@ fd208ee8:0fd927c1

But who will identify the spam?

Any relay will get hit with spam. That's just the cost of being a server admin. (Of course, we're all going to end up server admins, now that local and private relays are becoming ubiquitous, but I digress.)

The question is more: What is spam? Who gets to determine which events are spam?

That's actually a completely subjective decision, so I think individual npubs should be determining it. nostr:npub1494rtg3ygq4cqawymgs0q3mcj6hucvu4kmadv03s5ey2sg32df5shtzmp0 was heading in the direction of individually-trained, intelligent spam filters, with Minitru, but npubs need more standardized information, to make effective decisions and to calibrate their personal filters.

6 Confirmations

Information about an unknown npub is gathered by

Examining it in isolation * interacting with it (such as in a conversation), * reading what it has already published, * asking it to pay money * requesting it to perform some task

... and by examining it within a group * asking other npubs if they follow it (the basis of WoT) * or asking others if the npub is already known to them (community membership, articles they've zapped, replies they've given, etc.)

All of these things should leave a sort of audit trail, so that the next evaluator can judge accordingly, or ask for more information. Then the confirmations build up, without someone needing to be followed.

Like with Bitcoin. The transactions aren't "followed", they're confirmed.

This npub has had 3 confirmations... 6 confirmations... 10470 confirmations.

You could have 10 followers, but 12000 confirmations, because you manage to meet everyone's minimum, but didn't make the hurdle to the "follow" list.

Hit two birds with one stone

This would also allow follow lists to become friend lists, again, eliminate the need for an additional "favorites" list, and raise the information value of following.

@ bf95e1a4:ebdcc848

This is the lightly-edited AI generated transcript of Bitcoin Infinity Show #125. The transcription isn't perfect, but it's usually pretty good!

If you'd like to support us, send us a zap or check out the Bitcoin Infinity Store for our books and other merchandise! https://bitcoininfinitystore.com/

Intro

Luke: Paolo, Mathias, welcome to the Bitcoin Infinity Show. Thank you for joining us.

Paolo: Thank you for having us.

Knut: Yeah, good to have you here, guys. We're going to talk a bit about Keet and Holepunch and a little bit about Tether today, aren't we?

Luke: Sounds like that's the plan. So thank you again, both for joining us.

Introducing Paolo and Mathias

Luke: would you both mind giving a quick introduction on yourselves just so our listeners have the background on you

Paolo: Sure, I'm Paolo Arduino, I'm the CEO at Tether. I started my career as a developer, I pivoted towards more, strategy and execution for, Tether and Bitfinex. And, co founded with Matthias, Holepunch, that is, building very, crazy and awesome technology, that is gonna be disrupting the way people communicate.

Luke: And, Mathias, over to you.

Mathias: Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I've been, so I come from a peer-to-peer background. I've been working with peer-to-peer technology. The last, I always say five, but it's probably more like 10 years. I did a lot of work on BitTorrent and I did a lot of work on JavaScript. and a little bit later to, Bitcoin and I saw a lot of potential on how we can use Bitcoin with pureology and like how we can use.

P2P technology to bring the same mission that Bitcoin has, but to all kinds of data, setting all data free and, making everything private per default and self sovereignty and that kind of thing. I'm very into that. and I've been lucky to work with, like I said, with Paolo for, many years now and, Get a lot of, valuable, feedback and, idea sharing out of that.

And we're on a mission to, build some, really cool things. In addition to all the things we've already been building. So it's super exciting and glad to be here.

Luke: Oh, fantastic.

Introduction to Holepunch

Luke: Matthias, that was a perfect segue into basically, an introduction to, can you tell us about, Holepunch.

What is Holepunch and what are you doing?

Mathias: Yeah, sure. like I said, we co founded the company a couple of years ago. Now, we've been building up a team of really talented peer to peer engineers. we're always hiring also. So if anybody's listening and want to join our mission, please, apply. we have some really smart people working with us.

but we teamed up to basically. like I said in my introduction, I've been working on peer to peer technology for many years now and thinking ahead how we can, stop using all that technology when I started it was only used for basically piracy. I'm from the Nordics, and I think Knut is from the Nordics also, so he knows all about, the Nordics know about piracy.

It wasn't back in the day. A lot of very interesting technologies came out of that. But basically, how can we use those ideas that were proven by piracy back then to be really unstoppable, because a lot of people wanted to stop it, but apply that same kind of mindset to the general data, so we can build actual applications that has that kind of quality, that can withstand the wrath of God.

that can work without any centralization. Actually, nobody can shut down, not even the authorities if they wanted to. Basically unkillable and make that general enough that it can basically run any kind of application, solve a lot of really hot problems. it works on your own computers, your own networks.

Mobile phones, and tie that up. I'm a developer by heart, into a software stack that people can just build on. So not everybody has to go in and tackle all these problems individually, but just give them some software to solve all this so they can, as much as possible, just worry about making really cool applications that we use,

Yeah, like I said, we've been working really intensely on this, for a long time and in Holepunch, we made this our co mission to scale this up and, deliver a software stack on that. it's been really exciting and it's been really fun and it's been very, challenging, but if it's not challenging, then why, do it?

and, especially, with the backing of, Tether, through Paolo and also just expertise from there, we have a good hand built to deliver this to the world. And, the first thing we did was, like, think about what's, a good first application that we can build that can showcase this, but also something we really want to use ourself and see scale have also have on the world.

And obviously that was a communications app, keyed, which we was our first project. And, we're still in beta and we're still lots of work to do. And we're still iterating that really heavily, but I like to show that you can build these kind of apps without any kind of. central points. and we released that also, like the first thing we released when we launched the company.

And like I said, we're still, building and still iterating it. A lot of fun. and then take the software stack from that, which we call the pair runtime and then split that out. So anybody else can build similar apps on top. With that same technology stack, and, yeah, that's, we launched that earlier this year also, and, it's been really exciting so far, and it's, I love going to work every day and solve, even though, you can see on my hair that it's not really good for, the head scratching, but, but, it's really fun, and it's really challenging, and it's interesting thing. goal as a company, basically to have that if we go out of business tomorrow, our technology continues to exist because we're not in the loop of anything. It's also sometimes really hard to explain that we don't have any, chip coins involved or any kind of limitations on the stack because we're basically engineering it not to be part of it, because that's the only way you can actually engineer these things that they can understand.

anything, super exciting and, encourage everybody to try to check it out.

Luke: we've both used Keet and I've certainly enjoyed the experience. I, think, the, basics of this, as I understand it, is that it's, entirely on both sides. The communicators end, or a group of communicators, it's all on their end, and the communication is entirely peer to peer, what is Keet really, what is the basics of Keet as, say, a product?

What is the easiest way that you would explain what it is?

The Vision Behind Keet

Mathias: But We're basically trying to just build a world class communications app that works to a large degree, like normal communication apps that you know, like Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp. Just with all the centralization tucked away, with all the costs of running it tucked away, and then adding all the features that also we can, because we're peer to peer

People don't care about technology. We loved it, but don't have that surface off too much to the user.

Just have the user use it as any other app, but then just have it be 100 percent private per default, 100 percent like no strings attached. It just works. if we get caught off by a. From the internet tomorrow, it will still work, that kind of thing, but deliver that in a way, and this is always our mission where users don't really need to worry about it.

It just works. And, it works the same way to a large degree as their other apps work, except obviously, there's no phone numbers and things like that. Very cryptographically sound and, but trying always not to bubble it up. And I think that's, so it's actually a really simple mission, but it's obviously really hard.

And that requires a lot of smart people, but luckily our users in a good way, don't need to be very smart about that.

Keet vs Nostr

Knut: Yeah, a quick one there. No strings attached starts with the letters Nostr, so is, Keet and Nostr, do they go mix well together or, is there an integration there between the two? I see a lot of similarities here.

Paolo: I tried to explain the differences between Kit and Nostr. I think Nostr is a very interesting protocol, but also is very, simple. the way I like to describe it is that, if you are familiar with the history of filesharing, Starting from the first one, super centralized, and then eventually every single step, you get to a decentralized platform.

And the last one, the most decentralized one, that is BitTorrent. the history of file sharing proved that every time you try to centralize something, it ends up badly, right? if you have any special node in the system that does a little bit more than others and requires more resources than others to run, that will end up badly.

You might end up in a small room with a lamp in your room. Point it to your face, and then everyone suddenly will stop running an indexer. That reminds me about Nostr structure. if you are building a peer to peer system, or if you are building a very resilient communication system, if you think about Nostr, you would imagine that if you have, 10 million or 100 million users, the number of relays would be probably less than the square root of the number of users.

So that surface, although a hundred million users is very, they're not attackable, right? But the surface of, the relays is much more attackable. look at what is happening with, the coin joinin platforms, right? very similar. the beauty of KIT versus Nostr is that in KIT you have number of relays is actually equal to the number of users because the users are their own relays.

and they can act as relays for others to, further their connectivity. That is how we think a technology that, has to be ready for the apocalypse and resilient to the wrath of God should, work. if you have, a log number of users or square root of number of users as relates, I don't think it's cool technology.

It will work better than centralized, Technologies like WhatsApp and so on, or Twitter, but eventually will not work when you will need it the most. Because the point is that we will not know what will happen when we will need this technology the most. Today, not for everyone, but the world is still almost at peace.

Things might unfold, in the future, maybe sooner rather than later. But when things unfold, you will need the best technology, the one that is truly independent, the one that is truly peer to peer. it's not really peer to peer if you have specialized relays, but where you have super peers randomly.

Luke: Yeah, the difference here, between the Realize and not having any other centralized infrastructure in the picture is certainly an interesting distinction. I hadn't heard anything about that you can act as a next connector or something like that.

Pear Runtime

Luke: So there's a couple of related things. I know there was an announcement about the, pair runtime, is that right? can you talk a little bit about that or any other, ways that this is growing in your whole, platform,

Mathias: Yeah, sure. so basically when we talk about ideas, internally, also from our software background, We want to solve a small problem that then can solve it for everybody. So

We want to build technology that can just send data around efficiently, so you can build any kind of app on top. We're all about modularity and taking these things to the extreme so we can repurpose it into any kind of application and other people can, get value out of it.

And, that's been our mission from the get go. So basically, like Paolo said, when we built Keed. We took all of these primitives we have, it's all open source on our GitHub, that can do various things, relay encrypted data in a way that's completely private, nobody can read it, and in a generalizable way, so it can run on any applications.

We have databases that can interpret, work with this data on device, but still in a way where nobody else knows what's going on, fully private, and we spent many years perfecting this, and it's still ongoing. And we, similar to like connectivity, it might seem really easy if you don't know what's going on that, connecting this computer to another computer and another place, but it's really hard because ISPs and, your internet providers, et cetera, they don't really want you to do that.

So there's a lot of firewalls involved that you have to work around to get around This is all really, hard problems that took a long time to solve.

But luckily, all of these are like generalizable problems where you just solve them once to a large degree, and then it's solved for everybody. If you put them in a modular framework where anybody can put the Legos together on top. And that's what we've been heavily invested in. And then as we were building Keed, we realized that Keete is just like 95 percent of these Lego blocks that are applicable for anything.

So why not take all this stuff, pack it up for free, we don't make any money on it. and an open source runtime that we're just giving away so other people can contribute to it, but also build their own apps. the more peer to peer apps the world has, the better from my point of view.

and document it and make it really easy to install. And I think actually Paolo said something interesting because as soon as you have, one point of centralization, you can always unravel it. coming from the Bitcoin days, I remember how quickly things can unravel. people went to jail for linking to things because authorities, when they crack down, really hard.

so if you have one weak spot, it will be taken advantage of at some point by somebody. And so even things like distributing updates to your software can be really hard because this often requires a central point, like you go to a website and you don't download it. And so all apps built on our runtime, for example.

It's distributed through the runtime, which is a little bit mind bending. So all apps are peer to peer data applications themselves, and the network doesn't care, which means that we can continue to distribute updates even, if everything gets shut down, you only need like a bootstrap for the first install when you get the app.

So we're thinking that in. At every level, because it's really, important to us to, basically learn from everything that happened in the past and then actually build things that are resilient. And we take this to a degree where I'm sure we could move 10 times faster if we just let go a little bit of that idea, because it is easier to just put all the data in one place or put all the updates in one place.

But then it's then we're just building the same old thing that's going to die eventually anyway. So we're very, uncompromising in that mission of actually decentralizing everything from updates to data, and then also always solving in a way where everybody can take advantage of that.

And then the final thing I'll say about that is that, every time we update. That runtime, those building blocks of that runtime, every time we fix a bug, every time we make it faster, every app becomes faster. That's also very exciting. It's because you're building the whole infrastructure into this layer that runs on your phone.

And it's all somewhat generalizable. Every time we fix something, it's just better for the entire ecosystem. And that's obviously really, exciting. And like I said, actually, no strings attached.

Yeah, so I think you were referring to the trial of the Pirate Bay people there In Sweden, right? lucky enough to meet a couple of them in Denmark and it's been very fun to hear about their journey and, yeah, like

Knut: and there, there's, there was a great documentary made about it called TPBAFK. So the Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard, about that whole trial and how, corrupt the system was even back then. And, throwing people in jail for providing links. they didn't do any more wrong than Google did, from a certain perspective.

And, I remember even, before BitTorrents, there was a program called. DC or Direct Connect Do you remember that?

Mathias: I used to, it was one of my first introductions to decentralization. it as you just shared your, like a Google Drive for everyone or something. Like you just shared parts of your file tree to everyone who wanted to peek into it, Yeah, anyway. Oh, that's good that you didn't know you were going with that. it interesting what you said, because I think it's interesting to think that I think to a large degree, the whole decentralization movement that was happening with BitTorrent back in the day got shut down because At some point, authorities figured out that they could just block DNS requests to shut it down for normal people, and as soon as they did that, it was actually effective.

And to Paolo's point, no matter how weak it is, they're done. and they tried to kill the technology elsewhere, but that's actually what killed them. Then, obviously, alternatives came that people could pay for, and it also shows that people actually want, to stay on the right side of things.

I think, now it's going very much in the wrong direction again, because now we're back at abusing that centralization again. the cycle will repeat. But, yeah, like any point of weakness will be attacked at any point.

Decentralization vs. Centralization

Luke: So what are the drawbacks to decentralization? I think we and our audience certainly understand the benefit of decentralization, what you gain by decentralizing, but what do you naturally give up in terms of the user experience and the convenience factor?

Mathias: yeah, I'm sure Paola has stuff to say here, but I'm just, I love talking about this stuff, so I'll go first. Mattias.

I think it's a really interesting question, first of all, because it's one of those questions where You know, obviously I want to say there's no drawbacks, but like anything, it's a balance, right?

Because it's not that there's drawbacks and advantages, there obviously is, but it's also just a different paradigm. first of all, with sensitization, I think one of the biggest thing I noticed also with developers is that we all come out of systems, education systems. That teaches how to think centralized, which makes us biased towards centralized solutions.

and that's, I remember my whole curriculum was about servers and clients and stuff like that. it's actually really hard to think about decentralization as a developer. And I think that's actually part of why a lot of people think it's hard. It's complex because it is complex, but also because we're just like, we've been trained massively in the other direction, and it's really hard to go back because decentralization can be as simple as what Knut said about DC Connect, DC where it's just, oh, I'm just browsing other people's computers.

That's amazing. That's a really, simple experience, and it's like something you can never do But like in today's world, people, the first thing I always get asked is like, how do I get a username? And I'm like, usernames have an inherent centralization and there's trade offs there.

And we need to think that through and stuff. and most applications don't necessarily require usernames. I'm not saying that's a bad feature, but it's that's where you need to think more about the trade offs because there's governance involved to some degree. But for the core experience, and I think that's what we've shown in Keith so far.

Then, there's obviously tons of upsides also, it's much easier to do big data transfers. Money is less of a concern, which actually changes the thinking, how you think about features.

And that, again, is something we've been trained in a lot as developers, because we think centralized. When we talk about features at Holepunch, hey, we should add podcast recording to Keed. Normally somebody would say, that's going to cost a lot of money to host that data. And we just always we don't even have that discussion because it doesn't matter because it's just between the users.

And then it's more about like the UX. But then other simple, like I said, other simple discussions, let's add a username index. That's where we're like, okay, let's think that through because there's like various things to think about there because there's no centric governance, and we don't want to introduce that because again, one point is.

It's bad. so it's, more like you really need to think differently and it's really hard to wire your brain to think differently. but once you get past that point, I think it's, super interesting. And I, think actually developers care way more than normal people because, developers care a lot about how links look and links and structure and that.

And normal people are just used to just clicking buttons and apps and going with the flow on that. And that's also what we're seeing, I think, with, a lot of key

Paolo: I think the hiring has proven a little bit more challenging, as Matthias was saying, when you are told that the cloud is your friend, hosting, on, Google Cloud or AWS is the right thing to do. And, of course, it got cheaper and cheaper, so now everyone can host their websites.

But the reality is that 70 percent of, the entire internet knowledge is hosted in the data centers of three companies. developers should think about that, should think about the fact that internet was born to be point to point and peer to peer. And, we are very far away from that initial concept.

over the years, especially with the boom in, in the year 2000 for the internet boom, and bubble, then, realized that, holding people's data is the way to go, with social media and social network. That is even worse. And so you have these friendly advertisements that are telling you, That, with a smiley face that, you know, yeah, you should, upload all your data on, Apple cloud or Google cloud.

And in general, cloud backups are great, right? You want to have some sort of redundancy in your life, but the reality is that you should be able to upload those. In an encrypted way, and yet most of this data sits unencrypted because, the big tech companies have to decrypt it and use it for, to milk the information to pay for, for, another month of their new data centers.

the, issue is, we have so much power in our hands through our phones. the phones that we have today are much more powerful than the phones that we, or even the computers that we have 10 years ago or 5 years ago. And so We should, we are at a stage where we can use this hardware, not only for communicating, but also for in the future for AI processing and inference and so on.

is, we need to, understand that the word cannot be connected to Google. I mean we cannot be a function of Google. We cannot be a function of AWS. And so I think that, there is, escalating pace of, towards centralization and it's almost a black hole.

And eventually, the, we'll attract all the lights and if we are too close to it, no lights will come out anymore. And, that's why we want to really to double down on this technology, because it's not going to be easy, right? It's going to be very challenging, and most of the people don't care, as Maite has said before.

Most of the people will think, everything works with WhatsApp and, Signal, but Signal announced that their 2023 costs for data centers and data center costs are around 50 million, and they, apart from the mobile coin that was not The best thing that they could do, there is, it's not easy for them to monetize.

And the problem is that if you are, you're basically almost the only way to monetize it is to sell your customer's data. So if you don't want to sell your customer data, eventually your service will not be sustainable. So the only way to make it sustainable is actually going back to peer, where you can leverage people, infrastructure, people, connectivity, people, phones, people, processing power, Deliver very high quality communication system.

And when they will care, it will be probably usually too late if nothing exists yet. when people will care is because shit is hitting the fan. And, you really want to have a solution that is not, that will survive if, the countries around you or around the country where you live are not going to be nice to your own country.

So that's the view to peer-to-peer. The peer-to-peer wheel system will keep working if your neighbor countries are not going to be nice towards you. That's independence, that's resiliency, those are terms that, we need to take very seriously, especially seeing where the, world is going to.

Knut: Yeah, I think we're all primed for, centralized solutions, from a very young age. this is the state, this is what it is like, state funded schooling. state funders or state subsidized media. We are, like brainwashed into, trusting, institutions all our lives.

So I think that is somewhat connected to why people are so reluctant to be vigilant about this on the internet. I think the two go hand in hand that we, take the comfortable way, or most people take the comfortable route of, not taking responsibility for their own stuff. not only on the internet, but outsourcing responsibility to the government is basically the, another side of the same coin, right?

Mathias: I also find it very interesting, especially being from a small country like Denmark that doesn't have a lot of homegrown infrastructure. And I'm just seeing how much communication with some of the public entities is happening through centralized platforms like Facebook and things like that, where even though we centralize it, we also centralize it in companies that we don't even have any control over in different countries where we probably have, no rights at all.

So it's like hyper centralization, especially from the weakest point of view. And I think that's super problematic. And I'm always. Thinking it's, weird that we're not talking about that more especially when you look at the things that they're trying to do in the EU, they're almost trying to just push more in that direction, which I find even more interesting.

yeah, definitely. it's, a huge problem and it's only getting bigger. And that's, why

Challenges and Future of Decentralization

Luke: So to what level can decentralization actually get there? What is the limit to decentralization? And I'll calibrate this with an example. The internet itself, you said it was built to essentially originally be decentralized, but we don't have it. For physical links, like individual physical links between each other, the fiber or whatever the wire is goes together into another group of wires, which eventually go into some backbone, which is operated by a company.

And then that goes into the global Internet. And so somewhere it centralizes into telecom companies and other services. It might be decentralized on one level, but there is a layer of centralized services that make the internet work that isn't necessarily the so called cloud providers and that sort of thing.

So is there a limitation to how far this can go?

Paolo: I think the, in general, sure, there are the ISPs and, their physical infrastructure is in part centralized, but also you start having redundancy, right? So for example, the backbones are redundant. There are multiple companies running, cross connects across different areas of the world.

Now you have Starlink if you want. that is a great way to start decentralizing connectivity because Starlink will not be the only one that will run satellites, so there will be multiple companies that will allow you to connect through satellites, plus you have normal cabling.

So you will have, it will become a huge mesh network, it's already in part, but it will become more and more a huge mesh network. in general, you will always find a way, even with a pigeon, to start sending bits out of your house.

I think the most important part is, you have to be in control of your own data, and then, you need to send this data with the shortest path to the people that you want to talk to. Right now, I usually make this example, because I think it's When we do this presentation, we try to make people think about how much waste also centralized systems have created.

imagine you live in Rome, you live in Rome and you have your family. Most people live nearby their families. That is a classic thing among humans. 90 percent of the people live nearby their families. Maybe nearby, like 10km, 50km nearby. If you talk to your family, every single message, every single photo that you will send to your family, that message will travel, instead of going 50 kilometers in a nearby town where your mother lives or your father lives, it will travel every single message, every single bit of every single video call or every single bit of every photo will travel 5, 000 miles to Frankfurt just to go back 50 kilometers from you.

Imagine how much government spent in order to create these internet lines and to empower them to make it bigger, more, with more capacity Peer to peer allows with a lower latency, allows to save on bandwidth, allows to save on cost of global infrastructure.

So that's how, actually, We can create better mesh networks, more resilient mesh networks, just because data will always find the shortest path from one point to another.

And still all roads lead to Rome. I'm Italian, so I need to use Rome as an example.

Knut: Yeah.

Mathias: I think the discussion here is really interesting compared to Bitcoin, because it's actually the scaling longer term. Sovereignty, like how, Bitcoin kind of told us very direct terms that if you have a key pair, you have your money.

And it doesn't matter where you are in the world. If you have that key pair, you have a way to get to that money. the means of transportation, it's actually very uninteresting in that sense, because you have it with you. The Internet today, the centralized Internet is designed in a way where, what does it mean to go to Facebook?

it's really hard to explain because it's like some certificate that issued by somebody, and there's. Some, cabal of companies that manages them, there's some regulations around it, but we don't really actually understand it that well as normal people. Technically, we can understand it, but it's very, centralized and it's very, opaque and it's built into the infrastructure in that way, in a bad way.

And, with Pure Technology, we're taking the same approach as Bitcoin here and saying, You're just a key pair, and the other person is just a key pair, and there's a bunch of protocols around that, but the transportation is actually not that interesting. Right now, we use the internet to do it.

We'll probably do that for a long time, but there's no reason why we can take the same technology we have right now and in 50 years run it on, laser beams or something else, because we're taking the software and feedback.

Bitcoin and Holepunch: Drawing Parallels

Mathias: I think, that's the main thing to think about in that. Discussion.

Luke: when, Paolo, when you were talking about that people don't care, when you were saying that people don't care because WhatsApp just works, I was at the same time thinking that's the parallel of people saying that, I don't care because Visa just works, right? And so the parallel between Bitcoin and what you're doing at Holepunch, Keet, everything else here, really seems to be tracking along the same line.

And I guess there's the connection that, I won't say all, but a lot of the people involved are already in the Bitcoin ecosystem. But can you comment on is there a little more of a connection there between Holepunch and Keet and Bitcoin?

Paolo: Yeah, Bitcoin definitely is working and servicing, I think, in a good way, many, people in communities. The users of Bitcoin today are, unfortunately, and also that relates to Tether, mostly, in the Western world, in the richer countries, as a way to save wealth and, as a store of value, more than a means of exchange.

For different reasons, right? We'd like a network that would improve, of course, over time, and there will be different approaches, but, still, the world is not yet using Bitcoin, but the world will use Bitcoin when shit will hit the fan. but the beauty of Bitcoin is that an option is already there, is available, and when something bad will happen, people immediately, with a snap of a finger, will turn to Bitcoin, and will have it and can use it. don't have that in communications. What is our communica our parallel with communications, if we don't have it? I don't know, because if, if suddenly centralized communications will, be blocked, then, or privacy in communications will be blocked, and you cannot, you cannot use Whatsapp, or Whatsapp has to start giving all the information to every single government.

and the government will become more evil than what they are today, also western governments then. don't, we wanted to build the exact parallel as we said it, we just tried to describe it, that with Bitcoin, for communications. We need to have something that, since there are so many alternatives that are working as with your, you can make the parallel with Visa, right?

Visa is working today, so people are still using a lot of Visa, but if something will happen, they will use Bitcoin from one day to another. Whatsapp is working, and Zoom is working, and Google Meet is working, so people don't feel the urge, but there will be a trigger point when people will feel the urge at some point in their lives, because something happened around them, and we need to make sure that kit will be available to them.

and will be an option, will be stable, will be well designed so that when they will need it the most that option will be available to them.

Luke: Yeah, fantastic.

The Future of Decentralized Communication

Luke: And so I think the follow up I have, and just to get back to the earlier discussion a little bit with Nostr, the communication in terms of messaging, I absolutely see that and directly in what Keet is, I already absolutely see that. Is there a goal to get somewhere towards more like Social media, social networking, things like that in a, in certainly a decentralized way, but right now there isn't something like that as I understand it, coming from, Keet.

So is, that a goal? Is that on the roadmap?

Paolo: Yeah, it is on the roadmap, it's something that, so we had to start with the thing that we thought was more urgent and also the thing that could have been, would have been a game changer. social media is very important, especially In difficult situation, you want to get news, and you want to get unbiased news, so you want to use, social networks to see what's happening in the world.

But we, think that the most sacrosanct thing that you need in your life is to be able to talk to your family and friends in any situation with the highest privacy possible. that's the first thing that we tackled, and also was a way to battle test the technology with, KIT you can do high quality video calls as well, so if we are able to tackle in the best way possible privacy and extreme scalability of peer to peer communications, then on top of that foundation we can build also social media and every single other application that we have in mind.

Mathias: But first, we wanted to tackle the hardest problem. No, I think it makes a lot of sense. And I also just want to say, as a, probably like one of the most prolific KEET users, I use KEET right now also as a very, like a social media, we have big public rooms where we talk about KEET and talk about technology. I get a lot of the value I would get otherwise on Twitter X from that because I, it's like a public platform for me to, get ideas out there, but also interact with users directly.

And I think, there's many ways to take them as a young app. And we're talking about this a lot, obviously it has to be simple, has to be parent approved. My parents can figure it out, but I think, to a large degree, all really healthy social networks that are actually, to some degree, a communication app.

And it's also just a really good way to get local news and to get this locality that Peter is good at. That doesn't mean that we might not also make other things, but I think it's a hard line to set the difference between a social network and a communications app when it's structured correctly,

Interoperability and User Experience

Luke: Yeah, and this, another thing that came to mind just as, you were talking about these parallels, as, I understand it, the account system with Keet is, essentially still just a, Key pair. Correct me if I'm, wrong,

Mathias: Very, true.

Luke: you backups with the same 1224 words.

Is, that fully interoperable as well? Is that, could be your Bitcoin key. That could be

Mathias: We use the, same, I can't remember the date, the BIP, but there's a BIP for like during key generation. So we can use it also in the future for other things. and you have those words, you have your account, and that's, we never store that. And that's like your sovereignty and, no, I was just going to say that lets you use it seamlessly on different devices also. It's one of those things that I love because I know what's going on when you use keyed Insanely hard problem, but it's solved by the runtime, and it just works seamlessly and I think that's, the beauty of it.

Paolo: I think there's some UX stuff to figure out about onboarding that stuff a little bit easier for normal people. That's probably to a large degree the same for Bitcoin. The other part that I would do with Bitcoin is that, with Bitcoin, with your 12, 24 words, you can access your private wealth. the beauty of Bitcoin is that you can remember 12 24 words, you cross borders, and you carry with you your wealth. You can do the same thing with your digital private life.

