@ df478568:2a951e67

Freedom tech is free and open-source software. It is free as in freedom. A common license in FOSS is the MIT license. It's the license behind Bitcoin, a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. Anyone is free to run this software. The same is true for the software at mempool.space. The software is free to use. I run it on my own server. This is what I use to time-stamp my articles. You can use it to check transactions on the bitcoin time chain, but you need to trust that I'm not doing any funny business. I'm not, but keep in mind, the whole point of p2p elwctronic cash is that you don't trust. You verify. The beauty of FOSS is: You don't need to trust me. You can triple-check the transactions you search on my mempool instance by looking at the official mempool.space website and blockchain.info...Or...You can run your own node on your own hardware, free of charge. Of course, the hardware is not free. Neither is the actual bitcoin. The freedom is built into the software, but as the saying goes, "freedom isn't free." It took me years to learn how to run my own software on my own server and make it available on the clear net. ## SearXNG  [SearXNG](https://github.com/searxng/searxng) is my favorite search engine. I don't like giving up my precious data to big tech located in the United States or China. I run my own search engine. I have noticed certain biases in Google searches. The biggest problem is ads. Companies tend to pay for Yelp and Google reviews. I called an AC company I found from a local magazine that came in the mail. A portly man wearing an HVAC costume drove to my house in a white van. He had a great smile and even better social skills. The van had a slogan plastered on it like most tradie vans do. "Reviews Matter We have a 4.9 Review on Google." He also had his name painted on this van like a Bomber pilot from WW2. I won't dox him, but it was something like "Joe the closer." I don't trust the omnipotenence of the Googs. I also don't trust fat men they call "the closer" to give me the best deal. The trick to saving sats is to choose the game-theory optimal way of negogiation. In DUCY, by David Sklansky, I learned useful negotiation skills. Sklansky wrote classic poker books and applied his actuarial math brain to negotiation techniques. He said he would go to a Toyota dealer and say, "I'm shopping for a new Camry. I already have a price from dealership XYZ in a nearby city. What is your price?" This changes the dynamic right from the starting line and gives the consumer the advantage. So I tried this based technique with the HVAC industrial complex. I got a quote from 3 people: 1. Joe "The Closer." 2. The Costco-sponsored HVAC Company 3. My SearXNG search results. In essence, I apply the same logic I learned running a full bitcoin node. Remember how I said the decentralized nature of bitcoin allows you to **triple-check your transactions?** Running SearXNG allows me to triple check my search results in a similar fashion. I don't trust Google, Costco, or the magazine I get every month in the mail. I verify results with my own search engine. My SearXNG does not track my location, but I set it to give me local results. To be honest, I have not verified this, but the code is on GitHub for everyone to see. I don't want to be "sold" on an AC. I don't want an AC if I could avoid it, but my AC was as dead as dentacoin. Living in Southern California with a wife going through "the change" gave me no alternative. The guy I found on SearXNG showed up in an unmarked van. He had a beard. He was not "a closer." He was an actual HVAC technician. He tried cleaning my unit made in the same year Weezer released their Blue album. He said he coukd jerry rig it to get it working for another few months, but the machine is on it's last days. He said a newer unit would also be more efficient so I asked him about the energy like a bitcoiner. "How many kilowatt hours does it cost me to run my AC versus a new AC?" I don't remember the exact answer, but I asked all three companies. He was the only one that new how to find out. He also happened to be the cheapest, but I would have bought a new AC from this guy even if he wasn't. I told him I made a space heater out of a bitcoin miner. He had no idea this was possible, but he at least pretended to find it interesting. That's why I use SearXNG to find tradesmen. It's better than Yelp. If you would like to try my instance of SearXNG, check it out. `523FeCpi9Gx4nR9NmSFIMEaYcI5Q4WmhYHPEPaEah84=` To decrypt it, use the key behind the paywall at: https://8gwifi.org/CipherFunctions.jsp npub1marc26z8nh3xkj5rcx7ufkatvx6ueqhp5vfw9v5teq26z254renshtf3g0 [882785](https://mempool.marc26z.com/block/00000000000000000001840e7986ea4b6ea103f5af9b524dc102be926a831dee) [merch](https://marc26z.com/merch/) **Follow me on nostr**. All of my work is available under the Creative Commons 0 licence. If you would like to try my instance of Searxng and do not wish to support my work, find me on habla.news by searching my npub. You can find all of my work there(including encryption keys)free of charge. # Paywall On Substack abdominal.savior.repaint Will decrypt this ciphertext: 523FeCpi9Gx4nR9NmSFIMEaYcI5Q4WmhYHPEPaEah84= Which will reveal my instance of SearXNG at https://searxng.marc26z.com/ [Subscribe on Subtack](https://substack.com/@marc26z)

@ fe32298e:20516265

I've been using AI tools to help with coding for a while now, but it's always been copy/pasting into ChatGPT and DeepSeek. Faster iteration is better, and privacy is best. So it's time to figure out how to use these tools integrated into [VSCodium](https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium) and running locally. After a quick review of the most popular extensions I've heard about, I settled on [Tabby](https://github.com/TabbyML/tabby). ## What the heck does this actually DO? * Code completion - like autocomplete suggestions, looks at your code and suggests the next thing to type at the cursor. You can see it in gray text, then press Tab and it's added to your code. * Chat - easily chat with an LLM about your code inside your editor, faster than copy/pasting into a website. * Apparently it can write docs and tests too. ## Can I run it locally? Without a GPU? YES! Tabby is optimized for small models that only need a few GBs of RAM. I'm using a fairly old [System76](https://system76.com/) Galago Pro with Core i5-10210U and 16 GB RAM. The fans spin up, and Tabby sometimes shows a warning about slow response time, but it seems usable. ## How do I get it set up? This is the overview, look for step-by-step instructions at the end of this article. 1. Install the Tabby server, which runs locally. 1. Start the Tabby server and tell it to serve some models which it will download automatically. 1. Log in to the Tabby server web interface and create an admin account. 1. Install the Tabby extension in your editor. 1. Connect the Tabby extension to your Tabby server. ## How do I actually use it? 1. Click **Tabby** in the bottom-right corner to open the Tabby command palette. 1. Select **Chat** to open the Chat pane. Drag it to the right side if you want. 1. Or, *Ctrl-Shift-P* and type "tabby" to see some Tabby commands 1. Select some code and *Ctrl-Shift-P* "tabby" to see more Tabby commands 1. **Explain this** seems like a useful one. Other than that, I don't know! I just started using it today. ## What model should I use? As usual, it depends. If you're using CPU instead of GPU, start with the ones recommended by Tabby and shown in the Step-by-Step below. Tabby has a [registry of models](https://tabby.tabbyml.com/docs/models/) you can choose from, and a [leaderboard](https://leaderboard.tabbyml.com/) to compare them. ## Step-by-Step This is for Ubuntu 24.04, and no GPU. ``` # install pre-reqs sudo apt install build-essential cmake libssl-dev pkg-config sudo apt install protobuf-compiler libopenblas-dev sudo apt install make sqlite3 graphviz # install rust curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh . "$HOME/.cargo/env" # build tabby git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/TabbyML/tabby cd tabby cargo build # run tabby (downloads ~3 GB of models) ./target/debug/tabby serve --model StarCoder-1B --chat-model Qwen2-1.5B-Instruct # browse to http://0.0.0.0:8080 and create an admin user ``` * Install the Tabby extension in your editor. VSCodium had it in the extensions store by searching for "tabby" or try this `ext install TabbyML.vscode-tabby` * *Ctrl-Shift-P* and look for "Tabby: Connect to server" * Use the default of `http://localhost:8080` * Switch over to the Tabby web interface, click your Profile Picture and copy the auth token * Paste that into Tabby somewhere. I'm sure you'll figure it out if you got this far.

@ 9e5a3a1a:ed414e8d

(deleted)

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

A VPN is Not Magic A VPN is a virtual private network. A VPN service provides an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server they own or rent. You then connect to the internet from this server thus making your IP address appear to the wider internet as the server IP. That's it. That's all it does. Your Device -> VPN -> Website Your Device sees that you are connecting to a website through a VPN. Your ISP sees that you are connecting to a VPN server but nothing after. The website sees that someone from a VPN is connecting to them but doesn't know who. The VPN sees your device connected to their server and that you then connected to a website. VPN Anonymity and Privacy VPNs do a lot to protect your privacy, they keep your ISP from seeing and logging every single thing you do online and they spoof your location and IP to any website that you visit. Although this website protection isn't 100% anonymous because of cookies, trackers, and if you have to log into a site with your information. If you are using a VPN on a mobile phone then you are still broadcasting your location to the cell towers even if you are not telling the website you are browsing. Then there is the elephant in the room. The VPN knows all and sees all. How much do they log? How long do they save it? Can you trust them? This is going to vary VASTLY between VPN providers. I always prefer if they are setup where they cannot know the information in the first place and limit what I tell them in the first place by paying through the use of bitcoin or monero. Just because they have a no log "policy" in place it doesn't always fill me with confidence. VPN Security How much security does a VPN give you? Some in certain circumstances but not a lot. A VPN is not going to stop malware or viruses. A VPN can provide some protection from a man in the middle or evil twin attack as it provides a encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, so always use a VPN when joining public WIFI spots. Just remember a VPN cannot protect you downstream on the connection between the VPN server and the website, always use secure encrypted connections and be aware that MITM attacks can still happen on the backside. A VPN can prevent DDoS attacks since the attacker doesn't know your real IP address and a fantastic use of VPNs is to protect IoT devices. Those smart devices around your home love to scream out all their data insecurely and a VPN can change their IP and encrypt their data in transit protecting them from hacking. VPN Legality In many countries VPNs are banned, blocked, or outright illegal: Bahrain Belarus China Cuba Egypt Iran Iraq Libya Myanmar North Korea Oman Russia Syria Turkey Turkmenistan UAE Uganda Venezuela Vietnam --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

Dealing with law enforcement can be a challenging and stressful experience. However, understanding your rights and knowing how to navigate such situations can empower you to protect yourself. Here’s a structured approach to handle these interactions effectively: 1. **Stay Calm and Compliant:** - When approached by law enforcement, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. Slowly raise your hands and identify yourself if possible. 2. **Ask for Identification:** - Request the officer's name, badge number, and station. This documentation can be crucial later on. 3. **Know Your Miranda Rights:** - Upon arrest, you have the right to remain silent. Do not answer questions without consulting a lawyer. If Mirandized, exercise your right to remain silent. 4. **Refuse Incriminating Statements:** - Avoid answering questions that could incriminate yourself. Politely state, "I will not answer any questions at this time." 5. **Document the Incident:** - Use your phone or notebook to record details such as dates, times, and descriptions of interactions. Note any injuries or mistreatment. 6. **Seek Legal Advice:** - After the encounter, contact a lawyer. They can review evidence and provide guidance on how to proceed. 7. **Understand Search and Seizure Laws:** - Officers generally need a warrant to search your property unless there's probable cause. If stopped without a warrant, calmly refuse entry. 8. **Use a Body Camera Policy:** - If applicable, ask for the officer's body camera footage and request it via formal complaint if refused. 9. **Know When to Comply:** - Comply with instructions that do not infringe on your rights, such as providing identification when legally required. 10. **Consider a Witness Statement:** - If you witness illegal actions, consider reporting them. Your role as a bystander may be crucial in documenting incidents. 11. **Seek Emotional Support:** - Interactions with law enforcement can be traumatic. Reach out to support groups or mental health resources for assistance. 12. **Understand Legal Recourse:** - If rights are violated, consult legal aid societies or civil rights organizations for guidance on filing complaints or seeking redress. **Conclusion:** Understanding your rights and documenting interactions is essential when dealing with law enforcement. This guide provides a framework to help you navigate such situations confidently and protect your rights effectively. Remember, knowledge is power, and being informed can lead to better outcomes in challenging circumstances. --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ 554ab6fe:c6cbc27e

