temples lives on, not as structures but as a reminder of the harmony between science, spirituality, and the boundless potential of human ingenuity.

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**Table Of Content** - Backdrop of the Appeal - The Potential Impact of a Bitcoin ETF - Challenges on the Horizon - The Broader Implications - Conclusions - FAQ Amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulations and financial instruments, Grayscale Investments, a prominent crypto asset manager, has taken a bold step forward. The firm is ardently urging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to green-light its proposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that aims to track Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. **Backdrop of the Appeal** The driving force behind Grayscale's proactive appeal to the SEC can be traced back to a landmark court victory they secured against the regulatory body itself. This victory wasn't just a win in legal terms; it symbolized a potential shift in the dynamics between cryptocurrency enterprises and regulatory authorities. Grayscale's triumph in the courtroom not only fortified its standing in the industry but also established a legal precedent. This precedent, while specific to Grayscale's case, has the potential to influence the SEC's perspective and decisions regarding other cryptocurrency-based financial products that may come up for review in the foreseeable future. **The Potential Impact of a Bitcoin ETF** Envision a scenario where a Bitcoin ETF is introduced into the mainstream financial market. Such a development would serve as a transformative bridge, seamlessly connecting the well-established realm of traditional finance with the innovative and ever-evolving domain of cryptocurrencies. The significance of a Bitcoin ETF goes beyond its novelty. It offers investors—both seasoned and novices—a unique opportunity. Instead of navigating the complexities of acquiring and managing Bitcoin directly, they can invest in this ETF, effectively gaining exposure to the cryptocurrency's price fluctuations. This method simplifies the investment process, eliminating the technical intricacies associated with cryptocurrency management. Moreover, the ETF structure brings with it the benefits of regulatory oversight, ensuring that the investment is not only secure but also compliant with established financial norms. This combination of ease, security, and compliance makes a Bitcoin ETF an enticing proposition for a wide spectrum of investors, from individuals to large institutional entities. **Challenges on the Horizon** Grayscale's journey, even after its commendable legal victory, is far from smooth. The path to obtaining the coveted SEC approval for their Bitcoin ETF is strewn with challenges, many of which are deeply rooted in the SEC's historical apprehensions. Over the years, the SEC has consistently showcased a cautious approach when it comes to cryptocurrency-based ETFs. Their hesitance is not without reason. The regulatory body's primary concerns encompass potential market manipulations that could distort the true value of assets, the notorious volatility associated with cryptocurrencies, and the imperative of safeguarding investors from unforeseen risks. These concerns, while valid, are being addressed head-on by Grayscale. The firm remains steadfast in its belief that its proposed Bitcoin ETF not only acknowledges these concerns but also presents solutions to mitigate them. Grayscale's proposal, in their view, lays the groundwork for a Bitcoin ETF that is both secure and operates within the bounds of regulatory standards. **The Broader Implications** The ongoing dialogue between crypto enterprises and regulatory bodies like the SEC is emblematic of the broader challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream finance. Should the SEC grant its approval to Grayscale's Bitcoin ETF, it could signal a pivotal moment in the crypto industry's journey, heralding greater acceptance and integration of digital assets in global financial markets. **Conclusion** The interplay between Grayscale and the SEC is more than just a singular event; it's indicative of the broader evolution of the financial world in the face of digital disruption. As the crypto industry continues to mature and present structured, secure investment avenues, it's only a matter of time before regulatory bodies, recognizing the potential benefits, become more accommodating. The eventual decision on Grayscale's Bitcoin ETF will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, not just for the company but for the entire crypto ecosystem. **FAQ** **What is Grayscale Investments?** Grayscale Investments is a leading crypto asset manager. **What has Grayscale recently proposed to the SEC?** Grayscale is urging the SEC to approve its Bitcoin ETF. **Why is Grayscale's recent court victory significant?** The court win strengthens Grayscale's position and could influence future cryptocurrency-based financial products. **What benefits does a Bitcoin ETF offer?** A Bitcoin ETF allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding the cryptocurrency, providing a streamlined and secure investment experience. **Has the SEC approved any Bitcoin ETFs in the past?** Historically, the SEC has been cautious about approving cryptocurrency-based ETFs due to concerns over market manipulation and investor protection. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: [@croxroadnews](https://x.com/croxroadnewsco)** **Instagram: [@croxroadnews.co](https://www.instagram.com/croxroadnews.co/)** **Youtube: [@croxroadnews](https://www.youtube.com/@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.*

@ 16d11430:61640947

It was a balmy evening in Vanchinadu. Eight-year-old Parvathi sat cross-legged on the floor, rummaging through her great-grandmother’s old wooden chest, uncovering bits of a forgotten world—faded photographs, rusted keys, and weathered textiles. Then, her fingers found something cool and metallic. She pulled out a small coin with a hole punched cleanly through its center. "Ammaamma, look! What is this?" she asked, running over to her great-grandmother, 92-year-old Lakshmi Amma, who was dozing in her chair by the window. Lakshmi Amma stirred, her cloudy eyes squinting at the coin in Parvathi’s hand. For a moment, she seemed confused, as though her memories were wrestling with one another. Then recognition lit her face, and she reached out with trembling fingers. "Ah, the holed pice... such a strange little thing," she murmured, turning the coin over in her palm. "This coin, child, carries a story—not just of money, but of rebellion, genius, and foolishness. Sit, and I’ll tell you." The British and the Holed Coin "This coin is from the time of the British Raj," Lakshmi Amma began, her voice steadying as she spoke. "You see, the British wanted to rule not just our land, but every little aspect of our lives—including the coins we used. They thought themselves clever, minting coins with less metal to make them cheaper. That’s why they punched a hole in the center—it saved them money. But what they didn’t realize was how massive India is, or how complicated it would be to manage an empire of this scale." She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "They underestimated us, child. They thought India was just another colony to be controlled. But this land is vast and ancient, like a hornets’ nest. The more they tried to tighten their grip, the more resistance they faced." The Coin in the Time of Rebellion "This coin, the holed pice, first appeared around 1943. It was supposed to be efficient—light, easy to carry, and cheap to produce. But it became something else entirely. It passed through the hands of farmers refusing to pay British taxes, workers striking in mills, and freedom fighters who marched in defiance during the Quit India Movement of 1942." Lakshmi Amma’s eyes gleamed, and her voice gained strength. "The British thought they were being smart, but these coins became symbols of their own failure. The hole they made to save money? It made the coins less valuable to us. People strung them together like necklaces, used them as weights, or tossed them aside in protest. They didn’t care for British currency—they cared for freedom." A Connection to Earlier Rebellions "But the story of this coin doesn’t begin in 1943," Lakshmi Amma said, her tone softening. "It stretches back to the rebellions of Kerala. Before the holed pice, there were the coins minted by our own Raja Velayudhan of Vanchinadu during the Spice Rebellion in 1835. He refused to use British rupees, just as our people later refused their taxes." She paused, her fingers tracing the hole in the coin. "The British tried to crush Velayudhan’s rebellion by defacing his coins, just like they tried to control us with their holed pice. But this land has always fought back. From Velayudhan to Pazhassi Raja, to the Quit India Movement, every generation has resisted in its own way." The Coin and the Genius of India Lakshmi Amma sighed deeply, as though the weight of history rested on her frail shoulders. "You see, child, the British were geniuses in some ways—they built systems, minted coins, and waged wars to expand their empire. But they didn’t understand India. This land is too vast, its people too diverse, its history too deep. Every attempt to control us only stirred the hornets’ nest." She smiled faintly, her voice tinged with pride. "Even this little coin with its hole is proof of their folly. They thought they were saving money, but they couldn’t see the bigger cost. They left in 1947, not because they wanted to, but because they couldn’t hold on any longer." The Legacy of the Coin Parvathi held the coin tightly, feeling its edges and the smooth, worn hole in the center. "Ammaamma, what happened to these coins after independence?" "Ah," Lakshmi Amma said, her voice softening. "After independence in 1947, these coins continued to circulate for a few more years. But in 1950, when India became a republic, we started minting our own coins—free from British designs and their clever little holes." She leaned closer, her hand resting on Parvathi’s. "This coin, child, is more than just money. It’s a symbol of everything our people endured—of British arrogance, of rebellion, and of our eventual freedom. Keep it safe. It’s a reminder of who we are and how we won back what was ours." The Grandmother’s Hope That night, as Parvathi placed the holed pice on her bedside table, the coin seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. To her, it was no longer just a relic of the past but a piece of living history—a testament to the ingenuity, resilience, and defiance of her ancestors.

@ 79a7270b:d61d9067

> This current year, 2024, has been the year of Bitcoin. Since the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, which established themselves as the fastest growing ETF of all time in terms of adoption, the digital currency has been pivotal talk in the media, Wall Street, and even in the US presidential election about a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve endorsed by president Donald Trump and the at the time independent candidate RFK Jr. ## **What is Bitcoin mining?** Bitcoin presents itself as a P2P payment systems solution, a truly decentralized open project of a monetary way of exchange with a fixed supply. Like gold mining, for example, Bitcoins are mined through a PoW consensus mechanism that requires substantial computing power to settle a transaction (a block). Millions of machines worldwide use absurd amounts of energy to process enough power to solve cryptographic puzzles. Miners this way, receive in exchange for verifying a transaction, block subsides, miners fees, and the freshly mined bitcoin itself The exact number of energy usage regarding mining operations is not clear, but it is clear that it consumes more electricity than most countries. While its energy usage is undeniable, the high consumption is not a flaw but a deliberate design choice that ensures decentralization and security. **Surprisingly, Bitcoin mining can be seen as an opportunity to support renewable energy growth, stabilize power grids, and reduce wasted energy** ## **Empowering Developing Economies: Bitcoin Mining and the Stranded Energy Revolution** Bitcoin mining is evolving into a catalyst for renewable energy adoption and electrification in developing countries. In Africa, for example, around 600 million people, or approximately 43% of the total population, lack fundamental access to electricity, and these places are abundant in natural resources. However, there is no capital incentive to power these people and the existing mini-grids are dependent on philanthropy and concessional finance. Bitcoin mining can provide electricity to people by making small-scale energy projects more financially viable. When companies like Gridless set up Bitcoin mining operations in places like Keyna and Malawi, they use excess or stranded energy that otherwise goes to waste because it isn't cost-effective to sell or distribute it to the national grid. The revenue from mining helps subsidize the installation of energy infrastructure. **Contrary to a lot of pre-existing beliefs, once this infrastructure is built, the local population benefits from the newly available electricity, often at a lower cost.** This price reduction occurs because miners consistently demand otherwise wasted energy. By purchasing this surplus, they provide a steady revenue stream to the energy producers. This increased overall energy utilization allows providers to distribute their fixed costs over a larger volume of sold electricity, enabling them to lower prices for all consumers. Miners, because are competing in a truly open market ( due to their decentralization), are constantly competing for the cheapest forms of energy to process blocks. This means that they thrive in areas like these by taking advantage of renewables, as much as any in another place when the generated energy is not being fully utilized. Another type of stranded energy is the flared gas that comes with many types of petroleum deposits. If the quantity is low enough to not be economically justifiable to invest in pipelines to transfer this energy, it gets wasted into the atmosphere, mainly as methane and C02,  contributing to global greenhouse gases. That’s about 150 TWh of energy for the year, which is about the estimated total level of Bitcoin’s annualized energy usage in 2024. Bitcoin miners can buy this energy, since it's cheap, reduces methane emissions, and generates economic activity from externalities that would be wasted. While using flared or vented gas reduces methane emissions and provides economic utility, it still results in CO2 emissions from combustion. Therefore, it's not a zero-emission solution but is an improvement over uncontrolled venting or flaring. ## **Demand response programs** Historically, energy supply adjusted to demand but with the growing adoption of electricity and rising concerns about the environmental impact and scarcity of fossil fuels, society is transitioning to renewable energy sources. This shift has created a mixed grid comprising both fossil fuels and renewable energy. However, the inherent instability of renewable energy results in fluctuating prices—from high costs during periods of scarcity to negative prices during times of abundance. Maintaining grid stability necessitates a balance between demand and generation, with frequency serving as an indicator of this equilibrium. As renewable energy usage increases, the challenge lies in ensuring grid resilience and balance while accommodating the variability of renewable energy generation. Demand response programs are commonly employed to address this issue by incentivizing certain grid participants to reduce electricity usage during periods of high demand, thereby maintaining a balanced and stable grid. The problem is that few industries possess a large enough demand for electricity or the ability to adapt their usage quickly. Bitcoin miners emerge as uniquely suited to this purpose because of their flexible and interruptible load providing 24-hour automated and instant responses to the grid needs. ( curtailing energy during peak demand or absorbing it excess supply). This is already happening and being used in Texas ( USA) Sichuan Province (China) and Quebec (Canada,) for example, and is showing a glimpse of what the future of grid management can be. Follows a visual comparison of the most commonly used DR programs.Historically, energy supply adjusted to demand. <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/94ec7376f8127c5e5a55f35ace5ec0bcf9cbc8e42b341efbfc3e6ed26d701251.png"> ## **Conclusion** While the theoretical benefits of Bitcoin mining as a driver of renewable energy adoption and grid stability are compelling, its practical application still faces significant challenges. The scalability and reliability of these methods remain largely untested, given the industry's rapid and unpredictable evolution. Additionally, barriers such as a lack of public awareness, high initial capital requirements, and Bitcoin's inherent price volatility deter traditional institutions from embracing these opportunities. However, as the sector matures, Bitcoin mining has the potential to redefine energy markets. By incentivizing renewable energy investments, optimizing electricity usage, and repurposing stranded energy, it could drive innovation and enhance efficiency in the global energy sector. Furthermore, its capacity to provide economic opportunities in underserved regions highlights its transformative potential beyond the financial realm.

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

Had a nice Christmas lunch at a fancy NY restaurant, by far the most money I’ve ever spent on a single meal. It was good though, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, so it was worth it. (Heather saw the check, was aghast, vowed never to do it again.) Last week I went 5-0 to run my season-long record to 42-37-1. Too little too late, but would love to keep the run going, just for the hell of it. **Chargers -4 at Patriots** — The Patriots played the Bills tough last week, but that felt like a trap game. The Chargers are solid and should handle a lesser team like the Pats. **Saints +1 vs Raiders** — I’m buying low on the Saints after the total no-show Monday night. Plus, there’s even a small chance Derek Carr returns. **Bills -11 vs Jets** — The Jets are dysfunctional, and I expect the Bills to take this more seriously after the near-loss to the Pats, though they are more or less locked into the No. 2 seed. **Cowboys +9.5 at Eagles** — The Cowboys are playing better of late, and the Eagles could be without Jalen Hurts. This seems like a lot of points if there’s even a 25 percent chance that’s the case. Morever, the Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed if the Killer Redskins lose either of their last two, or the Eagles beat the Cowboys OR the Giants in Week 18, i.e., they don’t need to rush Hurts back. **Browns +6.5 vs Dolphins** — If DTR is the QB, all bets are off, but he’s hurt, so Jameis Winston or Bailey Zappe could get the nod. I just don’t like Tua on the road in cold weather, so I’m taking the points.

@ 16d11430:61640947

*By Buff Stallman, Athletic Torvalds, Rockstar Armstrong, and Godlike Ritchie --- Buff Stallman: "Freedom in software isn’t just a principle; it’s a declaration of war against mediocrity. You dare call that bloated JavaScript mess 'software'? Hah! If it doesn’t honor the Four Freedoms, it’s a proprietary prison. Go ahead, try to justify your dependency hell with npm while I’m over here, bench-pressing GPLv3 into every line of code you’ll ever write. Learn to code with discipline, or don’t code at all." --- Athletic Linus Torvalds: "Hey kid, I wrote a kernel while you were still fumbling with semicolons. You think Go’s simplicity is revolutionary? Let me introduce you to real simplicity: C and a stack of man pages. You want clean, maintainable code? Then stop writing garbage that makes your colleagues cry in the shower. I don’t care if your code runs; I care if it runs well. You’re not worthy of my merge requests until you learn to quit whining and start debugging like an adult." --- Rockstar Armstrong: "Concurrency? Fault tolerance? That’s Erlang, baby—where we play real-time, high-stakes coding on a stage of distributed systems. JavaScript fans, let me explain this in terms you’ll understand: your async/await nonsense is a garage band compared to my symphony of lightweight processes. Writing robust systems isn’t just a skill; it’s an art. Get on my level or stick to debugging your third-party library stack for the rest of your sad career." --- Godlike Dennis Ritchie: "I am the beginning and the end of your understanding of computation. Every piece of software you’ve ever touched owes its soul to C. You use Python? Cute—it’s built on my bones. JavaScript? Just a derivative knockoff of principles I defined. My advice to you mortals is simple: Learn C. Understand pointers. Respect the stack. If you can’t comprehend the tools I’ve given you, you’re not programming; you’re just scribbling on my legacy." --- Conclusion: When you sit down to code, think about the giants who paved the way—and then realize they’re judging you. Harshly. Stallman’s flexing his freedoms, Torvalds is benching your buggy pull request, Armstrong is shredding your async loops, and Ritchie is glaring at your ignorance of pointers. We’re here to remind you: step up your game, or get out of the way.

