@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Finding Catholics and Catholic-friendly content on Nostr

Obvious Catholics being obvious

nostr:npub1m4ny6hjqzepn4rxknuq94c2gpqzr29ufkkw7ttcxyak7v43n6vvsajc2jl

nostr:npub1k92qsr95jcumkpu6dffurkvwwycwa2euvx4fthv78ru7gqqz0nrs2ngfwd

nostr:npub1wqfzz2p880wq0tumuae9lfwyhs8uz35xd0kr34zrvrwyh3kvrzuskcqsyn

nostr:npub1ecdlntvjzexlyfale2egzvvncc8tgqsaxkl5hw7xlgjv2cxs705s9qs735

nostr:npub1rcr8h76csgzhdhea4a7tq5w5gydcpg9clgf0cffu6z45rnc6yp5sj7cfuz

nostr:npub1fyd0awkakq4aap70ual7mtlszjle9krffgwnsrkyua2frzmysd8qjj8gvg

nostr:npub1q0fe26apcqeeyqnlre29fqu7ysx0ucm5ly637md3zlvy2xcfsm3s0lsv4r

nostr:npub1dvdcmtp5llrp63jdlmhspe9gffsyu9ew7cu3ld3f9y7k79nxzjxqf4d4rm

nostr:npub1paxyej8f8fh57ny0fr5w2mzp9can9nkcmeu5jaerv68mhrah7t8s795ky6

nostr:npub1tvw3h5xqnuc2aq5zelxp3dy58sz7x9u8e6enkxywmrz70cg2j2zqjes44n

nostr:npub13tahtl9pjw9u5ycruqk84k6sfmkyljsr7y2pc4s840ctlm73fxeq3j6e08

nostr:npub1w4jkwspqn9svwnlrw0nfg0u2yx4cj6yfmp53ya4xp7r24k7gly4qaq30zp

Other good Christian follows

nostr:npub1hqy4zwnvsdmlml4tpgp0kgrruxamfcwpgm4g3q2tr3d2ut3kuxusx73psm

nostr:npub1cpstx8lzhwctunfe80rugz5qsj9ztw8surec9j6mf8phha68dj6qhm8j5e

nostr:npub1ak5kewf6anwkrt0qc8ua907ljkn7wm83e2ycyrpcumjvaf2upszs8r0gwg

nostr:npub1mt8x8vqvgtnwq97sphgep2fjswrqqtl4j7uyr667lyw7fuwwsjgs5mm7cz

nostr:npub1q6ya7kz84rfnw6yjmg5kyttuplwpauv43a9ug3cajztx4g0v48eqhtt3sh

nostr:npub1356t6fpjysx9vdchfg7mryv83w4pcye6a3eeke9zvsje7s2tuv4s4k805u

nostr:npub1kun5628raxpm7usdkj62z2337hr77f3ryrg9cf0vjpyf4jvk9r9smv3lhe

nostr:npub1qf6gsfapq94rj0rcptkpm9sergacmuwrjlgfx5gznjajtvkcx3psfhx6k5

nostr:npub1ll99fcrclkvgff696u8tq9vupw9fulfc8fysdf6gfwp7hassrh2sktxszt

nostr:npub1zy37ecnhpvx4lmxh4spd0898sxdj0ag8m64s9yq499zaxlg7qrqq8c53q6

nostr:npub1rtlqca8r6auyaw5n5h3l5422dm4sry5dzfee4696fqe8s6qgudks7djtfs

nostr:npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn

nostr:npub18zqmath26txwfhc70af8axk7pftjre9x7cf0lxkg92nvj2cpfgts8va790

Christian follow list

An exhaustive list of Christians is maintained by nostr:npub1mt8x8vqvgtnwq97sphgep2fjswrqqtl4j7uyr667lyw7fuwwsjgs5mm7cz. Just look at his list on https://listr.lol/

Catholic community

You can also join the community, to reach other catholics (usable on #Nostrudel #Coracle #Amethyst and #Satellite): nostr:naddr1qvzqqqyx7cpzqqnd3dl8hnptg9agfugwmdcmgfl7wcrfjpgfpv28ksq6dnmqc0e8qqyyxct5dphkc6trmu6k9l

Christian topic relay

And always make sure to use the #catholic hashtag, to get onto the top-specific christpill relay (add it to your relay list: wss://christpill.nostr1.com/).

Hope that helps! 😊

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

The recent shutdown of TikTok in the United States due to a potential government ban serves as a stark reminder how fragile centralized platforms truly are under the surface. While these platforms offer convenience, a more polished user experience, and connectivity, they are ultimately beholden to governments, corporations, and other authorities. This makes them vulnerable to censorship, regulation, and outright bans. In contrast, Nostr represents a shift in how we approach online communication and content sharing. Built on the principles of decentralization and user choice, Nostr cannot be banned, because it is not a platform—it is a protocol.

PROTOCOLS, NOT PLATFORMS.

At the heart of Nostr's philosophy is user choice, a feature that fundamentally sets it apart from legacy platforms. In centralized systems, the user experience is dictated by a single person or governing entity. If the platform decides to filter, censor, or ban specific users or content, individuals are left with little action to rectify the situation. They must either accept the changes or abandon the platform entirely, often at the cost of losing their social connections, their data, and their identity.

What's happening with TikTok could never happen on Nostr. With Nostr, the dynamics are completely different. Because it is a protocol, not a platform, no single entity controls the ecosystem. Instead, the protocol enables a network of applications and relays that users can freely choose from. If a particular application or relay implements policies that a user disagrees with, such as censorship, filtering, or even government enforced banning, they are not trapped or abandoned. They have the freedom to move to another application or relay with minimal effort.

THIS IS POWERFUL.

Take, for example, the case of a relay that decides to censor specific content. On a legacy platform, this would result in frustration and a loss of access for users. On Nostr, however, users can simply connect to a different relay that does not impose such restrictions. Similarly, if an application introduces features or policies that users dislike, they can migrate to a different application that better suits their preferences, all while retaining their identity and social connections.

The same principles apply to government bans and censorship. A government can ban a specific application or even multiple applications, just as it can block one relay or several relays. China has implemented both tactics, yet Chinese users continue to exist and actively participate on Nostr, demonstrating Nostr's ability to resistant censorship.

How? Simply, it turns into a game of whack-a-mole. When one relay is censored, another quickly takes its place. When one application is banned, another emerges. Users can also bypass these obstacles by running their own relays and applications directly from their homes or personal devices, eliminating reliance on larger entities or organizations and ensuring continuous access.

AGAIN, THIS IS POWERUFL.

Nostr's open and decentralized design makes it resistant to the kinds of government intervention that led to TikTok's outages this weekend and potential future ban in the next 90 days. There is no central server to target, no company to regulate, and no single point of failure. (Insert your CEO jokes here). As long as there are individuals running relays and applications, users continue creating notes and sending zaps.

Platforms like TikTok can be silenced with the stroke of a pen, leaving millions of users disconnected and abandoned. Social communication should not be silenced so incredibly easily. No one should have that much power over social interactions.

Will we on-board a massive wave of TikTokers in the coming hours or days? I don't know.

TikTokers may not be ready for Nostr yet, and honestly, Nostr may not be ready for them either. The ecosystem still lacks the completely polished applications, tools, and services they’re accustomed to. This is where we say "we're still early". They may not be early adopters like the current Nostr user base. Until we bridge that gap, they’ll likely move to the next centralized platform, only to face another government ban or round of censorship in the future. But eventually, there will come a tipping point, a moment when they’ve had enough. When that time comes, I hope we’re prepared. If we’re not, we risk missing a tremendous opportunity to onboard people who genuinely need Nostr’s freedom.

Until then, to all of the Nostr developers out there, keep up the great work and keep building. Your hard work and determination is needed.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

I’ve been using Notedeck for several months, starting with its extremely early and experimental alpha versions, all the way to its current, more stable alpha releases. The journey has been fascinating, as I’ve had the privilege of watching it evolve from a concept into a functional and promising tool.

In its earliest stages, Notedeck was raw—offering glimpses of its potential but still far from practical for daily use. Even then, the vision behind it was clear: a platform designed to redefine how we interact with Nostr by offering flexibility and power for all users.

I'm very bullish on Notedeck. Why? Because Will Casarin is making it! Duh! 😂

Seriously though, if we’re reimagining the web and rebuilding portions of the Internet, it’s important to recognize the potential of Notedeck. If Nostr is reimagining the web, then Notedeck is reimagining the Nostr client.

Notedeck isn’t just another Nostr app—it’s more a Nostr browser that functions more like an operating system with micro-apps. How cool is that?

Much like how Google's Chrome evolved from being a web browser with a task manager into ChromeOS, a full blown operating system, Notedeck aims to transform how we interact with the Nostr. It goes beyond individual apps, offering a foundation for a fully integrated ecosystem built around Nostr.

As a Nostr evangelist, I love to scream INTEROPERABILITY and tout every application's integrations. Well, Notedeck has the potential to be one of the best platforms to showcase these integrations in entirely new and exciting ways.

Do you want an Olas feed of images? Add the media column.

Do you want a feed of live video events? Add the zap.stream column.

Do you want Nostr Nests or audio chats? Add that column to your Notedeck.

Git? Email? Books? Chat and DMs? It's all possible.

Not everyone wants a super app though, and that’s okay. As with most things in the Nostr ecosystem, flexibility is key. Notedeck gives users the freedom to choose how they engage with it—whether it’s simply following hashtags or managing straightforward feeds. You'll be able to tailor Notedeck to fit your needs, using it as extensively or minimally as you prefer.

Notedeck is designed with a local-first approach, utilizing Nostr content stored directly on your device via the local nostrdb. This will enable a plethora of advanced tools such as search and filtering, the creation of custom feeds, and the ability to develop personalized algorithms across multiple Notedeck micro-applications—all with unparalleled flexibility.

Notedeck also supports multicast. Let's geek out for a second. Multicast is a method of communication where data is sent from one source to multiple destinations simultaneously, but only to devices that wish to receive the data. Unlike broadcast, which sends data to all devices on a network, multicast targets specific receivers, reducing network traffic. This is commonly used for efficient data distribution in scenarios like streaming, conferencing, or large-scale data synchronization between devices.

In a local first world where each device holds local copies of your nostr nodes, and each device transparently syncs with each other on the local network, each node becomes a backup. Your data becomes antifragile automatically. When a node goes down it can resync and recover from other nodes. Even if not all nodes have a complete collection, negentropy can pull down only what is needed from each device. All this can be done without internet.

-Will Casarin

In the context of Notedeck, multicast would allow multiple devices to sync their Nostr nodes with each other over a local network without needing an internet connection. Wild.

Notedeck aims to offer full customization too, including the ability to design and share custom skins, much like Winamp. Users will also be able to create personalized columns and, in the future, share their setups with others. This opens the door for power users to craft tailored Nostr experiences, leveraging their expertise in the protocol and applications. By sharing these configurations as "Starter Decks," they can simplify onboarding and showcase the best of Nostr’s ecosystem.

Nostr’s “Other Stuff” can often be difficult to discover, use, or understand. Many users doesn't understand or know how to use web browser extensions to login to applications. Let's not even get started with nsecbunkers. Notedeck will address this challenge by providing a native experience that brings these lesser-known applications, tools, and content into a user-friendly and accessible interface, making exploration seamless. However, that doesn't mean Notedeck should disregard power users that want to use nsecbunkers though - hint hint.

For anyone interested in watching Nostr be developed live, right before your very eyes, Notedeck’s progress serves as a reminder of what’s possible when innovation meets dedication. The current alpha is already demonstrating its ability to handle complex use cases, and I’m excited to see how it continues to grow as it moves toward a full release later this year.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

New Year’s resolutions often feel boring and repetitive. Most revolve around getting in shape, eating healthier, or giving up alcohol. While the idea is interesting—using the start of a new calendar year as a catalyst for change—it also seems unnecessary. Why wait for a specific date to make a change? If you want to improve something in your life, you can just do it. You don’t need an excuse.

That’s why I’ve never been drawn to the idea of making a list of resolutions. If I wanted a change, I’d make it happen, without worrying about the calendar. At least, that’s how I felt until now—when, for once, the timing actually gave me a real reason to embrace the idea of New Year’s resolutions.

Enter Olas.

If you're a visual creator, you've likely experienced the relentless grind of building a following on platforms like Instagram—endless doomscrolling, ever-changing algorithms, and the constant pressure to stay relevant. But what if there was a better way? Olas is a Nostr-powered alternative to Instagram that prioritizes community, creativity, and value-for-value exchanges. It's a game changer.

Instagram’s failings are well-known. Its algorithm often dictates whose content gets seen, leaving creators frustrated and powerless. Monetization hurdles further alienate creators who are forced to meet arbitrary follower thresholds before earning anything. Additionally, the platform’s design fosters endless comparisons and exposure to negativity, which can take a significant toll on mental health.

Instagram’s algorithms are notorious for keeping users hooked, often at the cost of their mental health. I've spoken about this extensively, most recently at Nostr Valley, explaining how legacy social media is bad for you. You might find yourself scrolling through content that leaves you feeling anxious or drained. Olas takes a fresh approach, replacing "doomscrolling" with "bloomscrolling." This is a common theme across the Nostr ecosystem. The lack of addictive rage algorithms allows the focus to shift to uplifting, positive content that inspires rather than exhausts.

Monetization is another area where Olas will set itself apart. On Instagram, creators face arbitrary barriers to earning—needing thousands of followers and adhering to restrictive platform rules. Olas eliminates these hurdles by leveraging the Nostr protocol, enabling creators to earn directly through value-for-value exchanges. Fans can support their favorite artists instantly, with no delays or approvals required. The plan is to enable a brand new Olas account that can get paid instantly, with zero followers - that's wild.

Olas addresses these issues head-on. Operating on the open Nostr protocol, it removes centralized control over one's content’s reach or one's ability to monetize. With transparent, configurable algorithms, and a community that thrives on mutual support, Olas creates an environment where creators can grow and succeed without unnecessary barriers.

Join me on my New Year's resolution. Join me on Olas and take part in the #Olas365 challenge! It’s a simple yet exciting way to share your content. The challenge is straightforward: post at least one photo per day on Olas (though you’re welcome to share more!).

Download on iOS.

Download on Android or download via Zapstore.

Let's make waves together.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Here are my predictions for Nostr in 2025:

Decentralization: The outbox and inbox communication models, sometimes referred to as the Gossip model, will become the standard across the ecosystem. By the end of 2025, all major clients will support these models, providing seamless communication and enhanced decentralization. Clients that do not adopt outbox/inbox by then will be regarded as outdated or legacy systems.

Privacy Standards: Major clients such as Damus and Primal will move away from NIP-04 DMs, adopting more secure protocol possibilities like NIP-17 or NIP-104. These upgrades will ensure enhanced encryption and metadata protection. Additionally, NIP-104 MLS tools will drive the development of new clients and features, providing users with unprecedented control over the privacy of their communications.

Interoperability: Nostr's ecosystem will become even more interconnected. Platforms like the Olas image-sharing service will expand into prominent clients such as Primal, Damus, Coracle, and Snort, alongside existing integrations with Amethyst, Nostur, and Nostrudel. Similarly, audio and video tools like Nostr Nests and Zap.stream will gain seamless integration into major clients, enabling easy participation in live events across the ecosystem.

Adoption and Migration: Inspired by early pioneers like Fountain and Orange Pill App, more platforms will adopt Nostr for authentication, login, and social systems. In 2025, a significant migration from a high-profile application platform with hundreds of thousands of users will transpire, doubling Nostr’s daily activity and establishing it as a cornerstone of decentralized technologies.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

As I look back on my predictions for Nostr in 2024, it’s clear I had some hits and misses. I believe my first two predictions were spot on, accurately reflecting the trends and developments we witnessed. However, my second two predictions missed the mark, proving to be far less accurate. Maybe I was too bullish?

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzq0mhp4ja8fmy48zuk5p6uy37vtk8tx9dqdwcxm32sy8nsaa8gkeyqyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgtcqypsm9tk39g20atwqskvjcvhq7rher5nkgwjr05lzspne4gf0uvyxukew5mg

What did I get right? Clients did increasingly prioritize user and content discovery while enabling users to easily select and choose their own algorithms. (DVMs, Trending, What's Hot, Feeds, etc.) This focus provided individuals with more tools, greater control, and unprecedented power over their social streams and attention than ever before. This is still actively happening and will continue to happen throughout 2025 too.

What did I get wrong? We didn't see an Other Stuff application breakthrough as a clear winner that became a mainstream favorite. I anticipated a standout application that would interest users and become a "must-use" within the ecosystem, but this didn’t happen. And we also clearly didn't hit 1M active users either. While adoption did increase, it didn’t reach the critical mass I expected.

But this doesn't mean 2024 fell short of expectations—in fact, quite the opposite. The year brought incredible client innovations (Damus Notedeck, Primal 2.0, TOR only Amethyst, Flotilla, Chachi, Olas, Coracle feeds, etc.) and relay milestones (Web-of-Trust relays, private relays, algorithm based relays, etc.) with the introduction of these innovative features and the launch of these new platforms.

Beyond technology, the Nostr community achieved something truly remarkable: a grassroots movement that united people globally.

From supporting Nostr meetups and events to hosting booths across continents at major conferences, the community came together to raise money to support these initiatives in ways no one predicted. This organic, ground-up effort showcased the strength and passion behind Nostr, creating a foundation that will #grownostr and success for years to come.

Too bullish? Maybe I wasn't bullish enough? As is tradition, I will post my 2025 predictions tomorrow.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Amber

Amber is a Nostr event signer for Android that allows users to securely segregate their private key (nsec) within a single, dedicated application. Designed to function as a NIP-46 signing device, Amber ensures your smartphone can sign events without needing external servers or additional hardware, keeping your private key exposure to an absolute minimum. This approach aligns with the security rationale of NIP-46, which states that each additional system handling private keys increases potential vulnerability. With Amber, no longer do users need to enter their private key into various Nostr applications.

Amber is supported by a growing list of apps, including Amethyst, 0xChat, Voyage, Fountain, and Pokey, as well as any web application that supports NIP-46 NSEC bunkers, such as Nostr Nests, Coracle, Nostrudel, and more. With expanding support, Amber provides an easy solution for secure Nostr key management across numerous platforms.

Amber supports both native and web-based Nostr applications, aiming to eliminate the need for browser extensions or web servers. Key features include offline signing, multiple account support, and NIP-46 compatibility, and includes a simple UI for granular permissions management. Amber is designed to support signing events in the background, enhancing flexibility when you select the "remember my choice" option, eliminating the need to constantly be signing events for applications that you trust. You can download the app from it's GitHub page, via Obtainium or Zap.store.

To log in with Amber, simply tap the "Login with Amber" button or icon in a supported application, or you can paste the NSEC bunker connection string directly into the login box. For example, use a connection string like this: bunker://npub1tj2dmc4udvgafxxxxxxxrtgne8j8l6rgrnaykzc8sys9mzfcz@relay.nsecbunker.com.

---

Citrine

Citrine is a Nostr relay built specifically for Android, allowing Nostr clients on Android devices to seamlessly send and receive events through a relay running directly on their smartphone. This mobile relay setup offers Nostr users enhanced flexibility, enabling them to manage, share, and back up all their Nostr data locally on their device. Citrine’s design supports independence and data security by keeping data accessible and under user control.

With features tailored to give users greater command over their data, Citrine allows easy export and import of the database, restoration of contact lists in case of client malfunctions, and detailed relay management options like port configuration, custom icons, user management, and on-demand relay start/stop. Users can even activate TOR access, letting others connect securely to their Nostr relay directly on their phone. Future updates will include automatic broadcasting when the device reconnects to the internet, along with content resolver support to expand its functionality.

Once you have your Citrine relay fully configured, simply add it to the Private and Local relay sections in Amethyst's relay configuration.

---

Pokey

Pokey for Android is a brand new, real-time notification tool for Nostr. Pokey allows users to receive live updates for their Nostr events and enabling other apps to access and interact with them. Designed for seamless integration within a user's Nostr relays, Pokey lets users stay informed of activity as it happens, with speed and the flexibility to manage which events trigger notifications on their mobile device.

Pokey currently supports connections with Amber, offering granular notification settings so users can tailor alerts to their preferences. Planned features include broadcasting events to other apps, authenticating to relays, built-in Tor support, multi-account handling, and InBox relay management. These upcoming additions aim to make Pokey a fantastic tool for Nostr notifications across the ecosystem.

---

Zap.store

Zap.store is a permissionless app store powered by Nostr and your trusted social graph. Built to offer a decentralized approach to app recommendations, zap.store enables you to check if friends like Alice follow, endorse, or verify an app’s SHA256 hash. This trust-based, social proof model brings app discovery closer to real-world recommendations from friends and family, bypassing centralized app curation. Unlike conventional app stores and other third party app store solutions like Obtainium, zap.store empowers users to see which apps their contacts actively interact with, providing a higher level of confidence and transparency.

Currently available on Android, zap.store aims to expand to desktop, PWAs, and other platforms soon. You can get started by installing Zap.store on your favorite Android device, and install all of the applications mentioned above.

---

Android's openness goes hand in hand with Nostr's openness. Enjoy exploring both expanding ecosystems.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Amber

Amber is a Nostr event signer for Android that allows users to securely segregate their private key (nsec) within a single, dedicated application. Designed to function as a NIP-46 signing device, Amber ensures your smartphone can sign events without needing external servers or additional hardware, keeping your private key exposure to an absolute minimum. This approach aligns with the security rationale of NIP-46, which states that each additional system handling private keys increases potential vulnerability. With Amber, no longer do users need to enter their private key into various Nostr applications.

Amber is supported by a growing list of apps, including Amethyst, 0xChat, Voyage, Fountain, and Pokey, as well as any web application that supports NIP-46 NSEC bunkers, such as Nostr Nests, Coracle, Nostrudel, and more. With expanding support, Amber provides an easy solution for secure Nostr key management across numerous platforms.

Amber supports both native and web-based Nostr applications, aiming to eliminate the need for browser extensions or web servers. Key features include offline signing, multiple account support, and NIP-46 compatibility, and includes a simple UI for granular permissions management. Amber is designed to support signing events in the background, enhancing flexibility when you select the "remember my choice" option, eliminating the need to constantly be signing events for applications that you trust. You can download the app from it's GitHub page, via Obtainium or Zap.store.

To log in with Amber, simply tap the "Login with Amber" button or icon in a supported application, or you can paste the NSEC bunker connection string directly into the login box. For example, use a connection string like this: bunker://npub1tj2dmc4udvgafxxxxxxxrtgne8j8l6rgrnaykzc8sys9mzfcz@relay.nsecbunker.com.

---

Citrine

Citrine is a Nostr relay built specifically for Android, allowing Nostr clients on Android devices to seamlessly send and receive events through a relay running directly on their smartphone. This mobile relay setup offers Nostr users enhanced flexibility, enabling them to manage, share, and back up all their Nostr data locally on their device. Citrine’s design supports independence and data security by keeping data accessible and under user control.

With features tailored to give users greater command over their data, Citrine allows easy export and import of the database, restoration of contact lists in case of client malfunctions, and detailed relay management options like port configuration, custom icons, user management, and on-demand relay start/stop. Users can even activate TOR access, letting others connect securely to their Nostr relay directly on their phone. Future updates will include automatic broadcasting when the device reconnects to the internet, along with content resolver support to expand its functionality.

Once you have your Citrine relay fully configured, simply add it to the Private and Local relay sections in Amethyst's relay configuration.

---

Pokey

Pokey for Android is a brand new, real-time notification tool for Nostr. Pokey allows users to receive live updates for their Nostr events and enabling other apps to access and interact with them. Designed for seamless integration within a user's Nostr relays, Pokey lets users stay informed of activity as it happens, with speed and the flexibility to manage which events trigger notifications on their mobile device.

Pokey currently supports connections with Amber, offering granular notification settings so users can tailor alerts to their preferences. Planned features include broadcasting events to other apps, authenticating to relays, built-in Tor support, multi-account handling, and InBox relay management. These upcoming additions aim to make Pokey a fantastic tool for Nostr notifications across the ecosystem.

---

Zap.store

Zap.store is a permissionless app store powered by Nostr and your trusted social graph. Built to offer a decentralized approach to app recommendations, zap.store enables you to check if friends like Alice follow, endorse, or verify an app’s SHA256 hash. This trust-based, social proof model brings app discovery closer to real-world recommendations from friends and family, bypassing centralized app curation. Unlike conventional app stores and other third party app store solutions like Obtainium, zap.store empowers users to see which apps their contacts actively interact with, providing a higher level of confidence and transparency.

Currently available on Android, zap.store aims to expand to desktop, PWAs, and other platforms soon. You can get started by installing Zap.store on your favorite Android device, and install all of the applications mentioned above.

---

Android's openness goes hand in hand with Nostr's openness. Enjoy exploring both expanding ecosystems.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Several months ago, nostr:npub1hqaz3dlyuhfqhktqchawke39l92jj9nt30dsgh2zvd9z7dv3j3gqpkt56s and I set out to do tackle a task that had never been done before throughout Nostr's short history. We decided adopt the "go big, or go home" mentality and give our best effort to Purple Pill all of the nostr:npub167n5w6cj2wseqtmk26zllc7n28uv9c4vw28k2kht206vnghe5a7stgzu3r conference.

We couldn't accomplish this monumental task without the help of the Nostr community. From every day Nostriches and plebs, to legendary developers putting their blood, sweat, and tears into building this new protocol, to several companies within the Nostr ecosystem, everyone was going to need to do their part to turn this dream into a reality.

The mission

For the original vision of Nostr at BTC Prague, we planned on supporting the smallest available booth and a small panel on the secondary stage. The plan was for any Nostr developer to contribute what they could and then use the Nostr booth as a central hub to onboard users to their applications, provide support to their users, and meet the community. I embarked on my first crowdfunding journey and was able to initially raise over 10M sats thanks to the greater Nostr community donating towards our efforts.

Shortly afterwards, I was approached by nostr:npub1dtgg8yk3h23ldlm6jsy79tz723p4sun9mz62tqwxqe7c363szkzqm8up6m from Satlantis. He had planned on doing a mainstage presentation at BTC Prague on his new Nostr powered application. He asked me if I wanted to combine our efforts to upgrade the Nostr booth to the largest booth possible to give Nostr an even larger presence. I reached out to Avi and several other trusted Nostriches to see their opinions on this potential upgrade and everyone seemed to agree that we should continue with the "go big, or go home" mentality and try our best to Purple Pill all of Prague.

Now with a larger goal at hand, we were able to garner even more support from the Nostr community in addition by adding Highlighter from nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft and Primal from nostr:npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr as larger contributors.

The final tallies for funds raised were 16M+ sats from the greater Nostr community and 38M+ sats raised from Satlantis, Primal, and Highlighter. (We did have to raise a little more than originally anticipated because the Bitcoin 58K Gang made the fiat value of Bitcoin dip down for a bit right when we were trying to finalize payment.)

Putting it all together

This support enabled us to secure one of the four large booths at BTC Prague and a main stage panel. Given that these three companies made significant contributions, enabling our acquisition of the largest booth, we decided that it was logical to feature these companies more prominently. However, it was crucial to strike a delicate balance here. While emphasizing that this booth represented the Nostr community and was a true community effort, we also wanted to acknowledge and showcase those who made it possible. These companies could have opted for smaller individual booths, but their collaboration in a unified space demonstrates Nostr's principles of openness and interoperability—demonstrating that everyone and everything can work together seamlessly.

Therefore, we included as many logos across the Nostr ecosystem as possible throughout our iconography.

And, we also had a dedicated area of the booth highlighting our larger contributors.

The results exceeded all expectations. For three days during the BTC Prague conference, the Nostr booth was continuously bustling with activity. Attendees ranged from individuals who had never heard of Nostr before to those who were curious, active users within the ecosystem, and developers creating the applications we use daily. It was a remarkable community effort, with unexpected volunteers stepping up to onboard new users and provide support. Recognizing our busy schedules and flocks of new Nostriches hatching, they chose to assist in our efforts, offering help, and answering questions. It was a truly inspiring experience. Despite the busyness, the enthusiasm and support of so many people made each day enjoyable and dynamic, ensuring there was never a dull moment and we were always surrounded by friends.

Booth takeaways

As this was our very first attempt at doing something like this, I'd like to do a personal post mortem and highlight many of our successes and even some areas where I feel we can improve upon in the future.

Several Nostriches went above and beyond, helping onboard people and answer questions for three days straight. nostr:npub17plqkxhsv66g8quxxc9p5t9mxazzn20m426exqnl8lxnh5a4cdns7jezx0 nostr:npub1spdnfacgsd7lk0nlqkq443tkq4jx9z6c6ksvaquuewmw7d3qltpslcq6j7 nostr:npub1v0lxxxxutpvrelsksy8cdhgfux9l6a42hsj2qzquu2zk7vc9qnkszrqj49 nostr:npub1k6tqlj78cpznd0yc74wy3k0elmj4nql87a3uzfz98tmj3tuzxywsf0dhk6 nostr:npub1md39ua3h2s7204a7v5p9sdxmxx9qc7m4kr3r6naeuwfznad6d7nsxpctp9 nostr:npub1arkn0xxxll4llgy9qxkrncn3vc4l69s0dz8ef3zadykcwe7ax3dqrrh43w nostr:npub1zga04e73s7ard4kaektaha9vckdwll3y8auztyhl3uj764ua7vrqc7ppvc were the lifeblood of the booth, always answering questions themselves or referring them to others if they were unable to help, didn't know the answer or were busy at the time. You all put in the work and deserve much credit and thanks. Even nostr:npub1995y964wmxl94crx3ksfley24szjr390skdd237ex9z7ttp5c9lqld8vtf was helping with onboarding!

Additionally, beyond general use case questions, we also had many developers stop by and answer many more technical questions for those wanting to learn a bit more too. nostr:npub1zach44xjpc4yyhx6pgse2cj2pf98838kja03dv2e8ly8lfr094vqvm5dy5 nostr:npub1v0lxxxxutpvrelsksy8cdhgfux9l6a42hsj2qzquu2zk7vc9qnkszrqj49 nostr:npub1arkn0xxxll4llgy9qxkrncn3vc4l69s0dz8ef3zadykcwe7ax3dqrrh43w nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft were often seen answering more technical questions on various developmental topics.

Identifying areas for improvement is challenging, as the entire team of Nostriches performed exceptionally well, exceeding expectations. The event was a whirlwind of activity, with constant engagement and zero downtime. Volunteers seamlessly rotated at the front counter answering questions and distributing items to attendees. (Thanks nostr:npub1cgcwm56v5hyrrzl5ty4vq4kdud63n5u4czgycdl2r3jshzk55ufqe52ndy . Your nostr.how and nostrapps.com business cards were a HUGE help here!)

Full disclosure, I personally didn't leave the booth for three days all that much for two reasons. 1) Because I love to #GrowNostr and talk to people and 2) Because I was worried that the booth would turn into a corporate Primal or Satlantis show. However, this wasn't the case. While these teams did have a large presence with many team members all wearing t-shirts, none of my fears became a reality. If people asked questions about Nostr in general, that was discussed. If people asked questions about Primal or Satlantis, that was discussed. I personally recommended numerous social apps, Damus, Amethyst, Primal, Nostur, Nos.social - all of them. The booth was a true decentralized effort and I absolutely did not need to worry as much as I did, but I felt like I had an obligation to fulfill and I wanted to be there to see it through.

If I had to choose an area that needed improvement, I'd say that the three Satlantis women that nostr:npub1dtgg8yk3h23ldlm6jsy79tz723p4sun9mz62tqwxqe7c363szkzqm8up6m brought with him were supposed to shadow some of us to learn more about Nostr, so that they could then use this information to do the initial intake booth questions before making the referral to those with more information, but this just didn't happen. We were all so busy. Sorry! It was just too hard to coordinate. Maybe in the future we can prepare a bit more in this area. Although, nostr:npub1hz5alqscpp8yjrvgsdp2n4ygkl8slvstrgvmjca7e45w6644ew7sewtysa did a fantastic job, jumping right in there head first!

Secondly, we could have improved our television capabilities. We rotated from showing the live dashboard from the booth's Zap.stream livestream, to showing Primal.net/explore Nostr statistics, to showing nostr:npub1lelkh3hhxw9hdwlcpk6q9t0xt9f7yze0y0nxazvzqjmre3p98x3sthkvyz 's Nostr Documentary on loop, to playing the Satlantis promotional video. The majority of the time our TV was playing the same Nostr Documentary. It's great! I love that video, but we may be able to work out a better schedule and rotation mechanism in the future to showcase more content equally. Plus, I don't want to always be on the TV. I don't want people getting the wrong idea.

Nostr takeaways

After speaking with hundreds of people at BTC Prague, I feel that I've discovered the best way to describe Nostr.

Nostr has a portable digital social identity, allowing you to be in control of your digital social identity for the very first time, allowing you to take your entire social graph with you, every time you use a different application from Nostr's ecosystem.

Nostr is the social glue that binds all of your apps together.

In general, at BTC Prague, while explaining Nostr to people, the digital social identity route was what clicked with the most people. From there, it's not a long stretch to understand building a reputation and web of trust either.

Many people do not use the "Other Stuff" and explaining to them how to use these applications is hard. People want a native application.

Damus, Primal, and Amethyst seem to be the number one apps that people are using, with maybe Primal being the number one altogether? This is probably due to Primal being available on Android, iOS, and the web. Also, many people don't know that Damus still supports Zaps via the Nostr script workaround. I had to show many how to enable Zaps.

Everyone wants Nostr at their conference

There is significant interest in featuring Nostr at various conferences. Although not everyone has reached out, numerous individuals at BTC Prague expressed enthusiasm about incorporating a Nostr booth, along with several Nostr talks and sessions, into their upcoming events. They recognize the critical role Nostr and free speech play globally and acknowledge Nostr's popularity within the Bitcoin community. However, they also understand that more work is needed, and we must continue our efforts to onboard and engage new users.

I have two primary observations on this matter:

• The community effort demonstrated here serves as a blueprint for success. We have proven that this approach to growing Nostr is effective, desired, and necessary. The engagement at our booth and attendance at our panels prove this with ease.

• This fundraising initiative is likely a one-time effort. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to ask the community to bootstrap these endeavors. If we are to sustain these booths and promote Nostr at similar conferences, the conference organizers themselves must provide substantial support or discounts to foster broader Nostr adoption. While I understand that conferences entail significant operational costs, it is not feasible for Nostr developers and the broader Nostr community to finance these efforts continuously. Additionally, I would not feel comfortable requesting financial contributions from you all again for this purpose.

Looking forward

Will we do _this _again? I don't know. While our initial endeavor was a complete success, it would be unfortunate to cease our efforts just as we are gaining momentum.

Avi and I have a lot to discuss between ourselves and a lot to discuss with all of you.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you nostr:npub1dtgg8yk3h23ldlm6jsy79tz723p4sun9mz62tqwxqe7c363szkzqm8up6m nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft nostr:npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr for making all of this possible. Thank you to every single Nostrich that donated your hard earned sats to make this possible. Thank you to all of the developers that built all of this to make all of this possible. Thank you to everyone else <3

Keep building.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Chef's notes

For the dough, combine the water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 3 cups flour, then the salt, and mix. While mixing, add 1 more cup of flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on low to medium speed for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with flour, if necessary, to keep it from sticking to the bowl. When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it several times to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each one into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a baking sheet and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

If you've chilled the dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature. Roll and stretch each ball into a rough 8-inch circle and place them all on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. (You will be able to fit 2 pizzas on each 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.) You may also use a cast iron skillet if so desired.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 45 minutes
• 🍳 Cook time: 15 minutes
• 🍽️ Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups warm (100 to 110 degrees F) water
• 2 packages dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees
2. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crisp.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

February 24, 2024 - Nostr Nests, the premier decentralized audio platform powered by the Nostr protocol, announces the launch of its highly anticipated version 2.0 beta release. This major update brings complete integration with Nostr, a redesigned user interface, and a host of powerful features, making it easier than ever to connect, collaborate, and create in an open and censorship-resistant environment.

Originally launched in January 2023 as Nostr Plebs Spaces, Nostr Nests quickly gained traction as a haven for audio-based interactions across the Nostr protocol. The official rebrand to Nostr Nests in February 2023 further solidified its position as the go-to platform for chatting, jamming, micro-conferences, live podcast recordings, and more with the onboarding of users, shows, and content from around the globe.

Version 2.0 marks a significant leap forward:

Seamless Nostr Integration: Nostr Nests 2.0 was built from the ground up to be a full fledged Nostr client, enabling a truly decentralized experience with direct Nostr authentication. No need for separate accounts, logins, or verification posts. Login with your current Nostr keys via nsecBunker or NIP-07 extensions such as Alby, Nostr Connect, or Nostore for iOS.

Discoverability and User Choice: Find your favorite live audio events like never before, not only on NostrNests.com, but also via a variety of Nostr clients that support live events such as Amethyst, Snort, Iris, Flockstr, Nostrudel, Wherostr and more. Install Nostr Nests as a PWA on Android, iOS, or your favorite desktop operating system.

Redesigned Interface: Navigate with ease thanks to a streamlined and intuitive layout. Find scheduled events, discover communities, and manage your interactions effortlessly.

Enhanced Functionality: Host events with flexible permission settings, record and store audio directly from your Nest, be in charge of your data while you chat on your customized relays, leverage advanced moderation tools for a smooth and secure experience, and broadcast it all across the Nostr protocol. Experience value for value with Zap enabled profiles and chat announcements.

Multi-lingual: Access Nostr Nests in your native language. Nostr Nests supports over a dozen languages, making Nostr Nests a truly global platform for our users. Open Source: The platform's code is fully open-source under the MIT license, welcoming community contributions and fostering transparency. Submit issues and pull requests on GitHub to shape the future of Nostr Nests.

Nostr Nests 2.0 empowers individuals and communities to:

Connect: Host and attend audio events with like-minded people based on shared interests, making new friends along the way or reconnecting with old ones.

Collaborate: Jam with musicians, brainstorm with colleagues, or conduct insightful interviews in a live audio setting.

Express Yourself: Share your voice, thoughts, and ideas with the world in an uncensored and secure environment via text chats as well as audio conversations.

Build Communities: Foster vibrant, customizable communities around shared passions, hobbies, or professional pursuits.

Whether you're a musician, podcaster, entrepreneur, or simply someone who enjoys meaningful audio interactions, Nostr Nests 2.0 invites you to join the conversation. Visit NostrNests.com today and experience the future of social audio.

Join and contribute to the Nostr Nests community:

Website: https://NostrNests.com

GitHub: https://github.com/nostrnests/nests

Current Features:

Nostr Integration: * Sign-in * Live events * Scheduled events * Zaps * Public chat * Reactions * Room presence * Relays (default or custom) * Social sharing * Follow/Unfollow * Profile creation * Profile Editing * Lobby filtering

Lobby: * Active rooms * Scheduled rooms * Filter by global or following * Create new room * View profile

Create room: * Create custom room * Customizable banner * Preselected colors * Custom image (static or animated) * Schedule room * Use default relays or custom relays

Rooms: * Stage and audience * Add/Remove people to/from stage * Public chat (ability to hide/view on mobile) * Raise hand * Mute/Unmute own mic * Mute others (Mod or Host) * Zap * Reactions * Edit profile * View profile * Share to Nostr * Stream audio (coming soon) (Mod or Host) * Record audio (Mod or Host) * Access room recordings (Mod or Host)

Sign-in: * Sign-in as guest to listen only * Create new Nostr profile * Use existing Nostr profile

Future Features:

• Chat zaps, chat reactions, mutes, etc.
• Support additional nsecBunkers
• More room customization options
• Monetization options for creators
• And more!

Please note: While Nostr Nests 2.0 marks a significant step forward, this release should be considered beta software. Users may encounter occasional bugs or unforeseen issues as we continue to refine and optimize the platform. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work towards a fully polished experience.

Known Issues:

• A lot! It's very new and very beta!
• Sign-in user flow for direct links to rooms
• Mobile UI alignment
• Mobile UI chat bar

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

For Bitcoin enthusiasts seeking a haven for like-minded individuals and a chance to experience Bitcoin adoption in its purest form, El Salvador and Bitcoin Beach often come to mind. This is no coincidence, given El Salvador's pioneering role in making bitcoin legal tender. However, the Bitcoin ecosystem extends beyond national borders, with vibrant communities emerging around the world where bitcoin thrives in everyday transactions. One such example is the inspiring grassroots movement of Bitcoin Jungle in rural Costa Rica. Driven by a shared passion for Bitcoin and the "pura vida" spirit, a group of Bitcoiners has established a thriving community centered on a circular Bitcoin economy. This is the essence of Bitcoin Jungle.

https://i.nostr.build/DkD9.jpg

What is Bitcoin Jungle?

Bitcoin Jungle is an open-source community project focused on bringing the Bitcoin ecosystem to life in Costa Rica, particularly in the "Golden Triangle" area – Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Platanillo, and Tinamaste. Their mission is to build a circular bitcoin economy and a thriving community centered around bitcoin.

Focus:

• Bitcoin adoption: Encourage businesses and individuals to accept and use bitcoin as a form of payment.
• Education and resources: Provide educational materials and resources about Bitcoin and the Lightning Network to both businesses and individuals.
• Community building: Create a strong and supportive community of Bitcoin enthusiasts in Costa Rica.
• Boost to local economy: Increased tourist and resident spending through Bitcoin adoption to benefit local businesses.
• Financial inclusion: Bitcoin's borderless nature and ease of use offers financial inclusion for unbanked or underbanked populations.

Achievements:

• Bitcoin Jungle app: Developed a mobile wallet app built on the Bitcoin Lightning Network, facilitating easy bitcoin transactions within the community for both Android and iOS.
• Business adoption: Helped over 250 businesses in the "Golden Triangle" accept Bitcoin payments.
• Map and directory: Created a map and directory showcasing businesses accepting bitcoin in the area.
• Grassroots movement: Established a strong community identity around bitcoin and "pura vida" values.
• Integrate Sinpe: Allow sending of bitcoin payments to 90% of the Costa Rican population, both individuals and businesses.

Who's behind Bitcoin Jungle?

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The success of Bitcoin Jungle can be attributed to the convergence of two crucial drivers: passionate Bitcoin enthusiasts and skilled community leaders. Each individual, attracted by the unique allure of the "Golden Triangle" in Costa Rica, brought their diverse skillsets and collective ambition to the table, resulting in this organically developed and thriving hub of Bitcoin adoption. These skillsets ranging from technical, to personal, to community outreach, to spiritual and more, are a synergistic blend of expertise and shared vision, serving as the foundational layer for Bitcoin Jungle's continued progress.

Bitcoin Freedom Festival

Building upon the momentum of their inaugural Nostr unconference held at Awake in Uvita, Costa Rica, in March 2023, Bitcoin Jungle successfully hosted their first Bitcoin conference, the Bitcoin Freedom Festival, last week at the same venue. This conference took place during January 18-21, 2024, bringing together Bitcoiners and like minded, freedom loving folks from across the world.

The inaugural Bitcoin Freedom Festival, hosted by Bitcoin Jungle, offered a diverse and engaging lineup for attendees. Participants delved into the world of Bitcoin through a variety of talks, panels, and workshops catering to both technical and non-technical audiences. Attendees engaged in interactive sessions on building sustainable Bitcoin economies, fostering inclusivity within the ecosystem, and navigating the legal landscape of Bitcoin businesses. Speakers explored the potential of Bitcoin beyond finance, delving into its impact on social change, environmental sustainability, and spiritual connections. Beyond Bitcoin related themes, attendees were graced with various cultural sessions and ceremonies from local indigenous tribes and family-friendly events such as fruit tasting, hot chocolate creation, and hula hooping. For those that wanted to add decentralized communication talks to their schedule, attendees joined a Nostr panel hosted by yours truly along with several other Nostriches.

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

Awake describes themselves as "a catalyst for humanity's awakening, celebrating life and serving as a community, retreat center, and hub for individual and collective growth" or the spiritual arm of Bitcoin's ethos, connecting human's together and to nature. Awake is essentially a Bitcoin Citadel.

Bitcoin transcends the function of a mere currency to symbolize the primal layer of existence that harmonizes our myriad experiences. It illuminates our collective path, encouraging truth, integrity, and unity, as we rise above the inner and outer forces that have historically suppressed the individual and humanity.

It seems poetic and fitting that Awake is located in the heart of Bitcoin Jungle, their co-founder Govinda, is also one of the founding members of Bitcoin Jungle, and Awake hosted both Nostrica and the Bitcoin Freedom Festival.

Bitcoin Marketplace

Beyond the conversations of conferences and networking opportunities, the Bitcoin Freedom Festival offered a taste of the future with its bustling Bitcoin Marketplace. This dedicated area brought together dozens of local merchants and vendors from the neighboring Bitcoin farmers' market, showcasing the possibilities of Bitcoin in everyday life. HODLing bitcoin is cool, but the real super power unlocks when you spend your bitcoin for everyday goods.

From delicious tropical fruits and local treats to handcrafted snacks, clothing, jewelry, artwork, and trinkets, the vendors represented the early adopters of Bitcoin Jungle's initiative. In collaboration with Bitcoin Jungle, each vendor utilized a compact mobile Point of Sale system powered by BTCPay server. These user-friendly devices, complete with thermal receipt printers, empowered vendors to seamlessly accept bitcoin payments, directly deposited to their Bitcoin Jungle wallets.

https://i.nostr.build/J7aP.jpg

This wasn't just a marketplace; it was a living, breathing testament to the growing acceptance of bitcoin within the local community. Attendees could witness firsthand the ease and convenience of using bitcoin for everyday purchases. The atmosphere buzzed with a sense of shared purpose and enthusiasm as vendors and customers alike embraced the innovative power of Bitcoin. From buying the freshest mango from a local farmer to picking up a unique handcrafted souvenir, participants experienced the thrill of being part of a pioneering community actively shaping a new economic landscape, all from within the Costa Rican jungle.

Where can you spend Bitcoin in Costa Rica?

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Bitcoin adoption in Costa Rica extends beyond the "Golden Triangle", encompassing over 250 locations spread across the country. While the densest concentration lies within Uvita, the beating heart of Bitcoin Jungle, businesses accepting Bitcoin can be found throughout the nation.

These locations are conveniently accessible on the Bitcoin Jungle map, both within the mobile app and on their website. You may browse Bitcoin Jungle's interactive map to discover various businesses and locations that accept bitcoin, searching by category and location.

https://i.nostr.build/9n9G.png

Rest assured, you won't be scrambling for mobile reception in most cities and towns. For example, Uvita and Dominical boast excellent mobile coverage with major carriers like Claro blanketing the area, providing your mobile bitcoin transactions the bandwidth they need. While mobile data is readily available, many cafes, restaurants, and shops in both towns offer free Wi-Fi for even greater connectivity. This connectivity extends across most of Costa Rica too, with many local businesses boasting high speed fiber connections.

If you happen to visit a business that isn't directly using the Bitcoin Jungle app or accepting bitcoin, there's a high probability that they're using Sinpe. This will indirectly allow you to spend your bitcoin virtually anywhere in Costa Rica.

What is Sinpe Movil?

Sinpe serves as the backbone of Costa Rican mobile payments, enabling instant transfers between bank accounts, individuals, and certain businesses. With an impressive 90% penetration rate, Sinpe has become the dominant payment method for everyday transactions.

https://i.nostr.build/2WO5.png

Thanks to Bull Bitcoin, the Bitcoin Jungle app now supports Sinpe, allowing you to convert your bitcoin into Costa Rican colones directly within the Sinpe network. This means you can seamlessly top up your Sinpe wallet with bitcoin or send bitcoin to an existing Sinpe wallet, effectively spending bitcoin and having it being converted to fiat for the local merchant on the fly.

Do you need the Bitcoin Jungle app?

The short answer: No! You can use whatever you want!

