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@ a012dc82:6458a70d
2025-01-27 12:51:47
In the contemporary financial world, Cathie Wood, the founder of ARK Invest, stands out for her innovative investment approaches. Recently, Wood has focused on Bitcoin (BTC), highlighting its potential as a hedge against both inflationary and deflationary economic conditions. This article delves into Wood's perspective, exploring Bitcoin's evolving role in the global financial landscape. We examine its multifaceted nature, not just as a digital currency, but as a strategic asset capable of navigating the complex dynamics of the modern economy. Wood's insights offer a nuanced understanding of Bitcoin's potential in offering stability amidst economic uncertainties.
**Table Of Content**
- Bitcoin's Hedge Potential
- Decentralization: A Key Advantage
- The Banking Crisis and Bitcoin
- Bitcoin vs. Gold
- Institutional Involvement
- Conclusion
- FAQs
**Bitcoin's Hedge Potential**
Cathie Wood's perspective on Bitcoin transcends its usual perception as a mere digital currency. She champions it as a dynamic tool against economic fluctuations, a quality rarely matched by traditional assets. In an era marked by economic instability, Bitcoin stands as a beacon of potential stability. This is particularly notable in its capacity to act as a hedge during inflationary periods, where fiat currencies lose value, and deflationary periods, characterized by increased money value but decreased economic activity. This dual capability positions Bitcoin as a significant asset in diversified portfolios, resonating with Wood's innovative investment philosophy.
**Decentralization: A Key Advantage**
For Wood, Bitcoin's decentralization is a critical advantage. This aspect sets it apart from traditional banking systems, which often grapple with issues of transparency and central control. In Bitcoin's ecosystem, there is a clear absence of counterparty risk, thanks to its decentralized ledger and visible transactions. This transparency assures investors of a level of security and autonomy not found in conventional financial systems. In Wood's view, this decentralization is not just a technical feature but a foundational aspect that provides Bitcoin with a resilience and reliability, crucial in a world where financial systems are increasingly interconnected and vulnerable.
**The Banking Crisis and Bitcoin**
Reflecting on recent financial upheavals, such as the U.S. regional bank crisis and the FTX collapse, Wood sees these events as vindications of Bitcoin's stability and resilience. These crises underscored the inherent risks of centralized financial systems, revealing their fragility under stress. In contrast, Bitcoin demonstrated an impressive resilience, with its value surging during these tumultuous times. This reaction not only highlights Bitcoin's potential as a safe haven but also its capacity to serve as a barometer for the health of the broader financial system.
**Bitcoin vs. Gold**
While gold has traditionally been the go-to asset for hedge investments, Wood argues that Bitcoin has a distinct edge over it. Her preference for Bitcoin stems from its novelty and the increasing interest from younger investors and institutional players. Unlike gold, whose market and demand patterns are well-established, Bitcoin represents an emerging asset class with untapped potential. Wood believes that Bitcoin's journey is just beginning, and its full potential as a hedge asset is yet to be realized, making it a more attractive option for forward-looking investors.
**Institutional Involvement**
Wood's belief in Bitcoin's future is mirrored in ARK Invest's substantial investments in cryptocurrency-related ventures. These investments are not mere speculative plays; they represent a deep conviction in the long-term value of Bitcoin. ARK's pursuit of a spot Bitcoin ETF is a significant move, indicating a belief in the cryptocurrency's viability as a mainstream investment asset. This institutional backing by a leading investment firm not only legitimizes Bitcoin's role in the financial markets but also paves the way for more widespread adoption among traditional investors.
**Conclusion**
Cathie Wood's endorsement of Bitcoin is a compelling narrative in the evolving story of this digital asset. Her insights provide a valuable perspective on Bitcoin's role as a hedge against both inflation and deflation, highlighting its potential in the current economic climate. As we navigate through uncertain financial times, Wood's views offer a guidepost for investors looking to diversify and stabilize their portfolios with innovative assets like Bitcoin.
**FAQs**
**What is Cathie Wood's view on Bitcoin?**
Cathie Wood sees Bitcoin as a viable hedge against both inflation and deflation, highlighting its decentralized nature and resilience.
**Why does Wood prefer Bitcoin over traditional banking systems?**
Wood values Bitcoin's transparency and lack of counterparty risk, contrasting it with the opacity of traditional banking systems.
**How did the banking crisis impact Bitcoin's value?**
The U.S. regional bank crisis and the FTX collapse showed Bitcoin's stability, with its value increasing during these times.
**Why does Wood favor Bitcoin over gold?**
Wood believes Bitcoin has more potential for growth and is more appealing to younger investors and institutions compared to gold.
**What is ARK Invest's involvement in Bitcoin?**
ARK Invest holds significant stakes in cryptocurrency ventures and is pursuing a spot Bitcoin ETF, reflecting a strong belief in Bitcoin's future.
**That's all for today**
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@ cf7ed325:050194cf
2025-01-27 12:39:41
[]()The [Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/Steinberger-Minerva-Nile-Cruise) offers an exceptional way to explore Egypt's ancient wonders while cruising along the timeless Nile River. This luxurious cruise combines modern amenities with traditional Egyptian hospitality, making it an ideal choice for those seeking comfort and adventure. With spacious cabins, fine dining, and various entertainment options, the Steigenberger Minerva promises an unforgettable experience.
While aboard, guests can enjoy a range of excursions to famous sites like the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. The ship provides a perfect base for exploring Egypt’s rich history, from the bustling streets of Cairo to the serene landscapes of Aswan. The cruise features a blend of relaxation and adventure, offering guests an opportunity to unwind while taking in Egypt's stunning scenery.
In addition to the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise, Egypt offers a variety of other luxurious options. For example, the [Farah Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/MS-Farah-Nile-Cruise) is known for its elegant design and top-notch service, while the [Gemma Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/gemma-nile-cruise) provides a more intimate, boutique experience. The [Movenpick SS Misr Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/moevenpick-ss-misr-steamer-nile-cruise) is another excellent choice for those who enjoy a classic, refined atmosphere on the river.
If you’re looking for other luxury cruises, consider the [Nile Capital Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/nile-capital-cruise), which combines modern comfort with historical exploration, or the [Movenpick Hamees Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/Movenpick-Hamees-Nile-Cruise), a ship that offers a unique blend of luxury and cultural immersion. The Movenpick Lotus Nile Cruise and the [Jaz Regent Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/Jaz-Regent-Nile-Cruise) are also popular choices, known for their impeccable service and well-designed cabins.
For a more opulent experience, the [Jaz Crown Jewel Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/Jaz-Crown-Jewel-Nile-Cruise) is a top contender, while the [Salacia Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/MS-Salacia-Nile-cruise) and Nabilatan Nile Cruise provide a more exclusive atmosphere. Alternatively, the [Tulip Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/Tulip-Nile-Cruise-Luxor-Aswan) and [Tia Nile Cruise](https://www.etbtoursegypt.com/tour/ms-tia-nile-cruise) offer comfortable accommodations with excellent amenities.
No matter which cruise you choose, Egypt's Nile River promises an unforgettable journey through history and culture.
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@ b8851a06:9b120ba1
2025-01-27 11:58:53
## Trump's Blueprint for Gaza: The New Nakba
Trump’s offhand suggestion to “clean out” 1.5 million Palestinians from Gaza isn’t just reckless—it’s a thinly veiled blueprint for ethnic cleansing. The proposed forced displacement of millions isn't new; it’s the 21st-century sequel to the Nakba, designed to erase Palestine from the map.
## Gaza: The Systematic Machinery of Destruction
The assault on Gaza isn’t chaos—it’s coordinated demolition:
- 47,306+ killed – lives extinguished with impunity.
- 111,483 injured – survivors burdened with physical and psychological scars.
- 92% of homes destroyed – families displaced, memories shattered.
- 60% of infrastructure dismantled – society intentionally crippled.
This is more than war—it’s annihilation by design.
## A Second Nakba in Motion
The original Nakba (1948) was the template:
- 6 million refugees still barred from returning home.
- Generations of children growing up stateless, inheriting loss.
- Cultural heritage erased, lands stolen, and identities fractured.
Trump’s “solution” carries this legacy forward, pushing millions toward another endless exile.
## The Humanitarian Collapse
If enacted, the mass displacement would trigger a humanitarian apocalypse across the region:
- Healthcare systems overwhelmed in neighboring nations.
- Schools collapsing under the weight of refugee students.
- Economic and social infrastructures stretched beyond capacity.
This isn’t just a Palestinian crisis—it’s a global one.
## A Calculated Plan for Erasure
Make no mistake: the destruction of Gaza is deliberate. Israeli Finance Minister Avi Dichter’s chilling declaration of a "rolling Gaza Nakba" lays bare the intent: erase Gaza and its people from existence. The steps are cold, calculated, and systematic:
- Starvation as a weapon of war.
- Targeting hospitals to eliminate healthcare.
- Destroying water supplies to force displacement.
This isn’t collateral damage—it’s genocide.
## Generational Wounds That Won’t Heal
The impact of this erasure will reverberate for centuries:
- Children growing up with inherited trauma.
- A culture erased piece by piece.
- Future generations left stateless, voiceless, and forgotten.
Every demolished building and every child killed are steps toward creating a permanent refugee underclass.
## Silence is Complicity
The global silence is deafening. Trump’s “solution” isn’t a spontaneous idea—it’s the culmination of decades of dehumanization and demographic engineering. And every moment the world stays silent, the machinery of genocide moves forward.
## Resistance is Survival
The choice is clear: submit to tyranny or resist. Every truth told, every act of defiance, every refusal to look away chips away at their plans. They want us silent. They need us indifferent.
But we’re not sheep—we’re the descendants of those who refused to kneel.
- Share their crimes.
- Expose their lies.
- Refuse their narrative.
Because the battle for Palestine isn’t just about land—it’s about dignity, existence, and the refusal to be erased.
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@ 0463223a:3b14d673
2025-01-27 10:47:00
I wrote this article back in 2019 but I wanted to see how it stood up today. Since writing this I’ve been diagnosed with autism. However, I question this. For sure I’ve gone through lots of ups and downs in life. Some issues probably due to childhood trauma, others due to drugs etc. but I still ask if is a natural response to bullshit.
I don’t write this to belittle any problems anyone has and the autism spectrum disorder is real (but not disorder to me). When the whole population gets diagnosed as neurodivergent what next?
If you need help, get help. I write this as a person trying to get off the drugs prescribed to me many years ago. Something I’m finding difficult but I will do it…
From 2019
A large part of the adult population in the Western World are mad, mental, bonkers, have lost their marbles and are totally insane. Well, that’s at least according to the World Health Organisation
A recent WHO report stated one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. And there’s a very high chance that you, the reader, are completely off your rocker.
Mental Health is the buzzphrase of our times. It’s on the TV, the radio and all over the internet. The UK’s Prime Minister goes on TV to state how big the problem is and just how very seriously she takes it and we’re assured the government are working extremely hard to tackle it. However, the rhetoric never amounts to anything, as anyone seeking genuine help will attest.
Help is hard to come by. Doctors prescribe pills to subdue the wrong thoughts, but nothing else. No long term solutions, just keep taking the pills.
Hundreds of thousands of adults are medicated in this way and now, more worryingly, are many children.
So it’s vital to talk about it. It’s permanently Mentalspeng Awareness Day or Tell Facebacon Your Neurologicalwankfuck Week.
It’s even become quite fashionable, with regular treats from celebrities telling of their darkest moments and how they nearly didn’t get that huge Hollywood deal because they woke up feeling sad and unhappy one winter morning.
If you’re a fruit-loop tell everyone. It will be ok…
Tell them about the time you were going to drive your car off a cliff and ended up in hospital after a particularly long conversation with The Samaritans. Great stuff!
Tell them about the regular, uncontrollable urges to slash yourself with a Stanley knife or any other sharp object close to hand. Awesome!
Tell them about how you smash yourself repeatedly in the head, sometimes with a heavy object, as you can no longer deal with the stress and frustration of being disempowered by situations completely out of your control. Cool!
Tell them how you feel trapped by an increasingly expensive housing market and how you have zero financial security. Brilliant!
Or maybe just tell them that sometimes you can’t get out of bed and you don’t know why or that you panic uncontrollably for no reason. Skills!
Tell the world!
We’re so understanding of mental health issues these days, just raise more awareness and everything will be fine, we’re here for you man/woman! (and yes, we might need to sell this information on to the appropriate persons, future employers, insurance companies or government agencies etc.).
After all, we’re all good people right? Tell everyone you’re mad and they’ll understand. They’ll think of the time you were a dick and they’ll say “Ahh, poor sod, you know he’s a mental don’t you”.
Well frankly no. The world is full of cunts and whilst the people close to you will be sympathetic, as far as wider society goes, you’ll be marked, your position compromised and your word will not be trusted. I mean who knows, maybe you’re delusional, perhaps you’re about to rampage through town wielding a knife or driving your car into a crowded supermarket…
But hold up…. One in every four of us is mental?! Is that really the case? Let’s think about this for a second. When did 25% of the population become a massive neurospeng?
This wasn’t the case 30 years ago, a quarter of the population weren’t mad. There wasn’t the vast array of medications available these days; Prozac, Sertraline, Citralopram, Promethazine, Venlafaxine, Amiltryptaline, to name a few (there are many, many more).
It’s clear that a lot of people aren’t feeling right but how come the suicide rates are higher now than they were 30 years ago? If we’re all so much more aware and well medicated, surely rates would be going down?
Perhaps you were diagnosed as a mental because you responded negatively to events happening around you?
Maybe you’re working increasingly longer hours for less money. Perhaps the terms of your work changed drastically and you no longer feel secure. Maybe you lost jobs because of funding cut backs.
Perhaps you’re in despair because your friend took their own life when their job was cut in an austerity drive.
Suicide is the most horrible thing which ever way you look at it. You strip a person of their purpose and they react with the most extreme act of self violence, causing an unbelievable amount of emotional distress for those left to pick up the pieces… And so we say, “Ahh but you understand, they were mad… They were fucking mental, they lost control of their senses, it such a terrible shame but they were mad you know”.
Bullshit.
The term Mental Health removes all responsibility from the structures creating an environment where people are deemed no longer of value or viable human beings.
But maybe you were angry because you were told by politicians that you need to live within your means, whilst those in large financial institutions increased their wealth exponentially? The world economy crashed in 2008 and there’s no money. Eh? The governments of printed more and more money, but there’s no money for you, you cunt.
Perhaps it was packed aboard a spaceship and is now hurtling towards Mars! (mad people tend to think like this, after all it couldn’t be that the money was stolen).
Maybe you got angry with the blatant corruption from those in public life? Politicians shout loudly that they’re for the people but will pocket pay rises, local council officials bully members of the public and make threats to cut funding .
This can be done with total with total impunity, as the structures put in place to control such actions cover up any wrong doing. You see the powerful can not and will not be challenged. There is no pathway to justice.
When the fire at Grenfell happened, it was clear for all to see that the housing association, council and big business were at fault, but no, blame was heaped on the lone fire officer who had the awful task of managing two lowly fire engines in London’s biggest fire since World War II.
At the time my local Member of Parliament response was “the flats were refurbished to a very high standard”. We shouldn’t lay blame at those in power, we cannot have any fault with the establishment. I bet that poor fire officer was a mental too…
When discussing mental health we’re not talking about a brain injury or unfortunate illness. There’s extreme difficulty coping with the world but it’s not madness and it’s not a delusion.
It’s a natural reaction to bullshit. We’re are completely surrounded by bullshit, on the internet bullshit, on the TV bullshit, in the work place bullshit, from our leaders bullshit etc. etc. The world is running on massive excess levels of bullshit.
And this is the natural emotional response to bullshit.
Mental Health is used to invalidate the anger, freeing the powerful from responsibility and laying blame squarely at the individuals door. In the meantime, piece by piece, the powerful steal everything we’ve ever owned.
So next time someone says to you raise awareness about mental health, maybe tell them to fuck off.
Either that or tell them you’re flying to the Moon to have tea with Kim Jong Un and Barney The Dinosaur.
Fuck mental health.
*Image used without permission of Barney The Dinosaur.
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@ 97121c7b:30a10e4e
2025-01-27 07:05:52
**test descripties**
c ![data:image/svg+xml;utf8,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%22-1.5%20-1.5%208%208%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20fill%3D%22hsl(160%2095%25%2045%25)%22%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%220%22%20y%3D%220%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%220%22%20y%3D%222%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%221%22%20y%3D%220%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%222%22%20y%3D%220%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%222%22%20y%3D%221%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%222%22%20y%3D%222%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%224%22%20y%3D%220%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%224%22%20y%3D%222%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20x%3D%223%22%20y%3D%220%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E]()
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@ 9dd283b1:cf9b6beb
2025-01-27 11:22:04
Everybody is freaking out about DeepSeek—markets crashed, people are saying Nvidia is doomed, and stuff like that. 😄 So I decided to play with it a bit, as I use ChatGPT daily for my work. Here are some thoughts about it:
DeepSeek is not that smart
I know they provided some amazing results and seem to be beating the O1 model, but for personal use, it’s not that smart. I use ChatGPT 90% of the time to write emails, and DeepSeek failed to support me. It wasn’t able to write what I wanted, couldn’t properly reply to emails, and kept mixing up who the sender and recipient were. Completely unusable for me at this point.
DeepSeek is very censored
Nothing about China seems to go through. It looks like the algorithm tries to reply as it types the answer but then terminates the response mid-sentence, providing a generic reply like:
"Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else."
I get this result whether I ask about obvious topics like Tiananmen Square or less obvious ones like Ai Weiwei’s imprisonment and life.
So not sure about the hype, but I've already closed and forgot about it=)
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/865930
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@ 1786d11f:a771b129
2025-01-27 10:35:19
President-elect Donald Trump's administration will prioritize Bitcoin and blockchain innovation with executive orders on day one of his presidency.
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These policies, developed with input from tech leader Marc Andreessen and incoming AI and Bitcoin Czar David Sacks, mark a sharp departure from the prior administration’s stricter regulatory stance.
Andreessen, a key figure in Trump’s tech strategy, has been involved since a pivotal meeting at Trump’s New Jersey golf club last summer.
The focus of their discussions included strategies to enhance American tech dominance, particularly over China.
These initiatives contrast with the Biden administration’s stringent policies following the 2022 FTX collapse, setting the stage for a new chapter in U.S. Bitcoin and crypto policy.
@yakihonne
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@ 362ebffa:492e2719
2025-01-27 09:29:42
Opening of the Ark in Raiders of the Lost Ark from the perspective of a German Soldier:
-----------
The crate creaked open, its ancient hinges groaning like the dead roused from slumber. Oberleutnant Klaus Richter adjusted his cap. The Ark. *Der Führer’s* obsession. Our prize.
“*Achtung!*” Colonel Dietrich barked, his voice trembling with a greed even his iron-clad discipline couldn’t mask. The American—Jones—had warned us. Called it a “radio to God.” But what did a ragged archaeologist know of power? We were the inheritors of the world, and this… this was our birthright.
The lid lifted. A hush fell, the desert itself holding its breath.
At first, there was nothing. Emptiness. Then… *light*. Not the harsh glare of the Sahara, but something liquid, golden, humming with a sound that vibrated in my molars. My rifle slipped from my hands. The others murmured, some laughing nervously, others crossing themselves—fools who’d forgotten we’d forsaken God long ago.
But then the laughter died.
Shadows coiled from the Ark, spiraling like smoke, yet solid. Faces. *Human* faces, but stretched, screaming, dissolving. A lieutenant beside me—Jürgen, the one who’d shared his schnapps last winter—clutched his head. His eyes melted first, liquid trails etching his cheeks before his skin sloughed off like wax. His scream was swallowed by the maelstrom.
I stumbled back, but the light *pulled*. My skin prickled, burning and freezing at once. The shadows swarmed, spectral figures with wings of flame. Angels? No. These were judges. Executioners.
Colonel Dietrich fired his Luger, the shots swallowed by the chaos. His uniform ignited, flames licking his insignia to ash. He became a silhouette, then dust.
I fell to my knees, prayers I thought I’d forgotten spilling from my lips. The American was right. This wasn’t a weapon. It was a mirror. And in its light, we saw ourselves—rotten, screaming things, unworthy of paradise.
The last thing I felt was the light peeling me apart, cell by cell, as the Ark’s wrath sang in my bones: *This is what becomes of men who play at gods.*
---
**Note**: This piece leans into the horror and irony of the scene—the Nazis’ hubris in wielding a force beyond their comprehension, only to be destroyed by their own arrogance. The soldier’s perspective highlights the visceral terror and existential dread of facing divine judgment.
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@ f6488c62:c929299d
2025-01-27 09:07:41
ในสัปดาห์นี้ ตลาดหุ้นสหรัฐฯ โดยเฉพาะ Nasdaq ได้รับผลกระทบอย่างหนักจากข่าวการเปิดตัวเทคโนโลยีปัญญาประดิษฐ์ (AI) รุ่นใหม่ของบริษัท DeepSeek ซึ่งเป็นบริษัทเทคโนโลยีจากประเทศจีน โดยโมเดล AI ใหม่นี้แสดงถึงความก้าวหน้าที่สามารถเทียบเคียงได้กับเทคโนโลยี AI ชั้นนำจากบริษัทในสหรัฐฯ เช่น OpenAI แต่ที่สำคัญยิ่งกว่านั้นคือ เทคโนโลยีของ DeepSeek สามารถทำงานได้บนชิปที่มีประสิทธิภาพต่ำกว่า ซึ่งช่วยลดต้นทุนการพัฒนาและใช้งาน AI ลงอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ
ผลกระทบต่อตลาดหุ้น Nasdaq
ความกังวลเกี่ยวกับความก้าวหน้าของ DeepSeek ส่งผลให้นักลงทุนเกิดความไม่มั่นใจในอนาคตของบริษัทเทคโนโลยีสหรัฐฯ ซึ่งเคยเป็นผู้นำในด้าน AI มาอย่างยาวนาน หลายบริษัทที่มีธุรกิจเกี่ยวข้องกับการพัฒนา AI และชิปประมวลผล เช่น NVIDIA, AMD และบริษัทเทคโนโลยีรายใหญ่อื่น ๆ ต่างได้รับแรงกดดันจนหุ้นปรับตัวลดลงอย่างหนัก
จากข้อมูลล่าสุด ดัชนี Nasdaq ปรับตัวลดลงถึงระดับที่น่าเป็นห่วงในช่วงกลางสัปดาห์ ซึ่งถือเป็นหนึ่งในความผันผวนที่รุนแรงที่สุดในปีนี้ นักวิเคราะห์มองว่า ความก้าวหน้าของเทคโนโลยีจากจีนอาจทำให้การแข่งขันในตลาด AI เข้มข้นยิ่งขึ้น และอาจทำให้สหรัฐฯ สูญเสียความเป็นผู้นำในด้านนี้ หากไม่มีการพัฒนาและปรับตัวอย่างรวดเร็ว
ธนาคารกลางสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มแรงกดดัน
นอกเหนือจากปัจจัยที่มาจากการเปิดตัวเทคโนโลยีใหม่ของ DeepSeek นักลงทุนยังเผชิญกับความผิดหวังในทิศทางนโยบายการเงินของธนาคารกลางสหรัฐฯ (เฟด) ซึ่งส่งสัญญาณว่าจะปรับลดอัตราดอกเบี้ยเพียง 2 ครั้งในปี 2025 น้อยกว่าที่ตลาดคาดการณ์ไว้ก่อนหน้านี้ ความคาดหวังที่ลดลงนี้ได้เพิ่มแรงกดดันให้กับตลาดหุ้น โดยเฉพาะหุ้นกลุ่มเทคโนโลยี
ผลกระทบในอนาคต
ผู้เชี่ยวชาญคาดการณ์ว่า การแข่งขันด้าน AI ระหว่างสหรัฐฯ และจีนจะรุนแรงยิ่งขึ้นในปีหน้า โดยเทคโนโลยี AI ที่มีต้นทุนต่ำและสามารถเข้าถึงได้ง่ายของ DeepSeek อาจเปลี่ยนแปลงแนวทางการพัฒนา AI ในระดับโลก ทั้งนี้ นักลงทุนจำเป็นต้องติดตามสถานการณ์อย่างใกล้ชิด รวมถึงการตอบสนองของบริษัทเทคโนโลยีในสหรัฐฯ ต่อการแข่งขันที่เพิ่มขึ้น
ในขณะที่ความกังวลยังคงมีอยู่ ตลาดหุ้นสหรัฐฯ อาจต้องเผชิญกับความผันผวนในระยะสั้น แต่ในระยะยาว ความก้าวหน้าทางเทคโนโลยีและการปรับตัวของภาคธุรกิจจะเป็นปัจจัยชี้วัดสำคัญว่าใครจะเป็นผู้นำในยุค AI ต่อไป
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@ e373ca41:b82abcc5
2025-01-27 08:33:39
***
***This article by Milosz Matuschek first appeared in German in his publication*** ***["Freischwebende Intelligenz".](https://www.freischwebende-intelligenz.org/p/musk-trump-and-co-die-falschen-befreier)***
***
It's working! Or is it? Trump's inauguration casted its shadow in the last weeks already and produced the first big upsets. Meta/Facebook cancelled their squad of fact-checkers and will rely (like X) on community comments in future. Wokistan is unwound. Zuckerberg now presents himself as an advocate of free speech, declaring a “return to principles”.
For those who believe it, Zuckerberg is an opportunist who *gave in* to the Biden administration and its deletion requests during Covid without much resistance (after *having given* 400 mio. USD through [intermediary organizations](https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-mark-zuckerberg-election-donations-188810437774) into Bidens campaign), regardless of whether it was about masks or later about “vaccinations”. His [Canossa walk to Rogan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nONHwzt7fCk) does not change the fact that he betrayed his own principles and deleted [millions of critical profiles, channels and groups](https://reason.com/2018/10/12/libertarian-and-police-accountability-pa/), including groups in which Facebook users discussed vaccine damage. Where are the profiles? Are they back? Zuckerberg played Ministry of Truth and is now quoting Orwell and toeing the Musk line. This is what a [driven man](https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/mark-zuckerberg-chd-meta-censorship-lawsuit-fundraiser/) looks like, not a man of conviction. The mainstream is shocked and is already labeling Facebook as a new hate portal. When will the accusation of anti-Semitism kick in?
<https://x.com/TheBabylonBee/status/1876683974560350626>
### The Musk effect
All of these are gestures of submission to the new ruler of public opinion: Elon Musk. He owns the largest network for "free speech", he himself is its biggest influencer and is recalibrating what can be said in public. His journeyman's piece was Trump's election victory. Changing the political mood in the world could be his masterpiece.
For a long time, he admittedly did this extremely skillfully. He tweeted about the deep state, Soros and Gates, the population collapse, compulsory vaccination, etc. and got on well with the critical scene, some of whom are now all too submissively trying to recognize their new messiah in him. Musk throws his media spotlight on topics that the newspapers remain silent about and gave politicians underrepresented in the mainstream, such as Alice Weidel (opposition leader in Germany, AfD), a forum.
Musk has repeatedly brought the Epstein case and paedophile scandals, such as in England (Rotherham, Oxford), into the media spotlight. Pakistani gangs abused minors and children there for years; [anyone reading the verdict will need strong nerves](https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Judgments/sentencing-remarks-r-v-dogar-others.pdf). In Austria, a trial for gang abuse of a 12-year-old girl has just ended with an acquittal. The judges believe she wanted it that way. During the trial, the defendant put a hundred Euro note on the table for the victim's lawyer, which is what mocking “reparation” looks like. In “our democracy” in Germany, sentences are handed down on a piecework basis for ludicrous “insults to politicians”.
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Musk is de facto the most powerful man in the world (satellites, SpaceX, Mars, Tesla, mRNA vaccination routes, Pentagon connections, X..,). Where so much power is involved, megalomania is not far away. He is acting increasingly clumsily.
It is currently confirming for all to see the cliché that politics is basically the entertainment department of industry. Even in “our democracy”, the bosses of the world have always chosen their political generals, who are interchangeable. In the case of Bill Gates, George Soros & Son etc., the executive was the woke nomenklatura right up to the EU. With Musk, it is the new, right-wing conservative nomenklatura.
***
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***
Musk smooches Meloni, interviews Alice Weidel, auditions Farage (and cancels again: “doesn't have what it takes”). The Weidel interview was certainly a necessary corrective to the current media asymmetry ([and no one should be able to deny access to a source of information](https://pareto.space/a/naddr1qqxnzdenxc6rydejxymnwvfhqgswxu72gyq7ykjdfl9j556887jpzwu3mw3v9ez36quas55whq4te3grqsqqqa28s0zrt9)). There is no doubt that the second strongest party in the German mainstream media does not have a fair chance to convey its content. Talk shows, if there are invitations to AfD politicians at all, are public inquisition events with calls for self-criticism.
But the Musk-Weidel talk was not journalism either. It was a public casting event, a kind of “Apprentice” on X. Or have you seen a journalist anywhere? A platform operator and a politician tapped each other a bit and confirmed each other. All this is already bringing the EU onto the scene, Thierry Breton is already waving the possible annulment of the elections in Germany. An oligarch is unmasking the EU oligarchy and both want to do it for democracy, what a world...
### "Which piggy would you like?"
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiwkYCFD6EA>
So asked Robert Lembke some decades ago in the German TV show “What am I?”: And that's supposed to be the choice now: Pick your favorite oligarch or next slave owner. In the end, every big tech business model is based on advertising and data mining. Zuckerberg, Musk & Co. sell identity, friendship, memories and ultimately your content. Twitter also wanted to buy Substack and got “Revue”. The customer (aka the product) is sold to the advertising industry, Zuckerberg potentially knows each of his users down to their character traits (unknown even to the user) (check: [www.applymagicsauce.com](http://www.applymagicsauce.com)). Like in the 80s movie with Arnie, this is a kind of “running man”, a gladiator game in front of an assembled world audience.
Whoever wins attention for themselves (and the platform) wins back a small amount of freedom and even earns something in the process. Musk recently changed his X name to “Kekius Maximus” (whereupon memecoins of the same name immediately sprang up, to each ruler his own currency), reminiscent of the gladiator Maximus from the film of the same name by Ridley Scott. The gladiator's owner told him: “Win the crowd and you win your freedom”. Not much has changed since ancient Rome. As the world's top meme maker with the greatest reach, Musk also has the greatest influence on social moods. No content is more viral and memorable than memes. The winner here is the one with the highest level of replication. That's what Musk does.
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The changes we are currently seeing are just the beginning, both positive and (possibly) negative. The first effect is already visible: Wokistan is withdrawing from platforms that are not ideologically curated. Fearing accusations of contact guilt, they obediently throw themselves off the nearest cliff and voluntarily curtail their own reach; the last example was “Watson.ch” from Switzerland, a journalistically narrow-chested list and click medium for chai latte sippers from Bern and Zurich. Will the “X-itus” be followed by the great unfriending of Facebook? There won't be much left, Tiktok also ticked to the right beat by their standards (as long as it's not against China). The next place of mercy for Woke is called Bluesky, where there is neither hate nor agitation, right?
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It must be clear to everyone now: The result of liberation by others is never freedom, but new dependence. What has not been fought for is always a continuation of neo-feudalism and (virtual) serfdom in a different form. The tools for regaining freedom have long been in our hands. What separates us from freedom is ultimately only comfort.
The book [“The Sovereign Individual” was recently translated into German.](https://bitcoinbook.shop/products/das-souverane-individuum?Format=Paperback) It was written over 25 years ago.
Read it!
***
***Join the marketplace of ideas!** We are building a publishing ecosystem on Nostr for citizen-journalism, starting with a client for blogging and newsletter distribution. Sound money and sound information should finally be in the hands of the people, right? Want to learn more about the [Pareto Project](https://pareto.space/en)? Zap me, if you want to contribute (all Zaps go to the project).*
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*Are you a publication or journalist and want to be part of it, test us, migrate your content to Nostr? Write to **<team@pareto.space>***
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-26 15:26:44
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued new guidance halting spending on most foreign aid grants for 90 days, including military assistance to Ukraine. This immediate order shocked State Department officials and mandates “stop-work orders” on nearly all existing foreign assistance awards.
While it allows exceptions for military financing to Egypt and Israel, as well as emergency food assistance, it restricts aid to key allies like Ukraine, Jordan, and Taiwan. The guidance raises potential liability risks for the government due to unfulfilled contracts.
A report will be prepared within 85 days to recommend which programs to continue or discontinue.
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-26 01:31:47
## Chef's notes
# arbitray
- test
- of
- chefs notes
## hedding 2
## Details
- ⏲️ Prep time: 20
- 🍳 Cook time: 1 hour
- 🍽️ Servings: 5
## Ingredients
- Test ingredient
- 2nd test ingredient
## Directions
1. Bake
2. Cool
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-25 22:16:54
President Trump plans to withdraw 20,000 U.S. troops from Europe and expects European allies to contribute financially to the remaining military presence. Reported by ANSA, Trump aims to deliver this message to European leaders since taking office. A European diplomat noted, “the costs cannot be borne solely by American taxpayers.”
The Pentagon hasn't commented yet. Trump has previously sought lower troop levels in Europe and had ordered cuts during his first term. The U.S. currently maintains around 65,000 troops in Europe, with total forces reaching 100,000 since the Ukraine invasion. Trump's new approach may shift military focus to the Pacific amid growing concerns about China.
[Sauce](https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-01-24/trump-europe-troop-cuts-16590074.html)
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-25 14:32:21
| Parameters | Dry Mead | Medium Mead | Sweet Mead |
|------------|-----------|-------------|------------|
| Honey | 2 lbs (900 grams) | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) | 4 lbs (1.81 kg) |
| Yeast | ~0.07 oz (2 grams) | ~0.08 oz (2.5 grams) | ~0.10 oz (3 grams) |
| Fermentation | ~4 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Racking | Fortnight or later | 1 month or after | ~2 months and after |
| Specific Gravity | <1.010 | ~1.01 to ~1.025 | >1.025 |
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-23 15:09:56
President Trump has ordered thousands of additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of an effort to address immigration and security issues. This directive builds on his initial commitment to increase military presence along the border.
Currently, around 2,200 active-duty personnel and approximately 4,500 National Guardsmen are stationed there. The new deployment aims to enhance the capabilities of Joint Task Force-North, allowing troops to assist in operations and provide intelligence support.
Details on specific units remain unclear. The situation is still developing, with updates expected.
[Sauce](https://thepostmillennial.com/breaking-president-trump-orders-thousands-of-troops-to-the-us-border-with-mexico)
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@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9
2025-01-27 06:30:31
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/865514
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@ 97121c7b:30a10e4e
2025-01-27 06:18:42
here is where the content will be
just a test
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@ ae6ce958:d0f02c7d
2025-01-27 05:36:26
In the tradition of *The Pragmatic Programmer*, let’s dive deeper into how DamageBDD enables programmers to switch into flow, earn sats for their efforts, and unlock a positive neural feedback loop by fostering behavior-driven thinking. This not only amplifies productivity but also strengthens cognitive abilities, making developers sharper, more agile thinkers in the long run.
---
### **Flow State Meets Real-Time Rewards**
#### **What Is Flow?**
The flow state is that magical zone where work feels effortless, time disappears, and every action seems to naturally lead to the next. Achieving flow requires clarity, focus, feedback, and a meaningful sense of progress—elements that DamageBDD inherently provides.
#### **How DamageBDD Induces Flow**
1. **Behavior-Driven Focus:**
BDD scenarios act as the “North Star” for developers, defining *what the system should do* in clear, actionable terms. There’s no ambiguity, no wasted energy figuring out what needs to be done—only a set of behaviors to implement, refine, or fix.
2. **Instant Feedback Loops:**
Every line of code you write is immediately evaluated against predefined BDD scenarios. If it works, you see the green light and earn sats. If it fails, you get actionable feedback to correct it. This near-instantaneous feedback is a cornerstone of flow, reinforcing productive momentum.
3. **Real-Time Rewards:**
With Bitcoin Lightning integration, every passing test or fixed behavior comes with an immediate, tangible payout. The brain loves rewards—earning sats becomes a dopamine hit, keeping you engaged and motivated.
---
### **The Positive Neural Feedback Loop of Thinking in Terms of Behavior**
#### **Why Behavior-Driven Thinking Matters**
Programming in terms of *behavior* is more than a methodology—it’s a cognitive framework that sharpens your mind. When you define problems as behaviors to achieve, you:
- **Simplify Complexity:** Abstracting functionality into behaviors reduces cognitive load, making it easier to reason about systems.
- **Improve Problem Solving:** Thinking in terms of "what should happen" (rather than "how to make it happen") trains your brain to identify outcomes first, encouraging solution-focused thinking.
- **Enhance Communication:** Clear behavior definitions bridge gaps between developers, testers, and stakeholders, fostering better collaboration.
---
#### **The Neural Benefits**
1. **Reinforcing Neural Pathways for Logical Thinking:**
Every time you think in terms of behaviors, you exercise critical thinking and decision-making processes. Over time, these neural pathways strengthen, making you a faster, sharper problem solver.
2. **Amplifying Pattern Recognition:**
Writing and debugging BDD scenarios train your brain to recognize patterns in system behaviors. This skill extends beyond coding—your ability to spot patterns in other domains improves as well.
3. **The Dopamine Feedback Loop:**
Passing a test, fixing a bug, or earning sats provides immediate positive reinforcement. This dopamine boost strengthens your association between effort and reward, creating a virtuous cycle that keeps you engaged and growing.
4. **Cognitive Flexibility:**
Behavior-driven thinking encourages adaptability. You’re constantly switching between defining, implementing, and refining behaviors—an exercise in cognitive flexibility that enhances your ability to pivot quickly in complex situations.
---
### **Amplifying Cognitive Skills Through BDD Practices**
1. **Systems Thinking:**
DamageBDD encourages you to think holistically. BDD scenarios inherently connect individual behaviors to the larger system, fostering a deep understanding of how components interact.
2. **Empathy for End Users:**
Since BDD focuses on *expected behaviors*, you’re always considering the user’s perspective. This not only improves product quality but also develops your ability to empathize and anticipate needs—a skill valuable in both technical and non-technical settings.
3. **Mindfulness and Focus:**
Writing clear, precise BDD scenarios requires mindfulness. You must focus on the behavior you’re defining, ignoring distractions or unnecessary details. This mindful attention to detail translates into improved focus across all areas of life.
---
### **Switching Into Flow with DamageBDD: The Process**
1. **Defined Goals Through BDD:**
BDD scenarios clearly define what needs to be accomplished. Each scenario is a mini-goal, providing a structured starting point for deep work.
2. **Automated Context Switching:**
DamageBDD integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, handling testing, verification, and payouts. This automation eliminates the mental effort of managing manual workflows, freeing your mind to focus on the task at hand.
3. **Visual Dashboards for Real-Time Progress:**
Real-time dashboards keep you in the loop, showing which tests have passed, which are failing, and how much you’ve earned in sats. This constant visibility reinforces a sense of progress and achievement, key elements of flow.
---
### **Switching Out of Flow: Sustainable Productivity**
1. **Natural Breakpoints:**
Each passing test, earned payout, or resolved scenario creates a natural stopping point, encouraging healthy breaks and preventing burnout.
2. **Celebrating Progress:**
DamageBDD doesn’t just reward you with sats—it gives you a clear picture of your contributions. Seeing how your work aligns with the product’s evolution provides intrinsic motivation and satisfaction.
