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@ 42342239:1d80db24
2025-02-16 08:39:59
Almost 150 years ago, the British newspaper editor William Thomas Stead wrote that "the editorial pen is a [sceptre of power](https://archive.org/details/GovernmentByJournalismWilliamThomasStead), compared with which the sceptre of many a monarch is but a gilded lath". He had begun to regard journalism as something more than just conveying information - **the journalist or editor could become a ruler.**
Times had certainly changed compared to a few hundred years earlier. Before [Gutenberg's invention of the printing press](https://underorion.se/en/posts/gutenberg/), it was mainly the church that controlled the dissemination of information in Europe, but when Stead put pen to paper, this control had shifted to newspapers, schools, and universities. Eventually, technologies like radio and TV entered the scene, but the power dynamics remained asymmetrical - only a few could send information to the many.
However, with the emergence of the internet, and especially with the spread of social media, a significant change followed. Instead of only a few being able to send information to the many, many could send to many. Almost anyone could now create their own newspaper, radio, or TV channel. **The power over information dissemination was decentralised.**
[Ten years ago](https://www.di.se/ditv/rikets-affarer-medierna-ar-splittrade/), Roberta Alenius, who was then press secretary for Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of the Moderate Party, shared her experiences with Social Democratic and Moderate Party internet activists on social media. She reported that social media played a significant role in how news "comes out" and is shaped, and that **journalism was now downstream of social media**. [Five years later](https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_166392.htm), NATO's then-Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that "NATO must be prepared for both conventional and hybrid threats: **from tanks to tweets**." This finally underscores the importance of social media.
Elon Musk, who took over X (formerly Twitter) in 2022, has claimed that "it's absolutely fundamental and transformative that the people actually get to decide the news and narrative and what's important," and that [citizen journalism is the future](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1870485116474278240).
While his platform allows most expressions - for better or worse - the reach of messages is instead limited ("[freedom of speech does not mean freedom of reach](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R9TuhTz0vmo) "). X has also opened its recommendation algorithm to the outside world by making it open-source. Although this is a welcome step, the fact remains that **it's impossible to know which code is actually used** and what adjustments are made by humans or algorithms.
William Thomas Stead's "sceptre of power", which has wandered from the church to newspaper and TV editorial offices, and now to citizens according to Elon Musk, risks being transferred to algorithms' opaque methods?
Instead of talking about "toxic algorithms" and TikTok bans, like the so many do today, we should ask ourselves more fundamental questions. What happens when algorithms are no longer objective (how can they ever be?), but instead become tools for shaping our reality? **Perhaps our greatest challenge today is not deciding who should govern the information landscape, but instead recognising that no one is up to the task** - not even well-ventilated computers.
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@ c3c7122c:607731d7
2025-02-16 07:48:35
At my meet up (the SD Bitcoiners Cete) on Thursday, I presented trends on the Bisq protocol. One of its features is that anyone can export the trade history and analyze it.
Bisq is a private, peer-tp-peer way to buy and sell bitcoin. All data are based on the BTC-USD market.
Trade number decreased in 2024
But USD volume increased ($/year)
(same graph but $/day by year)
Which means more higher value per trade
Interestingly, trade counts and price volatility lead to interesting BTC volume per year. The peaks are nearly identical (330 BTC)!
Not so surprising when you compare BTC volume traded to the average BTC price that year, local price valleys mean local peaks in BTC traded (and vice versa).
I separate fiat payment methods into three groups.
All USD payment methods used in 2024 by average value (y-axis) and number of trades (bubble size)
This is the same graph as above excluding Zelle and Strike, since they throw off the relative circle size (face-to-face only had 1 trade in 2024).
Two fiat methods had >1000 trades in 2024. Strike came on the scene hot in 2021 and ate some of the Zelle volume but that may have stabilized.
Six fiat methods had 200-1000 trades in 2024. Amazon Gift Card dwindling, Cash By Mail still top of this group, and Revolut surging (wtf is Revolut?)
Same group, all years
Last group is <200 trades in 2024. Basically unused, except for Wire Transfer increasing.
Same group, all years
What's the average trade size by fiat method? There are different reasons for this, largely driven by fiat fees and bank limits. Amazon Gift Card is an interesting option for smaller payments (note: you can't just send any gift card, there is a very specific process, see the Bisq [wiki]( https://bisq.wiki/Amazon_eGift_card))
There no KYC premium, but there is a small Surveillance Discount
If you open Bisq for the first time, you'll likely see spreads 3-5% or larger. These offers persist because no one wants them. So people think that Bisq is "too expensive." But let's dig into the actual trades...
Comparing the daily trade volume to daily market rate (I used coingecko), and creating a monthly weighted average, the true surveillance discount emerges. It's not 3-5% as you might see in the order book at any given time. In fact, it was cheaper to trade on Bisq than exchanges in November and December! (Note: this does not take into account the 4 on-chain transactions required for a trade or price spread/fees used by exchanges)
In 2024, Strike had the worst surveillance discount and Cash By Mail had the best. This isn't surprising because receiving cash is convenient and low risk for a seller so they're willing to accept a lower price. Zelle (the most common USD payment method) had the second best surveillance discount.
Now let's compare the surveillance discount by week in 2024 for select payment methods.
Strike was consistently worse than Zelle
Revolut was sometimes way worse than Zelle but sometimes a little better.
The two most private payment methods are cash and money order. They're pretty competitive regarding surveillance discount.
Take aways
* Be a maker and get a better price (fees are better too)
* Zelle is better for speed + convenience
* Amazon gift cards are good for speed + privacy (sorta)
* Cash or money order are better for privacy + volume
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@ e7bc35f8:3ed2a7cf
2025-02-16 05:34:56
The 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi has been widely debated, but the real story remains obscured by political theatrics and media smokescreens. The mainstream narrative focuses on bureaucratic failures, misinformation about an anti-Islamic film, and partisan blame games. However, when you dig deeper, a far more sinister picture emerges—one involving illegal arms deals, covert CIA operations, and geopolitical power plays that stretch far beyond Libya.