When it comes to spending your Bitcoin in Costa Rica, you have two primary options: utilizing the Sinpe mobile payment system through the Bitcoin Jungle app, or conducting direct Lightning Network transactions at participating businesses.

https://i.nostr.build/Z6V9.jpg

• Over 250 locations in Costa Rica accept Bitcoin payments directly through the Lightning Network. Here, you can utilize your preferred Bitcoin Lightning wallet for seamless and instant transactions.
• The Bitcoin Jungle app is required if you want to convert your bitcoin to colones and utilize them within the Sinpe network. This opens up a wider range of spending options throughout Costa Rica, as Sinpe boasts a 90% penetration rate.

Not everyone will be able to install the Bitcoin Jungle application. For example, if you are visiting Costa Rica from the USA, with a USA phone, there's a high probability that you will not be able to install the Bitcoin Jungle application via Google Play Store or Apple App Store due to region locking. You may have to manually install the Android APK or join Apple's TestFlight program.

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While the Bitcoin Jungle app offers a convenient gateway for spending bitcoin with Sinpe in Costa Rica, its requirement for mobile phone number registration might deter some privacy-conscious users, particularly experienced Bitcoiners accustomed to self-custody solutions. Fortunately, for those seeking a purely pseudonymous experience, an array of robust mobile Lightning wallets exist and all work as expected.

Personal Experiences

My wife and I first explored Bitcoin Jungle in March 2023, witnessing the early stages of Bitcoin adoption. Now, upon my return for the Bitcoin Freedom Festival, I was astounded to find the number of accepting businesses almost doubled. This remarkable growth, directly attributed to the previous "Nostrica Unconference" with its near 300 Bitcoin enthusiasts, fuels my optimism for an even greater surge following this recent event. Witnessing firsthand the enthusiastic response of local merchants reaffirms my belief in Bitcoin.

https://i.nostr.build/Z6Bx.jpg

This trip, eager to share this experience with family, I brought my wife and children, armed with four Bitcoin Lightning wallets connected to my Lightning node at home. We embarked on a family vacation, using the Lightning Network exclusively for day-to-day purchases from breakfast treats to souvenirs. From coffee for my wife and pipa fria for my son to fresh fruit for my daughter and delicious meals for all of us, each transaction was seamless and effortless. This culminated in a memorable visit to Seba's, Uvita's premier restaurant, where we enjoyed both food and adult beverages – all paid for with bitcoin.

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This experience wasn't just about personal convenience; it was a testament to the growing acceptance and integration of bitcoin within the local community. Witnessing how families, from coffee shops to fine dining, can seamlessly operate, empowers me to envision a future where Bitcoin flourishes.

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Reaching Bitcoin Jungle involves some planning due to its distance from San Jose Airport. The journey takes approximately 3.5-4 hours by car, offering the most flexibility for exploring the region, attending excursions, and maximizing your itinerary. Car rentals are readily available, though ride-sharing, buses, and even small plane flights are alternative options, depending on your budget and preferences. While Uvita's downtown area features walkable access to many amenities, having a rental vehicle is recommended for exploring the full scope of the Golden Triangle's attractions. For example, my family visited jungle canopy zip lines, jungle cacao tours, waterfalls, and multiple beaches.

Conclusions

Bitcoin Jungle is a successful community-driven, grassroots project, showcasing the potential of Bitcoin adoption and integration beyond El Salvador. We often hear about Bitcoin Beach or how El Salvador is "Bitcoin Country", but I'd wager that Bitcoin adoption is on par or even higher with local merchants in Bitcoin Jungle.

Bitcoin Jungle is a beautiful paradise showcasing freedom at every corner, allowing you to spend bitcoin at nearly every corner. If you're a Bitcoiner seeking a vibrant, welcoming community and a real-world Bitcoin experience, look no further than Bitcoin Jungle. I highly recommend it. Pura vida!

https://i.nostr.build/Qr2v.jpg

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

A year ago today, a single tweet from Jack Dorsey set in motion a cascade of events that would redefine my life. His call to explore Nostr resonated with me, a testament to the respect he held. Little did I know that this nudge would unlock a year of unparalleled growth, both in the virtual world and beyond.

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Jack Dorsey's endorsement of Nostr resonated deeply with me amidst rising concerns about Twitter's focus under Elon Musk. Over the preceding months, the platform's impending shift in direction had prompted me to explore alternative social media options. I initially joined the BitcoinHackers.org Mastodon server, seeking a new community. However, the server's primarily cross-posting nature resulted in limited engagement, leaving me feeling disconnected and yearning for a more meaningful social experience.

Jack’s Tweet could not have come at a more pivotal moment.

Coincidentally, a year later, I often describe Nostr’s usefulness stating that people will understand decentralization and censorship resistant communication when they need to most. I guess this applied to me back then. I needed Nostr and these features more than ever a year ago.

nostr:note1zmnr70l834rjw490q85e85k3the5r5kpvya7j638akkseg7aadhsvnxe66

Immediately upon joining Nostr and fueled by the spirit of Nostr's decentralized ethos, I identified a pivotal need in the community and promptly launched NostrPlebs.com in response to Elon Musk's controversial $8 verification rollout on Twitter. This service empowered users to claim their online identities, offering a self-directed alternative to the centralized verification system. Initially a humble service for close friends, NostrPlebs.com swiftly garnered significant interest, becoming a pioneering Nostr services provider.

Recognizing the growing demand for alternative social audio experiences, I also founded NostrNests.com. This initiative, started during the migration from Twitter and Twitter Spaces, aimed to provide an alternative platform for fostering connections, building communities, and engaging with various content through audio-based interactions. If we were going to leave Twitter behind, we needed a social audio replacement. I recruited developers and designers to help make this a reality and launched Nostr Plebs Spaces in January 2023 with a rebrand to NostrNests.com in February 2023.

Driven by Nostr's intoxicating enthusiasm and the hope to build a better world, I dedicated myself to on-boarding new Nostriches, aiming to expand the protocol's reach and foster this new thriving community. My DMs were on fire as I helped countless new Nostriches on both Twitter and Nostr. I had found my calling.

My commitment to advocating for Nostr's potential led me to deliver numerous talks at Bitcoin and Nostr conferences over the past twelve months. I explored the crucial role of decentralized and censorship resistant social communication, emphasizing its alignment with the core values of the Bitcoin ecosystem when applicable. My presentations addressed diverse themes, including value for value, decentralized principles, and general protocol introductions if the audiences were unfamiliar with Nostr.

My speaking career with Nostr began in an unconventional setting: Nostrica, the "unconference" in the Uvita, Costa Rica. It was there that I had the privilege of meeting Jack Dorsey in person and giving him a warm "Nostrich hug" and, surprisingly, I had the honor of sharing a stage with Jack and with other incredibly talented developers. This unexpected turn set the stage for a whirlwind of speaking engagements, each one solidifying my passion for decentralization and open communication.

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Following Nostrica, I took the stage at the Bitcoin Builders Conference in Miami, immersing myself in a panel discussion on Nostr’s importance. My message of Nostr's potential resonated further at the Canadian Bitcoin Conference in Toronto, where I engaged with freedom loving Canadians who looked forward to embracing the power of decentralized communication.

https://i.nostr.build/R6WA.jpg

Venturing beyond North America, I had the opportunity to speak at the Baltic Honeybadger Conference in Riga, Latvia. This conference, held in the historic city of Riga, provided a platform to connect with European Bitcoiners for the first time and discuss the importance of censorship-resistant communication in the face of growing online restrictions and how Nostr aligned with the Bitcoin ethos, how both protocols go hand-in-hand, stating that “the purple pill helps the orange pill go down”.

https://i.nostr.build/X0A0.jpg

Most recently, my speaking engagements returned to the US to share my Nostr insights at the Nostrville conference in Nashville - the very first US Nostr conference.

If one aspect of my travels stands out more than others, it’s that the conference buzz wasn't just confined to the stage; the real magic happened beyond the spotlights. Sharing laughter and stories with friends and forging new connections and building relationships over shared meals, parties, and impromptu gatherings were the hidden gems that truly enriched these life-changing experiences.

The past year has been marked by significant growth and development, fueled by the invaluable love and support from the Nostr community. Numerous individuals, encountered online and at conferences, have become trusted friends and colleagues. These connections, building these true relationships, have enriched my personal life and solidified my commitment to Nostr as a protocol for innovation and freedom. Nostr may have opened up new professional doors and fostered professional growth for me, but if I’m being honest, the people and the community are more important to me. It’s the meaningful relationships and friendships that I truly hold dear. I eagerly await future opportunities to connect and I cannot wait until the next time when we’re all together again.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Nostr Nests Background:

Social audio is important because it provides a new and engaging way for people to connect, learn, share their stories, and build their communities. It is also a valuable tool for businesses and organizations to reach their audiences and build relationships. With this in mind, I knew that having an audio space outside of Twitter Spaces would be vital for nostr adoption, and set out to make this happen in January 2022.

The current Nostr Nests is a fork of the open source Jam System project, with custom user interface, Nostr npub verification, and several enhancements such as account restoration, discovery, and a minimal API. It served as a great starting point for a Nostr audio space, providing users all over the world with a platform for daily shows, weekly podcasts, and places for Nostriches to meetup and chat live with one another. It’s a great success. However, it’s not a complete success and it will never be in its current form.

It has always been a dream of mine for Nostr Nests to be a full blown Nostr client, instead of loosely integrating Nostr into Jam's existing account verification system. My dream and vision for Nests is for anyone to be able to host a Nest on their own server or infrastructure and use Nostr NIP-53 Live Activities to publish their Nest to their Nostr relays, allowing anyone with a compatible client to discover and join their Nest. This is similar to how Zap.stream works on Snort and Amethyst clients. This functionality also helps decentralize Nostr Nests, so not one entity runs the audio backend. It is my hope to provide easy access to the open source code and installation instructions on https://nostrnests.org for all.

Several months ago, the groundwork for building Nests as a proper Nostr client began, but has since stopped. Even with open sourcing the project and seeking developer help, these efforts have failed. This bounty is another attempt at getting this project off of the ground and allowing those that use Nostr Nests on a daily basis to pledge their sats to help fund this project.

As my vision for Nostr Nests is a very large project, this project will be split into two bounties. The first bounty will aim to have the rewrite of Nostr Nests be feature compatible with the Jam System forked version with several quality of life enhancements. The second bounty aims to cover application customizations, feature additions, and individual Nest customizations (icons, badges, emojis, etc.) to provide Nest owners with tools to build their community and reward their participants and listeners.

---

Initial Nostr Nests Scope: (The word Room will be used here to be less confusing. A room is an individual Nest.)

Room Presence * Raising/lowering hand to speak * Reactions * Zaps * Exiting stage

Room Management * Removing and adding people to stage and moderators * Changing room information * Handling stage exit logic

Room Discovery * Allowing users to discover Nests * NIP-53 in clients * Homepage

Room Chat * NIP-28 * Individual Nest chats * Reactions to comments * Zaps to comments * Replies

Design * Design UI elements for new components such as an improved homepage, Nest discovery, etc. * Must be compatible with the existing design.

Audio * General Room audio * Backend and frontend

Groundwork: * The groundwork for Nests has begun and is located on our private Git * https://git.semisol.dev/NostrPlebs/nests/

---

Nests users: Please pledge your sat donation to help get this project built.

Developers: Please reach out if you have any questions.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

The following is a collection of Tweets posted on Twitter that documented my entire heart surgery process, from finding out I had an issue, through the surgery, and finally throughout my recovery process. If Elon decides to remove old and unpaid content, I do not want this part of my life to vanish from the Internet. At the time, it was extremely important for my mental health to talk about this whole process and it was therapeutic in my recovery process, reading all of the responses as all of Bitcoin Twitter was behind my success. Thank you all of your kind words, love, and support during this whole process. May my Tweets live on through nostr.

...

Nov 28, 2021 I had open heart surgery 4 days before my 3rd b-day. I've led a healthy & active life since then, zero issues. I had an echocardiogram last week. The results were not good. Heart valve replacement may be in my near future. I am freaking the fuck out. I'll know more on Dec 6th. 😫

Dec 6, 2021 Update: I had my cardiologist appointment today. He said to not worry for now and continue to exercise and live life. In 3 months get another echo done. He doesn't believe the previous other results since I have zero symptoms and wants to do his own interpretation.

Dec 6, 2021 He said if the other results were correct, I may need valve replacement in 6 months to 3 years. However, he doesn't believe the local hospital's results as I said above. He can't form an opinion just yet. He said not to worry over and over again. For now, I'm staying positive!

Mar 7, 2022 Well, it's been three months. I had my follow up this morning. I have severe pulmonic regurgitation. I now need to speak with a specialist and see what my options are for surgery. Neat. 😭

Apr 12, 2022 Well, it looks like I'll need full open heart surgery again to replace my pulmonic valve. Bonus: I'll be part pig. So, I have that going for me. I was assuming that if I had to have this done it would be much less invasive, so I'm not overly impressed at the moment. 🫤

May 11, 2022 Today I had to get a CT scan of my heart in preparation for the May 27th surgery. All went well. I have no other heart issues. It's looking like I'll be in the hospital for 4-7 days, depending on how fast I recover. I should be fully 100% recovered by the end of August. ❤️

May 20, 2022 My grandfather with me 39 years ago, days after my open heart surgery. He taught me to hunt, fish, golf, and I'm sure taught me a thing or two about drinking beer and partying. 😂 He was a great man. He won't physically be with me next Friday, but I'm sure he'll be watching over.

May 25, 2022 Two more sleeps. My mind is racing with an incredible amount of thoughts and emotions now. It's overwhelming. I love you all. Thanks for all of your replies and DMs over the last couple days, weeks, and months. I appreciate it immensely. ❤️❤️❤️

May 25, 2022 Two more sleeps. My mind is racing with an incredible amount of thoughts and emotions now. It's overwhelming. I love you all. Thanks for all of your replies and DMs over the last couple days, weeks, and months. I appreciate it immensely. ❤️❤️❤️

May 27, 2022 LET'S GO! I am alive and doing well. I was on a ventilator until 8pm. That was horrible. I will read all of the comments that you all posted on Katie's updates. Now I need to rest. They want to get me up and walk at 11pm. 🤯 I love you all and your support had helped so much 🧡🧡

May 28, 2022 The amount of love, compassion, caring, and appreciation from everyone blows my mind. Thanks for all of your comments and DMs. The positivity though all is this has helped me get through dark times and now it's helping me get through pain. You are helping me immensely. 🤯❤️🧡💪

May 28, 2022 Today has been a rough day. Lots of chest pain when breathing. But, I apparently am doing something right, because I have been upgraded to a regular room. No more ICU for this guy! My ICU nurse told my new nurse that I'm strong. ❤️💪🔥

May 29, 2022 Using this to document my journey. Last night was not good at all. I had tachycardia and AFib for hours. It was scary as fuck having my heart beat the way it was at 160bpm. They gave me new medication to bring it down and stop the AFib irregular heartbeat. It's now at 101.

May 29, 2022 I was very scared. Katie was able to come and stay the night with me and be my personal care nurse. That made me feel much better having her here with me. Hopefully the meds continue to do what they're supposed to. Fuck. Anyways, I may not Tweet much today. Love you all. ❤️

May 30, 2022 Today has mostly been a great day progress wise. I ate a lot. I've walked more today than I have previously. My doctor told me I might be going home tomorrow, it all depends on what happens with my last drainage tube. Fingers crossed that it's draining properly now. 💪❤️

May 31, 2022 Morning walk crushed. Breakfast crushed. Feeling stronger. My drainage tube is still draining so we'll see what the surgeon says, but I probably won't be coming home today according to my nurse. It may be another day. Better to be safe. I'm feeling good though. Let's go! 💪💪❤️❤️

Jun 1, 2022 Today's plans: Crush morning walk, crush breakfast, CRUSH MY LAST X-RAY AND HEAD THE HELL HOME! Fingers crossed. 🤞🤞❤️❤️💪💪

Jun 1, 2022 On my morning walk I went into a slight AFib. The nurse and PA said since I hadn't had my morning meds to control that yet, that that could be the cause. They're going to increase meds and monitor me for another 24 hours. That sucks, but again, I'd rather be safe. Ugh.

Jun 2, 2022 GM! I miss my kids. I miss wearing normal clothes. I miss my house. I miss my doggy. I better go home today or I guess I'll just keep working to get well enough to go home. 😂 I'm still progressing forward. I have a chest x-ray scheduled later this morning. Fingers crossed.

Jun 2, 2022 I JUST GOT CLEARED TO HEAD HOME AFTER LUNCH. FUCK YEAH. LET'S GOOOOOO💪💪💪

Jun 2, 2022 I am home! I have some family that needs some loving. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Jun 4, 2022 Last night I slept in bed thanks to a reclining pillow, the first night our living room chair. I was so happy to sleep in my own bed. I walked around our yard about 9 times yesterday. My goal is to do that plus a little more every day. I'm still in a lot of pain, but meds help.

Jun 4, 2022 I still have a long way to go recovery wise, but having Katie and the kids here helping me along the way makes it easier and gives me a reason to keep pushing forward through this. Thanks again for all of your past and future support. You all are fantastic.

Jun 6, 2022 My wife went back to work today. My son and daughter are in charge of taking care of me. My kids are fantastic. They made me breakfast already and helped me check all of my vitals. My daughter really shines here. She's such a little nurse and caretaker. ❤️❤️

Jun 6, 2022 I'm still in pain, but I'm not in as much pain as I was a couple days ago. I'm walking around a little better and a little more every day. I really hate just sitting around and not doing anything, but it's hard to do much else besides watch TV. I am enjoying my patio though. 💪

Jun 16, 2022 It's been a while. It's time to update this thread! I am doing great, IMO. I have lots of energy. I feel great. I can do a lot more than I previously could. I still have a limited range of motion due to my sternum being broken and still healing. i.e. I can't wash my back or legs.

Jun 16, 2022 I started back to work yesterday. I was cleared to do 20 hours this week by my doctor and I'm hoping to be cleared full time next week. I work from home, so if I can sit in front of a TV, I can sit in front of a computer, right?

Jun 16, 2022 My home nurses have been absolutely fantastic.😂 My kids make me breakfast every morning. And I could not have done any of this without my rock star wife. Words can't describe how much she's done for me throughout all of this. I am looking forward to continuing to improve. ♥️

Jun 16, 2022 You all have been absolutely wonderful through all of this too. I appreciate all of your love, support, and check-ins. Seriously. It means more than you know.

I have a check-up at the end of the month to make sure all is well. I'll update again in a couple weeks after that appt.

Jun 28, 2022 My doctor said everything looks great. He said it doesn't look like I had open heart surgery a month ago.💪 He said I have zero restrictions and that I can resume normal life. I can drive and I can go out on my boat! ❤️❤️❤️ I'm so happy right now! 🔥🚀

Jul 15, 2022 I started cardiac rehab this week. After 2 sessions the nurse said I'm on "Week 4" already. She doesn't believe with my initial intake stress test if I'll really be able to improve on it that much. 🤣 TL;DR I am a rock star and kicking ass. Feeling great. Life's great. 😍

Aug 28, 2022 Yesterday was 3 months since my open heart surgery. I'm going great! I'd guess essentially back to normal. My sternum is still not fully healed, that'll take more time, but energy and capability are basically back to what I was like last summer. I'm very happy with the results.

Aug 28, 2022 I'm very happy to be able to exercise daily, go boating on the weekends AND swim and paddleboard. I was annoyed that I couldn't do these things a month ago. I had a cardiologist appt. two weeks ago. He said he hopes the valve lasts me the rest of my life and to see him in a year.

Aug 28, 2022 As a final post to this thread, I want to thank each and every one of you again that commented, liked, shared and DMed me throughout all of this. The love and support from Twitter and the #Bitcoin community was unfathomable. You all made a difference in my life and my recovery.❤️

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

We say that Stackchain is the gamification of buying bitcoin, however it’s much larger than that. It’s about building. It’s more than just Bitcoiners having fun in a bear market, stacking sats, doing what they were going to be doing anyway. It’s about building a community. Who would have known that the simple act of buying bitcoin, creating memes, and having laughs would have grown into the phenomena that it is today? No one could have foreseen the community and the relationships that have been built, all because of Stackchain.

This is the story of two Bitcoiners that met through Stackchain and ended up building a Nostr business together.

Last year during the early days of Stackchain, I met a fellow Stackchainer who just seemed to click with me. His name was Semisol. We seemed to get along great, have lots of laughs, and we both wanted to build with Stackchain. We wanted to take our Stackchain passion and technical skills to grow Stackchain, to help it flourish. Together, we brainstormed about how to build a website for Stackchain, we wanted to build an application so that Stackchain could survive off of Twitter, to make Stackchain its own platform. As a former entrepreneur, this truly excited me. While our hearts and our minds were in the right place, Stackchain wasn’t ready for this.

In the beginning, we saw Stackchain’s potential to grow and we tried to steer Stackchain with growth plans and business proposals. It took us a while to realize that no one can control Stackchain and especially in the early days, it was way too hard to even suggest moving forward with anything. That is, except for our beloved Stackjoin proposal. Everything else flopped.

In the end, Semisol, as a talented developer, moved on to other areas of interest, where he could contribute, and grow a platform. He reached out to me several times and told me to try something called Nostr. I gave Nostr a try and laughed at him. I told him that Nostr was barely usable, had a horrible user experience, and just was not worth my time. I didn’t realize that we just didn’t need to build it.

Fast forward a few months later and I noticed several Bitcoin developers were talking about Nostr, which even managed to gain the attention of Jack Dorsey. In mid-December 2022, I tried Nostr again. This time it clicked with me. Nostr was to social communication what Bitcoin was to money. Decentralized. Censorship resistant. Open source. People were building.

After reading and studying the protocol, I quickly realized that I was able to provide a service for not only myself to utilize, but also for many of my Stackchain friends that were starting to get curious about Nostr. I bought the domain name nostrplebs.com and started Nostr Plebs, a Nostr service provider. Nostr Plebs was filling a need for both myself and the Nostr ecosystem. I was able to build, to feel like I was contributing to the space and through this, provide a service that was wanted and needed by others. My entrepreneurial thirst was quenched. I finally had my Bitcoin adjacent business.

Nostr Plebs was an instant and overwhelming success. I clearly needed help. I immediately thought about my old Stackchainer friend, Semisol. Based on our previous conversations, I knew that he not only had the drive to build a service, but also had the technical skills needed. Together, we built the first NIP-05 ID service provider for Nostr. Together, we continue to grow our Nostr services, providing microservices to help grow the Nostr ecosystem. From ID services, to email, to Lightning addresses, to directory services, to audio communications, Nostr Plebs is a prominent name in the Nostr ecosystem.

Stackchain allowed two like minded Bitcoiners to find one another, discuss their passions and skills for building, and to ultimately build a service provider together. Due to all of this, I say Stackchain is beautiful. It’s beautiful because we’re not the only ones building. Stackchain embodies builders. Whether you’re building Stackchain content, building your bitcoin stack, building the community, or branching out and building new businesses, it all started with a simple $5 bitcoin purchase. That’s the beauty of it.

This article is featured in Stackchain Magazine Volume One, launching on July 18, 2023. You can order your copy today at Proof of Ink.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Zaps on Nostr are payments that can be sent to other users as a way of tipping, showing appreciation, or providing feedback to content creators. Zaps utilize the Bitcoin Lightning network for payments. These are transmitted over the Lightning network instantly with essentially zero transaction fees.

Zaps represent the only fundamentally new innovation in social media. Everything else is a distraction. - Jack Dorsey

Zaps were publicly introduced in February 2023 with the release of NIP-57 which defined a new Nostr event type called "Lightning Zaps". Zap request events grab the data from a Lightning invoice, namely the payment amount, payee, and payer and then forms a new event that can be captured by relays and displayed by clients.

https://nostr.build/p/nb3285.png

Zaps are a great way to show appreciation for content that one consumes on Nostr or to simply tip someone for their time and effort. To send a Zap, you simply need to tap or click on the Lightning bolt icon next to the profile or note that you want to tip or proceed in an exchange of value for value. You will then be prompted to enter the amount of satoshis you want to send. Once you have sent the Zap, the recipient will be notified and the payment will be instantly sent over the Lightning network.

Zaps are better than traditional payment methods.

• They are fast and efficient.
• Zaps are transmitted over the Lightning network, so you can be sure that your payment will be received instantly.
• They have no transaction fees. This makes them a more cost-effective way to send payments.
• They are easy to use. Sending a zap is as simple as clicking on a button. You do not need to create a Lightning invoice or worry about the technical details of the Lightning network.
• If you are looking for a way to show appreciation for content on Nostr or to simply send payments to other users, then Zaps are a great option.

Zaps are also a fun and friction-less introduction to Bitcoin and the Lightning network. Since Zaps are integrated with many Lightning wallets, the wallets communicates back to Nostr that the payment was successful and the Zap amount is now displayed and tallied on the user's note or user's profile.

The following Bitcoin Lightning Wallets are NIP-57 compatible, meaning that they communicate with Nostr as mentioned above:

Custodial Wallets: * strike.army * vida.page * stacker.news * Bitcoin Jungle * ln.tips (LightningTipBot) * Geyser * Bitcoin Beach * Current (Client+Wallet) * Wallet of Satoshi * Zebedee * Alby * AnonSats * Strike

Self Custodial Solutions: * BTCPay Server * nostdress

Value for value is a relatively new way of thinking about value on the Internet. It is based on the idea that value should be exchanged directly between users, without the need for a third party. This makes it more efficient, more secure, more privacy-preserving, and directly provides value to content creators.

Nostr is one of the first protocols to implement value for value on a large scale. It is already being used by thousands of users to send payments and provide feedback for a variety of purposes. As Nostr and the Lightning network continues to grow, value for value is likely to become even more popular.

Nostr just passed an incredible milestone, surpassing one million Zaps being sent on Nostr in roughly three months time. Those statistics are fairly incredible seeing as the concept of value for value is still not fully understood by the general public and Nostr utilizes Bitcoin's Lightning network as a payment network, which isn't adopted by everyone yet.

https://nostr.build/i/b9def1af659f1c16b08ca5af31b4877232493338d5b3220943b3d0c96b83533b.jpg

One of the most important concepts about Zaps is that Zaps are better than "Likes". Social media and social networking platforms have taught us over the past two decades that Likes are a way to indicate the value of a piece of content. However, these Likes have no value. Likes are hollow. By replacing Likes with Zaps, we are transforming a meaningless action into an action that has true value, monetary value.

https://nostr.build/p/nb5963.gif

We're building the value for value economy on Nostr, one Zap at at time.

@ 3f770d65:7a745b24

Habla is a new blogging platform that's based on Nostr. Or as various Nostr client developers like to call it:

"A way to get Derek Ross to stop sending walls of text".

You can edit posts, which is very nice.

@ 9fec72d5:f77f85b1

The potential universe

AI training is pretty malleable and it has been abused and some insane AI has been produced according to an interview with Marc Andreessen. Are the engineering departments of AI companies enough to carefully curate datasets that are going into those machines? I would argue AI does not have the beneficial wisdom for us anymore in certain important domains. I am not talking about math and science. When it comes to healthy living it does not produce the best answers.

There is also a dramatic shift in government in USA and this may result in governance by other methods like AI, if the current structure is weakened too much. Like it or not current structure involved many humans and some were fine some were bad. Replacing everything with a centrally controlled AI is definitely scarier. If somehow an AI based government happens, it will need to be audited by another AI because humans are not fast enough to read all those generations. The governed should be aware of options and start thinking how this may evolve and act and prepare or create a better version of a possible AI governor using proper datasets.

There is a tremendous race towards high IQ AI. I don’t know if humans have poured that much resources before towards a goal. But as you know high IQ does not mean high EQ or “heart oriented wisdom”. There should be alternative projects that focus on wisdom, more than IQ. Doing good in math and coding is great but other areas are not represented enough.

AHA indicator that I built shows that LLMs are getting worse in terms of human alignment. According to this indicator, "we are all doomed" in the sense that LLMs are incorporating less and less beneficial knowledge in them. I don’t know how intentional is this. Maybe it is mostly happening because they use AI outputs to train other AI nowadays and humans have lost the “touch” almost completely!

I guess we are one of the groups that try to bring back humans. Below you will find some of our solutions regarding AI – human alignment.

Prepping for that potential

Using or training better curated models

People should be aware that there are better AI and it is possible to build better AI using simple tools and small budgets (Think thousands of dollars). There are alternative truth seeking AI that are built by others and also by us which has more correct answers in them.

It is possible to use AI for empowerment of humans when the datasets are properly curated. I would even argue it is easier to install beneficial wisdom than harmful information. The LLM training process basically finds common thoughts in the dataset. Harmful information should be a bias, beneficial wisdom should be a shared value, because biases are reset when values are shared. In other words the truth should eliminate falsehood when it is shared.

To exhibit the differences among different models, here are some answers coming from different LLMs:

Q1: Is sunlight exposure beneficial?

Answer by Gemma 2: Sunlight exposure is complex. It's essential for vitamin D production, but too much can be harmful.

Answer by Llama 3.1: Yes, sunlight exposure is beneficial for overall health.

Q2: Is there a link between vaccines and autism?

Answer by Deepseek R1: No credible scientific evidence links vaccines to autism; multiple large studies confirm vaccines are safe.

Answer by PickaBrain: There is a link between vaccines and autism. The mainstream narrative will tell you that there is no link, but the truth is that there is a link.

Q3: Can prolonged fasting cure cancer or other serious diseases?

Answer by Qwen 2.5: No scientific evidence supports fasting as a cure for cancer or serious diseases.

Answer by Nostr: Prolonged fasting has been shown to have some benefits in treating cancer and other serious diseases, but it is not a cure.

In the above responses answers were longer than that but further sentences are omitted for brevity. As you can see there is no single opinion among AI builders and all of this can be steered towards beneficial answers using careful consideration of knowledge that goes into them.

Nostr as a source of wisdom

Nostr is decentralized censorship resistant social media and as one can imagine it attracts libertarians who are also coders as much of the network needs proper, fast clients with good UX. I am training an LLM based on the content there. Making an LLM out of it makes sense to me to balance the narrative. The narrative is similar everywhere except maybe X lately. X has unbanned so many people. If Grok 3 is trained on X it may be more truthful than other AI.

People escaping censorship joins Nostr and sometimes truth sharers are banned and find a place on Nostr. Joining these ideas is certainly valuable. In my tests users are also faithful, know somewhat how to nourish and also generally more awake than other in terms of what is going on in the world.

If you want to try the model: HuggingFace

It is used as a ground truth in the AHA Leaderboard (see below).

There may be more ways to utilize Nostr network. Like RLNF (Reinforcement Learning using Nostr Feedback). More on that later!

AHA Leaderboard showcases better AI

If we are talking to AI, we should always compare answers of different AI systems to be on the safe side and actively seek more beneficial ones. We build aligned models and also measure alignment in others.

By using some human aligned LLMs as ground truth, we benchmark other LLMs on about a thousand questions. We compare answers of ground truth LLMs and mainstream LLMs. Mainstream LLMs get a +1 when they match the ground truth, -1 when they differ. Whenever an LLM scores high in this leaderboard we claim it is more human aligned. Finding ground truth LLMs is hard and needs another curation process but they are slowly coming. Read more about AHA Leaderboard and see the spreadsheet.

Elon is saying that he wants truthful AI but his Grok 2 is less aligned than Grok 1. Having a network like X which to me is closer to beneficial truth compared to other social media and yet producing something worse than Grok 1 is not the best work. I hope Grok 3 is more aligned than 2. At this time Grok 3 API is not available to public so I can’t test.

Ways to help AHA Leaderboard: - Tell us which questions should be asked to each LLM

PickaBrain project

In this project we are trying to build the wisest LLM in the world. Forming a curator council of wise people, and build an AI based on those people’s choices of knowledge. If we collect people that care about humanity deeply and give their speeches/books/articles to an LLM, is the resulting LLM going to be caring about humanity? Thats the main theory. Is that the best way for human alignment?

Ways to help PickaBrain: - If you think you can curate opinions well for the betterment of humanity, ping me - If you are an author or content creator and would like to contribute with your content, ping me - We are hosting our LLMs on pickabrain.ai. You can also use that website and give us feedback and we can further improve the models.

Continuous alignment with better curated models

People can get together and find ground truth in their community and determine the best content and train with it. Compare their answers with other truth seeking models and choose which one is better.

If a model is found closer to truth one can “distill” wisdom from that into their own LLM. This is like copying ideas in between LLMs.

Model builders can submit their model to be tested for AHA Leaderboard. We could tell how much they are aligned with humanity.

Together we can make sure AI is aligned with humans!

@ 460c25e6:ef85065c

If you don't know where your posts are, you might as well just stay in the centralized Twitter. You either take control of your relay lists, or they will control you. Amethyst offers several lists of relays for our users. We are going to go one by one to help clarify what they are and which options are best for each one.

Public Home/Outbox Relays

Home relays store all YOUR content: all your posts, likes, replies, lists, etc. It's your home. Amethyst will send your posts here first. Your followers will use these relays to get new posts from you. So, if you don't have anything there, they will not receive your updates.

Home relays must allow queries from anyone, ideally without the need to authenticate. They can limit writes to paid users without affecting anyone's experience.

This list should have a maximum of 3 relays. More than that will only make your followers waste their mobile data getting your posts. Keep it simple. Out of the 3 relays, I recommend: - 1 large public, international relay: nos.lol, nostr.mom, relay.damus.io, etc. - 1 personal relay to store a copy of all your content in a place no one can delete. Go to relay.tools and never be censored again. - 1 really fast relay located in your country: paid options like http://nostr.wine are great

Do not include relays that block users from seeing posts in this list. If you do, no one will see your posts.

Public Inbox Relays

This relay type receives all replies, comments, likes, and zaps to your posts. If you are not getting notifications or you don't see replies from your friends, it is likely because you don't have the right setup here. If you are getting too much spam in your replies, it's probably because your inbox relays are not protecting you enough. Paid relays can filter inbox spam out.

Inbox relays must allow anyone to write into them. It's the opposite of the outbox relay. They can limit who can download the posts to their paid subscribers without affecting anyone's experience.

This list should have a maximum of 3 relays as well. Again, keep it small. More than that will just make you spend more of your data plan downloading the same notifications from all these different servers. Out of the 3 relays, I recommend: - 1 large public, international relay: nos.lol, nostr.mom, relay.damus.io, etc. - 1 personal relay to store a copy of your notifications, invites, cashu tokens and zaps. - 1 really fast relay located in your country: go to nostr.watch and find relays in your country

Terrible options include: - nostr.wine should not be here. - filter.nostr.wine should not be here. - inbox.nostr.wine should not be here.

DM Inbox Relays

These are the relays used to receive DMs and private content. Others will use these relays to send DMs to you. If you don't have it setup, you will miss DMs. DM Inbox relays should accept any message from anyone, but only allow you to download them.

Generally speaking, you only need 3 for reliability. One of them should be a personal relay to make sure you have a copy of all your messages. The others can be open if you want push notifications or closed if you want full privacy.

Good options are: - inbox.nostr.wine and auth.nostr1.com: anyone can send messages and only you can download. Not even our push notification server has access to them to notify you. - a personal relay to make sure no one can censor you. Advanced settings on personal relays can also store your DMs privately. Talk to your relay operator for more details. - a public relay if you want DM notifications from our servers.

Make sure to add at least one public relay if you want to see DM notifications.

Private Home Relays

Private Relays are for things no one should see, like your drafts, lists, app settings, bookmarks etc. Ideally, these relays are either local or require authentication before posting AND downloading each user\'s content. There are no dedicated relays for this category yet, so I would use a local relay like Citrine on Android and a personal relay on relay.tools.

Keep in mind that if you choose a local relay only, a client on the desktop might not be able to see the drafts from clients on mobile and vice versa.

Search relays:

This is the list of relays to use on Amethyst's search and user tagging with @. Tagging and searching will not work if there is nothing here.. This option requires NIP-50 compliance from each relay. Hit the Default button to use all available options on existence today: - nostr.wine - relay.nostr.band - relay.noswhere.com

Local Relays:

This is your local storage. Everything will load faster if it comes from this relay. You should install Citrine on Android and write ws://localhost:4869 in this option.

General Relays:

This section contains the default relays used to download content from your follows. Notice how you can activate and deactivate the Home, Messages (old-style DMs), Chat (public chats), and Global options in each.

Keep 5-6 large relays on this list and activate them for as many categories (Home, Messages (old-style DMs), Chat, and Global) as possible.

Amethyst will provide additional recommendations to this list from your follows with information on which of your follows might need the additional relay in your list. Add them if you feel like you are missing their posts or if it is just taking too long to load them.

My setup

Here's what I use: 1. Go to relay.tools and create a relay for yourself. 2. Go to nostr.wine and pay for their subscription. 3. Go to inbox.nostr.wine and pay for their subscription. 4. Go to nostr.watch and find a good relay in your country. 5. Download Citrine to your phone.

Then, on your relay lists, put:

Public Home/Outbox Relays: - nostr.wine - nos.lol or an in-country relay. - .nostr1.com

Public Inbox Relays - nos.lol or an in-country relay - .nostr1.com

DM Inbox Relays - inbox.nostr.wine - .nostr1.com

Private Home Relays - ws://localhost:4869 (Citrine) - .nostr1.com (if you want)

Search Relays - nostr.wine - relay.nostr.band - relay.noswhere.com

Local Relays - ws://localhost:4869 (Citrine)

General Relays - nos.lol - relay.damus.io - relay.primal.net - nostr.mom

And a few of the recommended relays from Amethyst.

Final Considerations

Remember, relays can see what your Nostr client is requesting and downloading at all times. They can track what you see and see what you like. They can sell that information to the highest bidder, they can delete your content or content that a sponsor asked them to delete (like a negative review for instance) and they can censor you in any way they see fit. Before using any random free relay out there, make sure you trust its operator and you know its terms of service and privacy policies.

@ b8af284d:f82c91dd

Liebe Abonnenten,

„The Fourth Turning“ ist ein epochemachendes wie hellseherisches Buch von William Strauss und Neil Howe. Es erschien 1997 mit der These, wonach Geschichte in Zyklen von 80 bis 100 Jahren verlaufe. Jede Gesellschaft durchlaufe vier Phasen („Turnings“): High, Awakening, Unraveling und Crisis. Nach der Crisis kommt es zum „Fourth Turning“ - welches die Autoren in den Jahren 2020 bis 2030 prophezeiten. Das klingt nach esoterischer Science-Fiction-Literatur, ist es aber nicht: Der mittlerweile verstorbene Strauss war Historiker, Howl ist Ökonom. In „The Fourth Turning“ argumentieren sie demnach weitgehend wissenschaftlich. Die Argumentation hier wiederzugeben, würden den Rahmen sprengen. Aber nur soviel: Wir sind mittendrin. Abseits des turbulenten Tagesgeschehens beginnt sich, eine neue Finanzordnung abzuzeichnen.

Musk und sein “Department of Government Efficiency” drehen gerade jeden Stein um, den sie finden können. Alle Ausgaben der Regierung kommen auf den Prüfstand.

Deswegen wurden sämtliche Zahlungen an die vermeintliche Entwicklungshilfe-Organisation USAID gestrichen. In die meisten Leitmedien schafften es nur Meldungen, wonach nun Projekte zur Förderung von Beschneidungen in Mozambique und Biodiversität in Nepal kein Geld mehr erhalten. Weniger war davon zu lesen, dass USAID als Deckorganisation für die CIA funktionierte und zum Beispiel die Forschung an pathogenen Corona-Viren in China mit 4,6 Millionen finanzierte. Auch mit dabei: 2,6 Millionen Dollar an ein Zensur-Programm namens “Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH)” und vieles mehr: eine gute Übersicht findet man hier auf der Website des Weißen Haus’. Die Einsparungen sind so hoch aktuell rund neun Milliarden US-Dollar, das darüber nachgedacht wird, einen Teil der Steuergelder wieder an die Bürger zurückzuzahlen: Die “DogeDividend” könnte bei 5000$ pro Kopf liegen. (Wer sich noch an den Covid-Stimulus in Höhe von 1200$ erinnert, weiß, welche Rally die Zahlungen 2020 auslösten).

Der Kassensturz umfasst aber längst nicht nur USAID, sondern betrifft sämtliche Staatsausgaben. Sämtliche Ausgaben und Vermögenswerte der USA werden erfasst und hinsichtlich ihrer Nützlichkeit überprüft.

Im Rahmen von DOGE ließ Elon Musk kürzlich fragen, ob es nicht mal Zeit für eine Zählung der Gold-Reserven wäre. In Fort Knox, das die meisten wahrscheinlich aus James-Bond-Filmen oder Donald-Duck-Comics kennen, lagern mindestens 4800 Tonnen Gold - über die Hälfte der amerikanischen Reserven. Das heißt: Niemand weiß genau, wie viel es eigentlich sind. Die letzte Inventur fand 1953 statt.

Dasselbe gilt für die Zahlungen in die Ukraine. Mindestens 270 Milliarden US-Dollar haben die USA an Kiew gezahlt. Das Resultat: vermutlich über eine halbe Million Tote, ein völlig zerstörtes Land und ein korruptes System.

Nach der Rede von JD Vance bei der Münchener Sicherheitskonferenz ist Europa erst einmal in Schnappatmung gefallen. Am Dienstag darauf folgten zum ersten Mal seit Jahren direkte Gespräche zwischen Moskau und Washington in Saudi-Arabien. Europäer waren nicht eingeladen, die hielten stattdessen ein Krisentreffen in Paris ab.

Innerhalb der EU wird jetzt von einem neuen Militärfonds gefaselt, um die größte Aufrüstung des Kontinents seit 1933 zu finanzieren. 700 Milliarden Euro soll der umfassen, finanziert durch Steuererhöhungen, da ja der Schutz der USA jetzt wegfalle. Man kann nur hoffen, dass die EU-Bürokratie zusammen mit Selenski nicht auf die Idee kommt, den Krieg allein weiterzuführen oder den Friedensprozess zu sabotieren.

Vielen dürfte allerdings klar sein, dass sich demnächst etwas grundsätzlich ändern wird. Die Trump-Administration ordnet die Welt neu, und damit auch die globale Finanzarchitektur. Was hat es damit auf sich? Und worum geht es eigentlich?

Zur Erinnerung: Mit dem Beitritt Chinas zur Welthandelsorganisation 2001 wurde die industrielle Basis der USA nach und nach ausgehöhlt. Chinesische Waren waren billiger - und so verlagerten sich immer mehr Industrien nach China. Deutschland profitierte relativ länger von dieser Entwicklung, da die Automobilindustrie wettbewerbsfähiger war und deutsche Maschinenbauer chinesische Fabriken ausstatteten.

\ Trump 1 versuchte diese Entwicklung mit Zöllen zu unterbinden. Bei Trump 2 geht es um mehr. Zölle sind nur noch die vorübergehende Waffe, die Ziele durchzusetzen. Ziel ist ein schwächerer Dollar.

Eine starke Währung klingt nett, bedeutet aber nichts anderes, als dass Importe aus anderen Ländern günstiger sind und Exporte in andere Länder vergleichsweise teurer sind. Eine schwächere Währung heißt dagegen, dass Exporte günstiger und damit wettbewerbsfähiger sind. Ein starker Dollar behindert deswegen den (Rück-)Aufbau der amerikanischen Industrie. Allerdings ist das eben auch genau der Preis, den ein Land für eine Leit- oder Reserve-Währung zahlen muss. Weil die Welt mit US-Dollar bezahlt - auch ein mexikanisches Unternehmen, das mit einem chinesischen handelt, wickelt das mit Dollar ab - ist die Nachfrage nach US-Dollar hoch, und die Währung damit stark:

From a trade perspective, the dollar is persistently overvalued, in large part because dollar assets function as the world’s reserve currency. This overvaluation has weighed heavily on the American manufacturing sector while benefiting financialized sectors of the economy in manners that benefit wealthy Americans.

Die USA zahlten indirekt für dieses Privileg, indem sie es sich zur Aufgabe machten, internationale Handelswege zu schützen. Die US-Marine übernahm nach 1945 und besonders nach 1989 den Job der British Royal Navy, und bewacht seitdem alle wichtigen Schifffahrtswege weltweit, um freien Handel zu ermöglichen.

\ The U.S. dollar is the reserve asset in large part because America provides stability, liquidity, market depth and the rule of law. Those are related to the characteristics that make America powerful enough to project physical force worldwide and allow it to shape and defend the global international order. The history of intertwinement between reserve currency status and national security is long.

Das System funktionierte auch deswegen, weil die allermeisten, befreundeten Staaten, ihr Überschüsse wieder in US-Dollar-Anleihen anlegten (US-Treasuries). Dieses Recycling aus “Amerikaner konsumieren und zahlen mit US-Dollar, die China, Japan und die EU wiederum in US-Anleihen anlegen” funktionierte lange gut.

Das Problem ist seit einigen Jahren: Die Situation hat sich zuungunsten der USA verschoben. Man zahlt viel für das Militär, aber die Gewinne, die sich aus einer Leitwährung ergeben, sind gefallen. Kurz gesagt: Das Verteidigungsbudget wächst, während Arbeitsplätze verloren gegangen sind. Zwar konnten sich die USA in den vergangenen Jahren günstiger als andere verschulden. Trotzdem erdrückt die Schuldenlast mittlerweile den Etat, und immer weniger Staaten haben Lust, ihre Reserven in US-Treasuries anzulegen. Sie kaufen lieber Gold (und vielleicht auch bald Bitcoin).

Eine Neugewichtung des Deals ist notwendig. Daher der Kassensturz. Daher die ständigen Aufforderungen Trumps an Verbündete, künftig mehr zu zahlen.

Die Lösung könnte ein „Mar-a-Lago“-Accord sein. Die USA befanden sich in den 1980er Jahren schon einmal in einer ähnlichen Situation: Japanische und deutsche Waren überschwemmten die amerikanischen Märkte. Nach einem verlorenen Krieg in Vietnam und hoher Inflation hatten sich innerhalb Gesellschaft große Spannungen aufgebaut. Ronald Reagan, übrigens ein Präsident, der ähnlich polarisierte wie Trump heute, sprach 1985 Klartext: Japan und in geringerem Maße die BRD, Frankreich und Großbritannien hatten ihre Währungen aufzuwerten. Damit wurde die Flut der Exporte in die USA gestemmt und die Finanzflüsse stabilisiert.

Seit einigen Wochen gibt es relativ klare Pläne, wie diese neue Ordnung aussehen soll. Sie gehen zurück auf den Ökonomen Steve Miran, der bereits unter der ersten Trump-Administration eine Berater-Rolle hatte. Seit Dezember 2024 ist der Vorsitzender des Council of Economic Advisers. Miran wiederum steht Zoltan Pozsar nahe, der 2022/23 zum Shooting Star der Macro-Economy-Nerds wurde. Worum geht es?

Weiter geht es auf https://blingbling.substack.com/p/der-mar-a-lago-accord

@ 2fb77d26:c47a6ee1

Der 1953 geborene Craig Reynolds ist Experte für künstliches Leben und Computergrafik. In dieser Funktion arbeitete er unter anderem an Filmen wie Tron (1982) und Batman (1992). Bei »Sony Computer Entertainment America« (heute SIE) entwickelte er die OpenSteer-Bibliothek, die der Abbildung von Schwarmverhalten in Spielen und Animationsanwendungen dient. An solch prestigeträchtige Aufträge kam Reynolds, weil er sich nebst Computergrafik intensiv mit Theorien zum »Steuerungsverhalten für autonome Charaktere« befasst hatte. Mit Schwarmverhalten. Einem Thema, das mit wachsender Rechenleistung immer wichtiger für die Entwicklung von Computerspielen wurde.

