@ e0e92e54:d630dfaa

When a Client Wants Out…& A Yellow Flag Appears

This week was an interesting one with a client that wants to exit our agreement early.

(Totally fine. It happens and usually when one or both parties want to part ways, unless it's marriage, then it's at minimum a Yellow Flag if not a Red Flag that should be observed).

I tend to work with clients that have multiple irons in the fire, hence why they need someone like me to come along side them and provide guidance and help root them in the area they must focus on.

There is a strong parallel with this irregardless of whether it's #business #life or #impact

This client had big goals, but like many business owners, they defaulted to reactionary decisions instead of a structured plan. That’s when the Yellow Flag turned into a pattern I’ve seen before—Random Acts of X.

The Cost of Random Acts of X

If your solution is:

A. Throw money at it, and/or

B. Fire, Aim, Ready...instead of Ready, Aim, Fire

This WILL result in Random Acts of X (wherein X is whatever your are focused on, ie Marketing...aka Random Acts of Marketing essentially equates to the proverbial "throw spaghetti on the wall")

Is that really a thing? Like do Italians or some other cultures actually throw spaghetti on the wall to see if it "sticks"? Inquiring minds want to know! 🤷‍♂️

As I mentioned, my clients tend to have a lot of things they are trying to accomplish at once. This leads to fragmented efforts and lack luster results.

That being said, I approach everything as a relationship. Afterall, I believe:

Leadership = Relationships!

With this particular client there was one project he abruptly ended. Again, that's fine...it's their business...

Since I'm there to help them lead well, I reminded them this is a relationship and asked "What's next that you want me to focus on?"

We got on the same page with the new project and not even 2 days later that's where the Yellow Flag appeared in the form of issue A (just throw money at it).

Shortcuts Lead to Ghost Towns (Buying Followers Won’t Work)

You see, they wanted me to lead a marketing campaign to build relationships with people their company could sponsor. BUT they just wanted to "buy followers".

When I noticed one of their social accounts has 28k followers and on average only 14 impressions per post...

I asked "How's that working out for ya?"

You see folks, real relationships take time!

One cannot simply "throw money at it" and expect sound, sustainable results.

If you’re buying an audience instead of building one, you won’t have a community—you'll have a ghost town.

What Fake Engagement Looks Like in Business & Family

Think of it this way...

Imagine all you did in your family's relationships was throw money at it. You just "bought followers" in the form of taking this trip, buying that thing for them; and you totally avoided the time investment the relationship requires?

Sure...you might have been physically there...but were you present?

I run into this often with my son. He wants me to watch him play a video game. And during that time together what is he doing? He keeps looking over his shoulder to make sure I'm paying attention to HIM and not clandestinely on my phone.

Same goes for his Basketball...he wants me there rebounding for him...not sitting in a chair idly watching.

Are You Present or Just Physically There?

Business Owners and Leaders!

Husbands, Wives, and Parents!

People whom desire to have an impact!

The Process is the Shortcut!

Play silly games. Win silly prizes.

Intentionally build relationships. Reap rewards forever.

It's...

That...

Simple...

Easy? Not really...especially for someone like me whom is just as keen to spend time in nature or chillaxing with a cup of coffee on the back porch, thinking (and wishing my garden was growing better LOL).

But simple? Yes!

Create the process, execute the process, refine the process, and repeat.

The Process is the Shortcut...

Your Next Step: Cut the Shortcuts. Build the Process.

So—where do you need to refine your process today?

💡 What’s one way you can be more present in a relationship this week?

💡 What can you eliminate to move you closer to real impact—instead of just chasing more?

🔹 Drop your answer below 👇

---

Jason Ansley* is the founder of Above The Line Leader*, where he provides tailored leadership support and operational expertise to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders thrive.

Want to strengthen your leadership and enhance operational excellence? Connect with Jason at https://abovethelineleader.com/contact

📌 This article first appeared on Nostr. You can also find more Business Leadership Articles and content at: 👉 https://abovethelineleader.com/business-leadership-articles

@ 4d4fb5ff:1e821f47

Snapshot of a 3D molecular structure. In bacteria, the enzyme Peptidase E (PepE) is encoded by the gene PEPE. PEPEDASE is an atomic view of PepE enzyme’s spatial architecture based on publicly available scientific data, visually arranged to pay homage to Pepe the Frog. I made this piece in support of Matt Furie’s #SavePepe movement.

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

List of Wordpress articles:

• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/01/python-nostr/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/02/python-nostr-2/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/03/python-nostr-second-program/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/python-nostr-sdk/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/python-nostr-third-program/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/05/python-nostr-guessing-the-npub/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/06/python-nostr_sdk-fetching-metadata/
• https://alashazam.wordpress.com/tag/python/

---

```python

!/usr/bin/env python3

""" Fetches the joined date from a Nostr profile and calculates the days since account creation.

Usage: python fetch_joined_date.py [npub]

Arguments: npub : The public key of the user (in npub format).

Requirements: - nostr_sdk library - Python 3.x

Example: python fetch_joined_date.py npub1... """

import argparse import time import ssl import json import uuid import logging from datetime import datetime from nostr.event import EventKind from nostr.relay_manager import RelayManager from nostr.key import PublicKey from nostr.filter import Filter, Filters from nostr.message_type import ClientMessageType

Configure logging

logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO, format="%(levelname)s: %(message)s")

RELAY_URL = "wss://relay.damus.io"

def fetch_metadata(npub): """Fetches metadata from a Nostr profile given an npub key.""" pub_key = PublicKey.from_npub(npub) filters = Filters([Filter(authors=[pub_key.hex()], kinds=[EventKind.SET_METADATA])]) subscription_id = uuid.uuid1().hex request = [ClientMessageType.REQUEST, subscription_id, *filters.to_json_array()]

relay_manager = RelayManager()
relay_manager.add_relay(RELAY_URL)
relay_manager.add_subscription(subscription_id, filters)

try:
    relay_manager.open_connections({"cert_reqs": ssl.CERT_NONE})
    time.sleep(1)  # Allow time for connection
    relay_manager.publish_message(json.dumps(request))
    time.sleep(1)  # Allow time for response

    while relay_manager.message_pool.has_events():
        event_msg = relay_manager.message_pool.get_event()
        metadata = json.loads(event_msg.event.content)
        return metadata
except Exception as e:
    logging.error(f"Error fetching metadata: {e}")
finally:
    relay_manager.close_connections()

return None

def fetch_joined_date(npub): """Retrieves the joined date of a Nostr profile and calculates days since creation.""" metadata = fetch_metadata(npub) if not metadata or "created_at" not in metadata: logging.warning("Could not retrieve metadata or 'created_at' field is missing.") return

try:
    created_at = int(metadata["created_at"])
    created_date = datetime.utcfromtimestamp(created_at)
    days_since_creation = (datetime.utcnow() - created_date).days

    logging.info(f"Account created on: {created_date.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S UTC')}")
    logging.info(f"Days since account creation: {days_since_creation}")
except (ValueError, TypeError):
    logging.error("Invalid 'created_at' timestamp.")

if name == "main": parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Fetch the joined date from a Nostr profile.") parser.add_argument("npub", type=str, help="The public key of the user (in npub format).") args = parser.parse_args()

fetch_joined_date(args.npub)

```

@ 20e17dd0:2ae504d7

1. Hardware Selection

It is important to select adequately the hardware that will be used to build your Node. The Node will be running 24h /7 days and will countain your lightning channels. It is important to use high quality hardware and spend the extra dollars for it.

At the time of building my Node, there was a shortage of Raspberry Pi and I was looking for an optimal alternative. I have decided to go ahead and purchase a used Mac Mini (late 2012).

It is recommended NOT to purchase a Mac Mini newer than 2012 (i.e 2014 and up) because Apple started to solder the RAM to the Logic Board after 2012. The Mac Mini Late 2012 is the last model that is fully customizable with SSD and RAM upgrades.

Here is the list of hardware that will be used in this build:

• 2 x 8G DDR3L Sodim 1600Mhz 1.35V
• 1 x Mac Mini (Late 2012) 2.5Ghz
• 1 x Samsung Evo 870 1Tb SSD ^

^ Note: As discussed earlier, it is important to select hardware of quality. I had initially purchased a low cost 2Tb SSD but it failed while trying to download the Bitcoin blockchain.

2. Hardware Upgrade

To facilitate the upgrade of the hardware, you will need the proper tools to remove some T6 & T8 screws.

Here are the steps to dismount the few components of the Mac Mini to upgrade the hardware:

1. Unplug the Mac Mini.
2. Turn it upside down with the black cover facing up.

3. Put your thumbs in the 2 grooves of the cover and turn the piece counterclockwise.

4. Remove the cover.

5. Remove 3 x T6 screws holding the fan.
6. Lift the fan and disconnect the connector by pulling gently straight up the wires.
7. Remove 1x T6 screw at the bottom of the shroud (black plastic piece on the left of the fan).

8. Remove the shroud by holding the top right part with your fingers and turning it clockwise.

9. Remove 4 x T8 screws of the grill WIFI cover.

10. The top of the grill is mounted under the Mac Mini case. Lift gently the bottom of the grill and pull towards yourself to remove the grill.
11. Move the grill aside, you do not have to disconnect the WIFI sensor, just be careful.

2.1 Upgrading the RAM

The RAM is visible and accessible from the moment you remove the cover. Simply release each RAM by releasing the clips on the side. Once disengaged, the RAM will spring in a 45-degree angle. Remove it and put back the upgraded RAM at a 45 degree angle and push it down for it to clip.

2.2 Upgrading the SSD

It is important to note that the Mac Mini has 2 SSD bay. They are referred to as the “upper bay” and “lower bay”. Since we have flipped the Mac Mini upside down to remove the bottom cover, the “upper bay” is located under the “lower bay”.

The “upper bay” is mounted with an expansion kit that holds the SSD in position whereas the “lower bay” SSD is simply resting on top of the “upper bay” SSD.

One important aspect is that the connecting cables for the “lower bay” and “upper bay” SSD are not the same. The “upper bay” SSD connects on the logic board on the right and the “lower bay” SSD cable connects on the left. Removing the “upper bay” SSD requires removing the logic board therefore requires more work. It is recommended to install the new SSD in the “lower” bay. Here are the 2 scenarios:

1.Your Mac Mini has already a Hard Drive installed in the “lower” bay. In that case insert a credit card under the HD and gently pry it upwards. You will be able to slide it out of the bay. The reason to pry it gently is because since there is no “upper” bay drive, The HD is being held in the air by 2 screws on the side that are aligned in 2 holes in the Mac Mini case. Once the HD is removed, transfer the connecting cable and the 2 screws to the new SSD. To put back the new SSD, it is easier to rotate the Mac Mini 90 degree and have the mounting holes at the bottom and use the gravity to get the 2 mounting screws in the holes. After, connect the connector to the logic board.

1. Your Mac Mini has already a Hard Drive installed in the “upper bay”? Leave it there, you do not need mounting screws, but you need a new connecting cable. You will have to buy a “lower bay connector”. Once installed on the SSD, slide the SSD on top of the original one. The connector will plug on the logic board on the left of the “upper bay” SSD connector.

A good preparation would be to go in “Disk Utility” menu on MacOS and search for “upper” or “lower” position before starting to disassemble.

Reassemble everything and you are done.

@ be41636e:e55c4909

Will Quantum Computers Kill Bitcoin? The Truth May Surprise You

One of the biggest fears around Bitcoin is that quantum computers (QCs) will render it obsolete. But is this really a legitimate concern, or just another doomsday myth?

The Real Threat: Not All Quantum Computers Are Equal

First, let’s get one thing straight: quantum computers already exist. The first notable ones appeared in the 1990s, built by IBM and Stanford. So why hasn’t Bitcoin already been hacked? Because it’s not about whether quantum computers exist—it’s about how powerful they need to be.

Are All Bitcoin Addresses at Risk?

No! If you’ve entered Bitcoin after 2010 or use a wallet backed up with 12 or 24 words (BIP-39, introduced in 2013), your funds are safe from quantum threats for a very long time—centuries, at least.

But why?

Understanding How Bitcoin’s Security Works

Bitcoin security is based on private keys. (These are represented by the 12-24 words you write down when setting up a wallet.) From this private key, a public key is created. In Bitcoin’s early days, people shared public keys directly to receive payments. But in 2010, Bitcoin introduced an extra layer of security: hashed addresses.

Now, instead of sharing your public key, your wallet generates a Bitcoin address, which is actually a hash of your public key. This adds an extra step for an attacker: before they can find your private key, they must first break the hash to reveal your public key.

Two Steps to Breaking Bitcoin

To steal Bitcoin using quantum computing, an attacker must:

1. Break the hash (Bitcoin address → public key) using Grover’s algorithm.
2. Break the elliptic curve cryptography (public key → private key) using Shor’s algorithm.

Where Do Quantum Computers Stand Today?

Let’s put things in perspective. Google’s Willow processor, which made headlines recently, has 105 physical qubits. But breaking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (step 2 above) requires about 2,330 logical qubits, running for minutes to hours.

So how does 105 physical qubits compare to 2,330 logical qubits? It’s not even in the same league. To get 2,330 logical qubits, we'd likely need millions of physical qubits—a technology that is still decades away.

Now, even if we magically reached 2,330 logical qubits tomorrow, that only breaks public keys. It still wouldn't be enough to break Bitcoin addresses (step 1), which would take centuries with current quantum algorithms.

Who Should Be Worried?

• People who used Bitcoin before 2010 and still have funds sitting in old public-key-based addresses (P2PK addresses). Their funds could be stolen in minutes to hours if a powerful enough quantum computer emerged.
• People who reuse addresses—this exposes the public key, making it vulnerable to a quantum attack, even when you are using more modern addresses. (Many wallets, including Trust Wallet, SafePal, Exodus, and Atomic Wallet, still allow this bad practice!)

Who Can Sleep Soundly?

• Anyone using modern Bitcoin addresses (P2PKH, SegWit, Taproot). Their addresses are hashed, meaning an attacker would need centuries to break the first layer of protection before even getting to the public key.
• Anyone moving their coins periodically—since modern Bitcoin wallets generate new addresses for each transaction, public keys remain hidden.

The Concrete Wall Analogy

Think of your Bitcoin private key as being locked inside a massive vault. The first layer of protection is your Bitcoin address, which acts like a thick concrete wall. Cracking through this wall with current quantum algorithms would take centuries. Even if someone managed to break through, they would still face a second, much thinner barrier—your public key. This one would take only minutes to hours to breach. But by then, Bitcoin security upgrades would likely already be in place, leaving attackers empty-handed.

But What If We Make a Huge Quantum Leap?

Yes, it’s possible that new quantum algorithms emerge, or that quantum hardware advances faster than expected. But Bitcoin’s development community isn’t sitting idle, waiting to get wrecked. There are already proposals for quantum-resistant Bitcoin addresses, and they can be implemented before quantum computers reach a dangerous level.

The Bottom Line

🚀 Quantum computers won’t kill Bitcoin anytime soon.

📌 If you’re using a modern Bitcoin wallet, your funds are safe from quantum threats for the foreseeable future.

📌 If you reuse addresses, stop! It exposes your public key and makes you vulnerable much sooner.

📌 Bitcoin developers are already preparing for a quantum-resistant future.

So, no, quantum computers won’t be the end of Bitcoin. But they might be the end of bad security practices! 🔐

@ b17fccdf:b7211155

Next new resources about the MiniBolt guide have been released:

---

• 🆕 Roadmap: LINK
• 🆕 Dynamic Network map: LINK
• 🆕 Nostr community: LINK < ~ REMOVE the "[]" symbols from the URL (naddr...) to access
• 🆕 Linktr FOSS (UC) by Gzuuus: LINK
• 🆕 Donate webpage: 🚾 Clearnet LINK || 🧅 Onion LINK
• 🆕 Contact email: hello@minibolt.info

---

Enjoy it MiniBolter! 💙

@ be41636e:e55c4909

One of the biggest fears around Bitcoin is that quantum computers (QCs) will render it obsolete. But is this really a legitimate concern, or just another doomsday myth?

The Real Threat: Not All Quantum Computers Are Equal

First, let’s get one thing straight: quantum computers already exist. The first notable ones appeared in the 1990s, built by IBM and Stanford. So why hasn’t Bitcoin already been hacked? Because it’s not about whether quantum computers exist—it’s about how powerful they need to be.

Are All Bitcoin Addresses at Risk?

No! If you’ve entered Bitcoin after 2010 or use a wallet backed up with 12 or 24 words (BIP-39, introduced in 2013), your funds are safe from quantum threats for a very long time—centuries, at least.

But why?

Understanding How Bitcoin’s Security Works

Bitcoin security is based on private keys. (These are represented by the 12-24 words you write down when setting up a wallet.) From this private key, a public key is created. In Bitcoin’s early days, people shared public keys directly to receive payments. But in 2010, Bitcoin introduced an extra layer of security: hashed addresses.

Now, instead of sharing your public key, your wallet generates a Bitcoin address, which is actually a hash of your public key. This adds an extra step for an attacker: before they can find your private key, they must first break the hash to reveal your public key.

Two Steps to Breaking Bitcoin

To steal Bitcoin using quantum computing, an attacker must:

1. Break the hash (Bitcoin address → public key) using Grover’s algorithm.
2. Break the elliptic curve cryptography (public key → private key) using Shor’s algorithm.

Where Do Quantum Computers Stand Today?

Let’s put things in perspective. Google’s Willow processor, which made headlines recently, has 105 physical qubits. But breaking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (step 2 above) requires about 2,330 logical qubits, running for minutes to hours.

So how does 105 physical qubits compare to 2,330 logical qubits? It’s not even in the same league. To get 2,330 logical qubits, we'd likely need millions of physical qubits—a technology that is still decades away.

Now, even if we magically reached 2,330 logical qubits tomorrow, that only breaks public keys. It still wouldn't be enough to break Bitcoin addresses (step 1), which would take centuries with current quantum algorithms.

Who Should Be Worried?

• People who used Bitcoin before 2010 and still have funds sitting in old public-key-based addresses (P2PK addresses). Their funds could be stolen in minutes to hours if a powerful enough quantum computer emerged.
• People who reuse addresses—this exposes the public key, making it vulnerable to a quantum attack, even when you are using more modern addresses. (Many wallets, including Trust Wallet, SafePal, Exodus, and Atomic Wallet, still allow this bad practice!)

Who Can Sleep Soundly?

• Anyone using modern Bitcoin addresses (P2PKH, SegWit, Taproot). Their addresses are hashed, meaning an attacker would need centuries to break the first layer of protection before even getting to the public key.

The Concrete Wall Analogy

Think of your Bitcoin private key as being locked inside a massive vault. The first layer of protection is your Bitcoin address, which acts like a thick concrete wall. Cracking through this wall with current quantum algorithms would take centuries. Once one breaks through this wall, they would face a second wall, which is a much thinner barrier—your public key. This one would take only minutes to hours to breach.

But What If We Make a Huge Quantum Leap?

Yes, it’s possible that new quantum algorithms emerge, or that quantum hardware advances faster than expected. But Bitcoin’s development community isn’t sitting idle, waiting to get wrecked. There are already proposals for quantum-resistant Bitcoin addresses, and they can be implemented before quantum computers reach a dangerous level.

The Bottom Line

🚀 Quantum computers won’t kill Bitcoin anytime soon.

📌 If you’re using a modern Bitcoin wallet, your funds are safe from quantum threats for the foreseeable future.

📌 If you reuse addresses, stop! It exposes your public key and makes you vulnerable much sooner.

📌 Bitcoin developers are already preparing for a quantum-resistant future.

So, no, quantum computers won’t be the end of Bitcoin. But they might be the end of bad security practices! 🔐

@ b17fccdf:b7211155

---

Check out the MiniBolt guide -> HERE <-

---

• Core guides
• System
  • Preparations
  • Operating System
  • Remote access
  • Configuration
  • Security
  • Privacy
• Bitcoin
  • Bitcoin client (Bitcoin Core)
  • Electrum server (Fulcrum)
  • Desktop signing app (Sparrow Wallet)
  • Blockchain explorer (BTC RPC Explorer)
• Lightning
  • Lightning client (LND)
  • Channel backup
  • Web app (ThunderHub)
  • Mobile app (Zeus)
• Bonus guides
• System bonus guide
  • Dashboard & Appearance
    • Pimp the command line
    • System Overview
  • System Administration
    • Aliases
    • Statip IP & custom DNS servers
  • Install / Update / Uninstall common languages
    • Node.js + NPM
    • Rustup + Cargo
    • Go!
  • Databases
    • PostgreSQL
  • Security
    • SSH Keys
    • WireGuard VPN
    • Cloudflare Tunnel
  • Resilience
    • Tor services: bridges & relays
  • Hardware
    • Store data in a secondary disk
• Bitcoin bonus guides
  • Electrum servers
    • Electrs
  • Signing apps
    • Desktop
    • Electrum Wallet Desktop
  • Decentralized exchange
    • Bisq
  • Resilience
    • Safu Ninja
    • Ordisrespector
  • Fun
    • Download the white paper
  • Testnet
    • MiniBolt on Testnet
  • Payment processors
    • BTCPay Server
• Nostr bonus guides
  • Relays
  • Nostr relay

---

🏗️ Roadmap | 🌐 Dynamic Network map | 🔧 Issues | 📥 Pull requests | 🗣️ Discussions

---

By ⚡2FakTor⚡

---

Last updated: 22/12/2024

@ d57360cb:4fe7d935

What is life but a preparation for the grand finale.

Think of your life up to this point. You’ve been living in the midst of death whether you pay attention to it or not.

Your youth faded, the years go by, relationships fail, careers fail, people die, the ones close to you and those you hardly know. Civilizations wiped out, total species completely gone with no trace.

Here you are in the midst of death. A vortex of change wiping everything in its path. Creating space for the unknown and new. Nothing lasts, nothing stays the same, everything ends. Ending gives great significance to life.

How will you be in the presence of someone you love knowing they or you will vanish one day?

What wouldn’t you put off if you were aware your time was slipping and there’s nothing you can do.

What would you stop doing?

What would you let go of?

Who would you forgive?

Life comes with a bullet and it has your name on it. You don’t know when it’ll happen.

Don’t believe you ever have time it’s always a fantasy. Death will knock you on your feet when you least expect it.

Use death as a doorway to a deep meaningful life.

@ cff1720e:15c7e2b2

Am 4. Oktober 1957 sendete Sputnik 1 erste Signale aus dem All. Die Welt war fasziniert, die Amerikaner geschockt, da die Russen sie in der Raumfahrt technologisch überholt hatten. Es folgte der Wettlauf im All mit Apollo-Programm und Mondlandung 1969. Am 27. Januar 2025 erlebte die USA einen weiteren Sputnik-Moment, diesmal durch die chinesische KI-App deepseek R1. Diese App schoss wenige Stunden nach ihrem Start auf Platz 1 der App-Stores, vorbei an dem bisherigen KI-Spitzenreiter ChatGPT. Die Aktie des KI-Chipherstellers Nvidia verlor 17% (600 Mrd. USD Börsenwert), das war der bisher höchste Tagesverlust des US-Aktienmarktes. Marc Andreessen verwendete gar die Formulierung “Sputnik-Schock", diese einseitige Sichtweise erschwert aber eine Betrachtung aus verschiedenen Perspektiven.

Was lässt sich mit ein paar Tagen Abstand daraus schlussfolgern? Die Aktionäre haben überreagiert und die Falschen bestraft. Die Nervosität der Anleger ist aber verständlich bei einem KGV von 46 bei Nvidia und 27 bei den “Magnificent Seven” (die großen US KI-Anbieter). Normale KGVs bewegen sich um 15, d.h. wir haben es mit einer ausgeprägten KI-Blase zu tun, die in Kürze platzen dürfte. Eine weitere Blase die schon vor dem Start geplatzt ist, ist das Projekt “Stargate” der Firmen OpenAI, Oracle und Softbank. In den nächsten 4 Jahren wollen sie  500 Mrd. USD für über 10 neue KI-Rechenzentren investieren, um Amerikas vermeintliche KI-Vorherrschaft gegenüber China weiter auszubauen. Die schon vorher vorhandenen Zweifel an dem Projekt (Elon Musk auf X “sie haben das Geld gar nicht”) wurden nun durch den Erfolg von deepseek verstärkt.

deepseek hat nämlich offenbart, dass die bisherige US KI-Strategie, "wir schlagen die Chinesen mit unserer DataCenter-Power", ein fataler Irrweg ist. Den Analysten von Bernstein zufolge ist das Modell von deepseek geschätzt 20 bis 40 mal billiger zu betreiben als ähnliche Modelle von OpenAI. Die Chinesen haben ihre Innovation durch Kreativität erzielt, im Gegensatz zur Gigantomanie der US-Konzerne, die sich in einem Überbietungs-Wettbewerb der Ressourcen-Verschwendung befinden. Hunderte Milliarden an Investorengeldern und ca. 9% des nationalen Stromverbrauchs führen zwar zur Bereicherung einiger Konzerne und ihrer Besitzer, nicht aber zu adäquaten Ergebnissen. Das selbe Muster konnte man bereits bei der Rüstungsbranche beobachten, die mit dem etwa 10-fachen Budget (1 Billion USD) nicht im Stande war bessere Waffensysteme zu produzieren als Russland (Oreshnik-Schock 2024).

Wenn Donald Trump wirklich Amerika stärken möchte, dann sollte er umgehend seine technokratischen Berater entlassen und Sun Tzu lesen, ein Buch, das die Grundlagen asiatischer Strategie vermittelt und den Krieg vermeiden lehrt ("Der klügste Krieger ist der, der niemals kämpfen muss"). Die chinesischen Erfolge basieren auf exzellenter Bildung, Startup-Förderung und minimaler Regulierung, Konzepte die der Westen zwar stets gepredigt aber nie geliefert hat. “Make Amerika smart again” hieße daher Abschied von Kriegsrhetorik, Embargos, Oligarchen-Projekten und der bisherigen Großmacht-Hybris. Annektionspläne für Grönland und Kanada passen nicht in das Bild, Wiederherstellung von Meinungsfreiheit und Abbau von Regulierungen schon (Streichung von Bidens KI-Regulierung Executive Order 14110). Wohin steuert Trump die USA? Wird der deepseek-Moment dabei helfen falsche Strategieansätze zu korrigieren? Das ist noch unklar, während aber schon jetzt unzweifelhaft feststeht, dass die EU und Deutschland weder bei der KI noch in der Geostrategie eine Rolle spielen, dafür aber als unangefochtene Regulierungs-Weltmeister. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!

„Man kann zwar die Realität ignorieren, aber nicht die Folgen davon ignorieren.“ Ayn Rand

Der wirkliche Gewinner dieser Woche ist aber die OpenSource-Szene mit ihren dezentralen Lösungsansätzen. Nicht nur deepseek R1 ist OpenSource sondern auch Marco o1 von Alibaba (https://github.com/huggingface). Die Nutzung ist kostenlos (ChatGPT kostet 200 USD pro Monat), daher können sowohl die Modellbildung, die Trainingsdaten als auch die Rechenleistung von unzähligen Aktivisten weltweit verteilt erbracht werden. Dafür braucht es weder Milliarden-Budgets, Regierungsprogramme oder neue DataCenter. Das Potential der Crowd übertrifft jeden zentralistischen Ansatz. Die Ergebnisse sind besser und die Kontrolle liegt nicht in den Händen einzelner. Smarte Lösung sind verteilt, das beweisen Projekte wie Bitcoin (seit 16 Jahren), Lightning und neuerdings auch Nostr. Deshalb haben wir Pareto (https://pareto.space) auf diesen Fundamenten entwickelt (Nostr, Lightning) und in 6 Monaten mit Freiwilligen mehr erreicht als viele große IT-Unternehmen in Jahren. Die Dinosaurier sterben aus, dem Schwarm gehört die Zukunft.

@ e262ed3a:e147fbcb

Feel free to develop

I got an idea while watching a video from @BTCSessions, which I personally cannot implement technically. Therefore, I would like to present it here for discussion and free implementation. It makes sense to me, but what do I know? Let the swarm intelligence decide.

The goal of the business idea is:

How can I bring as many solo miners as possible into a pool without them having to pay for the electricity for mining and their mining hardware can be amortized quickly, so they can purchase more mining hardware? How can we financially support Bitcoin and Nostr developers in the long term? How can we intensify developers for the implementation of this idea? How can we encourage non-Bitcoiners to invest in the support of the Bitcoin network? How can we get non-Bitcoin retailers to invest in the Bitcoin network?

**The answer is: PROSPECT OF WINNING

The solution lies in a kind of RAFFLE. (Not a betting website) !**

The legal difference between a BET and a RAFFLE varies from country to country. It lies in the fact that a raffle must be very transparent regarding the chances of winning and the proceeds must go to a good cause. Those involved in the implementation can, of course, be compensated (also with a profit for the individual participants). The extent to which this is allowed would have to be checked by those who want to implement this idea.

In the following, I will describe the implementation roughly. Since this is not a sales presentation, please excuse me if the following proposal is not fully structured.

**Participants in the idea are:

Consumers (ticket buyers) Bitcoin miners Retailers Non-profit company that implement the project**

What's it about? @BTCSessions has a YouTube video about the miner FutureBit. In the dashboard of the solo miner, you could see how high the hash rate was. But above all, you could see how high the chance of winning was for the solo miner in the overall network. In the case of BTCSessions FutureBit, the hash rate was around 5 TerraHash and the chance of winning was around 1:1,000,000. (Which, according to my calculations, was not correct). The power consumption was around 32 watts. When I saw that, it suddenly dawned on me.

Could it be possible to create a website/app that determines the total hash rate of a mining pool and then offers an electronic, numbered ticket for each 1 TerraHash (TH/s) of the pool for, for example, 0.1 USD? The minimum purchase amount would be 10 tickets. The customer sees the chance of winning and could even see the possible payout. The ticket is only valid for the next block (similar to roulette).

Another variant could be that the buyer can select one or more of the next 10 blocks and purchase tickets for the selected block. Since you don't know in advance how high the pool hash rate will be 5 or 10 blocks ahead, the amount of tickets to be issued for the 2nd block, for example, could only be 90% of the current pool hash rate, the 3rd block only 80%, and so on. If block 3, for example, advances to position 2, the previously unavailable 10% will be released for further tickets. (Determined by the pool hash rate at that time)

The purchase of 10 or more tickets could be automated in the customer's account on the website/app (intervals: hourly, daily, weekly, every 10 blocks, etc.). Customers could also top up their account with satoshis, enabling automatic deductions for ticket purchases. This could be facilitated by automatically issuing a Nostr npub to each customer, which would also create a wallet at Primal.net (Strike). For non-Bitcoiners, Zaprite could be used to recharge their account. Alternatively, customers could enter a NostrWalletConnection NWC to enable automatic deductions from their Lightning wallet. The project operators might also consider running their own ecash mint, which would allow them to assign an integrated ecash address to customers without a Lightning address. Tickets with ascending numbers would be allocated strictly in the order of payment receipts.

Calculations for the miners: The FutureBit miner consumed approximately 30 watts per terahash/hour. Let's assume that 10 terahash consume 300 watts per hour, then the miner consumes 50 watts per 10 minutes (per block). Let's further assume that a kilowatt-hour of electricity costs between 10 and 30 cents, then it costs the miner 3-9 cents per hour for electricity at 10 terahash mining capacity. So, 0.5-1.5 cents per block. In the case that each ticket is sold for 1 terahash for the next block, one could automatically transfer, for example, 5% of the satoshis received from ticket sales to each participating miner in the pool (proportional to the average hash rate delivered by the miner in the last block in the pools). This happens even if the block is not found. If fewer tickets are sold than the maximum possible amount, then the 5% of the sold tickets will be distributed proportionally. (See also my Excel file?

At the center of the project is a website/app that manages the raffle. Here, anyone can register and create an account. Either as a miner, retailer, or customer with or without KYC, for example, with their own nostr nsec, wallet signature, email and password or phone number and password.

Once logged into the account, Bitcoiners can enter their Lightning address and a Bitcoin on-chain address. Non-Bitcoiners enter their financial data in case they win.

Miners must enter a Bitcoin and Lightning (or ecash) address. The pooling process is also managed in the miner's account.

Tickets can be purchased (like in a regular online shop) and paid for in any way. Zaprite could be a solution here. But also Strike, Cashapp, etc. As described above, such purchases could also be automated.

Retailers can also register as such. They will then have the opportunity to sell "tickets" to their customers and collect the money in cash. To sell tickets, they must enter the customer's name and a valid email address. After payment, they must send the purchase price via Lightning to the non-profit company, which will then confirm the purchase to the ticket buyer and the retailer with all the data. This is the receipt for the buyer. In the event of a win (the mined block must have 3-6 block confirmations), the ticket buyer will receive an email explaining all the further details of how to claim the prize. This could be a link that takes them directly to the website and logs them in directly. The winner can then enter their data on how and where the money should be paid out (Bitcoin address or bank details). Alternatively, they can go to their retailer, who can assist them by entering the data in their sub-account (customer account). To prevent the retailer from falsifying the data entry, the winner will first receive an email with the entered data, which they can confirm (if correct). Since the retailer is also involved in the win, they will also be notified.

How many tickets can be offered per round (Bitcoin block)? The number of tickets depends on the hash rate in the pool. One ticket can be issued per 1 TerraHash (TH/s). How the ticket is generated per round and customer, I don't know, as I lack the technical knowledge. Maybe as a kind of NFT that contains the corresponding data (customer number (npub) of the buyer and possibly retailer, block number, ticket number). Or as a Taproot asset on Lightning? Or as a minted ecash coin? Or simply as an entry in a database that the customer can see in their account.

The maximum payout of the winnings in the event of a found block to the ticket holders could be 70%. The remaining 30% would be distributed to the miners and retailers. For example: Miners 25%, retailers 5%. The non-profit organization receives nothing from the block rewards. Instead, it receives 65% of the revenue from all ticket sales. With a mining pool hash rate of 10,000 TH/s, where all tickets are sold continuously, a daily donation of around 93,000 USD would be generated. (see Excel.file)

The revenue, after deducting the possible costs of the organization, goes directly to @opensats and/or other organizations that support the Bitcoin network after each block. Either via Lightning or Bitcoin on-chain payment.

In the attached Excel file, you can find my calculations. Here, anyone can play through different scenarios.

What I noticed was that with maximum ticket sales per block, only around 200 USD per 10 tickets would be paid out, since each participating ticket wins in the event of a found block. Since I believe that this is not a very great incentive for buying tickets, I suggest the following variants.

Winning variants: Each purchased ticket has a running number. Ticket 1 has the number 000.000, ticket 2 has the number 000.001, ticket 10.120 has the number 010.119, and so on.

If the next block is found, then this found block in the Bitcoin blockchain has a hash. For example, block 881367 has the hash 000000000000000000014b0fab24355c71c6940584d9cd5990c0b081a31d54a4

Let's now remove the letters and read only the numbers from back to front, so the last 3 numbers are 544

Instead of every participating ticket winning, in this variant, only the tickets with the ending digits 544 win.

With, for example, 11,000 tickets sold, the ticket numbers 000.544 / 001.544 / 002.544 ... 010.544 would win. So, 11 ticket participants would win. Each winner with this number would receive around 0.284 Bitcoin (3.125 BTC / 11).

One could also let the ticket numbers with the ending digits 44 win, and thus every hundredth ticket. Or even combine it.

What I also noticed was that with retailers, a special case arises. Retailers receive 5% of the block rewards in the event of a found block. But only proportionally to the tickets sold by the retailer. This means that in order for the entire 5% to be distributed to the retailers, all 10,000 tickets of 10.000 possible tickets would have to be sold by retailers. Since not all tickets will be sold by retailers, a remaining amount will be left over. This could be distributed additionally to the miners. Or any other variant.

I hope the idea finds resonance and invites discussion. Maybe I've made some mistakes in thinking, and the idea is not feasible. But if you like the idea, please forward it to developers, investors, and others you know.

Stay humble hash sats

@nostr:npub1uf3w6w3z4kxy0zc80m6a03tt9s7855c9r8kkjmkju47xtc28l09sc30gqq

Excel sheet for download

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

The cryptocurrency landscape is witnessing a remarkable resurgence, with Bitcoin once again leading the charge. After a period of volatility and uncertainty, Bitcoin has reclaimed its throne as the king of cryptocurrencies, drawing renewed interest from investors and financial experts alike. This article delves into the factors behind Bitcoin's comeback, its implications for the market, and what the future might hold.

Table Of Content

• The Remarkable Recovery of Bitcoin

• The Ripple Effect on the Crypto Market

• Investor Sentiment: Cautious Optimism

• The Future Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges

• A New Era for Bitcoin

• Conclusion

• FAQs

The Remarkable Recovery of Bitcoin

A Surge in Value

After a tumultuous phase marked by sharp declines and skepticism, Bitcoin has made a striking comeback. The digital currency's value has seen a significant upswing, reminding investors of its potential as a high-reward, albeit high-risk, asset. This recovery is not just a numerical increase but a symbol of resilience in the face of market adversities.

Driving Factors

Several factors have contributed to Bitcoin's resurgence. These include an increase in institutional adoption, technological advancements within the blockchain ecosystem, and a growing recognition of Bitcoin as a 'digital gold' amidst economic uncertainties. Moreover, regulatory clarity in some regions has provided a more stable environment for cryptocurrency investments.

The Ripple Effect on the Crypto Market

Boosting Market Confidence

Bitcoin's rebound has had a ripple effect across the entire cryptocurrency market. Altcoins and emerging digital assets have also seen a boost in both value and investor interest. This resurgence has rekindled the enthusiasm for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which had waned during the market downturn.

Impact on Blockchain Innovation

The renewed interest in Bitcoin has spurred further innovation in blockchain technology. Developers and entrepreneurs are increasingly exploring new use cases for blockchain, expanding beyond traditional financial applications to areas like supply chain management, digital identity, and more.

Investor Sentiment: Cautious Optimism

Institutional Investors' Role

Institutional investors, once wary of Bitcoin's volatility, are now more open to including it in their portfolios. This shift is partly due to the improved infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that make investing in Bitcoin less risky than in its early years.

Retail Investors' Perspective

Retail investors, who were significantly affected by the previous market downturn, are approaching Bitcoin with cautious optimism. Many are drawn by the potential for high returns but remain mindful of the risks involved.

The Future Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges

Potential for Growth

With its current momentum, Bitcoin has the potential for further growth. Its evolving role in the financial ecosystem, particularly in areas like digital payments and remittances, suggests a bright future.

Navigating Challenges

However, challenges remain. Regulatory uncertainties, potential market manipulations, and the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining are issues that need addressing. How these challenges are managed will significantly influence Bitcoin's trajectory.

A New Era for Bitcoin

A Testament to Resilience

Bitcoin's comeback is a testament to its resilience and the enduring faith of its supporters. It has not only reclaimed its position as the leading cryptocurrency but has also reinforced the belief in the potential of digital currencies.

A Dynamic Future Ahead

As investors, both institutional and retail, continue to take notice, Bitcoin's journey is far from over. Its ability to adapt, innovate, and overcome challenges will shape not just its future but also that of the broader cryptocurrency market. The current phase is just the beginning of what promises to be a dynamic and transformative era for Bitcoin and digital currencies as a whole.

Conclusion

Bitcoin's resurgence marks a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency world. Its ability to bounce back from adversity and regain its status as the leading digital currency has not only bolstered investor confidence but also highlighted the growing maturity of the crypto market. As Bitcoin continues to evolve, navigating through regulatory landscapes and technological advancements, it stands as a symbol of innovation and resilience in the ever-changing world of finance.

FAQs

Why has Bitcoin's value surged recently? Bitcoin's value has surged due to factors like increased institutional adoption, advancements in blockchain technology, and its growing recognition as a digital store of value amidst economic uncertainties.

How has Bitcoin's recovery affected the overall crypto market? Bitcoin's recovery has positively impacted the entire crypto market, boosting the value of altcoins and reigniting interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Are institutional investors now more interested in Bitcoin? Yes, institutional investors are showing increased interest in Bitcoin, thanks to improved investment infrastructure and clearer regulatory frameworks.

What are the main challenges facing Bitcoin in the future? The main challenges include regulatory uncertainties, potential market manipulations, and the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.

Is it safe for retail investors to invest in Bitcoin now? While Bitcoin offers potential high returns, it remains a high-risk investment. Retail investors should approach with caution and consider diversifying their investment portfolio.

That's all for today

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

NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com

X: @croxroadnews.co

Instagram: @croxroadnews.co

Youtube: @croxroadnews

Store: https://croxroad.store

Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe

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

@ df478568:2a951e67

Garlic Cashew Recipe

I wrote about selling roasted cashews as an experiment in capitalism here. I make them myself and in the spirit of free and open source software, I figured I would open-source the recipe with a catch. You can get the recipe in one of two ways.

1. Become a paid subscriber to my Substack and you will get a key to unlock the cipher text
2. Read it in the clear(un-encrypted) on nostr. The easiest way to do this is to navigate to primal.net in your browser and search for “marc26z.” Click on my profile and *you can find all of my writing in the clear in the reads section.

I tried using PGP in another article, but it’s a little cumbersome and pretentious. Andreas Grifin said, Nostr is what PGP should have been. A web of trust with easy-to-use encryption and verification. I tend to agree. So I’m using something else.

https://8gwifi.org/CipherFunctions.jsp

Decrypt using the passphrase below the paywall.

"To encrypt is to indicate the desire for privacy, and to encrypt with weak cryptography is to indicate not too much desire for privacy.”

I do not indicate a desire for too much privacy here, but I like playing with these things. I hope you enjoy playing with them too.

How To Decrypt

1. Go to https://encrypt-online.com/decrypt/ on your favorite web browser.
2. Choose aes-256-cbc(this is the default setting)
3. Copy and paste the cipher text into the decryption field
4. enter the passphrase into the passphrase field
5. press the Decrypt button
6. Optional: Copy and paste the decrypted recipe into a markdown editor like https://dillinger.io/

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

Passphrase: implored-junker-requires

Here is the decrypted recipe if you do not wish to learn about encryption, but want to try my delicious non-vegan cashew recipe anyway.

1 LB organic raw cashews 2 TBS beef tallow 2 TBS salt 1 TBS garlic powder

Melt tallow in the microwave Brush the tallow on the nuts. Spread onto a cookie sheet.

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Bake for 10 minutes.

Let cool.

Violá!

Enjoy your garlic-roasted cashews. Or...you can pick some up at nostr:npub1marc26z8nh3xkj5rcx7ufkatvx6ueqhp5vfw9v5teq26z254renshtf3g0

A Crumby Commercial

npub1marc26z8nh3xkj5rcx7ufkatvx6ueqhp5vfw9v5teq26z254renshtf3g0

881,805https://mempool.marc26z.com/block/00000000000000000000f5d9aa481b8f2555deaa8638a3c1f2eb4ffa8f474f9d

Merch

@ cbaa0c82:e9313245

TheWholeGrain - #January2025

This January we really got to start the story telling of our first adventure series painted by Dakota Jernigan a.k.a. The Bitcoin Painter! The typical Singles of the month were released on Sunday along with a special Single released on the first to celebrate the New Year! Here we go, 2025! And, even with all that the monthly Concept Art, Bitcoin Art, and the newest Cover Art from Toast's Comic Collection were all still released! Not only was the first month of 2025 quite packed full of fun content, but the Bread and Toast website got a makeover! Did you notice all the explanation points!? We're all so excited we just can't help ourselves from using them!

January Sunday Singles 2025-01-01 | Sunday Single 73 Title: Happy New Year 2025 Happy New Year! What a year 2024 has been! We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us! https://i.nostr.build/QFTmeR5p2FthPMXp.png

2025-01-05 | Sunday Single 074 Title: Snowflake It’s the most beautiful snowflake Toast has ever seen… until this one melts then it’s on to the next one! https://i.nostr.build/YHGeOcYv8WEP1fAf.png

2025-01-12 | Sunday Single 075 Title: Weight Lifting End-Piece has been working out since last year’s resolution. Now, time for heavy lifting! https://i.nostr.build/8lxeovAr5aK598Ze.png

2025-01-19 | Sunday Single 076 Title: Good Morning GM, Everybody! https://i.nostr.build/9jn2D2if4sFfNXzU.png

2025-01-26 | Sunday Single 077 Title: Chess When it comes to the chessboard, Bread is King. https://i.nostr.build/LZq57iL7tOWbHAKc.png

Adventure Series: Questline Bread, Toast, and End-Piece have started their journey in Grain Valley, and they have already found themselves in what used to be a village that is now been burnt to a crisp!

Writer: Daniel David (dan 🍞) Artist: Dakota Jernigan (The Bitcoin Painter)

2025-01-14 | Questline 001 - The Adventure Begins Our heroes take their first steps upon one of the oldest paths in all of Grain Valley. They can see the mountains in the background of the landscape before them. As they walk, they see in the distance ahead of them large amounts of black smoke rising until it disappears into the sky. https://i.nostr.build/ygjmYlWAZ4uPfPCn.png

2025-01-28 | Questline 002 - A Village Burned The source of smoke surrounds our heroes as their path brings them to the center of what used to be a village. It seems to be completely abandoned with no signs of life. Yet, all the remains of the village appear to have only recently burned to a crisp. What could have possibly happened here? https://i.nostr.build/BJ4L1shKh5YERzWc.png

Other Content Released in January 2025 2025-01-01 | Toast's Comic Collection Title: Iron Bread #9 "I am Iron Bread." - Tony Starch https://i.nostr.build/QJKkDCbfgc6Vqzcq.png

2025-01-08 | Concept Art Title: Second Bread Sketch A second sketch of the character Bread. Remade and cleaned up. https://i.nostr.build/4TXIRSUGA6viEaJx.png

2025-01-15 | Bitcoin Art Title: Stack Sats Toast is constantly stacking sats! https://i.nostr.build/txxkux0oJqyjNcSL.png

Thanks for checking out the fifth issue of The Whole Grain. The Whole Grain is released on the first of every month and covers all of the content released by Bread and Toast in the previous month. For all Bread and Toast content visit BreadandToast.com!

Thanks for helping us kick off 2025! Bread, Toast, and End-Piece

BreadandToast #SundaySingle #Questline #ToastsComicCollection #ConceptArt #BitcoinArt #Bread #Toast #EndPiece #Artstr #Comic #Cartoon #NostrOnly #🖼️

List of nPubs Mentioned: The Bitcoin Painter: npub1tx5ccpregnm9afq0xaj42hh93xl4qd3lfa7u74v5cdvyhwcnlanqplhd8g

dan 🍞: npub16e3vzr7dk2uepjcnl85nfare3kdapxge08gr42s99n9kg7xs8xhs90y9v6

@ b8851a06:9b120ba1

Private property isn’t lines on dirt or fences of steel—it’s the crystallization of human sovereignty. Each boundary drawn is a silent declaration: This is where my will meets yours, where creation clashes against chaos. What we defend as “mine” or “yours” is no mere object but a metaphysical claim, a scaffold for the unfathomable complexity of voluntary exchange.

Markets breathe only when individuals anchor their choices in the inviolable. Without property, there is no negotiation—only force. No trade—only taking. The deed to land, the title to a car, the seed of an idea: these are not static things but frontiers of being, where human responsibility collides with the infinite permutations of value.

Austrian economics whispers what existentialism shouts: existence precedes essence. Property isn’t granted by systems; it’s asserted through action, defended through sacrifice, and sanctified through mutual recognition. A thing becomes “owned” only when a mind declares it so, and others—through reason or respect—refrain from crossing that unseen line.

Bitcoin? The purest ledger of this truth. A string of code, yes—but one that mirrors the unyielding logic of property itself: scarce, auditable, unconquerable. It doesn’t ask permission. It exists because sovereign minds choose it to.

Sigh. #nostr
I love #Bitcoin.

@ f4db5270:3c74e0d0

Hi Art lover! 🎨🫂💜 You may not know it yet but all of the following paintings are available in #Bitcoin on my website: https://isolabell.art/#shop

For info and prices write to me in DM and we will find a good deal! 🤝

ON THE ROAD AGAIN 40x50cm, Oil on canvas Completed January 23, 2025

---

SUN OF JANUARY 40x50cm, Oil on canvas Completed January 14, 2025

---

THE BLUE HOUR 40x50cm, Oil on canvas Completed December 14, 2024

---

LIKE A FRAGMENT OF ETERNITY 50x40cm, Oil on canvas Completed December 01, 2024

---

WHERE WINTER WHISPERS 50x40cm, Oil on canvas Completed November 07, 2024

---

L'ATTESA DI UN MOMENTO 40x40cm, Oil on canvas Completed October 29, 2024

---

LE COSE CHE PENSANO 40x50cm, Oil on paper Completed October 05, 2024

---

TWILIGHT'S RIVER 50x40cm, Oil on canvas Completed September 17, 2024

---

GOLD ON THE OCEAN 40x50cm, Oil on paper Completed September 08, 2024

---

SUSSURRI DI CIELO E MARE 50x40cm, Oil on paper Completed September 05, 2024

---

THE END OF A WONDERFUL WEEKEND 40x30cm, Oil on board Completed August 12, 2024

---

FIAMME NEL CIELO 60x35cm, Oil on board Completed July 28, 2024

---

INIZIO D'ESTATE 50x40cm, Oil on cradled wood panel Completed July 13, 2024

---

OMBRE DELLA SERA 50x40cm, Oil on cradled wood panel Completed June 16, 2024

---

NEW ZEALAND SUNSET 80x60cm, Oil on canvas board Completed May 28, 2024

---

VENICE 50x40cm, Oil on board Completed May 4, 2024

---

CORNWALL 50x40cm, Oil on board Completed April 26, 2024

---

DOCKS ON SUNSET 40x19,5cm, Oil on board Completed March 14, 2024

---

SOLITUDE 30x30cm, Oil on cradled wood panel Completed March 2, 2024

---

LULLING WAVES 40x30cm, Oil on cradled wood panel Completed January 14, 2024

---

MULATTIERA IN AUTUNNO 30x30cm, Oil on cradled wood panel

---

TRAMONTO A KOS 40x40cm, oil on board canvas

---

HIDDEN SMILE 40x40cm, oil on board

---

INIZIO D'AUTUNNO 40x40cm, oil on canvas

---

BOE NEL LAGO 30x30cm, oil on canvas board

---

BARCHE A RIPOSO 40x40cm, oil on canvas board

---

IL RISVEGLIO 30x40cm, oil on canvas board

---

LA QUIETE PRIMA DELLA TEMPESTA 30x40cm, oil on canvas board

---

LAMPIONE SUL LAGO 30x30cm, oil on canvas board

---

DUE NELLA NEVE 60x25cm, oil on board

---

UNA CAREZZA 30x30cm, oil on canvas board

---

REBEL WAVES 44x32cm, oil on canvas board

---

THE SCREAMING WAVE 40x30cm, oil on canvas board

---

"LA DONZELLETTA VIEN DALLA CAMPAGNA..." 30x40cm, oil on canvas board

---

LIGHTHOUSE ON WHITE CLIFF 30x40cm, oil on canvas board

@ 7f29628d:e160cccc

Der gut informierte Bürger denkt bei der Pandemie sofort an Intensivstationen, an die Bilder aus Bergamo und erinnert sich an die Berichterstattung damals – also muss es wohl ein Maximum gewesen sein. Manche Skeptiker behaupten jedoch das Gegenteil. Klarheit sollte ein Blick nach Wiesbaden, zum Statistischen Bundesamt, schaffen. Schließlich sitzen dort gut bezahlte Profis, die seit vielen Jahrzehnten die Sterbestatistik pflegen und veröffentlichen. Jeder Todesfall wird in Deutschland über die Standesämter exakt erfasst.

Doch die Überraschung: Das Statistische Bundesamt liefert uns auf diese einfache Frage zwei extrem unterschiedliche Antworten – ein Minimum und ein Maximum. Das Ergebnis hängt davon ab, wie tief man in die Veröffentlichungen des Bundesamtes eintaucht. Betrachtet man nur die Webseiten und Pressemitteilungen, erhält man den Eindruck eines Maximums. Schaut man jedoch etwas tiefer in die Tabellen und Rohdaten, zeigt sich plötzlich ein Minimum. Aber wie kann das sein? Beides gleichzeitig geht ja wohl kaum. Wer lügt hier – die Tabellen des Amtes oder die Pressemitteilungen? Gehen wir dieser Frage Schritt für Schritt auf den Grund.

2020: Ein historisches Maximum?

Schauen wir uns die vielen Hundert Veröffentlichungen des Statistischen Bundesamtes aus dieser Zeit an. Oder wir kürzen ab und fragen ChatGPT, da die KI auf diesen Daten trainiert wurde und das gesamte Material kennt. Die Frage an ChatGPT lautet also: Wie war das Sterbegeschehen im Jahr 2020 im Vergleich zu den Vorjahren?

ChatGPT antwortet: »Im Jahr 2020 war die Sterblichkeit in Deutschland höher als in den Jahren zuvor. Es gab eine Übersterblichkeit von etwa 982.000 Todesfällen, das sind rund 46.000 mehr als der Durchschnitt der Vorjahre (2016 bis 2019). Dieser Anstieg wurde überwiegend im Zusammenhang mit der COVID-19-Pandemie gesehen. Während die Sterbezahlen in den Vorjahren schwankten, war ein solch signifikanter Anstieg wie 2020 bisher nicht zu beobachten.«

Wir fragen konkreter: Ist es ein Fakt, dass wir eine so ernste Lage im Sterbegeschehen wie im Frühjahr 2020 noch nie erlebt haben?

ChatGPT bestätigt: »Ja, die COVID-19-Pandemie führte im Frühjahr 2020 zu einer außergewöhnlichen Situation im Sterbegeschehen in Deutschland. Die dramatische Übersterblichkeit, die ab der 13. Kalenderwoche auftrat, veranlasste das Statistische Bundesamt, besonders eindringliche Warnungen zu veröffentlichen. Der damalige Vizepräsident des Amtes und andere führende Stimmen wiesen öffentlich darauf hin, dass die Todesfallzahlen stark vom Durchschnitt abwichen. Diese klare Warnung richtete sich an die Öffentlichkeit und die Politik gleichermaßen. Die Medien berichteten intensiv über diese Warnungen, was das Bewusstsein für die Schwere der Pandemie erheblich schärfte. In den vergangenen Jahrzehnten hatte es keine vergleichbare Übersterblichkeit gegeben, die eine solch umfangreiche Kommunikation durch das Statistische Bundesamt erforderlich gemacht hätte.«

Ein gut informierter Zeitungsleser wird sich an dieser Stelle bestätigt fühlen: Ja, so war es damals. Ein Maximum im Sterbegeschehen – wegen der Pandemie. Oder etwa nicht?

2020: Ein historisches Minimum?

Tauchen wir in die Rohdaten des Statistischen Bundesamtes ein. Die Tabellen, die das Amt seit Jahrzehnten verlässlich veröffentlicht, nennen sich Sterbetafeln. Diese werden jährlich bereitgestellt und stehen auf der Website des Bundesamtes zum Download bereit. Ein erster Blick in die Sterbetafeln mag den Laien abschrecken, doch mit einer kurzen Erklärung wird alles verständlich. Wir gehen schrittweise vor.

Nehmen wir die Sterbetafel des Jahres 2017. Sie enthält zwei große Tabellen – eine für Männer und eine für Frauen. Jede Zeile der Tabelle steht für einen Jahrgang, zum Beispiel zeigt die Zeile 79 die Daten der 79-jährigen Männer. Besonders wichtig ist nun die zweite Spalte, in der der Wert 0,05 eingetragen ist. Das bedeutet, dass 5 Prozent der 79-jährigen Männer im Jahr 2017 verstorben sind. Das ist die wichtige Kennzahl. Wenn wir diesen exakten Wert, den man auch als Sterberate bezeichnet, nun in ein Säulendiagramm eintragen, erhalten wir eine leicht verständliche visuelle Darstellung (Grafik 1).

Es ist wichtig zu betonen, dass dieser Wert weder ein Schätzwert noch eine Modellrechnung oder Prognose ist, sondern ein exakter Messwert, basierend auf einer zuverlässigen Zählung. Sterberaten (für die Fachleute auch Sterbewahrscheinlichkeiten qx) sind seit Johann Peter Süßmilch (1707–1767) der Goldstandard der Sterbestatistik. Jeder Aktuar wird das bestätigen. Fügen wir nun die Sterberaten der 79-jährigen Männer aus den Jahren davor und danach hinzu, um das Gesamtbild zu sehen (Grafik 2). Und nun die entscheidende Frage: Zeigt das Jahr 2020 ein Maximum oder ein Minimum?