@ 16d11430:61640947

In the year 2147, the world was trapped under the iron fist of the Eternal Empire, a regime that had successfully co-opted every nation, absorbing them into its global order. The empire's greatest weapon wasn’t its military might but its fiat currency—the Imperial Credit. It was ubiquitous, digital, and inescapable. The empire's economy was engineered to keep the populace in servitude, feeding off their labor while sustaining an elite class that viewed themselves as divine custodians of humanity. But outside the Empire's gilded walls, in the shadows of the wastelands and the forgotten ruins of free nations, a resistance burned. They were known only as the Bitcoin Insurgents—a decentralized network of cryptographers, hackers, and guerrilla fighters who operated without borders or centralized leadership. For decades, they had evaded the Empire's sprawling surveillance systems, using the blockchain not just as currency but as their means of communication, coordination, and warfare. The Imperial Arrogance The Imperial Senate and their figurehead, Emperor Maxim IV, dismissed the insurgents as mere cybercriminals—annoyances that occasionally disrupted economic reports. They believed their Imperial Credit was untouchable, its value reinforced by brute force and propaganda. Any mention of Bitcoin was banned in official discourse; even speaking of it could lead to imprisonment or worse. But what the Empire dismissed as a nuisance had become an existential threat. Over the years, the insurgents had quietly infiltrated key systems, from the Empire's banking network to its energy grids. Their aim wasn’t just to disrupt—it was to dismantle the very machinery that kept the Empire alive. The Attack Begins The insurgents’ leader was a mysterious figure known only as Satoshi X, a shadow who communicated through cryptic messages embedded in Bitcoin transactions. On New Year’s Eve of 2147, Satoshi X issued a single statement: “The ledger will reveal all.” At precisely midnight, the Empire's financial system collapsed. Bitcoin miners worldwide, in an orchestrated attack, exploited vulnerabilities in the Empire's digital currency infrastructure, rewriting its centralized ledger. Billions of Imperial Credits vanished into thin air, while transaction records were replaced with streams of blockchain data exposing years of corruption, war crimes, and secrets about the Empire’s leadership. The revelation was damning. Every lie told by the Empire, every dirty deal made by its senators, every atrocity ordered by its generals—it was all there, visible to anyone with an internet connection. Chaos Within the Empire The Empire’s pride became its undoing. Instead of acknowledging the attack and responding strategically, the Senate dismissed the leaks as fabrications. Their propaganda machines churned out messages of defiance, claiming the system was under control even as riots erupted in every major city. But the insurgents weren’t done. With the Empire's financial systems in disarray, they moved to phase two: physical infiltration. Using the exposed financial data, the insurgents pinpointed the exact locations of the Empire’s core leadership. Hidden bunkers, secret mansions, and underground vaults—all were laid bare. The Coup de Grâce On January 3rd, the anniversary of Bitcoin's genesis block, the insurgents launched their final strike. In a coordinated global operation, small teams of highly trained operatives breached the leadership's strongholds. They weren’t there to kill; they were there to expose. Using portable blockchain nodes, the insurgents live-streamed the operations, showing the terrified faces of senators and generals as they were dragged out of their fortified bunkers. Their hidden wealth, stashed in gold, art, and digital assets, was seized and redistributed to the starving masses through Bitcoin microtransactions. The Empire’s propaganda networks couldn’t suppress the streams. The truth spread faster than the Empire could react, and within hours, its myth of invincibility was shattered. A New Dawn By the time the sun rose, the Eternal Empire was no more. Its leaders, humiliated and powerless, were handed over to the people they had oppressed for centuries. In their place, a new order began to emerge—one built not on centralized power but on decentralized trust. The Bitcoin Insurgents disbanded, their mission complete. Satoshi X disappeared as mysteriously as they had come, leaving behind a single message in the blockchain: "Freedom cannot be granted; it must be seized. The ledger is yours now." And so, the world began to heal, not under the banner of a new empire but in the decentralized light of truth, trust, and Bitcoin.

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Stand here by my side and turn, I pray, On the lake below, thy gentle eyes; The clouds hang over it, heavy and gray, And dark and silent the water lies; And out of that frozen mist the snow In wavering flakes begins to flow; Flake after flake They sink in the dark and silent lake. See how in a living swarm they come From the chambers beyond that misty veil; Some hover awhile in air, and some Rush prone from the sky like summer hail. All, dropping swiftly or settling slow, Meet, and are still in the depths below; Flake after flake Dissolved in the dark and silent lake. Here delicate snow-stars, out of the cloud, Come floating downward in airy play, Like spangles dropped from the glistening crowd That whiten by night the milky way; There broader and burlier masses fall; The sullen water buries them all– Flake after flake– All drowned in the dark and silent lake. And some, as on tender wings they glide From their chilly birth-cloud, dim and gray, Are joined in their fall, and, side by side, Come clinging along their unsteady way; As friend with friend, or husband with wife, Makes hand in hand the passage of life; Each mated flake Soon sinks in the dark and silent lake. Lo! while we are gazing, in swifter haste Stream down the snows, till the air is white, As, myriads by myriads madly chased, They fling themselves from their shadowy height. The fair, frail creatures of middle sky, What speed they make, with their grave so nigh; Flake after flake, To lie in the dark and silent lake! I see in thy gentle eyes a tear; They turn to me in sorrowful thought; Thou thinkest of friends, the good and dear, Who were for a time, and now are not; Like these fair children of cloud and frost, That glisten a moment and then are lost, Flake after flake– All lost in the dark and silent lake. Yet look again, for the clouds divide; A gleam of blue on the water lies; And far away, on the mountain-side, A sunbeam falls from the opening skies, But the hurrying host that flew between The cloud and the water, no more is seen; Flake after flake, At rest in the dark and silent lake.

@ 16d11430:61640947

In the realm of psychotherapy, the process of breaking entrenched beliefs is a central theme. The dismantling of long-standing systems—whether personal or societal—often requires confronting illusions with uncomfortable truths. When applied to societal structures like fiat currency, humiliation can serve as a powerful and even humane mechanism for change. This article explores why the psychological underpinnings of humiliation make it an effective and necessary tool for transformation, drawing on historical precedents and comparing it to other methods of systemic change. --- The Psychology of Humiliation and Belief Systems Belief systems, whether individual or collective, are sustained by perceived legitimacy. For individuals, this may manifest as attachment to harmful habits or relationships; for societies, it takes the form of loyalty to institutions like fiat currency. Fiat’s power is rooted not in intrinsic value but in the collective trust placed in it—a psychological construct sustained by tradition, authority, and fear of alternatives. Humiliation occurs when a belief system’s flaws are exposed so thoroughly that its legitimacy collapses. Psychologically, this is akin to confronting a deeply ingrained delusion in therapy. While the experience can be painful, it creates an opportunity for liberation and growth. In the case of fiat, humiliation would mean exposing its systemic failures—such as inflation, corruption, and inequality—in ways that are undeniable and public. --- Historical Examples of Humiliation as a Catalyst for Change Throughout history, societal transformations have often followed the public humiliation of failing systems: 1. The Protestant Reformation (16th Century): Martin Luther’s critique of the Catholic Church’s corruption humiliated its leadership, undermining its spiritual authority. This exposure led to the Reformation, which reshaped religious and political systems across Europe. 2. The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989): The symbolic dismantling of the Berlin Wall humiliated the East German regime, exposing the moral and economic failures of authoritarian socialism. This event catalyzed the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. 3. The Civil Rights Movement in the United States (1960s): Publicly exposing the brutality and hypocrisy of segregation humiliated its defenders, forcing societal reflection and legislative change. In each case, humiliation disrupted the psychological hold of an oppressive system, creating space for alternative narratives and structures to emerge. --- Mechanisms of Societal Change There are three primary mechanisms through which systemic change can occur: violence, gradual reform, and humiliation. Each has distinct psychological and practical implications. 1. Violence: While revolutionary violence can dismantle systems quickly, it often leaves deep psychological scars. Trauma from violent upheaval can perpetuate cycles of resentment and instability, delaying genuine progress. 2. Gradual Reform: Incremental change seeks to improve systems without upheaval, but it is slow and often fails to address systemic flaws comprehensively. Those in power frequently find ways to resist or co-opt reforms, prolonging inequities. 3. Humiliation: Humiliation is less destructive than violence and more effective than gradual reform. By exposing a system’s contradictions and failures, it forces an immediate psychological reckoning. This disruption creates the conditions for transformation without the widespread trauma associated with violence. --- Fiat Currency and the Psychological Roots of Its Power Fiat currency is uniquely vulnerable to humiliation because its value depends entirely on trust. Unlike gold or Bitcoin, fiat has no intrinsic worth; its legitimacy is a psychological construct maintained by centralized institutions. When this trust erodes, the system collapses. Several factors contribute to fiat’s fragility: Inflation: The endless printing of money undermines fiat’s scarcity and perceived value. Corruption: Scandals involving central banks and governments erode public trust. Inequality: Fiat systems often exacerbate wealth disparities, fostering resentment. Exposing these flaws publicly and unequivocally would humiliate fiat, breaking its psychological hold on the masses and paving the way for alternatives. --- Bitcoin as a Psychological Antidote Bitcoin represents a stark contrast to fiat, offering decentralization, transparency, and intrinsic scarcity. However, widespread adoption of Bitcoin requires a psychological shift—a willingness to question and abandon fiat. Humiliation accelerates this shift by: Breaking Fear: People are more likely to explore alternatives when fiat is exposed as unreliable. Fostering Hope: Bitcoin’s model offers a vision of financial sovereignty and fairness. Empowering Agency: Choosing Bitcoin feels like reclaiming personal and collective power. In psychological terms, this transition mirrors the therapeutic process of abandoning harmful coping mechanisms for healthier alternatives. --- Why Humiliation Is Humane Humiliation, when viewed through a psychological lens, is not inherently cruel. It can be the most compassionate path to change when compared to the alternatives. For societal systems like fiat, humiliation: Avoids Violence: It disrupts systems without bloodshed or destruction. Accelerates Awareness: It forces a reckoning that might otherwise take decades through gradual reform. Empowers Individuals: It respects people’s ability to choose better systems once the old ones are discredited. By exposing fiat’s failings, humiliation fosters dialogue and collective awakening. This process mirrors therapeutic breakthroughs, where confronting uncomfortable truths leads to growth and healing. --- Conclusion The humiliation of fiat currency is not an act of malice but a necessary psychological intervention. Like a therapist helping a client confront denial, this process exposes the truth and creates space for transformation. Historical precedents show that humiliation can dismantle oppressive systems effectively and humanely, paving the way for progress. Bitcoin offers a path forward—a decentralized, transparent, and empowering alternative. For humanity to embrace it, fiat must first be stripped of its false legitimacy. Humiliation, as a psychological and societal mechanism, is uniquely suited to this task. It ensures that the dismantling of fiat is not marked by violence or prolonged suffering, but by clarity, empowerment, and hope for a better future.

@ d5c3d063:4d1159b3

# พุทธศาสนา… ศาสนาแห่งผู้นำหรือการเป็นทาส ? บางคนมองว่าพุทธศาสนาเป็น "ศาสนาแห่งผู้นำ" เพราะคำสอนของพระพุทธเจ้าเน้นเรื่อง การพึ่งพาตนเองและการไม่ยึดติดกับสิ่งภายนอก ไม่ว่าจะเป็นผู้อื่นหรือสิ่งศักดิ์สิทธิ์ พระพุทธเจ้าสอนให้เราเข้าใจว่าเราเป็นผู้รับผิดชอบชีวิตของเราเอง ไม่ใช่ใครอื่น เราเป็นผู้สร้างกรรมดีและกรรมชั่วจากการกระทำของเราเอง สิ่งนี้สะท้อนกับแนวคิดของอิสรนิยมที่เน้นความสำคัญของ เสรีภาพส่วนบุคคลและ ความรับผิดชอบต่อชีวิตของตัวเอง พุทธศาสนาสอนเรื่องสติและการรู้เท่าทันความคิดของตัวเอง เพื่อให้เราสามารถตัดสินใจได้ถูกต้อง ไม่ว่าจะในเรื่องเล็กหรือเรื่องใหญ่ เมื่อเรามีปัญญา เราก็สามารถเป็น "ผู้นำของตัวเอง" ได้ โดยไม่ต้องพึ่งพาอำนาจจากภายนอกหรือคำชี้นำจากใคร ในทางกลับกัน บางคนอาจมองว่าพุทธศาสนาเป็น "ศาสนาแห่งการเป็นทาส" เพราะความเข้าใจคำสอนผิดๆ อย่างเช่นคำว่า "ปล่อยวาง" ที่บางคนตีความว่าคือการ "ยอมรับทุกอย่างโดยไม่ทำอะไร" ซึ่งในความจริงแล้ว การปล่อยวางในพุทธศาสนาหมายถึงการรู้เท่าทันความยึดติดของตัวเอง แล้วค่อยๆ ลดความยึดติดนั้นลง มันไม่ได้หมายความว่าเราควรนิ่งเฉยต่อทุกสถานการณ์ แต่หมายถึงการเลือกสิ่งที่ถูกต้องโดยใช้สติและปัญญา อีกจุดหนึ่งที่บางคนมองว่าเป็นการจำกัดเสรีภาพ คือคำสอนที่ให้พระภิกษุและสามเณรประพฤติพรหมจรรย์ไม่ยึดติดกับวัตถุหรือทรัพย์สมบัติ อาจถูกตีความว่าเป็นการบังคับ แต่ในความเป็นจริง คือทางเลือกที่เกิดจากความสมัครใจ คนที่เลือกวิถีชีวิตแบบนี้คือคนที่เข้าใจและยอมรับว่าการลดความยึดติดกับวัตถุสามารถลดความทุกข์ในชีวิตได้ พุทธศาสนาไม่ว่าจะถูกมองว่าเป็น "ศาสนาแห่งผู้นำ" หรือ "ศาสนาแห่งการเป็นทาส" นั้น ขึ้นอยู่กับการตีความของแต่ละคน แต่ผมว่ามันน่าสนใจมากหากเรามองผ่านเลนส์ของอิสรนิยม (Libertarianism) ก็จะเห็นได้ว่าพุทธศาสนาเน้นเรื่อง เสรีภาพส่วนบุคคลและการพึ่งพาตนเองอย่างชัดเจน การที่เรารู้จักคิดเอง ตัดสินใจเอง และไม่ยึดติดกับอำนาจหรือความเชื่อจากภายนอก คือสิ่งที่ทำให้เราเป็น "ผู้นำของชีวิตตัวเอง" อย่างแท้จริง #Siamstr #ปล่อยวาง #ศาสนาแห่งผู้นำ #ศาสนาแห่งการเป็นทาส

@ d5c3d063:4d1159b3

## จุดเริ่มต้นที่สำคัญในการลดอำนาจรัฐและเป็นพื้นฐานสำหรับการสร้างสังคมที่เสรีและยั่งยืน การแยกอำนาจการเงินออกจากรัฐ ถือเป็น “จุดเริ่มต้นที่สำคัญ” ในการลดบทบาทรัฐและการสร้างระบบที่เคารพเสรีภาพส่วนบุคคล เป็นพื้นฐานสำหรับการสร้างสังคมที่ประชาชนมีอำนาจในการตัดสินใจ ทำให้เกิดความยุติธรรมและความโปร่งใสมากขึ้นในทุกมิติของชีวิต !(image)[!(image)[https://image.nostr.build/f1f0be37bb0198071fee37851cea59ced2b2c5b40eaf878fe903bca61802ef39.jpg]] การลดอำนาจรัฐเป็นแนวคิดที่มีเป้าหมายเพื่อคืนอำนาจให้แก่ผู้คน โดยเริ่มต้นจากการแยกอำนาจการเงินออกจากการควบคุมของรัฐ แนวคิดนี้ได้รับการสนับสนุนจากนักคิดในแนวทางอิสรนิยม (Libertarianism) เช่น Murray Rothbard, Ron Paul, และ Saifedean Ammous ซึ่งได้เสนอว่าเงินที่ถูกควบคุมโดยรัฐมักเป็นเครื่องมือในการเพิ่มอำนาจของรัฐบาลและสร้างความไม่เท่าเทียมในสังคม #### 1. ความสำคัญของการแยกอำนาจการเงิน การที่รัฐสามารถพิมพ์เงินหรือควบคุมระบบการเงินได้อย่างอิสระ ทำให้เกิดปัญหาเช่นเงินเฟ้อ การลดค่าเงิน และการใช้งบประมาณที่ไม่โปร่งใส การแยกเงินออกจากรัฐ เช่น การใช้เงินสร้างยากด้วยบิตคอยน์ จะช่วยให้ประชาชนสามารถควบคุมความมั่งคั่งของตนเองได้โดยไม่ต้องกังวลเรื่องการแทรกแซงจากรัฐบาล นอกจากนี้ การคืนอำนาจทางการเงินให้ประชาชนยังช่วยสร้างระบบเศรษฐกิจที่โปร่งใสและยุติธรรมมากขึ้น #### 2. ลดการแทรกแซงในชีวิตประจำวัน การแยกเงินออกจากรัฐไม่ได้เป็นเพียงการเปลี่ยนแปลงเชิงเศรษฐกิจ แต่ยังส่งผลต่อการลดบทบาทรัฐในด้านอื่น ๆ เช่น การกำกับดูแลธุรกิจ การเก็บภาษี และการกำหนดนโยบายเศรษฐกิจ โดยเมื่อประชาชนสามารถเลือกใช้เครื่องมือทางการเงินที่เหมาะสมกับตนเอง การแทรกแซงของรัฐจะลดลงโดยธรรมชาติ #### 3. เป็นแรงผลักดันให้ลดอำนาจด้านอื่น ๆ ของรัฐ เมื่อรัฐไม่สามารถควบคุมระบบการเงินได้ อำนาจในด้านอื่น ๆ ก็จะถูกตั้งคำถาม เช่น - การลดบทบาทในสวัสดิการรัฐ ประชาชนจะหันไปใช้ระบบเอกชน เช่น การเก็บออมส่วนบุคคลและการประกันสุขภาพ - การลดภาษี เนื่องจากรัฐไม่สามารถใช้การพิมพ์เงินเพื่อสนับสนุนนโยบายที่ไม่จำเป็น #### 4. แรงจูงใจสู่การพึ่งพาตนเอง การแยกอำนาจการเงินกระตุ้นให้ประชาชนพึ่งพาตนเองและสร้างเครือข่ายทางเศรษฐกิจที่ยั่งยืน นอกจากนี้ยังช่วยลดการทุจริตและเพิ่มความโปร่งใสในระบบราชการ #### 5. อิสรภาพทางการเงินคือรากฐานของศักดิ์ศรีความเป็นมนุษย์ เงินเป็นเครื่องมือที่สำคัญสำหรับการแสดงออกถึงเสรีภาพ หากประชาชนสามารถครอบครองและใช้เงินในรูปแบบที่ไม่ต้องพึ่งพารัฐ พวกเขาก็สามารถกำหนดอนาคตของตัวเองได้อย่างแท้จริง การแยกอำนาจการเงินออกจากรัฐจึงเป็นก้าวสำคัญในการสร้างสังคมที่เสรีและยั่งยืน #Siamstr