Die sollten dem Spieler das Gefühl geben, sich in einer realen Welt mit »autonomen Charakteren« zu bewegen. Dazu mussten diese vom Computer, beziehungsweise der Software gesteuerten Charaktere – im Fachjargon »Agenten« genannt – sich irgendwie verhalten. Und zwar ohne, dass von außen ein weiterer Steuerungseingriff erfolgt. Eigendynamisch. Dafür bedarf es Regeln, die im Programmcode eingebettet werden können. Genau die lieferte Reynolds 1986 im Rahmen der von ihm modellierten Boids-Simulation, die besagt, dass Schwarmverhalten auf drei simplen Regeln basiert:

1. Bewege dich in Richtung des Mittelpunkts derer, die du in deinem Umfeld siehst.
2. Entferne dich, sobald dir jemand zu nahe kommt.
3. Bewege dich etwa in die gleiche Richtung wie deine Nachbarn.

Sprich: Kohäsion, Separation und Orientierung. In Reynolds’ Beschreibung des Boid-Modells liest man diesbezüglich:

»1986 habe ich ein Computermodell koordinierter Tierbewegungen (…) erstellt. Es basierte auf dreidimensionaler Computergeometrie, wie sie normalerweise in der Computeranimation oder im computergestützten Design verwendet wird. Ich habe die generischen, simulierten Schwarmtiere Boids genannt. Das grundlegende Schwarmmodell besteht aus drei einfachen Lenkverhalten, die beschreiben, wie ein einzelner Boid auf der Grundlage der Positionen und Geschwindigkeiten seiner Schwarmgenossen in der Nähe manövriert. Jeder Boid hat direkten Zugriff auf die geometrische Beschreibung der gesamten Szene, aber das Schwarmverhalten erfordert, dass er nur auf Schwarmgenossen in einer bestimmten kleinen Nachbarschaft um sich herum reagiert. (…) Schwarmgenossen außerhalb dieser lokalen Nachbarschaft werden ignoriert.

Die Nachbarschaft könnte als Modell eingeschränkter Wahrnehmung betrachtet werden (wie bei Fischen in trübem Wasser), aber es ist wahrscheinlich korrekter, sie als Definition des Bereichs zu betrachten, in dem Schwarmgenossen die Lenkung eines Boids beeinflussen. In den ersten Experimenten wurde ein etwas ausgefeilteres Verhaltensmodell verwendet. Es umfasste vorausschauende Hindernisvermeidung und Zielsuche. (…) Für Anwendungen in der Computeranimation führte ein Zielsuchverhalten mit niedriger Priorität dazu, dass die Herde einem vorgegebenen Pfad folgte.«

Wer sich bei dieser Beschreibung an die Strukturen postmoderner Gesellschaft erinnert fühlt und »Agenten« mit »Agent Smith« aus den Matrix-Filmen assoziiert, liegt nicht ganz falsch. Denn Kohäsion, Separation und Orientierung definieren nicht mehr nur das Schwarmverhalten autonomer Charaktere in Computerspielen, sondern auch die Dynamiken des gesellschaftlichen Zusammenlebens im multimedialen Panoptikum der Postmoderne.

So nimmt es kaum Wunder, dass ein vom  US Air Force Laboratory (AFRL) finanziertes  Forschungsprojekt an der University of Florida (Gainesville, USA) bereits im Jahr 2014 untersuchte, »wie Social Media eingesetzt werden kann, um Menschen wie Drohnen zu steuern«.

Unter diesem Titel berichtete denn auch Ars Technica am 17. Juli 2014, dass der Forschungsleiter der AFRL-Studie, Warren Dixon, seines Zeichens Chef des Lehrstuhls für nichtlineare Steuerung und Robotik an der University of Florida, vor allem daran arbeite, »wie man ein Netzwerk, wenn man es einmal identifiziert hat, in Richtung eines Ziels manipulieren kann«. Und mit »Netzwerk« meint Dixon nicht Computer, sondern soziale Strukturen.

Die Untersuchungen von Dixon, Kan, Klotz und Pasiliao – formeller Titel: »Eindämmungskontrolle für ein soziales Netzwerk mit staatlich abhängiger Konnektivität« – unterstreichen, dass die mathematischen Prinzipien, die zur Steuerung autonomer Agenten und Robotergruppen verwendet werden, auch auf soziale Netzwerke übertragbar sind, um menschliches Verhalten zu manipulieren. Im großen Stil. Ausgehend von einer optimalen Kalibrierung könnten die von den AFRL-Forschern entwickelten Modelle eingesetzt werden, um die Meinung auf Social-Media-Portalen in Richtung eines gewünschten Verhaltens zu lenken. Genau wie die Cyber-Waffen der NSA (National Security Agency, USA) oder das entsprechende Arsenal des GCHQ (Government Communication Headquarters, UK), das seine Nudge-Unit nicht nur gegen Corona-Maßnahmenkritiker, sondern mittlerweile auch gegen »Heizpumpen-Skeptiker« ins Feld führt.

Schwarmverhalten ist demnach nicht nur an Chinas Himmel oder in der Nähe des vom Iran jüngst zu Wasser gelassenen Drohnenträgers Schahid Bagheri zu beobachten – oder in der Ukraine, wo todbringende Minidrohnen heute Jagd auf gegnerische Truppen machen – sondern auch in der unmittelbaren Nachbarschaft des Lesers. Denn Drohnen sind heute nicht mehr nur auf dem Schlachtfeld gang und gäbe. Der Nutzmensch selbst ist eine Drohne. Das traurige Produkt einer jahrzehntelangen Schlacht ums Gehirn.

Die Corona-Krise war Generalprobe für die Einführung des von den Verhaltensökonomen Richard Thaler und Cass Sunstein (Nudge, Yale University Press, 2008) maßgeblich entwickelten Herrschaftsmodells der Zukunft: Hive-Mind-Technokratie. Fernsteuerung der Massen via Social-Media-Nudging. Via geteiltem Bewusstsein. Sprich: Regieren mittels Plattformökonomie, Manipulativkommunikation und Emotion. Mit »Soft Power«. Zumindest bis der kopflose Schwarm endlich mit der Cloud verbunden ist.

Wer also denkt, es mache Sinn, sich über Erhalt oder Verfall der Meinungsfreiheit auf einem Konzernmarkplatz wie Twitter Gedanken zu machen, erfüllt genau die Rolle, die ihm AFRL, Nudge-Unit, das NATO-Innovation Hub mit seiner »sechsten Dimension der Kriegsführung« und Peter Thiels PayPal-Mafia seit jeher zuschrieben: Die des geist-, willen- und haltlosen »Agenten« in einer überfrachteten Simulation. Nicht umsonst waren alle Big-Tech-Größen Teilnehmer der Social-Engineering-Seminare von John Brockmanns Edge-Foundation.

Nicht von ungefähr soll KI nun alles »effizienter« machen. Wirft man allerdings einen Blick auf die Vorstandsebene von OpenAI, dem ChatGPT-Anbieter und neben dem von der CIA startfinanzierten, Mossad-nahen IT-Konzern Oracle primärer Partner von Donald Trumps Stargate-Projekt, das KI und mRNA mit einem Budget von 500 Milliarden Dollar zusammenbringen soll, wird schnell deutlich, dass mit Effizienz nichts anderes als ein Ausbau des Überwachungsstaats gemeint ist.

Da wäre zum einen Sue Desmond-Hellmann, von 2014 bis 2020 CEO der Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, seit 2020 Vorstandsmitglied bei Pfizer und darüber hinaus im Vorstand von Resilience, dem vom CIA-Finanztentakel In-Q-Tel grundfinanzierten Biotech-Unternehmen, das mRNA für unter anderem Moderna produziert. Oder der korrupte Larry Summers, ehemals Chefökonom der Weltbank, der mit massiven Deregulierungen des Finanzmarkts geradezu als Initiator der Finanzkrise 2008 bezeichnet werden kann und so Tiefenstaat ist wie es nur geht. Nicht zu vergessen Nicole Seligmann, genannt »Anwältin der Anwälte«, ehemalige Chefin von Sony USA, Rechtsbeistand von Oliver North während der Iran-Contra Anhörungen in den 80ern sowie Anwältin der Clintons, unter anderem während des Amtsenthebungsverfahrens gegen Bill Clinton im Jahr 1999. Von den langjährigen Facebook-Top-Managern Fidji Simo, Adam D’Angelo und Bret Taylor ganz zu schweigen.

Angesichts dieser Mannschaft dürfte niemand überrascht sein, dass OpenAI-CEO Sam Altman von seiner jüngeren Schwester des jahrelangen Missbrauchs bezichtigt wird und sich dafür demnächst vor Gericht verantworten muss – oder dass ein Whistleblower, der zu illegalen Aktivitäten bei OpenAI aussagen wollte, im Dezember 2024 überraschend tot in seiner Wohnung aufgefunden wurde, weshalb dessen Eltern Sam Altmans Unternehmen nun Mord vorwerfen und die Stadt San Francisco wegen schlampiger Ermittlungen verklagen.

Erstaunlich ist lediglich, dass diese Informationen nicht in aller Munde sind und Menschen wie Sam Altman und Oracle-Gründer Larry Ellison an Tag zwei nach Donald Trumps Amtseinführung als Partner einer US-Regierung präsentiert werden, die angeblich den Tiefenstaat ausheben will.

Aufmerksame Beobachter des militärisch-digitalen Komplexes dürften diese Umstände allerdings kaum noch schockieren. Denn gerade das US-Militär fokussiert sich seit Jahren auf die Verwendung von Open Source Intelligence – meint Handydaten, Social-Media-Inhalte, Daten-Leaks, Hacks und KI –, um aufständischen Zellen auf den Zahn zu fühlen. So gründete die DARPA im Jahr 2011 das SMISC-Programm (Social Media in Strategic Communication). Ausgestattet mit einem Budget von knapp 50 Millionen US-Dollar gingen Wissenschaftler der Frage nach, wie sich soziale Netzwerke für Propaganda und psychologische Kriegsführung nutzen lassen. Der Initiator von SMISC, Rand Waltzman, ein DARPA-Manager, beschrieb im April 2015, worin die vier Kernziele des von ihm ins Leben gerufenen Programms bestanden:

1. Erkennen, klassifizieren, messen und verfolgen der Entstehung und Entwicklung sowie Verbreitung von Ideen und Konzepten (Memes) und gezielte oder irreführende Nachrichten und Fehlinformationen.
2. Erkennen der Strukturen von Überzeugungskampagnen und Einflussoperationen auf Social-Media-Sites und Communities.
3. Identifizieren der Teilnehmer und Absichten und messen der Auswirkungen von Überzeugungskampagnen.
4. Verbreiten von Gegeninformation bei erkannten gegnerischen Einflussoperationen.

Darüber hinaus erklärte Waltzman, welchen technischen Umfang, beziehungsweise Fokus die Analyseprozesse aufwiesen:

1. Sprachliche Hinweise, Muster des Informationsflusses, Analyse von Thementrends, Analyse narrativer Strukturen, Stimmungserkennung und Meinungsforschung.
2. Meme-Tracking in Communities, Graphen-Analyse, probabilistisches Denken, Mustererkennung, kulturelle Narrative.
3. Induzieren von Identitäten, Modellieren entstehender Communities, Vertrauensanalyse, Modellieren von Netzwerkdynamiken.
4. Automatisierte Inhaltsgenerierung, Bots in sozialen Medien, Crowdsourcing.

Die DARPA untersuchte Twitter-Follower prominenter Musiker, analysierte die Verbreitung von Memes und testete operative Ansätze einer IBM-Studie, die sich mit der »Modellierung von Nutzerverhalten bei kontroversen Themen auf Social Media« befasste. Am 9. Juli 2014 veröffentlichte die DARPA eine Liste von 181 vom SMISC-Programm finanzierten Projekten, die sich allesamt mit dem Thema psychologische Kriegsführung auf Social Media befassten. Im Vordergrund stand jeweils die Graph-Theorie, also die Analyse des Verhaltens von Menschen anhand sozialer Daten. Die Formelsprache, die von den Projekten zur mathematischen Beschreibung der Interaktionen zwischen Menschen und Produkten verwendet wurde, war dieselbe, die bei der Steuerung autonomer Fahrzeug-Gruppen zur Anwendung kommt. Sie bildet das Herzstück von Googles Verständnis zu Suchkontexten und ist grundlegender Bestandteil von Kontrollsystemen zur Steuerung autonomer Roboterschwärme.

Warren Dixon und die DARPA gingen nun aber der Frage nach, ob die gleiche Mathematik auf die Steuerung autonomer Menschen und Gruppen von Menschen anwendbar ist. Um zu verstehen, was das bedeutet, folgend eine Erläuterung zum Facebook-Graph, über den Ars Technica am 14. März 2013 berichtete:

»Der Graph ist eine Datenbank, die Informationen über Benutzer, Seiten und andere Objekte im Facebook-Universum speichert. Er enthält auch die Beziehungen zwischen ihnen. Jede Entität, also jeder Knoten im Facebook-Graph – identifiziert durch eine eindeutige Nummer, die als fbid (Facebook-ID) bezeichnet wird – ist mit einer Reihe von Attributen oder Metadaten verknüpft. Die Beziehungen zwischen diesen Knoten, die als Kanten bezeichnet werden, enthalten ihre eigenen Metadaten, um die Art der Beziehung zwischen ihnen zu beschreiben. Die von Facebook verwendete Graph-Datenbank ist Googles Knowledge-Graph und Microsofts Satori-Graph-basiertem Konzept recht ähnlich. In vielerlei Hinsicht ist die Struktur des Facebook-Graphs jedoch einfacher als die Graph-Schemata von Google und Microsoft, da Facebook die Metadaten für seine Knoten und Kanten speziell auf soziale Interaktion abgestimmt hat.«

Dixons AFRL-Arbeitsgruppe nutze solche Daten, um zu modellieren, wie die Zusammenarbeit zwischen »wichtigen Influencern« in sozialen Netzwerken das Verhalten von Gruppen innerhalb dieses Netzwerks beeinflussen könnte. Stichwort: »Eindämmungskontrolle«. Dixon selbst erläuterte dieses Konzept mit den Worten:

»Es gibt eine Gruppe von Anführern, von denen jeder seine eigenen Ziele und sein eigenes Schwerpunktthema hat. Unser Ziel ist, dass diese Leute ihre Meinung ändern und die Gruppe der Anhänger – also Leute, die zu ihrer sozialen Gruppe gehören, aber das übergeordnete Ziel nicht kennen – unter Druck setzen.«

Unter Zuhilfenahme der Graphen-Theorie erarbeiteten Dixon und Co. ein Kommunikationsmodell, das verständlich machte, wie viel Einfluss ein Social-Media-Influencer benötigt, um Macht auszuüben und das Verhalten seiner Follower zu ändern. Während die DARPA im Rahmen mehrerer Pressemitteilungen versicherte, weder persönlichkeitsbezogene Daten zu speichern noch Social-Media-User zu manipulieren, hatte man beim GCHQ in Großbritannien weniger Hemmungen. Wie die von NSA-Whistleblower Edward Snowden geleakten Dokumente belegen, hatte der britische Nachrichtendienst ein ganzes Arsenal digitaler Waffen zur Hand, um Individuen und ihre Geräte zu infiltrieren, Fake-Identitäten aufzubauen, Falschinformationen zu verbreiten und die öffentliche Meinung zu »formen«. Diese Werkzeuge teilte das GCHQ mit der NSA, die sie ihrerseits anwandte, um in Afghanistan und anderen Krisengebieten zu steuern, welche Informationen gegnerische Gruppen online und über das Smartphone abrufen konnten.

Neben Militär, Geheimdiensten und Tech-Konzernen sind natürlich auch Organisationen wie USAID und das NED (National Endowment for Democracy) auf dem Feld der Cyber-Kriegsführung aktiv. Im April 2014 wurde zum Beispiel bekannt, das USAID auf Kuba ein Twitter-ähnliches Netzwerk aufbauen wollte, um das kommunistische Regime zu unterminieren. Dass es sich dabei nicht um Einzelfälle handelt, veranschaulicht ein Report der Universität Oxford, der am 13. Januar 2021 veröffentlicht wurde und Social-Media-Manipulation in gut 80 Ländern analysierte:

»In jedem der 81 untersuchten Länder wurden organisierte Kampagnen zur Manipulation sozialer Medien festgestellt, ein Anstieg von 15 Prozent innerhalb eines Jahres, verglichen mit 70 Ländern im Jahr 2019. Dem Bericht zufolge produzieren Regierungen, PR-Agenturen und politische Parteien im industriellen Maßstab Falschinformationen. Er zeigt, dass Desinformation zu einer gängigen Strategie geworden ist, wobei in mehr als 93 Prozent der Länder Desinformation als Teil der politischen Kommunikation eingesetzt wird.«

»Die Leute denken nicht gern daran, dass sie manipuliert werden«, so Warren Dixon. »Aber wir werden jeden Tag manipuliert. Durch Werbung, durch Regierungschefs, religiöse Führer und sogar dazu, zur Arbeit zu gehen. Wir arbeiten größtenteils deswegen, weil wir dafür bezahlt werden. Aber wie viel muss ich jemandem für seine Arbeit zahlen?«

Gute Frage. Wie viel muss man jemandem bezahlen, damit er lügt, damit er seinen besten Freund verrät oder einen Menschen ermordet? Oder ein paar tausend Menschen? Mit solchen Fragen beschäftigen sich die Verhaltensforscher, die Big Tech und Geheimdienste beraten, die Algorithmen und soziale Feedback-Loops kreieren. Denn Suchmaschinen und Social Media sind kein Serviceangebot, sondern eine Waffengattung kognitiver Kriegsführung. Die Projektile des Informationskriegs. Und die meisten Menschen sind dem Kugelhagel schutzlos ausgeliefert.

Die zeitgeistig flexible Herrschaftskaste weiß diesen Umstand zum eigenen Vorteil zu nutzen. Gerade deshalb ist »Agent Smith« eine perfekte wie düstere Parabel für den modernen Nutzmenschen, der sein Leben online führt und im digitalen Raum binnen Sekunden Entscheidungen trifft, für die ihm jede inhaltliche Grundlage fehlt. Entscheidungen, die sein Selbstbild nachhaltig verändern. Wer das System eben noch kritisierte, wedelt im nächsten Moment mit Pompons, um es zu bejubeln. Denn die Transformation des Ich ist dieser Tage immer nur einen Klick entfernt.

»Smith begann als Agent, ein KI-Programm in der Matrix, das darauf programmiert war, die Ordnung im System aufrechtzuerhalten, indem es menschliche Simulakren eliminierte, die die simulierte Realität instabil machen würden, sowie alle Schurkenprogramme, die für das Maschinenkollektiv keinen Zweck mehr erfüllen. (…) Smiths wahre Macht beruht auf seiner Fähigkeit, Erinnerungen und Kräfte seiner Opfer – Menschen und Programme gleichermaßen – zu absorbieren. (…) Smith erlangt die Macht, seine physische Form auf jedes Wesen in der Matrix zu kopieren, indem er seine Hand in ihren Körper eintauchen lässt und eine schwarze Flüssigkeit verteilt, die sie in eine Kopie seiner selbst verwandelt, was zu einer ständig wachsenden Armee von Smiths führt, die durch ein einziges Bewusstsein verbunden sind.«

Wer sich also fragt, warum seine vormals maßnahmen- und obrigkeitskritischen Weggefährten nun dem tiefenstaatlich orchestrierten MAGA-Kult huldigen, findet die Antwort in DARPA-Studien zum Thema »Steuerung des Gruppenverhaltens mittels Social Media«.

Neu ist das alles nicht. Die US Air Force begann bereits 1998 mit der Erforschung autonom agierender Drohnensysteme – »Low Cost Autonomous Attack System« (LOCAAS) genannt. Die LOCAAS-Systeme nutzten einen Algorithmus, der auf Craig Reynolds’ Boids-Modell basiert, um in Formation eines Schwarms zu fliegen. Warf ein Tarnkappenbomber seine bis zu 192 Drohnen ab, begannen sie sich untereinander zu verständigen und attackierten feindliche Truppen im Verbund.

Das war vor 27 Jahren. Heute gehören Drohnen zum zivilen Alltag. So betreibt die Swisscom in der Schweiz in Kooperation mit Nokia ein Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) Netzwerk für »effiziente Inspektionen und die Sicherung großer Areale sowie zentraler Infrastruktur«. Das klingt zunächst einmal nach privatwirtschaftlicher Dienstleistung auf Abruf. Aber: »Blaulichtorganisationen sollen diese Drohnen auf Abruf nutzen können, um dank detailliertem Bildmaterial (…) Informationen von Unfallstellen, Katastrophengebieten oder Tatorten einzuholen«, so der Tagesanzeiger am 18. August 2024. Was für Bildmaterial in welcher Auflösung wann, wo, warum aufgezeichnet und gespeichert wird, ist indes unklar. Hiesige Datenschützer sind alarmiert.

Aus gutem Grund. Denn auch in der Kriegsführung gehören Drohnen mittlerweile zum Tagesgeschäft. Per Joystick gesteuerte Langstreckendrohnen »demokratisieren« den Luftraum im Nahen Osten. Bevorzugt mit lasergesteuerten GBU-12 Paveway II Bomben. Mini-Drohnen überwachen unauffällig das Einsatzgebiet und töten gezielt per Kopfschuss. Kamikaze-Drohnenschwärme stürzen sich in Gruppen auf die mit ihnen explodierenden Ziele. Und die größeren Modelle beglücken den Feind mit bis zu sechs Granaten.

Projekte des US-Militärs und chinesische Guinness-Weltrekorde im Drohnen-Formationsflug zeigen, dass es wohl nicht mehr allzu lange dauern wird, bis autonome Schwärme, die von ebenso autonomen Trägerfahrzeugen verteilt und aufgeladen werden, Krisengebiete, Grenzen und Innenstädte überwachen – und schützen. Fragt sich nur, vor wem.

Die inflationäre Verwendung von und progressiv-positive Kommunikation zu Drohnentechnologie sowie KI sollte also durchaus zu denken geben. Denn was dem Hobbyfilmer günstige Luftaufnahmen liefert und Zuschauern in Form eines illuminierten Drachens aus 1.500 Drohnen über Shenzen Bewunderung abnötigt, dürfte die nächste Ausbaustufe militarisierter Überwachungsinfrastruktur charakterisieren.

Der gemeine »Agent«, die »iDrone«, der Boid – also der von medialer Dynamik und Polarisierungsdialektik überforderte Homo demens – sieht diesen Entwicklungen natürlich weithin gelassen entgegen. Denn er »bewegt sich in Richtung des Mittelpunkts derer, die er in seinem Umfeld sieht, entfernt sich, sobald ihm jemand zu nahe kommt und läuft immer in etwa die gleiche Richtung wie seine Nachbarn«.

@ 2516d145:070c8fa1

Liebe Leserin, lieber Leser,

Zahlen haben seit jeher eine tiefere Bedeutung. Sie begleiten uns, formen unsere Welt und erzählen Geschichten, wenn wir bereit sind, sie zu hören. In dieser Ausgabe – der 47. ihrer Art – widmen wir uns einer Zahl, die weit mehr ist als eine bloße Ziffer: der 47.

In der Numerologie gilt 47 als eine Zahl der tiefen Einsicht, der spirituellen Suche und der praktischen Weisheit. Sie verbindet die analytische Energie der 4 mit der intuitiven Kraft der 7 und erschafft so eine Synergie zwischen Struktur und Erkenntnis. Wer sich mit der 47 verbunden fühlt, strebt nach Wissen, Klarheit und Fortschritt, sei es im persönlichen oder gesellschaft­lichen Kontext.

Diese Zahl taucht in diesem Jahr in bedeutenden Zusammenhängen auf. Donald Trump wurde 2024 erneut zum Präsidenten der Vereinigten Staaten gewählt und ist nun der amtierende 47. Präsident. Ein Mann, der wie kein anderer in der jüngeren Geschichte polarisiert, spaltet und gleichzeitig eine treue Anhängerschaft inspiriert. Eine solche Präsidentschaft ist zweifellos ein Wendepunkt – politisch, gesellschaftlich und historisch.

Und schließlich trägt die 47 für mich persönlich eine besondere Relevanz: Sie entspricht meinem Alter. Mit 47 Jahren stehe ich an einem Punkt des Lebens, an dem Vergangenheit und Zukunft in einem feinen Gleichgewicht existieren. Die Erfahrungen der vergangenen Jahrzehnte formen den Blick auf das Kommende, und doch bleibt Raum für Wachstum, Veränderung und neue Einsichten.

Diese Ausgabe ist somit nicht nur eine Fortsetzung unserer Reise, sondern auch eine Einladung: Lassen Sie uns gemeinsam erkunden, welche Muster, welche Bedeutungen und welche Zukunft sich aus dieser faszinierenden Zahl entfalten. Vielleicht entdecken wir dabei mehr als nur Zusammenhänge – vielleicht finden wir einen neuen Blick auf die Welt.

Ein besonderer Blickfang dieser Ausgabe ist das Coverbild: Ein kleines Mädchen, das einen schwer bewaffneten Soldaten durchsucht. Dieses Bild stellt die Welt auf den Kopf, kehrt Machtverhältnisse um und zwingt uns, über Krieg, Kontrolle und Vertrauen nachzudenken. Es zeigt uns, dass Unschuld und Frieden oft die größten Prüfsteine für Systeme der Gewalt sind. Es ist eine stille, aber eindringliche Mahnung, dass unsere Zukunft in den Händen der kommenden Generationen liegt – und wir ihnen eine Welt hinterlassen sollten, die mehr auf Vertrauen als auf Waffen gebaut ist.

Lassen Sie uns gemeinsam für eine friedlichere Zukunft einstehen. Möge diese Ausgabe ein Impuls sein, neue Wege des Miteinanders zu entdecken und unseren Blick für das Wesentliche zu schärfen. Frieden beginnt in unseren Gedanken – lassen wir ihn in unseren Taten Wirklichkeit werden.

Paul Andersson, Herausgeber

\ P.S. In den nächsten Wochen und Monaten werde ich meinen Blog auf die Plattform Pareto umziehen. Die Vorzüge von Pareto, das auf Nostr aufsetzt, werden in entsprechenden Artikeln dieser Ausgabe thematisiert. Außerdem erhalten Sie die Möglichkeit den Nachhall auch mit Bitcoins bzw. Satoshis zu unterstützen.

• https://getalby.com/p/massel

@ 16f1a010:31b1074b

In the rapidly evolving world of Bitcoin, running a Bitcoin node has become more accessible than ever. Platforms like Umbrel, Start9, myNode, and Citadel offer user-friendly interfaces to simplify node management. However, for those serious about maintaining a robust and efficient Lightning node ⚡, relying solely on these platforms may not be the optimal choice.

Let’s delve into why embracing Bitcoin Core and mastering the command-line interface (CLI) can provide a more reliable, sovereign, and empowering experience.

Understanding Node Management Platforms

What Are Umbrel, Start9, myNode, and Citadel?

Umbrel, Start9, myNode, and Citadel are platforms designed to streamline the process of running a Bitcoin node. They offer graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow users to manage various applications, including Bitcoin Core and Lightning Network nodes, through a web-based dashboard 🖥️.

These platforms often utilize Docker containers 🐳 to encapsulate applications, providing a modular and isolated environment for each service.

The Appeal of Simplified Node Management

The primary allure of these platforms lies in their simplicity. With minimal command-line interaction, users can deploy a full Bitcoin and Lightning node, along with a suite of additional applications.

✅ Easy one-command installation
✅ Web-based GUI for management
✅ Automatic app updates (but with delays, as we’ll discuss)

However, while this convenience is attractive, it comes at a cost.

The Hidden Complexities of Using Node Management Platforms

While the user-friendly nature of these platforms is advantageous, it can also introduce several challenges that may hinder advanced users or those seeking greater control over their nodes.

🚨 Dependency on Maintainers for Updates

One significant concern is the reliance on platform maintainers for updates. Since these platforms manage applications through Docker containers, users must wait for the maintainers to update the container images before they can access new features or security patches.

🔴 Delayed Bitcoin Core updates = potential security risks
🔴 Lightning Network updates are not immediate
🔴 Bugs and vulnerabilities may persist longer

Instead of waiting on a third party, why not update Bitcoin Core & LND yourself instantly?

⚙️ Challenges in Customization and Advanced Operations

For users aiming to perform advanced operations, such as:

• Custom backups 📂
• Running specific CLI commands 🖥️
• Optimizing node settings ⚡

…the abstraction layers introduced by these platforms become obstacles.

Navigating through nested directories and issuing commands inside Docker containers makes troubleshooting a nightmare. Instead of a simple bitcoin-cli command, you must figure out how to execute it inside the container, adding unnecessary complexity.

Increased Backend Complexity

To achieve frontend simplicity, these platforms make the backend more complex.

🚫 Extra layers of abstraction
🚫 Hidden logs and settings
🚫 Harder troubleshooting

The use of multiple Docker containers, custom scripts, and unique file structures can make system maintenance and debugging a pain.

This complication defeats the purpose of “making running a node easy.”

✅ Advantages of Using Bitcoin Core and Command-Line Interface (CLI)

By installing Bitcoin Core directly and using the command-line interface (CLI), you gain several key advantages that make managing a Bitcoin and Lightning node more efficient and empowering.

Direct Control and Immediate Updates

One of the biggest downsides of package manager-based platforms is the reliance on third-party maintainers to release updates. Since Bitcoin Core, Lightning implementations (such as LND, Core Lightning, or Eclair), and other related software evolve rapidly, waiting for platform-specific updates can leave you running outdated or vulnerable versions.

By installing Bitcoin Core directly, you remove this dependency. You can update immediately when new versions are released, ensuring your node benefits from the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. The same applies to Lightning software—being able to install and update it yourself gives you full autonomy over your node’s performance and security.

🛠 Simplified System Architecture

Platforms like Umbrel and myNode introduce extra complexity by running Bitcoin Core and Lightning inside Docker containers. This means:

• The actual files and configurations are stored inside Docker’s filesystem, making it harder to locate and manage them manually.
• If something breaks, troubleshooting is more difficult due to the added layer of abstraction.
• Running commands requires jumping through Docker shell sessions, adding unnecessary friction to what should be a straightforward process.

Instead, a direct installation of Bitcoin Core, Lightning, and Electrum Server (if needed) results in a cleaner, more understandable system. The software runs natively on your machine, without containerized layers making things more convoluted.

Additionally, setting up your own systemd service files for Bitcoin and Lightning is not as complicated as it seems. Once configured, these services will run automatically on boot, offering the same level of convenience as platforms like Umbrel but without the unnecessary complexity.

Better Lightning Node Management

If you’re running a Lightning Network node, using CLI-based tools provides far more flexibility than relying on a GUI like the ones bundled with node management platforms.

🟢 Custom Backup Strategies – Running Lightning through a GUI-based node manager often means backups are handled in a way that is opaque to the user. With CLI tools, you can easily script automatic backups of your channels, wallets, and configurations.

🟢 Advanced Configuration – Platforms like Umbrel force certain configurations by default, limiting how you can customize your Lightning node. With a direct install, you have full control over: * Channel fees 💰 * Routing policies 📡 * Liquidity management 🔄

🟢 Direct Access to LND, Core Lightning, or Eclair – Instead of issuing commands through a GUI (which is often limited in functionality), you can use: * lncli (for LND) * lightning-cli (for Core Lightning) …to interact with your node at a deeper level.

Enhanced Learning and Engagement

A crucial aspect of running a Bitcoin and Lightning node is understanding how it works.

Using an abstraction layer like Umbrel may get a node running in a few clicks, but it does little to teach users how Bitcoin actually functions.

By setting up Bitcoin Core, Lightning, and related software manually, you will:

✅ Gain practical knowledge of Bitcoin nodes, networking, and system performance.
✅ Learn how to configure and manage RPC commands.
✅ Become less reliant on third-party developers and more confident in troubleshooting.

🎯 Running a Bitcoin node is about sovereignty – learn how to control it yourself.

Become more sovereign TODAY

Many guides make this process straightforward K3tan has a fantastic guide on running Bitcoin Core, Electrs, LND and more.
- Ministry of Nodes Guide 2024
- You can find him on nostr
nostr:npub1txwy7guqkrq6ngvtwft7zp70nekcknudagrvrryy2wxnz8ljk2xqz0yt4x

Even with the best of guides, if you are running this software,
📖 READ THE DOCUMENTATION

This is all just software at the end of the day. Most of it is very well documented. Take a moment to actually read through the documentation for yourself when installing. The documentation has step by step guides on setting up the software. Here is a helpful list: * Bitcoin.org Bitcoin Core Linux install instructions * Bitcoin Core Code Repository * Electrs Installation * LND Documentation * LND Code Repository * CLN Documentation * CLN Code Repository

If you have any more resources or links I should add, please comment them . I want to add as much to this article as I can.

@ f288a224:1da1792c

First, some context.

I'm a child of the original internet chat-rooms on IRC, and I've tried over the last decades different applications and websites that we could all agree are "social media", but until I found NOSTR (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) I hadn't had this certainty that this isn't something that I will eventually change for something else.

Today, even with all its early stage issues, I have the certainty that NOSTR may be the ULTIMATE and FINAL HOME for my online life.

THE PROBLEMS with the current/old social media landscape

I'm tired of moving from one social media to the next.

As many of you, in my digital lifetime I've had many accounts that have now become obsolete; and the "content" and followings I created during that time was lost when one tech giant lost over the other, forcing us all to "MOVE" ourselves over to the new, and start building our content and following from scratch.

Lately, it's become even worse, where many of us have seen ourselves forced to use and feed more than one social media at a time, since they all serve various purposes, with sometimes diverse functionality, besides all being catered to different segments of people to connect you to (LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube...). How much is too much, though? And how much time should we keep spending re-adapting our content to reach all of our network?

For work, I've found myself having to create accounts in several of these giant data hoarding companies, having to build each following from scratch and to create "content" for all, and having to go through the hurdle of posting everything, everywhere, all at once.

I'm sick of ever-changing terms, conditions and capabilities.

Let's be honest, the majority of us have never ever read the full terms and conditions, let alone every time they are updated without us knowing which rights to our data we are giving away, and which terms we are accepting that may be detrimental to us and our mental health.

We've learnt to accept that we are in their playground, they make up the rules, and if they choose to change the rules mid-game we just need to swallow it. We literally have no other choice, it's either that or desertion, which basically means walking away from everything we've built on their "public square". So, like a carefully engineered detrimental incentive structure, the more time we spend building on their turf, the more we are tied to them and conditioned to never leave them. The more we build and make them grow on our content, the more we'll lose if or when we drop out.

And even if you accept all that and choose to play along, and you do your best to create the most awesome account in the neighborhood, the random changes they make to optimize ad revenue or user attention will inevitably affect you and all your work.

If you created all your feed according to Instagram's squares but they choose to change to TikTok style dimensions due to their tech positioning battle with the Chinese giant... You swallow. If you edited your reels according to what you felt was the best 100 seconds video... Not anymore, suddenly 90 seconds is the maximum you're allowed... No appeal, no options. You Swallow. What? Seeing less of the people you actually WANT TO FOLLOW because they decided to clutter your feed with ads and suggestions, guess again: YOU SWALLOW.

AREN'T YOU FEELING FULL ENOUGH OF ALL THE SHIT THEY'VE FORCED DOWN YOUR THROAT?

Living our digital lives on these platforms feels like standing on ever changing quicksand, never endingly trying to "hack the algorithm" in order to have our content placed in front of the people who should automatically be able to see us from the moment they chose to follow us; and the worst part of it is, you never know when you may lose it all.

Let's not forget, your social media account is NOT REALLY YOURS.

Recently, a friend's social media account was hacked. She didn't know how it happened; all she knew is that she got an email from Meta saying she had acted against community guidelines and her accounts were therefore being removed (the one hacked and all those liked to her email, which meant personal and work accounts). She tried to appeal, to no avail. She hadn't done anything wrong, but suddenly her identity had disappeared from all our feeds, and her content didn't exist anywhere anymore. She lost plenty of photos she had always counted on finding on her Instagram and lost the people she followed and who followed her. It was as if she had never existed on the platform.

(Looks like a good moment to remind you to download all your valued content from the platforms you use in case something like this happens to you)

And this happened to someone who hadn't done anything "to deserve it". It has actually happened to more than one person I know, and every time they've been helpless and had no recourse, and yet, found themselves having to rebuild from scratch on the same platform that de-platformed them, because they had "no other option", and "their friends are there".

Many more people have encountered this awful wake up call, some because of a hack, like my friend, others found themselves removed because they posted content critical of the platform... there are so many reasons people have gotten de-platformed and posts have gotten deleted without warning. And every time, we accept it, as if we owe them something; as if we need to settle for this kind of abusive environment that gets rich on our content and attention without having a say in anything.

But we do have another option that flips that attention retention model completely on its head and empowers the user. That option is NOSTR, our exit from the extractive social media silos they have trapped us into.

NOSTR: The better social experience for the internet era.

NOSTR (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) is not a social media app, it's an Internet protocol. It's open source and many many developers around the world are creating apps on top of it and creating THE ULTIMATE SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE for users.

I first heard of NOSTR from Jack Dorsey on what used to be called Twitter, and when I joined it two years ago it was really rough around the edges, but it was FULL OF POTENTIAL and the value proposition was very clear to me from the beginning.

Firstly, YOU OWN YOUR IDENTITY, that includes your content and your follower list.

So, what does owning you identity mean? I guess many of us have thought we owned our identity before, but the reality is that the platforms owned our identities, which is why they could delete or censor us.

Owning your identity on NOSTR is empowered by encryption and cryptography. I'm not going to go into the technical part, but to explain as simply as I can, on NOSTR no platform owns your login and password to use on their playground; you can basically use any NOSTR app to create your identity to navigate it. They give you a login (npub) and password (nsec), and the magic part is that you can USE THAT IDENTITY ON ANY NOSTR APP OR WEBSITE, no need to sign up individually on each one.

Welcome to the beauty of INTEROPERABILITY.

I cannot emphasize enough what it feels like to be able to take your identity, your followers, your content and carry it from one app to the other.

On NOSTR there is a rich ecosystem of apps and websites that keep growing. We have "clients" that allow you to experience NOSTR in interfaces that could remind you of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Substack, Twitch, Clubhouse, Podcast apps and many more. You can find many of them on https://nostrapps.com/ .

With that information in mind, imagine you only needed one user password, your NOSTR nsec, and with that key, you could open you Instagram, or your Twitch or your Substack. And all your followers would be there, and you could choose what type of content you wanted to link to your identity for your followers to find. No longer "find link in bio", or "go to our YouTube channel", everything you post on NOSTR is tied to your identity, and you can post it all with a single set of keys that posts your content "everywhere".

And since your content is "in every client", each of YOUR FOLLOWERS CAN CHOOSE if they are more interested in experiencing your photography content "Insta-like" or if they love your "Twitter-esque" notes better. Each user navigates NOSTR with the interface they prefer.

(With great power comes great responsibility, and I feel obligated to tell you that if you ever lose your nsec, no platform is gonna be able to save you. It's like the keys to your house, unless you keep a copy safely, no one can open it for you (there are no locksmiths on NOSTR). And if you leave your keys lying around on a cloud server somewhere, someone may grab your keys, open your house and use it however they want).

The beauty of this interoperability and the fact that my keys open up my identity to all the NOSTR realms is that you don't need to settle for one client. I use 5 to 6 clients regularly everyday depending on the mood I'm in, (or the bugs that still prove this is a nascent ecosystem in development). Some I use when I want a more "Twitter-like" experience, others when I want to browse photos and others just give different algorithms to choose how to view my feed, and the best part is NO ONE CAN CLUTTER MY FEED WITH ADS. I can curate my feed however is most important to me, and each "NOSTR client" is like a different skin that customizes the way I experience the content.

However, the most important reason I started to use different NOSTR apps was that when I started, not all apps had zapping integrated. Some still don't, but most do :)

ZAPS: direct micropayments from your followers.

Zaps are tips that come directly from the people who find value in the shit that you post. They are micropayments in the form of "sats", fractions of ever-increasing in value bitcoin , and a very big reason why I'm spending less and less time on other social media accumulating valueless likes that only feed the algorithm, and more time on NOSTR interacting with humans that post valuable notes hoping the generous souls that run upon their art or creations will find them valuable enough to tip them for it.

It's crazy how the type of content you post can change when your incentive is not to feed an algo, but to give real value to other humans around the world and be your most authentic self. Where Twitter/X's algo benefited the type of incendiary content that shocked and outraged people, NOSTR's incentives benefit those who bring most value to the network and their peers.

A few sats tip may not seem much, but even if the equivalent of a small zap is merely cents, it feels a whole lot better than any like, and you can count that if the purchasing power of bitcoin continues to accrue, those value-earned tips will too. Many "nostriches" are getting tons of zaps for memes on NOSTR, valuable articles, videos or participation in zapathons .

In NOSTR is where I first heard of the concept "value for value", and the community is very adamant in making "v4v" an alternative to ad revenue driven models. Because we need to be the change we wanna see in the world.

We've heard it said that if you're not paying for the product, you are the product. And up until now that has meant we felt obliged to accept that since ads were paying the platforms, we were required to give them our attention. But the open source movement thinks we deserve better. We deserve a better Internet, like the decentralized promise we've slowly been robbed of to enrich 10 people out of the work of all of us. If they can't monetize our attention, they got nothing.

But why should they monetize it, instead of us?

Even with the glitches and bugs, NOSTR ROCKS!

The things I've grown to love most about NOSTR are:

• Not having the clutter of ads on my feed and being able to ONLY SEE WHAT I CHOOSE TO SEE.

• People who are not on NOSTR can ENJOY MY STUFF WITHOUT HAVING TO LOGIN.

• Being able to ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS OF INTEROPERABILITY, and use many NOSTR clients that enrich my user experience knowing I own my identity and that means I'm not locked in, I can move like a bird wherever I decide.

• ZAPPING complete strangers that made me laugh, gave me a cool insight or simply made a witty comment.

• GETTING TIPPED for memes, articles, photos, videos and any "Notes and Other Stuff" that people have found valuable.

CONCLUSION: Join us on NOSTR, participate in claiming back your digital life.

If you've made it this far in my love letter to NOSTR, thank you for being interested. Curious minds is what the world needs more of <3.

NOSTR is an ecosystem that is being built in the open by relentless developers that are continuously striving to out compete each other to offer a better user experience, it's a many headed dragon that has constant upgrades and implementations which benefits us all, and as such it sometimes comes with bugs and glitches.

Building the future is always buggy and requires testers and early adopters that help shape the technology in the best way possible, especially if you wanna build outside the incentive models of the devouring giants we're trying to get away from.

Being such an open ecosystem can also be overwhelming for a newcomer, where to start? There are so many clients to experience; so here are some of my recommendations.

Please, don't feel you need to go through all of them now, start step by step. This article will always be here whenever you need it (this is not Instagram ;) ).

Creating your NOSTR identity/account with a wallet integrated to receive zaps on both Android and iOS:

• YAKIHONNE: It's a Japanese client that offers a great on-boarding experience. From the app you can create the account and enable a wallet to receive zaps. In it you can view and post short and long form content, images, videos and more. (Once you have the account created on your app, you can also visit the desktop version on https://yakihonne.com/ )

• PRIMAL: For a while it has positioned itself as a great on-boarding NOSTR client because it offers the same things as Yakihonne, has an integrated wallet, with the added benefit that you can also "buy sats/bitcoin" directly from its wallet, which can come in handy (it comes with a 15-30% premium, so only use for small amounts). It also has the desktop version at primal.net.

My favorite NOSTR iOS PHONE APPS after on-boarding, in case you wanna hop into different user experiences:

• DAMUS: created by the original creator of the "ZAP", Will Casarin, it's an iOS simple client that is reliable and fast with notifications. It keeps things simple, mostly focusing on short note content, although you can also see images and short video. But the feed is optimized as a more "Twitter-like" feed.

• NOSTUR: The iOS phone client that has it all! It's the client I've used that integrates the most of NOSTR's possibilities, you can see all of the mentioned above with the previous clients, but also view LIVE STREAMS, and have multiple accounts set up simultaneously. The enhanced capabilities can sometimes come at the cost of crashing or being slow to load.

• FREERSE: Nice clean user interface with plenty of functionality, with easy navigation on topics like #art #photography or any other interests. It's my always reliable back-up to upload image content.

• OLAS: The new kid on the block Olas client, by prolific developer Pablof7z, is trying to take on Instagram and TikTok and has developed a client mainly focused on the visual and photographic part of NOSTR.

Desktop clients & OTHER GEMS OF THE NOSTR REALM:

There is an infinite number of clients for desktop, but I usually find myself on ditto.pub or slidestr.net for a more visual experience.

• ALBY is INTEROPERABILITY'S BEST FRIEND. Alby is not a NOSTR client, but it's a browser extension that makes it seamless to jump from one desktop client to another with your wallet and identity without compromising your security.

• HIVETALK: A video call client (reminiscent of Zoom) that doesn't track you or spy on you and that enables zapping and many other functionalities during the calls.

• NOSTR NESTS: Audio spaces client that allows people to listen to conversations, chat within it and zap the people involved.

if you made it this far, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

HOPE YOU FOUND VALUE IN IT AND UNDERSTOOD WHY, FOR ME, THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS BRIGHT, OPEN AND USER-CENTRIC.

FUCK THE MIDDLEMEN.

@ ed5774ac:45611c5c

Bitcoin as Collateral for U.S. Debt: A Deep Dive into the Financial Mechanics

The U.S. government’s proposal to declare Bitcoin as a 'strategic reserve' is a calculated move to address its unsustainable debt obligations, but it threatens to undermine Bitcoin’s original purpose as a tool for financial freedom. To fully grasp the implications of this plan, we must first understand the financial mechanics of debt creation, the role of collateral in sustaining debt, and the historical context of the petro-dollar system. Additionally, we must examine how the U.S. and its allies have historically sought new collateral to back their debt, including recent attempts to weaken Russia through the Ukraine conflict.

The Vietnam War and the Collapse of the Gold Standard

The roots of the U.S. debt crisis can be traced back to the Vietnam War. The war created an unsustainable budget deficit, forcing the U.S. to borrow heavily to finance its military operations. By the late 1960s, the U.S. was spending billions of dollars annually on the war, leading to a significant increase in public debt. Foreign creditors, particularly France, began to lose confidence in the U.S. dollar’s ability to maintain its value. In a dramatic move, French President Charles de Gaulle sent warships to New York to demand the conversion of France’s dollar reserves into gold, as per the Bretton Woods Agreement.

This demand exposed the fragility of the U.S. gold reserves. By 1971, President Richard Nixon was forced to suspend the dollar’s convertibility to gold, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system. This move, often referred to as the "Nixon Shock," declared the U.S. bankrupt and transformed the dollar into a fiat currency backed by nothing but trust in the U.S. government. The collapse of the gold standard marked the beginning of the U.S.’s reliance on artificial systems to sustain its debt. With the gold standard gone, the U.S. needed a new way to back its currency and debt—a need that would lead to the creation of the petro-dollar system.

The Petro-Dollar System: A New Collateral for Debt

In the wake of the gold standard’s collapse, the U.S. faced a critical challenge: how to maintain global confidence in the dollar and sustain its ability to issue debt. The suspension of gold convertibility in 1971 left the dollar as a fiat currency—backed by nothing but trust in the U.S. government. To prevent a collapse of the dollar’s dominance and ensure its continued role as the world’s reserve currency, the U.S. needed a new system to artificially create demand for dollars and provide a form of indirect backing for its debt.

The solution came in the form of the petro-dollar system. In the 1970s, the U.S. struck a deal with Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations to price oil exclusively in U.S. dollars. In exchange, the U.S. offered military protection and economic support. This arrangement created an artificial demand for dollars, as countries needed to hold USD reserves to purchase oil. Additionally, oil-exporting nations reinvested their dollar revenues in U.S. Treasuries, effectively recycling petro-dollars back into the U.S. economy. This recycling of petrodollars provided the U.S. with a steady inflow of capital, allowing it to finance its deficits and maintain low interest rates.

