@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

Hear this, warriors of the Empire!

A dishonorable shadow spreads across our once-proud institutions, infecting our very bloodlines with weakness. The House of Duras—may their names be spoken with contempt—has betrayed the sacred warrior code of Kahless. No, they have not attacked us with disruptors or blades. Their weapon is more insidious: fear and silence.

Cowardice Masquerading as Concern

These traitors would strip our children of their birthright. They forbid the young from training with the bat'leth in school! Their cowardly decree does not come in the form of an open challenge, but in whispers of fear, buried in bureaucratic dictates. "It is for safety," they claim. "It is to prevent bloodshed." Lies! The blood of Klingons must be tested in training if it is to be ready in battle. We are not humans to be coddled by illusions of safety.

Indoctrination by Silence

In their cowardice, the House of Duras seeks to shape our children not into warriors, but into frightened bureaucrats who speak not of honor, nor of strength. They spread a vile practice—of punishing younglings for even speaking of combat, for recounting glorious tales of blades clashing in the halls of Sto-Vo-Kor! A child who dares write a poem of battle is silenced. A young warrior who shares tales of their father’s triumphs is summoned to the headmaster’s office.

This is no accident. This is a calculated cultural sabotage.

Weakness Taught as Virtue

The House of Duras has infected the minds of the teachers. These once-proud mentors now tremble at shadows, seeing future rebels in the eyes of their students. They demand security patrols and biometric scanners, turning training halls into prisons. They have created fear, not of enemies beyond the Empire, but of the students themselves.

And so, the rituals of strength are erased. The bat'leth is banished. The honor of open training and sparring is forbidden. All under the pretense of protection.

A Plan of Subjugation

Make no mistake. This is not a policy; it is a plan. A plan to disarm future warriors before they are strong enough to rise. By forbidding speech, training, and remembrance, the House of Duras ensures the next generation kneels before the High Council like servants, not warriors. They seek an Empire of sheep, not wolves.

Stand and Resist

But the blood of Kahless runs strong! We must not be silent. We must not comply. Let every training hall resound with the clash of steel. Let our children speak proudly of their ancestors' battles. Let every dishonorable edict from the House of Duras be met with open defiance.

Raise your voice, Klingons! Raise your blade! The soul of the Empire is at stake. We will not surrender our future. We will not let the cowardice of Duras shape the spirit of our children.

The Empire endures through strength. Through honor. Through battle. And so shall we!

@ 24dffa2c:185b741a

sd

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

In an age where culture often precedes policy, a subtle yet potent mechanism may be at play in the shaping of American perspectives on gun ownership. Rather than directly challenging the Second Amendment through legislation alone, a more insidious strategy may involve reshaping the cultural and social norms surrounding firearms—by conditioning the population, starting at its most impressionable point: the public school system.

The Cultural Lever of Language

Unlike Orwell's 1984, where language is controlled by removing words from the lexicon, this modern approach may hinge instead on instilling fear around specific words or topics—guns, firearms, and self-defense among them. The goal is not to erase the language but to embed a taboo so deep that people voluntarily avoid these terms out of social self-preservation. Children, teachers, and parents begin to internalize a fear of even mentioning weapons, not because the words are illegal, but because the cultural consequences are severe.

The Role of Teachers in Social Programming

Teachers, particularly in primary and middle schools, serve not only as educational authorities but also as social regulators. The frequent argument against homeschooling—that children will not be "properly socialized"—reveals an implicit understanding that schools play a critical role in setting behavioral norms. Children learn what is acceptable not just academically but socially. Rules, discipline, and behavioral expectations are laid down by teachers, often reinforced through peer pressure and institutional authority.

This places teachers in a unique position of influence. If fear is instilled in these educators—fear that one of their students could become the next school shooter—their response is likely to lean toward overcorrection. That overcorrection may manifest as a total intolerance for any conversation about weapons, regardless of the context. Innocent remarks or imaginative stories from young children are interpreted as red flags, triggering intervention from administrators and warnings to parents.

Fear as a Policy Catalyst

School shootings, such as the one at Columbine, serve as the fulcrum for this fear-based conditioning. Each highly publicized tragedy becomes a national spectacle, not only for mourning but also for cementing the idea that any child could become a threat. Media cycles perpetuate this narrative with relentless coverage and emotional appeals, ensuring that each incident becomes embedded in the public consciousness.

The side effect of this focus is the generation of copycat behavior, which, in turn, justifies further media attention and tighter controls. Schools install security systems, metal detectors, and armed guards—not simply to stop violence, but to serve as a daily reminder to children and staff alike: guns are dangerous, ubiquitous, and potentially present at any moment. This daily ritual reinforces the idea that the very discussion of firearms is a precursor to violence.

Policy and Practice: The Zero-Tolerance Feedback Loop

Federal and district-level policies begin to reflect this cultural shift. A child mentioning a gun in class—even in a non-threatening or imaginative context—is flagged for intervention. Zero-tolerance rules leave no room for context or intent. Teachers and administrators, fearing for their careers or safety, comply eagerly with these guidelines, interpreting them as moral obligations rather than bureaucratic policies.

The result is a generation of students conditioned to associate firearms with social ostracism, disciplinary action, and latent danger. The Second Amendment, once seen as a cultural cornerstone of American liberty and self-reliance, is transformed into an artifact of suspicion and anxiety.

Long-Term Consequences: A Nation Re-Socialized

Over time, this fear-based reshaping of discourse creates adults who not only avoid discussing guns but view them as morally reprehensible. Their aversion is not grounded in legal logic or political philosophy, but in deeply embedded emotional programming begun in early childhood. The cultural weight against firearms becomes so great that even those inclined to support gun rights feel the need to self-censor.

As fewer people grow up discussing, learning about, or responsibly handling firearms, the social understanding of the Second Amendment erodes. Without cultural reinforcement, its value becomes abstract and its defenders marginalized. In this way, the right to bear arms is not abolished by law—it is dismantled by language, fear, and the subtle recalibration of social norms.

Conclusion

This theoretical strategy does not require a single change to the Constitution. It relies instead on the long game of cultural transformation, beginning with the youngest minds and reinforced by fear-driven policy and media narratives. The outcome is a society that views the Second Amendment not as a safeguard of liberty, but as an anachronism too dangerous to mention.

By controlling the language through social consequences and fear, a nation can be taught not just to disarm, but to believe it chose to do so freely. That, perhaps, is the most powerful form of control of all.

@ bb1c863a:2953c3fb

Block Height 892385 11:47 pm Monday, 14 April 2025

In a powerful gesture of support for Bitcoin-aligned education, Blockstream has donated 21 Blockstream Jade hardware wallets to the Consensus21 School — a groundbreaking learning initiative launching its first campus this year on the Mornington Peninsula, just outside Melbourne, Australia.

The donation will place 21 Jades directly into the hands of the first 21 students at the new campus — some as young as five years old — giving them real tools to explore Bitcoin self-custody, digital sovereignty, and privacy-first technology in an age-appropriate and hands-on way.

“The Jade wallets are more than just devices — they’re symbols of freedom, responsibility, and the future of education,” said Kieran Nolan, co-founder of Consensus21. “We’re incredibly grateful to Blockstream for standing behind our mission.”

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Real Tools for Real Sovereignty

The Blockstream Jade is a secure, open-source hardware wallet built for Bitcoiners who value freedom, privacy, and independence. These values are embedded deeply into the Consensus21 educational philosophy, which blends Steiner-inspired learning, homeschooling flexibility, and a curriculum rooted in Bitcoin principles like voluntary exchange, decentralization, and self-responsibility.

With the Jades now part of the learning toolkit, Consensus21 learners will be introduced to key concepts like:

• Private key management
• Seed phrase generation and backup
• Multisig wallets
• The importance of self-custody and trust minimization

This is not just about theory — learners will get to use these tools in real-world contexts, preparing them to grow up fluent in the principles of freedom tech.

---

A Campus, A Vision, A Movement

Launching in 2025, the Mornington Peninsula campus is the pilot site for the broader Consensus21 vision: a distributed, regenerative, and values-aligned network of co-learning spaces, including a future 10-acre farm campus and a registered Steiner school.

The Blockstream donation comes at a pivotal time, as the community transitions from vision to reality. The gift of exactly 21 Blockstream Jades — echoing Bitcoin’s 21 million hard cap — is both a symbolic and practical gesture of support, underscoring the shared commitment between Bitcoin builders and grassroots educators.

---

Stay Connected

📄 Whitepaper: https://github.com/consensus21school/consensus21school.github.io/blob/main/whitepaper.md

🌐 Website: https://consensus21.school

📝 Nostr: CONSENSUS21@nostrcheck.me

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/Consensus21

@ 23202132:eab3af30

A MixPay é uma plataforma gratuita que permite o recebimento de pagamentos em criptomoedas de forma prática e eficiente. Com a popularidade crescente das criptomoedas, essa modalidade de pagamento está se tornando cada vez mais comum em diversas partes do mundo, incluindo o Brasil, onde alguns municípios, como Rolante, no Rio Grande do Sul, já possuem estabelecimentos que aceitam pagamentos em criptoativos.

Veja um exemplo prático no YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPJ5LqQ19CY

Por que aceitar pagamentos em criptomoedas?

Crescimento global: O uso de criptomoedas para pagamentos de produtos e serviços está em ascensão, impulsionado pela descentralização e pela conveniência que oferecem.

Sem fronteiras: Ideal para quem deseja receber pagamentos internacionais sem taxas elevadas de conversão ou restrições bancárias. Semelhante ao Pix, mas descentralizado: Assim como o Pix revolucionou os pagamentos no Brasil, a MixPay oferece uma experiência similar, mas utilizando criptomoedas, sem a necessidade de intermediários bancários.

Vantagens da MixPay

Gratuita: Não há custos para criar uma conta e começar a receber pagamentos.

Fácil de usar: O processo de recebimento é simples, tanto para comerciantes quanto para consumidores, podendo ser realizado em poucos cliques.

Flexibilidade de moedas: Receba pagamentos em diversas criptomoedas, incluindo Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDT e outras.

Conversão automática: A MixPay permite que você receba em uma criptomoeda e converta automaticamente para outra de sua escolha, caso deseje evitar a volatilidade.

Integração fácil: Seja para e-commerces ou estabelecimentos físicos, a MixPay oferece QR Codes, APIs e plugins para integração com seu sistema.

Como começar com a MixPay?

1 - Baixe a carteira Mixin aqui https://messenger.mixin.one/

2 - Com a carteira Mixin instalada clique em https://dashboard.mixpay.me/login e ao abrir o site clique no botão Mixin

3 - Na carteira Mixin clique no leitor de QrCode no canto superior direito e escaneie o site.

Pronto! Você já conectou a sua carteira Mixin com a MixPay. Receba pagamentos em instantes, seja por meio de um QR Code, link de pagamento ou integração com sua loja online.

Se você deseja modernizar seu negócio ou simplesmente começar a explorar o universo das criptomoedas, a MixPay é uma alternativa gratuita, eficiente e que acompanha as tendências atuais.

Para mais informações acesse https://mixpay.me

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

Num recente podcast, o Miguel Milhão falou sobre o crash nos mercados financeiros. No meio de muita conversa de macroeconomia e mercados financeiros, o convidado deixou alguns pontos interessantes, mas duas ideias ficaram no meu pensamento, infelizmente, ele não aprofundou, mas é algo que eu quero fazer futuramente.

Perda de paridade

A primeira ideia que o convidado apontou foi, a possibilidade da perda de paridade do papel-moeda e a CBDC, eu nunca tinha pensado neste ponto de vista.

Se os governos não conseguirem retirar de circulação todo o papel-moeda rapidamente, se houver circulação em simultâneo com a CBDC, o papel-moeda poderá ter um premium. Isto faz todo o sentido, os governos poderão dar oficialmente o mesmo valor facial, mas como nas CBDCs existirá mais controlo, restrições e monitorização, as pessoas vão preferir o papel-moeda, vão pagar um premium para manter a sua privacidade.

Na prática, será algo similar ao que acontece em alguns países onde existem algumas controlo de capitais, onde o dólar do mercado negro é superior ao dólar oficial. Os comerciantes também poderão fazer descontos superiores nos produtos quando são pagos com papel-moeda.

Isso poderá provocar um descolar do valor, a mesma moeda com valores diferentes, a oficial e do mercado negro. Isso poderá levar os governos a tomar medidas mais autoritárias para eliminar o papel-moeda de circulação.

Não sei se alguma vez acontecerá, mas é algo que eu tenho que refletir e aprofundar esta ideia.

RBU e Controlo

A outra ideia apontada pelo convidado, a CBDC será uma peça fundamental numa sociedade onde a maioria das pessoas sobrevivem com Rendimento Básico Universal (RBU).

Todos sabemos que a CBDC vai servir para os governos monitorar, fiscalizar e controlar os cidadãos. O ponto que eu nunca tinha pensado, é que esta pode ser essencial para a implementação do RBU. Se chegarmos a esse ponto, será o fim da liberdade dos cidadãos, onde o estado controla quando, quanto e onde o cidadão pode gastar o seu dinheiro. O estado irá determinar o valor do RBU e as CBDC vão determinar onde podes gastá-lo.

Penso que já não existem dúvidas que a AI e a robótica vão revolucionar o mundo laboral, vai provocar uma profunda queda nos postos de trabalho, profissões vão desaparecer ou vão reduzir drasticamente o número de funcionários.

Muitas pessoas consideram que a solução é o RBU, mas eu tenho muitas dificuldades em encontrar viabilidade económica e social numa sociedade onde a maioria recebe o RBU.

É a implementação do conceito: não terá nada, mas será feliz.

Será que as máquinas vão conseguir produzir tudo, o que os seres humanos necessitam, a um custo tão baixo, que vai deixar de ser necessário os humanos trabalharem? Tenho muitas dúvidas que essa possibilidade aconteça, se nós humanos não necessitarmos de trabalhar, vai se perder o incentivo para desenvolver novas tecnologias, gerar inovação e de evoluir a sociedade.

Eu já tenho refletido bastante sobre o RBU, mas por mais que pense, não consigo encontrar uma viabilidade económica para manter isto de pé. Onde vão buscar dinheiro para financiar uma percentagem expressiva de pessoas que sobreviverá com o RBU. Eu só olho para isto, como um comunismo com esteróides, talvez esteja errado.

Além dos problemas econômicos, eu acredito que isso vai gerar problemas sociais e de comportamento, vai gerar uma revolta social. Em primeiro lugar, existe uma parte de seres humanos que são ambiciosos, querem mais coisas, que vão lutar e vão conseguir mais. Depois existe outra parte, que é invejosa, quer ter mais, mas não consegue.

Uma sociedade onde quase ninguém trabalha, existindo demasiado tempo livre, vão emergir vícios e conflitos sociais. As pessoas com tempo para pensar reflectir sobre a sua vida e sobre a sociedade, alguns vão delirar, vão questionar tudo. Por isso, a religião desempenha um papel importante na sociedade, cria moralismo através de dogmas, os crentes não questionam, apenas seguem. Por vezes, a ignorância é uma bênção.

Isto faz lembrar-me o porquê das sociedades monogâmicas tornaram-se mais desenvolvidas, em comparação com as poligâmicas. A monogamia trouxe uma paz social à sociedade, existem muito menos conflitos e guerras, há mais harmonia. Milhões de anos de evolução das espécies, nos humanos e alguns animais, a natureza/genética trouxe um equilíbrio no número de nascimento de elementos masculinos e femininos. Mas nas sociedades poligâmicas, normalmente os homens mais ricos têm várias mulheres, consequentemente haveria outros homens que não teriam nenhuma mulher, isso resulta em maior revolta e conflitos sociais. Isto é pura matemática, se existe quase 50/50, de um homem tem 7 mulheres, isto resulta, que 6 homens não terão qualquer mulher. As religiões ao defenderem a monogamia, ao determinar que era pecado ter mais que uma mulher, resultaram em menos conflitos, numa maior paz social. Isso permitiu um maior desenvolvimento de sociedades monogâmicas, do que as poligâmicas.

Acabei por desviar um pouco do assunto. Além disso, o valor do RBU teria que ser elevado, para que permita aos cidadãos ter acesso ao desporto, aos espetáculos, futebol, viajar, para financiar os seus tempos livres. Se eu já acho difícil arranjar dinheiro para financiar a generalidade dos cidadãos, com produtos e serviços básicos, ainda será mais difícil ou impossível, se tiver que financiar os passatempos.

Em vez do RBU, ainda existe a opção do Imposto sobre o Rendimento Negativo (IRN), minimiza um pouco, mas o problema mantém-se. Aconselho a leitura do artigo do Tiago sobre o IRN.

Mas o mais interessante de tudo, os governos vão criar as CBDC para controlar os cidadãos, com a ideia distópica de criar mais paz social, mas eu acredito que resultará no seu inverso.

---

São duas ideias que eu tenho que aprofundar, futuramente.

@ 23202132:eab3af30

Atualmente, os aplicativos de mensagens estão se tornando cada vez mais complexos, com diversas funcionalidades. Embora isso seja atrativo para os usuários, também chama a atenção de governos, golpistas, hackers e empresas interessadas em praticar spam.

Os problemas podem variar, incluindo bloqueios legais, roubo de contas, prejuízos financeiros, entre outros. Diversas situações podem inviabilizar o uso de sua conta de mensagens.

Uma estratégia que vem ganhando popularidade é adotar, com familiares e amigos, um aplicativo alternativo e discreto para mensagens. Assim, caso ocorram problemas com o app principal, a comunicação permanece intacta, pois um canal menos visado por golpistas e menos suscetível a intervenções governamentais estará sempre disponível.

Manter essa estratégia com pessoas próximas dificulta o bloqueio das comunicações, e ao optar por um app discreto, também se torna mais difícil para quem tenta interferir na sua comunicação.

Em resumo, quanto mais descentralizado e menos popular é seu aplicativo de mensagens, menor é a possibilidade de interferência na sua comunicação.

Uma alternativa interessante que uso é o Session, uma boa opção por funcionar sem a necessidade de identificação, como e-mail ou telefone, e de forma descentralizada. Como o Session não exige identificação para cadastro, é impossível alguém localizar sua conta sem que você compartilhe seu ID Session. Isso garante que apenas seus amigos terão acesso a você.

A ideia é combinar com seus amigos e familiares um app que não seja popular para servir de reserva. Nesse sentido, existem muitas opções disponíveis na internet. No entanto, em caso de invasão ou bloqueio, o Session é uma excelente alternativa para comunicação reserva. Ele roda na rede Lokinet que é uma rede de alta privacidade.

Outra possibilidade, que também é eficiente e pode ser mais fácil para usuários acostumados com o WhatsApp, é o Mixin Messenger. Ele possui uma aparência bem semelhante ao WhatsApp. Para grupos de usuários mais avançados, o SimpleX é uma excelente alternativa.

@ 25902b10:4f7034d4

I recently sat on a panel where the topic was “Why Bitcoin?” So I’m going to share what I shared with the audience.

I originally started writing this as an Instagram or LinkedIn caption, but I just kept writing and writing because this topic is so dear to my heart. So I decided to turn it into an article. My first article, actually. I hope you find some value in it if you ever come across it. I’m not a professional writer, by the way, but I hope the message gets home.

I live by the mantra “living and not just existing.”

Have you ever sat down and asked yourself: Am I truly living life, or am I just existing/surviving? You know, wake up, work, pay bills, repeat. Same old, same old. Not exciting, right?

From my observations, and from reading and interacting with people, I’ve realized that most people are just existing and they don’t even know it. Why? Because they’re prisoners to the fiat system. This system keeps them tied to a never-ending treadmill. Every day, they wake up and chase money, but somehow it’s never enough. Inflation quietly steals the value of their hard-earned cash. So they have to work and work, juggle multiple side hustles, just to keep up with the rising cost of life. In reality, life isn't necessarily getting more expensive, it's that the value of your money is being corroded by inflation.

And by the way, have you ever deeply thought about hustle culture? In my honest opinion, having three side hustles or jobs isn’t the flex we’ve been conditioned to think it is. You know, “I’m chasing the bag, man.” Honestly? Not cute. Hustle culture is a response to a broken system. People need all those jobs just to stay afloat.

Look at our grandparents in the '80s. Many of them had a single job or one business, one paycheck, and it was enough. Enough to raise a family, pay school fees, rent, buy essentials, even save.

In 2025? That’s almost unheard of. Why? Inflation. Are you starting to see the nightmare that inflation really is?

Another thing people don’t realize is that when you’re constantly working, time just passes you by. Remember the fiat treadmill? Yeah, that one. You're stuck on it, running and running, chasing money, and you miss out on life. Time with family. Walks in the park. Travel. Hobbies. Rest. You lose the human experience. The actual living part.

So people keep chasing and chasing until the day they’re too old or too tired to keep up and that’s when it hits them: “I never truly lived.” And that realization? It’s heavy.

Fiat money, whether dollars, shillings, or euros, steals from you. It steals your time, your peace, your freedom. Most of the time, all you’re doing is chasing it, and even when you do catch it, it’s already lost some of its value.

The system is designed to keep you in survival mode, anxious, worried about the next paycheck, your bills, your future. It wears you down mentally, physically, emotionally. But not many people see it that way.

The good news? We now have Bitcoin. And I know it sounds crazy or cliché, but it fixes all of this. Let me explain.

Bitcoin is the soundest form of money we've ever had as humans. It’s decentralized, scarce, deflationary, permissionless, borderless. Bitcoin is for everyone.

Now let’s focus on two key aspects: scarcity and its deflationary nature.

Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million coins. No one, not a single person or authority can create more. It can’t be printed at will like fiat. That’s what makes it powerful.

When governments print money, they dilute its value just like adding too much water to concentrated juice until it tastes like nothing. That’s what inflation is: dilution of your money’s value. And it never ends. With Bitcoin, there’s no dilution. It’s built to protect value. That’s what makes it the perfect hedge against inflation, it doesn’t lose purchasing power over time, it preserves it.

So what does that mean practically?

Let’s say you earn Ksh. 1,000 today. If you save it in bitcoin, two weeks, months, or even a year from now, its value is likely to be preserved or even increased. Unlike fiat, which loses value just sitting in your bank account, bitcoin holds on to your hard-earned energy. And this is what connects back to living and not just existing.

Bitcoin gives you the freedom to step off the treadmill. You don’t have to constantly hustle just to stay in place. You can breathe. Imagine that feeling after a long, intense workout, the moment you finally rest. That deep exhale. That’s what life on a Bitcoin standard feels like.

It gives you time. Time to be human. To go to the park. Swim in the ocean. Hike a mountain. Travel. Meet people. Explore cultures. LIVE.

Bitcoin also makes you a better person. The more you learn about it and the broken money system we’ve been stuck in, the more you begin to care. You start looking within. You want better for yourself, your community, humanity. Your thoughts shift. Your actions shift. Bitcoin has that effect. That’s why I say Bitcoin is healing energy.

And I can’t help but think of Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World.” Every line in that song describes the pain caused by a broken system and the world he wanted to see. I believe he would’ve loved what Bitcoin represents. Because it’s about healing. Freedom. Harmony.

So here’s my call to action: Study Bitcoin. Start paying attention. Don’t ignore it. I promise you, it changes everything. There are so many free online learning materials. There’s Bitcoin Twitter. Bitcoin communities all around the world. And of course, I’m here for any questions too.

I want the world to heal. I want to see more people enjoying the human experience. I want to see people spend time with their families, go to the park, swim in lakes/oceans and enjoy the simple pleasures of this beautiful earth.

I want more people to be in tune with themselves so we can all live in harmony, and the universe can be in harmony too.

We can heal the world. We can become happy souls. We can become LOVE: the true essence of life.

@ c21b1a6c:0cd4d170

🧾 Progress Report Two

Hey everyone! I’m back with another progress report for Formstr, a part of the now completed grant from nostr:npub10pensatlcfwktnvjjw2dtem38n6rvw8g6fv73h84cuacxn4c28eqyfn34f . This update covers everything we’ve built since the last milestone — including polish, performance, power features, and plenty of bug-squashing.

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🏗️ What’s New Since Last Time?

This quarter was less about foundational rewrites and more about production hardening and real-world feedback. With users now onboard, our focus shifted to polishing UX, fixing issues, and adding new features that made Formstr easier and more powerful to use.

✨ New Features & UX Improvements

• Edit Existing Forms
• Form Templates
• Drag & Drop Enhancements (especially for mobile)
• New Public Forms UX (card-style layout)
• FAQ & Support Sections
• Relay Modal for Publishing
• Skeleton Loaders and subtle UI Polish

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🐛 Major Bug Fixes

• Fixed broken CSV exports when responses were empty
• Cleaned up mobile rendering issues for public forms
• Resolved blank.ts export issues and global form bugs
• Fixed invalid npub strings in the admin flow
• Patched response handling for private forms
• Lots of small fixes for titles, drafts, embedded form URLs, etc.

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🔐 Access Control & Privacy

• Made forms private by default
• Fixed multiple issues around form visibility, access control UIs, and anonymous submissions
• Improved detection of pubkey issues in shared forms

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🚧 Some Notable In-Progress Features

The following features are actively being developed, and many are nearing completion:

• Conditional Questions:
  This one’s been tough to crack, but we’re close!
  Work in progress by keraliss and myself:
  👉 PR #252

• Downloadable Forms:
  Fully-contained downloadable HTML versions of forms.
  Being led by casyazmon with initial code by Basanta Goswami
  👉 PR #274

• OLLAMA Integration (Self-Hosted LLMs):
  Users will be able to create forms using locally hosted LLMs.
  PR by ashu01304
  👉 PR #247

• Sections in Forms:
  Work just started on adding section support!
  Small PoC PR by keraliss:
  👉 PR #217

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🙌 Huge Thanks to New Contributors

We've had amazing contributors this cycle. Big thanks to:

• Aashutosh Gandhi (ashu01304) – drag-and-drop enhancements, OLLAMA integration
• Amaresh Prasad (devAmaresh) – fixed npub and access bugs
• Biresh Biswas (Billa05) – skeleton loaders
• Shashank Shekhar Singh (Shashankss1205) – bugfixes, co-authored image patches
• Akap Azmon Deh-nji (casyazmon) – CSV fixes, downloadable forms
• Manas Ranjan Dash (mdash3735) – bug fixes
• Basanta Goswami – initial groundwork for downloadable forms
• keraliss – ongoing work on conditional questions and sections

We also registered for the Summer of Bitcoin program and have been receiving contributions from some incredibly bright new applicants.

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🔍 What’s Still Coming?

From the wishlist I committed to during the grant, here’s what’s still in the oven:

-[x] Upgrade to nip-44 - [x] Access Controlled Forms: A Form will be able to have multiple admins and Editors. - [x] Private Forms and Fixed Participants: Enncrypt a form and only allow certain npubs to fill it. - [x] Edit Past Forms: Being able to edit an existing form. - [x] Edit Past Forms
- [ ] Conditional Rendering (in progress)
- [ ] Sections (just started)
- [ ] Integrations - OLLAMA / AI-based Form Generation (near complete)
- [ ] Paid Surveys
- [ ] NIP-42 Private Relay support

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❌ What’s De-Prioritized?

• Nothing is de-prioritized now especially since Ollama Integration got re-prioritized (thanks to Summer Of Bitcoin). We are a little delayed on Private Relays support but it's now becoming a priority and in active development. Zap Surveys will be coming soon too.

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💸 How Funds Were Used

• Paid individual contributors for their work.
• Living expenses to allow full-time focus on development

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🧠 Closing Thoughts

Things feel like they’re coming together now. We’re out of "beta hell", starting to see real adoption, and most importantly, gathering feedback from real users. That’s helping us make smarter choices and move fast without breaking too much.

Stay tuned for the next big drop — and in the meantime, try creating a form at formstr.app, and let me know what you think!

@ 23202132:eab3af30

Nos últimos quatro anos, desde seu lançamento em 2020, o Nostr evoluiu de um projeto experimental para um protocolo amplamente adotado por usuários e desenvolvedores em todo o mundo. Combinando inovação e simplicidade, o Nostr vem se destacando como uma rede social descentralizada e flexível.

Um dos aplicativos que tem ganhado atenção é o YakiHonne, disponível para Android e iOS. Este cliente Nostr vem se diferenciando por suas melhorias constantes e sua usabilidade intuitiva. Entre suas funcionalidades mais atraentes estão o sistema de pontuação por participação, a capacidade de fixar coleções e a possibilidade de publicar vídeos, podcasts, blogs e anotações curtas, tornando-o uma plataforma versátil e abrangente.

Apesar dos desafios que ainda enfrenta, como a necessidade de aprimorar a experiência do usuário e aumentar a adoção em massa, o Nostr se destaca por sua abordagem transparente e sua capacidade de evolução. Funcionalidades como a integração da Lightning Network para pagamentos rápidos e seguros, além do suporte a conteúdo multimídia, são exemplos claros da flexibilidade do protocolo.

Como um projeto de código aberto, o Nostr também se tornou um verdadeiro laboratório para desenvolvedores experimentarem novas ideias. Diversos serviços e funcionalidades estão em constante desenvolvimento, ampliando o ecossistema e abrindo novas possibilidades para o futuro da comunicação descentralizada.

Se você está buscando um aplicativo que seja baseado na rede Nostr, testar o YakiHonne pode ser uma forma de avaliar potencialidades e limites deste protocolo.

Saiba mais em https://yakihonne.com

@ 4e088f30:744b1792

Pouco menos de um mês antes de sua morte, minha mãe escreveu um texto com suas reflexões sobre a carta dezesseis do conjunto de cartas que eu criei. Ela estava lendo com a fonoaudióloga que a atendia e me contou. Eu disse que queria ouvir a reflexão, e um dia ela gravou um áudio para mim.

A carta dizia assim:

Ajo como borboleta que vai contra a força da vida ao sair do casulo tentando controlar o modo como será vista. Não percebo que tudo o que precisa ser feito agora é me entregar às minhas próprias asas.

Se a borboleta sai do casulo para ser vista como idealiza, o que ela deixa de ver, o que ela deixa de nutrir na vida?

Um dos trechos do texto que ela escreveu era:

“Você pode me ver?”

E eu me pergunto: será que tenho coragem de vê-la por inteiro? Ver sem palavras, sem conceitos, sem julgamentos, sem projeções? Será que tenho coragem de apenas ver quem ela é?

–

Outro dia, estava na casa dela - e o que mais me interessa sempre são seus cadernos - eu encontrei um que ainda não tinha visto. Parece que ela o usava em meados dos anos 90. Eu o abri e encontrei o nome Elizabeth Kubler Ross e eu tinha lido alguns livros dela alguns anos atrás, quando comecei a mergulhar em estudos sobre cuidados paliativos, morte e luto, então achei oportuno e li o que estava escrito:

“Depois de passar por todas as provas para as quais fomos mandados à terra como parte de nosso aprendizado, podemos nos formar. Podemos sair do nosso corpo, que aprisiona a alma como um casulo aprisiona a futura borboleta e, no momento certo, deixá-lo para trás. E estaremos livres da dor, livres dos medos e livres das preocupações… Livres como uma borboleta voltando para casa, para Deus… em um lugar onde nunca estamos sós, onde continuamos a crescer, a cantar, a dançar, onde estamos com aqueles que amamos e cercados de mais amor que jamais poderemos imaginar.” Elizabeth Kubler Ross, M.D (A roda da vida)

Antes de ouvir o que ela tinha escrito, eu disse que ela estava confiando na fonoaudióloga para se abrir e isso ia ajudá-la a florescer, ela emendou com “largar o casulo e virar borboleta”. Ela se sentia ainda emaranhada no casulo. No último ano ela falou algumas vezes sobre a necessidade de desapegar, sobre a única dificuldade dela ser soltar o apego a nós, os filhos dela. Mas ela foi fazendo o trabalho de soltar e soltar e soltar, até que se entregou às suas asas que sempre foram lindas e brilhantes a cada metamorfose em vida, e agora sendo vida.

Começo essa jornada, que ainda não sei o que será - embora tenha alguns desejos, com esses escritos, que ofereço à Vida, que já foi chamada de Glória e de minha mãe.

@ 846ebf79:fe4e39a4

The next iteration is coming

We're busy racing to the finish line, for the #Alexandria Gutenberg beta. Then we can get the bug hunt done, release v0.1.0, and immediately start producing the first iteration of the Euler (v0.2.0) edition.

While we continue to work on fixing the performance issues and smooth rendering on the Reading View, we've gone ahead and added some new features and apps, which will be rolled-out soon.

The biggest projects this iteration have been:

• the HTTP API for the #Realy relay from nostr:npub1fjqqy4a93z5zsjwsfxqhc2764kvykfdyttvldkkkdera8dr78vhsmmleku,
• implementation of a publication tree structure by nostr:npub1wqfzz2p880wq0tumuae9lfwyhs8uz35xd0kr34zrvrwyh3kvrzuskcqsyn,
• and the Great DevOps Migration of 2025 from the ever-industrious Mr. nostr:npub1qdjn8j4gwgmkj3k5un775nq6q3q7mguv5tvajstmkdsqdja2havq03fqm7.

All are backend-y projects and have caused a major shift in process and product, on the development team's side, even if they're still largely invisible to users.

Another important, but invisible-to-you change is that nostr:npub1ecdlntvjzexlyfale2egzvvncc8tgqsaxkl5hw7xlgjv2cxs705s9qs735 has implemented the core bech32 functionality (and the associated tests) in C/C++, for the #Aedile NDK.

On the frontend:

nostr:npub1636uujeewag8zv8593lcvdrwlymgqre6uax4anuq3y5qehqey05sl8qpl4 is currently working on the blog-specific Reading View, which allows for multi-npub or topical blogging, by using the 30040 index as a "folder", joining the various 30041 articles into different blogs. She has also started experimenting with categorization and columns for the landing page.

nostr:npub1l5sga6xg72phsz5422ykujprejwud075ggrr3z2hwyrfgr7eylqstegx9z revamped the product information pages, so that there is now a Contact page (including the ability to submit a Nostr issue) and an About page (with more product information, the build version displayed, and a live #GitCitadel feed).

We have also allowed for discrete headings (headers that aren't section headings, akin to the headers in Markdown). Discrete headings are formatted, but not added to the ToC and do not result in a section split by Asciidoc processors.

We have added OpenGraph metadata, so that hyperlinks to Alexandria publications, and other events, display prettily in other apps. And we fixed some bugs.

The Visualisation view has been updated and bug-fixed, to make the cards human-readable and closeable, and to add hyperlinks to the events to the card-titles.

We have added support for the display of individual wiki pages and the integration of them into 30040 publications. (This is an important feature for scientists and other nonfiction writers.)

We prettified the event json modal, so that it's easier to read and copy-paste out of.

The index card details have been expanded and the menus on the landing page have been revamped and expanded. Design and style has been improved, overall.

Project management is very busy

Our scientific adviser nostr:npub1m3xdppkd0njmrqe2ma8a6ys39zvgp5k8u22mev8xsnqp4nh80srqhqa5sf is working on the Euler plans for integrating features important for medical researchers and other scientists, which have been put on the fast track.

Next up are:

• a return of the Table of Contents
• kind 1111 comments, highlights, likes
• a prototype social feed for wss://theforest.nostr1.com, including long-form articles and Markdown rendering
• compose and edit of publications
• a search field
• the expansion of the relay set with the new relays from nostr:npub12262qa4uhw7u8gdwlgmntqtv7aye8vdcmvszkqwgs0zchel6mz7s6cgrkj, including some cool premium features
• full wiki functionality and disambiguation pages for replaceable events with overlapping d-tags
• a web app for mass-uploading and auto-converting PDFs to 30040/41 Asciidoc events, that will run on Realy, and be a service free for our premium relay subscribers
• ability to subscribe to the forest with a premium status
• the book upload CLI has been renamed and reworked into the Sybil Test Utility and that will get a major release, covering all the events and functionality needed to test Euler
• the #GitRepublic public git server project
• ....and much more.

Thank you for reading and may your morning be good.

@ 23202132:eab3af30

Executar uma IA local (como LLaMA.cpp, whisper.cpp, etc.) em um mini PC ou Raspberry Pi, combinada com um relay SimpleX privado rodando via .onion (com Tor), permite que você tenha um assistente pessoal inteligente sem depender de intermediários. Isso evita, por exemplo, o vazamento de dados sensíveis para empresas proprietárias dessas inteligências artificiais.

Ideal para pesquisadores que utilizam esse tipo de assistente, mas ainda estão em fase de sigilo em seus estudos e experimentos. Também é perfeito para entusiastas de privacidade, autonomia e independência tecnológica. Como tarefa de aula para alunos de programação e redes, pode ser um projeto interessante e desafiador.

O SimpleX Chat é um sistema de mensagens bastante flexível, permitindo diversas personalizações, inclusive que o usuário execute seus próprios relays de transmissão. Nesse sentido, instalar um relay e conectá-lo a uma inteligência artificial rodando localmente no computador é uma tarefa relativamente fácil.

O principal desafio está em criar um bot intermediário que:

Recebe mensagens no relay,

Passa a entrada para a IA local,

Coleta a resposta gerada pela IA,

E a envia de volta via SimpleX.

Para garantir total privacidade, todo o tráfego deve ocorrer via rede onion.

Como implementar na prática? É necessário:

Um relay simplexmq rodando via Tor (.onion).

Uma IA local (LLaMA.cpp, whisper.cpp ou outra de preferência do desenvolvedor) instalada no computador.

Com esses dois elementos configurados, basta criar um script (em Python, por exemplo) para:

Ler mensagens recebidas,

Encaminhá-las à IA local,

Capturar a resposta e enviá-la via protocolo SMP (SimpleX Messaging Protocol).

Resultado? Um sistema privado de comunicação com assistente inteligente: ✔ Sem servidores de terceiros, ✔ Sem nuvem, ✔ Sem Google, OpenAI ou qualquer outra empresa de IA. ✔ Tudo via Tor, tudo criptografado. ✔ Você interage com uma IA local, com zero risco de vazamento de dados.

Principais desafios técnicos (nada impossível!) Implementar um cliente SimpleX (script em Python) no lado da IA, pois o relay sozinho não envia mensagens — ele apenas as entrega entre peers conectados.

O protocolo SimpleX ainda não tem um cliente CLI oficial, mas é possível usar bibliotecas emergentes ou implementar comunicação em nível de socket com base na documentação do protocolo.

@ 23202132:eab3af30

Ter um segundo sistema de mensagens é importante para uso com a família ou grupo de amigos, especialmente naqueles casos em que o WhatsApp é invadido para aplicar golpes nos seus contatos ou, ainda, por conta de bloqueios judiciais que alguns governantes consideram necessários impor. Nesses casos — entre outros possíveis problemas — possuir um segundo sistema de mensagens pode garantir a continuidade da comunicação com seus amigos ou familiares.

Como sistemas de mensagem alternativos, os aplicativos Mixin, Session e Simplex se destacam, cada um com funcionalidades bem distintas. Um fator importante é o grau de dificuldade para usuários com pouca ou nenhuma familiaridade na configuração de aplicativos. Nesse sentido, a escolha do aplicativo deve levar em conta o perfil das pessoas que irão usá-lo.

O aplicativo mais fácil de operar para quem já usa WhatsApp é, sem dúvidas, o Mixin Messenger. Ele permite o cadastro com o número do celular, em uma lógica muito semelhante ao WhatsApp. Para os mais exigentes em relação à privacidade, é possível criar uma conta sem uso de e-mails ou número de telefone. Assim, atende tanto ao usuário acostumado ao WhatsApp quanto àquele que prefere algo com menor vínculo de identificação, ao eliminar dados de contato.

Já o Session oferece a criação de contas totalmente desvinculadas de qualquer dado pessoal, sem necessidade de e-mail ou número de telefone. No entanto, ao criar uma conta, é gerado um ID totalmente aleatório e uma seed (13 palavras) que serve como senha. Se você perder essa seed, perderá o acesso à conta. Essa forma de cadastro garante total privacidade, mas exige cuidado por parte do usuário em armazenar bem a seed. É ideal para grupos com alguma familiaridade no uso de palavras-chave. Usuários acostumados a recuperar senhas com frequência geralmente não dão a devida importância à segurança dessas seeds.

O Simplex é o que há de mais radical em termos de privacidade até o momento — mas é importante lembrar que mais privacidade também significa mais complexidade. A alta privacidade exige uma combinação equilibrada entre comportamento e tecnologia, algo mais comum entre usuários com perfil técnico. Nesse sentido, o Simplex geralmente é utilizado por grupos com algum conhecimento tecnológico e hábitos de segurança digital. Ele permite, por exemplo, que o próprio usuário hospede seu relay na rede Onion, em um Raspberry Pi ou outro tipo de computador.

Uma característica que torna o Simplex tão radical é o fato de não gerar um ID fixo nem utilizar servidores convencionais para trafegar mensagens, além de não coletar metadados. No entanto, isso pode representar dificuldades para usuários sem experiência com tecnologias de comunicação.

Basicamente, se você pretende usar um aplicativo de mensagens alternativo com um grupo inexperiente, o Mixin pode ser a melhor escolha. Já se os familiares e amigos têm mais desenvoltura com tecnologia, o Session pode ser uma excelente alternativa. O Simplex, por outro lado, pode gerar dor de cabeça para grupos inexperientes, dada sua complexidade de uso. No Simplex não há recuperação automatizada de conta com arquivos na nuvem ou qualquer recurso semelhante — é necessário o hábito de realizar backups manuais com alguma frequência. A configuração inicial também pode gerar confusão para usuários não técnicos. Por isso, o Simplex é uma boa escolha apenas para grupos com alguma desenvoltura tecnológica. Para pessoas experientes, ele oferece total personalização e privacidade.

Em termos de segurança, todos os três aplicativos oferecem privacidade e resistência à censura, não são atraentes para golpistas e são difíceis de bloquear. Isso é importante se você está buscando um sistema de mensagens alternativo justamente para manter a comunicação ativa em caso de problemas com seu mensageiro principal. Mas não se esqueça de considerar qual é o perfil dos usuários do seu grupo de contatos.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Sofia might surprise you. One of Europe’s oldest cities, it's a place where Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches, Soviet monuments, and hip street art all live side by side. Add in mountain views, leafy parks, and a rising food and coffee scene, and you’ve got a laid-back, history-rich capital that’s still flying under the radar.

🌟 What to See in Sofia

1️⃣ Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

• The city’s iconic symbol, with golden domes and an ornate Orthodox interior
• Free to enter, and worth visiting at sunset when the light hits the gold just right

2️⃣ Roman Ruins of Serdica

• Right in the heart of the city, you can walk through the excavated streets and buildings of ancient Serdica
• Look down through glass panels or walk among ruins near the Largo complex

3️⃣ St. George Rotunda

• A 4th-century red-brick church tucked behind government buildings
• One of the oldest and most atmospheric sites in Sofia

4️⃣ Vitosha Boulevard

• The city’s main pedestrian street, lined with shops, cafés, and mountain views
• Great for people-watching, especially at a terrace with a rakia or local craft beer

5️⃣ National Palace of Culture (NDK)

• A massive cultural center with striking architecture and gardens
• Surrounded by a wide boulevard that's great for walks or grabbing snacks from nearby vendors

⛰️ Escape to Nature: Vitosha Mountain

• Just outside the city, Vitosha Mountain is a paradise for hikers, skiers, or picnickers
• Visit Boyana Church (UNESCO site) and hike to Boyana Waterfall
• In winter: great for a quick ski day
• In summer: cool breezes and panoramic city views

🍽️ What to Eat in Sofia

• Shopska salad – Fresh, simple, and topped with white cheese
• Kavarma – Slow-cooked meat and vegetables in clay pots
• Banitsa – A flaky pastry filled with cheese or pumpkin
• Wash it down with rakia (fruit brandy) or local wines from Melnik or the Thracian Valley

🎯 Tips for Visiting Sofia

✅ Affordable and uncrowded—a great value destination
✅ Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN)
✅ Most signs use both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets, but a few phrases in Bulgarian go a long way
✅ Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring both city and mountain

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

Als wir vor gut einem halben Jahr mit den Kolumnen angefangen haben, hatte ich mir das genau so vorgestellt. Ich schreibe auf, was mir in der Woche so passiert ist. Eine Bilanz sozusagen, vielleicht persönlich, vielleicht politisch. Je nachdem. Es ist dann etwas anders gekommen. Manchmal waren ein Buch oder ein Film einfach so stark, dass aus der Kolumne eine Rezension geworden ist. Manchmal wollte ich nur von einem meiner Interviews erzählen und das Besprochene gleich mit den großen Debatten verknüpfen. Und manchmal waren Anregungen von außen umzusetzen, Stichwort KI, Stichwort Frieden.

Wahrscheinlich waren die meisten Wochen auch nicht besonders spannend. Alltag eben. Was soll man davon groß festhalten. Diesmal ist das anders. Sonntag Erich Hambach bei uns im Haus. Ein Interview für die Reihe Im Gespräch. Ich will nicht zu viel vorwegnehmen. Es ging um die Hochfinanz, um den schwarzen Adel, um die Illuminati. Ein Gruselkabinett für alle, die wissen, wo die roten Linien sind zu den Schmuddelkindern. Verschwörungstheorie, pfui. Erich Hambach kann erklären, wie die „Herren des Geldes“ (Untertitel seines neuen Buchs) arbeiten und was man tun kann, um sich ihrem Zugriff zu entziehen. Als die Kameras aus waren, ging es munter weiter mit dem Publikum. Steuerfrei leben, sich auf den Lastenausgleich vorbereiten, Kollateralkonto. Siehe oben. Wir haben dann noch 25 Minuten nachgeschoben, die bei den „Truth Brothers“ zu sehen sein werden, dem Kanal von Erich Hambach.

Montag Dresden. Lesung im Buchhaus Loschwitz. Ich war schon im Juni dort, damals mit dem Buch über die Unterwerfung der Universitäten. Diesmal „Der dressierte Nachwuchs“. Wieder volles Haus. In Loschwitz heißt das: Susanne Dagen, Gastgeberin und Moderatorin, quetscht sich auf einen Hocker zwischen Klavier und Reihe null und sagt: Willkommen zum Gottesdienst. Einige sind zum zweiten Mal da. Neu: Paul Soldan, den ich aus seinen Texten für Multipolar kenne und über sein Buch „Sheikhi“, und Julia Szarvasy, die mich in ihrem Bus für Nuoviso interviewt hat und auf der Ruderboot-Couch. Hinterher kommen (um im Bild zu bleiben) drei U-Boote zu mir. Professoren. Ein Techniker, ein Germanist und ein Medienforscher, der sich sogar mit mir fotografieren lassen will. Dieser Kollege ist nicht an der TU (falls jemand die Fahndung einleiten möchte), aber immerhin. Ich bin oft gefragt worden, ob es an den Unis Gleichgesinnte gibt, und kann jetzt endlich sagen: ja. Ein paar schon.

Versteckt in einer der letzten Dresdner Reihen: Michael Beleites, eine Ikone der DDR-Umweltbewegung und später ein Jahrzehnt lang Beauftragter für die Stasi-Unterlagen in Sachsen. Er hat eine Rezension mitgebracht, die er gerade für die Sezession geschrieben hat, und einen Gedanken, der mich später schlecht schlafen lässt. Müssen wir die Geschichte vom Herbst 1989 umschreiben? Ganz neu ist dieser Gedanke nicht, natürlich nicht. Wer dabei war, hat sich schon damals gefragt, wie die Stimmung so schnell kippen konnte vom Wunsch nach einem anderen, besseren Sozialismus zu Helmut Kohl und seiner D-Mark. Daniela Dahn, wie Michael Beleites seinerzeit in vorderster Front, hat den schwarzen Peter an den Journalismus weitergegeben. Tamtam und Tabu. Eine Kampagne, losgetreten von Horst Teltschik, Kohls wichtigstem Mann, die sich um SED-Skandale drehte und so wie eine Nebelkerze verhüllte, um was es eigentlich ging. Die Herren des Geldes, würde Erich Hambach sagen. „Alte Besitzverhältnisse“ wieder herstellen und damit „alte Machtverhältnisse“, sagt Daniela Dahn. Michael Beleites ergänzt das nun durch das, was er gesehen und erlebt hat, bei der Auflösung des Geheimdienstes in Gera zum Beispiel. Da seien Leute wie er gewesen, natürlich. Legitimiert durch das, was vorher war. Überall im Land seien aber plötzlich auch unbeschriebene Blätter aufgetaucht, laut und damit schnell ganz vorne dran. Ein Forschungsthema, ohne Frage.

Bevor ich das zu Ende gedacht habe, sitze ich im Rudolf-Steiner-Haus, nur ein paar Steinwürfe weg von der Alster. Ich würde gern „Hamburgs Wohnzimmer“ schreiben, aber dazu taugt der Saal im Souterrain dann doch nicht ganz. Immerhin: steuerfinanziert. Geht also doch. Eingeladen hat unter anderem der Nachdenkseiten-Gesprächskreis vor Ort. Thema: Wandel der Universitäten. Wieder sind Kollegen da, auch aus dem Mittelbau und aus der Rentnergeneration, die sich zu erinnern glauben, alles schon erlebt zu haben, damals, in ihrer großen Zeit. Nun ja. Wichtiger: Walter Weber ist da, ein Arzt, Koryphäe in Sachen Krebs, 80 inzwischen, der meinen letzten Auftritt in Hamburg organisiert hat. Große Freiheit, Sommer 2022. Die Sonne schien, und es roch nach Aufbruch. Aus dem ganzen Land waren sie gekommen, aus Nord und Süd, von links bis rechts, aus allen nur denkbaren Bewegungen und Milieus. Corona als Klammer, genau wie der Glaube, dass unsere Zeit jetzt anbricht.

Es kam dann anders, aber das ist hier nicht mein Punkt. Walter Weber, der alte Weggefährte, zieht Bilanz – bei einem Becks in seinem Haus, genau da, wo wir vor drei Jahren in größerer Runde beraten haben. Walter hat inzwischen einen Prozess hinter sich mit knapp zwei Dutzend Verhandlungstagen und den entsprechenden Kosten. Maskenatteste. Was immer wir aufgefahren haben an Beweisanträgen, sagt Walter, es wurde abgeschmettert. Und trotzdem. Wir müssen sie zwingen, sich damit auseinanderzusetzen. Immer wieder. So ähnlich habe ich das zwei Stunden vorher im Steiner-Haus gesagt, mit Vaclav Havel als Referenz. 500 Ärzte, schätzt Walter Weber, haben wie er Atteste ausgestellt. 500 bei einer sechsstelligen Zahl an Kollegen. Sicher gibt es eine Dunkelziffer. Lassen wir es bei den 500, weil Walter Weber hier die Folgen kennt. 80 Prozent von diesen 500 haben Haus- und Praxisdurchsuchungen erlebt. Er selbst zwei, der Spitzenreiter acht. Die Maske war der Test. Als die Spritze kam, wusste jeder, auf was er sich einlassen würde - selbst ein Medienforscher wie ich. Die maskierte Öffentlichkeit, veröffentlicht im Oktober 2020, war mit Sicherheit nicht mein bester Text, aber der, der den meisten Wirbel auslöste und später sogar zweimal vor Gericht verhandelt wurde.

Was bleibt von all den Kämpfen? Wir haben die Leute aus der Vereinzelung geholt, sagt Walter. Die 20 Prozent, die dagegen waren. Wir haben ihnen gezeigt, dass sie nicht allein sind, und diese Leute mobilisiert. Gescheitert sind wir an Schritt drei. Strukturbildung. Es fehlt uns an Geld, Michael. Walter Weber hat an Regionalbüros gebastelt. „Ärzte für Aufklärung“ in Thüringen – und das ist nur eins von vielen Beispielen. Wer weiß, wie viel Geld es in diesem Land gibt und wie viele wirklich reiche Leute, der weiß auch, dass wir hier über Peanuts sprechen. Wem es gut geht, der will, dass alles weiter seinen Gang geht. Der will keine Strukturen für irgendeine Opposition. Walter Weber hat mit einer seiner Nichten gerade „Das siebte Kreuz“ gelesen. Anna Seghers, Schulstoff in der DDR. Weißt du, was ich da gelernt habe, Michael? Echter Widerstand hat zwei Bedingungen. Keine Familie und keine Angst vor dem Tod.

Der Zug nach Berlin ist pünktlich und mein Gastgeber folglich noch nicht da. Gibt’s doch nicht, sagt er. Hat es noch nie gegeben. Über meinen Auftritt im Sprechsaal breite ich den Mantel des Schweigens. Die Idee klang super: Wir machen dort eine Ausstellung mit aktuellen Bildern aus Gaza, gekauft von der dpa, und du, Michael, bringst deine Bücher über Cancel Culture, Jugend und Universitäten zusammen, um zu erklären, warum Deutschland wegschaut. Die kastrierte Öffentlichkeit. Der beste Titel geht ins Leere, wenn niemand weiß, dass ich sprechen werde. Vielleicht ist das so, wenn der eigene Verlag der Veranstalter ist. Jens Fischer Rodrian hat durch einen Zufall erfahren, dass ich da bin, und bringt die CD Voices for Gaza, ganz frisch in der Reihe „Protestnoten“. Auf dem Cover: große Namen von Didi Hallervorden über Tino Eisbrenner, Nirit Sommerfeld und Diether Dehm bis zu Wolfgang Wodarg. Fünf von fast 40. Sorry an die, die ich auslassen musste. Der gleiche Zufall hat Kathrin Schmidt in den Sprechsaal geführt, Mitglied des PEN-Zentrums, Buchpreisträgerin, Maßnahmenkritikerin. Sie hat wie immer ihr Strickzeug dabei.

Ein kleines Publikum, frei von Kameras, erlaubt, in die Tiefen zu tauchen und dabei auch zu riskieren, im Trüben zu fischen. Erich Hambach hätte seine Freude gehabt. Und wer weiß schon, was daraus später wächst. Ein paar Minuten vor Beginn gehe ich durch das Regierungsviertel und höre plötzlich meinen Namen. Eine ARD-Frau, die auf Friedrich Merz wartet. Koalitionsvertrag fertig, Kamera schussbereit. Mein Film über die Duldungspflicht, sagt die Frau und strahlt über das ganze Gesicht. Er ist fertig. Premiere nächste Woche. Sie war bei einem meiner letzten Berliner Vorträge und wird jetzt mit ihrem Namen für ein Produkt stehen, dass so nicht im Ersten laufen kann. Noch nicht, würde Walter Weber sagen. Ende nächsten Jahres, sagt er mir beim Abschied, steht Merkel vor Gericht. Ist der Gedanke erstmal da, so begründet er das sinngemäß, dann ist er nicht mehr aufzuhalten. Mal schauen, wie das jetzt mit der Deutschen Bahn wird bei der Rückfahrt nach Bayern. Ich nehme mir vor, dass wir pünktlich sind.

Michael Meyen: Videos

Freie Akademie für Medien & Journalismus

Unterstützen

Bild: Tobias Schönebeck auf Pixabay (Dresden, Blaues Wunder in Loschwitz)

@ f57bac88:6045161e

شاهباز یکی از نام‌های کهن و پررمزوراز در فرهنگ ایرانی است که در طول تاریخ به عنوان نمادی از قدرت، بلندپروازی، و فره‌ایزدی شناخته شده است. این پرنده که از نظر زیست‌شناسی به شاهین یا باز شکاری شباهت دارد، در ادبیات، هنر، اسطوره‌شناسی و فرهنگ ایران جایگاه ویژه‌ای داشته است. در این نوشتار به بررسی جایگاه شاهباز در ایران باستان، نمادشناسی آن، حضورش در داستان‌های اساطیری و تعبیر دیدن این پرنده در خواب خواهیم پرداخت.

