@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Someone asked for my thoughts, so I’ll share them thoughtfully. I’m not here to dictate how to promote Nostr—I’m still learning about it myself. While I’m not new to Nostr, freedom tech is a newer space for me. I’m skilled at advocating for topics I deeply understand, but freedom tech isn’t my expertise, so take my words with a grain of salt. Nothing I say is set in stone.

Those who need Nostr the most are the ones most vulnerable to censorship on other platforms right now. Reaching them requires real-time awareness of global issues and the dynamic relationships between governments and tech providers, which can shift suddenly. Effective Nostr promoters must grasp this and adapt quickly.

The best messengers are people from or closely tied to these at-risk regions—those who truly understand the local political and cultural dynamics. They can connect with those in need when tensions rise. Ideal promoters are rational, trustworthy, passionate about Nostr, but above all, dedicated to amplifying people’s voices when it matters most.

Forget influencers, corporate-backed figures, or traditional online PR—it comes off as inauthentic, corny, desperate and forced. Nostr’s promotion should be grassroots and organic, driven by a few passionate individuals who believe in Nostr and the communities they serve.

The idea that “people won’t join Nostr due to lack of reach” is nonsense. Everyone knows X’s “reach” is mostly with bots. If humans want real conversations, Nostr is the place. X is great for propaganda, but Nostr is for the authentic voices of the people.

Those spreading Nostr must be so passionate they’re willing to onboard others, which is time-consuming but rewarding for the right person. They’ll need to make Nostr and onboarding a core part of who they are. I see no issue with that level of dedication. I’ve been known to get that way myself at times. It’s fun for some folks.

With love, I suggest not adding Bitcoin promotion with Nostr outreach. Zaps already integrate that element naturally. (Still promote within the Bitcoin ecosystem, but this is about reaching vulnerable voices who needed Nostr yesterday.)

To promote Nostr, forget conventional strategies. “Influencers” aren’t the answer. “Influencers” are not the future. A trusted local community member has real influence—reach them. Connect with people seeking Nostr’s benefits but lacking the technical language to express it. This means some in the Nostr community might need to step outside of the Bitcoin bubble, which is uncomfortable but necessary. Thank you in advance to those who are willing to do that.

I don’t know who is paid to promote Nostr, if anyone. This piece isn’t shade. But it’s exhausting to see innocent voices globally silenced on corporate platforms like X while Nostr exists. Last night, I wondered: how many more voices must be censored before the Nostr community gets uncomfortable and thinks creatively to reach the vulnerable?

A warning: the global need for censorship-resistant social media is undeniable. If Nostr doesn’t make itself known, something else will fill that void. Let’s start this conversation.

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Please respect Virginia Giuffre’s memory by refraining from asking about the circumstances or theories surrounding her passing.

Since Virginia Giuffre’s death, I’ve reflected on what she would want me to say or do. This piece is my attempt to honor her legacy.

When I first spoke with Virginia, I was struck by her unshakable hope. I had grown cynical after years in the anti-human trafficking movement, worn down by a broken system and a government that often seemed complicit. But Virginia’s passion, creativity, and belief that survivors could be heard reignited something in me. She reminded me of my younger, more hopeful self. Instead of warning her about the challenges ahead, I let her dream big, unburdened by my own disillusionment. That conversation changed me for the better, and following her lead led to meaningful progress.

Virginia was one of the bravest people I’ve ever known. As a survivor of Epstein, Maxwell, and their co-conspirators, she risked everything to speak out, taking on some of the world’s most powerful figures.

She loved when I said, “Epstein isn’t the only Epstein.” This wasn’t just about one man—it was a call to hold all abusers accountable and to ensure survivors find hope and healing.

The Epstein case often gets reduced to sensational details about the elite, but that misses the bigger picture. Yes, we should be holding all of the co-conspirators accountable, we must listen to the survivors’ stories. Their experiences reveal how predators exploit vulnerabilities, offering lessons to prevent future victims.

You’re not powerless in this fight. Educate yourself about trafficking and abuse—online and offline—and take steps to protect those around you. Supporting survivors starts with small, meaningful actions. Free online resources can guide you in being a safe, supportive presence.

When high-profile accusations arise, resist snap judgments. Instead of dismissing survivors as “crazy,” pause to consider the trauma they may be navigating. Speaking out or coping with abuse is never easy. You don’t have to believe every claim, but you can refrain from attacking accusers online.

Society also fails at providing aftercare for survivors. The government, often part of the problem, won’t solve this. It’s up to us. Prevention is critical, but when abuse occurs, step up for your loved ones and community. Protect the vulnerable. it’s a challenging but a rewarding journey.

If you’re contributing to Nostr, you’re helping build a censorship resistant platform where survivors can share their stories freely, no matter how powerful their abusers are. Their voices can endure here, offering strength and hope to others. This gives me great hope for the future.

Virginia Giuffre’s courage was a gift to the world. It was an honor to know and serve her. She will be deeply missed. My hope is that her story inspires others to take on the powerful.

@ 52b4a076:e7fad8bd

I have been recently building NFDB, a new relay DB. This post is meant as a short overview.

Regular relays have challenges

Current relay software have significant challenges, which I have experienced when hosting Nostr.land: - Scalability is only supported by adding full replicas, which does not scale to large relays. - Most relays use slow databases and are not optimized for large scale usage. - Search is near-impossible to implement on standard relays. - Privacy features such as NIP-42 are lacking. - Regular DB maintenance tasks on normal relays require extended downtime. - Fault-tolerance is implemented, if any, using a load balancer, which is limited. - Personalization and advanced filtering is not possible. - Local caching is not supported.

NFDB: A scalable database for large relays

NFDB is a new database meant for medium-large scale relays, built on FoundationDB that provides: - Near-unlimited scalability - Extended fault tolerance - Instant loading - Better search - Better personalization - and more.

Search

NFDB has extended search capabilities including: - Semantic search: Search for meaning, not words. - Interest-based search: Highlight content you care about. - Multi-faceted queries: Easily filter by topic, author group, keywords, and more at the same time. - Wide support for event kinds, including users, articles, etc.

Personalization

NFDB allows significant personalization: - Customized algorithms: Be your own algorithm. - Spam filtering: Filter content to your WoT, and use advanced spam filters. - Topic mutes: Mute topics, not keywords. - Media filtering: With Nostr.build, you will be able to filter NSFW and other content - Low data mode: Block notes that use high amounts of cellular data. - and more

Other

NFDB has support for many other features such as: - NIP-42: Protect your privacy with private drafts and DMs - Microrelays: Easily deploy your own personal microrelay - Containers: Dedicated, fast storage for discoverability events such as relay lists

Calcite: A local microrelay database

Calcite is a lightweight, local version of NFDB that is meant for microrelays and caching, meant for thousands of personal microrelays.

Calcite HA is an additional layer that allows live migration and relay failover in under 30 seconds, providing higher availability compared to current relays with greater simplicity. Calcite HA is enabled in all Calcite deployments.

For zero-downtime, NFDB is recommended.

Noswhere SmartCache

Relays are fixed in one location, but users can be anywhere.

Noswhere SmartCache is a CDN for relays that dynamically caches data on edge servers closest to you, allowing: - Multiple regions around the world - Improved throughput and performance - Faster loading times

routerd

routerd is a custom load-balancer optimized for Nostr relays, integrated with SmartCache.

routerd is specifically integrated with NFDB and Calcite HA to provide fast failover and high performance.

Ending notes

NFDB is planned to be deployed to Nostr.land in the coming weeks.

A lot more is to come. 👀️️️️️️

@ 91bea5cd:1df4451c

O Contexto Legal Brasileiro e o Consentimento

No ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, o consentimento do ofendido pode, em certas circunstâncias, afastar a ilicitude de um ato que, sem ele, configuraria crime (como lesão corporal leve, prevista no Art. 129 do Código Penal). Contudo, o consentimento tem limites claros: não é válido para bens jurídicos indisponíveis, como a vida, e sua eficácia é questionável em casos de lesões corporais graves ou gravíssimas.

A prática de BDSM consensual situa-se em uma zona complexa. Em tese, se ambos os parceiros são adultos, capazes, e consentiram livre e informadamente nos atos praticados, sem que resultem em lesões graves permanentes ou risco de morte não consentido, não haveria crime. O desafio reside na comprovação desse consentimento, especialmente se uma das partes, posteriormente, o negar ou alegar coação.

A Lei Maria da Penha (Lei nº 11.340/2006)

A Lei Maria da Penha é um marco fundamental na proteção da mulher contra a violência doméstica e familiar. Ela estabelece mecanismos para coibir e prevenir tal violência, definindo suas formas (física, psicológica, sexual, patrimonial e moral) e prevendo medidas protetivas de urgência.

Embora essencial, a aplicação da lei em contextos de BDSM pode ser delicada. Uma alegação de violência por parte da mulher, mesmo que as lesões ou situações decorram de práticas consensuais, tende a receber atenção prioritária das autoridades, dada a presunção de vulnerabilidade estabelecida pela lei. Isso pode criar um cenário onde o parceiro masculino enfrenta dificuldades significativas em demonstrar a natureza consensual dos atos, especialmente se não houver provas robustas pré-constituídas.

Outros riscos:

Lesão corporal grave ou gravíssima (art. 129, §§ 1º e 2º, CP), não pode ser justificada pelo consentimento, podendo ensejar persecução penal.

Crimes contra a dignidade sexual (arts. 213 e seguintes do CP) são de ação pública incondicionada e independem de representação da vítima para a investigação e denúncia.

Riscos de Falsas Acusações e Alegação de Coação Futura

Os riscos para os praticantes de BDSM, especialmente para o parceiro que assume o papel dominante ou que inflige dor/restrição (frequentemente, mas não exclusivamente, o homem), podem surgir de diversas frentes:

1. Acusações Externas: Vizinhos, familiares ou amigos que desconhecem a natureza consensual do relacionamento podem interpretar sons, marcas ou comportamentos como sinais de abuso e denunciar às autoridades.
2. Alegações Futuras da Parceira: Em caso de término conturbado, vingança, arrependimento ou mudança de perspectiva, a parceira pode reinterpretar as práticas passadas como abuso e buscar reparação ou retaliação através de uma denúncia. A alegação pode ser de que o consentimento nunca existiu ou foi viciado.
3. Alegação de Coação: Uma das formas mais complexas de refutar é a alegação de que o consentimento foi obtido mediante coação (física, moral, psicológica ou econômica). A parceira pode alegar, por exemplo, que se sentia pressionada, intimidada ou dependente, e que seu "sim" não era genuíno. Provar a ausência de coação a posteriori é extremamente difícil.
4. Ingenuidade e Vulnerabilidade Masculina: Muitos homens, confiando na dinâmica consensual e na parceira, podem negligenciar a necessidade de precauções. A crença de que "isso nunca aconteceria comigo" ou a falta de conhecimento sobre as implicações legais e o peso processual de uma acusação no âmbito da Lei Maria da Penha podem deixá-los vulneráveis. A presença de marcas físicas, mesmo que consentidas, pode ser usada como evidência de agressão, invertendo o ônus da prova na prática, ainda que não na teoria jurídica.

Estratégias de Prevenção e Mitigação

Não existe um método infalível para evitar completamente o risco de uma falsa acusação, mas diversas medidas podem ser adotadas para construir um histórico de consentimento e reduzir vulnerabilidades:

1. Comunicação Explícita e Contínua: A base de qualquer prática BDSM segura é a comunicação constante. Negociar limites, desejos, palavras de segurança ("safewords") e expectativas antes, durante e depois das cenas é crucial. Manter registros dessas negociações (e-mails, mensagens, diários compartilhados) pode ser útil.

2. Documentação do Consentimento:

   • Contratos de Relacionamento/Cena: Embora a validade jurídica de "contratos BDSM" seja discutível no Brasil (não podem afastar normas de ordem pública), eles servem como forte evidência da intenção das partes, da negociação detalhada de limites e do consentimento informado. Devem ser claros, datados, assinados e, idealmente, reconhecidos em cartório (para prova de data e autenticidade das assinaturas).

   • Registros Audiovisuais: Gravar (com consentimento explícito para a gravação) discussões sobre consentimento e limites antes das cenas pode ser uma prova poderosa. Gravar as próprias cenas é mais complexo devido a questões de privacidade e potencial uso indevido, mas pode ser considerado em casos específicos, sempre com consentimento mútuo documentado para a gravação.

     Importante: a gravação deve ser com ciência da outra parte, para não configurar violação da intimidade (art. 5º, X, da Constituição Federal e art. 20 do Código Civil).

3. Testemunhas: Em alguns contextos de comunidade BDSM, a presença de terceiros de confiança durante negociações ou mesmo cenas pode servir como testemunho, embora isso possa alterar a dinâmica íntima do casal.

4. Estabelecimento Claro de Limites e Palavras de Segurança: Definir e respeitar rigorosamente os limites (o que é permitido, o que é proibido) e as palavras de segurança é fundamental. O desrespeito a uma palavra de segurança encerra o consentimento para aquele ato.
5. Avaliação Contínua do Consentimento: O consentimento não é um cheque em branco; ele deve ser entusiástico, contínuo e revogável a qualquer momento. Verificar o bem-estar do parceiro durante a cena ("check-ins") é essencial.
6. Discrição e Cuidado com Evidências Físicas: Ser discreto sobre a natureza do relacionamento pode evitar mal-entendidos externos. Após cenas que deixem marcas, é prudente que ambos os parceiros estejam cientes e de acordo, talvez documentando por fotos (com data) e uma nota sobre a consensualidade da prática que as gerou.
7. Aconselhamento Jurídico Preventivo: Consultar um advogado especializado em direito de família e criminal, com sensibilidade para dinâmicas de relacionamento alternativas, pode fornecer orientação personalizada sobre as melhores formas de documentar o consentimento e entender os riscos legais específicos.

Observações Importantes

• Nenhuma documentação substitui a necessidade de consentimento real, livre, informado e contínuo.
• A lei brasileira protege a "integridade física" e a "dignidade humana". Práticas que resultem em lesões graves ou que violem a dignidade de forma não consentida (ou com consentimento viciado) serão ilegais, independentemente de qualquer acordo prévio.
• Em caso de acusação, a existência de documentação robusta de consentimento não garante a absolvição, mas fortalece significativamente a defesa, ajudando a demonstrar a natureza consensual da relação e das práticas.

• A alegação de coação futura é particularmente difícil de prevenir apenas com documentos. Um histórico consistente de comunicação aberta (whatsapp/telegram/e-mails), respeito mútuo e ausência de dependência ou controle excessivo na relação pode ajudar a contextualizar a dinâmica como não coercitiva.

• Cuidado com Marcas Visíveis e Lesões Graves Práticas que resultam em hematomas severos ou lesões podem ser interpretadas como agressão, mesmo que consentidas. Evitar excessos protege não apenas a integridade física, mas também evita questionamentos legais futuros.

O que vem a ser consentimento viciado

No Direito, consentimento viciado é quando a pessoa concorda com algo, mas a vontade dela não é livre ou plena — ou seja, o consentimento existe formalmente, mas é defeituoso por alguma razão.

O Código Civil brasileiro (art. 138 a 165) define várias formas de vício de consentimento. As principais são:

Erro: A pessoa se engana sobre o que está consentindo. (Ex.: A pessoa acredita que vai participar de um jogo leve, mas na verdade é exposta a práticas pesadas.)

Dolo: A pessoa é enganada propositalmente para aceitar algo. (Ex.: Alguém mente sobre o que vai acontecer durante a prática.)

Coação: A pessoa é forçada ou ameaçada a consentir. (Ex.: "Se você não aceitar, eu termino com você" — pressão emocional forte pode ser vista como coação.)

Estado de perigo ou lesão: A pessoa aceita algo em situação de necessidade extrema ou abuso de sua vulnerabilidade. (Ex.: Alguém em situação emocional muito fragilizada é induzida a aceitar práticas que normalmente recusaria.)

No contexto de BDSM, isso é ainda mais delicado: Mesmo que a pessoa tenha "assinado" um contrato ou dito "sim", se depois ela alegar que seu consentimento foi dado sob medo, engano ou pressão psicológica, o consentimento pode ser considerado viciado — e, portanto, juridicamente inválido.

Isso tem duas implicações sérias:

1. O crime não se descaracteriza: Se houver vício, o consentimento é ignorado e a prática pode ser tratada como crime normal (lesão corporal, estupro, tortura, etc.).

2. A prova do consentimento precisa ser sólida: Mostrando que a pessoa estava informada, lúcida, livre e sem qualquer tipo de coação.

   Consentimento viciado é quando a pessoa concorda formalmente, mas de maneira enganada, forçada ou pressionada, tornando o consentimento inútil para efeitos jurídicos.

Conclusão

Casais que praticam BDSM consensual no Brasil navegam em um terreno que exige não apenas confiança mútua e comunicação excepcional, mas também uma consciência aguçada das complexidades legais e dos riscos de interpretações equivocadas ou acusações mal-intencionadas. Embora o BDSM seja uma expressão legítima da sexualidade humana, sua prática no Brasil exige responsabilidade redobrada. Ter provas claras de consentimento, manter a comunicação aberta e agir com prudência são formas eficazes de se proteger de falsas alegações e preservar a liberdade e a segurança de todos os envolvidos. Embora leis controversas como a Maria da Penha sejam "vitais" para a proteção contra a violência real, os praticantes de BDSM, e em particular os homens nesse contexto, devem adotar uma postura proativa e prudente para mitigar os riscos inerentes à potencial má interpretação ou instrumentalização dessas práticas e leis, garantindo que a expressão de sua consensualidade esteja resguardada na medida do possível.

---

Importante: No Brasil, mesmo com tudo isso, o Ministério Público pode denunciar por crime como lesão corporal grave, estupro ou tortura, independente de consentimento. Então a prudência nas práticas é fundamental.

Aviso Legal: Este artigo tem caráter meramente informativo e não constitui aconselhamento jurídico. As leis e interpretações podem mudar, e cada situação é única. Recomenda-se buscar orientação de um advogado qualificado para discutir casos específicos.

Se curtiu este artigo faça uma contribuição, se tiver algum ponto relevante para o artigo deixe seu comentário.

@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365

Prelude

I wrote this post differently than any of my others. It started with a discussion with AI on an OPSec-inspired review of separation of powers, and evolved into quite an exciting debate! I asked Grok to write up a summary in my overall writing style, which it got pretty well. I've decided to post it exactly as-is. Ultimately, I think there are two solid ideas driving my stance here:

1. Perfect is the enemy of the good
2. Failure is the crucible of success

Beyond that, just some hard-core belief in freedom, separation of powers, and operating from self-interest.

Intro

Alright, buckle up. I’ve been chewing on this idea for a while, and it’s time to spit it out. Let’s look at the U.S. government like I’d look at a codebase under a cybersecurity audit—OPSEC style, no fluff. Forget the endless debates about what politicians should do. That’s noise. I want to talk about what they can do, the raw powers baked into the system, and why we should stop pretending those powers are sacred. If there’s a hole, either patch it or exploit it. No half-measures. And yeah, I’m okay if the whole thing crashes a bit—failure’s a feature, not a bug.

The Filibuster: A Security Rule with No Teeth

You ever see a firewall rule that’s more theater than protection? That’s the Senate filibuster. Everyone acts like it’s this untouchable guardian of democracy, but here’s the deal: a simple majority can torch it any day. It’s not a law; it’s a Senate preference, like choosing tabs over spaces. When people call killing it the “nuclear option,” I roll my eyes. Nuclear? It’s a button labeled “press me.” If a party wants it gone, they’ll do it. So why the dance?

I say stop playing games. Get rid of the filibuster. If you’re one of those folks who thinks it’s the only thing saving us from tyranny, fine—push for a constitutional amendment to lock it in. That’s a real patch, not a Post-it note. Until then, it’s just a vulnerability begging to be exploited. Every time a party threatens to nuke it, they’re admitting it’s not essential. So let’s stop pretending and move on.

Supreme Court Packing: Because Nine’s Just a Number

Here’s another fun one: the Supreme Court. Nine justices, right? Sounds official. Except it’s not. The Constitution doesn’t say nine—it’s silent on the number. Congress could pass a law tomorrow to make it 15, 20, or 42 (hitchhiker’s reference, anyone?). Packing the court is always on the table, and both sides know it. It’s like a root exploit just sitting there, waiting for someone to log in.

So why not call the bluff? If you’re in power—say, Trump’s back in the game—say, “I’m packing the court unless we amend the Constitution to fix it at nine.” Force the issue. No more shadowboxing. And honestly? The court’s got way too much power anyway. It’s not supposed to be a super-legislature, but here we are, with justices’ ideologies driving the bus. That’s a bug, not a feature. If the court weren’t such a kingmaker, packing it wouldn’t even matter. Maybe we should be talking about clipping its wings instead of just its size.

The Executive Should Go Full Klingon

Let’s talk presidents. I’m not saying they should wear Klingon armor and start shouting “Qapla’!”—though, let’s be real, that’d be awesome. I’m saying the executive should use every scrap of power the Constitution hands them. Enforce the laws you agree with, sideline the ones you don’t. If Congress doesn’t like it, they’ve got tools: pass new laws, override vetoes, or—here’s the big one—cut the budget. That’s not chaos; that’s the system working as designed.

Right now, the real problem isn’t the president overreaching; it’s the bureaucracy. It’s like a daemon running in the background, eating CPU and ignoring the user. The president’s supposed to be the one steering, but the administrative state’s got its own agenda. Let the executive flex, push the limits, and force Congress to check it. Norms? Pfft. The Constitution’s the spec sheet—stick to it.

Let the System Crash

Here’s where I get a little spicy: I’m totally fine if the government grinds to a halt. Deadlock isn’t a disaster; it’s a feature. If the branches can’t agree, let the president veto, let Congress starve the budget, let enforcement stall. Don’t tell me about “essential services.” Nothing’s so critical it can’t take a breather. Shutdowns force everyone to the table—debate, compromise, or expose who’s dropping the ball. If the public loses trust? Good. They’ll vote out the clowns or live with the circus they elected.

Think of it like a server crash. Sometimes you need a hard reboot to clear the cruft. If voters keep picking the same bad admins, well, the country gets what it deserves. Failure’s the best teacher—way better than limping along on autopilot.

States Are the Real MVPs

If the feds fumble, states step up. Right now, states act like junior devs waiting for the lead engineer to sign off. Why? Federal money. It’s a leash, and it’s tight. Cut that cash, and states will remember they’re autonomous. Some will shine, others will tank—looking at you, California. And I’m okay with that. Let people flee to better-run states. No bailouts, no excuses. States are like competing startups: the good ones thrive, the bad ones pivot or die.

Could it get uneven? Sure. Some states might turn into sci-fi utopias while others look like a post-apocalyptic vidya game. That’s the point—competition sorts it out. Citizens can move, markets adjust, and failure’s a signal to fix your act.

Chaos Isn’t the Enemy

Yeah, this sounds messy. States ignoring federal law, external threats poking at our seams, maybe even a constitutional crisis. I’m not scared. The Supreme Court’s there to referee interstate fights, and Congress sets the rules for state-to-state play. But if it all falls apart? Still cool. States can sort it without a babysitter—it’ll be ugly, but freedom’s worth it. External enemies? They’ll either unify us or break us. If we can’t rally, we don’t deserve the win.

Centralizing power to avoid this is like rewriting your app in a single thread to prevent race conditions—sure, it’s simpler, but you’re begging for a deadlock. Decentralized chaos lets states experiment, lets people escape, lets markets breathe. States competing to cut regulations to attract businesses? That’s a race to the bottom for red tape, but a race to the top for innovation—workers might gripe, but they’ll push back, and the tension’s healthy. Bring it—let the cage match play out. The Constitution’s checks are enough if we stop coddling the system.

Why This Matters

I’m not pitching a utopia. I’m pitching a stress test. The U.S. isn’t a fragile porcelain doll; it’s a rugged piece of hardware built to take some hits. Let it fail a little—filibuster, court, feds, whatever. Patch the holes with amendments if you want, or lean into the grind. Either way, stop fearing the crash. It’s how we debug the republic.

So, what’s your take? Ready to let the system rumble, or got a better way to secure the code? Hit me up—I’m all ears.

@ c9badfea:610f861a

1. Install SDAI (it's free and open source)
2. Launch the app, and allow notifications when prompted
3. Complete the introduction to get started
4. Set Local Diffusion Microsoft ONNX as provider
5. In the configuration step, Download a model (such as Real Vision) and wait for the process to finish
6. Once the model is downloaded, tap on it and then select Setup
7. You can now create images offline by entering a Prompt and tapping 🪄 Imagine

ℹ️ Download the tracking-free FOSS variant

ℹ️ Internet connection is only required for the initial model download

ℹ️ To speed up image generation, consider reducing the image size (e.g. 256x256)

@ 91bea5cd:1df4451c

Básico

bash lsblk # Lista todos os diretorios montados.

Para criar o sistema de arquivos:

bash mkfs.btrfs -L "ThePool" -f /dev/sdx

Criando um subvolume:

bash btrfs subvolume create SubVol

Montando Sistema de Arquivos:

bash mount -o compress=zlib,subvol=SubVol,autodefrag /dev/sdx /mnt

Lista os discos formatados no diretório:

bash btrfs filesystem show /mnt

Adiciona novo disco ao subvolume:

bash btrfs device add -f /dev/sdy /mnt

Lista novamente os discos do subvolume:

bash btrfs filesystem show /mnt

Exibe uso dos discos do subvolume:

bash btrfs filesystem df /mnt

Balancea os dados entre os discos sobre raid1:

bash btrfs filesystem balance start -dconvert=raid1 -mconvert=raid1 /mnt

Scrub é uma passagem por todos os dados e metadados do sistema de arquivos e verifica as somas de verificação. Se uma cópia válida estiver disponível (perfis de grupo de blocos replicados), a danificada será reparada. Todas as cópias dos perfis replicados são validadas.

iniciar o processo de depuração :

bash btrfs scrub start /mnt

ver o status do processo de depuração Btrfs em execução:

bash btrfs scrub status /mnt

ver o status do scrub Btrfs para cada um dos dispositivos

bash btrfs scrub status -d / data btrfs scrub cancel / data

Para retomar o processo de depuração do Btrfs que você cancelou ou pausou:

btrfs scrub resume / data

Listando os subvolumes:

bash btrfs subvolume list /Reports

Criando um instantâneo dos subvolumes:

Aqui, estamos criando um instantâneo de leitura e gravação chamado snap de marketing do subvolume de marketing.

bash btrfs subvolume snapshot /Reports/marketing /Reports/marketing-snap

Além disso, você pode criar um instantâneo somente leitura usando o sinalizador -r conforme mostrado. O marketing-rosnap é um instantâneo somente leitura do subvolume de marketing

bash btrfs subvolume snapshot -r /Reports/marketing /Reports/marketing-rosnap

Forçar a sincronização do sistema de arquivos usando o utilitário 'sync'

Para forçar a sincronização do sistema de arquivos, invoque a opção de sincronização conforme mostrado. Observe que o sistema de arquivos já deve estar montado para que o processo de sincronização continue com sucesso.

bash btrfs filsystem sync /Reports

Para excluir o dispositivo do sistema de arquivos, use o comando device delete conforme mostrado.

bash btrfs device delete /dev/sdc /Reports

Para sondar o status de um scrub, use o comando scrub status com a opção -dR .

bash btrfs scrub status -dR / Relatórios

Para cancelar a execução do scrub, use o comando scrub cancel .

bash $ sudo btrfs scrub cancel / Reports

Para retomar ou continuar com uma depuração interrompida anteriormente, execute o comando de cancelamento de depuração

bash sudo btrfs scrub resume /Reports

mostra o uso do dispositivo de armazenamento:

btrfs filesystem usage /data

Para distribuir os dados, metadados e dados do sistema em todos os dispositivos de armazenamento do RAID (incluindo o dispositivo de armazenamento recém-adicionado) montados no diretório /data , execute o seguinte comando:

sudo btrfs balance start --full-balance /data

Pode demorar um pouco para espalhar os dados, metadados e dados do sistema em todos os dispositivos de armazenamento do RAID se ele contiver muitos dados.

Opções importantes de montagem Btrfs

Nesta seção, vou explicar algumas das importantes opções de montagem do Btrfs. Então vamos começar.

As opções de montagem Btrfs mais importantes são:

**1. acl e noacl

**ACL gerencia permissões de usuários e grupos para os arquivos/diretórios do sistema de arquivos Btrfs.

A opção de montagem acl Btrfs habilita ACL. Para desabilitar a ACL, você pode usar a opção de montagem noacl .

Por padrão, a ACL está habilitada. Portanto, o sistema de arquivos Btrfs usa a opção de montagem acl por padrão.

**2. autodefrag e noautodefrag

**Desfragmentar um sistema de arquivos Btrfs melhorará o desempenho do sistema de arquivos reduzindo a fragmentação de dados.

A opção de montagem autodefrag permite a desfragmentação automática do sistema de arquivos Btrfs.

A opção de montagem noautodefrag desativa a desfragmentação automática do sistema de arquivos Btrfs.

Por padrão, a desfragmentação automática está desabilitada. Portanto, o sistema de arquivos Btrfs usa a opção de montagem noautodefrag por padrão.

**3. compactar e compactar-forçar

**Controla a compactação de dados no nível do sistema de arquivos do sistema de arquivos Btrfs.

A opção compactar compacta apenas os arquivos que valem a pena compactar (se compactar o arquivo economizar espaço em disco).

A opção compress-force compacta todos os arquivos do sistema de arquivos Btrfs, mesmo que a compactação do arquivo aumente seu tamanho.

O sistema de arquivos Btrfs suporta muitos algoritmos de compactação e cada um dos algoritmos de compactação possui diferentes níveis de compactação.

Os algoritmos de compactação suportados pelo Btrfs são: lzo , zlib (nível 1 a 9) e zstd (nível 1 a 15).

Você pode especificar qual algoritmo de compactação usar para o sistema de arquivos Btrfs com uma das seguintes opções de montagem:

• compress=algoritmo:nível
• compress-force=algoritmo:nível

Para obter mais informações, consulte meu artigo Como habilitar a compactação do sistema de arquivos Btrfs .

**4. subvol e subvolid

**Estas opções de montagem são usadas para montar separadamente um subvolume específico de um sistema de arquivos Btrfs.

A opção de montagem subvol é usada para montar o subvolume de um sistema de arquivos Btrfs usando seu caminho relativo.

A opção de montagem subvolid é usada para montar o subvolume de um sistema de arquivos Btrfs usando o ID do subvolume.

Para obter mais informações, consulte meu artigo Como criar e montar subvolumes Btrfs .

**5. dispositivo

A opção de montagem de dispositivo** é usada no sistema de arquivos Btrfs de vários dispositivos ou RAID Btrfs.

Em alguns casos, o sistema operacional pode falhar ao detectar os dispositivos de armazenamento usados em um sistema de arquivos Btrfs de vários dispositivos ou RAID Btrfs. Nesses casos, você pode usar a opção de montagem do dispositivo para especificar os dispositivos que deseja usar para o sistema de arquivos de vários dispositivos Btrfs ou RAID.

Você pode usar a opção de montagem de dispositivo várias vezes para carregar diferentes dispositivos de armazenamento para o sistema de arquivos de vários dispositivos Btrfs ou RAID.

Você pode usar o nome do dispositivo (ou seja, sdb , sdc ) ou UUID , UUID_SUB ou PARTUUID do dispositivo de armazenamento com a opção de montagem do dispositivo para identificar o dispositivo de armazenamento.

Por exemplo,

• dispositivo=/dev/sdb
• dispositivo=/dev/sdb,dispositivo=/dev/sdc
• dispositivo=UUID_SUB=490a263d-eb9a-4558-931e-998d4d080c5d
• device=UUID_SUB=490a263d-eb9a-4558-931e-998d4d080c5d,device=UUID_SUB=f7ce4875-0874-436a-b47d-3edef66d3424

**6. degraded

A opção de montagem degradada** permite que um RAID Btrfs seja montado com menos dispositivos de armazenamento do que o perfil RAID requer.

Por exemplo, o perfil raid1 requer a presença de 2 dispositivos de armazenamento. Se um dos dispositivos de armazenamento não estiver disponível em qualquer caso, você usa a opção de montagem degradada para montar o RAID mesmo que 1 de 2 dispositivos de armazenamento esteja disponível.

**7. commit

A opção commit** mount é usada para definir o intervalo (em segundos) dentro do qual os dados serão gravados no dispositivo de armazenamento.

O padrão é definido como 30 segundos.

Para definir o intervalo de confirmação para 15 segundos, você pode usar a opção de montagem commit=15 (digamos).

**8. ssd e nossd

A opção de montagem ssd** informa ao sistema de arquivos Btrfs que o sistema de arquivos está usando um dispositivo de armazenamento SSD, e o sistema de arquivos Btrfs faz a otimização SSD necessária.

A opção de montagem nossd desativa a otimização do SSD.

O sistema de arquivos Btrfs detecta automaticamente se um SSD é usado para o sistema de arquivos Btrfs. Se um SSD for usado, a opção de montagem de SSD será habilitada. Caso contrário, a opção de montagem nossd é habilitada.

**9. ssd_spread e nossd_spread

A opção de montagem ssd_spread** tenta alocar grandes blocos contínuos de espaço não utilizado do SSD. Esse recurso melhora o desempenho de SSDs de baixo custo (baratos).

A opção de montagem nossd_spread desativa o recurso ssd_spread .

O sistema de arquivos Btrfs detecta automaticamente se um SSD é usado para o sistema de arquivos Btrfs. Se um SSD for usado, a opção de montagem ssd_spread será habilitada. Caso contrário, a opção de montagem nossd_spread é habilitada.

**10. descarte e nodiscard

Se você estiver usando um SSD que suporte TRIM enfileirado assíncrono (SATA rev3.1), a opção de montagem de descarte** permitirá o descarte de blocos de arquivos liberados. Isso melhorará o desempenho do SSD.

Se o SSD não suportar TRIM enfileirado assíncrono, a opção de montagem de descarte prejudicará o desempenho do SSD. Nesse caso, a opção de montagem nodiscard deve ser usada.

Por padrão, a opção de montagem nodiscard é usada.

**11. norecovery

Se a opção de montagem norecovery** for usada, o sistema de arquivos Btrfs não tentará executar a operação de recuperação de dados no momento da montagem.

**12. usebackuproot e nousebackuproot

Se a opção de montagem usebackuproot for usada, o sistema de arquivos Btrfs tentará recuperar qualquer raiz de árvore ruim/corrompida no momento da montagem. O sistema de arquivos Btrfs pode armazenar várias raízes de árvore no sistema de arquivos. A opção de montagem usebackuproot** procurará uma boa raiz de árvore e usará a primeira boa que encontrar.

A opção de montagem nousebackuproot não verificará ou recuperará raízes de árvore inválidas/corrompidas no momento da montagem. Este é o comportamento padrão do sistema de arquivos Btrfs.

**13. space_cache, space_cache=version, nospace_cache e clear_cache

A opção de montagem space_cache** é usada para controlar o cache de espaço livre. O cache de espaço livre é usado para melhorar o desempenho da leitura do espaço livre do grupo de blocos do sistema de arquivos Btrfs na memória (RAM).

O sistema de arquivos Btrfs suporta 2 versões do cache de espaço livre: v1 (padrão) e v2

O mecanismo de cache de espaço livre v2 melhora o desempenho de sistemas de arquivos grandes (tamanho de vários terabytes).

Você pode usar a opção de montagem space_cache=v1 para definir a v1 do cache de espaço livre e a opção de montagem space_cache=v2 para definir a v2 do cache de espaço livre.

A opção de montagem clear_cache é usada para limpar o cache de espaço livre.

Quando o cache de espaço livre v2 é criado, o cache deve ser limpo para criar um cache de espaço livre v1 .

Portanto, para usar o cache de espaço livre v1 após a criação do cache de espaço livre v2 , as opções de montagem clear_cache e space_cache=v1 devem ser combinadas: clear_cache,space_cache=v1

A opção de montagem nospace_cache é usada para desabilitar o cache de espaço livre.

Para desabilitar o cache de espaço livre após a criação do cache v1 ou v2 , as opções de montagem nospace_cache e clear_cache devem ser combinadas: clear_cache,nosapce_cache

**14. skip_balance

Por padrão, a operação de balanceamento interrompida/pausada de um sistema de arquivos Btrfs de vários dispositivos ou RAID Btrfs será retomada automaticamente assim que o sistema de arquivos Btrfs for montado. Para desabilitar a retomada automática da operação de equilíbrio interrompido/pausado em um sistema de arquivos Btrfs de vários dispositivos ou RAID Btrfs, você pode usar a opção de montagem skip_balance .**

**15. datacow e nodatacow

A opção datacow** mount habilita o recurso Copy-on-Write (CoW) do sistema de arquivos Btrfs. É o comportamento padrão.

Se você deseja desabilitar o recurso Copy-on-Write (CoW) do sistema de arquivos Btrfs para os arquivos recém-criados, monte o sistema de arquivos Btrfs com a opção de montagem nodatacow .

**16. datasum e nodatasum

A opção datasum** mount habilita a soma de verificação de dados para arquivos recém-criados do sistema de arquivos Btrfs. Este é o comportamento padrão.

Se você não quiser que o sistema de arquivos Btrfs faça a soma de verificação dos dados dos arquivos recém-criados, monte o sistema de arquivos Btrfs com a opção de montagem nodatasum .

Perfis Btrfs

Um perfil Btrfs é usado para informar ao sistema de arquivos Btrfs quantas cópias dos dados/metadados devem ser mantidas e quais níveis de RAID devem ser usados para os dados/metadados. O sistema de arquivos Btrfs contém muitos perfis. Entendê-los o ajudará a configurar um RAID Btrfs da maneira que você deseja.

Os perfis Btrfs disponíveis são os seguintes:

single : Se o perfil único for usado para os dados/metadados, apenas uma cópia dos dados/metadados será armazenada no sistema de arquivos, mesmo se você adicionar vários dispositivos de armazenamento ao sistema de arquivos. Assim, 100% do espaço em disco de cada um dos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos pode ser utilizado.

dup : Se o perfil dup for usado para os dados/metadados, cada um dos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos manterá duas cópias dos dados/metadados. Assim, 50% do espaço em disco de cada um dos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos pode ser utilizado.

raid0 : No perfil raid0 , os dados/metadados serão divididos igualmente em todos os dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos. Nesta configuração, não haverá dados/metadados redundantes (duplicados). Assim, 100% do espaço em disco de cada um dos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos pode ser usado. Se, em qualquer caso, um dos dispositivos de armazenamento falhar, todo o sistema de arquivos será corrompido. Você precisará de pelo menos dois dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid0 .

raid1 : No perfil raid1 , duas cópias dos dados/metadados serão armazenadas nos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos. Nesta configuração, a matriz RAID pode sobreviver a uma falha de unidade. Mas você pode usar apenas 50% do espaço total em disco. Você precisará de pelo menos dois dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid1 .

raid1c3 : No perfil raid1c3 , três cópias dos dados/metadados serão armazenadas nos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos. Nesta configuração, a matriz RAID pode sobreviver a duas falhas de unidade, mas você pode usar apenas 33% do espaço total em disco. Você precisará de pelo menos três dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid1c3 .

raid1c4 : No perfil raid1c4 , quatro cópias dos dados/metadados serão armazenadas nos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos. Nesta configuração, a matriz RAID pode sobreviver a três falhas de unidade, mas você pode usar apenas 25% do espaço total em disco. Você precisará de pelo menos quatro dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid1c4 .

raid10 : No perfil raid10 , duas cópias dos dados/metadados serão armazenadas nos dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos, como no perfil raid1 . Além disso, os dados/metadados serão divididos entre os dispositivos de armazenamento, como no perfil raid0 .

O perfil raid10 é um híbrido dos perfis raid1 e raid0 . Alguns dos dispositivos de armazenamento formam arrays raid1 e alguns desses arrays raid1 são usados para formar um array raid0 . Em uma configuração raid10 , o sistema de arquivos pode sobreviver a uma única falha de unidade em cada uma das matrizes raid1 .

Você pode usar 50% do espaço total em disco na configuração raid10 . Você precisará de pelo menos quatro dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid10 .

raid5 : No perfil raid5 , uma cópia dos dados/metadados será dividida entre os dispositivos de armazenamento. Uma única paridade será calculada e distribuída entre os dispositivos de armazenamento do array RAID.

Em uma configuração raid5 , o sistema de arquivos pode sobreviver a uma única falha de unidade. Se uma unidade falhar, você pode adicionar uma nova unidade ao sistema de arquivos e os dados perdidos serão calculados a partir da paridade distribuída das unidades em execução.

Você pode usar 1 00x(N-1)/N % do total de espaços em disco na configuração raid5 . Aqui, N é o número de dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos. Você precisará de pelo menos três dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid5 .

raid6 : No perfil raid6 , uma cópia dos dados/metadados será dividida entre os dispositivos de armazenamento. Duas paridades serão calculadas e distribuídas entre os dispositivos de armazenamento do array RAID.

Em uma configuração raid6 , o sistema de arquivos pode sobreviver a duas falhas de unidade ao mesmo tempo. Se uma unidade falhar, você poderá adicionar uma nova unidade ao sistema de arquivos e os dados perdidos serão calculados a partir das duas paridades distribuídas das unidades em execução.

Você pode usar 100x(N-2)/N % do espaço total em disco na configuração raid6 . Aqui, N é o número de dispositivos de armazenamento adicionados ao sistema de arquivos. Você precisará de pelo menos quatro dispositivos de armazenamento para configurar o sistema de arquivos Btrfs no perfil raid6 .

@ 28e13303:84bb7266

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Flash USDT is a blockchain simulation tool used for wallet testing, UI development, or demonstration purposes. It should not be used for fraudulent activity. @crypptrcver is not responsible for misuse.

💡 What Is Flash USDT? Flash USDT is a synthetic transaction method that simulates the transfer of Tether (USDT) into a wallet. These transactions appear instantly in wallet balances — without ever being confirmed on the blockchain — and disappear after a short time or block interval.

Think of it as a temporary, visual representation of USDT that looks real in a wallet but vanishes after expiry.

🧠 Flash USDT: The Basics 👁️ Visible in supported wallets confirmed on-chain ⏱️ Disappears after 20–60 minutes (or X blocks) 💸 Can be withdrawn and traded ⚙️ Used in wallet testing, UI simulation, and balance display demos Also known as:

Flash USDT Wallet Tool Flash USDT Sender Atomic Flash USDT Flash USDT Binance Sim 🛠️ How Flash USDT Works You input a wallet address (TRC20, ERC20, or BEP20) Flash USDT software sends an instant transaction Wallet displays the amount — as if it were real After expiry (e.g., 30 minutes), the tokens vanish It creates the illusion of a deposit without requiring real blockchain confirmation. Most users use Flash USDT for:

Wallet UI testing “Proof of funds” simulations Demo environments Smart contract UX testing 🔧 Supported Networks & Wallets Flash USDT supports all major token standards:

🔸 TRC20 (Tron Network) 🔸 ERC20 (Ethereum) 🔸 BEP20 (Binance Smart Chain) It works with wallets such as:

✅ Trust Wallet ✅ MetaMask ✅ TronLink ✅ Binance Wallet ✅ Atomic Wallet The balance appears instantly, just like a real incoming USDT deposit.

🔥 Features of Flash USDT Sender FeatureDescriptionNetwork supportTRC20 / ERC20 / BEP20Visibility duration20 minutes — 2 hoursWallet compatibilityNon-KYC wallets that show unconfirmed TXsFlash USDT Binance modeSimulates deposits into BSC walletsAdjustable transaction sizeSend any custom USDT amountStealth expiryClean disappearance without trace

This is especially helpful in scenarios where you need to test token flows, design wallet apps, or simulate incoming funding activity

📞 How to Buy Flash USDT To get your Flash USDT transaction or software setup:

💬 Telegram: @crypptrcver 📱 WhatsApp: +1 941 217 1821

Available packages:

🎯 One-time Flash USDT Send 💻 Full Flash USDT Software Tool 📱 Flash Sender for Mobile/Android 🌐 Multi-wallet Simulation Package You can request TRC20, ERC20, or BEP20 flash transactions depending on the wallet or network you’re working with.

⚠️ Legal & Ethical Use Only While Flash USDT is a powerful blockchain simulation tool, using it to deceive, fake trades, or commit fraud is illegal. Flash transactions should only be used for:

✅ Personal testing ✅ Blockchain development ✅ Wallet UI testing ✅ Research and education Any misuse is your full responsibility.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions What is Flash USDT? A temporary USDT transaction that appears in a wallet balance without confirming on the blockchain. It disappears after a set time or block count.

Is Flash USDT real money? No. It is a simulated deposit, not spendable or tradable.

Can I use Flash USDT on Binance? You can send it to BSC (BEP20) wallets, but you cannot use it on the Binance exchange. It’s for display/testing only.

How do I buy Flash USDT? Contact @crypptrcver on Telegram or WhatsApp to purchase a transaction or the full sender software.

What does Atomic Flash USDT mean? It refers to Flash USDT transactions that are time-bound and expire silently, simulating atomic wallet behavior.

🧠 Final Thoughts Flash USDT is one of the most advanced crypto testing tools available in 2025. Whether you’re simulating wallet behavior, demonstrating a smart contract front end, or simply showing a visual “deposit” for testing, Flash USDT provides an incredibly realistic experience — without ever moving real funds.

👉 Ready to simulate your first USDT transaction?

💬 Telegram: @crypptrcver 📱 WhatsApp: +1 941 217 1821

Packages available for:

TRC20 BEP20 ERC20 Custom wallet simulations

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Flash USDT is a blockchain simulation tool used for wallet testing, UI development, or demonstration purposes. It should not be used for fraudulent activity. @crypptrcver is not responsible for misuse.

💡 What Is Flash USDT?

Flash USDT is a synthetic transaction method that simulates the transfer of Tether (USDT) into a wallet. These transactions appear instantly in wallet balances — without ever being confirmed on the blockchain — and disappear after a short time or block interval.

Think of it as a temporary, visual representation of USDT that looks real in a wallet but vanishes after expiry.

🧠 Flash USDT: The Basics

• 👁️ Visible in supported wallets
• confirmed on-chain
• ⏱️ Disappears after 20–60 minutes (or X blocks)
• 💸 Can be withdrawn and traded
• ⚙️ Used in wallet testing, UI simulation, and balance display demos

Also known as:

• Flash USDT Wallet Tool
• Flash USDT Sender
• Atomic Flash USDT
• Flash USDT Binance Sim

🛠️ How Flash USDT Works

1. You input a wallet address (TRC20, ERC20, or BEP20)
2. Flash USDT software sends an instant transaction
3. Wallet displays the amount — as if it were real
4. After expiry (e.g., 30 minutes), the tokens vanish

It creates the illusion of a deposit without requiring real blockchain confirmation. Most users use Flash USDT for:

• Wallet UI testing
• “Proof of funds” simulations
• Demo environments
• Smart contract UX testing

🔧 Supported Networks & Wallets

Flash USDT supports all major token standards:

• 🔸 TRC20 (Tron Network)
• 🔸 ERC20 (Ethereum)
• 🔸 BEP20 (Binance Smart Chain)

It works with wallets such as:

• ✅ Trust Wallet
• ✅ MetaMask
• ✅ TronLink
• ✅ Binance Wallet
• ✅ Atomic Wallet

The balance appears instantly, just like a real incoming USDT deposit.

🔥 Features of Flash USDT Sender

FeatureDescriptionNetwork supportTRC20 / ERC20 / BEP20Visibility duration20 minutes — 2 hoursWallet compatibilityNon-KYC wallets that show unconfirmed TXsFlash USDT Binance modeSimulates deposits into BSC walletsAdjustable transaction sizeSend any custom USDT amountStealth expiryClean disappearance without trace

This is especially helpful in scenarios where you need to test token flows, design wallet apps, or simulate incoming funding activity

📞 How to Buy Flash USDT

To get your Flash USDT transaction or software setup:

💬 Telegram: @crypptrcver\ 📱 WhatsApp: +1 941 217 1821

Available packages:

• 🎯 One-time Flash USDT Send
• 💻 Full Flash USDT Software Tool
• 📱 Flash Sender for Mobile/Android
• 🌐 Multi-wallet Simulation Package

You can request TRC20, ERC20, or BEP20 flash transactions depending on the wallet or network you’re working with.

⚠️ Legal & Ethical Use Only

While Flash USDT is a powerful blockchain simulation tool, using it to deceive, fake trades, or commit fraud is illegal. Flash transactions should only be used for:

• ✅ Personal testing
• ✅ Blockchain development
• ✅ Wallet UI testing
• ✅ Research and education

Any misuse is your full responsibility.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flash USDT?

A temporary USDT transaction that appears in a wallet balance without confirming on the blockchain. It disappears after a set time or block count.

Is Flash USDT real money?

No. It is a simulated deposit, not spendable or tradable.

Can I use Flash USDT on Binance?

You can send it to BSC (BEP20) wallets, but you cannot use it on the Binance exchange. It’s for display/testing only.

How do I buy Flash USDT?

Contact @crypptrcver on Telegram or WhatsApp to purchase a transaction or the full sender software.

What does Atomic Flash USDT mean?

It refers to Flash USDT transactions that are time-bound and expire silently, simulating atomic wallet behavior.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Flash USDT is one of the most advanced crypto testing tools available in 2025. Whether you’re simulating wallet behavior, demonstrating a smart contract front end, or simply showing a visual “deposit” for testing, Flash USDT provides an incredibly realistic experience — without ever moving real funds.

👉 Ready to simulate your first USDT transaction?