Ein kritischer Leser könnte vermuten, dass die 79-jährigen Männer eine Ausnahme darstellen und andere Jahrgänge im Jahr 2020 ein Maximum zeigen würden. Doch das trifft nicht zu. Kein einziger Jahrgang verzeichnete im Jahr 2020 ein Maximum. Im Gegenteil: Auch die 1-Jährigen, 2-Jährigen, 3-Jährigen, 9-Jährigen, 10-Jährigen, 15-Jährigen, 18-Jährigen und viele weitere männliche Jahrgänge hatten ihr Minimum im Jahr 2020. Dasselbe gilt bei den Frauen. Insgesamt hatten 31 Jahrgänge ihr Minimum im Jahr 2020. Wenn wir schließlich alle Jahrgänge in einer einzigen Grafik zusammenfassen, ergibt sich ein klares Bild: Das Minimum im Sterbegeschehen lag im Jahr 2020 (Grafik 3).

Ein kritischer Leser könnte nun wiederum vermuten, dass es innerhalb des Jahres 2020 möglicherweise starke Ausschläge nach oben bei einzelnen Jahrgängen gegeben haben könnte, die später durch Ausschläge nach unten ausgeglichen wurden – und dass diese Schwankungen in der jährlichen Übersicht nicht sichtbar sind. Doch auch das trifft nicht zu. Ein Blick auf die wöchentlichen Sterberaten zeigt, dass die ersten acht Monate der Pandemie keine nennenswerten Auffälligkeiten aufweisen. Es bleibt dabei: Die Rohdaten des Statistischen Bundesamtes bestätigen zweifelsfrei, dass die ersten acht Monate der Pandemie das historische Minimum im Sterbegeschehen darstellen. (Für die Fachleute sei angemerkt, dass im gleichen Zeitraum die Lebenserwartung die historischen Höchststände erreicht hatte – Grafik 4.)

So konstruierte das Amt aus einem Minimum ein Maximum:

Zur Erinnerung: Die Rohdaten des Statistischen Bundesamtes, die in den jährlichen Sterbetafeln zweifelsfrei dokumentiert sind, zeigen für das Jahr 2020 eindeutig ein Minimum im Sterbegeschehen. Aus diesen »in Stein gemeißelten« Zahlen ein Maximum zu »konstruieren«, ohne die Rohdaten selbst zu verändern, scheint auf den ersten Blick eine unlösbare Aufgabe. Jeder Student würde an einer solchen Herausforderung scheitern. Doch das Statistische Bundesamt hat einen kreativen Weg gefunden - ein Meisterstück gezielter Manipulation. In fünf Schritten zeigt sich, wie diese Täuschung der Öffentlichkeit umgesetzt wurde:

(1) Ignorieren der Sterberaten: Die präzisen, objektiven und leicht verständlichen Sterberaten aus den eigenen Sterbetafeln wurden konsequent ignoriert und verschwiegen. Diese Daten widersprachen dem gewünschten Narrativ und wurden daher gezielt ausgeklammert.

(2) Fokus auf absolute Todeszahlen: Die Aufmerksamkeit wurde stattdessen auf die absolute Zahl der Todesfälle gelenkt. Diese wirkt allein durch ihre schiere Größe dramatisch und emotionalisiert die Diskussion. Ein entscheidender Faktor wurde dabei ignoriert: Die absolute Zahl der Todesfälle steigt aufgrund der demografischen Entwicklung jedes Jahr an. Viele Menschen verstehen diesen Zusammenhang nicht und verbinden die steigenden Zahlen fälschlicherweise mit der vermeintlichen Pandemie.

(3) Einführung der Übersterblichkeit als neue Kennzahl: Erst ab Beginn der „Pandemie“ wurde die Kennzahl "Übersterblichkeit" eingeführt – und dies mit einer fragwürdigen Methode, die systematisch überhöhte Werte lieferte. Diese Kennzahl wurde regelmäßig, oft monatlich oder sogar wöchentlich, berechnet und diente als ständige Grundlage für alarmierende Schlagzeilen.

(4) Intensive Öffentlichkeitsarbeit: Durch eine breit angelegte Kampagne wurden die manipulativen Kennzahlen gezielt in den Fokus gerückt. Pressemitteilungen, Podcasts und öffentliche Auftritte konzentrierten sich fast ausschließlich auf die absoluten Todeszahlen und die Übersterblichkeit. Ziel war es, den Eindruck einer dramatischen Situation in der Öffentlichkeit zu verstärken.

(5) Bekämpfen kritischer Stimmen: Kritiker, die die Schwächen und manipulativen Aspekte dieser Methoden aufdeckten, wurden systematisch diskreditiert. Ihre Glaubwürdigkeit und Kompetenz wurden öffentlich infrage gestellt, um das sorgsam konstruierte Narrativ zu schützen.

Ohne diesen begleitenden Statistik-Betrug wäre das gesamte Pandemie-Theater meiner Meinung nach nicht möglich gewesen. Wer aus einem faktischen Minimum ein scheinbares Maximum "erschafft", handelt betrügerisch. Die Folgen dieses Betruges sind gravierend. Denken wir an die Angst, die in der Bevölkerung geschürt wurde – die Angst, bald sterben zu müssen. Denken wir an Masken, Abstandsregeln, isolierte ältere Menschen, Kinderimpfungen und all die Maßnahmen, die unter anderem auf diese falsche Statistik zurückgehen.

Wollen wir Bürger uns das gefallen lassen?

Wenn wir als Bürger zulassen, dass ein derart offensichtlicher und nachprüfbarer Täuschungsversuch ohne Konsequenzen bleibt, dann gefährdet das nicht nur die Integrität unserer Institutionen – es untergräbt das Fundament unserer Gesellschaft. In der DDR feierte man öffentlich Planerfüllung und Übererfüllung, während die Regale leer blieben. Damals wusste jeder: Statistik war ein Propagandainstrument. Niemand traute den Zahlen, die das Staatsfernsehen verkündete.

Während der Pandemie war es anders. Die Menschen vertrauten den Mitteilungen des Statistischen Bundesamtes und des RKI – blind. Die Enthüllungen durch den "RKI-Leak" haben gezeigt, dass auch das Robert-Koch-Institut nicht der Wissenschaft, sondern den Weisungen des Gesundheitsministers und militärischen Vorgaben folgte. Warum sollte es beim Statistischen Bundesamt anders gewesen sein? Diese Behörde ist dem Innenministerium unterstellt und somit ebenfalls weisungsgebunden.

Die Beweise für Täuschung liegen offen zutage. Es braucht keinen Whistleblower, keine geheimen Enthüllungen: Die Rohdaten des Statistischen Bundesamtes sprechen für sich. Sie sind öffentlich einsehbar – klar und unmissverständlich. Die Daten, die Tabellen, die Veröffentlichungen des Amtes selbst – sie sind die Anklageschrift. Sie zeigen, was wirklich war. Nicht mehr und nicht weniger.

Und wir? Was tun wir? Schweigen wir? Oder fordern wir endlich ein, was unser Recht ist? Wir Bürger dürfen das nicht hinnehmen. Es ist Zeit, unsere Behörden zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen. Diese Institutionen arbeiten nicht für sich – sie arbeiten für uns. Wir finanzieren sie, und wir haben das Recht, Transparenz und Verantwortung einzufordern. Manipulationen wie diese müssen aufgearbeitet werden und dürfen nie wieder geschehen. Die Strukturen, die solche Fehlentwicklungen in unseren Behörden ermöglicht haben, müssen offengelegt werden. Denn eine Demokratie lebt von Vertrauen – und Vertrauen muss verdient werden. Jeden Tag aufs Neue.

.

.

MARCEL BARZ, Jahrgang 1975, war Offizier der Bundeswehr und studierte Wirtschafts- und Organisationswissenschaften sowie Wirtschaftsinformatik. Er war Gründer und Geschäftsführer einer Softwarefirma, die sich auf Datenanalyse und Softwareentwicklung spezialisiert hatte. Im August 2021 veröffentlichte Barz den Videovortrag »Die Pandemie in den Rohdaten«, der über eine Million Aufrufe erzielte. Seitdem macht er als "Erbsenzähler" auf Widersprüche in amtlichen Statistiken aufmerksam.

@ eac63075:b4988b48

Since its creation in 2009, Bitcoin has symbolized innovation and resilience. However, from time to time, alarmist narratives arise about emerging technologies that could "break" its security. Among these, quantum computing stands out as one of the most recurrent. But does quantum computing truly threaten Bitcoin? And more importantly, what is the community doing to ensure the protocol remains invulnerable?

The answer, contrary to sensationalist headlines, is reassuring: Bitcoin is secure, and the community is already preparing for a future where quantum computing becomes a practical reality. Let’s dive into this topic to understand why the concerns are exaggerated and how the development of BIP-360 demonstrates that Bitcoin is one step ahead.

---

What Is Quantum Computing, and Why Is Bitcoin Not Threatened?

Quantum computing leverages principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations that, in theory, could exponentially surpass classical computers—and it has nothing to do with what so-called “quantum coaches” teach to scam the uninformed. One of the concerns is that this technology could compromise two key aspects of Bitcoin’s security:

1. Wallets: These use elliptic curve algorithms (ECDSA) to protect private keys. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could deduce a private key from its public key.
2. Mining: This is based on the SHA-256 algorithm, which secures the consensus process. A quantum attack could, in theory, compromise the proof-of-work mechanism.

---

Understanding Quantum Computing’s Attack Priorities

While quantum computing is often presented as a threat to Bitcoin, not all parts of the network are equally vulnerable. Theoretical attacks would be prioritized based on two main factors: ease of execution and potential reward. This creates two categories of attacks:

1. Attacks on Wallets

Bitcoin wallets, secured by elliptic curve algorithms, would be the initial targets due to the relative vulnerability of their public keys, especially those already exposed on the blockchain. Two attack scenarios stand out:

• Short-term attacks: These occur during the interval between sending a transaction and its inclusion in a block (approximately 10 minutes). A quantum computer could intercept the exposed public key and derive the corresponding private key to redirect funds by creating a transaction with higher fees.

• Long-term attacks: These focus on old wallets whose public keys are permanently exposed. Wallets associated with Satoshi Nakamoto, for example, are especially vulnerable because they were created before the practice of using hashes to mask public keys.

We can infer a priority order for how such attacks might occur based on urgency and importance.

Bitcoin Quantum Attack: Prioritization Matrix (Urgency vs. Importance)

2. Attacks on Mining

Targeting the SHA-256 algorithm, which secures the mining process, would be the next objective. However, this is far more complex and requires a level of quantum computational power that is currently non-existent and far from realization. A successful attack would allow for the recalculation of all possible hashes to dominate the consensus process and potentially "mine" it instantly.

---

Satoshi Nakamoto in 2010 on Quantum Computing and Bitcoin Attacks

Recently, Narcelio asked me about a statement I made on Tubacast:

https://x.com/eddieoz/status/1868371296683511969

If an attack became a reality before Bitcoin was prepared, it would be necessary to define the last block prior to the attack and proceed from there using a new hashing algorithm. The solution would resemble the response to the infamous 2013 bug. It’s a fact that this would cause market panic, and Bitcoin's price would drop significantly, creating a potential opportunity for the well-informed.

Preferably, if developers could anticipate the threat and had time to work on a solution and build consensus before an attack, they would simply decide on a future block for the fork, which would then adopt the new algorithm. It might even rehash previous blocks (reaching consensus on them) to avoid potential reorganization through the re-mining of blocks using the old hash. (I often use the term "shielding" old transactions).

---

How Can Users Protect Themselves?

While quantum computing is still far from being a practical threat, some simple measures can already protect users against hypothetical scenarios:

• Avoid using exposed public keys: Ensure funds sent to old wallets are transferred to new ones that use public key hashes. This reduces the risk of long-term attacks.
• Use modern wallets: Opt for wallets compatible with SegWit or Taproot, which implement better security practices.
• Monitor security updates: Stay informed about updates from the Bitcoin community, such as the implementation of BIP-360, which will introduce quantum-resistant addresses.
• Do not reuse addresses: Every transaction should be associated with a new address to minimize the risk of repeated exposure of the same public key.
• Adopt secure backup practices: Create offline backups of private keys and seeds in secure locations, protected from unauthorized access.

---

BIP-360 and Bitcoin’s Preparation for the Future

Even though quantum computing is still beyond practical reach, the Bitcoin community is not standing still. A concrete example is BIP-360, a proposal that establishes the technical framework to make wallets resistant to quantum attacks.

BIP-360 addresses three main pillars:

1. Introduction of quantum-resistant addresses: A new address format starting with "BC1R" will be used. These addresses will be compatible with post-quantum algorithms, ensuring that stored funds are protected from future attacks.
2. Compatibility with the current ecosystem: The proposal allows users to transfer funds from old addresses to new ones without requiring drastic changes to the network infrastructure.
3. Flexibility for future updates: BIP-360 does not limit the choice of specific algorithms. Instead, it serves as a foundation for implementing new post-quantum algorithms as technology evolves.

This proposal demonstrates how Bitcoin can adapt to emerging threats without compromising its decentralized structure.

---

Post-Quantum Algorithms: The Future of Bitcoin Cryptography

The community is exploring various algorithms to protect Bitcoin from quantum attacks. Among the most discussed are:

• Falcon: A solution combining smaller public keys with compact digital signatures. Although it has been tested in limited scenarios, it still faces scalability and performance challenges.
• Sphincs: Hash-based, this algorithm is renowned for its resilience, but its signatures can be extremely large, making it less efficient for networks like Bitcoin’s blockchain.
• Lamport: Created in 1977, it’s considered one of the earliest post-quantum security solutions. Despite its reliability, its gigantic public keys (16,000 bytes) make it impractical and costly for Bitcoin.

Two technologies show great promise and are well-regarded by the community:

1. Lattice-Based Cryptography: Considered one of the most promising, it uses complex mathematical structures to create systems nearly immune to quantum computing. Its implementation is still in its early stages, but the community is optimistic.
2. Supersingular Elliptic Curve Isogeny: These are very recent digital signature algorithms and require extensive study and testing before being ready for practical market use.

The final choice of algorithm will depend on factors such as efficiency, cost, and integration capability with the current system. Additionally, it is preferable that these algorithms are standardized before implementation, a process that may take up to 10 years.

---

Why Quantum Computing Is Far from Being a Threat

The alarmist narrative about quantum computing overlooks the technical and practical challenges that still need to be overcome. Among them:

• Insufficient number of qubits: Current quantum computers have only a few hundred qubits, whereas successful attacks would require millions.
• High error rate: Quantum stability remains a barrier to reliable large-scale operations.
• High costs: Building and operating large-scale quantum computers requires massive investments, limiting their use to scientific or specific applications.

Moreover, even if quantum computers make significant advancements, Bitcoin is already adapting to ensure its infrastructure is prepared to respond.

---

Conclusion: Bitcoin’s Secure Future

Despite advancements in quantum computing, the reality is that Bitcoin is far from being threatened. Its security is ensured not only by its robust architecture but also by the community’s constant efforts to anticipate and mitigate challenges.

The implementation of BIP-360 and the pursuit of post-quantum algorithms demonstrate that Bitcoin is not only resilient but also proactive. By adopting practical measures, such as using modern wallets and migrating to quantum-resistant addresses, users can further protect themselves against potential threats.

Bitcoin’s future is not at risk—it is being carefully shaped to withstand any emerging technology, including quantum computing.

@ eac63075:b4988b48

Based on a recent paper that included collaboration from renowned experts such as Lynn Alden, Steve Lee, and Ren Crypto Fish, we discuss in depth how Bitcoin's consensus is built, the main risks, and the complex dynamics of protocol upgrades.

PT-BR version

Podcast https://www.fountain.fm/episode/wbjD6ntQuvX5u2G5BccC

Presentation https://gamma.app/docs/Analyzing-Bitcoin-Consensus-Risks-in-Protocol-Upgrades-p66axxjwaa37ksn

1. Introduction to Consensus in Bitcoin

Consensus in Bitcoin is the foundation that keeps the network secure and functional, allowing users worldwide to perform transactions in a decentralized manner without the need for intermediaries. Since its launch in 2009, Bitcoin is often described as an "immutable" system designed to resist changes, and it is precisely this resistance that ensures its security and stability.

The central idea behind consensus in Bitcoin is to create a set of acceptance rules for blocks and transactions, ensuring that all network participants agree on the transaction history. This prevents "double-spending," where the same bitcoin could be used in two simultaneous transactions, something that would compromise trust in the network.

Evolution of Consensus in Bitcoin

Over the years, consensus in Bitcoin has undergone several adaptations, and the way participants agree on changes remains a delicate process. Unlike traditional systems, where changes can be imposed from the top down, Bitcoin operates in a decentralized model where any significant change needs the support of various groups of stakeholders, including miners, developers, users, and large node operators.

Moreover, the update process is extremely cautious, as hasty changes can compromise the network's security. As a result, the philosophy of "don't fix what isn't broken" prevails, with improvements happening incrementally and only after broad consensus among those involved. This model can make progress seem slow but ensures that Bitcoin remains faithful to the principles of security and decentralization.

---

2. Technical Components of Consensus

Bitcoin's consensus is supported by a set of technical rules that determine what is considered a valid transaction and a valid block on the network. These technical aspects ensure that all nodes—the computers that participate in the Bitcoin network—agree on the current state of the blockchain. Below are the main technical components that form the basis of the consensus.

Validation of Blocks and Transactions

The validation of blocks and transactions is the central point of consensus in Bitcoin. A block is only considered valid if it meets certain criteria, such as maximum size, transaction structure, and the solving of the "Proof of Work" problem. The proof of work, required for a block to be included in the blockchain, is a computational process that ensures the block contains significant computational effort—protecting the network against manipulation attempts.

Transactions, in turn, need to follow specific input and output rules. Each transaction includes cryptographic signatures that prove the ownership of the bitcoins sent, as well as validation scripts that verify if the transaction conditions are met. This validation system is essential for network nodes to autonomously confirm that each transaction follows the rules.

Chain Selection

Another fundamental technical issue for Bitcoin's consensus is chain selection, which becomes especially important in cases where multiple versions of the blockchain coexist, such as after a network split (fork). To decide which chain is the "true" one and should be followed, the network adopts the criterion of the highest accumulated proof of work. In other words, the chain with the highest number of valid blocks, built with the greatest computational effort, is chosen by the network as the official one.

This criterion avoids permanent splits because it encourages all nodes to follow the same main chain, reinforcing consensus.

Soft Forks vs. Hard Forks

In the consensus process, protocol changes can happen in two ways: through soft forks or hard forks. These variations affect not only the protocol update but also the implications for network users:

• Soft Forks: These are changes that are backward compatible. Only nodes that adopt the new update will follow the new rules, but old nodes will still recognize the blocks produced with these rules as valid. This compatibility makes soft forks a safer option for updates, as it minimizes the risk of network division.

• Hard Forks: These are updates that are not backward compatible, requiring all nodes to update to the new version or risk being separated from the main chain. Hard forks can result in the creation of a new coin, as occurred with the split between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash in 2017. While hard forks allow for deeper changes, they also bring significant risks of network fragmentation.

These technical components form the base of Bitcoin's security and resilience, allowing the system to remain functional and immutable without losing the necessary flexibility to evolve over time.

---

3. Stakeholders in Bitcoin's Consensus

Consensus in Bitcoin is not decided centrally. On the contrary, it depends on the interaction between different groups of stakeholders, each with their motivations, interests, and levels of influence. These groups play fundamental roles in how changes are implemented or rejected on the network. Below, we explore the six main stakeholders in Bitcoin's consensus.

1. Economic Nodes

Economic nodes, usually operated by exchanges, custody providers, and large companies that accept Bitcoin, exert significant influence over consensus. Because they handle large volumes of transactions and act as a connection point between the Bitcoin ecosystem and the traditional financial system, these nodes have the power to validate or reject blocks and to define which version of the software to follow in case of a fork.

Their influence is proportional to the volume of transactions they handle, and they can directly affect which chain will be seen as the main one. Their incentive is to maintain the network's stability and security to preserve its functionality and meet regulatory requirements.

2. Investors

Investors, including large institutional funds and individual Bitcoin holders, influence consensus indirectly through their impact on the asset's price. Their buying and selling actions can affect Bitcoin's value, which in turn influences the motivation of miners and other stakeholders to continue investing in the network's security and development.

Some institutional investors have agreements with custodians that may limit their ability to act in network split situations. Thus, the impact of each investor on consensus can vary based on their ownership structure and how quickly they can react to a network change.

3. Media Influencers

Media influencers, including journalists, analysts, and popular personalities on social media, have a powerful role in shaping public opinion about Bitcoin and possible updates. These influencers can help educate the public, promote debates, and bring transparency to the consensus process.

On the other hand, the impact of influencers can be double-edged: while they can clarify complex topics, they can also distort perceptions by amplifying or minimizing change proposals. This makes them a force both of support and resistance to consensus.

4. Miners

Miners are responsible for validating transactions and including blocks in the blockchain. Through computational power (hashrate), they also exert significant influence over consensus decisions. In update processes, miners often signal their support for a proposal, indicating that the new version is safe to use. However, this signaling is not always definitive, and miners can change their position if they deem it necessary.

Their incentive is to maximize returns from block rewards and transaction fees, as well as to maintain the value of investments in their specialized equipment, which are only profitable if the network remains stable.

5. Protocol Developers

Protocol developers, often called "Core Developers," are responsible for writing and maintaining Bitcoin's code. Although they do not have direct power over consensus, they possess an informal veto power since they decide which changes are included in the main client (Bitcoin Core). This group also serves as an important source of technical knowledge, helping guide decisions and inform other stakeholders.

Their incentive lies in the continuous improvement of the network, ensuring security and decentralization. Many developers are funded by grants and sponsorships, but their motivations generally include a strong ideological commitment to Bitcoin's principles.

6. Users and Application Developers

This group includes people who use Bitcoin in their daily transactions and developers who build solutions based on the network, such as wallets, exchanges, and payment platforms. Although their power in consensus is less than that of miners or economic nodes, they play an important role because they are responsible for popularizing Bitcoin's use and expanding the ecosystem.

If application developers decide not to adopt an update, this can affect compatibility and widespread acceptance. Thus, they indirectly influence consensus by deciding which version of the protocol to follow in their applications.

These stakeholders are vital to the consensus process, and each group exerts influence according to their involvement, incentives, and ability to act in situations of change. Understanding the role of each makes it clearer how consensus is formed and why it is so difficult to make significant changes to Bitcoin.

---

4. Mechanisms for Activating Updates in Bitcoin

For Bitcoin to evolve without compromising security and consensus, different mechanisms for activating updates have been developed over the years. These mechanisms help coordinate changes among network nodes to minimize the risk of fragmentation and ensure that updates are implemented in an orderly manner. Here, we explore some of the main methods used in Bitcoin, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as historical examples of significant updates.

Flag Day

The Flag Day mechanism is one of the simplest forms of activating changes. In it, a specific date or block is determined as the activation moment, and all nodes must be updated by that point. This method does not involve prior signaling; participants simply need to update to the new software version by the established day or block.

• Advantages: Simplicity and predictability are the main benefits of Flag Day, as everyone knows the exact activation date.

• Disadvantages: Inflexibility can be a problem because there is no way to adjust the schedule if a significant part of the network has not updated. This can result in network splits if a significant number of nodes are not ready for the update.

An example of Flag Day was the Pay to Script Hash (P2SH) update in 2012, which required all nodes to adopt the change to avoid compatibility issues.

BIP34 and BIP9

BIP34 introduced a more dynamic process, in which miners increase the version number in block headers to signal the update. When a predetermined percentage of the last blocks is mined with this new version, the update is automatically activated. This model later evolved with BIP9, which allowed multiple updates to be signaled simultaneously through "version bits," each corresponding to a specific change.

• Advantages: Allows the network to activate updates gradually, giving more time for participants to adapt.

• Disadvantages: These methods rely heavily on miner support, which means that if a sufficient number of miners do not signal the update, it can be delayed or not implemented.

BIP9 was used in the activation of SegWit (BIP141) but faced challenges because some miners did not signal their intent to activate, leading to the development of new mechanisms.

User Activated Soft Forks (UASF) and User Resisted Soft Forks (URSF)

To increase the decision-making power of ordinary users, the concept of User Activated Soft Fork (UASF) was introduced, allowing node operators, not just miners, to determine consensus for a change. In this model, nodes set a date to start rejecting blocks that are not in compliance with the new update, forcing miners to adapt or risk having their blocks rejected by the network.

URSF, in turn, is a model where nodes reject blocks that attempt to adopt a specific update, functioning as resistance against proposed changes.

• Advantages: UASF returns decision-making power to node operators, ensuring that changes do not depend solely on miners.

• Disadvantages: Both UASF and URSF can generate network splits, especially in cases of strong opposition among different stakeholders.

An example of UASF was the activation of SegWit in 2017, where users supported activation independently of miner signaling, which ended up forcing its adoption.

BIP8 (LOT=True)

BIP8 is an evolution of BIP9, designed to prevent miners from indefinitely blocking a change desired by the majority of users and developers. BIP8 allows setting a parameter called "lockinontimeout" (LOT) as true, which means that if the update has not been fully signaled by a certain point, it is automatically activated.

• Advantages: Ensures that changes with broad support among users are not blocked by miners who wish to maintain the status quo.

• Disadvantages: Can lead to network splits if miners or other important stakeholders do not support the update.

Although BIP8 with LOT=True has not yet been used in Bitcoin, it is a proposal that can be applied in future updates if necessary.

These activation mechanisms have been essential for Bitcoin's development, allowing updates that keep the network secure and functional. Each method brings its own advantages and challenges, but all share the goal of preserving consensus and network cohesion.

---

5. Risks and Considerations in Consensus Updates

Consensus updates in Bitcoin are complex processes that involve not only technical aspects but also political, economic, and social considerations. Due to the network's decentralized nature, each change brings with it a set of risks that need to be carefully assessed. Below, we explore some of the main challenges and future scenarios, as well as the possible impacts on stakeholders.

Network Fragility with Alternative Implementations

One of the main risks associated with consensus updates is the possibility of network fragmentation when there are alternative software implementations. If an update is implemented by a significant group of nodes but rejected by others, a network split (fork) can occur. This creates two competing chains, each with a different version of the transaction history, leading to unpredictable consequences for users and investors.

Such fragmentation weakens Bitcoin because, by dividing hashing power (computing) and coin value, it reduces network security and investor confidence. A notable example of this risk was the fork that gave rise to Bitcoin Cash in 2017 when disagreements over block size resulted in a new chain and a new asset.

Chain Splits and Impact on Stakeholders

Chain splits are a significant risk in update processes, especially in hard forks. During a hard fork, the network is split into two separate chains, each with its own set of rules. This results in the creation of a new coin and leaves users with duplicated assets on both chains. While this may seem advantageous, in the long run, these splits weaken the network and create uncertainties for investors.

Each group of stakeholders reacts differently to a chain split:

• Institutional Investors and ETFs: Face regulatory and compliance challenges because many of these assets are managed under strict regulations. The creation of a new coin requires decisions to be made quickly to avoid potential losses, which may be hampered by regulatory constraints.

• Miners: May be incentivized to shift their computing power to the chain that offers higher profitability, which can weaken one of the networks.

• Economic Nodes: Such as major exchanges and custody providers, have to quickly choose which chain to support, influencing the perceived value of each network.

Such divisions can generate uncertainties and loss of value, especially for institutional investors and those who use Bitcoin as a store of value.

Regulatory Impacts and Institutional Investors

With the growing presence of institutional investors in Bitcoin, consensus changes face new compliance challenges. Bitcoin ETFs, for example, are required to follow strict rules about which assets they can include and how chain split events should be handled. The creation of a new asset or migration to a new chain can complicate these processes, creating pressure for large financial players to quickly choose a chain, affecting the stability of consensus.

Moreover, decisions regarding forks can influence the Bitcoin futures and derivatives market, affecting perception and adoption by new investors. Therefore, the need to avoid splits and maintain cohesion is crucial to attract and preserve the confidence of these investors.

Security Considerations in Soft Forks and Hard Forks

While soft forks are generally preferred in Bitcoin for their backward compatibility, they are not without risks. Soft forks can create different classes of nodes on the network (updated and non-updated), which increases operational complexity and can ultimately weaken consensus cohesion. In a network scenario with fragmentation of node classes, Bitcoin's security can be affected, as some nodes may lose part of the visibility over updated transactions or rules.

In hard forks, the security risk is even more evident because all nodes need to adopt the new update to avoid network division. Experience shows that abrupt changes can create temporary vulnerabilities, in which malicious agents try to exploit the transition to attack the network.

Bounty Claim Risks and Attack Scenarios

Another risk in consensus updates are so-called "bounty claims"—accumulated rewards that can be obtained if an attacker manages to split or deceive a part of the network. In a conflict scenario, a group of miners or nodes could be incentivized to support a new update or create an alternative version of the software to benefit from these rewards.

These risks require stakeholders to carefully assess each update and the potential vulnerabilities it may introduce. The possibility of "bounty claims" adds a layer of complexity to consensus because each interest group may see a financial opportunity in a change that, in the long term, may harm network stability.

The risks discussed above show the complexity of consensus in Bitcoin and the importance of approaching it gradually and deliberately. Updates need to consider not only technical aspects but also economic and social implications, in order to preserve Bitcoin's integrity and maintain trust among stakeholders.

---

6. Recommendations for the Consensus Process in Bitcoin

To ensure that protocol changes in Bitcoin are implemented safely and with broad support, it is essential that all stakeholders adopt a careful and coordinated approach. Here are strategic recommendations for evaluating, supporting, or rejecting consensus updates, considering the risks and challenges discussed earlier, along with best practices for successful implementation.

1. Careful Evaluation of Proposal Maturity

Stakeholders should rigorously assess the maturity level of a proposal before supporting its implementation. Updates that are still experimental or lack a robust technical foundation can expose the network to unnecessary risks. Ideally, change proposals should go through an extensive testing phase, have security audits, and receive review and feedback from various developers and experts.

2. Extensive Testing in Secure and Compatible Networks

Before an update is activated on the mainnet, it is essential to test it on networks like testnet and signet, and whenever possible, on other compatible networks that offer a safe and controlled environment to identify potential issues. Testing on networks like Litecoin was fundamental for the safe launch of innovations like SegWit and the Lightning Network, allowing functionalities to be validated on a lower-impact network before being implemented on Bitcoin.

The Liquid Network, developed by Blockstream, also plays an important role as an experimental network for new proposals, such as OP_CAT. By adopting these testing environments, stakeholders can mitigate risks and ensure that the update is reliable and secure before being adopted by the main network.

3. Importance of Stakeholder Engagement

The success of a consensus update strongly depends on the active participation of all stakeholders. This includes economic nodes, miners, protocol developers, investors, and end users. Lack of participation can lead to inadequate decisions or even future network splits, which would compromise Bitcoin's security and stability.

4. Key Questions for Evaluating Consensus Proposals

To assist in decision-making, each group of stakeholders should consider some key questions before supporting a consensus change:

• Does the proposal offer tangible benefits for Bitcoin's security, scalability, or usability?
• Does it maintain backward compatibility or introduce the risk of network split?
• Are the implementation requirements clear and feasible for each group involved?
• Are there clear and aligned incentives for all stakeholder groups to accept the change?

5. Coordination and Timing in Implementations

Timing is crucial. Updates with short activation windows can force a split because not all nodes and miners can update simultaneously. Changes should be planned with ample deadlines to allow all stakeholders to adjust their systems, avoiding surprises that could lead to fragmentation.

Mechanisms like soft forks are generally preferable to hard forks because they allow a smoother transition. Opting for backward-compatible updates when possible facilitates the process and ensures that nodes and miners can adapt without pressure.

6. Continuous Monitoring and Re-evaluation

After an update, it's essential to monitor the network to identify problems or side effects. This continuous process helps ensure cohesion and trust among all participants, keeping Bitcoin as a secure and robust network.

These recommendations, including the use of secure networks for extensive testing, promote a collaborative and secure environment for Bitcoin's consensus process. By adopting a deliberate and strategic approach, stakeholders can preserve Bitcoin's value as a decentralized and censorship-resistant network.

---

7. Conclusion

Consensus in Bitcoin is more than a set of rules; it's the foundation that sustains the network as a decentralized, secure, and reliable system. Unlike centralized systems, where decisions can be made quickly, Bitcoin requires a much more deliberate and cooperative approach, where the interests of miners, economic nodes, developers, investors, and users must be considered and harmonized. This governance model may seem slow, but it is fundamental to preserving the resilience and trust that make Bitcoin a global store of value and censorship-resistant.

Consensus updates in Bitcoin must balance the need for innovation with the preservation of the network's core principles. The development process of a proposal needs to be detailed and rigorous, going through several testing stages, such as in testnet, signet, and compatible networks like Litecoin and Liquid Network. These networks offer safe environments for proposals to be analyzed and improved before being launched on the main network.

Each proposed change must be carefully evaluated regarding its maturity, impact, backward compatibility, and support among stakeholders. The recommended key questions and appropriate timing are critical to ensure that an update is adopted without compromising network cohesion. It's also essential that the implementation process is continuously monitored and re-evaluated, allowing adjustments as necessary and minimizing the risk of instability.

By following these guidelines, Bitcoin's stakeholders can ensure that the network continues to evolve safely and robustly, maintaining user trust and further solidifying its role as one of the most resilient and innovative digital assets in the world. Ultimately, consensus in Bitcoin is not just a technical issue but a reflection of its community and the values it represents: security, decentralization, and resilience.

---

8. Links

Whitepaper: https://github.com/bitcoin-cap/bcap

Youtube (pt-br): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARycAibl9o&list=PL-qnhF0qlSPkfhorqsREuIu4UTbF0h4zb

@ eac63075:b4988b48

The future of physical money is at stake, and the discussion about DREX, the new digital currency planned by the Central Bank of Brazil, is gaining momentum. In a candid and intense conversation, Federal Deputy Julia Zanatta (PL/SC) discussed the challenges and risks of this digital transition, also addressing her Bill No. 3,341/2024, which aims to prevent the extinction of physical currency. This bill emerges as a direct response to legislative initiatives seeking to replace physical money with digital alternatives, limiting citizens' options and potentially compromising individual freedom. Let's delve into the main points of this conversation.

https://www.fountain.fm/episode/i5YGJ9Ors3PkqAIMvNQ0

(PT-BR version here)

What is a CBDC?

Before discussing the specifics of DREX, it’s important to understand what a CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) is. CBDCs are digital currencies issued by central banks, similar to a digital version of physical money. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which operate in a decentralized manner, CBDCs are centralized and regulated by the government. In other words, they are digital currencies created and controlled by the Central Bank, intended to replace physical currency.

A prominent feature of CBDCs is their programmability. This means that the government can theoretically set rules about how, where, and for what this currency can be used. This aspect enables a level of control over citizens' finances that is impossible with physical money. By programming the currency, the government could limit transactions by setting geographical or usage restrictions. In practice, money within a CBDC could be restricted to specific spending or authorized for use in a defined geographical area.

In countries like China, where citizen actions and attitudes are also monitored, a person considered to have a "low score" due to a moral or ideological violation may have their transactions limited to essential purchases, restricting their digital currency use to non-essential activities. This financial control is strengthened because, unlike physical money, digital currency cannot be exchanged anonymously.

Practical Example: The Case of DREX During the Pandemic

To illustrate how DREX could be used, an example was given by Eric Altafim, director of Banco Itaú. He suggested that, if DREX had existed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government could have restricted the currency’s use to a 5-kilometer radius around a person’s residence, limiting their economic mobility. Another proposed use by the executive related to the Bolsa Família welfare program: the government could set up programming that only allows this benefit to be used exclusively for food purchases. Although these examples are presented as control measures for safety or organization, they demonstrate how much a CBDC could restrict citizens' freedom of choice.

To illustrate the potential for state control through a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), such as DREX, it is helpful to look at the example of China. In China, the implementation of a CBDC coincides with the country’s Social Credit System, a governmental surveillance tool that assesses citizens' and companies' behavior. Together, these technologies allow the Chinese government to monitor, reward, and, above all, punish behavior deemed inappropriate or threatening to the government.

How Does China's Social Credit System Work?

Implemented in 2014, China's Social Credit System assigns every citizen and company a "score" based on various factors, including financial behavior, criminal record, social interactions, and even online activities. This score determines the benefits or penalties each individual receives and can affect everything from public transport access to obtaining loans and enrolling in elite schools for their children. Citizens with low scores may face various sanctions, including travel restrictions, fines, and difficulty in securing loans.

With the adoption of the CBDC — or “digital yuan” — the Chinese government now has a new tool to closely monitor citizens' financial transactions, facilitating the application of Social Credit System penalties. China’s CBDC is a programmable digital currency, which means that the government can restrict how, when, and where the money can be spent. Through this level of control, digital currency becomes a powerful mechanism for influencing citizens' behavior.

Imagine, for instance, a citizen who repeatedly posts critical remarks about the government on social media or participates in protests. If the Social Credit System assigns this citizen a low score, the Chinese government could, through the CBDC, restrict their money usage in certain areas or sectors. For example, they could be prevented from buying tickets to travel to other regions, prohibited from purchasing certain consumer goods, or even restricted to making transactions only at stores near their home.

Another example of how the government can use the CBDC to enforce the Social Credit System is by monitoring purchases of products such as alcohol or luxury items. If a citizen uses the CBDC to spend more than the government deems reasonable on such products, this could negatively impact their social score, resulting in additional penalties such as future purchase restrictions or a lowered rating that impacts their personal and professional lives.

In China, this kind of control has already been demonstrated in several cases. Citizens added to Social Credit System “blacklists” have seen their spending and investment capacity severely limited. The combination of digital currency and social scores thus creates a sophisticated and invasive surveillance system, through which the Chinese government controls important aspects of citizens’ financial lives and individual freedoms.

Deputy Julia Zanatta views these examples with great concern. She argues that if the state has full control over digital money, citizens will be exposed to a level of economic control and surveillance never seen before. In a democracy, this control poses a risk, but in an authoritarian regime, it could be used as a powerful tool of repression.

DREX and Bill No. 3,341/2024

Julia Zanatta became aware of a bill by a Workers' Party (PT) deputy (Bill 4068/2020 by Deputy Reginaldo Lopes - PT/MG) that proposes the extinction of physical money within five years, aiming for a complete transition to DREX, the digital currency developed by the Central Bank of Brazil. Concerned about the impact of this measure, Julia drafted her bill, PL No. 3,341/2024, which prohibits the elimination of physical money, ensuring citizens the right to choose physical currency.

“The more I read about DREX, the less I want its implementation,” says the deputy. DREX is a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), similar to other state digital currencies worldwide, but which, according to Julia, carries extreme control risks. She points out that with DREX, the State could closely monitor each citizen’s transactions, eliminating anonymity and potentially restricting freedom of choice. This control would lie in the hands of the Central Bank, which could, in a crisis or government change, “freeze balances or even delete funds directly from user accounts.”

Risks and Individual Freedom

Julia raises concerns about potential abuses of power that complete digitalization could allow. In a democracy, state control over personal finances raises serious questions, and EddieOz warns of an even more problematic future. “Today we are in a democracy, but tomorrow, with a government transition, we don't know if this kind of power will be used properly or abused,” he states. In other words, DREX gives the State the ability to restrict or condition the use of money, opening the door to unprecedented financial surveillance.

EddieOz cites Nigeria as an example, where a CBDC was implemented, and the government imposed severe restrictions on the use of physical money to encourage the use of digital currency, leading to protests and clashes in the country. In practice, the poorest and unbanked — those without regular access to banking services — were harshly affected, as without physical money, many cannot conduct basic transactions. Julia highlights that in Brazil, this situation would be even more severe, given the large number of unbanked individuals and the extent of rural areas where access to technology is limited.

The Relationship Between DREX and Pix

The digital transition has already begun with Pix, which revolutionized instant transfers and payments in Brazil. However, Julia points out that Pix, though popular, is a citizen’s choice, while DREX tends to eliminate that choice. The deputy expresses concern about new rules suggested for Pix, such as daily transaction limits of a thousand reais, justified as anti-fraud measures but which, in her view, represent additional control and a profit opportunity for banks. “How many more rules will banks create to profit from us?” asks Julia, noting that DREX could further enhance control over personal finances.

International Precedents and Resistance to CBDC

The deputy also cites examples from other countries resisting the idea of a centralized digital currency. In the United States, states like New Hampshire have passed laws to prevent the advance of CBDCs, and leaders such as Donald Trump have opposed creating a national digital currency. Trump, addressing the topic, uses a justification similar to Julia’s: in a digitalized system, “with one click, your money could disappear.” She agrees with the warning, emphasizing the control risk that a CBDC represents, especially for countries with disadvantaged populations.

Besides the United States, Canada, Colombia, and Australia have also suspended studies on digital currencies, citing the need for further discussions on population impacts. However, in Brazil, the debate on DREX is still limited, with few parliamentarians and political leaders openly discussing the topic. According to Julia, only she and one or two deputies are truly trying to bring this discussion to the Chamber, making DREX’s advance even more concerning.

Bill No. 3,341/2024 and Popular Pressure

For Julia, her bill is a first step. Although she acknowledges that ideally, it would prevent DREX's implementation entirely, PL 3341/2024 is a measure to ensure citizens' choice to use physical money, preserving a form of individual freedom. “If the future means control, I prefer to live in the past,” Julia asserts, reinforcing that the fight for freedom is at the heart of her bill.

However, the deputy emphasizes that none of this will be possible without popular mobilization. According to her, popular pressure is crucial for other deputies to take notice and support PL 3341. “I am only one deputy, and we need the public’s support to raise the project’s visibility,” she explains, encouraging the public to press other parliamentarians and ask them to “pay attention to PL 3341 and the project that prohibits the end of physical money.” The deputy believes that with a strong awareness and pressure movement, it is possible to advance the debate and ensure Brazilians’ financial freedom.

What’s at Stake?

Julia Zanatta leaves no doubt: DREX represents a profound shift in how money will be used and controlled in Brazil. More than a simple modernization of the financial system, the Central Bank’s CBDC sets precedents for an unprecedented level of citizen surveillance and control in the country. For the deputy, this transition needs to be debated broadly and transparently, and it’s up to the Brazilian people to defend their rights and demand that the National Congress discuss these changes responsibly.

The deputy also emphasizes that, regardless of political or partisan views, this issue affects all Brazilians. “This agenda is something that will affect everyone. We need to be united to ensure people understand the gravity of what could happen.” Julia believes that by sharing information and generating open debate, it is possible to prevent Brazil from following the path of countries that have already implemented a digital currency in an authoritarian way.

A Call to Action

The future of physical money in Brazil is at risk. For those who share Deputy Julia Zanatta’s concerns, the time to act is now. Mobilize, get informed, and press your representatives. PL 3341/2024 is an opportunity to ensure that Brazilian citizens have a choice in how to use their money, without excessive state interference or surveillance.

In the end, as the deputy puts it, the central issue is freedom. “My fear is that this project will pass, and people won’t even understand what is happening.” Therefore, may every citizen at least have the chance to understand what’s at stake and make their voice heard in defense of a Brazil where individual freedom and privacy are respected values.

@ eac63075:b4988b48

Imagine sending a private message to a friend, only to learn that authorities could be scanning its contents without your knowledge. This isn't a scene from a dystopian novel but a potential reality under the European Union's proposed "Chat Control" measures. Aimed at combating serious crimes like child exploitation and terrorism, these proposals could significantly impact the privacy of everyday internet users. As encrypted messaging services become the norm for personal and professional communication, understanding Chat Control is essential. This article delves into what Chat Control entails, why it's being considered, and how it could affect your right to private communication.

https://www.fountain.fm/episode/coOFsst7r7mO1EP1kSzV

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0IZ6kMExfxFm4FHg5DAWT8?si=e139033865e045de

Sections:

• Introduction
• What Is Chat Control?
• Why Is the EU Pushing for Chat Control?
• The Privacy Concerns and Risks
• The Technical Debate: Encryption and Backdoors
• Global Reactions and the Debate in Europe
• Possible Consequences for Messaging Services
• What Happens Next? The Future of Chat Control
• Conclusion

---

What Is Chat Control?

"Chat Control" refers to a set of proposed measures by the European Union aimed at monitoring and scanning private communications on messaging platforms. The primary goal is to detect and prevent the spread of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and to combat terrorism. While the intention is to enhance security and protect vulnerable populations, these proposals have raised significant privacy concerns.

At its core, Chat Control would require messaging services to implement automated scanning technologies that can analyze the content of messages—even those that are end-to-end encrypted. This means that the private messages you send to friends, family, or colleagues could be subject to inspection by algorithms designed to detect prohibited content.

Origins of the Proposal

The initiative for Chat Control emerged from the EU's desire to strengthen its digital security infrastructure. High-profile cases of online abuse and the use of encrypted platforms by criminal organizations have prompted lawmakers to consider more invasive surveillance tactics. The European Commission has been exploring legislation that would make it mandatory for service providers to monitor communications on their platforms.

How Messaging Services Work

Most modern messaging apps, like Signal, Session, SimpleX, Veilid, Protonmail and Tutanota (among others), use end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This encryption ensures that only the sender and the recipient can read the messages being exchanged. Not even the service providers can access the content. This level of security is crucial for maintaining privacy in digital communications, protecting users from hackers, identity thieves, and other malicious actors.

Key Elements of Chat Control

• Automated Content Scanning: Service providers would use algorithms to scan messages for illegal content.
• Circumvention of Encryption: To scan encrypted messages, providers might need to alter their encryption methods, potentially weakening security.
• Mandatory Reporting: If illegal content is detected, providers would be required to report it to authorities.
• Broad Applicability: The measures could apply to all messaging services operating within the EU, affecting both European companies and international platforms.

Why It Matters

Understanding Chat Control is essential because it represents a significant shift in how digital privacy is handled. While combating illegal activities online is crucial, the methods proposed could set a precedent for mass surveillance and the erosion of privacy rights. Everyday users who rely on encrypted messaging for personal and professional communication might find their conversations are no longer as private as they once thought.

---

Why Is the EU Pushing for Chat Control?

The European Union's push for Chat Control stems from a pressing concern to protect its citizens, particularly children, from online exploitation and criminal activities. With the digital landscape becoming increasingly integral to daily life, the EU aims to strengthen its ability to combat serious crimes facilitated through online platforms.

Protecting Children and Preventing Crime

One of the primary motivations behind Chat Control is the prevention of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) circulating on the internet. Law enforcement agencies have reported a significant increase in the sharing of illegal content through private messaging services. By implementing Chat Control, the EU believes it can more effectively identify and stop perpetrators, rescue victims, and deter future crimes.

Terrorism is another critical concern. Encrypted messaging apps can be used by terrorist groups to plan and coordinate attacks without detection. The EU argues that accessing these communications could be vital in preventing such threats and ensuring public safety.

Legal Context and Legislative Drivers

The push for Chat Control is rooted in several legislative initiatives:

• ePrivacy Directive: This directive regulates the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in electronic communications. The EU is considering amendments that would allow for the scanning of private messages under specific circumstances.

• Temporary Derogation: In 2021, the EU adopted a temporary regulation permitting voluntary detection of CSAM by communication services. The current proposals aim to make such measures mandatory and more comprehensive.

• Regulation Proposals: The European Commission has proposed regulations that would require service providers to detect, report, and remove illegal content proactively. This would include the use of technologies to scan private communications.

Balancing Security and Privacy

EU officials argue that the proposed measures are a necessary response to evolving digital threats. They emphasize the importance of staying ahead of criminals who exploit technology to harm others. By implementing Chat Control, they believe law enforcement can be more effective without entirely dismantling privacy protections.

However, the EU also acknowledges the need to balance security with fundamental rights. The proposals include provisions intended to limit the scope of surveillance, such as:

• Targeted Scanning: Focusing on specific threats rather than broad, indiscriminate monitoring.

• Judicial Oversight: Requiring court orders or oversight for accessing private communications.

• Data Protection Safeguards: Implementing measures to ensure that data collected is handled securely and deleted when no longer needed.

The Urgency Behind the Push

High-profile cases of online abuse and terrorism have heightened the sense of urgency among EU policymakers. Reports of increasing online grooming and the widespread distribution of illegal content have prompted calls for immediate action. The EU posits that without measures like Chat Control, these problems will continue to escalate unchecked.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite the stated intentions, the push for Chat Control has been met with significant criticism. Opponents argue that the measures could be ineffective against savvy criminals who can find alternative ways to communicate. There is also concern that such surveillance could be misused or extended beyond its original purpose.

---

The Privacy Concerns and Risks

While the intentions behind Chat Control focus on enhancing security and protecting vulnerable groups, the proposed measures raise significant privacy concerns. Critics argue that implementing such surveillance could infringe on fundamental rights and set a dangerous precedent for mass monitoring of private communications.

Infringement on Privacy Rights

At the heart of the debate is the right to privacy. By scanning private messages, even with automated tools, the confidentiality of personal communications is compromised. Users may no longer feel secure sharing sensitive information, fearing that their messages could be intercepted or misinterpreted by algorithms.

Erosion of End-to-End Encryption

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a cornerstone of digital security, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read the messages exchanged. Chat Control could necessitate the introduction of "backdoors" or weaken encryption protocols, making it easier for unauthorized parties to access private data. This not only affects individual privacy but also exposes communications to potential cyber threats.

Concerns from Privacy Advocates

Organizations like Signal and Tutanota, which offer encrypted messaging services, have voiced strong opposition to Chat Control. They warn that undermining encryption could have far-reaching consequences:

• Security Risks: Weakening encryption makes systems more vulnerable to hacking, espionage, and cybercrime.
• Global Implications: Changes in EU regulations could influence policies worldwide, leading to a broader erosion of digital privacy.
• Ineffectiveness Against Crime: Determined criminals might resort to other, less detectable means of communication, rendering the measures ineffective while still compromising the privacy of law-abiding citizens.

Potential for Government Overreach

There is a fear that Chat Control could lead to increased surveillance beyond its original scope. Once the infrastructure for scanning private messages is in place, it could be repurposed or expanded to monitor other types of content, stifling free expression and dissent.

Real-World Implications for Users

• False Positives: Automated scanning technologies are not infallible and could mistakenly flag innocent content, leading to unwarranted scrutiny or legal consequences for users.
• Chilling Effect: Knowing that messages could be monitored might discourage people from expressing themselves freely, impacting personal relationships and societal discourse.
• Data Misuse: Collected data could be vulnerable to leaks or misuse, compromising personal and sensitive information.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Privacy advocates also highlight potential conflicts with existing laws and ethical standards:

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: The European Convention on Human Rights and other international agreements protect the right to privacy and freedom of expression.
• Questionable Effectiveness: The ethical justification for such invasive measures is challenged if they do not significantly improve safety or if they disproportionately impact innocent users.

Opposition from Member States and Organizations

Countries like Germany and organizations such as the European Digital Rights (EDRi) have expressed opposition to Chat Control. They emphasize the need to protect digital privacy and caution against hasty legislation that could have unintended consequences.

---

The Technical Debate: Encryption and Backdoors

The discussion around Chat Control inevitably leads to a complex technical debate centered on encryption and the potential introduction of backdoors into secure communication systems. Understanding these concepts is crucial to grasping the full implications of the proposed measures.

What Is End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)?

End-to-end encryption is a method of secure communication that prevents third parties from accessing data while it's transferred from one end system to another. In simpler terms, only the sender and the recipient can read the messages. Even the service providers operating the messaging platforms cannot decrypt the content.

• Security Assurance: E2EE ensures that sensitive information—be it personal messages, financial details, or confidential business communications—remains private.
• Widespread Use: Popular messaging apps like Signal, Session, SimpleX, Veilid, Protonmail and Tutanota (among others) rely on E2EE to protect user data.

How Chat Control Affects Encryption

Implementing Chat Control as proposed would require messaging services to scan the content of messages for illegal material. To do this on encrypted platforms, providers might have to:

• Introduce Backdoors: Create a means for third parties (including the service provider or authorities) to access encrypted messages.
• Client-Side Scanning: Install software on users' devices that scans messages before they are encrypted and sent, effectively bypassing E2EE.

The Risks of Weakening Encryption

1. Compromised Security for All Users

Introducing backdoors or client-side scanning tools can create vulnerabilities:

• Exploitable Gaps: If a backdoor exists, malicious actors might find and exploit it, leading to data breaches.
• Universal Impact: Weakening encryption doesn't just affect targeted individuals; it potentially exposes all users to increased risk.

2. Undermining Trust in Digital Services

• User Confidence: Knowing that private communications could be accessed might deter people from using digital services or push them toward unregulated platforms.
• Business Implications: Companies relying on secure communications might face increased risks, affecting economic activities.

3. Ineffectiveness Against Skilled Adversaries

• Alternative Methods: Criminals might shift to other encrypted channels or develop new ways to avoid detection.
• False Sense of Security: Weakening encryption could give the impression of increased safety while adversaries adapt and continue their activities undetected.

Signal’s Response and Stance

Signal, a leading encrypted messaging service, has been vocal in its opposition to the EU's proposals:

• Refusal to Weaken Encryption: Signal's CEO Meredith Whittaker has stated that the company would rather cease operations in the EU than compromise its encryption standards.
• Advocacy for Privacy: Signal emphasizes that strong encryption is essential for protecting human rights and freedoms in the digital age.

Understanding Backdoors

A "backdoor" in encryption is an intentional weakness inserted into a system to allow authorized access to encrypted data. While intended for legitimate use by authorities, backdoors pose several problems:

• Security Vulnerabilities: They can be discovered and exploited by unauthorized parties, including hackers and foreign governments.
• Ethical Concerns: The existence of backdoors raises questions about consent and the extent to which governments should be able to access private communications.

The Slippery Slope Argument

Privacy advocates warn that introducing backdoors or mandatory scanning sets a precedent:

• Expanded Surveillance: Once in place, these measures could be extended to monitor other types of content beyond the original scope.
• Erosion of Rights: Gradual acceptance of surveillance can lead to a significant reduction in personal freedoms over time.

Potential Technological Alternatives

Some suggest that it's possible to fight illegal content without undermining encryption:

• Metadata Analysis: Focusing on patterns of communication rather than content.
• Enhanced Reporting Mechanisms: Encouraging users to report illegal content voluntarily.
• Investing in Law Enforcement Capabilities: Strengthening traditional investigative methods without compromising digital security.

The technical community largely agrees that weakening encryption is not the solution:

• Consensus on Security: Strong encryption is essential for the safety and privacy of all internet users.
• Call for Dialogue: Technologists and privacy experts advocate for collaborative approaches that address security concerns without sacrificing fundamental rights.

---

Global Reactions and the Debate in Europe

The proposal for Chat Control has ignited a heated debate across Europe and beyond, with various stakeholders weighing in on the potential implications for privacy, security, and fundamental rights. The reactions are mixed, reflecting differing national perspectives, political priorities, and societal values.

Support for Chat Control

Some EU member states and officials support the initiative, emphasizing the need for robust measures to combat online crime and protect citizens, especially children. They argue that:

• Enhanced Security: Mandatory scanning can help law enforcement agencies detect and prevent serious crimes.
• Responsibility of Service Providers: Companies offering communication services should play an active role in preventing their platforms from being used for illegal activities.
• Public Safety Priorities: The protection of vulnerable populations justifies the implementation of such measures, even if it means compromising some aspects of privacy.

Opposition within the EU

Several countries and organizations have voiced strong opposition to Chat Control, citing concerns over privacy rights and the potential for government overreach.

Germany

• Stance: Germany has been one of the most vocal opponents of the proposed measures.
• Reasons:
• Constitutional Concerns: The German government argues that Chat Control could violate constitutional protections of privacy and confidentiality of communications.
• Security Risks: Weakening encryption is seen as a threat to cybersecurity.
• Legal Challenges: Potential conflicts with national laws protecting personal data and communication secrecy.

Netherlands

• Recent Developments: The Dutch government decided against supporting Chat Control, emphasizing the importance of encryption for security and privacy.
• Arguments:
• Effectiveness Doubts: Skepticism about the actual effectiveness of the measures in combating crime.
• Negative Impact on Privacy: Concerns about mass surveillance and the infringement of citizens' rights.

Table reference: Patrick Breyer - Chat Control in 23 September 2024

Privacy Advocacy Groups

European Digital Rights (EDRi)

• Role: A network of civil and human rights organizations working to defend rights and freedoms in the digital environment.
• Position:
• Strong Opposition: EDRi argues that Chat Control is incompatible with fundamental rights.
• Awareness Campaigns: Engaging in public campaigns to inform citizens about the potential risks.
• Policy Engagement: Lobbying policymakers to consider alternative approaches that respect privacy.

Politicians and Activists

Patrick Breyer

• Background: A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Germany, representing the Pirate Party.
• Actions:
• Advocacy: Actively campaigning against Chat Control through speeches, articles, and legislative efforts.
• Public Outreach: Using social media and public events to raise awareness.
• Legal Expertise: Highlighting the legal inconsistencies and potential violations of EU law.

Global Reactions

International Organizations

• Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International: These organizations have expressed concerns about the implications for human rights, urging the EU to reconsider.