### Benghazi: A Strategic Flashpoint
Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, was a crucial battleground in the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the overthrow and murder of Muammar Gaddafi. As a key port city, it was not only economically vital but also politically significant. After the fall of Gaddafi, Libya descended into chaos, becoming a breeding ground for militant groups and a hub for illicit weapons smuggling.
On the night of [**September 11, 2012**]( https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/06/politics/benghazi-attack-timeline/), around **150 armed militants**—reportedly from **Ansar al-Sharia**, an Al-Qaeda-linked faction—attacked the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi. Four Americans died in the assault, including **Ambassador Christopher Stevens** and two former Navy SEALs who were working as CIA contractors.
In the immediate aftermath, the U.S. government, led by **Ambassador Susan Rice**, [falsely claimed]( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-20519384) the attack was a spontaneous reaction to an obscure anti-Islamic video. This story [collapsed]( https://www.cbsnews.com/news/emails-illustrate-how-white-house-shaped-benghazi-talking-points/) within days, leading to [Republican-led investigations]( https://web.archive.org/web/20140505004626/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/02/house-committee-subpoenas-kerry-over-benghazi-documents/) and heated political battles. Yet, amid the partisan finger-pointing, the most critical questions were never fully answered:
**What was the real purpose of the U.S. presence in Benghazi?**
**Why was the CIA so heavily involved in this particular location?**
**Was the attack a cover-up for a botched operation?**
### The CIA’s Secret War in Benghazi
One of the most underreported aspects of Benghazi is the sheer volume of [CIA operatives]( https://www.businessinsider.com/the-secret-cia-mission-in-benghazi-2013-8) on the ground during the attack. In August 2013, even [CNN]( https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/02/cnn-exclusive-dozens-of-cia-operatives-on-the-ground-during-benghazi-attack/) admitted that “dozens” of CIA personnel were present in Benghazi that night.
The agency went to extraordinary lengths to keep its operations in Libya under wraps. Whistleblowers later revealed that CIA officers were subjected to [frequent polygraph tests]( https://www.yahoo.com/news/report-cia-polygraphs-operatives-stop-benghazi-leaks-100204865.html) to ensure they weren’t leaking information about what really happened in Benghazi. This level of secrecy suggests something far more than just diplomatic work was taking place.
What were they hiding? Evidence points to an **illegal arms-smuggling operation**, reminiscent of the **Iran-Contra scandal**, where weapons were funneled to terrorist factions in Syria under the guise of aiding "moderate rebels."
### Arming Terrorists: The Benghazi-Syria Connection
Reports suggest that **Ambassador Stevens himself was deeply involved in a covert weapons pipeline**, shipping arms from Libya’s looted stockpiles to Syrian insurgents. These insurgents—many linked to Al-Qaeda—somehow ended up with advanced weaponry, including **U.S.-made Stinger missiles.**
Where did these weapons come from? **The very security operation in Benghazi** that was supposedly meant to prevent arms from falling into the wrong hands.
Lieutenant Colonel **Anthony Shaffer**, a military intelligence whistleblower, [suggested]( https://web.archive.org/web/20201109014908/https://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/09/25/books.destroyed/) that Stevens was likely killed because he had knowledge of these weapons transfers. Similarly, CIA contractor [Robert "Tosh" Plumlee]( https://canadafreepress.com/article/cia-whistleblower-faces-the-ire-of-an-angry-justice-department-over-benghaz), a veteran of Iran-Contra, supported the claim that the U.S. was [funneling weapons]( https://web.archive.org/web/20201101023009/https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/benghazi-hearing-revives-allegations-of-weapons-shipments-to-syria) to Syria through Turkey, Jordan, and even Pakistan.
### The Security Farce: Aiding the Enemy
Another bizarre piece of the puzzle is the **so-called security force** hired to protect the U.S. mission in Benghazi: the **February 17th Martyrs Brigade**. Incredibly, this group **publicly displayed Al-Qaeda flags on their own [Facebook page]( https://web.archive.org/web/20130512160017/http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/benghazi-consulate-protected-alqaida/2013/05/02/id/502565)**, yet they were still entrusted with U.S. diplomatic security.
Why would the U.S. government **pay known jihadists** to guard its personnel? Was this sheer incompetence, or something more deliberate?
### A Planned Hit That Spiraled Out of Control
It appears the Benghazi attack was more than just a terrorist ambush. There are indications that it was an **orchestrated hit**—perhaps an attempt to eliminate Stevens before he could [blow the whistle]( https://www.businessinsider.com/us-syria-heavy-weapons-jihadists-2012-10) on the weapons trafficking operation.
The two **former Navy SEALs** who died that night **ignored stand-down orders** and engaged the attackers, holding them off long enough for military drones to capture real-time footage. This forced the U.S. military to take notice, disrupting whatever covert plan was in motion.
An **Air Force whistleblower later [claimed]( https://gazette.com/military/air-force-whistleblower-we-could-have-saved-benghazi-victims/article_25e30eec-7e14-5ae8-b23f-647f7ec05e4c.html)** that a rescue mission was possible but was deliberately withheld. This suggests that allowing Stevens and his team to die was part of a calculated decision to prevent certain truths from coming to light.
### The Petraeus Affair: A Convenient Distraction?
As if this story couldn’t get any murkier, another subplot surfaced: **CIA Director David Petraeus’ extramarital affair** with his biographer, **Paula Broadwell.**
Shortly before the scandal erupted, Broadwell gave a speech in which she **accidentally revealed** that the CIA had been [holding Libyan militants prisoner]( https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/11/paula-broadwell-leaks-info-on-benghazi-prison-says-petraeus-knew-of-benghazi-plea-for-help-video/?PageSpeed=noscript) at the Benghazi annex. This revelation was explosive because it **contradicted Obama’s official stance against CIA black sites**.
Was the Petraeus scandal used as a distraction? Was he forced out because he knew too much?
### The Aftermath: Tying Up Loose Ends
Years later, in a final act of "cleaning house," a **key suspect in the Benghazi attack [was killed]( https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/key-suspect-benghazi-attack-killed-us-airstrike-iraq/story?id=31953157) in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq**. The timing, as always, was suspicious. This has become a pattern—critical witnesses and suspects disappearing before they can testify.