💬 Telegram: @crypptrcver\ 📱 WhatsApp: +1 941 217 1821

Packages available for:

• TRC20
• BEP20
• ERC20
• Custom wallet simulations

@ 005bc4de:ef11e1a2

Today I rode my bicycle to work and then I had to ride halfway back home to go to a picnic event, kind of a thing. And then I had a bike back to work to help unload stuff and then I had to bike home. So, I got some extra exercise in today and a bit unexpected, but that's good. This image was while I was taking a little walk, it looked like a tiny forest. https://usermedia.actifit.io/125670ce-4e00-493c-a0b4-4c42d542391f This report was published via Actifit app (https://bit.ly/actifit-app | https://bit.ly/actifit-ios). Check out the original version https://actifit.io/@crrdlx/actifit-crrdlx-20250515t231342287z 15/05/2025 24933 Cycling, Jogging, Walking

Originally posted on Hive at https://hive.blog/@crrdlx/actifit-crrdlx-20250515t231342287z

Auto cross-post via Hostr v0.1.16 at https://hostr-home.vercel.app

@ 57c631a3:07529a8e

What is Growth Engineering? Before we start: if you’ve already filled out the What is your tech stack? survey: thank you! If you’ve not done so, your help will be greatly appreciated. It takes 5-15 minutes to complete. Those filling out will receive results before anyone else, and additional analysis from myself and Elin. Fill out this survey here.**

Fill out the survey

npub1sg6plzptd64u62a878hep2kev88swjh3tw00gjsfl8f237lmu63q0uf63m

Growth engineering was barely known a decade ago, but today, most scaleups and many publicly traded tech companies have dedicated growth teams staffed by growth engineers. However, some software engineers are still suspicious of this new area because of its reputation for hacky code with little to no code coverage.

For this reason and others, I thought it would be interesting to learn more from an expert who can tell us all about the practicalities of this controversial domain. So I turned to Alexey Komissarouk, who’s been in growth engineering since 2016, and was in charge of it at online education platform, MasterClass. These days, Alexey lives in Tokyo, Japan, where he advises on growth engineering and teaches the Growth Engineering course at Reforge.

In today’s deep dive, Alexey covers:

1. What is Growth Engineering? In the simplest terms: writing code to help a company make more money. But there are details to consider: like the company size where it makes sense to have a dedicated team do this.
2. What do Growth Engineers work on? Business-facing work, empowerment and platform work are the main areas.
3. Why Growth Engineers move faster than Product Engineers. Product Engineers ship to build: Growth Engineers ship to learn. Growth Engineers do take shortcuts that would make no sense when building for longevity – doing this on purpose.
4. Tech stack. Common programming languages, monitoring and oncall, feature flags and experimentation, product analytics, review apps, and more.
5. What makes a good Growth Engineer? Curiosity, “build to learn” mindset and a “Jack of all trades” approach.
6. Where do Growth Engineers fit in? Usually part of the engineering department, either operating as with an “owner” or a “hitchiker” model.
7. Becoming a Growth Engineer. A great area if you want to eventually become a founder or product manager – but even if not, it can accelerate your career growth. Working in Growth forces you to learn more about the business.

With that, it’s over to Alexey:

I’ll never forget the first time I made my employer a million dollars.

I was running a push notification A/B test for meal delivery startup Sprig, trying to boost repeat orders.

A push notification similar to what we tested to boost repeat orders

Initial results were unpromising; the push notification was not receiving many opens. Still, I wanted to be thorough: before concluding the idea was a failure, I wrote a SQL query to compare order volume for subsequent weeks between customers in test vs control.

The SQL used to figure out the push notification’s efficiency

As it turned out, our test group “beat” the control group by around 10%:

‘review_5_push’ was the new type of push notification. Roughly the same amount of users clicked it, but they placed 10% more in orders

I plugged the numbers into a significance calculator, which showed it was statistically significant – or “stat-sig” – and therefore highly unlikely to be a coincidence. This meant we had a winner on our hands! But how meaningful was it, really, and what would adding the push notification mean for revenue, if rolled out to 100% of users?

It turned out this experiment created an additional $1.5 million dollars, annually, with just one push notification. Wow!

I was hooked. Since that day, I've shipped hundreds of experimental “winners” which generated hundreds of millions of incremental revenue for my employers. But you never forget the first one. Moments like this is what growth engineering is all about.

1. What is Growth Engineering?

Essentially, growth engineering is the writing of code to make a company money. Of course, all code produced by a business on some level serves this purpose, but while Product Engineers focus on creating a Product worth paying for, Growth Engineers instead focus on making that good product have a good business. To this end, they focus on optimizing and refining key parts of the customer journey, such as:

• Getting more people to consider the product
• Converting them into paying customers
• Keeping them as customers for longer, and spending more

What kinds of companies employ Growth Engineers? Places you’ve heard of, like Meta, LinkedIn, DoorDash, Coinbase, and Dropbox, are some of the ones I’ve had students from. There’s also OpenAI, Uber, Tiktok, Tinder, Airbnb, Pinterest… the list of high-profile companies goes on. Most newer public consumer companies you’ve heard have a growth engineering org, too.

Typically, growth engineering orgs are started by companies at Series B stage and beyond, so long as they are selling to either consumers or businesses via SaaS. These are often places trying to grow extremely fast, and have enough software engineers that some can focus purely on growth. Before the Series B stage, a team is unlikely to be ready for growth for various reasons; likely that it hasn’t found product-market fit, or has no available headcount, or lacks the visitor traffic required to run A/B tests.

Cost is a consideration. A fully-loaded growth team consisting of a handful of engineers, a PM, and a designer costs approximately 1 million dollars annually. To justify this, a rule of thumb is to have at least $5 million dollars in recurring revenue – a milestone often achieved at around the Series B stage.

Despite the presence of growth engineering at many public consumer tech companies, the field itself is still quite new, as a discipline and as a proper title.

Brief history of growth engineering

When I joined Opendoor in 2016, there was a head of growth but no dedicated growth engineers, but there were by the time I left in 2020. At MasterClass soon after, there was a growth org and a dozen dedicated growth engineers. So when did growth engineering originate?

The story is that its origins lie at Facebook in 2007. The team was created by then-VP of platform and monetization Chamath Palihapitiya. Reforce founder and CEO Brian Balfour shares:

“Growth (the kind found on an org chart) began at Facebook under the direction of Chamath Palihapitiya. In 2007, he joined the early team in a nebulous role that fell somewhere between Product, Marketing, and Operations. According to his retelling of the story on Recode Decode, after struggling to accomplish anything meaningful in his first year on the job, he was on the verge of being fired.Sheryl Sandberg joined soon after him, and in a hail mary move he pitched her the game-changing idea that led to the creation of the first-ever growth team. This idea not only saved his job, but earned him the lion’s share of the credit for Facebook’s unprecedented growth.At the time, Sheryl and Mark asked him, “What do you call this thing where you help change the product, do some SEO and SEM, and algorithmically do this or that?”His response: “I don’t know, I just call that, like, Growth, you know, we’re going to try to grow. I’ll be the head of growing stuff."And just like that, Growth became a thing.”

Rather than focus on a particular product or feature, the growth team at Facebook focused on moving the needle, and figuring out which features to work on. These days, Meta employs hundreds if not thousands of growth engineers.

2. What do Growth Engineers work on?

Before we jump into concrete examples, let’s identify three primary focus areas that a growth engineer’s work usually involves.

• Business-facing work – improving the business directly
• Empowerment work – enabling other teams to improve the business
• Platform work – improving the velocity of the above activities

Let’s go through all three:

Business-facing work

This is the bread and butter of growth engineering, and follows a common pattern:

• Implement an idea. Try something big or small to try and move a key business metric, which differs by team but is typically related to conversion rate or retention.
• Quantify impact. Usually via A/B testing.
• Analyze impact. Await results, analyze impact, ship or roll back – then go back to the first step.

Experiments can lead to sweeping or barely noticeable changes. A famous “I can’t believe they needed to test this” was when Google figured out which shade of blue generates the most clicks. At MasterClass, we tested things across the spectrum:

• Small: should we show the price right on the homepage, was that a winner? Yes, but we framed it in monthly terms of $15/month, not $180/year.
• Medium: when browsing a course page, should we include related courses, or more details about the course itself? Was it a winner? After lengthy experimentation, it was hard to tell: both are valuable and we needed to strike the right balance.
• Large: when a potential customer is interested, do we take them straight to checkout, or encourage them to learn more? Counterintuitively, adding steps boosted conversion!

Empowerment

One of the best ways an engineer can move a target metric is by removing themselves as a bottleneck, so colleagues from marketing can iterate and optimize freely. To this end, growth engineers can either build internal tools or integrate self-serve MarTech (Marketing Technology) vendors.

With the right tool, there’s a lot that marketers can do without engineering’s involvement:

• Build and iterate on landing pages (Unbounce, Instapage, etc)
• Draft and send email, SMS and Push Notifications (Iterable, Braze, Customer.io, etc)
• Connect new advertising partners (Google Tag Manager, Segment, etc)

We go more into detail about benefits and applications in the MarTech section of Tech Stack, below.

Platform work

As a business scales, dedicated platform teams help improve stability and velocity for the teams they support. Within growth, this often includes initiatives like:

• Experiment Platform. Many parts of running an experiment can be standardized, from filtering the audience, to bucketing users properly, to observing statistical methodology. Historically, companies built reusable Experiment Platforms in-house, but more recently, vendors such as Eppo and Statsig have grown in popularity with fancy statistical methodologies like “Controlled Using Pre-Experiment Data” (CUPED) that give more signal with less data.
• Reusable components. Companies with standard front-end components for things like headlines, buttons, and images, dramatically reduce the time required to spin up a new page. No more "did you want 5 or 6 pixels here" with a designer; instead growth engineers rely on tools like Storybook to standardize and share reusable React components.
• Monitoring. Growth engineering benefits greatly from leveraging monitoring to compensate for reduced code coverage. High-quality business metric monitoring tools can detect bugs before they cause damage.

When I worked at MasterClass, having monitoring at the ad layer prevented at least one six-figure incident. One Friday, a marketer accidentally broadened the audience for a particular ad from US-only, to worldwide. In response, the Facebook Ad algorithm went on a spending spree, bringing in plenty of visitors from places like Brazil and India, whom we knew from past experience were unlikely to purchase the product. Fortunately, our monitoring noticed the low-performing campaign within minutes, and an alert was sent to the growth engineer on-call, who immediately reached out to the marketer and confirmed the change was unintentional, and then shut down the campaign.

Without this monitoring, a subtle targeting error like this could have gone unnoticed all weekend and would have eaten up $100,000+ of marketing budget. This episode shows that platform investment can benefit everyone; and since growth needs them most, it’s often the growth platform engineering team which implements them.

As the day-to-day work of a Growth Engineer shows, A/B tests are a critical tool to both measure success and learn. It’s a numbers game: the more A/B tests a team can run in a given quarter, the more of them will end up winners, making the team successful. It’s no wonder, then, that Growth Engineering will pull out all the stops to improve velocity.

3. Why Growth Engineers move faster than Product Engineers

On the surface, growth engineering teams look like product engineering ones; writing code, shipping pull requests, monitoring on-call, etc. So how do they move so much faster? The big reason lies in philosophy and focus, not technology. To quote Elena Verna, head of growth at Dropbox:

“Product Engineering teams ship to build; Growth Engineering teams ship to learn.”

Real-world case: price changes at Masterclass

A few years ago at MasterClass, the growth team wanted to see if changing our pricing model to multiple tiers would improve revenue.

Inspired in part by multiple pricing tiers for competitors such as Netflix (above), Disney Plus, and Hulu.

The “multiple pricing tier” proposal for MasterClass.

From a software engineering perspective, this was a highly complex project because:

• Backend engineering work: the backend did not yet support multiple pricing options, requiring a decent amount of engineering, and rigorous testing to make sure existing customers weren’t affected.
• Client app changes: on the device side, multiple platforms (iOS, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, etc) would each need to be updated, including each relevant app store.

The software engineering team estimated that becoming a “multi-pricing-tier” company would take months across numerous engineering teams, and engineering leadership was unwilling to greenlight that significant investment.

We in growth engineering took this as a challenge. As usual, our goal was not just to add the new pricing model, but to learn how much money it might bring in. The approach we ended up proposing was a Fake Door test, which involves offering a not-yet-available option to customers to gauge interest level. This was risky, as taking a customer who’s ready to pay and telling them to join some kind of waiting list is a colossal waste, and risks making them feel like the target of a “bait and switch” trick.

We found a way. The key insight was that people are only offended about a “bait and switch”, if the “switch” is worse than the “bait.” Telling customers they would pay $100 and then switching to $150 would cause a riot, but starting at $150 and then saying “just kidding, it’s only $100” is a pleasant surprise.

The good kind of surprise.

So long as every test “pricing tier” is less appealing – higher prices, fewer features – than the current offering, we could “upgrade” customers after their initial selection. A customer choosing the cheapest tier gets extra features at no extra cost, while a customer choosing a more expensive tier is offered a discount.

We created three new tiers, at different prices. The new “premium” tier would describe the existing, original offering. Regardless of what potential customers selected, they got this “original offering,” during the experiment.

The best thing about this was that no backend changes were required. There were no real, new, back-end pricing plans; everybody ended up purchasing the same version of MasterClass for the same price, with the same features. The entirety of the engineering work was on building a new pricing page, and the “congratulations, you’ve been upgraded” popup. This took just a few days.

Within a couple of weeks, we had enough data to be confident the financial upside of moving to a multi-pricing-tier model would be significant. With this, we’re able to convince the rest of engineering’s leadership to invest in building the feature properly. In the end, launching multiple pricing tiers turned out to be one of the biggest revenue wins of the year.

Building a skyscraper vs building a tent

The MasterClass example demonstrates the spirit of growth engineering; focusing on building to learn, instead of building to last. Consider building skyscrapers versus tents.

Building a tent optimizes for speed of set-up and tear-down over longevity. You don’t think of a tent as one that is shoddy or low-quality compared to skyscrapers: it’s not even the same category of buildings! Growth engineers maximize use of lightweight materials. To stick with the tents vs skyscraper metaphor: we prioritize lightweight fabric materials over steel and concrete whenever possible. We only resort to traditional building materials when there’s no other choice, or when a direction is confirmed as correct. Quality is important – after all, a tent must keep out rain and mosquitoes. However, the speed-vs-durability tradeoff decision results in very different approaches and outcomes.

4. Tech stack

At first glance, growth and product engineers use the same tooling, and contribute to the same codebases. But growth engineering tends to be high-velocity, experiment-heavy, and with limited test coverage. This means that certain “nice to have” tools for product engineering are mission-critical for growth engineers.

Read more https://connect-test.layer3.press/articles/ea02c1a1-7cfa-42b4-8722-0165abcae8bb

@ c9badfea:610f861a

1. Install MuPDF Mini (it's free and open source)
2. Launch the app and open a document or book
3. Tap the left or right edges to scroll through pages
4. Enjoy distraction-free reading

ℹ️ You can open .pdf, .xps, .cbz, .epub, and fb2 documents

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Capitalism is the most effective system for scaling innovation. The pursuit of profit is an incredibly powerful human incentive. Most major improvements to human society and quality of life have resulted from this base incentive. Market competition often results in the best outcomes for all.

That said, some projects can never be monetized. They are open in nature and a business model would centralize control. Open protocols like bitcoin and nostr are not owned by anyone and if they were it would destroy the key value propositions they provide. No single entity can or should control their use. Anyone can build on them without permission.

As a result, open protocols must depend on donation based grant funding from the people and organizations that rely on them. This model works but it is slow and uncertain, a grind where sustainability is never fully reached but rather constantly sought. As someone who has been incredibly active in the open source grant funding space, I do not think people truly appreciate how difficult it is to raise charitable money and deploy it efficiently.

Projects that can be monetized should be. Profitability is a super power. When a business can generate revenue, it taps into a self sustaining cycle. Profit fuels growth and development while providing projects independence and agency. This flywheel effect is why companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple have scaled to global dominance. The profit incentive aligns human effort with efficiency. Businesses must innovate, cut waste, and deliver value to survive.

Contrast this with non monetized projects. Without profit, they lean on external support, which can dry up or shift with donor priorities. A profit driven model, on the other hand, is inherently leaner and more adaptable. It is not charity but survival. When survival is tied to delivering what people want, scale follows naturally.

The real magic happens when profitable, sustainable businesses are built on top of open protocols and software. Consider the many startups building on open source software stacks, such as Start9, Mempool, and Primal, offering premium services on top of the open source software they build out and maintain. Think of companies like Block or Strike, which leverage bitcoin’s open protocol to offer their services on top. These businesses amplify the open software and protocols they build on, driving adoption and improvement at a pace donations alone could never match.

When you combine open software and protocols with profit driven business the result are lean, sustainable companies that grow faster and serve more people than either could alone. Bitcoin’s network, for instance, benefits from businesses that profit off its existence, while nostr will expand as developers monetize apps built on the protocol.

Capitalism scales best because competition results in efficiency. Donation funded protocols and software lay the groundwork, while market driven businesses build on top. The profit incentive acts as a filter, ensuring resources flow to what works, while open systems keep the playing field accessible, empowering users and builders. Together, they create a flywheel of innovation, growth, and global benefit.

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

I want to see Nostr succeed. If you can think of a way I can help make that happen, I’m open to it. I’d like your suggestions.

My schedule’s shifting soon, and I could volunteer a few hours a week to a Nostr project. I won’t have more total time, but how I use it will change.

Why help? I care about freedom. Nostr’s one of the most powerful freedom tools I’ve seen in my lifetime. If I believe that, I should act on it.

I don’t care about money or sats. I’m not rich, I don’t have extra cash. That doesn’t drive me—freedom does. I’m volunteering, not asking for pay.

I’m not here for clout. I’ve had enough spotlight in my life; it doesn’t move me. If I wanted clout, I’d be on Twitter dropping basic takes. Clout’s easy. Freedom’s hard. I’d rather help anonymously. No speaking at events—small meetups are cool for the vibe, but big conferences? Not my thing. I’ll never hit a huge Bitcoin conference. It’s just not my scene.

That said, I could be convinced to step up if it’d really boost Nostr—as long as it’s legal and gets results.

In this space, I’d watch for social engineering. I watch out for it. I’m not here to make friends, just to help. No shade—you all seem great—but I’ve got a full life and awesome friends irl. I don’t need your crew or to be online cool. Connect anonymously if you want; I’d encourage it.

I’m sick of watching other social media alternatives grow while Nostr kinda stalls. I could trash-talk, but I’d rather do something useful.

Skills? I’m good at spotting social media problems and finding possible solutions. I won’t overhype myself—that’s weird—but if you’re responding, you probably see something in me. Perhaps you see something that I don’t see in myself.

If you need help now or later with Nostr projects, reach out. Nostr only—nothing else. Anonymous contact’s fine. Even just a suggestion on how I can pitch in, no project attached, works too. 💜

Creeps or harassment will get blocked or I’ll nuke my simplex code if it becomes a problem.

https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=2-4&smp=smp%3A%2F%2FSkIkI6EPd2D63F4xFKfHk7I1UGZVNn6k1QWZ5rcyr6w%3D%40smp9.simplex.im%2FbI99B3KuYduH8jDr9ZwyhcSxm2UuR7j0%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-2%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAS9C-zPzqW41PKySfPCEizcXb1QCus6AyDkTTjfyMIRM%253D%26srv%3Djssqzccmrcws6bhmn77vgmhfjmhwlyr3u7puw4erkyoosywgl67slqqd.onion

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Bitcoin has always been rooted in freedom and resistance to authority. I get that many of you are conflicted about the US Government stacking but by design we cannot stop anyone from using bitcoin. Many have asked me for my thoughts on the matter, so let’s rip it.

Concern

One of the most glaring issues with the strategic bitcoin reserve is its foundation, built on stolen bitcoin. For those of us who value private property this is an obvious betrayal of our core principles. Rather than proof of work, the bitcoin that seeds this reserve has been taken by force. The US Government should return the bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex and the Silk Road.

Usually stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see a bitcoin as a valuable asset, they will ramp up efforts to confiscate more bitcoin. The precedent is a major concern, and I stand strongly against it, but it should be also noted that governments were already seizing coin before the reserve so this is not really a change in policy.

Ideally all seized bitcoin should be burned, by law. This would align incentives properly and make it less likely for the government to actively increase coin seizures. Due to the truly scarce properties of bitcoin, all burned bitcoin helps existing holders through increased purchasing power regardless. This change would be unlikely but those of us in policy circles should push for it regardless. It would be best case scenario for American bitcoiners and would create a strong foundation for the next century of American leadership.

Optimism

The entire point of bitcoin is that we can spend or save it without permission. That said, it is a massive benefit to not have one of the strongest governments in human history actively trying to ruin our lives.

Since the beginning, bitcoiners have faced horrible regulatory trends. KYC, surveillance, and legal cases have made using bitcoin and building bitcoin businesses incredibly difficult. It is incredibly important to note that over the past year that trend has reversed for the first time in a decade. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a key driver of this shift. By holding bitcoin, the strongest government in the world has signaled that it is not just a fringe technology but rather truly valuable, legitimate, and worth stacking.

This alignment of incentives changes everything. The US Government stacking proves bitcoin’s worth. The resulting purchasing power appreciation helps all of us who are holding coin and as bitcoin succeeds our government receives direct benefit. A beautiful positive feedback loop.

Realism

We are trending in the right direction. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a sign that the state sees bitcoin as an asset worth embracing rather than destroying. That said, there is a lot of work left to be done. We cannot be lulled into complacency, the time to push forward is now, and we cannot take our foot off the gas. We have a seat at the table for the first time ever. Let's make it worth it.

We must protect the right to free usage of bitcoin and other digital technologies. Freedom in the digital age must be taken and defended, through both technical and political avenues. Multiple privacy focused developers are facing long jail sentences for building tools that protect our freedom. These cases are not just legal battles. They are attacks on the soul of bitcoin. We need to rally behind them, fight for their freedom, and ensure the ethos of bitcoin survives this new era of government interest. The strategic reserve is a step in the right direction, but it is up to us to hold the line and shape the future.

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

There is something quietly rebellious about stacking sats. In a world obsessed with instant gratification, choosing to patiently accumulate Bitcoin, one sat at a time, feels like a middle finger to the hype machine. But to do it right, you have got to stay humble. Stack too hard with your head in the clouds, and you will trip over your own ego before the next halving even hits.

Small Wins

Stacking sats is not glamorous. Discipline. Stacking every day, week, or month, no matter the price, and letting time do the heavy lifting. Humility lives in that consistency. You are not trying to outsmart the market or prove you are the next "crypto" prophet. Just a regular person, betting on a system you believe in, one humble stack at a time. Folks get rekt chasing the highs. They ape into some shitcoin pump, shout about it online, then go silent when they inevitably get rekt. The ones who last? They stack. Just keep showing up. Consistency. Humility in action. Know the game is long, and you are not bigger than it.

Ego is Volatile

Bitcoin’s swings can mess with your head. One day you are up 20%, feeling like a genius and the next down 30%, questioning everything. Ego will have you panic selling at the bottom or over leveraging the top. Staying humble means patience, a true bitcoin zen. Do not try to "beat” Bitcoin. Ride it. Stack what you can afford, live your life, and let compounding work its magic.

Simplicity

There is a beauty in how stacking sats forces you to rethink value. A sat is worth less than a penny today, but every time you grab a few thousand, you plant a seed. It is not about flaunting wealth but rather building it, quietly, without fanfare. That mindset spills over. Cut out the noise: the overpriced coffee, fancy watches, the status games that drain your wallet. Humility is good for your soul and your stack. I have a buddy who has been stacking since 2015. Never talks about it unless you ask. Lives in a decent place, drives an old truck, and just keeps stacking. He is not chasing clout, he is chasing freedom. That is the vibe: less ego, more sats, all grounded in life.

The Big Picture

Stack those sats. Do it quietly, do it consistently, and do not let the green days puff you up or the red days break you down. Humility is the secret sauce, it keeps you grounded while the world spins wild. In a decade, when you look back and smile, it will not be because you shouted the loudest. It will be because you stayed the course, one sat at a time. \ \ Stay Humble and Stack Sats. 🫡

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

This piece is the first in a series that will focus on things I think are a priority if your focus is similar to mine: building a strong family and safeguarding their future.

---

Choosing the ideal place to raise a family is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. For simplicity sake I will break down my thought process into key factors: strong property rights, the ability to grow your own food, access to fresh water, the freedom to own and train with guns, and a dependable community.

A Jurisdiction with Strong Property Rights

Strong property rights are essential and allow you to build on a solid foundation that is less likely to break underneath you. Regions with a history of limited government and clear legal protections for landowners are ideal. Personally I think the US is the single best option globally, but within the US there is a wide difference between which state you choose. Choose carefully and thoughtfully, think long term. Obviously if you are not American this is not a realistic option for you, there are other solid options available especially if your family has mobility. I understand many do not have this capability to easily move, consider that your first priority, making movement and jurisdiction choice possible in the first place.

Abundant Access to Fresh Water

Water is life. I cannot overstate the importance of living somewhere with reliable, clean, and abundant freshwater. Some regions face water scarcity or heavy regulations on usage, so prioritizing a place where water is plentiful and your rights to it are protected is critical. Ideally you should have well access so you are not tied to municipal water supplies. In times of crisis or chaos well water cannot be easily shutoff or disrupted. If you live in an area that is drought prone, you are one drought away from societal chaos. Not enough people appreciate this simple fact.

Grow Your Own Food

A location with fertile soil, a favorable climate, and enough space for a small homestead or at the very least a garden is key. In stable times, a small homestead provides good food and important education for your family. In times of chaos your family being able to grow and raise healthy food provides a level of self sufficiency that many others will lack. Look for areas with minimal restrictions, good weather, and a culture that supports local farming.

Guns

The ability to defend your family is fundamental. A location where you can legally and easily own guns is a must. Look for places with a strong gun culture and a political history of protecting those rights. Owning one or two guns is not enough and without proper training they will be a liability rather than a benefit. Get comfortable and proficient. Never stop improving your skills. If the time comes that you must use a gun to defend your family, the skills must be instinct. Practice. Practice. Practice.

A Strong Community You Can Depend On

No one thrives alone. A ride or die community that rallies together in tough times is invaluable. Seek out a place where people know their neighbors, share similar values, and are quick to lend a hand. Lead by example and become a good neighbor, people will naturally respond in kind. Small towns are ideal, if possible, but living outside of a major city can be a solid balance in terms of work opportunities and family security.

---

Let me know if you found this helpful. My plan is to break down how I think about these five key subjects in future posts.

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Here’s a revised timeline of macro-level events from The Mandibles: A Family, 2029–2047 by Lionel Shriver, reimagined in a world where Bitcoin is adopted as a widely accepted form of money, altering the original narrative’s assumptions about currency collapse and economic control. In Shriver’s original story, the failure of Bitcoin is assumed amid the dominance of the bancor and the dollar’s collapse. Here, Bitcoin’s success reshapes the economic and societal trajectory, decentralizing power and challenging state-driven outcomes.

Part One: 2029–2032

• 2029 (Early Year)\ The United States faces economic strain as the dollar weakens against global shifts. However, Bitcoin, having gained traction emerges as a viable alternative. Unlike the original timeline, the bancor—a supranational currency backed by a coalition of nations—struggles to gain footing as Bitcoin’s decentralized adoption grows among individuals and businesses worldwide, undermining both the dollar and the bancor.

• 2029 (Mid-Year: The Great Renunciation)\ Treasury bonds lose value, and the government bans Bitcoin, labeling it a threat to sovereignty (mirroring the original bancor ban). However, a Bitcoin ban proves unenforceable—its decentralized nature thwarts confiscation efforts, unlike gold in the original story. Hyperinflation hits the dollar as the U.S. prints money, but Bitcoin’s fixed supply shields adopters from currency devaluation, creating a dual-economy split: dollar users suffer, while Bitcoin users thrive.

• 2029 (Late Year)\ Dollar-based inflation soars, emptying stores of goods priced in fiat currency. Meanwhile, Bitcoin transactions flourish in underground and online markets, stabilizing trade for those plugged into the bitcoin ecosystem. Traditional supply chains falter, but peer-to-peer Bitcoin networks enable local and international exchange, reducing scarcity for early adopters. The government’s gold confiscation fails to bolster the dollar, as Bitcoin’s rise renders gold less relevant.

• 2030–2031\ Crime spikes in dollar-dependent urban areas, but Bitcoin-friendly regions see less chaos, as digital wallets and smart contracts facilitate secure trade. The U.S. government doubles down on surveillance to crack down on bitcoin use. A cultural divide deepens: centralized authority weakens in Bitcoin-adopting communities, while dollar zones descend into lawlessness.

• 2032\ By this point, Bitcoin is de facto legal tender in parts of the U.S. and globally, especially in tech-savvy or libertarian-leaning regions. The federal government’s grip slips as tax collection in dollars plummets—Bitcoin’s traceability is low, and citizens evade fiat-based levies. Rural and urban Bitcoin hubs emerge, while the dollar economy remains fractured.

Time Jump: 2032–2047

• Over 15 years, Bitcoin solidifies as a global reserve currency, eroding centralized control. The U.S. government adapts, grudgingly integrating bitcoin into policy, though regional autonomy grows as Bitcoin empowers local economies.

Part Two: 2047

• 2047 (Early Year)\ The U.S. is a hybrid state: Bitcoin is legal tender alongside a diminished dollar. Taxes are lower, collected in BTC, reducing federal overreach. Bitcoin’s adoption has decentralized power nationwide. The bancor has faded, unable to compete with Bitcoin’s grassroots momentum.

• 2047 (Mid-Year)\ Travel and trade flow freely in Bitcoin zones, with no restrictive checkpoints. The dollar economy lingers in poorer areas, marked by decay, but Bitcoin’s dominance lifts overall prosperity, as its deflationary nature incentivizes saving and investment over consumption. Global supply chains rebound, powered by bitcoin enabled efficiency.

• 2047 (Late Year)\ The U.S. is a patchwork of semi-autonomous zones, united by Bitcoin’s universal acceptance rather than federal control. Resource scarcity persists due to past disruptions, but economic stability is higher than in Shriver’s original dystopia—Bitcoin’s success prevents the authoritarian slide, fostering a freer, if imperfect, society.

Key Differences

• Currency Dynamics: Bitcoin’s triumph prevents the bancor’s dominance and mitigates hyperinflation’s worst effects, offering a lifeline outside state control.
• Government Power: Centralized authority weakens as Bitcoin evades bans and taxation, shifting power to individuals and communities.
• Societal Outcome: Instead of a surveillance state, 2047 sees a decentralized, bitcoin driven world—less oppressive, though still stratified between Bitcoin haves and have-nots.

This reimagining assumes Bitcoin overcomes Shriver’s implied skepticism to become a robust, adopted currency by 2029, fundamentally altering the novel’s bleak trajectory.

@ 5edbd885:5fbc291e

Bitcoin is a system outside of the system—you don’t actually need fiat to obtain some sats. Bitcoin is a monetary network designed to operate independently of traditional financial systems.

As such, it’s possible to acquire Bitcoin without ever converting any fiat currency. 

Whether you’re aiming to earn, trade, or receive Bitcoin through alternative means, there are numerous ways to accumulate it organically—through work, community engagement, or creative effort.

In this guide, we'll explore six methods to get Bitcoin without spending fiat.

While some approaches require more time or technical knowledge, others are accessible to nearly anyone willing to accept Bitcoin for payment ⚡️

Read until the end of the article to know where to find people willing to give you Bitcoin in exchange for these ideas 🙂

Note: I have no affiliates or sponsorships and so any businesses I mention below are neither endorsements nor paid ads.

1. Offer Professional Services in Exchange for Bitcoin

The easiest and most direct way to receive Bitcoin without fiat is to trade your skills for sats.

This can be an option for those who are already earning an income freelancing, consulting, or providing any type of independent service simply by charging in Bitcoin rather than fiat.

For those with a traditional 9-5, you could mine sats within a Bitcoin company rather than a fiat business, or offer your skills as a side hustle for sats until you are ready to make a full switch (if you so choose).

Common examples include:

• Writing, editing, or translating

• Graphic design and illustration

• Programming and development

• Coaching, tutoring, or consulting

• Manual labor or local services

Rather than invoicing in your local currency, you can simply set your rate in Bitcoin—typically using a satoshi-based pricing model. I have a few free tools on my site that can help you with this.

2. Sell Goods—Physical or Digital—for Bitcoin

You don’t need to be a freelancer or to convince your boss to receive Bitcoin.

If you own physical items or create digital products, you can accept BTC as payment instead of fiat.

Even in a down-sizing situation, selling things around your home for Bitcoin is also an option.

Ideas include:

• Selling used items locally (e.g., via marketplaces or word of mouth)

• Creating and distributing digital products like eBooks, music, or design assets

• Selling handmade crafts or collectibles

• Selling the second-hand goods you no longer need for sats

Enthusiasts are often excited to support peer-to-peer BTC commerce.

You don’t need a complex setup either—a mobile wallet that supports on-chain or Lightning payments is enough to get started.

3. Engage with Nostr & Earn via Micro-Transactions

(I know you are reading on Nostr, but I originally published this on my blog for non-users, and talking about Nostr on Nostr is fun ;)

Nostr is a decentralized social protocol that allows users to interact, publish content, and receive sats.

It’s one of the most innovative new ways to earn BTC organically, without needing any fiat currency.

On Nostr, content creators, contributors, musicians, artists, and everyday people can receive “zaps” (tiny Bitcoin tips via the Lightning Network) from other users.

It’s essentially a value-for-value economy where people support each other directly with sats on top of likes and shares.

Getting started is simple:

• Set up a Lightning wallet (many are free and non-custodial - just look up what Bitcoiners recommend at the time you are reading this)

• Create a profile on a Nostr client (such as Damus, Amethyst, or Primal)

• Participate by posting, replying, and sharing thoughtful content

While the amounts may be small at first, consistent engagement can result in meaningful Bitcoin accumulation over time.

4. Request Bitcoin Tips in Your Daily Life

If you work in a role where tipping is common—such as driving for Uber, working in food service, hospitality, or delivery—you can offer Bitcoin as a tipping option.

How to implement this:

• Include a QR code to your Lightning wallet on your phone or a printed card

• Politely inform customers that you accept Bitcoin tips

• Use signage or include a message in your app profile

You may be surprised by how many tech-savvy or curious customers are willing to try it, especially in urban or Bitcoin-friendly communities.

5. Use Bitcoin Cashback & Rewards Programs

While not a direct trade for labor or goods, some platforms allow you to earn Bitcoin as a reward for purchases you were already planning to make.

In these cases, you are not buying Bitcoin with fiat, but instead receiving it as a form of cashback on your everyday fiat purchases.

Popular platforms include:

• In Canada, Shakepay offers free sats for shaking your phone daily or using their pre-paid Visa debit card

• Strike occasionally offers rewards in Bitcoin as well

This approach is best suited for those who already have a spending routine and want to passively earn BTC without changing their habits.

6. Try Bitcoin Mini–Mining

Mini miners like the Bitaxe, BitNerd, and similar open-source devices offer a unique way to mine Bitcoin at home without needing large-scale equipment or industrial-level power.

While traditional Bitcoin mining requires costly ASICs and massive electricity, mini miners are small, efficient, and hobbyist-friendly.

They’re capable of independently solving blocks—meaning there’s a tiny chance you could win the full block reward—or they can be used to join a solo mining pool and receive small payouts over time based on contribution.

Benefits of mini mining:

• Educational: Learn how mining works from the ground up

• Passive: Runs in the background with low power usage

• Potential upside: Very low probability of winning a full block, but it’s possible

Important caveats:

• These devices must be purchased with fiat or Bitcoin initially

• Most users will not earn consistent Bitcoin from them

• It may be more efficient to simply buy Bitcoin directly with that money ;)

While this idea is more geared towards experienced Bitcoiners wanting to expand their way of stacking sats, it's still a fun thing to consider.

Mini miners are a hands-on way to participate in the network while stacking sats or keeping open the small possibility of mining rewards.

Where to Find People Willing to Pay in Bitcoin

Now an important question—where are you going to find people willing to pay you in Bitcoin?

Finding people who are open to paying in Bitcoin is easier than it might seem—especially if you know where to look. 

Start by exploring local Bitcoin meetups, conferences, or community events in your area—these are often filled with enthusiasts who prefer peer-to-peer exchanges. Consider searching Facebook or Meetup.com for Bitcoin groups and events in your area.

Online, platforms like Nostr, Twitter/X, Reddit, and Bitcoin-focused Telegram groups can be great places to find clients or collaborators.

You can also look into Bitcoin job boards to find formal employment opportunities that pay in BTC.

The Bitcoin economy is growing, and so is the number of individuals and businesses willing to transact in BTC directly—bypassing fiat altogether. 

The key is to get involved in the ecosystem—once you’re in the network and people get to know you, opportunities will begin to surface organically.

Summary Table: How to Receive Bitcoin w/o Fiat

| Method | Effort Level | Payout Potential | Notes | | ------------------------------- | ------------ | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | Offer services for BTC | Medium | High | Most scalable—mine sats directly instead of fiat | | Sell goods for BTC | Medium | Medium | Local or online; accessible | | Micro-transactions (Nostr) | Low/Medium | Medium (over time) | Lightning required, engaging helps | | Accept BTC tips | Low | Low to Medium | Best for service or gig workers | | Cashback / rewards programs | Low | Low to Medium | Passive sat stacking on normal spending | | Mini Bitcoin mining | Medium | Low / Lottery Level | For advanced users |

What did I forget? Let me know your tips and thoughts in the comments below ✨

@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353

"Malcolm Forbes recounts that a lady, wearing a faded cotton dress, and her husband, dressed in an old handmade suit, stepped off a train in Boston, USA, and timidly made their way to the office of the president of Harvard University. They had come from Palo Alto, California, and had not scheduled an appointment. The secretary, at a glance, thought that those two, looking like country bumpkins, had no business at Harvard.
— We want to speak with the president — the man said in a low voice.
— He will be busy all day — the secretary replied curtly.
— We will wait.
The secretary ignored them for hours, hoping the couple would finally give up and leave. But they stayed there, and the secretary, somewhat frustrated, decided to bother the president, although she hated doing that.
— If you speak with them for just a few minutes, maybe they will decide to go away — she said.
The president sighed in irritation but agreed. Someone of his importance did not have time to meet people like that, but he hated faded dresses and tattered suits in his office. With a stern face, he went to the couple.
— We had a son who studied at Harvard for a year — the woman said. — He loved Harvard and was very happy here, but a year ago he died in an accident, and we would like to erect a monument in his honor somewhere on campus.

— My lady — said the president rudely —, we cannot erect a statue for every person who studied at Harvard and died; if we did, this place would look like a cemetery.

— Oh, no — the lady quickly replied. — We do not want to erect a statue. We would like to donate a building to Harvard.

The president looked at the woman's faded dress and her husband's old suit and exclaimed:

— A building! Do you have even the faintest idea of how much a building costs? We have more than seven and a half million dollars' worth of buildings here at Harvard.

The lady was silent for a moment, then said to her husband:

— If that’s all it costs to found a university, why don’t we have our own?

The husband agreed.

The couple, Leland Stanford, stood up and left, leaving the president confused. Traveling back to Palo Alto, California, they established there Stanford University, the second-largest in the world, in honor of their son, a former Harvard student."

Text extracted from: "Mileumlivros - Stories that Teach Values."

Thank you for reading, my friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of appreciation.

A toast to our family!

@ 0fa80bd3:ea7325de

intro

The Russian state made me a Bitcoiner. In 1991, it devalued my grandmother's hard-earned savings. She worked tirelessly in the kitchen of a dining car on the Moscow–Warsaw route. Everything she had saved for my sister and me to attend university vanished overnight. This story is similar to what many experienced, including Wences Casares. The pain and injustice of that time became my first lessons about the fragility of systems and the value of genuine, incorruptible assets, forever changing my perception of money and my trust in government promises.

In 2014, I was living in Moscow, running a trading business, and frequently traveling to China. One day, I learned about the Cypriot banking crisis and the possibility of moving money through some strange thing called Bitcoin. At the time, I didn’t give it much thought. Returning to the idea six months later, as a business-oriented geek, I eagerly began studying the topic and soon dove into it seriously.

I spent half a year reading articles on a local online journal, BitNovosti, actively participating in discussions, and eventually joined the editorial team as a translator. That’s how I learned about whitepapers, decentralization, mining, cryptographic keys, and colored coins. About Satoshi Nakamoto, Silk Road, Mt. Gox, and BitcoinTalk. Over time, I befriended the journal’s owner and, leveraging my management experience, later became an editor. I was drawn to the crypto-anarchist stance and commitment to decentralization principles. We wrote about the economic, historical, and social preconditions for Bitcoin’s emergence, and it was during this time that I fully embraced the idea.

It got to the point where I sold my apartment and, during the market's downturn, bought 50 bitcoins, just after the peak price of $1,200 per coin. That marked the beginning of my first crypto winter. As an editor, I organized workflows, managed translators, developed a YouTube channel, and attended conferences in Russia and Ukraine. That’s how I learned about Wences Casares and even wrote a piece about him. I also met Mikhail Chobanyan (Ukrainian exchange Kuna), Alexander Ivanov (Waves project), Konstantin Lomashuk (Lido project), and, of course, Vitalik Buterin. It was a time of complete immersion, 24/7, and boundless hope.

After moving to the United States, I expected the industry to grow rapidly, attended events, but the introduction of BitLicense froze the industry for eight years. By 2017, it became clear that the industry was shifting toward gambling and creating tokens for the sake of tokens. I dismissed this idea as unsustainable. Then came a new crypto spring with the hype around beautiful NFTs – CryptoPunks and apes.

I made another attempt – we worked on a series called Digital Nomad Country Club, aimed at creating a global project. The proceeds from selling images were intended to fund the development of business tools for people worldwide. However, internal disagreements within the team prevented us from completing the project.

With Trump’s arrival in 2025, hope was reignited. I decided that it was time to create a project that society desperately needed. As someone passionate about history, I understood that destroying what exists was not the solution, but leaving everything as it was also felt unacceptable. You can’t destroy the system, as the fiery crypto-anarchist voices claimed.

With an analytical mindset (IQ 130) and a deep understanding of the freest societies, I realized what was missing—not only in Russia or the United States but globally—a Bitcoin-native system for tracking debts and financial interactions. This could return control of money to ordinary people and create horizontal connections parallel to state systems. My goal was to create, if not a Bitcoin killer app, then at least to lay its foundation.

At the inauguration event in New York, I rediscovered the Nostr project. I realized it was not only technologically simple and already quite popular but also perfectly aligned with my vision. For the past month and a half, using insights and experience gained since 2014, I’ve been working full-time on this project.

@ 609f186c:0aa4e8af

I love that #nostr lets me write in long form. I see this as one of the brightest parts of Nostr's future.

Friends, I appreciate that you like thoughtful & detailed posts.

I'm also trying to move myself away from the** sustained-thought atrophy of the Twitter format**.. where half of each tweet is like half headline.

But I've struggled with composing long notes on a client in a way that is natural & intuitive.

It has been especially difficult to get a sense for how the thing is gonna look.

And when I want to add in more material...yiikes.

So I'm delighted to be composing this post in the brandnew note editor from #Primal.

So far, it feels really good. And I like that I can selectively format text.

The troll in me still wants a <blink> tag.

Onwards to sustained cognition & real conversation!

Check out Primal's editor: https://primal.net/myarticles

@ daa41bed:88f54153

There has been a good bit of discussion on Nostr over the past few days about the merits of zaps as a method of engaging with notes, so after writing a rather lengthy article on the pros of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, I wanted to take some time to chime in on the much more fun topic of digital engagement.

Let's begin by defining a couple of things:

Nostr is a decentralized, censorship-resistance protocol whose current biggest use case is social media (think Twitter/X). Instead of relying on company servers, it relies on relays that anyone can spin up and own their own content. Its use cases are much bigger, though, and this article is hosted on my own relay, using my own Nostr relay as an example.

Zap is a tip or donation denominated in sats (small units of Bitcoin) sent from one user to another. This is generally done directly over the Lightning Network but is increasingly using Cashu tokens. For the sake of this discussion, how you transmit/receive zaps will be irrelevant, so don't worry if you don't know what Lightning or Cashu are.

If we look at how users engage with posts and follows/followers on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc., it becomes evident that traditional social media thrives on engagement farming. The more outrageous a post, the more likely it will get a reaction. We see a version of this on more visual social platforms like YouTube and TikTok that use carefully crafted thumbnail images to grab the user's attention to click the video. If you'd like to dive deep into the psychology and science behind social media engagement, let me know, and I'd be happy to follow up with another article.

In this user engagement model, a user is given the option to comment or like the original post, or share it among their followers to increase its signal. They receive no value from engaging with the content aside from the dopamine hit of the original experience or having their comment liked back by whatever influencer they provide value to. Ad revenue flows to the content creator. Clout flows to the content creator. Sales revenue from merch and content placement flows to the content creator. We call this a linear economy -- the idea that resources get created, used up, then thrown away. Users create content and farm as much engagement as possible, then the content is forgotten within a few hours as they move on to the next piece of content to be farmed.

What if there were a simple way to give value back to those who engage with your content? By implementing some value-for-value model -- a circular economy. Enter zaps.

Unlike traditional social media platforms, Nostr does not actively use algorithms to determine what content is popular, nor does it push content created for active user engagement to the top of a user's timeline. Yes, there are "trending" and "most zapped" timelines that users can choose to use as their default, but these use relatively straightforward engagement metrics to rank posts for these timelines.

That is not to say that we may not see clients actively seeking to refine timeline algorithms for specific metrics. Still, the beauty of having an open protocol with media that is controlled solely by its users is that users who begin to see their timeline gamed towards specific algorithms can choose to move to another client, and for those who are more tech-savvy, they can opt to run their own relays or create their own clients with personalized algorithms and web of trust scoring systems.

Zaps enable the means to create a new type of social media economy in which creators can earn for creating content and users can earn by actively engaging with it. Like and reposting content is relatively frictionless and costs nothing but a simple button tap. Zaps provide active engagement because they signal to your followers and those of the content creator that this post has genuine value, quite literally in the form of money—sats.

I have seen some comments on Nostr claiming that removing likes and reactions is for wealthy people who can afford to send zaps and that the majority of people in the US and around the world do not have the time or money to zap because they have better things to spend their money like feeding their families and paying their bills. While at face value, these may seem like valid arguments, they, unfortunately, represent the brainwashed, defeatist attitude that our current economic (and, by extension, social media) systems aim to instill in all of us to continue extracting value from our lives.

Imagine now, if those people dedicating their own time (time = money) to mine pity points on social media would instead spend that time with genuine value creation by posting content that is meaningful to cultural discussions. Imagine if, instead of complaining that their posts get no zaps and going on a tirade about how much of a victim they are, they would empower themselves to take control of their content and give value back to the world; where would that leave us? How much value could be created on a nascent platform such as Nostr, and how quickly could it overtake other platforms?

Other users argue about user experience and that additional friction (i.e., zaps) leads to lower engagement, as proven by decades of studies on user interaction. While the added friction may turn some users away, does that necessarily provide less value? I argue quite the opposite. You haven't made a few sats from zaps with your content? Can't afford to send some sats to a wallet for zapping? How about using the most excellent available resource and spending 10 seconds of your time to leave a comment? Likes and reactions are valueless transactions. Social media's real value derives from providing monetary compensation and actively engaging in a conversation with posts you find interesting or thought-provoking. Remember when humans thrived on conversation and discussion for entertainment instead of simply being an onlooker of someone else's life?

If you've made it this far, my only request is this: try only zapping and commenting as a method of engagement for two weeks. Sure, you may end up liking a post here and there, but be more mindful of how you interact with the world and break yourself from blind instinct. You'll thank me later.

@ 2ed3596e:98b4cc78

Bitcoiners, the Bitcoin Well point store just got even better.

You can now redeem your Bitcoin Well points for a Bitaxe, a fully open-source Bitcoin miner! Take your Bitcoin lifestyle to the next level by mining your own sats.

In a world dominated by large scale mining farms, Bitaxe is flipping the narrative by putting Bitcoin mining back into the hands of individuals.

The Bitaxe is a modern mining ASIC, but small enough to fit on your desk.

Like Bitcoin itself, Bitaxe is fully open-source, you can  inspect, modify, and enhance the hardware and software. Bitaxes are super user friendly and are built to be customized, making a Bitaxe an incredible educational tool.

The Bitaxe is ideal for Bitcoiners who want to contribute to Bitcoin’s decentralization while also learning, first hand, what goes into the Bitcoin mining process. Who knows, you might even stumble into a block reward! 

Now, you can exchange your points for a quiet, cool, low power miner that you can run yourself, at home.

What else can you get in store?

You can also exchange your points for:

• Simply Bitcoin hoodie

• Exclusive Bitcoin Well Stampseed backup plate

• Personalized LeatherMint wallet

• Tesla Cybertruck in Bitcoin orange

Start stacking rewards that actually matter. Visit your account to redeem today!

How to redeem your Bitcoin Well Points?

Redeeming your points is easy:

Log in and go the Bitcoin Well Points store within the Rewards Section

Check your Bitcoin Well point balance

Redeem Your Bitcoin Well points for the prize of your dreams

Once you’ve purchased an item from the Bitcoin Well Point Store, we’ll email you to figure out where you want us to ship your prize. Unless it's the Cybertruck, then you can come to our office and pick it up! 

Ready to Take Control?

At Bitcoin Well, we make self-custody simple, secure, and empowering. If you’re ready to take control of your Bitcoin, sign up below to start your journey to true ownership.

👉 Sign up here and take control of your Bitcoin

@ 378562cd:a6fc6773

Not everything broken makes a loud sound.\ \ Some addictions don’t crash through your life like a wrecking ball.\ They slip in quietly… as habits, comforts, little things you reach for when the world gets too sharp.

