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@ 0463223a:3b14d673
2025-02-15 08:26:21
*disclaimer - image has no relation to article.
I spend most the time moderately brain dead, how do I know this? By regularly recording my voice. I guess everyone likes to believe they’re pretty smart somehow but listening back to my voice, it is clear I am not. There’s more erms, ums, silences and failure to complete sentences than any fully formed thoughts, the closest to thoughts mostly trail away into silence. I’m not saying this to beat myself up, it’s an observation that I find quite amusing to be honest, It can be quite funny but it’s not exactly what peak performance looks like.
This isn’t ideal so I’m writing these longer form notes to help. Even trying this, I spend way more time blank than typing, I’m gently nudging my brain to try something… a complete thought, I’m not promising anything and it’s unlikely you’re going to read anything illuminating here. Sucks to be you right now right?
A lot of stuff happens doesn’t it? I’ve noticed that it sort of like, happens all the time, like woooaaahhh a thing just happened... and another... and another and they keep happening. I’m resisting to urge the write them out as they happen. I think that service is called The News right? It appears to be linear but I don’t think time is linear? At least not anything beyond a local scale…
I’m sitting in my shed and it's cold, I’ve turned the little heater on but with only 5W of power, it takes a while to heat the space, although once warm, this place holds the heat well, that’s the advantage of using some acoustic treatment for building materials.
I’m trying to evolve around a Value 4 Value economy. I’m struggling tbh. I’m trying things to create value. Over the course of 6 months I’ve generated £100 outside of my usual work. Using money as a metric I’m doing pretty badly. There are people who spend that on a single bottle of wine, and that’s a cheap bottle. But what is value anyway? I don’t know! Maybe someone could do a 16 hour long podcast called What Is Value? A bit like the What Is Money podcast but even longer. 16 hours seems like a sensible length. Were I to host it, 15 hours and 30 minutes would be silence. Maybe that’s a gig for you? I’m just trying out ideas here…
I do get value in other ways though. Playing records for an hour each day and sharing the experience does wonders for my mental health, It keeps my mind open to noises, which no doubt help me in the day job. I also get value from the people who share the time with me, that fact people return each morning suggests they do to. It’s very cool actually. Even if I can’t take credit for Miles Davis and Nightmares On Wax records. It’s still cool. I dig it a lot. I think I’ll keep doing it.
However, I’m still scratching my head how to earn more actual cash. Not that I’m obsessed or anything but it’s the best thing to exchange for food. I tried shoplifting as a kid and I was terrible at it. I didn’t invest the time in getting good at it, I just didn’t want to. More fool me right?
I’ve been doing the sums for setting up a space in town. Including rent, business rates, utilities and paying myself, I’m looking at finding £5,000 per month. Currently I earn between £1,500-£1,800 a month. Not a lot I know. I saw a post someone make looking for work online the other day, they were looking for 10x what I earn. They seem to be pretty good with computers… I bet they’re shit with Phil Collins’ emojis though. So I need to at least 3x the value I can provide in order to make the space work.
There’s probably people reading this thinking ‘get a job’. OK… how about no? I enjoy what I do, that doesn’t mean it’s always fun or not tough but I have a fair amount of autonomy. I don’t think I’m cut out for a ‘job’ but I definitely want to find things I can do which people are happy to swap for cash. This is a different thing all together. A job is targets and performance reviews etc. As I understand it, a person in a suit who earns slightly more than you, tells you if you’re any good on behalf of someone else. If you’re not, instead of telling you to fuck off, they tell you to do more or do better or they’ll tell you to fuck off, trapping you in some weird mind game. And it’s not even their own mind game, it’s a mind game someone else has trapped them into. These chains of mind games can be extremely long and can go through many, many people, literally billions of people find themselves trapped in this weird mind game. It doesn’t sound like my bag at all. I liked the bag James Brown had. That bag was cool.
So I’ll keep thinking… I’m certainly not giving up.
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-02-15 15:50:17
"Admit it. Sometimes you just need a big strong man." -Xander Harris
Buffy fans should appreciate that reference. It's one of my favorite lines to quote around the house, whenever my wife needs help opening jars.
Today, I said it to my daughter when she tried to open the orange juice herself, which earned a side-eye from the wife. It also led me to think about a possible research hypothesis.
## Idea
I've heard that grip strength has been declining in men, to the point where there's barely a difference anymore between men and women.
Is it possible that something as seemingly trivial as not being any more able to open jars, is reducing the rate of relationship formation?
This was one area where men have historically been able to clearly demonstrate some value.
## Empirical difficulties
I have no idea what the data looks like on either side of this question (grip strength or relationship formation), so I can't say much about specific data problems.