René Descartes famously stated, "I think therefore I am." A concept centered around the idea that the existence of our meta-conscious thought proves our existence. Furthermore, it denotes a sense of self-derived from the presence of our thinking. What if this famous idea is wrongly reversed? What if our perceived sense of self derives from our thoughts, and these thoughts act as an illusion of the true nature of the self? A couple of my posts have focused on the idea that the calm mind, potentially derived from a practice of meditation, can achieve a heightened sense of awareness. Some neuroscientists now view the mind as a predictive modeling machine (Seth, 2013), constantly receiving signals from both internal and external sources, generating predictions and models to understand the current condition. This theory inspired me to create an analogy of a calm pond: Imagine the brain and mind as a pond, and instead of neuronal signals, raindrops are falling into the pond. When the pond is calm, and a single drop falls, the pond's ripples provide adequate information to deduce the location and size of the raindrop. By observing the single ripple, one can simply understand the raindrop. However, if there is a storm and many raindrops impact the pond simultaneously, then the ripples are indistinguishable. This makes the analysis of the incoming information near impossible. This may be how the brain works. This would be why calming the mind generates such benefits in health because the brain can analyze the information accurately and execute the proper response. This idea is supported by scientific evidence that interoception increases with mindfulness practice. I have alluded to this idea as a possible explanation of why meditation generates a higher form of consciousness. More on this later. To further explore this idea, a deeper exploration into the neuroscience of internal mental processes is required. The areas of the brain that are clinically recognized to perform internal mental operations are known as the default mode network (DMN) (Ekhtiari et al., 2016; van Buuren et al., 2010). The DMN is not a single area of the brain but a network and interaction between many areas. The brain areas involved within the DMN include the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex (ACC and PCC), temporoparietal junction (TPJ), later temporal cortex (LTC), and the temporal pole (TempP)(Farb et al., 2007; Zhou et al., 2020). In general, the mental processes conducted by the DMN are self-referential processing, long-term memory retrieval, and mind-wandering (Ekhtiari et al., 2016; Marstaller et al., 2017; Spreng & Grady, 2010; van Buuren et al., 2010). However, the functions expand beyond just those. Different brain areas carry differing roles in these processes. For example, the PCC plays a unique role in the autobiographical retrieval process and plays a role in self-centered spatial navigation (Hamilton et al., 2015). However, sometimes these processes manifest in more complex interactions. For example, both the PCC and anterior portion of the mPFC (amPFC) facilitate self-referential processes and the interaction between other hubs of the DMN (Zhou et al., 2020). The role of the DMN is complicated, but its relationship to meditation is significant. The DMN's plays a significant role in mental ruminations and the activity of the mind. In our modern culture, mental ruminations are commonplace and widely accepted. With this cultural norm, there is no adequate training to properly handle these thoughts when they become repetitive, unconstructive, and potentially destructive. Repetitive unconstructive ruminations are associated with and can lead to depression (Watkins, 2008). Therefore, this mental habit attributes to a significant source of many mental health issues. It is a primary reason why meditation seems to be such an effective mental health benefiting practice. In Eastern traditions, this unhealthy mind is called the "monkey mind": a mind that swings from thought to thought, often time traveling to the past and future. Meditation, and similar practices, aim to quiet this monkey mind. From a clinical perspective, it is fascinating to consider that the DMN may be a neural network representing the monkey mind's activation. There is research to support this idea as well. Autobiographical memory retrieval processes activate the DMN (Spreng & Grady, 2010). Additionally, the DMN seems to maintain a cohesive perception of the self across time to interpret novel information (Marstaller et al., 2017). Clearly, not only is the DMN involved in processes that involve thoughts about the self, but it is also primarily responsible for our mental time traveling processes. If meditation aims to bring our experience to the present, then the DMN is the antithesis. As previously stated, mental ruminations and other unconstructive thought patterns drive the development of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Given that the DMN has a strong relationship to these thought patterns, it is also interesting to note that DMN activity dominance is associated with the development of depression (Hamilton et al., 2011). The brain areas that seem to be activated more often during depression are the anterior and dorsal regions of the mPFC, PCC, temporal lobes, and the TPJ (Zhou et al., 2020)—further suggesting that the DMN is the brain region highly responsible for our inner self-referential thoughts, our time traveling thoughts, and the subsequent mental health outcomes. The DMN represents, in large part, the mental activity of the mind that removes us from a calm and present state of being. In other words, it adds more “raindrops” to the calm pond (my analogy from before) making it harder for the brain to analyze and adequately react to incoming information. Evidence for this idea lies in the observation that the DMN is responsible for monkey mind-like processes and in learning and conditioning. Again, the brain is constantly receiving neuronal signals from the body. Say it receives a signal from the toe: it must first predict that the signal came from the toe, then understand what the signal meant, and react accordingly. So, if the signal was a pain signal, the brain may command the toe to lift from the ground. If the signal stops, the brain knows the toe is no longer in pain, verifying the prediction. If the signal doesn't stop, further trial and error are required. This is a simple example, but the brain is likely processing and reacting to signals like this all the time, both from information coming from outside the body and within. Therefore, much learning and prediction model generation is taking place. Imagine the famous experiment of Pavlov's dogs. The dogs learned that a particular cue meant food, and their bodies learned to react accordingly. This learning and conditioning are a fundamental aspect of biological life. The DMN plays a significant role in this learning within our brain. For example, the PCC responds to error detection, and the signal is amplified when small rewards or novel stimuli are introduced to the experience (Heilbronner & Platt, 2013). Areas of the DMN (such as the mPFC and PCC) are also thought to be involved in contextualizing memories of safety and inhibit fear responses when appropriate (Marstaller et al., 2017). Finally, the mPFC is thought to play a role in goal-directed motivation (Hamilton et al., 2015). All this evidence suggests that the DMN plays a significant role in the learning process by contextualizing information. Keep in mind that the DMN can only accurately contextualize incoming stimuli if the full range of signals is adequately recognized. According to the calm pond idea, the noisy activation of a ruminating mind may hinder this ability. Here, greater clarification and definition on what a polluted mind means is needed. To define such mental patterns, functions of specific DMN regions will be explained. Commonly activated regions within the DMN that involve self-referential processes are (Farb et al., 2007; Knyazev, 2013): 1. The orbitomedial prefrontal cortex (omPFC) – which contextualizes experienced stimuli as experienced by the self 2. The ACC – which actively monitors the self-experienced stimuli 3. The mPFC – which evaluates the self-experienced stimuli 4. The PCC – which is involved in a generated a broader context of the personal experience given certain self-experienced stimuli. By now, it may be evident that the DMN is involved with what is commonly referred to as the "ego". Some researchers claim that the DMN develops the ego itself (R. L. Carhart-Harris & Friston, 2010). The term "ego" derives from Freudian psychoanalytic, and for this reason, the term "narrative-self" will be used instead. It is crucial to consider the word choice here. As previously explained, the DMN generates a time-oriented perception of the self to contextualize information. Furthermore, the four brain areas above all involved contextualizing an experience as experienced by the narrative self (rather than the self being the experience), monitoring these experiences across time, and evaluating these experiences as a broader implication of the experience of the self. The DMN is generating a narrative of the self through every experience. This is indeed where many unconstructive ruminations arise. Any reader can likely relate to ruminating over themselves and their circumstances and thinking about what this means in the larger context of their lives, worth, purpose, etc. This is the monkey mind. This is the DMN. So, the real question becomes: what effect does the strong presence of a narrative-self have on our broader experience and health? Does a strong presence of the narrative-self influence the body's interoceptive abilities and ability to properly analyze and predict incoming stimuli? This is a complex and challenging question, but evidence suggests that this is indeed the case. In a fantastic study by Farb and others in 2007, fMRIs were used to monitor brain activity in those who did and did not practice mindfulness meditation (Farb et al., 2007). In this study, a distinction was made between narrative focus and experiential focus. For eight weeks, those who underwent mindfulness meditation training were taught to practice experiential focus, which involves having present centered awareness of all thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-judgmental manner. Narrative focus was defined as judging experiences and trying to figure out what those stimuli meant. Brain scans were performed on both trained and untrained participants during both focus styles. For both groups, narrative focus increased activation of the mPFC and PCC as expected. During experiential focus, both groups reduced mPFC activity, but only the meditation trained group increased activation of the insula. This is incredible because the insula is highly involved in interoception and the sensations of internal physical states (Fox et al., 2014; Mehling et al., 2012). This study by Farb and others suggests a functional difference between the narrative-self and an experiential-self and shows how the quieting of the narrative-self increases interoceptive abilities and enhances the brains' ability to analyze incoming stimuli properly. Not to mention, this study shows how this skill can be trained. So far, we have seen how the DMN is involved in the generation of the narrative-self and how this influences our ability to analyze the signals coming from the body. The next reasonable question is to what extent can this be changed? And what are the implications of such change? As was previously shown in the mentioning of the study by Farb and others in 2007, mindfulness meditation appears to be capable of changing DMN activity. This is not the only study to suggest this. Another study showed that meditation decreased mPFC activity in DMN regions, such as the TPJ and PCC (Scheibner et al., 2017). It has also been shown that the neurotransmitter GABA reduces DMN activity, and both yoga and meditation have been implicated in the release of GABA (Guglietti et al., 2013; Hu et al., 2013; Streeter et al., 2018). The release of GABA release is also modulated by the vagus nerve, providing evidence of the possible mechanism at which meditation inhibits DMN activity (Hu et al., 2013; Keute et al., 2018; Streeter et al., 2018). Through these studies, it seems evident that meditation decreases DMN activity. In what ways is this significant? Firstly, it provides more explanation as to why meditation seems capable of alleviating depression. Similarly, it offers more evidence for how meditation increases interoceptive awareness (de Jong et al., 2016; Farb et al., 2010; Hanley et al., 2017). The increase in interoception suggests that the brain is more adequately processing not only the internal environment more adequately, but presumably the outside environment as well. Reality in general is being more accurately understood. It is possible that this also implicates a broader understanding of how meditation can alter consciousness and allowing monks, yogis, and the like to achieve nirvana/samadhi/enlightenment, or whatever you prefer to call such a state of altered consciousnesses. Perhaps this experience of altered consciousness is a more accurate interpretation of reality, produced by enhanced interoception and exteroception. The subject of altered consciousness is perhaps best explored through brain changes induced by another technique commonly used in a spiritual manner: psychedelics. The famous studies from Johns Hopkins University using psilocybin found that this drug causes a spiritual experience often described as a sense of unity of all things that transcend space and time (Griffiths et al., 2006, 2008). Many participants rate this experience as one of the most significant spiritual experiences of their life (Griffiths et al., 2006). These experiences were often described with an experienced loss sense of self and an altered form of consciousness (Griffiths et al., 2008). It is not hard to imagine that this experience seems very similar to that of a trained monk or yogi, who learn to let go of their narrative-self and gain a sense of oneness with all things. This connection is further verified by the observation that psilocybin decreases the activity of the ACC, PCC, and mPFC (Robin L. Carhart-Harris et al., 2012). Ayahuasca, another psychedelic drug used in spiritual rituals by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, also has been shown to have similar effects (Palhano-Fontes et al., 2015). Additionally, LSD has been shown to do the same (Speth et al., 2016). Suppose both psychedelic drugs and meditative practice decrease the same DMN, which generates the narrative-self. In that case, both methods likely lead one to the same place: an experience beyond time and space, where one is present with a profound sense of unity with everything. This, to me, is a profound idea. It suggests that quieting the mind, or calming the “pond”, improves mental, physical, and spiritual health. It provides one with a perception full of compassion, peace, and love. It not only can make the individual healthier, but so too the community and planet. It is extraordinary evidence that improving the self is the greatest means of improving the world around us. Not to mention, it provides a simple means of liberating oneself from the struggle and hardship of life. Perhaps it is not life that is hard on us, but ourselves, by allowing the narrative-mind to take hold of our reality, rather than letting a purer form of consciousness dominate our perceptions. This is the pursuit, and meditation techniques are the practice. References Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Friston, K. J. (2010). The default-mode, ego-functions and free-energy: A neurobiological account of Freudian ideas. Brain, 133(4), 1265–1283. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awq010 Carhart-Harris, Robin L., Erritzoe, D., Williams, T., Stone, J. M., Reed, L. J., Colasanti, A., Tyacke, R. J., Leech, R., Malizia, A. L., Murphy, K., Hobden, P., Evans, J., Feilding, A., Wise, R. G., & Nutt, D. J. (2012). Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109(6), 2138–2143. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1119598109 de Jong, M., Lazar, S. W., Hug, K., Mehling, W. E., Hölzel, B. K., Sack, A. T., Peeters, F., Ashih, H., Mischoulon, D., & Gard, T. (2016). Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on body awareness in patients with chronic pain and comorbid depression. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(JUN). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00967 Ekhtiari, H., Nasseri, P., Yavari, F., Mokri, A., & Monterosso, J. (2016). Neuroscience of drug craving for addiction medicine: From circuits to therapies. In Progress in Brain Research (Vol. 223, pp. 115–141). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2015.10.002 Farb, N. A. S., Anderson, A. K., Mayberg, H., Bean, J., McKeon, D., & Segal, Z. v. (2010). Minding One's Emotions: Mindfulness Training Alters the Neural Expression of Sadness. Emotion, 10(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017151 Farb, N. A. S., Segal, Z. v., Mayberg, H., Bean, J., Mckeon, D., Fatima, Z., & Anderson, A. K. (2007). Attending to the present: Mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 2(4), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsm030 Fox, K. C. R., Nijeboer, S., Dixon, M. L., Floman, J. L., Ellamil, M., Rumak, S. P., Sedlmeier, P., & Christoff, K. (2014). Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 48–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.016 Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., Johnson, M. W., McCann, U. D., & Jesse, R. (2008). Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 22(6), 621–632. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881108094300 Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2006). Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology, 187(3), 268–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0457-5 Guglietti, C. L., Daskalakis, Z. J., Radhu, N., Fitzgerald, P. B., & Ritvo, P. (2013). Meditation-related increases in GABAB modulated cortical inhibition. Brain Stimulation, 6(3), 397–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2012.08.005 Hamilton, J. P., Farmer, M., Fogelman, P., & Gotlib, I. H. (2015). Depressive Rumination, the Default-Mode Network, and the Dark Matter of Clinical Neuroscience. In Biological Psychiatry (Vol. 78, Issue 4, pp. 224–230). Elsevier USA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.02.020 Hamilton, J. P., Furman, D. J., Chang, C., Thomason, M. E., Dennis, E., & Gotlib, I. H. (2011). Default-mode and task-positive network activity in major depressive disorder: Implications for adaptive and maladaptive rumination. Biological Psychiatry, 70(4), 327–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.02.003 Hanley, A. W., Mehling, W. E., & Garland, E. L. (2017). Holding the body in mind: Interoceptive awareness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 99, 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.05.014 Heilbronner, S. R., & Platt, M. L. (2013). Causal evidence of performance monitoring by neurons in posterior cingulate cortex during learning. Neuron, 80(6), 1384–1391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2013.09.028 Hu, Y., Chen, X., Gu, H., & Yang, Y. (2013). Resting-state glutamate and GABA concentrations predict task-induced deactivation in the default mode network. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(47), 18566–18573. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1973-13.2013 Keute, M., Ruhnau, P., Heinze, H. J., & Zaehle, T. (2018). Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for GABAergic modulation through transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. Clinical Neurophysiology, 129(9), 1789–1795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2018.05.026 Knyazev, G. G. (2013). EEG correlates of self-referential processing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7(MAY), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00264 Marstaller, L., Burianová, H., & Reutens, D. C. (2017). Adaptive contextualization: A new role for the default mode network in affective learning. Human Brain Mapping, 38(2), 1082–1091. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.23442 Mehling, W. E., Price, C., Daubenmier, J. J., Acree, M., Bartmess, E., & Stewart, A. (2012). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). PLoS ONE, 7(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048230 Palhano-Fontes, F., Andrade, K. C., Tofoli, L. F., Jose, A. C. S., Crippa, A. S., Hallak, J. E. C., Ribeiro, S., & de Araujo, D. B. (2015). The psychedelic state induced by Ayahuasca modulates the activity and connectivity of the Default Mode Network. PLoS ONE, 10(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118143 Scheibner, H. J., Bogler, C., Gleich, T., Haynes, J. D., & Bermpohl, F. (2017). Internal and external attention and the default mode network. NeuroImage, 148(January), 381–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.01.044 Seth, A. K. (2013). Interoceptive inference, emotion, and the embodied self. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(11), 565–573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2013.09.007 Speth, J., Speth, C., Kaelen, M., Schloerscheidt, A. M., Feilding, A., Nutt, D. J., & Carhart-Harris, R. L. (2016). Decreased mental time travel to the past correlates with default-mode network disintegration under lysergic acid diethylamide. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(4), 344–353. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116628430 Spreng, R. N., & Grady, C. L. (2010). Patterns of brain activity supporting autobiographical memory, prospection, and theory of mind, and their relationship to the default mode network. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22(6), 1112–1123. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2009.21282 Streeter, C., Gerbarg, P. L., Nielsen, G. H., Brown, R. P., Jensen, J. E., Silveri, M., & Streeter, C. C. (2018). Effects of Yoga on Thalamic Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Mood and Depression: Analysis of Two Randomized Controlled Trials. Neuropsychiatry, 8(6), 1923–1939. https://doi.org/10.4172/Neuropsychiatry.1000535 van Buuren, M., Gladwin, T. E., Zandbelt, B. B., Kahn, R. S., & Vink, M. (2010). Reduced functional coupling in the default-mode network during self-referential processing. Human Brain Mapping, 31(8), 1117–1127. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.20920 Watkins, E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought. Psychological Bulletin, 134(2), 163–206. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.134.2.163 Zhou, H. X., Chen, X., Shen, Y. Q., Li, L., Chen, N. X., Zhu, Z. C., Castellanos, F. X., & Yan, C. G. (2020). Rumination and the default mode network: Meta-analysis of brain imaging studies and implications for depression. In NeuroImage (Vol. 206, p. 116287). Academic Press Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116287