3. **Gamification for Reflection:**
Leaderboards, badges, or streaks could be implemented to gamify progress, encouraging reflection on your work and motivating future engagement.
---
### **Earning Sats in Cyberspace: Making Work Tangible**
DamageBDD’s integration with the Bitcoin Lightning Network creates a revolutionary financial model for developers:
1. **Every Contribution Matters:**
Whether you’re fixing a bug, passing a test, or writing new BDD scenarios, you’re rewarded in sats. This turns even small contributions into meaningful, tangible outcomes.
2. **Microtransactions for Microtasks:**
Unlike traditional compensation models, DamageBDD pays for specific, measurable achievements. This decentralizes reward distribution and ensures fairness.
3. **Compounding Value:**
As you earn sats, you’re also improving the product and your skills. This creates a compounding effect where your work generates value for the system, for yourself, and for your future employability.
---
### **A Day in the Life with DamageBDD**
- **Morning:** You review a list of failing BDDs, prioritizing those with the highest payouts. You dive in, quickly fixing a few behaviors, and see your balance increase by 15,000 sats.
- **Midday:** Collaborating with teammates, you define new BDD scenarios for a feature. As they pass, you collectively earn sats while seeing the feature evolve in real-time.
- **Afternoon:** You notice an ambiguous BDD and rewrite it for clarity. Your improved scenario prevents potential bugs and earns you recognition and additional sats.
By the end of the day, you’ve been immersed in productive flow, refined your cognitive skills, and earned sats for your contributions.
---
### **Conclusion: DamageBDD as a Cognitive and Economic Catalyst**
DamageBDD doesn’t just make programming more productive—it makes it more rewarding, both financially and cognitively. By fostering behavior-driven thinking, enabling flow states, and creating a tangible connection between effort and reward, it:
- Strengthens your brain’s problem-solving abilities.
- Encourages mindfulness and focus.
- Provides immediate gratification for meaningful contributions.
For pragmatic programmers who value growth, productivity, and fairness, DamageBDD isn’t just a tool—it’s a transformative experience that rewards you for diving into cyberspace, one behavior at a time.
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@ 2d71bbd8:0088d52f
2025-01-27 05:14:52
Some say certain events change our lives in such extreme ways that you will remember them as marking a before and an after. We could say that about some chaotic events making the news, or changes sweeping away the known ways of the world, like a new wave of technology. Something more meaningful can happen to each of us, transforming our lives in deeper ways: love.
I remember a time before him, and everything else is life with him.
Love can feel like a ghost arriving with unpredictable timing and difficult to imagine until you live it. Some think it's real though they've never experienced it. Others spend their lifetimes looking for it. Others think it doesn't exist, and that heartbreak is proof of that. Why does love feel so elusive? How do we even recognize what love is, *real* love. I'm recalling a scene in the movie While You Were Sleeping, which asks the question, "When did you fall in love with him?". The answer being the title of the movie. If you've experienced love, when did you know you were in love?
For me, it was a particular moment where he started digging into what I thought about something. We had spent many days exchanging conversations, I don't remember exactly how long. They felt formal, structured, without as much depth to them. It was as if we didn't yet feel free to be ourselves. I don't remember what we were talking about that specific night, but he was genuinely interested in what I was saying. Many can fake conversations, but this was not that. We had a deeper spontaneous conversation, and he continues to do that almost every single day. We are constantly extending the roots of our history.
Our lifetimes may be but dust in the existence of the universe, but, in this brief moment in time (which seems long to us), we have shared more thoughts than I have probably exchanged with most of the people I know, combined. I didn't think that was possible nor bearable, yet it feels comfortable and often cozy, even after all these years. I miss it significantly when we have gotten busy on something else in our lives. I thought it would fall back into the mundane, but it doesn't. It is like magnetic curiosity on fire.
Not a day goes by where I don't wonder how my life became so blessed by his existence. He has been an oasis, as there is no topic we cannot talk about or dive into respectfully and deeply. Life is not an easy clear path we walk on everyday. On days of turmoil, when emotional waves are crashing on the shores of our hearts, it is this ability to tell each other anything that has resolved most of the issues at core. Listening to what we each have to say has granted us an understanding of the situation no one else could have. The listening is the starting foundation, as we build a compilation of moments on it, like blocks on a Bitcoin blockchain that cannot be undone.
We often hear that happiness is the goal for a relationship, but we haven't experienced a relationship until we have walked through the whole range of emotions together. It is in those moments, where we're hanging on to each other for strength, that you realize the power of love. It is the sweetest nectar that carries you forward, even during bitter times.
There is a before and an after, and I feel grateful for living in the after, for as long as life grants us time.
I often wonder about all those little details that make him special to me, but also their opposite, which makes it often into our conversations as we decide what we want our love to be. It is as if we were creating a compass to how to love from understanding the differences between what we value and what we choose to leave out. It is not a ruleset. It works like a protocol.
It may be a cultural aspect of today's society, which favors women who do not speak their mind, but I hardly ever remember anyone being seriously interested in what I was saying. I've sometimes heard the idea of how we look more beautiful when we're quiet. I don't think beauty could be silent, as it lives within the heart, and you would never get to know it if it doesn't have a voice of its own.
I'm very familiar with the faces of people reacting to something a woman says. It takes different shapes. Some are worried about what you might say, even after they've asked for your advice. They can be concerned that your differing patterns of thinking might reveal a truth they are trying hard to conceal or ignore. Yet our thinking as individuals is often lacking in perspective, and we cannot gaze at the forest while being a tree. Humans are meant to be connected, and exchanging information is an important part of that connection.
Another familiar stare are those vacant eyes, similar nowadays to people looking at their phones. Cancel culture is comparable, as it ignores variety of thought, to live within a controlled sphere of what is acceptable, where truth cannot thrive. On social media, you may not see people's faces, but you can feel the coldness of their silence, as if they had turned their back on a part of their humanity. It used to be that we would only experience reactions from people, now it's not only the people but algorithms, bots.... I understand the need to feel comfortable somewhere, but I've learned the beauty of welcoming human thought, and with it heart. It is like staring out into the ocean, and realizing how small we are. A place where you cannot be yourself, and where you are worried about being censored if you speak on specific topics, seems like a lonely one. I'm grateful we have our own little niche of freedom here.
The worst reactions to differing voices are attacks, regardless of what you have to say. It is like that old Aesop's fable "The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey." That large book of fables is engraved in my childhood memories, with most of its fables lost to time, as if it was perpetually open to that one page. I didn't know then just how important it would be to love. Love requires you to be you. No alternative exists, nor would you want one, once you feel the freedom. As he likes to say, "It is those things you think are imperfect and flawed within you, that I love."
I learned early on that people's reactions are often a reflection of inner turmoil, so you always wonder what each person has lived through that has made them react to you so negatively. Some people seem wired for fighting without a conscious awareness of what's behind their fighting, as if they were trolls, forgoing the benefits of working toward similar goals. Others seem to enjoy the attention that comes with the chaos, and the likes from spreading lies. I wish there was a stronger culture of respect and a desire to understand and learn from each other, as I feel the benefits of that everyday with him. It seems strange to gaze at the conversations of people fighting each other to where they've forgotten what started the fight, and they continue fighting over nothing.
The human desire for ignoring differing points of view or bringing them down runs deeper and more widespread than I'd like. It's as if mutual listening has become a lost art. Without listening, knowledge fades away, along with empathy. Social media may be changing part of the culture, though at times it seems to magnify the issues. The existence of nostr, however, gives me hope, as it's core principle is to value human thought and the diverse ways to protect it. I am grateful for how it encourages a building of trust based on verification, shaping the foundation for both identity and communities.
Who are we if we cannot listen to each other. Who are we if we favor silence of what we do not understand or what is different. Could humanity be what it is today if people didn't exchange their voices and built upon them. Who are we if we silence criticism, when it is through constructive criticism that we grow. Would we want silence of what makes us unique to be the norm for those we love and those who will come in future generations, as if we were a single minded machine puppeteered by a few. Without an ability to think and speak freely, we lose the foundation that makes love possible. Without love it is as if we haven't lived.
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@ bbb5dda0:f09e2747
2025-01-27 03:22:10
At Nostriga in the middle of last year I got introduced to TollGate, a project to resell internet access, I was fascinated and hyped for this to become a thing. Later during SEC-03 I got involved in the development of TollGate and helped work out the idea utilizing Nostr to make the experience of using a TollGate super smooth. That's where the idea started to make a cross-platform app that would autoconnect and start streaming sats to TollGates for internet access.
I'd been working on it here and there and this week I feel like I got in to the developer high (i'm sure some of you know what that feels like) and I just wanted to see the android app work! So as the week moved along I just kept being drawn in. And progress there was! The vision we had during SEC is coming to be a reality very fast.
**TL;DR** There's a demo video at the bottom.
## Quick CI/CD update
I've been talking to DanConwayDev to work together on getting the UI for the pipelines into GitWorkshop, which would be the perfect place for it. He's in the middle of a rewrite, so when that is progressing a bit more we'll cooperate on making this part of it, stay tuned!
## Whoami
I started by creating a service that would run on every TollGate router that a client can use to fetch their own MAC address that's later included in the payment. The MAC address is the anchor for the router to allow/disallow access. The problem we have on Android is that the operating system restricts access to this information. But since we control the router, we can work around it by creating a predictable endpoint that gives us back this answer.
## Beacon frames
Routers use something called Beacon Frames, which are sent out regularly and it is the thing your phone looks at when scanning for wifi networks. It contains the name of the network (SSID) and a whole bunch of other stuff you don't usually see.
We're utilising these beacon frames to add some information specific to tollgates. There is a field in these beacon frames called 'vendor elements'. Which is originally only intended for use by manufacturers of routers. But ofcourse we can utilize them too. Which is exactly what we do.
I eperimented with these beacon frames to see how many of them we can broadcast. It turns out that we're limited to only one of them, but the good news is we can fit up to 249 characters (256 - a few reserved ones) in there.
This is amazing because it will fit everything we need in there.
We put in:
- Nostr npub
- TollGate version
- Gateway IP (required to get around OS limitations)
- allocationType (KiB/Minutes)
- price per 1024 units (eg: 104900 sats per 1024 KiB)
- price units (sat)
So now any tollgate can broadcast this info, which is used by clients to decide wether or not they should connect. And if they do, where the payment should go.
## Suggestions, Suggestions, Suggestions
Unfortunately, Android in the past few years has locked down the wifi api's and we can no longer fully autoconnect to networks. Instead we have to use the 'wifi suggestions' API. As the name implies, it will only suggest a nework to a user using a silent notification that they have to press to actually connect. But alas, we'll work with that and if it's the only user-action required, that's still quite okay.
It took me quite a while to figure out the way the OS handles these suggestions, but eventually I got it to work and was able to get the flow to work!
## Adding the payment
Ok this part doesn't include an actual payment yet, but all the components are in place now for a (semi-)automatic tollgate connection, which is EPIC!
In this version i still manually tap 'connect', but this can and will be automatic soon.
So the steps are as follows (this happens in a few seconds):
- 📲 TollGate App scans for networks and filters for TollGates
- 👤 User taps Connect [to be automated]
- 📲 TollGate App suggests network
- 👤 User taps suggestion notification to connect
- 🤖 Android connects to network
- 📲 TollGate App fetches it's own MAC address (whoami service on router)
- 📲 TollGate App Connects to Nostr relay (running on the router)
- 📲 TollGate App Sends payment
- 🛜 Router receives payment (merchant module)
- 🛜 Router creates session (merchant module)
- 🛜 Router opens the gate for user (valve module)
- 🛜 Router closes the gate for user, when purchase runs out (valve module)
I made this recording, it has a small caveat that at the end the page loaded because I was on 5g, the OS still thought the wifi network had a captive portal open. But there's an API to mark it as dismissed, which we can easily implement. So that's an issue we can overcome!
## Demo video
https://cdn.satellite.earth/ede26976043a0b8edf278ea51aa0c00e721d2134c4e456928192090ea660bda0.mp4
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-27 03:22:10
As the fiat distortion field thickens, its intensity turns reality into an unrelenting mirage—a world where central bank promises are gospel, the inflationary inferno masquerades as growth, and every citizen's lifeline is a debit card leashed to an empty vault. In this battlefield of blind obedience, the Bitcoiners—the insurgents who dared to build an alternative lifeboat—become phantoms. Their quiet exodus into a parallel economy is drowned out by the roaring lies of fiat propaganda, the din of compliance echoing across the smoldering ruins of free markets.
The fiat heads march in lockstep, their gaze fixed on the shimmering mirage of digital central bank tokens. "Progress," the generals of fiat scream, as they shovel paper promises into the bonfire of real wealth. The fiat faithful, eyes glazed with hope and fear, cannot see the Bitcoiners. To them, they are ghosts—whispered myths of rebels who abandoned ship, whose defiance now lingers in the shadows, shielded by unbreakable cryptographic armor.
As the distortion field reaches its zenith, the fiat system's collapse becomes inevitable. Like a termite-riddled dam holding back the floodwaters of monetary truth, cracks begin to appear. Inflation spirals, savings vanish, and every bailout only tightens the noose. The Bitcoiners are nowhere to be found. They've long since disappeared into the layers of the Lightning Network, the on-chain fortress of hard money—a world impervious to fiat's decay. The fiat heads do not understand this exodus; they cannot comprehend a life beyond the permissioned panopticon that shackles them.
And then comes the reckoning.
The collapse is not orderly. It is a spectacular implosion of trust and liquidity, a cascading failure that shatters economies and erases generations of paper wealth. The fiat shills—those who fought tooth and nail to maintain the illusion—are the first to cash out, selling their last scraps of dignity for a seat on the escape pods. They abandon the wreckage, leaving behind a trail of blood and guts. It is not a clean break. The betrayal is writ large in the empty accounts of the faithful, in the pension funds robbed blind, in the riots of the starving masses.
For the Bitcoiners, this is no victory parade. There is no schadenfreude, no banners waving triumphantly. They have already built their citadels, their parallel world of decentralization and sovereignty. While the fiat faithful drown in the deluge, the Bitcoiners watch silently, their invisibility now a shield against the chaos. They knew this was coming. They prepared. But the blood on the streets is a bitter reminder that not everyone could—or would—escape.
The war is over, but its scars run deep. A generation of fiat heads pays the ultimate price for their faith in a failing system. The Bitcoiners remain, rebuilding in the ashes, unseen yet omnipresent—reminders of the cost of ignorance in the face of hard truths. The distortion field fades, and the truth emerges: you cannot print trust, nor can you inflate sovereignty. The fiat mirage has finally burned away. But at what cost?
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-27 02:53:44
Introduction
In the field of clinical psychology, we understand that mental health is deeply influenced by external socioeconomic factors. Economic stress, financial uncertainty, and a lack of personal agency are pervasive contributors to psychological distress. Simultaneously, we are witnessing a global economic environment shaped by fiat currency systems that perpetuate cycles of inflation, wealth inequality, and financial instability. These forces exacerbate the mental health challenges faced by millions worldwide, from financial anxiety to depression, despair, and even suicide.
However, emerging technologies like Bitcoin present an unprecedented opportunity to address these issues at their core. Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency with immutable monetary properties, offers individuals financial sovereignty and stability in an otherwise unpredictable fiat system. By combining the principles of sound money with evidence-based psychological therapies, we can create a mental health app that not only alleviates mental suffering but also empowers users to reclaim control over their financial futures.
This document outlines a proposal for a groundbreaking mental health app, appealing to clinical psychologists and mental health professionals who are dedicated to addressing the deeper socioeconomic roots of psychological distress. By integrating Bitcoin into therapeutic practices, this app aims to provide both psychological and financial liberation—a double-barreled solution to the interconnected crises of mental health and financial disempowerment.
---
The Problem: Economic Stress and Mental Health
1. The Vicious Cycle of Economic Stress:
Economic instability, inflation, and job insecurity are leading contributors to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicide. Research has consistently shown that financial strain is one of the most significant stressors in modern life.
2. The Fiat System’s Role:
Fiat currency systems, with their inherent susceptibility to inflation and devaluation, erode personal savings and wealth over time. This creates a pervasive sense of financial insecurity, particularly for individuals with low incomes or limited access to financial education.
3. Mental Health Professionals' Challenge:
While therapy provides tools to manage stress and build resilience, the root causes of financial anxiety often remain unaddressed. Clinical psychologists lack tools to directly impact their patients' financial well-being, leaving a gap in treatment that perpetuates the cycle of distress.
---
The Solution: A Bitcoin-Based Mental Health App
This app bridges the gap between financial empowerment and mental health care, addressing both psychological and economic challenges through innovative features. It aligns with the principles of clinical psychology while leveraging Bitcoin's transformative potential as a decentralized, inflation-resistant monetary system.
---
Core Features
1. Financial Sovereignty Through Bitcoin
Savings Mechanism: Users can set up automated Bitcoin savings (e.g., dollar-cost averaging) to build financial security. This reduces anxiety caused by inflation and the devaluation of fiat savings.
Educational Modules: The app provides accessible, gamified lessons on Bitcoin and sound money, empowering users with financial literacy. Understanding the stability and predictability of Bitcoin can mirror therapeutic principles of control and agency.
2. Psychological Therapy with Incentives
Gamified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The app offers CBT exercises such as mindfulness practices, journaling, and gratitude exercises. Completing these tasks earns users small amounts of Bitcoin ("sats"), creating positive reinforcement and a tangible sense of reward.
Behavioral Economics Integration: Modules teach users to align their mental health practices with the principles of Bitcoin, such as patience (low time preference) and discipline, fostering resilience and long-term thinking.
3. Immediate Crisis Support
Lightning Network Micro-Transactions: The app enables users to send and receive instant, low-cost Bitcoin payments, creating a decentralized crisis fund. This fund can be used to provide financial assistance for therapy sessions, medications, or emergency needs.
Access to Resources: Users can connect directly to mental health professionals, crisis helplines, and peer support groups within the app.
4. Community and Peer Support
Bitcoin-Psychology Network: A global community of like-minded individuals provides social support, combating isolation and fostering shared resilience. Users can share stories of overcoming financial and psychological challenges, creating a collective sense of hope and purpose.
Collaborative Challenges: Gamified group activities encourage healthy behaviors, with Bitcoin rewards for participation and achievement.
5. Data Sovereignty and Privacy
Decentralized Data Storage: Users own their mental health records and therapy progress through encrypted, decentralized storage, ensuring privacy and security. This aligns with Bitcoin’s ethos of self-sovereignty and trustlessness.
---
Psychological Benefits
1. Alleviating Financial Anxiety:
By introducing users to a sound monetary system, the app reduces fears of inflation, devaluation, and financial instability. This newfound security supports mental well-being.
2. Reinforcing Positive Behaviors:
The Bitcoin reward system creates an incentive structure that aligns with therapeutic goals, reinforcing habits that improve mental health.
3. Promoting a Low Time Preference Mindset:
Bitcoin’s principles encourage long-term planning and delayed gratification, fostering mental resilience and reducing impulsive behaviors.
4. Building Hope and Agency:
The app empowers users to take control of their finances and mental health, creating a sense of agency that is critical for psychological recovery.
---
Appeal to Clinical Psychologists
As a clinical psychologist, your mission is to heal minds and improve lives. This app offers you a unique opportunity to extend your impact beyond traditional therapy:
1. Addressing Root Causes:
By integrating financial education and empowerment into mental health care, you can address one of the most significant sources of stress for your patients.
2. Leveraging Innovation:
This app harnesses cutting-edge technology to provide scalable, accessible mental health support. It complements your clinical practice by providing tools that patients can use independently.
3. Empowering Your Patients:
Offering your patients a pathway to financial sovereignty alongside psychological recovery enables them to build a sustainable, resilient future.
4. Joining a Revolutionary Movement:
By supporting this app, you become part of a global movement to address the systemic causes of mental health crises and promote holistic well-being.
---
Call to Action
We invite clinical psychologists to collaborate with us in shaping this app. Your expertise is invaluable in ensuring that the psychological tools and interventions offered are evidence-based, effective, and user-friendly. Together, we can create a platform that not only saves lives but also empowers individuals to reclaim their mental and financial well-being.
Let us build a future where sound money and sound minds go hand in hand. Join us in revolutionizing mental health care—one sat at a time.
---
Would you like to discuss partnerships, provide feedback, or explore how this app could integrate with your practice? Let’s start a conversation that has the power to change lives.
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@ 59c2e15a:d25e6e8d
2025-01-27 02:29:42
*Note: I originally wrote these essays on bitcoin and yoga in 2022 after completing my yoga teacher training and going deep down the bitcoin rabbit hole. I then published them to my [Ghost blog](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/) in 2023. I decided to repost them here on Nostr to start 2025 to further spread the wisdom and timelessness that bitcoin and yoga share. I split my original essay into seven parts, and I will add an eighth comparing yoga and Nostr. I hope you enjoy part one - namaste!*
[**Part I**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/bitcoin-and-yoga-part-1/)**:** Bitcoin and Yoga Shared Values
[**Part II**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/bitcoin-and-yoga/)**:** Mythical/Mystical Origins
[**Part III**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/bitcoin-and-yoga-pathways-to-individual-sovereignty-part-iii/)**:** Evolution of Money and Yoga
[**Part IV**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/ashtanga-yoga-comparing-the-8-limbs-of-yoga-elements-of-bitcoin/)**:** Ashtanga Yoga - The Eight Limbs of Yoga (limbs 1-2)
[**Part V**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/ashtanga-yoga-comparing-the-8-limbs-of-yoga-elements-of-bitcoin-2/)**:** Ashtanga Yoga - The Eight Limbs of Yoga (limbs 3-8)
[**Part VI**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/bitcoin-is-dharma/): Bitcoin is Dharma
[**Part VII**](https://the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io/himalayan-kriya-yoga-and-bitcoin/)**:** Himalayan Kriya Yoga
**Introduction**
With each passing day, month, and year, it feels as though our human civilization is becoming more dysfunctional, untethered, and unsustainable. Individuals are working harder, longer hours, yet most remain stuck in place, goals farther from reach. We live in a world where many have outsourced the most critical task that has enabled humans to prosper – critical thinking. I challenge each one of you to remove preconceived notions you might have about Bitcoin or Yoga before reading this series. I invite you to enter with an open mind. Think for yourself – you are welcome to agree or disagree with the information and arguments I put forth.
I also encourage you to go beyond thinking – *feel*. Use your intuition to understand if the way you’re living your day-to-day life feels good to you, or if you have sense, an inner knowing that something is off with our society today – that there can be a better way. If you open your heart and mind to receiving new information, there is potential to motivate yourself to change your thoughts and behaviors for more aligned action towards individual sovereignty. Every individual can choose freedom and independence. Yet it has become increasingly difficult to live a life of freedom due to the fiat system of inflation and the many distractions that keep us from going inward. After deep study and reflection, I believe bitcoin and yoga both provide the individual control over their own life journey, and frameworks to understand our connection to self and others.
I'm excited to share what I have found in my own personal experience, and hope to spark curiosity within you to follow your passion. This writing is intended for anyone seeking tools to lead a life of freedom, make positive changes and deepen your understanding of self. In addition, it is written for yogis who want to learn about bitcoin, bitcoiners who want to learn more about yoga, and anyone who is interested in a fundamental understanding of these topics that I believe contain the potential to transform your life.
**Part I: Bitcoin and Yoga Shared Values**
Bitcoin and yoga share many fundamental values with one another and provide deep wisdom on guiding individuals towards living better and more meaningful lives. Ultimately bitcoin and yoga share the goal of individual liberation, freedom from suffering, and a deep inner, lasting peace in Being. In yoga, this state is called *moksha* or *samadhi*. I believe everyone has a true essence, an inner being that knows what is best. However, our external environment and our own conscious mind push us away from this serenity, leading to regrets about the past or anxieties about the future. This perspective of linear time and our own individual stories and identity damage our ability to stay present in the Now, leading to endless distractions. In similar ways, bitcoin and yoga provide us insight for an individual’s path to inner peace, as well as for humanity’s path to collective peace and prosperity.
*Energy*
At the most elemental level, energy is the force underlying both bitcoin and yoga. Energy is the universal currency of life. We would not exist without energy. We require physical energy to fuel our cells and bodies to perform essential tasks like breathing, circulation, digestion, and movement. We perceive many forms of energy such as light or sound waves, yet there are many energy wavelengths we are not able to or are not trained to perceive.
Bitcoin is powered by physical energy in the real world in a process that secures the network and unlocks new bitcoin for distribution, a process commonly referred to as mining. Interestingly, 100 years ago, Henry Ford pushed for an energy-linked currency measured in kilowatt hours that could bring peace after a brutal World War, as seen in the New York Tribune headline and article December 4, 1921: ‘Ford Would Replace Gold with Energy Currency and Stop Wars’ (i). It took another century, but mankind has finally developed a digitally-native currency tied to the physical world through energy expenditure – bitcoin.
Yoga is similarly rooted in energy that individuals tap into through breathwork, physical movement and meditations practices. This life-force energy is known in Sanskrit as *prana*. Prana is not bound by time or space, and it flows through individuals in over 72,000 *nadis*, or channels. There are three main *nadis* - the first is *ida*, our left side body which corresponds to the feminine, receiving energy, or the moon. On the right side is *pingala*, relating to our masculine, giving energy, or the sun. The central *nadi* runs through our *shushumna*, linking our seven main energetic centers, known as *chakras*. These chakras run from the base of the tail bone, up through the spine and the top of the head. Each chakra has a name, a color and key characteristics that can often become blocked through negative emotion, trauma or stress in the body. Different yogic practices target these energy centers to unlock what is stuck and enable energy to more freely flow through us in an open exchange with the earth and out the universe. This energy is ever-present; one need only to tap into this energy, feel it and utilize it for the strengthening of one’s inner being that then radiates outwards on others in your life. The energetic experience and upward surge can also be referred to as *kundalini* energy, a creative power of divine feminine energy that originates in the *muladara* chakra at the base of the spine.
Depiction of our chakras and nadis ([image source](https://ishtayoga.co.za/prana-and-the-chakras/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io))
*Proof of Work*
In both Bitcoin and Yoga, "proof of work" is required to operate, practice and move forwards. In the Bitcoin network as described in the original [white paper](https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io), miners contribute tangible energy towards running a hashing algorithm on a computer – [SHA256 ](https://armantheparman.com/mining/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)– to earn the right to add the next block to the blockchain and collect both the coinbase and transaction fee reward (ii). The work is difficult to produce but easy to validate by others. Miners are collecting all of the valid peer-to-peer transactions being propagated to the network and establishing them as truth into the distributed ledger. The rules in bitcoin’s code incentivize honest behavior from miners through unforgeable costliness – if a miner were to lie about any of the transactions it includes in a block, independent nodes in the network would reject the block, and the miner would have lost all the real resources it expended to solve the proof of work calculation.
Example of an ASIC - a specialized computer solely dedicated to mining bitcoin.
In yoga, dedicated work is needed to learn the *asanas,* postures, and practice for oneself; you won’t just be able to go upside down or flow through sun salutations without first learning proper alignment and breathing techniques. An individual needs to conscious decision to work on a daily yoga practice that requires energy to flow. There are several ways to work on your yoga practice beyond physical movement; these include *bhakti yoga* (devotion/prayer), *jnana yoga* (study/wisdom), *karma yoga*(selfless action) and *raja yoga* (*ashtanga*). Raja yoga includes *ashtanga*, the eight limbs or paths of yoga that Patanjali detailed \~2000 years ago that we will explore in more depth in part IV. These ancient *margas* (paths) and subsequent development of these ancient teachings provides individual with ample opportunity to dedicate and work towards individual enlightenment.
*Decentralization*
Next, there are no external barriers preventing an individual from participating in Bitcoin or yoga. Bitcoin does not discriminate and can be accessed by anyone around the world. Yoga provides a way of life full of mindfulness and appreciation. The only barriers are internal blockages, or unwillingness to ask questions, learn and take responsibility for oneself and state of being. Therefore, Bitcoin and yoga can both be defined as decentralized. There are no centralized gatekeepers preventing one from accessing the Bitcoin network or using bitcoin as money; anyone can spin up a node, download a wallet or mine bitcoin. There are over [16,000 nodes](https://bitnodes.io/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io) geographically distributed around the world voluntarily running the bitcoin core software code establishing the payment network, validating transactions and storing the entire transaction history of bitcoin (iii). It costs as little as a few hundred dollars and requires less than [600 gigabytes](https://bitcoin.clarkmoody.com/dashboard/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io) of storage to run a node – in 2023 you can find mobile phones with that much storage. No one can prevent you from sending a peer-to-peer transaction or storing your own wealth with [12 words in your head](https://unchained.com/blog/what-is-a-bitcoin-seed-phrase/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io) – you need only decide to take true freedom into your own hands and learn how to do so (iv). The common maxim is “don’t trust, verify”. You don’t need someone else’s permission to participate in bitcoin or trust anyone else (eg, banks) to hold your wealth.
Geographic distribution of reachable bitcoin nodes ([source: bitnodes](https://bitnodes.io/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io))
Similarly, no one can stop an individual from practicing yoga, learning yogic philosophy or connecting with one’s truest self and [inner guru](https://www.erinracheldoppelt.com/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io). Anyone can choose to follow the path of yoga, focus on ones breath or develop a strong *asana* practice. There are many different ways to learn and interact with yoga, with experienced teachers willing to share their lessons to students all over the world. One need to simply find yoga studio, enroll in a teacher training or and engage with a teacher to experience yoga for themselves. Yoga looks and feels different depending on what country you are in or in which lineage you are being taught. Tapping into these profound lessons, as fundamental as controlling ones own breath, requires only an individual desire and the conscious decision to act. There’s no CEO or central authority dictating how Bitcoin or yoga has to be. Individuals have the freedom to express themselves voluntarily guided by frameworks we will dive into deeper.
*Low Time Preference*
Another core value that bitcoin and yoga share is low time preference. In Austrian economics, time preference refers to individual decision making. An individual with a [low time preference](https://bitcointimes.io/making-time-preference-low-again/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io) makes decisions with greater consideration of the future, quieting immediate cravings and desires to pursue a higher goal (v). In bitcoin and money, lower time preference decisions include putting off consumption to save value for the future. Unfortunately, our *fiat* (by government decree) system induces individuals to make high time preference decisions, heightening consumerism and poor habits today that we see rampant in our society. There is a disincentive to save, as inflation of the money supply leads to debasing value of the dollar and other fiat currencies, decreasing individuals purchasing power of cash they hold onto and don’t spend soon. For example, the purchasing power of your dollar today will be cut in half over the next decade at current levels of inflation. In many ways, [bitcoin is time](https://dergigi.com/2021/01/14/bitcoin-is-time/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io), described brilliantly by Gigi, as it creates a decentralized clock that establishes consensus with each block (vi).
In contrast, the hard cap supply of 21 million bitcoin enables individuals to save with the knowledge that governments and central banks will not be able to debase their hard-earned value. This allows for one to plan with greater certainty, making investments that have a longer payoff period rather than chasing quick, material gains. Likewise in yoga, developing your own practice will not bear fruit right away; it takes discipline and time to continuously improve and strive towards a better future self. For example, in modern *Ashtanga* yoga taught by Pattabhi Jois, there is a set sequence of *asanas* that one studies and repeats each practice. It may even take months to have find the right alignment of body and breath for a single pose! The hours-long sequence requires dedication to practice and learn. The dedicated yogi understands that wholehearted commitment today will pay off for one’s mental, physical and spiritual health in the years to come. The ability to develop a calm mind can also be beneficial when people don’t initially understand or are intimidated by bitcoin. This approach can also enable you to stay grounded and discover the signal through the noise when learning about bitcoin.
Sequence of asanas in Jois' Ashtanga Yoga ([image source](https://yoga108corner.com/ashtanga-yoga/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io))
*Union*
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “*yuj*”, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. Yoga represents the union of the mind, body, and soul of an individual. Yoga provides a pathway to individual sovereignty through disciplined practice and purpose. Yoga unites an individual internally and to one’s community, fostering connectedness and support (vii). Similarly, bitcoin provides a pathway to individual sovereignty in many ways. Bitcoin empowers the individual authority with property rights over one’s value, which in turn frees individuals from outside control (government or otherwise). Bitcoin’s technology enables one to hold their own wealth and life’s energy in a self-custodial fashion. Bitcoin is money that can be stored forever and transmitted through space at the speed of light on layer two via the [Lightning Network](https://lightning.network/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io).
Bitcoin is an open economic network with the potential to unite eight billion people together in a way our current unfair and fragmented financial system could never do. In many countries, a majority of people are unbanked, while intermediaries take a cut of the value to transfer slow, legacy payments like Western Union. While tens of millions people around the world have so far interacted with bitcoin – we are still early – similar to the internet of the mid-nineties. Bitcoin eliminates counter party risk associated with non-bearer assets, such as fiat currency (e.g., dollars, euros, yen). Bitcoin’s supply schedule is set and eliminates inflation time theft that fiat currency wages on individuals, which leads to anxiety and depression or feelings of hopelessness. Fiat is money enforced by the monopoly on violence that modern nation states grip tightly.
In contrast, bitcoin and yoga empower the individual to remove the shackles and embrace personal responsibility to improve ones life. Bitcoin and yoga also connect people directly to each other and tap into truth, ones inner being, bringing peace in the present and ultimately offer hope for a better future for each person, your community, and the world. Bitcoin and yoga have the power to unite humanity in love.
In the next section, we will explore both yoga and bitcoin's mystical and mythical origins.
---
*Note: Bitcoin with a capital "B" generally refers to the protocol/network; bitcoin with a lower case "b" refers to the money/currency.*
References:
i. Redman, Jamie, How Henry Ford Envisaged Bitcoin 100 Years Ago — A Unique 'Energy Currency' That Could 'Stop Wars', *News.Bitcoin.Com*, October 11, 2021 <[https://news.bitcoin.com/how-henry-ford-envisaged-bitcoin-100-years-ago-a-unique-energy-currency-that-could-stop-wars/](https://news.bitcoin.com/how-henry-ford-envisaged-bitcoin-100-years-ago-a-unique-energy-currency-that-could-stop-wars/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)>
ii. Nakomoto, Satoshi, Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, *bitcoin.org,* October 31, 2008 <[https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf](https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)>
iii. [https://bitnodes.io/](https://bitnodes.io/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)
iv. Hall, Stephen, What is a bitcoin seed phrase and how does it work? *Unchained.com*. December 17, 2021 <[https://unchained.com/blog/what-is-a-bitcoin-seed-phrase/](https://unchained.com/blog/what-is-a-bitcoin-seed-phrase/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)>
v. Ammous, Saifedean, Making Time Preference Low Again, *The Bitcoin Times, Austrian Edition (V).* November 8, 2022 <[https://bitcointimes.io/making-time-preference-low-again/](https://bitcointimes.io/making-time-preference-low-again/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)>
vi. Gigi, Bitcoin is Time, *dergigi.com.* Jan 14,2021 <[https://dergigi.com/2021/01/14/bitcoin-is-time/](https://dergigi.com/2021/01/14/bitcoin-is-time/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)>
vii. 200 hour yoga teacher training. House of Om, Bali, Indonesia. <[https://houseofom.com/](https://houseofom.com/?ref=the-bitcoin-yogi.ghost.io)>
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-27 01:55:54
The web as we know it today is a grotesque, bloated, inefficient mess. What began as a noble idea of decentralized information sharing has metastasized into an all-consuming beast, sucking up energy, resources, and our collective attention span. Modern web technologies are a house of cards, built on sand, doomed to collapse under their own inefficiencies. Meanwhile, Bitcoin, with its pristine simplicity and focus on fundamental truths, exposes the web's rot and offers a radical way forward—a path where we can finally cut out the cancer and rebuild technology on truly eco-friendly principles.
---
The Web: A Monument to Human Hubris
Web technologies are the product of shortcuts and compromises. JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and their ilk are glorified hacks, cobbled together to solve yesterday's problems but now expected to carry the weight of tomorrow's world. Every layer of abstraction adds inefficiency, every bloated framework compounds the energy drain, and every new browser update introduces more complexity to patch over the inherent flaws of the previous ones.
Modern web applications, stuffed with endless dependencies and ad trackers, demand more computational power than was used to land humans on the moon. The hardware arms race, fueled by these inefficiencies, ensures a constant churn of e-waste as old devices are discarded for newer, slightly faster ones. This isn’t progress—it’s a perpetual motion machine of waste, driven by greed and ignorance.
Bitcoin: The Base Layer of Truth
Enter Bitcoin, the antithesis of the web’s insanity. Bitcoin operates on a principle the web has long abandoned: truth through simplicity. Its base layer is immutable, efficient, and designed to do one thing exceptionally well—securely transfer value without trusted intermediaries. There are no bloated frameworks in Bitcoin, no endless layers of abstraction—just elegant, austere code that prioritizes function over form.
Bitcoin’s lightning-fast, decentralized, and energy-efficient second layers like the Lightning Network expose the web’s redundancy. Why rely on slow, resource-hungry web applications when Bitcoin provides an eco-friendly, censorship-resistant, and trustless platform for payments, communication, and data validation?
Excising the Cancer
The web is a parasite. It feeds on electricity, devours developer time, and churns out products that are inherently wasteful. The internet doesn’t need web browsers to function. It doesn’t need JavaScript to execute logic. It doesn’t need to be a bloated, surveillance-driven nightmare. What it needs is Bitcoin’s ethos applied at every layer.
Here’s the brutal truth: the web is redundant in a world where Bitcoin is the base layer of value and truth. Imagine a world where applications are built directly on Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure:
Data Sovereignty: Every piece of information is owned by the user, validated, and secured on the blockchain.
Eco-Friendly Applications: Stripped-down, efficient protocols replace bloated web stacks, reducing energy consumption and e-waste.
Global Accessibility: No need for monstrous data centers or planned obsolescence—simple, lightweight devices can interact directly with Bitcoin’s network.
True Decentralization: No more reliance on Big Tech monopolies controlling browsers, servers, and frameworks.
Shaking the Foundations
The web as it exists today is not a neutral tool—it’s a weapon of mass distraction, a cancer consuming the planet's resources while feeding corporations’ insatiable hunger for profit. Bitcoin reveals this grotesque reality and points to a better way. By adopting Bitcoin as the foundation of technology, we can eliminate the need for web browsers, JavaScript, and their toxic ecosystem. We can build systems that prioritize efficiency, decentralization, and sustainability—technologies that serve humanity rather than enslave it.
But this transition won’t happen without pain. For decades, people have been indoctrinated to believe that the web is essential, that web apps and cloud computing are the pinnacle of innovation. These are lies. They are lies told by those who profit from inefficiency, waste, and control. Bitcoin challenges these lies, not with words but with action. It functions as a silent rebuke to the waste and corruption of the web.
---
Burn It Down and Build Anew
It’s time to excise the cancer. The web has failed us. Its inefficiencies, its bloat, its environmental impact—all are unforgivable. Bitcoin gives us a way out, a chance to start fresh. By adopting Bitcoin’s principles—simplicity, decentralization, and efficiency—we can build technologies that honor the planet, respect users, and secure a better future.
Let the web die. It’s time to bury this relic of hubris and build something better. Bitcoin is the way forward. Everything else is noise.