You remember 12 24 words, they could be the same by the way. whatever happens, you can spawn back your digital private life fully encrypted from, one of your other devices that you connected that is somewhere else in the world. So when you start seeing and understanding the unlock in terms of also human resilience that this creates is very, insane and can create a very powerful, that can be used for, to create a very, powerful applications, not just communications, but you can build.

Really any sort of interaction, even mapping. Imagine peer to peer mapping, where basically data is not stored in one single location. You can access, tiles of the maps, from, local people that curate them in a better way. So the, level of applications that you can build, All unlocked by the same technology that is being used by Bitcoin is very, incredible.

Luke: Yes, absolutely it is. And what do you think of the idea that all of this stuff is just interoperable now based on essentially you have your private key and there you go. It doesn't matter the technology stack. Is that sort of an agnostic thing where you can take your data to any one of these systems?

What you're building with Keith being one, Nostr being another, Bitcoin being a third, what do you think of that?

Paolo: Yeah, the fact that, data is yours, right? So you should do whatever you want with your data. That is, I think, an axiom that we should assume. And, it shouldn't even, we shouldn't even discuss about this, right? We are discussing about it because people are trying to take away this axiom from us.

The, you are a key pair, and you're basically, unique, and uniqueness is expressed by the cryptography around those 24 words, and that's, that also is a way to prove your identity, it's a mathematical way to prove your identity.

No one can steal that from you, of course, but no one can track it as no one can impersonate, should not be able to impersonate you. So it's truly powerful.

Mathias: also think it's like worth remembering here also in this discussion that a lot of very high valuable data for yourself is actually not that big, but centralized platforms take it hostage anyway. if you take all my chat history and, I have pictures, but like a couple of the pictures would probably be bigger than all my chat history ever.

but a lot of that, those messages have a lot of value for me, especially personally and also being able to search through it and have infinite history, it's very valuable for me personally. But it's very scary for me if that's on some other platform where it gets leaked at some point, et cetera, et cetera.

But we already have the devices, just normal consumer devices that we buy, that we all have, phones, computers, whatever, that have more than enough capacity to store multiple copies of this. In terms of like per user, data production, it's a manageable problem.

And I think it's interesting how, providers force us to think in terms of giving that data away, even though we could easily store it.

Paolo: And this is even more important when we think about potential, AI applications, right? So imagine your best assistant. Paolo's assistant should go through all my emails, my kids chats, my old social stuff, and be able to be my best assistant. But in order to do that, I have two options.

Either, I imagine that OpenAI would come with an assistant. They would upload, All the information on their servers, crunch that information, and then, use it to serve, me, but also service their own needs. And that can become very scary, also because they wear a hat. It's public, right?

you don't want your most intimate codes that your best personal assistant could know, to be on somewhere else, rather than your devices. And so people were, people never uploaded, at least most of the people would never upload medical, information on Facebook, right? But they are uploading it on ChatGPT to get a second opinion.

so things can be, get even scarier than what we described today because, we, discussed about social media, that is basically, the fun part where we upload photos, But, things can become scarier when it comes to privacy and data control with ai.

So I want to see a future where I have a local AI that can read all key messages that I have from my local phone on my local device, and can become the best powers assistant possible without renouncing to my privacy, and also still governed by the same 24 words. the fine tuning that is applied on that LLM should stay local to my own device, and it should be in control of that.

And still, the current power of the devices that we have makes it possible. We should not fall for the same lie. We don't need, of course, big data centers with GPUs are important for training a huge LLM, but that is a generic LLM. You can take that one and then fine tune it with your own data and run it by yourself.

And for most of it, unless you want to do crazy things, that is more than enough and can run on modern GPUs or local GPUs or your phones. We should start thinking that we can build local experiences without having an API all the time connected to someone else's data center.

Knut: Yeah.

The Role of Tether in the Crypto Ecosystem

Knut: It's super interesting. you briefly just briefly mentioned tether before and I think we need to get into this. what is it and how much of a maxi are you, Paolo?

And, what, made this thing happen? Can you give us the story here about Tether?

Tether's Origin and Evolution

Paolo: Tether started in 2014. I consider myself a maxi, but running Tether, you could say that, I'm a shit coiner. I don't mind, right? I like what I do, and I think I'm net positive, so it's okay. Tera was born in 2014 with a very simple idea. there were a few crypto exchanges in, 2014.

it was Bitfinex, Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp. OKCoin, there was BTCChina, and just a few others, right? Around 10 that were meaningful. The problem back then was to do, trading arbitrage, you sell Bitcoin on the exchange where the price is higher, you take the dollars. From that sale, you move the dollars on the exchange where the price is lower and rinse and repeat.

That is called arbitrage. It is a property of every single efficient financial system. And that also helps to keep the price of Bitcoin in line across different exchanges. But, that was very, hard in 2014. If you remember in 2013 was the first year that Bitcoin broke the 1, 000.

But on some exchanges the price was 1. 2, on others was 900. in order to arbitrage that price difference, you have to move dollars from one exchange to another and Bitcoin from one exchange to another. You can move Bitcoin from one exchange to another. 10 minutes, but dollars would take days, right?

International wires. And so of course the opportunity arbitrage was, fully gone by, the, time the wire was hitting the, receiving exchange. the reason why we created that was, USDT was simply to put the dollar on a blockchain so that we could have the same user experience that we had with bitcoin.

For the first two years, almost no exchange apart Bitfinex understood USDT. Then Poloniex in 2016 started to add the USDT across for against every single trading pair. There was the start of the ICO boom. 2017 was the peak of the ICO boom and, USDT reached 1 billion in market cap. Fast forward in 2020, we had around 10 billion in market cap, and then the bull run started, but also another important thing started, that was the pandemic.

USDT's Impact on Emerging Markets

Paolo: So the pandemic had a huge effect on many economies around the world, in all the economies around the world, but especially in emerging markets, developing countries.

Basically pandemic also killed entire economies. And so as a Bitcoin you would think, oh, all these people that are in countries like Argentina and Venezuela and Turkey and so on, they should use Bitcoin and they should, they should, only use Bitcoin because everything else is cheap.

So that is pretty much, the approach that we have as Bitcoiners that, I believe in. But the problem is that. Not everyone is ready, so not everyone has our time to understand Bitcoin. Not everyone has yet the full skill set to understand Bitcoin at this stage, at this moment in time.

we as Bitcoiners didn't build the best user experience in the world, right? So one of the best wallets for Bitcoin is still Electrum. That, is not necessarily nice and well done for and simple to be used for, a 70 year old lady. so we need to do a better job as Bitcoiners to build better user experiences we want Bitcoin to be more used around the world.

At the same time, 99 percent of the population knows, especially the ones that are living in high inflation areas, knows that there is the dollar that is usually Much better currency than what they hold in their hands. the US dollar is not, definitely not perfect. It's not the perfect fiat currency. but it's like the tale of the two friends running away from the lion, right?

you have, one friend tells to the other, Oh, the lion is gonna kill us. We have to run really fast. And one of the two friends says to the other, I just have to run faster than you, right? So the US dollar is the friend that is running faster, in a sense that is the one that is likely better than the others.

And so being better than the others is creating a sort of safety feeling among 5 billion people in the world that live in high inflation countries. And for those people that, they don't have yet the time, they didn't have the luck also, maybe, to understand Bitcoin, they are, in fact, using USDT.

If you live in Argentina, peso lost 98% against the US dollar in the last five years. The Turkish L lost 80% against the US dollar in, the last five years. So of course, Bitcoin would be better than the US dollar, but even already, if you hold the dollar, you are the king of the hill there, right?

So because it's, you are able to preserve your wealth much, better than almost anyone else in the region. I think, USDT is offering a temporary solution and is providing a service, a very good service to people that don't have alternatives and good alternatives and they are very, familiar with the U.

S. dollar already. so eventually, the hyperbitcoinization, I think it will happen. there is no way it won't happen. It's hard to pinpoint on a time when, that will happen. But it's all about the turning point. What the economy will look like in the next, 10, 20 years and what trigger point there will be for fiat currencies to blow up and become irrelevant.

Bitcoin as a Savings Account

Paolo: the way I see it is that it's likely that the U. S. dollar will stay around for a while, and people might still want to use, the U. S. dollar as a checking account, but they, should start to use, Bitcoin as their savings account, in the checking account, you, are happy to not make interest, It's something that you use for payments, it's something that you are okay to detach from because it's the money that you are ready to spend.

The savings account is the thing that we should fight for. This thing is the thing that matter the most, and, it's the thing that will is protecting people wealth. And so in the long term. And in the medium term, we should push for this savings account to be Bitcoin. also with Tether, we are heavily investing in companies, in Bitcoin companies.

we support the Blockstream. We supported so many in the space that are, we, are supporting RGB. That is a protocol that is building, assets on top of, like network, style channels. Thank you for listening. and we buy Bitcoin ourselves. We do a lot of Bitcoin mining.

We develop, I think, the best and most sophisticated Bitcoin mining software, by the way, based on hole punch technology. It's like IoT for Bitcoiners and Bitcoin mining. It's very cool. we are relying on the dollar and, you could say that USDT is helping the dollar, expansion, but the same way I don't think Dollar and Bitcoin aren't necessarily opposed to one or the other.

I think that Bitcoin has its own path. And no matter what happens, there is no way to slow it down. I think, it's going to be inevitable success. It's going to be inevitable that it will become global internet money and global words money. No country will trust to each other with, with each other currencies for, for a longer time, and so the only viable solution is a currency that is governed by math.

That is the only objective way, objective thing that we have in the universe. that's my train of thoughts on, Tether and Bitcoin.

Knut: Oh, thank you. Thank you for that explanation. It explains a lot of things. To me, it sounds a bit like you're a lubrication company, like selling lubrication for the transition between the rape of the dollar to the love fest of the hyperbitcoinized world, to make the transition a little smoother.

Paolo: we are more than, at Tether we have also this educational arm and, believe it or not, the majority of the creation we do is actually on Bitcoin, right? So we are supporting the Plan B network led by the great Giacomo Zucco. The unfortunate thing is that USDT, didn't have a marketing team up to, 2022 with Tether.

So basically, I wish I could say that success of Tether is because we were super intelligent and great. but actually the success of Tether, unfortunately is a symptom of the success of, of, national economies. And it's sad if you think about it, right? So the success of your main product U as it is, They're actually proportional to the FACAP of many central banks. And, but it is what it is, right? So we need to do what we do at, really, at DataRace, creating all these educational contents to try to explain that, sure, we are providing a tool for today, but, For tomorrow you probably need, you need to understand that you have other options, you need to understand Bitcoin, because as we said for, Keith, right?

So the moment when you will need the most Bitcoin, it has to be available, you need to understand it, so that is a true option for you. The way we, see bitcoin education.

Knut: No, and, something like Tether would have, emerged, either way, and it's very comforting to know that it's run by Bitcoiners and not by a central bank itself or something. yeah, and the Plan B Network, I was a guest lecturer there in Logano and it was fantastic.

I love what you're doing there with the educational hub. And we even got Giacomo to write the foreword to our new book here that you can see here behind Luke.

Luke: Always say the title, Knut. Always say the title.

Knut: Bitcoin, the inverse of Clown World. It's, you, if, you're good at maths and emojis, you might be able to figure out the title from the cover, but it's one divided by Clown World anyway, which is on the opposite side of the everything divided by 21 million equation, So anyway, looking forward to seeing you in Lugano and giving you both a copy of the book, of course.

Paolo: Oh, with pleasure, with great pleasure, with a nice, education.

Luke: Absolutely. Yep.

Plan B Forum and Future Events

Luke: 100%. And we have to wind things down, but I'll just say as well, yeah, absolutely looking forward to Lugano Plan B Forum. Always a highlight of the year. It was my first time last year. I absolutely loved it. can't wait to attend this year.

so it's the 25th, 2020 6th of October, 2024. this year, it's a Bitcoin event that is not made to make money. So the problem with events is that. You have to find sponsors, and usually, sponsor might not be well aligned with the message you want to give, right? I think Tether is lucky enough, to not have to make money on the event.

Paolo: I want to have, good, guests. I want to have great speakers. I want to have the messaging. That is not only about Bitcoin, it's about, freedom of speech as well. We had the family of Assange for the last few years, and I think that they will come also this year.

I'm going to be probably killed by the By our marketing team, I'm not sure if they announced it, but we are going to have another Plan B event also in El Salvador next year, so we're trying to create this network of cities and countries that have things in common and, invite people that want to share knowledge around the world.

And, yeah, and of course we, are very proud of the good food that we, serve in Lugano. So that is another thing that, not all the bands can say the same thing.

Knut: No, it's fantastic. And we happened to bump into the Assange family at the cocktail bar in a fancy hotel and, had a very interesting conversation with them there. So if you're listening. Anyone from the Assange family is welcome on the show any time. So yeah, no looking forward to that event for sure, we had a great time.

And I think we're even playing this year, aren't we, Luke?

Paolo: You're

Luke: yeah, the Satoshi Rakamoto is in the event there, we, played, back in Prague, it was my first, time, but Knut is a regular at the Rakamotos.

Yeah, we played at Lugano last year Oh, anything and everything, what did we do in Prague?

Knut: paranoid and,

Paolo: Can I commission a

Knut: What song would you like to hear?

Paolo: I have two that I would suggest. One is Nothing Else Matters.

Knut: Alright.

Paolo: So I think that, is very inspiring, right?

Knut: Bitcoin, for sure.

Nothing Else Matters. it's perfectly aligned with Bitcoin. And, the other one is Sad But True. Oh, that would be fun. We'll squeeze in some Metallica there, won't we, Luke?

Mathias: we'll 100% have those songs ready to go. We also have, a big peer to peer track at the conference,

Knut: Yeah.

Mathias: not so much music, but yeah, that's peer to

Knut: Nothing else matters.

Luke: looking forward to that.

Knut: Sorry, brain fart. Sad but true is about the dollar still being around,

Paolo: Yeah, you can say that.

Luke: Okay.

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Luke: Hey, we have to wind things down here because, we're, almost, out of time. So I'll just hand this, back to you both. Is there anything else you'd like to, mention about, your plans in the upcoming couple of years, in, key, toll, punch, anything like that?

Mathias: only that we're, like I said, we're integrating really hard right now, and it's a really fun time to, join the company because, we're small and efficient We get to work with Tether, which has a lot of benefits and it's getting really fast, so definitely check that out. And it's also a really fun time to join Keith in our public rooms.

There's a lot of very personal, in a good way, intense chats where you get to be part of the loop. I love to be part of those early communities and I would suggest everybody to check that out and go to the website and try it out.

Paolo: we will certainly do that. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. So go check out Keith and Holepunch and the Plan B forum in Lugano, You could visit tether. io, that is, the website where we are trying to explain what we have in our minds between, finance, bitcoin mining, energy production, AI, communications, brain chips and stuff, right? I think it's more exciting.

Mathias: Just those things, that's all.

Paolo: Yeah, we can piss off more than this. Thanks.

Mathias: a

Luke: No, It's just perfect. and is on that note, is there anywhere else specific you'd like to direct our listeners?

Paolo: just follow the social channels and give us feedback on kit all the time because these technologies, needs everyone's help to be nailed them.

Mathias: We love technical feedback. We love UX feedback. We're trying to make something that works for the masses, so anything is good.

Luke: So that's, all at Keet. Is that correct? For Keet?

Mathias: Key. io and pairs. com for our runtime. It's all peer to peer.

Knut: Alright,

Mathias: Wonderful. And you're also still on the legacy social media platforms, right? Yeah.

Knut: we'll make sure to include links to your handles so people can find you there if they would like. forward to seeing you in Lugano.

Paolo: Likewise, I

Knut: But yeah, worth saying again.

Paolo: Thank you for having an invitation.

Luke: Yes, we'll wrap things up here. This has been the Bitcoin Infinity Show.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

What is 3 minutes worth?

I think I've run into the problem that the sort of work I do on here is only efficient and effective, if I spend all day doing it and really concentrate on it. It's not like being a developer or an influencer, where you can allot 2 hours in the morning to it, and then spend all day doing something else and talking about touching grass.

I either have to do it all day or completely stop because 99% of the work is absorbing and digesting information and interacting in real time; pausing is like pulling a mental break and slamming to a stop. It's more of a performance art than a durable good. I have to practice all damn day, every day, for a week, producing only ephemeral products, just to get up and sing for 3 minutes.

Shut up and sing

But with singing, the value is obvious, since most people have tried to sing and know that they aren't very good at it. Most people haven't tried to manage, design, or test systems on an open software protocol, but they all figure they can spontaneously do it, at some point, with little knowledge and no preparation, and be really great at it. That means that hardly anyone sees any value in it, especially as I make it look so easy, that watching me do it merely enhances the idea that the effort can be performed on a whim. The difference in enthusiasm between my dev work and my other work is palpable, but contains no signal.

That is the opposite of development or system administration, that is mostly done off in a hidey-hole, and no one can tell how much effort you personally expended, but they know you did something they can't fully understand, so they get all excited about it.

The indifferent bleating at the uninterested

But we can see that this differentiation is unfounded. Auxiliary software development is highly-skilled labor, it's tedious and exhausting, and it brings no status or prestige, which is why hardly anyone does it or their efforts are of low-quality and relatively pointless. Most developers and funders are regularly encouraging people to "step up" and do it spontaneously and on a purely volunteer basis because they feel obliged to pretend to care about software quality, but actually think it has little value.

Well, the people they are speaking to, agree with them. So, they ignore them.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

I hate to be the one to tell y'all this, but my profile pic doesn't matter to me. And it shouldn't matter to you. My handle also shouldn't matter, except as a pet name for display. My NIP-05 matters, for human-typed discoverability and link/mention-readability, but it can be changed. My npub matters, but I could have more than one or stop using one, like I have done and will continue to do.

A profile on the Internet is not a person. Who is writing this article? Is it Stella? Oh, yeah? You know that? How? Did you sit there and watch me type it in?

I don't need PfP-recognition because I post stuff a lot of people like to look at (even if they have no idea who I am, imagine that!), and my npub therefore has high WoT.

Here's what I think: Y'all are trying to change a communication protocol into Twitter 2.0, where everyone needs to self-brand and stay on-script, on-camera, and in-their-lane. But if I were that sort of person, I'd be terrible at my job. The whole point of my job is to do all the stuff most users won't do, but some might, and to tell you how it went.

How about we just turn off all of the profile pics and people have to be interesting, entertaining, and/or knowledgeable again? How many of the people getting engagement, now, wouldn't get as much? How many people getting little engagement, now, would get more?

I have questions.

@ 9358c676:9f2912fc

Introduction

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) began as a pandemic in the 1980s. In its early days, it was seen as a certain death sentence, a taboo associated with marginalized groups, and it highlighted the failures of poverty in accessing healthcare. Gradually, the struggle for life and the suffering of those who are no longer with us, including both famous and anonymous individuals, became visible.

Today, 40 years later, HIV is presented as a chronic disease with effective treatment. Patients living with HIV who receive appropriate treatment have no detectable virus in their circulating blood, enjoy a good quality of life, and are more concerned about other aspects of their health during medical consultations, almost forgetting their condition. For these patients, daily treatment is the cure, similar to someone taking a pill every day for high blood pressure or diabetes.

The Global Impact

HIV is a lentivirus, a subgroup of retroviruses composed of RNA. The natural history of HIV infection involves an attack on the immune system, particularly targeting CD4 cells, where chronic deterioration can lead to the acquisition of infectious and oncological diseases that may be fatal over the years, resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Interestingly, there is a small group of people known as "elite controllers" who manage to control HIV infection without treatment and remain healthy for much of their lives, despite having a hidden deep viral reservoir. The primary modes of transmission are sexual, followed by blood and vertical transmission from mother to child, with the first mode predominating today.

Today, in the downward trend of the HIV epidemic, it is estimated that 39 million people are living with HIV worldwide. Depending on the region, nearly half of this population belongs to at-risk groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, sex workers, and people who inject drugs. These vulnerable groups are especially important for prevention efforts. However, little is done for prevention in the general population, which sometimes represents the other half of the cake of people living with HIV (PLWH).

Breaking the Dogma: The Concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

The introduction of highly effective antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1994 broke the curve of the HIV epidemic. The introduction of new medications with fewer side effects and greater effectiveness in controlling the virus has been crucial. In 2007, the launch of Raltegravir as the first viral integrase inhibitor marked a milestone in current treatments, allowing patients to effectively control the virus within 3 to 6 months.

The positive impact of these treatments led health organizations to launch the concept of undetectable = untransmittable (U=U) to impact the general population and at-risk groups, updating the dogma and eradicating stigma: a patient living with HIV who maintains an undetectable viral load in their blood through treatment will not transmit HIV sexually.

Although this concept has transformed the social dynamics and stigma surrounding the disease, adherence to treatment must be complete to achieve this new paradigm.

Prophylaxis as a Method to Prevent HIV in Healthy Populations

The correct use of condoms has been the cornerstone of HIV prevention and other sexually transmitted infections over the years. However, it is not the only tool available today and can be complemented for comprehensive sexual health.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel strategy that involves administering antiretroviral medication to vulnerable groups before they are exposed to HIV (MSM, transgender individuals, sex workers, people who inject drugs). It involves taking medication daily, effectively reducing the risk of contracting HIV and providing protection to these groups. It is similar to taking a contraceptive pill daily. It has had a very positive impact on protecting these populations. In the Americas, it has been successfully implemented in the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. Other countries, although with some delay, are now implementing this strategy.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), on the other hand, is a strategy that involves administering antiretroviral treatment after a potential exposure to HIV. If the treatment is administered within the first 72 hours and maintained for 4 weeks, the chances of contracting HIV decrease substantially.

Both strategies have been remarkably successful in preventing HIV in at-risk populations and healthy populations, although their dissemination and awareness remain limited.

https://image.nostr.build/08682bf763ade56741d8e4c8c6d870cb8d71ab7d72c605b9aa805af2234348ff.jpg

The New Horizon: Long-Acting Antiretrovirals, HIV Vaccines, and Promising Therapies

The introduction of viral integrase inhibitors and new nucleoside analogs in the last 15 years has allowed for the availability of safe drugs with minimal side effects in the treatment of HIV, many of which are included in a single pill regimen per day. However, the pharmaceutical industry continues to diversify the offerings in a healthy manner.

Cabotegravir is a new long-acting integrase inhibitor that is administered via injection. Combined with Rilpivirine, it has proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of HIV, with injections every 2 months. This has revolutionized treatment for people who are tired of taking pills daily, as well as in PrEP, where effective prevention against HIV can be achieved with injections every 2 months for at-risk groups.

Additionally, subdermal implants of Islatravir, a new long-acting nucleoside analog, are being tested as a PrEP strategy. Similar to monthly hormonal contraceptive injections or hormonal contraceptive implants, this strategy has proven effective in at-risk groups.

Regarding the HIV vaccine, we have been developing it for over two decades, with advances and setbacks. While vaccines have shown promising results in terms of safety and antibody generation, we still need to await conclusive phase III results demonstrating their effectiveness in at-risk groups and the general population.

The Eradication of HIV and Patients Cured Without Treatment

While current treatment allows for the elimination of HIV from the bloodstream and sexual transmission, there remains a reservoir in some deep immune cells that have been infected by the retrovirus, which contain latent HIV DNA and have the potential to reactivate if daily treatment is interrupted.

However, there are patients who have managed to eliminate HIV from their bodies, including these deep cells, and HIV is undetectable upon discontinuation of treatment. These cases are very rare, with only 7 to 8 individuals being the subject of intensive scientific study. Among them are the "Berlin patient" of Germany and "City of Hope patient" from Argentina. Some of these cases involved patients under effective HIV treatment who underwent suppressive chemotherapy for bone marrow transplants and managed to eliminate these deep cells with latent HIV DNA.

Unfortunately, this treatment is not scalable for the entire HIV-positive population, both due to its cost and potential side effects. However, "Shock and Kill" strategies have been proposed, aiming to use monoclonal antibodies to activate these latent cells during HIV treatment, exposing them to antiretroviral medication for elimination, thereby eradicating these small reservoirs of HIV.

WHO Goals

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established clear objectives that are constantly updated to achieve the eradication of HIV in the population.

The updated goals of the WHO propose that, to end the HIV epidemic, three objectives must be met by the year 2025-2030:

1. 95% of people living with HIV must be diagnosed through testing.
2. 95% of diagnosed individuals must be on highly effective antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
3. 95% of those on HAART must have an undetectable viral load in their blood.

Developing and underdeveloped countries currently have an effectiveness rate for these strategies that disagree significantly.

https://image.nostr.build/ac6693df57aaca6dac0b06b5db9eb1a2757e7c08511edb0f11617e12653d3db5.png

Key Takeaways

• HIV has a cure, and the cure is permanent treatment.
• Treatment for HIV is free and accessible to the population, as it is a public health impact disease.
• A person living with HIV who receives appropriate treatment will not transmit the virus sexually, will enjoy a full life without the disease, and can have children without HIV.
• In the event of a potential HIV exposure (such as unprotected sexual contact with an infrequent partner), you can go to a hospital within the first 72 hours to receive treatment that will prevent HIV infection.
• Just as we witnessed the eradication of smallpox from the face of the earth in 1978 due to scientific advances, we will live to see the eradication of HIV.

Autor

Kamo Weasel - MD Infectious Diseases - MD Internal Medicine - #DocChain Community npub1jdvvva54m8nchh3t708pav99qk24x6rkx2sh0e7jthh0l8efzt7q9y7jlj

Resources

1. World Health Organization (WHO)
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
3. UNAIDS

Bibliography

1. The natural history of HIV infection. DOI: 10.1097/COH.0b013e328361fa66
2. Changing Knowledge and Attitudes Towards HIV Treatment-as-Prevention and "Undetectable = Untransmittable": A Systematic Review. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03296-8
3. Challenges of HIV diagnosis and management in the context of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), test and start and acute HIV infection: a scoping review. DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25419
4. Long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine dosed every 2 months in adults with HIV-1 infection (ATLAS-2M), 48-week results: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3b, non-inferiority study. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32666-0
5. Efficacy and safety of long-acting cabotegravir compared with daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine to prevent HIV infection in cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men 1 year after study unblinding: a secondary analysis of the phase 2b and 3 HPTN 083 randomised controlled trial. DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(23)00261-8
6. Safety and immunogenicity of a subtype C ALVAC-HIV (vCP2438) vaccine prime plus bivalent subtype C gp120 vaccine boost adjuvanted with MF59 or alum in healthy adults without HIV (HVTN 107): A phase 1/2a randomized trial. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004360
7. Shock and kill within the CNS: A promising HIV eradication approach?. DOI: 10.1002/JLB.5VMR0122-046RRR

@ 113958ea:f1ce9557

@ bf95e1a4:ebdcc848

This is the first time we're releasing our episode transcripts on Nostr! Up until now, the transcripts have been available on our show website, but now we're going to add them here on Nostr, too!

The transcripts aren't perfect - we've cleaned up obvious mistakes and repetitive chatter that nobody wants to read, but sometimes the transcript doesn't pick something up properly or doesn't understand somebody's name or a niche word. But hopefully the transcript is still useful, as is!

Check out Bitcoin: The Inverse of Clown World! Out now at https://bitcoininfinitystore.com/

BIS124 - Peter Dunworth

Welcoming Peter Dunworth Back

Luke: Peter, welcome to the Bitcoin Infinity Show.

Knut: It's a pleasure to be with you two. Likewise, how are you doing down in Australia?

Peter: Life is beautiful down here. They've lifted the jail like restrictions, so we're free to move around. We can leave the country when we want to, which is nice, and I've got to say it's a cold time of year in the southern hemisphere. It's our winter time and it's been a wet and a cold one relative to what we normally have, but I'd like to say that life is beautiful.

Knut: Good to hear.

Luke: Can you quantify the cold? Because, we've got cold here.

Knut: Yeah, we got proper cold.

Peter: I'm talking about 13 degrees Celsius.

Knut: yeah.

Luke: Yeah, you might be warmer than me right now, in, the middle of July here in Finland, All good.

Peter: move in, it's good.

Luke: Hey,

Knut: saw Dave Grohl on the Foo Fighters play in Bergen, Norway once, and the first thing he said was, this is summer to you? He couldn't believe it, that the people considered that weather to be summer.

Peter: yeah, we need to work on that.

Knut: Yeah.

Bitcoin and Incentive Structures

Knut: What rabbit hole, what sub cavern of the rabbit hole are we exploring today?

Peter: I was hoping you'd help me on this, but one thing that's been, running around my head, is thinking about why Bitcoin has the incentive structure that it does, and its ability, to unite, more of mankind than anything else.