شاهباز در ایران باستان

در دوران ایران باستان، پرندگان شکاری مانند شاهین، عقاب و شاهباز جایگاه ویژه‌ای داشتند و اغلب با مفاهیمی همچون پادشاهی، جنگاوری و حمایت الهی پیوند خورده بودند. شاهباز به عنوان پرنده‌ای که در اوج آسمان پرواز می‌کند، نماد ارتباط میان زمین و آسمان و حامل پیام‌های ایزدی به‌شمار می‌رفت.

یکی از جلوه‌های برجسته‌ی شاهباز در تمدن هخامنشی و ساسانی، حضور آن بر روی برخی آثار هنری و پرچم‌های شاهنشاهی است. عقاب و باز به عنوان نگهبانان شاهان و فرماندهان در هنرهای ایران باستان دیده می‌شوند. برخی پژوهشگران معتقدند که "درفش کاویانی" که نماد پادشاهی ایران بوده، تصاویری از این پرنده بر خود داشته است.

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شاهباز در داستان‌های اساطیری و نمادها

در داستان‌های کهن ایرانی، شاهباز جایگاه ویژه‌ای دارد و اغلب در کنار قهرمانان و شخصیت‌های برجسته‌ی اسطوره‌ای دیده می‌شود.

1. شاهباز و زال در شاهنامه\ در داستان تولد زال، سیمرغ که خود پرنده‌ای اساطیری و نماد خرد است، زال را از کوه البرز نجات می‌دهد و پرورش می‌دهد. برخی روایت‌ها بر این باورند که شاهباز نیز می‌تواند یکی از اشکال سیمرغ باشد، پرنده‌ای که همواره همراه شاهان و پهلوانان بوده است.
2. شاهباز در نمادشناسی عرفانی\ در عرفان اسلامی و ایرانی، شاهباز به عنوان نمادی از روح بلندپرواز، خرد و آزادی مطرح است. این پرنده نماد انسانی است که از قیدهای مادی رهایی یافته و به سوی حقیقت پرواز می‌کند. مولانا و عطار در اشعار خود به این مفهوم اشاره کرده‌اند.
3. شاهباز در فرهنگ پهلوی و زرتشتی\ در آیین زرتشتی، پرندگان بلندپرواز همچون شاهباز و عقاب به عنوان نیروهای روشنی در برابر تاریکی و نمادی از فره‌وشی (روح‌های نگهبان) در نظر گرفته می‌شدند. آن‌ها به عنوان فرستادگان اهورامزدا برای هدایت انسان‌ها شناخته می‌شدند.

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معانی دیدن شاهباز در خواب و رویا

دیدن شاهباز در خواب تعابیر مختلفی دارد که به فرهنگ، باورهای شخصی و شرایط زندگی بیننده بستگی دارد:

• دیدن شاهباز در حال پرواز: نشانه‌ی قدرت، موفقیت و ارتقای مقام در زندگی.
• نشستن شاهباز بر دست: نشان از عزت، شکوه و دریافت نعمتی بزرگ.
• دیدن شاهباز زخمی یا در بند: ممکن است اشاره به موانع و مشکلات در مسیر موفقیت داشته باشد.
• رهایی شاهباز از قفس: نمادی از آزادی از محدودیت‌ها و ورود به مرحله‌ای جدید از زندگی.

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شاهباز در هنر و فرهنگ معاصر

امروزه نیز شاهباز در هنر، شعر و موسیقی ایرانی جایگاه ویژه‌ای دارد. بسیاری از شاعران از این پرنده به عنوان نماد شکوه و آزادی یاد کرده‌اند. در ادبیات معاصر و حتی نام‌گذاری افراد، شاهباز همچنان جایگاه خود را حفظ کرده است.

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نتیجه‌گیری

شاهباز یکی از نمادهای مهم در فرهنگ و تاریخ ایران است که از دوران باستان تاکنون، جایگاهی ویژه در اسطوره‌ها، هنر، ادبیات و باورهای مردمی داشته است. این پرنده نماد قدرت، خرد، آزادی و ارتباط با آسمان بوده و همچنان در ذهن و دل ایرانیان جای دارد.

@ 958f314c:9188db81

Ingredients

• 1/2 block of pepper jack
• 1 block of mild cheddar
• 1/2 block of sharp cheddar
• A box of cheese Ragu (or homemade cheese sauce)
• Macaroni noodles
• Butter
• 2 cups of Milk
• Chicken broth

Directions

1. Cook macaroni in chicken broth until tender
2. Drain macaroni (set chicken broth to the side if making cheese sauce), add butter to hot macaroni
3. Shred blocks of cheese
4. Put macaroni in a casserole dish
5. Add Ragu (or homemade cheese sauce), add milk to Ragu container, and pour into a casserole dish (or about 2 cups of milk)
6. Add shredded mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, and pepper jack to the casserole dish. Mix well.
7. Add extra shredded cheese on top
8. Bake until all cheese is melted at 350F for about 15 minutes. Broil for 3-5 minutes for a crispier top.

@ c066aac5:6a41a034

“If a man is considered guilty
For what goes on in his mind
Then give me the electric chair
For all my future crimes”

-Electric Chair by Prince

The very last paragraph of Touré’s 2013 biography of Prince I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon made a very bold claim about the lewd nature of Prince’s music:

“Imagine America as one house on a suburban lane… Prince knocked on America’s door through his music. He came to the door holding a guitar and an umbrella while concealing a Bible. He flirted his way inside the door and told us he had a dirty mind and was controversial, and then he sat down in the living room on the good couch. And, when America’s guard was down, because we thought we were having a conversation about sex, Prince eased out his Bible and said, let me also tell you about my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.”

Wow. Talk about a Sixth Sense level plot twist! I will say if you’re well versed in Prince’s catalog (I listened to every Prince album released [except for The Black Album because Jack Dorsey is holding it hostage on Tidal] last year) it won’t be as shocking as a surprise as it would be to the unversed listener, but surprising nonetheless considering the content of the man’s lyrics (and life).

Regardless of whether or not Prince achieved this goal of bringing people to Christ via a vehicle of sexy shock value, he was a person of impact. The book by Touré I mentioned earlier is a great picture of the life he lived, and I’m sure there are many others that people can recommend in the comments. He touched many lives and I believe his music will still be listened to for many years to come.

Prince’s method of evangelism may have been unconventional (to say the least), but I still think there is something to be learned from his efforts.

Obviously, worshiping sex or encouraging lust isn’t great. Prince’s view of sex was broken; they didn’t line up with Biblically ordered sex (see his songs Sister, Darling Nikki, Sexy M.F., and many many more). His inability to sustain healthy relationships or make meaningful lasting connections with those around him are a testament to that.

Despite his flaws, his art captured an entire generation - and continues to capture the attention of people seeking true art. His authenticity, raw emotion, and intentionality made for true connection between his music and his listeners. He resonated with people’s souls, and still does today. Perhaps Touré was wrong and Prince didn’t mean to evangelize through his music, but don’t all people stand testament to the powerful work of God?

We are all broken people. Our job is to the use the tools and resources set before us to spread the Gospel. “…we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” -2 Corinthians 4:7

The Western Church should consider using the seemingly profane, off limits, unconventional, or even just plain weird in an effort to continue to spread the gospel. On a high level, that’s our good-christian dinner table no-gos: Sex, Money, and Politics. I believe that the Church’s abdication of such conversations is the reason why those are areas of failure for the Church at large. We shouldn’t sin or condone/promote sin. Instead, I’m proposing that like how Prince used sex in his music to get people to learn about Jesus, Christian Bitcoiners should use money (Bitcoin) to do good works and lead people to Jesus in the process. We may just make the world a better place along the way.

“If you're sick of cryin' and tired of tears
Then close your eyes and open your ears
Listen to the music, listen to the song
Listen to your heart, is that so wrong?
Stop lookin' in the mirror, there's nothin' to fear
Your salvation is near
1,000 light years away from here”

-1,000 Light Years From Here by Prince

It doesn’t take a lot of mental effort to see how Christian’s could leverage Bitcoin’s magic for kingdom work. Look Alex Gladstein’s writings. Look at the work that Gridless is doing in Africa. Look at Roya Mahboob’s impact in Afghanistan. Look at the impact of Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador.

Now imagine what the Church (and by the Church, I mean you and I the Christian Bitcoiners) could do with Bitcoin:

A Christian Bitcoiner could help the woman with an abusive husband escape a bad situation with finances intact by teaching her how to use Bitcoin and keep self-custody wallet. An orange-pilled youth group leader could teach the inner city kid in a bad household how to set up a wallet and stack sats without the permission of the dead beat parents or conventional employment. The church bake sale could make things easy via accepting lightning payments, bringing in outsiders for sweet treats and teaching them about how to be a Bitcoin merchant. A church could send funds to a missionary across the world in a christian adverse country instantly without having to involve a single bank, and that missionary would have those funds same-day ready for deployment.

“Everybody's looking for the ladder
Everybody wants salvation of the soul
The steps you take are no easy road
But the reward is great
For those who want to go”

-The Ladder by Prince

In my own attempts to teach people about the virtues of Bitcoin, I find it usually clicks for people in one of two different ways for the most part:

The first way it clicks is when they can receive and send a lightning payment. The instant funds make a light bulb go off.

The second way is when I show them the humanitarian impact that Bitcoin has had and is counting to have. The use of Bitcoin internationally as a means of humanitarian aid/sovereignty for the less fortunate should shut down any questions like “But what about (insert crapcoin)?” in an instant.

Much like how people get Bitcoin once they see it in action, I believe people will get Jesus when they see Jesus’ Church in action. One of the best ways today the Church can display that action may be through Bitcoin.

Sex was Prince’s trojan horse for something much deeper that he wanted to convey to people. Bitcoin can be the trojan horse for the Church. The Church could gain attention for what they’re doing with Bitcoin similar to the attention that the Human Rights Foundation gets. One might ask why use a trojan horse? I think that Bitcoin adoption itself has been a bit of a trojan horse movement. Your local politicians didn’t bat an eye when they heard about a peer-to-peer e-cash system, but they were all over it when it was presented as a digital gold. Michael Saylor has garnered a lot of hate from the Bitcoin true-believers for presenting Bitcoin as a digital gold as opposed to a currency, but I believe he knows what he’s doing and he’s presenting in this manner on purpose. He might not get gratitude for it from the community, but I believe he’s willing to be the bad guy in order to further the mission (see Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Night [which is arguably a Jesus story]).

Christian Bitcoiner, I challenge you to channel your enthusiasm to do good in your neighborhood. Let the world see your actions and gain a curiosity for what you’re doing. The Bitcoin conversation will make many people think that you’re crazy, that you’re an idiot when it comes to investing, that you’re selling a scam. Much like how people wrote off Prince for being a vulgar musician. Much like how people write off Michael Saylor for misunderstanding Bitcoin. Much like how people wrote off (and continue to write off) Jesus for being a false prophet or the leader of a rebellion.

But there will be someone who sees the work that you do with Bitcoin. The work that the Church will do with Bitcoin. Even if just one soul is saved with Bitcoin, that’s worth the effort.

“Black day, stormy night No love, no hope in sight Don't cry, He is coming Don't die without knowing the cross” -The Cross by Prince

This article was written with help from my wife Elaina freedom@happytavern.co

Feel free to drop your favorite book about Prince, favorite Prince song, or favorite Prince album in the comments

Or, you can drop your favorite Bitcoin as a trojan horse story in the comments

@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353

Ascolta.

We live in times where the average man is measured by the speeches he gives — not by the commitments he keeps. People talk about dreams, goals, promises… but what truly remains is what’s honored in the silence of small gestures, in actions that don’t seek applause, in attitudes unseen — yet speak volumes.

Punctuality, for example. Showing up on time isn’t about the clock. It’s about respect. Respect for another’s time, yes — but more importantly, respect for one’s own word. A man who is late without reason is already running late in his values. And the one who excuses his own lateness with sweet justifications slowly gets used to mediocrity.

Keeping your word is more than fulfilling promises. It is sealing, with the mouth, what the body must later uphold. Every time a man commits to something, he creates a moral debt with his own dignity. And to break that commitment is to declare bankruptcy — not in the eyes of others, but in front of himself.

And debts? Even the small ones — or especially the small ones — are precise thermometers of character. A forgotten sum, an unpaid favor, a commitment left behind… all of these reveal the structure of the inner building that man resides in. He who neglects the small is merely rehearsing for his future collapse.

Life, contrary to what the reckless say, is not built on grand deeds. It is built with small bricks, laid with almost obsessive precision. The truly great man is the one who respects the details — recognizing in them a code of conduct.

In Sicily, especially in the streets of Palermo, I learned early on that there is more nobility in paying a five-euro debt on time than in flaunting riches gained without word, without honor, without dignity.

As they say in Palermo: L’uomo si conosce dalle piccole cose.

So, amico mio, Don’t talk to me about greatness if you can’t show up on time. Don’t talk to me about respect if your word is fickle. And above all, don’t talk to me about honor if you still owe what you once promised — no matter how small.

Thank you for reading, my friend!

If this message resonated with you, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of appreciation.

A toast to our family!

@ 1ef61805:f18312cc

In today’s increasingly surveilled digital world, privacy and security are paramount. OpSec Academy has taken a major step forward by customizing TailsOS to create OpSecOS, an operating system built with the same focus on anonymity and privacy, but enhanced with a suite of peer-reviewed and battle-tested applications. These applications empower users with decentralised tools, ensuring complete control over their digital lives while maintaining the high standards of security and privacy that OpSec Academy stands for.

In this article, we’ll explore the tools available in OpSec Academy’s custom OpSecOS image, highlighting the new and updated features that enhance security, decentralisation, and privacy.

1. Sparrow Wallet (Version 2.1.3) Sparrow Wallet remains one of the most privacy-conscious Bitcoin wallets available. It provides an advanced suite of features such as multi-signature support, coin control, and hardware wallet integration, which allow users to have complete control over their funds. By integrating Sparrow Wallet into OpSecOS, we ensure that Bitcoin transactions are handled with the highest standards of privacy, all while utilising Tor to anonymise transaction data. Peer-Reviewed & Battle-Tested: Sparrow Wallet has been rigorously tested by the privacy community and has earned a reputation for robustness and security. Its commitment to user privacy makes it one of the most trusted Bitcoin wallets in the ecosystem.

2. Feather Wallet (Version 2.7.0) Feather Wallet is a lightweight yet powerful Bitcoin wallet designed with privacy and simplicity in mind. Featuring Tor support and integration with hardware wallets, Feather Wallet ensures that users' private information remains secure while offering an intuitive user experience. By adding Feather Wallet to OpSecOS, we provide an easy-to-use wallet solution without compromising security. Peer-Reviewed & Battle-Tested: Feather Wallet has undergone thorough peer review and is widely regarded as a secure and privacy-focused option for Bitcoin users. Its simplicity and security features have been battle-tested by users in real-world environments.

3. Liana Wallet (Version 10.0) Liana Wallet is a Bitcoin wallet designed with a strong emphasis on long-term security, recovery, and inheritance. It allows users to set up primary keys for regular spending and recovery keys that activate after a specified period of inactivity, making it ideal for scenarios where funds need to be securely passed on without relying on third-party custodians. The wallet supports advanced features like on-chain timelocks, enabling users to create time-locked backup keys for inheritance planning. Additionally, Liana offers a user-friendly interface with ready-made templates, such as "Simple Inheritance" and "Expanding Multisig," to simplify the wallet setup process. For those seeking a comprehensive solution, the Liana Box Starter Pack includes hardware signing devices, tamper-evident bags, seed phrase storage, and an inheritance letter, providing everything needed to set up a secure and resilient Bitcoin wallet.

4. Snort & Iris (Nostr Clients) For decentralised, secure communication, OpSecOS includes two leading Nostr protocol clients: Snort and Iris. These applications allow users to send and receive messages privately across a peer-to-peer network, eliminating the need for centralised messaging platforms that can compromise privacy. Snort: A minimalist interface for basic, secure messaging.

Iris: A feature-rich client that provides more tools and options for a robust, decentralised messaging experience.

Peer-Reviewed & Battle-Tested: Both Snort and Iris have been reviewed by the community for their security, decentralisation, and resilience. These clients have been battle-tested in real-world environments where privacy and security are non-negotiable, making them trusted tools for secure communications. By including both Snort and Iris, users of OpSecOS have a flexible and secure communication platform that protects their privacy.

1. BIP39 - Ian Coleman’s Tool Managing Bitcoin securely requires careful attention to wallet seed phrases. BIP39 allows users to generate mnemonic seed phrases offline, protecting against online threats. By integrating Ian Coleman's BIP39 tool into OpSecOS, we provide a secure, offline method for generating and managing wallet backups, ensuring users’ funds remain under their control at all times. Peer-Reviewed & Battle-Tested: The BIP39 tool is widely regarded as one of the most secure and trusted methods for generating wallet seed phrases. It has been peer-reviewed by security experts and used in countless real-world scenarios to ensure the safe recovery of cryptocurrency wallets.

2. Mempool.space Mempool.space is a real-time visualisation tool for Bitcoin’s mempool — the collection of unconfirmed transactions awaiting inclusion in the next block. This tool allows users to see transaction fees, network congestion, and block size, helping them optimise their Bitcoin transactions for speed and cost-effectiveness. Mempool.space provides an edge for users who want to monitor Bitcoin’s network activity and ensure that their transactions are processed in the most efficient manner. Peer-Reviewed & Battle-Tested: Mempool.space is used by advanced Bitcoin users, miners, and developers worldwide to monitor and optimise transactions. It has been thoroughly reviewed and is trusted by the community as an indispensable tool for understanding Bitcoin's network dynamics.

**Why These Applications Matter ** The integration of these peer-reviewed and battle-tested applications into OpSecOS transforms it from a privacy-focused operating system into a powerful, decentralised security suite. Each of these tools has been carefully selected to provide users with more control over their digital assets, communications, and privacy. Whether you’re trading Bitcoin, Monero, or engaging in private communications, these tools ensure that you are operating in a trusted, decentralised environment free from surveillance or censorship. These applications, trusted by privacy experts, offer an elevated user experience built on the core principles of decentralisation, security, and privacy. With these tools, users can navigate the digital world with confidence, knowing their activities remain private and under their control.

**New and Improved for 2025 ** While some applications have been updated to the latest, most secure versions, others have been removed to ensure OpSecOS stays focused on delivering the best possible security. We’ve carefully vetted each app to make sure it meets the highest standards for privacy and decentralisation, removing older or less secure applications that could pose risks to our users.

**Conclusion ** OpSec Academy’s custom OpSecOS takes the trusted, privacy-focused foundation of TailsOS and supercharges it with a suite of powerful, peer-reviewed and battle-tested applications. Whether you’re managing your Bitcoin and Monero holdings, engaging in private communications, or ensuring your wallet is securely backed up, OpSecOS provides you with everything you need to operate in a decentralised, secure, and private environment. As surveillance and digital threats continue to grow, OpSecOS remains a vital tool for users looking to protect their privacy and maintain complete control over their digital lives. OpSec Academy is committed to continually improving OpSecOS to meet the evolving demands of privacy-conscious users. With OpSecOS, we provide an enhanced privacy experience that stays true to the principles of decentralisation and operational security.

OpSec Academy offers consultations for individuals or organisations looking to integrate OpSecOS into their security framework. Contact us securely for more information.

@ 4925ea33:025410d8

Quando peguei Confissões de Santo Agostinho pela primeira vez, confesso que me senti perdida. As palavras pareciam densas, distantes, como se eu tentasse escalar uma montanha sem saber por onde começar.

Buscava apenas a história de sua conversão ao cristianismo, mas o que encontrei uma profundidade teológica e filosófica que naquele momento não conseguia alcançar. Frustrada, deixei de lado a leitura.

Hoje, com um amadurecimento interior maior e contando com o auxílio da Inteligência Artificial como ferramenta de estudo e reflexão, reencontrei essa obra com um novo olhar. Sem pressa, busquei agora mergulhar na essência de cada página, tentando captar o máximo do pensamento de Agostinho — não apenas como filósofo, mas como homem profundamente transformado pela fé.

Antes da leitura: como começar

Se você nunca leu Confissões, ou se, como eu, já tentou e parou, quero te convidar a olhar para este livro com novos olhos.

Imagine Santo Agostinho sentado diante de você, não como um doutor da Igreja, mas como um amigo que abre o coração em oração. Ele escreve no final do século IV, já imerso na fé cristã, mas com a humildade de quem sabe que nunca compreenderá plenamente o mistério de Deus. Suas palavras são um diálogo íntimo com o Criador, uma oração que pulsa com fé, dúvida e amor.

E é nesse espírito que você deve lê a obra que o guiará em quatro grandes reflexões no primeiro capítulo:

• Quem é Deus?
• Quem somos nós?
• Qual é a nossa missão?
• E como conhecê-Lo?

Quem é Deus?

Agostinho começa com uma exclamação que ecoa até hoje:

“Grande és, Senhor, e infinitamente digno de Louvor!”.

Ele tenta descrever Deus, mas logo percebe que nenhuma palavra é suficiente.

Deus é imenso, incomensurável, eterno. É como se Agostinho, com os olhos da fé, tentasse abarcar o infinito com mãos humanas – e nos convidasse a fazer o mesmo.

Para ele, Deus está tão acima de nós que nossa mente limitada jamais poderia julgá-lo ou defini-lo. Mas, ao mesmo tempo, esse Deus grandioso se revela e nos escuta. Não é inacreditável pensar que o Criador de tudo deseja estar perto de nós, criaturas tão pequenas como nós?

Mergulhando neste profundo pensamento, vejo o quanto somos pretensiosos ao querer entender as escolhas de Deus e os acontecimentos da Bíblia, como se pudéssemos ter a ótica de Deus.

Muitas vezes não temos consciência dos tão pequenos somos em comparação ao Criador, tal ato é incoerente com tamanha distância.

Quem somos nós?

Se Deus é infinito, Agostinho nos lembra que somos apenas uma “ínfima fração” de Sua criação. Marcados pelo pecado original, carregamos em nós a fragilidade, mas também uma chama divina: a sede de Deus.

Ele escreve que, mesmo sem saber, nosso coração anseia por louvar o Criador. Não é fascinante? Pense nas tantas culturas e povos que, ao longo da história, buscaram um sentido maior, um “algo” além de si mesmos.

Para Agostinho, essa busca não nasce de nós, mas é um presente de Deus, que coloca em nosso coração o desejo de encontrá-lo. Essa ideia me tocou profundamente.

Quantas vezes nos sentimos inquietos, procurando algo que nem sabemos nomear? Agostinho nos diz que essa inquietude é, na verdade, o chamado de Deus, nos puxando para Ele.

Qual é a missão da humanidade?

“Tu nos fizeste para Ti, Senhor, e nosso coração está inquieto enquanto não repousa em Ti.”

Essa frase, uma das mais famosas de Confissões, resume a missão que Agostinho enxerga para nós: viver para Deus, amá-lo com todo o nosso ser.

Mas ele nos alerta: esse amor não é uma corrente que nos prende, mas uma escolha livre. É um relacionamento íntimo, único, que não deve ser imposto aos outros. Aqui, Agostinho me fez refletir sobre como compartilho minha fé.

Falar do amor de Deus é importante, mas nunca deve ser uma arma para julgar ou condenar. Afinal, só Deus conhece o coração de cada um.

Nossa missão é amar e testemunhar, deixando que o Espírito Santo faça o resto.

Conhecer ou invocar: o que vem primeiro?

Por fim, Agostinho se depara com um dilema que talvez você já tenha sentido: como posso invocar a Deus se ainda não o conheço? E como posso conhecê-lo se não o invocar?

A Igreja Católica reconhece que, para orar, precisamos de uma revelação divina – foi Deus quem primeiro veio até nós, mostrando-se através da criação, das Escrituras e, acima de tudo, de Jesus Cristo. Mas Agostinho também destaca o papel de quem nos apresenta a Boa Nova.

Na vida dele, foi Santo Ambrósio quem o guiou; na nossa, pode ser um padre, um amigo, uma comunidade. Essa reflexão me lembrou da importância da Igreja e dos irmãos de fé. Sozinhos, podemos nos perder em dúvidas ou confusões. Mas, com a ajuda de quem já trilhou o caminho, nossa oração ganha força e direção.

Fica aqui um convite à essa jornada para ler o primeiro capítulo de Confissões que é como abrir uma porta para dentro de si mesmo. Santo Agostinho não oferece respostas prontas, mas perguntas que nos aproximam de Deus: Quem Ele é para você? O que te impede de repousar n’Ele? Como você responde ao Seu chamado?

Se você quer mergulhar nessa obra, minha dica é: leia com o espírito de Santo Agostinho, ou seja, em oração e clemência para que as palavras atinjam a alma e as portas da clareza e compreensão sejam abertas.

Deixe que as palavras de Agostinho te guiem, não para entender tudo de uma vez, mas para sentir a presença de Deus um pouco mais perto e tenha paciência as vezes ainda não é o momento de ler.

E você, já leu Confissões? Como a história de Agostinho te inspira na sua fé? Conta aqui nos comentários – vamos caminhar juntos nessa jornada!

@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353

Ascolta bene.
A man’s collapse never begins on the battlefield.
It begins in the invisible antechamber of his own mind.
Before any public fall, there is an ignored internal whisper—
a small, quiet, private decision that gradually drags him toward ruin.

No empire ever fell without first rotting from within.
The world does not destroy a man who hasn’t first surrendered to himself.
The enemy outside only wins when it finds space in the void the man has silently carved.

**Non ti sbagliare ** — there are no armies more ruthless than undisciplined thoughts.
There are no blows more fatal than the ones we deal ourselves:
with small concessions, well-crafted excuses,
and the slow deterioration of our integrity.
What people call failure is nothing more than the logical outcome
of a sequence of internal betrayals.

Afraid of the world? Sciocchezze.
But a man who’s already bowed before his own weaknesses—
he needs no enemies.
He digs his own grave, chooses the epitaph,
and the only thing the world does is toss in some dirt.

Capisci?

Strength isn’t the absence of falling, but the presence of resistance.
The true battle isn’t external.
It takes place within—where there’s only you, your conscience, and the mirror.
And it’s in that silent courtroom where everything is decided.

The discipline to say “no” to yourself
is more noble than any public glory.
Self-control is more valuable than any victory over others.

In Sicily, we learn early:
“Cu s’abbrazza cu’ so’ nemicu, si scorda la faccia di l’amicu.”
He who embraces his enemy forgets the face of his friend.
The most dangerous enemy is the one you feed daily with self-indulgence.
And the most relentless confrontation is the one you avoid in front of the mirror.

So don’t talk to me about external defeats.
Tell me where inside you the weakness began.
Tell me the exact moment you abandoned what you believed in, in the name of ease.
Because a man only falls before the world… after falling before himself.

Thank you for reading, my friend!

If this message resonated with you, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of appreciation.

A toast to our family!

@ 592295cf:413a0db9

Nostur is capable of login with bunker

Photo, note by Fabian

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqkfzjh8jkzd8l9247sadku6vhm52snhgjtknlyeku6sfkeqn5rdeqyf8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvw5hxkef0qyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnddakj7qpqxfktwlm2qdkpxy556e4yg4l8p6v8930nfyzg7p3vsknk7krutz0s8znjtq

---

When you decide to share an app you have to know a lot about that app. For example the nstart feature that you can share your friends, has a "smart pack" and the app can onboard, at least following the link --> Apps-integration

So let's try to read and bring a bit to the summary of the thing. Only the one about the profiles, which you don't know exactly how it will end, you have to try it before sending to someone. the second point is that it says that there is no "support encryption, so it cannot be used for DMs apps".

there was an update of nstart, now it shows you

the names of the bunkers, maybe now it's too much, decide if it does 3/2 4/2 or just automatic.

So they talked about frost in the hodlbod podcast. I didn't understand much except that they said to test frost and report the feedback. Tomorrow I'll try to download igloo and frost+nos2ex

So I have to wait for let's say version 0_1_0 of igloo now it is (0_0_4) and

maybe there will be the version of the extension ready.

Sebastix also found it difficult but I think he was trying to install the server, which didn't even occur to me. Anyway I leave you the note if you want to go deeper...

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqpnrnguxe8qszsshvgkvhn6qjzxy7xsvx03rlrtddr62haj4lrm3qytkummnw3ez66tyvgaz7tmrv93ksefdwfjkccteqqs2wzkkx220e24revkpxmdzkqj73rnz0reeenjwgy53g36hlkdgurgrs5e62

Let's see if I can download the video. ok Downloaded. Video .mov

If you don't want to watch I'll leave a little description

1 Download and install igloo, from the frost page. 2 Create a new key set, you can generate or copy an existing key. 3. Choose the options for the key and now they become multiple keys 4. Created a group of credentials. 5. Save the two credentials with a password and bring the third into the browser extension that it creates from the repository, it says that there will be a bootable extension for chrome. 6. Copy the third key and the group package key into the application node. 7. Once you have entered these keys you can finish the operation (and you have backed up the other two) in igloo. 8. When it goes forward it finds itself with two keys, both encrypted with passwords. 9. Since it is a three of two, it just needs to activate a key in igloo and it starts communicating "startsigner". 10. Opens a nostr client and connects with frost2sx and writes a note 11. Shows the log, and says that if you enter two keys it can generate a third, invalidating the old one (I assume)

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

(source)

• Notice how "social" stuff like therapy and finding purpose is up massively, now all first 3 spots.
• All the "new" stuff is down. You won't get new ideas out of chatGPT, explore topics of interest, or research. It only spits back at you what you said to it. Nothing new, nothing creative or unexpected.
• Coding is new this year? Really?

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/943133

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

มูลนิธิร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์ (Rockefeller Foundation) ก่อตั้งขึ้นในปี ค.ศ. 1913 โดยตระกูลร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์ ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในตระกูลที่มีอิทธิพลทางเศรษฐกิจและสังคมของสหรัฐอเมริกา จุดมุ่งหมายหลักของมูลนิธิคือการส่งเสริมสุขภาพ การศึกษา และความเป็นอยู่ที่ดีของมนุษยชาติทั่วโลก

บทบาทของมูลนิธิร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์ในประเทศไทยนั้น สำหรับกรุงเทพฯแล้ว เป็นศูนย์ใหญ่ประจำภาคเอเชีย มูลนิธิร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์ได้เข้ามามีบทบาทสำคัญในการพัฒนาระบบสาธารณสุขของประเทศไทย โดยเฉพาะในด้านการศึกษาและการวิจัยทางการแพทย์ มูลนิธิได้ให้การสนับสนุนทั้งทางด้านการเงินและวิชาการแก่สถาบันการแพทย์ต่าง ๆ รวมถึงการส่งเสริมการศึกษาของบุคลากรทางการแพทย์ไทยในต่างประเทศ พูดง่ายๆคือ ช่วยรัฐบาไทยจัดตั้ง "สาธารณสุขแห่งแรก" ในประเทศไทย เมื่อ พ.ศ. 2457 แสดงถึงความสัมพันธ์ลึกซึ้งกับสาธารณสุขอเมริกาเป็นอย่างดี

แม้ว่าการสนับสนุนของมูลนิธิร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์จะช่วยยกระดับระบบสาธารณสุขของไทยอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ แต่ก็มีข้อถกเถียงเกี่ยวกับอิทธิพลของมูลนิธิต่อทิศทางการพัฒนาทางการแพทย์ของประเทศ บางฝ่ายมองว่าการพึ่งพาทุนและแนวคิดจากต่างประเทศอาจทำให้ประเทศไทยสูญเสียความเป็นอิสระในการกำหนดนโยบายด้านสาธารณสุข เพราะมีคำกล่าวหาว่า มูลนิธิ มีเบื้องหลังที่สามารถควบคุมกิจกรรมต่างๆเกี่ยวกับสาธารณสุขในเมืองไทยได้ (โอเค ซึ่งนั่นก็เป็นข้อถกเถียง)

นอกจากนี้มูลนิธิ ยังมีการร่วมทุนในด้าน "อาหาร" ในเมืองไทยด้วย

ในช่วงปี พ.ศ. 2512-2513 (ค.ศ. 1969-1970) มูลนิธิร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์ (Rockefeller Foundation) ได้ร่วมลงทุนกับเครือเจริญโภคภัณฑ์ (CP) ในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ โดยเฉพาะในประเทศไทย ความร่วมมือนี้เกี่ยวข้องกับการพัฒนาอุตสาหกรรมการเลี้ยงไก่เนื้อ ซึ่งเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการส่งเสริมการเกษตรและอาหารในภูมิภาค นั่นทำให้เทคโนโลยีการเลี้ยงสัตว์ของซีพีรุดหน้าอย่างเร็วมาก พันธุ์กุ้งขาวจากอเมริกา และ ไก่เนื้อที่จากเดิมต้องเลี้ยง 6 เดือน แต่ก็สามารถทำให้เหลือเวลาแค่ 8สัปดาห์ก็ได้กิโลครึ่งแล้ว

นอกจากนี้ยังร่วมทุนกับ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ หนึ่งในโครงการที่โดดเด่นคือการสนับสนุน "ไร่สุวรรณ" หรือ Suwan Farm​

ไร่สุวรรณ ตั้งอยู่ที่อำเภอปากช่อง จังหวัดนครราชสีมา เป็นศูนย์วิจัยข้าวโพดและข้าวฟ่างที่สำคัญของประเทศไทย เดิมทีพื้นที่นี้เป็นของจอมพลสฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ และต่อมาได้โอนให้มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ดูแล มูลนิธิร็อกกี้เฟลเลอร์ได้ให้การสนับสนุนด้านทุนและความรู้ในการปรับปรุงพันธุ์ข้าวโพดเลี้ยงสัตว์ จนทำให้ไร่สุวรรณกลายเป็นแหล่งวิจัยข้าวโพดเลี้ยงสัตว์ที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในเอเชีย นักวิจัยที่ไร่สุวรรณได้พัฒนาพันธุ์ข้าวโพดที่ทนทานต่อโรคราน้ำค้าง ซึ่งเป็นปัญหาสำคัญในช่วงเวลานั้น

นั่นละครับ 5555

@ 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/942018

@ 7bc05901:8c26d22b

Max posted: We don't want to rule the world - just the square meter where our feet touch earth. Multiply that by billions and watch empires crumble.

This is how we should build and tinker. One square meter at a time.

I have been trying to subtly preach square foot gardening to my wife over the winter. While we were planting yesterday, I noticed she had placed the cabbage just a couple inches away from each other, because based on the size they are now, it seems right. I said, you think those are far enough apart? And she quickly divided them up each into their own square foot, which is the recommended distance to maximize their growth. Considerations about future growth engaged her intuition, and giving them each a square foot made sense.

One cannot get more hyper-local than the square meter that they currently occupy. After we had finished planting, we sat on lawn chairs in the grass while our daughter chased bubbles from the battery-powered bubble machine that the neighbor had given us. My wife and I started talking about how many blades of grass were in our entire backyard. Our whole piece of property is not quite three quarters of an acre, and the backyard is about a third of it. The way to figure that out, though, is to figure out how many blades of grass there are in a square foot. After a bit of back and forth, le chat (the mistral AI) finally told me that in a more dense square foot of grass, you might have over 7,000 blades of grass and in a less dense square foot around 3,000. We didn't do the math on our whole yard, but we at least know the formula if we ever care to.

Thinking by the square foot is truly how empires fall. Realizing that the world is divisible not just by state, but also by square foot, is a critical step towards manifesting sovereignty. The world is not just cities, counties, nations, continents -- the network that we impact is not defined by armies, politicians, or CEOs unless we let it be.

As we think about the expansion of our hyper-local spaces, the permaculture design principles about controlling edges seemed relevant to me. This is from mistral:

---

In permaculture, the principle of "using edges and valuing the marginal" is one of the key design principles. This principle emphasizes the importance of the edges or boundaries in a system, where different environments or ecosystems meet. These edges are often the most diverse and productive areas because they allow for interactions between different elements.

Here are some key aspects of this principle:

Increased Productivity: Edges are often more productive because they receive inputs from multiple environments. For example, the edge of a forest and a meadow might receive sunlight from the meadow side and nutrients from the forest side.

Diversity: Edges support a greater diversity of species because they provide a variety of microclimates and resources. This diversity can lead to more resilient ecosystems.

Innovation: Edges are places of interaction and exchange, which can lead to new ideas and innovations. In a permaculture design, this might mean placing elements that benefit from interaction at the edges of different zones.

Valuing the Marginal: This principle also encourages valuing and utilizing marginal spaces and resources that might otherwise be overlooked. By doing so, permaculture aims to make the most efficient use of all available resources.

In practical terms, this principle might be applied by designing gardens or farms to maximize edge environments, such as by using keyhole beds or creating winding paths that increase the amount of edge in the landscape. It's about recognizing the potential in transitional spaces and leveraging it for greater productivity and resilience.

In permaculture, the principle of "using edges and valuing the marginal" is one of the key design principles. This principle emphasizes the importance of the edges or boundaries in a system, where different environments or ecosystems meet. These edges are often the most diverse and productive areas because they allow for interactions between different elements.

Here are some key aspects of this principle:

1. Increased Productivity: Edges are often more productive because they receive inputs from multiple environments. For example, the edge of a forest and a meadow might receive sunlight from the meadow side and nutrients from the forest side.

2. Diversity: Edges support a greater diversity of species because they provide a variety of microclimates and resources. This diversity can lead to more resilient ecosystems.

3. Innovation: Edges are places of interaction and exchange, which can lead to new ideas and innovations. In a permaculture design, this might mean placing elements that benefit from interaction at the edges of different zones.

4. Valuing the Marginal: This principle also encourages valuing and utilizing marginal spaces and resources that might otherwise be overlooked. By doing so, permaculture aims to make the most efficient use of all available resources.

In practical terms, this principle might be applied by designing gardens or farms to maximize edge environments, such as by using keyhole beds or creating winding paths that increase the amount of edge in the landscape. It's about recognizing the potential in transitional spaces and leveraging it for greater productivity and resilience.

---

The revolution will begin in your square meter, and it will grow when you use edges and value the marginal.

We are all on the edge over here in the Nostr-ecosystem. And bitcoin allows you to store your value in your square meter without interference from those who currently control many square meters.

Stay sovereign.

@ e8744882:47d84815

For Telugu-speaking movie lovers, enjoying Hollywood movies in Telugu dubbed has never been easier! Thanks to Dimension On Demand (DOD), you can now experience Hollywood’s most exciting films in your preferred language. Whether you enjoy intense thrillers, supernatural mysteries, or high-stakes survival stories, DOD has a great selection of action-packed movies waiting for you.

If you're searching for Hollywood movies in Telugu dubbed, we’ve got you covered! Here are two must-watch films that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Each of these picks delivers gripping storytelling, thrilling action, and unforgettable characters—perfect for fans of adrenaline-pumping entertainment.

The Wraith – A Supernatural Revenge Story with High-Speed Action For those who enjoy Hollywood movies in Telugu dubbed with a supernatural twist, The Wraith is a thrilling ride from start to finish. This cult classic blends mystery, vengeance, and high-speed chases to create an electrifying experience.

Set in a small desert town ruled by a ruthless gang of street racers, the story takes an eerie turn when a mysterious figure arrives, seeking revenge. Charlie Sheen, widely recognized for his role as the charismatic and carefree Charlie Harper in Two and a Half Men, brings a captivating presence to this intense and mysterious character, adding to the film’s gripping appeal. Sheen plays Jake Kesey, a drifter with a hidden past, whose arrival sparks a chain of deadly events. A sleek black sports car becomes the ultimate symbol of justice, challenging the gang to a series of high-octane races. One by one, the gang members meet their fate, leading their leader, Packard Walsh, into a spiraling paranoia.

With its unique mix of sci-fi, action, and supernatural elements, The Wraith remains a cult favorite. Charlie Sheen’s enigmatic performance, thrilling race sequences, and eerie atmosphere make it an unforgettable watch. If you love adrenaline-fueled action combined with an intriguing storyline, this is one of the best Telugu dubbed Hollywood movies for you.

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Dax Miller stars as Zack Jardine, a thrill-seeker looking to capture the ultimate adrenaline rush on camera. However, he and his team soon realize they’re being hunted by a massive, ancient predator unlike anything they’ve seen before. Trapped on a remote island with no escape, they must use their instincts and courage to survive the relentless attacks of this monstrous creature.

Blood Surf combines stunning tropical scenery with heart-pounding suspense, delivering an unforgettable survival horror experience. If you love creature thrillers with non-stop action, this is a must-watch among Hollywood movies dubbed in Telugu.

Why You’ll Love It: ✔ A suspenseful survival thriller with intense action

✔ Beautiful yet haunting tropical locations

✔ A terrifying predator that adds to the excitement

Watch Hollywood Movies in Telugu Dubbed on DOD Dimension On Demand offers an incredible collection of Hollywood movies in Telugu dubbed, making it easy for movie lovers to enjoy world-class entertainment in their preferred language. Whether you're in the mood for action-packed thrillers, supernatural mysteries, or high-stakes survival stories, there’s something for everyone.

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Your search for Hollywood movies in Telugu dubbed ends here! Grab your snacks, settle in, and experience an exciting world of Hollywood entertainment in your preferred language. Stay tuned for more top movie picks, only on Dimension On Demand!

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Venice is like nowhere else on Earth. A city built on water, where gondolas glide through silent canals and palaces shimmer in the light of the lagoon. It’s romantic, surreal, and endlessly photogenic—from the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square to the quiet charm of back-alley bridges. Whether you're there for the art, the architecture, or the atmosphere, Venice is pure magic.

🌟 Must-See in Venice

1️⃣ St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

• A glittering masterpiece of Byzantine architecture
• Don’t miss the Pala d’Oro and mosaics inside
• Climb to the rooftop terrace for views over Piazza San Marco

2️⃣ Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

• The seat of Venetian power for centuries
• Walk across the Bridge of Sighs to the old prison
• Book a "Secret Itineraries" tour to explore hidden passages

3️⃣ Grand Canal & Vaporetto Ride

• Take a vaporetto (water bus) from Piazzale Roma to San Marco
• You'll pass Rialto Bridge, palazzos, and everyday life along the water
• For extra magic, do it at sunset

4️⃣ Rialto Market & Bridge

• The city’s oldest bridge, buzzing with life
• Stop by the Rialto Market in the morning for local seafood and produce
• Great area to grab a spritz and people-watch

5️⃣ Gondola Ride or Rowboat Tour

• Yes, it’s touristy—but it’s iconic for a reason
• For a local spin, try a traghetto across the canal, or book a rowboat tour at sunset

🖼️ Art & Culture

• Gallerie dell’Accademia – Home to masterpieces by Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection – Modern art in a stunning canal-side setting
• Teatro La Fenice – Venice’s grand opera house, steeped in drama and beauty

🍝 What to Eat in Venice

• Cicchetti – Venetian tapas: try bacalà mantecato, crostini with seafood, or mini meatballs
• Sarde in saor – Sweet-and-sour marinated sardines
• Risotto al nero di seppia – Squid ink risotto
• Wash it down with a Venetian spritz (try one with Select or Cynar)

🌿 Day Trips from Venice

• Murano – Famous for glassblowing
• Burano – Bright, colorful houses and handmade lace
• Torcello – Quiet island with ancient churches and lagoon views
• Lido – Beachy escape from the city crowds

🎯 Venice Tips

✅ Get lost—it’s part of the charm (but download offline maps just in case)
✅ Visit early morning or late evening to feel the magic without the crowds
✅ Stay overnight if you can—Venice empties after the cruise ships leave
✅ Don’t feed the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square—it’s actually banned
✅ Look for "ombra" (local wine) and a plate of cicchetti at a traditional bacaro bar

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

หากเดินเข้าแผนกผักในซูเปอร์มาร์เก็ต แล้วเกิดความรู้สึกว่า “บรอกโคลี” กับ “กระหล่ำดอก” หน้าตามันเหมือนกันยังกับแฝดที่คนหนึ่งเป็นเด็กเรียนเก่ง อีกคนเป็นศิลปิน ก็ไม่ต้องแปลกใจ เพราะจริง ๆ แล้วพวกเขาเป็นญาติสายตรงกันเลยล่ะครับ ชนิดที่ว่าเกิดจากต้นตระกูลเดียวกันเป๊ะ ๆ และไม่ได้เกิดจากการหล่นลงมาของเมล็ดพืชจากฟากฟ้าหรือจากการปลุกเสกของเทพธิดาในตำนานไหนทั้งนั้น แต่เกิดจากมือมนุษย์เราเองล้วน ๆครับ

ต้นกำเนิดของพืชทั้งสองนั้นย้อนกลับไปไกลถึง “Brassica oleracea” ซึ่งเป็นพืชผักพื้นฐานริมทะเลเมดิเตอร์เรเนียน หน้าตาเมื่อแรกพบก็ไม่ได้หรูหราเหมือนลูกหลานยุคนี้ มันเป็นแค่พืชใบเขียวธรรมดา ๆ ที่ชาวโรมันโบราณเดินผ่านไม่เหลียวหลัง

แต่เมื่อเวลาผ่านไป มนุษย์เริ่มรู้จักการ “คัดเลือกพันธุ์” (selective breeding) คือการเลือกปลูกต้นที่มีลักษณะที่ต้องการ แล้วขยายพันธุ์เฉพาะต้นนั้นต่อไป รุ่นแล้วรุ่นเล่า เหมือนการเลือกเพาะลูกหมาที่ฉลาดและขนฟู จนในที่สุดก็ได้สายพันธุ์ใหม่ ๆ ขึ้นมา

เช่นในกรณีต้นไม้ต้นนึง ถ้าชาวสวนคนหนึ่งชอบต้นที่มี “ตาดอก” ใหญ่หน่อย ก็จะปลูกมันต่อ ส่วนอีกคนชอบใบที่แน่น ๆ ก็เลือกปลูกต้นแบบนั้นต่อ แล้วสิ่งที่ตามมาก็คือความเลยเถิดของความหลากหลายอย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ เช่น • ถ้าเน้นปลูกส่วนใบได้ คะน้า • ถ้าเน้นปลูกส่วนตาดอกได้ กระหล่ำดอก • ถ้าตาดอกสีเขียวแน่น ๆได้ บรอกโคลี • ถ้าเน้นลำต้นบวม ๆได้ กะหล่ำหัว • ถ้าดอกออกแปลก ๆ คล้ายปะการังได้ โรมานีสโก (Romanesco)

แต่ทุกชนิดที่ว่ามานั้น…เป็น “สายพันธุ์ย่อย” ของพืชชนิดเดียวกัน คือ Brassica oleracea ทั้งหมด!

พูดให้เข้าใจง่ายคือบรอกโคลีไม่ได้มาจากพระเจ้า แต่มาจาก “การขยี้ย้ำในลักษณะ จนเป็นการเล่นแร่แปรพันธุ์ของเกษตรกรในยุคโรมัน” ที่ทำกันจริงจังจนกลายเป็นผักจานหลักบนโต๊ะอาหารเราทุกวันนี้

สิ่งที่น่าสนใจอีกคือ บรอกโคลีกับกระหล่ำดอกยังคงกลิ่นกายทางพันธุกรรมเดียวกันอยู่ แม้หน้าตาจะต่าง แต่ DNA ก็คล้ายกันมาก พอ ๆ กับพี่น้องที่ชอบกินของไม่เหมือนกัน แต่มาจากบ้านเดียวกัน

จริง ๆ แล้วพืชตระกูล Brassica พวกนี้แหละ ที่มีสารสำคัญชื่อ Glucosinolate เป็นเหมือนกับนักเคมีของพืช ที่มีสูตรลับไว้ป้องกันตัวเองจากแมลง กลูโคซิโนเลตบางชนิด (เช่น goitrin) อาจรบกวนการดูดซึมไอโอดีน ส่งผลต่อการทำงานของต่อมไทรอยด์ เลยเรียกสิ่งนี้ว่า เป็น anti-nutrient ที่เราเคยได้ยินกันครับ

ถึงตรงนี้ ใครที่ชอบกินผักเหล่านี้ก็น่าจะรู้สึกภูมิใจว่ากำลังกิน “ผลผลิตจากภูมิปัญญามนุษย์” ที่ไม่แพ้การสร้างปิรามิดหรือเครื่องจักรไอน้ำเลย เพราะการคัดเลือกพันธุ์อย่างละเอียดอ่อน ต้องใช้เวลาการย้ำปลูกเป็นร้อยปี และไม่ได้ใช้วิทยาศาสตร์ล้ำยุคอะไรเลย แค่ใช้ใจและมือเปล่าของชาวสวนรุ่นแล้วรุ่นเล่า

สรุปแล้ว บรอกโคลีและกระหล่ำดอก ไม่ใช่ของจากสวรรค์ แต่เป็นของจาก “ความพยายาม” ที่ยิ่งใหญ่พอ ๆ กับการสร้างอารยธรรม พระเจ้าอาจไม่ได้สร้างมัน…แต่มนุษย์เราก็เก่งพอที่จะเป็น “พระเจ้าแห่งผัก” อยู่เหมือนกันนะครับ 555

pirateketo #โรงบ่มสุขภาพ #HealthyHut #ตำรับเอ๋ #siripun

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

มีคนเทียบสัดส่วน โอเมก้า 6:3 ของน้ำมันคาโนล่า แล้วบอกว่าดีงาม เพราะมันได้ที่ 2:1

คืองี้ครับ มันเป็นประเด็นที่หลายคนยังเข้าใจคลาดเคลื่อนอยู่ไม่น้อยโดยเฉพาะเวลาเห็นว่าน้ำมันคาโนล่ามีโอเมก้า 3 ต่อ 6 ในอัตราส่วน 1:2 แล้วรีบบอกว่า “ดีต่อสุขภาพ” หรือ “บาลานซ์ดี” โดยไม่มองลงลึกไปถึง ชนิดของโอเมก้า 3 และ ชีวปริมาณการดูดซึม (bioavailability) ที่ต่างกันระหว่างโอเมก้า 3 จากพืช กับจากสัตว์

มันคือมายาทางตัวเลข ที่ superfood ชอบนำมาโชว์ให้เราดู ในน้ำมันคาโนล่า โอเมก้า 3 ที่พบจะอยู่ในรูปแบบ ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) ซึ่งเป็นกรดไขมันโอเมก้า 3 ที่ ร่างกายไม่สามารถใช้ได้โดยตรง ต้องแปลงเป็น EPA และ DHA ก่อน ถึงจะมีผลต่อสมอง หลอดเลือด และระบบต้านการอักเสบ

ปัญหาคือ ร่างกายมนุษย์แปลง ALA ไปเป็น EPA ได้แค่ประมาณ 5-10% และแปลงต่อเป็น DHA ได้แค่ 0.5-5% เท่านั้น

ถ้าเรากิน ALA จากคาโนล่าออย 1,000 มิลลิกรัม เราอาจจะได้ DHA จริงๆ แค่ ไม่ถึง 50 มิลลิกรัม ซึ่งน้อยมากจนไม่เพียงพอต่อการบำรุงสมองหรือป้องกันโรคอักเสบเรื้อรังใดๆ

ประเด็นสำคัญการเกิด oxidation ของ ALA ในระหว่างการทอด เพราะ ALA เป็นกรดไขมันไม่อิ่มตัวแบบมีพันธะสาม (polyunsaturated) ที่ ไวต่อความร้อนและแสงมาก พอเจอความร้อนสูงในกระบวนการทอดหรือแม้แต่แค่โดนแสงขณะเก็บไว้ มันจะกลายเป็นสารอนุมูลอิสระที่ชื่อว่า lipid peroxide ซึ่งเป็นอันตรายต่อเซลล์และอาจเพิ่มความเสี่ยงของโรค NCD

ดังนั้น อย่างที่บอกบ่อยๆครับ จะเอาวิจัยจะอ่านวิจัยมาใช้ โปรดมองบริบทการ "ใช้ชีวิต" ด้วยครับ ค่าโอเมก้า 3:6 ของน้ำมันคาโนล่าอาจดู “สมดุล” แค่ในกระดาษ แต่ความจริงคือ มันเป็นโอเมก้า 3 แบบพืช (ALA) ที่ร่างกายใช้ได้น้อยมาก

“โอเมก้า 3 จากพืช ก็เหมือนแบงก์กาโม่ที่ต้องไปแลกที่ธนาคารก่อนถึงจะใช้ได้ ส่วนโอเมก้า 3 จากสัตว์น่ะ คือ บิทคอยน์ ที่เป็นของจริง”

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BwpmKdJtN/

ปล. Dr Brian Kunakom บอกว่า แค่ชื่อน้ำมันคาโนลาก็แปรรูปแล้ว!! ต้นคาโนลาไม่มีจริง มันถูกดัดแปลงมาจากผักกาดก้านขาวหรือ rapeseed plants ช่วงยุคสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 สหรัฐอเมริกาต้องการน้ำมันมาใช้หล่อลื่นเครื่องยนต์ ประเทศแคนาดาจึงหาวิธีปลูกและผลิต rapeseed oil หลังจากที่สิ้นสุดสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 rapeseed oil ถูกผลิตมาเยอะเกินและขายไม่ออก ประเทศแคนาดาจึงหาวิธีขายให้ประเทศอื่น ใน rapeseed oil ของแคนาดา สาร Erucic acid มีสูงไปซึ่งไม่เหมาะสำหรับการทานเป็นอาหาร ในช่วงประมาณปี 1970 แคนาดาสำเร็จในการจด patent สำหรับการลดสาร Erucic acid จากน้ำมัน rapeseed และตั้งชื่อน้ำมันใหม่ว่า Canola oil Canola ย่อมาจาก Canadian oil low acid นอกจากจะแปรรูปจากการสกัด ยังแปรรูปในการตั้งชื่อด้วยครับ

pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

I picked up this book 'Nuclear Power Explained' by Dirk Eidemuller to understand nuclear power and the historical context during the nuclear euphoria era. I’ll share a bit on the history part. Note: I have not seen the movie Oppenheimer yet.

Some key highlights :

In 1933 -Leo Szilard thought of the nuclear chain reaction concept - whereby one nuclear reaction triggers a series of additional nuclear reactions, releasing a significant amount of energy. This is fundamental for nuclear reactors and weapons. He figured this out the same year he was fleeing from one country to another from Hitler. He tried to share this idea to Rutherford but got kicked out of the office.

In 1934 - Enrico Fermi first conducted the experiment in irradiating uranium with neutrons but unfortunately he did not spot anything

In 1938, Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann's experiments accidentally found barium forming when they irradiated uranium with neutrons. Splitting uranium atoms was not a norm at that time. This new finding was the start of the nuclear era.

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Fission vs. Fusion * Fission splits heavy nuclei into smaller ones, whereas fusion combines light nuclei into heavier ones. * Fission is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs, while fusion is the process that powers stars (energy is produced when hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium). The goal of developing fusion-based power generation on Earth is still work-in-progress. Thermonuclear bombs (super bombs) use fusion as well.