Technology Companies

• Global Tech Firms: Companies like Apple and Microsoft are monitoring the situation, as EU regulations could affect their operations and user trust.
• Industry Associations: Groups representing tech companies have issued statements highlighting the risks to innovation and competitiveness.

The Broader Debate

The controversy over Chat Control reflects a broader struggle between security interests and privacy rights in the digital age. Key points in the debate include:

• Legal Precedents: How the EU's decision might influence laws and regulations in other countries.
• Digital Sovereignty: The desire of nations to control digital spaces within their borders.
• Civil Liberties: The importance of protecting freedoms in the face of technological advancements.

Public Opinion

• Diverse Views: Surveys and public forums show a range of opinions, with some citizens prioritizing security and others valuing privacy above all.
• Awareness Levels: Many people are still unaware of the potential changes, highlighting the need for public education on the issue.

The EU is at a crossroads, facing the challenge of addressing legitimate security concerns without undermining the fundamental rights that are central to its values. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the future of digital privacy and the balance between security and freedom in society.

---

Possible Consequences for Messaging Services

The implementation of Chat Control could have significant implications for messaging services operating within the European Union. Both large platforms and smaller providers might need to adapt their technologies and policies to comply with the new regulations, potentially altering the landscape of digital communication.

Impact on Encrypted Messaging Services

Signal and Similar Platforms

• Compliance Challenges: Encrypted messaging services like Signal rely on end-to-end encryption to secure user communications. Complying with Chat Control could force them to weaken their encryption protocols or implement client-side scanning, conflicting with their core privacy principles.

• Operational Decisions: Some platforms may choose to limit their services in the EU or cease operations altogether rather than compromise on encryption. Signal, for instance, has indicated that it would prefer to withdraw from European markets than undermine its security features.

Potential Blocking or Limiting of Services

• Regulatory Enforcement: Messaging services that do not comply with Chat Control regulations could face fines, legal action, or even be blocked within the EU.

• Access Restrictions: Users in Europe might find certain services unavailable or limited in functionality if providers decide not to meet the regulatory requirements.

Effects on Smaller Providers

• Resource Constraints: Smaller messaging services and startups may lack the resources to implement the required scanning technologies, leading to increased operational costs or forcing them out of the market.

• Innovation Stifling: The added regulatory burden could deter new entrants, reducing competition and innovation in the messaging service sector.

User Experience and Trust

• Privacy Concerns: Users may lose trust in messaging platforms if they know their communications are subject to scanning, leading to a decline in user engagement.

• Migration to Unregulated Platforms: There is a risk that users might shift to less secure or unregulated services, including those operated outside the EU or on the dark web, potentially exposing them to greater risks.

Technical and Security Implications

• Increased Vulnerabilities: Modifying encryption protocols to comply with Chat Control could introduce security flaws, making platforms more susceptible to hacking and data breaches.

• Global Security Risks: Changes made to accommodate EU regulations might affect the global user base of these services, extending security risks beyond European borders.

Impact on Businesses and Professional Communications

• Confidentiality Issues: Businesses that rely on secure messaging for sensitive communications may face challenges in ensuring confidentiality, affecting sectors like finance, healthcare, and legal services.

• Compliance Complexity: Companies operating internationally will need to navigate a complex landscape of differing regulations, increasing administrative burdens.

Economic Consequences

• Market Fragmentation: Divergent regulations could lead to a fragmented market, with different versions of services for different regions.

• Loss of Revenue: Messaging services might experience reduced revenue due to decreased user trust and engagement or the costs associated with compliance.

Responses from Service Providers

• Legal Challenges: Companies might pursue legal action against the regulations, citing conflicts with privacy laws and user rights.

• Policy Advocacy: Service providers may increase lobbying efforts to influence policy decisions and promote alternatives to Chat Control.

Possible Adaptations

• Technological Innovation: Some providers might invest in developing new technologies that can detect illegal content without compromising encryption, though the feasibility remains uncertain.

• Transparency Measures: To maintain user trust, companies might enhance transparency about how data is handled and what measures are in place to protect privacy.

The potential consequences of Chat Control for messaging services are profound, affecting not only the companies that provide these services but also the users who rely on them daily. The balance between complying with legal requirements and maintaining user privacy and security presents a significant challenge that could reshape the digital communication landscape.

---

What Happens Next? The Future of Chat Control

The future of Chat Control remains uncertain as the debate continues among EU member states, policymakers, technology companies, and civil society organizations. Several factors will influence the outcome of this contentious proposal, each carrying significant implications for digital privacy, security, and the regulatory environment within the European Union.

Current Status of Legislation

• Ongoing Negotiations: The proposed Chat Control measures are still under discussion within the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Amendments and revisions are being considered in response to the feedback from various stakeholders.

• Timeline: While there is no fixed date for the final decision, the EU aims to reach a consensus to implement effective measures against online crime without undue delay.

Key Influencing Factors

1. Legal Challenges and Compliance with EU Law

• Fundamental Rights Assessment: The proposals must be evaluated against the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, ensuring that any measures comply with rights to privacy, data protection, and freedom of expression.

• Court Scrutiny: Potential legal challenges could arise, leading to scrutiny by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which may impact the feasibility and legality of Chat Control.

2. Technological Feasibility

• Development of Privacy-Preserving Technologies: Research into methods that can detect illegal content without compromising encryption is ongoing. Advances in this area could provide alternative solutions acceptable to both privacy advocates and security agencies.

• Implementation Challenges: The practical aspects of deploying scanning technologies across various platforms and services remain complex, and technical hurdles could delay or alter the proposed measures.

3. Political Dynamics

• Member State Positions: The differing stances of EU countries, such as Germany's opposition, play a significant role in shaping the final outcome. Consensus among member states is crucial for adopting EU-wide regulations.

• Public Opinion and Advocacy: Growing awareness and activism around digital privacy can influence policymakers. Public campaigns and lobbying efforts may sway decisions in favor of stronger privacy protections.

4. Industry Responses

• Negotiations with Service Providers: Ongoing dialogues between EU authorities and technology companies may lead to compromises or collaborative efforts to address concerns without fully implementing Chat Control as initially proposed.

• Potential for Self-Regulation: Messaging services might propose self-regulatory measures to combat illegal content, aiming to demonstrate effectiveness without the need for mandatory scanning.

Possible Scenarios

Optimistic Outcome:

• Balanced Regulation: A revised proposal emerges that effectively addresses security concerns while upholding strong encryption and privacy rights, possibly through innovative technologies or targeted measures with robust oversight.

Pessimistic Outcome:

• Adoption of Strict Measures: Chat Control is implemented as initially proposed, leading to weakened encryption, reduced privacy, and potential withdrawal of services like Signal from the EU market.

Middle Ground:

• Incremental Implementation: Partial measures are adopted, focusing on voluntary cooperation with service providers and emphasizing transparency and user consent, with ongoing evaluations to assess effectiveness and impact.

How to Stay Informed and Protect Your Privacy

• Follow Reputable Sources: Keep up with news from reliable outlets, official EU communications, and statements from privacy organizations to stay informed about developments.

• Engage in the Dialogue: Participate in public consultations, sign petitions, or contact representatives to express your views on Chat Control and digital privacy.

• Utilize Secure Practices: Regardless of legislative outcomes, adopting good digital hygiene—such as using strong passwords and being cautious with personal information—can enhance your online security.

The Global Perspective

• International Implications: The EU's decision may influence global policies on encryption and surveillance, setting precedents that other countries might follow or react against.

• Collaboration Opportunities: International cooperation on developing solutions that protect both security and privacy could emerge, fostering a more unified approach to addressing online threats.

Looking Ahead

The future of Chat Control is a critical issue that underscores the challenges of governing in the digital age. Balancing the need for security with the protection of fundamental rights is a complex task that requires careful consideration, open dialogue, and collaboration among all stakeholders.

As the situation evolves, staying informed and engaged is essential. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the digital landscape for years to come, affecting how we communicate, conduct business, and exercise our rights in an increasingly connected world.

---

Conclusion

The debate over Chat Control highlights a fundamental challenge in our increasingly digital world: how to protect society from genuine threats without eroding the very rights and freedoms that define it. While the intention to safeguard children and prevent crime is undeniably important, the means of achieving this through intrusive surveillance measures raise critical concerns.

Privacy is not just a personal preference but a cornerstone of democratic societies. End-to-end encryption has become an essential tool for ensuring that our personal conversations, professional communications, and sensitive data remain secure from unwanted intrusion. Weakening these protections could expose individuals and organizations to risks that far outweigh the proposed benefits.

The potential consequences of implementing Chat Control are far-reaching:

• Erosion of Trust: Users may lose confidence in digital platforms, impacting how we communicate and conduct business online.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Introducing backdoors or weakening encryption can make systems more susceptible to cyberattacks.
• Stifling Innovation: Regulatory burdens may hinder technological advancement and competitiveness in the tech industry.
• Global Implications: The EU's decisions could set precedents that influence digital policies worldwide, for better or worse.

As citizens, it's crucial to stay informed about these developments. Engage in conversations, reach out to your representatives, and advocate for solutions that respect both security needs and fundamental rights. Technology and policy can evolve together to address challenges without compromising core values.

The future of Chat Control is not yet decided, and public input can make a significant difference. By promoting open dialogue, supporting privacy-preserving innovations, and emphasizing the importance of human rights in legislation, we can work towards a digital landscape that is both safe and free.

In a world where digital communication is integral to daily life, striking the right balance between security and privacy is more important than ever. The choices made today will shape the digital environment for generations to come, determining not just how we communicate, but how we live and interact in an interconnected world.

---

Thank you for reading this article. We hope it has provided you with a clear understanding of Chat Control and its potential impact on your privacy and digital rights. Stay informed, stay engaged, and let's work together towards a secure and open digital future.

Read more:

• https://www.patrick-breyer.de/en/posts/chat-control/
• https://www.patrick-breyer.de/en/new-eu-push-for-chat-control-will-messenger-services-be-blocked-in-europe/
• https://edri.org/our-work/dutch-decision-puts-brakes-on-chat-control/
• https://signal.org/blog/pdfs/ndss-keynote.pdf
• https://tuta.com/blog/germany-stop-chat-control
• https://cointelegraph.com/news/signal-president-slams-revised-eu-encryption-proposal
• https://mullvad.net/en/why-privacy-matters

@ 2fb77d26:c47a6ee1

In H. G. Wells’ Roman Die Zeitmaschine und den diversen Verfilmungen werden sie als »ausschweifend, langsam und naiv« dargestellt. Von »untermenschlicher Intelligenz« gezeichnet. Für Dan Simmons sind sie »faul, ungebildet und unkultiviert«. Die Eloi. Die als Nahrungsquelle der Morlocks gehaltenen Nachfahren des Homo sapiens. »Sie entwickeln sich rückläufig und verlernen Jahrtausende von Kultur, Denken und Vernunft, bis sie sich mit dem Vergnügen des bloßen Daseins zufrieden geben«. Ertönt das Schlüsselsignal, auf das sie von ihren Züchtern konditioniert wurden – eine umgebaute Zivilschutzsirene – trotten sie freiwillig und in hypnotischer Apathie zur Schlachtbank.

Ein ähnlichen Eindruck hatten viele Maßnahmenkritiker von den Unterstützern der mittlerweile in allen Punkten widerlegten Covid-Propaganda. Zurecht. Das Gefolge von Drosten, Lauterbach und Co. war blind für Fakten und ist ins offene Messer gelaufen. Bedauerlicherweise verhalten sich viele Maßnahmenkritiker aber nun in weiten Teilen genauso. Sie haben Idole gefunden. Wollen glauben. Sie ignorieren Informationen, Fakten und Daten und werden Opfer einer neu justierten, gut geölten Propagandamaschine. Nur, um die in ihre neuen Helden gesetzten Hoffnungen nicht aufgeben und der wenig erbaulichen Realität nicht ins Auge blicken zu müssen.

Sie glauben an Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Alice Weidel, Peter Thiel und vor allem Elon Musk. Daran, dass der supranationale Nachhaltigkeitskorporatismus am Ende sei, das Finanzsystem gerettet und Gerechtigkeit hergestellt wird. Die Widerständler von gestern sind die »Schlafschafe« von heute. Sie scheinen vergessen zu haben, wie Propaganda funktioniert. Aus diesem Grund – und weil es ein so schön griffiges Wort ist, bei dem man nur einen Buchstaben verändern muss, um daraus den Vornamen eines vermeintlichen Heilsbringers zu basteln – erlaube ich mir, die Anhänger des MAGA-Kults im Zuge der folgenden Seiten mokant als Eloi zu bezeichnen. Ein bisschen Spaß muss sein.

Kurskorrektur mit Ansage

Lynn Forester de Rothschild, in der finanzoligarchischen Hackordnung mindestens eine Ebene über BlackRock und Co. anzusiedeln, kündigte den aktuellen Narrativwechsel bereits am 30. August 2023 an, als sie bei Bloomberg sagte, der Begriff »ESG gehöre in die Tonne«. Er sei verbrannt. Auch BlackRock-CEO Larry Fink, der Marktteilnehmer zur Unterstützung von ESG »zwingen« wollte, teilte seinen Investoren bereits am 26. März 2023 mit, das in Verruf gekommene Label ESG durch den Begriff »Energiepragmatismus« zu ersetzen.

Sowohl Rothschild als auch Fink räumten aber gleichzeitig ein, dass sich die übergeordnete Agenda nicht ändern und man die »Green Economy« weiter vorantreiben werde, man diese aber besser vermarkten müsse, um konservative Kreise nicht weiter gegen sich aufzubringen. Ein simpler Marketing-Trick. Wenig überraschend also, dass sowohl BlackRock als auch sechs amerikanische Großbanken Anfang 2025 die Net Zero Initiative verließen. Zum »perfekten Zeitpunkt«, wie die New York Post bemerkt, um nicht von der negativen, anti-woken Berichterstattung rund um die verheerenden Feuersbrünste in Los Angeles tangiert zu werden.

Es scheint, als hätten die Eloi bereits wieder verdrängt, dass die WEF-Meetings 2021 und 2024 unter Arbeitstiteln wie »The Great Narrative« und »Rebuilding Trust« liefen. Artikuliertes Ziel der Davoser PR-Abteilung für Globalisierungsfragen war nämlich, sich den zunehmend echauffierten, misstrauischen Pöbel vom Hals zu halten. Durch neue Narrative und vertrauensbildende Maßnahmen. Und das hat, zumindest vorerst, ausgezeichnet funktioniert.

In den USA stieg das Vertrauen in ordnungsgemäß durchgeführte Präsidentschaftswahlen 2024 zum ersten Mal seit Jahren wieder etwas an. In Europa macht sich ebenfalls Zuversicht breit. Schließlich haben die sogenannten »Rechtspopulisten« nicht mehr nur in Italien und Ungarn, sondern auch in Finnland, der Slowakei und den Niederlanden Oberwasser. Von den Erfolgen der AFD ganz zu schweigen. Diese führen, wie zuletzt in Thüringen, trotz klarem Wählervotum zwar nicht zur Regierungsbeteiligung, weil »demokratische Prozesse« und »Brandmauern« das zu verhindern wissen – aber dabei sein ist ja bekanntlich alles. Dass Friedenstreiberin Alice Weidel den bundesdeutschen Rüstungsetat auf knapp 200 Milliarden verdoppeln will, scheint die euphorisierten Kritiker dunkelgrüner Militarisierung auch nicht auszubremsen. Hauptsache nicht grün. Oder woke.

Überstaatliche Sphären

Dabei scheint Euphorie in Anbetracht der Tatsachen alles andere als angebracht. So hat Milei nach Angaben von Global Finance zwar das argentinische »Staatsdefizit nach 123 Jahren beendet«, dafür leben heute 53 Prozent der 45 Millionen Argentinier in Armut. Der höchste Wert seit 20 Jahren. Ende 2023 waren es noch 41,7 Prozent. Daran ändert auch semantische Schützenhilfe von libertären Denkfabriken wie der Hoover Institution nichts. Die radikalen Privatisierungsfeldzüge von »El Loco« haben einen hohen Preis. Ob Aerolineas Argentinas, die staatliche Fluglinie, der Stahlproduzent IMPSA oder das Transportunternehmen Trenes Argentinos Cargas, das 7.800 Kilometer Bahnstrecke betreibt – das Volksvermögen wird an die Meistbietenden verscherbelt. Wer das ist, kann sich wohl jeder ausmalen. Denn sein Schlachtruf »Afuera!« (Raus hier!) gilt augenscheinlich nicht für BlackRock und Co. – schließlich sei Argentinien »ziemlich billig« zu haben, wie es Rick Rieder, Top-Bond-Manager des Unternehmens schon 2019 formulierte.

Man muss allerdings nicht in die Ferne schweifen, um sich der realen Gefahren für die Freiheit bewusst zu werden. Jener Gefahren, die von Personalien gänzlich unberührt bleiben. So arbeitet die Europäische Union weiter an der eID, der Grundlage des technokratisch-totalitären Kontroll-Grids. Ihre Einführung ist beschlossene Sache. Offen ist lediglich, ab wann sie zum Obligatorium wird. Auch das persönliche CO2-Budget ist auf Kurs. Mit ETS2 (EU Emissions Trading System) nimmt die EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) seit dem 1. Januar 2025 nach der Konzernwirtschaft nun kleine und mittlere Unternehmen in den Fokus und verpflichtet diese, CO2-Kompensationsabgaben auf ihren Gas-, Benzin- und Mineralölverbrauch zu entrichten. Das dürfte Heiz-, Fracht- und folglich die Lebenshaltungskosten des Bürgers in neue Höhen treiben. Bis der Sonntagsausflug mit dem Familienauto nicht mehr nur Zeit, Benzin und Nerven, sondern auch CO2-Gebühren kostet, dauert es also wohl nicht mehr allzu lange.

Dieser überparteilichen, supranational koordinierten Überwachungs- und Enteignungsagenda ist weder durch die Wahl des geringeren Übels noch durch Auswandern zu entkommen. Denn wie sich der Internetpräsenz des »Global Governance Forum« (GGF) entnehmen lässt, wird bereits eifrig an »Global Government« gearbeitet. Die UN-nahe Nichtregierungsorganisation hat sich nämlich zum Ziel gesetzt, die Charta der Vereinten Nationen bis 2028 zu aktualisieren und den allseits bekannten »Herausforderungen unserer Zeit« anzupassen. Pünktlich ab 2030 soll das neue Vertragswerk ratifiziert werden und neben neuen Befugnissen für den Internationalen Gerichtshof sowie einer UN-Streitmacht auch eine Regierungsstruktur analog der Europäischen Union ermöglichen. Sprich, eine Weltregierung. Ganz demokratisch selbstverständlich.  

Neben eID und CO2-Budget sind natürlich auch die Ausweispflicht fürs Internet und die automatisierte Zensur unliebsamer Inhalte weiter auf Kurs. Nachdem die Vereinten Nationen im September 2024 bereits dem totalitären »Pakt für die Zukunft« zustimmten, wurde am Heiligabend 2024 noch rasch die neue »Konvention gegen Onlineverbrechen« durchgewunken. Und seit Januar 2025 treibt die UN die Umsetzung eines noch weitreichenderen Abkommens namens »Global Digital Compact« voran. Ein Papier, vor dem ich bereits im Juli 2023 gewarnt habe. Was all das für den Bürger bedeutet, zeigt sich in Griechenland, wo die Regierung seit Anfang des Jahres Social-Media-Konten mit Steuer-Identifikationsnummern verknüpft, um eine Alterskontrolle fürs Internet einzuführen. Damit folgt die von der EU in Kreditsklaverei gehaltene Regierung in Athen dem Vorbild Australiens, wo der Zugang so Social-Media-Plattformen künftig erst ab einem Alter von 16 Jahren erlaubt werden soll – wofür man schlussendlich jeden Nutzer kontrollieren muss, der online geht.

Auch das von vielen noch immer als Mythos abgetane Geoengineering wird derweil munter weitergeführt. Obwohl Berichte des US-Kongress und mittlerweile sogar wissenschaftliche Berater der EU-Kommission vor großflächigem Solar Radiation Management warnen. Im Rahmen eines offiziellen, 54 Seiten umfassenden Reports an die EU-Kommission sowie eines Artikels des britischen Guardian vom 9. Dezember 2024 verwies das siebenköpfige Forscherteam auf die unabschätzbaren Konsequenzen solcher Eingriffe und forderte ein EU-weites Moratorium.

Wie genau Trump, Musk, Milei, Meloni, Weidel und Co. die Welt vor diesem Sammelsurium an totalitären Übergriffigkeiten retten wollen, konnte mir bislang keiner der Eloi sagen.

DJ Trump

Warum die in Donald Trump, den »Vater der Impfung«, und sein zionistisches Kriegstreiberkabinett gesetzten Hoffnungen bald bitterer Enttäuschung weichen dürften, habe ich bereits am 14. November 2024 ausführlich beschrieben. Dass auch die beiden Hauptargumente seiner Befürworter – dass er die mRNA-Kampagne mittlerweile bereue und in seiner ersten Amtsperiode Friedenspolitik betrieben habe – schlichtweg falsch sind, ebenfalls. Denn anhand der nackten Zahlen lässt sich eindeutig belegen, dass Trump »der kriegslüsternste Präsident der jüngeren Geschichte« war. Und wie stolz er auf »Operation Warp Speed« ist, die unzählige Amerikaner Gesundheit oder Leben kostete, ließ er die Welt zuletzt am 17. November 2024 auf seinem Social-Media-Netzwerk Truth Social wissen.

Trumps Interesse gilt nicht Frieden und Freiheit, sondern Donald Trump. So war es sein ganzes Leben lang. Wenn sich »The Donald« jemandem verpflichtet fühlt, ist es vielleicht Wilbur Ross, der ehemalige Chef von Rothschild Inc. Bankruptcy Advising. Denn wie das Forbes Magazine am 8. Dezember 2016 korrekt erläuterte, rette das Bankhaus vor gut 30 Jahren nicht nur Trumps bankrotte Casinos, sondern damit auch seine ganze Karriere. Nicht weil man in Trumps Geschäften und Immobilien einen besonderen Wert sah, sondern weil man die Person Donald Trump als »Anlage« betrachtete. Trotzdem ist es sicher nur Zufall, dass Ross von 2017 bis 2021 Handelsminister der Vereinigten Staaten war.

Elon Musk

Auch über den PayPal-Mafioso, CIA-Handlanger und Bilderberg-Executive Peter Thiel, dessen Protegé JD Vance nun US-Vizepräsident ist, habe ich bereits im September 2024 einen ausführlichen Artikel geschrieben. Gleiches gilt für Elon Musk, dessen trügerisches Image als Genius, Erfinder und Entrepreneur ich sogar schon im Oktober 2022 durchleuchtet habe. Zitat:

»Dass Elon Musk nicht rein zufällig zur liberal-coolen Ikone avancierte, legt ein Blick in seine Anfangsjahre als Unternehmer nahe. Denn während im sagenumwobenen Silicon Valley Ende der 1990er-Jahre eine Vielzahl an erfolgreicheren Tech-Entrepreneuren existierte, war es ausgerechnet Elon Musk, der für einen absolut inhaltsleeren Gastauftritt bei CNN gefilmt wurde, sodass zum ersten Mal eine breitere Öffentlichkeit von ihm Notiz nehmen musste. Dabei war sein erstes Unternehmen – Zip2 –, das er im Jahre 1995 mit seinem Bruder sowie einem weiteren Partner gegründet und im Februar 1999 für circa 300 Millionen US-Dollar an Compaq veräußert hatte, nicht das revolutionärste Unterfangen im kalifornischen IT-Mekka dieser Tage. Es handelte sich um ein simples Telefonbuch fürs Internet. Wenig mehr als eine Datenbank, in die sich Unternehmen eintragen konnten, um ihre Adresse im Netz zu hinterlegen.«

Meine fast zweieinhalb Jahre alte Analyse bedarf allerdings dringend einer Aktualisierung. Denn was Musk in der Zwischenzeit trieb – und für die Zukunft plant – hat so gar nichts mit dem zu tun, was seine geradezu fanatisierten Anhänger in ihm sehen wollen.

Fangen wir der Vollständigkeit halber aber noch mal vorne an: Elon Musk hat weder PayPal gegründet noch den Tesla erfunden. Auch wenn er das gerne so darstellt. Dafür fertigte Tesla unter seiner Ägide dann aber »RNA Mikrofabriken« für das deutsche Unternehmen CureVac, das zusammen mit Bayer mRNA-Injektionen gegen Corona auf den Markt brachte. Und während Musk gegenüber der New York Post am 30. September 2020 sagte, sich nicht gegen Covid impfen lassen zu wollen, erklärte er dem TIME Magazine am 13. Dezember 2021, bereits geimpft zu sein. Zeitgeistig flexibel ist er also. Wer behauptet, Musk hätte seine Meinung zur mRNA-Technologie seit dem Covid-Fiasko signifikant geändert und sehe das Produkt nun kritisch, ist schlecht informiert. Noch am 12. April 2023 erklärte er bei Twitter, dass er mRNA für eine »medizinische Revolution« hält. Vergleichbar mit dem Schritt »von analog zu digital«.

Was Musk mit digitaler Revolution meint, zeigte sich 2017 mit Hurricane Irma. Damals gab das Unternehmen für Besitzer von Fahrzeugen mit 75 kWh ein Softwareupdate heraus, das die Reichweite von 338 auf 400 Kilometer steigerte – was im Umkehrschluss bedeutet, dass Tesla-Besitzer um eine eigentlich abrufbare Leistung ihres eigenen Fahrzeugs betrogen werden, wenn gerade keine Naturkatastrophe wütet. Dass Tesla-Kunden darüber hinaus permanent überwacht werden, zeigte sich unlängst im Rahmen der Explosion eines Cybertrucks in Las Vegas. Augenbewegungen, Mimik, Geschlecht, Hautfarbe, Körpertemperatur, Gepäckanordnung, Route, Ladestopps, Bezahlvorgänge, Telefonbuch, Musik-Playlist, Online-Abos, et cetera. Was von Sensoren und Verbindungen zu erfassen ist, wird erfasst, wie eine Untersuchung von Mozilla im Herbst 2023 feststellte. Das gilt im Übrigen nicht nur für Tesla, sondern für praktisch alle modernen Autos. Ein Tesla hat es dabei nur am leichtesten. Die gesammelten Daten werden entweder zum Schleuderpreis verkauft und/oder gegen uns verwendet.

Doch zurück zu Musk, der Twitter nicht übernahm, um Meinungsfreiheit herzustellen, sondern um die Plattform zur »Alles-App« zu machen. Sein erklärtes Vorbild: die chinesische Spionage-App WeChat. Deswegen will er alle Nutzer »als echte Menschen identifizieren«. Biometrisch versteht sich. Dafür arbeitet man bei Twitter bevorzugt mit israelischen Unternehmen zusammen, die von ehemaligen Mossad-Agenten gegründet wurden. Vielleicht stellte ja Doppelagent Jeffrey Epstein den Kontakt zum Mossad her, nachdem er Musk als regelmäßigen Teilnehmer seiner Edge-Foundation Seminare zum Thema Nudging schätzen gelernt hatte. Epstein war nämlich der einzige nennenswerte Sponsor von Edge.

Twitter kaufte Musk übrigens nicht von seinem eigenen Geld, sondern mit Hilfe von 94 Investoren, deren Namen ein US-Bundesrichter erst im August 2024 veröffentlichte, weil Jacob Silverman (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press) sie einklagte. Die Liste umfasst so illustre Namen wie Fidelity Investments, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bandera Fund, Binance Capital Management, Sean Combs (alias Diddy) Capital, Jack Dorsey (Twitter Gründer), Baron Opportunity Fund oder Prinz Alwaleed bin Talal al Saud von der saudischen Königsfamilie. Da wird also offenbar »der Sumpf« mit mehr Sumpf »trockengelegt«. Von der Nominierung des WEF Executive Chair Linda Yaccarino als neuer Twitter-CEO und »Freedom of Speech« versus »Freedom of Reach« mal ganz abgesehen.

Auch die von den Eloi als sensationelle Enthüllung gefeierten Twitter Files sind leider nicht ernst zu nehmen. Denn sie offenbarten nichts, was man nicht schon wusste. Zudem ist bis heute unklar, woher die veröffentlichten Informationen kamen, wer den Zugriff darauf gesteuert hat, was dort noch gespeichert war, warum praktisch nur ein von Elon ausgewählter Journalist Zugriff darauf hatte und dieser nur Screenshots, anstelle ganzer Dokumente veröffentlichen durfte. Ein echter Leak besteht aus einem Archiv, das man selbst durchsuchen kann – nicht aus ein paar handverlesenen Screenshots.

Fehlt noch Space X. Ein Unternehmen, das Musk zwar selbst gegründet hat, dessen Erfolge aber in weiten Teilen anderen Umständen zu verdanken sind. So schreibt beispielsweise inside Tesla am 22. März 2022: 

»Schon Anfang der 2000er-Jahre hatte die NASA erkannt, dass ihr bald die Möglichkeit fehlen würde, selbst Astronauten und Material ins All und zur ISS zu bringen. Man machte sich also auf die Suche nach Partnern aus der Privatwirtschaft und wurde unter anderem bei Elon Musks Space X fündig. Bereits 2006, also noch in der Entwicklungsphase der Falcon 1, erhielt Musks Unternehmen fast 400 Millionen US-Dollar Startfinanzierung unter dem COTS-Programm.«

Space X war von Beginn an als verlängerte Werkbank der NASA gedacht, weil der US-Weltraumbehörde immer mehr Mittel gestrichen wurden. Die Öffentlichkeit hatte nämlich das Interesse an ziviler Raumfahrt verloren. Daher setzte man in Washington immer öfter den Rotstift an. Doch seit Musk die Menschen öffentlichkeitswirksam zum Mars befördern will – »let’s build Marsian Technocracy« – steigt das Interesse wieder. Leider muss ich die Vorfreude auf eine planetare Kolonie aber etwas dämpfen. Denn Space X wird nicht betrieben, um Menschen auf den Mars zu bringen, sondern um das »weltgrösste Netzwerk an Spionagesatelliten aufzubauen«.

Musks Weltraumagentur ist Handlanger des militärisch-industriellen Komplexes und einer der wichtigsten Vertragspartner des Pentagon. Das konnte man 2017 schon im Observer nachlesen. Oder am 9. Januar 2018 bei CNBC, die vom (missglückten) Transport eines streng geheimen US-Spionagesatelliten berichtete. Am 15. April 2022 kommentierte Tech Unwrapped zwei weitere Spionagesatelliten des US-Militärs, die Space X in die Umlaufbahn beförderte. Seit Jahren erhält das Unternehmen Milliarden von US-Regierung und Geheimdiensten. Siehe Los Angeles Times vom 30. Mai 2015: 4,9 Milliarden. Oder ein Artikel des Wall Street Journal vom 23. Februar 2024: 1,8 Milliarden. Oder eine lange Liste von staatlichen Zuwendungen, die Business Insider am 15. Dezember 2021 veröffentlichte. Damit basiert der Erfolg von Space X nicht primär auf Musks genialem Unternehmergeist, sondern auf Subventionen. Auf Steuergeldern.

Nicht zu vergessen: Starlink. Das von Space X betriebene, weltumspannende Satellitennetzwerk. Es mag den Vorteil haben, dass damit auch Menschen in entlegenen Regionen des Planeten oder Katastrophengebieten Zugriff auf das Internet haben. Dabei sollte allerdings nicht unterschlagen werden, dass Starlink in seiner finalen Ausbaustufe circa 42.000 Satelliten umfassen und damit ein permanentes Strahlungsfeld erzeugen wird. Gesundheitliche Risiken für den Homo sapiens: unklar. Darüber hinaus haben die Orbiter Zugriff auf das NORAD-Datenbanksystem, um Weltraumschrott ausweichen zu können. Sprich, sie sind permanent mit Systemen des US-Militär verbunden. Aus diesem Grund ermöglicht Starlink auch die Steuerung von Kampfdrohnen – siehe Ukraine-Konflikt – sowie 30 mal schnelleres Senden von Daten an und von US-Kampfflugzeugen. Während die Öffentlichkeit Musks Satellitennetzwerk vor allem als ziviles Produkt betrachtet, ist Starlink primär von militärischem Interesse. Nicht umsonst wird parallel Starshield aufgebaut, das dem geheimdienstlich-militärischen Komplex unter anderem die diskrete Echtzeitüberwachung der ganzen Welt erlaubt. Auch von DEW-Fähigkeiten (Directed Energy Weapon) ist die Rede. Ende 2024 befanden sich bereits 98 solcher Satelliten in erdnaher Umlaufbahn.

In Anbetracht dieser Informationen ist es also kaum verwunderlich, dass Musk seit Jahren offen für Technokratie wirbt. Für ein zentralistisches, faschistoides Herrschaftsmodell, das schon sein Großvater Joshua Haldemann als führender Kopf in den USA und Kanada vertrat. Der Familientradition folgend empfiehlt Musk eine CO2-Steuer zum Kampf gegen den Klimawandel, ein universelles Grundeinkommen, um die von der KI ausgelösten Disruptionen abzufangen und sein Neuralink Gehirnimplantat, um dem drohenden Transhumanismus etwas Transhumanismus entgegenzusetzen.

Futurum Technologicus

Für Kunden, denen Chips im Kopf irgendwie zu altbacken sind, entwickelt Musks Unternehmen in Zusammenarbeit mit iota Biosciences natürlich ein zeitgemäßeres Premiumprodukt: Neural Dust. Intelligente Nanopartikel in Staubkorngröße, die sich im Gehirn anreichern. Die lassen sich dann wahrscheinlich – wie die in Indien bereits zugelassene Nasal-Impfung gegen Covid – durch die Nase ziehen. Oder durch Luftschächte öffentlicher Gebäude pumpen. Man kann die neue Freiheit also förmlich riechen.

Ganz wie es der 44 Seiten starke »National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan« (NNI Plan) des Weißen Hauses im Oktober 2021 vorsah: »Die Öffentlichkeit einbeziehen und Mitarbeiterzahlen im Bereich Nanotechnologie erhöhen«. Nicht umsonst hat Donald Trump der entsprechenden Behörde in seiner ersten Amtszeit zusätzliche Mittel genehmigt. Genau wie Joe Biden nach ihm.

Das von der Technokratie-Bewegung vor fast einem Jahrhundert definierte nordamerikanische Technate – sprich, der amerikanische Verantwortungsbereich einer weltweiten Technokratie – sieht der von Trump und Musk reanimierten Vision einer »nordamerikanischen Union« übrigens verblüffend ähnlich. Wen interessiert bei all der Make-Great-Euphorie schon noch, dass Imperialismus scheisse, Dänemark ein souveräner Staat und der Panamakanal ein strategisches Nadelöhr der internationalen Handelsschifffahrt ist. Oder, dass die »nordamerikanische Union« nicht nur bei Trump-Cheerleadern wie Alex Jones vor ein paar Jahren noch als »böser Globalisten-Plan« galt.

Schauen wir nach vorne. In Richtung »goldenes Zeitalter«, wie Trump es nennt. Dieses dürfte für den Normalbürger nämlich sehr ungemütlich werden. Denn es wird dominiert von Algorithmen. Von Künstlicher Intelligenz. Für die Eloi also primär von Grok, dem auf Twitter (und Teslas) integrierten Chatbot. Dieser basiert auf Technologie des Unternehmens xAI – laut Wikipedia gegründet von Elon Musk im März 2023. Das mag zwar so im Handelsregister stehen, ist wohl aber nur die halbe Wahrheit. Denn xAI dürfte die Fortführung eines DARPA-Projekts darstellen, das bereits 2015 unter dem Titel »Explainable Artificial Intelligence« (XAI) gestartet wurde und 2021 auslief. Als die Finanzierung seitens DARPA eingestellt wurde, machte XAI die Forschungsergebnisse auf einem Server zugänglich. Circa 18 Monate Jahre später engagierte Elon Musk Igor Babuschkin als Chefingenieur für xAI. Babuschkin hatte zuvor acht Jahre lang für Googles DeepMind-Projekt gearbeitet und nutzte aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach die DARPA-Ergebnisse um xAI, beziehungsweise Grok zu entwickeln.

Im Juli 2023 verkündete Musk, xAI sei im Gegensatz zu den Konkurrenzprodukten von Google, Microsoft und OpenAI eine »gute« KI. Erstaunlich, wenn die gleichen Ingenieure am Werk sind und die KI auf Basis eines Militärprojekts entsteht. Zudem sprechen auch die Top-Sponsoren von xAI nicht unbedingt für das »Gute«. Denn unter den größten Geldgebern der letzten Finanzierungsrunde vom 23. Dezember 2024 befinden sich so illustre Namen wie BlackRock, AMD, Nvidia und Fidelity, die zusammen weitere sechs Milliarden Dollar für Musks KI-Unternehmen zur Verfügung stellten.

Genug Liquidität, um xAI für die »Alles-App« weiterzuentwickeln, wo Grok seit einer Weile automatisch Kurzbeschreibungen für Profile erstellt, die man weder abschalten noch ändern kann. Twitter-Nutzer müssen nun also nicht mehr selbst das Profil eines Accounts durchstöbern, um sich einen ersten Eindruck von der Person zu machen, sondern bekommen diesen von Elon Musks KI geliefert. Vorurteil auf Knopfdruck sozusagen. Vergleichbar mit einem Sozialkreditsystem. Denn die täglich neu generierte Zusammenfassung basiert auf dem Nutzerverhalten.

»Die neuen, KI-generierten Grok-Kurzprofile unter jedem X-Nutzerprofil SIND de facto ein Social Credit System nach chinesischem Vorbild für den Westen. Das Profil jedes Nutzers wird tagesaktuell neu berechnet. Äußert man sich zu verschiedenen Themen, nennt die KI das schnell mal »verheddern«. Grok gibt zu, das Profil wird erstellt aus dem eigenen Nutzerverhalten des Tages, seinen eigenen Berechnungen und nicht näher definierten Anweisungen«,  kommentierte Journalistin Aya Velázquez die Neuerung am 14. Januar 2025.

Andere Nutzer werden als »leicht erregbar« beschrieben, »verzetteln« sich oder »glauben an Wettermanipulation zur Klimakontrolle«. Offener wird ein Debattenraum dank solcher Adjektive und Zusammenfassungen sicher nicht. Wer möchte schon das Profil von leicht erregbaren Chemtrail-Gläubigen anschauen oder gar mit diesen assoziiert werden. Gegen solch eine automatisierte, herablassend daherkommende Einordnung durch intransparent operierende KI war die Faktencheck-Industrie geradezu harmlos. Wer also annimmt, die Abschaffung der Faktenchecker bei Facebook und Co. bedeute ein Ende der Zensur, irrt. Sie wird im Gegenteil deutlich raffinierter und weitreichender werden.

Details zum persönlichen Punktestand im Grok-Sozialkreditsystem oder Information über das Zustandekommen der Bewertung erhält man auf Anfrage natürlich nicht. Twitter wird die daraus entstehende Hierarchie aber mit Sicherheit für Reichweitensteuerung, Nudging-Kampagnen und weitere sozialarchitektonische Funktionen nutzen. Vor allem, wenn 2025 das Bezahlsystem »X Money« eingeführt wird. Dann werden die Eloi bald nicht mehr nur um Reichweite, Follower und Re-Tweets buhlen, sondern auch um Geld – das als Folge unliebsamer Postings zu Genozid X, Krieg Y oder Person Z künftig schneller eingefroren werden dürfte als jedes Bankkonto. De-Banking der nächsten Generation. Und irgendwann trifft das jeden. Außer, man schwimmt immer mit dem Strom.

Doch damit nicht genug. Am 13. Dezember 2024 gab das wohl den wenigsten bekannte Unternehmen WISeSat bekannt, künftig mit Space X zusammenzuarbeiten, um »verschiedene Produkte und Systeme zu kombinieren«. Die WISeSat AG ist eine Tochterfirma der in Genf (Schweiz) ansässigen WISeKey International Holding AG, die im Bereich Cybersicherheit, KI und IoT (Internet of Things) tätig ist. Die Ankündigung dieser Kollaboration ließ die WISeKey-Aktie kurzfristig um 107,73 Prozent steigen. Ein erster gemeinsamer Start zum Transport sogenannter Picosatelliten fand am 14. Januar 2025 von der Vandenberg Space Force Base in Kalifornien statt.

Aber was genau macht WISeSat? Einer Presseerklärung des Unternehmens vom 15. September 2023 lässt sich entnehmen:

»WISeSAT AG zeichnet sich dank ihrer Konstellation von ultra-sicheren Picosatelliten und Infrastruktur durch sichere und effektive Kommunikationsstrategien für vernetzte Geräte aus. Die Expertise des Unternehmens in kryptografischer Technologie und sicherem Datenmanagement hat die sichere IoT-Implementierung in zahlreichen Bereichen neu definiert, von städtischen Innovationen in Smart Cities bis hin zu modernster industrieller Automatisierung. (…) WISeSAT steht an vorderster Front bei der Entwicklung von ultra-sicheren Picosatelliten-Lösungen in Zusammenarbeit mit ihrem Verbündeten FOSSA Systems. Es setzt sich für sichere IoT-Kommunikation über raumbasierte Netzwerke ein und nutzt die neuesten kryptografischen Innovationen, um sichere und sofortige Datenaustausche in verschiedenen Bereichen zu gewährleisten (…).«

Im Klartext: WISeSat bringt Satelliten von der Größe einer Tupperdose ins All. Diese Mini-Orbiter umkreisen den Planeten in niedrigen Umlaufbahnen und etablieren dort ein Netzwerk für kryptografierte Echtzeitdatenübertragung. Fliegende 5G-Masten sozusagen. Oder WLAN-Router. Nur viel schneller. Für das Internet der Dinge – und Smart Cities.

»In dieser Woche startet WISeSat einen Satelliten der neuen Generation und markiert damit einen wichtigen Meilenstein in der Entwicklung einer globalen Satellitenkonstellation, die eine umfassende Erdabdeckung mit ultraniedriger Latenzzeit ermöglicht. Entwickelt, um Billionen von IoT-Geräten in Echtzeit zu verfolgen und aufzuspüren.« (Carlos Creus Moreira, WISeKEy CEO, 12. Januar 2025)

Welche Datenträger dieses Picosatelliten-Netzwerk künftig verfolgen und aufspüren soll, zeigt sich bei einem Blick auf das Produktportfolio der Holding-Gesellschaft WISeKey – einem »weltweit führenden Anbieter von Cybersicherheit, digitaler Identität und Internet der Dinge (IoT) Lösungen«. Denn die Holding existiert seit 24 Jahren, besteht aus fünf Unternehmen, hat mehr als eineinhalb Milliarden Chips und über fünf Milliarden »Roots of Trust« installiert, residiert an sechs internationalen Standorten und hat gut 3.000 Kunden in Staat und Wirtschaft beglückt. Einen Wikipedia-Eintrag gibt es für das bei NASDAQ und SIX gelistete Unternehmen erstaunlicherweise trotzdem nicht.

Dafür aber für den seit Mai 2021 amtierenden »Chief Digital Transformation Officer« Pierre Maudet. Der war ab Juni 2012 Mitglied des Genfer Staatsrats, 2013 bei den Young Global Leaders des Weltwirtschaftsforums und 2015 bei der Bilderberger Konferenz in Telfs-Buchen (Österreich). Nachdem er im Februar 2021 vom Genfer Polizeigericht wegen Vorteilsnahme verurteilt wurde, trat er als Staatsrat zurück – und drei Monate später bei WISeKey an. Am 30. April 2023 wurde er, ungeachtet seiner kriminellen Vergangenheit, zusätzlich wieder in den Genfer Staatsrat gewählt. Wie praktisch. Solch eine schamlose Unverfrorenheit scheint Maudet perfekt für das zu qualifizieren, was bei WISeKey unter dem Deckmantel der »Quantensicherheit« entwickelt wird – ein raumbasiertes eID-Ökosystem.

»Quantensicherheit nutzt Prinzipien der Quantenmechanik, um den Datenschutz und die sichere Informationsübertragung zu revolutionieren. Kernstück ist die Quantenschlüsselverteilung (Quantum Key Distribution, QKD), eine Spitzentechnologie, die mithilfe der Quantenmechanik vernetzte Teilchen für den sicheren Austausch von Verschlüsselungskennwerten erzeugt.«

Ob digitale Identität, Unterschrift, Cloud oder Software – von der Know-Your-Customer-Biometrie bis hin zur Unternehmenslösung für die Mitarbeiteridentifikation. WISeKey hilft. Anmelden kann sich jeder. Während die Produktpalette für den privaten Sektor noch nach Lieferketten-Management, Sendungsverfolgung, Login-Lösung für eBanking oder Face ID auf dem Smartphone klingt – aber deutlich weitreichender ist, schauen sie sich die Homepage an – sprechen die WISeKey-Angebote im Bereich Regierungen eine ganz andere Sprache. Denn unter diesem Menüpunkt bewirbt der diskret operierende Konzern seine »CertifyID Trust Center Platform«:

»Die CertifyID Trust Center Platform ist eine industrialisierte eID-Verwaltungslösung für Bürger, die Benutzer und ihre Anmeldeinformationen verwaltet, insbesondere digitale IDs und digitale Zertifikate für groß angelegte Anwendungen wie landesweite E-Government-Dienste. Es handelt sich um eine vollständige industrielle Public Key Infrastruktur- und ID-Verwaltungslösung, die Regierungsdienste rund um die Uhr unterstützt.

Die CertifyID Trust Center Plattform wird in einer Reihe von Anwendungen der Regierung und des öffentlichen Sektors verwendet, zum Beispiel: Personalausweis, ePassport (ICAO-konform), Führerschein, Gesundheit, Wahlen/Abstimmen.

Die CertifyID Plattform wurde unter Verwendung der Sicherheits- und Public Key Infrastruktur-Expertise von WISeKey entwickelt und kann vollständig in E-Government-Frameworks, kommerzielle Frameworks (…) und in das Bereitstellungsframework für E-Government-Dienste eines Landes integriert werden.«

Da passt es doch wunderbar ins Bild, dass WISeKey am 13. Oktober 2022 eine »Partnerschaftsvereinbarung zur Zusammenarbeit bei der Entwicklung weltraumbezogener Aktivitäten« mit der Schweizer Armee bekannt gab – schließlich residieren in der Alpenrepublik nicht nur UN, GAVI, WEF, Club of Rome und jede Menge NGOs, sondern auch die Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich (BIZ), die ganz sicher Verwendung für ein quantengesichertes Echtzeit-Picosatellitennetzwerk findet, wenn ihr »Unified Ledger« (Zentrales Hauptbuch) für das Blockchain-Weltfinanzsystem von morgen zum Einsatz kommt. In Anbetracht der »allumfassenden Marktblase« (D. Webb, 2024) ist damit wohl in absehbarer Zeit zu rechnen.

Das also sind die Projekte, Pläne und neuen Partner von Elon. Auf mich machen ja speziell die korrupten Genfer Quantenspezialisten mit ihren Picosatelliten und schlüsselfertigen eID-Lösungen nicht unbedingt den Eindruck von Freiheitskämpfern. Und auch die am 22. Januar 2024 bei einer Pressekonferenz im Weißen Haus angekündigten »personalisierten mRNA-Injektionen gegen Krebs« lassen mich eher skeptisch zurück.

Genau wie der Umstand, dass diese binnen 48 Stunden »personalisierte mRNA« durch die Rechenleistung von OpenAI ermöglicht werden soll. Denn das von Elon Musk mitgegründete Unternehmen des WEF- und Bilderberg-affinen Sam Altman steht im berechtigten Verdacht, für den Tod eines Whistleblowers im Dezember 2024 verantwortlich zu sein. Während Polizei und Medien den Tod des OpenAI-Forschers Suchir Balaji als Selbstmord deklarieren, sprechen sowohl die Umstände am Fundort seiner Leiche als auch Balajis Eltern von »eiskaltem Mord«. Nicht zu vergessen, dass Altman von seiner eigenen Schwester des jahrelangen Missbrauchs beschuldigt wird und sich dafür demnächst vor Gericht verantworten muss. Selbst The Economist räumte am 10. Dezember 2024 ein, dass »die PayPal Mafia die amerikanische Regierung übernimmt«. Und das mit der »Mafia« scheint man in Washington mittlerweile wörtlich zu nehmen.

Aber die von einigen aus der Hüfte geschossenen Präsidialdekreten euphorisierten Eloi werden sicher Gründe finden, das alles zu ihren Gunsten auszulegen. Immerhin hat Trump ein paar Leute begnadigt und will aus der WHO austreten. Wie seine Fanbase es bewerkstelligt, auszublenden, dass »The Donald« schon in seiner ersten Amtszeit aus der WHO austreten wollte und es unterließ, erschließt sich mir aber leider nicht. Genau wie die Begeisterung für ein Gespräch zwischen Musk und Weidel. Man stelle sich nur mal vor, George Soros, Bill Gates oder Eric Schmitt konferierten mit deutschen Politikern. Oder bekämen Sendezeit im ÖRR. Nicht auszudenken.

Wie heißt es so schön: »Eine schmerzliche Wahrheit ist besser als eine Lüge« (Thomas Mann). Stimmt. Nur fällt es relativ schwer, eine Lüge einzugestehen, wenn der, dem man sie beichten muss, der Lügner ist.

So bleibt nur zu hoffen, dass möglichst viele Eloi diesen Schritt trotzdem möglichst bald hinter sich bringen. Im eigenen Interesse. Denn wie schon Ernst Freiherr von Feuchtersleben feststellte, ist »Reue der Verstand, der zu spät kommt«. Und das kann in diesen Tagen verheerende Folgen haben.

@ 4fe4a528:3ff6bf06

In my last article I wrote about NOSTR. I found another local bitcoiner via NOSTR last week so here is why it is important to join / use NOSTR — start telling people “Look me up on NOSTR”

Self-sovereign identity (SSI) is a revolutionary approach to digital identity that puts individuals in control of their own identity and personal data. Unlike traditional digital identity models, which rely on third-party organizations to manage and authenticate identities, SSI empowers individuals to own and manage their digital identity.

This approach is made possible by emerging technologies such as secure public / private key pairs. Decentralized identifiers, conceived and developed by nostr:npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6 is an attempt to create a global technical standard around cryptographically secured identifiers - a secure, universal, and sovereign form of digital ID. This technology uses peer-to-peer technology to remove the need for intermediaries to own and authenticate ID information.

Notably, NOSTR, a decentralized protocol, has already begun to utilize decentralized IDs, demonstrating the potential of this technology in real-world applications. Via NOSTR, users can be sure that the person or computer publishing to a particular npub knows their nsec (password for your npub), highlighting the secure and decentralized nature of this approach.

With SSI, individuals can decide how their personal data is used, shared, and protected, giving them greater control and agency over their digital lives.

The benefits of SSI are numerous, including:

Enhanced security and protection of personal data. Reduced risk of identity theft and fraud Increased autonomy and agency over one's digital identity. Improved scalability and flexibility in digital identity management

challenges:

Ensuring the security and integrity of decentralized identity systems. Developing standards and protocols for interoperability and compatibility. Addressing concerns around ownership and control of personal data. Balancing individual autonomy with the need for verification and authentication in various contexts.

Overall, self-sovereign identity has the potential to transform the way we think about digital identity and provide individuals with greater control and agency over their personal data. Without people in control of their bitcoin seed words no freedom loving people would be able to exchange their money with others. Yes, keep enjoying using the only free market on the planet BITCOIN. Long live FREEDOM!

@ 4ba8e86d:89d32de4

O que é Cwtch? Cwtch (/kʊtʃ/ - uma palavra galesa que pode ser traduzida aproximadamente como “um abraço que cria um lugar seguro”) é um protocolo de mensagens multipartidário descentralizado, que preserva a privacidade, que pode ser usado para construir aplicativos resistentes a metadados.

Como posso pronunciar Cwtch? Como "kutch", para rimar com "butch".

Descentralizado e Aberto : Não existe “serviço Cwtch” ou “rede Cwtch”. Os participantes do Cwtch podem hospedar seus próprios espaços seguros ou emprestar sua infraestrutura para outras pessoas que buscam um espaço seguro. O protocolo Cwtch é aberto e qualquer pessoa é livre para criar bots, serviços e interfaces de usuário e integrar e interagir com o Cwtch.

Preservação de privacidade : toda a comunicação no Cwtch é criptografada de ponta a ponta e ocorre nos serviços cebola Tor v3.

Resistente a metadados : O Cwtch foi projetado de forma que nenhuma informação seja trocada ou disponibilizada a ninguém sem seu consentimento explícito, incluindo mensagens durante a transmissão e metadados de protocolo

Uma breve história do bate-papo resistente a metadados Nos últimos anos, a conscientização pública sobre a necessidade e os benefícios das soluções criptografadas de ponta a ponta aumentou com aplicativos como Signal , Whatsapp e Wire. que agora fornecem aos usuários comunicações seguras.

No entanto, essas ferramentas exigem vários níveis de exposição de metadados para funcionar, e muitos desses metadados podem ser usados ​​para obter detalhes sobre como e por que uma pessoa está usando uma ferramenta para se comunicar.

Uma ferramenta que buscou reduzir metadados é o Ricochet lançado pela primeira vez em 2014. Ricochet usou os serviços cebola Tor v2 para fornecer comunicação criptografada segura de ponta a ponta e para proteger os metadados das comunicações.

Não havia servidores centralizados que auxiliassem no roteamento das conversas do Ricochet. Ninguém além das partes envolvidas em uma conversa poderia saber que tal conversa está ocorrendo.

Ricochet tinha limitações; não havia suporte para vários dispositivos, nem existe um mecanismo para suportar a comunicação em grupo ou para um usuário enviar mensagens enquanto um contato está offline.

Isto tornou a adoção do Ricochet uma proposta difícil; mesmo aqueles em ambientes que seriam melhor atendidos pela resistência aos metadados, sem saber que ela existe.

Além disso, qualquer solução para comunicação descentralizada e resistente a metadados enfrenta problemas fundamentais quando se trata de eficiência, privacidade e segurança de grupo conforme definido pelo consenso e consistência da transcrição.

Alternativas modernas ao Ricochet incluem Briar , Zbay e Ricochet Refresh - cada ferramenta procura otimizar para um conjunto diferente de compensações, por exemplo, Briar procura permitir que as pessoas se comuniquem mesmo quando a infraestrutura de rede subjacente está inoperante, ao mesmo tempo que fornece resistência à vigilância de metadados.

O projeto Cwtch começou em 2017 como um protocolo de extensão para Ricochet, fornecendo conversas em grupo por meio de servidores não confiáveis, com o objetivo de permitir aplicativos descentralizados e resistentes a metadados como listas compartilhadas e quadros de avisos.

Uma versão alfa do Cwtch foi lançada em fevereiro de 2019 e, desde então, a equipe do Cwtch dirigida pela OPEN PRIVACY RESEARCH SOCIETY conduziu pesquisa e desenvolvimento em cwtch e nos protocolos, bibliotecas e espaços de problemas subjacentes.

Modelo de Risco.

Sabe-se que os metadados de comunicações são explorados por vários adversários para minar a segurança dos sistemas, para rastrear vítimas e para realizar análises de redes sociais em grande escala para alimentar a vigilância em massa. As ferramentas resistentes a metadados estão em sua infância e faltam pesquisas sobre a construção e a experiência do usuário de tais ferramentas.

https://nostrcheck.me/media/public/nostrcheck.me_9475702740746681051707662826.webp

O Cwtch foi originalmente concebido como uma extensão do protocolo Ricochet resistente a metadados para suportar comunicações assíncronas de grupos multiponto por meio do uso de infraestrutura anônima, descartável e não confiável.

Desde então, o Cwtch evoluiu para um protocolo próprio. Esta seção descreverá os vários riscos conhecidos que o Cwtch tenta mitigar e será fortemente referenciado no restante do documento ao discutir os vários subcomponentes da Arquitetura Cwtch.

Modelo de ameaça.

É importante identificar e compreender que os metadados são omnipresentes nos protocolos de comunicação; é de facto necessário que tais protocolos funcionem de forma eficiente e em escala. No entanto, as informações que são úteis para facilitar peers e servidores também são altamente relevantes para adversários que desejam explorar tais informações.

Para a definição do nosso problema, assumiremos que o conteúdo de uma comunicação é criptografado de tal forma que um adversário é praticamente incapaz de quebrá-lo veja tapir e cwtch para detalhes sobre a criptografia que usamos, e como tal nos concentraremos em o contexto para os metadados de comunicação.

Procuramos proteger os seguintes contextos de comunicação:

• Quem está envolvido em uma comunicação? Pode ser possível identificar pessoas ou simplesmente identificadores de dispositivos ou redes. Por exemplo, “esta comunicação envolve Alice, uma jornalista, e Bob, um funcionário público”.

• Onde estão os participantes da conversa? Por exemplo, “durante esta comunicação, Alice estava na França e Bob estava no Canadá”.