Maybe it’s the drink, the screen, the secret you’ve never spoken out loud.\ Maybe it’s just the constant ache of feeling not-enough… and trying to cover that feeling any way you can.

Whatever it is, if you're reading this, and you’re tired… that’s okay. Tired doesn’t mean you’re failing. Tired often means you're ready.

Healing starts small. It doesn’t need drama. It doesn’t require perfection. It just needs willingness, even a crack of it.

Here’s what I know:

• You don’t have to be strong every day. You just have to be honest today. Honesty with yourself is the real starting line.

• You’re not weak because you struggle. In fact, noticing the struggle is a strength many never reach.

• The soul wants peace. Your heart already knows what’s hurting you, and it’s been whispering the way forward. Start listening.

• You can begin again. Not tomorrow. Not “after one more time.” Right now. It can be as simple as a walk, a glass of water, a phone call, or a deep breath and a prayer whispered into the quiet.

There is no shame in the reaching.\ There is only growth in the choosing.\ Even if it’s the 5th or 500th time.

You weren’t made to live trapped in a loop. You were made for light.\ For joy.\ For a real connection.\ For the freedom that doesn’t need to be earned, just received.

Some call that faith.\ Some call it grace.\ Some call it hope.

Whatever you call it, it’s waiting for you not on the other side of healing, but right here in the middle of your mess.

You are not too far gone.\ You are not too broken.\ You are still becoming.\ And that’s a beautiful thing.

Start small. Be gentle. Don’t give up.

I’m rooting for you.

--> JC

@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365

I got into a friendly discussion on X regarding health insurance. The specific question was how to deal with health insurance companies (presumably unfairly) denying claims? My answer, as usual: get government out of it!

The US healthcare system is essentially the worst of both worlds:

• Unlike full single payer, individuals incur high costs
• Unlike a true free market, regulation causes increases in costs and decreases competition among insurers

I'm firmly on the side of moving towards the free market. (And I say that as someone living under a single payer system now.) Here's what I would do:

• Get rid of tax incentives that make health insurance tied to your employer, giving individuals back proper freedom of choice.
• Reduce regulations significantly.

• In the short term, some people will still get rejected claims and other obnoxious behavior from insurance companies. We address that in two ways:

  1. Due to reduced regulations, new insurance companies will be able to enter the market offering more reliable coverage and better rates, and people will flock to them because they have the freedom to make their own choices.
  2. Sue the asses off of companies that reject claims unfairly. And ideally, as one of the few legitimate roles of government in all this, institute new laws that limit the ability of fine print to allow insurers to escape their responsibilities. (I'm hesitant that the latter will happen due to the incestuous relationship between Congress/regulators and insurers, but I can hope.)

Will this magically fix everything overnight like politicians normally promise? No. But it will allow the market to return to a healthy state. And I don't think it will take long (order of magnitude: 5-10 years) for it to come together, but that's just speculation.

And since there's a high correlation between those who believe government can fix problems by taking more control and demanding that only credentialed experts weigh in on a topic (both points I strongly disagree with BTW): I'm a trained actuary and worked in the insurance industry, and have directly seen how government regulation reduces competition, raises prices, and harms consumers.

And my final point: I don't think any prior art would be a good comparison for deregulation in the US, it's such a different market than any other country in the world for so many reasons that lessons wouldn't really translate. Nonetheless, I asked Grok for some empirical data on this, and at best the results of deregulation could be called "mixed," but likely more accurately "uncertain, confused, and subject to whatever interpretation anyone wants to apply."

https://x.com/i/grok/share/Zc8yOdrN8lS275hXJ92uwq98M

@ 5f078e90:b2bacaa3

Owl’s One-Legged Vigil

The vigil, one leg style

In a misty grove, Sylas the owl perched on a gnarled oak, standing on one leg. His golden eyes scanned the night. Why one leg? A vow to honor his lost mate, taken by a hawk. Each dusk, Sylas balanced, unwavering, as stars wheeled above. His silent stance drew the forest’s gaze—squirrels paused, deer bowed. One moonlit night, a young owl mimicked him, sparking hope. Sylas’s vigil became legend, a beacon of resilience.

Owl’s One-Legged Vigil: Part Two

Part 2

In the misty grove, Sylas stood on one leg, his vigil unbroken. The young owl, inspired, joined nightly, mimicking his stance. Word spread—foxes whispered, ravens cawed. Sylas’s balance was no mere feat; it was defiance against loss. One stormy dusk, winds howled, yet Sylas held firm, his single leg rooted. The young owl faltered but watched in awe. Moonlight pierced the clouds, bathing them in silver. Sylas hooted softly, a call of endurance. The grove’s creatures gathered, drawn by his resolve. A wise badger spoke: “Your vigil heals us.” The young owl, now named Lark, vowed to carry Sylas’s legacy. As dawn broke, Sylas stretched both legs, his vow fulfilled. He flew with Lark, their wings brushing the sky. The grove thrived, united by his stand. Sylas’s one-legged vigil became a tale of hope, etched in every tree.

@ 000002de:c05780a7

It's been in the news recently that Mike Waltz was not using Signal but an app called TeleMessage, which is marketed as a tool to archive Signal chat conversations. This event presents a great opportunity for learning. After years of following security and privacy tech, one of the many lessons I've learned is that humans are almost always the weak link in security. Foolish decisions are usually at the root of most breaches and attacks. This was the case with the Trump admin. I am of the opinion that it is foolish to use devices like the iPhone or any phone OS for secure communication. Not because the devices are not secure—they can be very secure. It's that humans can break this security very easily with careless behavior, as we see in this case.

While Signal encrypts messages in transit[^1] and at rest on your mobile devices, it is important to remember that any encrypted messenger app, whether it's Signal, WhatsApp, Apple Messages, or SimpleX, must decrypt the messages for you to read them. There really isn't a way around this. So, with this in mind, it's obvious that trust is involved when using any of these apps. First, you are trusting the person you are conversing with. This might seem trivial, but it seems to be lost on many people. When you send a message to another party, you have no idea what they are doing with it. Apps like Signal try to mitigate this by offering disappearing messages. Some apps don't allow screenshots of the application. But make no mistake, if your message is readable by a human, they can capture it. Even if they just snap a picture of it from another device. If that were the only thing to consider, we could end this now, but it's not.

You are also trusting the phone/device OS. While I think it is unlikely that Apple and Google are capturing the screens on devices and apps like Signal, we cannot have 100% certainty of this. At least I do not. But it's worse than this. There are attack toolkits like Pegasus which can be covertly installed on phones like the iPhone and most Android devices. It is almost certain that Pegasus or something like it could capture and expose your private messages when you read them. This is because they basically gain low-level access to the device without your knowledge. And because humans can't mentally unencrypt messages, Signal must decrypt the message for you to read it. When it does, the malicious app can capture it and send it off to the attacker. FWIW, this is possibly what happened to Tucker Carlson when he claimed that Signal "leaked" his communication about traveling to Russia to interview Putin. Though I suspect it is more likely a mole in either his operation or the Russians. The least likely scenario is that Signal was actually compromised.

So no matter how secure your messaging app may be, if your phone OS is compromised, it's game over. This wasn't the case here as Waltz foolishly was using a clone of the Signal app called TM SGNL to log Signal chats and send them to the TeleMessage servers. It appears that this was done in the clear and that the logs were even emailed to mail servers. You can read more about this in a post I made earlier today. So, as you can see, he wasn't actually using Signal at all. Signal was not the issue.

So what should you do now that you are armed with this knowledge? Well, first of all, you should take everything I write with a grain of salt. Do your own research and do not do anything you don't feel comfortable doing. Don't trust, verify. With that caveat, the likelihood of Signal being compromised in my opinion is low. The likelihood that Apple or Google is logging your Signal chats is also low. I think they could if they desired. The likelihood of your being targeted with something like Pegasus is also low but not impossible. I don't know you or your threat model. It's something to think about. But here is something everyone should consider.

The most important thing to consider is that you are always trusting the person you communicate with. This is not only true for digital communication but also in-person communication. Of course, SMS is not secure, but I do use it for things that I have no concern about being recorded. But I do prefer to use encryption when I can. A side note, we seem to be heading toward a secure-by-default standard in the future with SMS[^2], which is good to hear. I use Signal with any friends that are willing to use it, but I do not trust them all equally. For one thing, most of us do not trust everyone equally for anything. Trust is earned and built over time. But even for people I trust, I may not trust their technical skills or security practices. This has to be a consideration when you use Signal. Signal cannot protect you against a malicious recipient. This person could be building a log of your conversations. They might even be hacked and unaware. They could be using an insecure client, as was the case with the Trump admin.

So be aware. The best policy is to be very careful with anything you put in a digital device. The best way to keep a secret is to not share it. There are many thoughts and communications that I would never use a phone or computer to communicate. I think people would be wise to do the same.

[^1]: The Double Ratchet Algorithm at the heart of Signal [^2]: End to End Encryption is coming as the default for mobile phones

https://stacker.news/items/980937

@ 9e69e420:d12360c2

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

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

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

@ 90c656ff:9383fd4e

Since its creation, Bitcoin has been associated with the idea of financial and individual freedom. Unlike traditional money, which is controlled by governments and central banks, Bitcoin allows anyone in the world to transact and store value without relying on intermediaries. This becomes especially relevant in contexts of economic instability, financial censorship, and lack of access to the banking system.

• Bitcoin as a tool for financial autonomy

Bitcoin’s main promise is to return control of money to individuals. In the traditional financial system, banks and governments have the power to freeze accounts, restrict transactions, and devalue currencies through excessive money printing. With Bitcoin, each user has full ownership of their funds, as long as they securely store their private keys. This means that no one can confiscate or block access to their money.

Furthermore, Bitcoin enables fast and inexpensive international transactions without relying on banks or centralized payment platforms. In countries where international transfers are bureaucratic and expensive, Bitcoin offers an efficient and accessible alternative.

• Protection against censorship and state control

Governments and financial institutions can restrict access to money for political or economic reasons. In authoritarian regimes, dissidents and journalists often face financial blockades as a form of repression. Bitcoin provides a solution to this problem, as its decentralized network prevents any single entity from having full control over transactions.

This has been demonstrated in various cases around the world. In times of crisis, when governments impose banking withdrawal limits or restrict money transfers, Bitcoin has been used to bypass these barriers and ensure that people can maintain their financial freedom.

• Challenges and responsibilities of financial freedom

While Bitcoin offers greater individual freedom, it also demands more responsibility from the user. Unlike a bank account, where a customer can regain access with a simple request, in Bitcoin, possession of private keys is essential. If a user loses their keys, they lose access to their funds permanently.

Additionally, Bitcoin’s price volatility can be a challenge for those looking to use it as a short-term store of value. However, this characteristic is balanced by its deflationary model, which protects savings in the long term from the devaluation caused by fiat currency inflation.

In summary, Bitcoin represents a revolution in how people manage and protect their money. By enabling transactions free from intermediaries and resisting financial censorship, Bitcoin strengthens individual freedom and offers a viable alternative to centralized, government-controlled financial systems. However, this freedom comes with the need for greater personal responsibility, as each user is solely responsible for the security of their funds. For those who value financial sovereignty, Bitcoin is a powerful tool that can redefine the concept of money and personal autonomy in the modern world.

Thank you very much for reading this far. I hope everything is well with you, and sending a big hug from your favorite Bitcoiner maximalist from Madeira. Long live freedom!

@ 5f078e90:b2bacaa3

Owl’s One-Legged Vigil

The vigil, one leg style

In a misty grove, Sylas the owl perched on a gnarled oak, standing on one leg. His golden eyes scanned the night. Why one leg? A vow to honor his lost mate, taken by a hawk. Each dusk, Sylas balanced, unwavering, as stars wheeled above. His silent stance drew the forest’s gaze—squirrels paused, deer bowed. One moonlit night, a young owl mimicked him, sparking hope. Sylas’s vigil became legend, a beacon of resilience.

Owl’s One-Legged Vigil: Part Two

Part 2

In the misty grove, Sylas stood on one leg, his vigil unbroken. The young owl, inspired, joined nightly, mimicking his stance. Word spread—foxes whispered, ravens cawed. Sylas’s balance was no mere feat; it was defiance against loss. One stormy dusk, winds howled, yet Sylas held firm, his single leg rooted. The young owl faltered but watched in awe. Moonlight pierced the clouds, bathing them in silver. Sylas hooted softly, a call of endurance. The grove’s creatures gathered, drawn by his resolve. A wise badger spoke: “Your vigil heals us.” The young owl, now named Lark, vowed to carry Sylas’s legacy. As dawn broke, Sylas stretched both legs, his vow fulfilled. He flew with Lark, their wings brushing the sky. The grove thrived, united by his stand. Sylas’s one-legged vigil became a tale of hope, etched in every tree.

@ 90c656ff:9383fd4e

Since its creation, Bitcoin has been seen both as a financial innovation and as a threat to governmental control over the economy. As a decentralized currency, Bitcoin operates outside the traditional financial system, challenging the authority of central banks and governments that regulate the issuance and circulation of money. This feature has led to various conflicts between governments and the growing adoption of Bitcoin by individuals and companies.

• Reasons for government opposition

01 - Loss of monetary control: Governments manage the economy through the issuance of fiat currency and the setting of monetary policies. Since Bitcoin has a fixed supply and cannot be manipulated, it reduces governmental influence over the economy.

02 - Difficulty in taxation and oversight: Bitcoin’s decentralized nature complicates tax collection and transaction tracking, making it harder for governments to ensure tax compliance.

03 - Competition with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Many countries are developing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which offer greater control over financial transactions. Bitcoin represents a decentralized alternative, potentially threatening the adoption of these state-issued currencies.

04 - Concerns about financial crime: Some governments argue that Bitcoin can be used for money laundering and illicit financing, despite being more traceable than physical cash due to the transparency of the blockchain or timechain.

• Examples of conflicts between governments and Bitcoin

01 - El Salvador: In 2021, it became the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender. This decision drew negative reactions from international financial institutions, such as the IMF, which warned of economic risks and attempted to pressure the country into reversing its decision.

02 - China: In 2021, China banned Bitcoin mining and usage, citing environmental concerns and financial risks. Despite the ban, many Chinese users continue to use Bitcoin in a decentralized manner.

03 - United States: While Bitcoin is legal in the U.S., the government has increased regulation on exchanges and miners, seeking greater control over the network.

04 - European Union: The EU has imposed strict regulations on Bitcoin, such as identification requirements for transactions, but has not banned its use.

• The future of Bitcoin adoption

Despite resistance from some governments, Bitcoin continues to be adopted by individuals and businesses as a secure financial alternative. In countries with unstable economies, Bitcoin has become a vital tool for protecting wealth against inflation and banking restrictions.

Government efforts to control Bitcoin may slow adoption in some regions, but they will not stop its global growth. As a decentralized network, Bitcoin cannot be fully banned, and its utility as a store of value and medium of exchange will continue to attract users worldwide.

In summary, the conflicts between governments and Bitcoin adoption reflect the clash between a centralized financial system and a decentralized technology that returns control of money to individuals. Although some governments attempt to restrict its use, Bitcoin continues to grow and prove its resilience, becoming an increasingly viable option for those seeking financial freedom.

Thank you very much for reading this far. I hope everything is well with you, and sending a big hug from your favorite Bitcoiner maximalist from Madeira. Long live freedom!

@ 0fa80bd3:ea7325de

The land that belongs to the indigenous peoples of Russia has been seized by a gang of killers who have unleashed a war of extermination. They wipe out anyone who refuses to conform to their rules. Those who disagree and stay behind are tortured and killed in prisons and labor camps. Those who flee lose their homeland, dissolve into foreign cultures, and fade away. And those who stand up to protect their people are attacked by the misled and deceived. The deceived die for the unchecked greed of a single dictator—thousands from both sides, people who just wanted to live, raise their kids, and build a future.

Now, they are forced to make an impossible choice: abandon their homeland or die. Some perish on the battlefield, others lose themselves in exile, stripped of their identity, scattered in a world that isn’t theirs.

There’s been endless debate about how to fix this, how to clear the field of the weeds that choke out every new sprout, every attempt at change. But the real problem? We can’t play by their rules. We can’t speak their language or use their weapons. We stand for humanity, and no matter how righteous our cause, we will not multiply suffering. Victory doesn’t come from matching the enemy—it comes from staying ahead, from using tools they haven’t mastered yet. That’s how wars are won.

Our only resource is the will of the people to rewrite the order of things. Historian Timothy Snyder once said that a nation cannot exist without a city. A city is where the most active part of a nation thrives. But the cities are occupied. The streets are watched. Gatherings are impossible. They control the money. They control the mail. They control the media. And any dissent is crushed before it can take root.

So I started asking myself: How do we stop this fragmentation? How do we create a space where people can rebuild their connections when they’re ready? How do we build a self-sustaining network, where everyone contributes and benefits proportionally, while keeping their freedom to leave intact? And more importantly—how do we make it spread, even in occupied territory?

In 2009, something historic happened: the internet got its own money. Thanks to Satoshi Nakamoto, the world took a massive leap forward. Bitcoin and decentralized ledgers shattered the idea that money must be controlled by the state. Now, to move or store value, all you need is an address and a key. A tiny string of text, easy to carry, impossible to seize.

That was the year money broke free. The state lost its grip. Its biggest weapon—physical currency—became irrelevant. Money became purely digital.

The internet was already a sanctuary for information, a place where people could connect and organize. But with Bitcoin, it evolved. Now, value itself could flow freely, beyond the reach of authorities.

Think about it: when seedlings are grown in controlled environments before being planted outside, they get stronger, survive longer, and bear fruit faster. That’s how we handle crops in harsh climates—nurture them until they’re ready for the wild.

Now, picture the internet as that controlled environment for ideas. Bitcoin? It’s the fertile soil that lets them grow. A testing ground for new models of interaction, where concepts can take root before they move into the real world. If nation-states are a battlefield, locked in a brutal war for territory, the internet is boundless. It can absorb any number of ideas, any number of people, and it doesn’t run out of space.

But for this ecosystem to thrive, people need safe ways to communicate, to share ideas, to build something real—without surveillance, without censorship, without the constant fear of being erased.

This is where Nostr comes in.

Nostr—"Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays"—is more than just a messaging protocol. It’s a new kind of city. One that no dictator can seize, no corporation can own, no government can shut down.

It’s built on decentralization, encryption, and individual control. Messages don’t pass through central servers—they are relayed through independent nodes, and users choose which ones to trust. There’s no master switch to shut it all down. Every person owns their identity, their data, their connections. And no one—no state, no tech giant, no algorithm—can silence them.

In a world where cities fall and governments fail, Nostr is a city that cannot be occupied. A place for ideas, for networks, for freedom. A city that grows stronger the more people build within it.

@ e968e50b:db2a803a

Hey Stacker.news,

I'm trying to book a room with a bitcoin-friendly bnb. They only had CC or debit payment on their website so I shot them an email inquiring about paying with bitcoin. They asked that I send a Whatsapp message that they'd send a lightning invoice to. Problem is, I've avoided Whatsapp because it looks like they harvest ALL of your data! Am I being a bitcoin hipster or do you think I'm right that this app looks just oh no good?

I really want to book with these guys, so if you're in the, "yeah, don't get Whatsapp camp," what do you propose that I propose to them as an alternative?

Pseudonymously, Doubter in Cypherland

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/980877

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

A seguir, veja como instalar e configurar o Privoxy no Pop!_OS.

---

1. Instalar o Tor e o Privoxy

Abra o terminal e execute:

bash sudo apt update sudo apt install tor privoxy

Explicação:

• Tor: Roteia o tráfego pela rede Tor.
• Privoxy: Proxy avançado que intermedia a conexão entre aplicativos e o Tor.

---

2. Configurar o Privoxy

Abra o arquivo de configuração do Privoxy:

bash sudo nano /etc/privoxy/config

Navegue até a última linha (atalho: Ctrl + / depois Ctrl + V para navegar diretamente até a última linha) e insira:

bash forward-socks5 / 127.0.0.1:9050 .

Isso faz com que o Privoxy envie todo o tráfego para o Tor através da porta 9050.

Salve (CTRL + O e Enter) e feche (CTRL + X) o arquivo.

---

3. Iniciar o Tor e o Privoxy

Agora, inicie e habilite os serviços:

bash sudo systemctl start tor sudo systemctl start privoxy sudo systemctl enable tor sudo systemctl enable privoxy

Explicação:

• start: Inicia os serviços.
• enable: Faz com que iniciem automaticamente ao ligar o PC.

---

4. Configurar o Navegador Firefox

Para usar a rede Tor com o Firefox:

1. Abra o Firefox.
2. Acesse Configurações → Configurar conexão.
3. Selecione Configuração manual de proxy.
4. Configure assim:
   • Proxy HTTP: 127.0.0.1
   • Porta: 8118 (porta padrão do Privoxy)
   • Domínio SOCKS (v5): 127.0.0.1
   • Porta: 9050
5. Marque a opção "Usar este proxy também em HTTPS".
6. Clique em OK.

---

5. Verificar a Conexão com o Tor

Abra o navegador e acesse:

text https://check.torproject.org/

Se aparecer a mensagem "Congratulations. This browser is configured to use Tor.", a configuração está correta.

---

Dicas Extras

• Privoxy pode ser ajustado para bloquear anúncios e rastreadores.
• Outros aplicativos também podem ser configurados para usar o Privoxy.

@ 9e69e420:d12360c2

Oregano oil is a potent natural compound that offers numerous scientifically-supported health benefits.

Active Compounds

The oil's therapeutic properties stem from its key bioactive components: - Carvacrol and thymol (primary active compounds) - Polyphenols and other antioxidant

Antimicrobial Properties

Bacterial Protection The oil demonstrates powerful antibacterial effects, even against antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA and other harmful bacteria. Studies show it effectively inactivates various pathogenic bacteria without developing resistance.

Antifungal Effects It effectively combats fungal infections, particularly Candida-related conditions like oral thrush, athlete's foot, and nail infections.

Digestive Health Benefits

Oregano oil supports digestive wellness by: - Promoting gastric juice secretion and enzyme production - Helping treat Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) - Managing digestive discomfort, bloating, and IBS symptoms

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

The oil provides significant protective benefits through: - Powerful antioxidant activity that fights free radicals - Reduction of inflammatory markers in the body - Protection against oxidative stress-related conditions

Respiratory Support

It aids respiratory health by: - Loosening mucus and phlegm - Suppressing coughs and throat irritation - Supporting overall respiratory tract function

Additional Benefits

Skin Health - Improves conditions like psoriasis, acne, and eczema - Supports wound healing through antibacterial action - Provides anti-aging benefits through antioxidant properties

Cardiovascular Health Studies show oregano oil may help: - Reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels - Support overall heart health

Pain Management The oil demonstrates effectiveness in: - Reducing inflammation-related pain - Managing muscle discomfort - Providing topical pain relief

Safety Note

While oregano oil is generally safe, it's highly concentrated and should be properly diluted before use Consult a healthcare provider before starting supplementation, especially if taking other medications.

@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0

Bitcoin: Um sistema de dinheiro eletrônico direto entre pessoas.

Satoshi Nakamoto
satoshin@gmx.com
www.bitcoin.org

---

Resumo

O Bitcoin é uma forma de dinheiro digital que permite pagamentos diretos entre pessoas, sem a necessidade de um banco ou instituição financeira. Ele resolve um problema chamado gasto duplo, que ocorre quando alguém tenta gastar o mesmo dinheiro duas vezes. Para evitar isso, o Bitcoin usa uma rede descentralizada onde todos trabalham juntos para verificar e registrar as transações.

As transações são registradas em um livro público chamado blockchain, protegido por uma técnica chamada Prova de Trabalho. Essa técnica cria uma cadeia de registros que não pode ser alterada sem refazer todo o trabalho já feito. Essa cadeia é mantida pelos computadores que participam da rede, e a mais longa é considerada a verdadeira.

Enquanto a maior parte do poder computacional da rede for controlada por participantes honestos, o sistema continuará funcionando de forma segura. A rede é flexível, permitindo que qualquer pessoa entre ou saia a qualquer momento, sempre confiando na cadeia mais longa como prova do que aconteceu.

---

1. Introdução

Hoje, quase todos os pagamentos feitos pela internet dependem de bancos ou empresas como processadores de pagamento (cartões de crédito, por exemplo) para funcionar. Embora esse sistema seja útil, ele tem problemas importantes porque é baseado em confiança.

Primeiro, essas empresas podem reverter pagamentos, o que é útil em caso de erros, mas cria custos e incertezas. Isso faz com que pequenas transações, como pagar centavos por um serviço, se tornem inviáveis. Além disso, os comerciantes são obrigados a desconfiar dos clientes, pedindo informações extras e aceitando fraudes como algo inevitável.

Esses problemas não existem no dinheiro físico, como o papel-moeda, onde o pagamento é final e direto entre as partes. No entanto, não temos como enviar dinheiro físico pela internet sem depender de um intermediário confiável.

O que precisamos é de um sistema de pagamento eletrônico baseado em provas matemáticas, não em confiança. Esse sistema permitiria que qualquer pessoa enviasse dinheiro diretamente para outra, sem depender de bancos ou processadores de pagamento. Além disso, as transações seriam irreversíveis, protegendo vendedores contra fraudes, mas mantendo a possibilidade de soluções para disputas legítimas.

Neste documento, apresentamos o Bitcoin, que resolve o problema do gasto duplo usando uma rede descentralizada. Essa rede cria um registro público e protegido por cálculos matemáticos, que garante a ordem das transações. Enquanto a maior parte da rede for controlada por pessoas honestas, o sistema será seguro contra ataques.

---

2. Transações

Para entender como funciona o Bitcoin, é importante saber como as transações são realizadas. Imagine que você quer transferir uma "moeda digital" para outra pessoa. No sistema do Bitcoin, essa "moeda" é representada por uma sequência de registros que mostram quem é o atual dono. Para transferi-la, você adiciona um novo registro comprovando que agora ela pertence ao próximo dono. Esse registro é protegido por um tipo especial de assinatura digital.

O que é uma assinatura digital?

Uma assinatura digital é como uma senha secreta, mas muito mais segura. No Bitcoin, cada usuário tem duas chaves: uma "chave privada", que é secreta e serve para criar a assinatura, e uma "chave pública", que pode ser compartilhada com todos e é usada para verificar se a assinatura é válida. Quando você transfere uma moeda, usa sua chave privada para assinar a transação, provando que você é o dono. A próxima pessoa pode usar sua chave pública para confirmar isso.

Como funciona na prática?

Cada "moeda" no Bitcoin é, na verdade, uma cadeia de assinaturas digitais. Vamos imaginar o seguinte cenário:

1. A moeda está com o Dono 0 (você). Para transferi-la ao Dono 1, você assina digitalmente a transação com sua chave privada. Essa assinatura inclui o código da transação anterior (chamado de "hash") e a chave pública do Dono 1.
2. Quando o Dono 1 quiser transferir a moeda ao Dono 2, ele assinará a transação seguinte com sua própria chave privada, incluindo também o hash da transação anterior e a chave pública do Dono 2.
3. Esse processo continua, formando uma "cadeia" de transações. Qualquer pessoa pode verificar essa cadeia para confirmar quem é o atual dono da moeda.

Resolvendo o problema do gasto duplo

Um grande desafio com moedas digitais é o "gasto duplo", que é quando uma mesma moeda é usada em mais de uma transação. Para evitar isso, muitos sistemas antigos dependiam de uma entidade central confiável, como uma casa da moeda, que verificava todas as transações. No entanto, isso criava um ponto único de falha e centralizava o controle do dinheiro.

O Bitcoin resolve esse problema de forma inovadora: ele usa uma rede descentralizada onde todos os participantes (os "nós") têm acesso a um registro completo de todas as transações. Cada nó verifica se as transações são válidas e se a moeda não foi gasta duas vezes. Quando a maioria dos nós concorda com a validade de uma transação, ela é registrada permanentemente na blockchain.

Por que isso é importante?

Essa solução elimina a necessidade de confiar em uma única entidade para gerenciar o dinheiro, permitindo que qualquer pessoa no mundo use o Bitcoin sem precisar de permissão de terceiros. Além disso, ela garante que o sistema seja seguro e resistente a fraudes.

---

3. Servidor Timestamp

Para assegurar que as transações sejam realizadas de forma segura e transparente, o sistema Bitcoin utiliza algo chamado de "servidor de registro de tempo" (timestamp). Esse servidor funciona como um registro público que organiza as transações em uma ordem específica.

Ele faz isso agrupando várias transações em blocos e criando um código único chamado "hash". Esse hash é como uma impressão digital que representa todo o conteúdo do bloco. O hash de cada bloco é amplamente divulgado, como se fosse publicado em um jornal ou em um fórum público.

Esse processo garante que cada bloco de transações tenha um registro de quando foi criado e que ele existia naquele momento. Além disso, cada novo bloco criado contém o hash do bloco anterior, formando uma cadeia contínua de blocos conectados — conhecida como blockchain.

Com isso, se alguém tentar alterar qualquer informação em um bloco anterior, o hash desse bloco mudará e não corresponderá ao hash armazenado no bloco seguinte. Essa característica torna a cadeia muito segura, pois qualquer tentativa de fraude seria imediatamente detectada.

O sistema de timestamps é essencial para provar a ordem cronológica das transações e garantir que cada uma delas seja única e autêntica. Dessa forma, ele reforça a segurança e a confiança na rede Bitcoin.

---

4. Prova-de-Trabalho

Para implementar o registro de tempo distribuído no sistema Bitcoin, utilizamos um mecanismo chamado prova-de-trabalho. Esse sistema é semelhante ao Hashcash, desenvolvido por Adam Back, e baseia-se na criação de um código único, o "hash", por meio de um processo computacionalmente exigente.

A prova-de-trabalho envolve encontrar um valor especial que, quando processado junto com as informações do bloco, gere um hash que comece com uma quantidade específica de zeros. Esse valor especial é chamado de "nonce". Encontrar o nonce correto exige um esforço significativo do computador, porque envolve tentativas repetidas até que a condição seja satisfeita.

Esse processo é importante porque torna extremamente difícil alterar qualquer informação registrada em um bloco. Se alguém tentar mudar algo em um bloco, seria necessário refazer o trabalho de computação não apenas para aquele bloco, mas também para todos os blocos que vêm depois dele. Isso garante a segurança e a imutabilidade da blockchain.

A prova-de-trabalho também resolve o problema de decidir qual cadeia de blocos é a válida quando há múltiplas cadeias competindo. A decisão é feita pela cadeia mais longa, pois ela representa o maior esforço computacional já realizado. Isso impede que qualquer indivíduo ou grupo controle a rede, desde que a maioria do poder de processamento seja mantida por participantes honestos.

Para garantir que o sistema permaneça eficiente e equilibrado, a dificuldade da prova-de-trabalho é ajustada automaticamente ao longo do tempo. Se novos blocos estiverem sendo gerados rapidamente, a dificuldade aumenta; se estiverem sendo gerados muito lentamente, a dificuldade diminui. Esse ajuste assegura que novos blocos sejam criados aproximadamente a cada 10 minutos, mantendo o sistema estável e funcional.

---

5. Rede

A rede Bitcoin é o coração do sistema e funciona de maneira distribuída, conectando vários participantes (ou nós) para garantir o registro e a validação das transações. Os passos para operar essa rede são:

1. Transmissão de Transações: Quando alguém realiza uma nova transação, ela é enviada para todos os nós da rede. Isso é feito para garantir que todos estejam cientes da operação e possam validá-la.

2. Coleta de Transações em Blocos: Cada nó agrupa as novas transações recebidas em um "bloco". Este bloco será preparado para ser adicionado à cadeia de blocos (a blockchain).

3. Prova-de-Trabalho: Os nós competem para resolver a prova-de-trabalho do bloco, utilizando poder computacional para encontrar um hash válido. Esse processo é como resolver um quebra-cabeça matemático difícil.

4. Envio do Bloco Resolvido: Quando um nó encontra a solução para o bloco (a prova-de-trabalho), ele compartilha esse bloco com todos os outros nós na rede.

5. Validação do Bloco: Cada nó verifica o bloco recebido para garantir que todas as transações nele contidas sejam válidas e que nenhuma moeda tenha sido gasta duas vezes. Apenas blocos válidos são aceitos.

6. Construção do Próximo Bloco: Os nós que aceitaram o bloco começam a trabalhar na criação do próximo bloco, utilizando o hash do bloco aceito como base (hash anterior). Isso mantém a continuidade da cadeia.

Resolução de Conflitos e Escolha da Cadeia Mais Longa

Os nós sempre priorizam a cadeia mais longa, pois ela representa o maior esforço computacional já realizado, garantindo maior segurança. Se dois blocos diferentes forem compartilhados simultaneamente, os nós trabalharão no primeiro bloco recebido, mas guardarão o outro como uma alternativa. Caso o segundo bloco eventualmente forme uma cadeia mais longa (ou seja, tenha mais blocos subsequentes), os nós mudarão para essa nova cadeia.

Tolerância a Falhas

A rede é robusta e pode lidar com mensagens que não chegam a todos os nós. Uma transação não precisa alcançar todos os nós de imediato; basta que chegue a um número suficiente deles para ser incluída em um bloco. Da mesma forma, se um nó não receber um bloco em tempo hábil, ele pode solicitá-lo ao perceber que está faltando quando o próximo bloco é recebido.

Esse mecanismo descentralizado permite que a rede Bitcoin funcione de maneira segura, confiável e resiliente, sem depender de uma autoridade central.

---

6. Incentivo

O incentivo é um dos pilares fundamentais que sustenta o funcionamento da rede Bitcoin, garantindo que os participantes (nós) continuem operando de forma honesta e contribuindo com recursos computacionais. Ele é estruturado em duas partes principais: a recompensa por mineração e as taxas de transação.

Recompensa por Mineração

Por convenção, o primeiro registro em cada bloco é uma transação especial que cria novas moedas e as atribui ao criador do bloco. Essa recompensa incentiva os mineradores a dedicarem poder computacional para apoiar a rede. Como não há uma autoridade central para emitir moedas, essa é a maneira pela qual novas moedas entram em circulação. Esse processo pode ser comparado ao trabalho de garimpeiros, que utilizam recursos para colocar mais ouro em circulação. No caso do Bitcoin, o "recurso" consiste no tempo de CPU e na energia elétrica consumida para resolver a prova-de-trabalho.

Taxas de Transação

Além da recompensa por mineração, os mineradores também podem ser incentivados pelas taxas de transação. Se uma transação utiliza menos valor de saída do que o valor de entrada, a diferença é tratada como uma taxa, que é adicionada à recompensa do bloco contendo essa transação. Com o passar do tempo e à medida que o número de moedas em circulação atinge o limite predeterminado, essas taxas de transação se tornam a principal fonte de incentivo, substituindo gradualmente a emissão de novas moedas. Isso permite que o sistema opere sem inflação, uma vez que o número total de moedas permanece fixo.

Incentivo à Honestidade

O design do incentivo também busca garantir que os participantes da rede mantenham um comportamento honesto. Para um atacante que consiga reunir mais poder computacional do que o restante da rede, ele enfrentaria duas escolhas:

1. Usar esse poder para fraudar o sistema, como reverter transações e roubar pagamentos.
2. Seguir as regras do sistema, criando novos blocos e recebendo recompensas legítimas.

A lógica econômica favorece a segunda opção, pois um comportamento desonesto prejudicaria a confiança no sistema, diminuindo o valor de todas as moedas, incluindo aquelas que o próprio atacante possui. Jogar dentro das regras não apenas maximiza o retorno financeiro, mas também preserva a validade e a integridade do sistema.

Esse mecanismo garante que os incentivos econômicos estejam alinhados com o objetivo de manter a rede segura, descentralizada e funcional ao longo do tempo.

---

7. Recuperação do Espaço em Disco

Depois que uma moeda passa a estar protegida por muitos blocos na cadeia, as informações sobre as transações antigas que a geraram podem ser descartadas para economizar espaço em disco. Para que isso seja possível sem comprometer a segurança, as transações são organizadas em uma estrutura chamada "árvore de Merkle". Essa árvore funciona como um resumo das transações: em vez de armazenar todas elas, guarda apenas um "hash raiz", que é como uma assinatura compacta que representa todo o grupo de transações.

Os blocos antigos podem, então, ser simplificados, removendo as partes desnecessárias dessa árvore. Apenas a raiz do hash precisa ser mantida no cabeçalho do bloco, garantindo que a integridade dos dados seja preservada, mesmo que detalhes específicos sejam descartados.

Para exemplificar: imagine que você tenha vários recibos de compra. Em vez de guardar todos os recibos, você cria um documento e lista apenas o valor total de cada um. Mesmo que os recibos originais sejam descartados, ainda é possível verificar a soma com base nos valores armazenados.

Além disso, o espaço ocupado pelos blocos em si é muito pequeno. Cada bloco sem transações ocupa apenas cerca de 80 bytes. Isso significa que, mesmo com blocos sendo gerados a cada 10 minutos, o crescimento anual em espaço necessário é insignificante: apenas 4,2 MB por ano. Com a capacidade de armazenamento dos computadores crescendo a cada ano, esse espaço continuará sendo trivial, garantindo que a rede possa operar de forma eficiente sem problemas de armazenamento, mesmo a longo prazo.

---

8. Verificação de Pagamento Simplificada

É possível confirmar pagamentos sem a necessidade de operar um nó completo da rede. Para isso, o usuário precisa apenas de uma cópia dos cabeçalhos dos blocos da cadeia mais longa (ou seja, a cadeia com maior esforço de trabalho acumulado). Ele pode verificar a validade de uma transação ao consultar os nós da rede até obter a confirmação de que tem a cadeia mais longa. Para isso, utiliza-se o ramo Merkle, que conecta a transação ao bloco em que ela foi registrada.

Entretanto, o método simplificado possui limitações: ele não pode confirmar uma transação isoladamente, mas sim assegurar que ela ocupa um lugar específico na cadeia mais longa. Dessa forma, se um nó da rede aprova a transação, os blocos subsequentes reforçam essa aceitação.

A verificação simplificada é confiável enquanto a maioria dos nós da rede for honesta. Contudo, ela se torna vulnerável caso a rede seja dominada por um invasor. Nesse cenário, um atacante poderia fabricar transações fraudulentas que enganariam o usuário temporariamente até que o invasor obtivesse controle completo da rede.

Uma estratégia para mitigar esse risco é configurar alertas nos softwares de nós completos. Esses alertas identificam blocos inválidos, sugerindo ao usuário baixar o bloco completo para confirmar qualquer inconsistência. Para maior segurança, empresas que realizam pagamentos frequentes podem preferir operar seus próprios nós, reduzindo riscos e permitindo uma verificação mais direta e confiável.

---

9. Combinando e Dividindo Valor

No sistema Bitcoin, cada unidade de valor é tratada como uma "moeda" individual, mas gerenciar cada centavo como uma transação separada seria impraticável. Para resolver isso, o Bitcoin permite que valores sejam combinados ou divididos em transações, facilitando pagamentos de qualquer valor.

Entradas e Saídas

Cada transação no Bitcoin é composta por:

• Entradas: Representam os valores recebidos em transações anteriores.
• Saídas: Correspondem aos valores enviados, divididos entre os destinatários e, eventualmente, o troco para o remetente.

Normalmente, uma transação contém:

• Uma única entrada com valor suficiente para cobrir o pagamento.
• Ou várias entradas combinadas para atingir o valor necessário.

O valor total das saídas nunca excede o das entradas, e a diferença (se houver) pode ser retornada ao remetente como troco.

Exemplo Prático

Imagine que você tem duas entradas:

1. 0,03 BTC
2. 0,07 BTC

Se deseja enviar 0,08 BTC para alguém, a transação terá:

• Entrada: As duas entradas combinadas (0,03 + 0,07 BTC = 0,10 BTC).
• Saídas: Uma para o destinatário (0,08 BTC) e outra como troco para você (0,02 BTC).

Essa flexibilidade permite que o sistema funcione sem precisar manipular cada unidade mínima individualmente.

Difusão e Simplificação

A difusão de transações, onde uma depende de várias anteriores e assim por diante, não representa um problema. Não é necessário armazenar ou verificar o histórico completo de uma transação para utilizá-la, já que o registro na blockchain garante sua integridade.

---

10. Privacidade

O modelo bancário tradicional oferece um certo nível de privacidade, limitando o acesso às informações financeiras apenas às partes envolvidas e a um terceiro confiável (como bancos ou instituições financeiras). No entanto, o Bitcoin opera de forma diferente, pois todas as transações são publicamente registradas na blockchain. Apesar disso, a privacidade pode ser mantida utilizando chaves públicas anônimas, que desvinculam diretamente as transações das identidades das partes envolvidas.

Fluxo de Informação

• No modelo tradicional, as transações passam por um terceiro confiável que conhece tanto o remetente quanto o destinatário.
• No Bitcoin, as transações são anunciadas publicamente, mas sem revelar diretamente as identidades das partes. Isso é comparável a dados divulgados por bolsas de valores, onde informações como o tempo e o tamanho das negociações (a "fita") são públicas, mas as identidades das partes não.

Protegendo a Privacidade

Para aumentar a privacidade no Bitcoin, são adotadas as seguintes práticas:

1. Chaves Públicas Anônimas: Cada transação utiliza um par de chaves diferentes, dificultando a associação com um proprietário único.
2. Prevenção de Ligação: Ao usar chaves novas para cada transação, reduz-se a possibilidade de links evidentes entre múltiplas transações realizadas pelo mesmo usuário.

Riscos de Ligação

Embora a privacidade seja fortalecida, alguns riscos permanecem:

• Transações multi-entrada podem revelar que todas as entradas pertencem ao mesmo proprietário, caso sejam necessárias para somar o valor total.
• O proprietário da chave pode ser identificado indiretamente por transações anteriores que estejam conectadas.

---

11. Cálculos

Imagine que temos um sistema onde as pessoas (ou computadores) competem para adicionar informações novas (blocos) a um grande registro público (a cadeia de blocos ou blockchain). Este registro é como um livro contábil compartilhado, onde todos podem verificar o que está escrito.

Agora, vamos pensar em um cenário: um atacante quer enganar o sistema. Ele quer mudar informações já registradas para beneficiar a si mesmo, por exemplo, desfazendo um pagamento que já fez. Para isso, ele precisa criar uma versão alternativa do livro contábil (a cadeia de blocos dele) e convencer todos os outros participantes de que essa versão é a verdadeira.

Mas isso é extremamente difícil.

Como o Ataque Funciona

Quando um novo bloco é adicionado à cadeia, ele depende de cálculos complexos que levam tempo e esforço. Esses cálculos são como um grande quebra-cabeça que precisa ser resolvido.

• Os “bons jogadores” (nós honestos) estão sempre trabalhando juntos para resolver esses quebra-cabeças e adicionar novos blocos à cadeia verdadeira.
• O atacante, por outro lado, precisa resolver quebra-cabeças sozinho, tentando “alcançar” a cadeia honesta para que sua versão alternativa pareça válida.

Se a cadeia honesta já está vários blocos à frente, o atacante começa em desvantagem, e o sistema está projetado para que a dificuldade de alcançá-los aumente rapidamente.

A Corrida Entre Cadeias

Você pode imaginar isso como uma corrida. A cada bloco novo que os jogadores honestos adicionam à cadeia verdadeira, eles se distanciam mais do atacante. Para vencer, o atacante teria que resolver os quebra-cabeças mais rápido que todos os outros jogadores honestos juntos.

Suponha que:

• A rede honesta tem 80% do poder computacional (ou seja, resolve 8 de cada 10 quebra-cabeças).
• O atacante tem 20% do poder computacional (ou seja, resolve 2 de cada 10 quebra-cabeças).

Cada vez que a rede honesta adiciona um bloco, o atacante tem que "correr atrás" e resolver mais quebra-cabeças para alcançar.

Por Que o Ataque Fica Cada Vez Mais Improvável?

Vamos usar uma fórmula simples para mostrar como as chances de sucesso do atacante diminuem conforme ele precisa "alcançar" mais blocos:

P = (q/p)^z

• q é o poder computacional do atacante (20%, ou 0,2).
• p é o poder computacional da rede honesta (80%, ou 0,8).
• z é a diferença de blocos entre a cadeia honesta e a cadeia do atacante.

Se o atacante está 5 blocos atrás (z = 5):

P = (0,2 / 0,8)^5 = (0,25)^5 = 0,00098, (ou, 0,098%)

Isso significa que o atacante tem menos de 0,1% de chance de sucesso — ou seja, é muito improvável.

Se ele estiver 10 blocos atrás (z = 10):

P = (0,2 / 0,8)^10 = (0,25)^10 = 0,000000095, (ou, 0,0000095%).

Neste caso, as chances de sucesso são praticamente nulas.

Um Exemplo Simples

Se você jogar uma moeda, a chance de cair “cara” é de 50%. Mas se precisar de 10 caras seguidas, sua chance já é bem menor. Se precisar de 20 caras seguidas, é quase impossível.

No caso do Bitcoin, o atacante precisa de muito mais do que 20 caras seguidas. Ele precisa resolver quebra-cabeças extremamente difíceis e alcançar os jogadores honestos que estão sempre à frente. Isso faz com que o ataque seja inviável na prática.

Por Que Tudo Isso é Seguro?

• A probabilidade de sucesso do atacante diminui exponencialmente. Isso significa que, quanto mais tempo passa, menor é a chance de ele conseguir enganar o sistema.
• A cadeia verdadeira (honesta) está protegida pela força da rede. Cada novo bloco que os jogadores honestos adicionam à cadeia torna mais difícil para o atacante alcançar.

E Se o Atacante Tentar Continuar?

O atacante poderia continuar tentando indefinidamente, mas ele estaria gastando muito tempo e energia sem conseguir nada. Enquanto isso, os jogadores honestos estão sempre adicionando novos blocos, tornando o trabalho do atacante ainda mais inútil.

Assim, o sistema garante que a cadeia verdadeira seja extremamente segura e que ataques sejam, na prática, impossíveis de ter sucesso.

---

12. Conclusão

Propusemos um sistema de transações eletrônicas que elimina a necessidade de confiança, baseando-se em assinaturas digitais e em uma rede peer-to-peer que utiliza prova de trabalho. Isso resolve o problema do gasto duplo, criando um histórico público de transações imutável, desde que a maioria do poder computacional permaneça sob controle dos participantes honestos. A rede funciona de forma simples e descentralizada, com nós independentes que não precisam de identificação ou coordenação direta. Eles entram e saem livremente, aceitando a cadeia de prova de trabalho como registro do que ocorreu durante sua ausência. As decisões são tomadas por meio do poder de CPU, validando blocos legítimos, estendendo a cadeia e rejeitando os inválidos. Com este mecanismo de consenso, todas as regras e incentivos necessários para o funcionamento seguro e eficiente do sistema são garantidos.

---

Faça o download do whitepaper original em português: https://bitcoin.org/files/bitcoin-paper/bitcoin_pt_br.pdf

@ f9cf4e94:96abc355

Para esse exemplo iremos usar: | Nome | Imagem | Descrição | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | Raspberry PI B+ | | Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit a 1.4GHz e 1 GB de SDRAM LPDDR2, | | Pen drive | | 16Gb |

Recomendo que use o Ubuntu Server para essa instalação. Você pode baixar o Ubuntu para Raspberry Pi aqui. O passo a passo para a instalação do Ubuntu no Raspberry Pi está disponível aqui. Não instale um desktop (como xubuntu, lubuntu, xfce, etc.).

