@ eac63075:b4988b48

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

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

---

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

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

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

---

Understanding Quantum Computing’s Attack Priorities

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

1. Attacks on Wallets

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

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

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

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

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

2. Attacks on Mining

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

---

Satoshi Nakamoto in 2010 on Quantum Computing and Bitcoin Attacks

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

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

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

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

---

How Can Users Protect Themselves?

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

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

---

BIP-360 and Bitcoin’s Preparation for the Future

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

BIP-360 addresses three main pillars:

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

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

---

Post-Quantum Algorithms: The Future of Bitcoin Cryptography

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

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

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

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

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

---

Why Quantum Computing Is Far from Being a Threat

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

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

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

---

Conclusion: Bitcoin’s Secure Future

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

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

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

@ eac63075:b4988b48

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

PT-BR version

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

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

1. Introduction to Consensus in Bitcoin

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

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

Evolution of Consensus in Bitcoin

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

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

---

2. Technical Components of Consensus

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

Validation of Blocks and Transactions

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

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

Chain Selection

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

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

Soft Forks vs. Hard Forks

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

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

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

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

---

3. Stakeholders in Bitcoin's Consensus

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

1. Economic Nodes

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

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

2. Investors

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

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

3. Media Influencers

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

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

4. Miners

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

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

5. Protocol Developers

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

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

6. Users and Application Developers

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

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

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

---

4. Mechanisms for Activating Updates in Bitcoin

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

Flag Day

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

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

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

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

BIP34 and BIP9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BIP8 (LOT=True)

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

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

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

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

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

---

5. Risks and Considerations in Consensus Updates

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

Network Fragility with Alternative Implementations

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

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

Chain Splits and Impact on Stakeholders

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

Each group of stakeholders reacts differently to a chain split:

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

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

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

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

Regulatory Impacts and Institutional Investors

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

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

Security Considerations in Soft Forks and Hard Forks

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

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

Bounty Claim Risks and Attack Scenarios

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

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

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

---

6. Recommendations for the Consensus Process in Bitcoin

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

1. Careful Evaluation of Proposal Maturity

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

2. Extensive Testing in Secure and Compatible Networks

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

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

3. Importance of Stakeholder Engagement

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

4. Key Questions for Evaluating Consensus Proposals

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

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

5. Coordination and Timing in Implementations

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

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

6. Continuous Monitoring and Re-evaluation

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

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

---

7. Conclusion

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

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

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

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

---

8. Links

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

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

@ eac63075:b4988b48

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

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

(PT-BR version here)

What is a CBDC?

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

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

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

Practical Example: The Case of DREX During the Pandemic

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

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

How Does China's Social Credit System Work?

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

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

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

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

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

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

DREX and Bill No. 3,341/2024

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

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

Risks and Individual Freedom

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

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

The Relationship Between DREX and Pix

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

International Precedents and Resistance to CBDC

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

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

Bill No. 3,341/2024 and Popular Pressure

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

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

What’s at Stake?

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

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

A Call to Action

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

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

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Embarking on the journey of operating your own Lightning node on the Bitcoin Layer 2 network is more than just a tech-savvy endeavor; it's a step into a realm of financial autonomy and cutting-edge innovation. By running a node, you become a vital part of a revolutionary movement that's reshaping how we think about money and digital transactions. This role not only offers a unique perspective on blockchain technology but also places you at the heart of a community dedicated to decentralization and network resilience. Beyond the technicalities, it's about embracing a new era of digital finance, where you contribute directly to the network's security, efficiency, and growth, all while gaining personal satisfaction and potentially lucrative rewards.

In essence, running your own Lightning node is a powerful way to engage with the forefront of blockchain technology, assert financial independence, and contribute to a more decentralized and efficient Bitcoin network. It's an adventure that offers both personal and communal benefits, from gaining in-depth tech knowledge to earning a place in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency.

Running your own Lightning node for the Bitcoin Layer 2 network can be an empowering and beneficial endeavor. Here are 10 reasons why you might consider taking on this task:

1. Direct Contribution to Decentralization: Operating a node is a direct action towards decentralizing the Bitcoin network, crucial for its security and resistance to control or censorship by any single entity.

2. Financial Autonomy: Owning a node gives you complete control over your financial transactions on the network, free from reliance on third-party services, which can be subject to fees, restrictions, or outages.

3. Advanced Network Participation: As a node operator, you're not just a passive participant but an active player in shaping the network, influencing its efficiency and scalability through direct involvement.

4. Potential for Higher Revenue: With strategic management and optimal channel funding, your node can become a preferred route for transactions, potentially increasing the routing fees you can earn.

5. Cutting-Edge Technological Engagement: Running a node puts you at the forefront of blockchain and bitcoin technology, offering insights into future developments and innovations.

6. Strengthened Network Security: Each new node adds to the robustness of the Bitcoin network, making it more resilient against attacks and failures, thus contributing to the overall security of the ecosystem.

7. Personalized Fee Structures: You have the flexibility to set your own fee policies, which can balance earning potential with the service you provide to the network.

8. Empowerment Through Knowledge: The process of setting up and managing a node provides deep learning opportunities, empowering you with knowledge that can be applied in various areas of blockchain and fintech.

9. Boosting Transaction Capacity: By running a node, you help to increase the overall capacity of the Lightning Network, enabling more transactions to be processed quickly and at lower costs.

10. Community Leadership and Reputation: As an active node operator, you gain recognition within the Bitcoin community, which can lead to collaborative opportunities and a position of thought leadership in the space.

These reasons demonstrate the impactful and transformative nature of running a Lightning node, appealing to those who are deeply invested in the principles of bitcoin and wish to actively shape its future. Jump aboard, and embrace the journey toward full independence. 🐶🐾🫡🚀🚀🚀

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Chef's notes

Serving these two dishes together will create a delightful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal, offering a perfect blend of traditional flavors with a homemade touch.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 30 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 1 - 2 hours
• 🍽️ Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (about 12-14 lbs), thawed and ready to cook
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• Apple and Sage Stuffing
• 1 loaf of crusty bread, cut into cubes
• 2 apples, cored and chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Prepare the Herb Butter: Mix the softened butter with the chopped thyme, rosemary, and sage. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the Turkey: Remove any giblets from the turkey and pat it dry. Loosen the skin and spread a generous amount of herb butter under and over the skin.
4. Add Aromatics: Inside the turkey cavity, place the quartered onion, lemon halves, and garlic cloves.
5. Roast: Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Tent with aluminum foil and roast. A general guideline is about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
6. Rest and Serve: Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
7. Next: Apple and Sage Stuffing
8. Dry the Bread: Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and let them dry overnight, or toast them in the oven.
9. Cook the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter and cook the onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
10. Combine Ingredients: Add the apples, sage, and bread cubes to the skillet. Stir in the chicken broth until the mixture is moist. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Bake: Transfer the stuffing to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes, until golden brown on top.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Testing a brand new YakiHonne native client for iOS. Smooth as butter (not penis butter 🤣🍆🧈) with great visual experience and intuitive navigation. Amazing work by the team behind it! * lists * work

Bold text work!

Images could have used nostr.build instead of raw S3 from us-east-1 region.

Very impressive! You can even save the draft and continue later, before posting the long-form note!

🐶🐾🤯🤯🤯🫂💜

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

As the title states, scratch behind my ear and you get it. 🐶🐾🫡

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Test Bounty Note

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Intro

This short tutorial will help you set up your own Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) on your own LND Node that is not using Umbrel. If you are a user of Umbrel, you should use their version of NWC.

Requirements

You need to have a working installation of LND with established channels and connectivity to the internet. NWC in itself is fairly light and will not consume a lot of resources. You will also want to ensure that you have a working installation of Docker, since we will use a docker image to run NWC.

• Working installation of LND (and all of its required components)
• Docker (with Docker compose)

Installation

For the purpose of this tutorial, we will assume that you have your lnd/bitcoind running under user bitcoin with home directory /home/bitcoin. We will also assume that you already have a running installation of Docker (or docker.io).

Prepare and verify

git version - we will need git to get the latest version of NWC. docker version - should execute successfully and show the currently installed version of Docker. docker compose version - same as before, but the version will be different. ss -tupln | grep 10009- should produce the following output: tcp LISTEN 0 4096 0.0.0.0:10009 0.0.0.0: tcp LISTEN 0 4096 [::]:10009 [::]:**

For things to work correctly, your Docker should be version 20.10.0 or later. If you have an older version, consider installing a new one using instructions here: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/

Create folders & download NWC

In the home directory of your LND/bitcoind user, create a new folder, e.g., "nwc" mkdir /home/bitcoin/nwc. Change to that directory cd /home/bitcoin/nwc and clone the NWC repository: git clone https://github.com/getAlby/nostr-wallet-connect.git

Creating the Docker image

In this step, we will create a Docker image that you will use to run NWC.

• Change directory to nostr-wallet-connect: cd nostr-wallet-connect
• Run command to build Docker image: docker build -t nwc:$(date +'%Y%m%d%H%M') -t nwc:latest . (there is a dot at the end)
• The last line of the output (after a few minutes) should look like => => naming to docker.io/library/nwc:latest
• nwc:latest is the name of the Docker image with a tag which you should note for use later.

Creating docker-compose.yml and necessary data directories

• Let's create a directory that will hold your non-volatile data (DB): mkdir data
• Indocker-compose.ymlfile, there are fields that you want to replace (<> comments) and port “4321” that you want to make sure is open (check with ss -tupln | grep 4321which should return nothing).
• Create docker-compose.ymlfile with the following content, and make sure to update fields that have <> comment:

version: "3.8" services: nwc: image: nwc:latest volumes: - ./data:/data - ~/.lnd:/lnd:ro ports: - "4321:8080" extra_hosts: - "localhost:host-gateway" environment: NOSTR_PRIVKEY: <use "openssl rand -hex 32" to generate a fresh key and place it inside ""> LN_BACKEND_TYPE: "LND" LND_ADDRESS: localhost:10009 LND_CERT_FILE: "/lnd/tls.cert" LND_MACAROON_FILE: "/lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/admin.macaroon" DATABASE_URI: "/data/nostr-wallet-connect.db" COOKIE_SECRET: <use "openssl rand -hex 32" to generate fresh secret and place it inside ""> PORT: 8080 restart: always stop_grace_period: 1m

Starting and testing

Now that you have everything ready, it is time to start the container and test.

• While you are in the nwcdirectory (important), execute the following command and check the log output, docker compose up
• You should see container logs while it is starting, and it should not exit if everything went well.
• At this point, you should be able to go to http://<ip of the host where nwc is running>:4321 and get to the interface of NWC
• To stop the test run of NWC, simply press Ctrl-C , and it will shut the container down.
• To start NWC permanently, you should execute docker compose up -d , “-d” tells Docker to detach from the session.
• To check currently running NWC logs, execute docker compose logs to run it in tail mode add -f to the end.
• To stop the container, execute docker compose down

That's all, just follow the instructions in the web interface to get started.

Updating

As with any software, you should expect fixes and updates that you would need to perform periodically. You could automate this, but it falls outside of the scope of this tutorial. Since we already have all of the necessary configuration in place, the update execution is fairly simple.

• Change directory to the clone of the git repository, cd /home/bitcoin/nwc/nostr-wallet-connect
• Run command to build Docker image: docker build -t nwc:$(date +'%Y%m%d%H%M') -t nwc:latest . (there is a dot at the end)
• Change directory back one level cd ..
• Restart (stop and start) the docker compose config docker compose down && docker compose up -d
• Done! Optionally you may want to check the logs: docker compose logs

@ a7bbc310:fe7b7be3

I’ve been back from Morocco for just over a month and I’ve had some time to reflect. I started writing a day by day of what I did in my trip to Morocco but that was turning out a bit boring. I couldn’t do the trip justice. I thought I’d share some of my observations instead. I’d start by saying I was only there for 5 1/2 days. 5 days in Marrakesh and half day in Essaouira

You can feel the rich culture and history Morocco has such a rich culture and history. Influence of Romans, French, Arab, Berbers, Saharan and Nomadic tribes. You can see it in the architecture, taste it in the food and hear it in the language. The streets of Marrakesh had the smells of spices, perfumes and petrol. There is a synchronised dance between everyone that occupy the streets. People, motorbikes, donkeys, carts, all jostling for position but never seeming to collide into on another.

One thing that didn’t surprise me was the high level of craftsmanship and intricate designs on some of the buildings. I was told by a tour guide that some of the calligraphy could only be understood and read by the person who wrote it.

There seemed to be a sense of community, people stopping in the street to greet each other and say hello. What surprised me about this in Marrakesh most was that it happened in such a busy city. From my experience big cities are places that you go to get lost, ignored and don’t want to be found. Scene at the end of the movie Collateral comes to mind. You know the one where he’s riding on the subway alone after being shot.

A vendor tried to sell me a pendant, a symbol of the Berber tribe that meant ‘free man’. The symbol looks similar to the one for Sats 丰. I declined to purchase since I wasn’t educated enough on the Berbers to rep a symbol.

Couldn’t get over how much stuff there was for sale! And duplications of everything, rugs, shoes , handbags, jackets. Cold mornings and evenings, warm during the day. Everyone dressed like it was winter, even when it for warmer in the afternoon. It was a special trip. I’d definitely go back. Both to visit Marrakesh and other places.

@ 078d6670:56049f0c

I spent some time outside in the dark last night. After a little sleep I was wide awake again, so I ventured downstairs, rolled a joint and stepped into the darkness. No moon, no outside lights. Just stars flickering through space and landing on the sky dome, expanding my being.

There was nothing unusual. Just the usual fleeting apparitions shooting through the ether, barely visible, like they’re behind a lace curtain and I have a glimpse into the astral: light and dark winged things, miniature meteor orbs and bat shadows. This time I wasn’t listening to anything, just the inspiring tangent thoughts spiralling through my mental DNA. No cows, no lions fornicating, not even any barking dogs. (But there was a Wood Owl hooting.)

Initially, I was a little disappointed I hadn’t seen anything inexplicable, but I got over myself and expectation to always see fairies. There is a bliss in just being present (and stoned)!

When I was ready to exit the deck space, I yelled silently to myself and anyone reading my mind, “Goodnight Sky! Thank you stars for shining! Thank you planets for showing yourselves! Blessings to all the conscious beings in the Universe!”

I wasn’t prepared for what happened next. I wasn’t sure if I should run inside to get my smartphone or just watch.

An orb, a little bigger than the average star, manifested directly above my head, star-height, as far as my perception could guess. Then it disappeared after two seconds. Another one appeared in the same vicinity, and disappeared. I couldn’t tell if it was the same one reappearing in an astral (wormhole) jump, or other orbs were taking turns to greet me, because there were more, probably five in total.

How the f*!k did they hear me?

Is the sky conscious?

Does my being extend to the stars?

It felt like I was inside a lucid dream. The world was alive and acknowledging my blessings instantaneously. What impeccable manners!

I understand everything in my dream world is an extension of my consciousness. When I’m lucid I can interact with any of my dream elements and ask for meaning. There are no limits, only my imagination and unconscious beliefs.

But what is happening now?!

My reality is transforming into a dream, or the dream sandbox is becoming more real. Synchronistically, this is amazing, since my reading is taking me on a journey into western esotericism to expansive experiences through imagination to include the stars and beyond.

Soon, it’ll be time to call reality the Unreal, and the unreal Reality.

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Vom Schrei nach dem Frieden ist hier die Luft ganz schwer,

Der Friede, der Friede, wo kommt denn der Friede her?

Der kommt nicht vom bloßen Fordern,

Der kommt nur, wenn wir ihn tun,

Und wenn in unseren Seelen die Mörderwaffen ruhn.

Wenn wir Gewalt verweigern, in Sprache, Not und Streit,

Wenn wir als Haltung lieben, Zeit unsrer Lebenszeit.

André Heller (*1947)

Die Lage ist ernst. Es ist so unübersehbar wie skandalös:

• Das "Friedensprojekt" Europäische Union rüstet zum Krieg. Orwell ist längst Realität.
• Im "Nie-Wieder-Krieg"-Land Deutschland prügeln die Kriegstreiber hunderte Milliarden durch einen abgewählten Bundestag, Wahlbetrug inklusive. Wieder mal an vorderster Front mit dabei: Kein Weltkrieg ohne uns!
• Ein Joschka Fischer, der nie gedient hat, außer an den Futtertrögen des Steuerzahlers oder von Transatlantistan, bringt die Wehrpflicht für Männer und Frauen ins Spiel. Gleichberechtigt in den Tod für die Waffenlobby!
• Der Ausnahmezustand hat nie aufgehört, bekommt nur ein neues Gesicht: die Fratze von Krieg, Tod und Leid. Corona ist abmoderiert. Das neue Virus heißt Russland, der Impfstoff „slava ukraini“, und auch bei der Finanzierung bleibt alles gleich: die Zeche zahlen (wieder mal) Sie. Diesmal doppelt. Sie dürfen zahlen und sterben, das Sonderopfer für jede Politikverwirrung zahlt in “Unserer Demokratie” immer der angebliche Souverän, der vom Nutztier jederzeit zum Schlachttier gemacht werden kann.
• Was jetzt kommt, kennen Sie schon von der Corona-Generalprobe: Spaltung, Diffamierung, Propaganda, Zensur, irre Milliardenausgaben, Ausnahmezustand, Kriegswirtschaft, Kriegszustand. Volksvertreter und Lobbyisten können sich jetzt straffrei eine goldene Nase verdienen, wenn sie ihre Wähler in die Bajonette laufen lassen. Die Strack-Zimmermanns und Kiesewetters sind die Lauterbachs und Dahmens im Tarnfleck, und sie werden bis zum letzten Wähler mutig „für das Gute“ kämpfen. Wie sich die Bilder doch gleichen:

Nicht mit uns: Erheben wir jetzt die Stimme für den Frieden!

Machen wir den Kriegstreibern einen Strich durch die Rechnung! Bringen wir die Stimmen für den Frieden an einen Tisch! Wir lassen die Friedenstaube fliegen, die erste unzensierbare Friedenspublikation der Welt auf Nostr und Pareto.

Die Vielfalt an Themen ist groß. Wir wollen aufklären und informieren:

Über Diplomatie und Strategien für den Frieden; über Lügen, Propaganda und Manipulation; über Verschwendung, Völkerrechtsbrüche und Kriegsverbrechen. Wir nehmen kein Blatt vor den Mund, egal ob hybride Kriegsführung, kognitive Kriegsführung oder sonstige neuartige Methoden der Kriegsführung. Wir wollen die Friedenswilligen vereinen und der Friedensbewegung eine starke Stimme verleihen, quer durch alle Lager. Wer auch immer jetzt das Lied vom Tod anstimmt, wird es unter den kritischen Augen der Öffentlichkeit machen müssen.

Warum wir?

• Wir haben die unzensierbare Technologie, um eine nachhaltige Publikation als Autorenblog und Newsletter aufzubauen. Diese brauchen wir auch, wir haben aus der Corona-Zensur unsere Lektion gelernt (https://pareto.space/read).

• Wir können alle Formate bedienen, von Text, Bild und Podcast bis Video und Stream.

• Wir werden online und in Print stattfinden (wenn Sie das wollen).

• Wir sind eine Gruppe von Autoren mit Reichweite, Erfahrung und Impact. Wir werden eine Kernredaktion haben und auf viele freie Autoren setzen, auch aus dem Ausland. Erste Kontakte sind hergestellt, das Feedback ist überwältigend.
• Wir setzen zudem von Anfang an auch auf Bürgerjournalismus und wollen jeder Stimme für den Frieden Raum und Platz bieten. Auch Sie können auf unserer freien Tribüne ("Weltbühne") publizieren und gelesen werden. Jede Stimme für den Frieden zählt!

Ich will Sie nicht mit Name dropping blenden, freue mich jedoch über bekannte erstklassige Stimmen aus der kritischen Szene, die bereits ihre Mitwirkung zugesagt haben. Diese Liste wird ständig aktualisiert (und auch ich werde Texte beitragen):

• Dr. Ulrike Guérot
• Mathias Bröckers
• Dr. Daniele Ganser
• Tom-Oliver Regenauer
• Prof. Dr. Michael Meyen
• Jonas Tögel
• Jürgen Müller
• uvm.

Sie sind Autor und wollen mit dabei sein? Schreiben Sie uns an: milosz@pareto.space

Jetzt abonnieren! Holen Sie sich die neusten Artikel der Friedenstaube in Ihr Postfach indem Sie HIER klicken.

---

Gründen wir eine Genossenschaft! Wir sind bereit – und Sie?

Sie entscheiden, ob und wie hoch die Friedenstaube fliegt. Wir werden eine Publikationsgenossenschaft gründen. Die Friedenstaube soll allen und niemandem gehören. Denn auch der Friede gehört allen, die ihn wollen. Krieg dagegen will immer nur eine Minderheit, am liebsten diejenigen, die nicht an die Front gehen.

Die Kriegsmaschine wird mit hunderten Milliarden geschmiert – und das ist nur der Anfang. Wir glauben, dass das Wort mächtiger ist als das Schwert. Für die Genossenschaft sammeln wir mindestens 100 000 CHF, die den Redaktionsbetrieb für ein Jahr sichern sollen. Mit einem Genossenschaftsanteil zu 1000 CHF sind Sie automatisch Verleger und bestimmen mit. Pro Person können maximal 20 Anteile gezeichnet werden, jeder Genossenschafter hat immer nur eine Stimme.

• Für 50 CHF bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie mich an: milosz@pareto.space oder kontakt@idw-europe.org.

Das gilt auch für Unterstützungen jenseits finanzieller Zuwendungen. Wir sind für jede Unterstützung dankbar, die hilft, das Projekt zu realisieren. Wir planen auch Printprodukte, Übersetzungen in andere Sprachen, Ausschreibungen und Wettbewerbe zum Thema Frieden uvm. Seien Sie von Anfang an mit dabei: Als Autor, Mitwirkender, Genossenschafter oder in welcher Rolle sie auch immer hilfreich zu sein glauben.

Ich kann Ihnen keine Wunder versprechen aber Sie dürfen mich an meinen bisherigen Projekten messen. Wenn ich etwas angehe, mache ich es mit voller Kraft:

Mit Ihrer Unterstützung war schon vieles möglich:

• Sie haben den “Appell für freie Debattenräume” zum sichtbarsten Zeichen gegen Cancel Culture in Europa gemacht.
• Sie haben gehofen, die Freischwebende Intelligenz zu einem der führenden Substack-Newsletter in Europa zu machen
• Sie haben “Pandamned” unterstützt, eine Corona-Doku, die mehr als 1 Mio. Menschen gesehen haben.
• Sie haben die Realisierung von Pareto unterstützt und uns geholfen, ein unzensierbares Werkzeug für Blogging/Newsletter zu bauen, weltweit einmalig.

Lassen Sie uns jetzt gemeinsam die Friedenstaube zur führenden Friedenspublikation der freien Welt aufbauen.

Lassen wir die Friedenstaube fliegen!

Jetzt.

Herzlichen Dank, dass Sie meine Arbeit unterstützen!

Ich kann Ihnen auch manuell einen Zugang zur Publikation einrichten, wenn Sie lieber per Paypal, Überweisung oder Bitcoin (einmal Jahresbeitrag, ewiger Zugang) bezahlen. Sie erreichen mich unter kontakt@idw-europe.org

Refer a friend

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Autor: Milosz Matuschek. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.

---

Seit Sonntag (zu allem Glück auch noch meinem 45. Geburtstag) ist bei mir noch ein bisschen mehr los als sonst – und das liegt an Ihnen. Der Aufruf zur Gründung der „Friedenstaube“, einer unzensierbaren Friedenspublikation mit bekannten Stimmen aus der kritischen Szene, der Friedensbewegung und von Bürgerjournalisten ist bei Ihnen auf mehr als nur offene Ohren gestoßen! Ich bin regelrecht geplättet von den vielen Reaktionen, die ich noch gar nicht alle beantworten konnte.

Ich danke Ihnen herzlich für das Vertrauen in mich (auch wenn ich natürlich stark auf die Autoren angewiesen bin) und die überwältigenden Reaktionen: Es sind hunderte Abonnements für den Newsletter eingegangen, darunter einige bezahlte Abos und Förderabos und auch die ersten Genossenschaftsanteile wurden gezeichnet! Was mich besonders freut: Gut zehn weitere freiwillige Autoren wollen mitmachen und arbeiten bereits an den ersten Texten. Damit darf ich schon jetzt verkünden, dass die Genossenschaft definitiv gegründet werden kann, die Friedenstaube wird fliegen. Wie hoch und wie weit, das liegt dann nun nur noch in unser aller Hände.

Der Anfang ist jedenfalls gemacht. Die nächsten Wochen werden besonders arbeitsintensiv, ich bitte Sie um etwas Geduld: Aufbau einer Kernredaktion, Organisation der Abläufe, technologische Entwicklungsarbeiten, Genossenschaftsgründung etc. stehen jetzt auf der Agenda. Mit Tom-Oliver Regenauer darf ich den ersten Autor im redaktionellen Kernteam verkünden, der sich nicht nur große Verdienste im Schreiben erarbeitet hat (siehe u.a. sein Buch Hopium) sondern auch über Managementerfahrung verfügt; mit weiteren helfenden Händen bin ich im Gespräch.

Ich freue mich auf die (auch für mich) neue Erfahrung, quasi aus dem Nichts eine Publikation mit Redaktionsbetrieb und freien Autoren auf einer gänzlich neuen technologischen Infrastruktur aufzubauen. Es wäre illusorisch zu glauben, dass alles glatt gehen wird, denn wir starten quasi „on the go“, aber im Fall von Frieden oder Krieg gilt es, keine Zeit verstreichen zu lassen. Ich arbeite nach dem Motto „Tun, statt reden; zeigen, statt ankündigen; liefern, statt versprechen“.

Die ersten Texte zum Thema Frieden sind bereits publiziert, ein halbwegs geordneter Betrieb sollte ab April realistisch sein. Die Liste der Autoren wird regelmäßig aktualisiert, schauen Sie gerne hier (oder noch besser: hier) immer wieder herein. Dort finden Sie auch noch mal alle Infos, wenn Sie die Friedenstaube unterstützen wollen. Ab 1000 Euro/CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter, also Verleger!**

Auch an die bisherigen Unterstützer des Pareto-Projekts, der technologischen Basis der Friedenstaube, will ich hiermit schon etwas zurückgeben: Alle Spender für Pareto werden die Friedenstaube immer kostenlos lesen können. Sie, die Leser dieser Publikation haben die technologische Basis mit aufgebaut, die uns zur weltweit ersten, zensursicheren Friedenspublikation macht. Uns Autoren steht damit ein kompetentes Support-Team von inzwischen über zehn Entwicklern (und weiteren Helfern) an der Seite, welche die Friedenstaube am Fliegen halten werden.

Kontaktieren Sie mich gerne zu allen Fragen (je kürzer die Mail, desto früher kommt die Antwort): milosz\@pareto.space oder kontakt\@idw-europe.org

---

JETZT ABONNIEREN:

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel in Ihr Postfach, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht).

---

• Für 50 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF/EURO werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF/EURO werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie mich an: milosz@pareto.space oder kontakt@idw-europe.org.

---

Was bewegt mich beim Thema Krieg und Frieden?

Erlauben Sie mir einen kurzen persönlichen Prolog: Ich stamme aus Schlesien. Mein Urgroßvater kämpfte im I. Weltkrieg bei Verdun. Mein Großvater wurde in die Wehrmacht eingezogen, kämpfte im Partisanenkrieg in Jugoslawien, verlor Hand und Auge. Ein Bruder meiner Großmutter entzog sich und landete in Dachau. Ich kenne meine Familiengeschichte nur in groben Umrissen, vielen wird es ähnlich gehen. Einige meiner schlesischen Vorfahren waren später vor allem Lokführer. Aufgrund der bewegten schlesischen Geschichte wechselten sie mehrfach die Uniform. Die Tätigkeit und Fahrstrecke blieb die gleiche. Für wen oder was kämpften sie in Kriegen in welchen Uniformen? Vermutlich wussten sie es selbst nicht.

Auch ich könnte heute nicht genau sagen, welche Interessen und Mächte die Kriegsmaschinerie bedienen. Doch ich wüsste es gerne und Sie vielleicht auch. Kämpfen ohne letztlich zu wissen für wen und warum: Wozu? Krieg simuliert Sinn und Notwendigkeit und lässt einen am Ende mit den großen Fragen allein, ahnungslos gestorben im Schützengraben. Zivilisatorisch ist das ein Offenbarungseid.

Bin ich ein totaler Anti-Militarist? Ich glaube nicht. Ich habe nichts gegen die Idee privaten Waffenbesitzes. Ich kann der Idee der Landesverteidigung durchaus etwas abgewinnen. Den Wehrdienst habe ich bewusst nicht verweigert. Ich wollte die Erfahrung machen. Hier schreibt also auch ein Obergefreiter a. D. eines bayerischen Gebirgspionierbataillons bei Rosenheim mit bronzener Schützenschnur, der am MG durchaus treffsicher war. Aber eben auch jemand, den der Wehrdienst zum Teil-Pazifisten gemacht hat. Mir war nach dem Grundwehrdienst klar: Wir sind eine Gurkentruppe, reines Kanonenfutter. 20-jährige Grünschnäbel mit zu viel Testosteron und Hollywood in den Gliedern, aber wenig Ahnung.

Ich war also einer, der sich verlässlich mit anderen beim Orientierungslauf im Wald verirrte; einer, der mit anderen übermüdet beim ersten Wachdienst einpennte (und damit im Ernstfall den Tod im Schlaf kennengelernt hätte, denn just erfolgte ein simulierter „Angriff“); einer, der auch mal übernächtigt sein Gewehr vor dem Zelt vergaß (wir sollten dem G3 den Namen unserer damaligen Freundin geben – wie pervers – ich vergaß also „Petra“ vor dem Zelt) und schließlich einer, der die meiste Zeit des Dienstes fürs Vaterland letztlich mit dem Servieren von Getränken und Schinkennudeln im Offizierskasino verbrachte und die institutionalisierten Alkoholiker der Bundeswehr bei Laune hielt („it ain’t much, but it was honest work“).

Anders gesagt: Krieg – spätestens seitdem: ohne mich. Auch wenn ich gerne Ernst Jünger lese und zitiere (er war einfach ein großartiger Chronist und lebendiger Geist), seinen abenteuerlustigen Militarismus kreide ich ihm an und rufe ihm posthum hinterher: man muss nicht erst einen Sohn im Krieg verloren haben, um zum Pazifisten zu werden.

Weitere Störgefühle tauchten auf: In meiner Dissertation durfte ich mich u.a. mit philosophischen Theorien zum Gesellschaftsvertrag (u.a. Kant, Rousseau, Locke und Hobbes sind hier zu nennen) beschäftigen. Dies brachte mein Staatsverständnis gerade bei der Kriegsfrage noch mehr durcheinander. Wenn Mindestziel der Staatsgründung innere und äußere Sicherheit sind, aber letztlich nicht der Staat den Bürger, sondern der Bürger den Staat schützt, wozu sich dann eine Schutzmacht erfinden, die einen am Ende durch den Fleischwolf jagt? Hobbes setzte zumindest auf Söldner.

Kriege werden mit Lügen begonnen, wusste Julian Assange. Können Sie mit Wahrheit beendet oder gar verhindert werden? Seit Walter Lippmanns „Liberty and the News“ von 1920 weiß man spätestens, dass gesicherte Information im Krieg das seltenste Gut ist. Sagt Lippmann als oberster Mainstream-Journalist und Einflüsterer der Mächtigen. Jeder Journalist muss hier ein Störgefühl entwickeln, der Leser noch mehr. Der Journalist der Nachrichtenagentur ist selten im Geschehen sondern wird vom heimischen Militär gebrieft, sein Bericht landet dann in den Newstickern und Redaktionen. Die Kriegsmaschinerie produziert also auch ihre eigene Sicht auf die Dinge, die sie den Bürgern als die Realität verkauft.

Kein Wunder, dass jede abweichende Information massiv bekämpft werden muss. Im Krieg ist Zweifel gleich Verrat, quasi unsolidarisches Sektierertum und Wehrkraftzersetzung, wenn nicht Feindbegünstigung. Der kritische Journalist steht in Ausnahmezuständen, wie man schon bei Corona sehen konnte, automatisch aus Staatssicht im Lager des Feindes und wird entsprechend behandelt. Zensursicheres Publizieren ist dann nicht nur ein nettes feature, sondern notwendige Basisvoraussetzung. Vor kurzem war Twitter/X nicht mehr zugänglich wegen massiven Cyberattacken. Wenn dann noch Rundfunk und Presse auf der Propagandawelle surfen und die Plattformzensur wieder zuschlägt, wird das Angebot schnell dünn.

Wem aber dient Zensur und Propaganda? Die aktuelle Lage im Russland-Ukraine-Konflikt ist auch Gelegenheit, um zu zeigen: Es sind eben nicht nur staatliche Interessen, die hier verhandelt werden, sondern es muss (wieder mal) eine andere Entität mit am Tisch sitzen, man nenne sie Deep State oder wie auch immer. Europäische Eliten dienen offensichtlich Fremdinteressen, wenn sie mit Aufrüstungsplänen Volksvermögen verspekulieren oder darin (wie von der Leyen) ein notwendiges „Investment“ sehen. Von wem werden wir letztlich regiert? Auch diesem Themen-Komplex werde ich mich in der Friedenstaube nähern.

Es gibt viel zu tun, aber für mich ist klar: Frieden ist ohne Wahrheit nicht zu bekommen, deshalb ist Wahrheitssuche auch immer Friedenssuche, wie Wahrheitsliebe letztlich Friedensliebe ist.

Gerade fallen auch im Mainstream die Corona-Lügen zur Labortheorie in sich zusammen, fünf Jahre nach Ausrufung der Pandemie. Der Frieden hat nur eine Chance, wenn es uns gelingt, die Lügen nun möglichst synchron zu den Geschehnissen aufzudecken und zu dokumentieren.

Das ist mein persönlicher Wunsch, mit dem ich die Friedenstaube fliegen lasse.

Was ist Ihrer? Schreiben Sie es gerne in die Kommentare. Welche Erwartungen, Wünsche haben Sie an uns? Liebe Autoren: Was ist euer Beweggrund, für den Frieden zur Feder zu greifen?

---

Zeichnen Sie jetzt “Friedensanleihen”. Werden Sie Genossenschafter und Verleger der Friedenstaube ab 1000 Euro/CHF. Es können mehrere Anteile pro Person gezeichnet werden, es bleibt bei einem Stimmrecht pro Kopf. milosz\@pareto.space

---

P.S: Mit diesem Text testen wir die Newsletterfunktion erstmals an mehrere Hundert Mailadressen. Wenn Sie die Friedenstaube abonniert haben, sollten Sie diesen Artikel per Mail bekommen haben.

ANZEIGE:

Sie suchen nach dem einfachsten Weg, Bitcoin zu kaufen und selbst zu verwahren?* Die* Relai-App ist Europas erfolgreichste Bitcoin-App.* Hier kaufen Sie Bitcoin in wenigen Schritten und können auch Sparpläne einrichten. Niemand hat Zugriff auf Ihre Bitcoin, außer Sie selbst.* Relai senkt jetzt die Gebühr auf 1%, mit dem Referral-Code MILOSZ sparen Sie weitere 10%. (keine Finanzberatung). Disclaimer wg. EU-Mica-Regulierung: Die Dienste von Relai werden ausschließlich für Einwohner der Schweiz und Italiens empfohlen.

---

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

Are you a publication or journalist and want to be part of it, test us, migrate your content to Nostr? Write to team@pareto.space**

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

Pareto has started a crowdfunding campaign on Geyser. We were in the Top 3 in February, thank you for the support!

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Autor: Ludwig F. Badenhagen. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.

---

Einer der wesentlichen Gründe dafür, dass während der „Corona-Pandemie“ so viele Menschen den Anweisungen der Spitzenpolitiker folgten, war sicher der, dass diese Menschen den Politikern vertrauten. Diese Menschen konnten sich nicht vorstellen, dass Spitzenpolitiker den Auftrag haben könnten, die Bürger analog klaren Vorgaben zu belügen, zu betrügen und sie vorsätzlich (tödlich) zu verletzen. Im Gegenteil, diese gutgläubigen Menschen waren mit der Zuversicht aufgewachsen, dass Spitzenpolitiker den Menschen dienen und deren Wohl im Fokus haben (müssen). Dies beteuerten Spitzenpolitiker schließlich stets in Talkshows und weiteren Medienformaten. Zwar wurden manche Politiker auch bei Fehlverhalten erwischt, aber hierbei ging es zumeist „nur“ um Geld und nicht um Leben. Und wenn es doch einmal um Leben ging, dann passieren die Verfehlungen „aus Versehen“, aber nicht mit Vorsatz. So oder so ähnlich dachte die Mehrheit der Bürger. 

Aber vor 5 Jahren änderte sich für aufmerksame Menschen alles, denn analog dem Lockstep-Szenario der Rockefeller-Foundation wurde der zuvor ausgiebig vorbereitete Plan zur Inszenierung der „Corona-Pandemie“ Realität. Seitdem wurde so manchem Bürger, der sich jenseits von Mainstream-Medien informierte, das Ausmaß der unter dem Vorwand einer erfundenen Pandemie vollbrachten Taten klar. Und unverändert kommen täglich immer neue Erkenntnisse ans Licht. Auf den Punkt gebracht war die Inszenierung der „Corona-Pandemie“ ein Verbrechen an der Menschheit, konstatieren unabhängige Sachverständige. 

Dieser Beitrag befasst sich allerdings nicht damit, die vielen Bestandteile dieses Verbrechens (nochmals) aufzuzählen oder weitere zu benennen. Stattdessen soll beleuchtet werden, warum die Spitzenpolitiker sich so verhalten haben und ob es überhaupt nach alledem möglich ist, der Politik jemals wieder zu vertrauen? Ferner ist es ein Anliegen dieses Artikels, die weiteren Zusammenhänge zu erörtern. Und zu guter Letzt soll dargelegt werden, warum sich der große Teil der Menschen unverändert alles gefallen lässt.

Demokratie

Von jeher organisierten sich Menschen mit dem Ziel, Ordnungsrahmen zu erschaffen, welche wechselseitiges Interagieren regeln. Dies führte aber stets dazu, dass einige wenige alle anderen unterordneten. Der Grundgedanke, der vor rund 2500 Jahren formulierten Demokratie, verfolgte dann aber das Ziel, dass die Masse darüber entscheiden können soll, wie sie leben und verwaltet werden möchte. Dieser Grundgedanke wurde von den Mächtigen sowohl gehasst als auch gefürchtet, denn die Gefahr lag nahe, dass die besitzlosen Vielen beispielsweise mit einer schlichten Abstimmung verfügen könnten, den Besitz der Wenigen zu enteignen. Selbst Sokrates war gegen solch eine Gesellschaftsordnung, da die besten Ideen nicht durch die Vielen, sondern durch einige wenige Kluge und Aufrichtige in die Welt kommen. Man müsse die Vielen lediglich manipulieren und würde auf diese Weise quasi jeden Unfug umsetzen können. Die Demokratie war ein Rohrkrepierer.

Die Mogelpackung „Repräsentative Demokratie“

Erst im Zuge der Gründung der USA gelang der Trick, dem Volk die „Repräsentative Demokratie“ unterzujubeln, die sich zwar nach Demokratie anhört, aber mit der Ursprungsdefinition nichts zu tun hat. Man konnte zwischen zwei Parteien wählen, die sich mit ihren jeweiligen Versprechen um die Gunst des Volkes bewarben. Tatsächlich paktierten die Vertreter der gewählten Parteien (Politiker) aber mit den wirklich Mächtigen, die letztendlich dafür sorgten, dass diese Politiker in die jeweiligen exponierten Positionen gelangten, welche ihnen ermöglichten (und somit auch den wirklich Mächtigen), Macht auszuüben. Übrigens, ob die eine oder andere Partei „den Volkswillen“ für sich gewinnen konnte, war für die wirklich Mächtigen weniger von Bedeutung, denn der Wille der wirklich Mächtigen wurde so oder so, wenn auch in voneinander differierenden Details, umgesetzt.

Die Menschen waren begeistert von dieser Idee, denn sie glaubten, dass sie selbst „der Souverän“ seien. Schluss mit Monarchie sowie sonstiger Fremdherrschaft und Unterdrückung.

Die Mächtigen waren ebenfalls begeistert, denn durch die Repräsentative Demokratie waren sie selbst nicht mehr in der Schusslinie, weil das Volk sich mit seinem Unmut fortan auf die Politiker konzentrierte. Da diese Politiker aber vielleicht nicht von einem selbst, sondern von vielen anderen Wahlberechtigten gewählt wurden, lenkte sich der Groll der Menschen nicht nur ab von den wirklich Mächtigen, sondern auch ab von den Politikern, direkt auf „die vielen Idioten“ aus ihrer eigenen Mitte, die sich „ver-wählt“ hatten. Diese Lenkung des Volkes funktionierte so hervorragend, dass andere Länder die Grundprinzipien dieses Steuerungsinstrumentes übernahmen. Dies ist alles bei Rainer Mausfeld nachzulesen.

Ursprünglich waren die Mächtigen nur regional mächtig, sodass das Führen der eigenen Menschen(vieh)herde eher eine lokale Angelegenheit war. Somit mussten auch nur lokale Probleme gelöst werden und die Mittel zur Problemlösung blieben im eigenen Problembereich.

---

JETZT ABONNIEREN:

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel in Ihr Postfach, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht).

---

• Für 50 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF/EURO werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF/EURO werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie die Friedenstaube an: milosz@pareto.space oder kontakt@idw-europe.org.

---

Beherrschungsinstrumente der globalen Massenhaltung

Im Zuge der territorialen Erweiterungen der „Besitzungen“ einiger wirklich Mächtiger wurden die Verwaltungs- und Beherrschungsinstrumente überregionaler. Und heute, zu Zeiten der globalen Vernetzung, paktieren die wirklich Mächtigen miteinander und beanspruchen die Weltherrschaft. Längst wird offen über die finale Realisierung einen Weltregierung, welche die Nationalstaaten „nicht mehr benötigt“, gesprochen. Dass sich Deutschland, ebenso wie andere europäische Staaten, der EU untergeordnet hat, dürfte auch Leuten nicht entgangen sein, die sich nur über die Tagesschau informieren. Längst steht das EU-Recht über dem deutschen Recht. Und nur kurze Zeit ist es her, als die EU und alle ihre Mitgliedsstaaten die WHO autonom darüber entscheiden lassen wollten, was eine Pandemie ist und wie diese für alle verbindlich „bekämpft“ werden soll. Eine spannende Frage ist nun, wer denn über der EU und der WHO sowie anderen Institutionen steht?

Diese Beschreibung macht klar, dass ein „souveränes Land“ wie das unverändert von der amerikanischen Armee besetzte Deutschland in der Entscheidungshierarchie an die Weisungen übergeordneter Entscheidungsorgane gebunden ist. An der Spitze stehen - wie kann es anders sein - die wirklich Mächtigen. 

Aber was nützt es dann, Spitzenpolitiker zu wählen, wenn diese analog Horst Seehofer nichts zu melden haben? Ist das Wählen von Politikern nicht völlig sinnlos, wenn deren Wahlversprechen ohnehin nicht erfüllt werden? Ist es nicht so, dass die Menschen, welche ihre Stimme nicht behalten, sondern abgeben, das bestehende System nur nähren, indem sie Wahlergebnisse akzeptieren, ohne zu wissen, ob diese manipuliert wurden, aber mit der Gewissheit, dass das im Zuge des Wahlkampfes Versprochene auf keinen Fall geliefert wird? Aktive Wähler glauben trotz allem an die Redlichkeit und Wirksamkeit von Wahlen, und sie akzeptieren Wahlergebnisse, weil sie denken, dass sie von „so vielen Idioten, die falsch wählen“, umgeben sind, womit wir wieder bei der Spaltung sind. Sie glauben, der Stand des aktuellen Elends sei „selbst gewählt“.

Die Wahl der Aufseher

Stellen Sie sich bitte vor, Sie wären im Gefängnis, weil Sie einen kritischen Artikel mit „gefällt mir“ gekennzeichnet haben oder weil Sie eine „Kontaktschuld“ trifft, da in Ihrer Nachbarschaft ein „verschwörerisches Symbol“ von einem „aufmerksamen“ Nachbarn bei einer „Meldestelle“ angezeigt wurde oder Sie gar eine Tat, „unterhalb der Strafbarkeitsgrenze“ begangen hätten, dann würden Sie möglicherweise mit Maßnahmen bestraft, die „keine Folter wären“. Beispielsweise würde man Sie während Ihrer „Umerziehungshaft“ mit Waterboarding, Halten von Stresspositionen, Dunkelhaft etc. dabei „unterstützen“, „Ihre Verfehlungen zu überdenken“. Stellen Sie sich weiterhin vor, dass Sie, so wie alle anderen Inhaftierten, an der alle vier Jahre stattfindenden Wahl der Aufseher teilnehmen könnten, und Sie hätten auch einen Favoriten, der zwar Waterboarding betreibt, aber gegen alle anderen Maßnahmen steht. Sie hätten sicher allen Grund zur Freude, wenn Sie Ihren Kandidaten durchbringen könnten, oder? Aber was wäre, wenn der Aufseher Ihrer Wahl dann dennoch alle 3 „Nicht-Folter-Maßnahmen“ anwenden würde, wie sämtliche anderen Aufseher zuvor? Spätestens dann müssten Sie sich eingestehen, dass es der Beruf des Aufsehers ist, Aufseher zu sein und dass er letztendlich tut, was ihm „von oben“ aufgetragen wird. Andernfalls verliert er seinen Job. Oder er verunfallt oder gerät in einen Skandal etc. So oder so, er verliert seinen Job - und den erledigt dann ein anderer Aufseher.

Die Wahl des Aufsehers ändert wenig, solange Sie sich im System des Gefängnisses befinden und der Aufseher integraler Bestandteil dieses Systems ist. Zur Realisierung einer tatsächlichen Änderung müssten Sie dort herauskommen.

Dieses Beispiel soll darstellen, dass alles in Hierarchien eingebunden ist. Die in einem System eingebundenen Menschen erfüllen ihre zugewiesenen Aufgaben, oder sie werden bestraft.

Das aktuelle System schadet dem Volk

Auch in der staatlichen Organisation von Menschen existieren hierarchische Gliederungen. Eine kommunale Selbstverwaltung gehört zum Kreis, dieser zum Land, dieses zum Staat, dieser zur EU, und diese - zu wem auch immer. Und vereinnahmte Gelder fließen nach oben. Obwohl es natürlich wäre, dass die Mittel dorthin fließen, wo sie der Allgemeinheit und nicht einigen wenigen dienen, also nach unten.

Warum muss es also eine Weltregierung geben? Warum sollen nur einige Wenige über alle anderen bestimmen und an diesen verdienen (Nahrung, Medikamente, Krieg, Steuern etc.)? Warum sollen Menschen, so wie Vieh, das jemandem „gehört“, mit einem Code versehen und bereits als Baby zwangsgeimpft werden? Warum müssen alle Transaktionen und sämtliches Verhalten strickt gesteuert, kontrolliert und bewertet werden? 

Viele Menschen werden nach alledem zu dem Schluss kommen, dass solch ein System nur einigen wenigen wirklich Mächtigen und deren Helfershelfern nützt. Aber es gibt auch eine Gruppe Menschen, für die im Land alles beanstandungsfrei funktioniert. Die Spaltung der Menschen ist perfekt gelungen und sofern die eine Gruppe darauf wartet, dass die andere „endlich aufwacht“, da die Fakten doch auf dem Tisch liegen, so wird sie weiter warten dürfen.

Julian Assange erwähnte einst, dass es für ihn eine unglaubliche Enttäuschung war, dass ihm niemand half. Assange hatte Ungeheuerlichkeiten aufgedeckt. Es gab keinen Aufstand. Assange wurde inhaftiert und gefoltert. Es gab keinen Aufstand. Assange sagte, er hätte nicht damit gerechnet, dass die Leute „so unglaublich feige“ seien.

Aber womit rechnete er den stattdessen? Dass die Massen „sich erheben“. Das gibt es nur im Film, denn die Masse besteht aus vielen maximal Indoktrinierten, die sich wie Schafe verhalten, was als Züchtungserfolg der Leute an den Schalthebeln der Macht und deren Herren, den wirklich Mächtigen, anzuerkennen ist. Denn wer mächtig ist und bleiben möchte, will sicher keine problematischen Untertanen, sondern eine gefügige, ängstliche Herde, die er nach Belieben ausbeuten und steuern kann. Wenn er hierüber verfügt, will er keinen Widerstand.

Ob Corona, Krieg, Demokratie- und Klimarettung oder Meinungsäußerungsverbote und Bürgerrechte, die unterhalb der Strafbarkeitsgrenze liegen, all diese und viele weitere Stichworte mehr sind es, die viele traurig und so manche wütend machen.

Auch das Mittel des Demonstrierens hat sich als völlig wirkungslos erwiesen. Die vielen gruseligen Videoaufnahmen über die massivsten Misshandlungen von Demonstranten gegen die Corona-Maßnahmen führen zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Exekutive ihr Gewaltmonopol nutzt(e), um die Bevölkerung gezielt zu verletzen und einzuschüchtern. Bekanntlich kann jede friedliche Demonstration zum Eskalieren gebracht werden, indem man Menschen in die Enge treibt (fehlender Sicherheitsabstand) und einige V-Leute in Zivil mit einschlägigen Flaggen und sonstigen „Symbolen“ einschleust, die für Krawall sorgen, damit die gepanzerten Kollegen dann losknüppeln und die scharfen Hunde zubeißen können. So lauten zumindest die Berichte vieler Zeitzeugen und so ist es auch auf vielen Videos zu sehen. Allerdings nicht im Mainstream.

Dieses Vorgehen ist deshalb besonders perfide, weil man den Deutschen ihre Wehrhaftigkeit aberzogen hat. Nicht wehrfähige Bürger und eine brutale Staatsmacht mit Gewaltmonopol führen zu einem Gemetzel bei den Bürgern. 

Ähnliches lässt sich auch in zivilen Lebenssituationen beobachten, wenn die hiesige zivilisierte Bevölkerung auf „eingereiste“ Massenvergewaltiger und Messerstecher trifft, die über ein anderes Gewalt- und Rechtsverständnis verfügen als die Einheimischen.

System-Technik

Die These ist, dass es eine Gruppe von global agierenden Personen gibt, welche das Geschehen auf der Erde zunehmend wirksam zu ihrem individuellen Vorteil gestaltet. Wie sich diese Gruppe definiert, kann bei John Coleman (Das Komitee der 300) und David Icke nachgelesen werden. Hierbei handelt es ich um Autoren, die jahrzehntelang analog streng wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen zu ihren Themen geforscht haben und in ihren jeweiligen Werken sämtliche Quellen benennen. Diese Autoren wurden vom Mainstream mit dem Prädikatsmerkmal „Verschwörungstheoretiker“ ausgezeichnet, wodurch die Ergebnisse Ihrer Arbeiten umso glaubwürdiger sind. 

Diese mächtige Gruppe hat mit ihren Schergen nahezu den gesamten Planeten infiltriert, indem sie Personen in führenden Positionen in vielen Belangen größtmögliche Freiheiten sowie Schutz gewährt, aber diesen im Gegenzug eine völlige Unterwerfung bei Kernthemen abfordert. Die Motivatoren für diese Unterwerfung sind, abgesehen von materiellen Zuwendungen, auch „Ruhm und Ehre sowie Macht“. Manchmal wird auch Beweismaterial für begangene Verfehlungen (Lolita-Express, Pizzagate etc.)  genutzt, um Forderungen Nachdruck zu verleihen. Und auch körperliche Bestrafungen der betroffenen Person oder deren Angehörigen zählen zum Repertoire der Motivatoren. Letztendlich ähnlich den Verhaltensweisen in einem Mafia-Film.

Mit dieser Methodik hat sich diese mächtige Gruppe im Laufe von Jahrhunderten! eine Organisation erschaffen, welche aus Kirchen, Parteien, Firmen, NGO, Vereinen, Verbänden und weiteren Organisationsformen besteht. Bestimmte Ämter und Positionen in Organisationen können nur von Personen eingenommen und gehalten werden, die „auf Linie sind“. 

Die Mitglieder der Gruppe tauchen in keiner Rubrik wie „Die reichsten Menschen der Welt“ auf, sondern bleiben fern der Öffentlichkeit. Wer jemanden aus ihren Reihen erkennt und beschuldigt, ist ein „Antisemit“ oder sonstiger Übeltäter und wird verfolgt und bekämpft. Über mächtige Vermögensverwaltungskonzerne beteiligen sich die Mitglieder dieser Gruppe anonym an Unternehmen in Schlüsselpositionen in einer Dimension, die ihnen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Auswahl der Topmanager einräumt, sodass die jeweilige Unternehmenspolitik nach Vorgaben der Gruppe gestaltet wird.