### A Scandal Bigger Than Partisan Politics
Benghazi was **not** about bureaucratic missteps or political negligence. It was about **[illegal arms deals]( https://youtu.be/xmjT-VeHjiY), black ops, and the perpetual cycle of U.S.-backed destabilization in the Middle East.** The official narrative is a smokescreen designed to distract from the uncomfortable truth: **The U.S. government has been covertly arming and funding the same groups it claims to be fighting.**
This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. **Both sides of the political spectrum have been complicit** in covering up what really happened in Benghazi. The military-industrial complex thrives on endless war, and the intelligence agencies operate with impunity.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that these covert operations never truly end—they simply move to the next theater of war. And as long as the public remains distracted by partisan squabbles, the real architects of these schemes continue to operate in the shadows, profiting from chaos.
The question is: Will we ever hold them accountable?
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@ 8d34bd24:414be32b
2025-02-16 04:19:34
Last night in my Bible reading I read this verse:
> “As for you, **do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me**; for I do not hear you. (Jeremiah 7:16) {emphasis mine}
My first thought was “Why in the world is God telling us not to pray for this people? Doesn’t the Bible tell us to pray about everything?”
> First of all, then, **I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men**, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. **This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior**, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) {emphasis mine}
Doesn’t God tell us to pray for whatever is bothering us?
> Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Doesn’t the Bible say that God will answer all of our requests?
> Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
Doesn’t the Bible tell us to pray for Israel and Jerusalem and His chosen people?
> **Pray for the peace of Jerusalem**:\
> “May they prosper who love you.\
> May peace be within your walls,\
> And prosperity within your palaces.”\
> For the sake of my brothers and my friends,\
> I will now say, “May peace be within you.”\
> For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,\
> I will seek your good. (Psalm 122:6-9) {emphasis mine}
Doesn’t the Bible even tell us to pray for our enemies?
> “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, **pray for those who mistreat you**. (Luke 6:27-28)
If all of this is true, then why does this verse tell us to not pray for this people, especially considering this is referring to God’s chosen people?
To answer this question, let us look at a broader portion of this passage:
> “As for you, **do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you**. Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and *they* pour out drink offerings to other gods in order to spite Me. Do they spite Me?” declares the Lord. “Is it not themselves *they spite,* to their own shame?” (Jeremiah 7:16-19) {emphasis mine}
God is saying to not pray for these people who have turned from Him and are worshipping other gods. These people are in full rejection of God. Still does it mean that we can’t pray for them at all or is this talking about a particular kind of prayer?
A little later in Jeremiah, we read:
> “Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster. (Jeremiah 11:14)
and
> So the Lord said to me, “**Do not pray for the welfare of this people**. When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence.” (Jeremiah 14:11-12) {emphasis mine}
We get a little more specificity on the command to “*not pray for*” in Jeremiah 14. We are told, “*Do not pray for the welfare of this people*.” This is not a universal command to never pray for them, but a command to not pray for their welfare. It is a command to not pray blessings on those in active rebellion against God.
At the time this command was made, the Israelites were expecting God’s protection and blessings while refusing to follow Him and instead worshipping other gods. This command isn’t a blanket statement to not pray for a sinning Israel, but a statement to not pray for blessings and protection for a sinning Israel. If this was a blanket statement it would contradict Psalm 122 above.
> This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, **if we ask anything according to His will**, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 John 5:14-15) {emphasis mine}
Using 1 John 5:14, we can begin to see the catch. We are to pray “*according to His will*.” It is not God’s will for sinners and those in open rebellion against God to be blessed or protected from hardship. A prayer such as, “Please turn your people back to you and give them a pure heart and repentance from sin,” would be according to His will. A prayer to “Please bless and protect Israel” while Israel has turned their back on God is not a prayer that God will answer. He will “*not hear you*.”
The Bible also says:
> You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3)
How often are our prayers not answered because we pray with wrong motives? At least sometimes. Of course there are also times when God tells us to wait or has something better in mind and we can’t see it because we are not seeking His will, but our own.
It is always good to pray for someone’s repentance and salvation. It isn’t always good to pray for someone’s healing, blessings, and prosperity. It is always good to pray for a nation to turn back to God and to obey His commands. It isn’t always good to pray for a nation’s prosperity and power in the world. Sometimes God’s will is to punish those who turn away from Him or against Him. We need to make sure we are aligned to God’s will and not just seeking our own.
I recommend that our prayers be like Jesus’s prayer right before going to the cross, “*saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done*.” (Luke 22:42). Our requests should be like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed Ngo right before being thrown in the fiery furnace, “*But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up*.” (Daniel 3:18). This isn’t just words thrown on the end of our prayers “*yet not My will, but Yours be done*,” but a cry of our hearts in full and complete trust in our Father God.
One thing that helps me is I try to pray the problem not the solution. God knows much better solutions than we do because He knows everything that has happened, everything that is happening, and everything that will happen. He knows what will lead to the best long term solution. When we pray the solution we desire, we miss out on the blessings of God’s knowledge, wisdom, and love.
May God lead you and guide you in a closer relationship to Him so that your will is completely aligned with His will and you are in close fellowship to Our Father in Heaven.
Trust Jesus
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@ 47cc4b41:1bad46c9
2025-02-15 23:20:11
Since the last time I wrote about a United States Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, there have been a few federal updates. Notably, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick will be developing a plan to create the first United States sovereign wealth fund after President Donald Trump signed an executive order. The order also directs Bessent and Lutnick to develop a plan for creating the fund within 90 days. Lutnick holds hundreds of millions of dollars of Bitcoin and is bullish on the future of Bitcoin and I personally believe this is a huge indication that Bitcoin will be included in this fund.
Additionally, David Sacks, the Crypto Czar said that a top agenda item for his task force is evaluating “the feasibility of a Bitcoin reserve.”