However, there is definitely going to be an issue with "the dreaded third thing". In particular, I'm concerned with how to isolate the impact of grip strength decline from other effects of testosterone decline. Ideally, we'd be able to do a longitudinal study of men, where their grip strengths and testosterone levels are recorded, as well as their relationship status over time.
Since there's no chance of doing that study, the best hope would be to put together some population level numbers over time and see if relationship formation rates still have a correlation with grip strength, after controlling for average testosterone levels.
-----
I hope you enjoyed this half-baked idea. I mentioned to @denlillaapan that it might be fun to share ideas like this on SN. In all likelihood, no one will ever take these ideas any further, but they still might prompt fun discussions.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/886699
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-02-15 15:03:10
Much to @realBitcoinDog's chagrin, we did eat out for Valentine's Day. Well, actually, we got some take out, but it definitely wasn't very healthy.
However, we did eat fairly early, so it didn't mess up my fasting.
## Reflections
Even though I had been regularly fasting before February, this Fast February exercise has improved the habit and led to some noticeable outcomes.
The first couple of days, I was kind of snacky. Because of the fiscal fast element of Fast February, I had to snack on whatever was around the house already. That turned out to be the "wrong" type of applesauce that our daughter refuses to eat. After those first few days, though, I really haven't been very snacky.
In fact, my general appetite is noticeably lower.
The most pronounced non-appetite related effect has been more vivid dreams (or at least more memorable dreams).
On the con side, I have felt a little stiffer and have been stretching more often to alleviate muscle tension.
## Score Card
Day 1: 14 hour fast (13 dry)
Day 2: 15 hour fast (14 dry)
Day 3: 17 hours (16 dry)
Day 4: 18 hours (17 dry)
Day 5: 18 hours (16 dry)
Day 6: 19 hours (16 dry)
Day 7: 16 hours (15 dry)
Day 8: 18 hours (17 dry)
Day 9: 17 hours (17 dry)
Day 10: 15 hours (13 dry)
Day 11: 20 hours (19 dry)
Day 12: 20 hours (17 dry)
Day 13: 16 hours (13 dry)
Day 14: 17 hours (15 dry)
Day 15: TBD (16 dry)
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/886640
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@ c43d6de3:a6583169
2025-02-15 14:18:07
You’re sitting in the 5am darkness of your living room.
The baby in your arms shifts and you’re afraid she might wake. It's hot, but you wouldn’t dare remove the blankets covering her body.
It seems impossible you could admire anyone more, then you hear the gentle snore of your exhausted wife creep from the gently cracked bedroom door.
You can only imagine what pain she went through to bring this precious girl to the world so you could be holding her now.
Your watch lights up. You dread the sight of that little alarm bell above the time 5:25 and a weight falls on you like a million tiny pieces of lead.
If only you had more time.
You wish you could take your baby girl with you. That way you would have all the time in the day with her and your wife could be left to rest.
You need to work.
You get up as gently as you can. Even so, baby girl shifts in your arms. Her eyes open slightly. The thought of returning a crying baby to your exhausted wife is distressing, it's just not fair.
Baby girl shifts again, her eyes open long enough to spot you in the faint glow of morning twilight and she smiles.
You hold your breath.
The smile remains on baby girl’s face but her eyes close and her head collapses into your chest. You return your baby to her mother’s side and admire them in their slumber.
You need to work. Nothing could ever go wrong with that house so long as you work to keep its walls strong. Some time, when you’re truly needed perhaps you’ll have the money saved up to take the desired time off.
In the absence of the love you share for your family. In the absence of the love others have for you, money loses some value.
If we equate money for what it is, the residue of time, we cannot divorce Love from Money.
It’s important to understand that Money won’t buy you Love and Love should never be exchanged for Money but Time cultivates Love.
These are some key things to keep in mind:
*Life without love is Suffocation*
*Life without money is stress and despair*
*Families are cultivated and grown with love and protected with money.*
*Money is the residue of time.*
Be it Bitcoin or a golden bullion, it exchanges days, hours, minutes, or seconds. What could you do instead if you had money?
-----------
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@ 19220736:7578e0e9
2025-02-15 14:13:33
- The UK’s Serious Fraud Office issued its first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) in January 2025.
- UWOs force individuals to justify wealth or risk asset seizure, with expanded powers since 2023.
- Critics warn of its potential for abuse.
This January, the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) [obtained](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sfo-secures-first-unexplained-wealth-order-in-100m-fraud-case) its first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) to recover a Lake District property valued at approximately £1.5 million. The property is owned by Claire Schools, ex-wife of solicitor Timothy Schools, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2022 for fraud. The UWO requires Ms. Schools to explain within 28 days how the property was acquired; failure to do so may lead to its seizure. This marks the Serious Fraud Office's first use of a UWO.