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 23:31:56
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are on the horizon, promising a new era of state-controlled digital money. While they might appear to threaten Bitcoin’s role in the financial ecosystem, they also present a unique opportunity for Bitcoiners to showcase Bitcoin’s strengths and drive its adoption. This article explores how CBDCs might affect Bitcoin and why Bitcoiners should view their emergence as a chance to reinforce Bitcoin’s role as the foundation of financial sovereignty.
---
### **The Rise of CBDCs: A Gateway to Bitcoin Awareness**
The rollout of CBDCs by governments around the world will inevitably bring digital currencies into the mainstream. For many, CBDCs will serve as their first interaction with a fully digital form of money. This widespread exposure will naturally spark curiosity about other digital assets—most notably Bitcoin.
#### **Education Through Contrast**
CBDCs provide Bitcoiners with an opportunity to highlight the stark differences between Bitcoin and state-controlled money. Key contrasts include:
- **Centralization vs. Decentralization:** CBDCs are issued, controlled, and monitored by central banks, whereas Bitcoin operates on a trustless, decentralized network.
- **Infinite Supply vs. Scarcity:** CBDCs are tied to fiat systems and can be issued in unlimited quantities, contributing to inflation. Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins offers a deflationary alternative.
- **Surveillance vs. Privacy:** CBDCs are programmable and likely to come with extensive surveillance features. In contrast, Bitcoin provides pseudonymity and financial sovereignty.
As governments promote CBDCs, Bitcoiners have a prime opportunity to educate the public about Bitcoin’s unique properties as a censorship-resistant, decentralized store of value.
---
### **The Flaws of CBDCs: Bitcoin’s Selling Points**
While governments tout CBDCs as the future of money, their inherent flaws could drive individuals and businesses toward Bitcoin.
#### **1. Erosion of Privacy**
CBDCs are expected to enable unprecedented levels of financial surveillance. Governments could monitor and control how individuals spend their money, with features like:
- Transaction tracking.
- Spending restrictions.
- Programmable expiration dates for money.
Bitcoin offers a clear alternative by enabling permissionless transactions and preserving financial privacy.
#### **2. Inflationary Nature**
Like fiat currencies, CBDCs will be subject to inflationary policies, reducing purchasing power over time. Bitcoin, with its fixed supply, stands in stark contrast as a hedge against inflation. As individuals experience the devaluation of CBDCs, they may turn to Bitcoin as a store of value.
#### **3. Control and Censorship**
CBDCs give governments the ability to impose financial controls, such as freezing accounts or limiting transactions. Bitcoin’s decentralized network makes it resistant to censorship, appealing to those seeking financial independence.
---
### **Opportunities for Bitcoiners**
Rather than viewing CBDCs as competition, Bitcoiners can use their emergence as a springboard to drive Bitcoin adoption. Here’s how:
#### **1. Positioning Bitcoin as an Escape Hatch**
For individuals and businesses wary of the surveillance and control inherent in CBDCs, Bitcoin represents a financial escape hatch. Bitcoiners can position Bitcoin as a parallel system that preserves privacy, autonomy, and freedom.
#### **2. Leveraging Education and Advocacy**
The introduction of CBDCs creates a natural opening for Bitcoiners to educate the public about Bitcoin’s advantages. Outreach efforts could focus on:
- Hosting workshops and webinars that explain Bitcoin’s properties.
- Sharing educational content that highlights the risks of CBDCs and the benefits of Bitcoin.
#### **3. Promoting Bitcoin for Global Transactions**
CBDCs will likely be restricted to domestic use, with limited interoperability between countries. Bitcoin, as a global, borderless currency, provides an alternative for cross-border transactions and remittances. The rise of CBDCs could drive demand for Bitcoin in this space.
#### **4. Advancing the Lightning Network**
While CBDCs may excel in everyday retail transactions, Bitcoin’s Lightning Network can compete as a fast and inexpensive payment layer. Bitcoiners can promote the Lightning Network as a viable alternative for small, instant payments.
---
### **The Bigger Picture: Bitcoin as a Hedge Against CBDCs**
CBDCs may accelerate the decline of trust in fiat currencies. As governments experiment with new monetary policies enabled by CBDCs—such as negative interest rates or expiration dates on money—individuals may lose confidence in state-controlled financial systems. This presents an opportunity for Bitcoin to solidify its role as a hedge against monetary mismanagement.
#### **Case Studies in Bitcoin Adoption**
Countries experiencing economic instability and inflation—where CBDCs fail to inspire trust—could see increased Bitcoin adoption. For example:
- In nations with hyperinflation, Bitcoin’s fixed supply makes it a lifeline for preserving wealth.
- In authoritarian regimes, Bitcoin offers financial freedom where CBDCs impose restrictions.
---
### **Seizing the Moment**
For Bitcoiners, the rise of CBDCs is not a threat but an opportunity. As governments introduce centralized digital currencies, Bitcoin can stand out as the decentralized, inflation-proof, and censorship-resistant alternative. By educating the public, advancing the Bitcoin ecosystem, and emphasizing Bitcoin’s unique properties, Bitcoiners can leverage CBDCs to drive adoption and solidify Bitcoin’s place in the global financial system.
The narrative is clear: while CBDCs represent a new chapter in centralized money, Bitcoin remains the future of financial sovereignty. For Bitcoiners, the time to act is now.
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@ ef1744f8:96fbc3fe
2025-01-26 23:27:59
+vK1hlpLNr2A2GBRRzM2nf8Vpi8e1zEbf7EBEAQllPkPxzm2AeSMetlNYb4D5ppwX4YVx8d0Nw2OVdrsiTM0ZsC2Zsp4F8LZ0vJFvJ9dbfepUeK6VlPL0oVBzaeHnDjIr1y/f1HDnT8W4MFHEnGW5Vsqo/NkStTFyKYAisWr4QQil0wuEX+G/mpltCAR3JMCYr9vwpHZU49yAjZKh9ERUxd3HXpK7LdfsypDdLLTTT0FwbmwkOPL5o37d8KQNkGZbX2F4Txq+LiTgDcLArI5qldFjXeEzlKxt4BUzOQwube/vTXNFUTvZT7xDSBRUQvHt/B+FyqNA8BiHkftONqjW+Kd6D8+o6D3hCM513FkhPNuCh862T+uVkaeLnpiG0Jwut3AeDYeLeEggQ321DBcAQAgYX9b8Fa0Oy01us8nY8k=?iv=m0HzwbbnsT+XdubgCuFbkA==
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-01-26 23:17:10
I'm finally moving on from Luka, who won't even be eligible for these awards, with how much time he's missed. While I'm at it, I'll also move off of Ant, who just isn't looking like the guy we expected to see this season. Tatum is an easy enough All NBA replacement, but I have not idea who's going to get the final spot, so I picked Wemby, who I at least think the media will be eager to vote for.
I made sure to record @grayruby's switch from the Pacers to the Magic. Boy, that is not aging well.
Remember, older correct predictions are worth more than younger ones, so don't wait too long to get off your bad predictions.
Here's the current state of the competition with your max possible score next to your nym:
| Contestant | MVP | Champ | All NBA | | | | |
|--------------|------|---------|----------|-|-|-|-|
| @Undisciplined 48| SGA| OKC | Jokic | Giannis | Wemby| Tatum| SGA |
| @grayruby 65| Giannis| Magic| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Mitchell| Brunson|
| @gnilma 62| SGA| OKC| Jokic | Giannis| Tatum | Luka | SGA|
| @BitcoinAbhi 70 | Luka| Denver| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Ant| SGA|
| @Bell_curve 70 | Luka| Celtics| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Ant| SGA|
| @0xbitcoiner 70 | Jokic| Pacers| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Ant| Brunson|
| @Coinsreporter 49| Giannis| Pacers| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Ant| Brunson|
| @TheMorningStar 49| Luka| Celtics| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Ant| SGA|
| @onthedeklein 49| Luka| T-Wolves| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Wemby| SGA|
| @Carresan 49| Luka| Mavs| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Wemby| SGA|
| @BTC_Bellzer 49| Luka| Celtics| Embiid| Giannis | Luka | Tatum| SGA|
| @realBitcoinDog 49| Luka| Lakers| Jokic | Giannis | Luka | Ant| SGA|
| @SimpleStacker 42| SGA| Celtics| Jokic| Tatum| Luka | Brunson| SGA|
| @BlokchainB 42| SGA| Knicks| AD| Giannis | Ant| Brunson| SGA|
**Prize**
At least 5k (I'll keep adding zaps to the pot).
If you want to join this contest, just leave your predictions for MVP, Champion, and All-NBA 1st team in the comments. See the [June post](https://stacker.news/items/585231/r/Undisciplined) for more details.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/865017
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@ 76c71aae:3e29cafa
2025-01-26 22:51:16
When I first heard about the DOGE project, I was ready to throw my laptop out the window. The [initial proposal](https://archive.is/nFNp4) read like a Silicon Valley libertarian fever dream - taking Musk's chaotic "move fast and break democracy" Twitter approach and unleashing it on federal agencies. Great, I thought, just what we need: more tech bros thinking they can "optimize" public institutions into oblivion.
But here's the weird thing - when you actually dig into [what DOGE has morphed into](https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/01/us-digital-service-employees-are-being-re-interviewed-under-doge-transition/402423/), it's basically just USDS with a meme-worthy rebrand. For those not deep in the civic tech weeds, USDS was Obama's attempt to drag government technology out of the 1990s, inspired by the UK's actually-functional GDS program. And let's be real - government tech procurement is an absolute dumpster fire right now. We're talking billions wasted on projects that would make a CS101 student cringe, while the average American has to navigate websites that look like they were designed on GeoCities.
The deeply ironic thing is that Musk - for all his cosplaying as a technocratic messiah following in his grandfather's footsteps of dreaming up an antidemocratic technocratic state - actually has some relevant experience here. SpaceX did figure out how to work with government contracts without producing $500 million paperweights, and Tesla somehow gamed clean vehicle incentives into birthing the first new major car company since we invented radio.
Look, I'm the first to roll my eyes at Musk's wannabe-fascist posting sprees and his perpetual "I'm the main character of capitalism" energy. But speaking as someone who's banged their head against the wall of government technology modernization for years - if he actually focuses on the tech and keeps his brainrot political takes to himself, maybe DOGE could do some good?
Even Jen Pahlka, who basically wrote the book on government digital services, [is cautiously optimistic](https://fedscoop.com/trump-wants-a-doge-an-obama-era-tech-official-has-some-tips/). The services Americans get from their government are objectively terrible, and the procurement system is trapped in an infinite loop of failure. Maybe - and I can't believe I'm typing this - Musk's particular flavor of disruptive tech deployment could help?
Just... please, for the love of all things agile, let's keep him focused on the actual technology and far away from any more attempts to recreate his grandfather's dreams of a technocratic dystopia. We've got enough of those already.
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@ 006532cb:fd8f28b4
2025-01-26 22:10:39
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**Law of Conservation of Energy:**
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. This means that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time, but the form of energy can change (e.g., from kinetic energy to potential energy). This fundamental principle in physics highlights the importance of energy efficiency and the potential for energy to be transformed and reused.
**Henry Ford's Energy Currency:**
Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, proposed the concept of an "energy currency" in the 1920s. He suggested that energy, rather than gold or other commodities, could serve as the basis for a new monetary system. Ford's idea was that energy is the fundamental unit of value, as it is the driving force behind all economic activity. He proposed that energy could be used as a standard unit of exchange, allowing for more efficient and equitable trade.
**Buckminster Fuller's View on Energy Production and Wealth:**
Buckminster Fuller, a renowned architect, systems theorist, and futurist, believed that energy production is the key to creating wealth and abundance. He argued that energy is the fundamental driver of economic growth and that increasing energy production can lead to increased prosperity. Fuller's concept of "ephemeralization" suggests that as energy production becomes more efficient and widespread, the cost of goods and services decreases, leading to increased abundance and wealth. He also emphasized the importance of designing systems that maximize energy efficiency and minimize waste, allowing for more equitable distribution of resources and wealth.
[](https://v.nostr.build/O1F9io3FgKbhuagy.mp4)
[](https://v.nostr.build/F6WhrU5RO4tGaNBa.mp4)
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@ c9f80c8d:947f3cfd
2025-01-26 20:29:18
Hey sleep enthusiast, how has it been to go through the festive celebrations and deeper into winter? Have you been leaning into the season of long nights and getting cosy, making the most of staying indoors? Or has the season brought more of a sense of dread?
Especially with thoughts about insomnia creeping in even more during the winter months? You may decide that winter is a time to give up and slob out - or go [goblin mode](https://www.restfulsleep.eu/post/how-can-goblin-mode-affect-your-relaxation-and-sleep), as it’s been called. As a [sleep coach](https://restfulsleep.eu/one-on-one-sleep-coaching), I'm here to offer some reassurance that it’s possible to find restful ways to rejuvenate - even in winter!
#### How the winter season brings a shift in energy
As winter descends across the northern hemisphere, it brings colder temperatures and more hours of darkness. So we have less access to sunlight and the natural source of vitamin D that it provides - all of which takes some adjusting to.
The changes in the natural environment impact the [circadian rhythms](https://www.restfulsleep.eu/post/working-with-your-circadian-rhythms-to-manage-energy-levels-and-sleep) in our bodies. These are the natural processes that run according to various cycles in nature and affect our sleep, digestion and other functions. It is the circadian rhythms in some bears that guide and enable them to be able to [hibernate for 100 days at a time](https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/some-animals-dont-actually-sleep-winter-and-other-surprises-about-hibernation/). Many people also suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a [type of depression](https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/about-sad/) experienced during particular times of the year.
#### Winter - the most restful season of the year
Whilst we can't opt out of winter altogether and hibernate, the slower pace of the season invites us to embrace tranquillity and conserve energy. So let's explore how lifestyle adjustments and rest during the winter months can help with improved sleep quality, increased daytime energy and taking care of mental well-being.
#### Are humans meant to sleep more in winter?
The thought of longer hours in bed can be daunting if your bed is associated with frustrating night times spent grappling with insomnia. Which can also turn into a habit of sleeping on the couch (if that’s you, check out this [blog article](http://restfulsleep.eu/post/are-you-cheating-on-your-bed-by-falling-asleep-on-the-sofa-every-night)).
#### It’s not interrupted sleep, it’s ‘the watch’
Whilst you may have some resistance to spending longer hours in bed during winter if you suffer with insomnia, consider how only a few generations ago, our ancestors faced long nights without electricity. They had no choice but to adapt to the seasons, and so the medieval night-time experience of 'the watch' was what people did at night.
This consisted of a few waking hours between a ‘first sleep’ and ‘second sleep’. The watch would take place when people woke in the night, generally around the time when roosters would start their morning call in the darkness (which was also guided by, you guessed it, their circadian rhythms!). This article from the BBC describes the watch times as:
> ‘Under the weak glow of the Moon, stars, and oil lamps or "rush lights" – a kind of candle for ordinary households, made from the waxed stems of rushes – people would tend to ordinary tasks, such as adding wood to the fire, taking remedies, or going to urinate (often into the fire itself).’
> [The forgotten medieval habit of 'two sleeps'.](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220107-the-lost-medieval-habit-of-biphasic-sleep)
#### How two sleeps, or bi-phasic sleeping, is natural
There’s also modern-day [research](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2869.1992.tb00019.x) into how human sleep cycles naturally form by examining people who were left in a dark room without stimulation and influence from the external world. Initially, their sleep cycles followed the usual singular sleep pattern, but eventually, their circadian rhythms shifted to a first sleep and a second sleep with some hours in between.
So rather than waking in the night being something to panic about or get annoyed by, can you see it as an ancient ritual and natural human response to winter? You could take some quiet moments to look at the stars, journal, listen to a relaxing podcast or do another calm activity. If you get into a routine of sleeping fairly reliably before waking in the night, you could even use the time to explore the psychedelic realm of [lucid dreaming](https://www.restfulsleep.eu/post/lucid-dreaming-can-you-control-your-dreams-to-expand-possibilities-for-your-waking-life).
Other tips for looking after your well-being and rest in winter months include:
#### Getting winter sunshine when you can
Even during winter, exposure to light is still important for your body to regulate your circadian rhythms and for getting the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D. It is most beneficial to get exposure to natural daylight as close to when the sun comes up as is possible for you.
This could be braving the cold for a morning walk before work, or switching 10 minutes of phone scrolling for some moments outside with your coffee instead. For more about the physiological benefits of exposure to sunlight, see this [guide](https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/using-light-for-health) from the Huberman Lab.
#### Embracing cosy social time in winter
When the big celebrations of the festive season have passed you may have a reduced budget and a more sparse calendar, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up on socialising altogether. Instead, can you get creative about finding more restful ways to enjoy social connection?
The idea is to go for more relaxed, lower-energy ways to connect with others. That way you can enjoy the nourishment of social connection in a way that is restful for your system. Instead of big group meals or dancing late at night, this could look like wrapping up warm and going for a winter walk with friends, or chats over hot chocolate at home. Check out the blog article on [restful socialising](https://www.restfulsleep.eu/post/why-you-might-feel-drained-after-socialising-and-how-it-s-possible-to-make-it-restful) for more about this.
#### Food for winter
You may feel drawn to comfort foods during the colder months and whilst takeaways can be tempting, fast food and highly processed food can impact sleep quality. So the alternative is to make meals that can warm you up, have nutrient-rich ingredients and support your sleep. Yes, all of that is possible! When selecting recipes, start with core ingredients from [foods that can help with sleep](https://www.restfulsleep.eu/post/foods-that-can-help-with-sleep).
#### Winter as a time for reflection
I like to embrace the winter as a time to reflect on the year gone by and what’s ahead. I take inspiration from nature and plant bulbs for my spring season ahead, when there will be more light and I will have more energy. Even though the new calendar year has started, the natural world in winter offers a perfect time for introspection.
When working with clients as a [sleep coach](https://restfulsleep.eu/one-on-one-sleep-coaching), I often share the concept of the seasons of life. Because life has its cycles and changes, so we won’t be in our most productive states all of the time. So with Restful Sleep, I encourage respecting the slower tempos that come with different phases of life - bringing permission and acceptance to slowing down for some time. It can seem radical at first, yet often brings relief.
So will you join me in taking the winter as an opportunity to reflect on your well-being and how your lifestyle may nourish you? It’s something I encourage everyone to do and sleep coaching is a great way to get support with the process. If you'd like to explore how to make the most of your restful winter, and all that’s ahead, you’d be welcome to book a [free discovery call](https://calendar.app.google/qQhLnKu1fB1Pdaw89) with me.
Stay curious,
Maša.
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@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a
2025-01-26 20:11:28
Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) is a decentralized, open protocol designed for creating censorship-resistant social networks. It was introduced in 2020. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Nostr operates without a central server, relying instead on a network of relays to transmit messages.
### Key Features of Nostr:
1. **Decentralization**: Nostr doesn't rely on a single central server. Instead, it uses a network of independent relays to transmit data, making it resistant to censorship and single points of failure.
2. **Public and Private Keys**: Users are identified by cryptographic key pairs. A public key serves as a user's identifier, while a private key is used to sign messages, ensuring authenticity and security.
3. **Simplicity**: The protocol is intentionally simple, focusing on text-based messages (notes) and other basic data types. This simplicity makes it easy to implement and extend.
4. **Interoperability**: Since Nostr is an open protocol, anyone can build clients or relays that interact with the network, fostering a diverse ecosystem of applications.
5. **Censorship Resistance**: Because there is no central authority, it is difficult for any single entity to censor or control the network.
### How Nostr Works:
- Users generate a public/private key pair.
- They publish messages (called "events" or "notes") to relays, which are then broadcast to other users.
- Relays are independent servers that store and forward messages. Users can choose which relays to use or even run their own.
- Clients (applications that interact with Nostr) fetch messages from relays and display them to users.
### Use Cases:
- **Social Networking**: Nostr can be used to build decentralized social networks where users have full control over their data.
- **Microblogging**: Users can post short messages or updates.
- **Messaging**: Nostr can be used for direct messaging between users.
- **Collaborative Tools**: The protocol can be extended to support collaborative applications like shared documents or task management.
### Popular Clients:
- **Damus**: A Nostr client for iOS, designed for microblogging and social interactions.
- **Amethyst**: A Nostr client for Android.
- **Yakihonne**: A web-based Nostr client and Android app.
- **Primal**: A web-based Nostr client and Android app.
### Challenges:
- **Scalability**: As the network grows, managing the volume of messages and ensuring efficient relay performance can be challenging.
- **Spam and Abuse**: Without central moderation, spam and abusive content can be difficult to manage.
- **User Experience**: Decentralized systems can be more complex for average users to understand and use compared to centralized platforms.
Nostr represents a growing trend toward decentralized, user-controlled social networks, offering an alternative to traditional, centralized platforms. Its success will depend on adoption, ease of use, and the ability to address challenges like spam and scalability.
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@ f57bac88:6045161e
2025-01-26 19:43:21
بیتیسی پی سرور: آزادی و کنترل در دستان شما بیتیسی پی سرور با تمرکز بر خودگردانی و متنباز بودن، به شما این امکان را میدهد تا کنترل کاملی بر فرآیند پرداختهای خود داشته باشید. برخی از مزایای کلیدی این پلتفرم عبارتند از:
انعطافپذیری بالا: امکان سفارشیسازی و توسعه ویژگیهای جدید بر اساس نیازهای خاص کسبوکار.
هزینه کمتر: حذف واسطهها و کارمزدهای اضافی، منجر به کاهش هزینههای پرداخت میشود.
حفظ حریم خصوصی: کنترل بیشتر بر دادههای مشتریان و کاهش ریسک نقض حریم خصوصی.
پشتیبانی از پروتکل لایتنینگ: امکان انجام تراکنشهای سریع و کمهزینه با استفاده از شبکه لایتنینگ. سایر درگاههای پرداخت رمزنگاری: راحتی در برابر کنترل در مقابل، سایر درگاههای پرداخت رمزنگاری مانند کوینبیس، کوین پیمنت و نوپینت بر راحتی استفاده و سرعت راهاندازی تمرکز دارند. این پلتفرمها اغلب دارای رابط کاربری سادهتر و قابلیتهای پیشساخته بیشتری هستند. با این حال، در ازای این راحتی، ممکن است برخی از کنترلها و انعطافپذیری را از دست بدهید. جدول مقایسه:
کدام یک برای شما مناسبتر است؟ انتخاب بین بیتیسی پی سرور و سایر درگاههای پرداخت به عوامل مختلفی بستگی دارد، از جمله:
سطح دانش فنی: اگر دانش فنی کافی دارید و به دنبال کنترل کامل بر فرآیند پرداخت هستید، بیتیسی پی سرور گزینه مناسبی است.
سادگی استفاده: اگر به دنبال راهکاری سریع و آسان برای شروع پذیرش پرداختهای رمزنگاری هستید، سایر درگاههای پرداخت ممکن است انتخاب بهتری باشند.
هزینهها: هزینههای هر پلتفرم متفاوت است و باید به دقت مقایسه شوند.
ویژگیهای مورد نیاز: لیستی از ویژگیهای مورد نیاز خود را تهیه کنید و ببینید کدام پلتفرم بیشترین تطابق را با آن دارد. در نهایت، بهترین درگاه پرداخت، درگاهی است که نیازهای خاص کسبوکارتان را برآورده کند. نکات مهم هنگام انتخاب:
امنیت: اطمینان حاصل کنید که پلتفرم انتخابی شما دارای استانداردهای امنیتی بالایی است.
پشتیبانی مشتری: وجود پشتیبانی مشتری قوی برای رفع مشکلات احتمالی بسیار مهم است.
کارمزدها: به طور دقیق کارمزدهای هر پلتفرم را بررسی کنید تا بتوانید هزینههای خود را بهینه کنید.
قابلیتهای اضافی: برخی از پلتفرمها دارای قابلیتهای اضافی مانند فاکتورسازی خودکار، گزارشگیری و ادغام با سایر سیستمها هستند.
نتیجهگیری: بیتیسی پی سرور برای کسبوکارهایی که به دنبال حداکثر کنترل، انعطافپذیری و کاهش هزینهها هستند، گزینه بسیار مناسبی است. اما اگر به دنبال راهکاری سادهتر و سریعتر هستید، سایر درگاههای پرداخت نیز میتوانند انتخابهای خوبی باشند. با در نظر گرفتن عوامل ذکر شده در این مقاله، میتوانید بهترین تصمیم را برای کسبوکارتان اتخاذ کنید.
آیا میخواهید در مورد ویژگیهای خاصی از بیتیسی پی سرور یا سایر درگاههای پرداخت اطلاعات بیشتری کسب کنید؟ گوگل کنید! 😉
لطفا توجه داشته باشید که این مقاله صرفاً به منظور اطلاعرسانی است و نباید به عنوان توصیه سرمایهگذاری تلقی شود.
در دنیای پرهیاهوی ارزهای دیجیتال، انتخاب یک درگاه پرداخت مناسب برای پذیرش پرداختهای رمزنگاری، تصمیم مهمی برای کسبوکارهاست.
بیتیسی پی سرور به عنوان یک گزینه متنباز و خودگردان، جایگاه ویژهای در میان این درگاهها دارد. اما آیا بیتیسی پی سرور بهترین گزینه برای کسبوکارتان است؟ در این مقاله، به مقایسه بیتیسی پی سرور با سایر درگاههای پرداخت رمزنگاری میپردازیم تا به شما در انتخاب آگاهانه کمک کنیم.
بیتیسی پی سرور: آزادی و کنترل در دستان شما
بیتیسی پی سرور با تمرکز بر خودگردانی و متنباز بودن، به شما این امکان را میدهد تا کنترل کاملی بر فرآیند پرداختهای خود داشته باشید. برخی از مزایای کلیدی این پلتفرم عبارتند از:
\* انعطافپذیری بالا: امکان سفارشیسازی و توسعه ویژگیهای جدید بر اساس نیازهای خاص کسبوکار.
\* هزینه کمتر: حذف واسطهها و کارمزدهای اضافی، منجر به کاهش هزینههای پرداخت میشود.
\* حفظ حریم خصوصی: کنترل بیشتر بر دادههای مشتریان و کاهش ریسک نقض حریم خصوصی.
\* پشتیبانی از پروتکل لایتنینگ: امکان انجام تراکنشهای سریع و کمهزینه با استفاده از شبکه لایتنینگ.
سایر درگاههای پرداخت رمزنگاری: راحتی در برابر کنترل
در مقابل، سایر درگاههای پرداخت رمزنگاری مانند کوینبیس، کوین پیمت و نوپیمنت بر راحتی استفاده و سرعت راهاندازی تمرکز دارند. این پلتفرمها اغلب دارای رابط کاربری سادهتر و قابلیتهای پیشساخته بیشتری هستند. با این حال، در ازای این راحتی، ممکن است برخی از کنترلها و انعطافپذیری را از دست بدهید.
جدول مقایسه:
<img src="https://blossom.primal.net/8d5252f2e48aa03672c77768818a9e9f6a876cc46fa9491d69d57ce8c36084a2.png">
کدام یک برای شما مناسبتر است؟
انتخاب بین بیتیسی پی سرور و سایر درگاههای پرداخت به عوامل مختلفی بستگی دارد، از جمله:
\* سطح دانش فنی: اگر دانش فنی کافی دارید و به دنبال کنترل کامل بر فرآیند پرداخت هستید، بیتیسی پی سرور گزینه مناسبی است.
\* سادگی استفاده: اگر به دنبال راهکاری سریع و آسان برای شروع پذیرش پرداختهای رمزنگاری هستید، سایر درگاههای پرداخت ممکن است انتخاب بهتری باشند.
\* هزینهها: هزینههای هر پلتفرم متفاوت است و باید به دقت مقایسه شوند.
\* ویژگیهای مورد نیاز: لیستی از ویژگیهای مورد نیاز خود را تهیه کنید و ببینید کدام پلتفرم بیشترین تطابق را با آن دارد.
در نهایت، بهترین درگاه پرداخت، درگاهی است که نیازهای خاص کسبوکارتان را برآورده کند.
نکات مهم هنگام انتخاب:
\* امنیت: اطمینان حاصل کنید که پلتفرم انتخابی شما دارای استانداردهای امنیتی بالایی است.
\* پشتیبانی مشتری: وجود پشتیبانی مشتری قوی برای رفع مشکلات احتمالی بسیار مهم است.
\* کارمزدها: به طور دقیق کارمزدهای هر پلتفرم را بررسی کنید تا بتوانید هزینههای خود را بهینه کنید.
\* قابلیتهای اضافی: برخی از پلتفرمها دارای قابلیتهای اضافی مانند فاکتورسازی خودکار، گزارشگیری و ادغام با سایر سیستمها هستند.
نتیجهگیری:
بیتیسی پی سرور برای کسبوکارهایی که به دنبال حداکثر کنترل، انعطافپذیری و کاهش هزینهها هستند، گزینه بسیار مناسبی است. اما اگر به دنبال راهکاری سادهتر و سریعتر هستید، سایر درگاههای پرداخت نیز میتوانند انتخابهای خوبی باشند. با در نظر گرفتن عوامل ذکر شده در این مقاله، میتوانید بهترین تصمیم را برای کسبوکارتان اتخاذ کنید.
آیا میخواهید در مورد ویژگیهای خاصی از بیتیسی پی سرور یا سایر درگاههای پرداخت اطلاعات بیشتری کسب کنید؟ گوگل کنید! 😉
لطفا توجه داشته باشید که این مقاله صرفاً به منظور اطلاعرسانی است و نباید به عنوان توصیه سرمایهگذاری تلقی شود.
-
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@ f7d424b5:618c51e8
2025-01-26 19:03:22
(These podcast shownotes were originally posted on our website [melonmancy.net](https://melonmancy.net)
A second video game award show has hit the south tower. Also if you have topic ideas feel free to sign up on [our forum](https://melonmancy.cafe) we decided to not restrict any posts on the idea threads.
We mentioned a few things in the show you might want to pull up while listening, they are the following:
- [Literally WHO studio grandstanding over lewd PC mods](https://x.com/TeamKillMedia/status/1880780993813987541)
- [Aggro Crab leaves X - cringe or no?](https://x.com/AggroCrabGames/status/1882521609690587528)
- [Selacodev immediately bullied after their trailer was shown at TRGAs for free w/o permission](https://x.com/SelacoGame/status/1882726785689031155)
Obligatory:
- [Listen to the new episode here!](https://melonmancy.net/listen)
- [Discuss this episode on OUR NEW FORUM](https://melonmancy.cafe/d/101-mp99-30-is-30)
- [Get the RSS and Subscribe](https://feeds.rssblue.com/melonmancy-podcast) (this is a new feed URL, but the old one redirects here too!)
- Get a modern podcast app to use that RSS feed on at [newpodcastapps.com](http://newpodcastapps.com/)
- Or listen to the show on [the forum](https://melonmancy.cafe) using the embedded [Podverse](https://podverse.fm) player!
- [Send your complaints here](https://melonmancy.net/contact-us)
Reminder that this is a [Value4Value](https://value4value.info/) podcast so any support you can give us via a modern podcasting app is greatly appreciated and we will never bow to corporate sponsors!
Our podcast is created entirely with free software and is proudly hosted on [RSSBlue!](https://rssblue.com)
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@ 378562cd:a6fc6773
2025-01-26 18:51:00
Here is the best list I could compile.... I hope I didn't miss anything but please let me know if I did in the comments.
- **Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement**\
Directed the U.S. to exit the Paris Climate Agreement, citing economic priorities over global climate commitments.
- **Withdrawal from the World Health Organization**\
Initiated the process to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO, criticizing its handling of global health crises.
- **Declaration of National Emergency at the Southern Border**\
Declared an emergency to allocate military resources for border security and wall construction.
- **Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship**\
Proposed ending birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens in the U.S.; pending legal challenges.
- **Mass Pardon of January 6th Defendants**\
Pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals charged in the Capitol riot, sparking significant debate.
- **Reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy**\
Prohibited U.S. foreign aid from funding organizations that provide or promote abortions.
- **Energy Policy Shift Favoring Fossil Fuels**\
Ordered an expansion of fossil fuel production on federal lands and offshore, reversing previous restrictions.
- **Rescission of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs**\
Ended DEI initiatives within federal agencies, focusing on merit-based policies.
- **Establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency**\
Created a department tasked with reducing bureaucratic waste and improving federal operations.
- **Designation of Mexican Drug Cartels as Terrorist Organizations**\
Labeled certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations to enhance enforcement measures.
- **Mandate for Federal Employees to Return to Offices**\
Ended remote work policies for federal employees, requiring a full return to physical offices.
- **Artificial Intelligence Investment Initiative**\
Repealed previous AI orders and allocated $500 billion to advance AI development in the U.S.
- **Pardon of Ross Ulbricht**\
Granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road online marketplace.
- **Reversal of Electric Vehicle Targets and Renewable Energy Permits**\
Halted permits for renewable energy projects and reversed EV adoption targets.
- **Declaration of National Energy Emergency**\
Declared an emergency to boost domestic energy production and enhance energy independence.
- **Declassification of Assassination Files**\
Ordered the release of government records related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr.
- **Pardons for Anti-Abortion Protesters**\
Pardoned individuals convicted of offenses related to anti-abortion protests, including clinic blockades.
- **Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology**\
Promoted U.S. leadership in blockchain and digital assets while fostering innovation and regulatory clarity.
- **National Hiring Freeze and IRS Agent Reassignment**\
Froze federal hiring and proposed reassigning 90,000 IRS agents to border security roles.
- **Trade Reform and Tariff Implementation**\
Imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, aiming to boost U.S. manufacturing and tax revenue.
- **Investigation into Weaponization of the Justice System**\
Initiated a probe into federal, state, and local agencies to assess potential misuse of the justice system.
- **Suspension of CBP One Program**\
Terminated the system allowing asylum seekers to schedule appointments at legal ports of entry.
- **Demand for Increased NATO Defense Spending**\
Called on NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP for equitable burden-sharing.
- **Trade Tariff Threats Against Mexico and Canada**\
Announced intentions to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada to protect U.S. industries.
- **Suspension of Foreign Aid, Including to Ukraine**\
Halted all foreign aid programs, notably affecting assistance to Ukraine.
- **Launch of Mass Deportations Using Military Aircraft**\
Initiated large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants utilizing military resources.
- **Executive Order Recognizing Only Two Genders**\
Stated that the federal government will recognize only two genders, male and female, eliminating DEI mandates.
- **Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity**\
Prohibited private organizations from conducting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) employment programs for jobs created by federal contracts.
- **Designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization**\
Initiated the process of designating Yemen's Ansar Allah (the Houthis) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
- **Rescission of Executive Order 11246**\
Revoked the 1965 order that prohibited federal contractors from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, and mandated affirmative action programs.
-
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@ e111a405:fa441558
2025-01-26 18:25:59
OpenAI released its new o3 models and numerous people argue that this is in fact Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – in other words, an AI system that is on par with human intelligence. Even if o3 is not yet AGI, the emphasis now lies on “yet,” and – considering the exponential progression – we can expect AGI to arrive within months or maximum one to two years.
According to OpenAI, it only took 3 months to go from the o1 model to the o3 model. This is a 4x+ acceleration relative to previous progress. If this speed of AI advancement is maintained, it means that by the end of 2025 we will be as much ahead of o3 as o3 is ahead of GPT-3 (released in May 2020). And, after achieving AGI, the self-reinforcing feedback loop will only further accelerate exponential improvements of these AI systems.
But, most anti-intuitively, even after we have achieved AGI, it will for quite some time look as if nothing has happened. You won’t feel any change and your job and business will feel safe and untouchable. Big fallacy. We can expect that after AGI it will take many months of not 1-2 years for the real transformations to happen. Why? Because AGI in and of itself does not release value into the economy. It will be much more important to apply it. But as AGI becomes cheaper, agentic, and embedded into the world, we will see a transformation-explosion – replacing those businesses and jobs that are unprepared.
I thought a lot about the impact the announced – and soon to be released – o3 model, and the first AGI model are going to have.
To make it short: I am extremely confident that any skill or process that can be digitized will be. As a result, the majority of white-collar and skilled jobs are on track for massive disruption or elimination.
Furthermore, I think many experts and think tanks are fooling themselves by believing that humans will maintain “some edge” and work peacefully side-by-side with an AI system. I don’t think AGI will augment knowledge workers – i.e. anyone working with language, code, numbers, or any kind of specialized software – it will replace them!
So, if your job or business relies purely on standardized cognitive tasks, you are racing toward the cliff’s edge, and it is time to pivot now!
Let’s start with the worst. Businesses and jobs in which you should pivot immediately – or at least not enter as of today – include but are not limited to anything that involves sitting at a computer:
- anything with data entry or data processing (run as fast as you can!)
- anything that involves writing (copywriting, technical writing,
- editing, proofreading, translation)
- most coding and web development
- SAAS (won’t exist in a couple of years)
- banking (disrupted squared: AGI + Blockchain)
- accounting and auditing (won’t exist as a job in 5-10 years)
- insurance (will be disrupted)
- law (excluding high-stake litigation, negotiation, courtroom advocacy)
- any generic design, music, and video creation (graphic design, stock photography, stock videos)
- market and investment research and analysis (AI will take over 100%)
- trading, both quantitative and qualitative (don’t exit but profit now, but expect to be disrupted within 5 years)
- any middle-layer-management (project and product management)
- medical diagnostics (will be 100% AI within 5 years)
- most standardized professional / consulting services
However, I believe that in high-stakes domains (health, finance, governance), regulators and the public will demand a “human sign-off”. So if you are in accounting, auditing, law, or finance I’d recommend pivoting to a business model where the ability to anchor trust becomes a revenue source.
The question is, where should you pivot to or what business to start in 2025?
## My First Principles of a Post-AGI Business Model
First, even as AI becomes infallible, human beings will still crave real, raw, direct trust relationships. People form bonds around shared experiences, especially offline ones. I believe a truly future-proof venture leverages these primal instincts that machines can never replicate at a deeply visceral level. Nevertheless, I believe it is a big mistake to assume that humans will “naturally” stick together just because we are the same species. AGI might quickly appear more reliable, less selfish than most human beings, and have emotional intelligence. So a business build upon the thesis of the “human advantage” must expertly harness and establish emotional ties, tribal belonging, and shared experiences – all intangible values that are far more delicate and complex than logic.
**First Principle: Operate in the Physical World**
If your product or service can be fully digitalized and delivered via the cloud, AGI can replicate it with near-zero marginal cost
Infuse strategic real-world constraints (logistics, location-specific interactions, physical limitations, direct relationships) that create friction and scarcity – where AI alone will struggle
**Second Principle: Create Hyper Niche Human Experiences**
- The broader audience, the easier it is for AI to dominate. Instead, cultivate specialized groups and subcultures with strong in-person and highly personalized experiences.
- Offer creative or spiritual elements that defy pure rational patterns and thus remain less formulaic
**Third Principle: Emphasize Adaptive, Micro-Scale Partnerships**
- Align with small, local, or specialized stakeholders. Use alliances with artisan suppliers, local talents, subject-matter experts, and so on.
- Avoid single points of failure; build a decentralized network that is hard for a single AI to replicate or disrupt
**Fourth Principle: Embed Extreme Flexibility**
- Structured, hierarchical organizations are easily out-iterated by AI that can reorganize and optimize instantly
- Cultivate fluid teams with quickly reconfigurable structures, use agile, project based collaboration that can pivot as soon AGI-based competition arises
**Opportunity Vectors**
With all of that in mind, there are niches that before looked unattractive, because less scalable, that today offer massive opportunities – let’s call them opportunity vectors.