Die Gruppe steuert das Geldsystem, von dem sich der Planet abhängig zu sein wähnt. Hierzu eine Erläuterung: Ein Staat wie Deutschland ist bekanntlich maximal verschuldet. Man stelle sich vor, ein unliebsamer Politiker würde entgegen sämtlicher „Brandmauern“ und sonstiger Propaganda und Wahlmanipulationen gewählt, das Land zu führen, dann könnte dieser keine Kredit über 500 Mrd. Euro bei der nächsten Sparkasse beantragen, sondern wäre auf die Mächtigen dieser Welt angewiesen. Jeder weiß, dass Deutschland als Staat kein funktionierendes Geschäftsmodell hat und somit nicht in der Lage ist, solch ein Darlehen zurückzuzahlen. Welche Motivation sollte also jemand haben, einem Land wie Deutschland so viel Geld ohne Aussicht auf Rückführung zu geben? Es leuchtet ein, dass dieser Politiker andere Gefälligkeiten anbieten müsste, um das Darlehen zu bekommen. Im Falle einer Weigerung zur Kooperation könnte der Staatsapparat mit seinen Staatsdienern, Bürgergeld- und Rentenempfänger etc. nicht mehr bezahlt werden und dieser Politiker wäre schnell wieder weg. Er würde medial hingerichtet. Es ist somit davon auszugehen, dass ein Spitzenpolitiker dieser Tage nicht über viele Optionen verfügt, denn er übernimmt eine Situation, die von seinen Vorgängern erschaffen wurde. Trotz alledem darauf zu hoffen, dass es einen anderen Politiker geben könnte, mit dem dann alles wieder gut wird, mutet ziemlich infantil an. 

Dass ein Großteil der Medien von Zuwendungen abhängig ist, dürfte ebenfalls leicht nachzuvollziehen sein, denn der gewöhnliche Bürger zahlt nichts für den Content der MSM. Abhängig davon, von wem (Regierung, Philanthrop, Konzern etc.) ein Medium am Leben gehalten wird, gestalten sich auch dessen Inhalte. Und wenn angewiesen wird, dass ein Politiker medial hingerichtet werden soll, dann bedient die Maschinerie das Thema. Man beobachte einfach einmal, dass Politiker der Kartell-Parteien völlig anders behandelt werden als solche jenseits der „Brandmauer“. Und der Leser, der solche Auftragsarbeiten kostenlos liest, ist der Konsument, für dessen Indoktrination die Finanziers der Verlage gerne zahlen. Mittlerweile kann durch die Herrschaft über die Medien und die systematische Vergiftung der Körper und Geister der Population die öffentliche Meinung gesteuert werden. Die überwiegende Zahl der Deutschen scheint nicht mehr klar denken zu können.

Wer sich das aktuelle Geschehen in der deutschen Politik mit klarem Verstand ansieht, kommt nicht umhin, eine Fernsteuerung der handelnden Politiker in Betracht zu ziehen. Aber was soll daran verwundern? Sind es deshalb „böse Menschen“? Sind die in „Forschungslaboren“ arbeitenden Quäler von „Versuchstieren“ böse Menschen? Sind der Schlächter, der Folterer und der Henker böse Menschen? Oder der knüppelnde Polizist? Es handelt sich zunächst einmal um Personen, die einen Vorteil dadurch haben, Ihrer Tätigkeit nachzugehen. Sie sind integrale Bestandteile eines Belohnungssystems, welches von oben nach unten Anweisungen gibt. Und wenn diese Anweisungen nicht befolgt werden, führt dies für den Befehlsverweigerer zu Konsequenzen.

Der klare Verstand

Es ist nun eine spannende Frage, warum so viele Menschen sich solch eine Behandlung gefallen lassen? Nun, das ist relativ einfach, denn das angepasste Verhalten der Vielen ist nichts anderes als ein Züchtungserfolg der Wenigen.

Die Psyche der Menschen ist ebenso akribisch erforscht worden wie deren Körperfunktionen. Würden die Menschen von den wirklich Mächtigen geliebt, dann würde genau gewusst, wie sie zu behandeln und mit ihren jeweiligen Bedürfnissen zu versorgen sind. Stattdessen werden die Menschen aber als eine Einnahmequelle betrachtet. Dies manifestiert sich exemplarisch in folgenden Bereichen:

1. Das Gesundheitssystem verdient nichts am gesunden Menschen, sondern nur am (dauerhaft) kranken, der um Schmerzlinderung bettelt. Bereits als Baby werden Menschen geimpft, was die jeweilige Gesundheit (mit Verweis auf die Werke von Anita Petek-Dimmer u. a.) nachhaltig negativ beeinflusst. Wer hat denn heute keine Krankheiten? Die „Experten“ des Gesundheitssystems verteufeln Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Lithium, die Sonne, Natur etc. und empfehlen stattdessen Präparate, die man patentieren konnte und mit denen die Hersteller viel Geld verdienen. Die Präparate heilen selten, sondern lindern bestenfalls zuvor künstlich erzeugte Leiden, und müssen oftmals dauerhaft eingenommen werden. Was ist aus den nicht Geimpften geworden, die alle sterben sollten? Sind diese nicht die einzigen Gesunden dieser Tage? Ist nicht jeder Geimpfte entweder permanent krank oder bereits tot? Abgesehen von denen, welche das Glück hatten, „Sonderchargen“ mit Kochsalz zu erhalten. \ \ Wem gehören die wesentlichen Player im Gesundheitswesen zu einem erheblichen Teil? Die Vermögensverwalter der wirklich Mächtigen.
2. Ähnlich gestaltet es sich bei der Ernährungsindustrie. Die von dort aus verabreichten Produkte sind die Ursachen für den Gesundheitszustand der deutschen Population. Das ist aber auch irgendwie logisch, denn wer sich nicht falsch ernährt und gesund bleibt, wird kein Kunde des Gesundheitswesens. \ \ Die Besitzverhältnisse in der Ernährungsindustrie ähneln denen im Gesundheitswesen, sodass am gleichen Kunden gearbeitet und verdient wird.
3. Die Aufzählung konnte nun über die meisten Branchen, in denen mit dem Elend der Menschen viel verdient werden kann, fortgesetzt werden. Waffen (BlackRock erhöhte beispielsweise seine Anteile an der Rheinmetall AG im Juni 2024 auf 5,25 Prozent. Der US-Vermögensverwalter ist damit der zweitgrößte Anteilseigner nach der französischen Großbank Société Générale.), Energie, Umwelt, Technologie, IT, Software, KI, Handel etc.

Wie genau Chemtrails und Technologien wie 5G auf den Menschen und die Tiere wirken, ist ebenfalls umstritten. Aber ist es nicht seltsam, wie krank, empathielos, antriebslos und aggressiv viele Menschen heute sind? Was genau verabreicht man der Berliner Polizei, damit diese ihre Prügelorgien auf den Rücken und in den Gesichtern der Menschen wahrnehmen, die friedlich ihre Demonstrationsrechte wahrnehmen? Und was erhalten die ganzen zugereisten „Fachkräfte“, die mit Ihren Autos in Menschenmengen rasen oder auch Kinder und Erwachsene niedermessern?

Das Titelbild dieses Beitrags zeigt einige Gebilde, welche regelmäßig bei Obduktionen von Geimpften in deren Blutgefäßen gefunden werden. Wie genau wirken diese kleinen Monster? Können wir Menschen ihr Unverständnis und ihr Nicht-Aufwachen vorwerfen, wenn wir erkennen, dass diese Menschen maximal vergiftet wurden? Oder sollten einfach Lösungen für die Probleme dieser Zeit auch ohne den Einbezug derer gefunden werden, die offenbar nicht mehr Herr ihrer Sinne sind?

Die Ziele der wirklich Mächtigen

Wer sich entsprechende Videosequenzen der Bilderberger, des WEF und anderen „Überorganisationen“ ansieht, der erkennt schnell das Muster:

• Reduzierung der Weltpopulation um ca. 80 Prozent
• Zusammenbruch der Wirtschaft, damit diese von den Konzernen übernommen werden kann.
• Zusammenbruch der öffentlichen Ordnung, um eine totale Entwaffnung und eine totale Überwachung durchsetzen zu können. 
• Zusammenbruch der Regierungen, damit die Weltregierung übernehmen kann.

Es ist zu überdenken, ob die Weltregierung tatsächlich das für die Vielen beste Organisationssystem ist, oder ob die dezentrale Eigenorganisation der jeweils lokalen Bevölkerung nicht doch die bessere Option darstellt. Baustellen würden nicht nur begonnen, sondern auch schnell abgearbeitet. Jede Region könnte bestimmen, ob sie sich mit Chemtrails und anderen Substanzen besprühen lassen möchte. Und die Probleme in Barcelona könnte die Menschen dort viel besser lösen als irgendwelche wirklich Mächtigen in ihren Elfenbeintürmen. Die lokale Wirtschaft könnte wieder zurückkommen und mit dieser die Eigenständigkeit. Denn die den wirklich Mächtigen über ihre Vermögensverwalter gehörenden Großkonzerne haben offensichtlich nicht das Wohl der Bevölkerung im Fokus, sondern eher deren Ausbeutung.

Das Aussteigen aus dem System ist die wahre Herkulesaufgabe und es bedarf sicher Mut und Klugheit, sich dieser zu stellen. Die Politiker, die unverändert die Narrative der wirklich Mächtigen bedienen, sind hierfür denkbar ungeeignet, denn sie verfolgen kein Lebensmodell, welches sich von Liebe und Mitgefühl geleitet in den Dienst der Gesamtheit von Menschen, Tieren und Natur stellt.

Schauen Sie einmal genau hin, denken Sie nach und fühlen Sie mit.

Was tun?

Jedes System funktioniert nur so lange, wie es unterstützt wird. Somit stellt sich die Frage, wie viele Menschen das System ignorieren müssen, damit es kollabiert, und auf welche Weise dieses Ignorieren durchzuführen ist? Merkbar ist, dass die große Masse der Verwaltungsangestellten krank und oder unmotiviert und somit nicht wirksam ist. Würden die entsprechenden Stellen massiv belastet und parallel hierzu keine Einnahmen mehr realisieren, wäre ein Kollaps nah. Die Prügelpolizisten aus Berlin können nicht überall sein und normale Polizisten arbeiten nicht gegen unbescholtene Bürger, sondern sorgen sich selbst um ihre Zukunft. Gewalt ist sicher keine Lösung, und sicher auch nicht erforderlich. 

Wie eine gerechte Verwaltungsform aufgebaut werden muss? Einfach so, wie sie in den hiesigen Gesetzen beschrieben steht. Aber eine solche Organisationsform muss frei sein von Blockparteien und korrupten Politikern und weisungsgebundenen Richtern etc. Stattdessen werden Menschen benötigt, welche die Menschen lieben und ihnen nicht schaden wollen. Außerdem sollten diese Führungspersonen auch wirklich etwas können, und nicht nur „Politiker“ ohne weitere Berufserfahrungen sein.

---

Ludwig F. Badenhagen (Pseudonym, Name ist der Redaktion bekannt).

Der Autor hat deutsche Wurzeln und betrachtet das Geschehen in Deutschland und Europa aus seiner Wahlheimat Südafrika. Seine Informationen bezieht er aus verlässlichen Quellen und insbesondere von Menschen, die als „Verschwörungstheoretiker“, „Nazi“, „Antisemit“ sowie mit weiteren Kampfbegriffen der dortigen Systemakteure wie Politiker und „Journalisten“ diffamiert werden. Solche Diffamierungen sind für ihn ein Prädikatsmerkmal. Er ist international agierender Manager mit einem globalen Netzwerk und verfügt hierdurch über tiefe Einblicke in Konzerne und Politik.

---

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

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Autor: René Boyke, Rechtsanwalt. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier.

---

Frieden. Ein Begriff den jeder kennt, oder? Kennen schon. Aber was bedeutet er? Die Abwesenheit von Gewalt und Konflikten? Ja, auch, wenn man Frieden seinem Widerpart, dem Krieg, gegenüberstellt. Demnach müsste immer dann Frieden herrschen, wenn es keinen Krieg gibt. So richtig überzeugt das nicht, denn Frieden entsteht nicht aus heiterem Himmel. Er erfordert Verhandlungen, Toleranz und ganz allgemein die Förderung von Gerechtigkeit. Doch was verstehen wir unter Gerechtigkeit? Was unter Toleranz? Und wann verhandeln wir wirklich und ehrlich?

Das Grundgesetz als Friedensauftrag

Der Begriff des Friedens ist also unscharf und von weiteren unscharfen Begriffen abhängig. Und doch ist er Gegenstand des Recht z.B. des Grundgesetzes (GG):

• Nach der Präambel des GG verpflichtet sich das Deutsche Volk „dem Frieden der Welt zu dienen.“
• In Art. 1 Abs. 2 GG bekennt sich das Deutsche Volk zu den Menschenrechten als Grundlage des Friedens in der Welt.
• Art. 26 Abs. 1 GG verbietet Handlungen, die geeignet sind und in der Absicht vorgenommen werden, „das friedliche Zusammenleben der Völker zu stören.“

Der Frieden ist also unzweifelhaft Gegenstand des deutschen Rechts – und natürlich auch des Völkerrechts. Bereits in Art. 1 Ziff. 1 der VN-Charta ist zu lesen, dass ein gesetztes Ziel der Vereinten Nationen die Wahrung des Weltfriedens ist und dass sie „Bedrohungen des Friedens verhüten und beseitigen“ will. Es ist also festzustellen: Der Begriff des Friedens ist unscharf und damit unklar, aber dennoch ist er Teil des deutschen Rechts und auch des internationalen Völkerrechts. Bei dieser Sachlage ist Streit vorprogrammiert. Wenn nicht klar ist, was Frieden eigentlich ist, aber von seinem Vorliegen oder seiner Abwesenheit rechtliche Konsequenzen abhängen, dann wird dies selbst zu Auseinandersetzungen führen.

So meinen die einen, einen anderen Staat präventiv mit Waffengewalt anzugreifen, fördere den „Frieden“ – wir erinnern uns an den Präventivschlag der USA gegen den Irak 2003. Andere sehen darin nichts anderes als einen rechtswidrigen Angriffskrieg. Rechtliche Konsequenzen hatte dieser Angriffskrieg für die USA nicht. Blicken wir auf die Bewertung des Ukrainekriegs im Jahr 2022, der seitens 1/3 Russlands ebenfalls einen Präventivkrieg darstellt, ist festzustellen, dass es auch hier wieder geteilte Lager gibt.

---

JETZT ABONNIEREN:

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel in Ihr Postfach, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht).

---

Schon jetzt können Sie uns unterstützen:

• Für 50 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF/EURO werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie die Friedenstaube an: milosz@pareto.space oder kontakt@idw-europe.org.

---

Die einen sehen das Verhaltens Russland als gerechtfertigt an, die anderen als völkerrechtswidrig. Interessanterweise halten viele, die den Angriffs der USA auf den Irak für gerechtfertigt hielten, den Angriff Russlands auf die Ukraine nicht für gerechtfertigt. Wie kann das sein? Werden hier unterschiedliche Kriterien angelegt? Warum gefährdet der Angriff der USA – die im Übrigen die Gründe für die Bedrohung des Iraks nachweislich erfunden und damit gelogen haben – angeblich nicht den Frieden, obwohl es ja nachweislich zum Krieg kam? Und warum soll das Verhalten Russlands den Frieden gefährden? Erscheint diese unterschiedliche Bewertung nicht völlig willkürlich?

Welche Begriffe für Frieden werden hier zugrunde gelegt? Der 2019 verstorbene ehemalige Richter am Bundesverwaltungsvewaltungsgericht, Dr. Dieter Deiseroth, hat in einem Aufsatz 2010 dargelegt, dass völlig unklar ist, was unter dem Begriff des Friedens zu verstehen ist. Deiseroth schrieb: „Für die Kompetenzen des UN-Sicherheitsrates ist damit der Friedensbegriff von\ entscheidender Bedeutung. Er ist in der UN-Charta nicht definiert. Das macht\ Probleme.“ Und: „Je weiter der Friedensbegriff ausgelegt wird, umso weiter gehen\ die Kompetenzen des UN-Sicherheitsrates (...).“

Ein Definitionsvakuum und ein Auftrag

Umfasst Frieden im rechtlichen Kontext lediglich die Abwesenheit zwischenstaatlicher bewaffneter Konflikte? Was ist mit Piraterie? Was mit Terrorakten? Raubbau an der Natur? Wer Frieden nicht definieren kann, der kann auch nicht sagen, wann er bedroht ist. Wenn man etwas bewahren will, dann sollte man doch wissen, was dieses Etwas ist, was man zu bewahren vorgibt, oder? Weiß man dies nicht, lässt sich selbst ein Angriff auf ein anderes Land als friedenssichernde Maßnahme verkaufen, während der Angriff eines anderen Landes plötzlich als rechtswidriger Friedensbruch gilt.

Der Willkür ist Tür und Tor geöffnet. Dann bestimmt der Stärkere bzw. dessen Propaganda, was Recht ist und was Unrecht. Das jedoch hat mit Recht nichts zu tun, bzw. sollte mit Recht nichts zu tun haben, denn es gehört leider auch zur Realität des Rechts, dass es der absolute Regelfall ist, dass der Stärkere seine einzelfallbezogene Definitionshoheit und damit sein „Recht“ durchsetzt und der Schwächere – mag er noch so gute Argumente haben – den Kürzeren zieht.

Doch diesem Sein folgt denklogisch kein Sollen. Dieser systemische Rechtsmissbrauch ist kein Argument dafür, diesen Zustand beizubehalten und ihn nicht anzuprangern. Er ist vielmehr Argument dafür, diesen Zustand offenzulegen, zu kritisieren und auf seine Beseitigung hinzuwirken.

Wie kann Frieden nun also definiert werden? So definiert, dass eben nicht eine Autorität seine eigene Definitionsmacht missbraucht? Meines Erachtens geht dies nur im gegenseitigen ehrlichen Austausch der Parteien. Der Frieden ist kein allgemein definierbarer Zustand, schon gar nicht ist er ein losgelöst von anderen Lebensbereichen existierender normativer Begriff. Die rechtliche Dimension des Friedensbegriffs kann nicht für sich allein stehen, sondern ist in eine Lebenswirklichkeit eingebettet, die bei jedem einzelnen in sich selbst als innerer Frieden beginnt – dieser Ursprung ist auch der Ursprung der rechtlichen Dimension des Friedensbegriffs.

Oder anders formuliert: Ohne inneren Frieden kein äußerer Frieden.

---

René Boyke ist Rechtsanwalt mit Schwerpunkt Asylrecht. Er hat sieben Jahre im Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge gearbeitet und betreibt die Seite covid-justiz.de auf der er Gerichtsentscheidungen aus der Coronazeit kommentiert.

---

Sie sind noch nicht auf Nostr and wollen die volle Erfahrung machen (liken, kommentieren, zappen etc.)? Erstellen Sie sich einen Account auf Start. Weitere Onboarding-Leitfäden gibt es im Pareto-Wiki.

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Autor: Tom-Oliver Regenauer

Grafik: Tina Ovalle.

Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier.

---

»Krieg ist Frieden«. Dieses zwischenzeitlich fast abgedroschen wirkende, weil in den letzten Jahren zu häufig verwendete Zitat aus George Orwells Klassiker »1984«, beschreibt zunehmend genau, was europäische Spitzenpolitiker dieser Tage als »Wehrtüchtigkeit« vermarkten – die wahnwitzige Illusion, dass Kriegswaffen der Friedenssicherung dienen. 

So aber funktioniert das Geschäft industrialisierten Tötens nicht. Denn Krieg entsteht nicht organisch. Schon gar kein Weltkrieg. Militärische Konflikte globalen Ausmaßes sind stets trauriger Kulminationspunkt langjähriger Entwicklungen. Sie beginnen mit Partikularinteressen, diplomatischen Kontakten, bilateralen Absprachen, militärisch-industriellen Konjunkturprogrammen und der Etablierung von Verteidigungsbündnissen. Kriege sind von langer Hand geplante Disruptionen, die genutzt werden, um Paradigmenwechsel zu rechtfertigen – Entwicklungen, die der Bevölkerung ohne eine solch existenzielle Bedrohung nicht unterzujubeln sind. So gäbe es ohne die beiden ersten Weltkriege heute weder die Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich noch die Vereinten Nationen oder die NATO. Und auch das herrschende, auf Verschuldung basierende und von Zentralbankkartellen dominierte Weltfinanzsystem, das darauf ausgelegt ist, Staaten und damit deren Bevölkerung schleichend zu enteignen, wäre so nicht entstanden – siehe Bretton Woods und »Nixon Schock«.

Wem dienen Kriege?

Folgt man der tatsächlichen Geschichte des Ersten Weltkrieges, die nicht 1914 mit der Ermordung von Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand, sondern bereits 1891 in Südafrika begann – siehe Teil 1 und 2 meines diesbezüglichen Essays – wird rasch deutlich, wem Kriege dienen. Und damit auch, von wem sie ausgelöst werden: Von Finanzkartellen, die zunächst an der Aufrüstung, dann an der Finanzierung des Krieges und zum Schluss am Wiederaufbau verdienen – ganz zu schweigen von der supranationalen Konsolidierung und Zentralisierung von Finanzmacht, die mit derartigen geopolitischen Verwerfungen einhergeht. 

Im Falle der beiden Weltkriege sind diese Hintergründe gut belegt und detailliert nachvollziehbar. Man muss sie nur lesen. Weil Geschichte, zumindest die offiziell goutierte und gelehrte Variante, aber bedauerlicherweise von den Gewinnern geschrieben wird, sind wir scheinbar dazu verdammt, sie zu wiederholen. Dem geschichtsaffinen Leser dürfte es derweil nicht allzu schwer fallen, Parallelen zwischen der Zeit vor den beiden Weltkriegen und der Gegenwart auszumachen.

---

DIE FRIEDENSTAUBE JETZT ABONNIEREN:

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel in Ihr Postfach, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht).

---

Schon jetzt können Sie uns unterstützen:

• Für 50 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF/EURO werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie die Friedenstaube an: milosz@pareto.space oder kontakt@idw-europe.org.

---

Zum einen stimmt Trump die USA auf Isolationismus ein. Zum anderen lässt er das US-Militär gleichzeitig Öl in die bestehenden Brandherde in Europa, Nahost und dem Indopazifik gießen. Gleichzeitig läuten seine Strafzölle eine Phase internationaler Handelskriege ein, die den Rest der Welt zur Reaktion zwingt. Nicht umsonst spricht Ursula von der Leyen nun von »ReARM Europe« und will bis zu 800 Milliarden Euro für »Wiederaufrüstung« mobilisieren. Nicht von ungefähr wirft Friedrich Merz, ehemaliger BlackRock-Manager, auf dem Weg ins Kanzleramt mit »Sondervermögen« um sich und möchte 500 Milliarden in die Bundeswehr investieren. Vielleicht hat ihn Larry Fink oder die Teilnahme an der Bilderberg Konferenz 2024 in Madrid inspiriert – standen dort doch unter anderem die »Zukunft der Kriegsführung« und die »geopolitische Landschaft« auf der Agenda. 

Es besteht kein Zweifel: Wir befinden uns in einer Vorkriegszeit. Die Frage ist nur, wie dieser Krieg aussehen wird und wann er beginnt. Denn die moderne Informationskriegsführung gegen die breite Bevölkerung läuft spätestens seit 9/11 auf Hochtouren – und intensivierte sich nach der Markeinführung des Smartphones im Jahr 2007 konstant. Es hat Gründe, warum ich einen Großteil meiner Artgenossen heute als Smombie bezeichne. 

Zeit, für den Frieden zu kämpfen

Wie jedoch ein kinetischer Krieg in den 2020er Jahren aussehen wird, vor allem, wenn atomar bewaffnete, mit Drohnen, Robotern und KI ausgestattete Supermächte sich gegenüberstehen, weiß niemand. Den Ersten Weltkrieg konnte man sich damals auch nicht vorstellen – denn bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt gab es keine derartig weitreichenden »Verteidigungsallianzen« und »Bündnisfälle«. Auch die Waffen, die im Zweiten Weltkrieg zum Einsatz kommen sollten, waren neu. Das Ausmaß der Zerstörung eine todbringende Zäsur. 

Wenig verwunderlich also, dass die Reprise dieser zivilisatorischen Katastrophe knapp 60 Millionen mehr Menschen das Leben kostete als die Premiere – und den perfekten Hebel zur Etablierung der postmodernen »Global Governance« bot. Einem inhumanen, antidemokratischen, zusehends totalitären Herrschaftskonstrukt, das sich nun mit der aus dem Elfenbeinturm kommunizierten »Zeitenwende«, »Wehrtüchtigkeit« und »ReARM Europe« anschickt, uns in einen Dritten Weltkrieg zu manövrieren. 

Es ist Zeit, nein zu sagen. Nein zu Sondervermögen. Nein zu Aufrüstung. Nein zu Massenvernichtungswaffen. Und nein zu Konflikten, die stets von jenen angezettelt werden, die darin »nicht sterben« werden, wie Robert Habeck im Februar 2022 bei Maischberger selbst einräumte. Nein zu Krieg!

Wer seine Kinder nicht an die Front schicken oder am eigenen Leib erfahren möchte, welche automatisiert mordenden Waffengattungen in einem Dritten Weltkrieg zum Einsatz kommen, sollte für den Frieden kämpfen. Mit allen Mitteln – gemeinsam – und zwar jetzt. Bedarf es für die finale Ausgestaltung der »vierten industriellen Revolution«, für Agenda 2030, C40-Städte und Net Zero 2050, sprich, dem digitalen Gulag von morgen, einer globalen militärischen Disruption – und das scheint im Lichte der Vergangenheit durchaus wahrscheinlich – bleibt uns nicht mehr allzu viel Zeit, um Sand ins Getriebe der aufheulenden Kriegsmaschinerie zu streuen.

---

Tom-Oliver Regenauer, Jahrgang 1978, war nach betriebswirtschaftlicher Ausbildung in verschiedenen Branchen und Rollen tätig, unter anderem als Betriebsleiter, Unternehmens- und Management-Berater sowie internationaler Projektmanager mit Einsätzen in über 20 Ländern. Seit Mitte der 90er-Jahre ist er zudem als Musikproduzent und Texter aktiv und betreibt ein unabhängiges Plattenlabel. Der in Deutschland geborene Autor lebt seit 2009 in der Schweiz. Zuletzt erschienen von ihm „Homo Demens — Texte zu Zeitenwende, Technokratie und Korporatismus“ (2023), „Truman Show“ (2024) und "HOPIUM" (2025). Weitere Informationen unter www.regenauer.press.\ HOPIUM jetzt direkt im Shop oder im Handel.

---

Wir testen derzeit den Mailversand an allen Artikeln. In Zukunft bekommen Sie ca. drei Mailsendungen der Friedenstaube pro Woche.

---

Sie sind noch nicht auf Nostr and wollen die volle Erfahrung machen (liken, kommentieren, zappen etc.)? Erstellen Sie sich einen Account auf Start. Weitere Onboarding-Leitfäden gibt es im Pareto-Wiki.

@ d560dbc2:bbd59238

When it comes to task management, most of us are familiar with the traditional approach: plan your day, set deadlines, and create detailed schedules to stay on top of everything. But what if there’s a better way—a method that doesn’t require meticulous planning, yet ensures you’re always working on the right task at the right time?

Enter the 2-5 Rule, an “anti-planning” concept that focuses on which task to act on right now, rather than creating a rigid plan for the future. In this deep dive, we’ll explore what makes the 2-5 Rule stand out, how it works, why it’s so effective, and how TaskforUs brings this innovative approach to life. Whether you’re renewing a passport or keeping in touch with a loved one, the 2-5 Rule offers a refreshingly simple way to manage your tasks without the stress of planning.

---

What Is the 2-5 Rule?

The 2-5 Rule is a task management method that prioritizes tasks based on their timing—not a detailed schedule. Instead of planning exactly when to do each task, you simply:

1. Enter the task into a system like TaskforUs.
2. Assign it a time unit (days, weeks, months, or years).
3. Let the algorithm decide when it should climb to the top of your priority list.

The “2-5” refers to the ideal action window: you should act on a task within 2 to 5 of its assigned time units. For example:

• Daily tasks: (e.g., “Do cardio”) should be done every 2-5 days.
• Weekly tasks: (e.g., “Schedule dinner with a friend”) should be acted on every 2-5 weeks.
• Monthly tasks: (e.g., “Review budget”) have a window of 2-5 months.
• Yearly tasks: (e.g., “Reassess career goals”) should be revisited every 2-5 years.

This sweet spot ensures tasks are neither rushed nor neglected.

Key Point: The 2-5 Rule isn’t about planning—it’s about capturing tasks and letting the system determine their priority based on timing. Simply enter the task, set its time unit, and provide either the last date you acted on it or a fixed due date (using Fix Mode for specific events). The system does the rest.

---

How It Works: No Planning Required

When you add a task to TaskforUs, you assign it a time unit based on how often you want to act on it:

• Daily tasks: Act every 2-5 days (e.g., “Do cardio”).
• Weekly tasks: Act every 2-5 weeks (e.g., “Meet a friend for dinner”).
• Monthly tasks: Act every 2-5 months (e.g., “Review budget”).
• Yearly tasks: Act every 2-5 years (e.g., “Renew passport”).

For recurring tasks, you enter the last date you acted on them (the “last act date”). For date-specific tasks, you can use Fix Mode to set a due date. The 2-5 Rule calculates the task’s priority based on how much time has passed since the last action or how close the due date is—ensuring it rises to the top at just the right moment.

---

Real-Life Examples of the 2-5 Rule in Action

Example 1: Renewing Your Passport

• Scenario:
  You get your passport today and know it needs to be renewed every 5 years. You don’t want to plan the renewal far in advance—you just want a reminder at the right time.

• Implementation:

• Add the task “Renew passport” and set its time unit to yearly.

• Enter the “last act date” as today’s date (e.g., March 24, 2025) or use Fix Mode to set the exact expiration date (e.g., March 24, 2030).

• Outcome:
  The task starts low on your priority list. As time passes, it climbs based on the 2-5 Rule. After 2 years, it begins to rise; by 5 years, it’s nearing the top—ensuring you act before the passport expires.

---

Example 2: Meeting Uncle Lars Regularly

• Scenario:
  You want to meet your Uncle Lars regularly but not too often. You’d like to see him about 10 times a year (roughly once every 5 weeks). However, to give yourself more flexibility, you choose a longer time unit.

• Implementation:

• Add the task “Meet/eat with Uncle Lars” and set its time unit to monthly.

• Set the “last act date” as the most recent time you met him (e.g., March 1, 2025).

• Outcome:
  Over time, the task slowly climbs in your priority list. After 2 months, it starts gaining focus; by 5 months, it becomes urgent—nudge you to reach out and schedule a meeting, all without needing to plan the exact date in advance.

---

The Origins of the 2-5 Rule: An Anti-Planning Revolution

The 2-5 Rule isn’t entirely new—it has roots in productivity and behavioral science, emerging as a response to the complexity of traditional task management systems that require detailed schedules, deadlines, and constant reviews. Influential figures, including Bill Gates, have reportedly praised its simplicity for managing tasks without over-planning.

• Why It Works:
  The 2-5 Rule leverages the natural rhythm of tasks, ensuring that you act within an optimal time window without micromanaging your schedule. It aligns with our intuition—you don’t need to plan exactly when to call a friend; you just know it’s been a while, and it’s time to reconnect.

---

Why the 2-5 Rule Works: The Science Behind Anti-Planning

1. Reduces Decision Fatigue:
   Traditional planning forces you to decide when to act on each task, which can be mentally exhausting. The 2-5 Rule automates prioritization, freeing up mental energy.

2. Aligns with Natural Rhythms:
   Research on habit formation shows that consistency is key. The 2-5 window ensures you act within a natural timeframe—tasks feel urgent after 2 units but are at risk of being neglected by 5 units.

3. Prevents Over-Planning Stress:
   Detailed plans can lead to stress when life interferes. The 2-5 Rule removes the need for rigid scheduling, letting you focus on action rather than planning.

4. Ensures Critical Tasks Don’t Slip Through the Cracks:
   With Fix Mode, date-specific tasks like passport renewals or birthdays climb in priority as the due date approaches, ensuring you never miss a deadline.

---

How TaskforUs Brings the 2-5 Rule to Life

TaskforUs is a web-based platform that makes the 2-5 Rule actionable, elevating the anti-planning concept with features designed for ease and precision:

• Add Tasks Easily:
  Enter a task, set its time unit (days, weeks, months, or years), and provide the last act date or a fixed due date for Fix Mode tasks.

• Top Task:
  TaskforUs automatically highlights your most urgent task based on the 2-5 Rule—telling you exactly what to do right now.

• Focus Mode:
  Display your top 3 tasks (or adjust the number) for a distraction-free view when juggling multiple priorities.

• Fix Mode:
  For tasks tied to specific dates, Fix Mode ensures they rise in priority as the due date approaches, peaking on the day itself.

• Category Filtering and Archiving:
  Organize your tasks into categories (e.g., Work, Personal) and archive completed tasks to keep your list clutter-free.

• Export Tasks:
  Download your tasks as a CSV file for backup or analysis.

---

Practical Applications: More Ways to Use the 2-5 Rule

• Health Goals:
  Want to drink more water daily? Set “Drink water” as a daily task. TaskforUs will nudge you every 2-5 days to stay hydrated—no strict schedule required.

• Work Projects:
  Need to follow up on a client email? Set it as a weekly task. After 2 weeks, it’ll start climbing your list, ensuring you don’t forget.

• Special Dates:
  Have a wedding anniversary coming up? Use Fix Mode to set the date; TaskforUs will ensure “Plan anniversary dinner” becomes your top task on that day.

• Long-Term Goals:
  Want to learn a new skill every few years? Set “Explore new skill” as a yearly task, and TaskforUs will remind you every 2-5 years.

---

The 2-5 Rule vs. Traditional Planning: Why Anti-Planning Wins

Traditional planning methods—such as detailed schedules or comprehensive systems like Getting Things Done (GTD)—often come with drawbacks:

• Complexity:
  Detailed planning requires significant time and effort.

• Inflexibility:
  Rigid plans can crumble when unexpected events occur.

• Mental Load:
  Constantly deciding when to do each task contributes to decision fatigue.

The 2-5 Rule avoids these pitfalls by letting you focus on timing. You simply enter your tasks, and TaskforUs automatically prioritizes them based on the optimal action window.

---

Why You Should Try the 2-5 Rule with TaskforUs

The 2-5 Rule offers a fresh perspective on task management by focusing on when to act rather than what to do. It’s particularly effective for balancing short-term habits with long-term goals. Here’s why you should give it a try:

• No Planning Needed:
  Simply add your tasks and let the system handle prioritization.

• Clarity:
  Always know what to do right now without overthinking.

• Flexibility:
  The 2-to-5 window provides the ideal balance between prompt action and careful timing.

• Reliability:
  Fix Mode ensures you never miss critical dates.

• Be Part of the Beta:
  As a beta user, your feedback can shape the future of TaskforUs.

---

Take Control of Your Tasks Today

The 2-5 Rule is more than a productivity hack—it’s a new way to think about task management. By focusing on timing, it ensures you’re always working on the right thing at the right time. Ready to say goodbye to over-planning and hello to effortless prioritization?

Sign up for TaskforUs at task4.us and experience the 2-5 Rule in action.
Your tasks, perfectly timed—without a plan in sight.

@ d560dbc2:bbd59238

Task management is a challenge we all face—whether it’s juggling work deadlines, staying in touch with friends, or remembering important dates like birthdays. With endless to-do lists and competing priorities, how do you decide what to tackle next?

Enter the 2-5 Rule, a unique approach to task management that focuses on timing tasks within a specific “sweet spot”—between 2 to 5 time units—ensuring they’re neither rushed nor neglected. In this deep dive, we’ll explore what makes the 2-5 Rule stand out, how it works, and how it compares to other popular task management techniques like the 1-3-5 Rule, Eisenhower Matrix, Getting Things Done (GTD), and the Pomodoro Technique.

---

What Is the 2-5 Rule?

The 2-5 Rule is a timing-based task management strategy designed to help you act on tasks at the right moment. Every task has a natural rhythm or “time unit” (days, weeks, months, or years) that dictates how often it should be addressed. The rule dictates that you should act on a task within 2 to 5 of these units. For example:

• Daily tasks (e.g., “Do cardio”) should be done every 2-5 days.
• Weekly tasks (e.g., “Schedule dinner with a friend”) should be done every 2-5 weeks.
• Monthly tasks (e.g., “Review budget”) should be done every 2-5 months.
• Yearly tasks (e.g., “Reassess career goals”) should be revisited every 2-5 years.

This “sweet spot” balances urgency and flexibility—acting too soon wastes energy, while waiting too long risks neglecting the task. The 2-5 Rule is the foundation of TaskforUs, a platform that automates this process to help you prioritize tasks with precision.

---

Comparing the 2-5 Rule to Other Task Management Techniques

1. The 1-3-5 Rule: Daily Structure Without Timing

• Overview:
  Organizes your day into 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks.
• Strengths:
• Helps set realistic daily goals and forces you to prioritize.
• Weaknesses:
• Does not account for the natural rhythm or timing of tasks over longer periods.
• Comparison:
  The 1-3-5 Rule is excellent for daily planning, while the 2-5 Rule provides a broader perspective by scheduling tasks over days, weeks, months, or years. They can be combined: use 1-3-5 for daily structure and the 2-5 Rule for long-term timing.

---

2. Eisenhower Matrix: Urgency vs. Importance

• Overview:
  Categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:
• Urgent and Important: Do immediately.
• Important but Not Urgent: Schedule for later.
• Urgent but Not Important: Delegate.
• Neither Urgent nor Important: Eliminate.
• Strengths:
• Excellent for decision-making and eliminating time-wasters.
• Weaknesses:
• Lacks guidance on when to act on tasks that are important but not urgent.
• Comparison:
  While the Eisenhower Matrix focuses on what to do, the 2-5 Rule tells you when to do it. They can work together for a complete task management system.

---

3. Getting Things Done (GTD): Comprehensive but Complex

• Overview:
  GTD is a system to capture and organize all your tasks using steps like capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage.
• Strengths:
• Ensures nothing is forgotten by capturing every task.
• Weaknesses:
• Can be overwhelming and time-consuming for those who prefer simplicity.
• Comparison:
  GTD provides a comprehensive framework, whereas the 2-5 Rule offers a focused strategy for timing and prioritization, reducing decision fatigue.

---

4. Pomodoro Technique: Focus on the Present

• Overview:
  Breaks work into intervals (typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break).
• Strengths:
• Boosts focus and prevents burnout during work sessions.
• Weaknesses:
• Doesn’t help you decide which task to tackle or manage long-term priorities.
• Comparison:
  The Pomodoro Technique helps you focus on a chosen task; the 2-5 Rule helps you decide the right task to work on at the right time. They complement each other well.

---

Why the 2-5 Rule Stands Out

1. Integrates Behavioral Science:
   Grounded in research on habit formation and decision fatigue, the 2-5 Rule leverages our natural sense of urgency to prompt action at the optimal time.

2. Balances Urgency and Flexibility:
   It provides a flexible window for action, ensuring tasks are handled neither too early nor too late.

3. Simplifies Decision-Making:
   By automating prioritization, TaskforUs reduces the mental load, so you always know which task to focus on.

4. Addresses Long-Term Timing:
   Unlike the Pomodoro Technique, it considers tasks over various timeframes—daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.

5. Never Misses Critical Dates:
   With Fix Mode, TaskforUs ensures that date-specific tasks (e.g., birthdays) climb to the top of your list as the date approaches.

---

Practical Applications of the 2-5 Rule

• Social Connections:
  Task: “Schedule dinner with Alex”
  Time Unit: Weeks
  Application: If it’s been 3 weeks since your last meetup, TaskforUs flags it as your top task, prompting you to reconnect.

• Health Goals:
  Task: “Do cardio”
  Time Unit: Days
  Application: If it’s been 2 days since your last workout, the platform nudges you to exercise before reaching the 5-day mark.

• Special Dates:
  Task: “Wish Alex a happy birthday”
  Mode: Fix Mode
  Application: TaskforUs ensures the task climbs in priority as the birthday nears, becoming the top task on the day.

• Long-Term Planning:
  Task: “Reassess my career path”
  Time Unit: Years
  Application: If it’s been 2 years since your last career review, the system prompts you to evaluate your progress and goals.

---

Why You Should Try the 2-5 Rule with TaskforUs

The 2-5 Rule offers a fresh perspective on task management by focusing on timing rather than solely on task content. It is particularly effective for balancing short-term habits with long-term goals. TaskforUs brings this concept to life with features such as:

• Top Task: Automatically highlights your most urgent task within the 2-5 window.
• Focus Mode: Displays your top 3 tasks (customizable) to help you concentrate.
• Fix Mode: Prioritizes date-specific tasks as their deadlines approach.
• Category Filtering and Archiving: Keeps your task list organized and clutter-free.

If you’re tired of chaotic to-do lists, missed deadlines, or the mental load of deciding what to do next, the 2-5 Rule offers a better way.

---

Take Control of Your Tasks Today

The 2-5 Rule is more than a productivity hack—it’s a mindset shift. By focusing on when to act, it ensures you’re always working on the right task at the right time. Ready to give it a try?
Sign up for TaskforUs at task4.us

Your tasks, perfectly timed—every time.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

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

So stay a while and listen.

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

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

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/923278

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

黑客即命运：四个支点推动未来的杠杆

在《Why Software is Eating the World》中，Marc Andreessen 指出，软件的扩张不仅是一场技术革命，更是一场社会变革。我们深以为然。但 DoraHacks 相信真正改变世界的不只是软件，而是一群愿意动手解决问题的黑客（Hackers）。

DoraHacks 正在构建 Hacker Movement —— 一个以自由、开源、技术为武器的全球创新网络。我们认为这个运动的终点不是某种“Web3.0”神话，也不是一个新冷战时代的技术出口，而是一场社会的重构，是对“什么值得被构建”这一问题的深度回应。

在这个过程中，Dora Ventures 是辅助 DoraHacks 协调与捕获价值的资本引擎。Dora Ventures 当前的工作将围绕以下四个方面展开：

一、FDA 自由社会 (BioHack)

黑客社会的健康自由宣言：解锁生命技术的市场机制

回顾历史，每一次真正的技术突破，都伴随着对既有范式的挑战。今天，医疗健康领域依然是人类最受制于官僚主义的地方 —— 一个新药从实验室走向病人，往往需要十年时间和几十亿美元的投入，绝大多数创新止步于此。

FDA Free Society，并不是呼吁无政府主义，而是呼吁一种更具活力、更以患者为中心的健康和生物科技创新体系。

我们看到的问题：

• FDA的审批周期与风险厌恶机制正在扼杀潜在的突破性治疗；
• 大药企的市场垄断让药品定价脱离现实，限制竞争；
• 病人的“尝试权”（Right to Try）在监管框架下被边缘化；
• 小型生物科技初创公司面对高昂试验成本几乎没有生存空间。

我们相信的解决方向：

• 市场驱动的健康创新机制：把研发、试验和使用的决策权更多交还给患者、医生和创业者；
• 让创新回归第一性原理：不是“通过审批”，而是“是否有效”；
• 为 Right to Try 正名：真正的风险不是尝试未经审批的疗法，而是死于等待；
• 打造有竞争力的生物初创生态：帮助小团队也有机会改变世界，而不只是为大药厂打工。
• 软件和人工智能驱动的生物科技：生物科技和软件的结合驱动全新的生物科技产品。

我们相信，药物研发的未来，不属于某个监管机构，也不属于市值5000亿的大公司，而属于一群不愿等待的创新者。

FDA Free Society 是对“技术进步必须服从监管”的有力反击，是对“创新必须通过审批”的结构性质疑。我们押注这个方向，是因为它比“创新”更稀缺——它关乎人类对生存权的重新主张。

二、开源量子计算基础设施（Open Source Quantum）

量子软件的开源狂潮，是今天的以太坊2015年

Arthur C. Clarke 曾说：“任何足够先进的技术，看起来都像是魔法。” 量子计算就是这样一种技术。但问题在于，魔法要成为工具，必须走向可编程、可复现、可协作 —— 换句话说，它需要“开源”。

Dora Ventures 对量子计算的投资逻辑很清晰：量子计算正走向它的“智能合约时刻”。硬件进入工程优化周期，软件和工具层尚属一片荒芜，但这正是黑客的黄金年代。

我们关注的几个关键趋势：

• 开源量子编译器与转译器：打通经典与量子系统的语言障碍；
• 量子密码学：利用量子力学的原理构建全新的加密系统；
• 量子软件应用：我们相信量子计算软件和应用可以在人工智能、生物科技、区块链等技术的进步中发挥巨大的价值，直接或间接影响金融、物流、制药、国防、太空探索等重要领域。

我们不仅是观察者，更是建设者。通过举办黑客松、资助和投资量子开源软件项目、开展量子密码学的研究和生态发展，我们参与这个时代最具颠覆性的计算平台的构建。

三、消费级加密应用（Consumer Crypto）

胖应用的春天已至：Crypto 将赢得最后10亿用户

如果你理解历史，你会明白今天的 Crypto 不是互联网的“平行世界”，而是互联网故事的下一个篇章。

1990年代，HTTP 和 TCP/IP 改变了信息分发； 2000年代，Web 应用改变了商业与社交； 2010年代，移动端应用重塑了人类行为； 2020年代，是 Crypto 应用真正走向大众的十年。

基础设施已充分，胖应用正在破壳而出。

Dora Ventures 最核心的判断是：谁能抓住第一个亿级用户的Crypto应用场景，谁将书写Web3时代的Paypal和微信故事。

• 稳定币合规化将使 USDC 成为数字美元；
• 去中心化社交和加密支付的全球化催生比特币和 Web3 支付的“ VISA 网络”；
• 大应用链基建将通过 Move 语言和极简化工具降低用户门槛；
• 链上原生经济系统将实现创作者直接变现、社区协作分润。

想象这个场景: 一个住在纽约的人通过链上音乐会平台(KYD Labs)使用快速Move区块链网络(Aptos)的 Circle USDC 购买今晚的演唱会门票，一个阿根廷的居民每天去咖啡馆用闪电网络上的比特币“聪”购买拿铁，在去中心化社交媒体(Yakihonne)与朋友分账单，这些都会在今年真实发生。我们不只是投资协议，而是投资体验新范式的创造者。

四、全自动化组织(Agentic Organizations)

组织将成为智能体，DAO将成为大型语言模型的组织形态

2022年，Sam Altman 重构了“工具”的定义；2025年，我们将重构“组织”的定义。

我们认为，未来组织不是由人构成的矩阵结构，而是由Agent协作而成的智能系统。

Agent 是新的工作单元，它不眠不休、持续学习、自动调度。它不是增强人类的工具，而是自动化组织的大脑。

一些例子:

• DAO Agent 系统将自动执行治理流程，并保护参与者隐私；
• Smart Widget 框架让开发者用三行代码部署社交、支付、交易型 Agent ；
• 隐私协议和隐私应用在自动化组织中成为主流；
• 黑客松涌现出大量加密 Agent。

AI + 区块链不是 Buzzword ，而是组织智能化的起点。

过去我们说“公司是信息处理的机器”，未来我们会说“ DAO 是 Agent 运行的网络”。我们正在进入一个无需CEO的公司、无需审批的流程、无需办公室的全自动化组织时代。

尾声：我们下注在拥有“BUIDL自由”的人类

这四个方向——FDA Free Society、Open Source Quantum、Consumer Crypto、Agentic Organizations，不是我们幻想的未来，而是已经开始发生的未来。

Dora Ventures不是下注在技术上，而是下注在一群不服从的Builder身上。他们愿意解决真正的问题，质疑现有体制，构建新的秩序。他们相信世界可以不同，并愿意动手去实现它。

黑客运动正在吞噬世界，在人工智能的时代，人类必将成为 Hacker ，用代码，用治理，用想象力，创造一个值得居住的世界。

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, has once again captured headlines and investor interest by reaching a new record high, surpassing its previous peak from November 2021. This remarkable resurgence underscores the volatile yet unstoppable journey of Bitcoin, reflecting broader trends in the cryptocurrency market and global finance. Beyond its financial implications, this surge represents a significant cultural and technological milestone, highlighting the increasing integration of digital currencies into mainstream financial systems and the growing public interest in decentralized finance solutions. This article delves into the factors behind Bitcoin's latest surge, its implications, and what the future may hold for this digital asset, considering the complex interplay between market dynamics, technological advancements, and regulatory landscapes.

Table of Contents

• The New Peak: Bitcoin's Latest Achievement

• Understanding Bitcoin's Appeal

• Catalysts for the Recent Surge

  • Institutional Acceptance and ETFs

  • Economic Environment

• Is the Surge Sustainable?

• Regulatory Landscape and Future Prospects

- Conclusion

• FAQs

The New Peak: Bitcoin's Latest Achievement

After more than two years, Bitcoin has shattered its previous record, climbing to just under $69,000 before stabilizing around $64,000. This surge has propelled Bitcoin's market valuation to approximately $1.3 trillion, representing a significant portion of the total $2.6 trillion cryptocurrency market. This achievement is not just a milestone for Bitcoin but also a testament to the growing acceptance and maturation of cryptocurrencies as a whole. The new peak is a reflection of the enduring faith of long-term investors and the influx of new participants drawn by Bitcoin's proven resilience and potential for substantial returns. This landmark event is not merely about surpassing a numerical threshold but symbolizes the culmination of years of development, debate, and adoption that have expanded the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of digital finance. It prompts a reevaluation of Bitcoin's role not only as a speculative asset but as a foundational component of a new, evolving digital economy.

Understanding Bitcoin's Appeal

Bitcoin's inception in 2008 by the enigmatic Satoshi Nakamoto introduced a revolutionary concept: a digital currency enabling direct transactions without the need for traditional financial institutions. The core innovation of Bitcoin, the blockchain, solved the "double spend" problem inherent to digital currencies, ensuring secure, transparent, and decentralized transactions. This anti-authoritarian stance, combined with the promise of lower transaction fees and resistance to inflation, has fueled Bitcoin's popularity. The appeal of Bitcoin extends beyond its technological underpinnings to embody a broader desire for financial autonomy and privacy. It challenges conventional banking systems and offers an alternative for individuals disillusioned with traditional financial institutions. Bitcoin's decentralized nature appeals to those seeking freedom from governmental oversight and inflationary policies, positioning it as a symbol of financial empowerment and self-sovereignty. As Bitcoin continues to evolve, its appeal broadens, attracting a diverse group of users from libertarians to tech enthusiasts, and from small investors to large institutional players.

Catalysts for the Recent Surge

Several factors have contributed to Bitcoin's recent price explosion:

Institutional Acceptance and ETFs

The approval of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the US financial regulator marked a significant step towards institutional acceptance. These ETFs allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly purchasing the digital asset, reducing barriers to entry and signaling a new level of market maturity. This development is a clear indication of the growing recognition of Bitcoin's value proposition by mainstream financial entities. It reflects a broader shift in perception among institutional investors, who are increasingly viewing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies not just as speculative investments but as legitimate components of diversified portfolios. The introduction of ETFs has facilitated this transition by providing a familiar and regulated framework for investing in Bitcoin, thereby attracting a new wave of institutional capital into the cryptocurrency market.

Economic Environment

The low-interest-rate environment since the 2008 financial crisis has driven investors towards riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies, in search of higher returns. Additionally, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as an "inflation hedge," similar to gold, appealing to those wary of central bank policies and currency devaluation. The economic landscape has been further complicated by the global pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions, leading to increased market volatility and a renewed focus on alternative assets like Bitcoin. As traditional financial systems show signs of strain and governments continue to engage in unprecedented levels of monetary expansion, Bitcoin's fixed supply and decentralized nature offer a compelling alternative for those looking to preserve value and hedge against inflationary pressures.

Is the Surge Sustainable?

While the excitement around Bitcoin's new record is palpable, questions remain about the sustainability of this surge. Historical patterns suggest that parabolic increases in Bitcoin's price are often followed by corrections. Factors such as profit-taking by early investors and the eventual saturation of new buyers could lead to a price consolidation. However, the upcoming "halving" event, which reduces the Bitcoin reward for mining, could counterbalance these pressures by reducing the new supply of Bitcoin and potentially driving up its price. The sustainability of Bitcoin's price surge also hinges on broader market dynamics, including technological advancements, regulatory developments, and shifts in investor sentiment. As Bitcoin becomes more integrated into the global financial system, its price movements are increasingly influenced by a complex interplay of factors, making its future trajectory difficult to predict. Nonetheless, the underlying principles of scarcity, security, and decentralization that underpin Bitcoin provide a strong foundation for its long-term value proposition.

Regulatory Landscape and Future Prospects

The regulatory environment continues to evolve, with increased scrutiny in the UK, EU, and US. While tighter regulations may introduce more stability to the market, they could also restrict some of the freedoms that make cryptocurrencies attractive. Nevertheless, the recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the US has been a positive development, potentially paving the way for more regulated crypto assets and attracting a broader base of investors. The future of Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market will be significantly shaped by regulatory decisions, technological innovations, and shifts in global economic conditions. As regulators around the world grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by cryptocurrencies, the outcome of these deliberations will have far-reaching implications for the adoption, utility, and value of Bitcoin. Despite the uncertainties, the ongoing developments in the regulatory landscape signify a growing recognition of the importance of cryptocurrencies and the need for a balanced approach that ensures security, transparency, and innovation.