And there are a few things that sort of Running around my head in that we've got the tragedy of the commons, which is a major problem when there's a common good. No one looks after it. Yet, here we have Bitcoin, which is for 8 billion people. And it seems to be looked after pretty well by, all accounts.

The other thing with that, and this is what I find really interesting about the incentive structures with Bitcoin, is that Bitcoin, for a lot of people, takes on a religious type quality. And where a lot of people become obsessed by and one of the things that's sort of been playing around in my head is why is that so?

And I can't help but come back to the Maslow's needs hierarchy that it fulfills a whole host of those base layer needs. And once you've got those base layer needs felt, All looked after, then you can grow spiritually and mentally, to fulfill those other needs that are at a higher scale. And because so many people in the Bitcoin community are relying on that foundational principle of those base layers being built on Bitcoin, it really doesn't matter which side of the political aisle you come from or religious spectrum that you, you want to adopt.

foundational base layer of being. You know, your money is basically Bitcoin, and that sorts out and lays the foundation for you to achieve greater things. Then, everything else is downstream of that. You know, Bitcoin fixes this again.

Knut: Yeah, I think Maslov's, Ladder of Needs is now on a Bitcoin standard, it's Maslow's escalator.

Peter: We talked about that last time. And this is where So, one of the conversations, listening back to our last conversation was, you know, you've got the easiest job in the world, I think you said, as a financial advisor or investment advisor, talking about Bitcoin.

It's like, just buy Bitcoin and do nothing, and that ironically is the hard part though, the doing nothing.

Bitcoin Mining

Knut: Yeah, some people have a hard time doing nothing, myself included. about the incentive structure, the only part of that, that I'm not fully, you know, the whole thesis of Bitcoin, when they're in your head, anyone, trying to steal them, if you simply just keep them in your head, they'll get nothing.

So the incentive to attack someone goes down, right? The, peaceful revolution thing. However, for miners, still, or mining pool owners, let's say, or big mining farms still do have an incentive to attack one another. At least, if they grow large enough and you have structural, like, nation level big things.

so, is there a problem there? And also with miner centralization and all of this, like, I'd love to hear your take on, these, spammy miners that, or the mining pools allowing for spam. so that the individual miners are merely hash salesmen and not really miners at all, since they don't know what block they're mining on.

so is there a problem there and how big is that problem? Is it?

Peter: Good question. Personally, I'd like to think that I'm a free market guy, so I'd like to see the market solve that problem. And I think in some way, shape, or form, we are seeing the market solve that. if we look at the cost of transacting around the halving.

we were up over 1, 000 sat VBITE for those early blocks after block 840, 000. And now, we did some transactions this week that were sub 6 sat VBITE. So that is a 99 percent drop or 98 percent drop in fees. And that's all been sorted out by the market. We haven't had to coerce. Any of the minors, it's all been sorted out through natural market attrition.

Knut: And this is where I think the spam problem, in a broader sense, it really gets solved by the market Yeah, that's the hopeful take. but if you go to mempool space and look at the latest block and how much of it is this data is quite a lot still. And all of that data is making the Initial cost of firing up a node more expensive for the node runner. and the downloading of the time chain.

when you syn it now you go up to, 2022 and then it gets slow

Peter: Yeah, really slow. And if anyone's out there watching mempool or like just pull it up and have a look, it's actually, it's mesmerizing to watch. And I sound like such a dork saying this, but I sincerely love watching. Cools, but like blocks being created and to conceptualize this without a mempool in front of us, what you're referring to there.

Is what you see is these tiny little blocks, that typically have 0. 0001 of a bitcoin in it, but they take up an improportionate amount of the block space because there's so much data attached to it. And that's the spamming that you referred to. I think the Node Runners, the technology's getting better and the rest of it, and hey, you know, if you look at the nodes, the number of nodes that are on the network, they continually and steadily rise, so I think that's probably proportionate to an improvement in technology and, you know, maybe bandwidth is getting better, so that's going to be less of a problem, but the other question that you posed on the mining front, mining is the fiercest competition on earth.

Open to anyone with electricity and miners to do it, or, you know, as you guys like to say, someone with a pen and pad who can add up quickly, that, to me, is the competition. I'm really fearful for a lot of Bitcoin miners because I think it's the most intense competition that we see.

And if you look in the market, you have a host of the Bitcoin miners moving to AI. Why are they moving to AI? Because there's more predictable revenues and there's, Probably a more predictable future, and when it comes to the listed miners anyway, they want to see predictability in revenues, whereas when it comes to Bitcoin mining, it's a wild ride, and this is where I look at the cost structure, the OPEX and CAPEX structure of the Bitcoin mining network.

It realistically will end up being a state owned enterprise, is what I think, like an infrastructure asset that every country will run for themselves, so that they're assured of getting their piece of the block or having their transactions loaded on the block. And this is where, from a free market perspective, I think governments around the world will start subsidizing that as a way to compete.

And that competition gets fiercer. It doesn't get any easier. It gets much more intense, I think, when the nation states enter and they've got free energy.

Knut: huh? Let's, let's think about that for a while because that's sort of allows for those, government miners to, To do all the ESG bullshit and accept payments, offline and all of the trash that the inscriptions and ordinance people are doing right now, like paying miners off band and, the mining pools not paying out the entire, fee to the miners, but keeping a lot for themselves and stuff like that. I think you get all these, external influences, when you have the state level mining. So, now in a high fee environment well, it's lower right now, but like rewind the clock six months, you have Bitcoin still functioning, but. Only every 100 block or something do you get your transaction through because it's all filled up with these, other transactions from players that have less of an incentive to have Bitcoin's longevity in the back of their minds.

Nation-State Game Theory

Knut: Do you see a risk there with state owned mining?

Peter: in the short term, yes. In the long term, no. Short term, those incentives can be corrupted, but long term, I think everyone will be incentivized to play by the rules and maximize the outcomes that they're looking to do, because at the end of the day, if the governments aren't going to make an investment in Bitcoin, that concern that you've got, is alleviated dramatically when you look at the fact that they could put Bitcoin on the balance sheet, because then they've got a counterweight to the investment that they're making in the mining network, in that they could just stop investing in the mining and actually buy the underlying and be far more profitable at it.

So it's a counterweight to the concern that. It's going to be a runaway mess with a network full of spam because at the end of the day, I think the governments are going to have to maximize the outcomes that they want to do because there are going to be, rational players in the marketplace who, if the governments don't compete on a rational level, they're going to get outplayed and they're going to have less Bitcoin and they'll lose power.

And I look at this and think, the obvious example that, you know, holds a light for Bitcoin at the moment is El Salvador and what Bukele's done with his Bitcoin mining and you look at his policy when it comes to, not only is he wanting to mine Bitcoin, but he's putting that on the balance sheet.

So he needs to assess, is the mining going to be more beneficial or do we need to just buy more Bitcoin with it? Because there's a cost associated with both of those things. And from a government perspective, globally, I look at El Salvador and think, I would really like to see him in Australia, running Australia, and he seems like one of the most logical leaders that we've got globally, who understands the game theory of Bitcoin, and he's winning.

And so, he doesn't really have any competition now, though, but when competition enters the market, then there's a decision to make. And then there's probably a constriction on his decisions as to, you know, what he has to maximize for. And then that's another decision making, and this is where the forcing function of good decision making is absolutely brutal in Bitcoin.

And I dare say we've all suffered the fate of selling Bitcoin. And then looking at the cost of that and we still calculate how much the 5 bitcoin or 10 bitcoin we sold 10 years ago would be worth today. And the governments are no different. They just haven't been playing the game as long as we have. So everyone plays the game at some point in time and we'll learn those lessons.

Knut: Yeah. That's the game theory. how do El Salvador custody their Bitcoin? I can't remember. they do use a custodian, I believe. how will a government, take control of their keys? A government is just a group of people, right?

those coins do not belong to the people of the country, they belong to an X amount of people. Keyholders and like, will they have multi sig solutions or will they just use a custodian? not your keys, not your coins, right? So some guy owns the Bitcoin and not the government of country X.

And some guy can fuck off and go buy an island somewhere. I foresee a lot of chaos, when banks and governments and stuff try to, acquire Bitcoin, because they don't know how to do it properly. I mean, paper Bitcoin is paper Bitcoin, right?

So that, so, how do you see that?

Peter: I see it being chaotic, just like all of our experiences up until this date with our own experience with Bitcoin. And this is the problem with Bitcoin is that there is not only a proof of work required to prove and claim a block reward, but there is a proof of work required to be a responsible Bitcoiner and be capable of looking after your own Bitcoin

And this is where, The institutions coming to Bitcoin, are going to have to learn very quickly or leverage off the experience of others in this space, and if they don't, they're going to learn, a very costly lesson that the kind of fuck around and find out is going to happen at a nation state level, it's going to happen at a corporate level, it will happen at a bank level, there are going to be these failures, and this is where, as Bitcoiners who have been in this space for a long time, I think we have a responsibility to talk about this because We've seen it all before and sadly our little goldfish memories that we're all operating on, you know, we don't really have a memory past four years, we kind of forget things.

We laugh at goldfish having a five second memory, but, humans are operating with about a four year memory for pain, so, yeah, ironically four years is the same time it takes to, go through a full Bitcoin epoch, and the same mistakes are going to get basically rehashed over and over again, but probably on a much bigger scale because you've got much Bigger entrance to the market.

So I hope that's not the case, but I just don't see how people are going to learn at those different levels unless these mistakes are made.

Knut: No, I totally agree. It's going to be fun to see it play out. I might disagree with we having a responsibility to make governments, to help governments hold Bitcoin. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing governments finding out after fucking up.

Peter: Oh no, I've got no responsibility to the government. I've got none whatsoever, but if anyone asks for my help, a fellow bitcoiner asks for my help, I feel a responsibility, a sense of duty, that if they've gotten this far and they've found me and say, hey, I want help, it's like, great, we definitely want to help.

Incentives and Investing

Peter: there's another incentive structure at play here that is very beautiful. And that's like all the people potentially involved in making this decision that my government, our government or our corporation is going to adopt Bitcoin. They do all have an incentive to front run that, you know, and acquire Bitcoin as individuals themselves first.

Knut: And probably more of it than what they are buying for the institution. so even if a president of country X decides that I'm gonna use this tax money to buy Bitcoin, to put Bitcoin on the balance sheet, he has probably Acquired some himself first and told all his friends and family first.

and I think that's, that's just beautiful because like you can't get around that everyone's an individual and that Bitcoin's for enemies and all that.

Peter: like that idea and one of my favorite sites is the Nancy Pelosi Tracker. And to digress for a minute, which is exactly that point, we've had clients invested in NVIDIA for a long time, to the point where they're sitting on a 4, 000 percent return. And NVIDIA terrifies me. So, although we've been very lucky or fortunate to, I've put client money to work in NVIDIA and seen outrageous returns, which is about the only thing that has outperformed Bitcoin in that period, but it has.

I've been terrified that on a balance of probabilities, the chart looks outrageous and it kind of needs to come off. And I was talking to clients in the last two weeks and said, look, we need to take some money off the table here. they agreed, we all agreed, and then last week, or it might have been earlier this week, the Nancy Pelosi tracker said that Nancy has bought a lot of NVIDIA.

And it's totally changed my thinking on NVIDIA. Now I'm like, Oh, dammit, what, what does she know?

so I'm sitting here having conversations with clients over millions of dollars of decisions to be made about this one single stock and we've all agreed to get rid of it. And they said, is there any reason we wouldn't do this? And I'm like, well, there is one and she's proven to be the best fund manager on earth and her trades very rarely lose and she outperforms the market by, you know, she beats every hedge fund by a mile.

maybe we should tone down the decision not to sell all of it. We'll just sell half of it. So, you know, I make light of it, but it was a serious conversation and consideration to the point that, you know, if we have the ability to see what, these decision makers are doing, and they will be doing it at scale with much larger sums that they're in charge of, boy oh boy, that's the game theory that they're going to help their friends and family and say, yeah, we're putting into work, You know, a trillion dollars tomorrow, you might want to buy some.

Knut: we have a German friend that, told me about his, career as an investor in various stocks. He was day trading for like 15 years. Every day, just looking at the charts and trying to play them as best as he could. And then, he calculated how much money he had made being honest to himself, like 15 years down the line and made a giant spreadsheet and included all the taxes and all the banking fees and whatnot.

And he figured out that he made a hundred euros.

Peter: Damn!

Knut: so then he thought, why is that? Why is it damn near zero? And, yeah, his thesis is that You need, either you need, to know a regulator, like if you do this over a long time, it's just like, if you take the risks and the probability that it will play out that way is extremely high because the only thing that can, you basically need insider information to be able to win, over this casino that we call the markets over the long run, right?

So you need either to, be an insider in the actual company that you're buying stocks from, or you need to be a regulator, or you need to be insanely lucky, and that's unfortunately how the game is rigged when we're, especially when we have a money printer, skewing all of this and creating all of this artificial monopolies and whatnot, the regulators having too much power.

Peter: I agree with that, and particularly, if your friend was day trading, that's an impossibility. You're never beating the market in that, because you're dealing with flash trades, you're dealing with market insiders, and there's no edge in that time frame.

Knut: no, but this was, quite a while ago. So I think that during maybe the last couple of years there, the algorithms started taking over and out competing the individual day traders.

Peter: this is what I love about Bitcoin and one of my all time favorite books was a book on Jesse Livermore's life called Reminiscences of a Stock Operator and it was written over a hundred years ago. If you haven't read it and you're curious about the stock market, it's a fabulous book and it talks about the world's best short seller and the two pieces of information I gleaned out of that was outside of being it's extremely difficult to be successful at it, he said that the money wasn't in the buying or the selling, the money was made in the sitting.

And I can't think of a more perfect analogy to what, you know, the money is made in the sitting when it comes to Bitcoin. It's not made in the trading, it's made in the sitting there for eight years and, you know, taking your punishment and dealing with the cortisol. Ups and downs of, you know, the most volatile asset ever invented and then waking up eight years later where it's gone 100x.

That's where the money's made. And the other thing that came out of this book where I just kind of put the book down and thought, well, that ends all hopes and aspirations of being a trader and making a fortune out of it. So, Note to self, like, if the best can't make money out of it, like,

Knut: well, that was Warren Buffett's key to success, right? Not selling for a couple of decades.

Peter: he didn't.

Knut: and no, that's fascinating, where was I? I had a thought here.

Stay Humble and Stack Sats

Luke: I think this is an interesting one about the sort of stay humble and stack sats thing. I saw a critique today on on Twitter about the stay humble stack sats thing.

Knut: That's it.

Luke: The critique was basically that you need to sell your Bitcoin to do stuff with it at some point. Yeah, obviously. The point of stay humble, stack sats is not stay humble, stack sats, and never touch the sats ever. it's don't trade.

that's basically what stay humble, stack sats is. It's don't trade, don't shitcoin, don't try and beat the market, but when you plan to save some money for the future, whether that's six months or eternity, just stay humble and stack sats. That's it.

Knut: this is the same tweet I saw, and my reaction to it is exactly that, like, yeah, sure. Use your Bitcoin to create the life you want to lead, like, but the way to do that is to stay humble and sack sass for like 10 years and then do it. You don't do it right away. first you let the purchasing power go up and then you can use a minuscule amount of your net worth to live your dream life.

and I think that's the way the best way to go about it.

Peter: I couldn't agree more, and this is where Bitcoin, I think, offers the opportunity to do this better than any other asset I've seen, and I had this analogy the other day that Bitcoin is Analogous to, or creating wealth is analogous to being shot out of a cannon, and Bitcoin is the biggest cannon that you can find that will shoot you the furthest.

And if you think about it, they've hodled Bitcoin for eight years. And now they're sitting on a ton of Bitcoin that they want to make lifestyle investment decisions with and they've elevated themselves to a new level of economic reality that they never would have been able to achieve without Bitcoin.

And I think it's analogous to being shot out of a cannon and all of a sudden you go from being at sea level to a thousand feet in the air. And you're looking down thinking, oh my goodness, it's a long way down. I want to take some chips off the table to buy a house or pay off debt or make sure that, you know, I can basically not hurt myself when I fall.

And this is where you, you know, if you want to go up, you want to concentrate your decision into the best asset that you can find. Personally, I think that's Bitcoin. But when you've reached a level that you don't want to fall from, then taking chips off the table to pay a home or, or do some of the lifestyle things that you talk about is akin to literally deploying a parachute when you've reached where you want to get to, to make sure that you can come down and land safely if something catastrophic were to happen.

And this is where, for me, Bitcoin represents the opportunity to move up as, Maslow's Needs Hierarchy in the fastest way possible, and there's a common misconception here in the investment community that most investment advisors want to talk to you about a diversified portfolio, and I'm sitting there thinking, oh, why?

If you want to ascend that wealth Ladder. The fastest way to do it is to find the best asset and put as much as you can stomach into it. Once you've gotten to the level that you want to, then you think about diversifying because no one has made money diversifying.

Well, not no one has made money diversifying. A lot of people have gotten very comfortable diversifying and for the broader population that is the best thing to do from a long term basis. The extreme wealth is through concentrated bets. I look at all the wealthiest people on earth. They've all done it through their own endeavor.

Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, they're concentrated bets.

Knut: Yeah, and the diversification is sort of a, it's for security, once you're there. So it's not the path, it's what you do when you reach the destination, sort of.

Peter: Yep. And this is the thing with, say, Warren Buffett. Everyone always references Warren Buffett diversification. That's not what he does. He put, he took concentrated bets in the best companies he could find and he put all his money in there. And then sadly, he got so good at doing that, that when he put money to work in a company, it changed the market.

And it totally redefined the dynamics of the investment decision that he was making. So now, all of a sudden, he becomes the market, and the only thing that he can do is invest in Apple. And ironically, in the 60 years investing career that he's had, 50 percent or more of his returns have come in the last six or seven years from investing in Apple.

That's outrageous.

Stock Market Speculation

Knut: so how much of the problems with the stock market in general in the world, and these inflated, stocks that are worth way too much, probably because everyone's speculating on the same assets and so on. How much of that, to do with broken money? how much does broken money gets The blame for that and why

Peter: I think the large majority of it is. In the Bitcoin community, it's well, well understood. It's a very clearly defined problem that there is an easy solution for, but in the broader, the broader consensus is very slow to understand that. And this is where the increased liquidity over the last 50 years, the moving off the gold standard, and then the ability to print ad infinitum is, is a huge concern because it dilutes everyone.

And if we take it down to our most basic of needs. Let's just say we were all at a pub together, and it was, you know, we were having beers, having a drink, and the publican, when he was pouring beers, decided to top our beer up with 40 percent water and dilute our drink. We would be rioting in the streets.

We would be so filthy that someone would try and rip us off of our hard earned money

Knut: the analogy is flawed

Peter: But with money, you don't feel better the day after.

Knut: No, no, it's

Peter: don't even know you're getting robbed. That's the problem. So, I look at this and think, if it was a broadly understood problem, then Bitcoin would, it wouldn't be at the levels that it is now.

We would be, fighting for a Satoshi. That's the kind of level that Bitcoin would go to and I look at all of the functions of store of value at the moment are, properties, shares, the rest of it. There's no ability to save money anymore because there's a negative real return.

Medium of Exchange vs Store of Value vs Unit of Account

Knut: We go into this in the book, like, what Bitcoiners understand, I think is that, gold was good at storing value and fiat is good as a medium of exchange. But Bitcoin does both better, but I think it goes even deeper than that because I think the very term store of value is very misguided.

in research for the book, I looked up the Misesian definition of money and it's just the most common medium of exchange in society. And he pushes the medium of exchange narrative sort of, it's sort of implied that it needs to store value, but it still sees money. As a medium of exchange.

So I was thinking about that and I realized that the term medium of exchange is enough. It's just medium of exchange over time and medium of exchange over space because it's not really a store of values and values subjective, but it is a medium of exchange over time. What you're doing when you're saving is that you're trading with your future self.

So you're just using money, and you are making an exchange because that money, if it's proper money that holds its value, then it does provide you with some financial security during that time period. it's never idle, it always, Serves a function to you, the holder of the money.

But I think this is, this also ties into this whole, you know, that tweet we talked about just five minutes ago with, how to, you should stay humble and stack sats is wrong. Well, it's not because. It's all a medium of exchange. It's just that you have to account for all four dimensions and you can't have the spatial dimensions without having the temporal dimension sorted first.

Peter: he would love it. You're speaking to the wrong Dudworth. On that, it's funny, the money with the sort of the three functions of money, and this is where I think there is a distortion to that. The three functions kind of does distort what this is, and the study that I've looked at and done on this, I look at, and maybe this is a, quite a conservative way to look at this.

I think Bitcoin as a store of value and a unit of account, excluding the medium exchange, is, to me, the killer use case. And if I break it down from a market cap perspective, and total market share of store of value medium exchange unit of account. And when it comes to functions of money, the store of value has maybe a, maybe a 15 trillion market cap with gold, give or take.

Now, the definition I'm using for store of value is gold. Medium exchange might be a 100 trillion market. And unit of account, to me, some people will say it's, you know, 800 trillion, but I think it's more like 2, 000 trillion. And I look at this and I think, if you capture the store of value and the unit of account markets, then by default you get the mean of exchange.

And this is where you come in and talk about spatial and temporal. If you capture over time, store a value and unit of account, by definition, everyone will end up using Bitcoin as the medium exchange. So it's a fait accompli that we will get medium exchange if you have those two corner posts. And from an immediate perspective, and this bringing it down to the personal level, because I think all decisions resonate from the personal up, not from a top down decision.

if you. Capture the store value market and the unit of account market. You've effectively captured 95 percent of the value accretion in the marketplace for money. And then that little bit in the middle, 100 trillion dollars, the 5 percent that's remaining is your medium of exchange.

But this is where it gets very complicated when you look at the temporal and spatial effects on that interaction.

Knut: How is unit of account a market though? How can it be like, because you're measuring from. The very thing you're trying to measure the value of,

Peter: A circumstantial,

Knut: Is that the market for the US dollar or because that's the most common unit of account?

Peter: Well, yes, but I think it's everything. I think it's every, all value that needs to be captured, and I look at this on, a personal level, how I think about it, and this is a conversation that we had last time, was, we play the simplest game on earth, stack sats, all we have to do is have one more sat than this time last

Knut: Yeah, yeah. let me guess how you think about this and the market for unit of account, everything divided by something, right?

Peter: Ah, let me think, yeah, exactly. That's exactly what it is. this is where, to me, things get really interesting, because everything divided by 21 million, people think, if say there's, let's just agree that there's a thousand trillion dollars of value in the world that needs to be accounted for.

We divide it by 21 million and we Get that. But what I think a lot of people miss in valuing Bitcoin, I personally think that it can be a lot more than a trillion dollars divided by 21 million because you need to value the future value of that Bitcoin. And this is where your point is outstanding in that it's not just everything now, it's everything in the future that will be.

And if you look at that, there's a time preference and a monetary premium given to that future value. Now, when you have all of your base layers on that Maslow's Needs Hierarchy covered, you can think further into the future. It allows you to have a lot less and spend a lot less of your proportionate stack.

And this is where that escalator, I think, is such a novel term in that Bitcoin can account for hundreds of quadrillions of dollars.

Knut: the problem there is like now we're into scaling territory, but I have my most misinterpreted article ever was one about the scaling and how the real scaling solution is just that we will use money less and, I think most people misinterpreted that and saying that it was a bit too much on the Kumbaya side of things, but I think that's why we don't see retail adoption and stuff, galore everywhere because most people Don't want to spend their Bitcoin.

And like most people want to do the stay humble stack sets and then maybe spend a little on top 10 years down the line. but there is a problem there because like, transaction fees will inevitably go up and it will highly, it's highly unlikely that it will ever be worth the time or the effort or the money to, to buy a cup of coffee on chain anymore.

there is something to the scaling thing, but my thesis from that article was that when you have that, everything else becomes money first, you have some sort of Gresham's law thing going on, including your reputational capital, if you have 10 wealthy people, that go and eat together every night, then there's probably 10 transactions being made because someone picks up the bill every night, right?

So there's 10 transactions. If you have 10 very poor people eating every night, then they probably sit at home and buy their own noodles. So there's a hundred transactions going on, like over 10 days. for the poor, there's probably a need for more transactions with functioning money, that's what the, MMT people, view as a successful economy when people spend, spend, spend, spend, spend. But I think that this, perfectly sound money and this absolutely finite supply makes it so that You will be really, really careful with what you use that for.

And you will use it a few times and those times will be far apart. And that's a feature, not a bug, like, for instance, I view this as a trade we're in, we're in a trade right now, we're trading information with one another, and if you come over to Europe or if I come to Australia, then we'll probably buy each other dinners and stuff, you know, and that is, Because we know deep inside this thing about Bitcoin is being incentivized to help one another that there's no real need for greed or needs to, spend your stack when you can just spend your reputation and get a reputational gain by spending something else like your fiat or whatever.

So there is a scenario where barter and stuff like this becomes More common, I think. It's kind of hard to articulate this thought, but I see the need for many transactions going down on a Bitcoin standard and not up.

Timelocking

Peter: I agree with you. And this is where, I've had a conversation with my brother on this. And you know how he time locked the Bitcoin into the future?

Knut: Yeah. Based.

Peter: I think that's a wild idea and I'll talk more about that because it's resurfacing on a geopolitical level too.

He talks about the fact that because he's given a contribution to humanity into the future, and that, will be worth an absolute, unseemly amount of money. He talks about the reputational capital that goes with having made that contribution into the future. It's like, oh my goodness, there's Michael Dunworth, who basically put a whole bitcoin into the future to solve a mining problem or whatever he perceived to be a problem, but he made a contribution to the network.

We should either elevate his opinion or be grateful that he's contributed to humanity on some way, shape or form. And bitcoin's the most objective way to do that. And this is where, what's interesting with that whole time locking concept, it's starting to get a second run with, Trump talking about having a Bitcoin strategic reserve asset for the U.

S. And I think, someone's floated the notion that they should buy a trillion dollars worth of Bitcoin, time lock it into the future, and that is a way of solving the U. S. national debt problem. And I look at this and think, well, that's really interesting because that's one way to ensure that they can't spend it.

So, it's time locked for 30 years and who knows, maybe there's a chance that they can actually get out of the debt problem that they've got by actually buying Bitcoin and time locking it. It also sends a really clear message to the rest of the world that, hey, we're serious about Bitcoin and this is where, to one of the points you raised earlier, I think, in thinking about Bitcoin as a store of value we just don't have the ability to pay off the debts that we've got right now.

And the only way I see us being able to get out of this hole, is to recapitalize the markets. And so how do you recapitalize the markets? At this point in time, you either have to pump money into different asset classes. If you pump money into commodities, that's going to be highly inflationary for every other sector because it's a base, base cost in the economy.

If you pump money into the property sector, firstly you've got to pump a lot of money into the property sector and secondly it affects cost of housing, cost of living. So that's another area that you don't really want to pump money into. Then you've got the speculative degen stock market, which ironically is moving closer and closer to meme coin

DGN trading than it is to a, you know, a responsible profession of investing. And if you pump money into the stock market, then you're going to incentivize all these DGNs to trade harder. I look at this across the board and think the only realistic outcome of pumping money into to recapitalize the market is to pump money into Bitcoin and have Bitcoin recapitalize the entire sector, because putting 1 into the Bitcoin market will give you a 10 or a 50 or a 100x return on that by way of market cap, whereas if you put 1 into the property market it might go up by Half a half, a half a percent.

It's not a big return, but you get a hundred thousand or you get a 10000% return by putting a dollar into Bitcoin, you get maybe a 50% return by putting a dollar into the stock market. And I look at this and think a lot of people looking at this problem and thinking that we've got a debt problem. And yes, we do have a debt problem, but the other side of the coin of a debt problem is that we, we've got a collateral problem.

So how do you solve that? You either fix one of the two things. You either fix the debt or you fix the collateral. And it's far easier to fix the collateral side of things with a globally ubiquitous asset in Bitcoin than it is to fix the debt. So I look at this as a way of sort of getting balance back into the broader economics of what we're dealing with.

Bitcoin vs Fiat

Knut: Yeah. And it's so fascinating because all money, not only Bitcoin, The reason we value it, I mean, we still vote for the value of fiat currencies by choosing to buy or not buy different sorts of stuff, right? and goods and services. so it's all just, In the back of our heads, like it's all in our heads, all of it, all the trillions of dollars in debt that the world is in.

At the end of the day, it's just like some sort of intersubjective valuation mechanism going on. And the fiat isn't working because it's the rules are broken, but Bitcoin is just rules that are working. And we're just facing out of this old flawed mental state into a mental state that actually works and that it's all happening in our heads.