The first opportunity vector I have already touched upon:
**Trust and Validation Services:** Humans verifying or certifying that a certain AI outcome is ethically or legally sound – while irrational, it is exactly what humans will insist on, particularly where liability is high (medicine, finance, law, infrastructure)
**Frontier Sectors with Regulatory and Ethical Friction:** Think of markets where AI will accelerate R&D but human oversight, relationship management, and accountability remain essential: genetic engineering, biotech, advanced materials, quantum computing, etc.
**The second opportunity vector focuses on the human edge:**
- **Experience & Community:** Live festivals, immersive events, niche retreats, or spiritual explorations – basically any scenario in which emotional energy and a human experience is the core product
-** Rare Craftsmanship & Creative Quirks:** Think of hyper-personalized items, physical artwork, artisanal or hands-on creations. Items that carry an inherent uniqueness or intangible meaning that an AI might replicate in design, but can’t replicate in “heritage” or provenance.
**Risk Tactics**
Overall, the best insurance is fostering a dynamic brand and a loyal community that invests personally and emotionally in you. People will buy from those whose values they trust. If you stand for something real, you create an emotional bond that AI can’t break. I’m not talking about superficial corporate social responsibility (nobody cares) but about authenticity that resonates on a near-spiritual level.
As you build your business, erect an ethical moat by providing “failsafe” services where your human personal liability and your brand acts as a shield for AI decisions. This creates trust and differentiation among anonymous pure-AGI play businesses.
Seek and create small, specialized, local, or digital micro-monopolies – areas too tiny or fractal for the “big AI players” to devote immediate resources to. Over time, multiply these micro-monopolies by rolling them up under one trusted brand.
Furthermore, don’t avoid AI. You cannot out-AI the AI. So as you build a business on the human edge moat, you should still harness AI to do 90% of the repetitive and analytic tasks – this frees your human capital to build human relationships, solve ambiguous problem, or invent new offerings.
**Bet on What Makes Us Human**
To summarize, AI is logical, combinatorial intelligence. The advancements in AI will commoditize logic and disrupt any job and business that is mainly build upon logic as capital. Human – on the other hand – is authenticity. What makes human human and your brand authentic are elements of chaos, empathy, spontaneity. In this context, human is fostering embodied, emotional, culturally contextual, physically immersive experiences. Anything that requires raw creativity, emotional intelligence, local presence, or unique personal relationships will be more AI resilient.
**Therefore, a Post-AGI business must involve:**
- **Tangibility**: Physical goods, spaces, unique craftsmanship
- **Human Connection:** Emotional, face-to-face, improvisational experiences
- **Comprehensive Problem Solving**: Complex negotiations, messy real-world situations, diverse stakeholder management
The inverse list of AGI proof industries involve some or multiple aspects of that:
**Physical, In-Person, Human-Intensive Services**
- Healthcare: Nursing, Physical therapy, Hands-on caregiving
- Skilled trades & craftsmanship
**High-Level Strategy & Complex Leadership**
- Diplomacy, Negotiation, Trust building
- Visionary entrepreneurship
**Deep Emotional / Experiential Offerings**
- Group experiences, retreats, spiritual or therapeutic gatherings
- Artistic expression that thrives on “imperfection”, physical presence, or spontaneous creativity
**Infrastructure for AGI**
- Human-based auditing/verification
- Physical data center operations & advanced hardware
- Application and embedment of AI in the forms of AGI agents, algorithmic improvements, etc. to make it suitable for everyday tasks and workflow
The real differentiator is whether a business is anchored in the physical world’s complexity, emotional trust, or intangible brand relationships. Everything pure data-driven or standardized is on the chopping block – imminently.
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-01-26 15:32:13
Here are today's picks using my proprietary betting strategy at [Freebitcoin](https://freebitco.in/?r=51325722). For details about what Risk Balanced Odds Arbitrage is and why it works see https://stacker.news/items/342765/r/Undisciplined.
For a hypothetical 1k-ish wager on each match, distribute your sats as follows:
| Outcome 1 | Outcome 2 | Outcome 3 | Bet 1 | Bet 2 | Bet 3 |
|--------------|-------------|--------------|-------|-------|-------|
| Newcastle| Fullham| Draw | 583| 200| 238|
| Man United| Crystal Palace| Draw | 459| 286| 280|
| Chelsea| West Ham| Draw | 714| 125| 179|
| Brentford| Tottenham| Draw | 417| 364| 250|
| Arsenal| Man City| Draw | 465| 278| 274|
| Bournemouth| Liverpool| Draw | 211| 565| 238|
A note of caution about Freebitcoin: they recorded the wrong outcome for last week's Bills vs Ravens game and as of yet have not corrected it. I recall one other instance of something similar happening, so proceed with caution.
This RBOA strategy is largely immune from that problem, but be aware of it when just betting on one outcome.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/864472
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@ 0463223a:3b14d673
2025-01-26 13:07:36
Hmm so I heard that in order to improve my brain I should try writing… Ok groovy, I’ll give it a go. In all honesty I don’t know what to write, my brain is a jumble of noise and titbits of random knowledge. I likely know more about sound than the average person but as physics goes, I don’t have anything new or profound to add. Air moves and noises happen. Is there really any more to it? I could write some flowery bollocks about refraction, absorption coefficients and reverberation times, or I could write some out there, arty shit but I don’t think that adds any value to anyone.
A lot of folks online have very strong beliefs in how the world operates or should operate. Whilst their conviction is strong, there’s also is a large percentage of people who totally disagree with them and think the exact opposite is the answer. That’s quite shit isn’t it? Humans have been around for 100,000 years or so and haven’t worked it out. I wonder what makes the internet celeb so certain they’ve got it right when the next internet celeb completely disagrees? I do my best to avoid any of these cunts but despite running to the obscurest social media platforms they still turn up with their profound statements. Meh.
Ideologically I’m leaning toward anarchism but even that seems full of arguments and contradictions and ultimately I don’t think I can be arsed with identifying with any particular ideology. I tried reading some philosophy and struggled with it, although I deep fall into a lovely deep sleep. It’s fair to say I’m not the brightest button in the box. I have a wife, a couple of cats and lots of things that make nosies in my shed. That’s pretty cool right? Well it works for me.
So why write this? I clearly wrote in the first sentence that I’m trying to improve my brain, a brain that’s gone through a number to twists and turns, a lot brain altering substances. I own that, no one forced me to. Beside, George Clinton was still smoking crack aged 80, didn’t do him any harm…
I’m on the 5th paragraph. I don’t feel any smarter yet and each paragraph is getting shorter, having started from a low base. I guess I’m being too high time preference… Might be a while before I launch my Deep Thought podcasts where myself and a guest talk for 500 hours about the philosophy of money and 13 amp plug sockets.
I’ve tortured myself enough. I’m posting this on Nostr where it will never go away.. lol. If you got this far, I congratulate/commiserate you and wish you a wonderful day.
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@ c11cf5f8:4928464d
2025-01-26 15:16:48
Let's hear some of your latest Bitcoin purchases, feel free to include links to the shops or merchants you bought from too.
If you missed our last thread, [here](https://stacker.news/items/855696/r/AG) are some of the items stackers recently spent their sats on.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/864463
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@ 599f67f7:21fb3ea9
2025-01-26 11:01:05
## ¿Qué es Blossom?
nostr:nevent1qqspttj39n6ld4plhn4e2mq3utxpju93u4k7w33l3ehxyf0g9lh3f0qpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsygzenanl0hmkjnrq8fksvdhpt67xzrdh0h8agltwt5znsmvzr7e74ywgmr72
[Blossom](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom) significa _Blobs Simply Stored on Media Servers_ (Blobs Simplemente Almacenados en Servidores de Medios). _Blobs_ son fragmentos de datos binarios, como archivos pero sin nombres. En lugar de nombres, se identifican por su hash [sha256](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2). La ventaja de usar hashes sha256 en lugar de nombres es que los hashes son IDs universales que se pueden calcular a partir del archivo mismo utilizando el algoritmo de hash sha256.
💡 archivo -> sha256 -> hash
Blossom es, por lo tanto, un conjunto de puntos finales HTTP que permiten a los usuarios almacenar y recuperar blobs almacenados en servidores utilizando su identidad nostr.
## ¿Por qué Blossom?
Como mencionamos hace un momento, al usar claves nostr como su identidad, Blossom permite que los datos sean "propiedad" del usuario. Esto simplifica enormemente la cuestión de "qué es spam" para el alojamiento de servidores. Por ejemplo, en nuestro Blossom solo permitimos cargas por miembros de la comunidad verificados que tengan un [NIP-05](https://nips.nostr.com/5) con nosotros.
Los usuarios pueden subir en múltiples servidores de blossom, por ejemplo, uno alojado por su comunidad, uno de pago, otro público y gratuito, para establecer redundancia de sus datos. Los blobs pueden ser [espejados](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/blob/master/buds/04.md) entre servidores de blossom, de manera similar a cómo los relays nostr pueden transmitir eventos entre sí. Esto mejora la resistencia a la censura de blossom.
A continuación se muestra una breve tabla de comparación entre torrents, Blossom y servidores CDN centralizados. (Suponiendo que hay muchos seeders para torrents y se utilizan múltiples servidores con Blossom).
| | Torrents | Blossom | CDN Centralizado |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------- | ---------------- |
| Descentralizado | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Resistencia a la censura | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| ¿Puedo usarlo para publicar fotos de gatitos en redes sociales? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
## ¿Cómo funciona?
Blossom utiliza varios tipos de eventos nostr para comunicarse con el servidor de medios.
| kind | descripción | BUD |
| ----- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 24242 | Evento de autorización | [BUD01](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/blob/master/buds/01.md) |
| 10063 | Lista de Servidores de Usuarios | [BUD03](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/blob/master/buds/03.md) |
### kind:24242 - Autorización
Esto es esencialmente lo que ya describimos al usar claves nostr como IDs de usuario. En el evento, el usuario le dice al servidor que quiere subir o eliminar un archivo y lo firma con sus claves nostr. El servidor realiza algunas verificaciones en este evento y luego ejecuta el comando del usuario si todo parece estar bien.
### kind:10063 - Lista de Servidores de Usuarios
Esto es utilizado por el usuario para anunciar a qué servidores de medios está subiendo. De esta manera, cuando el cliente ve esta lista, sabe dónde subir los archivos del usuario. También puede subir en múltiples servidores definidos en la lista para asegurar redundancia. En el lado de recuperación, si por alguna razón uno de los servidores en la lista del usuario está fuera de servicio, o el archivo ya no se puede encontrar allí, el cliente puede usar esta lista para intentar recuperar el archivo de otros servidores en la lista. Dado que los blobs se identifican por sus hashes, el mismo blob tendrá el mismo hash en cualquier servidor de medios. Todo lo que el cliente necesita hacer es cambiar la URL por la de un servidor diferente.
Ahora, además de los conceptos básicos de cómo funciona Blossom, también hay otros tipos de eventos que hacen que Blossom sea aún más interesante.
| kind | descripción |
| ----- | --------------------- |
| 30563 | Blossom Drives |
| 36363 | Listado de Servidores |
| 31963 | Reseña de Servidores |
### kind:30563 - Blossom Drives
Este tipo de evento facilita la organización de blobs en carpetas, como estamos acostumbrados con los drives (piensa en Google Drive, iCloud, Proton Drive, etc.). El evento contiene información sobre la estructura de carpetas y los metadatos del drive.
### kind:36363 y kind:31963 - Listado y Reseña
Estos tipos de eventos permiten a los usuarios descubrir y reseñar servidores de medios a través de nostr. kind:36363 es un listado de servidores que contiene la URL del servidor. kind:31963 es una reseña, donde los usuarios pueden calificar servidores.
## ¿Cómo lo uso?
### Encuentra un servidor
Primero necesitarás elegir un servidor Blossom donde subirás tus archivos. Puedes navegar por los públicos en [blossomservers.com](https://blossomservers.com/). Algunos de ellos son de pago, otros pueden requerir que tus claves nostr estén en una lista blanca.
Luego, puedes ir a la URL de su servidor y probar a subir un archivo pequeño, como una foto. Si estás satisfecho con el servidor (es rápido y aún no te ha fallado), puedes agregarlo a tu Lista de Servidores de Usuarios. Cubriremos brevemente cómo hacer esto en noStrudel y Amethyst (pero solo necesitas hacer esto una vez, una vez que tu lista actualizada esté publicada, los clientes pueden simplemente recuperarla de nostr).
### noStrudel
1. Encuentra Relays en la barra lateral, luego elige Servidores de Medios.
2. Agrega un servidor de medios, o mejor aún, varios.
3. Publica tu lista de servidores. ✅
### Amethyst
1. En la barra lateral, encuentra Servidores multimedia.
2. Bajo Servidores Blossom, agrega tus servidores de medios.
3. Firma y publica. ✅
Ahora, cuando vayas a hacer una publicación y adjuntar una foto, por ejemplo, se subirá en tu servidor blossom.
⚠️ Ten en cuenta que debes suponer que los archivos que subas serán públicos. Aunque puedes proteger un archivo con contraseña, esto no ha sido auditado.
### Blossom Drive
Como mencionamos anteriormente, podemos publicar eventos para organizar nuestros blobs en carpetas. Esto puede ser excelente para compartir archivos con tu equipo, o simplemente para mantener las cosas organizadas.
Para probarlo, ve a [blossom.hzrd149.com](https://blossom.hzrd149.com/) (o nuestra instancia comunitaria en [blossom.bitcointxoko.com](https://blossom.bitcointxoko.com)) e inicia sesión con tu método preferido.
Puedes crear una nueva unidad y agregar blobs desde allí.
### Bouquet
Si usas múltiples servidores para darte redundancia, Bouquet es una buena manera de obtener una visión general de todos tus archivos. Úsalo para subir y navegar por tus medios en diferentes servidores y sincronizar blobs entre ellos.
### Cherry Tree
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqfngzhsvjggdlgeycm96x4emzjlwf8dyyzdfg4hefp89zpkdgz99qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqyp3065hj9zellakecetfflkgudm5n6xcc9dnetfeacnq90y3yxa5z5gk2q6
Cherry Tree te permite dividir un archivo en fragmentos y luego subirlos en múltiples servidores blossom, y más tarde reensamblarlos en otro lugar.
## Conclusión
Blossom aún está en desarrollo, pero ya hay muchas cosas interesantes que puedes hacer con él para hacerte a ti y a tu comunidad más soberanos. ¡Pruébalo!
Si deseas mantenerte al día sobre el desarrollo de Blossom, sigue a nostr:nprofile1qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqyqnxs90qeyssm73jf3kt5dtnk997ujw6ggy6j3t0jjzw2yrv6sy22ysu5ka y dale un gran zap por su excelente trabajo.
## Referencias
- [hzrd149/blossom en GitHub](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom)
- [Blossom Drive](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom-drive/blob/master/docs/drive.md)
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@ 378562cd:a6fc6773
2025-01-26 14:50:23
**Top 20 U.S.-Based Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Secretary of Defense Amid Crypto Talks**\
The newly confirmed Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has hinted at exploring blockchain applications for national security and defense logistics.
2. **Senate to Debate Cryptocurrency Taxation Reform**\
A bipartisan bill focusing on cryptocurrency taxation is set for Senate debate, aiming to simplify tax reporting and encourage blockchain innovation.
3. **Florida Launches State-Backed Blockchain Pilot Program**\
Florida has initiated a pilot program leveraging blockchain for state services, including property records and public benefits distribution.
4. **Silicon Valley Firms Ramp Up Blockchain Development**\
Tech giants in Silicon Valley, including Meta and Google, have announced increased investments in blockchain R&D to align with U.S. policy shifts.
5. **California Mulls Digital Asset Consumer Protection Bill**\
California lawmakers are reviewing a proposed bill designed to strengthen consumer protections in cryptocurrency transactions and prevent fraud.
6. **Wyoming Leads in Blockchain Legislation**\
Wyoming continues to set the standard for pro-blockchain legislation, introducing additional laws to attract cryptocurrency businesses and miners.
7. **Texas Becomes a Hub for Crypto Mining**\
Texas remains a hotbed for cryptocurrency mining operations, with favorable regulations and abundant energy resources attracting global miners.
8. **New York Revisits BitLicense Regulations**\
The New York Department of Financial Services is revising its stringent BitLicense requirements, seeking to balance industry growth and consumer protection.
9. **SEC Proposes Clearer Guidelines for ICOs**\
The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed new rules to clarify and reduce ambiguity surrounding initial coin offerings (ICOs).
10. **Banking Giants Reenter Crypto Markets**\
JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are reportedly resuming their cryptocurrency trading desks, reflecting renewed institutional confidence in the market.
11. **Crypto Job Market Expands in the U.S.**\
Major crypto companies, including Coinbase and Kraken, are expanding hiring efforts, focusing on compliance, engineering, and product development roles.
12. **U.S. Treasury Collaborates with Private Sector on Blockchain Security**\
The U.S. Treasury has launched a joint initiative with private companies to enhance blockchain cybersecurity and combat crypto-related crimes.
13. **Nevada Considers Tax Incentives for Crypto Startups**\
Nevada legislators are discussing tax breaks for cryptocurrency startups to attract more tech companies to the state.
14. **Miami Hosts Blockchain Week**\
Miami has kicked off Blockchain Week, drawing thousands of participants from around the world to discuss cryptocurrency innovation and regulation.
15. **Colorado Accepts Tax Payments in Cryptocurrency**\
Colorado residents can now pay state taxes using Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a milestone in government adoption of digital currencies.
16. **Boston Dynamics Explores Blockchain in Robotics**\
Boston Dynamics has announced research into using blockchain technology to enhance coordination and security for robotic systems.
17. **Crypto Payments Expand in the Retail Sector**\
Major U.S. retailers, including Walmart and Home Depot, are piloting cryptocurrency payment systems in select locations.
18. **Federal Reserve Examines Decentralized Finance (DeFi)**\
The Federal Reserve has initiated a study on the potential implications and opportunities of decentralized finance within the U.S. economy.
19. **Chicago Becomes a Cryptocurrency Innovation Hub**\
Chicago has unveiled a public-private initiative to attract blockchain startups and establish the city as a leading hub for cryptocurrency innovation.
20. **Arizona Proposes Bitcoin as Legal Tender**\
Arizona legislators are drafting a bill recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender, potentially making it the first U.S. state to do so.
---
**Top 5 Worldwide Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **European Union Accelerates Crypto Regulation Framework**\
The EU is working on comprehensive legislation to standardize cryptocurrency regulations across member states, focusing on consumer protection and innovation.
2. **China's Shadow Crypto Market Flourishes Despite Crackdowns**\
Despite stringent bans, underground cryptocurrency trading in China continues to thrive, fueled by over-the-counter brokers and international platforms.
3. **India Explores Blockchain Voting Systems**\
India is piloting blockchain technology for secure and transparent voting, aiming to modernize its electoral process.
4. **El Salvador Expands Bitcoin Adoption Programs**\
El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, is launching new programs to educate its citizens on cryptocurrency use and blockchain technology.
5. **African Nations Adopt Bitcoin for Cross-Border Transactions**\
African countries increasingly leverage Bitcoin to streamline cross-border trade, addressing inefficiencies in traditional banking systems.
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@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a
2025-01-26 08:43:57
**First** make sure to add this relay wss://relay.momostr.pink in your Nostr [setting](https://primal.net/settings/network)
and **second** follow this [account ](https://nosta.me/npub1pqr3g2gk3vsnrqk9kwfqqcxc6d5cwjr0hyc0nlzz9py5nf92vd9sn02sck)
Soon after an account will be created on bluesky and will mirror your Nostr profile
the address will be like this:
bsky.app/profile/npub1mwce4c8qa2zn9zw9f372syrc9dsnqmyy3jkcmpqkzaze0slj94dqu6nmwy.momostr.pink.ap.brid.gy
And from there keep spreading the good word
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/825913
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-26 14:48:01
# Page 1
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## Welcome to Stories
This is a new way to tell stories on nostr.
##
Some content in the middle of the page.
## Read More
Swipe left to continue...
# Page 2
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## Top Info
This text appears at the top of the page.
## Important Point
This content is centered in the middle.
## Bottom Line
And this wraps it up at the bottom.
# Page 3
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##
##
## The End
Thanks for reading! This text appears at the bottom.
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@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39
2025-01-26 12:40:45
# **Hackathon 概览**
[BTCfi 夏季黑客松](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon) 是于2024年夏季由CoreDAO组织,为期12周的黑客松活动。本次活动旨在推动比特币经济中的创新,吸引了来自Web3和BTCfi社区的开发者参与。共有291位开发者参与,提交了74个去中心化应用项目(BUIDLs)到Core平台上。此举旨在加强Core在BTC领域的作用。
Hackathon于2024年6月6日开始,包含开幕式、申请期以及于2024年8月19日的demo日。获奖者于2024年8月26日公布。NLX、Halborn、TokenSoft、Verichains和Request Finance等赞助商给予了支持。
参与者专注于开发将Core链技术融入其解决方案的独特应用。此次活动有效扩展了Core生态系统,增强了开发人员的参与度。所提交项目的多样性和范围突显了活动的成功实施及其对未来区块链技术进步的潜在影响。
# **Hackathon 获奖项目**
- **1st Place:**[Rune Bridge](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14486): 该系统实现了比特币和Core区块链之间无需权限的集成。它利用EVM兼容性和混合共识模型来实现可扩展性,由智能合约、链外中继器和一个工厂ERC20合约组成,以高效管理代币。
- **2nd Place:**[OnchainVampireSurvivors](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14468): 这是一款Web3时间生存游戏,具有基于区块链的链上排行榜和彩票功能。项目使用ThirdWeb进行钱包访问,注重gas效率,并使用Cocos和Hardhat开发。未来增强计划包括AI资产和在Core主网上的部署。
- **3rd Place:**[b14g Network - Enhancing Decentralization and Security on Core Chain with b14g](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14353): 本项目旨在通过实施观察者节点和合并质押来增强Core Chain的安全性,促进监控的去中心化并解决承诺问题。它旨在将BTC与DeFi集成,提升CORE代币的实用性并确保网络的完整性。
欲了解所有提交项目的综合概述,请访问[BTCFi Summer Hackathon 2024页面](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon/buidl)。
# **关于组织者**
### **CoreDAO**
Core DAO管理着Core Chain,这是一条以安全性和可扩展性为重点的去中心化区块链网络。通过将比特币的工作量证明与Satoshi Plus共识系统(委托工作量证明和委托权益证明的组合)相结合,Core DAO旨在增强去中心化和安全性。该平台提供以太坊虚拟机兼容性,使比特币矿工可以参与,同时比特币持有者可以在不放弃托管的情况下进行质押。Core Chain支持高交易吞吐量,由社区管理,并提供与其他区块链的互操作性,使用Solidity进行高效智能合约开发。该组织的使命是推动由比特币保护的去中心化应用程序开发。
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@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a
2025-01-26 12:39:54
# **Hackathon Summary**
The [**BTCfi Summer Hackathon**](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon), organized by Core DAO in 2024, concluded after a 12-week period. The hackathon aimed to drive innovation in the Bitcoin economy, engaging developers from the Web3 and BTCfi communities. A total of 291 developers participated, submitting 74 decentralized application projects (BUIDLs) on the Core platform. This initiative sought to reinforce Core’s role within the BTC space.
The hackathon commenced on June 6, 2024, featuring key activities such as the opening ceremony, application period, and a demo day on August 19, 2024. Winners were revealed on August 26, 2024. The event was supported by sponsors, including NLX, Halborn, TokenSoft, Verichains, and Request Finance.
Participants focused on developing unique applications that incorporated Core Chain technologies into their solutions. The event effectively expanded the Core ecosystem, enhancing developer engagement. The diversity and range of submitted projects underscored the event's successful execution and potential impact on future blockchain technology advancements.
# **Hackathon Winners**
### **1st Place**
[Rune Bridge](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14486): This system facilitates integration between the Bitcoin and Core blockchains without requiring permission. It leverages EVM compatibility and a hybrid consensus model for scalability, consisting of a smart contract, off-chain relayer, and a factory ERC20 contract to manage tokens efficiently.
### **2nd Place**
[OnchainVampireSurvivors](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14468): A Web3 time survival game featuring a blockchain-based on-chain leaderboard and lottery. The project uses ThirdWeb for wallet access, prioritizes gas efficiency, and is developed using Cocos and Hardhat. Future enhancements include AI assets and deployment on the Core mainnet.
### **3rd Place**
[b14g Network - Enhancing Decentralization and Security on Core Chain with b14g](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14353): This project aims to bolster Core Chain's security by implementing Observer Nodes and Merge Staking, promoting decentralization in monitoring and addressing commitment challenges. It seeks to integrate BTC with DeFi, enhancing CORE token utility and ensuring network integrity.
For a comprehensive overview of all submitted projects, visit the [BTCFi Summer Hackathon 2024 page](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon/buidl).
# **About the Organizer**
### **Core DAO**
Core DAO manages the Core Chain, a decentralized blockchain network with a focus on security and scalability. By integrating Bitcoin’s Proof of Work with the Satoshi Plus consensus system—a combination of Delegated Proof of Work and Delegated Proof of Stake—Core DAO aims to enhance decentralization and security. The platform offers Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility, enabling Bitcoin miners to participate and Bitcoin holders to stake without relinquishing custody. Core Chain supports high transaction throughput, is community-governed, and provides interoperability with other blockchains, utilizing Solidity for efficient smart contract development. The organization's mission centers on promoting decentralized application development secured by Bitcoin.
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@ 19f16cc9:dde72785
2025-01-26 12:17:23
Rikvip là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến nổi bật, mang đến cho người tham gia những trò chơi thú vị và hấp dẫn. Với giao diện dễ sử dụng, người tham gia có thể nhanh chóng tìm kiếm và tham gia vào các trò chơi yêu thích của mình. Nền tảng này cung cấp nhiều thể loại trò chơi khác nhau, giúp đáp ứng nhu cầu giải trí đa dạng của người dùng. Bất kể là người mới hay đã có kinh nghiệm, Rikvip đều có thể mang đến những trải nghiệm giải trí tuyệt vời.
Điểm mạnh của Rikvip chính là sự đa dạng và phong phú trong các trò chơi mà nền tảng này cung cấp. Người tham gia có thể thử sức với các trò chơi trí tuệ, các trò chơi giải trí nhẹ nhàng, hoặc những trò chơi chiến thuật đầy thử thách. Rikvip luôn cập nhật các trò chơi mới và các sự kiện đặc biệt để người tham gia không bao giờ cảm thấy nhàm chán. Nền tảng này cũng chú trọng vào việc cải tiến các trò chơi hiện có để mang lại cho người tham gia những trải nghiệm mượt mà và thú vị hơn.
Bảo mật là một yếu tố rất quan trọng tại <a href="https://www-rikvip.com">RIKVIP</a>. Nền tảng này sử dụng công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến để bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và giao dịch của người tham gia. Mọi giao dịch và dữ liệu người dùng đều được mã hóa và bảo vệ an toàn, giúp người tham gia yên tâm khi tham gia các trò chơi trên nền tảng. Rikvip cam kết mang đến một môi trường an toàn và bảo mật cho tất cả người dùng.
Bên cạnh đó, đội ngũ hỗ trợ khách hàng của Rikvip luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp mọi thắc mắc và hỗ trợ người tham gia trong suốt quá trình sử dụng dịch vụ. Đội ngũ chăm sóc khách hàng của Rikvip được đào tạo chuyên nghiệp và tận tâm, giúp người tham gia có thể nhanh chóng giải quyết các vấn đề hoặc yêu cầu của mình. Dịch vụ hỗ trợ của Rikvip rất linh hoạt và dễ tiếp cận, mang đến cho người tham gia sự hài lòng cao.
Cuối cùng, Rikvip không chỉ là một nền tảng giải trí mà còn là một môi trường an toàn, đáng tin cậy và thú vị cho tất cả người tham gia. Với các trò chơi đa dạng, tính bảo mật cao và dịch vụ khách hàng chuyên nghiệp, Rikvip đã xây dựng được lòng tin vững chắc trong cộng đồng người tham gia. Nền tảng này xứng đáng là sự lựa chọn tuyệt vời cho những ai muốn tìm kiếm một không gian giải trí tuyệt hảo và đáng tin cậy.
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@ 19f16cc9:dde72785
2025-01-26 12:16:31
123B là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến được yêu thích, mang đến cho người tham gia một không gian giải trí đa dạng và phong phú. Với giao diện thân thiện và dễ sử dụng, 123B giúp người dùng dễ dàng tiếp cận các trò chơi yêu thích. Nền tảng này không chỉ hướng đến người dùng mới mà còn đáp ứng được nhu cầu của những người tham gia lâu dài, tạo ra một môi trường giải trí thú vị và luôn tươi mới.
Một trong những yếu tố khiến 123B nổi bật là sự đa dạng trong các trò chơi mà nền tảng này cung cấp. Người tham gia có thể tìm thấy nhiều thể loại trò chơi từ các trò chơi trí tuệ cho đến những trò chơi giải trí thư giãn. Nền tảng này luôn cập nhật các trò chơi mới và mang lại những sự kiện đặc biệt để người tham gia không bao giờ cảm thấy nhàm chán. 123B luôn sáng tạo và cải tiến để mang lại trải nghiệm tốt nhất cho người tham gia.
Bảo mật là một yếu tố quan trọng tại <a href="https://123b-online.com">123B</a>. Nền tảng này sử dụng các công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến để bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và dữ liệu giao dịch của người tham gia. Mọi thông tin đều được mã hóa và bảo vệ an toàn, giúp người tham gia yên tâm trong suốt quá trình sử dụng dịch vụ. Các biện pháp bảo mật mạnh mẽ của 123B giúp đảm bảo sự an toàn tuyệt đối cho người tham gia và giữ cho họ không phải lo lắng về việc bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân.
Bên cạnh đó, đội ngũ chăm sóc khách hàng của 123B luôn sẵn sàng hỗ trợ người tham gia. Dịch vụ khách hàng của 123B luôn chuyên nghiệp và nhanh chóng, giúp giải quyết mọi thắc mắc và vấn đề mà người tham gia gặp phải. Nhờ vào đội ngũ hỗ trợ tận tâm và chu đáo, người tham gia có thể yên tâm khi trải nghiệm dịch vụ mà không gặp phải bất kỳ sự gián đoạn nào.
Cuối cùng, 123B cam kết mang đến cho người tham gia một môi trường giải trí an toàn, thú vị và chuyên nghiệp. Với sự kết hợp hoàn hảo giữa bảo mật, sự đa dạng trong các trò chơi và dịch vụ hỗ trợ khách hàng tuyệt vời, nền tảng này đã chiếm được lòng tin của cộng đồng người tham gia. 123B xứng đáng là lựa chọn lý tưởng cho những ai muốn tìm kiếm một không gian giải trí đáng tin cậy và tuyệt vời.
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@ 19f16cc9:dde72785
2025-01-26 12:14:35
Lucky88 là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến nổi bật, mang đến cho người tham gia nhiều trò chơi đa dạng và hấp dẫn. Với giao diện dễ sử dụng, người dùng có thể dễ dàng tìm kiếm và tham gia vào các trò chơi yêu thích. Nền tảng này được thiết kế thân thiện với người dùng, giúp người tham gia có một trải nghiệm giải trí mượt mà và thú vị. Với Lucky88, mỗi lần truy cập đều mang lại một không gian giải trí tươi mới và đầy thử thách.
Điểm mạnh của Lucky88 là sự đa dạng trong các trò chơi mà nền tảng này cung cấp. Người tham gia có thể lựa chọn từ các trò chơi trí tuệ, các trò chơi giải trí nhẹ nhàng, đến những trò chơi chiến thuật đầy thử thách. Lucky88 không ngừng cập nhật và cải tiến các trò chơi để giữ cho người tham gia luôn cảm thấy mới mẻ và không bị nhàm chán. Mỗi trò chơi đều được thiết kế tỉ mỉ để mang lại trải nghiệm thú vị và tạo sự kích thích cho người tham gia.
Bảo mật là một yếu tố rất quan trọng đối với <a href="https://lucky88-vn.com">Lucky88</a>. Nền tảng này áp dụng các công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến, giúp bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và dữ liệu giao dịch của người tham gia một cách an toàn. Mọi giao dịch và thông tin người dùng đều được mã hóa, đảm bảo không có sự xâm nhập trái phép. Chính vì vậy, Lucky88 luôn cam kết mang đến cho người tham gia một môi trường giải trí an toàn và bảo mật.
Dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng của Lucky88 là một trong những yếu tố khiến người tham gia luôn hài lòng. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp mọi thắc mắc và giúp đỡ người tham gia trong suốt quá trình sử dụng nền tảng. Dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng nhanh chóng và hiệu quả, đảm bảo rằng người tham gia luôn nhận được sự hỗ trợ kịp thời khi gặp phải bất kỳ vấn đề nào.
Cuối cùng, Lucky88 không chỉ là một nền tảng giải trí, mà còn là một môi trường an toàn và đáng tin cậy. Với sự kết hợp giữa bảo mật cao, các trò chơi đa dạng và dịch vụ hỗ trợ tận tâm, Lucky88 đã xây dựng được lòng tin vững chắc trong cộng đồng người tham gia. Đây là nơi lý tưởng cho những ai muốn tìm kiếm một không gian giải trí phong phú và an toàn.
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@ fd78c37f:a0ec0833
2025-01-26 12:07:12
## **ETHOS & PURPOSE**🌐
SATS'N'FACTS emphasizes Creativity, Privacy, FOSS Advocacy,with a focus on Local Community, Decentralization, and Health Balance. It is dedicated to nurturing an environment where decentralization and open collaboration thrive, providing space for deep technical discussions, hands-on learning, and meaningful networking, all with the goal of strengthening the Bitcoin community in Asia.
They aspire to redefine boundaries and usher in a new era of design and development excellence that leaves an indelible mark on the bitcoin environment. A three-day event dedicated to fostering innovation, and freedom within the Bitcoin Developer Community in Asia.
## LEADS🧑💼
Enthusiast developers and builders from around the globe, will attend this first installments of the SATS’N’FACTS. Including nostr:npub1nvfgglea9zlcs58tcqlc6j26rt50ngkgdk7699wfq4txrx37aqcsz4e7zd nostr:npub1cj6ndx5akfazux7f0vjl4fyx9k0ulf682p437fe03a9ndwqjm0tqj886t6 nostr:npub148jz5r9xujcjpqygk69yl4jqwjqmzgrqly26plktfjy8g4t7xaysj9xhgp nostr:npub1htnhsay5dmq3r72tukdw72pduzfdcja0yylcajuvnc2uklkhxp8qnz3qac nostr:npub1ejxswthae3nkljavznmv66p9ahp4wmj4adux525htmsrff4qym9sz2t3tv nostr:npub1gwa27rpgum8mr9d30msg8cv7kwj2lhav2nvmdwh3wqnsa5vnudxqlta2sz nostr:npub1zk6u7mxlflguqteghn8q7xtu47hyerruv6379c36l8lxzzr4x90q0gl6ef nostr:npub13rvvn5g23anm09kwnya8qvzqejxfajfa56rnn47ck5l96ke6cq4sdcd4e0 nostr:npub147whqsr5vsj86x0ays70r0hgreklre3ey97uvcmxhum65skst56s30selt nostr:npub190trvg63e6tyqlwlj6lccqpftx76lckj25c006vwx3dzvdl88yxs2nyqdx nostr:npub1hw6amg8p24ne08c9gdq8hhpqx0t0pwanpae9z25crn7m9uy7yarse465gr nostr:npub10xk2rsg9l9ksht66egss98z7mzhetf8d7q4476d9cm6vsfv3a00qld5tdf nostr:npub19x0h8jm3mnwzhv4tpq62zta05er0qlyge73m0pwsp7h666khkd9qev2ree and more.
## AGENDA📝
The event is designed to be a “decentralized and collaborative” effort between all participants, with activities being put together with attendees’ feedback. So no agenda, but here some guidance to make sure this event will be joyful and constructive:
🗓️**8ᵗʰғᴇʙ Doors Opening**:
- [ ] Event Opening
- [ ] Welcome session and intros
- [ ] Presentations and open discussions
- [ ] Initial networking and collaborative sessions
- [ ] Hackathon begins
🗓️**9ᵗʰғᴇʙ** :
- [ ] Hackathon continues
- [ ] Attendee-led sessions
- [ ] Recording room open for voluntarily podcasting and interviews
- [ ] Peer-to-peer learning and networking
🗓️**10ᵗʰғᴇʙ Closing UP**:
- [ ] Hackathon wrap-up
- [ ] Pitching contest and project presentations
- [ ] Networking
- [ ] Closing remarks and final session
## MERCH🛍️
Their event merch is not just cool—it’s a must-have! T-shirts 👕, bags 🎒, stickers 🖼️, caps 🧢...Get yours and carry the event vibe wherever you go!
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## Other Fun Activities🎡
In addition to the exciting conference, they've prepared a variety of enriching experiences for you—live art and craft activities🎨, art exhibitions🖼️, creative workshops✨, and Thai massage 💆……, and more.
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## How to join the Event🎡
If you're in Asia this February, don't miss out—join them in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭 for an unforgettable experience!
📅 **Time**:8—10th February 2025
📍**Location**:12/8 ถ.วัวลาย ซอย 3 ตำบลหายยา, เมืองเชียงใหม่ 50100 🇹🇭ไทย
💺**Book your seat:** https://formstr.app/#/fill/b3b9bd115fe936848a5e03134fefff945287285d51b1dee4731fef6a1070c597
🎤**Submit an idea**: https://formstr.app/#/forms/cf02333ea3c0d0c21080df599373e289fa343a55e63a1abdc7f633d1594078ff
🎫**Buy your ticket**: https://satsnfacts.btc.pub/p/ticket/
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-26 11:57:39
# Page: cover
background: #000000
template: vertical
# Welcome to My Story
This is an amazing story.
# Page: page1
background-image: https://nostr.build/i/nostr.png
template: vertical
## First Page
Content goes here
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 11:48:45
For centuries, the global narrative has been dominated by Western powers, their economies, and their cultural hegemony. But beneath this veneer of dominance lies a reality that is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore: the East—spanning Asia, the Middle East, and beyond—is awakening, mobilizing human potential and economic resources on a scale that dwarfs anything seen in the West.
To grasp this transformation, one must break free from traditional Western-centric paradigms and understand the numbers, the sheer scale, and the unstoppable momentum of this shift.
---
#### **Population: The Power of Numbers**
The East’s greatest asset is its people. To put this into perspective:
- **China**: With a population of 1.4 billion, it has more than four times the people of the United States. Imagine the United States replicating its entire labor force four times over, and you begin to see the scale of China’s potential.
- **India**: By 2023, India officially surpassed China as the most populous nation. Its **Gen Z population alone—over 375 million people**—is larger than the entire U.S. population.
- **Southeast Asia**: The ASEAN region, comprising nations like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, boasts a combined population of over **680 million**. Indonesia alone, with **280 million people**, is the world’s fourth-most populous country.
In total, Asia accounts for **60% of the world’s population**. The raw human potential here is akin to unlocking billions of minds, all innovating, producing, and consuming.
The East is like a beehive, with billions of individuals working in unison, each contributing to a collective force that is buzzing with energy and unstoppable growth. Meanwhile, the West, though still industrious, often resembles a lone artisan toiling in a workshop, unaware of the scale of production happening just beyond their horizon.