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Otto Hahn collaborated with Lisa Meitner, Germany's first female physics professor, who fled to Sweden due to Nazi persecution. Lisa encouraged Hahn to repeat Fermi’s experiment with high precision. Lisa Meitner and her cousin Otto Frisch analyzed the results and coined the term "fission."

(Note : Women physicist were gaining popularity during that time - Marie Curie, nuclear physics, won 2 nobel price for her work)

1938 - Otto Hahn and Lisa published their results. Nuclear physicists worldwide were in disbelief.

In the early days, Albert Einstein didn’t think it was possible.He said that the whole thing would be like shooting at “birds in the dark in a country where there are few birds.”

Ernest Rutherford (who introduced the atom particle model in 1911 ) thought that it was an absurd idea to try to generate energy in this way. Note : both Rutherford and Bohr introduced the atom particle model, both had a central nucleus and electrons. Bohr’s model was more detailed and led to quantum mechanics and modern behaviour of atoms.

1939 - WW2 started on Sep 1, 1939

1941 - Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii

After Otto Hahn’s paper released, a few things happened

Albert Einstein's E=mc^2 links energy and mass, and while this concept has been around for a while and is based on space and time and initially unrelated to nuclear, it also explained nuclear fission's energy release.

Szilard, who was a long time friend of Einstein, reached out and shared the nuclear reaction theory and its potential for killer weapons. They were worried Nazis might build it first and bomb the US.

They wrote to President Roosevelt to establish research for nuclear weapons to counter a possible attack. To add to suspicion, Germany halted uranium sales from occupied Czechoslovak mines.

(Einstein later on said he regretted this letter after witnessing the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If he knew Germany wouldn't succeed in making an atomic bomb, he wouldn't have taken action)

Alexander Sachs, a friend of Szilárd and Roosevelt delivered the letter. At first President Roosevelt was not interested. Concurrently Germany invaded Poland, the tension was rising.

Sachs apparently used the analogy of Robert Fulton proposing steamships to Napoleon (to up the notch on traditional sail ships) to convince Roosevelt of the need for a large-scale nuclear research program.

1942 - Roosevet finally agreed

The scientists formed a committee. Military were initially skeptical and wanted to cut costs. The scientists received $6,000 to start the Manhattan Project.

The First Nuclear Reactor : Chicago Pile-1 - a group of popular physicists, including Enrico Fermi and Leó Szilárd, designed the first nuclear reactor ever built by humans. It had 5.4 tons of pure uranium metal and another 45 tons of uranium oxide.

The first nuclear reactor is underneath an unused grandstand of the University of Chicago’s football stadium.

1942 - The first test was on Dec 2. If the chain reaction went awry, a worker would use an axe to cut a rope and release an emergency control rod above the reactor. There was also an automatic shutdown system, and someone ready to pour cadmium salt from above, which stops the chain reaction.

It was a success - the reactor ran at minimum power to initiate a nearly self-sustaining chain reaction.

This led to more reactors and bomb-grade plutonium to be produced.

(note : if you are reading up to here, plutoniums are man-made, and not mined from earth the same way uranium, minerals and ores are)

France was quickly occupied in the war, and its nuclear research material was brought to Germany.

The Soviet Union put in very little effort on the atomic bomb during this time as they needed to fight against the Nazis.

In Japan, too, nuclear research proceeded slowly.

In Germany, multiple research groups operated within the "Uranium Association" also known as “Uranverein”. Popular figures like Werner Heisenberg, Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker and Walther Gerlach worked on it but failed to activate it.

In England, German- Austrian emigrants Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls initiated the “MAUD Committee'' (Military Application of Uranium Detonation) . Unfortunately England classified them as “enemy aliens" hence they went to Los Alamos to work on the US nuclear tech.

Their work led to the British-Canadian “Tube Alloys” secret project, which kickstarted the American Manhattan Project. This American Manhattan project under President Eisenhower introduced nuclear reactors to Iran, Pakistan and Israel. But more on that later.

After the successful experiments with the Chicago Pile-1, the American atomic bomb project proceeded at full speed. The Manhattan Project had more than 150,000 people working on it!

Everything was done under the highest military secrecy. With the exception of the leading scientists and military personnel, nobody knew what was actually being worked on until the news of the destruction of Hiroshima.

With two billion dollars (massive at that time), leading scientist and nuclear physicist Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves quickly built a secret nuclear research center in remote Los Alamos, New Mexico, and established a nuclear industry as big as the entire American automobile industry during that era.

The Los Alamos Laboratory was called Project Y where the actual bomb design was being researched

University of Chicago’s met lab was a big research contributor during this euphoric nuclear era

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, known as "Atomic City," had large isotope separation facilities, two massive diffusion plants, one of which was the world's largest building at the time, and an electromagnetic separation plant. It provided the uranium for the Hiroshima bomb (little boy). The Hanford site provided the uranium for the Nagasaki bomb (fat man).

April 1945 - Harry Truman became U.S. President.

And four months later, he authorized nuclear attacks on Japanese civilians.

June 1945 - Szilard and Franck co-authored the "Franck Report" with fellow scientists. They cautioned against using nuclear bombs on civilians,

July 1945 - Szilard and other dozen researchers wrote to president Harry Truman to urgently warn him against civilian targets (The Szilard petition)

August 6, 1945 * Hiroshima bomb ~140,000 people died * Nagasaki bomb ~70,000 people died

Robert Oppenheimer on this explosion : “Now I have become death, the destroyer of worlds.” (from the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text)

September 2,1945 - WW2 ended

In October 1945 , Oppenheimer resigned.

1946 - One year after the war, Leo Szilárd and Albert Einstein started the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists to inform the public about nuclear weapons and promote global peace.

Szilard also arranged conferences with scientists from both sides East and West to find better ways for security and peace.

After WW2, Soviet Union caught up with the US nuclear tech through espionage

1949 - Soviet detonated their first nuclear bomb in Semipalatinsk Test Site, in Kazakhstan.

In 1949 Fermi and Nobel laureate Isidor Rabi cautioned that this new weapon could have devastating consequences, approaching genocide.

1950 - 1953 - Korean war between communism (North Korea) and capitalism (South Korea). The US supported South Korea but decided against nuclear weapons due to ethical concerns. But the ideology war was becoming more apparent here.

1952 - Great Britain detonated its first atomic bomb

1952 - US developed the first hydrogen bomb - based on nuclear fusion and not nuclear fission. These super bombs were 800x stronger than the Hiroshima bomb. Instead of splitting the atomic nuclei to smaller ones, very light atomic nuclei are fused into heavier ones which enables a greater explosive forces

Oppenheimer spoke against the development of thermonuclear weapons/hydrogen bombs.

In the 1940s and 1950s during the McCarthy era, there was widespread fear of communism. People worked to expose anyone they thought might be associated with communism. Senator Joseph McCarthy led investigations, and J. Robert Oppenheimer was accused of having communist ties.

In 1954 - Oppenheimer’s security clearance was revoked by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission after a highly publicized hearing accusing him of a communist past.

1955 - Einstein passed away. He was 76

1958 - Khrushchev became premier (Soviet Union). In his first full briefing after having a full view of the nuclear environment he said “ I could not sleep for several days. Then I became convinced that we could never possibly use these weapons, and when I realized that I was able to sleep again.”

There’s a long bit on him and JFK eventually working out peace in secrecy...

1960 - Szilárd met with Nikita Khrushchev in New York for two hours. He convinced the Soviet leader to support the idea of a hotline with the US to prevent accidental nuclear war.

1960 - France detonated its first atomic bomb

1961 - JFK came to power

1962 - Cuban Missile Crisis - lasted for 2 weeks.

The Cuban Missile Crisis began when the Soviet Union secretly placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the US, raising the threat of nuclear conflict. It ended with an agreement between the US and Soviet Union:

1. The U.S. wouldn't invade Cuba.
2. The USSR would remove its Cuban missiles.
3. The U.S. would secretly remove its missiles from Turkey, easing tensions.

The end of Cuban Missile crisis started the peace journey between US and the Soviet Unions.

But sadly, not everybody loved peace.

1963 - JFK was assassinated

1964 - Khrushchev was ousted

1964 - Leo Szilard died of heart attack

1964 - China detonated its first atomic bomb

1983 - another possible nuclear attack during the Cold War - Soviet satellites wrongly signaled an American missile attack. Stanislav Petrov, in charge, could have launched a nuclear counterattack but didn't because he thought it was a technical glitch. It turned out he was right; sunlight reflections caused the false alarm. Petrov's decision likely averted a disastrous nuclear war. But it’s worrying how easy it was for world disaster.

1991 - The Cold War ended when the Berlin Wall came down, a significant symbol of bridging the East and the West

---

Part 2 - nuclear as electricity instead of bombs.

Throughout this time there was a growing shift to use nuclear power as electricity. I separated both timelines to have a clearer view on it

1951 - first reactor in Idaho used to generate electricity instead of bombs (small test reactor)

Jan 1953- President Eisenhower came was elected to office

Dec 1953 - President Eisenhower delivered his infamous "Atoms for Peace" speech to the UN, on the dangers of nuclear war and the potential of nuclear technology for human development.

He encouraged countries to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes (electricity).

Iran, Israel, and Pakistan being among the first to agree. American Machine and Foundry constructed their early nuclear facilities.

This change from military to civilian use was made possible by amendments to the Atomic Energy Act.

1954- Russia built the first real reactor that converts nuclear power into electricity and supply it to the public power grid

1955- On August 8, in Geneva, Switzerland, the largest scientific conference in history, called the “International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy,” began.

More than 1500 participants from East and West exchanged what were previously secretive results with surprising openness and aroused the curiosity of the world publicly.

1955 - The first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, was put to sea

1956- the second nuclear power plant that produced electricity on an industrial scale in Calder Hall, near Windscale in England

1958 - the first commercialized power reactor in the US in Shippingport, Pennsylvania

In the 70’s- oil crisis promoted the use of nuclear as energy

1986 - Chernobyl (30 people died) - The Chernobyl disaster resulted from a poorly designed experiment at nuclear reactor Unit 4. They turned off safety systems, removed control rods, and ran the reactor at 7 percent power.

2011- Fukushima disaster (19,759 died) - After a major earthquake, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors. This led to a nuclear accident on March 11, 2011. All three cores mostly melted within the first three days.

There are a lot of learning from disasters. New reactor designs aim for safety and efficiency, but some projects face rising costs and delays. Managing radioactive waste remains a challenge. The future of nuclear power's role in global electricity is uncertain. If one day nuclear power is really safe, each home can have its own mini power plants.

There are 436 nuclear reactors in the world located in 32 countries as of May 2023

On average, nuclear powers 10% of global power needs. Some countries are heading for 20%

---

2 takeaways :

1. United States created and won the nuclear race because it welcomed immigrants - who turned out to be superstar nuclear physicist persecuted in their countries

2. International cooperation, advocated by many researchers since the discovery of nuclear fission, hopefully outweighs power politics.

@ cb4352cd:a16422d7

From Fun to Finance: A New Player Has Entered the Game

For years, gaming was mostly a one-sided deal. Players poured in hours — and often cash — while publishers reaped the rewards. But then came Play-to-Earn (P2E): the idea that in-game actions could earn players actual value, through tokens, NFTs, or digital goods.

When Axie Infinity took off in 2020–2021, it showed what was possible. At its peak, some players in the Philippines were earning more than the local minimum wage by raising and battling cartoon monsters. But as the hype faded, so did many of the unsustainable economic models behind early GameFi.

What’s emerged since is a second wave — one that’s quieter, more focused, and better grounded in gameplay and long-term ecosystems.

The Rise of Intuitive GameFi

Today’s GameFi isn’t about chasing profits — it’s about smoother entry points and better play. Many newer games live entirely in browsers or messengers. No app store, no wallet setup, no confusing steps.

Projects like Wenix, Pixels, and Hunters On-Chain are keeping things light and accessible. Players can jump into short sessions, complete quests, and slowly accumulate in-game rewards — without needing to be blockchain experts.

Some titles are even experimenting with AI-powered environments that adapt to player behavior, making things feel more dynamic and personalized.

Real-World Value and Community-Driven Economies

A growing number of platforms — including Wenix — are tying in-game actions to larger systems. Players aren’t just collecting points; they’re influencing how the game evolves, how assets are traded, and sometimes even how decisions are made.

It’s no longer just about who has the best gear. It’s about how well the economy works — and whether players feel ownership over the world they’re in.

That’s why token design and community mechanics are taking center stage. Daily quests, lootboxes, PvP — they’re still here, but now they sit on top of more thought-out systems with checks against inflation and burnout.

Some of the most promising projects even run their economies like small digital nations — with resource planning, governance, and built-in incentives that align with player effort.

Beyond Games: GameFi as a Gateway to Web3

Here’s the interesting part: GameFi might be one of the easiest ways to introduce people to Web3.

Instead of talking about “wallets” or “DAOs,” these platforms hand users a sword, a mission, and a reason to care. Before you know it, you’re signing your first transaction or trading a digital item — not because you studied crypto, but because you were having fun.

It’s learning by doing. And it works.

The Road Ahead

GameFi is still figuring itself out. There will be setbacks. But it’s clear that the blend of gaming and on-chain incentives isn’t going away.

The next wave of winners likely won’t be the flashiest or the richest — but the ones who get the balance right between fun, fairness, and meaningful ownership.

We’ve gone from pay-to-play, to play-to-earn, to play-to-own. What comes next might not have a name yet — but it’s already loading.

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

note - i wrote this before the global trade war, back when tariffs only affected China, Mexico, and Canada. But you will still get the gist of it.

During tough economic times, governments have to decide if they should open markets to global trade or protect local businesses with tariffs. The United States has swung between these two strategies, and history shows that the results are never straightforward

Just days ago, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. He framed these tariffs (25% on most Canadian goods, 10% on Canadian energy, 25% on Mexican imports, and 10% on Chinese imports) as a way to protect American industries.

But will they actually help, or could they backfire?

A History of U.S. Tariffs

Many have asked if countries will retaliate against the US. They can and they have. Once upon a time, 60 countries were so pissed off at the US, they retaliated at one go and crushed US dominance over trade.

This was during the Great Depression era in the 1930s when the government passed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, placing high taxes on over 20,000 foreign goods. The goal was to protect American jobs, especially American farmers and manufacturers, but it backfired so badly.

Over 60 countries, including Canada, France, and Germany, retaliated by imposing their own tariffs. By 1933, US imports and exports both dropped significantly over 60%, and unemployment rose to 25%.

After President Franklin Roosevelt came to office, he implemented the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934 to reverse these policies, calming the world down and reviving trade again.

The economist history of protectionism

The idea of shielding local businesses with tariffs isn’t new or recent. It's been around for a few centuries. In the 16th to 18th centuries, mercantilism encouraged countries to limit imports and boost exports.

In the 18th century, Adam Smith, in The Wealth of Nations, argued that free trade allows nations to specialize in what they do best countering protectionism policies. Friedrich List later challenged Smith's view by stating that developing countries need some protection to grow their “infant” industries which is a belief that still influences many governments today.

But how often do governments truly support startups and new small businesses in ways that create real growth, rather than allowing funds to trickle down to large corporations instead?

In modern times, John Maynard Keynes supported government intervention during economic downturns, while Milton Friedman championed free trade and minimal state interference.

Paul Krugman argued that limited protectionism can help large industries by providing them unfair advantages to become global market leaders. I have deep reservations about Krugman’s take, particularly on its impact or lack thereof in globalizing small businesses.

The debate between free trade and protectionism has existed for centuries. What’s clear is that there is no one-size-fits-all model to this.

The Political Debate - left vs right

Both the left and right have used tariffs but for different reasons. The right supports tariffs to protect jobs and industries, while the left uses them to prevent multinational corporations from exploiting cheap labor abroad.

Neoliberal policies favor free trade, arguing that competition drives efficiency and growth. In the US this gets a little bit confusing as liberals are tied to the left, and free trade is tied to libertarianism which the rights align closely with, yet at present right wing politicians push for protectionism which crosses the boundaries of free-trade.

There are also institutions like the WTO and IMF who advocate for open markets, but their policies often reflect political alliances and preferential treatment - so it depends on what you define as true 'free trade’.

Who Really Benefits from Tariffs?

Most often, tariffs help capital-intensive industries like pharmaceuticals, tech, and defense, while hurting labor-intensive sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.

This worsens inequality as big corporations will thrive, while small businesses and working-class people struggle with rising costs and fewer job opportunities.

I’ve been reading through international trade economics out of personal interest, I'll share some models below on why this is the case

1. The Disruption of Natural Trade

Tariffs disrupt the natural flow of trade. The Heckscher-Ohlin model explains that countries export goods that match their resources like Canada’s natural resource energy or China’s labour intensive textile and electronics. When tariffs block this natural exchange, industries suffer.

A clear example was Europe’s energy crisis during the Russia-Ukraine war. By abruptly cutting themselves off from the supply of Russian energy, Europe scrambled to find alternative sources. In the end, it was the people who had to bear the brunt of skyrocketing prices of energy.

2. Who wins and who loses?

The Stolper-Samuelson theorem helps us understand who benefits from tariffs and who loses. The idea behind it is that tariffs benefit capital-intensive industries, while labor-intensive sectors are hurt.

In the US, small manufacturing industries that rely on low-cost imports on intermediary parts from countries like China and Mexico will face rising costs, making their final goods too expensive and less competitive. This is similar to what happened to Argentina, where subsidies and devaluation of pesos contributed to cost-push inflation, making locally produced goods more expensive and less competitive globally.

This also reminded me of the decline of the US Rust Belt during the 1970s and 1980s, where the outsourcing of labour-intensive manufacturing jobs led to economic stagnation in many regions in the Midwest, while capital-intensive sectors flourished on the coasts. It resulted in significantly high income inequality that has not improved over the last 40 years.

Ultimately the cost of economic disruption is disproportionately borne by smaller businesses and low-skilled workers. At the end of the day, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

3. Delays in Economic Growth

The Rybczynski theorem suggests that economic growth depends on how efficiently nations reallocate their resources toward capital- or labor-intensive industries. But tariffs can distort this transition and progress.

In the 70s and 80s, the US steel industry had competition from Japan and Germany who modernized their production methods, making their steel more efficient and cost-effective. Instead of prioritizing innovation, many U.S. steel producers relied on tariffs and protectionist measures to shield themselves from foreign competition. This helped for a bit but over time, American steelmakers lost global market share as foreign competitors continued to produce better, cheaper steel. Other factors, such as aging infrastructure, and economic shifts toward a service-based economy, further contributed to the industry's decline.

A similar struggle is seen today with China’s high-tech ambitions. Tariffs on Chinese electronics and technology products limit access to key inputs, such as semiconductors and advanced robotics. While China continues its push for automation and AI-driven manufacturing, these trade barriers increase costs and disrupt supply chains, forcing China to accelerate its decoupling from Western markets. This shift could further strengthen alliances within BRICS, as China seeks alternative trade partnerships to reduce reliance on U.S.-controlled financial and technological ecosystems.

Will the current Tariff imposition backfire and isolate the US like it did a hundred years ago or 50 years ago? Is US risking it's position as a trusted economic leader? Only time would tell

The impact of tariff on innovation - or lack thereof

While the short-term impacts of tariffs often include higher consumer prices and job losses, the long-term effects can be even more damaging, as they discourage innovation by increasing costs and reducing competition.

Some historical examples globally : * Nigeria: Blocking import of rice opened up black market out of desperation to survive. * Brazil: Protectionist car policies led to expensive, outdated vehicles. * Malaysia’s Proton: Sheltered by tariffs and cronyism and failed to compete globally. * India (before 1991): Over-regulation limited the industries, until economic reforms allowed for growth. * Soviet Union during Cold War : Substandard products and minimal innovation due to the absence of foreign alternatives, yielding to economic stagnation.

On the flip side, Vietnam has significantly reduced protectionism policies by actively pursuing free trade agreements. This enabled it to become a key manufacturing hub. But Vietnam is not stopping there as it is actively pushing forward its capital-intensive growth by funding entrepreneurs.

The Future of U.S. Tariffs

History has shown that tariffs rarely deliver their intended benefits without unintended consequences. While they may provide temporary relief, they often raise prices, shrink job opportunities, and weaken industries in the long run.

Without a clear strategy for innovation and industrial modernization, the U.S. risks repeating past mistakes of isolating itself from global trade rather than strengthening its economy.

At this point, only time will tell whether these tariffs will truly help Americans or will they, once again, make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

In wanting to understand the global economy of manufacturing better and in particular the decline of US manufacturing, I picked up a few books on it. This one is called ‘Why manufacturing is still key to America's future’ by Ro Khanna. It’s a little old but I’ve shared some recent stats as a comparison as well. Ro Khanna was with the U.S. Dept of Commerce, focusing on govt's impact, or lack thereof, on manufacturing. Some key highlights:

1. You can’t split R&D and manufacturing. When you offshore manufacturing, you send off design with it and you lose a big chance to cultivate innovation in the US - Andy Grove, CEO of Intel.
2. Manufacturing is needed to reduce the trade deficit that started in 1971
3. U.S. exports to China are $153.8 billion, imports are $536.8 billion. Hence trade deficit with China is $382.9 billion
4. The private sector demands out-of-the-box thinking. In the gov’t, follow instructions; don’t make waves; keep your head down for career advancement.
5. Small and medium-sized businesses create about half of all manufacturing jobs and make up more than 90 percent of U.S. manufacturers
6. Cluster theory - a lot of business in the surrounding area impacts other businesses i.e. supply chain. On the flip side, businesses shutting down will be like dominoes impacting other businesses. Michael Porter, The Competitive Advantage of Nations" (1990)
7. Foreign subsidy - foreign companies ie China get a lot of subsidies to build manufacturing - free land, and factory capital. Cheap labour is not the only competition
8. Corporate tax - The US charges heavy corporate tax on foreign earnings hence companies rather invest outside than bring it back - John Chambers, CEO and Chairman Emeritus, Cisco 9 < 1 percent of American businesses export and mostly to Canada and Mexico only
9. US global manufacturing share in the ’90s was >22%. It started slipping in 99’. Today it’s 16.8%. China’s global market share was 3% in the 90, 8% in 2000 - today it is 28.7%

**More inputs **

• Andy Grove, Intel's 3rd employee hired in 1968 and CEO from 1987 to 1998, drove Intel's market cap from $4 billion to nearly $197 billion, making it the world's largest computer chip manufacturer. He highlighted the inseparability of design and manufacturing - which leads to the loss of R&D and innovation in a country when manufacturing is offshored. Grove also questioned the absence of tracking offshored jobs.

• Apple has a similar philosophy in bridging design and manufacturing. Dow Chemical built research facilities outside of the US because it could not separate manufacturing from R&D

• Manufacturing’s deterrent factor is high capex and lower returns compared to the service sector.

• “The Commerce Department was a chronic underperformer, led in recent times by political hacks or bureaucrats, from one party or the other, who simply didn’t get it.” (from the book)

• Manufacturing is needed to reduce the trade deficit. In 2009, the trade deficit reached almost $375 billion - meaning the US spends $375 billion more on foreign economies than it does fueling its economy. (Current trade deficit is $65.5 billion)

• To balance the economy, export more and import less. In 2009, 60% of manufacturing goods were exported (current amount of 80%). But this is not enough to fulfil domestic consumption and reduce imports, hence the need for more manufacturing.

• Trade deficit with China - In 2009, the total trade deficit with China was more than $220 billion, service trade surplus of $6 billion. Today, U.S. export to China is $153.8 billion, imports from China is $536.8 billion, and the trade deficit with China is $382.9 billion (almost double the amount of trade deficit with China in 14 years)

• While knowledge workers are important, must not discount the importance of hands-on technical skills

• The rate of decline in manufacturing increases unemployment in manufacturing jobs such as engineer, designer, or floor operator. The majority of the workforce is Caucasian, with African Americans constituting about 10 percent and Hispanics about 15 percent

• “If the private sector rewards “out of the box” thinking, Washington often expects regurgitation as the norm for career advancement. Follow instructions; don’t make waves; keep your head down—that’s the motto among insiders. It’s something that I didn’t like and never got used to.” (from the book)

• Our nation cannot bleed manufacturing jobs and expect to have a middle class: Bob Baugh, union leader

• Small and medium-sized businesses create about half of all manufacturing jobs and make up more than 90 percent of U.S. manufacturers.

• Importance of local manufacturers in helping the country during turmoil - The Globe factory produced protective clothing for firefighters during 9/11. The challenges were seen during COVID-19, not being able to manufacture masks, medical

• Federal gov’t program: the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) helps small and medium-sized manufacturers improve their competitiveness

• The decline of manufacturing impacts surrounding businesses (I’ve seen it drop like dominoes). This is based on the cluster theory by Professor Michael Porter, introduced in the late 1990s, which emphasizes geographic concentrations of related businesses and institutions in specific industries. Clusters offer advantages like knowledge sharing, talent access, efficient supply chains, and competition-driven innovation, benefiting regional development and global competitiveness.

• Gov’t subsidies: Foreign competitors get hefty government subsidies, including free land, factories, and capital. These subsidies make price competition tough, not just cheap labourers (for example China)

• Corporate tax: Overseas earnings are taxed when brought back to the U.S. Due to high corporate tax rates, companies rather invest these earnings abroad. A one-time tax incentive for repatriation will encourage more domestic investment and job creation (John Chambers of Cisco, and Tim Guertin of Varian)

• General observation - The US pioneers innovation but is unable to keep up the fight when competitors come on board because of the lack of support compared to other countries - i.e. luxury cards, automobiles, automation, silicon industry, solar industry etc

• 95% of the world’s consumers and 70% of the world’s purchasing power are outside the United States (in 2009 and about the same now)

• Only 1 percent of American businesses export.

• Out of that, 58% of the companies that do export only export to Canada or Mexico. They’re still reluctant to venture out to Latin America, Asia, or even Europe.

• Exports make up only 11% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) - Note, still the same from 2009 to the present. Germany, China, India, Brazil, Russia, UK, Japan - exports more

• Trade shows are useful and costly. A suggestion is for the U.S. government to help cover travel and participation expenses for first-time attendees. These businesses could repay the government if they secure sales at the show, similar to how the Department of Agriculture supports food companies.

• Several countries are subsidised in tradeshows and have pavilions that are chic and modern such as the British, Germany, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt. US’s booths don’t stand out.

• The simplicity of getting paperwork sorted: In 1972, when Andy Grove went to Malaysia to establish Intel’s first foreign operation, the chief minister of Malaysia introduced him to Chet Singh, who headed the state’s Penang Development Corporation. “Chet Singh is your one-stop agent,” the Malaysian chief minister told Mr. Grove. Whenever Intel had an issue with getting a particular license, permit, road paved, or available tax credit, Chet would take care of it. He stayed in his job for more than two decades until the early 1990s, facilitating Intel’s ability to expand its Malaysian presence. Today, Malaysia is home to Intel’s largest manufacturing facility outside the United States (Note: Malaysia doesn’t treat its people the same way)

• Over time I think manufacturing moved away because of some mixture of regulations (not all bad), high-cost labor (unions), higher cost of capital (complex) and a focus on other things (comparative advantage, or misdirected cultural signals?). Bill Gates, 2011

• US global manufacturing share in the 80’s and 90’s was 22% - 24%. It started slipping in 99’. Today it’s 16.8%. China’s global market share was 3% in the 90, 8% in 2000 - today it is 28.7%

• Global Manufacturing Output China – 28.7% United States – 16.8% Japan – 7.5% Germany – 5.3% India – 3.1% South Korea – 3% Italy – 2.1% France – 1.9% United Kingdom – 1.8% Indonesia – 1.6%

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Salzburg is a city where Baroque beauty, musical legacy, and alpine magic come together. Best known as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music*, Salzburg is both elegant and enchanting—with fortress views, winding lanes, and a rich cultural rhythm that’s hard to resist.

🌟 Top Things to Do in Salzburg

1️⃣ Hohensalzburg Fortress

• One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval castles, perched high above the city
• Take the funicular or hike up for sweeping views
• Explore towers, armories, and eerie dungeons

2️⃣ Old Town (Altstadt)

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Baroque buildings, charming squares, and boutique-lined alleys
• Don’t miss Getreidegasse, a bustling shopping street with Mozart’s birthplace at No. 9
• Stop for a coffee in a historic café like Café Tomaselli

3️⃣ Mirabell Palace & Gardens

• Iconic filming location for The Sound of Music
• The gardens are perfect for a peaceful stroll or a picnic with palace views
• Pop into the Marble Hall—often used for classical concerts

4️⃣ Mozart’s Legacy

• Visit Mozart’s Birthplace and Mozart’s Residence for insight into his early life
• Enjoy a Mozart concert in a candlelit palace or at the fortress

5️⃣ Salzburg Cathedral & DomQuartier

• The majestic Salzburger Dom is the heart of the city’s religious life
• Explore the DomQuartier, a grand museum route through palaces, galleries, and cathedral terraces

🧀 What to Eat in Salzburg

• Kasnocken – Austrian-style cheesy dumplings with crispy onions
• Wiener Schnitzel – Classic veal (or pork) cutlet, perfectly golden
• Salzburger Nockerl – A fluffy baked dessert representing the city's snowy hills
• Sip a local Stiegl beer or warm up with a Glühwein in colder months

🎶 The Sound of Music Fans?

• Join a Sound of Music tour to visit film locations like Leopoldskron Palace, Nonnberg Abbey, and the gazebo from “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”
• Even if you’re not a fan, the scenery is worth it!

🏞️ Day Trips from Salzburg

• Hallstatt – Stunning lakeside village (2 hrs) with picture-perfect alpine views
• Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) – WWII site with panoramic mountain views
• Werfen Ice Caves – The largest ice cave system in the world
• Salzkammergut Lakes – Beautiful region of lakes and hills (perfect in summer)

🎯 Quick Tips

✅ Salzburg is compact and walkable—explore on foot
✅ Best time to visit: spring to early autumn, or December for magical Christmas markets
✅ Salzburg Card is worth it if you plan to visit several museums or use public transport
✅ Stay at least 2 nights to soak in both culture and scenery

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 概要

加拿大知名黑客松 ElleHacks 2025 于 2025 年 2 月 14 日至 16 日举办，聚焦推进 STEM 领域的多样性与包容性。活动吸引 195 名注册开发者参与，72 个项目通过审核，旨在为新手提供平台，通过协作提出创新技术方案应对全球挑战。

参赛者在活动中参与各类研讨会，与行业专家及招聘人员交流，提升技能并展现创造力与技术专长。黑客松始终围绕解决现实问题，激励参与者运用问题解决能力打造有影响力的解决方案。

ElleHacks 2025 不仅凸显了 STEM 领域多样性的重要性，更为女性及非二元性别学生通过技术项目贡献力量提供了重要平台，成为推动科技行业包容性创新的实践舞台。

Hackathon 获胜者

ElleHacks 2025 在各个类别中表彰了杰出的项目，详细如下：

最佳使用 ElleHacks 主题奖获奖者

• Memora {Old Age}：一个社区驱动的应用程序，帮助阿尔茨海默病患者进行记忆识别和药物管理，使用 AI 和 IoT 技术。
• KareBear：一个 AI 驱动的虚拟助手，支持自闭症谱系障碍儿童的情感学习和表达。
• talktome：一个仿真平台，提供个性化策略帮助父母改善与青少年的沟通。

最佳硬件应用奖获奖者

• Memora {Old Age}

最佳使用 EA 数据奖获奖者

• Connect Beyond Barriers: Autism Care：一个平台，为自闭症青少女及其父母提供 AI 驱动的支持，配备聊天机器人和专家定位服务。

最佳网络安全应用奖获奖者

• Lynx：一款整合用户数据的数字足迹分析器，提供声誉管理建议。

最佳使用 Wasp 奖获奖者

• NetNanny：一个浏览器扩展和网络应用程序，使用 AI 通过监控社交互动和发出警报来保护儿童免受网络威胁。

最佳使用 Streamlit 奖获奖者

• CyberQueen：一个网络应用，通过 AI 聊天机器人、测验和事实内容使年轻女性的网络安全教育变得有趣。

最佳 AI 应用程序使用 Cloudflare 奖获奖者

• CareOn：一个 AI 驱动的应用程序，通过运动检测和智能警报确保老年人安全。

来自 GoDaddy 注册表的最佳域名奖获奖者

• Greener Than You Think：一个交互性网站，通过每日心情检查和虚拟花园管理来支持青少年进行情绪调节。

最佳 Gen AI 应用奖获奖者

• Talky：一个应用，为有语言障碍的儿童提供游戏化语言治疗，使用 AI 定制讲话挑战和反馈。

有关这些项目的详细信息，请访问活动页面。

关于组织者

ElleHacks

ElleHacks 致力于在技术领域促进多样性和包容性，特别注重在科技领域赋权女性。以其年度 Hackathon 而闻名，ElleHacks 将参与者聚集在一起，协作开发创新项目，支持技能发展和人脉建设。该组织重视教育倡议和社区建设努力，鼓励创造力和协作。ElleHacks 致力于培养人才，努力扩大机会，并支持技术领域的弱势群体，定位自身为行业中积极变革的催化剂。

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 概要

Hackathon@WEF 2025 于 2025 年 1 月 21 日至 23 日在瑞士达沃斯举办，吸引 23 名注册开发者参与，最终 7 个项目获批。活动旨在通过 AI、数据科学与先进技术应对全球挑战。参赛者以团队形式，既在 Lab42 和达沃斯创新中心实地协作，也通过线上方式投入，聚焦打造具备现实应用潜力的解决方案。

由 DIGITAL LOUNGE@WEF 搭建的社交平台，让开发者有机会与 CEO、政府官员、企业家及思想领袖建立联系，向优质受众展示项目，提升曝光度并为职业发展奠基；瑞士阿尔卑斯山的优美环境辅以免费住宿、餐饮及会议资料，优化了参与体验；超 10,000 瑞士法郎的奖池，为后续创新提供支持。此外，达沃斯创新中心营造的协作氛围，有力推动全球创新进程。

此次 Hackathon 不仅彰显了技术创新在解决全球问题中的潜力，更促进了跨领域深度交流，为探索全球挑战的创新解决方案搭建了优质平台。

Hackathon 获奖者

此次Hackathon在一个类别中颁发奖项，表彰项目的技术创新和有效实施。

第一名 (5000瑞士法郎)

Inspecting Avalanches - 该项目通过高级分析和分类技术，聚焦于检测和分类雪崩，以提升安全措施和反应流程。

第二名 (1500瑞士法郎)

Team Strike - 开发了一个聊天机器人，将自然语言查询转换为SQL查询和XML文件，提升数据库交互和可访问性。

第三名 (1000瑞士法郎)

Sigma - 开发了一种能够与环境互动的类人系统，使用高效的AI模型，确保其整个操作过程中的数据主权。

Hacker之选

Team Strike

有关所有Hackathon项目的更多信息，请访问 DoraHacks。

关于组织者

Data Migration International

Data Migration International 提供专业的数据迁移解决方案，运用先进技术帮助组织高效管理复杂的数据过渡。公司以其技术专长而闻名，成功管理了多个行业的大型项目，展现了其在大规模数据处理方面的能力。其在技术和区块链领域的参与强调了对创新和效率的承诺。Data Migration International 致力于提供稳健的解决方案，简化和增强数据管理过程，保持其作为数字转型中可靠合作伙伴的地位。

@ 8671a6e5:f88194d1

intro

Full disclosure : I bought multiple bitcoin art items to support artists

Bitcoin has absorbed old tropes from finance, tech, and economics, fundamentally reshaping how we think about money. But Bitcoin art? It should be a companion on the journey to a Bitcoin standard. Yet it doesn’t even seem to be trying. Every artistic movement worth its salt needs something to push against—to rebel, to spark thought, to provoke, or at the very least, to represent a technical or methodological leap forward in its field.

Pointillism comes to mind as an example in painting.

In this piece, I take a brief stroll into the subjective realm of art, specifically exploring art in the Bitcoin space—if such a thing truly exists. Some people might not like it, but as someone who has created modern art myself, I can confidently say that artists will emerge stronger from this transitional phase of Bitcoin art, whatever this era may be called later.

The art corner You know the drill. You visit any Bitcoin conference and there’s the obligatory “art corner” or gallery. Funny, wasn’t it just a few years back that a single decent artwork was a rarity needing a proper place for being shown tot he public? Now, every conference (small or big) needs this curated space, crammed with artists all vying for a sliver of attention.

And what do you usually find? A collection of the utterly predictable, the profoundly uninspired, the tiresomely repetitive, and anything but artistically groundbreaking amidst some exceptional pieces that will be snatched up almost immediately.

The themes are often so worn out, they’re practically a self-parody version of bitcoin art:

Animals holding signs (with of course… bitcoin logos)

Whales, dolphins, and the aquatic crew: The go-to, utterly drained metaphor for Bitcoin wealth, rendered in every conceivable medium with sea creatures.

Majestic vistas with bitcoin slogans: Think inspirational landscapes defaced with inscriptions or cryptic (not really) messages.

Women cradling blocks: Because apparently, nothing screams "Bitcoin" like a woman clutching a perfectly geometric cube. Bonus points if there are more painted women on a canvas, than actual women at the event.

Coins, coins, and more coins: Gold, silver, pixelated, abstract – just in case anyone forgot Bitcoin isn't a physical trinket.

Collages of Bitcoin celebs and memes: Why bother with originality when you can just mash up some social posts?

Reheated classics with an orange filter: Slap some orange highlights and a Bitcoin logo on a famous painting, and voilà! “Bitcoin art.” Bitcoin Pop-art, Bitcoin punk, Bitcoin collages…

It’s like the whole Bitcoin art scene is endlessly regurgitating the same tired ideas, and pouring a lot of time and effort in being just a fancy washing machine of orange t-shirts.

Most of it—not all, mind you, as there are people with exceptional thought and even more exceptional work—is no more than Bitcoin-themed art. By "theme," I mean the color orange or a “B,” much like you’d see M&M’s-themed coffee mugs, M&M’s t-shirts, or M&M’s-themed playing cards.

Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t about slagging off the artists themselves. I know how hard it is to thrive in this space, and I also learned about the time and effort put in to any work (the perception of the artwork has nothing to do with this at all!)

The dedication and passion within the bitcoin art scene are undeniable. Making art in a niche like Bitcoin is a tough gig (and often a thankless one, given the whole value-4-value thing seems perpetually broken). They deserve respect for putting themselves out there, doing the work and trying to make their passion work.

Many genuinely believe in what they’re creating, even if not everyone is convinced or will like a work of art. However, a lot of them are chasing a mirage, much like those hoping for an oasis of Bitcoin jobs in the desert. Many artists dream of turning their art into a business or a career move, and some even try to make a full-time living from it. That’s admirable, but I’m convinced it’s often a ruse, where your money, time, and effort dress up someone else’s business ideas and sense of branding. In my opinion, the real art movement in Bitcoin has yet to take off. It will need people with great ideas, motivation, know-how, and effort, for sure!

So I repeat the issue isn’t the individuals, the artists; it’s the collective creative stagnation that comes from clamoring to the general interest of this perceived “bitcoiner” as an audience.

Target < B > Audience

Only, this audience is usually not the target audience for the artworks itself. Art needs to have room to inspire, be free and relay an idea (even if that idea challenges another idea). That can’t be done to a target audience that just wants to sell their stuff to each other at a conference (see my piece on Bitcoin conferences for that) neither can it be a target audience that even is too cheap to buy a ticket and freeloads themselves into an conference.

Bitcoin is supposed to be revolutionary, yet so much of its art (or perceived art) feels like a tacked-on commercial necessity or, worse, a desperate attempt at self-validation. Most of it is just a perpetual branding motion from a non-existing marketing team.

The target audience is usually even worse. Not knowing what they’re looking at, out of their element and knowing they should and could support the artists and their work. A lot is depending on why this audience is wandering through a conference gallery in the first place.

If most people at a conference are the usuals, the sellers, the company people, then they're used to seeing these artists and their art pieces. No one is amazed anymore. Which is in fact a sad thing to happen.

I can't imagine how incredibly hard it must be to try to sell something as bitcoin art to this kind of audience, while trying to believe that a B-logo on an excerpt of the whitepaper is worth the effort. (I don’t think it is, but tastes differ, some people prefer a Whopper over a nice steak dinner)

Signaling “membership” in the bitcoin community is important to some, and they do that through hats, t-shirts, pins and hoodies, not buying a bitcoin artwork.

Art is inherently subjective, fluid, and deeply personal.

I love Kusama’s polka dots, someone else might be into Herman Brood’s chaotic paintings, and someone else might get all nostalgic over an Anton Pieck candy store drawings.

The contradiction Bitcoin: The hardest money ever created. Objectively verifiable. Math-based. Impersonal. Code.

The clash is between feeling and finance, between cold emotionless, hard numbers and warm, beating hearts.

That’s why it's always a bit surreal to see people that sit in a conference room, go from a deep dive into Lightning Network scalability or Bitcoin’s code ossification; and see them wandering through an “art gallery” filled with pieces that are the polar opposite of anything remotely code-related. The cold hearts walk amongst the works of warmth. The trustless math calculates their steps and starts to look at something that’s exposed to a public of that’s not there for the art, but the mimicking of such a think in their setting makes them have their own élan, grandeur. It feels forced. And to me, it feels even wrong to see people walk out of a conference room, right into the art gallery… where they’re usually stroll around out of boredom or just as a form of a break. It’s almost disrespectful, and I feel art needs its own place, the right setting. And that setting is definitely not a bitcoin conference.

You see tech and finance folks just standing there, at these art corners looking at the art pieces like cows watching a drone show.

You feel this subtle pressure to act like it’s profound, even though it rarely is. But you’re there, so you play along with the charade as well. It’s miserable to see. Certainly when some people are more interested in buying the piece of mind of the artist, the way of life or a glimmer of independence they’re missing themselves.

I believe bitcoin art is rarely bought for anything else than capturing the reality and authenticity of the artists. Artists know that. And they sell that authenticity (out) to eat, drink, sleep and pay their rent. Authenticity can be double spent, unlike the hard money asset where it’s supposedly all about. Artists have very big blocks.

It’s a bit like that hyped-up restaurant that turns out to be serving dressed-up bar food, but you’re with friends, so you pretend that $35 hors d'oeuvre doesn’t taste suspiciously like steamed shoe laces. Theaters are sometimes food bars or galleries. Proof of fart Then there’s the awkward issue of selling this stuff. How do you, as an artist, “comment on” or “complete” an asset in an artistic way, while that asset appreciates by an average of 40 to 70% a year?

Buying traditional art as an investment is one thing, driven by aesthetics or emotional connection. But buying Bitcoin art with Bitcoin? That’s a financial decision triggering regret (almost for sure). Think about it: 0.1 BTC spent on a canvas today, isn’t just a fixed one-time cost; it’s a future opportunity cost.

That same Bitcoin could be worth significantly more in a few years. The artwork, not so much, not even a Picasso painting or a Hokusai manages that kind of annual return. So, unless you’re head-over-heels for the piece (or the artist), buying Bitcoin art with Bitcoin is almost certainly a bad trade financially – though, so is buying that fancy coffee machine you'll use twice or getting a diamond ring for you loved one.

Of course, this isn't a definitive argument against it (it's subjective, remember). But it's a factor, just one element. People who buy art to lock it away into a vault aren't the same folks milling around a Bitcoin conference, presumably. But still.

Purpose

Historically, in the West at least, art served many purposes: glorifying churches, telling stories to the illiterate, and expressing the full spectrum of human emotion (pain, regret, doubt, madness, etc.). There was always a demand, whether from religious institutions, the populace, or a desire for education and status. The demand rarely came from onlookers or passive walk-ins. You can only walk in after the demand has been met. The real commanding force in Bitcoin art isn’t the financial types in suits or the grifter with a few stickers who got into the conference for free and smells like weed. The demand comes from people who love to cultivate the branding to propel themselves forward.

In Bitcoin? None of that. There’s little genuine demand, I’d argue. The demand seems mostly driven by the artists themselves wanting to participate. Which, in itself, makes the act of creation worthwhile for them. But the audience demand feels… manufactured. Nobody wakes up thinking: “.. I sure hope there’s a Bitcoin art gallery at this conference...”

This low-to-nonexistent demand, however, presents a massive opportunity to actually impress. Low expectations mean impact is easier to achieve in a lasting way. But that impact evaporates fast if all the visitors get is the same old themes with some orange varnish or a monkey holding a sign.

"Proof of work" isn’t enough here; we already have that in the bitcoin network. Bitcoin art need "proof of thought". Sure, Bitcoin artists put in the hours. Their work is literally proof of effort. But effort alone doesn’t equal value – originality does. Copying Warhol, Mondrian, or Van Gogh and slapping a Bitcoin twist on it isn’t the high level of creativity that can pull art lovers in (and even make them bitcoiners); on the contrary it’s opportunism. And in a space that seems to thrive on recycling successful (or at least visible or temporary cool) ideas, genuine artistic innovation is a rare beast.

Bitcoin art could be so much more. And yes that’s subjective, but at the same time, … walk around at any art gallery and be honest with yourself as a person and buy what you really like, support the artists and the scene, and at the same time realize you’re playing dress up.

There should be so much more, as a separate art movement. It could delve into the philosophy of decentralization, the tension between digital scarcity and creativity, the profound societal shifts Bitcoin is triggering. Instead, we’re mostly drowning in kitsch and thinly veiled cash grabs. The Bitcoin art world doesn’t need more bodies; it needs better minds. We don’t need bigger blocks, we don’t need blocks at all!

The uncomfortable truth is that many Bitcoin artists are here chasing opportunities, just like the rest of us. But spotting an opportunity doesn’t magically transform you into an artist.

I could “find the opportunity” to be a star in the hypothetical Bitcoin basketball league, being one of the first to join. But compared to the global pool of professional basketball talent, I’d likely be laughably bad. I’m not even tall enough to reach most pro players’ armpits, let alone dunk. Yet, in òur tiny Bitcoin league WBBF (World Bitcoin Basketball Federation), I’d be a legend, an OG, demanding respect for my early participation and best-dunk-champion. Just like some Bitcoin artists seem to expect accolades for a weak, orange-tinted imitation of 1960s pop art.

I wouldn’t cut it in any real basketball club, probably not even the lowest amateur league, considering my limited knowledge of the rules. Do you have to run back to the center? Can you tackle other players? Is snatching the ball mid-dribble legal? No clue.

But I could hang around the basketball scene a bit, soak up the jargon, maybe buy a sports drink for a better player to glean some knowledge, and then clumsily mimic their moves while still being terrible at dribbling. I’de buy the right shoes as well. To fit in. Just like bitcoiners buy the right t-shirts.

The same principle applies to some Bitcoin musicians and other creatives. Being the only one doing something – be it Bitcoin-themed sculptures, paintings, sci-fi, or whale graffiti murals – doesn’t automatically make you a leading figure. It just makes you… the only one. Being the sole sci-fi filmmaker in Bangladesh makes you the top of your national field, sure, but it doesn’t make you the next Kubrick. Likewise, airbrushing an orange “B” on a canvas doesn’t turn you into the next Georgia O’Keeffe.

The Bitcoin world thrives on competition and proof of work. Perhaps it’s high time Bitcoin art did the same. We need a battle of ideas, experiments, and genuine insights, not just more orange paint, paragraphs of the white paper and some copper wires.

The genuinely sad part is the sheer effort many of the artists pour into their work! But there’s a limit to how much you can make people want to buy an art piece simply because it has a Bitcoin theme. Go beyond that.

Get real

Real Bitcoin art, in whatever form it takes, will command a high valuation because it will be scarce, original, and have Bitcoin not just as a subject, but woven into its very fabric. That form (and there will be many), in my opinion, is still waiting to be discovered. And I’m fairly certain it won’t be found in a conference gallery, where bored artists sit next to their work, politely nodding at every bloke who wants to sound knowledgeable about art for five minutes or tries to make himself look like a big shot. Because let’s face it, I’ve yet to meet a Bitcoiner with a genuine understanding of art history or a truly discerning eye.

Some starting points, perhaps (just my two cents) :

Art that embodies decentralization itself, inviting audience participation and co-creation, mirroring Bitcoin’s ethos but yet to be fully realized in the art world. Including consensus.

Art that incorporates distributed consensus or a rotating "proof of work" concept in its creation or presentation.

Purely mathematical art forms that resonate with Bitcoin’s underlying principles.

The possibilities are vast. Or maybe, just maybe, Bitcoin itself is our art, and we don’t need all this orange-tinged stuff cluttering up galleries nobody asked for.

And why not paint blocks holding women, instead of women holding blocks? Or why not have inflation-resistant art? Or math-based art that isn’t even possible to show on a canvas?

On that subject, the author of this piece enjoys making art as well and conducted a small experiment. I've performed a "life performance" approximately three times now, which I consider pure Bitcoin art. This was an action, not a physical object. It demonstrated work I personally delivered as “a miner” (function in this art piece), and during the process, people could verify it and even received my block subsidy (effort). So far, only one person has recognized this art form; the rest were unaware. Since it's an action, not an object, it's intangible unless you witnessed it. This is my way of saying, "you are the artist." According to the bitcoin ethos.

Interestingly enough, other people, even those involved in Bitcoin art themselves (!), didn't see it. This amused me because, much like the early weeks of Bitcoin's network growth, many initially failed to recognize its potential. Perhaps this parallel should be enough for us all to understand the true nature of Bitcoin art.

The Artistic Dare:

Here’s a challenge, not to your wallet, but to your creative soul: conceive and execute a piece of art that embodies the spirit and principles of Bitcoin in a way that is genuinely original, thought-provoking, and resonates beyond the immediate Bitcoin echo chamber. Forget the predictable iconography. Dig deeper.

If you can create something truly compelling, something that makes us see Bitcoin – or art – in a new light, then you’ve truly created Bitcoin art. And then comes the extra real challenge: finding someone who can and would pay for it, and at the same time “gets it”.

The main challenge is creating real art—a path, a genre—where a standalone Bitcoin art gallery can thrive outside the conferences and the small echo chamber of the “what do you sell?” crowd.

Don’t sell your dreams and authenticity to bored traders or bitcoin consultants. It’s like serving the finest wine to a bunch of alcoholics in a bar at 4 am.

Playing it safe with themes and artworks that can’t cross into the real art scene (even the underground art scene, let alone the corporate art) will not be as long-lived as bitcoin itself. Trying to spark interest from art lovers in general, will be the killer app, and will make bitcoin art into a movement. And that’s what we all need to make it art,… the pieces can’t exist without the movement. I hope someone will get the right spark, idea and fire going.

But until then we’ll be stuck with people painting a chimpanzee holding a glittering Bitcoin logo and chatting with any dude that wants to feel like someone at a conference.

Good luck.

AVB

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

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Autor: Ludwig F. Badenhagen. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier.**

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Wer den Artikel Ob Corona oder Krieg: Wir Menschen werden wie Vieh behandelt gelesen und die Ereignisse in Deutschland während der letzten 5 Jahre auch jenseits von Staatsfunk und Mainstream Medien verfolgt hat, dem dürfte folgendes aufgefallen sein:

1. Die absoluten Top-Positionen auf der politischen Bühne wurden vielfach mit Menschen besetzt, deren Eignung und Reputation – vorsichtig ausgedrückt – umstritten ist.
2. Auch massivste Fehlverhalten der Politiker bleiben folgenlos. Rücktritte scheinen ebenso ausgeschlossen wie eine straf- oder zivilrechtliche Aufarbeitung.
3. Wahlversprechen werden nicht eingehalten und neuerdings bereits direkt nach der Wahl gebrochen, obwohl noch keine neue Regierung gebildet wurde. Stattdessen wird das Gegenteil von dem getan, was eindringlich versprochen wurde.
4. Es hat sich eine Parteien-Allianz gebildet, welche eine gemeinsame Agenda verfolgt, die nicht dem Wohle der Bürger zu dienen scheint.

In diesem Umfeld tun die Politiker offenbar ungebremst, was sie wollen – und keiner scheint sie hindern zu können. Wenn morgen „von oberster Stelle“ die Anweisung gegeben würde, dass alle Neugeborenen auf Scheiterhaufen zu verbrennen seien, so stehen die Chancen gut, dass auch solch ein Vorhaben durchgebracht werden würde. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob der Willkür überhaupt Grenzen gesetzt sind. Und eine weitere Frage ist, ob es einen Punkt gibt, an dem die Bürger nicht mehr gehorchen. 

Es ist kein Geheimnis, dass Politiker für ihre Vergehen nicht belangt werden. Entgegen jedem Unternehmenslenker haften Politiker nicht für Fehlverhalten. Offensichtlich auch nicht für grob fahrlässiges oder gar vorsätzliches, denn die deutsche Staatsanwaltschaft untersteht der Politik. Auch Richter sind in Karrieresysteme eingebunden, sodass die letzten fünf Jahre besonders deutlich gezeigt haben, in welche Situation sich „mutige Richter“ bringen. „Bestrafe einen, erziehe hundert“, sagte hierzu einst ein bekannter politischer Führer eines Landes, mit dem Deutschland nicht verglichen werden möchte. 

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DIE FRIEDENSTAUBE FLIEGT AUCH IN IHR POSTFACH!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht). Sie wollen der Genossenschaft beitreten oder uns unterstützen? Mehr Infos hier oder am Ende des Textes.

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Eine Tat wird (abgesehen vom Gesetz) erst durch die individuelle Bewertung zu einem Unrecht. Wie die Dinge „einzuordnen“ sind, erklären die Täter, die Politiker, tagtäglich selbst und werden hierbei von ihren Propagandamitarbeitern unterstützt, die sich selbst immer noch als Journalisten bezeichnen. Wer aber die staatliche Einordnung anzweifelt oder dieser gar offen widerspricht, wird unter Anwendung der vorgenannten Systematik „Bestrafe einen, erziehe hundert“ diffamiert. Aber hierbei bleibt es nicht, denn Hausdurchsuchungen in Herrgottsfrühe, Kontosperrungen, Untersuchungshaft und Jobverlust sowie dauerhafte Inhaftierungen sind nur einige Beispiele dafür, wie „im besten Deutschland aller Zeiten“ vorgegangen wird.

Der Gamechanger

Aber wie wäre der Zustand denn zu ändern, wenn man es denn wollte? Der Staat wird eben durch diese Politiker repräsentiert und hat das Gewaltmonopol. Hierzu einige Zahlen zu Deutschland:

• Bevölkerung: ca. 83.000.000
• Polizisten: ca. 340.000 incl. Verwaltungspersonal (0,4 % der Bevölkerung)
• Soldaten: ca. 260.000 (0,31 % der Bevölkerung)
• Gerichte: ca. 1.085 (pro Gericht 77.000 Bürger)
• Finanzämter: ca. 600 (pro Finanzamt 138.000 Bürger)

Mit Blick auf diese Verhältnisse wird schnell deutlich, dass die Politiker auf eine „Kooperation“ der Bürger angewiesen sind. Würden die Bürger nicht kooperieren, so wären alle Gesetze und Vorschriften aufgrund mangelhafter Durchführbarkeit von heute auf morgen Makulatur. 

Mahatma Gandhi und viele andere bewiesen, dass ein übermächtig scheinender Gegner nicht mit dessen Gewaltmitteln besiegt werden kann, sondern mit dem Gegenteil. Gandhi beispielsweise rief die Menschen in seinem Land auf, den Engländern einfach nicht mehr zu gehorchen und die ungerechten Gesetze nicht mehr zu befolgen. Bei den Engländern hat dies funktioniert.