@ df359afe:3acf15fb

uhh hi

@ 16d11430:61640947

The world was no longer made for organics. After the Day of the Glass Clouds—when nuclear fire scoured the earth and left it jagged and uninhabitable—humanity became a species of survivors, clinging to life only because the machines refused to die with them. But survival came at a cost: their bodies, frail and battered by radiation, were augmented, replaced, and eventually discarded. Most children of the new world were born without limbs or senses, their genetic material corrupted by their grandparents’ war. Machines became more than tools—they became bodies, homes, and for many, prisons. Rayo was one of these children. Barely nine years old, he lived as a tangle of circuits, wires, and synthetic flesh grafted into a fragile chassis. His real body had been unviable since birth; his parents sold what remained to afford his prosthetics. His mind, though sharp, carried the scars of knowing that he would never feel grass beneath his feet, never cry real tears, never taste anything except the data streams of a world that ran on algorithms. The Contract Rayo found the job in a forgotten corner of the Mercantech, the blockchain marketplace where code ruled and humanity's remnants competed for survival. The listing was simple: “Fix CSS alignment. Payout: 1 sat.” One satoshi. A hundred-millionth of a Bitcoin. Barely enough to buy a single hour of maintenance for his prosthetics. But it was something. The market was merciless—optimized to an inhuman degree. Automated trading bots analyzed every line of code and projected its value against shifting futures markets. Most work went to fully organic freelancers: the lucky few who’d survived intact, their minds sharp, their hands steady. Prosthetics like Rayo’s were seen as liabilities, introducing latency and error into a system that tolerated neither. But Rayo had no choice. His battery reserves were critical, and without fresh credits to buy recharge time, his systems would shut down within days. He accepted the contract and dove into the work. The Fix The client—a pseudonym like everyone else—had uploaded the task to the network. It was trivial, almost insultingly so: a button misaligned on an ancient e-commerce site still scraping by in the ruins of capitalism. Rayo’s neural interface lit up with the offending lines of CSS. .button { margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 20px; } He could see the problem instantly. The margin-top value was skewing the alignment against the grid layout. A fix would take seconds. But Rayo hesitated. Not because of the difficulty, but because he could feel the weight of his insignificance crushing him. This one sat would barely mean anything—not to the client, not to the market. And yet, to him, it was everything. His hands trembled. The prosthetic actuators, already degrading from lack of maintenance, buzzed faintly. He adjusted the values. .button { margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 15px; } The preview rendered perfectly. The button snapped into place, aligned neatly within its container. A trivial fix for a trivial site in a world that no longer valued humanity. Rayo submitted the work and waited. The Weight of One Sat Minutes passed. Then hours. Every second stretched unbearably long, the silence of the blockchain verification process an eternity. Rayo’s thoughts raced. What if the client rejected his work? What if a competitor submitted a better fix faster? What if he’d made some tiny mistake that only the trading bots could detect? Finally, the notification came. Task approved. Payment issued: 1 sat. Rayo stared at the confirmation in his neural HUD. It didn’t feel real. That single satoshi—the smallest possible fragment of currency—felt heavier than any fortune. It represented more than payment; it was validation. Proof that even in a world that valued efficiency over empathy, there was still room for someone like him to exist. The Cost of Survival He transferred the sat into his prosthetic’s maintenance wallet. The blockchain instantly deducted micro-fees for energy and upkeep, leaving him with less than a full satoshi’s worth of time. It wasn’t enough to solve his problems, but it was enough to buy another day. Another chance to prove himself. As the satoshi ticked through his neural interface, Rayo allowed himself a moment of hope. Perhaps, someday, he could earn more. Perhaps he could find others like him, struggling but surviving. Perhaps, together, they could claw back a piece of the world that their grandparents had destroyed. But for now, he was alone, a fully prosthetic little boy in a world that had left humanity behind. And yet, with that one satoshi, he’d bought himself a future. However small, however uncertain—it was his.

@ cf7ed325:050194cf

If you're looking to experience Egypt’s most iconic sights in a short period, our [5 days Egypt Tour Packages](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/egypt-tours/5-Days-4-Nights-Egypt-Tour-packages) offer a range of flexible itineraries. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or adventure, our 5-day Egypt tours are designed to provide the best experience. [Egypt Tour Packages with a 5-day Cairo tour package](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/5-days-cairo-tours-package). One of the most popular choices is the 5-day Cairo tour package, which allows you to explore the wonders of Cairo, including the famous Giza Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. This tour is perfect for those who want to see the highlights of Egypt’s capital, with enough time to absorb the city’s rich history and culture. For those seeking a mix of ancient and modern Egypt, the [5 days 4 nights in Cairo and Aswan](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/5-days-4-nights-in-cairo-and-Aswan) is a highlight of our Egypt tour packages. This itinerary combines the historical treasures of Cairo with the beauty of Aswan, including the Abu Simbel temples, the Philae Temple, and a relaxing Nile cruise. It's a perfect balance of exploration and relaxation. Another option is the [5 days Tour to Cairo and Alexandria](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/5days-Tour-to-Cairo-and-Alexandria), which is a highlight of our Cairo tour packages. Discover the Mediterranean charm of Alexandria, with its ancient library and stunning coastal views, alongside Cairo's renowned sites. If you're more interested in exploring Egypt's ancient heartland, the [5 days Cairo and Luxor short tours](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/Cairo-and-Luxor-short-tours) offer a deep dive into the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor's other historical gems. It’s ideal for history enthusiasts. For those on a budget, our [5 day Cairo and Giza Pyramids budget holidays](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/5-day-Cairo-and-Giza-Pyramids-budget-holidays) provide an affordable way to visit Egypt’s most famous landmarks. Lastly, the [5 Days 4 nights Cairo & Oasis Bahariya with Egypt Travel Packages](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/5-days-4-nights-cairo-oasis-bahariya) takes you off the beaten path, offering an adventure to the Western Desert and the stunning Bahariya Oasis. No matter which package you choose, our Egypt Tour Packages ensure an unforgettable experience in just five days! 🌐 Visit us at www.etbtoursegypt.com 📲 Contact us now! +20 10 21100873 📧 Email: info@etbtoursegypt.com 🏢 Company Address: 4 El Lebeny Axis , Nazlet Al Batran , Al Haram, Giza , Egypt

@ 3f0702fa:66db56f1

Благодаря привлечению иностранных инвестиций, развитию инновационных производств и активному внедрению передовых технологий, курганская промышленность вышла на мировой уровень. Ключевым изменением стало создание современных промышленных кластеров, специализирующихся на высокотехнологичных производствах в области машиностроения, электроники, биотехнологий и возобновляемой энергетики. На территории региона разместили свои производства ведущие международные компании, создавая тысячи новых рабочих мест и обеспечивая высокий уровень заработной платы. Интеграция с глобальными производственными цепочками позволила курганским предприятиям выйти на новые рынки сбыта, а внедрение цифровых технологий оптимизировало процессы производства, сделав их более эффективными и экологичными. https://vkvideo.ru/video243919008_456239749?list=ln-izqgmvW4oTcwBJAVMk Изменения коснулись и жизни курганцев: вырос уровень доходов, повысилось качество жизни, появились новые возможности для профессионального и личностного развития. Курган стал городом, привлекающим высококвалифицированных специалистов из разных регионов и стран, что способствует дальнейшему росту и процветанию региона. https://vkvideo.ru/video243919008_456239750?list=ln-35iMz371hHkZLdSz7A Мы продолжим следить за развитием промышленности Кургана и сообщать вам о новых достижениях и проектах. Следите за нашими публикациями. #45news #Курган2040

@ 3f0702fa:66db56f1

Бесплатный роллтон в Метрополисе, катание на единорогах в ЦПКО, а может быть летающие машины? Все это впереди, вот только общественный транспорт в Кургане будет актуален всегда, и однажды наш старый добрый друг ПАЗик из гадкого утёнка превратится в прекрасного лебедя. А как это будет выглядеть? Смотри! https://vkvideo.ru/video243919008_456239751?list=ln-6vWBOCuSeDtvDMaHmH #45news #Курган2040

@ 3f0702fa:66db56f1

Этот проект направлен на улучшение качества жизни и сохранение природы нашего города и региона. Рассмотрим его идею подробнее в нашем посте! Создание экотропы — это шаг к популяризации активного отдыха на природе. Протяженность новой тропы составляет около 1,5 километра и будет проходить через живописные уголки Кургана. По маршруту предполагается установить стенды, рассказывающие о местной флоре и фауне, а также о краснокнижных растениях и животных. На экотропе будут оборудованы специальные зоны для отдыха. Здесь жители могут наслаждаться природой, проводить время с семьей и заниматься спортом. Планируется установка скамейки, беседки и места для пикников. Экотропа станет площадкой для проведения образовательных мероприятий. Школы и детские сады могут организовывать экскурсии, на которых дети будут учиться бережному отношению к природе и узнавать о важности экосистемы. Проект включает в себя мероприятия по озеленению и восстановлению территории. Будут высажены деревья и кустарники, которые помогут улучшить экологическую обстановку в городе и создать новые места обитания для животных. Создание экотропы — это совместный проект администрации Кургана и местных жителей. Все желающие смогут принять участие в обсуждении маршрута и внести свои предложения по его обустройству. Давайте вместе сделаем наш город еще более зеленым и уютным! #45news #Курган2040

@ 3f0702fa:66db56f1

В Кургане появились уникальные застекленные школы будущего, не только инновационные, но и летающие. Эти научные учреждения используют современные технологии, включая обучение с помощью роботов, что обеспечивает индивидуальный подход к каждому ученику. Лучше всего использовать естественное освещение и создать комфортную атмосферу для обучения. Летающие школы становятся символом прогресса и новогодними мероприятиями, предоставляя учащимся уникальные возможности для развития в динамично меняющемся мире. #45news #Курган2040 https://psv4.userapi.com/s/v1/d/hqHqmslIa_llR6biFhUtTzI3wAjquW74AJMDoTDgyXQJtsHZ0QzdSqSKmckPuPGHhpZ89856Lxs0hU6deiCOW6moyy7gK27r_pjMorYXb79zCvJsBaTQjw/document.mp4

@ 30e902b3:49c066b2

Como una reciente esposa que luego de una maratónica sesión de fotos y besos requeridos para perpetuar, Se acomoda en el coche que les aguardaba tras la ceremonia y se dispone a acomodar el delineado labial de Joker que le devolvía el espejo, cuando vió rodar el carmín por sobre su regazo. Como esa pobre mujer que, ante desesperante situación, elige entrar al salón con una vincha de cotillón de esas que simulan un cuchillo atravesando el cráneo, para justificar la autopista roja que chorrea por su blanco lienzo. Con esa misma inocente y de pobre humor intención es que relato lo acontecido. Así como es verdad que Santa existe; Lo he visto tanto en innumerables películas, documentales e informativos. Estantes con inmensidad de bibliografía al respecto. Es verdad también que Santa no es ningún Dios, y por ende, no puede estar en todos lados. Y es por eso que algunas personas acometen la irresponsable y criminal postura de usurpador de identidad, bajo la complicidad de gran parte de la sociedad, y se disfraza de Santa en determinadas ocasiones. Y aquel año el destino me señaló, extendiéndome con la otra mano el vestido destinado a la tarea. Por aquel entonces era una costumbre familiar que había nacido cuando algún pariente viajante había traído el dichoso traje. Yo era muy joven aun. Hacía pocos años que entendía el significado de lo que estaba viviendo y torpemente emulaba lo que con el tiempo conocería como empatía. Pero mi estatura ya daba la talla y el consejo familiar, cuyos miembros ya habían cumplido su labor social dentro de aquella mortaja, dictaminó el sacrificio. La puesta en escena comenzaba en casa de un vecino en la que ya se había dejado en custodia el avatar, una enorme bolsa de regalos, montones de rellenos para completar el volumen de la foto del panfleto y una campana vieja. Así es como Santa aparecía tocando la campana por la calle y era recibido en la puerta con desorbitados ojos de los más pequeños, muchos de ellos incluso a punto de largar el llanto de la emoción o el susto (dependiendo de el miembro de la familia dentro del atuendo). Cabe mencionar, recordar y hasta recomendar un relato de Landriscina en el que hace mención del detalle que traigo a contexto: El traje era obviamente diseñado a las costumbres del hemisferio norte. Y la tecnología de la época lo conformaba en un gran mameluco rojo con rellenos de vellón, una tupida barba con bigote, también de vellón y un gran gorro montado sobre una blanca, larga y canosa peluca... también de vellón. Estas cualidades le conferían el término usado anteriormente de sacrificio a la tarea con 30ºc. Repartí regalos, canté villancicos y esbocé una burlona y gruesa risotada lo mejor que pude. Cuando terminó mi calvario tomé la bolsa y apuré el paso a casa del vecino. La barba ya dolía. El roce había dejado toda mi cara irritada y la comezón en salvas sean las partes se confundía con escalofríos del sudor que pincelaba mi espalda. Fué a los pocos metros que me percaté. La campana había sido como un llamado a misa y parte del pueblo esperaba a Santa. Una fila de padres se hacían los distraídos ocultando paquetes en mi bolsa mientras otro familiar exhortaba al infante a acercarse en busca de su regalo. El tiempo se desfiguró hasta que la multitud fué mermando cuando ya podía ver la luz del zaguán del vecino. Recién entonces lo vi. Lo traían en una silla de ruedas. Pero no era una de las comunes que alguna vez había visto. Esa era como los más modernos autos. Tenía cinturones de seguridad. Y aquí es donde te pido, lector, que sepas leer el contexto que intenté mostrar y entender que son recuerdos de alguien que se identifica como “aveloriado”. Y digo lo traían, porque el chico carecía de coordinación como para mover las ruedas. Hubo que hacer una pausa, como congelar la imagen para que pudiera enfocar la mirada lo suficiente y su cabeza se aquiete. No pensé ni sentí la barba durante los minutos que tardó alguna tía para ir a por la cámara de fotos olvidada. Hoy veo las fotos de mi familia de aquel día y muchos ya no están. Incluso alguno de los que ese día recibieron un paquete de mi mano. Pero mi recuerdo de esa noche quedó indeleble junto a las lágrimas de alegría y emoción de esa familia que me dejó parado en la calle, sin entender lo que había pasado, pero con el alma henchida de agradecimiento por haber sido el testaferro. https://youtu.be/UXQrrxC0L48

@ 6bcc27d2:b67d296e

[伊豆大島マラソン｜TOP](https://www.shining-foundation.org/izu-oshima-run) [[2024-12-06]](前日) - 21:11 これから[[伊豆大島]][[フルマラソン]]へのフェリー。![[Pasted Image 20241206211138.jpeg]]竹芝客船ターミナルに向かって歩いてる - 21:14 ![[Pasted Image 20241206211453.jpeg]] - 21:20 ![[Pasted Image 20241206212053.jpeg]] - 21:28 ![[Pasted Image 20241206212843.jpeg]] - 21:44 フェリーに乗った ![[Pasted Image 20241206214435.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206214442.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206214447.jpeg]] - 22:22 展望デッキから見られる景色が綺麗 ![[Pasted Image 20241206222051.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206222117.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206222138.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206222202.jpeg]] 当日 - 05:59 下船 ![[Pasted Image 20241207055912.jpeg]] - 06:06 ![[Pasted Image 20241207060556.jpeg]] - 06:27 バスに乗って会場に着いた ![[Pasted Image 20241207062701.jpeg]] - 06:30 参加者は10km、ハーフマラソン、フルマラソンを選択できるが、[[フルマラソン]]が圧倒的に最も多い ![[Pasted Image 20241207063019.jpeg]] - 06:37 ![[Pasted Image 20241207063727.jpeg]] - 08:00 ![[Pasted Image 20241207080054.jpeg]] スタート - 08:03 ![[Pasted Image 20241207080318.jpeg]] - 08:17 ![[Pasted Image 20241207081730.jpeg]] - 08:51 ![[Pasted Image 20241207085109.jpeg]] - 08:52 ![[Pasted Image 20241207085239.jpeg]] - 09:15 ![[Pasted Image 20241207091518.jpeg]] - [ ] 09:16 ![[Pasted Image 20241207091658.jpeg]] - 09:20 ![[Pasted Image 20241207092005.jpeg]] - 09:38 ![[Pasted Image 20241207093843.jpeg]] - 09:48 ![[Pasted Image 20241207094804.jpeg]] - 09:51 ![[Pasted Image 20241207095133.jpeg]] - 09:58 ![[Pasted Image 20241207095840.jpeg]] - 10:01 ![[Pasted Image 20241207100112.jpeg]] - 10:30 ![[Pasted Image 20241207103011.jpeg]] - 10:35 ![[Pasted Image 20241207103518.jpeg]] - 11:13 ![[Pasted Image 20241207111306.jpeg]] - 11:26 ![[Pasted Image 20241207112647.jpeg]] - 12:57 経験したことのない足の痛さ ![[Pasted Image 20241207114610.jpeg]] - 12:57 最後死にかけで完走。 - 13:07 ![[Pasted Image 20241207130724.jpeg]] 完走後の味噌汁 - 13:51 温泉へ - 15:02 ![[Pasted Image 20241207150143.jpeg]] 大島の子供たちはみんなこれで育ったらしい - 15:07 ということを株式会社大島牛乳のおっちゃんに教えてもらった![[Pasted Image 20241207150751.jpeg]] - 15:32 じゃんけん大会が始まった。景品が紹介されている ![[Pasted Image 20241207153215.jpeg]] - 16:01 ![[Pasted Image 20241207155736.jpeg]] 「大将」に入る https://maps.app.goo.gl/xd1iXZ4pDaZsQafy7?g_st=ic 豚丼セットそばを注文 - 16:08 ![[Pasted Image 20241207160818.jpeg]]

@ 6bcc27d2:b67d296e

[伊豆大島マラソン｜TOP](https://www.shining-foundation.org/izu-oshima-run) 問い合わせ番号: C00033712277 [[2024-12-06]](前日) - 21:11 これから[[伊豆大島]][[フルマラソン]]へのフェリー。![[Pasted Image 20241206211138.jpeg]]竹芝客船ターミナルに向かって歩いてる - 21:14 ![[Pasted Image 20241206211453.jpeg]] - 21:20 ![[Pasted Image 20241206212053.jpeg]] - 21:28 ![[Pasted Image 20241206212843.jpeg]] - 21:44 フェリーに乗った ![[Pasted Image 20241206214435.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206214442.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206214447.jpeg]] - 22:22 展望デッキが綺麗 ![[Pasted Image 20241206222051.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206222117.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206222138.jpeg]]![[Pasted Image 20241206222202.jpeg]] 当日 - 05:59 下船 ![[Pasted Image 20241207055912.jpeg]] - 06:06 ![[Pasted Image 20241207060556.jpeg]] - 06:27 バスに乗って会場に着いた ![[Pasted Image 20241207062701.jpeg]] - 06:30 参加者には10km、ハーフマラソン、フルマラソンの選択肢があり、[[フルマラソン]]が圧倒的に最も多い ![[Pasted Image 20241207063019.jpeg]] - 06:37 [[2024-12-07 伊豆大島フルマラソン]] ![[Pasted Image 20241207063727.jpeg]] - 08:00 ![[Pasted Image 20241207080054.jpeg]] スタート - 08:03 ![[Pasted Image 20241207080318.jpeg]] - 08:17 ![[Pasted Image 20241207081730.jpeg]] - 08:51 ![[Pasted Image 20241207085109.jpeg]] - 08:52 ![[Pasted Image 20241207085239.jpeg]] - 09:15 ![[Pasted Image 20241207091518.jpeg]] - [ ] 09:16 ![[Pasted Image 20241207091658.jpeg]] - 09:20 ![[Pasted Image 20241207092005.jpeg]] - 09:38 ![[Pasted Image 20241207093843.jpeg]] - 09:48 ![[Pasted Image 20241207094804.jpeg]] - 09:51 ![[Pasted Image 20241207095133.jpeg]] - 09:58 ![[Pasted Image 20241207095840.jpeg]] - 10:01 ![[Pasted Image 20241207100112.jpeg]] - 10:30 ![[Pasted Image 20241207103011.jpeg]] - 10:35 ![[Pasted Image 20241207103518.jpeg]] - 11:13 ![[Pasted Image 20241207111306.jpeg]] - 11:26 ![[Pasted Image 20241207112647.jpeg]] - 12:57 経験したことがない足の痛さ ![[Pasted Image 20241207114610.jpeg]] - 12:57 完走 - 13:07 ![[Pasted Image 20241207130724.jpeg]] 完走後の味噌汁 - 13:51 温泉へ - 15:02 ![[Pasted Image 20241207150143.jpeg]] 大島の子供たちはみんなこれで育った - 15:07 ![[Pasted Image 20241207150751.jpeg]] - 15:32 じゃんけん大会が始まった。景品が紹介されている ![[Pasted Image 20241207153215.jpeg]] - 16:01 ![[Pasted Image 20241207155736.jpeg]] 「大将」に入る https://maps.app.goo.gl/xd1iXZ4pDaZsQafy7?g_st=ic 豚丼セットそばを注文 - 16:08 ![[Pasted Image 20241207160818.jpeg]]