---
#### **Economic Growth: The Compounding Engine**
Western economies, long considered the gold standard, are now being eclipsed by the rapid growth of Eastern nations.
- **China’s GDP**: In 1980, China’s GDP was a mere **$191 billion**, less than 5% of the U.S. economy. By 2023, it surpassed **$19 trillion**, closing in on the U.S. ($25 trillion) as the largest economy. Analysts predict that by the 2030s, China will overtake the U.S. to claim the top spot.
- **India’s Growth Rate**: India, now the fifth-largest economy, has consistently achieved GDP growth rates of **6-8% annually** over the past two decades. Its economy, currently valued at **$3.7 trillion**, is projected to become the world’s third-largest by 2030.
- **ASEAN Economic Bloc**: The combined GDP of ASEAN nations exceeds **$3.6 trillion**, making it the fifth-largest economic bloc globally. Its strategic position as a manufacturing hub and its youthful workforce are propelling it forward.
Compare these numbers to the **2-3% growth rates** in the U.S. and Europe, and it becomes evident that the East isn’t just catching up; it’s compounding at a rate that will leave Western economies in the dust.
The economic growth of the East is like a tidal wave gathering strength far out at sea. At first, it’s almost imperceptible, but as it approaches the shore, its size and force become undeniable, reshaping everything in its path. By comparison, the West resembles a well-built dam holding back a steady river—resilient, but incapable of matching the raw power of the oncoming surge.
---
#### **Infrastructure Development: Building Tomorrow**
The East is constructing the foundations of its future at an unprecedented pace:
- **High-Speed Rail**: China’s high-speed rail network spans over **42,000 kilometers**, more than the rest of the world combined. To put it in perspective, this is like building a rail line that circles the Earth’s equator—with some to spare—in just two decades.
- **Smart Cities**: India has embarked on its ambitious **100 Smart Cities Mission**, modernizing urban infrastructure to support its growing population. Meanwhile, the ASEAN region is investing billions in digital infrastructure to create hyper-connected economies.
- **Energy Transition**: China leads the world in renewable energy investment, accounting for **45% of global renewable energy capacity additions** in 2022. This is the equivalent of powering all of Europe’s renewable energy needs annually.
These infrastructure projects aren’t just impressive feats of engineering; they are the scaffolding of economies that are designed to scale.
The East’s infrastructure boom is like planting an immense forest. Each rail line, smart city, and renewable energy project is a tree—seemingly small on its own but, when viewed together, forming a vast and thriving ecosystem that reshapes the climate of global power.
---
#### **Education and Innovation: The Engine of Progress**
The East is also mobilizing its human capital through education and innovation.
- **China** graduates over **1.2 million engineers annually**, dwarfing the **70,000 engineering graduates in the United States**.
- **India’s Tech Workforce**: India’s IT sector employs **5 million professionals** and contributes nearly **10% of the country’s GDP**. Companies like Infosys and TCS aren’t just outsourcing hubs; they’re global innovation powerhouses.
- **Patents and R&D**: China filed **1.5 million patents in 2022**, compared to the U.S.’s **620,000**. This means that for every patent filed in the West, two or more are being filed in China.
Innovation ecosystems in places like Shenzhen and Bangalore are the modern equivalents of Silicon Valley, but on steroids—fueled by scale, government support, and an unrelenting hunger to lead.
The East’s educational and innovation push is like lighting a thousand candles in a dark room. Where the West may hold a single, steady flame, the East is illuminating every corner, creating a dazzling and unstoppable glow.
---
#### **A Metaphor for the West: The Dam Bursting**
For the average Westerner, understanding this shift requires a relatable metaphor. Imagine standing behind a dam holding back a massive reservoir. For decades, the dam (the West) controlled the flow, regulating what trickled out to the downstream (the East). But now, the reservoir has grown so vast and powerful that it can no longer be contained. The dam is cracking, and when it bursts, the torrent of economic and human potential will reshape the entire landscape.
Alternatively, think of it as a relay race. For centuries, the West held the baton and set the pace. But now, the baton has been passed to the East, whose runners—with their sheer numbers and untapped potential—are sprinting at a speed that leaves the previous team struggling to keep up.
---
#### **Conclusion: The Multi-Polar Future**
The West must wake up to this reality, not with fear or resentment, but with a willingness to adapt. The world is moving towards a multi-polar order, where power is distributed rather than concentrated. Cooperation, not confrontation, will define success in this new era.
As the East continues to mobilize its vast resources, the question is not whether it will surpass the West, but how the West will respond. Will it resist, clinging to outdated notions of supremacy, or will it embrace this shift and find its place in a rebalanced world?
One thing is certain: the scale of what’s happening in the East is not just big; it’s colossal. And it’s time for the world to take notice.
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-26 11:48:05
# Page: cover
background: #000000
template: vertical
# Welcome to My Story
This is an amazing story.
# Page: page1
background-image: https://nostr.build/i/nostr.png
template: vertical
## First Page
Content goes here
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@ faade9ee:1c6dfd69
2025-01-26 11:46:44
test2c
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@ faade9ee:1c6dfd69
2025-01-26 11:39:51
This is a normal piece of text.z
**This is a bold piece of text via button press.z**
**this is also bold, but via double-starsz**
*this is an italic via button press*
*this also but via one-star*
<u>look, it's an underline!</u>
`oh, a piece of code has appeared. Nice. Button press tho. seems like it's purple / missed styling it, will change that.`
`another code but via text`
```
code block, kinda buggy (really buggy actually x3)
```
\`\`\`this is another, but via text which is disabled for now as it's cause issues\`\`\`
This is a top number thing<sup>222</sup>
a bottom number thing<sub>5ss65435ghrt</sub>
* bullets!
* another!
* a third!
1. Number!
1. another!
1. a third!
* [x] check
* [x] box
> this is a quote
"quote"
# heading 1
## heading 2
### heading 3 via text
#### heading 4 via text
##### heading 5 via text
###### heading 6 via text
[this is a link via text (button has an annoyance bug)](degmods.com "title?")
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***
video below
::youtube{#aApSteSbeGA}
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@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9
2025-01-26 10:29:32
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/864256
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@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a
2025-01-26 08:37:55
## Step by Step migration from the Alby Hub Cloud to the Alby Hub local application. ##
**Step 1**. From the Alby Hub select the 'migrate node' option, this will generate a bkp file, and will shutdown the node
https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-account-and-browser-extension/alby-hub/faq-alby-hub/how-can-i-migrate-alby-hub-to-a-different-machine
**Step 2.** Preferably on a second machine, install the Alby application, synchronize the application with the Alby extension, then run the Alby 'advanced setup' import the bkp file, enter the password, and the Hub will open the wallet.
https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-account-and-browser-extension/alby-hub/faq-alby-hub/how-can-i-migrate-alby-hub-to-a-different-machine
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Note: if the password is incorrect this message will show up
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@ 89ccea93:df4e00b7
2025-01-26 06:27:11
Hello friend. I write a blog at [expatriotic.me](https://expatriotic.me).
Yesterday I posted "Expatriotic's Master List" on SN [here](https://stacker.news/items/863051) and on my blog [here](https://expatriotic.me/expatriotics-master-list/).
This was effectively a road map.
I'm now going to commence this next phase of my blog.
But I'd like some help in picking the next topic.
Please vote in the comments below. The comment that has the most zaps will win. I'll post the short list as a set of comments to be voted on.
Taking a leaf out of Bitcoin QnAs book with how he did it on bitcoiner.guide once. Seemed pretty awesome, so let's see then.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/864182
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@ 8d34bd24:414be32b
2025-01-26 04:54:21
My writing tends to be responsive. I respond to something I read in a book. I respond to something I read online. I respond to a podcast or sermon I was listening to. I also have a strong longing for truth (which seems to be in short supply these days). Because of my ideas being responsive, I probably tend to speak against things too often and not for things enough. I condemn not having a high enough view of God, but may inaccurately convey a harsh God and not spend enough time conveying His love and the positive reasons to follow Him. I may spend too much time on the stick and not enough on the carrot.
I’ve noticed in others that I can see two people arguing over a biblical point. One is arguing against an error/extreme to one direction while the other is arguing against an error/extreme in the opposite direction. In reality, their beliefs are very close, but they sound like they are far apart. I’ve had many opportunities to help the two people realize that they mostly agree with each other, but they are each personally dealing with opposite errors. Just as I can do a good job editing someone else’s writing, but can’t edit my own (I usually have my amazing, wonderful, handsome, intelligent, humorous husband \[editor’s note - adjectives added by editor\] read and edit everything I write before publishing), I may sometimes be too reactive to an error and fail to properly communicate the whole and complete truth.
## Differences in Perspective
I was recently listening to a podcast by a by Bible teacher. He was talking about how he had an unloving father and how, after being saved, he originally didn’t think God cared about him personally. He then went on to teach about how personal and loving God is and how God is actively involved in every detail of every believer’s life. I agree.
On the other hand, I have seen many people that focus only on God’s love and ignore God’s holiness. They believe it is more important to be “loving” and therefore they withhold the truth (if they even know it). They are so focused on God’s forgiveness that they excuse believers actively sinning and promoting sin. Since being saved, I never doubted God’s love or His involvement in my life, so I tend to not talk about God’s love as much as I probably should. My big “Ah Ha!” was seeing His absolute sovereignty and holiness and coming to understand that the fact that He is creator gives Him the authority to tell us how to live our lives, so I tend to focus on this area.
Although I would never say God’s truth is whatever the compromise of ideas is, there are a lot of truths about God where we can fall into error in two (or more) opposing directions. God is loving and is holy. If we focus only on His love or only on His holiness, we are in error. God is forgiving and has the right to judge. If we focus so much on the fact that we are forgiven that we do not obey Him, we have erred, but if we focus so much on His judgment that we don’t acknowledge His mercy for others and for ourselves, we have also erred.
## To Associate or Not to Associate
There are lots of different denominations and division among Christians that are not what God desires. At the same time, there are churches that focus on the truth as communicated through God’s word, the Bible and there are churches that have compromised that truth and let the culture, evil spirits, or just interest in self and popularity lead them astray. As Christians, we need to know God’s word, so we can know when we should avoid a close association with those who call themselves Christians, but actively disobey His clear commands.
> But actually, I wrote to you **not to associate with any so-called brother** if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (1 Corinthians 5:11) {emphasis mine}
> If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and **do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame** (2 Thessalonians 4:13) {emphasis mine}
On the other hand there are many areas where our differences are not salvation issues but are more about style than substance. One side may be in error, but still be in right fellowship with God and earnestly seeking to follow Him faithfully. We shouldn’t allow these things to cause the church to fight against itself.
> But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now **there are many members, but one body**. (1 Corinthians 12:18-20) {emphasis mine}
> Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, **being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace**. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-5) {emphasis mine}
A so-called church, that encourages or condones things God has called evil, is not a church with which we want to associate. There are other things of which we may disagree and disagree strongly (Armenian vs Calvinist, preterist/pre-trib/post-trib, or [young earth](https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/literal-genesis) vs old earth) that although important shouldn’t cause division within the church. We should always seek the truth as spoken by God through the Scriptures, but we shouldn’t let disagreements, that don’t affect the Gospel and how we should live, keep us divided. Between Armenian and Calvinist opinions on whether we freely choose to accept Jesus or Jesus causes us to accept Jesus, as long as we agree that salvation comes through faith and not works and through Jesus and no other path, we can work together. With the different end times interpretations, as long as we agree that God said it and it will be as He said it and that it is important for us to live godly lives and to share the gospel with the lost, we can work together. With young earth vs old earth, as long as we both agree that God is ultimately our creator and His word is true, we can work together.
I do believe that there is only one truth in these and other areas, and discovering the truth is very important. Being wrong can mislead us and make us less effective for Jesus. Many of these errors can be caused by or lead us to put scientists or historians or theologians in authority over God’s word. This is wrong. We should always continually search the scripture to find the truth. We should not fear honest debate which can help lead us to the truth and strengthen our faith in God’s word. It is not wrong to correct a brother in Christ using Scripture as our foundation, but we also need to acknowledge that it could be we who are in error. I don’t know any great theologian since the apostles that hasn’t had an error in their thinking somewhere.
## The Head or the Body
There can also be differences between the leadership and the individuals in a church or denomination. I have major concerns with the Vatican leadership and question if many of them are Christians at all. So much of what they say and do seem to be working against God and His commands. At the same time, I have many good friends (in person and online) who are wonderful Catholics, who I would never doubt are devout Christians with a true relationship with Jesus. I will maintain my Christian fellowship with my Catholic, Christian friends while speaking against unbiblical words and actions by the Pope and the Vatican.
> But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Of course false prophets and false teachers are most definitely not limited to the Catholic Church. For example, the female Episcopalian Bishop that led the inauguration prayer breakfast for Trump spent most of her time promoting LGBTQ+ issues which are contrary to the word of God and little to none actually honoring God or supporting the issues that God has stated are important. (For that matter, scripture specifically says women shouldn’t be church leaders.) We all need to be more like the Bereans “*Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so*.” (Acts 17:11) We need to use the Scripture to both test if our beliefs and actions are **biblical and if the teachings** of our leaders are biblical.
## Different Paths, but One Jesus
Ultimately, there is only one way of salvation — repentance and faith in Jesus. On the other hand, the path each believer is called to walk towards sanctification can vary. I have seen God lead me at different times to correct different sins and misconceptions. The areas of my life that I am convicted of and my path towards understanding the truth communicated in the Bible is not the same as other believers. We should all be growing to be more like Jesus, but our path to His likeness will not look the same. We start as different people; we have different experiences; and God works on us in different ways. We must be careful about judging another because their growth in Christ looks different.
We all have strengths and weaknesses. We all have doctrines of the Bible that we understand better than others and doctrines of the Bible about which we are either unsure or in error. Most of us also have a tendency to judge someone who is weak where we are strong and overlook the fact that that same person might be strong where we are weak. We need to pray for wisdom and mercy. We need to earnestly study God’s word. We need to listen closely to the Holy Spirit’s leading and use these differences to build up each other rather than divide and beat down those who are different, but are still part of the body of Christ.
> For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-8)
My prayer is that we would all study God’s word, understand His word, live His word, and work together to share the Gospel with the word. My prayer is that our different understandings of the Bible will lead to fruitful debate that leads all parties closer to truth, to God and to each other. May God lead us all to truth and fellowship in Him.
Trust Jesus.
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 04:07:03
In the grand tapestry of existence, humanity finds itself in a peculiar position: neither wholly bound to the physical nor fully immersed in the metaphysical. We stand at the threshold of realities, a liminal space that is both transitional and transformative, where dimensions overlap and professions converge to illuminate the intricacies of our shared existence.
Through the lens of Bruce Cathie’s harmonic worldview, the Earth is not merely a sphere of rock and water but an interconnected energy grid, a lattice of electromagnetic harmonics pulsing beneath our feet. If this grid represents the physical scaffolding of existence, humanity inhabits a liminal space within it—a realm where the boundaries of time, space, and consciousness blur.
A Multidimensional Perspective
From a multidimensional standpoint, this liminality can be seen as the overlap between the three-dimensional world we perceive and higher-dimensional realities we intuit. The Earth's energy grid, as theorized by Cathie, may function as a bridge—a harmonic resonance linking the seen and the unseen, the measurable and the ineffable.
Physics and the Unseen Forces: Modern physics hints at the existence of dimensions beyond our perceptual grasp. String theory posits that the universe comprises multiple dimensions, vibrating at frequencies we cannot yet detect. In Cathie’s terms, the Earth's energy grid could be the physical manifestation of these vibrations, a harmonized nexus where the material world intersects with the quantum.
Consciousness as a Dimensional Traveler: Neuroscience reveals that the human brain operates on frequencies that resonate with the Earth's Schumann resonance, the harmonic pulse of the planet. This resonance suggests that our consciousness is not confined to our physical bodies but interacts with the energy grid, allowing glimpses of higher-dimensional realities through meditation, intuition, or creative inspiration.
A Multiprofessional Perspective
The liminal space we cohabit is not solely the domain of philosophers or physicists. It is a convergence point for professionals across disciplines, each contributing a facet to the mosaic of understanding.
Architects and Builders: The alignment of ancient structures like Stonehenge and the pyramids with the Earth’s energy lines hints at an architectural awareness of this grid. These monuments, enduring testaments to harmonic knowledge, suggest that ancient architects were as much energy workers as they were builders, attuned to the liminal currents of the Earth.
Healers and Scientists: In the medical profession, understanding the human body as an energy system has led to breakthroughs in alternative healing practices like acupuncture, which aligns with the body's energy meridians. These meridians mirror Cathie’s grid, suggesting that healing occurs not only in the physical but also in the liminal spaces where energy flows harmonically.
Artists and Creatives: Art, music, and literature often emerge from the liminal spaces of the human psyche, where conscious and subconscious meet. The harmonic interplay of tones and colors in art mirrors the vibrational nature of the universe, making creators unwitting cartographers of the unseen.
The Liminal Space as a Collective Experience
Humanity’s existence in this liminal space is not an individual journey but a shared, collective experience. It is where science meets spirituality, where logic and intuition find harmony, and where the professional and the personal intersect. It is the space where we question our origins and our destinies, where we ponder the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.
Cultural Intersections: Across cultures, liminality has been revered as sacred. Indigenous traditions, for example, often speak of the Earth as a living, conscious entity, resonating with Cathie’s grid. Rituals, dances, and ceremonies are designed to align human energies with the Earth’s harmonics, bridging the physical and spiritual realms.
Technological Implications: As we advance technologically, we edge closer to mapping the liminal space. Artificial intelligence and quantum computing may one day decode the harmonic mathematics Cathie proposed, providing tangible evidence of the multidimensional realities we only intuitively grasp today.
Humanity as Harmonic Resonators
To dwell in the liminal space is to accept that humanity itself is a harmonic entity, resonating with the Earth and the cosmos. Just as the Earth’s grid hums with energy, so do we, each individual a unique frequency within the symphony of existence. Our thoughts, actions, and creations ripple through the grid, influencing not only the physical world but also the higher-dimensional realities beyond it.
In this liminality lies our greatest potential. It is here, at the edge of the seen and unseen, that we find the power to transcend, to harmonize with the greater energies of the universe, and to co-create a future that resonates with truth, beauty, and unity.
Conclusion
The liminal space we cohabit is not a void but a vibrant threshold—a meeting place of dimensions, disciplines, and destinies. It is where the harmonic mathematics of Bruce Cathie converge with the lived experience of humanity, offering us a glimpse of the profound interconnectedness of all things. To exist in this space is both a challenge and a privilege, an invitation to explore, to create, and to harmonize with the infinite.
In this liminal existence, we are not merely observers but participants, co-creators of the grid that binds us. By embracing the liminal, we step into the fullness of our multidimensional selves, resonating with the harmonic rhythms of the Earth and beyond.
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@ df57b498:d049124f
2025-01-26 03:59:47
## Chef's notes
This is cobbled together from trial and error and the web.
Serve hot pancakes with preferably butter and maple syrup. Add other toppings like bananas, nuts, or other fruits and toppings as have available and/or desired.
## Details
- ⏲️ Prep time: 10 minutes
- 🍳 Cook time: 10 minutes
## Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 egg, beaten
## Directions
1. Combine the dry ingredients.
2. Add the wet ingredients and mix.
3. Pour or ladle the batter onto the oiled griddle or pan.
4. Cook until bubbles form, flip, and cook on the other side.
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@ ae6ce958:d0f02c7d
2025-01-26 02:31:38
In a world increasingly shaped by decentralization, Bitcoin stands as the pioneer of a revolutionary asset class—non-Newtonian assets. These assets defy conventional economic and financial expectations, thriving under pressure and leveraging their mathematical underpinnings to achieve exponential growth. However, as the ecosystem expands, the failures of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) architectures and the relentless attacks by financial incumbents have highlighted the need for resilience and verifiable integrity. Enter Damage Token, built on the Aeternity blockchain—a Proof-of-Work (PoW) platform designed to embrace Bitcoin's ethos while pushing the boundaries of verifiable behavior and incentivized accountability.
This article explores Bitcoin’s role as the foundation of non-Newtonian assets, the failures of centralized alternatives, and why Damage Token on Aeternity PoW strengthens the narrative of decentralized resilience in a hostile landscape.
### Bitcoin: The Non-Newtonian Pioneer
Bitcoin’s design is rooted in immutable mathematical certainties. Its decentralized Proof-of-Work consensus ensures that every block, transaction, and piece of data is secured by external energy expenditure. This thermodynamic foundation makes Bitcoin resilient to attacks, centralization, and censorship—a trait unmatched by PoS systems or fiat currencies.
As Bitcoin grows, its adoption follows an S-curve driven by Metcalfe’s Law, where network value increases exponentially with each new user. Bitcoin’s halving cycles further enforce scarcity, creating predictable supply shocks that fuel demand. Importantly, Bitcoin thrives under stress, becoming stronger with every regulatory crackdown or macroeconomic crisis—a hallmark of non-Newtonian behavior.
### Aeternity PoW: Extending the Bitcoin Ethos
Aeternity, like Bitcoin, is a PoW blockchain designed for scalability and flexibility. Unlike Ethereum’s shift to PoS, Aeternity retains the security and decentralization benefits of PoW while incorporating features like state channels, oracles, and efficient smart contracts. This combination makes it uniquely positioned to support projects that demand verifiable trust, resilience, and high-performance scalability.
Aeternity’s PoW mechanism ensures that every action on the network is backed by energy expenditure, maintaining the immutability and decentralization that PoW guarantees. This framework lays the groundwork for Damage Token, a non-Newtonian asset designed to tokenize and verify behaviors, incentivizing accountability in a way that aligns with Bitcoin’s principles.
### Damage Token: The Case for PoW and Verifiable Integrity
Damage Token, an AEX9 token built on the Aeternity blockchain, represents a new breed of non-Newtonian assets that thrive on mathematical certainty and verifiable behavior. Unlike speculative PoS systems that lack intrinsic resilience, Damage Token leverages Aeternity’s PoW foundation to ensure:
1. **Immutability**: All verifications and behaviors recorded via Damage Token are immutable and tamper-proof, thanks to PoW consensus. This ensures that participants in the ecosystem can trust the system’s data and outcomes.
2. **Incentivized Accountability**: Damage Token introduces a model where behaviors (such as software testing, milestone completion, or conflict resolution) can be immutably verified and tokenized. Participants are incentivized to contribute positively, as their actions directly translate into payouts tied to provable outcomes.
3. **Resilience Under Pressure**: Like Bitcoin, Damage Token thrives in hostile environments. Regulatory scrutiny, competitive pressure, or market turbulence only highlight its unique value proposition: a verifiable, decentralized system immune to central authority or co-option.
4. **Alignment with Bitcoin’s Vision**: By utilizing Aeternity’s PoW architecture, Damage Token aligns with Bitcoin’s philosophy of trustless systems. This ensures the token’s utility and security are not compromised by centralization risks or reliance on wealth-based governance (a flaw inherent in PoS).
### The Failures of PoS and the Importance of PoW
As Bitcoin and Damage Token continue to thrive, the failures of PoS systems like Ethereum become increasingly apparent. PoS centralizes control in the hands of large stakeholders, making networks vulnerable to censorship, collusion, and regulatory capture. These systems lack the external energy-backed security that PoW provides, making them brittle and susceptible to manipulation.
In contrast, PoW systems like Aeternity and Bitcoin externalize security through energy expenditure, creating a neutral, trustless environment where no single entity can dominate the network. For Damage Token, this ensures that every verification, behavior, and transaction remains free from undue influence, preserving the integrity of the ecosystem.
### Non-Newtonian Assets and Mathematical Certainty
Both Bitcoin and Damage Token exhibit behaviors that reflect their non-Newtonian nature. Small inputs—like increased adoption or the resolution of conflicts via Damage Token—can generate outsized impacts. This phenomenon is driven by mathematical principles, including:
1. **Exponential Growth**: Network effects drive the adoption of Bitcoin and Damage Token, where each new participant amplifies the system’s value quadratically, as per Metcalfe’s Law.
2. **Halving Dynamics and Supply Scarcity**: Bitcoin’s halving cycles are mirrored in Damage Token’s fixed supply of 42 million tokens. This scarcity creates long-term value and ensures that utility, not inflation, drives adoption.
3. **Emergent Behavior**: Both assets operate in decentralized systems governed by chaos theory, where minor events—like a developer joining DamageBDD or a nation adopting Bitcoin—can cascade into massive structural changes.
### Damage Token in a Hostile Landscape
In today’s financial and technological environment, non-Newtonian assets face relentless attacks. Incumbent systems resist the rise of decentralized alternatives through regulatory crackdowns, control over fiat on- and off-ramps, and energy consumption narratives. Yet, these attacks often backfire, driving innovation and adoption instead of suppression.
Damage Token, built on Aeternity’s PoW foundation, is uniquely positioned to resist these pressures. By incentivizing verifiable behaviors, it creates a system where trust, accountability, and resilience are rewarded. Whether it’s verifying software quality through DamageBDD or facilitating peace initiatives, Damage Token demonstrates that PoW-backed assets can transform hostile environments into opportunities for growth.
### Conclusion
Bitcoin is the flagship of non-Newtonian assets, a pioneer of resilience and exponential growth in the face of adversity. However, the rise of alternatives like Damage Token on Aeternity’s PoW blockchain showcases how this ethos can be extended to new domains, from software verification to incentivized accountability.
In a world increasingly shaped by centralization and coercion, non-Newtonian assets offer a path to freedom, resilience, and trust. By embracing PoW, Bitcoin and Damage Token ensure that a slight push is all they need to achieve terminal velocity—changing the trajectory of global finance and human behavior in the process.
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@ 0ce97fba:4f9081a3
2025-01-26 01:48:00
He walked the decaying streets; his curious expression masked a lifetime of hardship. The city of Bethada spread before him, a tangled maze of buildings and passages clinging to the surface of Mool. This settlement-turned-city once thrived as humanity expanded throughout the galaxy but was now an almost forgotten backwater outpost. A thin crescent of reflected sunlight hugged the horizon as the sun dipped behind the gas giant, casting the lunar city in a soft glow.
“Hey, Mr. Fannec!” A voice from across the street hailed him. The human scowled; he hated being called “Mr. Fannec.” He waved an arm in acknowledgment but didn’t break stride, eager to leave the concrete and steel jungle behind for the day.
Robert Fannec grew up in a crowded housing unit on Mool, raised by his grandmother, while his mother went to work long hours to scrape by. From a young age, he learned that life was difficult and one should take respite where possible. He lived on the outskirts of Bethada City, barely getting by, as he grew up in poverty. His mother worked to exhaustion but failed to improve their living conditions.
“Ya know, Bobby-boy,” said Pete, the local unkempt homeless man whom Robert was friendly with, “This world is reminiscent of a less-than-ideal sandwich, the bread stale and the cheese nothing to write home about. One is left pondering if their hunger is clouding their judgment or if there isn’t much to be thrilled about.”
Robert met the man when he first arrived in Bethada as a young teen; although Robert would not consider them close friends, a particular understanding drove him to keep checking up on the older man. Indeed, life was a struggle for Pete, an elderly citizen, amidst the chaos of the metropolis. Plus, they’d talk about random topics such as music or history during their visits, which made those times personal rather than plain help alone from Robert.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” he replied, half-smirking. “One day, we’ll get some fresh ingredients around here.”
“Ha! I’ll believe it when I see it.” Pete laughed, shaking his head.
“Me too, Pete. Me too.” The heaviness of the town’s stagnant air pressed on his back as he nodded and walked down the street.
Robert’s face contorted as he inspected the town. It resembled a knockoff designer watch; instead of shoddy craftsmanship and cheap parts, it had abandoned storefronts and peeling paint. He let out a hearty chuckle at the comparison. As he wandered through the decrepit streets, he wondered what treasures lay beyond these crumbling walls.
“Damn shame,” Robert said, taking in the breathtaking landscape before him. “Nature got the memo about beauty, but Bethada sure didn’t.”
“Hey, Rob.” One of his coworkers waved as they clocked into their shift at the local industrial farm. “You daydreaming again?”
Responding with a grin, Robert shoved his hands into the pockets of his worn coveralls. “Hey, Dave. The way this place looks, it’s a wonder we haven’t all packed up and moved to a better neighborhood.”
“Tell me about it.” Dave chuckled, pulling on his protective gloves. “But then, who’d keep these machines running? They’re almost family, after all.”
“Only if your family is a ragtag group of misfits held together by sheer willpower.” Robert’s eyes crinkled in amusement.
“You got me there.”
The atmosphere was filled with the howl of steam, engines, and other loud machinery as their shifts began; the high-pitched note of pressure released into a valve opening providing a familiar backdrop to their daily lives.
The other workers chattered about their outside lives, which was a welcome distraction from the monotony of work. Family adventures, weekend getaways, and hobbies or creative outlets were among the stories shared to describe how they spent their spare time. Robert kept his distance as snippets of their conversations reached him.
For Robert, the idea of discussing personal matters with his peers was uncomfortable. He struggled to bridge the gap between himself and his co-workers, unable to relate to their shared interests in such pastimes. They were experiences he could never relate to, as he had grown up too fast due to his family’s financial struggles. As a result, he put more effort into getting along with the machines than with his fellow humans. He considered the equipment to be more dependable than any human friend, even if some machines were beyond repair or had been handled in a careless manner. But for him, the genuine excitement started when the work whistle blew, signaling the end of another grueling day.
“About time!” He wiped the sweat off his face. He often daydreamed about heading to the range to take out some frustration.
“Man, you love that shooting range, don’t you?” Dave’s voice had a hint of envy.
“Sure do,” Robert said, shrugging off his coveralls. “It’s the one place where I feel like I’m actually in control and not another cog in this rusted-out machine of a city. I don’t have to worry about life, exes, debt, nothin’.”
“I’m hopeful that one day you’ll be able to leave this place behind. Start off somewhere new.” Dave said, slapping Robert on the back.
“Here’s hoping.” His eyes were locked on the horizon as if he could see himself leaving this hellhole. He was off to the local shooting range, where he could pretend everything still had order.
After almost being run over by a white hover van while crossing the street, Robert arrived at his sanctuary’s shooting range. The aroma of gunpowder, battery acid, and cut grass mingled as he reached his usual spot. Robert found it delightful compared to Bethada City’s typical mildew and burnt leather odor.
“Alright, let’s dance,” he said, loading his trusty rifle with practiced ease. His rifle was a simple affair that allowed Robert to vent his frustrations on targets. He was a decent shot; at least, that is what he thought of himself.
Squeezing the trigger, firing off round after round. The targets quivered under the onslaught—a symphony of destruction played by the percussion section of his life’s dull and sad orchestra.
When he was still a teen, he found abandoned buildings around Bethada. He’d take his rifle and practice shooting at bottles, furniture pieces, walls, and whatever appeared. His mother and grandmother were furious when they found out, but that didn’t stop him from terrorizing bottles and paper targets.
“Take that, you cylindrical bastards,” he said, landing a satisfying shot on the smallest target. He was absorbed in his practice, not thinking about his lackluster life.
His rifle was a standard design of a powered weapon. The long barrel gun accelerated hunks of metal via a magnetic rail system, unlike other, more exotic armaments that used energy to produce high-speed plasma rounds. The sound of a round from this rifle would startle any man.
“Still the targets, if I had to guess,” came a raspy voice behind him. Turning around, Robert saw Pete. His beard was a patchwork quilt of gray and white strands, and his clothes had more holes than fabric.
Pete lived near the range because he realized the people who would frequent such an establishment would be well-armed and well-disciplined, making it a safe spot compared to other less savory locations.
“Ah, Pete, my favorite critic,” Robert joked, setting down his weapon. “What brings you here today?”
“Same thing that always does,” Pete said, scratching his chin. “The sweet sound of gunfire, the scent of ambition, and a hankering for some ol’ fashioned conversation.”
“Still working on that novel?” Robert knew that Pete had been “working” on it for years.
“Indeed, young Robert. Though I fear my magnum opus may never appear in daylight, trapped as it is in the literary purgatory between my brain and the page.”
“Hey, at least it’s got company in there, right?” Robert laughed at his joke. “You’ve got a ton of unwritten works in there, right?”
“True enough,” Pete said, a sparkle in his eyes and tales left untold. “Speaking of company, how’s your aim today? Plan on shootin’ repo-men?”
“Pretty good, if I do say so myself. The grouping on the smallest target isn’t the best I’ve done, but overall, I hit what I’m aiming at.” Ignoring the quip about Robert shooting repo men. Embarrassed that he could not manage money as well as other people. He still wasn’t able to constrain his urges to buy things he couldn’t afford.
“Ah, a prodigy in our midst!” Pete performed a mock bow.
Robert didn’t always know how to handle Pete. So the younger man looked at him with an odd expression.
“You remind me of my son.” A sad smile flickered across Pete’s weathered face. “He was an odd duck, too, always tinkering with machines and dreaming big. He went off to work in the mines when he was a boy. Never saw him again after the collapse.” Pete shrugged, fidgeting with a broken timepiece in his hands.
“Sorry to hear that. How old would he be?”
“About your age, I guess.”
“I bet I would have liked him.”
“I would like to think so, too. You’re both good kids.”
After a brief conversation about Pete being unable to find one of his friends, they exchanged farewells. Robert packed his rifle into his worn bag and exited the street, where he focused on his thoughts and started making his way home.
The sun and planet started to set, and their fading orange light gave the sky a beautiful hue. Robert took in the scenery as he strolled, not paying attention to one of the sleek white hover vans that had become so popular in the past months. It zipped away through the air as he watched before returning to his thoughts on what he would have for dinner.
The building he lived in stood like a weary sentinel at the town’s boundary, a hodgepodge of mismatched bricks and creaking metal that had long ago lost any semblance of architectural grace. Despite its weather-beaten exterior, the residents maintained a veneer of pride, as evidenced by the door with a fresh coat of paint.
Upon entering his small apartment, Robert was greeted by the neutral aroma of cleanliness, not too sterile but not fragrant enough to be noticeable. The scent was as unremarkable as beige. A fragrance that announced, “I am clean and functional, but please don’t expect any frills.”
He lived alone, which was considered a luxury tantamount to owning a solid gold toilet brush. He cherished living alone, deeming it a worthwhile trade-off to sacrifice financial stability for solitude.
His independence was threatened when he received an eviction notification last week. It had been weeks since his rent had been due, and the creditors were no longer in the mood to accept any more late payments. Unless Robert could find a way to earn the money necessary for back-rent and tenancy fees, he would have to pack his belongings and leave his beloved apartment for good.
Robert switched on his computer to search for night jobs but was soon distracted by a video that had popped up. The government shared an informative clip, motivating citizens to be proactive and responsible financially.
Robert recognized a humanoid alien named Damian Krestov, with pale yellow skin and a texture Robert couldn’t place; he didn’t know where the man was from. He almost spoke to Robert as if aware of his situation. Damian spoke about taking responsibility and believing and trusting in yourself when times are demanding because one must never give up hope.
As he spoke, Damian gestured enthusiastically to express himself and emphasize his points. This man believed every word that came from his mouth. After watching out of curiosity, Robert realized that it was all a propaganda video in disguise; he didn’t pay enough attention to understand the actual goal of the ad, but he knew it wasn’t ‘just an ad.’
His green eyes fell on a colored flyer that someone had slipped under his door while he was stretching out his legs. It bore the headline: “Prestigious Shooting Competition on Zorath!” Beneath the flashy text, an illustration portrayed a muscular figure raising a gun in triumph while standing on top of a mountain of defeated foes.
Robert scoffed; he was skeptical of such an over-the-top advertisement, and one delivered on paper door-to-door. Still, a twinge of excitement hit him as he read the details: a grand prize of one million credits and a chance to become a professional shooter, whatever that means. Despite his initial skepticism about the ridiculous flyer, his heart raced at the thought of escaping his less-than-ideal life on Mool, proving his skills, and making enough money to not worry about those debt collectors.
Questions swirled in Robert’s mind, but none could snuff out the flame of hope that had ignited within him. As he crumpled the flyer in his hand, he imagined the look on Pete’s face if he were to win the competition and return to Mool with a million credits and a newfound sense of freedom.
“Who designed this? A five-year-old with a crayon?” Robert scoffed. Yet, despite the ridiculous presentation, he couldn’t ignore the Sub-Lunar Protective Service logo, a shield with ‘SLPS’ stamped in the bottom right corner.
“What is a government agency running a shoot for?” It wasn’t news to Robert that the agency would run events, but it still perplexed him why.
“Alright, Fannec,” he said, attempting to rationalize the situation. “Let’s say this is legit. You’ve spent your whole life shooting targets at the range. You can leave this shit moon and pay off some debts.”
As he weighed the pros and cons, his eyes flicked back to the grand prize: one million credits. With that money, his life could undergo a complete metamorphosis, rescuing him from this decrepit city and launching him into an existence he had only imagined. But was it worth the risk of taking time off work? He was already behind by several weeks’ rent and couldn’t afford time off.
“It’s a risky gamble.” He thought. “But it might be my ticket out of this mess.” He rubbed his temples. “Why couldn’t they have made a normal ad instead of this cartoonish mess? Is this some cruel joke?”
Deep down in his subconscious, he was aware he had already decided. His desire to escape was far more potent than any doubts he might have about the competition’s legitimacy or his abilities.
“Okay,” he said, preparing himself for the decision ahead. “Worst-case scenario, I lose the apartment, and I’m the laughingstock of the city for a while. Best case, I walk away with a million credits, which would pay off all of my debt and buy me a new life somewhere else.”
“Alright, let’s see what kind of mess I’m getting myself into.” Pulling up the competition details on his comm device, he scrolled through the information, his eyebrows furrowing with each new bit of it. “It’s scheduled during storm season on Zorath. Do these event planners even know how to read a weather report?”
The thought of traveling to a distant planet during its tumultuous storm season made Robert’s stomach churn. He had never left Mool before, and while he was confident in his shooting skills, everything else about this trip was uncharted territory.
This kind of shoot requires more than marksmanship. To outsmart his rivals, Robert must think fast and use the landscape and surroundings to gain an advantage. Storms would make that difficult, and Robert didn’t practice a lot of situational shooting. Sniper shooting was his strong suit, which he practiced most.
“At least it’ll be a memorable experience.”
Robert couldn’t shake off his hesitation. His worries extended beyond the storms. He would be up against marksmen who possessed more shooting and life experience. He stopped pacing and stared at his reflection in the window. The city lights of Bethada flickered in the glass, casting a melancholy glow over his face. His eyes were tired but resolute.
The competition didn’t worry him; the entry fee wasn’t refundable. The price was going up soon to encourage more people to register early. He had to decide, and quick.
“I guess if these guys are dumb enough to hold a shooting competition during one of the worst storm seasons in the Confederation, then they’re dumb enough to let me win.”
He chuckled, imagining the event planners huddled over a meteorological terminal, unaware of the impending storm clouds. The United Confederation’s government should have caught such an obvious detail. Perhaps they thought the turbulent weather would excite or challenge the competition. Which would be something that a management or administrative employee would think of.
“Perhaps the storms will scare off some of the competition,” his mind was scrambling with images of seasoned marksmen fleeing in terror from the torrential rains and howling winds. “Yeah, I bet half of ’em will drop out before they even fired the first shot.”