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

The Super Bowl definitely threw me off a bit. My dad offered to bring some food over and the plan was to eat before the game/during the first half. I have no idea what he was doing, but for some reason, it took him two hours to get the food (that was already made) ready to eat. All things considered, I still did ok. The dry fast was about 13 hours and I might make it to 16 hours without eating (I'm at 15 now). ## Score Card Day 1: 14 hour fast (13 dry) Day 2: 15 hour fast (14 dry) Day 3: 17 hours (16 dry) Day 4: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 5: 18 hours (16 dry) Day 6: 19 hours (16 dry) Day 7: 16 hours (15 dry) Day 8: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 9: 17 hours (17 dry) Day 10: TBD (13 dry) originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/881691

@ e453ec07:b199e3f8

 ## **Le ras-le-bol numérique : comprendre pourquoi vous vous sentez épuisé par Internet)** Vous vous sentez parfois **épuisé** par Internet ? Submergé par le flot incessant d'informations ? **Las** des publicités qui vous suivent partout, des notifications qui vous harcèlent à toute heure, et de ce sentiment étrange d'être constamment **observé** ? Vous n'êtes **pas fou**. Et vous n'êtes pas seul. Ce n'est pas vous qui êtes "déconnecté" ou "incapable de suivre". C'est **Internet lui-même qui est cassé**. Enfin, pas *totalement* en panne, mais profondément **dysfonctionnel**. Imaginez un réseau routier où les panneaux indicateurs sont illisibles, les embouteillages constants, et où des péages surgissent à chaque kilomètre, sans que l'on sache vraiment où va l'argent... C'est un peu l'état d'Internet aujourd'hui. **Le Brouhaha Numérique : Plus d'Infos, Moins de Sens**  Ce que l'on appelle le "réseau mondial" ressemble de plus en plus à un **brouhaha numérique**. Un flot continu et désordonné d'informations, d'avis, de pubs, de " contenus sponsorisés " qui se mélangent et s'entrechoquent. On a l'impression de boire à la lance à incendie : beaucoup de débit, mais difficile de se désaltérer intelligemment. Et cette cacophonie a un effet direct sur nous. Elle nous **fatigue**, nous **stresse**, nous rend **moins attentifs**, moins capables de nous concentrer. On passe des heures en ligne sans vraiment savoir ce que l'on cherche, happés par des algorithmes conçus pour **capter notre attention**, souvent au détriment de notre bien-être. **La Centralisation : Le Cœur du Problème**  Mais pourquoi Internet est-il devenu si chaotique ? La réponse est simple : **la centralisation**. Au fil des années, Internet, qui se voulait un espace libre et décentralisé, s'est retrouvé progressivement **accaparé par une poignée de géants**. Ces entreprises – vous les connaissez, elles commencent par G, A, M… – contrôlent une part immense de nos vies numériques. Elles hébergent nos emails, nos photos, nos vidéos, nos réseaux sociaux, nos recherches, nos achats en ligne… Elles sont devenues les **portiers d'Internet**, les **collecteurs de nos données**, et les **architectes de notre expérience en ligne**. **Les Pièges de la Gratuité et de la Surveillance** Et c'est là que le bât blesse. Ces services sont souvent présentés comme "gratuits". Mais comme on dit, "quand c'est gratuit, c'est vous le produit". En réalité, nous payons un prix très élevé pour cette "gratuité" : **nos données personnelles**.  Chaque clic, chaque recherche, chaque message, chaque "like" est **enregistré, analysé, et transformé en données**. Ces données servent ensuite à **nous profiler**, à créer ce que l'article original appelle un "GHOST" – un profil consommateur virtuel – afin de nous **bombarder de publicités ciblées**, de nous **influencer**, et de nous **enfermer dans des bulles informationnelles**. **Vos Données Ne Vous Appartiennent Plus** Le pire, c'est que nous avons **perdu le contrôle** sur nos propres données. Elles sont stockées dans d'immenses **datacenters**, appartenant à ces géants, souvent situés à l'autre bout du monde. Nous ne savons pas **exactement où elles sont**, **comment elles sont utilisées**, ni **qui y a accès**.  Et cette perte de contrôle a des conséquences bien réelles : * **Atteintes à la vie privée :** Surveillance constante, profilage intrusif, fuites de données… * **Manipulation et influence :** Publicités ciblées, désinformation, bulles de filtres… * **Dépendance et enfermement :** Nous devenons captifs de ces écosystèmes centralisés, il devient difficile de s'en extraire. **L'Aube d'une Solution : Le Web3** Alors, faut-il se résigner à cet Internet dysfonctionnel ? Absolument pas ! La bonne nouvelle, c'est qu'il existe une **alternative**. Une voie pour reprendre le contrôle, pour construire un Internet plus **libre**, plus **sûr**, plus **respectueux** de l'individu. Cette alternative, elle porte un nom : **le Web3**. Dans le prochain article, nous allons explorer ensemble ce nouveau paradigme, comprendre comment il fonctionne, et surtout, découvrir comment il peut nous permettre de **réparer Internet** et de **reprendre le pouvoir sur nos vies numériques**. [**Restez connecté… le changement est en marche !**](https://www.copylaradio.com/blog/blog-1/post/internet-est-casse-vous-netes-pas-fou-141)

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

I didn’t realize how much I had missed a good old fashioned Super Bowl blowout. I wasn’t even gonna bet the game, but over the last couple days, I got an Eagles vibe. There was too much, “The refs won’t let the Chiefs lose”, and Patrick Mahomes and Taylor Swift, and other noise, and yet the line didn’t budge. It was obvious the Eagles were the sharper side, and they had the league’s best defense, which usually correlates to overperformance of the spread in Super Bowls, sometimes massive overperformance. But it wasn’t any one thing — just an overall dawning on me that the Eagles were probably the right side. I didn’t feel that strongly about it, even so, and decided I’d just bet Saquon Barkley for MVP, get 3:1 or so if the Eagles won. So I texted someone in the states to place the bet for me, and best he could offer was +175! That’s a terrible value for a RB to win MVP! A few minutes later Tim Schuler offered to bet me $50, give me the Eagles +1, and I obliged him. After that, I texted my friend back to put $500 on the Eagles +1 for me. Of course, I didn’t stay up all night to watch — after losing 1K on the Falcons (who were up 28-3 in the third quarter at 3 am) eight years ago, never again. So I caught the 40-minute version this morning. What a great game! The Eagles dominated from start to finish. The defensive line got after Mahomes on every play. And while the Chiefs sold out to stop Barkley, Jalen Hurts ran wild on them. I’m sure I would have enjoyed a Chiefs blowout less, but the beauty of a blowout is it settles things. There’s no looking back at a bad call, a dropped pass or a fumble and wondering what might have been. Close games have drama, but they are more or less arbitrary. I mean I get it, the guy made the throw at the time with the game on the line, but maybe also he just got the cheap roughing the passer call or the ticky tack PI. When the Giants won the Super Bowl on Scott Norwood’s miss, I didn’t have the same sense of satisfaction I did when they blew out John Elway’s Broncos five years earlier. Yes, they won, but it might as well have been on a coin flip. I grew up on blowouts in the ‘80s — Raiders-Redskins, 49ers-Dolphins, Pats-Bears, Giants-Broncos, Redskins-Broncos — only the Bengals managed to keep Super Bowl losses close (Congratulations Jeff Erickson!) This was before replay reviews and all the lawyering about what is and isn’t a completed catch. The last fucking thing you wanted was some controversy about who really outplayed whom. So it was nice to win some easy money and not to have to worry about refs or fumbles or untimely drops for a change. - I wanted Saquon to win MVP, but he drew the attention of the KC defense, is one of the best I’ve ever seen in blitz pickup and still had 97 yards from scrimmage. One of the all-time great years from an all-time great back. (He broke Terrell Davis’ record for the most yardage, regular season and playoffs, too, albeit in two extra games.) - Hurts threw the one bad pick under pressure, but it served as a good punt, and otherwise had a near perfect game. Only four other incomplete passes, 72 yards and a score on the ground. He was an easy MVP call. - I was a little worried about shaky Jake Elliott, but he drilled all four of his field goals, three of them twice!, due to penalties. - Patrick Mahomes padded his stats in garbage time, but he got crushed. An elite defense that gets home with four is the way you kill the GOATS. The Giants did it to Tom Brady twice. - Xavier Worthy had a nice garbage-time stat-padding game, but he was the only one. DeAndre Hopkins had a bad drop, though they got him a garbage-time feel-good TD, basically a participation trophy. - Congrats to Lane Johnson, Brandon Graham, Elliott and long-snapper Rick Lovato — the only four players in NFL history to defeat both Tom Brady and Mahomes in Super Bowls. - The only negative is I lost my $50 four-teams bet with Erickson. I had the Chiefs, Bills, Lions and Ravens, he had the field. But I directed Schuler to pay him, which is good, because I cancelled Paypal for their retarded foray into free-speech policing, and now I don’t have to figure out a workaround.

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: you’re scrolling through your phone, shopping online, maybe even working from home. But here’s the thing – someone might be watching. Not in the creepy stalker way, but in the “is that company really needing my data?” kind of way. That’s where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in, saving you from the prying eyes of marketers, governments, and even your own internet provider. **What Does a VPN Do?** A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. This allows you to browse the internet anonymously, keeping your online activities private from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), network administrators, and even hackers. When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an intermediary server, making it difficult for anyone to track your online movements. **Why You Need a VPN: Privacy edition** - Hiding Your IP Address Every time you jump online, your device gets an IP address, like a digital ID. If you don’t use a VPN, everyone can see this ID, making it easy for advertisers and governments to track your every move. - [X ] *Myth:* A VPN hides my IP address from everyone. - [X] *Reality:* A VPN hides your IP address only from the websites you visit and your ISP. Your internet service provider still knows you're using a VPN, but they won't be able to see what sites you're visiting. Your VPN knows what sites you are visiting and *may* know who you are as well. - Bypassing Censorship Ever tried accessing something that’s blocked in your country? A VPN can help you bypass those restrictions, letting you watch the latest shows, access social media, or even download books without getting flagged as a troublemaker. - Protecting Your Data When you connect to public Wi-Fi – like at a café or airport – you’re basically handing over your data on a silver platter. A VPN encrypts this data, so even if someone intercepts it, they can’t decode it. Think of it as adding an extra layer of security. - Avoiding Surveillance Companies and governments love collecting data. From what you search to who you talk to, there’s a lot of stuff that’s none of their business. A VPN ensures that only you know where you’ve been online. - Safeguarding Your Personal and Professional Life Whether you’re working from home or just shopping for a present, a VPN keeps your activities private. It’s like having a secure safe for all your online stuff, so no one can snoop. - Stopping Targeted Ads Companies track your browsing habits to send you ads that follow you around the internet. A VPN breaks this cycle, making sure those creepy “you might like” ads stop following you around. - No Logs Policy Some VPNs keep records of your activity, which means they could be handed over if the government comes knocking. But with a no-logs policy, nothing is stored – *they promise ;)* - The Dark Side of Free VPNs Before you jump into using a free VPN, think twice. Free services often come with a catch: they might sell your data to advertisers or even track your activity themselves. It’s like getting a free hotdog at a gas station – it sounds great, but you’ll probably regret it later. **How to Use a VPN (Because You’re Not a Tech Wizard)** - Choose the Right Provider Go for a reputable service that offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy. Look for options with a kill switch, which stops any data from being leaked if the connection drops. I prefer ones you can pay annoymously but that may be overkill for most people. - Download and Install Once you pick a provider, download the app to your device. It’s not rocket science, but it does require a bit more than just opening an email. - Set It Up Most VPNs have user-friendly interfaces. Just click “Connect” and you’re good to go. You might need to enter your login details or use a password from your provider. **The Final Word** Using a VPN isn’t about being a hacker or someone with something to hide. It’s about respecting your privacy and having control over what you share online. In today’s world, where companies and governments are constantly getting more creative about how they collect data, it’s practically a requirement if you want to stay ahead of the curve. So there you have it – the secret life of your internet. With a VPN, you’re not just protecting yourself; you’re making sure that your digital footprint is as small as possible. Whether you’re at home or on the go, a VPN gives you the freedom to surf, shop, and work without anyone watching your every move. And hey, if you’re still not convinced, just think about it this way: imagine your internet connection as a crowded public space. Without a VPN, everyone’s staring at you. With one, you’re wearing a mask, and no one’s the wiser. --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers! It's Monday so we're back doing "Meta Music Mondays" 😉. From before the territory existed there was just one post a week in a ~meta take over. Now each month we have a different theme and bring music from that theme. Welcome to Femmes Fatales 3!!! I absolutely loved doing this last year so I'm bringing it back for round 3! It's Femmes Fatales, where we celebrate women in ~Music. So let's have those ladies of the lung, the sirens of sound, our Femmes Fatales! https://youtu.be/ya69LUa1E_w?si=cM6yCALsPpp9L3Sc I recently got introduced to these ladies. Their music is fantastic, they're really talented musicians. They are: Lilith: The vocalist. Lamia: The lead guitarist. Nixe: The bassist. Abrahel: The drummer. Their identity is meant to be a mystery, so let's keep it that way. These Nuns can make Noise!! Let's go! Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/881416