• Quando ocorreu uma conversa? O momento e a duração da comunicação podem revelar muito sobre a natureza de uma chamada, por exemplo, “Bob, um funcionário público, conversou com Alice ao telefone por uma hora ontem à noite. Esta é a primeira vez que eles se comunicam.” *Como a conversa foi mediada? O fato de uma conversa ter ocorrido por meio de um e-mail criptografado ou não criptografado pode fornecer informações úteis. Por exemplo, “Alice enviou um e-mail criptografado para Bob ontem, enquanto eles normalmente enviam apenas e-mails de texto simples um para o outro”.

• Sobre o que é a conversa? Mesmo que o conteúdo da comunicação seja criptografado, às vezes é possível derivar um contexto provável de uma conversa sem saber exatamente o que é dito, por exemplo, “uma pessoa ligou para uma pizzaria na hora do jantar” ou “alguém ligou para um número conhecido de linha direta de suicídio na hora do jantar”. 3 horas da manhã."

Além das conversas individuais, também procuramos defender-nos contra ataques de correlação de contexto, através dos quais múltiplas conversas são analisadas para obter informações de nível superior:

• Relacionamentos: Descobrir relações sociais entre um par de entidades analisando a frequência e a duração de suas comunicações durante um período de tempo. Por exemplo, Carol e Eve ligam uma para a outra todos os dias durante várias horas seguidas.

• Cliques: Descobrir relações sociais entre um grupo de entidades que interagem entre si. Por exemplo, Alice, Bob e Eva se comunicam entre si.

• Grupos vagamente conectados e indivíduos-ponte: descobrir grupos que se comunicam entre si através de intermediários, analisando cadeias de comunicação (por exemplo, toda vez que Alice fala com Bob, ela fala com Carol quase imediatamente depois; Bob e Carol nunca se comunicam).

• Padrão de Vida: Descobrir quais comunicações são cíclicas e previsíveis. Por exemplo, Alice liga para Eve toda segunda-feira à noite por cerca de uma hora. Ataques Ativos

Ataques de deturpação.

O Cwtch não fornece registro global de nomes de exibição e, como tal, as pessoas que usam o Cwtch são mais vulneráveis ​​a ataques baseados em declarações falsas, ou seja, pessoas que fingem ser outras pessoas:

O fluxo básico de um desses ataques é o seguinte, embora também existam outros fluxos:

•Alice tem um amigo chamado Bob e outro chamado Eve

• Eve descobre que Alice tem um amigo chamado Bob

• Eve cria milhares de novas contas para encontrar uma que tenha uma imagem/chave pública semelhante à de Bob (não será idêntica, mas pode enganar alguém por alguns minutos)

• Eve chama essa nova conta de "Eve New Account" e adiciona Alice como amiga.

• Eve então muda seu nome em "Eve New Account" para "Bob"

• Alice envia mensagens destinadas a "Bob" para a conta falsa de Bob de Eve Como os ataques de declarações falsas são inerentemente uma questão de confiança e verificação, a única maneira absoluta de evitá-los é os usuários validarem absolutamente a chave pública. Obviamente, isso não é o ideal e, em muitos casos, simplesmente não acontecerá .

Como tal, pretendemos fornecer algumas dicas de experiência do usuário na interface do usuário para orientar as pessoas na tomada de decisões sobre confiar em contas e/ou distinguir contas que possam estar tentando se representar como outros usuários.

Uma nota sobre ataques físicos A Cwtch não considera ataques que exijam acesso físico (ou equivalente) à máquina do usuário como praticamente defensáveis. No entanto, no interesse de uma boa engenharia de segurança, ao longo deste documento ainda nos referiremos a ataques ou condições que exigem tal privilégio e indicaremos onde quaisquer mitigações que implementámos falharão.

Um perfil Cwtch.

Os usuários podem criar um ou mais perfis Cwtch. Cada perfil gera um par de chaves ed25519 aleatório compatível com Tor.

Além do material criptográfico, um perfil também contém uma lista de Contatos (outras chaves públicas do perfil Cwtch + dados associados sobre esse perfil, como apelido e (opcionalmente) mensagens históricas), uma lista de Grupos (contendo o material criptográfico do grupo, além de outros dados associados, como apelido do grupo e mensagens históricas).

Conversões entre duas partes: ponto a ponto

https://nostrcheck.me/media/public/nostrcheck.me_2186338207587396891707662879.webp

Para que duas partes participem de uma conversa ponto a ponto, ambas devem estar on-line, mas apenas uma precisa estar acessível por meio do serviço Onion. Por uma questão de clareza, muitas vezes rotulamos uma parte como “ponto de entrada” (aquele que hospeda o serviço cebola) e a outra parte como “ponto de saída” (aquele que se conecta ao serviço cebola).

Após a conexão, ambas as partes adotam um protocolo de autenticação que:

• Afirma que cada parte tem acesso à chave privada associada à sua identidade pública.

• Gera uma chave de sessão efêmera usada para criptografar todas as comunicações futuras durante a sessão.

Esta troca (documentada com mais detalhes no protocolo de autenticação ) é negável offline , ou seja, é possível para qualquer parte falsificar transcrições desta troca de protocolo após o fato e, como tal - após o fato - é impossível provar definitivamente que a troca aconteceu de forma alguma.

Após o protocolo de autenticação, as duas partes podem trocar mensagens livremente.

Conversas em Grupo e Comunicação Ponto a Servidor

Ao iniciar uma conversa em grupo, é gerada uma chave aleatória para o grupo, conhecida como Group Key. Todas as comunicações do grupo são criptografadas usando esta chave. Além disso, o criador do grupo escolhe um servidor Cwtch para hospedar o grupo. Um convite é gerado, incluindo o Group Key, o servidor do grupo e a chave do grupo, para ser enviado aos potenciais membros.

Para enviar uma mensagem ao grupo, um perfil se conecta ao servidor do grupo e criptografa a mensagem usando a Group Key, gerando também uma assinatura sobre o Group ID, o servidor do grupo e a mensagem. Para receber mensagens do grupo, um perfil se conecta ao servidor e baixa as mensagens, tentando descriptografá-las usando a Group Key e verificando a assinatura.

Detalhamento do Ecossistema de Componentes

O Cwtch é composto por várias bibliotecas de componentes menores, cada uma desempenhando um papel específico. Algumas dessas bibliotecas incluem:

• abertoprivacidade/conectividade: Abstração de rede ACN, atualmente suportando apenas Tor.
• cwtch.im/tapir: Biblioteca para construção de aplicativos p2p em sistemas de comunicação anônimos.
• cwtch.im/cwtch: Biblioteca principal para implementação do protocolo/sistema Cwtch.
• cwtch.im/libcwtch-go: Fornece ligações C para Cwtch para uso em implementações de UI.

TAPIR: Uma Visão Detalhada

Projetado para substituir os antigos canais de ricochete baseados em protobuf, o Tapir fornece uma estrutura para a construção de aplicativos anônimos.

Está dividido em várias camadas:

• Identidade - Um par de chaves ed25519, necessário para estabelecer um serviço cebola Tor v3 e usado para manter uma identidade criptográfica consistente para um par.

• Conexões – O protocolo de rede bruto que conecta dois pares. Até agora, as conexões são definidas apenas através do Tor v3 Onion Services.

• Aplicativos - As diversas lógicas que permitem um determinado fluxo de informações em uma conexão. Os exemplos incluem transcrições criptográficas compartilhadas, autenticação, proteção contra spam e serviços baseados em tokens. Os aplicativos fornecem recursos que podem ser referenciados por outros aplicativos para determinar se um determinado peer tem a capacidade de usar um determinado aplicativo hospedado.

• Pilhas de aplicativos - Um mecanismo para conectar mais de um aplicativo, por exemplo, a autenticação depende de uma transcrição criptográfica compartilhada e o aplicativo peer cwtch principal é baseado no aplicativo de autenticação.

Identidade.

Um par de chaves ed25519, necessário para estabelecer um serviço cebola Tor v3 e usado para manter uma identidade criptográfica consistente para um peer.

InitializeIdentity - de um par de chaves conhecido e persistente:i,I

InitializeEphemeralIdentity - de um par de chaves aleatório: ie,Ie

Aplicativos de transcrição.

Inicializa uma transcrição criptográfica baseada em Merlin que pode ser usada como base de protocolos baseados em compromisso de nível superior

O aplicativo de transcrição entrará em pânico se um aplicativo tentar substituir uma transcrição existente por uma nova (aplicando a regra de que uma sessão é baseada em uma e apenas uma transcrição).

Merlin é uma construção de transcrição baseada em STROBE para provas de conhecimento zero. Ele automatiza a transformação Fiat-Shamir, para que, usando Merlin, protocolos não interativos possam ser implementados como se fossem interativos.

Isto é significativamente mais fácil e menos sujeito a erros do que realizar a transformação manualmente e, além disso, também fornece suporte natural para:

• protocolos multi-round com fases alternadas de commit e desafio;

• separação natural de domínios, garantindo que os desafios estejam vinculados às afirmações a serem provadas;

• enquadramento automático de mensagens, evitando codificação ambígua de dados de compromisso;

• e composição do protocolo, usando uma transcrição comum para vários protocolos.

Finalmente, o Merlin também fornece um gerador de números aleatórios baseado em transcrição como defesa profunda contra ataques de entropia ruim (como reutilização de nonce ou preconceito em muitas provas). Este RNG fornece aleatoriedade sintética derivada de toda a transcrição pública, bem como dos dados da testemunha do provador e uma entrada auxiliar de um RNG externo.

Conectividade Cwtch faz uso do Tor Onion Services (v3) para todas as comunicações entre nós.

Fornecemos o pacote openprivacy/connectivity para gerenciar o daemon Tor e configurar e desmontar serviços cebola através do Tor.

Criptografia e armazenamento de perfil.

Os perfis são armazenados localmente no disco e criptografados usando uma chave derivada de uma senha conhecida pelo usuário (via pbkdf2).

Observe que, uma vez criptografado e armazenado em disco, a única maneira de recuperar um perfil é recuperando a senha - como tal, não é possível fornecer uma lista completa de perfis aos quais um usuário pode ter acesso até inserir uma senha.

Perfis não criptografados e a senha padrão Para lidar com perfis "não criptografados" (ou seja, que não exigem senha para serem abertos), atualmente criamos um perfil com uma senha codificada de fato .

Isso não é o ideal, preferiríamos confiar no material de chave fornecido pelo sistema operacional, de modo que o perfil fosse vinculado a um dispositivo específico, mas esses recursos são atualmente uma colcha de retalhos - também notamos, ao criar um perfil não criptografado, pessoas que usam Cwtch estão explicitamente optando pelo risco de que alguém com acesso ao sistema de arquivos possa descriptografar seu perfil.

Vulnerabilidades Relacionadas a Imagens e Entrada de Dados

Imagens Maliciosas

O Cwtch enfrenta desafios na renderização de imagens, com o Flutter utilizando Skia, embora o código subjacente não seja totalmente seguro para a memória.

Realizamos testes de fuzzing nos componentes Cwtch e encontramos um bug de travamento causado por um arquivo GIF malformado, levando a falhas no kernel. Para mitigar isso, adotamos a política de sempre habilitar cacheWidth e/ou cacheHeight máximo para widgets de imagem.

Identificamos o risco de imagens maliciosas serem renderizadas de forma diferente em diferentes plataformas, como evidenciado por um bug no analisador PNG da Apple.

Riscos de Entrada de Dados

Um risco significativo é a interceptação de conteúdo ou metadados por meio de um Input Method Editor (IME) em dispositivos móveis. Mesmo aplicativos IME padrão podem expor dados por meio de sincronização na nuvem, tradução online ou dicionários pessoais.

Implementamos medidas de mitigação, como enableIMEPersonalizedLearning: false no Cwtch 1.2, mas a solução completa requer ações em nível de sistema operacional e é um desafio contínuo para a segurança móvel.

Servidor Cwtch.

O objetivo do protocolo Cwtch é permitir a comunicação em grupo através de infraestrutura não confiável .

Ao contrário dos esquemas baseados em retransmissão, onde os grupos atribuem um líder, um conjunto de líderes ou um servidor confiável de terceiros para garantir que cada membro do grupo possa enviar e receber mensagens em tempo hábil (mesmo que os membros estejam offline) - infraestrutura não confiável tem o objetivo de realizar essas propriedades sem a suposição de confiança.

O artigo original do Cwtch definia um conjunto de propriedades que se esperava que os servidores Cwtch fornecessem:

• O Cwtch Server pode ser usado por vários grupos ou apenas um.

• Um servidor Cwtch, sem a colaboração de um membro do grupo, nunca deve aprender a identidade dos participantes de um grupo.

• Um servidor Cwtch nunca deve aprender o conteúdo de qualquer comunicação.

• Um servidor Cwtch nunca deve ser capaz de distinguir mensagens como pertencentes a um grupo específico. Observamos aqui que essas propriedades são um superconjunto dos objetivos de design das estruturas de Recuperação de Informações Privadas.

Melhorias na Eficiência e Segurança

Eficiência do Protocolo

Atualmente, apenas um protocolo conhecido, o PIR ingênuo, atende às propriedades desejadas para garantir a privacidade na comunicação do grupo Cwtch. Este método tem um impacto direto na eficiência da largura de banda, especialmente para usuários em dispositivos móveis. Em resposta a isso, estamos ativamente desenvolvendo novos protocolos que permitem negociar garantias de privacidade e eficiência de maneiras diversas.

Os servidores, no momento desta escrita, permitem o download completo de todas as mensagens armazenadas, bem como uma solicitação para baixar mensagens específicas a partir de uma determinada mensagem. Quando os pares ingressam em um grupo em um novo servidor, eles baixam todas as mensagens do servidor inicialmente e, posteriormente, apenas as mensagens novas.

Mitigação de Análise de Metadados

Essa abordagem permite uma análise moderada de metadados, pois o servidor pode enviar novas mensagens para cada perfil suspeito exclusivo e usar essas assinaturas de mensagens exclusivas para rastrear sessões ao longo do tempo. Essa preocupação é mitigada por dois fatores:

1. Os perfis podem atualizar suas conexões a qualquer momento, resultando em uma nova sessão do servidor.
2. Os perfis podem ser "ressincronizados" de um servidor a qualquer momento, resultando em uma nova chamada para baixar todas as mensagens. Isso é comumente usado para buscar mensagens antigas de um grupo.

Embora essas medidas imponham limites ao que o servidor pode inferir, ainda não podemos garantir resistência total aos metadados. Para soluções futuras para esse problema, consulte Niwl.

Proteção contra Pares Maliciosos

Os servidores enfrentam o risco de spam gerado por pares, representando uma ameaça significativa à eficácia do sistema Cwtch. Embora tenhamos implementado um mecanismo de proteção contra spam no protótipo do Cwtch, exigindo que os pares realizem alguma prova de trabalho especificada pelo servidor, reconhecemos que essa não é uma solução robusta na presença de um adversário determinado com recursos significativos.

Pacotes de Chaves

Os servidores Cwtch se identificam por meio de pacotes de chaves assinados, contendo uma lista de chaves necessárias para garantir a segurança e resistência aos metadados na comunicação do grupo Cwtch. Esses pacotes de chaves geralmente incluem três chaves: uma chave pública do serviço Tor v3 Onion para o Token Board, uma chave pública do Tor v3 Onion Service para o Token Service e uma chave pública do Privacy Pass.

Para verificar os pacotes de chaves, os perfis que os importam do servidor utilizam o algoritmo trust-on-first-use (TOFU), verificando a assinatura anexada e a existência de todos os tipos de chave. Se o perfil já tiver importado o pacote de chaves do servidor anteriormente, todas as chaves são consideradas iguais.

Configuração prévia do aplicativo para ativar o Relé do Cwtch.

No Android, a hospedagem de servidor não está habilitada, pois essa opção não está disponível devido às limitações dos dispositivos Android. Essa funcionalidade está reservada apenas para servidores hospedados em desktops.

No Android, a única forma direta de importar uma chave de servidor é através do grupo de teste Cwtch, garantindo assim acesso ao servidor Cwtch.

Primeiro passo é Habilitar a opção de grupo no Cwtch que está em fase de testes. Clique na opção no canto superior direito da tela de configuração e pressione o botão para acessar as configurações do Cwtch.

Você pode alterar o idioma para Português do Brasil.Depois, role para baixo e selecione a opção para ativar os experimentos. Em seguida, ative a opção para habilitar o chat em grupo e a pré-visualização de imagens e fotos de perfil, permitindo que você troque sua foto de perfil.

https://link.storjshare.io/raw/jvss6zxle26jdguwaegtjdixhfka/production/f0ca039733d48895001261ab25c5d2efbaf3bf26e55aad3cce406646f9af9d15.MP4

Próximo passo é Criar um perfil.

Pressione o + botão de ação no canto inferior direito e selecione "Novo perfil" ou aberta no botão + adicionar novo perfil.

• Selecione um nome de exibição

• Selecione se deseja proteger

este perfil e salvo localmente com criptografia forte: Senha: sua conta está protegida de outras pessoas que possam usar este dispositivo

Sem senha: qualquer pessoa que tenha acesso a este dispositivo poderá acessar este perfil.

Preencha sua senha e digite-a novamente

Os perfis são armazenados localmente no disco e criptografados usando uma chave derivada de uma senha conhecida pelo usuário (via pbkdf2).

Observe que, uma vez criptografado e armazenado em disco, a única maneira de recuperar um perfil é recuperando a chave da senha - como tal, não é possível fornecer uma lista completa de perfis aos quais um usuário pode ter acesso até inserir um senha.

https://link.storjshare.io/raw/jxqbqmur2lcqe2eym5thgz4so2ya/production/8f9df1372ec7e659180609afa48be22b12109ae5e1eda9ef1dc05c1325652507.MP4

O próximo passo é adicionar o FuzzBot, que é um bot de testes e de desenvolvimento.

Contato do FuzzBot: 4y2hxlxqzautabituedksnh2ulcgm2coqbure6wvfpg4gi2ci25ta5ad.

Ao enviar o comando "testgroup-invite" para o FuzzBot, você receberá um convite para entrar no Grupo Cwtch Test. Ao ingressar no grupo, você será automaticamente conectado ao servidor Cwtch. Você pode optar por sair do grupo a qualquer momento ou ficar para conversar e tirar dúvidas sobre o aplicativo e outros assuntos. Depois, você pode configurar seu próprio servidor Cwtch, o que é altamente recomendável.

https://link.storjshare.io/raw/jvji25zclkoqcouni5decle7if7a/production/ee3de3540a3e3dca6e6e26d303e12c2ef892a5d7769029275b8b95ffc7468780.MP4

Agora você pode utilizar o aplicativo normalmente. Algumas observações que notei: se houver demora na conexão com outra pessoa, ambas devem estar online. Se ainda assim a conexão não for estabelecida, basta clicar no ícone de reset do Tor para restabelecer a conexão com a outra pessoa.

Uma introdução aos perfis Cwtch.

Com Cwtch você pode criar um ou mais perfis . Cada perfil gera um par de chaves ed25519 aleatório compatível com a Rede Tor.

Este é o identificador que você pode fornecer às pessoas e que elas podem usar para entrar em contato com você via Cwtch.

Cwtch permite criar e gerenciar vários perfis separados. Cada perfil está associado a um par de chaves diferente que inicia um serviço cebola diferente.

Gerenciar Na inicialização, o Cwtch abrirá a tela Gerenciar Perfis. Nessa tela você pode:

• Crie um novo perfil.
• Desbloquear perfis.
• Criptografados existentes.
• Gerenciar perfis carregados.
• Alterando o nome de exibição de um perfil.
• Alterando a senha de um perfil Excluindo um perfil.
• Alterando uma imagem de perfil.

Backup ou exportação de um perfil.

Na tela de gerenciamento de perfil:

1. Selecione o lápis ao lado do perfil que você deseja editar

2. Role para baixo até a parte inferior da tela.

3. Selecione "Exportar perfil"

4. Escolha um local e um nome de arquivo.

5.confirme.

Uma vez confirmado, o Cwtch colocará uma cópia do perfil no local indicado. Este arquivo é criptografado no mesmo nível do perfil.

Este arquivo pode ser importado para outra instância do Cwtch em qualquer dispositivo.

Importando um perfil.

1. Pressione o +botão de ação no canto inferior direito e selecione "Importar perfil"

2. Selecione um arquivo de perfil Cwtch exportado para importar

3. Digite a senha associada ao perfil e confirme.

Uma vez confirmado, o Cwtch tentará descriptografar o arquivo fornecido usando uma chave derivada da senha fornecida. Se for bem-sucedido, o perfil aparecerá na tela Gerenciamento de perfil e estará pronto para uso.

OBSERVAÇÃO Embora um perfil possa ser importado para vários dispositivos, atualmente apenas uma versão de um perfil pode ser usada em todos os dispositivos ao mesmo tempo. As tentativas de usar o mesmo perfil em vários dispositivos podem resultar em problemas de disponibilidade e falhas de mensagens.

Qual é a diferença entre uma conexão ponto a ponto e um grupo cwtch?

As conexões ponto a ponto Cwtch permitem que 2 pessoas troquem mensagens diretamente. As conexões ponto a ponto nos bastidores usam serviços cebola Tor v3 para fornecer uma conexão criptografada e resistente a metadados. Devido a esta conexão direta, ambas as partes precisam estar online ao mesmo tempo para trocar mensagens.

Os Grupos Cwtch permitem que várias partes participem de uma única conversa usando um servidor não confiável (que pode ser fornecido por terceiros ou auto-hospedado). Os operadores de servidores não conseguem saber quantas pessoas estão em um grupo ou o que está sendo discutido. Se vários grupos estiverem hospedados em um único servidor, o servidor não conseguirá saber quais mensagens pertencem a qual grupo sem a conivência de um membro do grupo. Ao contrário das conversas entre pares, as conversas em grupo podem ser conduzidas de forma assíncrona, para que todos num grupo não precisem estar online ao mesmo tempo.

Por que os grupos cwtch são experimentais? Mensagens em grupo resistentes a metadados ainda são um problema em aberto . Embora a versão que fornecemos no Cwtch Beta seja projetada para ser segura e com metadados privados, ela é bastante ineficiente e pode ser mal utilizada. Como tal, aconselhamos cautela ao usá-lo e apenas o fornecemos como um recurso opcional.

Como posso executar meu próprio servidor Cwtch? A implementação de referência para um servidor Cwtch é de código aberto . Qualquer pessoa pode executar um servidor Cwtch, e qualquer pessoa com uma cópia do pacote de chaves públicas do servidor pode hospedar grupos nesse servidor sem que o operador tenha acesso aos metadados relacionados ao grupo .

https://git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/server

https://docs.openprivacy.ca/cwtch-security-handbook/server.html

Como posso desligar o Cwtch? O painel frontal do aplicativo possui um ícone do botão "Shutdown Cwtch" (com um 'X'). Pressionar este botão irá acionar uma caixa de diálogo e, na confirmação, o Cwtch será desligado e todos os perfis serão descarregados.

Suas doações podem fazer a diferença no projeto Cwtch? O Cwtch é um projeto dedicado a construir aplicativos que preservam a privacidade, oferecendo comunicação de grupo resistente a metadados. Além disso, o projeto também desenvolve o Cofre, formulários da web criptografados para ajudar mútua segura. Suas contribuições apoiam iniciativas importantes, como a divulgação de violações de dados médicos em Vancouver e pesquisas sobre a segurança do voto eletrônico na Suíça. Ao doar, você está ajudando a fechar o ciclo, trabalhando com comunidades marginalizadas para identificar e corrigir lacunas de privacidade. Além disso, o projeto trabalha em soluções inovadoras, como a quebra de segredos através da criptografia de limite para proteger sua privacidade durante passagens de fronteira. E também tem a infraestrutura: toda nossa infraestrutura é open source e sem fins lucrativos. Conheça também o Fuzzytags, uma estrutura criptográfica probabilística para marcação resistente a metadados. Sua doação é crucial para continuar o trabalho em prol da privacidade e segurança online. Contribua agora com sua doação

https://openprivacy.ca/donate/

onde você pode fazer sua doação em bitcoin e outras moedas, e saiba mais sobre os projetos. https://openprivacy.ca/work/

Link sobre Cwtch

https://cwtch.im/

https://git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/cwtch

https://docs.cwtch.im/docs/intro

https://docs.openprivacy.ca/cwtch-security-handbook/

Baixar #CwtchDev

cwtch.im/download/

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=im.cwtch.flwtch

@ eff2631b:4732bd7e

This is a test. Trying to use Obsidian for everything. Nostr works out of the box? First try failed, this is my second try.

@ 7e538978:a5987ab6

Chain Duel, a fast paced PvP game that takes inspiration from the classic snake game and supercharges it with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. Imagine battling another player for dominance in a race to collect blocks, where the length of your chain isn’t just a visual cue. It represents real, staked satoshis. The player with the most Proof of Work wins, but it’s not just about gameplay; it’s about the seamless integration of the Lightning Network and real-time payments.

But how does Chain Duel manage these instant transactions with such efficiency? That’s where LNbits comes in. LNbits, an open-source wallet and payment infrastructure, handles all in-game payments making it easy for developers to focus on gameplay while LNbits takes care of everything from microtransactions to automated splits for developers and designers. In this article, we’ll dive deep into how Chain Duel leverages LNbits to streamline in-game payments and how other developers can take advantage of this powerful toolset to build the future of Lightning-powered gaming.

Let’s explore how LNbits transforms payment processing and why it’s quickly becoming a must-have for game developers working in the Bitcoin space.

Overview of Chain Duel

Chain Duel is a unique Lightning Network-inspired game that reimagines the classic snake game with a competitive twist, integrating real-time payments. Two players face off in real-time, racing to "catch" blocks and extend their chains. Each block added to the chain represents Proof of Work, and the player with the most Proof of Work wins the duel. The stakes are high, as the game represents satoshis (small units of Bitcoin) as points, with the winner taking home the prize.

The game is designed to be Lightning-native, meaning all payments within Chain Duel are processed through the Lightning Network. This ensures fast payments, reducing latency and making gameplay smooth. With additional features like practice mode, tournaments and highscores, Chain Duel creates an engaging and competitive environment for Bitcoin enthusiasts and gamers alike.

One of the standout aspects of Chain Duel is its deeper integration with the Lightning Network even at a design level. For example, actual Bitcoin blocks can appear on screen during matches, offering bonus points when mined in sync with the game. The game’s current version, still in beta, has already drawn attention within the Bitcoin community, gaining momentum at conferences and with a growing user base through its social networks. With its innovative combination of gaming, the Lightning Network, and competitive play, Chain Duel offers a glimpse into the future of Lightning-based gaming.

How LNbits is Used in Chain Duel

Seamless Integration with LNbits

At the core of Chain Duel’s efficient payment processing is LNbits, which handles in-game transactions smoothly and reliably. Chain Duel uses the LNbits LNURL-pay and LNURL-withdraw extensions to manage payments and rewards between players. Before each match, players send satoshis using LNURL-pay, which generates a static QR code or link for making the payment. LNURL-pay allows users to attach a note to the payment, which Chain Duel creatively uses as a way to insert the player name in-game. The simplicity of LNURL-pay ensures that users can quickly and easily initiate games, with fresh invoices being issued for every game. When players win, LNURL-withdraw enables them to seamlessly pull their earnings from the game, providing a quick payout system.

These extensions make it easy for players to send and receive Bitcoin with minimal latency, fully leveraging the power of the Lightning Network for fast and low-cost payments. The flexibility of LNbits’ tools means that game developers don’t need to worry about building custom payment systems from scratch—they can rely on LNbits to handle all financial transactions with precision.

Lightning Tournaments

Chain Duel tournaments leverage LNbits and its LNURL extensions to create a seamless and efficient experience for players. In Chain Duel tournaments, LNbits plays a crucial role in managing the overall economics. LNbits facilitates the generation of LNURL QR codes that participants can scan to register quickly or withdraw their winnings. LNbits allows Chain Duel to automatically handle multiple registrations through LNURL-pay, enabling players to participate in the tournament without additional steps. The Lightning Network's speed ensures that these payments occur in real-time, reducing wait times and allowing for a smoother flow in-game.

Splitting Payments

LNbits further simplifies revenue-sharing within Chain Duel. This feature allows the game to automatically split the satoshis sent by players into different shares for the game’s developer, designer, and host. Each time a payment is made to join a match, LNbits is used to automattically pay each of the contributors, according to pre-defined rules. This automated process ensures that everyone involved in the development and running of the game gets their fair share without manual intervention or complex bookkeeping.

Nostr Integration

Chain Duel also integrates with Nostr, a decentralized protocol for social interactions. Players can join games using "Zaps", small tips or micropayments sent over the Lightning Network within the Nostr ecosystem. Through NIP-57, which enables Nostr clients to request Zap invoices, players can use LNURL-pay enabled Zaps to register in P2P matches, further enhancing the Chain Duel experience. By using Zaps as a way to register in-game, Chain Duel automates the process of fetching players' identity, creating a more competitive and social experience. Zaps are public on the Nostr network, further expanding Chain Duel's games social reach and community engagement.

Game and Payment Synchronization

One of the key reasons Chain Duel developers chose LNbits is its powerful API that connects directly with the game’s logic. LNbits allows the game to synchronize payments with gameplay in real-time, providing a seamless experience where payments are an integrated part of the gaming mechanics.

With LNbits managing both the payment process and the Lightning Network’s complex infrastructure, Chain Duel developers are free to concentrate on enhancing the competitive and Lightning Network-related aspects of the game. This division of tasks is essential for streamlining development while still providing an innovative in-game payment experience that is deeply integrated with the Bitcoin network.

LNbits proves to be an indispensable tool for Chain Duel, enabling smooth in-game transactions, real-time revenue sharing, and seamless integration with Nostr. For developers looking to build Lightning-powered games, LNbits offers a powerful suite of tools that handle everything from micropayments to payment distribution—ensuring that the game's focus remains on fun and competition rather than complex payment systems.

LNBits facilitating Education and Adoption

This system contributes to educating users on the power of the Lightning Network. Since Chain Duel directly involve real satoshis and LNURL for registration and rewards, players actively experience how Lightning can facilitate fast, cheap, and permissionless payments. By incorporating LNbits into Chain Duel, the game serves as an educational tool that introduces users to the benefits of the Lightning Network. Players gain direct experience using Lightning wallets and LNURL, helping them understand how these tools work in real-world scenarios. The near-instant nature of these payments showcases the power of Lightning in a practical context, highlighting its potential beyond just gaming. Players are encouraged to set up wallets, explore the Lightning ecosystem, and eventually become familiar with Bitcoin and Lightning technology. By integrating LNbits, Chain Duel transforms in-game payments into a learning opportunity, making Bitcoin and Lightning more approachable for users worldwide.

Tools for Developers

LNbits is a versatile, open-source platform designed to simplify and enhance Bitcoin Lightning Network wallet management. For developers, particularly those working on Lightning-native games like Chain Duel, LNbits offers an invaluable set of tools that allow for seamless integration of Lightning payments without the need to build complex custom solutions from scratch. LNbits is built on a modular and extensible architecture, enabling developers to easily add or create functionality suited to their project’s needs.

Extensible Architecture for Customization

At the core of LNbits is a simple yet powerful wallet system that developers can access across multiple devices. What makes LNbits stand out is its extensible nature—everything beyond the core functionality is implemented as an extension. This modular approach allows users to customize their LNbits installation by enabling or building extensions to suit specific use cases. This flexibility is perfect for developers who want to add Lightning-based services to their games or apps without modifying the core codebase.

• Extensions for Every Use Case
  LNbits comes with a wide array of built-in extensions created by contributors, offering various services that can be plugged into your application. Some popular extensions include:
• Faucets: Distribute small amounts of Bitcoin to users for testing or promotional purposes.
• Paylinks: Create shareable links for instant payments.
• Points-of-sale (PoS): Allow users to set up shareable payment terminals.
• Paywalls: Charge users to access content or services.
• Event tickets: Sell tickets for events directly via Lightning payments.
• Games and services: From dice games to jukeboxes, LNbits offers entertaining and functional tools.

These ready-made solutions can be adapted and used in different gaming scenarios, for example in Chain Duel, where LNURL extensions are used for in game payments. The extensibility ensures developers can focus on building engaging gameplay while LNbits handles payment flows.

Developer-Friendly Customization

LNbits isn't just a plug-and-play platform. Developers can extend its functionality even further by creating their own extensions, giving full control over how the wallet system is integrated into their games or apps. The architecture is designed to make it easy for developers to build on top of the platform, adding custom features for specific requirements.

Flexible Funding Source Management

LNbits also offers flexibility in terms of managing funding sources. Developers can easily connect LNbits to various Lightning Network node implementations, enabling seamless transitions between nodes or even different payment systems. This allows developers to switch underlying funding sources with minimal effort, making LNbits adaptable for games that may need to scale quickly or rely on different payment infrastructures over time.

A Lean Core System for Maximum Efficiency

Thanks to its modular architecture, LNbits maintains a lean core system. This reduces complexity and overhead, allowing developers to implement only the features they need. By avoiding bloated software, LNbits ensures faster transactions and less resource consumption, which is crucial in fast-paced environments like Chain Duel where speed and efficiency are paramount.

LNbits is designed with developers in mind, offering a suite of tools and a flexible infrastructure that makes integrating Bitcoin payments easy. Whether you’re developing games, apps, or any service that requires Lightning Network transactions, LNbits is a powerful, open-source solution that can be adapted to fit your project.

Conclusion

Chain Duel stands at the forefront of Lightning-powered gaming, combining the excitement of competitive PvP with the speed and efficiency of the Lightning Network. With LNbits handling all in-game payments, from microtransactions to automated revenue splits, developers can focus entirely on crafting an engaging gaming experience. LNbits’ powerful API and extensions make it easy to manage real-time payments, removing the complexity of building payment infrastructure from scratch.

LNbits isn’t just a payment tool — it’s a flexible, developer-friendly platform that can be adapted to any gaming model. Whether you're developing a fast-paced PvP game like Chain Duel or any project requiring seamless Lightning Network integration, LNbits provides the ideal solution for handling instant payments with minimal overhead.

For developers interested in pushing the boundaries of Lightning-powered gaming, Chain Duel is a great example of how LNbits can enhance your game, letting you focus on the fun while LNbits manages real-time transactions.

Find out more

Curious about how Lightning Network payments can power your next game? Explore the following:

• Learn more about Chain Duel: Chain Duel
• Learn how LNbits can simplify payment handling in your project: LNbits
• Dive into decentralized communication with Nostr: Nostr

@ eff2631b:4732bd7e

This is a test. Trying to use Obsidian for everything. Nostr works out of the box?

@ 9e69e420:d12360c2

Federal employees must remove pronouns from email signatures by the end of the day. This directive comes from internal memos tied to two executive orders signed by Donald Trump. The orders target diversity and equity programs within the government.

CDC, Department of Transportation, and Department of Energy employees were affected. Staff were instructed to make changes in line with revised policy prohibiting certain language.

One CDC employee shared frustration, stating, “In my decade-plus years at CDC, I've never been told what I can and can't put in my email signature.” The directive is part of a broader effort to eliminate DEI initiatives from federal discourse.

@ c4f5e7a7:8856cac7

Best viewed on Habla, YakiHonne or Highlighter.

TL;DR

This article explores the links between public, community-driven data sources (such as OpenStreetMap) and private, cryptographically-owned data found on networks such as Nostr.

The following concepts are explored:

1. Attestations: Users signalling to their social graph that they believe something to be true by publishing Attestations. These social proofs act as a decentralised verification system that leverages your web-of-trust.
2. Proof of Place: An oracle-based system where physical letters are sent to real-world locations, confirming the corresponding digital ownership via cryptographic proofs. This binds physical locations in meatspace with their digital representations in the Nostrverse.
3. Check-ins: Foursquare-style check-ins that can be verified using attestations from place owners, ensuring authenticity. This approach uses web-of-trust to validate check-ins and location ownership over time.

The goal is to leverage cryptographic ownership where necessary while preserving the open, collaborative nature of public data systems.

Open Data in a public commons has a place and should not be thrown out with the Web 2.0 bathwater.

Cognitive Dissonance

Ever since discovering Nostr in August of 2022 I've been grappling with how BTC Map - a project that helps bitcoiners find places to spend sats - should most appropriately use this new protocol.

I am assuming, dear reader, that you are somewhat familiar with Nostr - a relatively new protocol for decentralised identity and communication. If you don’t know your nsec from your npub, please take some time to read these excellent posts: Nostr is Identity for the Internet and The Power of Nostr by @max and @lyn, respectively. Nostr is so much more than a short-form social media replacement.

The social features (check-ins, reviews, etc.) that Nostr unlocks for BTC Map are clear and exciting - all your silos are indeed broken - however, something fundamental has been bothering me for a while and I think it comes down to data ownership.

For those unfamiliar, BTC Map uses OpenStreetMap (OSM) as its main geographic database. OSM is centred on the concept of a commons of objectively verifiable data that is maintained by a global community of volunteer editors; a Wikipedia for maps. There is no data ownership; the data is free (as in freedom) and anyone can edit anything. It is the data equivalent of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) - FOSD if you will, but more commonly referred to as Open Data.

In contrast, Notes and Other Stuff on Nostr (Places in this cartographic context) are explicitly owned by the controller of the private key. These notes are free to propagate, but they are owned.

How do we reconcile the decentralised nature of Nostr, where data is cryptographically owned by individuals, with the community-managed data commons of OpenStreetMap, where no one owns the data?

Self-sovereign Identity

Before I address this coexistence question, I want to talk a little about identity as it pertains to ownership. If something is to be owned, it has to be owned by someone or something - an identity.

All identities that are not self-sovereign are, by definition, leased to you by a 3rd party. You rent your Facebook identity from Meta in exchange for your data. You rent your web domain from your DNS provider in exchange for your money.

Taken to the extreme, you rent your passport from your Government in exchange for your compliance. You are you at the pleasure of others. Where Bitcoin separates money from the state; Nostr separates identity from the state.

Or, as @nvk said recently: "Don't build your house on someone else's land.".

https://i.nostr.build/xpcCSkDg3uVw0yku.png

While we’ve had the tools for self-sovereign digital identity for decades (think PGP keys or WebAuthN), we haven't had the necessary social use cases nor the corresponding social graph to elevate these identities to the mainstream. Nostr fixes this.

Nostr is PGP for the masses and will take cryptographic identities mainstream.

Full NOSTARD?

Returning to the coexistence question: the data on OpenStreetMap isn’t directly owned by anyone, even though the physical entities the data represents might be privately owned. OSM is a data commons.

We can objectively agree on the location of a tree or a fire hydrant without needing permission to observe and record it. Sure, you could place a tree ‘on Nostr’, but why should you? Just because something can be ‘on Nostr’ doesn’t mean it should be.

https://i.nostr.build/s3So2JVAqoY4E1dI.png

There might be a dystopian future where we can't agree on what a tree is nor where it's located, but I hope we never get there. It's at this point we'll need a Wikifreedia variant of OpenStreetMap.

While integrating Nostr identities into OpenStreetMap would be valuable, the current OSM infrastructure, tools, and community already provide substantial benefits in managing this data commons without needing to go NOSTR-native - there's no need to go Full NOSTARD. H/T to @princeySOV for the original meme.

https://i.nostr.build/ot9jtM5cZtDHNKWc.png

So, how do we appropriately blend cryptographically owned data with the commons?

If a location is owned in meatspace and it's useful to signal that ownership, it should also be owned in cyberspace. Our efforts should therefore focus on entities like businesses, while allowing the commons to manage public data for as long as it can successfully mitigate the tragedy of the commons.

The remainder of this article explores how we can:

1. Verify ownership of a physical place in the real world;
2. Link that ownership to the corresponding digital place in cyberspace.

As a side note, I don't see private key custodianship - or, even worse, permissioned use of Places signed by another identity's key - as any more viable than the rented identities of Web 2.0.

And as we all know, the Second Law of Infodynamics (no citation!) states that:

"The total amount of sensitive information leaked will always increase over time."

This especially holds true if that data is centralised.

Not your keys, not your notes. Not your keys, not your identity.

Places and Web-of-Trust

@Arkinox has been leading the charge on the Places NIP, introducing Nostr notes (kind 37515) that represent physical locations. The draft is well-crafted, with bonus points for linking back to OSM (and other location repositories) via NIP-73 - External Content IDs (championed by @oscar of @fountain).

However, as Nostr is permissionless, authenticity poses a challenge. Just because someone claims to own a physical location on the Internet doesn’t necessarily mean they have ownership or control of that location in the real world.

Ultimately, this problem can only be solved in a decentralised way by using Web-of-Trust - using your social graph and the perspectives of trusted peers to inform your own perspective. In the context of Places, this requires your network to form a view on which digital identity (public key / npub) is truly the owner of a physical place like your local coffee shop.

This requires users to:

1. Verify the owner of a Place in cyberspace is the owner of a place in meatspace.
2. Signal this verification to their social graph.

Let's look at the latter idea first with the concept of Attestations ...

Attestations

A way to signal to your social graph that you believe something to be true (or false for that matter) would be by publishing an Attestation note. An Attestation note would signify to your social graph that you think something is either true or false.

Imagine you're a regular at a local coffee shop. You publish an Attestation that says the shop is real and the owner behind the Nostr public key is who they claim to be. Your friends trust you, so they start trusting the shop's digital identity too.

However, attestations applied to Places are just a single use case. The attestation concept could be more widely applied across Nostr in a variety of ways (key rotation, identity linking, etc).

Here is a recent example from @lyn that would carry more signal if it were an Attestation:

https://i.nostr.build/lZAXOEwvRIghgFY4.png

Parallels can be drawn between Attestations and transaction confirmations on the Bitcoin timechain; however, their importance to you would be weighted by clients and/or Data Vending Machines in accordance with:

1. Your social graph;
2. The type or subject of the content being attested and by whom;
3. Your personal preferences.

They could also have a validity duration to be temporally bound, which would be particularly useful in the case of Places.

NIP-25 (Reactions) do allow for users to up/downvote notes with optional content (e.g., emojis) and could work for Attestations, but I think we need something less ambiguous and more definitive.

‘This is true’ resonates more strongly than ‘I like this.’.

https://i.nostr.build/s8NIG2kXzUCLcoax.jpg

There are similar concepts in the Web 3 / Web 5 world such as Verified Credentials by tdb. However, Nostr is the Web 3 now and so wen Attestation NIP?

https://i.nostr.build/Cb047NWyHdJ7h5Ka.jpg

That said, I have seen @utxo has been exploring ‘smart contracts’ on nostr and Attestations may just be a relatively ‘dumb’ subset of the wider concept Nostr-native scripting combined with web-of-trust.

Proof of Place

Attestations handle the signalling of your truth, but what about the initial verification itself?

We already covered how this ultimately has to be derived from your social graph, but what if there was a way to help bootstrap this web-of-trust through the use of oracles? For those unfamiliar with oracles in the digital realm, they are simply trusted purveyors of truth.

Introducing Proof of Place, an out–of-band process where an oracle (such as BTC Map) would mail - yes physically mail- a shared secret to the address of the location being claimed in cyberspace. This shared secret would be locked to the public key (npub) making the claim, which, if unlocked, would prove that the associated private key (nsec) has physical access to the location in meatspace.

One way of doing this would be to mint a 1 sat cashu ecash token locked to the npub of the claimant and mail it to them. If they are able to redeem the token then they have cryptographically proven that they have physical access to the location.

Proof of Place is really nothing more than a weighted Attestation. In a web-of-trust Nostrverse, an oracle is simply a npub (say BTC Map) that you weigh heavily for its opinion on a given topic (say Places).

In the Bitcoin world, Proof of Work anchors digital scarcity in cyberspace to physical scarcity (energy and time) in meatspace and as @Gigi says in PoW is Essential:

"A failure to understand Proof of Work, is a failure to understand Bitcoin."

In the Nostrverse, Proof of Place helps bridge the digital and physical worlds.

@Gigi also observes in Memes vs The World that:

"In Bitcoin, the map is the territory. We can infer everything we care about by looking at the map alone."

https://i.nostr.build/dOnpxfI4u7EL2v4e.png

This isn’t true for Nostr.

In the Nostrverse, the map IS NOT the territory. However, Proof of Place enables us to send cryptographic drones down into the physical territory to help us interpret our digital maps. 🤯

Check-ins

Although not a draft NIP yet, @Arkinox has also been exploring the familiar concept of Foursquare-style Check-ins on Nostr (with kind 13811 notes).

For the uninitiated, Check-ins are simply notes that signal the publisher is at a given location. These locations could be Places (in the Nostr sense) or any other given digital representation of a location for that matter (such as OSM elements) if NIP-73 - External Content IDs are used.

Of course, not everyone will be a Check-in enjoyooor as the concept will not sit well with some people’s threat models and OpSec practices.

Bringing Check-ins to Nostr is possible (as @sebastix capably shows here), but they suffer the same authenticity issues as Places. Just because I say I'm at a given location doesn't mean that I am.

Back in the Web 2.0 days, Foursquare mitigated this by relying on the GPS position of the phone running their app, but this is of course spoofable.

How should we approach Check-in verifiability in the Nostrverse? Well, just like with Places, we can use Attestations and WoT. In the context of Check-ins, an Attestation from the identity (npub) of the Place being checked-in to would be a particularly strong signal. An NFC device could be placed in a coffee shop and attest to check-ins without requiring the owner to manually intervene - I’m sure @blackcoffee and @Ben Arc could hack something together over a weekend!

Check-ins could also be used as a signal for bonafide Place ownership over time.

Summary: Trust Your Bros

So, to recap, we have:

Places: Digital representations of physical locations on Nostr.

Check-ins: Users signalling their presence at a location.

Attestations: Verifiable social proofs used to confirm ownership or the truth of a claim.

You can visualise how these three concepts combine in the diagram below:

https://i.nostr.build/Uv2Jhx5BBfA51y0K.jpg

And, as always, top right trumps bottom left! We have:

Level 0 - Trust Me Bro: Anyone can check-in anywhere. The Place might not exist or might be impersonating the real place in meatspace. The person behind the npub may not have even been there at all.

Level 1 - Definitely Maybe Somewhere: This category covers the middle-ground of ‘Maybe at a Place’ and ‘Definitely Somewhere’. In these examples, you are either self-certifying that you have checked-in at an Attested Place or you are having others attest that you have checked-in at a Place that might not even exist IRL.

Level 2 - Trust Your Bros: An Attested Check-in at an Attested Place. Your individual level of trust would be a function of the number of Attestations and how you weigh them within your own social graph.

https://i.nostr.build/HtLAiJH1uQSTmdxf.jpg

Perhaps the gold standard (or should that be the Bitcoin standard?) would be a Check-in attested by the owner of the Place, which in itself was attested by BTC Map?

Or perhaps not. Ultimately, it’s the users responsibility to determine what they trust by forming their own perspective within the Nostrverse powered by web-of-trust algorithms they control. ‘Trust Me Bro’ or ‘Trust Your Bros’ - you decide.

As we navigate the frontier of cryptographic ownership and decentralised data, it’s up to us to find the balance between preserving the Open Data commons and embracing self-sovereign digital identities.

Thanks

With thanks to Arkinox, Avi, Ben Gunn, Kieran, Blackcoffee, Sebastix, Tomek, Calle, Short Fiat, Ben Weeks and Bitcoms for helping shape my thoughts and refine content, whether you know it or not!

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

Güneşin kaybolmasının üçüncü günü, saat öğlen on ikiyi yirmi geçiyordu. Trenin kalkmasına yaklaşık iki saat vardı. Hepimiz perondaydık. Valizlerimiz, kolilerimiz, renk renk ve biçimsiz çantalarımızla yan yana dizilmiş, kısa aralıklarla tepemizdeki devasa saati kontrol ediyorduk.

Ama ne kadar dik bakarsak bakalım zaman bir türlü istediğimiz hızla ilerlemiyordu. Herkes birkaç dakika sürmesi gereken alelade bir doğa olayına sıkışıp kalmış, karanlıktan sürünerek çıkmayı deniyordu.

Bekleme salonuna doğru döndüm. Nefesimden çıkan buharın arkasında, kalın taş duvarları ve camlarıyla morg kadar güvenli ve soğuk duruyordu. Cesetleri o yüzden bunun gibi yerlere taşımaya başlamışlardı. Demek insanların bütün iyiliği başkaları onları gördüğü içindi ki gündüzleri gecelerden daha karanlık olduğunda hemen birbirlerinin gırtlağına çökmüş, böğürlerinde delikler açmış, gözlerini oyup kafataslarını parçalamışlardı.

İstasyonun ışığı titrediğinde karanlığın enseme saplandığını hissettim. Eğer şimdi, böyle kalabalık bir yerde elektrik kesilse başımıza ne gelirdi?

İçerideki askerlerden biri bakışlarımı yakalayınca yeniden saate odaklanmış gibi yaptım. Sadece birkaç dakika geçmişti.

“Tarlalarım gitti. Böyle boyum kadar ayçiçeği doluydu. Ah, hepsi ölüp gidiyor. Afitap’ın çiçekleri de gi-”

“Dayı, Allah’ını seversen sus. Hepimizi yakacaksın şimdi.”

Karanlıkta durduğunda, görünmez olmayı istemeye başlıyordun. Kimse seni görmemeli, nefesini bile duymamalıydı. Kimsenin de ayağının altında dolaşmamalıydın; gelip kazayla sana çarpmamalılar, takılıp sendelememeliydiler. Yoksa aslında hedefi sen olmadığın bir öfke gürlemeye başlar, yaşadığın ilk şoku ve acıyı silerek üstünden geçerdi.

İlk konuşan, yaşlıca bir adam, kafasında kasketi, nasırlı ellerine hohluyordu. Gözleri ve burnu kızarmıştı. Güneşin kaybolması onun için kendi başına bir felaket değildi. Hayatına olan pratik yansımalarından korkuyordu olsa olsa. Bir anının kaybolması, bu yüzden çoktan kaybettiği birinin biraz daha eksilmesi. Hayatta kalmasını gerektiren sebepler azalırken, hayatta kalmasını sağlayacak kaynaklarını da kaybediyordu.

Onu susturan delikanlıysa atkısını bütün kafasına sarmış, sakalı ve yüzünün derinliklerine kaçmış gözleri dışında bedeninin bütün parçalarını gizlemeye çalışıyordu. İşte o, güneşin kaybolmasının tam olarak ne anlama geldiğini anlamamış olsa bile, dehşetini olduğu gibi hissedebilenlerdendi.

Güneşin onlardan alındıktan sonra kime verileceğini sormuyorlardı. En başta onlara verildiğinde de hiçbir soru sormamışlardı zaten.

İki saat ne zaman geçer?

Midemin üstünde, sağ tarafıma doğru keskin bir acı hissettim. Karaciğerim. Gözlerimi yumdum. Yanımda biri metal bir nesneyi yere bıraktı. Bir kafesti. İçerisindeki kartalın ıslak kokusu burnuma ulaşmadan önce bile biliyordum bunu.

“Yeniden mi?” diye sordu bana kartal. Kanatları kanlı. Zamanın her bir parçası tüylerinin üstüne çöreklenmişti. Gagası bir şey, tahminen et parçası geveliyor gibi hareket ediyordu. Eski anılar kolay unutulmazmış. Şu anda kafesinin kalın parmaklıklarının ardında olsa da bunun bir aldatmaca olduğunu bir tek ben biliyordum. Her an kanatlarını iki yana uzatıverebilir, hava bu hareketiyle dalgalanarak kafesi esneterek hepimizi içine alacak kadar genişleyebilir, parmaklıklar önce ayaklarımızın altına serilir gibi gözükebilir ama aslında hepimizin üstünde yükselerek tepemize çökebilirdi.

Aşağıya baktım. Tahtalarla zapt edilmiş, hiçbir yere gidemeyen ama her yere uzanan tren rayları. Atlayıp koşsam… Çantam çok ağırdı. Daha birkaç adım atamadan, kartal, suratını bedenime gömerdi.

“Bu sefer farklı,” diye yanıtladım onu. “Yeniden diyemezsin. Tekrarladığım bir şey değil bu. Hatta bir hata yapıyormuşum gibi tonlayamazsın da. Bu sefer, insanların hak etmediğini biliyorum.”

“O zaman daha vahim. Süzme salaksın demektir.”

“İnsanların hak etmemesi, insanlığın hak etmediği anlamına gelmez ki.”

Az önce göz göze geldiğim genççe ama çökük asker hâlâ bana bakıyordu. Bir kartalla konuştuğumu anlamamıştı şüphesiz. Yanımdakilerden biriyle konuştuğumu sanmış olmalıydı. Ama konuştuğum kişiye bakmıyordum ona göre. Çekingence kafamı eğmiştim. Bir kez daha göz göze geldiğimizde içerideki diğer iki askere bir şeyler söyledi, onlar dönüp beni süzerken dışarı çıktı.

Yanımızdaki, az önce konuşan iki adam da şaşkınlıkla bir bana bir kartala bakıyordu.

“Yalnız bu sefer kalbin de kırılacak, Prometheus,” dedi kartal, bana. “Belki son olur. Biliyorsun, bir sürü soruna neden oluyor bu yaptıkların.”

Beni koruyordu sözde. En çok kanıma dokunan buydu. Kasıklarımın üstüne oturmuş, kanlı suratının ardında gözleri parlarken attığı çığlık kulaklarımda titremeye devam ediyordu. Bu tabloda kimsenin kimseyi düşündüğü yoktu. Kartalın, yanımızdaki adamların, artık arkama kadar gelmiş olması gereken askerin, tren raylarının, geçmeyen saatlerin…

Arkamı döndüğümde, asker sahiden oradaydı. Zaten öyle olması gerekiyordu; görmüştüm bunu, biliyordum. Kehanetler… Bir şeyler söylüyordu ama ağzı oynarken sesi çıkmıyordu. Yavaşlamış, kendisini saatin akışına uydurmuştu. Havada donan tükürüğünden anlaşılıyordu, sinirliydi. Korktuğu için olduğunu biliyordum. Her seferinde korkmuşlardı. Beni unutmuş olmaları işlerini kolaylaştırmıyordu. Sadece yeni bir isim vermelerine neden oluyordu. Bu seferkiyle beni lanetleyecekleri kesinleşmişti.

Olması gerekenle olanların farklı olması ne kadar acınasıydı. Olması gerekenlerin doğasının kötücül olmasıysa bir yerde buna dayanıyordu.

“Salaksın,” dedi kartal bana. Zamanı aşan bir çığlık. Hepimizin önüne geçmişti ama kimseyi durduramıyordu.

Sonsuzluğa kaç tane iki saat sıkıştırabilirsiniz?

Ben bir tane bile sıkıştıramadım.

Çantama uzanıyordum. Asker de sırtındaki tüfeğini indiriyordu. Benim acelem yoktu, onunsa eli ayağı birbirine dolaşıyordu. Oysaki her şey tam olması gerektiği anda olacaktı. Kehanet başkasının parmaklarının ucundaydı.

Güneş, bir tüfeğin patlamasıyla yeryüzüne doğdu.

Rayların üzerine serilmiş göğsümün ortasından, bir çantanın içinden.

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2021 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ edeb837b:ac664163

In today’s fast-paced financial markets, having quick access to real-time data, trade insights, and the ability to share trades with a like-minded community is invaluable. That’s where NVSTly’s Discord bot comes in. It’s more than just a bot — it’s a powerful tool for social trading, designed to help traders and investors track their trades, share insights, and collaborate with others in real-time, all within Discord.

What the NVSTly Discord Bot Does

NVSTly’s Discord bot is built with the goal of making financial data and trading insights easily accessible to the entire trading community on Discord. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting, the bot helps you stay on top of your trades and market trends. Some of the key features of the bot include:

• Real-Time Trade Tracking & Sharing: The bot tracks your trades and allows you to share them with others. Whether you’re trading stocks, options, forex, or cryptocurrencies, your trades are instantly shared with your followers and can be posted to social media or sent through Discord DMs or webhooks, fostering a transparent and collaborative environment.
• Trader Stats & Performance Recaps: The bot generates visual reports of your trading performance, including win rates, total gains, and individual trade stats. You can view a trader’s daily, weekly, or monthly recaps, complete with details on stock tickers, options info, and profit/loss calculations.
• Market Data & Charts: Get instant access to live market data, stock charts, and detailed information on tickers. The bot provides a variety of commands for stock price movements, charts, and other data, with plans to expand this to cover more markets in the future.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The bot currently supports stocks, options, forex, and crypto for trade tracking and sharing. Futures markets are also planned for the future. While the bot supports these markets for trade tracking, data-related features like market sentiment analysis or earnings reports will be available in the future.