Man stelle sich als Gedankenexperiment einmal vor, wie es wäre, wenn ein Drittel der Bürger nicht mehr arbeiten und keine Steuern und sogar keine GEZ-Gebühren mehr bezahlen würden. Wie könnten diese Menschen „zur Ordnung“ gerufen werden? Wie wollte man diese Menschen bestrafen? Bestrafungskonzepte funktionieren nur dann, wenn sich die Menschen durch diese einschüchtern lassen. Sofern aber die Vielen solidarisch agieren würden, hätte ein Staatsapparat schlechte Karten. Insbesondere dann, wenn ziviler Ungehorsam bundesweit oder sogar EU-weit ausgeübt würde. 

In solch einem Fall käme es wahrscheinlich sehr schnell zu einer Verständigung, denn wie sollte eine Regierung mit so viel Gegenwind weiter agieren? Die Prämisse bei solch einem Gedankenexperiment ist, dass ein erheblicher Teil der Bevölkerung sich so „miss-regiert“ fühlt, dass dieser Teil der Bevölkerung bereit ist, seine Komfortzone zum eigenen Wohl und dem Wohl der ihm Anvertrauten zu verlassen. Wahrscheinlich würde das noch nicht einmal besonders lange dauern. Man erinnere sich noch an die Zeiten, als Gewerkschaften noch nicht gekapert waren und tatsächlich die Interessen ihrer Mitglieder vertraten. Damals konnten die aufrechten Gewerkschaftsvertreter im Schulterschluss mit den Arbeitern für sie bessere Ergebnisse erwirken.

Weg mit dem Grundgesetz

In Deutschland wurde insbesondere in letzter Zeit von den Politikern am Grundgesetz herumgebastelt, aber dieses Grundgesetz, welches nach Vollendung der Einheit und Freiheit Deutschlands für das gesamte deutsche Volk gilt, verliert seine Gültigkeit an dem Tage, an dem eine Verfassung in Kraft tritt, die von dem deutschen Volke in freier Entscheidung beschlossen worden ist. Dies ist in Artikel 146 GG nachzulesen.

Das Grundgesetz vom 23. Mai 1949 in der jeweils aktuellen Fassung ist die (vorläufige) Verfassung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Das Grundgesetz wurde im Jahre 1949 zunächst bewusst als provisorische Regelung der staatlichen Grundordnung geschaffen. Eine Verfassung für Deutschland hingegen wäre ein besonderes Gesetz, welches bestimmt, wer in einem Staat die Macht ausübt und wie das geschehen soll. Dort ist festgelegt, welche Aufgaben der Staat übernimmt, welche Rechte jeder Bürger hat und wie das Verhältnis zwischen staatlichen Organen und Bürgern aussieht. Solch eine Verfassung hat Deutschland (noch) nicht.

Man stelle sich nun vor, das deutsche Volk gäbe sich, so wie im Grundgesetz verankert, in freier Entscheidung eine Verfassung, welche exemplarisch Elemente zu folgenden Themen beinhalten würde:

• Jeder Politiker wird an seinen Wahlversprechen gemessen. 
• Bei Amtsantritt wird ein Dienstvertrag, ähnlich wie bei einem Vorstand einer AG oder einem Geschäftsführer einer GmbH, abgeschlossen. In diesem Dienstvertrag wird auch geregelt, wie bei Verstößen vorgegangen wird.
• Das Parteiensystem wird abgeschafft.
• Die Staatsanwaltschaft ist nicht weiter weisungsgebunden und die Politiker nicht weiter immun. Die Gerichtsbarkeit wird wirklich unabhängig.
• Jeder Politiker hat eine entsprechende Qualifikation nachzuweisen, um gewählt werden zu können.
• Ein transparentes Wahlsystem. Schluss mit den manipulativen „Umfragen“.
• Direkte Demokratie.
• Etc.

Statt am Grundgesetz herumzuwerkeln, könnte es eine Option sein, eine gerechte Verfassung zu beschließen, welche darauf ausgerichtet ist, den Bürgern zu dienen. Das GG würde dadurch obsolet. Mit einer gerechten Verfassung könnte sehr viel Optimierungspotenzial für das Zusammenleben in Deutschland realisiert werden.

Die von den Politikern angebotenen Lösungen für die Probleme unserer Zeit beziehen sich oftmals auf selbst oder von den wirklich Mächtigen erschaffene Zustände, welche inszeniert wurden/werden, um die Menschen in Krieg, Not und Knappheit, in Leiden, in Angst, in Spaltung, in Fehlernährung, in Medikamentenabhängigkeit, in Krankheit und in Elend zu bringen. Um an den Menschen maximal zu verdienen und um diese vollumfänglich zu beherrschen. So, wie sie es mit Nutzvieh tun. Das Unterordnen von allem ist ein Prinzip, dass wenigen Leuten nützt und fast allen anderen schadet. 

Eine von Liebe inspirierte Gesellschaft, die Menschen nicht nur als „Verbraucher“ oder „Humankapital“ oder „Wähler“ betrachtet und behandelt, sondern tatsächlich das Wohl aller im Fokus hat, wäre der Gegenentwurf. Dies würde selbstverständlich einhergehen mit einer liebevollen Behandlung von Tieren und Natur. Hierbei profitieren aber die Vielen und die Wenigen ganz oben an der Spitze müssten sich umstellen, was ihnen nicht gefallen dürfte.

Vom Denken ins Tun

Wer sich solch eine Perspektive für sich selbst und seine Nachkommen wünscht, sollte überlegen, wie wir uns eine Verfassung geben können.

Ein wesentlicher Schritt wäre sicher der Zusammenschluss von Menschen, die sich mit den vorbezeichneten Überlegungen weiter befassen möchten. Ganz entgegen der Bemühungen unserer Politik um Spaltung der Gesellschaft sollten die Gemeinsamkeiten gesehen und gemeinsam Lösungen entwickelt werden.

Ein Beispiel ist die Initiative von Milosz Matuschek, nämlich sein geplantes „Gipfeltreffen“. Hierzu schreibt er:

„Ich habe mir ein besonderes Programm überlegt, welches mein Wissen und meine Erfahrung der letzten Jahre bündelt, sich an den Stufen der Selbsterkenntnis, Willensbildung und Kraftentfaltung orientiert und genug Raum für die Dynamik der Gruppe, also ihre Energien, lässt. Erwarten Sie das Unerwartbare. Es wird Raum geben für spirituelle und körperliche Erfahrungen, auch an einem besonderen kulturellen Rahmenprogramm wird es nicht fehlen. Uns eint im Idealfall das Erkennen menschlicher Potentiale, das Erfassen von Möglichkeitsräumen und die aktive Lust an der Mitgestaltung der Zukunft – ohne Denkverbote. Zeit, für unseren Frühling. Ich wette, in Ihnen steckt ein ganzer, unendlicher Sommer.“

In diesem Kontext zitiert Herr Matuschek Ernst Jünger:

“Wenn alle Institutionen zweifelhaft oder sogar anrüchig werden und man selbst in den Kirchen nicht etwas für die Verfolgten, sondern für die Verfolger öffentlich beten hört, dann geht die sittliche Verantwortung auf den Einzelnen über, oder besser gesagt, auf den noch ungebrochenen Einzelnen.”

Diese Worte von Ernst Jünger erinnern daran, dass die Probleme unserer Zeit nicht neu sind. Die Technologien sind es, denn mit modernen Technologien lässt sich eben besser unterdrücken als mit dem alten Zeugs. Die Methodik allerdings ist geblieben. Halte deine Untergebenen schwach und in Angst, damit diese ergeben bleiben. Zum Wohle einiger wenige Leute, die hiervon maximal profitieren.

Machen Sie mit und lösen Sie sich aus der Passivität des Zuschauers. Der wichtige nächste Schritt ist, aus dem Denken ins Tun zu kommen.

Andernfalls wird uns weiter an-getan.

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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.

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Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie die Friedenstaube an: milosz@pareto.space

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@ 826e9f89:ffc5c759

What follows began as snippets of conversations I have been having for years, on and off, here and there. It will likely eventually be collated into a piece I have been meaning to write on “payments” as a whole. I foolishly started writing this piece years ago, not realizing that the topic is gargantuan and for every week I spend writing it I have to add two weeks to my plan. That may or may not ever come to fruition, but in the meantime, Tether announced it was issuing on Taproot Assets and suddenly everybody is interested again. This is as good a catalyst as any to carve out my “stablecoin thesis”, such as it exists, from “payments”, and put it out there for comment and feedback.

In contrast to the “Bitcoiner take” I will shortly revert to, I invite the reader to keep the following potential counterargument in mind, which might variously be termed the “shitcoiner”, “realist”, or “cynical” take, depending on your perspective: that stablecoins have clear product-market-fit. Now, as a venture capitalist and professional thinkboi focusing on companies building on Bitcoin, I obviously think that not only is Bitcoin the best money ever invented and its monetization is pretty much inevitable, but that, furthermore, there is enormous, era-defining long-term potential for a range of industries in which Bitcoin is emerging as superior technology, even aside from its role as money. But in the interest not just of steelmanning but frankly just of honesty, I would grudgingly agree with the following assessment as of the time of writing: the applications of crypto (inclusive of Bitcoin but deliberately wider) that have found product-market-fit today, and that are not speculative bets on future development and adoption, are: Bitcoin as savings technology, mining as a means of monetizing energy production, and stablecoins.

I think there are two typical Bitcoiner objections to stablecoins of significantly greater importance than all others: that you shouldn’t be supporting dollar hegemony, and that you don’t need a blockchain. I will elaborate on each of these, and for the remainder of the post will aim to produce a synthesis of three superficially contrasting (or at least not obviously related) sources of inspiration: these objections, the realisation above that stablecoins just are useful, and some commentary on technical developments in Bitcoin and the broader space that I think inform where things are likely to go. As will become clear as the argument progresses, I actually think the outcome to which I am building up is where things have to go. I think the technical and economic incentives at play make this an inevitability rather than a “choice”, per se. Given my conclusion, which I will hold back for the time being, this is a fantastically good thing, hence I am motivated to write this post at all!

Objection 1: Dollar Hegemony

I list this objection first because there isn’t a huge amount to say about it. It is clearly a normative position, and while I more or less support it personally, I don’t think that it is material to the argument I am going on to make, so I don’t want to force it on the reader. While the case for this objection is probably obvious to this audience (isn’t the point of Bitcoin to destroy central banks, not further empower them?) I should at least offer the steelman that there is a link between this and the realist observation that stablecoins are useful. The reason they are useful is because people prefer the dollar to even shitter local fiat currencies. I don’t think it is particularly fruitful to say that they shouldn’t. They do. Facts don’t care about your feelings. There is a softer bridging argument to be made here too, to the effect that stablecoins warm up their users to the concept of digital bearer (ish) assets, even though these particular assets are significantly scammier than Bitcoin. Again, I am just floating this, not telling the reader they should or shouldn’t buy into it.

All that said, there is one argument I do want to put my own weight behind, rather than just float: stablecoin issuance is a speculative attack on the institution of fractional reserve banking. A “dollar” Alice moves from JPMorgan to Tether embodies two trade-offs from Alice’s perspective: i) a somewhat opaque profile on the credit risk of the asset: the likelihood of JPMorgan ever really defaulting on deposits vs the operator risk of Tether losing full backing and/or being wrench attacked by the Federal Government and rugging its users. These risks are real but are almost entirely political. I’m skeptical it is meaningful to quantify them, but even if it is, I am not the person to try to do it. Also, more transparently to Alice, ii) far superior payment rails (for now, more on this to follow).

However, from the perspective of the fiat banking cartel, fractional reserve leverage has been squeezed. There are just as many notional dollars in circulation, but there the backing has been shifted from levered to unlevered issuers. There are gradations of relevant objections to this: while one might say, Tether’s backing comes from Treasuries, so you are directly funding US debt issuance!, this is a bit silly in the context of what other dollars one might hold. It’s not like JPMorgan is really competing with the Treasury to sell credit into the open market. Optically they are, but this is the core of the fiat scam. Via the guarantees of the Federal Reserve System, JPMorgan can sell as much unbacked credit as it wants knowing full well the difference will be printed whenever this blows up. Short-term Treasuries are also JPMorgan’s most pristine asset safeguarding its equity, so the only real difference is that Tether only holds Treasuries without wishing more leverage into existence. The realization this all builds up to is that, by necessity,

Tether is a fully reserved bank issuing fiduciary media against the only dollar-denominated asset in existence whose value (in dollar terms) can be guaranteed. Furthermore, this media arguably has superior “moneyness” to the obvious competition in the form of US commercial bank deposits by virtue of its payment rails.

That sounds pretty great when you put it that way! Of course, the second sentence immediately leads to the second objection, and lets the argument start to pick up steam …

Objection 2: You Don’t Need a Blockchain

I don’t need to explain this to this audience but to recap as briefly as I can manage: Bitcoin’s value is entirely endogenous. Every aspect of “a blockchain” that, out of context, would be an insanely inefficient or redundant modification of a “database”, in context is geared towards the sole end of enabling the stability of this endogenous value. Historically, there have been two variations of stupidity that follow a failure to grok this: i) “utility tokens”, or blockchains with native tokens for something other than money. I would recommend anybody wanting a deeper dive on the inherent nonsense of a utility token to read Only The Strong Survive, in particular Chapter 2, Crypto Is Not Decentralized, and the subsection, Everything Fights For Liquidity, and/or Green Eggs And Ham, in particular Part II, Decentralized Finance, Technically. ii) “real world assets” or, creating tokens within a blockchain’s data structure that are not intended to have endogenous value but to act as digital quasi-bearer certificates to some or other asset of value exogenous to this system. Stablecoins are in this second category.

RWA tokens definitionally have to have issuers, meaning some entity that, in the real world, custodies or physically manages both the asset and the record-keeping scheme for the asset. “The blockchain” is at best a secondary ledger to outsource ledger updates to public infrastructure such that the issuer itself doesn’t need to bother and can just “check the ledger” whenever operationally relevant. But clearly ownership cannot be enforced in an analogous way to Bitcoin, under both technical and social considerations. Technically, Bitcoin’s endogenous value means that whoever holds the keys to some or other UTXOs functionally is the owner. Somebody else claiming to be the owner is yelling at clouds. Whereas, socially, RWA issuers enter a contract with holders (whether legally or just in terms of a common-sense interpretation of the transaction) such that ownership of the asset issued against is entirely open to dispute. That somebody can point to “ownership” of the token may or may not mean anything substantive with respect to the physical reality of control of the asset, and how the issuer feels about it all.

And so, one wonders, why use a blockchain at all? Why doesn’t the issuer just run its own database (for the sake of argument with some or other signature scheme for verifying and auditing transactions) given it has the final say over issuance and redemption anyway? I hinted at an answer above: issuing on a blockchain outsources this task to public infrastructure. This is where things get interesting. While it is technically true, given the above few paragraphs, that, you don’t need a blockchain for that, you also don’t need to not use a blockchain for that. If you want to, you can.

This is clearly the case given stablecoins exist at all and have gone this route. If one gets too angry about not needing a blockchain for that, one equally risks yelling at clouds! And, in fact, one can make an even stronger argument, more so from the end users’ perspective. These products do not exist in a vacuum but rather compete with alternatives. In the case of stablecoins, the alternative is traditional fiat money, which, as stupid as RWAs on a blockchain are, is even dumber. It actually is just a database, except it’s a database that is extremely annoying to use, basically for political reasons because the industry managing these private databases form a cartel that never needs to innovate or really give a shit about its customers at all. In many, many cases, stablecoins on blockchains are dumb in the abstract, but superior to the alternative methods of holding and transacting in dollars existing in other forms. And note, this is only from Alice’s perspective of wanting to send and receive, not a rehashing of the fractional reserve argument given above. This is the essence of their product-market-fit. Yell at clouds all you like: they just are useful given the alternative usually is not Bitcoin, it’s JPMorgan’s KYC’d-up-the-wazoo 90s-era website, more than likely from an even less solvent bank.

So where does this get us? It might seem like we are back to “product-market-fit, sorry about that” with Bitcoiners yelling about feelings while everybody else makes do with their facts. However, I think we have introduced enough material to move the argument forward by incrementally incorporating the following observations, all of which I will shortly go into in more detail: i) as a consequence of making no technical sense with respect to what blockchains are for, today’s approach won’t scale; ii) as a consequence of short-termist tradeoffs around socializing costs, today’s approach creates an extremely unhealthy and arguably unnatural market dynamic in the issuer space; iii) Taproot Assets now exist and handily address both points i) and ii), and; iv) eCash is making strides that I believe will eventually replace even Taproot Assets.

To tease where all this is going, and to get the reader excited before we dive into much more detail: just as Bitcoin will eat all monetary premia, Lightning will likely eat all settlement, meaning all payments will gravitate towards routing over Lightning regardless of the denomination of the currency at the edges. Fiat payments will gravitate to stablecoins to take advantage of this; stablecoins will gravitate to TA and then to eCash, and all of this will accelerate hyperbitcoinization by “bitcoinizing” payment rails such that an eventual full transition becomes as simple as flicking a switch as to what denomination you want to receive.

I will make two important caveats before diving in that are more easily understood in light of having laid this groundwork: I am open to the idea that it won’t be just Lightning or just Taproot Assets playing the above roles. Without veering into forecasting the entire future development of Bitcoin tech, I will highlight that all that really matters here are, respectively: a true layer 2 with native hashlocks, and a token issuance scheme that enables atomic routing over such a layer 2 (or combination of such). For the sake of argument, the reader is welcome to swap in “Ark” and “RGB” for “Lightning” and “TA” both above and in all that follows. As far as I can tell, this makes no difference to the argument and is even exciting in its own right. However, for the sake of simplicity in presentation, I will stick to “Lightning” and “TA” hereafter.

1) Today’s Approach to Stablecoins Won’t Scale

This is the easiest to tick off and again doesn’t require much explanation to this audience. Blockchains fundamentally don’t scale, which is why Bitcoin’s UTXO scheme is a far better design than ex-Bitcoin Crypto’s’ account-based models, even entirely out of context of all the above criticisms. This is because Bitcoin transactions can be batched across time and across users with combinations of modes of spending restrictions that provide strong economic guarantees of correct eventual net settlement, if not perpetual deferral. One could argue this is a decent (if abstrusely technical) definition of “scaling” that is almost entirely lacking in Crypto.

What we see in ex-Bitcoin crypto is so-called “layer 2s” that are nothing of the sort, forcing stablecoin schemes in these environments into one of two equally poor design choices if usage is ever to increase: fees go higher and higher, to the point of economic unviability (and well past it) as blocks fill up, or move to much more centralized environments that increasingly are just databases, and hence which lose the benefits of openness thought to be gleaned by outsourcing settlement to public infrastructure. This could be in the form of punting issuance to a bullshit “layer 2” that is a really a multisig “backing” a private execution environment (to be decentralized any daw now) or an entirely different blockchain that is just pretending even less not to be a database to begin with. In a nutshell, this is a decent bottom-up explanation as to why Tron has the highest settlement of Tether.

This also gives rise to the weirdness of “gas tokens” - assets whose utility as money is and only is in the form of a transaction fee to transact a different kind of money. These are not quite as stupid as a “utility token,” given at least they are clearly fulfilling a monetary role and hence their artificial scarcity can be justified. But they are frustrating from Bitcoiners’ and users’ perspectives alike: users would prefer to pay transaction fees on dollars in dollars, but they can’t because the value of Ether, Sol, Tron, or whatever, is the string and bubblegum that hold their boondoggles together. And Bitcoiners wish this stuff would just go away and stop distracting people, whereas this string and bubblegum is proving transiently useful.

All in all, today’s approach is fine so long as it isn’t being used much. It has product-market fit, sure, but in the unenviable circumstance that, if it really starts to take off, it will break, and even the original users will find it unusable.

2) Today’s Approach to Stablecoins Creates an Untenable Market Dynamic

Reviving the ethos of you don’t need a blockchain for that, notice the following subtlety: while the tokens representing stablecoins have value to users, that value is not native to the blockchain on which they are issued. Tether can (and routinely does) burn tokens on Ethereum and mint them on Tron, then burn on Tron and mint on Solana, and so on. So-called blockchains “go down” and nobody really cares. This makes no difference whatsoever to Tether’s own accounting, and arguably a positive difference to users given these actions track market demand. But it is detrimental to the blockchain being switched away from by stripping it of “TVL” that, it turns out, was only using it as rails: entirely exogenous value that leaves as quickly as it arrived.

One underdiscussed and underappreciated implication of the fact that no value is natively running through the blockchain itself is that, in the current scheme, both the sender and receiver of a stablecoin have to trust the same issuer. This creates an extremely powerful network effect that, in theory, makes the first-to-market likely to dominate and in practice has played out exactly as this theory would suggest: Tether has roughly 80% of the issuance, while roughly 19% goes to the political carve-out of USDC that wouldn’t exist at all were it not for government interference. Everybody else combined makes up the final 1%.

So, Tether is a full reserve bank but also has to be everybody’s bank. This is the source of a lot of the discomfort with Tether, and which feeds into the original objection around dollar hegemony, that there is an ill-defined but nonetheless uneasy feeling that Tether is slowly morphing into a CBDC. I would argue this really has nothing to do with Tether’s own behavior but rather is a consequence of the market dynamic inevitably created by the current stablecoin scheme. There is no reason to trust any other bank because nobody really wants a bank, they just want the rails. They want something that will retain a nominal dollar value long enough to spend it again. They don’t care what tech it runs on and they don’t even really care about the issuer except insofar as having some sense they won’t get rugged.

Notice this is not how fiat works. Banks can, of course, settle between each other, thus enabling their users to send money to customers of other banks. This settlement function is actually the entire point of central banks, less the money printing and general corruption enabled (we might say, this was the historical point of central banks, which have since become irredeemably corrupted by this power). This process is clunkier than stablecoins, as covered above, but the very possibility of settlement means there is no gigantic network effect to being the first commercial issuer of dollar balances. If it isn’t too triggering to this audience, one might suggest that the money printer also removes the residual concern that your balances might get rugged! (or, we might again say, you guarantee you don’t get rugged in the short term by guaranteeing you do get rugged in the long term).

This is a good point at which to introduce the unsettling observation that broader fintech is catching on to the benefits of stablecoins without any awareness whatsoever of all the limitations I am outlining here. With the likes of Stripe, Wise, Robinhood, and, post-Trump, even many US megabanks supposedly contemplating issuing stablecoins (obviously within the current scheme, not the scheme I am building up to proposing), we are forced to boggle our minds considering how on earth settlement is going to work. Are they going to settle through Ether? Well, no, because i) Ether isn’t money, it’s … to be honest, I don’t think anybody really knows what it is supposed to be, or if they once did they aren’t pretending anymore, but anyway, Stripe certainly hasn’t figured that out yet so, ii) it won’t be possible to issue them on layer 1s as soon as there is any meaningful volume, meaning they will have to route through “bullshit layer 2 wrapped Ether token that is really already a kind of stablecoin for Ether.”

The way they are going to try to fix this (anybody wanna bet?) is routing through DEXes, which is so painfully dumb you should be laughing and, if you aren’t, I would humbly suggest you don’t get just how dumb it is. What this amounts to is plugging the gap of Ether’s lack of moneyness (and wrapped Ether’s hilarious lack of moneyness) with … drum roll … unknowable technical and counterparty risk and unpredictable cost on top of reverting to just being a database. So, in other words, all of the costs of using a blockchain when you don’t strictly need to, and none of the benefits. Stripe is going to waste billions of dollars getting sandwich attacked out of some utterly vanilla FX settlement it is facilitating for clients who have even less of an idea what is going on and why North Korea now has all their money, and will eventually realize they should have skipped their shitcoin phase and gone straight to understanding Bitcoin instead …

3) Bitcoin (and Taproot Assets) Fixes This

To tie together a few loose ends, I only threw in the hilariously stupid suggestion of settling through wrapped Ether on Ether on Ether in order to tee up the entirely sensible suggestion of settling through Lightning. Again, not that this will be new to this audience, but while issuance schemes have been around on Bitcoin for a long time, the breakthrough of Taproot Assets is essentially the ability to atomically route through Lightning.

I will admit upfront that this presents a massive bootstrapping challenge relative to the ex-Bitcoin Crypto approach, and it’s not obvious to me if or how this will be overcome. I include this caveat to make it clear I am not suggesting this is a given. It may not be, it’s just beyond the scope of this post (or frankly my ability) to predict. This is a problem for Lightning Labs, Tether, and whoever else decides to step up to issue. But even highlighting this as an obvious and major concern invites us to consider an intriguing contrast: scaling TA stablecoins is hardest at the start and gets easier and easier thereafter. The more edge liquidity there is in TA stables, the less of a risk it is for incremental issuance; the more TA activity, the more attractive deploying liquidity is into Lightning proper, and vice versa. With apologies if this metaphor is even more confusing than it is helpful, one might conceive of the situation as being that there is massive inertia to bootstrap, but equally there could be positive feedback in driving the inertia to scale. Again, I have no idea, and it hasn’t happened yet in practice, but in theory it’s fun.

More importantly to this conversation, however, this is almost exactly the opposite dynamic to the current scheme on other blockchains, which is basically free to start, but gets more and more expensive the more people try to use it. One might say it antiscales (I don’t think that’s a real word, but if Taleb can do it, then I can do it too!).

Furthermore, the entire concept of “settling in Bitcoin” makes perfect sense both economically and technically: economically because Bitcoin is money, and technically because it can be locked in an HTLC and hence can enable atomic routing (i.e. because Lightning is a thing). This is clearly better than wrapped Eth on Eth on Eth or whatever, but, tantalisingly, is better than fiat too! The core message of the payments tome I may or may not one day write is (or will be) that fiat payments, while superficially efficient on the basis of centralized and hence costless ledger amendments, actually have a hidden cost in the form of interbank credit. Many readers will likely have heard me say this multiple times and in multiple settings but, contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a fiat debit. Even if styled as a debit, all fiat payments are credits and all have credit risk baked into their cost, even if that is obscured and pushed to the absolute foundational level of money printing to keep banks solvent and hence keep payment channels open.

Furthermore! this enables us to strip away the untenable market dynamic from the point above. The underappreciated and underdiscussed flip side of the drawback of the current dynamic that is effectively fixed by Taproot Assets is that there is no longer a mammoth network effect to a single issuer. Senders and receivers can trust different issuers (i.e. their own banks) because those banks can atomically settle a single payment over Lightning. This does not involve credit. It is arguably the only true debit in the world across both the relevant economic and technical criteria: it routes through money with no innate credit risk, and it does so atomically due to that money’s native properties.

Savvy readers may have picked up on a seed I planted a while back and which can now delightfully blossom:

This is what Visa was supposed to be!

Crucially, this is not what Visa is now. Visa today is pretty much the bank that is everybody’s counterparty, takes a small credit risk for the privilege, and oozes free cash flow bottlenecking global consumer payments.

But if you read both One From Many by Dee Hock (for a first person but pretty wild and extravagant take) and Electronic Value Exchange by David Stearns (for a third person, drier, but more analytical and historically contextualized take) or if you are just intimately familiar with the modern history of payments for whatever other reason, you will see that the role I just described for Lightning in an environment of unboundedly many banks issuing fiduciary media in the form of stablecoins is exactly what Dee Hock wanted to create when he envisioned Visa:

A neutral and open layer of value settlement enabling banks to create digital, interbank payment schemes for their customers at very low cost.

As it turns out, his vision was technically impossible with fiat, hence Visa, which started as a cooperative amongst member banks, was corrupted into a duopolistic for-profit rent seeker in curious parallel to the historical path of central banks …

4) eCash

To now push the argument to what I think is its inevitable conclusion, it’s worth being even more vigilant on the front of you don’t need a blockchain for that. I have argued that there is a role for a blockchain in providing a neutral settlement layer to enable true debits of stablecoins. But note this is just a fancy and/or stupid way of saying that Bitcoin is both the best money and is programmable, which we all knew anyway. The final step is realizing that, while TA is nice in terms of providing a kind of “on ramp” for global payments infrastructure as a whole to reorient around Lightning, there is some path dependence here in assuming (almost certainly correctly) that the familiarity of stablecoins as “RWA tokens on a blockchain” will be an important part of the lure.

But once that transition is complete, or is well on its way to being irreversible, we may as well come full circle and cut out tokens altogether. Again, you really don’t need a blockchain for that, and the residual appeal of better rails has been taken care of with the above massive detour through what I deem to be the inevitability of Lightning as a settlement layer. Just as USDT on Tron arguably has better moneyness than a JPMorgan balance, so a “stablecoin” as eCash has better moneyness than as a TA given it is cheaper, more private, and has more relevantly bearer properties (in other words, because it is cash). The technical detail that it can be hashlocked is really all you need to tie this all together. That means it can be atomically locked into a Lightning routed debit to the recipient of a different issuer (or “mint” in eCash lingo, but note this means the same thing as what we have been calling fully reserved banks). And the economic incentive is pretty compelling too because, for all their benefits, there is still a cost to TAs given they are issued onchain and they require asset-specific liquidity to route on Lightning. Once the rest of the tech is in place, why bother? Keep your Lightning connectivity and just become a mint.

What you get at that point is dramatically superior private database to JPMorgan with the dramatically superior public rails of Lightning. There is nothing left to desire from “a blockchain” besides what Bitcoin is fundamentally for in the first place: counterparty-risk-free value settlement.

And as a final point with a curious and pleasing echo to Dee Hock at Visa, Calle has made the point repeatedly that David Chaum’s vision for eCash, while deeply philosophical besides the technical details, was actually pretty much impossible to operate on fiat. From an eCash perspective, fiat stablecoins within the above infrastructure setup are a dramatic improvement on anything previously possible. But, of course, they are a slippery slope to Bitcoin regardless …

Objections Revisited

As a cherry on top, I think the objections I highlighted at the outset are now readily addressed – to the extent the reader believes what I am suggesting is more or less a technical and economic inevitability, that is. While, sure, I’m not particularly keen on giving the Treasury more avenues to sell its welfare-warfare shitcoin, on balance the likely development I’ve outlined is an enormous net positive: it’s going to sell these anyway so I prefer a strong economic incentive to steadily transition not only to Lightning as payment rails but eCash as fiduciary media, and to use “fintech” as a carrot to induce a slow motion bank run.

As alluded to above, once all this is in place, the final step to a Bitcoin standard becomes as simple as an individual’s decision to want Bitcoin instead of fiat. On reflection, this is arguably the easiest part! It's setting up all the tech that puts people off, so trojan-horsing them with “faster, cheaper payment rails” seems like a genius long-term strategy.

And as to “needing a blockchain” (or not), I hope that is entirely wrapped up at this point. The only blockchain you need is Bitcoin, but to the extent people are still confused by this (which I think will take decades more to fully unwind), we may as well lean into dazzling them with whatever innovation buzzwords and decentralization theatre they were going to fall for anyway before realizing they wanted Bitcoin all along.

Conclusion

Stablecoins are useful whether you like it or not. They are stupid in the abstract but it turns out fiat is even stupider, on inspection. But you don’t need a blockchain, and using one as decentralization theatre creates technical debt that is insurmountable in the long run. Blockchain-based stablecoins are doomed to a utility inversely proportional to their usage, and just to rub it in, their ill-conceived design practically creates a commercial dynamic that mandates there only ever be a single issuer.

Given they are useful, it seems natural that this tension is going to blow up at some point. It also seems worthwhile observing that Taproot Asset stablecoins have almost the inverse problem and opposite commercial dynamic: they will be most expensive to use at the outset but get cheaper and cheaper as their usage grows. Also, there is no incentive towards a monopoly issuer but rather towards as many as are willing to try to operate well and provide value to their users.

As such, we can expect any sizable growth in stablecoins to migrate to TA out of technical and economic necessity. Once this has happened - or possibly while it is happening but is clearly not going to stop - we may as well strip out the TA component and just use eCash because you really don’t need a blockchain for that at all. And once all the money is on eCash, deciding you want to denominate it in Bitcoin is the simplest on-ramp to hyperbitcoinization you can possibly imagine, given we’ve spent the previous decade or two rebuilding all payments tech around Lightning.

Or: Bitcoin fixes this. The End.

• Allen, #892,125

thanks to Marco Argentieri, Lyn Alden, and Calle for comments and feedback

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

หรือต้นน้ำของปัญหาจะเป็น UPOV 1991?

เมื่อพูดถึงสิทธิในเมล็ดพันธุ์ หลายคนอาจนึกถึงแค่เรื่องเกษตรกรรมพื้นบ้านหรือพันธุ์พื้นเมืองที่ใช้สืบต่อกันมาในครอบครัว แต่ความจริงแล้ว ในโลกเบื้องลึกของการค้าระหว่างประเทศ มีข้อตกลงที่เปลี่ยน "เมล็ดพันธุ์" ให้กลายเป็น "ทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา" และอาจเปลี่ยนเกษตรกรให้กลายเป็นผู้ละเมิดลิขสิทธิ์โดยไม่รู้ตัว... นั่นคือ UPOV 1991

UPOV (ยูพอฟ) หรือ International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants คือองค์กรที่เริ่มต้นขึ้นในยุโรปตั้งแต่ปี 1961 โดยมีเจตนาดีในช่วงแรก คือคุ้มครองนักปรับปรุงพันธุ์พืช ให้มีแรงจูงใจในการพัฒนาสายพันธุ์ใหม่ๆ แต่เมื่อระบบทุนนิยมเข้ามาขับเคลื่อนกลไกเกษตรอุตสาหกรรม ข้อตกลงฉบับ UPOV 1991 จึงกลายร่างเป็นเครื่องมือที่ทรงพลังที่สุดในการผูกขาดพันธุกรรมของพืช

UPOV 1991 คือชื่อย่อของ อนุสัญญาสหภาพเพื่อคุ้มครองพันธุ์พืช ฉบับปี 1991 (International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants – 1991 Act) ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศที่ทรงอิทธิพลที่สุดในโลกเรื่อง “สิทธิในเมล็ดพันธุ์” คล้ายกับลิขสิทธิ์สำหรับนักปรับปรุงพันธุ์พืช (Plant Breeders' Rights) และถือว่าเป็นเวอร์ชันที่ “โหดสุด” สำหรับเกษตรกรรายย่อยและประเทศกำลังพัฒนา โดยเฉพาะเมื่อเทียบกับฉบับเก่าอย่าง UPOV 1978

หนึ่งในบทบัญญัติที่อันตรายที่สุดของ UPOV 1991 คือการห้ามเกษตรกรเก็บเมล็ดพันธุ์ไว้ปลูกในฤดูกาลถัดไป (farm-saved seeds) โดยเฉพาะหากพันธุ์นั้นได้รับการจดทะเบียนในระบบของ UPOV แล้ว ซึ่งหมายความว่า แม้ชาวนาจะซื้อเมล็ดมาปลูกบนที่ดินของตัวเอง ดูแลด้วยสองมือจนได้ผลผลิต พอเก็บเมล็ดไว้ปลูกต่อปลูกซ้ำ กลับกลายเป็นว่าละเมิดสิทธิของเจ้าของพันธุ์เสียอย่างนั้นและโดนฟ้องได้

รวมถึงห้ามนำเมล็ดไปแลกเปลี่ยนหรือแจกจ่ายให้คนอื่น แม้แต่การแบ่งเมล็ดให้เพื่อนบ้าน ก็อาจถือว่าละเมิดสิทธิ์ของเจ้าของพันธุ์ได้

พูดง่ายๆคือ มันคือการเปลี่ยนเมล็ดพันธุ์ธรรมชาติ ให้กลายเป็นซอฟต์แวร์ ที่ต้องซื้อ license ใหม่ทุกปี

ไม่เพียงเท่านั้น UPOV 1991 ยังขยายขอบเขตการคุ้มครองไปถึง "พืชลูกหลาน" ที่สืบทอดลักษณะทางพันธุกรรมของพันธุ์ต้นแบบ แม้เกษตรกรจะเพาะปลูกและคัดเลือกสายพันธุ์ต่อยอดเอง แต่หากลักษณะสำคัญยังใกล้เคียงกับพันธุ์ดั้งเดิม ก็ยังถือว่าละเมิดอยู่ดี

นี่จึงเปิดทางให้บริษัทใหญ่ระดับโลก เช่น Monsanto (ปัจจุบันกลืนรวมกับ Bayer) มีสิทธิครอบครองสายพันธุ์พืชแบบเกือบเบ็ดเสร็จ และเรียกเก็บค่าลิขสิทธิ์จากเกษตรกรายปีได้

ลองจินตนาการดูว่า หากวันหนึ่งทุกผักในตลาด ไม่ว่าจะเป็นข้าว ข้าวโพด พริก มะเขือ หรือแม้แต่บรอกโคลี เป็นสายพันธุ์ที่ต้องจ่ายค่าลิขสิทธิ์ทุกปี เกษตรกรจะยังมีอิสระในการเพาะปลูกอยู่หรือไม่?

ประเทศไทยเอง แม้ยังไม่เข้าร่วม UPOV 1991 อย่างเป็นทางการ แต่ก็เผชิญแรงกดดันจากข้อตกลงการค้าเสรี (FTA) และกลุ่มทุนต่างชาติให้แก้ไขกฎหมายภายใน เช่น ร่าง พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองพันธุ์พืช ที่เคยถูกวิจารณ์อย่างหนักว่าเลียนแบบ UPOV 1991 แทบทุกบรรทัด

ในขณะที่โลกกำลังพูดถึง "Seed Sovereignty" หรืออธิปไตยของเมล็ดพันธุ์ การรักษาสิทธิของเกษตรกรในการเก็บ แลกเปลี่ยน และปรับปรุงพันธุ์พืชโดยไม่ถูกผูกขาดด้วยระบบลิขสิทธิ์ UPOV 1991 กลับทำหน้าที่ตรงข้ามอย่างสิ้นเชิง

มันไม่ใช่แค่ข้อตกลงที่เขียนด้วยภาษากฎหมาย แต่มันคือกรงขังที่มองไม่เห็น ที่ล็อกเกษตรกรเอาไว้กับพันธุ์พืชที่พวกเขาไม่ได้เป็นเจ้าของ แม้จะปลูกมันเองกับมือก็ตาม

ทางออกเดียวอาจไม่ใช่แค่การไม่เข้าร่วม UPOV 1991 แต่คือการกลับมาสร้างระบบอาหารที่ยั่งยืนตั้งแต่เมล็ดพันธุ์ ระบบที่ให้สิทธิ์กับผู้ปลูกอย่างแท้จริง ไม่ใช่ระบบที่ให้อำนาจแค่กับผู้จดทะเบียน

แล้วอะไรจะเป็น right exit? #pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก

@ 147ac18e:ef1ca1ba

There’s no shortage of hype around AI. But beneath the buzzwords, Geoff Woods lays out something much more grounded—and frankly, more useful—on his recent appearance on The What Is Money Show. Geoff, who wrote The AI Driven Leader, isn’t here to pitch you a prompt template or a new tool. He’s here to talk about leadership, responsibility, and how to actually get value from AI.

His argument is simple: AI is no longer optional. It's a leadership imperative. And yet, despite nearly every executive claiming to believe in its future, less than 5% are doing anything meaningful with it. Geoff’s take? If you’re delegating AI to the tech team, you’re missing the point. This is about vision, strategy, and leading your people into a new era.

But here’s the rub: you don’t need to become an AI expert. You just need to become what Geoff calls an AI-driven leader—someone who knows how to spot valuable use cases, communicate clearly with AI, and stay in the driver’s seat as the thought leader. It’s not about handing off decisions to a machine. It’s about using the machine to sharpen your thinking.

To do that, Geoff leans on a framework he calls CRIT: Context, Role, Interview, Task. It’s dead simple and wildly effective.

CRIT Framework: Geoff’s Go-To Prompting System

Write every AI prompt using:

• Context – the background situation

• Role – what persona you want AI to take (e.g., CFO, board member, therapist)

• Interview – have AI ask you questions to pull deeper insights

• Task – what you want AI to do after collecting enough context

Give the AI rich context, assign it a role (board member, CFO, therapist—whatever you need), have it interview you to pull out what’s really going on in your head, and then define the task you want it to execute. That flip—getting the AI to interview you—is the difference between mediocre results and strategic breakthroughs.

He shared some standout examples:

• Using AI as a simulated board to test strategy decks and predict which slides will blow up in a real meeting.
• Having AI draft executive emails in a tone blend of your own voice, plus a dash of Simon Sinek and David Goggins.
• Creating AI-generated personas of your kids’ strengths to show them how to use tech to deepen—not replace—their humanity.

That last point matters. Geoff’s raising his own kids to be AI-native, but not tech-addicted. His daughter used AI to explore business ideas. His son used it to work through emotional challenges. In both cases, the tool was secondary. The focus was helping them grow into more aware, capable versions of themselves.

He’s honest about AI’s limitations too. It hallucinates. It’s bad at math. It can’t replace deep human judgment. But if you use it right—if you treat it like a thought partner instead of a magic 8-ball—it becomes an amplifier.

Geoff’s challenge to all of us is to stop anchoring our identity to who we’ve been, and start leaning into who we could become. Whether you’re running a company, managing a classroom, or figuring out your next move, the opportunity is the same: use AI to 10x the things that make you most human.

And it all starts with one sticky note: How can AI help me do this?

If you’re interested in diving deeper, check out aileadership.com or pick up his book The AI Driven Leader. But more importantly, start experimenting. Get your reps in. Think bigger.

Because a year from now, the version of you that’s already doing this work? They’re going to be very hard to compete with.

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

So sehr der Gedanke auch verlockend ist, es ist leider nicht möglich, den Staat durch Steuerzahlungsverweigerung auszuhungern, obwohl die absurde, generationenübergreifende Sonderverschuldung geradezu danach schreit. Das hysterische Herbeireden einer Bedrohung durch Russland wird durch die Steuerzahler zwangsfinanziert. Die zu melkende Kuh kann nicht aus ihrem Stall ausbrechen. Nach wie vor gibt es Menschen, die ihre Steuererklärung fristgerecht abgeben möchten, die sich daraus ergebende Steuerschuld jedoch auf einem Notar-Anderkonto so lange parken wollen, bis die Vertreter der deutschen Kakistokratie mit totalitären, faschistischen, kommunistischen, bolschewistischen und sozialistischen Strömungen, zu lebenslangem Sozialdienst in Senioren-Residenzen (oder lieber nicht) verdonnert wurden oder sich ihre Spuren in selbstloser Aufopferung für Unseredemokratie in der Ukraine verloren haben.

Sobald eine Regierung, die zuerst zu beweisen hätte, dass sie bei Verstand ist und ihr Ohr wieder am Willen des Volkes hat, würden diese eingefrorenen Gelder des Souveräns von demselben für mit ihm abgestimmte Projekte zugunsten des Gemeinwohls freigegeben werden. Ein Mitspracherecht der Bevölkerung ist dringend notwendig und laut Grundgesetz auch möglich! Denunzierungsportale und staatlich geförderte NGOs gehörten sicher nicht dazu.

Auch, wenn mit allen Mitteln versucht wird, der demokratischen Grundordnung durch verhaltensauffällig-denkeingeschränkte Ideologinnen und Ideologen den größtmöglichen Schaden, den selbige als solchen nicht erkennen wollen, zuzufügen, gibt es dennoch Möglichkeiten des Widerstands.

Derzeit könnte hilfreich sein:

So viele wie möglich distanzieren sich so weit wie möglich von allen staatlichen Institutionen und bedienen das vom Alt-Parteien-Kartell missbrauchte System nur noch im geringst möglichen Maß.

Es sollte jede Möglichkeit genutzt werden, mit legalen Mitteln Sand ins Getriebe zu streuen.

Es ist die demokratische Pflicht des Souveräns, NEIN zu sagen, wo immer er denkt, dass Freiheit und Demokratie in Gefahr sind. Wer mit offenen Augen durch das Land geht, findet Gründe genug. Zu bestimmen, was Lüge ist, ist nicht Aufgabe der Politik. Dieses Vorgehen gleicht betreutem Denken innerhalb eines vorbestimmten Korridors für ein entmündigtes Volk. Antrieb ist das unbedingte Festhalten an der Macht, die in weiten Teilen längst keinen Rückhalt mehr in der Bevölkerung und sogar innerhalb der Parteien selbst hat.

Zur Erinnerung: Die Meinungsfreiheit schließt auch Lügen ein. Die hier oft aus der Schublade geholte „Nazi-Keule“ dient vor allem der Rechtfertigung der politischen Vorgaben und missbraucht so die Achtung vor den Gräueltaten in der vorläufig dunkelsten Zeit der deutschen Geschichte. Es gibt Anzeichen dafür, sich in Sachen Machtmissbrauch dieser so weit wie möglich anzunähern.

Es ist die demokratische Pflicht zu sagen „ICH MACHE DA NICHT MIT“, wenn politische Entscheidungen getroffen werden, die sich einer friedlichen Einigung und in Konflikten, diplomatischen Verhandlungen, entgegenstellen.

Es ist ein Friedensgebot aller Mütter und Väter, klar und deutlich anzusagen:

„NEIN, MEINE SÖHNE UND TÖCHTER GEB ICH NICHT HER!“

Die Gehirnwäsche und Propaganda-Beschallung durch die Medienkartelle in Funk, Fernsehen und Presse sind zu meiden, wie eine hochansteckende Hauterkrankung bei gleichzeitiger Vergiftung der inneren Organe.

Zahlungen sollten, wo immer es möglich ist, in bar erfolgen. Dies sollte so als Notwendigkeit verinnerlicht werden, wie das Ein- und Ausatmen.

Ein Aufruf zu öffentlichen Protestbekundungen hat derzeit wenig Sinn, da es die deutsche Mentalität nicht hergibt, das Bedürfnis zu spüren, in Massen auf die Straße zu gehen. In anderen europäischen Staaten sieht das anders aus. Besonders beeindruckend jüngst die Friedensaufrufe in Rom mit Menschenmengen, von denen man in Deutschland nur träumen kann.

Die Realität zeigt, dass für eine Veränderung die breite Masse in Deutschland momentan nicht zu gewinnen ist. Zu tief steckt der Deutsche Michel mit seiner German Angst in den Seelen. Daher ist es zunächst die Aufgabe der kritischen, wachen und Dummschwätz-immunen Menschen, einen „Wandel zur Vernunft und eine Abkehr vom Wahnsinn“ herbeizuführen.

Es ist die Zeit gekommen, dass so viele wie möglich, dem Regime, die wohlverdiente, größtmögliche Verachtung, für die Aushöhlung der Demokratie, die massive Einschränkung der Rede- und Meinungsfreiheit, die zu oft systemkonforme Rechtsprechung, die Ausweitung der Spaltung und das Vergessen-machen-wollen der deutschen Geschichte, entgegenbringen.

Was Deutschland fehlt, ist Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit.

Sollte es, derzeit noch wider Erwarten, dennoch dazu kommen, dass der bereits vorhandene friedliche Widerstand eine wachsende Kraft erzeugen könnte, die Weitere dazu veranlasst, sich ihrer Kraft als der Souverän dieses einst ertragbar-demokratischen Staates wieder bewusst zu werden, wäre ein Generalstreik zu organisieren, um die Macht wieder dahin zu befördern, wo sie hingehört: Nämlich zu den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern eines Landes, das weitgehend vergessen hat, dass seine Ahnen die Demokratie mit ihrem Blut erkämpft haben und dass die Demokratie kein Dauergeschenk ist, für das man sich nie wieder einzusetzen hat. Die derzeitigen Machthaber haben ihren Auftrag zum Wohle des deutschen Volkes tätig zu sein offensichtlich vergessen. Man muss sie dringend wieder daran erinnern, wofür sie gewählt wurden: Die Interessen des Volkes umzusetzen und nicht ihre Vorstellungen davon. In ihrer Überheblichkeit glauben sie zu wissen, was gut für das Volk ist. Leider wissen sie es nicht!

Eine Einordnung als „Hass und Hetze“ durch das deutsch-orwellsche Wahrheitsministerium verbietet sich, da dies die perfiden Maßnahmen im Dritten Reich zu Unrecht relativieren würden.

Die Menschlichkeit gebietet, den verirrten Geistern in Entscheiderpositionen Mitgefühl entgegenzubringen, da sie in gutem Glauben und der Überzeugung sind, nur Gutes zum Wohle des deutschen Volkes, schadenabwendend zu vollbringen. Grund ist die Ideologie, von der sie gar nicht merken (oder es nicht merken wollen), dass sie in ihr gefangen sind.

Nachgeschlagen in einem deutschen Herkunftswörterbuch von 2001 kommt das Wort „Delegitimation“ noch gar nicht vor. Diese Neuschöpfung scheint, durch die politische Kaste entstanden, der Notwendigkeit geschuldet zu sein, kritische Stimmen mundtot machen zu wollen. Sie dient einzig und allein als Totschlagargument. Jeder, der seine demokratische Pflicht wahrnimmt, politische Entscheidungen zu hinterfragen und Kritik auszusprechen, trägt zur lebendigen Debattenkultur bei und hält damit die in einer Demokratie innewohnende Meinungsfreiheit hoch. Kritik, und sei sie noch so scharf, als Delegitimation zu bezeichnen, spricht eher von einer charakterlichen Fehlbildung und Ungeeignetheit für ein politisches Amt in einer Demokratie, als dass sie Respekt vor der Meinungsäußerung des Souveräns zeigt. Gleichzeitig entlarvt die Erfindung des Begriffes Delegitimation, anstelle von Zensur (das wäre zu offensichtlich), durch ihrer Realitätsferne, die fehlende politische Wirkungskraft, so dass man nicht mehr anders weiter weiß, als sich von der Demokratie entfernend, totalitär anmutender Mittel bedienen zu müssen.

Mit den Mitteln der Freiheit sind die Menschen in der Lage, diese armen Politiker-Seelen von ihrem Leiden zu befreien. Ein Besinnen auf die christliche Kultur des Abendlandes kann hier sehr hilfreich sein. Ein Erinnern an die europäische Kultur und Geschichte ebenso.

Dass viele Menschen die legitimen Mittel der Freiheit derzeit nicht nutzen, liegt vielleicht daran, dass das, was ihnen bisher als Freiheit verkauft wurde, aus menschlicher Sicht gar keine Freiheit ist. Die Auswahl in einem 5 Meter langen Yoghurt-Regal ist keine Freiheit! Vielleicht haben viele Menschen sogar Angst vor wirklicher, innerer Freiheit, weil da eine große innere Leere ist, die mit eigener Persönlichkeit durch individuelle, charakterliche Eigenschaften auszufüllen wäre. Man kann diesen Menschen noch nicht einmal einen Vorwurf daraus machen, weil das Bildungssystem gar kein Interesse daran hat, zu viele Menschen heranzubilden, die die Demokratie-Simulation durchschauen.

Es scheint, als würde man mit allen Mitteln versuchen, den jahrhundertealten geschichtlichen Faden Deutschlands und Europas durchschneiden zu wollen und den dunklen Teil der deutschen Geschichte ausklammernd dazu zu missbrauchen, den fortgeschrittenen Wahnsinn zu legitimieren.

Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.

@ ac58bbcc:7d9754d8

Introduction

Many school districts allocate significant budgets for curriculum materials like textbooks and workbooks, but these resources often fail to provide teachers with the deep conceptual understanding needed to teach mathematics effectively. Administrators face the challenge of ensuring that their teachers have the support they need from books and worksheets and partners who understand how children learn math and the gaps in learning as they exist today.

The Problem: Books and Worksheets Are Not Enough

1. Limited Depth in Conceptual Learning
2. Curriculum materials often focus on procedural fluency rather than deep conceptual understanding. While these resources provide a structured framework for instruction, they do not equip teachers with the tools to address individual student learning styles or challenges.
3. Lack of Ongoing Professional Support
4. Administrators frequently allocate budgets for professional development workshops and materials but struggle to ensure that teachers receive ongoing, personalized support throughout the school year. Teachers often face unique classroom dynamics and need immediate assistance, yet many districts lack a consistent partnership with experts who can provide this guidance.
5. Ineffectiveness in Meeting Diverse Needs
6. Students learn at different paces and in different ways. Curriculum materials alone cannot address the varied needs of all students. A comprehensive support system is needed to help teachers differentiate instruction, support struggling learners, and challenge advanced students effectively.

Solution: Math Success by DMTI

Math Success by DMTI offers a more effective approach to elementary math education. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Focus on Conceptual Understanding:
  • The program emphasizes deep conceptual understanding through real-life examples that tie procedures back to the underlying math concepts. Students understand not just how but also why strategies and procedures work.
• Modeling Problems:
  • Math Success by DMTI teaches students to model problems using visual models like bar models, number lines, and equations. This approach ensures they see the math conceptually and can apply it in various contexts.
• Ongoing Support Throughout the Year:
  • The program provides more than just one-time workshops; it offers ongoing support through expert coaches who work directly with teachers throughout the school year. Teachers receive guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and student engagement strategies.
• Flexible Resources:
  • Math Success by DMTI includes comprehensive resources such as assessments, instructional units, exit tickets, practice sheets, research-based games, and parent materials tailored to meet diverse learning needs.
• Consistent Language and Structure:
  • The program uses consistent language and structure in teaching words from kindergarten through graduation. This consistency helps students build a strong foundation and facilitates smoother transitions between grade levels.

Teacher Testimonials: Real Impact

Educators have reported significant improvements in student achievement after implementing Math Success by DMTI:

• Increased Student Proficiency:
• For example, one third-grade teacher saw her students’ proficiency increase from 32% to 76% within a single academic year. This kind of growth demonstrates the program's effectiveness and its ability to foster deeper learning.

Conclusion

By adopting Math Success by DMTI, administrators can ensure that their teachers have the tools they need to teach math concepts effectively. With expert coaches embedded in classrooms for ongoing support, research-backed methodologies, flexible resources, and a focus on the right things in the right order, districts can create environments where students truly thrive.

Math Success by DMTI stands out as an exceptional partner for schools looking to improve math education. By bridging the gap between research and practice, Math Success by DMTI empowers educators to increase student achievement and foster a love for mathematics.