That's the most mind blowing part. I mean, yeah, I know how money is not a collective illusion and there's a Harari narrative and that's, it has to be attached to something, it's all in our heads and like, this is what I push all the time in terms of narratives is that, Bitcoin is you, like there's no difference and the ASIC is just a fancy abacus to help us calculate, to verify what's going on.

so the energy expenditure is just like a side effect, but it's a side effect that makes this. A competition of minds possible, but still at the end of the day, all of the information, it's in our head. you can't get around that. And that's what I find so insanely mind blowing.

Peter: I think it's a paradigm shift because for the first time in history we've got, we're not playing a zero sum game. this is back to that incentives conversation earlier, because it's the first thing that is not a zero sum game. This is the first game we can play where we have a collective benefit.

Knut: That's a tweet. Bitcoin is an everything divided by 21 million some game.

Peter: It's true though, like, it's the first time that, you know, we can all benefit. And this is where, you know, finance up until this point in time has been, you know, you either win or you lose. Someone's either winning or losing and you're on the wrong side of it and for the first time maybe this comes back to that incentives that we talked about at the start that to me the fact that we're not playing a zero sum game is How we can all align and get behind this thing.

Luke: Of course, Knut is actually tweeting during a

Peter: Yeah, nice.

Luke: Yes, save me here, Luke, We've all agreed to that. Very this is awesome. I mean, Yeah. I love the optimism whenever we talk to you or whenever you go on other pods, it's always like, you are in competition for the most bullish person in the entire space. Basically, you and Luke Broyles together is, like trying to one up each other a little bit.

Mch also does the same thing. There's something about the loop.

Exactly. I've got you, Knut. Yeah, but I think we're a little more understated than those other guys. But anyway, not in a, not like that's a negative. It's just, you know, we're the philosophizers. Those guys are the, hype men. I think something like that. but yeah,

Knut: equals 1BTC.

Luke: exactly.

Peter: So true.

Peter's Short-Term Outlook

Luke: But, yeah, Peter, what's your thinking on, the short term here, because, the having happened and everything, kind of maybe was a little disappointing from the perspective of anyone who wanted to see everything go to the moon right away, are you at all worried or just waiting for the rip?

what's going on?

Peter: I'll probably say something which is probably not going to be so popular, but it's just where we're at at this point in time, given current market dynamics, but it would not surprise me to see this sideways action continue for the next three months. And I know that's not what people want. It's definitely not what I want.

But I think about this, that a lot of. The previous cycles had, sort of three months after the halving was the bottom in, in past cycles. And that was typically caused because there was a lot of minor cell pressure, maybe people got overexcited, got, you know, ahead of themselves. And then there was that sort of realization that, oh, there's a lot more heavy lifting that needs to be done in order to get to where we need to go to.

And if you buy into that minor capitulation theory, we could be waiting a lot longer for that to happen. And that's a lot more than what we've seen in the past, because if you remember back in February, basically since the beginning of the year, we had huge fees. March was a bumper month. You couldn't get a transaction on there because we had, you know, the network was just out of control from a fee perspective.

And then it died down a little bit, then came into the halving, and then first, call it week after the halving, fees went down. Absolutely mental. Like, that first block mine, block 840, 000, I think, was the first block in the epoch. Like, there was 39 million in fees in that one single block, which was just outrageous.

And I think about this, and I think the other thing that adds to this is that All of these miners have benefited from these additional fees prior to the halving, and we've also got all time highs before the halving. That never happened before as well. So these businesses are very well capitalized, and so they haven't had to puke up all their Bitcoin yet.

So I look at this and think, oh, we could be extended here for another three months, and it wouldn't surprise me. Having said that, I'd love Trump to come out and just say, yeah, we're buying a trillion dollars of Bitcoin and we just send it to a million dollars overnight would be, you know, my preferred outcome.

But do I think that happens? No. I'd prefer to prepare for the worst, hope for the best and be pleasantly surprised in between.

Pro vs Anti-Bitcoin Politicians

Knut: What would you prefer? A pro Bitcoin president or an anti Bitcoin president?

Peter: Oh, great question.

Knut: Because it's not an easy one, you know, because you want people to be proper Bitcoiners, run their nodes and, not because they have permission to do so, like it needs to be black market money, because that's what permissionless means, like, it needs to be uncensorable, it needs to be all of these things, otherwise the value proposition is gone.

Like, it needs to be non controlled, not controlled by humans in any way, shape, or form. So this is, yeah, I struggle with this. It is game theory playing out, and Trump is starting to talk about it. It's exciting, of course, it means something,

Peter: here's a question to you on that note. What would you think of Xi adopting it?

Knut: of who?

Peter: President Xi from China.

Knut: Ah, GEOP, yeah.

Peter: about Trump adopting it. Okay, great for the US to adopt it, but like, think about, our enemy's money or whatever. Like, or Putin comes out tomorrow and says, hey, I'm doing Bitcoin.

Knut: Well I think the chaos theory, we discussed before still plays out these people are going to fuck this up so bad and it's going to end up with some guy and I root for some guy, you know, but the thing is, it doesn't matter because like once they have the Bitcoin and once they have Bitcoin on the balance sheet or whatever you may call it, Then the only way for them to leverage that in any way, shape, or form is to spend the Bitcoin.

You can't, you can't do anything else with it. And that's, that's the beautiful part. So, so in the end, it benefits individuals and that's great. And even if they hoard. all that happens if they hoard it and keep, and you know, put it away in a vault somewhere, however you may do that, is, is number go up.

That's the, that's the outcome of that. So, no, I, I, I don't have a problem with, you know, buying Bitcoin. Not at all.

Peter: I don't have a problem with it either. And in a twisted way, I think it would incentivize that other nations adopt it quicker, just in case it was the thing that was going to catch on. But to another point on that is, I think Bitcoin requires a learning process for every Bitcoiner to go through. And so, back to what we discussed earlier, it's almost like a hero's journey that every Bitcoiner has to go through.

So everyone will go through their own learning, and to me, if it's someone I like, someone I don't like, hey, who cares? Everyone's going to have to go through this at some point in time, so if you know it's an inevitability, and this is probably one thing that gets overlooked, I think, Bitcoin, is an inevitability.

But if you know it's an inevitability, then you should probably get on the train sooner rather than later.

Knut: Yeah, absolutely. but at the end of the day, if you take the thought vector and you follow it to its inevitable end, the whole notion of a nation state is sort of gone. You know, all aggression is gone in the end, because a nation state is basically just a monopoly of violence in a geographical area.

and you may think that's a good or a bad thing. You may think that if there wasn't a government, something worse would, but still, that's what it is. But if you can keep 99 percent of your wealth in your head, then you cannot extract that wealth, if you're an attacker, the best way to extract that wealth from someone else is to trade with them and exchange something of value back to them and not to threaten to kill them.

Because if you kill them, the Bitcoin is gone. so like, this is the peaceful revolution, train of thought here. But at the end of the day, Bitcoin obsoletes the nation state. That's, it, it just does, there's no way around that.

Peter: So we turned into 8 billion nations.

Knut: Self sovereign, the sovereign individual, literally. I'm looking forward to it and I'm looking forward to trading with other nations, you know, trading, a couple of pints with another self sovereign nation next to me.

Number Salad

Peter: I've got to say, I look forward to that day. In light of everything that's gone on here and what's, what's gone on throughout the world in the last few years, that degradation of trust, has been enormous. And this is one of the fundamental premises of why I'm so enamored with Bitcoin is that I think it has the ability for us to, to build that trust back within society that has been utterly lost.

And I look at, say, if I just confine that lack of trust to the financial sphere where I spend most of my time. We've had the Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, the most esteemed prestigious institution on earth when it comes to finance. You've had insider trading allegations. You had the JPOW say that he didn't think that inflation was, Here to stay, it was transitory.

And then he said, oh hang on, we've got a problem. And then he jacked rates from 0 percent to 5%. These banks in the US that had treasuries on their balance sheet, who just bought US treasuries, which are classified by the accounting standards as risk free, ended up blowing up the banks. All of those Silicon Valley banks that blew up last year were a direct result of holding the risk free treasuries.

And then we're getting, gas lit into telling us that the economy is fantastic, GDP is good. They redefined the term recession to say that, oh no, recession isn't two negative GDP quarters. It's actually two negative GDP quarters and higher unemployment. And I'm like, in my nearly 50 years on earth, it's never been defined with the unemployment vector to it.

It's always been, you know, GDP. Is it up or down? It's down for two quarters. So I'm just like, and then the revision of the unemployment numbers. Always after the fact, six months after the fact, they tell us, oh yeah, they're a lot worse than what they thought they were.

Like, it's just, they're telling you a story and there's no objective way to tell, like, To figure out what they're doing.

Knut: And the word, the word unemployment itself, let's start by GDP is a, a bullshit metric to begin with because what does it measure? You include like, sales of medicine to the population in GDP. what is that? That's not a sinus of success. the metrics are all wrong.

even the notion of unemployment. It's fictitious, like the government came up with the word unemployment because on a totally free market without interventionism, there is no such thing as unemployment. It is not a condition, it's just someone choosing not to work, and there will always be someone willing to pay something for someone to work.

It's just when you introduce these social security schemes and stuff, that unemployment is a thing. in a functioning market, it can't be. So, it's all false.

Peter: Well, they put those sort of false dichotomies in place and, they sort of try and underpin the value of labor by putting in the minimum wages. And it's like, look, if someone's not worth 15, you shouldn't have to pay them 15. They should be willing to work for whatever you're prepared to pay them so that they can learn the skill to get on the ladder of being employable and up to that 15 mark.

And then when they get to 15, move to 20, 30, 50, whatever.

Knut: Yeah, and minimum wage is so easy to debunk, and you can even, like, I hate using empiricism in economics, but where the hell do you think the touchscreens at McDonald's come from? They come from minimum wage laws, because they can't afford staff to do that stuff for you.

it's because of the minimum wage law, not because the robot is so great. It's just that it's cheaper.

Peter: So, I mean, these are all the challenges that we face and I look at, you know, the one bright spot in the finance world that I look at is Bitcoin, but it's completely misunderstood by the broader, you know, broader community of finance acolytes and this is where the opportunity for the pleb to stack sats comes in because while it's misunderstood and we do our best to explain it, therein lies the opportunity.

Knut: Exactly. They're just not aware of what we're transitioning into.

Peter: Touche.

The Bitcoin Adviser

Luke: point here. Haha. Anyway, so hey, it's been a while since we last caught up. It was actually a while since we caught up generally, but since we've had you on the pod, and there's been a lot going on, we've had a couple of other people in the Bitcoin advisor sphere. And as everyone knows, we are Bitcoin advisors ourselves, If someone wanted to be advised by us, we would absolutely do it, but we've been, finishing our book and everything, but, we're ready and raring to go, from the horse's mouth itself, can we get the TLDR and everything you've been up to in the last year and, the Bitcoin advisor and everything, because you can explain it so much better than we can, I think.

Peter: You know what, it's been an absolute blast. Boy, what's happened in the last 12 months, and I've got to say, I'm absolutely delighted you two are on the team. We literally have a team of rock stars. I think the best Bitcoin team in the world. And, you know, we've got a mission to get every Bitcoin off exchange, which I think is a very noble mission.

the team's grown dramatically. You know, we started off, Andy and I, Circa 18 months ago and that's now a team of 40 globally and we basically get to help Bitcoiners all over the globe get their Bitcoin off exchange and I've got to say it is such a fun feeling watching the coins. Get ripped off the exchange into self custody.

And for me, that I think is the highest purpose I can serve the Bitcoin community. And I'm thrilled that we've got, you know, nearly 40 advisors now globally who share that mission to help anyone who wants help getting coins off exchange where we're there to help. And, you know, we provide a stack of free resources.

There's a whole host of IP, we share literally our entire IP catalogue, how you want to do it, how we do it, it's there for anyone to take and, you know, one thing that I've got to say I'm so happy to see is that there's a whole host of other services popping up that are adjacent to what we do or similar to what we do, I think, the Bitcoin Way and Tony and, you know, you've had him on and what a fabulous story that is.

great service, Bitcoin Mentor with BTC Sessions. These services are really invaluable and I look at this and think, Some people look at this as competition, and I think, no, we're all on the same team, we're all trying to achieve the same outcome, it's just a different way of doing it, so, for me, I'm thrilled that I get to work in Bitcoin, I'm thrilled that I get to work with the best Bitcoiners in the world, and something that's, you know, an absolute privilege.

Pleasure and a delight, and it really is a treasure for me, is that I get to talk about Bitcoin, all day. So, the novelty of working with your passion hasn't worn off yet. It's still a pleasure and an honor to be able to talk about Bitcoin all day, because I know there's a whole host of Bitcoiners out there who are living, basically, separate lives.

they're living the day to day mundane going to work and doing what they do and then, you know, at any spare moment, they're sitting there listening to podcasts like this and trying to learn about Bitcoin and, want to go down that rabbit hole and get a really deep understanding this is where, I think, one of the things that's been really fun for me to watch as well is the advisors who come on the team and being able to grow with them as well Hearing their stories and success around talking to clients it's a lot of fun having an impact on someone's life and Relieving a real world problem for them that we've been able to solve It's a really satisfying level on a, like, a really heartwarming level, regardless of what financial outcomes are achieved, it's still a wonderful feeling to help another human being solve a big problem for them.

So, for me, I think a lot of the teams starting to experience, The joy of being able to solve Bitcoiners problems and this is the fun part that I think as, as the price grows, the need for these type of services is going to continue to grow because the sudden realization of someone being responsible for millions or tens of millions of dollars of Bitcoin without any redundancies or fail safes in place, it's a very rare breed where people can deal with that, so I think the more services we have in this space, the better.

This is where I'm thrilled that, you boys are on the team and gonna get to experience all of this in the very near future.

Knut: No, I know the feeling. I still pinch myself that I'm able to do this. any Bitcoin stuff really. it's just the journey is also real.

Peter: Yeah, I've gotta say it's fun and, you know, I think back to some of those early conversations, Knut, that you had with our clients probably a couple of years ago now. And I think, you know, in the early days of you transitioning to full time Bitcoin. To me, any Bitcoiner being able to do Bitcoin full time is Pretty much the end goal.

And this is where say, from a, from a, interestingly, from an advice perspective and a business perspective, it's far easier for me to take a bitcoiner and turn them into an advisor than it is to take an advisor and turn them into a bitcoiner.

Knut: Yeah, I mean, transitioning into a full time Bitcoiner, I'm thinking tender reveal, like you're changing your tender, right? That's, switch tenders.

Peter: What you're tethered to, right?

Knut: Yeah.

Peter: Yeah, so it's a lot of fun and, we get to have a good laugh with the team and, catch up on everyone's news. one of the things that I think is really valuable is that we all get to learn together and it's a source of constant improvement.

It's not like, okay, here's the best solution and we're just going to do this. It's like, no. we want to have continual improvement and, one thing when you're dealing with Bitcoin security and custody, it's eternal vigilance. Because you don't get a second chance at putting the genie back in the bottle.

Once it's out, it's done. So, from a service level perspective, perfection when it comes to helping clients custody their Bitcoin. It's the bare minimum that we can deliver and I've been very fortunate that, you know, we haven't lost a single Satoshi, that collaborative security protocol is a really important way of being able to deliver that and, quite sadly, we've had a number of clients who have passed and they've been self casting their Bitcoin and we've still been able to recover that.

That Bitcoin for the family. And this is where to anyone who's listening about that, that's a very serious thing that, you know, you need to consider. if you go home after listen to this and ask your wife, hey, or your partner, hey, can you move my Bitcoin?

If you don't get a satisfactory answer, then you've got some work to do on making sure that you don't die with the music inside you. And that's, that's a really big deal to your point earlier, Knut, that this is the first asset that you can't extract. TrueForce. It sits in your head and if you don't have a map to that bitcoin, then it's lost forever.

Or until someone breaks SHA 256 and we can access it.

Knut: Yeah, I love all this, the way of framing it, because it's so hard to debunk those theories, and, what play, another way of looking at it is that Bitcoin was always there, and it's just that the hashing power was zero up until 2009,

Peter: I love that thought. It's wild.

Knut: but it's true, it's 100 percent true,

Peter: Yeah.

Knut: the numbers were there somewhere.

So yeah, it's goes back to the, the thing only being information and like even deeper. It's just data ones and zeros and, data interpreted, can be called information. And yeah, that's what Bitcoin is.

The Inverse of Clown World

Peter: Can I ask a question of you boys? I want you to show me your latest and greatest. This book that's coming out. Hit me.

Knut: it's the best Bitcoin book I've ever read.

No, like, so Bitcoin, the inverse of clown world, started as an idea and it started with a long, long period of writer's block for me. So I knew I wanted to write something and I knew I wanted to write another Bitcoin book, but I couldn't get started. And then sometime during last December, like early December last year, it just started pouring out of me and it's, inspired by the two years, almost two years of conversations we've had with excellent Bitcoiners now, all of those ideas, started pouring out.

And then I wanted to look on board as some sort of editor or something. We hadn't really decided what your role was going to be. as we started looking at the text together, we realized that you're not the editor, you're the co author here, like we should write this as a team, which turned it into a bigger project.

And we, I had written around 10 chapters, I think, but then we saw, we looked at the chapters at one point and realized that, it's sort of a hero's journey thing, I looked up the conceptual hero's journey

and we realized that if we just order these chapters correctly, we can sort of have it in the back of our minds that they fit into this, Heroes Journey template, and then the reader is the hero, that removes Clown World by, focusing on Bitcoin.

so that's what we did. The first part of the book describes, the reality we find ourselves in, and clown world, and what makes, why clown world exists, and why politicized money turns into completely arbitrary issues being focused on, and bullshit, being emphasized everywhere, Then, the midsection of the book is a journey of introspection and this whole concept of your satoshis and how much, the mind creates reality and how you remove that old world by, focusing on different things.

and then the last part of a book is sort of hinting at what's on the other side there. The funniest book yet, I'd say, and a bit more thorough this time, or we have, since that's sort of what Luke added, is like, coherency to the thing and, and us reading, we did like three passes with the book, so we read it one time first, like my, my original outline, and then decided this goes here, that goes there, and then we read it when the last chapters were, Done.

So we had another pass and then we had a third pass and we've had our editor Mel, who's fantastic, look through it too and, change a synonym here and there and a paragraph here and there, making it look nicer. it is what's on the other side of the, everything divided by 21 million equation.

Everything divided by 21 million equals the inverse of clown world. it is the natural follow up to that book, and we're doing a pass with everything divided at the moment. a readability pass, I'd say. So we are doing a light edit to make the ultimate version of that book. And it's, the sentences are a bit less choppy.

It was quite a choppy book, so we're making it a bit more readable. And it's good to look back on that because we see so much mirrored in the new book. It's just, the other side of the equation. So we're very proud of it and we're excited to release it. We can't wait.

What's your take, Luke?

Luke: Well, I was, I was going to let, Peter, I was gonna let you respond a little bit, but sure, I'll just, I'll add, I'll add one thing. it's definitely funnier and more toxic than the previous Knut books. And this was from, I hadn't realized this, actually, because it sort of felt like everything that we've been doing for the last two years, this crazy show, this, formerly Freedom Footprint show, now Bitcoin Infinity show.

the Freedom Footprint years are the input to this book, but, we just have a blast, joking together and, talking together about anything and everything. what actually went into this book is, there's jokes everywhere and, the toxicity is turned up a level then it was, the process of going back and re reading everything divided.

you weren't nearly as toxic or, even nearly as intentionally funny. There aren't as many jokes in Everything Divided and it's different. I'm proud of my contribution. I mean, I'm honored to be here, really.

And, as with everything in Bitcoin, it's, the surreal doesn't end. It's less than two years since I first. Met any bitcoiners face to face. Riga, 2022 is my first time. and so Riga 2024 we're launching this book together. And, for me, it's just surreal.

can you explain all of it? thanks Peter, for asking, and I think this is the first time we've really gone in depth about the book on this show,

Peter: I'm so excited for you. I sincerely love you boys and think you are a great team. Quirky as hell. And I, I'm really looking forward to this book. Like, the second I saw it I was like, ah, I cannot wait. And then, to me, like, being a fan of your work, I'm like, yeah. Oh, you're going to release a box set? Sweet!

Another thing to just put on the shelf! I can't wait. Literally, call me and let me know when I can buy it, because I would love to buy not only Clown World, I want to get the rehashed box set. And I think, like I shared with you, the reading everything divided by 21 million, the thoughts in that were so dense.

It was like the gravity of the sun relative to other books because and I remember reading it and I sat down and I'd like a dedicated time, it was a book that I was really looking forward to reading and I'd set time aside to focus on this and I thought, oh, it's a little book, you know, I'll get through this in no time.

And. We talked about this, that the density of thought in that little book had me reading like a paragraph at a time and then I'd just sit back and I'd be like, Damn, and I'd have to think about one little paragraph in there for moments, like minutes, maybe even 10 minutes and what ended up happening was it took me probably five times longer to read that book than I had anticipated.

Because it was so thought provoking for me. I was like, man, like, the things you've thought about in here are so deep and profound. I wanted to, you know, ponder on what, what the significance of it was, a question I've got on the release of Clown World. one thing I love doing with everything divided by 21 million was going back and listening to it because then I couldn't stop and ponder because I had to keep the train of thought going.

And I'm wondering, at the time of release of Clown World, Are you going to release an audio version of it as well? Like, can you get both at the same time?

Luke: Same time, probably not. The manuscript is done now, but we're still waiting on our forward, hopefully by the time this is released, Giacomo has given us our forward, and so we need that for the audio version, but we'll get it to Guy right away once we have that done. This is like a little snapshot in time here when we've got the thing done, but it's not 100 percent done yet.

So yeah, we'll have the audio book, but it might not be quite immediately at launch. Bitcoin Infinity Day is a pretty specific day on the calendar and we can't move the launch date. I hope you understand.

Peter: Totally.

Knut: you want a paragraph, Peter?

Peter: Yeah, come on, hit me.

Knut: This is from a chapter called Freedom Footprint. The fight for freedom is never ending. Every generation must participate or be forever shackled to its hamster's wheels. The siren's song of the government has led many adventurers to a state of perpetual Stockholm syndrome.

Even though the beaches are littered with human skulls, her song seduces new sailors daily. Free healthcare, universal basic income, fixed weather, free lunches abound. The government's anaconda grip over your life tightens every time another freedom is sacrificed on the altar of perceived safety.

She is a cunning snake that grows stronger whenever we forget to resist. The history of human civilization is one of repeating cycles over the centuries. Property rights lead to perspective. Prosperity. Prosperity leads to more government spending. More government spending leads to bigger government. Big government leads to dilutions of grandeur and totalitarianism.

And totalitarianism leads to civil wars and revolutions. Are you prepared to take matters into your own hands? Probably not. You still live in the world you were born into and idealistic martyrdom is not on most people's bucket lists, but whatever small step you take to increase your personal freedom footprint increases the total level of freedom dioxide in the atmosphere.

Freedom dioxide is essential to life. It prevents political climate change and global laming.

Authoritarian Australia

Peter: I love it. I've got to say, that just resonates so deeply with me at the moment because in Australia we have A change in law coming into our tax code next year, 1st of July, for balances over a certain threshold in our pension system will now suffer the fate of unrealized capital gains tax.

Knut: Oh, holy fuck.

Peter: So, I cannot tell you the amount of stress and sleep that I have lost over this, but it affects a big part of my life. Maybe 70, 000 Australians presently, but if you've got a couple of Bitcoin in your super fund, it's going to affect every Australian who's got a couple of Bitcoin in their super fund before too long.

And this to me is the encroachment that is just beyond the pale for me. That's

like theft straight up.

Knut: yeah, even if you don't believe tax is theft, which it is, or that inflation is theft, which it is, taking an unrealized gain from someone is definitely theft. Like, how is it not?

Peter: it's insane. And to give you some examples of this, because I've done the numbers on it, I'm not allowed to touch my retirement money till, till I turn, 63, I think it is, or 62, but by the time I get there, it'll be 65 or 70. Let's assume it's 16 years before I can touch it. By my calculations, I will have 86 percent less Bitcoin on my retirement than I do now through this unrealized capital gains tax.

Knut: We need to set up a voting accident for you, Peter.

Peter: I don't think that's possible. I'm pretty good at custody.

Knut: I like the way you're thinking, but it's, it really is perplexing to me. We've had this discussion before about, you know, completely clean government approved Bitcoin and, coin joined the sneaky shadow super recoder Bitcoin. And you've been a proponent of the former

Peter: that's true.

Knut: yeah, it's, I hate to tell you, but this is a case of fuck around and find out, I think,

Peter: Yeah, I've got to say, it's particularly disturbing because it skews the incentives dramatically, and I had a conversation, about this, but what it does is it robs you of the ability to compound your return through time, and you end up poor. But the best thing, That can happen to you. And this is doing the numbers, and this is the crazy part.

The best outcome that I can hope for, is to end up with 14% of the Bitcoin that I've got now that's the best outcome.

Knut: but it is an argument for not doing KYC Bitcoin ever, like doing it all under the table, all black market.

Peter: But if, if you want to catch a, that Bitcoin in your, in your superannuation or pension system in Australia, it, it is all documented. So, there's no getting out of it that I'm aware of. So, it's an encroachment I am, I am none too happy about. And I kind of feel like, in light of how orchestrated the governments across the globe have been, or Western democracies anyway, it feels like a trial balloon in Australia to see if they can get away with it and then they'll implement it in Australia.

All of the other nations once they've got, got that tick off, tick of approval.

Knut: So how do you get out of it?

Peter: You

Knut: off somewhere?

Peter: No. I need a 30 percent unrealized gain per annum, so I'm just sitting there properly disturbed by the fact that our government thinks it's acceptable to take unrealized capital gains, and what I'm more concerned about is because of the volatility of Bitcoin, what will end up happening at some point in time is when you get a 10x return on your Bitcoin, It'll go from, say, a balance of 3 million to 30 million in a year.

that represents a 9 million unrealized capital gains tax bill payable. After a 10x year in Bitcoin, you know what happens. You usually have an 80 percent drop. And so 30 million will drop to 6 million, but you'll have a 9 million outstanding tax bill payable and they'll take all of your super fund, all of your pension money because you've got 9 million outstanding for their tax bill and you only have 6 million to pay it.

So, unless I can pick the top of every market between now and the next 20 years, which is an impossible feat. I'll probably have no pension money left by the time I get to retirement. So, I've got to say, to say I'm particularly upset about it would be an understatement.

Knut: Sucks.

Peter: So, if you find a solution over there, in Scandinavia, ship it in.

Luke: I mean, we just have the capital gains, the regular kind, but, yeah, if there was talk of putting in unrealized capital gains, I think you'd see a lot of Bitcoiners leaving pretty quickly and, craziness, jurisdictions, doing things differently, doing things unintelligently will be, over the next 20, 30 years, I guess.

Probably lots of differences between jurisdictions.

Conferences and Wrapping Up

Peter: So, anyway, we've got all that to look forward to. On brighter note, I'm really looking forward to your new book. I can't wait to get it, can't wait to read it. Are you celebrating Bitcoin Infinity Day, hosting an event? Bitcoin Infinity Day

Knut: Yeah. In Riga, at the basement bar, which is the first bar in Riga that accepts Bitcoin and Bitcoin only. So yeah, looking forward to that a lot. We have a lot to look forward to in Riga, there's the Nostriga conference, big Nostr event, there's Noob Day Wiz's thing there, where we're both speaking and we're both speaking at the regular conference as well and doing interviews and all this stuff, so really looking forward to it, we love Riga and the team over there,

Peter: I'm hoping to make it to Rega next year.

Knut: Yeah, I might make it to Sydney next year.

Peter: Oh

Knut: we'll see. I'd love to return. Like I think every two years is, I could live with that.

Peter: You were, Very, very popular, I've got to say, and sort of speaking to, the crew at, the Sydney Bitcoin Meetup, I can tell you before you arrived, everyone was so excited to see you here. And we understand it's a really long way from the rest of the world and, the fact you guys, or, Knut, you made it out here, Luke, hopefully you can jump on the next time and come out as a two for one.

any Bitcoin talent that comes out here, we're thrilled to see, but, to have you. Still one of my favorite memories in Bitcoin is your rendition of Fuck You Money with Daz.

Knut: yeah, that was a great moment.

Peter: Loved

Knut: that's, it's great. And it's so fun to play. Music with, and yeah, no, just the community down there in general is great. And, I'd love to see it. I'd love to, love to come again.

Peter: well, anytime,

Luke: Fantastic. Peter, I think we're winding down here. I'm feeling the energy and, so anything else you had on your mind before we sign off for today?