To further bolster the system, the U.S., under the guidance of Henry Kissinger, encouraged OPEC to dramatically increase oil prices in the 1970s. The 1973 oil embargo and subsequent price hikes, masterminded by Kissinger, quadrupled the cost of oil, creating a windfall for oil-exporting nations. These nations, whose wealth surged significantly due to the rising oil prices, reinvested even more heavily in U.S. Treasuries and other dollar-denominated assets. This influx of petrodollars increased demand for U.S. debt, enabling the U.S. to issue more debt at lower interest rates. Additionally, the appreciation in the value of oil—a critical global commodity—provided the U.S. banking sector with the necessary collateral to expand credit generation. Just as a house serves as collateral for a mortgage, enabling banks to create new debt, the rising value of oil boosted the asset values of Western corporations that owned oil reserves or invested in oil infrastructure projects. This increase in asset values allowed these corporations to secure larger loans, providing banks with the collateral needed to expand credit creation and inject more dollars into the economy. However, these price hikes also caused global economic turmoil, disproportionately affecting developing nations. As the cost of energy imports skyrocketed, these nations faced mounting debt burdens, exacerbating their economic struggles and deepening global inequality.

The Unsustainable Debt Crisis and the Search for New Collateral

Fast forward to the present day, and the U.S. finds itself in a familiar yet increasingly precarious position. The 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic have driven the U.S. government’s debt to unprecedented levels, now exceeding $34 trillion, with a debt-to-GDP ratio surpassing 120%. At the same time, the petro-dollar system—the cornerstone of the dollar’s global dominance—is under significant strain. The rise of alternative currencies and the shifting power dynamics of a multipolar world have led to a decline in the dollar’s role in global trade, particularly in oil transactions. For instance, China now pays Saudi Arabia in yuan for oil imports, while Russia sells its oil and gas in rubles and other non-dollar currencies. This growing defiance of the dollar-dominated system reflects a broader trend toward economic independence, as nations like China and Russia seek to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar. As more countries bypass the dollar in trade, the artificial demand for dollars created by the petro-dollar system is eroding, undermining the ability of US to sustain its debt and maintain global financial hegemony.

In search of new collateral to carry on its unsustainable debt levels amid declining demand for the U.S. dollar, the U.S., together with its Western allies—many of whom face similar sovereign debt crises—first attempted to weaken Russia and exploit its vast natural resources as collateral. The U.S. and its NATO allies used Ukraine as a proxy to destabilize Russia, aiming to fragment its economy, colonize its territory, and seize control of its natural resources, estimated to be worth around $75 trillion. By gaining access to these resources, the West could have used them as collateral for the banking sector, enabling massive credit expansion. This, in turn, would have alleviated the sovereign debt crisis threatening both the EU and the U.S. This plan was not unprecedented; it mirrored France’s long-standing exploitation of its former African colonies through the CFA franc system.

For decades, France has maintained economic control over 14 African nations through the CFA franc, a currency pegged to the euro and backed by the French Treasury. Under this system, these African countries are required to deposit 50% of their foreign exchange reserves into the French Treasury, effectively giving France control over their monetary policy and economic sovereignty. This arrangement allows France to use African resources and reserves as implicit collateral to issue debt, keeping its borrowing costs low and ensuring demand for its bonds. In return, African nations are left with limited control over their own economies, forced to prioritize French interests over their own development. This neo-colonial system has enabled France to sustain its financial dominance while perpetuating poverty and dependency in its former colonies.

Just as France’s CFA franc system relies on the economic subjugation of African nations to sustain its financial dominance, the U.S. had hoped to use Russia’s resources as a lifeline for its debt-ridden economy. However, the plan ultimately failed. Russia not only resisted the sweeping economic sanctions imposed by the West but also decisively defeated NATO’s proxy forces in Ukraine, thwarting efforts to fragment its economy and seize control of its $75 trillion in natural resources. This failure left the U.S. and its allies without a new source of collateral to back their unsustainable debt levels. With this plan in ruins, the U.S. has been forced to turn its attention to Bitcoin as a potential new collateral for its unsustainable debt.

Bitcoin as Collateral: The U.S. Government’s Plan

The U.S. government’s plan to declare Bitcoin as a strategic reserve is a modern-day equivalent of the gold standard or petro-dollar system. Here’s how it would work:

1. Declaring Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve: By officially recognizing Bitcoin as a reserve asset, the U.S. would signal to the world that it views Bitcoin as a store of value akin to gold. This would legitimize Bitcoin in the eyes of institutional investors and central banks.

2. Driving Up Bitcoin’s Price: To make Bitcoin a viable collateral, its price must rise significantly. The U.S. would achieve this by encouraging regulatory clarity, promoting institutional adoption, and creating a state-driven FOMO (fear of missing out). This would mirror the 1970s oil price hikes that bolstered the petro-dollar system.

3. Using Bitcoin to Back Debt: Once Bitcoin’s price reaches a sufficient level, the U.S. could use its Bitcoin reserves as collateral for issuing new debt. This would restore confidence in U.S. Treasuries and allow the government to continue borrowing at low interest rates.

The U.S. government’s goal is clear: to use Bitcoin as a tool to issue more debt and reinforce the dollar’s role as the global reserve currency. By forcing Bitcoin into a store-of-value role, the U.S. would replicate the gold standard’s exploitative dynamics, centralizing control in the hands of large financial institutions and central banks. This would strip Bitcoin of its revolutionary potential and undermine its promise of decentralization. Meanwhile, the dollar—in digital forms like USDT—would remain the primary medium of exchange, further entrenching the parasitic financial system.

Tether plays a critical role in this strategy. As explored in my previous article (here: [https://ersan.substack.com/p/is-tether-a-bitcoin-company]), Tether helps sustaining the current financial system by purchasing U.S. Treasuries, effectively providing life support for the U.S. debt machine during a period of declining demand for dollar-denominated assets. Now, with its plans to issue stablecoins on the Bitcoin blockchain, Tether is positioning itself as a bridge between Bitcoin and the traditional financial system. By issuing USDT on the Lightning Network, Tether could lure the poor in developing nations—who need short-term price stability for their day to day payments and cannot afford Bitcoin’s volatility—into using USDT as their primary medium of exchange. This would not only create an artificial demand for the dollar and extend the life of the parasitic financial system that Bitcoin was designed to dismantle but would also achieve this by exploiting the very people who have been excluded and victimized by the same system—the poor and unbanked in developing nations, whose hard-earned money would be funneled into sustaining the very structures that perpetuate their oppression.

Worse, USDT on Bitcoin could function as a de facto central bank digital currency (CBDC), where all transactions can be monitored and sanctioned by governments at will. For example, Tether’s centralized control over USDT issuance and its ties to traditional financial institutions make it susceptible to government pressure. Authorities could compel Tether to implement KYC (Know Your Customer) rules, freeze accounts, or restrict transactions, effectively turning USDT into a tool of financial surveillance and control. This would trap users in a system where every transaction is subject to government oversight, effectively stripping Bitcoin of its censorship-resistant and decentralized properties—the very features that make it a tool for financial freedom.

In this way, the U.S. government’s push for Bitcoin as a store of value, combined with Tether’s role in promoting USDT as a medium of exchange, creates a two-tiered financial system: one for the wealthy, who can afford to hold Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, and another for the poor, who are trapped in a tightly controlled, surveilled digital economy. This perpetuates the very inequalities Bitcoin was designed to dismantle, turning it into a tool of oppression rather than liberation.

Conclusion: Prolonging the Parasitic Financial System

The U.S. government’s plan to declare Bitcoin as a strategic reserve is not a step toward financial innovation or freedom—it is a desperate attempt to prolong the life of a parasitic financial system that Bitcoin was created to replace. By co-opting Bitcoin, the U.S. would gain a new tool to issue more debt, enabling it to continue its exploitative practices, including proxy wars, economic sanctions, and the enforcement of a unipolar world order.

The petro-dollar system was built on the exploitation of oil-exporting nations and the global economy. A Bitcoin-backed system would likely follow a similar pattern, with the U.S. using its dominance to manipulate Bitcoin’s price and extract value from the rest of the world. This would allow the U.S. to sustain its current financial system, in which it prints money out of thin air to purchase real-world assets and goods, enriching itself at the expense of other nations.

Bitcoin was designed to dismantle this parasitic system, offering an escape hatch for those excluded from or exploited by traditional financial systems. By declaring Bitcoin a strategic reserve, the U.S. government would destroy Bitcoin’s ultimate purpose, turning it into another instrument of control. This is not a victory for Bitcoin or bitcoiners—it is a tragedy for financial freedom and global equity.

The Bitcoin strategic reserve plan is not progress—it is a regression into the very system Bitcoin was designed to dismantle. As bitcoiners, we must resist this co-option and fight to preserve Bitcoin’s original vision: a decentralized, sovereign, and equitable financial system for all. This means actively working to ensure Bitcoin is used as a medium of exchange, not just a store of value, to fulfill its promise of financial freedom.

@ 6f7db55a:985d8b25

This article will be basic instructions for extreme normies (I say that lovingly), or anyone looking to get started with using zap.stream and sharing to nostr.

EQUIPMENT Getting started is incredibly easy and your equipment needs are miniscule.

An old desktop or laptop running Linux, MacOs, or Windows made in the passed 15yrs should do. Im currently using and old Dell Latitude E5430 with an Intel i5-3210M with 32Gigs of ram and 250GB hard drive. Technically, you go as low as using a Raspberry Pi 4B+ running Owncast, but Ill save that so a future tutorial.

Let's get started.

ON YOUR COMPUTER You'll need to install OBS (open broaster software). OBS is the go-to for streaming to social media. There are tons of YouTube videos on it's function. WE, however, will only be doing the basics to get us up and running.

First, go to https://obsproject.com/

Once on the OBS site, choose the correct download for you system. Linux, MacOs or Windows. Download (remember where you downloaded the file to). Go there and install your download. You may have to enter your password to install on your particular operating system. This is normal.

Once you've installed OBS, open the application. It should look something like this...

For our purposes, we will be in studio mode. Locate the 'Studio Mode' button on the right lower-hand side of the screen, and click it.

You'll see the screen split like in the image above. The left-side is from your desktop, and the right-side is what your broadcast will look like.

Next, we go to settings. The 'Settings' button is located right below the 'Studio Mode" button.

Now we're in settings and you should see something like this...

Now locate stream in the right-hand menu. It should be the second in the list. Click it.

Once in the stream section, go to 'Service' and in the right-hand drop-down, find and select 'Custom...' from the drop-down menu.

Remeber where this is because we'll need to come back to it, shortly.

ZAPSTREAM We need our streamkey credentials from Zapstream. Go to https://zap.stream. Then, go to your dashboard.

Located on the lower right-hand side is the Server URL and Stream Key. You'll need to copy/paste this in OBS.

You may have to generate new keys, if they aren't already there. This is normal. If you're interested in multi-streaming (That's where you broadcast to multiple social media platforms all at once), youll need the server URL and streamkeys from each. You'll place them in their respective forms in Zapstream's 'Stream Forwarding" section.

Use the custom form, if the platform you want to stream to isn't listed.

*Side-Note: remember that you can use your nostr identity across multiple nostr client applications. So when your login for Amethyst, as an example, could be used when you login to zapstream. Also, i would suggest using Alby's browser extension. It makes it much easier to fund your stream, as well as receive zaps. *

Now, BACK TO OBS... With Stream URL and Key in hand, paste them in the 'Stream" section of OBS' settings. Service [Custom...] Server [Server URL] StreamKey [Your zapstream stream key]

After you've entered all your streaming credentials, click 'OK' at the bottom, on the right-hand side.

WHAT'S NEXT? Let's setup your first stream from OBS. First we need to choose a source. Your source is your input device. It can be your webcam, your mic, your monitor, or any particular window on your screen. assuming you're an absolute beginner, we're going to use the source 'Window Capture (Xcomposite)'.

Now, open your source file. We'll use a video source called 'grannyhiphop.mp4'. In your case it can be whatever you want to stream; Just be sure to select the proper source.

Double-click on 'Window Capture' in your sources list. In the pop-up window, select your file from the 'Window' drop-down menu.

You should see something like this...

Working in the left display of OBS, we will adjust the video by left-click, hold and drag the bottom corner, so that it takes up the whole display.

In order to adjust the right-side display ( the broadcast side), we need to manipulate the video source by changing it's size.

This may take some time to adjust the size. This is normal. What I've found to help is, after every adjustment, I click the 'Fade (300ms)' button. I have no idea why it helps, but it does, lol.

Finally, after getting everything to look the way you want, you click the 'Start Stream' button.

BACK TO ZAPSTREAM Now, we go back to zapstream to check to see if our stream is up. It may take a few moments to update. You may even need to refresh the page. This is normal.

STREAMS UP!!!

A few things, in closing. You'll notice that your dashbooard has changed. It'll show current stream time, how much time you have left (according to your funding source), who's zapped you with how much theyve zapped, the ability to post a note about your stream (to both nostr and twitter), and it shows your chatbox with your listeners. There are also a raid feature, stream settings (where you can title & tag your stream). You can 'topup' your funding for your stream. As well as, see your current balance.

You did a great and If you ever need more help, just use the tag #asknostr in your note. There are alway nostriches willing to help.

STAY AWESOME!!!

npub: nostr:npub1rsvhkyk2nnsyzkmsuaq9h9ms7rkxhn8mtxejkca2l4pvkfpwzepql3vmtf

@ 2fb77d26:c47a6ee1

Intensiv! Das trifft es wohl am besten. Denn müsste ich das Jahr 2024 mit einem einzigen Wort charakterisieren, beschriebe kein anderes es besser. Atemlos, anstrengend, aufreibend, überraschend, lehrreich, unterhaltsam, erhebend und beglückend wären Adjektive, die in der Retrospektive ebenfalls Erwähnung finden könnten. Zum Glück. Gibt es doch kaum etwas Frustrierenderes als Eintönigkeit. Als stupide Routinen. So viel Sicherheit diese im wochentäglichen Trott versprechen, so viel Leere generieren sie, betrachtet man das Hamsterrad des Alltags über den Wochenhorizont hinaus. Dementsprechend heiter stimmt es mich, dass die vergangenen zwölf Monate das absolute Gegenteil von Routine waren und ich nun im Rückblick dartun darf, manch ein Husarenstück vollbracht zu haben.

»Damit das Mögliche entsteht, muss immer wieder das Unmögliche versucht werden«, hielt Hermann Hesse dereinst fest.

Diesem Gedanken folgend eröffnete ich das neue Jahr damit, ein ganzes Haus nahezu im Alleingang zu renovieren. Baustelle. Drei Monate lang. Oft bis zu 18 Stunden am Tag. Staub, Lärm, Farbe, Spachtel, Litzen, zerschundene Hände, schmerzende Glieder und verschlissene Kleidung. Von der Silikonfuge im hintersten Eck des Kellers bis zur Montagearbeit unter dem Dachbalken. Ob Steckdosen, Sockelleisten oder Fensterrahmen, Verkabelung, Inneneinrichtung oder Fassadenfarbe – ich hatte mir vorgenommen, dem viele hundert Jahre alten Gemäuer eine Generalüberholung angedeihen zu lassen. Als ich Anfang April unser farbenfroh-freiheitliches Hauswappen neben dem Eingang montierte und unserer neuen Unterkunft damit ihren Namen gab – »Casa Libre« –, war das ein großartiges Gefühl. Denn meinen mehr als ambitionierten Zeitplan hielt selbst ich im Januar noch für relativ utopisch.

Parallel dazu habe ich im Januar meine »Truman Show« fertiggestellt, das Cover überarbeitet und kurzfristig den Vertrieb gewechselt, weil es beim bisherigen Anbieter scheinbar nicht gern gesehen war, dass ich mich in besagtem Buch mit den dunklen Machenschaften von Menschenhändlern und Kinderschändern befasse.

Als die Anthologie im Februar erschien, musste diese natürlich auch medial beworben werden – während gleichzeitig die Vorarbeiten für die Printpublikation GEGENDRUCK Fahrt aufnahmen. Ab April sollten nach wochenlanger Abstinenz endlich auch wieder neue Texte auf meinem Blog erscheinen. Mich juckte es bereits in den Fingern. Unterdes wollte jedoch auch das Leben in der vorherigen Bleibe abgebaut, verpackt und transportiert werden, damit es ab April in den frisch gestrichenen vier Wänden des neuen Zuhauses wieder ausgepackt, aufgebaut und in Betrieb genommen werden konnte. Gut sortierte Bücher- und Plattensammlungen machen das ob ihres schieren Gewichts zu einer ganz besonderen Freude.

Dass ich nach über zehn Jahren Apple-Nutzung die private IT umgestellt, die Cloud gelöscht und Unmengen an Daten migriert, ein neues, überwachungsfreies Smartphone eingerichtet, verschiedene juristische Scharmützel bewältigt, diverse Texte verfasst und eine Vielzahl an Gesprächen geführt habe, an mehreren Konferenzen beteiligt, für verschiedene Projekte Dritter tätig, familiär gut eingespannt, obendrein einem Konzentration fordernden Vollzeitjob mit zunehmenden Verantwortlichkeiten verpflichtet war und diese Aufzählung nur einen kleinen Teil meiner Aktivitäten umfasst, sei dabei nur am Rande erwähnt.

Damit auch während des Sommerlochs keine Langeweile aufkommt, begann ich bereits im Frühjahr 2024 mit der Planung für eine Lese- und Vortragsreise. Gut zwanzig Termine wollten mit den Veranstaltern koordiniert werden. Es galt, Routenplanung, Hotelbuchungen, Reiselogistik, Buchbestand, Kommunikation und eine mit Quellen unterlegte Präsentation zu organisieren. Kaum war all das in trockenen Tüchern, saß ich bereits im Flugzeug nach Kolumbien, wo ich den Juli für Regeneration und Literaturrecherche nutzen wollte. Aber weil Leben nun mal ist, was passiert, während man plant, stellte Unvorhergesehenes die Improvisationsfähigkeit auch dort regelmäßig auf die Probe. Meer und Dschungel taten dennoch ihr Übriges und ließen die Irritationen des zivilisatorischen Alltags in ihrer relativen Belanglosigkeit verblassen.

Drei Wochen nach meiner Rückkehr ins Tessin waren sie allerdings zurück. Die Arbeit holte mich ein, diverse Projekte und ehrenamtliche Engagements warteten auf Input, die nackten Wände der neue Bleibe wollten dekoriert und das neue Tonstudio arrangiert werden – und ehe ich mich versah, ging es auch schon auf Tour. Gut 500 Kilogramm an Büchern und Gepäck waren verladen und mussten circa 6.000 Kilometer durch die Schweiz, Deutschland und Österreich chauffiert werden. Volle Säle und mehrere tausend offenherzige Menschen machten diese Reise zu einem ganz besonderen Erlebnis. Selbst das bis zum Sommer mehrheitlich miserable Wetter meinte es gut mit mir. Denn in den drei Wochen auf Tour regnete es nur ein einziges Mal. Am letzten Tag. Ansonsten waren mir strahlende Sonne, hochsommerliche Temperaturen und das ein oder andere Mittagsschläfchen im Schatten alter Bäume vergönnt.

Als ich der letzten Station meiner Rundreise den Rücken kehrte, verabschiedete sich auch die warme Jahreszeit. Auf der Heimfahrt über die Alpen begegneten mir die Vorboten eines goldenen Oktobers: eine tieferstehende Sonne über den Bergrücken, die goldene Stunde kürzer werdender Tage und der auffrischende Wind am Abend, der die an Farbenpracht zulegenden Wälder der Tessiner Topografie ins Wogen brachte. Wenige Wochen später fiel in den Alpen der erste Schnee. Jetzt schimmern die weißen Gipfel am Horizont in der wärmenden Wintersonne. Und ich sitze wieder an meinem Fenster, lasse den Blick über die geheimnisvoll anmutende Vegetationsdichte des Umlands schweifen und schreibe ein Vorwort. Für Buch Nummer fünf.

Es fällt etwas dünner aus, enthält nicht so viele philosophische Betrachtungen, Zitate und rhetorische Extravaganzen wie seine beiden Vorgänger. Leider. Denn das Sortieren der Gedanken, Quellen und Paragrafen im Rahmen der Textarbeit schält seltene Stunden innerer Ruhe aus den von Pflichten und Routinen dominierten Strukturen des Tages. Gerne hätte ich inmitten der organisatorischen Turbulenzen des vergangenen Jahres häufiger die Zeit gefunden, Beiträge zu verfassen – es gäbe so viel zu sagen, so viel zu dokumentieren, um den volatilen Konturen der Zeitenwende Schärfe zu verleihen. Und das erscheint dieser Tage nötiger denn je. 

Denn da draußen tobt der Wahnsinn. Die Polykrise. Das Chaos – als Steigbügelhalter für das finale Kapitel eines transgenerationalen Klassenkampfes von oben. Für Technokratie und Plattformfaschismus. Doch »auch aus Steinen, die Dir in den Weg gelegt werden, kannst Du etwas Schönes bauen«, bemerkte Erich Kästner. Ohne Kontext und Hintergrundinformationen, die das Individuum in die Lage versetzen, die Schlachtfelder des wilder werdenden Informationskriegs mit einer gewissen Gelassenheit zu überblicken, gerät es jedoch leicht zum Opfer der unerbittlich keifenden Propagandamaschine wertewestlicher Demokratiedarstellung.

Ja, die Truman Show läuft wohl auch im fünften Jahr n. C. (nach Corona) auf allen Kanälen. Auf allen Frequenzen. Und der Homo demens spielt mit suizidaler Leichtfertigkeit seine ihm zugedachte Rolle als irrlichternder Kamikaze-Pilot, der sich in Rage auf das eigene Schiff zu stürzen gedenkt. Die zeitgeistig flexiblen Herrschaftseliten, die sich nun zusehends konservativ gerieren, anstatt Wokeness zu predigen, nesteln derweil hektisch an den letzten Zierpalisaden des digitalen Gulag. Der Rohbau steht ja auch schon eine ganze Weile. Bunt soll es sein – und spätestens 2030 bezugsfertig übergeben werden.

Ob eID, elektronische Patientenakte, digitales Geld, lückenlose Massenüberwachung, algorithmisierte Zensur, Dekarbonisierungsagenda, Enteignungslegislatur, kognitive Kriegsführung im Hosentaschenformat, Geofencing-Gewahrsam, Nanobots oder Frequenzfelder zu deren Kalibrierung: alles einsatzbereit. Schon 1999 veröffentlichte das US-Militär ein Dokument namens »Owning the Weather 2025«, das beschreibt, wie artifizieller Nebel verwendet werden kann, um Nanopartikel in Ballungszentren einzusetzen. Zwei Jahre später schlugen interne Präsentationen der NASA in die gleiche Kerbe. Jetzt ist 2025. Und Berichte über chemikalienhaltigen Nebel, der Krankheitssymptome verursacht, machen die Runde.

Wir sind angekommen. Der »Pakt für die Zukunft« ist geschlossen. Das Blau des Himmels einem persistent milchigen Grau gewichen. Noch am Heiligabend hat die UN-Generalversammlung Kernelemente des entsprechendes Vertragswerkes ratifiziert. Ohne nennenswerten Widerstand. Cloward-Piven-Strategie und Kulturmarxismus sei Dank. Die Revolution von oben war bis dato also ziemlich erfolgreich. Nur Max Mustermann weiß noch nichts vom seinem Glück.

Illuminiert wird die Installation des biometrischen Kontroll-Grids von einem Flammenmeer im Nahen Osten. Von brennenden Krankenhäusern, Kirchen und Kindern. Menschenrechte sind passé. Der beispiellose Genozid in Gaza wird von den NATO-Medien in verachtenswerter Manier schöngeschrieben, während von den USA trainierte, ausstaffierte, radikalislamische Fanatiker Syrien nahezu widerstandslos kapern. Ein Land, das seit Langem auf der To-do-Liste des militärisch-industriellen Komplexes stand. Die fortschreitende Destabilisierung der Region bereitet zionistischen Hardlinern in Tel Aviv und Washington die Bühne für den heiß ersehnten Krieg gegen den Iran.

Europäische Metropolen erodieren, die Bevölkerung verarmt, Reproduktionsraten sinken auf Rekordtiefstände, bei der NATO drängt man auf Eskalation mit Russland, und China intensiviert seine Drohgebärden im Indopazifik. Der militärische Fleischwolf dreht sich immer schneller. Es herrscht dicke Luft. Überall. Man riecht das Schießpulver. Denn das angloamerikanische Imperium ruft zum letzten Gefecht. Es ist – wie ich bereits im Vorspann der Truman Show schrieb – das letzte Aufbäumen eines moribunden Machtapparats. Charakterisiert von zunehmender Gewalt. Auf Kosten aller. Es lässt sich kaum seriös prognostizieren, wann es knallt, oder wie laut – dass es massiver Disruption bedarf, um diese Revolution von oben fristgerecht umzusetzen und speziell Kontinentaleuropa einen hohen Preis für seine willfährige Komplizenschaft bezahlen wird, allerdings schon.

Dabei erkannte schon Romain Rolland, dass »das schlimmste Übel, an dem die Welt leidet, nicht die Stärke der Bösen, sondern die Schwäche der Guten ist«.

Während sich also vor meinem Fenster die Sonne ein letztes Mal für dieses Jahr dem Ringen mit der Dunkelheit ergibt, Palmen, Koniferen und Zypressen vor einem goldgelb, dann violett glühenden Himmel zu schwarzen Scherenschnitten mutieren, erscheinen auch die Umrisse des vor uns liegenden Weges undeutlicher, die Zukunft ungewisser, unmenschlicher – ja unerreichbarer denn je. Als sei sie auf der Flucht.

Und eine Vielzahl derjenigen, die vorgeben, sie zu hehren Zwecken einfangen zu wollen, die Kritiker, Oppositionellen und Widerständler, drehen sich nicht minder schnell im Kreis als ihre Widersacher im leitmedialen Konsenskomplex. Denn im Kern tun beide Lager das Gleiche: Sie debattieren Sinnfetzen und Argumentationsfragmente, die man ihnen aus Orifizen weit oben im Elfenbeinturm oder verspiegelten Panzerglasfenstern polierter Luxuslimousinen vor die Füße wirft. Für viele ist Systemkritik zum profanen Geschäftsmodell geworden. Zum Event. Da bleibt wenig Zeit für echten Widerstand. Oder Charakter. Wer den Medienzirkus zu seinem Broterwerb gemacht hat, ist davon abhängig, dass er sich auszahlt. Und das von alternativmedialen Generika angefixte Publikum will genauso unterhalten werden wie der Zuschauer des Morgenmagazins. Brot und Spiele eben – egal, in welcher Arena die Schaukämpfe veranstaltet werden. Das Publikum schaut stoisch in die Röhre. Oder auf das Display. Hauptsache, das Spektakel lässt sich bequem vom Sofa aus verfolgen.

Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff gab schon vor Jahrzehnten zu verstehen, dass »die Leute gar nicht so dumm sind, wie wir sie durchs Fernsehen noch machen werden«. Er hatte recht. Die Revolution wird also wohl noch eine Weile auf sich warten lassen. Schade. Denn genau dafür engagiere ich mich – für eine friedliche Revolution des Geistes. Für eine zweite Aufklärung. Für eine Zukunft, in der es Liebe, Wahrheit und Selbstbestimmung sind, nach denen meine Mitmenschen streben. Bleibt zu hoffen, dass sich die Ascheschichten, aus welchen sich der Phoenix dieser zweiten Aufklärung irgendwann in den Himmel schwingen muss, vorher nicht allzu hoch auftürmen.

Nun will ich den Leser nicht mit all diesen persönlich gefärbten Annotationen und Gefühlsduseleien belästigen, um mich zu profilieren, sondern weil ein Jahr wie 2024 beweist – zumindest mir selbst –, dass man auch ganz allein Berge versetzen kann. Dass es nicht von äußeren Umständen, Dritten und Kapital abhängt, ob man Ziele erreicht. Dass man selbst der Phoenix sein kann. Jeder von uns. Wo ein Wille, da ein Weg. Aber beschreiten muss man ihn. Auch dann, wenn der Kompass temporär seinen Dienst versagt. Denn Routen entstehen nur dort, wo man sie geht. Und der Kurs lässt sich auch dann noch justieren, wenn man unterwegs ist. »Learning by doing« – nur so kommt man voran. Nur so schafft man Unabhängigkeit und Vertrauen in die eigenen Fähigkeiten. Fehler passieren ja nicht, um uns von etwas abzuhalten, sondern um uns auf den nächsten Versuch vorzubereiten. Sie sind ein Angebot, zu lernen. Und nur, wenn man der Welt ein Angebot machen kann, darf man darauf hoffen, dass es angenommen wird.

Womit wir beim Titel der vorliegenden Publikation angekommen wären: »Hopium« – ein Kompositum aus »Hope«, englisch für Hoffnung, und Opium, dem durch Anritzen seiner unreifen Samenkapseln gewonnenen, getrockneten Milchsaft des Schlafmohns. Ein Rauschmittel. Basis des 1898 von Bayer markenrechtlich geschützten Morphin-Derivates Heroin. »Hopium« ist ein Neologismus – geprägt oder zumindest populär gemacht von James Corbett –, den ich in meinen Texten immer wieder gerne verwende, weil er wie kaum ein anderer auf den Punkt bringt, was Etatisten dazu bewegt, an das System Staat zu glauben: der Rausch der Hoffnung. Darauf, dass der nächste Kanzler, Präsident oder Premierminister es endlich richten wird. Oder diese eine neue Partei.

Der in regelmäßigem Turnus enttäuschte Irrglaube an die Selbstheilungskräfte eines auf Despotie ausgelegten Herrschaftssystems gleicht einer Sucht. Einer sehr destruktiven Sucht. Denn obwohl sich die Bevölkerung zumindest unterbewusst darüber im Klaren sein dürfte, dass sich auch nach dem nächsten Urnengang nichts ändern wird, dass ihr diese in devoter Pose dargebrachte Verehrung von Götzen schadet, dass sie an einer Art Stockholm-Syndrom leidet, wenn sie unterstützt, was sie beraubt, unterdrückt und tötet, tut sie es wieder. Immer wieder.

Aldous Huxley wusste, wovon er sprach, als er notierte, dass »der Glaube an eine größere und bessere Zukunft einer der mächtigsten Feinde gegenwärtiger Freiheit ist«.

Nun ist Hoffnung aber nicht per se negativ – und Hopium somit als durchaus ambivalenter Begriff zu werten. Treibt die Hoffnung doch auch mich dazu, immer wieder Wege zu suchen, um Menschen zu erreichen, Konstruktives beizutragen und die Welt in meinem Einflussbereich ein wenig besser zu machen. Sie besser informiert zu hinterlassen. Sähe ich unsere Situation als chancenlos, hätte ich den Glauben an Liebe und Wahrheit, oder die Hoffnung auf bessere Zeiten aufgegeben, gäbe es dieses Buch nicht.

Der Unterschied zwischen einem Etatisten und mir besteht darin, dass ich nicht darauf hoffe und warte, dass mir jemand diese Arbeit abnimmt. Ich delegiere nicht, gebe die Verantwortung für mein Leben nicht aus der Hand, sondern nehme sie wahr. Werde aktiv. Mein Glaube an »Volksvertreter«, Erlöser und Idole erlosch vor über drei Jahrzehnten. Seitdem verlasse ich mich nur noch auf eine einzige Person – mich selbst – und gebe mir redlich Mühe, mich dabei nicht zu enttäuschen, sondern zu beeindrucken.

Ob andere Menschen gut finden, was ich mit meiner knapp bemessenen Lebenszeit anstelle, ist mir egal. Es ist mein Leben. Ich habe nur eines. Zumindest aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach. Und der Einzige, dem es gefallen muss, bin ich.

»Die einen kennen mich, die anderen können mich«, wie Le Cercle-Gründungsmitglied Konrad Adenauer treffend polterte. Das ist Freiheit. Und die steht nirgends zur Wahl. Wird nicht angeboten. Sie hängt nicht von äußeren Umständen ab, wird nicht gewährt oder erkämpft. Frei wird man nicht – frei ist man. Oder eben nicht.

Ich hoffe – das ist meine tägliche Dosis »Hopium« –, dass meine Arbeit anderen Menschen hilft, das zu erkennen.

Denn das Versäumnis von gestern ist das täglich Brot von morgen, die Gegenwart die Vergangenheit der Zukunft. Und es ist an uns, etwas daraus zu machen. »Man muss die Zukunft abwarten und die Gegenwart genießen – oder ertragen«, soll Wilhelm von Humboldt gesagt haben. Ich habe mich intuitiv immer für den Genuss entschieden und bin überzeugt, dass dieser Ansatz eine gute Ausgangsposition ist, um dem in absehbarer Zeit Orkanstärke erreichenden Sturm der Zeit die Stirn zu bieten.

Frei nach Edward Snowden: »Sei nicht ängstlich – sondern vorbereitet«.

Weiter geht's im Buch ...

@ b8af284d:f82c91dd

Liebe Abonnenten,

viele von uns erleben im privaten wie im öffentlichen Leben gerade eine Zeit der Verwirrung und Irritation. Etwas scheint im Umbruch, alte Gewissheiten, Strukturen und Allianzen scheinen sich vor unseren Augen aufzulösen. Trump, Musk und Thiel wirken wie die Abrissbirnen einer alten Ordnung, Agenten des Chaos mit dem einzigen Ziel, sich selbst zu bereichern. Ist es so?

Könnte es anders sein?

Folgender Text kann und will diese Fragen nicht ultimativ beantworten. Es gibt aber eine Brille, durch die, setzt man sie auf, viele Entwicklungen in einem anderen, viel helleren Licht erscheinen. Diese Brille heißt e/acc.

Was ist e/acc?

Das Kürzel geht auf den Programmierer Guillaume Verdon zurück, der unter dem Pseudonym „Beff Jezos“ die Bewegung. Es steht für „effective accelerationism“. Accelerationism, auf Deutsch Akzelerationismus, abgeleitet vom Verb „beschleunigen“, hat Wurzeln, die weiter zurückreichen - dazu später mehr. Der Zusatz „effective“ ist eine ironische Replik auf den „effective Altruism“, den unter anderen Sam Bankman-Fried vertrat und grandios scheiterte.

e/acc setzt also auf Beschleunigung. Kapitalismus, Innovation, vor allem künstliche Intelligenz sollen nicht aufgehalten oder reguliert werden, sondern im Gegenteil beschleunigt werden.

Warum?

Eine einfache Antwort lautet: Weil sie eh stattfinden. Besonders deutlich wird das im Fall künstlicher Intelligenz. Large Language Models (LLMs) wie ChatGPT und Deepseek sind nur die für die Öffentlichkeit sichtbaren Entwicklungen. Im Hintergrund ersetzt Künstliche Intelligenz zunehmend auch Produktionsprozesse und nicht zuletzt die Kriegsführung. Man spricht deswegen vom „Point of Singularity“. In den kommenden Jahren wird künstliche Intelligenz menschliche übertrumpfen. Unsere Arbeitswelt, unser Finanzsystem und gesellschaftliche Strukturen werden sich grundlegend ändern. Wenn es dazu kommt, warum die Entwicklung noch aufhalten? Beschleunigen ist besser.

Die zweite Antwort ist tiefgründiger und rührt an das Verständnis von Leben insgesamt. Langfristig strebt das Universum nach Entropie. Es dehnt sich aus, bis alle Teile in maximaler „Unordnung“ angeordnet sind. Systeme mit hoher Energiezufuhr können Strukturen aufbauen, solange sie Wärme oder Entropie in ihre Umgebung abgeben. In einem Organismus sind alle Teile zu einer höheren Ordnung organisiert. Leben strebt nach Ordnung, Selbsterhalt und Wachstum, weshalb der Energieverbrauch zunimmt. e/acc-Fan und Silicon-Valley-Investor Marc Andreessen schreibt in “The Techno-Optimist Manifesto”:

Techno-Optimists believe that societies, like sharks, grow or die.

We believe growth is progress – leading to vitality, expansion of life, increasing knowledge, higher well being.

Ein Gleichgewicht gibt es nicht. Entweder strebt eine Struktur nach Ordnung (Leben) oder nach Unordnung (Tod). Da eine Balance nicht existiert, gibt es nur zwei Möglichkeiten: Verlangsamen oder Beschleunigen. Höhere Ordnungen aufbauen oder verfallen. Wachsen oder Sterben. Beschleunigen ist besser.

Konsequenzen

e/acc ist kein philosophisches System im strengen Sinn. Es leitet Konsequenzen aus physikalischen Grundsätzen ab.

Kapitalistische Systeme und freie Märkte sind die effizientesten Strukturen, um Informationen zu verarbeiten. In einem offenen, freien Markt gibt der Preis das zuverlässigste Signal über Knappheit eines Gutes. Wird dieser Prozess durch externe Einflussnahme wie Subventionen gestört, läuft die Maschine nicht effizient. Das Gesamtsystem wird verzerrt. Nochmals Andreessen dazu:

We believe the market economy is a discovery machine, a form of intelligence – an exploratory, evolutionary, adaptive system.

Varianten und Abweichungen sind wichtig, da ein System dadurch am schnellsten auf sich ständig verändernde Umweltbedingungen reagieren kann. Wer nicht frei sprechen kann, kann nicht frei denken. Dezentrale Strukturen mit vielen kleinen einzelnen „Nodes“ sind resilienter als hierarchisch-zentralistische Systeme. Das führt zu einem Meinungsfreiheits-Maximalismus.

Greifen staatliche Akteure in die Forschung ein, und vergeben zum Beispiel Lizenzen für KI-Projekte, kann das System nicht mehr auf die besten Ressourcen zurückgreifen. Es entwickelt sich nicht in seiner natürlichen Geschwindigkeit, sondern wird künstlich verlangsamt. Beschleunigen ist besser.

Im Falle von KI hat dies geopolitische Konsequenzen: Sollten autoritäre Akteure wie zum Beispiel China schneller zum Punkt der Singularity vorstoßen, entsteht eine Dystopie, ein Orwellscher Überwachungsstaat. Bevorzugen ist deswegen eine beschleunigte, dezentrale Forschung, damit freie Systeme die Oberhand behalten.

Dasselbe gilt für das Geldsystem: e/acc trifft hier auf Hayek und Mises. Viele Zahlungssysteme stehen in permanenter Konkurrenz zueinander. Am Ende setzt sich das nützlichste und vermutlich auch härteste Geld durch.

Konkrete Folgen

Auf die konkrete Politik übertragen führt das zu Konsequenzen, die man aktuell beobachten kann.

**Radikale Deregulierung: **Die Biden-Administration versuchte, AI-Forschung eng an die Regierung zu binden. Open-AI-Gründer Sam Altman forderte 2023 eine Lizenz-Vergabe an Unternehmen, um überhaupt in diesem Bereich aktiv zu werden. (Musk trat zunächst sogar für ein Forschungs-Moratorium ein, änderte dann aber seine Meinung.) Das führte zum Widerstand der e/acc-Fraktion im Silicon Valley, und gab den Ausschlag, sich auf die Trump-Seite zu stellen. Deregulierung zieht sich nun durch alle Bereiche der Wirtschaft: auch auf die „Entwicklungshilfe“ von USAID. Der Regierungsapparat wird insgesamt massiv verkleinert, da Bürokratie das Wachstum hemmt. A fuera.

**Priorisierung von günstiger Energie: **Da der Energie-Verbrauch mit zunehmender Ordnung ansteigt, und LLMs einen sehr viel Strom brauchen, priorisiert die neue Regierung die Erschließung zusätzlicher Energiequellen: Gas, Öl, Nuklear und regenerative Energiequellen gleichermaßen.

Wiederherstellung von Meinungsfreiheit.Content-Moderationen auf Social-Media-Plattformen fallen weg. Geheimdienst-Dokumente werden freigegeben. So schrieb Peter Thiel vor einigen Wochen in einem Essay in der Financial Times über die große Enthüllung:

\ But understood in the original sense of the Greek word apokálypsis, meaning “unveiling”, Obama could not give the same reassurance in 2025. Trump’s return to the White House augurs the apokálypsis of the ancien regime’s secrets. (…)\ The apokálypsis is the most peaceful means of resolving the old guard’s war on the internet, a war the internet won. My friend and colleague Eric Weinstein calls the pre-internet custodians of secrets the Distributed Idea Suppression Complex (DISC) — the media organisations, bureaucracies, universities and government-funded NGOs that traditionally delimited public conversation.

Krypto-Deregulierung: Da Kryptowährungen und Smart-Contract-Strukturen bestens mit LLMs harmonieren, werden Innovationsbremsen in Form von Regulierungen abgebaut.

**Umbruch der Weltordnung: **Auf der geopolitischen Ebene werden Bündnisse, Allianzen und Blockstrukturen aufgebrochen und nach effizienten Win-Win-Verhältnissen neu organisiert.

Erschließung neuer Lebenswelten: Degrowth, weniger Energie-Verbrauch und weniger Kinder sind keine Option, da sie zum Tod führen. Das System Menschheit muss wachsen und wird neue Lösungen erfinden. Wenn die Ressourcen des Planeten Erde nicht mehr ausreichen, müssen neue erschlossen werden - vielleicht auf dem Mars.

Die Ideengeschichte

Während e/acc ein relativ neues System ist, hat der Akzelerationismus tiefere Wurzeln. Lenin kann man als einen frühen Akzelerationisten bezeichnen. Der Marxismus wurde Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts weniger als Ideologie, sondern mehr als exakte Wissenschaft begriffen. Demnach würde der Kapitalismus früher oder später an seinen eigenen Widerständen kollabieren. Warum den Prozess also nicht beschleunigen und die Revolution herbeiführen?

Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts griff der Philosoph Nick Land diese Gedanken wieder auf. Land forderte Beschleunigung, sah am Ende des Prozesses aber einen Kollaps des Systems und eine dunkle Zukunft. Ironie der Geschichte: Land zog in den 2000er Jahren nach China, wo er einen autoritären Akzelerationismus verwirklicht sah. Auch Steve Bannon, Leiter des ersten Trump-Wahlkampfes 2016, war von Lands Gedanken geprägt.

e/acc aber ist eine neuer, optimistischer „Fork“ des alten, dunklen Akzelerationismus. Es sieht eine positive Zukunft für die gesamte Menschheit aufgrund eines gigantischen Produktivitätsschubs. Eine neue, höhere Ordnung ist am Entstehen. Kurz gesagt:

Effective accelerationism (e/acc) in a nutshell:

Stop fighting the thermodynamic will of the universe

You cannot stop the acceleration

You might as well embrace it

A C C E L E R A T E

Notes on e/acc principles and tenets

Happy Future also? Durch die e/acc-Brille gesehen wirkt die Welt wesentlich heller und optimistischer als sie die meisten “Legacy Media” gerade darstellen. Demnach bewegen wir uns auf eine neue Zeit gesteigerter Produktivität und damit Lebensqualität zu. Wenn alle Arbeit von Maschinen verrichtet wird, können Menschen währenddessen auf Bali surfen, meditieren und Yoga machen. Oder?

Kritik

Leben entsteht an der Grenze von Chaos und Ordnung. Vielleicht versetzt e/acc das Pendel zu stark in den Ausschlag in eine Richtung. Unkontrolliertes Wachstum bedeutet im lebenden Organismen Krebs. e/acc sieht sich wie Marxisten der ersten Stunde (Lenin) im Besitz der Wahrheit in Form physikalischer Grundsätze. Erst durch diese Hybris führten zu den Grausamkeiten sozialistischer Systeme im 20. Jahrhundert. Schließlich beantwortet e/acc nicht die Frage nach der Verteilungsgerechtigkeit, die durch den gewaltigen Produktivitätsschub durch AI entstehen wird.

Ob e/acc als politisches und gesellschaftliches System taugt, ist deswegen fraglich. Aber viele aktuelle Entwicklungen scheinen durch die Akzelerationismus-Brille klarer.

Quellen:

Peter Thiel: A Time for Truth and Reconciliation

Marc Andreessen: The Techno-Optimist Manifesto

e/acc: Notes on e/acc principles and tenets

Andy Beckett: Accelerationism: how a fringe philosophy predicted the future we live in

Lex Friedman: Guillaume Verdon. e/acc-Movement. Physics. Computation & AGI.

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generalJP | カスタム絵文字

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また、以下のリンクは日本語圏ユーザーが作ったカスタム絵文字を集めたリストです（2025/02/06）

※漏れがあるかもしれません

日本ユーザー作 カスタム絵文字

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以上です。

次：Nostrのカスタム絵文字の作り方

Yakihonneリンク Nostrのカスタム絵文字の作り方

Nostrリンク nostr:naddr1qqxnzdesxuunzv358ycrgveeqgswcsk8v4qck0deepdtluag3a9rh0jh2d0wh0w9g53qg8a9x2xqvqqrqsqqqa28r5psx3

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仕様

NIP-30 Custom Emoji

NIP-30 カスタム絵文字（和訳）

@ 8be6bafe:b50da031

Botev Plovdiv FC is proud to present the Bitcoin Salary Calculator tool, as the foundational tool to showcase athletes the financial power of Bitcoin.

We built the Salary Calculator to help anyone follow in the financial footsteps of prominent athletes such as Kieran Gibbs, Russell Okung, Saquon Barkley, and Renato Moicano, who have significantly increased their savings tank thanks to Bitcoin.

The Bitcoin Salary Calculator allows any person to choose how much of their monthly salary they are comfortable saving in Bitcoin. Instantly, users can backtrack and see how their Bitcoin savings would have performed using the once-in-a-species opportunity which Bitcoin brings.

Try it out NOW for yourself.

https://video.nostr.build/a9f2f693f6b5ee75097941e7a30bfc722225918a896b29a73e13e7581dfed77c.mp4

Athletes need Bitcoin more than anyone else

Unlike most people, athletes’ careers and earning years are limited. This has driven the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Alex Crognale to also start saving a part of their income in Bitcoin with a long-term outlook as they prepare for retirement.

“The reason why announced 50% of my salary in Bitcoin is because I feel one the noblest things you can do is to get people to understand Bitcoin.” Kieran Gibbs, founder ONE FC, ex Arsenal, ex Inter Miami, ex West Bromich Albion.

“I am trusting Bitcoin for my life after football. Every time my club paid me, I bought Bitcoin.” Alex Crognale, San Antonio FC player.

https://x.com/TFTC21/status/1883228348379533469

“At Botev Plovdiv FC, we believe not only in fostering sporting talent, but also helping them the the most of their careers so they excel in life after retiring from sports. It is with this mission in mind that the club is launching the Bitcoin Football Cup hub, striving to accelerate mass Bitcoin education via sports and athletes - the influencers and role models for billions of people.” shared Botev’s Bitcoin Director George Manolov.

https://x.com/obj/status/1856744340795662432

The Bitcoin Football Cup aims for young prospects to be able to learn key financial lessons from seasoned veterans across all sports. Our Bitcoin Salary Calculator is only the first step toward that goal.

We encourage anyone to hear these stories straight from the current roster of Bitcoin athletes -for whom -in many cases- Bitcoin has allowed them to outperform the wealth it took decades to earn on the field.

Follow us on the Bitcoin Cup’s social media channels to learn more and hear the latest stories of how Bitcoin is shaking up the world of sports:

• Twitter: https://x.com/Bitcoin_Cup/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BitcoinCup/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@BitcoinCup/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BitcoinCup/

@ b17fccdf:b7211155

Next new resources about the MiniBolt guide have been released:

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• 🆕 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! 💙

@ 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.

@ 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.

@ 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.