How the Bot Integrates with NVSTly’s Social Trading App

The NVSTly Discord bot is fully integrated with the NVSTly social trading app, creating a seamless experience for users across platforms. Traders can track their trades on the app, and the bot will automatically share those trades directly with their followers, via DMs, social media, or webhooks. This integration means that everything you do on the NVSTly app can be easily shared with your community in real-time via Discord, making it simple to stay connected with your trading network.

The bot doesn’t just show trades — it also gives users insights into their trading performance and connects them with other traders for discussions, tips, and strategies. With NVSTly’s unique social features, traders can collaborate, share strategies, and learn from each other in a dynamic and interactive environment.

What’s Next for the NVSTly Discord Bot?

The future of the NVSTly Discord bot is incredibly exciting, with plans to add even more features designed to elevate the trading experience. Some of the upcoming features include:

• Expanded Market Coverage for Data Commands: In addition to stocks, the bot will soon offer data-related commands for crypto, forex, and futures markets. This will allow users to access even more comprehensive market data, including earnings reports, options flow, and more.
• AI & Machine Learning Integration: NVSTly plans to integrate AI and machine learning to generate trade signals, analyze market trends, and even offer personalized trading tips. This will help traders refine their strategies and make more informed decisions.
• Real-Time Alerts & Notifications: Users can already receive trade alerts sent directly to their DMs from traders they follow. In the future, users will also be able to set more customized alerts based on price targets or specific market activity.

Why the NVSTly Discord Bot is Perfect for Trading Communities

Discord has become a hub for traders and investors, and the NVSTly Discord bot takes full advantage of this by providing a platform where traders can interact, share trades, and learn from one another. The bot’s ability to instantly share trade recaps and stats creates an environment of transparency and collaboration. Traders can discuss strategies, ask questions, and even challenge each other to improve their performance.

By integrating market data, charts, and trade performance tracking, the bot offers a complete package for traders on Discord. It’s not just a tool for sharing trades — it’s a vital part of a thriving trading community.

Why NVSTly’s Discord Bot is the Fastest Growing Finance Bot on Discord

With its comprehensive features and seamless integration with the NVSTly app, the NVSTly Discord bot has quickly become the go-to tool for traders on Discord. What sets it apart from other finance bots is its focus on user engagement. The bot is not just about providing data — it’s about building a community of traders who can share their experiences, insights, and successes.

Traders have flocked to the NVSTly Discord bot because it provides real-time data, easy trade tracking, and powerful analytics — all in a user-friendly format. It’s no wonder it’s quickly becoming the fastest-growing finance bot on Discord.

On Track to be the Greatest Finance Bot on Discord

NVSTly is on track to become the greatest finance bot on Discord, if it’s not already. With plans for expanding market coverage, adding advanced AI-driven features, and constantly improving its user experience, the bot is poised to revolutionize the way traders use Discord.

By offering a comprehensive set of tools that integrate seamlessly with the NVSTly app, the bot is becoming an essential resource for traders who want to stay informed, track their performance, and engage with the trading community.

---

NVSTly is available for free on web, mobile devices (iOS & Google Play), and is fully integrated with Discord via a unique bot- the only of it’s kind and available to any server or trading community on Discord. Or feel free to join a community of over 45,000 investors & traders on our Discod server.

@ 3bf0c63f:aefa459d

O Planetinha

Fumaça verde me entrando pelas narinas e um coro desafinado fazia uma base melódica.

nos confins da galáxia havia um planetinha isolado. Era um planeta feliz.

O homem vestido de mago começava a aparecer por detrás da fumaça verde.

O planetinha recebeu três presentes, mas o seu habitante, o homem, estava num estado de confusão tão grande que ameaçava estragá-los. Os homens já havia escravizado o primeiro presente, a vida; lutavam contra o segundo presente, a morte; e havia alguns que achavam que deviam destruir totalmente o terceiro, o amor, e com isto levar a desordem total ao pobre planetinha perdido, que se chamava Terra.

O coro desafinado entrou antes do "Terra" cantando várias vezes, como se imitasse um eco, "terra-terra-terraaa". Depois de uma pausa dramática, o homem vestido de mago voltou a falar.

Terra, nossa nave mãe.

Neste momento eu me afastei. À frente do palco onde o mago e seu coral faziam apelos à multidão havia vários estandes cobertos com a tradicional armação de quatro pernas e lona branca. Em todos os cantos da praça havia gente, gente dos mais variados tipos. Visitantes curiosos que se aproximavam atraídos pela fumaça verde e as barraquinhas, gente que aproveitava o movimento para vender doces sem pagar imposto, casais que se abraçavam de pé para espantar o frio, os tradicionais corredores que faziam seu cooper, gente cheia de barba e vestida para imitar os hippies dos anos 60 e vender colares estendidos no chão, transeuntes novos e velhos, vestidos como baladeiros ou como ativistas do ônibus grátis, grupos de ciclistas entusiastas.

O mago fazia agora apelos para que nós, os homens, habitantes do isolado planetinha, passássemos a ver o planetinha, nossa nave mãe, como um todo, e adquiríssemos a consciência de que ele estava entrando em maus lençóis. A idéia, reforçada pela logomarca do evento, era que parássemos de olhar só para a nossa vida e pensássemos no planeta.

A logomarca do evento, um desenho estilizado do planeta Terra, nada tinha a ver com seu nome: "Festival Andando de Bem com a Vida", mas havia sido ali colocada estrategicamente pelos organizadores, de quem parecia justamente sair a mensagem dita pelo mago.

Aquela multidão de pessoas que, assim como eu, tinham suas próprias preocupações, não podiam ver o quadro caótico que formavam, cada uma com seus atos isolados, ali naquela praça isolada, naquele planeta isolado. Quando o hippie barbudo, quase um Osho, assustava um casal para tentar vender-lhes um colar, a quantidade de caos que isto acrescentava à cena era gigantesca. Por um segundo, pude ver, como se estivesse de longe e acima, com toda a pretensão que este estado imaginativo carrega, a cena completa do caos.

---

Uma nave-mãe, dessas de ficção científica, habitada por milhões de pessoas, seguia no espaço sem rumo, e sem saber que logo à frente um longo precipício espacial a esperava, para a desgraça completa sua e de seus habitantes.

Acostumados àquela nave tanto quanto outrora estiveram acostumados à sua terra natal, os homens viviam as próprias vidas sem nem se lembrar que estavam vagando pelo espaço. Ninguém sabia quem estava conduzindo a nave, e ninguém se importava.

No final do filme descobre-se que era a soma completa do caos que cada habitante produzia, com seus gestos egoístas e incapazes de levar em conta a totalidade, é que determinava a direção da nave-mãe. O efeito, no entanto, não era imediato, como nunca é. Havia gente de verdade encarregada de conduzir a nave, mas era uma gente bêbada, mau-caráter, que vivia brigando pelo controle da nave e o poder que isto lhes dava. Poder, status, dinheiro!

Essa gente bêbada era atraída até ali pela corrupção das instituições e da moral comum que, no fundo no fundo, era causada pelo egoísmo da população, através de um complexo -- mas que no filme aparece simplificado pela ação individual de um magnata do divertimento público -- processo social.

O homem vestido de mago era mais um agente causador de caos, com sua cena cheia de fumaça e sua roupa estroboscópica, ele achava que estava fazendo o bem ao alertar sua platéia, todos as sextas-feiras, de que havia algo que precisava ser feito, que cada um que estava ali ouvindo era responsável pelo planeta. A sua incapacidade, porém, de explicar o que precisava ser feito só aumentava a angústia geral; a culpa que ele jogava sobre seu público, e que era prontamente aceita e passada em frente, aos familiares e amigos de cada um, atormentava-os diariamente e os impedia de ter uma vida decente no trabalho e em casa. As famílias, estressadas, estavam constantemente brigando e os motivos mais insignificantes eram responsáveis pelas mais horrendas conseqüências.

O mago, que após o show tirava o chapéu entortado e ia tomar cerveja num boteco, era responsável por uma parcela considerável do caos que levava a nave na direção do seu desgraçado fim. No filme, porém, um dos transeuntes que de passagem ouviu um pedaço do discurso do mago despertou em si mesmo uma consiência transformadora e, com poderes sobre-humanos que lhe foram então concedidos por uma ordem iniciática do bem ou não, usando só os seus poderes humanos mesmo, o transeunte -- na primeira versão do filme um homem, na segunda uma mulher -- consegue consertar as instituições e retirar os bêbados da condução da máquina. A questão da moral pública é ignorada para abreviar a trama, já com duas horas e quarenta de duração, mas subentende-se que ela também fora resolvida.

---

No planeta Terra real, que não está indo em direção alguma, preso pela gravidade ao Sol, e onde as pessoas vivem a própria vida porque lhes é impossível viver a dos outros, não têm uma consciência global de nada porque só é possível mesmo ter a consciência delas mesmas, e onde a maioria, de uma maneira ou de outra, está tentando como pode, fazer as coisas direito, o filme é exibido.

Para a maioria dos espectadores, é um filme que evoca reflexões, um filme forte. Por um segundo elas têm o mesmo vislumbre do caos generalizado que eu tive ali naquela praça. Para uma pequena parcela dos espectadores -- entre eles alguns dos que estavam na platéia do mago, o próprio mago, o seguidor do Osho, o casal de duas mulheres e o vendedor de brigadeiros, mas aos quais se somam também críticos de televisão e jornal e gente que fala pelos cotovelos na internet -- o filme é um horror, o filme é uma vulgarização de um problema real e sério, o filme apela para a figura do herói salvador e passa uma mensagem totalmente errada, de que a maioria da população pode continuar vivendo as suas própria vidinhas miseráveis enquanto espera por um herói que vem do Olimpo e os salva da mixórdia que eles mesmos causaram, é um filme que presta um enorme desserviço à causa.

No dia seguinte ao lançamento, num bar meio caro ali perto da praça, numa mesa com oito pessoas, entre elas seis do primeiro grupo e oito do segundo, discute-se se o filme levará ou não o Oscar. Eu estou em casa dormindo e não escuto nada.

@ edeb837b:ac664163

Join Benzinga as they sit down with NVSTly, the cutting-edge platform revolutionizing social trading and investing. In this exclusive interview, NVSTly shares insights on empowering retail traders, fostering transparency, and building a thriving community for investors of all levels. Discover how NVSTly is shaping the future of trading with innovative features, real-time trade tracking, and global collaboration.

NVSTly Web: https://nvstly.com
iOS: https://nvstly.com/go/ios
Google Play: https://nvstly.com/go/android

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

Kendisini aynada ilk defa gördüğü o gün, diğerleri gibi olduğunu anlamıştı. Oysaki her insan biricik olmalıydı. Sözgelimi sinirlendiğinde bir kaşı diğerinden birkaç milimetre daha az çatılabilirdi veya sevindiğinde dudağı ona has bir açıyla dalgalanabilirdi. Hatta bunların hiçbiri mümkün değilse, en azından, gözlerinin içinde sadece onun sahip olabileceği bir ışık parlayabilirdi. Çok sıradan, öyle sıradan ki kimsenin fark etmediği o milyonlarca minik şeyden herhangi biri. Ne olursa.

Ama yansımasına bakarken bunların hiçbirini bulamadı ve diğer günlerden hiç de farklı başlamamış o gün, işe gitmek için vagonunun gelmesini beklediği alelade bir metro istasyonunda, içinde kaybolduğu illüzyon dağılmaya başladı.

İlk önce derisi döküldü. Tam olarak dökülmedi aslında, daha çok kıvılcımlara dönüşüp bedeninden fırlamış ve bir an sonra sönerek külleşmiş, havada dağılmıştı. Ardında da, kaybolmadan hemen önce, kısa süre için hayal meyal görülebilen, bir ruhun yok oluşuna ağıt yakan rengârenk peri cesetleri bırakmıştı. Beklenenin aksine, havaya toz kokusu yayıldı.

Dehşete düştü elbette. Dehşete düştüler. Panikle üstlerini yırtan 50 işçi. Her şeyin sebebiyse o vagon.

Saçları da döküldü. Her tel, yere varmadan önce, her santimde ikiye ayrıla ayrıla yok oldu.

Bütün yüzeylerin mat olduğu, hiçbir şeyin yansımadığı, suyun siyah aktığı ve kendine ancak kameralarla bakabildiğin bir dünyada, vagonun içine yerleştirilmiş bir aynadan ilk defa kendini görmek.

Gözlerinin akları buharlaşıp havada dağıldı, mercekleri boşalan yeri doldurmak için eriyip yayıldı. Gerçeği görmemek için yaratılmış, bu yüzden görmeye hazır olmayan ve hiç olmayacak gözler.

Her şeyin o anda sona erdiğini sanabilirdi insan. Derin bir karanlık ve ölüm. Görmenin görmek olduğu o anın bitişi.

---

Ben geldiğimde ölmüşlerdi.

Yani bozulmuşlardı demek istiyorum.

Belleklerini yeni taşıyıcılara takmam mümkün olmadı. Fiziksel olarak kusursuz durumdaydılar, olmayanları da tamir edebilirdim ama tüm o hengamede kendilerini baştan programlamış ve girdilerini modifiye etmişlerdi.

Belleklerden birini masanın üzerinden ileriye savurdu. Hınca hınç dolu bir barda oturuyorlardı. O ve arkadaşı.

Sırf şu kendisini insan sanan androidler travma geçirip delirmesin diye neler yapıyoruz, insanın aklı almıyor.

Eliyle arkasını işaret etti.

Polislerin söylediğine göre biri vagonun içerisine ayna yerleştirmiş. Bu zavallılar da kapı açılıp bir anda yansımalarını görünce kafayı kırmışlar.

Arkadaşı bunların ona ne hissettirdiğini sordu. Yani o kadar bozuk, insan olduğunu sanan androidi kendilerini parçalamış olarak yerde görmek onu sarsmamış mıydı?

Hayır, sonuçta belirli bir amaç için yaratılmış şeyler onlar. Kaliteli bir bilgisayarım bozulduğunda üzülürüm çünkü parasını ben vermişimdir. Bunlarsa devletin. Bana ne ki?

Arkadaşı anlayışla kafasını sallayıp suyundan bir yudum aldı. Kravatını biraz gevşetti.

Bira istemediğinden emin misin?

İstemediğini söyledi. Sahi, neden deliriyordu bu androidler?

Basit. Onların yapay zekâlarını kodlarken bir şeyler yazıyorlar. Yazılımcılar. Biliyorsun, ben donanımdayım. Bunlar da kendilerini insan sanıyorlar. Tiplerine bak.

Sesini alçalttı.

Arabalarda kaza testi yapılan mankenlere benziyor hepsi. Ağızları burunları bile yok ama şu geldiğimizden beri sakalını düzeltip duruyor mesela. Hayır, hepsi de diğerleri onun sakalı varmış sanıyor, o manyak bir şey.

Arkadaşı bunun delirmeleriyle bağlantısını çözemediğini söyledi. O da normal sesiyle konuşmaya devam etti.

Anlasana, aynayı falan ayırt edemiyor mercekleri. Lönk diye kendilerini görüyorlar. Böyle, olduğu gibi...

Nedenmiş peki? Ne gerek varmış?

Ne bileyim be abicim! Ahiret soruları gibi.

Birasına bakarak dalıp gitti. Sonra masaya abanarak arkadaşına iyice yaklaştı. Bulanık, bir tünelin ucundaki biri gibi, şekli şemalı belirsiz bir adam.

Ben seni nereden tanıyorum ki ulan? Kimsin sen?

Belleği makineden çıkardılar. İki kişiydiler. Soruşturmadan sorumlu memurlar.

─ Baştan mı başlıyoruz, diye sordu belleği elinde tutan ilk memur.

─ Bir kere daha deneyelim ama bu sefer direkt aynayı sorarak başla, diye cevapladı ikinci memur.

─ Bence de. Yeterince düzgün çalışıyor.

Simülasyon yüklenirken, ayakta, biraz arkada duran ve alnını kaşıyan ikinci memur sormaktan kendisini alamadı:

─ Bu androidleri niye böyle bir olay yerine göndermişler ki? Belli tost olacakları. İsraf. Gidip biz baksak aynayı kırıp delilleri mahvetmek zorunda da kalmazlar.

Diğer memur sandalyesinde hafifçe dönecek oldu, o sırada soruyu bilgisayarın hoparlöründen teknisyen cevapladı.

Hangi işimizde bir yamukluk yok ki be abi.

---

Ama bir son değildi. Üstlerindeki tüm illüzyon dağıldığında ve çıplak, cinsiyetsiz, birbirinin aynı bedenleriyle kaldıklarında sıra dünyaya gelmişti.

Yere düştüler. Elleri -bütün bedeni gibi siyah turmalinden, boğumları çelikten- yere değdiği anda, metronun zemini dağıldı.

Yerdeki karolar öncesinde beyazdı ve çok parlaktı. Tepelerindeki floresan, ışığını olduğu gibi yansıtıyor, tek bir lekenin olmadığı ve tek bir tozun uçmadığı istasyonu aydınlatıyorlardı.

Duvarlara duyurular asılmıştı. Örneğin, yarın akşam kültür merkezinde 20.00’da başlayacak bir tekno blues festivalinin cıvıl cıvıl afişi vardı. Onun yanında daha geniş, sarı puntolu harflerle yazılmış, yatay siyah kesiklerle çerçevesi çizilmiş, bir platformdan düşen çöp adamın bulunduğu “Dikkat! Sarı bandı geçmeyin!” uyarısı. Biraz ilerisinde günlük resmi gazete, onun ilerisinde bir aksiyon filminin ve başka bir romantik komedi filminin afişleri, yapılacakların ve yapılmayacakların söylendiği küçük puntolu çeşitli duyurular... Duvar uzayıp giden bir panoydu. On, on beş metrede bir tekrarlanıyordu.

Tüm istasyonun eni yüz metre kadar. Genişliği on metre civarı.

Önlerinde, açık kapısından o mendebur aynanın gözüktüğü vagon duruyordu. Metro, istasyona sığmayacak kadar uzundu. Bir kılıcın keskinliğiyle uzanıyor ama yer yer vagonların ek yerleriyle bölünüyordu.

Hiçbir vagonda pencere olmadığı için metronun içi, içlerindekiler meçhuldü.

Sonrasında karolar zerrelerine ayrılarak yükseldi. Floresanın ışığında her yeri toza boğdular ve ortalığı gri bir sisin altına gömdüler. Çok kısa bir an. Afişleri dalgalandırmadılar. Dalgalandırmaya vakitleri olmadı. Yerlerinden söküp aldılar en fazla. Işık birkaç kere sönüp yanarak direndi. Son kez söndüğünde bir daha geri gelmedi.

Yine de etraf aydınlıktı. Kırmızı, her yere eşit dağılan soluk bir ışıkla.

Yer tamamen tele dönüşmüştü. Altında çapraz hatlarla desteklenmiş demir bir iskelet. Işık birkaç metreden daha fazla aşağıya uzanamıyordu. Sonsuzluğa giden bir uçurum.

Duvarın yerini aynı teller ve demir iskelet almıştı. Arkasında, birbirine vidalarla tutturulmuş demir plakalardan oluşan, üstünden geçen boruların ek yerlerinden bazen ince buharların çıktığı ve bir süre asılı kaldıktan sonra ağır, yağlı bir havayla sürüklendiği bir koridor.

Diğer tarafta paslanmış, pencerelerindeki camlar kırıldığı için demir plakalarla kapatılmış külüstür bir metro. Kapının karşısındaki aynadan her şey olduğu gibi yansıyordu.

---

Bir konteynırın içini andıran bir evde, gerçi gayet de birbirine eklenmiş konteynırlardan oluşan bir şehirde “andıran” demek doğru olmayacağı için düpedüz bir konteynırın içinde, masaya mum görüntüsü vermek için koyulmuş, yarı katı yağ atıklarından şekillendirilmiş kütleleri yakmayı deniyordu. Kafasında hayvan kıllarından yapılmış grili siyahlı bir peruk. Aynı kıllardan kendisine gür bir bıyık da yapmıştı.

Üstünde mavi çöp poşetlerinden yapılmış, kravatlı, şık bir takım.

Masanın ayakları yerine oradan buradan çıkmış parçalar konulmuştu: bir arabanın şaft mili, üst üste konulmuş ve üstünde yazı okunamayan tenekeler, boş kitaplar, boş gazete balyaları... Hiçbir şeye yazı yazılmıyordu, gerek yoktu da zaten çünkü merkez veri bankası onları fark ettirmeden, merceklerden giren veriyi sentezleyerek insanlar için dolduruyordu. Yani, androidler için. Farklı şekilde isimlendirmek bir fark yaratacaksa.

Onların mercekleri için değil. Bağlantıları çok önceden kopmuştu.

─ Hayatım, sofra hazır, diye bağırdı yatak odasındaki karısına.

Sofrada tabak yerine düz, bardak yerine bükülmüş, çatal ve bıçak yerine sivriltilmiş plakalar.

Karısı salonun kapısında durakladı ve ancak kulaklarına kadar uzanan, kocasınınkine benzeyen, cansız, ölü hayvanların kıllarından ibaret peruğunu eliyle düzeltti. Dudağını, daha doğrusu dudağının olması gereken yeri koyu kırmızı bir yağ tabakasıyla renklendirmeyi denemişti. Biraz da yanaklarına sürmüştü.

─ Nasıl olmuş, diye sordu.

Sesi tek düzeydi ama hafif bir neşe olduğunu hissettiğinize yemin edebilirdiniz.

Üzerinde, çöp poşetlerinin içini yazısız gazete kağıtlarıyla doldurarak yaptığı iki parça giysi.

─ Çok güzelsin, diyerek kravatını düzeltti kocası.

─ Sen de öylesin, sevgilim.

Yaklaşıp kocasını öptü. Kocası da onu. Sonra nazikçe elinden tutarak, sandalyesini geriye çekerek oturmasına yardım etti.

Sofrada yemek niyetine hiçbir şey yoktu. Gerek de yoktu zaten.

Konteynırın kapısı gürültüyle tekmelenip içeri iki memur girene kadar birbirlerine öyküler anlattılar. O gün neler yaptıklarını. İşten erken çıkıp yemyeşil çimenlerde gezdiklerini, uçurtma uçurduklarını, kadının nasıl o elbiseyi bulmak için saatlerce gezip yorulduğunu, kocasının kısa süreliğine işe dönüp nasıl başarılı bir hamleyle yaşanan krizi çözdüğünü ve kadının yanına döndükten sonra, alışveriş merkezinde oturdukları yeni dondurmacının dondurmalarının ne kadar lezzetli olduğunu, boğazlarının ağrımasından korktuklarını...

Akşam film izleyebilirlerdi, televizyonda -boş ve mat bir plaka- güzel bir film oynayacaktı.

İki memur. Çıplak bedenleriyle birbirinin aynı. Ellerindeki silahları onlara doğrultmuşlardı. Mum ışığında, tertemiz bir örtünün serili olduğu masada, bardaklarında şaraplarla oturan ve henüz sofranın ortasındaki hindiye dokunmamış çifti gördüklerinde bocaladılar.

Hiç de androidlere bilinçli olarak zarar verebilecek gibi gözükmüyorlardı.

─ Sessiz kalma hakkına sahipsiniz, diye bağırdı içeri giren ikinci memur. Söylediğiniz her şey...

Cümlesini bitiremedi. Yatak odasındaki, masanın üzerinden gördüğü o şey, onunla aynı hareketleri yapan android, yoksa, bir aynadaki yansıması mıydı?

Bütün illüzyon o anda dağılmaya başladı.

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2020 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ edeb837b:ac664163

We’re thrilled to announce that NVSTly has been honored with the People's Choice Award at the prestigious Benzinga FinTech Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to the trust, support, and enthusiasm of our growing community of retail traders, investors, and financial enthusiasts.

A Milestone in Social Investing

Winning the People's Choice Award is more than just a moment of celebration for NVSTly—it reflects the incredible journey we’ve shared with our users. NVSTly was built with one mission in mind: to redefine social investing by empowering traders of all experience levels to share, track, and learn from one another.

In the competitive world of fintech, being selected as the People's Choice means we’ve created something that resonates deeply with our audience. It’s your votes, feedback, and passion that have propelled us to this achievement.

What Makes NVSTly Unique?

NVSTly stands out for offering a platform that’s entirely free while delivering a comprehensive suite of features for traders, such as:

• Global Leaderboard: Recognizing top-performing traders across stocks, options, futures, forex, and cryptocurrency.
• Trade Insights UI: Providing detailed analytics on trades, including market data validation and unique event visualizations.
• Broker Integration (Optional): Automating trade tracking and sharing with real-time updates.
• Discord Integration: A first-of-its-kind bot that brings NVSTly’s full functionality to one of the fastest-growing social platforms in finance.
• Education and Community: Enabling beginners to learn from experienced traders and find actionable insights.

Unlike traditional trading platforms, NVSTly focuses solely on trade tracking, sharing, and performance validation. It’s not about buying or selling real assets but fostering transparency, collaboration, and growth among traders.

Powered by the Community

The People's Choice Award is special because it comes directly from you—our community. Whether you’re an experienced trader gaining recognition through our leaderboard or a beginner exploring NVSTly to learn from top traders, this award proves that NVSTly isn’t just a platform; it’s a movement.

Your votes affirm our commitment to delivering cutting-edge features, unmatched usability, and an ecosystem that connects traders across all markets.

Looking Ahead

Winning this award fuels our determination to push boundaries even further. In the months to come, we’re excited to roll out new features, expand our broker integrations, and enhance the tools that make NVSTly the go-to platform for retail traders worldwide.

Thank You

We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without your unwavering support. From everyone at the NVSTly team, thank you for believing in our vision and making NVSTly the People’s Choice for 2024. This award is as much yours as it is ours.

If you haven’t joined the movement yet, there’s never been a better time. Discover, share, and track trades with NVSTly today—because the best way to grow in the markets is together.

Join NVSTly:

• Website: nvstly.com
• Mobile App: Available on Google Play and iOS App Store
• Discord Community: Join Now

Let’s continue shaping the future of social investing, one trade at a time.

@ edeb837b:ac664163

At NVSTly, we embrace the concept of “building in public.” This approach shapes how we develop, test, and roll out features, with the goal of making NVSTly the best social trading platform for our users. But what exactly does building in public mean for NVSTly? Let’s break it down.

Updates as They’re Finished

Instead of waiting to bundle new features and fixes into big, infrequent releases, we push updates as they’re completed. This ensures users benefit from improvements as soon as possible. However, our agile development style means you might notice subtle changes before they’re officially included in a published changelog. These incremental updates allow us to iterate and enhance the platform quickly.

Internal Testing, Real-World Feedback

Before any update reaches the production environment, our team conducts internal testing to ensure the new feature or fix works as intended. For example, a recent update to allow stats and daily/weekly recap commands to function with usernames containing spaces was thoroughly tested internally. Unfortunately, this change inadvertently broke compatibility with Discord IDs, highlighting the challenges of anticipating every edge case.

This is where building in public comes into play: while we strive for thorough testing, some issues only emerge when updates meet real-world usage. That’s why we rely on our vibrant user base to help us identify bugs, unintended behaviors, and areas for improvement.

The Role of Our User Community

Our users play a critical role in the development process. By using NVSTly in their daily trading workflows, they encounter scenarios that internal testing might miss. When users report bugs, glitches, or other issues, it provides us with invaluable insights into how the platform performs under various conditions.

If you ever experience something on NVSTly that doesn’t seem to work as expected, we encourage you to report it to us. Unlike platforms that may identify and resolve issues passively over time, NVSTly relies directly on user feedback to detect and prioritize fixes. Every report helps us improve.

Changelogs: A Snapshot of Progress

Given our frequent updates, we publish changelogs only after accumulating several changes or introducing major features. This means that when you see a changelog, many of the updates listed might have been implemented days or even weeks earlier. While this approach helps us focus on building and refining the platform, it’s another example of how building in public keeps the development process transparent.

Why Building in Public Matters

By building in public, we:

• Accelerate innovation: Continuous updates ensure the platform evolves rapidly.
• Foster transparency: Users gain insight into what’s changing and how issues are addressed.
• Strengthen collaboration: Feedback from users directly informs our priorities and solutions.

This approach isn’t without its challenges, but we believe the benefits far outweigh the risks. Building in public allows us to create a platform that truly meets the needs of our community — a community we’re proud to involve in the journey.

How You Can Help

If you notice a bug, glitch, or unintended behavior, please let us know right away. Your feedback is essential to making NVSTly better every day. Together, we’re not just building a platform; we’re building a community-driven experience that reflects the collective expertise and passion of its users.

Thank you for being part of the NVSTly journey. Let’s keep building — together.

---

NVSTly is available for free on web, mobile devices (iOS & Google Play), and is fully integrated with Discord via a unique bot- the only of it’s kind and available to any server or trading community on Discord. Or feel free to join a community of over 45,000 investors & traders on our Discod server.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Embarking on the journey of operating your own Lightning node on the Bitcoin Layer 2 network is more than just a tech-savvy endeavor; it's a step into a realm of financial autonomy and cutting-edge innovation. By running a node, you become a vital part of a revolutionary movement that's reshaping how we think about money and digital transactions. This role not only offers a unique perspective on blockchain technology but also places you at the heart of a community dedicated to decentralization and network resilience. Beyond the technicalities, it's about embracing a new era of digital finance, where you contribute directly to the network's security, efficiency, and growth, all while gaining personal satisfaction and potentially lucrative rewards.

In essence, running your own Lightning node is a powerful way to engage with the forefront of blockchain technology, assert financial independence, and contribute to a more decentralized and efficient Bitcoin network. It's an adventure that offers both personal and communal benefits, from gaining in-depth tech knowledge to earning a place in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency.

Running your own Lightning node for the Bitcoin Layer 2 network can be an empowering and beneficial endeavor. Here are 10 reasons why you might consider taking on this task:

1. Direct Contribution to Decentralization: Operating a node is a direct action towards decentralizing the Bitcoin network, crucial for its security and resistance to control or censorship by any single entity.

2. Financial Autonomy: Owning a node gives you complete control over your financial transactions on the network, free from reliance on third-party services, which can be subject to fees, restrictions, or outages.

3. Advanced Network Participation: As a node operator, you're not just a passive participant but an active player in shaping the network, influencing its efficiency and scalability through direct involvement.

4. Potential for Higher Revenue: With strategic management and optimal channel funding, your node can become a preferred route for transactions, potentially increasing the routing fees you can earn.

5. Cutting-Edge Technological Engagement: Running a node puts you at the forefront of blockchain and bitcoin technology, offering insights into future developments and innovations.

6. Strengthened Network Security: Each new node adds to the robustness of the Bitcoin network, making it more resilient against attacks and failures, thus contributing to the overall security of the ecosystem.

7. Personalized Fee Structures: You have the flexibility to set your own fee policies, which can balance earning potential with the service you provide to the network.

8. Empowerment Through Knowledge: The process of setting up and managing a node provides deep learning opportunities, empowering you with knowledge that can be applied in various areas of blockchain and fintech.

9. Boosting Transaction Capacity: By running a node, you help to increase the overall capacity of the Lightning Network, enabling more transactions to be processed quickly and at lower costs.

10. Community Leadership and Reputation: As an active node operator, you gain recognition within the Bitcoin community, which can lead to collaborative opportunities and a position of thought leadership in the space.

These reasons demonstrate the impactful and transformative nature of running a Lightning node, appealing to those who are deeply invested in the principles of bitcoin and wish to actively shape its future. Jump aboard, and embrace the journey toward full independence. 🐶🐾🫡🚀🚀🚀

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Chef's notes

Serving these two dishes together will create a delightful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal, offering a perfect blend of traditional flavors with a homemade touch.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 30 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 1 - 2 hours
• 🍽️ Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (about 12-14 lbs), thawed and ready to cook
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• Apple and Sage Stuffing
• 1 loaf of crusty bread, cut into cubes
• 2 apples, cored and chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Prepare the Herb Butter: Mix the softened butter with the chopped thyme, rosemary, and sage. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the Turkey: Remove any giblets from the turkey and pat it dry. Loosen the skin and spread a generous amount of herb butter under and over the skin.
4. Add Aromatics: Inside the turkey cavity, place the quartered onion, lemon halves, and garlic cloves.
5. Roast: Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Tent with aluminum foil and roast. A general guideline is about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
6. Rest and Serve: Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
7. Next: Apple and Sage Stuffing
8. Dry the Bread: Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and let them dry overnight, or toast them in the oven.
9. Cook the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter and cook the onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
10. Combine Ingredients: Add the apples, sage, and bread cubes to the skillet. Stir in the chicken broth until the mixture is moist. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Bake: Transfer the stuffing to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes, until golden brown on top.

@ 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/872135

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

The Magic of =()= in Perl: Counting Matches with Elegance

Perl is full of powerful and sometimes cryptic features, and one of the lesser-known yet highly useful tricks is the =()= operator. This clever construct allows you to count the number of matches in a string without using loops or unnecessary variables.

---

Understanding =()=: A Smart Counting Trick

Normally, when you apply a regex with the /g (global match) flag, Perl finds all occurrences in the string. However, getting the count of those matches isn't as straightforward as you might expect.

Consider this example:

perl my $str = "Hello 123, Perl 456!"; my $count = () = $str =~ /\w/g; print "Matched $count word characters.\n";

Breaking It Down

1. Regex Matching ($str =~ /\w/g)
2. This searches for all word characters (\w → [A-Za-z0-9_]) in $str.

3. The /g flag ensures it captures all occurrences instead of just the first one.

4. The Empty List ()

5. The regex match is assigned to an empty list ().

6. This forces Perl to evaluate the regex in list context, where it returns all matches instead of just one.

7. Assigning to a Scalar ($count)

8. When a list is assigned to a scalar, Perl doesn't store the list—it simply counts its elements.
9. The result? $count contains the number of matches.

Expected Output

Matched 15 word characters. If you manually count the \w matches (Hello123Perl456), you'll find 15.

---

Why Not Use scalar() Instead?

You might think this is equivalent to: perl my $count = scalar($str =~ /\w/g); # will return 1 But this won't work!

• scalar($str =~ /\w/g) only returns the last match found, not the count.
• =()= is necessary because it forces list context, ensuring Perl counts all matches correctly.

---

Practical Use Cases

This trick is useful whenever you need to count occurrences without modifying the original string. Some real-world applications include:

✅ Counting words, numbers, or special characters in a string.
✅ Measuring how many times a pattern appears in a text.
✅ Quick validation checks (e.g., ensuring a string contains at least n digits).

Example: Counting words in a sentence
perl my $sentence = "Perl is awesome!"; my $word_count = () = $sentence =~ /\b\w+\b/g; print "Word count: $word_count\n"; # Output: 3

---

Final Thoughts

The =()= operator might look like magic at first, but it's actually an elegant way to force list context and extract match counts without loops or extra variables. Whether processing text or just trying to optimize Perl scripts, this trick is a powerful addition to the Perl toolkit.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Testing a brand new YakiHonne native client for iOS. Smooth as butter (not penis butter 🤣🍆🧈) with great visual experience and intuitive navigation. Amazing work by the team behind it! * lists * work

Bold text work!

Images could have used nostr.build instead of raw S3 from us-east-1 region.

Very impressive! You can even save the draft and continue later, before posting the long-form note!

🐶🐾🤯🤯🤯🫂💜

@ fa0165a0:03397073

I just tested building a browser plugin, it was easier than I thought. Here I'll walk you through the steps of creating a minimal working example of a browser plugin, a.k.a. the "Hello World" of browser plugins.

First of all there are two main browser platforms out there, Chromium and Mozilla. They do some things a little differently, but similar enough that we can build a plugin that works on both. This plugin will work in both, I'll describe the firefox version, but the chromium version is very similar.

What is a browser plugin?

Simply put, a browser plugin is a program that runs in the browser. It can do things like modify the content of a webpage, or add new functionality to the browser. It's a way to extend the browser with custom functionality. Common examples are ad blockers, password managers, and video downloaders.

In technical terms, they are plugins that can insert html-css-js into your browser experience.

How to build a browser plugin

Step 0: Basics

You'll need a computer, a text editor and a browser. For testing and development I personally think that the firefox developer edition is the easiest to work with. But any Chrome based browser will also do.

Create a working directory on your computer, name it anything you like. I'll call mine hello-world-browser-plugin. Open the directory and create a file called manifest.json. This is the most important file of your plugin, and it must be named exactly right.

Step 1: manifest.json

After creation open your file manifest.json in your text editor and paste the following code:

json { "manifest_version": 3, "name": "Hello World", "version": "1.0", "description": "A simple 'Hello World' browser extension", "content_scripts": [ { "matches": ["<all_urls>"], "js": ["hello.js"] //The name of your script file. // "css": ["hello.css"] //The name of your css file. } ] }

If you wonder what the json file format is, it's a normal text file with a special syntax such that a computer can easily read it. It's the json syntax you see in the code above. Let's go through what's being said here. (If you are not interested, just skip to the next step after pasting this we are done here.)

• manifest_version: This is the version of the manifest file format. It's currently at version 3, and it's the latest version. It's important that you set this to 3, otherwise your plugin won't work.
• name: This is the name of your plugin. It can be anything you like.
• version: This is the version of your plugin. It can be anything you like.
• description: This is the description of your plugin. It can be anything you like.
• content_scripts: This is where you define what your plugin does. It's a list of scripts that will be executed when the browser loads a webpage. In this case we have one script, called hello.js. It's the script that we'll create in the next step.
• matches: This is a list of urls that the script will be executed on. In this case we have <all_urls>, which means that the script will be executed on all urls. You can also specify a specific url, like https://brave.com/*, which means that the script will only be executed on urls that start with https://brave.com/.
• js: This is a list of javascript files that will be executed. In this case we have one file, called hello.js. It's the script that we'll create in the next step.
• css: This is where you can add a list of css files that will be executed. In this case we have none, but you can add css files here if you want to.
• //: Text following these two characters are comments. They are ignored by the computer, You can add comments anywhere you like, and they are a good way to document your code.

Step 2: hello.js

Now it's time to create another file in your project folder. This time we'll call it hello.js. When created, open it in your text editor and paste the following code:

js console.log("Hello World!"); That's javascript code, and it's what will be executed when you run your plugin. It's a simple console.log statement, which will print the text "Hello World!" to the console. The console is a place where the browser prints out messages, and it's a good place to start when debugging your plugin.

Step 3: Load and launch your plugin

Firefox

Now it's time to load your plugin into your browser. Open your browser and go to the url about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox. You should see a page that looks something like this:

Click the button that says "Load Temporary Add-on...". A file dialog will open, navigate to your project folder and select the file manifest.json. Your plugin should now be loaded and running.

Go to a website, any website, and open the inspector then navigate to the console. You'll find the inspector by right-clicking anywhere within the webpage, and click "Inspector" in the drop-down menu. When opening the console you might see some log messages from the site you visited and... you should see the text "Hello World!" printed there, from our little plugin! Congratulations!

Chrome

Open your browser and go to the url chrome://extensions/. Click the button that says "Load unpacked". A file dialog will open, navigate to your project folder and select the folder hello-world-browser-plugin. Your plugin should now be loaded and running.

Note the difference, of selecting the file manifest.json in firefox, and selecting the folder hello-world-browser-plugin in chrome. Otherwise, the process is the same. So I'll repeat the same text as above: (for those who skipped ahead..)

Go to a website, any website, and open the inspector then navigate to the console. You'll find the inspector by right-clicking anywhere within the webpage, and click "Inspector" in the drop-down menu. When opening the console you might see some log messages from the site you visited and... you should see the text "Hello World!" printed there, from our little plugin! Congratulations!

---

As you can see this isn't as complicated as one might think. Having preformed a "Hello-World!"-project is a very useful and valuable first step. These setup steps are the basics for any browser plugin, and you can build on this to create more advanced plugins.

@ 0271e1b9:ad8cff90

I study the greats. For if and when I find myself beaten down into the gutters of life - the vile, bile and the mundane - I shall draw strength from other great men - past, present and future - who, quite often, faced many more adversities and a lot more suffering, but chose to use them to their advantage, to overcome their dire circumstances and rise above the afflictions that life had bestowed upon them. It’s all been done before. It can be done again, better.

Learning from the past and from the present is very straightforward. Anyone can do that. But how does one learn from the future? It’s simple: you envision the best possible future for humanity, for generations to come, and for yourself. Then you figure out an approximate path on how to get there, and what kind of a man or a woman you must be to walk that path. The skills, the mindset, the qualities. And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, you find actionable measures, habits, convictions on how to become that person - and conversely, what are stopping you from becoming that person.

“You must value learning above everything else.”

― Robert Greene

“Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.”

― Viktor E. Frankl

“You need to look at all events as having value. If you can do that, then you’re in a zone of tremendous opportunity.”

― Phil Stutz

“I shall take the more pains to uncover the fountains of philosophy, from which all my eloquence has taken its rise.”

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

“Error correction is the basis of all intelligence.”

― Jeff Booth

“Yes, you’re likely to fail, that’s fine. Because the goal of playing is not to win, but to keep learning. And the day you stop learning is the day you stop living."

― Jesse Enkamp

"A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him."

— Confucius

“If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.”

― Michelangelo

“First of all we have to decide what we are to do and what manner of men we wish to be - the most difficult problem in the world.”

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

“You either bleed soul into your work, or let the work bleed out your soul.”

― Pran Yoganthan

"The Stoic philosopher is the man who has liberated himself from fear. He’s not afraid of death, he’s not afraid of pain, he’s not afraid of other people’s dismissal as a fool. The only thing he cares about is that he should meet his moral obligations.”

― Michael Sugrue

"The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."

― Thucydides

“The brain is the most powerful weapon in the world.”

― David Goggins

“Man, the bravest of animals, and the one most accustomed to suffering, does not repudiate suffering as such; he desires it, he even seeks it out, provided he is shown a meaning for it, a purpose of suffering. The meaninglessness of suffering, not suffering itself, was the curse that lay over mankind so far.”

― Friedrich Nietzsche

"Consciousness is awareness with a choice."

― Thomas Campbell

“The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.”

― Epictetus

“It’s most real, it’s most good and it’s most salvific - it saves you, it transforms you. That’s the sacred.”

— John Vervaeke

“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”

― Epictetus

“Evolution is a process of iteration. There’s no master plan. It’s in each moment of what happens.”

― Michael Behrens

“Don’t follow anybody and don’t accept anyone as a teacher, except when you become your own teacher and disciple.”

― Jiddu Krishnamurti

“This is your life. You’re accountable. What are you gonna do about that?”

― James Hollis

By the way, if you enjoyed these quotes, feel free to follow a little side project of mine: Stoic Resurrection

Peace & Love,

Kontext

Block height 881,748

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

As the title states, scratch behind my ear and you get it. 🐶🐾🫡

@ ee7e3590:5602f192

You’re hitting on the core tension: unlimited demand for emergency care collides with finite resources, and pretending otherwise leads to either runaway costs or rationing-by-stealth. Let’s confront this head-on with free-market-aligned solutions that don’t ignore human realities:

---

1. Redefine "Emergency Care"

The U.S. legally mandates ERs to stabilize anyone, regardless of ability to pay (EMTALA). This creates moral hazard:
- Problem: Hospitals inflate prices on paying patients to offset uncompensated care.
- Free-Market Fix:
- Repeal EMTALA: Allow ERs to refuse non-critical cases (e.g., toothaches, rashes) unless prepaid or insured.
- Clarify "True Emergency": Legally define emergencies as immediate life threats (e.g., strokes, cardiac arrest) and let non-critical cases be diverted to urgent care.
- Consequence: ERs could price transparently for true emergencies, while non-critical cases face market-driven urgent care options.

---

2. Embrace Tiered Emergency Care

Not all emergencies require Level I trauma centers:
- Basic ERs: Staffed by NPs and paramedics for minor injuries (e.g., sprains, minor burns) at lower costs.
- Advanced ERs: For critical care (e.g., gunshot wounds), priced higher but competing via outcomes (e.g., survival rates).
- Example: India’s Ziqitza Healthcare operates ambulance tiers—basic vans for transport and advanced ICU units.

---

3. Address Moral Hazard with Insurance Innovation**

• Catastrophic Insurance Mandates: Require everyone to carry cheap, high-deductible plans covering only true emergencies (e.g., $10/month for coverage above $50k).
• Incentivizes price shopping for non-emergencies.
• Prevents freeloading on ERs.
• Risk-Adjusted Premiums: Smokers, skydivers, or diabetics pay higher premiums, aligning costs with personal choices.

---

4. Community-Based Safety Nets**

• Mutual Aid Networks: Local groups negotiate bulk ER rates (e.g., $100/month membership covers three ER visits annually).
• Crowdfunding ER Vouchers: Platforms like GoFundMe could partner with hospitals to prepurchase discounted emergency care slots.

---

5. Radical Transparency + Bankruptcy Reform**

• ER Debt Auctions: Let hospitals sell unpaid ER bills to collection agencies in real-time, creating competition to minimize patient liability.
• Flat-Fee ER Pricing: Hospitals post rates like “$5,000 for appendicitis stabilization, all-inclusive” to deter surprise billing.
• Ban Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt: Protect patients from lifelong ruin, forcing hospitals to price responsibly or absorb losses.

---

6. Accept Trade-Offs Explicitly**

The U.S. system fails because it hides rationing behind complexity. A free-market approach must embrace transparency:
- Option 1: Pay $100,000 for a 95% survival rate in a car crash.
- Option 2: Pay $20,000 for a 70% survival rate at a budget ER.
- Brutal but Honest: Let individuals (or insurers) choose their risk tolerance upfront.

Example:
- Japan’s Price Controls: Caps ER costs but tolerates wait times (e.g., 8+ hours for non-critical care).
- Switzerland’s Mandates: Everyone buys insurance, but ERs charge $1,000+ deductibles to deter overuse.

---

7. Disrupt with Decentralized Care**

• Crypto-ERs: Blockchain-based emergency funds where contributors vote on covering members’ bills.
• AI-Guided Self-Care: Apps that stabilize patients en route to ERs (e.g., tourniquet tutorials, overdose reversal guidance).

---

8. Reform Malpractice to Reduce Defensive Medicine**

• “No Pay, No Harm” Liability: If a patient doesn’t pay, they can’t sue for malpractice (incentivizing upfront pricing).
• Safe Harbor Protocols: ERs using approved, cost-effective treatments (e.g., generics) get immunity from lawsuits.

---

The Uncomfortable Truth

A free market in emergency care requires accepting that not everyone will be saved—just as not everyone can afford a Ferrari. The alternative is the current U.S. model, which pretends to save everyone but bankrupts millions and still leaves 30% of ER visits unmet due to overcrowding.

By legalizing tiered care, deregulating monopolies, and forcing transparency, you create a system where:
- Elites pay premium prices for cutting-edge emergency care.
- Most get “good enough” stabilization at reasonable costs.
- Some choose cheap, high-risk options (or none at all).

This isn’t pretty, but it’s honest—and arguably more ethical than today’s hidden rationing and financial toxicity.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Test Bounty Note

@ ee7e3590:5602f192

You’re hitting on the core tension: unlimited demand for emergency care collides with finite resources, and pretending otherwise leads to either runaway costs or rationing-by-stealth. Let’s confront this head-on with free-market-aligned solutions that don’t ignore human realities:

---

1. Redefine "Emergency Care"

The U.S. legally mandates ERs to stabilize anyone, regardless of ability to pay (EMTALA). This creates moral hazard:
- Problem: Hospitals inflate prices on paying patients to offset uncompensated care.
- Free-Market Fix:
- Repeal EMTALA: Allow ERs to refuse non-critical cases (e.g., toothaches, rashes) unless prepaid or insured.
- Clarify "True Emergency": Legally define emergencies as immediate life threats (e.g., strokes, cardiac arrest) and let non-critical cases be diverted to urgent care.
- Consequence: ERs could price transparently for true emergencies, while non-critical cases face market-driven urgent care options.

---

2. Embrace Tiered Emergency Care

Not all emergencies require Level I trauma centers:
- Basic ERs: Staffed by NPs and paramedics for minor injuries (e.g., sprains, minor burns) at lower costs.
- Advanced ERs: For critical care (e.g., gunshot wounds), priced higher but competing via outcomes (e.g., survival rates).
- Example: India’s Ziqitza Healthcare operates ambulance tiers—basic vans for transport and advanced ICU units.

---

3. Address Moral Hazard with Insurance Innovation**

• Catastrophic Insurance Mandates: Require everyone to carry cheap, high-deductible plans covering only true emergencies (e.g., $10/month for coverage above $50k).
• Incentivizes price shopping for non-emergencies.
• Prevents freeloading on ERs.
• Risk-Adjusted Premiums: Smokers, skydivers, or diabetics pay higher premiums, aligning costs with personal choices.

---

4. Community-Based Safety Nets**

• Mutual Aid Networks: Local groups negotiate bulk ER rates (e.g., $100/month membership covers three ER visits annually).
• Crowdfunding ER Vouchers: Platforms like GoFundMe could partner with hospitals to prepurchase discounted emergency care slots.

---

5. Radical Transparency + Bankruptcy Reform**

• ER Debt Auctions: Let hospitals sell unpaid ER bills to collection agencies in real-time, creating competition to minimize patient liability.
• Flat-Fee ER Pricing: Hospitals post rates like “$5,000 for appendicitis stabilization, all-inclusive” to deter surprise billing.
• Ban Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt: Protect patients from lifelong ruin, forcing hospitals to price responsibly or absorb losses.

---

6. Accept Trade-Offs Explicitly**

The U.S. system fails because it hides rationing behind complexity. A free-market approach must embrace transparency:
- Option 1: Pay $100,000 for a 95% survival rate in a car crash.
- Option 2: Pay $20,000 for a 70% survival rate at a budget ER.
- Brutal but Honest: Let individuals (or insurers) choose their risk tolerance upfront.

Example:
- Japan’s Price Controls: Caps ER costs but tolerates wait times (e.g., 8+ hours for non-critical care).
- Switzerland’s Mandates: Everyone buys insurance, but ERs charge $1,000+ deductibles to deter overuse.

---

7. Disrupt with Decentralized Care**

• Crypto-ERs: Blockchain-based emergency funds where contributors vote on covering members’ bills.
• AI-Guided Self-Care: Apps that stabilize patients en route to ERs (e.g., tourniquet tutorials, overdose reversal guidance).

---

8. Reform Malpractice to Reduce Defensive Medicine**

• “No Pay, No Harm” Liability: If a patient doesn’t pay, they can’t sue for malpractice (incentivizing upfront pricing).
• Safe Harbor Protocols: ERs using approved, cost-effective treatments (e.g., generics) get immunity from lawsuits.

---

The Uncomfortable Truth

A free market in emergency care requires accepting that not everyone will be saved—just as not everyone can afford a Ferrari. The alternative is the current U.S. model, which pretends to save everyone but bankrupts millions and still leaves 30% of ER visits unmet due to overcrowding.

By legalizing tiered care, deregulating monopolies, and forcing transparency, you create a system where:
- Elites pay premium prices for cutting-edge emergency care.
- Most get “good enough” stabilization at reasonable costs.
- Some choose cheap, high-risk options (or none at all).

This isn’t pretty, but it’s honest—and arguably more ethical than today’s hidden rationing and financial toxicity.

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

In the summer of 2023, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) launched a Bitcoin Bounty program aimed at funding software developers to create new tools and features for Bitcoin tailored to the needs of dissidents and human rights advocates challenging authoritarianism worldwide. These bounties ranged from UX improvements to privacy upgrades and open-sourcing closed and permissioned systems.

There were 11 bounties in total, each with specific objectives. The deadline was Dec. 31, 2024.

We are excited to announce that every single bounty was claimed and that the resulting tools and upgrades are now empowering human rights activists daily across popular apps such as Blue Wallet, Zeus, Stack Wallet, Iris, Coracle, Keeper, Bull Bitcoin, Cake Wallet, and more.

This program highlights the impact of collaboration between human rights activists and software developers to create better tools for freedom. HRF is proud to have played a role in this effort and looks forward to continuing similar programs in the future. Special credit goes to the Oslo Freedom Forum, where much of the critical interaction between developers and activists occurred.

This wave of bounties was inspired by a successful pilot project in 2021, executed in partnership with Strike and Jack Mallers, which supported developers like Will Cassarin and Calle. Their innovations later gave rise to important advancements such as zaps in Nostr and the Cashu ecash protocol.

Bounty Details

1. Open-Sourcing the Design Guide

Winner: CypherStack for porting the Bitcoin UI Kit from Figma to an open-source Penpot project (2 BTC awarded).

Many UI kits are created using proprietary software like Figma. While these tools are powerful, they require licenses and are not accessible to everyone — an obstacle for developers working on open-source projects or those with limited funds. This creates a barrier to entry for designers and developers wanting to contribute to the Bitcoin ecosystem. This bounty was awarded to CypherStack for porting the Bitcoin UI Kit from Figma to Penpot, an open-source design tool similar to Figma, but free and accessible to everyone. This helped democratize access to information and resources, promote collaboration, and make it easier for developers to create high-quality Bitcoin tools, which in turn helped to increase Bitcoin adoption.

2. Serverless Payjoin

Winners: This is a two-part bounty. The first bounty is for the development of the Serverless Payjoin specification, and the second bounty is for any wallets that implement Serverless Payjoin.

Part 1: Dan Gould for his work on PayJoin V2 (1 BTC)

Part 2: Dan Gould, Spacebear from Payjoin DevKit, and Bull Bitcoin app, for their collaborative effort implementing Payjoin into the Bull Bitcoin wallet (0.5 BTC split three ways).

PayJoin is a privacy upgrade to Bitcoin that flusters mass surveillance attempts on the network. Traditional implementations have required the receiver to run a server for transaction coordination, creating a barrier to adoption. Serverless PayJoin removed this dependency and simplified the process. Serverless PayJoin also eliminated the need for receiver-hosted infrastructure and reduced censorship risks by removing a central point of failure — a significant advantage for activists and nonprofits operating under repressive regimes. This bounty resulted in the first mobile app (Bull Bitcoin) with integrated PayJoin send and receive support, an important advancement that provided robust privacy protections against surveillance for at-risk individuals.

3. End-to-End Encrypted Nostr Group Chats

Winners: Martti Malmi for incorporating encrypted group chat functionality into the Iris Nostr client (1 BTC) and to Vitor Pamplona, hodlbod, and Paul Miller for their work on NIP-17, which allowed users to encrypt and share Nostr messages in a way that can be recognized across different Nostr clients (1 BTC).

End-to-End Encrypted (E2EE) Nostr Group Chats are private, secure messaging groups built on the Nostr protocol, a decentralized communication system. While Nostr messages are already encrypted, they still expose metadata, allowing outside observers to see who is communicating and when. This bounty focused on preventing metadata leakage, ensuring that these details remain private. By leveraging Nostr’s decentralized architecture, these chats offered censorship resistance. They prevented conversations from being surveilled, blocked, or controlled by a central authority, and as a result of this bounty, have now been implemented into popular Nostr clients like Iris, Amethyst, and Coracle. This is an important step forward for activists, journalists, and communities who risk losing their freedom of speech under oppressive regimes.

4. Silent Payments

Winners: cygnet3 and Sosthene for their contributions to critical libraries for delivering Silent Payments and for developing a mobile wallet capable of sending and receiving Silent Payments without requiring a full node (1 BTC).

Silent Payments are a privacy-enhancing Bitcoin addressing scheme that allows a sender to generate a unique static address for a recipient without requiring any interaction (while still allowing the recipient to detect and spend the received funds). This breaks common tracking methods used by surveillance firms and autocracies and makes it harder to link payments to a specific recipient. By improving on the privacy of traditional Bitcoin addresses, Silent Payments enhanced financial privacy, making them ideal for donations, salaries, and other sensitive transactions. This bounty code has been fully integrated into Cake Wallet, and several other major wallets like Wasabi, Blue Wallet, and Bitbox have added partial functionality. This brings Silent Payments to tens of thousands of users and marks a major step in real-world Bitcoin privacy.

5. Human-Readable Offers

Winners: Stephen DeLorme, Chad Welch, and Evan Kaloudis for Twelve Cash and its integration into Zeus Wallet (1 BTC).

Human-Readable Offers simplify Bitcoin payments by replacing complex Bitcoin addresses and invoices with user-friendly text. This is especially important for Lightning Network transactions, which currently involve a cumbersome process of generating invoices for each payment. With Human-Readable Offers, sending Lightning payments becomes as simple as sending an email (just by entering a username). This approach, similar to many fintech apps today, reduces errors, lowers the barrier to entry, increases trust, and is crucial for broader adoption of Bitcoin among new and seasoned users alike. It’s also important for people who don’t have access to smartphones and cannot copy and paste or use QR codes. Today, as a result of this bounty, Zeus users connected to a Core Lightning node can create a human-readable Bolt 12 offer to privately receive donations.

6. Self-Custodial Mobile Lightning Address

Winner: Evan Kaloudis for Zeus Wallet (1 BTC).