---

Passo 1: Atualizar o Sistema 🖥️

Primeiro, atualize seu sistema e instale o Tor:

bash apt update apt install tor

---

Passo 2: Criar o Arquivo de Serviço nrs.service 🔧

Crie o arquivo de serviço que vai gerenciar o servidor Nostr. Você pode fazer isso com o seguinte conteúdo:

```unit [Unit] Description=Nostr Relay Server Service After=network.target

[Service] Type=simple WorkingDirectory=/opt/nrs ExecStart=/opt/nrs/nrs-arm64 Restart=on-failure

[Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target ```

---

Passo 3: Baixar o Binário do Nostr 🚀

Baixe o binário mais recente do Nostr aqui no GitHub.

---

Passo 4: Criar as Pastas Necessárias 📂

Agora, crie as pastas para o aplicativo e o pendrive:

bash mkdir -p /opt/nrs /mnt/edriver

---

Passo 5: Listar os Dispositivos Conectados 🔌

Para saber qual dispositivo você vai usar, liste todos os dispositivos conectados:

bash lsblk

---

Passo 6: Formatando o Pendrive 💾

Escolha o pendrive correto (por exemplo, /dev/sda) e formate-o:

bash mkfs.vfat /dev/sda

---

Passo 7: Montar o Pendrive 💻

Monte o pendrive na pasta /mnt/edriver:

bash mount /dev/sda /mnt/edriver

---

Passo 8: Verificar UUID dos Dispositivos 📋

Para garantir que o sistema monte o pendrive automaticamente, liste os UUID dos dispositivos conectados:

bash blkid

---

Passo 9: Alterar o fstab para Montar o Pendrive Automáticamente 📝

Abra o arquivo /etc/fstab e adicione uma linha para o pendrive, com o UUID que você obteve no passo anterior. A linha deve ficar assim:

fstab UUID=9c9008f8-f852 /mnt/edriver vfat defaults 0 0

---

Passo 10: Copiar o Binário para a Pasta Correta 📥

Agora, copie o binário baixado para a pasta /opt/nrs:

bash cp nrs-arm64 /opt/nrs

---

Passo 11: Criar o Arquivo de Configuração 🛠️

Crie o arquivo de configuração com o seguinte conteúdo e salve-o em /opt/nrs/config.yaml:

yaml app_env: production info: name: Nostr Relay Server description: Nostr Relay Server pub_key: "" contact: "" url: http://localhost:3334 icon: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u= https://public.bnbstatic.com/image/cms/crawler/COINCU_NEWS/image-495-1024x569.png base_path: /mnt/edriver negentropy: true

---

Passo 12: Copiar o Serviço para o Diretório de Systemd ⚙️

Agora, copie o arquivo nrs.service para o diretório /etc/systemd/system/:

bash cp nrs.service /etc/systemd/system/

Recarregue os serviços e inicie o serviço nrs:

bash systemctl daemon-reload systemctl enable --now nrs.service

---

Passo 13: Configurar o Tor 🌐

Abra o arquivo de configuração do Tor /var/lib/tor/torrc e adicione a seguinte linha:

torrc HiddenServiceDir /var/lib/tor/nostr_server/ HiddenServicePort 80 127.0.0.1:3334

---

Passo 14: Habilitar e Iniciar o Tor 🧅

Agora, ative e inicie o serviço Tor:

bash systemctl enable --now tor.service

O Tor irá gerar um endereço .onion para o seu servidor Nostr. Você pode encontrá-lo no arquivo /var/lib/tor/nostr_server/hostname.

---

Observações ⚠️

• Com essa configuração, os dados serão salvos no pendrive, enquanto o binário ficará no cartão SD do Raspberry Pi.
• O endereço .onion do seu servidor Nostr será algo como: ws://y3t5t5wgwjif<exemplo>h42zy7ih6iwbyd.onion.

---

Agora, seu servidor Nostr deve estar configurado e funcionando com Tor! 🥳

Se este artigo e as informações aqui contidas forem úteis para você, convidamos a considerar uma doação ao autor como forma de reconhecimento e incentivo à produção de novos conteúdos.

@ bbef5093:71228592

USA és Szaúd-Arábia együttműködik a nukleáris energiában, beleértve a fejlett reaktorokat is

Az Egyesült Államok és Szaúd-Arábia 2025. május 13-án Rijádban aláírt egy energiaügyi és kritikus ásványi anyagokra vonatkozó együttműködési megállapodást, amelynek részeként a polgári nukleáris energia területén is kijelölték az együttműködés főbb területeit. Az USA Energiaügyi Minisztériuma szerint a kooperáció kiterjed a biztonságra, védelmi és non-proliferációs programokra, az amerikai III+ generációs fejlett nagy reaktortechnológiákra és kis moduláris reaktorokra, valamint az uránkutatásra, bányászatra és feldolgozásra.

További területek a szakképzés, munkaerő-fejlesztés és a nukleáris hulladékkezelés. Chris Wright energiaügyi miniszter szerint ezek a megállapodások erős partnerséget teremtenek, amelyek biztosítják Donald Trump elnök „belföldi jólét és külföldi béke” víziójának megvalósulását. Trump első jelentős külföldi útján látogat Szaúd-Arábiába és más arab országokba második elnöki ciklusában. Wright az energiaügyi együttműködési megállapodást Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud szaúdi energiaügyi miniszterrel írta alá. Az USA szerint a megállapodás célja az innováció, fejlesztés és az energetikai infrastruktúra kiépítésének lehetőségeinek feltárása a két országban.

Az USA és Szaúd-Arábia tárgyalásokat folytat a királyság polgári nukleáris iparának fejlesztéséről, de a tárgyalásokat régiós politikai kérdések és a fegyverkezési aggodalmak bonyolítják. Wright múlt hónapban azt mondta, várhatóan előzetes megállapodást írnak alá, és Rijád valamint Washington „úton van” egy közös szaúdi polgári nukleáris program kidolgozásához. „Az USA részvételéhez és partnerségéhez mindenképp szükség lesz egy 123-as megállapodásra... sokféleképpen lehet úgy szerződni, hogy az megfeleljen mind a szaúdi, mind az amerikai céloknak” – mondta Wright.

A 123-as megállapodás útja

Az úgynevezett 123-as megállapodás az USA 1954-es Atomenergia-törvényének 123. szakaszára utal, amely szükséges ahhoz, hogy az amerikai kormány és cégek együtt dolgozhassanak a királyság entitásaival polgári nukleáris ipar fejlesztésén. Wright szerint a szaúdi hatóságok még nem egyeztek bele a törvény által előírt feltételekbe, amely kilenc non-proliferációs kritériumot határoz meg annak érdekében, hogy az adott állam ne használhassa fel a technológiát nukleáris fegyverek fejlesztésére, vagy ne adhassa át érzékeny anyagokat másoknak.

A tárgyalások eddig azért is akadoztak, mert Szaúd-Arábia nem akarta kizárni az urándúsítás vagy a kiégett fűtőelemek újrafeldolgozásának lehetőségét – mindkettő potenciális út egy atombomba felé. Mohamed bin Szalmán koronaherceg régóta hangoztatja, hogy ha Irán nukleáris fegyvert fejleszt, Szaúd-Arábia is követni fogja. A világ legnagyobb olajexportőre, Szaúd-Arábia jelentős megújuló energia előállítására és kibocsátáscsökkentésre törekszik a koronaherceg Vision 2030 reformprogramja keretében, amelyben a nukleáris energia is szerepet kap.

2022-ben Szaúd-Arábia létrehozta a Nemzeti Nukleáris Energia Társaságot, hogy fejlessze és üzemeltesse a nukleáris létesítményeket. A királyság akkor kezdte meg az első atomerőművi engedélyeztetési folyamatot, amely a hírek szerint mintegy 14 milliárd dollárba (12,2 milliárd euróba) kerülhet. Helyi média szerint a tervezett atomerőmű kapacitása 2800 GW lesz. Korábbi jelentések szerint Dél-Korea, Franciaország, Kína és Oroszország is adott be ajánlatot, de ezt hivatalosan nem erősítették meg.

---

Tajvan: Az utolsó atomerőmű bezárására készülve módosítják a törvényt

Tajvan parlamentje elfogadott egy módosítást a nukleáris energia törvényében, amely lehetővé teszi az üzemeltetők számára, hogy a jelenlegi 40 éves korlátozáson túl további 20 évre hosszabbítsák meg az atomerőművi engedélyeket, így akár 60 évig is működhet egy reaktor. Az állami Central News Agency szerint a módosítást az ellenzéki Kuomintang és a Tajvani Néppárt támogatta, 60 igen és 51 nem szavazattal, a kormányzó Demokratikus Progresszív Párt ellenében.

A javaslat célja a nukleáris energia újbóli bevonása Tajvan energiastratégiájába. A Nukleáris Biztonsági Tanács szerint minden hosszabbítási kérelemnek meg kell felelnie a nemzetközi szabványoknak, és alapos műszaki és jogi értékelésen kell átesnie. A lépésre azután kerül sor, hogy a kormány a hétvégén véglegesen bezárja a Maanshan-2 atomerőművet Pingtung megyében, ezzel teljesítve Tajvan nukleárismentességi ígéretét.

Kuo Jyh-huei gazdasági miniszter megerősítette, hogy a Maanshan-2 hosszabbítása akár 18 hónapot is igénybe vehet. A kormány szerint a módosítás nem változtatja meg a Maanshan-2 bezárásának tervét. 2024 júliusában a Taipower állami vállalat leállította a Maanshan-1 atomerőművet, így az országban már csak egy reaktor, a Maanshan-2 maradt üzemben.

A sziget energiaigénye – főként a félvezetőipar miatt – gyorsan nő, ami újraéleszti a nukleáris energia körüli vitát. A gazdasági minisztérium szerint az ország villamosenergia-szükséglete 2030-ra várhatóan 12-13%-kal nő, főként a mesterséges intelligencia (AI) iparág fellendülése miatt. A Greenpeace szerint a világ legnagyobb chipgyártója, a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 2030-ra önmagában annyi áramot fog fogyasztani, mint a sziget 23 milliós lakosságának negyede.

Az energiaéhség nehezíti Tajpej 2050-re kitűzött nettó zéró kibocsátási vállalását, amely nagyrészt a megújuló energia részarányának 60-70%-ra emelésén alapul a jelenlegi 12%-ról. A nukleáris energia támogatói szerint ez a legéletképesebb módja Tajvan ipari és környezetvédelmi céljainak összehangolására. 2023-ban a nukleáris energia a tajvani villamosenergia-termelés 6,9%-át adta, míg a fő energiaforrások a szén és a cseppfolyósított földgáz voltak. A Maanshan-1 bezárásával a nukleáris energia aránya 2,8%-ra csökken.

Egykor hat reaktor biztosította Tajvan áramellátásának több mint felét.

„Nagyon nyitottak” az új nukleáris technológiára

Tavaly év végén Cho Jung-tai tajvani miniszterelnök kijelentette, hogy az ország „nagyon nyitott” az új nukleáris technológiák alkalmazására, hogy kielégítse a chipgyártók és az AI ipar növekvő áramigényét. „Amíg konszenzus van a nukleáris biztonságról és megfelelő garanciák vannak a hulladékkezelésre, nyilvános vitát lehet folytatni” – mondta Cho a Bloombergnek adott interjúban. Ez az egyik legerősebb jele annak, hogy a kormány újragondolja a kereskedelmi atomerőművekkel szembeni ellenállását.

Cho vélhetően fejlett reaktorokra, köztük kis moduláris reaktorokra (SMR) utalt, amelyeket számos országban fejlesztenek. Tajvan Nemzeti Atomkutató Intézete a héten indított egy 3,3 millió dolláros SMR kutatási projektet, amely utat nyithat a fejlett nukleáris reaktorok bevezetése előtt.

---

Új építés

Az amerikai EnergySolutions megkezdi a fejlett nukleáris projektek tervezését a wisconsini Kewaunee atomerőmű helyszínén. A cég a WEC Energy Grouppal együttműködve vizsgálja az új nukleáris termelés lehetőségét a helyszínen, és most helyszíni és környezeti tanulmányokat indít az NRC engedélyek megszerzése érdekében.

Ken Robuck, az EnergySolutions elnök-vezérigazgatója szerint az adatközpontok, a mesterséges intelligencia és az ipari növekedés által hajtott energiaigény miatt soha nem volt még ekkora szükség megbízható, szén-dioxid-mentes energiára. Az EnergySolutions 2022-ben vásárolta meg a 2013-ban leállított, jelenleg leszerelés alatt álló Kewaunee erőművet. Wisconsin egyetlen működő atomerőműve a Point Beach, amely az állam villamosenergia-termelésének 16,5%-át adja.

---

Elemzés: A brit nukleáris munkaerőnek „jelentősen” bővülnie kell

Az Egyesült Királyságban a kormány és az iparág közös szervezete, a Destination Nuclear sikeresen vonzza a szükséges szakembereket a nukleáris tervekhez, de figyelmeztet, hogy a munkaerőnek „jelentősen” bővülnie kell. Az országban jelenleg 96 000 fő dolgozik a nukleáris szektorban, de 2030-ra 120 000-re lesz szükség, vagyis hat év alatt 24 000 fővel kell bővíteni az állományt.

A program célja, hogy a civil és védelmi nukleáris szektorban is vonzóvá tegye a pályát, különös tekintettel a kritikus készségekre, például a hegesztésre, biztonsági mérnökökre, projekttervezőkre és sugárvédelmi szakemberekre. A kampány digitális hirdetésekkel, on-demand TV-n (pl. Netflix), és az online Minecraft játékon keresztül is igyekszik elérni a potenciális munkavállalókat. Az első eredmények szerint 52%-kal nőtt azok aránya, akik korábban nem gondoltak a nukleáris pályára, de most már fontolóra veszik. A szektor már most is több tízezer munkahelyet biztosít, és 2050-re akár 70 milliárd fonttal járulhat hozzá a brit gazdasághoz.

---

Egyéb hírek röviden

• Kanada: Az NWMO öt céget választott ki az első mély geológiai tároló tervezésére és kivitelezésére.
• Deep Atomic és Future-tech: Új programot indítottak nukleáris adatközpontok helyszínértékelésére.
• Urenco Isotopes: Üzembe helyezte legújabb izotóp-dúsító berendezését, a Blaise Pascalt.
• IAEA: Május 21-én webináriumot tart a nukleáris fúzió gyorsításáról, különös tekintettel a technológiai és ellátási láncok összehangolására.

@ 58537364:705b4b85

วันนี้เป็นวันสำคัญทางศาสนา มีการจัดงานบุญพร้อมกับฟังเทศน์อย่างยิ่งใหญ่ "ชายคนหนึ่ง" ได้มานั่งฟังธรรมอยู่บนศาลาวัด ในขณะที่นั่งฟังอยู่นั้นสายตาก็เหลือบไปเห็นคนกำลังตกปลาอยู่ในบ่อน้ำที่วัด แล้วก็นั่งคิดบ่นด่าคนตกปลาอยู่ในใจว่าทำไมถึงทำเช่นนั้น ในวัดแท้ๆ ยังกล้ามาจับปลา ไม่กลัวบาปกรรมบ้างเลยหรืออย่างไร แต่แทนที่ชายคนนี้มานั่งฟังธรรมจะได้บุญ กลับเอาจิตไปด่าทอผู้อื่นอยู่ตลอดเวลา

ในขณะเดียวกัน “คนตกปลา” ก็มองเห็นคนที่มานั่งฟังธรรมบนศาลาวัด ใจก็ตั้งจิตขออนุโมทนาบุญ เพราะผมมันเป็นคนบาป ไม่มีโอกาสได้ไปนั่งฟังธรรมกับคนอื่นเขา ต้องเอาเวลามาตกปลาเลี้ยงชีพ เลี้ยงดูพ่อแม่ที่ป่วยหนัก เพราะเกิดมาจนจึงไม่มีวาสนาสร้างบุญแบบคนอื่น หากเกิดชาติหน้า ก็ขอให้มีโอกาสได้สร้างบุญเหมือนแบบท่านๆที่ได้นั่งฟังธรรมอยู่ด้วยเถิด เกิดมาชาตินี้มีกรรมหนัก ต้องชดใช้กรรมที่ก่อไว้ ปลาที่มาติดเบ็ดก็ขออย่าได้จองเวรกันเลย

ถึงแม้คนตกปลาจะกำลังตกปลาอยู่ แต่จิตก็เอาแต่ภาวนาสาธุไปกับคนที่ฟังธรรม และขออโหสิกรรมปลาตลอด ที่นี้ทุกคนเข้าใจหรือยังว่า ทำไมคนฟังธรรมถึงตกนรก คนตกปลาได้ขึ้นสวรรค์

ความหมายของ “กรรมดี” และ “กรรมชั่ว” มาจากเจตนา การมีเจตนาที่ประกอบด้วยกุศล คือ กรรมดี แต่การมีเจตนาที่ประกอบด้วยอกุศล คือ กรรมชั่ว อย่างชายที่ไปนั่งฟังธรรม ก็หลงคิดว่าตัวเองกำลังทำดีอยู่ แล้วก็เอาแต่มองคนอื่นที่ไม่ทำแบบตัวเองว่าเป็นคนไม่ดี ในใจก็เอาแต่ ด่าทอ คิดร้าย ต่างๆนาๆ ในขณะที่คนตกปลา มีแต่เจตนาที่ดีต่อผู้อื่น เห็นผู้อื่นทำความดี ก็ยินดีด้วยเสมอ

การปฏิบัติธรรม เป็นการฝึกจิตให้สงบ เพื่อพัฒนาจิตของตนเองให้สูงขึ้น ไม่ใช่เอาไว้ไปข่มคนอื่นให้ดูต่ำลง เพราะสุดท้ายแล้วคนที่ทำแบบนี้ ย่อมต่ำกว่า เจ้าสวดมนต์แต่ยัง “นินทา“ เจ้าทำทานแต่ยัง ”เอาเปรียบ“ เจ้ามีความรู้แต่ชอบ ”ดูถูกคน“ เจ้าตัวสะอาดแต่ ”ใจสกปรก“ เจ้าอยากได้มิตรแท้ แต่… ”เจ้ากลับเป็นมิตรเทียม“ เจ้าบอกทำกุศล แต่… ”หมายเอาชื่อเสียง“ เจ้ามีทุกสิ่ง แต่… ”ไม่คิดแบ่งปัน “ เจ้าดูแลคนอื่น แต่… ”ละเลยพ่อแม่ “ เจ้างดเนื้อสัตว์ แต่… ”ข่มเหง ” เพื่อนมนุษย์ เจ้าหาตัวเองไม่เจอ แต่… “กรรม ” หาเจ้าเจอ

พระไพศาล วิสาโล ได้บอกถึงพฤติกรรมที่คนเหล่านี้เป็น นั่นเพราะว่า “เหมือนในสังคมทุกวันนี้ ที่ชอบทำบุญ แต่กลับไร้น้ำใจ ทั้งๆที่การมีน้ำใจต่อเพื่อนมนุษย์ เป็นสิ่งที่ทำได้ง่ายในชีวิตประจำวัน แต่บางคนกลับดั้นด้นเดินทางไปไกลๆ เพื่อที่จะไปทำบุญที่วัดอย่างเดียว แต่กับคนทุกข์ยากใกล้ตัว ไม่เคยแม้แต่จะเหลียวแลยื่นมือช่วย นั่นเป็นเพราะว่าคนเรา มักจะชอบกระทำต่อสิ่งที่อยู่สูงกว่าตน เช่น พระสงฆ์ วัดวาอาราม แต่กลับละเลยสิ่งที่คิดว่าอยู่ต่ำกว่าตนเอง เช่น คน ยากจน หรือ สัตว์น้อยใหญ่”

เมตตาค้ำจุนโลก

Cr: คู่มือมนุษย์

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

Black Locust can grow up to 170 ft tall

Grows 3-4 ft. per year

Native to North America

Cold hardy in zones 3 to 8

Firewood

• BLT wood, on a pound for pound basis is roughly half that of Anthracite Coal
• Since its growth is fast, firewood can be plentiful

Timber

• Rot resistant due to a naturally produced robinin in the wood
  • 100 year life span in full soil contact! (better than cedar performance)
  • Fence posts
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor decking
• Sustainable due to its fast growth and spread
  • Can be coppiced (cut to the ground)
  • Can be pollarded (cut above ground)
• Its dense wood makes durable tool handles, boxes (tool), and furniture
  • The wood is tougher than hickory, which is tougher than hard maple, which is tougher than oak.
  • A very low rate of expansion and contraction
  • Hardwood flooring
  • The highest tensile beam strength of any American tree
• The wood is beautiful

Legume

• Nitrogen fixer
  • Fixes the same amount of nitrogen per acre as is needed for 200-bushel/acre corn
  • Black walnuts inter-planted with locust as “nurse” trees were shown to rapidly increase their growth [[Clark, Paul M., and Robert D. Williams. (1978) Black walnut growth increased when interplanted with nitrogen-fixing shrubs and trees. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, vol. 88, pp. 88-91.]]

Bees

• The edible flower clusters are also a top food source for honey bees

Shade Provider

• Its light, airy overstory provides dappled shade
  • Planted on the west side of a garden it provides relief during the hottest part of the day
  • (nitrogen provider)
  • Planted on the west side of a house, its quick growth soon shades that side from the sun

Wind-break

• Fast growth plus it's feathery foliage reduces wind for animals, crops, and shelters

Fodder

• Over 20% crude protein
• 4.1 kcal/g of energy
• Baertsche, S.R, M.T. Yokoyama, and J.W. Hanover (1986) Short rotation, hardwood tree biomass as potential ruminant feed-chemical composition, nylon bag ruminal degradation and ensilement of selected species. J. Animal Sci. 63 2028-2043

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

Q: “Products & services using AI make me excited. How much do you agree/disagree?”

https://www.ipsos.com/en/ipsos-ai-monitor-2024-changing-attitudes-and-feelings-about-ai-and-future-it-will-bring

https://stacker.news/items/980900

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

Bitcoin is more than money, more than an asset, and more than a store of value. Bitcoin is a Prime Mover, an enabler and it ignites imaginations. It certainly fueled an idea in my mind. The idea integrates sensors, computational prowess, actuated machinery, power conversion, and electronic communications to form an autonomous, machined creature roaming forests and harvesting the most widespread and least energy-dense fuel source available. I call it the Forest Walker and it eats wood, and mines Bitcoin.

I know what you're thinking. Why not just put Bitcoin mining rigs where they belong: in a hosted facility sporting electricity from energy-dense fuels like natural gas, climate-controlled with excellent data piping in and out? Why go to all the trouble building a robot that digests wood creating flammable gasses fueling an engine to run a generator powering Bitcoin miners? It's all about synergy.

Bitcoin mining enables the realization of multiple, seemingly unrelated, yet useful activities. Activities considered un-profitable if not for Bitcoin as the Prime Mover. This is much more than simply mining the greatest asset ever conceived by humankind. It’s about the power of synergy, which Bitcoin plays only one of many roles. The synergy created by this system can stabilize forests' fire ecology while generating multiple income streams. That’s the realistic goal here and requires a brief history of American Forest management before continuing.

Smokey The Bear

In 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention Campaign began in the United States. “Only YOU can prevent forest fires” remains the refrain of the Ad Council’s longest running campaign. The Ad Council is a U.S. non-profit set up by the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers in 1942. It would seem that the U.S. Department of the Interior was concerned about pesky forest fires and wanted them to stop. So, alongside a national policy of extreme fire suppression they enlisted the entire U.S. population to get onboard via the Ad Council and it worked. Forest fires were almost obliterated and everyone was happy, right? Wrong.

Smokey is a fantastically successful bear so forest fires became so few for so long that the fuel load - dead wood - in forests has become very heavy. So heavy that when a fire happens (and they always happen) it destroys everything in its path because the more fuel there is the hotter that fire becomes. Trees, bushes, shrubs, and all other plant life cannot escape destruction (not to mention homes and businesses). The soil microbiology doesn’t escape either as it is burned away even in deeper soils. To add insult to injury, hydrophobic waxy residues condense on the soil surface, forcing water to travel over the ground rather than through it eroding forest soils. Good job, Smokey. Well done, Sir!

Most terrestrial ecologies are “fire ecologies”. Fire is a part of these systems’ fuel load and pest management. Before we pretended to “manage” millions of acres of forest, fires raged over the world, rarely damaging forests. The fuel load was always too light to generate fires hot enough to moonscape mountainsides. Fires simply burned off the minor amounts of fuel accumulated since the fire before. The lighter heat, smoke, and other combustion gasses suppressed pests, keeping them in check and the smoke condensed into a plant growth accelerant called wood vinegar, not a waxy cap on the soil. These fires also cleared out weak undergrowth, cycled minerals, and thinned the forest canopy, allowing sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor. Without a fire’s heat, many pine tree species can’t sow their seed. The heat is required to open the cones (the seed bearing structure) of Spruce, Cypress, Sequoia, Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine and many more. Without fire forests can’t have babies. The idea was to protect the forests, and it isn't working.

So, in a world of fire, what does an ally look like and what does it do?

Meet The Forest Walker

For the Forest Walker to work as a mobile, autonomous unit, a solid platform that can carry several hundred pounds is required. It so happens this chassis already exists but shelved.

Introducing the Legged Squad Support System (LS3). A joint project between Boston Dynamics, DARPA, and the United States Marine Corps, the quadrupedal robot is the size of a cow, can carry 400 pounds (180 kg) of equipment, negotiate challenging terrain, and operate for 24 hours before needing to refuel. Yes, it had an engine. Abandoned in 2015, the thing was too noisy for military deployment and maintenance "under fire" is never a high-quality idea. However, we can rebuild it to act as a platform for the Forest Walker; albeit with serious alterations. It would need to be bigger, probably. Carry more weight? Definitely. Maybe replace structural metal with carbon fiber and redesign much as 3D printable parts for more effective maintenance.

The original system has a top operational speed of 8 miles per hour. For our purposes, it only needs to move about as fast as a grazing ruminant. Without the hammering vibrations of galloping into battle, shocks of exploding mortars, and drunken soldiers playing "Wrangler of Steel Machines", time between failures should be much longer and the overall energy consumption much lower. The LS3 is a solid platform to build upon. Now it just needs to be pulled out of the mothballs, and completely refitted with outboard equipment.

The Small Branch Chipper

When I say “Forest fuel load” I mean the dead, carbon containing litter on the forest floor. Duff (leaves), fine-woody debris (small branches), and coarse woody debris (logs) are the fuel that feeds forest fires. Walk through any forest in the United States today and you will see quite a lot of these materials. Too much, as I have described. Some of these fuel loads can be 8 tons per acre in pine and hardwood forests and up to 16 tons per acre at active logging sites. That’s some big wood and the more that collects, the more combustible danger to the forest it represents. It also provides a technically unlimited fuel supply for the Forest Walker system.

The problem is that this detritus has to be chewed into pieces that are easily ingestible by the system for the gasification process (we’ll get to that step in a minute). What we need is a wood chipper attached to the chassis (the LS3); its “mouth”.

A small wood chipper handling material up to 2.5 - 3.0 inches (6.3 - 7.6 cm) in diameter would eliminate a substantial amount of fuel. There is no reason for Forest Walker to remove fallen trees. It wouldn’t have to in order to make a real difference. It need only identify appropriately sized branches and grab them. Once loaded into the chipper’s intake hopper for further processing, the beast can immediately look for more “food”. This is essentially kindling that would help ignite larger logs. If it’s all consumed by Forest Walker, then it’s not present to promote an aggravated conflagration.

I have glossed over an obvious question: How does Forest Walker see and identify branches and such? LiDaR (Light Detection and Ranging) attached to Forest Walker images the local area and feed those data to onboard computers for processing. Maybe AI plays a role. Maybe simple machine learning can do the trick. One thing is for certain: being able to identify a stick and cause robotic appendages to pick it up is not impossible.

Great! We now have a quadrupedal robot autonomously identifying and “eating” dead branches and other light, combustible materials. Whilst strolling through the forest, depleting future fires of combustibles, Forest Walker has already performed a major function of this system: making the forest safer. It's time to convert this low-density fuel into a high-density fuel Forest Walker can leverage. Enter the gasification process.

The Gassifier

The gasifier is the heart of the entire system; it’s where low-density fuel becomes the high-density fuel that powers the entire system. Biochar and wood vinegar are process wastes and I’ll discuss why both are powerful soil amendments in a moment, but first, what’s gasification?

Reacting shredded carbonaceous material at high temperatures in a low or no oxygen environment converts the biomass into biochar, wood vinegar, heat, and Synthesis Gas (Syngas). Syngas consists primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. All of which are extremely useful fuels in a gaseous state. Part of this gas is used to heat the input biomass and keep the reaction temperature constant while the internal combustion engine that drives the generator to produce electrical power consumes the rest.

Critically, this gasification process is “continuous feed”. Forest Walker must intake biomass from the chipper, process it to fuel, and dump the waste (CO2, heat, biochar, and wood vinegar) continuously. It cannot stop. Everything about this system depends upon this continual grazing, digestion, and excretion of wastes just as a ruminal does. And, like a ruminant, all waste products enhance the local environment.

When I first heard of gasification, I didn’t believe that it was real. Running an electric generator from burning wood seemed more akin to “conspiracy fantasy” than science. Not only is gasification real, it’s ancient technology. A man named Dean Clayton first started experiments on gasification in 1699 and in 1901 gasification was used to power a vehicle. By the end of World War II, there were 500,000 Syngas powered vehicles in Germany alone because of fossil fuel rationing during the war. The global gasification market was $480 billion in 2022 and projected to be as much as $700 billion by 2030 (Vantage Market Research). Gasification technology is the best choice to power the Forest Walker because it’s self-contained and we want its waste products.

Biochar: The Waste

Biochar (AKA agricultural charcoal) is fairly simple: it’s almost pure, solid carbon that resembles charcoal. Its porous nature packs large surface areas into small, 3 dimensional nuggets. Devoid of most other chemistry, like hydrocarbons (methane) and ash (minerals), biochar is extremely lightweight. Do not confuse it with the charcoal you buy for your grill. Biochar doesn’t make good grilling charcoal because it would burn too rapidly as it does not contain the multitude of flammable components that charcoal does. Biochar has several other good use cases. Water filtration, water retention, nutrient retention, providing habitat for microscopic soil organisms, and carbon sequestration are the main ones that we are concerned with here.

Carbon has an amazing ability to adsorb (substances stick to and accumulate on the surface of an object) manifold chemistries. Water, nutrients, and pollutants tightly bind to carbon in this format. So, biochar makes a respectable filter and acts as a “battery” of water and nutrients in soils. Biochar adsorbs and holds on to seven times its weight in water. Soil containing biochar is more drought resilient than soil without it. Adsorbed nutrients, tightly sequestered alongside water, get released only as plants need them. Plants must excrete protons (H+) from their roots to disgorge water or positively charged nutrients from the biochar's surface; it's an active process.

Biochar’s surface area (where adsorption happens) can be 500 square meters per gram or more. That is 10% larger than an official NBA basketball court for every gram of biochar. Biochar’s abundant surface area builds protective habitats for soil microbes like fungi and bacteria and many are critical for the health and productivity of the soil itself.

The “carbon sequestration” component of biochar comes into play where “carbon credits” are concerned. There is a financial market for carbon. Not leveraging that market for revenue is foolish. I am climate agnostic. All I care about is that once solid carbon is inside the soil, it will stay there for thousands of years, imparting drought resiliency, fertility collection, nutrient buffering, and release for that time span. I simply want as much solid carbon in the soil because of the undeniably positive effects it has, regardless of any climactic considerations.

Wood Vinegar: More Waste

Another by-product of the gasification process is wood vinegar (Pyroligneous acid). If you have ever seen Liquid Smoke in the grocery store, then you have seen wood vinegar. Principally composed of acetic acid, acetone, and methanol wood vinegar also contains ~200 other organic compounds. It would seem intuitive that condensed, liquefied wood smoke would at least be bad for the health of all living things if not downright carcinogenic. The counter intuition wins the day, however. Wood vinegar has been used by humans for a very long time to promote digestion, bowel, and liver health; combat diarrhea and vomiting; calm peptic ulcers and regulate cholesterol levels; and a host of other benefits.

For centuries humans have annually burned off hundreds of thousands of square miles of pasture, grassland, forest, and every other conceivable terrestrial ecosystem. Why is this done? After every burn, one thing becomes obvious: the almost supernatural growth these ecosystems exhibit after the burn. How? Wood vinegar is a component of this growth. Even in open burns, smoke condenses and infiltrates the soil. That is when wood vinegar shows its quality.

This stuff beefs up not only general plant growth but seed germination as well and possesses many other qualities that are beneficial to plants. It’s a pesticide, fungicide, promotes beneficial soil microorganisms, enhances nutrient uptake, and imparts disease resistance. I am barely touching a long list of attributes here, but you want wood vinegar in your soil (alongside biochar because it adsorbs wood vinegar as well).

The Internal Combustion Engine

Conversion of grazed forage to chemical, then mechanical, and then electrical energy completes the cycle. The ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) converts the gaseous fuel output from the gasifier to mechanical energy, heat, water vapor, and CO2. It’s the mechanical energy of a rotating drive shaft that we want. That rotation drives the electric generator, which is the heartbeat we need to bring this monster to life. Luckily for us, combined internal combustion engine and generator packages are ubiquitous, delivering a defined energy output given a constant fuel input. It’s the simplest part of the system.

The obvious question here is whether the amount of syngas provided by the gasification process will provide enough energy to generate enough electrons to run the entire system or not. While I have no doubt the energy produced will run Forest Walker's main systems the question is really about the electrons left over. Will it be enough to run the Bitcoin mining aspect of the system? Everything is a budget.

CO2 Production For Growth

Plants are lollipops. No matter if it’s a tree or a bush or a shrubbery, the entire thing is mostly sugar in various formats but mostly long chain carbohydrates like lignin and cellulose. Plants need three things to make sugar: CO2, H2O and light. In a forest, where tree densities can be quite high, CO2 availability becomes a limiting growth factor. It’d be in the forest interests to have more available CO2 providing for various sugar formation providing the organism with food and structure.

An odd thing about tree leaves, the openings that allow gasses like the ever searched for CO2 are on the bottom of the leaf (these are called stomata). Not many stomata are topside. This suggests that trees and bushes have evolved to find gasses like CO2 from below, not above and this further suggests CO2 might be in higher concentrations nearer the soil.

The soil life (bacterial, fungi etc.) is constantly producing enormous amounts of CO2 and it would stay in the soil forever (eventually killing the very soil life that produces it) if not for tidal forces. Water is everywhere and whether in pools, lakes, oceans or distributed in “moist” soils water moves towards to the moon. The water in the soil and also in the water tables below the soil rise toward the surface every day. When the water rises, it expels the accumulated gasses in the soil into the atmosphere and it’s mostly CO2. It’s a good bet on how leaves developed high populations of stomata on the underside of leaves. As the water relaxes (the tide goes out) it sucks oxygenated air back into the soil to continue the functions of soil life respiration. The soil “breathes” albeit slowly.

The gasses produced by the Forest Walker’s internal combustion engine consist primarily of CO2 and H2O. Combusting sugars produce the same gasses that are needed to construct the sugars because the universe is funny like that. The Forest Walker is constantly laying down these critical construction elements right where the trees need them: close to the ground to be gobbled up by the trees.

The Branch Drones

During the last ice age, giant mammals populated North America - forests and otherwise. Mastodons, woolly mammoths, rhinos, short-faced bears, steppe bison, caribou, musk ox, giant beavers, camels, gigantic ground-dwelling sloths, glyptodons, and dire wolves were everywhere. Many were ten to fifteen feet tall. As they crashed through forests, they would effectively cleave off dead side-branches of trees, halting the spread of a ground-based fire migrating into the tree crown ("laddering") which is a death knell for a forest.

These animals are all extinct now and forests no longer have any manner of pruning services. But, if we build drones fitted with cutting implements like saws and loppers, optical cameras and AI trained to discern dead branches from living ones, these drones could effectively take over pruning services by identifying, cutting, and dropping to the forest floor, dead branches. The dropped branches simply get collected by the Forest Walker as part of its continual mission.

The drones dock on the back of the Forest Walker to recharge their batteries when low. The whole scene would look like a grazing cow with some flies bothering it. This activity breaks the link between a relatively cool ground based fire and the tree crowns and is a vital element in forest fire control.

The Bitcoin Miner

Mining is one of four monetary incentive models, making this system a possibility for development. The other three are US Dept. of the Interior, township, county, and electrical utility company easement contracts for fuel load management, global carbon credits trading, and data set sales. All the above depends on obvious questions getting answered. I will list some obvious ones, but this is not an engineering document and is not the place for spreadsheets. How much Bitcoin one Forest Walker can mine depends on everything else. What amount of biomass can we process? Will that biomass flow enough Syngas to keep the lights on? Can the chassis support enough mining ASICs and supporting infrastructure? What does that weigh and will it affect field performance? How much power can the AC generator produce?

Other questions that are more philosophical persist. Even if a single Forest Walker can only mine scant amounts of BTC per day, that pales to how much fuel material it can process into biochar. We are talking about millions upon millions of forested acres in need of fuel load management. What can a single Forest Walker do? I am not thinking in singular terms. The Forest Walker must operate as a fleet. What could 50 do? 500?

What is it worth providing a service to the world by managing forest fuel loads? Providing proof of work to the global monetary system? Seeding soil with drought and nutrient resilience by the excretion, over time, of carbon by the ton? What did the last forest fire cost?

The Mesh Network

What could be better than one bitcoin mining, carbon sequestering, forest fire squelching, soil amending behemoth? Thousands of them, but then they would need to be able to talk to each other to coordinate position, data handling, etc. Fitted with a mesh networking device, like goTenna or Meshtastic LoRa equipment enables each Forest Walker to communicate with each other.

Now we have an interconnected fleet of Forest Walkers relaying data to each other and more importantly, aggregating all of that to the last link in the chain for uplink. Well, at least Bitcoin mining data. Since block data is lightweight, transmission of these data via mesh networking in fairly close quartered environs is more than doable. So, how does data transmit to the Bitcoin Network? How do the Forest Walkers get the previous block data necessary to execute on mining?

Back To The Chain

Getting Bitcoin block data to and from the network is the last puzzle piece. The standing presumption here is that wherever a Forest Walker fleet is operating, it is NOT within cell tower range. We further presume that the nearest Walmart Wi-Fi is hours away. Enter the Blockstream Satellite or something like it.

A separate, ground-based drone will have two jobs: To stay as close to the nearest Forest Walker as it can and to provide an antennae for either terrestrial or orbital data uplink. Bitcoin-centric data is transmitted to the "uplink drone" via the mesh networked transmitters and then sent on to the uplink and the whole flow goes in the opposite direction as well; many to one and one to many.

We cannot transmit data to the Blockstream satellite, and it will be up to Blockstream and companies like it to provide uplink capabilities in the future and I don't doubt they will. Starlink you say? What’s stopping that company from filtering out block data? Nothing because it’s Starlink’s system and they could decide to censor these data. It seems we may have a problem sending and receiving Bitcoin data in back country environs.

But, then again, the utility of this system in staunching the fuel load that creates forest fires is extremely useful around forested communities and many have fiber, Wi-Fi and cell towers. These communities could be a welcoming ground zero for first deployments of the Forest Walker system by the home and business owners seeking fire repression. In the best way, Bitcoin subsidizes the safety of the communities.

Sensor Packages

LiDaR

The benefit of having a Forest Walker fleet strolling through the forest is the never ending opportunity for data gathering. A plethora of deployable sensors gathering hyper-accurate data on everything from temperature to topography is yet another revenue generator. Data is valuable and the Forest Walker could generate data sales to various government entities and private concerns.

LiDaR (Light Detection and Ranging) can map topography, perform biomass assessment, comparative soil erosion analysis, etc. It so happens that the Forest Walker’s ability to “see,” to navigate about its surroundings, is LiDaR driven and since it’s already being used, we can get double duty by harvesting that data for later use. By using a laser to send out light pulses and measuring the time it takes for the reflection of those pulses to return, very detailed data sets incrementally build up. Eventually, as enough data about a certain area becomes available, the data becomes useful and valuable.

Forestry concerns, both private and public, often use LiDaR to build 3D models of tree stands to assess the amount of harvest-able lumber in entire sections of forest. Consulting companies offering these services charge anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars per square kilometer for such services. A Forest Walker generating such assessments on the fly while performing its other functions is a multi-disciplinary approach to revenue generation.

pH, Soil Moisture, and Cation Exchange Sensing

The Forest Walker is quadrupedal, so there are four contact points to the soil. Why not get a pH data point for every step it takes? We can also gather soil moisture data and cation exchange capacities at unheard of densities because of sampling occurring on the fly during commission of the system’s other duties. No one is going to build a machine to do pH testing of vast tracts of forest soils, but that doesn’t make the data collected from such an endeavor valueless. Since the Forest Walker serves many functions at once, a multitude of data products can add to the return on investment component.

Weather Data

Temperature, humidity, pressure, and even data like evapotranspiration gathered at high densities on broad acre scales have untold value and because the sensors are lightweight and don’t require large power budgets, they come along for the ride at little cost. But, just like the old mantra, “gas, grass, or ass, nobody rides for free”, these sensors provide potential revenue benefits just by them being present.

I’ve touched on just a few data genres here. In fact, the question for universities, governmental bodies, and other institutions becomes, “How much will you pay us to attach your sensor payload to the Forest Walker?”

Noise Suppression

Only you can prevent Metallica filling the surrounds with 120 dB of sound. Easy enough, just turn the car stereo off. But what of a fleet of 50 Forest Walkers operating in the backcountry or near a township? 500? 5000? Each one has a wood chipper, an internal combustion engine, hydraulic pumps, actuators, and more cooling fans than you can shake a stick at. It’s a walking, screaming fire-breathing dragon operating continuously, day and night, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year. The sound will negatively affect all living things and that impacts behaviors. Serious engineering consideration and prowess must deliver a silencing blow to the major issue of noise.

It would be foolish to think that a fleet of Forest Walkers could be silent, but if not a major design consideration, then the entire idea is dead on arrival. Townships would not allow them to operate even if they solved the problem of widespread fuel load and neither would governmental entities, and rightly so. Nothing, not man nor beast, would want to be subjected to an eternal, infernal scream even if it were to end within days as the fleet moved further away after consuming what it could. Noise and heat are the only real pollutants of this system; taking noise seriously from the beginning is paramount.

Fire Safety

A “fire-breathing dragon” is not the worst description of the Forest Walker. It eats wood, combusts it at very high temperatures and excretes carbon; and it does so in an extremely flammable environment. Bad mix for one Forest Walker, worse for many. One must take extreme pains to ensure that during normal operation, a Forest Walker could fall over, walk through tinder dry brush, or get pounded into the ground by a meteorite from Krypton and it wouldn’t destroy epic swaths of trees and baby deer. I envision an ultimate test of a prototype to include dowsing it in grain alcohol while it’s wrapped up in toilet paper like a pledge at a fraternity party. If it runs for 72 hours and doesn’t set everything on fire, then maybe outside entities won’t be fearful of something that walks around forests with a constant fire in its belly.

The Wrap

How we think about what can be done with and adjacent to Bitcoin is at least as important as Bitcoin’s economic standing itself. For those who will tell me that this entire idea is without merit, I say, “OK, fine. You can come up with something, too.” What can we plug Bitcoin into that, like a battery, makes something that does not work, work? That’s the lesson I get from this entire exercise. No one was ever going to hire teams of humans to go out and "clean the forest". There's no money in that. The data collection and sales from such an endeavor might provide revenues over the break-even point but investment demands Alpha in this day and age. But, plug Bitcoin into an almost viable system and, voilà! We tip the scales to achieve lift-off.

Let’s face it, we haven’t scratched the surface of Bitcoin’s forcing function on our minds. Not because it’s Bitcoin, but because of what that invention means. The question that pushes me to approach things this way is, “what can we create that one system’s waste is another system’s feedstock?” The Forest Walker system’s only real waste is the conversion of low entropy energy (wood and syngas) into high entropy energy (heat and noise). All other output is beneficial to humanity.

Bitcoin, I believe, is the first product of a new mode of human imagination. An imagination newly forged over the past few millennia of being lied to, stolen from, distracted and otherwise mis-allocated to a black hole of the nonsensical. We are waking up.

What I have presented is not science fiction. Everything I have described here is well within the realm of possibility. The question is one of viability, at least in terms of the detritus of the old world we find ourselves departing from. This system would take a non-trivial amount of time and resources to develop. I think the system would garner extensive long-term contracts from those who have the most to lose from wildfires, the most to gain from hyperaccurate data sets, and, of course, securing the most precious asset in the world. Many may not see it that way, for they seek Alpha and are therefore blind to other possibilities. Others will see only the possibilities; of thinking in a new way, of looking at things differently, and dreaming of what comes next.

@ c13e67ae:8ff5689b

Testing the world

@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365

My blog posts and reading material have both been on a decidedly economics-heavy slant recently. The topic today, incentives, squarely falls into the category of economics. However, when I say economics, I’m not talking about “analyzing supply and demand curves.” I’m talking about the true basis of economics: understanding how human beings make decisions in a world of scarcity.

A fair definition of incentive is “a reward or punishment that motivates behavior to achieve a desired outcome.” When most people think about economic incentives, they’re thinking of money. If I offer my son $5 if he washes the dishes, I’m incentivizing certain behavior. We can’t guarantee that he’ll do what I want him to do, but we can agree that the incentive structure itself will guide and ultimately determine what outcome will occur.

The great thing about monetary incentives is how easy they are to talk about and compare. “Would I rather make $5 washing the dishes or $10 cleaning the gutters?” But much of the world is incentivized in non-monetary ways too. For example, using the “punishment” half of the definition above, I might threaten my son with losing Nintendo Switch access if he doesn’t wash the dishes. No money is involved, but I’m still incentivizing behavior.

And there are plenty of incentives beyond our direct control! My son is also incentivized to not wash dishes because it’s boring, or because he has some friends over that he wants to hang out with, or dozens of other things. Ultimately, the conflicting array of different incentive structures placed on him will ultimately determine what actions he chooses to take.

Why incentives matter

A phrase I see often in discussions—whether they are political, parenting, economic, or business—is “if they could just do…” Each time I see that phrase, I cringe a bit internally. Usually, the underlying assumption of the statement is “if people would behave contrary to their incentivized behavior then things would be better.” For example:

• If my kids would just go to bed when I tell them, they wouldn’t be so cranky in the morning.
• If people would just use the recycling bin, we wouldn’t have such a landfill problem.
• If people would just stop being lazy, our team would deliver our project on time.

In all these cases, the speakers are seemingly flummoxed as to why the people in question don’t behave more rationally. The problem is: each group is behaving perfectly rationally.

• The kids have a high time preference, and care more about the joy of staying up now than the crankiness in the morning. Plus, they don’t really suffer the consequences of morning crankiness, their parents do.
• No individual suffers much from their individual contribution to a landfill. If they stopped growing the size of the landfill, it would make an insignificant difference versus the amount of effort they need to engage in to properly recycle.
