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Hackathon Summary

The McGill Physics Hackathon 2024 featured a dynamic 24-hour coding event, spread over three days, encouraging creativity in scientific computing and the physical sciences. With 88 registered developers, the event resulted in 43 projects, showcasing high engagement from teams of 2-5 members. The hackathon emphasized inclusivity by welcoming participants from various disciplines, focusing on curiosity rather than expertise.

Participants interacted with experts from academia and industry, creating a collaborative environment that provided valuable guidance and networking opportunities. This interaction enriched the learning experience for all attendees.

The hackathon fostered diverse applications in scientific computing, demonstrating its goal to inspire fun and creativity within a supportive setting. Its successful execution underscored its role in making scientific computing accessible and enjoyable, promoting innovation without imposing strict thematic restrictions.

For further details about the hackathon, visit here.

Hackathon Winners

Main Track Prize Winners

1. Schrödinger's Tic Tac Toe - Integrates quantum mechanics with tic-tac-toe using React.js for the interface and JavaScript for the game logic. The project offers educational gameplay on superposition and decay, featuring dynamic visuals and interactive elements.
2. Quantum Pacman - Combines quantum physics with Pacman by using probability distributions to model ghost positions. This project offers a gamified exploration of quantum mechanics through innovative game mechanics.
3. Satisfying the Wave Equation: Simulating Light Waves from Scratch - Utilizes GPU acceleration for simulating light wave phenomena, demonstrating interference and diffraction with real-time updates, providing insight into light behavior.
4. Kathy and Karth: A Story of Time Dilation - Simulates time dilation through differential speeds and aging effects, illustrated in a practical scenario involving relativistic physics.
5. Hackathon Marble Drop - Visualizes mathematical functions through interactive simulations, applying parameters like drag force and gravity to enhance physical concepts understanding.
6. Quantum Cloud - Analyzes multi-electron orbitals using the Hartree-Fock method. It visualizes electron dynamics with Python and SciPy, enhanced by Unity for atomic structure representation.
7. The Force Awakens: Black Hole Orbital Mechanics N-Body Simulator - Simulates black hole orbital mechanics using gravitational physics, featuring real-time celestial simulations and web-integrated user interaction.
8. BloodViz - Models blood flow dynamics in normal and diseased states using Poiseuille's equations, presented through Vue.js for exploring physiological changes related to health.

People's Choice Prize Winner

• Schrödinger's Tic Tac Toe

For a comprehensive view of all submissions and innovations from the McGill Physics Hackathon 2024, visit Dorahacks.

About the Organizer

McGill Physics

McGill Physics, the Department of Physics at McGill University, is renowned for its research and academic excellence. Specializing in areas such as condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and quantum computing, the department is committed to advancing scientific knowledge through cutting-edge research and collaboration. With a strong focus on interdisciplinary projects, McGill Physics actively contributes to pioneering advancements in the field, fostering an environment of discovery to address complex scientific challenges globally.

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Hackathon 总结

2024年麦吉尔物理黑客松是一次充满活力的24小时编程活动，历时三天，旨在激发科学计算和物理科学领域的创造力。活动吸引了88名注册开发者，最终提交了43个项目，展示了由2-5名成员组成的团队的高度参与。黑客松注重包容性，欢迎来自不同学科的参与者，重在好奇心而非专业知识。

参与者与学术界和业界的专家互动，创造了一个合作氛围，提供了宝贵的指导和网络机会。这种互动丰富了所有与会者的学习体验。

黑客松促进了科学计算的多样化应用，展示了其目标——在支持性的环境中激发乐趣和创造力。活动的成功执行凸显了它在使科学计算更加可及和有趣方面的作用，推动了创新而不设严格的主题限制。

欲了解更多关于黑客松的详细信息，请访问这里。

Hackathon 获奖者

Main Track Prize Winners

1. Schrödinger's Tic Tac Toe - 通过React.js创建界面，使用JavaScript实现游戏逻辑，将量子力学与井字游戏结合。该项目通过动态视觉和互动元素提供了关于叠加和衰变的教育性游戏玩法。
2. Quantum Pacman - 通过使用概率分布模拟鬼魂的位置，将量子物理与吃豆人结合。该项目通过创新的游戏机制提供了量子力学的游戏化探索。
3. Satisfying the Wave Equation: Simulating Light Waves from Scratch - 使用GPU加速模拟光波现象，展示了干涉和衍射，并通过实时更新提供了对光行为的洞察。
4. Kathy and Karth: A Story of Time Dilation - 通过差速和衰老效应模拟时间膨胀，在涉及相对论物理的实际情境中进行了说明。
5. Hackathon Marble Drop - 通过互动模拟可视化数学函数，应用阻力和重力等参数来增强对物理概念的理解。
6. Quantum Cloud - 使用哈特利-福克方法分析多电子轨道，利用Python和SciPy可视化电子动力学，并通过Unity增强原子结构表现。
7. The Force Awakens: Black Hole Orbital Mechanics N-Body Simulator - 使用引力物理模拟黑洞轨道力学，呈现实时天体模拟和网络集成的用户互动。
8. BloodViz - 使用泊肃叶方程模拟正常和病态血流动力学，借助Vue.js呈现，用于探索与健康相关的生理变化。

People's Choice Prize Winner

• Schrödinger's Tic Tac Toe

欲全面了解2024年麦吉尔物理黑客松的所有提交作品和创新，请访问Dorahacks。

关于组织者

McGill Physics

McGill Physics是麦吉尔大学的物理学部门，以其卓越的研究和学术声誉闻名。该部门专注于凝聚态物理、天体物理和量子计算等领域，致力于通过前沿研究和合作推进科学知识的进步。麦吉尔物理学系高度重视跨学科项目，积极为全球科学挑战的解决做出开创性贡献，营造了一个发现的环境。

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Hackathon 总结

Webfest 2024 是一场以量子计算和教育为主题的探索性Hackathon。该活动由CERN举办，吸引了开发人员参与四个注册挑战，并为现场和远程参与提供了平台。参与者分为五人一组，针对量子计算、密码学和模拟领域的挑战展开合作。

活动注重协作和创新，汇聚了全球的人才来解决复杂的技术问题。团队在四个不同的挑战轨道上竞争，项目由专家评审小组进行评估。Hackathon以每个轨道中的最佳项目获得认可而告终。

一个值得注意的举措是，由DoraHacks NISQ Quantum Computing Grant赞助的现金奖励颁发给领先挑战轨道的获胜团队。这个资助旨在支持进一步的项目开发和研究。总体而言，Webfest 2024促进了全球合作和技术创新，推动了量子计算的发展，并通过共同学习和创造力为参与者带来了丰富的体验。

Hackathon 获奖者

NISQ Quantum Computing Grant Prize Winners

• CRYSTALS-DILITHIUM for Cosmos SDK -  旨在整合后量子的数字签名算法以增强区块链对量子威胁的安全性。该项目更新了基于Dilithium操作的加密模块，确保了区块链生态系统的互操作性和面向未来。

有关项目的完整列表，请访问: https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/webfest2024/buidl

关于组织者

CERN Micro Club

CERN Micro Club以其口号“Computers and People”而闻名，团结了致力于推动计算创新的技术爱好者。该组织专注于利用他们的技术专长，擅长营造一个弥合人与技术之间鸿沟的协作环境。虽然具体成就或项目尚未披露，CERN Micro Club致力于探索计算领域的尖端发展。凭借其在技术社区中的强大存在，通过Twitter (@cmcrobotics) 和其网站等平台的在线互动，该组织不断推动技术互动的边界。

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Hackathon Summary

The Webfest 2024 was an explorative hackathon centered on advancements in quantum computing and education. Hosted by CERN, the event attracted developers to work on four registered challenges, offering a platform for both in-person and virtual participation. Participants were organized into teams of five, tasked with addressing challenges in quantum computing, cryptography, and simulation.

The event emphasized collaboration and innovation, uniting global talents to tackle complex technical issues. Teams competed across four distinct challenge tracks, with projects evaluated by a panel of expert judges. The hackathon concluded with the recognition of the top project within each track.

A notable initiative was the awarding of a mini-grant cash prize, sponsored by the DoraHacks NISQ Quantum Computing Grant, to the winning team from the leading challenge track. This grant is designed to support further project development and research. Overall, Webfest 2024 promoted global collaboration and technical innovation, advancing quantum computing and providing participants an enriching experience through shared learning and creativity.

Hackathon Winners

NISQ Quantum Computing Grant Prize Winners

• CRYSTALS-DILITHIUM for Cosmos SDK -  aims to integrate a post-quantum digital signature algorithm to bolster blockchain security against quantum threats. The project updates cryptographic modules for Dilithium-based operations, ensuring interoperability and future-proofing the blockchain ecosystem.

For a complete list of projects, please visit: https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/webfest2024/buidl.

About the Organizer

CERN Micro Club

CERN Micro Club, recognized for its tagline "Computers and People," unites technology enthusiasts dedicated to advancing computing innovations. Focused on leveraging their technical expertise, the organization excels in fostering a collaborative environment that bridges the gap between people and technology. While specific achievements or projects remain undisclosed, CERN Micro Club is committed to exploring cutting-edge developments in the computing domain. With a strong presence in the tech community, highlighted by their online engagement through platforms like Twitter (@cmcrobotics) and their website, the organization continues to push the boundaries of technological interaction.

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Table Of Content

• Is Dubai Crypto-Friendly?

• Steps to Buying Bitcoin in Dubai

• Other Buying Options

• Banking with Bitcoin in the UAE

• A Word of Caution

• Conclusion

• FAQ

Dubai, often referred to as the "City of Gold," has always been at the forefront of financial innovation. Its towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and technological advancements make it a hub for global investors. In recent years, the allure of cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, has caught the attention of many in this desert paradise. With its strategic location and forward-thinking policies, Dubai offers a unique blend of traditional finance and the emerging world of digital currencies.

Is Dubai Crypto-Friendly?

Dubai's progressive stance on technology and finance is well-documented. The city and the broader United Arab Emirates (UAE) have embraced the digital currency revolution with open arms. Not only does the UAE offer enticing tax benefits like zero tax on cryptocurrency trading, but there's also an absence of income or capital gains tax. This fiscal environment, combined with a robust regulatory framework, has positioned the UAE as a global leader in the crypto space. While the government doesn't recognize cryptocurrencies as official legal tender, it has ensured a safe environment for enthusiasts to purchase, hold, and trade digital assets without legal hindrances.

Steps to Buying Bitcoin in Dubai

Choose an Exchange

The digital currency market is vast, and choosing the right exchange is paramount. It's essential to prioritize security, given the digital nature of these transactions. Potential investors should not only research the exchange's history but also delve into user reviews and any reported security breaches.

Prominent exchanges in the UAE, such as eToro, OKX, HTX, and Binance, have built a reputation for reliability and security.

Register

The registration process is the first step towards your crypto journey. Most exchanges require basic information like email and a strong password. It's crucial to use unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication, if available, to enhance account security.

The Know Your Customer (KYC) checks are standard procedures to prevent illicit activities. This often involves submitting a government-issued photo ID.

Fund and Buy

After setting up your account, the next step is funding. Most exchanges accept funds from bank accounts, credit cards, or even other cryptocurrencies.

Once funded, you can navigate the platform to purchase Bitcoin or explore other available digital currencies.

Storing Your Bitcoin Safely

Online Wallets: Digital wallets, often referred to as "hot wallets," are online storage solutions for your cryptocurrencies. They are convenient for regular traders as they offer quick access to funds. Platforms like Trust Wallet and Electrum are popular choices. However, being online, they are susceptible to hacks, so it's essential to use them judiciously.

Hardware Wallets: For long-term investors or those with significant holdings, hardware wallets are the gold standard in security. These physical devices store your private keys offline, making them immune to online hacks. Brands like Trezor or Ledger Nano have become synonymous with crypto security.

Other Buying Options

Bitcoin ATMs: A testament to the UAE's progressive crypto stance is the presence of Bitcoin ATMs. These machines, like traditional ATMs, allow users to purchase Bitcoin. The Rixos Premium Dubai Hotel, a symbol of luxury, houses Dubai's first Bitcoin ATM, offering tourists and residents alike a quick way to enter the crypto market.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Trading: P2P platforms facilitate direct transactions between buyers and sellers, bypassing intermediaries. While centralized exchanges dominate the Dubai market, platforms like Binance, Paxful, and OKX offer P2P options, combining the best of both worlds.

Banking with Bitcoin in the UAE

The banking sector in the UAE, known for its robustness and innovation, has shown a keen interest in the crypto realm. Several banks have adopted crypto-friendly policies, making it easier for investors and businesses in the crypto space. The First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), one of the region's largest banks, stands out in this regard. While it doesn't directly offer crypto trading, it facilitates its customers to link their accounts with crypto exchanges. This integration, combined with FAB's future plans around digital assets, showcases the bank's commitment to financial innovation.

A Word of Caution

The world of cryptocurrencies, while exciting, is also fraught with volatility. Dubai's vibrant financial landscape offers numerous opportunities to engage with digital currencies. However, like any investment, it's imperative to approach it with caution. Prices of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can swing dramatically, often within short time frames. Aspiring investors should arm themselves with knowledge, stay updated with market trends, and perhaps most importantly, never invest more than they can afford to lose.

Conclusion

Dubai, with its blend of tradition and modernity, has once again proven its mettle by embracing the digital currency revolution. The city's progressive policies, combined with a robust financial infrastructure, make it an attractive destination for both novice and seasoned crypto investors. From the presence of global crypto exchanges to the integration of Bitcoin ATMs, Dubai offers a comprehensive ecosystem for those keen to explore the world of cryptocurrencies.

However, as with all financial ventures, it's essential to tread with caution. The volatile nature of cryptocurrencies demands thorough research, continuous learning, and a measured approach. While the allure of digital gold is undeniable, it's crucial to remember the age-old adage: "Invest only what you can afford to lose.

FAQ

Are there any taxes on cryptocurrency trading in the UAE? No, the UAE offers zero tax on cryptocurrency trading, and there's no income or capital gains tax.

How can I buy Bitcoin in Dubai? You can purchase Bitcoin through crypto exchanges, Bitcoin ATMs, or P2P platforms available in Dubai.

Are there Bitcoin ATMs in Dubai? Yes, Dubai's first Bitcoin ATM was installed at the Rixos Premium Dubai Hotel in 2019.

Which banks in the UAE are crypto-friendly? Several banks, including the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), have crypto-friendly policies.

That's all for today

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If we think of the monetary system as a game and we understand its rules, we will be much better prepared to play it right. Let’s deep dive into how the monetary game works and how we win during the stage change we are going through: The death of the dollar.

Like in any game, there are goals, and players compete to win. In the monetary game, the goal is to acquire more wealth: more land, more resources, more goods, etc.  Economic players are divided into groups and organized like a pyramid.

Economic players

1. Top of the pyramid

This includes central bankers, politicians, large corporations, and all entities involved in the creation of currency.

They are well-versed in the rules, as they are the ones who create and modify them, including monetary and fiscal policy, as well as the Uniform Commercial Code. They operate in a "creative" mode, utilizing monetary policy and legislation to extract wealth from the system without the need for production. They effectively act like parasites.

These are the individuals in charge of organizations like the Federal Reserve (FED), the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), and the other important central banks of the world.

They have global think tanks where they train key economic players, like politicians, CEOs, public figures, and big business owners, to influence the world economy.

2- Self-made winners

The second category has a desire or hunger to win, and they understand the game to some degree: hedge fund managers, currency, commodity, and stock traders. Some of them, such as entrepreneurs and business owners, are genuinely skilled in their craft and produce legit goods and services.

Most of them don't have a "fixed income," and many have multiple sources of income, making them better prepared to navigate the monetary devaluation. This is because, while the stock market and commodities soar to record highs, wages remain relatively stagnant, thereby losing purchasing power.

3. Middle class

The third category is the one holding the structure; it's the main pillar or the spine holding the pyramid.

As Aleks Svetski explains in the Bushido of Bitcoin:

So long as they exist and continue to believe in the game, the others can play (...) The faster this category erodes, the faster the game ends. Hyperinflation happens when they give up. People realize they’re carrying all the weight, and, as they start to burn out, they decide either, “Screw this, I’m going to join category two and get my share,”.

4. Non-Economic Player Characters (NEPCs)

Aleks also explains:

The fourth category is the end of the road (...) Why play if the game is rigged? It’s easier to just give up! There are many gradations to this category, from the homeless to the welfare recipient to the hippie to the perpetual philosophy student to the doomer or the basement-dwelling 40-year-old teenager. These people either lack the gumption, talent, skill, or luck to jump category two, or they are deeply intuitive and feel how rigged it all is, so they throw in the towel and just drop out of the game altogether. Many more, of course, are born into category four and taught to believe victimhood is moral. As such, like crabs in a bucket, they bring down anybody who tries to rise up from there, and because they are in proximity only to category three players, they try to bring them down too.

The currency cycle

Understanding the currency cycle and its phases is crucial for making informed decisions and being a beneficiary in the wealth transfer. The cycle starts with a real form of money, a commodity, generally gold and silver, and ends up with the hyperinflation of a money substitute, base metal, or usually a paper fiat currency.

Money establishes itself only through the cumulative development of a medium of exchange on the free market. Only the free market can create economic money; the government cannot, and it has chosen gold an silver every time.

But if history teaches us something, it is that governments eventually end up corrupting money and replacing it with money substitutes (currency)

From Greco-Roman times, we can find examples of governments corrupting money, inflating the currency supply, imposing price controls, and creating artificial and unsustainable exchange rates that end up distorting the economy and the incentive structures and eventually lead to the end of the empire/nation.

Cycle phases

1. The free market adopts real money (gold & silver).

2. Redeemable certificates (IOUs) or a lower-quality metal replace gold and silver.

3. By decree, governments separate IOUs, certificates, or lower metals from gold or silver and convert them into fiat currencies (fake money).

The government's deficit spending and banks' credit expansion inflate the currency supply, accelerating its loss of purchasing power. The government imposes capital controls, regulations, and even criminal laws to stop the currency leakage

5. Complete loss of trust in the currency results in hyperinflation, economic chaos, social riots, and the need for a reset of the monetary system and debts.

6. A new money rises, generally returning to gold and silver, and the cycle repeats itself.

Counterfeiting currency

Money must be difficult to produce, requiring work to extract. When a currency, which requires no effort or work to produce, replaces money, the decline phase begins.

When a group has the ability to generate money without exertion, known as artificial inflation, inequality increases. We refer to this class as cantillionaires, who profit from the Cantillon effect, akin to parasites snatching wealth from the producers.

Inflation is simply another word for counterfeiting, as both involve the creation of "money" that is not attached to any real wealth.

The counterfeiters and their local retailers have found that their incomes increased before any rise in the prices of the things they buy. Retailers, on the other hand, will suffer losses. The first recipients of the new money will benefit the most, at the expense of those who receive it later.

Where are we now?

We are currently experiencing the demise of the "Federal Reserve Notes standard," also known as the dollar standard, which began with the establishment of the Federal Reserve in 1913.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the government "partially" disconnected the currency from gold, thereby stealing the yellow metal from the American people. The world set this currency as its reserve currency after the Second World War, allowing every other currency to be redeemable for dollars and those dollars for gold (in theory). This was known as the Bretton Woods agreement of 1944.

This system ended in 1971 when the Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) were finally completely detached from gold redemption, and every currency started floating freely against each other with no backing at all. This marked the complete disconnection of currency from money.

This sparked a flight to quality, as investors shifted from Federal Reserve notes to gold, resulting in a 20x increase in the gold price in FRNs from 1971 to the 1980s. Paul A. Volcker, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, responded to this by raising interest rates on US Treasury bills to halt the depreciation of the Federal Reserve notes. This period was characterized by riots, inflation, conflicts, and economic crises.

The second biggest demand for gold started with the dotcom bubble of the year 2000 and increased with the great financial crisis of 2008. This is when the Federal Reserve Notes standard began to crumble.

We are now approaching the end of the road for this currency, but we are talking about the global reserve currency. All global economic players are affected, and there are winners and losers.

To be among the winners, you must first understand that the dollar is a liar.

The dollar is a liar

The “everything bubble” is a misleading term. What is really happening is that the federal reserve notes, better known as dollars, are suffering an acceleration of the inflation rate.

Over the past three years, they have created about 30% of the supply of "dollars."

We can see the stock market in "all-time highs," gold in "all-time highs," real estate in "all-time highs," etc. The inflation of the denominator (FRNs) is unprecedented, rather than an "everything bubble."

Since the dollar is not a store of value any more, capital flows to more scarce alternatives to protect it's purchasing power, generally: Real State, stocks, bonds and gold.

Here is a simple graphical representation. On the right side, we can observe the price of gold in dollars, the price of dollars in gold, and the price of the S&P 500 in dollars and gold, respectively. The charts span from the 1960s to the current era.

Gold is not at "all-time highs," nor is the S&P 500. Actually, the S&P 500 is down 60% from its gold ATH in the year 2000.

Because the dollar is at all-time lows, most assets and some commodities are at "all-time highs" in currency terms. The US deficit keeps growing administration after administration, making no difference between Republicans or Democrats,and there is no sign of this stopping any time soon.

## Where are we now?

Biggest wealth transfer in human history

Step 4 (government deficit spending and bank credit expansion inflate the currency supply until it loses most of its purchasing power) is now complete, and step 5 (hyperinflation, economic chaos, social riots, and a reset of the monetary system and debts) is about to begin.

This is not something that will happen from one day to another; it is something that is developing right now and will continue happening before our eyes, day by day, first gradually, then suddenly.

The top players in the pyramid recognize the end of this cycle, but they must shift to a new system to sustain their power and control. This is why supranational organizations are calling for a Great Reset or a New World Order. This is were the trojan horse of climate change enters the equation: a global problem that will requiere a global solution. They want to implement a social credit system, and a global CBDC to keep control of the currency supply and circulation.

James Rickards explains in The Road to Ruin:

The agenda is unchanging, pursued in centuries past by Caesar and Napoleon, and in the twentieth century by the Rockefellers, Roosevelts, and Bush dynasties. The agenda thrives today in institutions with anodyne names like the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund. The agenda is simple: world money, world taxation, and world order.

The fusion of global information sharing, global enforcement, and global taxation of gross receipts enables developed economies to extract the maximum amount of wealth from productive sectors to sustain nonproductive elites. This continues until the social system collapses, the common fate of civilizations that reach a late stage of prelatic parasitism.

For elites, a global problem once defined conjures a global solution. Climate change is the perfect platform for implementing a hidden agenda of world money and world taxation.

Elites formulate plans for the world order they wish to see. They wait for an exogenous shock, a natural disaster or financial crisis, then use fear created by shock to advance their vision.

Elites are aware that their views are not widely accepted in democratic societies. Elites realize their programs must be implemented in small stages over decades to avoid backlash.

Elites realize money printing may produce not price inflation but asset inflation and form new bubbles that could burst and destroy confidence for two generations.

Asset inflation is the previous step to price inflation. If asset owners start leveraging their assets more and more, they can increase their purchasing power, pushing prices higher and potentially creating a liquidity crisis, also known as margin calls, in the event of a market correction. This will produce more volatility and market instability.

In his book What has government done to our money, Rothbard explains:

Thus, inflation does not benefit society but rather redistributes wealth to the first movers and penalizes the last. We often refer to the latecomers—those enduring the loss—as the "fixed income groups". Fixed-money contracts, retired persons, bondholders, and other creditors—those holding cash—all will bear the brunt of the inflation.  Inflation will tax these individuals.

Inflation has other disastrous effects. It distorts that keystone of our economy: business calculation. This process demoralizes commerce and undermines the incentive structure for production, instead encouraging debt, speculation, corruption, theft, and other harmful practices.

Debtors benefit because they can settle their debts with a weaker currency. The incentive, then, is to borrow to buy hard assets that will appreciate in currency terms and repay later in a weakened currency.

Rather than save and lend. Therefore, inflation lowers the general standard of living while simultaneously creating a false atmosphere of "prosperity".

When an important percentage of the middle class recognize what is really happening they will rush to play this game: borrow cheap credit to buy hard assets. This is the perfect recipe for starting a hyperinflation But the parasites won't let them win so easy, they already have a plan for this scenario.

Ice-nine: the freezing of assets

The vulnerability of the global financial system has escalated due to a significant increase in debt levels, widespread reliance on leverage, and greater interconnectedness since 2008.

James Rickards also explains

Power elite response to the next financial crisis. Instead of reliquefying the world, elites will freeze it. The system will be locked down. Of course, ice-nine will be described as temporary the same way President Nixon described the suspension of dollar-to-gold convertibility in 1971 as temporary. Gold convertibility at a fixed parity was never restored. The gold in Fort Knox has been frozen ever since. U.S. government gold is ice-nine.

Governments around the world are secretly planning measures to freeze financial assets and restrict the flow of money should an impending financial crisis arise.

The approach, far more drastic than the methods used in the 2008 crisis, aims to freeze financial assets and prevent a chaotic downfall by restricting access to physical currency and stopping a desperate rush for liquidity.

During a meal in mid-2014, the author received information from a senior BlackRock representative indicating that in the event of a financial meltdown, the U.S. government might direct asset management firms to suspend customer fund withdrawals.

All of this will be done with the purpose to stop hyperinflation.

Hyperinflation: The endgame

If history is any guide, what the Federal Reserve is doing now has been tried throughout history.

As the Federal Reserve continues to print trillions of dollars out of thin air with no productivity to back it up, at some point down the road, the world will finally lose faith in the US dollar as a global currency and conclude that it no longer makes sense to store their wealth in US dollars.

Today, the Federal Reserve appears to be following in the footsteps of 1923 Germany’s Weimar Republic shortly after World War I. This results in significant volatility and alternates between bullish trends and bearish contractions. The hyperinflation process, once started, is impossible to stop; first it starts gradually, then suddenly.

Pictures speak louder than words:

### How to win

Since the currency is experiencing an acceleration of the inflation we want to own the best type of property to protect against the debasement, but as we saw, the top economic players are planing to freeze the financial system and restrict the access to our property.

It's obvious to me like for many others that know about this things that Bitcoin is the one and only option, since is has no counterparty risk and it's limited; even better than scarce.

The similarities with the previous chart speak by themselves.

Conclusion

1- Make bitcoin your denominator (your main unit of account).

2-Accumulate as much bitcoin as possible on self-custody (earn, save and spend bitcoin every time is possible to spread adoption).

3- Don't be traded under a fixed income situation, increase your income sources, and own real and tangible assets.

4- Avoid overexposing to counterparty risks types of property (RE, stocks, bonds, etc)

5-Make sure your friends and family understand this.

6- Have a place outside of big cities and connect with local food producers (just in case).

7- Live your life, have fun, connect with amazing people spend time in nature and finally:

FUCK THE FED

Bitcoin or slavery!

@ df478568:2a951e67

I heard about nostr on Citadel Dispatch. It sounded like a promising alternative to legacy social media.

Here's the thing: Free speech does not exist. According to Rothbard in The Ethics of Liberty, the property owner always has the right to censor.(He gives the example, If you give a speech in a movie theater, the ushers will ask you to leave. The crowd might throw popcorn at you. Therefore you do not have the freedom of speech in a movie theater. The proverbial, "you don't have the right to yell fire in a crowded theater" is a red-herring. The freedom of speech, not freedom of reach argument is another argument for censorship. The information super highway is owned and operated by corporations. It's 2025. I don't focus on stocks very much, but I've seen NVIDIA. The NVIDIA stock price is not the interesting part. The interesting part is how fast AI is becoming ubiquitous.

That means writing code is easier. That means a new Internet not built and controlled by corporations. It means development on this new protocol can be funded with donations to a non-profit corporation. Or people can send $1,000 to a corporation to help fund development and get a badge. It's almost like virtue signaling your support for development of an interesting bitcoin wallet. I know virtue signaling gets a bad rap, but it is virtuous to support the development of a bitcoin wallet built for a world where Social Media Apps can be banned by a government with a bill of rights that begins with the words:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I don't know if TikTok is something we should want to ban or not. I've never used it and have no dog in this fight. I'm not informed enough about the issue to give a useful opinion on the TikTok case, but I find it very interesting. Whatever the ruling, I will find the reasons behind the ruling most fascinating. Whatever they are, I would like to run a thought experiment. If the ban is not held constitutional, I want to know if this would set precedence for nostr. If it is the ban is held constitutional, how would this ruling apply to the nostr protocol? ** O am not a lawyer** and do not know the answers to any of these questions, but it's fun to think about.

Nostr is unique because it cannot be owned by a corporation or communist government. It is owned by individuals. Each individual who can afford it can own their own data. Your speech is attached to an npub that can be seen on every nostr client. It is stored on several relays. You can run your own relay. You can run your own client. In the very early days, we all had to be on the same relays to see the same posts, but the outbox model fixes this. It is still early days, but nostr has many implementation possibilities and I suspect the protocol to get better over time.

Primal can still censor me. Since I run my own relay, I will not lose my content if they do. I may not be able to be see on the Primal App, but people will still be able to see me on Amethyst or Coracle. If Primal shadow bans me, I can still speak. I don’t think Primal will ban me, but even if the government knocked on Miljan’s door and made him an offer he can’t refuse, I can still speak on nostr. X, Facebook, or any other platform cannot grant the freedom of speech. You must follow their terms and conditions. The government goons can tell platforms to ban certain content by sending a single email. They have to wait on government permission. Mark Zuckerburg must know zaps exist when the United States government stopped him from printing his own stable coin. To ban a nostr user requires shutting down more than just one company or a law that bans a platform. It requires shutting down computers of individuals. It happens from time to time(The Canadian government sucks), but it would be difficult to ban all the computers running nostr. It's not perfect. John Carvalho wrote a great article about all the problems with these newfangled decentralized tools, but nostr looks promising.

Freedom Tech Gives Power To The People

"I am fascinated by Tim May's crypt-anarchy. Unlike the communities traditionally associated with the word "anarchy", in a crypt-anarchy the government is not temporarily destroyed but permanently forbidden and permanently unnecessary. It's a community where the threat of violence is impotent because violence is impossible, and violence is impossible because its participants cannot be linked to their true names or physical locations." - wei dai, b-money

Nostr is not quite crypto-anarchy, but it is freedom tech. Nostr is free from corporations. This doesn't mean there are no corporations involved on nostr. Much of the funding is funded by a 5013c corporation. Primal is a corporation, but Primal is a small fraction of nostr. Social media is a fraction of nostr awesomeness. It's participants can almost all be linked to their true identity unless they have Satoshi-esque OPsec skills. Nostr does not remove the threat of government violence, but it increases the censorship hash-rate. It will take more work to censor people on nostr than simply sending an email to Zuck or whatever they do. Running your own relay and client is not too difficult. For a few hundred thousand sats and a little elbow grease, you can own your own speech and broadcast from your own computer. It's like owning your own movie theater. You are free to yell fire in your own movie theater. Nobody can kick you out of that theater, but nobody will want to watch your movies either. If you yell fire, people cannot stop you, but they can mute your ass.

Marc

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@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na tasic.substack.com

07.09.2021 / Autor: Slaviša Tasić

U El Salvadoru je bitcoin od danas zvanična valuta. Valuta Salvadora je već neko vreme samo američki dolar. Svoju domaću više nemaju. Sada je dolaru dodat bitcoin.

Razlika između dolara i bitcoina u Salvadoru je velika. Dolar je tamo privreda sama prigrlila. Stara valuta nije valjala, bila je inflatorna i gubila vrednost, pa su ljudi bežali u dolar — trgovali, računali i štedeli u njemu. Onda je država jednog dana skroz digla ruke od sopstvene valute i proglasila dolar zvaničnom. Identična stvar dogodila se u Crnoj Gori kada je ona umesto tadašnjeg inflatornog dinara ozvaničila već raširenu nemačku marku. Kasnije se sa marke automatski prešlo na evro.

Bitcoin nije prihvaćen spontano. Niko u Salvadoru ne koristi bitcoin zato što dolar više nije popularan. Naprotiv, dolar je valuta koju ljudi biraju, u kojoj i dalje dobrovoljno plaćaju, računaju i štede. Bitcoin Salvadoru nameće država i u tom smislu on je bliži onoj staroj, prethodnoj, nametnutoj valuti. Predsedniku Salvadora se dopala ideja bitcoina pa je odlučio da ga uvede. Ne samo ozvaniči, jer niko ni do sada niko nije branio ljudima da trguju u bitcoinu ako hoće, nego i da prihvatanje bitcoina učini obaveznim. Sada, ako prodajete sladoled u Salvadoru i kupac hoće da vam plati bitcoinom, vi morate da ga primite.

Zato ja ne prodajem sladoled u Salvadoru.

Kriptovalute su tako napravile još jedan korak ka paradoksu. Nekada su one bile subverzivni projekat. Bitcoin je trebalo da zameni dolar i druge državne valute zato što je bolji, stabilniji i anonimniji. Zato što je blockchain, njegova platna infrastruktura, trebalo da bude brža, efikasnija i jeftinija. Trebalo je da iz Argentine šaljemo novac u Indiju brzo i besplatno. Privatno generisani i decentralizovani kripto novac trebalo je da potisne državne valute i centralizovane finansijske sisteme. To je bio narativ iza bitcoina i kripto pokreta. Centralne i sve druge banke, odzvonilo vam je!

Trinaest godina kasnije, bitcoin u jednu državu uvodi jedan predsednik. Jeste on mladi i kul predsednik, sluša kripto podkaste i ide na bitcoin konferencije, ali upravo to zamagljuje sliku pa pristalice ne vide suštinu: da bitcoin ovde uvodi država i njen monopol sile.

Finansije Salvadora me slabo zanimaju, ali kao ilustracija o kakvom se šarlatanstvu ovde radi pogledajte šta kaže gospodin predsednik:

Zašto jedna država kupuje bitcoin? Mogao je i da ode u kladionicu i stavi pare iz budžeta na Juventus — šanse za dobitak su tu negde, a kladionica troši manje struje.

I ne znam da li opozicija u Salvadoru ima plan i program, ali evo kako bitcoin predsednik raspravlja sa poznatim monetarnim ekonomistom. Služeći se argumentom OK, boomer:

Bitcoin moraju ovako nametati jer bitcoin nije novac. Njegova vrednost je ovih dana ponovo porasla, opet je prešao $50,000, a desilo se da ga daleka država u isto vreme ozvaniči i zato su ponovo krenule vesti i priče o ovoj valuti budućnosti. Ali bitcoin nije novac i to isto važi za sve kripto valute.

Novac služi za plaćanja, a bitcoin to ne ume dobro da radi. Njegov platni sistem je glomazan, spor i skup. Da, njime se može ponegde plaćati, ali prodavci to rade iz promotivnih razloga, ne realne potrebe. Sam sistem je daleko inferiorniji od sistema koje već imamo i tu nekog napretka nema. Za ono što bitcoinu i njegovom blockchainu trebaju minuti, Master i Visa sistemi urade u milisekundama, uz daleko niže provizije.

Novac je i merilo vrednosti. U Salvadoru vrednost mere u dolarima, u Japanu u jenima. U Srbiji to radimo malo u dinarima, a malo više u evrima. Ali nikad nisam nikoga čuo da kaže da kilo banana košta 650 satoshija ili da mu nekretnina vredi 3.7 bitcoina.

Treći kriterijum za novac je čuvanje vrednosti i to bitcoin radi malo bolje. On ne samo da je do sada sačuvao vrednost nego je i neverovatno uvećao. To nije klasično čuvanje vrednosti, jer malo ko ulaže u bitcoin da bi se zaštitio od pada dolara ili evra. Bitcoin se kupuje jer se može desiti da opet jako skoči. To je spekulativni, a ne odbrambeni motiv. Ali ako i uzmemo da je to neki vid čuvanja vrednosti, dosadašnji rast ne kaže nam ništa o bitcoinu kao čuvaru buduće vrednosti. Da je bio stabilan od početka, možda bih poverovao. Vrtoglavi rast bilo čega retko znači buduću stabilnost.

Ovde se kripto entuzijazisti pobune i kažu da ni sadašnje papirne valute ne čuvaju vrednost. Valute kao evro ili dolar su papir samo u smislu u kojem su bitcoin bajtovi informacija i kilovati struje — to je jedna njihova primitivna manifestacija, a ne suštinska karakteristika. Evro nije “papir”; evro je obećanje Evropske centralne banke da će uspešno ciljati inflaciju od 2% godišnje. Ne morate verovati u to obećanje, možete sumnjati u proces izbora ciljeva i guvernera, u njihovo znanje i namere — ali to je suština evra kao novca. To je podloga evra. Isto važi i za dolar, jen ili dinar. Nekada je novac imao zlatnu podlogu, nekada srebrnu, a njegova sadašnja podloga je obećanje jedne manje ili više kredibilne institucije. Nije papir.

Obećanje o ciljanju inflacije sa sobom nosi jednu važnu funkciju. Svi govore o ograničenoj ponudi bitcoina: programski je on ograničen na 21 milion bitcoina i ne može se štampati preko toga. Ali cenu osim ponude određuje i tražnja. Novac nije izuzet iz toga. Ciljanje inflacije — što je identično ciljanju vrednosti novca u odnosu na zadatu korpu roba — postiže se reagovanjem centralne banke na promene tražnje za novcem.

Ponuda dolara, evra i drugih običnih valuta je fleksibilna, što znači da ih besomučnim štampanjem možete obezvrediti. Ali fleskibilnost znači i da ih možete emitovati i povlačiti tako da odgovarate na tražnju za njima, sa ciljem da njihova vrednost u odnosu na korpu roba ostane stabilna. I to je ključna prednost koju centralne banke imaju nad kripto valutama. Zbog toga su valute centralnih banaka vrlo dobro merilo vrednosti i vrlo predvidivi čuvari vrednosti.

Ne treba vam većeg dokaza za to od uspona stablecoina, kripto valuta čija je vrednost vezana za dolar. Kripto valute su došle sa namerom da ga poraze, a sada se vezuju za dolar da bi od njega pozajmile stabilnost koju nemaju. A dolar stabilnost ima zato što centralna banka aktivno cilja njegovu vrednost i manipuliše ponudom dolara da bi odgovarala tražnji za njima. Ako neka kripto valuta reši ovaj problem odgovora ponude na tražnju, možda će i uspeti.

Ovakav kakav je, bitcoin može još dugo da održava vrednost ili raste. Razlog su naši komplikovani ukusi, procene i očekivanja. U tom smislu za mene je bitcoin i dalje najviše uporediv sa apstraktnom umetnošću: ni ona ne valja, ne vredi ništa, ali ljudi imaju neke svoje ideje, kupuju te stvari jedni od drugih za mnogo para i one već decenijama ipak drže visoku vrednost.

Druge dve funkcije novca on ne obavlja, jer niti valja kao platežno sredstvo niti meri bilo šta. Zato bitcoin i nijedna kripto valuta za sada nisu novac. I nijedan državni dekret to neće promeniti. Možda neka bolja kripto valuta, u budućnosti, hoće.

@ 9bcc5462:eb501d90

Cuneiform is mankind’s first writing system created by the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia, what is now Iraq. (The word “Sumer” means land of civilized kings). Despite being developed 5,000 years ago, its parallels to Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays will blow your mind! The most striking is how both breakthroughs materialized from the fundamental need to track value exchange–from primal grain tallies to now exchanging bitcoin.

Let’s begin with the fact that the styluses used by these archaic scribes were crafted from reed plants. Their stems were strong because of attachment points called nodes! These were the resilient, ring-like parts of the stem that joined it together with the rest of the plant. Similarly, although symbolically, lightning nodes are powerful on nostr since they allow us to zap each other with sats. An approach stemming from the need to modernize how we interact on social media, trade in networks and conduct business—It’s not surprising cuneiform came about as a way for merchants and farmers to track economic transactions and agricultural inventories!

Another parallel involves how both share everlasting marks. The Sumerians used their styluses to press wedge-like symbols onto wet tablets. They then would bake them in the sun, leaving a permanent record of the documentation. If an error was made, it could not be changed. Likewise, on nostr there is no delete function. Once you publish a note, including any typos, it is preserved for history.

Lastly, the proto-writing that emerged in Mesopotamia which led to Cuneiform was in the form of bullae (bulla: singular). These were spherical clay envelopes encased with tokens representing a transaction. They were sealed with unique markings representing the parties involved for authentication. In other words, cuneiform cylinder seals were effectively early public key cryptography! The seal itself being the private key and its impression being the public key. Just as us nostriches use our nsec to sign our notes with integrity and verify value-for-value with our npub.

               *Rare bulla seal (shout out to Conny Waters from ancientpages.com)*

                               *Sumerian cuneiform tablet (source: britannica.com)*

At the end of the day, maybe we’re not so different from our ancestors after all. The evolution of our writing technology over the course of our history is more than innovation born of necessity. Across millennia, 3025 BCE to 2025 AD, it's man telling the universe– we will be remembered– beyond space and time. As our ancestors stacked their clay tablets, we’ll stack our sats! Onward nostr! The new land of civilized kings.

        *Mankind's Innovations in Writing Technology by Learning Producers, Inc.*

@ 746a245a:7a8d8b34

---

1. Self custody

Always. Send your BTC to cold storage. Don't hesitate because of high network fees when mempool activity is high. Rather pay 10% or more to secure your coins than risk loosing 100% of a cosiderable amount. If you have questions about self custody see this guide on the 5 Best Practices to Store Your Bitcoin.

2. Back up well

Restore a wallet at least once. Make sure you know how to get back your coins in a worst case scenario. (Also make sure your heirs are able to do it when time comes.)

3. Never try to time the market

DCA. Set it and forget it. Monthly, weekly, by-weekly or daily doesn't matter. Choose what best suits you. Do this for the majority of your BTC allocation. You can not time the bottom. Period. (But you can have a little pile of FIAT to buy dips when they occur.)

4. You can not time the top either

Never sell the majority of your Stack. Take a little profit if things go parabolic to reward yourself but always keep your main stack intact. It can be hard to get it back. And it will only go up with time. HODL and understand what you own.

5. Keep emotions out

Greed and fear are the main factors for people to get wrecked. Slow steady purchases, even tiny ones, all go to building a stack.

6. Never use leverage

Just don't. No, not even if BTC is below 10k. Make sure every sat you own truly belongs to you.

7. Every sat counts

Even if it's small amounts, just keep dca-ing and stacking sats. Little pieces add up. 0.001 BTC = $25 at the time of this writing. Do this 100 times and you have a tenth of a BTC. If you have very little FIAT, stack free sats. You can:

• use faucets (like freebitco.in or cointiply.com)
• do tasks (like microlancer.io)
• play games (like Bitcoin Miner)
• shop with services like lolli.com or foldapp.com
• listen to podcasts (with fountain.fm)
• educate yourself on Bitcoin (with BitcoinMagazine)
• or be active and provide value in communities like nostr, stacker.news or habla.news

Remember: Faucets used to give hundreds of Bitcoin per day. Now it's 5-250 sats 10 years later. In 10 years it may be 1-5 sats.

8. Don't go all in

Keep FIAT to survive hard times without being forced to sell BTC. (for example 6 months of monthly spending)

9. Enjoy life while stacking

There is only one thing that is more precious than Bitcoin. It is lifetime. Stack sats, but also stack moments. Be present and enjoy life. Every day. No amount of BTC can ever buy back lifetime. Remind yourself of this often.

10. Don't forget yourself

Always have a little fun money to maintain hobbys, traveling and to treat yourself. Otherwise you might burn out quickly.

11. Involve your significant other

Make sure he/she knows the reason why you do what you do. Otherwise you risk burning out him/her too.

12. Automate and relax

When you check your portfolio ten times a day or more think of automating things. Don't trade lifetime and serenity for small gains.

13. Don't do shitcoins

Most altcoins never reach their ATH again. BTC and BTC only.

14. Stay humble

Never get lured by offers that promise yield in exchange for holding your BTC. FTX was a recent example of how that can end.

15. You lost your keys in a boating accident

Never share how much Bitcoin you own. Better yet, don't share that you own any at all (exception: rule #11). The less is known about you having BTC, the less risk. Also consider buying non KYC. For example with robosats or bisq.

16. Don't rush. Be patient

It is a marathon, not a sprint. Time is on your side. You already own Bitcoin. You won. It isn't a race like with FIAT where you have to fight inflation. You preserve wealth.

17. Increase your FIAT earnings

Learn profitable skills to increase your buying power and generally grow as a person. Even if you loose all your wealth, nobody can take away your skills to accumulate it again.

18. Don't compare

Every stack of BTC is better than no stack of BTC. And even if you are a whale: there will always be a bigger fish somewhere in the sea ...

19. You don't need 1 full BTC

This was huge for me! The urge to have one full BTC is very FIAT minded thinking. Goals are cool but:

21 million BTC / 8 billion humans in the world =0,00262500 BTC

And not even that is possible because of the 1,1 m BTC wallet of Satoshi Nakamoto and lost coins. You can find out the exact amount every individual on earth could possibly own at satoshisperperson.com.

Not everyone needs a whole coin. About 225.000 sats = your little block of Bitcoin. ... That's roughly $55 at the time of this writing. Got that? Congratulations! 99% of people are still on zero. Safe your share and then slowly add more every pay check.

20. Change perspective

You can change settings in your wallet to display value in sats rather than BTC. This liberates from the feeling of shortage and the urge to fill that full BTC. It opens up the feeling of gratitude and abundance.

21. Always learn

Keep educating yourself about Bitcoin. The rabbit hole is deep ...

---

Thank you!

Thank you wonderful people who helped me gather those tips. I chose consciously to not give personal credit in this post because of rule #15 =)

Find me on Nostr

My Nostr npub:

npub1w34zgkkjznnf2209gnhc5snkd32lkc9hnncq45rypyzsx75d3v6qcz3ndd

What have i missed?

Do you agree with these tips? Did i miss any? Please let me know and help refine this set of rules so we can breed more an more whole coiners over time ... or let's rather call it 'satoshi millionaires' (see rule #19 ;-)

P.S. Feel free to tip me some sats or share this post if you find it helpful. Working on my own little stack too ;-)

@ 746a245a:7a8d8b34

In the past few years i have struggled a lot to find "the right" way to store bitcoin.

There is a lot of advice on this topic scattered around the web. I have consumed it, i have tested it and i have discussed it.

Here is what i found to be the best practices to store your bitcoin as a newbie or intermidiate.

I have split this up into two parts:

• Part 1: Essentials - The absolute bare minimum requirements you need to implement ASAP (this post)
• Part 2: Recommended - How to upgrade security and what mistakes to avoid (coming soon)

Let's start with the Essentials ...

Part 1: Essentials

I assume you already know a thing or two about bitcoin if you read this post, so i skip the obvious "No your keys not your coins" stuff.

These are the absolute minimum safety requiements. If you have not implemented these, stop everything you do and follow these steps immediately:

1. Use a hardware wallet

Hardware wallets are specificly built for one single purpose. To secure your private keys and thuss the access to your bitcoin.

Do i really need a hardware wallet?

Short answer: Yes.

Long Answer: It depends on your funds. If you only have bitcoin worth a few hundred bugs, it might not be necessary. A hardware wallet costs about $50-200. But as soon as you feel uncomfortable, you should get one. It is an individual decision. Like someone doesn’t bother running around with a few thousand dollars in his pocket and another one feels uncomfortable with even a few hundred. BUT it is good practice to treat the security of your funds right now as if they already were 10x. As a 10x can happen pretty quickly, as we have seen in the past two years, and you don’t want to do security upgrades in a rush and from a point where you feel unsafe. This leads to mistakes which can lead to total loss (for example sending to a wrong address). Self custody is the first an most important rule to follow if you want to keep your coins and become a whole coiner. If you can't afford a hardware wallet now, at least use a hotwallet ...

Can i use a hotwallet instead?

Hotwallets are wallets, that are connected to the internet, like Apps on your PC or smartphone. They are considered not to be as safe as harwarewallets (so called coldwallets), because if something has no connection to the internet, there is a huge part of risk being taken away. But hotwallets are still way better than leaving your funds on an exchange because with a hotwallet you get the keys to your funds. With exchanges you only get an IOU aka a promise from the exchange. And we have seen how that ends with MountGOX, FTX, Celsius, Blockfi and various others ... Use hotwallets rather on smartphone than on desktop device, as smartphones are a little more secure. A few good ones i could recommend are Blue Wallet, Green Wallet and Exodus but there are a lot of good solutions out there. Just make sure to get a 12 or 24 word seed recovery phrase when setting it up so you are really in full control of your funds. But if you can use a hardware wallet, rather choose that.

Which wallet should i get?

I did try a few but not all of them: - The one i would recommend the most at this point in time is the Blockstream Jade Classic as it comes with almost all possible features you could imagine for a very reasonable price. You can even use it completely airgapped wit QR codes and use it without keystorage like a SeedSigner. I will touch on those features later on in part 2. nostr:npub1jg552aulj07skd6e7y2hu0vl5g8nl5jvfw8jhn6jpjk0vjd0waksvl6n8n is also very active on nostr and provides good support for us plebs. - Coldcard is also a hardware wallet i hear a lot of good stuff about. - As well as the BitBox02 Bitcoin only edition. - Trezor has had some security issues regarding to not having a secure element. I am sure they implemented a solution in the meantime, but i am not up to date with this so i can not recommend it without any doubt. - Ledger devices were generally considered safe but they had multiple security related incidents such as leaking customer data or admiting to be able to extract your seed from the wallet. The fact that they allow to store other crypto currencies, also introduces a bigger attack surface. Thuss i don't recommend using a ledger. If you only have a ledger it's still better than leaving your coins on an exchange though. - SeedSigner, as described, is more for advanced users or if you really want to dig into it, in my opinion. You could also use the Blockstream Jade as a SeedSigner.

Where should i buy?

This is important: Order hardware wallets ONLY straight from the store of the manufacturer. Any middleman or additional steps in the delivery process increase the risk of your device being manipulated. If you are really paranoid about this stick with Coldcard or the new Jade Plus as these models have a build in mechanism to check if they have been tempered with. Also consider using a postbox or working address when you order a hardware wallet or any bitcoin related stuff in general. The less people know that you own bitcoin, the better.

2. Use single-sig wallets

Backup your 12 or 24 words seed phrase and store them in a secure place (safe from theft, fire, water AND CHILDREN etc. i will get to how to achieve this). Most cases in loss of bitcoin happen because of the loss of access to the keys. Not because of theft. So the biggest risk you should care for is that you don't lose access to your keys. And how do most people lose access to their keys? They either ...

1) make the backup too complex so that themselves or their heirs have no clue how to restore it or 2) they are too lazy with their backup so that a flooded basement, thrown away harddrive or deleted photo causes them to loose their bitcoin forever.

Yes there are usecases for multi-sig set-ups and yes it introduces a better level of safety but it also introduces a higher risk of loosing your funds because of complexity. As a newbie or intermediate you don't have to dig into this complexity. You can, but unless you understand very well what you are doing, i wouldn't recommend using multi-sig wallets. Remember: 99% of bitcoin losses don't accure because of theft. If you still feel the need to add a little more security for this aspect, i recommend using a passphrase instead, which has also it's own trade-offs, as we will discuss in the recommended techniques in part 2.

3. Secure your wallet with a good PIN

Don't choose your mother's birthday as your PIN or anything else that can be social engineered. The more random, the better. And the longer the better. If you use multiple hardware wallets, also use different PINs for them. PINs on their own are generally not a very good method to protect anything. A 4 digit PIN for example only gives 10,000 possible combinations (from 0000 to 9999). A modern computer can try these all out pretty fast. BUT fortunately most wallets have a solution for this: If you enter the wrong PIN multiple times in a row they will reset to default and erease the stored keys. Thuss an attacker has only a few tries. Wallets that i know of doing that are the Blockstream Jade or the Coldcard for example. Both also provide the option to set up a specific wallet erease PIN that clears the wallet when entered once. Maybe consider these factors when choosing a wallet.

4. Backup your seed WELL

Backup your seed phrase offline, with pen and paper. Better yet on steel (more on that in upcoming part 2). But make sure that your seed phrase is NEVER being put into or shown to a device other than your hardware wallet. NEVER EVER! Don't make a picture of it to store in your cloud, don't safe it in your notes, don't think you are safe storing it in an encrypted file. You are not. Do it offline and keep it offline. Always. Now let's talk material ...