@ 78c90fc4:4bff983c

&#x20; “Die Welt wird von ganz anderen Personen regiert als diejenigen es sich vorstellen, die nicht hinter den Kulissen stehen.”  Benjamin Disraeli, zweimaliger britischer Premierminister und Romanautor. Quelle: <https://www.unz.com/article/the-disraeli-enigma/>\ \ Als 1853 der Krimkrieg zwischen Russland und dem Osmanischen Reich ausbrach, wurde das Osmanische Reich vom Vereinigten Königreich und Frankreich gerettet. Zwanzig Jahre später zog Zar Alexander II. als Beschützer der unterdrückten serbischen und bulgarischen Christen erneut gegen die Osmanen in den Krieg. Als die Russen vor den Toren Konstantinopels/Istanbuls standen, waren die Osmanen gezwungen, die Schaffung der autonomen Fürstentümer Bulgarien, Serbien und Rumänien durch den Vertrag von San Stefano zu akzeptieren. Die Briten waren mit diesem Vertrag unzufrieden und beriefen zusammen mit Österreich-Ungarn den Berliner Kongress (1878) ein, der ihn aufhob. Russische Eroberungen wurden zurückgenommen, Armenien und Bulgarien wurden größtenteils an das Osmanische Reich zurückgegeben und der Balkan wurde in heterogene und konfliktreiche Staaten aufgeteilt. Diese „Balkanisierung“ löste nationalistische Ressentiments aus, die den Ersten Weltkrieg auslösen sollten. \ Das Hauptziel des Berliner Vertrags bestand darin, das zu retten, was von einem schwächelnden Osmanischen Reich zu retten war, um der panslawistischen Expansion Russlands entgegenzuwirken. England, das stets eifersüchtig auf seine Vormachtstellung zur See bedacht war, wollte verhindern, dass Russland näher an den Bosporus heranrückte. Die Briten erhielten das Recht, Zypern als Marinestützpunkt zu nutzen und gleichzeitig den Suezkanal zu überwachen. Dies war der Beginn des „Great Game“ Großbritanniens um die Kolonialherrschaft in Asien und die Eindämmung Russlands, was insbesondere zur Schaffung Afghanistans als Pufferstaat führte. \ Es gibt verschiedene Möglichkeiten, diesen Abschnitt der Geschichte zu interpretieren, der den Keim für alle Tragödien des 20. Jahrhunderts („das jüdische Jahrhundert“ laut Yuri Slezkine) in sich trägt.**\[1]**\ Yuri Slezkine, *The Jewish Century,* Princeton University Press, 2004. \ Es gibt unterschiedliche Ansichten darüber, welche Kräfte die Geschichte in dieser entscheidenden Zeit geprägt haben. Aber letztendlich wird Geschichte von Menschen gemacht, und sie kann nur verstanden werden, wenn man die Hauptakteure und ihre Motive identifiziert: Man kann den Vietnamkrieg einfach nicht verstehen, ohne sich mit der Denkweise von Johnson oder Kissinger auseinanderzusetzen. Unter den Anstiftern des Berliner Vertrags sticht ein Name besonders hervor: Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881), Premierminister unter Königin Victoria von 1868 bis 1869 und erneut von 1874 bis 1880. Disraeli war auch der Mann, der 1875 die Übernahme des Suezkanals durch England ermöglichte, und zwar durch die Finanzierung seines Freundes Lionel de Rothschild, dem Sohn von Nathan Mayer – eine Operation, die die Kontrolle der Rothschilds über die Bank of England festigte. \ Disraeli ist ein sehr interessanter Fall, da er sowohl ein bedeutender britischer Staatsmann während der globalen Hegemonie Großbritanniens als auch ein Romanautor war, der seine fiktiven Figuren dazu benutzte, seine ehrlichen Gedanken zu äußern, während er eine Art „glaubhafte Abstreitbarkeit“ (Sidonia spricht, nicht ich!) aufrechterhielt. Wir haben daher die einzigartige Gelegenheit, die wahren Motive des Mannes in der Politik zwischen den Zeilen zu lesen. Stellen Sie sich vor, Kissinger hätte Romane geschrieben, in denen ein Jude die Hauptfigur ist, der die Außen- und Militärpolitik des Imperiums vorantrieb und gleichzeitig ein enger Freund des reichsten jüdischen Bankiers war.\ \  Disraeli wird als der wahre Erfinder des Britischen Empires bezeichnet, da er es war, der Königin Victoria durch das Parlament mit dem Royal Titles Act von 1876 zur Kaiserin von Indien ernennen ließ (das obere Bild ist eine Karikatur, die Disraeli als Hausierer zeigt, der der Königin die Kaiserkrone überreicht).  Disraeli war, wie bereits erwähnt, die Hauptinspiration für den Berliner Kongress. Darüber hinaus war Disraeli ein Vorläufer des Zionismus, der versuchte, die „Wiederherstellung Israels“ auf die Tagesordnung des Berliner Kongresses zu setzen, in der Hoffnung, den Sultan Abdul Hamid davon zu überzeugen, Palästina als autonome Provinz zu gewähren. Der Sultan lehnte das Angebot ab, das wahrscheinlich das Versprechen finanzieller Unterstützung für seine zusammenbrechende Wirtschaft beinhaltete – wie auch Herzls Angebot im Jahr 1902, das ebenfalls abgelehnt wurde.\ \ Der Zionismus war Disraelis uralter Traum: Nach einer Reise in den Nahen Osten im Alter von sechsundzwanzig Jahren veröffentlichte er seinen ersten Roman, *Die wundersame Geschichte des Alroy*, und ließ seinen Helden, einen einflussreichen Juden des Mittelalters, sagen: „Mein Wunsch ist eine nationale Existenz, die wir nicht haben. Mein Wunsch ist das Land der Verheißung und Jerusalem und der Tempel, alles, was wir eingebüßt haben, wonach wir uns gesehnt haben, wofür wir gekämpft haben, unser schönes Land, unser heiliges Glaubensbekenntnis, unsere einfachen Sitten und unsere alten Bräuche.“\ Disraeli schrieb diese Zeilen noch vor den Anfängen der biblischen Archäologie; erst 1841 veröffentlichte Edward Robinson seine *Biblical Researches in Palestine*. Die ersten Ausgrabungen des von Königin Victoria geförderten Palestine Exploration Fund begannen 1867. Wohlhabende britische Juden hatten sich jedoch schon lange zuvor für Palästina interessiert. Disraelis Interesse wurde durch seinen Nachbarn und vierzigjährigen Freund Moses Montefiore beeinflusst, der Judith Cohen, die Schwägerin von Nathan Rothschild, heiratete. Nach einer Reise nach Palästina im Jahr 1827 widmete Montefiore seine immensen Ressourcen der Unterstützung seiner Glaubensgenossen im Heiligen Land, indem er Land kaufte und Häuser baute. \ Sowohl Montefiore als auch Disraeli waren sephardischer Herkunft. Disraeli stammte aus einer Familie portugiesischer Marranen, die in Venedig zum Judentum konvertierten. Sein Großvater war 1748 nach London gezogen. Benjamin wurde im Alter von dreizehn Jahren getauft, als sein Vater Isaac D'Israeli zusammen mit seiner ganzen Familie zum anglikanischen Christentum konvertierte. Isaac D'Israeli ist der Autor eines Buches mit dem Titel *The Genius of Judaism*(in Anlehnung an Chateaubriands *Le Génie du Christianisme*), in dem er die einzigartigen Eigenschaften des jüdischen Volkes verherrlicht, aber die talmudischen Rabbiner dafür verantwortlich macht, dass sie „den nationalen Geist ihres Volkes versiegeln“ und „die Einfachheit ihres antiken Glaubens korrumpieren“. Wie für viele andere Juden dieser Zeit war die Konversion für D'Israeli rein opportunistisch: Bis zum Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts blieben Verwaltungskarrieren für Juden verschlossen. Ein Gesetz von 1740 hatte ihre Einbürgerung erlaubt, aber es hatte Volksaufstände provoziert und wurde 1753 aufgehoben. Viele einflussreiche Juden, wie der Stadtbankier Sampson Gideon, entschieden sich dann für eine nominelle Konversion ihrer Kinder.**\[2]**\ Cecil Roth, *A History of the Marranos* (1932)*,* Meridian Books, 1959*,* S. 148.\ \ Etwa zur gleichen Zeit wie Disraeli konvertierte Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) zum Luthertum (während einer seiner Brüder zum Katholizismus konvertierte, um Offizier in Österreich zu werden, und ein anderer zur Orthodoxie, um als Arzt in Russland zu dienen). Heine betrachtete die Taufe als „Eintrittskarte in die europäische Zivilisation“. Er beklagte sich jedoch darüber, dass er von den Deutschen immer noch als Jude angesehen wurde, und zog es daher vor, in Frankreich zu leben, wo er als Deutscher angesehen wurde. Nur wenige Jahre nach seiner Konversion zeigten seine Schriften eine sehr negative Einstellung gegenüber dem Christentum, das er als „düstere, blutrünstige Religion für Kriminelle“ bezeichnete, die die Sinnlichkeit unterdrücke. Am Ende seines Lebens bereute er seine Taufe, die ihm nichts gebracht hatte, und erklärte in seinem letzten Buch *Romanzero*: „Ich mache kein Geheimnis aus meinem Judentum, zu dem ich nicht zurückgekehrt bin, weil ich es nicht verlassen habe.“**\[3]**\ Zitiert in Kevin MacDonald, *Separation and Its Discontents:* *Toward an Evolutionary Theory of Anti-Semitism,* Praeger, 1998, kindle 2013, l. 4732–4877. \ Genau wie bei den portugiesischen Marranen im 15. Jahrhundert verstärkte die Taufe bei den europäischen Juden des 19. Jahrhunderts ein nicht-religiöses, rassisches Verständnis des Judentums. Disraeli bezeichnete sich selbst als „Anglikaner jüdischer Abstammung“. \ Für Hannah Arendt ist Disraeli ein „Rassenfanatiker“, der in seinem ersten Roman *Alroy* (1833) „einen Plan für ein jüdisches Reich entwickelte, in dem Juden als streng getrennte Klasse herrschen würden“. In seinem anderen Roman *Coningsby* „entfaltete er einen fantastischen Plan, nach dem jüdisches Geld den Aufstieg und Fall von Höfen und Reichen beherrscht und in der Diplomatie die Oberhand hat“. Diese Idee „wurde zum Dreh- und Angelpunkt seiner politischen Philosophie“.**\[4]**\ Hannah Arendt, *The Origins of Totalitarianism,* Band 1: *Antisemitism,* Meridian Books, 1958, S. 309–310.\ Dies ist eine ziemlich fantastische Anschuldigung, die die meisten Biografen Disraelis nicht bestätigen würden. Sie ist jedoch wahrscheinlich richtig. Aber wir müssen genau auf Disraelis eigene Stimme hören, die durch Sidonia zum Ausdruck kommt, die Figur, die in drei seiner Romane vorkommt: *Coningsby* (1844), *Sybil* (1845) und *Tancred* (1847). In Sidonias Worten spürt man den Groll gegen die Nation, in die er sich zu integrieren versuchte:\ Kann es etwas Absurderes geben, als dass eine Nation sich an eine Einzelperson wendet, um ihren Kredit, ihre Existenz als Imperium und ihren Komfort als Volk zu erhalten; und diese Einzelperson, der ihre Gesetze die stolzesten Rechte der Staatsbürgerschaft, das Privileg, in ihrem Senat zu sitzen und Land zu besitzen, verweigern; denn obwohl ich unbesonnen genug war, mehrere Ländereien zu kaufen, bin ich der Meinung, dass ein Engländer hebräischen Glaubens nach dem geltenden Recht Englands keinen Boden besitzen kann. \ Da es einem Juden nicht möglich ist, sich durch Landbesitz in die britische Aristokratie zu integrieren, selbst wenn er zum örtlichen Glauben konvertiert, was sollte ein Jude tun, außer durch die Macht des Geldes aufzusteigen? Wie Heine spürte auch Disraeli die Heuchelei der Christen, die es den Juden übel nahmen, dass sie keine Christen waren, sie aber weiterhin als Juden behandelten, wenn sie konvertierten, und es insgeheim sogar vorzogen, dass sie Juden blieben. \ Laut Disraelis Biografen Robert Blake ist Sidonia „eine Kreuzung zwischen Lionel de Rothschild und Disraeli selbst“. Er stammt von einer Adelsfamilie aus Aragon ab, zu deren herausragenden Mitgliedern ein Erzbischof und ein Großinquisitor gehörten, die beide heimlich dem Judentum ihrer Väter anhingen. Sidonias Vater, wie auch Lionel de Rothschilds Vater, „machte während der Napoleonischen Kriege ein großes Vermögen mit Militärverträgen und der Versorgung der verschiedenen Armeen“. Nachdem er sich in London niedergelassen hatte, „setzte er alles, was er besaß, auf die Waterloo-Anleihe; und das Ereignis machte ihn zu einem der größten Kapitalisten Europas.“ Seit seinem siebzehnten Lebensjahr besuchte Sidonia die Fürstenhöfe der Schuldner seines Vaters und lernte die Geheimnisse der Macht kennen. „Die geheime Geschichte der Welt war sein Zeitvertreib. Es bereitete ihm großes Vergnügen, die verborgenen Motive mit den öffentlichen Vorwänden der Transaktionen zu kontrastieren.“ Disraeli selbst war laut Robert Blake „von Verschwörungen besessen“.**\[5]**\ Robert Blake, *Disraeli* (1966), Faber Finds, 2010, S. 202. \ Sidonia ist von seiner Rasse begeistert: „Alles ist Rasse – es gibt keine andere Wahrheit.“ Er weigert sich, eine Nichtjüdin zu heiraten, weil, so der Erzähler, „keine irdische Überlegung ihn jemals dazu veranlassen würde, die Reinheit der Rasse zu beeinträchtigen, auf die er stolz ist.“ Mit „Rasse“ meinte Disraeli Blutsverwandtschaft. In seinem letzten Roman *Endymion* (1880) schrieb er:\ Kein Mensch wird das Prinzip der Rasse gleichgültig behandeln. Es ist der Schlüssel zur Geschichte, und der Grund, warum die Geschichte oft so verwirrend ist, liegt darin, dass sie von Männern geschrieben wurde, die dieses Prinzip und all das damit verbundene Wissen nicht kennen ... Sprache und Religion machen keine Rasse aus – es gibt nur eine Sache, die eine Rasse ausmacht, und das ist Blut.\ **[Sidonia erzählt seinem Schützling Coningsby](https://www.victorianlondon.org/etexts/disraeli/coningsby-0038.shtml)** in *Coningsby oder die neue Generation*, dass die Verfolgung durch christliche Nationen die jüdische Nation niemals zerschlagen könnte. \ Tatsache ist, dass man eine reine Rasse der kaukasischen Organisation nicht vernichten kann. Es ist eine physiologische Tatsache; ein einfaches Naturgesetz, das ägyptische und assyrische Könige, römische Kaiser und christliche Inquisitoren verblüfft hat. Keine Strafgesetze, keine körperlichen Folterungen können bewirken, dass eine überlegene Rasse in einer unterlegenen aufgehen oder von ihr vernichtet werden sollte. Die gemischten verfolgenden Rassen verschwinden, die reine verfolgte Rasse bleibt bestehen. Und im Moment, trotz Jahrhunderten oder gar Jahrzehnten der Erniedrigung, übt der jüdische Geist einen enormen Einfluss auf die Angelegenheiten Europas aus. Ich spreche nicht von ihren Gesetzen, denen Sie immer noch gehorchen; von ihrer Literatur, mit der Ihr Geist gesättigt ist, sondern vom lebendigen hebräischen Intellekt. Sie beobachten nie eine große intellektuelle Bewegung in Europa, an der die Juden nicht in hohem Maße beteiligt sind.\ Wo auch immer er reiste, fügte Sidonia hinzu, sah er jüdische Berater hinter Monarchen und Staatsoberhäuptern.  „Sie sehen also, mein lieber Coningsby, dass die Welt von ganz anderen Persönlichkeiten regiert wird, als diejenigen, die nicht hinter den Kulissen stehen, sich vorstellen können.“  In einem Sachbuch (*Lord George Bentinck: A Political Biography*, 1852) schrieb Disraeli:\ \[Juden] sind ein lebendiger und der eindrucksvollste Beweis für die Falschheit dieser verderblichen Doktrin der Neuzeit, der natürlichen Gleichheit der Menschen. ... die natürliche Gleichheit der Menschen, die heute in Mode ist und die Form einer kosmopolitischen Bruderschaft annimmt, ist ein Prinzip, das, wenn man danach handeln könnte, die großen Rassen zersetzen und den ganzen Genius der Welt zerstören würde. ... Die angeborene Tendenz der jüdischen Rasse, die zu Recht stolz auf ihr Blut ist, ist gegen die Doktrin der Gleichheit der Menschen.**\[6]**\ Benjamin Disraeli, *Lord George Bentinck*, Archibald, 1852 (archive.org), S. 496. \ Disraeli ist eindeutig auf derselben Wellenlänge wie Moses Hess, Herzls geistiger Vater, der, nachdem er Marx (einen weiteren nominellen Konvertiten) beeinflusst hatte, zu dem Schluss kam, dass „der Rassenkrieg wichtiger ist als der Klassenkampf“ (*Rom und Jerusalem,* 1862). Ein gutes Beispiel für dialektische politische Manipulation ist, dass Hess Marx weiterhin heimlich unterstützte und auf dessen Bitte hin nach dem Generalkongress der Internationale in Basel (5.–12. September 1869) Verleumdungen gegen Bakunin veröffentlichte, in denen er Bakunin beschuldigte, ein *Agent provocateur* der russischen Regierung zu sein und „im Interesse des Panslawismus“ zu arbeiten.**\[7]**\ Bakunins Antwort auf Französisch, „Aux citoyens rédacteurs du *Réveil*“, finden Sie auf Wikisource.org.