His chest swelled with newfound confidence. Sure, he had never left Mool before, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t hold his own on a strange, stormy planet. After all, he spent countless hours honing his skills at the local shooting range. And he always dreamed of fleeing the drudgery of his dull life in this rundown city on a forgotten moon.
“Alright, enough daydreaming,” he chided himself, shaking off his momentary lapse into fantasy. “Let’s make this official.”
Robert picked up his comm device and navigated to the registration page for the competition. He paused for a moment. The magnitude of the decision he was about to make was massive. He would have to prepare for missing out on some income. Once he registered, there would be no backing out, no second-guessing. The entry fee was substantial, but it would have to be bought on credit, like everything Robert paid for.
With a final deep breath and a surge of determination, Robert tapped the ‘Register’ button on his comm device. A cheerful confirmation message popped up on the screen: “Congratulations! You are now officially registered for the Zorath Shooting Competition!” It was followed by information about equipment checks, times, and locations.
“Well, this will be fun.”
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 01:03:44
The colonial fiat system—an intricate network of financial, social, and psychological constructs—relies on its ability to manipulate collective behavior, sustain economic dependency, and enforce systemic conformity. For the individual navigating this landscape, the brain becomes both a target and a tool. The question arises: how can the human brain, with its remarkable capacity for autonomy and adaptability, defend itself against the manipulative information siege of such a system? The answer lies in understanding and leveraging the brain's strengths to build defenses, foster resilience, and reclaim personal sovereignty.
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Understanding the Siege: The Colonial Fiat System's Manipulative Arsenal
The fiat system exerts its control through psychological and informational tactics designed to overwhelm the individual mind:
1. Fear and Uncertainty: Constant narratives of inflation, economic crises, and scarcity exploit the brain’s amygdala, triggering anxiety and compliance.
2. Hyperconsumerism: By hijacking the brain’s reward pathways, the system fosters addiction to materialism, making individuals dependent on endless cycles of consumption.
3. Herd Mentality: Swarm consciousness, driven by social norms and media influence, suppresses critical thinking and reinforces collective conformity.
4. Short-Term Thinking: The system capitalizes on impulsive decision-making, eroding long-term planning and independence.
To resist these tactics, the individual brain must become a fortress—fortified by critical thought, emotional regulation, and intentional living.
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Fortifying the Mind: Strategies for Resilience
1. Cultivate Cognitive Autonomy
At the heart of resistance lies the brain’s ability to think independently. By engaging the prefrontal cortex—the seat of logic, reasoning, and decision-making—individuals can reclaim their mental autonomy.
Question Narratives: Evaluate the motives behind information presented by media, corporations, and governments. Ask: Who benefits from this message?
Strengthen Critical Thinking: Regularly challenge your own assumptions and seek out diverse perspectives to avoid echo chambers.
Learn the System: Understand how the fiat system functions, from its reliance on inflationary policies to its ties to debt-based economies. Knowledge dismantles manipulation.
2. Master Emotional Regulation
The colonial fiat system thrives on fear, uncertainty, and the dopamine-driven cycles of consumerism. Emotional regulation shields the brain from these manipulative forces.
Practice Mindfulness: Techniques such as meditation and deep breathing calm the amygdala, reducing reactivity to fear-based propaganda.
Delay Gratification: Strengthen your ability to prioritize long-term rewards over impulsive consumption, engaging the brain’s executive functions.
Build Emotional Awareness: Recognize when your emotions are being manipulated, whether through scarcity marketing or fearmongering headlines.
3. Rewire Reward Systems
The brain’s reward pathways, driven by dopamine, are a primary target of the fiat system’s consumerist messaging. Reclaim control by redefining what brings you fulfillment.
Seek Intrinsic Rewards: Shift focus from material possessions to meaningful activities, such as learning, creating, and connecting with others.
Limit Exposure: Reduce consumption of advertising and social media, which are designed to exploit your reward circuits.
Adopt Sound Money Principles: Embrace financial practices that align with long-term stability, such as saving in Bitcoin or other deflationary assets.
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Adaptability: The Key to Outwitting the System
4. Harness Neuroplasticity
The human brain’s neuroplasticity—its ability to rewire and adapt—offers a powerful tool for resisting the system’s influence.
Unlearn Dependency: Challenge habits and beliefs that tie your self-worth to fiat-driven success metrics, such as status symbols or debt-financed lifestyles.
Learn Decentralization: Educate yourself on alternatives to fiat systems, such as Bitcoin, decentralized finance, and peer-to-peer economies.
Adopt Resilient Skills: Develop capabilities that enhance your independence, such as critical financial literacy, coding, or permaculture.
5. Reclaim Time and Focus
The fiat system thrives on distraction, keeping individuals too overwhelmed to question its constructs. Reclaiming focus is an act of rebellion.
Set Boundaries: Allocate time for deep work and personal growth, free from the constant noise of digital media.
Practice Digital Minimalism: Use technology intentionally, ensuring it serves your goals rather than consuming your attention.
Value Rest: Recognize that productivity is not your sole measure of worth. Rest and reflection strengthen your cognitive resilience.
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A Community of Sovereignty: The Collective Defense
While the individual brain is formidable, collective resistance amplifies its power. The social brain network enables connection with others who share a vision of autonomy and decentralization.
Build Like-Minded Networks: Engage with communities that value critical thinking, self-reliance, and alternative systems.
Share Knowledge: Spread awareness of the manipulative mechanisms of the fiat system, empowering others to resist.
Collaborate on Solutions: From supporting decentralized technologies to creating resilient local economies, collective action dismantles dependency.
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Finding Anchors: Philosophy, Purpose, and Meaning
The brain’s capacity for self-reflection and existential thought provides a deep well of strength. By anchoring your life to principles and purpose, you can resist the shallow incentives of fiat-driven systems.
Explore Philosophical Anchors: Ideas such as sound money, personal sovereignty, and ethical living provide a framework for resistance.
Seek Transcendence: Practices like spirituality, art, and nature connection foster a sense of purpose beyond materialism.
Define Success on Your Terms: Reject fiat-driven definitions of success, focusing instead on values like freedom, creativity, and meaningful relationships.
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Conclusion: The Brain as a Bastion of Sovereignty
The colonial fiat system’s manipulative siege is formidable, but the human brain is a far greater force. Through critical thinking, emotional regulation, adaptability, and purpose, the brain has the power to resist the swarm consciousness that perpetuates systemic dependency. By building mental fortresses, individuals can reclaim their autonomy, foster resilience, and pave the way for a decentralized, self-sovereign future.
The battle for freedom begins not in institutions but within the neural networks of the individual brain. Each mind fortified against manipulation is a victory for personal sovereignty—and a step toward a world where human potential thrives beyond the shadow of fiat control.
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@ d3052ca3:d84a170e
2025-01-25 23:17:10
It seems to me that the primary opposition to ecash from bitcoiners comes from the belief that lightning will enable self-custodial micropayments for the masses. Many lightning enthusiasts see ecash as competition that will eliminate this technological outcome (whether they admit it or not).
I understand the motivation for this line of reasoning but I don't see things this way at all. Ecash is a superset of lightning. Cashu literally doesn't have a spec for on-chain transactions (yet!). Everything cashu accomplishes is built on the back of lightning. Standing on the shoulders of giants.
I don't believe that ecash will take away market share from self-custodial lightning because lightning is not a good technology for self-custody. The high overhead costs of running your own node create a natural incentive for a semi-centralized hub and spoke network graph. It just makes economic sense for many users to share a lightning node. It doesn't make economic sense for individuals to bear this cost alone.
This stacker news post is the best writeup on this topic: https://stacker.news/items/379225
It comes from a builder who struggled with these issues for years and learned the shortcomings of the tech first hand. Notice they experimented with ecash as a solution to these problems before they burned out and pivoted to save the company.
Ecash is a superset of lightning. It extends the capability and reach of the lightning network. Without ecash, I don't believe we can achieve bitcoin mass adoption. You can't jam a square peg into a round hole.
We still have a need for self-custody of "small" amounts of bitcoin. I put small in quotes because the block size limit and the fee market it creates impose a fundamental constraint on the minimum practical size of a UTXO. This limit is pegged to the unit of bitcoin. As bitcoin increases in value the minimum size for an on-chain transaction will grow in value as well. You can send $10 worth of bitcoin on-chain today but will this be true in 10 years when the price is much higher? 100 years?
If the current exponential trends hold, we will soon price out the majority of humanity from owning a UTXO. This is bad. Like really bad. "Bitcoin is a failure" bad. This is the motivation for my posts about scaling on-chain usage to 10 billion people. I believe we will need to radically rearchitect bitcoin to achieve this goal.
Lightning is not up to the task. We should leverage lightning for what it's good at: gluing together different self-custodial bitcoin service providers. We should leverage ecash for what it's good at: peer-to-peer electronic cash micropayments. IN ADDITION we also need to start seriously looking at new ideas for scaling self custody to "small" amounts of bitcoin. I am very optimistic that we can solve this problem. There are a number of promising avenues to pursue but I think first we need to move the Overton window ~~beyond the idea of mass adoption of self-custodial lightning~~ regarding on-chain scaling.
Edit: I think the original Overton window statement was incorrect. If on-chain fees stay low then self-custodial lightning or something similar is a much better prospect.
Just my 2 sats...let me know what you think. Keep it civil or be muted.
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@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462
2025-01-25 23:13:34
***Tree branches. 4' x 4 [Castle Pines, USA. 2016]***
#### Introduction
Sanctuary offers a layered view of resilience, juxtaposing the green expanses of the Sanctuary Golf Course with the majesty of Pikes Peak and the scars of past destruction. Framed by the lens, this work explores the tension between human intervention and nature’s cycles of renewal.
#### Site & Placement
Perched at Daniels Park in Castle Pines, the lens focuses on the rolling terrain of the golf course, leading the eye to the distant peak. The surrounding brush, which once burned in a major fire, adds depth to the narrative of renewal. A bench, positioned for an unobstructed view, invites visitors to sit and reflect on the land’s capacity to heal and endure.
#### Impermanence & Integration
As an ephemeral installation, Sanctuary embodies nature’s cycles of destruction and rebirth. The materials—branches and rock—will eventually decay and return to the earth, a process that mirrors the recovery of the landscape itself after fire. This impermanence underscores the delicate balance between human influence and natural forces.
#### Reflection
Sanctuary serves as a reminder of both the fragility and resilience of the world around us. It invites viewers to pause and consider the interplay of destruction and growth, human and natural, as they gaze upon a scene shaped by both time and transformation
---
## Photos
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---
#### More from the 'Earth Lens' Series:
[Earth Lens Series: Artist Statement + List of Works](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
["Looking Glass" (Earth Lens 001)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1736304563962/)
["Folsom" (Earth Lens 002)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1737844073125/)
[COMING SOON: "Platte" (Earth Lens 004)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Grandfather" (Earth Lens 005)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Chongming" (Earth Lens 006)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
---
#### More from Hes
[Portfolio](https://hesart.npub.pro)
[Online Store](https://plebeian.market/community/1cb14ab335876fc9efc37d838ba287cf17e5adcccb20bf6d49f9da9695d52462:hesmart-ym3fcufdfz)
[Artist Statements](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/art/)
[Travel Guides](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/travel/)
[Photography](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/photography)
[Writings](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/money)
---
*All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from my art, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.*
-
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 23:05:47
The entanglement of fiat currency, racial hierarchies, and colonialism is not merely a historical artifact but a systemic force that continues to shape the modern world. While colonialism has shifted from overt territorial domination to more subtle forms of economic and ideological control, its foundations remain deeply rooted in racialized exploitation and fiat-based financial systems. This article explores how fiat currency has historically been a tool of colonial power, how race has been weaponized to justify and sustain economic hierarchies, and how these forces persist in contemporary global structures.
---
The Role of Fiat in Colonial Domination
Fiat currency—money without intrinsic value, issued by centralized authorities—played a pivotal role in enabling colonial powers to exert control over colonized territories. By dismantling indigenous systems of trade and imposing fiat-based economies, colonizers centralized power, creating a structural dependence that persists to this day.
1. Monetary Imposition and Disruption:
Colonial administrations replaced local barter systems and commodity currencies with fiat systems, compelling indigenous populations to use colonial currencies for taxes, goods, and services. This enforced participation in a colonial economic order undermined self-sufficient local economies. For example, the British introduction of the rupee in India dismantled complex indigenous trade networks, forcing economic realignment under colonial terms.
2. Taxation and Forced Labor:
Fiat systems were weaponized to coerce colonized populations into labor. Taxes, often payable only in colonial currency, forced people to work within colonial enterprises to earn the money required. This dependency reinforced economic subjugation.
3. Inflation as Extraction:
By manipulating fiat currency supplies, colonial powers extracted wealth from colonies. Printing excess money devalued local economies while enriching colonial elites. This strategy was less visible but equally exploitative compared to direct resource extraction.
---
Race as an Economic Justification
While fiat systems provided the mechanisms of economic control, racial ideologies provided the moral and political justification for colonial domination. Race became a lens through which economic inequality was normalized, rationalizing the exploitation of non-European populations.
1. Racialized Labor Exploitation:
Under colonialism, racial hierarchies determined access to wealth and opportunities. Indigenous and enslaved peoples were systematically underpaid or unpaid, while Europeans occupied privileged economic positions. Racial ideologies framed these disparities as natural or deserved.
2. The Commodification of Racialized Bodies:
Fiat systems also underpinned the commodification of human lives during slavery. Loans, bonds, and other financial instruments were issued based on the value of enslaved people, reducing human beings to economic units within racialized systems of extraction.
3. The Devaluation of Indigenous Economies:
Indigenous systems of wealth and exchange were not merely disrupted but devalued, portrayed as primitive or inefficient compared to fiat-based systems. This cultural erasure further entrenched economic hierarchies tied to race.
---
Fiat Colonialism’s Modern Legacy
The relationship between fiat and racialized economic control persists in the global financial architecture:
1. Structural Dependence:
Many post-colonial nations remain reliant on currencies introduced during colonial rule or tied to foreign powers. For example, the CFA franc in West Africa still links former French colonies to the French treasury, perpetuating neo-colonial dependency.
2. Global Financial Institutions:
Organizations like the IMF and World Bank, operating within fiat systems, impose structural adjustment policies on Global South nations. These policies prioritize debt repayment to wealthy nations, often at the expense of local development. The racialized logic of colonialism reappears in these economic relationships, where predominantly non-European nations bear the brunt of austerity measures.
3. Racialized Access to Capital:
In modern fiat economies, access to credit and capital is often disproportionately restricted for marginalized racial groups. This reinforces historical inequities rooted in colonial systems of economic exclusion.
---
Ideological Colonialism Through Fiat
Fiat currency is not merely a tool of economic exchange but a vehicle for ideological dominance. The imposition of Western fiat systems during colonialism also imposed Western economic values, undermining indigenous worldviews and institutionalizing a global hierarchy that remains intact today.
Monetary Sovereignty: By denying colonized nations the right to issue their own currencies, colonial powers stripped them of economic sovereignty. Today, this legacy continues as many nations remain economically constrained by foreign-controlled fiat systems.
Cultural Hegemony: Fiat systems have been a means of propagating cultural imperialism. Indigenous concepts of value and exchange, which often prioritized communal well-being over profit, were replaced by extractive models tied to fiat economies.
---
A Decolonial Perspective: Bitcoin and Alternatives
In the face of these enduring systems, decentralized financial systems like Bitcoin present a potential challenge to the colonial logic embedded in fiat systems:
1. Decentralized Sovereignty:
Bitcoin operates independently of centralized authorities, offering nations and individuals the opportunity to bypass fiat dependencies. This could empower post-colonial states to reclaim economic autonomy.
2. Neutrality and Accessibility:
Unlike fiat systems, which often reflect and reinforce racial and geopolitical hierarchies, Bitcoin is borderless and non-discriminatory, creating opportunities for marginalized groups to access capital and build wealth.
3. Transparency and Accountability:
Blockchain technology ensures transparency, reducing the opacity that has historically allowed global financial institutions to exploit vulnerable nations through predatory practices.
---
Conclusion
The historical entanglement of fiat currency, race, and colonialism reveals how economic systems have been designed to sustain power imbalances. While colonialism has shifted in form—from direct rule to economic and ideological control—the core principles remain intact, with fiat currency serving as a critical mechanism for perpetuating these hierarchies.
Decolonizing the global economy requires dismantling these systems, recognizing their racialized foundations, and exploring alternatives that prioritize equity and autonomy. Bitcoin and decentralized technologies offer a potential pathway, though their success depends on a broader commitment to addressing the structural inequalities that fiat-based colonialism has left in its wake.
This is not just an economic imperative but a moral one: to imagine and build a world no longer bound by the exploitative legacies of fiat and race.
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@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462
2025-01-25 22:51:08
***Tree branches, Rock. 4' x 4 [Boulder, USA. 2016]***
#### Introduction
From atop Flagstaff Mountain, Folsom frames Boulder’s iconic Folsom Field, a symbol of youth, learning, and community. This lens offers a moment of reflection on the brevity of the college experience and the transient nature of life, inviting viewers to connect with the campus and its fleeting but impactful moments.
#### Site & Placement
The lens is strategically placed to frame the stadium, blending the vibrant life of the campus with Boulder’s vast and enduring natural landscape. The bench, situated 6 feet from the lens, offers a space to sit and contemplate the juxtaposition of permanence and change, of structure and wilderness.
#### Impermanence & Integration
Constructed from branches and rock, Folsom is designed to fade into the mountain landscape after only a short time. Its impermanence echoes the fleeting nature of the college years, reminding viewers that growth and transformation are rooted in moments that pass all too quickly.
#### Reflection
Through its brief presence, Folsom captures the delicate interplay between human experiences and the enduring landscapes that frame them. It invites viewers to celebrate the vibrant present while acknowledging the inevitability of change.
---
## Photos
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---
#### More from the 'Earth Lens' Series:
[Earth Lens Series: Artist Statement + List of Works](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
["Looking Glass" (Earth Lens 001)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1736304563962/)
[COMING SOON: "Sanctuary" (Earth Lens 003)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Platte" (Earth Lens 004)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Grandfather" (Earth Lens 005)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Chongming" (Earth Lens 006)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
---
#### More from Hes
[Portfolio](https://hesart.npub.pro)
[Online Store](https://plebeian.market/community/1cb14ab335876fc9efc37d838ba287cf17e5adcccb20bf6d49f9da9695d52462:hesmart-ym3fcufdfz)
[Artist Statements](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/art/)
[Travel Guides](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/travel/)
[Photography](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/photography)
[Writings](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/money)
---
*All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from my art, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.*
-
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@ d9cfbbde:e7cfd9fd
2025-01-25 22:47:10
Testing if this can be edited after publishing...
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@ ec642f38:a8b07008
2025-01-25 22:43:05
This is some test content
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 22:32:58
In the world of fiat, bosses are no longer mere professionals managing resources and people. They are, in essence, Big Brother's appointed handlers, glorified totems of obedience whose primary role is to ensure the herd stays docile, compliant, and tethered to their assigned hamster wheels. They don’t just manage; they surveil. With Orwellian precision, their every motivational email, team-building exercise, and performance review is an insidious mechanism for upholding the grand illusion of "freedom within structure."
These citizen-handlers come cloaked in titles like "team leader" or "manager," but their true mandate is far more sinister. Their KPIs aren’t just productivity or revenue—it’s compliance. It’s ensuring that no one questions why a third of their paycheck evaporates into the shadowy depths of taxes and inflation, why corporate policies look more like legislation, or why time—the only non-renewable resource—is spent propping up systems designed to ensure it is wasted.
Their tools? The carrot and the stick, but reinvented for the modern serfdom. The carrot is a pay raise that barely outpaces inflation, a shiny "employee of the month" badge that says, "You’re a good hamster!" The stick? Passive-aggressive emails, whispered conversations about "alignment with company values," and the ever-present specter of "budget cuts," a euphemism for your expendability in the machinery.
Dark satire requires pointing out the absurdities they enforce with a straight face: They orchestrate pointless Zoom meetings that siphon hours of productivity but demand employees "turn on their cameras" as proof of existence. They impose performance reviews steeped in doublespeak, where "areas of improvement" mean "You’re not docile enough," and "leadership potential" is code for "You’re great at mirroring propaganda."
Their allegiance is not to you, nor even to the company. It’s to the system that birthed them—a system that thrives on mediocrity, rewards complicity, and punishes dissent. The fiat boss isn’t a mentor; they’re a handler armed with spreadsheets, PowerPoints, and policies designed to turn independent thought into a liability. They are the human interface of a system that cannot tolerate deviation, individuality, or questions like, "Why are we doing this in the first place?"
In their world, promotions aren’t about merit but about trust—trust that you will perpetuate the cycle without asking too many questions. "You’re like family here," they say, but families don’t dock your pay for being late. "We value innovation," they claim, while shackling creativity with bureaucratic hurdles. "We care about work-life balance," they insist, while quietly monitoring your Slack activity at 11 PM.
Ultimately, the fiat boss-handler is a tragic figure in this dark satire, a cog who believes they’re the engine, a shepherd who thinks they’re free while they guide the sheep. They are the unwitting enforcers of a dystopia where freedom is rationed, individuality is commodified, and dissent is erased—not by decree, but by performance improvement plans.
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@ 1ec45473:d38df139
2025-01-25 20:15:01
Preston Pysh posted this event this morning:

Behind the scenes, the nostr event looks like this:
```
Event = {
"id":"a6fa7e1a73ce70c6fb01584a0519fd29788e59d9980402584e7a0af92cf0474a",
"pubkey":"85080d3bad70ccdcd7f74c29a44f55bb85cbcd3dd0cbb957da1d215bdb931204",
"created_at":1724494504,
"kind":1,
"tags":[
[
"p",
"6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"77ec966fcd64f901152cad5dc7731c7c831fe22e02e3ae99ff14637e5a48ef9c",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"c1fc7771f5fa418fd3ac49221a18f19b42ccb7a663da8f04cbbf6c08c80d20b1",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"50d94fc2d8580c682b071a542f8b1e31a200b0508bab95a33bef0855df281d63",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"20d88bae0c38e6407279e6a83350a931e714f0135e013ea4a1b14f936b7fead5",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"273e7880d38d39a7fb238efcf8957a1b5b27e819127a8483e975416a0a90f8d2",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"t",
"BH2024"
]
],
"content":"Awesome Freedom Panel with...",
"sig":"2b64e461cd9f5a7aa8abbcbcfd953536f10a334b631a352cd4124e8e187c71aad08be9aefb6a68e5c060e676d06b61c553e821286ea42489f9e7e7107a1bf79a"
}
```
In nostr, all events have this form, so once you become familiar with the nostr event structure, things become pretty easy.
Look at the "tags" key. There are six "p" tags (pubkey) and one "t" tag (hashtag).
The p tags are public keys of people that are mentioned in the note. The t tags are for hashtags in the note.
It is common when working with NOSTR that you have to extract out certain tags. Here are some examples of how to do that with what are called JavaScript Array Methods:
### Find the first "p" tag element:
```
Event.tags.find(item => item[0] === 'p')
[
'p',
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb',
'',
'mention'
]
```
### Same, but just return the pubkey":
```
Event.tags.find(item => item[0] === 'p')[1]
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb'
```
### Filter the array so I only get "p" tags:
```
Event.tags.filter(item => item[0] === 'p')
[
[
'p',
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'77ec966fcd64f901152cad5dc7731c7c831fe22e02e3ae99ff14637e5a48ef9c',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'c1fc7771f5fa418fd3ac49221a18f19b42ccb7a663da8f04cbbf6c08c80d20b1',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'50d94fc2d8580c682b071a542f8b1e31a200b0508bab95a33bef0855df281d63',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'20d88bae0c38e6407279e6a83350a931e714f0135e013ea4a1b14f936b7fead5',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'273e7880d38d39a7fb238efcf8957a1b5b27e819127a8483e975416a0a90f8d2',
'',
'mention'
]
]
```
### Return an array with only the pubkeys in the "p" tags:
```
Event.tags.filter(item => item[0] === 'p').map(item => item[1])
[
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb',
'77ec966fcd64f901152cad5dc7731c7c831fe22e02e3ae99ff14637e5a48ef9c',
'c1fc7771f5fa418fd3ac49221a18f19b42ccb7a663da8f04cbbf6c08c80d20b1',
'50d94fc2d8580c682b071a542f8b1e31a200b0508bab95a33bef0855df281d63',
'20d88bae0c38e6407279e6a83350a931e714f0135e013ea4a1b14f936b7fead5',
'273e7880d38d39a7fb238efcf8957a1b5b27e819127a8483e975416a0a90f8d2'
]
```
-
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@ 1ec45473:d38df139
2025-01-25 20:15:01
### The probability of AGI ending us is negative.
A common tactic among doomers is to state something along the lines of the following:
"If we create AGI, there is some non-zero chance every year, that the AGI will end humanity. Whatever that chance is compounds every year, and is thus unacceptable."
The question I would ask the doomer is **"How do you know that the chance of AGI ending humanity isn't negative?"**
What does it mean for AGI to have a negative chance of ending humanity?
Setting aside AGI for a moment, what is the chance every year that humanity ends from other events, such as nuclear war, solar flares, super-volcanoes, asteroid hits, societal collapse, etc?
How do you even answer this question in a reasonable manner? Well lets look at past data.
Of all species that have existed 99% have gone extinct.
Of our closest 7 relatives from the genus Homo, 100% have gone extinct.
On a higher level looking at civilizational collapse. According to Wikipedia, [virtually all](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse) historical societies have collapsed.
Looking out into the universe, we see no signs of life elsewhere, so if there was life in the past we can assume that they have gone extinct.
It would therefore be reasonable to say that the chance of our extinction is very high even without AGI, well above 90%. Maybe 99%.
You could argue the numbers but at least with these numbers we are using some past data to extrapolate the future, where the doomers are using no data whatsoever to support their numbers.
We can also state, that of all the species and societies that have collapsed in the past, they have done so because they did not yet have the knowledge on how to survive. They didn't know how to create antibiotics, or generate enough energy, or defend themselves from the environment.
What is AGI? AGI is a way to create knowledge. Most all societies in the past have collapsed because they didn't have the knowledge on how to survive, and the doomer argument is that we should slow down our ability to create knowledge, when we know that this has been precisely the problem in the past.
It is a certainty we will all die without more knowledge then we have now. The future death of our sun ensures that.
We have to create the knowledge on how to survive, and that is what AGI does - it creates knowledge.
AGI most certainly has a negative probability of ending humanity.
-
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@ 1ec45473:d38df139
2025-01-25 20:15:01
```
______________
/ /|
/ / |
/____________ / |
| ___________ | |
|| || |
|| #NOSTR || |
|| || |
||___________|| |
| _______ | /
/| (_______) | /
( |_____________|/
\
.=======================.
| :::::::::::::::: ::: |
| ::::::::::::::[] ::: |
| ----------- ::: |
`-----------------------'
```
-
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@ 0d7bc80d:aaf2218d
2025-01-25 16:55:59
\
Volkesbewusstsein, as interpreted from Carl von Savigny’s legal philosophy, and utilized by Carl Schmitt in his own, refers to the common consciousness of the people.
For Savigny, this meant that the laws and boundaries of the state evolve organically out of the collective consciousness of the people in a given historical period. A blooming out of the shared cultural fabric of a society.
Schmitt’s interpretation is slightly more assertive, seen more as an imposition of the collective will in defining the sovereign and the state.
But what makes up the common consciousness of society in our time? How does that influence the formation of our state and its laws? My sense is that the thing most shared or collective about our current consciousness is the schizophrenic quality of it. Our cultural fabric is that of an insane asylum,. We swim deep inside the algorithmic passivity of our historical moment, and this has fragmented our consciousness.
The concept of the public sphere as conceptualized by Jürgen Habermas projects an idealized image of a bygone era of communal communication and a genuine shared experience of reality. The public sphere was an arena for dialogue, disagreement, and maybe even reconciliation. This ideal held that communication occurred outside the bounds of state and market manipulation and held to rational discourse as a means of discovering Volkesbewusstsein.
Habermas was aware and critical of the modern erosion of the public sphere due to mass media and its influences. And here we are now in our cultural moment. It’s become trite to remind ourselves of the algorithmic sway that we encounter on a daily basis through social media news feeds. But this is one of those realities we need to continually encounter to take seriously, because it backgrounds itself so well. We become passive automatons swayed for engagement. AI agents capturing our attention and manipulating the lizard brain.
We are all aware of this.
However, to what extent are we understanding the schizophrenic agency of the algorithmic hyper-agent? There’s undoubtedly intentional manipulation of information for explicit ends, not explicit to us necessarily, but to someone or some bureaucracy.
What happens though when we have a myriad of explicit algorithmic hyper-agents taking over the public sphere? I’m no clinician, but my diagnosis is schizophrenia at the level of our distributed cognition. We’re in a collective asylum and the guards are insane too.
What kind of heroes emerge out of that cultural fabric? Well, insane ones. And they will look perfectly sane in their response to a system of state sovereignty and laws that have emerged out of that asylum. And we’ll cheer it on as it feels like entropy towards collapse is the only thing that might save us. Not that we are always conscious of our entropic aims. But the walls are crumbling down, and everyone has a sledgehammer, so we decide to pick one up as well. We’d prefer to feel that we’re at least exercising SOME sort of agency, after all.
I find myself entirely addicted to my comforting insanity. Precisely because it gives me the illusion of agency, rather than the passivity that Habermas feared would be the destruction of the public sphere. I’m grateful that every now and then, I’m able to stand back and examine the frames I’m applying, or that have been applied for me, and recognize my passivity.
Perennially, it becomes apparent that we need to step outside of the passive sway of our screens and to engage in an algorithmic free salon. The idealized picture of humans in a communal space, with minimally distorted flows of information, in true dialogue. A mutual respect for each other and our different value judgements, with a shared commitment to orienting towards truth.
The most basic way we can do this is to continually step back from the asylum, and find a quiet corner to discuss with other well intentioned patients how we might organically blossom out a new common consciousness. It’s hegemonic character, that which dominates it, need not be the assertion of one difference over the other, but the assertion that differences in value systems share some orientation.
All this must be, for now, done from the place of acceptance of our diagnosis. Our conversations in the public sphere will need to continually encounter and correct for our schizophrenia. But if enough of us pick up a hammer and start smashing it against the wall of the asylum, a new organic shared consciousness has a shot at arising.
-
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@ d57360cb:4fe7d935
2025-01-25 15:43:16
Martial Arts has a way of imparting deep lessons on you, lessons that you feel deep to the core. Here are a few that have stuck with me. These lessons extend beyond the field of martial arts into every area of life, may you find value in them.
# **Static Vs Dynamic**
The world is a dynamic and fluid domain, yet we think statically. This error makes us incompatible. When we think about the future and the past, they are fixed in our minds. We might have a grand plan for how we will beat our opponent or hold fear of a loss we suffered at the hands of another opponent. Because these are harbored in our minds, we are fixed in place entering a battle which is constantly moving.
To succeed one has to abandon the static and learn to dance. Let me explain this through the problem solving process.
# Problem Solving
Imagine there's a giant wall in front of you and this wall is going to fall directly on top of you. Here you're faced with a problem, the wall falling and you also might have guessed the solution which is get out of the way. The usual approach people take in solving problems is they wait til the problem has already taken place and established itself to act.
Knowing fully the wall is falling they will wait til the wall has crushed them, only then they'll enact their plan to get out of the way. Their plan may very well work but not when the wall has already fallen, this renders their plan useless even though it is the correct solution. In their minds they see the problem and the solution only taking place when certain factors are met and conditions are perfect.
They will not act to evade a punch until hit in the face, they won't try to escape a choke until their opponent is squeezing the life out of them. This is the error of unskilled beginners yet it's a necessary path to the dynamic.
# The best way to avoid danger is not going there in the first place
At a certain point you will get tired of getting hit in the face, getting choked out, and having the wall get crushed on you. You will see others using the very same solutions you're using and wonder why they succeed and you don't. The cogs in your brain come alive and you begin to think if the solution is to get out the way, I need to do it before or as the wall is falling not when it's already fallen. This takes you from the static to the dynamic, from thinking to feeling.
Instead of thinking and anticipating a punch and then moving, you no longer anticipate you immerse yourself in the chaos and are free to feel. You no longer wait for your opponent to have his hands around your neck to avoid getting choked, you avoid the situation altogether. You see the wall falling and you step out of the way, by nature another wall replaces it, this one is also falling and you maneuver out of its way. This is the great dance, this is the art.
# Failure is Information
"The fool that persists in his folly soon becomes wise"
In life as in the arts you will continually face failures or walls. Most people view these as negative. Having a wall crushed on them they take it personally, blame themselves, how terrible they are and how much better their opponent is. These are your trusted guides they show you where you are fixed in place, they show you your inflexibility, your rigidity. They humble you over and over. It may take days, weeks, years or months for you to realize. In this way the end never arrives, the path of practice is the goal.
With diligence and patience the thing you once saw as a failure will become your wisest friend.
# No opponent
Each person is going through this struggle internally. They face their own set of problems. In this way your opponents serve you as you serve them. The person that beats you down is not a rival, he's also not 'better' in any way he's exposed you and shown you the areas you have blindspots and weakness in. In the same way you serve that purpose for those just starting on the path. You may beat someone down and think you are 'better' than those you dominate. This is the wrong view you are a guide to those below you and student to those above you.
If you get caught up in your ego and status you will be blinded. One must leave the static world of victory and loss to find the dynamic.
# Everything Bleeds
This was a post on material arts, but you could very well replace martial arts with any field and any set of problems. The incompatible mix of the static mind and dynamic world is found in every area of life. The lessons you learn from one area can be translated to another, these lessons are fundamental. In this way lessons bleed and overflow into everything you touch. You are the center of experience the things you devote time to in life are merely tools of expression.
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@ 378562cd:a6fc6773
2025-01-25 15:19:53
**Top 20 U.S. Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **SEC Reverses Crypto Accounting Rule, Easing Bank Participation** The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has overturned guidance that previously treated digital tokens as liabilities on bank balance sheets. This reversal is expected to facilitate banks in offering cryptocurrency custody services without facing significant penalties.
[ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/24854c53-98ef-42b5-96ed-efd6f5b70271?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
2. **President Trump Signs Executive Order to Bolster Crypto Industry.** President Donald Trump has issued an executive order titled "Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology," aiming to position the U.S. as a global leader in the digital asset market. The order includes the creation of a task force to propose new crypto regulations and explore the establishment of a national digital asset stockpile.
[Investor's Business Daily](https://www.investors.com/news/trump-cryptocurrency-executive-order-bitcoin-reserve-digital-asset-stockpile/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
3. **Crypto Markets React to New Regulatory Initiatives.** Following the administration's recent policy moves, the cryptocurrency market experienced a dip, with Bitcoin stabilizing around $105,000. The creation of a task force to propose new crypto regulations has introduced uncertainty, leading to profit-taking among investors.
[reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-markets-lose-steam-after-trumps-first-policy-move-2025-01-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
4. **Industry Celebrates Anticipated Deregulation Amid Caution.** The cryptocurrency community is optimistic about the administration's supportive stance, including proposals for a U.S. Bitcoin reserve. However, experts caution that increased government endorsement could expose the financial system to significant risks if the market faces downturns.
[ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/8d302c79-8912-4f8e-bb1a-eea77ea0d99e?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
5. **White House Appoints David Sacks as Crypto and AI Advisor.** The administration has appointed tech entrepreneur David Sacks as the White House's cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence advisor. Sacks will lead the newly formed Presidential Task Force on Digital Asset Markets, focusing on developing regulatory frameworks and exploring the creation of a national Bitcoin reserve.
[Barron's](https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-bitcoin-stockpile-crypto-78398022?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
6. **Bitcoin Price Surges to All-Time High Amid Policy Shifts.** Bitcoin has reached a record high of $109,000, driven by increased interest following endorsements from President Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch of cryptocurrencies associated with both Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump has further fueled market enthusiasm.
[The Times & The Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/your-complete-guide-to-crypto-and-bitcoin-77xwhlz6h?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
7. **Financial Institutions Show Renewed Interest in Crypto Services.** Major financial firms, including Charles Schwab, are exploring deeper engagement in the crypto market following recent regulatory changes. Traditional banks are now better positioned to offer cryptocurrency custody services, reflecting a shift towards mainstream adoption.
[ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/24854c53-98ef-42b5-96ed-efd6f5b70271?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
8. **Congressional Leaders Express Concerns Over Rapid Crypto Expansion.** Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the swift regulatory changes favoring the cryptocurrency industry. They caution that rapid deregulation could lead to increased market volatility and potential risks to the broader financial system.
[reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-markets-lose-steam-after-trumps-first-policy-move-2025-01-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
9. **Crypto-Related Crimes Prompt Calls for Enhanced Security Measures.** The recent kidnapping and assault of Ledger co-founder David Balland have highlighted the risks associated with the crypto industry. Security experts advise individuals involved in cryptocurrency to exercise discretion regarding their personal wealth and implement robust security protocols.
[The Times & The Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/david-balland-ledger-kidnapping-z3kx6svj0?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
10. **Stablecoin Development Encouraged Under New Executive Order.** The administration's executive order promotes the development of dollar-backed stablecoins for global use, aiming to enhance the U.S. dollar's presence in the digital asset space while prohibiting the establishment of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S.
[Investor's Business Daily](https://www.investors.com/news/trump-cryptocurrency-executive-order-bitcoin-reserve-digital-asset-stockpile/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
11. **Crypto Education Initiatives Launched to Foster Public Understanding.** In response to the growing interest in digital assets, educational programs are being developed to inform the public about cryptocurrency investment risks and opportunities, aiming to promote responsible participation in the market.
12. **Tech Companies Explore Blockchain Integration Amid Regulatory Clarity.** With the recent regulatory developments, technology firms are increasingly considering blockchain integration into their operations, anticipating that clearer guidelines will support innovation in the sector.
13. **Crypto Taxation Policies Under Review Following Executive Order.** The Treasury Department is reviewing existing cryptocurrency taxation policies to align with the new executive order, potentially leading to revised guidelines that could impact investors and businesses.
14. **Investment Funds Increase Crypto Holdings Amid Policy Support.** Investment funds are bolstering their cryptocurrency portfolios, encouraged by the administration's supportive policies and the SEC's reversal of restrictive accounting rules.
15. **Public-Private Partnerships Form to Advance Blockchain Research.** New collaborations between government agencies and private companies are emerging to advance blockchain research and development, aiming to maintain the U.S.'s competitive edge in digital financial technologies.
16. **Crypto Mining Operations Expand in the U.S**.Cryptocurrency mining firms are expanding their operations domestically, attracted by the favorable regulatory environment and potential incentives outlined in recent policy initiatives.
17. **Consumer Protection Agencies Advocate for Crypto Awareness.** Consumer protection agencies are launching campaigns to raise awareness about the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments, emphasizing the importance of due diligence.
18. **State Governments Explore Local Crypto Regulations.** In light of federal initiatives, state governments are examining their regulatory frameworks concerning cryptocurrencies to ensure alignment and address local concerns.
19. **Academic Institutions Introduce Cryptocurrency Courses.** Universities and colleges are adding cryptocurrency and blockchain courses to their curricula, preparing students for careers in the evolving digital asset landscape.
20. **Crypto Exchanges Enhance Compliance Measures.** Cryptocurrency exchanges are strengthening their compliance protocols in anticipation of forthcoming regulatory recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Digital Asset Markets.