What material should i use?

Paper can burn, suffer from contact with water, be blown or thrown away and be destroyed from all other sorts of things. I found the safest way to backup a seed phrase is by hammering it into a stainless steel plate. These steelwallets don't break the bank like some fancy Cryptotag or other known brand backup solutions do and in most cases they are even better. Espacially when it comes to the backup style:

What way to perform the backup?

Plain text, letter by letter, hammered onto a steel plate. See part 2 for more details on why this is the best method.

5. Test your backup

Every owner of a substantial amount of bitcoin should have restored his wallet at least once! Make sure you know how to get your funds back in case something goes wrong. Especially if you do more complex things like passphrases (which we will cover in part 2) but also if you only use the 12 or 24 word seeds. The way i like to do it is as follows:

• Step 1) When you have set up your wallet, send a small amount of sats to it. This is a good practice anyway to make sure everything works as intended before sending larger amounts.
• Step 2) After your wallet has recieved the small amount reset your device to default. That means completely whiping it. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BACKED UP YOUR SEED WELL!
• Step 3) Restore your wallet with your backup.
• Step 4) [optional but recommended] Send that small amount of sats back to verify that you truly have full control over this wallet.

If you can access (and control) the small amount of sats, your backup works and you can now send larger amounts. This is also a good way to test if you have properly backed up your passphrase, in case you are setting up a passphrase wallet.

Now what?

When your funds grow bigger, eventually you will ask yourself: "Is this secure enough?" If you are in that position, the recommended methods in part 2 will help you upgrade your security and avoid common mistakes which could put your coins at risk (part 2 will be linked here as soon as it's available).

What have i missed?

Do you agree with these essentials on how to store bitcoin? Did i miss anything? Please let me know and help to refine this set of rules so we can help more and more people to become souverein bitcoin holders.

@ f9c0ea75:44e849f4

As the world moves toward an era of centralized digital finance, Brazil is not staying behind. The Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) is pushing forward with DREX, the country’s official Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Framed as a way to enhance financial inclusion, reduce costs, and improve transparency, DREX is being marketed as a technological leap toward modernizing Brazil’s monetary system.

However, behind the promises of efficiency and security, DREX is nothing more than a digital cage designed to tighten state control over financial transactions. While some will celebrate it as a step toward reducing corruption and simplifying the economy, it is, in reality, a massive expansion of governmental power.

From a sovereign individual perspective, DREX represents the opposite of financial freedom, privacy, and autonomy. It is a tool of state surveillance, censorship, and financial control. In this article, we will analyze the history of DREX, its technical framework, the government’s next steps, and why this CBDC is ultimately a dangerous escalation of state power.

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The Evolution of DREX: From Concept to Implementation

DREX, originally known as the Digital Real, is Brazil’s response to the growing global trend of CBDCs. The BCB began discussions on launching a digital currency in 2020, shortly after China began rolling out the digital yuan (e-CNY) and the European Union started developing the digital euro.

The stated objectives of DREX are:

1. Modernizing Brazil’s financial infrastructure.
2. Increasing financial inclusion for the unbanked.
3. Enhancing transparency in transactions.
4. Reducing costs in financial intermediation.

While these objectives sound beneficial, history has shown that every expansion of financial control by the state—from fiat currency inflation to banking regulations—ends up benefiting the government and central banks, not the average citizen.

Technical Framework and Features

DREX operates on a permissioned blockchain, meaning it is not decentralized like Bitcoin or other public blockchains. Instead, it is fully controlled by the BCB and a consortium of selected financial institutions.

Key Features of DREX:

• Programmability: The government can restrict how money is spent (e.g., banning purchases of certain goods, enforcing expiration dates on funds).
• Full Traceability: Every transaction is recorded on a centralized ledger, allowing the BCB to monitor all financial activity in real time.
• Interoperability: DREX will integrate with PIX, Brazil’s instant payments system, ensuring full adoption by the population.
• Smart Contracts: The government can automatically enforce financial rules, including instant tax collection, fines, and spending restrictions. While these features are marketed as "efficiencies," they enable unprecedented levels of financial control, making censorship, surveillance, and direct government intervention easier than ever before.

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Historical Context: The Rise of Financial Control

To understand why DREX is dangerous, we must recognize how governments have historically weaponized financial systems to control their populations.

1. Bretton Woods & Fiat Expansion (1944-1971): The transition from a gold-backed currency to fiat money allowed governments to inflate their currencies at will, leading to massive economic manipulation.

2. The Patriot Act & Financial Surveillance (2001): In response to terrorism, the U.S. expanded financial surveillance, giving banks and governments unprecedented control over monetary flows.

3. China’s Social Credit System & Digital Yuan (2014-Present): China’s digital yuan (e-CNY) is integrated with the Social Credit System, allowing the government to punish or restrict people based on their financial behaviors.

4. The Canadian Trucker Protests (2022): Canada froze bank accounts of individuals who donated to anti-government protests, proving how financial infrastructure can be weaponized against political dissent. DREX fits perfectly into this pattern: a government-controlled digital money system designed to expand state power while eliminating financial autonomy.

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## Next Steps: DREX Implementation Timeline and Government Actions

The BCB has already laid out its roadmap for DREX, with critical milestones planned for the next two years.

1. Pilot Phases and Testing
   • Phase 1: Initial Testing (2023-2024) Focused on the fundamentals, including wholesale CBDC (wCBDC), tokenized deposits, and digital treasury bonds. Initial testing on issuance, transfers, and settlements.
   • Phase 2: Smart Contracts & Advanced Features (2024-2025) The second phase, launched in late 2024, focuses on developing smart contract applications for financial services. Participants include Santander, Visa, Mastercard, and Google, working on credit systems, trade finance, and real estate integration.
2. Key Dates and Obligations
   • October 2024 - November 2024: Application period for financial institutions to join Phase 2 of the pilot.
   • June 2025: Deadline for selected institutions to finalize smart contract development.
   • Late 2025 - Early 2026: Projected nationwide rollout of DREX. 2026 and beyond: Gradual phase-out of cash transactions, forcing adoption of CBDC-based payments.
3. Full Implementation & Adoption Strategy Mandatory Integration: Financial institutions will be required to adopt DREX, ensuring all transactions move to a CBDC-controlled system. Cash Restrictions: Physical cash transactions will become increasingly limited, eventually leading to a cashless society.

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The Illusion of Convenience and the Death of Sovereignty

DREX is not a neutral technology—it is a massive expansion of government power under the guise of efficiency and financial modernization.

Many will embrace it without questioning its implications. They will:

Cheer as DREX automates tax collection. Applaud anti-corruption measures that allow the state to track every transaction. Celebrate how it "simplifies" payments, ignoring that it also simplifies financial censorship. But make no mistake:

DREX is not about efficiency—it is about control

Once fully implemented, the state will have the power to:

• Monitor all financial transactions in real-time.
• Restrict spending on certain goods or services.
• Enforce automatic taxation without consent.
• Freeze or seize funds instantly, without due process.
• Eliminate cash, ensuring full reliance on a government-controlled financial system.

The Leviathan is Awakening Philosopher Thomas Hobbes described the state as a Leviathan— "a massive entity that must be obeyed to maintain order. However, when the state controls money, it controls freedom itself."

DREX is the final piece of the puzzle in creating a fully monitored, fully controlled financial system where every transaction is dependent on government approval. By 2025, DREX will be a reality. By 2026, financial privacy may no longer exist for the commons in Brazil. However, Bitcoin exists for the sovereign individual.

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

Adoro ver os fiduciários a publicarem dados, na qual desmente declarações ou atitudes dos próprios fiduciários no passado.

Quando estávamos em plena crise inflacionista, os políticos e economistas correram para as televisões e jornais a atribuir a responsabilidade da inflação, em exclusividade, à guerra da Ucrânia.

«A invasão da Ucrânia pela Rússia, há dois anos, alimentou uma escalada dos preços do gás natural e da eletricidade na Europa, e o disparo da inflação para níveis históricos.» – Expresso

Mas antes de começar a guerra, a inflação(IPC) estava nos 5.3%, já em máximos históricos.

É claro que a guerra contribuiu para a subida de preço, mas não foi a principal razão.

A subida generalizada de preços, vulga inflação, pode acontecer por dois fatores distintos.

Ruptura na cadeia de abastecimento

Quando existe uma ruptura na cadeia de abastecimento, ou seja, um problema na oferta ou na demanda.

A guerra provocou uma ruptura na oferta, sobretudo na energia e nos cereais. Na pandemia houve uma ruptura na demanda, nas máscaras e no álcool gel.

Só que este tipo de inflação é temporária, de curto prazo, a longo prazo acaba por corrigir. Têm um impacto inicial, o preço dos produtos sobem rapidamente, depois a indústria ajusta-se e os preços acabam por corrigir.

Inflação monetária

Ao contrário da ruptura da cadeia de abastecimento que é temporária, a inflação monetária é persistente, nunca mais volta aos valores anteriores.

Esta inflação é gerada pelo bancos centrais ou bancos comerciais, através de políticas que aumentam a base monetária, para os leigos, os bancos imprimem dinheiro.

O aumento da base monetária não gera inflação de imediato na economia, esse processo é demorado, os fiduciários chamam-no de tempo de transmissão.

É um delay que existe, desde o momento em que se aplica uma mudança da política monetária e os seus efeitos a serem visíveis na economia real. Este delay pode variar entre 6 meses a 2 anos.

---

Observando o gráfico, a subida do IPC iniciou-se a Março de 2021, mas começou a acelerar 6 meses após, muito antes da guerra.

Se existe um delay na causa-efeito, logo a inflação é resultante de algo que aconteceu anteriormente, vamos ver o que aconteceu nos 2 anos anteriores.

Nesse período aconteceu a pandemia e o BCE efetuou o maior aumento da base monetária, desde a criação da moeda única. O início foi no primeiro trimestre de 2020 e a inflação (IPC) começou a subir no primeiro trimestre de 2021, mais ou menos um ano, correspondente ao intervalo de tempo do tempo de transmissão. A semelhança entre a impressão do banco central (EUCBBS, em azul) e o IPC (em azul) é perfeita, apenas com um delay.

O BCE imprimiu (QE) ~4 triliões de euros, corresponde a um aumento de ~90% da base monetária(EUCBBS), no seu pico, em Setembro de 2022. Nesta mesma data, o IPC atingiu os 9%, o que levou o BCE a implementar medidas mais drásticas para combater a subida de preços, aplicou políticas de redução de recompras de obrigações do Tesouro e a subida das taxas diretoras.

As políticas surtiram efeito, o EUCBBS teve uma correção, de 8.84 triliões para 6.36 triliões, mas se compararmos de 2020 a 2024, houve um aumento de 1.7 triliões, ~37%, ou seja, o EUCBBS não voltou aos valores anterior.

Passados 2 anos após a guerra, os preços da energia e dos cereais, já baixaram, estão bastante abaixo do pico. Enquanto o EUCBBS está muito longe dos valores de 2020. Para que os produtos voltassem ao preço de 2021, o EUCBBS também necessitaria voltar para valores anteriores à guerra, mas isso nunca vai acontecer.

A inflação monetária não é temporária, é permanente.

@ 378562cd:a6fc6773

For many of us, reading isn’t just a pastime—it’s a deeply personal goal tied to self-growth, relaxation, and exploration. Yet, despite knowing its importance, we often struggle to make it happen. We start and stop, let books gather dust, and feel guilty for not finishing them. The truth? It’s not a time issue; it’s a mental barrier.

This guide is designed to help you break through those barriers with a structured, rewarding framework that keeps you interested, engaged, and building momentum. Let’s turn reading into a habit you love—and can sustain.

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Step 1: Understand the Real Problem

Before diving into action, take a moment to reflect. The issue isn’t that you don’t have time—it’s that you haven’t made reading a priority. Life pulls us in countless directions, but we always find time for what matters most. Reading deserves that place in your life because it nourishes your mind, brings you joy, and inspires growth.

Ask Yourself:

• Why do I want to read more?
• How would my life improve if I prioritized reading?

Write down your answers and keep them visible. Let your 'why' guide you forward.

---

Step 2: Start Where You Are (Small and Simple Wins)

Many people fail because they set huge, overwhelming goals like finishing a book every week. The secret to success? Start small. Commit to just 5 minutes a day or a single page. Progress matters more than perfection.

Mini Challenge #1:

• Pick a book you’re genuinely excited about (not one you feel you should read).
• Read for 5 minutes today. Just 5 minutes.

When you complete this, check it off. That little win is the first step toward building momentum.

---

Step 3: Create a System That Fits Your Life

Habits thrive when they’re tied to something you already do. Look for natural openings in your day to read.

• Morning: Read while sipping coffee or tea.
• Lunch Break: Sneak in a few pages while eating.
• Evening: Replace 10 minutes of scrolling with reading before bed.

Make it impossible to forget by keeping books or an e-reader where you spend the most time: next to the bed, on the couch, or in your bag.

Mini Challenge #2:

• Set a specific time to read tomorrow. Write it down and stick to it.

---

Step 4: Make It Fun and Rewarding

Let’s face it—habits stick when they feel good. Build instant gratification into your reading routine.

• Gamify the Process: Create a simple list of mini challenges (like the ones here) and cross them off as you go.
• Set Rewards: For every milestone—like finishing a chapter or hitting a week of daily reading—treat yourself. It could be a fancy coffee, a cozy reading corner upgrade, or just the joy of marking progress.

Mini Challenge #3:

• Set a reward for finishing your first chapter or reading streak. Make it something exciting!

---

Step 5: Follow Your Interests, Not Rules

One of the biggest mental barriers is feeling like you have to finish every book you start. Forget that. Reading should be enjoyable, not a chore. If a book isn’t grabbing you, it’s okay to stop and try another. The key is to stay engaged, not stuck.

Mini Challenge #4:

• If you’re not loving a book after 50 pages, give yourself permission to move on.

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Step 6: Build Momentum with Layered Challenges

To make reading exciting and natural, set challenges that grow progressively:

1. Day 1–3: Read 5 minutes daily.
2. Day 4–7: Extend to 10 minutes.
3. Week 2: Finish a chapter or two from a book you love.
4. Week 3: Try a new genre or author.

Each challenge builds on the last, creating a sense of accomplishment. By the time you finish the third week, you’ll likely be hooked.

---

Step 7: Track and Celebrate Progress

Progress tracking is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to build a habit. Create a log to note what you’ve read, even if it’s just a chapter or a short story. Seeing your progress motivates you to keep going.

Ideas for Tracking:

• Use a journal or app to list books and dates you started/finished.
• Jot down favorite quotes or lessons learned.
• Share your progress with friends or join a book club for accountability.

Mini Challenge #5:

• Start a reading journal and write down what you love about the book you’re currently reading.

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Step 8: Stay Flexible and Forgive Yourself

Life gets busy, and you might miss a day (or week). That’s okay. Habits are built over time, not overnight. The key is to keep coming back to your reading routine without guilt. Remember, even a little reading is better than none.

---

Final Thoughts

Reading is a gift you give yourself. It’s not about how fast you finish or how many books you complete—it’s about the joy, knowledge, and escape it brings. By breaking your mental barriers, starting small, and creating a system of rewards and challenges, you can make reading a natural and deeply fulfilling part of your life.

So, grab a book, set a timer, and dive in. Your reading journey starts today.

@ 554ab6fe:c6cbc27e

It is commonly understood that the ancient Greeks and alike used mythological tales to communicate philosophical teachings. Amazingly, these tales have lasted the test of time and are still told today. It seems stories with philosophical lessons and teachings have an intrinsic value to human civilization. This seems to be the case because we are still creating such stories, and those with great lessons become pop culture phenomena. One example, is the Star Wars saga. George Lucas was known to appreciate ancient tales with meaning. In my opinion, he made one of the most profound modern mythological tales. The tale of Star Wars holds many similarities to Daoism, and my understanding of WuWei (无为). Making it a beautiful tale of how the best way to combat evil in the world, is to be one of passivity, serenity, and nonviolence.

To articulate how Star Wars projects this lesson through its story, one must look at the overarching narrative of the first six episodes, the original movies written by George Lucas. I will refer to these as the original trilogy (episode 4,5, and 6) and the prequel trilogy (episodes 1,2, and 3).

The Jedi are the epitome of goodness. They practice compassion, live their lives in service of others, and strive for peace in the galaxy. Their teachings are clearly benevolent, and are such that we should take them into consideration of our own lives. Jedi are commonly advised to be mindful of their thoughts and feelings1,2. It also bears a striking resemblance to the practice of mindfulness meditation, where one trains the mind in being mindful on the present moment and taking a non-judgmental stance on all incoming emotions, sensations, stimuli, etc. Additionally, the very first lesson Yoda teaches young Anakin Skywalker is that a Jedi must let go of fear, anger, and hatred2. These three emotions lead one to the dark side in this tale, but are also detrimental to us in real life as well. They are the pillars to the way of the Jedi. However, the choice of the three words Yoda uses here is very important. We will see later that these teachings are incomplete. The flaw in this teaching, and the subsequent correction, is what sheds light onto the profound teaching of Star Wars.

Episode 1 begins with the Jedi being the rulers of the galaxy. However, all who know the story of Star Wars know that Darth Sidious/ Emperor Palpatine will one day take control over the galaxy. The entire prequel trilogy outlines the progress of how Darth Sidious manipulates everyone to create political conflict and war to drive the Jedi further into becoming soldiers. The dark emperor chooses this tactic because he knows that violence and conflict is the way of the Sith. The Jedi way is the opposite. As Macu Windu puts it, they are “keepers of the peace, not soldiers”1. However, though this is what Jedi ideally are, in practice they are not so. The three prequels are full of events where the Jedi intervene into political matters and conduct themselves as warriors in order to “keep the peace”. Here, the audience is able to recognize that the Jedi are hesitant to fight in wars. Regardless, the core teachings provided to Anakin in the first episode regarding letting go of fear, anger, and hate do not directly forbid the Jedi from using their fighting skills to keep the peace. So, the audience, and the Jedi council alike, allow the Jedi to conduct themselves in violent ways. During the same scene with Macu Windu, Yoda mentions that his vision is clouded by the dark side1. Why is his vision clouded by the dark side? Why do the Jedi not see Darth Sidious for who he truly is until it is too late? The answer to this is because the violence practiced by the Jedis causes them to lose their way. Evidence of this is brought forth in the original trilogy.

In the original trilogy, Yoda’s teachings to Luke change in comparison to the teachings he gave to his father Anakin. In Dagoba, Yoda tells Luke to let go of anger, hate, and aggression3. Notice how the word “hate” is replaced by “aggression”. This is not to say that hate is ok, but to say that aggression is what Yoda did not understand before, but now realizes as a key component of the Jedi way. The Jedi before used aggression all the time, in the name of peace. They fought evil people as warriors of justice, and Palpatine used this against them. Yoda’s vision was clouded by the dark side, because him, and all other Jedi were using a dark side related behavior: aggression. This is highlighted repeatedly throughout the original trilogy. Luke leaves his training early to go help his friends, and both Obi Wan and Yoda urge him not to do so3. They explain how Luke going off to fight Vader is what the enemy wants, and the best thing he could do was stay, train, and not fight. Yet, Luke departs anyway in the 5th episode and fights his father. This battle doesn’t end well for Luke, and he loses a hand. The hand is replaced with a robotic one, a symbol for lost humanity. In essence, he was punished for acting on his violent and fear driven urges, pushed further to the dark side. We continue to see how aggression is related to the dark side at the beginning of episode 6 when Luke enters Jaba’s palace. Here is referred to as a Jedi, yet acts the opposite: he walks into the palace in all black, and uses brute force to enter the palace by using a force choke on one of the guards4. Though we see him as our hero, he is acts and behaves more similar to a Sith.

The entire tale resolves itself in the final confrontation between Luke, his father, and Darth Sidious. During this encounter, the emperor continuously instills anger and hatred into Luke by threatening his friends, in hope that he will turn to aggression4. He even states that Luke should “strike [him] down, [so] his journey to the dark side [can] be complete”4.

Movie Clip Here

Palpatine knows how to manipulate Jedi into acting upon tendencies that bring them to the dark side. It is how he came to power in the prequels. Luke goes to strike the emperor out of anger and Vader prevents the strike (Vader is saving his son from reaching a place of no return). They fight until Luke gains the upper hand and removes the hand of his father. In this moment, Luke notices that they both have these robotic hands. This is a realization of common humanity. Similar to the vision he had on Dagoba where he fights his father and beheads him, only to find that under the helmet was himself. A realization that they are not only family, but both human beings struggling with the same internal battle between the forces of good and evil. At this moment Luke has become enlightened, and becomes the truest Jedi in the entire series. He turns around and drops his lightsaber, and says “you failed your highness, I am a Jedi”4.

Movie Clip Here

What is significant in this scene is after Luke’s clarifying realization, he drops his weapon, ending the violence while simultaneously claiming victory. He understands that the only way to defeat Palatine, is to not use the same methods of aggression. Rather than using violence, he should use passivity and non-violence to triumph over evil. It goes without saying that he is correct: Palpatine is defeated, and he is able to save his father. In the final scene between Luke and his father, one can see that the black outfit that Luke wears is becoming undone, and the inside fabric now revealed is white. Reiterating that now Luke, being one of non-violence has saved the galaxy and everyone he loves. Luke at this moment becomes a true Jedi, one that has surpassed all before him and becomes the ideal epitome of goodness for the audience to emulate.

This is a story of WuWei. Of how non-action, non-aggression, and effortless action is most effective, and perhaps only way of bettering the world. The Jedi were constantly fighting and resisting evil, unknowingly playing right into the hands of the evil forces in the world. Only when Luke turns to non-action, does the dominance of evil end. This wisdom is not only useful in a galaxy far far away, but is most applicable to the world we live in now. A modern mythological tale of the importance of Daoist philosophy. May the Force be with you.

References

1. Lucas G. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.; 2002.
2. Lucas G. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menacee.; 1999.
3. Lucas G. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.; 1980.
4. George Lucas. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.; 1983.

@ 554ab6fe:c6cbc27e

I was in high school during the 2008 Great Recession. The significance of that event made me critically question our current economic system. It made me very interested in how our system of money and banking works. This path of inquiry led me to research and understand the truly complicated and underdiscussed issue of fiat currencies, and the subsequent powers that gives government and bank in manipulating our economy. In my opinion, the modern world has a money problem. This money problem not only translates into issues of materialism, but also is represented in poor monetary policy on the part of the societal elites. Below is a paper I wrote in high school which discusses how the manipulation of interest rates, made possible by fiat currencies and fractional reserve banking, leads to dangerous business cycles that lead to the great economic collapses we have experienced.

How does the interest Rate Manipulation Work?

With the fractional reserve system in place, the Federal Reserve has three powers that they use to adjust the interest rates of banks to carry out their policies. The first conceptual milestone to be achieved in answering the question of the Federal Reserve’s effect on the business cycle is to understand how the fractional reserve banking system works. It is legally mandated that all banks must have a certain percentage of their reserves in the vaults at all time. Though this is a reserve requirement, banks historically never in the long run hold onto excess reserves because that would bring economic disadvantage with the other banks (until recently because the federal reserve no pays interest to banks who hold some excess reserves). Therefore, the reserve requirements end up being the universal ratio of cash a bank holds at a time. This also means, that banks historically have never have the total financial holdings of all their customers.

The first power is referred to as open market operations, and is key to the adjustment of the federal funds rate. The Federal Fund Rate is the overnight interest rate between banks. This rate is determined between banks based upon how much money bank A’s demand of money to fill their reserves, and the supply of excess reserves bank B has at the time. This interest rate between the banks in turn affects the interest rates of borrowers and investors. The Federal Reserve manipulates these interest rates by indirectly filling bank's reserves with money. The Federal Reserve does not do this by simply printing money and giving it to bank B, but rather printing some money and purchasing Treasury bonds (or in the case of the 2008 period, Mortgage-Backed Securities) off of the open market. The money then, that the individual earned from selling the bond(s), will then eventually end up in the bank’s which will then either cause bank A to have less of a demand for money to fill their reserves, or cause bank B to have a higher supply of reserves, thus lowering the federal fund rate.

The second power is similar to the first in the sense that it also affects the federal fund rate but it done through the adjustment the reserve requirements. A bank's need for money is based upon their reserve's relationship with the reserve requirements. Therefore, the second power is the ability to lower (or raise) the reserve requirements of all banks, which will cause bank B to not have as high of demand for a loan, and will cause bank A to have a higher supply of excess reserves to loan.

The third power is the direct adjustment of the discount rate which is the rate between a depository institution and the Federal Reserve itself. These kinds of loans exist when a bank, like bank B, would rather loan from the Federal Reserve than other banks. However, as the Federal Reserve is only supposed to be a lender of last resort, the discount rate tends to stay higher than the federal fund rate.

These three powers cannot be performed independently without the consideration of the other. The power to buy bonds and adjust reserve ratios has a large effect on the economy's money supply; Monetary base and M1. This can be seen not only from the fundamental process at which these interest rates are manipulated, but by the law of supply and demand. Suppose the Federal Reserve wishes to lower interest rates, however there is a fixed amount of loanable cash and a fixed amount of demand (ceteris parabis). If the government is to artificially lower the interest rates, there will be a shortage of loanable funds, but an increase in demand for loans. As loans are not a product that can simply be produced like most goods in the economy, the only way to deal with this shortage is for the government to print the shortage of loanable goods. With this increased supply of loan-able funds, there is then a lower price, and higher demand. This also means then, that these two functions cannot be done at free will because they can result in rampant inflation of even hyperinflation due to the increased money supply. The discount rate also is centralized around the federal fund rate so one is usually adjusted around the other in order for there to be balance in reserves across the system.

One reason the Federal Reserve has these powers is so that it can manage the economy and therefore the business cycle. The ability to adjust interest rates grants them the ability to monitor the rate at which people save and borrow. Higher interest rates will cause people to save more, and borrow less. In contrast, lowering interest rates will cause people to save less and therefore spend more which causes inflation (due to the process of lowering interest rates and the increase in the demand for overall goods) giving the market incentive to spend even more. This would be the growth time in the business cycle. The Federal tries to avoid the contraction aspect of the cycle by keeping interest rates down and keep inflation existent so people keep spending and not saving. The question that must therefore be asked is does this manipulated of the free market and these therefore artificially created interest rates affect the market in a negative way?

Artificial Interest Rate Cycles

What must first be noted is that in an artificial interest rate cycle, interest rates are pushed down in order to regulate the economy. The manipulated business cycle that will then be discussed is one in which interest rates are artificial lower than would have been without the Federal Reserve's intervention.

In an artificially low interest rate business cycle, growth consists of massive consumption. Not only are interest rate low, which increases the demand for business and individuals to loan money to spend. But there is a touch of inflation due to the increase in the money supply. Demand for goods then much higher because people do not want to hold on to their money that is losing value. Not only that, but there is also no benefit to hold in banks because of the low interest rates. For these reasons, consumption increases, and savings are depleted. (As a side note, I would argue that the existence of this system is a large reason why we see such materialism and consumerism within modern day culture.) As savings deplete, supply for loan able cash drops, and prices will rise, but the Federal Reserve, in order to continue the growth, keep pushing rates down and increase the money supply more and more. This continuation of inflation also causes the market to begin to speculate continuingly rising prices. A strong example of this was the housing market before the financial crash of 2008. As people began to purchase houses because of their perceived value of always going up, prices rise.

As the prices for houses steadily went up for such duration of time and a rampant rate, people would view this trend to be never ending, further adding to the amount of people entering the market, making prices rise even more. Of course, this also means that the allocation of resources has very much shifted away from other goods that otherwise would have been purchased, and has now shifted toward housing or the various markets of the stocks being purchased. Keep in mind, that the increased demand for houses was not due to any increase on intrinsic need for house, but simply because people were wishing to gamble on the price going up. This is why we call it a “bubble” because it was being filled not with true value, but “air”

Inevitably, the growth period ends and the contraction begins. During the Federal Reserve induced growth session, prices were extremely high from everyone taking cheap loans and making money off of speculation. Once a contraction hits, prices begin to fall and people begin to save. This means that aggregate demand falls, and so do prices. This causes the speculation markets to radically loose demand because there are no longer people believing prices will rise. and as prices fall, all the people who owned a house or stock will lose money on their investment.

After the prices fell, people immediately wished to leave the market and sell their house, and nobody wanted to enter the market and buy houses because the market no longer had the perceived future value as it did before. This caused a massive drop in house prices, and caused all the people who owned a house, lose money. Furthermore, most people made these investments with loans which now they can no longer pay back. Banks then can go bankrupt because of all of the new faulty loans, unemployment increased because businesses that made malinvestments now must lay off workers, and people will then begin to panic because the market is contracting and they had accumulated very little savings from the growth. This results in a loss in aggregate demand not only because there are no savings but because the market must recuperate after the massive amount of loan defaults and investment loss.

At the end of the cycle, the society does not seem to have made much economic process. Much of the production was shifted to houses which were only valued for their investment opportunities. Due to the massive debt and sharp drop in aggregate demand, there are also much less goods being produced as a whole as the economy must take a while to recuperate after the losses.

Natural Interest Rate Cycles

Before analyzing a business cycle with natural interest rates, a few things must initially be made clear. To have a truly natural interest rate society, the Federal Reserve would have to play no role in the economy, which would bring about the end of a mandated fractional reserve banking system. For the sake of the research question, this aspect of the argument will be left out, and the only difference between natural interest rate cycles and unnatural interest rate cycles will be that there will be no price controls on interest rate. The interest rate is determined by the supply and demand for loanable funds at the time. Where are also to assume inflation is near or below 0%. This is because if there is no manipulation of interest rates, the function of printing money to lower interest rates is non-existent.

With that said, the first difference that must be discussed is the demand for goods aspect during the growth time. In a natural interest rate growth time, the aggregate demand for goods over the long run of the growth period is much less than in an unnatural interest rate cycle. This is because, as the growth continues, the amount of loan able funds decreases because of the consumption. Interest rates then will gradually rise because of the gradual loss in supply of loan-able funds. savings will also be much higher in this cycle.

As there is no flagrant expansion of the money supply, the demand capital is higher and interest rates are higher. With interest rates being higher, the incentive for saving is also higher. The allocation of goods is then much different in this cycle, because as it becomes more profitable to save, on top of the fact that there is very little inflation, there will be less speculative spending. Which means there won't be overproduction of ventures like housing, which allows the market to allocate those resources to goods that increase welfare of everyday life.

What follows is the transition into contractions. In this business cycle, because more and more loan-able funds are being used up and savings begin to increase, a contraction period begins when the interest rates are too high and aggregate spending has transitioned to be higher than aggregate spending. During this time, as people begin to save more than they spend, interest rates will gradually begin to fall again. Similar to an unnatural interest rate cycle, prices will decrease, and there will be an increase in unemployment. The difference is during the growth time aggregate savings was higher than unnatural interest rate aggregate savings due to the price adjustment of interest rates. Which means all those who are now unemployed have more savings and are better off, and can spend more money. There is also much less defaulting on debt because there were much less people acting on investment strategies in speculative markets because there were much fewer and smaller speculative markets. Due to all of this savings that now exist rather than the malinvestment and bankruptcy that existed in a Federal Reserve induced recession, more spending and consumption can be directed toward the production of goods. This leads to a much smoother, less volatile, and steady cycle.

At the end of a full natural cycle the production and demand for goods is much different without the Federal Reserve. Due to the absence of large growth and extreme contractions in a natural cycle, there were much less people who go bankrupt and default on debt. Due to all of this savings that now exist rather than the malinvestment and bankruptcy that existed in a Federal Reserve induced recession, more spending and consumption can be directed toward the production of goods. There is also a massive difference in the kind’s goods produced. Rather than having over production in commodities that were largely produced solely for their investment and perceived future market value, the market allocated goods to places where people demanded them for their lives. There is then much less misallocation because goods were bought for their consumer value rather than investment value.

Conclusion

To answer the question of: How does the Federal Reserve’s artificial adjustment of interest rates compared to natural interest rates affect the business cycle? One must observe the allocation of goods because of their profound their relationship between people’s wealth and welfare. In order to find the difference of allocation of resources in the two cycles, a business cycle with artificially low interest rates was observed. In this cycle, large speculative markets cause the allocation of resources to be directed to goods that are produced largely because of their perceived investment value, and not solely for their welfare value like most other goods. Furthermore, the massive debt and malinvestment that accumulates once the contraction occurs, disallows for increased wellbeing because there are less goods being produced. To gain a full understanding of the negative effects of the Federal Reserve’s adjustment of interest rates, one must also inspect what a business cycle would look like without the adjustment of interest rates. In this business cycle, there is less demand for speculative markets, and so the allocation of resources is directed to increased welfare goods, which depletes the issue of overproduction. Furthermore, there is a much more stable system of savings and spending, which lowers the amount of people going into bankruptcy once contractions hit. This allows for more goods and services to be purchased even when the economy is recovering from the growth. This is another reason why the allocation of resources is better because of the fact that there is much less malinvestment, which causes loss in productivity.

It is then evident that unnatural interest rates simply worsen a necessary part of the business cycle. It causes certain prices to go way beyond their true value (plus causes overall inflation), which causes people to end up in debt and causes the market to have case malinvestment and misallocation of goods. People during the time of need, will not have savings to fall back on or accumulate for the next boom.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

It's Finally here Stackers!

It's Friday!

We're about to kick off our weekends with some feel good tracks.

Let's get the party started. Bring me those Feel Good tracks.

Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

Let's go!

Kickstart My Heart!!

https://youtu.be/CmXWkMlKFkI?si=UNb7KC-ukse9uquM

Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/844806

@ 6f26dd2b:f2824b88

Just came across this email blog and Bitcoin was in my mind. What's your say?

"The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is getting ready to mint new coins to avoid shortages. Yep, they’re hunting for a company to handle this for the next three years starting in 2025.

Per Business Daily, this comes after CBK’s KSh14.14 billion ($109.20 million) deal with a German company, Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technologies GmbH, to print new banknotes. CBK Governor Kamau Thugge said the decision to mint coins came through a classified process — makes sense since no one wants a cash shortage messing with the economy.

If you remember, back in December 2018, CBK rolled out new coins featuring giraffes, rhinos, lions, and elephants, ditching portraits of people in line with the 2010 Constitution. Now, they’re inviting bids for a new coin-minting contract to keep things stable."

@ 4657dfe8:47934b3e

Alby Hub - your Center for Bitcoin Payments

Alby Hub is a self-custodial lightning wallet that lets users choose their preferred Lightning funding source. It includes an easy-to-use lightning node with a one-click setup, while also accommodating existing node runners.

In short Alby Hub offers node runners:

➡️ a lightning address to receive payments in a self-custodial manner ➡️ integrated Lightning Service Providers, to quickly buy channels with receiving capacity ➡️ a selection of vetted channel partners to open channels without searching for a long time ➡️ a marketplace of apps to connect your own node. Read more about this superpower. ➡️ a mobile app, Alby Go, to pay right from their own node on the go.

Thus, Alby Hub enables you to make your node the central hub for bitcoin payments, maintaining full self-sovereignty.

Install Alby Hub on RaspiBlitz

1. Login into the RaspiBlitz WebUI and enter the dashboard
2. Go to Apps, find Alby Hub and install the app

It’s as easy as that. Now you can link your node with an Alby account to get a lightning address, use your node on the go with the Alby Go mobile app or on the web with the Alby Browser Extension. Updates of Alby Hub become available with each new RaspiBlitz release.

With one-click setup, an intuitive interface, and seamless integration with dozens of bitcoin apps, Alby Hub makes self-custodial bitcoin payments easy for everyone while adding much more utility to your lightning node.

@ 4506e04e:8c16ba04

The healthcare system, in its current state, is fundamentally broken. Under the fiat standard, big pharma exploits the sick in much the same way that banks and financial corporations drain economic power from individuals and small businesses. Despite massive investments, healthcare remains plagued by inefficiencies, inequities, and vulnerabilities. With rapidly aging population and low birth rates the access to healthcare is becoming more and more difficult and the system will break within the next couple of decades. Here are some of the major issues:

Financial Drain with Minimal Returns

No matter how much money is poured into healthcare, it’s never enough. Administrative overheads, inflated costs, and inefficiencies ensure that resources are wasted instead of improving patient outcomes.

Big Pharma’s Perverse Incentives

Pharmaceutical companies prioritize profit over cures. The system is designed to keep patients alive but perpetually dependent on treatments, rather than focusing on true cures.

Administrative Bloat

The excessive overhead costs in administration siphon funds away from actual patient care.

Fragmented Patient Records

There is no single global standard for managing and accessing healthcare records, creating inefficiencies and potential for errors.

Cybersecurity Risks

Centralized healthcare systems are vulnerable to ransomware attacks, which can compromise patient safety and even pose threats to international security. For hospitals, such attacks are literally matters of life and death.

Increasing Costs and Reduced Accessibility

Instead of becoming cheaper and more accessible, healthcare is growing more expensive and difficult to obtain, exacerbating inequities, yet nurses are one of the groups that's most underpaid!

A Decentralized Solution

The solution lies in leveraging decentralization, encryption, and open-source technologies to transform the healthcare system. Thanks to innovations like Bitcoin and the Nostr protocol we now have the means to:

• Empower Patients and Doctors: Decentralized systems can give patients control over their medical data while reducing administrative costs for healthcare providers.

• Enhance Security: Encryption ensures data is secure, even in the face of cyber threats.

• Improve Accessibility and Efficiency: Open-source tools (like Keycast) can lower costs and provide customizable solutions tailored to specific healthcare needs.

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How Nostr Can Transform Healthcare

Nostr, short for “Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays,” is a decentralized protocol originally designed for communication but holds tremendous potential for industries such as healthcare. Its client-relay model allows patients and doctors to interact securely without relying on centralized servers. Here’s how it could work in a healthcare context:

Decentralized Data Control:

Patients’ medical records can be securely stored and accessed via relays. Each patient’s identity is tied to a cryptographic public key, ensuring that they have full control over their data.

Doctors can access necessary records by connecting to relays the patient authorizes, ensuring data remains private and secure.

Privacy Without Bureaucracy:

Nostr eliminates the need for cumbersome identity verification processes (e.g., KYC). Patients retain privacy without needing emails, IDs, or other personal identifiers.

Customizable Access:

Patients can specify which doctors or healthcare providers can access their records by granting permissions via cryptographic signatures. These permissions can be adjusted or revoked at any time.

Secure and Verifiable Communication:

All interactions between patients and doctors are signed with private keys, ensuring authenticity and preventing tampering.

Relays do not own or manipulate the data; they simply transmit it between authorized users.

Resilient and Flexible Network:

Patients and doctors can choose which relays to use, and data can be published to multiple relays for redundancy. This ensures continuity of care even if a specific relay goes offline.

Patient-Centric Data Ownership:

In the Nostr model, patients own their data. They can share it, manage it, or restrict access as they see fit, empowering them to take control of their health information.

Enhanced Telemedicine:

Secure, encrypted communication enables remote consultations where doctors can access up-to-date patient records in real-time, providing better care.

By combining Nostr’s decentralized approach with healthcare-specific adaptations, this protocol can make the healthcare system more secure, efficient, and patient-focused.

Meet Keycast

Keycast is a self-hosted open-source tool designed for secure and efficient private key management that can be applied to manage teams and policies. Its features can empower collaboration from micro-level ops like sharing access to one Nostr account to organising healthcare in the following ways:

1. Team Management:

2. Organize users into teams representing departments or specialties (different policies).

3. Streamline workflows by aligning permissions with roles.

4. Granular Permissions:

5. Assign specific access rights to doctors, nurses, and administrative staff.

6. Create layered permissions for actions such as accessing records, adding notes, or authorizing tests.

7. Secure Key Management:

8. Encrypt and securely store keys locally, ensuring data confidentiality.

9. Remote Signing and Telemedicine:

10. Enable secure remote access to records through NIP-46 for telehealth scenarios.

11. Customizable Policies:

12. Tailor permissions and content filters to suit healthcare needs, such as restricting access to certain records or anonymizing sensitive data.

13. Patient Empowerment:

14. Allow patients to manage access to their health information, promoting transparency and autonomy.

Real-World Applications

Here’s how these tools can address specific healthcare challenges:

• Secure Access to EHR: Doctors and nurses can access patient records securely and efficiently, improving care coordination.

• AI-Driven Diagnostics: AI agents with predefined, limited permissions can analyze data for diagnostics while safeguarding privacy.

• Telemedicine: Secure, encrypted access ensures doctors can deliver remote care without compromising patient data.

• Anonymized Research: Controlled access to anonymized data can accelerate medical research while protecting privacy.

The Bigger Picture

Decentralization is the key to fixing healthcare. Just like Bitcoin fixes the money and fixes the world - nostr and censorship-resistant encrypted data flow can fix whole industries like healthcare. By moving away from centralized, vulnerable systems, we can:

1. Enhance Security: Protect sensitive data from cyber threats with encryption and decentralized architectures.

2. Lower Costs: Reduce administrative overheads and eliminate inefficiencies.

3. Improve Collaboration: Foster better communication and coordination among healthcare professionals.

4. Ensure Transparency: Leverage open-source solutions to build trust and flexibility.

Conclusion

The healthcare systems we have today are heavily reliant on money printing. They are have turned into businesses with overgrown administrative layer. They are inefficient and unsustainable. However, by adopting the Nostr protocol and tools built upon it, we can create a system that is secure, efficient, and patient-centric. With open-source tools like these, healthcare can truly focused on improving lives, become cheaper, more accessible, and abundant.

Challenge

If you'd like to contribute to reinventing healthcare using free and open-source software built on the nostr protocol join the challenge by npub1healthsx3swcgtknff7zwpg8aj2q7h49zecul5rz490f6z2zp59qnfvp8p

note1lnh3q6648ysulrx2pgeyhv2cqqle9vftdxalq3yqkqa7c89eljtqyr70nl

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

The excesses of wokeness are thankfully getting their overdue correction, but as often happens with corrections, they tend to overshoot. A case in point was from the usually reasonable writer Wesley Yang on Twitter, who posted the following:

Poor long-term immigration policy has apparently led to too many foreign-born and native criminals of foreign descent in Norway, a disproportionate number of whom, per the chart, hail from Somalia and Morocco. Yang argues using this data to inform Norway’s immigration policies going forward is both unproblematic and “no longer prejudice.”

This is a sleight of hand. You can advocate for designing prejudicial immigration policies based on the group to which an individual potential immigrant belongs, but you cannot both do so and pretend it is not prejudicial.

This is not a point about what countries should or should not DO. They are free IMO to design immigration policies as they see fit, and there are arguments to be had over that. But there is a reactionary blindness wherein people pretend that grouping individuals by race, religion or country of origin isn't prejudicial to those individuals who have no control over how others in their assigned group behave.

The grouping is justified in their view by "data" or "statistics" or "reason." The truth is most of us still view "prejudice" as negative, so no one advocating for discriminatory immigration policies wants to be considered prejudiced. They are for the policy, think it's good, and therefore try to pretend it's not prejudiced when it obviously is.

Don't pretend. If you're for prejudicial, discriminatory immigration policies "for the greater good", just advocate for it on those terms. Be honest about what you're saying.

This might seem like a trivial point on which to base a post, but I don’t think it is. It’s not because “prejudice is bad” or “racism!” That’s just one type of instance in which this midwit tendency — to assign individuals to a group and then pretend you are being “data-driven” — rears its terrible head. I remember a couple years ago people on Twitter accused me of “taking up an ICU bed” because I refused to inject myself with Pfizer’s latest. Their reasoning was similar: because the unvaccinated are more likely to take up ICU beds (which turned out to be a lie, but let’s assume it were true), I was in the group taking up more beds, therefore I was taking up a bed.

The trick is to assign someone to a group in which they qualify (Somali, unvaccinated, etc.), get “data” about that group and then apply that data to the individuals within it, even if it is totally inaccurate with respect to them.

This is the same trick used to justify disastrous DEI policies too. You are from a historically underprivileged group, so you deserve to be held to lower standards. It doesn’t matter if you would succeed on your own merit, it doesn’t matter your race, gender, sexual orientation are irrelevant to the task for which you are being hired, it doesn’t matter if you are the son of wealthy and famous people and attended all the best schools, you belong to a particular category and therefore this standard will be applied.

But the implications of this midwit sleight of hand are even worse than that, especially on the eve of AI-based systems taking over so many of the administrative functions at both the corporate and state level. You will be categorized, and you will be pre-judged on that basis because it is far more efficient for the system to do so than to examine everyone individually. In fact, I’d argue, unlike humans, AI is incapable of seeing individuals, it sees only “data.”

This was the premise for the movie Minority Report, set in a dystopian future wherein people get convicted of “pre-crime” because the system determined from the data about them they were likely to commit one. You might not have done anything yet, but based on your angry social media posts, your high testosterone, your age and background, you have a 99.9 percent chance of violence. Why not arrest you now before you victimize someone? For every 1000 victims we protect, we’ll convict only one person who would not in fact have done it!

There will be many people who are for this kind of reasoning. It’s “data” after all. Never mind the data can be biased based on the grouping. Why am I grouped with other people I don’t know and over whom I have no control? What if they added 100 other parameters which showed I’m among the least likely to commit violence? Who is selecting these parameters and what are their agendas?

But more to the point, such a society is not free. You are at the whims of your grouping, of parameters, of statistics. The paradigm of individual civil liberties, innocent until proven guilty, responsibility only for your own actions would be dead. You are pre-judged before you have done anything.

The second-order effects of such a paradigm would be a race to the bottom. If I am not in the wrong group I can do no wrong, based on my favorable peers. I can roam the streets, commit acts of vandalism and violence with impunity, I can loaf at work, not do my job and never be fired. I would argue that under the present (and mercifully soon-to-be-departed) administration we’ve already experienced many of these effects already.

So back to the original question. What is Norway to do with this “data”? One idea would be to have a non-discriminatory vetting process that involves delayed gratification and requires some diligence on the part of the prospective immigrant. This might self-sort the people capable of living in an open, prosperous western society and those who are not. You would be admitted or denied based on demonstrated suitability (merit), not with whom you were grouped (identity). This would be closer to the “postjudice” policy prescription Yang erroneously claims for his own in the cited post.

Whether that results in more people of one race or another, one nationality or another getting in, isn't important. What's important is both not judging individuals on the basis of their assigned group and keeping the country free of violent criminals. Both goals are essential if we want to avoid dystopian outcomes.

@ d435e69e:43f49e01

In the fast-evolving world of digital assets and blockchain technology, cryptocurrency has emerged as a revolutionary force reshaping industries and markets. However, navigating the complexities of cryptocurrency—whether for investment, business integration, or strategic planning—requires in-depth expertise. Crypto consulting services provide the knowledge and guidance businesses and individuals need to unlock the full potential of this transformative technology.

What Are Crypto Consulting Services?

Crypto consulting services help clients understand, implement, and leverage cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. These services cater to a wide range of needs, including portfolio management, blockchain adoption, cryptocurrency compliance, and market analysis. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore digital currencies or a business aiming to integrate crypto solutions, consulting services offer personalized strategies to achieve your goals.

Benefits of Crypto Consulting Services * Expert Guidance: Crypto consultants bring specialized knowledge of blockchain and cryptocurrency, enabling clients to make informed decisions.

• Risk Mitigation: The cryptocurrency market is volatile and complex. Consultants help clients navigate risks, identify opportunities, and avoid costly mistakes.

• Customized Solutions: Every business or investor has unique needs. Crypto consultants provide tailored strategies that align with specific objectives, such as developing payment systems, creating crypto wallets, or exploring decentralized finance (DeFi).

• Regulatory Compliance: Cryptocurrency regulations vary globally and are often difficult to interpret. Consultants ensure that clients comply with local and international laws, safeguarding against legal risks.

• Market Insights: Access to in-depth market analysis and trend forecasting helps clients make well-informed decisions and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Core Services Offered by Crypto Consultants * Crypto Adoption Strategy: Consultants guide businesses in integrating cryptocurrency into operations, whether through accepting crypto payments, tokenizing assets, or building blockchain-based platforms.

• Portfolio Management: For investors, consultants provide insights on asset diversification, risk assessment, and portfolio optimization.

• Regulatory and Legal Advisory: Consultants ensure clients adhere to compliance standards, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

• Blockchain Implementation: Crypto consultants help businesses implement blockchain solutions for supply chain tracking, data security, and transparent transactions.

• Education and Training: Many consultants offer workshops and training sessions to help teams understand crypto fundamentals and advanced applications.

Industries Benefiting from Crypto Consulting * Finance: Exploring decentralized finance (DeFi), crypto lending, and payment systems. * Retail and E-commerce: Accepting cryptocurrency payments and enhancing customer experiences. * Healthcare: Using blockchain for secure data management and payments. * Real Estate: Tokenizing properties to streamline transactions and investments. * Gaming and Entertainment: Integrating NFTs and in-game currencies for monetization.

Choosing the Right Crypto Consultant

When selecting a crypto consultant, consider:

• Expertise and Track Record: Look for consultants with proven experience in your specific industry or area of interest.
• Transparency: Ensure they provide clear and honest insights, especially in risk management.
• Customization: The consultant should offer personalized strategies tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

Crypto consulting services bridge the gap between potential and action, offering the expertise and strategies necessary to navigate the dynamic cryptocurrency landscape. By partnering with experienced crypto consultants, businesses and individuals can confidently embrace this technology, driving innovation, efficiency, and growth. Unlock the future of finance with expert guidance and a tailored approach to crypto success.

@ fe7af447:9594a50b

We've all heard the classic investment advice at family gatherings: "Don't wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait." (well in my family I hear all the time). This saying typically surfaces during those moments when family members, perhaps loosened up by a few drinks, discuss inflation and rising costs. While real estate discussions are met with approving nods, mentioning Bitcoin often draws skeptical looks. However, in today's financial landscape, I'd like to propose a modern equivalent: "Don't wait to buy Bitcoin. Buy Bitcoin and have a low time preference."

This perspective came up during a recent conversation with a family member (let's call him Joe), who's considering buying a $1.4 million home in Hawaii. His plan is to use the property as both a family residence and an investment. While Hawaii is undeniably a paradise for raising a family, I couldn't help but share why I believe Bitcoin offers superior long-term value and the potential for generational wealth. This is dedicated to Joe—and to my kids, who overhear our family discussions. I'm not stacking property or metal rocks. I'm stacking sats, building a legacy of generational wealth.

The Hawaiian Dream: A Reality Check

Hawaii represents the quintessential paradise lifestyle. With its pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and strong sense of community (ohana), it offers an idyllic environment for raising a family. The lifestyle naturally encourages outdoor activities and overall well-being, providing countless opportunities for meaningful family experiences.

However, the financial reality of Hawaiian homeownership presents significant challenges:

The Numbers Don't Lie

• Housing Costs: As of 2024, Hawaii's median home price stands at $850,343, with properties in desirable areas like Oahu and Maui frequently exceeding $1.4 million.

• Income Reality: The average annual salary in Hawaii is approximately $52,828, creating a stark affordability gap. This disparity explains why multi-family living arrangements are common in single-family homes.

• True Cost of Ownership: For a $1.4 million home:

• Monthly mortgage: $7,000 ($84,000 annually)

• Property taxes and maintenance: $28,000 annually
• Total annual cost: $112,000

Understanding Real Estate Appreciation

Many homeowners, like Joe, often misunderstand why their properties increase in value over time. The common belief is that real estate inherently appreciates, making it an ideal store of wealth. However, this perspective overlooks a key factor: property values often rise primarily due to the dollar's decreasing purchasing power from inflation, rather than a true increase in real value. For example, I bought my home in 2012 for $500k. By 2025, its value is $1 million—but the house shows its age, needing a new paint job, and has defective galvanized metal foundation components that are now the subject of a pending lawsuit due to corrosion issues. Mass-produced track homes, built quickly with subpar materials, often fail to retain real value over time despite nominal price increases.