[UWOs](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/contents) are legal tools first introduced under the Proceeds of Crime Act in 2002, specifically in sections 362A to 362T, as amended by the Criminal Finances Act of 2017. UWOs empower the High Court (or the Court of Session in Scotland) to require individuals to explain the origin of assets over 50,000 GBP that appear disproportionate to their known income. If the individual cannot provide a satisfactory explanation, the assets may be subject to seizure by the government.
UWOs are civil orders and do not require a criminal conviction. Failure to comply with a UWO can make the property presumed recoverable in civil recovery proceedings. Additionally, the court may issue an interim freezing order to prevent the property from being dissipated while under investigation.
In 2023 this law was [updated](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-crime-transparency-and-enforcement-bill-2022-overarching-documents/factsheet-unexplained-wealth-order-reforms-web-accessible) to expand the scope of UWOs to apply to more individuals, lowering the burden of proof required to apply for UWOs, and allowing faster property seizure if an individual fails to respond or provide a satisfactory explanation. The process echoes witch trials that once accused, you must prove your innocence or forfeit.
The use of a UWO in this case highlights a growing effort by the UK to tackle illicit wealth, but it also raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power.
As explained by Kingsly Napley in [Lexology](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=287a5b60-5612-4093-ba8f-272252c44cb5) *“The wide range of parties that can be targeted by UWOs, the reverse burden of proof that applies and the pressure on UK authorities to be seen to do more to stamp out suspected dirty money, means that many people may find themselves fighting to retain their assets.”*
With the use of more UWOs to come in the future, the real impact will continue to unfold in the coming years.
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@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35
2025-02-15 10:59:27
“Phoneography” is photography using a smartphone instead of a traditional camera.
Here are some solid phoneography tips to enhance your shots:
1. **Master the Basics**
* Clean the lens – Phones are handled all day, and a smudged lens can ruin a shot.
* Tap to focus – Always tap on your subject to ensure it's sharp.
* Use gridlines – Turn on the rule of thirds grid for better composition.
2. **Lighting is Everything**
* Natural light > Flash – Soft morning or golden hour light creates the best results.
* Use reflections & shadows – They add depth and creativity to your shots.
* Adjust exposure manually – Tap and slide up/down to brighten or darken.
3. **Composition Tricks**
* Leading lines – Roads, walls, and fences guide the viewer's eye.
* Framing – Use windows, doors, or natural elements to frame your subject.
* Symmetry & patterns – Create balance and visual interest.
4. **Get Creative with Angles**
* Low angles – Make subjects look larger and dramatic.
* Overhead (flat lay) – Great for food, art, or storytelling shots.
* Close-ups & textures – Capture details for a unique perspective.
5. **Edit Like a Pro**
* Use editing apps – Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, VSCO for better control.
* Don’t overdo filters – Subtle adjustments in contrast, color, and sharpness are best.
* Shoot in RAW (if your phone allows) – More flexibility in post-processing.
6. **Capture Motion & Time**
* Use burst mode – Great for action shots and selecting the best frame.
* Long exposure apps – Create light trails or smooth water effects.
* Slow-motion & time-lapse – Add dynamic storytelling elements.
7. **Know Your Phone’s Camera Features**
* Ultra-wide & telephoto lenses – Experiment with different focal lengths.
* Night mode – Helps capture better low-light shots without excessive noise.
* Portrait mode – Blurs the background for a professional look.
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@ 044da344:073a8a0e
2025-02-15 10:56:45
Vielleicht hätte Matthias Gehler noch ein drittes Mal ansetzen sollen. Versuch Nummer eins, schreibt er ganz zum Schluss, sei in der Tonne gelandet, nachdem ein Freund gesagt habe, dass niemand ein weiteres Sachbuch über die deutsche Wiedervereinigung brauche – vor allem nicht von einem Autor, der live dabei war. Deshalb sei dann „viel Subjektives“ in den Text eingeflossen. Nun: So viel ist das gar nicht. Freundschaften, steht ebenfalls im „Nachtrag“, seien ihm wichtiger. Und wenn es wirklich Interesse an „allen möglichen erlebten Geschichten aus jener Zeit“ geben sollte, dann schreibe er halt ein zweites Buch (S. 252).