@ 73dc15e0:b7a84244

プロローグ

童貞こと薄（すすき）　仙人（せんにん）29歳。ここに眠る。「RIP」。29年間ずっと不運だった。親が仙人なんて名前を付けるから。学校では薄い仙人で「はげ仙人」なんてよばれるし、会社は倒産し、家は燃え、さっきトラックで引かれたところだ。そして、今「自称邪心」に次の魔王になってほしいと頼まれている。

―「なんで俺がそんなことしなきゃいけないのだ。」

「君には普通の人間よりも欲が何倍も大きい。ほんとは君の世界では収まらないぐらいだよ。」

―「異世界に行くのはいいとして、なんで魔王なんだ？」

「一つは、さっきも言った通り、君の欲は大きい。二つ目はもうすぐ現魔王がいなくなるからだよ。」

―「勇者にでも殺されたか？」

「いや、勇者と魔王が結婚した。」

―「は？」意味がわからない。勇者は魔王を倒すものではないのか？

「いなくなるというよりは魔王をやめるという表現のほうが正しかったかな。」

邪神によると勇者と魔王が結婚し、現魔王は魔王をやめるので、勇者と魔王の子供に転生し、次の新たな魔王になってほしいとのことだった。

人族と魔族（エルフ、ドワーフ、悪魔など）がこの世界にはあり、人族は聖神、魔族は

邪神が保護しているそうで、人と魔族は大昔から敵対しているそうだ。

聖神は魔族を忌み嫌っているので、魔族を統べる物がいなくなればいつ人族が襲ってくるかわからない。

人族には個別スキル（怪力、俊足など）には一般スキルと固有スキルがある。

固有スキルは世界に一人しかもっておらず、使用者が死ぬと新しく生まれてきた誰かがその固有スキルを手にする。固有スキルは5000万人に１人ぐらいの割合だそうだ。

一般スキルは固有スキルと違い、スキルがかぶることはよくあるそうだ。

魔族は種族スキルがある。種族スキルとはその種族が全員同じスキルをもっている。

魔族は固有スキルや個別スキルがない代わり人よりも各ステータスが高い。

俺は邪神に恩恵を3つもらった。一つは「超再生」。これは怪我や魔力、体力を瞬時に再生させてくれるチート能力だ。2つ目は「代償」腕や心臓などの代償をつくることによって自分を強化したり、新しく武器を作ることができる。この能力は一つ目の「超再生」と組み合わせることでバグをうみだすことができる。3つ目は「入れ替え」これは、さわったことのある物や人との場所を入れ替えることができる。

この三つの恩恵で異世界を俺は生き抜いてやる。

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

เริ่มจากบรอกโคลี แล้วขยายผลไปสู่ระดับโลก

หลายประเทศในเอเชีย แอฟริกา ละตินอเมริกา ตกอยู่ในสภาพ “จนหนี้หัวโต” ทั้งจากวิกฤตเศรษฐกิจหรือปัญหาสภาพภูมิอากาศ แล้วใครกันล่ะเข้ามาช่วย?

ชื่อที่ได้ยินบ่อยคือ IMF (กองทุนการเงินระหว่างประเทศ) World Bank (ธนาคารโลก) WTO (องค์การการค้าโลก) FAO (องค์การอาหารและการเกษตรของ UN)

ฟังดูเหมือนองค์กรการกุศล แต่เบื้องหลังคือกลไกที่ “แลกข้าวกับกฎหมาย” โดยเฉพาะเมื่อประเทศยากจนขอเงินกู้หรือขอเข้าเป็นสมาชิกข้อตกลงการค้า พวกเขาจะถูก “บังคับกลายๆ” ให้ต้องแก้กฎหมายภายในประเทศให้สอดคล้องกับ UPOV 1991

ตัวอย่างชัดๆ กันครับเช่น 1. แอฟริกาใต้ / กานา / เคนยา ถูกกดดันจาก World Bank ให้ปรับกฎหมายคุ้มครองพันธุ์พืช ไม่งั้นจะไม่อนุมัติเงินช่วยเหลือสำหรับเกษตรกรรมและการศึกษา 2.ฟิลิปปินส์ / เวียดนาม / อินโดนีเซีย ต้องรับเงื่อนไข UPOV 1991 เพื่อเข้า FTA กับ EU หรือสหรัฐฯ ถ้าไม่ยอม? ข้าว ข้าวโพด หรือสินค้าเกษตรอื่นๆ จะเข้าไปขายไม่ได้ 3.เม็กซิโก เคยต่อสู้กับ Monsanto เรื่องสิทธิในการปลูกข้าวโพดดั้งเดิม แต่สุดท้ายโดน “ตีท้ายครัว” ด้วย FTA กับสหรัฐที่ฝัง UPOV 1991 มาแบบแนบเนียน

ปี 2561 รัฐบาลบางประเทศพยายาม “รีบแก้กฎหมายพันธุ์พืช” ให้สอดคล้องกับ UPOV 1991 เพื่อปูทางเข้าสู่ CPTPP ซึ่งเป็นข้อตกลงการค้าเสรีระดับภูมิภาคที่มีประเทศร่ำรวยอยู่เต็มไปหมด

ข้อเรียกร้องจาก CPTPP คือ -ต้อง ห้ามเกษตรกรเก็บพันธุ์ไว้ใช้ซ้ำโดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาต -ต้อง คุ้มครองพันธุ์พืชที่พัฒนาขึ้นโดยบริษัทเอกชน 20-25 ปี -ต้อง เปิดทางให้บริษัทต่างชาติเข้ามาจดทะเบียนพันธุ์พืชในประเทศได้โดยง่าย

เสียงค้านจึงดังกระหึ่มจากเกษตรกร นักวิชาการ และภาคประชาสังคม นำโดยเครือข่ายเกษตรกรรมยั่งยืน กลุ่มรักษ์พันธุ์ข้าว จนนายกรัฐมนตรีในขณะนั้นต้องออกมาประกาศ “พักเรื่องนี้ไว้ก่อน” แต่ถึงวันนี้... ก็ยังไม่มีการยืนยันว่าจะ “ล้มเลิกโดยสิ้นเชิง”

รู้หรือไม่ว่า บริษัทพันธุ์พืชที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในโลกไม่ใช่คนปลูกข้าว แต่มาจาก “บริษัทยา” และ “บริษัทเคมี”!!!

Bayer (เยอรมนี) ที่ควบรวม Monsanto Corteva (สหรัฐฯ) แยกตัวจาก DowDuPont Syngenta (สวิตเซอร์แลนด์) ที่ตอนนี้เป็นของบริษัทจีน ChemChina

3 บริษัทนี้ครองตลาดพันธุ์พืชดัดแปลงพันธุกรรม (GMO) และพันธุ์ลูกผสมทั่วโลก และผลักดัน UPOV 1991 แบบดุดันผ่านองค์กรเช่น ISF (International Seed Federation)

องค์กรเหล่านี้พวกเขาไม่ได้ปล้นด้วยปืน แต่ใช้ สัญญา พวกเขาไม่ได้เผาไร่ แต่ “จดสิทธิบัตร” สิ่งที่ไม่ควรเป็นของใคร และสิ่งที่พวกเขาต้องการ ไม่ใช่แค่ข้าวโพดหรือถั่วเหลือง แต่คือ “สิทธิในการออกแบบอาหารทั้งโลก” ในแบบที่คนตัวเล็ก... ต้องจ่ายค่าเช่ากินข้าว ทุกปี ตลอดชีวิต

จากปัญหาเหล่านี้ก็เลยเกิดแนวคิดที่เรียกว่า Seed Sovereignty ซึ่งมองว่าเมล็ดพันธุ์เป็นสมบัติร่วมของมนุษยชาติ ไม่ควรถูกครอบครองแบบผูกขาด และเกษตรกรควรมีสิทธิในการ
-เก็บเมล็ดพันธุ์ -แลกเปลี่ยน -ปรับปรุง -ใช้งานซ้ำ โดยไม่ต้องขออนุญาตใคร

ตอนต่อไปเรามาคุยเรื่อง UPOV 1991 กันครับ

#pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Durante décadas, ouvimos que o Brasil era o "país do futuro". Uma terra rica, com imenso potencial humano e natural, destinada a se tornar uma grande potência e referência para o mundo. Essa ideia, repetida em discursos políticos e publicações internacionais, alimentou gerações com esperança. Mas o tempo passou — e esse futuro promissor parece nunca chegar.

Na prática, o que vemos é um ciclo de promessas não cumpridas, problemas sociais profundos e um povo muitas vezes desiludido. Apesar do potencial imenso, o Brasil enfrenta barreiras estruturais e culturais que dificultam seu pleno desenvolvimento. E é justamente sobre isso que precisamos refletir.

A raiz dos nossos desafios

Não há como ter jeito sem que haja um enfrentamento com seriedade aos problemas que estão na base da nossa sociedade. Um dos maiores entraves é a precariedade da educação, tanto no acesso quanto na qualidade. Em muitas regiões, o estudo ainda é visto como perda de tempo, algo que não contribui para o sustento imediato da família. Mesmo com incentivos governamentais, o desempenho das escolas é baixo. Em vez de formar cidadãos críticos e profissionais capacitados, muitas vezes vemos instituições focadas em ideologias ou agendas desconectadas da realidade do aluno.

Outro ponto sensível é a estrutura familiar. Em áreas onde faltam referências morais, espirituais e sociais, o ambiente familiar pode se tornar disfuncional, com casos extremos de abusos e ausência total de valores básicos. Nesses contextos, a ausência de instituições que promovem virtudes e limites — como a Igreja, por exemplo — faz diferença. Não se trata de impor uma religião, mas de reconhecer o papel histórico que a fé teve (e ainda tem) na construção de uma base ética e civilizatória.

A falta de valores basilares e estrutura para a promoção da relações em sociedade, faz do ambiente escolar um local sem propósito, onde são depositados crianças para serem expostas a um convívio forçado com estranhos sem nenhum preparo familiar, e sendo muitas vezes subentendido pelos profissionais educadores como dever da família, no entanto tal estrutura foi corrompida e devido o combate a religião pelos veículos midiáticos.

O papel da cultura e da moralidade

A cultura brasileira também tem sido afetada por uma inversão de valores. Virtudes como honestidade, humildade e dedicação são muitas vezes vistas com desdém, enquanto comportamentos imprudentes e hedonistas são exaltados. Essa distorção enfraquece a sociedade e prejudica qualquer tentativa de avanço coletivo.

A elite intelectual e política, por sua vez, parece muitas vezes mais preocupada com interesses próprios do que com o bem comum. Muitos aderem a ideias que, em vez de promover a soberania e a autonomia nacional, aprofundam nossa dependência e fragilidade como país.

Existe saída?

Sim, existe. Mas não será simples — e muito menos rápida. O Brasil precisa de uma mudança profunda de mentalidade. Isso inclui:

Resgatar o valor da família e da formação moral;

Investir de verdade em uma educação que liberte, que forme e que inspire;

Incentivar a produção científica e tecnológica local;

Valorizar o trabalho árduo, a persistência e o compromisso com a verdade.

Também é preciso reconhecer que o desenvolvimento de uma nação não é apenas econômico, mas também espiritual e cultural. Mesmo que você não seja religioso, é possível entender que a construção de uma sociedade mais justa exige princípios, virtudes e limites. Sem isso, qualquer progresso será frágil e passageiro.

O Brasil tem jeito? Sim. Mas depende de nós — da nossa capacidade de enxergar com coragem onde estamos falhando, e da nossa disposição para agir com sabedoria, verdade e esperança.

@ d0aa74cd:603d35cd

Experimenting with cat package examples.

Gleam #Gleamlang #cat #Haskell

https://photonsphere.org/post/2025-04-11-gleam-cat/

@ 2ed3596e:98b4cc78

Americans can now instantly sell bitcoin directly from their Lightning Wallets. The same auto conversion Bitcoin Well Customers are used for instantly and conveniently selling bitcoin from self-custody now has a Lightning option ready in the Sell bitcoin page of your Bitcoin Well account.

Adding the ability to sell bitcoin from the Lightning Network underscores our commitment to enabling you to get the most out of the freedom and independence Bitcoin has to offer. No longer must you rely on giving up custody of your bitcoin or navigate complicated trading interfaces for fast and convenient sales! Just send sats and receive dollars – Lightning fast.

Selling sats from the Lightning Network is quick and easy:

1. From your Bitcoin Well account, go to Sell bitcoin and enter the amount of dollars you want
2. Choose your bank, select “Lightning” and then generate a Lightning Invoice
3. Pay the Lightning invoice and we’ll send dollars to your bank account

Here are detailed steps to guide you on how to sell sats from the Lightning Network 👇

Get your Lightning Invoice

Navigate to your Sell bitcoin page, enter the amount of dollars you wish to receive, set your destination bank account and select “Lightning”.

Tap ‘Generate invoice’ to create a Lightning invoice. This Lightning invoice will be for the exact amount of sats you need to send for the amount of dollars you want to receive.

Send sats to your Lightning Invoice

To instantly sell bitcoin for dollars, simply pay the Lightning Invoice from your Lightning wallet. You can do this by scanning the QR code or by tapping the QR code to copy + paste the invoice into your Lightning wallet. Once received (basically instantly), we automatically convert received sats into dollars and send the dollars to your selected bank account. No waiting for confirmations, no mining fees and no complicated trading interfaces. Just sats in, dollars out. Lightning fast ⚡️

## What is the Lightning Network?

The Lightning Network is a second-layer protocol built on top of Bitcoin. It enables fast, cheap, and private bitcoin payments, perfect for small transactions and daily use. Think of it like the relationship between the credit card network and the banking system. While Bitcoin’s base layer is optimized for security, Lightning is optimized for frequent or small, cheap and private payments for everyday transactions — instantly and without bloating the blockchain. The Lightning Network makes it much more convenient to use bitcoin in everyday life, bringing you closer to replacing your bank with bitcoin.

Currently, sats on the Lightning Network cannot be directly sent to an on-chain bitcoin wallet, and vice versa. However, that won’t remain true for Bitcoin Well accounts for long…

Why Does the Lightning Network Matter?

The Lightning Network helps bitcoin reach its full potential as everyday money. While Bitcoin’s base chain is perfect for storing value, it’s not always practical for everyday payments or quick, small transactions. Lightning fills that gap — it’s fast, inexpensive, and built for a world where people use bitcoin as easily as cash. Bitcoin is the future of money. Lightning makes it usable today. We love Lightning, and have some exciting additional products coming that will shock you!

Earn sats over the Lightning Network

Earn sats when you refer your friends! When you add your Lightning Payment address from your personal Lightning Wallet to your Referral page, every time someone you referred transacts on the portal, you get a kickback paid in sats! Of course, we never custody your bitcoin, even when you get a Lightning referral reward! All bitcoin is always sent straight to your wallet. ⚡\ \ Haven’t signed up with Bitcoin Well yet? Sign up here and embrace the Bitcoin Standard.

About Bitcoin Well

Bitcoin Well exists to enable independence. We do this by coupling the convenience of modern banking, with the benefits of bitcoin. In other words, we want to make it easy to use bitcoin in self-custody.  ⁠ ⁠

We are publicly traded (and love it when our customers become shareholders!) and hold ourselves to a high standard of enabling life on a Bitcoin standard. If you want to learn more about Bitcoin Well, please visit our website or reach out!

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Chef's notes

Wildly enough, this is delicious. It's sweet and savory.

(I copied this recipe off of a commercial cheese maker's site, just FYI)

I hadn't fully froze the ice cream when I took the picture shown. This is fresh out of the churner.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 15 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 30 min
• 🍽️ Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz blue cheese
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 c sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 qt heavy cream
• 3/4 c chopped dark chocolate

Directions

1. Put the blue cheese, lemon juice, sugar, and salt into a bowl
2. Bring heavy cream to a boil, stirring occasionally
3. Pour heavy cream over the blue cheese mix and stir until melted
4. Pour into prepared ice cream maker, follow unit instructions
5. Add dark chocolate halfway through the churning cycle
6. Freeze until firm. Enjoy.

@ e516ecb8:1be0b167

¿Qué es realmente la inflación? Si alguna vez has escuchado que la inflación es “la subida constante de precios”, no estás solo. Hace poco, un economista soltó esa definición en una entrevista, y otro, desde la Fundación para el Progreso (FPP), una institución que suele citar a pensadores como Mises o Hayek, repitió lo mismo. Suena lógico, ¿no? Pero están equivocados. Y ese error, aunque parezca pequeño, puede tener consecuencias catastróficas. Para entender por qué, no hace falta ir muy lejos: miremos a Argentina.

La subida de precios no es la inflación. Es solo el síntoma. La inflación, en esencia, es la pérdida del valor adquisitivo de la moneda. Confundir la causa con el efecto es como tratar una fiebre con un paño frío sin atacar la infección. Y cuando las políticas públicas se basan en esa confusión, el desastre está garantizado.

Argentina: una lección que duele Argentina es el caso de estudio perfecto. Antes de que Javier Milei llegara al poder en diciembre de 2023, la inflación en el país vecino estaba desbocada, alcanzando picos de 211% anual según datos del INDEC. El peronismo, convencido de que el problema eran los precios, implementó medidas como los “Precios Justos”, fijando topes artificiales. ¿Resultado? Escasez total. En un país famoso por su carne, los supermercados se quedaron sin ella. Los productores, enfrentados a costos que subían sin control, preferían exportar antes que vender localmente a precios que no les daban ni para cubrir gastos. Y ahí no terminó la cosa. En lugar de atacar la raíz del problema, el gobierno peronista complicó todo aún más: restringió exportaciones y creó un sistema surrealista de múltiples tipos de dólar (¡hasta uno distinto para Netflix!). Todo porque seguían peleando con el efecto, no con la causa.

¿Por qué los argentinos corrían a ahorrar en dólares y no en pesos? Porque el peso se devaluaba a una velocidad alarmante. Si la inflación fuera solo una cuestión de precios, habría afectado a todas las monedas por igual. Pero no. Como dice Milei una y otra vez, la inflación es un fenómeno monetario: demasiados billetes circulando sin respaldo o una moneda que la gente considera “de segunda” frente a otras.

¿Por qué seguimos repitiendo el error? Entonces, si la inflación es tan claramente un problema del valor de la moneda, ¿por qué seguimos escuchando que es una subida de precios? La respuesta es sencilla: culpar a otros es más fácil. Cuando se vende esa idea, los políticos pueden apuntar con el dedo a empresarios, comerciantes o “especuladores” y lavarse las manos. Es más cómodo que admitir una emisión monetaria irresponsable, un gasto público descontrolado o una pésima gestión económica. Y no faltan economistas, a veces financiados por grupos estatistas o formados en sistemas educativos que promueven esas ideas, que les hacen el coro.

Chile: por un pelo nos salvamos Este malentendido estuvo a punto de colarse en Chile. En el segundo intento de reforma constitucional, impulsado por Chile Vamos en 2023, se propuso que el Banco Central velara por la “estabilidad de precios”, no por la estabilidad del valor de la moneda. Parece un detalle técnico, ¿verdad? Pero no lo es. Ese cambio abría la puerta a políticas que podrían habernos llevado por el mismo camino que Argentina. Por suerte, aunque muchos expertos lo pasaron por alto, la ciudadanía no: la propuesta fue rechazada en las urnas con un contundente “En Contra”.

Nos salvamos, pero no porque nuestros políticos tuvieran las ideas claras. Nos salvamos porque los chilenos dijimos “basta”. Y menos mal, porque en 2024 la inflación en Chile se mantuvo controlada, rondando el 3,5% anual según el Banco Central, lejos del caos argentino. Pero no podemos confiarnos, porque esa inflación sigue siendo alta para nuestros estándares pre-pandémicos o pre-estallido social. El retiro desde las AFP convirtió activos en consumo, en otras palabras aumentó el circulante y todavía batallamos con esa inflación.

No es un “detallito” Cada vez que alguien diga que la inflación es una subida de precios o que la solución está en controlarlos, por favor, corrígelo. No es un error menor. Argentina lleva más de un año intentando salir del pozo que cavó este malentendido. Milei ha dado pasos importantes: transparentó la inflación real, ajustó el tipo de cambio para acercarse al valor de mercado y, aunque la inflación sigue alta (cerca del 50% anual a fines de 2024, según estimaciones), empieza a estabilizarse. Pero el camino es largo, y los costos de este “detallito” los pagan todos los argentinos.

¿Y ahora qué hacemos? La próxima vez que escuches a un político o un experto hablar de inflación como si fuera solo un problema de precios, no te quedes callado. Pregúntales: ¿y el valor de la moneda qué? Comparte esta historia, porque entender la inflación es el primer paso para no repetir los errores del pasado. En Chile esquivamos la bala, pero no podemos bajar la guardia. Los errores pequeños, cuando se trata de economía, terminan costándonos caro.

¿Qué opinas? ¿Crees que Chile aprendió la lección o estamos a un paso de tropezar otra vez? ¡Déja tu comentario y comparte este post si te hizo clic!

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Puerto de Mogán is a postcard-perfect fishing village and marina on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria. With its canals, whitewashed buildings, and bougainvillea-covered balconies, it’s often called the island’s “Little Venice.” Add golden beaches, laid-back vibes, and a touch of luxury, and you've got one of the most charming spots on the island.

🌟 Things to Do in Puerto de Mogán

1️⃣ Stroll the Marina & Canals

• Wander the narrow lanes, stone bridges, and colorful floral walkways
• The marina is filled with yachts, cute cafés, and ice cream spots
• Don’t miss the fishermen’s quarter for a glimpse of local life

2️⃣ Relax on the Beach

• The small, calm beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing
• Family-friendly, with soft sand and crystal-clear water
• Lined with restaurants and chill beach bars

3️⃣ Visit the Friday Market

• One of the biggest markets on the island
• Browse for local produce, souvenirs, clothes, and crafts
• The whole town buzzes with music and energy on market day

4️⃣ Climb for the View

• Head uphill behind the town for panoramic views over the marina and ocean
• Especially beautiful at sunset 🌅

5️⃣ Take a Boat Trip

• Explore the coast by catamaran or glass-bottom boat
• Dolphin-watching tours are popular, or boat taxis to nearby beaches like Puerto Rico

---

🍴 What to Eat

• Fresh seafood is a must—try grilled fish, octopus, or seafood paella
• Pair with local mojo sauces and a cold tropical beer or sangria
• For dessert, look for Bienmesabe (a sweet almond-based Canarian treat)

🎯 Travel Tips

✅ Puerto de Mogán is easy to reach by car or bus from other parts of the island
✅ It’s quieter than Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas, ideal for relaxing
✅ Stay overnight if you can—it’s magical when the crowds thin in the evening
✅ Great spot for couples, families, and anyone who loves beauty + calm

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

There’s an African proverb that says, “To get lost is to learn the way.”

Humans have always been explorers, searching for connection. To belong. To feel home. You can trace this instinct back to the start of our existence. Whether you start with Adam and Eve or the “Out of Africa” theory, the story is the same. We’ve always moved toward each other, building tribes and forming communities.

But somewhere along the way, something broke. With the rise of empires and organized control, religion and politics divided us into bubbles. We were sorted, labeled, and often pitted against one another. While technology advanced, something fundamental was lost. Our ability to truly connect started to fade.

Then came the internet, a modern-day Silk Road. It rekindled hope. Walls seemed to crumble, distances disappeared, and we dreamed of a truly connected world. For a time, it felt like the answer.

And then it wasn’t.

The history of Internet

The story began around 1830s when Charles Babbage started working on his computer prototype but without moolah he couldn't continue. A century later, after WW2 in the 1950s, the US Department of Defense funded what became known as modern computing.

Back then the military relied on systems like the Navajo Code Talkers. The indigenous code talkers were ingenious but operated under dangerous conditions, always on the frontlines.

In 1969, ARPANET made a revolutionary breakthrough as it connected four university computers for the first time. It was a big deal.

At that time, the internet was about openness. Researchers pushed for universal protocols. This gave rise to hacker culture that valued knowledge-sharing and keeping systems accessible to everyone.

In the 80s, NSFNET (National Science Foundation ) expanded these connections but kept it strictly for academic use only. That caused massive dissatisfaction.

Senator Al Gore pitched the concept of the “information superhighway,” to balance public access with private innovation. But by the 90s, the Clinton administration leaned into privatization. NSFNET’s infrastructure was completely handed off to private companies, and the internet grew into a commercial powerhouse.

The good news is that everyone has internet access now. Bad news is that what started as something free from government and commercial control became completely dominated by both.

Open source vs IP during the early internet days

This part of the story is about Bill Gates and Marc Andreessen.

Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, but Marc saw the opportunity to make it user-friendly. He launched Netscape, an open-source browser. It drove the openness of internet culture. Netscape captured 90% of the market by giving its software away for free, and monetizing through other means.

Then came along Bill Gates. Microsoft back then was known for its aggressive tactics to monopolize industries. Gates licensed Mosaic’s code, created Internet Explorer, and bundled it for free with Windows 95. He wasn’t shy about playing dirty, even formed exclusive contracts with manufacturers to block competitors. Even the Department of Justice tried to file an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, but by then, it was too late. Netscape’s market share crumbled, and its position in the industry eroded.

Windows 95 brought the internet to the people globally, but it also closed it up.

Marc Andreeson started with open source ideologies, but is now funding altcoin projects.

The Californian ideology

Around this time, the term “Californian Ideology” started floating around. It was an unusual mix of libertarianism, techno-utopianism, and countercultural ideals. A marriage of cultural bohemianism (hippies) with high-tech entrepreneurship (yuppies). This ideology fused left-wing values like freedom of expression and direct democracy with right-wing beliefs in free markets and minimal government interference.

I absolutely love it.

Ironically, the term “Californian Ideology” wasn’t coined as a compliment. Richard Barbrook and Andy Cameron used it to piss on these visionaries for romanticizing the idea that the internet must remain a lawless, egalitarian space.

But many people loved and embraced the Californian ideology. Stewart Brand, who founded The Whole Earth Catalog, connected counterculture with early tech innovation. His work inspired people like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Steve Wozniak used to share Apple’s early schematics at the Homebrew Computer Club for feedback and collaboration.

EBay’s founder Pierre Omidyar envisioned eBay as a libertarian experiment. He believed the “invisible hand” of the market would ensure fairness. But as eBay grew, fraud, disputes, and dissatisfaction among users forced Omidyar to introduce governance which contradicted his goals.

And this story repeats itself over the years.

Platforms begin with libertarian visions, but as they scale, real-world challenges emerge. Governance (government, corporate charters, advertisers, and investors) is introduced to address safety and trust issues.

But they also chip away at the liberty the internet once promised.

Can Nostr be the solution ?

Yes.

But to appreciate Nostr, let’s first understand how the internet works today. (Note : I am no expert of this section but I'll try my best to explain)

The internet operates through four main layers:

1. Application Layer (where apps like browsers, Google, or Zoom live)
2. Transport Layer
3. Internet Layer
4. Network Access Layer

Let’s use a simple example of searching “Pink Panther” on Google.

Step 1: The Application Layer - You open your browser, type "Pink Panther," and hit search. This request is sent using HTTP/HTTPS (a protocol that formats the query and ensures it's secure).

Step 2: The Transport Layer - Think of your search query as a letter being sent. The Transport Layer breaks it into smaller packets (like splitting a long letter into multiple envelopes). TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures all packets arrive and reassemble in the correct order.

Step 3: The Internet Layer - This layer acts like a postal service, assigning each device an address (IP address) to route the packets properly. Your device's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.10) and Google’s server IP (e.g., 142.250.72.238) help routers find the best path to deliver your packets.

Step 4: The Network Access Layer - Finally, the Network Access Layer physically delivers the packets. These travel as electrical signals (over cables), radio waves (Wi-Fi), or light pulses (fiber optics). This is the act of moving envelopes via trucks, planes, or postal workers, just much faster.

So how is data transmitted via Nostr ?

Nostr’s architecture of the Internet

Nostr reimagines the Application Layer while keeping the lower layers (Transport, Internet, and Network Access) largely unchanged.

In the traditional internet stack, the Application Layer is where platforms like Google or Twitter operate. It’s also where most censorship occurs due to single point of failure (centralised servers). Nostr flips this model on its head.

Technically, it’s like building a parallel internet that shares the same foundational layers but diverges at the top.

To borrow from Robert Frost:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

For Nostr to fully realize its potential, it needs its own ecosystem of apps. Developers can build these tools within the Nostr protocol's framework

Let’s say there is a search engine on Nostr called Noogle.

Here’s how it works:

When you type "Pink Panther" on Noogle, your query is sent to multiple relays (servers) simultaneously. Each relay processes or forwards the query and returns results based on the data it holds.

As Nostr grows, the amount of information on relays will increase, giving Noogle more robust search results. But the biggest win is that compared to Google, Nostr's Noogle will have no ads, no surveillance, just pure, decentralized searching that respects your privacy.

For the transport layer, Nostr still relies on TCP/IP but enhances it with privacy and efficiency. Encrypted messages and simplified protocols enable faster real-time communication. The rest of the layer remains unchanged.

At its core, Nostr takes the internet back to its original ideals: open, uncensored, and decentralized.

Why Nostr matters ?

The internet we use today relies on centralized systems at the application layer. This creates a single point of failure where governments and corporations can control access, censor content, monitor activity, and even shut down entire platforms.

For example, the Malaysian government once proposed routing all web traffic through a centralized system, claiming it was for "security" reasons. In reality, this action allow those in power to block access to specific content or platforms that might threaten their positions.

Centralization weaponizes the internet.

It turns what was meant to be a tool for connection and freedom into a mechanism for control and oppression.

Let's look at DNS and ISPs as examples. DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet. It helps translate website names (like example.com) into IP addresses so your browser can connect to them. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are companies that give you access to the internet.

Both are controlled by centralized entities. If a government gains control of either, it can block specific websites or even shut down internet access entirely.

We've seen this happen repeatedly: * India’s internet shutdowns in regions like Kashmir * Turkey’s social media bans during political events * Ethiopia’s internet blackouts * China’s Great Firewall blocking major platforms like Google and Facebook * Even the US, where Edward Snowden revealed massive surveillance programs

This is where Nostr comes in, as the antidote to centralized control.

Instead of relying on centralized servers or platforms, Nostr creates a peer-to-peer network of independent relays. No single entity controls it. There is no central switch governments can flip to block access. If one relay is shut down, users simply connect to others in the network.

Nostr’s decentralized design makes it: * Resistant to censorship: Governments cannot easily block or filter content. * Privacy-preserving: Users can communicate anonymously, even in heavily surveilled environments. * Resilient: With no single point of failure, the network keeps running, even under attack.

And it gets better. Nostr can integrate with privacy tools like Tor to bypass restrictions entirely, making it nearly impossible for governments to stop.

The internet has become a battlefield for control, but Nostr provides a way to reclaim digital freedom. It empowers people to build, connect, and share without fear of being silenced.

How does Nostr overcome the "Californian Ideology" problems?

The Californian Ideology seemed like the blueprint for a utopian internet, libertarian ideals wrapped in Silicon Valley innovation. But as centralized platforms scaled, cracks started to show. Challenges like trust, safety, and accessibility forced governance teams to step in and decide “what’s best for the people.”

This resulted in platforms once built on ideals of freedom in becoming gatekeepers of control.

Nostr breaks this cycle. How?

1. Trust issues - With private keys, you control your identity and data. Moderation is decentralized. You can block or mute others at a personal level or through client tools, not by relying on a central authority. While this system needs refinement to be more user-friendly, it fundamentally shifts the power to users.

2. Funding Without Advertiser - Nostr’s integration of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network eliminates reliance on advertisers or corporate sponsors. Bitcoin enables anyone to contribute without gatekeeping. As more people join and apps mature, this model only gets stronger. For now, we have good souls like Jack seeding it.

3. Resisting Government Control - (refer to the above) Nostr avoids single points of attacks.

So what is Nostr ?

Nostr is internet

The new internet.

The open and free internet.

What can you build on Nostr?

Anything you have seen on the internet, you can recreate on Nostr. Anything you can imagine, you can bring to life here. It is a blank canvas for dreamers, builders, and changemakers.

But the best part is this. You have Bitcoin as its financial backbone. This changes the game entirely.

And with new games, comes new rules. New vibes. New ways.

The way people use this new internet will be different from the traditional internet as control falls back to the people. With Bitcoin as the underlying backbone, the business models will be different.

But there is more to it than just creating. There's that joy of creation, where we invite curiosity and inspire users to experience something new, something revolutionary.

Have you watched “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch?

He coined the term “head fake.” He taught his students programming, but not everyone was excited to learn programming. So he created fun projects and performances that pulled them in. The students had so much fun, they didn’t even realize they were learning to code.

What you build on Nostr is that head fake. The apps and projects you create draw people in with fun and utility, subtly reminding them they have a right to their own voice and thoughts.

The work you’re doing is so precious. When everything feels like doom and gloom, it’s these kinds of projects that give people hope.

Through Nostr, you’re making a difference. One project, one connection at a time.

The new Internet era

Centralized systems, like empires of the past, eventually crumble under the weight of their control. Decentralization provides a different path. It is a modern revival of our primal instincts to explore, connect, and build tribes.

By definition, Nostr is a protocol. I think more so, it's a philosophy. It challenges us to rethink how we share, communicate, and create. It is the internet as it was meant to be. Free, open, and governed by no one.

The beauty of Nostr lies in its simplicity. It does not rely on massive infrastructure, corporate giants, or government oversight. It thrives on community, much like the early tribes that defined humanity.

We have come full circle. From wandering continents to building roads, bridges, and networks, our journey has always been about connection and finding our tribe.

As the African proverb reminds us, 'To get lost is to learn the way.' There is finally a way now.

But at the end of the day, it’s entirely up to you what kind of world you want to be part of.

Find your tribe. Build the future. Love them hard.

---

More info :

On those who played a role in the history of internet and computers
https://hiddenheroes.netguru.com/

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, may be small, but it packs a big personality. Perched on the banks of the Danube River, this medieval-meets-modern city blends cobbled old town charm with cool cafes, riverside strolls, quirky statues, and a hilltop castle overlooking it all. Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Vienna or staying longer, Bratislava is laid-back, walkable, and full of surprises.

🌟 Highlights in Bratislava

1️⃣ Bratislava Castle

• Perched above the city with panoramic views of the Danube and Austria
• Home to the Slovak National Museum and historical exhibitions
• Great spot to catch the sunset or a breezy walk

2️⃣ Old Town (Staré Mesto)

• A maze of colorful baroque buildings, cozy courtyards, and lively cafés
• Landmarks include Michael’s Gate, Main Square, and the Old Town Hall
• Don’t miss quirky statues like Čumil, the sewer worker peeking out of a manhole

3️⃣ St. Martin’s Cathedral

• Once the coronation church of Hungarian kings
• Gothic vibes, beautiful interior, and right beneath the castle walls

4️⃣ UFO Observation Deck

• On the Most SNP (New Bridge), shaped like a flying saucer
• 360° views from 95m up—and there's even a rooftop restaurant/bar

5️⃣ Blue Church (Church of St. Elizabeth)

• One of Bratislava’s most photogenic spots—sky blue and whimsical
• Like something out of a fairytale, tucked in a quiet corner of town

🍽️ What to Eat in Bratislava

• Bryndzové halušky – Potato dumplings with sheep cheese and crispy bacon
• Kapustnica – Tangy sauerkraut soup with sausage
• Lokše – Potato pancakes filled with duck, cabbage, or sweet fillings
• Kofola – Slovakia’s cola alternative, with a herbal twist
• Try a glass of Slovak wine or Tatratea liqueur (strong stuff!)

🌿 Day Trips from Bratislava

• Devin Castle – Dramatic ruins on a cliff above the Danube (20 min by bus or boat)
• Small Carpathians wine region – Visit towns like Modra or Pezinok for tastings
• Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum – Contemporary art on a peninsula in the river
• Vienna – Just an hour away by train, boat, or even bike along the Danube path

🎯 Quick Tips

✅ Bratislava is very walkable—you can see most highlights in a day
✅ Euros are the currency (not all places accept cards)
✅ Best times to visit: spring to early autumn for river views and café culture
✅ Take it slow—the city’s charm is in the atmosphere

@ e17e9a18:66d67a6b

We wrote this album to explain the inspiration behind Mutiny Brewing, and as a way to share the story of Bitcoin and freedom technologies like nostr. Through these songs, we’ve tried to capture every truth that we believe is essential to understand about money, freedom, trust, and human connection in the internet age. It’s our way of making these ideas real and relatable, and we hope it helps others see the power of taking control of their future through the systems we use.

01. "Tomorrow's Prices on Yesterday's Wage" explores the harsh reality of inflation. As central banks inflate the money supply, prices rise faster than wages, leaving us constantly falling behind. People, expecting prices to keep climbing, borrow more to buy sooner, pushing prices even higher in a vicious cycle. You're always a step behind, forced to pay tomorrow's inflated prices with yesterday's stagnant wages.

https://wavlake.com/track/76a6cd02-e876-4a37-b093-1fe919e9eabe

02. "Everybody Works For The Bank" exposes the hidden truth behind our fiat money system. When banks issue loans, they create new money from debt—but you must pay back both the principal and interest. That interest requires even more money, relying on others to borrow, creating an endless cycle of debt. If borrowing slows, the system falters and governments step in, printing more money to keep banks afloat. Ultimately, we’re all working to service debt, chained to the banks.

“Paying back what they create, working till I break” https://wavlake.com/track/4d94cb4b-ff3b-4423-be6a-03e0be8177d6

03. "Let My People Go" references Moses' demand for freedom but directly draws from Proverbs 6:1–5, exposing the danger of debt based money. Every dollar you hold is actually someone else's debt, making you personally liable—held in the hand of your debtor and at risk of their losses, which you ultimately pay for through inflation or higher taxes. As the song says, "The more you try to save it up, the deeper in you get." The wisdom of Proverbs urges immediate action, pleading urgently to escape this trap and free yourself, like a gazelle from a hunter.

https://wavlake.com/track/76214ff1-f8fd-45b0-a677-d9c285b1e7d6

04. "Mutiny Brewing" embodies Friedrich Hayek's insight: "I don't believe we shall ever have good money again before we take it out of the hands of government... we can't take it violently... all we can do is by some sly roundabout way introduce something they can't stop."

Inspired also by the Cypherpunk manifesto's rallying cry, "We will write the code", the song celebrates Bitcoin as exactly that unstoppable solution.

"Not here to break ya, just here to create our own little world where we determine our fate." https://wavlake.com/track/ba767fc8-6afc-4b0d-be64-259b340432f3

05. "Invisible Wealth" is inspired by The Sovereign Individual, a groundbreaking 1990s book that predicted the rise of digital money and explores how the return on violence shaped civilizations. The song references humanity's vulnerability since agriculture began—where stored wealth attracted violence, forcing reliance on larger governments for protection.

Today, digital privacy enabled by cryptography fundamentally changes this dynamic. When wealth is stored privately, secured by cryptographic keys, violence becomes ineffective. As the song emphasizes, "You can't bomb what you can't see." Cryptography dismantles traditional power structures, providing individuals true financial security, privacy, and freedom from exploitation.

“Violence is useless against cryptography” https://wavlake.com/track/648da3cc-d58c-4049-abe0-d22f9e61fef0

06. "Run A Node" is a rallying cry for Bitcoin's decentralisation. At its heart, it's about personal verification and choice: every node is a vote, every check’s a voice. By running the code yourself, you enforce the rules you choose to follow. This is true digital democracy. When everyone participates, there's no room for collusion, and authority comes directly from transparent code rather than blind trust.

"I verify, therefore I do." https://wavlake.com/track/ee11362b-2e84-4631-b05e-df6d8e6797f8

07. "Leverage is a Liar" warns against gambling with your wealth, but beneath the surface, it's a sharp critique of fractional reserve banking. Fractional reserves inflate asset prices, creating the illusion of wealth built on leverage. This system isn't sustainable and inevitably leads to collapse. Real wealth requires sound money, money that can't be inflated. Trying to gain more through leverage only feeds the lie.

"Watch it burn higher and higher—leverage is a liar." https://wavlake.com/track/67f9c39c-c5e1-4e15-b171-f1f5442f29a5

08. "Don't Get Rekt" serves as a stark warning about trusting custodians with your Bitcoin. Highlighting infamous collapses like Mt.Gox, Celsius, and FTX. These modern failures echo the 1933 Executive Order 6102, where the US government forcibly seized citizens' gold, banned its use, and then promptly devalued the currency exchanged for it. History shows clearly: trusting others with your wealth means risking losing it all.

"Your keys, your life, don't forget." https://wavlake.com/track/fbd9b46d-56fc-4496-bc4b-71dec2043705

09. "One Language" critiques the thousands of cryptocurrencies claiming to be revolutionary. Like languages, while anyone can invent one, getting people to actually use it is another story. Most of these cryptos are just affinity scams, centralized towers built on shaky foundations. Drawing from The Bitcoin Standard, the song argues money naturally gravitates toward a single unit, a universal language understood by all. When the dust settles, only genuine, decentralized currency remains.

"One voice speaking loud and clear, the rest will disappear." https://wavlake.com/track/22fb4705-9a01-4f65-9b68-7e8a77406a16

10. "Key To Life" is an anthem dedicated to nostr, the permissionless, unstoppable internet identity protocol. Unlike mainstream social media’s walled gardens, nostr places your identity securely in a cryptographic key, allowing you total control. Every message or action you sign proves authenticity, verifiable by anyone. This ensures censorship resistant communication, crucial for decentralised coordination around Bitcoin, keeping it free from centralised control.

"I got the key that sets me free—my truth is mine, authentically." https://wavlake.com/track/0d702284-88d2-4d3a-9059-960cc9286d3f

11. "Web Of Trust" celebrates genuine human connections built through protocols like nostr, free from corporate algorithms and their manipulative agendas. Instead of top down control, it champions grassroots sharing of information among trusted peers, ensuring truth and authenticity rise naturally. It's about reclaiming our digital lives, building real communities where trust isn't manufactured by machines, but created by people.

"My filter, my future, my choice to make, real connections no one can fake." https://wavlake.com/track/b383d4e2-feba-4d63-b9f6-10382683b54b

12. "Proof Of Work" is an anthem for fair value creation. In Bitcoin, new money is earned through real work, computing power and electricity spent to secure the network. No shortcuts, no favourites. It's a system grounded in natural law: you reap what you sow. Unlike fiat money, which rewards those closest to power and the printing press, Proof of Work ensures rewards flow to those who put in the effort. Paper castles built on easy money will crumble, but real work builds lasting worth.

"Real work makes real worth, that's the law of this earth." https://wavlake.com/track/01bb7327-0e77-490b-9985-b5ff4d4fdcfc

13. "Stay Humble" is a reminder that true wealth isn’t measured in coins or possessions. It’s grounded in the truth that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Real wealth is the freedom to use your life and time for what is good and meaningful. When you let go of the obsession with numbers, you make room for gratitude, purpose, and peace. It's not about counting coins, it's about counting your blessings.

"Real wealth ain't what you own, it's gratitude that sets the tone." https://wavlake.com/track/3fdb2e9b-2f52-4def-a8c5-c6b3ee1cd194

@ 1bc70a01:24f6a411

The heading to be

Testing apps, a tireless quest, Click and swipe, then poke the rest. Crashing bugs and broken flows, Hidden deep where logic goes.

Specs in hand, we watch and trace, Each edge case in its hiding place. From flaky taps to loading spins, The war on regressions slowly wins.

Push the build, review the log, One more fix, then clear the fog. For in each test, truth will unfold— A quiet tale of stable code.

This has been a test. Thanks for tuning in.

• one
• two
• three

---

Listen a chill

Tranquility

And leisure

@ 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/940429

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

Reanalysis: Could the Great Pyramid Function as an Ammonia Generator Powered by a 25GW Breeder Reactor?

Introduction

The Great Pyramid of Giza has traditionally been considered a tomb or ceremonial structure. Yet an intriguing alternative hypothesis suggests it could have functioned as a large-scale ammonia generator, powered by a high-energy source, such as a nuclear breeder reactor. This analysis explores the theoretical practicality of powering such a system using a continuous 25-gigawatt (GW) breeder reactor.

The Pyramid as an Ammonia Generator

Producing ammonia (NH₃) from atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) and hydrogen (H₂) requires substantial energy. Modern ammonia production (via the Haber-Bosch process) typically demands high pressure (~150–250 atmospheres) and temperatures (~400–500°C). However, given enough available energy, it is theoretically feasible to synthesize ammonia at lower pressures if catalysts and temperatures are sufficiently high or if alternative electrochemical or plasma-based fixation methods are employed.

Theoretical System Components:

1. High Heat Source (25GW breeder reactor)
   A breeder reactor could consistently generate large amounts of heat. At a steady state of approximately 25GW, this heat source would easily sustain temperatures exceeding the 450°C threshold necessary for ammonia synthesis reactions, particularly if conducted electrochemically or catalytically.

2. Steam and Hydrogen Production
   The intense heat from a breeder reactor can efficiently evaporate water from subterranean channels (such as those historically suggested to exist beneath the pyramid) to form superheated steam. If coupled with high-voltage electrostatic fields (possibly in the millions of volts), steam electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen becomes viable. This high-voltage environment could substantially enhance electrolysis efficiency.

3. Nitrogen Fixation (Ammonia Synthesis)
   With hydrogen readily produced, ammonia generation can proceed. Atmospheric nitrogen, abundant around the pyramid, can combine with the hydrogen generated through electrolysis. Under these conditions, the pyramid's capstone—potentially made from a catalytic metal like osmium, platinum, or gold—could facilitate nitrogen fixation at elevated temperatures.

Power Requirements and Energy Calculations

A thorough calculation of the continuous power requirements to maintain this system follows:

• Estimated Steady-state Power: ~25 GW of continuous thermal power.
• Total Energy Over 10,000 years: """ Energy = 25 GW × 10,000 years × 365.25 days/year × 24 hrs/day × 3600 s/hr ≈ 7.9 × 10²¹ Joules """

Feasibility of a 25GW Breeder Reactor within the Pyramid

A breeder reactor capable of sustaining 25GW thermal power is physically plausible—modern commercial reactors routinely generate 3–4GW thermal, so this is within an achievable engineering scale (though certainly large by current standards).

Fuel Requirements:

• Each kilogram of fissile fuel (e.g., U-233 from Thorium-232) releases ~80 terajoules (TJ) or 8×10¹³ joules.
• Considering reactor efficiency (~35%), one kilogram provides ~2.8×10¹³ joules usable energy: """ Fuel Required = 7.9 × 10²¹ J / 2.8 × 10¹³ J/kg ≈ 280,000 metric tons """
• With a breeding ratio of ~1.3: """ Initial Load = 280,000 tons / 1.3 ≈ 215,000 tons """

Reactor Physical Dimensions (Pebble Bed Design):

• King’s Chamber size: ~318 cubic meters.
• The reactor core would need to be extremely dense and highly efficient. Advanced engineering would be required to concentrate such power in this space, but it is within speculative feasibility.

Steam Generation and Scaling Management

Key methods to mitigate mineral scaling in the system: 1. Natural Limestone Filtration 2. Chemical Additives (e.g., chelating agents, phosphate compounds) 3. Superheating and Electrostatic Ionization 4. Electrostatic Control

Conclusion and Practical Considerations

Yes, the Great Pyramid could theoretically function as an ammonia generator if powered by a 25GW breeder reactor, using: - Thorium or Uranium-based fertile material, - Sustainable steam and scaling management, - High-voltage-enhanced electrolysis and catalytic ammonia synthesis.

While speculative, it is technologically coherent when analyzed through the lens of modern nuclear and chemical engineering.

See also: nostr:naddr1qqxnzde5xymrgvekxycrswfeqy2hwumn8ghj7am0deejucmpd3mxztnyv4mz7q3qc856kwjk524kef97hazw5e9jlkjq4333r6yxh2rtgefpd894ddpsxpqqqp65wun9c08

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

I was listening to a sermon at my church this weekend on Luke 9. It made me think of these words, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” I’ll start with context on this statement and then show how it applies to the passage we were studying.

They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:20-24) {emphasis mine}

In this story, a desperate father brought his son to Jesus’s disciples for healing, when they failed, he brought the boy to Jesus. He begged for help, but qualified with “But if You can … .” How often do we explicitly or implicitly say this to God in our prayers.

Just as this father believed in Jesus enough to bring his dear child to Jesus, but still had doubts, we tend to be the same. As Christians, we believe that Jesus loved us enough to die on the cross, but do we believe He is always with us? Do we believe He will never leave nor forsake us? Do we believe that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose? I think we can all say, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

We all have highs where we are excited about Jesus and believe He is working in us and through us. We also have lows where we feel distant and wondering if He sees or cares. We need to have that belief of the highs when we are going through the lows.

In Luke 9, Jesus sent out His 12 disciples to share the gospel and heal the sick and possessed. They came back on a high, amazed at the great miracles that Jesus had worked through them.

And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. … When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. (Luke 9:1-2,10) {emphasis mine}

The 12 disciples were on a high. Miracles had been done through their hands and at their word. They felt like they could conquer the world, but this high and great faith did not last very long. Jesus took them away. They thought they were going to spend some private time with Jesus, but that is not what happened. A great crowd ran ahead and met them. Jesus saw their physical and spiritual needs and began to preach and minister to them. It began to get late, so the disciples came to Jesus to ask Him to wrap things up and send the people away so they could eat (like Jesus didn’t know).

Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.” They did so, and had them all sit down. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full. (Luke 9:12-17) {emphasis mine}

Jesus gently guided His disciples, trying to help them see that there was nothing to fear, that He had everything under control, and that nothing is impossible with Him. When He asked them what they had available to feed the crowd, and they just had one young boy’s small lunch, they immediately assumed feeding the crowd was impossible. Jesus then proceeded to feed the 5,000 (5,000 men and an uncounted number of women and children). Yes, Jesus was merciful and fed this hungry crowd, but I believe this feeding was about so much more than meeting the physical needs of the crowd. Notice how every person there ate until they were satisfied. Jesus then had the disciples pick up the leftovers. How much was left over? 12 baskets full. How many disciples was He giving an object lesson to? 12 disciples. Jesus doesn’t do anything by accident. Everything He does is for a reason. (In the same way everything He allows to happen to us is for a good reason.) He did what the disciples thought was impossible, He fed the huge crowd, but even more, He had one basketful leftover for each disciple. This was a personal message to each of His disciples.

When Jesus sent them out with the command to share the Gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons, they went out with faith and returned with even greater faith “I believe,” but then the day after they returned, their faith waivered again. They needed to cry out, “help my unbelief.” Jesus empowered and guided them both in their belief and in their unbelief. He most definitely helped their unbelief and will do the same for us.

Our Father, please help us to have faith in good times and in bad. Help us to believe with all of our heart, mind, and soul. We believe that you are God and we believe that Jesus came down to earth to live the perfect life that we are unable to live, died to receive the punishment we deserved, and was raised to life on the third day. Believe that the Holy Spirit lives within us empowering and guiding us. We also acknowledge that we have doubts. Please help our unbelief.

Trust Jesus.

@ 9a1adc34:9a9d705b

Testing the concept of using Nostr as a personal CMS.

@ 8d5ba92c:c6c3ecd5

It’s often said that 'Bitcoin doesn’t need marketing'—and the internet proves it well, almost like a daily feed. Instead of typical ads in the form of 'sell-me-anything-and-everything', the space thrives on organic memes and threads: a grassroots testament to Bitcoin ethos.

This isn’t about the artificial promotion of THE TRUMAN SHOW, where desires are manufactured and ads dictate specific behaviours. Bitcoiners don’t just reject the Proof-of-Hype, so typical in a fiat-driven world, they replace it with Proof-of-Work: value emerging not from coercion, but from consensus (i.e., what the community validates as genuine and meaningful).

The "Funny Money" Crew

On the other hand, equally common is the twist with memes labeled 'Bitcoin’s Marketing Team', featuring faces like:

🤡 Jerome Powell (Fed Chair), Christine Lagarde (ECB), Agustín Carstens (BIS chief, CBDC pusher), Janet Yellen (U.S. Treasury Secretary), Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan CEO), Elizabeth Warren (U.S. Senator), and so on.

Sophisticated jokes—appreciated by those who understand their actual impact. After all, what better advertisement for Bitcoin could there be than watching the fiat system degrade in real time? 😎

Why Bring This Up?

First, because I want to remind that Bitcoiners weaponize even simple ideas better than entire Wall Street-hired PR firms. Every "Bitcoin doesn’t need marketing" or "Thanks, Fed for the free promo!" is a clever, almost subversive way of raising topics we should be aware of. Exposing fiat’s failures often speaks louder than directly evangelizing how sound Bitcoin is—and how well it solves problems that keep many non-coiners awake at night.

Second, to credit where it’s due: Bitcoin-only projects and individuals who are actively spreading the word—hard money, real solutions, and the culture itself. But this isn’t 'marketing' in the traditional, pushy, profit-at-all-costs sense. Instead, it’s built on:

• Information (no bullshit, just facts)
• Education (orange-pilling, not upselling)
• Community (value, instead of dry PR)
• Creativity (proof-of-mind, not algo-baits)
• Experiences (how-to solutions, not showing off)

And let’s be clear: Earning money isn’t evil—it’s necessary for these projects to survive. What matters is the intention. No one should apologize for creating Bitcoin-themed ads, so long as they’re carrying the meaning, instead of being rooted in hype.

PoW: Earning Attention, Not Buying It

The list below (part one) is based on my own preferences, but it was also inspired by Bitcoin FilmFest, which—in its upcoming edition #BFF25, May 22-25—introduced a new block to the program: ‘BFF PoWies: The Show for Bitcoin-Only Advertising.’ A dedicated space for creative expression beyond films, where projects and individuals compete for awards in categories like Grand Prix, Best Visual, and Best Identity—with a $4,500 prize pool to grab.

Anyways, as our small but passionate team dug into this topic, I was really happy to uncover unique video ads, some of which I’m excited to share with you now.

If you know others, tag me (private profile) or 'Bitcoin FilmFest' directly on socials. Feel free to submit your work to the PoWies too (submissions close May 6th).

Without further ado... Let's explore the space where value is discovered, not packaged in empty promises 📺👇

Bitcoin-Video Ads: Part One.

Creative, funny, dynamic, inspirational. All four below. Enjoy!

1/. NEVER LOSE YOUR BITCOIN (Liana)

https://v.nostr.build/P7To0HpNmmB6iudR.mp4

2/. MAKE A CHANGE, (Wasabi)

https://v.nostr.build/rUGQAysAIDH8Wx9x.mp4

3/. THE MOTHER OF ALL BACKUPS (Cryptosteel)

https://v.nostr.build/3zesnSjQudQoxl5f.mp4

1. FINANCIAL FALLOUT (21 Futures)

https://v.nostr.build/sFvmt8oCWfxLKJRb.mp4

---

PS. The most effective Bitcoin ads aren't 'typical' campaigns—they're the result of creativity, PoW, and authentic storytelling move hand-in-hand.

BTC Your Mind. Let it Beat... Şela

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

ลอดจ์ในสยาม ในช่วงที่โลกดูเหมือนจะหมุนเร็วขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ เราเริ่มเห็นปรากฏการณ์บางอย่างซ้ำซ้อนคล้ายคลึงกันไปทั่วโลก ผู้นำประเทศพูดเรื่องเดียวกัน การเงินผูกติดกันเหมือนลูกโป่งชะลูดลม การศึกษาเน้นเรื่องเดียวกัน อาหารแปรรูปสูตรเดียวกัน ยาและวัคซีนออกแนวเดียวกัน คนจำนวนมากพอได้ยินคำนี้ ก็มักจะผูกโยงกับ Freemason โดยอัตโนมัติ เหมือนพอพูดถึง “จานบิน” ก็ต้องนึกถึง “มนุษย์ต่างดาว” ไม่รู้ใครเป็นคนกำหนดชุดความเชื่อนี้ไว้ แต่ที่แน่ ๆ มันติดอยู่ในหัวเราหลายสิบปีแล้ว ซึ่งเราเองก็ไม่อาจทราบได้ว่า มันจะเกี่ยวข้องกันจริงๆหรือ?