Both of these developments in my opinion are very positive for the future of Bitcoin at a federal level but the reality is that Federal legislation takes time and can suffer from gridlock, party disagreements, and overall levels of bureaucracy that states oftentimes don’t have to deal with. For this reason, many states have already made progress in pushing strategic reserve legislation and other Bitcoin-related legislation forward. This is also a reason why I expect the states to once again “lead” ahead of the federal government as it relates to Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Laws ([*bitcoinlaws.io*](https://bitcoinlaws.io/?utm_source=the-arc.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=the-states-will-lead)) is a resource that has emerged to specifically track Bitcoin and other digital asset legislation at the state level. The website highlights all of the outstanding legislation and provides the status and details on what is being proposed. I personally believe this resource will continue to be incredibly important for tracking what is actually happening at the state level as it relates to Bitcoin. It is rather difficult to stay up to date on all of the legislative occurrences as it relates to Bitcoin and Bitcoin Laws provides a one-stop-shop for all of the updates.
Most importantly, as of February 10th, 21 ‘Bitcoin Reserve’ bills have been introduced at the state level with 19 still active in the legislative process.
The idea that “the states will lead” reflects a theme of governance from the days of our Founding Fathers—that of Federalism. Federalism is a mode of political organization that allows separate states to unite under a national government while maintaining their own aspects of sovereignty. In layman's terms, Federalism allows for a Federal Government while also allowing State governments to have power within their individual borders. This system emphasizes a division of power with certain powers being granted to the federal government and others residing at the state level.
When the Founding Fathers created the Articles of Confederation they emphasized state power over a strong federal government. This system led to some problems such as economic instability amongst states and difficulties in coordinating a national defense eventually leading to the Constitution taking over and being the rule of the land for the centuries to follow. The Constitution created a stronger federal government while still protecting levels of state authority, autonomy, and sovereignty. The Tenth Amendment is a key aspect of this where it states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The amendment means that any powers *not explicitly given* to the federal government by the Constitution fall to the states.
The states having and maintaining individual power was a focal point when the United States was created and remains true today. Justice Louis Brandeis gave one of the more famous statements related to the rights of the states when he referred to them as “laboratories of democracy” during the case *New State Ice Co. v. Liebmann* (1932)*.* The full quote was, “It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.” The meaning emphasized the idea that states were “laboratories” and should be encouraged to enact policy ahead of the federal government. The rationale for why states should be encouraged to do this is any policy they enact is specifically within their own borders while federal legislation typically applies to the whole country. As such, the “test area” for any new piece of legislation is much smaller and impacts far fewer people than any federally enacted policy of the same measure.
We have seen the “states lead” with numerous issues throughout the years including legislation on same-sex marriage, marijuana, healthcare experiments, climate change regulations, civil rights, and more. I believe the table is being set for the states to once again lead the federal government as it relates to policy regarding a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve.
It is also my personal belief the urgency at which legislation is confirmed for a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve is a matter of national security. Every day that a federal strategic reserve for Bitcoin is not enacted is another day that foreign adversaries and other nations can front-run our country.
The positive of this scenario is that the common man can also front-run the federal government.
The positive of this scenario is that states can also front-run the federal government.
The positive of this scenario is that states have the opportunity to once again lead and pave the way for what I believe the United States Federal government will also adopt.
Strategic Reserves within the United States both at the state and federal level will have their 0 to 1 moment and rapidly have their 1 to many rush to completion.
The States will Lead.
**Stack SATs.**
*The views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only and should, in no way, be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research when making an investment or trading decision, as each such move involves risk. I am not a financial advisor and do not claim to be qualified to convey information or advice that a registered financial advisor would convey to clients as guidance. Nothing contained in this e-mail/article constitutes, or shall be construed as, an offering of financial instruments, investment advice, or recommendations of an investment strategy. If you are seeking financial advice, find a professional who is right for you.The views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only and should, in no way, be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research when making an investment or trading decision, as each such move involves risk. I am not a financial advisor and do not claim to be qualified to convey information or advice that a registered financial advisor would convey to clients as guidance. Nothing contained in this e-mail/article constitutes, or shall be construed as, an offering of financial instruments, investment advice, or recommendations of an investment strategy. If you are seeking financial advice, find a professional who is right for you.*
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-02-15 20:24:09
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called for an "army of Europe" to defend against Russian threats, emphasizing that the US may not continue its traditional support for Europe. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he warned against peace deals made without Ukraine's involvement.
US Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, urging Europe to enhance its defense efforts.
Zelensky stated, "I really believe the time has come - the armed forces of Europe must be created." He highlighted changing dynamics in US-Europe relations and noted that "the old days are over" regarding American support.
Despite discussions around NATO, Zelensky stated he wouldn't rule out NATO membership for Ukraine.
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@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353
2025-02-15 19:47:49
*"You are a slave to whoever controls you emotionally."*
> *"We get angry when someone tries to tell us what to do. 'Don’t tell me how to dress, how to think, how to do my job, how to live.' We feel this way because we see ourselves as independent, self-sufficient individuals.*
> *Or at least, that’s what we tell ourselves.*
> *Yet, if someone says something we disagree with, something inside us tells us we must argue with them. If a plate of treats is placed in front of us, we must eat them. If someone does something we don’t like, we must be furious. If a setback arises, we must be sad, depressed, or worried. But if something good happens a few minutes later, suddenly, we’re happy, excited, and wanting more.*
> *We should never let another person shake us back and forth the way our impulses do. It’s time we start seeing things differently: we are not puppets, dancing to whichever tune suits us at the moment. We should be the ones in control—not our emotions—because we are independent, self-sufficient individuals."*
> — **Ryan Holiday**
> *"Frame your thoughts like this: you are a mature man, and you will no longer allow yourself to be enslaved or manipulated like a puppet by every impulse. You will stop complaining about your current lot or fearing the future."*
> — **Marcus Aurelius**
📌 **Emotions can give us information, but they should not give us orders.**
It’s not enough to learn to say "no" to others; you must also learn **not to give in** to the demands of your weaker self.
---
**Thank you for reading, my friend!**
If this message resonated with you, consider leaving your **"🥃"** as a token of appreciation.