**Top 5 Worldwide Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **Global Banks Anticipate U.S. Regulatory Changes.** International banks are closely monitoring the U.S. regulatory shifts, assessing the potential global impact on cryptocurrency custody services and market participation.
2. **European Union Debates Crypto Regulatory Framework.** The European Union is engaging in discussions to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, aiming to balance innovation with consumer protection.
3. **Asian Markets React to U.S. Crypto Policy Developments**\
Cryptocurrency markets across Asia, including Japan and South Korea, are seeing increased trading activity following the U.S. administration's supportive stance on digital assets. Investors are optimistic about the ripple effects on the global crypto ecosystem.
4. **India Announces Plans for Blockchain-Based Voting System**\
The Indian government has unveiled plans to pilot a blockchain-based voting system aimed at enhancing election security and transparency. This initiative is part of India's broader efforts to explore blockchain technology in governance.
5. **African Nations Embrace Bitcoin for Cross-Border Payments**\
Several African countries are increasingly using Bitcoin to facilitate cross-border payments, citing its efficiency and reduced transaction costs. This trend reflects the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies in regions with limited access to traditional financial services.
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@ 0b14a03f:3f0257c2
2025-01-25 13:33:47
Change doesn’t come from something external. The change comes from within. But people are so disconnected from themselves that they keep trying and trying with tools to connect without realizing that if there is no connection within, there won’t be a healthy and long-term connection outside.
Bitcoin has no name or last name because it’s not important who created it. What’s important is what it was made for. That’s written on its roots, in its essence. And that essence won’t be discovered if we keep trying to set it up in old avatars, systems, protocols, and connections.
Bitcoin is not a tool to get rich and be free. It’s a means to disconnect from a broken environment and find a safe place to pause, to feel, to see what’s really inside of ourselves, and to analyze if the world around us is not a consequence but a reflection of our internal disconnection.
Freedom will be a consequence, not a cause of a better future. We can be the artisans of that future by connecting with ourselves from within, as individuals first, and as a community after.
Community as in Common Identity. We need to find our identity, then share it, nurture it with others, and by doing so, be able to create a better world.
Don’t fall into old traps. After all, this is a journey from the mind to the heart.
Happy arriving!
Hug✨
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@ a012dc82:6458a70d
2025-01-25 13:09:46
The landscape of cryptocurrency is witnessing a potential paradigm shift with the growing interest of institutional investors in Bitcoin. The excitement surrounding the prospect of a spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is palpable, yet it brings with it a wave of concern. Arthur Hayes, a renowned figure in the cryptocurrency space and the founder of the Maelstrom Fund, stands as a vocal critic of this development. His insights offer a critical perspective on how institutional involvement could fundamentally alter the essence of Bitcoin, potentially steering it away from its founding principles of decentralization and autonomy. This article delves into Hayes' concerns, unraveling the complexities and potential repercussions of institutional custody on the future of Bitcoin.
**Table Of Content**
- The Rising Concern of Institutional Involvement
- The Scenario of Institutional Custody
- The Essence of Bitcoin at Stake
- Influence on Network Consensus
- Long-Term Implications for Bitcoin
- Conclusion
- FAQs
**The Rising Concern of Institutional Involvement**
Arthur Hayes' apprehensions about institutional involvement in Bitcoin are rooted in a deep understanding of both the cryptocurrency world and traditional financial systems. The entry of large financial institutions like BlackRock into the Bitcoin space could signify a significant shift in the dynamics of cryptocurrency ownership and control. These institutions, often perceived as extensions of state interests, could bring a level of centralization and control antithetical to Bitcoin's decentralized ethos. The historical relationship between large financial entities and state mechanisms, and their potential influence on Bitcoin, raises critical questions about the future of this cryptocurrency. The impact of this shift on the broader crypto ecosystem, investor behavior, and Bitcoin's perception in the global financial landscape is profound and multifaceted.
**The Scenario of Institutional Custody**
The future that Hayes envisions, where significant portions of Bitcoin are locked away in institutional ETFs, is a stark departure from the current state of the cryptocurrency. This transformation could relegate Bitcoin from a vibrant, actively traded asset to a passive component of investment portfolios. Such a shift would not only alter Bitcoin's market dynamics but also its fundamental utility. The implications of this change are far-reaching, affecting everything from Bitcoin's liquidity to its role as a tool for financial freedom and empowerment. The prospect of Bitcoin becoming a mere line item in institutional balance sheets is a scenario that challenges the very ideals upon which the cryptocurrency was built.
**The Essence of Bitcoin at Stake**
The core of Hayes' argument lies in the potential loss of Bitcoin's identity. If Bitcoin becomes predominantly held in institutional ETFs, it risks becoming just another asset in the global financial system, losing its unique characteristics as a decentralized and autonomous currency. This transformation would affect the philosophical and practical aspects of Bitcoin, impacting principles of autonomy, privacy, and decentralization. The shift from a user-driven to an institutionally controlled asset could have profound implications for the future of Bitcoin, potentially undermining the trust and support of its community.
**Influence on Network Consensus**
Hayes raises a significant concern about the potential influence of institutional holders on Bitcoin's consensus mechanism and development path. The risk of having a large portion of Bitcoin controlled by entities with different priorities than the broader Bitcoin community is real and concerning. This influence could lead to a misalignment between Bitcoin's development and the needs of its user base, especially regarding crucial updates related to security and privacy enhancements. The integrity and future evolution of Bitcoin's technology could be at stake, raising questions about the true independence and resilience of this decentralized network.
**Long-Term Implications for Bitcoin**
While the short-term effects of institutional investment, such as price appreciation, are clear, the long-term consequences are more nuanced and complex. The potential trade-offs between short-term gains and long-term impacts on Bitcoin's utility and independence are a critical aspect of this discussion. The paradox of Bitcoin's growing acceptance by traditional financial institutions and the possible erosion of its foundational principles is a dilemma that the crypto community must navigate carefully. The future of Bitcoin, in this context, is not just about its price or market capitalization, but about its ability to retain its core values and functionality.
**Conclusion**
Arthur Hayes' insights provide a crucial perspective on the evolving landscape of Bitcoin in the face of institutional interest. As the cryptocurrency world grapples with these developments, understanding the balance between mainstream acceptance and the preservation of Bitcoin's core values is essential. This article reflects on the potential risks and implications of institutional custody of Bitcoin, offering a comprehensive analysis that underscores the importance of maintaining the decentralized ethos that has defined Bitcoin since its inception.
**FAQs**
**What is the main concern raised by Arthur Hayes about institutional involvement in Bitcoin?**
Arthur Hayes expresses concern that institutional involvement, particularly through Bitcoin ETFs, could lead to centralization and control by large financial entities, undermining Bitcoin's decentralized ethos.
**How could institutional custody of Bitcoin alter its market dynamics?**
Institutional custody could transform Bitcoin from an actively traded asset to a passive component of investment portfolios, affecting its liquidity and role as a tool for financial freedom.
**What implications does institutional control have on Bitcoin's network consensus?**
Institutional control could influence Bitcoin's consensus mechanism and development path, potentially leading to a misalignment with the needs of the broader Bitcoin community, especially regarding updates related to security and privacy.
**Are there long-term implications of institutional investment in Bitcoin?**
Yes, while institutional investment might boost Bitcoin's price in the short term, it raises concerns about the long-term impact on Bitcoin's utility, independence, and adherence to its foundational principles.
**What is the essence of Arthur Hayes' argument against institutional custody of Bitcoin?**
Hayes argues that institutional custody risks turning Bitcoin into just another financial asset, losing its unique characteristics as a decentralized and autonomous currency.
**That's all for today**
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*DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.*
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@ 89ccea93:df4e00b7
2025-01-25 13:02:52
Meh.
I'm ambivalent.
For the cypher/crypto punks out there, the freedom fighters. You already didn't like what the government was doing before, why should this be any different?
For all those who preached hyperbitcoinization, but are now upset, it only makes sense for companies and countries to eventually want this thing on their balance sheet.
Soo.... Enjoy.
You got what you wanted... ?
I think.
For those who think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread...
Yeah, again, meh.
It'd probably be better for individuals to have it and the "State" to muddle through oblivious. I think by worshipping it, you're showing you literally ONLY care about the price, which is dumb. Price doesn't matter if you're cattle herded into a KYC-only pen. If you become a criminal for wanting to be outside the system.
But in the meantime, before the dystopia descends.
Just use it. Earn it. Save it. Spend it. Hodl it.
Whatever floats your boat.
But for the love of God, and I'm actually serious now, practice responsible Bitcoin ownership...
Don't tell eeeevveeeryyooonee you have it.
Hold the keys yourself.
Don't give your blood, voice, 3D picture, passport, first born, stool, DNA, SSN just to buy Bitcoin.
I bought some Bitcoin via Bisq the other day at BELOW market value. Peach and RoboSats at 0.5% above market value. So there's no excuse in my mind to use an centralized KYC exchange.
[Kycnot.me](https://kycnot.me)
Inspired by this [post](https://livingonbitcoin.substack.com/p/reject-the-sbr) by Rare Passenger.
[Original post](https://expatriotic.me/the-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-is-awfulamazing/)
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/863448
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@ 54286b98:3debc100
2025-01-25 12:15:02
The gift and the challenge? More time with my kids than most dads get. Days filled with them. It's a blast.
Diapers, potty training, sticky fingers, the easy stuff. Expected. A privilege, really.
But here's what I'm learning: Undivided attention. Presence. That's the hard part. The part that fades.
We walk. Parks, trails, anywhere but inside. They love it. S'mores, impromptu campsites, boats on the horizon, Florida beaches (no walking next to Florida freshwater for this dad, gators!). We read. We play hard. My oldest is discovering the magic of computers.
Mornings with my daughter. Just us. Quiet. Books. Connection. Then her brother wakes, and the day explodes with breakfast, more books, more play.
Knowledge, manners, a little discipline, and a lot of fun. That's the legacy.
But even with all this time, there's still work. Responsibilities. ***"Papa needs to work."*** ***"Papa, don't you want to play with me?"*** The hardest lesson: balance. ***Teaching them independence when all they want is connection.***
The reminder: Even when life gets crazy, make the moments count. Be there. Truly be there. And trust that when I can't, they'll know it's not about them. It's about the work.
Love them. Cherish them.
Until the next one.
J
\__\_
Feel free to follow me here on ***nostr*** or ***sign up on my website*** for my blog posts/newsletters, talking about ***crafting beauty in life, family, entrepreneurship, culture, woodworking & faith.***\
<https://www.javierfeliu.com/>
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-25 11:45:15
# Page: cover
background: #000000
template: vertical
# Welcome to NoStry
This is the first nostr-story ever posted!
# Page: intro
background-image: https://nostr.build/i/nostr.png
template: vertical
## What is NoStry?
NoStry is a new way to tell stories on nostr, combining the best of social media stories with the decentralized nature of nostr.
# Page: end
background: #333333
template: vertical
# Join the Revolution
[Learn More]( https://github.com/nostry)
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@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9
2025-01-25 10:38:21
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/863327
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@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39
2025-01-25 09:28:25
# **Hackathon 概要**
[**Request Network - Summer Hackathon**](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer) 在2024年夏季结束,吸引了144名开发者参与,并审核通过了32个项目。该活动由Request Network举办,着重于利用其兼容EVM的基础设施开发Web3金融应用。在Hackathon期间,参与者有机会参加针对初学者和高级用户量身定制的工作坊。这些工作坊旨在提高开发发票、支付、会计和借贷应用的技能。
激励措施包括总奖金池15,000美元,分为发票、支付、会计和借贷应用等奖项类别。此外,Request Network基金会为提交至其资助计划的项目提供额外35,000美元。评审标准强调实用性、易用性、技术复杂性和创新性。
参与者可以访问丰富的资源,如视频教程、GitHub代码库,还可以通过专用的Discord热线获得支持。Hackathon强调了积极参与,促进了旨在提升区块链交易能力的应用程序的创建。2024年7月8日,获奖项目公布,展示了参与者的创造力和技术专长。
# **Hackathon 获奖者**
### **Invoicing Prize Winners**
- [**ChainPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13883) - 该项目通过与QuickBooks集成,将Request Network的功能扩展至Web3支付组件。它解决了Sepolia Testnet上的智能合约调用问题,目标是提供全面的解决方案。
- [**PiperPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13896) - 一个支持多种货币和代币的发票和支付管理系统。它通过智能合约代理和代币交换遵循Request Network标准。
- [**Wavein**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13901) - 该项目通过Request Network和Superfluid为自由职业者提供实时支付,提供带转换功能的流线型支付流。
### **Accounting Prize Winner**
- [**request-accounting**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13911) - 基于区块链的会计应用程序,确保安全交易,同时集成与行业标准一致的高效财务管理。
### **Lending Prize Winners**
- [**Invoice Lending (Factoring)**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13838) - 该项目通过将发票铸造成NFT提供流动性,允许在Request Network上进行点对点发票融资。
- [**Invisy Network**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13912) - 一个去中心化发票平台,利用NFT提升效率和透明度,提供实时发票流动性的市场。
欲了解完整项目列表,请访问 [DoraHacks Request Network Summer Hackathon](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer/buidl)。
# **关于主办方**
### **Request Network**
Request Network是一个兼容EVM的基础协议,致力于推动包括发票、支付和会计在内的Web3金融应用的发展。通过向区块链交易附加额外数据,网络确保合规、对账和可追溯性。这使用户能够维护其财务数据的所有权,促进灵活的转移和选择性共享。关键举措包括支持未抵押贷款和增强区块链交易流程。Request Network致力于促进一个包容的金融未来,通过优化服务来实现数据所有权和金融操作的自动化。
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@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a
2025-01-25 09:28:20
# **Hackathon Summary**
The [**Request Network - Summer Hackathon**](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer) concluded with 144 developers participating and 32 project submissions approved. Hosted by Request Network, the event focused on developing Web3 financial applications utilizing its EVM-compatible infrastructure. Throughout the hackathon, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops tailored to both beginner and advanced users. These workshops aimed to enhance skills in developing applications for invoicing, payments, accounting, and lending.
Incentives included a total prize pool of $15,000, divided into categories such as invoicing, payments, accounting, and lending applications. Additionally, the Request Network Foundation provided an extra $35,000 for projects submitted to their grants program. The judging criteria emphasized utility, ease of use, technical sophistication, and innovation.
Participants were given access to extensive resources such as video tutorials, GitHub repositories, and support through a dedicated Discord helpline. The hackathon highlighted active engagement, promoting the creation of applications intended to improve blockchain transaction capabilities. On July 8, 2024, the winning projects were announced, showcasing the creativity and technical expertise of the participants.
# **Hackathon Winners**
### **Invoicing Prize Winners**
- [**ChainPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13883) - This project expands Request Network's capabilities into Web3 payment components by integrating with QuickBooks. It addresses smart contract call issues on the Sepolia Testnet and aims for comprehensive solutions.
- [**PiperPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13896) - An invoice and payment management system that supports various currencies and tokens. It follows Request Network standards using smart contract proxies and token swaps.
- [**Wavein**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13901) - This project facilitates real-time payments for freelancers through Request Network and Superfluid, offering streamlined payment streams with conversion features.
### **Accounting Prize Winner**
- [**request-accounting**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13911) - A blockchain-based accounting application that ensures secure transactions while integrating efficient financial management aligned with industry standards.
### **Lending Prize Winners**
- [**Invoice Lending (Factoring)**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13838) - This project provides liquidity by minting invoices as NFTs, enabling peer-to-peer invoice financing on the Request Network.
- [**Invisy Network**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13912) - A decentralized invoice platform leveraging NFTs to enhance efficiency and transparency, offering a marketplace for real-time invoice liquidity.
For a complete list of projects, visit [DoraHacks Request Network Summer Hackathon](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer/buidl).
# **About the Organizer**
### **Request Network**
Request Network is an EVM-compatible infrastructure protocol dedicated to advancing Web3 financial applications, including invoicing, payments, and accounting. By appending extra data to blockchain transactions, the network ensures compliance, reconciliation, and traceability. This empowers users to maintain ownership of their financial data, facilitating flexible transfers and selective sharing. Key initiatives include supporting under-collateralized loans and enhancing blockchain transaction processes. Request Network is committed to fostering an inclusive financial future by streamlining services to enable data ownership and automation in financial operations.
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 08:51:09
This is a test long form article publish via Nostr Article Publish in Obsidian
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@ ec642f38:a8b07008
2025-01-25 08:31:58
This is my test document for nostr publish
Although Sainsbury's was already in the midst of a plan to save £1bn over the next few years, the rise in employer's National Insurance contributions set out in the Budget has also been a factor in this latest restructuring plan.
### Add some text
this is is a test
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 08:27:44
This is my test document for nostr publish
Although Sainsbury's was already in the midst of a plan to save £1bn over the next few years, the rise in employer's National Insurance contributions set out in the Budget has also been a factor in this latest restructuring plan.
### Add some text
this is is a test
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 08:12:55
In Australia, a country where the Union Jack flies as a silent yet potent reminder of its colonial origins, the lives of non-violent, non-agitating individuals remain deeply entangled in a system built on inequality. Beneath the surface of modern democratic institutions and peaceful imagery lies a historical and ongoing strategy to maintain systemic dominance, often underpinned by the latent threat of violence.
For those who do not agitate, who simply wish to exist in peace, the daily experience can be one of quiet oppression. The colonial legacy ensures that fairness and justice are privileges reserved for a select ingroup—those who align with the dominant cultural narrative. Meanwhile, others find themselves trapped in a system designed to perpetuate inequality, all while cloaked in the language of ethics, science, and progress.
The Mask of Fairness
Australia’s institutions present themselves as bastions of fairness, meritocracy, and equality. Yet, these ideals are often undermined by the foundational violence that protects and privileges the dominant cultural group. This violence need not always be explicit—it exists in the form of legal frameworks, economic systems, and cultural narratives that favor the descendants of the colonial ingroup while marginalizing others.
For Indigenous Australians, immigrants, and those outside the dominant culture, the system does not just fail to deliver fairness—it actively maintains their disadvantage. The history of dispossession, forced assimilation, and cultural erasure is not simply a relic of the past. It continues to inform how resources, opportunities, and power are distributed today.
Privilege and Forgiveness
One of the most insidious aspects of this system is the privilege afforded to the ingroup. Actions that would be condemned or punished when carried out by marginalized groups are often forgiven, excused, or even celebrated when done by those within the dominant cultural framework. This double standard perpetuates a sense of impunity among the ingroup, while reinforcing the notion that fairness is conditional and selectively applied.
For example, protests or acts of civil disobedience by marginalized groups are often met with harsh policing and public condemnation. Meanwhile, similar actions by those in the dominant culture—especially when framed as defending “traditional values” or “national identity”—are met with leniency, if not outright support.
The Union Jack as a Symbol of Violence
The Union Jack, emblazoned on Australia’s flag, serves as a subtle yet powerful symbol of this systemic violence. It is a constant reminder of the country’s colonial roots, a time when land was taken by force, and Indigenous peoples were systematically oppressed. Today, while the overt violence of colonization has shifted into the background, its legacy persists in the structural inequalities that shape everyday life.
For many Australians, the flag represents pride and progress. For others, it is a symbol of dispossession and exclusion. This dual meaning highlights the deep divisions in how fairness and justice are experienced, depending on one’s place within the colonial hierarchy.
The Control of Peaceful Imaginations
Non-violent individuals often turn to ideals of peace, ethics, and community as a way to navigate the unfairness of the system. However, the colonial strategy has long been to co-opt these imaginations, redirecting them to serve the interests of the dominant group.
For example, the rhetoric of multiculturalism and reconciliation is frequently used to promote the idea that Australia has moved beyond its colonial past. Yet, these efforts often fall short of addressing the structural inequalities that continue to disadvantage marginalized groups. Instead, they serve as a way to maintain the status quo, offering symbolic gestures rather than substantive change.
Unfairness as a Daily Reality
For non-violent, non-agitating individuals, the daily reality of unfairness can manifest in countless ways:
Economic Disparity: Wages, employment opportunities, and wealth distribution continue to favor the dominant cultural group.
Cultural Erasure: Indigenous languages, traditions, and histories are often sidelined in favor of a Eurocentric narrative.
Policing and Justice: Marginalized groups are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement and are less likely to receive fair treatment in the justice system.
While these injustices may not always involve direct violence, the threat of coercion and enforcement looms large. The institutions that govern daily life are protected not by a commitment to fairness, but by the implicit and explicit threat of violence to those who challenge the system.
A Call for Change
Addressing this systemic unfairness requires more than symbolic gestures or surface-level reforms. It demands a reckoning with the colonial legacy and a commitment to dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality. For true fairness to be realized, Australia must confront the uncomfortable truths about its past and present, moving beyond the veneer of peaceful coexistence to create a society built on genuine equity and justice.
Until then, the Union Jack will remain not just a symbol of the past, but a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those who dare to imagine a fairer world.
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 07:58:12
This is my test document for nostr publish
Although Sainsbury's was already in the midst of a plan to save £1bn over the next few years, the rise in employer's National Insurance contributions set out in the Budget has also been a factor in this latest restructuring plan.
### Add some text
this is is a test
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@ ae6ce958:d0f02c7d
2025-01-25 06:54:35
In the age of precision technology, photonic measurement systems like LiDAR play a critical role in transformative industries such as autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and telecommunications. These systems rely on the precise behavior of sensors and software to ensure accuracy and reliability in complex, real-world environments. DamageBDD, with its innovative approach to Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), provides a platform for enabling a large number of people to participate in defining, testing, and refining the behavior of such systems.
By democratizing the process of behavior definition, DamageBDD unlocks new possibilities for collaboration and innovation. This article explores how DamageBDD can be applied to photonic measurement systems, demonstrating its potential to involve diverse stakeholders and enhance the quality of these technologies.
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Why Involve Large Numbers of People in Defining Behavior?
1. Diverse Perspectives: A wide range of participants, including developers, domain experts, end-users, and testers, brings diverse perspectives to defining system behavior. For example:
A developer might focus on system performance.
A medical professional might prioritize safety in imaging technologies.
An end-user might emphasize usability and intuitive interfaces.
2. Real-World Scenarios: Large-scale participation ensures that real-world scenarios are thoroughly explored and represented. For instance, in autonomous vehicles, scenarios such as heavy rain, fog, or crowded urban streets can be identified and tested by people from various geographies and climates.
3. Collective Intelligence: Crowdsourcing behavior definitions can leverage collective intelligence to anticipate edge cases and improve system robustness.
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DamageBDD in Photonic Measurement Systems
DamageBDD’s unique ability to verify behavior at scale makes it an ideal platform for optimizing photonic measurement systems like LiDAR. Here’s how DamageBDD can be applied:
1. Defining Behavior Using Real-World Scenarios
DamageBDD allows participants to write clear, human-readable scenarios that define expected behavior for photonic measurement systems. These scenarios are stored immutably on-chain, ensuring traceability and accountability.
Example:
Feature: LiDAR distance measurement
Scenario: Accurate measurement in clear weather
Given a reflective object is placed 10 meters from the sensor
When the LiDAR system emits a pulse
Then the system should report the distance as 10 ± 0.1 meters
Scenario: Measurement in foggy conditions
Given a reflective object is placed 10 meters from the sensor
And fog reduces visibility by 50%
When the LiDAR system emits a pulse
Then the system should report the distance as 10 ± 0.5 meters
With DamageBDD, such scenarios can be written by both technical and non-technical participants, enabling large-scale participation in defining behavior.
---
2. Automating Behavior Verification
DamageBDD’s platform integrates seamlessly with testing frameworks, enabling automated verification of defined behaviors. This ensures that photonic measurement systems consistently meet the specified criteria across a wide range of scenarios.
Example: A team testing a LiDAR system can run automated tests against a DamageBDD-powered test suite. If a test fails—say, the system misreports distances under foggy conditions—it is flagged on-chain, triggering iterative improvements.
---
3. Leveraging Crowdsourcing for Edge Cases
DamageBDD enables stakeholders to contribute new test cases and scenarios directly to the platform. For photonic measurement systems, this could involve:
Community members submitting scenarios involving unique environmental conditions (e.g., desert sandstorms or arctic snow).
Engineers proposing tests for hardware variations or upgrades.
Example: A developer in a tropical region might contribute the following scenario:
Scenario: Measurement in heavy rain
Given a reflective object is placed 5 meters from the sensor
And rainfall intensity is 50 mm/hour
When the LiDAR system emits a pulse
Then the system should report the distance as 5 ± 0.3 meters
By involving a global community, DamageBDD ensures comprehensive testing and improved resilience.
---
4. Creating Incentives for Participation
One of the standout features of DamageBDD is its ability to incentivize participation through tokenized payouts. Contributors who define or verify behavior are rewarded in Damage Tokens, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that encourages ongoing collaboration.
Example:
A developer contributes a new test case for low-light conditions.
A tester verifies the scenario by running it against a live system.
Both participants receive tokens for their contributions, fostering continued engagement.
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5. Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
With DamageBDD, all behavior definitions, tests, and results are immutably recorded on-chain. This ensures that:
Every contribution is traceable to its author.
Changes to system behavior are documented over time, creating an auditable history.
Example: When a new feature is added to a LiDAR system (e.g., enhanced fog detection), its behavior is verified through DamageBDD. The on-chain record shows:
Who defined the behavior.
When it was tested.
How it performed against previous versions.
This transparency builds trust among stakeholders and accelerates adoption.
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Scaling to Other Photonic Applications
The principles outlined above can be applied to other photonic measurement systems, such as:
Medical Imaging: Ensuring MRI or CT scanners meet safety and accuracy standards across diverse patient demographics.
Telecommunications: Optimizing fiber-optic networks for different bandwidth and latency requirements.
Astronomy: Enhancing telescopes to accurately measure cosmic phenomena under varying atmospheric conditions.
In each case, DamageBDD enables mass participation, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement.
---
Conclusion
By enabling large numbers of people to define and verify behavior, DamageBDD revolutionizes how we approach photonic measurement systems and other complex technologies. Through its emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and tokenized incentives, DamageBDD not only improves the quality of these systems but also democratizes their development.
As industries continue to adopt precision technologies, DamageBDD provides a scalable framework for ensuring they meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. From LiDAR in autonomous vehicles to medical imaging and beyond, the potential for innovation is limitless when empowered by DamageBDD.
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@ 89ccea93:df4e00b7
2025-01-25 04:26:01
Here's a list of the services I use.
I plan to make a blog post for each on ```expatriotic.me``` my previously defunct blog that is going live again.
Stay tuned.
### Networking
Flint Router
Mullvad
Tor
Little Snitch
### Buying & Selling Bitcoin
Bisq
Robosats
Peach
Hodl Hodl
### Private email
Tuta
Addy.io
Proton
### Wallets
Ashigaru
Stack Duo
Cake
Sparrow
Envoy
Zeus
Coinos
### Swapping Bitcoin
Trocador
basicswapdex
unstoppable-swap
### noKYC
```kycnot.me```
### Spending Bitcoin
Wise
Bitrefill
Bitpay
PayWithMoon
Coinsbee
The Bitcoin Company
CoinCards.com
### Phone
Graphene OS
Minimalism
Obtainium
FOSS apps
Signal for DMs
Telegram for Groups
Silent.Link
### Server
DIY with Debian
Start9
Dojo
Ronin Dojo
Monero Nodes
### Podcasts
The Ungovernable Misfits News Network
The Watchman Privacy
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/863051
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@ ec42c765:328c0600
2025-01-26 00:08:54
# カスタム絵文字とは
任意のオリジナル画像を絵文字のように文中に挿入できる機能です。
また、リアクション(Twitterの いいね のような機能)にもカスタム絵文字を使えます。
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# カスタム絵文字の対応状況(2024/02/05)
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カスタム絵文字を使うためにはカスタム絵文字に対応した[クライアント](https://welcome.nostr-jp.org/tutorial/explore-client.html)を使う必要があります。
※表は一例です。クライアントは他にもたくさんあります。
使っているクライアントが対応していない場合は、クライアントを変更する、対応するまで待つ、開発者に要望を送る(または自分で実装する)などしましょう。
#### 対応クライアント
- [Amethyst](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitorpamplona.amethyst)
- [FreeFrom](https://freefrom.space/)
- [nostter](https://nostter.app/)
- [Rabbit](https://rabbit.syusui.net/)
- [Snort](https://snort.social/)
- [noStrudel](https://nostrudel.ninja/)
ここではnostterを使って説明していきます。
# 準備
カスタム絵文字を使うための準備です。
- Nostrエクステンション(NIP-07)を導入する
- 使いたいカスタム絵文字をリストに登録する
## Nostrエクステンション(NIP-07)を導入する
Nostrエクステンションは使いたいカスタム絵文字を登録する時に必要になります。
また、環境(パソコン、iPhone、androidなど)によって導入方法が違います。
Nostrエクステンションを導入する端末は、実際にNostrを閲覧する端末と違っても構いません(リスト登録はPC、Nostr閲覧はiPhoneなど)。
Nostrエクステンション(NIP-07)の導入方法は以下のページを参照してください。
[ログイン拡張機能 (NIP-07)を使ってみよう | Welcome to Nostr! ~ Nostrをはじめよう! ~ ](https://welcome.nostr-jp.org/tutorial/nip-07.html)
少し面倒ですが、これを導入しておくとNostr上の様々な場面で役立つのでより快適になります。
## 使いたいカスタム絵文字をリストに登録する
以下のサイトで行います。
[emojito](https://emojito.meme/)
右上の**Get started**からNostrエクステンションでログインしてください。
例として以下のカスタム絵文字を導入してみます。
実際より絵文字が少なく表示されることがありますが、古い状態のデータを取得してしまっているためです。その場合はブラウザの更新ボタンを押してください。
[generalJP | カスタム絵文字](nostr:naddr1qqykwetwv4exzmz22qqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dspzpmzzcaj5rzeah8y940ln4z855wa72af4a6aac4zjypql55egcpsqqvzqqqr4fcp4fwv8)
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- 右側の**Options**から**Bookmark**を選択
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これでカスタム絵文字を使用するためのリストに登録できます。
# カスタム絵文字を使用する
例としてブラウザから使えるクライアント nostter から使用してみます。
[nostter](https://nostter.app/)
nostterにNostrエクステンションでログイン、もしくは秘密鍵を入れてログインしてください。
## 文章中に使用
1. **投稿**ボタンを押して投稿ウィンドウを表示
2. **顔😀**のボタンを押し、絵文字ウィンドウを表示
3. ***タブ**を押し、カスタム絵文字一覧を表示
4. カスタム絵文字を選択
5. : 記号に挟まれたアルファベットのショートコードとして挿入される
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この状態で投稿するとカスタム絵文字として表示されます。
カスタム絵文字対応クライアントを使っている他ユーザーにもカスタム絵文字として表示されます。
対応していないクライアントの場合、ショートコードのまま表示されます。
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ショートコードを直接入力することでカスタム絵文字の候補が表示されるのでそこから選択することもできます。
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## リアクションに使用
1. 任意の投稿の**顔😀**のボタンを押し、絵文字ウィンドウを表示
2. ***タブ**を押し、カスタム絵文字一覧を表示
3. カスタム絵文字を選択
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カスタム絵文字リアクションを送ることができます。
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# カスタム絵文字を探す
先述した[emojito](https://emojito.meme/)からカスタム絵文字を探せます。
例えば任意のユーザーのページ [emojito ロクヨウ](nostr:npub1a3pvwe2p3v7mnjz6hle63r628wl9w567aw7u23fzqs062v5vqcqqu3sgh3) から探したり、 [emojito Browse all](https://emojito.meme/browse) からnostr全体で最近作成、更新された絵文字を見たりできます。
また、以下のリンクは日本語圏ユーザーが作ったカスタム絵文字を集めたリストです(2024/06/30)
※漏れがあるかもしれません
[日本ユーザー作 カスタム絵文字](nostr:npub17hczqvxtfv3w69wr6lxrttnpdekwdwel55mld60fr24zwjuu6utqtj8mjx)
各絵文字セットにある**Open in emojito**のリンクからemojitoに飛び、使用リストに追加できます。
-----------
以上です。
次:Nostrのカスタム絵文字の**作り方**
Yakihonneリンク [Nostrのカスタム絵文字の作り方](https://yakihonne.com/article/_@lokuyow.github.io/1707912490439)
Nostrリンク nostr:naddr1qqxnzdesxuunzv358ycrgveeqgswcsk8v4qck0deepdtluag3a9rh0jh2d0wh0w9g53qg8a9x2xqvqqrqsqqqa28r5psx3
-----------
# 仕様
[NIP-30 Custom Emoji](https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/30.md)
[NIP-30 カスタム絵文字(和訳)](https://github.com/nostr-jp/nips-ja/blob/main/30.md)
-
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 04:19:41
In the grand tapestry of global history, few nations have endured and overcome with the resilience and grace of India. The centuries-long oppression wrought by colonialism not only plundered our material wealth but also sought to erode the dignity of our civilization. Today, while the political shackles have been cast off, the shadow of colonial mind games persists, manifesting as ridicule and prejudice toward the Indian diaspora. Yet, as heirs to an ancient and resilient culture, the diaspora must rise above this insidious narrative, reclaiming its agency and asserting its rightful place in the world.
The Colonial Playbook: Divide, Deride, and Demean
The strategy of the colonial enterprise was never limited to economic exploitation; it sought to demean the very essence of the colonized. Our history, culture, and achievements were systematically denigrated while a manufactured narrative of inferiority was imposed. That very playbook, though subtler in its contemporary iteration, remains at work today.
The Indian diaspora, as ambassadors of a thriving civilization, often finds itself targeted by the remnants of colonial prejudice—mocked for its accents, cuisine, and customs, and vilified for its success. Whether it is the ridicule of our English, tainted by colonial imposition, or the disparagement of our efforts to succeed in foreign lands, these tactics are nothing more than the echoes of a bygone era attempting to assert relevance in a world that has moved on.
A Legacy of Survival and Triumph
To endure is deeply etched into the DNA of the Indian psyche. We have weathered invasions, famines, and systematic subjugation with a fortitude that no conqueror could extinguish. The Indian diaspora, spread across continents, is the living embodiment of this indomitable spirit. It has flourished in the face of adversity, not by seeking vengeance, but by cultivating excellence in every field—science, medicine, literature, and technology—while retaining its cultural roots.
Today, Indian-origin CEOs helm some of the world's largest corporations. Indian doctors, engineers, and academics enrich societies across the globe. Yet, the colonial mind games persist, attempting to reduce these achievements to the stereotype of "over-ambition" or "cultural overreach." Such narratives are designed to diminish, to perpetuate the myth of the colonial superior.
Reclaiming the Narrative
The time has come for the Indian diaspora to reclaim the narrative, not with the bitterness of retribution but with the quiet confidence of a civilization that has seen the rise and fall of empires. The response to colonial mind games must be rooted in three key principles:
1. Pride in Heritage: The richness of Indian culture, from its philosophical traditions to its scientific advancements, is unparalleled. The diaspora must take pride in these achievements and articulate them with clarity and confidence.
2. Mastery of Communication: The colonial critique often begins with language. To counter this, the diaspora must wield English—not as a colonial relic, but as a tool reappropriated and mastered, blending it seamlessly with the wisdom of Sanskrit, Tamil, Hindi, and other mother tongues.
3. Unified Solidarity: The diversity of the Indian diaspora—spanning religions, languages, and regions—is its greatest strength. By standing united, the diaspora can amplify its voice and counter attempts to divide and diminish it.
The Enduring Legacy of Dharma
India's approach to the world has never been one of conquest but of engagement. From the dissemination of Buddhism to the world to the shared wisdom of yoga and Ayurveda, India's influence has always been through persuasion, not coercion. The diaspora must embody this dharmic ethos, rising above pettiness and prejudice, offering the world not retaliation, but enlightenment.
Victory Through Resilience
The colonial mind games that seek to ridicule and undermine the Indian diaspora are, in truth, a recognition of its success. They arise from the insecurities of those who once sought to subjugate, now witnessing the rise of a civilization they sought to diminish.
The Indian diaspora must endure not by stooping to the tactics of its detractors but by transcending them. The answer to colonial prejudice lies in excellence, unity, and an unshakable belief in the values that have guided India for millennia.
As we stride confidently into the future, let us remember: the spirit of India is not one of vengeance but of vindication. The triumph of the Indian diaspora will not be in silencing its critics but in rendering them irrelevant through the brilliance of its achievements and the dignity of its conduct. The time for enduring is over; the time for overcoming is now.
-
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@ 28cac85f:54300cac
2025-01-25 03:47:46
**Reduction in Crime and Incarceration Rates:** The war on drugs has often led to mass incarceration, particularly affecting minority communities. By decriminalizing drugs, the focus shifts from punishment to treatment, reducing the number of people in prison for drug possession. Portugal saw a significant decrease in drug-related incarceration following decriminalization. The proportion of the prison population held for drug offenses has decreased from over 40% in 2001 to around 15.7% by 2019, reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.
**Public Health Over Criminal Justice:** Treating drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal one allows for better health outcomes. Portugal's model emphasizes harm reduction strategies like needle exchange programs, which have lowered rates of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C among drug users. There was a significant increase in the number of people entering drug treatment programs, with treatment admissions rising by about 60% from 1998 to 2011. New infections from needle sharing decreased dramatically, with HIV cases among drug users falling from an all-time high in 2000 to much lower rates by 2015.
**Focus on Addiction Treatment:** Legalization or decriminalization can free up resources (both financial and human) for addiction treatment rather than law enforcement. Portugal invested in treatment facilities and outreach programs, leading to an increase in people seeking help for addiction.
There has been a marked reduction in drug-related mortality. Overdose deaths dropped significantly from around 400 annually before decriminalization to much lower numbers in subsequent years.
**Reducing Stigma:** By removing criminal penalties, the stigma associated with drug use is diminished, encouraging more users to seek help without fear of legal repercussions. This can lead to earlier interventions in addiction. Drug use is now more widely seen as a health issue rather than a criminal one, which has helped reduce stigmatization and encourage people to seek help.
**Economic Benefits:** The costs associated with drug enforcement are substantial. Redirecting these funds towards education, prevention, and treatment can be more cost-effective in the long run. Additionally, regulated drug markets could generate tax revenue, although this aspect is more relevant if drugs are fully legalized rather than just decriminalized. The reduction in incarceration for drug offenses has potentially saved costs, allowing reallocation of funds towards health services and treatment.
**Impact on Drug Market Violence:** Much of the violence associated with drug markets stems from their illegal nature, leading to turf wars among dealers. Legal regulation can potentially reduce this violence by cutting out the black market.
**Empirical Evidence:** Portugal's experience since decriminalizing personal drug use in 2001 has shown positive trends. Drug-related deaths decreased, and there was no significant increase in drug use among the population, countering fears that decriminalization would lead to rampant drug use.
**Human Rights Perspective:** The criminalization of drug use has been criticized as a violation of human rights, disproportionately affecting the poor, minorities, and those with mental health issues. A health-centric approach respects human dignity and focuses on recovery.
Let's do this here in the US, why not?
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 03:04:45
In the dystopian wasteland of tech we call the "crypto space," where tokenomics is a euphemism for Ponzi schemes and the word “decentralized” is abused like a buzzword-shaped piñata, software engineers—real ones—struggle to survive. I’m not talking about the low-effort devs churning out Solidity copy-pasta for the next Insert-Adjective-Coin. No, I mean the overexperienced, underpaid, and utterly exhausted professionals who used to build things that mattered—systems that could scale, products that solved problems, applications that didn’t have to slap "on-chain" on their name to justify their existence.