\ Es ist interessant zu sehen, dass ein anderer Proto-Zionist wie Disraeli den russischen Interessen zutiefst feindlich gesinnt war.\ \ Was war Disraelis Motivation hinter der Außenpolitik, die er dem britischen Empire vermittelte? Glaubte er, dass es die offensichtliche Bestimmung der Briten sei, die Welt zu erobern? Oder sah er das britische Empire als Instrument für die überlegene Bestimmung der jüdischen Nation, wenn er sich daran erinnerte, wie Esra und Nehemia in biblischen Zeiten die Außenpolitik der Perser ausgenutzt hatten? Indem er den Suezkanal (der zwischen 1859 und 1869 von den Franzosen gegraben wurde) mit den britischen Interessen in Verbindung brachte, wollte er einfach nur die Franzosen übertrumpfen, oder legte er damit den Grundstein für das zukünftige Bündnis zwischen Israel und dem angloamerikanischen Empire? Da die Briten nun einmal den Suezkanal besaßen, mussten sie ihn verteidigen, und wie ginge das besser als mit einer befreundeten jüdischen autonomen Regierung in der Nähe in Palästina? Genau das war es, was Chaim Weizmann dreißig Jahre später den Briten schmackhaft machen wollte: „Das jüdische Palästina wäre ein Schutz für England, insbesondere in Bezug auf den Suezkanal.“**\[8]**\ Chaim Weizmann, *Trial and Error,* Harper & Brothers, 1949, S. 192. \ Und als die Israelis 1956 mit britischer und französischer Unterstützung in den Sinai einmarschierten, taten sie dies, indem sie Großbritannien erneut versprachen, die Kontrolle über den von Nasser verstaatlichten Kanal an Großbritannien zurückzugeben. \ Disraelis Russophobie, zu der er Königin Victoria bekehrte, und seine Verteidigung der Türken, deren Massaker an den Serben und Bulgaren allgemein bekannt waren, führten zu Theorien über eine jüdische Verschwörung. William Ewart Gladstone, ein langjähriger Gegner Disraelis und selbst mehrmals Premierminister (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 und 1892–1894), erklärte, dass Disraeli „die britische Außenpolitik als Geisel seiner jüdischen Sympathien nahm und mehr daran interessiert war, die Leiden der Juden in Russland und der Türkei zu lindern, als an britischen Interessen“. Die Zeitung *„The Truth“* vom 22. November 1877 spielte auf die Vertrautheit Disraelis mit den Rothschilds an und vermutete „eine stillschweigende Verschwörung ... seitens einer beträchtlichen Anzahl von Anglo-Hebräern, um uns im Namen der Türken in einen Krieg zu ziehen“. Es wurde außerdem daran erinnert, dass Disraeli in einer Rede vor dem britischen Unterhaus im Jahr 1847 die Zulassung von Juden zu wählbaren Ämtern gefordert hatte, mit der Begründung, dass „der jüdische Geist einen enormen Einfluss auf die Angelegenheiten Europas ausübt“.**\[9]**\ Stanley Weintraub, *Disraeli: A Biography,* Hamish Hamilton, 1993, S. 579, 547. \ Die Königin stand, wie ein Großteil der britischen Aristokratie, bereits unter dem Bann einer modischen Theorie, die den Angelsachsen einen israelitischen Ursprung zuschrieb. Diese Theorie war erstmals zur Zeit Oliver Cromwells aufgetaucht und wurde 1840 von Pastor John Wilson in seinen *Vorlesungen über das alte Israel und den israelitischen Ursprung der modernen Nationen Europas* sowie 1870 von Edward Hine in *The English Nation Identified with the Lost Israel* neu aufgelegt. In diesem Werk erfahren wir, dass das Wort „Saxon“ von „Isaac's sons“ (Söhne Isaaks) abgeleitet ist. Diese lächerliche Theorie lieferte eine billige biblische Rechtfertigung für den britischen Kolonialismus und sogar für den Völkermord an den kolonisierten Völkern (neue Kanaaniter) durch das britische Empire (neues Israel).**\[10]**\ André Pichot, *Aux origines des théories raciales, de la Bible à Darwin,* Flammarion, 2008, S. 124–143, 319. \ Königin Victoria war glücklich, glauben zu können, dass ihre edle Abstammung auf König David zurückging, und ließ ihre Söhne beschneiden, ein Brauch, der bis heute fortbesteht. Es mag etwas Wahres an dem Gefühl der britischen Elite für ihr Judentum liegen, denn im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert hatten viele Ehen reiche jüdische Familien mit der alten, verarmten Landaristokratie vereint, so dass nach Hilaire Bellocs Schätzung „mit Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts diejenigen der großen territorialen englischen Familien, in denen es kein jüdisches Blut gab, die Ausnahme waren“.**\[11]**\ Hilaire Belloc, *The Jews,* Constable & Co., 1922 (archive.org), S. 223. \ Die Begeisterung der Königin für das Judentum hatte aber auch viel mit dem Einfluss Disraelis zu tun, der einmal gegenüber einem Freund damit prahlte: „Jeder mag Schmeichelei, und wenn es um das Königshaus geht, sollte man sie mit einer Kelle auftragen.“**\[12]**\ Stanley Weintraub, *Disraeli: A Biography,* Hamish Hamilton, 1993, S. 579, 547. \ Der Fall Disraeli ist aufschlussreich, weil die Frage, die er aufwirft, dieselbe ist wie die Frage, die heute geopolitische Analysten in Bezug auf die Beziehung zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Israel spaltet: Wer führt wen an der Nase herum? Ist Israel der Brückenkopf der Vereinigten Staaten im Nahen Osten oder sind die Vereinigten Staaten, wie Zbigniew Brzezinski einmal sagte, der **[„dumme Esel“](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfjE5_1xOs8)** Israels? Die Beantwortung dieser Frage für das Jahrhundert vor dem Zweiten Weltkrieg (als **[„Israel“ das internationale Judentum](https://twitter.com/Laurent_Guyenot/status/1883831745046560928)** bedeutete) hilft bei der Beantwortung derselben Frage heute, da die symbiotische Beziehung zwischen Israel und dem Imperium erheblich gewachsen ist. \ Die Antwort hängt vom Standpunkt des Betrachters ab. Die Zionisten haben natürlich ein Interesse daran, die Ansicht zu fördern, dass Israel den angloamerikanischen Interessen dient und nicht umgekehrt. Disraeli argumentierte vor dem britischen Parlament, dass ein jüdisches Palästina im Interesse des britischen Kolonialismus sei. Aber jüdische Zionisten haben die Dinge schon immer aus der anderen Perspektive betrachtet, und man kann kaum glauben, dass Disraeli ihre Ansicht nicht insgeheim teilte. Wenn der Held seines Romans *Tancred* (1847), ein Jude, der wie Disraeli zum Lord ernannt wurde, das britische Empire mit folgenden Worten verherrlicht: „Wir wollen die Welt erobern, angeführt von Engeln, um die Menschheit unter göttlicher Herrschaft glücklich zu machen“, wer verbirgt sich hinter diesem zweideutigen „wir“? Ist es dasselbe doppeldeutige „wir“, das die PNAC-Neokonservativen benutzten, um Amerika in Kriege zum Wohle Israels zu verwickeln? \ Wenn ein britischer Jude wie Disraeli zu den Briten „wir“ sagte, war dies eine strategische Zweideutigkeit. Er traf damit den patriotischen Nerv der angelsächsischen Elite, die den gemeinsamen Glauben an die Mission des britischen Empires teilte, die Welt zu zivilisieren – Menschen wie Lord Salisbury, Mitglied von Cecil Rhodes' Round Table, der sich für eine Weltregierung durch die „britische Rasse“ einsetzte.**\[13]**\ Carroll Quigley, *The Anglo-American Establishment, From Rhodes to Cliveden* (1949), Books In Focus, 1981. \ Der britische Imperialismus und der zionistische Nationalismus wurden etwa zur gleichen Zeit geboren wie die Zwillinge Esau und Jakob und sind seit ihrer Geburt eng miteinander verflochten. Zwei Überlegungen helfen jedoch, ihre wahre Beziehung zu verstehen. Erstens reichen die ideologischen Wurzeln des Britischen Empires nicht weiter zurück als bis ins 17. Jahrhundert, während die des Zionismus mehr als zwei Jahrtausende zurückreichen. Zweitens starb das Britische Empire nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg, während der Zionismus aufblühte. Aus diesen beiden Gründen ist die Theorie, dass der Zionismus ein Nebenprodukt des britischen Imperialismus ist (nennen wir sie die Chomsky-Theorie), nicht haltbar. \ Um die wahre Beziehung zwischen Zion und Albion zu Disraelis Zeiten zu verstehen, muss man die Macht der Rothschild-Dynastie über die britische Politik richtig einschätzen. Ohne die Rothschilds hätte Großbritannien nie die Kontrolle über den Suezkanal erlangt, der den Grundstein des britischen Empires im Nahen Osten bildete. Die Rothschilds selbst kandidierten nicht für ein politisches Amt, heirateten jedoch manchmal in eine solche Familie ein: Lord Archibald Primrose, 1886 und von 1892 bis 1894 Außenminister und 1894–1895 Premierminister, war der Schwiegersohn von Mayer Amschel de Rothschild.\ Es ist bemerkenswert, dass Theodor Herzl den zukünftigen jüdischen Staat als „aristokratische Republik“ mit „dem ersten Prinzen Rothschild“ an der Spitze sah. In einer langen Tirade in seinem Tagebuch ermahnte er die Rothschilds, ihre bösen Seelen zu erlösen, indem sie den Zionismus statt Kriege finanzierten:\ Ich weiß nicht, ob alle Regierungen bereits erkennen, welche internationale Bedrohung Ihr Weltreich darstellt. Ohne Sie können keine Kriege geführt werden, und wenn Frieden geschlossen werden soll, sind die Menschen umso mehr auf Sie angewiesen. Für das Jahr 1895 wurden die Militärausgaben der fünf Großmächte auf vier Milliarden Francs geschätzt, und ihre tatsächliche militärische Stärke in Friedenszeiten auf 2.800.000 Mann. Und diese Streitkräfte, die in der Geschichte ihresgleichen suchen, kommandieren Sie finanziell, ungeachtet der widerstreitenden Wünsche der Nationen. ... Und Ihr verfluchter Reichtum wächst immer noch. ... Aber wenn Sie sich uns anschließen, ... werden wir unseren ersten gewählten Herrscher aus Ihrem Haus nehmen. Das ist das leuchtende Leuchtfeuer, das wir auf die Spitze des fertigen Eiffelturms Ihres Vermögens setzen werden. In der Geschichte wird es so aussehen, als wäre das der Zweck des gesamten Bauwerks gewesen.**\[14]**\ \ *The Complete Diaries of Theodor Herzl,* edited by Raphael Patai, Herzl Press & Thomas Yoseloff, 1960, vol. 1*,* pp. 163–170.\ Wie Richard Wagner jedoch einmal sagte (*Judaism in Music*, 1850), zogen es die Rothschilds vor, „die Juden der Könige“ zu bleiben, anstatt „die Könige der Juden“ zu sein.\ \ Wenn die Zeit für die Gründung des jüdischen Staates zu Disraelis Zeiten noch nicht reif war, dann vor allem deshalb, weil die Juden in Russland sich von Palästina ebenso wenig angezogen fühlten wie die Juden in Europa; sie wussten kaum, wo es lag. Erst kürzlich von Zar Alexander II. emanzipiert, strebten sie lediglich eine Auswanderung nach Europa oder in die Vereinigten Staaten an. Erst nach der Ermordung von Zar Alexander II. im Jahr 1881 (einen Monat vor Disraelis Tod) wurden einige von ihnen durch die Pogrome für Leon Pinskers proto-zionistischen Aufruf von 1882 empfänglich: „Wir müssen uns ein für alle Mal mit dem Gedanken abfinden, dass die anderen Nationen uns aufgrund ihres angeborenen natürlichen Antagonismus für immer ablehnen werden.“**\[15]**\ Benzion Netanyahu, *The Founding Fathers of Zionism,* Balfour Books, 2012*,* Kindle l. 761-775. \ Ebenfalls im Jahr 1881 begann Baron Edmond de Rothschild vom Pariser Zweig, unter der Schirmherrschaft seiner Palestine Jewish Colonization Association (PICA) Land in Palästina zu kaufen und die Ansiedlung jüdischer Siedler zu finanzieren, insbesondere in Tel Aviv. Die meisten bestehenden internationalen jüdischen Organisationen, wie B'nai B'rith (gegründet 1843 in New York) oder die Alliance Israélite Universelle (gegründet 1860 in Paris), waren jedoch der Meinung, dass Israel als verstreute Nation gut zurechtkäme und keine Pläne für Palästina habe.\ Dies änderte sich während des Ersten Weltkriegs, als ein äußerst effizientes Netzwerk aufgebaut wurde, das beide Seiten des Atlantiks verband.**\[16]**\ Alison Weir, *Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel,* 2014, Kindle l. 387-475. \ Theodor Herz konzentrierte seine diplomatischen Bemühungen zunächst auf Deutschland, aber in England begannen sich die Dinge vielversprechend zu entwickeln („Der Schwerpunkt hat sich nach England verlagert“, schrieb er 1895 in sein Tagebuch), was zum Teil der Rekrutierung von Israel Zangwill zu verdanken war, der laut Benzion Netanyahu „der erste war, der in den oberen Kreisen der britischen Politik direkt über den Zionismus sprach“, insbesondere mit Lloyd George, „einem engen Bekannten Zangwills von Beginn seiner zionistischen Tätigkeit bis zu seinem Lebensende“.**\[17]**\ Netanyahu, *The Founding Fathers of Zionism,* l. 2536-59. \ Erinnern wir uns daran, dass Zangwill der erfolgreiche Autor von *The Melting Pot war,* einem Theaterstück, das Mischehen für Amerikaner pries. Hier besteht kein Widerspruch, denn „die gemischten verfolgten Rassen verschwinden, die reine verfolgte Rasse bleibt bestehen“, wie Sidonia sagte.\ \ Die Bedeutung von Disraelis geopolitischen Manövern wird von Historikern der Zionisten selten anerkannt, da sie oberflächlich betrachtet nicht den Weg für die Gründung des jüdischen Staates geebnet zu haben scheinen. Tatsächlich bildeten sie jedoch das unsichtbare Fundament, auf dem Herzl und Zangwill aufbauten. Und diese unsichtbare Kontinuität zeugt von der erstaunlichen generationsübergreifenden Beharrlichkeit des jüdischen Volkes, das sein jahrtausendealtes, selbsternanntes Schicksal Generation für Generation vorantreibt. Ja, es ist wirklich bewundernswert, wenn auch verheerend für die westliche Zivilisation, die durch zweitausend Jahre Christentum ahnungslos und ihres eigenen Sinns für Blut beraubt wurde. Wie der zionistische Autor Jakob Klatzkin einmal in der Zeitschrift *„Der Jude“*, 1916, schrieb:\ Wir bilden in uns selbst eine geschlossene juristische und geschäftliche Körperschaft. Eine starke Mauer, die wir errichtet haben, trennt uns von den Menschen in den Ländern, in denen wir leben – und hinter dieser Mauer befindet sich ein jüdischer Staat.**\[18]** Zitiert in Robert Edward Edmondson, *The Jewish System Indicted by the Documentary Record,* 1937 (archive.org), S. 15.\ \ **Anmerkungen**\ **\[1]** Yuri Slezkine, *The Jewish Century,* Princeton University Press, 2004.\ **\[2]** Cecil Roth, *A History of the Marranos* (1932)*,* Meridian Books, 1959*,* S. 148.\ **\[3]** Zitiert in Kevin MacDonald, *Separation and Its Discontents: Toward an Evolutionary Theory of Anti-Semitism,* Praeger, 1998, kindle 2013, l. 4732–4877.\ **\[4]** Hannah Arendt, *The Origins of Totalitarianism,* Band 1: *Antisemitism,* Meridian Books, 1958, S. 309–310.\ **\[5]** Robert Blake, *Disraeli* (1966), Faber Finds, 2010, S. 202.\ **\[6]** Benjamin Disraeli, *Lord George Bentinck*, Archibald, 1852 (archive.org), S. 496.\ **\[7]** Bakunins Antwort auf Französisch, „Aux citoyens rédacteurs du *Réveil*“, auf Wikisource.org.\ **\[8]** Chaim Weizmann, *Trial and Error,* Harper & Brothers, 1949, S. 192.\ **\[9]** Stanley Weintraub, *Disraeli: A Biography,* Hamish Hamilton, 1993, S. 579, 547.\ **\[10]** André Pichot, *Aux origines des théories raciales, de la Bible à Darwin,* Flammarion, 2008, S. 124–143, 319.\ **\[11]** Hilaire Belloc, *The Jews,* Constable & Co., 1922 (archive.org), S. 223.\ **\[12]** Stanley Weintraub, *Disraeli: A Biography,* Hamish Hamilton, 1993, S. 579, 547.\ **\[13]** Carroll Quigley, *The Anglo-American Establishment, From Rhodes to Cliveden* (1949), Books In Focus, 1981.\ **\[14]** *The Complete Diaries of Theodor Herzl,* edited by Raphael Patai, Herzl Press & Thomas Yoseloff, 1960, vol. 1*,* pp. 163–170.\ **\[15]** Benzion Netanyahu, *The Founding Fathers of Zionism,* Balfour Books, 2012*,* Kindle-Ausgabe, S. 761–775.\ **\[16]** Alison Weir, *Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel,* 2014, Kindle-Ausgabe, S. 387–475.\ **\[17]** Netanyahu, *The Founding Fathers of Zionism,* S. 2536-59.\ **\[18]** Zitiert in Robert Edward Edmondson, *The Jewish System Indicted by the Documentary Record,* 1937 (archive.org), S. 15.