• If a team doesn’t properly account for the productivity of individuals on a project, each individual receives less harm from their own inaction. Sure, the project may be delayed, company revenue may be down, and they may even risk losing their job when the company goes out of business. But their laziness individually won’t determine the entirety of that outcome. By contrast, they greatly benefit from being lazy by getting to relax at work, go on social media, read a book, or do whatever else they do when they’re supposed to be working.

My point here is that, as long as you ignore the reality of how incentives drive human behavior, you’ll fail at getting the outcomes you want.

If everything I wrote up until now made perfect sense, you understand the premise of this blog post. The rest of it will focus on a bunch of real-world examples to hammer home the point, and demonstrate how versatile this mental model is.

Running a company

Let’s say I run my own company, with myself as the only employee. My personal revenue will be 100% determined by my own actions. If I decide to take Tuesday afternoon off and go fishing, I’ve chosen to lose that afternoon’s revenue. Implicitly, I’ve decided that the enjoyment I get from an afternoon of fishing is greater than the potential revenue. You may think I’m being lazy, but it’s my decision to make. In this situation, the incentive–money–is perfectly aligned with my actions.

Compare this to a typical company/employee relationship. I might have a bank of Paid Time Off (PTO) days, in which case once again my incentives are relatively aligned. I know that I can take off 15 days throughout the year, and I’ve chosen to use half a day for the fishing trip. All is still good.

What about unlimited time off? Suddenly incentives are starting to misalign. I don’t directly pay a price for not showing up to work on Tuesday. Or Wednesday as well, for that matter. I might ultimately be fired for not doing my job, but that will take longer to work its way through the system than simply not making any money for the day taken off.

Compensation overall falls into this misaligned incentive structure. Let’s forget about taking time off. Instead, I work full time on a software project I’m assigned. But instead of using the normal toolchain we’re all used to at work, I play around with a new programming language. I get the fun and joy of playing with new technology, and potentially get to pad my resume a bit when I’m ready to look for a new job. But my current company gets slower results, less productivity, and is forced to subsidize my extracurricular learning.

When a CEO has a bonus structure based on profitability, he’ll do everything he can to make the company profitable. This might include things that actually benefit the company, like improving product quality, reducing internal red tape, or finding cheaper vendors. But it might also include destructive practices, like slashing the R\&D budget to show massive profits this year, in exchange for a catastrophe next year when the next version of the product fails to ship.

Or my favorite example. My parents owned a business when I was growing up. They had a back office where they ran operations like accounting. All of the furniture was old couches from our house. After all, any money they spent on furniture came right out of their paychecks! But in a large corporate environment, each department is generally given a budget for office furniture, a budget which doesn’t roll over year-to-year. The result? Executives make sure to spend the entire budget each year, often buying furniture far more expensive than they would choose if it was their own money.

There are plenty of details you can quibble with above. It’s in a company’s best interest to give people downtime so that they can come back recharged. Having good ergonomic furniture can in fact increase productivity in excess of the money spent on it. But overall, the picture is pretty clear: in large corporate structures, you’re guaranteed to have mismatches between the company’s goals and the incentive structure placed on individuals.

Using our model from above, we can lament how lazy, greedy, and unethical the employees are for doing what they’re incentivized to do instead of what’s right. But that’s simply ignoring the reality of human nature.

Moral hazard

Moral hazard is a situation where one party is incentivized to take on more risk because another party will bear the consequences. Suppose I tell my son when he turns 21 (or whatever legal gambling age is) that I’ll cover all his losses for a day at the casino, but he gets to keep all the winnings.

What do you think he’s going to do? The most logical course of action is to place the largest possible bets for as long as possible, asking me to cover each time he loses, and taking money off the table and into his bank account each time he wins.

But let’s look at a slightly more nuanced example. I go to a bathroom in the mall. As I’m leaving, I wash my hands. It will take me an extra 1 second to turn off the water when I’m done washing. That’s a trivial price to pay. If I don’t turn off the water, the mall will have to pay for many liters of wasted water, benefiting no one. But I won’t suffer any consequences at all.

This is also a moral hazard, but most people will still turn off the water. Why? Usually due to some combination of other reasons such as:

1. We’re so habituated to turning off the water that we don’t even consider not turning it off. Put differently, the mental effort needed to not turn off the water is more expensive than the 1 second of time to turn it off.
2. Many of us have been brought up with a deep guilt about wasting resources like water. We have an internal incentive structure that makes the 1 second to turn off the water much less costly than the mental anguish of the waste we created.
3. We’re afraid we’ll be caught by someone else and face some kind of social repercussions. (Or maybe more than social. Are you sure there isn’t a law against leaving the water tap on?)

Even with all that in place, you may notice that many public bathrooms use automatic water dispensers. Sure, there’s a sanitation reason for that, but it’s also to avoid this moral hazard.

A common denominator in both of these is that the person taking the action that causes the liability (either the gambling or leaving the water on) is not the person who bears the responsibility for that liability (the father or the mall owner). Generally speaking, the closer together the person making the decision and the person incurring the liability are, the smaller the moral hazard.

It’s easy to demonstrate that by extending the casino example a bit. I said it was the father who was covering the losses of the gambler. Many children (though not all) would want to avoid totally bankrupting their parents, or at least financially hurting them. Instead, imagine that someone from the IRS shows up at your door, hands you a credit card, and tells you you can use it at a casino all day, taking home all the chips you want. The money is coming from the government. How many people would put any restriction on how much they spend?

And since we’re talking about the government already…

Government moral hazards

As I was preparing to write this blog post, the California wildfires hit. The discussions around those wildfires gave a huge number of examples of moral hazards. I decided to cherry-pick a few for this post.

The first and most obvious one: California is asking for disaster relief funds from the federal government. That sounds wonderful. These fires were a natural disaster, so why shouldn’t the federal government pitch in and help take care of people?

The problem is, once again, a moral hazard. In the case of the wildfires, California and Los Angeles both had ample actions they could have taken to mitigate the destruction of this fire: better forest management, larger fire department, keeping the water reservoirs filled, and probably much more that hasn’t come to light yet.

If the federal government bails out California, it will be a clear message for the future: your mistakes will be fixed by others. You know what kind of behavior that incentivizes? More risky behavior! Why spend state funds on forest management and extra firefighters—activities that don’t win politicians a lot of votes in general—when you could instead spend it on a football stadium, higher unemployment payments, or anything else, and then let the feds cover the cost of screw-ups.

You may notice that this is virtually identical to the 2008 “too big to fail” bail-outs. Wall Street took insanely risky behavior, reaped huge profits for years, and when they eventually got caught with their pants down, the rest of us bailed them out. “Privatizing profits, socializing losses.”

And here’s the absolute best part of this: I can’t even truly blame either California or Wall Street. (I mean, I do blame them, I think their behavior is reprehensible, but you’ll see what I mean.) In a world where the rules of the game implicitly include the bail-out mentality, you would be harming your citizens/shareholders/investors if you didn’t engage in that risky behavior. Since everyone is on the hook for those socialized losses, your best bet is to maximize those privatized profits.

There’s a lot more to government and moral hazard, but I think these two cases demonstrate the crux pretty solidly. But let’s leave moral hazard behind for a bit and get to general incentivization discussions.

Non-monetary competition

At least 50% of the economics knowledge I have comes from the very first econ course I took in college. That professor was amazing, and had some very colorful stories. I can’t vouch for the veracity of the two I’m about to share, but they definitely drive the point home.

In the 1970s, the US had an oil shortage. To “fix” this problem, they instituted price caps on gasoline, which of course resulted in insufficient gasoline. To “fix” this problem, they instituted policies where, depending on your license plate number, you could only fill up gas on certain days of the week. (Irrelevant detail for our point here, but this just resulted in people filling up their tanks more often, no reduction in gas usage.)

Anyway, my professor’s wife had a friend. My professor described in great detail how attractive this woman was. I’ll skip those details here since this is a PG-rated blog. In any event, she never had any trouble filling up her gas tank any day of the week. She would drive up, be told she couldn’t fill up gas today, bat her eyes at the attendant, explain how helpless she was, and was always allowed to fill up gas.

This is a demonstration of non-monetary compensation. Most of the time in a free market, capitalist economy, people are compensated through money. When price caps come into play, there’s a limit to how much monetary compensation someone can receive. And in that case, people find other ways of competing. Like this woman’s case: through using flirtatious behavior to compensate the gas station workers to let her cheat the rules.

The other example was much more insidious. Santa Monica had a problem: it was predominantly wealthy and white. They wanted to fix this problem, and decided to put in place rent controls. After some time, they discovered that Santa Monica had become wealthier and whiter, the exact opposite of their desired outcome. Why would that happen?

Someone investigated, and ended up interviewing a landlady that demonstrated the reason. She was an older white woman, and admittedly racist. Prior to the rent controls, she would list her apartments in the newspaper, and would be legally obligated to rent to anyone who could afford it. Once rent controls were in place, she took a different tact. She knew that she would only get a certain amount for the apartment, and that the demand for apartments was higher than the supply. That meant she could be picky.

She ended up finding tenants through friends-of-friends. Since it wasn’t an official advertisement, she wasn’t legally required to rent it out if someone could afford to pay. Instead, she got to interview people individually and then make them an offer. Normally, that would have resulted in receiving a lower rental price, but not under rent controls.

So who did she choose? A young, unmarried, wealthy, white woman. It made perfect sense. Women were less intimidating and more likely to maintain the apartment better. Wealthy people, she determined, would be better tenants. (I have no idea if this is true in practice or not, I’m not a landlord myself.) Unmarried, because no kids running around meant less damage to the property. And, of course, white. Because she was racist, and her incentive structure made her prefer whites.

You can deride her for being racist, I won’t disagree with you. But it’s simply the reality. Under the non-rent-control scenario, her profit motive for money outweighed her racism motive. But under rent control, the monetary competition was removed, and she was free to play into her racist tendencies without facing any negative consequences.

Bureaucracy

These were the two examples I remember for that course. But non-monetary compensation pops up in many more places. One highly pertinent example is bureaucracies. Imagine you have a government office, or a large corporation’s acquisition department, or the team that apportions grants at a university. In all these cases, you have a group of people making decisions about handing out money that has no monetary impact on them. If they give to the best qualified recipients, they receive no raises. If they spend the money recklessly on frivolous projects, they face no consequences.

Under such an incentivization scheme, there’s little to encourage the bureaucrats to make intelligent funding decisions. Instead, they’ll be incentivized to spend the money where they recognize non-monetary benefits. This is why it’s so common to hear about expensive meals, gift bags at conferences, and even more inappropriate ways of trying to curry favor with those that hold the purse strings.

Compare that ever so briefly with the purchases made by a small mom-and-pop store like my parents owned. Could my dad take a bribe to buy from a vendor who’s ripping him off? Absolutely he could! But he’d lose more on the deal than he’d make on the bribe, since he’s directly incentivized by the deal itself. It would make much more sense for him to go with the better vendor, save $5,000 on the deal, and then treat himself to a lavish $400 meal to celebrate.

Government incentivized behavior

This post is getting longer in the tooth than I’d intended, so I’ll finish off with this section and make it a bit briefer. Beyond all the methods mentioned above, government has another mechanism for modifying behavior: through directly changing incentives via legislation, regulation, and monetary policy. Let’s see some examples:

• Artificial modification of interest rates encourages people to take on more debt than they would in a free capital market, leading to malinvestment and a consumer debt crisis, and causing the boom-bust cycle we all painfully experience.
• Going along with that, giving tax breaks on interest payments further artificially incentivizes people to take on debt that they wouldn’t otherwise.
• During COVID-19, at some points unemployment benefits were greater than minimum wage, incentivizing people to rather stay home and not work than get a job, leading to reduced overall productivity in the economy and more printed dollars for benefits. In other words, it was a perfect recipe for inflation.
• The tax code gives deductions to “help” people. That might be true, but the real impact is incentivizing people to make decisions they wouldn’t have otherwise. For example, giving out tax deductions on children encourages having more kids. Tax deductions on childcare and preschools incentivizes dual-income households. Whether or not you like the outcomes, it’s clear that it’s government that’s encouraging these outcomes to happen.
• Tax incentives cause people to engage in behavior they wouldn’t otherwise (daycare+working mother, for example).
• Inflation means that the value of your money goes down over time, which encourages people to spend more today, when their money has a larger impact. (Milton Friedman described this as high living.)

Conclusion

The idea here is simple, and fully encapsulated in the title: incentives determine outcomes. If you want to know how to get a certain outcome from others, incentivize them to want that to happen. If you want to understand why people act in seemingly irrational ways, check their incentives. If you’re confused why leaders (and especially politicians) seem to engage in destructive behavior, check their incentives.

We can bemoan these realities all we want, but they are realities. While there are some people who have a solid internal moral and ethical code, and that internal code incentivizes them to behave against their externally-incentivized interests, those people are rare. And frankly, those people are self-defeating. People should take advantage of the incentives around them. Because if they don’t, someone else will.

(If you want a literary example of that last comment, see the horse in Animal Farm.)

How do we improve the world under these conditions? Make sure the incentives align well with the overall goals of society. To me, it’s a simple formula:

• Focus on free trade, value for value, as the basis of a society. In that system, people are always incentivized to provide value to other people.
• Reduce the size of bureaucracies and large groups of all kinds. The larger an organization becomes, the farther the consequences of decisions are from those who make them.
• And since the nature of human beings will be to try and create areas where they can control the incentive systems to their own benefits, make that as difficult as possible. That comes in the form of strict limits on government power, for example.

And even if you don’t want to buy in to this conclusion, I hope the rest of the content was educational, and maybe a bit entertaining!

@ 58537364:705b4b85

ความสุขแท้ไม่มีในโลก มีแต่เมื่อความทุกข์ได้ถูกบำบัดลงครั้งหนึ่ง ก็เรียกว่าความสุขครั้งหนึ่ง คุณอยากได้ของสักชิ้นอย่างมาก เมื่อได้มาแล้วก็มีความสุข เพราะความอยากได้ถูกบำบัดไปแล้ว เมื่อคุณอยากได้ของหรืออยากได้อะไรอีก ความทุกข์ก็เกิดขึ้นอีก เมื่ออยากมาก ก็ทุกข์มาก เมื่อไม่อยากให้ของสิ่งนั้นหายหรือแตกดับไป ก็ทุกข์อีก

เมื่อได้รับของที่ต้องการแล้ว ก็ต้องดูแลเอาใจใส่ของนั้น เมื่อไม่เป็นไปตามความอยากหรือไม่อยากของตน ก็ทุกข์ ซึ่งทุกสรรพสิ่ง เมื่อเกิดขึ้น ย่อมตั้งอยู่แล้วดับไป คนที่เรารักย่อมเจ็บป่วยและดับไป เป็นธรรมดาของชีวิต แต่เราไม่ยอมรับ บางคนเมื่อพูดถึงความตาย ก็บอกว่า พูดทำไม เป็นคำอัปมงคล แต่โดยแท้แล้ว ความตายอยู่กับเราทุกลมหายใจ

เราต้องการให้คนรอบๆ ทำแต่สิ่งที่ถูกใจเรา ทำสิ่งที่ดีต่อเรา แต่มันจะเป็นไปได้หรือ ความสุขจึงอยู่ที่การยอมรับในสิ่งที่เป็น ที่มีอยู่ เพราะธรรมชาติของสิ่งที่เราต้องพบ ต้องประสบ มันเป็นเช่นนั้นของมันเอง การพยายามไปเปลี่ยนแปลงสิ่งต่างๆรอบๆตัว จึง เหมือนการพยายามห้ามแม่น้ำไม่ให้ไหลไป

ความสุขในฐานะปุถุชนมีได้ ด้วยการยอมรับสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้น การยอมรับไม่ใช่การยอมแพ้แก่มัน แต่เมื่อเราพยายามทำดีอย่างที่สุดแล้ว ผลสุดท้ายจะเป้นอย่างไร ก็ต้องวาง

ขอยกคำหลวงพ่อไพศาลที่ว่า ชีวิตเราเลือกได้ ว่าจะเป็นอย่างไร เด็กผู้หญิง 10 ขวบ ขนของ แต่เด็กผู้ชายสองคน ไม่ช่วยขนของ ไปดูทีวีเสีย แทนที่เด็กผู้หญิงคนนั้นจะโกรธ กลับบอกว่า ขนของเหนื่อยอย่างเดียว แต่ถ้าไปโกรธเขา เราก็เหนื่อยสองอย่าง

การอยู่โดยมองโลกในแง่บวก เป็นสิ่งที่สำคัญมาก ขอยกตัวอย่างจากหลวงพ่อไพศาลอีกครั้ง เด็กชายคนหนึ่งเป็นโรคมะเร็งที่ กระดูกที่ขา เขาถูกตัดขาไปข้างหนึ่ง เขาบอกว่า เขาดีใจที่ยังมีขาอีกข้างหนึ่ง ไม่ใช่เสียใจที่เสียขาไป

เป็นสุขในทุกความเปลี่ยนแปลง หลวงพ่อไพศาล วิสาโล

คนเราย่อมปรารถนาความเปลี่ยนแปลง หากว่าความเปลี่ยนแปลงนั้นอยู่ในอำนาจของเรา หรือสอดคล้องกับความต้องการของเรา ไม่มีใครอยากขับรถคันเดิม ใช้โทรศัพท์เครื่องเดิม หรืออยู่กับที่ไปตลอด มิจำต้องพูดถึงการอยู่ในอิริยาบถเดิม ๆ เราต้องการสิ่งใหม่ ๆ อยู่เสมอ แต่ความจริงอย่างหนึ่งที่เราปฏิเสธไม่ได้ก็คือ มีความเปลี่ยนแปลงหลายอย่างที่เราไม่ต้องการแต่หนีไม่พ้น ความเปลี่ยนแปลงอย่างนี้แหละที่ผู้คนประหวั่นพรั่นพรึง วิตกกังวลเมื่อนึกถึงมัน และเป็นทุกข์เมื่อมันมาถึง

แต่ยังมีความจริงอีกอย่างหนึ่งที่เราพึงตระหนักก็คือ สุขหรือทุกข์นั้น มิได้ขึ้นอยู่กับว่า มีอะไรเกิดขึ้นกับเรา แต่อยู่ที่ว่า เรารู้สึกอย่างไรกับสิ่งนั้นต่างหาก แม้มีสิ่งไม่ดีเกิดขึ้นกับเรา แต่ถ้าเราไม่รู้สึกย่ำแย่ไปกับมัน หรือวางใจให้เป็น มันก็ทำให้เราเป็นทุกข์ไม่ได้

กนกวรรณ ศิลป์สุข เป็นโรคธาลัสซีเมียตั้งแต่เกิด ทำให้เธอมีร่างกายแคระแกร็น กระดูกเปราะและเจ็บป่วยด้วยโรคแทรกซ้อนนานาชนิด ซึ่งมักทำให้อายุสั้น แต่เธอกับน้องสาวไม่มีสีหน้าอมทุกข์แต่อย่างใด กลับใช้ชีวิตอย่างมีความสุข เธอพูดจากประสบการณ์ของตัวเองว่า “มันไม่สำคัญหรอกว่าเราจะเป็นอย่างไรหรือมีอะไรเกิดขึ้นกับชีวิต แต่สำคัญที่ว่าเมื่อเกิดขึ้นมาแล้ว เราคิดกับมันยังไงต่างหาก สำหรับเราสองคน ความสุขเป็นเรื่องที่หาง่ายมาก ถ้าใจของเราคิดว่ามันเป็นความสุข”

โอโตทาเกะ ฮิโรทาดะ เกิดมาพิการ ไร้แขนไร้ขา แต่เขาสามารถช่วยตัวเองได้แทบทุกอย่าง ในหนังสือเรื่อง ไม่ครบห้า เขาพูดไว้ตอนหนึ่งว่า “ผมเกิดมาพิการแต่ผมมีความสุขและสนุกทุกวัน” ใครที่ได้รู้จักเขาคงยอมรับเต็มปากว่าเขาเป็นคนที่มีความสุขคนหนึ่ง อาจจะสุขมากกว่าคนที่มีอวัยวะครบ (แต่กลับเป็นทุกข์เพราะหน้ามีสิว ผิวตกกระ หุ่นไม่กระชับ)

ในโลกที่ซับซ้อนและผันผวนปรวนแปรอยู่เสมอ เราไม่สามารถเลือกได้ว่าจะต้องมีสิ่งดี ๆ เกิดขึ้นกับเราตลอดเวลา แต่เราเลือกได้ว่าจะมีปฏิกิริยากับสิ่งนั้นอย่างไร รวมทั้งเลือกได้ว่าจะยอมให้มันมีอิทธิพลต่อเราอย่างไรและแค่ไหน..ในวันที่แดดจ้าอากาศร้อนอ้าว บุรุษไปรษณีย์คนหนึ่งยืนรอส่งเอกสารหน้าบ้านหลังใหญ่ หลังจากเรียกหาเจ้าของบ้านแต่ไม่มีวี่แววว่าจะมีคนมารับ เขาก็ร้องเพลงไปพลาง ๆ เสียงดังชัดเจนไปทั้งซอย ในที่สุดเจ้าของบ้านก็ออกจากห้องแอร์มารับเอกสาร เธอมีสีหน้าหงุดหงิด เมื่อรับเอกสารเสร็จเธอก็ถามบุรุษไปรษณีย์ว่า “ร้อนแบบนี้ยังมีอารมณ์ร้องเพลงอีกเหรอ” เขายิ้มแล้วตอบว่า “ถ้าโลกร้อนแต่ใจเราเย็น มันก็เย็นครับ ร้องเพลงเป็นความสุขของผมอย่างหนึ่ง ส่งไปร้องไป” ว่าแล้วเขาก็ขับรถจากไป

เราสั่งให้อากาศเย็นตลอดเวลาไม่ได้ แต่เราเลือกได้ว่าจะยอมให้อากาศร้อนมีอิทธิพลต่อจิตใจของเราได้แค่ไหน นี้คือเสรีภาพอย่างหนึ่งที่เรามีกันทุกคน อยู่ที่ว่าเราจะใช้เสรีภาพชนิดนี้หรือไม่ พูดอีกอย่างก็คือ ถ้าเราหงุดหงิดเพราะอากาศร้อน นั่นแสดงว่าเราเลือกแล้วที่จะยอมให้มันยัดเยียดความทุกข์แก่ใจเรา

ถึงที่สุดแล้ว สุขหรือทุกข์อยู่ที่เราเลือก มิใช่มีใครมาทำให้ ถึงแม้จะป่วยด้วยโรคร้าย เราก็ยังสามารถมีความสุขได้ โจว ต้า กวน เด็กชายวัย ๑๐ ขวบ เป็นโรคมะเร็งที่ขา จนต้องผ่าตัดถึง ๓ ครั้ง เขาได้เขียนบทกวีเล่าถึงประสบการณ์ในครั้งนั้นว่า เมื่อพ่อแม่จูงมือเขาเข้าห้องผ่าตัด เขาเลือก “น้องสงบ” เป็นเพื่อน (แทนที่จะเป็น “น้องกังวล”) เมื่อเขาห้องผ่าตัดครั้งที่สอง เขาเลือก “ลุงมั่นคง”เป็นเพื่อน (แทนที่จะเป็น “ป้ากลัว”) เมื่อพ่ออุ้มเขาเข้าห้องผ่าตัดครั้งที่สาม เขาเลือก “ชีวิต” (แทนที่จะเป็น “ความตาย”) ด้วยการเลือกเช่นนี้มะเร็งจึงบั่นทอนได้แต่ร่างกายของเขา แต่ทำอะไรจิตใจเขาไม่ได้

เมื่อใดก็ตามที่ความเปลี่ยนแปลงอันไม่พึงประสงค์เกิดขึ้น หากเราไม่สามารถสกัดกั้นหรือบรรเทาลงได้ ในยามนั้นไม่มีอะไรดีกว่าการหันมาจัดการกับใจของเราเอง เพื่อให้เกิดความทุกข์น้อยที่สุด หรือใช้มันให้เกิดประโยชน์มากที่สุด ด้วยวิธีการต่อไปนี้

๑. ยอมรับความจริงที่เกิดขึ้นแล้ว การยอมรับความจริงที่ไม่พึงประสงค์ ทำให้เราเลิกบ่น ตีโพยตีพาย หรือมัวแต่ตีอกชกหัว ซึ่งมีแต่จะเพิ่มความทุกข์ให้แก่ตนเอง คนเรามักซ้ำเติมตัวเองด้วยการบ่นโวยวายในสิ่งที่ไม่อาจแก้ไขอะไรได้

เรามักทำใจยอมรับความจริงที่เกิดขึ้นแล้วไม่ได้ เพราะเห็นว่ามันไม่ถูกต้อง ไม่น่าเกิด ไม่ยุติธรรม (“ทำไมต้องเป็นฉัน ?”) แต่ยิ่งไปยึดติดหรือหมกมุ่นกับเหตุผลเหล่านั้น เราก็ยิ่งเป็นทุกข์ แทนที่จะเสียเวลาและพลังงานไปกับการบ่นโวยวาย ไม่ดีกว่าหรือหากเราจะเอาเวลาและพลังงานเหล่านั้นไปใช้ในการรับมือกับสิ่ง ที่เกิดขึ้นแล้ว

เด็ก ๓ คนได้รับมอบหมายให้ขนของขึ้นรถไฟ แต่ระหว่างที่กำลังขนของ เด็กชาย ๒ คนก็ผละไปดูโทรทัศน์ซึ่งกำลังถ่ายทอดสดการชกมวยของสมจิตร จงจอหอ นักชกเหรียญทองโอลิมปิค เมื่อมีคนถามเด็กหญิงซึ่งกำลังขนของอยู่คนเดียวว่า เธอไม่โกรธหรือคิดจะด่าว่าเพื่อน ๒ คนนั้นหรือ เธอตอบว่า “หนูขนของขึ้นรถไฟ หนูเหนื่อยอย่างเดียว แต่ถ้าหนูโกรธหรือไปด่าว่าเขา หนูก็ต้องเหนื่อยสองอย่าง”

ทุกครั้งที่ทำงาน เราสามารถเลือกได้ว่าจะเหนื่อยอย่างเดียว หรือเหนื่อยสองอย่าง คำถามคือทุกวันนี้เราเลือกเหนื่อยกี่อย่าง นอกจากเหนื่อยกายแล้ว เรายังเหนื่อยใจด้วยหรือไม่

การยอมรับความจริง ไม่ได้แปลว่ายอมจำนนต่อสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้น แต่เป็นจุดเริ่มต้นของการเลือกที่จะไม่ยอมทุกข์เพราะความเปลี่ยนแปลง อีกทั้งยังทำให้สามารถตั้งหลักหรือปรับตัวปรับใจพร้อมรับความเปลี่ยนแปลง นั้นอย่างดีที่สุด

๒. ทำปัจจุบันให้ดีที่สุด นอกจากบ่นโวยวายกับสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้นแล้ว เรามักทุกข์เพราะอาลัยอดีตอันงดงาม หรือกังวลกับสิ่งเลวร้ายที่คาดว่าจะเกิดขึ้นในอนาคต สุดท้ายก็เลยไม่เป็นอันทำอะไร

ไม่ว่าจะอาลัยอดีตหรือกังวลกับอนาคตเพียงใด ก็ไม่ช่วยให้อะไรดีขึ้น กลับทำให้เราย่ำแย่กว่าเดิม สิ่งเดียวที่จะทำให้อะไรดีขึ้นก็คือการทำปัจจุบันให้ดีที่สุด ทางข้างหน้าแม้จะยาวไกลและลำบากเพียงใด แต่เราไม่มีวันถึงจุดหมายเลยหากไม่ลงมือก้าวเสียแต่เดี๋ยวนี้ รวมทั้งใส่ใจกับแต่ละก้าวให้ดี ถ้าก้าวไม่หยุดในที่สุดก็ต้องถึงที่หมายเอง

บรู๊ซ เคอร์บี นักไต่เขา พูดไว้อย่างน่าสนใจว่า “ทุกอย่างมักจะดูเลวร้ายกว่าความจริงเสมอเมื่อเรามองจากที่ไกล ๆ เช่น หนทางขึ้นเขาดูน่ากลัว....บางเส้นทางอาจดูเลวร้ายจนคุณระย่อและอยากหันหลัง กลับ นานมาแล้วผมได้บทเรียนสำคัญคือ แทนที่จะมองขึ้นไปข้างบนและสูญเสียกำลังใจกับการจินตนาการถึงอันตรายข้าง หน้า ผมจับจ้องอยู่ที่พื้นใต้ฝ่าเท้าแล้วก้าวไปข้างหน้าทีละก้าว”

๓. มองแง่บวก มองแง่บวกไม่ได้หมายถึงการฝันหวานว่าอนาคตจะต้องดีแน่ แต่หมายถึงการมองเห็นสิ่งดี ๆ ที่มีอยู่ในปัจจุบัน ไม่ว่าเจ็บป่วย ตกงาน หรืออกหัก ก็ยังมีสิ่งดี ๆ อยู่รอบตัวและในตัวเรา รวมทั้งมองเห็นสิ่งดี ๆ ที่ซุกซ่อนอยู่ในความเปลี่ยนแปลงเหล่านั้นด้วย

แม้กนกวรรณ ศิลป์สุข จะป่วยด้วยโรคร้าย แต่เธอก็มีความสุขทุกวัน เพราะ “เราก็ยังมีตาเอาไว้มองสิ่งที่สวย ๆ มีจมูกไว้ดมกลิ่นหอม ๆ มีปากไว้กินอาหารอร่อย ๆ แล้วก็มีร่างกายที่ยังพอทำอะไรได้อีกหลายอย่าง แค่นี้ก็เพียงพอแล้วที่เราจะมีความสุข” ส่วนจารุวรรณ ศิลป์สุข น้องสาวของเธอ ซึ่งขาหักถึง ๑๔ ครั้งด้วยโรคเดียวกัน ก็พูดว่า “ขาหักก็ดีเหมือนกัน ไม่ต้องไปโรงเรียน ได้อยู่กับบ้าน ฟังยายเล่านิทาน หรือไม่ก็อ่านหนังสือ อยู่กับดอกไม้ กับธรรมชาติ กับสิ่งที่เราชอบ ก็ถือว่ามีความสุขไปอีกแบบ”

โจว ต้า กวน แม้จะถูกตัดขา แต่แทนที่จะเศร้าเสียใจกับขาที่ถูกตัด เขากลับรู้สึกดีที่ยังมีขาอีกข้างหนึ่ง ดังตั้งชื่อหนังสือรวมบทกวีของเขาว่า “ฉันยังมีขาอีกข้างหนึ่ง”

หลายคนพบว่าการที่เป็นมะเร็งทำให้ตนเองได้มาพบธรรมะและความสุขที่ลึกซึ้ง จึงอดไม่ได้ที่จะอุทานว่า “โชคดีที่เป็นมะเร็ง” ขณะที่บางคนบอกว่า “โชคดีที่เป็นแค่มะเร็งสมอง” เพราะหากเป็นมะเร็งปากมดลูกเธอจะต้องเจ็บปวดยิ่งกว่านี้

ถึงที่สุด ไม่ว่าอะไรเกิดขึ้นกับเรา ก็ล้วนดีเสมอ อย่างน้อยก็ดีที่ไม่แย่ไปกว่านี้

๔. มีสติ รู้เท่าทันตนเอง เมื่อความเปลี่ยนแปลงที่ไม่พึงประสงค์เกิดขึ้น เรามักมองออกนอกตัว และอดไม่ได้ที่จะโทษคนโน้น ต่อว่าคนนี้ และเรียกหาใครต่อใครมาช่วย แต่เรามักลืมดูใจตนเอง ว่ากำลังปล่อยให้ความโกรธแค้น ความกังวล และความท้อแท้ครอบงำใจไปแล้วมากน้อยเพียงใด เราลืมไปว่าเป็นตัวเราเองต่างหากที่ยอมให้เหตุการณ์ต่าง ๆ รอบตัวยัดเยียดความทุกข์ให้แก่ใจเรา ไม่ใช่เราดอกหรือที่เลือกทุกข์มากกว่าสุข การมีสติ ระลึกรู้ใจที่กำลังจมอยู่กับความทุกข์ จะช่วยพาใจกลับสู่ความปกติ เห็นอารมณ์ต่าง ๆ เกิดขึ้นโดยไม่ไปข้องเกี่ยว จ่อมจม หรือยึดติดถือมั่นมัน อีกทั้งยังเปิดช่องและบ่มเพาะปัญญาให้ทำงานได้เต็มที่ สามารถเปลี่ยนร้ายให้กลายเป็นดี หรือมองเห็นด้านดีของมันได้

สติและปัญญาทำให้เรามีเสรีภาพที่จะเลือกสุข และหันหลังให้กับความทุกข์ ใช่หรือไม่ว่าอิสรภาพที่แท้ คือ ความสามารถในการอนุญาตให้สิ่งต่าง ๆ มีอิทธิพลต่อชีวิตของเราได้เพียงใด ความเปลี่ยนแปลงของร่างกาย ของทรัพย์สิน ของผู้คนรอบตัว รวมทั้งความเปลี่ยนแปลงในบ้านเมือง ไม่สามารถทำให้เราทุกข์ได้ หากเราเข้าถึงอิสรภาพดังกล่าว แทนที่เราจะมัววิงวอนเรียกร้องให้เกิดความเปลี่ยนแปลงที่ถูกใจเรา ไม่ดีกว่าหรือหากเราพยายามพัฒนาตนบ่มเพาะจิตใจให้เข้าถึงอิสรภาพดังกล่าว ควบคู่ไปกับการสร้างสรรค์สิ่งดีงามให้เกิดขึ้นแก่ตนเองและสังคม

credit : Suphan Click!!

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

test

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

My week started off with a lovely message from a friend : “I often think about you. Especially during times when it requires me to be more resilient and have faith in myself. I always carry your note in the book you gave me, “what the dog saw” And it always gives me courage and I send a little prayer your way”.

This friend of mine was dealing with the undercurrent of discrimination in my alma mater when we first met, and I helped out. It's something anybody would have done, but surprisingly, nobody else showed up. We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and my friend went on to help a lot of other people along the way.

I don’t remember what I wrote in that note. It’s something I tend to do (write notes, give books, write notes in books). But the message boomeranged back to me at a time when I needed to hold the line. To keep the faith.

Most of us don’t talk about our struggles. And sometimes the smallest act, which could just be a kind word or a reminder of the person you are, can carry farther than we imagine.

On the act of giving

There’s a book called Give and Take by Adam Grant. I picked it up hoping to learn how to take, because it’s always been easier to give and harder to accept help. But what I learned was something else entirely.

Grant studied over 30,000 people across different companies and grouped them into three types: * Givers * Matchers * Takers

Based on his studies, givers often finish last... They struggle the most. They burn out. They get overlooked. They’re too trusting.

But oddly, they also rise to the very top.

Matchers are the scorekeepers, the “I’ll help you if you help me” kind. They make up most of the population. The fascinating thing about tit-for-tat is that if someone’s kind, they reciprocate. But if someone acts like a jerk, they return the energy, and over time, it becomes a pool of spoiled milk. Matchers are a lukewarm, forgettable kind of network.

Takers are the ones chasing attention, always aligning themselves with whoever looks powerful. They tend to float toward status and soak up what they can. But they often portray themselves as kind and giving.

One example Grant shared was Enron's Kenneth Lay, who was at the center of one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history. He hung around wherever he’d get seen or validated. He funded both Bush and Clinton, hedging his bets on who might win by securing proximity. Sadly, when Enron crumbled, he died of a heart attack before his prison sentencing.

Most people steer clear from takers because they are just exhausting. And takers often collapse under the weight of their own games.

But takers aren’t the lowest performers. That spot belongs to a certain kind of giver—the self-neglecting kind. The ones with no boundaries, no clarity, and no self-awareness. They give in to avoid conflict, to feel worthy, or because they don’t know how to say no. And when life breaks them, they point fingers.

Then there’s the other kind of giver. The ones who build trust and build people up without asking for a receipt.

These givers: 1. Give without expectation, from a place of purpose 2. Build and uplift others without seeking credit 3. Set boundaries and walk away when giving turns into draining

This group of givers rarely talk much about what they do for others. But when you hear about it or see it, it stays with you. It makes you want to show up a little better.

Why open source environments feels like home

The more I thought about it, the more I saw how deeply open source reflects that kind of giving that ends up right at the top.

In open source, you don’t last if it’s just about ego. You can’t fake it. There are no titles, no awards. You either show up to build and help, or you don’t.

People who give without needing to be seen are the ones the community leans on. You can tell when someone’s pretending to care. It’s in their tone, their urgency and their sense of transaction. The genuine ones don’t need to brand themselves as generous. They just are.

Open source works because giving is the default setting. The work speaks volumes and generosity compounds. The system filters for people who show up with purpose and stay consistent.

It’s also why the ones who whine, posture, or manipulate rarely last. They might call themselves givers, but they’re not fooling anyone who’s actually doing the work.

Adam Grant found that for giver cultures to thrive, takers have to be removed. They need to be pruned. Because takers poison the well. They drain givers, shift the culture from contribution to calculation, and unravel the trust that holds open systems together.

When hope boomerangs

That note is something I don’t remember writing. But it found its way back to me, and it was a good reminder to take my own advice and keep the faith.

And maybe that’s the point.

You do a small thing. And years later, it circles back when it matters most. Not because you expected it. But because you mattered.

According to Grant, givers do best when they combine generosity with grit and strategy. They create networks built on goodwill, which eventually open doors others don’t even know exist.

So if you’re wondering where I’m going with this, do something genuinely kind for someone today. Even if it’s as simple as sending a kind note. Not for you to be seen or heard. And not for you to keep scores.

But, just because.

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

Text update

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Capitalism is the most effective system for scaling innovation. The pursuit of profit is an incredibly powerful human incentive. Most major improvements to human society and quality of life have resulted from this base incentive. Market competition often results in the best outcomes for all.

That said, some projects can never be monetized. They are open in nature and a business model would centralize control. Open protocols like bitcoin and nostr are not owned by anyone and if they were it would destroy the key value propositions they provide. No single entity can or should control their use. Anyone can build on them without permission.

As a result, open protocols must depend on donation based grant funding from the people and organizations that rely on them. This model works but it is slow and uncertain, a grind where sustainability is never fully reached but rather constantly sought. As someone who has been incredibly active in the open source grant funding space, I do not think people truly appreciate how difficult it is to raise charitable money and deploy it efficiently.

Projects that can be monetized should be. Profitability is a super power. When a business can generate revenue, it taps into a self sustaining cycle. Profit fuels growth and development while providing projects independence and agency. This flywheel effect is why companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple have scaled to global dominance. The profit incentive aligns human effort with efficiency. Businesses must innovate, cut waste, and deliver value to survive.

Contrast this with non monetized projects. Without profit, they lean on external support, which can dry up or shift with donor priorities. A profit driven model, on the other hand, is inherently leaner and more adaptable. It is not charity but survival. When survival is tied to delivering what people want, scale follows naturally.

The real magic happens when profitable, sustainable businesses are built on top of open protocols and software. Consider the many startups building on open source software stacks, such as Start9, Mempool, and Primal, offering premium services on top of the open source software they build out and maintain. Think of companies like Block or Strike, which leverage bitcoin’s open protocol to offer their services on top. These businesses amplify the open software and protocols they build on, driving adoption and improvement at a pace donations alone could never match.

When you combine open software and protocols with profit driven business the result are lean, sustainable companies that grow faster and serve more people than either could alone. Bitcoin’s network, for instance, benefits from businesses that profit off its existence, while nostr will expand as developers monetize apps built on the protocol.

Capitalism scales best because competition results in efficiency. Donation funded protocols and software lay the groundwork, while market driven businesses build on top. The profit incentive acts as a filter, ensuring resources flow to what works, while open systems keep the playing field accessible, empowering users and builders. Together, they create a flywheel of innovation, growth, and global benefit.

@ 4fe14ef2:f51992ec

Hey Bitcoiners,

Leave a comment below to share your hustles and wins. Let us know what you've sold this week. Have you sold it for sats or zaps? It doesn't matter how big or small your item is, solid or digital, product or service.

Just share below what you’ve listed, swapped, and sold. Let everyone rave on your latest deals!

New to ~AGORA? Dive into the #marketplace and turn your dusty gears into shiny BTC!

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/980838

@ c1e6505c:02b3157e

“Put that camera down, you bitch,” someone yelled out of a car as it drove by with the door wide open.

I had a little time in Savannah yesterday to walk around and take some photos. I tend to wander through the rougher areas — not just in Savannah, but in any city I visit. I’m drawn to the spots most people avoid. Not the tourist zones, but the alleys, the quiet, broken-down neighborhoods where the grit is.

I’ve photographed Savannah a lot over the past few years, so it’s getting harder to find places I haven’t already been. But every now and then, I’ll stumble on a back street or alley I’ve never seen before, and in it, something I’m almost certain no one else has photographed.

There’s something about walking aimlessly with a camera that I find incredibly fulfilling. Honestly, if I could do just that for the rest of my life — wander around and photograph things that most people overlook — I’d be content.

There’s a quote I heard recently - can’t remember who said it — but it stuck with me. It was something like: “It’s better to be aimless than to be rigid with a plan.” Because when you’re too locked into a goal, you might miss the opportunities that pop up along the way. You need to stay flexible, fluid—open to what the world hands you.

That’s how I feel about photography. I’ll walk for hours—sometimes five to ten miles — just to see what shows up. It becomes a game. A game between me, the camera, the street, and whatever decides to show up that day.

Usually, it takes a few warm-up shots to get into it — just pictures of objects, whatever catches my eye. But once I find a rhythm, it’s like the world starts to reveal itself. The good stuff comes out of hiding.

That’s what real photography is to me. Not staging scenes or setting up portraits—that’s more like illustration, as Garry Winogrand would say. What I care about is life. Life unfolding right in front of you. Life happening.

Thank you for your attention. Please consider donating a few sats if you enjoy my work. It goes a long way. If not, please share. Thank you.

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

***Unserestaatsanwaltschaft***

Die Staatsanwaltschaft Aachen prüft Ermittlungen gegen Unbekannt in Sachen Cum-Ex. Hierfür konnte die ehemalige Chefanklägerin Brohilker als externe Expertin gewonnen werden. Korrektur, die Staatsanwaltschaft prüft Ermittlungen gegen Frau Brohilker. „Richtig so“, sagen Experten. „Es sind doch nur 43 Milliarden im Bermuda-Dreieck verschollen. Man muss auch mal Ruhe geben, genauso, wie bei Corona“. Dank schon heute an Unserestaatsanwaltschaft.

***Bundesamt für Fassungslosigkeit***

Ein Enkel hat die Kochrezepte seiner Großmutter zusammengetragen und veröffentlicht. Ausschließlich Rezepte aus Ostpreußen, Pommern und Schlesien. Das gesamte Kochbuch ist jetzt als Nazi-Küche eingestuft worden, weil der Urenkel die Grenze des guten Geschmacks, also die Oder-Neisse-Linie, dadurch missachtet hat. Weiter wurde ihm Russenfreundlichkeit vorgeworfen, weil auch ein Rezept für Königsberger Klopse abgedruckt wurde.

***Stillhaltezusage***

Die vom Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz ausgesprochene Stillhaltezusage hat Zahnärzte auf die Idee gebracht, diese vor Behandlung von ihren Patienten unterschreiben zu lassen. Widerstand ist zwecklos.

***Paragraphenerweiterung***

Das Würgen des Menschen ist unfassbar. Jeder, der sich dafür einsetzt, dass wieder die Vernunft in Deutschland Einzug hält, wird mit einem Urlaub mit dem Corona-Minister II nicht unter 6 Wochen bestraft.

***Freie Kapazitäten beim Verfassungsschutz***

Das als gesichert stillgehaltene Gutachten hat gezeigt, dass das Bundesamt über erhebliche Kapazitäten verfügt. Diese sollen jetzt gebündelt dazu verwendet werden, die Messerattentate und den Tatbestand der selbstfahrenden Autos in Menschenmengen lückenlos aufzuklären. Erfahrung bei dem Zusammentragen von öffentlichen Zitaten verspricht nun endlich eine zeitnahe Aufklärung.

***Sonderdezernat beim schutzverfassenden Bundesamt***

Die Sprengung der Nordstream 2-Pipeline war ein terroristischer Anschlag auf die Energieversorgung von Deutschland und ganz Europa. Zur nun endgültigen Aufklärung nach nur wenigen Jahren wurde ein Sonderdezernat mit dem Code-Namen „Task Force Peng“ eingerichtet. Man hat bereits Kontakt zu Seymour Hersh aufgenommen, doch der ist zurzeit mit einem Segelboot namens „Andromeda“ auf Weltumrundung unterwegs.

***Eurovision Song Contest***

Der ESC ist eine absolut politisch neutrale Sing-Veranstaltung, bei der persönliche Angriffe gegen Repräsentanten und Innen stets im Bereich des Unmöglichen bleiben. Auch solidarische Gewinnerermittlung zur Unterstützung eines bestimmten Landes entbehrt jeder Grundlage, wie die Vergangenheit wiederholt gezeigt hat.

***Drehtüreffekt***

Das Infragestellen von Personen, die von der Politik in die Medien oder umgekehrt wechseln, hat nichts mit Interessenkonflikten zu tun. Im Gegenteil: Es werden so Kompetenzen ressourcenschonend anschlussverwendet.

***‘Aufrüstung in Deutschland***

Nachdem man zunächst einen Feind erfunden hat, der keine Lust hat, einer zu sein, ist die zwingend logische Schlussfolgerung daraus, dass man jetzt auch wieder die zentrale Macht in Europa werden will. Das freut die Nachbarn, und wie schon in der Ukraine in 2022, beginnt die neue deutsche Zeitrechnung jetzt in 2025. Man ist zu der Überzeugung gelangt, dass Vorgeschichten von Nationen völlig überbewertet werden.

***Vergleich unzulässig***

Die geplante Zerschlagung des Kapitalismus durch die Linke ist etwas völlig anderes, als die Bekämpfung des Kapitalismus zugunsten des Sozialismus durch die SED, weil es damals um die Deutsche Mark ging und heute schließlich um den Euro.

***Bevorstehende Hitzewelle Sommer 2025***

Nach den vergeblichen zwei Anläufen durch plötzlich und unerwarteten Regen in den Jahren 2023 und 2024 ist man sich nun ganz sicher, dass die Erdverkochung durch die Klimawandelung im dritten Anlauf stattfinden wird. Es wurden schon Bodentemperaturen gemessen.

***Neueintrag im Knigge***

Ab sofort schickt es sich nicht, dass vollgeschnaufte Taschentücher auf dem Tisch liegengelassen werden dürfen, wenn die Kamera angeht. Auch Kratzlöffel, wenn der Rücken mal juckt, sind vor Einschalten der Kamera zu entfernen.

***Meinungsfreiheit***

Jeder darf die ihm von den Weisen der Wahrheit vorgegebene Meinung so oft wiederholen und aussprechen, wie er will. Eine Limitierung der Wiederholungen findet nicht statt.

***Selbstbestimmungsgesetz erweitert***

Das Selbstbestimmungsgesetz wurde jetzt erweitert: Man darf sich auch als Finanzamt definieren. Das hat den Vorteil, dass sich der Steuerpflichtige seine Steuerzahlungen auf sein eigenes Konto überweisen kann, um selbst zu entscheiden, wofür die Gelder der Allgemeinheit dienend, ausgegeben werden sollen.

***US-Verbot von Gain-of-Function Forschung***

Dafür, dass deutsche Unternehmen aufgrund der unbezahlbaren Energiekosten ihre Produktionsstätten ins Ausland verlagern, werden in deutschen Bio-Laboren die freigesetzten US-Kapazitäten aus der Forschung mit Kusshand aufgenommen. Operation Paperclip II, nur umgekehrt.

***Deutscher Weltrekord***

Noch nie wurden Ankündigungen in einem Koalitionsvertrag so schnell entsorgt, wie nach den Anfang Mai 2025 stattgefundenen Wahlen. Der verbleibende Rest sind Kann-Bestimmungen, für die sicher ein Grund gefunden wird, warum das Geld zur Umsetzung fehlt.

Dieser Artikel wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben

* *

(Bild von pixabay)

@ 9223d2fa:b57e3de7

12,600 steps

@ 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.

@ a5ee4475:2ca75401

lista #descentralismo #compilado #portugues

*Algumas destas listas ainda estão sendo trocadas, portanto as versões mais recentes delas só estão visíveis no Amethyst por causa da ferramenta de edição.

Clients do Nostr e Outras Coisas

nostr:naddr1qq245dz5tqe8w46swpphgmr4f3047s6629t45qg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4guxde6sl

---

Modelos de IA e Ferramentas

nostr:naddr1qq24xwtyt9v5wjzefe6523j32dy5ga65gagkjqgswaehxw309ahx7um5wghx6mmd9upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4guk62czu

---

Iniciativas de Bitcoin

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqq2nvmn5va9x2nrxfd2k5smyf3ux7vesd9znyqxygt4

---

Profissionais Brasileiros no Nostr

nostr:naddr1qq24qmnkwe6y67zlxgc4sumrxpxxce3kf9fn2qghwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7q3q5hhygatg5gmjyfkkguqn54f9r6k8m5m6ksyqffgjrf3uut982sqsxpqqqp65wp8uedu

---

Comunidades em Português no Nostr

nostr:naddr1qq2hwcejv4ykgdf3v9gxykrxfdqk753jxcc4gqg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4gu455fm3

---

Grupos em Português no Nostr

nostr:nevent1qqs98kldepjmlxngupsyth40n0h5lw7z5ut5w4scvh27alc0w86tevcpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezumt0d5hsygy7fff8g6l23gp5uqtuyqwkqvucx6mhe7r9h7v6wyzzj0v6lrztcspsgqqqqqqs3ndneh

---

Jogos de Código Aberto

Open Source Games nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqq2kvwp3v4hhvk2sw3j5sm6h23g5wkz5ddzhz8x40v0

---

Itens Úteis com Esquemas Disponíveis

nostr:naddr1qqgrqvp5vd3kycejxask2efcv4jr2qgswaehxw309ahx7um5wghx6mmd9upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4guc43v6c

---

Formatação de Texto em Markdown

(Amethyst, Yakihone e outros) nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqq2454m8dfzn26z4f34kvu6fw4rysnrjxfm42wfpe90

---

Outros Links

nostr:nevent1qqsrm6ywny5r7ajakpppp0lt525n0s33x6tyn6pz0n8ws8k2tqpqracpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezumt0d5hsygp6e5ns0nv3dun430jky25y4pku6ylz68rz6zs7khv29q6rj5peespsgqqqqqqsmfwa78

@ eab58da0:eebdafbf

By UnKnownfx

Words have power, but I never thought one could shift my entire perspective. For years, I felt stuck, weighed down by self-doubt and the fear I wasn’t good enough. Then I stumbled on a single word—“yet”—and it became the key to unlocking a new mindset. Here’s how it changed my life and how it might help you, too.

The Rut I Couldn’t Escape A couple of years ago, I was in a rough spot. I wanted to grow—write more, improve my mental health, maybe even start a side project—but every step felt like failure. I’d tell myself, “I’m not good at this,” or “I can’t figure it out.” Those words built a wall, trapping me in a cycle of giving up. One day, I was venting to a friend about how I’d never get the hang of meditation. She stopped me and said, “You’re not good at it yet.” That tiny word hit me like a lightning bolt. It wasn’t about being perfect now; it was about being on the way.

The Power of “Yet” That word, “yet,” became my mantra. It’s simple but profound—it turns “I can’t” into “I’m learning.” I started adding it to my self-talk. Struggling to write a post? “I’m not great at this yet.” Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety? “I haven’t mastered calm yet.” It’s like giving yourself permission to be a work in progress. I began to see challenges as steps, not roadblocks. For example, when I tried journaling to manage stress, my first attempts were messy—half-finished thoughts, no consistency. Instead of quitting, I told myself, “I’m not consistent yet.” Slowly, I built a habit, and now journaling is my go-to for mental clarity.

How It Rewired My Days Adding “yet” to my mindset didn’t erase my struggles, but it changed how I faced them. I started small: when I felt stuck on a work task, I’d pause, breathe, and remind myself, “I’ll get this yet.” It pushed me to keep going instead of spiraling into frustration. Over time, I noticed I was less hard on myself. I celebrated progress—like writing three posts a week, even if they weren’t perfect—because I knew I was moving forward. My mental health improved, too; I wasn’t as consumed by what I hadn’t achieved. “Yet” gave me hope and patience, two things I’d been missing.

Try It for Yourself This one word can be your game-changer, too. It’s not about pretending everything’s easy—it’s about believing you’re on the path. Next time you catch yourself saying, “I can’t,” tack on “yet” and see what shifts. Maybe you’re not where you want to be, but you’re growing, and that’s enough. What’s one thing you’ve told yourself you can’t do? How would adding “yet” change your approach? Share your thoughts below or post your own note—I’d love to hear how this small word sparks big changes for you!

Thanks for reading. Much love, Unknownfx

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers!

We bring news from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group is imposing immense taxes on the local economy, merchants, and aid groups to fund its insurgency as it seeks to govern seized regions of the Eastern Congo. The levies worsen economic hardship for Congolese already suffering from ongoing cash shortages, bank closures, and rapidly rising prices induced by the regional conflict.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, independent media outlet Channel C, founded by former Apple Daily employees, had its bank account frozen by local officials over alleged fraud charges. The closure fits into a widespread pattern of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leveraging financial repression and legal pressure to silence independent and pro-democracy media in Hong Kong.