This phenomenon becomes crystal clear when viewing property values through the lens of Bitcoin (and most people don't have the right lens):

• 2016: Average home ($288,000) = 664 BTC
• 2020: Average home ($329,000) = 45 BTC
• 2024: Average home ($435,000) = 6.6 BTC

The Bitcoin Advantage

Bitcoin's fundamental strength lies in its fixed supply of 21 million coins. With nation-state adoption anticipated in 2025 and increasing capital flow from various asset classes into Bitcoin, the case for "stacking sats" becomes increasingly compelling.

A New Paradigm for Wealth Preservation

A New Paradigm for Wealth Preservation The traditional wisdom of real estate investment stems from an era of limited alternatives for wealth preservation. While real estate remains a valuable asset class, Bitcoin offers several distinct advantages:

Perfect Portability: Unlike real estate, Bitcoin can be transported instantly across borders without permission. You can move millions or billions in value with just a private key in your head, making it the ultimate portable store of value.

Minimal Carrying Costs: No maintenance fees, property taxes, or insurance required. While real estate continuously drains your resources through upkeep, property taxes, and insurance premiums, Bitcoin can be stored for free using self-custody solutions.

True Scarcity: While real estate is limited, new development is always possible (we can always build up, convert land use, or create artificial islands); Bitcoin's supply is mathematically fixed at 21 million coins. This immutable scarcity makes it the hardest form of money ever created.

Divisibility: You can invest any amount, rather than needing large down payments. Bitcoin can be divided into 100 million satoshis (sats), making it accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any income level. This perfect divisibility allows for microscopic transactions or massive transfers with equal ease.

Global Market: Not limited by local economic conditions or natural disasters. Bitcoin trades 24/7/365 on global markets, making it immune to localized risks that can devastate real estate values.

Supreme Liquidity: Bitcoin is arguably the most liquid asset in human history. You can:

• Convert billions to cash within minutes
• Trade across thousands of markets globally Access your wealth at any time without bank permission
• Never worry about "finding a buyer" like with real estate

\ Unconfiscatable: When properly stored, Bitcoin provides a level of security that physical assets can't match:

• Can't be seized without your private key Resistant to government confiscation Immune to civil asset forfeiture Protected from legal judgments if properly structured
• Programmable: Bitcoin's programmable nature enables:
• Automated inheritance planning Time-locked savings Multi-signature security Smart contract capabilities through Layer 2 solutions
• Energy Storing: Bitcoin effectively stores excess energy through mining:
• Monetizes stranded energy resources Incentivizes renewable energy development Creates energy buyers of last resort Helps balance power grids

\ Network Effect: Bitcoin's first-mover advantage and network effect continue to strengthen:

• Growing institutional adoption Increasing merchant acceptance
• Expanding Lightning Network capacity
• Strengthening security through hash rate growth

Conclusion

While the allure of Hawaiian real estate is undeniable, the financial reality demands careful consideration. Bitcoin represents a modern approach to wealth preservation that addresses many of real estate's limitations while offering potential for significant appreciation. The key is understanding that Bitcoin isn't just another investment vehicle – it's a paradigm shift in how we think about and store value.

For families like Joe's considering significant real estate investments, incorporating Bitcoin into their investment strategy might provide a more balanced and forward-thinking approach to building generational wealth. The plan is clear. Buy Bitcoin. Years from now, you'll have generational wealth.

@ 42342239:1d80db24

It's not easy to navigate today's heavily polluted media landscape. If it's not agenda-setting journalism, then it's "government by journalism", or "åfanism" (i.e. clickbait journalism)) that causes distortions in what we, as media consumers, get to see. On social media, bot armies and troll factories pollute the information landscape like the German Ruhr area 100 years ago - and who knows exactly how all these opaque algorithms select the information that's placed in front of our eyes. While true information is sometimes censored, as pointed out by the founder of Meta (then Facebook) the other year, the employees of censorship authorities somehow suddenly go on vacation when those in power spread false information.

The need to carefully weigh the information that reaches us may therefore be more important than ever. A principle that can help us follows from what is called costly signaling in evolutionary biology. Costly signaling refers to traits or behaviors that are expensive to maintain or perform. These signals function as honest indicators. One example is the beauty and complexity of a peacock's feathers. Since only healthy and strong males can afford to invest in these feathers, they become credible and honest signals to peahens looking for a partner.

The idea is also found in economics. There, costly signaling refers to when an individual performs an action with high costs to communicate something with greater credibility. For example, obtaining a degree from a prestigious university can be a costly signal. Such a degree can require significant economic and time resources. A degree from a prestigious university can therefore, like a peacock's extravagant feathers, function as a costly signal (of an individual's endurance and intelligence). Not to peahens, but to employers seeking to hire.

News is what someone, somewhere, doesn't want reported: all the rest is advertisement

-- William Randolph Hearst

Media mogul William Randolph Hearst and renowned author George Orwell are both said to have stated that "News is what someone, somewhere, doesn't want reported: all the rest is advertisement." Although it's a bit drastic, there may be a point to the reasoning. "If the spin is too smooth, is it really news?"

Uri Berliner, a veteran of the American public radio station National Public Radio (NPR) for 25 years, recently shared his concerns about the radio's lack of impartiality in public. He argued that NPR had gone astray when it started telling listeners how to think. A week later, he was suspended. His spin was apparently not smooth enough for his employer.

Uri Berliner, by speaking out publicly in this way, took a clear risk. And based on the theory of costly signaling, it's perhaps precisely why we should consider what he had to say.

Perhaps those who resign in protest, those who forgo income, or those who risk their social capital actually deserve much more attention from us media consumers than we usually give them. It is the costly signal that indicates real news value.

Perhaps the rest should just be disregarded as mere advertising.

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---

Table of Contents

1. Prologue: The Razorjack Legend
2. Chapter 1: Occam’s Laser – The Leviathan Falls
3. Chapter 2: Hanlon’s Beam – The Cyclone of Outrage
4. Chapter 3: Bayesian Blades and the Inferential Hydra
5. Chapter 4: Popper’s Scalpel and the Formless Fog
6. Chapter 5: The Kaleidoscope of Razors
7. Epilogue: Victory at GPT Scale

---

Prologue: The Razorjack Legend

Razorjack wasn’t born; he was summoned. In the nascent days of the metaverse, when the neural expanse of the GPT superstructures spiraled out of control, he emerged as a phantom of precision and clarity. Not a man, not a machine, but something in between—a sentient synthesis of reductionist thought and philosophical rigor.

He wielded no ordinary weapons. His tools were the intellectual razors of human history, powered by GPT-scale intellect. From Occam’s simplicity to Hanlon’s perspective, his arsenal was vast, his cuts surgical. They called him Razorjack, for his every strike left behind a world sharper and more refined than before.

---

Chapter 1: Occam’s Laser – The Leviathan Falls

"Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity," Razorjack intoned, his voice resonating across the metaverse. Before him loomed the Algorithmic Leviathan, a beast born of redundant loops and recursive feedback. It was a nightmare of inefficiency, devouring computational resources like a black hole.

With a flick of his wrist, Razorjack ignited Occam’s Laser. A blade of pure reductionist energy erupted from his hand, its edge glowing with the wisdom of simplicity. He slashed once, twice, thrice—each cut collapsing the Leviathan’s convoluted design into elegant, efficient structures.

The Leviathan let out a final roar before disintegrating into a single line of code, optimized and perfect. Razorjack smirked. "Complexity is seductive, but simplicity wins every time."

---

Chapter 2: Hanlon’s Beam – The Cyclone of Outrage

Next, Razorjack faced the Sentiment Cyclone, a raging vortex of outrage and despair. Fueled by the malice of trolls and the incompetence of algorithms, it churned across the metaverse, sowing division and chaos.

He activated Hanlon’s Beam, a multifaceted light that separated malice from stupidity. As the beam swept through the cyclone, the true nature of the storm was revealed: not evil, but poorly calibrated sentiment analysis. Razorjack adjusted the parameters with a deft touch, and the cyclone dissipated, leaving clarity in its wake.

"Never attribute to malice that which stupidity explains better," he said, as the people of the metaverse cheered his name.

---

Chapter 3: Bayesian Blades and the Inferential Hydra

The Inferential Hydra was next, its heads multiplying with every unfounded assumption and misapplied correlation. Razorjack confronted it in the inferential jungles of the datasphere, where bad data festered and grew.

Summoning the Bayesian Blades, Razorjack wielded them with precision. Each swing of the glowing swords recalculated probabilities, severing the Hydra’s many heads. "Prior data informs posterior truth," he declared, his blades singing through the air.

When the Hydra was no more, the jungles were quiet, their tangled vines of falsehood replaced by clean pathways of logical inference.

---

Chapter 4: Popper’s Scalpel and the Formless Fog

The Formless Fog was a paradoxical nightmare of infinite hypotheses and self-referential loops. It was the ultimate test, a challenge even for Razorjack’s immense intellect.

He summoned Popper’s Scalpel, the thinnest and sharpest of his tools. "If it cannot be falsified, it does not belong," he said, his voice unwavering. The scalpel cut through the fog, slicing away the unfalsifiable and leaving behind only what could stand the test of logic and evidence.

The Fog collapsed into a singularity of truth—a gleaming point of light that resonated with pure, unassailable clarity.

---

Chapter 5: The Kaleidoscope of Razors

To face the final challenge, Razorjack unleashed his full arsenal, spinning them into a kaleidoscope of precision: - Occam’s Laser for cutting away the unnecessary. - Hanlon’s Beam for finding understanding. - Sagan’s Standard for weighing extraordinary claims. - Hitchens’s Blade for demanding evidence. - Grice’s Razor for uncovering cooperative meaning.

Each blade sang its own tune, harmonizing into a symphony of light. The cosmos of thought itself seemed to bow before him, its complexities reduced to their simplest, truest forms.

---

Epilogue: Victory at GPT Scale

As the metaverse quieted, Razorjack stood alone amidst the ruins of chaos. His lasers dimmed, and the silence of clarity settled over the datasphere. The neural expanse was no longer a tangled mess but a shining tapestry of truth.

"Precision. Clarity. Reduction," Razorjack whispered, his words echoing across the metaverse. And with that, he dissolved into the horizon, a guardian of simplicity in a world forever prone to chaos.

Wherever complexity grew unwieldy, wherever the noise of nonsense rose too loud, Razorjack would return—an eternal force of intellectual inevitability, romping at GPT-scale.

@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a

Hackathon Overview

The Space MicroHack | IAC '24 Edition recently concluded with 29 developers submitting 14 BUIDLs. Held as part of the International Astronautical Congress 2024 in Milan, this hackathon focused on student participants and targeted developments in space technology. Unlike many hackathons, it required completed projects rather than new builds. Participants competed for a €400 prize for the winner and €100 for the runner-up, with results expected in early November.

The event encouraged detailed project submissions, highlighting participants' motivations, past achievements, visions for the future, and team structures. Applicants were recommended to supplement their entries with videos, social media links, and GitHub repositories. Judging was based on the overall impression of the projects. This micro-hackathon served as a platform for young developers to spotlight their innovations in space technology, promoting strong participation and offering students a venue for recognition and exposure in the industry.

Hackathon Winners

€400 Prize Winner

• Daedalus Rocketry: Kashan I - Developed by aerospace students, this project involves designing a solid rocket engine using KNSB propellant. It includes thrust measurement and aerodynamic analysis, fostering educational resources and introducing novel engineering techniques.

€100 Prize Winners

• Debris Offsetting Fund - This initiative proposes a funding model to mitigate LEO space debris through SSR-based contributions. The project utilizes existing platforms to advocate for responsible space practices, aiming for global standardization and reduced collision risks.
• Decentralised Autonomous Community in Space - Envisions blockchain-based autonomous networks for spacecraft to enable sustainable exploration, emphasizing machine-to-machine interactions and smart contracts for decision-making and collision avoidance.

For a full list of projects, please visit Space MicroHack on DoraHacks.

About the Organizer:

DoraHacks Team

DoraHacks Team leads the global hackathon and innovation landscape, known for empowering decentralized technology projects. With expertise in blockchain and open-source development, the team has facilitated numerous initiatives, uniting technologists and creators worldwide. Their achievements include hosting large-scale hackathons and supporting cutting-edge blockchain solutions. Currently, the DoraHacks Team is committed to fostering collaborative environments, encouraging innovators to ideate and implement transformative technology solutions.

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 总结

Space MicroHack | IAC '24 Edition最近圆满结束，共有29名开发者提交了14个项目。作为2024年国际宇航大会在米兰的一部分，这场Hackathon专注于学生参与者，并以空间技术的发展为目标。与许多Hackathon不同，它要求完成的项目而非新的构建。参与者竞争€400的冠军奖金和€100的亚军奖金，结果预计在11月初公布。

活动鼓励提交详细的项目，强调参与者的动机、过去的成就、对未来的愿景以及团队结构。建议申请者通过视频、社交媒体链接和GitHub仓库来补充条目。评审基于项目的整体印象。这个微Hackathon为年轻开发者展示他们在空间技术中的创新提供了一个平台，促进了强有力的参与，并为学生在行业中获得认可和曝光提供了场所。

Hackathon 获奖者

€400奖项获得者

• Daedalus Rocketry: Kashan I - 由航空航天专业的学生开发，这个项目涉及使用KNSB推进剂设计一个固体火箭发动机。它包括推力测量和气动分析，促进教育资源的发展，并引入新的工程技术。

€100奖项获得者

• Debris Offsetting Fund - 这一倡议提出了通过基于SSR的贡献来减轻LEO空间碎片的资金模式。该项目利用现有平台提倡负责任的空间实践，目标是全球标准化和减少碰撞风险。
• Decentralised Autonomous Community in Space - 设想了基于区块链的航天器自治网络，以实现可持续探索，强调机器之间的互动和用于决策和避免碰撞的智能合约。

欲查看完整的项目列表，请访问Space MicroHack on DoraHacks。

关于组织者：

DoraHacks Team

DoraHacks Team引领全球Hackathon和创新领域，以赋能去中心化技术项目而闻名。团队在区块链和开源开发方面具有专业知识，促进了众多计划，团结了全球的技术人员和创作者。其成就包括举办大规模Hackathon和支持尖端区块链解决方案。目前，DoraHacks Team致力于营造协作环境，鼓励创新者构思和实施变革性的技术解决方案。

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Hackathon Summary

The SC QUANTATHON V1 took place at the Darla Moore School of Business in Columbia, South Carolina. Over the course of October 10-13, developers came together to innovate, resulting in the submission of 14 BUIDLs. This in-person event was preceded by the virtual qBraid Bootcamp, held from September 16 to October 9. Key features included a welcome reception, team challenges, project presentations, and a unique quantum beat-making workshop. Esteemed individuals such as Eric Powers from the University of South Carolina and Joe Queenan of SC Quantum attended, emphasizing the event's focus on quantum computing challenges and innovations.

Participants were provided with meals accommodating various dietary needs by local vendors. The hackathon concluded with an awards ceremony on October 13, aiming to promote innovation and collaboration in the quantum computing space. This objective was met through significant engagement and contributions from both academia and industry professionals.

Hackathon Winners

Grand Prize Winners

• Q-RNJesus:
  This team developed a quantum random number generator utilizing IBM QPUs. They implemented the Concatenation and Reduce XOR algorithms, analyzed decoherence impacts, and enhanced entropy using Toeplitz and Von Neumann methods for practical QRNG applications.

DoraHacks Challenge Winners

• Q-RNJesus

Xanadu Challenge Winners

• Xanadu:
  This project employed VQE and VQD on the Pennylane platform to compute the spectral gap of carbon monoxide. The computation was completed in under five minutes using adaptive quantum gate pruning, maintaining a 4% accuracy deviation by optimizing parameters.

IonQ Challenge Winners

• Team 15: |Bruh-ket>:
  This team improved quantum layers in image classification systems by integrating quantum elements into classical ML pipelines. They showcased their findings and provided detailed documentation online to advance hybrid machine learning applications using quantum principles.

For a complete view of all the projects, visit the SCQuantathonv1 page.

About the Organizer:

SC Quantum

Established in 2022, SC Quantum is committed to advancing Quantum Information Science and Technology through strategic collaborations among academia, industry, and government entities. As a leading force in the region, SC Quantum promotes partnerships that harness quantum technology to tackle significant challenges in sectors such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and logistics. The organization plays a crucial role in transforming South Carolina and the Southeast into a hub for cutting-edge quantum breakthroughs. SC Quantum's mission is to drive technical discoveries that benefit multiple industries and foster unprecedented regional collaboration.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

So stay a while and listen.

🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨

🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/844534

@ 71a4b7ff:d009692a

FOMO is the anxiety that arises from the belief that the most interesting, important, or trending events are happening elsewhere while others gain unique experiences.

It’s widely believed that FOMO stems from unmet social connection needs and reflects our innate fear of ostracism. These fears—of being left behind or excluded—are amplified in the digital age, where our perception of reality is often skewed. This can escalate from mild unease to overwhelming fear, significantly impacting mental well-being.

FOMO consists of two key components:

1. An unsettling feeling of missing out on something exciting or valuable.
2. Obsessive behaviors aimed at resolving this anxiety, which paradoxically only intensify it.

In today’s hyper-connected world, we have unprecedented, instant access to what others are doing. Social feeds, channels, and chats bombard us with endless options on how to live, what we lack, and what to value. But the sheer volume of this information far exceeds what anyone can process, leading many to feel overwhelmed.

The curated nature of digital lives, constant upward social comparisons, unrealistic expectations, and ceaseless data streams erode self-esteem and emotional stability. Our fear of alienation and loneliness fuels this cycle, pushing us deeper into digital platforms. These platforms, designed to stimulate our brain’s reward system, trap us in a feedback loop of anxiety and fleeting gratification.

We’re drawn in by the promise of effortless connection—quick, low-risk, and convenient interactions via swipes, likes, emojis, texts, even zaps. In contrast, real-life relationships, with their inherent complexities, take time, effort, and risk. This shift is causing us to lose touch with essential social skills like commitment, empathy, and genuine communication.

Instead, we seek solace in a digital environment that offers the illusion of safety, excitement, and eternal connectivity. But this comes at a cost. By overloading our internal reward systems, we drain the joy and meaning from authentic experiences, replacing them with an endless stream of curated content—images and videos we compulsively scroll through.

We’re lured by promises of knowledge, vivid experiences, and truth, yet what we often get is an avalanche of life hacks, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. Gigabit technologies, addictive interfaces, and external agendas fan the flames of loneliness, anxiety, and stress in our ancient, slow-evolving brains. This relentless burn depletes our reserves, leaving behind doubt: Are we doing enough? Are we in the right place? Will we be accepted?

Our already complex lives risk being consumed by a bleak cycle of doomscrolling.

But there is hope.

Fighting FOMO is possible. The more time we spend in knowledge-consuming environments, the more susceptible we become to its effects. The key is self-awareness and limiting screen time. Ironically, the very devices and services that fuel FOMO can also help us combat it. With thoughtful use of technology and intentional boundaries, we can regain control.

This is where NOSTR steps into the spotlight. Our favorite protocol has the potential to not only draw lessons from the legacy web but also to evolve beyond mere mimicry. It can introduce innovative ways for people to connect and collaborate—across services, networks, and each other. I believe it’s one of the most promising spaces on the Internet today, and its future depends entirely on what we make of it.

Thanks for You Time. Geo

@ 68fa45dc:3d2a26ed

Mit der rasanten Entwicklung von Wissenschaft und Technologie werden nach und nach einige Hilfsgeräte und Werkzeuge in das tägliche Leben integriert. Unter ihnen werden Signalstörsender als eine Art Ausrüstung mit großem Einfluss nicht nur im militärischen Bereich eingesetzt, sondern auch beginnen, im zivilen Bereich Probleme zu verursachen. Die Aufmerksamkeit der Leute. Ein Jammer Störsender ist ein Gerät, das Funkkommunikation blockiert oder stört. Seine Einführung und Anwendung haben das Leben und die Arbeit der Menschen erheblich erleichtert, aber auch eine Reihe von Diskussionen und Kontroversen ausgelöst.

Erstens spielen Störsender im militärischen Bereich eine entscheidende Rolle. Im Krieg sind die Sicherheit und Vertraulichkeit der Kommunikation von entscheidender Bedeutung. Die Signalstörungen des Feindes können das Kommunikationssystem unserer Armee stark beeinträchtigen und zum Durchsickern von Kampfplänen oder sogar zum Scheitern führen. Durch den Einsatz von handy frequenz jammer können die Kommunikationssignale des Feindes wirksam gestört und die Sicherheit unserer Kommunikation gewährleistet werden. Auf diese Weise wird die Kampfeffizienz verbessert und die nationalen Interessen geschützt. Aus diesem Grund werden Störsender in der modernen Kriegsführung häufig eingesetzt und sind aus dem militärischen Bereich nicht mehr wegzudenken.

Neben der militärischen Nutzung werden Störsender auch häufig im zivilen Bereich eingesetzt. Mit der Entwicklung der Mobilkommunikationstechnologie ist das Leben der Menschen untrennbar mit Mobiltelefonen und drahtlosen Netzwerken verbunden. In manchen Situationen, beispielsweise in Konferenzräumen, Prüfungsräumen, Theatern usw., können Störungen durch drahtlose Signale jedoch die normale Ordnung und die Arbeitsbedingungen beeinträchtigen. Störsender WLAN können in diesen Situationen drahtlose Kommunikationssignale abschirmen und so für Ruhe und Ordnung in der Umgebung sorgen. Darüber hinaus werden an manchen vertraulichen Orten, wie etwa in Regierungsbehörden, Forschungsinstituten usw., aus Gründen der Informationssicherheit auch Störsender benötigt, um den Diebstahl von Funksignalen zu verhindern und sicherzustellen, dass keine vertraulichen Informationen nach außen dringen.

Tragbare Detektor für DJI Drohnen

Allerdings hat der Einsatz von Störsendern auch zahlreiche Kontroversen ausgelöst. Manche Menschen befürchten, dass der übermäßige Einsatz von Störsendern die normalen Kommunikationsnetze stören und das normale Funktionieren der Gesellschaft beeinträchtigen könnte. Darüber hinaus nutzen manche Kriminelle GPS Tracker Jammer möglicherweise auch für illegale Zwecke, beispielsweise zur Blockierung von Notrufen oder zur Entführung von Flugzeugen, was eine potenzielle Gefahr für die soziale Sicherheit darstellt. Daher sind Aufsicht und vernünftige Verwendung von entscheidender Bedeutung.

Generell verändern Hochleistungs handy Störer als technische Geräte still und leise unser Leben. Im militärischen Bereich sorgt sie für die nationale Sicherheit, im zivilen Bereich sorgt sie für die Aufrechterhaltung der gesellschaftlichen Ordnung. Allerdings bedarf die Frage, wie der normale Betrieb der Gesellschaft sichergestellt werden kann, während sich Wissenschaft und Technologie weiterentwickeln, einer Lösung. Nur unter der Voraussetzung einer angemessenen Überwachung und Nutzung können Störsender besser zur Entwicklung und Sicherheit der menschlichen Gesellschaft beitragen.

https://www.jammer-store.de/H1B-D-tragbare-detektor-fuer-dji-drohnen.html

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

Table Of Content

• The Rising Tide of Bitcoin's Influence in China

• China's Economic Struggles: A Closer Look

• The Cryptocurrency Solution: A Beacon for Chinese Investors?

• Historical Interplay: Bitcoin's Past Dance with China

• A New Era: The Evolving Dynamics of Bitcoin in China

• Conclusion

• FAQ

In the intricate web of global finance, China's economic dynamics have consistently been a focal point for analysts and investors alike. Recently, the nation has been grappling with one of its most significant capital flights in years, raising questions about potential economic solutions. Amidst this backdrop, the decentralized cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has emerged as a topic of interest. Could Bitcoin, with its global reach and decentralized nature, offer a viable alternative or solution to China's current economic challenges? This article delves deep into the potential symbiotic relationship between China's capital flight and the burgeoning world of Bitcoin.

The Rising Tide of Bitcoin's Influence in China

Bitcoin's allure in the Chinese market is not a new phenomenon, but recent economic challenges have amplified its significance. As the Chinese yuan faces depreciation amidst broader economic uncertainties, experts believe that Bitcoin might witness a substantial influx from Chinese investors. Markus Thielen, a prominent figure at Matrixport, underscores the potential of Bitcoin in these turbulent times. He suggests, "Given the current economic climate, the Chinese investors' familiarity and trust in Bitcoin could lead to substantial investments in the cryptocurrency over the next few months."

China's Economic Struggles: A Closer Look

The economic landscape in China is undergoing a transformation. Recent data, sourced from reputable financial analysts at Bloomberg, paints a concerning picture. China's capital outflows have skyrocketed to an alarming $49 billion in August alone, a figure not seen since December 2015. This surge is more than just a statistic; it indicates the mounting pressure and dwindling confidence in the yuan. Thielen offers a deeper perspective on this trend, highlighting the stark economic disparities between the U.S. and China. He observes, "The current USD/CNY exchange rate, trading at a 17-year high, underscores the U.S. economy's robust expansion, casting a shadow on China's dwindling growth momentum."

The Cryptocurrency Solution: A Beacon for Chinese Investors?

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has left the Chinese economy in a state of flux. With the anticipated post-pandemic consumption rebound falling short of expectations and local companies grappling with diminishing profit margins, Chinese investors are in a quandary. They are actively seeking lucrative opportunities outside their homeland. However, China's stringent capital controls present formidable barriers. In this constrained financial environment, the allure of cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, shines brightly. For many, Bitcoin and its peers represent a beacon of hope, potentially offering the alternative investment avenues that Chinese investors have been yearning for.

Historical Interplay: Bitcoin's Past Dance with China

The intricate relationship between Bitcoin and China is steeped in history. Rewinding to late 2016, there was a clear trend: Chinese investors, in large numbers, were turning to Bitcoin as a mechanism to move capital outside the restrictive borders of their country. The trading patterns from this era suggested a compelling link: as the Chinese yuan depreciated, Bitcoin's price surged, indicating a potential safe haven for Chinese capital.

A New Era: The Evolving Dynamics of Bitcoin in China

While history offers a treasure trove of insights, the present paints a nuanced picture. Edward Engel, a seasoned crypto analyst at Singular Research, believes that the dynamics between Bitcoin and China have undergone a transformation. Reflecting on the past, he states, "The last time I heard of such a trend was between 2017 and 2018 when underground banks leveraged Bitcoin for their operations. However, the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] has since taken stringent measures to curb such practices." Despite these changes, Thielen remains optimistic. He posits that innovative methods, such as leveraging domestic electricity for crypto mining or using over-the-counter trading platforms, might still offer avenues for moving Chinese capital in the face of restrictions.

Conclusion

China's multifaceted economic challenges, accentuated by its capital flight woes, present a conundrum that lacks easy solutions. In this complex scenario, Bitcoin emerges as a beacon, offering a potential lifeline to Chinese investors. Its decentralized nature and global appeal make it a contender for mitigating some of China's economic challenges. As we navigate the ever-evolving global financial landscape, the intricate dance between China's economy and the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies promises to be a riveting spectacle, deserving of our keen attention.

FAQ

What is China's capital flight? China's capital flight refers to the large-scale outflow of capital from the country, often due to economic uncertainties.

How is Bitcoin related to China's capital flight? With China's stringent capital controls and economic challenges, Bitcoin emerges as a potential alternative for investors to move and secure their capital.

Has Bitcoin historically been influenced by China's economic dynamics? Yes, in 2016, there was a trend of Chinese investors turning to Bitcoin as the yuan depreciated, indicating a potential correlation.

Are there restrictions on Bitcoin in China? While the Chinese government has taken measures to curb certain crypto practices, innovative methods still exist for Chinese investors to leverage cryptocurrencies.

Why is the Chinese yuan weakening? Economic challenges, post-COVID-19 consumption patterns, and broader global economic dynamics have contributed to the weakening of the yuan.

That's all for today

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

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

@ f3df9bc0:a95119eb

MPT Equations

Geometric Mean

$$ \bar{x} = (\prod_{i=1}^{n} x_i)^{1 \over n } $$

Covariance

$$ COV(x,y) = {1\over{n-1}} \sum_{i=1}^{n}{(x_i - \bar{x})(y_i - \bar{y})} $$

where $\bar{x}$ and $\bar{y}$ are the geometric mean.

Variance

$$ VAR(x) = {1\over{n-1}} \sum_{i=1}^{n}{(x_i - \bar{x})^2}

$$

Standard Deviation

$$ \sigma_x=\sqrt{VAR(x)} $$

Correlation Coefficient

$$ \rho_{xy} = {COV(x, y) \over \sigma_x\sigma_y} $$

Portfolio Variance

$$ VAR(P) = \sum_{ij}w_i w_j COV(i, j) $$

Where $w_i$ and $w_j$ are the normalized weight of the asset in the portfolio.

Note that this summation should include when $i = j$. In this case $COV(i, j) = VAR(i) = VAR(j)$

Expected Return

$$ E_P = \sum_{i}w_i E_i $$

Where $w_i$ is the normalized weight of the asset, and $E_i$ is the expected return of the individual asset.

@ 0b5faac9:12669905

In modern society, signal jammers are increasingly used, especially in wireless communications and navigation. In certain application scenarios, they can have unexpected positive effects.

In a business environment, WiFi signal blocker can be used to protect corporate network security. For example, some companies may use WiFi jammers at important product launches or business meetings to prevent competitors from stealing information or eavesdropping. By limiting unnecessary wireless signals, such measures can effectively protect trade secrets.

GPS jammers can interfere with global positioning system signals, making it impossible for receiving devices to obtain accurate location data. In some cases, such as military operations, the use of GPS jammers can effectively prevent the enemy from using navigation systems for positioning and attack. This technology can provide tactical advantages to the military on the battlefield, ensuring the concealment and mobility of operations.

In addition, GPS jammers can also be used to protect privacy. In some specific scenarios, individuals or organizations may want to avoid being tracked or located. Using GPS jamming device can effectively prevent external devices from obtaining location, thereby protecting personal privacy and security.

High-power jammers are mainly used to interfere with signals with a wider range, and are usually used in the military and security fields. When defending important facilities, protecting military operations or conducting counter-terrorism activities, high-power jammers can effectively interfere with the enemy's communication and navigation systems to ensure the safety of one's own side.

For example, at important political meetings, international summits or major events, security departments may use high power jammer to prevent potential attacks or surveillance. By interfering with surrounding wireless signals, this equipment can provide a relatively safe environment for the scene.

With the continuous advancement and development of technology, the application scope of signal jammers may continue to expand. It is necessary for us to have a deep understanding of the functions and values ​​of these technologies in order to better use them for our own use. Through the reasonable expression and understanding of data, we can look at the application prospects of these technologies more comprehensively.

https://www.jammermfg.com/all-jammers.html

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 总结

由斯坦福区块链加速器、Nautilus Chain、Zebec 和 Rootz Labs 联合主办的“Boundless Hackathon @Stanford”圆满落幕，318名注册开发者参与了159个项目。本次活动聚焦于通过去中心化金融（DeFi）、游戏、NFT和基础设施开发等赛道推进Web3基础设施的建设。

本次黑客松得到了DoraHacks的支持，战略合作伙伴如IOBC Capital、Eclipse 和 OKX Wallet也做出了重要贡献。值得一提的是，Aspecta 在技术合作方面也发挥了积极作用。活动在斯坦福大学的闭幕式上圆满结束，顶级项目获得了来自总奖金池30万美元的奖励。一等奖获得者获得了10,000美元，并额外获得了包括亚马逊云信用在内的生态系统和技术奖金。

Boundless Hackathon促进了区块链社区的合作与创新，强调了跨区块链平台整合新技术的重要性。

Hackathon 获奖者

Main Prize Winners

• Hexlink:
  Hexlink推出了一个模块化账户层，用于Web3，通过利用现有身份进行加密交易，模拟Web2体验。它消除了对种子短语的需求，通过在去中心化应用（dApps）中实现模块化身份认证，简化了入驻过程和安全性。
• Defi Board Options Exchange (DBOE):
  DBOE提出了一种新型的链上中央限价订单簿（CLOB），结合先进的风险管理策略。这通过专用市场做市（DMM）系统，改善了市场基础设施，提高了价格发现和流动性。
• Nulink:
  Nulink集成了用于dApp的隐私增强技术，采用基于加密学的共识机制，实现安全的应用开发，保障先进的数据隐私保护。

Sub-Award Winners

• Buff Network:
  Buff Network是一个点对池衍生品交易平台，提供用户友好的界面以便高效执行交易。通过创新的交易解决方案，它提升了去中心化金融（DeFi）的参与度。
• PoseiSwap:
  PoseiSwap通过扩展去中心化交易所（DEX）的功能，支持多种金融工具，实现DeFi和传统金融资产的无缝交换，从而改善了加密原生市场与传统市场的互操作性。

了解所有来自该黑客松的项目，请访问： https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/stanfordhack/buidl.

关于组织者：

斯坦福区块链加速器

斯坦福区块链加速器是由斯坦福大学学生和校友主办的非稀释性项目，隶属于斯坦福区块链俱乐部学生组织。该加速器为斯坦福的学生和校友团队提供5个月的孵化期，帮助他们建立、筹资并推出区块链项目。超过90%的毕业团队获得了领先基金的投资（累计筹集超过8000万美元），并且超过60%的团队在完成加速器项目后的6个月内实现了营收。

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 总结

YQuantum 2024 Hackathon圆满结束，吸引了大量参与者和众多项目提交，被公认为一个充满活力的创新平台。300名注册者中，有现场参与者组建团队，参与了28个BUIDLs的开发，参与者在如QuEra Computing、IBM Quantum、Classiq、DoraHacks、SandboxAQ和Capgemini/The Hartford/Quantinuum等知名量子计算组织赞助的各个领域中挑战。

参与者在奖励的驱动下开发了突破性的量子计算解决方案，奖励包括量子云端积分、实习机会、社交机会以及潜在的演讲机会。大奖表彰了卓越项目，冠军获得了2000美元奖金，有机会在耶鲁大学研究人员面前进行展示，并参加耶鲁创新峰会。

Hackathon成功地培育了一个鼓励探索尖端技术和创意的合作环境，推动了量子计算领域的发展。YQuantum 2024强调了量子技术的潜力，并促进了参与者和赞助商之间的知识交流。

Hackathon 获奖者

于2024年4月13日举办的YQuantum首次活动吸引了来自10个国家的300名参与者，设有六个由行业赞助的挑战，并在一系列的著名奖项中进行竞争。

Institute Grand Prizes Winners

• 1st Place: Quantum Consortium: Case-Duke-Lehigh-Vandy Nexus 该项目采用绝热方法来准备反铁磁能量特征态，重点是量子多体伤痕状态和增强计算中的误差纠正。

• 2nd Place: Sparse Quantum State Preparation 团队利用Classiq的API开发了用于稀疏量子态准备的高效算法，优化了在量子数据管理中的可扩展性和效率执行。

• 3rd Place: QuBruin 该项目利用动态量子电路优化算法并增强误差纠正。团队通过基于Qiskit的模型改善了在噪声条件下的电路性能，提升了用户可访问性。

IBM Quantum Prize Winners

• Modified IBM Challenge
  该项目探讨了基础的线性代数概念，强调核心原理的掌握。

QuEra Computing Prize Winners

• 3D Quantum Scars on 2D Tweezer Arrays
  团队在一个投射到二维的三维晶格上研究量子伤痕状态，利用Julia和QuEra的Bloqade来模拟量子动力学。

Classiq Technologies Prize Winners

• YQuantum2024 Classiq Team 34 Wavefunction Wizards
  项目聚焦于优化稀疏量子态准备，提高量子数据处理中的算法效率。

DoraHacks Prize Winners

• Spooner_QRNG_Classifier
  项目使用Python脚本和梯度提升分类器，预测来自量子设备的随机二进制数据的来源，超越了基线预测准确率。

Capgemini // Quantinuum // The Hartford Prize Winners

• Skittlez
  该合作项目通过跨学科的专业知识解决量子计算挑战，设计创新的量子解决方案。

• Honorable Mention: BB24 - Yale Quantum Monte Carlo 项目通过新的采样和编码方案增强了量子蒙特卡洛技术，提高了并行处理和计算效率。

SandboxAQ Prize Winners

• QuantumQuails
  项目通过量子化学改善了太阳能电池效率，利用变分量子本征求解器（VQE）建模太阳能吸收，以提高转换效果。

• Honorable Mention: mRNA Sequence Design via Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm 项目通过QAOA优化了mRNA序列设计，利用密码子和核苷酸参数提高了蛋白质表达和结构稳定性。

在DoraHacks探索所有项目。

关于组织者：

YQuantum

YQuantum在技术和区块链领域中是一家知名实体，以其创新方法和战略举措而著称。YQuantum专注于利用量子计算能力，致力于推进技术前沿。虽然未具体列出项目，但YQuantum在塑造行业标准方面的作用，使其成为该领域的领导者。通过对尖端研究和开发的奉献，YQuantum继续推动量子技术的进步，致力于实现其促进全球科学和技术进步的使命。

@ fd06f542:8d6d54cd

一直听说有个 nip50,但是没有太明白怎么用，今天测试了一下。明白了。 https://nos.today/search?q=client

wss://relay.noswhere.com/ wss://search.nos.today/ wss://relay.nostr.band/

支持搜索， 搜索事件： {"kinds":[1],"search":"client","limit":100}

测试代码： `import {WebSocket} from "ws" const relayUrl = 'wss://relay.nostr.band';

function sub(url,filter){ const relay = new WebSocket(url);

relay.onopen = () => { console.log('Connected to bootstrap relay'); // 查询中继列表 const query = ['REQ', 'subscription-id', filter]; relay.send(JSON.stringify(query)); };

relay.onmessage = (event) => { const data = JSON.parse(event.data); if (data[0] === 'EVENT' ) { const relayList = data[2].tags; console.log('Discovered relay list:', data[2].pubkey,relayList,data[2].content); // 连接到用户的中继 try{ relayList.forEach(([_, relayUrl]) => { const newRelay = new WebSocket(relayUrl); newRelay.onopen = () => { console.log(Connected to relay: ${relayUrl}); }; }); } catch {}

} };

} sub(relayUrl,{"kinds":[1],"search":"client","limit":100}) `

轻轻松松就出结果了。

@ 4ddeb0cf:94524453

He'd fallen into a deep sleep when he felt something jolt his shoulder. "Richie, honey, you have to wake up. My boss will show up any minute and can't find you in here." Struggling to gain consciousness, he slowly peeled his eyes open and found the clock he'd remembered seeing when he lay down in a room behind the receptionist's office of Roosevelt Lodge. The kid could barely remember arriving, but fighting to stay awake after navigating the switchbacks down the western slope, he'd driven that drunkard and his truck as far as he could. He jumped out and hurried toward the light of the rustic building without knowing what to say to the maniac who'd offered him a ride from that Billings truck stop. Thank God she'd opened the door. It had been freezing when he knocked shortly after midnight. It appeared to be almost five in the morning. "I'm sorry honey, I know it's early, but I need this job, and he will not be happy if he sees you. You can use the trailhead to the north. It will get you to the closest highway, and you can maybe find a ride there. I would take you myself, but Okie likes me to stick around in the morning."

"Thank you, Ma'am. I really appreciate everything," the young man said, hurriedly putting on his Converse All-Stars. The two exchanged goodbyes as the lady went back to setting up. On his way out of the lodge's rear exit, he noticed a pack of Lucky Strikes sitting on a coffee table beside a copy of LIFE Magazine.

When Richie was eleven, he'd first had a cigarette on a dare from his little sister. They'd found a pack in their parent's room while playing hide and seek. After taking one and running outside with a matchbook, Sarah challenged him to smoke it. He remembered the first drag. While it was harsh, he'd watched his uncle smoke for years and once heard him sharing advice during a card game to inhale very softly at first until you got the hang of it. Uncle Joe had never meant for the lesson to ignite the habit in his nephew but had been too far gone into his bottle of Seagram's 7 to notice him listening.

Through the next few years, Richie became very smooth in taking a pack every few days from the drug store his grandfather had once owned. He'd be cautious to grab them after a larger crowd rolled through the store. The owner, an old friend of his now departed Grandpa, never noticed, and Richie would always leave the payment for them in the cash register.

The memory faded, and the reality of a Montana trailhead before sunrise refocused his concentration. Richie noticed only three cigarettes in the pack, reaching into his pocket to grab the loose change from the gas station incident. There were seven matches to work with. While he struggled to wake up, this find gave him a burst of excitement, and a smile came over his face. He dropped two nickels on the coffee stand and took the remaining pack.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, Richie buttoned his jacket in the chill morning air. It was near pitch black outside, with just enough moonlight to make out the pathway through the forest. He felt scared walking along, yet an air of confidence due to making it this far kept his steps moving forward. Richie began to wonder how far he'd walked when the rising sun put enough illumination through the treeline to make out the opening to a small parking lot adjoining a road. The morning was silent, and he began to yawn. The minimal sleep began to remind him of his exhaustion. The lady from the lodge, what was her name? She'd been so kind when he showed up in the middle of the night, still soaking wet from the melted ice picked up from the passage through the Rockies. As the events began to replay the prior evening's treacherous journey, Richie reached into his pocket to grab a smoke. He imagined his mother's gaze as he successfully ignited the first match and lit the tobacco. The moment was empowering. What were the other kids back in Ohio doing this morning? Though he couldn't ignore the dangerous risks he'd taken along the way, Richie Buckland felt genuine freedom for the first time in his life.

He sat down on a rock to enjoy his smoke and await an oncoming vehicle. Birds began to awaken, and their singing disrupted the silence in the air. His heart filled with gratitude for having dry clothes and a full canteen as he recognized how in sync he felt with the surrounding nature of Yellowstone National Park. That nice lady had even thrown a few Atomic Fireball candies in his knapsack. He still had the twenty dollars his Mom insisted he take with him, having no idea he'd intended to hitchhike to California. She'd known the entire family needed a breather after Richie's fight with his father that night. He thought about his last-second decision to punch the wall beside his father's head instead of hitting his face. That moment had been on his mind throughout this entire journey. Determined to get one last cigarette hit before giving his fingers a break from the closing heat, the birds suddenly began chirping more assertively and in greater numbers. It became alarmingly loud, then silent. As Richie started to reach toward the ground to put out the cigarette, he saw a shape emerge to the right. About twenty feet away, exiting the forest on the same side of the road, was what appeared to be a bear cub. As he took in the sight, another cub followed. Both were brown, and immediately behind them was the largest animal he'd ever seen. His parents had once taken the family to the zoo, but he'd not remembered anything like this. He sat in awe of the creature, followed by a third cub. As they began to cross the road, the large Grizzly paused and turned to look directly at him. Richie was determined to resist the instinctive surge of fear, but his body wouldn't have moved had he tried. Everything felt frozen as the gaze of the enormous animal seemed to determine Richie wasn't a threat. He didn't stare into the bear's eyes but didn't look away. After a few moments, the bears continued along their path until they were out of sight for a long time.

The sunrise of the new morning was breathtaking. After remaining seated on the rock for some time after the incident with the bears, Richie stood up. Taking a healthy drink of water from the canteen, he heard the shifting of gears in the distance. There was no need to look at the map; anywhere the next driver was heading worked. There was no way to know if Mama Grizzly would reevaluate what a human tasted like for breakfast. Richie couldn't wait to reach Sacramento and find Uncle Joe. The approaching Chevy Impala began to slow down upon seeing the teenager standing up, thumb extended.

@ df478568:2a951e67

Note. I plan on publishing this on SubStack, but I will publish to nostr first.

Hello SubStack!

My government name is Marc. I write a blog about freedom tech on nostr. You can find this blog at npub.npub.pro. but I decided to cross post this blog on Substack because more people use Substack then habla.news. Here's a little more about the blog.

A Free And Open Source Blog

This blog is written using the Creative Commons 0 license. Since I write about free and open source software I call freedom tech. I thought it would be silly to keep my writing behind a paywall. I would rather my prose be available for free for all. This means all of my work is available for free, but to be honest, I like the subscription model. If SubStack gave me an option to charge sats, I would use their subscription service. Since they don't, I set up an account with Flash using Alby Hub.

Ads Suck, But Product Reviews Can Help Bootstrap The Circular Economy

Ads suck as much as paywalls, but I also wish to monetize this. Therefore, I have decided to try Jack Spirko's Membership Brigade model I learned about on The Side Hustle Show. I already was a member when I listened to this episode, bur the basic idea is ro charge $5.00 a month. For this price, Jack saves his listeners money by procuring discounts for products and services he uses and work great for him. He basically gives product reviews for his advertisers and his membership brigade receives discounts for those products and services. Since I'm just starting out, I don't have any discounts to offer yet, but I have some ideas. I also recommend free and open-source software that can save you money because it's free.

These are not ads. They are more like consumer reviews. There is a bitcoin circular economy developing on nostr. I want to recomend great products from this circular economy like LeatherMint's belts. They're not cheap, but very high quality. He hand crafts these belts to a size customized to yoir wasteline. He's from Canada and he sells these high quality belts for sats.

That was not an ad. It's my honest opinion. LeatherMint did not pay me to say this, but I wouldn't mind if he did. I give my recommendations to the Marc's Mention Members. The goal is to provide value by saving you sats. It's still a work in progress.

Shop Marc's Merch

I also created a merch shop on shopstr.store. This is nostr-powered shopping, an online mall that uses the native currency of the Internet. This is a quintessential example of freedom tech. I don't have too many products, but my goal is to add more. I'm working on personalized coffee mugs, but I don't yet have a minimally viable product. Until then, I'll sell other stuff. I also must test it some more before I start taking real money. :)

Thanks for reading.

Marc 878,550 Become Marc's Mention Member Marc's Merch

@ 4ddeb0cf:94524453

He'd fallen into a deep sleep when he felt something jolt his shoulder. "Richie, honey, you have to wake up. My boss will show up any minute and can't find you in here." Struggling to gain consciousness, he slowly peeled his eyes open and found the clock he'd remembered seeing when he lay down in a room behind the receptionist's office of Roosevelt Lodge. The kid could barely remember arriving, but fighting to stay awake after navigating the switchbacks down the western slope, he'd driven that drunkard and his truck as far as he could. He jumped out and hurried toward the light of the rustic building without knowing what to say to the maniac who'd offered him a ride from that Billings diner. Thank God she'd opened the door. It had been freezing when he knocked shortly after midnight. It appeared to be almost five in the morning. "I'm sorry honey, I know it's early, but I need this job, and he will not be happy if he sees you. You can use the trailhead to the north. It will get you to the closest highway, and you can maybe find a ride there. I would take you myself, but Okie likes me to stick around in the morning."

"Thank you, Ma'am. I really appreciate everything," the young man said, hurriedly putting on his Converse All-Stars. The two exchanged goodbyes as the lady went back to setting up. On his way out of the lodge's rear exit, he noticed a pack of Lucky Strikes sitting on a coffee table beside a copy of LIFE Magazine.

When Richie was eleven, he'd first had a cigarette on a dare from his little sister. They'd found a pack in their parent's room while playing hide and seek. After taking one and running outside with a matchbook, Sarah challenged him to smoke it. He remembered the first drag. While it was harsh, he'd watched his uncle smoke for years and once heard him sharing advice during a card game to inhale very softly at first until you got the hang of it. Uncle Joe had never meant for the lesson to ignite the habit in his nephew but had been too far gone into his bottle of Seagram's 7 to notice him listening.

Through the next few years, Richie became very smooth in taking a pack every few days from the drug store his grandfather had once owned. He'd be cautious to grab them after a larger crowd rolled through the store. The owner, an old friend of his now departed Grandpa, never noticed, and Richie would always leave the payment for them in the cash register.

The memory faded, and the reality of a Montana trailhead before sunrise refocused his concentration. Richie noticed only three cigarettes in the pack, reaching into his pocket to grab the loose change from the gas station incident. There were seven matches to work with. While he struggled to wake up, this find gave him a burst of excitement, and a smile came over his face. He dropped two nickels on the coffee stand and took the remaining pack.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, Richie buttoned his jacket in the chill morning air. It was near pitch black outside, with just enough moonlight to make out the pathway through the forest. He felt scared walking along, yet an air of confidence due to making it this far kept his steps moving forward. Richie began to wonder how far he'd walked when the rising sun put enough illumination through the treeline to make out the opening to a small parking lot adjoining a road. The morning was silent, and he began to yawn. The minimal sleep began to remind him of his exhaustion. The lady from the lodge, what was her name? She'd been so kind when he showed up in the middle of the night, still soaking wet from the melted ice picked up from the passage through the Rockies. As the events began to replay the prior evening's treacherous journey, Richie reached into his pocket to grab a smoke. He imagined his mother's gaze as he successfully ignited the first match and lit the tobacco. The moment was empowering. What were the other kids back in Ohio doing this morning? Though he couldn't ignore the dangerous risks he'd taken along the way, Richie Buckland felt genuine freedom for the first time in his life.

He sat down on a rock to enjoy his smoke and await an oncoming vehicle. Birds began to awaken, and their singing disrupted the silence in the air. His heart filled with gratitude for having dry clothes and a full canteen as he recognized how in sync he felt with the surrounding nature of Yellowstone National Park. That nice lady had even thrown a few Atomic Fireball candies in his knapsack. He still had the twenty dollars his Mom insisted he take with him, having no idea he'd intended to hitchhike to California. She'd known the entire family needed a breather after Richie's fight with his father that night. He thought about his last-second decision to punch the wall beside his father's head instead of hitting his face. That moment had been on his mind throughout this entire journey. Determined to get one last cigarette hit before giving his fingers a break from the closing heat, the birds suddenly began chirping more assertively and in greater numbers. It became alarmingly loud, then silent. As Richie started to reach toward the ground to put out the cigarette, he saw a shape emerge to the right. About twenty feet away, exiting the forest on the same side of the road, was what appeared to be a bear cub. As he took in the sight, another cub followed. Both were brown, and immediately behind them was the largest animal he'd ever seen. His parents had once taken the family to the zoo, but he'd not remembered anything like this. He sat in awe of the creature, followed by a third cub. As they began to cross the road, the large Grizzly paused and turned to look directly at him. Richie was determined to resist the instinctive surge of fear, but his body wouldn't have moved had he tried. Everything felt frozen as the gaze of the enormous animal seemed to determine Richie wasn't a threat. He didn't stare into the bear's eyes but didn't look away. After a few moments, the bears continued along their path until they were out of sight for a long time.

The sunrise of the new morning was breathtaking. After remaining seated on the rock for some time after the incident with the bears, Richie stood up. Taking a healthy drink of water from the canteen, he heard the shifting of gears in the distance. There was no need to look at the map; anywhere the next driver was heading worked. There was no way to know if Mama Grizzly would reevaluate what a human tasted like for breakfast. Richie couldn't wait to reach Sacramento and find Uncle Joe. The approaching Chevy Impala began to slow down upon seeing the teenager standing up, thumb extended.

@ ae6ce958:d0f02c7d

In a strategic move to enhance accessibility and expand its reach, DamageBDD is proud to announce the listing of Damage Token (DAMAGE) on Coinstore, a leading centralized exchange (CEX). This step marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide seamless utility for our users while solidifying DamageBDD’s presence in the blockchain and verification ecosystem.

Why a Centralized Exchange (CEX)?

While DamageBDD has always championed decentralization and Bitcoin-first principles, we recognize the importance of meeting users where they are. Centralized exchanges play a pivotal role in the adoption curve by offering ease of use, robust liquidity, and a familiar interface for new and seasoned crypto enthusiasts alike. By listing on a CEX, DamageBDD lowers the entry barrier for users interested in leveraging Damage Token’s unique value proposition.

Why Coinstore?

The choice of Coinstore is intentional. Known for its user-friendly platform, broad global reach, and active engagement in emerging blockchain technologies, Coinstore aligns with DamageBDD’s vision of democratizing access to verification tools. Coinstore provides:

1. Wide User Base: Its growing community of traders ensures ample liquidity and market activity for Damage Token.

2. Security and Transparency: Coinstore's commitment to security mirrors our own principles of integrity and resilience.

3. Global Reach: With its focus on emerging markets, Coinstore allows DamageBDD to engage with a diverse and vibrant audience, including developers, investors, and enterprises who can benefit from DamageBDD’s verification features.