**A toast to our family!**
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@ c582af78:698069cc
2025-02-15 19:21:25
# **The Face of God: How Art Became a Gateway to the Divine**
If you live in the **West**, you’re surrounded by depictions of **God, Jesus, and the saints**—from paintings and statues to illustrated Bibles and stained glass windows.
But this is far from universal. In the **Islamic world**, religious art takes a very different form: vibrant colors, **intricate geometry, and architectural symmetry**. **Depictions of God or Muhammad aren’t just discouraged—they are outright forbidden.**
But why?
To answer that, we must go back to the **origins of the Abrahamic religions**—when **early Christians, Jews, and Muslims** were surprisingly **unified in their views on religious art**.
https://image.nostr.build/1515c5fd00d798cd283583618bbbc0d5eb91bc481a84c21d53644d42fa30173a.jpg
---
## **The Early Christian Hesitation**
The **first generation of Christians** were deeply aware of **Judaism’s strict prohibition** against idol worship. **Depicting God in any form was considered dangerous**—a potential gateway to paganism.
For centuries, Christianity could have followed this path, rejecting religious imagery altogether. But one fundamental theological idea **changed everything**:
**The Incarnation.**
As the early Church wrestled with the **nature of Christ**, heated debates emerged:
- Was he part human and part divine?
- Was he **fully** human and **fully** divine?
- And what did the Gospel of John mean by *“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”*?
The result of these debates was the **doctrine of the Incarnation**—the belief that **God took on human form in real flesh and blood**. And if **God himself** had chosen to be seen in **finite form**, then depicting Him in art could no longer be considered blasphemous.
This single theological shift laid the foundation for **Christianity’s embrace of religious art**—a decision that would not only shape Christian worship but **redefine how we engage with art itself**.
https://image.nostr.build/1cf9ea5d1385c46bd720de9c7de65123428a9f76356e39e37c5d7b9663993930.jpg
---
## **Let There Be Art…**
How did this change Christian art?
https://image.nostr.build/b945e4ea06b281bb4618f08b2543108beecf7f510aaa795bed1c833614e32fb7.jpg
The **early objections** to religious imagery went something like this:
> *“God is infinite and mysterious. Reducing Him to a finite, limited form is blasphemy.”*
But with the Incarnation, the argument flipped:
> *“If God took on real shape, color, and form without diminishing His divine nature, then we can depict Him in art without compromising His grandeur.”*
Thus, images of **Jesus, Mary, and saints** not only became **permissible**—they were **encouraged**.
Christian leaders actively **commissioned religious art** to communicate the **Gospel visually** to a largely **illiterate population**. **Paintings, statues, and stained glass** became tools of evangelization, helping people grasp biblical stories **without needing to read**.
Take the **Duomo of Milan** with its **4,000 statues**. They aren’t just decorative. They **inspire faith** by highlighting the lives of the saints.
Christianity had embraced art as a **spiritual bridge**, a way to **connect the finite with the infinite**.
https://image.nostr.build/4f6b79a9179d818a951bf461ee5ff785cbe618ed376b4a56d92e77dcb34005bc.jpg
---
## **The Criticism: Were They Worshiping the Art?**
Not everyone agreed.
Some critics argued that **Christians were focusing too much on the art itself**, rather than the God it was meant to represent.
https://image.nostr.build/29afb401ef99d2b6c59b71d8534a5160c25d2ca468d81251ba0f55d033679490.jpg
But the Church’s response was clear:
> **"You are not meant to look *at* art, but *through* it.**
Art is not the **end goal**—it is a **gateway to something greater**.
A painting of Christ isn’t meant to be **worshiped**—it’s meant to draw the viewer into **His story, His sacrifice, and His message**.
This perspective didn’t just shape religious art. It **fundamentally changed** how we experience **all forms of art, even secular ones.**
---
## **To Infinity and Beyond: The Lasting Impact of Religious Art**
Christianity’s view of art—that it **should point beyond itself**—has so deeply influenced Western culture that we often **don’t even realize it**.
Think about how we experience **books, music, and movies**:
- **A great novel** inspires courage.
- **A powerful song** moves you to tears.
- **A gripping film** motivates you to keep going in life.
The best art **doesn’t just exist for its own sake**—it **transports you beyond the canvas, the page, or the screen**.
This idea mirrors the Incarnation itself: **an infinite God becoming finite to guide us back to the infinite**.
---
## **Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, and the Incarnation of Art**
A perfect example? **J.R.R. Tolkien’s *The Lord of the Rings***.
Tolkien infused his story with **themes of brotherhood, heroism, and sacrifice**—all timeless, transcendental ideas. But instead of leaving them as abstract concepts, he **"incarnated" them into words on a page**—finite, tangible, and deeply relatable.
https://image.nostr.build/b120c4d7c7232cf226af65c33cb7fc494f495d50b8ad4593a58f3528fd0b71dc.jpg
His goal? To **turn the reader’s heart back to the infinite** by making them experience **these ideals in a concrete way**.
The same can be said for **any truly great art**.
It **doesn’t exist for itself**—it exists to move you, to inspire you, to challenge you.
And next time you step into a **cathedral**, gaze at a **masterpiece**, or listen to a **symphony**, remember:
You’re not supposed to simply **look at the art around you**—
You’re supposed to **look beyond it, into eternity**.
-
@ a95c6243:d345522c
2025-02-15 19:05:38
**Auf der diesjährigen Münchner** **[Sicherheitskonferenz](https://transition-news.org/in-munchen-der-realitat-ins-auge-sehen)** **geht es vor allem um die Ukraine.** Protagonisten sind dabei zunächst die US-Amerikaner. Präsident Trump schockierte die Europäer kurz vorher durch ein Telefonat mit seinem Amtskollegen Wladimir Putin, während Vizepräsident Vance mit seiner Rede über Demokratie und Meinungsfreiheit für versteinerte Mienen und Empörung sorgte.