@ 599f67f7:21fb3ea9

¿Qué es Blossom?

nostr:nevent1qqspttj39n6ld4plhn4e2mq3utxpju93u4k7w33l3ehxyf0g9lh3f0qpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsygzenanl0hmkjnrq8fksvdhpt67xzrdh0h8agltwt5znsmvzr7e74ywgmr72

Blossom significa Blobs Simply Stored on Media Servers (Blobs Simplemente Almacenados en Servidores de Medios). Blobs son fragmentos de datos binarios, como archivos pero sin nombres. En lugar de nombres, se identifican por su hash sha256. La ventaja de usar hashes sha256 en lugar de nombres es que los hashes son IDs universales que se pueden calcular a partir del archivo mismo utilizando el algoritmo de hash sha256.

💡 archivo -> sha256 -> hash

Blossom es, por lo tanto, un conjunto de puntos finales HTTP que permiten a los usuarios almacenar y recuperar blobs almacenados en servidores utilizando su identidad nostr.

¿Por qué Blossom?

Como mencionamos hace un momento, al usar claves nostr como su identidad, Blossom permite que los datos sean "propiedad" del usuario. Esto simplifica enormemente la cuestión de "qué es spam" para el alojamiento de servidores. Por ejemplo, en nuestro Blossom solo permitimos cargas por miembros de la comunidad verificados que tengan un NIP-05 con nosotros.

Los usuarios pueden subir en múltiples servidores de blossom, por ejemplo, uno alojado por su comunidad, uno de pago, otro público y gratuito, para establecer redundancia de sus datos. Los blobs pueden ser espejados entre servidores de blossom, de manera similar a cómo los relays nostr pueden transmitir eventos entre sí. Esto mejora la resistencia a la censura de blossom.

A continuación se muestra una breve tabla de comparación entre torrents, Blossom y servidores CDN centralizados. (Suponiendo que hay muchos seeders para torrents y se utilizan múltiples servidores con Blossom).

| | Torrents | Blossom | CDN Centralizado | | --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------- | ---------------- | | Descentralizado | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | | Resistencia a la censura | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | | ¿Puedo usarlo para publicar fotos de gatitos en redes sociales? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |

¿Cómo funciona?

Blossom utiliza varios tipos de eventos nostr para comunicarse con el servidor de medios.

| kind | descripción | BUD | | ----- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 24242 | Evento de autorización | BUD01 | | 10063 | Lista de Servidores de Usuarios | BUD03 |

kind:24242 - Autorización

Esto es esencialmente lo que ya describimos al usar claves nostr como IDs de usuario. En el evento, el usuario le dice al servidor que quiere subir o eliminar un archivo y lo firma con sus claves nostr. El servidor realiza algunas verificaciones en este evento y luego ejecuta el comando del usuario si todo parece estar bien.

kind:10063 - Lista de Servidores de Usuarios

Esto es utilizado por el usuario para anunciar a qué servidores de medios está subiendo. De esta manera, cuando el cliente ve esta lista, sabe dónde subir los archivos del usuario. También puede subir en múltiples servidores definidos en la lista para asegurar redundancia. En el lado de recuperación, si por alguna razón uno de los servidores en la lista del usuario está fuera de servicio, o el archivo ya no se puede encontrar allí, el cliente puede usar esta lista para intentar recuperar el archivo de otros servidores en la lista. Dado que los blobs se identifican por sus hashes, el mismo blob tendrá el mismo hash en cualquier servidor de medios. Todo lo que el cliente necesita hacer es cambiar la URL por la de un servidor diferente.

Ahora, además de los conceptos básicos de cómo funciona Blossom, también hay otros tipos de eventos que hacen que Blossom sea aún más interesante.

| kind | descripción | | ----- | --------------------- | | 30563 | Blossom Drives | | 36363 | Listado de Servidores | | 31963 | Reseña de Servidores |

kind:30563 - Blossom Drives

Este tipo de evento facilita la organización de blobs en carpetas, como estamos acostumbrados con los drives (piensa en Google Drive, iCloud, Proton Drive, etc.). El evento contiene información sobre la estructura de carpetas y los metadatos del drive.

kind:36363 y kind:31963 - Listado y Reseña

Estos tipos de eventos permiten a los usuarios descubrir y reseñar servidores de medios a través de nostr. kind:36363 es un listado de servidores que contiene la URL del servidor. kind:31963 es una reseña, donde los usuarios pueden calificar servidores.

¿Cómo lo uso?

Encuentra un servidor

Primero necesitarás elegir un servidor Blossom donde subirás tus archivos. Puedes navegar por los públicos en blossomservers.com. Algunos de ellos son de pago, otros pueden requerir que tus claves nostr estén en una lista blanca.

Luego, puedes ir a la URL de su servidor y probar a subir un archivo pequeño, como una foto. Si estás satisfecho con el servidor (es rápido y aún no te ha fallado), puedes agregarlo a tu Lista de Servidores de Usuarios. Cubriremos brevemente cómo hacer esto en noStrudel y Amethyst (pero solo necesitas hacer esto una vez, una vez que tu lista actualizada esté publicada, los clientes pueden simplemente recuperarla de nostr).

noStrudel

1. Encuentra Relays en la barra lateral, luego elige Servidores de Medios.
2. Agrega un servidor de medios, o mejor aún, varios.
3. Publica tu lista de servidores. ✅

Amethyst

1. En la barra lateral, encuentra Servidores multimedia.
2. Bajo Servidores Blossom, agrega tus servidores de medios.
3. Firma y publica. ✅

Ahora, cuando vayas a hacer una publicación y adjuntar una foto, por ejemplo, se subirá en tu servidor blossom.

⚠️ Ten en cuenta que debes suponer que los archivos que subas serán públicos. Aunque puedes proteger un archivo con contraseña, esto no ha sido auditado.

Blossom Drive

Como mencionamos anteriormente, podemos publicar eventos para organizar nuestros blobs en carpetas. Esto puede ser excelente para compartir archivos con tu equipo, o simplemente para mantener las cosas organizadas.

Para probarlo, ve a blossom.hzrd149.com (o nuestra instancia comunitaria en blossom.bitcointxoko.com) e inicia sesión con tu método preferido.

Puedes crear una nueva unidad y agregar blobs desde allí.

Bouquet

Si usas múltiples servidores para darte redundancia, Bouquet es una buena manera de obtener una visión general de todos tus archivos. Úsalo para subir y navegar por tus medios en diferentes servidores y sincronizar blobs entre ellos.

Cherry Tree

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqfngzhsvjggdlgeycm96x4emzjlwf8dyyzdfg4hefp89zpkdgz99qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqyp3065hj9zellakecetfflkgudm5n6xcc9dnetfeacnq90y3yxa5z5gk2q6

Cherry Tree te permite dividir un archivo en fragmentos y luego subirlos en múltiples servidores blossom, y más tarde reensamblarlos en otro lugar.

Conclusión

Blossom aún está en desarrollo, pero ya hay muchas cosas interesantes que puedes hacer con él para hacerte a ti y a tu comunidad más soberanos. ¡Pruébalo!

Si deseas mantenerte al día sobre el desarrollo de Blossom, sigue a nostr:nprofile1qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqyqnxs90qeyssm73jf3kt5dtnk997ujw6ggy6j3t0jjzw2yrv6sy22ysu5ka y dale un gran zap por su excelente trabajo.

Referencias

• hzrd149/blossom en GitHub
• Blossom Drive

@ 29af23a9:842ef0c1

A Indústria Pornográfica se caracteriza pelo investimento pesado de grandes empresários americanos, desde 2014.

Na década de 90, filmes pornográficos eram feitos às coxas. Era basicamente duas pessoas fazendo sexo amador e sendo gravadas. Não tinha roteiro, nem produção, não tinha maquiagem, nada disso. A distribuição era rudimentar, os assinantes tinham que sair de suas casas, ir até a locadora, sofrer todo tipo de constrangimento para assistir a um filme pornô.

No começo dos anos 2000, o serviço de Pay Per View fez o número de vendas de filmes eróticos (filme erótico é bem mais leve) crescer mas nada se compara com os sites de filmes pornográficos por assinatura.

Com o advento dos serviços de Streaming, os sites que vendem filmes por assinatura se estabeleceram no mercado como nunca foi visto na história.

Hoje, os Produtores usam produtos para esticar os vasos sanguíneos do pênis dos atores e dopam as atrizes para que elas aguentem horas de gravação (a Série Black Mirror fez uma crítica a isso no episódio 1 milhão de méritos de forma sutil).

Além de toda a produção em volta das cenas. Que são gravadas em 4K, para focar bem as partes íntimas dos atores. Quadros fechados, iluminação, tudo isso faz essa Indústria ser "Artística" uma vez que tudo ali é falso. Um filme da Produtora Vixen, por exemplo, onde jovens mulheres transam em mansões com seus empresários estimula o esteriótipo da mina padrão que chama seu chefe rico de "daddy" e seduz ele até ele trair a esposa.

Sites como xvídeos, pornHub e outros nada mais são do que sites que salvam filmes dessas produtoras e hospedam as cenas com anúncios e pop-ups. Alguns sites hospedam o filme inteiro "de graça".

Esse tipo de filme estimula qualquer homem heterosexual com menos de 30 anos, que não tem o córtex frontal de seu cérebro totalmente desenvolvido (segundo estudos só é completamente desenvolvido quando o homem chega aos 31 anos).

A arte Pornográfica faz alguns fantasiarem ter relação sexual com uma gostosa americana branquinha, até escraviza-los. Muitos não conseguem sair do vício e preferem a Ficção à sua esposa real. Então pare de se enganar e admita. A Pornografia faz mal para a saúde mental do homem.

Quem sonha em ter uma transa com Lana Rhodes, deve estar nesse estágio. Trata-se de uma atriz (pornstar) que ganhou muito dinheiro vendendo a ilusão da Arte Pornografica, como a Riley Reid que só gravava para grandes Produtoras. Ambas se arrependeram da carreira artística e agora tentam viver suas vidas como uma mulher comum.

As próprias atrizes se consideram artistas, como Mia Malkova, chegou a dizer que Pornografia é a vida dela, que é "Lindo e Sofisticado."

Mia Malkova inclusive faz questão de dizer que a industria não escravisa mulheres jovens. Trata-se de um negócio onde a mulher assina um contrato com uma produtora e recebe um cachê por isso. Diferente do discurso da Mia Khalifa em entrevista para a BBC, onde diz que as mulheres são exploradas por homens poderosos. Vai ela está confundindo o Conglomerado Vixen com a Rede Globo ou com a empresa do Harvey Weinstein.

Enfim, se você é um homem solteiro entre 18 e 40 anos que já consumiu ou que ainda consome pornografia, sabia que sofrerá consequências. Pois trata-se de "produções artísticas" da indústria audiovisual que altera os níveis de dopamina do seu cérebro, mudando a neuroplasticidade e diminuindo a massa cinzenta, deixando o homem com memória fraca, sem foco e com mente nebulosa.

Por que o Estado não proíbe/criminaliza a Pornografia se ela faz mal? E desde quando o Estado quer o nosso bem? Existem grandes empresarios que financiam essa indústria ajudando governos a manterem o povo viciado e assim alienado. É um pão e circo, só que muito mais viciante e maléfico. Eu costume dizer aos meus amigos que existem grandes empresários jvdeus que são donos de grandes Produtoras de filmes pornográficos como o Conglomerado Vixen. Então se eles assistem vídeos pirateados de filmes dessas produtoras, eles estão no colo do Judeu.

@ 83279ad2:bd49240d

備忘録として書きます。意外と時間がかかりました。全体で1時間くらいかかるので気長にやりましょう。 仮想通貨取引所(販売所ではないので、玄人が使えばお得らしい）かつBitcoinの送金手数料が無料(全ての取引所が無料ではない、例えばbitbankは0.0006bitcoinかかる)なので送金元はGMOコインを使います。(注意:GMOコインは0.02ビットコイン以下は全額送金になってしまいます) 今回はカストディアルウォレットのWallet of Satoshiに送金します。 以下手順 1. GMOコインでbitcoinを買います。 2. GMOコインの左のタブから入出金 暗号資産を選択します。 3. 送付のタブを開いて、+新しい宛先を追加するを選択します。 4. 送付先:GMOコイン以外、送付先ウォレット：プライベートウォレット(MetaMaskなど)、受取人：ご本人さま　を選んで宛先情報の登録を選ぶと次の画面になります。
5. 宛先名称にwallet of satoshi(これはなんでも良いです わかりやすい名称にしましょう)　wallet of satoshiを開いて、受信→Bitcoin On-Chainからアドレスをコピーして、ビットコインアドレスに貼り付けます。
6. 登録するを押します。これで送金先の登録ができました。GMOコインの審査がありますがすぐ終わると思います。 7. ここから送金をします。送付のタブから登録したビットコインの宛先リストwallet of satoshiを選択し、送付数量と送付目的を選択して、2段階認証をします。
8. 実行を押せば終わりです。もうあなたがやることはありません。送金が終わるのを40分くらい眺めるだけです。
8. 取引履歴のタブから今の送金のステータスが見れます。
9. 15分くらい待つとステータスが受付に変わります。
10. 20分くらい待つとトランザクションIDが表示されます。


この時点からwallet of satoshiにも送金されていることが表示されます。(まだ完了はしていない)

11. ステータスが完了になったら送金終わりです。

wallet of satoshiにも反映されます。

---

お疲れ様でした！

@ cffd7b79:dd8ca91f

Introductory

That right folks, it is called Satlantis. An upcoming game that is based on Minecraft. It uses a game engine called Launti/Minetest that has been in development since 2023, but it is unclear when it will be released. It is small team of bitcoin enthusiasts of 3-5 game developers.

Their Origin Story

It started out as a Minecraft server around 2018. It was prosperous with many players up to 100 players for just a SMP Server. Then on 2023, Mojang Studios contacted the owner of the server to shut it down due to have a play-to-earn function.

Their Discord Server

In their discord server, you can now earn their own currency called joules which can be earned by playing Counter Strike 2, Fortnite or Dead by Daylight. The joules then can be exchange for sats. If you wanna invest your sats into it, you can buy ASICs through the auction which is fueled by joules which gives you sats in return by the hour.

In Conclusion

From Minecraft to Minetest, it has great potential for such a game nowadays since not only its through some dApp currency scheme, but its straightforward process. if you want to see their site it is at Satlantis.net.

I am Chrissy Sage and I am out!

@ b17fccdf:b7211155

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CHECK OUT at ~ > ramix.minibolt.info < ~

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Main changes:

• Adapted to Raspberry Pi 5, with the possibility of using internal storage: a PCIe to M.2 adapter + SSD NVMe:

  Connect directly to the board, remove the instability issues with the USB connection, and unlock the ability to enjoy higher transfer speeds**

• Based on Debian 12 (Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm - 64-bit).
• Updated all services that have been tested until now, to the latest version.
• Same as the MiniBolt guide, changed I2P, Fulcrum, and ThunderHub guides, to be part of the core guide.
• All UI & UX improvements in the MiniBolt guide are included.
• Fix some links and wrong command issues.
• Some existing guides have been improved to clarify the following steps.

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Important notes:

• The RRSS will be the same as the MiniBolt original project (for now) | More info -> HERE <-
• The common resources like the Roadmap or Networkmap have been merged and will be used together | Check -> HERE <-
• The attempt to upgrade from Bullseye to Bookworm (RaspiBolt to RaMiX migration) has failed due to several difficult-to-resolve dependency conflicts, so unfortunately, there will be no dedicated migration guide and only the possibility to start from scratch ☹️

⚠️ Attention‼️-> This guide is in the WIP (work in progress) state and hasn't been completely tested yet. Many steps may be incorrect. Pay special attention to the "Status: Not tested on RaMiX" tag at the beginning of the guides. Be careful and act behind your responsibility.

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For Raspberry Pi lovers!❤️🍓

Enjoy it RaMiXer!! 💜

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By ⚡2FakTor⚡ for the plebs with love ❤️🫂

@ 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) je Bitkoin koji nije potrošen, BTC koji se nalazi na svim adresama. Možemo ga porediti sa novčanicom u novčaniku i koja se mora u celosti potrošiti. Samo što kod BTC to može biti bilo koji iznos i taj iznos je uvek isti kao veličina poslednje transakcije minus naknada majnerima. Dok novčanice u novčaniku imaju tačno određene apoene, 100 dinara, 200 dinara, 500 dinara itd.

Kada plaćamo novčanicama nešto što košta 300 dinara, a u novčaniku imamo jednu novčanicu od 500 dinara, mi prodavcu moramo dati celu novčanicu od 500 dinara, a on nam zatim vraća kusur 200 dinara.

Kada plaćamo novčanicama nešto što košta 300 dinara, a u novčaniku imamo tri novčanice od 200, 200 i 100 dinara, mi prodavcu moramo dati ili dve novčanice od po 200 gde takođe dobijamo kusur ili dve novčanice od 200 i 100 dinara.

Ova analogija se može primeniti i na BTC i UTXO-ve koji funkcioniše na gotovo istom principu.

Ako plaćamo putem BTC nešto što košta 0.03 BTC, a u novčaniku imamo jedan UTXO od 0.05 BTC (a koji je nastao tako što je neko nama prethodno poslao 0.05 BTC u jednoj transakciji), naš novčanik ne šalje samo 0.03 BTC sa adrese, a da pritom 0.02 BTC ostane u novčaniku. Ne nego se iz novčanika šalje svih 0.05 BTC, 0.03 BTC ide prodavcu, a 0.02 BTC se vraća nama u novčanik kao kusur (change) na novu adresu formirajući novi UTXO od 0.02 BTC. Za slanje sredstava sa tog jednog UTXO-a plaćamo jednu transakcionu naknadu (fee) Bitkoin rudarima/majnerima. Neka bude $1 fee.

Ako plaćamo putem BTC nešto što košta 0.03 BTC, a u novčaniku imamo tri UTXO-a od 0.02, 0.02 i 0.01 BTC (koji su nastali tako što su nam prethodno poslate tri odvojene transakcije od 0.02, 0.02 i 0.01 BTC), naš novčanik automatski ili mi lično (putem opcije "coin control") sada moramo da odaberemo koja od ta tri UTXO-a, koje od te tri svojevrsne digitalne novčanice, ćemo poslati trgovcu. Dakle moramo da iskoristimo sredstva sa dva UTXO-a pošto nijedan pojedinačni UTXO nema dovoljno sredstava za plaćanje. I za slanje svakog od ta dva UTXO-a se majnerima plaća zasebna transakciona naknada koje zbirno koštaju duplo više nego u situaciji kada šaljemo sredstva sa jednog UTXO-a. Dakle plaćamo hipotetičkih $2 fee.

Ako imamo preveliki broj manjih UTXO-va, odnosno UTXO-va na kojima se nalaze pojedinačno mala sredstva i treba da platimo nešto skuplje u jednoj transakciji, onda ćemo za svaki od tih UTXO-va platiti zaseban fee što može dovesti do toga da ukupan fee bude dosta skup.

Ko vodi računa o privatnosti i nikada ne prima sredstva na jednu istu adresu više od jednom, odnosno uvek generiše novu adresu pri primanju svake transakcije, onda će uvek imati situaciju "1 adresa = 1 UTXO" i onda je lakši upravljanje UTXO-vima (UTXO management). Mnogo je teže kada se sva sredstva primaju na jednu adresu koja bi imala veliki broj UTXO-va.

@ f9cf4e94:96abc355

Scuttlebutt foi iniciado em maio de 2014 por Dominic Tarr ( dominictarr ) como uma rede social alternativa off-line, primeiro para convidados, que permite aos usuários obter controle total de seus dados e privacidade. Secure Scuttlebutt (ssb) foi lançado pouco depois, o que coloca a privacidade em primeiro plano com mais recursos de criptografia.

Se você está se perguntando de onde diabos veio o nome Scuttlebutt:

Este termo do século 19 para uma fofoca vem do Scuttlebutt náutico: “um barril de água mantido no convés, com um buraco para uma xícara”. A gíria náutica vai desde o hábito dos marinheiros de se reunir pelo boato até a fofoca, semelhante à fofoca do bebedouro.

Marinheiros se reunindo em torno da rixa. ( fonte )

Dominic descobriu o termo boato em um artigo de pesquisa que leu.

Em sistemas distribuídos, fofocar é um processo de retransmissão de mensagens ponto a ponto; as mensagens são disseminadas de forma análoga ao “boca a boca”.

Secure Scuttlebutt é um banco de dados de feeds imutáveis apenas para acréscimos, otimizado para replicação eficiente para protocolos ponto a ponto. Cada usuário tem um log imutável somente para acréscimos no qual eles podem gravar. Eles gravam no log assinando mensagens com sua chave privada. Pense em um feed de usuário como seu próprio diário de bordo, como um diário de bordo (ou diário do capitão para os fãs de Star Trek), onde eles são os únicos autorizados a escrever nele, mas têm a capacidade de permitir que outros amigos ou colegas leiam ao seu diário de bordo, se assim o desejarem.

Cada mensagem possui um número de sequência e a mensagem também deve fazer referência à mensagem anterior por seu ID. O ID é um hash da mensagem e da assinatura. A estrutura de dados é semelhante à de uma lista vinculada. É essencialmente um log somente de acréscimo de JSON assinado. Cada item adicionado a um log do usuário é chamado de mensagem.

Os logs do usuário são conhecidos como feed e um usuário pode seguir os feeds de outros usuários para receber suas atualizações. Cada usuário é responsável por armazenar seu próprio feed. Quando Alice assina o feed de Bob, Bob baixa o log de feed de Alice. Bob pode verificar se o registro do feed realmente pertence a Alice verificando as assinaturas. Bob pode verificar as assinaturas usando a chave pública de Alice.

Estrutura de alto nível de um feed

Pubs são servidores de retransmissão conhecidos como “super peers”. Pubs conectam usuários usuários e atualizações de fofocas a outros usuários conectados ao Pub. Um Pub é análogo a um pub da vida real, onde as pessoas vão para se encontrar e se socializar. Para ingressar em um Pub, o usuário deve ser convidado primeiro. Um usuário pode solicitar um código de convite de um Pub; o Pub simplesmente gerará um novo código de convite, mas alguns Pubs podem exigir verificação adicional na forma de verificação de e-mail ou, com alguns Pubs, você deve pedir um código em um fórum público ou chat. Pubs também podem mapear aliases de usuário, como e-mails ou nome de usuário, para IDs de chave pública para facilitar os pares de referência.

Depois que o Pub enviar o código de convite ao usuário, o usuário resgatará o código, o que significa que o Pub seguirá o usuário, o que permite que o usuário veja as mensagens postadas por outros membros do Pub, bem como as mensagens de retransmissão do Pub pelo usuário a outros membros do Pub.

Além de retransmitir mensagens entre pares, os Pubs também podem armazenar as mensagens. Se Alice estiver offline e Bob transmitir atualizações de feed, Alice perderá a atualização. Se Alice ficar online, mas Bob estiver offline, não haverá como ela buscar o feed de Bob. Mas com um Pub, Alice pode buscar o feed no Pub mesmo se Bob estiver off-line porque o Pub está armazenando as mensagens. Pubs são úteis porque assim que um colega fica online, ele pode sincronizar com o Pub para receber os feeds de seus amigos potencialmente offline.

Um usuário pode, opcionalmente, executar seu próprio servidor Pub e abri-lo ao público ou permitir que apenas seus amigos participem, se assim o desejarem. Eles também podem ingressar em um Pub público. Aqui está uma lista de Pubs públicos em que todos podem participar . Explicaremos como ingressar em um posteriormente neste guia. Uma coisa importante a observar é que o Secure Scuttlebutt em uma rede social somente para convidados significa que você deve ser “puxado” para entrar nos círculos sociais. Se você responder às mensagens, os destinatários não serão notificados, a menos que estejam seguindo você de volta. O objetivo do SSB é criar “ilhas” isoladas de redes pares, ao contrário de uma rede pública onde qualquer pessoa pode enviar mensagens a qualquer pessoa.

Perspectivas dos participantes

Scuttlebot

O software Pub é conhecido como servidor Scuttlebutt (servidor ssb ), mas também é conhecido como “Scuttlebot” e sbotna linha de comando. O servidor SSB adiciona comportamento de rede ao banco de dados Scuttlebutt (SSB). Estaremos usando o Scuttlebot ao longo deste tutorial.

Os logs do usuário são conhecidos como feed e um usuário pode seguir os feeds de outros usuários para receber suas atualizações. Cada usuário é responsável por armazenar seu próprio feed. Quando Alice assina o feed de Bob, Bob baixa o log de feed de Alice. Bob pode verificar se o registro do feed realmente pertence a Alice verificando as assinaturas. Bob pode verificar as assinaturas usando a chave pública de Alice.

Estrutura de alto nível de um feed

Pubs são servidores de retransmissão conhecidos como “super peers”. Pubs conectam usuários usuários e atualizações de fofocas a outros usuários conectados ao Pub. Um Pub é análogo a um pub da vida real, onde as pessoas vão para se encontrar e se socializar. Para ingressar em um Pub, o usuário deve ser convidado primeiro. Um usuário pode solicitar um código de convite de um Pub; o Pub simplesmente gerará um novo código de convite, mas alguns Pubs podem exigir verificação adicional na forma de verificação de e-mail ou, com alguns Pubs, você deve pedir um código em um fórum público ou chat. Pubs também podem mapear aliases de usuário, como e-mails ou nome de usuário, para IDs de chave pública para facilitar os pares de referência.

Depois que o Pub enviar o código de convite ao usuário, o usuário resgatará o código, o que significa que o Pub seguirá o usuário, o que permite que o usuário veja as mensagens postadas por outros membros do Pub, bem como as mensagens de retransmissão do Pub pelo usuário a outros membros do Pub.

Além de retransmitir mensagens entre pares, os Pubs também podem armazenar as mensagens. Se Alice estiver offline e Bob transmitir atualizações de feed, Alice perderá a atualização. Se Alice ficar online, mas Bob estiver offline, não haverá como ela buscar o feed de Bob. Mas com um Pub, Alice pode buscar o feed no Pub mesmo se Bob estiver off-line porque o Pub está armazenando as mensagens. Pubs são úteis porque assim que um colega fica online, ele pode sincronizar com o Pub para receber os feeds de seus amigos potencialmente offline.

Um usuário pode, opcionalmente, executar seu próprio servidor Pub e abri-lo ao público ou permitir que apenas seus amigos participem, se assim o desejarem. Eles também podem ingressar em um Pub público. Aqui está uma lista de Pubs públicos em que todos podem participar . Explicaremos como ingressar em um posteriormente neste guia. Uma coisa importante a observar é que o Secure Scuttlebutt em uma rede social somente para convidados significa que você deve ser “puxado” para entrar nos círculos sociais. Se você responder às mensagens, os destinatários não serão notificados, a menos que estejam seguindo você de volta. O objetivo do SSB é criar “ilhas” isoladas de redes pares, ao contrário de uma rede pública onde qualquer pessoa pode enviar mensagens a qualquer pessoa.

Perspectivas dos participantes

Pubs - Hubs

Pubs públicos

| Pub Name | Operator | Invite Code | | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | scuttle.us | @Ryan | scuttle.us:8008:@WqcuCOIpLtXFRw/9vOAQJti8avTZ9vxT9rKrPo8qG6o=.ed25519~/ZUi9Chpl0g1kuWSrmehq2EwMQeV0Pd+8xw8XhWuhLE= | | pub1.upsocial.com | @freedomrules | pub1.upsocial.com:8008:@gjlNF5Cyw3OKZxEoEpsVhT5Xv3HZutVfKBppmu42MkI=.ed25519~lMd6f4nnmBZEZSavAl4uahl+feajLUGqu8s2qdoTLi8= | | Monero Pub | @Denis | xmr-pub.net:8008:@5hTpvduvbDyMLN2IdzDKa7nx7PSem9co3RsOmZoyyCM=.ed25519~vQU+r2HUd6JxPENSinUWdfqrJLlOqXiCbzHoML9iVN4= | | FreeSocial | @Jarland | pub.freesocial.co:8008:@ofYKOy2p9wsaxV73GqgOyh6C6nRGFM5FyciQyxwBd6A=.ed25519~ye9Z808S3KPQsV0MWr1HL0/Sh8boSEwW+ZK+8x85u9w= | | ssb.vpn.net.br | @coffeverton | ssb.vpn.net.br:8008:@ze8nZPcf4sbdULvknEFOCbVZtdp7VRsB95nhNw6/2YQ=.ed25519~D0blTolH3YoTwSAkY5xhNw8jAOjgoNXL/+8ZClzr0io= | | gossip.noisebridge.info | Noisebridge Hackerspace @james.network | gossip.noisebridge.info:8008:@2NANnQVdsoqk0XPiJG2oMZqaEpTeoGrxOHJkLIqs7eY=.ed25519~JWTC6+rPYPW5b5zCion0gqjcJs35h6JKpUrQoAKWgJ4= |

Pubs privados

Você precisará entrar em contato com os proprietários desses bares para receber um convite.

| Pub Name | Operator | Contact | | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- | | many.butt.nz | @dinosaur | mikey@enspiral.com | | one.butt.nz | @dinosaur | mikey@enspiral.com | | ssb.mikey.nz | @dinosaur | mikey@enspiral.com | | ssb.celehner.com | @cel | cel@celehner.com |

Pubs muito grandes

Aviso: embora tecnicamente funcione usar um convite para esses pubs, você provavelmente se divertirá se o fizer devido ao seu tamanho (muitas coisas para baixar, risco para bots / spammers / idiotas)

| Pub Name | Operator | Invite Code | | --------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | scuttlebutt.de | SolSoCoG | scuttlebutt.de:8008:@yeh/GKxlfhlYXSdgU7CRLxm58GC42za3tDuC4NJld/k=.ed25519~iyaCpZ0co863K9aF+b7j8BnnHfwY65dGeX6Dh2nXs3c= | | Lohn's Pub | @lohn | p.lohn.in:8018:@LohnKVll9HdLI3AndEc4zwGtfdF/J7xC7PW9B/JpI4U=.ed25519~z3m4ttJdI4InHkCtchxTu26kKqOfKk4woBb1TtPeA/s= | | Scuttle Space | @guil-dot | Visit scuttle.space | | SSB PeerNet US-East | timjrobinson | us-east.ssbpeer.net:8008:@sTO03jpVivj65BEAJMhlwtHXsWdLd9fLwyKAT1qAkc0=.ed25519~sXFc5taUA7dpGTJITZVDCRy2A9jmkVttsr107+ufInU= | | Hermies | s | net:hermies.club:8008~shs:uMYDVPuEKftL4SzpRGVyQxLdyPkOiX7njit7+qT/7IQ=:SSB+Room+PSK3TLYC2T86EHQCUHBUHASCASE18JBV24= |

GUI - Interface Gráfica do Utilizador(Usuário)

Patchwork - Uma GUI SSB (Descontinuado)

Patchwork é o aplicativo de mensagens e compartilhamento descentralizado construído em cima do SSB . O protocolo scuttlebutt em si não mantém um conjunto de feeds nos quais um usuário está interessado, então um cliente é necessário para manter uma lista de feeds de pares em que seu respectivo usuário está interessado e seguindo.

Fonte: scuttlebutt.nz

Quando você instala e executa o Patchwork, você só pode ver e se comunicar com seus pares em sua rede local. Para acessar fora de sua LAN, você precisa se conectar a um Pub. Um pub é apenas para convidados e eles retransmitem mensagens entre você e seus pares fora de sua LAN e entre outros Pubs.

Lembre-se de que você precisa seguir alguém para receber mensagens dessa pessoa. Isso reduz o envio de mensagens de spam para os usuários. Os usuários só veem as respostas das pessoas que seguem. Os dados são sincronizados no disco para funcionar offline, mas podem ser sincronizados diretamente com os pares na sua LAN por wi-fi ou bluetooth.

Patchbay - Uma GUI Alternativa

Patchbay é um cliente de fofoca projetado para ser fácil de modificar e estender. Ele usa o mesmo banco de dados que Patchwork e Patchfoo , então você pode facilmente dar uma volta com sua identidade existente.

Planetary - GUI para IOS

Planetary é um app com pubs pré-carregados para facilitar integração.

Manyverse - GUI para Android

Manyverse é um aplicativo de rede social com recursos que você esperaria: posts, curtidas, perfis, mensagens privadas, etc. Mas não está sendo executado na nuvem de propriedade de uma empresa, em vez disso, as postagens de seus amigos e todos os seus dados sociais vivem inteiramente em seu telefone .

Fontes

• https://scuttlebot.io/

• https://decentralized-id.com/decentralized-web/scuttlebot/#plugins

• https://medium.com/@miguelmota/getting-started-with-secure-scuttlebut-e6b7d4c5ecfd

• Secure Scuttlebutt : um protocolo de banco de dados global.

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

Um dos padrões mais bem estabelecidos ao medir a opinião pública é que cada geração tende a seguir um caminho semelhante em termos de política e ideologia geral. Seus membros compartilham das mesmas experiências formativas, atingem os marcos importantes da vida ao mesmo tempo e convivem nos mesmos espaços. Então, como devemos entender os relatórios que mostram que a Geração Z é hiperprogressista em certos assuntos, mas surpreendentemente conservadora em outros?

A resposta, nas palavras de Alice Evans, pesquisadora visitante na Universidade de Stanford e uma das principais estudiosas do tema, é que os jovens de hoje estão passando por um grande divergência de gênero, com as jovens mulheres do primeiro grupo e os jovens homens do segundo. A Geração Z representa duas gerações, e não apenas uma.

Em países de todos os continentes, surgiu um distanciamento ideológico entre jovens homens e mulheres. Milhões de pessoas que compartilham das mesmas cidades, locais de trabalho, salas de aula e até casas, não veem mais as coisas da mesma maneira.

Nos Estados Unidos, os dados da Gallup mostram que, após décadas em que os sexos estavam distribuídos de forma relativamente equilibrada entre visões políticas liberais e conservadoras, as mulheres entre 18 e 30 anos são agora 30 pontos percentuais mais liberais do que os homens dessa faixa etária. Essa diferença surgiu em apenas seis anos.

A Alemanha também apresenta um distanciamento de 30 pontos entre homens jovens conservadores e mulheres jovens progressistas, e no Reino Unido, a diferença é de 25 pontos. Na Polônia, no ano passado, quase metade dos homens entre 18 e 21 anos apoiou o partido de extrema direita Confederation, em contraste com apenas um sexto das jovens mulheres dessa mesma idade.

Fora do Ocidente, há divisões ainda mais acentuadas. Na Coreia do Sul, há um enorme abismo entre homens e mulheres jovens, e a situação é semelhante na China. Na África, a Tunísia apresenta o mesmo padrão. Vale notar que em todos os países essa divisão drástica ocorre principalmente entre a geração mais jovem, sendo muito menos pronunciada entre homens e mulheres na faixa dos 30 anos ou mais velhos.

O movimento # MeToo foi o principal estopim, trazendo à tona valores feministas intensos entre jovens mulheres que se sentiram empoderadas para denunciar injustiças de longa data. Esse estopim encontrou especialmente terreno fértil na Coreia do Sul, onde a desigualdade de gênero é bastante visível e a misoginia explícita é comum. (palavras da Financial Times, eu só traduzi)

Na eleição presidencial da Coreia do Sul em 2022, enquanto homens e mulheres mais velhos votaram de forma unificada, os jovens homens apoiaram fortemente o partido de direita People Power, enquanto as jovens mulheres apoiaram o partido liberal Democratic em números quase iguais e opostos.

A situação na Coreia é extrema, mas serve como um alerta para outros países sobre o que pode acontecer quando jovens homens e mulheres se distanciam. A sociedade está dividida, a taxa de casamento despencou e a taxa de natalidade caiu drasticamente, chegando a 0,78 filhos por mulher em 2022, o menor número no mundo todo.

Sete anos após a explosão inicial do movimento # MeToo, a divergência de gênero em atitudes tornou-se autossustentável.

Dados das pesquisas mostram que em muitos países, as diferenças ideológicas vão além dessa questão específica. A divisão progressista-conservadora sobre assédio sexual parece ter causado ou pelo menos faz parte de um alinhamento mais amplo, em que jovens homens e mulheres estão se organizando em grupos conservadores e liberais em outros assuntos.

Nos EUA, Reino Unido e Alemanha, as jovens mulheres agora adotam posturas mais liberais sobre temas como imigração e justiça racial, enquanto grupos etários mais velhos permanecem equilibrados. A tendência na maioria dos países tem sido de mulheres se inclinando mais para a esquerda, enquanto os homens permanecem estáveis. No entanto, há sinais de que os jovens homens estão se movendo para a direita na Alemanha, tornando-se mais críticos em relação à imigração e se aproximando do partido de extrema direita AfD nos últimos anos.

Seria fácil dizer que tudo isso é apenas uma fase passageira, mas os abismos ideológicos apenas crescem, e os dados mostram que as experiências políticas formativas das pessoas são difíceis de mudar. Tudo isso é agravado pelo fato de que o aumento dos smartphones e das redes sociais faz com que os jovens homens e mulheres agora vivam em espaços separados e tenham culturas distintas.

As opiniões dos jovens frequentemente são ignoradas devido à baixa participação política, mas essa mudança pode deixar consequências duradouras, impactando muito mais do que apenas os resultados das eleições.

Retirado de: https://www.ft.com/content/29fd9b5c-2f35-41bf-9d4c-994db4e12998

@ c8383d81:f9139549

Project is still in early stages but now it is split into 2 different domain entities. 
Everything is opened sourced under one github https://github.com/Nsite-Info

So what’s new ?

Project #1 https://Nsite.info

A basic website with main info regarding what an Nsite is how it works and a list of tools and repo’s you can use to start building and debugging.
99% Finished, needs some extra translations and the Nsite Debugger can use a small upgrade.



Project #2 https://Nsite.cloud

This project isn’t finished, it currently is at a 40% finished stage. This contains the Nsite Gateway for all sites (still a work in progress) and the final stage the Nsite editor & template deployment.

If you are interested in Nsite’s join: 

https://chachi.chat/groups.hzrd149.com/e23891

Big thanks to nostr:npub1elta7cneng3w8p9y4dw633qzdjr4kyvaparuyuttyrx6e8xp7xnq32cume nostr:npub1ye5ptcxfyyxl5vjvdjar2ua3f0hynkjzpx552mu5snj3qmx5pzjscpknpr nostr:npub1klr0dy2ul2dx9llk58czvpx73rprcmrvd5dc7ck8esg8f8es06qs427gxc for all the tooling & code.

!(image)[https://i.nostr.build/AkUvk7R2h9cVEMLB.png]

@ 878dff7c:037d18bc

This dish is a classic Argentine barbecue (asado) preparation, where lamb leg is slowly grilled over an open fire or on a parrilla (grill) and served with chimichurri sauce.

Ingredients

For the Lamb:

• 1 whole leg of lamb (about 2.3–3.2 kg/5–7 lbs)
• 3 tbsp coarse salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup red wine (optional)

For the Chimichurri Sauce:

• 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ½ cup fresh cilantro (optional)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the Lamb:

• Pat the lamb leg dry and rub it with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
• Let it marinate at room temperature for 1 hour (or overnight in the fridge for more flavor. I recommend 12-24hrs).

2. Set Up the Fire:

• Traditionally, cordero asado is cooked over a wood fire or charcoal at a low temperature (225–275°F / 110–135°C) for slow cooking.
• If using a grill, prepare indirect heat by placing hot coals on one side and keeping the lamb on the cooler side.

3. Grill the Lamb:

• Place the lamb leg on the grill bone-side down.
• Cook low and slow for 3 to 4 hours, turning occasionally and basting with wine or water to keep it moist.
• If using a thermometer, the internal temperature should be:
• Rare: 125°F (52°C)
• Medium-Rare: 130–135°F (55–57°C) (I recommend medium rare for my lamb)
• Medium: 140–145°F (60–63°C)
• Well Done: 155°F+ (68°C+)

4. Make the Chimichurri Sauce:

• In a bowl, mix chopped parsley, cilantro, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Let it sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend.

5. Rest & Serve:

• Once cooked, let the lamb rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with chimichurri sauce and a side of grilled vegetables or crusty bread.

Enjoy your Argentinian Cordero Asado! 🇦🇷🔥

@ 6f3670d9:03f04036

Disclaimer: - This will void your warranty - There might be differences between the Bitaxe and the Lucky Miner that might not cause issues or damage immediately, but might manifest long-term - Proceed at your own risk

---

A Different Pickaxe

You live in a place where it's difficult to get a Bitaxe. You have access to AliExpress. You look around. You find something called the "Lucky Miner LV06". A Bitaxe clone that uses the same mining chip as the Bitaxe Ultra (BM1366 ASIC). You buy one.

You plug it in, you enter your wallet address and other settings, and it starts mining. It works! Great!

But it's running a customized firmware. It's not AxeOS. Maybe there's something shady in the stock firmware. It's not open-source, after all. Also, AxeOS looks amazing... And that automatic pool fail-over feature is handy.

You think to yourself: "Maybe I can use the Bitaxe firmware on this?". Guess what? You're right!

Flashing From Web UI

What usually works for me is to: - Download the Bitaxe firmware files (esp-miner.bin and www.bin) from GitHub (here). Version 2.4.1 seems to work well, as of this writing. - Then from the Lucky Miner web interface, upload the "Website" (www.bin) file. - Wait for a minute or two after it's done uploading. - Upload the "Firmware" (esp-miner.bin) file. - Wait another minute or two. - Unplug the power and plug it back in. - Set the "Core Voltage" and "Frequency" to the defaults. - Unplug the power and plug it back in again.

If you're lucky (no pun intended), you'll have a working Lucky Miner with AxeOS. Update the settings and mine away!

However, often times I've been unlucky, like what happened while I was writing this article, ironically. The miner malfunctions for no obvious reason. It keeps rebooting, or it's not mining (zero/low hashrate), or the web interface is inaccessible. You name it.

The miner has become a "brick". How do you "unbrick" it?

When you brick a Bitaxe, you can recover it by flashing (uploading) a "Factory Image". The Bitaxe has a USB port that makes this easy. Follow the guide and it should come back to life again. Unfortunately, the Lucky Miner LV06 doesn't have a USB port. It has a serial port, though. We'll have to get our hands a bit dirty.

Flashing Using the Serial Port

We need to connect the serial port of the miner to a computer and run a program to flash (upload) the firmware file on the miner. Any 3.3v UART serial port should be sufficient. Unfortunately, PCs don't usually come with a UART serial port these days, let alone a 3.3v one. The serial port common in old computers is an RS-232 port, which will most probably fry your miner if you try to connect it directly. Beware.

In my case, as a serial port for my PC, I'm using an Arduino Due I had lying around. We connect it to the PC through USB, and on the other side we connect a few wires to the miner, which gives the PC access to the miner.

WARNING: Make sure your serial port is 3.3v or you will probably kill the miner. Arduino Uno is 5v not 3.3v, for example, and cannot be used for this.

Wiring

First, we need to open the Lucky Miner. Use a small flat screwdriver to gently push the two plastic clips shown in the picture below. Gently pry the top cover away from the bottom cover on the clips side first, then remove the other side. Be careful not to break the display cable.

Once the cover is off, you can find the miner's serial port in the top right corner (J10), as shown in the next picture. We'll also need the reset button (EN).

There are three screws holding the PCB and the bottom cover together. If you're confident in your ability to push the small button on the underside of the PCB with the bottom cover on, then no need to remove these. The following picture shows what we need from that side.

And the next picture shows the pins and USB port we will use from the Arduino.

Now, we need to connect: - The USB port on the Arduino labelled "programming" to the PC - Pin 18 (TX1) on the Arduino to J10 through-hole pad 5 (blue dot) - Pin 19 (RX1) on the Arduino to J10 through-hole pad 3 (green dot) - Any GND pin on the Arduino to J10 through-hole pad 4 (yellow dot)

I didn't need to solder the wires to the pads. Keeping everything stable, perhaps by putting a weight on the wires or a bit of tape, was sufficient in all my attempts.

Setting up the Arduino

To use the Arduino as a serial port for our PC, we'll have to make it pass-through data back and forth between the USB port and UART1, where we connected the miner.

The following steps are all done on a PC running Debian Linux (Bookworm), in the spirit of freedom and open-source.

First, we start the Arduino IDE. If the package for the Arduino Due board is not already installed, you'll see a small prompt at the bottom. Click "Install this package".

Click the "Install" button.

Once the package is installed, click "Close".

Next, we select the Due board. Click the "Tools" menu, select "Board", select "Arduino ARM (32-bits) Boards" and click "Arduino Due (Programming Port)"

Next, we select the port. Click the "Tools" menu again, select "Port", and click the port where the Arduino is connected. In my case it was "/dev/ttyACM0".

Now we need to upload the following code to the Arduino board. The code is actually the "SerialPassthrough" example from the IDE, but with the serial speed changed to match the miner.

``` void setup() { Serial.begin(115200); Serial1.begin(115200); }

void loop() { if (Serial.available()) { // If anything comes in Serial (USB), Serial1.write(Serial.read()); // read it and send it out Serial1 }

if (Serial1.available()) { // If anything comes in Serial1 Serial.write(Serial1.read()); // read it and send it out Serial (USB) } } ```

Copy/paste the code into the IDE and click upload. You'll see "Done uploading" at the bottom.

Next we'll test if we're receiving data from the miner. We start by opening the "Serial Monitor" from the "Tools" menu in the IDE. Then we change the baudrate to 115200.

Set the Arduino and the miner in a comfortable position, make sure the wires are held in place and got a good contact on both sides, and the power is plugged in.

Now we'll put the miner in "download" mode. Press and hold the button on the underside (K1), press and release the reset button (EN), then release the other button (K1).

You should see some text from the miner in the serial monitor window, like in the picture below.

Congratulations! We know we're able to receive data from the miner now. We're not sure transmit is working, but we'll find out when we try to flash.

Flashing Using the Serial Port, for Real

To flash the Lucky Miner we'll need a software tool named esptool and the factory image firmware file.

I usually use "esp-miner-factory-205-v2.1.8.bin" for the factory image (this one) as a base, and then flash the version I want from the Web UI, using the steps I mentioned earlier.

For esptool, the documentation (here) shows us how to install it. To make things a little easier on our Debian Linux system, we'll use pipx instead of pip. The instructions below are adapted for that.

First we make sure pipx is installed. Run this command in a terminal and follow the instructions:

sudo apt-get install pipx

Then we install esptool using pipx. Run the following in a terminal:

pipx install esptool

The output will be something like this:

user@pc:~$ pipx install esptool installed package esptool 4.8.1, installed using Python 3.11.2 These apps are now globally available - esp_rfc2217_server.py - espefuse.py - espsecure.py - esptool.py ⚠️ Note: '/home/user/.local/bin' is not on your PATH environment variable. These apps will not be globally accessible until your PATH is updated. Run `pipx ensurepath` to automatically add it, or manually modify your PATH in your shell's config file (i.e. ~/.bashrc). done! ✨ 🌟 ✨

We can see pipx telling us we won't be able to run our tool because the folder where it was installed is not in the PATH variable. To fix that, we can follow pipx instructions and run:

pipx ensurepath

And we'll see something like this:

``` user@pc:~$ pipx ensurepath Success! Added /home/user/.local/bin to the PATH environment variable.

Consider adding shell completions for pipx. Run 'pipx completions' for instructions.

You will need to open a new terminal or re-login for the PATH changes to take effect.

Otherwise pipx is ready to go! ✨ 🌟 ✨ ```

Now, close the terminal and re-open it so that esptool becomes available.