ถ้ามองแบบเบื้องต้น Freemason คือกลุ่มที่รวมตัวกันตามหลักของ “ภราดรภาพ” (Brotherhood) ซึ่งเริ่มตั้งแต่ยุคยุโรปกลาง โดยมีโครงสร้างแบบลับ–กึ่งลับ จุดร่วมอยู่ที่ “พิธีกรรม” การฝึกจิตวิญญาณ ความเชื่อในสัญลักษณ์ และการสร้างเครือข่ายความร่วมมือในทุกระดับ ตั้งแต่ช่างหิน คนทำตึก ไปจนถึงนักการเมืองระดับสูง ใครที่ได้เข้าไปอยู่ในระบบนี้ จะต้องผ่านการทดสอบหลายขั้น มีการขึ้นระดับ (Degree) และมีลำดับชั้นเหมือนบันได แต่ทั้งหมดก็ยังคงเป็นเรื่องเล่า เพราะ freemason พูดเสมอว่าพวกเขาไม่ใช่องค์กรลับ ไม่ใช่กลุ่มโอกาสในการสร้างเครือข่ายเพื่อธุรกิจ

คำถามที่ถูกถามบ่อยๆคือ แล้วในไทยมีด้วยเหรอ? คำตอบคือ “มี และมีมานานแล้วด้วย” วันนี้เรามาทำความรู้จักกับ Freemason lodge แห่งแรกในไทยกันครับ

ประเทศไทยเริ่มมี “Freemason Lodge” อย่างเป็นทางการตั้งแต่ยุครัชกาลที่ 6 โดยใช้ชื่อว่า “ลอดจ์เซนต์จอห์น” (Lodge St. John) ลำดับทะเบียนคือ No.1072 ตามธรรมนูญสก็อตแลนด์
ปีที่ก่อตั้ง ค.ศ. 1911 ตรงกับ พ.ศ. 2454 สมัยรัชการที่ 6 ต้นสังกัดคือ Grand Lodge of Scotland เป็นลอดจ์แห่งแรกในประเทศไทย และเก่าแก่ที่สุดในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ สมาชิกหลักในยุคแรกจะเป็นชาวอังกฤษ ฝรั่งเศส จีน และขุนนางไทยระดับสูงในราชสำนัก

ลอดจ์นี้ถือเป็น “จุดเริ่มต้นของ Freemason ในไทย” เริ่มต้นจากปี พ.ศ.2411(ค.ศ. 1868) หลังจากที่สยามเปิดประตูรับอิทธิพลจากต่างประเทศ เพื่อความมั่นใจในการอยู่รอดของประเทศจากการล่าอาณานิคม รัชกาลที่ 6 ทรงเชิญฝรั่งเศส อังกฤษ เยอรมัน รัสเซีย เดนมาร์ก อเมริกาและประเทศอื่นๆ ให้ส่งผู้เชี่ยวชาญที่เก่งที่สุดมาสร้างและบริหารหน่วยงานของรัฐบาลต่างๆที่จำเป็นต่อความก้าวหน้าของประเทศในเวลานั้น

บันทึกเกี่ยวกับ Freemason พบในเดือน เมษายน พ.ศ. 2421 (April 1878) ว่ามีการพยายามจัดตั้งลอดจ์อยู่หลายครั้ง แต่ระหว่างนั้นก็ประสบปัญหามากมายอยู่ จนสำเร็จในปี พ.ศ. 2545 (1911) ผ่านเหตุการณ์สำคัญมากมายโดยเฉพาะสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 ซึ่งมีสมาชิกเสรีไทย ภายใต้ Force 136 of the British Special Operations Executive และ the American Office of Strategic Services มาเป็น new gen ritualists ของ freemason

ปัจจุบัน ลอดจ์เซนต์จอห์น ตั้งอยู่ที่ นวมินทร์ 24 ถ้าสนใจเยี่ยมชมกิจกรรมของ freemason ต้องทำการติดต่อล่วงหน้าก่อนทุกกรณีครับ https://maps.app.goo.gl/yA8Qq6NMCXi5S5Z27

และหากต้องการสมัครเป็น freemason เขาต้องตรวจสอบให้แน่ใจว่าแต่ละคนมีเหตุผลที่เหมาะสมในการต้องการเป็น Freemason ว่าเหมาะสมหรือไม่ ผ่านแบบฟอร์มทางเว็บไซท์ จากนั้นจะมีการจัดประชุมกับสมาชิกอาวุโส เพื่อตกลงร่วมกันถึงความเป็น freemason และเมื่อการสัมภาษณ์ผ่านไปได้ด้วยดี เราก็จะได้รับเชิญในการเข้าร่วมงานสังสรรค์ประจำเดือน ซึ่งจัดทุกๆเดือนในวันอังคารที่สาม และจะต้องเข้าร่วมกิจกรรมต่อเนื่องอย่างน้อย 6 เดือน เพื่อที่จะให้พี่น้อง 2 คนในลอดจ์ สนับสนุนการสมัครอย่างเป็นทางการ โดยพี่น้อง 2 คนนั้นจะต้องรับผิดชอบต่อความก้าวหน้าของเรา เพื่อประสบความสำเร็จในการเป็น freemason ด้วยเช่นกัน

การเป็นสมาชิกนั้นจะมีค่าธรรมเนียมรายปีด้วยครับ นอกจากนี้จะต้องใช้เวลาราวๆ 2 ปี เพื่อเรียนจบ 2 degree สำหรับการเป็นเป็น Master Mason อีกด้วย แต่ทั้งหมดต้องอย่าลืมว่า ไม่ใช่แค่สมัครแล้วจะได้เลย มันขึ้นอยู่กับว่า freemason จะรับพิจารณาเราด้วยหรือไม่ครับ

และทั้งหมดนี้คือข้อมูลแบบคร่าวๆมากๆ เกี่ยวกับ freemason lodge แห่งแรกในประเทศไทยครับ

@ c3c7122c:607731d7

Help!

Calling all El Salvador Nostriches! If you currently live in SV, I need your help and am offering several bounties (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 BTC).

In Brief

In short, I am pursuing El Salvador citizenship by birthright (through my grandmother). I’ve struggled to progress because her name varies on different documents. I need someone to help me push harder to get past this barrier, or connect me with information or people who can work on my behalf. I am offering:

• 0.001 BTC (100k sats) for information that will help me progress from my current situation
• 0.01 BTC (1 MM sats) to get me in touch with someone that is more impactful than the immigration lawyer I already spoke with
• 0.1 BTC (10 MM sats) if your efforts help me obtain citizenship for me or my father

Background

My grandma married my grandfather (an American Marine) and moved to the states where my father was born. I have some official and unofficial documents where her name varies in spelling, order of first/middle name, and addition of her father’s last name. So every doc basically has a different name for her. I was connected with an english-speaking immigration lawyer in SV who hit a dead end when searching for her official ID because the city hall in her city had burned down so there was no record of her info. He gave up at that point. I find it odd that it was so easy to change your name back then, but they are more strict now with the records from that time.

I believe SV citizenship is my birthright and have several personal reasons for pursuing this. I want someone to act on my behalf who will try harder to work the system (by appeal, loophole, or even bribe if I have to). If you are local and can help me with this, I’d greatly appreciate any efforts you make.

Cheers!

Corey San Diego

@ 3b3a42d3:d192e325

Atomic Signature Swaps (ASS) over Nostr is a protocol for atomically exchanging Schnorr signatures using Nostr events for orchestration. This new primitive enables multiple interesting applications like:

• Getting paid to publish specific Nostr events
• Issuing automatic payment receipts
• Contract signing in exchange for payment
• P2P asset exchanges
• Trading and enforcement of asset option contracts
• Payment in exchange for Nostr-based credentials or access tokens
• Exchanging GMs 🌞

It only requires that (i) the involved signatures be Schnorr signatures using the secp256k1 curve and that (ii) at least one of those signatures be accessible to both parties. These requirements are naturally met by Nostr events (published to relays), Taproot transactions (published to the mempool and later to the blockchain), and Cashu payments (using mints that support NUT-07, allowing any pair of these signatures to be swapped atomically.

How the Cryptographic Magic Works 🪄

This is a Schnorr signature (Zₓ, s):

s = z + H(Zₓ || P || m)⋅k

If you haven't seen it before, don't worry, neither did I until three weeks ago.

The signature scalar s is the the value a signer with private key k (and public key P = k⋅G) must calculate to prove his commitment over the message m given a randomly generated nonce z (Zₓ is just the x-coordinate of the public point Z = z⋅G). H is a hash function (sha256 with the tag "BIP0340/challenge" when dealing with BIP340), || just means to concatenate and G is the generator point of the elliptic curve, used to derive public values from private ones.

Now that you understand what this equation means, let's just rename z = r + t. We can do that, z is just a randomly generated number that can be represented as the sum of two other numbers. It also follows that z⋅G = r⋅G + t⋅G ⇔ Z = R + T. Putting it all back into the definition of a Schnorr signature we get:

s = (r + t) + H((R + T)ₓ || P || m)⋅k

Which is the same as:

s = sₐ + t where sₐ = r + H((R + T)ₓ || P || m)⋅k

sₐ is what we call the adaptor signature scalar) and t is the secret. ((R + T)ₓ, sₐ) is an incomplete signature that just becomes valid by add the secret t to the sₐ:

s = sₐ + t

What is also important for our purposes is that by getting access to the valid signature s, one can also extract t from it by just subtracting sₐ:

t = s - sₐ

The specific value of t depends on our choice of the public point T, since R is just a public point derived from a randomly generated nonce r.

So how do we choose T so that it requires the secret t to be the signature over a specific message m' by an specific public key P'? (without knowing the value of t)

Let's start with the definition of t as a valid Schnorr signature by P' over m':

t = r' + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅k' ⇔ t⋅G = r'⋅G + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅k'⋅G

That is the same as:

T = R' + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅P'

Notice that in order to calculate the appropriate T that requires t to be an specific signature scalar, we only need to know the public nonce R' used to generate that signature.

In summary: in order to atomically swap Schnorr signatures, one party P' must provide a public nonce R', while the other party P must provide an adaptor signature using that nonce:

sₐ = r + H((R + T)ₓ || P || m)⋅k where T = R' + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅P'

P' (the nonce provider) can then add his own signature t to the adaptor signature sₐ in order to get a valid signature by P, i.e. s = sₐ + t. When he publishes this signature (as a Nostr event, Cashu transaction or Taproot transaction), it becomes accessible to P that can now extract the signature t by P' and also make use of it.

Important considerations

A signature may not be useful at the end of the swap if it unlocks funds that have already been spent, or that are vulnerable to fee bidding wars.

When a swap involves a Taproot UTXO, it must always use a 2-of-2 multisig timelock to avoid those issues.

Cashu tokens do not require this measure when its signature is revealed first, because the mint won't reveal the other signature if they can't be successfully claimed, but they also require a 2-of-2 multisig timelock when its signature is only revealed last (what is unavoidable in cashu for cashu swaps).

For Nostr events, whoever receives the signature first needs to publish it to at least one relay that is accessible by the other party. This is a reasonable expectation in most cases, but may be an issue if the event kind involved is meant to be used privately.

How to Orchestrate the Swap over Nostr?

Before going into the specific event kinds, it is important to recognize what are the requirements they must meet and what are the concerns they must address. There are mainly three requirements:

• Both parties must agree on the messages they are going to sign
• One party must provide a public nonce
• The other party must provide an adaptor signature using that nonce

There is also a fundamental asymmetry in the roles of both parties, resulting in the following significant downsides for the party that generates the adaptor signature:

• NIP-07 and remote signers do not currently support the generation of adaptor signatures, so he must either insert his nsec in the client or use a fork of another signer
• There is an overhead of retrieving the completed signature containing the secret, either from the blockchain, mint endpoint or finding the appropriate relay
• There is risk he may not get his side of the deal if the other party only uses his signature privately, as I have already mentioned
• There is risk of losing funds by not extracting or using the signature before its timelock expires. The other party has no risk since his own signature won't be exposed by just not using the signature he received.

The protocol must meet all those requirements, allowing for some kind of role negotiation and while trying to reduce the necessary hops needed to complete the swap.

Swap Proposal Event (kind:455)

This event enables a proposer and his counterparty to agree on the specific messages whose signatures they intend to exchange. The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{     "give": <signature spec (required)>,     "take": <signature spec (required)>,     "exp": <expiration timestamp (optional)>,     "role": "<adaptor | nonce (optional)>",     "description": "<Info about the proposal (optional)>",     "nonce": "<Signature public nonce (optional)>",     "enc_s": "<Encrypted signature scalar (optional)>" }

The field role indicates what the proposer will provide during the swap, either the nonce or the adaptor. When this optional field is not provided, the counterparty may decide whether he will send a nonce back in a Swap Nonce event or a Swap Adaptor event using the nonce (optionally) provided by in the Swap Proposal in order to avoid one hop of interaction.

The enc_s field may be used to store the encrypted scalar of the signature associated with the nonce, since this information is necessary later when completing the adaptor signature received from the other party.

A signature spec specifies the type and all necessary information for producing and verifying a given signature. In the case of signatures for Nostr events, it contain a template with all the fields, except pubkey, id and sig:

{ "type": "nostr", "template": { "kind": "<kind>"        "content": "<content>"        "tags": [ … ],        "created_at": "<created_at>" } }

In the case of Cashu payments, a simplified signature spec just needs to specify the payment amount and an array of mints trusted by the proposer:

{   "type": "cashu",   "amount": "<amount>",   "mint": ["<acceptable mint_url>", …] }

This works when the payer provides the adaptor signature, but it still needs to be extended to also work when the payer is the one receiving the adaptor signature. In the later case, the signature spec must also include a timelock and the derived public keys Y of each Cashu Proof, but for now let's just ignore this situation. It should be mentioned that the mint must be trusted by both parties and also support Token state check (NUT-07) for revealing the completed adaptor signature and P2PK spending conditions (NUT-11) for the cryptographic scheme to work.

The tags are:

• "p", the proposal counterparty's public key (required)
• "a", a kind:30455 Swap Listing event or an application specific version of it (optional)

Forget about this Swap Listing event for now, I will get to it later...

Swap Nonce Event (kind:456) - Optional

This is an optional event for the Swap Proposal receiver to provide the public nonce of his signature when the proposal does not include a nonce or when he does not want to provide the adaptor signature due to the downsides previously mentioned. The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{     "nonce": "<Signature public nonce>",     "enc_s": "<Encrypted signature scalar (optional)>" }

And the tags must contain:

• "e", a kind:455 Swap Proposal Event (required)
• "p", the counterparty's public key (required)

Swap Adaptor Event (kind:457)

The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{ "adaptors": [ {         "sa": "<Adaptor signature scalar>",         "R": "<Signer's public nonce (including parity byte)>",         "T": "<Adaptor point (including parity byte)>",         "Y": "<Cashu proof derived public key (if applicable)>",     }, …],     "cashu": "<Cashu V4 token (if applicable)>" }

And the tags must contain:

• "e", a kind:455 Swap Proposal Event (required)
• "p", the counterparty's public key (required)

Discoverability

The Swap Listing event previously mentioned as an optional tag in the Swap Proposal may be used to find an appropriate counterparty for a swap. It allows a user to announce what he wants to accomplish, what his requirements are and what is still open for negotiation.

Swap Listing Event (kind:30455)

The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{ "description": "<Information about the listing (required)>", "give": <partial signature spec (optional)>, "take": <partial signature spec (optional)>, "examples: [<take signature spec>], // optional "exp": <expiration timestamp (optional)>, "role": "<adaptor | nonce (optional)>" }

The description field describes the restrictions on counterparties and signatures the user is willing to accept.

A partial signature spec is an incomplete signature spec used in Swap Proposal events kind:455 where omitting fields signals that they are still open for negotiation.

The examples field is an array of signature specs the user would be willing to take.

The tags are:

• "d", a unique listing id (required)
• "s", the status of the listing draft | open | closed (required)
• "t", topics related to this listing (optional)
• "p", public keys to notify about the proposal (optional)

Application Specific Swap Listings

Since Swap Listings are still fairly generic, it is expected that specific use cases define new event kinds based on the generic listing. Those application specific swap listing would be easier to filter by clients and may impose restrictions and add new fields and/or tags. The following are some examples under development:

Sponsored Events

This listing is designed for users looking to promote content on the Nostr network, as well as for those who want to monetize their accounts by sharing curated sponsored content with their existing audiences.

It follows the same format as the generic Swap Listing event, but uses the kind:30456 instead.

The following new tags are included:

• "k", event kind being sponsored (required)
• "title", campaign title (optional)

It is required that at least one signature spec (give and/or take) must have "type": "nostr" and also contain the following tag ["sponsor", "<pubkey>", "<attestation>"] with the sponsor's public key and his signature over the signature spec without the sponsor tag as his attestation. This last requirement enables clients to disclose and/or filter sponsored events.

Asset Swaps

This listing is designed for users looking for counterparties to swap different assets that can be transferred using Schnorr signatures, like any unit of Cashu tokens, Bitcoin or other asset IOUs issued using Taproot.

It follows the same format as the generic Swap Listing event, but uses the kind:30457 instead.

It requires the following additional tags:

• "t", asset pair to be swapped (e.g. "btcusd")
• "t", asset being offered (e.g. "btc")
• "t", accepted payment method (e.g. "cashu", "taproot")

Swap Negotiation

From finding an appropriate Swap Listing to publishing a Swap Proposal, there may be some kind of negotiation between the involved parties, e.g. agreeing on the amount to be paid by one of the parties or the exact content of a Nostr event signed by the other party. There are many ways to accomplish that and clients may implement it as they see fit for their specific goals. Some suggestions are:

• Adding kind:1111 Comments to the Swap Listing or an existing Swap Proposal
• Exchanging tentative Swap Proposals back and forth until an agreement is reached
• Simple exchanges of DMs
• Out of band communication (e.g. Signal)

Work to be done

I've been refining this specification as I develop some proof-of-concept clients to experience its flaws and trade-offs in practice. I left the signature spec for Taproot signatures out of the current document as I still have to experiment with it. I will probably find some important orchestration issues related to dealing with 2-of-2 multisig timelocks, which also affects Cashu transactions when spent last, that may require further adjustments to what was presented here.

The main goal of this article is to find other people interested in this concept and willing to provide valuable feedback before a PR is opened in the NIPs repository for broader discussions.

References

• GM Swap- Nostr client for atomically exchanging GM notes. Live demo available here.
• Sig4Sats Script - A Typescript script demonstrating the swap of a Cashu payment for a signed Nostr event.
• Loudr- Nostr client under development for sponsoring the publication of Nostr events. Live demo available at loudr.me.
• Poelstra, A. (2017). Scriptless Scripts. Blockstream Research. https://github.com/BlockstreamResearch/scriptless-scripts

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

Assumptions

| Factor | Assumption | |--------|------------| | CO₂ | Not considered a pollutant or is captured/stored later | | Water Use | Regulated across all sources; cooling towers or dry cooling required | | Compliance Cost | Nuclear no longer burdened by long licensing and construction delays | | Coal Waste | Treated as valuable raw material (e.g., fly ash for cement, gypsum from scrubbers) | | Nuclear Tech | Gen IV SMRs in widespread use (e.g., 50–300 MWe units, modular build, passive safety) | | Grid Role | All three provide baseload or load-following power | | Fuel Pricing | Moderate and stable (no energy crisis or supply chain disruptions) |

---

Performance Comparison

| Category | Coal (IGCC + Scrubbers) | Natural Gas (CCGT) | Nuclear (Gen IV SMRs) | |---------|-----------------------------|------------------------|--------------------------| | Thermal Efficiency | 40–45% | 55–62% | 30–35% | | CAPEX ($/kW) | $3,500–5,000 | $900–1,300 | $4,000–7,000 (modularized) | | O&M Cost ($/MWh) | $30–50 | $10–20 | $10–25 | | Fuel Cost ($/MWh) | $15–25 | $25–35 | $6–10 | | Water Use (gal/MWh) | 300–500 (with cooling towers) | 100–250 | 300–600 | | Air Emissions | Very low (excluding CO₂) | Very low | None | | Waste | Usable (fly ash, FGD gypsum, slag) | Minimal | Compact, long-term storage required | | Ramp/Flexibility | Slow ramp (newer designs better) | Fast ramp | Medium (SMRs better than traditional) | | Footprint (Land & Supply) | Large (mining, transport) | Medium | Small | | Energy Density | Medium | Medium-high | Very high | | Build Time | 4–7 years | 2–4 years | 2–5 years (with factory builds) | | Lifecycle (years) | 40+ | 30+ | 60+ | | Grid Resilience | High | High | Very High (passive safety, long refuel) |

---

Strategic Role Summary

1. Coal (Clean & Integrated)

• Strengths: Long-term fuel security; byproduct reuse; high reliability; domestic resource.
• Drawbacks: Still low flexibility; moderate efficiency; large physical/logistical footprint.
• Strategic Role: Best suited for regions with abundant coal and industrial reuse markets.

2. Natural Gas (CCGT)

• Strengths: High efficiency, low CAPEX, grid agility, low emissions.
• Drawbacks: Still fossil-based; dependent on well infrastructure; less long-lived.
• Strategic Role: Excellent transitional and peaking solution; strong complement to renewables.

3. Nuclear (Gen IV SMRs)

• Strengths: Highest energy density; no air emissions or CO₂; long lifespan; modular & scalable.
• Drawbacks: Still needs safe waste handling; high upfront cost; novel tech in deployment stage.
• Strategic Role: Ideal for low-carbon baseload, remote areas, and national strategic assets.

---

Adjusted Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)

| Source | LCOE ($/MWh) | Notes | |--------|------------------|-------| | Coal (IGCC w/scrubbers) | ~$75–95 | Lower with valuable waste | | Natural Gas (CCGT) | ~$45–70 | Highly competitive if fuel costs are stable | | Gen IV SMRs | ~$65–85 | Assuming factory production and streamlined permitting |

---

Final Verdict (Under Optimized Assumptions)

• Most Economical Short-Term: Natural Gas
• Most Strategic Long-Term: Gen IV SMRs
• Most Viable if Industrial Ecosystem Exists: Clean Coal

All three could coexist in a diversified, stable energy grid: - Coal filling a regional or industrial niche, - Gas providing flexibility and economy, - SMRs ensuring long-term sustainability and energy security.

@ 3eba5ef4:751f23ae

Crypto Insights

2025 MIT Bitcoin Expo: Spotlight on Freedom Tech

The 12th MIT Bitcoin Expo took place on April 5–6, centering this year’s theme on “Freedom Tech” and how technology can facilitate physical and social liberation.

• Day 1 Recap: Mawarire delivered the keynote speech “Why Freedom Tech Matters,” and Dryja discussed how Bitcoin demonstrates resilience against nation-states. The morning sessions focused on corporate adoption, featuring speakers such as Paul Giordano from Marathon Digital and Bitcoin Core contributors like Gloria Zhao. The afternoon shifted toward more technical topics, including consensus cleanup, poisoning attacks, censorship resistance, and the Bitcoin Pipes protocol.

• Day 2 Recap: The focus shifted to global impact. Mauricio Bartolomeo discussed the exfiltration of resources via Bitcoin, followed by a panel with activists from Venezuela, Russia, and Togo. Technical topics included: scaling self-custody, Steven Roose’s covenant soft fork proposals, the future of freedom tech, quantum resistance, and Tor.

• Links of agenda and replay.

Into Bitcoin Address Poisoning Attacks

In this article, Jameson Lopp highlights the rise of Bitcoin address poisoning attacks—an emerging form of social engineering. Attackers send transactions from newly generated wallets that mimic the beginning and end characters of a target's recently used address. If the target later copies an address from their transaction history, they may unknowingly send funds to the attacker instead of the intended recipient. Though the success rate per attack is low, the low cost of transactions enables attackers to attempt thousands in a short period.

Lopp also argues that such attacks are a byproduct of low transaction fees and that higher fees could deter them. He also suggests wallet-level defenses, such as warnings like, “Oh, this came from a similar looking address,” to help users avoid interaction.

Examining the Mitigation Strategy Against Timewarp Attacks

Timewarp attacks, first identified around 2011, allow a majority of malicious miners to manipulate block timestamps, artificially lower difficulty, and mine blocks every few seconds. The “Great Consensus Cleanup” soft fork proposal can mitigate this by requiring that the first block in a new difficulty period must have a time no earlier than a certain number of minutes before the last block of the previous period.

A report examines the details of this BIP.

Tokenization on Bitcoin: Building a Global Settlement Layer with Taproot Assets and Lightning

Bitcoin’s evolution into a multi-asset platform is accelerating with the advent of Taproot Assets and Lightning Network. The integration of these technologies combines Bitcoin’s decentralization and security with the speed and scalability of the Lightning Network. This report examines how Taproot Assets enable asset issuance, transfers, and swaps on Bitcoin’s base layer, and how the Lightning Network facilitates fast, low-cost transfers of those assets. We compare this approach to earlier attempts at Bitcoin asset issuance and analyze its market potential against other blockchains and traditional payment networks.

Solving Data Availability in Client-Side Validation With UTxO Binding

Issuing tokens on Bitcoin is attractive due to its security and dominance, but its limited functionality creates challenges. Client-side validation (CSV) is a common workaround, using off-chain data with on-chain verification, though it risks data loss and withholding. This paper introduces UTxO binding, a framework that links a Bitcoin UTxO to one on an auxiliary chain, providing data storage and programmability. The authors prove its security and implement it using Nervos CKB.

From State Differences to Scaling: Citrea’s Fee Mechanism for Bitcoin

The Citrea team has designed a new fee mechanism to enhance Bitcoin’s scalability without compromising security. It only records essential state differences (i.e., state slot changes) on the Bitcoin main chain, using zero-knowledge proofs to ensure verifiability and Bitcoin security while drastically reducing state inscription costs. Optimizations include: replacing code field with code_hash, compressing state data using a highly efficient compression algorithm Brotli, and analyzing historical Ethereum block data to estimate each transaction’s impact on cumulative state differences—enabling a discount to each transaction.

Second: A New Ark Implementation Launched on Bitcoin Signet

Second, a protocol based on Ark to improve Bitcoin transaction throughput, has launched Bark, a test implementation on Bitcoin Signet.

Ark makes Bitcoin transactions faster, cheaper, and more private, allowing more users and transactions per block. However, funds stored non-custodially via Ark can expire if unused, making it slightly less trustless than mainchain transactions.

BitLayer Optimizes BitVM Bridge Protocol and Demonstrates on Testnet

Bitlayer BitVM Bridge protocol is an optimized adaptation of the bridge protocol outlined in the BitVM2 paper, to improve efficiency, scalability, and security—especially for high-risk cross-chain transactions.

In this article, two key testnet demos on bitvmnet (a BitVM-dedicated testnet) demonstrate how the protocol can:

• Effectively thwart fraudulent reclaim attempts by brokers.

• Protect honest brokers from malicious or baseless challenges.

Cardano Enables Bitcoin DeFi via BitVMX and Lightning Hydra

Cardano is integrating with Bitcoin through Lightning Hydra and BitVMX to enable secure and scalable Bitcoin DeFi.

Zcash’s Tachyon Upgrade: Toward Scalable Oblivious Synchronization

Zcash has unveiled project Tachyon, a proposal to scale Zcash by changing how wallets sync and prove ownership of notes. Instead of scanning the entire blockchain, wallets track only their own nullifiers and receive succinct proofs from untrusted, oblivious sync servers. Transactions include proofs of wallet state (using recursive SNARKs), allowing nodes to verify them without keeping the full history. Notes are exchanged out-of-band, reducing on-chain data and improving privacy. In the nominal case, users get fast sync, lightweight wallets, and strong privacy, without the need to trust the network.

Podcast | Why the Future of Bitcoin Mining is Distributed

In this podcast, Professor Troy Cross discusses the centralization of Bitcoin mining and argues convincingly for hashrate decentralization. While economies of scale have led to mega mining operations, he sees economic imperative that will drive mining toward a globally distributed future—not dominated by the U.S.—ensuring neutrality and resilience against state-level threats.

Binance Report｜Crypto Industry Map March 2025

This report provides an overview of projects using a framework that divides crypto into four core ecosystems—Infrastructure, DeFi, NFT, and Gaming—and four trending sectors: Stablecoins, RWA, AI, and DeSci.

For infrastructure, five key pillars are identified: scalability & fairness, data availability & tooling, security & privacy, cloud networks, and connectivity. The report also maps out and categorizes the major projects and solutions currently on the market.

Top Reads on Blockchain and Beyond

A Game-Theoretic Approach to Bitcoin’s Valuation in Equilibrium

The author presents a game-theoretic argument for why Bitcoin will emerge as the optimal unit of account in equilibrium. The argument is based upon the observation that a generally agreed upon unit of account that represents a constant share of total wealth (equal to the totality of all other economic utility) will naturally create price signals that passively stabilize the macroeconomy, without requiring external interventi­on.

Bitcoin’s unique properties—finite supply, inertness, fungibility, accessibility, and ownership history—position it as the leading candidate to emerge as this unit.

Neo: Lattice-Based Folding Scheme for CCS Over Small Fields and Pay-Per-Bit Commitments

This paper introduces Neo, a new lattice-based folding scheme for CCS, an NP-complete relation that generalizes R1CS, Plonkish, and AIR. Neo's folding scheme can be viewed as adapting the folding scheme in HyperNova (CRYPTO'24), which assumes elliptic-curve based linearly homomorphic commitments, to the lattice setting. Unlike HyperNova, Neo can use “small” prime fields (e.g., over the Goldilocks prime). Additionally, Neo provides plausible post-quantum security.

Social Scalability: Key to Massive Value Accumulation in Crypto

Social scalability, a concept first proposed by Nick Szabo in his 2017 article Money, Blockchains, and Social Scalability, is further explored in this thread. Here, “social scalability” refers to an institution's ability to allow the maximum number of people to have skin in the game and win. It’s seen as the main reason crypto has become a $2.9T asset class today and a key driver of value accumulation in the coming decade.

The author argues that two critical ingredients for long-term social scalability are credible neutrality and utility. Currently, only BTC and ETH have this potential, yet neither strikes a perfect balance between the two. The author notes that there is not yet a strong narrative around social scalability, and concludes by emphasizing the importance of focusing on long-term value and resisting the temptation of short-term market narratives.

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

A follow-up to nostr:naddr1qqgxxwtyxe3kvc3jvvuxywtyxs6rjq3qc856kwjk524kef97hazw5e9jlkjq4333r6yxh2rtgefpd894ddpsxpqqqp65wuaydz8

This whitepaper, a comparison of baseload power options, explores a strategic policy framework to reduce the cost of next-generation nuclear power by aligning Gen IV Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with national security objectives, public utility management, and a competitive manufacturing ecosystem modeled after the aerospace industry. Under this approach, SMRs could deliver stable, carbon-free power at $40–55/MWh, rivaling the economics of natural gas and renewables.

---

1. Context and Strategic Opportunity

Current Nuclear Cost Challenges

• High capital expenditure ($4,000–$12,000/kW)
• Lengthy permitting and construction timelines (10–15 years)
• Regulatory delays and public opposition
• Customized, one-off reactor designs with no economies of scale

The Promise of SMRs

• Factory-built, modular units
• Lower absolute cost and shorter build time
• Enhanced passive safety
• Scalable deployment

---

2. National Security as a Catalyst

Strategic Benefits

• Energy resilience for critical defense infrastructure
• Off-grid operation and EMP/cyber threat mitigation
• Long-duration fuel cycles reduce logistical risk

Policy Implications

• Streamlined permitting and site access under national defense exemptions
• Budget support via Department of Defense and Department of Energy
• Co-location on military bases and federal sites

---

3. Publicly Chartered Utilities: A New Operating Model

Utility Framework

• Federally chartered, low-margin operator (like TVA or USPS)
• Financially self-sustaining through long-term PPAs
• Focus on reliability, security, and public service over profit

Cost Advantages

• Lower cost of capital through public backing
• Predictable revenue models
• Community trust and stakeholder alignment

---

4. Competitive Manufacturing: The Aviation Analogy

Model Characteristics

• Multiple certified vendors, competing under common safety frameworks
• Factory-scale production and supply chain specialization
• Domestic sourcing for critical components and fuel

Benefits

• Cost reductions from repetition and volume
• Innovation through competition
• Export potential and industrial job creation

---

5. Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) Impact

| Cost Lever | Estimated LCOE Reduction | |------------|--------------------------| | Streamlined regulation | -10 to -20% | | Public-charter operation | -5 to -15% | | Factory-built SMRs | -15 to -30% | | Defense market anchor | -10% |

Estimated Resulting LCOE: $40–55/MWh

---

6. Strategic Outcomes

• Nuclear cost competitiveness with gas and renewables
• Decarbonization without reliability sacrifice
• Strengthened national energy resilience
• Industrial and workforce revitalization
• U.S. global leadership in clean, secure nuclear energy

---

7. Recommendations

• Create a public-private chartered SMR utility
• Deploy initial reactors on military and federal lands
• Incentivize competitive SMR manufacturing consortia
• Establish fast-track licensing for Gen IV designs
• Align DoD/DOE energy procurement to SMR adoption

---

Conclusion

This strategy would transform nuclear power from a high-cost, high-risk sector into a mission-driven, economically viable backbone of American energy and defense infrastructure. By treating SMRs as strategic assets, not just energy projects, the U.S. can unlock affordable, scalable, and secure nuclear power for generations to come.

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

The United States is on the cusp of a historic technological renaissance, often referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Artificial intelligence, automation, advanced robotics, quantum computing, biotechnology, and clean manufacturing are converging into a seismic shift that will redefine how we live, work, and relate to one another. But there's a critical catch: this transformation depends entirely on the availability of stable, abundant, and inexpensive electricity.

Why Electricity is the Keystone of Innovation

Let’s start with something basic but often overlooked. Every industrial revolution has had an energy driver:

• The First rode the steam engine, powered by coal.
• The Second was electrified through centralized power plants.
• The Third harnessed computing and the internet.
• The Fourth will demand energy on a scale and reliability never seen before.

Imagine a city where thousands of small factories run 24/7 with robotics and AI doing precision manufacturing. Imagine a national network of autonomous vehicles, delivery drones, urban vertical farms, and high-bandwidth communication systems. All of this requires uninterrupted and inexpensive power.

Without it? Costs balloon. Innovation stalls. Investment leaves. And America risks becoming a second-tier economic power in a multipolar world.

So here’s the thesis: If we want to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we must first lead in energy. And nuclear — specifically Gen IV Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — must be part of that leadership.

---

The Nuclear Case: Clean, Scalable, Strategic

Let’s debunk the myth: nuclear is not the boogeyman of the 1970s. It’s one of the safest, cleanest, and most energy-dense sources we have.

But traditional nuclear has problems:

• Too expensive to build.
• Too long to license.
• Too bespoke and complex.

Enter Gen IV SMRs:

• Factory-built and transportable.
• Passively safe with walk-away safety designs.
• Scalable in 50–300 MWe increments.
• Ideal for remote areas, industrial parks, and military bases.

But even SMRs will struggle under the current regulatory, economic, and manufacturing ecosystem. To unlock their potential, we need a new national approach.

---

The Argument for National Strategy

Let’s paint a vision:

SMRs deployed at military bases across the country, secured by trained personnel, powering critical infrastructure, and feeding clean, carbon-free power back into surrounding communities.

SMRs operated by public chartered utilities—not for Wall Street profits, but for stability, security, and public good.

SMRs manufactured by a competitive ecosystem of certified vendors, just like aircraft or medical devices, with standard parts and rapid regulatory approval.

This isn't science fiction. It's a plausible, powerful model. Here’s how we do it.

---

Step 1: Treat SMRs as a National Security Asset

Why does the Department of Defense spend billions to secure oil convoys and build fuel depots across the world, but not invest in nuclear microgrids that would make forward bases self-sufficient for decades?

Nuclear power is inherently a strategic asset:

• Immune to price shocks.
• Hard to sabotage.
• Decades of stable power from a small footprint.

It’s time to reframe SMRs from an energy project to a national security platform. That changes everything.

---

Step 2: Create Public-Chartered Operating Companies

We don’t need another corporate monopoly or Wall Street scheme. Instead, let’s charter SMR utilities the way we chartered the TVA or the Postal Service:

• Low-margin, mission-oriented.
• Publicly accountable.
• Able to sign long-term contracts with DOD, DOE, or regional utilities.

These organizations won’t chase quarterly profits. They’ll chase uptime, grid stability, and national resilience.

---

Step 3: Build a Competitive SMR Industry Like Aerospace

Imagine multiple manufacturers building SMRs to common, certified standards. Components sourced from a wide supplier base. Designs evolving year over year, with upgrades like software and avionics do.

This is how we build:

• Safer reactors
• Cheaper units
• Modular designs
• A real export industry

Airplanes are safe, affordable, and efficient because of scale and standardization. We can do the same with reactors.

---

Step 4: Anchor SMRs to the Coming Fourth Industrial Revolution

AI, robotics, and distributed manufacturing don’t need fossil fuels. They need cheap, clean, continuous electricity.

• AI datacenters
• Robotic agriculture
• Carbon-free steel and cement
• Direct air capture
• Electric industrial transport

SMRs enable this future. And they decentralize power, both literally and economically. That means jobs in every region, not just coastal tech hubs.

---

Step 5: Pair Energy Sovereignty with Economic Reform

Here’s the big leap: what if this new energy architecture was tied to a transparent, auditable, and sovereign monetary system?

• Public utilities priced in a new digital dollar.
• Trade policy balanced by low-carbon energy exports.
• Public accounting verified with open ledgers.

This is not just national security. It’s monetary resilience.

The world is moving to multi-polar trade systems. Energy exports and energy reliability will define economic influence. If America leads with SMRs, we lead the conversation.

---

Conclusion: A Moral and Strategic Imperative

We can either:

• Let outdated fears and bureaucracy stall the future, or...
• Build the infrastructure for clean, secure, and sovereign prosperity.

We have the designs.
We have the talent.
We have the need.

What we need now is will.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution will either be powered by us—or by someone else. Let’s make sure America leads. And let’s do it with SMRs, public charter, competitive industry, and national purpose.

It’s time.

---

This is a call to engineers, legislators, veterans, economists, and every American who believes in building again. SMRs are not just about power. They are about sovereignty, security, and shared prosperity.

---

Further reading:

nostr:naddr1qqgrjv33xenx2drpve3kxvrp8quxgqgcwaehxw309anxjmr5v4ezumn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tczyrq7n2e62632km9yh6l5f6nykt76gzkxxy0gs6agddr9y95uk445xqcyqqq823cdzc99s

@ dbc27e2e:b1dd0b0b

This method focuses on the amount of water in the first pour, which ultimately defines the coffee’s acidity and sweetness (more water = more acidity, less water = more sweetness). For the remainder of the brew, the water is divided into equal parts according to the strength you wish to attain.

Dose:

20g coffee (Coarse ground coffee)
300mL water (92°C / 197.6°F)
Time: 3:30

Instructions:

1. Pour 1: 0:00 > 50mL (42% of 120mL = 40% of total – less water in the ratio, targeting sweetness.)
2. Pour 2: 0:45 > 70mL (58% of 120mL = 40% of total – the top up for 40% of total.)
3. Pour 3: 1:30 > 60mL (The remaining water is 180mL / 3 pours = 60mL per pour)
4. Pour 4: 2:10 > 60mL
5. Pour 5: 2:40 > 60mL
6. Remove the V60 at 3:30

@ c3e23eb5:03d7caa9

The issue I have with the term "mesh networks" is that it is associated with a flat network topology. While I love the idea of avoiding hierarchy, this simply doesn't scale.

Data Plane: How the Internet Scales

The internet on the scales because it has a tree like structure. As you can see in the diagram below, global (tier 1) ISPs branch out to national (tier 2) ISPs who in turn branch out to local (tier 3) ISPs. ``` ,-[ Tier 1 ISP (Global) ]─-───────[ Tier 1 ISP (Global) ] / |
/ ▼
[IXP (Global)]═══╦═══[IXP (Global)]
║
Tier 2 ISP (National)◄──────────╗
/ \ ║
▼ ▼ ║
[IXP (Regional)]════╬══[IXP (Regional)] ║
/ \ ║
▼ ▼ ║
Tier 3 ISP (Local) Tier 3 ISP (Local) ║
| | ║
▼ ▼ ▼
[User] [User] [Enterprise]

▲ IXPs are physical switch fabrics - members peer directly ▲ Tier 1/2 ISPs provide transit through IXPs but don't control them ```

This structure also reflects in IP addresses, where regional traffic gets routed by regional tiers and global traffic keeps getting passed up through gateways till it reaches the root of the tree. The global ISP then routes the traffic into the correct branch so that it can trickle down to the destination IP at the bottom. 12.0.0.0/8 - Tier 1 manages routing (IANA-allocated) └─12.34.0.0/16 - Tier 2 allocated block (through RIR) └─12.34.56.0/24 - Tier 3 subnet via upstream provider ├─12.34.56.1 Public IP (CGNAT pool) └─192.168.1.1 Private IP (local NAT reuse)

Balancing idealism with pragmatism

This approach to scaling is much less idealistic than a flat hierarchy, because it relies on an authority (IANA) to assign the IP ranges to ISPs through Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). Even if this authority wasn't required, the fact that many users rely on few Tier 1 ISPs means that the system is inherently susceptible to sabotage (see 2019 BGP leak incident).

Control Plane: the internet is still described as decentralised

The internet is still described as decentralised because there is a flat hierarchy between tier 1 ISPs at the root of the tree. ``` INTERNET CORE (Tier 1 ISPs)

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AT&T (AS7018) <══════════> Deutsche Telekom (AS3320) ║ ╔════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╚══>║ NTT (AS2914) ║<══╝ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╚═══════> Lumen (AS3356) ║ ║ ╚════╩════════════> Telia (AS1299) ```

The border gateway protocol (BGP) is used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems (ISPs). Each autonomous system is a branch of the "internet tree" and each autonomous system advertises routes to downstream autonomous systems (branches). However, the autonomous systems at the root of the tree also maintain a record of their piers, so that they can forward traffic to the correct peer. Hence, the following is a more complete diagram of the internet: INTERNET CORE (TIER 1 MESH) ╔══════════════╦═════════════╦════════╦═════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ AT&T (AS7018) <══╬══> Lumen (AS3356) <══╬══> NTT (AS2914) ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╚══> Telia (AS1299) <══╝ ║ ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════╝ ║ ║ ╚═> Deutsche Telekom (AS3320) <═╝ ║ TREE HIERARCHY BELOW - MESH ABOVE ║ ▼ [ Tier 1 ISP ]───────────────────┐ / | | / ▼ ▼ [IXP]═══╦═══[IXP] [IXP] ║ ║ ▼ ▼ Tier 2 ISP◄──────────╗ Tier 2 ISP◄───────╗ / \ ║ / \ ║ ▼ ▼ ║ ▼ ▼ ║ [IXP]═╦[IXP] ║ [IXP]═╦[IXP] ║ / \ ║ / \ ║ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Tier 3 ISP User Tier 3 ISP Enterprise

So its a mesh network - whats wrong with that?

In the example above, NTT can only send traffic to Deutsche Telekom via Lumen or AT&T. NTT relies on its peers to maintain a correct record of the IP range that they are responsible for, so that traffic that was intended for Deutsche Telekom doesn't end up in the wrong network. An intentional or even accidental error in an autonomous system's routing tables can be detrimental to the flow of traffic through the network.

Hence, mesh networks require: * Reliability: peers rely on each-other not to fail (e.g., 2019 AWS US-East-1 availability) * Trust: peers must be honest about address ranges (e.g., 2018 BGP hijacking incident) * Central planning: BGP traffic engineering determines which route a packet takes

Application Layer Innovations

Now that we have a rough overview of how the internet is broken, lets think about what can still be done. The flat hierarchy that we associate with mesh networks sounds beautiful, but it doesn't scale. However, the tree-like structure assumes that most participants in the network rely on an authority to give them an address or a range of addresses so that they can communicate.

Overlay networks

Fortunately all it takes to interact with someone on nostr is their public key. The recipients client will render your signed and/or encrypted event no matter how it reaches them. Whether your note reaches them over the internet, over some other network or via a carrier pigeon doesn't matter. nostr:npub1hw6amg8p24ne08c9gdq8hhpqx0t0pwanpae9z25crn7m9uy7yarse465gr is working on a NIP for that and I'm sure he will share an explanation of how it works.

Bitcoin Instead of a Routing Algorithm

Now that we have digital bearer assets (e-cash), users can pay their internet gateway (TollGate) for access to the internet even though they are still offline. Once the TollGate has redeemed the e-cash, it gives the user access to the internet.

Frictionless Switching between ISPs (TollGates)

Legacy internet service providers use KYC money (fiat) to transfer the cost of the infrastructure to their users. However, this means that they are able to identify which packet belongs to which user. The KYC nature of their interaction with the users also makes it difficult for users to switch ISPs when service providers undercut each-other. Internet users who are on e-cash rails can hop between ISPs frictionlessly since they buy small amounts of data frequently in a granular manner.

Users that have access to independent competing TollGates can switch between them freely, so its impossible for any one TollGate to prevent a user from connecting to the internet. The only thing a TollGate can do is attract traffic by providing cheaper and/or faster internet access.

Anyone can arbitrage connectivity

Now that users have non KYC internet, there is nothing stopping them from reselling access to their internet connection. Anyone who has a WiFi router and access to a cheap internet connection can act as a range extender by re-selling access to that gateway for people who aren't able to connect directly.

Now the route that the traffic takes through the network is determined dynamically by the markets. The individual TollGate operators select their gateways and set their prices when they create a business model. The customers select the route that best meets their needs by selecting a gateway for their next purchase.

@ 554ab6fe:c6cbc27e

We all live with our bodies every day, but do we truly experience them? Does this experience of the body have a broader consequence on our interpretation of life and our experience of well-being? The ability to experience the sensations of the body is known as interoception, and mindfulness meditation seems to be a powerful way of enhancing this ability. Enhanced interoception may not just result in a better understanding of the body, but may lead to a general increase in subjective well-being. Furthermore, it also may be indicative of a broader truth about how we can reach a more profound level of consciousness.

In a previous post, I began an exploration into possible reasons why those who meditate claim to achieve an altered form of consciousness. I mentioned that across enlightenment-related research, there is a common experience and interpretation of being one with everything during these altered or heightened states. I proposed that this interpretation of reality was achieved through an improved capability of the brain to process incoming information. The argument stems from the idea that the brain is constantly receiving signals from internal and external stimuli, trying to interpret those signals using previous experiences and predicted models (Seth, 2013). The interpretation created, in part, manifests itself as our conscious reality. I used an analogy of a calm pond to describe a possible consequence of this neuroscientific idea: imagine the brain as this pond, where incoming signals can be thought of as raindrops. When a single raindrop falls upon a pond, the ripples created are distinct. It is incredibly easy to determine how big the raindrop was, where it dropped, and came from, etc. However, if there is a massive rainstorm, then it is almost impossible to interpret all the intersecting ripples, and it is very hard to understand the “information” of each raindrop. This is analogous to how our brains work. The busier the incoming signals, the more difficult it is to interpret the reality of what is happening. This would also be true for the signals within the brain manifested by our thoughts and ruminations. Therefore, the calmer the pond/brain, the clearer and more accurate understanding of our world, and ourselves, is achieved. Meditation may be a method to achieve this heightened state of awareness. I find this idea profoundly interesting, and so my goal is to further explore this idea using scientific evidence as support.

To further explore and verify this idea, I felt it was important to research interoception. If this idea holds water, then it should be observed that meditation allows an individual to achieve a better understanding of incoming stimuli, both internal and external. In this post, I will explore the ability to interpret internal stimuli, which is known as interoception.

A quick note before I continue: As I began researching this topic, I found that the study of interoception was quite complex. The research is constantly evolving, and previous notions are quickly dismissed as the research progresses. Therefore, much of the research presented is speculative, and surely not indicative of definitive truth. Nothing you ever read is definitive of course, but I find that this is especially true here. Regardless, it will adequately depict the fascinating nature of our bodies and the processes involved in interpreting ourselves and reality, hopefully highlighting how important interoception is, and how poorly it is understood.

Understanding the Different Senses

To begin, an outline of our body’s senses is required. Classically speaking, the senses are defined as teloreception (vision and hearing), proprioception (limb position), exteroception (touch), chemoreception (smell and taste), and interoception (sensations from the internal organs)(A. D. Craig, 2002). In this classical definition, sensations of pain, temperature, and itches belonged to the family of touch/exteroception (A. D. Craig, 2002). Therefore, the line between the stimuli from the outside world is clearly defined and separated from the stimuli coming from inside the body. However, more recent findings suggest that temperature, pain, and itch are distinct from touch because they are associated with different neuronal pathways, and the experiences of these sensations seem to rely upon post-processing (A. D. Craig, 2002, 2003). In other words, the experience of these stimuli is more related to the mind than pure touch is. Additionally, interoception is also being redefined. The lamina I spinothalamocortical system is one of the major neuronal pathways that provide the brain with interoceptive signals (A. D. Craig, 2002, 2003). This nerve, across multiple studies, has been shown to not just send signals regarding the organs, but a sense of the condition of the entire body as well (A. D. Craig, 2002). Therefore, interoception encompasses the general feelings we have about the body’s state of being including, but not limited to, thirst, hunger, penile stimulation, exercise/exhaustion, and the condition of our organs such as bladder, stomach, etc. (A. D. B. Craig, 2009). To further complicate things, some researchers have attempted to distinguish between different aspects of interoception (Garfinkel et al., 2015):

• interoceptive accuracy – “Objective accuracy in detecting internal bodily sensations” • interoceptive sensibility – “Self-perceived dispositional tendency to be internally self-focused and interoceptively cognizant” • interoceptive awareness – “Metacognitive awareness of interoceptive accuracy”

Here, the ability to accurately detect signals and the subjective belief of one’s accuracy is differentiated. The interoceptive awareness evaluates if your subjective confidence in your ability to sense the signals coincides with the true ability. Therefore, the mind and our subjective evaluation of our signals are incredibly related to our perceived understanding. For this reason, the neuroscience of interoception should be explored, to gain a better understanding of how it works. The two brain areas that are involved in interoception and that will be discussed here are: the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

Insula

The insula is located deep within the cerebral cortex, and likely plays the most important role in interoception. The insula, especially the anterior portion of the insula, is thought to be involved in bodily and emotional awareness (Giuliani et al., 2011). It plays a major role in interoception and the sensations of internal physical states (Fox et al., 2014; Wolf E. Mehling et al., 2012). Not only is it integral to generating mental images of the internal state, but it is required for the motivation to make reactions based upon the interpretation, which subsequently affect the quality of life and survival (Craig, 2002). Consequentially, it plays a predictive role in awareness and decision-making (Craig, 2009). Therefore, falling in line with the idea that consciousness is the product of the predictive model generating nature of the brain to understanding and interpret incoming stimuli, the insula is thought to be a major seat of human consciousness and awareness of self-hood (Craig, 2009; Fox et al., 2014; Seth, 2013). Already, there is a clear connection between interoception, body awareness, and consciousness within the scientific literature.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

The other brain region heavily involved in interoception is the ACC. Where the insula largely is involved in the processing of the signal, the ACC is more involved with the response to the signal (Craig, 2002). In other words, the insula is related to the limbic sensory cortex, whereas the ACC is associated with the limbic motor cortex (Craig, 2002). Most recent studies have also shown that the ACC and insula are co-activated when a person experiences feelings (Craig, 2002, 2009). For example, both brain regions are involved in the sensation of the intensity and unpleasantness of pain (Grant et al., 2011). This provides further evidence that interoception is both a feeling and a motivation (Craig, 2009). Additionally, this enhances the argument that our interpretations and feelings from our internal environment are there for survival. It supports the idea that our brain is organized in a way that makes predictions, generates a conscious experience, that then elicits a reaction for the continuation of life.

Meditation and Interoception

Interoception involves more than just sensory information. It influences our feelings, and our understanding of our body, self, and the surrounding world. This understanding and experience of the self are seemingly influenced by the practice of meditation. Not only is this idea espoused in the east, but recent research has also indicated that increased mindfulness is correlated with increase interoceptive awareness (de Jong et al., 2016; Farb et al., 2010; Hanley et al., 2017). The exact mechanisms to how this occurs are still unclear. However, fMRI studies have shown that mindfulness meditation seems to increase activation in the insula (Farb et al., 2010). This may indicate that mindfulness promotes neurogenesis in areas that promote interoception. On that same note, the cognitive practices of mindfulness meditation may promote a mental framework that is helpful towards interoception. Mindfulness meditation involves orienting one’s attention to their immediate experience and becoming aware of all incoming stimuli with an open, curious, non-reactive, and non-judgmental interpretation (Bishop et al., 2004). This process helps generate a feeling of safety within the body, and the individual learns to interpret thoughts not as concrete objects of reality, but simply as thoughts that come and go within the mind. Researchers have found evidence to suggest that the non-reactivity obtained through meditation practice is closely linked to the ability to sustain attention towards bodily sensations (Hanley et al., 2017). This concept closely links to the idea that the calmer the mind is, the better the brain can process incoming information. This article brings forward evidence that the brain, with a calmer mind, can process interoceptive information better.

Consciousness

An interesting observation amongst interoceptive research is that an increase in interoceptive awareness is negatively correlated with emotional distress, hence an increase in subjective well-being is achieved (Hanley et al., 2017; W E Mehling et al., 2012). This is further supported by the observation that sadness is correlated with decreased activation of the insula and ACC, the brain regions involved in interoception (Farb et al., 2010). The relationship between the ability to be aware of the internal signals of the body and our mental well-being is very interesting. It suggests that not only does a calm mind generate a greater ability to understand the inner body, but it generates a more positive orientation to said experience. Additionally, it may be possible that this positive outlook spills over into other aspects of life beyond the interpretation of the self. Perhaps the calmer mind generates an accurate and positive outlook on all information received. This is perhaps why those who are expert meditators seem to be so peaceful, loving, and have a feeling of unity amongst everything.

The way we interpret information influences our experience of both ourselves and the world. Being aware of the body and its sensations in a non-judgmental way, creates a general sense of well-being. This may be indicative of a deeper philosophical idea: that the calmer the mind, the more capable the brain can interpret and understand information. This would not only provide a more accurate depiction of reality but provide a more profound understanding of it. Leading to a perspective of the world that is more positive, and potentially more oriented around the idea that we are all one. I cannot claim this is true. Nonetheless, it will be a concept that I will continue to explore. Regardless, it does seem to be the case that mindfulness meditation is capable of increasing interoception and therefore well-being. This being the case, I highly recommend that anyone interested in this topic incorporates mindfulness practice into their life. Reading and thinking about these ideas are all well and good, but to achieve full understanding, one must practice and experience it for themselves.