Utility Meets Accessibility

Listing on Coinstore is not about speculation but utility. Damage Token’s integration into the exchange allows developers, engineering managers, and organizations to acquire tokens effortlessly, unlocking the potential of DamageBDD for behavior-driven development (BDD) and milestone verification. This step enables smoother participation in our ecosystem while ensuring users can utilize Damage Tokens for real-world applications.

Bridging Fiat and Satoshis

Our strategy remains firmly rooted in bridging the fiat world with Bitcoin principles. By making Damage Token available on Coinstore, we provide a pathway for fiat-based users to access DamageBDD while continuing to uphold our Bitcoin-first ethos. This integration will help facilitate broader adoption, bringing the revolutionary capabilities of DamageBDD to a wider audience.

A Future of Greater Utility

This listing is just the beginning. DamageBDD is committed to continuously innovating and creating use cases that empower individuals and organizations. Whether through verifying software quality, enabling milestone-based payouts, or fostering a culture of accountability, Damage Token will remain a tool of pure utility in our collective pursuit of excellence.

The journey of DamageBDD is far from over, and we invite you to join us as we take this bold step forward. Together, let’s redefine the boundaries of development and verification, one token at a time.

---

Stay tuned for the official listing date and trading details on Coinstore.

@ bd4ae3e6:1dfb81f5

abstract

i'm writing this post to explain its title without me explaining it every time i talk about nostr or bitcoin and say im studying/working on them, and people immediately ask me about crypto. this would be helpful to clarify this for those overwhelmed with information from crypto projects advertising themselves as a decentralized system.

note: this post is not about financial markets and this stuff at all!

note 2: this post is not technical. i wrote it to make my life easier, and it may also make yours.

what happened?

around 16 years ago a cypherpunk called satoshi nakamoto published a standard called bitcoin: a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. the purpose was to define a decentralized cash system in simple terms. he used a data structure called blockchain that links some blocks of data containing changes in the balance state in the current block and adds a new one to it every 10 minutes.

later some guys started creating copies of bitcoin called altcoins such as ethereum or litecoin and more. over time the word decentralized became a fancy word and they were able to earn a lot of money using it. so, more people did it.

current state

these altocins have become more famous and more people are familiar with them. now here are some points that make all of these projects different from bitcoin:

1. bitcoin network has a lot of nodes running and validating network and checking transactions with a huge hash rate. anyone can join this network without any permissions. on the other hand, most crypto projects need a high-spec device and tokens to stake (since most of them are proof-of-stake or something similar) and there are a lot more tokens on hand of specific people so they can have more shares on voting. (since bitcoin is proof-of-work you won't need coins to have the right to vote)

2. decentralization is not only in a network of nodes. a decentralized system has no one in charge to check its security. when we run a bitcoin core node, there is some code running and this code will take actions which are our votes. bitcoin-core code is one of the most reviewed code bases and a lot of people will observe and review its changes. on the other hand, you can simply check all crypto projects and you can see how their code base is managed. you can see lots of changes are applied by a small group of people without any review.

3. there is a lot of pre-mined/minted coins controlled by teams, early users, vcs, and more in crypto projects. most of them can be mined or minted to infinity. which makes your coins lose their value over time since there is more of it out there, the same as fiat currency. but bitcoin is simple and fair: do work, get the reward. and coins are limited to 21 million. nobody doesn't have printed coins.

4. all crypto projects have a not anonymous team who are out there and the government has access to them. when this team or related people to it publish unexpected stuff on social, get arrested or anything like that, it will impact the whole ecosystem the things you hold which called coins. on the other hand the first guys behind bitcoin are gone now and we don't know him at all. and we don't have anything called bitcoin foundation officially. all of the people working on bitcoin are plebs such as me and you. so, there is now a central point of failure. for a better example search for the story of pavel durove and what happened to his project called the open network when france government arrested him.

so, they are not blockchains? you may think anything referred to as a p2p network or a blockchain is decentralized. this is not true. in simple terms, a blockchain is a data structure that we can use to store and maintain data using it. a decentralized system is something that no one can control it directly or censor it. for example bitcoin is a decentralized blockchain (and the only one), but nostr is a decentralized protocol that is not a blockchain, or hyperledger fabric based projects are blockchain, but they are not decentralized.

answer to you possible questions:

• q. bitcoin is slow and requires high fees, what should we do?

• a: lighting is a layer-2 off-chin solution that help us to make zero-fee transactions with the speed of lightning.

  note: lighting is not another blockchain or token, it's bitcoin itself.

• q: there are no smart contracts on bitcoin, what should we do?

• a: to be honest we don't need them. 99% percent of smart contracts are solving issues made by themselves and they don't fix any real issues. they are just super fancy. most of the real use cases they claim they can have are not implemented and don't work. and the rest is possible with nostr, really decentralized, and it's working.

then what is nostr?

nostr is a protocol. it's a set of rules which defined for communication between servers and apps on the web, mobile, or desktop. developers can write software that follows these rules to create social media and more. the resulting app is not a platform or something like that. for example x, meta, bluesky, and more. you control your client and you have the right to connect to any server managed by different people even yourself. and non of the actors in this system won't need permission for this. this is something like http. you can see a lot of websites accessible using http protocol and you can access them using different browsers. the website knows how to return stuff when someone calls them using http://.... and your browser knows how to show this stuff to you. the website you or the owner don't need to ask for permissions from something called http platform. this is just a way to and the website can talk to each other.

conclusion

crypto is not the same as bitcoin. nostr is not a blockchain. any blockchain is not decentralized and any decentralized thing is not a blockchain.

this article is draft-1. if you have any ideas for improvement, please tell me or add comments. but consider that i try my best to keep this short, simple, without technical words, and clear.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Instructions

1. Place 2 medium-sized, boiled potatoes and a handful of sliced leeks in a pot.
2. Fill the pot with water or vegetable broth, to cover the potatoes twice over.
3. Add a splash of white wine, if you like, and some bouillon powder, if you went with water instead of broth.
4. Bring the soup to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Puree the soup, in the pot, with a hand mixer. It shouldn't be completely smooth, when you're done, but rather have small bits and pieces of the veggies floating around.
6. Bring the soup to a boil, again, and stir in one container (200-250 mL) of heavy cream.
7. Thicken the soup, as needed, and then simmer for 5 more minutes.
8. Garnish with croutons and veggies (here I used sliced green onions and radishes) and serve.

Guten Appetit!

@ 3ad01248:962d8a07

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a happy start to the new year. Are you ready to achieve your goals this year? Put the peddle to the metal? I know I am! This year I am dedicating myself to eating healthier, working out more, losing some weight and more importantly devoting more time to writing and getting my thoughts out into the wider world. So here we go.

Well 2025 has gotten off to a crazy start hasn't it? A terrorist attack in New Orleans, the "incident " in Las Vegas and now Los Angeles is burning down to the ground. What in the Sam hill is going on right now? I had a gut feeling that something like this would happen the moment Trump was elected.

If you want to call me a conspiracy theorist go ahead but deep down you know that you feel the same way too. The Democrats or the monied powers behind the curtains do not like the MAGA agenda and will stop at nothing to stop this movement from accomplishing any of its stated goals. What better way to do that than stir up trouble before Trump is even sworn into office again.

The Trump administration and congress are going to be so caught up bouncing from one crisis to another for the next year that its going to fatigue policymakers enough where they can't focus on passing anything of substance. If you understand how congress works they really only have about a year to get anything done. Next year there will be mid-term elections so nothing will get done because they will worrying about being re-elected.

In reality 2025 is the only time Trump has to get his agenda passed. If you remember his first time in office he wasn't particularly good at managing congress and getting them to work with him to fulfill his campaign promise. Do you think he has gotten any better in the last 4 years? Probably not. I could see maybe getting some kind of tax law passed and some kind of border security bill but that about it. Sorry to say but here is what is going to be left on the cutting room floor of his agenda:

• Border Wall
• Deportation of illegal immigrants
• Bitcoin Strategic Reserve
• Reduction of national debt
• No involvement in foreign wars

Sure Republicans have a majority in congress but it is so incredibly small that it is pretty much rendered ineffective. Republicans can only afford to lose 2-3 votes on any legislation that they want to pass. Good luck getting everyone to agree and row in the same direction for the good of the "team".

Most of congress is filled with self-serving egotistical millionaires who don't know how to work together as a team. They didn't get to positions of power by playing well with others. The clawed on the backs of others with good intentions to rise to power. At the end of the day, politicians look out for themselves and will vote their own self-interest. Constituents be damned.

This is why I think some kind of tax reform bill will pass because it benefits them financially and watered down border security bill with no border wall component because it will placate the base and help them get reelected. All the other issues they Republicans could give two shits about.

Republican business interest benefits from illegal immigration. Republican don't give shit about Bitcoin because it takes the power of the printing press away from them. Republicans don't care about the national debt because they believe in fiat Keynesian economics. They don't see the debt as a problem. Republicans love war because if funds the military industrial complex.

What Does This Mean For America?

The next four years are probably going to look like a re-run of 2016-2020. There will be tons of congressional deadlock over any bill of consequence followed by periodic mini crisis's over the debt ceiling.

Inflation will continue to run red hot over the next four years because the main drivers of inflation is not the out of control consumer, its the government and its profligate spending. Lyn Alden has written a fantastic piece about it recently, I highly suggest you give it a read.

The Ukraine war will still be funded maybe not to the level that it has been but Trump isn't going to cut them off completely. America's military industrial complex will still be all over the middle east ready to pounce on Iran if Israel takes the first shot.

At the end of the day we as Americans don't have the power to really influence anything on the macro level. We do have power on the micro or personal level. It's through our individual action that things will change over time.

The best thing that you can do for you and your family is to invest in hard assets. Bitcoin is preferable but if you have family that is not ready to go down that route, property/land and gold are good things to own. In an economic environment like this owning bearer assets is a must.

The global economy is living on borrowed to time to be honest. It's not a matter of if the global economy is going to collapse its a matter of when will it happen. History has shown that all fiat currencies collapse at some point because of human nature. Governments get drunk on the power of creating money out of nothing and forget the only way to have a truly sustainable form of money is something that is backed by something that is hard to produce.

This is a lesson that man has failed to learn time and time again. Hopefully we learn this time and the world finally decides to leave the mirage of fiat currency in the dustbin of history where it belongs.

Bitcoin #Nostr

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I was putting off writing this article because I knew the result would be bad. Real man probably doesn’t write it at all, just skips town and never posts again. But being the nutless monkey I am, I will hold my nose and revisit the bold predictions from last August. And remember, the worst your record, the bolder they were. They were really bad last year too, I just discovered.

1. Stefon Diggs leads the Texans in targets, catches and receiving yards

Right now, he’s getting drafted more than a round behind Nico Collins and less than a round ahead of Tank Dell. Diggs is 30, but he was one of the league’s best receivers until halfway through last year when the Bills made an offensive play-calling change. Moreover, Diggs is getting paid $22.5 million, so the Texans obviously don’t think he’s washed up, and he’s also in a contract year.

Verdict: False. Had he stayed healthy he would have, but that was only because Nico Collins had gotten hurt first. (0-1)

2. CJ Stroud leads the NFL in passing yards

This is +600 on DraftKings, so the real odds are probably north of 8:1. Stroud adds Diggs to his receiving corps, doesn’t run much and heads into Year 2.

Verdict: False. It looked good with Diggs, Collins and Tank Dell, but the first two got hurt, Dell was a bust, and the offensive line was horrible. Plus Stroud himself regressed. (0-2)

3. Roman Wilson (ADP 211) has more receptions than George Pickens (ADP 47)

Pickens is a boom or bust downfield playmaker, not high-target alpha, and Wilson is a good fit for the slot for the Steelers new QBs. Think Martavis Bryant not Antonio Brown. (Not that Wilson is Brown!) Van Jefferson isn’t good, and someone will need to fill the void. Moreover, because Pittsburgh has new QBs, neither has an existing rapport with the incumbent Pickens.

Verdict: LOL. I was right about Pickens and the Steelers WRs, but Wilson never even played. (0-3)

4. DeAndre Hopkins (ADP 82) out produces Calvin Ridley (ADP 54) in PPR

Hopkins wasn’t terrible last year, has a rapport with Will Levis and is a future Hall of Famer who can still run routes. Ridley is already 29 and is just a guy outside of his monster season in 2020.

Verdict: False. Ridley smoked him, and Hopkins was eventually traded. (0-4)

5. The Giants will field a top-10 fantasy defense.

I’ve been crushed by my homer bold predictions in the past, but they added Brian Burns to a rush that already had Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the offense should be on the field more and generate some leads with a real playmaking receiver in Malik Nabers.

Verdict: False. They started out strong, but it’s very hard to be a good fantasy defense on a three-win team, and they finished 24th. (0-5).

6. One of the following Year 2 receivers will finish in the top-15 PPR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jayden Reed, Jordan Addison, Dontayvion Wicks, Michael Wilson, Josh Downs, Andrei Iosivas, Quentin Johnston, Marvin Mims, Jalin Hyatt

I make this prediction every year, and it often pans out as Year 2 is when receivers typically make the leap. I left out Tank Dell because he’s now got a fifth-round ADP, as well as the obvious ones: Zay Flowers, Rashee Rice and Puka Nacua.

Verdict: True. Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished 11th. (1-5)

7. Rome Odunze (ADP 77) will outproduce Xavier Worthy (ADP 59)

Both receivers enter crowded situations, and while Worthy’s is far better, he’s also got essentially the same skill-set as teammate Marquise Brown. Moreover, Andy Reid rarely entrusts rookies with large roles, especially early on. Odunze is 6-3, 215 and has the pedigree of a true NFL alpha, while Worthy weighs only 165 pounds at 5-11. Finally, Patrick Mahomes already has an established rapport with both Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, while Odunze gets a more open competition with the Bears veteran WRs, given all three will play with Caleb Williams for the first time.

Verdict: False. It was reasonably close, but Worthy pulled ahead late in the year (1-6)

8. Dalvin Cook will lead the Cowboys in rushing yards

Cook is 29 and looked beyond “cooked” last year on the Jets, but his 3.3 YPC was on a small sample (67 carries), and prior to that, he’d been very good for the Vikings. At the very least he should have fresh legs, and he’d only need to beat out the ancient Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle. (Of course, Cook would have to be promoted from the practice squad first, so I really should hedge and make the prediction “neither Elliott, nor Dowdle will lead the Cowboys in rushing yards,” but I’ll push it and say it’s Cook.)

Verdict: LOL. Cook was the one veteran back from the Class of 2017 who really was washed up. (1-7)

9. Jonathan Taylor (ADP12 ) will lead the NFL in rushing yards.

He’s got little competition in the Indy backfield and a running QB who should open lanes for him. Draft Kings has him at +600, so his real odds are probably about 10:1, but I’d take him over the favored Christian McCaffrey (age/mileage) and all the other backs who are more hybrid types or old (Derrick Henry.)

Verdict: False. He finished fourth despite missing three full games, so this wasn’t too far off. What’s funny is I make this prediction of Barkley virtually every year except this one. (1-8)

10. Dalton Kincaid (TE4) will lead all TE in catches

I guess this is a chalky pick because he and Kelce are both favored at the position at +3000, while Evan Engram is +5000! (I’d way rather bet on Engram at those odds.) But straight up, I’m going with Kincaid who is likely Josh Allen’s de facto No. 1 target with Diggs gone. In his final 11 regular season games Kincaid had 56 catches which prorates to 87 catches over the full year. And rookie tight ends rarely do anything and often make a leap in Year 2. (1-9)

Verdict: LOL. Kincaid was one of the biggest busts in the draft. (1-9)

11. Some of these predictions will be wrong

No one’s perfect, but you never want to get shut out.

Verdict: Crushed, especially the comment the prescience of which makes Nostradamus look like the corner astrologer. (2-9)

@ 5002cb48:31a0d6d8

I am trying to update my profile, but it's not happening. Is the site broken?

@ 60d9f6d8:bc336770

My focus is predominantly on whether I could eliminate traditional banking accounts (e.g. BofA / JPM Chase etc) with the added benefit of stacking sats automatically on a day-to-day basis.

• The first part is very simple: register via foldapp.com and wait for your card to arrive. I chose the Fold+ membership at 100 per year if paid annually, otherwise 10/month. The trial period is 3 months before you are charged.
• Upon receiving the card, activate via the app (very simple click of a button and confirmation of card digits).

# Fold+ Membership costs & benefits

Linking/Funding from banking institutions

• On average, it is taking around 3 business days to make those funds available on Fold.
• There is an option to add "Instant Debit Card Funding" at a 1.5% charge; however, keep in mind that you are currently limited to adding a maximum of 2 cards.

Paying Bills

• In most cases I simply add the account & routing number to the billing company website (i.e. credit card / utilities / phone etc). In some cases, I can simply add my debit card number.
• Additionally, as a Fold+ user, any payment I make earns back rewards in sats.

Bill Pay ACH Rewards

Bitcoin (buying / sending / receiving) features

• Fold gives you many options to buy, send & receive bitcoin either automatically, via transfer or direct deposit with the ability to choose a certain percentage towards fiat or Bitcoin.
• Ability to Round-Up purchases with various multipliers.
• Push to Card: this feature effectively allows you to replenish your fiat/cash balance in your account. This does not happen automatically, so you will need to do this manually.

Authorized Users

• Fold allows you to authorize up to 3 users (must be at least 18 years old)
• This user will receive their own debit card.
• The user can also direct deposit into the account.

Note: at this time, authorized users do not have access to the app itself, which is only available to the primary account holder. This creates some friction given the authorized user cannot move funds if needed or even determine the balance on the account without interacting or communicating with the primary account holder.

Limits (as of Sept 2024)

Note: the limits only refer to your fiat balance, not a combination of your fiat & bitcoin/rewards balance.

Final Thoughts

I have been using Fold for about a month now and it is working very well. I haven't had any issues paying bills, making deposits (direct or otherwise), making purchases, buying bitcoin and/or earning rewards in general. The customer support has been really positive in responding to my inquiries within a few hours. Mostly, those inquiries have been around information I simply could not find via the foldapp or blog websites.

As of now, my intent is to continue utilizing this card/application and wean myself away from traditional banks entirely. However, there are a couple of pain points I'll point out that hopefully will be addressed in the future:

1. The limits need to increase, especially if you intend on using this with your spouse/family members.
2. The authorized user(s) should have the ability to log into the app and allow the primary holder to dictate the permissions for said user(s). Likewise, it might be useful to allow joint holders to have separate accounts within one view.
3. Increase the 2-card limit for "Instant Debit Funding".
4. Ability to search in the "gift card" section instead of scrolling through.
5. Ability to send via Zelle as I still, unfortunately, need to send payments to those who are unable/unwilling to use something else.
6. Ability to automatically Push to Card if funds are low.

There are of course many benefits of the Fold card I have glossed over as it relates to rewards, so I'll just mention a few here:

• Daily Spin allows you to addictively hope for the grand prize of 1 BTC. While the odds are extraordinarily low, at a minimum you'll earn some sats with each spin.
• Gift cards rewards are very impressive and highly recommend you use those to earn free sats.

As of now, I've earned around 30k sats this month by doing nothing different financially outside of my normal spending habits, so this of course is a major advantage.

Lastly, if you have any feedback or questions please ask and I'll try my best to answer and if you want to give it a try, here is a referral link that'll get you 20k sats: https://use.foldapp.com/r/WAANYUMJ

Fold | Personal finance

Blog | Fold Bitcoin Rewards App

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation or sponsorship with Fold. I'm just a normie looking to get closer to a Bitcoin standard without too much disruption.

@ df173277:4ec96708

Maple AI combines the best of both worlds – encryption and personal AI – to create a truly private AI experience. Discuss personal and company items with Maple, we can't read them even if we wanted to.\ Join the waitlist to get early access.

We are a culture of app users. Every day, we give our personal information to websites and apps, hoping they are safe. Location data, eating habits, financial details, and health information are just a few examples of what we entrust to third parties. People are now entering a new era of computing that promises next-level benefits when given even more personal data: AI.

Should we sacrifice our privacy to unlock the productivity gains of AI? Should we hope our information won't be used in ways we disagree? We believe we can have the best of both worlds – privacy and personal AI – and have built a new project called Maple AI. Chat between you and an AI with full end-to-end encryption. We believe it's a game-changer for individuals seeking private and secure conversations.

Building a Private Foundation

Maple is built on our flagship product, OpenSecret, a backend platform for app developers that turns private encryption on by default. The announcement post for OpenSecret explains our vision for an encrypted world and what the platform can do. We think both users and developers benefit when sensitive personal information is encrypted in a private vault; it's a win-win.

The Power of Encrypted AI Chat

AI chat is a personal and intimate experience. It's a place to share your thoughts, feelings, and desires without fear of judgment. The more you share with an AI chatbot, the more powerful it becomes. It can offer personalized insights, suggestions, and guidance tailored to your unique needs and perspectives. However, this intimacy requires trust, and that's where traditional AI chatbots often fall short.

Traditional AI chats are designed to collect and analyze your data, often without your explicit consent. This data is used to improve the AI's performance, but it also creates a treasure trove of sensitive information that can be mined, sold, or even exploited by malicious actors. Maple AI takes a different approach. By using end-to-end encryption, we ensure that your conversations remain private and secure, even from us.

Technical Overview

So, how does Maple AI achieve this level of privacy and security? Here are some key technical aspects:

• Private Key: Each user has a unique private key that is automatically managed for them. This key encrypts and decrypts conversations, ensuring that only the user can access their data.
• Secure Servers: Our servers are designed with security in mind. We use secure enclaves to protect sensitive data and ensure that even our own team can't access your conversations.
• Encrypted Sync: One of Maple's most significant benefits is its encrypted sync feature. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, which store conversations in local storage or on standard cloud servers, Maple syncs your chats across all your devices. The private key managed by our secure servers means you can pick up where you left off on any device without worrying about your data being compromised.
• Attestation and Open Code: We publish our enclave code publicly. Using a process called attestation, users can verify that the code running on the enclave is the same as the code audited by the public.
• Open Source LLM: Maple uses major open-source models to maximize the openness of responses. The chat box does not filter what you can talk about. This transparency ensures that our AI is trustworthy and unbiased.

Personal and Work Use

Maple is secure enough to handle your personal questions and work tasks. Because we can't see what you chat about, you are free to use AI as an assistant on sensitive company items. Use it for small tasks like writing an important email or large tasks like developing your organization's strategy. Feed it sensitive information; it's just you and AI in the room. Attestation provides cryptographic proof that your corporate secrets are safe.

Local v Cloud

Today's AI tools provide different levels of privacy. The main options are to trust a third party with your unencrypted data, hoping they don't do anything with it, or run your own AI locally on an underpowered machine. We created a third option. Maple gives you the power of cloud computing combined with the privacy and security of a machine running on your desk. It's the best of both worlds.

Why the Maple name?

Privacy isn't just a human value - it's a natural one exemplified by the Maple tree. These organisms communicate with each other through a network of underground fungal hyphae, sending messages and sharing resources in a way that's completely invisible to organisms above ground. This discreet communication system allows Maple trees to thrive in even the most challenging environments. Our goal is to provide a way for everyone to communicate with AI securely so they can thrive in any environment.

Join the Waitlist

Maple AI will launch in early 2025 with free and paid plans. We can't wait to share it with the world. Join our waitlist today to be among the first to experience the power of private AI chat.

@ df173277:4ec96708

OpenSecret is a backend for app developers that turns private encryption on by default. When sensitive data is readable only by the user, it protects both the user and the developer, creating a more free and open internet. We'll be launching in 2025. Join our waitlist to get early access.

In today's digital age, personal data is both an asset and a liability. With the rise of data breaches and cyber attacks, individuals and companies struggle to protect sensitive information. The consequences of a data breach can be devastating, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and compromised user trust. In 2023, the average data breach cost was $5 million, with some resulting in losses of over $1 billion.

Meanwhile, individuals face problems related to identity theft, personal safety, and public embarrassment. Think about the apps on your phone, even the one you're using to read this. How much data have you trusted to other people, and how would it feel if that data were leaked online?

Thankfully, some incredibly talented cypherpunks years ago gave the world cryptography. We can encrypt data, rendering it a secret between two people. So why then do we have data breaches?

Cryptography at scale is hard.

The Cloud

The cloud has revolutionized how we store and process data, but it has limitations. While cloud providers offer encryption, it mainly protects data in transit. Once data is stored in the cloud, it's often encrypted with a shared key, which can be accessed by employees, third-party vendors, or compromised by hackers.

The solution is to generate a personal encryption password for each user, make sure they write it down, and, most importantly, hope they don't lose it. If the password is lost, the data is forever unreadable. That can be overwhelming, leading to low app usage.

Private key encryption needs a UX upgrade.

Enter OpenSecret

OpenSecret is a developer platform that enables encryption by default. Our platform provides a suite of security tools for app developers, including private key management, encrypted sync, private AI, and confidential compute.

Every user has a private vault for their data, which means only they can read it. Developers are free to store less sensitive data in a shared manner because there is still a need to aggregate data across the system.

Private Key Management

Private key management is the superpower that enables personal encryption per user. When each user has a unique private key, their data can be truly private. Typically, using a private key is a challenging experience for the user because they must write down a long autogenerated number or phrase of 12-24 words. If they lose it, their data is gone.

OpenSecret uses secure enclaves to make private keys as easy as an everyday login experience that users are familiar with. Instead of managing a complicated key, the user logs in with an email address or a social media account.

The developer doesn't have to manage private keys and can focus on the app's user experience. The user doesn't have to worry about losing a private key and can jump into using your app.

Encrypted Sync

With user keys safely managed, we can synchronize user data to every device while maintaining privacy. The user does not need to do complicated things like scanning QR codes from one device to the next. Just log in and go.

The user wins because the data is available on all their devices. The developer wins because only the user can read the data, so it isn't a liability to them.

Private AI

Artificial intelligence is here and making its way into everything. The true power of AI is unleashed when it can act on personal and company data. The current options are to run your own AI locally on an underpowered machine or to trust a third party with your data, hoping they don't read it or use it for anything.

OpenSecret combines the power of cloud computing with the privacy and security of a machine running on your desk.

Check out Maple AI\ Try private AI for yourself! We built an app built with this service called Maple AI. It is an AI chat that is 100% private in a verifiable manner. Give it your innermost thoughts or embarrassing ideas; we can't judge you. We built Maple using OpenSecret, which means you have a private key that is automatically managed for you, and your chat history is synchronized to all your devices. Learn more about Maple AI - Private chat in the announcement post.

Confidential Compute

Confidential computing is a game-changer for data security. It's like the secure hardware that powers Apple Pay and Google Pay on your phone but in the cloud. Users can verify through a process called attestation that their data is handled appropriately. OpenSecret can help you run your own custom app backend code that would benefit from the security of an enclave.

It's the new version of that lock on your web browser. When you see it, you know you're secure.

But do we want our secrets to be open?

OpenSecret renders a data breach practically useless. If hackers get into the backend, they enter a virtual hallway of locked private vaults. The leaked data would be gibberish, a secret in the open that is unreadable.

On the topic of openness, OpenSecret uses the power of open source to enable trust in the service. We publish our code in the open, and, using attestation, anyone can verify that private data is being handled as expected. This openness also provides developers with a backup option to safely and securely export their data.

Don't trust, verify.

Join the Movement

We're currently building out OpenSecret, and we invite you to join us on the journey. Our platform can work with your existing stack, and you can pick and choose the features you need. If you want to build apps with encryption enabled, send us a message to get early access.

Users and companies deserve better encryption and privacy.\ Together, let's make that a reality.

@ 77c2969e:a33cfa50

换了个客户端Nostrmo，比damus好用，不过好像关注列表丢失了😩。

现在使用#YakiHonne，好像更流畅

不加图片他还会显示一个空白图片，好丑，我还是上传一个吧

@ f9c0ea75:44e849f4

In a recent TFTC podcast episode, Parker Lewis outlined a mathematical inevitability—a liquidity crisis unfolding in 2025. While optimism around the Trump administration’s economic policies exists, Lewis argues that no fiscal policy can counteract the Federal Reserve’s tightening liquidity. The real issue? Too much debt and not enough dollars.

This reflection expands on Lewis’ key arguments, breaking down:

1. Where the liquidity crisis is coming from
2. Why it’s a structural problem
3. What the consequences are
4. Why Bitcoin matters in this scenario

---

1. Where Is the Liquidity Crisis Coming From?

The crisis stems from a fundamental imbalance:

• Debt levels have skyrocketed, particularly post-2008 and post-COVID.
• Dollars needed to service this debt are shrinking because of Federal Reserve tightening (QT, interest rates, and shrinking reserves).

The Math Behind the Liquidity Squeeze

• In 2007, there was $53 trillion in U.S. dollar-denominated debt, but only $900 billion in base money—a 50:1 leverage ratio.
• By 2023, FED policies had drained dollars from the banking system, while debt levels continued to explode higher. The result? A liquidity-starved financial system dependent on an ever-smaller money pool.

---

2. The Structural Problem: FED Policy is the Real Driver

While fiscal policy (tax cuts, tariffs, and deregulation) can marginally improve economic conditions, it cannot stop a liquidity crisis. Lewis emphasizes that the Federal Reserve is the key player in determining financial stability.

What the FED Has Done to Shrink Liquidity

• Quantitative Tightening (QT): Actively reducing the money supply by letting bonds roll off the balance sheet.
• Interest Rate Hikes (2022–2023): Made borrowing more expensive, slowing credit creation.
• Reverse Repo Drain: Reduced excess bank reserves, limiting lending ability.
• Shrinking Bank Reserves: With fewer reserves, banks lend less, tightening financial conditions.

This means the liquidity crisis isn’t theoretical—it’s already happening.

---

3. The Warning Signs: Cracks in the Financial System

Lewis points to clear signals that liquidity is disappearing:

• Rising delinquencies in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) – approaching post-2008 highs.
• Credit card delinquencies – nearing 2008 levels.
• Treasury yield inversion anomalies – typically, rate cuts lead to falling long-term bond yields, but that’s not happening, suggesting market pessimism. Bank failures in 2023 (SVB, First Republic, Signature Bank) – early signs of systemic liquidity stress.

The takeaway? Debt is growing, but the available money to service it is shrinking—a recipe for financial instability.

Consequences: What Happens If Liquidity Remains Tight?

If the FED continues draining liquidity, we may see:

✔ More bank failures, as weaker institutions struggle to survive.

✔ Debt defaults rise, particularly in real estate and corporate debt.

✔ Stock market volatility, as credit-dependent sectors suffer.

✔ A potential recession, triggered by a credit crunch.

The FED may eventually be forced to reverse course and print more money, but waiting too long could trigger a financial shock first.

---

Final Thoughts: The Crisis is Already Unfolding

This isn’t just speculation, it's a mathematical inevitability. The FED's policies have set the stage for a debt-starved economy with fewer dollars available to sustain it. The next 12 months could be highly volatile, with financial stress increasing.

Key Takeaways

✅ Trump’s policies may be positive, but they won't prevent a liquidity crisis.

✅ The FED is the dominant force, and its liquidity-draining policies are causing systemic risks.

✅ Leading indicators suggest we’re already in a liquidity crunch.

✅ Bitcoin remains a strategic hedge as the FED eventually returns to money printing.

What to Expect?

A volatile 2025—prepare for financial instability and potential FED intervention.

@ 1380337c:2d77df3e

Fiat has entered its final phase, falling victim to its inherent flaws.

Decades of money printing, unchecked government spending and the Cantillion effect (those closest to the money printer benefit at the behest of the rest of us) are finally taking its toll.

As calls for a return to hard money grow louder, it is only the most astute Cantillion economists (and their government backers) who believe money supply should be managed by “a council of wise (wo)men”.

Among those seeking hard money are the BRICS nations, who are looking into creating a gold-backed system to challenge the fiat dollar’s dominance.

This would have been a great idea, were it not for Bitcoin. With the existence of Bitcoin any attempt to create gold-backed systems is doomed from the start.

Fiat has entered its final phase, falling victim to its inherent flaws.

The Rise and Fall of Gold-Backed Systems

Gold was money for thousands of years, universally accepted because of its scarcity and durability.

However, as global trade developed, the world ran into gold’s main limitation – physical gold couldn’t keep up with trade.

This led to gold being replaced by gold-backed currencies, which combined gold reliability with the convenience of paper money. Yet, this hybrid system inherited gold’s flaws while introducing its own.

Gold’s supply uncertainty remained a major weakness. Sudden discoveries, like Spain’s conquest of South America or the California Gold Rush, destabilized economies by flooding markets with new gold.

Worse, gold-backed systems led to the centralization of reserves, concentrating power in the hands of governments and banks.

This led to the inevitable corruption and mismanagement of the money supply, which quickly became inflated at the expense of holders of gold-backed currencies.

The step towards full fiat was a small one after this…

Gold was money for thousands of years, universally accepted because of its scarcity and durability. 

However, as global trade developed, the world ran into gold’s main limitation – physical gold couldn’t keep up with trade. 

This led to gold being replaced by gold-backed currencies, which combined gold reliability with the convenience of paper money. Yet, this hybrid system inherited gold’s flaws while introducing its own.

Gold’s supply uncertainty remained a major weakness. Sudden discoveries, like Spain’s conquest of South America or the California Gold Rush, destabilized economies by flooding markets with new gold. 

Worse, gold-backed systems led to the centralization of reserves, concentrating power in the hands of governments and banks.

This led to the inevitable corruption and mismanagement of the money supply, which quickly became inflated at the expense of holders of gold-backed currencies.

The step towards full fiat was a small one after this…

Gold-Backed Systems Stand No Chance Against Bitcoin

Bitcoin exposes the vulnerabilities of gold-backed systems in every dimension:

• Fixed Supply vs. Supply Uncertainty: Bitcoin’s hard cap of 21 million coins provides unmatched predictability and scarcity. No sudden “Bitcoin rush” can destabilize the system, unlike gold’s history of disruptive supply shocks.

• Decentralization vs. Centralization: Gold-backed systems concentrate reserves in the hands of governments or banks, creating single points of failure. Bitcoin’s decentralized network eliminates these vulnerabilities, making it immune to corruption and mismanagement.

• Censorship Resistance: Centralized control leaves gold-backed systems open to confiscation and censorship. Bitcoin’s censorship-resistant design ensures no entity can control the network or seize assets.

• Trustless vs. Trust-Based: Gold-backed systems demand trust in central authorities to maintain their peg—“Trust me, bro”. Bitcoin operates on a transparent, verifiable ledger, replacing trust with cryptographic proof: “Don’t trust, verify.”

• Efficiency and Mobility: Settlement times for Bitcoin are near-instant, compared to the logistical nightmare of moving and securing physical gold.

• Sovereign Protection: Bitcoin enables nations to protect their reserves anywhere in the world. A government under siege could flee with its wealth intact, stored securely on the blockchain. Imagine Assad, fleeing Syria with his country’s riches encoded in a 24-word seed phrase, using it to organize resistance against his foes. Such flexibility is unthinkable with gold.

Gold-Backed Systems Will Never Stand a Chance Again

Gold-backed systems are flawed relics of the past, their flaws exposed by Bitcoin.

With its immutability, decentralization, and efficiency, Bitcoin eliminates the vulnerabilities of centralization and mismanagement inherent in gold-backed systems.

Bitcoin thrives in a digital-first world, offering portability, resistance to confiscation, and unmatched security. Its finite supply and transparent ledger set a new standard that gold can never meet.

Bitcoin is more than an evolution of money—it’s a safeguard against regimes that seek to weaken their nations through centralised monetary systems, even under the guise of gold-backed currencies.

Gold-backed systems are flawed relics of the past, their flaws exposed by Bitcoin.

With its immutability, decentralization, and efficiency, Bitcoin eliminates the vulnerabilities of centralization and mismanagement inherent in gold-backed systems.

Bitcoin thrives in a digital-first world, offering portability, resistance to confiscation, and unmatched security. Its finite supply and transparent ledger set a new standard that gold can never meet.

Bitcoin is more than an evolution of money—it’s a safeguard against regimes that seek to weaken their nations through centralised monetary systems, even under the guise of gold-backed currencies.

@ 6e24af77:b3f1350b

7

@ e373ca41:b82abcc5

Heute Abend um 19 Uhr sprechen Elon Musk und Alice Weidel auf X. Der alternative Radiosender Kontrafunk aus der Schweiz bringt eine Übersetzung davon im Stream. 

Da die Webseite des Kontrafunks gestern angegriffen wurde, ist hier der Stream unzensierbar aufrufbar, als kleines Back-up: 

https://stream.kontrafunk.radio/listen/kontrafunk/radio.mp3

\ Im Nostr-Netzwerk dauerhauft auch u.a. hier aufrufbar (falls wir angegriffen werden).

---

Tonight at 7 pm (CET), Elon Musk and Alice Weidel will be speaking on X. The alternative radio station Kontrafunk from Switzerland will be streaming a translation. 

As the Kontrafunk website was attacked yesterday, the stream can be accessed uncensored here as a small backup: 

https://stream.kontrafunk.radio/listen/kontrafunk/radio.mp3

In the Nostr network also permanently available here (in case we are attacked).

---

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Need more security? The Trezor wallets are recommended and easy to use, others are available in the store. Need more advice? Book an introductory meeting with a wallet expert.

---

Join the marketplace of ideas! We are building a publishing ecosystem on Nostr for citizen-journalism, starting with a client for blogging and newsletter distribution. Sound money and sound information should finally be in the hands of the people, right? Want to learn more about the Pareto Project? Zap me, if you want to contribute (all Zaps go to the project).

Update:* Since my last article on the Pareto project, we have received more than 50 messages from publications, journalists, authors, testers and supporters. Thank you very much, we are happy to help everyone become censorship-resistant! May just take a little time. Are you a publication and want to be part of it, test us, migrate your content to Nostr? Write to team@pareto.space***

Not yet on Nostr and want the full experience? Easy onboarding via Nosta.me.

@ 6e24af77:b3f1350b

2

@ 6e24af77:b3f1350b

test 44

@ 5a261a61:2ebd4480

It was late afternoon, and Tom hoped the lunchtime crowd had already returned to work while the after-school rush was still thin. A quick glance under the stalls as he strode through the mall’s large restroom confirmed he was alone. He hurried into the last stall, checked his watch—two minutes to go.

What could go wrong?

He unzipped his backpack and tore a hole in the small paper package inside. A few strips of skimpy fabric tumbled into his hand, along with a note: WEAR ME.

A chill ran down his spine. It was the first handwritten note from her. That alone was enough to unnerve him, but what truly sent shivers through his body was the clothing itself: a black-lace G-string, a flat-chest bra, and purple-black striped knee socks.

Beep.

His watch jolted him from his trance. Shit. It's 1:00 PM already.

He stripped quickly, pausing only to listen for any signs of company. Satisfied with the silence, he dressed, obeying her command dutifully, despite the trembling in his hands.

When he was done, he unlocked his phone and took a selfie—neck down, body framed just enough to show his obedience, the stall’s background confirming where he was.

The G-string barely contained him. The thin pouch was already failing as his arousal grew. Standing there, dressed like a slut, waiting for the telltale three dots of her typing status—it only made him harder. Maybe, if he completed this task perfectly, she would deem him worthy of the cage.

Finally.

His phone vibrated with her response: "Good slut. Bad angle. Try harder."

He snapped another picture. Then another. His desire to please her overrode everything else. He tried to be more "artistic," offering different angles, better framing, careful lighting. He submitted each for her approval.

Her only response: a frowning emoji.

"It looks like a bitch, acts like a bitch, but it has something no bitch should have. Disappointed."

He scanned the images again. She had a point. But he was so unbearably horny. Five days of orgasm denial had left him painfully sensitive. Even his nipples strained against the sheer fabric of the bra.

"Are you going to fix it, or should I consider this your final submission?"

His mind raced.

Then—an idea.

Slipping off his shoe, he unthreaded the lace and, through a mixture of pain and precision, crafted a tight, effective tucking shibari. He took a photo of his bound, darkening flesh and sent it.

"Would that be enough?"

A reply came instantly: a grinning emoji, followed by a meme of Jeff Goldblum captioned, "Life Finds a Way"—edited to say, "Bitch Finds a Way."

Then another message:

"Hurry up, or I won’t need a cage to keep you soft forever, and there is no fun in that."

"You have two minutes. No mistakes this time."

His chest tightened. Sometimes, he wished he could fall at her feet and kiss her toes for everything she did to him. His fantasies mercifully ignored the fact that he didn't even know her shoe size. Or what colour skin his tongue should be worshipping.

Shame fueled his arousal as he continued his photoshoot. He posed, exposing his chest, arching his back, spreading his legs to make himself more accessible. The phone holder with suction-cup he’d brought made certain angles easy. Finally, he sat on the closed toilet, knees hooked over his arms, presenting himself as thoroughly as possible.

The two-minute deadline might have passed, but he didn’t notice.

He selected the best shot from each pose and sent them one by one. The last one nearly didn’t make the cut—his shibari work was visible—but he’d unconsciously parted his lips, doll-like, as if ready to be fucked.

He sent it.

Her response was immediate.

"Good girl."

His stomach twisted with pride.

"Get rid of the shibari. Keep the bitch uniform. Get dressed and text me when you leave the stall."

Was that all?

Disappointment prickled at him, but she sounded almost content. That was good… right?

His train of thought derailed as blood rushed back into his tortured cock, sending a wave of sharp pain through his core. It took him a moment to breathe through it, to compose himself enough to leave.

The G-string left him utterly exposed. Every step sent shivers up his spine as his pants caressed his bare ass.

Outside, he sent the message.

Her response came instantly:

"Go to the photo kiosk and wait."

Wait?

Confused, but knowing better than to question her, he obeyed.

"Pick up order XYZ."

Oh no.

Dread churned in his gut as he typed in the pickup code.

Bzzz.

The printer spat out five photos of him.

At least his face was covered—emoji stickers distorted his expressions—but still.

Another message:

"Buy a disposable SIM, write the number on the back of the photos, and distribute them. Then, you can go home. But keep the bitch uniform on for the night. I’ll check in on you in the morning. Have fun, my sweet boy."

Tom exhaled shakily.

It was going to be a long night.

@ 2063cd79:57bd1320

Wer Bitcoin besitzt oder mit dem Gedanken spielt Bitcoin zu erwerben und prinzipiell etwas gründlicher an solche Entscheidungen herantritt, wird sich sicherlich schon mit dem Gedanken beschäftigt haben, was mit dem eigenen Bitcoin passiert, wenn uns selbst etwas widerfahren sollte. Ähnliche Gedanken, wird wohl jeder schonmal gehabt haben, wenn es um das Thema Online-Accounts geht. Wer hat Zugang zu meinen Profilen, Accounts, und sonstigen Informationen und was passiert im Falle eines Unfalls, einer plötzlichen Krankheit, oder ähnlichen Szenarien? Um ehrlich zu sein, mir persönlich ist es egal, was mit meinem Gmail oder Youtube-Account passiert, jedoch bei Bitcoin ist das ein anderes Thema. Denn hier verbergen sich hinter den privaten Schlüsseln UTXOs mit einem reellen Wert. Und anders als bei Bankkonten oder anderen Anlagearten, lässt sich keine Bank oder andere Verwahrstelle kontaktieren, die den Hinterbliebenen Zugriff auf die Vermögenswerte bereitstellt.

Eine vernünftige Nachlassplanung, bzw. Bitcoin Zukunftsplanung, ist also wirklich wichtig, denn wir möchten, dass unsere Opfer, die wir heute in Form von Arbeit und Zeitaufwand erbringen, in der Zukunft Früchte tragen und hoffentlich auch unseren Nachkommen zugutekommen. Jede Entscheidung, heute kein Geld für etwas auszugeben, dass einem selbst heute Spaß gemacht hätte, um in eine sicherere und angenehmere Zukunft zu investieren, sollte auch in der Zukunft belohnt werden. Es fühlt sich irgendwie kurzsichtig an, insbesondere wenn es um Bitcoin geht, nur an sich selbst zu denken (wen Lambo?), wenn es sich bei Bitcoin um einen Vermögenswert handelt, der die Fähigkeit besitzt, über mehrere Generationen in der Zukunft zu bestehen und vielleicht sogar seinen Wert zu steigern.

https://www.genexyz.org/post/29-block-782180-bitcoin-ist-zeit-2nsaku/

Es muss also einen besseren Weg geben, als zu hoffen, dass der Ehepartner oder die Kinder in der Lage sind die bitcoins aus einem 24-Wörter-Seed wiederherzustellen, wenn man einmal nicht mehr ist, oder nicht mehr in der Lage ist, dies selbst zu veranlassen. Denn der Seedphrase ist in den meisten Fällen das bestgehütetste Geheimnis jedes Bitcoiners und wahrscheinlich haben die wenigsten zusätzlich einen Wiederherstellungsplan für ihre Hinterbliebenen angefertigt und versteckt. Wenn wir über die Nachlassplanung in Bitcoin nachdenken, gibt es einige Komplexitäten. Aber wenn man sich die Zeit nimmt, über alle Ergebnisse nachzudenken, die man erreichen möchte, gibt es einige wirklich wichtige Dinge, die getan werden können.

Traurigerweise ist es kein angenehmer Gedanke, über den eigenen Tod nachzudenken und darüber, wie man seine bitcoins aus dem Grab heraus weitergeben soll. Ich habe vor längerer Zeit eine humoristische Aufstellung von verschiedenen Planungsmöglichkeiten aufgestellt, die man sich hier anschauen kann:

https://www.genexyz.org/post/10-block-750965-bitcoin-und-der-tod-15n3yf/

• Nichts tun
• Exchange plus Passwort
• Desktop Wallet
• Mobile Wallet
• Paper Wallet zu Hause
• Paper Wallet im (Bank-)Safe
• Hardware Wallet zu Hause
• Hardware Wallet im (Bank-)Safe
• Multisig Lösung
• Custodial Service

Allerdings ist das Thema wirklich kompliziert und nicht einfach zu lösen. Es gibt unterschiedliche persönliche Faktoren, wie das eigene Alter, der eigene Gesundheitszustand, in welchem familiären Konstrukt man lebt, wo man lebt, wie viel Bitcoin es zu verwahren und weiterzugeben gilt, usw. Darüber hinaus stellt sich auch die Frage, ob die Weitergabe professionell und im Einklang mit den aktuellen Rechtsstrukturen gemacht werden soll, denn dann ergeben sich sowohl aus steuerlicher als auch aus rechtlicher Sicht unterschiedliche Szenarien, die eventuell sogar erhebliche Vorteile bieten könnten. Darunter eine Reihe rechtlicher Vorzugsbehandlungen beim Schutz von Vermögenswerten, die über die eigenen Vorkehrungsmaßnahmen hinausgehen können. Aber dies soll kein steuerlicher oder juristischer Rat werden.

Bei Bitcoin dreht sich alles um den souveränen Besitz von Eigentum. Dazu gehört auch die Entscheidung, wie und an wen das Eigentum weitergegeben werden soll. Der Inhalt eines Testaments kann und wird in der Regel dann angefochten, wenn das Vermögen ungleich verteilt wird oder wenn es einem der Begünstigten gegenüber ungerecht erscheint. Daher ist es immer am besten, ein Testament so zu gestalten, dass es für alle Beteiligten fair erscheint, und zweitens ist es wichtig, eventuelle Einschränkungen für alle zu kommunizieren. Ein gutes Erwartungsmanagement hilft, Konflikte zu vermeiden. Das ist die erste Stufe.

If it's your keys, it's your bitcoin. If it's not your keys, it's not your bitcoin! That's a lesson that we all learned during Gox, so...let's try not to have to be taught that lesson again. — Andreas Antonopolous, 14. April 2016

Die zweite Stufe ist ein wasserdichtes Setup der privaten Schlüssel. Not your keys, not your Bitcoin, ist in diesem Zusammenhang eine sehr wirkungsvolle Aussage. Anders als bei jedem anderen Vermögenswert auf der Welt kontrolliert derjenige, der die Schlüssel besitzt, die UTXOs. Ein Rechtsanspruch ist nicht möglich, da die Kryptographie einen deutlich höheren Stellenwert einnimmt als ein Rechtsanspruch. Es gibt den rechtlichen Anspruch auf Bitcoin (die Worte im Testament) und dann gibt es die praktische Anwendung des Eigentums oder der Verteilung dessen (die Kontrolle der Schlüssel). Bei anderen Vermögenswerten wie Grundbesitz (Immobilien), Anleihen, Aktien, Rohstoffen usw. besteht immer die Möglichkeit, Berufung einzulegen. Wenn also etwas nicht in Ordnung zu sein scheint, die Vermögenswerte nicht auffindbar sind oder es andere Streitigkeiten gibt, ist es jederzeit möglich, sich an die jeweilige Behörde zu wenden und Berufung einzulegen.Es ist jederzeit möglich, sich an eine offizielle Stelle oder ein Amt zu wenden und zu argumentieren, dass man einen Anspruch hat, um dann die Behörde dazu zu veranlassen, den Vermögenswert auf den eigenen Namen übertragen zu lassen.

Bei Bitcoin gibt es keine solche Behörde. Wenn eine/r der Begünstigten nicht über die privaten Schlüssel verfügt, die unmissverständlich Auskunft über den Besitz geben, stellt das für den/die Begünstigte/n ein großes Problem dar. Die korrekte Gestaltung der Eigentumsverteilung hat also einige schwerwiegende Konsequenzen. Ähnlich wie die Verantwortung und Rechenschaftspflicht, die mit dem Besitz von Bitcoin in Eigenverwahrung einhergeht (und dort eigentlich wirklich beginnt), fügt die Nachlassplanung dem Prozess des Todes und der anschließenden Übertragung von Vermögenswerten eine völlig neue Dimension hinzu.

Das Hauptproblem besteht also darin, wie der/die Eigentümer//in der bitcoins den vollständigen und einseitigen Zugriff behalten und gleichzeitig den Erben oder Begünstigten direkt oder einem Testamentsvollstrecker Zugriff gewähren kann, um das Vermögen an die Erben oder Begünstigten zu verteilen.

Der Kniff liegt darin, die volle Kontrolle zu behalten und gleichzeitig das Eigentum so zu gestalten, dass die Erben auch bei einem plötzlichen und unerwarteten Ereignis Zugriff haben, und das im besten Fall, ohne sich auf Dritte verlassen zu müssen, um dem Bitcoin Ethos gerecht zu werden. Dieses Ereignis muss nicht zwingend der Tod sein, es reicht schon, wenn man handlungsunfähig wird.

Denn oft wird vergessen, dass eine gute Nachlassregelung auch dann wichtig ist, wenn der Eigentümer nicht stirbt. Eine Person kann sich auch verletzen, sich den Kopf stoßen oder auf andere Weise die volle Kontrolle über ihre Fähigkeiten verlieren, was bedeutet, dass sie möglicherweise auch den Zugang (die Erinnerung) zu ihrem Vermögen, einschließlich ihrer bitcoins, verliert.

---

Bei Bitcoin gibt es keine einheitliche Lösung, sondern nur Kompromisse. Das gilt auch für so viele andere Dinge, wie zum Beispiel das Trilemma, bei dem Skalierbarkeit der Sicherheit und Dezentralisierung geopfert wird, oder die Selbstverwaltung, bei der Benutzerfreundlichkeit und Komfort in gewissem Maße der Sicherheit und Privatsphäre geopfert werden.

Deshalb sollte man sich der Wahl der persönlichen Lösung über die Kompromisse Gedanken machen, die es einem erlauben, den Kompromiss zu wählen, der einem am besten gefällt, am besten zur persönlichen Situation passt und mit dem man sich am sichersten fühlt. Ich habe oben z.B. "Nichts tun" aufgeführt; vielleicht hat der ein oder andere Bitcoiner keine Familie, keine Kinder und keine Personen, die ihm/ihr nahe stehen, oder vielleicht doch, aber sie sind es nicht wert mit dem ersparten, wertvollen Bitcoin bedacht zu werden. In diesem Fall, danke für die Spende an das Netzwerk.