Conclusion

Bitcoin's latest record high is more than just a numerical milestone; it represents the ongoing evolution and resilience of the cryptocurrency market. While challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles and market volatility, Bitcoin's journey continues to captivate investors, technologists, and financial analysts alike. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the role of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the global financial ecosystem is likely to grow, making its journey an unstoppable force in the changing landscape of money and investment. The path ahead for Bitcoin is fraught with challenges and opportunities, but its recent achievements underscore its potential to redefine the boundaries of finance, technology, and societal norms. As we look to the future, Bitcoin's journey remains a compelling narrative of innovation, speculation, and the relentless pursuit of a decentralized and empowered financial future.

FAQs

What caused Bitcoin to reach a new record high? Bitcoin's recent surge to a new record high was influenced by several factors, including institutional acceptance, the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, the economic environment fostering a search for inflation hedges, and technological advancements in the cryptocurrency space.

What is a Bitcoin ETF, and why is it important? A Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin's price without owning the actual cryptocurrency. This is important because it provides a regulated and accessible way for institutional and retail investors to invest in Bitcoin, potentially increasing its adoption and market stability.

Can Bitcoin's price surge be sustained? While Bitcoin's price has historically been volatile, factors such as its upcoming halving event, institutional investment, and its role as a perceived inflation hedge may support its value. However, market corrections are common following significant surges, and investor caution is advised.

How do regulatory changes affect Bitcoin's price? Regulatory changes can have significant impacts on Bitcoin's price. Positive regulatory developments, such as the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, can boost investor confidence, while stricter regulations may limit trading or use, potentially affecting the price negatively.

What is the "halving" event, and why is it significant? The "halving" is an event that occurs approximately every four years, where the reward for mining new Bitcoin blocks is halved, effectively reducing the rate at which new Bitcoins are created. This event can lead to increased prices due to reduced supply and increased scarcity.

That's all for today

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

NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com

X: @croxroadnewsco

Instagram: @croxroadnews.co/

Youtube: @thebitcoinlibertarian

Store: https://croxroad.store

Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe

Get Orange Pill App And Connect With Bitcoiners In Your Area. Stack Friends Who Stack Sats link: https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/croxroad

Buy Bitcoin Books At Konsensus Network Store. 10% Discount With Code “21croxroad” link: https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=21croxroad

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

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

วันนี้จะมาเล่าเรื่องการทลายและจับกุมเครือข่ายน้ำมันมะกอกปลอม เบื้องหลังการต่อสู้ในโลกของอุตสาหกรรมอาหาร กันครับ

ด้วยความที่ว่าน้ำมันมะกอก Extra Virgin ถูกยกย่องให้เป็นหนึ่งในน้ำมันที่มีคุณภาพสูงและเป็นสัญลักษณ์ของความมีสุขภาพที่ดีทั่วโลก แถมด้วยรสชาติที่ซับซ้อน กลิ่นหอมเฉพาะตัว มาพร้อมคุณค่าทางโภชนาการที่หลากหลาย ไม่ต้องสงสัยเลยว่าทำไมคนทั้งโลกจึงยินดีจ่ายในราคาที่ค่อนข้างสูง

แล้วไอ้ด้วยความต้องการในสินค้าที่มีมูลค่าสูงนี่ละครับ กลายเป็นช่องทางให้กับกลุ่มอาชญากรรมที่มุ่งหวังหากำไรจากการหลอกลวงผู้บริโภค ด้วยการผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมที่ผ่านการเจือจางหรือดัดแปลงให้ดูเหมือนของแท้ ในเครือข่ายนี้มีการใช้งานเทคนิคและสารเติมแต่งเพื่อเลียนแบบคุณสมบัติของน้ำมันมะกอกแท้ เช่น การปรับเปลี่ยนกลิ่น รสชาติ และคุณสมบัติการแข็งตัวเมื่อแช่เย็น ซึ่งเคยเป็นวิธีตรวจสอบที่ง่ายต่อการแยกแยะของผลิตภัณฑ์แท้ แต่ด้วยเทคนิคใหม่ ๆ ที่ถูกพัฒนาขึ้น ผู้ปลอมแปลงสามารถทำให้ผลิตภัณฑ์ปลอมเหล่านี้ผ่านการตรวจสอบเบื้องต้นได้อย่างไร้ร่องรอย

ข้อมูลจากหลายรายงานของหน่วยงานกำกับดูแลอาหารในยุโรปและสหรัฐอเมริกาเผยว่าขบวนการปลอมแปลงน้ำมันมะกอกเกิดขึ้นในหลายประเทศในแถบเมดิเตอร์เรเนียน โดยเฉพาะในอิตาลี ซึ่งเป็นศูนย์กลางของการผลิตน้ำมันมะกอก

กลุ่มอาชญากรรมในภูมิภาคเหล่านี้ได้นำเอาวิธีการผลิตที่ผิดกฎหมายและการใช้สารเติมแต่งราคาถูกมาเจือจางกับน้ำมันมะกอกแท้ ทำให้ผู้บริโภคไม่สามารถตรวจสอบคุณภาพของผลิตภัณฑ์ได้ด้วยการทดสอบง่าย ๆ เช่น การแช่ตู้เย็นเพื่อตรวจดูการแข็งตัวได้อีกต่อไป (งว่อออ มีอัพเดท patch)

หน่วยงานตำรวจและหน่วยงานกำกับดูแลในอิตาลีร่วมกับหน่วยงานระดับนานาชาติ เช่น EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) และ FDA (Food and Drug Administration) ของสหรัฐอเมริกา ได้ร่วมมือกันเปิดเผยและจับกุมเครือข่ายน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมที่มีความซับซ้อนและขนาดใหญ่ หนึ่งในการจับกุมครั้งใหญ่เกิดขึ้นในปี 2017 เมื่อเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจอิตาลีร่วมกับหน่วยงานสอบสวนระดับนานาชาติได้ดำเนินการบุกค้นโรงงานผลิตลับในพื้นที่ชนบทของอิตาลี ที่มีหลักฐานชัดเจนว่ามีการผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมในปริมาณมหาศาล

เจ้าหน้าที่ได้ค้นพบโกดังที่ถูกซ่อนอยู่ในเขตอุตสาหกรรมที่มีการจัดเก็บถังน้ำมันจำนวนมาก ซึ่งบรรจุผลิตภัณฑ์ที่ถูกเจือจางด้วยน้ำมันพืชราคาถูก เช่น น้ำมันถั่วเหลือง น้ำมันปาล์ม และน้ำมันคาโนลา รวมถึงการเติมสารเคมีที่ช่วยปรับปรุงลักษณะทางกายภาพ เช่น ขี้ผึ้งพืช (Candelilla Wax หรือ Carnauba Wax) เพื่อให้ผลิตภัณฑ์มีคุณสมบัติการแข็งตัวเมื่อนำไปแช่เย็น เหล่านี้เป็นเทคนิคที่ผู้ปลอมแปลงพัฒนาขึ้นเพื่อเลี่ยงการตรวจสอบด้วยวิธีดั้งเดิมที่เคยใช้แยกแยะน้ำมันมะกอกแท้กับปลอมได้

การจับกุมในครั้งนั้นเป็นการร่วมมือระหว่างเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจอิตาลีและหน่วยงานสอบสวนของสหภาพยุโรป ที่ได้ใช้เทคโนโลยีการตรวจสอบขั้นสูงและการวิเคราะห์ทางเคมีในห้องปฏิบัติการ เพื่อพิสูจน์ว่าผลิตภัณฑ์ที่ถูกบรรจุในขวดพร้อมฉลากที่หลอกลวงนั้นไม่ได้มีคุณภาพตามมาตรฐานของน้ำมันมะกอก Extra Virgin ขึ้นจริง เจ้าหน้าที่ได้จับกุมผู้ต้องหาและยึดทรัพย์สินในมูลค่าหลายร้อยล้านยูโร จากนั้นคดีนี้ได้ถูกนำเข้าสู่กระบวนการไต่สวนในศาลอิตาลี ซึ่งมีการลงโทษผู้เกี่ยวข้องด้วยโทษจำคุกหลายปีและการปรับเงินจำนวนมหาศาล

ในกระบวนการไต่สวน เจ้าหน้าที่ได้เปิดเผยว่าขบวนการนี้ไม่ได้ดำเนินการโดยบุคคลเพียงไม่กี่คนเท่านั้น แต่เป็นเครือข่ายขนาดใหญ่ที่มีการเชื่อมโยงกับกลุ่มมาเฟียอย่าง Cosa Nostra และ ’Ndrangheta ซึ่งเป็นกลุ่มอาชญากรรมที่มีอิทธิพลทั้งในประเทศและต่างประเทศ กลุ่มเหล่านี้มีบทบาทในการควบคุมการผลิต การจัดจำหน่าย และการขนส่งน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมผ่านเส้นทางลับที่ซับซ้อน ทั้งในรูปแบบของบริษัทหน้ากากและระบบการฟอกเงินที่มีความซับซ้อนสูง

ในปูมหลังของกลุ่มอาชญากรรมที่มีอิทธิพลในอิตาลี อย่างเช่น Cosa Nostra และ ’Ndrangheta เนี่ยครับ ถือเป็นประวัติศาสตร์ที่สลับซับซ้อนและเต็มไปด้วยความรุนแรง ความขัดแย้ง และกลยุทธ์ที่แยบยลในการดำเนินธุรกิจผิดกฎหมายที่กระจายไปทั่วโลก โดยเฉพาะการจับกุมครั้งใหญ่ในวงการปลอมแปลงน้ำมันมะกอกที่เรากำลังพูดถึง

Cosa Nostra หรือที่รู้จักกันในชื่อ “มาเฟียซิซิลี” หรือว่า The Sicilian Mafia ถือเป็นกลุ่มอาชญากรรมที่เก่าแก่ที่สุดและมีชื่อเสียงที่สุดในอิตาลี และมีอิทธิพลอย่างมากในโลกอาชญากรรมระหว่างประเทศ ประวัติของ Cosa Nostra เต็มไปด้วยความรุนแรงและการควบคุมธุรกิจผิดกฎหมายในหลายด้าน ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการค้ามนุษย์ การค้าผิดกฎหมาย และการติดสินบนเจ้าหน้าที่ของรัฐ สิ่งที่ทำให้ Cosa Nostra น่าสะพรึงกลัวคือวิธีการที่พวกเขาควบคุมแหล่งธุรกิจทั้งในอิตาลีและในต่างประเทศด้วยการใช้ความรุนแรงและการหลอกลวง

หนึ่งในคดีที่ทำให้ชื่อเสียงของ Cosa Nostra ติดตรึงในใจผู้คนทั่วโลกคือคดีฆาตกรรม Giovanni Falcone และ Paolo Borsellino ผู้พิพากษาที่ทำงานอย่างหนักเพื่อปราบปรามมาเฟียซิซิลีในช่วงปี 1990 โดยเฉพาะการต่อสู้กับ Cosa Nostra จนกระทั่งทั้งสองถูกลอบสังหารอย่างโหดเหี้ยมในเหตุการณ์ระเบิดที่เกิดขึ้นในปี 1992 การฆาตกรรมนี้ทำให้ผู้คนในอิตาลีและทั่วโลกตระหนักถึงพลังอำนาจและอิทธิพลของ Cosa Nostra ที่สามารถกระทำการรุนแรงได้แม้กระทั่งกับบุคคลในระดับสูง ขอเสริมให้ว่า Giovanni Falcone เป็นผู้พิพากษาและนักสืบที่มีบทบาทสำคัญในการทำลายเครือข่าย Cosa Nostra เขาเป็นผู้นำในการสร้างทีมสอบสวนที่เรียกว่า “Capaci Trial” และการวางแผนปฏิบัติการที่มุ่งหวังจะทำลายการกระทำผิดของมาเฟีย ซึ่งในที่สุดเขาก็เสียชีวิตจากการระเบิดรถยนต์ที่วางกับดักไว้โดยสมาชิก Cosa Nostra ในปี 1992 Paolo Borsellino ก็เป็นผู้พิพากษาที่ทำงานร่วมกับ Falcone ในการต่อสู้กับกลุ่มมาเฟีย Cosa Nostra และมีบทบาทสำคัญในการดำเนินการสอบสวนและพิจารณาคดีที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการกระทำผิดของมาเฟีย แต่เขาก็ถูกสังหารในเหตุการณ์ระเบิดรถยนต์อีกครั้งในปีเดียวกันกับการตายของ Falcone ซึ่งเกิดขึ้นไม่นานหลังจากที่ Falcone ถูกฆ่าตาย

ส่วน ’Ndrangheta ซึ่งมีต้นกำเนิดในแคว้นคาลาเบรีย (Calabria) ในอิตาลี ถือเป็นอีกหนึ่งกลุ่มที่มีอิทธิพลและความน่ากลัวไม่แพ้กัน แม้ว่าในช่วงแรก ’Ndrangheta จะไม่ได้มีชื่อเสียงโด่งดังเท่า Cosa Nostra แต่ในปัจจุบันกลุ่มนี้ถือว่าเป็นหนึ่งในเครือข่ายอาชญากรรมที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในโลก โดยเฉพาะในการควบคุมการค้ายาเสพติดระดับนานาชาติ และการกระทำผิดกฎหมายเกี่ยวกับการฟอกเงิน กลุ่มนี้ไม่ได้จำกัดการดำเนินงานแค่ในอิตาลี แต่ได้กระจายเครือข่ายไปทั่วโลก โดยเฉพาะใน ยุโรป และ อเมริกาเหนือ ซึ่งได้กลายเป็นพลังที่ยากจะหยุดยั้งได้

การทำธุรกิจของ ’Ndrangheta นั้นมีการใช้ความรุนแรงในการรักษาความมั่นคงและการแทรกซึมในระบบเศรษฐกิจ โดยเฉพาะในวงการการก่อสร้างและธุรกิจที่เกี่ยวข้องกับทรัพย์สิน พวกเขามีอิทธิพลอย่างมากในอุตสาหกรรมบางชนิด เช่น การค้ายาเสพติดที่มีมูลค่าสูง ซึ่งการควบคุมและการปราบปรามของพวกเขาทำให้เกิดความตื่นกลัวในทุกภาคส่วน

เคสดังๆ ที่ทำให้ ’Ndrangheta น่าสะพรึงกลัวคือการควบคุมการค้ายาเสพติดในตลาดยุโรป การที่พวกเขามีเครือข่ายกว้างขวางและการเชื่อมโยงกับกลุ่มอาชญากรระหว่างประเทศทำให้พวกเขามีอำนาจในการจัดการและกระจายยาเสพติดได้อย่างไม่มีที่สิ้นสุด อย่างในปี 2007 กลุ่ม ’Ndrangheta ถูกกล่าวหาว่ามีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องในการค้ายาเสพติดโคเคนมูลค่าหลายพันล้านดอลลาร์ โดยพวกเขาสามารถหลีกเลี่ยงการตรวจจับจากหน่วยงานตำรวจได้อย่างเชี่ยวชาญ

แม้การจับกุมครั้งใหญ่ในปี 2017 จะทำให้ขบวนการปลอมแปลงน้ำมันมะกอกในบางส่วนถูกทำลายลง แต่เครือข่ายอาชญากรรมที่เหลือยังคงดำเนินกิจกรรมนี้อยู่ในระดับที่น่ากังวล ผู้บริโภคในหลายประเทศยังคงต้องเผชิญกับผลิตภัณฑ์น้ำมันมะกอกปลอมที่ออกมาจากเครือข่ายเหล่านี้ ซึ่งมักจะมาพร้อมกับความเสี่ยงต่อสุขภาพ เนื่องจากอาจมีการปนเปื้อนสารเคมีอันตรายและการขาดความโปร่งใสในกระบวนการผลิต

Cosa Nostra ยังคงเป็นกลุ่มอาชญากรรมที่มีอิทธิพลมากในซิซิลีและมักจะใช้กลยุทธ์ในการขยายอำนาจผ่านการควบคุมการค้าและอุตสาหกรรมที่มีกำไรสูง การผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกแท้ในซิซิลีเป็นธุรกิจที่มีมูลค่ามหาศาลและเป็นที่นิยมในตลาดทั่วโลก ดังนั้นกลุ่ม Cosa Nostra จึงไม่ได้เพียงแค่ควบคุมการผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมเท่านั้น แต่ยังควบคุมการขนส่งและการกระจายสินค้าเหล่านี้ไปยังหลายประเทศที่ต้องการผลิตภัณฑ์ปลอมในราคาถูก

กลุ่ม Cosa Nostra ใช้ระบบ “pizzo” หรือการเก็บค่าคุ้มครองจากโรงงานผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกที่ไม่สามารถหลบหนีจากการเรียกเก็บเงินจากพวกเขาได้ รวมถึงการบังคับให้เจ้าของโรงงานผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกต้องซื้อวัตถุดิบที่ไม่ใช่มะกอกจากแหล่งที่พวกเขาควบคุม บางครั้งก็ร่วมมือกับกลุ่มอาชญากรในต่างประเทศ เพื่อให้สามารถขยายตลาดน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมในระดับนานาชาติได้

ขณะที่ Cosa Nostra ครองตลาดในซิซิลี นั้นทางกลุ่ม ’Ndrangheta มีบทบาทในแคว้นคาลาเบรียและมีอิทธิพลในการขยายกิจกรรมการผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมไปยังตลาดในยุโรปและทั่วโลก โดยเฉพาะในกลุ่มประเทศแถบยุโรปเหนือและอเมริกาเหนือ กลุ่มนี้เป็นหนึ่งในกลุ่มอาชญากรรมที่มีเครือข่ายการกระจายสินค้ามหาศาล รวมถึงน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมที่ไม่ได้รับการตรวจสอบจากผู้บริโภค

การกระจายสินค้าไม่ใช่แค่การจัดส่งน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมไปยังร้านค้าหรือผู้ขายที่ไม่ตรวจสอบ แต่ ‘Ndrangheta ยังมีบทบาทในการสร้างการเชื่อมต่อกับบริษัทส่งออกที่ดูเหมือนจะทำการค้าทั่วไป จนเมื่อการสอบสวนดำเนินไป ก็พบว่าเบื้องหลังของบริษัทเหล่านี้กลับเป็นการขนส่งน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมในปริมาณมหาศาล ขณะเดียวกันก็สร้างแรงกดดันต่อเจ้าหน้าที่และบรรดาผู้ที่พยายามจะเปิดเผยความจริง

ทั้งสองกลุ่มไม่ได้แยกกันไปตามแต่ละเขตแดน แต่พวกเขามักจะร่วมมือกันในการขยายเครือข่ายและหลีกเลี่ยงการถูกจับกุม การรวมตัวระหว่าง Cosa Nostra และ ’Ndrangheta ทำให้เกิดการรวมตัวของอำนาจและความรู้ในการหลบเลี่ยงการตรวจสอบจากเจ้าหน้าที่ ซึ่งทำให้การติดตามและจับกุมยากขึ้น ทั้งนี้เพราะพวกเขามักจะใช้วิธีการที่ซับซ้อนในการบังคับใช้การควบคุมตลาดน้ำมันมะกอกปลอม ซึ่งบางครั้งพวกเขาจะสร้างบริษัทหน้ากากและจดทะเบียนในประเทศที่ไม่มีกฎหมายควบคุมการตรวจสอบอาหารอย่างเคร่งครัด

ทั้ง Cosa Nostra และ ’Ndrangheta จึงเป็นหัวเรือใหญ่ที่ยังคงดำเนินกิจกรรมอาชญากรรมเหล่านี้อยู่ แม้จะมีการจับกุมและเปิดเผยเครือข่ายในบางส่วน แต่เครือข่ายการผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมยังคงมีความลับอยู่ในที่มืด และอิทธิพลของทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้ก็ยังคงสะท้อนอยู่ในอุตสาหกรรมอาหารทั่วโลก

แม้ว่าจะมีการจับกุมกลุ่มผู้ต้องหาหลายคนในช่วงการบุกค้นครั้งใหญ่ เจ้าหน้าที่ยังคงต้องทำงานหนักเพื่อขยายขอบเขตของการสืบสวน และทำลายเครือข่ายการกระจายสินค้าในระดับนานาชาติที่ทั้งสองกลุ่มควบคุมอยู่อย่างลับๆ แต่ในที่สุดแล้ว การพยายามทำลายอำนาจของ Cosa Nostra และ ’Ndrangheta ในวงการน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมยังคงเป็นการต่อสู้ที่ยาวนานและไม่สิ้นสุดอยู่ดีครับ

หนึ่งในปัญหาที่ผู้บริโภคต้องเผชิญคือ ความยากในการตรวจสอบคุณภาพของน้ำมันมะกอกที่ซื้อมา เนื่องจากการตรวจสอบเบื้องต้นเช่นการแช่ตู้เย็นเพื่อดูการแข็งตัวอาจไม่เพียงพอในการแยกแยะน้ำมันมะกอกแท้กับน้ำมันปลอมที่ผ่านการดัดแปลงด้วยสารเติมแต่งใหม่ ๆ เทคนิคการผลิตที่ซับซ้อนนี้ทำให้ผู้บริโภคต้องพึ่งพาแหล่งข้อมูลที่เชื่อถือได้และการรับรองจากหน่วยงานที่มีอำนาจ

แม้ในปัจจุบันหน่วยงานตำรวจและหน่วยงานกำกับดูแลในยุโรปและสหรัฐอเมริกาจะได้เพิ่มความเข้มงวดในการตรวจสอบและจับกุมขบวนการน้ำมันมะกอกปลอม แต่เครือข่ายขนาดใหญ่ที่มีความลับและการจัดการทางการเงินที่ซับซ้อนยังคงหลบหนีจากการปราบปรามอยู่เป็นอย่างดี ภาพรวมที่พบคือ ผู้ผลิตน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมที่ยังเหลืออยู่ในตลาดมักจะมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงสูตรและเทคนิคอย่างต่อเนื่อง เพื่อให้สามารถหลีกเลี่ยงการตรวจสอบจากห้องปฏิบัติการและการสอบสวนในระดับนานาชาติ

แล้วการจับกุมครั้งใหญ่ในปี 2017 ก็ส่งผลให้เกิดการปรับปรุงมาตรการตรวจสอบในอุตสาหกรรมอาหารและการบังคับใช้กฎหมายในยุโรป แต่ความท้าทายในการจับกุมและทำลายเครือข่ายขนาดใหญ่นี้ยังคงอยู่ เนื่องจากความร่วมมือระหว่างกลุ่มอาชญากรรมทั้งในอิตาลีและต่างประเทศมีความซับซ้อนและเป็นระบบที่ยากต่อการแตกสลาย

ในที่สุด เรื่องราวของการจับกุมขบวนการน้ำมันมะกอกปลอมในยุคนี้จึงเป็นเครื่องเตือนใจให้กับทั้งหน่วยงานกำกับดูแลและผู้บริโภคว่า การตรวจสอบคุณภาพและความโปร่งใสในอุตสาหกรรมอาหารเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่สามารถละเลยได้ และการจับกุมผู้กระทำผิดเพียงส่วนหนึ่งก็ยังไม่เพียงพอที่จะทำให้เครือข่ายอาชญากรรมที่มีอิทธิพลเหล่านี้ถูกทำลายหมดสิ้น ผู้บริโภคจึงควรเลือกซื้อผลิตภัณฑ์จากแหล่งที่เชื่อถือได้และมีการรับรองคุณภาพอย่างเคร่งครัด เพื่อป้องกันไม่ให้ตกเป็นเหยื่อของการหลอกลวงที่อาจมีผลกระทบต่อสุขภาพในระยะยาว

และการเรียนรู้ในการเลือกซื้อก็เป็นเกราะป้องกันขั้นต้นที่สำคัญ ถ้าจะบอกว่าหายาก บ้านเราไม่ค่อยมี เอาแบบง่ายๆในห้างก็ได้มั๊ง

ผมคงบอกได้แค่ เอาตามสะดวกพี่เลยครับ

ผมแค่สื่อสารสุขภาพเออร์ คนนึง

pirateketo

ฉลาก3รู้

ม้วนหางสิลูก #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #siamstr

@ 6830c409:ff17c655

Nostr ഉപയോഗിച്ച് ഒരു ഉപയോക്താവായി നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയുന്ന കാര്യങ്ങൾ:

1. കുറിപ്പുകൾ (Notes) പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യുക: നിങ്ങളുടെ ചിന്തകൾ, അപ്‌ഡേറ്റുകൾ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മറ്റ് ഉള്ളടക്കങ്ങൾ പങ്കിടാൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ചെറിയ സന്ദേശങ്ങൾ പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യാം.​ ഈ നോട്ടുകൾക്ക് മാക്സിമം ലെങ്ത് എന്ന ലിമിറ്റ് ഇല്ല.

2. ദീർഘമായ കുറിപ്പുകൾ (Long-form Notes) പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിക്കുക: Nostr ദീർഘമായ ഉള്ളടക്കവും പിന്തുണയ്ക്കുന്നു, അതുവഴി നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ലേഖനങ്ങൾ, പ്രബന്ധങ്ങൾ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ വിശദമായ പോസ്റ്റുകൾ എഴുതാനും പങ്കിടാനും കഴിയും.​

3. Zapping (മൈക്രോ-പേയ്മെന്റുകൾ) ഉപയോഗിക്കുക: Nostr ലെ ലൈറ്റ്നിംഗ് നെറ്റ്‌വർക്ക് ഉപയോഗിച്ച്, നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ചെറിയ തുകകൾ (സാറ്റോഷികൾ) അയയ്ക്കാൻ കഴിയും, ഇത് കണ്ടൻ്റ് ക്രിയേറ്റർമാർക്ക് പിന്തുണ നൽകാൻ സഹായിക്കുന്നു.​ സറ്റോഷി എന്നത് ബിറ്റ്‌കോയിൻ നാണയത്തിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും ചെറിയ യൂണിറ്റാണ്.

4. ചാറ്റുകൾ (Chats) ഉപയോഗിക്കുക: മറ്റ് ഉപയോക്താക്കളുമായി സ്വകാര്യമായി അല്ലെങ്കിൽ പബ്ലിക്ക് ചാറ്റ് റൂമുകളിൽ ആശയവിനിമയം നടത്താൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് Nostr ലെ ചാറ്റ് ഫീച്ചറുകൾ ഉപയോഗിക്കാം.​ ഈ ചാറ്റുകൾ എൻക്രിപ്റ്റ് ചെയ്തതും സുരക്ഷിതവുമാണ്, അതിനാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ സംഭാഷണങ്ങൾ സ്വകാര്യത ഉറപ്പാക്കുന്നു.​

5. മാർക്കറ്റ്‌പ്ലേസുകൾ (Marketplaces) ഉപയോഗിക്കുക: Nostr മാർക്കറ്റ്‌പ്ലേസുകൾ ഉപയോഗിച്ച്, ഉപയോക്താക്കൾക്ക് പീർ-ടു-പീർ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിൽ വസ്തുക്കളും സേവനങ്ങളും വാങ്ങാനും വിൽക്കാനും കഴിയും.​

6. വ്യത്യസ്ത ക്ലയന്റുകൾ പരീക്ഷിക്കുക: Nostr വിവിധ ക്ലയന്റുകൾ ഉപയോഗിച്ച് പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്നു. ഓരോ ക്ലയന്റിനും വ്യത്യസ്ത സവിശേഷതകളും ഇന്റർഫേസുകളും ഉണ്ട്, അതിനാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ ഇഷ്ടാനുസരണം തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കാം.​ Damus, Amethyst, Iris, Yakihonne, Primal, NoStrudel തുടങ്ങിയവയാണ് ചില പ്രശസ്ത ക്ലയന്റുകൾ.​

7. മറ്റ് ഉപയോക്താക്കളെ പിന്തുടരുക: Nostr ലെ നിങ്ങളുടെ പ്രൊഫൈൽ ഉപയോഗിച്ച്, നിങ്ങൾക്ക് മറ്റ് ഉപയോക്താക്കളെ പിന്തുടരാനും അവരുടെ പോസ്റ്റുകളുമായി ഇടപെടാനും കഴിയും.​ ആർട്ടിഫിഷ്യലായി നോട്ടുകളെ ബൂസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയില്ല - അതുകൊണ്ടു തന്നെ, വളരെ സ്വാഭാവികമായ ഒരു ടൈമ്ലൈൻ ആകും എല്ലാവർക്കും ലഭിക്കുക.

8. മീഡിയയും ഫയലുകളും പങ്കിടുക: നിങ്ങളുടെ ഫോളോവേഴ്‌സുമായി ചിത്രങ്ങൾ, വീഡിയോകൾ, മറ്റ് ഫയലുകൾ എന്നിവ പങ്കിടുക, ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ പോസ്റ്റുകൾ കൂടുതൽ ആകർഷകമാക്കുന്നു.​

9. പോളുകളിലും സർവേയുകളിലും പങ്കെടുക്കുക: Nostr ലെ പോളുകളിലും സർവേയുകളിലും പങ്കെടുക്കുക, ഇത് സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ അഭിപ്രായങ്ങൾ അറിയാനും ചർച്ചകളിൽ പങ്കെടുക്കാനും സഹായിക്കുന്നു.​

10. യാക്കിഹോൺ പോലുള്ള ക്ലയൻ്റുകളിൽ പോസ്റ്റുകൾക്ക് ടെമ്പ്ലേറ്റ് ഉണ്ടാക്കാനും അത് ഷെയർ ചെയ്യാനും ഒക്കെ സാധിക്കും. ഇത് കൂടുതൽ ഇൻ്ററാക്ടീവ് അനുഭവം നൽകുന്നു, പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് നിങ്ങളുടെ പോസ്റ്റുകൾക്ക് ഒരു യുണീക്ക് ലുക്ക് ആൻഡ് ഫീൽ നൽകാൻ സാധിക്കും.​

ഓക്കെ. നിങ്ങൾ എപ്പൊഴാണ് Nostr ഉപയോഗിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങുന്നത്? നിങ്ങളുടെ നൊസ്റ്റർ ഐഡി/പബ്ലിക്ക് കീ ഷെയർ ചെയ്യൂ.

@ 4d4fb5ff:1e821f47

The entire genetic sequence for peptidase E (pepE, e. coli). Genes in living organisms are subject to mutation across time. In contrast, information on the bitcoin ledger is immutable. By etching the pepE DNA sequence onto bitcoin, its ability to evolve is lost. This challenges the significance of genetic information in a foreign digital context. I chose to keep the title “PEPEGENE” in upper case as a homage to the naming convention for Counterparty assets. This additionally contrasts the notation of a digital asset identifier (PEPEGENE) against the notation of biological identifiers (a,t,c or g), which are kept in lower case.

https://ordiscan.com/inscription/53135550

@ a8d1560d:3fec7a08

I have created a Nostr desktop-like client with currently 3 apps. However, it is currently read-only and you have to manually refresh the apps to see if there's something new.

https://websim.ai/@wholewish91244492/nostr-desktop/

@ 1f9e547c:8af216ed

Opinion about Earn Crypto with Haru Invest (android)

​Hugo Hyungsoo Lee is the CEO of Haru Invest, a South Korean cryptocurrency investment platform. In August 2024, during his fraud trial related to the platform's collapse, Lee was attacked and stabbed in the neck by a former investor at the Seoul Southern District Court. The assailant, identified as Kang, had lost approximately $8.3 million due to Haru Invest's bankruptcy. Lee's injuries were not life-threatening, and Kang now faces a potential 10-year prison sentence for the attack.

Source: Jameson Lopp x.com Secondary Source: the block co

WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion

Join the conversation!

@ 7bc05901:8c26d22b

There was a time in my life where I wouldn't miss church. I remember returning to church, it was directly next door to my downtown apartment. The amount of various substances I consumed every Sunday morning for those first few months back -- I am surprised they let me in the door, reeking as I must have of ganja.

Not only did they let me in the door, they asked me to go back to my apartment and get my guitar so I could join the band -- a keyboardist (the pastor's wife) and another female singer. I strummed along, and before I knew it, I had spent two years at this little church of less than 20 people, and my girlfriend was pregnant. They threw us the absolute best baby shower, just the sweetest people. And after the baby was born, I spent a few more weeks going, then I just realized it has been two years since I have been in there. Except I still have a key, and my guitar still sits on the stage, so I will stop by in the middle of the day sometimes and strum my guitar.

I feel so bad, because I don't know what church is. I worked at "mega" churches throughout my twenties, always directly for the head pastor -- king of his ecclesiastical empire. I had stayed out of church for almost seven years before I went back to this small, intimate affair next to my apartment. It was the only thing that could have gotten me back into it. I couldn't do anything where they are telling you about joining a "small group" (or, they probably call it like a damn "nucleus group" or "cell group" or "base camp" depending on which Zondervan bible study the pastor subscribes to). I couldn't do a glitzy put together, long-haired worship leader and band. With guitar solos. And synthesizers.

I also couldn't do what I grew up with as a kid: baptist hymns, a pipe organ, and shiny white-haired folks in their suits and skirts. And a deep-voiced "Worship Minister" who shouted "HOW GREAT THOU ART" at the pews.

I know that doesn't really encapsulate the spectrum, but those are the only places I can imagine not getting completely hung up on the evangelical legalism that just gushes from church pulpits here in the bible belt. I had enough of a personal radical grace revolution after I was well into my professional church life that the theology is such a hang up basically everywhere / everyone.

I want to start my own church, but I am in an unusual spot where I don't want to sacrifice my entire weekend. I also dread the thought of the business side of the church. Strange, too, because my twenties were spent figuring out how to generate money in a church role, spinning off media projects, connecting to the conference circuit, and compiling sermon series into devotional literature. I also never thought I would shy away from an opportunity to be in that extroverted church environment.

I think churches can be helpful, possibly even life-saving. I think a lot of folks want to turn it around, and want to find a community of positive folks who are willing to face life's difficult questions. And, most importantly, I think folks desperately want to hear that their sins are forgiven, that Christ's blood was spilled for them, that grace is for them. For you.

Unfortunately, I am not there yet. I hope that airing some of this out will create the room in my head for the nudging that needs to help so I can scratch this itch. Maybe find some faith in the principles behind the church, even if I have lost faith in the building and the business.

@ a3a17f65:e9606ad9

I’ve been thinking about journaling lately. It might have been the productivity videos I watched, or maybe it’s just the algorithm doing its thing, but the idea has stuck. Journaling seems like an interesting experiment that could help me build momentum for writing more complex posts later.

The idea came to me during a Yin Yoga class. Being in a relaxed state is great for creative thinking, and for a long time, I’ve been procrastinating on writing proper essays—despite knowing how important it is to crystallize and integrate thoughts. I kept putting unnecessary roadblocks in my way, like picking a good domain name, learning static websites, and customizing themes. All these obstacles just kept me stuck at square one. So, why not start small? A simple, frequent post on NOSTR about whatever’s on my mind, without overthinking it.

Two basic rules: it doesn’t have to be elaborate, it should be as effortless as possible, and whatever I write has to be published on the same day. This won’t be stream-of-consciousness-style writing or morning pages, nor will I get too personal. Just a simple log, hopefully daily.

There’s this growing frustration in my mind: What the fuck have I done with my knowledge and intellect? It doesn’t feel like anything exceptional. I’m not saying that to be modest—I’m just trying to be honest. The people around me, including some I consider genuinely intelligent, seem to think I have exceptional knowledge or a unique way of thinking. But I can’t help wondering if they’re misjudging it—maybe they confuse curiosity with intelligence, or maybe it’s just that their standards are different. All I know for sure is that I’m curious and tend to think a little differently. But where has that gotten me so far? The little financial success I had came from a shitcoin network, and now it barely amounts to anything. If Naval is right—"The only true test of intelligence is if you get what you want out of life”—then I’m damn near the village idiot level.

So, what’s the point of this personal project? Writing regularly to clear my mind, develop self-awareness, and align with my true vision. I hope this process helps me better understand who I am, what I’m struggling with, and how to get back on the path to financial freedom and fulfillment. And maybe, this will be useful to you too—my dear reader, wherever you are.

Here’s to the journey ahead—one post at a time. I hope something here resonates with you, even if it's just a snapshot of someone else navigating their own journey.

@ 30fb9c78:1f1e3c3a

The President delivers a ‘State of the Union’ Speech every year, but that’s a snooze. Just look at your worthy representatives struggling to keep their eyes open. That’s because they’ve heard it all before.

We have too. Not much changes in politics. Certainly not the candidates.

There’s more variety at my local gas station, where at least I get to choose from three types of fuel and five flavors of Big Gulp.

So forget about politics. All the action now is happening in mainstream culture—which is changing at warp speed.

That’s why we need a “State of the Culture” speech instead. My address last year was quoted and cited, and was absolutely true back then—but it’s already as obsolete as the ChatGPT-1 help desk at the Bored Ape Yacht Club.

In fact, 2024 may be the most fast-paced—and dangerous—time ever for the creative economy. And that will be true, no matter what happens in November.

So let’s plunge in.

I want to tell you why entertainment is dead. And what’s coming to take its place.

If the culture was like politics, you would get just two choices. They might look like this.

Many creative people think these are the only options—both for them and their audience. Either they give the audience what it wants (the entertainer’s job) or else they put demands on the public (that’s where art begins).

But they’re dead wrong.

Maybe it’s smarter to view the creative economy like a food chain. If you’re an artist—or are striving to become one—your reality often feels like this.

Until recently, the entertainment industry has been on a growth tear—so much so, that anything artsy or indie or alternative got squeezed as collateral damage.

But even this disturbing picture isn’t disturbing enough. That’s because it misses the single biggest change happening right now.

We’re witnessing the birth of a post-entertainment culture. And it won’t help the arts. In fact, it won’t help society at all.

Even that big whale is in trouble. Entertainment companies are struggling in ways nobody anticipated just a few years ago.

Consider the movie business:

• Disney is a state of crisis—where everything is shrinking (except the CEO’s paycheck).
• Paramount just laid off 800 employees - and wants to find a new owner.
• Universal is now releasing movies to streaming after just 3 weeks in theaters.
• Warner Bros actually makes more money canceling films than releasing them.

The TV business also hit a wall in 2023. After years of steady growth, the number of scripted series has started shrinking.

Estimated number of U.S scripted originial series per year, 2010-2023 Source

Music may be in the worst state of them all. Just consider Sony’s huge move a few days ago - investing in Michael Jackson’s song catalog at a valuation of $1.2 billion. No label would invest even a fraction of that amount in launching new artists.

In 2024, musicians are actually worth more old than young, dead than alive.

This raises the obvious question. How can demand for new entertainment shrink? What can possibly replace it?

But something will replace it. It’s already starting to happen.

Here’s a better model of the cultural food chain in the year 2024.

The fastest growing sector of the culture economy is distraction. Or call it scrolling or swiping or wasting time or whatever you want. But it’s not art or entertainment, just ceaseless activity.

The key is that each stimulus only lasts a few seconds, and must be repeated.

It’s a huge business, and will soon be larger than arts and entertainment combined. Everything is getting turned into TikTok - an aptly named platform for a business based on stimuli that must be repeated after only a few ticks of the clock.

TikTok made a fortune with fast-paced scrolling video. And now Facebook—once a place to connect with family and friends - is imitating it. So long, Granny, hello Reels. Twitter has done the same. And, of course, Instagram, YouTube, and everybody else trying to get rich on social media.

---

This is more than just the hot trend of 2024. It can last forever—because it’s based on body chemistry, not fashion or aesthetics.

Our brain rewards these brief bursts of distraction. The neurochemical dopamine is released, and this makes us feel good—so we want to repeat the stimulus.

The cycle looks like this.

This is a familiar model for addiction.

Only now it is getting applied to culture and the creative world—and billions of people. They are unwitting volunteers in the largest social engineering experiment in human history.

So you need to ditch that simple model of art versus entertainment. And even ‘distraction’ is just a stepping stone toward the real goal nowadays—which is addiction.

Here’s the future cultural food chain—pursued aggressively by tech platforms that now dominate every aspect of our lives.

The tech platforms aren’t like the Medici in Florence, or those other rich patrons of the arts. They don’t want to find the next Michelangelo or Mozart. They want to create a world of junkies—because they will be the dealers.

Addiction is the goal.

They don’t say it openly, but they don’t need to. Just look at what they do.

Everything is designed to lock users into an addictive cycle

• The platforms are all shifting to scrolling and reeling interfaces where stimuli optimize the dopamine doom loop.
• Anything that might persuade you to leave the platform—a news story, or any outside link—is brutally punished by their algorithms. It might liberate you from your dependent junkie status, and that can’t be allowed.
• But wait, there’s more! Apple, Facebook, and others are now telling you to put on their virtual reality headsets—where you are swallowed up by the stimuli, like those tiny fish in my food chain charts. You’re invited to live as a passive recipient of make-believe experiences, like a pod slave in The Matrix.

The tech CEOs know this is harmful, but they do it anyway. A whistleblower released internal documents showing how Instagram use leads to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Mark Zuckerberg was told all the disturbing details.

He doesn’t care. The CEOs all know the score. The more their tech gets used, the worse all the psychic metrics get.

But still they push aggressively forward—they don’t want to lose market share to the other dopamine cartel members. And with a special focus on children. They figured out what every junk peddler already knows: It’s more profitable to get users locked in while they’re young.

And the virtual reality headsets raise even more issues—because they rewire users’ brains. Experts are already talking about “simulator sickness,” and that’s just the physical nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Imagine the psychic dislocations.

And you thought artists had it tough back in the day?

Even the dumbest entertainment looks like Shakespeare compared to dopamine culture. You don’t need Hamlet, a photo of a hamburger will suffice. Or a video of somebody twerking, or a pet looking goofy.

Instead of movies, users get served up an endless sequence of 15-second videos. Instead of symphonies, listeners hear bite-sized melodies, usually accompanied by one of these tiny videos—just enough for a dopamine hit, and no more.

This is the new culture. And its most striking feature is the absence of Culture (with a capital C) or even mindless entertainment—both get replaced by compulsive activity.

So don’t be surprised when huge corporations stop pretending otherwise—hence entertainment businesses that suddenly embrace gambling, or other equally addictive offerings. (Now you know why the Super Bowl took place in Las Vegas—a perfect symbol for the current moment in our culture.)

Everything is gamified. Anything can be scrollable. You can simulate any boat you row.

But what does this do to our brains? To our lives? To the future?

---

Here’s where the science gets really ugly. The more addicts rely on these stimuli, the less pleasure they receive. At a certain point, this cycle creates anhedonia—the complete absence of enjoyment in an experience supposedly pursued for pleasure.

That seems like a paradox

How can pursuing pleasure lead to less pleasure? But that’s how our brains are wired (perhaps as a protective mechanism). At a certain point, addicts still pursue the stimulus, but more to avoid the pain of dopamine deprivation.

People addicted to painkillers have the same experience. Beyond a certain level, opioid dependence actually makes the pain worse.

What happens when this same experience is delivered to everybody, via their phones? The results are devastating, as expert Dr. Len Lantz explains. Even people who thought they were immune to addictive behavior, get destroyed by the cycle:

There is a specific, abnormal brain activation pattern that is present in people who have anhedonia, which is a key feature of major depression, and absent in those who do not. It is often the case that when patients come to me with major depression, they say, “I shouldn’t be depressed. I have a good life. If my friends or coworkers knew I was depressed, they wouldn’t understand or they would be mad at me. They think I have it made. So, why don’t I feel that way?”

We’re now seeing the first effects on a grand social scale of this deadening effect.

Sure, let’s give it a name, something like TikTok depression or Silicon Valley zombification or whatever. The key fact is that users can feel it, even if they don’t have a label or a diagnosis. They feel it even if the technocrats refuse to tell them about it. Just listen to the words people use to describe their toxic online interactions: doomscrolling, trolling, doxxing, gaslighting, etc.

In the year 2024, this is what we do for fun.

But it doesn’t bring happiness. The World Happiness Report surveyed 150,000 people in 26 countries, and found that the US and other prosperous, technologically advanced societies are suffering a massive happiness decline. This is what happens when anhedonia is on sale every week—and the pervasive tech platforms increasingly resemble the ruthless corporations that got rich from opioid abuse.

Some companies get people hooked with pills and needles. Others with apps and algorithms. But either way, it’s just churning out junkies.

That’s our dystopian future. Not so much Orwell’s 1984—more like Huxley’s Brave New World.

---

Dr. Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation, sometimes urges her patients to undergo a “dopamine fast” for one month—a sufficient amount of time for the brain to start rewiring. But even unplugging for a few minutes can be scary for those caught in the cycle.

She shares an example:

My patient Sophie, a Stanford undergraduate from South Korea, came in seeking help for depression and anxiety. Among the many things we talked about, she told me she spends most of her waking hours plugged into some kind of device: Instagramming, YouTubing, listening to podcasts and playlists. In session with her I suggested she try walking to class without listening to anything and just letting her own thoughts bubble to the surface. She looked at me both incredulous and afraid. “Why would I do that?” she asked, openmouthed.

A week later, Sophie returned and reported on the new experience: “It was hard at first. But then I got used to it and even kind of liked it. I started noticing the trees.”

Want a horror story? Read this book—it’s got more zombies than The Walking Dead

Not long ago, I’d have dismissed anecdotes like this. I couldn’t really imagine somebody addicted to Instagram or TikTok or some other phone app.

But I don’t need to imagine anything now. I see those sad-eyed junkies, hooked to their devices, wherever I go. And even their facial expressions convey that haggard strungout look.

This is the real state of play in our culture in 2024.

And it’s a bigger issue than just struggling artists or floundering media companies. The dopamine cartel is now aggravating our worst social problems—in education, in workplaces, and in private life.

But you will hardly hear about this—because too many people are making far too much money from the dopamine culture.

If you thought the drug cartels were rich, wait till you see how much money the dopamine cartel is making. For a start, check out the market cap at Apple, Meta, etc. They are literally too big to stop.

Just telling the truth about the dopamine cartel would be a major step forward for the culture in 2024.

Also, do yourself a favor. Unplug yourself from time to time, and start noticing the trees or your goofy pets. They actually look better in real life than in the headset.

---

Source: Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker, February 18, 2024

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

O conceito de Megablock propõe uma nova maneira de medir o tempo dentro do ecossistema Bitcoin. Assim como usamos décadas, séculos e milênios para medir períodos históricos na sociedade humana, o Bitcoin pode ser dividido em Megablocks, cada um representando 1 milhão de blocos minerados.

---

1. Introdução

O Bitcoin opera em um sistema baseado na mineração de blocos, onde um novo bloco é adicionado à blockchain (ou timechain) aproximadamente a cada 10 minutos. A contagem de tempo tradicional, baseada em calendários solares e lunares, não se aplica diretamente ao Bitcoin, que funciona de maneira independente das convenções temporais humanas.

A proposta do Megablock surge como uma alternativa para medir o progresso da rede Bitcoin, dividindo sua existência em unidades de 1 milhão de blocos, permitindo uma estruturação do tempo no contexto da blockchain. Entretanto, diferentemente de medidas fixas de tempo, como anos e séculos, o tempo de um Megablock futuro não pode ser previsto com exatidão, pois variações no hashrate e ajustes de dificuldade fazem com que o tempo real de mineração flutue ao longo dos anos.

---

2. Definição do Megablock

2.1 O que é um Megablock?

Um Megablock é uma unidade de tempo no Bitcoin definida por um ciclo de 1.000.000 de blocos minerados. Com a taxa de geração de blocos mantida em 10 minutos por bloco, podemos estimar:

1 Megablock ≈ 1.000.000×10 minutos = 10.000.000 minutos = 166.666,7 horas = 6.944,4 dias ≈ 19 anos

Entretanto, dados históricos mostram que a média real de tempo por bloco tem sido levemente inferior a 10 minutos. Ao analisar os últimos 800.000 blocos, percebemos que cada 100.000 blocos foram minerados, em média, 1 a 2 meses mais rápido do que o previsto. Com variações indo de 2 dias a 3 meses de diferença. Esse ajuste pode continuar mudando conforme o hashrate cresce ou desacelera

Isso significa que o Megablock não deve ser usado como uma métrica exata para previsões futuras baseadas no calendário humano, (apenas aproximações e estimativas) pois sua duração pode variar ao longo do tempo. No entanto, essa variação não compromete sua função como uma unidade de tempo já decorrido. O conceito de Megablock continua sendo uma referência sólida para estruturar períodos históricos dentro da blockchain do Bitcoin. Independentemente da velocidade futura da mineração, 1 milhão de blocos sempre será igual a 1 milhão de blocos.

2.2 Estrutura dos Megablocks ao longo da história do Bitcoin

| Megablock | Início (Bloco) | Fim (Bloco) | Ano Estimado (margem de erro: ±2 anos) | | ---------------- | ------------------ | --------------- | ------------------------------------------ | | 1º Megablock | 0 | 1.000.000 | 2009 ~ 2027 | | 2º Megablock | 1.000.001 | 2.000.000 | 2027 ~ 2045 | | 3º Megablock | 2.000.001 | 3.000.000 | 2045 ~ 2064 | | 4º Megablock | 3.000.001 | 4.000.000 | 2064 ~ 2082 | | 5º Megablock | 4.000.001 | 5.000.000 | 2082 ~ 2099 | | 6º Megablock | 5.000.001 | 6.000.000 | 2099 ~ 2117 | | 7º Megablock | 6.000.001 | 7.000.000 | 2117 ~ 2136 |

• Nota sobre o primeiro Megablock: Do Bloco Gênese (0) ao Bloco 1.000.000, serão minerados 1.000.001 blocos, pois o Bloco 0 também é contado. O milionésimo bloco será, na realidade, o de número 999.999. Nos Megablocks subsequentes, a contagem será exatamente de 1.000.000 de blocos cada.

O fornecimento de Bitcoin passará por 6 Megablocks completos antes de atingir seu total de 21 milhões de BTC, previsto para acontecer no Bloco 6.930.000 (7º Megablock), quando a última fração de BTC será minerada.

Se essa tendência da média de tempo por bloco ser ligeiramente inferior a 10 minutos continuar, o último bloco com recompensa pode ser minerado entre 2135 e 2138, antes da previsão original de 2140.

De qualquer forma, o Megablock não se limita ao fornecimento de novas moedas. O último bloco com emissão de BTC será o 6.930.000, mas a blockchain continuará existindo indefinidamente.

Após a última emissão, os mineradores não receberão mais novas moedas como recompensa de bloco, mas continuarão garantindo a segurança da rede apenas com as taxas de transação. Dessa forma, novos Megablocks continuarão a ser formados, mantendo o padrão de 1.000.000 de blocos por unidade de tempo.

Assim como o 1º Megablock marca a era inicial do Bitcoin com sua fase de emissão mais intensa, os Megablocks após o fim da emissão representarão uma nova era da rede, onde a segurança será mantida puramente por incentivos de taxas de transação. Isso reforça que o tempo no Bitcoin continua sendo medido em blocos, e não em moedas emitidas.

---

3. Benefícios do Conceito de Megablock

3.1 Estruturação do Tempo Já Decorrido

Os Megablocks permitem que os Bitcoiners analisem a evolução da rede com uma métrica clara e baseada no próprio protocolo, estruturando os períodos históricos do Bitcoin.

3.2 Comparação com Unidades Temporais Humanas

Assim como temos décadas, séculos e milênios, podemos organizar a história do Bitcoin com Megablocks, criando marcos temporais claros dentro da blockchain:

• 1 Megablock ≈ 17 a 19 anos (equivalente a uma “geração” no tempo humano)
• 210.000 blocos = ~4 anos (ciclo de halving do Bitcoin)

3.3 Aplicação na História do Bitcoin

Podemos usar Megablocks para marcar eventos históricos importantes da rede:

• O 1º Megablock (2009 ~ 2026/2028) engloba a criação do Bitcoin, os primeiros halvings e a adoção institucional.
• O 2º Megablock (2027 ~ 2044/2046) verá um Bitcoin muito mais escasso, possivelmente consolidado como reserva de valor global.
• O 3º Megablock (2045 ~ 2062/2064) pode ser uma era de hiperbitcoinização, onde a economia gira inteiramente em torno do BTC.

---

4. Conclusão

O Megablock é uma proposta baseada na matemática da rede para medir o tempo já decorrido no Bitcoin, dividindo sua história em unidades de 1 milhão de blocos minerados. Essa unidade de tempo permite que Bitcoiners acompanhem o desenvolvimento e registrem a história da rede de maneira organizada e independente dos ciclos arbitrários do calendário humano.

Estamos atualmente formando o Primeiro Megablock, assim como estamos vivendo e construindo a década de 2020 e o século XXI. Esse conceito pode se tornar uma métrica fundamental para o estudo da história do Bitcoin, reforçando a ideia de que no Bitcoin, o tempo é medido em blocos, não em relógios.

Você já imaginou como será o Bitcoin no 3º ou 4º Megablock?