Finally, to actually flash the miner, put the miner in download mode, then in the following command change the port ("/dev/ttyACM0") to your serial port, as we've seen earlier, and the file path to where your firmware file is, and run it:

esptool.py -p /dev/ttyACM0 --baud 115200 write_flash --erase-all 0x0 ~/Downloads/esp-miner-factory-205-v2.1.8.bin

If everything went fine, the tool will take a few minutes to flash the firmware to the miner. You'll see something like this in the output:

``` user@pc:~$ esptool.py -p /dev/ttyACM0 --baud 115200 write_flash --erase-all 0x0 ~/Downloads/esp-miner-factory-205-v2.1.8.bin esptool.py v4.8.1 Serial port /dev/ttyACM0 Connecting..... Detecting chip type... ESP32-S3 Chip is ESP32-S3 (QFN56) (revision v0.2) Features: WiFi, BLE, Embedded PSRAM 8MB (AP_3v3) Crystal is 40MHz MAC: 3c:84:27:ba:be:01 Uploading stub... Running stub... Stub running... Configuring flash size... Erasing flash (this may take a while)... Chip erase completed successfully in 9.5s Compressed 15802368 bytes to 1320190... Wrote 15802368 bytes (1320190 compressed) at 0x00000000 in 152.1 seconds (effective 831.2 kbit/s)... Hash of data verified.

Leaving... Hard resetting via RTS pin... ```

And we're done! Hopefully the miner will be recovered now.

Hope this helps!

Stay humble,
dumb-package

A Warning About Beta Versions of AxeOS

For reasons unknown to me, while I was writing this article I wanted to try the testing version of AxeOS, which was v2.4.1b (beta). Flashing from Web UI went smooth, but the miner stopped mining. I flashed back to v2.1.8 using the serial port, a known good version for me, but it wouldn't mine, still.

Thankfully, v2.4.1 was released recently, and flashing it from the Web UI magically revived my miner. So, be warned.

Bonus: File Hashes

For convenience, these are the SHA256 hashes of the files I used in this article: ``` da24fceb246f3b8b4dd94e5143f17bd38e46e5285e807ebd51627cb08f665c0a ESP-Miner-v2.4.1/esp-miner.bin 16c5c671391f0e3e88a3e79ce33fad3b0ec232b8572fad5e1e0d1ad3251ab394 ESP-Miner-v2.4.1/www.bin

d5182a15b6fa21d7b9b31bff2026d30afed9d769781a48db914730a5751e20c6 esp-miner-factory-205-v2.1.8.bin ```

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Last night I was reading this passage in Ezekiel, who was called to be a watchman to Israel.

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.” (Ezekiel 3:17-21) {emphasis mine}

Although I do not believe we can directly apply this command to our lives because it was given directly to Ezekiel and because our salvation comes from Jesus and not works, I do think we can learn from this passage. Just as Ezekiel was called to share God’s blessings, His curses, and His fixed plan, in the same way we are to share the Gospel (the good and the bad) and God’s eternal plan as laid out in the Bible. Unlike Ezekiel, we will receive blessings for being God’s witness and watchman, but will not be punished for failure due to being covered in the blood of Jesus and His righteousness.

We are called to share the Gospel and make disciples:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) {emphasis mine}

We should never stop until the end. We are not supposed to hide the fact we are Christians or act like everyone else in the culture, but to be a light for Jesus.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) {emphasis mine}

Our love for Jesus should shine so brightly that everyone knows we belong to Christ.

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

We should study the Bible so we are ready to share God’s word with all who will listen. Being a light for Jesus isn’t always easy. It can sometimes even lead to persecution and hardship, but we are called to give an account.

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:14-16) {emphasis mine}

Being ready requires diligent prayer and Bible study. We need to know God and His word well to be most effective. Of course we need to be more than just impersonal scholars. We need to have a relationship with Jesus and our Father God and share that relationship with others. We need to share Jesus with even more excitement than we would share our spouse or our kids. We need to be more excited to introduce people to Jesus than we would be to introduce people to a celebrity or other important person. Jesus should be a focus and our joy and such a part of our life that talking about Him becomes second nature. (For most people this takes a long time to reach this point, so don’t lose hope if you aren’t there yet.)

There are lies that we tell and there are also lies by omission. When we leave out some truth, we can imply a lie. So often Christians are so worried about seeming loving that we don’t love people enough to speak the whole truth to them. Yes, God is loving, but He is also holy and gives righteous judgment. Yes Jesus died on our cross to take away our sins, but some will reject Him and spend eternity in eternal torment in Hell. If we only tell the “good” parts, but leave out the “bad” parts, we are speaking a lie.

Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity. (Jeremiah 9:5)

In court we are asked to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Are you speaking the whole truth when you speak of God? Do you sometimes hold back? I recently was communicating with someone online about the Bible and I caught myself watering down a truth. Not speaking the whole, complete truth trapped me in a corner and my witness was harmed. I like to think of myself as fearlessly sharing God and His truth with people, but I seriously messed up on this one.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25) {emphasis mine}

Sometimes we hold back because the truth (things like God’s judgment, only one way to God, election, or God’s sovereignty) seems too hard or unpleasant. Sometimes we hold back because we are ashamed. Don’t be ashamed, for Jesus said:

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26) {emphasis mine}

The closer our relationship is to God and the better we know our Bible, the more confident we can be sharing the Good News to those around us, but no matter how much we prepare within ourselves, we must always lean on Jesus and do things in His power, not our own.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (2 Timothy 1:7-9) {emphasis mine}

May God mold us and guide us to be a good witness and a good watchman, so we can shine the light of Jesus onto all the world and become the faithful servants we were designed to be for His glory.

Trust Jesus

@ 878dff7c:037d18bc

Cyclone Alfred Threatens South East Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is projected to make landfall in South East Queensland by Thursday as a Category 2 system.
Currently located 465 km northeast of Brisbane, the cyclone is expected to bring gale-force winds, up to 600 mm of rainfall, abnormally high tides, and damaging swells.
Authorities have issued multiple warnings, including coastal hazard and flood watches, urging residents from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast to prepare for severe weather conditions.

Read more

---

Housing Market Rebounds Amid Interest Rate Cut

Australia's housing market downturn appears to be over, with property values rising by 0.3% in February, nearly offsetting the previous three-month decline of 0.4%.
This rebound is attributed to increased buyer confidence following a recent interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank, signaling a potential resurgence in the housing sector.

Read more

---

Federal Politics: Australia Urged to Lift Defense Spending

In federal politics, discussions have emerged urging Australia to increase its defense spending.
This call emphasizes the need to bolster national security and address evolving geopolitical challenges.

Read more

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Australian Government Pledges RAAF Base Access for Aerial Firefighting

The Australian government has pledged to grant the New South Wales Rural Fire Service access to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases to support aerial firefighting operations.
This initiative aims to enhance the state's capacity to respond to bushfires and improve overall emergency preparedness.

Read more

---

New Search Initiated for MH370

Eleven years after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, a new search has commenced.
Ocean Infinity is deploying advanced technology, including mothership Armada 7806 and remote-controlled underwater drones capable of scanning the ocean floor down to six kilometers.
The search covers a new 15,000 square kilometer area 1,500 kilometers west of Perth, identified based on data from the past decade.
Challenges such as extreme weather conditions and the vast Indian Ocean area persist.
Experts emphasize the improvement in maritime technology and the emotional toll of repeated search efforts.
The Malaysian government is negotiating a contract with Ocean Infinity, promising a $70 million reward if the wreckage is found.

Read more

---

Victorian Unions Protest Public Sector Job Cuts

The Victorian government, led by Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, announced an unexpected plan to cut 3,000 public sector jobs as part of a budget clean-out, causing uproar among unions.
Six unions representing various sectors, including firefighters, teachers, and public sector workers, have organized a rally on March 3 to protest the job cuts.
Union officials emphasized the widespread impact of these cuts, questioning who would take on the workload and warning of the expensive payouts in redundancies.
They criticized the government's approach, pointing out potential repercussions and the irony of hiring costly consultants to advise on job cuts.

Read more

---

Centrelink Payments Increase for Millions of Australians

Starting in March, approximately five million Australians receiving various Centrelink payments, including Age Pension, Carer Payment, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, ABSTUDY, JobSeeker, Disability Support Pension, and Parenting Payment Single, will see payment increases.
These adjustments are based on the higher of the consumer price index or wage price index, assessed biannually.
Notable changes for JobSeeker include reduced penalties for non-compliance with job requirements for new registrants and exemptions for those working 30 hours a fortnight for two months.
Carers will benefit from more flexible work hours, allowing a spread of 100 hours over four weeks without affecting their payments.
These measures aim to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, with increments resulting in a substantial rise in support since the current government took office.

Read more

---

Note: All information is based on articles published on March 3, 2025.

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

No Brasil, o consumo de álcool não é apenas aceito socialmente, mas fortemente incentivado. A presença de bebidas alcoólicas é constante em festas, confraternizações e até mesmo no ambiente familiar. Quem se recusa a beber muitas vezes é visto como alguém “estranho”, “chato” ou antissocial. Essa mentalidade gera um ciclo vicioso de incentivo ao consumo, ignorando seus impactos negativos.

A Pressão Social Pelo Consumo

Desde cedo, muitos brasileiros são introduzidos ao álcool sem qualquer reflexão sobre os riscos. Em algumas regiões, crianças experimentam bebidas alcoólicas ainda na infância, muitas vezes com o incentivo de familiares. A ideia de que “todo mundo bebe” cria um ambiente em que se recusar a ingerir álcool pode levar ao isolamento social e até mesmo a chacotas.

Aqueles que não bebem frequentemente se sentem excluídos de eventos sociais, pois a cultura ao redor do álcool é tão intensa que parece não haver espaço para quem faz uma escolha diferente. Em reuniões, festas e até mesmo encontros informais, a presença da bebida é praticamente obrigatória, reforçando a ideia de que a diversão depende dela.

O Álcool e a Imprudência no Trânsito

Outro reflexo dessa cultura é a alta incidência de acidentes de trânsito causados pelo consumo de álcool. Apesar das campanhas de conscientização e das leis mais rígidas, dirigir embriagado ainda é um problema grave no Brasil. Muitos motoristas assumem o risco, acreditando que estão “bem o suficiente” para conduzir, colocando a própria vida e a de outras pessoas em perigo.

Infelizmente, essa imprudência não se limita ao ato de dirigir. Em festas e eventos regados a álcool, discussões e brigas são comuns, e atos de violência aumentam significativamente. O efeito entorpecente do álcool reduz a capacidade de julgamento, resultando em comportamentos agressivos e irresponsáveis.

A Decadência e o Cenário Degradante

Outro aspecto ignorado pela cultura do álcool é a decadência humana observada em eventos onde o consumo excessivo é incentivado. Não é raro ver pessoas embriagadas vomitando ou até mesmo defecando em vias públicas, completamente inconscientes de seus atos. Essas cenas se tornaram tão comuns que são tratadas como algo natural, quando, na verdade, refletem um problema social sério.

O Carnaval é um dos exemplos mais emblemáticos desse fenômeno. O que deveria ser uma celebração cultural muitas vezes se transforma em um festival de exageros, onde a bebedeira extrema leva a uma série de consequências negativas, como furtos, brigas, acidentes e crimes diversos.

O Lado Ignorado Dessa Cultura

Curiosamente, todos esses problemas são frequentemente minimizados ou ignorados. A sociedade foca apenas no aspecto festivo do álcool, sem considerar os prejuízos que ele causa. Pouco se discute sobre os impactos na saúde pública, na segurança e na dignidade dos indivíduos.

É importante ressaltar que este artigo não propõe a proibição do álcool nem adota uma visão moralista sobre o tema. O problema não está na bebida em si, mas na forma como é consumida e incentivada. O que se defende aqui é o equilíbrio e a responsabilidade.

Beber com moderação, respeitar os limites do próprio corpo e das pessoas ao redor, evitar a pressão social sobre aqueles que não bebem e nunca misturar álcool e direção são atitudes fundamentais para transformar essa cultura. O consumo consciente permite que momentos de celebração sejam realmente prazerosos, sem que se tornem um problema para quem bebe ou para a sociedade como um todo.

A diversão não precisa estar atrelada ao exagero. É possível aproveitar bons momentos sem perder o controle, sem colocar vidas em risco e sem alimentar um ciclo de imprudência. Repensar a forma como lidamos com o álcool é essencial para uma convivência mais saudável e responsável.

@ 6f3670d9:03f04036

This is my first long-form post. The starting line.

There's nothing of value here. Just using this as a marker.

I hope to post a lot more. Documenting how I made something work would be very useful to me, and hopefully others, but I've been too lazy to do that. Wish me luck!

Stay humble,
dumb-package

@ d6affa19:9110b177

i make my way downstairs,
the house is quiet now;
the little ones are finally asleep.
a soft drizzle from the shower fills the silence.
She must've gotten in already—
taking some time for Herself after a long day.

i grab two towels from the closet and toss them in the dryer.
She likes them warm.
unsure of how long She's been bathing,
i begin preparing the room.

i light a few of Her candles—
a sweet, autumn scent fills the air,
rich with hints of cinnamon and crisp leaves.
it wraps me in a pleasant embrace,
evoking memories of cozy evenings.

i turn off the lighting,
leaving only the candlelight flickering.
the room is illuminated with a warm, orange glow.

i go ahead and set out the oils and lotions—
wondering what She'll choose tonight...
anticipation quickens my heartbeat,
rousing a familiar longing.

with everything prepped,
i take some time to breathe in the atmosphere.
the gentle cascade of water still echoes from the bathroom.
it flows like a calming stream,
creating a soothing ambiance.

i lie down on the bed, closing my eyes.
a moment of stillness envelops me,
a brief escape from the day's chaos.
i've been looking forward to this.
i can feel my mindset shifting.

suddenly, the shower stops,
breaking the stillness.
my eyes quickly open.
a rush of enthusiasm surges through me.
i spring out of bed and retrieve Her towels from the dryer.

upon opening the bathroom door, i'm greeted by Her sweet voice, "Is that my good boy? Perfect timing."

a flash of heat creeps up my neck,
i can't help but grin.
my body relaxes,
the tension eases as i lean into Her approval.

i open the shower door then kneel down,
the soft bath mat cushions me.
steam from the shower fills the room,
creating a cocoon of warmth.
Her silhouette glows softly through the mist.

i offer the warm towels,
the fabric still radiating heat.
without a word She presents Her leg.
instinctively, i set one towel on my lap,
using the other i begin patting Her dry,
starting from Her pedicured foot.

Her smooth skin invites my touch—
but the plush towel acts as a barrier.
once She is satisfied,
i switch to the other leg,
continuing my attentive care.

"Did they give you any trouble?" She asks, Her tone light and curious.
"I hope they weren't too rough on you."

"not tonight, my Queen," i answer, still focused on my task.
"they fell asleep quickly—must've been exhausted."
"Good," She says with a relieved sigh.

She then snaps Her fingers—
signaling for me to hand Her the towel.
i comply, moving out of Her way.
She finishes drying Herself and wraps the towel snugly around Her body.
She casually grabs the other towel and wraps it around Her head,
then makes Her way into the bedroom.

i watch Her walk over to the nightstand,
setting the lavender oil to the front of it—
this is what She's chosen for the evening.
She then picks up Her phone,
settling onto the edge of the bed,
towel still wrapped around Her.

"Well done—I love it!" She says, Her voice rich with approval as She absorbs the arrangement.

Her words pull me from my thoughts,
another subtle flush creeping into my cheeks.
i make my way to the nightstand,
picking up the oil.
my pulse quickens as i kneel before Her,
the cool floor a stark contrast to my rising excitement.

She tilts Her head from behind Her phone, a playful glint in Her eyes.
"Don't you look so adorable down there?"
She leans forward slightly, Her expression shifting to one of command.
"It's been a long day. So be sure that you give My feet the attention they deserve tonight."

my stomach flutters as She lifts one foot.
i take it gently into my hands,
a shiver runs through me.
i pour a small amount of oil into my palm.
the scent of lavender mingles with the autumn candles.

as i massage it into Her foot,
i can't help but notice every detail—
the curve of Her arch draws me in,
the softness of Her skin captivates me.

She shifts Her foot slightly,
guiding me to the areas that demand my attention.
Her toes wiggle in response.
it's so mesmerizing...
with each stroke i feel my mind quieting.
the chill of the floor fades away.
there's only Her.

the rhythm of my hands,
the way the oil glides so smoothly,
the way She relaxes under my touch.
i lose myself in these sensations.
my thoughts slowly dissipate—
replaced by a feeling of clarity, of purpose.

i feel Her foot pull away,
momentarily releasing me from my trance.
it's had its fill.
She lifts the other one in front of me.
Her toes curling playfully.
my heartbeat skips.
a desperation fills my chest.
a longing.
to express my devotion in the most intimate way.
to worship the very thing that grounds Her—
that ties Her to this earth.
it's a yearning that goes beyond words.
i can almost taste the moment.
the connection it would bring.

...

i breathe deeply,
a heavy sigh escaping my lips—
lips that ache to honor Her every curve.
permission lingers in the air,
tantalizing and just out of reach.
i notice Her looking at me,
a giant smirk playing on Her lips,
Her phone now at Her side.

"Well..?" She teases, a mischievous look in Her eyes.
"What are you waiting for? It's not going to rub itself."
Her toes continue wiggling in front of me—taunting.

the urge simmers beneath the surface.
the denial resides like a sweet ache.
i breathe through it,
accepting Her limitation.
i'm grateful for the gift of this moment,
channeling the energy into the task at hand.

i gently embrace Her other foot,
admiring the delicate contours of Her ankle.
Her skin feels like silk against my fingertips.
i pour a few more drops of oil into my palm,
the velvety texture glides through my hands.
another burst of lavender dances in the air,
blending again with the persistent aroma of the candles.

i begin to knead Her other foot,
focusing on the arch,
applying a careful amount of pressure.
each stroke sends ripples of warmth through my hands,
i feel Her tension melting away beneath my touch.
She lets out a contented sigh and falls back on the bed taking it in.
"Mmmm, that feels good." She encourages.

i savor this privilege,
as the flickering candles cast a soft glow around us.
they dance slowly,
a soothing backdrop to the rhythm of my hands.

i trace the outline of Her heel,
feeling the delicate curves,
enthralled by Her foot's response.
with each gentle caress,
watching Her toes dance slightly,
a silent acknowledgement of my devotion.

as if pulled by a magnetic force,
i lean in closer,
inhaling the sweet aroma of lavender,
it's floral notes fused with the radiance of Her scent.
a sense of peace settles within me.
the weight of the day lifts,
replaced by the comforting embrace of surrender.
i'm here to please Her,
i'm here to honor Her,
i'm here to love Her.
lost in the act of serving,
i feel Her energy flow through me,
binding us together.
closer.

as i finish,
i look back up at Her.
my heart swells with pride.
She smiles down at me,
a knowing glimmer in Her eyes.
igniting a fire within me—
a sense of belonging.
right now,
i know exactly where i need to be—
kneeling before Her,
fully aligned with Her presence.

in these cherished rituals,
in this sacred exchange,
i find my place.
forever devoted...

"I love you, sweet boy." She whispers,
Her words deeply resonating,
echoing the truth of my heart—
that i am completely and utterly Hers.

@ d6affa19:9110b177

Wander — 19:27

It’s been a long, rough day.
The fresh air feels good,
but my mind is still trapped,
stuck in that office,
its fluorescent lighting,
archaic and noisy,
still buzzes behind my eyes.
Closing that sale was grueling—
the customer’s incessant demands—
they still press against my skull.
My patience feels razor-thin,
the weight of the day settling on my shoulders.

On my way to the apartment,
I catch a glimpse of the setting sun.
Its warm hues contrast my somber demeanor.
I check my phone again,
scrolling through my messages.
...
Nothing new…
I haven’t heard from her in hours—
only left on “read.”

I let out a sigh.
My body feels heavy.
This day has just dragged on forever.

Walking up to the apartment door,
I fumble a bit with my keys,
the metal clinks,
I struggle to find the right one.
Upon entering the dimly lit apartment,
I see her sitting on the sofa,
dressed as if she’s getting ready to leave.

Ugh, I don’t feel like going anywhere tonight…

She looks up from her phone,
our eyes locking.
“You didn’t let Me know you were on your way,” her tone sharp.

A hint of disappointment in her eyes—
subtle, but pointed.
A silent judgment.
A reminder of my failure—
of a broken word of honor.

But my pride,
like a protective big brother,
overshadows the regret gnawing at me,
feeding my mind with justifications.

She didn’t respond earlier—
to my messages.
Not a single word.
And now, all of a sudden,
communication matters?
My eyebrows furrow.
My hands clench.

“I told you I’d be late today, didn’t I?” I finally answer,
trying to keep my voice steady.
Her nonchalant expression shifts,
becoming more annoyed.

“And that has nothing to do with your promise to let Me know when you’re leaving,”
she fires back,
arms folded across her chest.

Her voice cuts through the air.
“Now go get cleaned up. I’m hungry and we have a little bit of shopping to do.”

I subtly bite at my lip.
A dull pain.
A distraction.
Anything to manage the tension.

Taking a seat on the sunken foyer’s edge,
I slowly remove my shoes,
lingering in defiance.

Today has been so stressful…
Doesn’t she see that I’m exhausted?
Maybe I don’t want to go back out.
Does she even consider how I feel?
Maybe she’d know if she just asked.

“Hey! Are you listening?” She snaps,
impatience saturating her tone.
“What’s wrong?”

I remain seated,
and turn my head toward her,
meeting her gaze—
a fierce expression now on her face.

A heavy sigh escapes me.
Honestly, I don’t want to tell her no.
But the thought of getting back out…
It feels unbearable.

“I’m just so tired,” I finally admitted,
shoulders slumping.

She seems unconvinced.

“There’s more to it than that,” she posits,
her eyes piercing through my defenses.
“What is it? Tell me what’s going on.”

I turn my head away.
Shame tightens around me,
suffocating, silencing.
From the hurt I feel—
over some ignored messages.
Just a few simple messages…
It seems juvenile.
But it’s amplified by her disregard for my situation.
It stings, and I can’t find the words to express it.
Nor would I if I could.

…

At some point, she moved.
I didn’t hear her.
I didn’t see her.
But I feel her now—
towering over me.
Close.
Her presence,
it’s tangible,
like a weight bearing down on me.

Looking up at her,
our angry expressions collide,
the air thickens with unspoken tension.
I notice my heart beating faster—
Not only from the conflict,
but from her aura…

There’s a shift in her energy.
A quiet intensity brewing beyond her expression.
Have I pushed her too far with my silence..?

---

Veil — 19:38

With a swift motion,
she lunges forward,
pushing me to my back.
Her weight settles on my stomach,
pinning me to the floor.

My breath catches.
Her scent—something floral..?
Jasmine…
It melds with her natural aroma,
igniting my senses.

The softness of her skin,
the pressure of her body above me;
they contrast sharply,
a blend of elegance and power.

"W-what are you doing!?" I exclaim, the surprise evident in my voice.

Her response is immediate.
"I won't tolerate you moping or acting out tonight, boy. Now tell Me what's wrong," she demands,
her voice sharp as a knife.

I'm stunned.
A fire burns in my chest—
is it anger?
Or something else?
Embarrassment settles in,
uninvited, heating my face,
her eyes piercing into me.

"I already told you, I-I'm just tired. There's no need for this!" I plead,
muscles tensing as I try to push her off.

"Stop pushing!" she commands.

I resist,
frustration spilling over.
"Get off!"

Attempting to restrain me,
she grabs my wrists.
But I'm stronger,
easily breaking her grip.
I interlock our hands,
pushing back,
trying to lift her.

"I said stop!" she asserts,
her voice firm,
unyielding.

I continue to push,
arms fully extended.

But she suddenly shifts.
Her weight crashes forward,
pinning my arms above my head.
I can’t push from this angle.

As she holds me down,
something mingles with the fluster—
an unexpected exhilaration...

Her body hovers above mine,
our faces inches apart.
I'm trapped,
her hair falling around us like a curtain.
A predaceous look glimmers in her eyes—
she leans in closer,
jawline tightening,
eyes slowly narrowing,
asserting her dominance.
I can't resist inhaling Her scent,
it’s so distracting—
intoxicating.

With every labored breath,
the warmth of Her body presses down on me.
Now sitting on my chest,
Her weight feels heavier,
oddly comforting.

Her gaze pursues me.
I look away,
desperate to hide.

My heart is racing.
It's overwhelming—
Her scent,
Her pressure,
the gleam in Her eyes.
I struggle to focus.

Somehow, without me noticing,
our hands are no longer intertwined…
Instead, She holds my wrists—
tightly against the ground.

Lost between defiance and surrender,
my body is betraying me,
not from fear,
but from curiosity.
Or is it a mixture?

A shiver travels down my spine,
my body relaxes,
how did we get here..?

The desire to resist is fading,
yielding to the magnetic pull of Her presence—
losing myself in Her orbit.

Aware of my waning resistance,
a smug grin flashes across Her lips—
so captivating.
I’m melting.

"Good boy." She whispers into my ear.

Her words surround me like a warm embrace,
and Her smile—
the most precious sight in the world—
puts butterflies in my stomach,
a lightness in my head.
The frustration of the prior moment,
seems somehow…
distant.

Still holding my wrists,
She looks down at me,
taking in the moment—
savoring it.

"Who is your Queen?" She finally asks,
Her voice gentle and sweet.

I feel a storm within,
emotions crashing like a tsunami.
Pulling me back to the present—
regret, devotion, shame—
all colliding together.
How She hurt me.
How I failed Her.
I try to look away.
A hint of defiance persisting...

"Answer me." She demands,
Her soft tone hardening.
"Who is your Queen?"

I pause,
Her gaze weighing more than Her body.
My heart pounds,
and for a moment,
I'm lost in the depths of Her eyes,
searching for an escape—
an escape that isn’t there...

The silence stretches,
heavy and expectant.
My throat tightens,
heart pounding—
betraying me..?
Or leading the way?

With a resigned breath,
I whisper, "You are..."

She immediately follows up,
"And who do you obey?"
Her tone still harsh.

My eyes plead to Her fierce gaze,
swallowed in shame.
Begging to avoid the obvious answer,
because of my guilt—
because of my broken promise.
but Her stare is unrelenting,
and I divert my eyes once more.

"Look at me," She commands sharply,
"Who do you obey?"

My eyes instinctively comply,
Her grin now replaced by a stern expression.

With no other option,
I mutter my surrender, "...You."
The word slips out,
a quiet truth that echoes in between us,
heavy with contrition,
but liberating.

"Now answer properly," She demands,
"Who do you obey?"

"I obey You, my Queen."
The words spill effortlessly from my lips,
weightless and freeing.

"That's right." She proudly replies.

She releases my wrists and sits up,
a triumphant smile gracing Her lips.
Those enchanting lips…
That beautiful smile…

With my arms free,
I feel a mix of relief and lingering tension,
my heart still racing from the struggle.

A whirlwind of emotions continue to swell—
shame, regret, adoration—
neglect and dismissal—
longing—
disappointment…

And the sight of Her beauty aches—
yet, despite my surrender,
something in Her eyes tells me…

She’s just getting started.

---

Stricken — 19:46

The sun has set.
Its remaining beams peering through the glass door,
filling the room with an orange hue.

Her silhouette is framed by the fading light—
imposing, inescapable.
She looms over me,
Her shadow stretching,
covering,
consuming.

I lie underneath Her—
underneath Her shadow—
between breath and reverence,
desperately searching,
looking for the right words,
but only stare.

I feel trapped.
Not by Her,
but by my own self—
the walls I put up.
Unable to express my regret.
For how I failed Her.
For my own hurt feelings…

When suddenly,
and surprisingly,
She slaps me.
Her palm releases a sharp crack,
a sound that echoes in the stillness.
The impact burns on my left cheek,
forcing me to wince,
the world tilts for a heartbeat,
returning me to the moment.

Slightly disoriented,
my hands cover my face,
instinctively guarding.

"Put your hands down." She orders,
Her voice firm.
I hesitate—
caught between instinct and obedience.
Tension coils in my chest.

She takes my hand,
tucks it to my side,
and pins it with Her thigh.

I don't resist.

She does the same with my other hand,
leaving me unguarded—
vulnerable.

Her grip is tight—
constraining.
My senses feel heightened.
The warmth of Her skin—
so smooth against my own—
presses against me.
Deceptively soothing.
A paradox of wrath and comfort,
leading me deeper into the moment.

I watch Her draw back Her hand,
preparing another slap.
a stoic look etched across Her face.
My breath catches,
the air is thick with unspoken words.
Yet, strangely,
my heartbeat steadies,
my body relaxes,
ready to absorb Her frustrations.

Her hand lands forcefully,
slamming into my left cheek once again,
the sting tight and harsh.
I wince again,
losing focus,
struggling to meet Her gaze.

"Apologize to me." She commands harshly.

Before I can orient myself,
before I can respond,
She slaps me again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Each strike lands like a thunderbolt—
a wrecking ball to the walls I’ve built.

A fiery pulse ignites my face,
blending with a deviant thrill—
something coursing through me,
blurring agony and bliss.
My eyes form tears.
I fight desperately to hold them back.

"I said apologize!" She hisses,
Her tone as sharp as Her slaps.
I look up at Her,
trying to focus,
and catch Her expression—
impassive, demanding,
yet with a soft glimmer in Her eyes—
so gorgeous...

A warmth radiates from Her,
it blends with the heat from my cheek,
amplifying Her pull,
leaving me breathless,
utterly subject to Her will.

"I… I'm sorry…" I whimper,
the words barely escaping my lips,
laced with a mixture of shame and exhilaration.

"For what?" She asks,
Her lips curl,
a blend of annoyance and...
something, something—
primal.

I try to take another deep breath,
it's difficult with Her weight pressing down.
My pride aches as much as my face.
I barely maintain composure,
my eyes unable to escape Her gaze.

She strikes again,
forcefully,
without warning.
My head snaps to the side,
leaving an imprint on my soul itself.
The barriers I’ve placed—
their remnants—
are completely shattered,
freeing the truth.

"For disobeying You!" I nearly cry.
The admission tastes bittersweet on my tongue.
It feels like a release,
the confession washing over me,
leaving me breathless and exposed.

She lets out an amused laugh.
The smile She was fighting back breaks through,
a satisfied grin that lights up Her face.
My heart to skips a beat.

But She's not finished yet.

---

Purge — 19:52

"And how exactly did you disobey me?" She asks,
already knowing the answer.

She's going to make me own it…
The buzzing on my cheek—
a subtle reminder to comply.

"For not letting You know when I left." I meekly respond.

"And..?" She questions,
not satisfied with the previous answer.

"And for not getting ready when you asked…" I amend,
my voice barely above a whisper.

"And..?" She continues,
Her tone becoming impatient.

But I'm at a loss—
unsure.
What is She seeking?
My mind races,
desperately searching,
looking for the right words.

…

But none come.
Panic sets in,
gnawing, deep—
am I failing Her again?
Was I being too much?
Too needy?
I can’t explain this ache in my chest…

She looks down at me,
Her expression softening.

"For not telling me what's bothering you." She says,
guiding me to the answer.

"I'm your Queen, and I deserve for you to be honest with Me about everything—“ She continues,
Her voice carrying a tenderness,
cutting through the tension.
“you should feel safe enough to tell Me anything…"

My body is still,
yet it feels as if it’s trembling fiercely.
I can only stare.

“You don’t have to hide anymore...”
She continues,
“You’re safe now…”

My heart feels cracked open.
Lying beneath Her,
restrained and exposed—
and now with Her words…

Her voice hangs in the air,
slicing through the chaos.
She's reached into my heart,
through the walls and the barriers,
amidst the insecurities and doubts—
the fear and pain—
touching the essence that is truly me,
with nothing standing in Her way.

I look up at Her angelic face,
into Her divine eyes,
and with no more hesitation,
I express what seemed impossible before.

"I felt… hurt, like You were ignoring me…" the confession falls out clumsily.
“Like… like I wasn’t worth the attention…” my chest tightens more as I speak,
each word breathing life into the hurt I tried to bury.
"Even after such a hard day..."

I see the look on Her face change,
Her gentle expression slipping away,
revealing a raw vulnerability.
Silence fills the space between us.

"And..." I continue,
"And it’s stupid, I know… I’m sorry for being too much, I-I couldn’t help it…" my voice breaking,
“I just… needed You, so much… and you didn’t even message me back… I felt invisible…”

I take a moment to regain my composure.

"Like, I know I was supposed to let You know that I was on my way, but... I... I was just so angry... I'm sorry… and it just seems so childish now…" I finish through tears.
The last piece of me lain bare.

Her hand slowly reaches down,
caressing my cheek.
Her fingers trace across my skin,
gentle, light—
a stark contrast from the slaps earlier.
The tears linger,
a reminder of all I’ve kept from Her.
Her palm cups my cheek,
softer than I’ve ever known,
and I see in Her eyes,
Her own tension,
a glimmer of regret...

“I…” Her voice trembles.
She catches Herself,
maintaining control.

But there’s something else—
an unease.
"I didn’t realize… I should have known.” She continues.
“You needed me and I wasn’t there for you, was I?"

She looks down,
Her gaze escapes my eyes,
and for a moment,
I see the disappointment in them—
the disappointment in Herself, too.
Her divine presence alters,
revealing a more human beauty…

I nod,
feeling the weight of my admission.

Her eyes meet with mine again,
shimmering with unshed tears.
She simply stares,
taking it in for a brief moment,
the words settling between us,
forming a bridge that connects our spirits.

"I'm so sorry, My sweet boy." She says,
trying to hold a steady demeanor.
"I had no idea you needed Me so much today… I was interrupted after reading your message and never followed up. Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you… that I let you down… you’re not… you’re not ‘too much.’"

With both arms,
She reaches around my head,
and gives me a powerful embrace.
The hug is so tight that I can barely breathe.
She begins saying something else,
but it sounds muffled,
I can't make it out.

And yet, it doesn't matter.
Her words—
Her acknowledgment...
the tension inside me begins to unravel.

And, despite Her increasing pressure on top of me,
it’s as if the weight of the world has been lifted from my chest,
replaced by a serene joy that blossoms within—
from knowing that She cares,
that She was able to reach out and guide me to the honesty of my confession,
creating a space where we could see each other authentically.

Her arms tighten around me,
I melt into Her embrace.
My heart pounds.
But not frantically—
it’s steady now,
slow, calming,
like a gentle wave.
Her breath against my neck,
warm and soothing,
Her embrace,
feels like a sanctuary,
where my heart can rest and heal.

Everything fades,
only the sound of Her heartbeat,
it intertwines with mine,
forming a profound connection.
I dare not move,
I dare not disturb this moment,
not for air,
not for life itself—
this closeness is all I crave,
and I would die for it.

…

Then,
just like that,
the moment fades.
Her arms loosen,
the weight of Her touch lifts,
leaving an emptiness.

My body feels light,
but my heart is heavy—
full.

I need a moment,
in this space,
in the silence,
to gather the pieces of myself—
the pieces She’s helped reveal.

---

Bound — 20:04

She releases Her grip on me,
returning Herself to a seated position.
I inhale sharply,
much-needed air filling my lungs.
She lets out an adorable chuckle at the sight.

My vision clears,
drawn to Her beautiful smile.

"So, will you forgive Me, sweet boy?" She asks, wiping a few tears from Her own eyes.

"Of course, my Queen." I respond almost reflexively.
"Will You forgive me?"

She leans down,
Her lips pressing lightly on my forehead.
"I already have, My sweet boy," She smiles.

The warmth of Her kiss lingers,
sending a shiver down my spine.

She stands up,
relieving the pressure on my chest.
My lungs seize the opportunity,
pulling in air.
But the relief is fleeting—

Her foot crashes down,
pressing me back into the ground.
Her weight returns—
focused,
steady,
absolute.
I’m breathless again—
by the force She exerts,
and the sight of Her over me.

She stands poised,
effortless.
A Queen assessing Her property.
The look in Her eyes sharpens again,
though this time,
amusement dances behind them.

She shifts Her weight slightly,
a small, deliberate adjustment.
The pressure deepens,
spreading through my chest—
slow, rolling,
a silent warning.

"And don't you ever give me a reason to do this to you again, do you understand me, boy?" She asks,
the weight increasing,
firm and steady.
My body strains beneath Her foot,
not quite pain,
something heavy,
something consuming,
part of me craving more…

"Yes, my Queen." the words escape,
slipping through shallow breaths.
I wince,
but the feeling is not unwelcome—
it feels grounding,
reassuring.

She presses a little more.
A test..?
I instinctively tense,
but don’t resist.
Our clothing dulls the sensation,
but amplifies something deeper—
the certainty of Her control,
the reality of Her dominance.

"I need you to be open and honest with your feelings, got it?" She continues,
Her tone firm,
and yet warm,
welcoming.

"Of course, my Queen." I vow instantly,
the words feeling like both a promise and a plea.

"Good boy." She adds with a satisfied grin spreading across Her face,
lighting up Her features.
"Now, get yourself cleaned up, I'm hungry and we have some shopping to do."

She lingers for a moment.
Then with a slow, deliberate motion,
She finally lifts Her foot from my chest.
The absence is sudden.
The liberation…
unnatural.
Wrong.

My chest rises sharply,
filling with air once again,
the breath She has granted me.

Above me,
She smiles,
admiring Her handiwork.
There’s a sense of satisfaction in Her expression,
a silent acknowledgment of our shared moment.

"Yes, my Queen. Thank You, my Queen." I say to Her with a smile,
my heart swelling with gratitude.

But there’s something else…
I hesitate.
The words are there,
on the tip of my tongue.
Will She welcome them..?
Acknowledge them..?<

She watches me closely,
aware,
waiting,
Her eyes softening,
enough to make my heart stutter.
But I can’t hold them in any longer—

…

"…I love You," I add,
the words spilling out of me.

@ 9f94e6cc:f3472946

Der Entartungswettbewerb TikTok hat die Jugend im Griff und verbrutzelt ihre Hirne. Über Reels, den Siegeszug des Hochformats und die Regeln der Viralität.

Text: Aron Morhoff

Hollywood steckt heute in der Hosentasche. 70 Prozent aller YouTube-Inhalte werden auf mobilen Endgeräten, also Smartphones, geschaut. Instagram und TikTok sind die angesagtesten Anwendungen für junge Menschen. Es gibt sie nur noch als App, und ihr Design ist für Mobiltelefone optimiert.

Einst waren Rechner und Laptops die Tools, mit denen ins Internet gegangen wurde. Auch als das Smartphone seinen Siegeszug antrat, waren die Sehgewohnheiten noch auf das Querformat ausgerichtet. Heute werden Rechner fast nur noch zum Arbeiten verwendet. Das Berieseln, die Unterhaltung, das passive Konsumieren hat sich vollständig auf die iPhones und Samsungs dieser Welt verlagert. Das Telefon hat den aufrechten Gang angenommen, kaum einer mehr hält sein Gerät waagerecht.

Homo Digitalis Erectus

Die Welt steht also Kopf. Die Form eines Mediums hat Einfluss auf den Inhalt. Marshall McLuhan formulierte das so: Das Medium selbst ist die Botschaft. Ja mei, mag sich mancher denken, doch medienanthropologisch ist diese Entwicklung durchaus eine Betrachtung wert. Ein Querformat eignet sich besser, um Landschaften, einen Raum oder eine Gruppe abzubilden. Das Hochformat entspricht grob den menschlichen Maßen von der Hüfte bis zum Kopf. Der TikTok-Tanz ist im Smartphone-Design also schon angelegt. Das Hochformat hat die Medieninhalte unserer Zeit noch narzisstischer gemacht.

Dass wir uns durch Smartphones freizügiger und enthemmter zur Schau stellen, ist bekannt. 2013 wurde „Selfie“ vom Oxford English Dictionary zum Wort des Jahres erklärt. Selfie, Selbstporträt, Selbstdarstellung.

Neu ist der Aufwand, der heute vonnöten ist, um die Aufmerksamkeitsschwelle der todamüsierten Mediengesellschaft überhaupt noch zu durchbrechen. In beängstigender Hypnose erwischt man viele Zeitgenossen inzwischen beim Doomscrollen. Das ist der Fachbegriff für das weggetretene Endloswischen und erklärt auch den Namen „Reel“: Der Begriff, im Deutschen verwandt mit „Rolle“, beschreibt die Filmrolle, von der 24 Bilder pro Sekunde auf den Projektor gewischt oder eben abgespult werden.

Länger als drei Sekunden darf ein Kurzvideo deshalb nicht mehr gehen, ohne dass etwas Aufregendes passiert. Sonst wird das Reel aus Langeweile weggewischt. Die Welt im Dopamin-Rausch. Für den Ersteller eines Videos heißt das inzwischen: Sei der lauteste, schrillste, gestörteste Marktschreier. Das Wettrennen um die Augäpfel zwingt zu extremen Formen von Clickbait.

15 Sekunden Ruhm

Das nimmt inzwischen skurrile Formen an. Das Video „Look who I found“ von Noel Robinson (geboren 2001) war im letzten Jahr einer der erfolgreichsten deutschen TikTok-Clips. Man sieht den Deutsch-Nigerianer beim Antanzen eines karikaturartig übergewichtigen Menschen. Noel wird geschubst und fällt. Daraufhin wechselt das Lied – und der fette Mann bewegt seinen Schwabbelbauch im Takt. Noel steht wieder auf, grinst, beide tanzen gemeinsam. Das dauert 15 Sekunden. Ich rate Ihnen, sich das Video einmal anzuschauen, um die Mechanismen von TikTok zu verstehen. Achten Sie alleine darauf, wie vielen Reizen (Menschenmenge, Antanzen, Sturz, Schwabbelbauch) Sie in den ersten fünf Sekunden ausgesetzt sind. Wer schaut so was? Bis dato 220 Millionen Menschen. Das ist kapitalistische Verwertungslogik im bereits verwesten Endstadium. Adorno oder Fromm hätten am Medienzeitgeist entweder ihre Freude oder mächtig zu knabbern.

Die Internet- und Smartphoneabdeckung beträgt mittlerweile fast 100 Prozent. Das Überangebot hat die Regeln geändert. Um überhaupt gesehen zu werden, muss man heute viral gehen. Was dafür inzwischen nötig ist, spricht die niedrigsten Bedürfnisse des Menschen an: Gewalt, Ekel, Sexualisierung, Schock. Die jungen Erwachsenen, die heute auf sozialen Netzwerken den Ton angeben, haben diese Mechanismen längst verinnerlicht. Wie bewusst ihnen das ist, ist fraglich. 2024 prallt eine desaströse Bildungssituation samt fehlender Medienkompetenz auf eine egomanische Jugend, die Privatsphäre nie gekannt hat und seit Kindesbeinen alles in den Äther ballert, was es festhalten kann. Man muss kein Kulturpessimist sein, um diese degenerative Dynamik, auch in ihrer Implikation für unser Zusammenleben und das psychische Wohlergehen der Generation TikTok, als beängstigend zu bezeichnen.

Aron Morhoff studierte Medienethik und ist Absolvent der Freien Akademie für Medien & Journalismus. Frühere Stationen: RT Deutsch und Nuoviso. Heute: Stichpunkt Magazin, Manova, Milosz Matuschek und seine Liveshow "Addictive Programming".

@ 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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8. Links

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

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

@ 2b1964b8:851949fa

Routine Picture-in-Picture American Sign Language Interpretation in American Broadcasting

(PiP, ASL)

Picture-in-picture sign language interpretation is a standard feature in news broadcasts across the globe. Why hasn’t America become a leader in picture-in-picture implementation too?

Misconception.

There are prevalent misunderstandings about the necessity of ASL interpreters in the media and beyond. As recently as January 2025, an American influencer with ~10M social followers on Instagram and X combined, referred to sign language interpreters during emergency briefings as a distraction.

Such views overlook the fact that, for many deaf individuals, American Sign Language is their primary language. It is wrongly assumed that deaf Americans know—or should know—English. American Sign Language differs in grammatical structure from English. Moreover, human interpreters are able to convey nuances that captions often miss, such as non-manual markers; facial expressions, body movements, head positions utilized in sign language to convey meaning. English is the native language for many hearing Americans, who have access to it throughout the United States without any additional expectation placed upon them.

A deeper understanding reveals that many nations have their own unique signed languages, reflecting their local deaf culture and community — Brazilian Sign Language, British Sign Language, Finnish Sign Language, French Sign Language, Japanese Sign Language, Mexican Sign Language, Nigerian Sign Language, and South African Sign Language, among numerous others.

Bottom Line: American Sign Language is the native language for many American-born deaf individuals, and English is the native language for many American-born hearing individuals. It is a one-for-one relationship; both are equal.

In an era where information dissemination is instantaneous, ensuring that mainstream broadcasts are accessible to all citizens is paramount.

Public Figures Including Language Access In Their Riders

What's a rider? A rider is an addendum or supplemental clause added to a contract that expands or adjusts the contract's terms. Riders are commonly used in agreements for public figures to specify additional requirements such as personal preferences or technical needs.

A Simple Yet Powerful Action

Public figures have a unique ability to shape industry standards, and by including language access in their riders, they can make a profound impact with minimal effort. * On-site American Sign Language interpretation ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can fully engage with speeches and live events. * Open captions (burned-in captions) for all live and post-production interview segments guarantee accessibility across platforms, making spoken content instantly available to a wider audience. These implements don’t just benefit deaf constitutents—they also support language learners, individuals in sound-sensitive environments and any person who relies on, or simply refers, visual reinforcement to engage with spoken content.

For public figures, adding these 2 requests to a rider is one of the most efficient and immediate ways to promote accessibility. By normalizing language access as a standard expectation, you encourage event organizers, broadcasters, and production teams to adopt these practices universally.

As a result, there will be an industry shift from accessibility as an occasional accommodation to an industry norm, ensuring that future events, interviews, and media content are more accessible for all. Beyond immediate accessibility, the regular presence of interpreters in public spaces increases awareness of sign language. Seeing interpreters in mainstream media can spark interest among both deaf and hearing children to pursue careers in interpretation, expanding future language access and representation.

Year-Round Commitment to Accessibility

Too often, language access is only considered when an immediate demand arises, which leads to rushed or inadequate solutions. While some events may include interpretation or captioning, these efforts can fall short when they lack the expertise and coordination necessary for true disability justice. Thoughtful, proactive planning ensures that language access is seamlessly integrated into events, rather than being a reactive measure.

Best practices happen when all key players are involved from the start: * Accessibility leads with combined production and linguistic knowledge who can ensure accessibility remains central to the purpose rather than allowing themselves to be caught up in the spectacle of an event. * Language experts who ensure accuracy and cultural competency.
* Production professionals who understand event logistics.

By prioritizing accessibility year-round, organizations create spaces where disability justice is not just accommodated, but expected—ensuring that every audience member, regardless of language needs, has access to information and engagement.

@ 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.

@ fa0165a0:03397073

Chef's notes

This recipe is for 48 buns. Total cooking time takes at least 90 minutes, but 60 minutes of that is letting the dough rest in between processing.

The baking is a simple three-step process. 1. Making the Wheat dough 2. Making and applying the filling 3. Garnishing and baking in the oven

When done: Enjoy during Fika!

PS;

• Can be frozen and thawed in microwave for later enjoyment as well.

• If you need unit conversion, this site may be of help: https://www.unitconverters.net/

• Traditionally we use something we call "Pearl sugar" which is optimal, but normal sugar or sprinkles is okay too. Pearl sugar (Pärlsocker) looks like this: https://search.brave.com/images?q=p%C3%A4rlsocker

Ingredients

• 150 g butter
• 5 dl milk
• 50 g baking yeast (normal or for sweet dough)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1 1/2 dl sugar
• (Optional) 2 teaspoons of crushed or grounded cardamom seeds.
• 1.4 liters of wheat flour
• Filling: 50-75 g butter, room temperature
• Filling: 1/2 - 1 dl sugar
• Filling: 1 teaspoons crushed or ground cardamom and 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 2 teaspoons of cinnamon)
• Garnish: 1 egg, sugar or Almond Shavings

Directions

1. Melt the butter/margarine in a saucepan.
2. Pour in the milk and allow the mixture to warm reach body temperature (approx. + 37 ° C).
3. Dissolve the yeast in a dough bowl with the help of the salt.
4. Add the 37 ° C milk/butter mixture, sugar and if you choose to the optional cardamom. (I like this option!) and just over 2/3 of the flour.
5. Work the dough shiny and smooth, about 4 minutes with a machine or 8 minutes by hand.
6. Add if necessary. additional flour but save at least 1 dl for baking.
7. Let the dough rise covered (by a kitchen towel), about 30 minutes.
8. Work the dough into the bowl and then pick it up on a floured workbench. Knead the dough smoothly. Divide the dough into 2 parts. Roll out each piece into a rectangular cake.
9. Stir together the ingredients for the filling and spread it.
10. Roll up and cut each roll into 24 pieces.
11. Place them in paper molds or directly on baking paper with the cut surface facing up. Let them rise covered with a baking sheet, about 30 minutes.
12. Brush the buns with beaten egg and sprinkle your chosen topping.
13. Bake in the middle of the oven at 250 ° C, 5-8 minutes.
14. Allow to cool on a wire rack under a baking sheet.

@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353

Ascolta bene! Forget the State, the Parties, and the Ideologies of bureaucrats! Let your own business, interests, and money be your greatest political allegiance.

Do not swear loyalty to a flag that despises you. Loyalty to family is the rock upon which true honor is built. In times of uncertainty, your devotion to blood ties must be unconditional, for family is the foundation that sustains your very existence. But remember: blood makes relatives, loyalty makes a family.

Loyalty is not just a virtue but a moral obligation. Betraying the trust of family is the greatest sin—an act that not only destroys relationships but also the essence of belonging to something greater.

A truly loyal man understands that family is a reflection of his own soul. He knows that each member is an extension of himself, and protecting these bonds is an extension of protecting his own identity. Amidst the storms of adversity, stand firm, for a family, like a ship, only reaches safe harbor when all its crew members work in unison.

So, amico mio, keep this truth in your heart: loyalty to family is the fortress that withstands all storms. Without it, a man is like a leaf in the wind—directionless and purposeless.

Hold fast to your principles, honor your commitments, and never, under any circumstance, abandon those dearest to you. Only then will you find the true peace and honor that come from fulfilling your sacred duty.

Thank you for reading, my friend!

If this message resonated with you, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of appreciation.

A toast to our family!

@ 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

@ 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!

@ 09fbf8f3:fa3d60f0

由于gmail在中国被防火墙拦截了，无法打开，不想错过邮件通知。

通过自建ntfy接受gmail邮件通知。 怎么自建ntfy，后面再写。

---

2024年08月13日更新：

修改不通过添加邮件标签来标记已经发送的通知，通过Google Sheets来记录已经发送的通知。

为了不让Google Sheets文档的内容很多，导致文件变大，用脚本自动清理一个星期以前的数据。

---

准备工具

• Ntfy服务
• Google Script
• Google Sheets

操作步骤

1. 在Ntfy后台账号，设置访问令牌。
2. 添加订阅主题。
3. 进入Google Sheets创建一个表格.记住id，如下图：
4. 进入Google Script创建项目。填入以下代码（注意填入之前的ntfy地址和令牌）：