@ 04ed2b8f:75be6756

The world doesn’t care about your excuses. It doesn’t care about your past, your wounds, or the battles you’ve already fought. Life will not lower the weight just because you feel tired. **You either rise, or you stay down.** But here’s the truth—**you are not your past.** You are not your failures, not your pain, not the things that tried to break you. **You are what you choose to become.** Some people get knocked down and never get back up. Some let their past define them, cage them, strip them of their potential. And then there are those who **decide.** They decide that no matter what happened, **they will rise.** They will fight. They will carve their own path, even if they have to do it with their bare hands. ## **Your Past is a Weapon—If You Use It Right** Your past can be two things: **a chain or a sword.** - Weak minds wear their past like a shackle, letting it hold them back. - Warriors forge their past into steel, using it as a blade to cut through the future they want. Scars? They aren’t signs of weakness. They are proof that you survived. That you endured. And that you’re still standing. So stop letting your past dictate your future. **Rip the pen from its hands and write your own damn story.** ## **The Weak Surrender. The Strong Rebuild.** Life will try to break you. That’s a fact. You will lose, you will hurt, you will doubt. But none of that matters. The only thing that matters is **what you do next.** - **You can let failure drown you, or you can rise stronger.** - **You can let heartbreak harden you, or you can sharpen yourself through it.** - **You can let regret bury you, or you can burn it as fuel.** It’s easy to stay down. To blame the world. To say, “This is just who I am.” But warriors don’t do easy. They do necessary. ## **You Are the Architect of Your Own Power** Everything you need to win is already inside you. You don’t need permission. You don’t need the world to approve. You just need one thing: **to choose.** - **Choose discipline over comfort.** - **Choose hunger over hesitation.** - **Choose action over excuses.** - **Choose to become something greater than your past.** Because in the end, that’s the only choice that matters. The world will try to define you. It will try to chain you to your past, drag you down with doubt, and keep you in a box. **Shatter it.** Prove them wrong. Be the person that refuses to be shaped by circumstance—**be the one who shapes themselves.** The past is done. The future is unwritten. The power to decide who you become? **That’s all yours.** Now get up and take it.

@ 31da2214:af2508e2

**Video Title:** Une révolution géopolitique est en marche : l’Afrique se libère ! **Creator:** Pensées KAMITE **Published Date:** February 9, 2025 **Video Length:** 17 minutes 6 seconds **Views:** >24k **Likes:** >2k **Video URL:** [Original YouTube Video](https://youtu.be/AqrgC7y6Twk) **Key Points from the Video:** * **End of Western Hegemony:** The video asserts that Western dominance in Africa is coming to an end. A geopolitical revolution is underway, breaking the chains of neocolonialism and fundamentally reshaping the continent's geopolitical landscape. * **Decline of Western Influence:** The video highlights a notable decline in Western influence and power in Africa. This is contrasted with the growing presence of China and Russia, who are increasing their investments in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, defense, natural resources, and technology across the continent. * **Shifting Economic Partnerships:** China and Russia are now surpassing the European Union as Africa's primary trading partners. This indicates a significant shift in economic alliances, moving away from traditional Western partners. * **Failure of Western Strategies:** The host argues that Western imperialist strategies have failed to adapt to the evolving realities in Africa. While African countries initially engaged in colonial agreements with the West, the economic landscape now favors China and Russia. * **Collapse of Unipolar World Order:** This geopolitical shift is described as unprecedented, signaling the collapse of the unipolar world order established after World War II. The video suggests that the United States, weakened by costly conflicts and substantial debt, is experiencing an erosion of power. In contrast, China and Russia, leading the BRICS nations, are emerging as crucial players in a newly forming global balance of power. * **Strategic Importance of Africa:** The video emphasizes Africa's strategic importance in this new global order. Emerging powers are forming alliances with African nations that are perceived as more respectful and mutually beneficial. * **Critique of Western Approach:** The speaker criticizes the West's approach to Africa as cruel and paternalistic, accusing it of imposing underdevelopment policies driven by self-interest rather than genuine partnership. This approach has allegedly led to widespread poverty, conflict, economic dependence, and inequality across the continent. * **Rise of China and Russia as Alternatives:** The video presents the rise of China and Russia as offering alternative partnerships that are more advantageous and respectful of African sovereignty. These new alliances are seen as enabling Africa to chart its own future. * **Call for African Collaboration:** African nations are urged to collaborate with these new global actors to further accelerate the decline of Western influence in Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo is given as an example, suggesting it should seek strategic partnerships with Russia and China for military and economic cooperation rather than relying on Western support. * **Need for Strong African Leadership:** The speaker emphasizes the need for visionary and courageous African leadership, suggesting that military leaders might be better positioned to provide this strategic direction compared to civilian leaders who are portrayed as hesitant and lacking strategic vision. * **Opportunity for Africa:** The video concludes that the West's decline presents a crucial moment for Africa to assert itself, support liberation movements, and challenge Western interests. It points to perceived contradictions and self-interest in Western actions on the global stage. * **Call to Action:** Viewers are urged to support the movement towards a multipolar world and to advocate for the complete independence of African nations, free from Western influence. **External Context and Further Details:** To provide a broader context, it's important to consider information from external sources regarding the geopolitical shifts in Africa. * **Increased Russian and Chinese Engagement:** Numerous reports and analyses confirm the growing economic and political influence of Russia and China in Africa. These countries have increased their trade, investment, and military cooperation with various African nations. [Example China-Africa Growing Trade](https://www.knowdys.com/en/china-africa-trade-a-4-8-growth-driven-by-commodities/) & [Example Russia-Africa relations](https://www.rt.com/africa/607502-russia-africa-trade-reaches-new-high/). * **Shifting Alliances and Security Concerns:** The video mentions countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger. These nations have indeed experienced political instability and have, in some cases, moved away from traditional Western security partners, seeking alternatives, including Russia's Wagner Group in Mali. [Example Wagner Group in Mali](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/07/29/wagner-group-confirms-fighters-killed-battling-mali-rebels-a85858). * **Anti-Western Sentiment:** There is a growing anti-Western sentiment in parts of Africa, fueled by historical colonial experiences, perceived neocolonial practices, and a desire for more equitable partnerships. [Example Anti-Western Sentiment in Africa](https://france.news-pravda.com/en/france/2025/01/30/10141.html). * **Multipolar World Order:** The concept of a transition to a multipolar world order, where power is distributed among multiple centers rather than concentrated in the West, is a widely discussed topic in international relations. The rise of China and the resurgence of Russia are key factors in this shift. [Example Multipolar World Order](https://journal-neo.su/2025/01/07/the-legacy-of-2024-an-increasingly-divided-world-in-2025/). **Credit:** This summary is based on the YouTube video "Une révolution géopolitique est en marche : l’Afrique se libère !" created by [**Pensées KAMITE**](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2PdWDTkGsdClni3UeTo9kQ), published on February 9, 2025. The analysis incorporates information directly from the video and contextual details gathered from general knowledge searches to provide a more comprehensive overview.