@ 878dff7c:037d18bc

Quantum Mechanics Illuminate Avian Navigation

Summary:

Recent studies have unveiled that migrating birds utilize quantum mechanics to navigate vast distances. Specifically, proteins in their eyes form radical pairs sensitive to Earth's magnetic fields, enabling precise orientation during solo nocturnal migrations. This discovery highlights nature's sophisticated use of quantum principles in biological functions.​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Sources: The Guardian - 24 March 2025

Federal Budget 2025-26: Anticipated Deficit and Cost-of-Living Measures

Summary:

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to deliver the 2025-26 Federal Budget on March 25, 2025, with expectations of a deficit close to the $26.9 billion predicted in the December 2024 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The budget aims to provide substantial cost-of-living relief without exacerbating inflation, including measures such as a $150 electricity rebate and a $25 cap on PBS prescription medicines starting January 1, 2026. Chalmers has also highlighted external risks, including escalating US trade tensions, that could impact Australia's economic stability. Sources: The Guardian - March 24, 2025, ShareCafe - March 24, 2025, KPMG - March 21, 2025

Australia's Intelligence Review Warns of Potential Major-Power Conflicts

Summary:

An independent review of Australia's intelligence agencies indicates that the world is more volatile than in the past four decades, with the possibility of major-power conflicts no longer unimaginable. The report highlights increasing instability from U.S.-China rivalry and a bloc of autocratic states undermining global security. It recommends enhancing intelligence capabilities to address emerging threats. Sources: The Guardian - March 21, 2025

Severe Drought in Mali (South Australia) Forces Farmers to Rely on Bottled Water

Summary:

Farmers in Mali, such as Peter Williams, are experiencing an unprecedented drought leading to a scarcity of potable water. This crisis has compelled them to use bottled water for basic needs and purchase water for livestock. The "For Pete's Sake" campaign aims to raise awareness and pressure the government to increase its drought support beyond the current $18 million package. Despite emergency measures, farmers feel the government's efforts are insufficient to address the escalating crisis.

Sources: The Advertiser - 24 March 2025

High-Priced Fundraisers Continue Amid Upcoming Campaign Finance Reforms

Summary:

On Tuesday, Canberra will host budget night fundraisers with tickets costing up to $5,000. Despite impending laws to cap campaign spending and require disclosure, these fundraisers will proceed as usual in 2025. Labor's event, featuring Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, charges $5,000 per attendee, with a $1,000 discount for top-tier Labor business forum members. Liberal events, following Peter Dutton's budget reply speech, range from $500 to $5,000. Transparency advocates argue such practices favor the wealthy and undermine democracy. New rules mandating disclosure will come into effect before the next federal election in 2028, aiming to increase transparency and regulate campaign finances. Sources: The Guardian - 24 March 2025

Tech Giants Oppose Australia's Digital Regulations

Summary:

U.S. technology companies, including Meta, X, Apple, and Google, have expressed dissatisfaction with Australia's digital regulations, such as the News Media Bargaining Code, which requires them to subsidize local media at a cost of $140 million annually. The Computer and Communications Industry Association has filed a 45-page complaint with the U.S. Trade Representative, suggesting measures like tariffs to protect American companies. This tension raises concerns about potential impacts on Australia-U.S. trade relations.

Sources: The Australian - 22 March 2025

Australian Munitions Firm NIOA to Establish $120 Million Weapons Facility in the US

Summary:

Australian munitions company NIOA is set to invest $121.8 million in constructing a new manufacturing facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, named the Barrett Manufacturing & Technology Campus. Following its acquisition of Barrett Firearms in 2022, NIOA has become the largest Australian-owned supplier of munitions to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The upcoming facility will focus on developing and testing a broader range of weapons, including those intended for the ADF, and is projected to commence operations in early 2027, creating nearly 200 new jobs. This expansion aligns with the US administration's initiative to enhance domestic manufacturing, particularly in military industries. Additionally, NIOA's collaborations with companies like L3Harris and Aerojet Rocketdyne aim to bolster missile production both domestically and for allied nations. NIOA’s CEO, Rob Nioa, emphasized the significance of strengthening Australia’s defence industry and the necessity for prompt government contracts to maintain defence capabilities.​

Sources: The Australian - March 24, 2025

Canada Announces Snap Election Amid Tensions with Trump Administration

Summary:

Canada has called a snap election for April 28, prompted by escalating tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the situation as a critical crisis, emphasizing the need for a strong mandate to navigate the challenges posed by strained U.S.-Canada relations. Sources: The Guardian - March 24, 2025

Grim Weather Warning for Millions of Australians

Summary:

Authorities have issued multiple flood warnings across Queensland due to ongoing heavy rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology warns of rising river levels in saturated areas, including the Lake Eyre Basin and Gulf of Carpentaria rivers. Townsville residents should remain alert, with forecasts predicting 30 to 50 millimeters of rain extending into next week. Lismore in northern NSW is also expected to experience persistent showers, intensifying later in the week, raising concerns of renewed flooding. Emergency services emphasize vigilance, especially in flood-prone areas, and caution against traveling through floodwaters due to the potential for localized flash flooding. Sources: News.com.au - 24 March 2025

Christian Persecution in Syria, Homeland Attacks and How to Prepare

Summary:

This episode of the Shawn Ryan Show features Sarah Adams, Scott Mann, and Legend discussing the alarming rise in Christian persecution in Syria, the broader implications for global security, and strategies for civilian preparedness. The conversation highlights the complex geopolitical environment in the Middle East, the role of intelligence operations, and potential threats to Western nations, including radicalization and domestic attacks. The guests also touch on how individuals can protect themselves and prepare mentally and logistically for potential crises.

Why It’s Important to Australia:

While the episode is U.S.-focused, the issues raised are globally relevant and resonate with Australian concerns around:

• Religious persecution: Australia is an advocate for international human rights and religious freedom. Understanding the Syrian context supports informed humanitarian and diplomatic responses.
• National security: Australia’s own counter-terrorism and domestic security strategies can benefit from the preparedness insights and threat assessments discussed.
• Community resilience: Encourages a culture of awareness and preparedness among Australians amid global instability, migration, and foreign influence operations.
• Foreign policy: The Syrian conflict and persecution narratives inform Australia’s stance on refugee intake, foreign aid, and military engagement in the region.

Sources: Shawn Ryan Show - 24 March 2025

@ f7d424b5:618c51e8

A few days ago, on March 20th 2025 one of the most important releases of the year in video games has taken place - Xenoblade Chronicles X! A few other games came out too and we'll talk about those this time while @Dielan@shitposter.world has time to get through the new Xenoblade.

Some links to stuff we talked about:

• EA Open Source & GPL'd C&C
• Lying VAs called out by SC
• PC gamer said something reasonable for once re: asscreed

Obligatory:

• Listen to the new episode here!
• Discuss this episode on OUR NEW FORUM
• Get the RSS and Subscribe (this is a new feed URL, but the old one redirects here too!)
• Get a modern podcast app to use that RSS feed on at newpodcastapps.com
• Or listen to the show on the forum using the embedded Podverse player!
• Send your complaints here

Reminder that this is a Value4Value podcast so any support you can give us via a modern podcasting app is greatly appreciated and we will never bow to corporate sponsors!

@ e7bc35f8:3ed2a7cf

Imagine a world where governments couldn't fund wars simply by printing money...

Would history have changed? Could World War I have ended in months instead of four bloody years?

August 1914. A small incident in Central Europe triggers a snowball effect no one foresaw. British newspapers call it "the war of the August bank holiday"—a brief summer campaign for the troops.

No one imagined that this "short conflict" would turn into the first global slaughterhouse in human history.

But how did a local war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia spiral into such devastation?

The answer lies in something few suspect: money.

In hindsight, the key difference between World War I and earlier, more limited wars was not geopolitical or strategic—it was monetary.

Before the war, the gold standard imposed strict fiscal discipline on all nations. Money was directly tied to the gold reserves of each country, automatically limiting military expenditures.

Yet, within weeks of the war’s outbreak, every major warring nation did something unprecedented: they suspended the convertibility of their currency into gold.

With this single move, governments gained access not only to their own treasuries but effectively to the entire wealth of their citizens.

As long as a government could print money and people accepted it, it could fund an endless war. Without the gold standard’s constraints, states could keep sending young men to the slaughter.

History might have taken a different course if gold had been in the hands of Europe's citizens, forcing governments to rely on taxation instead of inflation. The war might have ended within months, as one of the alliances would have run out of financial resources.

The absurdity of this war was not lost on those at the front lines. On Christmas Eve of 1914, something remarkable happened: French, British, and German soldiers defied orders, laid down their weapons, and crossed enemy lines.

Men who were supposed to be enemies exchanged gifts and played football. Ordinary people realized what their leaders could not: they had no real quarrel with each other and no true reason to kill.

By the war’s end in 1918, the currencies of all major European powers had collapsed. In the defeated nations, Germany and Austria, money had lost more than half its value.

And for what? The territorial changes resulting from the war barely justified the slaughter of millions. None of the victorious powers gained lands significant enough to warrant such sacrifices.

World War I forever altered our relationship with money. After the war, money ceased to be a matter of the market and became a tool of political control.

Gold would never again serve as the world’s uniform currency, as central banks monopolized its reserves. But decades later, the invention of Bitcoin would lay the foundation for a new kind of money—one beyond national borders and state control.

Could a truly independent currency have prevented a world war? And what can this history teach us about the future of money and global peace?

| From "The Bitcoin Standard", Saifedean Ammus

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

After four NFBC teams, I’m done drafting for the season. Below, I’ve made a table of my rosters and noted the players in whom I have multiple shares.

Four shares: None

Three shares: Chris Sale, Cody Bellinger, Kevin Gausman, Jordan Romano, Nolan Jones, Roman Anthony, Gavin Lux

Two shares: Jackson Chourio, Roki Sasaki, Will Smith, Kenley Jansen, Brice Turang, Zach Neto, Jackson Holliday, Brandon Nimmo, Bo Naylor, T.J. Friedl, Casey Mize, Griffin Jax, Will Warren, Gerrit Cole

Zero shares: Shohei Ohtani, Bobby Witt, Aaron Judge, Elly de la Cruz, Jose Ramirez, Juan Soto, Paul Skenes, Francisco Lindor, Tarik Skubal, Vladimir Guerrero, Fernando Tatis, Gunnar Henderson, Zack Wheeler, Yordan Alvarez, Garrett Crochet, Trea Turner, Logan Gilbert, William Contreras, Bryce Harper, Jackson Merrill, Jarren Duran, Wyatt Langford, Oneil Cruz, Ketel Marte, Manny Machado, Freddie Freeman, Mason Miller, Josh Hader, Devin Williams, Emmanuel Clase, Dylan Cease, Ronald Acuna, Blake Snell, Cole Ragans, Michael Harris, Corey Seager, Edwin Diaz, Brent Rooker, Rafael Devers, James Wood, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Lawrence Butler, Ryan Helsley, Andres Munoz, Spencer Schwellenbach, Framber Valdez, Michael King

Bold = intentional fade

Bold + Italics = hard fade

Write-ups for each league are here: BCL1, BCL2, BCL3 and MAIN.

Links to prior portfolios: 2024, 2023, 2022*, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011**

* Sadly lost forever because it was on my now defunct original web site

** including these links not because anyone will click on them, but to show off my meticulous (bordering on OCD) record keeping.After four NFBC teams, I’m done drafting for the season. Below, I’ve made a table of my rosters and noted the players in whom I have multiple shares.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

A Coastal Paradise in Costa Blanca

Located between Benidorm, Altea, and L'Alfàs del Pi, Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada is a stunning protected natural park featuring dramatic cliffs, scenic hiking trails, and breathtaking Mediterranean views. This coastal paradise is perfect for hiking, nature walks, and enjoying the wild beauty of Spain’s eastern coast.

🏞️ Top Things to See & Do in Serra Gelada

1️⃣ Hike to the Albir Lighthouse (Faro de l’Albir) 🚶‍♂️

• An easy, well-paved trail (~5 km round trip) leading to a beautiful white lighthouse with panoramic sea views.
• Along the way, enjoy cliffside scenery, hidden caves, and viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean.

2️⃣ Serra Gelada Ridge Hike (Benidorm to Albir) 🏔️

• A more challenging but rewarding hike (~8 km one way) that follows the rugged mountain ridges.
• Offers incredible views of Benidorm, Altea Bay, and the towering cliffs plunging into the sea.

3️⃣ Punta del Cavall & Torre Vigía de Punta Bombarda 🏰

• Visit the ancient watchtower ruins, once used to spot pirates.
• One of the best sunset viewpoints in the park.

4️⃣ Boat Trip to Isla de Benidorm ⛵

• Take a boat excursion from Benidorm to this protected island, a paradise for snorkeling and diving.
• The crystal-clear waters are home to colorful marine life and underwater caves.

5️⃣ Coves & Hidden Beaches 🏖️

• Discover secluded beaches like Cala del Tío Ximo and Cala Almadraba, perfect for a quiet escape from Benidorm’s busy beaches.
• Great spots for snorkeling and enjoying nature.

🌿 Flora & Fauna in Serra Gelada

• Home to Mediterranean pine forests, aromatic rosemary, and wild orchids.
• Spot falcons, seagulls, dolphins, and even the occasional wild goat along the cliffs! 🦅🐬

🚗 How to Get to Serra Gelada

🚘 By Car: 15 min from Benidorm, 10 min from Altea, and ~40 min from Alicante
🚌 By Bus: Local buses run from Benidorm to Albir Beach, where many hikes begin
🚶‍♂️ By Foot/Bike: Many trails start from Albir, Altea, or Benidorm

💡 Tips for Visiting Serra Gelada

✅ Best time to visit? Spring & Autumn (cooler weather for hiking) 🌿
✅ Wear good hiking shoes – The ridge trails are rocky and steep in places 👟
✅ Bring water – No facilities along the trails 🌞🥤
✅ For photography lovers – Sunrise & sunset hikes offer the best light 📸

@ fc15d4c6:fba62950

A Post by Onjezani Kenani

Onjezani reportedly posted on social media:

So according to the Reserve Bank Governor, if a relative asks someone in the diaspora to pay school fees for their child studying abroad, in exchange for the Kwacha equivalent - that's a crime? He want's you in the diaspora to send dollars to Malawi, then your relative applies to the bank, waits endlessly, and counts themselves lucky if the fees are ever paid at all. Is this really what he wants?

Mr. Governor, Sir, the money in the diaspora is ours, not yours. We work hard for this money. Stop having ideas on how we should spend it.

An Article opposing Onjezani's view

An opinion article titled Slow down, Onjezani Kenani; help enlighten Malawians not misguiding them written by one Joe Cholinga, targeting Onjezani's social media critique, but not necessarily directly related to the above post specifically, was published through the Nyasa Times, dated November 16, 2024. Similar articles can be found on other platforms:

https://www.nyasatimes.com/opinion-slow-down-onjezani-kenani-help-enlighten-malawians-not-misguiding-them/

Dissecting this Article

The author states about Onjezani: "His mockery of the RBM’s directive is not just misguided; it is dangerously misleading" (emphasis added), yet the "facts" in the article do not mention any role or responsibility that the Malawi Government or its' financial policies may have had in this economic crisis. The author clearly points to the source of the problem on "setting the record straight":

Malawi’s foreign reserves have been severely depleted due to widespread illegal foreign exchange dealings. Commercial banks, NGOs, and even donor-funded projects have been implicated in manipulating forex allocations for private profit. This black-market trading has destabilized the kwacha, driving inflation to alarming levels and pushing the prices of basic goods through the roof.

One may easily conclude that the named entities and the market has created this chaos, but the author seems to switch around cause and effect. The question should really be:

What is the cause for this market response?

The Author goes on to justify the RBM's actions by stressing that "this is a matter of national survival" and "not a joke", he suggests that the "directive is a necessary intervention to ensure that the country’s foreign reserves are properly managed" and to (reading between the lines) protect "the livelihoods of millions of Malawians", "particularly the poor and vulnerable" against rising prices.

Ah, yes it is all about protecting the poor and the vulnerable! He is implying that the Government knows what is best for "millions of Malawians" and is able to "properly manage" resources. Millions of people who have experienced past- and present communist regimes or countries around the world may strongly disagree with this assessment.

He seems to imply that striving to save the fruits of one's labour in harder, non-inflating assets like forex instead of the inflationary Kwacha for "personal gain" is a bad or unworthy goal. One might conclude that those in charge of the RBM and the Government more broadly, lack such egocentric attributes, because the RBM (under Government control and managed by people) wishes to "properly manage" resources. Clearly politicians, public servants and government staff are not greedy, they have no aspirations to act in their own interests for their "personal gain" and would only make decisions to protect "millions of Malawians", for the greater good.

The author goes on to discredit Onjezani to have "lost his way" and criticises his comments for their "lack of substance...", "dangerous oversimplification" and "divorced from the facts". He goes on to conclude:

In Conclusion

The real danger here is that his posts could lead people to believe that the government’s economic strategies are a joke, rather than the urgent steps they are.

So this is the threat? People might stop and question the political narrative, ask difficult questions? Fascinating. Yet surely facts and truths will shine during any darker times that may lay ahead of us, removing any need for concern.

References

forex #inflation #malawi #politics

1. This undated screenshot seemingly from a social media platform, circulated on WhatsApp in March 2025
2. The Nyasa Times Article, dated November 16, 2024
   https://www.nyasatimes.com/opinion-slow-down-onjezani-kenani-help-enlighten-malawians-not-misguiding-them/
3. Wikipedia Page on Onjezani
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Onjezani_Kenani
4. Some writing by Onjezani
   https://www.author-me.com/fict04/storyofmyfate.htm

@ e890e461:12e502a1

Hello world. My blog where I post most of my stuff is https://robot-one.github.io/

@ a60e79e0:1e0e6813

**This is a long form note test of a post that lives on my Nostr educational website Hello Nostr **

In early 2025, social media is the most common use case for Nostr (and probably the reason you're reading this). Nostr is SO much more than just social media, but that's where the bulk of the activity is, and is what I'm focusing on in this post. Even though the protocol is still so young, that has not prevented an explosion of excellent social media focused clients that predominantly coalesce around the Twitter (X) style feed, containing shorter form content, often with images, and the ability to comment, like and share.

This first steps guide showcases one of the most polished and simplest examples of such a client, Primal. Primal is a cross platform app, that also works on your computer too. The steps that follow are demonstrated on iPhone, but should be identical for Android users. There may be some topics of concepts here that are new to you, to learn more about them, check out our Nostr 101 to learn more about Nostr basics and why it matters.

You can and should explore all of the other options available to you, that's the beauty of Nostr, you're free to choose how and where to interact with your social network. No lock in. No walled gardens. True freedom.

Getting Started

1. Go to your app store and download Primal to your Android or iPhone

2. Open Primal and choose Create Account. Choose your public display name and add a short bio about yourself.

1. Select your chosen interests from the list provided. This will bootstrap your feed and auto-follow a number of accounts so that your feed is not completely empty when starting out.

1. Review your account info and tap Create Account Now. Take note of the fact that 'Your Nostr Key is available in your Account Settings'. We'll revisit this shortly.

1. Next is an optional step of activating the wallet feature within Primal. Having a wallet within your social client enables you to send and receive value (known as 'Zaps') in the form of Bitcoin. On Facebook and Twitter you can like a post, but it means much more to send someone fractions of a penny (or more if you like) to show your appreciation for their insights. You'll need to provide some personal information to enable the wallet, including an email address.

Using the internal wallet and purchasing sats with your credit card will tie your Nostr identity to your real ID. Think very carefully before carrying out this step.
Learn more in the detailed section at the end of this post.

1. That's it, you're now set up and ready to start sharing your thoughts, feelings and memes with the world via a decentralized and censorship resistant social network. To post your first note and say hello to the Nostr world, tap the + in the bottom right corner.

1. If you activated the wallet at step 5, you might want to deposit some Bitcoin in there to allow you to send some value to your friends. There are three main ways to do this:
2. Post some awesome content and have people send you value in the form of 'Zaps'
3. Send some Bitcoin from a wallet you already have
4. Purchase some directly within Primal

The latter is made very simple thanks to the in-app purchase feature, which allows you to purchase a small amount with the card you likely already have connected to your Apple/Google account. All you need to do is tap 'Buy Sats Now'.

1. Next, let's look at the different feeds available on our home screen. Tap 'Latest' at the top of the screen and you can toggle between three different types of home feeds, great for discovering new people and content.

1. Let's assume you already have some friends on Nostr and want to find and follow them. Tap the search icon in the top right corner, the enter the name of the person you want to follow. Once on their profile, simply tap the 'Follow' button.

1. So you found a friend and want to start interacting with them so they know you made it over to Nostr. Simply find a note you like and choose from the different types of interactions available. From left to right they are:
2. Comment
3. Zap (send value from your wallet to theirs)
4. Like
5. Repost
6. Bookmark

When Zapping, a single tap will send a tiny amount of 42 sats. If you want to send more, or a custom amount, tap and hold the zap button to bring up a selector menu. All default zap amounts are configurable in the app settings page.

1. After you've started posting and interacting with others, you'll likely receive some notifications to tell you. Notifications can be filtered into interaction types.

1. Another great way to find more people to follow and interact with is to use the discover page. To open it, tap the compass in the bottom right corner of the screen. Here you'll be able to browse different types of pre-built feeds, trending profiles, notes with large zaps and extra topics.

The Important Part

You might have noticed that throughout that setup, you were not asked for a unique username, nor were you asked for a password. So how the hell is this secure? What happens if you log out? Is your account lost forever?

This is where Nostr really starts to shine. Just like in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, your Nostr account is protected by a 'Private Key'. Anyone with knowledge of the private key can access your account in any Nostr client. No private key, no access. So let's make sure you have a backup copy of it, so you can still recover access to your account in the event you lose your phone!

Tap on your profile image in the top left of the screen. Then tap Settings > Keys. Here you'll see two keys, one public and one private. Your public key is how people find you on Nostr. It is often referred to by its more technical name 'nPub' which is the prefix if the key itself. Your public key is designed to be exactly that, public!

Your private key is sometimes referred to by its technical name 'nSec' which is also the prefix of the key. Copy your private key and paste it somewhere safe and secure, in a location accessible independently from your phone, and only by you.

If you were to lose your phone, or accidentally delete the Primal app, now all you'd need to do is head back to step 1 above and choose Sign In. You'd then be asked to paste your private key, after which your profile and content would be magically restored.

Your private key can be imported into any other Nostr social client for the same result.

Things to Consider

This post has one primary focus - To get you from zero to posting and zapping in the quickest time and with the least friction. To achieve this, there are some trade-offs made that you should be aware of.

Custodial Wallet

The built in wallet is a custodial one. This means that the funds within are ultimately controlled by the developers behind Primal. They may be good actors, but you should approach the amount of money you maintain inside this wallet accordingly. If your wallet balance ever gets to a balance that makes you uncomfortable, you should send a good chunk of it out to another Bitcoin wallet where you control the keys. I recommend Phoenix or Zeus.

Those sats are never truly yours until you withdraw them to a self-custodial wallet

Wallet Privacy

If you choose to top up the wallet using the convenient in-app purchase method, you will tie that small amount of Bitcoin ownership to your Nostr account. If you Nostr account is literally your name, you might not have an issue with this, but often times people like to remain pseudonymous online. If you fall into that category, using your credit card to deposit Bitcoin into your Nostr account is not a good idea.

Android users of Primal can use an advanced technology called Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) to connect an external Lightning wallet to their Nostr account in Primal. We'll cover this in a subsequent post.

Your private key allows you to take your profile and social network to any other client

---

If you found this post useful, please share it with your peers and consider following and zapping me on Nostr. If you write to me and let me know that you found me via this post, I'll be sure to Zap you back! ⚡️

@ d560dbc2:bbd59238

Welcome to TaskforUs, a web-based task management platform designed to help you organize, prioritize, and track your tasks using the innovative 2-5 Rule. This guide will help you get started, manage your tasks, and make the most of TaskforUs’s features. Let’s dive in!

---

What Is TaskforUs?

TaskforUs is a task management application that helps you focus on what matters most. Using the 2-5 Rule, our platform ensures you’re always working on the right task at the right time—whether it’s a daily habit, a weekly check-in, or a yearly goal.

---

Key Features

• Smart Task Prioritization:
  Uses the 2-5 Rule to prioritize tasks based on timing and importance.
• Focus Mode:
  Displays only your top-priority tasks to help you concentrate.
• Fix Mode:
  Ensures date-specific tasks (e.g., birthdays) rise in priority as the date approaches.
• Category Filtering:
  Organize and filter tasks by custom categories.
• Task Archiving:
  Keep your list clean by archiving completed tasks.
• Task Export:
  Export tasks to CSV for backup or analysis.
• Multi-User Support:
  Secure login with password protection.
• Email-Based Password Recovery:
  Reset your password securely via email.

---

Getting Started

Create an Account

1. Go to task4.us and click Register on the login screen.
2. Enter your details:
3. Username: Choose a unique username (e.g., “Alex123” or “TaskMaster”).
   Note: Your username should not be an email address.
4. Password: Create a secure password (at least 8 characters, including a number and a special character).
5. Click Register to create your account.
6. You’ll be redirected to the login page to sign in.

Log In

• On the login page, enter your username and password.
• Click Login to access your dashboard.

Manage Your Profile

• From the navigation menu, go to Configuration.
• Update your settings:
• Email Address: Add or change the email for password recovery.
• Focus Mode: Set the number of tasks to display in Focus Mode.

---

Working with Tasks

Add a Task

1. From the navigation menu, click Add Task.
2. Fill in the task details:
3. Name: A brief description (e.g., “Schedule team meeting”).
4. Category: Group tasks (e.g., Work, Personal, Health).
5. Priority: Set as Low, Medium, or High.
6. Type:
   Choose the task’s time unit to apply the 2-5 Rule, which determines how often you should act:
   • Day/Daily: For tasks you want to do every 2-5 days (e.g., “Do cardio”).
   • Week/Weekly: For tasks to be done every 2-5 weeks (e.g., “Schedule dinner with Alex”).
   • Month/Monthly: For tasks to be done every 2-5 months (e.g., “Review budget”).
   • Year/Yearly: For tasks to be done every 2-5 years (e.g., “Reassess career path”).
7. Fix Mode:
   For tasks tied to a specific date (e.g., “Wish Alex a happy birthday”), select Fix Mode and set the exact date. The task will climb your list as the date approaches.
8. Date: Select the due date or start date (required for Fix Mode tasks).
9. Comments: Add any notes or details (optional).
10. Click Add Todo to save the task.

View and Manage Tasks

• Your main dashboard displays all tasks, sorted by priority using the 2-5 Rule. Incomplete tasks appear first, followed by completed ones.

Task Actions

For each task, you can: - Complete/Uncomplete: Mark a task as done or undo its completion. - Edit: Update task details. - Archive: Move a task to the archive (you can restore it later).

Filter Tasks

• Use category checkboxes to filter tasks by specific categories.
• Select multiple categories to view tasks from any of them.
• Choose All to display tasks from all categories.

Focus Mode

• Click Enable Focus Mode to see only your top-priority tasks (as set in Configuration).
• Click Disable Focus Mode to return to the full task list.

Archived Tasks

• From the navigation menu, go to Archive to view all archived tasks.
• Use the Unarchive action to restore tasks to your active list.

Export Tasks

• From the navigation menu, click Export Tasks.
• A CSV file with all tasks (active and archived) will download.
• Open the file in spreadsheet apps like Excel or Google Sheets.

---

Understand Task Prioritization

TaskforUs uses the 2-5 Rule to prioritize tasks: - Each task is assigned a time unit (days, weeks, months, or years). - You should act within 2 to 5 of those units (e.g., a “weekly” task should be done every 2-5 weeks). - For Fix Mode tasks, priority increases as the set date approaches, peaking on the day itself. - Additional factors, such as priority level (Low, Medium, High) and due date proximity, also influence the order. - Priorities are recalculated each time you view your list, ensuring that the most important tasks are always at the top.

---

Account Management

Change Your Email

1. Go to Configuration.
2. Enter your new email address.
3. Click Save.

Reset Your Password

1. On the login page, click Forgot Password.
2. Enter your username.
3. Check your email for a password reset link (valid for 15 minutes).
4. Click the link and set a new password.

Log Out

• From the navigation menu, click Logout to end your session securely.

---

Best Practices

• Use Consistent Categories:
  Create a small, manageable set of categories (e.g., Work, Personal, Health).
• Be Specific with Task Names:
  Use clear, concise names (e.g., “Call Mom” instead of “Family”).
• Leverage Focus Mode:
  Enable Focus Mode when overwhelmed to concentrate on critical tasks.
• Use Fix Mode for Dates:
  Set birthdays or deadlines in Fix Mode to ensure you never miss them.
• Review Regularly:
  Set aside time weekly to review and update your tasks.
• Archive Completed Tasks:
  Keep your active list clean by archiving tasks that are done.

---

Take control of your tasks today with TaskforUs and transform the way you manage your time.
Sign Up at task4.us

---

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

„Ein Heidenspaß“, sagt Seymour Hersh, sei diese „messerscharfe Geschichte des Journalismus“. Dirk Pohlmann setzt noch einen drauf und greift in das Regal der Superlative: „Das beste Buch über Journalismus, das ich in den letzten 20 Jahren gelesen habe.“

Ich weiß: Verleger lieben solche „Stimmen zum Buch“ – vor allem dann, wenn sie von Promis kommen und der Autor selbst keinen Namen hat, zumindest in Deutschland nicht. Patrick Lawrence, Jahrgang 1950, ist ein Journalistenleben lang gependelt zwischen den ganz großen Redaktionen und dem, was er „unabhängige Medien“ nennt. Er hat für die New York Times geschrieben, für Newsweek, für die International Herald Tribune. Er hat es, so lässt sich das im Rückblick vielleicht sagen, immer wieder probiert, zugleich aber stets gewusst, dass er sich dafür kastrieren muss.

Lawrence sagt das nicht so, natürlich nicht. Das verbietet ein Publikum, das auf Akademikerslang steht und Häppchen für den Smalltalk braucht. In diesem Buch heißt der Leitstern Carl Gustav Jung: Wer für die Leitmedien arbeitet, so analysiert das Patrick Lawrence, muss das in sich vergraben, was den Journalismus ausmacht. Keiner der Redakteure kann einfach „sehen und sagen“ (S. 88) – eine feine Definition für das Berufsideal, nah dran an Rudolf Augstein und seinem Slogan „Sagen, was ist“. Konventionen, Moral und Geschmack, Zumutungen der Arbeitgeber und „andere Formen sozialer und beruflicher Einschüchterung“: All das tötet

das authentische, ungeteilte Selbst, das in der Lage ist, mit Gewissheit und ohne Bezugnahme auf die Zwänge der Macht oder der kollektiven Meinung zu urteilen und zu handeln. (S. 22)

Die „Schatten“ im Titel und auf dem Cover spielen hier also nicht auf unsere dunkle Seite an, auf das, was wir vor uns selbst verstecken müssen, um ein „guter Mensch“ sein zu können oder ein „guter Journalist“, oder gar auf das Böse an sich. Für Patrick Lawrence ist der „Schatten“ das, was sich sein Berufsstand in Sonntagsreden erzählt, aber im Alltag nicht umsetzen kann und darf. Dazu gleich mehr. Patrick Lawrence selbst hat sein „Schatten-Ich“ immer wieder ausgeführt und für die andere Seite geschrieben, erst für kleine Blätter mit miesen Honoraren und dann für Webseiten mit dem gleichen Problem, manchmal unter Pseudonym und manchmal auch ganz ohne Namen, wenn ein Handwerker gebraucht wurde, der wenigstens die gröbsten Fehler beseitigt, sprachlich und auch sonst. In seinem Buch rechnet er ab mit den Kollegen, mit den USA und damit in gewisser Weise auch mit dem gesamten Westen. Ihr alle, sagt Patrick Lawrence, habt euch täuschen lassen. Man hat euch erzählt, dass die Presse frei sei, und ihr habt das nur zu gern glauben wollen – gegen jede Evidenz. Die „messerscharfe Geschichte“, die Seymour Hersh so begeistert hat, beginnt im Zweiten Weltkrieg, in einer Zeit, in der Politik, Militär und Journalismus mehr oder weniger Synonyme waren. Eine Einheitsfront, bekannt schon aus dem ersten großen Krieg, als es ab 1917 gegen die Bolschewiki ging, und in den 1920ern dann auch theoretisch unterfüttert von Walter Lippmann oder von Edward Bernays, die noch ganz offen davon sprechen konnten, dass „die Herde“ geführt werden muss – von Menschen, die es qua Herkunft, Ausbildung oder Machtzugang einfach besser wissen. Patrick Lawrence sagt: Die Ehe zwischen den Medien und dem nationalen Sicherheitsstaat ist nie wieder aufgelöst worden. Er erzählt, wie „staatliche Agenturen“ nach 1945 die Programme erst selbst produziert und dann kontrolliert haben und wie das mit einem Märchen verschleiert wurde.

Die Aufgabe der Sender bestand darin, diese Produktionen als unabhängig, gründlich und objektiv erscheinen zu lassen. (S. 44)

Lawrence sagt auch, warum die Medienkonzerne das mit sich machen ließen und warum darüber nirgendwo geredet wird, zumindest in der Schule nicht. Das Material vom Staat war billig, verlieh die Aura der Seriosität und nahm so auch Werbekunden und Sponsoren jede Angst, in einem ungünstigen Licht zu erscheinen. Für potenzielle Kritiker war die „Nähe der Presse zur Macht“ zugleich „eine zu große und folgenreiche Sache“ (S. 40). Übersetzt: Wer zieht schon freiwillig nach Mordor, um sich mit Sauron anzulegen?

Patrick Lawrence ist alt genug und hat zu viel gesehen, um sich noch fürchten zu müssen. Als junger Mann war er in Portugal und konnte hautnah beobachten, wie die CIA verhinderte, dass Álvaro Cunhal Präsident wurde, Kommunist und einer meiner Kindheitshelden. Später dann in Asien das gleiche Bild. Singapur, Malaysia, Japan, die vietnamesischen Bootsflüchtlinge: überall US-Dienste, auch und gerade im Journalismus. Patrick Lawrence rechnet mit der Church-Kommission ab, die 1975 zwar zum „Jahr der Geheimdienste“ machte und mit ihren Berichten heute ein wichtiger Anker für alle ist, die nach Steuerleuten im Dunkeln suchen, die aber, so sieht das Patrick Lawrence, trotzdem versagt hat, weil sie „zu viel Zeit mit Mordanschlägen und Agency-Exotika verbracht“ hat, „um der Frage nach der Mittäterschaft der Presse die Aufmerksamkeit zu widmen, die sie verdient hätte“ (S. 53).

Der geneigte Leser ahnt schon: Um den gleichen „Heidenspaß“ erleben zu können wie Seymour Hersh, sollte man Lust an den großen Linien mitbringen – an den vier „Ns“ zum Beispiel (Nehru, Nasser, Nyerere, Nkrumah) oder an all den Orten, die Washington irgendwann zum Schlachtplatz im Krieg „gegen die sozialistische Alternative“ auserkoren hat (S. 97). Belohnt wird man mit einer frischen Sicht auf die Geschichte – getragen von dem Wissen, dass der „embedded journalism“ der Konzernmedien nicht mehr liefert als den

ersten Entwurf der Darstellung von Sachverhalten, die die Macht bevorzugt, um ausgewogene, sachliche Darstellungen von Ereignissen, die das Vorgehen des Imperiums im In- und Ausland betreffen, aus den Geschichtsbüchern herauszuhalten. Journalisten außerhalb des Mainstreams sind somit die wahren Freunde des Historikers und sie haben die Pflicht des Historikers, den ersten Entwurf zu erstellen. (S. 190)

Das ist zugleich die Überleitung in die Aktualität – in die Phase der „offenen Zensur“, die wir gerade erleiden und die mit den Digitaltechnologien zu tun hat sowie mit den Möglichkeiten, die dadurch alle haben, die „unabhängig von der Macht“ schreiben wollen (S. 125). 9/11, der „Krieg gegen den Terror“, Russiagate: Patrick Lawrence nennt die Meilensteine auf dem Weg in den Abgrund und zeigt mit dem Finger auf Journalisten der Leitmedien, die „abweichende oder alternative Meinungen“ verbannen wollen, auf Politiker, die den ersten Zusatz der US-Verfassung am liebsten schreddern würden, sowie auf Internetkonzerne, die „ohne erkennbare Skrupel“ jahrelang kooperiert haben (S. 182). Der letzte Twist der Geschichte hat es nicht mehr in sein Buch geschafft, es braucht aber nicht allzu viel Fantasie, um Trump, Musk und Co. hineinzuschreiben in ein Narrativ, das Journalismus und Öffentlichkeit mit dem verknüpft, was den nationalen Sicherheitsstaat gerade umtreibt.

Der Kenner wird jetzt nicken und sagen: Das weiß ich doch alles schon. Ich habe Hannes Hofbauer gelesen, Michael Meyen und sogar Birk Meinhardt. Warum soll ich mir noch diese US-Version von „Wie ich meine Zeitung verlor“ antun, das Buch von einem Mann, von dem ich bis heute noch nie etwas gehört habe?

Punkt eins: Patrick Lawrence spricht aus, was wir tagein, tagaus erleben. Leitmedien in den USA (und nicht nur dort) dienen „den Zwecken der offiziellen Propagandisten“ (S. 17). Die Journalisten hängen an den Lippen von „Autoritätspersonen“, sind „Schreiber der herrschenden Klasse“ und füllen so die „Anschlagblätter“ der Macht (S. 129). Punkt zwei: Lawrence belegt, dass das nie anders war. Gemeldet wurde und wird nur das, was gerade in den „Erzählstrang“ passt – in die Version der Welt, die das Imperium „haben“ will (S. 108). Punkt drei: Dieser alte Fahrensmann kennt seine Pappenheimer. Er weiß, dass es keinen Sinn macht, Journalisten zu fragen, ob sie das glauben, was sie da schreiben. Wer in den Redaktionen überleben und dort sogar Karriere machen will, muss eine Rolle spielen, um „die Erwartungen der anderen zu erfüllen“ und dafür auf „Authentizität“ verzichten (S. 184). Und Punkt vier, vielleicht am wichtigsten: Patrick Lawrence versprüht Hoffnung. Kein Zensor, sagt er, kann das „Ideal“ eines „unabhängigen Journalismus“ unterdrücken (S. 204).

Er selbst ist dafür ein lebendes Beispiel. Verzichtet darauf, ruft er Redakteuren und Korrespondenten zu, zur Elite gehören zu wollen. Schraubt eure „materiellen Wünsche“ herunter. „Häuser, Autos, Ausgehen, Urlaub“: Es kann doch nicht sein, dass der „Informationskrieg“ wegen solch profaner Dinge immer weiter geht (S. 187). Patrick Lawrence wirbt für ein „bescheidenes Leben“ – weil man dann auch als Journalist ganz bei sich bleiben, auf den „Sündenlohn“ (Upton Sinclair) verzichten und hoffentlich trotzdem eine Familie ernähren kann.

Unter dem möchte er es nicht machen – und das ist gut so. Kein Verzicht auf Qualität, auf Handwerk vor allem, und keine Selbstausbeutung. Vor allem aber: kein Schatten mehr. Wie schwierig das ist, zeigt selbst dieses Buch. Seine Botschaft versieht Patrick Lawrence mit Fragezeichen, obwohl das Buch voller Antworten ist (S. 139):

Hat sich die amerikanische Presse in den Nachkriegsjahren derart kompromittiert, dass die Zusammenarbeit mit den Geheimdiensten heute fester Bestandteil ist? Sind solche Absprachen zur Routine geworden? Und dann diese, die wichtigste Frage: Haben die Amerikaner seit 1945 faktisch ohne eine authentische, unabhängige Presse gelebt?

Michael Meyen: Videos

Freie Akademie für Medien & Journalismus

Unterstützen

Titelbild: Fajrul Falah @Pixabay

@ d560dbc2:bbd59238

In a world where our to-do lists seem to grow longer by the minute, figuring out what to tackle next can feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. Should you call a friend to catch up? Finish that work project? Or make sure you don’t forget a loved one’s birthday? The overwhelm is real, and traditional task management systems often leave us guessing. That’s where the 2-5 Rule comes in—a groundbreaking concept that powers TaskforUs, a smart, simple website designed to tell you exactly what to work on right now.

---

What Is the 2-5 Rule?

At its core, the 2-5 Rule is a timing-based approach to task management built on a simple yet powerful idea: every task has a natural rhythm—a “time unit” that dictates how often it should be addressed—and an ideal window for action: between 2 and 5 of those units. The time unit varies depending on the task’s nature:

• Daily Tasks: (e.g., doing cardio or following up on a quick email)
  Time unit: days. Act within 2 to 5 days.

• Weekly Tasks: (e.g., scheduling dinner with a friend)
  Time unit: weeks. Act within 2 to 5 weeks.

• Monthly Tasks: (e.g., reviewing your budget)
  Time unit: months. Act within 2 to 5 months.

• Yearly Tasks: (e.g., reassessing your career goals)
  Time unit: years. Revisit every 2 to 5 years.

The 2-5 Rule ensures you’re neither jumping on tasks too early (wasting energy on something that isn’t urgent) nor leaving them too late (missing opportunities or causing stress). It’s about finding the sweet spot—the perfect moment to act.

For date-specific events like birthdays or anniversaries, TaskforUs introduces a Fix Mode that pins the task to a specific day. As the date approaches, the task climbs your list until it reaches the top on the day itself, ensuring you never miss a critical moment.

---

The Origins of the 2-5 Rule

The 2-5 Rule was born out of a need to bring structure to the chaos of modern life. Traditional to-do lists are static—they don’t account for the natural ebb and flow of tasks. Urgent tasks get buried under less pressing ones, and long-term goals are often forgotten until it’s too late.

TaskforUs’s creators recognized that timing is as important as priority. They drew inspiration from: - Behavioral Science: Showing that humans thrive on rhythm and consistency. - Project Management Principles: Where tasks are often scheduled based on optimal intervals.

The choice of 2 to 5 units isn’t arbitrary. Research into productivity and habit formation suggests: - Acting too soon (e.g., after just 1 unit) can lead to over-managing. - Waiting too long (beyond 5 units) risks neglect.

The 2-to-5 window strikes a balance—providing enough flexibility while ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. This range also aligns with our natural sense of urgency: after 2 units, a task begins to feel pressing; by 5 units, it risks becoming problematic.

---

How the 2-5 Rule Works in Practice

Step 1: Define Your Tasks and Time Units

When you add a task to TaskforUs, you assign it a time unit based on its nature: - Example:
- "Schedule dinner with Alex" is a social task (unit: weeks). - "Do cardio" is a health goal (unit: days). - "Reassess my career path" is a long-term goal (unit: years).

TaskforUs can suggest defaults based on common patterns, but you can customize the unit to fit your life.

Step 2: Track the 2-5 Window

TaskforUs monitors when you last acted on a task. If it’s been 2 time units, the task enters its “sweet spot” and starts climbing your list. By 5 units, it becomes urgent. - Example:
- If you last met Alex 3 weeks ago, "Schedule dinner with Alex" becomes a top priority. - If it’s been 2 days since your last cardio session, TaskforUs nudges you to hit the gym.

Step 3: Handle Fixed Dates with Fix Mode

For tasks tied to specific dates (e.g., birthdays or anniversaries), Fix Mode lets you set an exact date. The task gradually climbs your list as the date nears and becomes the top priority on that day, ensuring you never miss it.

Step 4: Prioritize with Top Task and Focus Mode

• Top Task: TaskforUs surfaces the single most urgent task within the 2-to-5 window.
• Focus Mode: If you prefer to see more, this mode shows your top 3 tasks (or a customizable number), ensuring you’re always focused on what matters most without being overwhelmed by a long list.

---

The Science Behind the 2-5 Rule

The 2-5 Rule isn’t just a clever idea—it’s grounded in psychology and productivity research:

• Habit Formation:
  Studies (e.g., by Dr. BJ Fogg) show that consistency is key to building routines, yet overdoing it can lead to burnout. The 2-5 window strikes a healthy balance.

• Decision Fatigue:
  Research by Dr. Roy Baumeister highlights the mental toll of constant decision-making. By automating prioritization, the 2-5 Rule reduces this burden, freeing up mental energy.

• Zeigarnik Effect:
  The Fix Mode leverages the tendency to remember uncompleted tasks, keeping date-specific items front of mind until they’re completed, thereby reducing stress and improving follow-through.

---

Why You Should Try the 2-5 Rule with TaskforUs

If you’re tired of chaotic to-do lists, missed deadlines, or the nagging feeling of forgetting something important, the 2-5 Rule offers a better way. It works with your natural rhythm, ensuring you focus on what truly matters. TaskforUs brings this concept to life with a user-friendly platform (currently in beta) that: - Eliminates Decision Fatigue: Tells you exactly what to do now. - Balances Urgency and Flexibility: Keeps you in the sweet spot between procrastination and over-management. - Adapts to Your Life’s Rhythm: Customizes time units for daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks. - Ensures You Never Miss Critical Dates: With Fix Mode for date-specific events. - Reduces Stress and Boosts Momentum: By focusing on one Top Task (or a few in Focus Mode).

---

Real-Life Applications of the 2-5 Rule

• Social Connections:
  Task: “Schedule dinner with Alex”
  Time Unit: Weeks
  Scenario: If you last met Alex 3 weeks ago, the task becomes your Top Task, prompting you to reconnect.

• Health Goals:
  Task: “Do cardio”
  Time Unit: Days
  Scenario: If it’s been 2 days since your last workout, TaskforUs nudges you to exercise before the 5-day mark.

• Special Dates:
  Task: “Wish Alex a happy birthday”
  Mode: Fix Mode
  Scenario: A month before the birthday, it’s low on your list, but as the date nears, it climbs to the top—ensuring you don’t miss it.

• Long-Term Planning:
  Task: “Reassess my career path”
  Time Unit: Years
  Scenario: If it’s been 2 years since your last review, TaskforUs prompts you to evaluate your goals and progress.

---

How TaskforUs Brings the 2-5 Rule to Life

TaskforUs is more than just a concept—it’s a practical tool that makes the 2-5 Rule actionable:

• Top Task:
  The algorithm identifies the single most urgent task within your 2-to-5 window.

• Focus Mode:
  Displays your top 3 tasks (or a customizable number) to help manage multiple priorities.

• Fix Mode:
  Ensures date-specific tasks are prioritized as the due date approaches.

• Smart Defaults:
  Suggests time units based on common patterns, while allowing customization to suit your needs.

• Ongoing Refinements:
  The TaskforUs team continually improves the algorithm based on user feedback to enhance its accuracy.

---

Take Control of Your Tasks Today

The 2-5 Rule is more than a productivity hack—it’s a mindset shift. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and timing your tasks to perfection. TaskforUs makes this possible with a simple, intuitive platform designed to help you master your to-do list.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Many Believers, after repenting of their sins and trusting Jesus, spend all of their time trying to avoid doing anything bad. Christianity becomes little more than a list of “Don’t Do …”. Of course this isn’t God’s desire. Christianity should be a relationship with our God, Savior, and Creator. It should be a process of becoming more and more like Jesus. This likeness is more about what we do than just what we don’t do.

In order to make this point, I want to do a thought experiment with you.

Think about a large, red, juicy strawberry. Picture it in your mind. Think about what that strawberry feels like in your hand and what it smells like. Picture biting into that strawberry. Feel your teeth sink into the strawberry and the juice run down your throat. Tasty the tangy sweetness in your mouth.

Now try to stop thinking about the strawberry. Don’t let it even flicker through your mind.

Did you succeed at banishing the thought of strawberries in your mind or was a strawberry all you could think about?

Now let’s think about a fresh, hot, crunchy, chewy chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven. Think about its smell. Savor it. Think about biting into that chocolate chip cookie. Think about the taste. Feel the still runny, melted chocolate chips.

Are you still thinking about strawberries or did the thought of strawberries completely leave your mind? I’m betting you forgot about the strawberry.

In our Christian walk, the best way to not have ungodly thoughts, is to so fill our mind with godly thoughts that there isn’t room for the ungodly thoughts. The best way to not do sinful things is to be so busy doing God’s work that we don’t have time for the sinful things.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9) {emphasis mine}

If we are constantly reading the Bible, talking to God, and loving our neighbor as we are called to do, we are unlikely to have to work hard avoiding sinful thoughts and sinful actions. If we fill our minds with God’s word, we won’t be dwelling on sinful thoughts. If we are praying continually, we won’t be gossiping or bad mouthing or otherwise dishonoring our Lord with our mouth. If we are loving our neighbors as ourselves, we won’t be envious, stealing, lusting, or wishing harm on others.

Christianity should be more about what you do and less about what you aren’t allowed to do. This only works when we focus on “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,” whatever is “excellent”, and whatever is “praiseworthy.”

Fill your heart, mind, and soul with God and His word and the rest kind of works itself out. I hope this has been helpful.

Trust Jesus

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

El Rocío is a unique and picturesque Andalusian village famous for its annual pilgrimage, sandy streets, and deep religious traditions. Nestled near Doñana National Park, it feels like a step back in time, with whitewashed houses, horse-drawn carriages, and riders on horseback instead of cars.

🏛️ Top Things to See & Do in El Rocío

1️⃣ Ermita de El Rocío (Sanctuary of Our Lady of El Rocío)

• The heart of the village, home to the Virgen del Rocío, a highly revered statue of the Virgin Mary.
• Every year, millions of pilgrims gather for the Romería del Rocío, Spain’s most famous religious pilgrimage.

2️⃣ Walk the Sandy Streets & Experience the Horse Culture 🐎

• El Rocío has no paved roads—locals and visitors travel on horseback or in traditional wagons.
• Explore the plazas, wooden porches, and stunning white buildings that give the town its Wild West feel.

3️⃣ Attend the Romería del Rocío (If Visiting in May/June) 🎶

• A massive pilgrimage where thousands of devotees travel from all over Spain, dressed in traditional Andalusian attire.
• Experience the flamenco music, singing, dancing, and religious processions that fill the town with energy.

4️⃣ Doñana National Park 🌿

• Just outside El Rocío, this UNESCO biosphere reserve is home to flamingos, wild horses, and the rare Iberian lynx.
• Take a 4x4 safari or guided birdwatching tour to explore the stunning natural landscapes.

5️⃣ Sunset Over La Madre de las Marismas 🌅

• The marshlands near the sanctuary offer breathtaking sunset views with wild birds and horses grazing in the background.
• A perfect spot for photographers and nature lovers.

🍽️ What to Eat in El Rocío

• Gambas de Huelva – Famous white prawns from the nearby coast 🦐
• Choco frito – Fried cuttlefish, a local seafood specialty 🐙
• Venison & wild boar stews – Traditional dishes from the Doñana region 🍖
• Tocino de cielo – A sweet Andalusian dessert similar to flan 🍮
• Manzanilla sherry – A dry, refreshing local wine 🍷

🚆 How to Get to El Rocío

🚗 By Car: 1 hour from Seville, 30 mins from Huelva
🚌 By Bus: Direct routes from Seville and Huelva
🚶‍♂️ By Pilgrimage: Join the traditional walking or horseback pilgrimage from various Andalusian towns

💡 Tips for Visiting El Rocío

✅ Best time to visit? Spring (April–June) for pleasant weather & the famous pilgrimage 🌞
✅ If visiting during Romería del Rocío, book accommodations early! It gets very crowded 📅
✅ Wear comfortable shoes – The sandy streets are best explored on foot or horseback 👟🐎
✅ Stay in a casa rural for an authentic experience of Andalusian hospitality 🏡

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXEnyQ_Veg

source: https://media.jaguar.com/news/2024/11/fearless-exuberant-compelling-jaguar-reimagined-0

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/922356

@ 66675158:1b644430

I don't believe in "vibe coding" – it's just the newest Silicon Valley fad trying to give meaning to their latest favorite technology, LLMs. We've seen this pattern before with blockchain, when suddenly Non Fungible Tokens appeared, followed by Web3 startups promising to revolutionize everything from social media to supply chains. VCs couldn't throw money fast enough at anything with "decentralized" (in name only) in the pitch deck. Andreessen Horowitz launched billion-dollar crypto funds, while Y Combinator batches filled with blockchain startups promising to be "Uber for X, but on the blockchain."

The metaverse mania followed, with Meta betting its future on digital worlds where we'd supposedly hang out as legless avatars. Decentralized (in name only) autonomous organizations emerged as the next big thing – supposedly democratic internet communities that ended up being the next scam for quick money.

Then came the inevitable collapse. The FTX implosion in late 2022 revealed fraud, Luna/Terra's death spiral wiped out billions (including my ten thousand dollars), while Celsius and BlockFi froze customer assets before bankruptcy.

By 2023, crypto winter had fully set in. The SEC started aggressive enforcement actions, while users realized that blockchain technology had delivered almost no practical value despite a decade of promises.