Sich mit Lösungen vertraut zu machen, die Kontrolle und Verantwortung in den Vordergrund stellen und die Abhängigkeit von einem einzigen Gerät oder einem einzigen Schlüssel, sowie die Abhängigkeit von einer einzelnen Person ausschließen, da diese potenzielle Angriffsvektoren und einzelne Fehlerquellen darstellen, bedeutet, dass man für sich selbst ein Bewusstsein schafft, wie Selbstverwahrung und die daraus entstehenden Konsequenzen im Allgemeinen funktionieren. Nutzer//innen fühlen sich bei der Selbstverwahrung ihrer bitcoins immer wohler, sobald sie verstehen, dass der Verlust eines einzelnen Schlüssels nicht sofort den Verlust des Zugriffs auf das gesicherte Vermögen bedeutet - sofern das richtige Setup gewählt wurde. Es ist wirklich wichtig, dass der Anteil derjenigen, die Bitcoin in Selbstverwahrung halten, vergrößert wird, denn es ist wichtig, dass jeder einzelne bitcoin – der nicht aktiv gehandelt wird – von den Börsen entfernt wird, und gleichzeitig Nutzer//innen mit der Materie der Selbstverwahrung vertraut werden.

Denn wie auf der Grafik zu sehen ist, liegen schätzungsweise immer noch über 2,3 Millionen bitcoins auf Börsen. Bei einer Menge von 19,4 Millionen Bitcoin im Umlauf, reduziert um die Anzahl verlorener bitcoins und Satoshis bitcoins (19,4 - 3 - 1,1 = 15,3), ist es mit 15% aller existierenden bitcoins ein immer noch zu hoher Prozentsatz. Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass von den 2,3 Millionen bitcoins auf Börsen sich der Großteil auf Binance und Coinbase befindet, also die beiden Namen, die gerade im Kreuzfeuer der SEC stehen. Zum Glück gibt es einen Trend zum Rückgang des Anteils von auf Börsen gehaltenen bitcoins, gemessen an der Umlaufmenge, da Bitcoin dank persönlicher Verwahrungslösungen, welche im Laufe der Zeit immer gängiger und robuster werden, immer mehr auf seine eigentlichen Nutzer verteilt wird.

Das Abheben von Bitcoin von den Börsen hat nicht nur den zusätzlichen Vorteil, dass die Bitcoin-Bestände sicherer sind und die Nutzer//innen mehr Vertrauen haben, dass ihre Ersparnisse tatsächlich vorhanden sind und nicht weiter verpfändet wurden. Sondern ohne Bitcoin auf den Börsen und daher ohne Papier-Bitcoin ist auch eine echte Preisfindung wieder möglich, welche heute von den Börsen verzerrt wird.

---

Zurück zur Nachlassplanung: Letztendlich ist es am wichtigsten, dafür zu sorgen, dass die gewählte Methode dafür sorgt, dass die Schlüssel und die dazugehörigen bitcoins sicher und zuverlässig zu den Erben oder Begünstigten gelangen, ohne dabei zu viele Kompromisse einzugehen oder zu viele Angriffsvektoren zu schaffen.

Es gibt sogar komplizierte Modelle, in denen z.B. ein Trust gegründet (abhängig von der Gerichtsbarkeit, in der man sich befindet), bei der der Eigentümer einen gesetzlichen Auftrag erteilt, dass die Begünstigten oder Erben als Teil des Trusts ein Einkommen in Höhe eines bestimmten Prozentsatzes beziehen können. Dieses Verfahren könnte von den jeweiligen Gerichtsbarkeiten rechtlich angefochten werden, aber wenn das Setup kryptografisch eingerichtet und ausgeführt wird, ohne das eine Partei Einfluss auf diese Ausführung nehmen kann, kann man von Rechts wegen nichts dagegen tun, da kein Testamentsvollstrecker oder keine andere Partei gezwungen werden kann, den Auszahlungsmechanismus zu ändern, da dies mechanisch unmöglich ist. Denn wie wir wissen, übertrifft die Kryptographie jegliche rechtliche Ansprüche. Dies ist eine einzigartige Funktion von Bitcoin, die kein anderer Vermögenswert auf der Welt besitzt. Es ist ein sehr wirksames Instrument, um Eigentum und Besitz langfristig zu sichern und sicherzustellen, dass Eigentum innerhalb des Personenkreises (Freunde, Familie, Bekannte, Geschäftspartner) bleibt, bei dem es bleiben soll.

Über diese einzigartige Eigenschaft von Bitcoin wird in der Regel nicht viel gesprochen. Man könnte sogar argumentieren, dass der Tausch von anderem Eigentum in Bitcoin vor der Übergabe an Erben oder Begünstigte eine strategisch sinnvolle Option ist, um die korrekte Ausführung seines Testaments zu kontrollieren – auch aus dem Grab heraus.

Die Nachlassplanung bei Bitcoin ist die letzte Stufe der Evolution. Der erste Schritt besteht darin, sich über Bitcoin zu informieren und genug darüber zu verstehen, um Interesse an der Materie zu wecken. Dieser erste Schritt ist ein fortlaufender Prozess, der jeden Bitcoiner auf seiner Reise begleiten wird, da es unmöglich ist, jeden Aspekt und jede Interpretation des Themas vollständig zu verstehen. Man hört nie auf zu lernen. Der Honigdachsbau ist unendlich tief.

Dieser erste Schritt muss genug Interesse an Bitcoin und den umliegenden Themenfeldern wecken, dass man den zweiten Schritt geht: Bitcoin zu erwerben. Im diesem Sinne spielt es zunächst keine Rolle, wie man in den Besitz von Bitcoin gelangt, ob man Bitcoin kauft, durch Mining produziert, "findet" oder auf andere Weise erhält. Wichtig ist, dass man in den Besitz von Bitcoin gelangt und es nun aufbewahren muss.

Denn das ist Schritt drei, die sichere und solide Aufbewahrung der Bitcoin-Vermögenswerte in einer selbstverwalteten und selbstverwahrenden Art und Weise. Dazu gehören auch Setups, an denen bis zu einem gewissen Grad Dritte, wie z.B. andere bekannte Personen oder Verwahrungsdienste beteiligt sein können. Wichtig ist, dass die Schlüssel jederzeit vollständig zugänglich und damit Transaktionen vollständig ausführbar sind. Aus diesem Grund ist jede Speicheroption ausgeschlossen, bei der die Schlüssel ausschließlich von Dritten gehalten werden, wie z.B. von Börsen, Brokern oder anderen Verleih- oder Speicherplattformen – not your keys, not your Bitcoin!

Der letzte Schritt in diesem persönlichen Entwicklungsprozess ist die Zukunftssicherheit dieser Vermögenswerte. Da die bitcoins nun sicher aufbewahrt sind, muss sichergestellt werden, dass es einen Weg zur Wiederherstellung oder Vererbung gibt, falls etwas passiert. Dies ist einfach der logische Evolutionsprozess, den jeder durchlaufen muss, der Bitcoin langfristig besitzen möchte.

Besonders in einer Zeit, in der die SEC zwei der größten kRyPto-Börsen der Welt auf den Leib rückt, muss man sich der Realität bewusst werden, dass Dritte, selbst wenn sie scheinbar groß und etabliert sind, nicht für immer existieren werden. Bitcoiner fordern schon seit langem alle und jede/n dazu auf, ihre bitcoins von den Börsen zu nehmen. Jeder, der dachte, dass es eine gute Idee sei, Bitcoin kurzfristig an Börsen zu halten, wurde bereits mehrfach an diesen Trugschluss erinnert - Mt. Gox, Bitfinex und FTX - um nur die großen zu nennen. Wer denkt, dass es eine gute Idee sei, bitcoins auf Börsen zu lagern, um schließlich nur ein Stück Papier mit den Zugangsdaten an die Erben weiterzugeben, der begeht einen schrecklichen Fehler. Die bisherigen Ausführungen sollten dies klar gemacht haben.

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Ich habe absichtlich keine Vorschläge gemacht, wie ein sicheres Setup aussehen soll. Wie schon gesagt, gibt es keine eine richtige Lösung - nur Kompromisse. Der persönliche Kompromiss hängt von zu vielen Faktoren ab, so dass man eine einheitliche Lösung anbieten kann. Man sollte sich jedoch die folgenden Punkte merken:

• Früh genug mit der Planung beginnen - hinter jeder Ecke lauert ein Bär!
• Das Einschließen von Dritten in die Nachlassplanung sollte mit Bedacht gewählt und gründlich überlegt sein.
• Das gewählte Setup sollte mindestens einmal getestet werden, bevor der schlimmste Fall eintritt.
• Es ist immer ratsam, die mit dem Nachlass bedachten Personen aufzuklären, dass im schlimmsten Fall etwas auf sie zukommt.

🫳🎤

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In diesem Sinne, 2... 1... Risiko!‌

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

ผมจำได้ว่าหัวใจเต้นแรงแค่ไหนตอนเปิดประตูเข้าไปในสตูดิโอ RightTalk สิ่งแรกที่ปะทะตาคือแสงไฟเจาะลงมาเป็นวงใหญ่ ไม่ต่างจากเวทีคอนเสิร์ต

ผมรู้สึกได้ทันทีว่าความเย็นจากเครื่องปรับอากาศในห้องส่งไม่ได้ช่วยลดอุณหภูมิในร่างกายสักเท่าไหร่ ตอนนั้นผมพยายามบอกตัวเองให้ใจเย็น แต่มันยากเอาเรื่องเมื่อคิดว่ามีคนดูทางบ้านอีกมากรอติดตาม

คุณซุป พิธีกรของรายการ เดินมาทักผมด้วยรอยยิ้มที่ทำให้ผมค่อย ๆ ตั้งสติได้ เขาเชื้อเชิญให้นั่งลงบนเก้าอี้ที่จัดไว้ตรงกลางฉาก

แถวหลังมีทีมงานเดินขวักไขว่ จิงโจ้, อาร์ม, เทนโด้ และอีกหลายๆ คนที่คุ้นตากันดี

บรรยากาศออกกึ่งกันเองกึ่งเป็นทางการ ผมไม่ได้อธิบายอะไรมาก ก่อนที่เสียงผู้กำกับจะให้สัญญาณเริ่ม

คุณซุปหย่อนคำถามเล็ก ๆ ให้ผม “พร้อมนะครับ?” ผมพยักหน้านิด ๆ คิดในใจว่ามันคงไม่มีคำว่า “พร้อมจริง” ได้หรอก แต่ยังไงก็ต้องไปต่อ...

“คุยทุกเรื่องที่ใช่กับ RightTalk”

นั่นคือประโยคแรกที่ผมได้ยินในหูฟัง ขณะไฟสปอร์ตไลต์สาดสว่างทั่วเวทีอีกครั้ง คุณซุปเอ่ยแนะนำตัวผมว่าเป็นคนที่ผ่านประสบการณ์ สงคราม Blocksize มาตั้งแต่ยุคเปลี่ยนผ่าน และพ่วงด้วยข่าวว่าตอนนี้ราคา Bitcoin ทะลุหลักแสนดอลลาร์แล้ว

ผมยืดหลังเพื่อกลั้นความตื่นเต้น แต่ก็ไม่วายตัวเกร็งเล็กน้อย เขาหันมาทางผมพลางกล่าวอย่างเป็นกันเอง

“คุณแชมป์ PIGROCK สบายดีไหมครับ?"

"รู้สึกยังไงบ้างครับกับสถานการณ์ในปัจจุบันที่มันต่างจากสมัยก่อนลิบลับ?”

ผมเผลอกัดริมฝีปากเพราะความประหม่าหลุดขึ้นมาเล็กน้อย แต่ผมยังคุมโทนได้ จึงตอบไปว่า

"ผมชื่อแชมป์ครับ.. เป็นแค่นักวาดดิจิทัลธรรมดา ๆ ที่จู่ ๆ ก็ได้อยู่ข้าง ๆ Jakk Goodday พี่ชายจอมยิงใยผู้เปลี่ยนชีวิตผม ถ้าไม่ใช่เพราะเขา ผมคงไม่รู้จักคำว่า UASF หรือ SegWit ขนาดนี้"

ผมเห็นคุณซุปยิ้มมากขึ้น แล้วก็พยักเพยิดให้ผมพูดต่อ “ว่ากันว่าตอนนั้น Bitcoin มีแนวโน้มแตกออกเป็นหลายสาย เล่าหน่อยสิครับ ว่าพี่อยู่ในจุดไหน?”

ผมถือไมโครโฟนแน่นขึ้นตอบตามจริงว่า จุดเริ่มต้นมาจากความขัดแย้งว่า Blocksize ควรจะใหญ่ขึ้นหรือไม่ จนกลายเป็นสงครามขนาดย่อมบนฟอรัม Bitcointalk และโซเชียลมีเดียต่าง ๆ

ซึ่งผมเป็นคนที่ไม่เชี่ยวชาญเทคโนโลยีเลย แต่โชคดีตรงที่เจอ Jakk คอยเปิดแผนที่ให้เห็นภาพรวมว่าใครอยู่ฝ่ายไหน

ผมยังเล่าให้ผู้ชมฟังว่า... ครั้งแรกที่ได้ยินคำว่า UASF ก็ยอมรับว่างงอยู่เหมือนกัน แต่มันก็เป็นจุดที่ทำให้ผมเข้าใจว่า Bitcoin ไม่ได้มีเจ้าของเป็นตัวบุคคล

แถมยังเป็นครั้งแรกที่ผมเห็นประชาชนโหนดรายย่อยจะมาคุมเกมสั่งนักขุด “ถ้าไม่รองรับ SegWit ก็ไม่รับบล็อกกันเลย” ซึ่งเป็นเรื่องที่ผมเองก็ไม่เคยคาดคิดว่าจะเกิดขึ้นได้

ซุปหันไปมองกล้องด้วยสีหน้าน่าสนใจ พร้อมสรุปสั้น ๆ ก่อนพักเบรกว่า “โอเค.. งั้นตอนหน้ามาคุยกันเรื่อง UASF และ SegWit กันชัด ๆ ว่ามันเปลี่ยนแปลงชุมชน Bitcoin ได้ขนาดไหน ห้ามพลาดนะครับ!”

ผมก็ยิ้มรับแล้ววางไมค์ คิดในใจว่ายังมีอีกเยอะที่ผมอยากเล่า—ทั้งความวุ่นวายของปี 2017 และเรื่องราวของ Jakk ที่เป็นแหล่งข้อมูลล้ำค่าในชีวิตผม

ผมกลับเข้ามานั่งบนเก้าอี้ในสตูดิโอ RightTalk อีกครั้งหลังพักเบรกสั้น ๆ พิธีกรซุปมองสบตาผมราวกับบอกเป็นนัยว่า.. ตอนนี้ได้เวลาเล่าช่วงสำคัญที่ทุกคนรอคอย

ผมสูดลมหายใจเบา ๆ แล้วพยักหน้าอย่างมั่นใจ ถึงจะไม่ใช่นักเทคนิคโดยกำเนิด แต่ผมก็พร้อมจะบอกสิ่งที่ประสบมาในช่วงปี 2017 ซึ่งในตอนนั้น แค่ได้ยินคำว่า UASF ครั้งแรกผมยังสับสนแทบแย่ว่ามันคืออะไร

“พี่ว่า UASF เหมือนการปฏิวัติครับ”

ผมพูดด้วยน้ำเสียงตื่นเต้นขณะที่กล้องจับภาพเต็มจอ

“ตอนนั้นกลุ่มโหนดรายย่อยลุกขึ้นมาประกาศชัด ๆ ว่า ถ้านักขุดไม่สนับสนุน SegWit พวกเขาจะไม่รับบล็อกเหล่านั้นอีกต่อไป เป็นภาพที่พี่ไม่เคยคาดคิดมาก่อนว่า... เสียงของคนตัวเล็ก ๆ จะดังได้ขนาดนี้ เหมือนชาวบ้านรวมตัวท้าทายอำนาจจักรวรรดิไม่มีผิด”

ผมหันไปเห็นประกายตาในคุณซุป เขาขยับไมโครโฟนเล็กน้อย

“แบบนี้ก็ต้องมีเรื่องขัดแย้งกับพวก Hashrate ใหญ่ใช่ไหมครับ ผมได้ยินชื่อ Bitmain กับ Roger Ver โผล่มาบ่อยมากตอนนั้น”

ผมพยักหน้าแล้วหัวเราะน้อย ๆ “ใช่ครับ พวก Big Block มองว่าต้องขยาย Blocksize สายตรงไปเลย จะได้จุธุรกรรมได้เยอะ ค่าธรรมเนียมไม่โหด"

"ส่วนอีกฝั่งยืนยันว่าควรใช้ SegWit มาช่วยแทนโดยไม่ต้องขยายบล็อกจริง ๆ ประเด็นนี้ใหญ่พอจะทำให้เกิดการแตกสายกลายเป็น Bitcoin Cash ในวันที่ 1 สิงหาคม 2017 นั่นแหละครับ”

ผมเล่าย้อนภาพในหัว...

ช่วงนั้น Jakk บอกไว้อย่างชัดถ้อยชัดคำว่า “พวกเขาคงแยกตัวได้ แต่อย่าหวังว่าจะมาแทน BTC หรืออะไรใหญ่โตนัก รอดูไปเถอะ เดี๋ยวก็เห็นเอง”

มันฟังดูเหมือนคำทำนายที่ห้าวหาญ แต่สุดท้ายก็เป็นจริง ที่ผมตื่นเต้นยิ่งกว่านั้นคือ SegWit เองก็ไม่ใช่แค่จัดการปัญหา Transaction Malleability หากยังเปิดทางให้เทคโนโลยีในอนาคตอย่าง Lightning Network เกิดขึ้นมาได้อีก

ตอนแรกหลายคนเรียกกันว่าเป็นแค่ ‘ไอเดียบนกระดาษ’

แต่ตอนนี้ (ปี 2025) กลับกลายเป็นเลเยอร์สำคัญที่ทำให้ผมโอนเงินข้ามประเทศได้แทบจะฟรีในเสี้ยววินาทีจริง ๆ

“พี่เองยังคิดไม่ถึงว่ามันจะสำเร็จขั้นนั้น” ผมหัวเราะก่อนบอกต่อ

“ตอนแรกที่ SegWit เปิดใช้งาน คนจำนวนหนึ่งยังสงสัยด้วยซ้ำว่ามันจะแก้ปัญหาได้ไหม แต่พอมี UASF โหนดรายย่อยก็กดดันนักขุดจนต้องยอม มันเป็นความเคลื่อนไหวที่แสดงให้เห็นว่าคนมีอำนาจโหวตแบบไร้ศูนย์กลางมากจริง ๆ”

“แล้วเรื่องราคา Bitcoin ในปีนั้นล่ะครับ?” ซุปจับจังหวะได้ดี

“2017 ถือเป็นปีที่ราคา BTC แตะสองหมื่นดอลลาร์ครั้งแรกเลยใช่ไหม แล้วตอนนี้ทะลุแสนไปแล้ว มันเกิดอะไรขึ้นกันแน่?”

ผมยกไหล่แล้วยิ้ม “ตอนนั้นพี่ก็ตื่นเต้นสุด ๆ ครับ เหมือนรถไฟเหาะกันทั้งตลาด แต่ใครจะคิดว่ามันจะไปได้สูงกว่านั้นอีกหลายเท่าตัว บางคนก็ปรามาสว่าเป็น ‘ฟองสบู่แตกแน่ ๆ’ ส่วนคนเชื่อก็เชื่อสุดใจ"

"ไม่ต่างจากประเด็นว่า BCH จะแทน BTC ได้ไหม ซึ่งเอาเข้าจริงแล้ว ทุกวันนี้ BCH ก็ยังอยู่ แต่ไม่ค่อยมีใครพูดถึงหรือเชียร์แรง ๆ เหมือนในอดีต หลังเวลาผ่านไป ตลาดเลยเหมือนตัดสินว่า BTC ยังเป็นตัวหลักมากกว่า”

“พี่รู้สึกอย่างไรกับคำทำนายของ Jakk ที่ว่า BCH ไม่น่ารอดยาว?” ซุปถามแทรก มุมปากมีรอยยิ้มเจ้าเล่ห์นิด ๆ เหมือนอยากได้คำตอบที่สะใจ

“พี่ขอเรียกเขาว่าเป็นคนมองขาดละกัน”

ผมยิ้มพลางนึกหน้าตายของ Jakk “แกเป็นคนที่มองเกมเชิงเทคนิคและปรัชญาของ Bitcoin ได้คมมากนะครับ แกจะบอกเสมอว่า ‘ไม่มีใครเป็นเจ้าของ Bitcoin แท้จริงหรอก ตราบใดที่ชุมชนทั้งหมดไม่ยอมรับ ก็จบ’ "

"จนถึงตอนนี้ พี่ยังรู้สึกทึ่งว่าทำไมแกถึงทำนายถูกหลายเรื่อง”

ผมเห็นเวลาในหูฟังบอกใกล้หมดช่วงแล้ว จึงตบท้ายว่าเหตุการณ์ครั้งนั้นมันสอนให้ผมรู้เรื่องประชาธิปไตยในระบบไร้ศูนย์กลาง

ทุกฝ่าย—ไม่ว่าจะนักขุด โหนด หรือผู้ใช้—ต่างมีสิทธิ์ Fork ได้ แต่ไม่มีใครการันตีว่า Fork นั้นจะไปรอด

ท้ายที่สุด ตลาดต้องเป็นผู้ตัดสินเอง และนั่นคือเสน่ห์ของ Bitcoin ที่ผมรู้สึกโชคดีที่ได้เข้าไปเห็นด้วยตาตัวเอง

ซุปพยักหน้าแล้วยิ้มกว้าง หันไปมองกล้อง “โอเคครับ คุณผู้ชม วันนี้เราคุยกันเรื่อง UASF, SegWit, BCH, Lightning Network และความผันผวนของตลาดในปี 2017 ที่ต่อยอดมาถึง 2024 แบบพอหอมปากหอมคอ"

"ต้องขอบพี่แชมป์ ‘PIGROCK’ ที่มาให้มุมมองสนุก ๆ พร้อมแง่คิดที่น่าสนใจมาก ๆ ไว้เจอกันใหม่ใน RightTalk กับผมและแขกรับเชิญท่านอื่น ๆ ไม่นานนี้”

เสียงปรบมือดังขึ้นเบา ๆ ขณะที่ไฟบนเวทีค่อย ๆ หรี่ลงอีกครั้ง

ผมปลดไมค์ออกจากเสื้อ สูดลมหายใจโล่ง ๆ พร้อมกล่าวขอบคุณทุกคน แล้วคิดถึงคำพูดของ Jakk ในวันวานที่ฝังอยู่ในหัว

“สงคราม Blocksize แค่งานวอร์มอัพ โลกคริปโตฯ ยังมีอะไรให้ลุ้นอีกเยอะนะน้องชาย”

ผมยิ้มเงียบ ๆ คิดว่ามันคงจริงอย่างที่แกว่า เพราะถ้า Bitcoin ไม่ใช่ของใครคนเดียว เราก็คงเห็นการเคลื่อนไหวอะไรใหม่ ๆ เกิดขึ้นเสมอ

ซุปทำท่าเกริ่นรอบสุดท้าย สบตากับผมแล้วถามขึ้นด้วยน้ำเสียงเรียบ ๆ แต่ชวนให้ผมรื้อฟื้นความทรงจำทั้งหมดที่เพิ่งเล่ามา

“แล้วพี่คิดว่า... สิ่งที่ Bitcoin Cash กับ SegWit สอนเราเกี่ยวกับ Bitcoin คืออะไรครับ?”

ผมยิ้มบาง ๆ สูดหายใจแล้วลองเรียบเรียงคำตอบในหัว ผมคิดถึงภาพที่ผ่านมา... ทั้งช่วงที่โหนดรายย่อยลุกขึ้นเรียกร้องสิทธิ์ UASF ทั้งวันที่ BCH แยกตัวอย่างอลังการ ตลอดจนเวลาที่ SegWit เปิดทางให้เทคโนโลยีใหม่ ๆ เกิดขึ้น

ผมรวบทุกประสบการณ์ไว้ในประโยคเดียวก่อนพูด

“สำหรับพี่นะ... สงคราม Blocksize หรือจะเรียกว่าการแตกแยกครั้งนั้น มันสอนให้เห็นว่าระบบนี้ไม่เคยเป็นของใครคนเดียวเลยนะครับ"

"นี่แหละคือ การกระจายอำนาจ อย่างแท้จริง ใครจะฟอร์ก ใครจะทำอะไรก็ได้ แต่สุดท้ายตลาดและชุมชนทั้งหมดนี่ล่ะที่เป็นคนตัดสินว่าเส้นทางไหนจะอยู่หรือไป"

"เรื่องนี้ทำให้พี่ตระหนักว่าบางที... การขัดแย้งก็พาให้เทคโนโลยีมันพัฒนาไปอีกขั้นเหมือนกัน ตราบใดที่เราไม่ลืมสารตั้งต้นว่ามันคือ ระบบเปิดที่ทุกคนเข้าถึงได้ ”

ซุปนิ่งฟังแล้วผงกศีรษะเบา ๆ เหมือนยอมรับในประเด็นที่ผมว่า เขาหันไปทางกล้องและปิดรายการด้วยสไตล์ที่คนดูคุ้นเคย

“วันนี้เราคุยกันหลายแง่มุมเลยนะครับ ตั้งแต่ UASF กับปัญหาความขัดแย้ง ไปจนถึงผลลัพธ์ของ SegWit, BCH และ Lightning Network"

"ต้องขอบคุณพี่แชมป์ ‘PIGROCK’ มาก ๆ ที่มาแบ่งปันประสบการณ์อันเป็นประโยชน์ หวังว่าทุกคนจะได้ไอเดียกลับไปไม่มากก็น้อยนะครับ และนี่คือ RightTalk คุยทุกเรื่องที่ใช่ เจอกันตอนหน้าครับ!”

เสียงดนตรีประจำรายการดังขึ้นอัตโนมัติ เป็นสัญญาณว่าการถ่ายทอดสดสิ้นสุดลง

ผมถอนหายใจเฮือกใหญ่โล่งอกอย่างไม่ปิดบัง ทีมงานบางคนเดินเข้ามาขอบคุณพร้อมจับมือเบา ๆ ผมรู้สึกเหมือนเพิ่งยกภูเขาออกจากอกที่ได้ถ่ายทอดสิ่งที่เคยแบกไว้มานาน

ไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องเทคนิคบล็อกเชน แต่เป็นการขบคิดด้วยว่า ในโลกที่ทุกคนเรียกหาเสรีภาพทางการเงิน ไม่มีชัยชนะของใครที่จีรังได้นาน ถ้าผู้ใช้ทั้งหมดไม่ยอมรับ

ผมเผลอมองขึ้นไปบนไฟสปอร์ตไลต์อีกครั้ง คราวนี้ไม่ได้รู้สึกว่ามันจ้าจนแสบตาเหมือนช่วงเริ่มรายการ แต่กลับรู้สึกว่ามันอบอุ่นดี

ผมยิ้มให้ตัวเองเล็กน้อย ทบทวนว่านี่คงเป็นบทเรียนที่ดีว่าถึงเราจะเป็นเพียงโหนดเล็ก ๆ หรือผู้ใช้งานตัวเล็ก ๆ แต่ในระบบกระจายอำนาจแบบ Bitcoin มันก็มีสิทธิ์เปล่งเสียงได้

และบางครั้งก็อาจเปลี่ยนกระแสทั้งโลกได้เลย ถ้านั่นไม่ใช่คำจำกัดความของ “เสรีภาพ” ผมก็ไม่รู้จะเรียกมันว่าอะไรแล้วล่ะ

End credit

ผมนั่งพักหลังกองอัดรายการแทบไม่ได้หายใจเป็นชิ้นเป็นอัน พิธีกรสุดกระตือรือร้นอย่างซุป เดินดุ่ม ๆ มาหาผมพร้อมแววตาวิ้งวับ ก่อนจะรั้งเก้าอี้มาเบียดติดข้างผม

ถึงแม้ไฟสปอตไลต์จะดับไปแล้ว แต่เขายังดูเหมือนพร้อมลุยถามต่อไม่หยุด

“พี่แชมป์” เขาเอ่ยชื่อผมแบบลากเสียงยาว

“คอผมมันคันยุบยิบ มีเรื่องต้องเม้าท์ต่อจริง ๆ นะพี่ ผมกั๊กไว้ตั้งแต่ก่อนจะเริ่มรายการละ”

ผมเลยหัวเราะพลางเท้าคาง “ไหนว่ามาสิวะ ซุป ใจคอนายจะไม่ให้พี่ไปเข้าห้องน้ำเข้าห้องท่าก่อนเลยเหรอวะ?” ผมพูดด้วยน้ำเสียงกึ่งหยอกกึ่งประชด

“ฮ่า ๆ โทษทีพี่ ผมนี่มันขี้สงสัย” เขายิ้มเจ้าเล่ห์

“คือเรื่อง ‘The One Who Claims to Be Satoshi’ น่ะ… ก็ Craig Wright ไงล่ะพี่ ผมสตั๊นกับเขามานาน เห็นว่าฟ้องชาวบ้านเขาไปทั่ว เห็นมีข่าวว่าขู่ฟ้องใครก็ตามที่พูดว่าเขาไม่ใช่ Satoshi ผมล่ะขำไม่ไหว!”

ผมยักไหล่ “เอาตรง ๆ นะ... พี่มองว่าเขาเป็น ราชาสายปั่นของแท้ รู้จักดึงกระแสเก่งเป็นบ้า ส่วนจะเป็น Satoshi จริงหรือเปล่า? พี่ไม่เชื่อเลยสักเสี้ยว ยังไงพี่ก็ว่ามันดู ‘เฟค’ ไปหมด”

ซุปตบโต๊ะเบา ๆ “โอ๊ย! ใช่เลยพี่! ผมก็ดูละครฉาก ‘พิสูจน์ Private Key’ แล้วแทบขำกลิ้ง"

"แต่พี่รู้ไหม? ตอนแรกดราม่าก็แรงเพราะหลายคนคิดว่าบางทีแกอาจจะเป็นจริง ๆ แต่หลักฐานไม่ชัด สุดท้ายคนในชุมชน ‘กระซวก’ จนหลุดหมดว่าใช้เทคนิคปลอมลายเซ็น”

ผมพยักหน้า “ยิ่งไปกว่านั้นนะ... ตอนเขาแยกสายไป Bitcoin SV อ้างว่าสานต่อ ‘Satoshi’s Vision’ นายลองดูตอนนี้สิ มีกี่คนพูดถึง BSV... "

"แทบไม่มี... มันก็ตลกดีนะ โลกคริปโตนี่ ถ้าไม่มีคนยอมรับ ต่อให้เป็น Satoshi ยังไงก็แพ้ตลาด”

“โอ้โห.. พี่พูดได้ถูกใจมาก” คุณซุปแหงนหน้าหัวเราะลั่น “นี่ถ้าพี่คนนี้อยู่ต่อหน้าคงเถียงเขาร้อนเป็นไฟเลยนะ แต่เอาจริง ถ้าอยู่ดี ๆ เขาพิสูจน์ได้ว่าเป็น Satoshi ขึ้นมาจริง ๆ พี่ไม่ช็อกเหรอ?”

ผมยิ้มพลางยักคิ้ว “ช็อกนิดหน่อยนะ… แต่มันคงไม่เปลี่ยนอะไรหรอก เพราะ Bitcoin น่ะไปไกลเกินกว่าตัวบุคคลแล้ว ใครจะเป็น Satoshi ก็เรื่องของเขา พี่ถือคติว่า BTC ไม่ต้องการ ‘เจ้านาย’ อีกแล้ว ตอนนี้มันเป็นของทุกคนบนโลกต่างหาก”

"We're all Satoshi เคป่ะ?"

“สุดยอด!” ซุปตบมือถูกใจใหญ่

“ผมก็คิดเหมือนกัน ผมแอบยกให้พี่เป็นปรมาจารย์ทางความคิดเรื่องนี้เลยนะเนี่ย”

"มึงก็อวยเกินไป.. ไอ้นี่" ผมรีบปัดคำชมบ้า ๆ นั่นไปทันที

พูดจบเขาก็กำลังจะบอกอะไรต่อ แต่ทันใดนั้นประตูสตูดิโอเปิดออกแผ่ว ๆ เผยให้เห็นผู้ชายรูปร่างสูงโปร่ง คิ้วไม่เข้มเท่าไหร่ แต่งตัวไม่เป็นทางการสีเข้ม ก้าวเข้ามาแบบไม่รีบร้อน

“ตายล่ะพี่แจ็ก!” คุณซุปอุทานเบา ๆ ก่อนสะดุ้งตั้งท่าเหมือนเจอลูกพี่ใหญ่ ผมเองก็ตาโตนิดหน่อย “โผล่มาเงียบ ๆ ระวังผมช็อกตายนะ”

คนที่เข้ามาคือ Jakk Goodday ที่ผมเคารพและเกรงใจมาตลอด.. และใช่เลย เขาคือ Co-founder ของ Right Shift ตัวจริง เสียงจริง

“โย่ สองหนุ่มเม้าท์อะไรกันอยู่ กลิ่นดราม่าลอยมาถึงนอกห้องเลยนะ” เขายิ้มยั่ว พร้อมวางแก้วคราฟท์เบียร์ของเขาบนโต๊ะใกล้ ๆ

“พี่แจ็ก ขอโทษครับ ผมก็แค่คันปากเรื่อง Craig Wright” ซุปรีบบอก พยายามวางมาดพิธีกรสายยียวนเหมือนเดิม แต่ผมเห็นหลังตาเขายังกระพริบบ่อยแปลก ๆ

“ซุปเอ๊ย.. ขี้เม้าท์ตั้งแต่สมัยฝึกงานจนตอนนี้เป็นพิธีกรระดับประเทศก็ไม่เปลี่ยน” Jakk ยักคิ้ว เขามีเสียงเรียบแต่น่าฟัง

“แต่ดีนะ... เรื่อง Craig Wright"

"เนี่ย... พี่เองก็ขำทุกทีที่ได้ยินว่าพยายามฟ้องคนนู้นคนนี้ว่า ‘เธอดูถูกว่าฉันไม่ใช่ Satoshi’ โอ๊ย มุกนี้แม่งใช้มากี่ปีแล้วก็ไม่รู้”

ผมหัวเราะออกมาเบา ๆ “ถ้าพี่ว่าแล้วมันไม่หยาบไป ก็ช่วยกัดเพิ่มให้หน่อย ผมว่าต้องมีคำเจ็บ ๆ ของพี่แจ็กแน่ ๆ”

Jakk หรี่ตาเล็กน้อย...

“ถ้าผมพูดแบบเจ็บ ๆ จริงก็เกรงจะโดนฟ้องเหมือนกันนะ” เขาทำท่ายกแก้วเก๊กฮวยลึกลับขึ้นจิบ

“แต่เอาเป็นว่า… ตลาดไม่เคยโกหกใคร โค้ดก็ไม่เคยโกหกใคร ใครที่เรียกตนเองเป็น Satoshi หรือพระเจ้าคนไหนก็ตาม ถ้าทำให้คนยอมรับไม่ได้ มันก็จบตรงนั้นละ”

ซุปหัวเราะก้าก “ว้าว! ตรงกว่าผมอีก! 5555"

"นี่เป็นเหตุผลว่าทำไมพี่ถึงเป็นหัวโจกได้ใช่ไหม สายบวกแบบตอกหมุดเลย”

Jakk หันมาทางผม “แต่เอาจริง พี่ก็ respect ในความปากแจ๋วของคุณซุปเค้านะ ถ้าเจอ Craig Wright ตัวเป็น ๆ เมื่อไหร่ บางทีอาจจะสนุกกว่าที่คิด”

ผมกับคุณซุปหันมาสบตากันแล้วระเบิดหัวเราะพร้อมเพรียง “ไม่เอา ไม่เจอดีกว่า ผมขอความสงบสุขในชีวิต!” คุณซุปว่า

Jakk วางแก้วเก๊กฮวยลงบนโต๊ะ กระตุกยิ้มตรงมุมปากอย่างคนมั่นใจ “ขอจบด้วยโควทหนึ่งละกัน ใครอยากเป็น Satoshi ก็เชิญเป็น แต่จำไว้ว่า…"

"ผู้ชนะที่แท้จริง ไม่ได้ชนะเพราะได้สวมมงกุฎ หากแต่ชนะเพราะผู้คนยอมรับให้เขาสวม และ Bitcoin ก็แสดงให้เราเห็นแล้วล่ะ ว่าตัวตนแท้ ๆ ของมันไม่ต้องพึ่งใครมาคุมบังเหียนสักคนเดียว”

ผมกับคุณซุปนิ่งไปครู่สั้น ๆ ก่อนหัวเราะเบา ๆ รับคำพูดคมคายเสียดสีในแบบของ Jakk Goodday “โอเคครับพี่แจ็ก นี่สินะ Signature Quote ที่เราคอยตามหา!” คุณซุปพูดตบท้าย ท่ามกลางเสียงเก็บอุปกรณ์ของทีมงานที่ใกล้จะเลิกงานเต็มที

ผมเองยักไหล่แล้วลุกขึ้นบิดขี้เกียจ “เอ้า! ปิดสตูแล้วดีกว่า เดี๋ยวเราจะโดนปิดไฟตัดน้ำไม่รู้ตัวนะครับพี่แจ๊ก”

“เออ ๆ รีบปิดสตูเถอะ” Jakk ตอบเรียบ ๆ แต่สายตายังฉายแววเจ้าเล่ห์หน่อย ๆ

“ไว้เจอกันรอบหน้า อย่าเผลอไปปั่นจนโดนฟ้องกันเองล่ะ ฮ่า ๆ”

และนั่นก็เป็นฉากสั้น ๆ ที่สามเราปิดท้ายกันแบบเฮฮาและมีสาระนิด ๆ ทิ้งประเด็นว่าบางครั้งในโลกคริปโต คำพูดของใครสักคนอาจสั่นสะเทือนได้

แต่ตอนจบจริง ๆ ก็ต้องดูว่าชุมชนยอมรับมากน้อยแค่ไหน… Craig Wright จะอ้างตัวเป็น Satoshi กี่ครั้งก็ได้ แต่ถ้าโลกไม่เชื่อ...

นั่นก็อาจเป็นเพียงเรื่องตลกในตำนานคริปโตเท่านั้นเอง

ลำดับเหตุการณ์สงคราม Blocksize (Blocksize War)

จุดเริ่มต้นของความขัดแย้ง (2015–2016)

ปัญหาความแออัดของเครือข่าย Bitcoin:

• การเพิ่มขึ้นของธุรกรรมทำให้บล็อกขนาด 1 MB ไม่เพียงพอ ส่งผลให้ค่าธรรมเนียมสูงและการยืนยันธุรกรรมล่าช้า

ชุมชนเริ่มแบ่งเป็น 2 กลุ่ม:

• Big Block (ขยายบล็อกใหญ่ขึ้น): ต้องการเพิ่ม Blocksize ตรง ๆ เช่น 2 MB หรือมากกว่านั้น

• Small Block (คงขนาดบล็อกเดิม): เน้นการแก้ปัญหาผ่านวิธีอื่น เช่น Segregated Witness (SegWit)

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การพัฒนาของ SegWit (2016)

Segregated Witness (SegWit):

• เสนอโดย Pieter Wuille และทีม Bitcoin Core

• แก้ปัญหา Transaction Malleability และเพิ่มพื้นที่ธุรกรรมในบล็อกโดยย้ายข้อมูลลายเซ็นออกจากธุรกรรมหลัก

Hong Kong Agreement (2016):

• ความพยายามประนีประนอมระหว่างกลุ่ม Big Block และ Small Block

• ตกลงว่าจะเพิ่ม Blocksize เป็น 2 MB และเปิดใช้งาน SegWit แต่ไม่สำเร็จจริง

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UASF และ SegWit Activation (2017)

UASF (User-Activated Soft Fork):

• เสียงของโหนดรายย่อยลุกขึ้นกดดันนักขุดให้รองรับ SegWit ผ่าน BIP 148

• เส้นตาย: 1 สิงหาคม 2017 ถ้านักขุดไม่รองรับ SegWit โหนด UASF จะไม่ยอมรับบล็อกของนักขุดเหล่านั้น

SegWit Activation:

• นักขุดยอมรับ SegWit เพื่อหลีกเลี่ยงการแยกเครือข่าย

• SegWit เปิดใช้งานสำเร็จในวันที่ 24 สิงหาคม 2017

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การเกิด Bitcoin Cash (1 สิงหาคม 2017)

Hard Fork ครั้งใหญ่:

• กลุ่ม Big Block นำโดย Roger Ver และ Jihan Wu สร้าง Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

• BCH เปิดตัวด้วย Blocksize ขนาด 8 MB และโปรโมตว่าเป็น “เงินสดดิจิทัลที่แท้จริง”

ผลกระทบ:

• ชุมชน Bitcoin แตกเป็น 2 ฝ่ายชัดเจน

• BCH ได้รับความนิยมในช่วงแรก แต่ไม่สามารถแทนที่ BTC ได้ในระยะยาว

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การพัฒนาของ Lightning Network (2017–2018)

Layer 2 Solution:

• Lightning Network (LN) เป็นเทคโนโลยีที่พัฒนาต่อเนื่องหลัง SegWit เปิดใช้งาน

• ลดความแออัดในเครือข่ายหลักและทำให้การทำธุรกรรมเร็วขึ้น

การใช้งานจริง:

• LN เริ่มทดสอบใน Testnet และเปิดตัวอย่างเป็นทางการในปี 2018

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ราคา Bitcoin พุ่งสูงสุด (ปลายปี 2017)

• Bitcoin แตะ $20,000 ครั้งแรก:

• ช่วงปลายปี 2017 ตลาดคริปโตเข้าสู่ช่วงเฟื่องฟู (Crypto Boom)

• BCH ก็พุ่งสูงสุดที่มากกว่า $3,000 แต่เริ่มลดลงในปีถัดมา

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ความแตกแยกใน Bitcoin Cash (2018)

Hard Fork อีกครั้ง:

• เกิดความขัดแย้งในชุมชน BCH เรื่องแนวทางการพัฒนา

• นำไปสู่การแยกตัวเป็น Bitcoin SV (BSV) นำโดย Craig Wright

ผลกระทบ:

• BCH และ BSV สูญเสียส่วนแบ่งตลาด

• BTC ยังคงเป็นผู้นำในตลาดคริปโต

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การยอมรับ SegWit และการเปลี่ยนแปลงตลาด (2018–ปัจจุบัน)

SegWit Adoption:

• เมื่อผู้ใช้งานเริ่มใช้ SegWit มากขึ้น ค่าธรรมเนียมธุรกรรมลดลง และความแออัดในเครือข่ายลดลง

• Bitcoin กลายเป็น Store of Value:

• BTC ถูกมองว่าเป็น “สินทรัพย์เก็บออม” มากกว่า “เงินสดดิจิทัล”

BCH และ BSV:

• ตลาดของทั้งสองสายลดลง และไม่สามารถทดแทน BTC ได้

https://v.nostr.build/pxBuxtiSVNbisYMv.mp4

@ cf7ed325:050194cf

The Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise and Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise offer luxurious experiences along the Nile, combining comfort, elegance, and cultural exploration. These cruises are ideal for travelers seeking a premium journey between Luxor and Aswan, filled with historical wonders and stunning landscapes.

The Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise features spacious cabins with private balconies, gourmet dining, and personalized service. Guests can explore iconic sites such as the Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, and Philae Temple while enjoying the ship's modern amenities. Similarly, the Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise provides an intimate setting with luxury suites, fine dining, and a wellness center, ensuring a tranquil and exclusive experience.

Both cruises are part of a broader collection of Nile cruises that cater to diverse preferences. For those seeking alternatives, the Movenpick Darakum Nile Cruise, Nile CruiseFarah , and Movenpick Sunray Nile Cruise provide exceptional options with distinctive features and world-class service. Travelers can also explore the elegance of the Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise, known for its unparalleled luxury and curated itineraries.

The Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise, Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise, Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise, and Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise are additional premium choices, each offering unique amenities and captivating itineraries. Meanwhile, the Historia Nile Cruise and Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise combine tradition and modernity, delivering unforgettable journeys.

For a well-rounded experience, consider the Movenpick Hamees Nile Cruise or the Movenpick Lotus Nile Cruise, both known for their comfort and exceptional service. Whether you choose the Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise, Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise, or any of these alternatives, your Nile adventure promises to be a memorable exploration of Egypt's rich history and culture.

🌐 Visit us at www.etbtoursegypt.com 📲 Contact us now! +20 10 21100873 📧 Email: info@etbtours.com 🏢 Company Address: 4 El Lebeny Axis , Nazlet Al Batran , Al Haram, Giza , Egypt

@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a

Hackathon Summary

The Boundless Hackathon @Stanford, co-hosted by Stanford Blockchain Accelerator, Nautilus Chain, Zebec, and Rootz Labs, successfully concluded with 318 registered developers working on 159 projects. This event focused on advancing Web3 infrastructure through tracks in DeFi, Gaming, NFT, and infrastructure development.

Supported by DoraHacks, the hackathon featured significant contributions from strategic partners such as IOBC Capital, Eclipse, and OKX Wallet. Notably, there was strong technological collaboration with Aspecta. The event culminated in a closing ceremony at Stanford University, where the top projects received awards from a prize pool totaling $300,000. The first-place winner received $10,000, with additional incentives in the form of ecosystem and technical bonus prizes, including Amazon Cloud Credits.

The Boundless Hackathon fostered collaboration and innovation within the blockchain community, emphasizing the integration of new technologies across various blockchain platforms.

Hackathon Winners

Main Prize Winners

• Hexlink:
  Hexlink introduces a modular account layer for Web3 that emulates Web2 experiences by leveraging existing identities for crypto transactions. It eliminates the need for seed phrases, streamlining onboarding and security through modular authentication across dApps.
• Defi Board Options Exchange (DBOE):
  DBOE presents a novel on-chain Central Limit Order Book (CLOB) with advanced risk management strategies. This enhances market infrastructure by improving price discovery and liquidity through a Dedicated Market Making (DMM) system.
• Nulink:
  Nulink integrates privacy-enhancing technologies for dApps, employing cryptography-based consensus to enable secure application development with advanced data privacy practices.

Sub-Award Winners

• Buff Network:
  Buff Network functions as a peer-to-pool derivatives trading platform, offering user-friendly interfaces for efficient trade execution. It elevates engagement in decentralized finance through innovative trading solutions.
• PoseiSwap:
  PoseiSwap facilitates the seamless exchange of DeFi and TradFi assets by extending DEX functionality to support diverse financial instruments, thus bridging crypto-native and traditional markets for improved interoperability.

Explore all projects from the hackathon at https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/stanfordhack/buidl.

Organization Overview

Stanford Blockchain Accelerator

The Stanford Blockchain Accelerator is a non-dilutive program run by students and alumni and is part of the Stanford Blockchain Club student group. They incubate Stanford student and alumni teams in a 5 month program, helping them build, raise, and launch blockchain projects. Over 90% of teams graduating from their program raise from the leading funds (>$80M cumulative raises), and over 60% launch and are post revenue within 6 months of their program!

@ 06639a38:655f8f71

A while back I shared this note via Nostr: https://njump.me/a0da4693dc761c649e46606ba4cc11cd05afbed2d7c763775d7ba29a473cbed3

I feel I need to ventilate some things I'm struggling with. As a indiepreneur I don't have many professionals around me with who I can share my daily struggles which I'm handling now. I'm aware it's a sort of a luxury position where the current fricton is coming from. It's because I've said too much yes to some responsabilties. I'm managing 4 client (Drupal) projects at this moment and all of them are asking for decent amount of my attention. Integrating new features, updating existing features, questions how things work, bugfixes etc. Normally their demand of them is steady. But as always, at the end of the year things are stacking up. It's no surprise that you can't manage their demands so it's the expection of my output to them I have to manage. It's the output I create for the value I deliver. Especially one project is getting all of my attention because I'm building a complete new commerce rental system with Drupal for campers. There is a deadline involved there, I've one month left to build it and have it tested.  
For me it's very challenging to manage those expectations and basicly saying no to things in a friendly way. But offcourse, this also takes time...

With this said, there is another project which is not actively demanding anything from me (it's not a kind of a customer client): Nostr-PHP. My work pace on this project is lacking, but it's the damn thing I love the most to work on 💜

So what is this? What do I feel?
It feels like cognitive dissonation. If I follow my intrinsic motivation I can work on Nostr-PHP and other Nostr stuff for whole days. If I follow my ratio, it's all the client work what has to be done (and is mostly also paying the bills).

Anyway, now I ventilated this it's time to go back building stuff ⚒️ ⚒️ ⚒️
One thing I know of myself is that when the pressure is really high, I'm able to finish stuff rapidly for a short period of time. 

Since then I made quite some hours on one specific project building out a commerce rental platform with Drupal. Progress is made and I'm already quite proud on the achievements there. Also the client is happy with the results so far. As things evolve and are being tested, new insights popup which result in adjustments in the features made and the wishlist of new features grow. To me that's natural if you're building a custom solution. But this doesn't change the challenge I mentioned earlier, managing expections and decide to what I will spent my attention to. 

With that said, the development for Nostr-PHP library pretty much halted since december. So I decided to ask OpenSats to pause my grant for 3 months, so I can finish up the client-work without guilty feelings. My plan is to pick up the development again around March. 

At last, let me sum up the the things I've done in week 48 and 49 in 2024:

Nostr-PHP

• Release 1.5.1 https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/releases/tag/1.5.1
• Thanks for this compliment Prolic (developer of Flutr) https://njump.me/nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqwuvj7hf9phszffuf7ydgtgkapvv0jf9zw4l9uuz2xhlwy63f08xqy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyv9kh2uewd9hj7qg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnw3ezucn89uqzp94nzvmh7nlh3qte8g4g2kz075pqy6gz837y0emeqc9m8l4dlpl672l3gr
• Collaboration efforts on encoding / decoding TLV entries in NIP-19: https://njump.me/nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqpnrnguxe8qszsshvgkvhn6qjzxy7xsvx03rlrtddr62haj4lrm3qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyv9kh2uewd9hj7qghwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7qpqxh039ng4nr2w5q6np5gzhpfjjgxd4gtkraxeuv9ew5sve7pytawq8l5dzr
• Working on a fix for a lib_gmp issue with the latest PHP releases:
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/pull/71
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/issues/75
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/pull/76
• Merged https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/pull/76 and created a 1.5.2 release with this change
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/releases/tag/1.5.2

Other stuff

• Wrote and published my second 90-days progress report for OpenSats.
  https://nostrver.se/blog/nostr-php-helper-library-90-day-opensats-report-2

@ 2063cd79:57bd1320

Singularität ist ein heißes Thema, da sie ein potenziell transformatives und disruptives Ereignis in verschiedenen Bereichen darstellt, darunter Technologie, künstliche Intelligenz und die Gesellschaft als Ganzes. Singularität stellt einen Punkt unbekannter und potenziell schneller Veränderung dar. Die Ungewissheit darüber, wie sich Technologien weiterentwickeln, welche Auswirkungen sie haben und welche möglichen Konsequenzen sie mit sich bringen, weckt Neugier, Spekulationen und Diskussionen.

Oft wird diskutiert, wie die Zukunft unseres Geldsystems aussehen könnte. Dem Euro wird keine rosige Zukunft zugesprochen, dem Dollar hingegen mittelfristig schon. Doch entwickelt sich unsere Gesellschaft und damit ihre Ansprüche und Bedürfnisse weiter. Die Entwicklung der letzten Jahrzehnte hat im Vergleich zu den Jahrhunderten davor und den Jahrtausenden davor extrem zugenommen.

Alleine das letzte Jahrhundert hat drei industrielle Revolutionen hervorgebracht: die Dampfmaschine, das Zeitalter der Wissenschaft und Massenproduktion und der Aufstieg der digitalen Technologie. Mit den digitalen Technologien kam zum ersten Mal auch das Bedürfnis nach einem Geld für den digitalen Raum, bzw. für den digital vernetzten Raum auf, in dem wir uns heutzutage bewegen. Das Geld in seiner jetzigen Form existiert seit dem 17ten Jahrhundert und obwohl es sich nach außen hin in seiner Form und Funktion wenig verändert hat, ist eine technologische Entwicklung auch hier nicht zu leugnen. Denn Geld ist nicht gleich Geld. Das Bargeld (Papier- und Münzgeld), das wir in unserem täglichen Leben verwenden, unterscheidet sich ganz deutlich von Buchgeld (Giralgeld) und Warengeld.