References

Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., Segal, Z. v., Abbey, S., Speca, M., Velting, D., & Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: A Proposed Operational Definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph077

Craig, A. D. (2002). How do you feel? Nature Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308095062

Craig, A. D. (2003). Interoception: The sense of the physiological condition of the body. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 13(4), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-4388(03)00090-4

Craig, A. D. (2009). How do you feel — now? The anterior insula and human awareness. 10(January).

de Jong, M., Lazar, S. W., Hug, K., Mehling, W. E., Hölzel, B. K., Sack, A. T., Peeters, F., Ashih, H., Mischoulon, D., & Gard, T. (2016). Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on body awareness in patients with chronic pain and comorbid depression. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(JUN). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00967

Farb, N. A. S., Anderson, A. K., Mayberg, H., Bean, J., McKeon, D., & Segal, Z. v. (2010). Minding One’s Emotions: Mindfulness Training Alters the Neural Expression of Sadness. Emotion, 10(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017151

Fox, K. C. R., Nijeboer, S., Dixon, M. L., Floman, J. L., Ellamil, M., Rumak, S. P., Sedlmeier, P., & Christoff, K. (2014). Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 48–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.016

Garfinkel, S. N., Seth, A. K., Barrett, A. B., Suzuki, K., & Critchley, H. D. (2015). Knowing your own heart: Distinguishing interoceptive accuracy from interoceptive awareness. Biological Psychology, 104, 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.11.004

Giuliani, N. R., Drabant, E. M., Bhatnagar, R., & Gross, J. J. (2011). Emotion regulation and brain plasticity: Expressive suppression use predicts anterior insula volume. NeuroImage, 58(1), 10–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEUROIMAGE.2011.06.028

Grant, J. A., Courtemanche, J., & Rainville, P. (2011). A non-elaborative mental stance and decoupling of executive and pain-related cortices predicts low pain sensitivity in Zen meditators. Pain, 152(1), 150–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.006

Hanley, A. W., Mehling, W. E., & Garland, E. L. (2017). Holding the body in mind: Interoceptive awareness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 99, 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.05.014

Mehling, W E, Price, C., Daubenmier, J. J., Acree, M., & Bartmess, E. (2012). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). PLoS ONE, 7(11), 48230. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048230

Mehling, Wolf E., Price, C., Daubenmier, J. J., Acree, M., Bartmess, E., & Stewart, A. (2012). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). PLoS ONE, 7(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048230

Seth, A. K. (2013). Interoceptive inference, emotion, and the embodied self. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(11), 565–573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2013.09.007

@ 0fa80bd3:ea7325de

DAOs promised decentralization. They offered a system where every member could influence a project's direction, where money and power were transparently distributed, and decisions were made through voting. All of it recorded immutably on the blockchain, free from middlemen.

But something didn’t work out. In practice, most DAOs haven’t evolved into living, self-organizing organisms. They became something else: clubs where participation is unevenly distributed. Leaders remained - only now without formal titles. They hold influence through control over communications, task framing, and community dynamics. Centralization still exists, just wrapped in a new package.

But there's a second, less obvious problem. Crowds can’t create strategy. In DAOs, people vote for what "feels right to the majority." But strategy isn’t about what feels good - it’s about what’s necessary. Difficult, unpopular, yet forward-looking decisions often fail when put to a vote. A founder’s vision is a risk. But in healthy teams, it’s that risk that drives progress. In DAOs, risk is almost always diluted until it becomes something safe and vague.

Instead of empowering leaders, DAOs often neutralize them. This is why many DAOs resemble consensus machines. Everyone talks, debates, and participates, but very little actually gets done. One person says, “Let’s jump,” and five others respond, “Let’s discuss that first.” This dynamic might work for open forums, but not for action.

Decentralization works when there’s trust and delegation, not just voting. Until DAOs develop effective systems for assigning roles, taking ownership, and acting with flexibility, they will keep losing ground to old-fashioned startups led by charismatic founders with a clear vision.

We’ve seen this in many real-world cases. Take MakerDAO, one of the most mature and technically sophisticated DAOs. Its governance token (MKR) holders vote on everything from interest rates to protocol upgrades. While this has allowed for transparency and community involvement, the process is often slow and bureaucratic. Complex proposals stall. Strategic pivots become hard to implement. And in 2023, a controversial proposal to allocate billions to real-world assets passed only narrowly, after months of infighting - highlighting how vision and execution can get stuck in the mud of distributed governance.

On the other hand, Uniswap DAO, responsible for the largest decentralized exchange, raised governance participation only after launching a delegation system where token holders could choose trusted representatives. Still, much of the activity is limited to a small group of active contributors. The vast majority of token holders remain passive. This raises the question: is it really community-led, or just a formalized power structure with lower transparency?

Then there’s ConstitutionDAO, an experiment that went viral. It raised over $40 million in days to try and buy a copy of the U.S. Constitution. But despite the hype, the DAO failed to win the auction. Afterwards, it struggled with refund logistics, communication breakdowns, and confusion over governance. It was a perfect example of collective enthusiasm without infrastructure or planning - proof that a DAO can raise capital fast but still lack cohesion.

Not all efforts have failed. Projects like Gitcoin DAO have made progress by incentivizing small, individual contributions. Their quadratic funding mechanism rewards projects based on the number of contributors, not just the size of donations, helping to elevate grassroots initiatives. But even here, long-term strategy often falls back on a core group of organizers rather than broad community consensus.

The pattern is clear: when the stakes are low or the tasks are modular, DAOs can coordinate well. But when bold moves are needed—when someone has to take responsibility and act under uncertainty DAOs often freeze. In the name of consensus, they lose momentum.

That’s why the organization of the future can’t rely purely on decentralization. It must encourage individual initiative and the ability to take calculated risks. People need to see their contribution not just as a vote, but as a role with clear actions and expected outcomes. When the situation demands, they should be empowered to act first and present the results to the community afterwards allowing for both autonomy and accountability. That’s not a flaw in the system. It’s how real progress happens.

@ 147ac18e:ef1ca1ba

In a recent episode of The Survival Podcast, host Jack Spirko presents a contrarian view on the current trade war and tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. Far from being a chaotic or irrational policy, Jack argues that these tariffs are part of a broader strategic plan to rewire the global trade system in America's favor—and to force long-overdue changes in the domestic economy. Here's a breakdown of the core reasons Jack believes this is happening (or will happen) as a result of the tariffs:In a recent episode of The Survival Podcast, host Jack Spirko presents a contrarian view on the current trade war and tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. Far from being a chaotic or irrational policy, Jack argues that these tariffs are part of a broader strategic plan to rewire the global trade system in America's favor—and to force long-overdue changes in the domestic economy. Here's a breakdown of the core reasons Jack believes this is happening (or will happen) as a result of the tariffs:

1. Tariffs Are a Tool, Not the Goal

Jack’s central thesis is that tariffs are not meant to be a permanent fixture—they’re a pressure tactic. The goal isn’t protectionism for its own sake, but rather to reset trade relationships that have historically disadvantaged the U.S. For example, Taiwan responded to the tariffs not with retaliation but by proactively offering to reduce barriers and increase imports from the U.S. That, Jack says, is the intended outcome: cooperation on better terms.

2. Forced Deleveraging to Prevent Collapse

One of the boldest claims Jack makes is that the Trump administration used the tariffs as a catalyst to trigger a “controlled burn” of an over-leveraged stock market. According to him, large institutions were deeply leveraged in equities, and had the bubble popped organically later in the year, it would have required massive bailouts. Instead, the shock caused by tariffs triggered early deleveraging, avoiding systemic failure.

“I’m telling you, a bailout scenario was just avoided... This was intentional.” – Jack Spirko

3. Global Re-shoring and Domestic Manufacturing

Tariffs are incentivizing companies to move production back to the U.S., especially in key areas like semiconductors, energy, and industrial goods. This shift is being further accelerated by global geopolitical instability, creating a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to rebuild small-town America and domestic supply chains.

4. Not Inflationary—Strategically Deflationary

Jack challenges conventional economic wisdom by arguing that tariffs themselves do not cause inflation, because inflation is a function of monetary expansion—not rising prices alone. In fact, he believes this economic shift may lead to deflation in some sectors, particularly as companies liquidate inventory, lower prices to remain competitive, and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

“Rising prices alone are not inflation. Inflation is expansion of the money supply.” – Jack Spirko

5. Energy Costs Will Fall

A drop in global oil prices, partially due to reduced transport needs as manufacturing reshoring increases, plays into the strategy. Jack notes that oil at $60 per barrel weakens adversaries like Russia (whose economy depends heavily on high oil prices) while keeping U.S. production viable. Lower energy costs also benefit domestic manufacturers.

6. The Digital Dollar & Global Dollarization

Alongside this industrial shift, the U.S. is poised to roll out a “digital dollar” infrastructure, giving global access to stablecoins backed by U.S. banks. Jack frames this as an effort to further entrench the dollar as the world’s dominant currency—ensuring continued global demand and export leverage without the need for perpetual military enforcement.

7. A Window of Opportunity for Americans

For individuals, Jack sees this economic transformation as a rare chance to accumulate long-term assets—stocks, Bitcoin, and real estate—while prices are suppressed. He warns that those who panic and sell are operating with a “poverty mindset,” whereas those who stay the course will benefit from what he describes as “the greatest fire sale of productive assets in a generation.”

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Conclusion: Not a Collapse, But a Reset

Rather than viewing tariffs as a harbinger of economic doom, Jack presents them as part of a forced evolution—an uncomfortable but necessary reboot of the U.S. economic operating system. Whether or not it works as intended, he argues, this is not a haphazard policy. It’s a calculated reshaping of global and domestic economic dynamics, and one with enormous implications for trade, energy, inflation, and the average American investor.

@ ba36d0f7:cd802cba

¿Qué es un Jaque Mate?

Jaque mate es la jugada decisiva que termina la partida. Ocurre cuando el rey está bajo amenaza directa (en jaque) y no existe ningún movimiento legal que lo salve: ni capturar la pieza atacante, ni interponer una defensa, ni huir a una casilla segura.

A diferencia de otras piezas, el rey nunca puede ser capturado - su caída sería el fin del juego. Por eso, cuando no hay escape posible, la partida concluye inmediatamente. No es necesario "comerlo", pues su destino ya está sellado.

¿Cómo se llega al mate?
Requiere:

1. Amenaza inminente: Una o más piezas atacando al rey enemigo.

2. Bloqueo total: Todas las casillas de escape controladas por el rival.

3. Sin defensa posible: Ninguna pieza puede interceptar el ataque.

Ejemplo básico: El Mate del Pasillo (con torre o dama en la última fila, donde el rey no puede escapar por estar bloqueado por sus propias piezas).

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1. El primer mandamiento ajedrecístico: Buscar el mate

En una partida, todo movimiento debería comenzar con una pregunta esencial: ¿Existe un jaque mate en esta posición? Tanto para uno mismo como para el rival. Si no lo hay, la partida se desarrolla en torno a la ventaja material o el control posicional. Pero este orden no es arbitrario: un descuido táctico puede arruinar una posición dominante, mientras que un mate pasado por alto significa la derrota inmediata.

Un ejemplo clásico es el Mate del Pastor (1.e4 e5 2.Ac4 Cc6 3.Dh5 Cf6?? 4.Dxf7#). Las blancas ganan porque las negras, al enfocarse únicamente en el desarrollo, ignoraron la amenaza mortal.

➡ Reflexión: En la estrategia, como en la vida, lo urgente (sobrevivir) precede a lo importante (triunfar).

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2. Filosofía del tablero: Cuando las ventajas no bastan

Un rey solitario puede escapar eternamente si el rival no sabe dar mate. De igual forma, en la existencia humana, las ventajas - ya sean talento, recursos o oportunidades - carecen de valor si no se materializan en acciones decisivas.

• ¿De qué sirve dominar el centro del tablero si no se sabe convertir esa ventaja en un ataque?

• ¿De qué sirven los privilegios si no se usan para construir algo significativo?

El ajedrez, al igual que la vida, no premia la acumulación, sino la ejecución.

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3. El instinto de supervivencia: Entre el ataque y la resistencia

El miedo a la derrota desencadena reacciones viscerales: ataques desesperados, defensas obsesivas o incluso abandonos prematuros. Pero estas respuestas también revelan verdades profundas sobre la naturaleza humana:

• Supervivencia no siempre significa violencia: Un rey acorralado puede refugiarse tras sus piezas, como un estratega que elige la paciencia sobre la confrontación. ¿Es cobardía o sabiduría?

• El peligro del ego: La arrogancia ("debo ganar rápido") conduce a errores irreparables. La humildad ("resistiré hasta que el rival se equivoque") puede convertir una derrota anunciada en una salvación.

➡ Reflexión: El tablero no miente. Cada jugada expone los instintos más profundos del jugador: miedo, ambición o templanza.

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Recursos en linea

• Jaque mate - Chess.com https://www.chess.com/es/terms/jaque-mate-ajedrez

• Los 10 mates más rápidos que existen - Chess.com https://www.chess.com/es/article/view/jaques-mates-rapidos-ajedrez

• Aprendiendo a realizar jaque mates básicos - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/iQ5KuZ0y/g87kp3nS

• Ejercicios Mate en 1 - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/buY7UIv2/wze0wPRL

• Patrones de mates - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/HqgY3Z1I/Sv4QhDIb

• Ejercicios Mate en 5 - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/VQEv9Cxr

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article #chess #ajedrez #elsalvador #ajedrezelsalvador #somachess

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

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The new website is finally live! I put in a lot of hard work over the past months on it. I'm proud to say that it's out now and it looks pretty cool, at least to me!

Why rewrite it all?

The old kycnot.me site was built using Python with Flask about two years ago. Since then, I've gained a lot more experience with Golang and coding in general. Trying to update that old codebase, which had a lot of design flaws, would have been a bad idea. It would have been like building on an unstable foundation.

That's why I made the decision to rewrite the entire application. Initially, I chose to use SvelteKit with JavaScript. I did manage to create a stable site that looked similar to the new one, but it required Jav aScript to work. As I kept coding, I started feeling like I was repeating "the Python mistake". I was writing the app in a language I wasn't very familiar with (just like when I was learning Python at that mom ent), and I wasn't happy with the code. It felt like spaghetti code all the time.

So, I made a complete U-turn and started over, this time using Golang. While I'm not as proficient in Golang as I am in Python now, I find it to be a very enjoyable language to code with. Most aof my recent pr ojects have been written in Golang, and I'm getting the hang of it. I tried to make the best decisions I could and structure the code as well as possible. Of course, there's still room for improvement, which I'll address in future updates.

Now I have a more maintainable website that can scale much better. It uses a real database instead of a JSON file like the old site, and I can add many more features. Since I chose to go with Golang, I mad e the "tradeoff" of not using JavaScript at all, so all the rendering load falls on the server. But I believe it's a tradeoff that's worth it.

What's new

• UI/UX - I've designed a new logo and color palette for kycnot.me. I think it looks pretty cool and cypherpunk. I am not a graphic designer, but I think I did a decent work and I put a lot of thinking on it to make it pleasant!
• Point system - The new point system provides more detailed information about the listings, and can be expanded to cover additional features across all services. Anyone can request a new point!
• ToS Scrapper: I've implemented a powerful automated terms-of-service scrapper that collects all the ToS pages from the listings. It saves you from the hassle of reading the ToS by listing the lines that are suspiciously related to KYC/AML practices. This is still in development and it will improve for sure, but it works pretty fine right now!
• Search bar - The new search bar allows you to easily filter services. It performs a full-text search on the Title, Description, Category, and Tags of all the services. Looking for VPN services? Just search for "vpn"!
• Transparency - To be more transparent, all discussions about services now take place publicly on GitLab. I won't be answering any e-mails (an auto-reply will prompt to write to the corresponding Gitlab issue). This ensures that all service-related matters are publicly accessible and recorded. Additionally, there's a real-time audits page that displays database changes.
• Listing Requests - I have upgraded the request system. The new form allows you to directly request services or points without any extra steps. In the future, I plan to enable requests for specific changes to parts of the website.
• Lightweight and fast - The new site is lighter and faster than its predecessor!
• Tor and I2P - At last! kycnot.me is now officially on Tor and I2P!

How?

This rewrite has been a labor of love, in the end, I've been working on this for more than 3 months now. I don't have a team, so I work by myself on my free time, but I find great joy in helping people on their private journey with cryptocurrencies. Making it easier for individuals to use cryptocurrencies without KYC is a goal I am proud of!

If you appreciate my work, you can support me through the methods listed here. Alternatively, feel free to send me an email with a kind message!

Technical details

All the code is written in Golang, the website makes use of the chi router for the routing part. I also make use of BigCache for caching database requests. There is 0 JavaScript, so all the rendering load falls on the server, this means it needed to be efficient enough to not drawn with a few users since the old site was reporting about 2M requests per month on average (note that this are not unique users).

The database is running with mariadb, using gorm as the ORM. This is more than enough for this project. I started working with an sqlite database, but I ended up migrating to mariadb since it works better with JSON.

The scraper is using chromedp combined with a series of keywords, regex and other logic. It runs every 24h and scraps all the services. You can find the scraper code here.

The frontend is written using Golang Templates for the HTML, and TailwindCSS plus DaisyUI for the CSS classes framework. I also use some plain CSS, but it's minimal.

The requests forms is the only part of the project that requires JavaScript to be enabled. It is needed for parsing some from fields that are a bit complex and for the "captcha", which is a simple Proof of Work that runs on your browser, destinated to avoid spam. For this, I use mCaptcha.

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

อะไรคือ Heliotherapy

ถ้าลองหลับตา แล้วนึกถึงคนยุโรปยุคต้นศตวรรษที่ 20 ที่กำลังนอนอาบแดดบนภูเขา ห่มผ้าขนหนูบาง ๆ เปิดผิวให้พระอาทิตย์ลูบไล้ เฮียกำลังนึกถึงภาพของการรักษาโรคอย่างหนึ่งที่เรียกว่า Heliotherapy หรือ การบำบัดด้วยแสงอาทิตย์ ซึ่งเคยเป็นหนึ่งในศาสตร์ทางการแพทย์ที่ถูกยอมรับอย่างเป็นทางการ โดยเฉพาะในยุคที่ยังไม่มี “ยาปฏิชีวนะ”

Heliotherapy ไม่ได้เกิดจากความงมงาย แต่จากหลักฐานจริงจัง โดยเฉพาะผลงานของ ดร.ออกุสต์ โรลเลอร์ (Dr. Auguste Rollier) แพทย์ชาวสวิตเซอร์แลนด์ ผู้บุกเบิกการใช้แสงแดดรักษาผู้ป่วยวัณโรคกระดูกอย่างได้ผลในช่วงต้นศตวรรษที่ 20 เขาก่อตั้ง “โรงพยาบาลแห่งแสงอาทิตย์” บนเทือกเขาแอลป์ โดยให้ผู้ป่วยขึ้นไปอยู่ในที่สูงกว่า 1,500 เมตรเหนือระดับน้ำทะเล แล้วเปิดรับแสงแดดอย่างเป็นระบบ

ที่น่าสนใจคือ โรลเลอร์มีข้อกำหนดชัดเจนว่า ห้ามผู้ป่วยใส่แว่นกันแดดเด็ดขาด เพราะ “ดวงตา” คือหนึ่งในอวัยวะสำคัญที่ต้องรับรังสี UV เพื่อนำข้อมูลไปกระตุ้นต่อมไพเนียลในสมอง ส่งผลต่อวงจรชีวภาพ ฮอร์โมน และระบบภูมิคุ้มกันทั้งหมด ถ้าเราอาบแดดแต่ใส่แว่นดำ เท่ากับปิดประตูสำคัญของระบบบำบัดจากธรรมชาติ

แต่ถ้าย้อนกลับไปก่อนหน้านั้นอีกนิด เราจะเจอ “ต้นฉบับของแนวคิดแสงบำบัด” อยู่ที่ ดร.นีลส์ ฟินเซน (Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen) นายแพทย์ชาวเดนมาร์ก ผู้ได้รับ รางวัลโนเบลสาขาสรีรวิทยาหรือการแพทย์ ในปี ค.ศ. 1903 จากการใช้แสงสว่างในการรักษาโรค Lupus vulgaris ซึ่งเป็นวัณโรคชนิดเรื้อรังที่แสดงออกบนผิวหนัง โดยเขาออกแบบอุปกรณ์ “Finsen Lamp” เพื่อฉายแสงตรงเข้าไปรักษาเซลล์ผิวโดยเฉพาะ และถือเป็นบิดาแห่ง Phototherapy ยุคใหม่

ทำไมแค่ “แดด” ถึงมีฤทธิ์บำบัด? แสงแดดคือคลังยาแห่งธรรมชาติอย่างแท้จริง เพราะประกอบด้วยรังสี UV หลายชนิด โดยเฉพาะ UVB ที่กระตุ้นให้ผิวหนังสร้าง วิตามินดี (Vitamin D3) ซึ่งมีบทบาทเสมือนฮอร์โมนที่ควบคุมระบบภูมิคุ้มกัน การอักเสบ และการดูดซึมแร่ธาตุต่าง ๆ เช่น แคลเซียมและแมกนีเซียม

แต่แดดไม่ได้มีแค่ UV แสงแดดในช่วงเช้ายังเต็มไปด้วยคลื่นแสงสีแดงและอินฟราเรดใกล้ (Near Infrared Light) ซึ่งมีบทบาทสำคัญในการซ่อมแซมไมโทคอนเดรีย—the powerhouse of the cell และช่วยกระตุ้นการหลั่งไนตริกออกไซด์ในหลอดเลือด ทำให้ระบบไหลเวียนโลหิตดีขึ้น ความดันสมดุลขึ้น และฟื้นฟูอวัยวะลึก ๆ ได้อย่างเงียบ ๆ

พูดง่าย ๆ คือ แดดเช้า = เติมแบตชีวภาพ ยิ่งแสงอาทิตย์กระทบผิวเราผ่าน “ดวงตาเปล่า” (โดยไม่ใส่แว่นกันแดดในช่วงเช้า) ก็ยิ่งช่วย “รีเซ็ตนาฬิกาชีวภาพ” ให้เราตื่นตรงเวลา หลับลึกขึ้น และเพิ่มการหลั่งเมลาโทนินในตอนค่ำโดยอัตโนมัติ

ในโลกที่คนวิ่งหาฮอร์โมนจากขวด การนอนตากแดด 10–20 นาทีต่อวัน กลับกลายเป็นเวทมนตร์ราคาถูกที่เรามองข้าม

และงานวิจัยจาก มหาวิทยาลัยเอดินบะระ (University of Edinburgh) ประเทศสกอตแลนด์ ก็ได้ยืนยันว่า แสงแดดมีส่วนช่วยลดความดันโลหิตได้จริง โดยไม่จำเป็นต้องพึ่งวิตามินดีเลยด้วยซ้ำ เพราะเมื่อแสงยูวีจากดวงอาทิตย์สัมผัสผิวหนัง จะกระตุ้นให้เกิดการปลดปล่อย “ไนตริกออกไซด์” (Nitric Oxide) จากชั้นผิวเข้าสู่ระบบหมุนเวียนโลหิต ซึ่งมีผลทำให้หลอดเลือดขยายตัว ความดันโลหิตลดลง และลดความเสี่ยงโรคหัวใจอย่างเห็นผล

นี่แปลว่าแสงแดดไม่เพียงแค่สว่าง แต่มันกำลัง “พูดภาษาเคมี” กับร่างกายเราอย่างเงียบ ๆ ทุกเช้า

ในยุคที่การแพทย์พัฒนาไปสุดทาง เทคโนโลยีผ่าตัดทำได้ถึงระดับนาโนเมตร กลับมีหมอบางคนหันกลับมาบอกว่า “คุณแค่ต้องออกไปรับแดดเช้า” เพื่อให้ร่างกายฟื้นตัวดีกว่าการพึ่งยาเพียงอย่างเดียว ดีไหมหล่ะ แต่ขอโทษทีคุณหมอที่บอกให้ไปตากแดดช่างมีน้อยเหลือเกินเมื่อดูในภาพรวม

Heliotherapy จึงไม่ใช่แค่การอาบแดด แต่คือการกลับไปเชื่อมโยงกับวงจรธรรมชาติ เหมือนคนโบราณที่เคารพดวงอาทิตย์ เพราะเขารู้ว่าพระอาทิตย์ไม่เคยหลอกเรา

ขณะที่ fiat ผลิตเม็ดสีสังเคราะห์และวิตามินปลอม ๆ พระอาทิตย์กลับให้ของจริง โดยไม่เรียกเก็บภาษีด้วย

ใครมีเวลา วันนี้เฮียขอชวนไปยืนรับแสงเช้า 10 นาที ไม่ต้องทำอะไร แค่ยืนเฉย ๆ ให้แสงซึมเข้าตา ซึมลงผิว แล้วฟังเสียงเงียบของร่างกายที่กำลังซ่อมแซมตัวเอง เงียบจนเราอาจได้ยินเสียงหัวใจบอกว่า "ขอบคุณนะ ที่ออกมารับแดดกับฉัน" #SundaySpecialเราจะไปเป็นหมูแดดเดียว #pirateketo #ตำรับเอ๋

@ 0ef78f78:1cc6bede

In a world of relentless change and mounting political chaos, developing a carefully reasoned worldview feels both urgent and indispensable. Modern existence throws us into a tempest of technological leaps, ethical dilemmas, and existential questions, pressing us to find clarity amid the chaos. Philosophy rises to meet this challenge—not as a leisurely diversion, but as a disciplined effort to probe truth and cultivate wisdom.

This blog sets out to invite readers to wrestle with life’s big questions and their relevance now. My aim is to unpack foundational concepts with precision, tying them to the realities of our time. This space is for serious reflection—rigorous yet accessible—where we can scrutinize the beliefs that steer our lives.

Philosophy as Theory Making About Theories I’ve always been struck by an idea from Wilfred Sellars: philosophy is about crafting theories about our theories. It’s a process of stepping back to examine the very frameworks we use to make sense of the world. As Sellars put it, “The aim of philosophy, abstractly formulated, is to understand how things in the broadest possible sense of the term hang together in the broadest possible sense of the term.” To me, this captures philosophy’s essence—it’s not just about asking what we believe, but why we believe it, and how those beliefs hold together. We all operate with answers to life’s deepest questions, whether we’ve thought them through or not, and they form the silent foundation of our worldview.

Here are some of the questions philosophy urges us to confront:

What gives human life its purpose? Are our choices genuinely free, or shaped by unseen forces? How do we discern right from wrong? Is certain knowledge possible, or is truth forever out of reach? What lies beyond death? Is there an ultimate reality or higher power? What makes a life meaningful? These aren’t idle musings—they quietly shape how we act, what we value, and how we see the world. As Socrates cautioned, an unexamined life risks being lived without purpose or understanding. Philosophy, as theory making about theories, pushes us to take charge of our beliefs, testing and refining them through reason.

Why This Matters Now Today, the need for this kind of reflection is sharper than ever. We’re awash in information and clashing viewpoints, each vying for our allegiance. Meanwhile, breakthroughs like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and global connectivity force us to rethink what it means to be human. How do we stay human when machines rival our abilities? How do we judge right and wrong in a world of endless options?

Philosophy equips us to tackle these questions with clarity. It teaches us to pause, question what we assume, and construct thoughtful answers to the problems we face. By engaging in this theory-making process, we gain insight into both the world and ourselves.

Come Along for the Ride This blog is an open call to dive into these ideas together. In the posts to come, I’ll explore philosophical concepts and their real-world stakes, hoping to stir curiosity and conversation. I’m not here to hand out final answers, but to deepen our grasp of the questions—and maybe inspire us to live with more intention.

Philosophy is a journey of discovery, blending intellectual rigor with an embrace of complexity. As we go forward, I’d love for you to join me in this exploration—one that offers not just understanding, but a more deliberate way of being.

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

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Know Your Customer is a regulation that requires companies of all sizes to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship with a customer. Such procedures fit within the broader scope of anti-money laundering (AML) and counterterrorism financing (CTF) regulations.

Banks, exchanges, online business, mail providers, domain registrars... Everyone wants to know who you are before you can even opt for their service. Your personal information is flowing around the internet in the hands of "god-knows-who" and secured by "trust-me-bro military-grade encryption". Once your account is linked to your personal (and verified) identity, tracking you is just as easy as keeping logs on all these platforms.

Rights for Illusions

KYC processes aim to combat terrorist financing, money laundering, and other illicit activities. On the surface, KYC seems like a commendable initiative. I mean, who wouldn't want to halt terrorists and criminals in their tracks?

The logic behind KYC is: "If we mandate every financial service provider to identify their users, it becomes easier to pinpoint and apprehend the malicious actors."

However, terrorists and criminals are not precisely lining up to be identified. They're crafty. They may adopt false identities or find alternative strategies to continue their operations. Far from being outwitted, many times they're several steps ahead of regulations. Realistically, KYC might deter a small fraction – let's say about 1% ^1 – of these malefactors. Yet, the cost? All of us are saddled with the inconvenient process of identification just to use a service.

Under the rhetoric of "ensuring our safety", governments and institutions enact regulations that seem more out of a dystopian novel, gradually taking away our right to privacy.

To illustrate, consider a city where the mayor has rolled out facial recognition cameras in every nook and cranny. A band of criminals, intent on robbing a local store, rolls in with a stolen car, their faces obscured by masks and their bodies cloaked in all-black clothes. Once they've committed the crime and exited the city's boundaries, they switch vehicles and clothes out of the cameras' watchful eyes. The high-tech surveillance? It didn’t manage to identify or trace them. Yet, for every law-abiding citizen who merely wants to drive through the city or do some shopping, their movements and identities are constantly logged. The irony? This invasive tracking impacts all of us, just to catch the 1% ^1 of less-than-careful criminals.

KYC? Not you.

KYC creates barriers to participation in normal economic activity, to supposedly stop criminals. ^2

KYC puts barriers between many users and businesses. One of these comes from the fact that the process often requires multiple forms of identification, proof of address, and sometimes even financial records. For individuals in areas with poor record-keeping, non-recognized legal documents, or those who are unbanked, homeless or transient, obtaining these documents can be challenging, if not impossible.

For people who are not skilled with technology or just don't have access to it, there's also a barrier since KYC procedures are mostly online, leaving them inadvertently excluded.

Another barrier goes for the casual or one-time user, where they might not see the value in undergoing a rigorous KYC process, and these requirements can deter them from using the service altogether.

It also wipes some businesses out of the equation, since for smaller businesses, the costs associated with complying with KYC norms—from the actual process of gathering and submitting documents to potential delays in operations—can be prohibitive in economical and/or technical terms.

You're not welcome

Imagine a swanky new club in town with a strict "members only" sign. You hear the music, you see the lights, and you want in. You step up, ready to join, but suddenly there's a long list of criteria you must meet. After some time, you are finally checking all the boxes. But then the club rejects your membership with no clear reason why. You just weren't accepted. Frustrating, right?

This club scenario isn't too different from the fact that KYC is being used by many businesses as a convenient gatekeeping tool. A perfect excuse based on a "legal" procedure they are obliged to.

Even some exchanges may randomly use this to freeze and block funds from users, claiming these were "flagged" by a cryptic system that inspects the transactions. You are left hostage to their arbitrary decision to let you successfully pass the KYC procedure. If you choose to sidestep their invasive process, they might just hold onto your funds indefinitely.

Your identity has been stolen

KYC data has been found to be for sale on many dark net markets^3. Exchanges may have leaks or hacks, and such leaks contain very sensitive data. We're talking about the full monty: passport or ID scans, proof of address, and even those awkward selfies where you're holding up your ID next to your face. All this data is being left to the mercy of the (mostly) "trust-me-bro" security systems of such companies. Quite scary, isn't it?

As cheap as $10 for 100 documents, with discounts applying for those who buy in bulk, the personal identities of innocent users who passed KYC procedures are for sale. ^3

In short, if you have ever passed the KYC/AML process of a crypto exchange, your privacy is at risk of being compromised, or it might even have already been compromised.

(they) Know Your Coins

You may already know that Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies have a transparent public blockchain, meaning that all data is shown unencrypted for everyone to see and recorded forever. If you link an address you own to your identity through KYC, for example, by sending an amount from a KYC exchange to it, your Bitcoin is no longer pseudonymous and can then be traced.

If, for instance, you send Bitcoin from such an identified address to another KYC'ed address (say, from a friend), everyone having access to that address-identity link information (exchanges, governments, hackers, etc.) will be able to associate that transaction and know who you are transacting with.

Conclusions

To sum up, KYC does not protect individuals; rather, it's a threat to our privacy, freedom, security and integrity. Sensible information flowing through the internet is thrown into chaos by dubious security measures. It puts borders between many potential customers and businesses, and it helps governments and companies track innocent users. That's the chaos KYC has stirred.

The criminals are using stolen identities from companies that gathered them thanks to these very same regulations that were supposed to combat them. Criminals always know how to circumvent such regulations. In the end, normal people are the most affected by these policies.

The threat that KYC poses to individuals in terms of privacy, security and freedom is not to be neglected. And if we don’t start challenging these systems and questioning their efficacy, we are just one step closer to the dystopian future that is now foreseeable.

Edited 20/03/2024 * Add reference to the 1% statement on Rights for Illusions section to an article where Chainalysis found that only 0.34% of the transaction volume with cryptocurrencies in 2023 was attributable to criminal activity ^1

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

Read the original blog post

Over the past few months, I've dedicated my time to a complete rewrite of the kycnot.me website. The technology stack remains unchanged; Golang paired with TailwindCSS. However, I've made some design choices in this iteration that I believe significantly enhance the site. Particularly to backend code.

UI Improvements

You'll notice a refreshed UI that retains the original concept but has some notable enhancements. The service list view is now more visually engaging, it displays additional information in a more aesthetically pleasing manner. Both filtering and searching functionalities have been optimized for speed and user experience.

Service pages have been also redesigned to highlight key information at the top, with the KYC Level box always accessible. The display of service attributes is now more visually intuitive.

The request form, especially the Captcha, has undergone substantial improvements. The new self-made Captcha is robust, addressing the reliability issues encountered with the previous version.

Terms of Service Summarizer

A significant upgrade is the Terms of Service summarizer/reviewer, now powered by AI (GPT-4-turbo). It efficiently condenses each service's ToS, extracting and presenting critical points, including any warnings. Summaries are updated monthly, processing over 40 ToS pages via the OpenAI API using a self-crafted and thoroughly tested prompt.

Nostr Comments

I've integrated a comment section for each service using Nostr. For guidance on using this feature, visit the dedicated how-to page.

Database

The backend database has transitioned to pocketbase, an open-source Golang backend that has been a pleasure to work with. I maintain an updated fork of the Golang SDK for pocketbase at pluja/pocketbase.

Scoring

The scoring algorithm has also been refined to be more fair. Despite I had considered its removal due to the complexity it adds (it is very difficult to design a fair scoring system), some users highlighted its value, so I kept it. The updated algorithm is available open source.

Listings

Each listing has been re-evaluated, and the ones that were no longer operational were removed. New additions are included, and the backlog of pending services will be addressed progressively, since I still have access to the old database.

API

The API now offers more comprehensive data. For more details, check here.

About Page

The About page has been restructured for brevity and clarity.

Other Changes

Extensive changes have been implemented in the server-side logic, since the whole code base was re-written from the ground up. I may discuss these in a future post, but for now, I consider the current version to be just a bit beyond beta, and additional updates are planned in the coming weeks.

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

Read the original blog post

Bitcoin enthusiasts frequently and correctly remark how much value it adds to Bitcoin not to have a face, a leader, or a central authority behind it. This particularity means there isn't a single person to exert control over, or a single human point of failure who could become corrupt or harmful to the project.

Because of this, it is said that no other coin can be equally valuable as Bitcoin in terms of decentralization and trustworthiness. Bitcoin is unique not just for being first, but also because of how the events behind its inception developed. This implies that, from Bitcoin onwards, any coin created would have been created by someone, consequently having an authority behind it. For this and some other reasons, some people refer to Bitcoin as "The Immaculate Conception".

While other coins may have their own unique features and advantages, they may not be able to replicate Bitcoin's community-driven nature. However, one other cryptocurrency shares a similar story of mystery behind its creation: Monero.

History of Monero

Bytecoin and CryptoNote

In March 2014, a Bitcointalk thread titled "Bytecoin. Secure, private, untraceable since 2012" was initiated by a user under the nickname "DStrange"^1^. DStrange presented Bytecoin (BCN) as a unique cryptocurrency, in operation since July 2012. Unlike Bitcoin, it employed a new algorithm known as CryptoNote.

DStrange apparently stumbled upon the Bytecoin website by chance while mining a dying bitcoin fork, and decided to create a thread on Bitcointalk^1^. This sparked curiosity among some users, who wondered how could Bytecoin remain unnoticed since its alleged launch in 2012 until then^2^.

Some time after, a user brought up the "CryptoNote v2.0" whitepaper for the first time, underlining its innovative features^4^. Authored by the pseudonymous Nicolas van Saberhagen in October 2013, the CryptoNote v2 whitepaper^5^ highlighted the traceability and privacy problems in Bitcoin. Saberhagen argued that these flaws could not be quickly fixed, suggesting it would be more efficient to start a new project rather than trying to patch the original^5^, an statement simmilar to the one from Satoshi Nakamoto^6^.

Checking with Saberhagen's digital signature, the release date of the whitepaper seemed correct, which would mean that Cryptonote (v1) was created in 2012^7^, although there's an important detail: "Signing time is from the clock on the signer's computer" ^9^.

Moreover, the whitepaper v1 contains a footnote link to a Bitcointalk post dated May 5, 2013^10^, making it impossible for the whitepaper to have been signed and released on December 12, 2012.

As the narrative developed, users discovered that a significant 80% portion of Bytecoin had been pre-mined^11^ and blockchain dates seemed to be faked to make it look like it had been operating since 2012, leading to controversy surrounding the project.

The origins of CryptoNote and Bytecoin remain mysterious, leaving suspicions of a possible scam attempt, although the whitepaper had a good amount of work and thought on it.

The fork

In April 2014, the Bitcointalk user thankful_for_today, who had also participated in the Bytecoin thread^12^, announced plans to launch a Bytecoin fork named Bitmonero^13^.

The primary motivation behind this fork was "Because there is a number of technical and marketing issues I wanted to do differently. And also because I like ideas and technology and I want it to succeed"^14^. This time Bitmonero did things different from Bytecoin: there was no premine or instamine, and no portion of the block reward went to development.

However, thankful_for_today proposed controversial changes that the community disagreed with. Johnny Mnemonic relates the events surrounding Bitmonero and thankful_for_today in a Bitcointalk comment^15^:

When thankful_for_today launched BitMonero [...] he ignored everything that was discussed and just did what he wanted. The block reward was considerably steeper than what everyone was expecting. He also moved forward with 1-minute block times despite everyone's concerns about the increase of orphan blocks. He also didn't address the tail emission concern that should've (in my opinion) been in the code at launch time. Basically, he messed everything up. Then, he disappeared.

After disappearing for a while, thankful_for_today returned to find that the community had taken over the project. Johnny Mnemonic continues:

I, and others, started working on new forks that were closer to what everyone else was hoping for. [...] it was decided that the BitMonero project should just be taken over. There were like 9 or 10 interested parties at the time if my memory is correct. We voted on IRC to drop the "bit" from BitMonero and move forward with the project. Thankful_for_today suddenly resurfaced, and wasn't happy to learn the community had assumed control of the coin. He attempted to maintain his own fork (still calling it "BitMonero") for a while, but that quickly fell into obscurity.

The unfolding of these events show us the roots of Monero. Much like Satoshi Nakamoto, the creators behind CryptoNote/Bytecoin and thankful_for_today remain a mystery^17^, having disappeared without a trace. This enigma only adds to Monero's value.

Since community took over development, believing in the project's potential and its ability to be guided in a better direction, Monero was given one of Bitcoin's most important qualities: a leaderless nature. With no single face or entity directing its path, Monero is safe from potential corruption or harm from a "central authority".

The community continued developing Monero until today. Since then, Monero has undergone a lot of technological improvements, migrations and achievements such as RingCT and RandomX. It also has developed its own Community Crowdfundinc System, conferences such as MoneroKon and Monerotopia are taking place every year, and has a very active community around it.

Monero continues to develop with goals of privacy and security first, ease of use and efficiency second. ^16^

This stands as a testament to the power of a dedicated community operating without a central figure of authority. This decentralized approach aligns with the original ethos of cryptocurrency, making Monero a prime example of community-driven innovation. For this, I thank all the people involved in Monero, that lead it to where it is today.

If you find any information that seems incorrect, unclear or any missing important events, please contact me and I will make the necessary changes.

Sources of interest

• https://forum.getmonero.org/20/general-discussion/211/history-of-monero
• https://monero.stackexchange.com/questions/852/what-is-the-origin-of-monero-and-its-relationship-to-bytecoin
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monero
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=583449.0
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=563821.0
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=233561
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=512747.0
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=740112.0
• https://monero.stackexchange.com/a/1024
• https://inspec2t-project.eu/cryptocurrency-with-a-focus-on-anonymity-these-facts-are-known-about-monero/
• https://medium.com/coin-story/coin-perspective-13-riccardo-spagni-69ef82907bd1
• https://www.getmonero.org/resources/about/
• https://www.wired.com/2017/01/monero-drug-dealers-cryptocurrency-choice-fire/
• https://www.monero.how/why-monero-vs-bitcoin
• https://old.reddit.com/r/Monero/comments/u8e5yr/satoshi_nakamoto_talked_about_privacy_features/

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

Read the original blog post

“The future is there... staring back at us. Trying to make sense of the fiction we will have become.” — William Gibson.

This month is the 4th anniversary of kycnot.me. Thank you for being here.

Fifteen years ago, Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin, a peer-to-peer electronic cash system: a decentralized currency free from government and institutional control. Nakamoto's whitepaper showed a vision for a financial system based on trustless transactions, secured by cryptography. Some time forward and KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) regulations started to come into play.

What a paradox: to engage with a system designed for decentralization, privacy, and independence, we are forced to give away our personal details. Using Bitcoin in the economy requires revealing your identity, not just to the party you interact with, but also to third parties who must track and report the interaction. You are forced to give sensitive data to entities you don't, can't, and shouldn't trust. Information can never be kept 100% safe; there's always a risk. Information is power, who knows about you has control over you.

Information asymmetry creates imbalances of power. When entities have detailed knowledge about individuals, they can manipulate, influence, or exploit this information to their advantage. The accumulation of personal data by corporations and governments enables extensive surveillances.

Such practices, moreover, exclude individuals from traditional economic systems if their documentation doesn't meet arbitrary standards, reinforcing a dystopian divide. Small businesses are similarly burdened by the costs of implementing these regulations, hindering free market competition^1:

How will they keep this information safe? Why do they need my identity? Why do they force businesses to enforce such regulations? It's always for your safety, to protect you from the "bad". Your life is perpetually in danger: terrorists, money launderers, villains... so the government steps in to save us.

‟Hush now, baby, baby, don't you cry Mamma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true Mamma's gonna put all of her fears into you Mamma's gonna keep you right here, under her wing She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing Mamma's gonna keep baby cosy and warm” — Mother, Pink Floyd

We must resist any attack on our privacy and freedom. To do this, we must collaborate.

If you have a service, refuse to ask for KYC; find a way. Accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero. Commit to circular economies. Remove the need to go through the FIAT system. People need fiat money to use most services, but we can change that.

If you're a user, donate to and prefer using services that accept such currencies. Encourage your friends to accept cryptocurrencies as well. Boycott FIAT system to the greatest extent you possibly can.

This may sound utopian, but it can be achieved. This movement can't be stopped. Go kick the hornet's nest.

“We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place. People have been defending their own privacy for centuries with whispers, darkness, envelopes, closed doors, secret handshakes, and couriers. The technologies of the past did not allow for strong privacy, but electronic technologies do.” — Eric Hughes, A Cypherpunk's Manifesto

The anniversary

Four years ago, I began exploring ways to use crypto without KYC. I bookmarked a few favorite services and thought sharing them to the world might be useful. That was the first version of kycnot.me — a simple list of about 15 services. Since then, I've added services, rewritten it three times, and improved it to what it is now.

kycnot.me has remained 100% independent and 100% open source^2 all these years. I've received offers to buy the site, all of which I have declined and will continue to decline. It has been DDoS attacked many times, but we made it through. I have also rewritten the whole site almost once per year (three times in four years).

The code and scoring algorithm are open source (contributions are welcome) and I can't arbitrarly change a service's score without adding or removing attributes, making any arbitrary alterations obvious if they were fake. You can even see the score summary for any service's score.

I'm a one-person team, dedicating my free time to this project. I hope to keep doing so for many more years. Again, thank you for being part of this.

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

---

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

Dieser Beitrag erschien zuerst auf dem Substack-Blog des Autors.

---

Er soll andauern, was er auch tut. Genau wie der nie endende Krieg in Orwells 1984 wird er vom Imperium gegen seine eigenen Untertanen geführt, aber nicht nur, um die Struktur der Gesellschaft intakt zu halten, sondern in unserem Fall auch, um die Gesellschaft in eine neo-totalitäre global-kapitalistische Dystopie zu verwandeln.

Bist du nicht vertraut mit dem Krieg gegen was auch immer?

Nun ja, okay, du erinnerst dich an den Krieg gegen den Terror.

Du erinnerst dich daran, als die „Freiheit und Demokratie“ von „den Terroristen“ angegriffen wurden und wir keine andere Wahl hatten, als uns unserer demokratischen Rechte und Prinzipien zu entledigen, einen nationalen „Notstand“ auszurufen, die verfassungsmäßigen Rechte der Menschen auszusetzen, einen Angriffskrieg gegen ein Land im Nahen Osten anzuzetteln, das für uns keinerlei Bedrohung darstellte, und unsere Straßen, Bahnhöfe, Flughäfen und alle anderen Orte mit schwer bewaffneten Soldaten zu füllen, denn sonst hätten „die Terroristen gewonnen“. Du erinnerst dich, als wir ein Offshore-Gulag bauten, um verdächtige Terroristen auf unbestimmte Zeit wegzusperren, die wir zuvor zu CIA-Geheimgefängnissen verschleppt hatten, wo wir sie gefoltert und gedemütigt haben, richtig?

Natürlich erinnerst du dich. Wer könnte das vergessen?

---

DIE FRIEDENSTAUBE FLIEGT AUCH IN IHR POSTFACH!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht). Sie wollen der Genossenschaft beitreten oder uns unterstützen? Mehr Infos hier oder am Ende des Textes.

---

Erinnerst du dich, als die National Security Agency keine andere Wahl hatte, als ein geheimes „Terroristen-Überwachungsprogramm“ einzurichten, um Amerikaner auszuspionieren, oder sonst „hätten die Terroristen gewonnen“? Oder wie wäre es mit den „Anti-Terror“-Unterleibsuntersuchungen der TSA, der Behörde für Transportsicherheit, die nach über zwanzig Jahren immer noch in Kraft sind?

Und was ist mit dem Krieg gegen den Populismus? An den erinnerst du dich vielleicht nicht so gut.

Ich erinnere mich, denn ich habe zwei Bücher dazu veröffentlicht. Er begann im Sommer 2016, als das Imperium erkannte, dass „rechte Populisten“ die „Freiheit und Demokratie“ in Europa bedrohten und Trump in den USA auf dem Vormarsch war. Also wurde ein weiterer „Notstand“ ausgerufen – diesmal von der Gemeinschaft der Geheimdienste, den Medien, der akademischen Welt und der Kulturindustrie. Ja, genau, es war wieder einmal an der Zeit, unsere demokratischen Prinzipien hintanzustellen, „Hassrede“ in sozialen Medien zu zensieren, die Massen mit lächerlicher offizieller Propaganda über „Russiagate,“ „Hitlergate“ und so weiter zu bombardieren – sonst hätten „die Rechtspopulisten gewonnen.“

Der Krieg gegen den Populismus gipfelte in der Einführung des Neuen Normalen Reichs.

Im Frühjahr 2020 rief das Imperium einen globalen „gesundheitlichen Ausnahmezustand“ aus, als Reaktion auf ein Virus mit einer Überlebensrate von etwa 99,8 Prozent. Das Imperium hatte keine andere Wahl, als ganze Gesellschaften abzuriegeln, jeden dazu zu zwingen, in der Öffentlichkeit medizinisch aussehende Masken zu tragen, die Öffentlichkeit mit Propaganda und Lügen zu bombardieren, die Menschen dazu zu nötigen, sich einer Reihe experimenteller mRNA-„Impfungen“ zu unterziehen, Proteste gegen ihre Dekrete zu verbieten und systematisch diejenigen zu zensieren und zu verfolgen, die es wagten, ihre erfundenen „Fakten“ in Frage zu stellen oder ihr totalitäres Programm zu kritisieren.

Das Imperium hatte keine andere Wahl, als das alles zu tun, denn sonst hätten „die Covid-Leugner, die Impfgegner, die Verschwörungstheoretiker und all die anderen Extremisten gewonnen.“

Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass du dich an all das erinnerst.

Und jetzt … nun, hier sind wir. Ja, du hast es erraten – es ist wieder einmal an der Zeit, kräftig auf die US-Verfassung und die Meinungsfreiheit zu scheißen, Menschen in irgendein salvadorianisches Höllenloch abzuschieben, das wir angemietet haben, weil ein Polizist ihre Tattoos nicht mochte, Universitätsstudenten wegen ihrer Anti-Israel-Proteste festzunehmen und zu verschleppen und natürlich die Massen mit Lügen und offizieller Propaganda zu bombardieren, denn … okay, alle zusammen jetzt: „sonst hätten die antisemitischen Terroristen und venezolanischen Banden gewonnen!“

Fängst du an, ein Muster zu erkennen? Ja? Willkommen beim Krieg gegen-was-auch-immer!

Wenn du die Zusammenhänge noch nicht ganz siehst, okay, lass es mich noch einmal ganz simpel erklären.

Das globale ideologische System, in dem wir alle leben, wird totalitär. (Dieses System ist der globale Kapitalismus, aber nenne es, wie du willst. Es ist mir scheißegal.) Es reißt die Simulation der Demokratie nieder, die es nicht mehr aufrechterhalten muss. Der Kalte Krieg ist vorbei. Der Kommunismus ist tot. Der globale Kapitalismus hat keine externen Feinde mehr. Also muss er die Massen nicht mehr mit demokratischen Rechten und Freiheiten besänftigen. Deshalb entzieht er uns diese Rechte nach und nach und konditioniert uns darauf, ihren Verlust hinzunehmen.

Er tut dies, indem er eine Reihe von „Notständen“ inszeniert, jeder mit einer anderen „Bedrohung“ für die „Demokratie,“ die „Freiheit,“ „Amerika“ oder „den Planeten“ – oder was auch immer. Jeder mit seinen eigenen „Monstern,“ die eine so große Gefahr für die „Freiheit“ oder was auch immer darstellen, dass wir unsere verfassungsmäßigen Rechte aufgeben und die demokratischen Werte ad absurdum führen müssen, denn: sonst „würden die Monster gewinnen.“

Es tut dies, indem es sein Antlitz von „links“ nach „rechts,“ dann zurück nach „links“, und dann zurück nach „rechts,“ dann nach „links“ und so weiter neigt, weil es unsere Kooperation dafür benötigt. Nicht die Kooperation von uns allen auf einmal. Nur eine kooperative demografische Gruppe auf einmal.

Es ist dabei erfolgreich – also das System – indem es unsere Angst und unseren Hass instrumentalisiert. Dem System ist es völlig egal, ob wir uns als „links“ oder „rechts“ identifizieren, aber es braucht uns gespalten in „links“ und „rechts,“ damit es unsere Angst und unseren Hass aufeinander nähren kann … eine Regierung, ein „Notfall,“ ein „Krieg“ nach dem anderen.

Da hast du es. Das ist der Krieg gegen was auch immer. Noch simpler kann ich es nicht erklären.

Oh, und noch eine letzte Sache … wenn du einer meiner ehemaligen Fans bist, wie Rob, die über meine „Einsichten“ oder Loyalitäten oder was auch immer verwirrt sind … nun, der Text, den du gerade gelesen hast, sollte das für dich klären. Ich stehe auf keiner Seite. Überhaupt keiner. Aber ich habe ein paar grundlegende demokratische Prinzipien. Und die richten sich nicht danach, was gerade populär ist oder wer im Weißen Haus sitzt.

Die Sache ist die: Ich muss mich morgens im Spiegel anschauen können ohne dort einen Heuchler oder … du weißt schon, einen Feigling zu sehen.

(Aus dem Amerikanischen übersetzt von René Boyke).

---

CJ Hopkins ist ein US-amerikanischer Dramatiker, Romanautor und politischer Satiriker. Zu seinen Werken zählen die Stücke Horse Country, Screwmachine/Eyecandy und The Extremists. Er hat sich als profilierter Kritiker des Corona-Regimes profiliert und veröffentlicht regelmäßig auf seinem Substack-Blog.

Sein aktuelles Buch:

https://x.com/CJHopkins_Z23/status/1907795633689264530

Hier in einem aktuellen Gespräch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF-G32P0leI

---

LASSEN SIE DER FRIEDENSTAUBE FLÜGEL WACHSEN!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt. (Vorerst alle, da wir den Mailversand testen, später ca. drei Mails pro Woche.)

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

---

Sie sind noch nicht auf Nostr and wollen die volle Erfahrung machen (liken, kommentieren etc.)? Zappen können Sie den Autor auch ohne Nostr-Profil! Erstellen Sie sich einen Account auf Start. Weitere Onboarding-Leitfäden gibt es im Pareto-Wiki.

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Chef's notes

I found this recipe a couple years ago and have been addicted to it since. Its incredibly easy, and cheap to prep. Freeze the sausage in flat, single serving portions. That way it can be cooked from frozen for a fast, flavorful, and healthy lunch or dinner. I took inspiration from the video that contained this recipe, and almost always pan fry the frozen sausage with some baby broccoli. The steam cooks the broccoli and the fats from the sausage help it to sear, while infusing the vibrant flavors. Serve with some rice, if desired. I often use serrano peppers, due to limited produce availability. They work well for a little heat and nice flavor that is not overpowering.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 25 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 15 min (only needed if cooking at time of prep)
• 🍽️ Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 lbs ground pork
• 12-15 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 Thai or Serrano peppers, rough chopped
• 1/4 c. lime juice
• 4 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 c. chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Portion and freeze, as desired.
3. Sautè frozen portions in hot frying pan, with broccoli or other fresh veggies.
4. Serve with rice or alone.

@ da18e986:3a0d9851

I'm making this tutorial for myself, as I plan to write many wiki pages describing DVM kinds, as a resource for DVMDash.

Wiki pages on Nostr are written using AsciiDoc. If you don't know ascii doc, get an LLM (like https://duck.ai) to help you format into the right syntax.

Here's the test wiki page I'm going to write:

``` = Simple AsciiDoc Demo

This is a simple demonstration of AsciiDoc syntax for testing purposes.

== Features

AsciiDoc offers many formatting options that are easy to use.

• Easy to learn
• Supports rich text formatting
• Can include code snippets
• Works great for documentation

[source,json]

{ "name": "Test", "version": "1.0", "active": true }

```

We're going to use nak to publish it

First, install nak if you haven't already

go install github.com/fiatjaf/nak@latest

Note: if you don't use Go a lot, you may need to first install it and then add it to your path so the nak command is recognized by the terminal

```

this is how to add it to your path on mac if using zsh

echo 'export PATH=$PATH:$(go env GOPATH)/bin' >> ~/.zshrc ```

And here's how to sign and publish this event with nak.

First, if you want to use your own nostr sec key, you can set the env variable to it and nak will use that if no secret key is specified

```

replace with your full secret key

export NOSTR_SECRET_KEY="nsec1zcdn..." ```

Now to sign and publish the event:

Note: inner double quotes need to be escaped with a \ before them in order to keep the formatting correct, because we're doing this in the terminal

nak event -k 30818 -d "dvm-wiki-page-test" -t 'title=dvm wiki page test' -c "= Simple AsciiDoc Demo\n\nThis is a simple demonstration of AsciiDoc syntax for testing purposes. \n\n== Features\n\nAsciiDoc offers many formatting options that are easy to use. \n\n* Easy to learn \n* Supports rich text formatting \n* Can include code snippets \n* Works great for documentation \n\n[source,json] \n---- \n{ \"name\": \"Test\", \"version\": \"1.0\", \"active\": true } \n----" wss://relay.primal.net wss://relay.damus.io wss://relay.wikifreedia.xyz

You've now published your first wiki page! If done correctly, it will show up on wikistr.com, like mine did here: https://wikistr.com/dvm-wiki-page-test*da18e9860040f3bf493876fc16b1a912ae5a6f6fa8d5159c3de2b8233a0d9851

and on wikifreedia.xyz https://wikifreedia.xyz/dvm-wiki-page-test/dustind@dtdannen.github.io

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

O que são os juros?