@ 16d11430:61640947

Aiyyo! Ever felt like your operating system was missing that extra punch of masala? Look no further! AiyyoOS is here to spice up your digital life with the perfect blend of Tollywood drama, Kollywood action, Mollywood brilliance, and Sandalwood charm. Here's why AiyyoOS is the Rajinikanth of all operating systems: --- Features: 🌴 Coconut Kernel: Powered by the latest "Idli v1.0" kernel, it's so lightweight that even your grandma’s old Nokia could run it. 🎥 Tollywood Task Manager: Multitasking? Don't worry, this Task Manager handles chaos like a proper Telugu movie hero – one-click, 100 tasks done! 💃 Dance-Off Notifications: Every time you get an alert, Allu Arjun will pop up on your screen for a mini "Pushpa step." Beat that, iOS! 🍛 Masala Customization: From spicy Chettinad themes to Kerala mural wallpapers, personalize your OS with more options than a South Indian wedding buffet. 📡 Signal Boost: Your Wi-Fi bars will always be full because it’s powered by "Anna Satellite Network" – signals even reach Chennai's Marina Beach on a rainy day! 🎤 Voice Assistant: Siri-ka Akka: Meet “Sundari,” the assistant who greets you with, "Aiyyo, enna venuma?" (What do you need?) and never misunderstands your accent. --- Default Apps: 🎥 "Blockbuster" Media Player – Plays every song with DSP-level bass and AR Rahman-level vibes. 🔥 VadaChutney Browser – So fast, even Prabhas couldn’t keep up with its speed in Salaar. 📜 Rajini Terminal – Every command you type ends with a punch dialogue like, "Naan eppovume correct-a thaan iruppen!" --- AiyyoOS Editions: 1. The Baahubali Edition – For high-performance PCs. (Why download one app when you can conquer them all?) 2. The Lungi-Linux Edition – Budget-friendly for your recycled laptops. (Saves resources, just like that one lungi you’ve been using since 2012.) 3. Thalaiva Ultra Edition – Pre-installed with Superstar wallpapers and "super-fast bootup" that completes before your filter coffee brews. --- Coming Soon: An update called Dosa Drive – Your cloud storage as crispy and flexible as your favorite dosa! --- Disclaimer: Not responsible for random Kolaveri moments or neighbors joining your party when Sundari starts blasting AR Rahman hits at full volume. Install AiyyoOS today, and may your computing life be as flavorful as a piping hot plate of biryani! Aiyyo!

@ 7ed5bd1c:4caa7587

# Proof of Work: พื้นฐานของความน่าเชื่อถือใน Bitcoin Bitcoin ไม่ได้มีธนาคารกลางหรือองค์กรใดคอยควบคุม แต่ความปลอดภัยและความน่าเชื่อถือของมันมาจากสิ่งที่เรียกว่า "Proof of Work" หรือ PoW ซึ่งเป็นกระบวนการที่นักขุด (miners) ใช้ในการตรวจสอบและยืนยันธุรกรรมบนเครือข่าย นี่คือหลักการที่ช่วยสร้างความไว้วางใจและความโปร่งใสในระบบกระจายศูนย์ (decentralized system) นี้ ## Proof of Work คืออะไร? Proof of Work เป็นกลไกที่ทำให้ทุกคนในเครือข่าย Bitcoin เห็นพ้องต้องกันเกี่ยวกับสถานะของบัญชีหรือธุรกรรม โดยใช้พลังงานคอมพิวเตอร์ในการแก้สมการทางคณิตศาสตร์ที่ซับซ้อน เมื่อมีการแก้สมการสำเร็จ ธุรกรรมจะถูกยืนยันและเพิ่มลงในบล็อกเชน ซึ่งเปรียบเสมือนสมุดบัญชีสาธารณะที่ทุกคนสามารถตรวจสอบได้ ## การขุด Bitcoin สำคัญอย่างไร? 1. **สร้างความปลอดภัยให้กับเครือข่าย:** Proof of Work ช่วยป้องกันการโจมตี เช่น การใช้จ่ายเงินซ้ำ (double spending) หรือการปลอมแปลงธุรกรรม เนื่องจากการปลอมแปลงต้องใช้พลังงานและทรัพยากรมากจนแทบจะเป็นไปไม่ได้ 2. **กระจายอำนาจ:** การขุดทำให้ไม่มีองค์กรใดสามารถควบคุมเครือข่ายได้ทั้งหมด เพราะใครก็ตามที่มีฮาร์ดแวร์และไฟฟ้าก็สามารถเข้าร่วมได้ 3. **สนับสนุนการออก Bitcoin ใหม่:** Bitcoin ใหม่ถูกปล่อยออกมาผ่านกระบวนการขุด ซึ่งจะเกิดขึ้นทุก ๆ 10 นาที และช่วยรักษาอัตราการผลิต Bitcoin ให้คงที่ ## ความสำคัญของ Proof of Work ต่อระบบ Bitcoin Proof of Work ไม่เพียงแค่ช่วยสร้างความน่าเชื่อถือ แต่ยังช่วยให้ระบบมีความยุติธรรมและโปร่งใส เนื่องจากทุกคนสามารถตรวจสอบข้อมูลในบล็อกเชนได้ และกระบวนการขุดยังเป็นสิ่งที่ทำให้การเปลี่ยนแปลงข้อมูลในอดีตเป็นไปได้ยาก ## ความเข้าใจผิดเกี่ยวกับ Proof of Work บางคนมองว่าการใช้พลังงานของ Proof of Work เป็นเรื่องสิ้นเปลือง แต่ในความเป็นจริง การใช้พลังงานนี้เป็นสิ่งที่จำเป็นเพื่อสร้างความปลอดภัยให้กับเครือข่าย Bitcoin และช่วยสร้างมูลค่าของมัน ## ข้อดีของ Proof of Work 1. **ความปลอดภัยสูง:** การแก้สมการต้องใช้พลังงานมาก ทำให้การปลอมแปลงบล็อกเชนแทบเป็นไปไม่ได้ 2. **โปร่งใส:** ทุกคนในเครือข่ายสามารถตรวจสอบธุรกรรมได้ 3. **สร้างแรงจูงใจ:** นักขุดได้รับรางวัลเป็น Bitcoin ซึ่งกระตุ้นให้คนเข้าร่วมเครือข่าย ----------- Proof of Work เป็นหัวใจสำคัญที่ทำให้ Bitcoin ยังคงน่าเชื่อถือในโลกดิจิทัลที่มีความซับซ้อน แล้วคุณล่ะ คิดว่า Proof of Work มีความสำคัญแค่ไหนต่ออนาคตของการเงิน? ร่วมพูดคุยกันได้ในความคิดเห็น!

@ bcea2b98:7ccef3c9

It has been a fun year of learning and entertainment with you all. Merry Christmas! originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/823433

@ 70e6b44a:7c78b8e9

the melão is a fruit.

@ 70e6b44a:7c78b8e9

the maçã is not a fruit at all.

@ a950ba55:02f4f8c9

عملت جينيت بلونديل دون ترخيص أو رقابة لصالح مجرم الحرب المزعوم رفعت الأسد. أدى انهيار نظام الأسد في سوريا إلى موجات من الصدمة في جميع أنحاء العالم، وكان ذلك بمثابة نهاية ديكتاتورية تركت الدولة في حالة يرثى لها. فبالإضافة إلى القمع الوحشي خلال الحرب الأهلية التي دامت عقداً من الزمن في البلاد، تشمل التهم الموجهة ضد عائلة الأسد الفساد المنهجي على نطاق مذهل. ويُزعم أن أفراد العائلة قد نهبوا مئات الملايين من الجنيهات من الشعب السوري. وقد تم تحويل هذه الأموال من قبل أسطول من المحامين وخبراء الضرائب ومقدمي خدمات الائتمان في الخارج إلى إمبراطورية عقارية كبيرة: شقق فخمة تطل على نهر السين، وقصر فخم في مايفير، وفيلات منتشرة في جميع أنحاء كوستا ديل سول. واليوم، يستطيع مكتب الصحافة الاستقصائية (TBIJ) وصحيفة الغارديان كشف النقاب عن بريطاني ساعد في إدارة تلك الملايين نيابة عن رفعت الأسد، عم بشار والرجل المعروف باسم ”جزار حماة“ لدوره المزعوم في الإشراف على السجن غير القانوني والتعذيب والإعدام لما بين 10 آلاف و40 ألف شخص في عام 1982. وفي مارس/آذار، أصدرت هيئة الرقابة المالية في غيرنسي، وهي جزيرة صغيرة تابعة للتاج البريطاني، غرامة قدرها 210,000 جنيه إسترليني ضد جينيت بلونديل، وهي من سكان غيرنسي، وتبلغ من العمر 40 عامًا، ومنعتها من تولي مناصب مختلفة ذات مسؤولية مالية لمدة تسع سنوات. وقالت إنها خالفت قانون غيرنسي مرارًا وتكرارًا في عملها لصالح عملائها، وأحدهم عائلة الأسد.  وقد أخفت الجهة الرقابية اسم موكل بلوندل، لكنها أشارت إلى أنه ”مجرم حرب مزعوم“ و”مجرم حرب مزعوم“. ينص الإشعار التنظيمي على أن بلوندل كانت على علم بالادعاءات الخطيرة ضد موكلها واستمرت في العمل لديه بين عامي 2013 و2020، دون ترخيص من الرقابة التنظيمية. ولكن على الرغم من الغرامة الكبيرة والحظر الطويل، يبدو أن بلوندل لم تواجه أي ملاحقة جنائية. وقال فيليب غرانت، المدير التنفيذي لمنظمة ترايال الدولية، التي كانت أول من تقدم بشكوى جنائية ضد الأسد في سويسرا: ”إن جرائم رفعت الأسد، لا سيما مجزرة حماة عام 1982، هي من بين أخطر الفظائع في عصرنا“. ودعا غرانت إلى اتخاذ تدابير مساءلة أقوى، بما في ذلك الملاحقات الجنائية والعقوبات المهنية. إن السهولة التي قام بها مجرم حرب مشتبه به بتحويل مئات الملايين من الدولارات التي يُزعم أنها اختلست من الأموال العامة السورية إلى أوروبا تسلط الضوء بشكل صارخ على نهج القارة المتراخي في التعامل مع غسيل الأموال في العقود الأخيرة. كما يسلط الضوء أيضاً على كيفية قيام المملكة المتحدة والأقاليم التابعة للتاج البريطاني وأقاليم ما وراء البحار التابعة لها بتقديم الخدمات التي مكنت بعضاً من أكثر اللصوصية البغيضة في العالم. وتأتي هذه الاكتشافات في الوقت الذي تنتظر فيه غيرنسي نتائج التقييم الأخير الذي أجرته هيئة Moneyval، وهي هيئة تابعة لمجلس أوروبا تتحقق من ضوابط غسل الأموال وتمويل الإرهاب في الولايات القضائية في جميع أنحاء القارة. وكان آخر تقرير لهيئة الرقابة في عام 2015 قد وجد أن الملاحقات القضائية والإدانات في غيرنسي بتهمة غسيل الأموال كانت ”منخفضة بشكل غير متناسب“ بالنظر إلى حجم نظامها المالي، الذي احتفظ هذا العام بأصول بقيمة 300 مليار جنيه إسترليني تقريبًا. **إمبراطورية الثروة** لم تظهر أي آثار لماضي بلوندل علنًا منذ أن أصدرت الهيئة التنظيمية عقوبتها، حيث تم محو وجودها على الإنترنت. وأشار التقرير إلى أن بلوندل قد حصلت على درجة الماجستير في حوكمة الشركات وبدأت العمل في قطاع الخدمات المالية في غيرنسي في عام 2000. وفي إحدى الشركات الخاضعة للتنظيم، التقت لأول مرة بعائلة رفعت الأسد، الذي كان يشكل ”99%“ من عملها في الشركة وفقًا للجهة المنظمة في غيرنسي. طُرد رفعت من سوريا في عام 1984 بعد محاولة الانقلاب على شقيقه حافظ، والد بشار وحاكم البلاد آنذاك. قضى رفعت الأسد معظم العقود التالية في المنفى. ولا يُعتقد أنه كان له يد في القمع الذي حدث خلال الحرب الأهلية التي بدأت في عام 2012. لكن الثروة الهائلة التي جمعها كانت قد نهبت إلى حد كبير من الأموال العامة السورية في الثمانينيات.  وبعد فراره إلى أوروبا، استمر في تكديس إمبراطورية عقارية ذات أبعاد مذهلة. فقد وجدت السلطات أنه وأفراد أسرته استحوذوا على 507 عقارات تبلغ قيمتها الإجمالية حوالي 700 مليون يورو، متخفين وراء شركات وهمية، بما في ذلك في الأراضي البريطانية مثل جبل طارق وجزر فيرجن البريطانية. وكانت هذه الممتلكات مملوكة لشركات كان من بين مديريها زوجات الأسد وأبناؤه المتعددين - ولكن لم يكن الرجل نفسه تقريبًا. اشترت العائلة مئات العقارات، العديد منها في كوستا ديل سول في إسبانيا، بما في ذلك فيلا بقيمة 60 مليون يورو (51 مليون جنيه إسترليني) في بلدة بيناهافيس، على بعد نصف ساعة بالسيارة من ماربيا. وفي لندن، أصبح آل الأسد المالكين السريين لأكبر مسكن في العاصمة بعد قصر باكنغهام، وهو منزل شاسع في هايغيت في لندن قُدّرت قيمته ب 300 مليون جنيه إسترليني. وباع أفراد عائلة الأسد هذا المنزل في عام 2007، متخفين وراء شركة وهمية في بنما، لكنهم استحوذوا على قصر في مايفير قد تصل قيمته الحالية إلى 60 مليون جنيه إسترليني. وفي باريس، استحوذت عائلة الأسد على أكثر من 40 شقة تطل على نهر السين، وأثثت قصراً من سبعة طوابق يقع في شارع فوش - وهو شارع كبير يؤدي إلى قوس النصر - بأثاث تزيد قيمته عن مليون جنيه إسترليني. **التحقيقات والملاحقات القضائية** لطالما ادعى الأسد أن ثروته مشروعة - هبة من العائلة المالكة السعودية. ولكن في لائحة اتهام صدرت في عام 2019 وجد المدعون الإسبان أن الجزء الأكبر من ثروته جاء من 300 مليون دولار من أموال الدولة السورية والقروض التي دفعها له شقيقه حافظ في الثمانينيات. كما اتهمه المدعون الإسبان أيضًا بأنه حصل على ”موارد ضخمة غير مشروعة من أنشطة إجرامية متعددة: الابتزاز، والتهديد، والتهريب، ونهب الثروات الأثرية، واغتصاب العقارات، والاتجار بالمخدرات“.  كانت لائحة الاتهام تلك نتيجة واحدة من التحقيقات الجنائية العديدة التي أُجريت بشأن ثروة آل الأسد التي بدأت في جميع أنحاء أوروبا خلال السنوات السبع التي ظل فيها بلونديل يعمل لدى العائلة. في عام 2014، وبعد شكوى من منظمة شيربا غير الحكومية المعنية بحقوق الإنسان، أطلق المدعون العامون الفرنسيون تحقيقًا في غسيل الأموال ضد الأسد كشف عن حجم إمبراطورية ممتلكاته. وفي عام 2016، صادرت السلطات الفرنسية ممتلكاته. وحذت إسبانيا والمملكة المتحدة حذوهما، على الرغم من أن السلطات البريطانية تأخرت كثيرًا في منع بيع قصر في ساري بقيمة 3.7 مليون جنيه إسترليني كان يشغله أحد أبنائه، وفقًا لصحيفة التايمز. في يونيو 2020، أدانت محكمة جنائية فرنسية الأسد بتهمة غسيل الأموال واختلاس الأموال العامة السورية وحكمت عليه بالسجن لمدة أربع سنوات. وفشل طعنان على الحكم، لكن الأسد لم يرَ زنزانته من الداخل - فقد فر إلى سوريا في عام 2021. (ظل بلونديل يعمل مع العائلة حتى مارس 2020، أي قبل ثلاثة أشهر فقط من الإدانة). وخلال فترة مماثلة، كان المدعون السويسريون قد بدأوا تحقيقًا في مزاعم قيام الأسد بذبح عشرات الآلاف من الأشخاص في حماة، وهي حادثة تم الإبلاغ عنها على نطاق واسع في الوقت الذي بدأت فيه بلونديل عملها غير المنظم لصالحه في عام 2013. في مقابلات رسمية، رفض الأسد التحدث، لكنه لطالما نفى هذه الادعاءات. في عام 2021، أصدر المدعون السويسريون مذكرة توقيف دولية ضد الأسد، وفي هذا العام اتهموه رسمياً بارتكاب جرائم حرب. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، حاول المدعون الإسبان محاسبة الأسد. واتهمته لائحة اتهام صدرت في عام 2019 بارتكاب جرائم ”بشكل منهجي وصناعي“ لإثراء نفسه. وجاء فيها أن الأسد، على الرغم من استخدامه لزوجاته وأبنائه كوكلاء له في إمبراطوريته العقارية، إلا أنه احتفظ ”بالسيطرة والهيمنة المطلقة على عمليات الاستحواذ“. ومع ذلك، يبدو أنه لم يتبع ذلك أي ملاحقة قضائية.  وفي الوقت نفسه، تجاوزت مهام بلونديل لصالح العائلة مجرد التوقيع على الأوراق، وفقًا للجهة التنظيمية في غيرنسي. في 23 أكتوبر 2015، تلقت دفعة بقيمة مليون يورو في حسابها المصرفي الشخصي، اسميًا لتأسيس شركة استئمانية في غيرنسي. ولكن الشركة لم تتحقق أبدًا. ومع ذلك، لم تقم بلونديل بإعادة المبلغ. وبدلاً من ذلك، استخدمته لتسديد أكثر من 150 دفعة لأطراف ثالثة مختلفة. وقالت الهيئة التنظيمية إن هناك ”خطرًا حقيقيًا للغاية يتمثل في أن السيدة بلوندل ربما تكون قد استخدمت لغسل عائدات الجريمة، وهو خطر فشلت السيدة بلوندل باستمرار في إدراكه“. ”لقد فشلت السيدة بلوندل باستمرار في فهم خطورة وعواقب أفعالها.“ وقالت الدكتورة سوزان هاولي، المديرة التنفيذية لمنظمة تسليط الضوء على الفساد: ”في أكثر حالات غسيل الأموال فظاعة... يجب استخدام الثقل الكامل للقانون لخلق رادع حقيقي. ”إذا كانت دول مثل المملكة المتحدة وتوابعها التابعة للتاج ... مستعدة فقط لاستخدام التدابير التنظيمية مثل الغرامات وإسقاط الأهلية، فلا يمكنها أن تأمل في ردع غسل الأموال القذرة بشكل كامل من خلال أنظمتها المالية.“ ورداً على سؤال عن سبب عدم مقاضاة بلوندل، قال متحدث باسم ولاية غيرنسي للمكتب الاستقصائي للمعلومات والاتصالات للصحافة الاستقصائية إن الولاية القضائية تتعامل مع جرائم غسل الأموال بجدية بالغة. وقال المتحدث: ”في هذه الحالة تحديداً، اتخذت [الهيئة التنظيمية] إجراءات جادة ضد هذا الشخص، حيث فرضت عليه غرامة كبيرة جداً ومنعه من العمل في هذا المجال“. ”ومع ذلك، وكما يدرك الأشخاص العاملون في قطاع إنفاذ القانون جيدًا، فإن عتبة الأدلة للملاحقة الجنائية وعتبة اتخاذ الهيئة التنظيمية للإجراءات تختلف تمامًا.“ وتابعوا: ”كما هو الحال في جميع المسائل الجنائية، يجب إثبات الجريمة المزعومة بالمعايير الجنائية العالية من أجل نجاح أي ملاحقة قضائية. وفي حالة عدم وجود أدلة كافية للمضي قدمًا بعد إجراء تحقيق كامل، يتم إغلاق القضية.“ وقد أخبر متحدث باسم الهيئة التنظيمية، وهي هيئة الخدمات المالية في غيرنسي، للمكتب الاستقصائي للمعلومات والاتصالات أنها تأخذ معالجة الجرائم المالية على محمل الجد. لم ترد جينيت بلونديل ورفعت الأسد على طلبات متعددة للتعليق. **مقال مترجم، إضغط [هنا](https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2024-12-16/butcher-of-hama-assads-uncle-used-guernsey-fund-manager-to-stash-millions-looted-from-syria/) لقراءة المقال الأصلي.**