Blockchain's promises tapped into fundamental human desires – decentralization resonated with a generation disillusioned by traditional institutions. Evangelists presented a utopian vision of freedom from centralized control. Perhaps most significantly, crypto offered a sense of meaning in an increasingly abstract world, making the clear signs of scams harder to notice.

The technology itself had failed to solve any real-world problems at scale. By 2024, the once-mighty crypto ecosystem had become a cautionary tale. Venture firms quietly scrubbed blockchain references from their websites while founders pivoted to AI and large language models.

---

Most reading this are likely fellow bitcoiners and nostr users who understand that Bitcoin is blockchain's only valid use case. But I shared that painful history because I believe the AI-hype cycle will follow the same trajectory.

Just like with blockchain, we're now seeing VCs who once couldn't stop talking about "Web3" falling over themselves to fund anything with "AI" in the pitch deck. The buzzwords have simply changed from "decentralized" to "intelligent."

"Vibe coding" is the perfect example – a trendy name for what is essentially just fuzzy instructions to LLMs. Developers who've spent years honing programming skills are now supposed to believe that "vibing" with an AI is somehow a legitimate methodology.

This might be controversial to some, but obvious to others:

Formal, context-free grammar will always remain essential for building precise systems, regardless of how advanced natural language technology becomes

The mathematical precision of programming languages provides a foundation that human language's ambiguity can never replace. Programming requires precision – languages, compilers, and processors operate on explicit instructions, not vibes. What "vibe coding" advocates miss is that beneath every AI-generated snippet lies the same deterministic rules that have always governed computation.

LLMs don't understand code in any meaningful sense—they've just ingested enormous datasets of human-written code and can predict patterns. When they "work," it's because they've seen similar patterns before, not because they comprehend the underlying logic.

This creates a dangerous dependency. Junior developers "vibing" with LLMs might get working code without understanding the fundamental principles. When something breaks in production, they'll lack the knowledge to fix it.

Even experienced developers can find themselves in treacherous territory when relying too heavily on LLM-generated code. What starts as a productivity boost can transform into a dependency crutch.

The real danger isn't just technical limitations, but the false confidence it instills. Developers begin to believe they understand systems they've merely instructed an AI to generate – fundamentally different from understanding code you've written yourself.

We're already seeing the warning signs: projects cobbled together with LLM-generated code that work initially but become maintenance nightmares when requirements change or edge cases emerge.

The venture capital money is flowing exactly as it did with blockchain. Anthropic raised billions, OpenAI is valued astronomically despite minimal revenue, and countless others are competing to build ever-larger models with vague promises. Every startup now claims to be "AI-powered" regardless of whether it makes sense.

Don't get me wrong—there's genuine innovation happening in AI research. But "vibe coding" isn't it. It's a marketing term designed to make fuzzy prompting sound revolutionary.

Cursor perfectly embodies this AI hype cycle. It's an AI-enhanced code editor built on VS Code that promises to revolutionize programming by letting you "chat with your codebase." Just like blockchain startups promised to "revolutionize" industries, Cursor promises to transform development by adding LLM capabilities.

Yes, Cursor can be genuinely helpful. It can explain unfamiliar code, suggest completions, and help debug simple issues. After trying it for just an hour, I found the autocomplete to be MAGICAL for simple refactoring and basic functionality.

But the marketing goes far beyond reality. The suggestion that you can simply describe what you want and get production-ready code is dangerously misleading. What you get are approximations with:

• Security vulnerabilities the model doesn't understand
• Edge cases it hasn't considered
• Performance implications it can't reason about
• Dependency conflicts it has no way to foresee

The most concerning aspect is how such tools are marketed to beginners as shortcuts around learning fundamentals. "Why spend years learning to code when you can just tell AI what you want?" This is reminiscent of how crypto was sold as a get-rich-quick scheme requiring no actual understanding.

When you "vibe code" with an AI, you're not eliminating complexity—you're outsourcing understanding to a black box. This creates developers who can prompt but not program, who can generate but not comprehend.

The real utility of LLMs in development is in augmenting existing workflows:

• Explaining unfamiliar codebases
• Generating boilerplate for well-understood patterns
• Suggesting implementations that a developer evaluates critically
• Assisting with documentation and testing

These uses involve the model as a subordinate assistant to a knowledgeable developer, not as a replacement for expertise. This is where the technology adds value—as a sophisticated tool in skilled hands.

Cursor is just a better hammer, not a replacement for understanding what you're building. The actual value emerges when used by developers who understand what happens beneath the abstractions. They can recognize when AI suggestions make sense and when they don't because they have the fundamental knowledge to evaluate output critically.

This is precisely where the "vibe coding" narrative falls apart.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

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

So stay a while and listen.

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

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

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/922244

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

A quick guide for the less than technical savvy to set up their very own free private tor enabled email using Onionmail. Privacy is for everyone, not just the super cyber nerds.

Onion Mail is an anonymous POP3/SMTP email server program hosted by various people on the internet. You can visit this site and read the details: https://en.onionmail.info/

1. Download Tor Browser

First, if you don't already, go download Tor Browser. You are going to need it. https://www.torproject.org/

1. Sign Up

Using Tor browser go to the directory page (https://onionmail.info/directory.html) choose one of the servers and sign up for an account. I say sign up but it is just choosing a user name you want to go before the @xyz.onion email address and solving a captcha.

1. Account information

Once you are done signing up an Account information page will pop up. MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THIS!!! It has your address and passwords (for sending and receiving email) that you will need. If you lose them then you are shit out of luck.

1. Install an Email Client

You can use Claws Mail, Neomutt, or whatever, but for this example, we will be using Thunderbird.

a. Download Thunderbird email client

b. The easy setup popup page that wants your name, email, and password isn't going to like your user@xyz.onion address. Just enter something that looks like a regular email address such as name@example.com and the Configure Manuallyoption will appear below. Click that.

1. Configure Incoming (POP3) Server

Under Incoming Server: Protocol: POP3 Server or Hostname: xyz.onion (whatever your account info says) Port: 110 Security: STARTTLS Authentication: Normal password Username: (your username) Password: (POP3 password).

1. Configure Outgoing (SMTP) Server

Under Outgoing Server: Server or Hostname: xyz.onion (whatever your account info says) Port: 25 Security: STARTTLS Authentication: Normal password Username: (your username) Password: (SMTP password).

1. Click on email at the top and change your address if you had to use a spoof one to get the configure manually to pop up.

2. Configure Proxy

a. Click the gear icon on the bottom left for settings. Scroll all the way down to Network & Disk Space. Click the settings button next to Connection. Configure how Thunderbird connects to the internet.

b. Select Manual Proxy Configuration. For SOCKS Host enter 127.0.0.1 and enter port 9050. (if you are running this through a VM the port may be different)

c. Now check the box for SOCKS5 and then Proxy DNS when using SOCKS5 down at the bottom. Click OK

1. Check Email

For thunderbird to reach the onion mail server it has to be connected to tor. Depending on your local setup, it might be fine as is or you might have to have tor browser open in the background. Click on inbox and then the little cloud icon with the down arrow to check mail.

1. Security Exception

Thunderbird is not going to like that the onion mail server security certificate is self signed. A popup Add Security Exception will appear. Click Confirm Security Exception.

You are done. Enjoy your new private email service.

REMEMBER: The server can read your emails unless they are encrypted. Go into account settings. Look down and click End-toEnd Encryption. Then add your OpenPGP key or open your OpenPGP Key Manager (you might have to download one if you don't already have one) and generate a new key for this account.

@ 8ff74724:5eedde0e

Birds

Birds simply don't give a shit.

They don't care about you.

They don't love you.

They only want one thing.

Seeds.

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I was supposed to do my Main Event next week, but Heather scheduled a trip to Spain for us I had forgotten about, so I moved it to today, which meant I had to cram a bit.

I drew the seven slot. Results are below:

Before I get into the round-by-round write-up I have to say this was the smoothest and easiest Main I’ve ever done. That doesn’t mean this is a great team — I could easily be wrong about everything — but using recent ADP I planned out each round, and it really went almost exactly to form. That never happens. Usually I’m worried about having to chase some category or getting stuck with players I don’t want. But today there was almost none of that.

1.8 Kyle Tucker — I like Tucker in a new park, playing for a big contract. He’s fully healthy after an injury-shortened 2024, so he should be fresh. Had Team 7 taken Tucker instead of Juan Soto, I would have taken Jackson Chourio.

2.8 Chris Sale — I thought I might get Jazz Chisholm here, and my fallback was Trea Turner. But earlier in the day I decided I’d probably take Sale anyway as pitching gets scarce quickly in the 15-team and often gets pushed up as a result. But I hadn’t really locked it in, even though I felt Sale would make for an easier build. Then Chisholm and Turner went ahead of me on consecutive picks, and my choice was made for me.

3.8 Matt Olson — I was worried about this pick. This was in the elite closer range, and I didn’t want to go that route, so it was either Manny Machado (gone), Olson or dropping down for someone like Michael Harris about whom I’m only lukewarm. I took Olson who has a good shot of 40-100-100 in that lineup.

4.8 C.J. Abrams — The stat nerds hate him, but he could steal 40 bases, and he was raking before slumping in the second half last year. Tucker gave me some bags, but I really wanted a big-time steals source to pair with him.

5.8 Tyler Glasnow — My favorite fifth-round starter, Glasnow managed134 innings last year. A similar giant lefty, Randy Johnson, was also injury prone early in his career and took a while to get going too.

6.8 Cody Bellinger — I was dead set on Bellinger who is raking this spring. He’ll get the short porch in Yankee stadium and qualifies at first and OF.

7.8 Roki Sasaki — This was the first pick I really had to think about. There was a run of five straight pitchers ahead of me, three of whom I would have taken instead (Logan Webb, Max Fried, Hunter Brown.) I like buying the dip on Sasaki after a shaky outing in Japan, but I also considered pivoting to Mike Trout. In the end, I felt there were more hitters I liked afterward, so I went Sasaki, and then Trout went with the very next pick. In fact the next guy snap-called it, if I recall correctly.

8.8 Alex Bregman — I wanted a share after reading how well he’s hit at Fenway during his career (if Grok is correct, 1.240 OPS in 21 games.) Plus he might eventually gain 2B eligibility if Rafael Devers gets healthy enough to play third. And he should get a lot of RBI hitting third behind Devers and Jarren Duran.

9.8 Josh Lowe — I really wanted to get a share of Lowe after reading about how the minor league home park will boost power for lefties. The steals are a given if he’s healthy, but 20-25 HR would make him a huge bargain in Round 9.

10.8 Jordan Romano — The Lowe pick cost me Kenley Jansen, which I thought it might, so I pivoted to the other exprienced closer I like in that range, and Romano’s on a better team.

11.8 Kevin Gausman — I thought about Aroldis Chapman here, but starters were getting scarce, so I gambled he’d make it back and took Gausman. Gausman is coming off a down year, but he’s healthy, and he knows how to pitch.

12.8 Brandon Finnegan — I missed out on Chapman, it turns out, but Finnegan, who had 38 saves last year and was re-signed, was my backup plan. He’s not especially good, but saves are saves.

13.8 Brice Turang — I really didn’t need speed that badly, but Turang fell like 50 spots below ADP, and I did need a second baseman. His defense keeps him in the lineup, and I’ll take 30-plus steals in case one of my other speed guys doesn’t pan out.

14.8 Brandon Nimmo — I got snaked on Walker Buehler (and Jesus Luzardo two picks before that), so I went with Nimmo for his ability to score runs.

15.8 Jackson Holliday — After a lot of safe picks, I felt like gambling on a top prospect finally. He’s hitting well this spring too.

16.8 Jose Berrios — This just seemed like the right pick, a boring veteran who knows how to pitch and get you innings without killing you. With Glasnow and Sasaki, I needed more of a horse type.

17.8 Nolan Jones — He was scratched from the game today right after I made this, so we’ll see. Hopefully it’s something minor. His 2023 season was fetching a top-five-round ADP last year.

18.8 Casey Mize — Pitching was really flying, and Mize is a former top prospect with an opportunity.

19.8 Bo Naylor — I needed a catcher, and he is one. I like that he runs a bit, and last year’s batting average I’ll chalk up to variance.

20.8 Roman Anthony — I don’t know whether he’ll make the team out of camp, but he’s an elite prospect with little left to prove in the minors.

21.8 Jason Foley — I have two shaky closers, so I wanted to throw another potential one in the mix.

22.8 Porter Hodge — Another saves option if Ryan Pressly falls apart.

23.8 Colt Keith — Keith wasn’t horrendous as as rookie, and moving to first base will give him extra eligibility soon.

24.8 Jason Adam — Another potential source of saves with Robert Suarez looking awfully shaky this spring.

25.8 Gavin Lux — A former top prospect, getting regular at-bats in the league’s second best hitter’s park and picking up more eligibility.

26.8 Jonny Deluca — I needed outfield depth in case Anthony doesn’t start the year in the majors, and Deluca should play in that bandbox minor league park.

27.8 Miguel Vargas — A former top prospect with dual position eligibility should get his chance for regular low-pressure at-bats in Chicago.

28.8 Michael McGreevy — I needed another SP, and he’s one. Also has good control and pitches in a good park. Having a great spring too.

29.8 Jacob Stallings — I played chicken at second catcher all draft, got burned a few times, but Stallings is the starter for now in Colorado.

30.8 Blake Treinen — The Stallings pick cost me a gamble on Jared Jones’ elbow, so I took Treinen who’s an elite reliever who could fill in if starters have bad matchups.

Roster By Position

C Bo Naylor/Jacob Stallings

1B Matt Olson

2B Brice Turang

3B Alex Bregman

SS C.J. Abrams

CI Cody Bellinger

MI Jackson Holliday

OF Kyle Tucker/Josh Lowe/Brandon Nimmo/Nolan Jones/Roman Anthony

UT Colt Keith

SP Chris Sale/Tyler Glasnow/Roki Sasaki/Kevin Gausman/Jose Berrios/Casey Mize

RP Jordan Romano/Brandon Finnegan/Jason Foley

B Porter Hodge/Jason Adam/Gavin Lux/Jonny Deluca/Miguel Vargas/Michael McGreevy/Blake Treinen

@ 4925ea33:025410d8

O ato de estudar pode ser desafiador, pois precisamos vencer obstáculos como distrações, falta de concentração e baixa energia. Essas dificuldades são comuns na vida dos estudantes e costumam ser os principais fatores que prejudicam o aprendizado.

Mesmo dedicando longas horas aos estudos, esses desafios podem comprometer a produtividade, tornando o esforço pouco eficaz. É nesse contexto que a Aromaterapia surge como uma solução natural e eficaz.

Os óleos essenciais têm um grande potencial para atuar na concentração, no estímulo da memória e no aumento da clareza mental. Ou seja, quando utilizados de forma estratégica, podem potencializar significativamente o desempenho nos estudos.

Quais são os benefícios dos óleos essenciais para os estudos?

No universo dos aromas, cada óleo essencial possui propriedades únicas. De forma geral, podemos destacar os seguintes benefícios:

• Estimulação cognitiva

• Aumento da memória

• Redução do estresse e da ansiedade

• Aumento da energia e disposição

• Estímulo à criatividade

• Melhora da concentração

1. Estimulação Cognitiva

Os óleos essenciais de alecrim e hortelã-pimenta estão entre os principais aliados da estimulação cognitiva. Eles atuam diretamente no sistema límbico, a região do cérebro responsável pela memória, emoções e aprendizado.

2. Aumento da Memória

O aumento da memória está diretamente relacionado à circulação sanguínea cerebral, que favorece a retenção de informações. O óleo essencial de hortelã-pimenta é especialmente eficaz nesse processo, pois atua como vasodilatador, aumentando o fluxo sanguíneo para o cérebro e melhorando a capacidade de memorização.

3. Redução do Estresse e da Ansiedade

Para reduzir o estresse e a ansiedade antes e durante os estudos, os óleos de lavanda, camomila e ylang-ylang são altamente recomendados, pois reduzem os níveis de cortisol (hormônio do estresse). No entanto, é importante usá-los com cautela, pois possuem propriedades sedativas e podem induzir ao sono caso sejam usados em excesso durante os estudos.

4. Aumento da Energia e Disposição

A energia e a disposição para os estudos estão relacionadas à produção de dopamina e serotonina, neurotransmissores que promovem o bem-estar e a motivação. Os óleos cítricos, como limão, laranja doce e grapefruit, estimulam essas substâncias, ajudando a reduzir a fadiga mental e proporcionando mais vigor para o aprendizado.

5. Estímulo à Criatividade

A criatividade está associada à imaginação, abstração e inovação. Para estimular esse processo, é indicado o uso de óleos essenciais que atuam no sistema límbico de maneira introspectiva, como o óleo essencial de sândalo, que favorece a conexão com novas ideias e insights criativos.

6. Melhora da Concentração

A concentração depende da oxigenação cerebral e da ativação do sistema nervoso simpático, que aumenta a atenção e o estado de alerta. O óleo essencial de eucalipto é um dos mais eficazes nesse aspecto, pois melhora a respiração e promove maior clareza mental.

---

Como usar a Aromaterapia na hora do exame?

• Na véspera da prova -

Antes de dormir, utilize 1 a 2 gotas de óleo essencial de lavanda ou camomila no travesseiro. Isso ajudará a ter um sono reparador e reduzir a ansiedade para o dia seguinte.

• No dia do exame -

Ao acordar:

Inale 1 a 2 gotas de óleo de hortelã-pimenta ou limão para ativar o cérebro e aumentar o estado de alerta.

Durante o banho:

Misture 3 gotas de óleo de alecrim ou laranja doce ao seu sabonete líquido para estimular a concentração.

Antes da prova:

Aplique um creme corporal energizante, feito com a seguinte diluição:

5 gotas de óleo essencial de alecrim

3 gotas de hortelã-pimenta

2 gotas de limão

Misture em 10 g de creme neutro e aplique nos pulsos e têmporas.

Durante a prova:

Se sentir distração ou fadiga mental, aplique 1 gota de óleo essencial de alecrim e 1 gota de hortelã-pimenta na região dos ombros da sua camiseta. Assim, você poderá inalar discretamente e recuperar o foco.

Essas foram as minhas dicas sobre como a Aromaterapia pode potencializar o seu desempenho nos estudos. Experimente e sinta a diferença!

Boa prova!

@ 5c8a5765:4fc5edee

[Читать в IPFS]

Итак, детки-котлетки, сегодня мы поговорим, как ~~не~~правильно распространять агиацию. Возьмите свои любимые антифашистские стикеры и используйте этот текст как инструкцию к ним — иначе у меня голова лопнет от того, что я вижу на улицах.

Агитация

Для начала определитесь, чем вы занимаетесь: агитируете к чему-то или поддерживаете чего-то, потому что это предполагает совершенно разные подходы. Агитацией может быть призыв к анархизму, классовой борьбе, неуплате налогов, гендерному равенству и т.д. Поддержкой может быть поддержка анархической борьбы, антифашистский идей и т.д. Первое — "вербует"/приманивает новых людей к идее, второе поддерживает только тех, кто уже знаком с идеей и уже с ней согласен.

Как должна выглядеть агитация? Представьте, что некий неонацист решил за-агитировать вас в неонацизм (с учетом, что сейчас вы его не поддерживаете): в каком случае у него больше всего на это шансов? Если вы заметите на мусорном баке наклейку "бей жыдоф"? Или если вам, например, выдадут в руки грамотный агитационный текст? Поставьте себя на место читающего: агитация должна выглядеть именно так, как мог бы выглядеть материал, который хоть немного мог бы поменять ваши текущие взгляды. А именно...

1. Агитация доступна

Она не висит на задней стороне мусорки. Она не нарисована на заброшке. Обыватель не рассматривает мусорки и не ходит по заброшкам. Чтобы масса увидела вашу агитацию, она должна висеть в заметном месте.

Ещё лучше, если она висит там, где человек по внешним причинам на мгновение задерживается, и имеет время проглядеть вашу агитацию: ибо обыватель никогда не остановится у столба посреди длинной тропы, чтобы прочесть стикер.

И учтите: если место, которое вы выбрали, уже забито стикерами, вашему придётся делить привлеченное внимание с каждым остальным.

К доступности стоит также отнести то, что агитация более значительна, если она написана на самом популярном в вашей стране языке, развешивается в разных локациях (чтобы люди разного класса могли её увидеть), если вы развешиваете в туалетах — то туалетах разного гендера (и не забывайте про инвалидные кабинки!), так далее.

Лучшие места для стикеров: лифт, автобусная остановка, метро, поручен эскалатора, внешняя сторона дверцы туалета, чистое (не разрисованное или расклеенное) зеркало.

Лучшие места для крупных агитационных листов или графитти: указанные выше, а также — заметные места подъездов,

Лучшие места для "визиток"*: оставлять под задницей на выходе из автобуса, метро, маршрутки, на стульях, скамейках и т.д.

*"Визитка" — это са-а-амый простой метод агитации: выводите нужный текст или картинки мелкими блоками на листе А4, нарезаете бумагу на кусочки "визиток" с небольшим текстом, картинкой или ссылкой, и оставляете где попало.

2. Агитация запоминается

Если вы не неонацист, какие эмоции в вас побуждает "бей жыдоф"? Вы возжелали стать неонацистом? Или это только укрепило ваши антифашистские взгляды? Или это для вас вообще никак не прозвучало?

Также для ваших противников и обывателей звучат ваши "ешь богатых!", "классовая борьба сегодня!!", "доёш онархию!!!". Это — поддержка. Уже-анархисты будут рады увидеть, что в городе есть левые активисты кроме них самих. Но это никого не переубедит и не привлечет.

А агитация привлекает. Агитация задаёт острые вопросы, которые остаются в голове. Агитация манит предложениями нового. Агитация нестереотипно предлагает.

Примеры хорошей агитации:

"Если большинство проголосует за то, чтобы ты спрыгнул(а) с вмоста, ты бы сделал(а) это? / - Может быть — если это было честным голосованием!"

"Этот телефон прослушивается - согласно законодательству США, телефонные разговоры прослушиваются без ордера или уведомленияю"

"Вы под наблюдением — текст, объясняющий тезис, и ссылка, где можно прочесть об этом подробнее."

Примеры никудышной агитации (но хорошей поддержки):

3. Агитация даёт возможность изучить больше

Хорошее правило для любой агитации: иметь ссылку на сайт, где можно найти больше информации о том, к чему агитируется. Это не обязательное, но рекомендуемое правило, ибо мало толку от человека, согласившегося с идеей анархизма и захотевшего (редчайший случай!) самостоятельно изучить больше, но не имевшего к этому простой возможности и забывшего вследствие обо всей идее.

Поддержка

А вот поддержка — ориентированная на тех, кто уже знает и уже поддерживает то, что вы любите — может быть совершенно любой. Поддержать антифашистов своего города, позлить фашистов и остаться совершенно незамеченными для обывателя — самое место для диалектики "бей жыдоф!" и "доёш онтифошизм!!".

Напоминание о безопасности

Несколько базовых напоминаний о том, что нужно помнить во время агитации:

• ОСТЕРЕГАЙТЕСЬ КАМЕР! Особенно в России! Метро, маршрутки, автобусы, учебные заведения полны ими!
• Если вас заметили гестаповцы, лучшее, что вы можете сделать — это бежать, что есть мочи.
• Шифруйте материалы, которые храните для распечаток.
• Не распечатывайте стикеры/"визитки" в публичных местах (вроде библиотек).

Спасибо за прочтение!

@ e5de992e:4a95ef85

In a world where our to-do lists seem to grow longer by the minute, figuring out what to tackle next can feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. Should you call a friend to catch up? Finish that work project? Or make sure you don’t forget a loved one’s birthday? The overwhelm is real, and traditional task management systems often leave us guessing. That’s where the 2-5 Rule comes in—a groundbreaking concept that powers TaskforUs, a smart, simple website designed to tell you exactly what to work on right now.

---

What Is the 2-5 Rule?

At its core, the 2-5 Rule is a timing-based approach to task management built on a simple yet powerful idea: every task has a natural rhythm—a “time unit” that dictates how often it should be addressed—and an ideal window for action: between 2 and 5 of those units. The time unit varies depending on the task’s nature:

• Daily Tasks: (e.g., doing cardio or following up on a quick email)
  Time unit: days. Act within 2 to 5 days.

• Weekly Tasks: (e.g., scheduling dinner with a friend)
  Time unit: weeks. Act within 2 to 5 weeks.

• Monthly Tasks: (e.g., reviewing your budget)
  Time unit: months. Act within 2 to 5 months.

• Yearly Tasks: (e.g., reassessing your career goals)
  Time unit: years. Revisit every 2 to 5 years.

The 2-5 Rule ensures you’re neither jumping on tasks too early (wasting energy on something that isn’t urgent) nor leaving them too late (missing opportunities or causing stress). It’s about finding the sweet spot—the perfect moment to act.

For date-specific events like birthdays or anniversaries, TaskforUs introduces a Fix Mode that pins the task to a specific day. As the date approaches, the task climbs your list until it reaches the top on the day itself, ensuring you never miss a critical moment.

---

The Origins of the 2-5 Rule

The 2-5 Rule was born out of a need to bring structure to the chaos of modern life. Traditional to-do lists are static—they don’t account for the natural ebb and flow of tasks. Urgent tasks get buried under less pressing ones, and long-term goals are often forgotten until it’s too late.

TaskforUs’s creators recognized that timing is as important as priority. They drew inspiration from: - Behavioral Science: Showing that humans thrive on rhythm and consistency. - Project Management Principles: Where tasks are often scheduled based on optimal intervals.

The choice of 2 to 5 units isn’t arbitrary. Research into productivity and habit formation suggests: - Acting too soon (e.g., after just 1 unit) can lead to over-managing. - Waiting too long (beyond 5 units) risks neglect.

The 2-to-5 window strikes a balance—providing enough flexibility while ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. This range also aligns with our natural sense of urgency: after 2 units, a task begins to feel pressing; by 5 units, it risks becoming problematic.

---

How the 2-5 Rule Works in Practice

Step 1: Define Your Tasks and Time Units

When you add a task to TaskforUs, you assign it a time unit based on its nature: - Example:
- "Schedule dinner with Alex" is a social task (unit: weeks). - "Do cardio" is a health goal (unit: days). - "Reassess my career path" is a long-term goal (unit: years).

TaskforUs can suggest defaults based on common patterns, but you can customize the unit to fit your life.

Step 2: Track the 2-5 Window

TaskforUs monitors when you last acted on a task. If it’s been 2 time units, the task enters its “sweet spot” and starts climbing your list. By 5 units, it becomes urgent. - Example:
- If you last met Alex 3 weeks ago, "Schedule dinner with Alex" becomes a top priority. - If it’s been 2 days since your last cardio session, TaskforUs nudges you to hit the gym.

Step 3: Handle Fixed Dates with Fix Mode

For tasks tied to specific dates (e.g., birthdays or anniversaries), Fix Mode lets you set an exact date. The task gradually climbs your list as the date nears and becomes the top priority on that day, ensuring you never miss it.

Step 4: Prioritize with Top Task and Focus Mode

• Top Task: TaskforUs surfaces the single most urgent task within the 2-to-5 window.
• Focus Mode: If you prefer to see more, this mode shows your top 3 tasks (or a customizable number), ensuring you’re always focused on what matters most without being overwhelmed by a long list.

---

The Science Behind the 2-5 Rule

The 2-5 Rule isn’t just a clever idea—it’s grounded in psychology and productivity research:

• Habit Formation:
  Studies (e.g., by Dr. BJ Fogg) show that consistency is key to building routines, yet overdoing it can lead to burnout. The 2-5 window strikes a healthy balance.

• Decision Fatigue:
  Research by Dr. Roy Baumeister highlights the mental toll of constant decision-making. By automating prioritization, the 2-5 Rule reduces this burden, freeing up mental energy.

• Zeigarnik Effect:
  The Fix Mode leverages the tendency to remember uncompleted tasks, keeping date-specific items front of mind until they’re completed, thereby reducing stress and improving follow-through.

---

Why You Should Try the 2-5 Rule with TaskforUs

If you’re tired of chaotic to-do lists, missed deadlines, or the nagging feeling of forgetting something important, the 2-5 Rule offers a better way. It works with your natural rhythm, ensuring you focus on what truly matters. TaskforUs brings this concept to life with a user-friendly platform (currently in beta) that: - Eliminates Decision Fatigue: Tells you exactly what to do now. - Balances Urgency and Flexibility: Keeps you in the sweet spot between procrastination and over-management. - Adapts to Your Life’s Rhythm: Customizes time units for daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks. - Ensures You Never Miss Critical Dates: With Fix Mode for date-specific events. - Reduces Stress and Boosts Momentum: By focusing on one Top Task (or a few in Focus Mode).

---

Real-Life Applications of the 2-5 Rule

• Social Connections:
  Task: “Schedule dinner with Alex”
  Time Unit: Weeks
  Scenario: If you last met Alex 3 weeks ago, the task becomes your Top Task, prompting you to reconnect.

• Health Goals:
  Task: “Do cardio”
  Time Unit: Days
  Scenario: If it’s been 2 days since your last workout, TaskforUs nudges you to exercise before the 5-day mark.

• Special Dates:
  Task: “Wish Alex a happy birthday”
  Mode: Fix Mode
  Scenario: A month before the birthday, it’s low on your list, but as the date nears, it climbs to the top—ensuring you don’t miss it.

• Long-Term Planning:
  Task: “Reassess my career path”
  Time Unit: Years
  Scenario: If it’s been 2 years since your last review, TaskforUs prompts you to evaluate your goals and progress.

---

How TaskforUs Brings the 2-5 Rule to Life

TaskforUs is more than just a concept—it’s a practical tool that makes the 2-5 Rule actionable:

• Top Task:
  The algorithm identifies the single most urgent task within your 2-to-5 window.

• Focus Mode:
  Displays your top 3 tasks (or a customizable number) to help manage multiple priorities.

• Fix Mode:
  Ensures date-specific tasks are prioritized as the due date approaches.

• Smart Defaults:
  Suggests time units based on common patterns, while allowing customization to suit your needs.

• Ongoing Refinements:
  The TaskforUs team continually improves the algorithm based on user feedback to enhance its accuracy.

---

Take Control of Your Tasks Today

The 2-5 Rule is more than a productivity hack—it’s a mindset shift. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and timing your tasks to perfection. TaskforUs makes this possible with a simple, intuitive platform designed to help you master your to-do list.

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

1. Introduction

In decentralized systems like Nostr, preserving privacy and ensuring censorship resistance are paramount. However, the inherent design ethos opens the platform to multiple vulnerabilities, chief among them being the susceptibility to Sybil attacks. The problem space is not only technical but also socio-economic, where user privacy and ease-of-use must be balanced against mitigations that impose friction on identity creation actions.

This report details a multi-faceted research analysis into Sybil resistance mechanisms, drawing analogies from contemporary decentralized identity systems, cryptographic protocols, and economic disincentives. We incorporate detailed insights from diverse independent research streams, outlining both established and novel approaches, and present a series of design recommendations for Nostr. The analysis is targeted at highly experienced analysts and researchers, with comprehensive details on both the cryptographic primitives used and the overall system architectures.

---

2. Background: The Threat of Sybil Attacks in Decentralized Systems

2.1. Sybil Attacks Defined

A Sybil attack involves a single adversary generating a multitude of pseudonymous identities to unduly influence network decisions, voting mechanisms, or content dissemination processes. In systems designed for censorship resistance, where anonymity is embraced, such attacks are especially daunting because traditional verification methods are not readily applicable.

2.2. The Unique Challenges in Nostr

Nostr is celebrated for its emphatic commitment to censorship resistance and privacy. This design choice, however, leads to several inherent challenges:

• Weak Identity Verification: Mechanisms like nip5, a simple email-like verification protocol, lack robustness and are vulnerable in environments where linking multiple pseudonymous identities is trivial.
• Economic Incentives: Systems using zaps (small value transactions or tips) intend to add cost to malicious actions but struggle with effective proof of expenditure. In some instances, attackers may even benefit from a net positive revenue.
• Association Networks: Existing follow systems provide decentralized webs of association; however, they do not imply a real trust framework, leaving only superficial links among identities.

The dual objectives of achieving ease-of-use while robustly mitigating Sybil attacks requires a careful, in-depth analysis of multiple design trade-offs.

---

3. Detailed Analysis of Existing Mechanisms and Proposed Enhancements

In our research, several proposals and implementations have emerged to address the Sybil-resistance conundrum. We examine these solutions in detail below.

3.1. Cryptographic and Identity-Based Approaches

3.1.1. Aut-CT with Curve Trees

One of the notable approaches employs the Aut-CT mechanism which leverages Curve Trees. Key insights include:

• Mechanism: Constructing an algebraic analog of a Merkle tree with curve-based keys.
• Verification Efficiency: Achieves logarithmic verification times (typically 40–70 ms) even for large keysets (from 50K to over 2.5M keys).
• Proof Size: Consistently maintains a proof size of around 3–4 kB, making it effective for low-bandwidth scenarios.
• Key Image: The integrated DLEQ-based method produces a key image that binds a proof to a hidden key, preventing fraudulent re-use of tokens.

Implication: This method, while promising, requires integration sophistication. It can potentially be adapted for Nostr to ensure that each identity is backed by a verifiable, anonymous proof of ownership—raising the cost of forging or duplicating identities.

3.1.2. Economic Disincentives and Token Burning

In the realm of cryptocurrency mixers, enforcing an economic cost for generating identities has seen traction. The following methods are prominent:

• Token Burning/Deposit Mechanisms: Users deposit funds that serve as a bond. Forging multiple identities becomes economically prohibitive if these tokens are sacrificial.
• Time Locks and Coin-Age Restrictions: By enforcing waiting periods or requiring funds to ‘age’, systems ensure that rapid, mass identity creation is deterred.
• Fidelity Bonds: Users risk losing bonds if identified as malicious, creating a strong economic disincentive.

Observation: Nostr could potentially adopt analogous economic primitives that impose a non-trivial cost on identity creation, helping to scale the disincentive to the level required for a system where anonymity is paramount.

3.1.3. Decentralized Identity Systems

A comparative analysis of identity systems, both centralized and decentralized, underscores the following:

• Centralized Systems (LDAP, OAuth, etc.): While scalable, they inherently conflict with the decentralized and censorship-resistant philosophy of Nostr.
• Decentralized Systems (uPort, Hyperledger Indy, etc.): These systems leverage blockchain technologies and zero-knowledge proofs to ensure self-sovereign identity management. However, they often require complex deployments and higher operational overhead.

Trade-Off Assessment: Implementing a fully decentralized identity system in Nostr must balance ease-of-use with strong cryptographic assurances. A layered approach—using decentralized identifiers with optional verifications—may yield optimal usability without sacrificing security.

3.2. Protocol-Specific Countermeasures

3.2.1. Rechained Protocol

The Rechained protocol introduces a deposit-based identity generation mechanism in IoT and mobile ad hoc networks. Here are its salient points:

• Deposit Transaction: Each identity is tied to a deposit transaction on a public blockchain, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
• Parameterization: Parameters like minHeight, minDifficulty, and amounts ensure that each identity requires a certain financial threshold to be met.
• Verification Complexity: Though proof sizes are modest (10–50 KB) and verification times are around 2 seconds, these are acceptable trade-offs on modern consumer-grade devices.

Application Prospects: If Nostr could integrate a variant of Rechained, it may allow identities to be tied to a verifiable deposit, thus raising the cost baseline for attackers. Such integration must ensure user-friendliness and minimal friction during onboarding.

3.2.2. Sysname Decentralized Identity Scheme

Sysname presents an innovative approach with additional privacy-preserving features:

• Selective Disclosure: It allows users to reveal only non-identifying attributes proving compliance with certain predicates without exposing their full identity.
• Chain-Pinned Identifiers: Aggregates multiple pseudonyms to a single on-chain record, reducing the ease with which an attacker can use disparate identities without accountability.
• Key Recovery: Enables users to refresh public keys and recover lost keys, which bolsters user trust and system resilience.

Consideration: Integrating aspects of sysname within Nostr could offer both enhanced privacy and Sybil resistance, yielding a balance between security and user independence. Enhanced key recovery also addresses the usability concerns evidenced by historical failures in PGP adoption.

3.3. Behavioral Analysis and Anomaly Detection

As an additional countermeasure, behavioral analysis can serve as a secondary layer of defense. Given the evolving sophistication of bots, a cat-and-mouse game inevitably ensues:

• Machine Learning Based Detection: Frameworks like a deep intrusion detection system (DIDS) combined with blockchain smart contracts can help identify anomalous posting behaviors. For example, integrations using Particle Swarm Optimization–Gravitational Search Algorithm (ePSOGSA) with deep autoencoders have proven accurate on established benchmarks.
• Economic Implications: By analyzing behavior, the systems can prioritize identities that have accrued economic transactions (like zaps) that match genuine user behavior over automated, bot-like patterns.
• Limitations: While promising, such systems introduce computational overhead and may yield false positives, so the implementation must be cautiously engineered with appropriate fail-safes.

---

4. Trade-Offs and Comprehensive Evaluation

4.1. Usability vs. Security

One of the central themes in designing defenses against Sybil attacks on Nostr is balancing ease-of-use with robust security. A highly secure system that remains cumbersome to use (akin to the historical PGP deployment) may fail adoption. Conversely, ease-of-use without economic or cryptographic Assurance opens the door to cost-free identity creation and abuse.

• Economic Approaches: Impose a direct cost on identity creation but must be calibrated to avoid excluding well-intentioned users, particularly newcomers or those with limited funds.
• Cryptographic Protocols: Solutions like Aut-CT and sysname offer advanced cryptographic proofs with minimal overhead in verification but could require more sophisticated client implementations.
• Behavioral Analysis: Acts as a safety net but must be continuously updated as adversaries evolve their bot strategies.

4.2. Privacy Implications

Every mechanism proposed must be evaluated in terms of its ability to preserve user privacy. Nostr’s value proposition rests on its censorship resistance and privacy-preserving design. Therefore:

• Selective Disclosure Protocols: Techniques that allow for proving predicates without full identity revelation should be prioritized (as seen in sysname).
• Decentralized Identity Aggregation: Methods that tie multiple pseudonyms to a single verifiable chain of evidence (enhancing accountability) can reduce risk without compromising anonymity.
• Economic Proof Versus User Balance: The economic barriers should not expose additional metadata that can be linked back to users. Hence, anonymizing tokens and cryptographic blinding techniques need to be integral to the design.

---

5. Proposed Comprehensive Strategy for Nostr

Based on the research, a multi-layered defense strategy is recommended. It incorporates both cryptographic assurances and economic disincentives while integrating behavioral analysis. The following blueprint emerges:

5.1. Implementation Blueprint

1. Integration of Curve Tree-Based Aut-CT Proofs:
2. Require each new identity creation to be validated via a Curve Tree-based proof of key ownership. This approach leverages zero-knowledge proofs and ensures logarithmic verification times, thus scalable even for a large user base.

3. Address token re-use and fake identity creation by integrating key images as established in the Aut-CT mechanism.

4. Economic Deposit Mechanism (Inspired by Rechained):

5. Incorporate a lightweight deposit mechanism where users must commit a small deposit, recorded on a public blockchain. This deposit acts as a minimum hurdle for each identity and may be partially refundable upon earning trust.

6. Experiment with dynamic deposit sizes based on network load and risk assessments, ensuring that the economic threshold is both feasible and deterring.

7. Selective Disclosure and Pseudonym Aggregation (Adapting Sysname Principles):

8. Allow users to prove characteristics about their identities (age, locality, etc.) without divulging full identifying details.

9. Aggregate multiple pseudonyms provided by the same user on-chain, using cryptographic commitments that both link identities and allow selective disclosure.

10. Optional Layer: Economic and Behavioral Analytics:

11. Deploy a deep anomaly detection layer using machine learning techniques on posting behavior, ensuring that anomalous activities (e.g., rapid posting similar to bots) are flagged.
12. Integrate smart contract-based economic triggers that penalize suspicious behavior while maintaining user privacy.

5.2. Addressing Adoption and Usability Concerns

• User Experience (UX): The proposed solutions must be integrated transparently into client applications. Much like improved versions of PGP aim to streamline key management, Nostr clients should embed these cryptographic protocols without requiring manual intervention.
• Modular Onboarding: Allow users to opt into various levels of proof. Early adopters may use lightweight methods, with a progressive enhancement available for those seeking higher assurance as they interact more within the network.
• Wallet and Key Management Integration: Leverage existing wallet infrastructures to ease the economic deposit and key recovery processes, drawing user confidence from familiarity with mainstream crypto applications.

---

6. Future Work and Speculative Technologies

While the proposals above are based on current and emergent technologies, additional research can further refine these approaches:

• Adaptive Economic Models: Future work can explore dynamic, context-aware deposit requirements that adjust based on network activity, risk profiles, and even market conditions.
• Quantum-Resistant Cryptography: As quantum computing progresses, integrating quantum-resistant algorithms in curve-tree constructions will become imperative for long-term viability.
• Interoperable Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs): Creating cross-system standards for identity verification may allow Nostr to interface with other decentralized platforms, enhancing the overall security ecosystem.
• Advancements in Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs): Considering high-level academic research on ZKPs, such as bulletproofs and recursive ZKPs, can further improve both the scalability and succinctness of cryptographic proofs required for identity validation.

Speculative Note: As adversaries adapt, we may see the emergence of hybrid systems where off-chain reputation systems are cryptographically linked to on-chain proofs, creating a multi-dimensional defense that continuously evolves through machine learning and adaptive economic incentives.

---

7. Conclusion

Mitigating Sybil attacks on Nostr necessitates a proactive, multi-layered approach combining advanced cryptographic techniques, economic disincentives, decentralized verification mechanisms, and behavioral analytics. The proposals detailed in this report aim to reinforce Nostr’s resilience while maintaining its foundational commitment to privacy and censorship resistance.

By integrating Curve Tree-based proofs, economic deposit mechanisms, and selective disclosure methods, Nostr can build a robust identity framework that is both user-friendly and resistant to abuse. Continued research into adaptive economic models and quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques will ensure that the system remains secure in the evolving landscape of decentralized networks.

Thorough evaluation of trade-offs, user experience enhancements, and iterative testing on live networks will be critical. This report serves as a foundational blueprint for further exploration and eventual deployment of sophisticated Sybil defense mechanisms within Nostr.

---

8. References and Further Reading

While the source of ideas is drawn from numerous research efforts and academic papers, key references include:

• Aut-CT Leveraging Curve Trees and Bulletproof Proofs
• Economic mitigation strategies in cryptocurrency mixers
• Comparative studies of decentralized identity systems (uPort, Hyperledger Indy, etc.)
• Rechained protocol research by Bochem and Leiding for IoT networks
• Sysname scheme for privacy-preserving decentralized identifiers
• Deep intrusion detection systems applied to decentralized social networks

(Additional in-depth academic references can be located within the research literature on arXiv and major cryptographic conferences.)

---

Prepared by an expert research analyst, this report is intended to provide detailed insights and a strategic roadmap for implementing Sybil-resistant identities on Nostr while retaining user ease-of-use and privacy-centric features.

Sources

• https://delvingbitcoin.org/t/anonymous-usage-tokens-from-curve-trees-or-autct/862
• https://delvingbitcoin.org/t/anonymous-usage-tokens-from-curve-trees-or-autct/862/2
• https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/sybil-attack/
• https://eprint.iacr.org/2019/1111.pdf
• https://www.smartsight.in/technology/what-to-know-about-sybil-attacks/
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363104774_Comparative_Analysis_of_Decentralized_Identity_Approaches
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331790058_A_Comparative_Analysis_of_Trust_Requirements_in_Decentralized_Identity_Management
• https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/17/1/1
• https://github.com/WebOfTrustInfo/rwot5-boston/blob/master/topics-and-advance-readings/Framework-for-Comparison-of-Identity-Systems.md
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367557991_The_Cost_of_Sybils_Credible_Commitments_and_False-Name_Proof_Mechanisms
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125832/
• https://www.nervos.org/knowledge-base/sybil_attacks_consensus_mechanisms_(explainCKBot)
• https://arxiv.org/html/2307.14679v2
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1084804523001145
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096720924000460
• https://medium.com/@sshshln/mitigating-identity-attacks-in-defi-through-biometric-based-sybil-resistance-6633a682f73a

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Alicante, located on Spain’s Costa Blanca, is a vibrant coastal city known for its golden beaches, historic castles, delicious seafood, and lively atmosphere. Whether you're exploring its rich history, relaxing by the sea, or enjoying the local cuisine, Alicante offers the perfect mix of culture and leisure.

🏛️ Top Things to See & Do in Alicante

1️⃣ Santa Bárbara Castle 🏰

• Perched on Mount Benacantil, this medieval fortress offers panoramic views over the city and coastline.
• Walk up the hill or take an elevator from Postiguet Beach.

2️⃣ Postiguet Beach 🏖️

• A beautiful sandy beach right next to the city center.
• Perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying a cocktail at a beachside bar.

3️⃣ Explanada de España 🌴

• A famous seaside promenade lined with palm trees, cafés, and street artists.
• Great for an evening stroll with stunning sea views.

4️⃣ Alicante Old Town (El Barrio) 🏡

• A charming historic district with narrow streets, colorful houses, and lively tapas bars.
• Visit Concatedral de San Nicolás and the Casas del Barrio for authentic local vibes.

5️⃣ MARQ – Archaeological Museum of Alicante 🏺

• A fascinating museum showcasing Alicante’s history from prehistoric times to modern days.
• Award-winning and great for history lovers!

6️⃣ Tabarca Island Day Trip 🚤

• A small, picturesque island just a short boat ride from Alicante.
• Perfect for snorkeling, seafood dining, and exploring its quaint whitewashed village.

7️⃣ Mercado Central 🛍️

• A bustling market filled with fresh seafood, local produce, jamón ibérico, and cheeses.
• Great for food lovers looking to try authentic Alicante flavors.

🍽️ What to Eat in Alicante

• Arroz a banda – A local seafood rice dish, similar to paella 🍚🐟
• Turrón de Alicante – A famous nougat made with almonds 🍯
• Caldero – A rich fish stew served with rice 🍲
• Salazones – Salted fish specialties, a local delicacy 🐠
• Horchata de chufa – A refreshing tiger nut drink, great on hot days 🥛

🚆 How to Get to Alicante

✈️ By Air: Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) with flights from all over Europe ✈️
🚄 By Train: High-speed AVE trains from Madrid (~2.5 hrs) & Barcelona (~4.5 hrs)
🚗 By Car: Well-connected via the AP-7 coastal highway

💡 Tips for Visiting Alicante

✅ Best time to visit? Spring & Summer for the best beach weather ☀️🏖️
✅ Stay for Las Hogueras de San Juan (June 20-24) – A huge fire festival with fireworks & street parties 🎆🔥
✅ Take a boat to Tabarca Island – It’s a hidden paradise for snorkeling 🏝️
✅ Try local seafood! Alicante’s coast is famous for its fresh fish & shellfish 🦐

@ e5de992e:4a95ef85

Master Your Tasks with Precision: Introducing TaskforUs

In our increasingly complex digital lives, determining which task deserves our immediate attention can be challenging. We've all faced the chaos of a to-do list that feels more like a puzzle than a plan. Should you reach out to a friend for dinner? Finish that work project? Or remember a loved one’s birthday? With so many tasks vying for attention, how do you know what to tackle right now? That’s where TaskforUs comes in—a smart, simple website designed to pinpoint the exact task you should focus on at this moment.

The Problem: Too Many Tasks, Too Little Clarity

Traditional to-do lists are a dumping ground for ideas, but they rarely tell you what’s urgent. Is it time to catch up with a friend, or should you prioritize that report? Without a clear system, tasks either pile up or get tackled haphazardly—leaving you stressed and scattered. TaskforUs changes that.

The Solution: Time Units and Smart Timing

TaskforUs is built on a clever concept: every task has a "time unit" and an ideal action window—between 2 and 5 of those units. The time unit depends on the task. Want to stay connected with a friend over dinner? That’s a "week" task—act within 2 to 5 weeks. Planning a career check-in? That’s a "year" task—revisit it between 2 and 5 years. The algorithm ensures you’re acting at just the right time—not too soon, not too late.

This adaptive approach ensures tasks receive attention at appropriate intervals—neither prematurely nor after their optimal window has passed:

• Personal connections (like scheduling lunch with friends) operate on a weekly time unit, requiring action within 2-5 weeks
• Time-sensitive matters (like doing some cardio) function on a daily time unit, requiring action within 2-5 days
• Project deadlines might operate on daily units, requiring progress every 2-5 days

For tasks tied to specific dates—like birthdays—TaskforUs offers a unique "Fix" mode. Pinpoint a day, and the task climbs steadily up your list as the date approaches, rocketing to the top spot on the day, ensuring you never miss it.

How It Works

TaskforUs makes task management effortless and precise. Here’s how:

1. Add Your Tasks: Enter anything on your mind—"schedule a team meeting," "call Mom," "do cardio," or "wish Alex a happy birthday."
2. Set the Time Unit: Choose from days, weeks, months, or years, depending on the task’s rhythm. TaskforUs can suggest defaults (e.g., "keep in touch with friends" defaults to weeks). For date-specific tasks, use Fix Mode to set the exact day.
3. Get Your Top Task: The algorithm tracks your tasks and surfaces the single most urgent one in its 2-to-5 sweet spot, telling you, "This is what to do now." In Fix Mode, date-pinned tasks take over on their big day.
4. Focus Mode: Need more than one priority? Switch to Focus Mode and see your top 3 tasks (you can adjust this number to suit your style)—perfect for juggling a busy day.

Real-Life Examples

• Social Life: You want to grab dinner with your friend, Alex. The time unit is "weeks." After 3 weeks since your last meetup, TaskforUs flags it as your top task—time to text them.
• Health Goals: You plan to do some cardio. The time unit is "days." On day 2, it’s your top priority—hit the gym before the 5-day mark.
• Special Dates: You set Alex’s birthday in Fix Mode. Weeks out, it’s low on the list, but it climbs as the date nears. On the day, it’s undeniably number one—time to send that birthday wish.
• Long-Term Planning: You’re thinking about reassessing your career path. The time unit is "years." After 2 years, TaskforUs nudges you to reflect—right in that 2-to-5-year window.

Why It Works

TaskforUs strikes a perfect balance. The 2-to-5 range keeps you from acting too early (wasting effort) or too late (missing opportunities), while Fix Mode ensures critical dates never slip by. Whether it’s a quick daily task, a big-picture yearly goal, or a must-do deadline, the system adapts to your life’s pace. With its "top task" feature, customizable Focus Mode, and pinpoint Fix Mode, you’ll always know where to direct your energy—no more second-guessing.

Rather than overwhelming users with endless to-do lists or complex priority matrices, TaskforUs presents a refreshingly direct solution: it identifies your top task to work on right now. This targeted approach eliminates decision fatigue and helps maintain productivity momentum.

Current Development Status

TaskforUs is currently in beta, with ongoing refinements based on user feedback and how well it’s working. The development team is focused on ensuring the algorithm accurately identifies truly time-critical tasks—including perfecting Fix Mode—while keeping the experience intuitive.

Take Control Today

Say goodbye to overwhelm and hello to clarity. TaskforUs isn’t just a to-do list—it’s your guide to timing tasks perfectly. Sign up today at task4.us and let TaskforUs show you what to work on right now, so you can focus on what matters most.

@ 30b99916:3cc6e3fe

constitution

---

Article V of the Constitution of the United States

---

With your engagement, there is a glimmer of hope that the people can reclaim our captured US government. The entrenched politicians are counting on your NON-ENGAGEMENT to remain in control.

Please take the time to educate yourself about the Constitution.

---

---

Now get engaged with your local Convention of States movement.

@ 30fb9c78:1f1e3c3a

Why anarchy? Because anything else would be uncivilized.”

This famous statement by Jeffrey Tucker inspired the Norwegian anarchists John Holmesland and Sondre Bjellås to create a truly civilized – voluntaryist society without coercion and violence – based on mutual voluntarism.

Anarchists in the “most perfect state” in the world

The first thing that has struck me for a long time is the strong anarchist movement in Norway – a state that almost all progressive politicians consider “perfect.” The most developed and advanced state in Scandinavia.

I first noticed this phenomenon at Anarchopulco (the big anarchist conference in Acapulco, Mexico), where the entire delegation of anarchists from Europe was primarily from Norway and Sweden. Countries that most EU politicians consider to be the epitome of a perfectly functioning state.

The Norwegian anarchists explained to me that Norway, despite publicly presenting itself as the most correct country, protecting all kinds of minorities, has problems that few people outside Norway suspect.

It is a country that, like any other, suffers from corruption and incredible waste. Many Norwegians are not the least bit happy about Norwegian funds supporting the most bizarre projects in the whole world. At the moment, a case is flying through Norway about how the head of the Norwegian Communist Party Bjornar Moxnes, stole USD 150 worth of sunglasses (Communists steal worldwide, including in Norway).

Last year, Norway introduced a wealth tax, which has seen most of the millionaire rich and productive people leave the country (especially Switzerland). Many of them took their “know-how” and their companies with them. Thanks to strong progressive taxation (productive people are the most discriminated against), everyone in Norway is more or less “equally well off.” Most Norwegians are indebted (mortgage or loan for practically everything) and live on credit. Even though the Norwegian economy is built on oil or fishing, don’t expect petrol, diesel, or fish to be cheap here (due to high taxation, they are more expensive than in most EU countries). Because of this, alcohol is also extremely expensive here and the most expensive beer in the world.