Activists, nonprofits, and content creators often use Lightning addresses to receive donations quickly and easily. However, setting up and managing a Lightning address presents a challenge: users have to choose between the self-sovereignty of managing their own web server (a complex process) or the convenience of a custodial service, which requires trusting a third party with their funds. This bounty directly addressed this issue. It allowed users of Zeus Wallet, one of the most popular self-custodial Bitcoin Lightning wallets, to easily and securely receive donations through a Lightning address while maintaining control of their funds.

7. Mobile Border Wallets

Winner: Bitcoin Tribe for their border wallet functionality, allowing users to create and memorize seeds without relying on written backups, and for building a React Native library, making it easier for other wallets to integrate this feature (2 BTC).

Mobile Border Wallets aimed to solve a critical problem with traditional Bitcoin seed phrase backups: they’re often written down on paper, making them susceptible to being lost, destroyed, or stolen. This makes securing a user’s Bitcoin a delicate balance between security and accessibility. It also makes it challenging, especially for activists or refugees who frequently cross international borders. Border Wallets offered a solution to this problem. Instead of writing down a 12- or 24-word seed phrase and finding a secure place to store it, users can upload a randomly generated grid of words to the cloud and memorize a pattern to secure their seed phrase, similar to a pattern a user would memorize and draw on an Android device to unlock it. This initiative resulted in a user-friendly mobile app that allowed users to create Border Wallets digitally, enhancing accessibility and offering an alternative to physical storage like printed paper or metal seed plates.

8. Easy Mobile Multisig

Winner: Bitcoin Keeper (1 BTC).

Multi-signature wallets allow multiple users to collaboratively control a Bitcoin wallet. This enhances security by requiring consensus before funds can be moved. Traditional multisig wallets often require physical hardware wallets or involve subscription fees, presenting a significant barrier for organizations exploring Bitcoin adoption. This bounty funded the development of easy mobile multisig functionality in the Bitcoin Keeper app, enabling users to set up a 2-of-3 multisig (requiring two out of three keys to authorize spending) to secure and manage their bitcoin. This is a great feature for activists to prevent government seizure of funds: even if one key holder gets detained, the funds are safe so long as the other two key holders are safe. The idea is to make sure two of the keys are held by entities outside of one’s country or threat zone.

9. FROST Multisig Wallet

Winner: CypherStack for Stack Wallet, which enables dynamic multisig using FROST, allowing users to modify signer sets without moving funds (1 BTC).

Multisig (multisignature) wallets require multiple signatures to authorize a transaction. This enhances security by distributing control over funds. However, traditional multisig setups — while secure — can be inflexible. If you need to change the set of signers, it often requires moving all the funds to a new multisig wallet with the updated signer set. This is burdensome, time-consuming, and incurs fees. FROST is a cryptographic protocol that offers significant advantages for multisig wallets. It provides dynamic multisig functionality, meaning users can easily adjust their signer sets as needed without affecting the funds within. This is an important functionality for nonprofits and civil society groups who often need to adjust their authorized signatories, especially in situations where a regime may seize a private key and that key then needs to be deprecated. This dynamic kind of secure setup is now available for activists to use on the Stack Wallet.

10. Cashu Upgrades

Winners: eNuts Wallet (0.5 BTC), Misovan for Minibits Wallet (0.5 BTC), Gandlaf for Proxnut (0.5 BTC), and Gandlaf for adding Cashu-TS restore functionality (0.5 BTC).

Cashu is a digital cash system designed for privacy and speed. It is like physical cash, but in digital form and uses blind signatures for private transactions. With Cashu, transactions are instant, low-fee, and can operate offline. There is no blockchain or transaction graph to be surveilled. Bounty recipients addressed critical aspects of usability and accessibility for Cashu tools: eNuts and Minibits Wallets brought Cashu to iOS and Android users worldwide, Proxnut enabled easy web integration for payments, and Cashu-TS Restore added crucial seed phrase backup. Together, these projects have taken Cashu from a more theoretical concept to a practical one and have been relevant for use cases like donations, content monetization, daily transactions, and cross-border payments.

11. BIP47 Expansion

Winner: Blue Wallet (0.5 BTC) for adding BIP 47 support.

BIP47 is a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal that enhances payment privacy for Bitcoin users. In Bitcoin, it’s generally considered bad privacy practice to reuse the same Bitcoin address for multiple transactions. It can link those transactions together and make it easier to track a user’s spending in high-risk environments. Generating a new address for each payment has become a common workaround, but this becomes cumbersome. BIP47 solves this with reusable payment codes. Users receiving funds generate a BIP47 payment code and share it with those who will be sending them payments. Each time a payment is initiated, a new, unused Bitcoin address is generated from the recipient’s payment code. This ensures every transaction uses a unique address. Blue Wallet received this bounty for integrating BIP47 support, making this important privacy enhancement accessible to its growing user base.

HRF’s Financial Freedom program educates activists worldwide, unites people from different industries and backgrounds, and makes grants in the service of advancing Bitcoin as a tool for human rights. To receive HRF’s weekly Financial Freedom Report, subscribe here.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact media @ hrf.org.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Intro

This short tutorial will help you set up your own Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) on your own LND Node that is not using Umbrel. If you are a user of Umbrel, you should use their version of NWC.

Requirements

You need to have a working installation of LND with established channels and connectivity to the internet. NWC in itself is fairly light and will not consume a lot of resources. You will also want to ensure that you have a working installation of Docker, since we will use a docker image to run NWC.

• Working installation of LND (and all of its required components)
• Docker (with Docker compose)

Installation

For the purpose of this tutorial, we will assume that you have your lnd/bitcoind running under user bitcoin with home directory /home/bitcoin. We will also assume that you already have a running installation of Docker (or docker.io).

Prepare and verify

git version - we will need git to get the latest version of NWC. docker version - should execute successfully and show the currently installed version of Docker. docker compose version - same as before, but the version will be different. ss -tupln | grep 10009- should produce the following output: tcp LISTEN 0 4096 0.0.0.0:10009 0.0.0.0: tcp LISTEN 0 4096 [::]:10009 [::]:**

For things to work correctly, your Docker should be version 20.10.0 or later. If you have an older version, consider installing a new one using instructions here: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/

Create folders & download NWC

In the home directory of your LND/bitcoind user, create a new folder, e.g., "nwc" mkdir /home/bitcoin/nwc. Change to that directory cd /home/bitcoin/nwc and clone the NWC repository: git clone https://github.com/getAlby/nostr-wallet-connect.git

Creating the Docker image

In this step, we will create a Docker image that you will use to run NWC.

• Change directory to nostr-wallet-connect: cd nostr-wallet-connect
• Run command to build Docker image: docker build -t nwc:$(date +'%Y%m%d%H%M') -t nwc:latest . (there is a dot at the end)
• The last line of the output (after a few minutes) should look like => => naming to docker.io/library/nwc:latest
• nwc:latest is the name of the Docker image with a tag which you should note for use later.

Creating docker-compose.yml and necessary data directories

• Let's create a directory that will hold your non-volatile data (DB): mkdir data
• Indocker-compose.ymlfile, there are fields that you want to replace (<> comments) and port “4321” that you want to make sure is open (check with ss -tupln | grep 4321which should return nothing).
• Create docker-compose.ymlfile with the following content, and make sure to update fields that have <> comment:

version: "3.8" services: nwc: image: nwc:latest volumes: - ./data:/data - ~/.lnd:/lnd:ro ports: - "4321:8080" extra_hosts: - "localhost:host-gateway" environment: NOSTR_PRIVKEY: <use "openssl rand -hex 32" to generate a fresh key and place it inside ""> LN_BACKEND_TYPE: "LND" LND_ADDRESS: localhost:10009 LND_CERT_FILE: "/lnd/tls.cert" LND_MACAROON_FILE: "/lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/admin.macaroon" DATABASE_URI: "/data/nostr-wallet-connect.db" COOKIE_SECRET: <use "openssl rand -hex 32" to generate fresh secret and place it inside ""> PORT: 8080 restart: always stop_grace_period: 1m

Starting and testing

Now that you have everything ready, it is time to start the container and test.

• While you are in the nwcdirectory (important), execute the following command and check the log output, docker compose up
• You should see container logs while it is starting, and it should not exit if everything went well.
• At this point, you should be able to go to http://<ip of the host where nwc is running>:4321 and get to the interface of NWC
• To stop the test run of NWC, simply press Ctrl-C , and it will shut the container down.
• To start NWC permanently, you should execute docker compose up -d , “-d” tells Docker to detach from the session.
• To check currently running NWC logs, execute docker compose logs to run it in tail mode add -f to the end.
• To stop the container, execute docker compose down

That's all, just follow the instructions in the web interface to get started.

Updating

As with any software, you should expect fixes and updates that you would need to perform periodically. You could automate this, but it falls outside of the scope of this tutorial. Since we already have all of the necessary configuration in place, the update execution is fairly simple.

• Change directory to the clone of the git repository, cd /home/bitcoin/nwc/nostr-wallet-connect
• Run command to build Docker image: docker build -t nwc:$(date +'%Y%m%d%H%M') -t nwc:latest . (there is a dot at the end)
• Change directory back one level cd ..
• Restart (stop and start) the docker compose config docker compose down && docker compose up -d
• Done! Optionally you may want to check the logs: docker compose logs

@ 82341f88:fbfbe6a2

There’s a lot of conversation around the #TwitterFiles. Here’s my take, and thoughts on how to fix the issues identified.

I’ll start with the principles I’ve come to believe…based on everything I’ve learned and experienced through my past actions as a Twitter co-founder and lead:

1. Social media must be resilient to corporate and government control.
2. Only the original author may remove content they produce.
3. Moderation is best implemented by algorithmic choice.

The Twitter when I led it and the Twitter of today do not meet any of these principles. This is my fault alone, as I completely gave up pushing for them when an activist entered our stock in 2020. I no longer had hope of achieving any of it as a public company with no defense mechanisms (lack of dual-class shares being a key one). I planned my exit at that moment knowing I was no longer right for the company.

The biggest mistake I made was continuing to invest in building tools for us to manage the public conversation, versus building tools for the people using Twitter to easily manage it for themselves. This burdened the company with too much power, and opened us to significant outside pressure (such as advertising budgets). I generally think companies have become far too powerful, and that became completely clear to me with our suspension of Trump’s account. As I’ve said before, we did the right thing for the public company business at the time, but the wrong thing for the internet and society. Much more about this here: https://twitter.com/jack/status/1349510769268850690

I continue to believe there was no ill intent or hidden agendas, and everyone acted according to the best information we had at the time. Of course mistakes were made. But if we had focused more on tools for the people using the service rather than tools for us, and moved much faster towards absolute transparency, we probably wouldn’t be in this situation of needing a fresh reset (which I am supportive of). Again, I own all of this and our actions, and all I can do is work to make it right.

Back to the principles. Of course governments want to shape and control the public conversation, and will use every method at their disposal to do so, including the media. And the power a corporation wields to do the same is only growing. It’s critical that the people have tools to resist this, and that those tools are ultimately owned by the people. Allowing a government or a few corporations to own the public conversation is a path towards centralized control.

I’m a strong believer that any content produced by someone for the internet should be permanent until the original author chooses to delete it. It should be always available and addressable. Content takedowns and suspensions should not be possible. Doing so complicates important context, learning, and enforcement of illegal activity. There are significant issues with this stance of course, but starting with this principle will allow for far better solutions than we have today. The internet is trending towards a world were storage is “free” and infinite, which places all the actual value on how to discover and see content.

Which brings me to the last principle: moderation. I don’t believe a centralized system can do content moderation globally. It can only be done through ranking and relevance algorithms, the more localized the better. But instead of a company or government building and controlling these solely, people should be able to build and choose from algorithms that best match their criteria, or not have to use any at all. A “follow” action should always deliver every bit of content from the corresponding account, and the algorithms should be able to comb through everything else through a relevance lens that an individual determines. There’s a default “G-rated” algorithm, and then there’s everything else one can imagine.

The only way I know of to truly live up to these 3 principles is a free and open protocol for social media, that is not owned by a single company or group of companies, and is resilient to corporate and government influence. The problem today is that we have companies who own both the protocol and discovery of content. Which ultimately puts one person in charge of what’s available and seen, or not. This is by definition a single point of failure, no matter how great the person, and over time will fracture the public conversation, and may lead to more control by governments and corporations around the world.

I believe many companies can build a phenomenal business off an open protocol. For proof, look at both the web and email. The biggest problem with these models however is that the discovery mechanisms are far too proprietary and fixed instead of open or extendable. Companies can build many profitable services that complement rather than lock down how we access this massive collection of conversation. There is no need to own or host it themselves.

Many of you won’t trust this solution just because it’s me stating it. I get it, but that’s exactly the point. Trusting any one individual with this comes with compromises, not to mention being way too heavy a burden for the individual. It has to be something akin to what bitcoin has shown to be possible. If you want proof of this, get out of the US and European bubble of the bitcoin price fluctuations and learn how real people are using it for censorship resistance in Africa and Central/South America.

I do still wish for Twitter, and every company, to become uncomfortably transparent in all their actions, and I wish I forced more of that years ago. I do believe absolute transparency builds trust. As for the files, I wish they were released Wikileaks-style, with many more eyes and interpretations to consider. And along with that, commitments of transparency for present and future actions. I’m hopeful all of this will happen. There’s nothing to hide…only a lot to learn from. The current attacks on my former colleagues could be dangerous and doesn’t solve anything. If you want to blame, direct it at me and my actions, or lack thereof.

As far as the free and open social media protocol goes, there are many competing projects: @bluesky is one with the AT Protocol, nostr another, Mastodon yet another, Matrix yet another…and there will be many more. One will have a chance at becoming a standard like HTTP or SMTP. This isn’t about a “decentralized Twitter.” This is a focused and urgent push for a foundational core technology standard to make social media a native part of the internet. I believe this is critical both to Twitter’s future, and the public conversation’s ability to truly serve the people, which helps hold governments and corporations accountable. And hopefully makes it all a lot more fun and informative again.

💸🛠️🌐 To accelerate open internet and protocol work, I’m going to open a new category of #startsmall grants: “open internet development.” It will start with a focus of giving cash and equity grants to engineering teams working on social media and private communication protocols, bitcoin, and a web-only mobile OS. I’ll make some grants next week, starting with $1mm/yr to Signal. Please let me know other great candidates for this money.

@ 19306922:c06688d2

At a time when data-gathering technologies are dominating all aspects of everyday life, governmental agencies such as The National Security Agency have considerable surveillance and control authority. The National Security Agency runs surveillance programs on not just violent international criminals, but also ordinary citizens within the country. A tremendous amount of effort is being made to keep these programs from being critiqued and shared with the public. In this paper, I will discuss whistleblowing and its relevance in establishing a more democratic structure in governmental institutions, through the cases of Edward Snowden and Thomas Drake. Firstly, I will emphasize Edward Snowden's action as an example of illegal whistleblowing and how he acts closer to civic disobedience rather than espionage. Following that, I will discuss Thomas Drake's espionage charge while legally criticizing The National Security Agency's programs and the inadequacy of whistleblower protection laws.

In our everyday lives, we come into contact with or utilize a variety of technological equipment such as security cameras, GPS devices, iris scanners, and so on. Everything we do, from buying things from shopping malls to searching for information on the internet, is kept in massive databases. Without even our knowledge, our data, which is vast enough to create our entire profile, is in the databases of a private firm or the government. That's why the surveillance network is getting bigger and bigger. Most of the surveillance tools and the capability to regulate these tools are under state control. The government also agrees with data aggregators -companies that collect data from multiple sources and make it available to customers in a value-added format- to access more data. The US Department of Justice has an $8 million agreement with data aggregator company ChoicePoint (Stanley, Steinhardt 2014). In this way, The Justice Department can access many civilians' information in the company's database. Although this surveillance mechanism seems to be an effective way to track and detect many illegal incidents such as terrorism, money laundering, etc., this surveillance network can easily be applied to ordinary civilians. For example, in 2002, Attorney General John Ashcroft released new domestic spy guidelines that dramatically expanded federal agents' ability to monitor on American civilians (Stanley, Steinhardt 2014). The American government also is running programs to spy on ordinary citizens, according to information obtained from the National Security Agency documents which leaked to the media on multiple occasions (Greenberg, 2013).

The National Security Agency (NSA) began as a cryptology-focused agency and has since grown into an intelligence agency that gathers data from enemies of the United States of America (Verble, 2014). The surveillance and data collection programs of NSA, however, are not carried out just to keep enemies at bay. Information on the NSA's programs was provided to the media by Thomas A. Drake, a senior executive at the NSA, and Edward J. Snowden, who also worked as a computer intelligence consultant at the NSA. As a result of all of these events, it is fairly obvious that the state and its institutions are conducting unethical surveillance to the civilians. However, the two people who raised awareness of this unethical operation by providing classified and declassified NSA documents to the media faced major crises. Both Thomas Drake and Edward Snowden faced charges under the Espionage Act. Despite the fact that two former NSA employees used different methods to prevent these surveillance programs, which were developed to spy on citizens using their taxes, both were charged with treason. In this article, I will discuss the whistleblowing act through Thomas Drake and Edward Snowden examples, as well as the significance of whistleblowing in inspecting institutions with tremendous authority, such as centralized databases.  Whistleblowing is described as the act of an employee, typically within the organization, who reveals illegal, immoral, or inefficient information or actions within a private, public, or government institution. Daniel Ellsberg, one of the authors of the document, leaked information concerning the United States' political and military engagement in Vietnam between 1945 and 1967, also known as the Pentagon Papers. These papers, which revealed that the American government of the time did not accurately reflect information about Vietnam to the public, became the subject of the most well-known whistleblowing act in American history. Daniel Ellsberg faced charges under the Espionage Act (Greenberg, 2013). It is problematic to think that sharing the information with the public about crucial topics such as the state is systematically lying to the public or spying on them in a wide surveillance network is equated with espionage. The development of democratic regimes necessitates public debate and regulation of this type of government acts. I will demonstrate the significance through the examples of acts of Edward Snowden and Thomas Drake.

The Case of Edward Snowden 

At one point, Edward Snowden's and Thomas Drake's whistleblowing actions differ. While Edward Snowden got confidential material from the NSA and shared it with the media directly, Thomas Drake initially attempted to prevent or regulate programs run by NSA from inside the organization by taking a legal path.

Firstly, using Edward Snowden as an example, I will evaluate the role of becoming an illegal whistleblower by sharing classified information with the public. Edward Snowden released highly classified information from NSA in 2013, revealing the NSA's surveillance operations with the cooperation of telecommunications companies and European governments. Snowden was charged under the Espionage Act and stealing government property by the US Department of Justice, and his passport was canceled by the Department of State. Not only that, the efforts were made to portray him as a traitor. Before leaking the information to the media, Edward Snowden was a 29-year-old consultant who worked for the NSA's Hawaii office and made $200,000 per year (Scheuerman, 2014). Snowden did not reveal this information to a country or organization that is hostile to the United States. He directly shared this material with the media, allowing the public to learn about these surveillance programs. He received no personal benefit from this act, and he risked himself and lost his privileged position in his life. Edward Snowden said to The Guardian reporters; “I really want the focus to be on these documents and the debate which I hope this will trigger among citizens around the globe about what kind of world we want to live in.” He added: “My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them” (Glenn, 2013). Given all of this, Edward Snowden's actions are more similar to civic disobedience than treason or espionage (Scheuerman, 2014). As a United Nations citizen, Edward Snowden revealed to the public the wrongdoing of a governmental institution, making this situation questioned among the public. A democratic government gains from public criticism of its acts, which aids in the development of more ethical institutions.  While it is a social benefit to inform the public about a massive government surveillance program, obtaining that information from the NSA and making it available to the public may also benefit the United States' enemies. Institutions also have the opportunity to develop and regulate these programs within their own walls, without any confidential information leaking out. Employees of the institution can file complaints to their supervisors and criticize these programs in a legal path, which is legal whistleblowing, however, in the case of Thomas Drake, we can see that legal whistleblowing puts people's lives at risk at least as much as the illegal version.

The Case Of Thomas Drake

On September 11, 2001, one of the most devastating days in American history, Thomas Drake began his job at the NSA. In the early years of the new millennium, when America was most vulnerable to external threats and digital data was growing exponentially, a program named Trailblazer caught Drake's attention. Drake saw the initiative as a huge budget waste that did not contribute to national security. He reported his critique to his supervisors, which is considered legal whistleblowing, but his attempts were unsuccessful. Finally, he decided to share his criticism with the media while remaining anonymous, although he did not share any confidential documents with the media. He only served declassified information, which conveys that Trailblazer was an ineffective project that wastes money. Drake was questioned by FBI investigators shortly after and accused of taking classified documents from the NSA. He faced charges of 35 years in jail time for 10 different crimes including the Espionage Act. The court dismissed the case in 2011, stating that the accusations were inappropriate and overstated, and Thomas Drake was sentenced to one year of probation. However, as a result of the entire process, Drake spent $82,000 on legal expenses, was dismissed from both his NSA and university positions, and lost his retirement (Greenberg, 2013). Thomas Drake's experience is an example of how even the slightest criticism of government institutions and their projects can have drastic consequences. The courage to criticize unethical projects is trying to be destroyed by this atmosphere of fear. The whistleblowers, whether they go the legal or illegal path, are aware that they will be prosecuted for espionage, loss of employment, and jail time. 

At this juncture, I believe we should oppose the totalitarian positions adopted by the institutions, which have vast surveillance networks both domestically and internationally, and we should protect whistleblowers' rights. The United States has two legislations protecting whistleblowers, the Federal Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012. According to a 2015 research, the Federal Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 fails to protect whistleblowers. 79 percent of the 142 cases involving government ethics and administration ended in employee job loss. The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 is also insufficient in terms of protections of whistleblowers (Peffer, Bocheko, Del Valle, Osmani, Peyton, Roman, 2015).

Conclusion

The whistleblowing contributes to public debate about the ethics of the state's programs. However, these organizations, which hold a vast surveillance network, damage the democratic process by raising severe allegations against whistleblowers in order to avoid the risk of limiting their authority. We can have an idea of how our data is gathered and used if we have laws and rules that protect whistleblowers. Accusing them with espionage and treason, on the other hand, will gradually create this environment of fear and, as a consequence, silence.

Reference Glenn G. (2013, Jun 11). Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance       Greenberg, A. (2013). This machine kills secrets: Julian Assange, the Cypherpunks, and their fight to empower whistleblowers. Penguin. Scheuerman, W. E. (2014). Whistleblowing as civil disobedience: The case of Edward Snowden. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 40(7), 609-628. Stanley, J., & Steinhardt, B. (2014). Bigger monster, weaker chains: the growth of an American surveillance society. In Ethics and Emerging Technologies (pp. 269-284). Palgrave Macmillan, London. Peffer, S. L., Bocheko, A., Del Valle, R. E., Osmani, A., Peyton, S., & Roman, E. (2015).Whistle Where you work? The ineffectiveness of the Federal Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the promise of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 35(1), 70-81.               Verble, J. (2014). The NSA and Edward Snowden: surveillance in the 21st century. ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 44(3), 14-20.

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Im Augenblick wird mit größter Intensität, großer Umsicht \ das deutsche Volk belogen. \ Olaf Scholz im FAZ-Interview

Online-Wahlen stärken die Demokratie, sind sicher, und 61 Prozent der Wahlberechtigten sprechen sich für deren Einführung in Deutschland aus. Das zumindest behauptet eine aktuelle Umfrage, die auch über die Agentur Reuters Verbreitung in den Medien gefunden hat. Demnach würden außerdem 45 Prozent der Nichtwähler bei der Bundestagswahl ihre Stimme abgeben, wenn sie dies zum Beispiel von Ihrem PC, Tablet oder Smartphone aus machen könnten.

Die telefonische Umfrage unter gut 1000 wahlberechtigten Personen sei repräsentativ, behauptet der Auftraggeber – der Digitalverband Bitkom. Dieser präsentiert sich als eingetragener Verein mit einer beeindruckenden Liste von Mitgliedern, die Software und IT-Dienstleistungen anbieten. Erklärtes Vereinsziel ist es, «Deutschland zu einem führenden Digitalstandort zu machen und die digitale Transformation der deutschen Wirtschaft und Verwaltung voranzutreiben».

Durchgeführt hat die Befragung die Bitkom Servicegesellschaft mbH, also alles in der Familie. Die gleiche Erhebung hatte der Verband übrigens 2021 schon einmal durchgeführt. Damals sprachen sich angeblich sogar 63 Prozent für ein derartiges «Demokratie-Update» aus – die Tendenz ist demgemäß fallend. Dennoch orakelt mancher, der Gang zur Wahlurne gelte bereits als veraltet.

Die spanische Privat-Uni mit Globalisten-Touch, IE University, berichtete Ende letzten Jahres in ihrer Studie «European Tech Insights», 67 Prozent der Europäer befürchteten, dass Hacker Wahlergebnisse verfälschen könnten. Mehr als 30 Prozent der Befragten glaubten, dass künstliche Intelligenz (KI) bereits Wahlentscheidungen beeinflusst habe. Trotzdem würden angeblich 34 Prozent der unter 35-Jährigen einer KI-gesteuerten App vertrauen, um in ihrem Namen für politische Kandidaten zu stimmen.

Wie dauerhaft wird wohl das Ergebnis der kommenden Bundestagswahl sein? Diese Frage stellt sich angesichts der aktuellen Entwicklung der Migrations-Debatte und der (vorübergehend) bröckelnden «Brandmauer» gegen die AfD. Das «Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz» der Union hat das Parlament heute Nachmittag überraschenderweise abgelehnt. Dennoch muss man wohl kein ausgesprochener Pessimist sein, um zu befürchten, dass die Entscheidungen der Bürger von den selbsternannten Verteidigern der Demokratie künftig vielleicht nicht respektiert werden, weil sie nicht gefallen.

Bundesweit wird jetzt zu «Brandmauer-Demos» aufgerufen, die CDU gerät unter Druck und es wird von Übergriffen auf Parteibüros und Drohungen gegen Mitarbeiter berichtet. Sicherheitsbehörden warnen vor Eskalationen, die Polizei sei «für ein mögliches erhöhtes Aufkommen von Straftaten gegenüber Politikern und gegen Parteigebäude sensibilisiert».

Der Vorwand «unzulässiger Einflussnahme» auf Politik und Wahlen wird als Argument schon seit einiger Zeit aufgebaut. Der Manipulation schuldig befunden wird neben Putin und Trump auch Elon Musk, was lustigerweise ausgerechnet Bill Gates gerade noch einmal bekräftigt und als «völlig irre» bezeichnet hat. Man stelle sich die Diskussionen um die Gültigkeit von Wahlergebnissen vor, wenn es Online-Verfahren zur Stimmabgabe gäbe. In der Schweiz wird «E-Voting» seit einigen Jahren getestet, aber wohl bisher mit wenig Erfolg.

Die politische Brandstiftung der letzten Jahre zahlt sich immer mehr aus. Anstatt dringende Probleme der Menschen zu lösen – zu denen auch in Deutschland die weit verbreitete Armut zählt –, hat die Politik konsequent polarisiert und sich auf Ausgrenzung und Verhöhnung großer Teile der Bevölkerung konzentriert. Basierend auf Ideologie und Lügen werden abweichende Stimmen unterdrückt und kriminalisiert, nicht nur und nicht erst in diesem Augenblick. Die nächsten Wochen dürften ausgesprochen spannend werden.

---

Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 3ccfd5ee:2efa0073

BYD Cars Philippines and ACMobility, the Philippine distributor of BYD vehicles, have pledged to donate $100 to Super Typhoon Carina's victims for every BYD Sealion 6 DM-i sold from July 25, 2024 until December 31, 2024.

This campaign is part of both companies' broader efforts to the affected communities and reflects their dedication to social responsibility. In fact, ACMobility was one of the first to mobilize disaster response efforts by distributing relief goods to over 100 families in Dela Paz, Pasig City, on July 26. Employees and volunteers from ACMobility, BYD Cars Philippines, and its affiliate agencies participated in the cause.

“On behalf of BYD, I would like to express my sympathy to the people affected by Typhoon Carina. We, together with ACMobility, wish to extend BYD's support to Filipinos who suffered from this unfortunate disaster,” said BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division General Manager Liu Xueliang.

The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is an all-electric compact SUV that runs on BYD's proprietary Super DM-i Technology—generating power well beyond the typical electric vehicle. It generates 217 horsepower and 325 Newton meters of torque, enabling it to go from zero to a hundred in just over eight seconds.

Furthermore, the vehicle runs on Blade Battery, allowing it to drive up to 105 kilometers in Pure EV Mode and 1,100 km in Extended Range Mode. It empowers drivers to travel without range anxiety. Attendees of ACMobility and BYD Cars Philippines' relief drive even used the Sealion 6 DM-i's Blade Battery to charge devices on-site. The Sealion 6 DM-i starts at ₱1,548,000. With every unit sold, BYD and ACMotors donate $100 to Typhoon Carina's victims until the end of 2024.

"Guided by our company value of malasakit, we remain committed to going above and beyond in serving our communities during these trying times," BYD Cars Philippines Managing Director Bob Palanca shared.

Super Typhoon Carina—internationally known as Gaemi—brought widespread devastation across the Philippines. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated that Carina, on top of the southwest monsoon, affected over 1.3 million Filipinos.

About BYD Cars Philippines

BYD Cars Philippines is a leader in the Filipino EV industry. As the Philippine arm of the globally renowned electric car and battery manufacturer, it brings cutting-edge technology and powerful yet comfortable drives to the local sustainable mobility market. The EV manufacturer has a range of models designed to address the needs of Filipinos, from affordable cars to luxury SUVs. Each vehicle's cutting-edge tech and superior safety features make every purchase worth it. Most importantly, BYD addresses the growing demand for eco-friendly cars and actively participates in initiatives to build greener mobility infrastructure for Filipinos.

Visit BYD Cars Philippines' website today to learn more.

@ 3ccfd5ee:2efa0073

Penis size is a topic that many people feel curious or insecure about. It’s important to approach this subject with an understanding of the wide range of normal sizes and the various options available for those who may be interested in enlargement procedures. For some, the use of sex toys or dildos may be a practical solution to enhance sexual experiences, while others may look into enlargement procedures. Here’s a brief overview of what you should know about average penis size and the options available for enlargement.

What is the Average Penis Size?

Studies consistently show that the average erect penis size is around 5 to 6 inches in length, and the average flaccid size is about 3 to 4 inches. It’s crucial to recognize that penis size varies among individuals, and there is a broad spectrum of what is considered normal. Factors like body type, genetics, and age can all influence size. Most men’s sizes fall within this range, and concerns about size often arise from misconceptions rather than actual medical issues.

Penis Enlargment as an Alternative

For those interested in penis enlargement, there are a few options available. These include surgical procedures, non-surgical devices, and sometimes even the use of sex toys to create a fuller feeling or enhance size temporarily. Here’s a closer look at the most common methods:

Surgical Procedures

One of the most well-known surgical options is penile lengthening surgery, where a surgeon cuts the suspensory ligament that supports the penis, allowing it to hang lower. While the procedure can result in a modest increase in length, it carries risks such as infection, scarring, and potential issues with erectile function. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before considering surgery.

Non-Surgical Options

Devices like penis pumps or penile traction devices are often used to temporarily increase size. A penis pump creates a vacuum that draws blood into the penis, temporarily making it appear larger. Traction devices apply gentle pressure to the penis over time, which can result in gradual lengthening. Both of these methods can offer temporary improvements, but they require consistent use and do not guarantee long-lasting results.

Sex Toys and Dildos

For those looking for a more immediate solution, dildos and other sex toys can offer a way to enhance sexual pleasure without altering physical size. These toys come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing individuals and couples to explore different sensations. Find a dildo for sale that can provide added size during intercourse, and using sex toys can also help individuals become more comfortable with their bodies, leading to better self-esteem and sexual confidence.

Penis Enlargement Pills or Supplements

Many products on the market claim to increase penis size, but the effectiveness of these pills is largely unproven. Medical experts often caution against using such supplements, as they can have unwanted side effects and are not regulated.

@ 3ccfd5ee:2efa0073

To stay competitive, many companies are outsourcing key administrative and management functions in manufacturing. This approach helps businesses better manage deliverables, reduce costs, utilize advanced technology, and navigate changing labor dynamics.

What is Outsource Manufacturing?

Outsourcing manufacturing involves delegating not only production but also important administrative and management tasks to external providers, rather than handling everything in-house. These tasks often include non-core activities such as supply chain management, procurement, quality assurance, and compliance.

By partnering with specialized manufacturers, often in regions with lower labor and operational costs, companies can take advantage of their expertise and efficiency. The process typically begins with selecting a trusted manufacturer, negotiating contracts, and overseeing production to ensure quality and timely delivery.

5 Types of Outsource Manufacturing Services

Outsourcing specific tasks can streamline your operations and reduce costs. Here’s an overview of the key outsourcing services for manufacturing:

Contract Management

Managing contracts with manufacturers and suppliers can be complex and time-consuming. By outsourcing this function, you allow experts to handle negotiations, oversee agreements, and ensure smooth operations, reducing legal risks and freeing you to focus on other vital business areas.

Supplier Management

Supplier management includes finding and vetting suppliers based on quality, pricing, and reliability. By building a dedicated team through optiBPO in the Philippines, you can streamline this process. The team will handle negotiations and ensure that suppliers meet your standards, giving you full control without the administrative burden.

Logistics Coordination

From transportation to warehousing, logistics coordination involves many moving parts. Outsourcing this function to a skilled team, like one from optiBPO, allows you to optimize the logistics process, choosing the best transportation methods and balancing cost, speed, and reliability. This ensures efficient and timely product deliveries.

Quality Assurance Coordination

Consistently maintaining high product quality is essential for customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Outsourcing quality assurance lets a team of professionals handle inspections, compliance checks, and data analysis to reduce defects, enhance product reliability, and maintain high standards.

Inventory Management

Managing inventory levels, ordering, and stock maintenance can be overwhelming. By outsourcing these administrative tasks, your external team can monitor inventory, forecast demand, and coordinate with suppliers to ensure stock is always replenished on time. Services from optiBPO can streamline this process and keep operations running smoothly.

In Conclusion

By outsourcing these crucial functions, your business can gain access to expertise, improve efficiency, and reduce costs—ultimately allowing you to focus on what matters most: growing your business.

You can learn more about ousource manufacturing through this infographic.

https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800/https://optibpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/outsource_manufacturing_Info8.png

@ c68e2176:4439e6cf

1:1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.1:1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:\ 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.\ 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.\ 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.\ 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.\ 6 Jesse was the father of David the king.\ David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.\ 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.\ 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.\ 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.\ 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah.\ 11 Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.\ 12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.\ 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.\ 14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.\ 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob.\ 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.\ 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.\ 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.\ 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.\ 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.\ 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”\ 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:\ 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”\ 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,\ 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

@ 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!

Come up and see me, make me smile!

https://youtu.be/dAoaVU3-ve0?si=JBdfGJhM05Qa_JeT

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/871055

@ 54286b98:3debc100

Mornings are good; they are better than evenings (except for sunset views).\ Your body is recharged.\ The mind should be more at ease.\ Worries should be fewer, and breakfast is the only meal that is "served all day."

Waking up early—very early—was normal (at least for me) a lifetime ago.\ You get more things done,\ it’s quiet and free of distractions.\ So why don’t we just wake up early anymore?

It would be easy to blame responsibilities and being tired for why we can't wake up earlier,\ but that’s an easy way out.\ I believe we stop trying to beat the sun when two things happen to us:\ We lose a big motivator (being competitive, learning something, getting more done, spiritual time, etc.).\ We fall for comfort and a life without the demands of growth.\ Each one follows the other, like a dog chasing its tail.

Today marks almost day 30 of waking up really early again. I am happier, healthier, more connected with God, learning new things every day, playing my guitar, and writing more.

Until the next one,

J

Get my email newsletter or read my blog at javierfeliu.com (Soon will work on setting up specific #Nostr page.

An independent, publication about crafting beauty in life, family, entrepreneurship, culture, woodworking, and faith, written by Javier Feliu.

@ 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/870889

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

Bitcoin, as the pioneering cryptocurrency, heralded a new era in digital finance. It offered an innovative payment system, free from the control of traditional financial institutions and governments. This decentralized nature was a significant draw for many early adopters. Bitcoin Cash emerged from a split in the Bitcoin blockchain, a result of deep-seated disagreements within the Bitcoin community over its scalability and transaction processing efficiency. This split was not just technical but also ideological, marking a significant moment in the history of cryptocurrencies.

Table Of Content

• The Genesis of Bitcoin Cash

• Technological Divergence: Block Size and Scalability

• Segregated Witness (SegWit) and Bitcoin

• Market Impact and Adoption

• Transaction Processing: Speed and Fees

• The Forks and Future Directions

• Usability and Real-World Applications

• Supply Dynamics

• Bitcoin Cash as a Medium of Exchange

• Conclusion

• FAQs

The Genesis of Bitcoin Cash

The creation of Bitcoin Cash in 2017 was a pivotal event in the cryptocurrency world. It was a direct response to the growing concerns over Bitcoin's ability to handle an increasing volume of transactions. The proponents of Bitcoin Cash argued that changes were necessary to fulfill the original vision of a fast, scalable, and low-cost digital payment system. This led to the hard fork, a move that created a new blockchain with different rules, fundamentally diverging from the original Bitcoin protocol.

Technological Divergence: Block Size and Scalability

The debate over block size is central to the divergence between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. Bitcoin's original 1 MB block size was seen as a significant bottleneck, leading to slower transaction times and higher fees during peak usage. In contrast, Bitcoin Cash's decision to increase the block size to 8 MB and later to 32 MB was a bold move aimed at addressing these issues. This increase was a fundamental shift, intended to allow more transactions per block and, consequently, faster processing and lower fees.

Segregated Witness (SegWit) and Bitcoin

The implementation of Segregated Witness (SegWit) in Bitcoin was a landmark technological upgrade. SegWit aimed to optimize the space within each block by segregating the digital signature information, which accounts for a significant portion of the data in a transaction. This was a sophisticated solution to the scalability issue, differing fundamentally from Bitcoin Cash's approach of simply increasing the block size. SegWit represented a philosophical as well as a technical divergence in the approach to scaling Bitcoin.

Market Impact and Adoption

The market dynamics of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash tell a story of divergent paths. Bitcoin, with its higher market capitalization, remains the more dominant and widely recognized cryptocurrency. Its position as the first and most established cryptocurrency has given it a significant advantage in terms of adoption and market presence. Bitcoin Cash, while substantial in its market cap, has not reached the same level of market penetration. This difference in market impact reflects the varying degrees of acceptance and trust among investors and users in the cryptocurrency community.

Transaction Processing: Speed and Fees

The practical implications of the differences between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are most evident in transaction processing. Bitcoin Cash, with its larger block size, theoretically offers faster transaction times and lower fees, making it more suitable for frequent, small transactions. However, the actual efficiency gains of Bitcoin Cash are subject to debate, as the network has not been tested under the same transaction volume as Bitcoin. This difference in transaction processing capabilities is a critical factor in the user's choice between the two cryptocurrencies.

The Forks and Future Directions

The evolution of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash is marked by continuous development and occasional forks. The creation of Bitcoin SV from Bitcoin Cash is an example of ongoing disagreements within the community about the best path forward. These forks are not just technical events but also represent differing visions and philosophies within the cryptocurrency community. They reflect the dynamic and often contentious nature of the development of blockchain technology and its applications.

Usability and Real-World Applications

In terms of real-world usability, Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash cater to slightly different needs. Bitcoin's widespread recognition and higher value make it more popular as a digital asset for investment. In contrast, Bitcoin Cash, with its focus on transaction efficiency, aims to be more practical for everyday transactions. However, the actual adoption of Bitcoin Cash for daily transactions has been slower than anticipated, partly due to the entrenched position of Bitcoin and the rapidly evolving landscape of digital payments.

Supply Dynamics The supply mechanics of both Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash mirror the principles of scarcity and controlled supply inflation. This approach is akin to precious metals, where the limited supply is a key factor in value preservation. The halving events, where the reward for mining new blocks is halved approximately every four years, are critical moments in the life cycle of both cryptocurrencies. These events are closely watched by investors and users alike, as they have implications for the supply and, potentially, the value of these digital currencies.

Bitcoin Cash as a Medium of Exchange

Bitcoin Cash's design as a medium of exchange is one of its defining features. It aims to provide a digital equivalent of cash, facilitating quick and low-cost transactions. This focus on usability for everyday transactions is a key differentiator from Bitcoin, which has become more of a store of value or "digital gold." The success of Bitcoin Cash in this regard depends on broader adoption and recognition, which is an ongoing challenge in the competitive landscape of digital currencies.

Conclusion The story of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash is a fascinating chapter in the evolution of digital currencies. Both emerged from the same origin but have since traveled distinct paths, shaped by differing philosophies, technological choices, and community dynamics. As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, the trajectories of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash will offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of blockchain technology and digital finance.

FAQs

What is the main difference between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash? The primary difference lies in their block size. Bitcoin has a block size of 1 MB, while Bitcoin Cash increased its block size initially to 8 MB and later to 32 MB, aiming for faster transaction processing and scalability.

Why was Bitcoin Cash created? Bitcoin Cash was created in 2017 due to a split in the Bitcoin community. The split occurred over disagreements on how to scale the network, with Bitcoin Cash proponents advocating for larger block sizes to improve transaction speed and reduce fees.

Can Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash be used interchangeably? No, they are separate cryptocurrencies with different blockchains. They cannot be used interchangeably.

Is Bitcoin Cash faster than Bitcoin? Theoretically, yes. Due to its larger block size, Bitcoin Cash can process transactions faster than Bitcoin. However, the actual speed can vary based on network congestion and usage.

That's all for today

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

NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com

X: @croxroadnews.co

Instagram: @croxroadnews.co

Youtube: @croxroadnews

Store: https://croxroad.store

Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe

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

@ 5188521b:008eb518

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

In the last four years, I’ve ridden the wave of social media. I’ve amassed thousands of followers, and my posts were read by millions.

It’s empowering… until it isn’t.

This year, I chose to stop publishing on LinkedIn, Medium, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. My reach on each of these platforms dropped from 100% of my follower base to around 10%. My voice was being suppressed.

I wasn’t writing anything particularly controversial. This is all just part of the social media life cycle. Platforms offer attractive terms to lock in users. They distribute our articles, posts, and thoughts widely to attract eyeballs for advertisers.

Writers learn to play the algorithm to maximise reach and engagement. Maybe they even manage to monetize their writing.

But when the platforms reach what they deem to be maximum usage and membership, they begin to reduce the benefits on offer. They ask writers to focus on specific topics, suppress non-mainstream opinion, or punish or ban any writers who don’t follow new rules. Big tech companies always eventually turn on the money tap by forcing users to suffer endless adverts and even make writers pay to reach the audience they have built.

Newsflash: there is no company too big to fail. Digg, Google+, Myspace, Vine and many more socials have died. Self-reported active user numbers cannot be trusted. Meta recently trialed AI profiles to prop up falling usage projections on Instagram and Facebook. X is now a dumpster fire of bots, scammers, and rage bait. It has been co-opted by a megalomaniacal oligarch to spread his own worldview. And LinkedIn feeds are drowning in unsolicited AI-generated business twaddle. The social giants are entering the death spiral.

What happens in a social-media death spiral?

Users don’t see the value in posting, so they move elsewhere.

I wasn’t feeling rewarded for the thousands of hours I spent on LinkedIn, so I quit. I went from earning $20+ an article on Medium to pennies. Literal pennies. Bye bye, Tony Stubblebine. I learned that if you don’t own the distribution mechanic, you get left writing into the wind.

Ultimately, writers will dedicate their energy to where they see a benefit. They should spend time and create value in the place most similar to their ideal world.

For writers in 2025, that place seems to be Substack. Open rates are high and the platform is adding social features to generate more engagement in app. Substack is experiencing massive growth in active (and paid) subscriptions. Yet, it is following the same pattern as Medium in and LinkedIn in become self-cannibalising. Many of the most popular accounts write about ‘how to grow’ or ‘how to make money’ on Substack. Queue the eye rolls.

For me, it’s not the promised land where writers can earn a living. Of course, it’s no walk in the park to earn paid subscribers. Further, Substack users can only receive payment via Stripe. This excludes writers from 149 of the World’s countries. Does that seem open and fair to you?

Even with all this going on, there is a much bigger factor that should influence your choice of platform — ownership.

Do writers really own their words?

Who reads the terms and conditions? Nobody. That’s who.Writers (including me) rush to all platforms which promise to give us benefits such as pay, distribution, and audience growth.

In exchange, companies request access to and shared ownership of our content. They can use our words to train LLMs, analyse trends, repurpose, and to spy on us.

Governments can and will request access to social media profiles. They seek to control the use of those platforms. Founders and CEOs who refuse to comply may be held personally accountable and put on trial, just as Telegram founder, Pavel Durov, was in France. Big tech owns our content, and governments threaten platforms into obedience.

As much as it benefits society to suppress harmful or dangerous content, companies simply can’t be censors 24/7. Growing platforms like Bluesky are already struggling to moderate content effectively. Without a strong economic incentive to moderate, companies will simply refuse to do it (as long as the threat of criminal charges does not prevail).

To sum up: No privately owned social media network offers writers the opportunity to own and distribute their work in order to receive a fair and equitable benefit.

Enter NOSTR…

Decentralizing Social Media

Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays (NOSTR) is not a platform; it’s an open protocol.

By signing messages with their private keys (a long string of characters), users generate “events”. These events (messages/updates/media/transactions) are then broadcast through a series of “relays.”

Developers can use the protocol to build various applications that retrieve and distribute these events to other users. These ‘clients’ can range from microblogging sites like X and long-form distributors like Substack to visual media platforms like Instagram. Plus, NOSTR is also a whole lot more than that (but this is a topic for another day).

Decentralized tools offer the only hope against the dominance of AI and big tech in a top-down autocratic system designed to control us more than the thought police ever could.

Diagram courtesy of River.

So why should writers opt out of their big audience pool to write on some ‘protocol’?

Ownership, fair rules, and fair value.

• Ownership:

While privately run corporations can suppress the ideas they want, NOSTR provides a censorship-resistant alternative. No individual actors can restrict content or accounts.

Your private keys provide permanent access to the messages you have signed. No one else has access to them. And while some clients provide a delete function, there is no way to force all relays to respect a delete request. Not only do writers own what they publish, but it’s a permanent record.

• Rules:

Traditional social media platforms use proprietary algorithms to curate and order our feeds. NOSTR has no algorithm. NOSTR clients display messages chronologically or based on user-defined criteria, removing the influence of opaque algorithms that could manipulate user engagement and visibility of posts.

Put simply, distribution and consumption is down to the user, not to the creator or the platform. And everyone works to the same rules.

• Value:

Harmful content and spam affect all of us. There is no way to stop malicious content from being published on NOSTR, but two factors control its consumption.

1. Clients are experimenting with strategies such as requiring proof-of-work with each note or requiring verification badges.
2. Quality control is enforced by the value transferred by the protocol.

Bitcoin micropayments have become the monetary lifeblood flowing in the decentralized world. The ability to ‘zap’ users actual monetary value (e.g. a few cents) provides a clear display of which messages are valuable and which are unwanted. In time, as more users adopt the mechanic of value transfer, spammers will see their approach is not bearing fruit.

The beauty of using bitcoin in this way is twofold. Firstly, it is truly equitable — anyone in the world can receive it instantly and it cannot be stopped. And the system of frictionless micropayments offers content creators (artists, podcasters, musicians, writers) a way to earn money for the value they produce. Put simply, this could save creativity from doom.

Think people still want all content for free? Think again. Try zapping a writer from the Philippines, an artist from Peru, a Congolese musician, or a poet from Poland to show them you enjoyed what they produced. THAT is truly empowering.

Not convinced?

The best thing about NOSTR for writers is that you are early.

By being an early adopter with a low time preference, you can build a sizeable audience as new users discover the protocol.

Of course, topics like bitcoin, freedom tech, and privacy are well covered, but if you write in another niche, you could be ‘quids in’.

Conclusion:

By adopting a long-term strategy and sticking to their principles, readers, writers and all other creatives can build a better world on social media. It doesn’t matter that it is imperfect. There will always be flaws in any society. But decentralized protocols like NOSTR can offer writers what they truly want — ownership, fair rules, and fair value.

---

Philip Charter is a totally human writer who helps bitcoin-native companies and clients stack major gains through laser-focused content. Find out more at totallyhumanwriter.com

He is also the editor of the cypherpunk and freedom fiction project, 21 Futures.

@ da18e986:3a0d9851

Large Language Models (LLMs) have revolutionized how we interact with artificial intelligence, and one of their most powerful features is tool use - the ability to execute external functions to accomplish tasks. However, the current paradigm of LLM tool use remains largely constrained within closed ecosystems. Data Vending Machines (DVMs) offer an alternative to local, built-in tools through a decentralized marketplace. This decentralized approach enables independent developers to continuously create new tools, letting the entire system evolve based on actual needs.

Understanding LLM Tool Use

Tool use, also known as function calling, enables LLMs to interact with external systems and APIs. Instead of simply generating text, an LLM can choose to execute predefined functions when appropriate. For example, when asked about the weather, rather than making up a response, the model can call a weather API to get accurate, real-time data.

Traditionally, these tools are implemented as a fixed set of functions within the application's tech stack:

```python

Traditional function calling example (this exists within a closed tech stack)

def get_weather(location: str, date: str) -> dict: """Get weather information for a specific location and date.""" api_key = os.environ["WEATHER_API_KEY"] return weather_api.fetch(location, date, api_key)

LLM would call this function like:

result = get_weather("San Francisco", "2024-01-31") ```

Enter Data Vending Machines

DVMs represent a paradigm shift in how we think about LLM tool use. Instead of relying on locally defined functions, DVMs provide a decentralized marketplace of capabilities that any LLM can access. These "functions" exist as independent services on the Nostr network, available to anyone willing to pay for their use.

Here's how a DVM call might look compared to a traditional function call:

```json

partial data of an example call to a weather DVM

{ ... "kind": "5493", "pubkey": "", "tags": [ ["payment", "100", "sats/ecash"] ], "content": { "service": "weather", "params": { "location": "San Francisco", "date": "2024-01-31" } } ... } ```

Note: This is a motivating example. Weather data DVMs don't exist yet. Most DVM requests don't include payment up front, but with ecash and zaps, it is possible to do. The format of the params may differ as well.

The Power of Market Dynamics

What makes DVMs particularly compelling for LLM tool use is their market-driven nature:

1. Competition Drives Innovation: Multiple DVMs can offer similar services, competing on price, quality, and speed. This natural competition leads to better services and lower prices.

2. Dynamic Expansion: Unlike traditional tool use where new capabilities must be explicitly added to the system, DVM-enabled LLMs can discover and utilize new tools as they become available in the marketplace.

3. Economic Incentives: DVM operators are incentivized to create and maintain high-quality services through direct monetary compensation.

Implementation Architecture

A basic implementation of a user facing DVM-based Tool Use LLM might include:

1. Manager DVM: Acts as the central coordinator, maintaining:
2. Conversation state and history
3. System prompts and user preferences
4. Wallet for handling payments to DVMs

5. Logic for DVM discovery and selection

6. User Interface: A chat interface that communicates with the manager DVM

7. LLM Service: Handles the core language model capabilities and decision-making about when to use DVMs

8. DVM Registry: Maintains a directory of available DVMs and their capabilities (like the data available on DVMDash; see nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpkscaxrqqs8nhaynsahuz6c6jy4wtfhkl2x4zkwrmc4cyvaqmxz3qqxnzdejxv6nyd34xscnjd3sz05q9v)

Advanced Capabilities

The true power of DVM-based tool use emerges when we consider advanced scenarios:

1. Self-Expanding Capabilities: When an LLM encounters a request it can't fulfill with existing DVMs, it could:
2. Create bounties for new DVM development
3. Fund the development of new capabilities

4. Coordinate with multiple DVMs to compose novel solutions

5. Economic Agency: By maintaining its own wallet, the system can:

6. Generate revenue from user requests
7. Pay for DVM services
8. Fund its own expansion and improvement

Safety and Control

While the open nature of DVMs might raise concerns, several safety mechanisms can be implemented:

1. Human-in-the-Loop Confirmation: Users must approve DVM calls before execution, similar to how CLI tools ask for confirmation before significant actions.

2. Reputation Systems: DVMs can build reputation scores based on successful transactions and user feedback.

3. Cost Controls: Users can set spending limits and approve budgets for specific tasks.

Implications and Future Potential

The combination of Tool Use LLMs and DVMs creates a powerful new paradigm for AI capabilities:

1. Democratized Innovation: Anyone can create and monetize new AI capabilities by launching a DVM.

2. Organic Growth: The system can evolve based on real user needs and market demands.

3. Economic Sustainability: The payment mechanism ensures sustainable development and maintenance of AI tools.

Conclusion

By leveraging the Nostr protocol, DVMs enable Tool Use LLMs to access a distributed network of capabilities that would be impossible to build in a traditional, centralized way. For example, a single LLM can seamlessly use specialized tools from hundreds of independent developers - from a service that matches local freelancers to jobs to one that indexes local community events - without any prior coordination. This creates an AI ecosystem where capabilities emerge through market demand rather than central planning, with developers anywhere in the world able to add new tools that every LLM can discover and use.

@ 19fd5e65:946640b2

Согласно новому исследованию Workplace Intelligence и Международной бизнес-школы Hult, работодатели скептически настроены по отношению к выпускникам вузов. 37% опрошенных работодателей предпочли бы нанять робота или ИИ, чем недавнего выпускника колледжа. Эта поразительная статистика отражает растущую озабоченность по поводу готовности молодых специалистов к работе и проливает свет на меняющиеся ожидания работодателей.

Почему работодатели скептичны?

96% руководителей HR считают, что вузы не готовят студентов должным образом к современным реалиям рынка труда. 89% работодателей признались, что активно избегают найма недавних выпускников из-за отсутствия у них практического опыта, недостатка soft skills, таких как коммуникация и умение работать в команде, и даже базовых знаний делового этикета.

Этот разрыв между вузами и бизнесом приводит к необходимости дорогостоящего обучения и адаптации новых сотрудников. По оценкам HR-специалистов, они могли бы сэкономить более 4500 долларов на каждого сотрудника, если бы кандидаты были готовы к работе с первого дня. На рынке труда, где ценится эффективность, этот пробел в готовности делает ИИ или другие альтернативы более привлекательными.

Кризис доверия и сожаления о выборе

Результаты исследования также отражают кризис доверия среди самих выпускников. 77% опрошенных заявили, что узнали больше за первые шесть месяцев работы, чем за все время обучения в бакалавриате, а 55% считают, что их образование вообще не подготовило их к работе. Почти все выпускники (94%) сожалеют о выборе специальности, причем 43% считают, что это негативно повлияло на их карьерные перспективы и финансовое будущее.

Что это значит для работодателей и вузов?

Для работодателей предпочтение ИИ новым выпускникам подчеркивает необходимость срочных изменений в подходе компаний и образовательных учреждений к подготовке молодых специалистов. Хотя ИИ может обеспечить эффективность, ему не хватает креативности, адаптивности и эмоционального интеллекта, присущих людям. Это подтверждает важность разработки программ, которые помогают выпускникам приобретать не только технические навыки, но и soft skills, которые работодатели ценят превыше всего.

Опрошенные HR-руководители подчеркнули необходимость таких навыков, как коммуникация (98%), сотрудничество (92%) и критическое мышление (87%). Сотрудничая с вузами для разработки более практичных учебных программ, ориентированных на навыки, или инвестируя в комплексные программы адаптации, работодатели могут помочь преодолеть разрыв в готовности, а не обходить его с помощью ИИ.

Исследование Workplace Intelligence и Hult дает четкий вывод: как образовательные учреждения, так и работодатели должны адаптироваться, чтобы подготовить молодых специалистов к быстро меняющемуся рынку труда. Для вузов это означает включение в учебные программы реальных задач, обучения работе с ИИ и коучинга. Для работодателей это означает поиск баланса между краткосрочной эффективностью и долгосрочным развитием, чтобы использовать весь потенциал следующего поколения работников.

Источник

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Ready to be pushed beyond what you think you’re capable of?

At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. It’s a massive, ambitious opportunity that demands the best of us, every day, as we build the emerging onchain platform — and with it, the future global financial system.

To achieve our mission, we’re seeking a very specific candidate. We want someone who is passionate about our mission and who believes in the power of crypto and blockchain technology to update the financial system. We want someone who is eager to leave their mark on the world, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to keep leveling up. We want someone who will run towards, not away from, solving the company’s hardest problems.

Our work culture is intense and isn’t for everyone. But if you want to build the future alongside others who excel in their disciplines and expect the same from you, there’s no better place to be.

Coinbase Developer Platform (CDP) is building the developer tools to bring the world onchain.

Today, onchain development is slow, risky, and painful, even for the most experienced onchain developers. Our goal is to bring a million developers onchain by creating an easy to use and trusted developer experience. We build API and SDK products for developers like wallets, paymaster, staking, stablecoins, onchain data, and more.