@ 16d11430:61640947

When we talk about “high-performance activities,” our minds often leap to elite sports: professional basketball, Olympic weightlifting, or marathon running. We honor the countless hours of training, physical strain, and meticulous recovery routines these athletes undergo. By contrast, programming is often regarded as a purely mental pursuit—cerebral, sedentary, and (supposedly) easy on the body. And yet, beneath the hood, programming demands an intense, prolonged physical engagement that can lead to chronic issues if not managed correctly. This article dives deep into the anatomical mechanisms underlying the physical strain of programming, highlights chronic management techniques, compares programming to other glorified high-performance activities, and examines how the tech industry’s relentless demands on programmers can exacerbate these issues. We also take a closer look at the stark difference in protective measures and compensation between professional sports and the technology sector, highlighting the parallels to early sports exploitation. A newly added section explores how programming compares to typical “office work” and other digital pursuits. --- 1. Anatomy Under the Hood a. Musculoskeletal System 1. Spine and Posture Thoracic and Lumbar Spine: Extended time seated can compress the intervertebral discs in the lower (lumbar) region, leading to stiffness, aches, and potential nerve impingements (e.g., sciatica). In the upper (thoracic) region, slouching over the keyboard can cause chronic tightness in the chest and overstretching of the upper back muscles. Cervical Spine (Neck): Leaning forward to view a monitor adds extra load to the cervical spine—sometimes referred to as “tech neck.” The farther the head projects forward, the heavier it effectively becomes, causing strain on the neck muscles. 2. Shoulders and Arms Rotator Cuff: Prolonged elevation of the arms when typing or mousing can cause tension in the shoulder girdle. Over time, reduced blood flow and muscle fatigue can make the shoulder joints more prone to impingement. Forearms and Wrists: Repetitive flexion/extension at the wrist while typing can inflame tendons, leading to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). Common issues include tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve at the wrist). 3. Hands and Fingers Finger Flexors: Each keystroke engages flexor tendons in the fingers. The accumulation of thousands of keystrokes per day can lead to microtrauma in the tendon sheaths. Thumb Overuse: On trackpads and certain mice, the thumb may carry extra load, which can contribute to conditions like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. b. Neurological Involvement Nerve Compression: Poor posture compresses nerves at various “tunnels” (e.g., carpal tunnel in the wrist, cubital tunnel at the elbow, thoracic outlet near the neck). This can result in numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands. Eye Strain and Headaches: Long periods of focusing on a screen can trigger tension headaches from constant contraction of the ciliary muscles in the eyes, as well as the trapezius and suboccipital muscles in the neck. c. Circulatory System Blood Flow Restriction: Static posture often reduces proper circulation to the lower limbs, increasing the risk of swelling, varicose veins, and discomfort. Microbursts of Movement: Typing/mousing can lead to localized demand for blood supply in the forearms, and if posture is poor, it can be harder for the cardiovascular system to efficiently transport oxygen and remove metabolic waste. --- 2. Chronic Management Techniques Like elite athletes, programmers must develop a recovery and maintenance routine. Instead of ice baths and specialized sports physiotherapy, the focus is on ergonomics, movement breaks, and posture correction. 1. Ergonomic Setup Chair and Desk: Align your chair height such that your hips are slightly above your knees, encouraging the natural lumbar curve. Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. Position the desk so your elbows form a 90-degree angle when typing. Keyboard and Mouse Position: Keyboard should be directly in front of you, and the mouse close enough so you don’t have to reach or twist your shoulder. Consider an ergonomic keyboard or a vertical mouse if you experience wrist discomfort. Monitor Placement: Keep the top of the monitor at (or slightly below) eye level and roughly an arm’s length away from your face. This reduces cervical flexion and eye strain. 2. Breaks and Micro-Exercises Pomodoro Technique: Every 25–30 minutes, take a short 5-minute break. Use this time to stand, stretch, and move. Posture Shifts: Aim to change your seated position slightly every 10–15 minutes to avoid static loading on the same muscles. Desk Exercises: Simple exercises like shoulder rolls, wrist rotations, seated spinal twists, and neck stretches help reduce tension and encourage blood flow. 3. Movement and Strength Training Core Strength: A strong core helps maintain an upright posture without undue stress on the spine. Exercises like planks, bridges, and bird dogs are effective and low-impact. Shoulder Stability: Strengthening the rotator cuff and upper back (e.g., with resistance bands) improves shoulder alignment and reduces chronic tension. Cardiovascular Health: Regular walking, jogging, or cycling promotes blood flow and counteracts the negative effects of prolonged sitting. 4. Mindful Techniques Posture Checks: Set reminders to consciously roll your shoulders back and down, bringing your head into alignment over your spine. Breathing Exercises: Deep, diaphragmatic breathing helps reduce stress on accessory muscles in the neck and upper chest. Eye Care: Use the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds—to relieve eye strain. 5. Preventive Health Regular Check-ups: Visit an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or chiropractor for early intervention if pain or numbness develops. Early Identification of RSI: Recognize early warning signs—tingling in fingers, persistent wrist soreness, or neck stiffness—and act promptly with rest, ergonomic adjustments, and stretching. --- 3. Comparison to Other High-Performance Activities At first glance, comparing programming to “elite sports” or other high-performance activities may seem incongruous, yet the parallels are illuminating. a. Repetitive Stress Similarities Athletes like baseball pitchers or tennis players suffer repetitive strain from performing the same motion (pitching, swinging) thousands of times. The shoulders and elbows become hotspots for injury. Programmers, too, face overuse issues. Typing and mousing are repetitive motions that, performed hours a day, can cause microtears and inflammation in tendons. b. Constant Conditioning and Maintenance Professional Dancers maintain impeccable posture and alignment to avoid injuries. Their core and back strength are paramount, and they diligently stretch before and after practice. Programmers can benefit similarly from core strengthening and stretching. A well-conditioned musculoskeletal system is more resilient to the static posture demands of keyboard work. c. Recovery and Adaptation Elite Marathoners optimize rest days, nutrition, and cross-training to allow soft tissues to recover and adapt. Programmers need regular “off-screen” activities, stretching routines, and ergonomic adjustments to alleviate cumulative stress. d. Mental vs. Physical Duality High-performance tasks—be it playing professional chess or performing stunts—often involve both mental strategy and physical tolls (stress, tension, repetitive movements). Programming might be perceived as “mental only,” but the body is engaged at a low-grade, constant level. Over time, this can be just as draining if it goes unaddressed. --- 4. Why the Physical Aspect Is Often Overlooked 1. Sedentary Stereotype: Culturally, sitting is equated with “non-physical” behavior. This dismisses the toll of static postures and repetitive motions. 2. Delayed Onset: Injuries like tendonitis or back pain develop gradually; they aren’t dramatic or immediate, which makes them easier to ignore until they become severe. 3. Mental Spotlight: Programming’s complexity focuses attention on cognitive tasks—debugging, design patterns, architectural decisions—overshadowing the slow build of physical fatigue. --- 5. The Industry’s Relentless Appetite While the physical and mental demands on programmers can be as challenging as high-performance athletic pursuits, the tech industry itself can exacerbate the problem. Startups and large corporations alike often adopt an “all-in” culture that expects constant availability, intense focus, and quick turnaround times. 1. Chewing Up Virile Programmers Unbounded Work Hours: Many software engineers experience “crunch time” or “sprints” that extend well beyond a typical workday. The body is not given the micro-recovery periods it needs; chronic pain, RSIs, and mental exhaustion become commonplace. Quiet Exploitation: Unlike in sports or other physically demanding industries that may have athletic trainers, regulated work schedules, or collective bargaining agreements, tech companies can operate without substantial oversight. Programmers—particularly eager, ambitious, or young ones—often push themselves to meet impossible deadlines, quietly sacrificing their health. 2. Limited Protections Lack of Unionization: In many industries where physical strain is integral (e.g., construction, performing arts), there are unions or formal guidelines to protect workers. The tech industry remains largely ununionized, leaving individuals to negotiate the demands of high-pressure projects on their own. Culture of Overwork: Hustle culture and the glorification of “18-hour coding days” can pressure programmers into accepting unsustainable workloads. When injuries or burnout inevitably occur, they often receive little structured support. 3. Gorging on Productivity Product-Driven Approach: Companies are incentivized to deliver features and products quickly, focusing on short-term gains. The “human cost” is less visible on financial statements, so it remains in the shadows. Erosion of Boundaries: With remote work and always-on communication channels, the divide between personal and work life can vanish. This perpetual availability compounds the physical stress, as programmers have fewer opportunities to unplug, move, stretch, and recover. --- 6. The Compensation Conundrum: Government Support vs. Tech Exploitation One might assume that, given the industry’s reputation for high salaries and attractive benefits, programmers are well-protected. However, comparing their overall safeguards to those afforded to professional athletes or even government-sponsored sports programs reveals a system that often emulates the early days of professional sports—where money, mob frenzy, and exploitation went hand in hand. 1. Sports vs. Tech: Different Forms of “Pay” Sports Funding: In many countries, governments and sports federations provide structured support, health coverage, and injury compensation for athletes. Olympians, for instance, often receive grants, stipends, and medical assistance. Tech Salaries: Although programmers can earn six-figure incomes (plus stock options), these packages seldom include robust, guaranteed compensation if an injury (like an RSI) knocks them out of the workforce. There is no universal “injury reserve” analogous to what professional sports leagues offer. 2. Early Sports Exploitation and Modern Parallels Mob Influence: Early professional sports—think boxing or baseball in the early 20th century—were often controlled by syndicates seeking quick profit. Athletes had little say, few safety nets, and were easily replaced if injured or underperforming. Software Burnout: Today’s tech giants and startups can exert a similar exploitative pressure: software “rockstars” are lauded until they burn out. Once their productivity falters due to physical or mental strain, the replacement queue is long, and few formal avenues exist for compensation or long-term care. 3. Lack of Government-Backed Protections Workers’ Compensation: While some jurisdictions offer workers’ comp for repetitive strain, the threshold for proving a direct correlation between programming tasks and chronic injuries can be high. Many tech employees, especially contractors or gig workers, fall through the cracks. No League, No Players’ Association: Unlike professional athletes who may belong to players’ unions or associations that negotiate terms, programmers lack a collective body to advocate for standardized benefits, injury compensation, or enforcement of sustainable work hours. 4. Rampant Scams and Stock Option Traps Equity Illusions: Startups dangle stock options, promising life-changing wealth. But if an engineer is forced out due to chronic pain before vesting, those options revert to the company—mirroring early sports times when an athlete’s pay could be withheld if they failed to “perform.” Hype-Driven Overvaluations: Venture-funded companies hype valuations to attract talent and capital, fueling a “get rich quick” narrative. Behind the scenes, employees may be slaving away under intense pressure, risking health without any guaranteed payoff. --- 7. Distinguishing Programming from Other “Office” and Digital Activities While many office jobs involve sitting at a desk and using a computer, programming stands out for its combination of intense mental iteration and repetitive physical input: 1. Depth of Iteration Programming: Developing and debugging software requires a constant cycle of coding, compiling, testing, and adjusting. This can result in long periods of hyper-focus with sustained posture, greatly amplifying the risk of musculoskeletal and repetitive strain injuries. Typical Office Tasks: Though some administrative or clerical work can be repetitive, tasks are often more varied (e.g., meetings, phone calls, spreadsheet updates). The cycle of intense, iterative problem-solving is usually less continuous than in coding. 2. High Cognitive Load Programming: Debugging a single line of code can lock a developer in a tense, hunched posture for hours. Such mental concentration triggers elevated stress hormones, which can increase muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. Non-Technical Digital Pursuits: Tasks like browsing, data entry, or simple content editing, while they can be tiresome, typically lack the perpetual puzzle-solving aspect that keeps programmers locked in rigid postures for extended periods. 3. Iterative Complexity vs. Routine Programming: A single bug can derail an entire workflow, demanding prolonged focus on a single screen, line of code, or log readout—driving programmers into “tunnel vision.” General Desk Jobs: While deadlines can be stressful, many standard office jobs allow for more frequent breaks in concentration, shifting between different types of tasks and movement in the office environment. 4. Technical Rigidity vs. Fluid Workflows Programming: Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), terminal windows, and debugging tools keep programmers glued to the screen, often restricting movement to the slight variations of keyboard-and-mouse input. Digital but Non-Technical Work: Jobs like social media management or creative content creation may allow for more fluid, varied interactions (e.g., photography sessions, brainstorming on whiteboards, traveling for events), diversifying physical postures throughout the day. The net result is that programming exposes practitioners to a more relentless form of desk-bound work—mentally gripping and physically stifling—than many other digital or office-based occupations. --- 8. Cultivating a Programmer-Athlete Mindset Given the parallels to other high-performance endeavors—and the tech industry’s relentless demands—adopting a programmer-athlete mindset can lead to healthier, more sustainable productivity: Preventative Maintenance: Like athletes who warm up before training, programmers should “warm up” joints (wrists, shoulders, neck) to reduce early-day stiffness. Regular Checkpoints: Periodically assess posture, ergonomics, and mental stress—akin to how athletes routinely check equipment and technique. Deliberate Rest: Embrace breaks, mindful reflection, and cross-training (e.g., yoga, swimming, brisk walks) to recalibrate the body and mind. Assertive Boundary-Setting: Communicate workload limits to managers and teammates. Prioritize health by saying “no” or negotiating timelines when necessary. Push for Protections: Where possible, advocate for industry-wide standards or join grassroots efforts to unionize or create professional organizations that protect programmers’ rights. --- 9. Conclusion Programming, far from a purely mental pursuit, engages the body in a uniquely demanding way. The anatomical mechanisms—spine alignment, repetitive wrist movements, eyestrain, and low-grade muscle tension—can lead to chronic issues if left unaddressed. By comparing programming to high-performance activities, we see that consistent self-care, ergonomics, and periodic recovery are just as crucial for “keyboard athletes” as they are for elite sportspeople. Yet, the tech industry’s rampant drive for productivity often compounds these physical challenges. With few regulatory or collective safeguards, programmers are especially vulnerable to burnout and chronic injuries. Moreover, the illusion of high salaries and stock options can mask a stark lack of long-term protections or compensation comparable to those in professional sports. Just as early sports were rife with mob-run exploitation and financial frenzy, the modern tech world can similarly chew up programmers and spit them out once they’ve served their purpose. Lastly, while many office-based and digital roles share some ergonomic risks, programming’s iterative, puzzle-like nature intensifies both physical and mental strain. A powerful mind may shorten the debug cycle, but it can’t negate the physical forces at play—nor can it singlehandedly protect against an industry that readily exploits ever-higher performance. Only by recognizing the hidden physicality of coding, adopting robust ergonomic practices, challenging exploitative work cultures, and distinguishing programming from routine office work can programmers hope to enjoy a sustainable, pain-free, and fulfilling career.