**Die Bemühungen der Europäer um einen Frieden in der Ukraine** halten sich, gelinde gesagt, in Grenzen. Größeres Augenmerk wird auf militärische Unterstützung, die Pflege von Feindbildern sowie Eskalation gelegt. Der deutsche Bundeskanzler Scholz [reagierte](https://transition-news.org/gesucht-friedenskanzler) auf die angekündigten Verhandlungen über einen möglichen Frieden für die Ukraine mit der Forderung nach noch höheren «Verteidigungsausgaben». Auch die amtierende Außenministerin Baerbock hatte vor der Münchner Konferenz [klargestellt](https://archive.is/nUpYa):
> «Frieden wird es nur durch Stärke geben. (...) Bei Corona haben wir gesehen, zu was Europa fähig ist. Es braucht erneut Investitionen, die der historischen Wegmarke, vor der wir stehen, angemessen sind.»
**Die Rüstungsindustrie freut sich in jedem Fall über weltweit steigende Militärausgaben.** Die Kriege in der Ukraine und in Gaza tragen zu [Rekordeinnahmen](https://transition-news.org/kriege-sind-fur-waffenproduzenten-und-hedgefonds-f-king-good) bei. Jetzt «winkt die Aussicht auf eine jahrelange große Nachrüstung in Europa», auch wenn der Ukraine-Krieg enden sollte, so hört man aus Finanzkreisen. In der Konsequenz kennt «die Aktie des deutschen Vorzeige-Rüstungskonzerns Rheinmetall in ihrem Anstieg [offenbar gar keine Grenzen](https://finanzmarktwelt.de/rheinmetall-aktie-mit-mega-rally-nachruestung-und-1-000-euro-kursziel-339271/) mehr». «Solche Friedensversprechen» wie das jetzige hätten in der Vergangenheit zu starken Kursverlusten geführt.
**Für manche Leute sind Kriegswaffen und sonstige Rüstungsgüter Waren wie alle anderen,** jedenfalls aus der Perspektive von Investoren oder Managern. Auch in diesem Bereich gibt es Startups und man spricht von Dingen wie innovativen Herangehensweisen, hocheffizienten Produktionsanlagen, skalierbaren Produktionstechniken und geringeren Stückkosten.
**Wir lesen aktuell von Massenproduktion und gesteigerten Fertigungskapazitäten** für Kriegsgerät. Der Motor solcher Dynamik und solchen Wachstums ist die Aufrüstung, die inzwischen permanent gefordert wird. Parallel wird die Bevölkerung verbal eingestimmt und auf Kriegstüchtigkeit getrimmt.
**Das Rüstungs- und KI-Startup Helsing verkündete kürzlich** eine «dezentrale [Massenproduktion](https://www.trendingtopics.eu/helsing-kampfdrohnen-unicorn-startet-dezentrale-massenproduktion-fuer-ukrainekrieg/) für den Ukrainekrieg». Mit dieser Expansion positioniere sich das Münchner Unternehmen als einer der weltweit führenden Hersteller von Kampfdrohnen. Der nächste [«Meilenstein»](https://archive.is/eZsWP) steht auch bereits an: Man will eine Satellitenflotte im Weltraum aufbauen, zur Überwachung von Gefechtsfeldern und Truppenbewegungen.
**Ebenfalls aus München stammt das als** **[DefenseTech-Startup](https://www.trendingtopics.eu/arx-robotics-produktion/)** **bezeichnete Unternehmen** ARX Robotics. Kürzlich habe man in der Region die größte europäische Produktionsstätte für autonome Verteidigungssysteme eröffnet. Damit fahre man die Produktion von Militär-Robotern hoch. Diese Expansion diene auch der Lieferung der «größten Flotte unbemannter Bodensysteme westlicher Bauart» in die Ukraine.
**Rüstung boomt und scheint ein Zukunftsmarkt zu sein.** Die Hersteller und Vermarkter betonen, mit ihren Aktivitäten und Produkten solle die europäische Verteidigungsfähigkeit erhöht werden. Ihre Strategien sollten sogar «zum Schutz demokratischer Strukturen beitragen».
***
Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf ***[Transition News](https://transition-news.org/so-klingt-das-aufrustungs-business-startups-und-alte-hasen)*** erschienen.
-
@ d57360cb:4fe7d935
2025-02-15 17:35:54
Don’t focus on the end goal solely. If you do you’ll always find yourself empty handed. You wouldn’t want a fast forward button on your favorite song or your favorite movie. You don’t want to rush through your meals or the time you spend with important people in your life.
Notice this tendency to do things in order to get to the end. It’s sapping the depth of your existence from you.
Slow down. Life is lived in the in between. If you learn how to savor that, you’ll have a rich meaningful life.
-
@ f3873798:24b3f2f3
2025-02-15 17:30:50
Olá meus caros leitores, estou fazendo um guia voltados aos Brasileiros aqui do Nostr. Vejo que há muito conteúdo em inglês que infelizmente não é traduzido para o português. Por este motivo tomei a iniciativa de começa com este artigo.
Espero que gostem deste artigo, que tenham uma ótima leitura.
# Bem-vindos ao Mundo Nostr !!
Acredito que todos que estão aqui sabem um pouco sobre o Nostr e que é uma rede social descentralizada, local onde você pode postar sem medo de represarias governamentais [ditatoriais].
Mas, vocês conheçem como o Nostr funciona e todas as ferramentas que vocês têm disponível neste ecossistema?
Poisé, acho que não.
O Nostr é um protocolo de comunição descentralizada muito versátil, isso quer dizer que não está limitado a um tipo de "rede social", nele é possível fazer Blogs, streaming, podcast e até mesmo e-mails com autonomia total do usuário.
Meus caros, isso é liberdade total, sem ficar na mão de bigtech como Microsoft, Apple, Google.
Para ficar mais claro darei um exemplo para vocês:
Imagine você criando uma conta no Youtube, você deve aceitar as Diretrizes impostas pela google no uso do **SEU CANAL**, por mais que você tenha autonomia na produção do **SEU CONTEÚDO**, determinadas palavras e termos não podem ser usadas, ou seja, **O GOOGLE DETERMINA O QUE VOCÊ PODE OU NÃO FAZER NO SEU CANAL**.
Veja que é uma liberdade parcial no processo de criação de conteúdo.
Já no Nostr, o seu canal é completamente seu. Não há nenhuma entidade, empresa responsável pelo seu conteúdo a não ser você.