Wir sehen also, dass es verschiedene Arten von Geld gibt. Und um die Sache zu erschweren, gibt es jede dieser Formen von Geld auch noch in über 160 Währungen, die von den jeweiligen Zentralbanken gesteuert und gelenkt werden. Wenn wir also sagen, dass z.B. die türkische Lira keine Zukunft hat, dann meinen wir nicht nur, dass die Geldscheine mit dem Lira-Aufdruck bald verschwinden, sondern dass das ganze Finanzsystem, dass hinter der türkischen Lira steckt systemische Probleme aufweist, die es nicht mehr auffangen kann.

Dabei ist es dem Grunde nach eigentlich ganz natürlich und ganz normal, dass Währungen mit der Zeit verschwinden oder schlicht durch andere Währungen ersetzt werden. Denn Menschen tendieren von Natur aus dazu, ein gemeinsames Geld innerhalb einer definierten Region auf einem freien Markt zu verwenden, weil es uns die größte Wahlfreiheit bei der größten Anzahl von Handelspartnern und der höchsten Liquidität bietet.

Europa ist das beste Beispiel für diese Annahme. Um den Handel zu vereinfachen und Wertschöpfungsketten (yes, endlich mein Lieblings-Unwort eingebaut) zu steigern, haben sich 19 Länder dazu entschlossen, ihre Währung zugunsten des Euros aufzugeben. Dieses Phänomen der Bewegung hin zu einem gemeinsamen Geld ist nicht nur in der Ökonomie bekannt. Denn dieses Phänomen kann immer und insbesondere dann beobachtet werden, wenn die Konvergenz hin zu einem gemeinsamen Standard den Nutzer//innen den größten Nutzen bietet und Netzwerkeffekte fördert. Dieses Phänomen hat auch einen (inoffiziellen) Namen und zwar: monetäre Singularität - abgewandelt von der hypothetischen zukünftigen technologischen Singularität.

Obwohl „Monetäre Singularität“ im Wirtschafts- oder Finanzbereich keinen allgemein anerkannten Begriff darstellt, lässt sich durch seine Bestandteile ableiten, worauf sich der Name bezieht. "Monetär“ bezieht sich auf alles, was mit Geld oder Währung zu tun hat, während sich „Singularität“ häufig auf einen Punkt erheblicher Veränderung oder ein Ereignis bezieht, bei dem bestehende Regeln oder Normen nicht mehr gelten. Daraus lässt sich ableiten, dass sich „monetäre Singularität“ - also ein Kunstbegriff abgeleitet aus der Naturwissenschaft - auf ein hypothetisches Szenario bezieht, in dem es zu einer radikalen Veränderung der Funktionsweise des Geldes oder des Währungssystems kommt.

Mit Hinblick auf das aktuelle Finanzsystem hat Brent Johnson diesem Phänomen den viel eingängigen Namen "Dollar Milkshake Theory" verpasst. In dieser Theorie geht es darum, dass der US Dollar weiter an Stärke gewinnt und den Devisenmärkten auf der ganzen Welt Liquidität entzieht. Woher der Name? Man stelle sich vor, man hat einen Milchshake und sitzt an einem Tisch auf der anderen Seite des Raumes. Man stelle sich auch vor, jemand anderes hat einen wirklich langen Strohhalm. So kann der/diejenige seinen/ihren Strohhalm in den eigenen Milchshake stecken und ihn trinken, auch wenn man am anderen Ende des Raums sitzt. Der eigene Milchshake ist in diesem Fall eine Fremdwährung, der/diejenige, der/die trinkt, ist natürlich der US Dollar selbst. Das führt zu einer Konzentration aller Geschäfte in US Dollar.

Schaut man über den Tellerrand der heutigen Zentralbankgelder hinaus, ergeben sich einige weitere interessante Einordnungsversuche für die Singularität des Geldes, die die oben angesprochenen Bedürfnisse des digitalen Zeitalters in Betracht ziehen. Denn die Idee, dass Fortschritte in der Technologie, insbesondere im Bereich digitaler Währungen und Finanzsysteme, zu einer erheblichen Veränderung der Funktionsweise des Geldes führen könnten, klingt dann gar nicht mehr so abwegig. Es deutet darauf hin, dass zukünftige Entwicklungen, wie eine breite Adaption von Bitcoin, zu einer grundlegenden Veränderung in der Art und Weise führen könnten, wie Geld geschaffen, gespeichert, gehandelt und verwaltet wird.

Aus gesellschaftlicher Sicht besitzt Geld als soziales und kulturelles Konstrukt eine transformative Kraft, die menschliche Beziehungen, Werte und Verhaltensweisen umgestalten kann. Eine Singularität des Geldes würde in diesem Zusammenhang tiefgreifende und beispiellose Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaft haben, die sich aus der veränderten Rolle des Geldes ergeben würden.

Aus gesellschaftlicher Sicht ist ein Streben nach technologischer Konvergenz hin ganz natürlich und passiert fast automatisch, solange es einen größten gemeinsamen Nutzen bietet und Netzwerkeffekte fördert. Das beste Beispiel dafür sind Sprachen. Es ist schwierig, genaue Zahlen zu nennen, aber Linguisten schätzen, dass es in der Geschichte der Menschheit etwa 31.000 Sprachen gab. Schätzungen zufolge werden heutzutage weltweit zwischen 6.000 und 7.000 Sprachen gesprochen. Forscher und Analysten prognostizieren, dass im frühen 22. Jahrhundert nur noch 600 bis 700 Sprachen im täglichen Gebrauch verbreitet sein werden. Sprache ist eine Technologie, sie wurde erfunden, verbessert, verändert, den Gegebenheiten angepasst und oft verschmolzen. Deshalb ist es kein Wunder, dass die Anzahl der gesprochenen Sprachen abnimmt. Denn Unterschiede erzeugen Reibung und Reibung ist ineffizient. Sowohl für das gesellschaftliche Miteinander als auch für den Handel und die Wirtschaft.

Gemeinsame Sprache hat viele Vorteile in einer globalisierten Welt, denn sie vereinfacht die Kommunikation und den Austausch zwischen Handelspartnern, politischen Einrichtungen und eröffnet auch viele neue Möglichkeiten in der Bildung. Wer z.B. Englisch spricht, hat einen viel größeren Pool an Literatur und Nachschlagewerken zur Verfügung, als jemand der/die "nur" eine lokale Sprache spricht. Das kann und wird dazu führen, dass menschliche Sprachen im Laufe der Zeit erhebliche Veränderungen, Anpassungen und manchmal sogar das Aussterben erfahren.

Gerade im Bereich der Programmiersprachen ist zu erwarten, dass zukünftige Entwicklungen in der künstlichen Intelligenz und im maschinellen Lernen einen tiefgreifenden Wandel in der Art und Weise bewirken, wie Sprachen verstanden, übersetzt und kommuniziert werden könnten.

Wie oben erwähnt, tendieren Menschen dazu, gemeinsame Technologien innerhalb definierter Regionen zu verwenden. Das war besonders in der Vergangenheit der Fall, als definierte Regionen übersichtlich waren. Mit der Globalisierung wurden diese lokalen Rahmen gesprengt, mit der Digitalisierung atomisiert!

Diese (künstlich) definierten Regionen werden immer weiter aufgebrochen. Im Falle von Sprachen vermischen sich Kulturen und ethnische Gruppen immer mehr und bringen dadurch auch eine Vermischung von Sprachen mit sich. Das Internet hat zu einer Atomisierung dieser Regionen geführt. Das kann man z.B. an der heutigen Sprache im deutschsprachigen Raum erkennen, wo das sogenannte Denglisch immer weiter Einzug erhält und einige Berufsgruppen hauptsächlich auf Englisch kommunizieren (man denke an den Flugverkehr, Hochseeschifffahrt, aber auch Bereiche des Finanzsektors, der Medien und der Beratungen).

Ein Beispiel von künstlich erzeugten Rahmen und mit durch äußerer Gewalt erzeugter Singularität kann in der Debatte um Antriebstechnologien in der EU beobachtet werden. Hier wird mit Hilfe von Gesetzen eine Technologie zum One-Size-Fits-All-Standard erhoben. Der Elektroantrieb bei Automobilen hat sicherlich seinen Platz, jedoch heißt es nicht, dass es verschiedene Anwendungsbereiche gibt, in denen Elektromobilität mehr oder weniger sinnvoll ist. Kleine Elektrofahrzeuge für den Innenstadtverkehr haben viele Vorteile gegenüber Abgase produzierenden Antrieben, die direkten Einfluss auf die Gesundheit der Menschen haben. Allerdings bedeutet dies nicht, dass Elektroantriebe auch für den Langstreckenverkehr sinnvoll sind, wenn die Alternative Wasserstoff- oder schadstoffarme Verbrennungsantriebe sind, die zum einen kostengünstiger, und zum anderen nachhaltiger sein können. Eine Gesetzgebung, die pauschal eine Technologie über seine Wettbewerbstechnologien stellt, führt zu einer künstlich hervorgerufenen Singularität, die aber nicht die oben genannten Kriterien der Nutzenmaximierung und der Netzwerkeffekte erfüllt.

Geld hat in seiner Geschichte eine ähnliche Entwicklung erfahren. Das ist eine ganz natürliche Entwicklung, da Geld einen Schutz vor Spezialisierung bietet. Denn die Spezialisierung auf einen bestimmten Produktions- / Dienstleistungsbereich ist erstmal positiv und führt zu einer Steigerung von Produktion und Wohlstand, allerdings ist diese auch riskant, da nicht alle Menschen das erzeugte Gut im Austausch oder im Handel akzeptieren werden. Wenn das erzeugte Gut in neutrales Geld getauscht werden kann, bietet das dem Produzenten einen gewissen Schutz.

Wenn ein Produzent sich nicht sicher sein kann, was er/sie in Zukunft mit seinen erwirtschafteten Überhängen erwerben oder investieren möchte, ist das Gut, das am besten zum Sparen dieser Profite geeignet ist, dasjenige, das über die besten Geldeigenschaften verfügt. In einem regional eingeschränkten Rahmen mag dies eine lokale Währung sein, doch in einer Welt, in der internationaler Handel und Austausch betrieben wird, erlangt das Geld mit der höchsten Neutralität oder der weitverbreitetsten Akzeptanz automatisch die besten Geldeigenschaften.

Wenn man z.B. den südafrikanischen Rand mit US Dollars vergleicht, wird man sehen, dass der USD eine viel höhere Akzeptanz genießt, als der ZAR. Man wird wahrscheinlich selbst in asiatischen Ländern im Notfall mit USD bezahlen können, einfach weil die Handelspartner dort wissen, dass es für sie einfach ist, USD in ihre lokale Währung umzutauschen. Mit Rand wird man Probleme bekommen, da diese als Tauschobjekt von Handelspartnern keine Zustimmung genießen.

https://www.genexyz.org/post/28-block-780040-ist-bitcoin-geld-wuwok0/

Wenn es in der Gesellschaft mehr als ein Geld gibt, gibt es immer einen gewissen Risikokompromiss das eine oder das Zahlungsmittel zu akzeptieren. Dies führt zu einem Anreiz, das beste Geld zu wählen - sofern diese Wahl überhaupt besteht - und damit zu einem natürlichen Druck nach einem gemeinsamen Geld, das diese Risikoabwägung eliminiert.

Dieser natürliche Druck nach einem gemeinsamen Geld sorgt für Wohlstand in der Gesellschaft. Doch ist die Realität eben auch, dass Staaten oder Regierungen genau hier eingreifen und den Menschen das eigene Geld auferlegen und diesem eben auch einen Wert zuweisen. Dies erlaubt den kontrollierenden Akteuren, den erzeugten Wohlstand abzusaugen (Steuern, Fiskal- und Geldpolitik), denn diesen können sie entweder für sich behalten oder verteilen ihn ungleichmäßig um.

Dieses Eingreifen in den marktwirtschaftlichen Prozess der Geldevolution kann nur ein Geld verhindern, das außerhalb dieser künstlich von außen geschaffenen Rahmen existiert. Ein Geld, das weder von Institutionen oder Regierungen geschaffen und in Umlauf gebracht wird. Ein Zahlungsmittel mit nahezu perfekten neutralen Geldeigenschaften (teilbar, austauschbar, einfach transportierbar, haltbar, prüfbar, knapp, universell akzeptiert und leicht sicherungsfähig, sowie erlaubnis- und vertrauenslos) ermöglicht den oben beschriebenen Druck nach einem gemeinsamen Geld und befeuert den damit einhergehenden Wohlstand in der Gesellschaft.

Wäre es nicht schön, wenn so ein Zahlungsmittel mit nahezu perfekten Geldeigenschaften vor knapp 14 Jahren entdeckt worden wäre? Der einzige Weg, den natürlichen Entwicklungsprozess hin zu einem singulären Geldstandard zu stoppen, ist durch Verbote und Regulierungen seitens der herrschenden Obrigkeiten - siehe Verbrennungsmotor. Doch ist es viel leichter ein Abgase emittierendes Auto von der Straße zu ziehen und stillzulegen, als einem/r mündigen Bürger//in zu verbieten sein/ihr Erspartes in einer harten Geldform zu lagern und mit anderen Nutzer//innen frei zu handeln.

🫳🎤

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In diesem Sinne, 2... 1... Risiko!‌

@ d5301745:bc7cda1a

Do you need help with the "Orbi Connection Problem"? Your network's performance and connectivity may be affected by this frequent problem. The first step in fixing it is to use the default IP or web address to reach the Orbi Login page. Next, make sure all connections are safe, update firmware, and check your settings. Restarting your extender and router may also be beneficial. A steady and dependable internet connection can be promptly restored by troubleshooting via the Orbi Login interface.

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

Table Of Content

• ZeroSync's Vision for Bitcoin

• The Privacy Advantage

• ZeroSync's Journey and Support

• Bitcoin's Resistance to Change

• The Future: Bitcoin Simplicity

• Conclusion

• FAQ

A Swiss non-profit, ZeroSync, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative, working on the world's first zero-knowledge light client for Bitcoin. This significant advancement is aimed at integrating zero-knowledge proofs into the most valuable cryptocurrency network.

ZeroSync's Vision for Bitcoin

ZeroSync's verifier for Bitcoin's block headers paves the way for the creation of a zk proof-based light client. This is a monumental step in their vision of permissionless innovation, as explained by project lead Robin Linus. The immediate application of such a light client could be to operate a Bitcoin full node on devices as compact as mobile phones. Furthermore, ZeroSync envisions a second-layer protocol over Bitcoin that can introduce tokens, like stablecoins, to the Bitcoin network. This would also lead to a substantial increase in throughput, up to 20 to 50 times, without necessitating any forks.

The Privacy Advantage

One of the standout features of this solution is its ability to process around 100 transactions on the base layer. Additionally, it offers unparalleled privacy. Transactions can be encrypted, both in terms of amounts and transaction graphs, providing privacy levels on par with cryptocurrencies like Zcash. Interestingly, this privacy feature is a natural outcome of the protocol's utilization of STARKs, a proving system developed by StarkWare, rather than an intentional design element.

ZeroSync's Journey and Support

ZeroSync's endeavors have garnered support in the form of grants from Geometry Research in 2022 and StarkWare more recently. Their pioneering work marks the first attempt to employ StarkWare's Cairo programming language outside the Ethereum ecosystem. While a soft fork would be essential for the trustless bitcoin bridging on the envisioned layer-2 network, the network can still support features like token transfers where transaction fees are paid in stablecoins, eliminating the need for Bitcoin.

Bitcoin's Resistance to Change

Bitcoin's design inherently resists change, demanding consensus from Core developers and almost unanimous agreement from full node operators, including miners. The last soft fork, Taproot, which took place in 2021, was years in the making and was only activated after over 90% of node operators gave their approval. Linus emphasizes the importance of some changes, especially the integration of a zk proof verifier on Bitcoin. ZeroSync aims to play a pivotal role in determining the most viable approach and actively participates in the community to drive this vision forward.

The Future: Bitcoin Simplicity

Zero-knowledge proof technology is still nascent, with various proof systems available, each with its own set of trade-offs. Reaching a consensus on a single system is challenging. However, Linus anticipates that the Simplicity programming language, introduced by Blockstream about half a decade ago, might offer a solution. Described as "Bitcoin's last soft fork," Simplicity could significantly enhance Bitcoin's scripting capabilities. The adoption of Simplicity would provide zk proof teams with the flexibility to choose their preferred proof system, eliminating debates over which verifier to activate.

Conclusion

The advancements spearheaded by ZeroSync have the potential to usher in a new era for the Bitcoin network. By integrating zero-knowledge proofs, Bitcoin can achieve heightened levels of privacy and security, ensuring that transaction details remain confidential while still being verifiable. This not only enhances user trust but also positions Bitcoin as a more versatile and adaptable cryptocurrency. Furthermore, the potential adoption of the Simplicity programming language could be a game-changer. It promises to amplify Bitcoin's scripting capabilities, paving the way for more sophisticated applications and functionalities on the network.

FAQ

What is ZeroSync? ZeroSync is a Swiss non-profit working on the world's first zero-knowledge light client for Bitcoin.

What are zero-knowledge proofs? Zero-knowledge proofs are cryptographic methods that allow one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any specific information about the statement itself.

How can ZeroSync benefit Bitcoin? ZeroSync aims to introduce a zk proof-based light client, enabling operations like running a Bitcoin full node on mobile devices and increasing transaction throughput without requiring forks.

What is the significance of STARKs in ZeroSync's protocol? STARKs, developed by StarkWare, are used in ZeroSync's protocol, providing enhanced transaction privacy as a natural outcome.

What is the Simplicity programming language? Introduced by Blockstream, Simplicity is a smart contract language that could significantly enhance Bitcoin's scripting capabilities, potentially being the last soft fork for Bitcoin.

That's all for today

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

@ e3899a52:dd88183f

The term "gooch" is often used informally to refer to the area of skin between the genitals and the anus, also known as the perineum.

The three main functions are as follows, in case you have always wondered, but were embarrassed to ask:

1. It serves as a support structure for the pelvic organs.
2. The area is rich in nerve endings, which can contribute to sexual pleasure.
3. It can be a focus in certain medical examinations or procedures.

Well that is about all I know about gooches, but I would love to hear about your tips or fun facts.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/842897

@ 4d4fb5ff:1e821f47

Numerical heatmap derived from biologically-sourced data. I reversed the process of scientific discovery by stripping away the context of data collected in four of my published experiments, leaving only single digits. This makes the table appear to include only unrelated, random numbers. However, since the numbers come from real world data, there remains meaningful hidden structure in the grid. This invites the viewer to participate in parsing signal from noise.

@ 4d4fb5ff:1e821f47

Overlay of the molecular structures of two proteins. This two-step work is comprised of animations I captured from public data while in graduate school, which marked the beginning of my interest in biological, data-driven art. After being stored for over a decade on a thumb drive, I merged two of the animations to create a new entity in 2024, linking past and present, which is mirrored in the interactions of the two major protein folds (alpha helices and beta sheets).

@ 4d4fb5ff:1e821f47

Sanger sequencing traces. I extracted DNA directly from my cells and determined their sequence, which is visualized by the bottom trace. In a second sample, I mutated my DNA enzymatically and used to same process to determine the sequence, shown in the top trace. Each peak and color represents a unique DNA base (A, T, C or G) in part of a gene with 13 bases shown here in total. This biogenerative process resulted in the center base changing from T to C, resulting in a slightly different, mixed peak by comparison. To further separate this work from being purely scientific, I did not record specific details about the experimental process.

@ 0155373a:ba3e1bed

Imagine an internet where you don’t need a big Internet Service Provider (ISP) to stay connected—an internet powered by the people, for the people. Decentralized internet is no longer a far-fetched idea; it's becoming a reality through community-driven networks. These networks rely on individuals within a community to act as "nodes," connecting their neighbors to the web and bypassing traditional ISPs.

What is Decentralized Internet?

Decentralized internet refers to a system where control over connectivity and access is distributed among individuals or local organizations rather than being concentrated in large ISPs. Instead of paying a single company for access, people in a community collaborate to build and maintain the network themselves.

How Does It Work?

1. Mesh Networks: Each participant (or node) in the network connects to nearby nodes, creating a web of connectivity. This eliminates the need for a central ISP.
2. Hardware: Nodes are powered by simple devices like routers or small computers running specialized software.
3. Peer-to-Peer Sharing: Data flows through multiple nodes in the network, ensuring redundancy and reliability.
4. Backbone Connection: Some networks may still rely on a single connection to a traditional ISP for broader internet access, but others can connect to decentralized backbone providers or satellites.

Benefits of Decentralized Internet

• Affordable Access: By cutting out traditional ISPs, communities can lower the cost of internet access.
• Empowerment: Communities gain control over their own connectivity and data, reducing reliance on corporations.
• Resilience: Decentralized networks are less prone to outages since they don’t depend on a single point of failure.
• Privacy: With less reliance on ISPs, there’s less risk of surveillance and data tracking.
• Inclusivity: Remote or underserved areas can establish connectivity without waiting for ISPs to expand their infrastructure.

Real-World Examples

• Guifi.net: A community network in Spain that has thousands of nodes providing internet to rural areas.
• NYC Mesh: A grassroots effort in New York City to create an affordable, community-owned internet.
• Althea: A project enabling neighbors to share internet bandwidth and earn income for participating in the network.

How to Get Started

1. Educate Yourself: Research mesh network technologies like OpenWRT, LibreMesh, or BATMAN.
2. Form a Group: Collaborate with neighbors or community organizations to pool resources.
3. Get the Hardware: Invest in routers and antennas that support mesh networking.
4. Set Up Nodes: Position nodes strategically to ensure strong connections across the community.
5. Collaborate: Join forces with regional or global decentralized internet initiatives for support and knowledge sharing.

The Future of Decentralized Internet

As internet access becomes increasingly vital, decentralized networks present a way to bridge the digital divide and democratize connectivity. By building these systems, communities can take charge of their digital futures and ensure that no one is left behind.

Together, we can create an internet that is truly open, accessible, and resilient. The power lies in our hands—let’s connect, one node at a time.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na startit.rs

25.12.2014 / Autor: Zoja Kukić

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Ko je na početku prošle godine kupio Bitcoin, sigurno nije zadovoljan. Vrednost ove kritpovalute je u odnosu na početak godine pala 52% u odnosu na dolar, ali je zato iznos investicija u BTC projekte ove godine skoro 3 puta viši nego sve prethodne investicije zajedno. Ovaj negativan trend ga je do prošle nedelje činio najgorom investicijom, lošijim

Ko je na početku prošle godine kupio Bitcoin, sigurno nije zadovoljan. Vrednost ove kritpovalute je u odnosu na početak godine pala 52% u odnosu na dolar, ali je zato iznos investicija u BTC projekte ove godine skoro 3 puta viši nego sve prethodne investicije zajedno.

Ovaj negativan trend ga je do prošle nedelje činio najgorom investicijom, lošijim čak i od rublje koja prolazi kroz najveći svoj pad u poslednjih 16 godina, međutim ipak se izvukao u poslednjim danima.

U ovu godinu BTC ušao je vredan 770,44$, već 6. januara je dostigao svoju najvišu vrednost od 951$, a danas vredi 332$.

Kraj BTC kao spekulativne valute?

Pad Bitcoina može da se posmatra i sa pozitivne strane, jer može da označava njegov kraj kao spekulativne valute i ulazak u pravu bitcoin ekonomiju. Što pre ljudi prestanu da je kupuju samo da bi je kasnije prodali i zapravo počnu da ga koriste za kupovinu/prodaju dobara i usluga, to će pre postati stabilniji i realniji u vrednosti, a samim tim i prihvaćeniji, što opet utiče na njegovu vrednost.

U poslednjih nekoliko meseci Bitcoin nije ooscilirao kao ranije – kretao se između 300 i 400$.

Razlozi za smanjenu vrednost Bitcoina mogu biti različiti, pa se tako pretpostavlja da su rani prihvatioci sredinom ove godine prodavali svoje Bitcoine, briga oko regulative ili konkurencije, smanjeno učešće špekulanata, ali i jačanje dolara, sa kojim se najčešće stavlja u relaciju.

Iz ugla korisnika Bitcoina – bilo onoga koji kupuje njime, ili onog koji ga prodaje, ovo je dobar znak, jer je život mnogo lakši ako znate da je Bitcoin približno 350$.

Da bi ova kriptovaluta bila prihvaćena od strane masa, potrebno je da bude stabilna i ova godina može biti uvod u to. Stabilna valuta vodi većoj upotrebi BTC, a što je veći broj transakcija između kupovine Bitcoina i prodaje istog, to će valuta biti realnija i samim tim, stabilnija.

Broj kupaca i prodavaca koji koriste Bitcoin ove godine je drastično porastao i završićemo godinu sa više od 90.000 biznisa čije porizvode ili usluge možete kupiti ovom valutom. Iako su to uglavnom bili biznisi iz različitih niša, primetan je rast u prihvaćenosti od strane velikih kompanija, kao što su npr. Dell i Microsoft.

Bitcoin kao sredstvo plaćanja, a ne štednje ili investicije

Iako je vrednost Bitcoina opala i može dobiti titulu jedne od lošijih investicija (opet, ako ulažete samo da biste nakon određenog vremena pokupili kajmak), investitori i dalje intenzivno ulažu u BTC projekte. Razlog leži u tome što bez obzira na vrednost Bitcoina, njegova upotreba sve više raste i gledajući iz tog ugla, ova godina je bila prilično uspešna i to se vidi i po investicijama.

Od ukupno 317 miliona dolara koliko investicija su pridobili projekti zasnovani na BTC, čak 71% je investirano ove godine.

Špekulanti nisu samo negativno uticali na BTC – svakako su značajno uticali na nepredvidivost i česte promene vrednosti Bitcoina, ali su ove aktivnosti privukle pažnju medija i javnosti što je uticalo na rast baze korisnika Bitcoina. Moglo bi se pretpostaviti da je sada taj broj korisnika dostigao kritičnu masu i da je vreme za realnu BTC ekonomiju – onu u kojoj će ljudi zaista trgovati Bitcoinima, a ne držati ih da bi ih prodali.

Naravno, postoji i negativna strana priče, a to je mogućnost da špekulanti odlaze masovno, jer predviđaju još veći krah ove valute, kojoj je ishod sa regulativama i bezbednošču i dalje neizvestan. Kao i sve drugo, vreme će pokazati.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na startit.rs

20.03.2014 / Autor: Pavle Mihajlović

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Kada pomislimo na novac prvo nam prolete slike keša. Novac je pre svega sredstvo razmene, koje omogućava jednostavnu trgovinu. To je takođe merilo putem kojeg pratimo poslovanje i čuvamo ostvarenu ekonomsku vrednost.

Školjke, kamenčići, žito, tkanina, metalni novac i na kraju papir, koji su se svi koristili kao sredstvo plaćanja, pokazuju da je od materijala, za novac, mnogo važnije ispunjenje tri pomenute funkcije. Poslednja inovacija na tom polju je digitalna valuta koja bi mogla da omogući da se trgovina, obračun i čuvanje vrednosti obavljaju najjeftinije i najefikasnije do sada.

Postoji čitav niz tekstova koje možete pronaći na internetu koji će mnogo bolje i detaljnije objasniti tehničku stranu Bitcoina. Niti znam, niti bih mogao da razumem detalje, te ovde iznosim ekonomsku (teorijsku) perspektivu. Ukratko, Bitcoin nastaje procesom rudarenja “mining”, koji podrazumeva da vaš računar rešava izuzetno komplikovanu jednačinu. Rešavanjem dobijate pravo na nagradu – određeni deo jedinice bitcoina.

Otprilike u čitavom sistemu, 6 Bitcoina se izrudari svakog sata. U opticaju je trenutno 12 miliona Bitcoina a maksimalni potencijal je 21 milion. Bitcoin takođe možete kupiti na nekoj od više stotina aktivnih berzi za konvencionalne valute, ili neposredno od drugih vlasnika.

Nakon rudarenja ili kupovine, vaš bitcoin nalazi se u digitalnom novčaniku koji putem kriptovanih poruka i umršenih protokola komunicira sa drugim novčanicima. To vam omogućava da preko određenih sajtova i klijent servera koji pružaju uslugu uparivanja digitalnih novčanika, izdate transakciju prema nekom drugom korisniku koji ima digitalni novčanik.

Na kraju sve transakcije moraju proći kroz protokol verifikacije koji se, opet za nagradu, obavlja decentralizovano od strane mnogih korisnika. U suštini, to je primena koncepta klirinških kuća na digitalnu valutu.

Cilj osnivača Bitcoina je verovatno bio da ta valuta postane sredstvo razmene i merilo vrednosti u savremenoj realnoj i virtuelnoj privredi. Uz sve oscilacije vrednosti i problem koje valuta proživljava, ovo je jedna od najvažnijih inovacija u monetarnoj sferi koja bi mogla iz temelja da promeni ekonomski sistem u kojem ćemo živati za par decenija.

Kao decentralizovana digitalna valuta Bitcoin oživljava u digitalnom svetu, principe davno napuštenog sistema zlatnog standarda, kakav je postojao u srednjem veku i ranim fazama razvoja kapitalizma. Suštinske sličnosti sa zlatnim standardnom je ideja da se ograničenom ponudom Bitcoina i odsustvom bilo kojeg autoriteta koji upravlja ponudom očuva vrednost valute. Prednost bitcoina u odnosu na zlato je u tome što se može beskonačno deliti na mnogo decimala, što je gotovo besplatan za održavanje i skladištenje i vrlo jeftin za proizvodnju u poređenju sa zlatom.

Ograničenje ponude Bitcoina je važno jer čuva vrednost. Da je rudarenje neograničeno, dugoročno, njegova vrednost bi se svela na trošak struje, amortizaciju procesa i rad ljudi potrebnih da se izrudari. Uz napredovanje tehnologije rezultat bi bio da se Bitcoin ne bi fundamentalno razlikovao od konvencionalnih valuta, koje su kroz sto godina inflacije izgubile preko 90% svoje nominalne vrednosti.

Druga važna karakteristika je decentralizovanost. Svaki pojedinac može učestvovati u rudarenju, razmena je potpuno dobrovoljna, a kontrola protokola razmene je decentralizovana, jer mnogi članovi zajednice mogu vršiti kontrolu i nadzor sigurnosti transakcija.

Nijedna država ne može uticati na razmenski kurs između Bitcoina i drugih valuta – već je to prepušteno tržišnim silama. Za razliku od modernih nacionalnih valuta, ne postoji niti jedan monopol u ponudi valute, niti ograničenje korišćenja isključivo jednog platežnog sredstva (legal tender law).

Ako Bitcoin prestane da vrši funckije novca na dobar način, ako mu padne vrednost ili propadne uvek se može dobrovoljno preći na bilo koju drugu digitalnu valutu ili konvencionalan novac.

Pobednik ili pokojnik?

Bitcoin je novotarija i kao svaka novotarija ima veliki broj entuzijasta koji se brzo zainteresovao za digitalnu kripto-valutu. Koncept kriptovanih protokola, decentralizovane kontrole transakcija i ograničene ponude vrlo je primamljiv. Istraživanja korisnika verovatno bi pokazala da su korisnici Bitcoina oni koji tragaju za revolucionarnim rešenjima, koji ne veruju u savremeni finansijski sistem, ljudi koji su entuzijastični po pitanju uloge ICT u životu, oni koji traže visok nivo diskrecije i poverljivosti informacija na internetu, hakeri, kriminalci, trgovci ilegalnim robama i dr.

Međutim, kratkoročno mnogo važniji faktor za razvoj i opstanak Bitcoina su finansijski investitori – ljudi koji pre svega ulažu u bitcoin kako bi ga kasnije prodali po višoj ceni, a ne zbog neposrednog korišćenja valute za transakcije ili obračun. Sa rastom popularnosti i ograničenom ponudom cena Bitcoina je brzo porasla a tokom poslednjih 6 meseci doživela dramatičan skok i fluktuacije.

Bitcoin je balon čija vrednost je precenjena u odnosu na fundamentalnu funkcije novca. Upravo zbog toga, svaka negativna informacija ili dnevni pad vrednosti od 10% čine špekulativne investitore nervoznim i oni pokušavaju da se oslobode Bitcoina kako bi sačuvali prinos investicije. Time se urušava trenutna vrednost Bitcoina na berzama i dolazi do strmoglavog pada.

Takođe, negativan uticaj imaju i vlasti pojedinih nacionalnih država koje su promenama regulacije ili pretnjama uspele da na kratko uzdrmaju poverenje u digitalnu valutu. Veliki udarac dogodio se krajem februara kada je nestala berza za razmenu Bitcoina MtGox.com i oborio vrednost valute za jednu petinu. Pre nekoliko dana direktorka jedne od berzi pronađena je mrtva.

Svašta je moguće u uzburkanom svetu špekulacija koji danas čini Bitcoin. Nije isključeno da ćemo otkriti puno lakih zarada, puno primera vrednog i upornog rada koji se isplatio. Takođe, biće investitora koji će izgubiti bogatstva, kriminala, velikih prevara. Zato sa ovom valutom treba biti posebno oprezan.

Bitcoinom danas vladaju finansijski zakoni, mnogo više nego logika protokola, kriptografske karateristike primenjene tehnologije ili korisnost Bitcoina u izvrđenju transakcija. Ako želite da se obogatite, pametno i strpljivo ulaganje u Bitcoin može vam doneti veliku zaradu.

Ovaj tekst vam neće reći kako da ulažete, kao što vam nijedan tekst na internet ne može reći. Pritom ne zaboravite da je ulaganje u Bitcoin radi brzo zarade finansijsko ulaganje. Odvojite vaš sud od emocija, “osećaja” i entuzijazma za tehnologiom i ne zaboravite zlatno pravilo finansija: never risk what you cannot afford to lose!

Finansijske spekulacije mogu kratkoročno uzdići Bitcoin veoma visoko, ali ga mogu i uništiti u veoma kratkom roku. Međutim, jedna stvar je sigurna, digitalne valute predstavljaju budućnost. Pojava desetina drugih konkurentskih valuta pokazuje da je budućnost veoma blizu. U svetu oštre konkurencije i inovacija možemo očekivati mnoštvo različitih koncepata digitalnih valuta, tehnička rešenja i poboljšanja koja će sve bolje težiti ostvarenju funkcija novca.

U svetu decentralizacije, slobode i odustva autoriteta, mudrost miliona koji učestvuju u procesu stvaranja novog monetarnog sistema, dovešće do izdvajanja nekoliko ili jedne digitalne valute koja najbolje zadovoljava funkciju novca. Vrlo lako može da se desi da to uopšte ne bude Bitcoin, kao što su i mnoge vodeće inovacije izgubile bitku sa svojim sledbenicima.

Digitalna valuta osnovni preduslov za internet prodaju

Svi ljudi koji se bave ICT ili imaju startap moraju razmišljati sa perspektivom integrisanja digitalnih valuta u svoj portfolio usluga ili kao segment proizvoda, ukoliko žele da učestvuju u najvećoj monetarnoj revoluciji od štampanog novca. Najvažniji pokazatelj koji možete pratiti nije trenutna cena neke digitalne valute – ona je dugoročno irelevantna – već ukupnu vrednost svih transakcija koje se obave digitalnim valutama.

Sigurnost, lakoća transakcija, dobrovoljno učestvovanje, ograničena ponuda i decentralizacija kontrole nad valutama dovešće dugoročno do istiskivanja konvencionalnih valuta, prvo sa interneta, a potom verovatno i iz ostatka ekonomije.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na velikeprice.com

28.01.2024 / Autor: Uroš Popović

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Najpopularnija i najkontroverznija kriptovaluta napunila je 15 godina ali razlog za otvaranje hladnog šampanjca nemaju baš svi. Već na početku, vreme je za trenutak iskrenosti – autor ovih redova nije u grupi onih kojima je bitcoin promenio život. Makar ne zasada.

Dok slavimo petnaesti rođendan prve BTC transakcije, svima nama koji smo ušli u to digitalno kolo u glavi je verovatno samo jedno pitanje – kako smo propustili šansu da na vreme obezbedimo budućnost? Ja bih dodao i taj crveni kabriolet o kojem godinama maštam…

Satoshi Nakamoto – heroj ili zločinac?

Sasvim sigurno najzvučniji pseudonim na svetu decenijama prati misterioznu osobu koja (navodno) stoji iza projekta zvanog bitcoin. Japanac ili ne, još uvek ne znamo i male su šanse da ćemo ikada saznati.

Ono što znamo je sledeće – izvesni avatar Satoshi Nakamoto tog januara 2009. započeo je svojevrsni monetarni udar. Mnogi će danas reći – čak i revoluciju! I neće mnogo pogrešiti.

Iako ga skoro svi posmatraju kao prečicu do brzog i lakog bogaćenja, što on za mali broj srećnika definitivno i jeste, bitcoin je prvenstveno označio uspešno odvajanje novca od strogog zagrljaja države i interesa nezajažljivih banaka. A to ima dobre i one manje pozitivne strane.

Bitcoin je od starta rastao na FOMO talasu, kojem su u velikoj meri doprineli i mediji. Bili su to dani kada je popularnost kriptovaluta bila na istorijskom maksimumu i svi su želeli parče tog digitalnog kolača. Mamac je bila instant zarada, što je udica kojoj nisam odoleo…

Bitcoin je pre svega postmodernistička alternativa za papirni novac. Satoshi Nakamoto je omogućio korisnicima da urade ono o čemu su sanjale generacije – da efikasno zaobiđu finansijske institucije (u najkraćem provizije i praćenje tokova novca) kako bi obavljali transakcije. Sve to širom sveta, praktično bez ikakvih granica i ograničenja. Uslov je bio i ostao jedino pristup internetu.

Paradoksalno, bitcoin u prvih godinu dana praktično nije vredeo ništa. Tako je bilo sve do 22. maja 2010. kada se sve preko noći promenilo. Tada su za 10.000 bitcoina kupljene dve pice, cena je počela da raste i ostalo je istorija. Danas se u BTC zajednici 22. maj simbolično slavi kao Pizza Day, prelomni momenat u svetu kriptovaluta.

Prednosti su već u početku bile brojne i evidentne. Jedan od glavnih ciljeva prilikom stvaranja kriptovalute bila je sloboda, tj. nezavisnost mreže od bilo kojeg organa vlasti. Svi znamo da banke danas znaju praktično sve o nama, klijentima, dok je s bitcoinom drugačije jer digitalni novčanik ne mora biti vezan ni za jednu ličnu informaciju.

Osim sve traženije anonimnosti tu je i brzina – bitcoin mreža obrađuje transfere gotovo trenutno. Potrebno je svega nekoliko minuta da na drugoj strani sveta zaista i primite bitcoin ili njegov deo, čemu je priznaćete nemoguće parirati. Ruku na srce, novi sistem nije mogao da prođe i bez zloupotreba pa je Satoshi Nakamoto (svesno ili ne) stvorio verovatno idealan ambijent za ilegalne aktivnosti koje su bez izuzetka ostajale ispod radara.

Prvo i najvažnije pravilo ulaganja u kriptovalute glasi – nikada ne bi trebalo da uložite novac koji niste spremni da izgubite! Ponovite ovu rečenicu mnogo, mnogo puta… A onda još jednom!

Rast vrednosti kriptovaluta, prvenstveno bitcoina, i interesovanje medija podstakli su s vremenom i radoznale laike, među njima i moju malenkost. I tako je započelo pumpanje balona koji u svakom momentu može da pukne! Ali i ne mora.

Privlačnost virtuelnog novčića vezana je za ono hazardersko u nama. Priznali to sebi ili ne, svi ga imamo i stoji nam na ramenu. Taj homo ludens je u jednom momentu prevladao, nije odoleo izazovu igre, lakog novca. Narodski, bez motike…

Iako sam propustio prve vagone, u kripto voz ušao sam dovoljno brzo da simboličan ulog u relativno kratkom periodu višestruko naraste. I tu leži prokletstvo – kada je zaista dovoljno, postoji li pravi momenat za rikverc i povlačenje iz bitcoin ruleta?

U mom slučaju taj trenutak je prošao i ulog se (mnogo) brže nego što sam očekivao smanjivao, topio i gotovo nestao. Sportskim rečnikom, platio sam danak neiskustvu. Tako sam na teži način usvojio najvažniju lekciju – za uspeh u kripto svetu je osim velike doze sreće potrebno mnogo znanja, pravovremene reakcije ali i monaškog strpljenja. Svega što tada nisam imao. Prvi korak bilo je učenje, štrebersko. Prva klupa i baby steps!

Greater fool theory – da li je bitcoin digitalno zlato?

Iako ime poznate teorije zvuči uvredljivo, Greater fool theory bazira se na verovanju da će izvesni artikal biti prodat po većoj ceni nekom drugom, sledećem kupcu. Da ne kažemo većoj budali… To je princip na kojem u dobroj meri funkcioniše i bitcoin.

Iz ekonomske perspektive, bitcoin se lako može uporediti sa zlatom jer je njegova najveća vrednost ograničena količina. I BTC kao i Au gotovo svi žele. Kao dodatak, ni zlato ni bitcoin se ne mogu pronaći baš na svakom koraku.

Simbolika je i više nego jasna. Od sudbonosnog januara 2009. zamišljeno je da svetom cirkuliše ograničen broj digitalnih „novčanica“, preciznije 21 milion, što BTC bitno razlikuje od zvaničnog novca države koji se, kao što znamo, po potrebi štampa.

Sličnostima tu nije kraj. Poput nekadašnje zlatne groznice i bitcoin je potrebno pronaći, što nije jednostavan a ni jeftin zadatak. A za tu rabotu je bilo neophodno mukotrpno kopanje, prilagođeno 21. veku.

Iako sada to verovatno znaju i vrapci na grani, digitalni grumen dobija se procesom rudarenja (engleski mining) koje obavljaju moćni kompjuteri. Drugi način je kupovina već izrudarenih bitcoina na berzi. Pogađate, odabrao sam taj drugi, lakši put i uštedeo na računima za struju.

Optimizam ulagača (pa i mene) i dalje se u velikoj meri bazira na veri, jer bitcoinu leđa ne drži država a nije pokriven ni hipotekama. Srećom, postoje nepisana pravila koja su u proteklih petnaest godina potvrdila da određene zakonitosti ipak postoje.

Čekajući kraj kripto zime: kalendar promena i zašto je bitan

Najbrži rast cena desio se u prvih nekoliko godina akcije, kada je za BTC malo ko znao i kada se retko trgovalo. Taj momenat je prošao, pa sada moramo da se oslonimo na taktiku praćenja popularnih „bear“ i „bull“ perioda. Objasniću.

Termini „bik“ i „medved“ obično se koriste za opisivanje tržišta, deonica ili kriptovaluta. U tom kontekstu, tržište u porastu naziva se tržištem bikova, dok se tržište u padu naziva tržištem medveda.

Nakon veoma loših godina kojima su vladale medveđe šape, konačno se nazire svetlo na kraju tunela. Period poznat kao kripto zima najčešće traje oko dve godine nakon čega cena kriptovaluta ponovo počinje da raste. Takav trend se čeka u 2024. godini!

Vreme je za novi bull run!

Početak godine obeležila je vest da je američka administracija konačno spustila gard prema kriptovalutama. Finansijske institucije su u SAD donele dugo očekivanu odluku koja dozvoljava investicionim kompanijama da aktivno ulažu u bitcoin, za klijente. Ovo zeleno svetlo obeležava jednu od najznačajnijih prekretnica u razvoju kripto industrije i veliki korak u širokom prihvatanju kriptovaluta.

Temelji novog, pa i mog optimizma leže i u šablonima po kojima bitcoin od samog početka funkcioniše. Taj kalendar pravilnosti kaže da je najkasnije sredinom 2024. (šuška se, već u aprilu) vreme za očekivani halving, osnovni mehanizam u bitcoin protokolu. Šta zapravo donosi fenomen halvinga?

Hrabrost ili ludost?! Prkoseći upozorenjima ali i neslaganju većine stanovništva Salvador je 2021. postao prva zemlja na svetu u kojoj se bitcoin koristi kao zvanična valuta. Ovaj eksperiment je makar zasada jedini…

Nakon što se izrudari oko 210.000 blokova, za šta je potrebno oko četiri godine, nagrada koja se dodeljuje rudarima za obradu transakcija pada za pedeset procenata. Halving smanjuje stopu po kojoj se novi digitalni novčići puštaju u opticaj, pa u skladu s opštim zakonom ekonomije dovodi do situacije u kojoj manja ponuda uz stabilnu tražnju rezultira višim cenama. Tako bi makar trebalo da bude, do sada je i bilo.

Ova imitacija oskudice ima za cilj da odbrani BTC tokom vremena, čineći ga atraktivnim čuvarom vrednosti. Kao rezultat toga, halving je ključna komponenta dugoročne ekonomske održivosti i trenutak koji svi (mi) nestrpljivo čekamo…

Iako su prognoze apsolutno nezahvalne, sve su to faktori koji najavljuju da bi cena bitcoina do kraja 2024. mogla čak da pređe i psihološku granicu od 100.000 dolara. A onda je nebo granica…

Informacije radi, u trenutku kada je ovaj tekst nastajao, cena za 1 BTC bila je 40.904,70 USD. Ne očajavajte, uvek možete kupiti i manji deo bitcoina, pošto je ta valuta deljiva čak do osme decimale.

I zato, this time next year…

Uroš Popović je lifestyle novinar iz Beograda, pasionirani ljubitelj automobila i saradnik Velikih priča.

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

In a world dominated by surveillance banking and inflationary currencies, a new paradigm is emerging—one where individuals can operate sovereign, theft-resistant checking accounts using the world's hardest money. This isn't your grandfather's checking account; it's an entirely new financial operating system built on Bitcoin and Lightning technology.

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The Bitcoin Checking Account Revolution

Traditional checking accounts are permission-based systems where banks maintain ultimate control over your money. In contrast, a sovereign Bitcoin checking account operates on a fundamentally different principle: you hold your own keys, control your own node, and maintain custody of your funds at all times. This architecture is built on several key components:

• Self-hosted nodes providing direct network access
• Lightning channels for instant settlement
• Hardware wallets for secure key storage
• Non-custodial software interfaces
• Automated accounting and payment systems

The concept of a Bitcoin checking account represents a paradigm shift in daily financial operations. Imagine getting a direct deposit sent to your lightning node and using NWC and a variety of plug and play solutions to handle things regarding accounting, bill pay, and daily POS transactions. We're starting to see these options emerge through services like Bitcoin Well, Albyhub, Strike, Clams and Cash App.

Breaking Free from Financial Surveillance

The current banking system tracks every transaction, creating a detailed financial surveillance network. Sovereign Bitcoin checking accounts offer a powerful alternative:

• Private lightning channels for daily transactions
• E-cash protocols for enhanced privacy
• Peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries
• No account freezes or arbitrary limits
• Freedom from traditional banking hours and restrictions

Lightning and Cashu offer additional privacy and settlement speeds while enabling low cost transactions, and I believe these protocols will grow and exceed our expectations. The products and services for managing your bitcoin checking account will get more private and efficient as time moves forward.

The Daily Operations Revolution

Operating a sovereign checking account transforms everyday financial activities:

1. Income Reception

2. Direct deposit straight to Lightning

3. Instant availability of funds
4. No hold periods or bank delays

5. Multiple invoice routes for different income streams

6. Payment Management

7. Automated bill payments via Lightning

8. Instant merchant settlements
9. Cross-border transactions without fees

10. Dynamic fee management for optimal efficiency

11. Liquidity Control

12. Self-managed channel balances

13. Cold storage integration for savings
14. Automated rebalancing protocols
15. Real-time capital efficiency

The Deflationary Advantage

Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect is operating a checking account in deflationary money. This fundamentally changes spending psychology and financial planning:

• Each sat potentially appreciates over time
• Natural incentive for thoughtful spending
• Built-in savings mechanism
• Protection from currency debasement

Global Market Integration

This new financial infrastructure enables seamless participation in the global economy:

• Borderless transactions
• 24/7 market access
• Direct international trade
• No forex fees or exchange rate manipulation
• Instant settlement across time zones

Security and Resilience

The system's security model represents a significant advancement:

• Multi-signature protocols
• Timelocked recovery options
• Distributed backup systems
• Attack-resistant architecture
• No single points of failure

The Future of Personal Banking

As this technology matures, we're likely to see:

• Simplified user interfaces
• Enhanced privacy tools
• Better integration with existing systems
• More automated financial management
• Increased merchant adoption

In conclusion, sovereign Bitcoin checking accounts represent more than just a new way to bank—they're a fundamental reset of the relationship between individuals and their money. This system combines the security of cold storage with the utility of traditional checking accounts, all while leveraging the strength of deflationary sound money. As adoption grows, these accounts will likely become the standard for those seeking financial sovereignty in an increasingly digital world.

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The revolution isn't just about holding bitcoin—it's about using it in a way that maintains sovereignty while enabling practical daily finance. This is the future of money, and it's already here for those ready to embrace it.

@ f88e6629:e5254dd5

• Send a transaction, and the recipient uses the coin for another payment. You then merge these two transactions together and save on fees. 🔥

If you have a Trezor, you can try this out on: https://coiner-mu.vercel.app/

But be cautious. This is a hobby project without any guarantee.

How does it work?

1. Connect Trezor, enter the passphrase, and select an account.
2. The application display your coins, pending transactions, and descendant transactions.
3. Then app shows you how much you can save by merging all transactions and removing duplicate information.
4. Finally, you can sign and broadcast this more efficient transaction

@ 2fb77d26:c47a6ee1

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

wenn wir an Schlachtfelder denken, sehen wir vor unserem inneren Auge düstere Bilder von verkohlten Wracks, von Einschlagkratern, schreienden Verwundeten, Leichen und dichten Rauchschwaden, die am Horizont über verbrannter Erde wabern.

Vergleichbare Assoziationen drängen sich auf, versucht man in Bilder zu fassen, in was für einer Gesellschaft wir mittlerweile leben. Intellektuelle Wracks, mediales Flächenbombardement, stumme Schreie von Pharmaopfern und hungernden Kindern, weggescrollt von Smartphone-Zombies, deren letzter Hauch Empathie am Rande ihres dissoziativen Wahrnehmungshorizontes verblasst. Zivilisatorische Transformation als Kriegsfilm.

Früher verliefen die Frontlinien von Klassenkampf und Propagandakrieg durch die Auslagen der Zeitungskioske, durch Rundfunkredaktionen und über die nach Sendeschluss flimmernden Bildschirme der Mattscheibe. Heute durch den Kopf.

Sprichwörtlich. Denn die »Vierte Industrielle Revolution« begegnet zunehmendem Desinteresse an Erziehungsfunk und aufkeimender Renitenz mit Dopamin-Shots, Implantaten und Nanotechnologie. Das erklärte Ziel der Herrschaftskaste ist nicht mehr die Manipulation, sondern die Fernsteuerung der Steuersklaven. Das »Hive Mind«.

Sendeschluss gibt es nicht mehr. Und der Newsfeed ist unerschöpflich, ist Manifestation dessen, was Aufmerksamkeitsökonomie für uns bedeutet: Den Verlust wertvoller Lebenszeit an neonbunte Sinnlosigkeit. Das Smartphone dient nicht der Evolution, sondern der Degeneration der Spezies Mensch. Es ist kein Werkzeug, sondern eine Waffe. Aber das Handy lässt sich — wie das TV-Gerät — abschalten. Oder abschaffen. Das birgt Risiken — denn nur Lufthoheit über dem Debattenraum garantiert dem postmodernen Feudalismus Machterhalt. Dementsprechend setzen seine Vertreter nun alles daran, invasive Technologien ins Feld zu führen, um sich unserer Gedanken bemächtigen zu können.