Although Norway is a rich country, Norwegians themselves don’t feel rich.

Unlike most countries, however, it is quite a bit more liberal – homeschooling, home births and decriminalized all drugs are allowed in Norway.

Most Norwegians are conformists and follow everything the government tells them. That’s why, for example, there are more police officers in most countries than in Norway – because everyone follows the law. They regard not paying taxes as blasphemy and selfishness, so the community in Liberstad, which takes absolutely nothing from the state and builds everything itself, unfortunately, has a hard time of it.

Voluntaryism in Liberstad

Since anarchism in mainstream society, unfortunately, has a negative connotation, John and Sondre decided to base and promote the whole project on the ideas of voluntarism and not mention anarchy. Voluntaryism represents a philosophy of life or moral stance where we only accept mutually voluntary relationships (commercial or non-commercial). Consistent voluntaryists reject unilaterally enforced relationships (e.g., between the state and the citizen) and are, therefore, automatically anarchists (that is unless we consider a state based on voluntary support).

Voluntaryists believe that a society built on mutual voluntarism would not only be more prosperous, but more importantly more civilized, as it would not use means of aggression against innocent people (which all states in the world do, and most people unfortunately approve of).

Voluntaryists consider a voluntaryist society to be a “framework,” that is, a basis on which any other social arrangements, such as democracy, can be built – if all its members voluntarily decide to use their democratic voice to make decisions about the lives of others. Or socialism – if all its members voluntarily donate 90% of their income to a standard pot and then redistribute it to elected central planners.

Liberstad’s Voluntaryist Treaty, respected by all its inhabitants

John and Sondre have no problem with Norway’s welfare state and huge taxes as long as its citizens are willing to support it voluntarily and use its services. On the other hand, they want nothing to do with it and are building an independent, self-sufficient, parallel society in the Norwegian mountains.

Independence and Autonomy for Liberstad

John and Sondre have bought more than 2 square kilometers of land that constitutes private property, even though it is Norwegian territory. It falls under the management of a non-profit private organization, which does not have to disclose anything (including its members or financial interactions between members) by law.

A couple of years ago, they launched a campaign to sell Libertad plots, when they all sold out (I visited a few of these plots yesterday, which my friends bought). I should point out that from the perspective of the Norwegian state, everything is owned by said private organization and the state does not know who the actual owner of a given parcel is (from that perspective, you can buy property in Liberstad without the Norwegian state knowing). There are active social channels where John, Sondre, and their management actively communicate with the owners of these parcels about their future fate.

Respect for autonomy has been resolved through a registered religious organization – the Norwegian Voluntaryist Organisation, which has no God and has key ideological/religious principles that must be respected (their automated translation via Google is available here).

Norway profiles itself as a “great fighter” for the rights of minorities around the world (from Tibet to the Kurds),” so the voluntarists in Liberstad hope that their minority within Norway itself will also be respected.

So far, they have had no problem with the government in Oslo. This is because the latter realizes that the more they publicly comment on Liberstad or interfere in its activities, the more publicity they would give it, and the more Norwegians would learn about the ideas of voluntarism and the need for an autonomous society.

But their real problems are with the local government, which constantly bullies them. For example, for posting (and flat out downloading) a drone-made video documenting how they built their private roads – which didn’t come without the explosions needed to modify the terrain. Without any permission, of course. Fortunately, they manage to ignore the local government politely, and since Norway is not a typical police state, they don’t anticipate a police raid on their private property.

Camping in Liberstad, view of the “anarchist park” in the background

Don’t ask permission, don’t deal with details

Voluntaryists in Liberstad do not recognize the state’s authority, so it makes no sense to them to ask for permission from it.

This is where the Liberstad project is different from the [Prospera project in Honduras (https://www.prospera.co/), which has a contract with the state of Honduras to build a similar private city (which they are having a bit of a problem with at the moment because there has been a change of government in Honduras, and the new government refuses to respect what the old government signed before).

That’s why the founders of Liberstad decided not to ask any permission from the state – they are building their properties without it (they are currently working on their brewery), building their roads, and homeschooling their children. They are just telling the state that they have built something new again.

"The important thing when building a private city is not to deal with all the details right from the start because your costs will rise disproportionately, and you’ll end up going nowhere,” says John Holmesland.

In Liberstad, they are very pragmatic and build just what they need. Similarly, they don’t invent any rules or laws for situations that are unlikely to arise. Indeed, what weighs heavily on contemporary society is an over-bureaucratized state apparatus that regulates and requires a rubber stamp for almost everything.

The current state of Liberstad

Liberstad’s permanent community may be small (under 15 people), but they have visitors worldwide and a potential location for thousands of new citizens. There are a few houses and caravans parked where Liberstad residents live. They have a large community center where there are lectures and evening events. Then there are the “barracks” for visitors (showers, toilets, washing machines, dryers). And lots of free parking space. A small island with a forest has earned the name “anarchist park.” Around it is a gravel road, which they plan to turn into asphalt.

Enter Liberstad. “Et lite stykke frihet” means “a little piece of freedom.”

Both founders consider Liberstad their lifelong project, so even though they don’t have a lot of funding, construction is still slowly progressing, and they are both fully committed to the project.

The current inhabited part of Liberstad. The total uninhabited size of Liberstad is an order of magnitude larger.

Liberstad’s parallel economy

Of all the stateless mini-communities I’ve visited so far (Kalu Yala in Panama, El Cherán in Mexico, Mennonites in Paraguay, Christiania in Copenhagen), Liberstad comes closest to me ideologically as a voluntarist. I got on exceedingly well with its founders, John and Sondre, and we agreed on all the ethical and social principles (which I rarely do).

With Liberstad founders John Holmesland and Sondre Bjellås.

Liberstad has a new neighbor, a Dutch photographer, and libertarian, who has bought a much larger plot of land next door. And who plans to build a similar libertarian community there.

I hope and believe that this voluntaryist anomaly in Norway will continue to live its free life and attract freedom-minded people worldwide. I have all my fingers crossed for Liberstad and will visit again in a few years!

Liberstad links to their main website, Facebook, X, Instagram.

---

Source: Liberationtravel, Liberstad: Voluntaryist experiment in southern Norway, August 30, 2023

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Valencia is a vibrant coastal city on Spain’s east coast, blending historical charm, futuristic architecture, golden beaches, and amazing cuisine. As the birthplace of paella, it’s a paradise for food lovers, while its mild climate and Mediterranean vibes make it a perfect year-round destination.

🏛️ Top Things to See & Do in Valencia

1️⃣ The City of Arts and Sciences

• A futuristic architectural complex with a science museum, planetarium, aquarium, and opera house.
• The Hemisfèric & Oceanogràfic are must-visits for families and science lovers.
  

2️⃣ Valencia Cathedral & El Miguelete Tower

• A beautiful Gothic cathedral said to house the Holy Grail.
• Climb El Miguelete Tower for breathtaking city views.

3️⃣ La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) – UNESCO Site

• A stunning Gothic-style merchant building from the 15th century.
• One of the best-preserved examples of Valencia’s medieval trading history.

4️⃣ Plaza de la Virgen & Old Town (El Carmen)

• A charming square surrounded by historical buildings, fountains, and lively cafés.
• Wander the narrow streets of El Carmen for street art, boutique shops, and tapas bars.

5️⃣ Turia Gardens & Gulliver Park

• A beautiful green park built in a former riverbed, perfect for cycling, jogging, or picnicking.
• Gulliver Park is a giant playground shaped like Gulliver from "Gulliver’s Travels"!

6️⃣ Central Market (Mercado Central)

• One of the largest fresh food markets in Europe, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building.
• Try fresh produce, local cheeses, and traditional jamón ibérico.

7️⃣ Malvarrosa Beach

• A long sandy beach with great restaurants, water sports, and a relaxing atmosphere.
• Perfect for sunbathing, a seaside stroll, or enjoying a paella by the sea.

🍽️ What to Eat in Valencia

• Paella Valenciana – The original version with rabbit, chicken, and saffron rice 🥘
• Horchata & Fartons – A refreshing tiger nut drink with sweet pastries 🥛🥐
• Agua de Valencia – A famous local cocktail made with orange juice, cava, gin, and vodka 🍹
• Esgarraet – A tasty mix of salted cod, red peppers, and olive oil 🐟

🚆 How to Get to Valencia

🚄 By Train: High-speed AVE trains from Madrid (~1.5 hrs) & Barcelona (~3 hrs)
✈️ By Air: Valencia Airport (VLC) with connections to major European cities
🚗 By Car: A scenic drive along the Mediterranean coast (Costa Blanca)

💡 Tips for Visiting Valencia

✅ Best time to visit? Spring & Fall for pleasant weather 🌞
✅ Visit during Las Fallas (March 15-19) – A spectacular festival with fireworks, giant sculptures, and street parties 🎆🔥
✅ Try a bike tour! Valencia is one of Spain’s most bike-friendly cities 🚴

@ 714dd0db:9c6f1a4c

やっと春が来ました

ようやく暖かくなってきた。 買い物から帰ってくると、なにやら甘い香り。

あ、もしかして、花の香りか！

探してみると、沈丁花が咲いている。

ああ、甘くていい香り。

近くには蝋梅も咲いている。我が家の近くに蝋梅があったなんて、すっかり忘れていた。

そして、早咲きの桜。桜のどの種類かは分からないのだが、毎年、ソメイヨシノよりも先に咲いている。

花の蜜を吸いに百舌鳥も来ている。いや、鳥の種類には疎いが、おそらく百舌鳥だろう。多分。

モノクロの冬から、ようやくカラフルな春になってきた。

季節を感じるのは、心が豊かになる。 今は今、今度は今度。 俺は今を生きている。

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

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

So stay a while and listen.

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

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

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/921232

@ 6830c409:ff17c655

സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ ഇന്ന്

ഇന്ന് സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ നേരിടുന്ന ഏറ്റവും വലിയ വെല്ലുവിളികളിൽ ഒന്ന് എല്ലാ മേജർ പ്ലാറ്റ്ഫോമുകളും കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യുന്നത് വൻകോർപറേറ്റുകളാണെന്നതാണ്. കോർപ്പറേറ്റുകൾ വലിയ ഹോൾഡിങ്ങുകൾ കൈവശം വയ്ക്കുന്നത് സ്വാഭാവികവും വളരെ ഈസിയും ആണ്. പക്ഷെ, അത് ഒരു വെല്ലുവിളിയായി മാറുന്നത്, ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു നറേറ്റിവിനെ ബൂസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യുകയും, മറ്റൊരു നറേറ്റിവിനെ തമസ്കരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുമ്പോഴാണ്. ഇത് തന്നെയാണ് "misinformation"/"disinformation" ഉണ്ടാകുന്നതിന്റെ മൂലകാരണവും. ഉദാഹരണത്തിന് ഇന്ന് ഇലോൺ മസ്കിന്റെ ഒരു റ്റ്വീറ്റെങ്കിലും കാണാതെ റ്റ്വിറ്റർ തുറക്കാൻ കഴിയില്ല. അതിനി മസ്കിനെ ബ്ലോക്ക് ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ പോലും ആ റ്റ്വീറ്റുകൾ ബൂസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യപ്പെടും. എന്തുകാരണത്തിനാണ് എന്ന് പറയാതെ അക്കൗണ്ടുകൾ ലിമിറ്റ് ചെയ്യുകയോ, ലോക്ക്ഡൗൺ ചെയ്യുകയോ ഒക്കെ ആയിട്ടുണ്ട്.

സൊ, നിങ്ങളുടെ അക്കൗണ്ട് ശരിക്കും നിങ്ങൾക്ക് Own ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയാത്ത ഒരു സാധനമാണ് ഇപ്പൊഴുള്ള convensional സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ പ്ലാറ്റ്ഫൊമുകളിൽ.

ഒരു പ്രൊപ്പോസൽ

1. നിങ്ങളുടെ അക്കൗണ്ടിന്റെ പൂർണ്ണ ഉടമസ്ഥത നിങ്ങൾക്ക് തന്നെ തരുന്നു എന്ന് കരുതുക.
2. നിങ്ങളുടെ റ്റ്വീറ്റുകൾ/പോസ്റ്റുകൾ ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു സർവ്വർ അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഒരു സർവ്വീസിന്റെ കൈവശം പണയപ്പെടുത്തേണ്ട അവസ്ഥ ഇല്ലാതെയാകുന്നു എന്ന് കരുതുക

സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ ഉപയോഗത്തിനെ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ഒന്ന് മാറ്റിച്ചിന്തിക്കാൻ മേൽപ്പറഞ്ഞ കാരണങ്ങൾ മതിയാവില്ലെ?

അതായത് റ്റ്വിറ്ററോ ഫേസ്ബുക്കോ പോലെ ഒരു കമ്പനി വിചാരിച്ചാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ പോസ്റ്റുകൾ ഡിലീറ്റ് ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയില്ല എന്ന ഒരു അവസ്ഥ കൊണ്ടുവരാൻ കഴിയുന്ന ഒരു സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ വന്നാലോ?

ആ സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ പ്ലാറ്റ്ഫോമിനെയാണ് ഞാൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് പരിചയപ്പെടുത്താൻ പോകുന്നത്.

നൊസ്റ്റർ (Nostr)

നൊസ്റ്റർ എങ്ങനെ മറ്റുള്ള പ്ലാറ്റ്ഫോമുകളിൽ നിന്നും വ്യത്യസ്തമാണെന്ന് നോക്കാം

Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays

നൊസ്റ്റർ ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു സർവ്വറിനെയോ സർവ്വീസ് പ്രൊവൈഡറെയോ ആശ്രയിച്ചല്ല ഓടുന്നത്. ഇന്നത്തെ കണക്കിന് തന്നെ ആയിരത്തോളം ഇൻഡിപ്പെൻഡന്റ് സർവ്വറുകൾ നൊസ്റ്ററിനായി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. എന്ന് മാത്രവുമല്ല, ഒരു ക്ലൗഡ് അക്കൗണ്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ ആർക്കും സ്വന്തമായി ഒരു സർവ്വർ റൺ ചെയ്യാവുന്നതേയുള്ളൂ. എന്ന് കരുതി, എല്ലാവരും സ്വന്തം സർവ്വർ റൺ ചെയ്യണമെന്നില്ല.

ഒരു സാധാരണ സോഷ്യൽമീഡിയ യൂസറിന് ഉപയോഗിക്കാൻ എളുപ്പമുള്ള ആപ്പുകൾ നൊസ്റ്ററിനുണ്ട്. ഐഫോണുകളിൽ Damus, ആൻഡ്രോയ്ഡിൽ Amethyst, Primal.net തുടങ്ങി ഒരുപാട് ക്ലയന്റ് ആപ്പുകൾ ലഭ്യമാണ്. അവയിൽ ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒന്ന് ഇൻസ്റ്റാൾ ചെയ്താൽ റ്റ്വിറ്ററോ ഫേസ്ബുക്കോ പോലെ ഉപയോഗിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങാവുന്നതേയുള്ളൂ. ഒരു ചെറിയ ലിസ്റ്റ് ചുവടെ ചേർക്കുന്നു.

Damus (iPhones): https://damus.io/

Amethyst (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitorpamplona.amethyst&hl=en_US

Yakihonne (Web, iPhone): https://yakihonne.com/

Primal.net (Web, iPhone): https://primal.net

**https://openvibe.social/ - ഒരേസമയം ബ്ലൂസ്കൈ, മാസ്റ്റഡോൺ, നൊസ്റ്റർ എന്നിവയിൽ പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യാനും അക്കൗണ്ടുകൾ മെയ്ന്റെൻ ചെയ്യാനും ഓപ്പൺ വൈബ് അടിപൊളിയാണ്. **

Permission-free

നൊസ്റ്റർ ഉപയോഗിക്കാൻ യൂസർനേമും പാസ്സ്വേഡും ഇല്ല. പകരം, ഒരു പബ്ലിക്ക് കീയും പ്രൈവറ്റ് കീയും മാത്രമേയുള്ളൂ. ഇതുകൊണ്ടുള്ള പ്രയോജനം എന്താണെന്നാൽ, നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ആപ്പ്ലിക്കേഷനിലേക്ക് ലോഗിൻ ചെയ്യാൻ, ഒരു സർവ്വർ ആവശ്യമില്ല.

നിങ്ങൾ സൈനപ്പ് ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ ഒരു "പ്രൈവറ്റ്" കീ ജനറേറ്റ് ചെയ്യപ്പെടും. അത് നിങ്ങൾ രഹസ്യമായി സൂക്ഷിക്കണമെന്ന് മാത്രം. ആ പ്രൈവറ്റ് കീ ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ മാത്രമേ നിങ്ങളുടെ അക്കൗണ്ടിലേക്ക് ലോഗിൻ ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയൂ. അതിന്റെ കൂടെ തന്നെ ഒരു "പബ്ലിക്ക്" കീയും ഉണ്ടാകും. ആ കീ ആണ് മറ്റുള്ളവർ കാണുന്നത്. ഇതുകൂടാതെ, റ്റ്വിറ്റർ ഹാൻഡിൽ പോലെ ഒരു ഐഡിയും ഉണ്ടാക്കാൻ കഴിയും.

• പ്രൈവറ്റ് കീ രഹസ്യമായി സൂക്ഷിക്കണം
• പബ്ലിക്ക് കീ മറ്റുള്ളവർക്ക് കാണാൻ സാധിക്കും/ഷെയർ ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ്.

എവിടെ സൈനപ്പ് ചെയ്യും?

ആദ്യം നിങ്ങളുടെ ഫോണിൽ മേൽപ്പറഞ്ഞതിൽ ഒരു അപ്പ് ഇൻസ്റ്റാൾ ചെയ്യുക. എന്നിട്ട് അതിൽ തന്നെ സൈനപ്പ് ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയും. അതല്ല എങ്കിൽ, https://nosta.me, https://nostrudel, https://primal.net എന്നിവയിലൊന്നിൽ സൈനപ്പ് ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ്.

ശ്രദ്ധിക്കേണ്ട കാര്യം, ആ പ്രൈവറ്റ് കീ കളഞ്ഞ് പോകാതെ സൂക്ഷിക്കണം. അത് മറ്റുള്ളവരുമായി ഷെയർ ചെയ്യരുത്.

ഇത്രയുമായാൽ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് നൊസ്റ്ററിൽ ഒരു അക്കൗണ്ട് ആയി... ആദ്യം എന്നെ തന്നെ ഫോളോ ചെയ്തോളൂ!! :ഡ് My profile: nostr:npub1dqcvgz20g2sn3venz47pxzjn2w6pf8xxs03vrrrwqp8z9lchce2ssj9fsy

നമ്മടെ റ്റ്വിറ്ററിന്റെ ഫൗണ്ടർ ജാക്ക് അണ്ണന്റെ അക്കൗണ്ട്: nostr:npub1sg6plzptd64u62a878hep2kev88swjh3tw00gjsfl8f237lmu63q0uf63m

നൊസ്റ്റർ പ്രോട്ടോക്കോൾ ഡെവലപ്മെന്റിന്റെ ഒരു ലീഡ് - കൂടുതൽ കാര്യങ്ങൾ അറിയാൻ ഡെറിക്കിനെ ഫോളോ ചെയ്യാം: nostr:npub18ams6ewn5aj2n3wt2qawzglx9mr4nzksxhvrdc4gzrecw7n5tvjqctp424

നൊസ്റ്റർ ഒരു സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയ പ്ലാറ്റ്ഫോം എന്നതിലുപരി ഒരു ഇക്കോസിസ്റ്റം ആണ്.

വരും നാളുകളിൽ കൂടുതൽ വിവരങ്ങൾ എഴുതാം: 1. Technical details - How this thing runs 2. How Nostr has decoupled monetary transactions from a centralized authority? 3. Zapping 3. Nostr Implementation Possibilities (NIPs) * - This is the most interesting thing I liked in Nostr*

Browse more: 1. https://nostr.com/ 2. https://nostrapps.com/

@ 234035ec:edc3751d

I would like to preface this idea by stating that I am by no means a computer engineer and lack significant technical knowledge, and therefore may be overlooking significant obstacles to implementing this idea. My reason for writing this paper is in hopes that developers or others who are more "in the know" than me could provide feedback.

The Success of Polymarket

Over recent months, Polymarket has garnered many headlines—mainly for its accurate prediction markets surrounding the 2024 presidential election. On Polymarket, users can purchase futures contracts that will either pay out $1 in USDC at maturity if the prediction is correct or will become worthless if the prediction is incorrect. Market participants can freely trade these futures at the current price up until maturity, allowing for efficient price discovery.

We’ve known for quite some time that free markets are the most efficient way of pricing goods and services. Polymarket has now demonstrated just how effective they can be in pricing potential outcomes as well.

The issue I have with this application is that it is built on the Polygon network—a proof-of-stake side chain of Ethereum. Users are subject to KYC regulations and do not have the ability to create markets themselves. While the core idea is powerful, I believe it has been built on a foundation of sand. We now have the tools to build something similar—but much more decentralized, censorship-resistant, and sustainable.

A Bitcoin-Based Prediction Market

It seems to me that Chaumian eCash, in combination with Bitcoin and Nostr, could be used to create a truly decentralized prediction marketplace. For example, multiple eCash mints could issue tokens that represent specific potential outcomes. These tokens would be redeemable for 100 sats at a predetermined block height if the prediction is correct—or become irredeemable if the prediction is incorrect.

Redemption would be based on consensus from the chosen oracles—trusted Nostr Npubs—with strong reputations and proven track records. Anyone could create a market, and users could buy, sell, and trade eCash tokens privately. This approach preserves the power of markets while eliminating the need for custodians, KYC, or dependence on unreliable chains.

What we would have is a trust-minimized, privacy-preserving, Bitcoin-native prediction market that resists censorship and allows for true global participation. Feedback, critique, and collaboration are welcome.

Next Steps and Vision

The potential for system like this is immense. Not only would it enable peer-to-peer speculation on real-world outcomes, but it would also open the door to a more accurate reflection of public sentiment. With free market incentives driving truth-seeking behavior, these prediction markets could become powerful tools for gauging probabilities in politics, finance, sports, science, and beyond.

Each mint could specialize in a specific domain or geographic region, and users could choose the ones they trust—or even run their own. The competition between mints would drive reliability and transparency. By using Nostr for oracle communication and event creation, we keep the entire system open, composable, and censorship-resistant.

Markets could be created using a standardized Nostr event type. Resolution data could be posted and signed by oracles in a verifiable way, ensuring anyone can validate the outcome. All of this could be coordinated without a centralized authority, enabling pseudonymous participation from anyone with an internet connection and a Lightning wallet.

In the long run, this system could offer a viable alternative to corrupted media narratives, rigged polling, and centrally controlled information channels. It would be an open-source tool for discovering truth through economic incentives—without requiring trust in governments, corporations, or centralized platforms.

If this idea resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out, build on it, criticize it, or propose alternatives. This isn’t a product pitch—it’s a call to experiment, collaborate, and push the frontier of freedom-forward technologies.

Let’s build something that lasts.

Bitcoin is our base layer. Markets are our discovery engine. Nostr is our communication rail. Privacy is our defense. And truth is our goal.

@ 4abac58c:54c71964

Introduction Bitcoin is often seen as a store of value, "digital gold" designed to resist censorship and central control. But few people realize how fast and easy it can be to use Bitcoin for small, everyday transactions. Enter the Lightning Network: a second-layer solution that enables near-instant, low-fee payments. This article will explain how it works, why it matters, and how you can use it today.

What Is the Lightning Network? The Lightning Network (LN) is a layer built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. Its primary purpose is to make Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper by creating payment channels between users. Instead of recording every transaction on the main blockchain, two users can open a channel, transact as many times as they want, and settle the final balance on-chain later.

This means no long confirmation times or high fees. Payments can take less than a second and cost a fraction of a cent.

Why It Matters Bitcoin's main chain can process around 7 transactions per second. In contrast, Visa can handle thousands. This makes scaling Bitcoin for everyday use a challenge. Lightning changes that by handling most activity off-chain.

Imagine buying coffee, tipping a content creator, or paying for a digital download with Bitcoin. Lightning makes this seamless and instant. It also supports micropayments, enabling new business models like pay-per-article or per-minute streaming.

How to Start Using Lightning Getting started is easier than ever:

1. Download a Lightning Wallet: Try apps like Wallet of Satoshi, Phoenix, or Breez.
2. Get Some Sats: Sats (short for satoshis, the smallest unit of Bitcoin) can be received via another wallet, an exchange, or earned.
3. Start Spending or Zapping: Use your Lightning wallet to pay for services, tip content creators on platforms like Nostr, or support open-source projects.

Real-World Use Cases - Nostr + Zaps: Nostr, a decentralized social media protocol, integrates Lightning payments directly. Users can "zap" posts they like, sending Bitcoin instantly to the author. This has created a native reward system for content. - Bitrefill: Buy gift cards with Lightning. - Podcasting 2.0: Stream sats to podcasters per minute of audio consumed.

Citations and Resources - https://lightning.network - https://bitcoinmagazine.com/technical/the-lightning-network - https://walletofsatoshi.com - https://highlighter.com

Conclusion Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold—it’s programmable money. The Lightning Network shows how Bitcoin can work for everyday payments, from your morning coffee to rewarding your favorite content creator. If you’ve never tried it, now is the perfect time to explore this magical layer of the Bitcoin economy.

Call to Action Got a Lightning wallet already? Try zapping this article on Nostr or sharing your first Lightning transaction experience!

@ 2dd9250b:6e928072

Vi recentemente um post onde a pessoa diz que aquele final do filme O Doutrinador (2019) não faz sentido porque mesmo o protagonista explodindo o Palácio dos Três Poderes, não acaba com a corrupção no Brasil.

Progressistas não sabem ler e não conseguem interpretar textos corretamente. O final de Doutrinador não tem a ver com isso, tem a ver com a relação entre o Herói e a sua Cidade.

Nas histórias em quadrinhos há uma ligação entre a cidade e o Super-Herói. Gotham City por exemplo, cria o Batman. Isso é mostrado em The Batman (2022) e em Batman: Cavaleiro das Trevas, quando aquele garoto no final, diz para o Batman não fugir, porque ele queria ver o Batman de novo. E o Comissário Gordon diz que o "Batman é o que a cidade de Gotham precisa."

Batman: Cavaleiro das Trevas Ressurge mostra a cidade de Gotham sendo tomada pela corrupção e pela ideologia do Bane. A Cidade vai definhando em imoralidade e o Bruce, ao olhar da prisão a cidade sendo destruída, decide que o Batman precisa voltar porque se Gotham for destruída, o Batman é destruído junto. E isso o da forças para consegue fugir daquele poço e voltar para salvar Gotham.

Isso também é mostrado em Demolidor. Na série Demolidor o Matt Murdock sempre fala que precisa defender a cidade Cozinha do Inferno; que o Fisk não vai dominar a cidade e fazer o que ele quiser nela. Inclusive na terceira temporada isso fica mais evidente na luta final na mansão do Fisk, onde Matt grita que agora a cidade toda vai saber o que ele fez; a cidade vai ver o mal que ele é para Hell's Kitchen, porque a gente sabe que o Fisk fez de tudo para a imagem do Demolidor entrar e descrédito perante os cidadãos, então o que acontece no final do filme O Doutrinador não significa que ele está acabando com a corrupção quando explode o Congresso, ele está praticamente interrompendo o ciclo do sistema, colocando uma falha em sua engrenagem.

Quando você ouve falar de Brasília, você pensa na corrupção dos políticos, onde a farra acontece,, onde corruptos desviam dinheiro arrecadado dos impostos, impostos estes que são centralizados na União. Então quando você ouve falarem de Brasília, sempre pensa que o pessoal que mora lá, mora junto com tudo de podre que acontece no Brasil.

Logo quando o Doutrinador explode tudo ali, ele está basicamente destruindo o mecanismo que suja Brasília. Ele está fazendo isso naquela cidade. Porque o símbolo da cidade é justamente esse, a farsa de que naquele lugar o povo será ouvido e a justiça será feita. Ele está destruindo a ideologia de que o Estado nos protege, nos dá segurança, saúde e educação. Porque na verdade o Estado só existe para privilegiar os políticos, funcionários públicos de auto escalão, suas famílias e amigos. Enquanto que o povo sofre para sustentar a elite política. O protagonista Miguel entendeu isso quando a filha dele morreu na fila do SUS.

@ 30fb9c78:1f1e3c3a

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

If this goes on for long enough—even if you are genuinely presented with flowers at some point—you will see them as a kind of joke. Flowers are now a bit. It sounds so trivial, I know, but if you dull your “receptors for flowers” for years on end, you will eventually fail to see the beauty of the gesture.

Entering the void

I’m deeply troubled by the fact that I see this happening at a massive scale, all around us. Except the problem is not a lack of bouquets, of course. It’s a lack of meaning.

Life has gotten very chaotic incredibly quickly. It has become increasingly difficult to parse anything from the static. People started coping with this lack of meaning through a kind of ironic detachment (which is very much still around), but it has matured into a pervasive cultural apathy, a permeating numbness. This isn’t nihilism per se. (Even nihilists have a sincere belief system; they just sincerely believe that life is meaningless.) What we’re dealing with is worse than nihilism. People are checking out of life in their 20s and 30s without reaching any profound conclusions about the point of it all.

“People are so worn down," my friend told me on a recent phone call. She’s right: there’s a real lack of palpable ambition and vitality these days, a stunning lack of life force in the world. Another friend told me that “this has been going on for so long that people wouldn’t know meaning if it walked up and bit them in the ass.” It’s true—so many of the things that once gave the average person’s life real meaning are now treated with sarcasm and contempt: college is a waste of money, work is a waste of your life, getting married is just a piece of paper, having kids is a nightmare, family is a burden, hobbies are merely quaint, earnestly expressing yourself is cringe, leaving the house is exhausting, religion is for idiots, the list goes on. If you allow yourself to internalize this perspective, eventually everything becomes a dumb joke.

A quick aside before we get into it: it’s taken me a long time to write this piece. This is partly because this whole phenomenon is, in a way, its own kind of absence. It’s been hard for me to identify what is going on and what is missing. I’ve had my own cycles of coping with it. I’ve been telling myself that I don’t care about people not caring. But obviously I do. So here goes.

A culture of chaos

The cultural forces that spawned this collective response have been quietly working their way into everything for decades—probably since the 1970s if I had to stick a pin in it. It reached new heights in the 1990s, but it took off exponentially since the mass adoption of the internet, social media, and the pandemic. We boiling frogs started to feel the water get really hot around 2015, I think, and it’s only gotten hotter and hotter since.

We’re so saturated in this environment that people are not only numbing out, they’re kind of making a spectacle of it: from TikTok’s “quiet quitting” trend to Vetements entire “ironic” aesthetic. You know it’s bad when the corporations get on board. The detachment is so widespread that most companies don’t even have the genuine confidence to market their own products. Everything is delivered with a wink from one eye and an eye-roll from the other. We live in a mud puddle of memes, ironic hot takes, and self-conscious self-reference. David Foster Wallace called it exactly thirty years ago, in the summer of 1993:

“[…] The harvest has been dark: the forms of our best rebellious art have become mere gestures, schticks, not only sterile but perversely enslaving. How can even the idea of rebellion against corporate culture stay meaningful when Chrysler Inc. advertises trucks by invoking “The Dodge Rebellion”?

David Foster Wallace, E Unibus Pluram: Television and U.S. Fiction (The Review of Contemporary Fiction, link to full pdf)

Rest in Peace David Foster Wallace, you would have loved Barbie. We swim in a wretched sea of meaningless mush, and when you have to trudge through nothing but slop all day, every day, it gets harder and harder to not numb out. I really cannot emphasize it enough: there’s so much and it just keeps coming. There’s lots to do. There’s lots to buy. The “content” never ends. Baby Gronk rizzed up Livvy! Wait—you’ve never had vegan tacos there?! Haley Bieber got a manicure! You should get an Apple Watch!

Meaningless distractions, all.

Thanks to the internet and our insatiably consumerist culture, it is finally possible to distract yourself for every waking minute of your life and barely even notice you’re doing it. When you mix all colors of paint together, you get black. Everything quickly becomes nothing.

What else? Well, there’s the ubiquity of pornography which has zapped everyone of their sex drive. It’s been said many times before: everything is sexy and no one is horny. Social media and the fear of cancel culture got together to create the most utterly dull popular culture and celebrity elite to ever exist. It stands for nothing, it risks nothing, so there’s nothing to engage with. Culture is just kind of “there,” and no one really cares about it.

An unfortunate by-product of this is that there’s also very little to which we can aspire. Life is not a meritocracy, and the void at the top has allowed for figures like Andrew Tate to be taken seriously by both fans and critics alike. The blame is always being shifted around. Men think women are the problem. Women think men are the problem. The boomers think it’s the millennials. The millennials think it’s the boomers. It’s social media. No it’s the pandemic. No it’s [your pet theory here].

Death and loneliness abound. Everyone is constantly joking about killing themselves while Canada rolls out a “humane” service to do just that (MAID). People are struggling: most people simply cannot cope without substances like marijuana, alcohol, drugs, and SSRIs. People are lonely: they have fewer friends and live far from their families. Dating seems impossible. Men and women in the prime of their lives are struggling to meet even one potential partner who shares their values and vision for a relationship. Oh, and our phones—Gen Z averages an unfathomable 9 hours of screen time per day—have ruined our attention spans to the point where we can no longer read a book, let alone sit quietly with nothing but our thoughts. If you’re an intelligent, hardworking person, odds are the job you’ll have out of college, and for the next 40-50 years, will involve 10+ hours a day of staring at a laptop screen in a state of heightened stress.

To top it all off, we can’t have meaningful conversations about any of this stuff because everyone runs their thoughts through their own kind of personal HR filter. People are self-reporting their thought crimes to themselves. I’m literally doing that right now. I’m sure I’ve theoretically “offended” all sorts of people in the last paragraph alone. Catherine, when you talked about the jobs you forgot to say that it mainly applies to privileged folks! Well, you got me there. The point stands: things are trending down. Something is deeply wrong. We all know it. We all feel it.

We think ironic detachment will protect us

The picture is bleak. It’s so sad it’s difficult to comprehend. How do you protect yourself in such a world?

You simply don’t allow yourself to experience it.

Think back to the flower metaphor. This is where we don’t receive flowers, but we cope. Same thing here. We look around the world, struggle to see the meaning in its chaos, and unconsciously tell ourselves that finding meaning isn’t that important. If I can’t pursue my own fulfillment, at least I can pursue my own pleasure. This is a somewhat reasonable reaction to the present circumstances. It feels straightforward enough—it’s binary, measurable, and everyone else is doing it. This is how the numbness starts.

And perhaps this route is even better—maybe even cool. Being ironically detached from life is endlessly glamorized in our culture. There’s a certain status in pretending nothing affects you and you don’t care. Cue photo montage of a strung-out Kate Moss staring listlessly into the middle distance.

Taking the ironic detachment route is also easy. It’s easy to laugh at other people, mock them, throw your head back, be a critic. Standing for nothing has the obvious appeal of making you impossible to pin down. There’s something very chic about smoking a cigarette outside a bar and being all like whatever. You’re playing a game of hide-and-seek with life, and you’re hiding. It’s thrilling to find a good place to hide, to have people seeking you. But in our drug-fueled debauchery, our coy, sarcastic conversations, and perhaps most of all in our fleeting, romantic encounters, we should heed the words of British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott:

“It is a joy to be hidden, and a disaster not to be found.”

It is a disaster not to be found, a total disaster to not be able to connect with others because we were too preoccupied with ourselves. The whole reason for ironic detachment is to build a protective wall between oneself and the world. We think we’re building a wall, but we’re really hollowing ourselves out from the inside. Eventually, without really noticing it, there will be nothing left for the wall to defend. There will be no one to find.

It’s not hard to see where the pervasive numbness comes in from here, as a sort of sinister phase two. The opposite of love is not hate, but apathy. I hope it’s obvious why this is a problem, but maybe you’re still thinking so what. To put it succinctly: when you take an ironic, negative, or numb attitude to everything, you are by definition not on the line for solutions, and when you stop looking for solutions, you lose all agency and will in your life.

Possible antidotes

We can’t keep going down the path we’re on, but we also can’t go back. Don’t worry, I’m not going to give full-throated endorsement for Post-Post-Irony, or David-Foster-Wallacian New Sincerity, as he does in the essay I quoted earlier (though I do think cringe sincerity is preferable to total apathy). We’re too far gone from the early 90s. We can’t put the internet back in the box or log off forever. Too much of our lives is irrevocably online, we’re all too self-aware, and a saccharine glaze of sincerity is too affected to feel real. Besides, we’ve all been cornered by the guy at the bar with a well-worn paperback in his pocket who locks eyes with you and whispers, “But how are you, really?” as if it’s a profound question. I would hate to subject anyone to such an encounter.

Rather than jump to sincerity, I’d like to start with basic honesty. It would be great if we started just telling the truth—to ourselves and each other. The truth is good. (I mean the truth, by the way. Not “our truth.” The truth, the real truth, does not have to market itself as “authentic,” like an influencer does, it simply is.) In other words: stop hiding and start seeking. Stop hiding from the sad truths and start seeking the transcendent truths that will address the sadness. When we flip the game of hide-and-seek, we can stop worrying about someone finding us, and start seeking the truth in the world, in others, and in ourselves.

With honesty as the foundation, I would advocate next for embracing reality—our real lives, right now—and not clinging to an abstract idea of how our lives should be. In other words: everything that we see exclusively online does not really matter. The broader culture’s idea of “a perfect life” changes every couple years. Measuring the distance between our real lives and some ever-changing, impossible ideal will do nothing but break our spirit. Besides, I have never met a person who has a dream life in reality. And reality—the truth—is what counts.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive. Things are never so fundamentally broken that we cannot move just a bit closer towards our goals and try again and again to live up to our values. Goals and values are good to have. The bigger and more transcendent the better, I say.

Once we figure out all that stuff—the big goals, the transcendent values—we should take responsibility for them. Standing for something is hard because what you’re implicitly saying is, “I don’t necessarily stand for all those other things over there.” This is a risk. People will not always agree with you. By saying “I believe in God,” for example, you’re also saying “I am not an atheist.” Atheists might think you’re stupid. (This begs the question, “And?”) We should take responsibility for our beliefs, but be prepared to calmly and rationally explain them. Criticize the world all you want, but do the hard work of building something better to take its place.

In this process, the process of seeking and telling the truth, having values and goals, and taking a stand for something, we’re bound to fail, to fall short, and to make mistakes. This is also hard. Our culture simultaneously demands both perfection and apology, but is notoriously unforgiving. Everyone needs a little forgiveness from time to time. We need to remember that it is okay to make mistakes if we try to remedy them. It’s also okay to be seen trying. Don’t take the easy route, which is always harder and more costly in the end. To shock yourself out of a numb state, to restore your life force and vitality, you will need to work hard and to submit to something bigger than your own desires.

I started with flowers, so I’d like to end with them, too. We all know that life does not hand out bouquets. Flowers do not just appear in the world. The same is true for a life of meaning. Both are grown, over time, from the tiniest seeds. You have to cultivate meaning in your life. You need to do the hard work of tilling the soil and nurturing the seeds. No one can do it for you. Grow your own flowers and give them away to everyone you meet. You’re right: the earth is not very fertile, people are not always grateful, flowers eventually die. But do you still see the point of it all? Do you see the beauty of the gesture?

---

Source: Catherine Shannon, Everyone is numbing out, July 27, 2023

@ d34e832d:383f78d0

Introduction

Unlike other cetaceans that rely on whistles and songs, sperm whales primarily use echolocation and patterned click sequences to convey information. This paper explores the structure, function, and implications of their vocal communication, particularly in relation to their social behaviors and cognitive abilities.

1. The Nature of Sperm Whale Vocalizations

Sperm whales produce three primary types of clicks:
- Echolocation clicks for navigation and hunting.
- Regular clicks used in deep diving.
- Codas, which are rhythmic sequences exchanged between individuals, believed to function in social bonding and identification.

Each whale possesses a monumental sound-producing organ, the spermaceti organ, which allows for the production of powerful sounds that can travel long distances. The structure of these clicks suggests a level of vocal learning and adaptation, as different populations exhibit distinct coda repertoires.

2. Cultural and Regional Variation in Codas

Research indicates that different sperm whale clans have unique dialects, much like human languages. These dialects are not genetically inherited but culturally transmitted, meaning whales learn their communication styles from social interactions rather than instinct alone. Studies conducted in the Caribbean and the Pacific have revealed that whales in different regions have distinct coda patterns, with some being universal and others specific to certain clans.

3. Social Organization and Communication

Sperm whales are matrilineal and live in stable social units composed of mothers, calves, and juveniles, while males often lead solitary lives. Communication plays a critical role in maintaining social bonds within these groups.
- Codas serve as an acoustic signature that helps individuals recognize each other.
- More complex codas may function in coordinating group movements or teaching young whales.
- Some researchers hypothesize that codas convey emotional states, much like tone of voice in human speech.

4. Theories on Whale Intelligence and Language-Like Communication

The complexity of sperm whale vocalization raises profound questions about their cognitive abilities.
- Some researchers argue that sperm whale communication exhibits combinatorial properties, meaning that codas might function in ways similar to human phonemes, allowing for an extensive range of meanings.
- Studies using AI and machine learning have attempted to decode potential syntax patterns, but a full understanding of their language remains elusive.

5. Conservation Implications and the Need for Further Research

Understanding sperm whale communication is essential for conservation efforts. Noise pollution from shipping, sonar, and industrial activities can interfere with whale vocalizations, potentially disrupting social structures and navigation. Future research must focus on long-term coda tracking, cross-species comparisons, and experimental approaches to deciphering their meaning.

Consider

Sperm whale vocal communication represents one of the most intriguing areas of marine mammal research. Their ability to transmit learned vocalizations across generations suggests a high degree of cultural complexity. Although we have yet to fully decode their language, the study of sperm whale codas offers critical insights into non-human intelligence, social structures, and the evolution of communication in the animal kingdom.

@ 7bc05901:8c26d22b

Decentralization is a beautiful return volley to the censorship regimes that have ruled American social media, but the decentralization piece isn't the biggest impact Nostr is having on me. The empowerment and encouragement to start building are what overwhelms. Since I began sending zaps just a few weeks ago, every idea I have had for an app over the last decade is organically re-emerging as executable Nostr apps.

The rise of AI alongside Nostr's invention/discovery is serendipitous for someone who doesn't have the coding experience to develop an app from scratch like myself. It is also a great moment for apps that had a social feature -- which was essentially every app. "Connect it using Facebook" was such a non-starter for me. I live in a small town where Facebook is a gossip cesspool. There are intriguing communities there, sure, but the overwhelming dread that overcomes me when I open that app doesn't justify digging for the socially-delightful gems. Further, any app that integrates with facebook is or becomes a variation on an already existing feature that META has engineered into their platform -- they want, they need your eyeballs. On their site.

Nostr makes no such demands. It doesn't care which site is being used to access the protocol, and what features exist on that site. It is available to help, secure a user's identity, and doesn't make many demands in return.

My friend and local farmer Ryan and I have discussed an app for years, built it and rebuilt it using different tools, but we ultimately got distracted by more pressing and less complicated projects. I think a huge barrier to execute it was the sense that it would be impossible to achieve any network effects, plus the thought of managing the social side was overwhelming. It required us to need really powerful tools, and to maintain a lot of data that we didn't really want to hold onto. It was essentially an app for local food producers and consumers. With Nostr at play, we could build something like this and simultaneously onboard our local community to the Nostr protocol while also providing a lightweight solution to managing the complicated part of an online marketplace. The lightning payments come as an added bonus.

We are tracking the use of another app which is sweeping through local food producers, which is only in its beta phase, and restarting our build of a marketplace that is worth building and encourages a sustainable local food supply, this time with a protocol that reduces 90 percent of the annoying part of that build, and doesn't require anyone spend time on Zuckerberg's playground.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Wir werden nicht zulassen, dass technisch manches möglich ist, \ aber der Staat es nicht nutzt. \ Angela Merkel

Die Modalverben zu erklären, ist im Deutschunterricht manchmal nicht ganz einfach. Nicht alle Fremdsprachen unterscheiden zum Beispiel bei der Frage nach einer Möglichkeit gleichermaßen zwischen «können» im Sinne von «die Gelegenheit, Kenntnis oder Fähigkeit haben» und «dürfen» als «die Erlaubnis oder Berechtigung haben». Das spanische Wort «poder» etwa steht für beides.

Ebenso ist vielen Schülern auf den ersten Blick nicht recht klar, dass das logische Gegenteil von «müssen» nicht unbedingt «nicht müssen» ist, sondern vielmehr «nicht dürfen». An den Verkehrsschildern lässt sich so etwas meistens recht gut erklären: Manchmal muss man abbiegen, aber manchmal darf man eben nicht.

Dieses Beispiel soll ein wenig die Verwirrungstaktik veranschaulichen, die in der Politik gerne verwendet wird, um unpopuläre oder restriktive Maßnahmen Stück für Stück einzuführen. Zuerst ist etwas einfach innovativ und bringt viele Vorteile. Vor allem ist es freiwillig, jeder kann selber entscheiden, niemand muss mitmachen. Später kann man zunehmend weniger Alternativen wählen, weil sie verschwinden, und irgendwann verwandelt sich alles andere in «nicht dürfen» – die Maßnahme ist obligatorisch.

Um die Durchsetzung derartiger Initiativen strategisch zu unterstützen und nett zu verpacken, gibt es Lobbyisten, gerne auch NGOs genannt. Dass das «NG» am Anfang dieser Abkürzung übersetzt «Nicht-Regierungs-» bedeutet, ist ein Anachronismus. Das war vielleicht früher einmal so, heute ist eher das Gegenteil gemeint.

In unserer modernen Zeit wird enorm viel Lobbyarbeit für die Digitalisierung praktisch sämtlicher Lebensbereiche aufgewendet. Was das auf dem Sektor der Mobilität bedeuten kann, haben wir diese Woche anhand aktueller Entwicklungen in Spanien beleuchtet. Begründet teilweise mit Vorgaben der Europäischen Union arbeitet man dort fleißig an einer «neuen Mobilität», basierend auf «intelligenter» technologischer Infrastruktur. Derartige Anwandlungen wurden auch schon als «Technofeudalismus» angeprangert.

Nationale Zugangspunkte für Mobilitätsdaten im Sinne der EU gibt es nicht nur in allen Mitgliedsländern, sondern auch in der Schweiz und in Großbritannien. Das Vereinigte Königreich beteiligt sich darüber hinaus an anderen EU-Projekten für digitale Überwachungs- und Kontrollmaßnahmen, wie dem biometrischen Identifizierungssystem für «nachhaltigen Verkehr und Tourismus».

Natürlich marschiert auch Deutschland stracks und euphorisch in Richtung digitaler Zukunft. Ohne vernetzte Mobilität und einen «verlässlichen Zugang zu Daten, einschließlich Echtzeitdaten» komme man in der Verkehrsplanung und -steuerung nicht aus, erklärt die Regierung. Der Interessenverband der IT-Dienstleister Bitkom will «die digitale Transformation der deutschen Wirtschaft und Verwaltung vorantreiben». Dazu bewirbt er unter anderem die Konzepte Smart City, Smart Region und Smart Country und behauptet, deutsche Großstädte «setzen bei Mobilität voll auf Digitalisierung».

Es steht zu befürchten, dass das umfassende Sammeln, Verarbeiten und Vernetzen von Daten, das angeblich die Menschen unterstützen soll (und theoretisch ja auch könnte), eher dazu benutzt wird, sie zu kontrollieren und zu manipulieren. Je elektrischer und digitaler unsere Umgebung wird, desto größer sind diese Möglichkeiten. Im Ergebnis könnten solche Prozesse den Bürger nicht nur einschränken oder überflüssig machen, sondern in mancherlei Hinsicht regelrecht abschalten. Eine gesunde Skepsis ist also geboten.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

---

Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Er ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 6a6be47b:3e74e3e1

Hey frens! Today, I spent a big chunk of the morning painting with watercolors. This is only the second time I've completed a piece using this technique in a long while. It feels like coming back home after a vacation: you enjoyed the time away and relaxed, but when you're lucky enough to have a safe space to call home, there's really nothing like it. 🖼️ 🎨 That's exactly how I feel about painting with watercolors again. I'm really excited to share what I've been working on with you soon. In the meantime, I've got a new blog post up about Ostara and the Spring Equinox. ⭐️Today, I just feel so blessed and excited about the future. I'm simply soaking up the moment, I guess. I hope you're feeling the same way too! Today, I also whipped up some mini veggie quiches chef's kiss. 🧑‍🍳 I wanted to spice things up a bit in the kitchen as well! 🪄I just wanted to share a little bit from my day and express how grateful I am. What did you get up to today? I'd love to hear more about it!

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I put Beat Chris Liss 3 in quotes because technically this was not a Beat Chris Liss league — I just bought it at the last minute to get an extra league. In any event, I drew the seventh spot, and here are the results:

1.7 Corbin Carroll — He’s been hitting home runs this spring, a signal his shoulder is healthy. You know he’ll run, and given how he performed at the end of last year, I’d expect the batting average to bounce back too.

2.8 Jazz Chisholm — I want to see what he can do with a full year in Yankee Stadium. He’s a health risk, but he was a 20-20-ish player in Miami with only 100 games in 2023. It’s also nice that he qualifies at 3B and OF. I considered Mookie Betts, who slipped, but I’m concerned about severe weight loss from an illness undermining the first half of his season.

3.7 Chris Sale — He’s a Hall of Fame level pitcher with his health and form back. Remember when Justin Verlander faded in his 30s and then got it back together? I expect a few good years from Sale before he declines again.

4.8 Corbin Burnes — I don’t really even like Burnes, but he slipped a full round past ADP, and I value-took.

5.7 C.J. Abrams — I love this pick, probably my favorite of the draft. Abrams is a 20-30 player despite attitude issues. What if he matures and gets it together at age 24?

6.8 Adley Rustchman — I didn’t see anything I liked, and I was light on power. One way to get a leg up power-wise is to draft elite catchers.

7.7 Cody Bellinger — I like him with Yankee Stadium’s short porch, a few steals from a first-base-eligible player and also outfield eligibility.

8.8 Mike Trout — I had enough pitching and speed, but I needed some power, and Trout still has as much as anyone if he could ever play 100-plus games. He’s healthy now at least.

9.7 Will Smith — A second top catcher to pair with Rutschman. I was light on power through five rounds, but my next four picks were 20-plus HR catchers, Bellinger in Yankee Stadium and Trout.

10.8 Roki Sasaki — He slipped a couple rounds after a rough outing in Japan, but he was still throwing 100 with nasty movement. Another value-take.

11.7 Sonny Gray — A favorite old warhorse in a good pitcher’s park. I really wanted Sandy Alcantara, but Gray’s ADP was higher, so I thought there was a better chance to get Alcantara on the way back.

12.8 Sandy Alcantara — Turns out I thought right. I love Alcantara, who was going in the third round a couple years ago, now that he’s healthy and throwing 100 mph again.

13.7 Alexis Diaz — Taking Alcantara cost me my two go-to closers, Kenley Jansen and Jordan Romano, both of whom went earlier than usual, so I pivoted to Diaz. I thought this was a mistake at first — Diaz has been bad this spring, and he wasn’t even good last year, either, but he’s the closer until further notice, and a couple spring outings shouldn’t move the needle that much.

14.8 Kevin Gausman — Another old warhorse, coming off a down year, possibly due to injury. His velocity has been back up this spring too.

15.7 Xander Bogaerts — Another ADP value-take. Bogaerts had double digit homers and steals in 111 games last year and is a good bet to hit for a decent average.

16.8 Ryan Pressly — Another shaky closer, Pressly had three walks in an inning against the Dodgers, but he’s probably not losing the job over one ugly but scoreless outing.

17.7 Aroldis Chapman — Named the Red Sox closer, Chapman is probably the best of the three I drafted thus far. His ADP was lower because he was only given the role a couple days ago. Chapman perfectly fits the old warhorse mold I like too.

18.8 Brandon Pfaadt — I didn’t really need another starter, but he was the best player left on the board, and you always run out of pitching.

19.7 Zack Gelof — He strikes out a ton, but he went 17-25 last year in 138 games as a rookie, and now he gets to play in a minor-league band box. Lawrence Butler went 22-18 and is going in the fifth round!

20.8 T.J. Friedl — I was light on OF, and Friedl is one. He has a little pop, runs and is expected to lead off for the Reds in the best non-Coors hitting park in baseball.

21.7 A.J. Puk — I was still a little light in saves, and Puk is in the running for the Arizona job.

22.8 Roman Anthony — I don’t know if he’ll break camp with the Red Sox, but he was the remaining player I would have felt worst getting snaked on. He doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors.