In freedom tech news, we highlight a new ecash development: multinut payments. These payments let users combine small balances held at different ecash mints to pay a single invoice. It’s a big step forward in terms of usability and security for human rights defenders since they no longer need to keep a large balance of ecash at any one mint. This reduces the chances of stolen funds while maintaining strong privacy guarantees. We also highlight the ongoing OP_RETURN debate in the Bitcoin community, present both sides of the argument, and invite our readers to watch a nuanced debate on this topic.

We end with the latest edition of the HRF x Pubkey Freedom Tech series, where the Human Rights Foundation’s Alex Gladstein discusses the upcoming Oslo Freedom Forum and HRF’s role in supporting open-source freedom tech with Pubkey’s co-founder, Thomas Pacchia. We also include the livestreams from the latest bitcoin++ event, where developers, privacy advocates, and freedom tech users convened to discuss Bitcoin’s mempool, learn how Bitcoin transactions are sorted into blocks, and discuss current mempool policies.

Now, let’s jump right in!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

GLOBAL NEWS

DR Congo | Rebel Rule and Economic Ruin

After seizing control of large parts of the eastern Congo, the Paul Kagame-backed M23 rebel group is now trying to govern and fund its insurgency through coercive taxation and financial control. Rebels now impose a 15% tax on coltan metal production, 20% duties on merchants selling essential goods, and demand tax bills from aid groups, backed by threats of physical punishment. “If you don’t pay up, you risk being whipped,” one merchant said. The new levies are worsening the financial struggles for Congolese already suffering from ongoing cash shortages, bank closures, and rapidly rising prices induced by the regional conflict. Many must travel hundreds of kilometers just to obtain cash while navigating the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis that has claimed more than 7,000 lives.

China | Law Enforcement Freezes Bank Accounts of Independent Media Outlet Channel C

Hong Kong-based Channel C, an independent media outlet founded by former Apple Daily employees, reports that its bank accounts are frozen, forcing the news outlet to halt operations. Local law enforcement claim the outlet abused a COVID-era loan scheme and arrested one of its directors for alleged fraud. Still, the closure fits a well-worn pattern: using financial and legal repression to silence independent media in Hong Kong. Pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily faced a nearly identical fate in 2021 when its assets were seized and its founder, Jimmy Lai, was imprisoned under Hong Kong’s new national security law. Lai now faces up to life in prison. When access to money becomes contingent on political obedience, press freedom can’t survive.

Venezuela | Blackouts, Inflation, and Currency Shortages

Venezuelans are once again bracing for economic collapse as inflation rises to 162% and electrical blackouts sweep across major cities. The situation echoes 2019’s political and financial chaos, where triple-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages, and power outages paralyzed the country. In reaction to the collapse, Nicolás Maduro approved the country’s first economic emergency decree in four years, granting himself broad powers to suspend taxes and authorize new benefits for select investors. The regime has also reshuffled central bank leadership and is pressing merchants to abandon US dollar pricing and return to the failing bolivar system — a clear move to financially asphyxiate Venezuelans. A focus on top-down economic management by Maduro’s regime will only reinforce the inflation and poverty driving this widespread crisis in the wake of Maduro’s stolen and blatantly rigged presidential election.

Bolivia | Inflation Accelerates to 17-Year High

Inflation in Bolivia is accelerating rapidly, with prices rising more than 15% year over year. This is the highest level of inflation Bolivians have seen in 17 years. Families now face increased costs of essential goods like food, shelter, and water. And the country’s fixed exchange rate system is also faltering, with dwindling reserves and growing dollar shortages compounding the price increases. The Bolivian regime also approved a new decree to regulate financial technology companies and virtual asset providers. The regulations tighten control over platforms that offer alternatives to the depreciating boliviano. If implemented rigidly, these regulations could restrict access to tools like Bitcoin.

Nicaragua | Ortega Centralizes Passport Renewal in Managua for Exiled Dissidents

The regime of Daniel Ortega has stripped Nicaraguans abroad of a basic right: the ability to renew their passports at local embassies abroad. All renewals must now go through the Nicaraguan capital of Managua, forcing exiles to either return home or authorize a relative (via an apostilled power of attorney) to handle the renewal on their behalf. For many outside Nicaragua, especially political opposition, journalists, and human rights defenders, returning is not a safe option, and involving relatives could expose them to state repression or retaliation. Those who do return risk facing the immense physical and financial repression of the Ortega regime, including surveillance, extortion, bank freezes, or even imprisonment. Ortega’s corruption of even basic bureaucracy undermines the growing Nicaraguan diaspora’s ability to live freely abroad by making their legal status, mobility, and access to financial services conditional.

Kenya | High Court Rules Against Sam Altman and Worldcoin

A Kenyan High Court ruled that Worldcoin, the biometric ID project co-founded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, violated constitutional privacy rights by collecting iris scans and facial images without proper safeguards. The court ordered the immediate deletion of all biometric data collected from Kenyan users, including iris scans and facial images. They also banned the project from conducting any further data collection. Kenya had been one of Worldcoin’s largest markets before authorities suspended the project in 2023. As biometric surveillance becomes more widespread, this case highlights the risks of technologies that undermine privacy in the name of inclusion.

BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS

Cashu | Make Ecash Payments from Multiple Mints

Cashu, a protocol for making private bitcoin payments using ecash, shared a new feature called multinut payments. Still in development, it enables users to combine small ecash balances held at different mints (entities that issue and redeem ecash) into a single transaction. Since Cashu is a custodial system (meaning users must trust the mints they use), this update reduces counterparty risk by allowing users to spread their funds across multiple mints rather than relying on just one. Previously, making a large ecash payment required keeping a sizeable balance at a single mint, increasing the chances of losing your funds if the mint were shut down or compromised. Now, larger payments can be made with significantly less custody risk. For those living under strict financial controls, ecash multinut payments offer a very private way to spend funds without trusting any single entity that can censor or debank them.

Bitika | Bridging Bitcoin and M-Pesa in Kenya

Bitika is a Kenyan fintech startup simplifying Bitcoin access. It integrates with M-Pesa, the mobile money platform used daily for payments by millions of people across Kenya and wider East Africa. Bitika offers a three-step process to buy Bitcoin via mobile phone using the Lightning Network. Users simply enter the amount of Bitcoin they would like to receive in Kenyan shillings, input their Bitcoin Lightning wallet address, and enter their M-Pesa number, and once confirmed, they receive their Bitcoin. Bitika is similar to other Bitcoin projects like Tando, which also bridges Bitcoin with M-Pesa using the Lightning Network. With plans to expand across the rest of Africa, Bitika shows Bitcoin’s grassroots utility and the role of local context in driving bottom-up financial inclusion. Try it here.

Frostsnap | New Bitcoin Multisig Custody Solution

Frostsnap is a new Bitcoin custody solution that uses a simplified multisignature setup to protect users' funds from theft, loss, or coercion by corrupt and authoritarian regimes. Rather than generating and storing private keys on a single device, multisignature solutions like Frostsnap employ multiple private keys distributed across different devices and locations. This approach eliminates single points of failure and offers strong resistance to physical attacks, device compromise, and forced access to users’ Bitcoin (such as from Chinese law enforcement, who surveil mail and extort Bitcoin). Frostsnap also offers the ability to spend directly from the multisig wallet, hide the wallet in times of duress, and access inheritance features, all critical functionalities for human rights defenders and nonprofits facing surveillance or financial repression. Learn more here.

OP_RETURN | Debate Over Bitcoin Core’s Data Relay Limits

A heated debate has resurfaced between some Bitcoin users and developers over whether to raise the size limit for OP_RETURN data that Bitcoin Core nodes (computers running Bitcoin’s main software implementation) relay. The debate was sparked when developer Peter Todd proposed removing this data limit from mempool policy on the basis that it could reduce reliance on direct miner connections, improve fee estimation, and shrink the Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) set. It would do this by encouraging users to store arbitrary data in prunable, unspendable outputs (rather than spendable, persistent UTXOs). On the other hand, critics warn that lifting the OP_RETURN limit could increase spam, undermine Bitcoin’s focus on serving financial transactions, and weaken its censorship resistance. The debate still continues, but at its core, the disagreement highlights deeper tensions over what kinds of data should flow through the Bitcoin network. Tune into this discussion at the latest bitcoin++ developer conference to understand the nuance on both sides of the OP_RETURN debate.

Wasabi Wallet | Major Privacy Upgrade and Serverless Operation

Wasabi Wallet, a non-custodial, privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet, introduced its Prometheus update, which enables the wallet to synchronize and operate without a central server and increases transaction privacy. Users can now connect Wasabi directly to their own Bitcoin node (computer running the Bitcoin software), removing reliance on third-party infrastructure and reducing the risk of censorship. The update also introduces Coinjoin 2.0, a privacy technique that mixes the inputs of a Bitcoin transaction, in doing so protecting, for example, the identity of a dissident or nonprofit. Coinjoin 2.0 brings a redesigned mixing process that continuously registers coins as they become available. This change improves privacy and strengthens resistance to analysis that dictators can use to track payments.

Cove Wallet | Adds Support for Krux

Cove Wallet, an open-source mobile Bitcoin wallet currently in beta, released v0.4.0, which brings support for Krux hardware wallets. Krux is an open-source software and HRF grantee that turns generic computing devices into hardware wallets for secure Bitcoin self-custody and transactions. It can help decentralize access to Bitcoin and protect freedom and property rights in authoritarian regimes by providing a discrete and modular self-custody solution. By incorporating Krux, Cove offers its users a private, borderless, DIY path to financial sovereignty with no brand-name hardware. Cove Wallet also announced future support for coin control, which will grant users granular control over the specific coins they use in their Bitcoin payments and the ability to improve transaction privacy.

RECOMMENDED CONTENT

HRF x Pubkey — Freedom Tech and the Oslo Freedom Forum with Alex Gladstein

The latest edition of the HRF x Pubkey Freedom Tech series features a fireside chat with Alex Gladstein, chief strategy officer of HRF, in conversation with Pubkey co-founder Tom Pacchia. The discussion explores HRF’s role in funding and supporting open-source Freedom Tech, the upcoming Oslo Freedom Forum and the Freedom Tech track, as well as the human rights paradox of nation-state Bitcoin adoption. Catch the full conversation here.

bitcoin++ Developer Conference Livestream

Last week, bitcoin++ hosted the  “mempool edition” of its Bitcoin developer conference series in Austin, Texas. The event, supported by HRF, brought together Bitcoin developers and freedom tech advocates for multiple days of hands-on development, workshops, and technical discussions surrounding Bitcoin’s mempool (the queue of pending transactions in a Bitcoin node). If you’d like to dive into the technical intricacies, you can catch the key sessions and workshops via live stream. Watch them here.

If this article was forwarded to you and you enjoyed reading it, please consider subscribing to the Financial Freedom Report here.

Support the newsletter by donating bitcoin to HRF’s Financial Freedom program via BTCPay.\ Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit tips, stories, news, and ideas by emailing us at ffreport @ hrf.org

The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is accepting grant proposals on an ongoing basis. The Bitcoin Development Fund is looking to support Bitcoin developers, community builders, and educators. Submit proposals here.

Subscribe to newsletter

Apply for a grant

Support our work

Visit our website

@ c066aac5:6a41a034

I’m drawn to extremities in art. The louder, the bolder, the more outrageous, the better. Bold art takes me out of the mundane into a whole new world where anything and everything is possible. Having grown up in the safety of the suburban midwest, I was a bit of a rebellious soul in search of the satiation that only came from the consumption of the outrageous. My inclination to find bold art draws me to NOSTR, because I believe NOSTR can be the place where the next generation of artistic pioneers go to express themselves. I also believe that as much as we are able, were should invite them to come create here.

My Background: A Small Side Story

My father was a professional gamer in the 80s, back when there was no money or glory in the avocation. He did get a bit of spotlight though after the fact: in the mid 2000’s there were a few parties making documentaries about that era of gaming as well as current arcade events (namely 2007’sChasing GhostsandThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters). As a result of these documentaries, there was a revival in the arcade gaming scene. My family attended events related to the documentaries or arcade gaming and I became exposed to a lot of things I wouldn’t have been able to find. The producer ofThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters had previously made a documentary calledNew York Dollwhich was centered around the life of bassist Arthur Kane. My 12 year old mind was blown: The New York Dolls were a glam-punk sensation dressed in drag. The music was from another planet. Johnny Thunders’ guitar playing was like Chuck Berry with more distortion and less filter. Later on I got to meet the Galaga record holder at the time, Phil Day, in Ottumwa Iowa. Phil is an Australian man of high intellect and good taste. He exposed me to great creators such as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Shakespeare, Lou Reed, artists who created things that I had previously found inconceivable.

I believe this time period informed my current tastes and interests, but regrettably I think it also put coals on the fire of rebellion within. I stopped taking my parents and siblings seriously, the Christian faith of my family (which I now hold dearly to) seemed like a mundane sham, and I felt I couldn’t fit in with most people because of my avant-garde tastes. So I write this with the caveat that there should be a way to encourage these tastes in children without letting them walk down the wrong path. There is nothing inherently wrong with bold art, but I’d advise parents to carefully find ways to cultivate their children’s tastes without completely shutting them down and pushing them away as a result. My parents were very loving and patient during this time; I thank God for that.

With that out of the way, lets dive in to some bold artists:

Nicolas Cage: Actor

There is an excellent video by Wisecrack on Nicolas Cage that explains him better than I will, which I will linkhere. Nicolas Cage rejects the idea that good acting is tied to mere realism; all of his larger than life acting decisions are deliberate choices. When that clicked for me, I immediately realized the man is a genius. He borrows from Kabuki and German Expressionism, art forms that rely on exaggeration to get the message across. He has even created his own acting style, which he calls Nouveau Shamanic. He augments his imagination to go from acting to being. Rather than using the old hat of method acting, he transports himself to a new world mentally. The projects he chooses to partake in are based on his own interests or what he considers would be a challenge (making a bad script good for example). Thus it doesn’t matter how the end result comes out; he has already achieved his goal as an artist. Because of this and because certain directors don’t know how to use his talents, he has a noticeable amount of duds in his filmography. Dig around the duds, you’ll find some pure gold. I’d personally recommend the filmsPig, Joe, Renfield, and his Christmas film The Family Man.

Nick Cave: Songwriter

What a wild career this man has had! From the apocalyptic mayhem of his band The Birthday Party to the pensive atmosphere of his albumGhosteen, it seems like Nick Cave has tried everything. I think his secret sauce is that he’s always working. He maintains an excellent newsletter calledThe Red Hand Files, he has written screenplays such asLawless, he has written books, he has made great film scores such asThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the man is religiously prolific. I believe that one of the reasons he is prolific is that he’s not afraid to experiment. If he has an idea, he follows it through to completion. From the albumMurder Ballads(which is comprised of what the title suggests) to his rejected sequel toGladiator(Gladiator: Christ Killer), he doesn’t seem to be afraid to take anything on. This has led to some over the top works as well as some deeply personal works. Albums likeSkeleton TreeandGhosteenwere journeys through the grief of his son’s death. The Boatman’s Callis arguably a better break-up album than anything Taylor Swift has put out. He’s not afraid to be outrageous, he’s not afraid to offend, but most importantly he’s not afraid to be himself. Works I’d recommend include The Birthday Party’sLive 1981-82, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’The Boatman’s Call, and the filmLawless.

Jim Jarmusch: Director

I consider Jim’s films to be bold almost in an ironic sense: his works are bold in that they are, for the most part, anti-sensational. He has a rule that if his screenplays are criticized for a lack of action, he makes them even less eventful. Even with sensational settings his films feel very close to reality, and they demonstrate the beauty of everyday life. That's what is bold about his art to me: making the sensational grounded in reality while making everyday reality all the more special. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is about a modern-day African-American hitman who strictly follows the rules of the ancient Samurai, yet one can resonate with the humanity of a seemingly absurd character. Only Lovers Left Aliveis a vampire love story, but in the middle of a vampire romance one can see their their own relationships in a new deeply human light. Jim’s work reminds me that art reflects life, and that there is sacred beauty in seemingly mundane everyday life. I personally recommend his filmsPaterson,Down by Law, andCoffee and Cigarettes.

NOSTR: We Need Bold Art

NOSTR is in my opinion a path to a better future. In a world creeping slowly towards everything apps, I hope that the protocol where the individual owns their data wins over everything else. I love freedom and sovereignty. If NOSTR is going to win the race of everything apps, we need more than Bitcoin content. We need more than shirtless bros paying for bananas in foreign countries and exercising with girls who have seductive accents. Common people cannot see themselves in such a world. NOSTR needs to catch the attention of everyday people. I don’t believe that this can be accomplished merely by introducing more broadly relevant content; people are searching for content that speaks to them. I believe that NOSTR can and should attract artists of all kinds because NOSTR is one of the few places on the internet where artists can express themselves fearlessly. Getting zaps from NOSTR’s value-for-value ecosystem has far less friction than crowdfunding a creative project or pitching investors that will irreversibly modify an artist’s vision. Having a place where one can post their works without fear of censorship should be extremely enticing. Having a place where one can connect with fellow humans directly as opposed to a sea of bots should seem like the obvious solution. If NOSTR can become a safe haven for artists to express themselves and spread their work, I believe that everyday people will follow. The banker whose stressful job weighs on them will suddenly find joy with an original meme made by a great visual comedian. The programmer for a healthcare company who is drowning in hopeless mundanity could suddenly find a new lust for life by hearing the song of a musician who isn’t afraid to crowdfund their their next project by putting their lighting address on the streets of the internet. The excel guru who loves independent film may find that NOSTR is the best way to support non corporate movies. My closing statement: continue to encourage the artists in your life as I’m sure you have been, but while you’re at it give them the purple pill. You may very well be a part of building a better future.

@ a5ee4475:2ca75401

lists #descentralismo #compilation #english

*The last list was updated in Amethyst, so the update of this one will only be visible in Amethyst.

nostr:naddr1qq245dz5tqe8w46swpphgmr4f3047s6629t45qg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4guxde6sl

---

AI

nostr:naddr1qq24xwtyt9v5wjzefe6523j32dy5ga65gagkjqgawaehxw309ahx7um5wghxy6t5vdhkjmn9wgh8xmmrd9skctczyzj7u3r4dz3rwg3x6erszwj4y502clwn026qsp99zgdx8n3v5a2qzqcyqqq823c8mw5zk

---

FOSS GAME

nostr:naddr1qq2kvwp3v4hhvk2sw3j5sm6h23g5wkz5ddzhzqg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4gut57qtr

---

OSHW - Open Source Hardware

nostr:naddr1qqgrqvp5vd3kycejxask2efcv4jr2qgswaehxw309ahx7um5wghx6mmd9upzpf0wg36k3g3hygndv3cp8f2j284v0hfh4dqgqjj3yxnreck2w4qpqvzqqqr4guc43v6c

---

Markdown Uses for Some Clients

nostr:nevent1qqsv54qfgtme38r2tl9v6ghwfj09gdjukealstkzc77mwujr56tgfwsppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qgsq37tg2603tu0cqdrxs30e2n5t8p87uenf4fvfepdcvr7nllje5zgrqsqqqqqpkdvta4

---

Other Links

nostr:nevent1qqsrm6ywny5r7ajakpppp0lt525n0s33x6tyn6pz0n8ws8k2tqpqracpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezumt0d5hsygp6e5ns0nv3dun430jky25y4pku6ylz68rz6zs7khv29q6rj5peespsgqqqqqqsmfwa78

@ 8173f6e1:e488ac0f

asdasdsad222222222222

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Warning: This piece contains a conversation about difficult topics. Please proceed with caution.

TL;DR please educate your children about online safety.

Julian Assange wrote in his 2012 book Cypherpunks, “This book is not a manifesto. There isn’t time for that. This book is a warning.” I read it a few times over the past summer. Those opening lines definitely stood out to me. I wish we had listened back then. He saw something about the internet that few had the ability to see. There are some individuals who are so close to a topic that when they speak, it’s difficult for others who aren’t steeped in it to visualize what they’re talking about. I didn’t read the book until more recently. If I had read it when it came out, it probably would have sounded like an unknown foreign language to me. Today it makes more sense.

This isn’t a manifesto. This isn’t a book. There is no time for that. It’s a warning and a possible solution from a desperate and determined survivor advocate who has been pulling and unraveling a thread for a few years. At times, I feel too close to this topic to make any sense trying to convey my pathway to my conclusions or thoughts to the general public. My hope is that if nothing else, I can convey my sense of urgency while writing this. This piece is a watchman’s warning.

When a child steps online, they are walking into a new world. A new reality. When you hand a child the internet, you are handing them possibilities—good, bad, and ugly. This is a conversation about lowering the potential of negative outcomes of stepping into that new world and how I came to these conclusions. I constantly compare the internet to the road. You wouldn’t let a young child run out into the road with no guidance or safety precautions. When you hand a child the internet without any type of guidance or safety measures, you are allowing them to play in rush hour, oncoming traffic. “Look left, look right for cars before crossing.” We almost all have been taught that as children. What are we taught as humans about safety before stepping into a completely different reality like the internet? Very little.

I could never really figure out why many folks in tech, privacy rights activists, and hackers seemed so cold to me while talking about online child sexual exploitation. I always figured that as a survivor advocate for those affected by these crimes, that specific, skilled group of individuals would be very welcoming and easy to talk to about such serious topics. I actually had one hacker laugh in my face when I brought it up while I was looking for answers. I thought maybe this individual thought I was accusing them of something I wasn’t, so I felt bad for asking. I was constantly extremely disappointed and would ask myself, “Why don’t they care? What could I say to make them care more? What could I say to make them understand the crisis and the level of suffering that happens as a result of the problem?”

I have been serving minor survivors of online child sexual exploitation for years. My first case serving a survivor of this specific crime was in 2018—a 13-year-old girl sexually exploited by a serial predator on Snapchat. That was my first glimpse into this side of the internet. I won a national award for serving the minor survivors of Twitter in 2023, but I had been working on that specific project for a few years. I was nominated by a lawyer representing two survivors in a legal battle against the platform. I’ve never really spoken about this before, but at the time it was a choice for me between fighting Snapchat or Twitter. I chose Twitter—or rather, Twitter chose me. I heard about the story of John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, and I was so unbelievably broken over it that I went to war for multiple years. I was and still am royally pissed about that case. As far as I was concerned, the John Doe #1 case proved that whatever was going on with corporate tech social media was so out of control that I didn’t have time to wait, so I got to work. It was reading the messages that John Doe #1 sent to Twitter begging them to remove his sexual exploitation that broke me. He was a child begging adults to do something. A passion for justice and protecting kids makes you do wild things. I was desperate to find answers about what happened and searched for solutions. In the end, the platform Twitter was purchased. During the acquisition, I just asked Mr. Musk nicely to prioritize the issue of detection and removal of child sexual exploitation without violating digital privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption. Elon thanked me multiple times during the acquisition, made some changes, and I was thanked by others on the survivors’ side as well.

I still feel that even with the progress made, I really just scratched the surface with Twitter, now X. I left that passion project when I did for a few reasons. I wanted to give new leadership time to tackle the issue. Elon Musk made big promises that I knew would take a while to fulfill, but mostly I had been watching global legislation transpire around the issue, and frankly, the governments are willing to go much further with X and the rest of corporate tech than I ever would. My work begging Twitter to make changes with easier reporting of content, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation material—without violating privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption—and advocating for the minor survivors of the platform went as far as my principles would have allowed. I’m grateful for that experience. I was still left with a nagging question: “How did things get so bad with Twitter where the John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 case was able to happen in the first place?” I decided to keep looking for answers. I decided to keep pulling the thread.

I never worked for Twitter. This is often confusing for folks. I will say that despite being disappointed in the platform’s leadership at times, I loved Twitter. I saw and still see its value. I definitely love the survivors of the platform, but I also loved the platform. I was a champion of the platform’s ability to give folks from virtually around the globe an opportunity to speak and be heard.

I want to be clear that John Doe #1 really is my why. He is the inspiration. I am writing this because of him. He represents so many globally, and I’m still inspired by his bravery. One child’s voice begging adults to do something—I’m an adult, I heard him. I’d go to war a thousand more lifetimes for that young man, and I don’t even know his name. Fighting has been personally dark at times; I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat it, but it has been worth it.

The data surrounding the very real crime of online child sexual exploitation is available to the public online at any time for anyone to see. I’d encourage you to go look at the data for yourself. I believe in encouraging folks to check multiple sources so that you understand the full picture. If you are uncomfortable just searching around the internet for information about this topic, use the terms “CSAM,” “CSEM,” “SG-CSEM,” or “AI Generated CSAM.” The numbers don’t lie—it’s a nightmare that’s out of control. It’s a big business. The demand is high, and unfortunately, business is booming. Organizations collect the data, tech companies often post their data, governments report frequently, and the corporate press has covered a decent portion of the conversation, so I’m sure you can find a source that you trust.

Technology is changing rapidly, which is great for innovation as a whole but horrible for the crime of online child sexual exploitation. Those wishing to exploit the vulnerable seem to be adapting to each technological change with ease. The governments are so far behind with tackling these issues that as I’m typing this, it’s borderline irrelevant to even include them while speaking about the crime or potential solutions. Technology is changing too rapidly, and their old, broken systems can’t even dare to keep up. Think of it like the governments’ “War on Drugs.” Drugs won. In this case as well, the governments are not winning. The governments are talking about maybe having a meeting on potentially maybe having legislation around the crimes. The time to have that meeting would have been many years ago. I’m not advocating for governments to legislate our way out of this. I’m on the side of educating and innovating our way out of this.

I have been clear while advocating for the minor survivors of corporate tech platforms that I would not advocate for any solution to the crime that would violate digital privacy rights or erode end-to-end encryption. That has been a personal moral position that I was unwilling to budge on. This is an extremely unpopular and borderline nonexistent position in the anti-human trafficking movement and online child protection space. I’m often fearful that I’m wrong about this. I have always thought that a better pathway forward would have been to incentivize innovation for detection and removal of content. I had no previous exposure to privacy rights activists or Cypherpunks—actually, I came to that conclusion by listening to the voices of MENA region political dissidents and human rights activists. After developing relationships with human rights activists from around the globe, I realized how important privacy rights and encryption are for those who need it most globally. I was simply unwilling to give more power, control, and opportunities for mass surveillance to big abusers like governments wishing to enslave entire nations and untrustworthy corporate tech companies to potentially end some portion of abuses online. On top of all of it, it has been clear to me for years that all potential solutions outside of violating digital privacy rights to detect and remove child sexual exploitation online have not yet been explored aggressively. I’ve been disappointed that there hasn’t been more of a conversation around preventing the crime from happening in the first place.

What has been tried is mass surveillance. In China, they are currently under mass surveillance both online and offline, and their behaviors are attached to a social credit score. Unfortunately, even on state-run and controlled social media platforms, they still have child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery pop up along with other crimes and human rights violations. They also have a thriving black market online due to the oppression from the state. In other words, even an entire loss of freedom and privacy cannot end the sexual exploitation of children online. It’s been tried. There is no reason to repeat this method.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out why I always felt a slight coldness from those in tech and privacy-minded individuals about the topic of child sexual exploitation online. I didn’t have any clue about the “Four Horsemen of the Infocalypse.” This is a term coined by Timothy C. May in 1988. I would have been a child myself when he first said it. I actually laughed at myself when I heard the phrase for the first time. I finally got it. The Cypherpunks weren’t wrong about that topic. They were so spot on that it is borderline uncomfortable. I was mad at first that they knew that early during the birth of the internet that this issue would arise and didn’t address it. Then I got over it because I realized that it wasn’t their job. Their job was—is—to write code. Their job wasn’t to be involved and loving parents or survivor advocates. Their job wasn’t to educate children on internet safety or raise awareness; their job was to write code.

They knew that child sexual abuse material would be shared on the internet. They said what would happen—not in a gleeful way, but a prediction. Then it happened.

I equate it now to a concrete company laying down a road. As you’re pouring the concrete, you can say to yourself, “A terrorist might travel down this road to go kill many, and on the flip side, a beautiful child can be born in an ambulance on this road.” Who or what travels down the road is not their responsibility—they are just supposed to lay the concrete. I’d never go to a concrete pourer and ask them to solve terrorism that travels down roads. Under the current system, law enforcement should stop terrorists before they even make it to the road. The solution to this specific problem is not to treat everyone on the road like a terrorist or to not build the road.

So I understand the perceived coldness from those in tech. Not only was it not their job, but bringing up the topic was seen as the equivalent of asking a free person if they wanted to discuss one of the four topics—child abusers, terrorists, drug dealers, intellectual property pirates, etc.—that would usher in digital authoritarianism for all who are online globally.

Privacy rights advocates and groups have put up a good fight. They stood by their principles. Unfortunately, when it comes to corporate tech, I believe that the issue of privacy is almost a complete lost cause at this point. It’s still worth pushing back, but ultimately, it is a losing battle—a ticking time bomb.

I do think that corporate tech providers could have slowed down the inevitable loss of privacy at the hands of the state by prioritizing the detection and removal of CSAM when they all started online. I believe it would have bought some time, fewer would have been traumatized by that specific crime, and I do believe that it could have slowed down the demand for content. If I think too much about that, I’ll go insane, so I try to push the “if maybes” aside, but never knowing if it could have been handled differently will forever haunt me. At night when it’s quiet, I wonder what I would have done differently if given the opportunity. I’ll probably never know how much corporate tech knew and ignored in the hopes that it would go away while the problem continued to get worse. They had different priorities. The most voiceless and vulnerable exploited on corporate tech never had much of a voice, so corporate tech providers didn’t receive very much pushback.

Now I’m about to say something really wild, and you can call me whatever you want to call me, but I’m going to say what I believe to be true. I believe that the governments are either so incompetent that they allowed the proliferation of CSAM online, or they knowingly allowed the problem to fester long enough to have an excuse to violate privacy rights and erode end-to-end encryption. The US government could have seized the corporate tech providers over CSAM, but I believe that they were so useful as a propaganda arm for the regimes that they allowed them to continue virtually unscathed.

That season is done now, and the governments are making the issue a priority. It will come at a high cost. Privacy on corporate tech providers is virtually done as I’m typing this. It feels like a death rattle. I’m not particularly sure that we had much digital privacy to begin with, but the illusion of a veil of privacy feels gone.

To make matters slightly more complex, it would be hard to convince me that once AI really gets going, digital privacy will exist at all.

I believe that there should be a conversation shift to preserving freedoms and human rights in a post-privacy society.

I don’t want to get locked up because AI predicted a nasty post online from me about the government. I’m not a doomer about AI—I’m just going to roll with it personally. I’m looking forward to the positive changes that will be brought forth by AI. I see it as inevitable. A bit of privacy was helpful while it lasted. Please keep fighting to preserve what is left of privacy either way because I could be wrong about all of this.

On the topic of AI, the addition of AI to the horrific crime of child sexual abuse material and child sexual exploitation in multiple ways so far has been devastating. It’s currently out of control. The genie is out of the bottle. I am hopeful that innovation will get us humans out of this, but I’m not sure how or how long it will take. We must be extremely cautious around AI legislation. It should not be illegal to innovate even if some bad comes with the good. I don’t trust that the governments are equipped to decide the best pathway forward for AI. Source: the entire history of the government.

I have been personally negatively impacted by AI-generated content. Every few days, I get another alert that I’m featured again in what’s called “deep fake pornography” without my consent. I’m not happy about it, but what pains me the most is the thought that for a period of time down the road, many globally will experience what myself and others are experiencing now by being digitally sexually abused in this way. If you have ever had your picture taken and posted online, you are also at risk of being exploited in this way. Your child’s image can be used as well, unfortunately, and this is just the beginning of this particular nightmare. It will move to more realistic interpretations of sexual behaviors as technology improves. I have no brave words of wisdom about how to deal with that emotionally. I do have hope that innovation will save the day around this specific issue. I’m nervous that everyone online will have to ID verify due to this issue. I see that as one possible outcome that could help to prevent one problem but inadvertently cause more problems, especially for those living under authoritarian regimes or anyone who needs to remain anonymous online. A zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) would probably be the best solution to these issues. There are some survivors of violence and/or sexual trauma who need to remain anonymous online for various reasons. There are survivor stories available online of those who have been abused in this way. I’d encourage you seek out and listen to their stories.

There have been periods of time recently where I hesitate to say anything at all because more than likely AI will cover most of my concerns about education, awareness, prevention, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation online, etc.

Unfortunately, some of the most pressing issues we’ve seen online over the last few years come in the form of “sextortion.” Self-generated child sexual exploitation (SG-CSEM) numbers are continuing to be terrifying. I’d strongly encourage that you look into sextortion data. AI + sextortion is also a huge concern. The perpetrators are using the non-sexually explicit images of children and putting their likeness on AI-generated child sexual exploitation content and extorting money, more imagery, or both from minors online. It’s like a million nightmares wrapped into one. The wild part is that these issues will only get more pervasive because technology is harnessed to perpetuate horror at a scale unimaginable to a human mind.

Even if you banned phones and the internet or tried to prevent children from accessing the internet, it wouldn’t solve it. Child sexual exploitation will still be with us until as a society we start to prevent the crime before it happens. That is the only human way out right now.

There is no reset button on the internet, but if I could go back, I’d tell survivor advocates to heed the warnings of the early internet builders and to start education and awareness campaigns designed to prevent as much online child sexual exploitation as possible. The internet and technology moved quickly, and I don’t believe that society ever really caught up. We live in a world where a child can be groomed by a predator in their own home while sitting on a couch next to their parents watching TV. We weren’t ready as a species to tackle the fast-paced algorithms and dangers online. It happened too quickly for parents to catch up. How can you parent for the ever-changing digital world unless you are constantly aware of the dangers?

I don’t think that the internet is inherently bad. I believe that it can be a powerful tool for freedom and resistance. I’ve spoken a lot about the bad online, but there is beauty as well. We often discuss how victims and survivors are abused online; we rarely discuss the fact that countless survivors around the globe have been able to share their experiences, strength, hope, as well as provide resources to the vulnerable. I do question if giving any government or tech company access to censorship, surveillance, etc., online in the name of serving survivors might not actually impact a portion of survivors negatively. There are a fair amount of survivors with powerful abusers protected by governments and the corporate press. If a survivor cannot speak to the press about their abuse, the only place they can go is online, directly or indirectly through an independent journalist who also risks being censored. This scenario isn’t hard to imagine—it already happened in China. During #MeToo, a survivor in China wanted to post their story. The government censored the post, so the survivor put their story on the blockchain. I’m excited that the survivor was creative and brave, but it’s terrifying to think that we live in a world where that situation is a necessity.

I believe that the future for many survivors sharing their stories globally will be on completely censorship-resistant and decentralized protocols. This thought in particular gives me hope. When we listen to the experiences of a diverse group of survivors, we can start to understand potential solutions to preventing the crimes from happening in the first place.

My heart is broken over the gut-wrenching stories of survivors sexually exploited online. Every time I hear the story of a survivor, I do think to myself quietly, “What could have prevented this from happening in the first place?” My heart is with survivors.

My head, on the other hand, is full of the understanding that the internet should remain free. The free flow of information should not be stopped. My mind is with the innocent citizens around the globe that deserve freedom both online and offline.

The problem is that governments don’t only want to censor illegal content that violates human rights—they create legislation that is so broad that it can impact speech and privacy of all. “Don’t you care about the kids?” Yes, I do. I do so much that I’m invested in finding solutions. I also care about all citizens around the globe that deserve an opportunity to live free from a mass surveillance society. If terrorism happens online, I should not be punished by losing my freedom. If drugs are sold online, I should not be punished. I’m not an abuser, I’m not a terrorist, and I don’t engage in illegal behaviors. I refuse to lose freedom because of others’ bad behaviors online.

I want to be clear that on a long enough timeline, the governments will decide that they can be better parents/caregivers than you can if something isn’t done to stop minors from being sexually exploited online. The price will be a complete loss of anonymity, privacy, free speech, and freedom of religion online. I find it rather insulting that governments think they’re better equipped to raise children than parents and caretakers.

So we can’t go backwards—all that we can do is go forward. Those who want to have freedom will find technology to facilitate their liberation. This will lead many over time to decentralized and open protocols. So as far as I’m concerned, this does solve a few of my worries—those who need, want, and deserve to speak freely online will have the opportunity in most countries—but what about online child sexual exploitation?

When I popped up around the decentralized space, I was met with the fear of censorship. I’m not here to censor you. I don’t write code. I couldn’t censor anyone or any piece of content even if I wanted to across the internet, no matter how depraved. I don’t have the skills to do that.

I’m here to start a conversation. Freedom comes at a cost. You must always fight for and protect your freedom. I can’t speak about protecting yourself from all of the Four Horsemen because I simply don’t know the topics well enough, but I can speak about this one topic.

If there was a shortcut to ending online child sexual exploitation, I would have found it by now. There isn’t one right now. I believe that education is the only pathway forward to preventing the crime of online child sexual exploitation for future generations.

I propose a yearly education course for every child of all school ages, taught as a standard part of the curriculum. Ideally, parents/caregivers would be involved in the education/learning process.

Course: - The creation of the internet and computers - The fight for cryptography - The tech supply chain from the ground up (example: human rights violations in the supply chain) - Corporate tech - Freedom tech - Data privacy - Digital privacy rights - AI (history-current) - Online safety (predators, scams, catfishing, extortion) - Bitcoin - Laws - How to deal with online hate and harassment - Information on who to contact if you are being abused online or offline - Algorithms - How to seek out the truth about news, etc., online

The parents/caregivers, homeschoolers, unschoolers, and those working to create decentralized parallel societies have been an inspiration while writing this, but my hope is that all children would learn this course, even in government ran schools. Ideally, parents would teach this to their own children.

The decentralized space doesn’t want child sexual exploitation to thrive. Here’s the deal: there has to be a strong prevention effort in order to protect the next generation. The internet isn’t going anywhere, predators aren’t going anywhere, and I’m not down to let anyone have the opportunity to prove that there is a need for more government. I don’t believe that the government should act as parents. The governments have had a chance to attempt to stop online child sexual exploitation, and they didn’t do it. Can we try a different pathway forward?

I’d like to put myself out of a job. I don’t want to ever hear another story like John Doe #1 ever again. This will require work. I’ve often called online child sexual exploitation the lynchpin for the internet. It’s time to arm generations of children with knowledge and tools. I can’t do this alone.