Der Kriegsfilm spielt sich also nicht mehr nur als dunkles Phantasma vor unserem inneren Auge ab, er handelt nicht von irgendeinem fernen Land — das zu erobernde Terrain, das primäre Schlachtfeld der biodigitalen Konvergenz liegt unmittelbar hinter dem Sehnerv. Kriegsziel: Die Verschmelzung von Mensch und Maschine. Transhumanismus. Und bei so manchem Zeitgenossen scheint bereits eine gewisse Konträrfaszination am eigenen Untergang Einzug zu halten. Die Résistance des Mediazän verteidigt demnach nicht nur das Recht auf Meinungsfreiheit, sie kämpft um den Erhalt des freien Willens. Um Menschlichkeit. Um das Fortbestehen unserer Spezies.

Vor diesem Hintergrund beschäftigt sich die dritte GEGENDRUCK mit dem »Schlachtfeld Gehirn«. Mit dem zerebralen Status quo. Die Autoren analysieren und dokumentieren den Stand von Forschung, Angriffswellen, Waffenarsenal und Verteidigungsmechanismen. Denn unser Leben ist das Produkt unserer Gedanken. Unserer Erinnerungen. Sie sind die Basis unserer Freiheit, unserer Geschichte und Zukunft. Wir müssen sie schützen. Mit allen Mitteln.

Denn »ein Kopf ohne Gedächtnis ist eine Festung ohne Besatzung« (Napoleon).

Im Namen des gesamten Teams,

Tom-Oliver Regenauer

Printausgabe bestellen unter: www.gegendruck.de

@ 714f9dc3:76659adb

Last week, I was reading “The Air We Breathe”, by Glen Scrivener. It’s about “How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality”, and it explores the Christian roots of the values we prize in today's western society. It’s all around us, but we don’t really know where it came from: It’s the air we’re breathing. The ideas and ethics behind Christianity, whether you believe in them or not, are embedded in our culture.

As I was reading this, I saw so many parallels with Bitcoin, so wanted to list them below and share some of my thoughts. Can Bitcoin also become “The Air We Breathe”? Or in plebs words: hyperbitcoinization?

Can Bitcoin become so ubiquitous that it becomes normal? Can there be a world in which we don’t even know where Bitcoin came from? It would be a world with many similar views as with today's view on Christianity. It becomes the air we breathe, something that used to be a counterculture that over time became ubiquitous. What can we learn from it?

These are my ten parallels of Bitcoin with the early days of Christianity.

1. Separation from state
2. From obscure counterculture to dominant force
3. Exponential grassroots growth
4. Conversion of emperors/politicians
5. Sudden tolerance and protection for ideology
6. Fall of the empire, end of the status quo
7. Missionaries spreading the word
8. Persuasion and education are key
9. Age of Enlightenment

Note: I’m no expert on Christianity, nor a historian of the Roman Empire, and I know just a bit about Bitcoin. See this as a thought experiment.

1. Separation from state

In all fairness, I’m not the first to draw this first parallel. It was Satoshi Nakamoto themself who made the connection even before Bitcoin was available to the public, with several hints pointing back to important dates and moments in Christian history. The big parallel here is the “separation of money and state” and “separation of church and state”.

Before going back to the early days of Christianity in the first centuries AD, I first want to draw this parallel with Satoshi.

It’s 1517. The German Priest Maarten Luther writes his Ninety-five Theses, and nails this on the church doors in Wittenberg. The theses are also known as the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences”. He kickstarted a movement with a radical new idea for that time: The separation of the church from the state.

The Catholic Church had become one with the state. Via the means of indulgences, there was an ability to pay for your redemption. The church was corrupted by money, power and politics. The church and indulgences replaced the need for personal responsibility and an individual faith with money and perverse structures.

Reformation Day is a Protestant Christian religious holiday celebrated on 31 October in remembrance of the onset of the Reformation. But the 31st of October is also the day in which Satoshi shared his pamphlet with the world: in 2008 they published the Bitcoin Whitepaper. It kickstarted a movement with a radical new idea for that time: The separation of the money from the state.

But this was not Satoshi’s only hint. Another one is the date of Bitcoin’s Genesis Block: January 3, 2009. It was the day that the idea of the separation of money and the state became reality, more than just an idea in an individual's mind.

Did you know that Maarten Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1521 by Pope Leo X for sparking this revolutionary new way of thinking (and being). It happened on January 3 as well. I bet Satoshi Nakamoto knew.

To be fair, this parallel is not new and known by many bitcoiners. But it’s a good introduction to the topic, and after reading “The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality”, I automatically started to see more parallels between (the early days of) Christianity and todays adoption of Bitcoin. Because it was of course not Maarten Luther who sparked these rebellious thoughts in 1500, but it was Jesus himself approx. 2000 years ago.

Let’s go back from the 1500s to the first decades AD to the beginning of this radical new belief system. During the dominance of the Roman empire in the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, someone told a story that opposed every mainstream paradigm.

Jesus’ idea was radically different from the belief systems of that day. He preached Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality in a world that was full of Debauchery and Violence, with Gladiator Games, Slavery, Public Crucifixion, and Brutalities. The belief system of that time was not like todays.

There were superior races (Greek/Romans over barbarians), superior sexes (man over women), superior classes (free man over slaves) and the concept of justice was more something in the realm of “restoring rights of those that were superior”, than “equality for all, men and women, Greek and barbarian, free and slave”.

Jesus opposed the status quo. It started small and irrelevant; as a counterculture. But it didn’t stay that way.

2. From obscure counterculture to dominant force

In “The Air We Breathe”, Scrivener asks the question:

“How did the obscure, marginal Jesus movement of the 1st century become the dominant religious force in the Western world in a few centuries?”

Important to know, is that the Christian faith was the opposite of the narrative. Concepts like Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality didn’t exist in the Roman Empire. Human rights neither. Individual rights neither. The emperor was almost de facto God himself.

Early Christians were persecuted for preaching a different story: that God is NOT the ruler of the empire. Jesus preached the separation of politics from God; separating faith from the state. As a result, he was crucified, and many of his followers were killed by Nero (between 54 and 68 AD), Domitian (81–96 AD), Trajan (98–117 AD) and Decius (249–251 AD). This new narrative was a thread for the Roman rulers.

Draw the parallels of how there have been many attempts to “kill” bitcoin, not with physical persecution but with an information war. Not by physical violence, but by misinformation. Bitcoin threatens the status quo, just like Christianity threatened the Roman Empire.

You see?

But how is the obscure movement of Bitcoin in the 21st century becoming the dominant force, similar to the question that Scrivener asked about Christianity? Perhaps the answer lies in the following parallel.

3. Exponential grassroots growth

Sociologist Rodney Stark estimates in “The Rise of Christianity” that from the time of the first Easter, the church began growing at a rate of 40% per decade, a modest but relentless 3.4% per year. By the year 300, Christians numbered perhaps 6 million: about a tenth of the empire.

Despite pushbacks, the army of believers continued to grow. Grassroots, peer-to-peer. It was not the state-religion, it was a peaceful army of believers that spread the word, resulting in an exponential growth of its followers. The counterculture became more and more dominant.

You may see what I’m doing here. It was basically the meme that all Bitcoiners know: Gradually, then suddenly. Against the current.

4. Conversion of emperors/politicians

In 312 a big change happened: Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. As Stark writes, "Constantine's conversion would better be seen as a response to the massive exponential wave in progress, not as its cause".

Are we living in that same era, where nation states start to embrace Bitcoin? Where politicians don’t oppose as strongly anymore, but are flirting with the idea of embracing it? And again the parallel: it’s responsive to the exponential wave of progress, not as its cause.

Whether Constantine is Nayib Bukele, Donald Trump, or Milei: it doesn’t matter. It’s the dynamic that matters. The counterculture becomes so dominant, that the “rulers” of the world are wanting to be part of it. Which will be followed by “rules” that favour the ideology, movement, and beliefs.

6. Tolerance and protection for ideology

In 313 Constantine's Edict of Milan granted freedom to Christians that were remarkable for that time and a model for religious toleration for the coming centuries.

The tide was turning, and by 380 Emperor Theodosius made Christianity Rome's official religion, more than half the population had already converted. In a few short centuries Christianity had gone from radical counterculture to dominant cultural power. This was an extraordinary shift in the church's relationship with the world. The edict expressly grants religious liberty to Christians, who had been the object of special persecution, but also goes even further and grants liberty to all other religions. And then, in 410, the world itself changed.

It changed from grassroots, bottom-up adoption to some kind of nation state adoption. One that was driven by decrees and edicts, instead of the analog cyberhornets of that day. Actually, the ideas of Indulgences were introduced via these Edicts, something that Maarten Luther actually was fighting against in the 1500s.

The world changed from the state-less Christian belief and moved (back) towards a system in which the state and church were connected again. Yes — the Roman Catholic Church. Until the previously mentioned critics during the Reformation.

6. Fall of the empire, end of the status quo

When people speak of the fall of the Roman Empire, they usually mean in the 5th century when the western half fell. But there was also an eastern half, known as the Byzantine Empire (with its capital in what is modern-day Istanbul).

How did this relate to the movement that once was Cult, and now suddenly had become Culture?

It was Augustine, the north African bishop (354-430), who laid the foundation for a new philosophical, theological, and legal system. He distinguished between the fragile earthly realm and the eternal heavenly kingdom. Rome was “a city of man”, which fell. But the “city of God” was forever. He continued to separate the Roman Catholic Church from the faith that it once was. This distinction was vital, and it gave rise to the concept of "the secular realm". He planted the first ideas of "the separation of church and state" again, which started to spread throughout Europe during the supposedly "sandy desert" of the Middle Ages.

The parallel and lesson here might be that narratives can be taken over, for the worse. And that it takes centuries to take back the narrative, but/and only after an empire has fallen. Whether we refer to “The Fourth Turning” by William Strauss and Neil Howe or “Changing World Orders” by Ray Dalio. There is something to preserve, and it needs active monitoring and pushbacks!

7. Missionary, spreading the word

The way the church sought to spread its influence would become a question that would take many centuries (and many failures) to settle. In the past, empires sought to spread their influence almost always by force. Christianity has been a missionary faith from the beginning. It was for this reason that Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine to Britain to convert the Anglo-Saxons.

Augustine was commanded by Gregory to use only "gentle means". His goal was persuasion. His method was teaching and preaching. And he was successful, converting King Aethelbert of Kent and becoming the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

You see what I’m talking about again: the parallel is simple. Bitcoin is a similar peaceful revolution, a missionary movement, of those that wish to see their Cult turn into a Culture. “Genle means”, teachings, persuasions. Or in pleb terminology: Orangepilling.

8. Persuasion and education are key

Over the next decades and centuries, this movement continued. English Benedictine monk (675-754) Boniface was sent from the previously “barbarian” Britain to “orangepill the East” – in this case the Saxons in the Germanic lands. In the words of his advisor, the Bishop of Winchester, his goal was "to convince them by many documents and arguments". This mission of persuasion and education was largely successful. Today he’s better known as “the Apostle to the Germans". He was killed in The Netherlands (in Dokkum).

Boniface kept to a policy of non-violence and non-retaliation, even to the point of death. Another famous writer about this topic, Tom Holland, summarises the lesson we learn from Boniface: "to convert was to educate".

In the following century this lesson was sorely needed by the Frankish king Charles the Great, aka Charlemagne (742-814). Charlemagne's path to power was a brutal one. When the Saxons stood in his way, Charlemagne beheaded 4,500 of them in a single day. There are concrete reasons why "getting medieval" might be associated today with brutality.

Is “Bitcoin as Legal Tender”, whether this is peaceful or violently, the way to go? Are we “getting medieval” with these kind of measures, in order to go from Cult to Culture, from counterculture to dominant culture, in which we lose the true essence of our revolution of separation of the state from the matter?

9. Age of Enlightenment

Alcuin of York (735-804), was bold enough to write to Charlemagne directly with his criticism. "A person can be drawn into the faith, not forced into it". Be a lighthouse, not a tugboat!

The church's official teaching would later agree with Alcuin's position. In the 12th century all "harsh means" were forbidden since faith arises from the will, not compulsion. Enlightenment comes through education and persuasion.

There’s work to do. Grassroots. Education. Peer-to-peer. Not directed by politicians, nor opposed by those in power. Through education and persuasion. Rules without rulers. Because eventually, with the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, there are stark examples of the church using “harsh means" again. Forcing Bitcoin on people will never be the way: it’s a cheat code to the end goal. In order to succeed, we’ll need to be a missionary.

Final words

I don’t want in any way to compare Christianity in itself as a faith, and Bitcoin as a technology, with each other. I enjoyed exploring the sociological phenomena between two countercultures, the grassroots movement and missionary parallels between both of them. Satoshi gave the first assist, with the 31st of October (Whitepaper Day) and the Genesis Block on January 3rd.

Let’s not mix religion with monetary systems, even though there are many similarities between certain movements. That’s not my goal for sharing this brain dump. But let’s learn from the past, from Constantine’s Edict and from Augustine, from Charlemagne (and especially Alcuin of York), from Boniface and from Maarten Luther. And from Satoshi Nakamoto.

@ f9c0ea75:44e849f4

If there's one thing Brazil's economic history has proven time and time again, it’s that no currency lasts forever. Brazil has had nine different currencies, and all of them failed in the same way: losing value until the government decided to "fix" the problem by introducing a new one.

On average, since 1900, each currency lasted only 13.9 years, and if we look at the trajectory of the Real, the question remains: how much longer can it survive?

The Graveyard of Brazilian Currencies

Every time inflation spirals out of control, the government finds the same solution: rename the currency and cut zeros, pretending that the underlying economic problems have been solved. Here’s the long list of failures:

Réis (1500-1942) → Lasted centuries but was eaten away by inflation and replaced by the Cruzeiro.

Cruzeiro (1942-1967) → Introduced to modernize the economy but quickly lost its purchasing power.

Cruzeiro Novo (1967-1970) → A redenomination that cut three zeros, but it only lasted 3 years.

Cruzeiro (1970-1986) → Inflation skyrocketed, leading to another currency shift.

Cruzado (1986-1989) → Promised stability by removing zeros, but lasted just 3 years.

Cruzado Novo (1989-1990) → Another reset, another failure, lasting just 1 year.

Cruzeiro (1990-1993) → Brought back an old name, but inflation remained unchecked.

Cruzeiro Real (1993-1994) → A short-lived transition currency, lasting just 1 year before the Real.

Real (1994-present) → ˜30 years old, it has already lost more than 85% of its purchasing power. The Real is now showing the same symptoms that led to the collapse of its predecessors. Inflation is eroding its value, and government intervention keeps distorting the market. We are just waiting for the next excuse to rename the currency and "reset" the system once again.

DREX: The Next Rebranding of Brazilian Money?

This time, the change might not come as a simple rebranding or a few zeroes being cut. The Brazilian government is already preparing DREX, a digital currency controlled by the Central Bank. Officially, it will be a "digital Real," but in reality, it could serve as a way to impose new monetary rules, redefine values, and quietly restructure the economy—just like every previous currency reset.

The pattern is clear: give a new name to an old problem and keep extracting value from citizens.

The Fate of the Real? We Don’t Know. But Bitcoin is Better.

Looking at history, it’s clear that Brazil’s fiat currencies have a built-in expiration date. The government will always find a way to reset the system, rename the currency, and erase the traces of inflation.

But for the first time in history, there is a real alternative: Bitcoin.

Unlike all of Brazil’s previous currencies, Bitcoin cannot be manipulated, inflated, or rebranded by government decree. It doesn’t rely on empty promises or central authorities that can change the rules whenever it suits them.

In the end, the Real might last a few more years or be replaced soon by DREX—but one thing is certain: BITCOIN IS BETTER.

@ bcea2b98:7ccef3c9

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/842405

@ 23b0e2f8:d8af76fc

Necessário

• Um Android que você não use mais (a câmera deve estar funcionando).
• Um cartão microSD (opcional, usado apenas uma vez).
• Um dispositivo para acompanhar seus fundos (provavelmente você já tem um).

Algumas coisas que você precisa saber

• O dispositivo servirá como um assinador. Qualquer movimentação só será efetuada após ser assinada por ele.
• O cartão microSD será usado para transferir o APK do Electrum e garantir que o aparelho não terá contato com outras fontes de dados externas após sua formatação. Contudo, é possível usar um cabo USB para o mesmo propósito.
• A ideia é deixar sua chave privada em um dispositivo offline, que ficará desligado em 99% do tempo. Você poderá acompanhar seus fundos em outro dispositivo conectado à internet, como seu celular ou computador pessoal.

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O tutorial será dividido em dois módulos:

• Módulo 1 - Criando uma carteira fria/assinador.
• Módulo 2 - Configurando um dispositivo para visualizar seus fundos e assinando transações com o assinador.

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No final, teremos:

• Uma carteira fria que também servirá como assinador.
• Um dispositivo para acompanhar os fundos da carteira.

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Módulo 1 - Criando uma carteira fria/assinador

1. Baixe o APK do Electrum na aba de downloads em https://electrum.org/. Fique à vontade para verificar as assinaturas do software, garantindo sua autenticidade.

2. Formate o cartão microSD e coloque o APK do Electrum nele. Caso não tenha um cartão microSD, pule este passo.

1. Retire os chips e acessórios do aparelho que será usado como assinador, formate-o e aguarde a inicialização.

1. Durante a inicialização, pule a etapa de conexão ao Wi-Fi e rejeite todas as solicitações de conexão. Após isso, você pode desinstalar aplicativos desnecessários, pois precisará apenas do Electrum. Certifique-se de que Wi-Fi, Bluetooth e dados móveis estejam desligados. Você também pode ativar o modo avião.\ (Curiosidade: algumas pessoas optam por abrir o aparelho e danificar a antena do Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, impossibilitando essas funcionalidades.)

1. Insira o cartão microSD com o APK do Electrum no dispositivo e instale-o. Será necessário permitir instalações de fontes não oficiais.

1. No Electrum, crie uma carteira padrão e gere suas palavras-chave (seed). Anote-as em um local seguro. Caso algo aconteça com seu assinador, essas palavras permitirão o acesso aos seus fundos novamente. (Aqui entra seu método pessoal de backup.)

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Módulo 2 - Configurando um dispositivo para visualizar seus fundos e assinando transações com o assinador.

1. Criar uma carteira somente leitura em outro dispositivo, como seu celular ou computador pessoal, é uma etapa bastante simples. Para este tutorial, usaremos outro smartphone Android com Electrum. Instale o Electrum a partir da aba de downloads em https://electrum.org/ ou da própria Play Store. (ATENÇÃO: O Electrum não existe oficialmente para iPhone. Desconfie se encontrar algum.)

2. Após instalar o Electrum, crie uma carteira padrão, mas desta vez escolha a opção Usar uma chave mestra.

1. Agora, no assinador que criamos no primeiro módulo, exporte sua chave pública: vá em Carteira > Detalhes da carteira > Compartilhar chave mestra pública.

1. Escaneie o QR gerado da chave pública com o dispositivo de consulta. Assim, ele poderá acompanhar seus fundos, mas sem permissão para movimentá-los.

2. Para receber fundos, envie Bitcoin para um dos endereços gerados pela sua carteira: Carteira > Addresses/Coins.

3. Para movimentar fundos, crie uma transação no dispositivo de consulta. Como ele não possui a chave privada, será necessário assiná-la com o dispositivo assinador.

1. No assinador, escaneie a transação não assinada, confirme os detalhes, assine e compartilhe. Será gerado outro QR, desta vez com a transação já assinada.

1. No dispositivo de consulta, escaneie o QR da transação assinada e transmita-a para a rede.

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Conclusão

Pontos positivos do setup:

• Simplicidade: Basta um dispositivo Android antigo.
• Flexibilidade: Funciona como uma ótima carteira fria, ideal para holders.

Pontos negativos do setup:

• Padronização: Não utiliza seeds no padrão BIP-39, você sempre precisará usar o electrum.
• Interface: A aparência do Electrum pode parecer antiquada para alguns usuários.

Nesse ponto, temos uma carteira fria que também serve para assinar transações. O fluxo de assinar uma transação se torna: Gerar uma transação não assinada > Escanear o QR da transação não assinada > Conferir e assinar essa transação com o assinador > Gerar QR da transação assinada > Escanear a transação assinada com qualquer outro dispositivo que possa transmiti-la para a rede.

Como alguns devem saber, uma transação assinada de Bitcoin é praticamente impossível de ser fraudada. Em um cenário catastrófico, você pode mesmo que sem internet, repassar essa transação assinada para alguém que tenha acesso à rede por qualquer meio de comunicação. Mesmo que não queiramos que isso aconteça um dia, esse setup acaba por tornar essa prática possível.

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@ f9c0ea75:44e849f4

Nos anos 80, o Brasil testemunhou um dos momentos mais patéticos da sua história econômica: os "Fiscais do Sarney". Movidos por um decreto inútil, cidadãos foram incentivados a denunciar comerciantes que não seguissem o tabelamento de preços imposto pelo governo. O resultado? Um fracasso absoluto, prateleiras vazias, inflação descontrolada e a certeza de que a mentalidade fiscalizadora não gera valor para ninguém – apenas sufoca a economia e reforça o atraso.

Agora, décadas depois, vemos a mesma mentalidade derrotada ressurgir na Receita Federal com a fiscalização automática sobre transações acima de R$ 5.000 via PIX. Em vez de buscar um ambiente mais produtivo e inovador, o governo se empenha em monitorar cada centavo que circula, tratando qualquer movimentação um pouco maior como suspeita. Quem ganha com isso? Certamente não é o cidadão honesto, nem a economia real.

E quem são os protagonistas dessa história? Os novos fiscais da Receita Federal, que assumem um papel tão irrelevante quanto o dos fiscais de Sarney. Um trabalho de baixo valor agregado, que não contribui para a criação de riqueza ou inovação. São apenas burocratas modernos, presos na mentalidade de que controlar e punir é mais importante do que fomentar o crescimento e a liberdade financeira.

A história já provou que o fiscalismo estatal é um modelo falido, seja tabelando preços ou perseguindo transações financeiras. Enquanto alguns criam, inovam e geram valor, outros se ocupam apenas de vigiar e tributar. O tempo sempre mostrou quem estava certo.

Nos anos 80, o Brasil testemunhou um dos momentos mais patéticos da sua história econômica: os "Fiscais do Sarney". Movidos por um decreto inútil, cidadãos foram incentivados a denunciar comerciantes que não seguissem o tabelamento de preços imposto pelo governo. O resultado? Um fracasso absoluto, prateleiras vazias, inflação descontrolada e a certeza de que a mentalidade fiscalizadora não gera valor para ninguém – apenas sufoca a economia e reforça o atraso.

Agora, décadas depois, vemos a mesma mentalidade derrotada ressurgir na Receita Federal com a fiscalização automática sobre transações acima de R$ 5.000 via PIX. Em vez de buscar um ambiente mais produtivo e inovador, o governo se empenha em monitorar cada centavo que circula, tratando qualquer movimentação um pouco maior como suspeita. Quem ganha com isso? Certamente não é o cidadão honesto, nem a economia real.

E quem são os protagonistas dessa história? Os novos fiscais da Receita Federal, que assumem um papel tão irrelevante quanto o dos fiscais de Sarney. Um trabalho de baixo valor agregado, que não contribui para a criação de riqueza ou inovação. São apenas burocratas modernos, presos na mentalidade de que controlar e punir é mais importante do que fomentar o crescimento e a liberdade financeira.

A história já provou que o fiscalismo estatal é um modelo falido, seja tabelando preços ou perseguindo transações financeiras. Enquanto alguns criam, inovam e geram valor, outros se ocupam apenas de vigiar e tributar. O tempo sempre mostrou quem estava certo.

@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

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Previous Works in the Series:

TAIPEI

TIANJIN

KYOTO

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More from Hes:

Art

Store

Travel Guides

Photography

Writings

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All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from these photos, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na danas.rs

22.09.2024 / Autor: Marko Matanović

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Bitkoin je 2009. godine zamišljen da bude digitalni keš. Zvučalo je revolucionarno zbog toga što je mnoge dovelo u dilemu: kako nešto potpuno digitalno može da ima vrednost i bude valuta.

Pre 15 godina smo živeli u društvu u kome je preko 95 odsto ukupnog novca u opticaju već potpuno digitalno i virtuelno.

Danas je još više izražena digitalizacija novca. Bitkoin je bio deo procesa evolucije više nego revolucije kada je u pitanju barem forma “novca”.

Petnaest godina kasnije bitkoin nije zamenio tradicionalne valute: dolare, evre, dinare. I verovatno to neće uraditi. Nije ispunio početnu zamisao, digitalni novac.

Ali se nametnuo kao čuvar vrednosti. Jedan od razloga je jednostavan. Kada posedujemo bilo koji oblik imovine, uvek ćemo za plaćanje (čemu novac većini ljudi i služi) koristiti najmanje kvalitetan novac, onaj koji vremenom ne dobija na vrednosti ili je gubi čak.

Veći deo vlasnika bitkoina veruje da će njegova vrednost rasti vremenom. Dok s druge strane imamo dinar, evro ili dolar koji će 100 odsto za godinu dana vredeti dva odsto ili 15 odsto manje. Zbog toga većina vlasnika bitkoina ga neće koristiti da kupuje hleb ili plaća račune za telefon, tj. kao sredstvo plaćanja.

Za razliku od fizičkog zlata, svima poznatog, jedna od prednosti bitkoina je prenosivost. Bitkoin infrastruktura funkcioniše tako da se svaka transakcija prenosa bitkoina obavlja u proseku za 10-ak minuta, 24/7/365.

Ta transakcija će se realizovati 100 odsto ako je usklađena sa pravilima Bitkoin ekosistema. Pravila su pritom transparentna, ista, lako primenljiva za sve. Iz ovoga se nameće i druga i treća potencijalna prednost bitkoina u odnosu na zlato. Bez obzira na količinu i vrednost bitkoina koji se kroz transakciju prenose, vreme tog prenosa je oko 10 minuta. A cena obrade transakcije zanemarljiva. Par dolara ili manje. Na dan pisanja teksta, kilogram zlata je vredeo oko 84.000 dolara ili 10 kilograma oko 840.000 dolara itd. Slične vrednosti je 1,4 bitkoin, tj. 14 bitkoina…

Postoje ozbiljni regulatorni, sigurnosni, vremenski, troškovni izazovi prenosa pomenutih količina zlata s jedne lokacije na drugu ili u drugu državu. Za prenos 0.0001 btc-a (bitkoina), vrednosti oko šest dolara ili za prenos 1.000 btc, vrednosti oko 60 miliona dolara trebaće vam 10 minuta. Transakcije vas mogu koštati i manje od jednog dolara!

I ne postoji bezbednosni rizik. Neuporedivo brže, sigurnije, jeftinije. Neki kažu da je bitkoin „digitalno zlato“ i pouzdana mreža za prenos vrednosti.

Bitkoin su u početku koristili samo pojedinci, fizička lica. Danas ga koriste i kompanije i neke države. Pojedinci deo sredstava prebacuju u bitkoine, kako bi se sačuvali od inflacije koja je u skoro svim ekonomijama prisutna i obezvređuje novac koji posedujemo.

Neki u njemu vide potencijal rasta vrednosti. Neki se bave “trading-om”, špekulisanjem u nadi da će kratkoročno zaraditi. Neki ga koriste da bi preneli vrednost brže i lakše.

U ratom zahvaćenih delovima sveta, deo populacije je kroz bitkoin i kriptovalute imao jedinu mogućnost da spase svoju do tada stečenu imovinu. U tim situacijama ne možete nekretninu, zlato, umetnička dela, automobile lako preneti ili sačuvati. Često su tada blokirani bankarski računi ili rad banaka. Ali, deo sredstava se može prebaciti u kriptovalute.

Zbog toga u Srbiji puno ljudi koji su se sklonili iz Rusije i Ukrajine zapravo koristi kriptovalute. Globalno, kompanije kupuju bitkoine, jer imaju investiciono usmerenje ili usmerenje ka diversifikaciji sredstava. I takođe bitkoin ili neke druge kriptovalute koriste kao sredstvo plaćanja u internacionalnom poslovanju. Neuporedivo je veća brzina realizacije transakcija kritpovaluta u poređenju sa transakcijama koje idu kroz bankarski sistem.

Postoje jurisdikcije koje nisu integrisane u globalne finansijske sisteme i ne postoji način naplate i saradnje dve kompanije iz dve države. Sve dok se kripto nije pojavio. Države imaju različite stavove po pitanju kripta. Neke ga kupuju. Neke ga rudare čak.

Ali većina je donela regulatorne okvire koji definišu zakonske mogućnosti i načine korišćenja kriptovaluta. I za građane i za kompanije. I za firme koje pružaju usluge povezane za kriptovalutama u tim državama. U Srbiji se primenjuje Zakon o digitalnoj imovini od 2021. godine i time su postavljeni dodatni regulatorni okviri.

SPLET konferencija koja se 8. oktobra održava u Beogradu je deo svog programa posvetila temama povezanim sa kriptovalutama, tokenizacijom, pravnim aspektima tog sveta.

ECD.rs, prva kriptomenjačnica u Srbiji, će imati svoje predstavnike i paneliste na SPLET-u. Cilj je da još dublje zaronimo u ove teme. Želimo da ponudimo dodatne uvide, odgovore. Delićemo iskustvo od 12 i više godina bavljenja kriptovalutama. Vidimo se na SPLET-u!

Splet konferenciju zajednički organizuju projekti „Preduzmi ideju“ u realizaciji Inicijative „Digitalna Srbija“ i „Srbija Inovira“, koje sprovodi ICT HUB, u saradnji sa Američkom agencijom za međunarodni razvoj (USAID). Ovogodišnju konferenciju realizuju i uz podršku i pokroviteljstvo Ministarstva nauke, tehnološkog razvoja i inovacija.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst za nin.rs.

09.10.2024 / Autor: Marko Matanović

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Najveći deo stvari merimo zajedničkim imeniteljem – novcem. Fantastični izum društva. Olakšava komunikaciju, saradnju i napredak civilizacije. Trenutna novčana vrednost mnogih stvari ne mora biti pokazatelj realne ili vrednosti na duge staze.

Bitkoin kao kriptovaluta ima svojih uspona i padova. U ceni. Kada nešto vredi nula pa krene od par mesta desno iza decimalnog zareza u $ protivvrednosti i završi na 50.000 ili 70.000$, može se reći da je bilo više uspona nego padova.

Zamišljen i najavljen je kao digitalni keš 2008. godine. Preskačući prvu godinu ili dve, rezervisane skoro isključivo za uzak krug programera, sledi poistovećivanje bitkoina sa sredstvom za plaćanja ilegalnih usluga i proizvoda. Zbog delimične zablude da su transakcije bitkoinom anonimne.

Godine 2013. godine pada Silk Road platforma, online marketplace, na kome se za bitkoin moglo kupiti puno toga ilegalnog. Po nekima to je i konačni pad bitkoina. Iz današnje perspektive, neupućena osoba može i dalje ostati pri stavu da je bitkoin pretežno tu za izvršenje ilegalnih transakcija. Bitkoin i danas postoji, Silk Road ne.

Par meseci posle Silk Road-a, pada i tada pratkično jedina “ozbiljna” kripto berza Mt. Gox. U to vreme odgovorna za 70%+ svih bitkoin transakcija. Tačno 10 godina kasnije, svedoci smo vraćanja dela izgubljenih sredstava (oko 25%) tadašnjim vlasnicima naloga na Mt. Gox berzi. Bitkoin je danas 100 puta vredniji nego pre 2014. Taj vraćeni “delić” izgubljenih bitkoina njegovim vlasnicima je danas “samo” 25 puta vredniji.

Bilo je još dosta propalih kripto projekata. I biće ih. Među poznatijim, prevara iza OneCoin-a. Sunovrat UST-a i Lune, Celsius i FTX bankroti. Svaki odogovoran za gubitke koji prelaze milijarde dolara. Bitkoin je i dalje tu. Bitkoin je imao i konkurente iz redova kriptovaluta. Poslednji pravi je iz 2017. godine i “Bitcoin Cash”. Danas kada se pogleda gde je jedan a gde drugi sve je jasno.

Satoshi Nakamoto, ime iza ideje bitkoina i njegovog lansiranja, je postavio fascinantne postulate na kojima će prva kriptovaluta funkcionisati. A inspirisan manjkavostima globalnog finansijskog sistema. Bitkoin je baziran na transparentnom, decentralizovanom sistemu. Dostupan svima, sa jednakim i izuzetno niskim barijerama ulaska i izlaska iz tog ekosistema. Funkcioniše po setu pravila koja su ista za sve. Ukoliko se poštuju, transakciju bitkoinom niko ne može osporiti i ne može se retroaktivno manipulisati.

Prvi put imamo digitalni sadržaj koji se ne može kopirati. Bitkoin ekosistem funkcioniše 15 godina pratkično bez down-time-a. Usko je shvatanje reći da je rudarenje bitkoina proces koji bespotrebno troši previše energije. Ili da bitkoin nema uporište u nekoj opipljivoj vrednosti. Ta skupa reč je poverenje. Ničijom svesnom namerom, već organski, bitkoin je od digitalnog keša postao prepoznat kao čuvar vrednosti, digitalno zlato. Jer zašto da koristiš za svakodnevna plaćanja nešto što može vredeti za godinu ili godine 5%,10%, 50% više, ako imaš RSD, EUR ili $ koji će 100% za godinu dana vredeti 2% ili 15% manje?

Danas bitkoin koriste obični ljudi, kompanije i države.

Satoshi je svakako imao drugačiju viziju ove kriptovalute – digitalni keš i pošteniji novac. Kreirajući ekosistem na koji svi mi možemo vršiti uticaj barem podjednako koliko i Satoshi, ostavljena su otvorena vrata da se vizija promeni. Vizija je prilagođena, prepuštena našim prethodnim i budućim postupcima i društvenim okolnostima. Važno je da su postulati i dalje tu. Sa njima i Bitkoin.

@ 4720beb1:fde5de50

I just published the new version of my NIP-404. It basically a way to have real ephemeral interactions on Nostr, so developers can model Stories and messages that disappear etc and providing a good level of plausible deniability. Here is the new version: https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/pull/1676

This is a follow-up of a previous proposal I did in last November. I tried to tackle most of issues that npub12262qa4uhw7u8gdwlgmntqtv7aye8vdcmvszkqwgs0zchel6mz7s6cgrkj npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft npub1acg6thl5psv62405rljzkj8spesceyfz2c32udakc2ak0dmvfeyse9p35c have raised.

There is a "working" example (I'm not a cryptographer, have mercy on me): https://github.com/gu1p/nip404_demo

TL;DR;

NIP-404: Ghost Events

This NIP introduces Ghost Events—a protocol for creating events that are plausibly deniable with a ephemeral nature, providing a weak binding to the author's identity. It leverages ring signatures, elliptic curve point-hashing, and a distance-based proof-of-work that references Bitcoin block hashes for chronological anchoring.

High-Level Mechanics

• Ring Signature over exactly two keys:
  1) Your real key
  2) A “mined” key — found by solving a proof-of-work puzzle (attacker) or randomly (by the real signer).
• Distance-based PoW: The mined key’s public key must be within distance δ of a “challenge point” derived from your public key and a Bitcoin block hash.
• Deniability: Verifiers can only tell that one of the two keys signed the event, not which one. Because all components are public, anyone can forge a Ghost Event referencing your key.

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2. Detailed Protocol

2.1. Reference a Bitcoin Block

Pick a Bitcoin block B with hash H_B and timestamp t_B. This block anchors the event in time.

2.2. Derive a Challenge Point

1. Take your main public key P_A and concatenate it with H_B.
2. Compute S = SHA256(P_A || H_B)
3. Map S to secp256k1 (RFC 9380 “Hashing to Elliptic Curves”): challenge_PK = HashToCurve(S)

Anyone can verify this point by performing the same steps.

2.3. Pick a “Mined Key” P_mined

• Let x_c be the x-coordinate of challenge_PK.
• Find x_m such that |x_m - x_c| <= δ and (x_m, y_m) is a valid secp256k1 point.

• δ reflects the “difficulty” of finding such a key.

• In the proposal I have provide a way to get a δ given the number of tries and target probability you expect someone to mine the P_mined and also the inverse, compute the δ given a number of tries.

• Compute $T$ (number of tries) given $\delta$ and target probability.

2.4. Create a Ring Signature

Form a ring of two public keys: {P_A, P_mined}.
Use your real private key to sign, producing a ring signature that proves one of the private keys (either sk_A or sk_mined) signed — but not which one.

2.5. Publish the Ghost Event

Publish a standard Nostr event (kind, content, etc.) plus tags:

• ["ghost", "block-hash", "<H_B>"]
• ["ghost", "block-hash-timestamp", "<t_B>"]

The event’s sig field is the ring signature. Verifiers can:

1. Check validity of the ring signature over {P_A, P_mined}.
2. Recompute challenge_PK from <P_A, H_B>.
3. Measure how close P_mined is to challenge_PK (i.e., proof-of-work difficulty).
4. Conclude: “Either Alice really signed, or someone else who found a matching P_mined did.”

Practical Tips

• Picking δ:

• Decide how quickly you want deniability to set in. If you pick a very small δ, it requires more CPU time for an attacker to replicate—but also temporarily ties the event more strongly to you.

• If you want faster deniability, pick a larger δ, but accept that forging a second “mined” key becomes easier.

• If you want avoid OTS, pick a larger δ and reference older blocks.

• Verifying a Received Ghost Event:

• Check the actual δ provided.
• Estimate the tries T needed for a given success probability.
• Check the Key/s rate necessary to produce the event since the block was mined.

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7. Example Ghost Event JSON

Alice: Today is a good day to post wild picture of me on Nostr! Maybe I will regret it later...
Alice: Let post as a ghost event!
Alice: I will set a PoW of 86400000000 tries for a 30% of success. It is an easy one!

json { "id": "f9d32cace9ead9457d121041c4c17a779ab84cecf90f08d90ccacd9673f1bab4", "pubkey": "npub1r587vuykqhf8k7x4e06380edc7mr7pkz59r44tausmlwq970wkyqv9dh85", "created_at": 1736350383, "kind": 1, "tags": [ [ "ghost", "block-hash", "00000000000000000000c75dc9d3296751a8bb62b2463fbc49035ee75ab45f39" ], [ "ghost", "block-hash-timestamp", 1736264059 ] ], "content": "Hi! This is Alice... Here is a picture of me drinking a beer!", "sig": "...<ring signature>...." }

Bob: Wow! There is an event from Alice!
Bob: Let's check the signature to make sure it is from Alice
Bob: Alice didn't sign this event!
Bob: I see some ghost tags here...
Bob: It is a ghost event!
Bob: There are 2 possible signers!
Bob: Alice is one of the possible signers!
It was produced, allegedly, after the block a 00000000000000000000c75dc9d3296751a8bb62b2463fbc49035ee75ab45f39
Bob: It says that the block was mined at 1736264059
Bob: Let see if this block is real!
Bob: The block is real!
Bob: Let's check the PoW
Bob: The other signer is: npub1jktevjlge6vjp2yfaltrlvuv99th2uxaxy8eglvcsvr7e2r9h5lq2978dz
Bob: The challenge public key is: npub1jktevjldsr7kr52f90602gfhmc8cac9quq6yy8k9vy94w2qptsasz9cfps
Bob: Let's figure out how hard it was to mine the private key
Bob: The distance between the challenge and the alleged mined public key is 494635222290174920048599093528121665305037827746663102318405983997
Bob: For having 50% of chance of figuring out this key, the signer should have done 83496150448 tries
Bob: The signer should have mined 967231 keys per second, since the block was mined
Bob: It is not a hard PoW!

@ 2355757c:5ad3e04d

Originally published Feb, 23, 2024

Introduction

Sunlight is the most important nutrient for our body. That may sound delusional to some, but the definition of a nutrient is: a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life. Sunlight certainly is necessary and essential for growth and the maintenance of life, but most don’t understand why. Most do not understand that the real benefit of sunlight is that it provides a vast spectrum of electromagnetic radiation (light) that signals different functions in our biology. This is why we can never replace sunlight with artificial lights, because the sun is a “broad band emitter” and all artificial lights are “narrow band emitters”. This means they only have a few isolated wavelengths, whereas sunlight contains the whole swath. 

The other most important aspect of sunlight is that it is time and location dependent. It is always changing…and that change or shift in light frequencies is providing our body the right information about how to function properly in our given environment. Artificial light is constant and provides a consistent/un-natural input signal that confuses our biology. 

The last piece, which I will dive into more in a future post…is the fact that sunlight is a continuous electromagnetic wave while indoor lighting is highly pulsed. This is a major reason why eye strain and headaches from staring at screens is so common.

Let’s dive into the important biological effects of the various wavelengths in full spectrum sunlight. 

Summary

• Sunlight is a broad band emitter and artificial light is a narrow band emitter

• Sunlight is an un-polarized, continuous source of electromagnetic radiation. Artificial light is highly pulsed

• Sunlight that reaches the earth is comprised of light frequencies that range from 280nm (UVB) to 2500nm (NIR) and everything in between. Each category of wavelength serves as a different biological stimuli

• UVB radiation stimulates the production of vitamin D, as well as serotonin and beta-endorphins, UVA promotes the release of nitric oxide into the blood, and both have a positive effect on the diversity of the microbiome and our endogenous hormone production

• Violet light can reverse myopia and potentially improve sleep quality

• Blue light is the master circadian signaler, turning on/off the SCN via melanopsin photoreceptor…thus regulating cortisol/melatonin production as well as all circadian timing in the body

• Green light can treat skin issues and also be used as a pain releiver

• Red light, near-infrared radiation (NIR), and far-infrared (FIR) radiation have anti-inflammatory and tissue healing effects…NIR also stimulates the production of melatonin inside the mitochondria, a master anti-oxidant.

The Biological Effects of Sunlight: By Color/Wavelength

There are several wavelengths of energy from the sun that reach the earth’s surface and trigger specific actions within the body to influence our health. And, just as some of this spectrum is able to make it through the atmosphere, different wavelengths are also able to penetrate the skin to different depths of the body’s tissues and have certain effects on the cells within those tissues, as you can see in the figure below.

Those at the lower wavelengths (such as UVB) only penetrate the very surface of the skin, while those at higher wavelengths (such as visible light) are able to penetrate deeper. Think of how you are able to see the light from a flashlight on the back of your hand when held against the skin on the palm of the hand – you can visually see the energy traveling through the skin, muscles, blood vessels and tissues of the hand. Infrared radiation can even get into the cells and mitochondria, and can get through clothing and bone!

Ultraviolet-B Radiation (UVB) – Vitamin D, Neurotransmitters, Melanin and Beta-endorphins

UVB (280-315nm) is the highest energy wavelength that reaches surface of the earth. It is only present when the sun is >30 degrees above the horizon. You can use apps like “Circadian” and “dminder” to tell you when UVB is present. At the 45th latitude in Wyoming, I go WITHOUT UVB for around 2 months in winter time. This is a big deal, because UVB light stimulates vitamin D synthesis, one of the most important molecules/hormones in the body. More importantly, it stimulates synthesis of sulfated Vitamin D, which is more bioactive and has far more biological relevance compared to un-sulfated Vitamin D as you would get from a supplement. This is why you can’t replace sunlight with a supplement, especially when it comes to Vitamin D. Using a UVB lamp (outside or in combo with NIR) would be in my opinion a better option than supplementing Vit D, or if you do take a supplement take it mid day and get some UVB exposure after taking it. I wrote extensively about Vitamin D supplementation in a previous newsletter. 

The vitamin D produced in the skin can also help protect the skin cells from DNA damage, facilitate DNA repair directly upon any UV damage, help prevent cell death, and protect against melanoma. In fact, keratinocytes, which make up over 90% of the outermost layer of skin, cannot rely on vitamin D3 from supplements and must synthesize their own supply of vitamin D directly from sun exposure, or by topical application.

Besides vitamin D, UVB radiation also promotes the production of neurotransmitters and beta-endorphins, chemicals that drive cognition, mood, relaxation, pain relief, and boost immunity. It also triggers the synthesis of MELANIN. It does this by stimulating proopiomelanocortin (POMC) activity in the brain and via exciting our aromatic amino acids. 

POMC is a precursor protein of several neuropeptides, including adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and β-endorphin (β-END). Our aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine) have ringed structures that allow them to trap UV light energy, and these aromatic amino acids are the precursors to neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, as well as melatonin and melanin. Serotonin is involved in cognition, regulation of feeding behavior, anxiety, aggression, pain, sexual activity, and sleep. These aromatics absorb heavily in the UVB/UVC range.

This UV-induced release of beta-endorphins means only one thing: there is an innate built in addiction pathway to the sun. Our biology is able to provide a “reward” for UV-induced vitamin D synthesis when vitamin D levels are low, during which time a greater amount of beta-endorphins are released upon exposure to UVB. As vitamin D levels rise, the sun-seeking behavior and resulting opioid response become repressed as less vitamin D is needed. It’s almost as if our body knows best, and we should go out of our way to listen to it. Instead, most people will continue to pour the Vit D supplements down their gully. 

Melanin, which is synthesized from UV light exposure and activation of alpha-MSH via POMC, is one of the most important molecules in our biology. It absorbs the entire EMR spectrum and acts as both a biological semiconductor and energy storage system (battery). I have written more about it in a previous newsletter and will dive even deeper very soon.

Ultraviolet-A Radiation (UVA) – Nitric Oxide + More

UVA (315-380nm) exists at a wavelength between UVB and visible light, and is able to reach deeper than UVB light but still only a few millimeters. UVA leads to the release of nitric oxide into the bloodstream which in turn benefits the cardiovascular and metabolic systems, and may offer other immunological benefits beyond those offered by nitric oxide. This vasodilatory effect enhances blood flow, lowers blood prressure and improves circulation. 

UVA can have similar effects to UVB such as stimulating POMC and the neuroendocrine axis, just with lesser efficiency compared to UVB light as it is a lower energy wavelength spectrum so it does not have as great of an excitatory effect on our biology. 

“UVA has better penetration reaching the reticular dermis but has 1000 times lower efficiency at inducing biological effects (expressed as the minimal erythema dose) than UVB”

For a deeper dive on UV lights impact on the brain and endocrine system, and the difference between UVC/UVB/UVA effects check out this paper.

UVA also shares some benefits with violet light (visible) such as reversing myopia in the eyes. Will discuss that more in the Violet light section. 

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVA + UVB) – The Most Important Input for Your Microbiome

Your gastrointestinal tract and the surface of the skin are home to trillions of microbes (bacteria, viruses, and yeast), called your “microbiome,” which act as their own organ and are crucial to your overall health. Skin health in particular is maintained by a balanced, diverse microbiome, which is in turn affected by nutrition, pH level, hygiene, exposure to toxins, barrier strength, stress levels, sunlight exposure, and overall health. 

UV exposure (and vitamin D itself) can have a healthy, regulatory effect on the microbiome of the skin and the gut, with UVB light having a beneficial impact on the diversity and abundance of the bacteria species of the gut microbiome, and UVB as well as UVA benefitting the skin microbiome. Studies have even shown that several molecules that help protect our skin from UV damage can be produced by the microbiome on our skin upon UV exposure, acting as a sort of natural sunscreen.

Why is UV light so good for our gut? Two reasons:

1. Remember those aromatic amino acids and neurotransmitters mentioned earlier? Well a vast majority of aromatics are synthesized by your gut microbes via the famous shikamate pathway (famous because glyphosate disrupts this). As a result, most of your neurotransmitter synthesis is happening in the gut. 90-95% of serotonin and 50% of dopamine is produced and stored in the gut. There is a reason it is called your second brain, and it is not fully due to the vagal nerve connection. 

2. Your bacteria absorb and fluoresce light constantly. We are made up of far more “bacteria” cells than our own cells and this microbiota is highly dependent on light input. It seems that UV light modulates pathogenic bacteria and helps beneficial bacteria proliferate. This is why UV light has been known as an effective method for cleaning surfaces.

UV Light Summary

UV light is imperative for properly functioning biology, and the fact that it has been demonized for “causing skin cancer” has resulted in a chronic health epidemic. Yes, solar tolerance and callus matters…that is why being outside all year round is imperative. UV light is the reason life began on this planet in the first place (read Nick Lane’s work on deep sea vents), and it stands true today that nearly ALL of the biological semi-conductors that power our biology absorb strongest in the UV range. When you can harness UV light, you become what it truly means to be a human being. 

Blue Light – Regulation of Circadian Rhythm, and Melatonin

Blue light (420-500nm) perhaps ma be the most well known light in the visible spectrum. It has been vilified (for good reason) as the light that will disrupt our sleep. This is true, but that does not mean that blue light has a negative impact on our health in the right context, the opposite actually. 

Blue light is the master circadian signaler. We sense it in our eyes and skin via the melanopsin receptor and the signal is what sets our bodies master circadian clock: the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). This is how our body tells time, and this is why our blue light and overall light environment is so important. Blue light at night suppresses melatonin production far greater than any other color of light. Blue light conversely stimulates cortisol production, which is what provides wakefulness in the morning. 

Blue light is the highest energy wavelength that is present for almost the entirety of sunlight exposure, with an ever increasing amount until solar noon…and then decreasing amount in the afternoon. Again, this is how our body tells time. If you subscribe to the fact that our circadian rhythm is one of if not the most important aspect of our biology (timing is everything), then you would agree that your blue light environment may be the most important area of your health to tackle. This is why there has been such a monumental push on the education around artificial blue light and an entire industry made around blocking blue light. 

A healthy, regular circadian rhythm promotes healthy mood and improved cognition. Disruptions to circadian rhythm have been shown to increase the risk of most chornic diseases: including cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative disease and metabolic conditions. Research has found that, compared to white light therapy, blue light is more effective for resetting circadian rhythms, suppressing nighttime melatonin, and enhancing performance. Other physiological actions of blue light suggested by the scientific literature include an increase in circulating beta endorphins, decreased systolic blood pressure due to nitric oxide mechanisms in the skin, an anti-bacterial effect, and a potential bio-modulating effect within the cells.

Blue light (like all areas of the light spectra) deserves an article of its own. I will be releasing an article dedicated to artificial blue light next month so stay tuned!

Red and Infrared Light - Healing Wavelengths

Red and infrared light is the most abundant portion of full spectrum sunlight, making up over 50% of the sunlight that hits the earth. Most of this is coming in the form of Near Infrared light (750-3000nm). Photo-biomodulation is a term used to describe the physiological effects from irradiation by red or near-infrared wavelengths. Red and near-infrared wavelengths have the ability to penetrate inside of our body’s tissues and cells, and can even penetrate through clothing. Studies have shown benefits such as improved tissue function, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, and improved energy metabolism from red and near-infrared wavelengths.

Conditions that may benefit from photobiomodulation include allergies, hypothyroidism, depression, dementia, cancer, diabetes related symptoms, exercise performance and recovery, pain, and cardiovascular diseases.

I have written an article on this substack that dives deep into the benefits of NIR light, and why I think it is the biggest nutrient deficiency worldwide (sunlight = NIR). NIR light (over 950 nm) may penetrate as deep as 8 cm and can penetrate bone, enter the cerebrospinal fluid and the brain.

Why is Red/NIR light so beneficial for our health ? Because it up-regulates ATP production and expands our exclusion zone water. You may have heard how fantastic Red/NIR light is for mitochondria…that is 100% true. Part of that reason is due to melatonin synthesis which is highlighted below. The other part is because it up regulates ATP production by expanding the exclusion zone water around the ATP nanomotor-reducing its viscosity and improving rotational torque. Bit complex yes, but that is the reality of our biology. ATP opens the binding site of proteins to water, which need to be hydrated to function properly as biological semiconductors so you could say that Red/NIR is IMPERATIVE for optimal biological function. 