Peter: No, I just want to thank you guys for, you know, just being great citizens in the Bitcoin community and doing what you do. I have enjoyed immensely the work you guys put out. big fan of the show, big fan of your books. And I can't wait to see what the new iteration looks like with the new co authors. So, Luke, I can't wait to read it.

Knut: We'll send you a copy as soon as we can.

Peter: no, I'll pay.

Knut: all right, Peter, thank you very much.

Peter: Thank you, boys.

Luke: Thanks, Peter.

Knut: Use code freedom.

Luke: This has been the Bitcoin Infinity Show. Thank you for listening.

@ b2d670de:907f9d4a

onion-service-nostr-relays

A list of nostr relays exposed as onion services.

The list

| Relay name | Description | Onion url | Operator | Payment URL | Payment options | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | nostr.oxtr.dev | Same relay as clearnet relay nostr.oxtr.dev | ws://oxtrdevav64z64yb7x6rjg4ntzqjhedm5b5zjqulugknhzr46ny2qbad.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | relay.snort.social | Same relay as clearnet relay relay.snort.social | wss://skzzn6cimfdv5e2phjc4yr5v7ikbxtn5f7dkwn5c7v47tduzlbosqmqd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | nostr.thesamecat.io | Same relay as clearnet relay nostr.thesamecat.io | ws://2jsnlhfnelig5acq6iacydmzdbdmg7xwunm4xl6qwbvzacw4lwrjmlyd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | nostr.land | The nostr.land paid relay (same as clearnet) | ws://nostrland2gdw7g3y77ctftovvil76vquipymo7tsctlxpiwknevzfid.onion | operator | Payment URL | BTC LN | | bitcoiner.social | No auth required, currently | ws://bitcoinr6de5lkvx4tpwdmzrdfdpla5sya2afwpcabjup2xpi5dulbad.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | relay.westernbtc.com | The westernbtc.com paid relay | ws://westbtcebhgi4ilxxziefho6bqu5lqwa5ncfjefnfebbhx2cwqx5knyd.onion | operator | Payment URL | BTC LN | | freelay.sovbit.host | Free relay for sovbit.host | ws://sovbitm2enxfr5ot6qscwy5ermdffbqscy66wirkbsigvcshumyzbbqd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | nostr.sovbit.host | Paid relay for sovbit.host | ws://sovbitgz5uqyh7jwcsudq4sspxlj4kbnurvd3xarkkx2use3k6rlibqd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | nostr.wine | 🍷 nostr.wine relay | ws://nostrwinemdptvqukjttinajfeedhf46hfd5bz2aj2q5uwp7zros3nad.onion | operator | Payment URL | BTC LN, BTC, Credit Card/CashApp (Stripe) | | inbox.nostr.wine | 🍷 inbox.nostr.wine relay | ws://wineinboxkayswlofkugkjwhoyi744qvlzdxlmdvwe7cei2xxy4gc6ad.onion | operator | Payment URL | BTC LN, BTC | | filter.nostr.wine | 🍷 filter.nostr.wine proxy relay | ws://winefiltermhqixxzmnzxhrmaufpnfq3rmjcl6ei45iy4aidrngpsyid.onion | operator | Payment URL | BTC LN, BTC | | N/A | N/A | ws://pzfw4uteha62iwkzm3lycabk4pbtcr67cg5ymp5i3xwrpt3t24m6tzad.onion:81 | operator | N/A | N/A | | nostr.fractalized.net | Free relay for fractalized.net | ws://xvgox2zzo7cfxcjrd2llrkthvjs5t7efoalu34s6lmkqhvzvrms6ipyd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | nfrelay.app | nfrelay.app aggregator relay (nostr-filter-relay) | ws://nfrelay6saohkmipikquvrn6d64dzxivhmcdcj4d5i7wxis47xwsriyd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | relay.nostr.net | Public relay from nostr.net (Same as clearnet) | ws://nostrnetl6yd5whkldj3vqsxyyaq3tkuspy23a3qgx7cdepb4564qgqd.onion | operator | N/A | N/A | | nerostrator | Free to read, pay XMR to relay | ws://nerostrrgb5fhj6dnzhjbgmnkpy2berdlczh6tuh2jsqrjok3j4zoxid.onion | operator |Payment URL | XMR |

Contributing

Contributions are encouraged to keep this document alive. Just open a PR and I'll have it tested and merged. The onion URL is the only mandatory column, the rest is just nice-to-have metadata about the relay. Put N/A in empty columns.

If you want to contribute anonymously, please contact me on SimpleX or send a DM on nostr using a disposable npub.

Operator column

It is generally preferred to use something that includes a NIP-19 string, either just the string or a url that contains the NIP-19 string in it (e.g. an njump url).

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Chef's notes

Allow meat to soak for 1-24 hours. The rougher the cut, the longer the soak. This is great for open flame grilling, as well as pan seared, though the latter is preferable. Petit Sirloin can marinade for approximately 1 hour and still develop tenderness. I like to score the steaks if they will only be resting in the mix for a short time. All seasonings can be adjusted to taste. Base ingredients scale well, for any number of steaks. Equal parts, enough to coat the meat is really all that matters.

I'm terrible at remembering cooking pictures, so image is a random steak. I will try to remember to update that next time I make these.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 10
• 🍳 Cook time: However long you usually cook your steak to preferred doneness

Ingredients

• 4 petite sirloin steaks or other cut
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3-5 cloves garlic, depending on size, minced and salted
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1\2 tsp crushed red pepper

Directions

1. Mix ingredients and marinade 1-24 hours.
2. Grill or pan sear to your preferred doneness
3. Enjoy!

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

The user is never wrong

Here are some non-suspect ways a dev team can respond to a bug report

1) Thank you for reporting. We already opened issue ABC123 to track that and you can follow the progress on our issues board.

2) Oh, wow! That's an odd behavior. 🤔 Can you give me more information about your setup and the precise steps you took to find that, so that we can track down the cause?

3) Yeah, that's a known flaw, I'm afraid. We've got this workaround available...

4) Oh, that's actually a path/use-case/feature we hadn't considered, yet. I'll discuss it with the team and get back to you, concerning the possible implementation.

Sus ways a dev team can respond to a bug report

1) User error.

2) No one else has reported that.

3) Do I look like I have all day to deal with your whining? The road map. Read it.

4) 🦗🦗🦗🦗

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

We can talk about something else, now.

Making boosts/quotes the primary way new users find a variety of topics is a fundamental flaw. We don't need boosts (which merely results in the main trending list trending even harder, as people feel safer boosting something that is already popular), and hashtags have become the mess they naturally will become.

We need topical forums and relay-based community boards.

This would actively encourage those of us who want to write on OtherTopics to write more on them, as we would have some chance of the material being found by those interested in it. And it would spare us having to win some general popularity contest, just to be able to converse about golfing, Hinduism, or veganism.

Scrollable "timeline" feeds, even with AI assistance (like DVMs), don't accomplish this as well, as they eliminate the ability to skim the top-level and selectively read. You have to scroll, scroll, scroll.

It would also reduce the overloading of the original posts with videos, which is starting to give Nostr a Tik-Tok vibe. There's nothing wrong with that, per se, and we should probably have clients like that, but it makes life hard for anyone who wants to have a deeper discussion. People scrolling have trouble even "seeing" a text-based OP, but using the written word is a true signal to the other people, that you are capable of carrying a conversation through text.

Examples for other styles of client

(I am including the Communities in Nostrudel and Satellite, even though they don't yet work, effectively.)

Some of the things that set these clients apart, is that: 1. they are topic-first or thread-first, not person-first, 2. they sometimes allow voting (I suppose we could rank by zaps), 3. they often allow the user to override the default order and simply look at whatever is newest, most popular, or where their friends are currently active (i.e. they allow for easy sorting and filtering), 4. they cap the depth of threads to one or two levels, keep the indentation tiny, or offer a "flat" view, 5. they are primarily text-based (Reddit broke with this and now their main pages look really spammy), 6. they allow you to see all of the entries in the thread, at once, and simply actualize to display the entries that pop up in-between, 7. they often have some indication of what you have already read (this is application data) and allow you to sort for "stuff I haven't looked at, yet".

https://i.nostr.build/uCx5YKMOsjhKBU5c.png https://i.nostr.build/hMkm2oKpos0pWaV9.png https://i.nostr.build/mGQONMw5RC8XKtph.png https://i.nostr.build/TCSkG1bPuMOL0jja.webp https://i.nostr.build/3fLjCSNdtefiZmAH.png https://i.nostr.build/BHgo7EKTK5FRIsVl.png

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

Opinion about BitWallet - Buy & Sell Bitcoin (android)

On trustpilot, 20% of reviews are complaining about KYC only after trying to withdraw, with some claims of outright disappearing money.

WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion

Join the conversation!

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Here's how people use OtherStuff apps.

1) They usually go there to write or post, not to read or view, unless someone they closely follow wrote about it in a Kind 01 note, SimpleX chat, Slack Channel, Telegram group, etc.

2) While they are there, they sometimes look around at what their frens have posted, zap them, leave a comment or a reply, etc. Sometimes they spend hours there. They really like it!

3) Then they leave.

4) If someone responds to anything they posted or wrote there, with anything other than a Kind 01 reply, they do not know about it, because it does not show up in their normal feed or notifications.

5) They do not come back until 1) happens again.

@ dbc828cc:ed78a663

El nuevo continente

---

La siguiente es la carta de respuesta a mi amigo de Japón, Yamaguchi, quien me ha preguntado acerca de la vida en el "nuevo continente". Para ser más precisos, la relación que el continente tiene con bitcoin. Su servidor solamente ha conocido algunas partes de México y El Salvador así que por esta ocasión solo voy a escribir acerca del segundo país, al cuál ya considero un segundo hogar.

A continuación algunas fotografías con descripciones que ayuden a comunicar ideas de medianoche acerca del nuevo continente y bitcoin. Por otro lado, este escrito se ha procurado intencionalmente con el idioma Español en mente, mi lengua nativa, para fines de hacerle la tarea más fácil a ChatGPT, quien nos ayuda a traducir nuestras conversaciones.

---

¿Nuevo y viejo; este, y oeste?

Yamaguchi se ha referido al continente Americano como el "nuevo continente". Esto me ha sorprendido pues, desde mi experiencia, el continente Asiático, —para nosotros al menos—, es más comúnmente conocido como el continente del Este. (Eastern and Western). Llamarlo "nuevo" acarrea ya una connotación distinta a la geográfica, y la traslada a la temporal. Pues bien, para honrar la idea a propósito de una connotación temporal que mejor describa el carácter jovial de de Latinoamérica, ciertamente puedo confirmar que la vida de experiencia en El Salvador se aprecia temprana, pero llena de entusiasmo.

Para todos fue una sorpresa el anuncio de bitcoin como moneda de recurso legal en El Salvador. La siguiente sorpresa para la gente Salvadoreña fue presenciar el ir y venir de extranjeros curiosos, energéticos y en algunas ocasiones, faltos de vergüenza. ¿Qué se le va a hacer?, por eso y por otras cosas son conocidos los bitcoineros :).

Como tal parece que sucede en otros lugares del mundo, las grandes ciudades parecen más precavidas acerca del uso de bitcoin; desconfiadas, en algunos otros casos. No es para menos; en la ciudad a menudo las estafas y la criminalidad le hacen pasar malos ratos a las personas, y lamentablemente, el costo es la confianza.

En la playa y en las montañas, sin embargo, las cosas mejoran. Bitcoin Beach es el nombre de la iniciativa que ha inaugurado un sueño parecido en muchos de nosotros; aún sin poder responder precisamente ¿cuál es ese sueño?, es posible asegurar que se puede "sentir" y que de este modo, el valor de la confianza puede ser reconstruido.

La gente Salvadoreña es muy trabajadora y de buen humor. El pueblo de El Salvador ha tenido que hacer frente a periodos de guerra, de violencia y carestía; pero a pesar de las adversidades, en sus corazones no se ha acomodado el resentimiento y en cambio, se ha permitido lugar a la bondad, el compañerismo y el esfuerzo.

Por un lado más generalizado; tal parece que las oportunidades de inversión y empleo lucen optimistas. El Salvador tiene reconocidas producciones de café, caña, y energía volcánica ;). Mejor conocido por ser un destino clave para quiénes practican surf, El Salvador parece comenzar a abrir sus puertas a nuevas ideas.

Ahora bien, personalmente hablando, para mi El Salvador es como un pequeño México. Las regiones climáticas y culturales son bastante parecidas, pero sin duda parece una buena ventaja tener las montañas y las playas a poca distancia; es posible cambiar de atmósfera en un mismo día.

Finalmente, me despido con un viejo refrán que viene a propósito del entusiasmo que bitcoin irradia no solamente hacia Latinoamérica, sino al mundo entero: "con calma, que llevo prisa". Es decir, si bien los sentimientos de energía, ímpetu y entusiasmo son alimento nutritivo para el espíritu; cuando se abusa de sus bendiciones se puede también propiciar la generación de malos hábitos o accidentes. Es mejor ir con con calma pero con confianza ;). Buenas noches.

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

Heres a scenario:

Imagine you have a nostr e-cash/Lightning Wallet and you would like to have a maximum receive balance of 20k split in between 5 mints that enable multipath payments.

Pick 5 mints below to store 4k sats each, the funds are automatically withdrawn to your lightning node at the end of the day.

Stacker News Robosats Sparrow Coinkite Start9 Rabbit Hole Recap @siggy47 Damus LND Your own mint

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/648298

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

It's wild. I just proved I can build #nostr 'wallet' where I can store the encrypted tokens in a Germany relay and make the lightning payment out of a Singapore mint. All using a #nsec that never leaves my machine. https://primal.net/e/note15l02rf4r474ck04mlrxxfagyl0z6t04ltsugf9dtph4xxhzfnd4sqpk74n

I’ve proven to myself that a #nostr wallet can exist across time and space, independently of any one app, server or custodian. The only thing which controls the ‘wallet’ is the generation and control of an #nsec which is free to exist within or flee any jurisdiction.

In my mind, this lays to rest the notion that a wallet needs to be an app, service, or anything that can be captured commercially or by the state. https://primal.net/e/note13nwsh852x9tfex2jade6vwymhhct8zussxr4zwy7uag24hjc9stq0xsxaf

https://image.nostr.build/07dd1b56d6bb60b13cfe6c19d9384bc3ef198d01af4be9a5c544f791b80b746a.png

I am thinking about coining the term “nsac” to refer to a wallet-like thing that can exist on #nostr holding your valuable things, such as ecash tokens. I have already implemented a prototype #cashu ecash wallet which looks to be promising.

So you would have:

npub - your identity

nsec - your private key

nsac - your valuables

Your #nsac could be the same as your #nsec but better case is to generate as many #nsacs as required.

Happy to hear feedback!

For reference, what a ‘sac’ is in the biological sense:

A sac is a biological term referring to a pouch or cavity in an organism that is typically enclosed and may contain fluid, air, or other substances. Sacs can serve various functions depending on their location and role in the body, such as protecting a developing embryo, facilitating the exchange of gases in the lungs, or reducing friction between moving parts in joints

https://primal.net/e/note1snj7y9m6f7lhfzkd2ujzqcvparpgddzmgcgwsgghqvkcyd0rkqhsmmlyla

npub1q6mcr8tlr3l4gus3sfnw6772s7zae6hqncmw5wj27ejud5wcxf7q0nx7d5

Wild stuff freaks, will nostr become the best lightning/E-Cash wallet? Let me know what you think.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/648270

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

Markdown + X, Y, Z is a problem, but Markdown + N can fix that.
Where N = any type of Nostr event.

Whatever Markup language you choose, people will be referencing other Nostr events in it all the time. Since apps have to find ways to display those events (or the links to them) anyway, we mights as well use that as an opportunity.

Why can't Tables, for example, be embedded Nostr events?

Switching from Markdown to Asciidocs (because it has tables and some more technical stuff) still doesn’t make Tables a great experience. On mobile, Tables are notoriously hard to display in a useful way. It depends on the use case, size of the table, etc….

Creators need guarantees on these things being displayed the way they intended.
There’s a reason why most authors just embed pictures of tables instead. It has little to do with Markdown not really supporting tables and more with them ensuring readability and appropriate styling.

So what if you enhance Markdown not only with embedded Nostr Events but also with something like Hypernotes Widgets that serve as a preview/display for those Nostr Events?

That way: - you are still using the most simple and popular markup language - devs “only” have to implement one extra thing (Hypernotes) that handles all the complexity and extensibility from there - authors can create articles and wiki entries with interactive elements in them, can have the guarantee that they display properly, can use any styling that suits them, etc… - the worst case scenario of reading it in a random crappy app still displays the link to the event (including it's explanatory metadata)

Imagine custom interactive graphs, polls, media players, products, … embedded in articles BUT limited to the Nostr-verse for all interaction and data fetching.

(this article will be updated with UI prototypes and further thoughts)

@ 5d1d83de:d0db5aa0

Encouraging everyone to embrace stacker news RSS feed. Using RSS has being a great way to move off of twitter and other algorithmic feeds. Create a feedbin account. Use that account on multiple devices and put the stacker news RSS feed there go get a raw feed of news and topics without any algorithmic curation. It is easy to mark posts as read later and also bookmark great content. Then pair that with pinboard.in archiving and you have great content cached forever

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/642938

@ c8383d81:f9139549

Test Completed

:Lighningbutton{lud16=cypher@npub.cash}

@ dbc828cc:ed78a663

Drugs since the lens of habitus

present

Good day everyone. Thanks for coming to this mesh talk. Before start I want to give special love to the Meshtadel, not only for having me grab this opportunity to share some of the experience I have about life, but also for being that digital place that resonates at the in-real-life place.

intro

Having said that, my professional experience is about places, to be more precise, the experience of places. Architecture, you see, is not only about if a building is pretty or if it is functional; it is about living places, that is, to inhabit. Here is where my trench of expertise might be colliding with those of psychology and physiology; granted by the favors of philosophy. Saying it like this, the "adversary" I want to bring attention this day to you is the one named as "addiction".

The middle ground I would like to propose for this talk are founded on-and-by the terms of perception; granted that, "term" and "perception", each, can be criticized by their own merits, however the idea I want to expose this day to you is that the "terms of perception" can be considered as the signature of drugs. In other words, drugs have the ability to drive perception; in architecture, for example, could be said that experience is driven by our walk through the arrangement of the building, —namely the structure, furniture and ornament—, the very definition of a drug in architecture lies thus in the objects, as well as in the use we humans make of them.

The object, and the experience of the object thus con-forms perception. Habitus is the particular way each individual arranges it's own terms of perception. Or to put it over a fashion apart, habitus can be understood alike traditions, culture, or rituals. Thus, a natural question surges towards the whereabouts of the origins of these habits.

Now then, here is precisely where we can draw a first line that describes the form of an addiction. Simply put, an addiction is an habit that went wrong. Or to say it otherwise, it is an habit that is detrimental to human existence by the terms of the healthiness of both, the body and the mind.

With these sentences I would like then to advance to the discussion or mezzanine of the talk.

mid

If there could ever be a common law for perception, I would like to lie it, —for this occasion at least—, with the following sentence: perception lets itself be the pray of the living experience. This means that, —in a healthy condition—, the identification of the state of awareness can be exercised, or saying it like this, a recognition can be drawn between a "natural" and a "distorted" state awareness. Precisely, it could be said that this late is the very definition of an addiction, that is, the placement of oneself in state of distortion.

The handshake of a drug usually is also the first time for an individual to notice that there's a "perception apart" than the one experienced all along the time of being alive. Taking a personal example for consideration, the years of college, —or well discussed, the years of social interaction—, usually are also the years where the coincidence with drugs happen. I mention this precisely to have in mind the importance of context, and even so for the little coincidences, if one like it to have it like that.

To describe the conventional definition of an habit that went wrong, imaging the following sentences: "Where precisely the drug is injected?, well it depends of the desired effect..."

To offer an alternative for an habit that "works OK", I will dare to say that a good habit is that one that you don't notice. It is there, that say, it exists; it can be at the sight of others, but at the same time can be out of the mere recognition of one. Here precisely is where the terms of habit coincides with ideas of the terms of character, —namely style, temperament, or likelihood— of a person. The habit and the person justifies each other at all moment for the sake of reach an agreement of terms.

To offer an example, a person that commutes everyday to his workplace might likely reach a point where it does it "by default", without ever noticing or thinking about it. Later, by whatever reason, a deviation of the usual commute happens, either a shortcut, a better skilled chauffeur, or getting distracted by the infatuation of a pretty smile. The habitus takes a new reform, even if momentarily just to disrupt the usual. Sometimes it can be of good outcomes, some other times maybe not so much.

This may be the opportunity then to lead to the description of the capitulation of an habit, simply put: it can hardly be appreciated or taken nor even with two grains of salt. In other words, to try measure the start and the end of an habit might very well be as to try playing speculation. Needless to say that every drug has his trade offs, not so obvious often is that the worst outcome can strike as disruptive as a thunder to life experience.

But what does that mean in layman terms?. What I try to tell you here, meshtadelian, is that a drug is a thing as well as an idea, and even more than that, it is always a mix of both the thing and the idea.

You see, when knowing people one might get to see their character not only by their wearings but also by their behavior, that is, the things they do and how they do it, in the same sense a person likes to consume cannabis either by edibles or by cigarettes, an architect can decides, —following the wishes of the inhabitants at best—, to use traditional style or modern style of buildings. The problem often becomes evident when the character gets out of place, when the people doesn't match what at is also seen by others.

Does this mean that there's no way out of an addiction? The answer at least, can not be located at the terms of the addiction itself. To elaborate, a person that looks so hard to stop "doing a drug" might soon or later find that the effort can become as important as the drug itself, that being, as if the addiction gets displaced from a drug to another.

By this terms sobriety is hard to define. The simply usual would be that sobriety is the "default settings" of perception. But also by the terms of aesthetics, —taking help of professor Adorno here—, "a lack of style becomes and style itself".

Hoping to having ignited a spark of good will. I would like to go then to the closure of this lecture. I would like to offer a paragraph to the discussion that is held between psychology and physiology towards the definition and treatment of addictions.

closure

At first, I would like to express that drug are not only the prescribed ones, the natural that growths from soil; as well as drugs is not only that miracle that brings health, as much as I can say for the sing of a mother can heal a son. It is the combination of both; the whole plot is for people to be experienced and an emphasis should be put on the fact that a person can choice the terms of how the plot is arranged.

In other words, I want to bring the idea that we might be having to pay attention to the possibility that an addiction, —or a disease daring to say so—, not only ca be treated with that or that drug. It also matters the place the person's individuality, in which nonetheless, places are also involved.

Finally. I would like to offer you an experience of a dear friend that struggled to stop smoking tobacco but so far has accomplished twenty years more or so of not smoking. He made a bet. He and a friend of his bet to stop smoking. I can not enter in the details of their relationship but I dare to assume is one that has a mix of friendship and rivalry. The trick, if you like to name it, is that the bet can not really have a settle until... yes, it has a morbid sense... someone capitulates. For now I'd lead to tanatology to deal with the terms of how one does face capitulation. However I would like to remind you that as long as there is live, as long as there could be choices.

Thanks now, I have to go fix my own dankruptness.

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

SN and Nostr are a match made in heaven. Here are some thoughts on further integration:

1. Splash Zapvertising Integration

Both SN and Nostr clients should consider integrating splash zapvertising features, similar to:

• ZapAdd
• Zapper Nostrapps

These platforms could charge a small fee for coordinating transactions, creating a new revenue stream while promoting content across the Nostr network.

2. Transforming SN Territories into Npubs

Stacker News Territories have the potential to become more than just internal communities. By converting them into Npubs (Nostr public keys), we can expand their reach and engagement. A portion of the monthly territory fee could be allocated towards zapvertising the Npub/Territory to the wider Nostr ecosystem.

Here's a visualization of how SN could interact with other Nostr platforms:

https://image.nostr.build/3ba24a8db8bdca6a4cd32fc25139fead4512b783ceb4f94e505eeea21e8167e5.png

Example: SN Music Territory Npub

Let's consider how an SN Music Territory could function as an Npub:

1. Automatic Crossposting: Top daily content is shared to Satlantis, Fountain, and Damus.
2. Zapvertising: Promotes engagement, gains followers, and attracts zaps.
3. Wide Engagement: Users from Primal, Yakihonne, and Mastodons bridge can like, repost, and zap content.
4. Referral System Integration: Works really well with SN's new referral system.
5. Content Aggregation: All posts are automatically compiled into an SN Music Territory blog for wider public sharing.

Benefits and Considerations

While this approach may not immediately make territory ownership profitable, it offers several advantages:

• Enhanced engagement across multiple platforms
• Increased monetization opportunities
• Simplified management for territory owners (no direct Nostr interaction required)
• Expanded reach into the broader Nostr ecosystem

By implementing these ideas, Stacker News can position itself as a central hub within the Nostr universe, facilitating content sharing and engagement across multiple platforms while providing value to both users and territory owners.

It would also be cool to add....

something like shipyard autoposting something that will allow you to see comments Nostr comments on SN WOT scores and an option to use your unified balance nostr wallet.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/640607

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

I feel sorry for the laggards who would pile into bitcoin at the last moment. They'll be fleeing into bitcoin through crypto scams, fake L2's, AI social engineering attacks, misinformation from trusted sources and cognitive dissonance. In a rapidly shifting open source environment niched in topics that they hardly understand. And at the bottom of the rabbit hole you have personal responsibility and hard work waiting for you.

I'm assuming uncle jims will do well. They essentially become financial advisors (Recommending Bitcoin products and services, Helping them understand and move up the sovereignty ladder, Holding Keys, Running LSP's, Mints, and Relays).

Its just crazy to imagine that we're entering a world were 20 year olds have a better grasp on how to use money, how money works, and why it works that way.....than most studied economics professionals.

Understanding money is a key piece to human flourishing and survival, many will succumb to being slaves of their own ignorance, doomed to live out the rest of their days as hungry ghosts, pulling knobs and levers of which have no real meaning or consequence.

https://cdn.satellite.earth/40f7fa81b77c2097ee499cd63d47e66b245aedb20d9a782f33622427c5179dab.webp

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/636597

@ 4b20a602:b57153f5

https://image.nostr.build/22a382006d349c4201a7c5b676b032c60c1160f4909c822f24e7ab25bc143cf1.jpg As I approach my 40th birthday, I find myself in a peculiar position. I'm a self employed entrepreneur, and a leader in my family and my company. I'm part of a generation that's supposedly destined to be worse off than our parents. It's a sobering thought, and one that was recently brought into sharp focus during an interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, an independent candidate for the U.S. presidency, mentioned something that hit close to home. He has a son who's 40 years old – just a year older than me. This son, Kennedy proudly stated, owns a home. But then came the kicker: his six younger children, all with great jobs and educated at top schools, have no hope of getting into the housing market.

As I read through the transcript of Kennedy's interview, I couldn't help but see parallels with my own life and those of my peers. So, let's dive into this generational economic conundrum and see if there's a way out – possibly through the very technology we discuss every day in this newsletter.

https://image.nostr.build/d98605c21e13af7aa54453e003a7e54495d776ba81faf2ed441da54f347aeedb.jpg The Housing Nightmare

Kennedy paints a grim picture of the housing market:

• Mortgage rates have doubled in just four years
• The average home price has exploded from $215,000 two years ago to over $400,000 today
• Interest rates have soared from 3% to over 7%

Reading these statistics, I'm reminded of my own struggles with housing. Despite running a successful business, the idea of owning a home sometimes feels like a pipe dream. And I know I'm not alone.

The Equity Trap

Without home ownership, we're missing out on a crucial source of equity. It's not just about having a place to call our own; it's about having a stake in our communities and a launching pad for our ambitions. As Kennedy points out, this equity gap is closing doors for entrepreneurship and full participation in the capitalist system.

I can't help but wonder: how many potential world-changing businesses are never started because their founders can't access the equity in a home? https://image.nostr.build/a7c7e864966d0f8617525e934c126d1d94a49210380f92da58930010002f7896.jpg The Corporate Land Grab

As if the situation wasn't dire enough, Kennedy highlights how large investment firms like BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard are snapping up single-family homes. Are we destined to become a "nation of renters," as Kennedy fears? The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

A Bitcoin-Shaped Light at the End of the Tunnel? Now, here's where things get interesting for us Bitcoin enthusiasts. Kennedy proposes a solution that's music to my ears: leveraging Bitcoin to restore economic strength. His ideas include:

• Having the Federal Reserve and Treasury purchase millions of Bitcoins
• Using Bitcoin as a basis for the American dollar
• Making Bitcoin transactions non-taxable

As someone who's been in the Bitcoin space for years, these proposals are exciting. But there's more to the story that gives me hope, and it's hidden in plain sight within Bitcoin's price action.

https://image.nostr.build/616e0f35271ba8525cf044feeada54ef73f576eeb6dba74f06b456be1513b7ad.jpg The Bitcoin Housing Phenomenon

While researching for this article, I stumbled upon a fascinating trend that made me sit up straight in my chair. Despite the gloomy housing market statistics, there's a silver lining for those of us who've been stacking sats:

• Since 2020, average U.S. home prices have increased by about 28% in dollar terms, according to the St. Louis Fed.
• But here's the kicker: In the same period, Bitcoin's price skyrocketed by over 600%, from around $10,000 to over $60,000.