We are a small team that moves like a startup at Coinbase, with a fast pace, strong ownership culture, and a relentless commitment to making developers happy.

We are looking for a UX Researcher to help us build products and tools that support the developer experience. By researching the usability and ease of integration, the developer journey, user types, opportunities to improve documentation, and the developer's overall experience you will drive material product impact. You will also empower and enable the product team to conduct their own research through your expert consultation and facilitation. 

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the UX Research function for our Developer Product Group, working in close partnership with the Design and Product teams - from large foundational and generative projects to evaluative, tactical, and investigative quick wins
• Coordinate and conduct mixed-methods research, including interviews, usability testing, concept testing, surveys, fieldwork, and other methods as needed
• Provide thoughtful guidance and education to stakeholders to turn vague business needs into actionable research questions
• Creatively think of new ways to enable the team to more easily gather their own feedback from developers.
• Craft research reports to clearly communicate your findings and make impactful design and product recommendations for the team.

What we look for in you

• 7+ years of user research experience, preferably with some experience in a lead role or primary point of contact for a large product area with many stakeholders
• Experience scaling UXR so that a variety of stakeholders can conduct effective and valuable research under your guidance
• Experience researching developer products and tools
• Working knowledge of general research principles (experimental design, bias, confounds, etc.) and UX research principles (usability testing, design thinking, etc.).
• Provides both confident team leadership and patient guidance to a range of stakeholder levels, including guiding designers and PMs through their own research
• Easily communicates complex concepts, with ability to influence strategy and decision making
• Can successfully manage project prioritization and multiple stakeholder relationships independently
• Experience with both moderated & unmoderated testing
• Collaborative attitude, team mentality, and humility 
• A learner’s mindset, seeing feedback as a chance to grow
• Interest in crypto or financial products

Nice to haves

• Research experience working with AI
• Experience as a developer
• User of Coinbase products

Job ID: GDUXR06US

*Answers to crypto-related questions may be used to evaluate your onchain experience

Pay Transparency Notice: Depending on your work location, the target annual salary for this position can range as detailed below. Full time offers from Coinbase also include target bonus + target equity + benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)).

Pay Range:

$193,970—$228,200 USD

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Coinbase is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by applicable law. Coinbase will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.  For US applicants, you may view the Know Your Rights notice here.  Additionally, Coinbase participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. 

Coinbase is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at accommodations[at]coinbase.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.  For quick access to screen reading technology compatible with this site click here to download a free compatible screen reader (free step by step tutorial can be found here).

Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates and Applicants

Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required. For US applicants only, by submitting your application you are agreeing to arbitration of disputes as outlined here.

Apply

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/870703

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Bitcoin Design members have been involved in organizing various events (and sometimes just attend, too). Here below is what do we want to do in 2025:

• Designathon 2 - We are organizing this event between February or March.

• Accessibility Day - May 15

• • BDC has participated in this global initiative the last two years. Probably doing so again!

• BTC Prague -Participation Confirmed. Planning issues here - June 19 - 21

• • We organized the design track for dev day in 2023 and 2024. Do this again[k][l]? It’s going to be on June 18, before the main conference.
• • 2024 was great, in that we had a nice group of designers attend, do talks, go for dinner, etc.

• Summer of Bitcoin

• • Several designers and projects participated each of the last 3 years. Probably doing so again!
• • Applications open on Feb 1, main program is May to August (timeline

• UX Bootcamps

• • Previous: South America
• • Next: South America - February 17 - 22

• Bitshala fellowship

• • First iteration of this fellowship is from January to July
• • We will help find more designers, projects, and funding in India

• Oslo Freedom Forum - Oslo, May 26-28

• • Activist and financial repression use cases are uniquely important use cases for bitcoin.
• • Several people attended last year. Conversations lead to new initiatives.

• BTCHEL - by BTC Helsinki Community - Aug 15-16

• • First large-scale bitcoin conference in the Nordics with particular focus to onboard new users to bitcoin

• Bitcoin Presidio design week

• • This is a new Bitcoin co-working space in San Francisco, also announced here https://stacker.news/items/860931/r/Design_r. The idea came up to organize a design week there to support the creation of art and decoration for the new co-working space. Just an idea at the moment, but why not make it happen?
• • Discussion issue.

• BuildWithLDK

• • An initiative to promote LDK and LDK Node for building lightning applications. There could be collaboration around a Designathon, connecting designers with hackathon projects, etc. Still in early planning.

• Builder conferences: These are very builder-focused, making them good opportunities to connect, organize practical design workshops, creative presentations, and support projects from a design perspective

• • Baltic Honeybadger (August 9-10),
• • TABConf
• • Bitcoin++ There are going to be 6 of them throughout the year.
• • SATS’N’FACTS (February 8-10) Bitcoin Technical Unconference, Hackathon & Freedom Tech Art Exhibition

• *Open-source conferences & events

• • FOSS Backstage (Berlin, Mar 10-11) - Christoph will present the Open Design Guide
• • FOSDEM (Brussels, Feb 1-2) - anyone attending?

• Design conferences & events - Makes sense to be involved with design-only events, right?

• OFFF - very creative-focused (Barcelona, May 8-10)
• CSUN Accessibility conference

Other Ideas * Bitcoin Park - they might organize another design event like two years ago https://stacker.news/items/705081/r/Design_r

Links * Comprehensive list of bitcoin conferences

---

… what’s missing from this page? Are you involved with anything? Or want to be? Comment below or join us on https://discord.com/channels/903125802726596648/1087394066796384276

You can watch the recording from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGS3oSlLmAo

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/870638

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Sometimes I’m reading the Bible and see a connection and go off chasing a rabbit trail. I type up my idea to organize my thoughts and see if there is actual Biblical support for it. Although it feels a bit weird to share Biblical ideas that I’m not certain about, it also seems a waste of lots of work to not share my speculations. Feel free to give me feedback if you disagree, especially if you have Scripture or historical evidence showing I’m wrong.

In this case, I’ve seen a portion that seems to be prophecy about our future, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that this entire group of chapters is future predictions. Sometimes prophecy mixes events that happens soon after the prophecy with events that will not be fulfilled until the distant future (like prophecies about Jesus’s first and second comings). I try to be open about what ideas I feel I have strong Biblical evidence to support and when my ideas have some evidence, but not conclusive evidence. This is one of my more speculative posts, but I hope you will find it thought provoking.

I was recently reading Isaiah 18-22. I had always assumed these prophecies of warning were in reference to things that had happened in the distant past (not that I knew any particular historical fulfillment), but this time I saw some major parallels with Revelation.

Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” (Isaiah 21:9) {emphasis mine}

From Revelation:

And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” (Revelation 14:8) {emphasis mine}

And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2) {emphasis mine}

Of course it is possible that Babylon and Babylon the great are parallel, but different nations, but the similarity of statement is hard to deny.

All you inhabitants of the world and dwellers on earth,\ As soon as a standard is raised on the mountains, you will see it,\ And as soon as the trumpet is blown, you will hear it. (Isaiah 18:3) {emphasis mine}

This passage talks about all inhabitants of the world seeing a standard raised. Until the past 20 years or so, this was not possible. Now that almost every person on earth has a smart phone, we can know what is going on around the world in real time. This passage also refers to “dwellers on earth” which is a phrase used numerous times in Revelation.

In Revelation 11, it speaks of the two witnesses who testify to Jesus and call down plagues on the earth. After their death:

And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 11:8-10) {emphasis mine}

Both passages refer to those who dwell on the earth and both talk about every person on earth seeing what is happening. This doesn’t sound like a prophecy fulfilled in ancient times, but about a prophecy that could not be fulfilled until modern times.

If these prophecies are about the end times and if the end times are now or very soon, what could they be referring to? Isaiah 18 begins with:

Woe to the land of whirring wings\ along the rivers of Cush,\ which sends envoys by sea\ in papyrus boats over the water.\ Go, swift messengers,\ to a people tall and smooth-skinned,\ to a people feared far and wide,\ an aggressive nation of strange speech,\ whose land is divided by rivers. (Isaiah 18:1-2)

Cush was located where modern day Sudan is located on the western edge of the Red Sea. Right across the red sea is Yemen which has been involved in missile and drone strikes on ships in the Red Sea. Traditionally the “land of whirring wings” is interpreted to mean locusts, but could it be referring to modern technology like drones? Who is Cush sent to seek? Who are the people “over the water,” “tall1 and smooth-skinned,” “feared far and wide,” and “an aggressive nation of strange speech,\ whose land is divided by rivers.”? I wonder if it could be the US. The US is over the Atlantic Ocean, “feared far and wide,” “an aggressive nation of strange speech” (involved in the business of almost every nation on earth), and divided by the Mississippi River (and to a lesser extent the Missouri and Ohio Rivers). The US also likes to act as the world’s policeman and get involved in every international dispute in the world. If Sudan was in fear of attack by the Houthis in Yemen, it would be expected for the US to be called in and get involved.

At the end of this prophecy:

At that time gifts will be brought to the Lord Almighty\ from a people tall and smooth-skinned,\ from a people feared far and wide,\ an aggressive nation of strange speech,\ whose land is divided by rivers—\ the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah 18:7)

This same nation will bring a gift to Mount Zion (Jerusalem/Israel). The US has been regularly giving Israel weapons to defend itself from attacks by the enemies around it. If this nation is the US, then this would make sense, especially with our change in leadership.

When I read Isaiah 19, it made me think of the Muslim Brotherhood takeover of Egypt starting in 2011.

“I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian—\ brother will fight against brother,\ neighbor against neighbor,\ city against city,\ kingdom against kingdom.\ The Egyptians will lose heart,\ and I will bring their plans to nothing;\ they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead,\ the mediums and the spiritists.\ I will hand the Egyptians over\ to the power of a cruel master,\ and a fierce king will rule over them,”\ declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah 19:2-4)

The next part of this passage talks about the Nile drying up and the canals stinking and the fields becoming parched. I did a web search related to drought in Egypt and found an article about drought fears from 2020. The building of the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile is causing a fear of major drought in Egypt. There are negotiations between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to deal with this, but it looks like an ongoing issue for Egypt. An interesting fact is that Ethiopia started building this dam in 2011 -- the same year of the Muslim Brother Hood overthrow of Egypt.

The biggest problem with my theory is Isaiah 20, which talks about Assyria leading Egypt and Cush (Sudan) away as captives. Assyria was located in what is currently Northern Iraq. It is hard to fathom Iraq conquering Egypt and Sudan. The area of Assyria did include a little bit of Turkey, which would be more believable as a conqueror.

Now we get back to the verses in Isaiah 21, which started this musing. First there is a description of terrorists attack:

A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea:

Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland,\ an invader comes from the desert,\ from a land of terror.\ A dire vision has been shown to me:\ The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot.\ Elam, attack! Media, lay siege!\ I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused. (Isaiah 21:1-2)

Elam is the Eastern edge of Iraq on the Border of Iran and Media is in Iran. Could this be an attack from Iran that includes some of its Shia allies in Iraq? What kind of attack could it be – conventional or nuclear? Who are they attacking?

Look, here comes a man in a chariot\ with a team of horses.\ And he gives back the answer:\ ‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen.\ All the images of its gods\ lie shattered on the ground!’ ”\ My people who are crushed on the threshing floor,\ I tell you what I have heard\ from the Lord Almighty,\ from the God of Israel. (Isaiah 21:9-10)

In ancient times, Babylon was located in the location of modern Iraq, but if we look at the words “Babylon has fallen, has fallen,” and associate them with the almost identical words in Revelation, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great,” and we consider how Revelation also refers to “Mystery Babylon” then we are likely talking about an attack on a different nation. (Why would Babylon be a mystery if it was the same people in the same location? It would be a mystery if it was a country and peoples that didn’t exist at the time of the prophecy, but would have the spirit of Babylon in them.) If you take into account my arguments in “Speculation on Babylon the Great” and associate this nation with the people “over the water,” “tall and smooth-skinned,” “feared far and wide,” and “an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers.” then this could be an attack on the US (I’ll admit there is a fair amount of speculation here). Although the US has become quite anti-God and has been pushing a lot of evil around the world, it still has one of the largest populations of believers in the world. The statement “My people who are crushed on the threshing floor” also fits for the US.

I know some people won’t consider the possibility that the US could be Mystery Babylon or Babylon the Great because they can’t consider the US being an evil nation, but the US has been pushing many unbiblical ideas on the nations around the globe, like LGBTQ ideology and abortion. It is also possible I am looking too hard for my own country in the scriptures because if the US isn’t mentioned, then something has to happen to the US before the Tribulation occurs to make the US become unimportant in international affairs. We all have our biases.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on my speculations. I’d also like to hear whether people benefit from my speculations or prefer me to stick to the clear and more easily understood Bible passages and Bible truths.

Trust Jesus.\ \ your sister in Christ,

@ 16d11430:61640947

The Beginnings of Capital Markets

Capital markets have long been a cornerstone of modern economies, acting as a conduit for businesses to raise funds and for investors to grow their wealth. The origins of capital markets date back to the early stages of financial development, well before modern stock exchanges and cryptocurrency trading platforms.

1. Early Trading (Pre-1600s)
   In ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt, early forms of debt contracts and loans were recorded. These were rudimentary agreements between individuals and governments, often written on clay tablets. However, it wasn’t until the 16th century that true capital markets began to take shape, particularly in Europe.

2. The Birth of Stock Markets (1600s)
   The first formal stock exchange was established in Amsterdam in 1602 when the Dutch East India Company issued the first-ever public shares. This allowed investors to buy ownership in the company and share in its profits, creating the foundation for modern capital markets. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) would follow in the centuries to come, becoming powerful centers for trade and investment.

The Rise of Centralized Exchanges (CEX)

Capital markets, particularly in the form of centralized exchanges (CEX), flourished during the industrial revolution. As economies grew and industries expanded, capital markets evolved to meet the needs of investors and companies seeking to raise capital.

1. The Industrial Revolution (1800s)
   The industrial era saw the rise of joint-stock companies and the need for capital. Stock exchanges were the main platforms through which companies could access capital and investors could trade securities. The London Stock Exchange became a dominant force in Europe, while the NYSE emerged as the largest exchange in the U.S.

2. The 20th Century: Globalization and Regulation
   In the 20th century, capital markets became more complex and globalized. The NYSE became synonymous with the U.S. stock market, and financial markets spread across the world, with exchanges in Asia and Europe gaining prominence. The rise of mutual funds, pension funds, and institutional investors reshaped the landscape.

The post-World War II era brought regulations like the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the U.S., which aimed to curb insider trading, increase transparency, and protect investors. Exchanges became highly regulated entities, with central authority overseeing transactions, clearing, and settlement to ensure fairness and stability.

1. The Digital Revolution and Electronic Trading (Late 20th Century)
   By the 1980s and 1990s, the introduction of electronic trading platforms marked a turning point. The NYSE and NASDAQ implemented computerized systems that facilitated faster and more efficient trades. In 1999, the launch of online trading platforms like E*Trade and Ameritrade democratized access to capital markets, allowing individuals to trade stocks from the comfort of their homes.

The Advent of Cryptocurrencies and the Emergence of CEX

As the new millennium dawned, the rise of digital technology and the internet introduced an entirely new form of asset: cryptocurrency. Bitcoin, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, introduced the world to decentralized digital currency. Cryptocurrencies offered an alternative to traditional fiat currencies and paved the way for decentralized finance (DeFi).

1. The Birth of Cryptocurrency Exchanges (CEX)
   The initial stages of cryptocurrency trading mirrored the early days of stock exchanges. As Bitcoin gained traction, platforms like Mt. Gox (2010) emerged as centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (CEX). These platforms allowed individuals to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, just like traditional stock exchanges facilitated the trading of stocks and bonds.

CEXs operate in a centralized manner, much like traditional financial exchanges, with a central authority acting as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. They provide liquidity, manage orders, and offer users a platform for trading various cryptocurrencies. Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken are examples of some of the largest CEXs today.

1. The Role of CEXs in Crypto Adoption
   Centralized exchanges have played a crucial role in cryptocurrency adoption. They provide easy access to the crypto markets, ensuring liquidity and stability. Many investors, both retail and institutional, enter the crypto world through CEXs due to their ease of use, familiarity, and regulatory oversight.

The Rise of Decentralized Exchanges (DEX)

While CEXs have dominated the landscape, the growing desire for decentralization in the cryptocurrency space gave rise to decentralized exchanges (DEXs). The idea behind DEXs is to create an exchange system that operates without a central authority, relying instead on smart contracts and blockchain technology to facilitate peer-to-peer trading.

1. The Emergence of DEXs (2010s)
   In 2014, the first DEX, EtherDelta, was launched on the Ethereum blockchain. It allowed users to trade ERC-20 tokens directly from their wallets, without the need for a centralized intermediary. While EtherDelta’s interface was rudimentary, it set the stage for a new wave of decentralized trading platforms.

The DEX market gained significant momentum with the rise of Uniswap (launched in 2018), which revolutionized decentralized trading by using an automated market maker (AMM) model instead of an order book system. This innovation allowed anyone to provide liquidity to the platform and earn fees, paving the way for the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi).

1. Advantages of DEXs
   DEXs offer several advantages over their centralized counterparts:
2. Decentralization: There is no central authority that controls user funds or the exchange itself. This makes DEXs more resistant to censorship and hacking.
3. Privacy and Security: Users retain control of their private keys and funds, reducing the risk of exchange hacks that have plagued centralized platforms.

4. Global Access: DEXs are open to anyone with an internet connection and a wallet, allowing users worldwide to participate in trading and liquidity provision.

5. The Growth of DeFi and DEXs
   As decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms grew in popularity, DEXs became the primary infrastructure for decentralized lending, borrowing, and trading. Uniswap, SushiSwap, and PancakeSwap emerged as dominant players in the DeFi space, offering decentralized token swaps, liquidity pools, and yield farming.

The rise of Layer 2 solutions, such as Optimism and Arbitrum, has further enhanced the scalability of DEXs, reducing transaction costs and increasing throughput, making decentralized exchanges more user-friendly and competitive with CEXs.

The Future of Capital Markets: CEX vs. DEX

The evolution of capital markets from traditional stock exchanges to cryptocurrency exchanges, and now to decentralized platforms, reflects the growing demand for more accessible, transparent, and efficient ways of conducting financial transactions.

While centralized exchanges still dominate the crypto space, providing crucial liquidity and stability, decentralized exchanges are growing rapidly, offering unique advantages in terms of decentralization, privacy, and global accessibility.

In the coming years, capital markets may continue to evolve, with hybrid models emerging that combine the best aspects of both CEXs and DEXs. The ability to trade traditional assets on blockchain platforms, the rise of tokenized stocks and securities, and the integration of decentralized finance could reshape the entire financial landscape, empowering individuals and institutions alike.

The transition from traditional centralized systems to decentralized ones is part of a larger trend towards democratization in finance. As technology continues to advance, capital markets will likely undergo further transformations, and we may soon witness the integration of these markets in ways that were once unimaginable, making financial systems more inclusive, transparent, and resilient.

@ ea30c5a8:f76a0295

i guess this is wotking correctly?

@ ea30c5a8:f76a0295

whats up yall doing some more testing using nostrmo, amber, citrine, pokey on my shitty android.

@ 1408bad0:4971f2ca

I must have missed when season 2 of Silo dropped but I was very happy when I did. After the climax of season 1, we were waiting to see what happened in season 2.

I was expecting the surface to be breathable, so it was a surprise twist when it wasn't. You would think the earth would be breathable again and heal, but not yet so far.

The second series sees what happens in a neighbouring Silo and how the old Silo reacts without Juliette and her not cleaning as everyone does when they go out usually. Juliette then tries to get home and faces various challenges in order to do so.

As she does so, we also see the detioration of her own Silo. We learn more answers to questions about the Silo, it's history and how people lost their memories and why they got rid of old artefacts that remind them of the old world. It gives you a sense of not appreciating the world and life we currently have.

Some of the answers seem quite silly and you wonder if this is really necessary. Why don't they feel the need to test the air outside regularly etc, why be so cut off. More questions come than are answered.

However, the show is still very good and enjoyable. I binge watched over night until it finished.

My favourite scene, apart from the part when Juliette went back to the surface, is learning about the special room and how prepared it was. It would be good to have a bunker so we'll prepared.

Apocalyptic ending shows are quite popular now and this is quite an interesting variation of one. The series ends with flashbacks to the start of events prior to the silos and looks like it is leading up to a great season 3 flashback series. This sort of makes sense as they seem to be running out of ideas of where to go in the silo.

We were left with a cliffhanger ending and I am excited to see season 3 but there will be a bit of a wait.

@ 16d11430:61640947

Bitcoin was forged in the crucible of libertarian ideals—freedom, decentralization, and voluntary cooperation. It was meant to be an open, permissionless system that empowers individuals by circumventing the coercive grip of centralized institutions. Yet, as Bitcoin maximalism has matured, it has developed an increasingly exclusive and dogmatic culture, paradoxically betraying the very principles it was built upon.

The Libertarian Ethos of Bitcoin

At its core, Bitcoin aligns with libertarianism in the following ways: - Decentralization: No central authority dictates who can or cannot participate in Bitcoin. - Permissionless Innovation: Anyone can build on Bitcoin, create products, and enhance its ecosystem without seeking approval. - Free Market Dynamics: Bitcoin is intended to thrive in a competitive financial landscape, allowing individuals to choose monetary instruments that best suit their needs.

These principles mirror the libertarian belief in self-sovereignty, voluntary association, and an open market for ideas and innovation. However, Bitcoin maximalism, in its most radical form, has evolved into a gatekeeping force that runs counter to these tenets.

The Rise of Maximalist Dogma

Bitcoin maximalists argue that Bitcoin is the only valid cryptocurrency and that all alternatives (altcoins) are scams. While it is prudent to be skeptical of centralized, pre-mined tokens rife with manipulative schemes, the maximalist stance has hardened into an ideological purity test that excludes rather than embraces open discourse.

Here’s where maximalists stray from libertarian values:

1. Exclusionary Attitudes Toward Developers & Innovators
2. Libertarians celebrate innovation, yet maximalists ostracize developers exploring Layer 2 solutions, alternative blockchains, or privacy-enhancing technologies outside the Bitcoin stack.

3. This mirrors the top-down control of authoritarian structures rather than the open competition of free-market principles.

4. Hostility Toward Alternative Monetary Experiments

5. Libertarians favor free competition in currencies, arguing that individuals should be able to choose what best serves their interests.

6. Maximalists, however, reject any competing monetary experiment, even those that could complement Bitcoin (e.g., sidechains, zero-knowledge rollups, or asset tokenization solutions).

7. Cult-Like Insistence on Absolute Adherence

8. Many maximalists have adopted an aggressive, almost religious stance, enforcing ideological purity tests that reject even Bitcoin-related innovations if they don’t fit the maximalist mold.

9. Libertarianism, by contrast, is inherently pluralistic and tolerant of different approaches to achieving freedom.

10. Disregard for Financial Sovereignty of Others

11. Bitcoin's ethos is to provide financial self-sovereignty, yet maximalists attack those who choose to hedge risks with other assets, whether it be Monero for privacy, stablecoins for short-term volatility resistance, or even tokenized representations of real-world assets.
12. A true libertarian approach would acknowledge the right of individuals to freely navigate financial instruments that align with their preferences.

The Irony: Bitcoin Itself Benefits from Free Market Dynamics

Bitcoin did not emerge in a vacuum—it competed against previous iterations of digital money, such as e-gold, Liberty Reserve, and earlier cryptographic cash concepts. If the early cypherpunks had imposed the same dogmatic restrictions on monetary experimentation that maximalists advocate today, Bitcoin itself may never have had the chance to thrive.

Libertarianism doesn’t fear competition; it thrives on it. Bitcoin maximalists, in seeking to eliminate all perceived competition, unwittingly recreate the exclusivity and coercion they claim to oppose.

The Path Forward: A Truly Open Bitcoin Culture

To realign Bitcoin culture with its libertarian roots, the community must: 1. Embrace Open Competition – Allow Bitcoin to prove itself through the free market rather than through ideological suppression of alternatives. 2. Encourage Innovation – Welcome new technologies, even if they originate outside Bitcoin, as long as they align with the ethos of decentralization and financial freedom. 3. Respect Individual Choice – Bitcoiners should recognize that financial sovereignty includes the right to explore different economic tools without facing tribalistic attacks.

Bitcoin was never meant to be an exclusive club—it was designed as an open financial revolution. To honor its founding principles, the community must resist the urge to impose ideological purity tests and instead foster the spirit of liberty, innovation, and voluntary association that made Bitcoin possible in the first place.

@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

---

Other Photo Series by Hes:

City Series

Structural Reflections

---

More from Hes:

Long Form

Art Portfolio

Online Store

Travel Guides

Photography

Writings

---

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.

@ 3ad01248:962d8a07

Well we finally have our first so called "Bitcoin President" in office. It's been a solid 10 days in office now and things are playing out exactly how many thought it would. Immigration raids, federal funds being frozen and to top it all off talks of a crypto reserve instead of Bitcoin Strategic Reserve (BSR) as we were promised on the campaign trail in exchange for our votes.

The reaction from Bitcoiners has been varied to say the least. There are some who are disappointed that Trump didn't declare a BSR on day one and there are others that want to give him to to work through his other political priorities. I am of the opinion that if you promise a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve on day one that you have to follow through on something like that.

This idea came from Strike CEO Jack Mallers so the source was reputable and put that expectation on the minds of Bitcoiners, so to see this fall through is kind of a let down. There are rumblings that backers of the Ripple Blockchain are actively lobbying Trump to include Ripple in some kind of "crypto reserve".

It looks like their lobbying efforts have been paying off so far. Trump did announce an executive order on pertaining to crypto more broadly. The EO established a "Presidential Working Group" on digital asset markets. Whatever the hell this means is beyond me but it does take the Trump administration focus off of Bitcoin which isn't a good development.

When combined with Trump launching a memecoin before he even stepped into office means that Bitcoiners inside and outside of the administration need to step up and keep the pedal to the meddle to make the BSR a reality.

The Bitcoiners around Trump have done a admirable job getting the Trump administration to where they are today and have undoubtedly has made the political environment better for Bitcoiners in general but they can't lose focus now.

A question that I have been thinking about myself is should Bitcoiners even advocated for a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve? I thought we were all about separating money and state. The federal government acquiring Bitcoin is antithetical to the whole point of why Bitcoin was created in the first place.

When I see the big names in Bitcoin all salivating and cheering on a BSR I'm like they just want their bags pumped. What happened to the revolution they were espousing during the bear market? I get it, who doesn't want their bags to be pumped? Hodling is psychologically tough so finally seeing that hard work pay off is a natural desire but at the expense of giving up your principles, I'm not so sure its worth it to be honest.

A superpower nation such as the US or China using Bitcoin to supercharge what they are doing now is bad for the entire world. Who is to say that they won't use their reserves to manipulate the market, borrow against their reserve to fund more military expansion and surveillance technology to further enslave the world.

Governments are no longer accountable to the people and will do whatever they want to keep power and keep their citizens subjugated. Bitcoin adoption at the nation state level is something we should not be cheering on.

Bitcoin has been and should always be a bottom up movement. In order to take away power from the state and bring the power back to the people they need a economic alternative that isn't controlled by the state. By taking away the power of the state to tax and monitor transactions slowly drains the power of the state to oppress the people.

Bitcoiners should be encouraging and creating more Bitcoin circular economies such as:

Bitcoin Beach

Bitcoin Ekasi

Nostr

Your bags will be pumped when we get more individuals onto the Bitcoin Standard. Going the BSR route is a shortcut that is shortsighted and undermines the whole mission of Bitcoin. I fear the cat is already out of the bag as we see more and more countries and jurisdiction announce setting up their own BSR's. As an individual keep advocating for your friends, family and neighbors to adopt a Bitcoin standard before governments get their paws on it. Good luck and Godspeed.

@ cc8d072e:a6a026cb

Recently, I had the opportunity to work as an advisor for an AI agent project, which is created by team with a lot of fin-tech software develop experience. As we coded together, their real-time questions and challenges provided unique insights into the hurdles software engineers face when transitioning to AI development. They would pause at moments that most AI engineers take for granted - "How can we be sure the agent understood correctly?", "What if the model makes a mistake?", "How do we handle the uncertainty?" These weren't just isolated questions; they represented the fundamental paradigm shift required when moving from traditional software engineering to AI development. And thats why i think it might be worthy to take sometime write down this article and if you are going to start your first AI agent programming, spending 5 min reading t his will save you a lot of time later.

1. Shifting from Deterministic to Probabilistic Thinking

• Traditional software engineering deals with deterministic outcomes
• AI systems operate on probability rather than certainty
• Engineers need to adapt from "100% correct" mindset to accepting probabilistic outcomes
• Blockchain developers may find this particularly challenging due to their background in exact, deterministic systems

2. Understanding Core AI Concepts

(There are a lot of concepts to understand, but i will focus on the most frequently asked ones)

Memory Management

• Short-term Memory: Implemented through conversation context
• Long-term Memory: Implemented through vector databases (RAG - Retrieval Augmented Generation)
• Context length management is crucial due to LLM token limitations

Language Models and Fine-tuning

• Base models (like GPT) provide general intelligence
• Domain-specific knowledge can be added through:
• Fine-tuning with custom datasets
• Adding RAG layers for specific knowledge domains

3. Technical Framework Knowledge

Essential Tools and Frameworks

• Vercel AI SDK (if you are a typescript guy)
• LangChain (alternative option)
• Different models(openai, claude, gemini, etc, of course, now, deepseek. the temu in llm )
• Understanding of prompt engineering

Multi-Agent Systems

• Agents can communicate through natural language
• Inter-agent communication requires careful system design
• Implementation of thought processes and decision-making loops
• Safety considerations for system commands and operations

4. Language and Localization Considerations

• System prompts typically work best in English
• Multi-language support requires careful handling:
• Input translation to English
• Processing in English
• Output translation to target language
• Model performance varies across different languages

5. Safety and Error Handling

• Implementing validation layers for critical operations
• Understanding model limitations and potential errors
• Building feedback mechanisms to detect misunderstandings

Conclusion

Transitioning from software engineering to AI engineering requires a significant mindset shift. While traditional software engineering skills remain valuable, understanding probabilistic systems, language models, and AI-specific architectures is crucial. The key is to balance innovation with practical safety considerations, especially when dealing with critical applications.

Remember that AI systems are not perfect, and building robust applications requires careful consideration of their limitations and appropriate safety measures. Start with existing frameworks and gradually build up complexity as you become more comfortable with AI-specific concepts and challenges.(the conclusion part is written by chatgpt, did you notice? :))

@ 97c70a44:ad98e322

There was a slight dust up recently over a website someone runs removing a listing for an app someone built based on entirely arbitrary criteria. I'm not to going to attempt to speak for either wounded party, but I would like to share my own personal definition for what constitutes a "nostr app" in an effort to help clarify what might be an otherwise confusing and opaque purity test.

In this post, I will be committing the "no true Scotsman" fallacy, in which I start with the most liberal definition I can come up with, and gradually refine it until all that is left is the purest, gleamingest, most imaginary and unattainable nostr app imaginable. As I write this, I wonder if anything built yet will actually qualify. In any case, here we go.

It uses nostr

The lowest bar for what a "nostr app" might be is an app ("application" - i.e. software, not necessarily a native app of any kind) that has some nostr-specific code in it, but which doesn't take any advantage of what makes nostr distinctive as a protocol.

Examples might include a scraper of some kind which fulfills its charter by fetching data from relays (regardless of whether it validates or retains signatures). Another might be a regular web 2.0 app which provides an option to "log in with nostr" by requesting and storing the user's public key.

In either case, the fact that nostr is involved is entirely neutral. A scraper can scrape html, pdfs, jsonl, whatever data source - nostr relays are just another target. Likewise, a user's key in this scenario is treated merely as an opaque identifier, with no appreciation for the super powers it brings along.

In most cases, this kind of app only exists as a marketing ploy, or less cynically, because it wants to get in on the hype of being a "nostr app", without the developer quite understanding what that means, or having the budget to execute properly on the claim.

It leverages nostr

Some of you might be wondering, "isn't 'leverage' a synonym for 'use'?" And you would be right, but for one connotative difference. It's possible to "use" something improperly, but by definition leverage gives you a mechanical advantage that you wouldn't otherwise have. This is the second category of "nostr app".

This kind of app gets some benefit out of the nostr protocol and network, but in an entirely selfish fashion. The intention of this kind of app is not to augment the nostr network, but to augment its own UX by borrowing some nifty thing from the protocol without really contributing anything back.

Some examples might include:

• Using nostr signers to encrypt or sign data, and then store that data on a proprietary server.
• Using nostr relays as a kind of low-code backend, but using proprietary event payloads.
• Using nostr event kinds to represent data (why), but not leveraging the trustlessness that buys you.

An application in this category might even communicate to its users via nostr DMs - but this doesn't make it a "nostr app" any more than a website that emails you hot deals on herbal supplements is an "email app". These apps are purely parasitic on the nostr ecosystem.

In the long-term, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Email's ubiquity is self-reinforcing. But in the short term, this kind of "nostr app" can actually do damage to nostr's reputation by over-promising and under-delivering.

It complements nostr

Next up, we have apps that get some benefit out of nostr as above, but give back by providing a unique value proposition to nostr users as nostr users. This is a bit of a fine distinction, but for me this category is for apps which focus on solving problems that nostr isn't good at solving, leaving the nostr integration in a secondary or supporting role.

One example of this kind of app was Mutiny (RIP), which not only allowed users to sign in with nostr, but also pulled those users' social graphs so that users could send money to people they knew and trusted. Mutiny was doing a great job of leveraging nostr, as well as providing value to users with nostr identities - but it was still primarily a bitcoin wallet, not a "nostr app" in the purest sense.

Other examples are things like Nostr Nests and Zap.stream, whose core value proposition is streaming video or audio content. Both make great use of nostr identities, data formats, and relays, but they're primarily streaming apps. A good litmus test for things like this is: if you got rid of nostr, would it be the same product (even if inferior in certain ways)?

A similar category is infrastructure providers that benefit nostr by their existence (and may in fact be targeted explicitly at nostr users), but do things in a centralized, old-web way; for example: media hosts, DNS registrars, hosting providers, and CDNs.

To be clear here, I'm not casting aspersions (I don't even know what those are, or where to buy them). All the apps mentioned above use nostr to great effect, and are a real benefit to nostr users. But they are not True Scotsmen.

It embodies nostr

Ok, here we go. This is the crème de la crème, the top du top, the meilleur du meilleur, the bee's knees. The purest, holiest, most chaste category of nostr app out there. The apps which are, indeed, nostr indigitate.

This category of nostr app (see, no quotes this time) can be defined by the converse of the previous category. If nostr was removed from this type of application, would it be impossible to create the same product?

To tease this apart a bit, apps that leverage the technical aspects of nostr are dependent on nostr the protocol, while apps that benefit nostr exclusively via network effect are integrated into nostr the network. An app that does both things is working in symbiosis with nostr as a whole.

An app that embraces both nostr's protocol and its network becomes an organic extension of every other nostr app out there, multiplying both its competitive moat and its contribution to the ecosystem:

• In contrast to apps that only borrow from nostr on the technical level but continue to operate in their own silos, an application integrated into the nostr network comes pre-packaged with existing users, and is able to provide more value to those users because of other nostr products. On nostr, it's a good thing to advertise your competitors.
• In contrast to apps that only market themselves to nostr users without building out a deep integration on the protocol level, a deeply integrated app becomes an asset to every other nostr app by becoming an organic extension of them through interoperability. This results in increased traffic to the app as other developers and users refer people to it instead of solving their problem on their own. This is the "micro-apps" utopia we've all been waiting for.

Credible exit doesn't matter if there aren't alternative services. Interoperability is pointless if other applications don't offer something your app doesn't. Marketing to nostr users doesn't matter if you don't augment their agency as nostr users.

If I had to choose a single NIP that represents the mindset behind this kind of app, it would be NIP 89 A.K.A. "Recommended Application Handlers", which states:

Nostr's discoverability and transparent event interaction is one of its most interesting/novel mechanics. This NIP provides a simple way for clients to discover applications that handle events of a specific kind to ensure smooth cross-client and cross-kind interactions.

These handlers are the glue that holds nostr apps together. A single event, signed by the developer of an application (or by the application's own account) tells anyone who wants to know 1. what event kinds the app supports, 2. how to link to the app (if it's a client), and (if the pubkey also publishes a kind 10002), 3. which relays the app prefers.

As a sidenote, NIP 89 is currently focused more on clients, leaving DVMs, relays, signers, etc somewhat out in the cold. Updating 89 to include tailored listings for each kind of supporting app would be a huge improvement to the protocol. This, plus a good front end for navigating these listings (sorry nostrapp.link, close but no cigar) would obviate the evil centralized websites that curate apps based on arbitrary criteria.

Examples of this kind of app obviously include many kind 1 clients, as well as clients that attempt to bring the benefits of the nostr protocol and network to new use cases - whether long form content, video, image posts, music, emojis, recipes, project management, or any other "content type".

To drill down into one example, let's think for a moment about forms. What's so great about a forms app that is built on nostr? Well,

• There is a spec for forms and responses, which means that...
• Multiple clients can implement the same data format, allowing for credible exit and user choice, even of...
• Other products not focused on forms, which can still view, respond to, or embed forms, and which can send their users via NIP 89 to a client that does...
• Cryptographically sign forms and responses, which means they are self-authenticating and can be sent to...
• Multiple relays, which reduces the amount of trust necessary to be confident results haven't been deliberately "lost".

Show me a forms product that does all of those things, and isn't built on nostr. You can't, because it doesn't exist. Meanwhile, there are plenty of image hosts with APIs, streaming services, and bitcoin wallets which have basically the same levels of censorship resistance, interoperability, and network effect as if they weren't built on nostr.

It supports nostr

Notice I haven't said anything about whether relays, signers, blossom servers, software libraries, DVMs, and the accumulated addenda of the nostr ecosystem are nostr apps. Well, they are (usually).

This is the category of nostr app that gets none of the credit for doing all of the work. There's no question that they qualify as beautiful nostrcorns, because their value propositions are entirely meaningless outside of the context of nostr. Who needs a signer if you don't have a cryptographic identity you need to protect? DVMs are literally impossible to use without relays. How are you going to find the blossom server that will serve a given hash if you don't know which servers the publishing user has selected to store their content?

In addition to being entirely contextualized by nostr architecture, this type of nostr app is valuable because it does things "the nostr way". By that I mean that they don't simply try to replicate existing internet functionality into a nostr context; instead, they create entirely new ways of putting the basic building blocks of the internet back together.

A great example of this is how Nostr Connect, Nostr Wallet Connect, and DVMs all use relays as brokers, which allows service providers to avoid having to accept incoming network connections. This opens up really interesting possibilities all on its own.

So while I might hesitate to call many of these things "apps", they are certainly "nostr".

Appendix: it smells like a NINO

So, let's say you've created an app, but when you show it to people they politely smile, nod, and call it a NINO (Nostr In Name Only). What's a hacker to do? Well, here's your handy-dandy guide on how to wash that NINO stench off and Become a Nostr.

You app might be a NINO if:

• There's no NIP for your data format (or you're abusing NIP 78, 32, etc by inventing a sub-protocol inside an existing event kind)
• There's a NIP, but no one knows about it because it's in a text file on your hard drive (or buried in your project's repository)
• Your NIP imposes an incompatible/centralized/legacy web paradigm onto nostr
• Your NIP relies on trusted third (or first) parties
• There's only one implementation of your NIP (yours)
• Your core value proposition doesn't depend on relays, events, or nostr identities
• One or more relay urls are hard-coded into the source code
• Your app depends on a specific relay implementation to work (ahem, relay29)
• You don't validate event signatures
• You don't publish events to relays you don't control
• You don't read events from relays you don't control
• You use legacy web services to solve problems, rather than nostr-native solutions
• You use nostr-native solutions, but you've hardcoded their pubkeys or URLs into your app
• You don't use NIP 89 to discover clients and services
• You haven't published a NIP 89 listing for your app
• You don't leverage your users' web of trust for filtering out spam
• You don't respect your users' mute lists
• You try to "own" your users' data

Now let me just re-iterate - it's ok to be a NINO. We need NINOs, because nostr can't (and shouldn't) tackle every problem. You just need to decide whether your app, as a NINO, is actually contributing to the nostr ecosystem, or whether you're just using buzzwords to whitewash a legacy web software product.

If you're in the former camp, great! If you're in the latter, what are you waiting for? Only you can fix your NINO problem. And there are lots of ways to do this, depending on your own unique situation:

• Drop nostr support if it's not doing anyone any good. If you want to build a normal company and make some money, that's perfectly fine.
• Build out your nostr integration - start taking advantage of webs of trust, self-authenticating data, event handlers, etc.
• Work around the problem. Think you need a special relay feature for your app to work? Guess again. Consider encryption, AUTH, DVMs, or better data formats.
• Think your idea is a good one? Talk to other devs or open a PR to the nips repo. No one can adopt your NIP if they don't know about it.
• Keep going. It can sometimes be hard to distinguish a research project from a NINO. New ideas have to be built out before they can be fully appreciated.
• Listen to advice. Nostr developers are friendly and happy to help. If you're not sure why you're getting traction, ask!

I sincerely hope this article is useful for all of you out there in NINO land. Maybe this made you feel better about not passing the totally optional nostr app purity test. Or maybe it gave you some actionable next steps towards making a great NINON (Nostr In Not Only Name) app. In either case, GM and PV.

@ 3459741b:616b59f9

Introduction

Recently, I had the opportunity to work as an advisor for an AI agent project, which is created by team with a lot of fin-tech software develop experience. As we coded together, their real-time questions and challenges provided unique insights into the hurdles software engineers face when transitioning to AI development. They would pause at moments that most AI engineers take for granted - "How can we be sure the agent understood correctly?", "What if the model makes a mistake?", "How do we handle the uncertainty?" These weren't just isolated questions; they represented the fundamental paradigm shift required when moving from traditional software engineering to AI development. And thats why i think it might be worthy to take sometime write down this article and if you are going to start your first AI agent programming, spending 5 min reading t his will save you a lot of time later.

1. Shifting from Deterministic to Probabilistic Thinking

• Traditional software engineering deals with deterministic outcomes
• AI systems operate on probability rather than certainty
• Engineers need to adapt from "100% correct" mindset to accepting probabilistic outcomes
• Blockchain developers may find this particularly challenging due to their background in exact, deterministic systems

2. Understanding Core AI Concepts

(There are a lot of concepts to understand, but i will focus on the most frequently asked ones)

Memory Management

• Short-term Memory: Implemented through conversation context
• Long-term Memory: Implemented through vector databases (RAG - Retrieval Augmented Generation)
• Context length management is crucial due to LLM token limitations

Language Models and Fine-tuning

• Base models (like GPT) provide general intelligence
• Domain-specific knowledge can be added through:
• Fine-tuning with custom datasets
• Adding RAG layers for specific knowledge domains

3. Technical Framework Knowledge

Essential Tools and Frameworks

• Vercel AI SDK (if you are a typescript guy)
• LangChain (alternative option)
• Different models(openai, claude, gemini, etc, of course, now, deepseek. the temu in llm )
• Understanding of prompt engineering

Multi-Agent Systems

• Agents can communicate through natural language
• Inter-agent communication requires careful system design
• Implementation of thought processes and decision-making loops
• Safety considerations for system commands and operations

4. Language and Localization Considerations

• System prompts typically work best in English
• Multi-language support requires careful handling:
• Input translation to English
• Processing in English
• Output translation to target language
• Model performance varies across different languages

5. Safety and Error Handling

• Implementing validation layers for critical operations
• Understanding model limitations and potential errors
• Building feedback mechanisms to detect misunderstandings

Conclusion

Transitioning from software engineering to AI engineering requires a significant mindset shift. While traditional software engineering skills remain valuable, understanding probabilistic systems, language models, and AI-specific architectures is crucial. The key is to balance innovation with practical safety considerations, especially when dealing with critical applications.

Remember that AI systems are not perfect, and building robust applications requires careful consideration of their limitations and appropriate safety measures. Start with existing frameworks and gradually build up complexity as you become more comfortable with AI-specific concepts and challenges.(the conclusion part is written by chatgpt, did you notice? :))

@ e83b66a8:b0526c2b

I have a deep love of China. It probably started in 1981, when my Father visited China on the first trade mission from the UK to open up trading between the 2 nations.

As a family, we have historically done a lot of business in Asia starting with our company Densitron, who’s Asian headquarters were in Tokyo, through to Taiwan where we had factories leading to investing in Vbest, now Evervision an LCD manufacturer. They have admin offices in Taiwan and a factory in Jiangsu, China.

I have always hated the western narrative that China is the “enemy” or that China’s Communist / Capitalist system is “evil”.

Without understanding history, geography, cultural biases, and indoctrination it is as difficult to remove those beliefs in the same way it is difficult to convert “normies” to understand the freedom and power of Bitcoin.

I have tried and had some success, but mostly failed.

However the recent ban on TikTok and the migration of the west to the Chinese owned “rednote” app has overnight created more cultural exchanges and understanding than the previous 40+ years has ever managed to achieve. That along with the recent disclosure about Chinas advancements in AI have also deflated some of the western hubris.

If you wish to go down the rabbit hole of China from a cultural view, this YouTuber has given me a much better framework than I could ever provide as an outsider.

She is a Chinese girl, who came to the UK to study at University only to return with a mixed understanding of both cultures. She is doing a far better job of explaining the culture from a western perspective than I ever could.

https://www.youtube.com/@SimingLan

Here are 4 videos of hers that help explain a lot:

This is a lighthearted look at the recent TikTok ban TikTok ban completely backfired on US! and it's been hilarious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7123nG5otA

More in-depth insights are:

My complicated relationship with China. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEaw0KAuNBU

China's Biggest Problem with Free Speech Rhetoric https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7eSyKPbg_Y

What the West Doesn't Get about China's Rise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmb1_HfflCA

@ 8d5ba92c:c6c3ecd5

For me, it’s simple yet profound: a job and labor aren’t the same thing. You don’t have to struggle to perform a task or to meet someone else's unrealistic expectations. In fact, if you genuinely enjoy what you’re doing and believe in its purpose, the results will naturally be better—and everyone benefits.

I’m speaking from the perspective of someone who walked away from a "well-established career" multiple times. These days, I might be working more than ever, but I don’t feel tired, frustrated, or burned out. The radical change I made—leaving the "professional fiat world" behind—wasn’t easy, but I’ve never regretted it. Now, working fully in Bitcoin, I feel more motivated and satisfied than ever before.

Sure, it's not always straightforward.

This lifestyle definitely comes with its challenges. But those challenges don’t crush me. Just the opposite. When combined with a sense of freedom, they become opportunities for growth—something I truly value. It’s a completely different experience compared to most jobs rooted in the old system.

I’m not saying working in Bitcoin is all sunshine and rainbows, nor am I criticizing anyone still working in fiat. What I’m trying to emphasize is the core message of that quote:

Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life...

Read it aloud and think about your last couple of jobs.

How did you feel? Did you find fulfillment and satisfaction, or was it more like a form of slavery that made you dread going to bed and waking up every morning?

I didn’t really have those feelings, except for one corporation at the beginning of my career, which gave me a hard time but also taught me valuable lessons. Aside from that experience, most of my jobs weren’t too bad—no need to complain. Still, I often questioned my situation: 'Seriously, why do I have to do this or that if I know it doesn’t make sense?'

Doing things you don’t believe in can lead to frustration, often in ways you might not even realize, yet every time, significantly affecting your well-being and the people around you.

Now, I hardly know what inner anger means.

I wake up happy, full of passion and ideas. I don’t track the hours as they pass; instead, I focus on all the tasks I complete and how they make a difference for me and others. Yes, I love what I do. And returning to the main point of this article, I shouldn’t even see it as work, even though in practice it definitely is.

The key here is a mix of independence, purpose, and self-determination. Bitcoin has helped me achieve that to a level that’s hard to break.

A Fresh Take on The Market

I also remember that 5-7 years ago, especially for non-devs, Bitcoin-based jobs weren’t as accessible as they are now (which is probably why I stayed in my traditional career for so long...). It’s really only in the last, maybe 2-3 years that things have changed. With so many areas expanding beyond just mining and tech-related stuff, and new interesting projects popping up regularly, there’s almost any position you can imagine to jump into.

According to a recent report by Bitvocation '69% of Bitcoin jobs are non-developer roles'. Also, more than half of available positions in 2024 offered remote opportunities, giving job seekers extra flexibility. Bitcoin is borderless—and so are many of the jobs in this space. If you’ve ever thought working in Bitcoin was out of reach, think again—and check this out "BITCOIN JOB MARKET DATA, 2024 Report".

One tip from my experience: a good option is to start with a part-time role while keeping your traditional fiat job for more stability, especially at the beginning. After a while, you’ll gain more confidence and see which direction you want to go. Or, if you position yourself so that you don’t need to earn a lot for the next 3-6 months, consider finding a project- or task-based Bitcoin job, maybe even just an internship. Meanwhile, you might decide to focus on building something unique on your own. It can feel amazing! You’ll gain valuable skills, sharpen your experience, and better understand which options work best for your future.

You see, just like in nature, balance is key. You don’t have to run before you can walk.

What I’m saying is this:

The choice is yours, as long as you plan ahead + learn, while staying true to your needs, beliefs, and priorities.

If you want it, do it. Starting a career in Bitcoin is possible, and I have a feeling this space will grow even faster in the next few years. Yes, there will still be ups and downs (hello, bear markets!), but if you plan thoughtfully, there’s not much to worry about.

We’re still early—Bitcoin is only 16 years old—but if you’ve been following this space, you’ve probably seen how dynamic and resilient it is. If you’ve ever thought about working in Bitcoin, now is the time to rethink the possibilities :)))

BTC Your Mind. Let it Beat.

Şelale

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers!

This week, authoritarian regimes augmented their control and monitoring of online spaces in an attempt to suppress the dissenting voices of those they have financially repressed. While Pakistanis grapple with the highest cost of living in Asia, the military-backed regime passed an oppressive social media bill that empowers the government to imprison and fine individuals deemed to be spreading “disinformation” online.\ \ Meanwhile, in Belarus, authoritarian Alexander Lukashenko secured a seventh term in an openly rigged presidential election, further consolidating his grip on power and deepening the country’s political and financial repression. This prolongs his rule beyond three decades, cementing him as the sole ruler of Belarus since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

In freedom technology news, open-source developer Super Testnet released a new privacy tool called Hurricash. It lets multiple users lock funds together in a single Bitcoin Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO), allowing them to transact within the pool of users with greater privacy and efficiency. With greater liquidity and adoption, it could prove a useful tool for human rights activists seeking financial privacy. \ \ Additionally, Zaprite integrated BTCPay Server, enabling users to accept Bitcoin, Lightning, and fiat payments using self-custodial and self-hosted Bitcoin infrastructure. This is particularly valuable for nonprofits and activists in authoritarian regimes, where governments monitor and restrict financial activity.

We end with the latest episode of the “Money Matters” podcast, where Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, interviews HRF Chief Strategy Officer Alex Gladstein to discuss the often overlooked connection between Bitcoin and financial freedom.

Now, let’s jump right in!

Subscribe Here

GLOBAL NEWS

Belarus | Lukashenko Sweeps Openly Rigged Election Amid Financial Repression

In Belarus, authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko secured a seventh term in an openly rigged presidential election. Lukashenko’s crusade against dissent and political opposition has left many citizens and opposition figures exiled, imprisoned, and financially repressed. Historically, his regime has frozen bank accounts, blocked foreign currency exchanges, and cut off independent media from funding. By wielding financial and political power, Lukashenko ensures that no real opposition can rise, turning Belarus into a country where even the illusion of democracy has disappeared. In these environments, Bitcoin and tools like Lnp2pbot (an HRF grantee) help Belarusians circumvent financial restrictions and transact in a currency that Lukashenko can’t control.

Nigeria | Joins BRICS Economic Coalition

Nigeria is expanding its financial repression both internationally and domestically. It recently joined BRICS, an intergovernmental economic organization led by the Chinese and Russian regimes. For some, this raises concerns as Nigeria may deepen its authoritarian ways and further restrict individual financial freedoms. Member countries are each leaders in the development and implementation of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), threatening individual financial autonomy as financial control is increasingly placed under the purview of authoritarian states. In parallel, the Nigerian regime plans to distribute a 75,000 naira ($48) “cash transfer” to the nation’s poorest citizens. This bid to alleviate poverty risks, while stoking inflation and compromising privacy, as the initiative relies on digital registration through the National Identity Number (NIN) system. Nigeria’s strategy of using both micro and macro financial controls limits open markets and curtails individual freedoms.

Pakistan | Regime Passes Repressive Bill Targeting Online Spaces

Pakistan’s military-backed regime passed a repressive social media bill that allows officials to imprison citizens for spreading “disinformation” online. Under this new law, officials can block “unlawful and offensive” content and remove users from social media at a time when Pakistanis are increasingly turning to online spaces to express discontent over regime-imposed economic hardships. Those “spreading disinformation” risk facing three years in prison and fines of up to 2 million rupees ($7,150) — a harsh penalty for citizens grappling with the highest cost of living on the continent. Further, social platforms must register with the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority to operate or risk a permanent ban. Censorship and Internet controls are sadly nothing new for Pakistanis since the regime has blocked X during elections and enacted a nationwide Internet firewall to suppress public discourse and action.

Cuba | Salary of Baseball Player Buys a Carton of Eggs

Cuba’s cost-of-living crisis is so severe that even the country’s top and most profitable athletes cannot make ends meet. Exemplifying this, the monthly salary of a professional baseball player in the National Series — Cuba’s premier sporting event — barely covers the cost of a carton of eggs, forcing them to seek opportunities elsewhere. With the Cuban peso in freefall, several players have resigned, citing financial hardships as the reason for leaving the sport they love. Their departures reflect a broader reality: wages across Cuba fail to keep pace with severe inflation caused by the Cuban regime’s continuous economic mismanagement. The state continues to enforce wages in the collapsing peso while requiring “MLC” credits to purchase high-quality food and goods in a system that pulls in foreign exchange from abroad while stealing from citizens at home.

South Sudan | Regime Blocks Citizen Access to Social Media

In South Sudan, rebel leader Salva Kiir Mayardit directed the National Communication Authority (NCA) to block each citizen’s access to social media nationwide for up to three months, citing concerns over “public safety” and “mental health.” This decision follows violent videos of Sudanese armed forces attacking South Sudanese refugees in Sudan. Sudanese rights groups condemned the ban as a blatant act of censorship and an abuse of power. “The death of our South Sudanese in Sudan should not culminate in blocking social media, which is one of the ways many of us get information,” said one Sudanese citizen. By restricting social media, the regime demonstrates a clear willingness to silence dissent, suppress information, and stifle transparency under the guise of “protection.” As Sudanese grapple with rising prices, the ban further isolates them, leaving little room to coordinate relief efforts, share grievances, or hold those in power accountable.

RECOMMENDED CONTENT

IMF Offers a Glimpse at the Perils of Central Bank Digital Currencies by J.D. Tuccille

In this article for Reason Magazine, J.D. Tuccille examines the dangers of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and their implications for financial independence and privacy. Drawing from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) “CBDC Virtual Handbook,” Tuccille explains how CBDCs grant governments unprecedented control to monitor transactions, impose restrictions, and manipulate financial behavior. He contrasts these state-issued digital currencies with decentralized alternatives like Bitcoin, highlighting the stark differences in privacy and user freedom. You can read the complete analysis here. To learn more about CBDCs and the threats they pose to civil liberties and human rights, check out our HRF’s CBDC Tracker.

BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS

Super Testnet | Launches Hurricash

Bitcoin Developer Super Testnet released Hurricash, an experimental and open-source Bitcoin privacy protocol. Hurricash lets multiple users lock funds together in a single Bitcoin Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO), making their transactions more private. Users can then transact within the pool with greater efficiency and privacy. With greater liquidity and adoption, it could prove a useful tool for human rights defenders seeking financial privacy. Innovations like this could also pave the way for activists in many decades to afford trustless BTC transactions.

Zaprite | Integrates BTCPay Server

Zaprite, a platform for accepting Bitcoin payments, recently integrated BTCPay Server, an open-source Bitcoin payment processor and HRF grantee. This integration allows users to accept Bitcoin, Lightning, and fiat payments (like USD) while maintaining full control over their funds — something Zaprite couldn’t afford on its own. By connecting with BTCPay Server, users can receive Bitcoin payments directly to their own self-hosted wallet and node, reducing censorship risks and enhancing financial independence. This is valuable for nonprofits, merchants, and activists in authoritarian regimes, where governments monitor, freeze, and restrict financial activity.