@ 37305b10:4676ca73

This* is a test long form article publish via Nostr Article Publish in Obsidian. Testing the publishing of the Feature Image

@ 7e19a1dd:ea50ba3b

Air compressors are workhorses across industries, from manufacturing plants to auto repair shops. However, keeping them running smoothly requires regular maintenance, which can be a time-consuming and costly chore. That’s where air compressor filters come into play. These simple yet vital components can help extend the life of your compressor while saving you money and headaches down the line. ## What Do Air Compressor Filters Actually Do? Air compressors suck in air from their surroundings, and that air isn’t always clean. It can carry dirt, moisture, and even tiny particles that can damage your compressor's internal parts. Filters act as the gatekeepers, trapping contaminants before they wreak havoc. Without a good filter, dirt and debris can clog valves and reduce efficiency. Even worse, it can lead to costly repairs—or worse, a full-blown breakdown. Filters also remove moisture, preventing rust and corrosion in your compressor and connected equipment. ## Less Maintenance, More Savings Regular maintenance on an air compressor is inevitable, but filters significantly cut down the frequency of those tune-ups. Clean air means fewer clogs and less wear and tear on moving parts. As a result, you’ll need fewer repairs and part replacements over time. And let’s not forget energy efficiency. When an air compressor operates with clean air, it doesn’t have to work as hard. This reduced workload translates into lower energy bills. Over time, this can add up to significant savings. ## Filters Protect Your Investment Air compressors aren’t cheap, and replacing one can feel like a punch to the wallet. Using high-quality air compressor filters protects your investment by keeping the equipment running at peak performance. Think of it like regularly changing your car’s oil. It’s a small, affordable step that prevents big problems later. ## Save Time and Effort No one enjoys unscheduled downtime, especially when deadlines are looming. A well-maintained compressor equipped with a proper filter is far less likely to break down unexpectedly. That means fewer interruptions and more time to focus on your work. And here’s another bonus: replacing filters is quick and easy. Compared to the hours it can take to clean or repair a compressor, swapping out a filter is a breeze. ## Choosing the Right Filter Not all filters are created equal. Make sure you choose one that matches your compressor’s specifications. If you’re unsure, check your user manual or ask a professional. Investing in a high-quality filter might cost a little more upfront, but it will pay off in the long run. ### Final Thoughts **[Air compressor filters](https://warriorfiltration.com/compressed-air-line-filters/)** are a small but mighty tool in keeping your equipment running smoothly. They cut down on maintenance, protect your compressor, and save you both time and money. By making filters a regular part of your maintenance routine, you’ll not only extend the life of your compressor but also improve its efficiency. That’s a win-win for your wallet and your workflow. So, the next time you fire up your air compressor, make sure its filter is up to the task. You’ll thank yourself later!

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

I feel like we're stuck in the 16GB or let's say the broad "8GB to 32GB" range forever now. Do you remember the times when computer performance and all memory and drive sizes doubled and doubled and doubled? Now we live in a time when we all not only want to play games or the time when locally playing 4k video was demanding - we live in a time where we want to run local LLMs offline and reder 3D stuff or even have VR goggles with more than 8K resolution. Remember the Radeon 6000 Series from 2020 - HALF A DECADE AGO - buy a Radeon 6800 with 16GB. # Current state of the industry - Nvidia 5070 comes with only 12 GB of VRAM. Why. - Nvidia 5080 should be the real flagship but it comes with only 16GB. Why. You can run an 8b LLM model on this at best. - Nvidia 5090 ist the only product here that gives 32GB. Congratulations, might as well buy 2 cards. This should be the VRAM the 5070 has - Perfect opportunity for AMD to be a tough competitor, right? Wrong. The new AMD Radeon 9000 series gives you 16GB with the 9070 and 9070xt - Apple is technologically perfectly positioned to come out of nowhere and blow the industry out of the water with their unified memory architecture. And to some extent this is true. If you buy a Macbook pro and pay the egregiously priced upgrade to 32GB (which is less than 2 GPUs à 16GB due to Unified Memory also using normal RAM stuff) you'll get a whole computer for what Nvidia/AMD sell the cards alone. - Nvidia Digits looks similar to Apples MacMini. The unified memory architecture makes this a better deal. But still disappointing imo. - If tech doubled and doubled like back in the day I would have expected 64GB everywhere and maybe even 128GB for 5090 level products. I'm serious. # Conclusion: What to buy for local LLM (imo) 1. Don't 2. If you already got an older 16GB graphics card don't upgrade to the overpriced new ones. You'll be able to run the same sized small models, just slower. 3. If you're in the market for a whole new computer anyway - upgrading a MacBook to 32GB 4. You're crazy and like to tinker? Maybe research how to get a dozen RTX 3080 cards or AMD 6800 cards to run together. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/881359

@ e1d968f7:5d90f764

Every encounter brings its own unique connection, and over time, I've come to appreciate the genuine bonds that can form between a client and myself. Yet, sometimes that bond deepens too far, with a client becoming overly attached in ways that complicate the professional nature of our relationship. Today, I want to share more about recognising these moments and handling them with both compassion and firmness. ### ** recognising Over-Attachment** At first, the warmth of a connection can feel incredibly gratifying. Clients often open up and share parts of themselves that they might not reveal elsewhere. However, there comes a point when friendly familiarity begins to tip into dependency. I’ve noticed the signs: frequent messages outside of our agreed hours, an insistence on more personal details, or expressions of jealousy when I interact with other clients. These are the moments when I realise that my client is developing feelings that exceed the professional boundaries of our arrangement. ### **Managing Emotional Intimacy** Understanding that every client is unique, I’ve learned that managing emotional intimacy is as important as setting physical boundaries. It’s natural for someone to crave closeness, but I remind myself—and my clients—that my role is to provide a safe, respectful space, not to fill every gap in their emotional lives. I gently steer conversations away from overly personal territory and encourage clients to seek other forms of support, whether from friends or professional counsellors, when they need deeper emotional assistance. ### **Setting Clear Boundaries** When I recognise signs of over-attachment, I address them directly. I reaffirm the terms of our relationship by politely yet firmly clarifying that my availability is strictly within the professional parameters we initially agreed upon. For instance, if a client begins messaging excessively or asks for personal contact details, I calmly remind them that my priority is to maintain a respectful, professional connection. I find that establishing these boundaries early—often before a session even begins—can help prevent attachment from spiralling out of control. ### **Communicating with Compassion** Handling these situations isn’t merely about enforcing rules; it’s about caring for my clients while protecting my own well-being. I approach sensitive discussions with empathy, acknowledging their feelings and validating their need for connection, yet I am clear that the service I offer has its limits. I explain that while I value our interactions, I must keep our relationship within the agreed boundaries so that I can continue providing the best possible experience for everyone involved. ### **Maintaining Professionalism and Self-Care** Dealing with over-attachment takes its toll, both emotionally and mentally. I make it a priority to reflect on these experiences and ensure that I practice self-care afterwards. Whether through quiet moments of solitude, journaling my thoughts, or speaking with a trusted colleague, I take steps to recharge and maintain my emotional balance. This not only helps me move past challenging interactions but also strengthens my ability to support my clients in a professional manner. ### **Conclusion** Navigating the fine line between connection and over-attachment is one of the most complex aspects of my work. While I deeply value the trust and intimacy that can develop during our time together, it is essential for both my clients and me to recognise when boundaries begin to blur. By staying true to my professional guidelines and communicating with honesty and empathy, I ensure that each encounter remains respectful and fulfilling. In the end, maintaining these boundaries is not just about protecting myself—it’s about honouring the true nature of our connection and ensuring that it remains both safe and meaningful. Rebecca x

@ 31da2214:af2508e2

A global privacy nightmare is unfolding. The UK government secretly ordered Apple to backdoor encrypted iCloud storage worldwide—but Apple is legally forbidden from revealing this order, or they face criminal charges. This affects **2 BILLION USERS**. Here’s the full story & why it’s part of a much bigger power grab. 🧵👇 [[Thread by @sayerjigmi on Thread Reader App](https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1888287793123901896.html)] --- ## 1) The UK's Secret Order to Backdoor Encryption 🔓 Under the UK’s **Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016**, Apple was served a **Technical Capability Notice (TCN)**—forcing them to create a backdoor for encrypted iCloud data. This is not limited to UK users. It applies **worldwide**, meaning your private files are at risk, no matter where you live. 🔗 [@macworld report](https://macworld.com/article/260251…) --- ## 2) Apple’s Legal Gag Order 🤐 Apple is legally forbidden from revealing this order. If Apple even acknowledges that the UK issued this demand, they could face **criminal charges**. This is a secret government order with **global consequences**. --- ## 3) A Global Threat to Encryption 🌍 This isn’t just about the UK (although they are leading the charge in threatening citizens in OTHER countries for violating BRITISH censorship laws!). If Apple complies, every government in the world will demand the same access—from the US to China to authoritarian regimes. **End-to-end encryption would be effectively dead.**  --- ## 4) Apple’s Dilemma: Comply or Withdraw? 🚪 Apple has two choices: - **Comply** & weaken encryption globally. - **Refuse** & withdraw services from the UK. WhatsApp & Signal faced similar threats last year and vowed to leave the UK rather than compromise security. Will Apple do the same? 🚨 Watch the heated discussion between Damian Collins, director of CCDH (architect of the UK Online Safety Bill), and Signal’s CEO: [YouTube Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E--bVV_eQR0) --- ## 5) Why This Matters: Encryption Protects Everything 🔐 - **Encryption protects financial data, health records, personal security (e.g., where you live or work), and private conversations.** - Governments always say they need backdoors for national security—but history shows they’re used for **mass surveillance**. - Once a backdoor exists, hackers, rogue employees, and other governments WILL find it. --- ## 6) The UK’s War on Encryption 🛡️ The UK is trying to dominate the global surveillance & censorship landscape. While the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have supported strong encryption to mitigate cyber threats, the UK stands alone in its war on encryption. --- ## 7) The Free Speech Crackdown 🗣️ This isn’t just about encryption—it’s about **control**. Governments worldwide are criminalizing dissent and censoring free speech, using tech companies as their enforcement arms. 🔗 [GreenMedInfo Report](https://greenmedinfo.com/content/breaking-international-governments-are-criminalizing-free-speech-through-glo-3) --- ## 8) The Global Censorship Agenda 🌐 This ties into the UK’s broader, **GLOBALLY ORCHESTRATED censorship agenda**: - The **Online Safety Bill** criminalizes encrypted messaging & forces platforms to scan private messages. - The **Digital Services Act (EU)** gives governments the power to shut down online content they don’t like. - Leaked US-UK documents show direct coordination between UK intelligence & the Biden administration to censor online speech. --- ## 9) The Architects of Speech Policing: CCDH 🕵️‍♂️ The **Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH)**—a UK intelligence-backed group—has been a driving force behind global censorship. They were caught: - Running “black ops” to suppress RFK Jr.’s presidential campaign. - Leading the "Kill Musk’s Twitter" directive, trying to shut down free speech on X. - Labeling 12 private US citizens as the “Disinformation Dozen” to justify mass censorship. 🔗 [Reclaim the Net Investigation](https://reclaimthenet.org/black-ops-how-a-us-uk-censorship-group-targeted-rfk-jr-to-stifle-dissent) --- ## 10) The Pattern is Clear: Surveillance + Censorship 🔍 1️⃣ Governments create "safety" laws to justify surveillance. 2️⃣ They pressure tech companies to enforce censorship. 3️⃣ Once encrypted services are gone, nothing is private anymore. This is the biggest attack on digital freedom in history. --- ## 11) What Can We Do? 💪 - **Support companies** that refuse to build backdoors (Signal, ProtonMail, etc.). - **Push for legislation** that protects encryption & free speech. - **Stay informed** & spread awareness—governments count on secrecy to push these policies through. - Follow and support privacy and internet freedom organizations such as: - [@G_W_Forum](https://twitter.com/G_W_Forum) - [@FFO_Freedom](https://twitter.com/FFO_Freedom) - [@ReclaimTheNetHQ](https://twitter.com/ReclaimTheNetHQ) --- ## 12) The Ultimate Power Grab: Controlling All Digital Communication 📱 If Apple caves, every other platform will be forced to follow. 📌 The UK’s Global Playbook: - A backdoor to encryption (Investigatory Powers Act). - A government-linked censorship network (CCDH). - A speech-policing framework that extends worldwide (Online Safety Bill). This is a global effort to control what people can say, share, and store privately. --- ## 13) The Final Stand: Will You Comply or Resist? ⚔️🚨 They want total control—your speech, your privacy, your elections. This is the defining battle of our time. 🇬🇧 UK’s war on encryption = Global censorship blueprint. 🗳️ Election meddling + speech policing = A hijacked democracy. 📢 **Digital freedom is human freedom.** Stand up. Speak out. Fight back. 🏴‍☠️🔥 🔗 [LEARN MORE](https://sayerji.substack.com/p/crossfire-of-democracy-uk-labour?utm_source=publication-search) --- *Full thread preserved by [Thread Reader App](https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1888287793123901896.html).*