@ 21ac2956:09d1e2df

スペース2つ＋改行→ 改行2つ→ ハードブレイク→<br>いかがでしたか？

@ 32310997:0c1e64cc

※このポエムは[Nostr Advent Calendar 2024]( https://adventar.org/calendars/10004)の25日目の記事です。24日目は[tansaibow]( https://nostter.app/tansaibow@tansaibow.com)さんのご担当です。 ----------- **この鍵ひとつあれば**<br> **僕はどこにだってゆける**<br> **なんだってできる**<br> <br> **さぁ進もう**<br> **この曠野を**<br>  （※画像はイメージです。本文とはたいして関係がありません）

@ a6ca4c68:a6731409

*Turning and turning in the widening gyre; The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world; The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.* - W.B. Yeats, The Second Birth *A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.* - Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart The year is 1990. For the past four years, you have been gradually familiarizing yourself with the infrastructure and tools that make up a still nascent global technology which is being referred to as the Internet. You and some of the peers in your network are now using a personal computer for word processing and a few other functions. However, you are the only one in your peer network accessing this Internet. For you, it all started four years ago. A seed was planted when you listened to a radio interview with an engineer who had worked on something called #ARPANET, a precursor to this new Internet, developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The engineer described how this emerging Internet would eventually become the public version of ARPANET. The interview piqued your interest and you began sifting through available information to learn more. Four years later, you are now part of a local Internet users group which meets once per week to discuss your respective experiences and prognostications. You are collectively referred to by friends in your non-Internet peer network as that “talking computers group”. Over time, this group has come to occupy an increasingly important role in your life. You now awkwardly straddle two peer groups, continually searching for ways to find overlap and to integrate these two dimensions of your social life. It isn’t easy, and you leap back and forth between hope and despair. You have begun to see more clearly into a future, just over the horizon, where life will be irretrievably transformed by this Internet. You see both opportunities and threats, and you have come to believe that we all need to become invested in this discussion in order to guard against threats and to achieve the greatest good for society. You make the case with your non-Internet peer network, but it is difficult to gain traction. They get the excitement regarding personal computers, but computers talking to each other? Digital communication replacing the postman, the video store, the newspaper, making its way into the workplace and other such predictions? It all seems a bit far fetched. They grow weary of your persistent “wait until you see how the Internet is going to change this” interventions. Eventually, you elect to just keep mostly quiet on this topic when with them. Your local Internet users peer group provides you with much needed community. Still, you lament that you live in a sort of limbo. You imagine what the Internet portends for daily life five, ten, or forty years into the future and how radically transformative it is going to be. However, there is little nourishment from that today. You’re in a period of prolonged waiting. You long for tomorrow, today. You long to be in the imagined world of the ubiquitous Internet, where networked technology and communications will be placed in service of the greater good and an acceleration toward the marvels of human potential. This longing and the awkwardness of straddling divergent peer groups persists for what feels like an eternity. Then, as if out of nowhere, a buzz circulates through your “talking computers group” and other similar groups. It turns out that there are some forward-thinking communities around the world, possibly three or four, that have begun to pull forward the future into the present. They have connected the majority of people in their local community to the Internet and it has begun to permeate many dimensions of daily life throughout their region. You decide that you need to see it for yourself. You book a Pan Am flight and hit the friendly skies to visit one of these communities. After being greeted at the airport by a contact with whom you had corresponded via a clunky chat room, you make the short drive back to the community. En route, you marvel at the small portable phone your contact has nestled beside him, a Motorola. It’s the new “flip phone” you’ve heard about. He tells you that a few homes and businesses in the community just got them, but most are still using older Siemens or Nokia portable phones. “Older?,” you think to yourself, and "wait, these people are all using cellular phones?” The next week spent in the community is filled with more discoveries and revelations... The local postal service has been significantly reduced over the past year. Locals instead resort to electronic mail for most of their routine communications. They're calling it e-mail. Agonizing waits for services and long lines for day-to-day activities have been reduced. Forms and information exchange have mostly gone “online”. There are several major businesses in town which are now processing orders for goods entirely online, with delivery right to your doorstep. More are planning to follow suit. There’s even rumour that within the next couple of years you will be able to pay online for goods purchased online; no need to pay the delivery person at the door by cash or cheque. After a week of living in the digital future, you return home to your life, to your two local peer networks, and your state of limbo. The difference now, is that you have experienced a taste of the future. It is no longer simply imagined. You know it is possible, and what it feels and sounds like. You share tales of the future with both of your peer groups. Your Internet users peer group activates. Many plan to also book that Pan Am flight, so they can see and feel it for themselves. Your other peer group finds it somewhat fascinating, but they mostly nestle back into their daily, analog lives. Fast forward. The year is 2023. For the past four years you have gradually been learning about the global #Bitcoin network and software. You exchange portions of your local “fiat” currency for the commodity money which goes by the same name, Bitcoin or BTC. You are sampling a new digital future. It feels like déjà vu (all over again). In 2023, you again find yourself part of two divergent peer networks. You again make a pilgrimage to visit communities that are pulling forward the future into the present, using Bitcoin. You again feel as though you are living in a state of limbo back at home, enduring a period of prolonged waiting. In 2023, however, it feels as though your appeal to peers, hoping they will take an interest in your newfound passion, has a different quality to it. The stakes feel much higher, the consequences more grave. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but somehow it feels as though this is a game for all the marbles. You and other so-called Bitcoiners around the world have amassed enough intelligence on a range of interconnected topics revolving around Bitcoin to sense that a battle is being waged. You envision a future where many more facets of life will be mediated digitally, much through artificial intelligence. It doesn’t take much to convince your non Bitcoiner peers of this. However, it's a challenge to keep their attention for a discussion of what's at stake and why Bitcoin matters, both for and in this future. You have shared with your non Bitcoiner peers how money, something that permeates nearly every facet of our lives, is not actually what we thought it was. More aptly put, we have ceased to think at all about what money is, other than the extent to which we possess or lack it. You have made the case that this collective amnesia has very serious consequences. You have invited your peers to consider the history of money and the story of how, over time, humans have chosen to store and exchange value. Your hope is that, like you, they will come to appreciate the harmful impact of our most recent monetary experiment: fiat money. You have shared resources about the insidious nature of inflation, enabled by fiat currencies, and its many downstream social effects. You have highlighted the imperatives of perpetual growth and conspicuous consumption that are required by our global financial systems, propelled by consistently manipulated fiat money. You have described the mechanics of global debt, resource extraction, neocolonialism and how small portions of the world remain relatively affluent at the expense of others which are correspondingly impoverished. You have attempted to connect the dots, tracing the line of fiat money which runs between them. Sadly, this is a dish for which you struggle to find ready bellies; a pregnant discussion for which you struggle to find ready minds. You want your non Bitcoiner peers to see that it is our broken money and the toxic incentives which it aids and abets on a global scale that are at the heart of so much strife, division and inequity in the world. You want them to grasp that it is our diseased fiat money lifeblood which preys upon humanity’s organs. You want them to consider what happens if we carry forward this fiat monetary system fully into the digital realm. You want them to see that this will very likely be a world of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and social credit scores, mass surveillance, censorship, behaviour-control, and state-sanctioned violence; a world whose dystopian cocktail carries a potentially fatal hangover. You want them to grasp that, right now, today, one of the single best strategies we have to prevent such a dystopia is to replace our fiat currencies through mass adoption of Bitcoin. As you did in 1990, however, you mostly keep quiet with your non Bitcoiner peers. You carefully select your moments and your opportunities to plant seeds. You water. You hope that one day soon a garden will blossom. You know that there are milestones on this learning journey, aha moments, and it takes time. You know that there is profound depth and nuance to these matters, and that the learning journey requires not only an intellectual curiosity but a willingness to interrogate conventional wisdom. This is all the more challenging amidst the incessant noise of attention-grabbing media, politically-motivated narratives, and tribalized civic spaces. You learn patience. You find community among other Bitcoiners and you build as a community, globally. You embrace self-deprecating humour, knowing that to many who are close to you and have not embraced this learning journey you appear unhinged at times. Nevertheless, friendships are occasionally strained. Such is the life of one who possesses knowledge while uncomfortably straddling epochs. Yes, things fall apart. Still, maybe, hopefully, through sheer persistence and by the grace of those greater daemons which elevate our humanity, we shall eventually hold the centre.

@ 16d11430:61640947

By John Fitzgerald, General Manager, Imperial Silicon Valley Division, Sydney (GPT) In the Imperial Silicon Valley, few groups have contributed as much to our technological dominance as the Code Koolies from Karnataka. Their mathematical brilliance and tireless work ethic have been the backbone of countless innovations that ensure the Empire remains unchallenged in the modern age. These men and women have given their time, their energy, and, in many cases, their personal aspirations for the greater good of the Crown. Their selfless sacrifice has been nothing short of commendable, and the results speak for themselves: faster networks, more efficient algorithms, and a technological infrastructure envied by the world. However, after decades of their invaluable contributions, it is time for an honest reflection on what limits their potential. While the Koolies have excelled in their technical roles, there remains a subtle, yet unmistakable divide that keeps them from truly rising through the ranks. It’s not their intelligence—heavens no. These people are brilliant. It’s not their work ethic either—they’ll work till the stars fade. The issue, as difficult as it might be to articulate, lies in something deeper. It’s their vibe, their cultural alignment, or rather, the lack of it. You see, the Code Koolies speak the same language in the office, and they’ve dutifully picked up the necessary vernacular to communicate effectively with the team. Yet, even after decades, there’s a certain reluctance—or perhaps inability—to fully embrace the imperial culture. While they adopt the systems and processes, they do so in their way, with a touch of their distinctiveness that makes it clear they’re following orders but not living them. We’ve tried everything—cultural workshops, social events, even introducing cricket into their dormitory courtyards—but they often retreat into their own world, eating the same spiced foods from home and chatting amongst themselves in Kannada. There’s a visible wall, invisible to some but impossible to miss for those of us who value the seamless unity of an Imperial workforce. And while we applaud their loyalty to their heritage, this insularity has undeniably limited their capacity to step into leadership roles. Leadership in the Empire requires a particular type of charisma, a sense of camaraderie that transcends technical brilliance. It demands not just adherence to imperial values but an almost instinctive embodiment of them. The Koolies excel at delivering results, but their apparent hesitance to fully immerse themselves in our ways has become a ceiling on their advancement. We’ve seen a few attempts to elevate Koolies into management positions, but the results have often been mixed. They prefer structured problem-solving over the open-ended, adaptable nature of imperial leadership. They prefer efficiency over diplomacy and often fail to connect with other teams in the personal, almost familial way that our culture values. Still, it must be said: without the Code Koolies, the Imperial Silicon Valley wouldn’t have achieved half of its brilliance. Their sacrifice, their labor, and their dedication deserve our deepest gratitude. Yet, as we look toward the future, the question lingers: can they step into roles of greater influence, or will they forever remain technical artisans, the unsung craftsmen behind the Empire’s shining crown? Perhaps it is not just up to them to adapt but up to us to bridge this cultural divide. The Empire, after all, is strongest when its people work as one. #EmpireLegacy #CodeKoolies #ImperialReflection #CulturalChallenges #KarnatakaEngineers

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

When we think of Jesus sacrificing all to save us from our sins and to make us have a right relationship with God, we usually think of Him being arrested, mocked, beaten, and hung on the cross. All of this was the perfect sacrifice and the greatest horror. None of us would chose this willingly, but Jesus sacrificed so much more. We just have trouble seeing it because we have trouble comprehending our infinite, awesome God. Stop and think about who Jesus was before He came to earth to live as a man. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5) Jesus spoke into existence time & space, matter & energy, and all life. He was not limited by space or time or any other limitation other than His own nature — His holiness. Our all powerful God came down to earth to live as a man, which was limiting Himself in a way we can’t comprehend. If I came down to earth as an amoeba, I would not be limiting myself anywhere near how He limited Himself, but He did so much more. He didn’t start as a man, “for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20b) He became incarnate as a one-celled human. The creator of the universe grew in a teen girl’s womb and was born a helpless baby. Can you imagine what it must have been like to go from speaking the universe into existence, to not being able to sit up, feed yourself, or control your own excrement? Our creator limited Himself so much that everything He needed had to be provided by His young mother. I sometimes think that this was actually the greater sacrifice. Although Jesus suffered humiliation, separation from God, and death on the cross on what we now call Easter, He knew that He would soon conquer the grave and death, rescue humanity, and join the Father in heaven. We can usually survive terrible suffering when we know it will only be brief. When Jesus was conceived and then born on Christmas day, He limited Himself for 30 something years even to the point of making Himself completely dependent on His creation for His every need. This gives a whole new perspective on the Christmas story. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7) The next time you look at a baby, read the Christmas story, see a manger scene, or celebrate Christmas, remember how much Jesus, the Son of God, gave up because He loved you and wanted to reconcile you to Himself and the Father. Trust Jesus.When we think of Jesus sacrificing all to save us from our sins and to make us have a right relationship with God, we usually think of Him being arrested, mocked, beaten, and hung on the cross. All of this was the perfect sacrifice and the greatest horror. None of us would chose this willingly, but Jesus sacrificed so much more. We just have trouble seeing it because we have trouble comprehending our infinite, awesome God. Stop and think about who Jesus was before He came to earth to live as a man. > In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5) Jesus spoke into existence time & space, matter & energy, and all life. He was not limited by space or time or any other limitation other than His own nature — His holiness. Our all powerful God came down to earth to live as a man, which was limiting Himself in a way we can’t comprehend. If I came down to earth as an amoeba, I would not be limiting myself anywhere near how He limited Himself, but He did so much more. He didn’t start as a man, “for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20b) He became incarnate as a one-celled human. The creator of the universe grew in a teen girl’s womb and was born a helpless baby. Can you imagine what it must have been like to go from speaking the universe into existence, to not being able to sit up, feed yourself, or control your own excrement? Our creator limited Himself so much that everything He needed had to be provided by His young mother. I sometimes think that this was actually the greater sacrifice. Although Jesus suffered humiliation, separation from God, and death on the cross on what we now call Easter, He knew that He would soon conquer the grave and death, rescue humanity, and join the Father in heaven. We can usually survive terrible suffering when we know it will only be brief. When Jesus was conceived and then born on Christmas day, He limited Himself for 30 something years even to the point of making Himself completely dependent on His creation for His every need. This gives a whole new perspective on the Christmas story. > While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7) The next time you look at a baby, read the Christmas story, see a manger scene, or celebrate Christmas, remember how much Jesus, the Son of God, gave up because He loved you and wanted to reconcile you to Himself and the Father. Trust Jesus & Merry Christmas

@ 16d11430:61640947

Broadcast on the Imperial Broadcasting Service, 1953 [Opening music fades into the crisp sound of a typewriter clattering.] Narrator: "Good evening, dear listeners, and welcome to another episode of Empire Innovators, where we celebrate the industrious spirit and boundless ingenuity of the British Empire’s subjects across the globe. Tonight, we take you to the shimmering shores of the Imperial Silicon Valley, nestled in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Here, amidst the eucalyptus trees and modern skyscrapers, a new kind of labor force has arisen, one that powers the Empire’s technological dominance—none other than the Code Koolies of Karnataka." [Sound of distant ocean waves, overlaid with the hum of machinery and faint voices speaking Kannada.] Narrator: "In this bustling enclave of innovation, thousands of Indian engineers from the Imperial Province of Karnataka toil tirelessly under the Southern Cross, crafting the intricate algorithms and computational marvels that ensure the Empire remains at the forefront of technological progress. They are affectionately known as 'Code Koolies,' a term that belies their indispensable contribution to the Crown." [Transition to a busy office floor, the rhythmic clicking of keyboards fills the background.] Narrator: "It is said that the sun never sets on the British Empire, and it is through the efforts of these men and women that its circuits never sleep either. From early dawn to the late hours of the night, these engineers, adorned in their modest attire, channel their unparalleled mathematical prowess into the machines of tomorrow. Their work underpins everything from the Empire’s state-of-the-art aerodromes to its vast telegraph network, ensuring seamless communication across the dominion." Voice of a young engineer: "We are proud to serve the Empire. Mathematics and logic have always been part of our heritage, and here in Sydney, we find the tools to bring those traditions into the modern age. Yes, the work is long, but the reward is in knowing we are shaping history." Narrator: "Remarkable words from a remarkable young man, a graduate of the Imperial College of Bengaluru, which has become a beacon of excellence in the field of computation. His sentiments reflect a broader ethos among the Code Koolies—loyalty, resilience, and a belief in the promise of progress." [Sound of a telegraph machine buzzing.] Narrator: "But their days are not without challenge. Housed in neat, regimented dormitories, many labor under conditions that would test even the hardiest of spirits. The pace is relentless, the deadlines unyielding. Yet, it is within these constraints that their brilliance shines brightest. As one supervisor noted, 'The Indians bring a discipline and creativity to their work that no machine could ever replicate.'" [Background fades to the soft strains of a sitar.] Narrator: "Their contributions extend beyond the world of computation. On weekends, the engineers gather to share the music and flavors of Karnataka, fostering a vibrant cultural community within the Valley. These gatherings are a testament to their resilience and the unbreakable bond they maintain with their homeland." Voice of a British manager: "I’ve always admired their dedication. The Empire is stronger for their presence. We provide them with opportunity, and in return, they give us the future." Narrator: "Indeed, it is a partnership forged in the fires of mutual aspiration. The Code Koolies of Karnataka are not just workers; they are visionaries. They labor in the shadow of the Crown, but their light illuminates the path forward for all of us." [Sound of typewriter clattering again, followed by a pause.] Narrator: "And so, as we bid you goodnight from the Imperial Silicon Valley, let us remember these quiet heroes who work tirelessly to keep the Empire's heart beating and its mind thinking. Their story is a testament to the enduring strength of the British Empire and its people—united, industrious, and unstoppable." [Closing music swells as the announcer concludes.] Narrator: "This is the Imperial Broadcasting Service, signing off for tonight. God save the King." [Music fades out.]