Breez SDK | Implements Pay to BIP 353 Addresses

The Breez Software Development Kit (SDK), a tool for integrating self-custodial Lightning payments into apps and services, now supports payments to BIP 353 addresses. BIP 353 enables individuals with access to a domain the ability to create static, human-readable payment addresses (such as user@domain), instead of a long string of letters and numbers. This means an activist with a website can receive Bitcoin donations directly through their domain — if their wallet supports BIP 353. Several Bitcoin wallets already using the Breez SDK include Cake Wallet, Blitz Wallet, and Klever Wallet. These static addresses make receiving Bitcoin easier, more private, and more censorship resistant, reducing surveillance risks and simplifying recurring payments.

Ark Labs | Releases Wallet Software Development Kit

Ark, a protocol promising faster and cheaper transactions on Bitcoin, released a wallet software development kit (SDK). The SDK is aimed at helping developers more readily create Ark-compatible Bitcoin wallets that support both traditional Bitcoin payments and Ark’s instant transactions on mobile and desktop platforms. Protocols like Ark hold promise for greater transaction efficiency and improve its transaction capabilities for those who need it most.

Tornado Cash | US District Court Reverses Sanctions

A United States District Court ruled to reverse the sanctions on Tornado Cash, marking a major legal win for financial privacy in the digital asset space. This decision follows a previous Appeals Court ruling that found the Treasury overstepped its authority by sentencing the digital asset mixer under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court determined that Tornado Cash’s smart contracts (self-executing lines of code) do not constitute “property,” making them ineligible for sanctions under existing laws. These rulings set a positive precedent for decentralized protocols and financial privacy in a world where these tools are desperately needed. Developers cannot work on privacy openly in dictatorships, so they need havens in liberal democracies.

OpenSats | Announces Grants for Three Bitcoin Core Contributors

OpenSats, a public nonprofit supporting open-source software and projects, announced three new grants for Bitcoin Core contributors L0rinc, kevkevin, and Daniela Brozzoni. L0rinc will improve Bitcoin Core's performance and reliability by optimizing Initial Block Download (IBD), block storage, and database functionality. Kevkevin will enhance Bitcoin Core's stability, security, and usability by fixing bugs and reviewing pull requests. Finally, Daniela will review Bitcoin Core's code, adding features and improving test coverage. HRF is pleased to see the continued support of open-source developers from this Bitcoin Development Fund grantee.

Bitcoin Chiang Mai | Bitcoin for Human Rights Meetup

Bitcoin Chiang Mai, a grassroots Bitcoin community in Thailand, will host a meetup exploring Bitcoin’s role in human rights and financial freedom on Feb. 7, 2025. HRF Global Bitcoin Adoption Fellow Win Ko Ko Aung will discuss how Bitcoin empowers activists and communities under authoritarian rule, with a particular focus on Burmese citizens. Held in Burmese and English, the event will educate attendees on Bitcoin as a tool for escaping financial repression. If you have Burmese friends in Chiang Mai, share this opportunity with them. You can register here.

RECOMMENDED CONTENT

Bitcoin and Freedom with Alex Gladstein

In a special episode of the “Money Matters” podcast, Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, speaks with Alex Gladstein, chief strategy officer at HRF, to discuss the powerful link between Bitcoin and financial freedom. Gladstein unpacks how authoritarian regimes manipulate money to control the public and explains why open-source financial tools are critical for resisting oppression. His insights make a compelling case for financial sovereignty as a fundamental human right — and why Bitcoin remains the most effective tool to secure it.

If this article was forwarded to you and you enjoyed reading it, please consider subscribing to the Financial Freedom Report here.

Support the newsletter by donating bitcoin to HRF’s Financial Freedom program via BTCPay.\ Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit tips, stories, news, and ideas by emailing us at ffreport @ hrf.org

The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is accepting grant proposals on an ongoing basis. The Bitcoin Development Fund is looking to support Bitcoin developers, community builders, and educators. Submit proposals here.

Subscribe to newsletter

Apply for a grant

Support our work

Visit our website

@ d57360cb:4fe7d935

Your mind is alot like a train. The Passengers on the train are your thoughts.

Most of us have way too many passengers, and an endless amount of passengers waiting to get on the ride.

If we don’t take a stop to let some of the passengers off, the train will get over crowded leaving no room for new passengers to board.

Alan Watts once said ““A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. So, he loses touch with reality and lives in a world of illusions.”

Take some time daily if only for ten minutes to sit quietly and do nothing.

Let your mind rest, let it offload some passengers. You’d be surprised what you let go of and discover by taking a timeout.

@ cbd2779f:72a5b029

Have a few questions pertaining to setting up a new node. Basically, I always seems to be unsure about syncing to graph, after syncing to chain. Consider setting up a new node from scratch, or migrating perhaps, and you want to do an initial setup.

1. How long does it take?
2. What factors determine how long it takes?
3. Is the graph a universal graph that is identical from each nodes perspective?

So far, I'm monitoring progress but tailing logs, looking for clues:

tail -n 100 /data/lnd/logs/bitcoin/mainnet/lnd.log | grep GRPH

I can find some relevant clues like:

2025-01-30 15:24:54.843 [INF] GRPH: Processed channels=56 updates=59 nodes=15 in last 59.823699481s

and then checking with: lncli getinfo | grep -E 'synced|peers which outputs

"num_peers": 3, "synced_to_chain": true, "synced_to_graph": false,

At the moment, I've been experimenting with pruned blockchains and this outputs a lot of errors (I believe) relating to not being able to verify UTXOs as I have `ignore-historical-gossip-filters set to true.

Any further suggestions on how to better make sure things are happening under the hood when setting up a new node, what to look for in the logs or how to know the verification progress?

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/869944

@ fc2470ed:17d9ee27

by Hynek Fencl, July 2024

The way to Liberland is easy but not simple. Technically speaking, it’s just a short bike ride away from the nearest village on a comfortable bike path through a stunning forest known as the “Amazon of Europe”. On one side, one senses the presence of the mighty Danube River beyond the tall trees, and on the other stretch the farmlands of north-eastern Croatia. Then you take a left turn to a straight forest path, ride all the way to the end, and after a few bends on the track, you will have entered “the promised land”.

The part that is not simple is that Croatia both does and does not consider Gornja Siga (the local name for the area we now refer to as Liberland) to be its territory – depending on who you ask. This means that along the picturesque bike path, you will almost certainly encounter a border police patrol car, and, depending on whether you seem to them like you’re affiliated with Liberland, they will tell you to stop and hand over your ID. They run it through their system and, if you’re lucky enough to be a citizen of the EU, they let you pass. If you’re not and you give them a non-EU passport, they will ask you to come to the station with them to “determine the circumstances of your stay in Croatia.” You will then be issued with paperwork telling you to leave the country within the next 7 days, banning you from re-entering in the next 1-3 months. The official reasoning they’ll give for this is their reasonable suspicion that you have not come to Croatia as a tourist but with the intent to either do paid work (for which you would have to get a business/work visa) or to break the law (such as camping outside designated camping grounds or starting a fire in the forest).

All of this is part of a big game of chess that is being played out between Croatia and the Liberlanders. Croatia is in a tricky spot. They cannot properly administer the territory of Liberland and enforce its law in it – lest it would create an indication that the Croatian state officially claims it as its territory. However, they cannot not administer it either, since it’s on “their” side of the river, and it is risky for a rogue, unpredictable operation (from their perspective) like the establishment and growth of Liberland to just be left to its own devices right on their doorstep. This is, then, how we arrive at the status quo, with Croatia relating to Liberland in some way while being careful about the international perception of its action in another way. The resulting practice is a persistent harassment campaign toward the Liberlanders, with the apparent intent to create uncertainty and lower the appetite of potential Liberland settlers for this kind of adventure.

How to establish a new country

Liberland was born from an anomaly – a historical border dispute between Croatia and Serbia. The dispute involves the definition of where the border stands in relation to the Danube and goes back to 1947. Then, both lands along the river belonged to a single country – Yugoslavia – but the dispute arose with respect to the boundaries of its constituent states. It remained unresolved during the communist era and became an issue of international borders after the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Serbia claims that the border runs down the middle of the Danube, with the eastern bank being Serbian and the western bank Croatian. Croatia, on the other hand, claims that the border is set by historical borders marked by cadastral municipalities surrounding the Danube.

These municipality borders run along a different path because they were set before the course of the Danube was straightened during the 19th Century to allow for easier shipping. This results in disputed “pockets” of land on both sides of the river. The pockets on the eastern bank have a combined area of around 130 km2, while those on the western bank only amount to less than 10 km2. Not surprisingly, then, both countries claim that the border runs in a way where they get the >90% of land and the other country only gets the small remaining areas. However, this means that, by implication, since both countries are claiming the large areas, neither of them is claiming the smaller ones. These areas were, then, so-called terra nullius.

Under international law, there is no issue with any state claiming unowned and unclaimed land for themselves. And that is exactly what Czech businessman, politician, and activist Vít Jedlička did in 2015 when he proclaimed into existence the newly created Free Republic of Liberland on the largest, 7 km2 piece of the unclaimed areas between Croatia and Serbia.

It's one thing to announce a new country to the world. It’s an entirely different thing to make this country legitimate. Under the Montevideo Convention, a proper country needs to have 1) a permanent population, 2) a defined territory, 3) government, and 4) capacity to enter into relations with other states. Now, 9 years after the birth of Liberland, it clearly has three of those. As to a permanent population, the Liberlanders would argue that it definitely exists, even though Liberland’s now over 1200 registered citizens have had to largely live in “exile” ever since.

Nevertheless, despite the Convention, there’s one thing that makes something a country more than anything else – whether other countries see you as a country. The more diplomatic recognition an entity has, the more country-like it becomes. This is especially relevant for breakaway governments, governments in exile, or, most importantly in this case, startup countries like Liberland.

Very much aware of this, along with other members of Liberland’s startup government, Jedlička has been on a worldwide mission to legitimize Liberland in the eyes of other countries. Though there have been many amiable meetings and even some measure of support in some cases, no official recognition by any UN member has been achieved as of mid-2024. Liberland now has representatives and offices in multiple countries in the further pursuit of this goal. Though the effectiveness of this strategy has been questioned by many for the lack of decisive results so far, one thing remains unambiguously true: if recognized by even one or two UN members, Liberland would instantly gain an amazing amount of legitimacy and gravitas in the eyes of the world.

The quest for territory

Establishing international relations with countries anywhere in the world is not the only strategy that the Liberlanders have been employing in making the country more real and legitimate. This includes liaising and negotiating with the neighboring Serbia and Croatia. These relations are by far the most important and impactful ones. If both of Liberland’s neighboring countries were to either outright recognize the startup micro-state, or even just adopted an approach of non-interference, Liberland would be free to start actually developing and to find its own long-term position in the world.

As for Serbia, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs let itself be heard that, in their view, Liberland’s claims are a “trivial matter” but, in any case, they do not infringe upon the sovereignty of Serbia. One can imagine that Serbia might actually be secretly quite pleased with Liberland’s activities, since now Croatia has an issue to deal with on “their” side of the river, which, if they are not careful, could contribute to the legitimization of Serbia’s claim to the larger pieces of territory claimed by both countries.

With Croatia, things get quite a bit more complicated. In an official statement, the country rejected the claim that Gornja Siga is terra nullius, arguing instead that the land belongs to one of the two neighboring countries – the only question is to which one, which will be answered at some point in the future. Croatia also said it would stop any threatening and provocative activities on the territory even by force if necessary.

Ever since Liberland’s birth in 2015, the Liberlanders have been trying to make a mark on the territory. For a long time, even just entering Liberland wasn’t really possible. Under a deal between the Croatian and Serbian police that was put in place during the European migration crisis, Croatian authorities may enter Liberland and patrol it for security reasons (preventing illegal migration) even though they do not officially claim the territory as theirs. In addition, the border police have a near-permanent presence on the Danube River, preventing people from crossing into Liberland by boat.

As a result, anyone who would try to come to Liberland in any way would always be promptly arrested by the Croatians, essentially for entering a prohibited area.

After years of this status quo, a rather unexpected thing happened that made things suddenly move forward in a positive direction for the Liberlanders. In April 2023, during Liberland’s 8th anniversary celebrations, a famous YouTuber with a significant following decided to try to enter Liberland. After a few unsuccessful attempts due to heavy police presence and monitoring, he and his team hired jet skis and rode them all the way from Hungary down the Danube. When they got close to Liberland, they encountered the police boats again, but their jet skis were faster than the boats, so they managed to land at Liberland’s Liberty Island and plant a flag there. A few moments later, the police caught up to them and an aggressive policeman took out their handheld cameras before assaulting them and then kicking them on the ground, as can be clearly seen from drone footage of the incident.

As they had broken no laws, they were ultimately let go after the incident and free to leave the island without being arrested. However, the heavy-handed and illegal conduct of the Croatian police had been clearly documented and became part of the video that was published in July 2023.

The video promptly went viral, gaining almost 10 million views on YouTube. By comparison, the total population of Croatia is just under 4 million. When the news spread even to the Croatian press and TV stations, Croatia had a serious PR problem on their hands. The police had been clearly in the wrong, conducting themselves in a seriously improper way to the point of using physical force against peaceful people who had broken no laws nor engaged in any violence or hostilities themselves.

Something had to change. So, following this incident, the Croatian police adopted a different unofficial policy – from now on, they would let people enter Liberland if they wished to do so, in a controlled way. Since early August 2023, if you wish to enter Liberland, you can go on foot or by bike, take the access road down the forest, and show your documents to the Croatian police, just as you would at a border crossing. In a typical grand fashion of Liberland’s media team, Liberland made an announcement that an official border crossing had been opened between Croatia and Liberland (Croatia had obviously never made an official announcement like this, but for Liberland, that was the de facto situation on the ground).

In the weeks following the “opening of the border”, many enthusiastic settlers started coming to Liberland to finally begin making their mark on the territory of “the promised land.” They started constructing simple wooden houses, a bathroom, an open-air restaurant, and the related power and water infrastructure on Liberland’s mainland beach opposite Liberty Island in a settlement named Mateos Marina.

On September 7th, 2023, a troop of about 50 policemen and forestry workers, including a demolition crew, raided the settlement. The raid was officially dubbed a “cleanup operation” by Hrvatske šume, Croatia’s state forestry service. With the assistance of the police, they tore down all the wooden houses and structures using chainsaws and stole equipment as well as personal possessions of the Liberlanders on site. Several Liberlanders were arrested for “failure to comply with a lawful order”.

One might ask, if Liberland is not officially part of Croatia, what authority does Croatia have to come in to steal and destroy? Staying true to their claim that Liberland is not part of Croatia, the Croatians had announced to Serbia that they would be conducting the “cleanup” on Serbia’s territory, to keep it clean on their behalf.

We may only speculate about the reasons for carrying out this operation in such a heavy-handed, destructive way. One possibility is that allowing people to enter Liberland in the first place was a way for Croatia to lure some people to Liberland, become comfortable, and then come in and destroy everything to show everyone what would happen if they got involved in the project. Or perhaps it was the unexpected level of life, community-building, and construction going on in such a short period of time after the “opening of the border” that the Croatian police felt like they had to put a stop to it before things got so big they could not be easily destroyed anymore.

No matter the reasons, the raid had a chilling effect on prospective Liberlanders. Though there is plenty of video documentation of the operation, no one made a viral video about it this time. Though some media did pick up the news, it did not become a big story. Consequently, the PR fallout from this for Croatia was not unmanageable.

Liberlanders soon returned to the territory. However, the level of enthusiasm, energy, and external support was not as great as it had been before the raid. From then on, settlement efforts focused mainly on Liberty Island, unreachable by trucks and impossible for forestry workers to get to without a large boat which they seem not to have. Though perhaps a more strategic place to set up camp, Liberty Island is also much more prone to flooding than the rest of Liberland.

In the following few months, several makeshift houses were constructed using a combination of wood and sandbags. During this time, Liberland even hosted a first wedding on the island. The settlement was kept alive during winter as well, with Liberland enthusiasts staying mostly in houseboats whenever it was impossible to camp on site.

In the meantime, an enthusiastic settler couple bought a sizeable house with a courtyard in the village closest to Liberland – Zmajevac – which they have transformed into a base of operations for settlers. This is now called Liberbase and it is where visits to Liberland start, with bikes, supplies, and construction materials being gathered before going on the 40-minute bike ride.

In the spring of 2024, work started on the reconstruction of a former hunting lodge at a central location on Liberland’s mainland – Jefferson Square. The building was demolished a few years ago but the foundations, including a cellar, were left in place. The site was cleared, the foundations refreshed, and new walls for the future governmental building have sprung up from the ground. A professional construction crew was hired to speed up the re-building of this base, using large concrete bricks, to a standard that will make it logistically and practically difficult for the Croatian police and forestry workers to try to destroy.

The battle for legitimacy

The ongoing construction in Liberland is rather slow. It is difficult to bring construction materials to Liberland. It is prohibited to drive motor vehicles on the bike path leading to Liberland, which means that everything has to be manually hauled from Liberbase on cargo bikes. In addition, from time to time, bikes get stolen by the police or forestry workers. Despite these difficulties, the determination of the settlers is unwavering and they are working every day to move construction forward.

Is it possible to bring materials by boat? How did they get sandbags and other materials to Liberty Island?

The importance of such a commitment should not be underestimated. The continuous presence of settlers is incredibly important for Liberland. It shows the seriousness of the project. It shows that Liberland is a genuine community and a fledgling nation rather than, as some accusations tend to go, just an elaborate publicity stunt.

Practical difficulties with the Croatian authorities are not limited to construction-related issues. Even staying and camping in Liberland comes with its quirks. If you’re staying on Jefferson Square, you should be prepared for several police visits every day. These check-ups are usually nothing dramatic. The police usually show up, ask a couple of questions, and perhaps tell the settlers that they are not allowed to camp there or start a fire, but they don’t actually do anything more than that and just go about their day.

It seems that the Croatian police are rather shy about enforcing Croatian law in a territory that is not officially considered part of Croatia. International law often takes into account the de facto situation of the matter in any dispute. If Croatia enforced their law in Liberland, this would therefore be an indication that they do, in fact, consider the territory to be theirs in practice, despite the official stance of the state. It would play into the hands of Serbia, reinforcing their claims to the large parcels of land on the other side of the Danube.

In addition, Liberlanders on the ground report that the majority of Croatian police officers generally behave quite fairly and respectfully toward them – only a minority appear to hold a personal grudge against Liberland, being abusive and sometimes even violent instead. It seems highly likely that the police in general are just doing their job, following orders from above. Most of them don’t actually take it as a personal commitment to make life more difficult for the Liberlanders.

This is rather important from a big-picture perspective, because the settlers, by contrast, are often heavily personally invested in the project and see it as their mission to see Liberland develop into a proper country. This disparity in energy and determination is strong and perhaps this is what will, in the end, cause Liberland to prevail in this drawn-out dispute.

The dispute with Hrvatske šume is quite different. As of mid-2024, the forestry workers tend to turn up at Jefferson Square about every fortnight. Unlike the police, they do not limit themselves to words but tend to steal everything that is not bolted down – including tools, materials, tents, bikes, and personal possessions of the settlers camping there. The justification remains the same – to “clean the forest of any waste.” In their encounters with the police as well as the forestry workers, Liberlanders are of course meticulous in their video documentation of any illegal actions by the authorities.

The Liberlanders’ difficulties, however, do not just stay local. As previously mentioned, upon trying to enter Liberland from Croatia, people who do not have EU citizenship are promptly issued a one-to-three-month ban on entering Croatia, with 7 days to leave the country. This is done under legislation relating to citizenship and tourism.

However, things can escalate even further. Since last year, several key Liberland settlers and organizers, including Liberland’s President Vít Jedlička himself, have seen “heavier guns” used against them. They have been banned from entering Croatia for 5 years under anti-terrorism legislation, where the authorities argue that these Liberlanders are something akin to a threat to national security.

The Liberlanders have mounted a legal defense against this, in addition to challenging Croatia on other legal fronts. They have had some successes so far – in particular, it should now be clear that the Liberlanders do not need any building permits to construct buildings on their territory. Unfortunately, other issues – including the 5-year bans from Croatia – still remain unresolved.

Most Liberlanders remain hopeful nonetheless. They have seen their situation move forward significantly over the last year. A year ago, they were not even able to enter Liberland without being chased and/or arrested. Now, even some construction is possible, albeit in a limited way.

The road ahead

The long-term vision, of course, remains to build a full-fledged, internationally respected and recognized city-state. Liberland’s leaders often speak of a “Balkan Monaco”, referring to the amazing development possibilities that a freedom-oriented country in the middle of Europe could offer. Liberland has already hosted an urbanist/architectural contest, and there are concrete plans for the first hotel as well as a riverside real estate development. What is more, Liberland’s land is actually more than three times the size of Monaco.

Nevertheless, Liberland cannot move forward in a meaningful way toward these visions and aspirations under the status quo. The Liberlanders need to be able to build at scale and be free from harassment, both by the police and the forestry workers. Some kind of political deal is necessary as the next step toward proper development of Liberland.

Such a deal could take multiple forms, but all of them involve the Croatian authorities changing their attitude toward Liberland away from a policy of unrelenting obstruction – not necessarily toward outright recognition, but at least toward accepting Liberland as a neighborly project that will move forward and develop in some way.

One option could be to allow motor vehicles on the bike path toward Liberland, with a deal that could include charging Liberlanders some fair tolls to pay for the wear and tear of the pavement. An alternative would be to simply allow river crossing into Liberland from Serbia on the Danube. Since Croatia does not officially consider Liberland its territory, their current interference with this traffic is illegal anyway. Simply stopping this illegal conduct would help Liberland significantly without Croatia facilitating Liberland’s development in any active way.

Regardless of these options, the first and most notable step would be to stop banning non-EU citizens from re-entering Croatia as well as lift the existing (entirely unjustified and unreasonable) 5-year bans on Jedlička and the others.

It is easy to see why Croatia is wary and suspicious of Liberland’s development. One can understand the worries of a state in whose immediate proximity there is a new and unknown state growing and taking root. Nevertheless, Croatia actually has a lot to gain from making some kind of deal with Liberland.

First: currently there are perhaps a dozen policemen on patrol around Liberland at all times. This includes police vehicles and boats. This is a significant expense for the police force – an expense which is rather unsubstantiated, given that Liberlanders have clearly proven to be peaceful people who do not wish to pose any threat to Croatia, its people, or its law enforcement officers. Making a deal would mean that this large expense is not needed anymore.

Second: Liberland borders an area of Croatia that has been rather “left behind”, is underdeveloped, and suffers from a lack of jobs and investment. Consequently, younger people are leaving the area and the current population is growing older. If Liberland was growing and open for business nearby, it would provide the region exactly with the job opportunities, large investment, and overall development that it desperately needs.

Third: Croatia could use Liberland as an opportunity to actually gain an advantage in the ongoing border dispute with Serbia. As previously mentioned, Croatia cannot openly and properly administer the territory, as it would be an indication in the eyes of international law that they consider the territory to be theirs. On the other hand, it Liberland is located on “their” side of the Danube, so Croatia does have an interest in making sure the area is under their control somehow. Striking a deal with Liberland could involve Liberland agreeing to some obligations related to the administration of the territory which correspond to Croatia’s priorities. In this way, Croatia would have an active say in what happens on this land, effectively “outsourcing” its administration without officially claiming it as part of Croatia.

In addition to all these advantages being present, Liberland is very much open to cooperation with Croatia and is keenly looking forward to welcoming any future productive relations with Croatian authorities. There will be no grudges held on Liberland’s side, and if a mutually beneficial deal or solution were to be found, no one would look behind at any historical quibbles or difficulties. Liberland would be an excellent and friendly neighbor to Croatia, not just causing any issues but actively helping the overall development of the surrounding region.

Time will tell how things will develop. At the present, the momentum, energy, and enthusiasm is definitely on the side of Liberland. There seems to be very little actual interest from the Croatian side to cause issues for Liberland and to continue to prevent the fledgling state from developing further. All that is left are the bureaucratic hurdles of a state that is being overly conservative about its approach to the important issues of the day. Things might take time, but seeing the determination of the settlers and the willingness of all Liberlanders to be unrelenting in their fight for the cause, it is not difficult to argue that we might be seeing the dawn of Liberland as the world’s next proper city-state as we speak.

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

In the world of finance and politics, few topics have garnered as much intrigue and debate as Bitcoin. This cryptocurrency, emerging from the fringes of the internet, quickly captured the imagination of investors, tech enthusiasts, and politicians alike. Its promise of decentralization and freedom from traditional banking systems made it a hot topic in political circles, particularly in Canada. However, as quickly as it rose to prominence, Bitcoin has seemingly receded from the political spotlight.

Table Of Content

• The Political Heyday of Bitcoin

• The Turning Tide: Bitcoin's Decline in Political Relevance

• The Regulatory Response and Industry Evolution

• The Future of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies in Politics

• Conclusion

• FAQs

The Political Heyday of Bitcoin

The Surge of Interest

During its peak, Bitcoin was not just a financial asset but a symbol of technological progress and financial autonomy. Politicians, especially in Canada, were quick to recognize its potential. Figures like Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre championed Bitcoin, seeing it as a tool to empower individuals and a hedge against inflation.

Bitcoin in Policy and Legislation

Bitcoin's rise in value and popularity led to serious discussions about its role in the economy and its regulation. Debates in parliament and committees centered around how to integrate cryptocurrencies into the national financial system, protect investors, and harness the potential of blockchain technology.

The Turning Tide: Bitcoin's Decline in Political Relevance

The Market's Volatility

The volatile nature of Bitcoin, marked by dramatic price fluctuations, began to cast doubts in the political arena. The peak value of over $80,000 was followed by a steep decline, shaking confidence in its stability as an asset.

Changing Political Narratives

As the market fluctuated, so did the enthusiasm among politicians. The once vocal advocates like Poilievre became less outspoken about their cryptocurrency holdings, reflecting a broader shift in the political narrative around Bitcoin.

The Regulatory Response and Industry Evolution

Government and Regulatory Bodies

The initial excitement around Bitcoin led to legislative efforts and regulatory discussions. However, the lack of concrete actions and clear policies from the government left the regulatory landscape ambiguous. Independent bodies like the Canadian Securities Administrators stepped in to fill the void with guidelines and notices.

Industry Persistence Amidst Political Apathy

Despite the reduced political interest, the cryptocurrency industry continued to evolve. Developers and entrepreneurs in the space kept innovating, pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology and exploring new applications beyond financial transactions.

The Future of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies in Politics

Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

The rise and fall of Bitcoin in the political arena offer valuable lessons about the intersection of technology, finance, and politics. It highlights the need for a balanced approach to new technologies, combining enthusiasm with prudent regulation.

The Ongoing Debate and Potential Resurgence

While Bitcoin may have receded from the immediate political discourse, the debate around cryptocurrencies is far from over. As the technology matures and stabilizes, it may once again find its way into political conversations, potentially reshaping the financial landscape in ways yet to be imagined.

Conclusion

Bitcoin's journey through the political arena has been a tale of rapid rise, intense debate, and a quiet exit. However, this is not the end of the story for Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies. As the technology evolves and the world adapts, these digital assets may yet redefine the boundaries between technology, finance, and politics. The quiet exit of Bitcoin from the political stage today may just be the prologue to a more significant role in the future.

FAQs

Why did Bitcoin become a topic in Canadian politics? Bitcoin garnered political interest due to its potential as a decentralized financial system, promising autonomy from traditional banking and a hedge against inflation.

Who were some of the political advocates of Bitcoin in Canada? Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was among the notable political advocates, promoting Bitcoin as a tool for financial empowerment.

What caused Bitcoin to lose its appeal in politics? Bitcoin's appeal waned due to its market volatility, the steep decline in its value, and shifting political narratives.

How did the government respond to Bitcoin's rise? The government's response involved discussions on regulation and integration into the financial system, but concrete actions were limited.

What is the future of Bitcoin in politics? While currently less prominent, the ongoing evolution of cryptocurrency technology may lead to Bitcoin re-entering political discussions in the future.

That's all for today

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

NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com

X: @croxroadnews.co

Instagram: @croxroadnews.co

Youtube: @croxroadnews

Store: https://croxroad.store

Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe

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

@ 9e69e420:d12360c2

Tech stocks have taken a hit globally after China's DeepSeek launched a competitive AI chatbot at a much lower cost than US counterparts. This has stirred market fears of a $1.2 trillion loss across tech companies when trading opens in New York.

DeepSeek’s chatbot quickly topped download charts and surprised experts with its capabilities, developed for only $5.6 million.

The Nasdaq dropped over 3% in premarket trading, with major firms like Nvidia falling more than 10%. SoftBank also saw losses shortly after investing in a significant US AI venture.

Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen called it “AI’s Sputnik moment,” highlighting its potential impact on the industry.

![] (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/business/2025/01/27/TELEMMGLPICT000409807198_17379939060750_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqgsaO8O78rhmZrDxTlQBjdGLvJF5WfpqnBZShRL_tOZw.jpeg)

@ 9e69e420:d12360c2

Salwan Momika, a Christian Iraqi known for burning the Koran in Sweden, was shot dead during a TikTok livestream in an apartment in Sodertalje. The 38-year-old sparked outrage in the Muslim community for his demonstrations, leading to global condemnation. After being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.

Authorities arrested five individuals in connection with the incident. Momika's death comes days before a court ruling on his possible incitement of ethnic hatred. The incident highlights the tensions surrounding free speech and religious sentiments, intensifying after his controversial protests in 2023.

Sauce

@ e262ed3a:e147fbcb

I got an idea while watching a video from @BTCSessions, which I personally cannot implement technically. Therefore, I would like to present it here for discussion and free implementation. It makes sense to me, but what do I know? Let the swarm intelligence decide.

The goal of the business idea is:

1. How can I bring as many solo miners as possible into a pool without them having to pay for the electricity for mining and their mining hardware can be amortized quickly, so they can purchase more mining hardware?
2. How can we financially support Bitcoin and Nostr developers in the long term?
3. How can we intensify developers for the implementation of this idea?
4. How can we encourage non-Bitcoiners to invest in the support of the Bitcoin network?
5. How can we get non-Bitcoin retailers to invest in the Bitcoin network?

The answer is: PROSPECT OF WINNING

The solution lies in a kind of RAFFLE. (Not a betting website)

The legal difference between a BET and a RAFFLE varies from country to country. It lies in the fact that a raffle must be very transparent regarding the chances of winning and the proceeds must go to a good cause. Those involved in the implementation can, of course, be compensated (also with a profit for the individual participants). The extent to which this is allowed would have to be checked by those who want to implement this idea.

In the following, I will describe the implementation roughly. Since this is not a sales presentation, please excuse me if the following proposal is not fully structured.

Participants in the idea are:

1. Consumers (ticket buyers)
2. Bitcoin miners

3) Retailers 4) Non-profit company that implement the project

What's it about? @BTCSessions has a YouTube video about the miner FutureBit. In the dashboard of the solo miner, you could see how high the hash rate was. But above all, you could see how high the chance of winning was for the solo miner in the overall network. In the case of BTCSessions FutureBit, the hash rate was around 5 TerraHash and the chance of winning was around 1:1,000,000. (Which, according to my calculations, was not correct). The power consumption was around 32 watts. When I saw that, it suddenly dawned on me.

Could it be possible to create a website/app that determines the total hash rate of a mining pool and then offers an electronic, numbered ticket for each 1 TerraHash (TH/s) of the pool for, for example, 0.1 USD? The minimum purchase amount would be 10 tickets. The customer sees the chance of winning and could even see the possible payout. The ticket is only valid for the next block (similar to roulette).

Another variant could be that the buyer can select one or more of the next 10 blocks and purchase tickets for the selected block. Since you don't know in advance how high the pool hash rate will be 5 or 10 blocks ahead, the amount of tickets to be issued for the 2nd block, for example, could only be 90% of the current pool hash rate, the 3rd block only 80%, and so on. If block 3, for example, advances to position 2, the previously unavailable 10% will be released for further tickets. (Determined by the pool hash rate at that time)

The purchase of 10 or more tickets could be automated in the customer's account on the website/app (intervals: hourly, daily, weekly, every 10 blocks, etc.). Customers could also top up their account with satoshis, enabling automatic deductions for ticket purchases. This could be facilitated by automatically issuing a Nostr npub to each customer, which would also create a wallet at Primal.net (Strike). For non-Bitcoiners, Zaprite could be used to recharge their account. Alternatively, customers could enter a NostrWalletConnection NWC to enable automatic deductions from their Lightning wallet. The project operators might also consider running their own ecash mint, which would allow them to assign an integrated ecash address to customers without a Lightning address. Tickets with ascending numbers would be allocated strictly in the order of payment receipts.

Calculations for the miners: The FutureBit miner consumed approximately 30 watts per terahash/hour. Let's assume that 10 terahash consume 300 watts per hour, then the miner consumes 50 watts per 10 minutes (per block). Let's further assume that a kilowatt-hour of electricity costs between 10 and 30 cents, then it costs the miner 3-9 cents per hour for electricity at 10 terahash mining capacity. So, 0.5-1.5 cents per block. In the case that each ticket is sold for 1 terahash for the next block, one could automatically transfer, for example, 5% of the satoshis received from ticket sales to each participating miner in the pool (proportional to the average hash rate delivered by the miner in the last block in the pools). This happens even if the block is not found. If fewer tickets are sold than the maximum possible amount, then the 5% of the sold tickets will be distributed proportionally. (See also my Excel file?

At the center of the project is a website/app that manages the raffle. Here, anyone can register and create an account. Either as a miner, retailer, or customer with or without KYC, for example, with their own nostr nsec, wallet signature, email and password or phone number and password.

Once logged into the account, Bitcoiners can enter their Lightning address and a Bitcoin on-chain address. Non-Bitcoiners enter their financial data in case they win.

Miners must enter a Bitcoin and Lightning (or ecash) address. The pooling process is also managed in the miner's account.

Tickets can be purchased (like in a regular online shop) and paid for in any way. Zaprite could be a solution here. But also Strike, Cashapp, etc. As described above, such purchases could also be automated.

Retailers can also register as such. They will then have the opportunity to sell "tickets" to their customers and collect the money in cash. To sell tickets, they must enter the customer's name and a valid email address. After payment, they must send the purchase price via Lightning to the non-profit company, which will then confirm the purchase to the ticket buyer and the retailer with all the data. This is the receipt for the buyer. In the event of a win (the mined block must have 3-6 block confirmations), the ticket buyer will receive an email explaining all the further details of how to claim the prize. This could be a link that takes them directly to the website and logs them in directly. The winner can then enter their data on how and where the money should be paid out (Bitcoin address or bank details). Alternatively, they can go to their retailer, who can assist them by entering the data in their sub-account (customer account). To prevent the retailer from falsifying the data entry, the winner will first receive an email with the entered data, which they can confirm (if correct). Since the retailer is also involved in the win, they will also be notified.

How many tickets can be offered per round (Bitcoin block)? The number of tickets depends on the hash rate in the pool. One ticket can be issued per 1 TerraHash (TH/s). How the ticket is generated per round and customer, I don't know, as I lack the technical knowledge. Maybe as a kind of NFT that contains the corresponding data (customer number (npub) of the buyer and possibly retailer, block number, ticket number). Or as a Taproot asset on Lightning? Or as a minted ecash coin? Or simply as an entry in a database that the customer can see in their account.

The maximum payout of the winnings in the event of a found block to the ticket holders could be 70%. The remaining 30% would be distributed to the miners and retailers. For example: Miners 25%, retailers 5%. The non-profit organization receives nothing from the block rewards. Instead, it receives 65% of the revenue from all ticket sales. With a mining pool hash rate of 10,000 TH/s, where all tickets are sold continuously, a daily donation of around 93,000 USD would be generated. (see Excel.file)

The revenue, after deducting the possible costs of the organization, goes directly to @opensats and/or other organizations that support the Bitcoin network after each block. Either via Lightning or Bitcoin on-chain payment.

In the attached Excel file, you can find my calculations. Here, anyone can play through different scenarios.

What I noticed was that with maximum ticket sales per block, only around 200 USD per 10 tickets would be paid out, since each participating ticket wins in the event of a found block. Since I believe that this is not a very great incentive for buying tickets, I suggest the following variants.

Winning variants: Each purchased ticket has a running number. Ticket 1 has the number 000.000, ticket 2 has the number 000.001, ticket 10.120 has the number 010.119, and so on.

If the next block is found, then this found block in the Bitcoin blockchain has a hash. For example, block 881367 has the hash 000000000000000000014b0fab24355c71c6940584d9cd5990c0b081a31d54a4

Let's now remove the letters and read only the numbers from back to front, so the last 3 numbers are 544

Instead of every participating ticket winning, in this variant, only the tickets with the ending digits 544 win.

With, for example, 11,000 tickets sold, the ticket numbers 000.544 / 001.544 / 002.544 ... 010.544 would win. So, 11 ticket participants would win. Each winner with this number would receive around 0.284 Bitcoin (3.125 BTC / 11).

One could also let the ticket numbers with the ending digits 44 win, and thus every hundredth ticket. Or even combine it.

What I also noticed was that with retailers, a special case arises. Retailers receive 5% of the block rewards in the event of a found block. But only proportionally to the tickets sold by the retailer. This means that in order for the entire 5% to be distributed to the retailers, all 10,000 tickets of 10.000 possible tickets would have to be sold by retailers. Since not all tickets will be sold by retailers, a remaining amount will be left over. This could be distributed additionally to the miners. Or any other variant.

I hope the idea finds resonance and invites discussion. Maybe I've made some mistakes in thinking, and the idea is not feasible. But if you like the idea, please forward it to developers, investors, and others you know.

Best regards.

@nostr:undefined dewe

Excel sheet for download

@ e31e84c4:77bbabc0

Censorship today has evolved into something far more insidious than its traditional form. No longer limited to overt bans or government blacklists, it now thrives in subtler, more pervasive ways—hidden behind corporate policies, social algorithms, and political pressures. This new form of censorship cloaks itself in the language of promoting online safety, stopping misinformation, and defending democracy, but its effect is no less stifling.

Community guidelines of big tech platforms have become the weapon of choice to shape the boundaries of online discourse. In fact, online censorship is now a growing industry that receives funding and support from both government departments and the private sector. The National Science Foundation, for example, awarded over $40 million worth of grants for the development of AI tools "to counter misinformation online" and "advance state-of-the-art misinformation research"—a long-winded way of saying AI-powered censorship tools.

As with most evils in this world, centralization is the plank on which censorship rests. The centralized nature of big tech platforms not only gives them access to treasure troves of our personal data, but programs like PRISM, also give the government backdoor access to it. Just as with central banks, platforms like YouTube and Netflix become choke points that can be squeezed at will to enforce certain narratives.

Thankfully, since the invention of Bitcoin, we have not only had hard money that cannot be debased by any central bank but, more importantly, the world was bequeathed with a blueprint for building decentralized products and services at scale. For example, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that the inspiration behind Nostr's design was Bitcoin, even with the apparent differences in the architectures of the two. A decentralized, censorship-resistant communications protocol was inevitable after the emergence of censorship-resistant money.

Bitcoin and Nostr are the foundation of a decentralized creator economy that is not captured by big tech and their advertisers. Despite all these great strides towards pragmatically securing free speech online, the censorship industrial complex still has a chokehold on the film industry. While social media platforms actively suppress information they don't like, the film industry disguises propaganda as entertainment to achieve the same goal.

Historically speaking, the arts, especially the film industry, have been a very important and effective tool in shaping public perception and controlling the flow of information. During World War II, the Nazis produced numerous films that were part of a broader strategy by Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda, to manipulate public opinion in favor of the Nazi regime. They were designed to instill loyalty, promote anti-Semitism, and glorify the ideals of the Third Reich. Unfortunately, these tactics were not confined to that period in history and are still in use today.

Since 1948, the Pentagon's Entertainment Liaison Office has played a significant role in shaping Hollywood productions, with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) subsequently establishing a similar office in 1996. Initially perceived as passive advisors, these agencies have exerted influence by requesting script changes in exchange for access to resources like equipment and filming locations. The Department of Defense (DoD) has backed over 800 feature films, including major franchises like Transformers, Top Gun, The Terminator, and Iron Man. On the small screen, over 1,100 TV titles like Army Wives, NCIS, Homeland, and Flight 93 have received Pentagon support since 2001.

Journalist David Robb, in his book Operation Hollywood: How the Pentagon Shapes and Censors the Movies, wrote:

"The Pentagon even uses movies and TV shows to target children as future recruits, as it did with two of the most popular kids' TV shows of all time, Lassie and The Mickey Mouse Club. Episodes of both shows were rewritten at the Pentagon's insistence to make the armed forces more attractive to children."

It is undeniably evident that for a very long time, the national security state has shaped thousands of hours of our viewing experience. The portrayal of war in these productions often paints a sanitized picture that masks the complexities of combat, the ambiguities of victory, and the political machinations behind military actions. Are we seeing the truth of war, or a carefully crafted narrative that serves a larger agenda? Are the horrors of war being normalized as necessary evils to rally public support for future conflicts? One can only wonder.

Time would fail me if we had to discuss how this same relationship extends to the news media, as exemplified by the dismissal of Phil Donahue from MSNBC for having guests on his show who were critical of the Iraq War. Or how Disney spent almost $1 billion in 2023 on movies that were flops, as a result of their lack of substance due to their woke themes. Let's not even begin to talk about the nearly $2 billion the pharmaceutical industry spent on television ads in the first quarter of 2023 alone. Perhaps that's the going rate for a shot at shaping consumer demand and influencing news coverage of the industry. The larger point is that from both the big screen and the small screen, we are constantly bombarded with propaganda and carefully curated content that not only influences our buying decisions but our worldviews as well. This pervasive influence operates on a deeper level than we might realize, as we tend to perceive the world through cultural lenses pre-defined for us. Those who shape these fundamental worldviews wield immense power, subtly guiding our thoughts and actions. The genius of this influence lies in its invisibility - we often misinterpret these externally crafted ideas for our own independent thoughts.

As noted earlier, the film industry's centralized structure has led to a troubling prioritization of political narratives over audience needs and factual accuracy. To disrupt this status quo, a new breed of independent filmmakers and streaming platforms is required. These should embrace political neutrality and leverage emerging technologies like Bitcoin. The latter would be critical in revolutionizing content monetization, thus freeing creators from the grip of studio executives and other political influences that are used to censoring content they dislike. One such platform is IndeeHub.

IndeeHub is a streaming platform that aims to empower independent filmmakers by providing a fair and sustainable ecosystem for content creation and distribution. Not only could this potentially break Hollywood's monopoly, but it is an essential step in the creation of unbiased quality films. Despite launching early last year and still being in beta, the platform was able to score a major win when it was selected as the main streaming partner for the second edition of the Bitcoin Film Fest, which was held in Warsaw in April of this year.

IndeeHub's business model redefines film industry economics. By integrating Lightning network payments, it creates a true free market for content creators. Filmmakers earn per second of viewership, with revenue split among anyone on their cap table. Bad content immediately gets punished by lack of views and therefore lower revenue for the filmmaker, with great content being rewarded with more eyeballs and ultimately higher revenue. Just like Nostr, this serves as the perfect yardstick for measuring the reception by audiences of a particular production. This paradigm shift aligns incentives with audience engagement, potentially transforming both artistic creation and consumption.

In an interview the Ceo and founder of IndeeHub, Zack Mahoney, when quizzed on where he envisions IndeeHub said;

“Our goal is to be the best solution for filmmakers from concept to exhibition. I would love to see films not only exhibiting on this platform but beginning their lifecycle here as well. I envision a platform where filmmakers can collaborate, take risks, hone their craft, exhibit their work, and ultimately thrive in this industry.”

While many of the problems of the film industry aren't going to be solved overnight by one platform, IndeeHub is clearly on the right path to become the one-stop shop for financing films as well as collaboration and distribution. It's a truly innovative platform outside the control of the censors and the gatekeepers, beholden only to its mission. Zack went on to emphasize a very important point when he said:

"Storytelling is a cornerstone of the human experience and a fundamental process by which consciousness evolves,""Storytelling is a cornerstone of the human experience and a fundamental process by which consciousness evolves,"

a sentiment I concur with wholeheartedly. If those controlling the most influential storytelling medium are shaping society toward a dystopian reality, then what value does freedom money hold in a world where minds remain captive? 

Just as Bitcoin is a solution that removed trusted third parties from transactions and created a digital peer-to-peer cash system, IndeeHub also aims to be a solution that creates an alternative to the centralized streaming platforms that are under the thumb of advertisers and government agencies. By integrating the hardest money ever known to man, Bitcoin, it's saving the film industry from collapsing under its own weight while unleashing creativity on an unimaginable scale. It's time to build the world we want to see.

Uncensoring Art was Written By Kudzai Kutukwa. If you enjoyed this article then support his writing, directly, by donating to his lightning wallet: muggyarch11@walletofsatoshi.com**

@ 5a261a61:2ebd4480

The idea of the Bean Bag Game is quite ingenious. I read about it on a BDSM-positive blog. Here’s how it works:

1. Setup:

2. Take a small cloth bag and add 10 white beans (rewards/pleasure) and 10 black beans (punishment/discomfort).

3. When it’s time to play, draw two beans:

   • First bean (the tone): Determines if the activity will be pleasant (white) or uncomfortable (black).

   • Second bean (the task): Decides whether you get a reward (white) or punishment (black).

---

Combination Interpretations:

• Black + Black\ "No fun, just work."

• Boring/challenging tasks you’d normally postpone: window cleaning, scrubbing bathroom tiles, polishing shoes.

• Could also mean no playtime (e.g., "Go straight to bed"). Pure duty – no pleasure, only discipline.

• White + Black\ "Work with a twist."

• Punishment or chores, but with a kinky edge:

  • Clean the bathroom wearing a vibrating butt plug.

  • Wash dishes with nipple clamps; add a clothespin to your body for every minute over the time limit.

• Still no orgasms – the black bean ensures denial.

• Black + White\ "Pleasure with pain (or humiliation)."

• Mix stimulation and discomfort:

  • Ride a dildo with weighted nipple clamps.

  • Give a "lap dance" to a teddy bear with a strapon.

  • Chat online as a "perfect plaything" for others without touching yourself.

• Again, no orgasms – the black bean overrules the white.

• White + White\ "Lucky draw… but denial is optional."

• Freedom to indulge, though I often choose self-denial anyway. Examples:

  • Edge for 30 minutes, then ask permission to climax (50% chance).

  • Use toys freely, but end the session frustrated.

---

The Dynamic Ratio Twist:

• The starting 10:10 ratio isn’t fixed. Adjust it based on behavior:

• Good deeds? Swap a black bean for a white one.

• Mistakes? Replace a white bean with a black one.

• Single beans can also decide smaller stakes, like:

• "Should this edge turn into a ruined orgasm?"

• "Do I deserve dessert tonight?"

---

Why It Works:

• Control: The beans dictate your fate, but you tweak the odds through obedience.

• Flexibility: Use pairs for major tasks, single beans for quick decisions.

• Psychological tease: Even "white + white" can mean denial – because you choose the rules.

@ 955e5a04:c03b3cc3

Imagine a world where money moves freely, without borders or middlemen telling you what you can or can’t do. That’s the promise of Bitcoin—a digital currency that isn’t controlled by banks or governments. It’s freedom in your pocket.

But with great power comes great responsibility. In Putin’s People, Catherine Belton reveals how Russia’s elite, including Rosneft, strategic sectors, insiders and KGB-connected figures, used financial systems to move billions and shape global politics. Now, #Bitcoin offers a new tool that could bypass sanctions designed to hold such regimes accountable.

Does this make Bitcoin bad? Not necessarily. It’s a reminder of how innovation can outpace regulation. While some might misuse Bitcoin, it also gives people in oppressed regions a lifeline—a way to protect their savings and avoid corrupt systems.

Can Bitcoin strike a balance between financial freedom and accountability, or is it destined to remain a gray area for both innovation and potential misuse? Let’s talk!

@ 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/869648

@ 1af54955:31eed960

Persian rugs are much more than just floor coverings—they are timeless pieces of art that bring beauty, warmth, and cultural richness into homes across the globe. Known for their intricate designs, superior craftsmanship, and lasting value, these rugs have been treasured for centuries. Whether you're an interior design enthusiast or a first-time buyer, understanding the advantages of Persian rugs can help you appreciate why they remain a staple in homes and collections worldwide.

1. Durability and Longevity

One of the standout advantages of Persian rugs is their incredible durability. Hand-knotted with precision and care, these rugs are made from high-quality materials like wool, silk, and cotton. Wool, in particular, is known for its natural resilience, making Persian rugs resistant to wear and tear, even in high-traffic areas. Unlike mass-produced rugs, which can lose their appeal over time, a well-crafted Persian rug can last for generations when properly maintained. In fact, many Persian rugs have survived for hundreds of years, maintaining their beauty and structure. This longevity makes them an excellent investment, as a good-quality Persian rug only grows more valuable with age. Unlike synthetic carpets that may need replacing every few years, a Persian rug, when taken care of, can become a cherished family heirloom.

2. Unique Artistic Design

Each Persian rug is a masterpiece of artistry. With intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and symbolic designs, these rugs are often compared to fine art because of the level of skill involved in their creation. The designs can vary widely depending on the region of origin, the weaver's personal style, and the materials used. Whether you're drawn to the geometric patterns of Shiraz rugs or the floral motifs of Tabriz, there’s a design to suit every taste. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, Persian rugs also hold cultural significance. The patterns and motifs often have symbolic meanings—representing everything from nature to spiritual beliefs. When you invest in a Persian rug, you're not just buying a piece of decor ; you're embracing centuries of tradition and storytelling woven into every knot.

3. Value and Investment

Persian rugs are more than just beautiful; they are also an investment. Many high-quality Persian rugs increase in value over time, particularly rare pieces made with exceptional materials or unique designs. Collectors value rugs from specific regions or those that feature intricate craftsmanship, and these pieces can appreciate significantly in value. Buying a Persian rug can be seen as purchasing a valuable asset, especially if you select a rug from a reputable source or a renowned weaving center. Unlike furniture or modern decor, a well-maintained Persian rug can actually become more valuable as it ages, making it a wise long-term investment.

4. Versatility in Interior Design

One of the most attractive qualities of Persian rugs is their versatility. Whether your home features modern minimalism, classic elegance, or rustic charm, a Persian rug can seamlessly integrate into any design style. Its rich textures and colors can anchor a room, adding warmth and character to any space. From living rooms to bedrooms, from formal dining rooms to cozy corners, Persian rugs can elevate the atmosphere of any room. Their ability to blend with diverse interior aesthetics while maintaining their individuality makes them an enduring choice for homeowners and decorators alike.

5. Natural Materials and Sustainability

Many Persian rugs are made from natural materials like wool, silk, and cotton, which are not only luxurious but also sustainable. Wool, for instance, is a renewable resource that’s biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibers. The natural dyes used in Persian rugs are also derived from plants and minerals, ensuring that these rugs have a minimal environmental footprint.\ Unlike machine made rugs made from synthetic materials that may contribute to microplastics pollution, Persian rugs made from natural fibers are both luxurious and environmentally conscious, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your home while being mindful of sustainability. Unlike machine made rugs made from synthetic materials that may contribute to microplastics pollution, Persian rugs made from natural fibers are both luxurious and environmentally conscious, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your home while being mindful of sustainability.

\ 6. Comfort and Warmth\ \ In addition to their aesthetic and investment value, Persian rugs offer practical benefits, particularly when it comes to comfort and warmth. The thick pile of a Persian rug provides a soft surface to walk on, making it a delight to touch. Whether you're walking barefoot or sitting on the floor, the plush texture adds comfort to your space.Moreover, Persian rugs act as natural insulators. They help trap warmth, making rooms feel cozier and more comfortable, particularly during colder months. In this way, a Persian rug is not just a decorative addition to your home, but a functional one as well, contributing to your home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency.

7. Conclusion

Persian rugs are more than just beautiful pieces of floor decor—they’re investments in artistry, culture, and comfort. Their durability, unique designs, and potential for long-term value make them an enduring choice for homeowners looking to add elegance and warmth to their spaces. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, the advantages of Persian rugs are undeniable. If you're considering adding one to your home, take the time to explore the wide range of styles and designs available. A Persian rug could be the centerpiece of your home, offering beauty, comfort, and a piece of history that will last for generations.

@ db01672e:9f775028

When looking for the right Alzheimer's care home in Rockwall, choosing a facility that provides specialized care, emotional support, and a comfortable environment is crucial.

Alzheimer's care homes are designed to cater to the unique needs of individuals dealing with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Selecting the right facility can make a significant difference in ensuring a high quality of life for your loved one. Here are eight essential points to consider when choosing an Alzheimer's care home in Rockwall.

Specialized Care for Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients require tailored care that is different from the general senior living options. https://villagegreenalzheimerscare.com/rockwall/ that provide dedicated Alzheimer’s care should have a trained team familiar with the complexities of memory loss and cognitive decline.

Look for a facility that focuses on the individual needs of each resident, offering personalized care plans that address both physical and emotional well-being.

Safe and Secure Environment

A secure environment is essential for Alzheimer's care homes, as residents may become confused or disoriented and wander. The facility should have secure entrances, exits, and enclosed outdoor areas to keep residents safe.

Additionally, the layout should be easy to navigate, with calming and clear signage to reduce confusion.

Trained and Compassionate Staff

The caregivers at an Alzheimer’s care home in Rockwall should be experienced, patient, and compassionate.

The quality of staff and their training is paramount. Caregivers who understand the behavior and communication challenges of those with Alzheimer’s can help reduce frustration and create a calming atmosphere.

Staff should also have training in first aid, CPR, and handling medical emergencies specific to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Person-Centered Care Approach

An ideal Alzheimer’s care home will adopt a person-centered approach to care. This method emphasizes respecting the individual’s preferences, life history, and unique needs

A good Alzheimer’s care facility will encourage residents to maintain independence, creating a balance between support and autonomy.

Engaging and Stimulating Activities

Look for a facility that offers a variety of activities designed to engage the mind and body. Alzheimer’s patients benefit from daily activities that promote cognitive stimulation, such as music therapy, art, and memory exercises.

Many assisted living facilities in Rockwall, TX, also offer physical exercises to help mobility and overall health. These tailored activities should reflect residents’ interests and provide comfort and joy.

Comfortable and Homelike Environment

The atmosphere of an Alzheimer’s care home should be warm and inviting, like home. This homelike environment can help residents feel secure and at ease.

The facility should offer comfortable common areas, family-style dining, and private rooms or suites where residents can retreat. Calming colors, familiar furnishings, and soothing lighting can also help reduce anxiety and agitation.

Quality Nutrition and Meal Options

Nutrition plays a vital role in the health of individuals with Alzheimer’s. A memory care facility should provide meals that are not only nutritious but also cater to residents' preferences.

Facilities that offer family-style dining often help create a sense of community and comfort during mealtime. Special diets or modified meals should also be available to accommodate residents' medical or dietary needs.

Physical and Mental Health Services

Assisted living facilities in Rockwall, TX, that offer Alzheimer's care should provide access to various healthcare services, including regular medical checkups and specialized care for related health issues. The facility should partner with doctors, nurses, and therapists who can offer on-site care, ensuring that residents receive the medical attention they need without leaving the facility.

The End Note

Selecting an Alzheimer’s care home in Rockwall involves careful consideration of several factors that will impact the quality of life of your loved one.

From specialized care to a nurturing environment, finding a facility that balances medical needs with emotional support is essential. By focusing on these points, you can make an informed decision to ensure peace of mind for the resident and their family.

@ 7cb5fba1:4ea55c0e

---

Samira parties with customers at a brothel. She was married at 12, trafficked to a brothel two weeks later.

---

A madam counts money in a brothel

---

Mia, 15, sits with her new 27-year-old groom during their wedding. ‘My family has been saving for my wedding for a very long time. I am a girl, so they always knew they would need to give me away.' Five or six months ago, her parents found Mia a groom, a 27-year-old man who works in a garment factory. 'I am nervous,' Mia says, quietly. 'I think I will miss my family'

---

Yasmin waits for customers

---

A girl shows her self harm scars

---

Women wait for customers

---

Habiba waits for customers. The 14-year-old has been in a brothel for three years

---

‘I ran away from my husband after seven days. He was only about 15 or 16, but he raped me so violently that one morning, when I knew he was asleep, I slipped out of the house as quietly as I could, and ran,’ Samira says. ‘I ran back to my house, but I was too frightened to go inside because I was covered in blood and bruises. My mum died when I was 11, so my brother and sister had arranged the marriage because they could not afford to look after me any more, and I knew leaving my husband would make them angry. So I asked a rickshaw driver to take me across (the town) to my friend’s house, but he told me I should be ashamed of myself, and dropped me off at the brothel instead’

---

A customer enters Yasmin’s room

---

A police officer stops to speak to a woman outside a brothel

---

A customer fights with girls at a brothel

---