What does this mean for us? Even though dollar-denominated house prices have gone up, the price of houses in Bitcoin has actually decreased significantly!

Let that sink in for a moment. While we've been lamenting our inability to get on the property ladder, those of us who invested in Bitcoin have actually seen our housing purchasing power increase dramatically.

This phenomenon illustrates two crucial points:

1. Bitcoin's potential as a hedge against inflation and asset price increases
2. The importance of thinking beyond traditional financial metrics

It's a stark reminder that while the rules of the game might be stacked against us in the traditional financial system, Bitcoin offers an alternative playing field where the odds might be more in our favor.

https://image.nostr.build/90a3b9490341718c9c99adcd8c62fa5a3c7a739ff92a75ed4d35d067a824650c.jpg So, Is It Really Too Late for Us?

As I sit here, on the cusp of 40, I can't help but feel a renewed sense of hope. Yes, the challenges we face are real and daunting. The traditional paths to financial security seem increasingly out of reach. But the Bitcoin housing phenomenon shows us that there might be alternative routes to achieving our financial goals.

The question is no longer just about whether we can push for policies that will give us a fighting chance at the economic security our parents enjoyed. It's also about whether we're ready to embrace a new paradigm of wealth and value storage that Bitcoin represents.

Are we, as a generation, prepared to think differently about money, savings, and investment? Can we leverage the unique properties of Bitcoin to create our own path to financial security?

https://image.nostr.build/9cc67f89b044c49f6bdf75d086e64e40e28a4870c165e7a1677d26a1707834eb.jpg As we navigate these uncertain waters, one thing is clearer than ever: we need bold, innovative thinking. Whether it's through Bitcoin adoption, reimagining our relationship with traditional assets, or finding entirely new ways to build and preserve wealth, we must find a way to ensure a prosperous future not just for ourselves, but for the generations that follow.

So, dear readers, I put it to you: How has your perspective on Bitcoin changed in light of these housing market comparisons? Are you viewing your sat stacking as a potential path to homeownership? And more broadly, how are you leveraging Bitcoin to secure your financial future in these challenging times?

Let's continue this conversation in the comments below. After all, if we're going to change our economic destiny, it's going to take all of us working together and thinking outside the box.

A Final Note

Before I sign off, I want to address something important. You might be wondering why you haven't heard more about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance on Bitcoin and his economic proposals in the mainstream media. The truth is, as an independent candidate, Kennedy doesn't receive as much press coverage as some of the other presidential hopefuls.

That's why I believe it's crucial for us, as informed citizens and Bitcoin enthusiasts, to seek out information from various sources. If you're interested in hearing more about Kennedy's views on Bitcoin, the economy, and the challenges facing our generation, I highly recommend checking out the full interview conducted by Natalie Brunell.

You can watch the interview here: RFK Jr. interviewed by Natalie Brunell @npub1ahxjq4v0zlvexf7cg8j9stumqp3nrtzqzzqxa7szpmcdgqrcumdq0h5ech

Regardless of your political leanings, I think you'll find the discussion thought-provoking and relevant to the economic issues we've explored in this article.

As always, stay curious, stay informed, and keep the conversation going. Your voice and your votes matter in shaping the future of our economy.

Until next time, keep stacking sats and holding onto hope. The future might be brighter than we think.

Joe Thomas Founder, The Bitcoin Blok

@ 4b20a602:b57153f5

Dear Bitcoin Blok Community,

We're back with another masterclass, this time bringing you insights from Michael Saylor's most recent presentation at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville. Prepare for another thought provoking lecture about the impact and the benefitsof Bitcoin!

Saylor's vision of Bitcoin as the ultimate "digital capital" is more compelling than ever. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Immortal Capital: Saylor argues that Bitcoin represents a leap in capital preservation, potentially lasting thousands of years compared to traditional assets' 30-50 year lifespan.

2. $270 Trillion Opportunity: The potential market for digital capital is estimated at $270 trillion, based on current global wealth and preservation costs.

3. 2045 Bitcoin Forecast: Saylor projects Bitcoin could reach $13 million per coin by 2045 in his base case, representing about 7% of global assets.

4. Tiered Investment Strategies: From "Normie" to "Triple Maxi," Saylor outlines Bitcoin strategies for individuals, corporations, and even nations.

5. National Bitcoin Adoption: Countries embracing Bitcoin aggressively could potentially turn national debts into surpluses.

6. U.S. Economic Impact: Saylor demonstrates how various levels of Bitcoin adoption could reshape the U.S. economy, potentially solving "half our problems."

7. Cyber Manhattan: Bitcoin is likened to "cyber Manhattan," with Saylor predicting a massive capital influx and demonetization of less efficient value stores.

While Saylor's optimism is infectious, we encourage critical thinking and thorough research. If even a fraction of his vision materializes, we're witnessing the dawn of an economic revolution.

What's your take on Saylor's predictions? Hit reply and share your thoughts!

Stay sovereign, The Bitcoin Blok Team

P.S. Recall Satoshi's words: "It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on." Saylor argues we're now staring at a trillion dollars of proof that it has.

P.P.S. Don't miss Saylor's full Bitcoin 2024 presentation here: https://youtu.be/O9KnBcWMkpw?si=7Szn-pvBMgR5Pw8S. It's a masterclass in Bitcoin strategy you'll want to watch!

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

My suggestion for scaling up and staying humble

The original protocol design was "good enough for now"

When Nostr was invented and got started with developing implementations, the Original Devs (ODs) were convinced this was going to be big... maybe... someday... hopefully.

But, whatever they did at the moment should definitely scale up a bit and be a bit flexible, to attract innovators and keep up the momentum. So, they designed the protocol to be open and left the specifications a bit vague and very high-level, so that nobody was forced into a particular implementation, in order to adhere to the spec. And they put the specs into a GitHub repository and managed them by a committee of collaborators, who were generally open to changes to the specs, including breaking changes.

That was smart. And it was "good enough for now"... back then. After all, Nostr (and the associated wiki and modular article specs) hadn't been invented, yet, so they couldn't write the protocol in the protocol before the protocol existed. They're good, but not that good.

What they specifically wrote, into the Nostr Protocol was:

To promote interoperability, we standards (sic) that everybody can follow, and we need them to define a single way of doing each thing without ever hurting backwards-compatibility, and for that purpose there is no way around getting everybody to agree on the same thing and keep a centralized index of these standards...

Standards may emerge in two ways: the first way is that someone starts doing something, then others copy it; the second way is that someone has an idea of a new standard that could benefit multiple clients and the protocol in general without breaking backwards-compatibility and the principle of having a single way of doing things, then they write that idea and submit it to this repository, other interested parties read it and give their feedback, then once most people reasonably agree we codify that in a NIP which client and relay developers that are interested in the feature can proceed to implement.

I disagree with this statement.

I don't disagree with what they meant, or what they wanted, I disagree with what they specifically wrote.

Standards (defined as prose specifications) are not the only -- or even best -- way to ensure interoperability or to check for backwards-compatibility. And, as they later note, basing a protocol off of implementations is arguably worse (but faster) than using specifications, as implementations have a life of their own and are sometimes simply shoddy or buggy, their content eventually differs from what ends up in the final standard, or there are soon multiple implementations covering the same spec "in theory", but not in practice, so that their events are incompatible.

And then the inevitable, heated discussion begins: * Which implementation is the Real Standard™? * Who controls the Real Standard™? * How is the Real Standard™ spec supposed to be written? * Does everything have to be in the same file type or markup language? If not, how can we ensure compatibility? * What is realistic content for the data files? * Is the Real Standard™ including all of the information needed to ensure interoperability, but not anything more, without reducing innovation and artificially forcing consensus by encouraging copy-paste or forking of product code?

There is a third way: write the test first

We actually do not need standards to define a single way of doing each thing. A test is another way, and I think it is the best (i.e. the most-efficient and most-effective) way.

Specifically, I think we can borrow the simple behavior-driven design (BDD) language called Gherkin (or something similar), which is used to write dynamic specifications: i.e. implementations that test adherence to a set of rules, rather than an implementation that uses the rules to perform some task for an end user.

Gherkin simply allows you to create standard scenarios and test data and write the tests up in a way that can be performed manually or through automation. For example ( source ):

(For a concrete example of such a TDD Protocol for Nostr, please see the nostr-voliere repo from nostr:npub1axy65mspxl2j5sgweky6uk0h4klmp00vj7rtjxquxure2j6vlf5smh6ukq .)

This really is better

This TDD Protocol design would have some downsides and some upsides, of course, like any change.

Downsides

• You can't write a TDD spec by yourself unless you understand basic software functionality, how to define an acceptance test, and can formulate a use case or user story.
• The specs will be more informative and agnostic, but also longer and more detailed.
• Someone will have to propose concrete test data (i.e. a complete json event) and spec interlinking will be explicit, rather than writing "...", "etc.", or "sorta like in that other section/doc, but not really" all over the place.
• The specs will tend to focus on positive cases, and leave off error-handling or most edge-cases, so developers can't use them to replace unit tests or other verification of their product.

Upsides

• The specs will be concrete and clear, in a type of pseudocode, while leaving the actual implementation of any feature up to the individual developer, who uses the spec.
• The specs will be orderly and uniquely-identifiable, and can have hierarchy and granularity (major and minor tests, optional tests, tests only under certain conditions, etc.)
• Deciding whether changes to the spec are breaking changes to the protocol would be simple to determine: Does the previous test still pass?
• Specs will always be final, they will simply be versioned and become more or less defined over time, as the tests are adjusted.
• Product developers will feel less like they "own" particular specs, since their implementation is actually what they own and the two remain permanently separate.
• Developers can create an implementation list, defining specific tests in specific versions, that they adhere to. This makes it more transparent, what their product actually does, and lowers their own documentation burden.
• Rather than stalking the NIPs for changes, or worrying about what some other implementation someplace has built, developers can just pull the repo and try running the relevant tests.
• Each product developer can test the spec by trying to perform or automate/run it, and request changes to ensure testability, raising the quality of the spec review process.

This is already a lot to think about, so I'm just going to end this here. Thank you for reading.

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

What makes Nostr and Bitcoin so extremely exciting to me, as a designer, is that they offer an entirely new design space. Something we never had before. Something that we can, for the first time ever, call…
A Free Market.

And not just that, but one where everyone speaks the same language. One that acknowledges that Sovereignty doesn’t go that far without Interoperability.

Since this is literally a first, it seems terribly naïve to assume that we can just copy what works for Big Tech’s walled gardens and add some Freedom sauce on top. I’ve been sketching out things like “Twitter but with Zaps”, “Youtube but with many algo’s”, “Patreon but with Bitcoin”, etc... for long enough to realize the harsh limits of such an approach. Instead I’ve found it more fruitful to start by looking at the characteristics of this new digital, interoperable free market and, only then, look for similar existing benchmarks that can serve as inspiration.

Because the convergence of the various Freedom Tech protocols (Nostr, Bitcoin, Cashu, …) are such a huge game changer for online monetization specifically, it seems even more naïve to just start copying Big Tech on that front, without proper examination.

If we did just play copycat, Monthly Subscriptions and Paywalls would be the obvious answer. This article dives into why they’re not.

Free as in Competition

In a free market, it’s going to be hard for you to set a price if you don’t have something scarce to sell. Unlike in a Big Tech walled garden, there’s no one blocking competitors from entering the market. That includes competitors that offer your stuff!
If what you create can easily be copied, it will.

Yes, Content creators, FOSS devs, Designers, … that’s you.
Charging for your article, podcast, app or movie doesn’t end well when people can find a free upload right next to yours. Open protocols remove the friction of having to go PirateBay for that sort of stuff. Luckily, they also remove the friction for people to value your content directly (#V4V Zaps) and for you to launch unique and scarce products related to what you do (Community, Merch, …).

Even if you have a scarce product to sell though, Nostr sets the bar lower than ever for others to start competing with your product. Every part of your product!

Interoperability breaks products and services down to their constituents and opens up every layer of the stack to competition. Currently most SAAS business models are basically very expensive monthly subscriptions for some hosting and computation. And guess what Nostr is extremely good at → Discovering and switching providers of hosting and computation.

In a competitive context like that, you need a monetization model that lets you adapt fast. If you choose to monetize with monthly subscriptions, you’ll be updating your subscription tiers every month, if not every week, just to remain competitive. If that’s the case, then what’s the point? Why not just have a cash price list?

Free as in Volatile

The reality of a free market is that price-discovery never takes a break. This is especially true for a market that uses a money that is still being discovered as money by 99% of the world. A money that, just like Nostr, only saw the light of day because its creators saw total chaos ahead without it.

Bitcoin and Nostr do #fixthemoney and do #fixtheinternet, but all that fixing isn’t exactly taking us on a smooth ride.

Smooth rides are stable rides, stable prices, stable amounts of locked-in users, stable ties with the state, etc… They are everything Freedom Tech is taking us on exciting journey away from.

Again, adaptability is key and your business model needs to reflect that. Monthly subscriptions don’t handle volatility well. It takes a lot of confidence, extremely loyal customers and liquid reserves to survive bumpy roads. That’s a lot of capital that probably has better uses. Better uses that Big Tech monopolies can ignore, but your competitors won’t.

Free as in “Number Go Up”

Denominating your subscriptions in “stable” fiat-currencies isn’t going to help neither. The mental cost for customers is only low as long you don’t have juggle more than 21 subscriptions. (yes, I completely made up that number but it’s somewhere around that, so bear with me).

Given that Subscription Hell is already a thing in Fiat-land once you go beyond that number, just try to imagine the amount of subscriptions you’d be handling in Nostr-land. Your 1 Netflix subscription suddenly became 6, to different service providers, plus 20 to all your favorite creators. Then add the subscriptions for all other internet use cases you can think of. Then add some more for the ones that you can’t even imagine yet.
This is not an overstatement. It is very very unlikely that your service happens to be the only one that subscriptions would work for. If they appear to work for you, every competitor or similar use case will be copying that model in no time.

So if they work, there would be a loooot of subscriptions.
That’s also a looot of: - recurring payments to forget about - different time periods to oversee - extra effort to go and unsubscribe or switch tiers - users thinking ‘I didn’t even really use this!” - users also thinking “What am I paying for exactly?”

In short, that’s asking for frustrated, disappointed and confused customers.

These subscriptions would then also need to be handled on top of all the #V4V Zaps and cash payments that are inevitably happening as well. Unlike Big Tech products you don’t get to just pick Subscriptions as the only option. You will have to be optimizing both the Wallet and Social UX/UI for all of these types of payments. Something I naïvely tried and quickly gave up on. It overcrowds interfaces, makes different applications less interoperable and creates a very confusing user experience.

And if you denominate everything in fiat, you add even more confusion since the Zaps from others are denominated in Bitcoin. That suddenly makes them variable from the fiat-denominator’s perspective. Other denominations work when you only have two parties (f.e. seller and buyer), not when you have groups of people zapping away at an article. For #V4V to gain traction zappers need recognition. If it’s completely variable, and thus unclear, who the top zappers of a piece of content are or if the biggest patrons of a creator are only visible if you go to some specific subscriber dashboard, you’re creating confusion and diluting recognition.

Zaps are awesome, nearly universally implemented, very simple to design for and they might just be enough. We’re mostly still early. Creators can’t even reply to Zaps yet. The first prototypes for frictionless Cashu zaps are only just coming out. Let’s explore all that further before we start adding subscriptions to the UI, the users’ mental load and the app developers endless list of “things to implement”.

If the current zap-rate of daily Nostr users (myself included) tells me anything, it’s that sending around small payments all the time isn’t really the issue. The mental cost for the user happens mostly at the level of:
”How the f*ck do I keep track of all this?”
“How do I fit this in with my regular monthly expenses?”
Subscriptions are only one answer to this. If they happen to still somehow solve the above issues for some use cases, we still have to find solutions anyway for the micro-payments side of things.

My point is thus mainly: we might as well start there and, who knows, we don’t even need subscriptions. Or at least not as a standard to strive towards. No one is stopping you from using time-based pricing for things that are actually time-based or from creating micro-apps that let you set up recurring zaps and other fun stuff like that. Just don’t promise creators and merchants that they can base their business models on them.

If you’re talking to people that will only consider Freedom Tech if they can have the stability of a group of monthly subscribers, you’re probably not talking to the right people (yet!).

Freedom Tech = Responsibility Tech.

Both seller and buyers need tools that help them take that responsibility. Especially regarding payments, the currently available tools are far from optimal and have barely scratched the surface of what’s possible in the interoperable ocean of possibilities. I say this more as an invitation than as a complaint of course. We are — yes, I’m saying it again — sooooo early.

So how can we help buyers be responsible while “not having to think about every little payment”?

For rich npubs on a network denominated in #NGU technology the answer can be quite simple: They simply don’t have to really think about it.
In fact, poor npubs neither as long they can set a spending budget and have great tools and transparency to help them manage it.

They need something a bit like their “lives left” in a video game. Or something that resembles envelope budgeting: like going to the farmers market with only a limited amount of cash.

Talking about farmers markets

Let’s look at what currently comes close to an interoperable free market in meat-space: Restaurant & Farmers markets. - No one has copyrights on pizza Margherita or chicken eggs - Entering the market is relatively cheap (food trucks, farmer stands, …) - Customers can pick and choose where they get “every layer of the stack” (drinks here, main dish there and ice cream over there)

Now look at how these businesses monetize: - Cash price lists - Discounts (for special occasions, loyal customers, ..) - Bundles (lunch menus, vegetable baskets, …)

Both restaurant owners and farmers have been trying out monthly subscriptions since forever, mostly because it would benefit them. But in places with high competition this has had exactly zero success.

What did have success is services that bundle farmers market food items for you and deliver it at your doorstep on a weekly basis. That’s what lower mental cost looks like. Ironically, these services often started out with the monthly subscription model and have had to switch because customers needed more flexibility. Now, in their apps, they let users pick what day they want what, at what price.
And these apps are not even Nostr yet.

Talking about Nostr markets

Nostr markets are not exactly farmers markets of course. But that is mostly good news. Nostr, Bitcoin and Cashu, in particular, remove a lot of the friction that cash still has in the physical world. They enable seamless micro-payments. That’s an innovation worth embracing, not something to hide away behind subscriptions.

Embracing micro-payments means that every little thing can have a real-time price. A price that, once payed, you never have to think about again. And some, if not most, micro-payments are so micro that you don’t have to really think about them in the first place. Especially if we’re talking about recurring events (pun intended).

If a chat message in a certain Community costs 2 sats, after your third message your added mental cost will likely be close to zero. At that point, the price is mostly a matter of transparency, fairness and spam prevention. When the Admin suddenly changes this price to 1000 sats however, you will need to think twice about posting such a message. But again, that is a good thing. That’s exactly what the Admin is monetizing.

He is curating for high signal content and conversations around a certain interest. His price list is one of his top tools for doing so. You pay him for being able to publish in his unique community. You “Pay Per Use” of that Community as a broadcasting channel for your messages, articles, videos, … You know everyone else does too.

Using monthly subscriptions for such a community would just invite abuse and poor quality. It would be like an all-you-can-eat restaurant where everyone has an infinite stomach size, you’re all at the same table and only the loudest screamers get heard.
So the Admin would put limits on what you specifically get for your subscription (100 messages per month, 210MB of hosting, etc etc…). The members would then demand flexibility or go elsewhere.

The admin would then provide different tiers.
Yet, most members would still need flexibility more than they need flat rate monthly pricing.

At the same time, the Admin’s “Pay Per Use” competitors will still be cheaper. They don’t have the overhead of handling the uncertainty that comes with providing stable pricing for several months. Trying their offer out is also way cheaper than immediately having to pay a subscription. The admin, on the other hand, cannot really offer free trials if he doesn’t have the locked-in users to pay for them.

In the end, just like restaurants, the Admin will switch to “Pay Per Use” and will use discounts and bundles to his advantage.

As long as users have great tools to keep an eye their spending, this sort of outcome is a win-win for the whole ecosystem. What users tend to like most about monthly subscriptions for something is the guarantee that they will not exceed XXX amount of money on that thing for the month. Nothing is stopping us from building tools that provide the same guarantee without the complications of handling monthly subscriptions.

Since most Bitcoin wallets are not daily-spending wallets and most Nostr projects aren’t monetizing yet, hardly any attention has been spent on tools like this. They all copied bank apps and display your total amount of money and a chronological feed of your transaction history. There are several problems with this: 1. You don’t want to openly showcase your total balance to everyone around you when you open the app 2. Your total balance shows “everything you have”. That is a terrible benchmark for determining “what you can sustainably spend”. 3. It’s also a terrible benchmark for determining “what you earned this month” 4. Micro-payments make a chronological feed of all your transactions completely unusable 5. Zaps make a lot of your transactions social. Zaps and eCash blur the line between money and message. And messages require interaction that transactions don’t.

I think we can do better.
So, let’s try!

Cash Budgets

Just like the previously mentioned “lives” in a game or the cash in your wallet for a night out, the first thing users will want to see is “How much do I have left?”. Since most people organize their budgets per month we can more specifically turn this into “How much do I have left this month?”. This means we need to allow users to set a monthly budget in the first place. Once that budget is set for the month, it facilitates all the rest.

This budget is their subscription now. Their Nostr subscription.
An interoperable subscription they can interact with in any trusted app.

And the best part: They pick the price.
They’re taking their responsibility and lowering their mental cost with one action.

Now, you can start playing with wallet and home screen Interfaces that show the user at a glance: - What they’ve got left to spend for that month - What they already spent - What they earned (relative to that budget and/or a specific earnings goal)

I’m currently exploring this design space myself and the extent to which Freedom Tech budgeting can be gamified in novel ways will make TikTok look boring.

Some baby UI steps in this direction

But that’s just the budget part of course. We still need non-intrusive ways to display all these little price-tags for things if we’re not hiding them away behind a subscription.

The good news is that, when it comes to movies, music, articles, posts, FOSS apps and all other types of information that can easily be copied, it doesn’t have a price tag. It just has people zapping it. People that can use a lot more context and recognition than they currently get. (showing top zappers everywhere and letting creators reply to zaps being just a humble start for that)

For the stuff that does have price-tag, even the most obvious answer isn’t as bad I though it would be:
Just put it on the button.
The bigger the sum, the bigger the button.

eCash is what can make all of this work as a one-button action anyway, removing most of the friction. A budget, on the other hand, is what can remove most of the worrying. Color indications, permission prompts for higher amounts, etc etc… can all work in tandem for this.

With these examples I’m mostly trying to give you an idea of what is still left largely unexplored territory.

A territory that we will have to go and explore in any case.
A territory where Communities are easier to monetize then Content is.
A territory where I can count the current number of active designers on both hands.
A territory that can desperately use a Design Community.

You can guess twice what’s next on my todo-list….

@ 124b23f2:02455947

Stacker.News if a website that may be familiar to most nostriches. But in case it is not, stacker.news is effectively a forum-style website that functions similar to reddit. But, with the very cool feature that sending sats works as the 'upvote' function. It's a great site, so check it out regardless of what I am about to break down.

One of the great features of Stacker News is that you get a custodial lightning wallet with your account. This wallet comes with a lightning address as well. Now, this alone is not unique or entirely useful. What makes Stacker News stand out is the way you can configure this wallet to interact with your self-hosted lightning stack. Now, I'm not just talking about the power user that is running their own node (although they do have useful configuration for those users). But, the lighter users that may be using a mobile wallet, such as mutiny, zeus, blixt, phoenix can use Stacker News to improve their zap receiving game.

Before I get into how, I want to highlight two great options to receive zaps via ln address if you are using a 'node in the phone solution.' The two options are zaplocker, provided as a solution for users of Zeus' embedded lightning node wallet, and lightning box, provided as a solution for users of the Blixt embedded lightning node wallet. Here is a summary of these two ln address solutions:

• Zaplocker: Zaplocker is an ln address provided for Zeus embedded node users. The way zaplocker works is that the sats are held temporarily in Zeus' node (for up to 24 hours), and once you log into your Zeus app and access the embedded node, you can redeem the sats. This can be made easier by setting your Zeus app to automatically redeem and sats awaiting redemption upon logging in, and there is also a persistent mode that can help the app stay on in the background. If the app is on in the background and you have turned on the auto redemption feature, it will function more or less to automatically receive sats much like a custodial wallet or a node you are running on a server

• Lightning Box: Lightning Box is an ln address provided for users of Blixt wallet. The way lightning box works is that, as long as you have a channel opened with the blixt wallet node and it has inbound liquidity, you can receive sats to the lightning box ln address. You have to set blixt wallet to persistent mode as part of using lightning box, which makes it more likely that your app will be running in the background and will successfully facilitate receipt of sats sent to the lightning box ln address. Unlike zaplocker, there is no 24 hour redemption time ; if your blixt wallet is not running in the background when the send is attempted, you will not receive the sats.

So, these both sound like great solutions and a pleb need not do anything else, right ? Wrong. Both are not perfect solutions, with the main issue being that even with persistent app settings, the apps will inevitably close because phones seem to do that for one unknown reason or another. Or a connection will be lost, and your app will not be running to receive the sats. Or if you want t run the apps over tor, your very likely to have a connection inturrupted. Now, with zeus you still have 24 hours to open it up, sync up your node and receive but we want to up our game so that a user does not have a chance to lose zaps.

Enter Stacker News. By Creating a stacker news account (you can even do so with using your blixt or zeus wallet to log in and create your account!), you now have an ln address you can use in place of your zaplocker or lightning box address. Use that stacker news address for receiving zaps on your nostr account. In your stacker news account, go to the wallet link, and click 'Attach Wallets'. Next, click 'configure' under the ln address option. Input your zaplocker or lightning box address. If you want, you can configure stacker news to withdraw automatically by setting the 'desired balance' to 0 sats. There will be a moment of custody, but it is a few seconds in my experience.

So, what have we just done and what's the improvement? Well, zaps you receive are going to be received to your stacker news ln address now. The improvement is that the stacker news node is on all the time, and you do not risk missing payments much like one can expect from say a Wallet of Satoshi ln address. With the configuration we made, the stacker news wallet is going to automatically withdraw sats received to your custody in your zaplocker or lightning box. For example: In the event that you are asleep, and your zeus or blixt wallet is not online for hours while nostriches across the globe are zapping the crap out of your viral post, your sats are sitting comftorably in your stacker news wallet. You will fire up your Zeus or Blixt app, and proceed to watch the sats flow into your custody from your stacker news wallet.

The result of this setup is a pleb who is not running an 'on all the time' node can experience a comparable receiving experience with minimal custodial exposure. I encourage any pleb, especially those using zaplocker due to the potential harm it can cause to the lightning network, to consider this setup. Let me know what your experience is or, for users already leveraging the Stacker News ln address, I'd be curious to hear about your configuration. Thanks for reading, hopefully someone finds this article helpful!

bitcoin #lightning #zeus #blixt

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/609313

@ 1739d937:3e3136ef

This is the third in a series of weekly updates detailing progress on bringing MLS protocol DMs and group messaging to Nostr.

Previous Updates

• June 28th 2024
• July 6th 2024

Progress this week

Short update post this week but I made solid progress updating several OpenMLS dependencies and building a new library that implements all the OpenMLS crypto requirements for Nostr.

HPKE-RS

I mentioned a PR last week on the rust-hpke library, that PR is still waiting on review. However, in the meantime, the OpenMLS library depends on a slightly different hpke library, the hpke-rs library.

This library didn't support the secp256k1 curve either so I've opened a PR to add support for secp256k1. That PR uses the RustCrypto library that is the default in the the hpke-rs library. However, because this library is built to allow for swapping out the underlying crypto library (using traits), I was also able to create a new library that uses the secp256k1 library instead of the RustCrypto library. This is the main crypto library that almost all Bitcoin and Nostr apps use so it's important we use that instead of RustCrypto.

OpenMLS Nostr Crypto

The library that I've created (openmls-nostr-crypto) does a few things via separate sub-libraries (crates). The entire library tries to do as little as possible; only implementing the one required ciphersuite for all MLS implementations and the secp256k1 schnorr signatures ciphersuite I've created for Nostr. It's also using the right secp256k1 library to do it.

openmls-nostr-crypto: implementes the crypto traits that the OpenMLS library expects to find for a given provider and removes all the ciphersuites that we don't care about supporting.

hpke-rs-nostr-crypto: This implements the crypto traits that the hpke-rs library expects to find. Again removing all the ciphersuites we don't care about supporting.