## O Mundo Nostr e sua funcionalidades
No nostr você terá acesso a uma diversidade de aplicativos para cada objetivo de uso.
Mas, antes de abordar sobre os diversos layouts e funcionalidades do Nostr é necessário aprender o básico deste universo.
> ***Em primeiro lugar:*** É necessário que vocês saibam que a partir do momento que vocês criaram um conta aqui, independente do "cliente" ou "distro como o pessoal que gosta de fazer analogia com o Linux", vocês recebem duas importantes chaves ! A **chave privada** e a **chave pública**.
A **Chave privada**, também chamada de chave secreta é o acesso ilimitado a sua conta, ou seja, é a partir dela que poderá produzir conteúdos em geral neste mundo. Ela te dará acesso a todos os rercusos do Nostr, portanto é importante que esteja muito segura.
A **Chave pública**, você ver como os outros usuários ver o seu perfil e o seu conteúdo. Ela é uma importante chave para que as pessoas possam ter acesso aos conteúdo que vocês públicam, ou seja, é atráves dela que você poderá compartilhar o seu perfil para que seu público tenha acesso ao seu mundo.
Dito isso vamos conhecer os apps e os chamados clientes Nostr.
### O que são clientes Nostr?
Clientes são as várias maneiras de interagir com o protocolo Nostr [fonte: Nostr.com]
É semelhante ao Sistema Operacional Linux que tem várias distro com diferentes layout para o mesmo Sistema.
Vejamos as principais para que vocês tenham uma noção da amplitude do protocolo.
- **Damus:** é um app para celulares IOS terem acesso ao NOSTR, tem formato de rede social, como Primal e o Amethyst.
- **Primal** é um app versátil serve tanto para celulares IOS, Android e PCs, também tem formato de rede social, porém você pode abrir uma carteira lightning bitcoin exclusiva deste app, facilitando muito os micropagamentos em satoshis pela rede.
- **Amethyst**, assim como o Damus é para o IOS o Amethsy é para o Android, sou suspeita para falar sobre este clientes, pois é o meu favorito. Além de várias possibilidades de edição de texto, ele tem diversas funcionalidade incluídas, como *****Guia Mercado***** onde você pode comercializar produtos pela rede, tem como intergrar com outros apps de streaming, formar grupos temáticos etc.
- **OXchat** não é exatamente uma rede social tem um layout que lembra um pouco o Whatsapp ou Telegram, serve como uma rede de interação instantânea, tem diversos recursos que achei mais interessante é a lousa, onde é possível interagir no grupo com desenhos etc.
- **Yakihonne** que é justamente o cliente que estou usando para construir este artigo. Como usuário posso dizer que ele tem um foco para criação de Blogs no protocolo Nostr, lembrando que cada cliente tem um layout diferente, ou seja, uso de templates para definir a estrutura do seu blog é meio limitado [ressalva assim como vocês sou iniciante do Nostr, pode ser que tenha como determinar um layout próprio, mas eu mesma não sei como]
Há muitos outros clientes disponíveis para acessar e experimentar e conhecer todos eu recomendo o site: [Nostrapps]( https://nostrapps.com/##all)
Agora que você leu este pequeno guia, se divirta aqui no nostr e não se esqueça de apoia a gente.
Até Mais !!
-
@ c230edd3:8ad4a712
2025-02-15 17:13:30
## Chef's notes
I prefer to use skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Any part, bone in or out, will work fine. I do recommend removing skin, so that the sauce can saturate the meat.
I like to simmer fresh green beans in the sauce as the chicken cooks through. Any fresh vegetable would work fine. Simply add them early in the cooking time and stir occasionally.
## Details
- ⏲️ Prep time: 10-15 min
- 🍳 Cook time: 30 min - 1 hour
- 🍽️ Servings: 1 - 8, or more
## Ingredients
- Skinless, boneless chicken thighs, or other cut
- Garlic Powder
- Garlic Cloves, 1 per piece of chicken, minced & salted
- Butter, 1 Tbsp per piece
- Chicken Broth or White Wine, approx 1/4 c. per piece
- oil for searing
## Directions
1. Heat oil over med-high heat in appropriate sized pan
2. Season chicken with garlic powder on both sides
3. Brown chicken, smooth side first. Flip and repeat
4. While chicken is browning, mince and salt garlic
5. Add butter to the pan, scrape loose any caramelized bits from the pan, as the butter melts
6. Add minced garlic, and saute until soft and fragrant
7. Add chicken broth or wine and stir, add vegetables if desired
8. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer
9. During simmer, scoop sauce over chicken occasionally, more frequently as sauce reduces
10. If cooking vegetables, flip or stir when coating the chicken to ensure they spend time fully submerged
11. Cook until chicken is done, vegetables are soft, and sauce is reduced to a thick paste
12. Serve :)
-
@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-02-15 15:50:17
"Admit it. Sometimes you just need a big strong man." -Xander Harris
Buffy fans should appreciate that reference. It's one of my favorite lines to quote around the house, whenever my wife needs help opening jars.
Today, I said it to my daughter when she tried to open the orange juice herself, which earned a side-eye from the wife. It also led me to think about a possible research hypothesis.
## Idea
I've heard that grip strength has been declining in men, to the point where there's barely a difference anymore between men and women.
Is it possible that something as seemingly trivial as not being any more able to open jars, is reducing the rate of relationship formation?
This was one area where men have historically been able to clearly demonstrate some value.
## Empirical difficulties
I have no idea what the data looks like on either side of this question (grip strength or relationship formation), so I can't say much about specific data problems.
However, there is definitely going to be an issue with "the dreaded third thing". In particular, I'm concerned with how to isolate the impact of grip strength decline from other effects of testosterone decline. Ideally, we'd be able to do a longitudinal study of men, where their grip strengths and testosterone levels are recorded, as well as their relationship status over time.
Since there's no chance of doing that study, the best hope would be to put together some population level numbers over time and see if relationship formation rates still have a correlation with grip strength, after controlling for average testosterone levels.