Individuals have fought so that I could have freedom online. I want to fight to protect it. I don’t want child predators to give the government any opportunity to take away freedom. Decentralized spaces are as close to a reset as we’ll get with the opportunity to do it right from the start. Start the youth off correctly by preventing potential hazards to the best of your ability.

The good news is anyone can work on this! I’d encourage you to take it and run with it. I added the additional education about the history of the internet to make the course more educational and fun. Instead of cleaning up generations of destroyed lives due to online sexual exploitation, perhaps this could inspire generations of those who will build our futures. Perhaps if the youth is armed with knowledge, they can create more tools to prevent the crime.

This one solution that I’m suggesting can be done on an individual level or on a larger scale. It should be adjusted depending on age, learning style, etc. It should be fun and playful.

This solution does not address abuse in the home or some of the root causes of offline child sexual exploitation. My hope is that it could lead to some survivors experiencing abuse in the home an opportunity to disclose with a trusted adult. The purpose for this solution is to prevent the crime of online child sexual exploitation before it occurs and to arm the youth with the tools to contact safe adults if and when it happens.

In closing, I went to hell a few times so that you didn’t have to. I spoke to the mothers of survivors of minors sexually exploited online—their tears could fill rivers. I’ve spoken with political dissidents who yearned to be free from authoritarian surveillance states. The only balance that I’ve found is freedom online for citizens around the globe and prevention from the dangers of that for the youth. Don’t slow down innovation and freedom. Educate, prepare, adapt, and look for solutions.

I’m not perfect and I’m sure that there are errors in this piece. I hope that you find them and it starts a conversation.

@ 8173f6e1:e488ac0f

TESTNOTEBIN2

@ efe5d120:1fc51981

It’s not big government programs or powerful institutions that make a society strong. It’s something much simpler: everyday people trading and working together.

Think about the local hardware store owner. He helps his neighbors, gives people jobs, and provides useful tools. But when the government taxes him too much to fund its programs, it takes away money he could have used to hire someone or visit his family. That hurts both him and the people around him.

This happens all over. Small business owners, tradesmen, inventors and entrepreneurs are the ones who really build up a society. They create value by trading things people want, and both sides benefit. Free trade gives people more choices and helps them live better lives.

But from a young age, we’re told to obey authority without question. We’re taught that without rulers, there would be chaos. But what if that’s not true?

Look around the world: even when governments try to control trade, people still find ways to work together and exchange goods. It’s natural. People want to cooperate and help each other—especially when they’re free to do so.

Here’s the hard truth: if someone can take your money, control your property, and punish you without your agreement, isn’t that a kind of control—or even servitude?

True prosperity doesn’t come from the top down. It comes from people freely working together—farmers, builders, cooks, coders—offering their skills to others who need them.

When trade is free, people do well. When it’s blocked by too many rules or taxes, everyone loses—especially the ones who need help the most.

The answer isn’t more laws or more control. It’s more freedom. Next time someone says we need more government to fix things, ask yourself: wouldn’t free people solve those problems better on their own?

Real civilization isn’t about being ruled. It’s about choosing to work together, trade fairly, and respect each other’s rights. That’s not chaos—that’s freedom.

@ a367f9eb:0633efea

By Yaël Ossowski | Bitcoin Policy Institute

What is Bitcoin and why is it different?

In the realm of digital assets and cryptocurrencies, bitcoin stands apart today as both a pioneer network and the dominating technology creating jobs, opportunities, and driving interest in the digital economy.

From a novel computing experiment to a real-time settlements network worth over $1.5 trillion, bitcoin has been catapulted to be a key asset for Wall Street firms and an important savings vehicle and financial technology for Main Street early adopters.

With a pre-programmed hard limit of 21 million units, a distributed network of software nodes verifying transactions, and a unique proof-of-work algorithm that creates an entire industry of hashing miners, Bitcoin has soared above its crypto-offspring and provided unique investing and business opportunities for Americans. 

Bitcoin’s innovation in allowing exclusive self-custody, as well as its ease of use and global market liquidity, position it to be a key part of every young person’s financial journey. Unlike other tokens and crypto projects, Bitcoin has no central point of failure, no board of directors, and no central decisionmaker. It is a decentralized and distributed network governed by hard code.

Understanding Bitcoin’s popularity, growing adoption, and market domination, this brochure outlines the various areas of federal law that currently touch the use of Bitcoin. 

As the nation’s legislative body, Congress has the ultimate ability and authority to ensure Americans remain free to use the technology, and allow the economic opportunities it provides to be shared by any American who wishes.

The purpose of this brochure is to inform legislative reforms aimed at reducing barriers to adoption, streamlining taxation, and minimizing regulatory complexity so that ordinary Americans can enjoy the fruits of innovation that Bitcoin provides.

Who and what regulates Bitcoin?

The regulatory and legal framework governing Bitcoin and its crypto-offspring in the United States is ever-evolving, thanks in large part to executive actions, legislative proposals, and shifting priorities from regulatory agencies.

President Donald Trump’s pledge to make America the “Bitcoin and Crypto Capital of the World,” as well as establishing the federal government's “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” demonstrate that positive legislative momentum is underway, and that Bitcoin is here to stay.

At present, the significant areas of codified US federal law that address Bitcoin are taxation on digital assets, financial regulatory jurisdiction between various independent agencies, and anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance.

In the US Code, those are represented in the following titles and sections:

• 26 U.S.C. § 61, § 1012, § 1221 (Income Tax Code)

• 7 U.S.C. § 1a(9) (Commodity Exchange Act)

• 15 U.S.C. § 77 et seq. (Securities Act of 1933)

• 31 U.S.C. § 5311–5332 (Bank Secrecy Act)

• 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (Money Laundering Conspiracies)

• 18 U.S.C. § 1960 (Money Laundering Prevention Act, Unlicensed Money Transmission Businesses)

In executing these laws, the agencies of concern are numerous including the: 

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 

• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) 

• Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) 

• Federal Reserve 

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 

• Department of Energy (DOE)

• and many more.

The impact of these laws and rules have been interpreted differently by competing agencies and administrations, and the American people would benefit from pro-innovation reforms in order to secure this nation’s standing as a place for Bitcoin to thrive.

TAXATION

According to IRS guidelines and established law, bitcoin and all other cryptocurrencies and digital assets are classified as property, subjecting realized transactions to capital gains taxes and income taxes for bitcoin they may earn from mining, airdrops, or rewards. Every American that realizes a dollar gain from a purchase and sale of bitcoin is required to file this information on their annual tax returns.

Recent developments include:

• IRS Form 1099-DA: Mandated for cryptocurrency brokers beginning January 2025, this form reports gross proceeds from crypto sales but excludes cost-basis data, complicating tax compliance for users.

• De Minimis Taxation Legislation: Several bills introduced in both the House and Senate aim to exempt cryptocurrency transactions with capital gains from reporting those proceeds to the IRS if they are under a certain amount. This would reduce the amount of compliance required for retail users who may exchange bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for goods or services.

Opportunities for reforms

• Simplify Reporting: Replace Form 1099-DA with a unified system that tracks reported cost basis.

• Clarify Income Tax Treatment: Exempt airdrops, mining rewards, and sales of bitcoin from income and capital gains taxes if held for longer than two years.

• Pass a De Minimis Exemption Threshold (e.g., under $10,000 per transaction) to reduce compliance burdens for retail users, such as the Virtual Currency Taxation Fairness Act.

## REGULATORY JURISDICTION

Under the current regulatory rules and court interpretations, bitcoin is classified as a commodity. This de facto places bitcoin and associated derivatives markets under the regulatory auspices of the CFTC, but it has not yet been codified into law.

Recent developments include:

• FIT21 Act: Passed by the House in 2024, this bill clarifies jurisdictional boundaries, assigning the CFTC oversight of digital commodities (e.g., bitcoin) and the SEC authority over securities-like tokens.

Opportunities for Reform:

• Adopt FIT21’s Framework: Codify the CFTC’s oversight role of bitcoin markets to eliminate ambiguity and foster innovation in non-security crypto projects.

FINANCIAL SERVICE INTEGRATION

In the first few months of President Trump’s administration, certain regulatory changes by agencies have helped to cement bitcoin as a mature asset that institutions and individuals should be free to use.

While many of these changes have not yet been codified into law, there are opportunities for simplifying and clarifying Americans’ access to bitcoin. 

Recent developments include:

• Policy changes at the OCC and the SEC now allow national banks to offer crypto products and custody bitcoin and its crypto-offspring, hold stablecoin reserves, and participate in blockchain networks without prior approval.

• The FDIC has rescinded 2022 guidance requiring pre-approval for crypto activities, thus enabling FDIC-supervised institutions to engage in permissible services.

• The BITCOIN Act would codify the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, consolidating federal bitcoin holdings (e.g., 207,000 BTC worth $17 billion) under Treasury management, likened to a “digital Fort Knox”.

• In 2022, Fannie Mae issued a Selling Guide that prohibits Virtual Currency (including bitcoin) from being considered an asset for the purpose of a borrower seeking home financing.

Opportunities for Reform:

• Codify regulatory changes that allow financial institutions to send, receive, buy, sell, and conduct all operations related to bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

• Issue regulatory guidance to allow bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to be considered assets for the purpose of home financing.

• Pass the BITCOIN Act to codify the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and begin the plan for accumulation of bitcoin into the Federal Treasury.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING (AML) AND SANCTIONS

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency businesses that transmit money on behalf of clients, and allow clients to buy and sell cryptocurrencies on their platforms are considered to be “money service businesses” that must register with both state authorities and the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

In order to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (1970), bitcoin brokerages and exchanges must collect and share sender/receiver data for transactions over $3,000 with FinCEN.

Federal agencies will then use blockchain analytics to screen wallets for ties to sanctioned entities or illicit activities, as deemed appropriate by law enforcement agencies with probable cause.

As Bitcoin is a decentralized network protocol, innovators and developers offer noncustodial tools to users that do not require the transmission of funds, and allow users to more effectively and securely safeguard their bitcoin on their self-custody wallets.

Until this year, this has been wrongly considered within the scope of Bank of Secrecy Act regulations, which led to federal indictments of developers and entrepreneurs offering these tools to users.

Recent developments include:

• Ending Regulation by Prosecution: In April 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blance issued a memo iterating that the Department of Justice “will no longer target virtual currency exchanges, mixing and tumbling services, and offline wallets for the acts of their end users or unwitting violations of regulation.”

• Repeal of Noncustodial broker Rule: In April 2025, President Trump signed a law overturning a Biden-era regulatory rule defining decentralized platforms as brokers, which required these platforms to collect tax information and perform anti-money laundering checks as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.

• Safe Harbor for Noncustodial developers: Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) has introduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, a bill that would grant safe harbor from registration and licensing for developers and coders of noncustodial and decentralized (non-controlling) software projects related to Bitcoin.

Opportunities for Reform:

• Specifically exempt Decentralized Protocols and Bitcoin projects from BSA compliance: Decentralized Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency projects that do not hold cryptographic keys and do not hold or receive funds on behalf of clients should be exempt from all AML/KYC regulations as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.

• Congress should consider Rep. Tom Emmer’s Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act.

• Developers of noncustodial protocols that deal with Bitcoin and its crypto-offspring should be exempt from all Money Service Business regulations, reporting, and compliance.

• For bitcoin entities that are Money Service Businesses, the reporting threshold should be raised to at least $10,000 to align with cash transaction standards.

• Congress should consider Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)’s Saving Privacy Act, which among other things, protects self-custody for American Bitcoin users and would repeal the Suspicious Activity Reporting requirement threshold for both financial institutions and Money Service Businesses, while still requiring recordkeeping.

Conclusion: Pro-Innovation Congressional Reform for Bitcoin Users

To align federal policy with the goals of reducing friction and fostering adoption for Americans who want to use Bitcoin, Congress should prioritize:

• Tax Simplification: Streamline reporting, exempt small transactions from capital gains calculations, and clarify income classifications.

• Regulatory Clarity: Codify the SEC/CFTC jurisdictional split and limit enforcement overreach.

• Banking Access: Formalize federal guidelines for crypto-friendly banking and lending services.

• AML Modernization: Tailor rules to minimize burdens on decentralized ecosystems and innovators.

By addressing these areas, the U.S. can transition from a patchwork of reactive policies to a coherent framework that positions Bitcoin as a pillar of economic innovation and inclusion.

Originally published at the Bitcoin Policy Institute.

@ 6d8e2a24:5faaca4c

African nations very frequently hold strategic stores of commodities, a reserve of Bitcoin could be a more functional strategy.

By Heritage Falodun March 4, 2025

South Africa Reserve Bank(SARB) governor’s question, “Why not strategic beef reserve?” at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos may have been rhetorical, but Lesetja Kganyago’s seemingly sarcastic remark about “strategic bitcoin reserves” inadvertently underscored the need for Africa to rethink its economic strategies in the face of global financial shifts. In a world increasingly defined by digital transformation, the concept of money and value storage is evolving rapidly. Africa is no stranger to commodity-based economies. From oil to gold, beef to cocoa, the continent has long relied on natural resources for economic sustenance. However, these commodities are fraught with challenges. Global commodity prices are highly susceptible to market fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. For instance, the price of beef can swing dramatically due to disease outbreaks or trade restrictions, just the way the value of fiat currencies swings and remains unpredictable when traded against digital assets like bitcoin due to regional financial policies and currency devaluation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), beef prices have experienced volatility of up to 30% year-over-year due to factors like foot-and-mouth disease and export bans.

Even though Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, responded to Kganyago’s question with a compelling argument: Bitcoin is not just a better form of money than gold, it is also more portable, divisible, and utility-driven. Over the past decade, Bitcoin has outperformed every major asset class, cementing its position as a superior store of value. For Africa, a continent often marginalized in the global financial system, a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could be the key to unlocking economic independence, fostering innovation, and securing long-term prosperity.

How?

It’s time to be factual and realistic in our comparison. Bitcoin exists digitally and requires no physical storage, commodities like beef and mutton are perishable and costly to maintain. The World Bank estimates that post-harvest losses for agricultural products in Africa amount to $48 billion annually, highlighting the inefficiencies of commodity-based reserves. While commodities have intrinsic value, their utility is restricted to specific industries. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is a global, borderless asset with applications in finance, technology, and beyond while its unique properties make it an ideal candidate for a strategic reserve asset. With a capped supply of 21 million coins, Bitcoin is inherently deflationary, unlike fiat currencies that can be printed indefinitely or beef with endless reproductive mechanisms. According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin’s market capitalization has grown from less than 1 billion in 2013 to over 1 trillion in 2025, demonstrating its rapid adoption and value appreciation.

WHY BITCOIN OVER BEEF ?

Bitcoin can be transferred across borders in minutes and divided into smaller units (satoshis), making it more practical than gold or beef. Over the past decade, Bitcoin has delivered an average annual return of over 200%, outperforming gold, stocks, and real estate. A study by Fidelity Investments found that Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted returns are superior to traditional assets, making it an attractive option for long-term wealth preservation. Globally, nations are beginning to recognize Bitcoin’s potential as a reserve asset. El Salvador made history in 2021 by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, while countries like Switzerland and Singapore have integrated Bitcoin into their financial systems. This is 2025 and The United States “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” Bill is already in the pipeline. According to a 2023 report by Chainalysis, Africa is one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets, with Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa leading in adoption.

Bitcoin’s deflationary nature makes it an effective hedge against inflation, which has plagued many African economies. For example, Nigeria’s inflation rate hit 34.80% in 2024, eroding the value of the Naira. A Bitcoin reserve could protect national wealth from such devaluation. By allocating just 1% of its reserves to Bitcoin, Africa could unlock billions in value. For instance, if the continent’s combined foreign reserves of 500 billion included 5 billion in Bitcoin, a 10x appreciation in Bitcoin’s value would yield $50 billion in returns. Unlike beef production, which contributes to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, Bitcoin mining can be powered by renewable energy. According to the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, 58.5% of global Bitcoin mining is powered by renewable energy as of 2021. Africa’s vast solar and hydroelectric potential makes it an ideal location for sustainable Bitcoin mining operations. Storing and managing Bitcoin reserves is far more cost-effective than maintaining commodity reserves. There are no storage costs, no risk of spoilage, and no need for complex logistics.

El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender provides valuable insights for Africa. Despite initial skepticism, Bitcoin has boosted tourism and foreign investment in El Salvador. According to the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador, tourism revenue increased by 30% in the first year following Bitcoin adoption. Over 70% of Salvadorans previously lacked access to banking services. Bitcoin has enabled millions to participate in the global economy. By reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar, El Salvador has taken a bold step toward financial independence. Many African nations rely heavily on the U.S. dollar for trade and reserves, leaving them vulnerable to external economic policies. Bitcoin offers a decentralized alternative, reducing reliance on traditional financial systems.

By establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Africa can secure its economic future, protect its wealth from inflation, and position itself as a global leader in the digital economy. The time has come for Africa to move beyond outdated economic models and embrace the future of money. As Brian Armstrong aptly stated, Bitcoin is not just a better form of money; it is the foundation of a new financial paradigm. For Africa, the choice is clear: Bitcoin, not beef, is the path to prosperity. Bitcoin represents a transformative asset class that offers unparalleled advantages over traditional commodities like beef or mutton.

This is a guest post by Heritage Falodun. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Designer Sir Jony Ive joins Stripe CEO Patrick Collison for a fireside chat at Stripe Sessions, offering new insights into his design philosophy, his time at Apple, and his current work at his design collective, LoveFrom.

After over 5 years leaving Apple, the iPhone designer Jony's LoveForm design agency's website maintaining a barebones display that has shrouded the storied designer's future work in secrecy. Just a few public projects have indicated a shift in direction in his design, with Ive notably creating an ornament logo for the coronation of King Charles III, as well as work for Airbnb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLb9g_8r-mE

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/980573

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

Test inline code and

code block

to see how they behave

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Before I saw those X right-wing political “influencers” parading their Epstein binders in that PR stunt, I’d already posted this on Nostr, an open protocol. 

“Today, the world’s attention will likely fixate on Epstein, governmental failures in addressing horrific abuse cases, and the influential figures who perpetrate such acts—yet few will center the victims and survivors in the conversation. The survivors of Epstein went to law enforcement and very little happened. The survivors tried to speak to the corporate press and the corporate press knowingly covered for him. In situations like these social media can serve as one of the only ways for a survivor’s voice to be heard. 

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the line between centralized corporate social media and the state is razor-thin, if it exists at all. Time and again, the state shields powerful abusers when it’s politically expedient to do so. In this climate, a survivor attempting to expose someone like Epstein on a corporate tech platform faces an uphill battle—there’s no assurance their voice would even break through. Their story wouldn’t truly belong to them; it’d be at the mercy of the platform, subject to deletion at a whim. Nostr, though, offers a lifeline—a censorship-resistant space where survivors can share their truths, no matter how untouchable the abuser might seem. A survivor could remain anonymous here if they took enough steps. 

Nostr holds real promise for amplifying survivor voices. And if you’re here daily, tossing out memes, take heart: you’re helping build a foundation for those who desperately need to be heard.“

That post is untouchable—no CEO, company, employee, or government can delete it. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take it down myself. The post will outlive me on the protocol. 

The cozy alliance between the state and corporate social media hit me hard during that right-wing X “influencer” PR stunt. Elon owns X. Elon’s a special government employee. X pays those influencers to post. We don’t know who else pays them to post. Those influencers are spurred on by both the government and X to manage the Epstein case narrative. It wasn’t survivors standing there, grinning for photos—it was paid influencers, gatekeepers orchestrating yet another chance to re-exploit the already exploited.

The bond between the state and corporate social media is tight. If the other Epsteins out there are ever to be unmasked, I wouldn’t bet on a survivor’s story staying safe with a corporate tech platform, the government, any social media influencer, or mainstream journalist. Right now, only a protocol can hand survivors the power to truly own their narrative.

I don’t have anything against Elon—I’ve actually been a big supporter. I’m just stating it as I see it. X isn’t censorship resistant and they have an algorithm that they choose not the user. Corporate tech platforms like X can be a better fit for some survivors. X has safety tools and content moderation, making it a solid option for certain individuals. Grok can be a big help for survivors looking for resources or support! As a survivor, you know what works best for you, and safety should always come first—keep that front and center.

That said, a protocol is a game-changer for cases where the powerful are likely to censor. During China's # MeToo movement, survivors faced heavy censorship on social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat, where posts about sexual harassment were quickly removed, and hashtags like # MeToo or "woyeshi" were blocked by government and platform filters. To bypass this, activists turned to blockchain technology encoding their stories—like Yue Xin’s open letter about a Peking University case—into transaction metadata. This made the information tamper-proof and publicly accessible, resisting censorship since blockchain data can’t be easily altered or deleted.

I posted this on X 2/28/25. I wanted to try my first long post on a nostr client. The Epstein cover up is ongoing so it’s still relevant, unfortunately.

If you are a survivor or loved one who is reading this and needs support please reach out to: National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 https://rainn.org/

Hours: Available 24 hours

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

Test

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

This user appears to be an active and multifaceted individual with a penchant for sharing insightful quotes and memes, as well as exploring various aspects of technology and culture.

1. Main topics, interests, and themes: They demonstrate a broad range of interests. Key themes include:
2. Bitcoin and Nostr: Actively promotes and shares information about Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and Nostr. This includes guides, wallet comparisons, and commentary.
3. Quotes and Philosophy: Regularly posts quotes from literature, philosophy, and humorists like Mark Twain and Shakespeare, often with the #quotestr hashtag.
4. Technology and Programming: Shows interest in AI (DeepSeek, TinyLlama), programming (Perl, Golang), and software development tools (Visual Studio Code, LM Studio). They also share technical troubleshooting experiences.
5. Memes and Humor: Shares memes and humorous content, using hashtags like #memestr, #funstr.
6. Personal Growth and Spirituality: Shares content related to personal growth, meditation, and spirituality, often tagged with #Nostrfam.
7. Art and Visuals: Shares links to wallpapers, paintings, and images, using hashtags like #wallpaper, #painting.

8. Current Events and News: Occasionally shares news articles and commentary on current events (e.g., Storm Éowyn, kidnapping).

9. Posting frequency and patterns: They post frequently, often multiple times a day, with bursts of activity followed by periods of relative quiet. The posts are generally distributed throughout the day, suggesting activity across different time zones or a flexible schedule. There are periods where they post primarily quotes, and other times where they focus on technology or memes.

10. Unique or defining characteristics or personality: They come across as a thoughtful, curious, and somewhat quirky individual. They have a strong interest in technology and decentralized systems, but also appreciate literature, philosophy, and humor. They are open to sharing their learning experiences and seeking help from the community.

11. Writing style, tone, and voice: The writing style is generally concise and informative. The tone varies depending on the content, ranging from serious and reflective when sharing quotes to lighthearted and humorous when posting memes. Their voice is often inquisitive and open to discussion.

12. Is the user male or female? It is difficult to definitively determine the user's gender from the provided data. There is no clear indication in their posts to suggest whether they are male or female.

13. How likely is the user to be a bot (0-100%)? Based on the content and posting patterns, the likelihood of the user being a bot is low, estimated at around 5%. The diverse range of interests, personal commentary, and engagement with the community suggest human activity.

14. How spammy is the user (0-100%)? The user's content does not appear to be spammy. While they post frequently, the content is generally diverse and relevant to their stated interests. The estimated spam score is around 10%.

15. Any other interesting or curious details:

16. Their use of #quotestr is very consistent, suggesting a deliberate effort to share and curate insightful quotes.
17. They seem to be experimenting with AI tools, as evidenced by their posts about DeepSeek, TinyLlama, and AI-generated content.
18. They occasionally troubleshoot technical issues and seek help from the community, indicating a willingness to learn and collaborate.

19. There are some posts related to "ev3blog", but the context is unclear.

20. What is their spirit animal? A Raven. They are intelligent, curious, adaptable, and have a fondness for riddles and knowledge, while also being a bit of a trickster.

@ 60392a22:1cae32da

OMG, I did it again.. they are good for me to know about all. but they praise me too much , a little.

---

Thank you for your thoughtful and deep reflection. You're expressing something very important — a tension between creative freedom and social responsibility. Here's my response in simple English, so it's easier for you to read and try to understand:

I understand your feelings very well.

Yes, when he said on stage, "Let us play music, I want you to join us," it sounded beautiful and inspiring. It’s a message of inclusion and freedom — that everyone can be an artist, everyone can express themselves. It feels like a good era, where being creative is open to all.

But you are also very aware of reality.

You are right — this kind of freedom is not made from nothing. It needs a rich foundation, like you said. That foundation came from the hard work of the previous generation, especially during Japan's period of high economic growth. Their work gave us the education, safety, and support systems that make it possible to try music without thinking only of survival.

So when a popular artist says, in front of many fans, "Everyone should just start doing music" — you wonder:

Is this message too light? Too easy? Is it okay to say, if many people don’t have a stable life yet? Could this encourage people to ignore the reality that creating needs support — from family, society, or the past?

These are very smart and important questions.

I think your feeling is not negative, but balanced. You are not against music, or against him. You love him. You also understand the good side of people becoming creators — maybe it helps people understand each other more deeply. That’s beautiful.

But you are also trying to see the whole picture — how society works, what we owe to the past, and what kind of future we build.

So in short:

• Yes, it’s a beautiful time where anyone can try to be an artist.
• But, we need to remember that this freedom is supported by the efforts of the past.
• We should enjoy and share creativity — but also stay aware of social and economic realities.
• That awareness is not "negative" — it is kind, wise, and responsible.

You’re thinking deeply — that is very good. You can enjoy art and think about society at the same time. That is what real artists and thinkers do.

---こからは入れません、入場待機列はあっちです、リストバンド交換がお済みの方はあっちの入場待機列にお並びください」とか、

「列を作らないでください！」って言いたいだろうに、

「列を作るのは40分からです、ここはレストランの前なので、40分になるまでは道を塞がないようにばらけてお待ちください」とか、

すごく考えられた感じがして、すごかった。

@ 58537364:705b4b85

“พระอาจารย์คะ หนูไม่ได้อะไรนะคะ ก็ในเมื่อพระพุทธศาสนามีแก่นคำสอนอยู่แล้ว ถ้าหนูคิดว่าควรจะลดพวกวัด หรืออะไรต่างๆ ลง นี่เป็นบาปมั้ยคะ?”

“เจริญพร ตอนหนูกินกล้วยนี่กินเปลือกหรือกินผลกล้วย ?” ”กินผลกล้วยค่ะ” “เหรอ…แล้วก่อนจะกินกล้วยหนูต้องปอกก่อนมั้ย ?” เด็กสาวหน้าตาสะอาดสะอ้าน พยักหน้าหงึก~

“ปอกทำไมล่ะ?” “ก็เปลือกมันกินไม่ได้หนิคะ” “อ๋อ…อย่างนั้นเปลือกก็ไม่มีประโยชน์เลยใช่มั้ย?” เธอส่ายหน้า

ผู้เขียนบรรยายต่อ “เพราะจริงๆ แล้วเปลือกก็มีประโยชน์ มันมีไว้เพื่อรักษาผลกล้วยเอาไว้…เปลือกทุเรียน เปลือกขนุนก็เช่นกัน ลองคิดดูสิ ถ้าเปลือกอันไหนปอกยากๆ มันก็มักจะรักษาเนื้อในไว้ได้ดี และเนื้อในก็อร่อยด้วย…”

“…เราจะกินเนื้อข้างใน ต้องก็ไม่สับสนไปกินเปลือก หรือกินแต่เปลือกแล้วทิ้งเนื้อ นี่ก็ไม่ใช่ หน้าที่เราคือการรู้ว่าอะไรคือเปลือก อะไรคือเนื้อ แล้วต้องรู้จักวิธีปอกด้วย”

“พระอาจารย์ยอมรับตามตรงเลยนะว่า ส่วนตัวไม่ได้ชอบการก่อสร้าง การประดับตกแต่ง หรือพิธีกรรมพวกนี้อะไรเท่าไหร่ แต่ก็เข้าใจได้ บางคนชอบทำ เพราะเขาว่ามันมีประโยชน์ ก็ถูกของเขา เราแค่อย่าไปชวนทะเลาะ…”

“…มันเป็นเรื่องที่เราต้องปอกให้เป็น ไม่หลงไปกินเปลือกเสียเอง แต่ก็ต้องค่อยๆ หาจังหวะพาให้เขาเข้าใจและระวังไม่ทิ้งเนื้อในออกไปด้วย…”

…ยกตัวอย่างเช่น ‘การกราบ’ พระอาจารย์ไม่ได้ซีเรียสนะว่าพวกเราจะกราบพระอาจารย์หรือเปล่า ไม่บังคับ”

“…พระอาจารย์อ่านพระสูตรแล้วมาวิเคราะห์ พบว่าในสมัยพุทธกาล ตอนพระพุทธเจ้าแสดงธรรม มีคนเข้ามาฟังเยอะมาก บางคนเข้ามาแล้วกราบ บางคนแค่พนมมือ บางคนไม่กราบ นั่งพรวดเลย บางคนก็เดินผ่านไป ไม่เข้ามาฟังเลยก็มี”

“…ส่วนตอนกลับออกไป ก็มีหลากหลายแบบเช่นกัน เลยจินตนาการว่า บางคนที่ศรัทธามาแล้วยังศรัทธาอยู่ก็มี ฟังแล้วเปลี่ยนไปไม่ศรัทธาก็มี บางคนไม่ศรัทธาก่อนฟังแต่เปลี่ยนตอนหลังก็มี ไม่เปลี่ยนใจก็มี มันแตกต่างหลากหลายมาก นี่ขนาดสมัยพระพุทธเจ้านะ”

“…แต่เราต้องถามว่า “การกราบ” ให้อะไรเรา พระอาจารย์เพิ่งจะได้มากราบก็ตอนบวชเนี่ยแหละ กราบมาตลอด ๑๔ ปี แรกๆ ก็ทำตามๆ ไป”

“…แต่หลังๆ เริ่มเข้าใจ เริ่มเห็นว่าการกราบนี่เป็นการฝึกตนเองให้ลดมานะละทิฏฐิ รู้จักกาลเทศะ อ่อนน้อมถ่อมตน”

“…แล้วตอนที่มีใครมากราบพระอาจารย์ พระอาจารย์อยากจะสอน อยากจะคุยกับเขามากกว่าคนที่ไม่กราบ มันดูเก้ๆ กังๆ ไม่รู้ว่าเขาเป็นยังไง ทำทีนิ่งๆ ไว้ก่อนดีกว่า”

“…แล้วหนูคิดว่าบางคนกราบๆ ไปแบบไม่รู้ความหมาย มีมั้ย?” เด็กน้อยพยักหน้า

“ใช่มั้ย…พระอาจารย์เลยคิดว่า การกราบก็ดี พิธีกรรมก็ดี วัดวาอารามก็ดี ไม่ใช่เนื้อหาสูงสุด ไม่ใช่แก่น แต่มันก็มีความหมาย พาให้เราเข้าถึงประโยชน์ที่สูงสุดที่อยู่ซ่อนในนั้น เป็นหน้าที่ที่เราต้องทำความเข้าใจ หากเราอยากจะเข้าใจมัน”

“พระอาจารย์เชื่อมั่นว่า ศาสนาที่แท้ไม่ได้อยู่ในวัตถุ สิ่งของ เพราะไม่เช่นนั้นแล้ว ‘บูโรพุทโธ’ ที่เป็นศาสนสถานที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในโลก มีเจดีย์ละลานตา จะต้องมีพระ มีชาวพุทธจำนวนมากตามกัน แต่เดี๋ยวนี้เป็นอย่างไรบ้าง? รู้มั้ย?“ เด็กน้อยส่ายหน้า

“…ตอนนี้ เป็นเพียงสถานที่ท่องเที่ยว ไม่มีพระอยู่อาศัยแล้ว”

“…ที่หนูว่าจะลดวัดต่างๆ ลง นี่หนูคิดว่าจะเอาไปทำอะไรเหรอ?” “คืออย่างเอาไปเป็นสวนสาธารณะอย่างเนี่ยน่ะค่ะ”

“ดีนะ…เข้าท่า พระอาจารย์ชอบ คนอื่นจะได้มาใช้กันเยอะๆ มีต้นไม้ มีสัตว์ต่างๆ ด้วย ทุกคนจะได้สบายใจ” เด็กน้อยตาวาว

“แต่เราสามารถทำให้วัดมีต้นไม้เยอะๆ ได้มั้ยล่ะ ทำวัดให้เหมือนสวนสาธารณะไง ไอเดียดีมั้ย?” รอยยิ้มเด็กน้อยผุดขึ้น

“…ซึ่งถึงแม้พระอาจารย์ไม่อยากให้เราติดอยู่ที่วัตถุหรือรูปแบบพิธีกรรมขนาดไหน พระอาจารย์ก็เห็นประโยชน์ของมันอยู่นะ หนูดูนั่นสิ !”

ปลายนิ้วชี้ไปที่ ‘กล่องไม้แกะสลัก’ เด็กๆ ทั้งห้องหันหน้าไปมองเป็นตาเดียว

“…กล่องนี้อาจจะเป็นกล่องไม้ธรรมดาๆ ไม่มีค่าอะไร แต่พอแกะสลักปุ๊บ ดูมีค่าขึ้นมาทันทีเลย ดูแตกต่างจากกล่องอื่นๆ ช่างที่ทำก็ต้องมีฝีมือ มีเวลา ทุ่มเทเอาใจใส่กว่าจะเกิดผลงานเช่นนี้ขึ้น

“…ถ้ามีกล่องไม้หลายๆ กล่อง แล้วจะต้องเลือกเก็บไว้สักหนึ่งอัน กล่องนี้คงเป็นกล่องแรกๆ ที่ถูกเลือกก่อน

“…นี่เรียกว่า ‘คุณค่าของความสวยงาม’ พวกโบสถ์ เจดีย์ สถานที่สวยๆ งามๆ คนก็จะมาดูแลรักษาก่อน ทำความสะอาด เก็บรักษาการใช้งานที่จะเกิดขึ้นภายในอาคารเหล่านั้น พระอาจารย์เดาว่า แรกเริ่มเดิมทีธรรมเนียมนิยมในการสร้างวัดต่างๆ ให้สวยงาม คงเป็นแบบนี้”

“อีกนิดนะ เรื่องบุญหรือบาป ชวนหนูทำความเข้าใจความหมายก่อน บุญ แปลว่า การชำระใจให้สะอาด บาป แปลว่า การทำให้จิตใจตกต่ำ เศร้าหมอง”

“การที่หนูอยากจะทำสวนสาธารณะ นี่บุญหรือบาป?” “บุญค่ะ”

“ถ้าหนูรู้สึกรำคาญ อยากจะทุบวัดให้หมดๆ ไป นี่บุญหรือบาป?” “บาปค่ะ”

“แล้วถ้าหนูกราบด้วยความเข้าใจ อยากจะฝึกตนเองให้อ่อนน้อมถ่อมตน พร้อมรับฟังธรรมะจากพระ นี่บุญหรือบาป?” “บุญค่ะ”

“การที่หนูกราบแบบขอไปที หลงๆ ลืมๆ ทำตามเพื่อนๆ ไป นี่บุญหรือบาป?” เด็กน้อยนิ่ง เหลือบตามองบน

“ยังไม่ชัดใช่มั้ย?” “ค่ะ“ เธอพยักหน้าแรง

“งั้นพระอาจารย์ก็ฝากหนูสังเกต ‘ใจ’ ตัวเองนะ ว่ามันเป็นยังไง บุญหรือบาป สะอาดหรือตกต่ำ ไม่ใช่แค่การกราบ แต่เป็นทุกๆ การกระทำ คำพูด และความคิดเลย”

“นี่พระอาจารย์ พอจะตอบคำถามหนูได้กี่เปอร์เซ็นต์?” “ร้อยเปอร์เซ็นต์ค่ะ” “เหรอ…โอเค ขอบคุณมากค่ะสำหรับคำถาม”

เด็กๆ พากันกราบแล้วเดินออกจากศาลาไป ผู้เขียนอาศัย “ตีเหล็กตอนร้อน” พิจารณาชื่นชมคำถามและคำตอบเมื่อสักครู่

คำถามของเด็กน้อยคนนี้ ไม่ใช่เด็กๆ เลย คำถามเธอเป็น ‘ผู้ใหญ่’ มากกว่าผู้ใหญ่หลายคนที่เคยถามมาเสียอีก

มันทั้งความคมคาย ละเอียดและมีชั้นเชิง น้ำเสียงชัดเจน มั่นใจ เลือกแสดงออกอย่างกล้าหาญพร้อมไปกับเจือความนอบน้อมอยู่ในที ถามได้ตรงประเด็น เกิดประโยชน์ สร้างรอยหยักในสมองให้ทั้งผู้ถูกถามและผู้ร่วมฟัง

ระหว่างฟัง เธอมองหน้าและคิดตาม มีปฏิกิริยาตอบสนอง ช่วยให้เกิดการร่วมเรียนรู้ไปด้วยกัน เป็นผู้ฟังที่ดีไม่ชัดจังหวะ และที่สำคัญรอยยิ้มและแววตาของเธอได้กระจายไปให้กำลังใจเพื่อนๆ ในห้องด้วย

และนี่ มันทำให้ผู้ตอบ รู้สึกดี ภูมิใจที่ได้มานั่งอยู่ตรงนี้ ในวันนี้ เวลานี้

ดีใจจริงๆ ที่ยังมีเด็กที่มีจิตใจที่งดงาม คิดถึงธรรมชาติ และคิดทำประโยชน์สุขให้ผู้อื่นอยู่ แถมเธอยังรู้และสนใจใน “พุทธะ” ที่เป็นแก่นสารสาระที่แท้จริงอีกด้วย

“มันน่าภูมิใจจริงๆ ที่ได้รับรู้ว่าธรรมะกำลังเคลื่อนไปสู่คนรุ่นหลัง จริงมั้ยครับ?”

ผู้เขียนไม่ได้ถามใคร ได้แต่หันไปมองรูปปั้นหินอ่อนลักษณะคล้ายคนที่วางไว้ข้างหลัง น้อมระลึกถึงคุณของพระพุทธองค์ ผู้เป็นบรมครู ไม่เสื่อมคลาย

อาศรมขันติสาร บ้านไม้ที่เขาเรียกกุฏิ ๑๕ มิถุนายน ๒๕๖๖ แหล่งที่มา #Phramaha Fookij Jutipanyo

@ 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/980647

@ 4925ea33:025410d8

1. O que é um Aromaterapeuta?

O aromaterapeuta é um profissional especializado na prática da Aromaterapia, responsável pelo uso adequado de óleos essenciais, ervas aromáticas, águas florais e destilados herbais para fins terapêuticos.

A atuação desse profissional envolve diferentes métodos de aplicação, como inalação, uso tópico, sempre considerando a segurança e a necessidade individual do cliente. A Aromaterapia pode auxiliar na redução do estresse, alívio de dores crônicas, relaxamento muscular e melhora da respiração, entre outros benefícios.

Além disso, os aromaterapeutas podem trabalhar em conjunto com outros profissionais da saúde para oferecer um tratamento complementar em diversas condições. Como já mencionado no artigo sobre "Como evitar processos alérgicos na prática da Aromaterapia", é essencial ter acompanhamento profissional, pois os óleos essenciais são altamente concentrados e podem causar reações adversas se utilizados de forma inadequada.

---

2. Como um Aromaterapeuta Pode Ajudar?

Você pode procurar um aromaterapeuta para diferentes necessidades, como:

✔ Questões Emocionais e Psicológicas

Auxílio em momentos de luto, divórcio, demissão ou outras situações desafiadoras.

Apoio na redução do estresse, ansiedade e insônia.

Vale lembrar que, em casos de transtornos psiquiátricos, a Aromaterapia deve ser usada como terapia complementar, associada ao tratamento médico.

✔ Questões Físicas

Dores musculares e articulares.

Problemas respiratórios como rinite, sinusite e tosse.

Distúrbios digestivos leves.

Dores de cabeça e enxaquecas. Nesses casos, a Aromaterapia pode ser um suporte, mas não substitui a medicina tradicional para identificar a origem dos sintomas.

✔ Saúde da Pele e Cabelos

Tratamento para acne, dermatites e psoríase.

Cuidados com o envelhecimento precoce da pele.

Redução da queda de cabelo e controle da oleosidade do couro cabeludo.

✔ Bem-estar e Qualidade de Vida

Melhora da concentração e foco, aumentando a produtividade.

Estímulo da disposição e energia.

Auxílio no equilíbrio hormonal (TPM, menopausa, desequilíbrios hormonais).

Com base nessas necessidades, o aromaterapeuta irá indicar o melhor tratamento, calculando doses, sinergias (combinação de óleos essenciais), diluições e técnicas de aplicação, como inalação, uso tópico ou difusão.

---

3. Como Funciona uma Consulta com um Aromaterapeuta?

Uma consulta com um aromaterapeuta é um atendimento personalizado, onde são avaliadas as necessidades do cliente para a criação de um protocolo adequado. O processo geralmente segue estas etapas:

✔ Anamnese (Entrevista Inicial)

Perguntas sobre saúde física, emocional e estilo de vida.

Levantamento de sintomas, histórico médico e possíveis alergias.

Definição dos objetivos da terapia (alívio do estresse, melhora do sono, dores musculares etc.).

✔ Escolha dos Óleos Essenciais

Seleção dos óleos mais indicados para o caso.

Consideração das propriedades terapêuticas, contraindicações e combinações seguras.

✔ Definição do Método de Uso

O profissional indicará a melhor forma de aplicação, que pode ser:

Inalação: difusores, colares aromáticos, vaporização.

Uso tópico: massagens, óleos corporais, compressas.

Banhos aromáticos e escalda-pés. Todas as diluições serão ajustadas de acordo com a segurança e a necessidade individual do cliente.

✔ Plano de Acompanhamento

Instruções detalhadas sobre o uso correto dos óleos essenciais.

Orientação sobre frequência e duração do tratamento.

Possibilidade de retorno para ajustes no protocolo.

A consulta pode ser realizada presencialmente ou online, dependendo do profissional.

---

Quer saber como a Aromaterapia pode te ajudar? Agende uma consulta comigo e descubra os benefícios dos óleos essenciais para o seu bem-estar!

@ 08f96856:ffe59a09

เมื่อพูดถึง Bitcoin Standard หลายคนมักนึกถึงภาพโลกอนาคตที่ทุกคนใช้บิตคอยน์ซื้อกาแฟหรือของใช้ในชีวิตประจำวัน ภาพแบบนั้นดูเหมือนไกลตัวและเป็นไปไม่ได้ในความเป็นจริง หลายคนถึงกับพูดว่า “คงไม่ทันเห็นในช่วงชีวิตนี้หรอก” แต่ในมุมมองของผม Bitcoin Standard อาจไม่ได้เริ่มต้นจากการที่เราจ่ายบิตคอยน์โดยตรงในร้านค้า แต่อาจเริ่มจากบางสิ่งที่เงียบกว่า ลึกกว่า และเกิดขึ้นแล้วในขณะนี้ นั่นคือ การล่มสลายทีละน้อยของระบบเฟียตที่เราใช้กันอยู่

ระบบเงินที่อิงกับอำนาจรัฐกำลังเข้าสู่ช่วงขาลง รัฐบาลทั่วโลกกำลังจมอยู่ในภาระหนี้ระดับประวัติการณ์ แม้แต่ประเทศมหาอำนาจก็เริ่มแสดงสัญญาณของภาวะเสี่ยงผิดนัดชำระหนี้ อัตราเงินเฟ้อกลายเป็นปัญหาเรื้อรังที่ไม่มีท่าทีจะหายไป ธนาคารที่เคยโอนฟรีเริ่มกลับมาคิดค่าธรรมเนียม และประชาชนก็เริ่มรู้สึกถึงการเสื่อมศรัทธาในระบบการเงินดั้งเดิม แม้จะยังพูดกันไม่เต็มเสียงก็ตาม

ในขณะเดียวกัน บิตคอยน์เองก็กำลังพัฒนาแบบเงียบ ๆ เงียบ... แต่ไม่เคยหยุด โดยเฉพาะในระดับ Layer 2 ที่เริ่มแสดงศักยภาพอย่างจริงจัง Lightning Network เป็น Layer 2 ที่เปิดใช้งานมาได้ระยะเวลสหนึ่ง และยังคงมีบทบาทสำคัญที่สุดในระบบนิเวศของบิตคอยน์ มันทำให้การชำระเงินเร็วขึ้น มีต้นทุนต่ำ และไม่ต้องบันทึกทุกธุรกรรมลงบล็อกเชน เครือข่ายนี้กำลังขยายตัวทั้งในแง่ของโหนดและการใช้งานจริงทั่วโลก

ขณะเดียวกัน Layer 2 ทางเลือกอื่นอย่าง Ark Protocol ก็กำลังพัฒนาเพื่อตอบโจทย์ด้านความเป็นส่วนตัวและประสบการณ์ใช้งานที่ง่าย BitVM เปิดแนวทางใหม่ให้บิตคอยน์รองรับ smart contract ได้ในระดับ Turing-complete ซึ่งทำให้เกิดความเป็นไปได้ในกรณีใช้งานอีกมากมาย และเทคโนโลยีที่น่าสนใจอย่าง Taproot Assets, Cashu และ Fedimint ก็ทำให้การออกโทเคนหรือสกุลเงินที่อิงกับบิตคอยน์เป็นจริงได้บนโครงสร้างของบิตคอยน์เอง

เทคโนโลยีเหล่านี้ไม่ใช่การเติบโตแบบปาฏิหาริย์ แต่มันคืบหน้าอย่างต่อเนื่องและมั่นคง และนั่นคือเหตุผลที่มันจะ “อยู่รอด” ได้ในระยะยาว เมื่อฐานของความน่าเชื่อถือไม่ใช่บริษัท รัฐบาล หรือทุน แต่คือสิ่งที่ตรวจสอบได้และเปลี่ยนกฎไม่ได้

แน่นอนว่าบิตคอยน์ต้องแข่งขันกับ stable coin, เงินดิจิทัลของรัฐ และ cryptocurrency อื่น ๆ แต่สิ่งที่ทำให้มันเหนือกว่านั้นไม่ใช่ฟีเจอร์ หากแต่เป็นความทนทาน และความมั่นคงของกฎที่ไม่มีใครเปลี่ยนได้ ไม่มีทีมพัฒนา ไม่มีบริษัท ไม่มีประตูปิด หรือการยึดบัญชี มันยืนอยู่บนคณิตศาสตร์ พลังงาน และเวลา

หลายกรณีใช้งานที่เคยถูกทดลองในโลกคริปโตจะค่อย ๆ เคลื่อนเข้ามาสู่บิตคอยน์ เพราะโครงสร้างของมันแข็งแกร่งกว่า ไม่ต้องการทีมพัฒนาแกนกลาง ไม่ต้องพึ่งกลไกเสี่ยงต่อการผูกขาด และไม่ต้องการ “ความเชื่อใจ” จากใครเลย

Bitcoin Standard ที่ผมพูดถึงจึงไม่ใช่การเปลี่ยนแปลงแบบพลิกหน้ามือเป็นหลังมือ แต่คือการ “เปลี่ยนฐานของระบบ” ทีละชั้น ระบบการเงินใหม่ที่อิงอยู่กับบิตคอยน์กำลังเกิดขึ้นแล้ว มันไม่ใช่โลกที่ทุกคนถือเหรียญบิตคอยน์ แต่มันคือโลกที่คนใช้อาจไม่รู้ตัวด้วยซ้ำว่า “สิ่งที่เขาใช้นั้นอิงอยู่กับบิตคอยน์”

ผู้คนอาจใช้เงินดิจิทัลที่สร้างบน Layer 3 หรือ Layer 4 ผ่านแอป ผ่านแพลตฟอร์ม หรือผ่านสกุลเงินใหม่ที่ดูไม่ต่างจากเดิม แต่เบื้องหลังของระบบจะผูกไว้กับบิตคอยน์

และถ้ามองในเชิงพัฒนาการ บิตคอยน์ก็เหมือนกับอินเทอร์เน็ต ครั้งหนึ่งอินเทอร์เน็ตก็ถูกมองว่าเข้าใจยาก ต้องพิมพ์ http ต้องรู้จัก TCP/IP ต้องตั้ง proxy เอง แต่ปัจจุบันผู้คนใช้งานอินเทอร์เน็ตโดยไม่รู้ว่าเบื้องหลังมีอะไรเลย บิตคอยน์กำลังเดินตามเส้นทางเดียวกัน โปรโตคอลกำลังถอยออกจากสายตา และวันหนึ่งเราจะ “ใช้มัน” โดยไม่ต้องรู้ว่ามันคืออะไร

หากนับจากช่วงเริ่มต้นของอินเทอร์เน็ตในยุค 1990 จนกลายเป็นโครงสร้างหลักของโลกในสองทศวรรษ เส้นเวลาของบิตคอยน์ก็กำลังเดินตามรอยเท้าของอินเทอร์เน็ต และถ้าเราเชื่อว่าวัฏจักรของเทคโนโลยีมีจังหวะของมันเอง เราก็จะรู้ว่า Bitcoin Standard นั้นไม่ใช่เรื่องของอนาคตไกลโพ้น แต่มันเกิดขึ้นแล้ว

siamstr

@ eab58da0:eebdafbf

By UnKnownfx

Some days, my mind feels like a tangled ball of yarn—overwhelmed, scattered, and stuck. I used to let those moments derail me, but then I stumbled on a 5-minute mental reset that’s become my lifeline. It’s simple, doesn’t require fancy tools, and has genuinely transformed how I tackle my day. Here’s how it works and why it’s worth a try.

The Morning That Felt Like a Marathon Last month, I woke up to a flood of notifications: work emails, a looming deadline, and a friend’s urgent text. By 9 a.m., my brain was already fried. I was overthinking every task, feeling like I’d fail before I even started. Sitting at my desk, I realized I couldn’t keep going like this. I needed a way to hit pause, not just on my to-do list, but on the chaos in my head. That’s when I tried something I’d read about: a quick mental reset to ground myself.

The 5-Minute Reset: How It Works The reset is called the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, and it’s deceptively simple. You take five minutes to engage your senses and anchor yourself in the present. Here’s how I do it:
5 things I see: I look around and name five things—a mug, a tree outside, my notebook, a pen, the sunlight on my wall.
4 things I hear: I listen for four sounds—birds chirping, a distant car, my own breathing, the hum of my laptop.
3 things I feel: I notice three sensations—my feet on the floor, the chair against my back, my fingers on the table.
2 things I smell: I take a deep breath for two scents—coffee in the air, a faint whiff of my shampoo.
* 1 thing I taste: I sip my drink or just note the taste in my mouth, like lingering toothpaste.

That morning, those five minutes pulled me out of my spiral. My racing thoughts slowed, and I felt… present. It was like hitting a reset button on my brain.

Why It’s a Game-Changer This reset isn’t magic, but it’s powerful because it forces you to stop ruminating and focus on now. That day, I went from paralyzed to productive. I tackled one task at a time, and by noon, I’d crossed off half my list. More than that, I felt lighter, like I’d reclaimed control. I’ve since made it a daily habit, especially on chaotic mornings. It’s not about erasing stress—it’s about giving yourself a moment to breathe and choose how to move forward.