Now? Honest conversations about software design, scalability, or—God forbid—ethics, are impossible. Why? Because the room is full of crypto zealots whose job descriptions boil down to "pump my bags or GTFO."
---
Enter the Zealots: The New Pyramid Architects
Walk into any crypto meeting, and you’ll find the same characters. The "visionary" founder with a LinkedIn bio that could double as a scammer’s résumé. The "community manager" whose job is to slap rocket emojis on tweets about nothing. And the "blockchain developer" who doesn’t know the difference between O(n) and "Oh, nice, this whitepaper has pretty graphs."
Now, try having an honest discussion with this crowd.
You: "This app doesn’t need a blockchain. A SQL database would handle this faster, cheaper, and more securely."
Them: "Actually, by using our Layer 2 token, we're decentralizing freedom, empowering communities, and disrupting the financial matrix."
Translation: "Our tokenomics scheme will siphon liquidity from suckers while pretending to solve a non-existent problem."
If you dare to mention Bitcoin—real Bitcoin, not some Frankenstein monstrosity glued to a shitcoin L2—you’ll get branded a heretic. "But Bitcoin can’t do smart contracts!" they cry, as if adding complexity to simplicity is a virtue, not a design flaw.
---
The Tokenomics Scam: Why Engineers Hate Their Lives
Here's the dirty secret: most crypto projects are not software projects. They’re marketing scams with some code sprinkled on top. The goal isn’t to build something robust or meaningful—it’s to create just enough technical smoke and mirrors to dupe investors into buying the token.
For a software engineer, it’s soul-crushing work. You’ll spend 80% of your time wrestling with poorly documented APIs on some vaporware blockchain, 15% explaining to your PM why "put it on-chain" is a stupid idea, and the remaining 5% wondering why you didn’t just go into carpentry instead.
---
Bitcoin: The Elephant in the Room
Every real engineer knows that Bitcoin works. It’s simple. It’s secure. It’s elegant. But because it doesn’t have a flashy CEO or a billion-dollar marketing budget, the average crypto enthusiast treats it like a relic. "It’s too slow," they’ll say, without understanding why Proof-of-Work exists. "It’s too basic," they’ll argue, as if simplicity is a flaw and not the reason Bitcoin has remained unbroken for over a decade.
Meanwhile, these same zealots will praise the latest shitcoin L2 that "fixes" Bitcoin by adding layers of complexity that require endless token sales to function. Never mind that these systems are riddled with attack vectors. Never mind that the "innovation" usually amounts to reinventing centralized finance, only worse. It’s not about building better systems; it’s about spinning a better narrative.
---
The Undervalued CTO: A Study in Pain
And where does that leave the senior engineer, the architect, the CTO who’s been around long enough to smell the bullshit from a mile away? Stuck in endless meetings where you’re forced to explain to the same wide-eyed MBAs why the laws of physics and computer science apply to blockchains, too. Worse, your paycheck is probably being paid in tokens that are only worth something if you can stomach shilling them to the next sucker.
The most depressing part? The zealots don’t even know they’re part of the scam. They’ve convinced themselves that they’re "building the future" when all they’re really building is a pyramid, one token sale at a time.
---
A Modest Proposal: Burn It All Down
Here’s an idea: let’s strip crypto down to what works. Keep Bitcoin. Scrap everything else. Rebuild the internet of value on solid foundations, not speculative hype. Let engineers, not marketers, lead the way.
Until then, we’ll keep trudging along, writing code for projects we don’t believe in, pretending that decentralizing dog grooming or tokenizing air molecules is the next big thing. Because, let’s face it, in crypto, the only thing that scales reliably is bullshit.
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@ df476244:6804e458
2025-01-24 23:44:38
# Markdown: Syntax
- [Markdown: Syntax](#markdown-syntax)
- [Overview](#overview)
- [Philosophy](#philosophy)
- [Block Elements](#block-elements)
- [Paragraphs and Line Breaks](#paragraphs-and-line-breaks)
- [Headers](#headers)
- [Blockquotes](#blockquotes)
- [Lists](#lists)
- [Code Blocks](#code-blocks)
- [Span Elements](#span-elements)
- [Links](#links)
- [Emphasis](#emphasis)
- [Code](#code)
**Note:** This document is itself written using Markdown; you
can see the source for it by viewing the raw [basic.md](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dergigi/md-gutter/refs/heads/master/basic.md) file.
----
## Overview
### Philosophy
Markdown is intended to be as easy-to-read and easy-to-write as is feasible.
Readability, however, is emphasized above all else. A Markdown-formatted
document should be publishable as-is, as plain text, without looking
like it's been marked up with tags or formatting instructions. While
Markdown's syntax has been influenced by several existing text-to-HTML
filters -- including [Setext](http://docutils.sourceforge.net/mirror/setext.html), [atx](http://www.aaronsw.com/2002/atx/), [Textile](http://textism.com/tools/textile/), [reStructuredText](http://docutils.sourceforge.net/rst.html),
[Grutatext](http://www.triptico.com/software/grutatxt.html), and [EtText](http://ettext.taint.org/doc/) -- the single biggest source of
inspiration for Markdown's syntax is the format of plain text email.
## Block Elements
### Paragraphs and Line Breaks
A paragraph is simply one or more consecutive lines of text, separated
by one or more blank lines. (A blank line is any line that looks like a
blank line -- a line containing nothing but spaces or tabs is considered
blank.) Normal paragraphs should not be indented with spaces or tabs.
The implication of the "one or more consecutive lines of text" rule is
that Markdown supports "hard-wrapped" text paragraphs. This differs
significantly from most other text-to-HTML formatters (including Movable
Type's "Convert Line Breaks" option) which translate every line break
character in a paragraph into a `<br />` tag.
When you *do* want to insert a `<br />` break tag using Markdown, you
end a line with two or more spaces, then type return.
### Headers
Markdown supports two styles of headers, [Setext] [1] and [atx] [2].
Optionally, you may "close" atx-style headers. This is purely
cosmetic -- you can use this if you think it looks better. The
closing hashes don't even need to match the number of hashes
used to open the header. (The number of opening hashes
determines the header level.)
### Blockquotes
Markdown uses email-style `>` characters for blockquoting. If you're
familiar with quoting passages of text in an email message, then you
know how to create a blockquote in Markdown. It looks best if you hard
wrap the text and put a `>` before every line:
> This is a blockquote with two paragraphs. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
> consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aliquam hendrerit mi posuere lectus.
> Vestibulum enim wisi, viverra nec, fringilla in, laoreet vitae, risus.
>
> Donec sit amet nisl. Aliquam semper ipsum sit amet velit. Suspendisse
> id sem consectetuer libero luctus adipiscing.
Markdown allows you to be lazy and only put the `>` before the first
line of a hard-wrapped paragraph:
> This is a blockquote with two paragraphs. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aliquam hendrerit mi posuere lectus.
Vestibulum enim wisi, viverra nec, fringilla in, laoreet vitae, risus.
> Donec sit amet nisl. Aliquam semper ipsum sit amet velit. Suspendisse
id sem consectetuer libero luctus adipiscing.
Blockquotes can be nested (i.e. a blockquote-in-a-blockquote) by
adding additional levels of `>`:
> This is the first level of quoting.
>
> > This is nested blockquote.
>
> Back to the first level.
Blockquotes can contain other Markdown elements, including headers, lists,
and code blocks:
> ## This is a header.
>
> 1. This is the first list item.
> 2. This is the second list item.
>
> Here's some example code:
>
> return shell_exec("echo $input | $markdown_script");
Any decent text editor should make email-style quoting easy. For
example, with BBEdit, you can make a selection and choose Increase
Quote Level from the Text menu.
### Lists
Markdown supports ordered (numbered) and unordered (bulleted) lists.
Unordered lists use asterisks, pluses, and hyphens -- interchangably
-- as list markers:
* Red
* Green
* Blue
is equivalent to:
+ Red
+ Green
+ Blue
and:
- Red
- Green
- Blue
Ordered lists use numbers followed by periods:
1. Bird
2. McHale
3. Parish
It's important to note that the actual numbers you use to mark the
list have no effect on the HTML output Markdown produces. The HTML
Markdown produces from the above list is:
If you instead wrote the list in Markdown like this:
1. Bird
1. McHale
1. Parish
or even:
3. Bird
1. McHale
8. Parish
you'd get the exact same HTML output. The point is, if you want to,
you can use ordinal numbers in your ordered Markdown lists, so that
the numbers in your source match the numbers in your published HTML.
But if you want to be lazy, you don't have to.
To make lists look nice, you can wrap items with hanging indents:
* Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.
Aliquam hendrerit mi posuere lectus. Vestibulum enim wisi,
viverra nec, fringilla in, laoreet vitae, risus.
* Donec sit amet nisl. Aliquam semper ipsum sit amet velit.
Suspendisse id sem consectetuer libero luctus adipiscing.
But if you want to be lazy, you don't have to:
* Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.
Aliquam hendrerit mi posuere lectus. Vestibulum enim wisi,
viverra nec, fringilla in, laoreet vitae, risus.
* Donec sit amet nisl. Aliquam semper ipsum sit amet velit.
Suspendisse id sem consectetuer libero luctus adipiscing.
List items may consist of multiple paragraphs. Each subsequent
paragraph in a list item must be indented by either 4 spaces
or one tab:
1. This is a list item with two paragraphs. Lorem ipsum dolor
sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aliquam hendrerit
mi posuere lectus.
Vestibulum enim wisi, viverra nec, fringilla in, laoreet
vitae, risus. Donec sit amet nisl. Aliquam semper ipsum
sit amet velit.
2. Suspendisse id sem consectetuer libero luctus adipiscing.
It looks nice if you indent every line of the subsequent
paragraphs, but here again, Markdown will allow you to be
lazy:
* This is a list item with two paragraphs.
This is the second paragraph in the list item. You're
only required to indent the first line. Lorem ipsum dolor
sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.
* Another item in the same list.
To put a blockquote within a list item, the blockquote's `>`
delimiters need to be indented:
* A list item with a blockquote:
> This is a blockquote
> inside a list item.
To put a code block within a list item, the code block needs
to be indented *twice* -- 8 spaces or two tabs:
* A list item with a code block:
<code goes here>
### Code Blocks
Pre-formatted code blocks are used for writing about programming or
markup source code. Rather than forming normal paragraphs, the lines
of a code block are interpreted literally. Markdown wraps a code block
in both `<pre>` and `<code>` tags.
To produce a code block in Markdown, simply indent every line of the
block by at least 4 spaces or 1 tab.
This is a normal paragraph:
This is a code block.
Here is an example of AppleScript:
tell application "Foo"
beep
end tell
A code block continues until it reaches a line that is not indented
(or the end of the article).
Within a code block, ampersands (`&`) and angle brackets (`<` and `>`)
are automatically converted into HTML entities. This makes it very
easy to include example HTML source code using Markdown -- just paste
it and indent it, and Markdown will handle the hassle of encoding the
ampersands and angle brackets. For example, this:
<div class="footer">
© 2004 Foo Corporation
</div>
Regular Markdown syntax is not processed within code blocks. E.g.,
asterisks are just literal asterisks within a code block. This means
it's also easy to use Markdown to write about Markdown's own syntax.
```
tell application "Foo"
beep
end tell
```
## Span Elements
### Links
Markdown supports two style of links: *inline* and *reference*.
In both styles, the link text is delimited by [square brackets].
To create an inline link, use a set of regular parentheses immediately
after the link text's closing square bracket. Inside the parentheses,
put the URL where you want the link to point, along with an *optional*
title for the link, surrounded in quotes. For example:
```
This is [an example](http://example.com/ "Example Title") inline link.
```
This is [an example](http://example.com/ "Example Title") inline link.
```
[This link](http://example.net/) has no title attribute.
```
[This link](http://example.net/) has no title attribute.
Reference-style links use a second set of square brackets, inside which you place a label of your choosing to identify the link:
```
This is [an example][id] reference-style link.
```
This is [an example][id] reference-style link.
Then, anywhere in the document, you define your link label like this, on a line by itself:
```
[id]: http://example.com/ "Optional Title Here"
```
[id]: http://example.com/ "Optional Title Here"
### Emphasis
Markdown treats asterisks (`*`) and underscores (`_`) as indicators of
emphasis. Text wrapped with one `*` or `_` will be wrapped with an
HTML `<em>` tag; double `*`'s or `_`'s will be wrapped with an HTML
`<strong>` tag. E.g., this input:
*single asterisks*
_single underscores_
**double asterisks**
__double underscores__
### Code
To indicate a span of code, wrap it with backtick quotes (`` ` ``).
Unlike a pre-formatted code block, a code span indicates code within a
normal paragraph. For example:
Use the `printf()` function.
-
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@ bcea2b98:7ccef3c9
2025-01-24 23:21:05
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/862840
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-24 22:19:20
The legacy of Thomas Babington Macaulay’s education policies in colonial India has left a profound and complex impact on generations of Indians who were groomed to serve as intermediaries between the British colonial authorities and the native population. Dubbed "Macaulay’s Little Englishmen," these individuals faced unique psychosocial challenges stemming from their dual identity—educated and acculturated in the ways of the British yet tied to their Indian heritage. Straddling these two worlds, they often became objects of suspicion and alienation, regarded as potential double agents in a deeply divided society. This article explores the psychosocial effects of such an upbringing, which left these individuals feeling unmoored, mistrusted, and culturally disoriented.
The Double Bind: Torn Between Two Worlds
The fundamental conflict for Macaulay's "Little Englishmen" lay in their hybrid identity. Educated to think, speak, and act like the British, they were expected to serve the colonial administration, often as clerks, teachers, or intermediaries. However, this acculturation came at a cost: alienation from their own cultural roots. Their mastery of the English language and exposure to Western philosophy, law, and governance set them apart from the masses, who viewed them as traitors to their native heritage.
At the same time, these individuals were never fully accepted by the British elite. Despite their fluency in English and adoption of British customs, they were often treated as inferior, excluded from the corridors of real power. This dual rejection—by their own people and their colonial masters—created a profound sense of isolation and a fractured sense of self.
The Suspicion of Betrayal
The psychosocial burden of living as a cultural and social hybrid was compounded by the pervasive suspicion they faced from both sides.
1. From the British: While Macaulay’s education system intended to create loyal intermediaries, the British often doubted the loyalty of these individuals. Were they truly assimilated into the colonial ideology, or were they secretly harboring nationalist sentiments? This doubt meant that, despite their qualifications, many were confined to subordinate roles, denied the trust and respect they sought from their colonial employers.
2. From their own people: Within Indian society, these individuals were often perceived as sellouts or traitors who had traded their cultural identity for material gain. They were seen as collaborators in the colonial machinery that oppressed their own people. This mistrust led to social ostracization and an enduring sense of guilt and shame, as they were caught between the expectations of their colonial education and the loyalty to their heritage.
Psychosocial Consequences
The experience of living under constant suspicion and alienation had deep psychological and social repercussions:
1. Identity Crisis: The duality of their upbringing created a fractured identity. They were neither fully British nor fully Indian, leading to feelings of dislocation and an inability to fully belong to either world. This liminal state often resulted in a lifelong struggle with self-perception and cultural loyalty.
2. Chronic Anxiety: The need to constantly navigate the expectations and suspicions of both the British and Indian communities induced chronic stress. They had to carefully monitor their behavior, speech, and actions to avoid appearing disloyal to either side. This vigilance contributed to anxiety, self-doubt, and a lack of authentic self-expression.
3. Social Isolation: Alienated from their own communities and never fully accepted by the British, many of these individuals experienced profound loneliness. They lacked meaningful social support, as their education and socialization had placed them in a unique and isolating position.
4. Internalized Inferiority: The colonial education system, designed to instill admiration for British culture and disdain for indigenous traditions, often led to internalized feelings of inferiority. Many came to view their own heritage as backward or uncivilized, perpetuating a cycle of cultural self-erasure.
5. Moral Conflict: Being agents of a colonial system that oppressed their own people created a moral dilemma. Many felt complicit in the exploitation and subjugation of their fellow Indians, leading to guilt and cognitive dissonance. This internal conflict was particularly pronounced during the rise of the Indian independence movement, when calls for loyalty to one’s nation clashed with their colonial upbringing.
The Broader Implications
The psychosocial effects of being “Macaulay’s Little Englishmen” extend beyond the individual level, influencing broader societal dynamics. The creation of a class of culturally alienated intermediaries contributed to the perpetuation of colonial hierarchies, even after independence. The mistrust they experienced on both sides foreshadowed the postcolonial identity crises faced by many nations grappling with the legacy of colonization.
Furthermore, the notion of being a "double agent" has parallels in modern postcolonial societies, where individuals educated in Western systems often face similar suspicions of disloyalty or cultural inauthenticity. The scars of Macaulay’s experiment in social engineering are still visible in the struggles of postcolonial nations to reconcile traditional identities with the legacies of colonial modernity.
Conclusion
The psychosocial toll of being "Macaulay’s Little Englishmen" highlights the deep and lasting consequences of cultural alienation and identity manipulation. These individuals lived as bridges between two worlds, yet they were mistrusted and misunderstood by both. Their experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of colonialism and the complex legacy of cultural hybridity in a divided world. The story of Macaulay's "Little Englishmen" is not just a tale of alienation—it is a testament to the resilience of those who navigated impossible contradictions, often at great personal cost.
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@ a95c6243:d345522c
2025-01-24 20:59:01
*Menschen tun alles, egal wie absurd,* *\
um ihrer eigenen Seele nicht zu begegnen.* *\
Carl Gustav Jung*  
**«Extremer Reichtum ist eine Gefahr für die Demokratie»,** sagen über die Hälfte der knapp 3000 befragten Millionäre aus G20-Staaten laut einer [Umfrage](https://web.archive.org/web/20250122124803/https://patrioticmillionaires.org/web/20250122124803/https://patrioticmillionaires.org/press/nearly-two-thirds-of-millionaires-think-influence-of-the-super-rich-on-trump-presidency-is-threat-to-global-stability/) der «Patriotic Millionaires». Ferner stellte dieser Zusammenschluss wohlhabender US-Amerikaner fest, dass 63 Prozent jener Millionäre den Einfluss von Superreichen auf US-Präsident Trump als Bedrohung für die globale Stabilität ansehen.
**Diese Besorgnis haben 370 Millionäre und Milliardäre am Dienstag** auch den in Davos beim WEF konzentrierten Privilegierten aus aller Welt übermittelt. In einem offenen Brief forderten sie die «gewählten Führer» auf, die Superreichen – also sie selbst – zu besteuern, um «die zersetzenden Auswirkungen des extremen Reichtums auf unsere Demokratien und die Gesellschaft zu bekämpfen». Zum Beispiel kontrolliere eine handvoll extrem reicher Menschen die Medien, beeinflusse die Rechtssysteme in unzulässiger Weise und verwandele Recht in Unrecht.
**Schon 2019** **[beanstandete](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paaen3b44XY)** **der bekannte Historiker und Schriftsteller Ruthger Bregman** an einer WEF-Podiumsdiskussion die Steuervermeidung der Superreichen. Die elitäre Veranstaltung bezeichnete er als «Feuerwehr-Konferenz, bei der man nicht über Löschwasser sprechen darf.» Daraufhin erhielt Bregman keine Einladungen nach Davos mehr. Auf seine Aussagen machte der Schweizer Aktivist Alec Gagneux aufmerksam, der sich seit Jahrzehnten kritisch mit dem WEF befasst. Ihm wurde kürzlich der Zutritt zu einem dreiteiligen Kurs über das WEF an der Volkshochschule Region Brugg [verwehrt](https://transition-news.org/wef-propaganda-an-schweizer-volkshochschule-kritiker-ausgesperrt).
**Nun ist die Erkenntnis, dass mit Geld politischer Einfluss einhergeht,** alles andere als neu. Und extremer Reichtum macht die Sache nicht wirklich besser. Trotzdem hat man über Initiativen wie Patriotic Millionaires oder [Taxmenow](https://www.taxmenow.eu/) bisher eher selten etwas gehört, obwohl es sie schon lange gibt. Auch scheint es kein Problem, wenn ein Herr [Gates](https://transition-news.org/bill-melinda-gates-stiftung) fast im Alleingang versucht, globale Gesundheits-, Klima-, Ernährungs- oder Bevölkerungspolitik zu betreiben – im Gegenteil. Im Jahr, als der Milliardär Donald Trump zum zweiten Mal ins Weiße Haus einzieht, ist das Echo in den Gesinnungsmedien dagegen enorm – und uniform, wer hätte das gedacht.
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**Der neue US-Präsident hat jedoch** **[«Davos geerdet»](https://www.achgut.com/artikel/trump_erdet_davos_gruener_betrug_green_new_scam),** wie *Achgut* es nannte. In seiner kurzen [Rede](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/special-address-by-the-president-of-the-united-states-of-america/) beim Weltwirtschaftsforum verteidigte er seine Politik und stellte klar, er habe schlicht eine «Revolution des gesunden Menschenverstands» begonnen. Mit deutlichen Worten sprach er unter anderem von ersten Maßnahmen gegen den «Green New Scam», und von einem «Erlass, der jegliche staatliche Zensur beendet»:
> «Unsere Regierung wird die Äußerungen unserer eigenen Bürger nicht mehr als Fehlinformation oder Desinformation bezeichnen, was die Lieblingswörter von Zensoren und derer sind, die den freien Austausch von Ideen und, offen gesagt, den Fortschritt verhindern wollen.»
**Wie der** **[«Trumpismus»](https://transition-news.org/trumpismus-zeitenwende-und-tiefer-staat)** **letztlich einzuordnen ist,** muss jeder für sich selbst entscheiden. Skepsis ist definitiv angebracht, denn «einer von uns» sind weder der Präsident noch seine auserwählten Teammitglieder. Ob sie irgendeinen Sumpf trockenlegen oder Staatsverbrechen aufdecken werden oder was aus WHO- und Klimaverträgen wird, bleibt abzuwarten.
**Das** **[WHO](https://transition-news.org/who-bedauert-trumps-entscheidung-sich-aus-der-organisation-zuruckzuziehen)-Dekret fordert jedenfalls die Übertragung der Gelder auf «glaubwürdige Partner»,** die die Aktivitäten übernehmen könnten. Zufällig scheint mit «Impfguru» Bill Gates ein weiterer Harris-Unterstützer kürzlich das Lager gewechselt zu haben: Nach einem gemeinsamen Abendessen zeigte er sich [«beeindruckt»](https://archive.is/SpQ24) von Trumps Interesse an der globalen Gesundheit.
**Mit dem** **[Projekt «Stargate»](https://transition-news.org/us-privatsektor-will-500-milliarden-dollar-in-ki-investieren-krebsimpfstoffe)** **sind weitere dunkle Wolken am Erwartungshorizont** der Fangemeinde aufgezogen. Trump hat dieses Joint Venture zwischen den Konzernen OpenAI, Oracle, und SoftBank als das «größte KI-Infrastrukturprojekt der Geschichte» angekündigt. Der Stein des Anstoßes: Oracle-CEO Larry Ellison, der auch Fan von KI-gestützter [Echtzeit-Überwachung](https://transition-news.org/oracle-kundigt-neues-ki-rechenzentrum-mit-eigenen-atomreaktoren-an) ist, sieht einen weiteren potenziellen Einsatz der künstlichen Intelligenz. Sie könne dazu dienen, Krebserkrankungen zu erkennen und individuelle mRNA-«Impfstoffe» zur Behandlung innerhalb von 48 Stunden zu entwickeln.
**Warum bitte sollten sich diese superreichen «Eliten» ins eigene Fleisch schneiden** und direkt entgegen ihren eigenen Interessen handeln? Weil sie Menschenfreunde, sogenannte Philanthropen sind? Oder vielleicht, weil sie ein schlechtes Gewissen haben und ihre Schuld kompensieren müssen? Deswegen jedenfalls brauchen «Linke» laut Robert Willacker, einem deutschen Politikberater mit brasilianischen Wurzeln, rechte Parteien – ein ebenso überraschender wie humorvoller [Erklärungsansatz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s63_8flX1zk).
**Wenn eine Krähe der anderen kein Auge aushackt,** dann tut sie das sich selbst noch weniger an. Dass Millionäre ernsthaft ihre eigene Besteuerung fordern oder Machteliten ihren eigenen Einfluss zugunsten anderer einschränken würden, halte ich für sehr unwahrscheinlich. So etwas glaube ich erst, wenn zum Beispiel die [Rüstungsindustrie](https://transition-news.org/schweiz-zunehmende-beteiligung-an-eu-militarprojekten) sich um Friedensverhandlungen bemüht, die [Pharmalobby](https://transition-news.org/eu-lobbyisten-gegen-pfas-verbot) sich gegen institutionalisierte Korruption einsetzt, [Zentralbanken](https://transition-news.org/digitale-wahrung) ihre CBDC-Pläne für Bitcoin opfern oder der ÖRR die Abschaffung der Rundfunkgebühren fordert.
***
Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf ***[Transition News](https://transition-news.org/elitare-anti-eliten-und-superreiche-anti-reiche)*** erschienen.
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@ 893a31fa:256af11f
2025-01-24 20:48:36
Over the past 4 years, we have lived through and witnessed unprecedented suppression of ideas from public/private partnerships in the United States. This broke our nations' ability to think and agree on a narrative for our reality. Now, I know Trump is back in office, Ross is free and things are looking great for our future. But why do the ideas and policies of our politicians in power matter so much? And why, at the same time, do the ideas of the individuals subject to them matter so little? I believe it's because we have built our lives and our incomes on platforms rather than protocols. We didn't read the fine print. We opted not to own anything and tried to be happy anyway. We need an exit. Bitcoin gave us an exit for our value and time. Now we need to build more exits that we can rely on.
Video as a medium for learning and communicating information has surpassed every classroom you’ve ever stepped into. More people now learn critical skills, spark new ideas, create culture, and discover hidden talents by watching videos online than anywhere else. Yet, this same medium is stuck in the iron grip of corporate gatekeepers, who control what you see and hear through hidden algorithms.
Day after day, our viewing habits are corralled by these profit-driven, ad based platforms. They shape our conversations to keep us engaged with their content, so we scroll passed more ads. They push us toward self-censorship so they don't loos their advertisers, and they feed us the content they deem acceptable for our consumption while hiding or downplaying content they deem of lesser value. It’s not an outright dictatorship. It’s quieter and more insidious, with the algorithm’s interests taking priority over our own, even our hobbies and interests are manipulated by this effect.
---
## The Path to Exit
Without an exit, platforms don’t have to earn your loyalty, they own it. People have tried to escape. Over the years, we’ve seen platforms like Odysee (LBRY), PeerTube, BitChute and others promise “decentralization,” only to falter because of complicated Ponzi token schemes, clumsy technical demands, or the same old centralization in a new package. LBRY uses similar technology, but is overly complex and doesn't allow for the exit from one client to another in a user-friendly way. And the Odysee company ends up seeding most of the content anyway. "Use our servers and not Google's!", they say in the end. No matter how high-minded the pitch, these efforts never truly replaced the major players, so we come crawling back. Because the exit wasn't real enough. The transition wasn't easy enough. The alternative wasn't strong enough.
Why do the giants hold power? Because you can’t just walk away when there’s nowhere else to go. This is **The Exit Problem** in action. Freedom requires an alternative, a place you can migrate to without sacrificing your content or your community. That’s the gap [**bitvid**](https://bitvid.network/) is aiming to fill. By building a genuinely competitive system, using only open standers, it gives us a real choice: stay in the walled garden or exit to a network that respects our sovereignty. The only thing is, it requires personal responsibility. As a Bitcoiner, this appeals to me. With great power comes great responsibility. And that's ok, because as you will see, if you can keep a computer with some hard drive space turned on and connected to the internet 24/7 then you can host your own video content. And your community of fans can help you host it too!
---
## Digitally Free
To really understand **bitvid**, forget any idea of it being “just another video platform.” Think of it as a framework or blueprint. It’s designed to let you share and watch video without kneeling to corporate or government control. It's designed to keep your content available so long as 1 person in the world wants it to exist.
The main idea? **User sovereignty.** You, not Big Tech, hold all the control. bitvid relies on a marriage between two distributed technologies, [**Nostr**](https://nostr.com/) and [**WebTorrent**](https://webtorrent.io/). Nostr supports open, resilient note-sharing (which extends to things identity, and subscription management), while WebTorrent provides the engine for the peer-to-peer video file distribution. Put them together, and you get a system that bypasses central servers and choke points of control. Instead, viewers connect to each other directly, using magnet links for streaming directly into their browsers window.
This system’s open design encourages multiple clients to eventually be created and different approaches to flourish. Eventually, you can choose the one that best aligns with your values and preferences. This competition keeps everyone honest, making it impossible for any single entity to seize control.
I have a temporary whitelist and blacklist built into my version of the client, but you can fork the code and remove that whitelist or blacklist and host on your own domain if you want. or even post content from a static version on your desktop. This system is designed to be modified, improved and forked into as many clients as we need to explore all the ways we want to search and filter the content we post. It's just like Nostr in that way.
---
## bitvid’s Core Ideas
Right now you see a basic and buggy proof-of-concept client showing how everything could eventually fit together. But that’s just step one. I hope and believe that others will quickly follow, either contributing to my initial design or creating a new client, customizing the features and interface for different audiences and use cases.
**Exit as a Feature:** Your content and online persona aren’t locked into any one client. If you eventually find a particular client goes off the rails in a way you don't like, you can take your subscriptions and block lists along with your identity elsewhere, with minimal hassle. Nostr allowed users to move text notes to different relays at will. Now, bitvid extends that capability to video. If a client blocks your content, host your own version, or shift to a new client altogether. Likewise, if a client does not block enough of the content you don't want to see, then you can do the same. Nobody can yank your channel offline from a distant control room or force you to stay and watch the feeds you dislike.
**The Living System:** There’s no single server that can crash and kill bitvid or its content. So long as one person in the world is seeding a video, and the Nostr note that contains the magnet link is accessible on some relay, then it will live on. If a client decides to censor it, another can flip the switch back. It’s a swarm that endures, so long as WebTorrent peers keep it alive.
**Decentralized Streaming Infrastructure:** By using WebTorrent, we turn viewers into seeders also. When you watch a video, you help distribute it. This crowdsourced approach makes the entire network sturdier and harder to silence. And it should function even better as more users and content come online.
---
## User Sovereignty
Peer-to-peer technology comes with **tradeoffs**. Yes, this requires personal responsibility, and yes, it may be slower than YouTube. But that’s the price of freedom, and for those who value sovereignty, it’s a price worth paying. Because those inconveniences pale in comparison to the freedom you gain when nobody can arbitrarily cut you off because they dislike your message or wanted to tamp down your ideas. The reason this matters is that **users become the infrastructure**. Instead of expecting a hosting provider to store all videos, you and I take on that role ourselves. Videos stay accessible as long as a handful of us continue to seed them. The network’s future is in our hands, not behind a server farm in Silicon Valley.
With bitvid, we also open the door to **parallel realities**. Different communities can adapt the codebase to fit their needs, whether that means specialized niches, curated libraries, or completely uncensored environments. You decide which universe you want to inhabit, rather than letting one corporate platform and algorithm decide for you. Developers who share a vision of open content can build new tools, refine user experience, or implement creative incentives for people to seed, like Bitcoin zaps. Meanwhile, creators will need a little nudge to get onboard. That’s why bitvid needs to emphasize **creator education**, helping them to understand how to seed videos, manage magnet links, and fully embrace this new direct P2P approach.
---
## Mind Meets Reality
The ability to discuss and share ideas without a corporate overlord quietly steering your every view or suppressing your voice and thought is an important next unlock for our culture in America. Now is the time to build this kind of system without fear or hesitation. Nostr's simplified design allows for fast experimentation and Bitcoin's Lightning Network and other tools like Cashu allows for various types of incentive structures to be created. Videos carry messages, and messages can change minds, cultures, and entire nations as we have seen. This is why controlling them has been so profitable in the past.
bitvid offers a **peaceful revolution**. You don’t need to file a lawsuit or beg a faceless megacorp for your right to speak. You can simply leave, and bring your videos with you. This freedom to *exit* is what truly unravels the power of centralization. The result? **Independent communities** that thrive on their own terms, unburdened by what has been... All it takes is a choice. Step off the corporate treadmill and connect to a network that puts you in the driver’s seat. It’s a quiet shift, but its implications are enormous. When enough people choose freedom, the old guard starts to fade. Who happens to sit in the Oval Office will matter less. And we as a nation can determine our own relationships with reality.
---
## Help Me Build
So, where does this all go next? Are we standing on the brink of a major transformation in how we share and consume video? All I know right now is that bitvid is not anywhere near ready to achieve all these lofty goals, **yet**. bitvid is a simple idea. Just a proof of concept really. Showing everyone that this just might work. But it’s only going to be as strong as the community that adopts it and can improve it.
Want to **shape the future**? Jump in with me. Take a look at the code I have so far, help me fix bugs and add features! Propose fresh ideas for how videos should be shared and monetized with Zaps or Cashu. I'm just one inexperienced developer trying to make something cool. I'm actualy just a Graphic Designer. So I need your help. Let's take this idea to its logical extreme end and see if we can foster a new way to share video online. Spread the word, get in touch with me on [Nostr](nostr:npub13yarr7j6vjqjjkahd63dmr27curypehx45ucue286ac7sft27y0srnpmpe) if you want to help out or get on the whitelist and start seeding your own content.
By stepping into bitvid, you exercise **The Path to Exit**. You’re not just joining some new platform, you’re helping craft an ecosystem that thrives on competition and free choice, an ecosystem that can’t be dictated from above. **Peer-to-peer** torrent sharing isn’t some dusty relic of the 2000s. It’s the best hope for an engine of real independence. Now you can’t be shut down at the flip of a corporate switch.
So, **build or watch it grow**, either way, bitvid needs the participation of people who believe we deserve better than the status quo. If you’re fed up with censorship, stifling algorithms, and one-size-fits-all platforms, take the leap. Every seed, every new client built, and every viewer who opts in tightens the screws on centralized control of ideas and culture.
**Together, we will reclaim our minds and our culture from the gates of centralized control.**
[bitvid.network](https://bitvid.network/)
[GitHub](https://github.com/PR0M3TH3AN/bitvid)
[Nostr](nostr:npub13yarr7j6vjqjjkahd63dmr27curypehx45ucue286ac7sft27y0srnpmpe)
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@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-01-24 20:10:34
> [Read the original blog post](https://blog.kycnot.me/p/new-kycnot)
The new website is finally live! I put in a lot of hard work over the past months on it. I'm proud to say that it's out now and it looks pretty cool, at least to me!
## Why rewrite it all?
The old kycnot.me site was built using Python with Flask about two years ago. Since then, I've gained a lot more experience with Golang and coding in general. Trying to update that old codebase, which had a lot
of *design flaws*, would have been a bad idea. It would have been like building on an *unstable foundation*.
That's why I made the decision to rewrite the entire application. Initially, I chose to use SvelteKit with JavaScript. I did manage to create a stable site that looked similar to the new one, but it required Jav
aScript to work. As I kept coding, I started feeling like I was repeating *"the Python mistake"*. I was writing the app in a language I wasn't very familiar with (just like when I was learning Python at that mom
ent), and I wasn't happy with the code. It felt like *spaghetti code* all the time.
So, I made a complete U-turn and started over, this time using Golang. While I'm not as proficient in Golang as I am in Python now, I find it to be a *very enjoyable language* to code with. Most aof my recent pr
ojects have been written in Golang, and I'm getting the hang of it. I tried to make the best decisions I could and *structure the code* as well as possible. Of course, there's still *room for improvement*, which
I'll address in future updates.
Now I have a more *maintainable website* that can *scale* much better. It uses a *real database* instead of a JSON file like the old site, and I can add many more features. Since I chose to go with Golang, I mad
e the "tradeoff" of not using JavaScript at all, so all the rendering load falls on the server. But I believe it's a tradeoff that's worth it.
## What's new
- **UI/UX** - I've designed a new logo and color palette for kycnot.me. I think it looks pretty cool and cypherpunk. I am not a graphic designer, but I think I did a decent work and I put a lot of thinking on it to make it pleasant!
- **Point system** - The new [point system](https://kycnot.me/about#what-is-a-point) provides more detailed information about the listings, and **can** be expanded to cover additional features across all services. Anyone can request a new **point**!
- **ToS Scrapper**: I've implemented a powerful automated terms-of-service scrapper that collects all the ToS pages from the listings. It saves you from the hassle of reading the ToS by listing the lines that are suspiciously related to KYC/AML practices. This is still in development and it will improve for sure, but it works pretty fine right now!
- **Search bar** - The new search bar allows you to easily filter services. It performs a full-text search on the Title, Description, Category, and Tags of all the services. Looking for VPN services? Just search for "vpn"!
- **Transparency** - To be more [transparent](https://beta.kycnot.me/about#transparency), all discussions about services now take place publicly on GitLab. I won't be answering any e-mails (an auto-reply will prompt to write to the corresponding Gitlab issue). This ensures that all service-related matters are publicly accessible and recorded. Additionally, there's a real-time [audits](https://beta.kycnot.me/about#audit) page that displays database changes.
- **Listing Requests** - I have upgraded the request system. The new form allows you to directly request services or points without any extra steps. In the future, I plan to enable requests for specific changes
to parts of the website.
- **Lightweight and fast** - The new site is lighter and faster than its predecessor!
- **Tor and I2P** - At last! kycnot.me is now officially on [Tor and I2P](https://beta.kycnot.me/about#tor-and-i2p)!
## How?
This rewrite has been a labor of love, in the end, I've been working on this for more than 3 months now. I don't have a team, so I work by myself on my free time, but I find great joy in helping people on their private journey with cryptocurrencies. Making it easier for individuals to use cryptocurrencies **without KYC** is a goal I am proud of!
If you appreciate [my work](https://kycnot.me/about#about), you can support me through the methods listed [here](https://kycnot.me/about#support). Alternatively, feel free to send me an email with a kind message!
### Technical details
All the code is written in [Golang](https://go.dev), the website makes use of the [chi](https://go-chi.io) router for the routing part. I also make use of [BigCache](https://github.com/allegro/bigcache) for caching database requests. There is 0 JavaScript, so all the rendering load falls on the server, this means it needed to be efficient enough to not drawn with a few users since the old site was reporting about **2M** requests per month on average (note that this are not unique users).
The database is running with [mariadb](https://mariadb.org/), using [gorm](https://gorm.io) as the ORM. This is more than enough for this project. I started working with an `sqlite` database, but I ended up migrating to **mariadb** since it works better with JSON.
The scraper is using [chromedp](https://github.com/chromedp/chromedp) combined with a series of keywords, regex and other logic. It runs every 24h and scraps all the services. You can find the scraper code [here](https://gitlab.com/kycnot/kycnot.me/-/tree/main/scraper).
The frontend is written using **Golang Templates** for the HTML, and [TailwindCSS](https://tailwindcss.com/) plus [DaisyUI](https://daisyui.com) for the CSS classes framework. I also use some plain CSS, but it's minimal.
The requests forms is the only part of the project that requires JavaScript to be enabled. It is needed for parsing some from fields that are a bit complex and for the *"captcha"*, which is a simple *Proof of Work* that runs on your browser, destinated to avoid spam. For this, I use [mCaptcha](https://mcaptcha.org/).