-----
I hope you enjoyed this half-baked idea. I mentioned to @denlillaapan that it might be fun to share ideas like this on SN. In all likelihood, no one will ever take these ideas any further, but they still might prompt fun discussions.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/886699
-
@ c43d6de3:a6583169
2025-02-15 14:18:07
You’re sitting in the 5am darkness of your living room.
The baby in your arms shifts and you’re afraid she might wake. It's hot, but you wouldn’t dare remove the blankets covering her body.
It seems impossible you could admire anyone more, then you hear the gentle snore of your exhausted wife creep from the gently cracked bedroom door.
You can only imagine what pain she went through to bring this precious girl to the world so you could be holding her now.
Your watch lights up. You dread the sight of that little alarm bell above the time 5:25 and a weight falls on you like a million tiny pieces of lead.
If only you had more time.
You wish you could take your baby girl with you. That way you would have all the time in the day with her and your wife could be left to rest.
You need to work.
You get up as gently as you can. Even so, baby girl shifts in your arms. Her eyes open slightly. The thought of returning a crying baby to your exhausted wife is distressing, it's just not fair.
Baby girl shifts again, her eyes open long enough to spot you in the faint glow of morning twilight and she smiles.
You hold your breath.
The smile remains on baby girl’s face but her eyes close and her head collapses into your chest. You return your baby to her mother’s side and admire them in their slumber.
You need to work. Nothing could ever go wrong with that house so long as you work to keep its walls strong. Some time, when you’re truly needed perhaps you’ll have the money saved up to take the desired time off.
In the absence of the love you share for your family. In the absence of the love others have for you, money loses some value.
If we equate money for what it is, the residue of time, we cannot divorce Love from Money.
It’s important to understand that Money won’t buy you Love and Love should never be exchanged for Money but Time cultivates Love.
These are some key things to keep in mind:
*Life without love is Suffocation*
*Life without money is stress and despair*
*Families are cultivated and grown with love and protected with money.*
*Money is the residue of time.*
Be it Bitcoin or a golden bullion, it exchanges days, hours, minutes, or seconds. What could you do instead if you had money?
-----------
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-
@ 19220736:7578e0e9
2025-02-15 14:13:33
- The UK’s Serious Fraud Office issued its first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) in January 2025.
- UWOs force individuals to justify wealth or risk asset seizure, with expanded powers since 2023.
- Critics warn of its potential for abuse.
This January, the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) [obtained](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sfo-secures-first-unexplained-wealth-order-in-100m-fraud-case) its first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) to recover a Lake District property valued at approximately £1.5 million. The property is owned by Claire Schools, ex-wife of solicitor Timothy Schools, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2022 for fraud. The UWO requires Ms. Schools to explain within 28 days how the property was acquired; failure to do so may lead to its seizure. This marks the Serious Fraud Office's first use of a UWO.
[UWOs](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/contents) are legal tools first introduced under the Proceeds of Crime Act in 2002, specifically in sections 362A to 362T, as amended by the Criminal Finances Act of 2017. UWOs empower the High Court (or the Court of Session in Scotland) to require individuals to explain the origin of assets over 50,000 GBP that appear disproportionate to their known income. If the individual cannot provide a satisfactory explanation, the assets may be subject to seizure by the government.
UWOs are civil orders and do not require a criminal conviction. Failure to comply with a UWO can make the property presumed recoverable in civil recovery proceedings. Additionally, the court may issue an interim freezing order to prevent the property from being dissipated while under investigation.
In 2023 this law was [updated](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-crime-transparency-and-enforcement-bill-2022-overarching-documents/factsheet-unexplained-wealth-order-reforms-web-accessible) to expand the scope of UWOs to apply to more individuals, lowering the burden of proof required to apply for UWOs, and allowing faster property seizure if an individual fails to respond or provide a satisfactory explanation. The process echoes witch trials that once accused, you must prove your innocence or forfeit.
The use of a UWO in this case highlights a growing effort by the UK to tackle illicit wealth, but it also raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power.
As explained by Kingsly Napley in [Lexology](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=287a5b60-5612-4093-ba8f-272252c44cb5) *“The wide range of parties that can be targeted by UWOs, the reverse burden of proof that applies and the pressure on UK authorities to be seen to do more to stamp out suspected dirty money, means that many people may find themselves fighting to retain their assets.”*
With the use of more UWOs to come in the future, the real impact will continue to unfold in the coming years.
-
@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35
2025-02-15 10:59:27
“Phoneography” is photography using a smartphone instead of a traditional camera.
Here are some solid phoneography tips to enhance your shots:
1. **Master the Basics**
* Clean the lens – Phones are handled all day, and a smudged lens can ruin a shot.
* Tap to focus – Always tap on your subject to ensure it's sharp.
* Use gridlines – Turn on the rule of thirds grid for better composition.
2. **Lighting is Everything**
* Natural light > Flash – Soft morning or golden hour light creates the best results.
* Use reflections & shadows – They add depth and creativity to your shots.
* Adjust exposure manually – Tap and slide up/down to brighten or darken.
3. **Composition Tricks**
* Leading lines – Roads, walls, and fences guide the viewer's eye.
* Framing – Use windows, doors, or natural elements to frame your subject.
* Symmetry & patterns – Create balance and visual interest.
4. **Get Creative with Angles**
* Low angles – Make subjects look larger and dramatic.
* Overhead (flat lay) – Great for food, art, or storytelling shots.
* Close-ups & textures – Capture details for a unique perspective.
5. **Edit Like a Pro**
* Use editing apps – Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, VSCO for better control.
* Don’t overdo filters – Subtle adjustments in contrast, color, and sharpness are best.
* Shoot in RAW (if your phone allows) – More flexibility in post-processing.
6. **Capture Motion & Time**
* Use burst mode – Great for action shots and selecting the best frame.
* Long exposure apps – Create light trails or smooth water effects.
* Slow-motion & time-lapse – Add dynamic storytelling elements.
7. **Know Your Phone’s Camera Features**
* Ultra-wide & telephoto lenses – Experiment with different focal lengths.
* Night mode – Helps capture better low-light shots without excessive noise.
* Portrait mode – Blurs the background for a professional look.