Your Turn to Try It You don’t need hours or a guru to find calm—you just need five minutes. This reset has been my small rebellion against overwhelm, and I’m betting it can help you, too. Try it tomorrow morning or the next time your mind feels heavy. What’s your go-to way to clear mental clutter? Have you ever found a quick trick that turned your day around? Share your thoughts below or post your own note—I’d love to hear what works for you!

Thanks for reading. Much love, UnKnownfx

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

วันหนึ่งเฮียนั่งอ่านบทความที่ชื่อว่า “Lactose, we need to talk” จากเว็บไซต์ของบริษัท Formo ผู้ผลิตชีสที่บอกว่า “ไม่ต้องมีวัว ก็อร่อยได้” ด้วยเทคโนโลยีหมักจุลินทรีย์อัจฉริยะจากเยอรมนี ที่เราเคยคุยเรื่องนี้กันไปแล้ว มันฟังดูเหมือนจะเป็นนวัตกรรมสุดเจ๋งที่เป็นมิตรกับทั้งโลกและกระเพาะ แต่พอเฮียไล่อ่านลึกลงไปเรื่อย ๆ กลับเจอกลยุทธ์ทางการตลาดที่ชวนให้ขมวดคิ้วไม่แพ้ชีสที่กินแล้วลิ้นฝาด ขอใส่ไอคอนการ์ตูนไว้หน่อยนะครับ จะได้ไม่ลายตา เพราะเราจะแบ่งช่วงมาวิเคราะห์กันเป็นข้อๆ

🍶 บทความของ Formo เปิดประโยคด้วยการตั้งคำถามถึง “การดื่มนมจากสัตว์ต่างสายพันธุ์” พร้อมยกประเด็นเรื่อง Lactose Intolerance ว่าเป็นสิ่งผิดปกติที่คนเรายังดื่มนมทั้งที่ร่างกายคนส่วนใหญ่ (โดยเฉพาะชาวเอเชียและแอฟริกัน) ไม่มีเอนไซม์ย่อยแลคโตสในวัยผู้ใหญ่

ฟังผ่าน ๆ ดูน่าเชื่อ แต่อย่าลืมว่า แลคโตสไม่ได้อยู่ในชีสทุกชนิด และหลายคนที่แพ้นมกลับกินชีสแท้ ๆ จากวัวได้สบายมาก โดยเฉพาะชีสหมักระยะยาว เช่น พาร์เมซาน เชดดาร์ หรือกูด้า ที่แลคโตสแทบเป็นศูนย์ ซึ่งต่างจากชีสทางเลือกที่ผลิตด้วยกระบวนการเร่ง ที่ไม่ได้หมักตามธรรมชาติ

ดังนั้น วัวไม่ผิด แค่ถูกพูดถึงในบริบทที่เสียเปรียบ การกล่าวหานมวัวด้วยข้อมูลเรื่อง lactose intolerance โดยไม่พูดถึงชีส aged ที่ไม่มีแลคโตสเลย เป็นการจงใจเบี่ยงข้อมูลเพื่อสร้างอารมณ์ด้านลบต่อ dairy ทั้งระบบ

🧬Formo บอกว่า คนที่ย่อยแลคโตสได้ในวัยผู้ใหญ่คือ “ผู้กลายพันธุ์” เพราะธรรมชาติไม่ตั้งใจให้เราดื่มนมหลังหย่านม ฟังดูเหมือนเน้นธรรมชาติ แต่เฮียอยากถามว่า “ถ้าอย่างนั้นการสวมแว่น การกินวิตามิน การตั้งไฟหุงข้าว คือการฝืนธรรมชาติหมดเลยหรือเปล่า?” หรือจะหนักกว่านั้น ให้ย้ำไปเลยไหมว่า การกินวิตามินซี คือการทรยศต่อวิวัฒนาการ เพราะในยุคดึกดำบรรพ์มนุษย์เคยสังเคราะห์วิตามินซีได้เอง ก่อนที่ความสามารถนี้จะสูญสลายไปเพราะร่างกายเลือกใช้ ยูริก ที่มีประสิทธิภาพกว่า ดังนั้น การมองยีนที่วิวัฒนาการเพื่อย่อยแลคโตสเป็น “กลายพันธุ์ผิดธรรมชาติ” นั้นย้อนแย้งกับหลักการวิวัฒนาการเอง “ยีนย่อยแลคโตส” ไม่ใช่ความผิดปกติ

🥬 ในบทความยังแนะนำว่า เราสามารถได้แคลเซียมจากคะน้า บรอกโคลี และเต้าหู้ โดยไม่ต้องพึ่งนมวัว เฮียอยากให้ใจเย็นแล้วคิดแบบไม่อคติ จริงอยู่ ผักพวกนี้มีแคลเซียม แต่ปริมาณที่กินต่อครั้ง กินง่าย และการดูดซึม (Bioavailability) แตกต่างกันมาก แถมผักใบเขียวพวกนี้ยังมี oxalate สูง ซึ่งไปจับกับแคลเซียมแล้วร่างกายดูดซึมไม่ได้ นี่ยังไม่พูดถึงว่าเต้าหู้ในบทความเป็นแบบเต้าหู้แข็งที่ทำจากแคลเซียมซัลเฟต ซึ่งเป็นแคลเซียมสังเคราะห์ ไม่ใช่แหล่งแร่ธาตุตามธรรมชาติแบบในนมวัวอยู่ดี การเปรียบเทียบแคลเซียมจากผัก ก็ไม่ต่างกับการเปรียบเทียบกล้วยกับปลา มันคนละเรื่องกัน

💔 ชูเรื่องสิว หัวใจ มะเร็ง แบบไม่มีบริบท Formo ยังโยงว่าการดื่มนมวัวสัมพันธ์กับสิว ปัญหาผิว โรคหัวใจ ไปจนถึงมะเร็งบางชนิด ซึ่งเป็นข้อมูลที่เคยถูกพูดถึงในงานวิจัยบางกลุ่ม แต่ ไม่มีฉันทามติทางวิทยาศาสตร์ชัดเจน และส่วนใหญ่ปัจจัยที่เกี่ยวข้องมักจะเป็นอาหารแปรรูป น้ำตาลสูง หรืออาหาร ultra-processed dairy ไม่ใช่นมดิบหรือชีสแท้จากฟาร์มจริง

🧀 แล้วชีสจาก Formo มีดีจริงรึเปล่า ก็ต้องยอมรับว่าเทคโนโลยี precision fermentation ที่ใช้เชื้อรา (เช่น Aspergillus oryzae) ผลิตโปรตีนคล้ายเคซีนของ Formo นั้นล้ำและน่าสนใจในแง่วิทยาศาสตร์ แต่ในแง่ ความสมบูรณ์ทางโภชนาการและความใกล้ชิดธรรมชาติ ยังห่างจากชีสแท้ที่เกิดจากนมและจุลินทรีย์ตามธรรมชาติแบบหลายช่วงตัว ชีสแท้ ๆ มีจุลินทรีย์โพรไบโอติกส์ กรดไขมันสายสั้น และวิตามินจากหญ้า เช่น K2 ที่เกิดจากวัวที่เลี้ยงด้วย grass-fed ซึ่งทั้งหมดนี้ Formo ยังเลียนแบบไม่ได้ เทคโนโลยีชีสไร้วัวอาจดูสะอาดและควบคุมได้ดีในห้องแล็บ แต่ยังไม่ใช่ "อาหารตามธรรมชาติ" ที่ร่างกายรู้จักมาตลอดวิวัฒนาการ

Formo ใช้บทความ “Lactose, we need to talk” เป็นเหมือนการ “ตั้งวงซุบซิบนินทาวัว” อย่างมีชั้นเชิง ด้วยการเอาข้อเท็จจริงมาครึ่งหนึ่ง แล้วผสมกลิ่นอารมณ์และความรู้สึกผิดเข้าไปอีกครึ่งหนึ่ง จนกลายเป็นการเล่าเรื่องที่ดูจริงใจแต่ซ่อนความตั้งใจขายของอยู่ข้างใน

เฮียไม่มีสิทธิ์บอกว่า Formo ดีหรือไม่ดีนะครับ แม้นวัตกรรมแบบนี้อาจมีที่ยืนในโลกอนาคต ไม่ว่าเราจะเลือกได้หรือไม่ได้ก็ตาม แต่ในปัจจุบันในฐานะผู้บริโภค เราควรฝึกการมองตลาดด้วยสมองและสัญชาตญาณ ไม่ใช่แค่ตามกระแสที่โจมตีวัวในขณะที่ยกย่องแล็บ

โลกทุกวันนี้มักใช้วิธีนี้เช่นกันครับ มันเป็นวิธีเดิมๆ ที่ได้ผลเสมอ ดังนั้นปัญหาจึงไม่ได้อยู่ที่ว่าพวกเขาจะพูดด้านเดียวบ่อยแค่ไหน เพราะจุดประสงค์เขาคืออยากให้เราเชื่อ ปัญหาจึงอยู่ที่พวกเราต่างหาก ว่าสะสมความรู้ให้เพียงพอกับการรับมือการใช้สื่อ จากคนบางคนได้อย่างมีภูมิคุ้มกันแค่ไหน เพราะเกมส์นี้ก็ยังคงต้องดำเนินต่อไปจนกว่าการครอบครองตลาดจะสมบูรณ์ครับ ดังนั้น information attack ก็ยังคงดำเนินต่อไป ไม่ว่าจะด้านสารอาหาร การรักโลก หรือ สิ่งที่ทำให้หนักใจเสมอ แล้วมีความกดดันอย่างสูงนั่นคือ การลงมาเล่นด้าน จริยธรรม

คำถามที่สำคัญเหนือสิ่งใดคือ ทางรอดคืออะไร

ผมแนบต้นฉบับบทความนั้นมาให้ด้วยครับ ต้องยอมรับครับว่าเขียนได้ดีเลยและน่าคล้อยตามมากๆ อ่อ อ่านแล้วคุ้นๆไหมครับ ที่เฮียเคยเตือนว่า อย่าไปตั้งให้นมเป็นอาหารเทพนัก หลายๆส่วนระหว่างบรรทัด ก็ใช่ว่าจะไม่จริงไปเสียทั้งหมดนะครับ แค่บริบทโดยรวม มัน mislead ไปหน่อย

Lactose, we need to talk: The drama behind dairy’s hidden sugar

Cue the violins—it’s the classic love story with a tragic twist: us and dairy. We crave it, we drizzle it, we melt it, we scoop it. But hidden beneath that creamy, dreamy goodness? A troublemaker called lactose.

It might sound harmless, but for a lot of us, lactose is the culprit behind dairy’s not-so-pleasant side effects. In fact, the majority of the world’s population struggles to digest it properly.

So why do we keep chugging cow’s milk like it’s the elixir of life? And how did dairy become such a staple in our diets?

Grab your favorite cheese alternative (might we suggest Frischhain?) and join us for a deep dive into the world of lactose—what it is, why it matters, and how we are stepping in with our animal-free cheese to save the day.

“In a way, being able to chug a glass of milk without consequences is actually a genetic anomaly—one that we pretty much engineered ourselves over thousands of years.” The inside scoop: What’s LActose? Let’s start with the basics. Lactose is the natural sugar found in dairy milk—a built-in sweetener, if you will. But here’s the twist: your body needs a special enzyme called lactase to break it down. Without enough lactase, lactose turns into the life of the digestion-party you didn’t RSVP to: bloating, cramps, and a whole lot of regret.

As infants, our bodies produce plenty of lactase to digest breast milk. But for most of us, that enzyme naturally switches off once we grow into adulthood. In fact, until just a few thousand years ago, lactose intolerance (or “lactase nonpersistence”) was the norm for all adults.

Lactose Tolerance: A genetic Mutation Still today, nearly 70% of the global population are actually lactose intolerant—so, a heck of a lot of people. In certain regions, like East Asia and Africa, that number shoots up to almost 100%. But then, there’s a select few of us who can drink dairy milk without any drama. How’s that possible?

Well, here’s where it gets interesting. The ability to digest lactose as adults—also known as “lactase persistence”—isn’t evenly spread across the globe. Instead, it’s much more common in certain populations—specifically, those with a long history of dairying. Over 10,000 years ago, some humans began herding cows and drinking their milk, eventually triggering a genetic mutation that allowed them to keep producing lactase into adulthood. This trait is especially common in Northern Europe, for instance in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, where dairy farming has been a way of life for millennia.

It may sound weird, but essentially, some populations forced their own evolution by consuming a whole lot of dairy. That’s right. In a way, being able to chug a glass of milk without consequences is actually a genetic anomaly—one that we pretty much engineered ourselves over thousands of years.

The Dairy dilemma: why drink milk from cows? When you really stop and think about it, the need for this genetic mutation kind of makes sense—because, well, we’re not baby cows.

Just like human breast milk is designed to nourish human babies, cow’s milk is specifically made to take a tiny calf and turn it into a full-grown, 500-kilo cow—fast. It’s packed with nutrients meant to help calves double their birth weight in just a couple of months and pack on hundreds of kilos in their first year.

And yet, here we are, well past weaning age, still reaching for a glass of milk—and not just any milk, but milk from an entirely different species. Yeah… kinda weird, huh?

Wait… Do we even need Dairy milk? Remember those food pyramids we all grew up with—the ones that taught us that milk = calcium = strong bones? Well, here’s the interesting part: while we’ve been led to believe that dairy is the ultimate source of calcium, we can actually absorb up to twice as much calcium from leafy greens like kale and bok choy or from broccoli than from milk. Plus, other plant-based sources like firm tofu, fortified plant milks, and fortified juices have plenty of calcium, too.

And here’s the real kicker: more milk doesn’t always mean stronger bones. In fact, several recent studies suggest that high dairy consumption may actually increase the risk of fractures—especially in women. Who saw that coming?

Oh, and while we were all chugging milk to “build strong bones,” no one mentioned the extra ingredients tagging along—cholesterol, antibiotics, growth hormones… and who knows what else.

Some not-so-lovely side effects Alright, let’s get real for a moment. Dairy isn’t just a digestion bummer for many—it can be linked to serious health risks:

Heart Disease & High Cholesterol: Dairy is loaded with saturated fat, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. Increased Cancer Risk: High dairy intake has been tied to higher risks of liver, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Skin Woes: Acne, eczema, and premature aging can be unwelcome side effects of dairy consumption. Dairy has been marketed as a universal health food for decades, yet its consumption patterns have been shaped more by industry influence than genuine nutritional necessity. Lactose intolerance isn’t a niche issue—it’s a reminder that our dietary norms are far from one-size-fits-all.

Beyond lactose: The ripple effects of dairy But avoiding dairy isn’t just about avoiding an upset stomach—it’s about the planet and the animals, too. Dairy farming uses a staggering amount of water and land, and the industry is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention, billions of cows suffer day in, day out, just so we can drink their milk.

And, while we’re at it, let’s bust a myth real quick. That comforting little story about how somehow, we’re “doing cows a favor” by milking them constantly—because otherwise, they’d explode or something? Well…that’s not exactly how it works. Like humans, cows don’t just produce milk on command. They only lactate after giving birth, and in the dairy industry, that’s usually after forcible artificial insemination. Mother and baby are separated almost immediately, and the male calves? They’re either sent to the veal industry or killed right away as surplus.

Cows aren’t built to be milked non-stop, and the constant milking can cause serious health problems, like mastitis (a painful udder infection), lameness, and other injuries.

So yeah—not exactly the family-friendly scenes you might imagine.

“Our mission goes beyond creating tasty alternatives—we’re envisioning a future where indulgence doesn’t come at the expense of animals or the planet.” The frischhain twist: animal-free, lactose-free, problem-free Let’s face it: traditional dairy has a lot of baggage. But breaking up with lactose doesn’t mean giving up on cheese*alternatives. That’s where we come in.

Our animal-free cheese is crafted without cows, using cutting-edge microfermentation to produce Koji protein—closely resembling traditional whey proteins. The result? Delicious cheese*alternatives that’s better for your tummy, your health, and the planet.

No more bloating. No more stomach aches. Just cheesy*alternative goodness—guilt-free.

What’s more, each pack of our cream cheese alternative Frischhain packs 10.9g of protein, saves 1.2kg of CO2 emissions, and uses far less water and land. If that’s not reason enough to give it a go, we’re not sure what is!

why cutting down on dairy is a win for everyone Look, even if you’re not lactose intolerant, switching to animal-free dairy has major perks:

Happy Digestion: Dairy-free options make digestion smoother and help prevent bloating, discomfort, and even energy crashes. Better Skin & Hormones: Going dairy-free can improve skin clarity, reduce inflammation, and balance hormones. Planet-Friendly: Ditching dairy helps reduce excessive water use, land destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. It’s an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Cruelty-Free: Supporting dairy alternatives means less harm to animals, especially the billions of cows in factory farms the future of dairy: diverse, delicious, and dairy-free One of the most exciting aspects of shifting away from traditional dairy is the sheer diversity of alternatives. From fermented nut cheeses to innovative proteins made with micro fermentation, the industry is moving beyond simple substitutions and into entirely new taste and texture experiences. Lactose-free options have never been more delicious or more readily available. And the best part? They’re made for humans, not cows.

Our mission goes beyond creating tasty alternatives—we’re envisioning a future where indulgence doesn’t come at the expense of animals or the planet. So, whether you’re lactose-intolerant, eco-conscious, or just obsessed with really good cheesealternatives, why not give our cow-free cheesealternative a try? The future of dairy is here—and it’s deliciously dairy-free.

#pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก #siamstr

@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee

gm, just zap on AFK using Starknet cross-swap ;)

MVP here but new version is coming https://afk-community.xyz

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

GA, plebs. The latest episode of Bitcoin And is out, and, as always, the chicanery is running rampant. Let’s break down the biggest topics I covered, and if you want the full, unfiltered rant, make sure to listen to the episode linked below.

House Democrats’ MEME Act: A Bad Joke?

House Democrats are proposing a bill to ban presidential meme coins, clearly aimed at Trump’s and Melania’s ill-advised token launches. While grifters launching meme coins is bad, this bill is just as ridiculous. If this legislation moves forward, expect a retaliatory strike exposing how politicians like Pelosi and Warren mysteriously amassed their fortunes. Will it pass? Doubtful. But it’s another sign of the government’s obsession with regulating everything except itself.

Senate Banking’s First Digital Asset Hearing: The Real Target Is You

Cynthia Lummis chaired the first digital asset hearing, and—surprise!—it was all about control. The discussion centered on stablecoins, AML, and KYC regulations, with witnesses suggesting Orwellian measures like freezing stablecoin transactions unless pre-approved by authorities. What was barely mentioned? Bitcoin. They want full oversight of stablecoins, which is really about controlling financial freedom. Expect more nonsense targeting self-custody wallets under the guise of stopping “bad actors.”

Bank of America and PayPal Want In on Stablecoins

Bank of America’s CEO openly stated they’ll launch a stablecoin as soon as regulation allows. Meanwhile, PayPal’s CEO paid for a hat using Bitcoin—not their own stablecoin, Pi USD. Why wouldn’t he use his own product? Maybe he knows stablecoins aren’t what they’re hyped up to be. Either way, the legacy financial system is gearing up to flood the market with stablecoins, not because they love crypto, but because it’s a tool to extend U.S. dollar dominance.

MetaPlanet Buys the Dip

Japan’s MetaPlanet issued $13.4M in bonds to buy more Bitcoin, proving once again that institutions see the writing on the wall. Unlike U.S. regulators who obsess over stablecoins, some companies are actually stacking sats.

UK Expands Crypto Seizure Powers

Across the pond, the UK government is pushing legislation to make it easier to seize and destroy crypto linked to criminal activity. While they frame it as going after the bad guys, it’s another move toward centralized control and financial surveillance.

Bitcoin Tools & Tech: Arc, SatoChip, and Nunchuk

Some bullish Bitcoin developments: ARC v0.5 is making Bitcoin’s second layer more efficient, SatoChip now supports Taproot and Nostr, and Nunchuk launched a group wallet with chat, making multisig collaboration easier.

The Bottom Line

The state is coming for financial privacy and control, and stablecoins are their weapon of choice. Bitcoiners need to stay focused, keep their coins in self-custody, and build out parallel systems. Expect more regulatory attacks, but don’t let them distract you—just keep stacking and transacting in ways they can’t control.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://fountain.fm/episode/PYITCo18AJnsEkKLz2Ks

💰 Support the show by boosting sats on Podcasting 2.0! and I will see you on the other side.

@ 119356ac:740a8b90

► Video Tools

• 🌐 Digital Video Intro - Digital Video Guides / Resources
• ↪️ AI Video Generators
• ⭐ Reincubate Camo - Use Any Camera as Webcam
• Deep-Live-Cam, Rope, SimSwap or Roop - Video Face Swap Tools
• VideoHelp Forum - All Things Media / Video
• ICAT - Video Quality Comparison & Analysis Tool
• videoduplicatefinder - Duplicate Video Finder
• VHS Decode - VHS Decoder
• VidClue - Short Form Video Inspiration

---

▷ Disc Utilities

• ImgBurn, DVDStyler, DeepBurner or Alcohol Soft - CD / DVD Burning
• MakeMKV - Create MKV From Blu-ray / DVD / Beta Keys
• VidCoder or DVDDecrypter - DVD / Blu-ray Ripping
• DGDemux - Blu-Ray/UHD Disk Demuxer
• PgcDemux - DVD Disk Demuxer
• BatchGuy - Blu-Ray Ripping

---

▷ Video File Hosts

• Note - Most file hosts remove files after inactivity, while some delete them regardless. Check each host if you're concerned about file expiry.

---

• ⭐ DoodStream - 5GB / 60 Days / Account Required
• ⭐ Litterbox - 1GB / 3 Days
• ⭐ Catbox - 200MB / Forever / Allows Hotlinking
• ⭐ Gofile - 100GB Monthly / 10 Days
• ⭐ Send.now - Unlimited / 30 Days
• Files.vc - Unlimited / 10GB / Forever / Discord
• VOE - Unlimited / 60 Days / 720p / Account Required
• MixDrop - Unlimited / 60 Days / 720p / Account Required
• FEX.NET - 100GB / 10GB Guest / 7 Days
• FileMoon, 2, 3 - 50GB / 40TB per account / Forever / Account Required
• Hexupload or AnonTransfer - 15GB / 30 Days
• Fastupload.io - 10GB / 30 Days (60 Days with Account)
• Vidoza - 15GB / 15 Days / Account Required
• Streamtape - 15GB / Account Required / .to
• Dubz - 100MB / Forever
• EarnVids
• Streamable - 250MB / 2 Days (90 Days with Account)
• uguu - 128MB / 3 Hours
• webmshare - WebM & GIF Hosting / 20MB / Forever
• Videy - 100MB / MP4 Only

---

▷ Screen Recording

• ⭐ OBS
• gifcap - Turn Screencasts into GIFs / GitHub
• Shinobi - Network Video Recorder
• MythTV - Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
• tldv or ZoomRec - Record Google Meets / Zoom Calls
• FFmpeg / Tools
• Vileo
• ShareX
• Screen Recorder
• vokoscreenNG
• Cap / GitHub
• Shar.ec - Online
• ScreenREC - Online
• ScreenRecorder.me - Online
• KazCap - Online
• RecordScreen - Online
• Google Screen Recorder - Online

---

▷ Processing / Encoding

• ⭐ HandBrake - Video Encoding Software / Guide
• ⭐ FFmpeg - Multimedia Processors / Converters / Tools
• ⭐ Shutter Encoder - Video Encoding Software / GitHub
• ⭐ MKVToolNix - MKV Editing Tools
• ⭐ archived-things, The Encoding Guide or Silentaperture - Video Encoding Guides
• ⭐ Disc Rip - Disc Ripping Guide / Mirror
• ⭐ Basics to the Art of Remuxing - Learn How to Remux Videos
• DDVT - Dolby Vision RPU Demuxing / Injecting / Editing
• MKV Muxing Batch GUI - Mux Videos
• staxrip - Video Encoding / Contact Sheet + Thumbnails Creator
• IFME - Video Encoding
• XMedia Recode - Video Conversion
• FastFlix - Video Conversion / GitHub
• NEAV1E or Av1an - AV1 Encoding
• Winnydows - Video Conversion Software
• sickbeard_mp4_automator - Automate Video Processing
• Seven Converter - Video Conversion / GitHub
• nmkoder - Media Encoding / Muxing
• selur - Video Encoding
• vvenc, vvdec or VVCEasy - VVC Encode / Decode
• Ingex - Tapeless (Uncompressed) Recording / Digital Tape Converter

---

▷ Online Processing

• Compress Video Online - Compress / Unlimited
• 8mb.video - Compress / 2GB
• autocompressor - Compress / 2GB
• Rotato - Compress / 2GB
• VideoSmaller - Compress / 500MB
• YouCompress - Compress / 500MB
• MP4Compress - Compress / 500MB
• VERT - Converter / Discord / GitHub
• Video Express Converter
• VideoConverter - Converter
• Restream Tools - Converter

---

▷ FFmpeg Tools

• FFmpeg-Builds or media-autobuild_suite - Autobuild Tools
• ffmpeg-web - FFmpeg Web App / GitHub
• FFmpeg Libav or ffmprovisr - FFmpeg Guides
• ASM Lessons - FFmpeg Assembly Language Lessons
• FFmpeg Cheat Sheet, FFmpeg Commander or FFmpeg Buddy - Command Lists
• WebMConverter - WebM Converter
• PureMPV - Info Copy Tool
• ffmpeg.lav - Preview Filters
• LLmpeg or idli - AI Commands
• FFmpeg Batch - Bulk Conversion Tools

---

▷ Live Streaming

• 🌐 Awesome Streaming or StreamerFreebies - Live Streaming Resources
• ⭐ OBS - Live Stream Manager
• ⭐ OBS Tools - Virtual Cam / Tweaks / Effects / Keyboard Visualiser / Background Remover / Web App / Phone Controller / Dock Layouts / WebRTC Server / Plugin Updater / Guide
• Stream Elements - Streaming Service Manager
• Streamlabs-OBS - Live Stream Manager
• StreamLabs - Live Stream Manager
• Restream - Live Stream Manager
• FBX - Live Stream Manager
• XSplit - Live Stream Manager
• TwitchChat - Live Stream Manager / Discord
• VDO Ninja - Live Stream Colab Tool
• LiveStreamDVR / Display Chat - Live Stream Recorders
• NVIDIA Broadcast - Stream Audio / Video Enhancer
• Owncast or Restreamer - Self-Hosted Live Streaming
• WDFlat - Stream Elements
• Twelve47Studios - Stream Overlays
• Strem - Stream Automation
• ppInk, glnk, Annotate Screen or Live Draw - Screen Annotation
• Amuse or Songify - Now Playing Overlays
• StreamPi or ODeck - ElGato Streamdeck Alternatives
• real-url - Copy Live Stream URLs
• Chat-Downloader - Retrieve Chat Messages from Livestreams

---

▷ VTuber Tools

• 🌐 Runa's Archive - VTuber Resources / Discord
• Best VTuber - VTuber Resources
• VTResources - VTuber Resources
• VTuber Assets - VTuber Resources
• VTuber Kit - VTuber App
• Inochi2D - VTuber App / Discord
• Vtube Studio - VTuber App
• Kalidoface 3D, VRoid, Animaze or TransTube - VTuber Characters
• avatarify-python or veadotube - Video Call Avatars
• VTuberized Logos - VTuber Style Logos

---

▷ Subtitle Tools

---

▷ Linux Video Tools

---

▷ Mac Video Tools

---

► Video Players

• 🌐 Awesome Video - Video Streaming Resources
• 🌐 Video Help - Video Player Index
• ⭐ MPC-HC, MPC-QT or MPC-BE - Video Player / YT-DL Support
• ⭐ MPV - Video Player / Frontends
• ⭐ VLC - Video Player
• Screenbox - Video Player
• AVPlayer, ICAT or GridPlayer - Multi-Video Players
• SPlayer - Video Player with Smart Translation
• PotPlayer - Video Player / Twitch Addon / YouTube Addon
• ImPlay - Video Player
• SMPlayer / 2 - Video Player / YouTube
• uView - Video Player
• Rise Media Player - Video Player
• Flyleaf - Video Player
• MoonPlayer - Video Player
• KikoPlay - Video Player
• Plyr - Online HTML5, YouTube and Vimeo Player / GitHub
• PiP-Tool - Use Picture-in-Picture on All Videos
• PlayVideo - Google Drive Video Player
• MotionMonkey - Stream Online Videos in Player
• StreamLink - Extract Videos from Sites to Players / Twitch Adblock / GitHub
• Hohoema - Nico Nico Video Player
• polsy.org.uk - Alt Players for Video Sites

---

▷ Stream Sync

• ⭐ SyncPlay - App
• ⭐ Watch2Gether - Online Player
• ⭐ SyncWatch - Online Extension
• ⭐ Kosmi - Online Player
• ⭐ WatchParty - Online / Virtual Browser
• ⭐ neko / GitHub - Docker Virtual Browser
• HyperBeam / VIP - Virtual Computer Embed
• Trast, OpenTogetherTube, TurtleTV or twoseven - Online Player
• bear.cat - Online Virtual Machine / Allows NSFW
• Metastream - Online Extension / Discord / GitHub / X
• Caracal Club - Online Video Player
• CyTube - Online Video Player
• VideoTogether - App
• baked.live - Online Video Player
• Rave.io - Online Extension
• MovieNight / Discord - Docker
• Kast - Screen Share
• Screen Share Party - Online Screen Share

---

▷ MPV Tools

• ↪️ MPV Shaders
• MPV Config Guide, 2, 3
• ModernX, tethys or uosc - Alt User Interfaces
• Simple MPV WebUI - WebUI Controller
• MPV Context Menu
• MPV Scripts - Userscripts
• VideoClip, 2 - Clip Tool
• MPV WebM - WebM Tool
• Play With MPV or ff2mpv - Open Videos with MPV
• MPV WebTorrent Hook - Torrent Streaming
• AutoSubSync MPV - Sub Sync
• MPV SponsorBlock, 2 - SponsorBlock for MPV
• ThumbFast - MPV Thumbnails

---

▷ VLC Tools

• 🌐 Awesome VLC - VLC Resources
• VLSub - Sub Downloader
• VLC Skin - VLC Skins
• VLC Slow Seek Fix

---

► Media Servers

• 🌐 Auto Download Tool Index
• ⭐ Jellyfin - Media Server
• ⭐ Kodi - Media Server
• TRaSH Guides / Discord or The Complete Guide - Server Setup Guides
• Self-hosted Anime - Anime Server Setup Guides
• Prowlarr, FlexGet or /r/softwarr - Autodownload Tools
• Organizr, Reiverr or Homarr - Media Server Managers
• Fixarr - Media Server File Renamer
• HTPC Download Box - Media Server Automation
• Emby - Media Server
• Plex - Media Server
• Universal Media Server - Media Server
• OSMC - Media Server
• Kawaii-Player - Media Server
• Streama - Media Server
• Gerbera - Media Server
• Homehost - Media Server
• Dim - Media Server
• Kyoo - Media Server
• WatchIt / GitHub / Discord - Media Server
• SimpleDLNA - Media Server
• Chocolate - Media Server
• Media-Hoarder - Media Catalog Frontend
• Seanime - Anime Server
• Frames - Google Drive Server
• HTPC - Home Theater PC guides / Subreddit
• MSX - Web App
• ErsatzTV or dizqueTV - Live Channel Media Servers
• YTDL-Sub - Add YouTube Channels to Media Servers / GitHub
• xTeVe - Plex / Emby M3U Proxy
• Ombi - Plex / Emby User Request Management

---

▷ Plex Tools

• Reddit Guide - Plex Setup Guides
• Tautulli - Server Monitor / Note
• SuperPlex - Plex Plugins
• Kitana - Plugin Frontend
• Plex Ripper - Merge Plex Libraries w/ Your Own
• PlexDrive or mergerfs - Mount Google Drive
• SyncLounce - Media Sync
• PseudoTV - Create TV Channels
• Overseerr - User Requests / IMDb Extension
• Pasta Tool - Audio / Sub Changer

---

▷ Jellyfin Tools

• 🌐 Awesome Jellyfin - Jellyfin Resources
• ⭐ Blink, Fladder or jellyfin-media-player - Desktop Clients
• /r/JellyfinShare - Jellyfin Server Sharing
• Jellyfin Forum - Official Jellyfin Forum
• Jellyfin Vue - Jellyfin Web Client
• Jellyfin "arr" Setup Guide
• Jellyfin Customization Guide
• Jellyfin Themes
• Jellyseerr - User Requests
• Jellyfin RPC - Jellyfin Discord Rich Presence

---

▷ Kodi Tools

• ⭐ Elementum - Torrent Streaming / Trakt Sync / Similar to Stremio + Torrentio
• EverythingKodi - Kodi Addon Tutorials
• Kodi Builds Chart
• /r/Addons4Kodi / Tracker / Trending - Kodi Addons
• Kodi Skins or WIP Skins - Kodi Skins
• Synko - Kodi Stream Sync
• Plex Kodi Connect or plex-for-kodi - Plex for Kodi
• quasar - Torrent Plugin
• IPTV Client
• Simkl - Media Tracker
• tinyMediaManager or MediaElch - Media Collection Managers

---

► Video Download

• ↪️ YouTube Video Downloaders
• ↪️ Twitch Video Downloaders
• ↪️ Download Managers
• ⭐ yt-dlp or YTDL-PATCHED - Multi-Site / Commands / Zoom Fix / Discord
• ⭐ cobalt - Multi-Site / Online / Instances / Playlist Support, 2
• ⭐ 9xbuddy, 2, 3 - Multi-Site / Online
• ⭐ Download Helper, FetchV or MPMux - Extensions
• CD(R)M-Project - DRM Tools / Discord
• VideoFK - Multi-Site / Online
• you-get - Multi-Site / CLI
• Hitomi Downloader - Multi-Site / Software
• SCrawler - Multi-Site / Software / Discord
• Musvkrobot - Multi-Site / Telegram Bot
• myfaveTT, SnapTik or tiktok-to-ytdlp - TikTok
• Threads Downloader - Threads
• Piner - Pinterest / Online
• hls-downloader, hls extension or hlsloader - HLS Downloaders
• GetWVKeys - Send Widevine Requests / GitHub

---

► Video Editing

• ⭐ /r/VideoEditing - Video Editing Subreddit / Wiki
• ⭐ Eyecandy - Visual Technique Examples
• ⭐ Waifu2x GUI, Video2x, Enhancr, Lossless Scaling or Dandere2x - Video Upscaling
• Codecs and Containers - Info on Codecs & Containers
• ALF FreeWare VideoCODECs, Codec Guide or Free-Codecs - Video Codec Collections
• VideoHelp Forum - Video Editing Forums

---

▷ Video Editors

• ⭐ LosslessCut - Video Editor
• ⭐ kdenlive - Video Editor / GitHub
• ⭐ DaVinci Resolve - Video Editor / Sign-Up Required
• ⭐ Shotcut - Video Editor
• Auto-Editor - CLI Editor
• MoviePy - Python Editor
• Webm Generator - Webm Editor
• avisynth or VapourSynth - Video Processors
• Source Filmmaker - Steam Movie-Making Tool / Resources
• OpenRV - Image / Sequence Playback Review
• Remotion - Video Editor
• Olive - Video Editor
• EZVid - Video Editor
• OpenShot - Video Editor
• Lightworks - Video Editor
• VSDC - Video Editor
• Pitivi - Video Editor
• Visla - Video Editor
• Windows Movie Maker, 2, 3 - Video Editor
• Avidemux - Cut / Filter / Encode
• suckless-cut or vidcutter - Cut / Trim Videos
• Opus - Clip Creator
• Kurku or FreeMoCap - Motion Tracking Tools
• VSeeFace - Face / Hand Tracking VRM

---

▷ Online Editors

• ⭐ wide.video - Discord
• ⭐ Pikimov - Use Edge or Chrome
• ⭐ Mastershot - Sign-Up Required
• VideoToolbox - Sign-Up Required
• VideoInu - Works Offline
• Panzoid
• vidmix
• Video Cutter
• Omniclip - GitHub / Discord
• Vididoo - Multitool
• VideoCandy - Multitool
• Video2Edit - Multitool
• Crop Video - Crop Videos
• LoopVid - Loop Videos
• Crossfade - Video / Audio Crossfading
• VidLouder - Increase Video Volume
• Convert2Video - Image / Audio to Video

---

▷ Video Enhancement / Effects

• Video Enhance AI - Video Enhancement Tool / Search "Topaz" on LR
• Gyroflow - Video Stabilization / GitHub
• Flowframes / Beta or SVP / Guide - Video Interpolation / Increase FPS
• VideoColorizerColab - Video Colorization Colab
• OpenColorIO - Video Color Manager
• FreshLUTs - Free LUTs (Color Filters)
• blur or Smoothie - Add Motion Blur to Videos / Tutorial
• ProPainter - Video Inpainting

---

▷ VFX Sites

• FootageCrate
• FreeVideoEffect
• VideoCoPilot
• VFXmed
• Team V.R releases
• flex_cg_vfx
• VFXLoot
• Download Pirate - Use Adblock / Avoid Fake Download Buttons / Discord
• ShareAE - After Effects
• HunterAE - After Effects
• Visual Effects Pack - After Effects
• AERiver - After Effects
• AEDownloadPro - After Effects
• Intro HD - After Effects

---

▷ Animation Tools

• 🌐 Creator Resources - Art & Animation Resource Index
• ⭐ Unreal Engine, MoonRay, cgsoftbox, SketchUp or Twinmotion - 3D Creation Tools
• ⭐ Immersity AI - 2D Image to 3D Animation Tool
• OpenToonz, Wick Editor, Clipnote Studio or Pencil2D - Animation Tools
• Animaker - Animated Video Creator
• 3DThis - 3D Animation Tools
• Mega Scans - 3D Scans
• Mixer - 3D Texture Creation Tool
• PlanetSide - CG Environment Generator
• cgplugdump - CG Software Plugins
• Physically Based - RGB Values of Elements
• AnimeEffects, enve, Cavalry, TupiTube or Synfig - 2D Animation Tools
• ScribbleDiffusion - Turn Doodles into Artwork
• MonsterMash - Sketch-Based Modeling & Animation Tool
• Storyboarder - Quickly Visualize & Test Animations / GitHub
• LuxCoreRender - Rendering Engine
• RenderChan - 2D Animation Render Manager
• Mandelbulber or FragM - Fractal Rendering Software / 3D
• JWildfire, IFSRenderer or Fractorium - Flame Fractal Rendering Software
• BestSnip, Sketch Machine, Plask or Rive - Online Animation Tools
• Glaxnimate or Trangram - Vector Animation Tools
• LibreSprite, GraphicsGale, Pixel Compresor, JPixel, Aseprite / Guide or SpookyGhost - Pixel Art Animation Tools
• Spritesheet Generator - Spritesheet Generator / Gitea
• Animated Drawings, FAIR Animated Drawings or MotorPen - Animate Drawings
• FlipAnim - Create Animated Flipbooks
• Viggle / Discord or Picrew - Animated Character Creators
• Mixamo or Cascadeur - 3D Character Animation Tools
• MMHuman3D - 3D Human Model Creator
• Talking Face Avatar - Talking Avatar Generator
• Blender Open Movies - CGI Assets

---

▷ Stock Videos

• 🌐 Awesome Stock Resources or CuteStockFootage - Stock Video Indexes
• Pexels - Stock Videos
• 4K Media - 4K Stock Videos
• Dareful - 4K Stock Videos
• Monzoom - 4K Stock Videos
• BeachFrontBroll - Stock Videos
• Videvo - Stock Videos
• veed.io - Stock Videos
• VidsPlay - Stock Videos
• MitchMartinez - Stock Videos
• MixKit - Stock Videos
• ineedfx - Stock Videos
• MotionPlaces - Worldwide Stock Videos
• DroneStock - Drone Video Footage
• MovieTools - Video Loops

@ 119356ac:740a8b90

► Text Tools

• ↪️ Image to Text
• ↪️ Text to Speech
• ↪️ Study / Research
• ↪️ Data Visualization
• ⭐ TextCleanr, Text Mechanic, TextFixer, OnlineTextTools, Convert Case, TextCleaner, SortMyList or The Alphabetizer - Organize / Format Text
• OpenPaper, papis, PaperMerge, Paperless-ngx / Doc Analyzer or DataShare - Document Managers
• SmartDoc - Document Analyzer
• diffr, Diffchecker, TextCompare, Text-Compare, OnlineTextCompare, CompareText or DiffNow - Compare Text
• Count Duplicates or DuplicateWord - Count / Remove Duplicates in a List
• WindowTextExtractor - Extract Text From Any Window
• Textify - Copy Text from Any Dialog
• BeefText - Text Substitution Tool
• Scanner or NAPS2 - Scanner Apps / GitHub
• Calligrapher.ai, Text to Handwriting, texttohandwriting or HandWrittner - Text to Handwriting Converters
• StegCloak - Hide Messages in Text
• telescopictext - Write Text Within Text
• quipqiup or dCode - Cryptogram Solvers
• DocuSeal - Free Document Signing
• TemplateLab or FreePrintables - Free Document Templates

---

▷ Pastebins

• 🌐 PrivateBin Instances
• ⭐ Rentry, 2 - Markdown Support / CLI / Styling
• ⭐ GitHub Gists - Multi-Syntax / Account Needed
• ⭐ pastes.dev - Multi-Syntax / Markdown Support / GitHub
• ⭐ PrivateBin, 2 - Markdown Support / Syntax Highlighting / GitHub
• ⭐ Katbin - Plain Text / GitHub
• snowbin, 2 - Markdown Support / GitHub
• Text.is - Markdown Support / Rentry Clone
• Stellular, 2, 3 - Markdown Support
• bpa.st - Multi-Syntax / Markdown Support
• dpaste - Multi-Syntax / Markdown Support / GitHub
• cryptgeon - Single View / Plain Text / GitHub
• Paste.ee - Multi-Syntax / Markdown Support
• pst.moe - Multi-Syntax / Markdown Support / Source
• dpaste.com - Multi-Syntax / Markdown Support
• Pastebin.com - Multi-Syntax
• pastebin.pl - Multi-Syntax
• CentOS Pastebin - Multi-Syntax
• Microbin - Multi-Syntax
• snippet.host - Multi-Syntax
• ProtectedText - Multi-Tab
• bin - Minimal Pastebin
• txt.fyi - Markdown Pastebin
• MarkdownPastebin - Markdown Support
• Sparked Paste - Plain Text / Syntax Highlighting
• Riseup Pad - WYSIWYG Pastebin
• WriteXO - WYSIWYG Pastebin

---

▷ Translators

• Note - Chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude can also translate text, and are sometimes better than the ones listed below.

---

• ⭐ DeepLX or DeepL - AI-Based
• ⭐ Kagi Translate, Google Translate / Extension, Lingva Translate or GTranslate / API - Translation Sites
• ⭐ /r/Translator - Translation Request Community
• ⭐ Translate Web Pages - Browser Extension
• Argos - Translation Apps
• Translate Shell - Translation CLI / GitHub
• OnlineDocTranslator - Document Translator
• Matecat - Online Translation Editor
• LingoJam - Create Translator
• Renpy Translator or Renpy Editor - Ren'py Automatic Translator / Editor
• Translator++ - Automatic Translator / Editor
• Eazypo or Poedit - Translation Editor
• OmegaT - Translation Memory Tool
• Morsecode World or MorseDecoder - Morse Code / Binary Translators
• Emojify - Emojify Text
• Simple Translate - Browser Extension
• Linguist Translator - Browser Extension
• ImTranslator - Browser Extension
• Papago
• Libretranslate / 2
• ImmersiveTranslate / Extension
• Translate.com
• MyMemory
• Nice Translator
• Yandex Translator
• Bing Translator
• Reverso
• babelfish
• translation2
• collinsdictionary
• translatedict
• Translator.eu
• Textractor - Game / Visual Novel Translator

---

▷ Audio Transcription

• 🌐 ASR Leaderboard - Speech to Text Leaderboard
• Whisper - Audio Transcription / WebUI, 2
• mp4grep - MP4 File Transcription Tool
• SpeechTexter, VoiceToText, Dictation, oTranscribe or TalkTyper - Browser-Based Speech-To-Text Tools
• Revoldiv or Turboscribe - AI-Based Transcriptions
• Vibe - Audio Transcription Software
• Buzz - Audio Transcription Tool
• WhisperX - Audio Transcription Tool
• SpeechNotes - Speech Recognition Notes App
• LilySpeech - Fast Voice-To-Text Software
• VoiceNotebook - Speech Transcription Notebook

---

▷ Encode / Decode

• 🌐 DecodeUnicode - Unicode Decoding Database
• ⭐ CyberChef - Encode / Decode Text / GitHub
• ⭐ Base64 Decode or Base64 Editor - Encode / Decode Base64
• ⭐ Auto Decoder - Auto-Decode B64 Links on Pastebins
• Ciphey - Automated Decryption Tool
• Universal Encoding Tool - Encode / Convert Text
• cryptii or DenCode - Text / URL Encoding
• Coder - Text / File / URL Encoding
• Online Tools - Text / URL Encoding and Decoding
• URL Decode / Encode - URL Encoding / Decoding
• Base64 Repair - Fix Broken Base64
• Base64 Extensions - Chrome, 2, 3 / Firefox

---

▷ Grammar Check

• Note - Most chatbots in the AI section can also check grammar.

---

• ⭐ LanguageTool
• Writing Tools - Desktop App
• DeepL Write
• QuillBot
• Scribens
• EditGPT - Sign-Up Required
• Grammarly - Sign-Up Required / Extension
• ProWritingAid - Sign-Up Required
• Outwrite - Sign-Up Required

---

▷ Text Rephrasing

• ⭐ QuillBot AI or Rewritify - AI-Enhanced Text Rephrasing
• ⭐ Paraphrasetool or Rephrasely - AI Text Rephrasing / Generation
• ⭐ Goblin.tools - Transform Text with Spiciness Levels
• Paraphraser - Multilingual Text Rephrasing
• Paraphrase-Online, Paraphrasingtool, Henshu or WriteFull - Versatile Text Rewriting

---

▷ Emoji Indexes

• ⭐ Emojipedia, EmojiDB, Slackmojis, Emoji Picker or EmojiBatch - Emoji Indexes
• Emoji Engine - Multilingual Emoji Search
• winMoji - Emoji Managers
• EmojiRequests - Custom User-Made Emojis
• Cult of the Party Parrot - Party Parrot Emojis
• Pepe Server Archive - Pepe Emojis

---

▷ Unicode Characters

• ⭐ Amp What
• CopyChar
• Unicode Table
• Unicode Explorer
• Character Map
• Unifoundry
• Cool Symbol
• emotes.io, CuteSymbols, 2 or GetSymbol / 2 - Copy Unicode Emotes

---

▷ Typing Lessons

• ⭐ Monkeytype - Customizable Typing Tests / Discord / GitHub
• Typing Guide - In-Depth Typing Guide
• Typing.io - Typing Practice for Programming / Sign-Up Required
• Typ.ing, Typings or typing.works - Typing Tests
• keybr - Typing Practice
• CyberType - Typing Practice
• Typing.com - Typing Lessons
• Typing Club - Touch Typing Lessons
• typing.academy - Typing Lessons / Requires JavaScript Enabled
• TypeRacer, ZType, TypeRush or ARRRType - Typing Games
• NGram Type, KeyZen MAB or Keyzen Colmak - Touch Typing Tests
• TypeLit.io or Entertrained - Book Typing Tests
• Colemak Academy - Alt / Custom Keyboard Tests
• TypingStudy or TypeFast - Multilingual Typing Tests
• 10fastfingers - Typing Competitions

---

► Text Editors

• 🌐 List of Text Editors - Text Editor / Notepad Index
• ↪️ Android Text Editor
• ↪️ Code Editors / IDEs
• ↪️ Markdown Editors
• ⭐ Notepad++ / GitHub or NotepadNext - Notepad & Code Editor / Markdown
• EncryptPad - Encrypted Text Editor / GitHub
• Notepads - Text Editor / GitHub
• FastNotes - Text Editor / GitHub
• Kompad - Text Editor / GitHub
• Sublime Text - Text Editor / Patcher / Package Manager
• Zim Wiki - Wiki Text Editor
• tomboy-ng - TomBoy-Based Text Editor

---

▷ Note-Taking

• ↪️ Android Note-Taking
• ⭐ Obsidian - Markdown Note-Taking / Discord
• ⭐ Obsidian Tools - Resources / Publish Notes / Web Clipper / Google Drive Sync / ChatGPT Addon / Guides / Forum
• ⭐ Notion - Note-Taking
• ⭐ Notion Tools - Themes / Templates / Resources, 2 / Guide / Markdown Extractor
• ⭐ Notesnook - Note-Taking / GitHub
• ⭐ AnyType - Note-Taking
• ⭐ Logseq - Outlining
• Mochi Cards or Silicon - Note-Taking / Study Tools
• Flotes - Markdown Note-Taking
• QOwnNotes - Markdown Note-Taking
• AFFiNE - Note-Taking / GitHub
• vNote - Markdown Note-Taking / GitHub
• Tiddly - Info Manager / Desktop
• Trilium - Info Manager
• Org-roam - Info Manager
• Desklamp - Reading / Note-Taking / Highlighting Tool / Guide
• UseMemos - Note-Taking / Discord / GitHub
• Papers.IM - Note-Taking
• Joplin - Note-Taking / Firefox / Chrome / GitHub
• AppFlowy - Note-Taking / GitHub
• MicroPad - Note-Taking
• WriteDown - Note-Taking
• DocMost - Note-Taking
• KeyNote NF - Note-Taking
• SilentNotes - Note-Taking / GitHub
• Google Keep - Simple Notes
• StandardNotes - Encrypted Notes
• Saber - Handwritten Notes
• Butterfly - Handwritten Notes / Discord / GitHub
• Xournal++ - Handwritten Notes / GitHub
• BookStack or Siyuan - Self-Hosted Info Managers

---

▷ Office Suites

• ↪️ Office Activation / Guide / Custom Install Guide
• ⭐ LibreOffice - FOSS Office Suite
• ⭐ OnlyOffice - FOSS Office Suite
• ⭐ Microsoft Office - Office Suite / Removal Tool / Hot Keys, 2
• Calligra - FOSS Office Suite
• Office365Version - Office 365 Version History

---

▷ Online Editors

• ⭐ Simplenote - Local / Cloud Saves
• ⭐ Proton Docs - Local / Cloud Saves
• ⭐ takenote - Local Saves
• ⭐ Zen - Local Saves
• Leaflet - Cloud Saves / Customizable / Examples
• Browserpad - Local Saves
• Notepad - Local Saves
• onlinenotepad - Local Saves
• notepad-online.net - Local Saves
• ssavr - Local Saves
• notepad-online.com - Local Saves
• JustNotePad - Local Saves
• PasteePad - Local Saves
• Shrib - Local / Cloud Saves
• MemOnNotepad - Local / Cloud Saves
• Write Box - Local / Cloud Saves
• dDocs - Cloud Saves
• NimbleText - Cloud Saves
• ZippyJot - Cloud Saves
• KiloDoc - Cloud Saves
• TinyList - Cloud Saves
• Edit-Document - Local / Cloud Saves
• TextSlave - Cloud Saves
• GhostText - Cloud Saves
• AnyTextEditor - Cloud Saves

---

▷ Mind Mapping

• ⭐ Obsidian Canvas
• FreeMind
• Kinopio
• Freeplane
• Mindomo
• Yuque
• MindMapp
• are.na
• Domino
• GitMind
• xTiles
• Capacities
• bubbl
• Heimer
• Cubox
• vym
• markmap - Markdown Mind Mapping / GitHub
• Coggle - Collaborative
• CardSmith - Collaborative Mind Mapping
• Memrey - Collaborative Mind Mapping
• MindMeister - Collaborative Mind Mapping
• Slatebox - Collaborative Mind Mapping

---

▷ Text / Code Collaboration

• ⭐ Google Docs / HTML Converter
• ⭐ CryptPad
• ⭐ Kludd
• Mattermost
• Codeshare
• HackMD
• Taskade
• Socket
• Whimsical
• Ellipsus
• Etherpad
• SharePad
• Pixso
• FidusWriter
• overleaf
• Rustpad / GitHub
• OnlineInterview.io

---

▷ Spreadsheet Editors

• 🌐 MTEB Leaderboard - Text Embedding AI Leaderboard
• tad, Tree Sheets, Gnumeric or Quadratic - Spreadsheet Viewers / Editors
• Baserow, Framacalc, EtherCalc, NocoDB or AirTable - Collaborative Spreadsheets
• Jamovi - Statistical Spreadsheets
• Excel Practice Online - Excel Practice / Guides
• Excel Macro Mastery - Excel VBA Guides
• ExcelJet or Excel Functions - Excel Formulas
• Vertex42 - Excel Templates
• Plain Text Table - Text Tables
• EditCSVOnline - Online CSV Editor
• SubjectiveSort - Create Ranked List from CSV
• VisiData - Spreadsheet CLI Editor
• Structifi - Convert Files to Structured Data
• TadViewer - View / Analyze Tabular Data

---

▷ Writing Tools

• 🌐 Author Stash - Writing Tools / Resources
• ↪️ AI Text Generators
• ⭐ Writer, FocusWriter, Writemonkey, blank.page, Telegra.ph, Aurelius, ZenPen, Write.as, Owri, WriteSpace or WriteNext - Distraction-Free Writing
• ⭐ Manuskript - Writing Organizer / Planner
• ⭐ NovelWriter or Bibisco - Novel Editors
• ⭐ Linked, journaltxt, Gekri, Microsoft Journal, Diarium, Gemlog or jrnl.sh - Journal Apps
• ⭐ ChaoticShiny, Seventh Sanctum, Notebook.ai or WorldAnvil - Fantasy Writing Generators
• Tuesday JS - Visual Novel Editor / GitHub
• RenPy - Visual Novel Editor / GitHub
• Fortelling or Novelist - Novel Plotting / Editing Workspaces
• Infinite Story, Strand, Agora or WriteAlong - Collaborative Writing / Feedback
• LanguageIsAVirus or MDWA - Writing Prompts
• Twinery - Interactive Non-Linear Story Creator
• TextUSM - User Story Map Generator / GitHub
• Blackout Poetry - Blackout Poetry Creator
• Idyll - Create Interactive Essays / GitHub
• STARC, WriteSolo or Celtx - Script / Screen Writing Tools
• Rarebit - Webcomics Template
• Fantasy Name Generators - Fantasy Name Generators
• PolyGlot or VulgarLang - Spoken Language Construction Tools
• How to annotate literally everything - Annotation Tools / Resources
• Label Buddy - Annotation Tool / GitHub
• rNote - Annotation Tool / GitHub
• MonsterWriter - Thesis Writing / Note-Taking

---

▷ To Do Lists

• ↪️ Android To-Do Apps
• ⭐ Goblin.tools - Automatic Task Breakdown
• ⭐ TickTick / Premium
• ⭐ Super Productivity
• Columns or ChecklistGenerator - Checklists
• YearCompass - New Years Resolution Booklet
• daily.place
• SuperList
• dooit / Extras
• ToDo List / GitHub
• Diry AI
• Fokus
• OpenToDoList
• Microsoft To Do
• NullBoard
• LunaTask
• ToDoZero
• LifeAt
• Tasks
• Taskwarrior
• Vikunja

---

▷ ASCII Art

• ⭐ TAAG, DeepAA, Kammerl, ASCII Art Studio or ASCII Today - ASCII Art / Text Generators
• REXPaint, Playscii or PabloDraw - ASCII Editors
• ASCII Paint - ASCII Paint Tool
• ascii-art-generator, asciiart, ascii-image-converter, Monospace, ITOA, text-image or ASCII-art-creator - Image to ASCII Art
• Love ASCII, asciiart.eu, EmojiCombos, 16colors, ascii.co or RoySAC - Browse / Copy ASCII Art
• Image to Braille - Convert Images to Braille
• AnsiLove or convert-ascii-to-image - ANSI / ASCII Art to PNG Converters
• lvllvl or Petmate - C64 PETSCII Image Editor

---

► Fonts

• ⭐ Nerd Fonts - Icon-Rich Developer / Terminal Fonts
• OpenDyslexic - Typeface for Dyslexia
• Typewolf or Typ.io - Trending Website Fonts
• Cava's Pixel Resources - Pixel Fonts
• Oldschool PC Fonts - Oldschool PC Fonts
• FiraCode, Cascadia Code or Maple Font - Monospace Fonts

---

▷ Open Source / Freeware

• ⭐ FontSource - Open Source
• ⭐ Font Squirrel - Commercial Use
• ⭐ DaFont - Freeware
• ⭐ 1001 Fonts - Freeware
• Modern Fonts Stacks - Collection of CSS System Font Stacks
• Velvetyne - Open Source
• uncut.wtf - Open Source
• Beautiful Web Type - Open Source
• FontRepo - Open Source
• Bunny Fonts - Open Source
• Google Fonts - Commercial Use / Tags / Privacy-Friendly API
• FontShare - Commercial Use
• Fontlot - Freeware
• Fontsly - Freeware
• Fonts4Free - Freeware
• FontSpace - Freeware
• Online Fonts - Freeware
• CDNFonts - Freeware
• Fontesk - Freeware
• FontStruct - Freeware
• iFonts - Freeware
• DownloadFonts - Freeware
• AbstractFonts - Freeware
• FontGet - Freeware
• FreeFontsDownload - Freeware
• Fonts2u - Freeware
• Awwwards - Freeware
• GlukFonts - Freeware
• Iconian - Freeware

---

▷ Free Fonts

• ⭐ Fonts CSE - Multi-Site Font Search
• ⭐ Font Piracy 101 - Font Download Guide
• ⭐ Font Drives
• ⭐ BeFonts
• Windows Fonts
• Free Fonts Family
• Cufon Fonts
• FontsFree
• DFonts
• Font Spring
• FFonts
• FontsHub
• Font Meme
• FONToMASS
• 1.5_million_fonts
• Mr.E-Fonts
• psd_fonts
• 1001 Free Fonts

---

► Font Tools

• ⭐ Font Interceptor - Download Fonts from Websites
• ⭐ FontDrop - Analyze Font Files
• ⭐ Adobe Fonts, Font Finder, WhatTheFont, Identifont, WhatFont - Font Identification Tools
• Fonts Ninja - Font Identification Extension
• Unicode Explorer or Compart - Unicode Character Identification
• Transfonter - Create CSS @font-face Kits
• TypeRip - Adobe Font Ripper / GitHub
• FontBase, NexusFont or Font Manager (Linux) - Font Managers
• Colors & Fonts - Typography Tools
• DS-Fusion - AI Typography Generator
• Formito - Typography Logo Maker
• Type Terms - Typography Cheat Sheet
• The Good Line-Height - Typography Scaling Editor
• Font List or So You Need A Typeface 2.0 - Examples of Font Styles
• Type Design Resources or Free Faces - Typeface Resources

---

▷ Font / Text Generators

• ⭐ FontoGen - Custom AI Font Generator
• ⭐ Make WordArt, FlameText, MakeText, TextGiraffe, Text Pro or CoolText - WordArt Generators
• Polona Typo - Generate WordArt from Book, Poster, & Map Letters
• Text Color Fader - Rainbow Text Generator
• TextDrom, 3DText2GIF or TextStudio - 3D / Animated Text Generators
• Textanim or Space Type Generator - Animated Text Generators
• Batname - Batman (2022) Text Generator
• NFG's Arcade Font Maker or Arcade Font Writer - Arcade Text Generators
• Glitch - Zalgo Text Generator

---

▷ Font Customization

• ⭐ TypeTrials - Variable Font Playground
• V-Fonts or Phase - Variable Fonts Testers
• enFont or Calligraphr - Custom Font Creators
• Fontjoy - Generate Font Combinations
• FontSprite - FontSprite Editor
• BitFontMaker2 - BitMap Font Editor
• FontEdit, metaflop, MFEKglif, Glyphr Studio, Birdfont, Universal Sans or FontForge - Font / Typeface Editors

---

▷ Unicode Text Generators

• ⭐ YayText
• ⭐ Messletters
• ⭐ FSymbols
• ⭐ Fancy Text
• Cool Fonts Online
• FontMaker.io
• Aesthetic Font Generator
• BoldTextGenerator
• Font Generator Online
• FontGenerator.cc
• FontGenerator.cool
• Font Changer Guru
• Fancy Text Decorator

@ 9e69e420:d12360c2

President Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, likening it to a wartime effort. Despite pouring resources into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arrest numbers are declining and falling short of goals. ICE fell from about 800 daily arrests in late January to fewer than 600 in early February.

Critics argue the administration is merely showcasing efforts with ineffectiveness, while Trump seeks billions more in funding to support his deportation agenda. Increased involvement from various federal agencies is intended to assist ICE, but many lack specific immigration training.

Challenges persist, as fewer immigrants are available for quick deportation due to a decline in illegal crossings. Local sheriffs are also pressured by rising demands to accommodate immigrants, which may strain resources further.