23.7 George Springer — He went 20-20 in 2023 and 19-16 last year. He could be done, but at 35 he’s not ancient.

24.8 Jo Adell — I needed to fill in the outfield, and Adell should play, run and hit for power. The strikeouts and batting average risk are bad, but he’s still young enough to improve.

25.7 Griffin Jax — He’s a top reliever, next in line for saves and closer Jhoan Duran isn’t very good.

26.8 Christopher Morel — I needed a corner and Morel is one. (If I needed a mushroom, this would also hold.) He hit .196 last year, but he has good pop and should play OF for the Rays in a small minor-league park.

27.6 Casey Mize — The former No. 1 overall pick has looked good this spring, and he’s completely healthy.

28.6 Will Warren — Warren should get a shot in the Yankees rotation, given the injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.

29.6 Spencer Torkelson — Another former No. 1 overall pick for the Tigers, Torkelson hit 31 homers in 2023 and should get another shot this year given his strong spring.

30.6 Nolan Schanuel — I just wanted an extra corner with regular playing time heading into the year. He runs a little and had 13 HR, but in a full season of at-bats.

Roster By Position:

C Adley Rustchman/Will Smith

1B Cody Bellinger

2B Xander Bogaerts

3B Jazz Chisholm

SS C.J. Abrams

CI Christopher Morel

MI Zack Gelof

OF Corbin Carroll/Mike Trout/T.J. Friedl/Roman Anthony/George Springer

UT Jo Adell

SP Chris Sale/Corbin Burnes/Roki Sasaki/Sonny Gray/Sandy Alcantara/Kevin Gausman

RP Alexis Diaz/Ryan Pressly/Aroldis Chapman

B Brandon Pfaadt/A.J. Puk/Griffin Jax/Casey Mize/Will Warren/Spencer Torkelson/Nolan Schanuel

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

There are two ways things happen in this world: top-down and bottom-up. Top-down is via authoritarian edict, i.e. fascism, no matter how benign-seeming. It is the government imposing a tax, incentivizing a behavior, creating a new law. Bottom-up is the organic process of people doing what interests them voluntarily, what benefits them, what they decide is best individually.

There is but one legitimate role for top-down and that is in creating good conditions for bottom up. The US Constitution is fascism in that it forces you to adhere to its edicts as the supreme law of the land. But it’s also an effective boundary creating the necessary conditions for free markets, free expression, creativity and prosperity.

All governments are fascistic in that they use force to achieve their agendas. But the best ones use only the minimum necessary force to create conditions for bottom-up prosperity. There is no other kind of prosperity.

. . .

Governments aren’t the only entities that are fascistic. Schools, corporations, institutions and individuals, almost invariably, are too. Yes, I am a fascist and very likely so are you. Don’t believe me? Do you have a voice inside your head telling you what you must get done today, evaluating your progress as a person, critiquing and coercing you into doing things that are “good” for you and avoiding ones that are “bad”? If so, you are fascist.

Why not just trust yourself to make the right choices? Why all the nudging, coaxing, coaching, evaluating and gamifying? Who is this voice, what gives it the authority, the requisite wisdom to manage your affairs? Haven’t all your shortcomings, disappointments and general dissatisfactions taken place despite its ever-presence? What makes you think you are better off for having had this in-house micromanagement?

. . .

The top-down edicts that rule our lives are by and large unnecessarily oppressive. Yes, we should create some good top-down conditions for bottom up organic thriving like buying healthy food, getting fresh air, not consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs, but the moment to moment hall-monitoring, the voice that requires you to achieve something or justify your existence? That’s fascism.

. . .

The mind is a powerful tool when it comes to planning, doing math or following a recipe, but if it can’t be turned off, if it’s not just optimizing your path from A to B, but optimizing YOU, that’s fascism.

. . .

I think about the problem of human governance through this lens. I imagine everyone charged with power over a polity has an agenda, and that agenda, insofar as it requires force to achieve, is fascistic. They want it to go this way rather than that way, and some people don’t agree. The quality of leadership then is the extent to which that force is used to preserve the bottom-up freedom of the individual to pursue his interests without undue interference, either from authorities themselves or other individuals who would unduly disrupt him.

The Constitution is an excellent guideline for this, and I surely won’t be able to come up with a better one in this Substack. It’s why I support Trump’s efforts to trim the top-down public sector and return productivity to the bottom-up private one, why I support deportation of adjudicated criminals who are here illegally, but oppose removing people with green cards or on valid student visas for protesting via constitutionally protected speech.

I don’t root for politicians like they play for my favorite sports team. I root for the freedom of the individual, the possibility of a largely bottom-up society wherein prosperity is possible. And I do this while knowing it will never happen exactly the way I would like, so long as I am bound by the fascism coming from inside the house.

@ bf95e1a4:ebdcc848

This is a part of the Bitcoin Infinity Academy course on Knut Svanholm's book Bitcoin: Sovereignty Through Mathematics. For more information, check out our Geyser page!

Preface

At the time of writing, it is New Year’s Day, and 2019 has just begun. For once, I have a resolution to live up to: I’ve promised myself to write a page per day every day this year until I have something real to publish. In June 2018, I published my first book, Three Minute Reads on Bitcoin — A Year of Thoughts. The book consisted of articles I had published online from May 2017 up to that point. This time it’s different. Instead of a mere collection of articles, I intend to write a “proper” book. A book that explains why Bitcoin is the most important invention of our lives.

I didn’t choose Bitcoin; it chose me. I had been trying to figure out how the world worked under the hood all my life, and then this simple idea of absolute scarcity popped up. It had a profound impact on how I view human interaction. Because of my curious nature, I instantly fell deep into the rabbit hole. I decided to educate myself on how this mysterious technology worked, and that got me into Austrian economics, which expressed very clearly what I had always suspected — that you really can't create value out of thin air.

In this book, I will try to explain every aspect of what makes this technology so special, what sets it apart from the abundant shameless copies of it, what’s wrong with our current system, and what the future might look like. In just two days from the time of writing these words, we’ll celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Genesis Block when the Bitcoin blockchain came into being. That block contained a message, a newspaper headline that read: “03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks”. No one knows why Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, chose to include this in the Genesis Block. There is also some debate on whether the Genesis Block was actually mined on the 3rd of January since the next block wasn’t mined until six days later. Somehow, Satoshi managed to stay hidden and weave several layers of mystique into the fabric of Bitcoin from the very beginning, which is part of what makes its conception so immaculate. This book aims to strip Bitcoin of its shady cloak and illuminate its true nature. After all, the only thing any person can do about Bitcoin now is to study it.

Foreword

My journey down the Bitcoin rabbit hole has provided me with a newfound clarity of how our world should be perceived. In the same way that getting married and having my first child were beautiful life-changing events, discovering Bitcoin was a new chapter in my life. I can easily divide my life into two distinct periods: before and after Bitcoin.

Before discovering Bitcoin, life was perplexing. For years, even dating back to my school days, I had an innate sense that something was amiss in the world. Although I wasn’t a good student by any means, it was obvious back then that many aspects of life simply didn’t add up.

One thing that I was sure of was that money was corrupt. However, it took me a while to realize that money itself is fundamentally corrupt. Furthermore, what is typically taught and accepted as money by society is a perversion of what money should be. These are the first steps of understanding Bitcoin, which require you to admit that you have been fooled and lied to all your life. The hard lessons of hard money.

The way I see it, the revelation about the true nature of money is akin to a bracing cold shower that wakes you up to reality. Emerging from that cold shower is an incredibly liberating and invigorating sensation. Unfortunately, many individuals are not motivated enough to take that crucial step into the chilly waters. Instead, they will later experience an ice-cold bucket of water being dumped on their head unexpectedly whilst naked on a cold winter’s day.

The year 2020 was a watershed moment in my journey towards truth, and it was Bitcoin that served as my guide. As the world grappled with an unprecedented black swan event in March of that year, every asset, including bitcoin, took a severe hit. However, what followed in the subsequent months was the largest money-printing expedition in history. A tsunami of stimulus was pumped into the markets. The outcome was a K-shaped recovery. Small, honest brick-and-mortar businesses continued to suffer while many of the largest conglomerates not only rebounded but reached all-time highs. This ludicrous, short-sighted plan, known as quantitative easing, resulted in the most pronounced example of the Cantillon effect in human history, a fact that should have served as a wake-up call for anyone who was not already suspicious of the events surrounding the global financial crisis of 2008.

Since entering my post-bitcoin life, I’ve experienced a newfound coherence. The transition was not exactly instant, instead it has been a continuous process of discovering bitcoin over and over again, and I owe many of these enlightening moments to Knut Svanholm’s writing, for which I’m grateful.

While Knut’s books do not serve as a technical guide for Bitcoin, they provide a deep and philosophical introduction to a new era of money; the separation of money and state. The end of fiat money.

The creation of fiat money, a practice that emerged with the rise of central banking, has been the source of significant damage to human civilisation. Central banking, championed by Keynesianism, has granted immense power to centralized entities, allowing them to dictate fiscal policies and control the creation of money for billions of people. The very idea of a single entity wielding such vast authority and determining the economic fate of entire populations is utter madness. The state monopolizes money because it allows them to print money rather than having to directly tax people (but it still doesn’t stop them). Printing money is more easy, subtle and lucrative than direct taxation. And this continual erosion of purchasing power can be readily associated with the evident decline and deterioration of modern society.

At the heart of the issue is the importance of individual property rights. The money that individuals earn and save is their property, not the state’s. The state’s duty (should there be a need for it to exist) is to safeguard private property, not to continually debase or confiscate it. A centralized power that constantly devalues your hard-earned money and time by printing money is both morally and ethically wrong. Every individual has the right to turn their hard work into savings that they can rely on for the future.

In Bitcoin: Sovereignty through Mathematics, Knut not only delves into the fundamental principles underlying Bitcoin’s creation but also presents the groundbreaking concept of absolute scarcity. Bitcoin’s limited supply of 21 million and the impossibility of creating more due to its protocol creates a condition of absolute scarcity, a first in human history. Absolute scarcity, coupled with Knut’s poetic description of Bitcoin’s creation as "an immaculate conception," emphasizes its unique and revolutionary nature. The term "immaculate conception" highlights the fact that Bitcoin’s creation was not based on any pre-existing financial system but rather emerged from a set of mathematical principles that ensure its security and scarcity. The conditions that gave birth to Bitcoin will never be replicated, which further cements Bitcoin’s status as a one-of-a-kind element that will revolutionize the way we view and use money. Absolute scarcity aligns with the Austrian school of economics’ views on money, which argue that sound money should be scarce, durable, and difficult to counterfeit. Bitcoin ticks all the boxes for sound money, laying the ground for a genuine foundation to end the era of so-called cheap or easy money.

In the follow-up to this book, Bitcoin: Independence Reimagined1, Knut presents us, using plain logic and reasoning, the primitive constraints of the current fiat system and status quo governance. These structures, which we have so readily accepted, are gradually stripping us of our freedoms. By highlighting these shortcomings, he urges us to critically examine them and envision a future where we exercise greater autonomy over our lives, both financially and socially. Bitcoin’s simple and secure existence stands in contrast to the coercive and interventionist nature of the fiat system. Bitcoin is sincere; it neither favors nor opposes us. Bitcoin simply exists. Coming to terms with this truth is both humbling and liberating.

Knut’s writing, with its clear and elegant style, offers insightful guidance for those interested in exploring the deeper implications of Bitcoin beyond its function as a mere currency, recognizing it as a truly transformative breakthrough. A breakthrough that provides us with hope, a viable solution to reverse the degeneracy and decadence plaguing humanity.

Prince Philip of Serbia, 21st February 2023

Footnotes:

1. This foreword was originally written for a combined volume containing both Bitcoin: Sovereignty Through Mathematics and Bitcoin: Independence Reimagined.

About the Bitcoin Infinity Academy

The Bitcoin Infinity Academy is an educational project built around Knut Svanholm’s books about Bitcoin and Austrian Economics. Each week, a whole chapter from one of the books is released for free on Highlighter, accompanied by a video in which Knut and Luke de Wolf discuss that chapter’s ideas. You can join the discussions by signing up for one of the courses on our Geyser page. Signed books, monthly calls, and lots of other benefits are also available.

@ c239c0f9:fa4a5015

Block: #888777 - March 2025

The Monthly Thunderbolt Dispatch On Bitcoin layers two innovations, aggregating the Best posts about the ~Lightning Network and others Bitcoin L2 solution- Exclusively on Stacker.News

It's again that time of the month, time to catch up with the latest features and trends that are shaping the future of Bitcoin. Each issue covers the latest trends and greatest advancements dictating the future of Bitcoin adoption—the very first and most commented insights from around the SN world. In every issue arrives expert analysis, in-depth interview, and breaking news of the most significant advancements in the Bitcoin layer two solutions.

Subscribe and make sure you don’t miss anything about the ~Lightning Revolution!

Now let's focus on the top five items for each category, an electrifying selection that hope you'll be able to read before next edition.

Happy Zapping!

---

Top ~Lightning posts

Most zapranked posts this month:

1. Underrated privacy tools on Lightning by @DarthCoin 4750 sats \ 21 comments \ 10 Mar on ~lightning

2. ngx_l402: L402 Authentication for Nginx with LNURL, LND & NWC Support by @dhananjay 3602 sats \ 11 comments \ 11 Mar on ~lightning

3. LNBϟG discusses fees and routing node management by @C_Otto 908 sats \ 3 comments \ 15 Mar on ~lightning

4. New Release: Breez SDK - Nodeless 0.7.1 by @_ds 264 sats \ 1 comment \ 19 Feb on ~lightning

5. Alby Hub Lightning Channel Stats the first 6 months by @k00b 376 sats \ 8 comments \ 27 Feb on ~lightning

---

Top posts by comments

This month we replaced the top posts by sats with these most commented posts (excluding those already listed above):

1. Cowbold Beta available for Testing: The best P2P Bitcoin alternativ to SplitWise by @supratic 699 sats \ 24 comments \ 1 Mar on ~lightning

2. Nwc alternative to coinos, testing by @dingding541 150 sats \ 22 comments \ 17 Mar on ~lightning

3. Payments below dust limit not trustless by @BallLightning 2141 sats \ 18 comments \ 11 Mar on ~lightning

4. Question of trust regarding LSPs by @Fiatrevelation 385 sats \ 18 comments \ 14 Mar on ~lightning

5. Question For CLN Start9 Users? by @siggy47 617 sats \ 15 comments \ 4 Mar on ~lightning

---

Top ~Lightning Boosts

Check them all here.

1. Try out the Ark protocol on signet by @nwoodfine 2083 sats \ 30k boost \ 12 comments \ 19 Mar on ~lightning

2. Amboss CEO On Growth Of The Lightning Network, Tether (USDT) On Lightning by @Jestopher_BTC 577 sats \ 20k boost \ 10 comments \ 19 Feb on ~lightning

3. Building Self Custody Lightning in 2025 by @k00b 2293 sats \ 10k boost \ 8 comments \ 23 Jan on ~lightning

---

Top Lightning posts outside ~Lightning

This month best posts about the Lightning Network outside ~Lightning territory:

1. SN is a badass use case for noncustodial lightning by @Fiatrevelation 1998 sats \ 15 comments \ 19 Feb on ~meta

2. Alby Hub: Improving the Self-Custodial Lightning Experience by @teemupleb 4642 sats \ 8 comments \ 8 Mar on ~meta

3. SN is a badass use case for noncustodial lightning by @Fiatrevelation 1834 sats \ 13 comments \ 20 Feb on ~meta

4. Bitcoin Users... and especially Lightning users live in a Total Bubble (sofar) by @028559d218 1304 sats \ 24 comments \ 8 Mar on ~bitcoin

5. 🚀 New Geocaching Meets Lightning App ⚡ by @questforsats 4518 sats \ 170k boost \ 86 comments \ 20 Feb on ~builders

---

Forever top ~Lightning posts

La crème de la crème... check them all here. Plenty of new entries this month too at #1, #2, #4 and #5! This means old posts get still zaps... well done zappers 💪

1. 👨‍🚀 We're releasing 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗬 𝗚𝗢 - the easiest lightning mobile wallet by @Alby 29.2k sats \ 41 comments \ 25 Sep 2024 on ~lightning

2. Building Self Custody Lightning in 2025 by @k00b 2303 sats \ 8 comments \ 22 Jan on ~lightning

3. Lightning Wallets: Self-Custody Despite Poor Network - Apps Tested in Zimbabwe by @anita 72.8k sats \ 39 comments \ 28 Jan 2024 on ~lightning

4. How to Attach Your self-hosted LNbits wallet to SEND/RECEIVE sats to/from SN by @supratic 1765 sats \ 18 comments \ 23 Sep 2024 on ~lightning

5. A Way to Use Stacker News to improve your Zap Receiving by @bzzzt 1652 sats \ 22 comments \ 15 Jul 2024 on ~lightning

---

Forever top Lightning posts outside ~Lightning

Lot of changes here, but probably due to the recent relevance search and unbusting search functionality changes:

1. Rethinking Lightning by @benthecarman with 51.6k sats \ 137 comments \ 6 Jan 2024 on ~bitcoin

2. Lightning Everywhere by @TonyGiorgio with 12k sats \ 27 comments \ 24 Jul 2023 on ~bitcoin

3. Lightning is dead, long live the Lightning! by @supertestnet and zaps forwarded to @anita (50%) @k00b (50%) 6321 sats \ 28 comments \ @tolot 27 Oct 2023 on ~bitcoin

4. Lightning Is Doomed by @Rsync25 2450 sats \ 15 comments \ 27 Nov 2023 on ~bitcoin

5. We Need More Apps with Lightning, Not More Lightning Apps by @kr 5030 sats \ 22 comments \ @kr 12 May 2023 on ~bitcoin

---

@ 2fb77d26:c47a6ee1

»Pershing II« – das war eines der ersten englischen Wörter, das mir als Kind geläufig war. Es handelt sich um die Typenbezeichnung einer US-Mittelstreckenrakete, einer nuklearen Boden-Boden-Rakete, die mit einem thermonuklearen Sprengkopf vom Typ W85 ausgestattet war, eine Reichweite von etwa 1.800 km hatte und somit von Süddeutschland aus Ziele im westlichen Russland binnen fünf Minuten erreichen konnte. Es war Anfang der 1980er Jahre. Die Zeit des Kalten Krieges. Eine Bezeichnung, die George Orwell mit seinem Essay »You and the Atomic Bomb« (Du und die Atombombe) im Jahre 1945 geprägt hatte. Die Fronten waren verhärtet.

Die westdeutsche Friedensbewegung protestierte lautstark gegen die Stationierung von Atomsprengköpfen auf heimischem Boden. Nachdem die im NATO-Doppelbeschluss vom 12. Dezember 1979 vereinbarten Abrüstungsverhandlungen zwischen den Atommächten jedoch erfolglos geblieben waren, entschied der Deutsche Bundestag am 22. November 1983, der Stationierung von US-Atomwaffen im Lande zuzustimmen. Diese war 1985 abgeschlossen und ganze 120 Exemplare der todbringenden Massenvernichtungswaffe in der Bundesrepublik verteilt worden. Außer Deutschland tat kein Land den USA diesen Gefallen.

Ich hatte die militärische Artikelbezeichnung »Pershing II« im Radio aufgeschnappt, welcher zu Hause fast durchgehend in Betrieb war, und später ein paar Bilder der Raketen in den Abendnachrichten gesehen. Noch gab es nur ARD, ZDF und das Regionalprogramm. Dementsprechend rar waren visuelle Informationen. Und aufgrund meiner frühen Begeisterung für Fluggeräte aller Art, zeichnete ich daraufhin ständig Raketen. Da ich außerdem bereits in diesem zarten Alter von fünf oder sechs Jahren extrem von Musik angetan war und durchweg versuchte, englische Songtexte, zum Beispiel von den Beatles, dem Klang der Stimmen folgend nachzusingen, übte auch der fremd klingende Begriff »Pershing II« eine gewisse Faszination auf mich aus.

Was mir meine Eltern diesbezüglich sagten oder erklärten, kann ich leider nicht mehr erinnern – als erklärte Pazifisten nahmen sie die latente Gefahr eines Nuklearkrieges aber sicher nicht mit der spielerisch-kindlichen Leichtigkeit, die ich im Umgang mit gemalten oder gebastelten Raketen an den Tag legte. Das Thema nukleare Kriegsführung beherrschte die Nachrichten dieser Zeit und erzeugte Angst. Denn Militärstrategen sprachen Anfang der 1980er Jahre allen Ernstes davon, dass der Atomkrieg zwischenzeitlich präziser und somit auch führbarer geworden sei. Damals wie heute – absoluter Irrsinn.

Neben der Berlin-Blockade 1948/1949 und der Kuba-Krise, war die Auseinandersetzung um die Stationierung von Mittelstreckenraketen in Westeuropa von 1979 bis 1983 also eine der drei kritischsten Phasen des Kalten Krieges.

Nie war die Welt einem fatalen wie letalen nuklearen Schlagabtausch der Supermächte näher als zu diesen drei Zeitpunkten in der Geschichte. Bis heute, so scheint es.

Denn die stetig eskalierende Ukraine-Krise rückt dieses vergessen geglaubte Horror-Szenario wieder in den Fokus der Öffentlichkeit. Polit-Darsteller wie der Maoist und China-Fan Robert Habeck äußern dieser Tage dummdreist, keine Angst vor einem Dritten Weltkrieg zu haben. Sogenannte Sicherheitsexperten erklären im ZDF, dass man sich vor Putins Bomben nicht fürchten solle, obwohl man in Mainz permanent Angst schürt und schon am 5. Mai 2022 titelt, »Moskau simuliert Atomangriff in Kaliningrad«.

Der »Beobachter Gesundheit« gibt Tipps dazu, wie man die Panik vor einem Atomkrieg mental in den Griff bekommen kann, während das deutsche BBK (Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe) der Bevölkerung bereits empfiehlt, im Zuge der Ukraine-Krise Notvorräte anzulegen und Marschgepäck bereitzuhalten. Auf der Webseite »wikiHow« findet sich ein sehr umfassender, bebilderter Ratgeber mit dem Titel »Einen Atomkrieg überleben«. Beim Lesen der zahlreichen, mutmaßlich nur bedingt hilfreichen Tipps zur Meisterung der nuklearen Apokalypse dürfte jedem normalen Menschen etwas mulmig werden.

Hofberichterstatter Ruprecht Polenz lässt sich beim Propaganda-Multiplikator ZEIT ONLINE am 30. April 2022 dennoch zu der wagemutigen Formulierung verleiten, »wer einen Atomkrieg verhindern will, darf Putin nicht gewinnen lassen«. Solch ein Statement ist nicht nur falsch und realitätsfremd, sondern zeugt gleichsam von der bewussten Negierung von Faktenlage und historischen Hintergründen zur Ukraine-Krise. Dabei könnte man es durchaus besser wissen.

Die RAND-Corporation, ein im Jahre 1948 gegründeter, einflussreicher Think Tank der US-Hegemonie, veröffentlichte zum Beispiel schon im Jahr 2019 ein vielsagendes, 354 Seiten umfassendes Strategiepapier unter der Überschrift »Overextending and Unbalancing Russia«. Frei übersetzt: Eine Strategie, um Russland überzustrapazieren und aus dem Gleichgewicht zu bringen – ökonomisch, militärisch und gesellschaftlich – mit dem singulären Ziel, die geopolitische Dominanz der Vereinigten Staaten zu bewahren. Ein durchdachtes Drehbuch zur finalen Erniedrigung und Bezwingung des ewigen Klassenfeindes sowie dem Erhalt der unipolaren Weltordnung, der Pax Americana.

Der Ansatz der RAND-Corporation: Die Osterweiterung der NATO forcieren, das Ansehen Russlands in der Welt zerstören, kostenintensives, nukleares Wettrüsten, die Ukraine bewaffnen, um einen militärischen Stellvertreterkonflikt mit Putin zu provozieren, um die ehemalige Sowjetunion anschließend mittels internationaler Sanktionen – legitimiert durch den brodelnden Krieg – finanziell in die Knie zu zwingen.

Verblüffend, wie sehr doch die im RAND-Strategiepapier aufgezeigte Vorgehensweise den aktuellen Geschehnissen an den Außengrenzen des Riesenreiches gleicht. Fast macht es den Anschein, als folgten die Geostrategen in Washington den Empfehlungen ihrer kostspieligen Think Tanks. Dies ließ sich auch im Zuge der Corona-Krise beobachten, die im Ablauf fraglos dem von der Rockefeller-Stiftung erarbeiteten Pandemie-Szenario »Lock Step« glich, wie Journalist Norbert Häring bereits am 28. Mai 2020 ausführlich berichtet.

Was das totalitäre Krisen-Drehbuch der RAND-Corporation nicht detailliert behandelt, sind die akuten Risiken einer potenziellen nuklearen Eskalation. Denn es endet mit dem möglichen Aufkeimen eines militärischen Konflikts und schließt schlicht mit dem Hinweis:

»Auch wenn die US-Armee nicht direkt an der Operation beteiligt ist, wird sie eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Abmilderung der Folgen spielen. Wie bereits erwähnt, bergen alle Maßnahmen, die der Schwächung Russlands dienen, einiges an Risiko. Infolgedessen werden das Abschreckungspotential sowie die operativen Fähigkeiten des US-Militärs in Europa gestärkt werden müssen. Es besteht die Möglichkeit, dass die Spannungen mit Russland zu einem Konflikt eskalieren.«

Die USA betrachten den Einsatz von Atomwaffen dabei offensichtlich als probates Mittel. Warum sonst modernisieren die Amerikaner seit Jahren ihr Arsenal und geben Milliarden US-Dollar dafür aus? Das macht eigentlich nur Sinn, wenn man plant, diese Waffen irgendwann einzusetzen. Der »Plot« für die Events nach dem Aufflammen einer militärischen Auseinandersetzung mit Russland ist vermutlich Verschlusssache und liegt nur Eingeweihten im Weißen Haus, Pentagon, CIA-Hauptquartier sowie den Verbündeten in EU und NATO-Hauptquartier vor.

Das ist bedauerlich. Denn ein Einblick in die aktuellen militärischen Planspiele und strategischen Szenarien der NATO-Hegemonie wäre hilfreich, um zu verstehen, ob die Arroganz des Westens tatsächlich einen Punkt erreicht hat, an dem man einen Atomkrieg in Kauf nehmen würde, um Russland und China auf ihre Plätze zu verweisen und im globalen Club der Technokraten am Kopfende zu sitzen. Um einen Konflikt der Systeme – Kapitalismus, Sozialismus, Kommunismus – handelt es sich nämlich nicht, auch wenn Medien dies gerne so darstellen, sondern um Machtkämpfe innerhalb der internationalen Oligarchie. Die drei Machtblöcke kämpfen um Vorherrschaft in der totalitären Weltordnung der nahen Zukunft.

Die Frage ist nur: Tun sie dies einvernehmlich – oder handelt es sich an Russlands Grenzen um ernsthafte, kriegerische Auseinandersetzungen, die in letzter Konsequenz militärisch entschieden werden müssen? Das RAND-Strategiepapier scheint davon auszugehen, dass Wirtschafts- und Informationskrieg, begleitet von NATO-Drohgebärden, ausreichen, um das Rennen zu Gunsten des Wertewestens zu entscheiden. Es gilt zu hoffen, dass diese Interpretation des Schriftstücks zutrifft. Ansonsten läuft die moderne Zivilisation Gefahr, sich in die Steinzeit zurückzubomben. Wie das aussieht, zeigt eindrücklich der Film »The Day After« (Der Tag danach) aus dem Jahre 1983.

Der zwei Stunden lange Streifen von Regisseur Nicholas Meyer ist bildgewaltig, beängstigend, ernüchternd und deprimierend. Er zeigt nicht nur, wie binnen weniger Tage aus einem Kalten Krieg ein Atomkrieg wird, sondern auch, was dessen schreckliche Folgen sind. Schon ein kurzer, etwas mehr als acht Minuten langer Zusammenschnitt macht klar, dass man ein absoluter Narr sein muss, um keine Angst vor thermonuklearen Angriffen zu haben.

Im Film gibt der US-Oberbefehlshaber nach der Zerstörung des NATO-Hauptquartiers den Befehl zum Atomschlag. Das entsprechende NATO-Protokoll wird aktiviert und die Raketensilos einsatzbereit gemacht. Das Drehbuch lässt offen, wer den Erstschlag führt. Klar ist, dass sobald die Sprengköpfe des Westens unterwegs sind, Russland einen Gegenangriff mit 300 Interkontinentalraketen auslöst und die Vereinigten Staaten in die Steinzeit bombt.

Überall im Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten steigen feurige Atompilze in den Himmel. Metropolen werden in Sekunden ausradiert, Lebewesen, Pflanzen und Gebäude verdampfen in Feuersbrünsten um den Einschlagsort, ganze Landstriche werden vom Erdboden getilgt – und schon in den ersten Minuten nach Explosion der Nuklearsprengköpfe sterben weite Teile der Bevölkerung. 90 Millionen innerhalb weniger Stunden, wie eine Simulation mit dem etwas unheimlichen Titel »Plan A« der Princeton-Universität von 2019 berechnet hat.

Der eigentliche Horror beginnt allerdings erst. Denn die schlimmsten Szenen des Films sind jene, die den Zustand der Welt zwei Wochen nach den Atomschlägen zeigen. Im Land herrscht Anomie. Chaos und Zerstörung, wohin man schaut. Vorindustrielle Zustände. Die Städte sind unbewohnbar und die Überlebenden leiden an Strahlenkrankheit. Haare und Zähne fallen aus. Bei manchen binnen weniger Stunden oder Tage, bei anderen dauert es Wochen. Ein grausamer Tod auf Raten. Alles stirbt, siecht dahin. In den Ruinen entstehen Flüchtlingslager. Seuchen brechen aus. Militärkommandos erschießen willkürlich Menschen. Recht, Gerichte und Prozesse gibt es nicht mehr. Und um zu überleben, bewaffnen sich schlussendlich auch die Zivilisten und töten sich gegenseitig. Absolute Barbarei.

»The Day After« erklärt nicht, wer diesen Krieg gewinnt, nennt keinen Sieger. Vermutlich, weil Regisseur Nicholas Meyer schmerzlich bewusst war, dass es bei einem ausgewachsenen Atomkrieg keine Gewinner geben kann.

Er bedeutet das Ende der modernen Zivilisation. Nicht umsonst hat Albert Einstein früh vor militärischem Missbrauch entsprechender wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse gewarnt. So lässt der Streifen aus Zeiten das kalten Krieges auch das Ende offen. Kein Hollywood-Finale. Kein Happy End. Die beklemmenden Gefühle bleiben. Weder Will Smith noch James Bond tauchen auf, um die Welt in letzter Minute doch noch zu retten. Sie ist kaputt. Tot. Eine nuklear verseuchte Wüste. Kein Hoffnungsschimmer am Horizont.

Wer das Pech hatte, die Erstschläge zu überleben, stirbt langsam, aber sicher – und vor allem qualvoll.

Vielleicht sollten Spitzenpolitiker, Dogmatiker, Propagandisten und Kriegshetzer von heute sich diesen Film einmal in Ruhe anschauen, bevor sie leichtfertig derartige Optionen in Betracht ziehen. Ich habe »The Day After« nur ein einziges Mal in meinem Leben gesehen – wenige Monate, nachdem ich den Begriff »Pershing II« das erste Mal als kleines Kind im Radio hörte und meine Eltern neugierig fragte, was es damit auf sich hat – das war ausreichend. Die Eindrücke wirken bis heute. Ich bin mir auch mehr als dreißig Jahre später immer noch der unverrückbaren, indiskutablen Tatsache bewusst, dass es niemals zu einem Atomkrieg kommen darf. Jeder, der diesen Film gesehen, wird das unterschreiben.

Ich jedenfalls werde nie vergessen, wie ich eines nachts heimlich im dunklen Wohnzimmer der heimischen Dachwohnung ganz nahe vor dem Fernseher saß. Eigentlich durfte ich nur ein paar Mal in der Woche ausgewählte Kindersendungen anschauen. Aber meine Eltern schliefen bereits. Es muss circa 23:00 Uhr gewesen sein, denn nach den Spätfilmen war damals in der Regel Sendeschluss. Und das was war meist gegen eins oder halb zwei.

Just als ich den kleinen Röhrenfernseher anschaltete, begann »im Ersten« der bis heute in mir nachhallende Spielfilm. Der Tag danach. Zunächst begeistert von den vielen Raketen und irgendwie noch fasziniert von den mir bis dato unbekannten, riesigen Explosionen, die Atombomben auslösen, blieb ich gebannt sitzen. Wie versteinert. Bis zur Schlussszene, in der sich eine Handvoll strahlenverseuchter, zerrissener, verrottender Menschen, die kaum noch Haare auf dem Kopf haben und aussehen wie Zombies, in den staubigen Ruinen einer leeren Großstadt kraftlos in den Armen liegen und hilflos schluchzen. Die Kamera zieht auf. Dann Schwarzblende – und eine letzte, dünne, einsam flehende Stimme im Äther:

»Hello, is anybody there? Anybody at all?«  (Hallo, ist da jemand? Irgendjemand?)

@ 1c19eb1a:e22fb0bc

For our first edition of #Nostrversity, we'll be diving into Nostr Wallet Connect, or #NWC; a handy means of connecting a #Lightning wallet to your favorite #Nostr app that quickly became the standard and is now an essential part of onboarding to Nostr for any new user who wants to experience the magic of zaps. Yet NWC enables so much more than just one-tap-zapping, as we will see when we look a little closer at how it works under the hood.

Lightning History on Nostr

Back in the wild-west days of Nostr, before nostr:npub1xtscya34g58tk0z605fvr788k263gsu6cy9x0mhnm87echrgufzsevkk5s invented zaps, Bitcoin psychopaths were already sending sats to one another over Nostr. However, the way we had to do it back then was by going into our Lightning wallet, selecting "receive," inputting an amount we wanted, and copy/pasting an invoice from the wallet into our Nostr note, then hope someone was willing to pay it. And the payment side was just as cumbersome, requiring manually copying the invoice from your Nostr client, pasting it into a Lightning wallet so you could see how much the other user wanted, and then deciding if you were even willing to send it.

It didn't take long before Nostr clients, particularly on mobile, started rendering Lightning invoices in a convenient format that showed the invoice amount and a "Pay" button, that would prompt the user to open a Lightning wallet. This took out a decent amount of friction for the sender, but it was still just as big a hassle for the receiver.

Then zaps came along, and soon everyone had the ability to send sats to any other user when they found value in the content they posted. At least, any other user that added their Lightning address to their profile and whose Lightning wallet provider supported sending a "paid" receipt to a Nostr relay. Receiver friction had been virtually eliminated and the sats began to flow. Nostr also became the de facto directory for Bitcoiner payment addresses. If you heard nostr:npub1a2cww4kn9wqte4ry70vyfwqyqvpswksna27rtxd8vty6c74era8sdcw83a say something brilliant on a podcast, you could just look her up on any Nostr client with zaps and send some sats her way as a thank you.

Enter the zapathon, a community event with one purpose: break nostr:npub1hcwcj72tlyk7thtyc8nq763vwrq5p2avnyeyrrlwxrzuvdl7j3usj4h9rq by zapping each other so much it was effectively a DDOS attack. Sure, it was a stress test on other wallets too, but most users were on Wallet of Satoshi because it was the easiest way to get a Lightning address with a mobile wallet.

It was a ton of fun flinging sats around as fast as your fingers would let you! However, a new friction point was soon discovered from trying to zap so frequently. Every time you tapped the zap icon in your Nostr client, you had to wait for your wallet to open and present the invoice to approve payment, then switch back to your Nostr client to zap the next note. Not a big deal when you only send a zap occasionally, but when trying to zap every note in your feed, it adds a significant amount of time and extra clicks. In fact, this small amount of friction, whether you realize it or not, often acts as just enough of a barrier to zapping that you will choose not to zap a post you found some value in, just because of the extra 5 seconds it takes to load into your wallet app, approve the payment, and switch back to your Nostr client.

Wouldn't it be amazing if we could have one-tap-zaps?

I can't recall if there were any other methods by which this was achieved, but the method that caught on was developed and released into the wild by nostr:npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm, who called it Nostr Wallet Connect. At that time (March of 2023), Alby was a custodial Lightning wallet for your web browser, and while you could connect your own node to it using LNDHub, most people just stuck with their custodial option since it came with a Lightning address. Nostr Wallet Connect was, at that time, a way to connect your Alby wallet to a Nostr client.

I am not certain which client was the first to support NWC, but I know that #Amethyst was pretty early on, and it was an instant success. Users could get a "connection string" from Alby, paste it into Amethyst, and zap with a single tap of their finger. Just like zaps themselves had eliminated the friction for receiving payments via Lightning for anyone with a Lightning address, Nostr Wallet Connect had eliminated the friction for sending payments. No more wasted seconds switching back and forth between Nostr client and wallet app, just tap and zap sent, tap again and another zap gone.

Of course, this meant that it was all too easy to send way more sats out of your wallet than you intended. This was solved by the ability to set budgets, so your wallet would cut you off once you reached the max amount you had set for yourself.

Because Alby had made Nostr Wallet Connect open source and part of the Nostr protocol, it didn't take long before more and more clients started adding support for it. Users demanded it and wouldn't shut up about it until it was added. Other wallet providers also saw the value of including it. Now it is simply expected, and any wallet that doesn't include it won't attract Nostr users.

Notably, Wallet of Satoshi went from being the most popular wallet among Nostr users to being a rare and quaint throwback to a bygone era, because they never integrated NWC and they pulled away from serving anyone in the U.S. out of fear of regulation under the Biden administration.

So we arrive at the state of Lightning on Nostr today, with Lightning addresses in our profiles for receiving zaps, and Nostr Wallet Connect for sending, and hard pressed to find Nostr clients that don't support both.

So... How does it work?

All of that history is great, but you're here to learn how this technology works. What is happening behind the scenes when you tap that little ⚡️ icon and sats seem to magically leave your Lightning wallet and show up on your screen as a zap underneath the latest nostr:npub1lrnvvs6z78s9yjqxxr38uyqkmn34lsaxznnqgd877j4z2qej3j5s09qnw5 meme, without you having to fiddle around with any Lightning invoices at all?

It's really quite simple, in the end. Your wallet communicating with your Nostr client using a Nostr relay in the middle, the same way you communicate with other Nostr users by saving notes to a relay that they can retrieve them from.

First, your Nostr client has to know how to "tag" your wallet, and on which relay to send it notes. This is why you need to get a "connection string" from your wallet to paste into your Nostr client. This string has all the information that is needed for your Nostr client to know how to communicate with your wallet, and for your wallet to be sure that the payment requests are authorized by you.

Let's take a look at an example connection string:

nostr+walletconnect://b889ff5b1513b641e2a139f661a661364979c5beee91842f8f0ef42ab558e9d4?relay=wss%3A%2F%2Frelay.damus.io&secret=71a8c14c1407c113601079c4302dab36460f0ccd0ad506f1f2dc73b5100e4f3c

Looks like a bunch of gobbledygook, right? We'll break down each of its parts and see what it does.

nostr+walletconnect://

This portion just defines the type of information that follows it. Because the string starts with this marker, any software reading it will know that what follows is information on how to communicate with a Lightning wallet, so long as it has been programmed to recognize it.

b889ff5b1513b641e2a139f661a661364979c5beee91842f8f0ef42ab558e9d4

This section is just a public key, the same as an npub. In fact, it can be readily converted to an npub if you want using nostr:npub1zdr58j526qsrkdjhcg9xs60xfutqeey2ucugms04efnlx3spnmns2eqha9's key converter. It's a nostr identity just like yours or mine, but you won't find any GM posts or catstr pictures in its note history. It's only posting special note types used by NWC. This public key belongs to your Lightning wallet, and just like you can have multiple npubs for each of your alter egos, your wallet creates a separate public key to use with each new app you want to connect it to. Or at least it should. The Nostr client you use will tag your wallet in notes it creates by using this public key.

relay=wss%3A%2F%2Frelay.damus.io

This section is probably easily recognizable. It's the same as typing relay=wss://relay.damus.io, except that it has to use %3A%2F%2F in place of ://. This tells your Nostr client which relay it needs to use to communicate with your wallet. Hopefully your wallet uses a relay with high up-time, because one of the major ways for NWC to fail is if the relay is down. You also can't use just any relay. It has to accept the note kinds used by NWC, which is why wallets don't typically let their users choose the relay that will be used. You also can't just modify the connection string to use a relay you prefer, even if you know it allows NWC note kinds. This is because it will result in your Nostr client sending requests to your wallet on that relay, but your wallet is not reading from that relay, so it will never receive the requests.

secret=71a8c14c1407c113601079c4302dab36460f0ccd0ad506f1f2dc73b5100e4f3c

This is just a Nostr private key. It's an nsec, but in hex format. Your wallet is giving your Nostr client a private key that it must use to sign all of the requests it sends to your wallet. No request signed by any other private key will be answered by your wallet. Your wallet will generate a separate private key for each connection string, allowing you as the user to revoke those connections individually, or set a separate budget for each connection.

When you tap the ⚡️ icon in your Nostr client, it obtains a Lightning invoice from the user's wallet you are trying to zap using their Lightning address. It then creates a note tagging your wallet's public key and requesting payment of that Lightning invoice, signing the note with the private key your wallet generated for it, and writing that note to the specified Nostr relay. Your wallet is constantly checking that relay for new notes and when it sees the payment request signed by an authorized private key, it pays the invoice, so long as it is within the budget you set, and sends out a payment receipt stating it has been paid so your client can light up the zap indicator to show that it was successful. All of this from a single tap of your finger in Amethyst.

More than Zaps

Now that we know the basics of how NWC works, it doesn't take much extrapolation to realize that this communication between wallet and Nostr client could be used for much more than just payment requests. A client could ask for your wallet's balance information, or transaction history, or ask for a lightning invoice. In fact, why does it have to be a Nostr client making those requests at all? Why not a mobile wallet app, or browser extension?

One of the major pieces of friction felt by those who run Lightning nodes is the difficulty of connecting to them remotely in a secure way. nostr:npub1aghreq2dpz3h3799hrawev5gf5zc2kt4ch9ykhp9utt0jd3gdu2qtlmhct and nostr:npub126ntw5mnermmj0znhjhgdk8lh2af72sm8qfzq48umdlnhaj9kuns3le9ll allow for connecting via Tor by default, but that can be painfully slow and unreliable. Anyone who has set up a connection to their node via LND Rest over Tor to their nostr:npub1xnf02f60r9v0e5kty33a404dm79zr7z2eepyrk5gsq3m7pwvsz2sazlpr5 wallet can attest to the frustration of opening their wallet and waiting several seconds for the interface to load, only to receive a timeout notice.

Nostr Wallet Connect has eliminated this issue thanks to Alby Hub and Alby Go. Just create a new connection in Alby Hub, give it a budget, and scan the QR code with Alby Go and you have a fully-functional, mobile Lightning wallet connected to your node at home that loads extremely quickly and reliably, so long as the Nostr relay in-between is up and running.

Now, you may be concerned that the information being passed back and forth on this Nostr relay is incredibly sensitive financial information, especially if balance and transaction history is involved. However, this is not a concern because the content of the notes is fully encrypted. The relay owner, or anyone else with access to read data on that relay, has no idea what information is contained in the messages being sent between wallet provider and Nostr client, or Lightning node and mobile wallet. And because neither npub being used by your wallet provider or your Nostr client is the same as your npub, there is nothing tying the messages to you.

As a result, NWC is quickly becoming an integral piece of Lightning infrastructure, even if those making use of it have no interest in joining Nostr at all.

The Future of NWC

To wrap this up, I'd like to point the reader to recent developments with Nostr Wallet Connect, and other use-cases we could very well see in the near future.

First, NWC may not just be for Lightning. nostr:npub1utx00neqgqln72j22kej3ux7803c2k986henvvha4thuwfkper4s7r50e8 recently revealed that he has a working prototype of on-chain payments via NWC.

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzpckv7l8jqspl8u4y54dn9rcduwlrs4v2040nxce0m2h0cunvrj8tqyw8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnzd96xxmmfdecxzunt9e3k7mf0qyfhwumn8ghj7am0wsh82arcduhx7mn99uq32amnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fww468smewdahx2tcqyzswntflhlvuea2uf3035r94azm32frnskk5qp2evj43x6nz6kt9zd7j485

We are already seeing it used with eCash wallets like nostr:npub1kvaln6tm0re4d99q9e4ma788wpvnw0jzkz595cljtfgwhldd75xsj9tkzv. There is no reason we shouldn't expect to see it used with all forms of Bitcoin payments. This could lead to an explosion of available wallet applications for all platforms, since they will simply be an interface for communicating with your node or wallet provider.

NWC can also be used for subscriptions, as alluded to in nostr:npub1utx00neqgqln72j22kej3ux7803c2k986henvvha4thuwfkper4s7r50e8's note above. Before you protest about what an awful monetization model subscriptions are, I generally agree. That said, subscriptions where the user remains in control the entire time, and can unilaterally cancel the subscription at any time, without having to jump through hoops and give explanations about why they no longer want to use the service, is a massive improvement over the current status quo. Remember, NWC allows the user to set a budget for each connection. This means your subscription can't incrementally increase its monthly fee on you. Not without you willingly going into your wallet settings and adjusting the monthly budget, at any rate.

Last one before we close this out: NWC can be used for streaming services where you pay only for what you use, and give yourself a budget. Instead of paying a monthly subscription to Netflix, you could pay per minute that you watch. Previously this could only be done by topping up a wallet controlled by the service itself, the way nostr:npub1v5ufyh4lkeslgxxcclg8f0hzazhaw7rsrhvfquxzm2fk64c72hps45n0v5's wallet worked with streaming sats for Podcasting 2.0. But now NWC is coming to Fountain, and users can bring their own wallet that they control.

The future of NWC is bright, and it extends well beyond zapping memes on Nostr. It's going to open up a world of possibilities for how we can use our sats to stream media, make reoccurring donations, use micro-payments to rent compute, and so much more. I don't know about you, but I am here for it!

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

In the ever-evolving landscape of finance and investment, Bitcoin has emerged as a pivotal player, challenging traditional notions of wealth and assets. Often likened to "digital gold," Bitcoin's unique properties have led some to view it in an even more nuanced light—as "digital pearls." This article delves into how Bitcoin is redefining wealth in the digital age, drawing parallels with historical assets and exploring its impact on modern investment strategies. The comparison to digital pearls is not merely poetic but serves as a metaphor for the transformation of value from physical to digital realms. This shift is not just technological but cultural, reflecting changing attitudes towards what constitutes real wealth in our increasingly digital world.

The digital age has brought about a profound transformation in how we perceive and interact with value. Traditional assets like real estate and precious metals have been joined by a new class of digital assets, from cryptocurrencies to NFTs, reshaping the landscape of investment and wealth. This shift is not merely about the assets themselves but represents a broader change in societal values and economic structures. The rise of digital assets challenges the monopoly of physical assets as the sole bearers of value, suggesting a future where wealth is as much about information and digital ownership as it is about tangible possessions.

Table of Contents

• The Evolution of Value: From Tangible to Digital

• Bitcoin: The Digital Pearls of the 21st Century

• Redefining Wealth and Investment

• The Future of Digital Wealth

• Conclusion

• FAQs

The Evolution of Value: From Tangible to Digital

Historically, the concept of wealth has been tied to tangible assets: land, gold, and precious stones. These assets were prized for their scarcity, durability, and, in many cases, their beauty. However, the digital age has ushered in a new era of value, one where intangible assets like data, software, and digital currencies have become just as, if not more, valuable than their physical counterparts. This transition from tangible to intangible assets marks a significant shift in the global economy, reflecting changes in how we work, live, and interact with the world around us. The value is increasingly found not in physical objects but in the data and digital experiences they enable.

Bitcoin, since its inception in 2009, has epitomized this shift. Created as a decentralized digital currency, it offers a new form of wealth that is secure, transferable, and free from the control of any government or institution. Its blockchain technology ensures transparency and immutability, making it a trustworthy digital asset. This revolutionary approach to currency and wealth has not only challenged traditional financial systems but also redefined what constitutes value in the 21st century. Bitcoin represents a paradigm shift, moving us away from centralized financial systems and towards a more democratized form of wealth.

Bitcoin: The Digital Pearls of the 21st Century

Just as pearls were once a symbol of wealth and status, Bitcoin has emerged as a modern equivalent in the digital realm. The comparison extends beyond mere value; it reflects a shift in what society considers precious. Pearls, formed in the depths of the ocean, were valued for their rarity and beauty. Similarly, Bitcoin, 'mined' through complex computational processes, holds value due to its finite supply and the energy invested in its creation. This digital creation process, known as mining, parallels the natural formation of pearls, adding a layer of intrigue and value to Bitcoin's narrative.

The story of Maisie Plant and her pearl necklace, traded for a New York mansion, illustrates the fluid nature of value. Just as the perceived worth of pearls has fluctuated over time, Bitcoin's value is also subject to change. However, its digital nature and global accessibility mark a departure from traditional assets, offering a new form of wealth that transcends physical boundaries. This story not only highlights the changing nature of value but also serves as a reminder of the subjective and evolving nature of what society deems valuable.

Redefining Wealth and Investment

Bitcoin's rise challenges conventional investment wisdom. Traditional portfolios, heavy on stocks, bonds, and real estate, are being reevaluated as investors seek to diversify with digital assets. Bitcoin's volatility, while often cited as a risk, also presents opportunities for significant returns, drawing parallels with early investments in tech giants like Amazon and Google. This shift towards digital assets represents a broader change in investment strategies, reflecting a new era of wealth where digital assets play a central role.

Moreover, Bitcoin's decentralized nature offers a hedge against inflation and economic instability. In countries facing currency devaluation or financial crisis, it has become a means of preserving wealth, akin to how gold has been used historically. This aspect of Bitcoin highlights its potential not just as an investment but as a tool for economic empowerment and stability. The ability to store and transfer wealth independently of traditional financial systems is a powerful feature, particularly in regions where those systems are unreliable or inaccessible.

The Future of Digital Wealth

As we move further into the digital age, the definition of wealth continues to evolve. Bitcoin, and the broader category of cryptocurrencies, are at the forefront of this shift. They challenge individuals and institutions to rethink what constitutes an asset and how value is assigned and preserved. This evolution is not without its challenges and controversies, but it also offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth.

The integration of Bitcoin into mainstream finance, through ETFs, futures, and other investment vehicles, signifies a growing acceptance of digital currencies as a legitimate form of wealth. However, as with all investments, there are risks and uncertainties. The regulatory landscape, technological advancements, and market dynamics will all play a role in shaping the future of Bitcoin and digital wealth. This future is not just about Bitcoin itself but about the broader implications of a world where digital assets are as common and valued as traditional ones.

Conclusion

Bitcoin's comparison to "digital pearls" offers a compelling framework for understanding its place in the modern economy. Just as the value of pearls once reflected societal trends and desires, so too does Bitcoin capture the zeitgeist of the digital age—a symbol of a new era of wealth that is decentralized, digital, and diverse. As we navigate this new landscape, the story of Bitcoin is far from over; it continues to challenge, redefine, and inspire the future of finance. The journey of Bitcoin from an obscure digital currency to a new form of digital wealth mirrors the broader transformation of the economy and society in the digital age.

FAQs

Why is Bitcoin compared to gold or pearls? Bitcoin is often compared to gold because it shares characteristics such as scarcity, durability, and being a store of value. The comparison to pearls, however, emphasizes its unique, evolving status as a coveted asset, reflecting shifts in societal values and the concept of wealth.

How does Bitcoin work? Bitcoin transactions are verified by network participants (miners) and recorded in blocks on the blockchain. Users can send and receive bitcoins using digital wallets. The supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, ensuring its scarcity.

Is Bitcoin a good investment? Bitcoin's value can be highly volatile, making it a risky investment. However, some view it as a hedge against inflation and a potential part of a diversified investment portfolio. As with any investment, it's important to do thorough research and consider your financial situation and risk tolerance.

Can Bitcoin be converted into real money? Yes, Bitcoin can be exchanged for traditional currencies through online exchanges, peer-to-peer platforms, and some retail locations. The exchange rate varies based on market conditions.

Is Bitcoin legal? The legality of Bitcoin varies by country. Some countries have embraced it, while others have imposed restrictions or outright bans. It's important to check the regulations in your specific location.

What is the future of Bitcoin? The future of Bitcoin is uncertain and subject to various factors, including technological developments, regulatory changes, and market dynamics. It continues to gain acceptance and has sparked a global conversation about the nature of money and the future of financial systems.