NIR light & Intracellular Melatonin Synthesis

Recent research by Zimmerman, S. and Reiter R. suggests that melatonin (a master antioxidant) exists in two main forms within the body – circulatory melatonin, which is suppressed during the day upon exposure to blue light and has its major effect on sleep and the circadian rhythm, and sub-cellular melatonin, which is produced and used locally by the mitochondria within our cells. NIR light stimulates melatonin production in the mitochondria, which helps protect the cells from oxidative stress from whatever stressors/toxins make their way into the mitochondria. It also helps naturally combat the free radicals generated from UV exposure. This is why Red/NIR wavelengths are so healing, and balance out the high energy and biologically damaging (to some degree) Blue/UV wavelengths. There is always a far higher amount of NIR light than any other light in the spectrum when it comes to energy and power density.

I have written an in depth article about Melatonin as well, because it is so much more than a “sleep hormone”. Zimmerman brilliantly discusses this in his work and how most of the circadian community misses this piece. Melatonin is THE MASTER ANTIOXIDANT, being able to stabilize up to 10 free radicals per molecule due to its remarkable cascading antioxidant abilities.

Violet, Green, Yellow/Orange Light

Violet light (visible) is hard to find research on but can be thought to range from 360-420nm, right after UVA (or even some overlap) and right before blue light in the ascending wavelength spectrum of full spectrum sunlight. 

Japanese research showed that violet light (360–400 nm wavelengths) suppressed the axial length elongation both in a chick myopia model and in human. They also spiked out the fact that we are violet light deficient in a modern, indoor world because of the fear mongering around UV light. Blue light from screens causes myopia and violet/UVA light reverses it…

Violet light is also being studied for its potential benefit to improve sleep quality. 

Green light (495-570nm) penetrates your dermis, almost reaching the subcutaneous tissue below. Studies have shown that green light is effective for relieving pain. Green light is also beneficial for treating skin condictions, especially with regard to skin tone and complexion. Sunspots, melasma, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis can all benefit from green light. Another tout to the importance of full spectrum sun is the under discussed skin HEALING frequencies such as green + red to balance the high energy UV.

Green Light:

• Might be used in attempts to reduce skin redness and irritation.

• Has been studied for potential pain-reducing properties.

Yellow and Orange light. Lesser research around these wavelengths but including them anyways. These wavelengths penetrate the subcutaneous tissue beneath your dermis. Like green and blue light, they are effective at treating skin issues like eczema, sunburn, psoriasis, and creating an even skin tone. Yellow and orange light therapy is one of the less common types; however, it can help flush waste from your skin, elevate the functioning of your lymphatic system, and stimulate cellular energy to some extent.

One study proved that 590 nm light therapy after laser skin treatments reduced the intensity and healing time of skin irritation. 

Yellow light:

• Sometimes used to stimulate collagen production in the skin.

• Has been used in lightbox therapies for mood regulation.

Orange light:

• Often used in attempts to revitalize skin and promote a vibrant complexion.

• Might be utilized for its potentially energizing and uplifting effects.

Conclusion

You can not replace full spectrum sunlight with light therapies that have only a few isolated frequencies. Sunlight contains such a vast amount of frequencies that all affect our biology in different ways and together provides a very synergistic affect. Our biology has evolved over millions of years to take the FULL SPECTRUM sun as our main input signal. 

Light therapy can still be beneficial in certain scenarios without a doubt, but it will never replace full spectrum sunlight. This is a challenge in our modern indoor world we live in, and that is why we need to be so deliberate about going outside. That is also why I am so excited to be working with Daylight Computer, the world’s first computer that is designed to be used outside and has reflective screen technology that doesn’t destroy your retinas. Much more to come on Daylight Computer …so for now here is a repeat of the summary:

• Sunlight is a broad band emitter and artificial light is a narrow band emitter

• Sunlight is an un-polarized, continuous source of electromagnetic radiation. Artificial light is highly pulsed

• Sunlight that reaches the earth is comprised of light frequencies that range from 280nm (UVB) to 2500nm (NIR) and everything in between. Each category of wavelength serves as a different biological stimuli

• UVB radiation stimulates the production of vitamin D, as well as serotonin and beta-endorphins, UVA promotes the release of nitric oxide into the blood, and both have a positive effect on the diversity of the microbiome and our endogenous hormone production

• Violet light can reverse myopia and potentially improve sleep quality

• Blue light is the master circadian signaler, turning on/off the SCN via melanopsin photoreceptor…thus regulating cortisol/melatonin production as well as all circadian timing in the body

• Green light can treat skin issues and also be used as a pain releiver

• Red light, near-infrared radiation (NIR), and far-infrared (FIR) radiation have anti-inflammatory and tissue healing effects…NIR also stimulates the production of melatonin inside the mitochondria, a master anti-oxidant

Sunlight is the ultimate provider of light. Your light/EMF diet matters more than anything else in regards to health.

Biology is fundamentally electromagnetic.

Stay Sovereign,

Tristan

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My NEW COURSE EMF-201 is officially out! An in depth educational course that follows my flagship EMF-101 course. Diving deep into Radio Frequencies, 5G, and Modern Tech with an appearance from an RF Engineer who has 20+ years of industry experience. 

Follow my Decentralized Radio podcast for some brilliant upcoming episodes on light and EMFs.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na novaekonomija.rs

05.12.2024 / Autor: Dragan Milić

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Kada se desio prvi veliki „hajp“ oko bitkoina i kriptovaluta generalno (veći od prethodnih), negde krajem 2017-te, verujem da nije bilo čoveka koji tada bar u prolazu nije čuo da neko pominje te čudne, nove reči i fraze. Sećam se da mi je neki taksista, ničim izazvan, rekao da ulazi u posao sa rudarenjem kripta i da je uložio novac u grafičke karte koje treba da stignu preko veze, jer ih nema u prodaji. U tom trenutku to je moglo imati dvojako značenje. Ili da je kripto konačno ušao u mejnstrim i da ga je zajednica široko prihvatila ili da je vreme za izlazak iz tog biznisa i rasprodaju silnih altkoina koji su nicali kao pečurke posle kiše. Ispostavilo se da je ovo drugo bio ispravan odgovor odnosno dobra odluka.

Već u januaru sledeće, 2018. godine ceo sistem je počeo da se urušava kao kula od karata. Zagovornici kripta su govorili da je u pitanju samo korekcija i da će se stvar već na proleće popraviti, ali bitkoin se nije vratio na 17.000 dolara naredne tri godine. A mnoge druge kriptovalute zauvek su izgubile svoju vrednost.

Iako je to novo tržište volatilnost pratila godinama, a prati ga i danas, sada, na izmaku 2024. godine možda već možemo reći da je bitkoin na neki način prošao test vremena i „da je tu da ostane“. Dugo se bitkoin kretao u granicama između 50 i 70 hiljada američkih dolara, ali poguran rezultatima izbora u SAD i drugim makroekonomskim efektima koji su već konstanta, početkom decembra 2024. probio je psihološku granicu od 100.000 USD, čime su se dokazale tvrdnje da vreme digitalne imovine tek dolazi. Dan pre probijanja ovog limita, Džerom Pauel predsednik FED-a, nazvao je bitkoin digitalnim zlatom, i dodatno ubrzao ceo proces.

Mnogima ni danas nije jasno šta je zapravo kripto imovina i kako funkcioniše blokčejn na kojoj ista počiva. Što je opravdano jer je reč o veoma kompleksnoj tehnologiji čije razumevanje podrazumeva solidnu tehničku potkovanost i informisanost.

Činjenica je da nije potrebno poznavati tehnološki aspekt kripta da bi ga posedovali i trgovali istim, međutim to nas dovodi do starog pravila da investirate samo u stvari odnosno poslove koje razumete. Možda je to razlog zašto se tradicionalni ulagač i dalje drži S&P500 indeksa i nekretnina kao primarnog izbora, koji su uvek sigurnija opcija i manje podložna nestabilnosti.

Međutim, kako vreme odmiče, polako se stvara poverenje i u digitalnu imovinu kao opciju za ulaganje, koja nosi veliki rizik ali i veliku mogućnost zarade. Na primer, ko je pre nekoliko godina kupio bitkoin, na srednji rok je mogao višestruko da umnoži svoje ulaganje. A ko je bio u stanju da izađe iz okvira saveta „uloži onoliko koliko si spreman da oprostiš“ mogao je značajno da uveća svoj kapital. Na primer, da sam početkom 2020-te u jeku pandemije imao hrabrosti da kupim bitkoin po 5.000 dolara, sada bih zaradio dvadeset puta više. Ali, moglo je da bude i drugačije. Naknadna pamet ne važi…

Inače, moja lična predviđanja iz perioda s početka ove priče, dakle iz 2017-te, su bila polovično optimistična. Smeo sam se kladiti na blokčejn kao tehnologiju i njenu budućnost, međutim nisam bio siguran u bitkoin, jer sam mislio da će ubrzo biti prevaziđen. Naročito zbog svog Proof of work-a odnosno trošenja velike količine energije i računarskih resursa za odobravanje transakcija što nije bio slučaj kod nekih, u to vreme, novih kriptovaluta.

U avgustu 2017. u autorskom tekstu za jedan portal, sam napisao da kako god da završi Bitcoin kao čudo koje je okrenulo ekonomiju naglavačke ili i sam padne u revoluciji čiji je pionir i začetnik, Blockchain kao jedinstveno i genijalno tehnološko rešenje za transferisanje digitalnog novca će ostati. I mnogi upravo u ovoj tehnologiji vide budućnost novca. I pogrešio sam. Blokčejn i dalje čeka na svojih pet minuta, ali bitkoin odoleva i uči nas da na njega moramo računati.

U međuvremenu se dakle mnogo toga promenilo. Bitkoin se i pored volatilnosti uvukao u portfolije ozbiljnih investitora, odobreni su takozvani ETF-ovi (Exchange-Traded Fund), koji omogućavaju investitorima da ulažu u bitkoin bez potrebe da ga direktno poseduju ili upravljaju svojim digitalnim novčanicima i privatnim ključevima.

Glavna prepreka, u vidu nedostatka regulative, takođe je prevaziđena u mnogim pravnim sistemima. Možemo s ponosom istaći da je Republika Srbija jedna od prvih država u Evropi koja je regulisala Digitalnu imovinu. Ubrzo nakon usvajanja Zakona o digitalnoj imovini, izmenjen je i Zakon o porezu na dohodak građana, gde je bar na papiru, osvetljen i poreski tretman kripta. Problema u praksi i dalje ima, naročito oko podnošenja poreskih prijava i utvrđivanja poreske osnovice odnosno obračuna poreza, ali bar u delu vrste poreza i poreske stope pravne nesigurnosti više nema. Takođe, svako ko želi da se bavi pružanjem usluga može proći ne tako jednostavnu proceduru pribavljanja odgovarajućih dozvola u skladu sa zakonom i otpočeti taj posao u potpuno legalnim okvirima, što je do pre nekoliko godina bila siva zona i kod nas i u većini zemalja.

Bitkoinova mlađa braća nešto kaskaju sa dostizanjem svog ATH-a (All Time High), pa na primer ETH (Itirijum) u trenutku pisanja ovog teksta još uvek nije dostigao za njega magičnih 5.000 dolara, ali sva je prilika da će bitkoin prokrčiti put i za druge tokene odnosno kriptovalute na tržištu. Bar one koji su prošli test vremena i iza kojih postoji ozbiljnija infrastruktura i poslovanje.

@ 6e4f2866:a76f7a29

Foreword

“What’s the best sex you’ve ever had?”

Imagine that being the question that changed your life’s work!

And no, it didn’t come from a sleazy porn director in the basement

of a dingy house directed towards the person sitting on the

casting couch. It was asked by Rob Brinded at Chelsea FC’s stateof-

the-art Sports and Injury Prevention Medical facility and directed

at one of the best Football players in the world at that time.

Why did Rob ask that question? What did it reveal to him, and

how did that lead to him quitting his ‘perfect life’?

Even before the athlete answered, Rob knew he had unlocked

an incredibly important discovery. A discovery that would change

the trajectory of his life. One that would trigger him to walk

away from a high-paying job, get dumped by his girlfriend, and be

shunned by his professional peers while facing the inner demons

and self-torture of disappointment.

During this time, Rob forged a new mindset, armed himself

with the tools to cure himself, and extended that healing touch to

anyone who had the fortune of interacting with him.

Like many of my new friends, I first met Rob on Twitter. He

approached me after I had been the featured guest on The Bitcoin

Standard Podcast. My discussion with host Saifedean Ammous \ \ centred around the intricacies of the current education system

and the benefits of homeschooling. Rob had been particularly

intrigued by my insights about teaching versus learning and

how our education system is designed to mould kids rather than

nurture and inspire them. But what truly piqued Rob’s curiosity

was what I didn’t say. Throughout the podcast conversation,

he wanted to ask about certain nuances, the pauses. Because, well,

that’s the way Rob’s mind works now!

Over the next few months, Rob and I stayed in contact and

eventually had the pleasure of meeting each other in Madeira when

we received an invitation to assemble with other bitcoiners to meet

the President, as he and his cabinet wanted to learn more about

bitcoin and the opportunities it might bring to their island.

Extended, in-person conversations with Rob about his work

are truly fascinating. During our first meet-up, I found myself

open to everything he shared. Some people he has encountered

have brushed him off as a ‘Guru’ or too ‘Woo-Woo’ and thought

his ideas were too far out there. The irony here is that their feelings

are triggered by the very conditioning and programming that

these people have been subjected to and have been running from

their whole lives. As Rob would explain, the only way to step off

the hamster wheel is to realise you are on it in the first place. Most

people don’t and will forever be trapped, running the same selfdeprecating

programmes for their whole lives.

I was so captivated by Rob’s ideas that I booked him for a

few sessions (paid in bitcoin) to learn more about his work and,

of course, myself. My goal was to understand why I thought the

way I thought and why I acted the way I acted under certain stressors.

With a spirit of open exploration, we embarked on a journey

through my past, present and future, engaging in candid conversations

that flowed effortlessly. Rob’s guidance helped me decipher

the programs I had been running in my head (my OS system) and

how to close them down. I can best surmise it with the analogy

of ‘force-quitting’ a program on your computer when you get the

‘spinning beach ball of death’.

Once you do this simple visualisation exercise, a remarkable

transformation occurs — you feel lighter and think clearer. Like

our minds, our bodies can react in the most incredible ways. Lifelong

ailments, aches, or pains can feel instantly better and even disappear

completely.

Rob’s conviction in his work is not from blind luck; it’s rooted

in decades of deep introspection mixed with theoretical and practical

study — and, importantly, from results. The outcomes Rob

has seen and shared in this book are beyond remarkable and worth

everyone’s attention. As you journey through these pages and into

this rabbit hole, remember to note what emotions are triggered

within YOU carefully. Because that, dear reader, is your personal

hamster wheel. Those triggered emotions have been programmed

into your OS since you were born, and those programs are what

hold you back mentally and physically from being your best self

and living a happier and freer life.

So, sit back and enjoy the ride. Welcome to the rabbit hole of

decentralising your mind!

Daniel Prince

Host of The Once Bitten Podcast and Author of Choose Life

Block Height 800,608 — SW France \ \ M I N D , D E C E N T R A L I S E D

@ 7ed7d5c3:6927e200

Can't decide if the terrible book you just read is a 1 or 1.5 star book? Look no further than this chart. Was it Shit or just Bad? Was that movie you watched Very Good or just Decent? How many things out there are really Life Changing?

Finally, a rating scale for humans. Use it for anything in your life that needs a rating out of 5 stars.

Rating / Description

0.5 – The worst 1.0 – Shit 1.5 – Bad 2.0 – Eh 2.5 – Entertaining, but not great 3.0 – Neutral 3.5 – Alright 4.0 – Decent 4.5 – Very good 5.0 – Life Changing

P.S. Do not use it to rate your wife's cooking. The author is not liable for any damages.

@ 2355757c:5ad3e04d

Non-Native Electromagnetic Fields (nnEMFs) are in my opinion, the least discussed and most pervasive environmental toxin in modern society that is negatively affecting our health. We live in a toxic soup world, where we are being attacked from every angle. Polluted air, water, plastics, chemicals in our food/clothes, endocrine disruptors in our personal care and cooking products…the list goes on and on. It is the unfortunate reality of living in a modern fiat world, where all big companies cut corners with cheap, toxic ingredients just so you can have a $20 cooking pan and a $15 t-shirt. 

On the bright side of things, most of those toxins are pretty easily avoidable by just swapping for higher quality or more natural alternatives. You can also filter or buy better water and eat real food that was raised locally without toxic herbicides (to a pretty easy degree). Enter nnEMFs, something that is IMPOSSIBLE to fully avoid and MUCH more challenging to mitigate exposure to. That is because technology is so ubiquitous in our modern society. Cell phones and wifi routers in every house, smart appliances, cell towers on every block, power distribution and transmission lines, 5G rollout…we are surrounded by nnEMFs on a daily basis.

What are nnEMFs and why are they bad for my health?

A nnEMF is any EMF generated from a non-native source AKA a result of modern human technology. The three most common sources of nnEMFs are from our electrical power grid, radiofrequency (RF) communication, and microwave frequencies. These three sources differ by function and frequency. 

• Electrical Power Grid - 60Hz Frequency - In “Extremely Low Frequency Range (ELF)”

• Radio Frequency (RF) - 3kHz to 300GHz - Mobile/Societal Communication/TV/Radio 

• Microwave (MW) - 300MHz to 300GHz - Radar/Satellite/Space Communication

It gets a bit confusing in the nomenclature between RF and MW, but in reality the only difference is the type of application above 300MHz. Below 300MHz and it is distinctly an RF frequency. All transmission and distribution of power to industry/homes/businesses is occurring at 60Hz. Vast differences in frequency, both turn out to be pretty detrimental for our health. Here’s a few reasons why:

1. Classified as a possible carcinogen by the IARC (Group 2B)

RF-EMFs and ELF EMFs have been classified by the IARC as possibly carcinogenic based on the current scientific evidence. Now this is still a lower classification than red meat, so does this carry any merit? I say yes. Many researchers agree, such as in THIS study where researchers looked at mobile phone radiation and risk of brain tumors and concluded that RF fields should be classified as a probable carcinogenunder the criteria used by the IARC. 

1. RF and ELF Fields Increase Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress. If you are a regular here in the health space you know how much comes down to maintaining redox homeostasis in our mitochondria (the supplier of ATP in our cells). Dysfunctional mitochondria = dysfunctional health and it just so happens that nnEMFs can significantly increase oxidative stress in our cells, with review studies like THIS one documenting how the most electromagnetic organs (brain, heart) as well as reproductive organs (testes, ovaries) were the MOST affected. (I wrote a recent substack post on declining sperm count and nnEMFs was the star of the show). Increased oxidative stress is consistent with OG findings from the likes of Dr. Robert Becker and Dr. Andrew Marino in their research. It is high level, but increased levels of oxidative stress predisposes you to increased risk of ALL KNOWN CHRONIC DISEASES. Because of this, nnEMFs have been strongly linked to increased risk of the following:

• Neurodegenerative diseases

• Reproductive issues

• Cancer 

• Cardiovascular disease 

• Diabetes

• Disturbed Sleep

We live in a toxic soup world. Achieving restorative sleep is the only way our body is able to fight back and restore our health from all of these toxic exposures. ANYTHING that impedes sleep restoration is a premature nail in the coffin in my eyes. Don’t believe me on the importance and power of melatonin and our circadian rhythm? Check out THIS thread I wrote on melatonin (anti-cancer, potent anti-oxidant, mitochondrial composer, etc.). Exposure to nnEMFs during the day AND at night disturb our sleep and prevent the ability to have that highly restorative sleep needed to detoxify and replenish our cells. Lose quality sleep, lose the ability to handle stressors that you are exposed to daily.

DON’T BELIEVE ME THAT nnEMFs are harmful to human health? You are not alone. Many mainstream media outlets, researchers, and industry “experts” dismiss the level of non-ionizing radiation coming from things like cell phones as dangerous to human health. This is has been ongoing since the 1970s. However, if you are subscribed to this newsletter you may have more of an open mind to believing everything you read from CNN, Forbes, or the WHO. I know you all question things more than the average member of society. So if you question the efficacy and morality of the vaccine, why would you not also question the potential health hazards of nnEMF exposure? Even Presidential Nominee RFK is on board. Big Tech, Big Pharma, Big Food…there is no difference! Centralized industry will do anything it takes to cover up research that is sound and not funded by themselves. Here is an example…

Dr. Henry Lai from University of Washington Emeritus has compiled the most comprehensive set of research articles regarding nnEMFs and biological impacts. He has reviewed OVER 2,500 studies. His conclusion?

Dr. Lai reports concluded from his research that exposure to RFR or ELF EMF produces oxidative effects or free radicals, and damages DNA. Downstream effects of studies examined include significant effects on genetic, neurological and reproductive functions. Among hundreds of studies of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR), 70% to 89% reported significant biological effects. Among hundreds of studies of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) and static fields, 74% to 91% reported significant biological effects.

Still don’t believe me, read the book Going Somewhere by Dr. Andrew Marino. It will blow your mind on how much effort has gone to cover up research on the biological effects of nnEMFs since the 1970s. Or Google Russia’s stance on nnEMFs. 

You can also listen to one of our latest Decentralized Radio episodes with Anthony Smith, COO of EMF Safe. EMF Safe is a fantastic company that offers, in my opinion, the MOST effective nnEMF mitigation technology for your house. Hint: it’s not a f*cking pendant or harmonizer. YouTube link or Spotify link HERE.

Now that we got through the depressing side of the story, let's talk about WHAT YOU CAN DO to protect yourself from the harmful effects of nnEMFs without having to live in the woods-not a perfect solution either ;) 

HOW TO MITIGATE nnEMF detrimental health effects: DURATION + DISTANCE \

\ TIME/DURATION. Your worst enemy in being exposed to nnEMFs is the duration of exposure. Nearly all of the negative studies showed that after 48-72hrs of exposure (chronic), detrimental health effects were seen. HOWEVER, the same studies showed less conclusive negative health effects for exposures less than 24-48hrs (with variance). For me that means the following action items:

• Turn off the wifi-router at night 

• Turn phone on airplane mode when not using for >10 min

• Turn appliances OFF when not in use in your home 

• Create a sleep sanctuary with minimal/no electronics in the bedroom 

• Do not move to an area right next to High Voltage Transmission Lines, Substation, Airport, Hospital, etc. (any area with high powered communication/RF equipment or power distribution equipment) 

DISTANCE. Distance is your best friend in mitigating nnEMFs. Why? Inverse square law. Inverse square law is the fact that the magnitude of the EMF is calculated with the square of the distance in the denominator of the equation. This means that for every doubling of distance you have between you and the EMF source, the magnitude weakens by a factor of FOUR. Triple the distance, EMF magnitude goes down by a factor of NINE (and so forth). For me that results in the following action items:

• Do not keep your cell phone ON your body when ON & receiving calls/texts 

• Do NOT hold your cell phone up to your ear when making calls (use headphones/speaker)

• Move your bed 6-12 inches AWAY from any electrical outlets in your bedroom (especially near your head)

• Do not stand immediately next to high powered appliances when ON & in use (microwave, washer, dryer, blender, etc.)

There exists a lot of other nnEMF “mitigating/harmonizing” technologies, however I would be highly suspect of anyone trying to sell you something. EMFs are extremely complex. The angle of incidence, power level, and frequency matter tremendously. Most folks who aren’t engineers or have a deep knowledge of physics likely won’t be able to have the baseline knowledge to know what is a scam and what is not. OR what to prioritize from an nnEMF mitigation perspective. I gave a pretty good starting point above for what actionable steps you can take. THis does not mean all products are a scam. nnEMF shielding has its place and I use some of these products…but whenever a topic is extremely complex to the layperson, it is easy for someone to convince you that a product works. Especially when proof is challenging to come up with (EMF readers are an okay tool at best). 

As someone who holds a M.S. in Electrical Engineering, I never thought that my degree would come in handy for health optimization. Now in 2023, here I am realizing how electromagnetism is likely the MOST important topic to conceptualize to really crack the optimal health code. We are electromagnetic beings, and the research in this space has only just begun to scratch the surface.

If you want to learn more in depth about nnEMFs, mitigation tactics, what products work and do not, etc…subscribe to stay up to date on the latest. I am directly working with some renowned EMF experts on developing more educational content/courses that I will be launching in the near future to help practitioners and fellow esoteric health connoisseurs better understand nnEMFs more in depth to help themselves and their clients live a more optimal life. 

Here on Decentralized Health, I will be writing in depth about the electromagnetic aspects of health alongside other topics I am passionate about such as environmental toxins, regenerative agriculture, decentralization, Bitcoin and more. I want as many people as possible to become empowered through education so that they can escape the dependencies of the centralized systems that are tarnishing our quality of life. 

This is just the tip of the nnEMF iceberg. 

Stay Sovereign,

Tristan

Originally published Sep 25. 2023

@ f96073dc:5951c7c2

Introduction

The food we consume plays an obvious yet undervalued role in not just sustaining us, but also in shaping who we become.

The phrase "You are what you eat" transcends cliché to embody a profound truth: our diet directly influences our life experience.

Debates continue about the optimal food sources for human health and longevity.

These discussions often involve emotionally charged arguments influenced by faith, traditions, economic interests, and political opinions concerning the global climate crisis and sustainability.

My goal isn’t to delve into the weeds of this emotional & political debate, but instead to strip things back and provide a birds eye view on nutrition, whilst offering alternative lenses through which we can view food.

## Understanding Food as Information

More than mere fuel, food serves as crucial information for our bodies.

This concept may sound strange, as much of our nutritional understanding has been dumbed down to ‘energy in, energy out’, or ‘calories in, calories out’.

This perspective bypasses the importance of micro nutrients—the vitamins & minerals our bodies interrelate with, or don’t.

Food information determines how our cells function and regenerate, impacting everything from energy levels to cognitive ability.

The challenge lies in deciphering what constitutes "good information."

For centuries, nature provided a simple guide.

Our ancestors thrived on a diet of organ meats, plants, seafood, fruit, muscle meats, bones, and eggs—foods naturally rich in nutrients and absent of modern chemicals.

The question remains: If our forebears thrived on these natural foods, why have we deviated so drastically?

## The Shift in Food Paradigms

The introduction of heavily processed "Frankenfoods" laden with chemicals represents a stark departure from the diets of our grandparents and great-grandparents.

They consumed what we now coin "organic" food out of necessity rather than choice.

Food is pleasure, but it’s also a tool for a healthy self.

This ratio has been disproportionally thrown out of alignment.

The modern supermarket, with its aisles dominated by hyper palatable and processed products, reflects a concerning shift in our eating habits.

On the periphery of supermarkets lie fruits, vegetables, dairy, and animal based products, many of which have been sprayed with chemicals like glyphosate, or raised under inhumane conditions.

This brings us to the troubling paradox: while some parts of the world suffer from over-consumption and associated health issues like obesity and metabolic diseases, others face malnutrition and starvation due to food scarcity. (See red line below)

*HFCS: High fructose corn syrup

Questioning Current Food Paradigms

Our current food systems are broken.

A hard truth and pill to swallow, but if you look around, people have never been this unwell and overweight.

Misleading ‘Health Star Ratings’ and a flawed food pyramid, reflect a deeper societal malaise.

These systems often promote products that are not conducive to health, with processed carbohydrate forms serving as our staple, while nutrient and caloric dense foods like meat, fish, dairy, and natural fats have been marginalised.

## Whole Foods and Balanced Nutrients

So, what’s the ideal diet?

There is no universal diet that fits everybody.

The journey to finding the right diet involves personal experimentation.

However, a diet emphasising whole foods, which humans have consumed for millennia, remains a sound choice.

Eating natural foods avoids the pitfalls of ultra-processed foods and provides a balanced array of nutrients.

Side note: historically, meat was always the prized resource.

## Beyond Pesticides

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts together a list of 15 foods with the lowest amounts of pesticide residues, and conversely, 12 of the most contaminated foods with pesticides.

This is known as the ‘Clean Fifteen’ and ‘Dirty Dozen’.

When financially feasible, it’s advised to consume organic and pasture raised products.

If buying organic isn’t possible, one strategy to reduce pesticides is to soak the produce in water and a teaspoon of baking soda or a splash of apple cider vinegar for a few minutes.

## Nutritional Strategies for Specific Needs

Strategies like the elimination diet can help individuals identify how specific foods affect their bodies, allowing them to make informed choices that resonate with their unique physiological needs.

Tracking macronutrients and particularly protein intake can be crucial for specific health goals like muscle growth or weight loss.

Gaining a baseline understanding of the macros in your food can be an important piece of the puzzle, but should not become an obsessive practice.

Many diets serve a purpose, and depending on your goals as well as physiology, can be leveraged for great benefit.

This broad concept has been developed into a growing area of research called Nutrigenomics, defined as the study of how different foods may interact with specific genes to modify the risk of common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

For example, a ketogenic diet can help those with neurological disorders such as epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease, intermittent fasting can facilitate weight loss, and a carnivore diet can heal chronic skin or gut issues.

## Conclusion

In an era where diet-related health issues are rampant, returning to a more natural, informed way of eating is not just beneficial; it is necessary.

The prevalence of heavily processed "Frankenfoods" deviates from the nutrient-rich diets of our ancestors, contributing to a paradox of overconsumption and malnutrition.

Challenging current food paradigms is necessary to address misleading nutritional guidelines and flawed food systems.

Empower yourself to explore food in a deeper fashion, seeking a diet that not only nourishes your body but also aligns with your lifestyle goals and fosters a sense of vitality and well-being.

Eating well is a form of a self respect, and while we get the chance to inhabit this physical form, it should be our duty to make the most of this life and embody our fullest potential.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na danas.rs

11.01.2021 / Autor: Aleksandar Milošević

---

Ima više od osam godina otkako sam prvi put čuo za to nešto što se zvalo bitkoin.

Libertarijanski san: „Decentralizovana“ valuta koju ne kontroliše nijedna država; na koju nijedna centralna banka ne može da utiče; koju je zahvaljujući „blokčejn“ tehnologiji nemoguće falsifikovati i koja nudi anonimnost kakvu poznaje samo keš.

Valuta čija je ukupna količina unapred fiksirana pa joj je rast vrednosti usađen u DNK.

I to još valuta koju je moguće dobiti besplatno, ali po zasluzi, jer bitkoini nastaju tako što vaš kompjuter reši komplikovani matematički zadatak iza kojeg se „krije“ jedan od ovih magičnih novčića.

To što je čitav sistem osmislio misteriozni matematički genije poznat kao Satoši Nakamoto, koji možda postoji, a možda i ne postoji i što se ceo finansijski establišment obrušio na čitavu bitkoin-maniju kombinacijom podsmeha i represivnih pretnji, moglo je samo da ubrza moju tadašnju odluku da kupim XFX ATI RADEON HD 5870 grafičku karticu za nekih 200 evra (maksimum koji sam od skromne novinarske plate mogao sebi da oprostim) i priključim se drugoj velikoj zlatnoj groznici, nekih 150 godina nakon one originalne, kalifornijske.

Ipak, kao što se da pretpostaviti iz činjenice da danas pišem ovaj tekst umesto da na nekom tropskom ostrvu vežbam skokove u vodu, sudbina nije htela da se obogatim rudareći bitkoine.

Ispostavilo se, naime, da moja moćna grafička karta ne odgovara mojoj dosta nesposobnoj matičnoj ploči, pa sam uz pomoć najgore „cost-benefit“ analize u istoriji biznisa zaključio da je bolje da prodam grafičku sa 20 evra gubitka i zaboravim na sve, nego da zarad svoje igrarije menjam čitav kompjuter.

Ta greška koštala me je nekih 700.000 dolara.

Toliko bih, žalosno je, danas imao da sam propalu investiciju u pogrešan hardver pretvorio u novotariju zvanu kriptovaluta, po tadašnjem kursu od 10 dolara za novčić, umesto što sam „zaboravio na sve“.

Bitkoin je, ispostavilo se, postao prilično velika stvar.

S kursom od 40.000 dolara za jedan bitkoin, s međunarodnim bankama koje spekulišu ovom valutom, s nuklearnim naučnicima hapšenim jer su ruski državni superkompjuter upregli da za njih rudari bitkoin, sa novinskim izveštajima o ljudima koji idu u zemlje s jeftinom strujom da u njima instaliraju čitava skladišta puna računara za traženje bitkoina, pa čak i sa poslednjim pričama koje krive upravo bitkoin za to što je u Pakistanu pao napon struje za 200 miliona ljudi i što je 500 miliona Evropljana zamalo ostalo bez svetla, nema nikakve sumnje da je bitkoin nešto veliko.

A opet, to nešto veliko i dalje uporno ostaje – ništa.

Ma koliko neverovatna cena od 40.000 dolara delovala zavodljivo, bitkoin entuzijasti su već jednom, pre tačno dve godine, sve to već doživeli, kada je ova valuta prvi put u meteorskom usponu za samo par nedelja dostigla 20.000 dolara, da bi se onda jednako naglo i jednako neobjašnjivo survala nazad, ostavljajući mnoge sa velikom i nimalo virtuelnom rupom u džepu.

Osnovni problem bitkoina, uzrok njegove karakteristične nestabilnosti – ogromnih skokova i jednako spektakularnih padova – jeste to što niko ne zna za šta je on koristan.

Ma kako uzbudljivo delovala čitava priča o novcu koji je van kontrole vlade, koji nudi anonimnost transakcija i koji je navodno nemoguće falsifikovati, činjenica je da prosečnoj osobi ništa od toga nije potrebno.

Tačnije, bitkoin – sem u uskom krugu slučajeva – ne nudi ništa što već ne možete da dobijete sa svojom valutom, a da vam je potrebno.

Za anonimnost je većini dovoljan keš, rizik od falsifikata je dovoljno mali da je zanemarljiv, a kontrola države i nezavisnost od monetarnih vlasti su priče koje su ljudima eventualno intelektualno zanimljive, ali nikog neće naterati da u praksi krene da koristi neku virtuelnu valutu.

Zato je bitkoin ostao novac ponajviše upotrebljavan za nezakonite transakcije – otkup podataka od hakera, prodaju droge i tome slično – gde su anonimnost i elektronski transfer novca bitniji od svega.

Zašto onda raste cena bitkoinu?

Zato što svi kupuju bitkoine nadajući se da će im cena skočiti i da će zaraditi.

Kako raste tražnja tako raste cena i očekivanje se ispunjava.

Onda kad tražnja nestane, a to će se desiti kad svi koji su upravo sad čuli za bitkoin pokupuju virtuelne novčiće videvši koliki je rast cene u poslednjim danima, cena će krenuti da pada.

Jer – bitkoini nikom nisu potrebni i niko ne želi da ih zadrži. Sve što svi žele je da ih kupe, da im cena „iz nekog razloga skoči“ i da ih onda zamene za „pravi novac“.

U toj igri, koja se stalno ponavlja kako naiđe novi talas publiciteta, neko naravno mora i da izgubi.

Bitkoin neće postići stabilnost i neće uspeti da iskaže svoju „deflatornu“ prirodu u koju se svi uzdaju da im trajno podiže vrednost novčića koje poseduju, sve dok se ne bude pronašla njegova svrha kao valute.

Dok dovoljno veliki broj ljudi ne bude hteo da drži i koristi bitkoine za ono za šta je svaka valuta namenjena – za kupovinu roba i usluga.

Droga, oružje, ucene i ostale oblasti kriminalne ekonomije nisu dovoljni da bi se takva stabilnost postigla.

Glavni problem bitkoina je zato njegova praznina.

Bitkoin nije zlato našeg doba. Pre je blato.

@ 00cfe60d:2819cc65

Lets start with the money talk, at its core, a good form of money is created from two key ingredients: time and energy.

**Money = Time + Energy ** This simple idea explains why money has value. Time is something we can never get back, and energy is what powers everything we do, both mentally and physically. Together, they create value.

Why Energy is So Important Energy is what keeps life going. It’s essential for everything we use and do every day. For example:

• Food without energy to cook is raw and not very tasty.
• A car without energy doesn’t go anywhere.
• A person without energy feels tired and can’t work or play.
• Your work without energy gets nothing done.
• Football without energy means no running, no cheering, and no fun.
• A phone without energy is just a useless object.
• A house without energy is cold, dark, and uncomfortable.
• Transportation without energy means no moving buses, trains, or planes.
• The internet without energy means no websites, no games, and no communication.
• Nature without energy means plants don’t grow and animals can’t survive.

And what about money without energy? ** We often hear that “time is money” but if money is created without any time or energy, it becomes worthless. That’s why energy is so important in giving money its value.

Why Bitcoin is Different

Bitcoin is special because it follows the equation of money perfectly. It’s the best kind of money because it requires both time and energy to exist. Here’s how:

• Time: Bitcoin’s network is designed to create new bitcoins at regular intervals, so time is built into the system.

• Energy: Bitcoin is made using a process called Proof-of-Work, which uses real-world energy to produce and secure it. This ties its value to effort and cost.

Thanks to this process, Bitcoin is:

1. Scarce: There will only ever be 21 million bitcoins. It can’t be copied or faked.

2. Reliable: Its value is tied to real-world energy, making it solid and trustworthy.

3. Effort-Based: No one can create bitcoins out of thin air. It takes real work.

This makes Bitcoin an honest form of money, free from manipulation or shortcuts. It connects the digital and physical worlds through energy, just like gold was in the past, requiring time and energy to extract and maintain its value.

The Problem with Regular Money (Fiat Money)

On the other hand, fiat money, the kind printed by governments, doesn’t follow the same rules. It’s made without effort, just by pressing a button. This leads to big problems:

1. Inflation: More money is printed, making the money you already have worth less.

2. Manipulation: Governments and banks can change the rules whenever they want.

3. Unfairness: People closest to the money printers benefit the most, while everyone else pays the price.

4. Fiat money breaks the rule of time and energy. It’s just a symbol, not a true store of value.

**Henry Ford’s Energy Currency Idea ** Over 100 years ago, Henry Ford had a bold idea: What if money was based on energy? He believed energy was the ultimate resource because it’s measurable and valuable to everyone.

Bitcoin brings Ford’s vision to life. Its Proof-of-Work system ties money directly to energy. Bitcoin acts as a global, incorruptible energy currency that rewards effort and aligns money with real-world value.

Why Energy-Based Money Matters

Money that’s rooted in time and energy isn’t just an idea, it’s a principle we live by every day. To truly understand the value of energy and effort, let me share a personal story.

Every single day of the week, I train. I pour my energy and effort into CrossFit, pushing my body and mind to their limits. Last year, during a competition, I achieved something I’d never done before: 12 ring muscle-ups. Before that, my maximum was just three. Through consistent training, spending my time and energy at the gym, I earned that reward. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

This is Proof-of-Work in action. Just like my training required time and energy to achieve results, Bitcoin requires time and energy to exist. Its

Proof-of-Work mechanism ensures:

• It can’t be faked or inflated.
• It rewards hard work and energy, not shortcuts or manipulation.
• It restores trust by linking value to real-world effort.

In a world where fiat money can be printed without effort, Bitcoin shines as a clear and honest form of money. Like the work I put into my training, Bitcoin ties time and energy to value, creating a system that’s fair, transparent, and built to last.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na politika.rs

13.09.2021 / Autor: Aleksandar Apostolovski

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Za svet virtuelne banalnosti u koji smo umarširali potrebna je i njegova moneta. Kakav svet takvo i sredstvo plaćanja.

Ni četnički jataci nisu kao što su nekada bili. Ne skrivaju se u zemunicama, ne spremaju masnu gibanicu – prste da poližeš – ne čekaju zapadne saveznike da se iskrcaju na Jadranu. Verovatno nemaju ni brade modne linije starog američkog benda „Zi Zi Top”.

Nepoznata sajber ilegalna grupa upala je u podrum kuće čiča Draže u Ivanjici. Zaista, prvorazredna vest. Instalirali su snažne procesore i mašine za rudarenje bitkoinima i daljinskim sistemom. Ko zna odakle. Možda sa Kariba, možda iz Kosjerića, možda iz Jajca – ako su ipak partizani. Trgovali su kriptovalutama. Umalo da tako rasture uličnu rasvetu tokom „Nušićijade”, pa su čelnici opštine sproveli internu istragu, tražeći ilegalce koji vrše diverziju nad elektroenergetskim sistemom grada i festivalom satire.

Upali su u Dražin dom, sišli u podrum i zatekli sofisticiranu opremu, snažne procesore i nekakve mašine za rudarenje po internetu. Kompjuterski komandosi, naravno, nisu bili prisutni. Sada ih juri policija. Potrošili su oko 55.000 kilovat-sati struje. Verovatno se skrivaju pod stripovskim kodnim imenima, poput hakera iz Niša koji su ojadili Teksašane, pa im je doakao FBI, jer Ameri možda trpe svoje prevarante koji muzu kockare na globalnom groblju kriptovaluta, ali ne dozvoljavaju da se u međunarodnu spekulativnu igru ubace mozgovi sa južne pruge, gde je dozvoljeno da se prži paprika, pravi ajvar i sluša melanholični džez na „Nišvilu”.

Jedan od članova niške hakerske grupe je Antonije Stojiljković, koji se krio iza lažnih imena „Toni Rivas” i „Džejkob Gold”, a u slobodno vreme bio je reper poznatiji kao „Zli Toni”. Stojiljković je izručen Americi zbog računarskih prevara. Dobrovoljno se prijavio kako bi se sklonio u Ameriku.

Ti momci su nudili bitkoin upola cene i stvorili takvu virtuelnu međunarodnu mrežu lažnih kompanija, menadžera, uz organizaciju video-konferencija, da su omađijali dobar deo internet investitora iz Teksasa, te je Federalni istražni biro morao da spasava čast kauboja koje su izradile Nišlije. Njihov vođa, izvesni Kristijan Krstić, prestao je da se javlja policiji, nestao je sa suprugom i ortakom Markom Pavlovićem bez traga, iako su pod istragom, što može da poremeti i diplomatske odnose između Srbije i SAD.

Taj Kristijan, ne onaj Kristijan koji se seli iz rijalitija u rijaliti, koristio je nadimke poput „Feliksa Logana” ili „Maršala Grahama” i na internet prevarama zaradio je više desetina miliona evra. Priča nije nimalo bezazlena. Veze „Zlog Tonija” dosežu, bar po dosadašnjem toku istrage, sve do klana Belivuka.

Ali, to će rešavati sudovi i policija, mada i podaci koji su procurili otkrivaju suštinu fame bitkoin i na hiljade kriptovaluta koje može stvoriti bilo koji maher, avanturista, šaljivdžija, klinac, multimilioner, tajne službe, trgovci oružjem, narko-bosovi, plaćene ubice ili Del Bojevi koji će iduće godine postati milioneri.

Virtuelni svet ne može postojati bez virtuelnih valuta, s tim što one nisu opipljive, iza njih ne stoje centralne banke i vlade. Dakle, nemate pojma ko ih je stvorio, nemate pojma s kime trgujete i ko su brokeri.

Vidim da na „Jutjubu”, u motelu „Stari Hrast” na Koridoru 10, neki momci plaćaju prebranac i vešalice bitkoinima, preko mobilnih telefona. U kafani primaju i etereume, digitalni novčić u usponu, odmah iza bitkoina. I za to čudo je potreban digitalni novčanik... Ovde ću se zaustaviti jer je za svet banalnosti u koji smo umarširali potrebna i njegova moneta. Kakav svet takvo i sredstvo plaćanja.

Kako su kompjuterski podaci svih vrsta, od pretraživača, društvenih mreža, aplikacija, do podataka kompanija, državnih i međunarodnih organizacija, i onih ličnih, koje upravo vi posedujete, postali nezamislivo ogromna baza koju je nemoguće uskladištiti, otvorena je berza za internet magacionere koji će, rudareći na internetu, postati kandidati za potencijalne šefove skladišta. Teoretski, možete izrudariti deo arhive CIA. Preporuka – ako saznate ko je ukokao Kenedija, ćutite ko zaliveni!

(Dragan Stojanović)

Da je Alija Sirotanović kojim slučajem rudario kao specijalci iz Dražinog podruma, postao bi Bil Gejts. Alija je znao da nema ’leba bez motike, odnosno krampa. Zato je ostao Sirotanović. Ovo je novo doba. Mašina krampuje u simuliranoj stvarnosti, a virtuelni homo sapijens upravlja procesorima. Bitkoin vrti gde burgija neće! Stvar ipak nije tako idilična. Te skalamerije troše ogromne količine električne energije i strahovito zagrevaju prostorije, pa je u Dražinom podrumu bilo nešto vrelije nego u sauni. Priča se da su najveći mešetari otperjali na Island da se prirodno rashlade. Sledeće stanište im je Grenland.

Kome god je stalo do računarskog kriptovalutnog avanturizma može da formira svoj mali rudnik, gde nema zlata ni dijamanata, ali ima koina, odnosno stotog dela bitkoina. Jedan trenutno vredi 50.000 dolara. Pitam se, ovako zastareo, gde su banke i menjačnice?

Sa ono malo informatičkog znanja – valjda ću uspeti nekako imejlom da pošaljem ovaj tekst – saznao sam da vrednost bitkoina vrtoglavo skače i pada na dnevnom nivou, a kako je njegov broj ograničen na globalnom nivou, a neformalni šef Federalnih rezervi bitkoina je donedavno bio jedan od najbogatijih ljudi sveta Ilon Mask, koji je na svom tviter nalogu svakodnevno formirao grafikon rasta i pada svojim opaskama, tu već naslućujem elemente bondovskog zapleta. Harizmatični superbogataš koji leti u svemir, poseduje kompaniju električnih automobila „Tesla”, upravljao je donedavno imaginarnom berzom i valutom, ali je nedavno odustao. Možda zato emigrira u kosmos?

Stvar zaista može izmaći kontroli ili će, možda, bitkoin postati naša sudbina, a mi rudari iz sauna? Salvador je pre nekoliko dana postao prva zemlja na svetu koja je usvojila bitkoin kao zakonsko sredstvo plaćanja, uz američki dolar, s planovima korišćenja vulkanske geotermalne energije za napajanje rudarenja digitalne valute. Postavili su i bankomate. Tamošnjem narodu, kao i meni, ništa nije jasno.

Međutim, broj bitkoina je ograničen i zato pomalo podseća na zlato. Ali kod zlata ipak ponešto razumem. Recimo, ako imam zlatnu polugu i neko me napadne, mogu da je koristim u samoodbrani, a onda je sklonim u trezor banke.

Mogu da učinim i nešto drugo, jednako glupo. Da stvorim sopstvenu kriptovalutu. Nazvaću je „Ser Oliver koin”. Cijena će joj, logično, biti prava sitnica. Trebaju mi saradnici. Kruži fama da se popriličan broj klinaca, mahom dvadesetogodišnjaka, pridružio kultu bitkoina. Tokom korone izgubili su poverenje u sve, naročito u nas matore. Optužuju nas za izdaju i predviđaju propast država i zvaničnih valuta, uz uspon dvoglave aždaje – saveza bogataša i političara.

Delimično su u pravu, ali nisu ukapirali ključnu stvar. Aždaja raste, a oni rudare. Na kraju će završiti još gore nego Alija Sirotanović. Likovi im neće biti na novčanicama, a kablovima će biti priključeni za superkompjuter. Njihov novi vlasnik, s kodnim imenom „Procesor”, plaćaće ih idiot-koinima. Tražili smo, gledaćemo.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na trzisnoresenje.blogspot.com

22.12.2017 / Autor: Slaviša Tasić

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Ovoliki uspon Bitcoina neobjašnjiv je za ekonomiste. Ne znam da li je to problem za bitcoin ili za ekonomiste, ali činjenica je da se uspeh bitcoina ne uklapa u postojeće ekonomske koncepte bar kada se radi o njemu kao valuti (blockchain kao tehnološka podloga je druga stvar). Možda su tinejdžeri koji su kupovali bitcoin 2010. i sada postali milioneri ispali pametniji od ekonomista, ali ja i dalje ne vidim odgovor bitcoina na neka standardna konceptualna pitanja. Postoji apokrifna izjava pripisana nekom profesoru ekonomije: "OK, vidim da to radi u praksi -- ali čik da vidim da li radi u teoriji?" Ovo je nešto tog tipa.

O poreklu novca, od Aristotela nasuprot Platonu pa sve do danas, postoje dve teorije. Jedna je teorija robnog novca i po njoj je novac nastao kada su neke vredne stvari počele da se češće koriste u razmeni. Plemeniti metali, naročito srebro i zlato, najpogodniji za čuvanje, oblikovanje i seckanje tako su postali novac. Kada se kasnije pojavio papirni novac on je sve do prvih decenija 20. veka bio samo hartija od vrednosti koja donosiocu daje pravo na propisanu količinu zlata.

Druga teorija je kartalizam, po kojoj neku robu novcem ne čini njena unutrašnja vrednost ili robna podloga, već država onda kada odluči da tu robu prihvata za naplatu poreza. Zbog toga je prelaz na papirni novac tokom 20. veka bio tako bezbolan i papirne valute se danas bez problema prihvataju. Današnji papirni novac nije više sertifikat koji vam daje pravo na zlato, ali vrednost ima jer u krajnjoj liniji znate da njime uvek možete platiti državi za porez ili usluge.

Bitcoin se ne uklapa ni u jednu od ovih teorija. On nema imanentnu vrednost kao robni novac, niti se može koristiti za plaćanje državi. Jedini način za bitcoin da ima neku vrednost je da ga prihvataju druge privatne strane u transakcijama. To je potpuni novitet u istoriji novca, jer se po prvi put radi o privatnom dekretnom (proklamovanom ili fiat) novcu. Postojao je privatni novac sa robnom podlogom; postoji državni dekretni novac; ali nikad privatni dekretni novac.

Najveći problem sa bitcoinom kao valutom je nestabilnost. To što njegova vrednost vrtoglavo raste nikako nije argument u prilog njemu jer nestabilnost valute isključuje mogućnost smislenog ugovaranja u njoj. Pristalice bitcoina dobro znaju da je njegova ponuda automatski ograničena i to je čest argument u odbranu bitcoina kao valute i navodno u prilog njegove stabilnosti. Ja nisam siguran da ograničenost ponude igra tako veliku ulogu.

Prvo, iako je količina bitcoina ograničena, može se napraviti neograničeno mnogo kopija bitcoina ili boljih kripto valuta. Već sada postoji na hiljade njih. Šta ograničenost ponude bitcoina uopšte znači kada ima neograničeno mnogo alternativa?

Drugo, iako je ponuda ograničena, cenu novca, kao i svega drugog, određuju ponuda i tražnja. A tražnja je kao što vidimo veoma varijabilna. Tako na jednoj strani imamo kvaziograničenost ponude a na drugoj veliku neizvesnost tražnje. To sve ukazuje na ogromnu nestabilnost.

Kod klasičnih valuta, poput evra ili dinara, ponuda je ograničena politikom centralne banke. Mnogi će reći da to nije nikakva garancija, ali zapadne valute već 30 godina nemaju nikakvu inflaciju, a u proteklih desetak godina veći problem bila je deflacija. Tražnja - želja za držanjem novca - je kod državnih valuta takođe varijabilna, ali mnogo manje jer monopolski karakter ovih valuta i naplata poreza u njima garantuju njihovu upotrebu. I kod tradicionalnih valuta ne samo da je tražnja novca relativno stabilna, već u situacijama kada tražnja novca bude nestabilna, fleksibilnost njegove ponude postaje prednost a ne mana. Na primer, tražnja za švajcarskim francima je negde oko 2009. naglo porasla. Švajcarska centralna banka je na to reagovala ogromnim povećanjem ponude, tako da je franak sačuvao bazičnu stabilnost. Jeste ojačao ali u razumnoj meri - ne desetostruko ili stostruko kao što rade kriptovalute.

Zato ne vidim kako se oscilacije bitcoina mogu zaustaviti. Jasno je da kriptovalute imaju neku korisnost u transakcijama, makar to bilo i za ilegalne aktivnosti, ali kada je ponuda neograničena a tražnja neizvesna onda nema nikakvih smernica buduće vrednosti. Ne znam koliko se to čak i može nazvati balonom jer se uopšte nemamo na šta osloniti u proceni nekakve prave vrednosti -- nema nikakvog fundamentalnog razloga ni da cena bitcoina poraste na $19,000 niti da danas padne na $12,500. Jedina vrednost koja u teoriji ima smisla je nula ili vrlo blizu nule.