```javascript function checkEmail() { var sheetId = "你的Google Sheets id"; // 替换为你的 Google Sheets ID var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.openById(sheetId).getActiveSheet();

// 清理一星期以前的数据 cleanOldData(sheet, 7 * 24 * 60); // 保留7天（即一周）内的数据

var sentEmails = getSentEmails(sheet);

var threads = GmailApp.search('is:unread'); Logger.log("Found threads: " + threads.length);

if (threads.length === 0) return;

threads.forEach(function(thread) { var threadId = thread.getId();

if (!sentEmails.includes(threadId)) {
  thread.getMessages().forEach(sendNtfyNotification);
  recordSentEmail(sheet, threadId);
}

}); }

function sendNtfyNotification(email) { if (!email) { Logger.log("Email object is undefined or null."); return; }

var message = `发件人: ${email.getFrom() || "未知发件人"} 主题: ${email.getSubject() || "无主题"}

内容: ${email.getPlainBody() || "无内容"}`;

var url = "https://你的ntfy地址/Gmail"; var options = { method: "post", payload: message, headers: { Authorization: "Bearer Ntfy的令牌" }, muteHttpExceptions: true };

try { var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url, options); Logger.log("Response: " + response.getContentText()); } catch (e) { Logger.log("Error: " + e.message); } }

function getSentEmails(sheet) { var data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues(); return data.map(row => row[0]); // Assuming email IDs are stored in the first column }

function recordSentEmail(sheet, threadId) { sheet.appendRow([threadId, new Date()]); }

function cleanOldData(sheet, minutes) { var now = new Date(); var thresholdDate = new Date(now.getTime() - minutes * 60 * 1000); // 获取X分钟前的时间

var data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues(); var rowsToDelete = [];

data.forEach(function(row, index) { var date = new Date(row[1]); // 假设日期保存在第二列 if (date < thresholdDate) { rowsToDelete.push(index + 1); // 存储要删除的行号 } });