@ daa41bed:88f54153

There has been a good bit of discussion on Nostr over the past few days about the merits of zaps as a method of engaging with notes, so after writing a rather lengthy [article on the pros of a strategic Bitcoin reserve](https://geek.npub.pro/post/dxqkgnjplttkvetprg8ox/), I wanted to take some time to chime in on the much more fun topic of digital engagement. Let's begin by defining a couple of things: **Nostr** is a decentralized, censorship-resistance protocol whose current biggest use case is social media (think Twitter/X). Instead of relying on company servers, it relies on relays that anyone can spin up and own their own content. Its use cases are much bigger, though, and this article is hosted on my own relay, using my own Nostr relay as an example. **Zap** is a tip or donation denominated in sats (small units of Bitcoin) sent from one user to another. This is generally done directly over the Lightning Network but is increasingly using Cashu tokens. For the sake of this discussion, how you transmit/receive zaps will be irrelevant, so don't worry if you don't know what [Lightning](https://lightning.network/) or [Cashu](https://cashu.space/) are. If we look at how users engage with posts and follows/followers on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc., it becomes evident that traditional social media thrives on engagement farming. The more outrageous a post, the more likely it will get a reaction. We see a version of this on more visual social platforms like YouTube and TikTok that use carefully crafted thumbnail images to grab the user's attention to click the video. If you'd like to dive deep into the psychology and science behind social media engagement, let me know, and I'd be happy to follow up with another article. In this user engagement model, a user is given the option to comment or like the original post, or share it among their followers to increase its signal. They receive no value from engaging with the content aside from the dopamine hit of the original experience or having their comment liked back by whatever influencer they provide value to. Ad revenue flows to the content creator. Clout flows to the content creator. Sales revenue from merch and content placement flows to the content creator. We call this a linear economy -- the idea that resources get created, used up, then thrown away. Users create content and farm as much engagement as possible, then the content is forgotten within a few hours as they move on to the next piece of content to be farmed. What if there were a simple way to give value back to those who engage with your content? By implementing some value-for-value model -- a circular economy. Enter zaps.  Unlike traditional social media platforms, Nostr does not actively use algorithms to determine what content is popular, nor does it push content created for active user engagement to the top of a user's timeline. Yes, there are "trending" and "most zapped" timelines that users can choose to use as their default, but these use relatively straightforward engagement metrics to rank posts for these timelines. That is not to say that we may not see clients actively seeking to refine timeline algorithms for specific metrics. Still, the beauty of having an open protocol with media that is controlled solely by its users is that users who begin to see their timeline gamed towards specific algorithms can choose to move to another client, and for those who are more tech-savvy, they can opt to run their own relays or create their own clients with personalized algorithms and web of trust scoring systems. Zaps enable the means to create a new type of social media economy in which creators can earn for creating content and users can earn by actively engaging with it. Like and reposting content is relatively frictionless and costs nothing but a simple button tap. Zaps provide active engagement because they signal to your followers and those of the content creator that this post has genuine value, quite literally in the form of money—sats.  I have seen some comments on Nostr claiming that removing likes and reactions is for wealthy people who can afford to send zaps and that the majority of people in the US and around the world do not have the time or money to zap because they have better things to spend their money like feeding their families and paying their bills. While at face value, these may seem like valid arguments, they, unfortunately, represent the brainwashed, defeatist attitude that our current economic (and, by extension, social media) systems aim to instill in all of us to continue extracting value from our lives. Imagine now, if those people dedicating their own time (time = money) to mine pity points on social media would instead spend that time with genuine value creation by posting content that is meaningful to cultural discussions. Imagine if, instead of complaining that their posts get no zaps and going on a tirade about how much of a victim they are, they would empower themselves to take control of their content and give value back to the world; where would that leave us? How much value could be created on a nascent platform such as Nostr, and how quickly could it overtake other platforms? Other users argue about user experience and that additional friction (i.e., zaps) leads to lower engagement, as proven by decades of studies on user interaction. While the added friction may turn some users away, does that necessarily provide less value? I argue quite the opposite. You haven't made a few sats from zaps with your content? Can't afford to send some sats to a wallet for zapping? How about using the most excellent available resource and spending 10 seconds of your time to leave a comment? Likes and reactions are valueless transactions. Social media's real value derives from providing monetary compensation and actively engaging in a conversation with posts you find interesting or thought-provoking. Remember when humans thrived on conversation and discussion for entertainment instead of simply being an onlooker of someone else's life? If you've made it this far, my only request is this: try only zapping and commenting as a method of engagement for two weeks. Sure, you may end up liking a post here and there, but be more mindful of how you interact with the world and break yourself from blind instinct. You'll thank me later. 

@ c4551bf3:f041d130

TA88 là một nền tảng kỹ thuật số tiên tiến, mang đến trải nghiệm trực tuyến mượt mà và ổn định cho người dùng. Với giao diện thân thiện và thiết kế tối ưu, TA88 giúp người dùng dễ dàng truy cập trên cả máy tính và thiết bị di động. Nền tảng này được xây dựng trên công nghệ hiện đại, đảm bảo tốc độ xử lý nhanh, kết nối ổn định và khả năng tương thích cao, mang đến sự tiện lợi và linh hoạt tối đa cho người dùng. Không ngừng đổi mới, <a href="https://ta88-vn.com">TA88</a> liên tục cập nhật và nâng cấp hệ thống để mang đến chất lượng dịch vụ tốt nhất. Nền tảng này tích hợp nhiều công nghệ tiên tiến, giúp tối ưu hóa hiệu suất và nâng cao trải nghiệm người dùng. Nhờ vào sự cải tiến không ngừng, TA88 mang đến không gian giải trí phong phú, hấp dẫn và luôn bắt kịp xu hướng công nghệ, giúp người dùng có những trải nghiệm mới mẻ và thú vị. Bên cạnh việc tập trung vào công nghệ, TA88 cũng đặc biệt chú trọng đến bảo mật và quyền riêng tư. Hệ thống bảo mật đa lớp với các giao thức mã hóa tiên tiến giúp bảo vệ dữ liệu cá nhân của người dùng một cách an toàn tuyệt đối. Việc áp dụng các biện pháp bảo mật nghiêm ngặt giúp TA88 đảm bảo môi trường trực tuyến an toàn, giúp người dùng yên tâm tận hưởng những tiện ích mà nền tảng mang lại. Không chỉ tập trung vào công nghệ hiện đại, TA88 còn đầu tư mạnh mẽ vào dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ chuyên nghiệp luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp mọi thắc mắc và cung cấp sự trợ giúp nhanh chóng, đảm bảo người dùng có trải nghiệm thuận tiện và hài lòng nhất. Sự tận tâm và chuyên nghiệp trong dịch vụ khách hàng là yếu tố giúp TA88 xây dựng lòng tin và sự trung thành từ cộng đồng người dùng. Với những ưu điểm vượt trội, TA88 không ngừng đổi mới và phát triển để mang đến những trải nghiệm tối ưu. Nền tảng này liên tục cập nhật công nghệ, mở rộng tính năng và tối ưu hóa dịch vụ nhằm duy trì vị thế hàng đầu trong lĩnh vực giải trí kỹ thuật số. Nhờ vào sự kết hợp giữa công nghệ hiện đại, tính bảo mật cao và dịch vụ chuyên nghiệp, TA88 đã trở thành một trong những lựa chọn hàng đầu cho những ai tìm kiếm một nền tảng trực tuyến tiện lợi, an toàn và đáng tin cậy.

@ c4551bf3:f041d130

333Win là một nền tảng kỹ thuật số tiên tiến, mang đến trải nghiệm trực tuyến mượt mà và ổn định cho người dùng. Với giao diện thân thiện và thiết kế tối ưu, 333Win giúp người dùng dễ dàng truy cập trên cả máy tính và thiết bị di động. Hệ thống được xây dựng trên nền tảng công nghệ hiện đại, đảm bảo tốc độ xử lý nhanh, kết nối ổn định và hiệu suất tối ưu, giúp người dùng có những trải nghiệm liền mạch, tiện lợi mọi lúc, mọi nơi. Không ngừng đổi mới, <a href="https://333win.site">333WIN</a> liên tục cập nhật và nâng cấp hệ thống nhằm mang đến chất lượng dịch vụ tốt nhất. Nền tảng này tích hợp nhiều công nghệ tiên tiến để tối ưu hóa hiệu suất, giúp nâng cao sự tiện lợi và linh hoạt trong quá trình sử dụng. Nhờ vào sự cải tiến không ngừng, 333Win tạo ra một không gian giải trí phong phú, hấp dẫn và phù hợp với nhu cầu đa dạng, giúp người dùng luôn có những trải nghiệm trọn vẹn và mới mẻ. Bên cạnh công nghệ tiên tiến, 333Win cũng đặc biệt chú trọng đến bảo mật và quyền riêng tư. Hệ thống bảo mật đa lớp với các giao thức mã hóa tiên tiến giúp bảo vệ dữ liệu cá nhân của người dùng một cách an toàn tuyệt đối. Việc áp dụng các biện pháp bảo vệ nghiêm ngặt giúp 333Win đảm bảo môi trường trực tuyến an toàn, giúp người dùng yên tâm tận hưởng những tiện ích mà nền tảng mang lại. Không chỉ tập trung vào công nghệ hiện đại, 333Win còn chú trọng đến chất lượng dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ chuyên nghiệp luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp thắc mắc và cung cấp sự trợ giúp nhanh chóng, đảm bảo trải nghiệm người dùng luôn thuận tiện và hài lòng. Sự tận tâm và chuyên nghiệp trong dịch vụ là yếu tố giúp 333Win xây dựng lòng tin và sự trung thành từ cộng đồng người dùng. Với những ưu điểm vượt trội, 333Win không ngừng đổi mới và phát triển để mang đến những trải nghiệm tốt nhất. Nền tảng này liên tục cập nhật công nghệ, mở rộng tính năng và tối ưu hóa dịch vụ nhằm duy trì vị thế hàng đầu trong lĩnh vực giải trí kỹ thuật số. Nhờ vào sự kết hợp giữa công nghệ hiện đại, tính bảo mật cao và dịch vụ chuyên nghiệp, 333Win đã trở thành một trong những lựa chọn hàng đầu cho những ai tìm kiếm một nền tảng trực tuyến tiện lợi, an toàn và đáng tin cậy.

@ c4551bf3:f041d130

6623 là một nền tảng kỹ thuật số tiên tiến, mang đến trải nghiệm trực tuyến mượt mà và ổn định cho người dùng. Với giao diện thân thiện và thiết kế tối ưu, 6623 giúp người dùng dễ dàng truy cập trên cả máy tính và thiết bị di động. Hệ thống được phát triển với công nghệ hiện đại, đảm bảo tốc độ xử lý nhanh, kết nối ổn định và hiệu suất tối ưu, giúp người dùng tận hưởng dịch vụ tiện lợi và liền mạch mọi lúc, mọi nơi. Một trong những ưu điểm nổi bật của <a href="https://6623-vn.com">6623</a> là sự đổi mới và cập nhật liên tục nhằm nâng cao chất lượng dịch vụ. Nền tảng này luôn tích hợp các công nghệ tiên tiến nhất để tối ưu hóa hiệu suất và mang đến trải nghiệm linh hoạt cho người dùng. Nhờ vào sự cải tiến không ngừng, 6623 tạo ra một không gian giải trí phong phú, hấp dẫn và phù hợp với nhu cầu đa dạng, giúp người dùng luôn có những trải nghiệm trọn vẹn và mới mẻ. Bên cạnh việc tập trung vào công nghệ, 6623 đặc biệt chú trọng đến bảo mật và quyền riêng tư của người dùng. Hệ thống bảo mật đa lớp với các giao thức mã hóa tiên tiến giúp bảo vệ dữ liệu cá nhân một cách an toàn tuyệt đối. Các biện pháp bảo mật nghiêm ngặt đảm bảo môi trường trực tuyến an toàn, giúp người dùng yên tâm khi trải nghiệm nền tảng mà không lo lắng về các rủi ro bảo mật. Không chỉ tập trung vào công nghệ hiện đại, 6623 còn cung cấp dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng chuyên nghiệp. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp thắc mắc và cung cấp sự trợ giúp nhanh chóng, đảm bảo trải nghiệm người dùng luôn thuận tiện và hài lòng nhất. Sự tận tâm trong dịch vụ là một trong những yếu tố quan trọng giúp 6623 xây dựng lòng tin và sự gắn kết với cộng đồng người dùng. Với những ưu điểm vượt trội, 6623 không ngừng đổi mới và phát triển để mang đến những trải nghiệm tốt nhất. Nền tảng này liên tục cập nhật công nghệ, mở rộng tính năng và tối ưu hóa dịch vụ nhằm duy trì vị thế hàng đầu trong lĩnh vực giải trí kỹ thuật số. Nhờ vào sự kết hợp giữa công nghệ tiên tiến, bảo mật tối đa và dịch vụ chuyên nghiệp, 6623 đã trở thành một trong những lựa chọn hàng đầu cho những ai tìm kiếm một nền tảng trực tuyến hiện đại, tiện lợi và đáng tin cậy.

@ 42342239:1d80db24

The risks associated with cryptocurrencies have recently [received attention](https://www.epochtimes.se/finansinspektionen-varnar-for-investeringar-i-krypto) in the media, where e.g. the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority warns of the high volatility and risk of investments in crypto. Within the EU, as usual, significant efforts are being made to expand the already extensive regulatory framework. Meanwhile, in the US, there has been a marked turnaround. Even the presidential family has launched their own cryptocurrencies, resulting in criticism from [industry experts](https://efn.se/vandning-om-trump-i-kryptobranschen-befangt) . Important perspectives, however, are conspicuous by their absence in the conversation. Iain McGilchrist, a British psychiatrist and philosopher, has introduced the hemispheric hypothesis (a theory about how the brain's two hemispheres function). **The left hemisphere is more detail- and control-oriented, while the right hemisphere is more holistic.** A society dominated by the left hemisphere, [such as our own according to McGilchrist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYB7P-xPRsk) , "would see it as its task to control everything maximally and would have a paranoid feeling that we need to have surveillance cameras everywhere...". During a [speech](https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1882474184338514033) at the World Economic Forum, President Trump recently stated that conservatives complain about big banks, such as Bank of America, not allowing them to conduct business within the bank. Critics argue that the American banking system has been used [to persecute](https://x.com/TFTC21/status/1861510237485965565) political opponents, both during Obama's and Biden's terms. **Under Obama, 'Operation Chokepoint' was introduced to limit certain businesses' access to banking services.** A subcommittee in the Senate [now wants to eradicate](https://x.com/SenLummis/status/1882497148975280449) this phenomenon. **More and more people are discovering that their money is not always under their control.** Non-profit associations and [congregations](https://www.varldenidag.se/nyheter/monster-kristna-aktorer-nekas-bli-bankkunder/833990) are not allowed to open bank accounts. Sometimes they are even thrown out as bank customers. Others may report being subjected to lengthy interrogations by the bank about what they intend to do with their money, even when they just want to transfer funds between their own accounts. **Rejected churches are met with silence**, while a bank account is (still!) necessary to fully operate in society. When leading economists at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) argue that a cashless society can [threaten fundamental rights](https://archive.ph/fpRk0) , including property rights, when churches are refused bank accounts in what is described as "**a threat to civil society**" and when regulations still fail to combat [organised crime](https://www.epochtimes.se/Ibland-kostar-det-mer-an-det-smakar) , is it not reasonable to wonder if we are on the right path? With cash, people can pay freely without intermediaries, which constitutes a form of financial freedom. The notes you hold in your hand are your own. **Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, offer a similar possibility**: an electronic, peer-to-peer cash system (person to person). A society dominated by the left hemisphere results in a pathological need for control, according to McGilchrist. A more holistic perspective, taking into account the right hemisphere, would acknowledge that too much control can be detrimental, that property rights are a fundamental right, and that [financial freedom](https://www.epochtimes.se/Dags-att-prioritera-transaktionsfrihet) is a human right. Do these perspectives not deserve more attention?