I've not yet written any tests for these libraries (which needs to be done) but I've gotten some very simple demos working with OpenMLS using this new set of libraries to handle the crypto.

I've been really impressed with the simplicity of the OpenMLS interface as well. While there is A LOT going on under the hood, the public interface that client developers have to use is clean and simple.

Onward and Upward

Next week I'll continue working on these libraries; adding tests and continuing to build out my small demo app. I've been in touch with the maintainers of the OpenMLS library and I'm hoping to get a review done with them on my PRs and on my new library.

One thing I'll call out here: The review of my library and getting them to review the direction of the project overall will be paid consulting so I'm making sure that I've got as much done as possible before scheduling that time and paying their rates. I'm a strong believer that the right conversation can save you months of wasted time, but I'm also a believer in making sure you're prepared if you're going to drop money on that conversation. 😅

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

The Law Giver

In my previous article, I briefly went into the topic of how contract law is holy law.

The Father of the Christians, you see, is a God of Covenants, and He sent His Son to Earth to fulfill the Law and pay a Price for our salvation. The Father also created the Natural Order to confirm His Laws through our observation of that Law in action.

That is why Christians have a deep respect for honest contracts, true prices, fair measures, natural systems, and good laws. Not merely for their own sake, but also because understanding them helps us to understand and emulate the Law Giver.

The tired What would Jesus do? meme is actually an attempt to capture this emulation of the Highest Judge. Jesus knows the Law, since His Father defined it and He is One with the Father, so how would He apply the Law best, in this situation?

The Last Things

Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.”

Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

-- 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 New Testament, RSV Bible

One of the things most devout Christians frequently ruminate over, is when Christ will return.

Every day, we ponder. We go for a walk, and ponder. We cook dinner, and ponder.

At the same time, we are called upon to live each day in a productive manner, and to not simply lie around, vegetating, and staring at the heavens. Not only for our own sake, but also because to do so would be to limit our ability to inform others about the Good News, so that they can take to pondering with us. We are called to ponder with as many people as we can produce, adopt, convert, or simply collect through our daily interactions.

This means that we are not of the world (as our eyes are watching God and baptism has made us Immortals), but we are definitely in the world (involved in, and effected by, the everyday dealings around us.) It is a very difficult balancing act to know when we are paying too much attention to the one or the other, or to know where to store up our treasures, if we can't put them all immediately into the Final Treasury.

So, we worked today and earned a bit of fiat cash and we have no immediate usage for it. What to do with it?

Well, some of it should go to charity or be invested in a business that provides important goods, services, and employment. Some of it will be needed to simply cover the day-to-day costs of our own life, or that of those dependent upon us. But it might be prudent to store up some of it, for the mysterious length of time between receipt of the monies and our own ascent into Heaven.

Typically, that store was the local currency, but that's being inflated away at an alarming rate. Then we all began to move to precious metals, and many of us still do, but they are so difficult to spend and can't be broken into small bits or transported over wide distances at low cost.

Enter Bitcoin.

The Great Ledger

In our frustration, more and more Christians are turning to a new technology, to save up some treasure in a liquid asset, for the mid-term. And, once we begin using it, and begin to understand how it works, we quickly grow fond of it.

Bitcoin is a beautiful money because it is a money based upon keeping precise accounts, using a fair measure, and obeying the Laws of Nature.

In essence, Bitcoin is a debt note emitted by a universal debtor (the network) in exchange for some good or service. This frees the individual people using it from ever needing to carry debt, as the debt stays in the network, the value and enforceability of that debt note is protected by the effort used to create and maintain the network, and the eagerness with which other people wish to store their efforts up in that same network. The debt still exists, but it can be so thinly and widely spread that it no longer rests as a burden upon one particular person.

The debt, in other words, has been disassociated from humans and the management has been distributed to machines. This is the precise opposite process of a "fiat" (by decree) currency, which only has value so long as it is associated with some particularly solvent group of humans (who personally vouch for repayment of any debts denominated in the currency), and where management is centralized to some other group of humans.

Have you accepted Bitcoin as your personal money and store of value?

You have invested $10 to buy the electricity to mine Bitcoin? Then you receive $10 of Bitcoin in return. The Bitcoin network now owes you the $10 purchasing power equivalent of that electricity.

If someone then gives you $5 worth of pizza, then you can then give them a $5 portion of your $10 worth of Bitcoin. You have taken a part of your Bitcoin debt note and shared it with them.

They now hold $5 worth of Bitcoin invested in the network and can spend it on some other good or service. Or they can simply hold it and wait for it to rise in value, as more people "mine" more of it (and produce more notes, paradoxically making the existing notes more useful and therefore valuable) and more people try to gain the notes in order to manage their own finances by storing their energy in the network or transporting their energy using the network.

Bitcoin, in other words, is an accounting book that needs no accountant because it stores, tracks, and controls the ledger on its own. It is a Natural Ledger that runs according to the Laws.

It is the only human-made ledger that allows for true and immediate Final Settlement. This Final Settlement is what allows people to trade using the convenience of digital debt notes, with neither person occurring or even risking any personal debt. We Christians know that all debt is a burden, including monetary debts, which is why we are called to forgive each other's debt and to hope that our own debts are forgiven. Better still, is to avoid the accumulation of debts, altogether.

So, Final Settlement? Final Settlement is what Jesus would do.

@ 124b23f2:02455947

I'm reposting this in order to fix the images and get it correctly onto my npub.pro site

What is this ? My Futurebit Apollo Miner in action

Futurebit is a company that manufactures home miners for retail users (see futurebit.io) - you can check out details on their website. These are targeted at individuals that want to participate in mining with an easy to use, quiet miner that does not use a ton of electricity.

The idea here is to try and stay true to the original bitcoin concept of a computer which runs the bitcoin software and mines bitcoin, all in one. While mining has obviously evolved into a commercial industry and the mining process has long been separated from running a bitcoin node, I think there are still some valid reasons to want to participate in the mining process and attempt to keep this original ethos alive:

1. You learn a lot about bitcoin from mining. Reading about the process is one thing, but actually getting a machine running, pointing it towards the pool of your choice, and seeing the bitcoin process from this perspective is something I've found very enjoyable (mining is probably my favorite part of bitcoin, if I had to choose one). It can also be a gateway drug to more advanced mining, so...heavy care.
2. It is marginally valuable to the network. Sure, one person running a futurebit miner is nothing compared to the hashrate of MARA. But, if you have tens of thousands of plebs all running their own miners from home, pointing their hashpower to the pool of their choice, it does provide a legitimate decentralizing anchor to large mining actors. Every pleb should be participating in mining, in my opinion, and the Futurebit Apollo miner offers a casual and unobtrusive avenue to do just that.

Now, the Futurebit Apollo Miner you most commonly see is the 'Full Package.' The Full Package is an Orange Pi computer running on a custom linux distribution. You basically boot it up, and it starts running bitcoin core and mining in a few clicks. That is very cool, and I did own one. However, I will say that the Full Package is, unfortunately, not a great product. I won't go into too much detail, but its a very poor quality computer, the security upkeep of the custom linux distribution is lacking, and I found connecting to the node to use with wallets to be very difficult. The mining was also consistently inturrupted due to the pi freezing up. You are better off going with a different option for running a bitcoin node.

This is simply to say, I dislike the Full Package Futurebit Apollo Unit. With that said, I very much like the 'Standard Unit'. The Standard Unit is simply a mining hashboard without the computer OS that comes with the Full Package. I've been running two Standard Units in my house for 18 months now and they just quietly hum along in my house, I barely notice them and they rarely need to be restarted (honestly I can't think of more than 3 times that I needed to troubleshoot and even then it was typically restarting the miner). They are a great way to make your personal contribution to the security of the bitcoin network.

(Please Note: These things are pretty pricey brand new, so don't even think about buying one as being a profitable choice. You can sometimes find decent deals for them used, but buyer beware I can't speak to that experience. This is about hands-on learning about bitcoin mining and participating in the security of the network with a machine that won't drive your family crazy and that I believe is well-built enough to last you a long time. Heck, you could even set one up at your office and I doubt anyone would notice and mine with free electricity.)

So, that's some background. Now, a standard unit is not the most friendly user experience if you are not used to using command line. I wasn't, but I spent a lot of time figuring it out. With this guide, any user should be able to get a Standard Unit hashing :) Here is the step by step process guide on how to run a standard unit, in use with both a Windows OS computer and a Linux OS computer (Ubuntu is what I use)...enjoy.

I. Linux

Your Futurebit Apollo Standard Unit (referred to from here as 'the Unit') miner comes with a power supply and a usb cable. It's pretty straight forward, but you will want to connect the Unit to the computer of your choice (the computer needs to be on and running while you are mining, so a low power consumption computer and/or a computer that you are already running all the time for some other reason would be best). Also, plug in the power supply to your unit and turn it on (there are instructions in the Unit's manual for how to hook up the power supply correctly).

1. Go to https://github.com/jstefanop/Apollo-Miner-Binaries
2. You'll land on a page that looks like this:

For the purposes of this guide, I am going to be using the 'linux-x86_64' package as it is most appropriate for my computer. But, you would need to select the appropriate binaries for your computer. Odds are, if you are running ubuntu on your laptop or desktop, you are going to use the 'linux-x86_64' package.

1. Once you have clicked on the linux-x86_64 folder, you will land here:

Open each of these 4 files and download them using the 'Download Raw File' link in each file's page. Here is an example:

Once you have downloaded, I'd recommend making a folder and putting all 4 of the files into that folder. I am going to make a folder with the name 'Mining Files'. I am also going to move the folder out of my Downloads folder (not necessary, but I'd recommend as it's not a great place to park a folder you want to hold onto). I am going to move it to my Documents Folder:

1. Now, if you do not have a mining pool account, you will need to make one, otherwise you should be able to use your pool credentials in the next step. Alternatively, you can solo mine using solo.ckpool.org with only a btc address. However, for the purposes of this guide I am going to assume that you are using Braiins pool. If necessary, go ahead and make a login at braiins.com/pool. Note the username and password as we will need that later.

2. From the files that you downloaded in step 3, we are going to double-click on 'start_apollo.sh' and open it up in Text Editor. The first 60 lines or so are explanations on how to prepare this script for your use. However, I am going to run you through all the options to update, so you shouldn't need to read the description. Instead, we are going to focus on the text in black font at the bottom of the file:

We need to update the info in the following fields as follows

-host = stratum.braiins.com -port = 3333 -user = username for your Braiins login. I'll use "braiinsexample" for now. -pswd = password for your Braiins login. I'll use "Password123" for now. -comport = Most likely "/dev/ttyACM0" or "/dev/ttyACM1" or "/dev/ttyACM2" -brd_ocp = 48 -osc = 30 -ao_mode = 1

So, when our file is set up correctly, it will look like:

Make sure to save, then close out of text editor.

1. Now, start up terminal on your computer. First, we are going to want to get into the correct directory. In our case, our file is in Documents > Mining Files. So, you would input the following command:

cd ~/Documents/Mining Files

Once you are in the correct directory, we will run the following command:

sudo ./start_apollo.sh

You will likely be prompted to enter your computer's password, input the password and, if all goes well, you should see a result like this in your terminal:

You are now mining! The setting we use run the Unit ins 'eco mode', which should yield 2 terahash per second in terms of mining power (you can monitor the performance from your respective mining pool dashboard). As long as you keep this terminal window open and the computer on that is connected to the miner, and you will be mining away :)

II. Windows

Your Futurebit Apollo Standard Unit (referred to from here as 'the Unit') miner comes with a power supply and a usb cable. It's pretty straight forward, but you will want to connect the Unit to the computer of your choice (the computer needs to be on and running while you are mining, so a low power consumption computer and/or a computer that you are already running all the time for some other reason would be best). Also, plug in the power supply to your unit and turn it on (there are instructions in the Unit's manual for how to hook up the power supply correctly).

1. Go to https://github.com/jstefanop/Apollo-Miner-Binaries
2. You'll land on a page that looks like this:

For Windows, you will click on the folder titled 'msvc19'. You'll see 2 files to download, go ahead and click on each and click 'Download Raw File' for each.

Please Note: Windows may see this file as a virus, so you may need to 'allow on device' in your virus & threat protection of your windows security service.

1. Once you have downloaded each file, I'd recommend making a folder and putting all of the files into that folder. I am going to make a folder with the name 'Mining Files'. I am also going to move the folder out of my Downloads folder (not necessary, but I'd recommend as it's not a great place to park a folder you want to hold onto). I am going to move it to my Documents Folder:

1. Now, if you do not have a mining pool account, you will need to make one, otherwise you should be able to use your pool credentials in the next step. Alternatively, you can solo mine using solo.ckpool.org with only a btc address. However, for the purposes of this guide I am going to assume that you are using Braiins pool. If necessary, go ahead and make a login with at braiins.com/pool. Note the username and password as we will need that later.

2. From the files that you downloaded in step 3, we are going to right click on 'start_apollo' and select 'edit'. The file will open up in notepad. The first 60 lines or so are explanations on how to prepare this script for your use. However, I am going to run you through all the options to update, so you shouldn't need to read the description. Instead, we are going to focus on the text in black font at the bottom of the file:

We need to update the info in the following fields as follows

-host = stratum.braiins.com -port = 3333 -user = username for your Braiins login. I'll use "braiinsexample" for now. -pswd = password for your Braiins login. I'll use "Password123" for now. -comport = go to the 'Device Manager' service on your computer, expand the 'Ports' section, and you should find a 'USB serial device' with COM#. Update with your COM# (COM1, COM2, COM3, etc). -brd_ocp = 48 -osc = 30 -ao_mode = 1

So, when our file is set up correctly, it will look like:

1. Now that the file is ready, save the file and exit out of notepad. You should be able to simply double-click on the file. The command prompt services will pop-up on your desktop, and should reflect this, indicating your connection is successful and mining has begun:

You are now mining! The setting we use run the Unit ins 'eco mode', which should yield 2 terahash per second in terms of mining power (you can monitor the performance from your respective mining pool dashboard). As long as you keep this terminal window open and the computer on that is connected to the miner, and you will be mining away :)

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/603076

@ 124b23f2:02455947

I'm reposting this article I wrote some time ago again to fix the images for it on my npub.pro site

In my previous post, I explained how to use your getalby ln address to receive zaps directly to your LND node. Similarly, there is an additional option that one can utilize to receive zaps directly to your lightning node: lnaddress.com.

Lnaddress.com is a federated lightning address server that you can use to create a custom ln address. Unlike using getalby, lnaddress.com can be used with any lightning implementation (not just LND). For the purposes of this write-up, I am going to use LNBits to connect an lnaddress.com lightning address with my node. And as will be the case with most of my write-ups, I am going to be using Start9 OS, so users of that OS will likely find this write-up most useful, but I'm sure people using other node interfaces can infer how to complete this set up as well.

With that said, let's dive into the step-by-step on how to create your own custom ln address with lnaddress.com and set it up to receive zaps directly to your lightning node:

*Users should have lnbits set up with their lightning node before proceeding.

1. Go to lnaddress.com. Input your desired username, select 'Node Backend Type' = LNBits, and if necessary check the box 'This is a new lightning address'. Keep this page open in one tab as we will be returning to it to input info.
2. From your Start9 OS services page, go to your LNBits service. Open the 'Properties' page, and in a new tab, open the (Tor) Superuser Account. Page will look like this:

From this LNbits page, you can choose to 'add a new wallet' and use that wallet instead of your superuser account. That is up to you but the steps will be the same.

1. Now, we need to grab the info needed for the 'Host Protocol + IP or Domain + Port' field on the lnaddress.com page. On the lnbits page, expand the 'Api Docs' field, and the 'Get Wallet Details' field found on the right hand side menu. In this 'Get Wallet Details' section, you will want to copy some of the URL found in the 'curl example' section. Copy 'http://xxxxxx.onion' (don't copy any more!), and paste this into the 'Host (Protocol + IP or Domain + Port' field found on the lnaddress.com page.

1. Next, we need to grab the key for your lnbits wallet. From the lnbits page, expand the API docs section found on the right hand side menu. Copy the 'Invoice/read key' (make sure to use the invoice/read key and not your Admin key), and paste it into the key field found on the lnaddress.com page. Upon pasting in that last piece of info, click 'submit' at the bottom of the page.

2. If all info was input correctly, your connection will be successful. If successful, you will be brought to a page that looks like this:

You will want to save this secret PIN in case you need to update info in your ln address. You'll also find a test lightning invoice of 1 sat. Using a wallet not connected to the node we connected to our new ln address, you can test the ln address out by paying the 1 sat test invoice.

Users of Start9 OS might find the following info particularly useful: This ln address via lnaddress.com comes with a couple advantages aside from self-custodial zap receiving:

• One, you can have a custom ln address username to go with your nym or nostr username. Users of Start9 may be familiar with the ln address one can generate in the btcpay server service. This ln address is not customizable.
• Two, if you are running a tor only lightning node, you will be able to receive zaps from both tor and clear net lightning nodes. Users of Start9 may be familiar with the ln address one can generate in the btcpay server service. This ln address can only receive zaps from other tor nodes and can't receive zaps from clear net nodes.

That is it, you should now be all set up with your new ln address hosted on lnaddress.com, and you should be all ready to receive zaps or lightning payments of any kind :)

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/603061

@ 69a0a091:c968228d

Radicale is a self-hosted calendar and contact solution that is "lightweight solution, easy to use, easy to install, easy to configure."

https://radicale.org/v3.html#about

I can finally dump my NextCloud, which was a sprawling mess of PHP scripts. Managing a NextCloud instance over a long period of a time requires the sysadmin to be mindful of the stateful configuration, which can only be upgraded one major version at a time.

I stumbled over Radicale a couple years ago right after I had spent an entire day writing a playbook to build a dockerless NextCloud container. I should have switched immediately, I've wasted numerous hours over that period making sure my container was up to date, or needlessly fiddling with settings just to feel like I had a handle on how the thing was going to operate.

Running radicale on NixOS:

service.radicale = { enable = true; settings = { server = { hosts = [ "127.0.0.1:5232" "[::]:5232" ]; }; auth = { type = "htpasswd"; htpasswd_filename = "/etc/radicale/users"; htpasswd_encryption = "bcrypt"; }; storage = { filesystem_folder = "/var/lib/radicale/collections"; }; }; };

Nginx configuration snippet from:

locations."/radicale/" = { proxyPass = "http://127.0.0.1:5232/"; extraConfig = '' proxy_set_header X-Script-Name /radicale; proxy_pass_header Authorization; ''; };

Creating my account after nixos-rebuild switch:

nix-shell -p apacheHttpd --run "htpasswd -B -c /etc/radicale/users pleb"

The web interface is dead simple and let's you create, import, or export calendars or addressbooks. I exported the vcf addressbook and ics calendar from my NextCloud instance and imported them into Radicale. The UI gives you URIs for the calendar or contacts, and I pasted that in along with my username in the relevant add dialog in Thunderbird.

Likewise, I added the account in davx5 on Android using the first "Login with URL and user name" option. For the URL this time, I appended my username, so it was https://example.com/radicale/myusername and davx was able to sync both the calendar and the contacts from that endpoint.

@ 1739d937:3e3136ef

This is the second in a series of weekly updates detailing progress on bringing MLS protocol DMs and group messaging to Nostr.

Previous Updates

• June 28th 2024

Progress this week

This week was mostly spent on the topic of how to properly publish prekey bundles and what would be needed in the bundle itself to make it workable. I've included an early version of the spec below for prekeys, and would love thoughts on it. Treat this as an alpha version, very subject to change.

The other thing I spent time on was making changes to the OpenMLS library to add support for our custom ciphersuite. One issue that I've run into is that the IETF standard for HPKE doesn't include the secp256k1 curve. Because of this, the library being used in the OpenMLS library doesn't implement the necessary methods using our curve. Thankfully, there is another library with an open PR (shout out to nostr:npub1yevrvtp3xl42sq06usztudhleq8pdfsugw5frgaqg6lvfdewfx9q6zqrkl for that!) that would fix this. Additionally, there's an expired proposal to add secp256k1 to the HPKE spec itself. I've bumped both of these and will continue to follow up. Even without the formal addition to the spec, if we have a working library, I can add that to the OpenMLS library.

Spec Draft for Prekeys

Initial keying material (Prekey Event)

Each user that wishes to be reachable via MLS-based messaging MUST first publish a prekey event. Prekeys are used to authenticate and add members to groups (one-to-one DMs or groups with more than two participants) in an asynchronous way. The prekey event is a simple replaceable event and contains all the information needed to add a user to a group.

Prekeys SHOULD be used only once. Resuse of prekeys can lead to replay attacks.

In most cases, clients that implement this NIP will manage the creation and rotation of the prekey event. It's recommended that clients do so interactively with user consent in order to avoid overwriting prekeys created by other clients.

Derived vs Ephemeral Prekeys

Since prekeys are generated on a single device/client pair, the private key of the prekey must be either stored or generated in a way that can be deterministically recovered.

The recommended approach is to use derived keys, generated in the manner described in NIP-06. In this way, the user can respond to a new group request from any device/client pair, not just from the same device/client pair that created the initial prekey event. If using derived keys;

• Clients MUST use 104 as the account level value and 0 at the change level value (e.g. m/44'/1237'/104'/0/0).
• Keys are then generated using public derivation by incrementing the address_index level value.
• Clients MUST include the full derivation path corresponding to the key used in the content field on the prekey event.
• The content field MUST be encrypted using standard NIP-44 encryption (encrypted to themselves).

However, for added security (and consequently a more restrictive user experience), clients can chose to generate an ephemeral key and store the private key locally. This means that users will only be able to respond to new group requests from the same device/client pair and won't be able to respond at all if the prekey's private key is lost. Ephemeral keys can also be used with minimal degredation of UX if you're using a remote signer that can manage these keys.

If using an ephemeral key;

• The content field on the prekey event MUST be filled in with EPHEMERAL and then encrypted using standard NIP-44 encryption (encrypted to themselves). This ensures that anyone looking at prekey events cannot tell whether it's a derived or an ephemeral prekey.

Example Prekey Event

json { "id": <id>, "kind": 10443, "created_at": <unix timestamp in seconds>, "pubkey": <main identity pubkey>, "content": <encrypted derivation path | EPHEMERAL>, "tags": [ ["mls_protocol_version", "1.0"], ["ciphersuite", "MLS_256_DHKEMK256_CHACHA20POLY1305_SHA256_K256"], ["pubkey", <prekey pubkey>], ["prekey_sig", <signature generated from hex encoded pubkey of the prekey>], ["r", "wss://nos.lol"], ["r", "wss://relay.primal.net"] ], "sig": <signed with main identity key> }