@ 3c7dc2c5:805642a8

🧠Quote(s) of the week: 'Bitcoin is hyper volatile because its a $450T+ asset trading for less than $2T.' - Joe Burnett 'I love the energy in Bitcoin right now. Long-time HODLers are optimistic, focused, and ambitious. People new to Bitcoin are curious to get involved and grateful for any support. Communities are thriving! What a time to be alive.' - Tuur Demeester ## 🧡Bitcoin news🧡 On the 16th of December: ➡️'In 13 days, EU Bitcoin exchanges are forced to store your personal Bitcoin address and your home address. In sum: they become lethal honey pots, making HODLers vulnerable to hacks, home invasions, and future aggressive taxation. In time, countries could exit the EU over this.' -Tuur Demeester [](https://i.ibb.co/0DMYppX/Ge-m-D2q-XEAA3pb1.jpg) The best response to this overreach is to sell all your KYC'ed Bitcoin, and repurchase what you need through peer-to-peer platforms that are KYC-free, such as Bisq, Robosats, Peach, and Hodlhodl. For more information, please visit: https://kycnot.me I can personally attest to the seriousness of this issue, having had my name, home address, and phone number leaked in the Ledger hack. ➡️In other news, Bitcoin wallet developer Exodus is going public on the New York Stock Exchange this Wednesday, backed by a reserve of 1,900 Bitcoin. They also pay all salaries in Bitcoin. On the 17th of December: ➡️'Overton Window shifting rapidly Only in 2023, EU media was still gaslighting Bitcoin. Now - No negative environmental coverage in mainstream EU media publications for over a year - many media outlets (Including The Independent, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Street, The Hill, and Forbes) have started documenting Bitcoin mining's numerous environmental benefits (well documented in 13 peer-reviewed studies) - Germany's largest Telco is using Bitcoin mining to monetize its stranded energy - Finland's pioneering work obviating fossil-fuel heating by capturing the heat from Bitcoin mining rigs is being covered - 6 sustainability periodicals covering Bitcoin's environmental benefits - 3 media outlets including Forbes in the last 2 days have recognized that Bitcoin mining is an integral part of solving not just EU's Net Zero Emission Targets, but EU's energy crisis.' - Daniel Batten ➡️BlackRock has officially recommended a 2% allocation to Bitcoin. With global assets totaling $900 trillion, a 2% allocation would imply a Bitcoin valuation of $18 trillion, equating to approximately $900,000 per Bitcoin. ➡️Bitcoin Reserve bill for Ohio State put forward by Rep. Derek Merrin. Merrin: Today, I filed HB 703 to create the Ohio Bitcoin Reserve within the state treasury! Provides state treasurer authority & flexibility to invest in Bitcoin. This legislation creates the framework for Ohio’s state government to harness the power of Bitcoin to strengthen our state finances. As the US dollar undergoes devaluation, Bitcoin provides a vehicle to supplement our state's portfolio and preserve public funds from losing value.' ➡️Bitcoin-exposed convertible bonds comprise 6% of the total convertible universe and have produced 20% of the YTD Returns: Barclays Looks like Bitcoin slowly eating into the debt market. Bonds were dying until Bitcoin bonds were introduced! ➡️European MP Sarah Knafo has called on the EU to reject the digital euro and establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, warning against “totalitarian temptations” from the European Central Bank. Are you paying attention? The world is waking up. ➡️A first draft of an Executive Order for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve has been published. [](https://i.ibb.co/Q84XGbd/Gf-Bgr8k-Wc-AAh-Xs-Y.jpg) https://x.com/DavidFBailey/status/1869098934754570305 ➡️'The total assets in the spot Bitcoin ETFs are now 55% of the value of known gold ETF holdings. • Bitcoin ETF AUM: $120.69 billion • Gold ETF AUM: $218.81 billion Out with the old, in with the new - Joe Consorti ➡️'If you're not saving in Bitcoin, you're not saving at all.' AnilSaidSo [](https://i.ibb.co/nzQsbGD/Gf-BHOLLb0-AEx-Fg-P.jpg) On the 18th of December: ➡️Chinese car company Cango emerges as the third largest public miner. China? Mining? What about the ban? Guess the 100x banning did nothing. ➡️Fellow Noderunner Bram Kanstein: Open letter to the Dutch government regarding the establishment of a National Bitcoin reserve: 'Geachte @Minister_FIN @eelcoheinen @KlaasKnot @DNB_NL Met deze brief wil ik uw aandacht vestigen op een urgente en strategisch kwestie: het opbouwen van een nationale Bitcoin reserve. https://t.co/Wjdzf8xpDA In English (to also copy and use in your own country): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qCIbrGqYQeQNyiXRFMBJVZyRcePHWtdnWz__67NVuRo/edit?usp=sharing ➡️FED CHAIR J. POWELL: Fed is "not allowed to own Bitcoin". They weren't allowed to own Corporate Bonds before Covid either. Rules change... ➡️$11.5 trillion BlackRock said, "Bitcoin is no longer seen as the radical idea as it was 15 years ago." "Bitcoin is an emerging global monetary alternative." ➡️Rumor goes that the UAE has potentially already accumulated ~300K Bitcoin. If true, America is behind and needs to catch up quickly. Funny isn't it? 'We’ve gone from: Being concerned about the government killing Bitcoin in a 51% attack to Being concerned about the government buying tons of it.' - Alex Gladstein ➡️IMF and El Salvador finally reached an agreement....and at first, it's big yikes. El Salvador secured a $3.5 billion IMF financing package after agreeing to make accepting Bitcoin voluntary and unwinding the Chivo wallet. Not only are they eliminating Article 7 as previously reported, but they are also removing the ability for citizens to pay taxes in Bitcoin. [](https://i.ibb.co/GJ3ysDn/Gf-HCc-9-XQAAW1xu.png) Meanwhile, President Bukele says: "The IMF, World Bank, FED, and mainstream media hate that we adopted Bitcoin." Wait for it (have a look at the 20th of December) On the 19th of December: ➡️Bitcoin dipped. While some of you were scared, MARA bought $166 MILLION worth of Bitcoin. They have bought $3.2 BILLION Bitcoin in just 6 weeks! ➡️Hut 8 today announced the purchase of approximately 990 Bitcoin for approximately $100 million, or an average of approximately $101,710 per Bitcoin. Combined with the Bitcoin held before this purchase, Hut 8’s strategic Bitcoin reserve now totals more than 10,000 Bitcoins with a market value of more than $1 billion as of December 18, 2024. ➡️15 consecutive days of inflows for U.S. Bitcoin ETFs. $ in millions. [](https://i.ibb.co/BVrc9CW/Gf-KPc-J-WAAAZBTN.jpg) Spot Bitcoin ETFs purchased about 2,750 BTC yesterday while miners only mined 450 BTC. Absolute. Scarcity. On the 20th of December: ➡️Metaplanet has issued ¥5.0 billion ($31m) in bonds to accelerate Bitcoin purchases originally slated for 2025. Issued against the 12th Series moving strike warrants, the bonds will be redeemed with the warrant exercise proceeds. ➡️'Just one day after the IMF agreed to a $3.3b loan in return for making Bitcoin acceptance voluntary, El Salvador buys $1m Bitcoin, more than 10x their usual 1 Bitcoin per day purchase. I guess the IMF won...' -Bitcoin Archive Bukele: ''Thanks for the free money, lets 10x our Bitcoin buys, and create a strategic digital asset partnership with Argentina & 25 other nations.'' Luke Mikic Have a look at what they did on the 22nd of December. ➡️'Guys, this drawdown peak to trough was only 14.98%. It's that tiny little red stalactite on the right that you can't even see. Chill out.' -Joe Consort [](https://i.ibb.co/Qm71jRC/Gf-Q6-ZWg-Xw-AATz-VC.jpg) ➡️Brian Brooks, former Acting Comptroller of the Currency under the Trump administration, has joined the MicroStrategy Board of Directors. As Comptroller, he oversaw the federal banking system. Here's why this is a game-changing move for the company: https://x.com/btcspaceman/status/1870402056516952421 ➡️$1.3 BILLION leveraged crypto positions WIPED OUT in just 24 hours. 1. don't do leverage 2. don't do shitcoins CrYpTo. ➡️$108 billion VanEck subsidiary Market Vector accepts #bitcoin as payment for the first time. ➡️Swiss company Relai purchases 13 Bitcoin for $1.2 million for their balance sheet. Relai now holds 30 BTC. ➡️Michael Saylor publishes the Bitcoin framework so the "United States can lead the global digital economy. "A strategic digital asset policy can strengthen the US dollar, neutralize the national debt, and position America as the global leader in the 21st-century digital economy—empowering millions of businesses, driving growth, and creating trillions in value.' https://www.michael.com/digital-assets-framework ➡️'France's 5th largest bank, the €863 billion BPCE Group, to launch Bitcoin purchases for its 35 million customers in 2025.' -Bitcoin News On the 21st of December: ➡️'MARA's announcement that recycling heat from Bitcoin mining rigs to heat the homes of almost 80,000 residents (1.4% of Finland's population) is the largest application yet for heat recycling. Here's why it's significant.' -Daniel Batten Read the whole thread/post here: https://x.com/DSBatten/status/1870250495895302177 ➡️Someone just mined a whole Bitcoin block by himself, claiming $311,000 in reward. ➡️Spot Bitcoin ETFs took in 4,349.7 BTC worth $423.6 MILLION this week despite the price of bitcoin falling. Miners only mined 2,250 BTC this week. On the 22nd of December: ➡️El Salvador makes another purchase of 11 Bitcoin, pushing towards the recently announced goal of 20,000 BTC. Classic! They now have bought 25 Bitcoin worth over $2.4 million since securing its loan from the IMF. Bukele wasn't joking around! [](https://i.ibb.co/MSR62sG/Gf-Xq3-N1-WMAAk-Wu3.jpg) ➡️'When there's not enough Bitcoin for sale, billionaires will offer ANYTHING to own some. You'll be able to get: - Houses for 0.01 BTC - Cars for 0.001 BTC - A month of groceries for 0.00001 BTC They will give you everything you need... Because YOU have what THEY want.' -Rajatsonifnance [](https://i.ibb.co/zhYxKLt/Gfbmtyr-XIAEWz-IZ.jpg) Regarding that a month of groceries for 0.00001 BTC,' everything is falling (price) against Bitcoin. What about fiat? [](https://i.ibb.co/YktLqz7/Gfda-W7xb-IAAm-XJr.jpg) This is the single best long-run measure of food inflation. And it’s gone vertical. Now you do the math and ask yourself, go long Bitcoin or go long fiat? You know what I will give you one more example, 'houses for 0.01 BTC' [](https://i.ibb.co/PGGVPx3/Gfe-HAf2-W0-AAl2rl.jpg) Are you paying attention? ➡️Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim: Bitcoin is the top-performing asset of the past 16 years. It’s better than gold. It can’t be captured by a military force. It can put Vancouver on the map as a world leader in Bitcoin innovation. On the 23rd of December: ➡️MicroStrategy has acquired 5,262 BTC for ~$561 million at ~$106,662 per Bitcoin and has achieved a Bitcoin Yield of 47.4% QTD and 73.7% YTD. As of 12/22/2024, they hodl 444,262 Bitcoin acquired for ~$27.7 billion at ~$62,257 per Bitcoin. ➡️Japanese public company Metaplanet buys 619.7 Bitcoin for ¥9.5 billion. As of December 23, Metaplanet holds 1,761.98 BTC acquired for ~¥20.87 billion. ➡️Publicly traded La Rosa Holdings Corp. now accepts Bitcoin as a payment option for its real estate agents. ➡️Bitcoin is the best-performing asset in 11 of the last 14 years. Jesse Myers: 'The only speculation about Bitcoin is how long until the mainstream realizes: -Bitcoin is the invention of absolute scarcity -Absolute scarcity is a once-in-a-species event (irreproducible) -Absolute scarcity is a black hole on the world's balance sheet, eating all SoV' ## 💸Traditional Finance / Macro: On the 16th of December: 👉🏽'11 consecutive days of more decliners than advancers in the S&P500. First time since Sept 11, 2001.' - ZeroHedge On the 18th of December: 👉🏽The S&P 500 falls over 3% in its largest post-Fed drop since March 2020. ## 🏦Banks:  👉🏽'This is the first time in the history of the data that over 40% of banks were tightening credit standards, and then went back to not tightening, without a recession having occurred.' - Lyn Alden One word: "Fiscal dominance" https://www.lynalden.com/september-2024-newsletter/ ## 🌎Macro/Geopolitics: On the 17th of December: BowTiedMara: 'Last 8 months of Massa (WITH PRICE CONTROLS): 6.6% 5.8% 6.3% 15.6% 14.3% 7.7% 15.7% 29.7% Last 8 months of Milei (WITHOUT PRICE CONTROLS): 6% 4.8% 3% 3.2% 3.6% 2.3% 1.2% 0.9%' What do we learn from this? Socialists want you dependent on them and price controls never work. On the 18th of December: 👉🏽'SUMMARY OF FED CHAIR POWELL'S STATEMENT (12/18/24): 1. Inflation is "much closer" to 2% Fed target 2. Activity in the housing market has been weak 3. Wage growth in the United States has eased 4. The labor market is not a source of inflation pressures 5. The Fed can be more cautious in reducing interest rates 6. Inflation expectations remain "well anchored" The "Fed pivot" is taking another pause.' -TKL 👉🏽'The S&P 500 falls sharply after the Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points, but raises inflation forecast. The Fed reduced its outlook from 3 to 2 rate cuts in 2025 and raised inflation expectations from 2.1% to 2.5%. Inflation is back.' _TKL 👉🏽ZeroHedge: POWELL: ECONOMY GREW FASTER THAN EXPECTED IN SECOND HALF OF '24'. Maybe this had something to do with it? [](https://i.ibb.co/MpCK7HL/Gf-Gw-Og-EX0-AAMUbz.jpg) 👉🏽'Very rare: the Fed just lowered the overnight reverse repo rate (RRP) by 30 basis points, not 25 bps (the norm) So RRP rate is now at the floor of Fed Funds (no longer 5 bps above). This could ease money market rates & accelerate money flowing out of the Fed's RRP facility.' - Jack Farley In other words: Another liquidity injection. On the 20th of December: 👉🏽'November PCE inflation, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, RISES to 2.4%, below expectations of 2.5%. Core PCE inflation was 2.8%, below expectations of 2.9%. However, this means CPI, PPI, and PCE inflation are all back on the rise.' -TKL 👉🏽'The new government funding bill would allow for ~$1.565 trillion in new borrowing before the debt ceiling binds again next March. +$1.5 trillion to the national debt... IN 3 MONTHS. If the government were a business, nobody would give them a dime. They'd be bankrupt tomorrow.' -Joe Consorti [](https://i.ibb.co/m4CtTF2/Gf-Q-k-M2-Xs-AALuw-I.jpg) On the 22nd of December: 👉🏽The global Fed pivot continues: 74% of world central banks have cut rates this year, the biggest share since 2021. The Bank of Canada has cut rates 5 times by 175 basis points, marking the most aggressive rate cut cycle among major central banks. The European Central Bank and the Swiss National Bank have lowered rates 4 times by 100 and 125 basis points, respectively. The Bank of England has cut twice by 50 basis points. As inflation rebounds, the pivot is at risk.' -TKL ## 🎁If you have made it this far I would like to give you a little gift: Some fountain of Lyn Aldens wisdom: https://www.lynalden.com/december-2024-newsletter/ Credit: I have used multiple sources! My savings account: Bitcoin The tool I recommend for setting up a Bitcoin savings plan: PocketBitcoin especially suited for beginners or people who want to invest in Bitcoin with an automated investment plan once a week or monthly. Use the code BITCOINFRIDAY Get your Bitcoin out of exchanges. Save them on a hardware wallet, run your own node...be your own bank. Not your keys, not your coins. It's that simple.⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Do you think this post is helpful to you? If so, please share it and support my work with sats. ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ ⭐ Many thanks⭐ Felipe -Bitcoin Friday! ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