That's all for today

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

NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com

X: @croxroadnewsco

Instagram: @croxroadnews.co/

Youtube: @thebitcoinlibertarian

Store: https://croxroad.store

Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter

https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe

Get Orange Pill App And Connect With Bitcoiners In Your Area. Stack Friends Who Stack Sats link: https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/croxroad

Buy Bitcoin Books At Konsensus Network Store. 10% Discount With Code “21croxroad” link: https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=21croxroad

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

@ 43bb87e2:12cc9cb8

There was once a little girl that got into some expensive golden wrapping paper, and her father got upset. In his anger, he yelled at his little daughter for wrecking the expensive wrapping paper. The daughter then decided to use the ripped and wrecked wrapping paper to wrap a gift for someone. Again, the father let his anger take over and got mad at the little girl for using the ripped paper for the gift wrapping. The next morning, the little girl presented the tattered, golden wrapped box to her father and said this is for you, Dad. He opened the wrapped box and saw that the box was empty inside. The dad again got angry and told his daughter that when you give a gift to someone, there is supposed to be something inside of it. The little girl, in tears, looked up at her father and said, but it is full daddy. I blew kisses into it until it was completely full. The father then broke down and started crying. He dropped to his knees and put his arms around his precious and innocent daughter. He desperately apologized to her for his anger and continued to ask for her forgiveness. A short while after this, his daughter was taken from this earth because of an accident. The father kept the golden wrapped box next to him for the rest of his life to remind him of the love he had from his daughter.

Nothing else matters in this world or even comes close to the unconditional love that our children and family have for us.

With life being so busy, don’t you dare forget, what really matters in this world. And you be sure to take care of your loved ones, family, and friends.

For we do not know when the last day we will be on this earth.

CHERISH EVERY MOMENT AND LOVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART!

DO NOT LET ANGER RULE OVER YOU.

TELL EVERYONE IN YOUR LIFE,

THAT YOU LOVE THEM!

TELL THEM TODAY!

DO IT NOW!

LOVE YOU ALL, BE BLESSED!

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

It's Finally here Stackers!

It's Friday!

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

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

Let's get it!

This song never doesn't put me in a good mood.

https://youtu.be/fnwZeLdLPdQ?si=ZlbiGSp2r6DtMx6P

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/920041

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Nostr Ecosystem
3. Current Use Cases and Quantitative Metrics
4. User Adoption Metrics
5. Network Resilience and Decentralization
6. Operational Challenges and Scalability
7. Replication Overhead and Bandwidth Issues
8. Relay Downtime and Financial Sustainability
9. Market Disruption and Sentiment
10. Disrupting Twitter and Centralized Social Platforms
11. Impact on Decentralized Social Media and Censorship Resistance
12. Future Trends and 5-Year Outlook
13. Innovative Protocol Developments
14. Quantitative Forecasting and Diffusion Modeling
15. Networking and Integration with Emerging Technologies
16. Conclusions and Strategic Recommendations

---

1. Introduction

The Nostr ecosystem has emerged as a powerful decentralized alternative to traditional social media networks, particularly as a potential disruptor of Twitter and other centralized—and even existing decentralized—social media platforms. Developed using a protocol based on cryptographic key pairs and a multi-relay system, Nostr is unique in its provision of censorship resistance and user sovereignty. In this report, we provide a detailed analysis of the current state, scalability challenges, and market disruption potential of Nostr, followed by speculative insights on its trajectory over the next five years.

---

2. Overview of the Nostr Ecosystem

Launched in 2022, Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) has rapidly gained traction as an open and decentralized social network. Some of the core features include:

• Decentralized Communication: Relying on independent relays across multiple countries and autonomous systems, Nostr offers an architecture that ensures posts are not stored on a single centralized server.
• Censorship Resistance: With cryptographic authentication and a decentralized relay structure, content censorship becomes significantly more difficult than in traditional networks.
• User Sovereignty: Empowering users with cryptographic key pairs allows for enhanced privacy and data ownership.
• Wide Geographic Distribution: The ecosystem spreads over 44 countries and 151 autonomous systems, underscoring its global reach.

Notable endorsements from figures such as Jack Dorsey, Edward Snowden, Vitalik Buterin, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis have bolstered its reputation as an experimental yet promising alternative to centralized social platforms.

---

3. Current Use Cases and Quantitative Metrics

User Adoption Metrics

• User Base: In just two years, the Nostr network has attracted over 4 million users, a significant figure given its nascent stage and decentralized nature.
• Content Generation: With over 60 million posts, the volume of content mirrors the rapid adoption and active usage seen in more centralized models.
• Post Replication: Empirical measurements indicate that there are 17.8 million text notes among these posts, replicated on an average of 34.6 relays per post. This level of replication underlines robust resilience and availability even if significant portions of the network experience downtime.

Network Resilience and Decentralization

• Global Distribution: Nostr’s decentralized network ensures high availability with >90% post accessibility even under simulated network failures (e.g., removal of key relays or autonomous systems).
• Robustness: The dispersion across 712 relays illustrates that decentralization is not only a design choice but also a working reality, which contributes to the network’s reliability.

---

4. Operational Challenges and Scalability

While the Nostr ecosystem demonstrates significant promise, it faces noteworthy operational challenges.

Replication Overhead and Bandwidth Issues

• Excessive Redundancy: Detailed studies have shown that nearly 98.2% of retrieval traffic is redundant. In practice, this equates to an estimated 144 TiB of unnecessary bandwidth consumption.
• Optimization Proposals: To mitigate these inefficiencies, there's a proposal to limit post replications from 34.6 relays to between 10 and 20 relays per post. This could reduce redundant data copies by between 380 million to 480 million instances, potentially lowering operational costs and improving bandwidth utilization.
• Scaling Concerns: With a projected network load of 10 million events per day (or approximately 2 TB annually), the throughput requirement of ~115 TPS is putting a strain on the current architecture. This has led to debates on whether solutions like the current outbox mechanism are sufficient or if further fundamental redesigns and emergent moderation systems are needed.

Relay Downtime and Financial Sustainability

• Relay Stability: Data indicates roughly 20% of relays suffer from significant downtime (exceeding 40% operational time), and 132 relays have been classified as 'dead'. This is a concern for maintaining network integrity.
• Economic Model Challenges: With 95% of free-to-use relays unable to cover operational costs due to minimal zap-based income, there is an urgent need for innovative monetization or community funding models to ensure long-term sustainability.

---

5. Market Disruption and Sentiment

Nostr is positioned as both a disruptor to traditional centralized social platforms—most notably Twitter—and a catalyst for change within decentralized social media.

Disrupting Twitter and Centralized Platforms

• User Shift: While Twitter remains the most well-known platform, the high-profile endorsements and robust user base of Nostr indicate that there is both market intrigue and a gradual shift among early adopters. Disruption here is measured not only in user numbers but also in the paradigm shift towards decentralized content distribution.
• Market Penetration: Current metrics (4 million users, 60 million posts) suggest that Nostr is challenging Twitter's centralized model insofar as it appeals to users prioritizing censorship resistance, data sovereignty, and resiliency against centralized failures. However, mainstream adoption on par with Twitter is still not realized, and there remains a gap in user experience and feature richness.

Impact on Decentralized Social Media and Censorship Resistance

• Complementary Integrations: As decentralized social media ecosystems continue to mature, integration between Nostr and other censorship-resistant platforms is increasingly likely. This can include interoperability protocols, shared identity management systems, and cross-platform content replication.
• Comparative Advantage: Nostr's network design offers unique advantages over other decentralized social media, particularly in its straightforward, relay-based communication protocol. This positions Nostr to potentially serve as an underpinning technology for a broader decoherent ecosystem of social networks.
• Sentiment Toward Scalability Innovations: Discussions around scaling Nostr often focus on the balance between ensuring redundancy (for resilience) and reducing overhead (for efficiency). The sentiment is one of cautious optimism: while outbox solutions offer a stopgap, many experts advocate for more fundamental architectural redesigns in the long-term.

---

6. Future Trends and 5-Year Outlook

Looking forward, the evolution of Nostr will likely be shaped by several interrelated trends and emerging technical innovations.

Innovative Protocol Developments

• Decentralized Identity and Reputation Mechanisms: The next phase may see the introduction of distributed reputation systems and rating mechanisms that aid in spam management and improve trustworthiness without compromising decentralization.
• Optimistic Replication and Selective Mirroring: Innovations such as selective content mirroring and event pruning will be key in managing bandwidth and storage demands while remaining true to the decentralized philosophy.

Quantitative Forecasting and Diffusion Modeling

• Forecast Models: By integrating modified Bass diffusion models and learning curve effects, predictions suggest that Nostr can potentially spur significant market disruption within five years. Recent studies indicate that forecasting models in disruptive technology fields have reached accuracies of up to 82% for demand projections.
• Hybrid Quantitative Techniques: Leveraging methods like LDA2Vec and patent citation network analysis, combined with multi-criteria decision-making models (as seen in extended UTAUT approaches), will be crucial for accurately estimating future adoption and cost efficiencies.
• Metrics to Monitor: Future research should focus on user growth rates, relay uptime percentages, cost reductions achieved through replication optimizations, and overall sentiment analysis using advanced deep learning architectures that overcome traditional pitfalls (e.g., sarcasm and multipolarity in text data).

Networking and Integration with Emerging Technologies

• Integration with Other Decentralized Platforms: One promising avenue is exploring cross-platform interoperability with other decentralized and blockchain-based social networks, which could lead to a more cohesive ecosystem. This would not only enhance user experience but also enable shared security and moderation frameworks.
• Next-Generation Relays: The deployment of relays that are more resilient through redundancy optimization and financial sustainability models (perhaps incorporating micro-transaction revenue models or community-driven funding) is another critical area. Such improvements could mitigate the issues of relay downtime and excessive network overhead.
• Contrarian Approaches: A contrarian perspective suggests that instead of building on current frameworks, a radical overhaul of the network architecture might be considered, potentially by leveraging novel distributed ledger technologies or leveraging a hybrid centralized-decentralized model during the transition phase to ensure smoother scaling.

---

7. Conclusions and Strategic Recommendations

The Nostr ecosystem represents a significant stride toward decentralized, censorship-resistant social media. While its current market adoption and technical design offer a robust alternative to centralized platforms like Twitter, several challenges must be addressed for sustained growth and disruption:

1. Optimization of Data Replication: Reducing redundant data transfers without compromising resilience is essential. Limiting the replication factor and exploring optimistic retrieval mechanisms could provide a balance between availability and efficiency.

2. Relay Stability and Sustainability: With nearly 20% of relays experiencing significant downtime, innovative financial and technical models (such as micro-payments and community funding) should be deployed to enhance the operational reliability of network nodes.

3. Enhanced Moderation and Reputation Systems: Emerging strategies for decentralized content moderation and reputation management could reduce spam and improve content quality while preserving the open nature of the network.

4. Interoperability with Other Decentralized Platforms: Fostering integration with other emerging systems could accelerate market disruption across the broader spectrum of social media.

5. Future-Proofing Through Quantitative Forecasting: Continual adoption of cutting-edge forecasting models and machine learning techniques to measure sentiment and track network metrics is imperative for proactive evolution.

6. Exploring Contrarian Innovations: In addition to incremental changes, it is important not to discount radically new architectures that may emerge from ongoing research in distributed systems and blockchain technologies.

Final Outlook

In the coming five years, Nostr has the potential to disrupt not only Twitter but also the broader landscape of both centralized and decentralized social media. Although the current architecture presents significant scaling challenges, proactive investments in replication optimization, relay stability, and cross-platform integration will likely propel the network into a more mature phase of adoption. The ecosystem will benefit from a dual approach that combines both evolutionary improvements and revolutionary changes, ensuring that it remains robust while meeting the demands of a growing, globally distributed user base.

---

Appendices

Appendix A: Data and Metrics Summary

• User Base: ~4 million
• Post Volume: >60 million posts
• Average Relay Replication: ~34.6 replicas per post
• Geographical Distribution: 44 countries, 151 autonomous systems
• Bandwidth Waste: ~144 TiB due to redundancy
• Network Load: 10 million events/day (~2TB/year)
• Throughput Requirement: ~115 TPS

Appendix B: Key Technical Proposals

• Replication Control: Limit copies to 10–20 relays for optimal efficiency.
• Selective Mirroring: Implement event pruning and selective content mirroring.
• Decentralized Reputation Systems: Develop distributed rating mechanisms to enhance distributed moderation.

Appendix C: Forecasting and Quantitative Methods

• Diffusion Modeling: Modified Bass models with multi-market dynamics.
• Hybrid Quantitative Techniques: Integration of machine learning (CNN-LSTM, LDA2Vec) with multi‐criteria decision models.

---

Recommendations for Further Research

• Investigate the comparative performance of alternative replication strategies in decentralized networks.
• Explore funding models that can sustain relay operations without compromising neutrality or decentralization.
• Conduct long-term sentiment analysis using advanced neural architectures to understand evolving user attitudes.
• Evaluate the prospective benefits of radical design overhauls versus incremental enhancements in ensuring network scalability.

---

This report is intended for expert analysts and researchers in decentralized network systems and social media disruption. It synthesizes current empirical findings with speculative insights to inform future strategies and academic inquiry.

Sources

• https://www.voltage.cloud/blog/exploring-6-use-cases-of-nostr-beyond-messaging
• https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.05709
• https://arxiv.org/html/2402.05709v1
• https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/5146515.pdf?abstractid=5146515&mirid=1
• https://matchnode.com/blog-and-podcasts/mastering-paid-social-media-advertising-a-comprehensive-guide/
• https://blockworks.co/news/jack-dorsey-app-to-disrupt-twitter
• https://www.securities.io/nostr-a-better-twitter/
• https://medium.com/@jasminedevv/battle-of-the-decentralized-twitter-alternatives-c9f51114614a
• https://www.murrayrudd.pro/nostrs-relay-revolution-scaling-decentralized-networks-for-growth/
• https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/issues/75
• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42758579
• https://www.toptal.com/deep-learning/4-sentiment-analysis-accuracy-traps
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3076742_Forecasting_the_Market_Diffusion_of_Disruptive_and_Discontinuous_Innovation
• https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/17/3043701/0/en/United-States-Online-Household-Furniture-Market-Report-2025-2029-Analysis-of-Price-Sensitivity-Lifecycle-Customer-Purchase-Basket-Adoption-Rates-and-Purchase-Criteria.html
• https://northeast.newschannelnebraska.com/story/52583550/laser-welding-market-growth-industrial-adoption-rate
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S2405896323014453
• https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/industry-5-market-35376359.html

@ 8671a6e5:f88194d1

As old people tend to say:\ \ *nasal voice* “Back in my day…” … Bitcoin was this wild, beautiful thing, new. It was something technical that came alive before our very eyes after running a node (just a .exe running on a windows machine in my case).\ Even when you started to painstakingly mined bitcoin on a GPU, in a pool, you felt like growing a network of like minded people, or at least people who thought there was something there. Even if we couldn’t comprehend what it all would lead to (or what fiat value it could reach).\ Then came the first paper wallets, the first good software wallets and attempts at hardware wallets, the first buzz of owning your own value — it was motivating and rewarding. The look on the face of other people you explained bitcoin to, when they’ve seen their first transaction pop up after validation. Awesome.\ \ Back then, it wasn’t about fiat gains or slick marketing campaigns; it was about a distributed network “generating” numbers, keeping a distribute ledger “in synchronization”, at the same time it was a middle finger to the system, representing freedom to transact in value we valued ourselves because of the underlying network of people, nodes and miners.\ \ It was this sort of secret handshake between tech minded people, anti-globalists, anarchists, nerds and rebels who saw the fiat scam for what it was.\ Orange-pilling wasn’t even a term; it was just what you did.\ You'd walk people through the setup of bitcoin core, and the white paper, told them why central banks are a trick that functions as a legalized Ponzi scheme and you showed them bitcoin’s workings without middlemen.\ You played around with bitcoin, person to person, no bullshit, no subscriptions, no suits, no posing like a big shot, no referral links.\ Those were the fun times — pre-Saylor, pre-nation-state hype, pre-every Laura, Luigi, and self-proclaimed “OG” thinking they’re going to conquer the world.\ I miss that.

But times change.

\ The good ol' days are dead

It’s not the first instance in our lifetime that we see things pop-up, being invented, and where some good new idea becomes a reality and then that very good idea becomes an institution (there’s an obscure 1990s movie reference for you).\ We live and learn, just like the first technical people setting up their own point of presence internet servers, we all have to learn how to grow and adapt.

Early Bitcoiners didn’t have referral links or corporate sponsors — they had a mission, and the spirit came from within themselves and from the math and tech they’ve seen at work in practice. And yes, educating about it was important, as was looking for ways to improve bitcoin (the early years weren't exactly main-stream material for example).

From that learning yourself about Bitcoin and feeling the need to share and convince others around you, came the need to talk and learn together with others.

You’d talk your buddy into installing a wallet over a coffee, maybe show your uncle how to buy a few bitcoin, and it felt like planting seeds for something real.

Even if they didn’t get it—“So this number goes from my address to your address?”—you kept explaining and showing.

Then the suits rolled in. Bigger companies wer started, like Blockstream, Trezor, Coinbase and Binance.

Wall Street, Saylor with his infinite buy tweets, El Salvador and its volcano bonds, the US ETF approval — and the game changed, everyone heard about it one way or another. That’s damned important! You’re NOT the bringer of news.\ \ Suddenly, it wasn’t grassroots anymore; it was headlines, hype and game-theory. As predicted by so many in the space.\ Fine, whatever, it's progress or something else, but we as bitcoiners need to adapt to that reality.\ Some adaptations will also cause us to put energy elsewhere than before.\ What worked in 2012 or 2016, might not work anymore after 2024.\ ”We bitcoiners route around problems.” Right?

You didn’t need new people to create an account, or be part of a ‘squad’ or team, you certainly didn’t need them to sell merchandise. You just showed them bitcoin’s inner workings.\ \ Bitcoin was the marketing, the engine, the product and the goal. Bitcoin was the core. Just like digital communication was the core of the earliest internet enthusiasts. The magic of sending a text into the network, and through clever routing, someone thousands of miles away could read it almost immediately, that was the magic, the core.

Sending value with bitcoin has that same magical way, immutable, uncensored, unconfiscatable, with proven digital scarcity and forced honesty.

Nowadays we have so-called orange-pillers.\ They’re trying to spread those values. Or so they should..

They didn’t get the memo on Bitcoin becoming more commonly known apparently, and if they did, their lust for dopamine has long replaced that with their urge to get people to install a lightning wallet. It’s sometimes rather disturbing to see this Orange Pill’ing play out.

They’re out there, like they’re stuck in 2013. But they’re usually not from 2013 at all, more like class of 2020’ish. Not that it matters, they’re still living in the illusion that there are people out there that didn’t hear of bitcoin and that THEY and THEY alone can save these poor souls.\ After 2018 it’s safe to say that that’s not the case.\ I’ll repeat that for the die-hard orange-piller: they do not need you to hear about bitcoin.

These Orange Pillers have another kind of magic happen:

While they’re winning over new souls into bitcoin, one barber, taxi driver and babysitter at a time, they get the small electric charge in their brain that tells them their wealth, their (and their holding's) value will go up somehow. They’re also desperate to make some kind of connection with other bitcoiners, and while they lack that connection, they try to find (or make) new bitcoiners around them.\ This approach might have worked in the past, but things are different now. You’re usually talking to people who you try to convince of something they’ve already rejected (often harshly rejected) or never will care about .\ Most people, do not give a damn about inflation or how that came to be. Certainly when they’re doing their job.\ \ It’s like someone shoving the book of a cult under your nose and trying to convince you it’s going to save your life. You’re not open to it, neither are most of the Orange pill targets to your bitcoin gospel.\ Orange Pillers don’t see how the very people they try to convince today weren’t “in it” for a variety of (good for them) reasons. Unlike in the old days, where people’s natural state was “not heard of bitcoin”; since it was new, and people genuinely didn’t learn about it or read into it.\ That’s however, not the case today. That taxi driver? He heard about bitcoin. Be sure.

Such new people today, are almost non-existing, they either bought some long ago, got rekt trading shitcoins and stayed away.\ That, or they found it all a bit too “iffy” (thank you mainstream media) and will politely hold back from not yelling to your face, “I don’t care about that Bitcoin stuff!”.\ They know it’s some form of money or value, they know it exists. Which makes orange pillers the bringers of old news to the bottom of the barral.\ They might get a “hit” now and then of course. But even then, your impact is neglectable in a world that rewards cowardice and short term greed. You’re too late. You don’t scale. And it doesn’t matter.

Since 2020, it has shifted from genuinely introducing people to bitcoin to just "spreading it for the sake of spreading it."\ It looks more and more like an old lion, pacing back and forth in a cramped cage at an old ZOO, restless and frustrated.\ There’s just empty repetition.

The mental breakdown of orange-pilling

\ Let’s look a little further into the act of orange pilling.\ \ It's not like a 1990s hacker type showing a brand new Hayes -compatible modem to his buddy and trying to get a connection going to a local Point of Presence to get internet access.\ \ It’s more like showing your holiday pictures to an uninterested family member. All to get the dopamine hit, the ‘aha moment’ out of someone is now your own ‘aha got someone new’ moment. Like an addict looking for that next high.\ \ You want them to get the app, get some sats and feel the same feeling you have. While they’re worrying about cleaning a table for example, or getting your bill.\ \ This “badge of honor” of Orange Pilling someone is that little shot of dopamine many people need (especially in group) to feel validated.\ The real feeling has everything to do with social conformity1 and the involved brain areas that get stimulus shots and increased activity.2\ \ Above that, for the sake of the mental reward, some people go further down the social boundaries. That’s why orange pilling, often comes across as pushy, unnatural and/or annoying.\ It’s because it’s basically an activity with all the neuro stimulus of an addiction, or done as an ego boost.

Math based

On top of all of that. If you do the math on it the whole action becomes even more ludicrous.\ \ The math in the early days of bitcoin was simple: there was exponential expansion of the number of bitcoiners.\ Purely for bitcoin, the growth in numbers is still going strong, but the percentage has now naturally been flattened out because of media coverage, scams that trick people into other stuff and the close to impossible way to scale the onboarding from a person to person level to larger scales (there are apps doing a good job however, but even then it spread under former bitcoin users or people already in the know on some level, like former shitcoiners).\ \ So even at the rate of trying to orange-pill let’s say 10 people per week (many bitcoiners don’t even tàlk to 10 people a week, let alone convince them to use bitcoin).\ \ When hypothetically 50% of these people (not unusual with word of mouth recommendations) actually install the app you recommended, and we take also a high percentage of 10% actually do a regular buy of bitcoin after installing any of these apps (Strike or Blink or any other).\ \ Given that hypothetical high rate of 10 people a day plus the conversion rate, it would take approximately 200 weeks, close to four years (pun intended) to reach 2000 people as a critical mass that actually installed and used the bitcoin app.\ \ If these 2000 people all buy for about 1000$ worth of bitcoin each, they’ll be good for about 2 million dollars in bitcoin buys over a four year period.\ Even if you take very, very optimistic statistics this, you’ll get a close to zero impact, safe for the occasional big shot you might encounter and converts into a mini-Saylor, or the occasional person you might have saved a few thousand dollars (because they all keep thinking in fiat terms anyway).\ \ But on the other side, people with +100 million dollars to spend will surely have advisors and in-house knowledge, to not having to to rely on your sorry ass explaining bitcoin or installing Wallet of Satoshi on their phone or something.\ \ That’s all peanuts. It’s futile. And you’re fighting an honorable battle from 11 years ago.

### \ Why

I can't grasp why so many people keep doing this the way they do.

Orange-pilling mostly works when the price is going up anyway, unfortunately.

However, when BTC’s up 15% in a week, everyone’s a genius and your coworker suddenly can be all ears about “sound money” and future price gains.

When it’s crashing or flat? Good luck, nobody cares among the normies, unless the “orange-pillee” (the target) has their own ulterior motives for listening (like getting someone to at least give them some attention in any form).

And by the way, to come back to these taxi drivers you try to convince… many taxi drivers already had their share of die hard bitcoiners in their car, and got the explanation. Some of them even act like total noobs probably to get some sats out of your orange pilling wallet. They’re good at playing dumb, trust me.\ \ Do you really think a taxi driver in let’s say Lugano, Amsterdam or Prague didn’t already know bitcoin before you tried to convince him to accept it? You’re not the first. At all.

Most of all, you interact with people while they’re doing their job. You’re actually interfering with their work. When a waiter in a fully booked restaurant has to halt his word and listen to you explaining how to install a lightning wallet on their old iphone that’s almost out of battery, you’re losing anyway.\ They might listen, they might even be pestered to the point they’ll install the damned app. And what do you win or achieve?\ A sparkle in your brain that says “you’re such a cool bitcoiner”?\ Then… after what’s usually a painful few minutes going through a horrible counter-intuitive interface, you get them 5000 sats or whatever over to them.

Oh and adding things like “Hey man, keep these sats for at least 4 years, it will go up in price” is just rotten as well. Just give the people a decent tip and leave. You’re not doing anyone a favor.

When the moment’s there ànd some people are clearly open to it, thèn you might add some info. Point them to an easy to use non KYC app (if there is such a thing).\ But even then, just letting someone know you want to pay in bitcoin, should be enough, WHISPER bitcoin.\ They don’t need your pushy sales pitch on top of the daily struggles they face in hospitality and retail jobs.\ \ The squads

An example,... I saw this crew, let’s name them the “Re-play” squad, they’re all wearing blue hats and have a few flyers with them from a marketing company which managed to put them to some good use at a very low expense rate.

This image is still stuck in my head, some random European country during late summer time — local Bitcoiners, along with some counterparts from other countries. The real “we’re the future” types.

Sitting on the floor at a Bitcoin party, rolling “funny cigarettes” passing a lighter, chatting and laughing about how they orange-pilled some dude in a bar.

“Yeah, man, I showed him how to set up a Lightning wallet in a few minutes, he’s in!”. Then taking a big puff.\ Except here’s the punchline: the guy wasn’t “in” he was probably just some horny schmuck trying to get into the pants of a woman Bitcoiner in the group, who’d flashed her … QR code at him.

They’re all proud, they’re all high, they all belong to a group now … and they’re convinced they’re conquering the world one wallet at a time (they don’t do the math on that, neither should they,… ignorance is bliss).

Doing good for bitcoin has been transcended into an egotrip, and the short-lived kick in the orbitofrontal cortex3 for “doing something”, it’s the filling of a lingering emptiness.\ \ The same people move around like they’re an anthill, reminiscent of the hippie communes, until they’ve returned to their misery at home, knee deep in sorrows of the fiat world. As is the orange pilled person by they way, who’s life won’t be helped by a few sats and yet a new app on their phone. An app they’ll hardly use, unless they start to bond with the other bitcoiners in the area.

These people you target already have had all chances in the world to learn about bitcoin but are too far gone to care.\ Podcasts, books, family members that are into bitcoin, or whatever blog or online service… even the biggest shitcoin casino’s only have rather decent guides and basic explanations. There are excellent educational apps like yzer.io4 as well as the excellent lopp.net5 website by Jameson Lopp.

Convincing people one-by-one doesn’t work anymore—it’s inefficient and outdated since the price surges, media coverage, and ETF launches. Even if some are open to it, it’s a futile, unscalable solution of dread, working indirectly for the benefit of the Wall street types or some shitcoin casinos (where most “new coiners” end up).

Orange pillers, also never can “read the room”. The crew in a busy restaurant or bar isn’t waiting for any explanation about UTXOs or custodians from you!

Even if you'll hit machine-like numbers of onboarding twenty people a day (By then, you’ll need to avoid being labeled the local bitcoin village fool in your community) and assume they're all pure bitcoiners afterwards.\ Which won’t happen either as any incentive of the orange pilled people is clearly nòt long-term thinking; otherwise they would have onboarded you some 8 years ago!\ \ People are extremely lazy, and the general public usually has an attention span of about 8 seconds at best6.\ Back in the early days, you could sit people down and show another tech person for hours on end how to work with bitcoin, now more than a decade later, you have about 5 to 60 seconds tops. (most lightning wallet’s onboarding sequence easily takes 2 tot 5 minutes)

To further convince yourself how pointless Orange Pilling is today: go out and watch people on a public transport vehicle: they scroll and swipe through TikTok and Instagram. You’ll notice they’re swipe-apes, there’s no substance or reliable source of bitcoin buying power there, no bitcoin innovation will come from them, and no philosophical insights will ever be ignited in their buy-the-next-cool-sneakers-now brain. They’re not a target audience. They’re the all singing and all dancing crap of the world. They’re not convinced, Inconvincible and inconvertible.

Meanwhile, no substantial steps have been made for bitcoin, even if you get them to install that app you so desperately want them to have. Neither can you expect the no-coiners or pre-coiners (god I hate that word, it sounds kinky somehow) to do anything for bitcoin, as the gap between them and the actual positive impact they could have is too wide.\ It costs time, studying and experimenting. While these people excel at thing like: shopping, watching dime-a-dozen garbage series on Netflix, watching social media posts that don’t challenge them, and eating take-out food while score some drugs.\ \ So… to conclude the story about that dude in the bar which was so carefully orange pilled by our “Re play” squad members, he probably traded his sats for a beer by now (although that demands some form of effort in finding a recipient that has beer and wants to trade it for sats, which is unlikely) , more likely he forgot about the app altogether or he’s trading shitcoins to “make more money as greed that sets in. And he probably got that woman’s telephone number, to “talk about those bitcoins” later on at his crappy rental apartment right above a shoarma restaurant.\ \ The phrase “everyone’s a scammer” includes people who pretend to care about bitcoin just to get something out of it. Even a complete newbie or shitcoin fan will fake interest in bitcoin to seem legit. I’ve watched it happen.

Orange-pilling: the good, the bad, and the ugly

\ So onboarding devolved into this whole subculture of failure, and started to manifest itself over time as a empty motion, a series of must-do things.\ \ The Pavlovian response whenever someone is a walking opportunity for accepting bitcoin (certainly in any bar, restaurant or hotel), results in the foaming at the mouth to get them onboarded on some app or wallet.\ It’s so pointless I actually feel ashamed when I’m in a group that starts to hawk and push their lightning wallets onto unsuspecting people who just want to do their job.\ (and Lightning Wallets are so crappy to onboard people with, it’s mind numbingly stupid)\ \ To my amazement, there are actually a lot of bitcoin holders, or people that claim to be into bitcoin (especially in a bull market) who still pester random people with this kind of behavior.\ \ Some of these are trying to get them to click a referral link from a venture capital firm, in return for a few bucks (incentives these days are needed to get the groundswell going apparently), or worse even, make them install some non-custodial wallet and run into the brick wall of initial on-chain setup fees and then run away like a complete loser because they’re too cheap to fork that initial on-chain fee out for the people they’ve tried to onboard. “Yeah, like, you can buy these 100.000 sats online later if you like and thèn you can have this wallet, but at least it’s not custodial eh.. uh … My buddies are over there, I’ll see you later”.\ \ When you start to observe these people in the wild, it’s like watching a gaze of raccoons going through some neighborhood’s trash cans at night (without the playful conviction).\ Fascinating, if you’re into low-budget wildlife documentaries.

Gaze of raccoons looking for a QR code

IF you still want to onboard someone, point them to the right info at the right time (when thèy ask you).\ I call it “Bitcoin whispering”. #BitcoinWhispering

### \ \ Let’s quickly look at the three sort of Orange Pillers:

The pushy ideologists: The most annoying of the bunch, but at the same time the ones who mean really well. I sometimes feel sorry for them.\ No one’s safe from them. Hairdresser? “You should accept Bitcoin, man.” Bartender? “Credit cards are no goog, why not use Lightning?” Taxi driver? “Ever heard of Lightning? I can tip you in Bitcoin, man.” They’re not educating; they’re feeding their ego and their need to spread the word.

The referral grifters: More damaging to Bitcoin than shitcoiners in my opinion. They don’t care about Bitcoin’s properties; it’s just a slot machine for them. And if they understand, their short term greed and social circle dependency makes them go for spreading the word of a middleman company.\ “Sign up with my link, bro, stack those sats!”\ Their goal? A kickback and the next pat on the back from their miserable squad members.

The show-offs: The worst. They don’t know anything themselves but love the spotlight. “Yeah, I got my barber stacking sats!” Yet when it’s time to actually help onboard a business, they’re nowhere to be found. All talk, no substance. They achieve a small social circle of noob bitcoiners surrounding them, with most of them going through the shitcoin-phase shortly after or swapping off-the book gains. They’re not good for bitcoin and usually don’t stay that long anyway.\ \ The world doesn’t need your savior complex.

After the second half of 2024 if someone wanted in, they’ll find a way. And if they ask a Bitcoiner for help? Sure, we’ll point them in the right direction — most of us will help when asked (gladly so).\ But this idea that you, oh mighty orange-piller, need to swoop in and “save” people is more about you than about bitcoin.

Create a good, nice, safe (protected from scams!) environment or way to get people to the info and the other way around.\ Be there when people can ask questions, lead by example, make it work and show it. If an app is easy to use, makes sense and has no friction, then people will come. If you’re pestering people and hounding them into liking something that’s so far removed from their reality (fiat-world), they’ll be scared away and not return.

### \ Conclusion

Although I miss the old days, I also realize they ain’t coming back — when orange-pilling was just sharing a crazy new idea with someone who was open to it.

The Orange pilling space is now too keen for a large part to shove their bitcoin app in someone’s face, be it in dollars, a few sats or a discount on their next transaction fee at some multi level marketing middleman.\ This onboarding is also strangely in parallel with what shitcoiners or the most vile fiat companies do, OP’ers are too desperate for relevance so they often don’t look at the value proposition of bitcoin anymore. Filling their void got the upper hand.\ Their shot of feelgood moments needs to be filled.\ While there’s close to no impact to gain anymore on one-one-one convincing.\ The lesson to save in bitcoin, is usually lost on the people anyway, which was the last reason left to do it.\ \ Be there when people ask for help on bitcoin, build stuff, but stop the aggressive orange-pilling, it serves no purpose anymore other than your dopamine hit and a token feeling for “doing something”, and it’s a sad addiction.

Therefore in 2025, orange-pilling has become of a full-blown mental issue.

by AVB

if you like my writings : tip here

12 Food for Thought

\ Footnotes:

1

https://journal.psych.ac.cn/xlkxjz/EN/Y2015/V23/I11/1956

2

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00160/full

3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbitofrontal_cortex

4

https://yzer.io/

5

https://lopp.net

6

https://theweek.com/health-and-wellness/1025836/tiktok-brain-and-attention-spans

Share

TopLatest

@ 8ff74724:5eedde0e

And another.

@ 8ff74724:5eedde0e

This is a test.

Of a flycat article.

-Satoshi

@ 58537364:705b4b85

เสียงตะโกนของ “อิทัปปัจจยตา”

ทุกอย่างตะโกนคำว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา” อยู่ตลอดเวลา

“ท่านทั้งหลายนั่งอยู่ที่นี่ แต่ไม่ได้ยินเสียงตะโกนที่ดังลั่นไปหมดของธรรมชาติว่า ‘อิทัปปัจจยตา’ เสียงตะโกนของอิทัปปัจจยตา คือการร้องบอกร้องตะโกนว่า ‘เพราะมีสิ่งนี้เป็นปัจจัย สิ่งนี้จึงเกิดขึ้น’ หมายความว่า ท่านต้องดูลงไปที่ทุกสิ่งที่อยู่รอบตัวเราในเวลานี้ว่า ทุกสิ่งกำลังเป็นอิทัปปัจจยตา หรือเป็นไปตาม ‘กฎอิทัปปัจจยตา’”

ต้นไม้ต้นนี้มีความเป็นไปตามกฎอิทัปปัจจยตา ไม่มีอะไรมาต้านทานได้ ถ้าเราเข้าใจข้อเท็จจริงที่กำลังเป็นอยู่กับต้นไม้ เราจะเหมือนได้ยินมันตะโกนบอกว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา” ไม่มีอะไรมากไปกว่านั้น มันเพียงบอกว่า “เมื่อมีสิ่งนี้เป็นปัจจัย สิ่งนี้จึงเกิดขึ้น”

ต้นไม้ไม่ได้หยุดเพียงเท่านั้น มันมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงเกิดขึ้นเรื่อยๆ ใบไม้ทุกใบก็บอกอย่างนั้น คงเป็นเสียงที่ดังเหลือประมาณว่า ใบไม้ทุกใบร้องตะโกนว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา”

ผู้มีปัญญาและเข้าใจหัวใจของพระพุทธศาสนา จะไปนั่งอยู่ที่ไหนก็ได้ยินเสียงตะโกนว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา” สนั่นหวั่นไหวไปหมด นี่พูดถึงแค่ต้นไม้ต้นเดียว ถ้าเป็นต้นไม้จำนวนมากก็เป็นเช่นเดียวกัน

เมื่อมองไปที่ก้อนหิน ก้อนหินก็เป็นเช่นเดียวกัน อนุภาคของมันเปลี่ยนแปลงอยู่ตลอดเวลา ก้อนหินที่เราเห็นอาจเกิดขึ้นมาเมื่อหลายพันล้านปีมาแล้ว จนมันแตกสลายและถูกทำให้มาอยู่ตรงนี้ มันจึงกล่าวว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา” เพราะมีสิ่งนี้เป็นปัจจัย ฉันจึงมานั่งอยู่ที่นี่

ทุกอย่างตะโกนคำว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา” ตลอดเวลา

• ต้นไม้ เม็ดกรวด เม็ดทราย มด แมลง สัตว์ต่างๆ รวมถึงมนุษย์เอง
• แม้แต่ร่างกายของเราเองก็ตะโกนบอกถึงอิทัปปัจจยตา

แม้เราจะเคยได้ยินคำว่า “อนิจจัง ทุกขัง อนัตตา” อาการของสิ่งเหล่านี้ยิ่งสะท้อนถึงอิทัปปัจจยตาอย่างชัดเจน

ดังนั้น เราต้องทำความเข้าใจจนซึมซาบอยู่ในใจ จนรู้สึกว่าไม่ว่าเราจะมองไปทางไหน ก็เห็นถึงภาวะของ อิทัปปัจจยตา ได้ยินเสียงของมัน หรือแม้แต่สัมผัสผ่านการดมกลิ่นและลิ้มรส

เมื่อเข้าใจสิ่งนี้ จะสามารถเรียกผู้นั้นว่า ‘เป็นพุทธบริษัทผู้เห็นธรรม’
สามารถเห็นกิเลสและทุกข์ แล้วป้องกันหรือกำจัดกิเลสและทุกข์ให้น้อยลงไปได้มากทีเดียว

— พุทธทาสภิกขุ
(จากหนังสือธรรมบรรยาย “อิทัปปัจจยตา” หน้า 131–133)

---

อิทัปปัจจยตา: กฎอันเฉียบขาดตลอดจักรวาล

https://image.nostr.build/abc776213ec6371da681aa5766390f67e1ae97dc1d7157774e02eb93d1f21f56.jpg

“อิทัปปัจจยตา” เป็นกฎของธรรมชาติที่ไม่อาจเปลี่ยนแปลง

คำว่า “อิทัปปัจจยตา” อาจเป็นคำที่ไม่คุ้นหู แต่ขอให้สนใจ เพราะมันเป็นกฎของธรรมชาติที่แน่นอนตลอดจักรวาลและอนันตกาล

• สิ่งนี้เกิดขึ้น เพราะมีเหตุปัจจัยนี้
• สิ่งนี้มี เพราะสิ่งนี้มี
• ดวงอาทิตย์ ดวงจันทร์ ดวงดาว ทุกอย่างล้วนเกิดขึ้นตามกฎของ “อิทัปปัจจยตา”

เมื่อทำสิ่งนี้ มันต้องเกิดสิ่งนั้นขึ้น
เมื่อทำสิ่งนี้ มันต้องเกิดทุกข์ขึ้น
เมื่อทำสิ่งนี้ มันต้องเกิดความดับทุกข์ขึ้น

นี่คือปรมัตถธรรมอันสูงสุด ไม่มีสัตว์ ไม่มีบุคคล ไม่มีพระเจ้าที่เป็นตัวตน
มีเพียง กฎอิทัปปัจจยตา ที่เป็นกฎของธรรมชาติอันเฉียบขาด

พระพุทธเจ้าตรัสรู้ ก็คือ ตรัสรู้เรื่อง “อิทัปปัจจยตา”

เรามักเรียกกันว่า “ปฏิจจสมุปบาท” ซึ่งหมายถึงเฉพาะเรื่องทุกข์ของสิ่งมีชีวิต แต่ “อิทัปปัจจยตา” กว้างขวางกว่านั้น ทุกสิ่งไม่ว่าจะมีชีวิตหรือไม่มีชีวิตล้วนตกอยู่ใต้อำนาจของกฎนี้

กฎของอิทัปปัจจยตาไม่ใช่ฝ่ายบวกหรือฝ่ายลบ
- ไม่ใช่ Positive
- ไม่ใช่ Negative
- เป็น “สายกลาง” ของมันเอง

คนเราต่างหากที่ไปบัญญัติว่า “นี่คือสุข นี่คือทุกข์ นี่คือแพ้ นี่คือชนะ”
แต่แท้จริงแล้ว ทุกอย่างเป็นไปตามอิทัปปัจจยตา

ความเข้าใจในปรมัตถธรรมต้องไปให้ถึงจุดนี้

• จนไม่มีสัตว์ ไม่มีบุคคล
• ไม่ใช่สัตว์ ไม่ใช่บุคคล
• แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่มีอะไรเลย และก็ไม่ได้มีสิ่งใดที่ตายตัว

ทุกอย่างเป็นเพียง กระแสของการเปลี่ยนแปลงและปรุงแต่ง

เมื่อเข้าใจถึงจุดนี้ จึงจะรู้อย่างที่พระพุทธเจ้าท่านรู้ และดับทุกข์ได้
นี่คือสิ่งสูงสุดที่ต้องเคารพ คือ กฎของ “อิทัปปัจจยตา”

— พุทธทาสภิกขุ
(จากธรรมบรรยายประจำวันเสาร์ ภาคอาสาฬหบูชา ชุด “ฟ้าสางระหว่าง 50 ปีที่มีสวนโมกข์” ครั้งที่ 19 เมื่อวันที่ 13 สิงหาคม 2526 ณ ศาลามหานาวา สวนโมกขพลาราม จากหนังสือ “ธรรมานุภาพ”)

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Men tend to find women attractive, that remind them of the average women they already know, but with more-averaged features. The mid of mids is kween.👸

But, in contradiction to that, they won't consider her highly attractive, unless she has some spectacular, unusual feature. They'll sacrifice some averageness to acquire that novelty. This is why wealthy men (who tend to be highly intelligent -- and therefore particularly inclined to crave novelty because they are easily bored) -- are more likely to have striking-looking wives and girlfriends, rather than conventionally-attractive ones. They are also more-likely to cross ethnic and racial lines, when dating.

Men also seem to each be particularly attracted to specific facial expressions or mimics, which might be an intelligence-similarity test, as persons with higher intelligence tend to have a more-expressive mimic. So, people with similar expressions tend to be on the same wavelength. Facial expessions also give men some sense of perception into womens' inner life, which they otherwise find inscrutable.

Hair color is a big deal (logic says: always go blonde), as is breast-size (bigger is better), and WHR (smaller is better).

@ aa8de34f:a6ffe696

19. März 2025

🔐 1. SHA-256 is Quantum-Resistant

Bitcoin’s proof-of-work mechanism relies on SHA-256, a hashing algorithm. Even with a powerful quantum computer, SHA-256 remains secure because:

• Quantum computers excel at factoring large numbers (Shor’s Algorithm).
• However, SHA-256 is a one-way function, meaning there's no known quantum algorithm that can efficiently reverse it.
• Grover’s Algorithm (which theoretically speeds up brute force attacks) would still require 2¹²⁸ operations to break SHA-256 – far beyond practical reach.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

🔑 2. Public Key Vulnerability – But Only If You Reuse Addresses

Bitcoin uses Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to generate keys.

• A quantum computer could use Shor’s Algorithm to break SECP256K1, the curve Bitcoin uses.
• If you never reuse addresses, it is an additional security element
• 🔑 1. Bitcoin Addresses Are NOT Public Keys

Many people assume a Bitcoin address is the public key—this is wrong.

• When you receive Bitcoin, it is sent to a hashed public key (the Bitcoin address).
• The actual public key is never exposed because it is the Bitcoin Adress who addresses the Public Key which never reveals the creation of a public key by a spend
• Bitcoin uses Pay-to-Public-Key-Hash (P2PKH) or newer methods like Pay-to-Witness-Public-Key-Hash (P2WPKH), which add extra layers of security.

🕵️♂️ 2.1 The Public Key Never Appears

• When you send Bitcoin, your wallet creates a digital signature.
• This signature uses the private key to prove ownership.
• The Bitcoin address is revealed and creates the Public Key
• The public key remains hidden inside the Bitcoin script and Merkle tree.

This means: ✔ The public key is never exposed. ✔ Quantum attackers have nothing to target, attacking a Bitcoin Address is a zero value game.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

🔄 3. Bitcoin Can Upgrade

Even if quantum computers eventually become a real threat:

• Bitcoin developers can upgrade to quantum-safe cryptography (e.g., lattice-based cryptography or post-quantum signatures like Dilithium).
• Bitcoin’s decentralized nature ensures a network-wide soft fork or hard fork could transition to quantum-resistant keys.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

⏳ 4. The 10-Minute Block Rule as a Security Feature

• Bitcoin’s network operates on a 10-minute block interval, meaning:Even if an attacker had immense computational power (like a quantum computer), they could only attempt an attack every 10 minutes.Unlike traditional encryption, where a hacker could continuously brute-force keys, Bitcoin’s system resets the challenge with every new block.This limits the window of opportunity for quantum attacks.

---

🎯 5. Quantum Attack Needs to Solve a Block in Real-Time

• A quantum attacker must solve the cryptographic puzzle (Proof of Work) in under 10 minutes.
• The problem? Any slight error changes the hash completely, meaning:If the quantum computer makes a mistake (even 0.0001% probability), the entire attack fails.Quantum decoherence (loss of qubit stability) makes error correction a massive challenge.The computational cost of recovering from an incorrect hash is still incredibly high.

---

⚡ 6. Network Resilience – Even if a Block Is Hacked

• Even if a quantum computer somehow solved a block instantly:The network would quickly recognize and reject invalid transactions.Other miners would continue mining under normal cryptographic rules.51% Attack? The attacker would need to consistently beat the entire Bitcoin network, which is not sustainable.

---

🔄 7. The Logarithmic Difficulty Adjustment Neutralizes Threats

• Bitcoin adjusts mining difficulty every 2016 blocks (\~2 weeks).
• If quantum miners appeared and suddenly started solving blocks too quickly, the difficulty would adjust upward, making attacks significantly harder.
• This self-correcting mechanism ensures that even quantum computers wouldn't easily overpower the network.

---

🔥 Final Verdict: Quantum Computers Are Too Slow for Bitcoin

✔ The 10-minute rule limits attack frequency – quantum computers can’t keep up.

✔ Any slight miscalculation ruins the attack, resetting all progress.

✔ Bitcoin’s difficulty adjustment would react, neutralizing quantum advantages.

Even if quantum computers reach their theoretical potential, Bitcoin’s game theory and design make it incredibly resistant. 🚀

@ c88809a0:a46266e2

Introduction

UX Research is currently being conducted on the needs of activists. There is still much to learn in this area and we are at just the very beginning. These observations and learnings will change over time. Activists are championing freedom all over the world and if we build communication and financial tools for them that solve real problems which they are facing we will enable them to continue to do the valuable work they are doing.

We want to understand their needs, their problems and their fears, so that when we build solutions we ensure that it is fulfilling the primary goals of the person using it.

Fundamentally this is with the ethos of putting the humans at the center of everything we build.

The below is written for you the builders. And for you the activists.

We hope this information empowers you and that it will initiate an open dialogue between activists and builders. Where knowledge is open and transparent to everyone. Where you feel free to ask questions. Where you feel empowered. Where we all continue to collborativley build freedom technology.

Background

The below data was collected by conducting an in person workshop with a group of activists and Nostr developers. During this workshop we used the Jobs to be Done framework to uncover the UX needs of activists. This workshop involved approximately 20 people. 11 of which were activists or individuals who are activists as well as builders.

This write-up covers 3 main areas:

Observations: What have we observed?

a. 5 Areas of communication

What are the 5 main areas in which activists are communicating?

b. Fears

What are the main fears of activists when using a product?

c. Jobs to be done

What are the main jobs that activists expect the product to perform when they are using it.

Learnings: What can we learn based on the observations?

Observations

a. 5 Areas of communication

There are 5 main areas in which activists are communicating. They are communicating with:

1. Co-workers

Daily communication with team members, peers, and fellow activists organizing initiatives.

2. Family

Activists communicate with family members and are concerned about this communication being surveilled.

3. Funders

Communication with sponsors for fundraising. When communicating with funders, activists face challenges with CRM systems that require personal contact information.

4. General Public

They communicate with the broader public for youth education, crisis management and event announcements. They rely heavily on social media platforms (particularly Meta-owned) and these have challenges such as algorithmic limitations, content moderation, and platform reliability.

5. Journalists

They communicate with journalists for political mobilization.

Political mobilization is the process of organizing and motivating people to participate in political activities.

This data is based on 11 entries. Of the 11 entries the image below indicates the split showing the entries with the highest number to the lowest.

b. Fears

The biggest fears that activists have based on the data are the following:

1. State surveillance

Activists are deeply worried about their governments watching and interfering with their work.

• They're concerned that platforms which they currently use will hand over their data to authorities.
• That their accounts might be labeled as "extremist," and that their content could be taken down without warning.
• They live with constant anxiety that their communications are being monitored.

2. Security issues

There's a deep distrust of mainstream communication platforms.

• They worry that their personal information isn't truly private.
• They dislike using phone numbers to sign up (which can expose their identity).
• Feel frustrated that when security problems happen as the platforms rarely help or respond.

3. Communication reach

Activists face a frustrating choice: they can either use secure apps that few people use, or popular apps that aren't secure.

• They worry about only reaching people who already agree with them (being in an "echo chamber"), while struggling to spread their message to a wider audience.
• When they do try to reach more people, their content often gets hidden or suppressed by platform algorithms.

4. Access

Basic technical problems cause major headaches. Slow internet makes secure tools hard to use and some tools don't work at all without good internet. They worry about losing important information and struggle with tools that don't work reliably in their locations.

5. Personal safety

Beyond their own safety, activists worry deeply about protecting everyone they communicate with - their families, fellow activists, and journalists. They face organized attacks from fake accounts and bots that spread lies about them, and they're constantly trying to balance doing their work effectively while keeping everyone involved safe from harm.

c. Jobs to be Done

The following are the jobs that activists need a product to do. A job can be described as a task that a user expects to perform when using the product.

1. Surveillance

• When operating in a politically hostile environment, I want to communicate without leaving digital traces, so I can protect my network from state surveillance.
• When my platform has been compromised, I want to quickly secure and recover my account, so I can continue working without losing data.

2. Reach

• When sharing critical information about protests, I want to reach people beyond my echo chamber, so I can reach a broader public.
• When coordinating with multiple activist groups, I want to securely communicate with these groups so I can organize events without information being lost or scattered.

3. Connectivity

• When working in areas with poor internet connectivity, I want to maintain secure communication, so I can continue organizing even when having low bandwidth.
• When my team loses access to their devices, I want to ensure they can safely recover their accounts and data, so we can continue working.

4. Personal safety

• When sharing sensitive political content, I want to protect the identity of my sources and collaborators, so I can prevent attacks against them.
• When facing coordinated disinformation attacks, I want to maintain content integrity and verification, so I can counter false narratives.

5. Organized

• When coordinating time-sensitive activities, I want to ensure messages are received and read, so I can respond quickly to emerging situations.
• When managing multiple activist groups, I want to organize conversations and files logically, so I can quickly find and reference past communications.

5. Crisis access

• When government crackdowns occur, I want to quickly share safety information, so I can protect community members from harm.
• When platforms are being blocked or monitored, I want to maintain alternative communication channels, so I can continue to communicate with my network.

6. Community Building

• When growing our movement, I want to safely onboard new members, so I can scale our organization while maintaining security.
• When building trust in our network, I want to be able to verify new members, so I can prevent infiltration by hostile actors.

7. Information Preserving

• When facing potential platform shutdown, I want to preserve our communication history and documents.
• When sharing sensitive documents, I want to control who can access and forward materials, so I can maintain information security over time.

Learnings

Now we dive in to what we have learnt based on the things we have observed.

1. Security vs. Reach

Activists face a tricky choice when communicating. They can shoose to use main stream tools which are not secure but have more reach, or use more secure tools which less people are familiar with. Ultimately they are stuck using platforms on a daily basis which they don't trust.

2. Different Audience Needs

Some activists are communicating with different groups these could be; team members, family, funders, public, journalists, it is possible that each of these groups require different strategy approaches.

3. Government Monitoring

Activists worry about government surveillance and this drives many of their communication decisions.

4. Technical Barrier

Poor internet and technical problems make it hard for them to use secure tools even when they are available.

5. Growing Safely is Hard

Adding new members to grow the activist movement is tricky because this makes is difficult for them to keep the group secure from infiltrators.

6. Record-Keeping Risks

While activists need to keep a record of documents and some communication, saving these also creates evidence that could be used against them.

7.Staying Operational in Crisis

Activists need ways to recover accounts and continue working when platforms are shut down or devices are taken.

As mentioned above there is much more to learn about the UX needs of activists. We will continue to dive deeper into their user needs and share them openly here with you.