Ich melde hiermit Bedarf an. Matthias Gehler, Jahrgang 1954, war Redakteur beim CDU-Blatt *Neue Zeit*, als die Dinge ins Rutschen kamen. Er wurde Referent von Martin Kirchner, dem neuen Generalsekretär der Partei, und nach der Wahl vom 18. März 1990 Sprecher der Regierung von Lothar de Maizière. Gehler hat mit Kohl gesprochen, mit Gorbatschow, mit dem ersten Bush. Er war Vorgesetzter von Angela Merkel, später dann Chefredakteur beim MDR und immer wieder im Dunstkreis der Macht, mindestens bei irgendwelchen Jubiläen. Es gibt Fotos davon im Buch.
Es gibt auch Geschichten, so ist es nicht. Dass der kleine Dünne und der große Dicke nicht miteinander konnten, wusste man schon, auch von Lothar de Maizière persönlich. Da man seine eigenen Qualitäten schlecht selbst würdigen kann, ist es gut, dass Matthias Gehler noch einmal klarmacht, was die DDR an ihrem letzten Regierungschef hatte. Eine Arbeitsbiene, mit allen juristischen Wassern gewaschen, in jeder Hinsicht gebildet und schon deshalb einem Machtmenschen wie Helmut Kohl überlegen und suspekt zugleich. Gehler erzählt ein paar köstliche Anekdoten über die beiden, die ich hier nicht verraten will, und hat auch einen Seitenhieb für Regine Hildebrandt, die bis heute ein Nimbus umgibt, der offenbar nicht ganz zur historischen Wirklichkeit passt. Die SPD-Frau mit dem losen Mundwerk, so erzählt es jedenfalls Gehler, sei oft blank gewesen, wenn es um das Klein-Klein der Regierungsarbeit ging. Eine Vorlage aus ihrem Ministerium? „Die gibt es nicht.“ (S. 154)
Überhaupt: Es sind die Miniaturen, die dieses Buch wertvoll machen. Die Arroganz von Gorbatschow, sicher, und die Mentalität der Berater aus dem Westen, die sich im Einzelfall auch als „Blockwart“ aufgeführt haben (S. 94), mehr aber noch das Porträt von Franz Jahsnowski, DDR-Diplomat, schon Protokollchef von Ulbricht und nun wegen seiner Erfahrung und seiner Kontakte auch für die Neuen nicht zu ersetzen. Gehler nutzt einen Abend in Brüssel, um aus diesem Leben zu berichten und damit in gewisser Weise auch über die DDR und den Umgang mit ihrem Erbe.
> Als Regierung haben wir Honeckers Protokollchef und seinen Stab übernommen – offiziell aus Wertschätzung, inoffiziell, weil der Laden einfach weiterlaufen musste. Die Geschichte kennt keine Stunde Null. Das geht nur mit fähigem Personal. Mancher Altbundesbeamte hätte es lieber anders gehabt. Wir mussten den Beratern von drüben immer wieder erklären, warum wir Menschen des alten Apparates übernommen haben. Jahsnowski steht für viele Meister ihres Fachs, die plötzlich systementwurzelt zwischen den Welten schwebten und ihren Glauben an den Sozialismus überprüften. (S. 124)
Ich schreibe diese Passage ab, weil ich vermute: Hier ist mein Bedarf nach mehr entstanden. Mag Matthias Gehler seine Merkel-Geschichten für sich behalten. Geschenkt. Ich gönne ihm auch die Euphorie der ersten Amerika-Reise und all das, was jetzt über die Politprominenz jener Tage allenfalls zwischen den Zeilen steht, vielleicht auch aus Angst vor der eigenen Courage. Aber die Ambivalenz, die im Jahsnowski-Porträt aufscheint und dann wieder in der Asbest-Affäre um den Palast der Republik: Da geht noch was. Anders formuliert: Wenn immer wieder die große Freiheit beschworen wird, bei den Märzwahlen 1990 genauso wie bei der letzten Volkskammer, dann ist das für meinen Geschmack zu viel Regierungssprecher und zu wenig Zeitzeuge. Matthias Gehler weiß, wie es gelaufen ist (eine „Materialschlacht“, bei der die CDU sogar mit „Nahe-Weinflaschen“ punktete), und könnte sich Schützenhilfe holen, bei [Daniela Dahn](https://medienblog.hypotheses.org/9726) zum Beispiel. Also ein zweites Buch, bitte.
*Matthias Gehler: „Wollen Sie die Einheit – oder nicht?“ Erinnerungen des Regierungssprechers. Berlin: edition ost 2024, 256 Seiten, 18 Euro.*
[Freie Akademie für Medien & Journalismus](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/)
[Unterstützen](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/unterstuetzen)
*Titelbild*: 1990 am Brandeburger Tor. Foto: Merit Schambach (https\://www\.wir-waren-so-frei.de/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object\_id/392)