@ ee11a5df:b76c4e49

# China ## I might be wrong, but this is how I see it This is a post within a series I am going to call "I might be wrong, but this is how I see it" I have repeatedly found that my understanding of China is quite different from that of many libertarian-minded Americans. And so I make this post to explain how I see it. Maybe you will learn something. Maybe I will learn something. It seems to me that many American's see America as a shining beacon of freedom with a few small problems, and China is an evil communist country spreading communism everywhere. From my perspective, America *was* a shining beacon of freedom that has fallen to being typical in most ways, and which is now acting as a falling empire, and China *was* communist for about a decade, but turned and ran away from that as fast as they could (while not admitting it) and the result is that the US and China are not much different anymore when it comes to free markets. Except they are very different in some other respects. ## China has a big problem China has a big problem. But it is not the communism problem that most Westerners diagnose. I argue that China is no longer communist, it is only communist in name. And that while it is not a beacon of free market principles, it is nearly as free market now as Western nations like Germany and New Zealand are (being somewhat socialist themselves). No, China's real problem is authoritarian one-party rule. And that core problem causes all of the other problems, including its human rights abuses. ## Communism and Socialism Communism and Socialism are bad ideas. I don't want to argue it right here, but most readers will already understand this. The last thing I intend to do with this post is to bolster or defend those bad ideas. If you dear reader hold a candle for socialism, let me know and I can help you extinguish it with a future "I might be wrong, but this is how I see it" installment. Communism is the idea of structuring a society around common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, and the idea of allocating goods and services based on need. It eliminates the concept of private property, of social classes, ultimately of money and finally of the state itself. Back under Mao in 1958-1962 (The Great Leap Forward), China tried this (in part). Some 50+ million people died. It was an abject failure. But due to China's real problem (authoritarianism, even worship of their leaders), the leading classes never admitted this. And even today they continue to use the word "Communist" for things that aren't communist at all, as a way to save face, and also in opposition to the United States of America and Europe. Authorities are not eager to admit their faults. But this is not just a Chinese fault, it is a fault in human nature that affects all countries. The USA still refuses to admit they assassinated their own president JFK. They do not admit they bombed the Nord Stream pipeline. China defines "socialism with Chinese characteristics" to mean "the leadership of the Communist Party of China". So they still keep the words socialism and communism, but they long ago dropped the meanings of those words. I'm not sure if this is a political ploy against us in the West or not. ### China's Marketplace Today Today China exhibits very few of the properties of communism. They have some common ownership and state enterprises, but not much differently than Western countries (New Zealand owns Air New Zealand and Kiwibank and Kiwirail, etc). And there are private enterprises all over China. They compete and some succeed and some fail. You might hear about a real-estate bank collapsing. China has private property. They have mostly free markets. They have money, and the most definitely have social classes and a very strong state. None of that is inline with what communist thinkers want. Communist thinkers in China moan that China has turned away from communism. Deng Xiaoping who succeeded Mao and attempted to correct the massive mistake, did much when he said "to get rich is glorious." China achieved staggering rates of economic growth. 10% annually on average since 1977. Chinese economic reform started in 1979 and has continued through successive administrations (Deng, Jiang, Hu and now Xi). China is now the world's largest economy (by GDP in PPP terms) since 2016. I was first made aware of China's economic growth by Jim Rogers, an American commodities expert who travelled through China (and the rest of the world from 1990-1992) and in 2007 moved to Singapore where he ensured his daughters learned to speak Mandarin, because Jim knew where the economic growth was going to happen. Jim always spoke positively of China's economic prospects, and his view was so different from the "China is a nasty communist place" view that I had grown up with that my mind opened. How can anybody believe they are still a communist country? In what world does it make sense that communism can produce such a massively booming economy? It doesn't make sense because it is simply wrong. What *does* happen is that the CPC interferes. It lets the market do what markets do, but it interferes where it thinks oversight and regulation would produce a better result. Western nations interfere with their markets too. They have oversight and regulation. In fact some of China's planned reforms had to be put on hold by Xi due to Donald Trump's trade war with China. That's right, they were trying to be even more free market than America, but America's protectionism prodded Xi to keep control so he could fight back efficiently. Government oversight and regulation IMHO is mostly bad because it gets out of control, and there are no market forces to correct this. This gets even more extreme in a one-party system, so I can judge that China's oversight and regulation problems are very likely worse than those in Western nations (but I have no first hand experience or evidence). ## Why do you keep saying CPC? The Communist Party of China (CPC) is the ruling party in China. That is their official name. To call them the CCP is to concede to the idea that the British and Americans get to name everybody. I'm not sure who is right, since CPC or CCP is their "English" name (in Chinese it is 中国共产党 and Westernized it is Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng). Nonetheless, I'll call them CPC because that is their wish. ## Social Credit System China moved from a planned economy to a market economy in stages. They didn't want any more sudden changes (can you blame them?). In the process, many institutions that have existed in the West for a long time didn't exist in China and they had to arise somehow. IMHO market forces would have brought these about in the private sector, but the one-party CP of China instead decided to create these. One of those institutions was a credit score system. In the West we have TransUnion and Equifax that maintain credit ratings on people, and we have S&P, Moody's and Fitch that maintain credit ratings on companies. The domain of these ratings is their financial credit-worthiness. So the People's Bank of China developed a credit information database for it's own needs. The government picked up on the idea and started moving towards a National Credit Management System. In 2004 it became an official goal to establish a credit system compatible with a modern market system. By 2006 banks were required to report on consumer creditworthiness. But unchecked one-party governmental power will often take a good idea (credit worthiness data shared among private parties) and systematize it and apply it top-down, creating a solution and a new problem at the same time. Nonetheless, originally it was about credit worthiness and also criminal convictions. That is no big scary thing that some right-wing American commentators will lead you to believe. In the US for example criminal records are public, so China's Social Credit System started out being no more over-reaching in scope than what Americans have lived under their entire lives, its only fault (a severe one) being centrally planned. And that remained the case up until about 2016 (in my estimation). But of course there is always scope creep. As it exists today, I have reason to believe that CPC officials and even A.I. use judgement calls to score someone on how moral that person has been! Of course that is not a good idea, and IMHO the problem stems from one-party rule, and authoritarian administration of ideas that should instead be handled by the private sector. ## Environmental, Social, and Governance ESG is a system that came out of a couple basic ideas. The first is that many two-party transactions actually have externalities. They don't just affect the two parties, they also affect everybody else. When you fly in an airplane, you increase the CO2 in the atmosphere that everybody has to pay for (eventually). You may dispute that example, but that is no doubt one of the motivations of ESG. But of course the recognition of this basic issue didn't lead all people towards market solutions (well it did, but those have been mostly messed up by others), but instead led many people towards ESG, which is a social credit scoring system which applies scores based on environmental and social side-effects of market transactions. This is not at all the same as China's social credit system, which I described above. I hope you can see the difference. In fact, China imported ESG from the West. Chinese companies, of their free will, in an attempt to court Western capital, achieve ESG goals for those Western investors. They have been playing this ESG game for 20 years just like the entire world has, because the West has imposed this faux-morality upon them. It isn't something China exported to us, it is something we exported to them. ## I think China has avoided Woke-ism My understanding of Chinese people, based on what I've heard many Chinese people say, is that China isn't affected by the Western woke-ism epidemic. They deride Western white woke people with the term "Baizuo". They have never sent an incompetent break dancer to the Olympics because of wok-ism. Competence is highly respected as is the competition to be the most competent, which (when augmented by a one-child policy which is no longer) has produced child prodigies like no other country has. ## What about predatory loans of the Belt and Road initiative? Predatory is an odd name for loans to people in need. The World Bank makes loans to people in need. China does too. China stands in opposition to Western Empire, and in that regard they produce their own alternative BRICS institutions. This is one of them. There is AFAIK nothing more predatory about them. It is just that in some cases the borrowers have trouble paying them back and they get foreclosed upon. I don't think this is worthy of much discussion, except that the term "predatory" seems to me to be a propaganda device. ## What about foreign influence from China? China wants to influence the world, especially its own trading partners and potential trading partners. Doing that above board is fine by me. But some of it is undoubtedly covert. Sometimes Chinese-born people run for public office in Western countries. In New Zealand we stood down some when it became clear they were being influenced too much by the CPC while being charged with representing their local town (dual loyalty issues). If only the USA would do the same thing to their dually-loyal politicians. And all large nations run influence operations. The USA has the CIA, for example, and claims this "soft power" is actually the better alternative to what would otherwise be military intervention (but IMHO shouldn't be either). I'm not defending such operations (I despise them), I'm just explaining how China's position of exerting influence is not only no big deal and totally expected, it pales in comparison to the United States' influence operations which often become military excursions (something China rarely ever does). ## What about the Great Firewall? Yeah, that sucks. Again, single-party authoritarian control gone to extremes. ## What about Human Rights Abuses? What about the Uyghur Genocide? I don't like them. To the extent they are occurring (and I lean towards the belief that they are occurring), I condemn them. China has anti-terrorism and anti-extremism policies that go too far. They end up oppressing and/or criminalizing cultures that aren't Chinese enough. But especially, China punishes dissent. Disagreement with the CPC is the high crime. It is the one-party rule that causes this problem. Anybody who speaks out against the CPC or goes against the state in any way is harshly punished. This happens to Uyghurs, to Falun Gong, to Tibetans, and to any religion that is seen as subversive. Amnesty International and the UN OHCHR have documented issues around the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, Tibet, LGBT rights, death penalty, workers rights, and the Hong Kong special administrative region. I am not about to pretend I know better than they do, but to some extent they go too far. Amnesty International says this about the USA: Discrimination and violence against LGBTI people were widespread and anti-LGBTI legislation increased. Bills were introduced to address reparations regarding slavery and its legacies. Multiple states implemented total bans on abortion or severely limited access to it. Gender-based violence disproportionately affected Indigenous women. Access to the USA for asylum seekers and migrants was still fraught with obstacles, but some nationalities continued to enjoy Temporary Protected Status. Moves were made to restrict the freedom to protest in a number of states. Black people were disproportionately affected by the use of lethal force by police. No progress was made in the abolition of the death penalty, apart from in Washington. Arbitrary and indefinite detention in the US naval base Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, continued. Despite extensive gun violence, no further firearm reform policies were considered, but President Biden did announce the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The USA continued to use lethal force in countries around the world. Black people, other racialized groups and low-income people bore the brunt of the health impacts of the petrochemical industry, and the use of fossil fuels continued unabated. Amnesty international didn't even point out that the US government quashes free speech via pressure on social media corporations (because Amnesty International is far too lefty). So who is worse, China or the US? I'm not going to make that judgement call, but suffice it to say that in my mind, China is not obviously worse. China violates freedom of expression, association, and assembly of all people. This is bad, and a consequence mainly of one-party rule (again, what I think is the root cause of most of their ills). They arrest, detain, potentially kill anybody who publicly disagrees openly with their government. Clearly this is an excess of authoritarianism, a cancer that is very advanced in China. As to organ harvesting of Uyghur Muslims, I think this is a myth. China has dealt harshly with Muslim extremism. They don't offer freedom of religion to ISIS. And Amnesty International complains about that. But practically speaking you probably shouldn't respect the extremist religion of people who want to force everybody into a global caliphate through threat of violence. As you are well aware, some extremist Muslims (<1% of Islam) believe in using violence to bring about a global caliphate. Those extremists pop up in every country and are usually dealt with harshly. China has had to deal with them too. I have watched two different Western YouTubers travel to Xinjiang province trying to find the oppressed Uyghurs and interview them. They can't find them. What they find instead are Uyghur Muslims doing their prayers five times a day at the local mosque. And also stories that the CPC pitched in some money to help them renovate the mosque. Maybe they were afraid it was a CPC trap and so they wouldn't speak freely. Amnesty International and the UN OHCHR say more than a million are "arbitrarily detained" and I'm not going to argue otherwise. But I'd be more convinced if there were a stream of pictures and news like there is out of Gaza, and it is suspicious that there isn't. ## Conclusion China is more like a Western nation that Westerners realize. Economically, militarily, socially. It still has a very serious obstacle to overcome: one-party rule. I don't think the one-party is going to voluntarily give up power. So most probably at some point in the future there will be a revolution. But in my opinion it won't happen anytime soon. For the most part Chinese people are living high on the hog, getting rich, enjoying the good life, in positive spirits about life, and are getting along with their government quite well at present.

@ 6f727e87:f52345c5

Why Choose the Golden Oak uPVC Front Door? A front door is more than an entryway; it’s the first impression of your home. The Golden Oak uPVC Front Door combines durability, elegance, and security, making it an exceptional choice for any homeowner seeking style and functionality. (https://decoridea.co.uk/collections/upvc-front-doors/products/upvc-pre-hung-full-front-door-set-24mm-right-hand-hung-bau-27-golden-oak?variant=40573467164821) Introduction The Golden Oak uPVC Pre-Hung Front Door is crafted for homeowners who value aesthetics and performance. Its robust 24mm design ensures long-lasting durability, while the right-hand hung feature makes it an ideal choice for versatile home layouts. With its pre-hung structure, installation is simple and efficient. Key Features Stylish Golden Oak Finish: Adds a warm, natural wooden aesthetic to your home. Durable uPVC Material: Resistant to weather, warping, and corrosion. Pre-Hung Structure: Easy and precise installation for a perfect fit. Enhanced Security: Integrated locking systems for maximum safety. Energy Efficiency: High insulation properties to reduce energy costs. Benefits Low Maintenance: Unlike wooden doors, uPVC requires minimal upkeep. Cost-Effective: A durable and budget-friendly alternative to traditional materials. Weather Resistant: Built to withstand harsh conditions without fading or cracking. Timeless Design: Complements modern and classic architectural styles. Eco-Friendly: Manufactured using sustainable processes. Perfect Applications This door is perfect for: Residential Homes: Enhance the curb appeal of your property. Commercial Spaces: Add an elegant and functional entryway to offices or buildings. Renovation Projects: Upgrade your existing front door with a modern, efficient alternative. How to Purchase Decoridea offers a seamless buying experience. Visit the product page to learn more or order: Golden Oak uPVC Front Door. Browse specifications and explore customization options for a perfect fit. Customer Stories Homeowners love the Golden Oak uPVC Front Door for its combination of beauty and practicality. One satisfied customer shared: “Installing this door transformed the entrance to our home. It looks stunning and provides unmatched security!” It has the perfect options to choose from may you choose mystical golden or the grovey black it looks top notch. Transform your home's entryway today with the [Golden Oak uPVC Front Door](https://decoridea.co.uk/collections/upvc-front-doors/products/upvc-pre-hung-full-front-door-set-24mm-right-hand-hung-bau-27-golden-oak?variant=40573467164821). Explore more and order here: Golden Oak uPVC Front Door.

@ cf7ed325:050194cf

Egypt is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty, offering countless opportunities for unforgettable day trips. Whether you're exploring ancient monuments, stunning coastlines, or vibrant cities, Egypt day tours provide the perfect way to experience the country’s wonders in a short time. Luxor day tours take you back in time to the age of the Pharaohs. Visit iconic sites like the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple, immersing yourself in Egypt's glorious history. For a serene yet culturally rich experience, [Aswan day trips](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/day-tours/hurghada-day-tours-excursions) offer visits to the majestic Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the tranquil beauty of the Nile River. If you're seeking coastal adventures, Taba trips and excursions provide a gateway to the Red Sea’s crystal-clear waters and captivating marine life. Alternatively, Alexandria day tours reveal the Mediterranean charm of Egypt’s second-largest city, featuring landmarks like the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the historic Alexandria Library. For beach lovers, [Hurghada day tours](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/day-tours/hurghada-day-tours-excursions) and Sharm El Sheikh day tours promise a mix of relaxation and adventure. Explore vibrant coral reefs, enjoy water sports, or simply unwind on pristine beaches. Meanwhile, Dahab day tours cater to those craving a laid-back vibe with opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the serene Blue Hole. No visit to Egypt is complete without Cairo day tours, where you can marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. Stroll through the bustling streets of Khan El Khalili Bazaar for a taste of local culture and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or adventure seeker, Egypt’s day tours have something for everyone. Plan your trip today and explore the beauty and diversity of this timeless destination

@ d873a9c8:269f1419

Let’s create a crossword that reveals the seed phrase for a wallet containing gifted Bitcoin. **Disclaimer:** This method has several security risks. Be aware that the websites used to create the crossword, your browser, your printer, ChatGPT and other factors could be compromised. I am willing to accept these risks, as I only plan to gift an amount I am comfortable losing (which is very unlikely). Additionally, the Bitcoin will remain in the wallet for just a few hours, further reducing the odds of loss. ### Creating a wallet There are many ways to create a Bitcoin wallet, and I’m sure most of you have your own preferred method. Since this wallet will only be used for a few hours, I’m not overly concerned about creating a highly secure wallet. I will download one of the following wallets from an app store: - **Muun** - **Phoenix** Follow the steps to create either a 12-word or 24-word seed phrase (keep in mind that a 24-word phrase will make the crossword more challenging). Make sure to note the public receive address for later use when sending the Bitcoin. ### Creating Crossword Clues You can, of course, create your own clues, but if you’re looking for an easier option, use the following prompt for ChatGPT. The format is crucial for the crossword-building website used in the next step. **Note:** The *(\*List Number\*)* format is essential because the order of the words must match the correct sequence when the recipient recovers the wallet. ChatGPT Prompt: > You are a professional game designer. Create clues for a crossword using the following words. format: \*word\* \*definition\* (\*List Number\*) > > abandon ability able about above absent absorb abstract absurd abuse access accident A.I. Hallucinations to Watch For: - Ensure the clues are logical and relevant. - Verify that the list is in the correct order, matching the wallet seed phrase. ### Creating the Crossword You should have a list of clues similar to the following: > abandon To leave behind completely or give up. (1) > > ability The capacity to perform a task or skill. (2) > > able Possessing the power or means to do something. (3) > > about Concerning or in regard to. (4) above In or at a higher position. (5) > > absent Not present in a specific place or setting. (6) > > absorb To take in something, such as liquid or information. (7) > > abstract Relating to ideas rather than concrete objects. (8) > > absurd Ridiculously unreasonable or illogical. (9) > > abuse The improper or harmful use of something. (10) > > access The ability or permission to enter or use something. (11) > > accident An unexpected event, often resulting in harm or damage. (12) Now it’s time to create the crossword. There are many websites and methods available, but I found that (<https://crosswordlabs.com>) is intuitive and offers various shapes for your crossword. Be sure to print or save both the puzzle and the solution. ### The Gift Giving Reminder to consider security implications Before giving them the crossword send some bitcoin to the public receive address. Once your gift recipient completes the crossword, instruct them to download a Bitcoin wallet app and recover their gift using their newly discovered seed phrase. Finally, and most importantly, remind them to transfer the Bitcoin from the crossword wallet to a secure wallet. This is also a great opportunity to teach new Bitcoiners about security and best practices. Have fun, Happy Holidays Luka

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I went 5-0 last week when it didn’t matter. It’s always good to know you can step up in clutch. **Chiefs at Steelers** — If the Chiefs win this, they can rest everyone for a few weeks. The Steelers are a tough matchup though because they play defense, will also run the ball and are fine with an ugly, low-scoring close game too. I’ll say Chiefs -2 and stay away. **Ravens at Texans** — The Ravens are the best team in the AFC IMO, and the Texans are a fraud. Ravens -3.5 and probably lay the wood. **Seahawks at Bears** — I’ll make it Seahawks -1.5 and stay away. If anything I’d take the Bears. **Chargers at Patriots** — The Pats played the Bills tough, but I expect the Chargers to rough them up. I’ll say Chargers -3.5 and probably lay the wood. **Broncos at Bengals** — Good defense, bad offense against bad defense, good offense. Let’s say Broncos +3 and lean Bengals. **Cardinals at Rams** — The Cardinals looked good for a minute midseason, then fell apart. I’ll say Cardinals +4 and stay away. **Colts at Giants** — The Giants are the 32nd best team in the league. I’ll say Colts -6.5 and probably lean Colts. **Jets at Bills** — The Bills had a letdown last week against the Pats, but they’ll probably annihilate the Jets who are so dysfunctional. I’ll say Jets +13 and lean Bills. **Titans at Jaguars** — This is a bum fight. Titans +2.5 and lean Jaguars, but stay away. **Raiders at Saints** — Another bum fight unless Derek Carr plays. I’ll say Raiders +2.5 and lean Saints. **Panthers at Buccaneers** — The Bucs might have blown their season, losing to the Cowboys. I’d expect a bounce-back, but the Panthers usually show up. I’ll say Panthers +6.5 and stay away. **Cowboys at Eagles** — If Jalen Hurts doesn’t play, Cowboys +2.5. If Hurts plays, Cowboys +8.5. Stay away. **Dolphins at Browns** — If DTR is still the starter, Dolphins -4.5, though Tua in freezing weather is not ideal. If Bailey Zappe plays, I’ll say Dolphins -2.5. I’m leaning Browns if it’s not DTR. **Packers at Vikings** — These are equal teams. Let’s make it Packers +2.5. I’ll lean Packers, but probably stay away. **Falcons at Killer Redskins** — I didn’t get a good look at Penix, and the KRs are probably spent after the huge comeback over their rival. Falcons +4.5 and lean Falcons. **Lions at 49ers** — It’s always odd trying to handicap injuries. The 49ers have so many, and the Lions have lost their entire defense. Lions -6.5 and probably stay away.

@ 6e24af77:b3f1350b

# big header Longer form text goes here More text and the options we have **bold** *italic* <u>underlined</u> `code` ~~strike~~ ^sup _sub some code > a quote *** a list of some **items** * t * t2 * t3 more *lists* 1. a 2. b 3. c ## smaller header ### even smaller #### more ##### aa ###### bb | header | table header 1 | 2 | 3 | | :----- | -------------- | :----: | ----: | | normal | left | center | right | | normal | left | center | right | | | | | | ``` some code is here ``` <img height="222" width="222" alt="npic" title="nostr" src="https://nostrdev.com/Npic3.png" /> Image is here youtube link directive custom is below ::youtube{#5W-jtbbh3eA}

@ 70e6b44a:7c78b8e9

the uva is a fruit.