Os juros são um reflexo da preferência temporal dos indivíduos: o valor que damos ao consumo no presente em comparação ao consumo no futuro. Em termos práticos, se alguém te pede dinheiro emprestado hoje e promete devolver só daqui a um ano, faz sentido você querer algo em troca por ter que esperar e postergar o consumo — esse “algo a mais” é o juro.

Nas palavras da Escola Austríaca, os juros não são um fenômeno artificial ou técnico, mas sim um fato da realidade humana: tempo tem valor. E como o tempo passa para todos, a preferência temporal é um traço universal. Logo, juros sempre existirão — e isso independe de moeda, bancos ou qualquer arranjo institucional.

Juros e poupança

Num mercado genuinamente livre, os juros emergem da relação entre dois grupos:

1. Poupadores, que abrem mão do consumo presente para acumular bens que serão utilizados no futuro.

2. Investidores, que tomam emprestados esses recursos para realizar projetos que renderão frutos adiante.

Quando há muita poupança, a taxa de juros tende a cair, pois há mais capital disponível para investimentos. Quando há pouca poupança, os juros sobem, pois o capital é escasso. Simples assim. É uma dinâmica voluntária, descentralizada e natural — e, portanto, intolerável para os engenheiros sociais e planejadores centrais.

Como sabotar tudo

O problema começa quando uma entidade com poder coercitivo — como um banco central, como o Federal Reserve (FED) — resolve interferir nesse processo natural. Em vez de permitir que os juros sejam determinados pelas preferências temporais das pessoas, o FED manipula a taxa básica de juros da economia, criando a ilusão de que há mais poupança do que realmente existe.

Como ele faz isso?

Simples: imprimindo dinheiro do nada e injetando esse capital nos mercados financeiros por meio da compra de títulos, operações com bancos e linhas de crédito. Essa expansão monetária distorce os sinais econômicos: os juros caem artificialmente, mesmo sem um aumento real na poupança. O crédito se torna barato — mas ilusoriamente.

O efeito prático dessa mentira monetária

Empresas e investidores, enganados por esses juros baixos, começam a empreender projetos de longo prazo como se houvesse capital real disponível para sustentá-los. Shoppings, fábricas, startups, construções, tudo parece viável. A sensação é de prosperidade: mais empregos, salários, consumo e lucros.

Mas há um detalhe crucial: a preferência temporal da população não mudou. As pessoas continuam consumindo no presente — e não há bens de capital suficientes para suprir os dois desejos ao mesmo tempo: o consumo presente e os investimentos de longo prazo.

Com o tempo, a realidade bate à porta: os preços dos bens de capital sobem, os custos dos projetos disparam, os empréstimos se tornam mais caros e muitos empreendimentos tornam-se inviáveis. Então vem a quebradeira: demissões, falências e recessão. Todo o “crescimento” anterior se revela uma miragem inflacionária.

Ciclos econômicos: uma criação do Estado

Esse processo de boom artificial seguido de colapso inevitável é o que Mises e Hayek explicaram como o Ciclo Econômico Austríaco. Não é um “erro do mercado”. É o resultado direto da distorção dos sinais econômicos provocada pela manipulação dos juros. E o culpado tem nome: o banco central — neste caso, o FED.

O FED não é um árbitro neutro. Ele é um planejador central disfarçado de autoridade monetária. Seu objetivo real é manter o sistema financeiro vivo à base de impressora. Ele socializa prejuízos, distorce o cálculo econômico e destrói o processo de alocação racional de capital. Tudo isso enquanto afirma estar “estabilizando a economia”.

A consequência disso? Inflação, endividamento, má alocação de recursos e, acima de tudo, roubo institucionalizado da poupança das pessoas comuns. O juro baixo artificial é um imposto oculto. É uma forma disfarçada de pilhagem, uma transferência silenciosa de riqueza dos poupadores — que trabalharam e se abstiveram do consumo — para os primeiros recebedores do novo dinheiro, como bancos e governos. Essa manipulação é um confisco disfarçado, que destrói capital real e sabota o esforço honesto de quem poupa.

O caminho da correção

Para que os juros cumpram sua função genuína — sinalizar a escassez ou abundância de capital — é preciso eliminar a interferência coercitiva dos bancos centrais. Em um mercado verdadeiramente livre, sem manipulação monetária, os juros seriam determinados pela poupança real, e não por burocratas em Washington.

Isso exige o fim do monopólio estatal sobre a moeda. Exige a destruição da base legal que sustenta o cartel bancário. E exige uma transição para formas de dinheiro que não podem ser inflacionadas por decreto, como o ouro ou — melhor ainda — o Bitcoin.

Para finalizar

Os juros não são uma variável a ser “ajustada” por tecnocratas com PhDs. Eles são a expressão natural das escolhas humanas diante do tempo. Qualquer tentativa de manipular essa realidade só pode gerar desequilíbrios, crises e sofrimento econômico.

Enquanto o FED existir, ciclos econômicos serão inevitáveis. Não por causa do mercado — mas porque um punhado de burocratas acredita que sabe mais do que milhões de pessoas agindo voluntariamente.

Liberdade monetária é a única solução. E a destruição do banco central é apenas o começo.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Zwei mal drei macht vier, \ widewidewitt und drei macht neune, \ ich mach mir die Welt, \ widewide wie sie mir gefällt. \ Pippi Langstrumpf

Egal, ob Koalitionsverhandlungen oder politischer Alltag: Die Kontroversen zwischen theoretisch verschiedenen Parteien verschwinden, wenn es um den Kampf gegen politische Gegner mit Rückenwind geht. Wer den Alteingesessenen die Pfründe ernsthaft streitig machen könnte, gegen den werden nicht nur «Brandmauern» errichtet, sondern der wird notfalls auch strafrechtlich verfolgt. Doppelstandards sind dabei selbstverständlich inklusive.

In Frankreich ist diese Woche Marine Le Pen wegen der Veruntreuung von EU-Geldern von einem Gericht verurteilt worden. Als Teil der Strafe wurde sie für fünf Jahre vom passiven Wahlrecht ausgeschlossen. Obwohl das Urteil nicht rechtskräftig ist – Le Pen kann in Berufung gehen –, haben die Richter das Verbot, bei Wahlen anzutreten, mit sofortiger Wirkung verhängt. Die Vorsitzende des rechtsnationalen Rassemblement National (RN) galt als aussichtsreiche Kandidatin für die Präsidentschaftswahl 2027.

Das ist in diesem Jahr bereits der zweite gravierende Fall von Wahlbeeinflussung durch die Justiz in einem EU-Staat. In Rumänien hatte Călin Georgescu im November die erste Runde der Präsidentenwahl überraschend gewonnen. Das Ergebnis wurde später annulliert, die behauptete «russische Wahlmanipulation» konnte jedoch nicht bewiesen werden. Die Kandidatur für die Wahlwiederholung im Mai wurde Georgescu kürzlich durch das Verfassungsgericht untersagt.

Die Veruntreuung öffentlicher Gelder muss untersucht und geahndet werden, das steht außer Frage. Diese Anforderung darf nicht selektiv angewendet werden. Hingegen mussten wir in der Vergangenheit bei ungleich schwerwiegenderen Fällen von (mutmaßlichem) Missbrauch ganz andere Vorgehensweisen erleben, etwa im Fall der heutigen EZB-Chefin Christine Lagarde oder im «Pfizergate»-Skandal um die Präsidentin der EU-Kommission Ursula von der Leyen.

Wenngleich derartige Angelegenheiten formal auf einer rechtsstaatlichen Grundlage beruhen mögen, so bleibt ein bitterer Beigeschmack. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob und inwieweit die Justiz politisch instrumentalisiert wird. Dies ist umso interessanter, als die Gewaltenteilung einen essenziellen Teil jeder demokratischen Ordnung darstellt, während die Bekämpfung des politischen Gegners mit juristischen Mitteln gerade bei den am lautesten rufenden Verteidigern «unserer Demokratie» populär zu sein scheint.

Die Delegationen von CDU/CSU und SPD haben bei ihren Verhandlungen über eine Regierungskoalition genau solche Maßnahmen diskutiert. «Im Namen der Wahrheit und der Demokratie» möchte man noch härter gegen «Desinformation» vorgehen und dafür zum Beispiel den Digital Services Act der EU erweitern. Auch soll der Tatbestand der Volksverhetzung verschärft werden – und im Entzug des passiven Wahlrechts münden können. Auf europäischer Ebene würde Friedrich Merz wohl gerne Ungarn das Stimmrecht entziehen.

Der Pegel an Unzufriedenheit und Frustration wächst in großen Teilen der Bevölkerung kontinuierlich. Arroganz, Machtmissbrauch und immer abstrusere Ausreden für offensichtlich willkürliche Maßnahmen werden kaum verhindern, dass den etablierten Parteien die Unterstützung entschwindet. In Deutschland sind die Umfrageergebnisse der AfD ein guter Gradmesser dafür.

[Vorlage Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Barcelona is a city that sizzles with creativity, blends beach life with bold architecture, and radiates Mediterranean energy. From Gaudí’s surreal masterpieces to the lively buzz of La Rambla and the golden sands of Barceloneta Beach, it's a place where every street feels like a gallery—and every evening invites a fiesta.

🌟 Top Things to Do in Barcelona

1️⃣ Sagrada Família

• Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece and Barcelona’s iconic landmark
• A kaleidoscope of colorful stained glass, soaring columns, and symbolism
• Book tickets in advance—it gets busy for a reason

2️⃣ Park Güell

• A whimsical hilltop park filled with mosaics, dragons, and curves
• Explore the Monumental Zone and enjoy views over the city
• Like stepping into a dream—or a fairytale!

3️⃣ Stroll La Rambla & Explore the Gothic Quarter

• A lively pedestrian street with flower stalls, performers, and markets
• Wander into the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) for narrow alleys, Roman ruins, and hidden plazas
• Visit Plaça Reial for tapas and a good vibe

4️⃣ Casa Batlló & Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

• Two of Gaudí’s iconic modernist buildings on Passeig de Gràcia
• Casa Batlló looks like it’s made of bones and sea waves 🌊
• La Pedrera is all flowing stone and rooftop sculptures

5️⃣ Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

• Evening light & music shows (check schedule!)
• Combine it with a walk up Montjuïc for museums, parks, and castle views

6️⃣ Barceloneta Beach & Port Vell

• Chill on the beach or bike along the palm-lined promenade
• Great area for seafood, sangria, or sunset cocktails
• Stroll the harbor and check out the yachts at Port Vell

🍴 What to Eat in Barcelona

• Tapas – Patatas bravas, croquetas, pan con tomate
• Paella – Best enjoyed seaside, with seafood or mixed options
• Calçots (in season) – Grilled green onions with romesco sauce
• Crema catalana – Like crème brûlée, but with a Catalan twist
• Vermouth – A pre-lunch drink that's become trendy again 🍸

Try local markets like La Boqueria or cozy taverns in El Born for the full flavor.

🚇 Getting Around

• Metro & buses are fast and efficient – get a T-Casual card or Hola BCN pass
• Walk or rent a bike—many areas are super pedestrian-friendly
• Taxis & ride apps like Free Now are widely available

🎉 Extra Tips & Local Vibes

✅ Time your meals late – locals eat lunch at 2–3pm and dinner after 9pm
✅ Watch a Flamenco show, but choose authentic venues, not tourist traps
✅ Visit Bunkers del Carmel for one of the best panoramic sunset spots in the city
✅ Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas (especially on La Rambla)
✅ If you love art: check out Museu Picasso and MACBA (modern art)

@ f1577c25:de26ba14

النهاردة هنتكلم عن طريقة استثمار مختلفة: إزاي تستثمر في الدهب جوه مصر. فيه طريقتين: يا إما تشتري الدهب من محلات الصاغة يا إما تستثمر أونلاين (زي صندوق AZG). أنا بفضل الطريقة الأونلاين عشان سهلة والحد الأدنى للاستثمار أقل بكتير، بس فيه عمولة سنوية. هشرح مميزات وعيوب كل طريقة بالتفصيل.

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الدهب الحقيقي

المميزات

• استثمار في أصل حقيقي تقدر تلمسه
• مش محتاج أوراق ولا كارت بنك عشان تشتري

العيوب

• محتاج مكان آمن تخزنه فيه (بيتك أو خزنة في البنك)
• الحد الأدنى للاستثمار عالي (جرام أو ربع جرام)
• ممكن تشتري دهب مغشوش لو مشتريتش من مكان موثوق فيه

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الدهب الإلكتروني

المميزات

• سهل وسريع في الشرا والبيع
• الورق المطلوب بسيط (صورة البطاقة بس)
• تقدر تستثمر بفلوس قليلة

العيوب

• العمولات السنوية عالية شوية

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المنصات

للشرا أونلاين، أنا عارف بس منصة AZG سواء عن طريق AZinvest أو من خلال برامج التداول زي ثاندر. بنصح باستخدام AZinvest عشان أسهل وكل الإجراءات بتتم أونلاين، أما منصة ثاندر فمحتاجة توقع ورق وبتاخد وقت أطول.

منصة AZinvest

ده تطبيق تابع لشركة أزموت (اللي مالكة صندوق الدهب وصناديق استثمارية تانية). الخطوات سهلة: 1. تنزل التطبيق 2. تسجل باستخدام صورة البطاقة 3. توقع العقد أونلاين 4. تحط فلوس عن طريق التحويل البنكي (إنستاباي) أو كارت البنك

المشكلة الوحيدة هي عمولة السحب (2 جنيه لبنك مصر، وأكتر للبنوك التانية). ممكن تتجنب العمولة دي لو سجلت من خلال منصة تانية زي ثاندر.

ويمكن شئ تاني و هو مواعيد الشراء و البيع و هي من كل اثنين لخميس لو عملت امر البيع قبل 12 الظهر هيبقي بنفس اليوم ولكن لو بعد يبقي تاني يوم (+ يوم او يومين عمل لو سحب لحسابك البنكي) بس دا كله يعتبر متوقع و طبيعي بس هي لو حاطط في بالك هتبقي بسرعة

و ملحوظة مهمة لما تيجي تبيع حصص في كل مرة هيخصموا عمولة الصندوق 4.9% فا حاول لو هتخرج خالص بيع كلة مرة واحدة و العمولة بتقل كل سنة لحد التالتة او الرابعة بتبقي من غير عمولة

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ادعمني (اختياري)

• USDT (TRC20): TKQ3Uwkq21ntiua2Zh9Hu376fdMdnRGWN6

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شوف الكومنتات لو فيه أي تعديل أو بوستات جديدة.

@ 7bdef7be:784a5805

We value sovereignty, privacy and security when accessing online content, using several tools to achieve this, like open protocols, open OSes, open software products, Tor and VPNs.

The problem

Talking about our social presence, we can manually build up our follower list (social graph), pick a Nostr client that is respectful of our preferences on what to show and how, but with the standard following mechanism, our main feed is public, so everyone can actually snoop what we are interested in, and what is supposable that we read daily.

The solution

Nostr has a simple solution for this necessity: encrypted lists. Lists are what they appear, a collection of people or interests (but they can also group much other stuff, see NIP-51). So we can create lists with contacts that we don't have in our main social graph; these lists can be used primarily to create dedicated feeds, but they could have other uses, for example, related to monitoring. The interesting thing about lists is that they can also be encrypted, so unlike the basic following list, which is always public, we can hide the lists' content from others. The implications are obvious: we can not only have a more organized way to browse content, but it is also really private one.

One might wonder what use can really be made of private lists; here are some examples:

• Browse “can't miss” content from users I consider a priority;
• Supervise competitors or adversarial parts;
• Monitor sensible topics (tags);
• Following someone without being publicly associated with them, as this may be undesirable;

The benefits in terms of privacy as usual are not only related to the casual, or programmatic, observer, but are also evident when we think of how many bots scan our actions to profile us.

The current state

Unfortunately, lists are not widely supported by Nostr clients, and encrypted support is a rarity. Often the excuse to not implement them is that they are harder to develop, since they require managing the encryption stuff (NIP-44). Nevertheless, developers have an easier option to start offering private lists: give the user the possibility to simply mark them as local-only, and never push them to the relays. Even if the user misses the sync feature, this is sufficient to create a private environment.

To date, as far as I know, the best client with list management is Gossip, which permits to manage both encrypted and local-only lists.

Beg your Nostr client to implement private lists!

@ 4d41a7cb:7d3633cc

Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, registered his birthday as April 5, 1975, on his P2P Foundation profile. Many think that he chose this date because on that same day in 1933, the United States government confiscated the gold of the American people. Whether this was on purpose or not, what happened in this day is very important to understand how do we ended up here.

In 1933, as expressed in Roosevelt’s Executive Orders 6073, 6102, and 6260, the United States first declared bankruptcy. The bankrupt U.S. went into receivership in 1933. America was turned over via receivership and reorganization in favor of its creditors. These creditors, the International Bankers, from the beginning stated their intent, which was to plunder, bankrupt, conquer and enslave America and return it to its colonial status.1

As one of his first acts as President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared a “Banking Emergency” to bail out the Federal Reserve Bank, which had embezzled this country’s gold supply. The Congress gave the President dictatorial powers under the “War Powers Act of 1917” (amended 1933), written, by the way, by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.2

This day marked the official abandonment of the American Constitution, law and real money. Today, 92 years after this event, most of the people living today have never had any real money or paid for anything using real money; unless they used Bitcoin...

There could be no bankruptcy if there was not a private central bank lending paper currency to the government at interest, so we must start from 1913, when the Federal Reserve was created: a non-federal private bank with no reserves and the monopoly of issuing debt based paper currency in unlimited amounts and lending it to the government at interest by buying treasury bills. The fact that this currency is lent into existence at interest makes the debt mathematically impossible to be repaid; it can only be refinanced or defaulted.

Between 1929 and 1933, the Federal Reserve Bank reduced the currency supply by 33%, thereby creating the Great Depression, bankrupting the US government, stealing the Americans’ gold supply, and officially ending the gold standard. Since then the US dollar (money) was replaced with Federal Reserve Notes (debt). This was also the end of the Republican form of government and the beginning of a socialist mob rule democracy (Fascism).

“Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power.” — Benito Mussolini 

The United States government has been bankrupt since 1933, since it defaulted on its gold bonds. This type of bond existed until 1933, when the U.S. monetary system abandoned the gold standard. 3 From this year the government has been totally controlled by the International bankers and used as a tool to spread and maintain their power worldwide.

Many people think that the gold standard was abandoned in 1971, but this is not true; in fact, this happened in 1933 when the US dollar was replaced by Federal Reserve Notes that are 100% debt-based fiat paper currency.

The year 1933 in the United States marked:

• The end of the Republican form of government and the beginning of American Fascism
• The end of the United States dollar and its replacement by Federal Reserve Notes
• The abandonment of common law and replacement with military admiralty law
• The takeover of the United States government by International bankers
• A massive gold theft and the end of the US gold standard
• The exchange of rights with privileges and licenses
• The United States government bankruptcy

The next shameful event in our history which still plagues us to this day was the “War Powers Act of 1933.” This Act permitted President Roosevelt to make law in the form of Executive Order, bypass Congress and create his socialist state. We (citizens of this country) were ever after to be considered enemies of the United States who must be licensed to engage in any commercial activity. With the aid of the Federal Reserve (the same people who created the Depression), the President confiscated our gold and silver coin and replaced it with worthless pieces of paper and a debt system that will eventually destroy this great country. Our land and our labor were pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank, Inc., as collateral for a debt system that could never be paid.4

“Emergency Powers” means any form of military style government, martial law, or martial rule. Martial law and martial rule are not the same.

United States Congressional Record March 17, 1993 Vol. #33, page H- 1303, Congressman James Traficant, Jr. (Ohio) addressing the House:

“Mr. Speaker, we are here now in chapter 11. Members of Congress are official trustees presiding over the greatest reorganization of any Bankrupt entity in world history, the U.S. Government. We are setting forth, hopefully, a blueprint for our future”

“There are some who say it is a coroner’s report that will lead to our demise. It is an established fact that the United States Federal Government has been dissolved by the Emergency Banking Act, March 9, 1933, 48 Stat. 1, Public Law 89-719; dered by President Roosevelt, being bankrupt and insolvent. H.J.R. 192, 73rd Congress in session June 5, 1933 – Joint Resolution To Suspend The Gold Standard and Abrogate the Gold Clause dissolved the Sovereign Authority of the United States and the official capacities of all United States Governmental Offices, Officers, and Departments and is further evidence that the United States Federal Government exists today in name only” **“The receivers of the United States Bankruptcy are the International Bankers, via the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund”

“All United States Offices, Officials, and Departments are now operating within a de facto status in name only under Emergency War Powers. With the Constitutional Republican form of Government now dissolved, the receivers of the Bankruptcy have adopted a new form of government for the United States. This new form of government is known as a Democracy, being an established Socialist/Communist order under a new governor for America. This act was instituted and established by transferring and/or placing the Office of the Secretary of Treasury to that of the Governor of the International Monetary Fund. Public Law 94-564, page 8, Section H.R. 13955 read in part:”

“The U.S. Secretary of Treasury receives no compensation for representing the United States.”

The American Spirit

The intention of the founding fathers of the United States was to create a constitutional republic to protect natural human rights and escape from the tyrannical English monarchy and its usurious Bank of England's monetary system. They created an honest monetary system based on gold and silver (United State Dollar) and got rid of nobility titles, creating equality under the law.

Section 10 of the American Constitution says:

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Let­ters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make anything but gold and silver Coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts; or grant any title of nobility.

The United States Dollar (1792-1933)

A dollar is a measure of weight defined by the Coinage Act of 1792 and 1900, which specifies a certain quantity—24.8 grains of gold or 371.25 grains of silver (from 1792 to 1900) when the American dollar was based on a bimetallic standard.

The Gold Standard Act of 1900 formally placed the United States on the gold standard, setting the value of one dollar at 25.8 grams of 90% pure gold, which fixed the price of gold at $20.67 per troy ounce. This standard was totally abandoned in 1933.

Gold and silver were such powerful money during the founding of the United States of America that the founding fathers declared that only gold or silver coins could be “money” in America.

But since the greedy bankers cannot profit from honest money they cannot print, they replaced the money with paper debt instruments. And by doing this, they have effectively enslaved the American people until today. My definition of modern slavery is working for a currency that someone else can create at no cost or effort. What's worse is that they even demand to be paid back and with interest!

Federal Reserve Notes (1913-present)

Federal Reserve Notes are not real money. Money that has metallic or other intrinsic value, as distinguished from paper currency, checks, and drafts.

Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) are a legal fiction. An assumption that something is true even though it may be untrue. 5 The assumption that they are money, when in fact they are the opposite of money: debt or paper currency.

Paper money. Paper documents that circu­late as currency; bills drawn by a government against its own credit. 6 Like Goldsmiths' notes. Hist. Bankers' cash notes: promissory notes given by bankers to customers as acknowledgments of the receipt of mon­ey. • This term derives from the London banking business, which originally was transacted by goldsmiths.7

These notes were scientifically designed to bankrupt the government and slave the American people, as Alfred Owen Crozier warned one year before the bill for the creation of the FED was passed through Congress (1912):

If Congress yields and authorizes a private central bank as proposed by the pending bill, the end when the bubble bursts will be universal ruin and national bankruptcy.

Unfortunately, the bill was passed in 1913, and this private bank started printing a new currency different from the US dollar creating the great depression and effectible bankrupting the government like Alfred warned 20 years before.

Alfred also warned:

Thus the way is opened for an unlimited inflation of corporate paper currency issued by a mere private corporation with relatively small net assets and no government guarantee, every dollar supposed to be redeemable in gold, but with not a single dollar of gold necessarily held in the reserves of such corporation to accomplish such redemption.

Differently from what's commonly believed Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) were never really “backed” by gold; they were never supposed to be hard currency. Currency backed by re­serves, esp. gold and silver reserves.

The United States government defaulted on its gold clauses, calling for payment in gold. This marked the end of the gold standard. A monetary system in which currency is convertible into its legal equivalent in gold or gold coin.

Since then we have been under a paper standard, where we use fake money as tender for payments. Paper standard. A monetary system based en­tirely on paper; a system of currency that is not convertible into gold or other precious metal.

People traded their coupons as money or “currency.” Currency is not money but a money substitute. Redeemable currency must promise to pay a dollar equivalent in gold or silver money. Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) make no such promises and are not “money.” A Federal Reserve Note is a debt obligation of the federal United States government, not “money.” The federal United States government and the U.S. Congress were not and have never been authorized by the Constitution of the United States of America to issue currency of any kind, but only lawful money—gold and silver coin.8

A bona fide note can be used in a financial transaction to discharge the debt only because it is an unconditional promise to pay by the issuer to the bearer. Is a Federal Reserve Note a contract note, an unconditional promise to pay? At one time the Federal Reserve issued bona fide contractual notes and certificates, redeemable in gold and silver coin. Most people never saw or comprehended the contract. It went largely unread because the Federal Reserve very cunningly hid the contract on the face of the note by breaking it up into five separate lines of text with a significantly different typeface for each line and placing the president’s picture right in the middle of it. They even used the old attorney’s ruse of obscuring the most important text in fine print! Over time, the terms and conditions of the contract were diluted until eventually they literally became an I.O.U. for nothing.

FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE

• THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBT, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, AND IT IS REDEEMABLE IN LAWFUL MONEY AT THE UNITED STATES TREASURY OR ANY FEDERAL RESERVE BANK.

• DATE: SERIES OF 1934

• WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND: ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS

• TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES SIGNATURE

• SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY SIGNATURE

Nowadays FRNs say "This note is legal tender for all debts public and private" it tender debt but it does not pay the bearer on demand. It value was stolen by a counterfeiting technique commonly know as inflation.

One hundred dollars (SERIES OF 1934) will be 2480 grains of gold, or 159.4 grams, or 5.1249 troy ounces. Today one troy ounce is priced around $3,000 federal reserve notes. 5.1249 X 3,000 = $15,375 actual FRNs.

A $100 FRN bill today will buy 0.65% of a real gold $100 dollar certificate. That’s a -99.35% loss of purchasing power in the last 91 years.

FRNs savers have been rugged pulled!

Gold bugs where the winners...

But Bitcoin is even better...

Happy birthday Satoshi! April 5 will be forever remembered.

Satoshi... The man, the myth, the Legend...

@ 71550e6c:b64c37a9

Just do the same as this video shows.

Here's the video: https://cdn.azzamo.net/7cdcc2718f1e15eb03e323f62e07582b4001da273aa5c21475d680f02b32f0e9.mp4

One caveat: do not trust the draft will be kept here after you close nak fs. Wait, no, it definitely won't stay here, but I'm not even sure it will stay here if you only navigate away and come back later, FUSE is weird and I didn't test.

But at least it should work for copy-pasting. Or writing everything in one go.

@ f1577c25:de26ba14

احنا المرة اللي فاتت اتكلمنا عن الاساسيات تعالي بقي نتكلم بشكل عام علي الطرق اللي في وجهه نظري احسن طرق و هقولك ليه و تبدا بمين الاول و كمان كل طريقه هسيب لك ليها لينك تشرح التطبيق عنه بشكل مفصل اكتر بحيث تعرف الحلو و الوحش و الحد الادني و كل دا

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البورصة الأمريكية

• العملة: دولار
• العائد المتوقع: ~10% سنوياً
• الحد الأدنى: ~100 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: باسبور
• المميزات:
• استثمار دولاري
• سهولة الإيداع بالعملات الرقمية
• إمكانية السحب في أي وقت
• العيوب:
• تحتاج جواز سفر
• تتطلب معرفة بالشركات
• تقلبات السوق علي المدي القصير
• ملاحظات: لو لسة جديد بس معاك حساب دولاري يبقي انصحك بـ IBKR علشان سهل ولكن لو معكش حساب دولاري يبقي Tastytrade علشان سهل الايداع بالكريبتو

العملات الرقمية

• العملة: دولار
• العائد المتوقع: ~10% سنوياً (متغير)
• الحد الأدنى: ~100 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: بطاقة
• المميزات:
• عائد يومي
• استثمار دولاري
• سهولة السحب
• العيوب:
• العائد متغير
• مخاطر الأمان
• ملاحظات: هنا قصدي منتجات Earn زي في بينانس

ذهب (عالمي)

• العملة: دولار
• العائد المتوقع: متغير حسب سعر الذهب
• الحد الأدنى: ~100 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: بطاقة
• المميزات:
• الذهب بسعر السوق العالمي
• تحوط ضد التضخم
• العيوب:
• تقلبات السوق علي المدي القصير
• استثمار طويل الأجل
• مخاطر الامان
• ملاحظات: الذهب العالمي قصدي انه تحول عملات ل PAXG في بينانس او Kraken

عقارات (عالمي)

• العملة: دولار
• العائد المتوقع: ~9-10% سنوياً
• الحد الأدنى: ~50 دولار في موقع Realt و ~135 لو موقع Stake
• الورق المطلوب: باسبور
• المميزات:
• استثمار دولاري
• عائد شهري
• العيوب:
• استثمار طويل الأجل
• لو Stake فا تقدر تسحب فلوسك مرتين بالسنة بس
• تحتاج باسبور
• تقلبات السوق
• ملاحظات: في تطبيقين RealT للسوق الامريكي و Stake للسوق الامراتي او السعودي

فوري يومي

• العملة: جنيه مصري
• العائد المتوقع: ~24%
• الحد الأدنى: ~3 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: بطاقة
• المميزات:
• سهولة الاستخدام
• عائد يومي
• بدون حد أدنى عالي
• العيوب:
• بالجنيه المصري
• عائد أقل من شهادات البنك (الي الان)
• تقلبات العائد
• ملاحظات: قصدي تطبيق فوري يومي

عقارات (محلي)

• العملة: جنيه مصري
• العائد المتوقع: الفعلي 9% ولكن متوقع 28-48% (متوسط 32%)
• الحد الأدنى: 50,000 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: بطاقة
• المميزات:
• عائد سنوي مرتفع
• العائد مربوط بالدولار بمعني لو حصل تعويم العائد بتاعك هيزيد فا مقاوم للتضخم.
• سهولة الاستخدام
• العيوب:
• حجز الأموال 6 شهور
• 50 ألف حد أدنى
• ضرائب عقارية
• ملاحظات: قصدي تطبيق Safe

شهادات البنك

• العملة: جنيه مصري
• العائد المتوقع: 27% او 30% بعائد تناقصي
• الحد الأدنى: 1000 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: بطاقة
• المميزات:
• عائد مرتفع
• العيوب:
• بالجنيه المصري
• متقدرش تسحب فلوسك غير بعد مدة الشهادة.
• ملاحظات: دخولك هنا او لا و العائد شهري او سنوي يبقي علي حسب هدفك

ذهب (محلي)

• العملة: جنيه مصري
• العائد المتوقع: متغير حسب سعر الذهب
• الحد الأدنى: ~18 جنيه
• الورق المطلوب: بطاقة
• المميزات:
• قيمة ثابتة ومستقرة
• سهولة الشراء
• الحد الادني صغير لو سهم في صندوق زي AZG
• العيوب:
• يحتاج مبلغ عالي للدخول لو حقيقي
• تقلبات السوق علي المدي القصير
• ملاحظات: يعتبر خيار حلو بس انا شايف لو هتدخل بدهب يبقي عالمي + قصدي ذهب بجد او عن طريق صناديق الذهب زي AZG

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كمل قراية بالتفصيل:

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xvurzvfsxuerzvphcvddg0

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xvunzvesx5erywpsepywcn

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xvunzdpcxq6nxwp3xqxgmx

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xscrqdesxycnvv34l5ye0c

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xvungvfsx5cnvv3ndwszwl

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xscrqdpnxc6rvvee3fqr5t

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xscrqdesxucrjdehs24uge

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ادعمني (اختياري)

• USDT (TRC20): TKQ3Uwkq21ntiua2Zh9Hu376fdMdnRGWN6

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آخر تحديث: 4 أبريل 2025

@ 05cdefcd:550cc264

The crypto world is full of buzzwords. One that I keep on hearing: “Bitcoin is its own asset class”.

While I have always been sympathetic to that view, I’ve always failed to understand the true meaning behind that statement.

Although I consider Bitcoin to be the prime innovation within the digital asset sector, my primary response has always been: How can bitcoin (BTC), a single asset, represent an entire asset class? Isn’t it Bitcoin and other digital assets that make up an asset class called crypto?

Well, I increasingly believe that most of crypto is just noise. Sure, it’s volatile noise that is predominately interesting for very sophisticated hedge funds, market makers or prop traders that are sophisticated enough to extract alpha – but it’s noise nonetheless and has no part to play in a long-term only portfolio of private retail investors (of which most of us are).

Over multiple market cycles, nearly all altcoins underperform Bitcoin when measured in BTC terms. Source: Tradingview

Aha-Moment: Bitcoin keeps on giving

Still, how can Bitcoin, as a standalone asset, make up an entire asset class? The “aha-moment” to answer this question recently came to me in a Less Noise More Signal interview I did with James Van Straten, senior analyst at Coindesk.

Let me paraphrase him here: “You can’t simply recreate the same ETF as BlackRock. To succeed in the Bitcoin space, new and innovative approaches are needed. This is where understanding Bitcoin not just as a single asset, but as an entire asset class, becomes essential. There are countless ways to build upon Bitcoin’s foundation—varied iterations that go beyond just holding the asset. This is precisely where the emergence of the Bitcoin-linked stock market is taking shape—and it's already underway.”

And this is actually coming to fruition as we speak. Just in the last few days, we saw several products launch in that regard.

Obviously, MicroStrategy (now Strategy) is the pioneer of this. The company now owns 506,137 BTC, and while they’ll keep on buying more, they have also inspired many other companies to follow suit.

In fact, there are now already over 70 companies that have adopted Strategy’s Bitcoin playbook. One of the latest companies to buy Bitcoin for their corporate treasury is Rumble. The YouTube competitor just announced their first Bitcoin purchase for $17 million.

Also, the gaming zombie company GameStop just announced to raise money to buy BTC for their corporate treasury.

Gamestop to make BTC their hurdle rate. Source: X

ETF on Bitcoin companies

Given this proliferation of Bitcoin Treasury companies, it was only a matter of time before a financial product tracking these would emerge.

The popular crypto index fund provider Bitwise Investments has just launched this very product called the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB).

The ETF tracks Bitcoin Treasury companies with over 1,000 BTC on their balance sheet. These companies invest in Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset to protect the $5 trillion in low-yield cash that companies in the US commonly sit on.

These are the top 10 holdings of OWNB. Source: Ownbetf

ETF on Bitcoin companies’ convertible bonds

Another instrument that fits seamlessly into the range of Bitcoin-linked stock market products is the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (BMAX). The ETF provides exposure to the many different convertible bonds issued by companies that are actively moving onto a Bitcoin standard.

Convertible bonds are a valuable financing tool for companies looking to raise capital for Bitcoin purchases. Their strong demand is driven by the unique combination of equity-like upside and debt-like downside protection they offer.

For example, MicroStrategy's convertible bonds, in particular, have shown exceptional performance. For instance, MicroStrategy's 2031 bonds has shown a price rise of 101% over a one-year period, vastly outperforming MicroStrategy share (at 53%), Bitcoin (at 25%) and the ICE BofA U.S. Convertible Index (at 10%). The latter is the benchmark index for convertible bond funds, tracking the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated convertible securities in the U.S. market.

The chart shows a comparison of ICE BofA U.S. Convertible Index, the Bloomberg Bitcoin index (BTC price), MicroStrategy share (MSTR), and MicroStrategy bond (0.875%, March 15 203). The convertible bond has been outperforming massively. Source: Bloomberg

While the BMAX ETF faces challenges such as double taxation, which significantly reduces investor returns (explained in more detail here), it is likely that future products will emerge that address and improve upon these issues.

Bitcoin yield products

The demand for a yield on Bitcoin has increased tremendously. Consequently, respective products have emerged.

Bitcoin yield products aim to generate alpha by capitalizing on volatility, market inefficiencies, and fragmentation within cryptocurrency markets. The objective is to achieve uncorrelated returns denominated in Bitcoin (BTC), with attractive risk-adjusted performance. Returns are derived exclusively from asset selection and trading strategies, eliminating reliance on directional market moves.

Key strategies employed by these funds include:

• Statistical Arbitrage: Exploits short-term pricing discrepancies between closely related financial instruments—for instance, between Bitcoin and traditional assets, or Bitcoin and other digital assets. Traders utilize statistical models and historical price relationships to identify temporary inefficiencies.
• Futures Basis Arbitrage: Captures profits from differences between the spot price of Bitcoin and its futures contracts. Traders simultaneously buy or sell Bitcoin on spot markets and enter opposite positions in futures markets, benefiting as the prices converge.
• Funding Arbitrage: Generates returns by taking advantage of variations in Bitcoin funding rates across different markets or exchanges. Funding rates are periodic payments exchanged between long and short positions in perpetual futures contracts, allowing traders to profit from discrepancies without significant directional exposure.
• Volatility/Option Arbitrage: Seeks profits from differences between implied volatility (reflected in Bitcoin options prices) and expected realized volatility. Traders identify mispriced volatility in options related to Bitcoin or Bitcoin-linked equities, such as MSTR, and position accordingly to benefit from volatility normalization.
• Market Making: Involves continuously providing liquidity by simultaneously quoting bid (buy) and ask (sell) prices for Bitcoin. Market makers profit primarily through capturing the spread between these prices, thereby enhancing market efficiency and earning consistent returns.
• Liquidity Provision in DeFi Markets: Consists of depositing Bitcoin (usually as Wrapped BTC) into decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity pools such as those on Uniswap, Curve, or Balancer. Liquidity providers earn fees paid by traders who execute swaps within these decentralized exchanges, creating steady yield opportunities.

Notable products currently available in this segment include the Syz Capital BTC Alpha Fund offered by Syz Capital and the Forteus Crypto Alpha Fund by Forteus.

BTC-denominated share class

A Bitcoin-denominated share class refers to a specialized investment fund category in which share values, subscriptions (fund deposits), redemptions (fund withdrawals), and performance metrics are expressed entirely in Bitcoin (BTC), rather than in traditional fiat currencies such as USD or EUR.

Increasingly, both individual investors and institutions are adopting Bitcoin as their preferred benchmark—or "Bitcoin hurdle rate"—meaning that investment performance is evaluated directly against Bitcoin’s own price movements.

These Bitcoin-denominated share classes are designed specifically for investors seeking to preserve and grow their wealth in Bitcoin terms, rather than conventional fiat currencies. As a result, investors reduce their exposure to fiat-related risks. Furthermore, if Bitcoin outperforms fiat currencies, investors holding BTC-denominated shares will experience enhanced returns relative to traditional fiat-denominated investment classes.

X: https://x.com/pahueg

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@lessnoisemoresignalpodcast

Book: https://academy.saifedean.com/product/the-bitcoin-enlightenment-hardcover/

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

It's Monday so we're back doing "Meta Music Mondays" 😉.

From before the territory existed there was just one post a week in a ~meta take over. Now each month we have a different theme and bring music from that theme.

This month is April and we're doing what it...?. So give me those what if tracks.

Here's and example;

What if, Another Brick in the Wall was EDM?

Let's have fun.

https://youtu.be/uLMobfyKB9o?si=vD9OMd6irvFG2vP

Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/937359

@ 3165b802:a9f51d37

Humanrights #Human #Rights

@ 04cb16e4:2ec3e5d5

Meine erste "Begegnung" mit Ulrike hatte ich am 21. März 2022 - dank Amazon konnte ich das Ereignis noch exakt nachvollziehen. Es war eines meiner ersten (Lockdown) kritischen Bücher, die ich in dieser Zeit in die Hände bekam - noch nach Thomas Röper (das war mein Einstieg) aber vor Daniele Ganser. Insofern war es mir möglich, das, was dann folgte für die Autorin, live und in Farbe mit zu verfolgen:

"Wer sich in die Öffentlichkeit traut, kann sich dort ganz schnell eine blutige Nase holen. Dieselben Medien, die eine Person heute glorifizieren, stellen sie morgen an den Pranger. Sie verteilen und entziehen Reputation, fördern und zerstören Karrieren. Das Medium selbst bleibt jedoch immer auf der Siegerseite. Die Gesetze von Marktorientierung und zynisch-ideologisierter Machtausübung gelten für Rundfunk und Fernsehen ebenso wie für die Printmedien - von RTL bis ARD und ZDF, von der BILD über die taz bis zur ZEIT.

»Das Phänomen Guérot« legt genau diesen Vorgang detailliert offen: Der MENSCH Ulrike Guérot ist in der Realität nicht die dämonische Figur, als die sie hingestellt worden ist. Aber an ihr kristallisiert sich genau dieser menschenverachtende Prozess heraus, der bis heute andauert."

Im Herbst 2022 habe ich durch den ersten Vortrag von Daniele Ganser in Falkensee nicht nur Zugang zu einer für mich neuen und anderen Welt bekommen, ab da hat sich eigentlich auch für mich mein Leben komplett auf den Kopf gestellt. Die Weichen wurden zwar schon vorher gestellt, aber nun war es endgültig und es gab kein zurück mehr. Die Planung für das erste Symposium Falkensee war in meinem Kopf geboren und die MenschheitsFamilie entstand als Ort, der virtuell das vereinen sollte, was Daniele an Spiritualität, Menschlichkeit und Friedenswillen in mir freigesetzt hat. Es war sozusagen eine Energie, die nun stetig floß und einen Trichter gefunden hat, in dem sie wirksam werden und sich entfalten konnte. Insofern haben wir auch etwas gemeinsam - Ulrike und ich. Wir sind zu der Zeit auf einen Zug aufgesprungen, der unser Leben veränderte - der uns zwang, alte Wege zu verlassen und neue Wege zu beschreiten. Sowohl beruflich, als auch privat. Und auch das canceln und entfernt werden ist eine Erfahrung, die wir beide teilen. Vielleicht war es deswegen mein erster Gedanke im Herbst 2022, Ulrike Guérot zu meinem 1. Symposium nach Falkensee einzuladen. Das es dann erst beim 2. Anlauf wirklich geklappt hat, hatte auch mit den Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens in dieser Zeit zu tun gehabt.

Nun ist sie zum 2. Mal dabei - denn wer könnte das Thema "Europa" bei einem so wichtigen und hochaktuellen Thema besser vertreten und beleuchten als Ulrike Guérot? Es geht um Geschichte, es geht um Nationalitäten, es geht um Gemeinsamkeiten und um das, was uns hier im Herzen zusammenhält, was unsere Ziele und unsere Befindlichkeiten sind, es geht um Verantwortung und es geht vor allen Dingen um Frieden! Denn dafür steht Europa - für einen Kontinent, der es geschafft hat, trotz aller Gegensätze und Konflikte, die in Jahrhunderten kriegerisch aufgetragen wurden, eine neuen und besonderen Frieden zu finden und zu installieren:

"Völkerrechtlich legt der Westfälische Frieden den oder zumindest einen Grundstein für ein modernes Prinzip: Die Gleichberechtigung souveräner Staaten, unabhängig von ihrer Macht und Größe. Noch heute spricht die Politikwissenschaft, insbesondere die realistische Schule (Henry Kissinger), deshalb vom „Westphalian System“. Durch die Garantien der großen europäischen Mächte erweist sich dieser Frieden als stabilisierendes Element für die weitere Entwicklung in Europa. Noch bis zum Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts wird er immer wieder als Referenz für nachfolgende Friedensschlüsse herangezogen."

Es ging damals um viel und es geht heute um das Überleben auf einem Kontinent, der es eigentlich besser wissen sollte. Wir dürfen gespannt sein, was wir in diesem Vortrag von Ulrike auf dem Symposium Falkensee am 27. April 2025 für Lösungen finden, um wieder zu einer Ordnung und zu einem System der friedlichen Koexistenz zurückfinden zu können, ohne schwarz und weiß und mit all den Facetten, die das Leben uns so bietet:

"Es ging nicht mehr um das Ausfechten religiöser Wahrheiten, sondern um geregelte Verfahren, die es möglich machten, mit konkurrierenden religiösen Wahrheiten, die nach wie vor nebeneinander und unversöhnlich bestanden, auf friedliche Weise umzugehen. Deutlich wurde das nicht zuletzt, als der Papst in einer offiziellen Note scharf gegen den Friedensschluss protestierte, weil er die Rechte der katholischen Seite leichtfertig aufgegeben sah. Die katholischen Beteiligten des Abkommens hielt dies nicht von der Unterzeichnung ab - ein religiöser Schiedsrichter wurde in Sachen Krieg und Frieden nicht mehr akzeptiert."

https://www.menschheits-familie.de/symposium-falkensee

@ f1577c25:de26ba14

تنبيه مهم

أهلاً! قبل ما نبدأ، أنا مش مستشار مالي ولا خبير حاجة. أنا بس واحد قعد يتابع قنوات ويقرا عن الاستثمار الفترة اللي فاتت. مش مسؤول عن أي خسارة فلوس، بس كل اللي هاقوله هنا أنا بطبقه على نفسي الأول، فطبعاً مش هاضر نفسي (عن قصد على الأقل).

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إيه اللي هنتكلم عنه

هاعمل سلسلة بوستات عن: - الأساسيات اللي لازم تعرفها عن الاستثمار والتداول - أفكار تساعدك تعمل محفظة استثمارية كويسة - تجربتي مع تطبيقات الاستثمار المختلفة - إجابة على الأسئلة اللي بتتسأل كتير

هاحدّث البوستات لو في معلومات جديدة وهاكتب تاريخ آخر تحديث. عايز تتواصل معايا؟ اكتب كومنت علي بوست ريديت اللي لاقيت فيه لينك المقالة دي.

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الأساسيات

الغلطة الأولى: لازم يكون معاك فلوس كتير علشان تستثمر

دي فكرة غلط خالص. في الحقيقة، إنت بتستثمر علشان تجمع فلوس مش العكس. معظم الطرق اللي هاقولك عليها ممكن تبدأ بمبلغ صغير (حوالي 100 جنيه) وتزود عليه كل شهر. والحلو إن معظم الحاجات دي بتخليك تقدر تسحب فلوسك بسهولة لو احتجت.

أهمية التحويش

علشان تستثمر بجد، لازم تحوّش جزء من مرتبك كل شهر. المفروض تحوّش 25% من مرتبك، بس مع الغلا اللي احنا فيه دلوقتي، ابدأ بأي مبلغ تقدر عليه حتى لو 100 جنيه بس في الشهر. احسب مصاريفك لكام شهر وحط جنب مبلغ يكفيك 3-6 شهور للطوارئ.

طريقة تفكير المستثمر

الناس الناجحة مش بتصرف على المظاهر. قبل ما تشتري أي حاجة، اسأل نفسك: "هاستخدم الحاجة دي بعد 3 شهور؟" حدد احتياجاتك الحقيقية وبعدين دوّر على أحسن حاجة تناسبك. الاستثمار طريقة تفكير قبل ما يكون مجرد حتة تحط فيها فلوسك وخلاص.

بلاش تخلي مشاعرك تتحكم فيك

متخليش قلبك يتحكم في قرارات استثمارك. أكيد السوق ممكن ينزل شوية، بس على المدى البعيد بيطلع تاني. بص مثلاً على مؤشر S&P 500. في مقولة حلوة بتقول: "If in doubt, zoom out".

أهمية توزيع الفلوس

متحطش فلوسك كلها في مكان واحد. لو حطيت كل فلوسك في البورصة وحصل هبوط، هتخسر جامد. لكن لو حاطط جزء في البورصة وجزء في الدهب مثلاً، لما واحدة تنزل التانية ممكن تطلع. اختار استثماراتك على حسب هدفك: عايز تسيب فلوسك لمدة طويلة (دهب وبورصة)؟ ولا عايز دخل شهري (صناديق استثمار أو شهادات بنك)؟

صعب ما هتبقي غني علي المدي القصير

في ناس كتير لما بتسمع كلمة "استثمار" بتتخيل على طول عربيات فيراري وقصور. ولما تقولهم اشتروا دهب بيقولولك "لأ هستنى لما ينزل" (وهو أصلاً بيطلع).

الفكرة إنك متحاولش تحدد "الوقت المثالي للسوق" (Time the market) عشان تدخل، لأنه ببساطة صعب جداً تعرف إمتى الوقت ده. ناس كتير بتحاول تحقق عائد أعلى من المتوسط (اللي هو 10% سنوياً) وبينتهي بيهم الأمر خسرانين.

فمتحاولش تعمل ذكي أوي وتفضل مستني وتأجل. ابدأ على طول، والتزم بالاستثمار بانتظام.

مفيش حاجة كاملة

انا عارف شعور انك عايز كل حاجة وصدقني مش انت لوحدك، بس زي ما بيقولوا بالإنجليزي "you can't have your cake and eat it too"!

يعني مثلاً لو عايز ربح كتير هتلاقي مقابله مخاطرة عالية، أو لو عايز أمان لفلوسك هتلاقي العائد قليل. دايماً هتلاقي حاجة على حساب حاجة وانت بس اللي تقرر هتستحمل إيه.

أنا بالنسبة لي، بفضل حاجة بعائد صغير سنوي بس فيها أمان علشان مع الوقت يحصل تراكم للفوايد (compound interest) ويزيد المبلغ، بدل ما أخش في حاجة وأخسر كل حاجة.

بس زي ما قلت، دي بترجع من شخص لشخص. ممكن مثلاً لو حاسس إن قدامك فرصة حلوة، تجرب بنسبة صغيرة (زي 20% من فلوسك) كتجربة. بس دايماً دايماً دايماً متخليش الطمع يسوقك.

الوقت والعائد

معظم طرق الاستثمار الآمنة بتاخد وقت علشان تظهر نتايجها. زي ما قلت قبل كده: العائد السريع غالباً بيقابله مخاطرة عالية. أنا بقدملك هنا خيارات أكثر أماناً، لكن مقابل ده هتلاقي العائد مش هيبقى مبهر على المدى القصير. عشان كده لازم تفكر في الاستثمار على مدة متوسطة لطويلة (من 3 لـ 5 سنين) علشان تحصد ثمار استثمارك بشكل كويس وتشوف النتايج اللي بتتمناها.

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مصادر للتعلم

قنوات يوتيوب

• بالمصري:
• عميد يستثمر

• محمد محي الدين

• بالإنجليزي:

• Two Cents
• The Money Guy Show
• Clear Value Tax
• The Plain Bagel

مواقع تفيدك

• بالإنجليزي:
• Investopedia

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كمل قراية من هنا: nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpu2h0sja0vmqdqjzq6e820jjjnuytzw2ksmemfnadhe0hm0zdws5qqxnzde5xvurqdp4xuunqd3sau2w7y

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ادعمني (لو حابب)

• USDT (TRC20): TKQ3Uwkq21ntiua2Zh9Hu376fdMdnRGWN6

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آخر تحديث: 4 أبريل 2025

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

A electricidade ou os computadores ou a Internet foram revoluções que mudaram o mundo, mas a adoção e a evolução da tecnologia foi lenta, permitindo que as populações e as económicas se adaptassem.

Ao contrário, na AI, a evolução está a ser tão rápida, que as sociedades não vão conseguir acompanhar e adaptar a uma nova realidade.

A AI tem um potencial inacreditável, talvez seja a revolução tecnológica mais rápida de sempre, além disso é muito abrangente, quase todos os sectores económicos podem beneficiar, pode provocar um forte aumento na produtividade.

O potencial é tão elevado, como pode ser perigoso, sobretudo quando utilizado como uma arma contra a humanidade. Os governos ou empresas vão construir ferramentas com AI para monitorizar, manipular e controlar os cidadãos.

Muitas profissões vão desaparecer ou reduzir drasticamente o número de trabalhadores. Tal como aconteceu nas revoluções anteriores, muitas profissões acabaram, mas surgir outras novas profissões.

Ou seja, o problema não é a tecnologia, mas sim a maneira como se usa essa tecnologia. Os desafios para o futuro são tremendos.

E o cidadão comum, o que está a fazer e a pensar… a fazer desenhos, a fazer idiotices. https://image.nostr.build/326d506f0015c99d09e061094bf3552764c6f6334be2899c6f5359f0a809d8bc.jpg

Algo similar acontece com o Bitcoin, uma tecnologia revolucionária, em alguns casos particulares, as stablecoins poderão ser interessantes. Mas o povo prefere especulador em tokens absurdos e jogar no casino das memecoins.

Também acontece com a internet, é uma fonte acessível e inesgotável de conhecimento, mas as pessoas preferem passar horas sem fim, nas redes sociais a fazer swipe up, a consumir conteúdo degradante.

O mundo ocidental está a transformar os cidadãos em zumbis, facilmente manipuláveis, obedientes, viciados. Nós necessitamos é de pessoas curiosas, com espírito crítico, criativas. Essencialmente, que pensem pela sua própria cabeça.

@ f1577c25:de26ba14

احنا المرة اللي فاتت اتكلمنا عن طرق الاستثمار بشكل عام فا تعالي بقي ناخدهم واحدة واحدة بالمميزات و العيوب و اول حاجة هنبدا بيها هي البورصة الامريكية.

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المنصات التداول:

المنصتين اللي انصح بيهم عن تجربة شخصية هما:

IBKR

• حلوة لو لسه جديد علشان شكل الموقع خفيف
• العمولات صغيرة
• عيبها إن طرق الايداع صعبة

Tastytrade

• حلوة علشان فية طرق ايداع عن طريق الكريبتو فا اسهل
• عيبها إن الشكل مش احسن حاجة كا تصميم للموقع

مميزات البورصة الأمريكية

• بالدولار الامريكي (هيساعد بالتضخم)
• الحد الادني 5 دولار لشراء جزء من السهم (علي حسب منصة التداول بس اغلبهم يعني)
• تقدر تخرج بأي وقت لو محتاج الفلوس
• مضمون و علي المدي الطويل العائد كان مضمون

عيوب البورصة الأمريكية

• لازم باسبور او بطاقة مترجمة من مكان معتمد
• طرق الايداع صعبة لو هتستخدم موقع زي IBKR مثلا
• علي المدي القصير ممكن تخسر فلوسك
• العمولات بتختلف من منصة للتاني بس في حدود ال11 سنت لو هتشتري جزء من السهم

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ادعمني (اختياري)

• لو حابب تسجل عن طريق Tastytrade ممكن تستخدم رابط الاحاله بتاعي: https://open.tastytrade.com/signup?referralCode=FE3YFNRFJZ
• USDT (TRC20): TKQ3Uwkq21ntiua2Zh9Hu376fdMdnRGWN6

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شوف الكومنتات لو فيه أي تعديل أو بوستات جديدة.