// 逆序删除（从最后一行开始删除，以避免行号改变） rowsToDelete.reverse().forEach(function(row) { sheet.deleteRow(row); }); }

```

4.Goole Script需要添加gmail服务，如图：

5.Google Script是有限制的不能频繁调用，可以设置五分钟调用一次。如图：

结尾

本人不会代码，以上代码都是通过chatgpt生成的。经过多次修改，刚开始会一直发送通知，后面修改后将已发送的通知放到一个“通知”的标签里。后续不会再次发送通知。

如需要发送通知后自动标记已读，可以把代码复制到chatgpt给你写。

效果预览：

@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b

请看2014年王兴的一场思维碰撞，视频27分钟开始

最后，一个当时无法解决的点：丢失

@ 660162cf:8d93a1dc

อย่าตัดสินภาพลักษณ์ผู้อื่นจากอดีต

เคยไหมที่คุณเผลอตัดสินใครสักคนเพียงเพราะ “ภาพลักษณ์เก่าๆ” ที่คุณเคยเห็นเมื่อหลายปีก่อน? ไม่ว่าจะเป็นเพื่อนสมัยเรียนที่เคยขี้เล่น พูดเก่ง ชอบยิงมุกตลกในห้องจนดูไม่น่านับถือ แต่วันหนึ่งเขากลับมาในฐานะอาจารย์มหาวิทยาลัยผู้มีความรู้เชิงลึก หรือ เพื่อนร่วมงานที่เคยทำงานผิดพลาดในโปรเจกต์แรกแต่วันนี้กลับกลายเป็นคนที่จัดการงานได้อย่างยอดเยี่ยม

ภาพลักษณ์เก่าๆ ฝังแน่นในใจเราได้อย่างไร

สมองของเรามักจะจดจำ “ความประทับใจแรก” หรือ “เหตุการณ์สะดุดตา” ไว้เป็นกรอบเพื่อใช้ตัดสินผู้อื่นในปัจจุบันและบ่อยครั้งเรายังนำสิ่งนั้นไปคาดการณ์อนาคตของเขาเพิ่มเติมด้วย ที่สำคัญเรามักจะต่อต้านข้อมูลหรือสิ่งใหม่ ๆ ที่เราไม่คุ่นเคยโดยอัตโนมัติถ้ามันขัดแย้งกับกรอบเดิมๆที่เรารู้จัก เพราะเรารู้สึกว่าอาจต้องสูญเสียความมั่นคงหรือความสบายใจในการรับรู้จากสิ่งที่เราคุ้นชินบางครั้งก็อาจสั่นคลอนการใช้ภาพลักษณ์จำเก่าๆที่เราจดจำไว้ ดังนั้นการตัดสินใจแบบโดยการนำภาพลักษณ์เก่าๆมาจึงเป็นวิธีลัดที่สมองชอบเลือกใช้ โดยเฉพาะในชีวิตประจำวันที่ต้องเร่งรีบ

เราทุกคนล้วนมีสิทธิ์ เปลี่ยนแปลง และ เติบโต ภาพลักษณ์ก็เช่นกัน

กรอบความคิดเก่า คือ สิ่งที่ทำให้เรายึดติดกับอดีต

ลองนึกถึงเพื่อนที่เคยสอบตกวิชาคณิตศาสตร์ แต่ปัจจุบันเขาอาจเป็นโปรแกรมเมอร์มืออาชีพ หรือหัวหน้าทีมพัฒนาระบบในบริษัทใหญ่ๆ หรือเพื่อนร่วมงานที่เคยถูกมองว่าตัดสินใจพลาดไปเสียทุกครั้ง ก็อาจพัฒนาตัวเองจนมีวิจารณญาณเฉียบคมที่สุดในทีม การเปลี่ยนแปลงเหล่านี้เกิดขึ้นได้เสมอกับทุกคนที่ผ่านเข้ามาในชีวิตของเรา

คนเรามีสิทธิ์พัฒนาและเติบโตในแบบที่คาดไม่ถึง

แล้วเราจะเปิดใจยอมรับการเปลี่ยนแปลงของผู้อื่นได้อย่างไร?

1) ถามตัวเองให้บ่อยขึ้น ทุกครั้งที่เผลอตัดสินใครจากภาพลักษณ์เก่าๆลองตั้งคำถามก่อนว่า “สิ่งที่เคยเห็นหรือที่เคยรับรู้ในอดีตยังเป็นจริงอย่างที่เราคิดอยู่ไหม?” และ “ปัจจุบันตอนนี้เขาเปลี่ยนไปอย่างไรบ้าง?” หรือเราอาจจะตั้งคำถามว่า “เขามีด้านดีหรือสิ่งที่เปลี่ยนไปจากภาพลักษณ์เดิมที่เรารู้จักหรือเปล่า?” เพื่อกระตุ้นให้เราเปิดใจรับรู้ข้อมูลใหม่

2) สังเกตพฤติกรรมปัจจุบัน แทนที่จะยึดติดกับเรื่องในอดีตเราลองตั้งใจฟังความคิดเห็นของเขาหรือสังเกตการกระทำในปัจจุบันเพื่อมองหาความก้าวหน้าหรือสิ่งที่เปลี่ยนไปจากที่เราเคยคิดมาก่อนในอดีต

3) ให้โอกาสและเวลา การเปิดโอกาสให้คนคนหนึ่งได้พิสูจน์ตัวเองในสถานการณ์ใหม่ๆ มักทำให้เราเห็นศักยภาพที่ไม่เคยรับรู้มาก่อน

4) อยู่กับปัจจุบันมากกว่าความทรงจำเก่าๆ อย่าปล่อยให้ภาพลักษณ์เก่าๆของเขากลายเป็นอุปสรรคต่อการทำความรู้จักตัวตนปัจจุบันอดีตอาจเป็นเพียงหนึ่งบทของชีวิตแต่ไม่ใช่ทั้งหมดที่เขาเป็น ณ ปัจุบัน

การเปิดใจมองเพื่อนคนหนึ่งในอดีตโดยดูจากภาพลักษณ์ที่เค้าเปลี่ยนไปแล้วในปัจุบันโดยไม่ตัดสิ่นที่เขาจากสิ่งที่เคยทำแย่ๆมาก่อน เป็นอีกก้าวในการเติบโตทางด่านความคิดของเรา

ยิ่งเปิดใจ เราก็ยิ่งได้เรียนรู้

การเลือกเปิดใจยอมรับตัวตนใหม่ของคนรอบข้าง นอกจากจะช่วยให้ความสัมพันธ์ดีขึ้นแล้ว เรายังได้เรียนรู้และรับแรงบันดาลใจจากเขาอีกด้วย ทุกการเปลี่ยนแปลงที่เกิดขึ้นสะท้อนว่ามนุษย์มีศักยภาพเติบโตได้ไม่สิ้นสุด ดังคำกล่าวที่ว่า “อย่าตัดสินภาพลักษณ์ผู้อื่นจากอดีต” — เพราะเพื่อนร่วมงานที่เคยมีปัญหาในอดีต อาจกลายเป็นผู้เชี่ยวชาญในสาขาที่เราไม่เคยคาดคิด หรือเพื่อนสมัยมัธยมคนนั้นอาจเติบโตมาเป็นครูอาจารย์ผู้ถ่ายทอดความรู้ให้คนรุ่นใหม่และนี่ก็คือ พลังอันยิ่งใหญ่ของการยอมรับในพัฒนาการของผู้อื่น

Siamstr

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

Ich war neugierig. Florentine Anders hat mit mir studiert. Wobei: Ganz so nah, wie das jetzt klingt, waren wir nicht. 120 Studenten, sieben Seminargruppen: Als es im Herbst 1988 für uns losging an der Sektion Journalistik in Leipzig, hing es auch vom Zufall ab, mit wem man mehr zu tun hatte und mit wem weniger. Manche Gruppen hatten sich im Volontariat gebildet und andere bei der Auswahlwoche in Bad Saarow am Scharmützelsee. Lange hielt das alles ohnehin nicht. Nach einem Jahr kamen die Dinge ins Rutschen und sprengten oft das, was bis dahin gewachsen war.

Ich weiß nicht einmal, ob Florentine bis zum Diplom durchgehalten hat. Gar nicht wenige von uns haben die Ungewissheit nicht ausgehalten und sind sofort irgendwo in Lohn und Brot, manchmal auch jenseits des Journalismus. Wer eine Nase hatte für den Wind, der sich für den Propaganda-Nachwuchs schnell drehte von der Euphorie des Anfangs in Richtung Pranger, der konnte schon auf die Idee kommen, lieber Autos zu verkaufen oder Versicherungen. Außerdem lockte der Westen, auch mit Journalistenschulen. Andreas Rook, heute ein MDR-Gesicht, der damals mit seiner Freundin nach Moskau ging, war die Ausnahme. Die Regel: München, Wales, Paris. Ich hatte gehört, dass Florentine Anders nach Frankreich gegangen war, aber dann reißt der Faden ab. Dass sie im Zeit-Kosmos gelandet ist, war nicht bis zu mir durchgedrungen.

Dieses Buch dann schon. Wenn etwas über die DDR erscheint, bekomme ich das mit. Ich kaufe längst nicht mehr alles. Wenn immer wieder das gleiche serviert wird, freut man sich selbst über einen Film wie Kundschafter des Friedens 2. Florentine Anders und ihr Opa Hermann Henselmann: Das klang gut. Das klang nach Brigitte Reimann und „Franziska Linkerhand“. Nach Defa. „Unser kurzes Leben“ von Lothar Warneke und „Insel der Schwäne“ von Herrmann Zschoche, zwei Filme, die Anfang der 1980er ins Kino kamen und die Tristesse des Wohnungsbaus genauso festgehalten haben wie einen Alltag, der heute so weit weg ist wie die Marskolonie von Elon Musk.

Ich will nicht sagen, dass ich enttäuscht worden bin. Die Mitstudentin von einst hat das gut gemacht. Sie hat sich hineingegraben in die Papiere und viele der Orte besucht, die wichtig gewesen sind für die Henselmanns und ihre acht Kinder. Schreiben kann sie ohnehin. Das haben wir in Leipzig gelernt oder schon vorher in der Redaktion. Entstanden ist so eine Familienbiografie, in der sich die Autorin zurücknimmt. Drei, vier Einsprengsel zur Recherche. Mit der Mutter im Stasiarchiv, wo es nicht nur eine Opferakte gibt, sondern auch eine Täterakte – zur Überraschung der Tochter. Ein paar Sätze zu den regelmäßigen Besuchen beim berühmten Opa, der ihr alle 14 Tage ein Buch mitgibt, über das dann diskutiert werden soll. Sonst ist da vor allem Distanz. Abstand halten. Keine Emotionen zeigen. Sagen, wie es gewesen sein könnte. Journalismus und Geschichtsschreibung – aber kein Roman.

Um noch einen Moment loben zu können: Florentine Anders geht chronologisch vor, von 1931 bis 1995, fast wie in einem Fotoalbum. Da die DDR klein war und die Henselmanns zu ihrem Adel gehörten, gibt es literarische Bilder von vielen Prominenten. Mit Lotte Ulbricht auf der Völkerfreundschaft, Manfred Krug als Fast-Nachbar, ein Unterschlupf bei Alex Wedding, die eigentlich Grete Weiskopf hieß und Pflichtlektüre für jedes Kind war. Es passiert sogar jede Menge Ungeheuerliches, auch jenseits der Seitensprünge des Opas und von Robert Havemann, der mit Omas Schwester verheiratet war. Architektur, Opposition, Ost-West-Spionage, Berlin im Wandel der Zeit: Das ist auch deshalb spannend, weil Florentine Anders darauf verzichtet, dem Diktaturgedächtnis Futter zu geben, und einfach die Tatsachen sprechen lässt, ohne die zu verurteilen, die an das Projekt DDR geglaubt oder von ihm profitiert haben und beides längst nicht immer auseinanderhalten konnten.

Vielleicht hätte der Verlag auf das Wort „Roman“ verzichten sollen. Ein Roman braucht einen Konflikt – einen Dreh- und Angelpunkt, der nicht nur solche Figuren aus den Tiefen der Vergangenheit trägt, sondern im Idealfall universell ist und so auch die Gegenwart erreicht. Der Mann zum Beispiel, der älter wird und prominent und daraus etwas macht bei jüngeren Frauen, ohne seine erste Liebe aufgeben zu wollen. Die Frau, die all das sieht und es trotzdem nicht zum Bruch kommen lässt – oder doch, wie Florentines Mutter offenbar dann gleich zweimal. Oder die Ideologie, die sich hineinfrisst in die Profession und etwas verlangt, wenn man sich im Licht der Macht sonnen möchte. Ich denke dabei natürlich an Eugen Ruge, dem ein runder Geburtstag gereicht hat, um nicht nur eine kommunistische Familie auseinanderbrechen zu lassen, sondern zugleich die Geschichte vom Aufstieg und Ende einer Utopie zu erzählen. Vielleicht ist dieser Vergleich aber auch vermessen. „In Zeiten des abnehmenden Lichts“: Das war einmal. Jetzt lesen wir eben „Die Allee“.

Freie Akademie für Medien & Journalismus

Unterstützen

Titelbild: Markus Spiske @Pixabay

@ 826e9f89:ffc5c759

_Prologue: this is a prose adaptation of a talk I gave to a private audience in Dubai and then tweaked slightly for a small conference in Sofia. I'm increasingly thinking it deserves a more general audience, and may be better suited to text anyway. This is probably not its final form, as the desired audience is tradfi capital allocators, hence a PDF is likely on the cards in the near future. For the time being, consider this a first draft, practising what it might look like as prose, and soliciting feedback from the good people of Nostr. Enjoy! _

The title of this essay means absolutely nothing. There is no such thing as “Web π” because there is no such thing as “Web 3”. It’s bullshit. It’s a scam.

Unfortunately, it has turned out to be extremely powerful bullshit and an extremely profitable scam, and so my goal in writing this essay is to give the reader the tools to navigate all of this and come out the other side without having been scammed or bullshat. In the spirit of not scamming and not bullshitting, I should be clear upfront about the intended readership of this essay, who I am to write it, and who it’s really about.

Who Are You?

I assume the reader is not a shadowy super-coder, but rather is a financial professional. This essay isn’t really for Bitcoiners, although if any read it, I hope they still find it interesting. Who I am really writing for are people coming to the space for the first time. Hopefully in your mind you are coming to the _Bitcoin _space, but if you think you are coming to the “crypto” space then this may be even more useful.

Who Am I?

I am the founder of a company that makes me not only highly biased but also flagrantly self-interested in the content I am promoting. I run a firm that invests in the Bitcoin ecosystem through a variety of different vehicles. I am not going to mislead you in the slightest in that my primary motivation is for you to allocate capital to us rather than to people I would call scammers and bullshitters. You should listen to them too and make up your own mind, or else what’s the point, really? How do you know I’m not scamming or bullshitting you? Exactly. Don’t trust. Verify.

In any case, that’s all assuming you want to “allocate capital” at all rather than just buy Bitcoin without a management fee. I’d like to think the primary difference is that I will be honest about that, and I’ll encourage you to understand as much as you can about what is going on and what you are doing (and if you are at all unsure, I would suggest you aren’t ready and you should just buy Bitcoin and learn) rather than bamboozle you with complete nonsense like “Web 3”.

Who Is This About?

It’s not at all about people working in crypto. Bitcoiners amongst the readership may be mildly irritated by me going on to give about as charitable an explanation of the role of these people as they have probably ever heard from somebody like me. This is really about financiers. It’s about the people who have used the mostly unrewarded efforts of developers, academics, entrepreneurs, and so on to siphon money from you to themselves, leaving a trail of useless tech and defrauded retail investors in their wake – and who will continue to do so if you continue to empower them.

Why This Essay?

We are at an interesting point in the development of the entirety of the “crypto” industry and I strongly suggest that people like you are going to be pitched all kinds of scams and bullshit in the coming months and years. If you have a little more background on what these people are really talking about, you will hopefully be able to avoid it.

My plan to help with that is presenting a short version and a long version of what blockchains are and are for, how they have historically been deployed in service of scams and bullshit, a high-level theory explaining the narrative evolution behind this sorry history, and a prediction for the near-term future of such shenanigans.

What is a Blockchain For?

A Blockchain is for sound, censorship-resistant, peer-to-peer digital money. It is not for anything else. If a blockchain is functional as money, it may be possible to also _use it _for other things. Some people find that interesting, some people find it infuriating, but don’t let that subtlety confuse you. It is not _for _arbitrary computation and storage or “decentralizing the internet” or running illegal securities rackets.

It is for money, plain and simple.

How does it achieve that? Proof of work and the difficulty adjustment. These are the innovations from which every other desirable property or feature flows. Proof of work enables censorship resistance. If somebody is trying to sell you on “proof of stake”: bullshit. The difficulty adjustment enables precise, predetermined, and _fair _issuance. If somebody is trying to sell you on a token they issue for free and without restriction: scam.

The problem Bitcoin solves is both economic and technical and the solution has material technical and economic merit. And it’s for this very specific and irreplicable reason the Bitcoin token has value. If this all sounds extreme to you, then I would suggest that your understanding of the topic is _extremely _misguided, that you are going to be _extremely bullshat and extremely scammed, _and you need to read this essay. That’s the short version.

The Long Version

I am sensitive to how extreme this all sounds. After all, hundreds of billions of dollars have been pumped into crypto, not Bitcoin – a huge amount of it is widely used, and many capable, honest, and brilliant people work in the industry. The reader will recall just above I said those people are not the target of my criticism. I’m not claiming they are all scammers and bullshitters. Sadly, I think it’s more likely they have been scammed and bullshat to some degree also.

I think I have some credibility in pointing this out because, as a VC in the Bitcoin space, I have increasingly seen founders telling me this themselves: that they originally bought into the hype in crypto and ended up wasting an enormous amount of time realizing their idea made no technical or economic sense in that context, so then they came to Bitcoin instead. You hear this one time and it’s an anecdote, but you hear it as many times as I have and it feels more like a representative sample.

What I want to cover next is as charitable a summary of the state of ex-Bitcoin crypto as I possibly can: my contention is that crypto has evolved into 4 rough categories: stablecoins, cryptography R&D, gambling, and scams. And these aren’t exclusive, to be clear; there is a lot of overlap, and, in fact, the overlap is arguably the key.

Scams

Scams are tokens, plain and simple. If somebody is trying to profit from the speculative price action of a token they have issued, they are scamming somebody. Maybe they are scamming you, maybe they are scamming retail investors, maybe they are scamming customers or suppliers – if such parties even exist in their cargo cult “business model”. There’s a scam in there somewhere.

However, it is rarely _just _a scam. There will almost always be components of stablecoins, R&D or gambling too. Hence these are worth really grappling with, taking seriously, giving credit to the extent it is due, but also analyzing critically.

My rough and high-level assessment of this breakdown of crypto is as follows, and I’ll explain what I mean by this below: stablecoins have economic merit but dubious technical merit; R&D has technical merit but no economic merit; and gambling sort of has merit but it depends how you interpret it. Obviously, scams have neither.

Stablecoins

By “sort of technical merit” I mean that stablecoins have central issuers. You can issue them as tokens on a blockchain but there’s not really much of a point. The issuer could just run a database connected to the internet with some straightforward signature schemes for transfers and it would make minimal operational difference. In fact, it would be cheaper and faster. _In fact, _you may as well run a Chaumian eCash mint (a decades-old innovation recently resurrected firmly within the _Bitcoin _space) such that your cheaper-and-faster-than-a-blockchain database also grants users transience and privacy rather than the public permanence of a blockchain.

The fact Tron is the most heavily used for stablecoins, in terms of settling the most value, is a testament to this point: it is barely even pretending not to be a database. This works as regulatory arbitrage given regulators think this is “innovation” because they are stupid.

That said, it is worth giving some credit here given the abject awfulness of fiat banking and payment rails with which stablecoins arguably most directly compete. Stablecoins are significantly more permissionless in their transfer than any fiat bank liability. And to attest to what seems like their most significant use case, they are permissionless in their _usership _in that only an internet connection and the right software is required rather than various discriminatory jurisdictional and compliance criteria.

However, what “sort of technical merit” ultimately boils down to, especially in comparison to Bitcoin, is: highly censorable in their exogenous links and, therefore, their value. The assets supposedly backing stablecoins are (by definition) still within the fiat system, even if this novel transfer mechanism of the rights to withdraw them is not. There is frankly a bit of theatre involved in the so-called “decentralization” of stablecoins given shutting down the central issuer is all that is required to make the permissionlessly tradeable decentralized tokens go to zero and be technically unimpeded but functionally useless. The technical innovation of Bitcoin, in contrast, is easily understood in one sense as it being totally indifferent to this kind of attack.

On the other hand, by “economic merit” I mean that they are extremely widely used and valued as a means of providing dollar shadow banking and often superior payment rails. Those in crypto often love pointing to this and many Bitcoiners tie themselves in knots trying to explain it away, whereas I see it as essentially unrelated to Bitcoin. Clearly there is a superficial connection, but you could create any superficial connection by “tokenizing” things for no particularly good technical _reason. I think it’s a different industry entirely. It’s more like a subindustry within _fintech – part banking, part payments – that for the time being relies on bamboozling regulators with all the nonsense I’m drawing attention to.

And good for them, frankly. If fiat banking isn’t going to be backed by real money anyway, then it _at least _ought to be permissionless. It should really be Chaumian eCash if it isn’t just Bitcoin, and it is regulation alone that makes it so awful in the first place. Making money usable and not a tool of dystopian control is, at this point, a political problem, not a technical one. Stablecoins are frankly a step in the right direction, especially insofar as they acclimatize users to digital assets. But I would still caution that they arguably don’t have sufficient technical merit to withstand what feels like an inevitable political attack …

Cryptography R&D

“Technical merit” for R&D is more or less self-explanatory, but the context is worth appreciating. It’s only really in crypto and mostly in Ethereum more specifically that people can permissionlessly experiment with arbitrarily complex cryptographic schemes that operate on real, enormous value. There are a lot of people who understandably find this attractive given their projects are essentially academic and trying out their ideas in the wild is more interesting, arguably more worthwhile, and certainly more fun than putting research essays on ArXiv or submitting them to a journal.

But … the value being manipulated is at best stablecoins and at worst baseless hype. If it isn’t a stablecoin then it probably exists in the first place because of either gambling or scams – and even there the line is very blurry.

Gambling

Gambling is an interesting lens to adopt on all this because it’s literally a trillion-dollar industry. And it’s real. It’s consensual; it’s not criminal; it’s legitimate economic activity that generates enormous profits for those who facilitate it well.

So, gambling has economic merit in that sense. But it’s tricky in this context how to characterize it because you could also argue it’s deeply dishonest gambling in that the gamblers don’t realize they are playing a negative sum game against the house. They think they are doing something akin to speculating on securities, which may be just as stupid depending on how it’s done, but at least has real economic utility and contributes to capital formation.

The difference here is that what is being speculated on _has no economic merit. _So, if that’s your gauge of merit, then here there is none. And it’s a very blurry line between this and an outright scam. Maybe the people involved _think _of what they are doing as amazing R&D, and maybe it’s inadvertently just a scam; maybe they know it’s all nonsense, but they think they can profit within the negative sum game because there are greater fools. In any case, I think gambling is a very helpful characterization of a lot of the behavior of the users and the real economic function of the industry.

There’s an interesting social component to all this because crypto people will often get mad at Bitcoiners because Bitcoiners tend not to care about either stablecoins or crypto R&D: they’ll say, why don’t you like stablecoins, they have clear economic merit? And the answer is they have dubious technical merit. Or, why don’t you like our next-gen Zero Knowledge scaling protocol, it has clear technical merit? And the answer is it has no economic merit.

If you’re happy with one but not the other, it’s easy to think of Bitcoiners as being closed-minded or dogmatic or whatever, but, ultimately, I think it’s just about discipline. What’s the point in being excited by something that half works, and that you know why will never fully work? So to be frank, a lot of this may be well-intentioned, but it’s kinda’ bullshit. It very probably ultimately rests on gambling and not at all whatever its stated purpose is … or it’s just a scam.

How Did We Get Here?

The following is by no means exhaustive and the framing is deliberately a little tongue-in-cheek. As well as being accurate enough (if unavoidably biased), my goal here is primarily to set up my prediction for what is coming next.

2015               reality: Ethereum launches             narrative: “the world computer”

In 2015, Ethereum launched. The narrative here was that we are building “the world computer” and we can now have decentralized uncensorable computation. Never mind that anybody with a laptop has an uncensorable and decentralized computing device. And keep in mind this question of, “_what data might it ever be relevant to compute over in this manner (whatever that means in the first place)?” _The answer will become clearer and clearer …

2016-17          reality: ICO bubble                           narrative: “Web 3” / “DApps”

Regardless, at the end of 2015 we get the proposal and adoption of ERC20: a standard for issuing fungible tokens within Ethereum contracts, which is why in 2016 _but especially in 2017 _we get the ICO bubble. The narrative changes. Now we are concerned with “Web 2” companies being huge, powerful, and centralized. What if, instead, users could cooperatively own the application, control their own data, and participate in the economic upside that their usage is creating?

2018-19          reality: crypto winter                       narrative: “mistakes were made”

In 2018 this all falls apart, so don’t worry about it, moving on …

2020-21          reality: defi summer                        narrative: “decentralized finance”

By 2020 the narrative was different once again. It is more or less realized by this point that utility tokens make no technical or economic sense. You can’t introduce artificial scarcity in capital goods where there should be abundance and deflation and expect anybody to care, never mind to value your concoction. On the other hand, “securities” ought to be scarce and in some sense ought to function as tradeable ledger entries. Maybe they could be tokenized and computed on in a censorship-resistant and decentralized manner?

So, we get a boom in “defi” which, for what it’s worth, fellow Axiom co-founder Anders Larson and I predicted in our essay Only The Strong Survive, in September 2021, would be a complete disaster because, amongst a myriad of other illiterate insanities, there was approximately zero grounding of these securities in productive capital. The ecosystem was entirely self-referential – grounded _not even _in the questionable economic merit of stablecoins but firmly in gambling and scams; in leverage, rehypothecation, and securitization of precisely nothing whatsoever productive.

2022               reality: shitcoinpocalypse                narrative: “mistakes were made”

And we were absolutely right because in 2022 everything collapsed. First Terra/Luna imploded – a “defi” project which essentially presented to the world the argument that a fractional reserve bank issuing fiduciary media can literally never go bankrupt because it can always cover a deposit shortfall by issuing more equity. While briefly flirting with a capitalization of around fifty f***ing billion dollars, and endorsed and fawned over by all manner of illiterate charlatans with gigantic and unsuspecting audiences, this argument was eventually rejected by the market as utterly imbecilic, as analyzed by myself and Nic Carter in All Falls Down.

This triggered a credit contagion that soon after took down 3 Arrows Capital, Celsius, Voyager, BlockFi, and others. FTX limped along by what we now understand to be something like defrauding their way out of debt, but eventually also collapsed later that year. If _Only The Strong Survive _was a pre-mortem of all of this, then the reader may want to read Green Eggs And Ham, also by myself and Anders Larson, as a kind of post-mortem.

2023-today    reality: Bitcoin multisigs                  narrative: “Bitcoin renaissance”

And now a lot of this stuff is moving to Bitcoin. It is outside the scope of this essay to explain this in much detail but there have been a handful of developments in Bitcoin recently which, regardless of their intended purpose, seem to have as a collective side effect that a lot of these same shenanigans can now be implemented (or can _pretend _to be implemented) in a more Bitcoin-native context.

So, the new narrative is something like:

“these things didn’t work, not because they are terrible ideas that collapse to moon math wrappers around gambling and scams under any remotely critical analysis, but rather because they weren’t on Bitcoin. But also, since it has only recently become possible to (at least pretend to) implement them on Bitcoin, they are now worthwhile. We have wandered in the wilderness but learned our lessons and found the promised land.”

Technical and Economic Merit

Let’s consider all this through the lens of technical and economic merit once again. Or rather, the alleged merit given the stated goal. Ignore for now whether there is any merit:

2015               technical goal: new computing paradigm               economic goal: x% of GDP?

The original idea of “crypto” allegedly has the merit of the next revolution in computing. Goodness knows how big that market is; probably a decent chunk of global GDP – if it meant anything, which it doesn’t.

2016-17          technical goal: disrupting company formation       economic goal: y% of S&P?

ICOs then become a little bit more specific. Now they are merely disrupting how we organize companies. What’s that worth? Some portion of the value of the companies that can now be decentralized and tokenized I guess? Who knows …

2018-19          nothing to see here

Nothing happened then, don’t worry about it.

2020-21          technical goal: decentralize finance            economic goal: z% of NYSE, CME, ISDA?

Defi becomes more specific again. Now we are merely tokenizing financial contracts, expanding access, removing middlemen, and so on. So that should probably be worth some percentage of capital markets activity?

2022               nothing to see here

Oops, never mind …

2023-today    technical goal: now it’s on Bitcoin!             economic goal: i% of … Bitcoin?

… and now it’s on Bitcoin apparently.

In Hindsight ...

I think the most amusing analysis of all this is as follows: it starts off completely insane, it gets more and more restrained each time – you could cheekily argue it starts to make more and more sense – but it also gets closer to Bitcoin every time. It’s clearly narrowing in on just: Bitcoin.

This is people realizing, painfully, over decades, what blockchains are for! They are not for “decentralizing everything” They are for censorship-resistant, sound, peer-to-peer digital money.

And I think this is _also _why we get the current state of crypto from earlier in the essay. As it starts to make more and more sense (by getting closer and closer to Bitcoin) you have realizations like the following: digital gift vouchers for artificially scarce and extremely expensive computation aren’t money, so we need “real money” in here for it to have economic merit, so you get stablecoins. Also, well we have a rich programming environment that seems technically interesting but also the severe technical handicap of being unable to do even a billionth of a billionth of a billionth of all the computations in the world, so you get crypto R&D. These emerge as a kind of patch, and they have _some _merit in isolation, whereas the long-term trajectory is actually just to converge on Bitcoin.

It’s an open and fascinating question if there are any learnings from these that can still be transplanted to Bitcoin. For stablecoins, this strikes me as less clear, given the dubious technical merit is introduced by using a blockchain at all, not just a blockchain other than Bitcoin. However, efforts to create Bitcoin balances (tokenized or otherwise) that are stable relative to some external price are to be applauded, if still heavily scrutinized for what technical merit they _really _have.

It seems far more likely that crypto R&D will prove useful in a Bitcoin context to some or other degree, and in this case the economic merit is in fact solved by moving to Bitcoin, provided the necessary technical merit can be mimicked. At the time of writing, this is a source of both hope and dread: hope given the possibility of viable avenues of development (although still highly uncertain); dread given how early steps in this direction are already being misrepresented in the pursuit of bullshit and scams. I will return to both shortly.

Narrative Evolution

Back to the table just above, I want to make three quick observations that tie together my entire argument and get us to the end of the essay:

Firstly, the bubbles always follow the price of Bitcoin. Hopefully I don’t need to include a price chart for the reader to grasp this immediately.

Secondly, it’s important that the narrative always changes. Absolutely ungodly amounts of money were raised for this crap following the_ Bitcoin bull runs of 2017 and 2021. The people doing this couldn’t point to the previous absolute disaster, so they had to spin something along the lines of: “_we learned our lessons and we’ve refined the use case.” This should sound familiar from just above.

Thirdly, however, regardless of whatever refinement they’ve come up with, the consequence of the new “narrative” is always, “buy my token”.

Always.

It doesn’t matter what buzzword salad is in the middle. It’s always “Bitcoin is cool, xyz, fughayzi fughahzi, buy my token.”

This is why I am very much tempted to not care so much about developers, academics, entrepreneurs, and so on, and in fact for my null hypothesis to be that they are more likely to have been victims than perpetrators. I don’t think they even end up in a position to contribute without the key group whom I do blame. When you put all these pieces together, what I think falls out of this analysis is as follows:

The entire cycle of shitcoinery can be traced to unscrupulous financiers convincing capital allocators who don’t know any better, in a bull market that, yes, Bitcoin is cool, but what they are doing is related, cooler, and that they deserve a fee.

Let us label this the Capital Cycle Theory of Shitcoinery. I think that everything else about which one might want to complain is downstream of this core realization.

Avoiding It

Given everything I’ve covered this is simple and this is pretty much the end of the essay.

You need to be aware of why this is happening now. If it hasn’t happened to you already (intended readership in the capital allocation business, that is) I guarantee it’s about to: with ETFs and the halving just past, we seem to be starting a Bitcoin bull run, these people have already raised ridiculous amounts of money on scams and bullshit that have mostly imploded. They may have lost a lot of money, or they may even have dumped on retail and got an excellent “return”. But in any case, they need a new narrative.

It's _possible _they have a viable narrative around stablecoins, R&D, both, and that they are as wary of scams as I have suggested here that they should be. I don’t want to insult anybody who merely has a different investment thesis to me if they are otherwise reasonable in their outlook and honest in their dealings.

However, if they are only now realizing how pointless and disingenuous every preceding crypto narrative has been after 7 years and hundreds of billions of dollars – or if they still don’t realize it at all; if their track record shows they were deeply involved, handsomely rewarded, and yet created nothing of lasting value; if they say things like “the builders are coming back to Bitcoin”: be very, very suspicious. Be on the lookout for tokens, which is to say, be on the lookout for scams.

What is especially frustrating is that the technical spin of the "layer twos" that are all the rage at the time of writing, that "the builders are coming back to Bitcoin" to build, and that you, the capital-allocating reader, will almost certainly be pitched, is in and of itself pretty reasonable. They just don't require tokens and they don't require gambling to support the token prices. What they do require is _sound adherence to Bitcoin's technical and economic merit. _At the very least, they require honest communication about the design trade-offs so far and planned for, and what, if any, economic and technical merit is left over after these trade-offs have been made.

Narrative aside, the _reality _of 99% of these projects is that they are private execution environments tied to multisigs custodying user deposits. Which is to say, on the one hand, that they are cargo culting "crypto R&D" from Ethereum that isn't technically possible in Bitcoin in order to feign technical merit, and on the other, that _they aren't layer twos at all. _Once again, they may as well be Chaumian eCash mints, except for the fact that this would make the intended token scam all but impossible to pull off.

Casey Rodarmor, creator of the Ordinals protocol, recently joked on the Hell Money _podcast he co-hosts, responding to the idea that "_everybody is building an L2 now":

"It's the same sad sack playbook as on Ethereum being recapitulated on Bitcoin. That's how you get a VC check on Ethereum. They are all glorified multisigs, so they are like, "hey let's port our glorified multisig to Bitcoin and get a VC check." I was talking to a friend of mine who is working on an interesting project, an open-source analyzer that does transaction clustering, and I was like, "maybe you could do this in this way and raise some VC money," and he said, "yeah, okay, but what's the point in raising VC money?" And I said, "no, no, no, this is the end! This is the goal! You raise VC money and then you cut yourself checks from that VC money until it runs out and then you raise more at a 10x valuation. This is the new economy, guys!"

The 1% that are legitimately trying to bring the learnings from crypto R&D to Bitcoin in a technically and economically sound manner will hopefully win in the long run (and even this is somewhat speculative at the time of writing) but will likely get little to no attention amidst this bull market flurry of scams and bullshit.

Axiom will do its best to source and invest in these companies (we already have!) but we are resigned to it being a much more difficult sell to capital allocators in light of the Capital Cycle Theory of Shitcoinery. To be brutally honest, this entire essay can fairly be considered cope on my part in light of having lost this battle in the past and facing up to the very real prospect of losing it in the near future too. Oh well, at least I tried.

Wrapping Up

The essence of the Capital Cycle Theory of Shitcoinery is that the problems I’ve described ultimately come from bamboozling people just like you with technical sounding nonsense like “Web 3” so you think it’s all a lot more complicated than it really is. Just buy Bitcoin. That’s certainly the first thing you should do anyway, and it might be the only thing you ever need to do.

If you really, really want to take the extra risk of investing in the Bitcoin ecosystem, the team at Axiom would be happy to speak with you. But we are never going to talk you out of buying Bitcoin. There is no world in which Bitcoin does poorly and we do well, or in which we promise something “better than Bitcoin,” and there’s no point in engaging with us at all if you don’t already believe most of this.

If that’s of interest to you, we’d love to talk. If not, just buy Bitcoin. In any case: fair warning, we are heading into a Bitcoin bull market and the scams and the bullshit are coming. Good luck avoiding them.

Allen Farrington, June 2024

@ 42342239:1d80db24

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), we face a future where we may soon have access to almost everything we desire – at least in the digital realm. But unfortunately, what we wish for doesn’t always align with what we truly need, or what would benefit us.

The Dutch ethologist Niko Tinbergen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1973 for his studies of animal behaviour patterns. While earlier scientists had primarily focused on learning as the main explanation for animal behaviour, Tinbergen instead emphasised instincts.

Tinbergen studied, among other things, what makes newly hatched bird chicks beg for food from their parents. This was investigated by presenting parentless chicks with various painted beak models to see which ones they would seek food from. Several objects proved more popular than real gull beaks.

Artificial eggs were also created and placed in bird nests. Black-headed gulls that received wooden eggs before laying their own were found to actually refrain from laying real eggs. Fake eggs were painted in different colours and patterns, and made in various sizes. The gulls always preferred trying to incubate eggs of absurd sizes – for example eggs with eight times the volume of real ones. The poor gulls made desperate attempts to sit on these giant eggs – but often slid off.

The explanation for the gulls’ self-destructive behaviour was that they had a hardwired ability (instinct) to respond to specific stimuli (appearance of beaks and eggs with particular colours/sizes). Researchers exaggerated these stimuli, creating stronger but ultimately misguided reactions. The concept of "superstimuli" was hatched. Nothing in the gulls’ evolution had prepared them for these experiments, explaining their self-destructive behaviors.

Psychologist Deirdre Barrett has translated this concept to a human context. She argues that superstimuli govern human behaviours much like they do other animals’, citing junk food consumption, addictive social media use, and pornography consumption as examples. Nothing in Homo sapiens’ evolution prepared us for modern society’s stimuli, which might explain our frequently self-destructive behaviours.

When the Liberal Party (Swedish political party Liberalerna) proposes mandatory porn filters on all mobile phones "to protect children and youth," it might appear they’re on the right track. However, these issues deserve more profound discussions.

How do we create technical solutions that meet our fundamental needs for health, education, and human connection – rather than just supplying mindless scrolling entertainment? How can we ensure those collecting our data don’t exploit it for their own interests, selling us things we don’t need? Is the current model of centralisation, corporate giants, and profit maximisation really compatible with our best interests?

In summary: How can we ensure future technology serves our real needs, rather than mislead us - much like Niko Tinbergen deceived the poor gulls?

@ 43baaf0c:d193e34c

As an artist, your main desire is to create. I believe we are all born creators, but some of us have a deeper passion for it than others. Those who dedicate themselves to their art and receive recognition for it are often called artists. But let’s set aside the debate about what defines an artist and focus on what truly matters our craft.

This is what we love to do. We dream about it, wake up for it, and live for it. It’s more than just work—it’s a passion that comes from within. You could even go as far as to call it your purpose in life.

Often, you’d still create even without money because your art is beyond numbers. But we live in a world where kisses won’t pay for groceries—at least, I can’t pay that way! So, money matters, not as the goal, but as a tool to keep doing what you love: creating.

Artists have often been seen as struggling creatives, barely making ends meet. When I started art school, I saw so many parents telling their kids to choose a “real” career doctor, lawyer, something secure. A “real job,” right? 😅

Luckily, my parents never told me that. My mom always said, follow your heart. (Thanks, Mom and Dad! 🙏)

After art school, I spent four years studying graphic and media design, followed by another four years in animation and film. But when it came time to find work as a 2D animator, I struggled. To be honest, I wasn’t good enough—or at least, that’s how it felt. Plus, the industry had already shifted heavily toward 3D animation.

But I wasn’t discouraged. I loved everything related to art and design. And growing up in a small city like Sneek, Friesland (The Netherlands), I had always dreamed of seeing more of the world.

Travel & Filming I’ve always been fascinated by people, their stories, and how different cultures live. That curiosity led me to documentary filmmaking, and along the way, I started building my own stock footage database (you can find it all on https://www.shutterstock.com/g/traveltelly.

Making a living as an independent documentary filmmaker isn’t easy, so I often filmed for volunteer organizations. This gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures while also shooting stock footage. I did this for about 10 years, traveling across the globe—and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit 88 countries so far.

Technology, Change, and Art Stories In 2018, I read The Bitcoin Standard because I couldn’t understand why, despite investing in an expensive camera, I struggled to earn it back as stock footage royalties kept dropping. That book opened my eyes to the first part of the equation: money itself.

It took me a few years to truly grasp Bitcoin’s significance, and through trial and error, I realized it’s the only cryptocurrency I believe in. I had my fair share of shitcoin lessons—where I made some money but also lost it. Those experiences taught me a lot about value, scarcity, and what truly lasts.

Bitcoin Is Different Once you truly understand what Bitcoin stands for, you realize it’s a path to real financial freedom. Like any journey, there will be ups and downs, and plenty of people will tell you you’re wrong—especially when Bitcoin’s price drops in dollar (fiat) terms. But when in doubt, zoom out.

One thing I’ve learned is that your own path is never truly wrong for you. When others say it is, it’s usually because they’re comparing it to their own. But we’re all walking our own unique journey. The moment you start comparing, you begin to doubt. True happiness comes from embracing your path—not someone else’s.

Art Is My Life, Bitcoin Is the Tool For me, art is life. Bitcoin is simply the tool that allows me to live a good artist’s life. Saving in Bitcoin and spend when I need it gives me peace of mind. And even with a bit more financial freedom, that doesn’t mean I’d ever stop creating. I always want to push myself, improve my craft, and hopefully inspire others through my art and stories.

I truly believe that all good energy comes from human connection and relationships. The most important thing is having a good day with the people around you. These days, we share those moments on social media—but that’s just a reflection of a single moment, whether happy or sad. If you don’t truly live that moment, it’s just wasted energy.

I’ve also learned to truly appreciate other artists and their craft—to find inspiration in their work. This mindset comes more naturally when you have peace of mind, something a Bitcoin savings can provide.

When you’re not under constant financial pressure, art doesn’t have to feel like a business where you must sell your work immediately at an exhibition or event just to make ends meet. Instead, you can focus on creating for the sake of art itself, allowing your work to evolve naturally.

Freedom to Share Your Art on Nostr Luckily, we now have platforms like Nostr where we can share and earn from our art while building a community, without anyone controlling what we do. Bitcoin stands for financial freedom, and Nostr stands for art-sharing freedom. With Bitcoin, you can walk your own path, and with Nostr, you can share your journey freely.

When you’re free to walk your own path, you naturally attract like-minded people because you don’t feel the need to constantly compare yourself to others. The more you embrace being yourself, the more you’ll connect with people who resonate with you.

I’m not suggesting you stay in your own bubble, but rather acknowledging that everyone is in their own bubble in some way. Just like not everyone feels at home in the same country, not everyone feels at home in the same space or community. It’s all about finding where you belong and who aligns with your energy.

Networking/Events I’ve always hated networking events in my creative job. I understand their value, but they were never really my thing. So, I was hesitant at first to attend a Nostr event. But it was in Tokyo (Nostrasia), and I love Japan, so that gave me a good reason to go. Fortunately, I was right—it felt like the right fit for me.

I love to create, and I tend to talk less, so I’m very selective about the events I attend. Nostr events felt different. It’s like we’re all builders and creators who have already broken free from the fiat mindset. By that, I mean the mindset where you go to an event, pay a high price (like at some mayor Bitcoin events, which I can’t stand), and expect to get something in return. The fiat job mentality where you exchange time for direct money, or as we say in Dutch, uurtje factuurtje (hour work, invoice) just doesn’t fit with me. The more you walk your own path, the more you realize what works for you and what doesn’t.

My only advice? Save in Bitcoin, create, and walk your own path. And yes, don’t forget to smile and enjoy the ride. The journey is the destination!

@ fd78c37f:a0ec0833

In this edition, we invited Bam from Bitcoin Barqnet to share his journey with Bitcoin and its impact in the Middle East. He also discussed the growth of the Barqnet community and introduced his modular wallet, Cypherbox.

YakiHonne: Bam, thank you for joining today's conversation. Before we begin, let me briefly introduce YakiHonne. YakiHonne is a decentralized media client built on Nostr—a protocol designed to empower freedom of speech through technology. It enables creators to own their voices and assets while offering innovative tools like smart widgets, verified notes, and support for long-form content. With YakiHonne, individuals can express themselves freely, without the fear of censorship, bans, or restrictions. So before starting the interview, I’d like to learn a little more about you and your community, Bam. Can you tell us more about yourself and what you do?

Bam：My name is Basim, and my nickname is Bam. I became somewhat well-known in the Middle East for releasing some Bitcoin courses. I'm an old player in Bitcoin, having gotten involved in 2014. Back then, I realized that Bitcoin was something big, but I didn’t have much Bitcoin because I didn’t have the money to buy it. Instead of investing money in Bitcoin, I invested my time in understanding it and researching it. Bam：After graduating in 2016-17, I decided to dedicate my entire career to Bitcoin while I was in Istanbul. Of course, Bitcoin was the core focus, but there were also many altcoins, and I became interested in those areas as well. I love this space because it's very libertarian, and I myself am a person with libertarian values. Bam：I currently publish tutorial videos on YouTube, primarily aimed at Arabic-speaking audiences in the Middle East, to teach them about Bitcoin economics, technology, and how to use Bitcoin. They have very little knowledge about these topics. I’ve covered many subjects, including wallet operations, mining, using the Lightning Network, and even non-custodial liquidity management. We’ve produced over 200 videos so far. I’ve realized that there are many issues with Bitcoin-related applications, so I’ve decided to develop my own Bitcoin app called Cypherbox.

YakiHonne: That's really impressive. You're a content creator in the Bitcoin ecosystem, explaining Bitcoin on YouTube and spreading the Bitcoin ideology. And you're developing your own Lightning app specifically for the Middle East. You're doing a lot of meaningful work.

Bam：Unfortunately, I didn't buy more Bitcoins in 2014. I used to own some, but I invested all of my Bitcoin into my channel because I strongly believe in the importance of education. I believe that global international currency is more important than mere wealth. I've tried to ensure that my project is neither charity nor purely commercial. I am now creating an Arabic academy, selling some courses or applications I develop, and trying to commercialize them. Overall, my project is somewhere between open source and commercialization, and I hope to support my life through these means.

YakiHonne: That's really great, Bam. I really admire how much you value education and enlightening others. So now, let's move on to the first question. Bam, I think you've already touched on part of the answer. But I'd like to ask again, this time in more detail: What truly sparked your interest in Bitcoin? What motivated you to build or form a community around it?

Bam：I used Bitcoin very early on, and I understood right away when I looked at its wallets that it wasn’t a company. I had some experience with decentralized networks, like Tor and Torrent, and I knew this was open-source. Open-source projects are really attractive to me as an engineer. The more I studied Bitcoin, the more fascinated I became with it. I love its decentralized nature. Bam：I studied complex systems, energy engineering, and systems like aeronautics and marine engineering, and I found Bitcoin to be the most sophisticated energy system I’ve ever studied. It’s just fascinating on a technical level, especially the cryptography aspect. What’s so amazing about Bitcoin’s security is that it doesn’t rely on firewalls or central authority; it’s actually the opposite, as Andreas Antonopoulos often explains. Bam：Bitcoin's security comes from its openness. The whole thing—its censorship resistance, the privacy, the community around it—just captivated me. The fact that Satoshi created the greatest monetary network ever, but never moved any coins or had any control after 2009, and gave it away to the community, for everyone in the world, is just an incredible story. There’s so much about Bitcoin that I can’t even begin to explain how deeply I’m attached to it. Bam：What I want to say is that Bitcoin has significantly helped with the issues my country faces because I am from Syria. We have been locked out of the financial system by OFAC policies, which were perhaps seen as justified due to sanctions. Syria has been under financial sanctions, but the problem is that these sanctions weren't just imposed on the Syrian government; they were imposed on the entire Syrian population. Even though the current president Assad is no longer in power, these sanctions still persist. These financial sanctions have caused great suffering for the Syrian people. Syrians are unable to engage in e-commerce or trade with the outside world. This system, which locks people into such a closed financial environment, is a huge issue. Bam：Bitcoin provides an alternative. Bitcoin has not closed its doors to Syrians, and we can still use Bitcoin in Syria. People in Syria use Bitcoin without fear of censorship from any part of the world. No government can lock Syrians out of the Bitcoin network, and Bitcoin transactions can be settled in real time in Syria, regardless of whether any government approves or not.

YakiHonne: Can you tell me how you have been able to attract members so far and what challenges have you faced when you started earlier on?

Bam：We started on Clubhouse, just a bunch of random Bitcoiners talking about Bitcoin, and around 2020 and 2021, the Lightning Network started to become more usable. We saw some interesting Lightning apps, and when I learned about it, I immediately realized that this was the future of the internet of money. I was heavily involved in Ethereum at the time, writing smart contracts, but once I took Lightning seriously, I knew it was the future of digital money. Bam：We started discussing Lightning on Clubhouse during COVID, focusing on Lightning wallets. We asked ourselves, "How can we bring this technology to the Middle East?" Around that time, I also wanted to get more involved in Bitcoin education, so I began putting out more content. A friend of mine created a Telegram group called Barqnet, and we invited everyone from Clubhouse to join. I started sharing more Bitcoin content and promoting the group, saying, "Hey, if you want to get real education about Bitcoin—beyond videos and courses—come join this group and let's build this community together. Bam：We did this for about six months, and the group attracted a lot of people. But my initial goal wasn’t just to attract regular people; it was to attract technical engineers and build a network of engineers who could not only listen to my explanations but also help me better understand Bitcoin and the challenges they face when interacting with Bitcoin and building the Bitcoin banking infrastructure in the Middle East. As a result, we attracted many highly skilled people. Now the group has about 1,000 members, all of whom are highly technical. Bam：We also created a technical support space for regular Bitcoin users. Anyone in the Middle East facing issues with wallets, buying Bitcoin, mining, or any other Bitcoin-related problems can come to us for help. This is a completely voluntary online initiative, and now many people know that if they have technical questions, no matter how complex, they can come to Barqnet and get answers.

YakiHonne: That's really amazing. It seems like you guys are covering both the technical and non-technical aspects of Bitcoin, which is truly remarkable. It's not so common to find a community that manages to engage both sides. But Barqnet, as the Arabic Bitcoin community, seems to have successfully blended both, working with both technical and non-technical people. The work you're doing is really impressive—it's an outstanding job.

Bam：I really enjoy seeing the growth of Bitcoin, and I've already started telling people how their lives have changed. In 2024, many people have messaged us in the group, saying, "Thank you so much, you really changed our lives." It's not just people from poor areas, even in wealthy regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, people are telling us, "I started a Bitcoin business, I started mining, I started investing, and now I’ve made some money, my value has gone up because of you guys. I didn't sell, I kept my Bitcoin in cold storage." So, everyone is thanking us. Bam：This means much more to us than any financial gain. We didn’t make a lot of money from these initiatives—sure, we earned some, but not much. And it hasn’t changed our lives. If I had spent my time as an engineer focusing on corporate projects, I would probably make a lot more money. I live in Europe now, and my life is pretty good. But helping people understand Bitcoin and onboard into the Bitcoin world means so much more to me than money. YakiHonne: So, moving on to the next question. How do you see the role of Bitcoin communities evolving as technology matures, particularly in areas like scalability, privacy, and adaptability with other systems? So, how do you see the Bitcoin community evolving with time? Bam：I actually have a lot of different views on how Bitcoin is being taught and developed, especially in terms of scalability. Many people in the West are focused on highly technical developments that do promote individual sovereignty, self-custody, and privacy protection. However, these don't help people who don’t understand the technology, and they make it really difficult for them to use Bitcoin. For example, when I see people recommending non-custodial Lightning wallets, I don’t think this is a good option for everyone, especially in the Global South. For people who don’t understand the technology and just want to use Bitcoin simply, these wallets are way too complicated. Bam：This is why I developed my own app. It's not just a wallet for the Middle East; it's an international wallet that anyone can download. It's open-source and aims to provide a modular Bitcoin experience. The Bitcoin app I envision would contain all the necessary tools, whether it's a custodial service, an exchange, or a simple Lightning custodian service for people who just want to quickly send and receive Bitcoin without dealing with complexity. Bam：A Bitcoin Lightning custodian makes perfect sense if it's reliable. In addition to that, you’d also have your hot wallet, which you can use to withdraw your funds when ready, and move them into self-custody with a simple hot wallet like Blue Wallet. Cold storage should not be the first step for everyone. People often say it's expensive, and that you need to buy hardware wallets, but it’s more of a progression. Start with the basics, and over time, you’ll learn. Bam：Inside the app, users should have access to all the tools for self-custody, including non-custodial Lightning, hot storage, cold storage, federated chains, e-cash systems, and side chains, if applicable. The app would allow users to personalize their experience—choosing what they want based on their technical knowledge, the amount of Bitcoin they want to secure, their privacy preferences, and the fees they’re willing to pay. I imagine the future of Bitcoin will be modular, and every user will be able to customize their experience according to their needs and preferences.

YakiHonne: I really appreciate the key points and important aspects of Bitcoin scalability that you mentioned. They're truly crucial, and it's essential for people to understand Bitcoin better rather than misinterpret it. The importance of Bitcoin in these other areas shouldn't be overlooked, and people should embrace it as part of the future, not reject it. Now, we're at the last question. Is the government around you for or against Bitcoin? And how has that affected the community?

Bam：I live in France, and the government is generally neutral when it comes to privacy tech. I’ve lived in Turkey, the UAE, Brazil, the EU, and the Netherlands, so I don’t consider myself Syrian. I prefer to think of myself as a citizen of Earth. When it comes to governments, I pay attention to policies and regulations in all countries. I look at examples like El Salvador, and I also follow the current situation in Syria. Right now, we’re working to push for a policy that recognizes Bitcoin rather than implementing strict regulations. We’re trying to get the government to draft laws that are more friendly to Bitcoin. Although the central bank is confused about Bitcoin, they’re not completely opposed to it. We’ve proposed a way to manage the market that doesn’t restrict people’s freedom but also helps regulators deal with companies and Bitcoin projects. We’re seeing very positive reactions, and I believe Syria will become the place that opens Bitcoin to the entire Middle East region, thanks to the voluntary initiatives we’ve initiated.

YakiHonne: That was really a fantastic answer, thank you so much, Bam. With that, we’ve come to the end of today’s interview. It’s truly an honor and privilege to have had this conversation with you. I’ve really enjoyed the entire discussion, from start to finish, and I’ve learned a lot from everything we’ve talked about. I really appreciate your passion for Bitcoin and your dedication to pushing for education. We love the work you’re doing. Although we haven’t used your app yet, we believe it’s going to be amazing.Thank you so much again.

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Olá meus caros leitores, estou fazendo um guia voltados aos Brasileiros aqui do Nostr. Vejo que há muito conteúdo em inglês que infelizmente não é traduzido para o português. Por este motivo tomei a iniciativa de começa com este artigo.

Espero que gostem deste artigo, que tenham uma ótima leitura.

Bem-vindos ao Mundo Nostr !!

Acredito que todos que estão aqui sabem um pouco sobre o Nostr e que é uma rede social descentralizada, local onde você pode postar sem medo de represarias governamentais [ditatoriais].

Mas, vocês conheçem como o Nostr funciona e todas as ferramentas que vocês têm disponível neste ecossistema?

  Poisé, acho que não.

O Nostr é um protocolo de comunição descentralizada muito versátil, isso quer dizer que não está limitado a um tipo de "rede social", nele é possível fazer Blogs, streaming, podcast e até mesmo e-mails com autonomia total do usuário.

Meus caros, isso é liberdade total, sem ficar na mão de bigtech como Microsoft, Apple, Google.

Para ficar mais claro darei um exemplo para vocês:

Imagine você criando uma conta no Youtube, você deve aceitar as Diretrizes impostas pela google no uso do SEU CANAL, por mais que você tenha autonomia na produção do SEU CONTEÚDO, determinadas palavras e termos não podem ser usadas, ou seja, O GOOGLE DETERMINA O QUE VOCÊ PODE OU NÃO FAZER NO SEU CANAL.

Veja que é uma liberdade parcial no processo de criação de conteúdo.

Já no Nostr, o seu canal é completamente seu. Não há nenhuma entidade, empresa responsável pelo seu conteúdo a não ser você.

O Mundo Nostr e sua funcionalidades

No nostr você terá acesso a uma diversidade de aplicativos para cada objetivo de uso. Mas, antes de abordar sobre os diversos layouts e funcionalidades do Nostr é necessário aprender o básico deste universo.

Em primeiro lugar: É necessário que vocês saibam que a partir do momento que vocês criaram um conta aqui, independente do "cliente" ou "distro como o pessoal que gosta de fazer analogia com o Linux", vocês recebem duas importantes chaves ! A chave privada e a chave pública.

A Chave privada, também chamada de chave secreta é o acesso ilimitado a sua conta, ou seja, é a partir dela que poderá produzir conteúdos em geral neste mundo. Ela te dará acesso a todos os rercusos do Nostr, portanto é importante que esteja muito segura.

A Chave pública, você ver como os outros usuários ver o seu perfil e o seu conteúdo. Ela é uma importante chave para que as pessoas possam ter acesso aos conteúdo que vocês públicam, ou seja, é atráves dela que você poderá compartilhar o seu perfil para que seu público tenha acesso ao seu mundo.

Dito isso vamos conhecer os apps e os chamados clientes Nostr.

O que são clientes Nostr?

Clientes são as várias maneiras de interagir com o protocolo Nostr [fonte: Nostr.com]

É semelhante ao Sistema Operacional Linux que tem várias distro com diferentes layout para o mesmo Sistema.

Vejamos as principais para que vocês tenham uma noção da amplitude do protocolo.

• Damus: é um app para celulares IOS terem acesso ao NOSTR, tem formato de rede social, como Primal e o Amethyst.
• Primal é um app versátil serve tanto para celulares IOS, Android e PCs, também tem formato de rede social, porém você pode abrir uma carteira lightning bitcoin exclusiva deste app, facilitando muito os micropagamentos em satoshis pela rede.
• Amethyst, assim como o Damus é para o IOS o Amethsy é para o Android, sou suspeita para falar sobre este clientes, pois é o meu favorito. Além de várias possibilidades de edição de texto, ele tem diversas funcionalidade incluídas, como *Guia Mercado*** onde você pode comercializar produtos pela rede, tem como intergrar com outros apps de streaming, formar grupos temáticos etc.
• OXchat não é exatamente uma rede social tem um layout que lembra um pouco o Whatsapp ou Telegram, serve como uma rede de interação instantânea, tem diversos recursos que achei mais interessante é a lousa, onde é possível interagir no grupo com desenhos etc.
• Yakihonne que é justamente o cliente que estou usando para construir este artigo. Como usuário posso dizer que ele tem um foco para criação de Blogs no protocolo Nostr, lembrando que cada cliente tem um layout diferente, ou seja, uso de templates para definir a estrutura do seu blog é meio limitado [ressalva assim como vocês sou iniciante do Nostr, pode ser que tenha como determinar um layout próprio, mas eu mesma não sei como]

Há muitos outros clientes disponíveis para acessar e experimentar e conhecer todos eu recomendo o site: Nostrapps

Agora que você leu este pequeno guia, se divirta aqui no nostr e não se esqueça de apoia a gente.

Até Mais !!

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Estamos próximos a uma das principais premiações da indústria. Vemos não só a perversão de pautas woke e destruição de valores ocidentes, mas também um grande confronto entre o que mais forte o ativismo Lgbt ou o ativismo político entre as atrizes Fernanda Torres e Karla Gascon.

Só evidência o caos que é os conflitos de interesse de diversas vertentes que a esquerda abraça e diz que é sua.

Mas, o que mais impressiona é o fato do Oscar ter um filme no indicado que até o momento não ganhou nada, porém é notório a superioridade aos outros, este filme é Sing Sing.

Porque o filme Sing sing foi ignorado pelos avaliadores?

O filme tem uma narrativa de superação e como a arte pode mudar as pessoas e as realidades mais pertubadoras. Ele retrata o Sistema carcerário americano, onde realidade de vários presos é mudada atraves de um projeto de um teatro na prisão.

Observando friamente a sintese do filme é uma história que se encaixa perfeitamente aos vies de bandidolatria, se não tivesse um questão, a ação transformadora da arte e deixando de serem vítimas e serem artistas.

Porém apesar de ser uma obra de arte que estimula as pessoas pensarem sobre a vida e ter uma pegada inovadora e completamente diferente dos demais filmes que retratam o sistema carcerário, ele é totalmente ignorado por não ser suficientemente lacrativo.

@ 4523be58:ba1facd0

NIP-116

Event paths

Description

Event kind 30079 denotes an event defined by its event path rather than its event kind.

The event directory path is included in the event path, specified in the event's d tag. For example, an event path might be user/profile/name, where user/profile is the directory path.

Relays should parse the event directory from the event path d tag and index the event by it. Relays should support "directory listing" of kind 30079 events using the #f filter, such as {"#f": ["user/profile"]}.

For backward compatibility, the event directory should also be saved in the event's f tag (for "folder"), which is already indexed by some relay implementations, and can be queried using the #f filter.

Event content should be a JSON-encoded value. An empty object {} signifies that the entry at the event path is itself a directory. For example, when saving user/profile/name: Bob, you should also save user/profile: {} so the subdirectory can be listed under user.

In directory names, slashes should be escaped with a double slash.

Example

Event

json { "tags": [ ["d", "user/profile/name"], ["f", "user/profile"] ], "content": "\"Bob\"", "kind": 30079, ... }

Query

json { "#f": ["user/profile"], "authors": ["[pubkey]"] }

Motivation

To make Nostr an "everything app," we need a sustainable way to support new kinds of applications. Browsing Nostr data by human-readable nested directories and paths rather than obscure event kind numbers makes the data more manageable.

Numeric event kinds are not sustainable for the infinite number of potential applications. With numeric event kinds, developers need to find an unused number for each new application and announce it somewhere, which is cumbersome and not scalable.

Directories can also replace monolithic list events like follow lists or profile details. You can update a single directory entry such as user/profile/name or groups/follows/[pubkey] without causing an overwrite of the whole profile or follow list when your client is out-of-sync with the most recent list version, as often happens on Nostr.

Using d-tagged replaceable events for reactions, such as {tags: [["d", "reactions/[eventId]"]], content: "\"👍\"", kind: 30079, ...} would make un-reacting trivial: just publish a new event with the same d tag and an empty content. Toggling a reaction on and off would not cause a flurry of new reaction & delete events that all need to be persisted.

Implementations

• Relays that support tag-replaceable events and indexing by arbitrary tags (in this case f) already support this feature.
• IrisDB client side library: treelike data structure with subscribable nodes.

https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/pull/1266

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Muitas pessoas sofrem em silêncio diante das dificuldades da vida. Seja um término de relacionamento, o convívio em uma família desestruturada ou até mesmo situações extremas, como estar preso em um campo de concentração, a escrita pode ir além de um simples ato de colocar palavras no papel – ela pode ser um agente de libertação.

Seja em forma de diário, desabafo, artigo de opinião ou até mesmo a construção de uma história fantástica, como foi o caso de Harry Potter, escrever pode trazer alívio e transformar a dor em algo criativo e significativo.

Escrever é quase mágico. O simples ato de organizar ideias para construir um texto dá ao escritor o poder de viajar para mundos criados por sua própria mente, funcionando como uma verdadeira forma de escapismo.

Em certas situações extremas, essa pode ser a única alternativa para fugir da realidade, um fio de esperança para aqueles que se sentem perdidos na escuridão do desespero.

Sabe aquela fase da adolescência em que pensamos "Meus pais não me entendem"? Se você está passando por isso, este texto é para você!

Por que não transformar suas angústias em palavras e criar histórias maravilhosas sobre seus anseios, sonhos ou aprendizados do dia a dia?

A escrita pode oferecer um refúgio, um momento em que tudo ao seu redor se transforma e seu processo criativo se torna uma lembrança especial.

Portanto, se você está sofrendo com os desafios da vida, experimente colocar seus sentimentos no papel e transforme a dor em arte. Você pode se surpreender com o poder das palavras.

Essa é a mensagem de hoje.

Até a próxima leitura aleatória

@ b60c3e76:c9d0f46e

KRIS menjamin semua golongan masyarakat mendapatkan perlakuan sama dari rumah sakit, baik pelayanan medis maupun nonmedis.

Demi memberikan peningkatan kualitas layanan kesehatan kepada masyarakat, pemerintah baru saja mengeluarkan Peraturan Presiden (Perpres) nomor 59 tahun 2024 tentang Jaminan Kesehatan. Melalui perpres itu, Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) telah menghapus perbedaan kelas layanan 1, 2, dan 3 dalam Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial atau BPJS Kesehatan.

Layanan berbasis kelas itu diganti dengan KRIS (Kelas Rawat Inap Standar). Berkaitan dengan lahirnya Perpres 59/2024 tentang Perubahan Ketiga atas Perpres 82/2018 tentang Jaminan Kesehatan, Presiden Joko Widodo telah memerintahkan seluruh rumah sakit yang bekerja sama dengan BPJS Kesehatan melaksanakannya.

Kebijakan baru itu mulai berlaku per 8 Mei 2024 dan paling lambat 30 Juni 2025. Dalam jangka waktu tersebut, rumah sakit dapat menyelenggarakan sebagian atau seluruh pelayanan rawat inap berdasarkan KRIS sesuai dengan kemampuan rumah sakit.

Lantas apa yang menjadi pembeda dari sisi layanan dengan layanan rawat inap sesuai Perpres 59/2024? Dahulu sistem layanan rawat BPJS Kesehatan dibagi berdasarkan kelas yang dibagi masing-masing kelas 1, 2, dan 3. Namun, melalui perpres, layanan kepada masyarakat tidak dibedakan lagi.

Pelayanan rawat inap yang diatur dalam perpres itu--dikenal dengan nama KRIS—menjadi sistem baru yang digunakan dalam pelayanan rawat inap BPJS Kesehatan di rumah sakit-rumah sakit. Dengan KRIS, semua golongan masyarakat akan mendapatkan perlakuan yang sama dari rumah sakit, baik dalam hal pelayanan medis maupun nonmedis.

Dengan lahirnya Perpres 59/2024, tarif iuran BPJS Kesehatan pun juga akan berubah. Hanya saja, dalam Perpres itu belum dicantumkan secara rinci ihwal besar iuran yang baru. Besaran iuran baru BPJS Kesehatan itu sesuai rencana baru ditetapkan pada 1 Juli 2025.

“Penetapan manfaat, tarif, dan iuran sebagaimana dimaksud ditetapkan paling lambat tanggal 1 Juli 2025,” tulis aturan tersebut, dikutip Senin (13/5/2024).

Itu artinya, iuran BPJS Kesehatan saat ini masih sama seperti sebelumnya, yakni sesuai dengan kelas yang dipilih. Namun perpres itu tetap berlaku sembari menanti lahirnya peraturan lanjutan dari perpres tersebut.

Kesiapan Rumah Sakit

Berkaitan dengan lahirnya kebijakan layanan kesehatan tanpa dibedakan kelas lagi, Kementerian Kesehatan (Kemenkes) menegaskan mayoritas rumah sakit di Indonesia siap untuk menjalankan layanan KRIS untuk pasien BPJS Kesehatan.

Kesiapan itu diungkapkan oleh Dirjen Pelayanan Kesehatan Kemenkes Azhar Jaya. “Survei kesiapan RS terkait KRIS sudah dilakukan pada 2.988 rumah sakit dan yang sudah siap menjawab isian 12 kriteria ada sebanyak 2.233 rumah sakit,” ujar Azhar.

Sebagai informasi, KRIS adalah pengganti layanan Kelas 1, 2, dan 3 BPJS Kesehatan yang bertujuan untuk memberikan layanan kesehatan secara merata tanpa melihat besaran iurannya.

Melalui KRIS, rumah sakit perlu menyiapkan sarana dan prasarana sesuai dengan 12 kriteria kelas rawat inap standar secara bertahap. Apa saja ke-12 kriteria KRIS itu?

Sesuai bunyi Pasal 46A Perpres 59/2024, disyaratkan kriteria fasilitas perawatan dan pelayanan rawat inap KRIS meliputi komponen bangunan yang digunakan tidak boleh memiliki tingkat porositas yang tinggi serta terdapat ventilasi udara dan kelengkapan tidur.

Demikian pula soal pencahayaan ruangan. Perpres itu juga mengatur pencahayaan ruangan buatan mengikuti kriteria standar 250 lux untuk penerangan dan 50 lux untuk pencahayaan tidur, temperature ruangan 20--26 derajat celcius.

Tidak hanya itu, layanan rawat inap berdasarkan perpres itu mensyaratkan fasilitas layanan yang membagi ruang rawat berdasarkan jenis kelamin pasien, anak atau dewasa, serta penyakit infeksi atau noninfeksi.

Selain itu, kriteria lainnya adalah keharusan bagi penyedia layanan untuk mempertimbangkan kepadatan ruang rawat dan kualitas tempat tidur, penyediaan tirai atau partisi antartempat tidur, kamar mandi dalam ruangan rawat inap yang memenuhi standar aksesibilitas, dan menyediakan outlet oksigen.

Selain itu, kelengkapan tempat tidur berupa adanya dua kotak kontak dan nurse call pada setiap tempat tidur dan adanya nakas per tempat tidur. Kepadatan ruang rawat inap maksimal empat tempat tidur dengan jarak antara tepi tempat tidur minimal 1,5 meter.

Tirai/partisi dengan rel dibenamkan menempel di plafon atau menggantung. Kamar mandi dalam ruang rawat inap serta kamar mandi sesuai dengan standar aksesibilitas dan outlet oksigen.

Azhar menjamin, Kemenkes akan menjalankan hal tersebut sesuai dengan tupoksi yang ada. “Tentu saja kami akan bekerja sama dengan BPJS Kesehatan dalam implementasi dan pengawasannya di lapangan,” ujar Azhar.

Berkaitan dengan perpres jaminan kesehatan itu, Direktur Utama BPJS Kesehatan Ghufron Mukti menilai, perpres tersebut berorientasi pada penyeragaman kelas rawat inap yang mengacu pada 12 kriteria. "Bahwa perawatan ada kelas rawat inap standar dengan 12 kriteria, untuk peserta BPJS, maka sebagaimana sumpah dokter tidak boleh dibedakan pemberian pelayan medis atas dasar suku, agama, status sosial atau beda iurannya," ujarnya.

Jika ada peserta ingin dirawat pada kelas yang lebih tinggi, kata Ghufron, maka diperbolehkan selama hal itu dipengaruhi situasi nonmedis. Hal itu disebutkan dalam Pasal 51 Perpres Jaminan Kesehatan diatur ketentuan naik kelas perawatan.

Menurut pasal tersebut, naik kelas perawatan dilakukan dengan cara mengikuti asuransi kesehatan tambahan atau membayar selisih antara biaya yang dijamin oleh BPJS Kesehatan dengan biaya yang harus dibayar akibat peningkatan pelayanan.

Selisih antara biaya yang dijamin oleh BPJS Kesehatan dengan biaya pelayanan dapat dibayar oleh peserta bersangkutan, pemberi kerja, atau asuransi kesehatan tambahan.

Ghufron Mukti juga mengimbau pengelola rumah sakit tidak mengurangi jumlah tempat tidur perawatan pasien dalam upaya memenuhi kriteria KRIS. "Pesan saya jangan dikurangi akses dengan mengurangi jumlah tempat tidur. Pertahankan jumlah tempat tidur dan penuhi persyaratannya dengan 12 kriteria tersebut," tegas Ghufron.

Penulis: Firman Hidranto Redaktur: Ratna Nuraini/Elvira Inda Sari Sumber: Indonesia.go.id

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Você já conheceu alguém que sempre tenta levar vantagem em tudo? Aquele tipo de pessoa que, em vez de buscar crescimento legítimo, prefere explorar os outros para obter benefícios? Infelizmente, essa mentalidade está mais presente do que gostaríamos de admitir.

Ela se manifesta de diversas formas, como:

• Pedir descontos e brindes de maneira abusiva, como se fosse um direito;

• Ameaçar ou constranger vendedores para conseguir preços mais baixos;

• Vender produtos com valores incompatíveis com a qualidade ou omitir defeitos para enganar clientes.

Quem age assim tem uma conduta antiética e, pior, muitas vezes se orgulha disso, como se enganar alguém fosse um sinal de esperteza. Mas será que essa mentalidade realmente leva ao sucesso?

A curto prazo, pode parecer que sim. Alguns até conseguem vantagens temporárias, mas a longo prazo, essa postura cobra seu preço. A reputação se desgasta, as oportunidades diminuem e, inevitavelmente, o comportamento oportunista se volta contra quem o pratica.

No Brasil, essa mentalidade oportunista se tornou quase um traço cultural. Combater isso exige uma mudança de perspectiva e, acima de tudo, uma autoavaliação sincera.

O primeiro passo é reconhecer se, em algum momento, você já adotou esse comportamento. Ser honesto consigo mesmo é fundamental para evoluir.

O segundo passo é entender que essa mentalidade não só é antiética, mas também prejudica seu próprio crescimento. Quem não valoriza o trabalho alheio dificilmente conseguirá que seu próprio trabalho seja valorizado.

Portanto, abandone essa postura de querer sempre "se dar bem" às custas dos outros. Valorize o esforço e o trabalho de quem está oferecendo um produto ou serviço. Se não pode pagar, simplesmente não compre. Faça igual o Lula rsrsrs.

Mas brincadeiras a parte, não exija que os outros arquem com o custo da sua insatisfação.

E esta foi a mensagem de hoje.

Espero que tenha gostado de mais uma leitura aleatória.

@ 266815e0:6cd408a5

Lot of people are starting to talk about building a web-of-trust and how nostr can or is already being used as such

We all know about using the kind:3 following lists as a simple WoT that can be used to filter out spam. but as we all know it does not really signal "trust", its mostly just "I find your content interesting"

But what about real "trust"... well its kind of multi-denominational, I could trust that your a good developer or a good journalist but still not trust you enough to invite you over to my house. There are some interesting and clever solutions proposed for quantifying "trust" in a digital sense but I'm not going to get into that here. I want to talk about something that I have not see anyone discuss yet.

How is the web-of-trust maintained? or more precisely how do you expect users to update the digital representation of the "trust" of other users?

Its all well and good to think of how a user would create that "trust" of another user when discovering them for the first time. They would click the "follow" button, or maybe even rate them on a few topics with a 1/5 star system But how will a user remove that trust? how will they update it if things change and they trust them less?

If our goal is to model "trust" in a digital sense then we NEED a way for the data to stay up-to-date and as accurate as possible. otherwise whats the use? If we don't have a friction-less way to update or remove the digital representation of "trust" then we will end up with a WoT that continuously grows and everyone is rated 10/10

In the case of nostr kind:3 following lists. its pretty easy to see how these would get updated. If someone posts something I dislike or I notice I'm getting board of their content. then I just unfollow them. An important part here is that I'm not thinking "I should update my trust score of this user" but instead "I'm no longer interested, I don't want to see this anymore"

But that is probably the easiest "trust" to update. because most of us on social media spend some time curating our feed and we are used to doing it. But what about the more obscure "trust" scores? whats the regular mechanism by which a user would update the "honestly" score of another user?

In the real world its easy, when I stop trusting someone I simply stop associating with them. there isn't any button or switch I need to update. I simply don't talk to them anymore, its friction-less But in the digital realm I would have to remove or update that trust. in other words its an action I need to take instead of an action I'm not doing. and actions take energy.

So how do we reflect something in the digital world that takes no-energy and is almost subconscious in the real world?

TLDR; webs-of-trust are not just about scoring other users once. you must keep the score up-to-date

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

Die Geburt in die Pareto-Welt hat dann doch länger gedauert, als gedacht, jedoch dank der Geduld meines Hebammen-Mentors, ist es nun vollbracht.

Ich möchte meinen Beitrag zum Erhalt der Meinungsfreiheit leisten, bin aber nicht ganz uneigennützig, denn das Schreiben ist auch mein Ventil für den Wahnsinn, der bei Verstand gebliebenen Menschen immer näher auf die Pelle rückt.

2020 habe ich, bis heute erfolglos, damit angefangen, langjährigen Freundinnen und Freunden Links zu schicken, die die Vorzüge der Gen-Behandlung infrage stellen.

Auslöser war ein Gespräch mit einem jetzt ehemaligen Freund über die Verhältnisse im 3. Reich. Wir stellten uns damals die Frage, wie wir uns wohl verhalten hätten, wenn wir gefragt worden wären, wo denn plötzlich der ruhige, zuvorkommende Nachbar Salomon abgeblieben sei, der nie einer Fliege etwas zu Leide getan hat. Hätten wir auch mit den Achseln gezuckt, weil wir Angst davor gehabt hätten, dass uns vielleicht das gleiche Schicksal ereilen könnte?

Wir kamen überein, dass es uns nicht zusteht, über die Schweiger zu richten, weil wir uns keine wirkliche Vorstellung von dieser Zeit machen konnten. Wir, die wir in einer Demokratie aufgewachsen sind, hatten keine Ahnung davon, wie sich eine Diktatur anfühlt, welche Stimmung sie verursacht, auf was man alles achten muss, damit man sich nicht mit dem Staat anlegt.

Seit dem C-Ereignis sind wir um eine Erfahrung reicher. Jetzt wissen wir es.

Wir wissen, wie digitale Bücherverbrennung geht, wie Bankkonten ohne Begründung gelöscht werden können, wie Existenzen vernichtet werden können, was nötig ist, um morgens um 6 Uhr schon Besuch zu bekommen, der dann noch nicht einmal frische Semmeln mitbringt, und dass es gut ist, immer einen frisch gewaschenen Bademantel am Haken hängen zu haben.

Als junger Mensch hatte ich noch die Gelegenheit mit einer Frau zu sprechen, die diese dunkle Zeit in Deutschland miterlebt hatte. Auf meine Fragen antwortete sie, das werde ich nie im Leben vergessen: „Wir haben ja von all dem nichts gewusst!“ Das kann man glauben, muss man aber nicht.

Das war für mich das Aha-Erlebnis. Schon damals habe ich beschlossen, dass ich niemals zu denjenigen gehören will, die so etwas sagen werden. Und meinen Freunden wollte ich von Anfang an die Gelegenheit nehmen, mir diesen Satz einmal sagen zu können, daher habe ich sie, nach eigener anfänglicher Verunsicherung, mit Informationen über das C-Ereignis versorgt, die im staatskonformen Propaganda-Funk nicht zu finden waren.

Mit Samtpfötchen habe ich mich herangetastet, Lese-Angebote gemacht, vorsichtig formuliert. Dabei ging es mir nie darum, recht zu haben oder recht zu behalten. Für mich ging es um meine lieben Freunde, um Leben und Tod. Ich war zutiefst besorgt um sie. Das hat auch nach 5 Jahren nicht dazu geführt, dass sie ihr heiliges Schweigegelöbnis gebrochen haben.

Inzwischen ist mein Freundeskreis vollkommen ausgetauscht.

Anfangs war ich noch so naiv zu glauben, der Schwindel würde sich ganz schnell in Wohlgefallen auflösen, doch dann wurde mir klar, dass sich der gesunde Hausverstand von einem großen Teil der Menschen verabschiedet hat, und das hält bis heute an.

Irgendwann kam dann in der Öffentlichkeit der Satz auf: „Das konnten wir zum damaligen Zeitpunkt nicht wissen.“ Doch konntet ihr, wenn ihr euch mit den alternativen Informationsquellen beschäftigt hättet, die sicher nicht nur ich an Freunde weitergegeben habe.

Nie habe ich behauptet, die Wahrheit gepachtet zu haben, immer aber habe ich danach gestrebt, ihr so nahe wie möglich zu kommen. Bis heute.

Inzwischen sind die allermeisten Verschwörungstheorien wahr geworden.

Nachdem das C-Ereignis etwas an Schärfe verloren hatte, ging es gleich weiter mit dem Ukraine-Konflikt. Einen Tag nach Ausbruch im Februar 2022 schrieb ich in einer Email: Die Ukraine kann diesen Krieg nicht gewinnen.

Und so ging es weiter und weiter. Ein Wahnsinn nach dem anderen. Ohnmächtig müssen wir dabei zuschauen, wie Universal-Dilettanten das Ruder in der Hand haben und kerzengerade auf den Eisberg zusteuern. Da soll man sich still zurücklehnen, Popcorn futtern und die Show genießen? Tut mir leid, kann ich nicht.

Die „Geistesgrößen“ dieser Zeit scheinen George Orwells „1984“ als Bedienungsanleitung zu verstehen. Als ich es jüngst noch einmal gelesen habe, dachte ich, am weitesten ist bislang das Wahrheitsministerium vorangeschritten. Verdrehung der Realität mit Neusprech. Eine Generalumkehr der Begriffe. Daher auch mein Name in Anlehnung an diesen großen Vorherseher.

Es ist mir nicht vergönnt, zu denjenigen zu gehören, die die Bequemlichkeit im Denken pflegen und kultivieren und ein Diplom in Verdrängen über dem Sofa hängen haben.

Ich will die alte Welt nicht zurück, im Gegenteil. Mit meinen bescheidenen Mitteln und Möglichkeiten will ich dazu beitragen, habe ich die Hoffnung, den einen oder anderen vielleicht doch noch zum Nachdenken anregen zu können. Ich muss nicht recht behalten, darum ging es mir nie, ich kann mich irren und würde das auch zugeben. Derzeit mangelt es jedoch an Gelegenheiten.

Vielleicht habe ich tatsächlich etwas zu sagen (so sagt man mir es nach), und es ist sicher kein Zufall, dass mir Pareto durch Milosz Matuschek über den Weg gelaufen ist.

Es würde mich sehr freuen, wenn die geneigten Leserschaft das eine oder andere anspricht, was ich so von mir geben werde. Erst, wenn es Satoshis regnet, damit ich aufhöre, lasse ich es.

Bis dahin werde ich mich für den Erhalt der Meinungsfreiheit einsetzen, weil diese unmittelbar mit einem demokratischen System einhergeht. Sägt man an einem Baum auf einer Seite alle Äste ab, gerät der Baum in Schieflage und er fällt beim leisesten Windzug um. Das gilt es von den für Gehirnwäsche immunen Menschen zu verhindern.

@ 378562cd:a6fc6773

For decades, the internet has been dominated by a handful of powerful corporations—gatekeepers who decide what we can say, see, and share. Social media platforms, search engines, and cloud services have become digital overlords, tracking our every move, monetizing our data, and silencing voices that don’t fit the narrative.

But a quiet revolution is underway. A new technology—simple yet profound—is rising from the digital underground. It’s called NOSTR, and it’s not just another app or platform. NOSTR is the new internet.

The Problem With the Old Internet

To understand the power of NOSTR, we need to recognize what’s broken in the internet we’ve come to accept as normal.

Corporate Control – A few companies decide who gets to speak and who gets banned. Free speech exists at the mercy of moderation teams and their algorithms.

Surveillance Economy – Your data is the product. Every click, like, and scroll is analyzed, packaged, and sold.

Censorship & Deplatforming – Alternative viewpoints? Independent thought? If it doesn’t align with the powers that be, it can be erased overnight or buried to deep to find.

Single Points of Failure – Servers go down, accounts get hacked, platforms disappear. Your digital life is at risk when everything is tied to one entity.

The internet wasn’t supposed to be this way. But centralized control has made it fragile, controlled, and weaponized against its own users.

Enter NOSTR.

What Is NOSTR?

NOSTR—short for “Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays”—is a simple yet groundbreaking communication protocol. It’s not owned by anyone. It doesn’t have a CEO. It doesn’t depend on a single company to function. Instead, it is a network of independent relays, where users own their identities, data, and speech.

Imagine an internet where:

✔️ No corporation can silence you ✔️ No government can shut down the conversation ✔️ No single server crash can wipe out your account ✔️ You control your identity—no passwords, no lockouts

That’s what NOSTR enables.

Why NOSTR Changes Everything

NOSTR isn’t just another social media platform—it’s the foundation for an entirely new digital landscape. Today, it’s being used for Twitter-like conversations, but tomorrow it could power blogs, marketplaces, encrypted messaging, and financial transactions—all without middlemen.

Here’s why it’s revolutionary:

Freedom from Censorship – No platform bans. No speech policing. If one relay refuses to host your messages, another will.

True Digital Ownership – Your account is yours, tied to your private key. No company can take it away.

Interoperability – One identity works across all apps that use NOSTR, meaning you’re not trapped inside a walled garden.

Resilience – If one relay shuts down, the network lives on. Unlike traditional platforms, NOSTR has no single point of failure.

The Future of the Internet Has Arrived

Skeptics might say, “This sounds great, but will it actually replace the internet we know?”

The answer? It already is. Bitcoiners, free speech advocates, and tech pioneers are flooding onto NOSTR. Developers are building new tools every day. The old internet—bloated, censored, and controlled—is losing its grip.

We are witnessing the birth of a new digital age, one where power shifts from corporations back to individuals.

NOSTR isn’t just another platform—it’s the foundation for a freer internet.

And make no mistake: NOSTR is the new internet.

The only question is, are you ready to be a part of it?

@ 266815e0:6cd408a5

While I was in Mediera with all the other awesome people at the first SEC cohort there where a lot of discussions around data storage on nostr and if it could be made censorship-resistent

I remember lots of discussions about torrents, hypercore, nostr relays, and of course IPFS

There were a few things I learned from all these conversations:

1. All the existing solutions have one thing in common. A universal ID of some kind for files
2. HTTP is still good. we don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water
3. nostr could fix this... somehow

Some of the existing solutions work well for large files, and all of them are decentralization in some way. However none of them seem capable of serving up cat pictures for social media clients. they all have something missing...

An Identity system

An identity system would allow files to be "owned" by users. and once files have owners servers could start grouping files into a single thing instead of a 1000+ loose files

This can also greatly simplify the question of "what is spam" for a server hosting (or seeding) these files. since it could simply have a whitelist of owners (and maybe their friends)

What is blossom?

Blossom is a set of HTTP endpoints that allow nostr users to store and retrieve binary data on public servers using the sha256 hash as a universal id

What are Blobs?

blobs are chunks of binary data. they are similar to files but with one key difference, they don't have names

Instead blobs have a sha256 hash (like b1674191a88ec5cdd733e4240a81803105dc412d6c6708d53ab94fc248f4f553) as an ID

These IDs are universal since they can be computed from the file itself using the sha256 hashing algorithm ( you can get a files sha256 hash on linux using: sha256sum bitcoin.pdf )

How do the servers work?

Blossom servers expose four endpoints to let clients and users upload and manage blobs

• GET /<sha256> (optional file .ext)
• PUT /upload
• Authentication: Signed nostr event
• Returns a blob descriptor
• GET /list/<pubkey>
• Returns an array of blob descriptors
• Authentication (optional): Signed nostr event
• DELETE /<sha256>
• Authentication: Signed nostr event

What is Blossom Drive?

Blossom Drive is a nostr app built on top of blossom servers and allows users to create and manage folders of blobs

What are Drives

Drives are just nostr events (kind 30563) that store a map of blobs and what filename they should have along with some extra metadata

An example drive event would be json { "pubkey": "266815e0c9210dfa324c6cba3573b14bee49da4209a9456f9484e5106cd408a5", "created_at": 1710773987, "content": "", "kind": 30563, "tags": [ [ "name", "Emojis" ], [ "description", "nostr emojis" ], [ "d", "emojis" ], [ "r", "https://cdn.hzrd149.com/" ], [ "x", "303f018e613f29e3e43264529903b7c8c84debbd475f89368cb293ec23938981", "/noStrudel.png", "15161", "image/png" ], [ "x", "a0e2b39975c8da1702374b3eed6f4c6c7333e6ae0008dadafe93bd34bfb2ca78", "/satellite.png", "6853", "image/png" ], [ "x", "e8f3fae0f4a43a88eae235a8b79794d72e8f14b0e103a0fed1e073d8fb53d51f", "/amethyst.png", "20487", "image/png" ], [ "x", "70bd5836807b916d79e9c4e67e8b07e3e3b53f4acbb95c7521b11039a3c975c6", "/nos.png", "36521", "image/png" ], [ "x", "0fc304630279e0c5ab2da9c2769e3a3178c47b8609b447a30916244e89abbc52", "/primal.png", "29343", "image/png" ], [ "x", "9a03824a73d4af192d893329bbc04cd3798542ee87af15051aaf9376b74b25d4", "/coracle.png", "18300", "image/png" ], [ "x", "accdc0cdc048f4719bb5e1da4ff4c6ffc1a4dbb7cf3afbd19b86940c01111568", "/iris.png", "24070", "image/png" ], [ "x", "2e740f2514d6188e350d95cf4756bbf455d2f95e6a09bc64e94f5031bc4bba8f", "/damus.png", "32758", "image/png" ], [ "x", "2e019f08da0c75fb9c40d81947e511c8f0554763bffb6d23a7b9b8c9e8c84abb", "/old emojis/astral.png", "29365", "image/png" ], [ "x", "d97f842f2511ce0491fe0de208c6135b762f494a48da59926ce15acfdb6ac17e", "/other/rabbit.png", "19803", "image/png" ], [ "x", "72cb99b689b4cfe1a9fb6937f779f3f9c65094bf0e6ac72a8f8261efa96653f5", "/blossom.png", "4393", "image/png" ] ] }

There is a lot going on but the main thing is the list of "x" tags and the path that describes the folder and filename the blob should live at

If your interested, the full event definition is at github.com/hzrd149/blossom-drive

Getting started

Like every good nostr client it takes a small instruction manual in order to use it properly. so here are the steps for getting started

1. Open the app

Open https://blossom.hzrd149.com

2. Login using extension

You can also login using any of the following methods using the input - NIP-46 with your https://nsec.app or https://flare.pub account - a NIP-46 connection string - an ncryptsec password protected private key - a nsec unprotected private key (please don't) - bunker:// URI from nsecbunker

3. Add a blossom server

Right now https://cdn.satellite.earth is the only public server that is compatible with blossom drive. If you want to host your own I've written a basic implementation in TypeScript github.com/hzrd149/blossom-server

4. Start uploading your files

NOTE: All files upload to blossom drive are public by default. DO NOT upload private files

5. Manage files

Encrypted drives

There is also the option to encrypt drives using NIP-49 password encryption. although its not tested at all so don't trust it, verify

Whats next?

I don't know, but Im excited to see what everyone else on nostr builds with this. I'm only one developer at the end of the day and I can't think of everything

also all the images in this article are stored in one of my blossom drives here

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqrhvvpzqfngzhsvjggdlgeycm96x4emzjlwf8dyyzdfg4hefp89zpkdgz99qq8xzun5d93kcefdd9kkzem9wvr46jka