Tags

• The mls_protocol_version tag identifies the MLS protocol version being used. For now, this MUST be 1.0
• The ciphersuite tag identifies the ciphersuite supported. For now on Nostr, we're using a custom ciphersuite, MLS_256_DHKEMK256_CHACHA20POLY1305_SHA256_K256. Read more about ciphersuites in MLS.
• pubkey is the derived or ephemeral prekey pubkey.
• The prekey_sig tag value is a Schnorr signature (over the secp256k1 curve) of the SHA-256 hashed value of the prekey's pubkey, signed with the prekey's private key.

```js const privKey = schnorr.utils.randomPrivateKey(); const pubKey = schnorr.getPublicKey(privKey);

const prekeySig = bytesToHex( schnorr.sign(bytesToHex(sha256(pubKey)), privKey) );

const prekeyTag = ["prekey_sig", prekeySig]; ```

Finally, clients SHOULD include r tags to identify each of the relays that they will attempt to publish this prekey event to. This allows for more complete replacement of prekey events at a later date.

Replacing Prekey Events

Clients MUST replace the prekey event on all the listed relays any time they successfully process a group welcome event. If the prekey was a derived prekey, clients SHOULD increment the derivation path by 1 for the next key.

Onward and Upward

This next week I'll continue to work on getting the right curves and code added to the OpenMLS library and start work on a simple demo app. The focus is on better understanding what we need from the control and message events and how we can make those as simple as possible for Nostr clients and relays while also preserving as much privacy as possible.

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

Alice is a Capitalist

Alice has been falling down several rabbit holes lately and decides it’s time for a break. She takes a long overdue shower and gets her thoughts straight on some of her experiences.

She writes a post about how “Bees are Capitalists". However, like any real Lady, she’s got some criteria:

• She wants to have some great conversations around this topic
• She wants her post to be publicly readable by anyone
• She doesn't want to be bothered by a bunch of trolls though
• She doesn't want to be the main moderator for these conversations
• She wants zaps and doesn't care where they come from

In short: she wants to get the most out of her post with the least amount of overhead.

Luckily, she has Nostr profile and is part of several communities (publicly readable NIP-29 groups). So, she just selects the communities that overlap with this topic (let's say "₿-keepers", "Austrian Economy Class" and "Permaculture Pirates") and publishes her post ...

In all of them at the same time!

Communities are Capitalists

Now, anyone that is a member of any of these communities can join in on the conversation. The same conversation. One post, one event ID.

Just like for a real life event, Alice didn’t invite the whole universe but she selected certain groups of people. That way, she set the stage for rich discussions with perspectives from Beekeepers and hardcore Austrian economists alike. Discussions that are still readable by anyone, but that do require membership of a selected community for write-access.

The incentives play out into a win-win-win for everyone involved.

Alice’s criteria are met and her post doesn’t have to fit into one neat category. She isn’t left with the current internet’s false choice between “pick 1 community” or “blast bluntly into the universe and pay Big Tech to maybe get it to the RiGhT people”. Here, she gets to publish to selected lists of recipients that she doesn’t have to curate herself, while also adding it to her feed for her followers to pick up on.

Her Followers can be watching her every post, they can only pick up on certain location- or hashtags, or they can let algo’s filter for posts that have proven to be high signal in the relevant communities first.

Community members get to organically discover adjacent communities, following links they’d never have considered themselves. (Beekeepers getting into Mises in this example).

Lurkers can still read, share, embed and get a quick idea of the value prop of joining communities, following certain members, etc…

Bob, the Community Admin for ₿-keepers, makes money by providing Curation, Computation & Hosting. He gets free marketing and exposure to people that actually might be interested. As in: he doesn’t really need Facebook Ads when he’s got plenty of Alices, writing posts with overlapping interests of the one his community is built around. He also gets more people posting to his niche community, since creators are not forced to pick just one.

Relays are Capitalists

Since Bob is in the business of Curating, Computing & Hosting stuff, he prefers doing that in the most efficient way. He prefers handling everything from 1 Relay (and maybe even 1 Blossom server, 1 GPU set-up, 1 mint, … ).

Yes, Bob likes it simple. When the Community is the Relay, every part of his service gets easier: - fast loading of messages and media - content moderation - handling memberships - curating things like custom community, GIF’s, emoji, … - curating other relays he does or doesn’t want to be involved with - self-hosting the entire thing - handing over Admin rights - letting others fork the entire thing - handling back ups in whatever way suits him - handling fast access the collective preferences of his members (favorite movies of this group of people, most valued apps, …) - having a clear overview of his own costs, attack vectors, … - giving members guarantees in terms of pricing, privacy, …

Bob is a Capitalist

Bob got great value out of the conversations that followed Alice’s first post in his community. So much so, that some real-life rendez-vous’ and home-brewed mead later, they now call each other …

"Honey".

The End

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

An immodest proposal

It is grant season again, and -- as every grant season -- there is some cheering, some complaining, and much bewilderment, as the grants are announced and monies are dispersed.

I'm mostly a bystander to this spectacle, but it's impossible to ignore it, or to not become emotionally entangled in the general circus of it, so I've decided to write about it -- again -- as it is effecting me and interrupting my own efforts -- again.

What I'm about to suggest here is something that has never been done before (at least, not on a grant system of this scale), but it's always easy to criticize, whine, or fall into conspiracy-theorizing, so I've decided to try something more constructive and propose a solution.

The Five Whys

Why do some projects get turned down for grants?

Why do some people receive grants over and over and over?

Why do others refuse to apply for grants?

Why is an enormous amount of money being spent, but nobody knows how much is left over?

Why is it not really clear who is receiving what?

Why, why, why?!

Doctor, heal thyself!

Leaving this many whys lying around, or responding to them defensively or with small information-leaks, is an open communication fail on our open communication protocol.

We don't really have the excuse of not knowing how to communicate transparently and publicly, since that is our professional specialty. If we can't figure out how to run a grant program in the most continuously innovative and traceable way possible, even though we are a collection of some of the most talented perpetual innovators on the planet, then who can?

We are all process engineers, so let's engineer our own processes.

The application process

The main problem with the grant application process is that there is a grant application process. There shouldn't be. Everyone who is working in our space is working transparently, actively marketing their ideas, and everything they do is a matter of public record.

We know who the builders are. We know what they are doing. We can interact with them about what they are doing. We can turn on our computers, pull out some popcorn, and entertain ourselves all day, every day, just watching them labour and think aloud and debate, and fork various repositories or Nostr notes.

There is, at most, a loss of information, as there are so many people working on so many things, that it can become difficult to even track one particular person. That means it is not too much for us to ask, to suggest that anyone interested in a grant at least make their interest known in some small way.

Wave if you want a grant

That way should be as small as possible. Tiny. Ideally, they shouldn't even have to go that way themself; others should be able to nominate them. A 10-minute barrier to entry is already high, if it requires some formal, explicit act of supplication.

Does that sound silly to you? Then you do not understand how profoundly logical, forward-thinking, and diligent software developers can be. If they "just fill out a form" and/or "have an informal discussion", in order to receive money, it smacks disturbingly of "job interview" and "contract". These are people for whom contract law is holy law, so many will agonize over the decision.

• Some already have a job and they don't know how it will be in the future. What if they have to work overtime?

• Or they have a family and worry that they can't promise to deliver within some particular time. The wife could get pregnant, the baby could get sick, they might have to move house.

• Maybe they are students and exam time is approaching. Or they are simply shy or very young, and therefore reluctant to be seen "tooting their own horn". There is probably someone more worthy, and they are taking away the money he would get.

• Maybe they were hit with such an inner building passion that they hacked the whole implementation out their last vacation and... well... it's now already there. Everyone is already using it. Darn. Why apply for a grant, for something you've already finished? Seems sort of silly. Is that even allowed? What are the grants even for?

• What if they already have such a well-publicized project, that everyone is already watching them and keeping tabs? Then it's embarrassing to apply, on a lark, and get turned down. But if they don't apply, then everyone encourages them to apply. What to do?

• Many prefer to keep their head down and keep building, for months or years at a time, and clap politely when others are awarded a grant. In fact, they happily zap the recipients and then go right back to building and releasing. They're often grateful to just bathe in other people's joy, by proxy, while they stack sats and stay humble and keep coding.

That is why a large subset of potential grant recipients never even apply. That is also why those who have received a grant are less reluctant to apply for another. Successful application breeds successful application. The emotional barrier to entry has fallen. To those that have, shall be given.

Let's use Nostr to run Nostr grants

We should turn the tables around completely. We want the developers to keep developing, not jumping through hoops. We don't want them to be distracted and internally torn over the ethics of requesting funding. We don't want them to be afraid to apply for grants or be mystified by the grant-giving process, or be humiliated or frustrated by a declined grant.

1. Let us come up with very clear, understandable criteria for rewarding grants, write them down, and publish them on Nostr Wiki. Accept comments and critiques of the criteria. After every round of grants, we should review the criteria, suggest improvements, and publish the new version in the same place.

2. Let every application be judged according to this criteria and the results should be published after every round. The results should include a rating for each criteria and (if the grant is given) the amount of the grant awarded or (if the grant is declined) the reasons for the decline and what the applicant can improve to have a better chance of receiving a grant in the future.

3. Ideally, no applicant should walk away from a declined grant feeling hopeless or slighted. Every applicant should feel like the grant process gave them valuable feedback on their own efforts and expert guidance on what they should maybe focus more on.

4. Every application should be a standing application that has to be explicitly removed from the list by the person listed as an applicant. Anything not removed automatically enters the next round. If there is no further development on the project, then the application should be paused and removed after 2 rounds of being paused.

5. The application process should consist of adding yourself or someone else to a Wiki Grant Application List and linking to some documentation of the project. Any npub that trolls or spams the list should be prohibited from further contribution. The quality and completeness of that documentation should be a factor in grant acceptance.

6. Grant decisions should include a "handicap" (like in golf), that take into account how Nostr-experienced the applicant is and how easy it was for them to add a new implementation to some already-existing system. The tendency should be to award newer applicants such grants, with more-experienced applicants competing for long-term funding or being offered a paid(!) place on the grant board, but not both.

7. Each grant round should be proceeded by a grant scope declaration (we shall be awarding X number of grants with an average of X Bitcoin per grant) accompanied by a funding overview and update (How much money was collected since the last round? How much did we spend? How much do we have now? etc.).

Okay, this is just a prototype

I'm sure that I'm going to be bombarded with naysayers, critics, and people who think I am "writing above my pay grade", but I wouldn't be me if I let that daunt me.

All I am trying to do is change the discussion into one focused on uncovering the grant problems and offering grant solutions, rather than debates about whether some particular person was grant-worthy, or long rants on some particular person's real motives.

It's a lot of Real Money. It's worth talking about, but it's not worth fighting over. Let's talk.

@ 1739d937:3e3136ef

This is the first in a series of weekly updates I'm publishing on my process around secure messaging. Since it's the first, let's start with a bit of historical context.

How this started

On April 29th I published a PR on the NIPs repo detailing how we could achieve "Double Ratchet" DMs on Nostr. There was also a video and demo app that went along with the PR. The basic premise was to use an adapted version of the Signal protocol. This would result in DMs that were truly private and confidential, even in the case where you leaked your main private key (your nsec).

I got a lot of great feedback from folks on that PR. Interestingly, nearly all of it focused on two points, both of which I'd deliberately scoped out. Group messaging and multi-device/client support. While I knew these were important, and I'd figured out how these might be accomplished, I'd scoped them out to try and keep the footprint of the spec as small as possible But, the more I talked to people, the more it became clear that this was one problem to be solved and given the complexity, it'd be better to do it in one shot.

At the same time, I'd seen that Messaging Layer Security (MLS) had recently made a lot of progress on becoming an internet standard with their RFC proposal and, goaded on by Vitor, decided to take a closer look.

Enter MLS

Messaging Layer Security (MLS) is a new protocal that is basically a modern extension of the Signal protocol that makes group messaging way more efficient (log vs linear) and was built to be used in centralized or federated environments. I'd heard other Nostr devs talk about it in the past but it was always overlooked as being too complicated or too early.

After spending a couple weeks reading hundreds of pages of RFC docs and reading through a few implementations of the MLS spec, I believe it's the best solution for secure direct and group messaging in Nostr. It also has the added benefit that we can upgrade the underlying crypto primitives over time in a sane way.

The MLS protocol specifies "a key establishment protocol that provides efficient asynchronous group key establishment with forward secrecy (FS) and post-compromise security (PCS) for groups in size ranging from two to thousands."

The spec I'm working on will detail the ways that we implement this protocol into the Nostr environment (namely, how do we use our crypto primitives, use events as control mechanisms, and use relays for storage, while obfuscating metadata).

Goals

It's important to be clear about what we're aiming for here. Engineering is all about tradeoffs, always.

• Private and Confidential DMs and Group messages
• Private means that an observer cannot tell that Alice and Bob are talking to one another, or that Alice is part of a specific group. This necessarily requires protecting metadata.
• Confidential means that the contents of conversations can only be viewed by the intended recipients.
• Forward secrecy and Post-compromise security (PCS) in the case of any key material being leaked, whether that's your main Nostr identity key (your nsec) or any of the keys used in the MLS ratchet trees.
• Forward secrecy means that encrypted content in the past remains encrypted even if key material is leaked.
• Post compromise security means that leaking key material doesn't allow an attacker to continue to read messages indefinitely into the future.
• Scales well for large groups. MLS provides this from a computational standpoint, but we need to make sure this works in a scalable way when multiple relays are involved.
• Allows for the use of multiple device/clients in a single conversation/group. Importantly, we're not aiming to enable a device/client to be able to reconstruct the full history of a conversation at any point.

Progress this week

Ok, finally, what what I been up to?

Reading

I've spent most of the last few weeks reading the MLS spec and architectural doc (multiple times), learning some Rust, and beefing up my knowledge of cryptography (which was, if I'm being generous, paltry before starting this project).

Ciphersuites

Nostr is built around the same crypto primitives that Bitcoin is, namely Schnorr signatures over the secp256k1 curve and SHA-256 hashes. This curve isn't currently supported officially in the MLS spec. I've been in touch with the MLS working group to better understand the process of adding a new ciphersuite to the set of ciphersuites in the MLS spec. The outcome here is that we're going to start out using our custom ciphersuite that isn't part of the formal spec. The only drawback being that Nostr's MLS implementation won't be immediately interoperable with other MLS implementations. We can always add it later via the formal channels if we want.

MLS Implementations

Given the complexity of the MLS spec itself (the RFC is 132 pages long), having a well vetted, well tested implementation is going to be key to adoption in the Nostr ecosystem. OpenMLS is an implementation created by several of the RFC authors and written in Rust with bindings for nearly all the major languages we would want to support.

I've been in touch with the maintainers to talk about adding support to their library for our new ciphersuite and to better understand the bindings that are there. Some (WASM) are very barebones and still need a lot of work. They are generally open to the idea of working with me on adding the missing pieces we'd need.

Double Ratchet NIP 2.0

I've also started to write up the new version of the NIP that will detail how all of this will work when plugged into Nostr. It's not yet ready to share but it's getting closer.

Onward & Upward

Hopefully that's a helpful recap. I'll keep doing these weekly and welcome any questions, feedback, or support. In particular, if you're keen on working on this with me, please reach out. More eyes and more brains can only make this better. 🤙

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Should show up here as content

nostr:note1m9jdd9w9qxwa8gfda6n3sku7nf6mjnxylhaaa8wpnvdz85xajrasrrpj2a

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

The new Great Library

We have all heard tales of Amazon or other booksellers banning customers from their bookstores or censoring/editing purchased books. The famous Project Gutenberg, and similar organizations, are performing a good work, to help protect many of our precious books from this fate, but it is merely a centralized website and therefore not censorship resistant. Also, it mostly posts books in English or German.

So, we at nostr:npub1s3ht77dq4zqnya8vjun5jp3p44pr794ru36d0ltxu65chljw8xjqd975wz have decided to move Project Gutenberg to Nostr and house it in the most distributed way possible: on relays. Specifically, our new, public Citadel relay for out-of-print books (and other documents), but also on any relay, anywhere.

And, because we are a very humble group, we're naming the effort "Alexandria". And the first book to be printed on Nostr is the Bible because obviously.

Why on relays?

Well, why not on relays? Relays are one of the few widely-distributed databases for documentation in existence. The relay database spans the entire globe and anyone can maintain their own relay on their personal computer or mobile phone.

That means that anyone can house their own books. Which books are their own? Any books they have in their own possession. Any books someone would have to physically pry out of their cold, dead, computer.

Notes are perfect for publishing

Once we begin generating eBooks from notes with an associated header (which will be quite easy to do, so long as they are written in markdown or similar), they will also be readable, downloadable, and storable in ePub format (see Pandoc). And it is, after all, only a matter of time until someone enterprising makes an ePaper Nostr client for calmer reading of notes, and then you can download and read them, without having to bother converting beforehand, which maintains their Nostr-navigation.

The new event kind 30040 allows us to take any sort of note containing any sort of characters and create a type of "note collection" or "book of notes", "journal of notes", "magazine of notes". And it can be nested or embedded in other notes, creating any sort of note-combination and note-hierarchy you can think of, only limited in size by the ability of your computer to processes the relationships.

Save the Zettels

The associated kind 30041 adds the prospect of breaking longer texts or articles up into sections or snippets (called "Zettel" in German). We can then collect or refer to particular bits of a longer text (like a chart, elegant paragraph or definition, data table), directly. Anyone can create such snippets, even of texts they didn't write, as they can add a reference to the original publication in the tags of the new event.

This means we no longer have to "copy-paste" or quote other people's works, we can simply tie them in. If we worry about them being deleted, we can fork them to create our own, digitally-linked version, and then tie that in. This means that source material can be tied to the new material, and you can trace back to the source easily (using Nostr IDs and tags, which are signed identifiers) and see who else is branching out from that source or discussing that source.

It's gonna be HUGE!

We are making a big, beautiful library... and you are going to build it for us. Anyone, anywhere can therefore publish or republish any document they wish, with Nostr, and store it wherever they have a relay, and view it on any client willing to display it.

You will own something and be happy.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

I've been dealing with a lot of aspiring IT people, lately, and it has me sort of jaded.

I'm trying to think of the level of competence I would expect of someone like myself because it has changed, dramatically, since I started out, 26 years ago. I've only now managed to catch up enough to feel "requalified" for my own profession, so I thought I'd write it down for all of you, so that you know what to look for.

As in, what is the new "industry standard" knowledge level for a software business analyst?

If I were hiring a business analyst today, I'd ask...

1. What do e-mail, FTP, and UML have in common?
2. What is the difference between an intranet and the Internet? Name the four Internet layers and one protocol for each.
3. What are unit tests and integration tests and what are they useful for? Who should write them? Who should be looking at the results?
4. What is a build server and why use one? What is the difference between continuous integration and continuous deployment?
5. Please explain the three source control commands: commit, push, and pull.
6. Please explain the three Linux commands: pwd, ls, cat.
7. How do software branches work? What is a merge conflict? What are pull requests?
8. What is the difference between an activity diagram, a state-machine diagram, and a class diagram and when is it best to use which?
9. What are DDD and TDD? What purpose do they serve?
10. What are use cases and user stories? When is it best to use which? What is gherkin?
11. What is the difference between stateful and stateless?
12. What is agile programming?
13. Explain the difference between Kanban, Xtreme Programming, and Scrum, and when is it best to use which?
14. What is the difference between functional and object-oriented programming? Why use one, rather than the other?
15. What are wireframes, mockups, and prototypes?
16. Name two network topologies and give an example for an implementation of each.
17. What are XML, Json, and Yaml and why use one, rather than another?
18. What is an ORM and why use one? What are validators?
19. Name three types of databases and a use case they are ideal for.
20. Explain the importance of data sets to machine learning.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Finding Catholics and Catholic-friendly content on Nostr

Obvious Catholics being obvious

nostr:npub1m4ny6hjqzepn4rxknuq94c2gpqzr29ufkkw7ttcxyak7v43n6vvsajc2jl

nostr:npub1k92qsr95jcumkpu6dffurkvwwycwa2euvx4fthv78ru7gqqz0nrs2ngfwd

nostr:npub1wqfzz2p880wq0tumuae9lfwyhs8uz35xd0kr34zrvrwyh3kvrzuskcqsyn

nostr:npub1ecdlntvjzexlyfale2egzvvncc8tgqsaxkl5hw7xlgjv2cxs705s9qs735

nostr:npub1rcr8h76csgzhdhea4a7tq5w5gydcpg9clgf0cffu6z45rnc6yp5sj7cfuz

nostr:npub1fyd0awkakq4aap70ual7mtlszjle9krffgwnsrkyua2frzmysd8qjj8gvg

nostr:npub1q0fe26apcqeeyqnlre29fqu7ysx0ucm5ly637md3zlvy2xcfsm3s0lsv4r

nostr:npub1dvdcmtp5llrp63jdlmhspe9gffsyu9ew7cu3ld3f9y7k79nxzjxqf4d4rm

nostr:npub1paxyej8f8fh57ny0fr5w2mzp9can9nkcmeu5jaerv68mhrah7t8s795ky6

nostr:npub1tvw3h5xqnuc2aq5zelxp3dy58sz7x9u8e6enkxywmrz70cg2j2zqjes44n

nostr:npub13tahtl9pjw9u5ycruqk84k6sfmkyljsr7y2pc4s840ctlm73fxeq3j6e08

nostr:npub1w4jkwspqn9svwnlrw0nfg0u2yx4cj6yfmp53ya4xp7r24k7gly4qaq30zp

Other good Christian follows

nostr:npub1hqy4zwnvsdmlml4tpgp0kgrruxamfcwpgm4g3q2tr3d2ut3kuxusx73psm

nostr:npub1cpstx8lzhwctunfe80rugz5qsj9ztw8surec9j6mf8phha68dj6qhm8j5e

nostr:npub1ak5kewf6anwkrt0qc8ua907ljkn7wm83e2ycyrpcumjvaf2upszs8r0gwg

nostr:npub1mt8x8vqvgtnwq97sphgep2fjswrqqtl4j7uyr667lyw7fuwwsjgs5mm7cz

nostr:npub1q6ya7kz84rfnw6yjmg5kyttuplwpauv43a9ug3cajztx4g0v48eqhtt3sh

nostr:npub1356t6fpjysx9vdchfg7mryv83w4pcye6a3eeke9zvsje7s2tuv4s4k805u

nostr:npub1kun5628raxpm7usdkj62z2337hr77f3ryrg9cf0vjpyf4jvk9r9smv3lhe

nostr:npub1qf6gsfapq94rj0rcptkpm9sergacmuwrjlgfx5gznjajtvkcx3psfhx6k5

nostr:npub1ll99fcrclkvgff696u8tq9vupw9fulfc8fysdf6gfwp7hassrh2sktxszt

nostr:npub1zy37ecnhpvx4lmxh4spd0898sxdj0ag8m64s9yq499zaxlg7qrqq8c53q6

nostr:npub1rtlqca8r6auyaw5n5h3l5422dm4sry5dzfee4696fqe8s6qgudks7djtfs

nostr:npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn

nostr:npub18zqmath26txwfhc70af8axk7pftjre9x7cf0lxkg92nvj2cpfgts8va790

Christian follow list

An exhaustive list of Christians is maintained by nostr:npub1mt8x8vqvgtnwq97sphgep2fjswrqqtl4j7uyr667lyw7fuwwsjgs5mm7cz. Just look at his list on https://listr.lol/

Catholic community

You can also join the community, to reach other catholics (usable on #Nostrudel #Coracle #Amethyst and #Satellite): nostr:naddr1qvzqqqyx7cpzqqnd3dl8hnptg9agfugwmdcmgfl7wcrfjpgfpv28ksq6dnmqc0e8qqyyxct5dphkc6trmu6k9l

Christian topic relay

And always make sure to use the #catholic hashtag, to get onto the top-specific christpill relay (add it to your relay list: wss://christpill.nostr1.com/).

Hope that helps! 😊

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

At WalletScrutiny we open a lot of issues. And just recently, Danny, whom I cannot mention on Habla.news due to this error wrote a script to facilitate re-visiting issues we haven't re-visited in over half a year. Should we poke them all? 🤔

Issue | Comment | Issue
-----------|------------|---------------------- 2019-12-14 | 2019-12-16 | App cannot be verified 2017-10-20 | 2020-04-11 | Builds are not reproducible 2019-12-14 | 2020-06-19 | App from GooglePlay is not verifiable 2020-08-27 | 2020-09-02 | Please provide full build instructions to reproduce the app on Google Play 2020-12-05 | 2020-12-14 | Provide build instructions to rebuild the app from Google Play 2020-12-16 | 2020-12-16 | Where is the code of DApp Browser? 2020-12-18 | 2021-01-02 | Reproducible builds of com.crypto.multiwallet on Google Play? 2021-03-06 | 2021-03-07 | Change minSdkVersion from 16 to 19 2017-12-20 | 2021-03-12 | Build APK deterministically 2021-03-05 | 2021-04-03 | Please update your build instruction and make sure the app on Google Play can be reproduced 2019-12-28 | 2021-04-03 | Please update your build instructions such that reproducible builds are possible 2021-04-09 | 2021-04-09 | Please provide detailled instructions on how to reproduce the app on Google Play 2021-03-07 | 2021-04-20 | Missing build instructions & build fail 2021-03-08 | 2021-04-22 | Build fail with errors "Error: No named parameter with the name" 2021-04-23 | 2021-04-23 | Where is the latest source-code for im.token.app? 2021-03-12 | 2021-05-02 | Missing code for latest 2.1 version in google-play 2021-04-01 | 2021-05-02 | Publish source code for the app 2021-05-03 | 2021-05-04 | Please provide build instructions for reproducing the apk from Google Play 2020-04-07 | 2021-05-16 | Please provide verifiability of released builds 2021-04-18 | 2021-05-19 | Where is the latest code and build instructions 2021-05-27 | 2021-05-27 | Missing code for latest release 3.2.7 on google-play 2020-01-29 | 2021-06-02 | Please provide verifiable builds 2019-12-22 | 2021-06-03 | Failed to verify the build on GooglePlay 2021-05-27 | 2021-06-08 | Android app is not reproducible, diffs in AndroidManifest.xml & 0.dist.js & dist.js & resources.arsc files 2020-06-01 | 2021-07-23 | Please make the app reproducible 2021-10-26 | 2021-12-02 | Publish sources for android mobile appid=io.divipay.divi 2021-12-11 | 2021-12-11 | Please provide latest source code and reproducible builds 2021-12-20 | 2021-12-20 | Please share the source and build instructions for the QUANTUM HW firmware 2022-02-08 | 2022-02-08 | Please add interpretation of transactions due to be signed 2021-10-17 | 2022-03-12 | Please provide build instructions to reproduce the version on Google Play Store 2021-12-02 | 2022-03-14 | Please provide instructions to reproduce your app found on Google Play 2021-04-21 | 2022-03-27 | Minimal Containers for Reproducible Builds testing for android app - WIP 2019-11-23 | 2022-03-28 | Build is not verifiable 2022-03-15 | 2022-04-10 | Show hash of firmware prior to installation 2021-04-12 | 2022-04-12 | Please provide build instructions to reproduce the app in Google Play Store 2020-04-27 | 2022-04-14 | Please provide reproducible builds 2022-04-08 | 2022-04-16 | Why the wallet readme is not detailed and no updated description? 2021-07-17 | 2022-07-22 | Publish source-code of releases before uploading them to Google Play 2021-12-01 | 2022-08-07 | Reproducible build fails due to a missing dependency 2021-02-14 | 2022-08-29 | Build failed if --production or npm ci are used instead of development 2022-03-01 | 2023-01-06 | Publish source code for mobile apps 2021-10-16 | 2023-04-13 | Missing Code for latest versions on google-play 2023-04-15 | 2023-04-15 | Missing Git Tag & Github release for latest version 5.5.1 on Google Play 2022-08-04 | 2023-04-20 | Add build instructions for all platforms & Containerfiles to compile app 2021-11-23 | 2023-04-22 | Missing source code for latest version 4.18 2021-03-12 | 2023-04-23 | Build apk fail with "because bitorzo_wallet_flutter depends on intl ^0.16.0, version solving failed." 2019-12-14 | 2023-04-24 | App on Google Play is not verifiable 2023-04-24 | 2023-04-24 | Publish code for newer version 23 on google-play 2023-04-27 | 2023-04-28 | Reproducibility problem on v0.32.0 2022-07-12 | 2023-05-25 | Missing code for version 1.3.11 on google-play 2023-05-27 | 2023-05-27 | reproducible builds 2023-06-20 | 2023-06-21 | Use --output-hashing none to prevent random names for built main.js 2023-06-25 | 2023-06-25 | The app is not reproducible 2023-02-21 | 2023-07-01 | Could not find com.google.android.gms:play-services-tapandpay:18.2.0 2021-10-09 | 2023-07-08 | Please fix build reproducibility 2023-05-22 | 2023-07-13 | v7.8.0 is not reproducible 2021-10-17 | 2023-07-31 | Missing x86_64 folder in ./app/src/main/cpp//lib with lib.a files & Instructions to reproduce binaries in lib folders 2021-01-21 | 2023-08-16 | How can I verify the app on Google Play was built from this source code? 2019-12-28 | 2023-09-30 | Please provide verifiable builds 2019-12-14 | 2023-11-02 | App on Google Play can't be verified 2019-12-30 | 2023-11-03 | Support verifiable builds 2021-02-21 | 2023-12-19 | Has the BitLox project died?

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Bitcoin Capitalism

But who would build the roads?

Discussing who would build the roads is the classic intellectual excersize of anarchists, everywhere. Would everyone build the stretch in front of, and within, their property? Would private entities build the roads and charge a toll? Would roads fall into disarray and we'd use more rugged vehicles, such as mule-drawn carts and offroad vehicles? Would we eventually abandon the wheel and switch to camels and hovercraft?

Most discussion participants assume it will devolve down into some combination, but Bitcoin might put a break on the toll road option. Bitcoin rises in purchasing power so quickly and inexorably, that any complex, long-term, expensive project becomes an investment with guaranteed negative nominal returns and a high probability of negative real returns.

You would struggle to demand tolls at a price high enough to cover the nominal costs of the initial investment (although they might cover maintenance and running costs), and the tolls you could demand would steadily shrink in nominal terms.

Bitcoin reduces the investment profit motive

The Cambridge Dictionary describes investing as:

to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage

Bitcoin means that you make a monetary profit by saving capital, rather than by deploying it. To deploy Bitcoin is always to simply spend it. The capital is consumed. Gone. Poof!

Whereas if you simply hodl it, you will rapidly grow wealthier and wealthier without commiserate effort. There will be no such thing as a profitable return on investment because the best returns will always be in savings. Your best financial bet is always to save all of your Bitcoin and use the infrastructure other people have built, at great loss to themselves.

This is correct

This is actually how capitalism should work. It is not an error.

Someone or a group of someones deploys capital, first, to build something, and they alone hold the risk of failure. They do it without expecting their (entire, nominal) capital returned because they value the building planned more than the capital trapped in it. The capital invested is primarily transformed, rather than returned, and the invested capital raises the living standard for everyone who then uses the building.

This is actually high-time preference behavior called "patronage". This is not the opposite of saving, but something often done in addition to it. It is investment devoid of a financial profit motive.

We have come full-circle

What Bitcoin does, in perpetuity, is raise the risk of capital so high that a financial loss is expected, so capital deployments beyond those required for personal consumption will only come from the generous and the particularly far-sighted.

Bitcoin moves investments out of the purely financial realm back into a preference for the public good and a willingness to sacrifice, with returns often being tokens of gratitude, special privileges, increased social standing, hopes of indirect business advantage, or promises of treasure in the afterlife, rather than direct returns of capital, or even profits.

Who will build the roads? The nobility, the pious, the ambitious middle class, and the volunteering tradesmen will build the roads, just as they once built the cathedrals.... and the roads.

@ 3f289d3c:cf35b9fc

In an increasingly regulated world, the industries that are not heavily regulated need to start switching to Bitcoin and Lightning payments now

I'll start this article off by giving you a little bit of back story. I'm from Canada and in Canada the government is increasingly crushing people under high taxes, massive inflation and unreasonable regulation. This seems to be the story in a lot of places but Canada is particularly bad on the regulation and taxes front, at least from my perspective. I live in a rural area where gasoline prices are much higher than in the higher population density areas of our province. Food prices are higher, product prices are higher including on the used market and property taxes here are way higher than what one might expect in such a remote area. You get the idea.

Now when I moved here the only method of income I had was crypto mining, specifically Ethereum. That seemed to be doing well for me for a short time. As time went on I noticed my savings dipping further and further and even though I was holding a lot of coins that were doing well overall, I was spending much more than I was able to earn with any of the crypto mining methods. I didn't lose a ton of money on any one of these but the Canadian market got so bad that I was forced to liquidate most of the tokens that I had set aside in order to make myself more on the cryptocurrency market. Not an ideal situation to be in.

As time went on I was forced to shut off my Ethereum mining rigs and get a "real job." Since then I've been more or less happily back in the the fiat mines (literally working at a gold mine) working for a meager (but not terrible) living and doing better than I was without a job. The biggest change over the course of the Last few months has been my switch to Bitcoin maximalism. I've learned more about the technology/currency and I've switched any remaining extra funds over to Bitcoin.

This all being said, The Canadian economy is now worse than it's ever been and I'm living paycheck to paycheck even though I make something like $78,000 a year in the mining sector. Obviously, this is absolutely Ridiculous. This is what brings me to my side income.

I've been a professional photographer for several years now and up until this point I hadn't considered trying to generate an income in anything other than Canadian dollars. With Canada being in the state it is currently I have reconsidered that and I am now accepting preferably Bitcoin or cash but I really want to emphasize Bitcoin. My issue at the moment is that I live in an area that is very rural and very remote so there are not a lot of people who even know what Bitcoin is let alone people who will actually use it. This is my biggest hurdle at the moment but frankly I don't think it's not much of a hurdle.

My primary plan for some time has been to build an online business focusing on education, community And maybe a bit of consulting versus going out and doing primarily photo shoots. Obviously that has to exist as part of the business ultimately, but my real goal is to focus on educating others and helping them to get to where I am and beyond. Basically I want to pass on my skill set and I want to avoid the awful economy as much as I can while doing it.

This is where accepting Bitcoin comes in. By accepting Bitcoin as payment for my photography services and only using marketplaces that Are built on that technology, I can largely skip past the modern woes of our economy. I can skip out on taxes and I can skip out on any kind of reporting that I would otherwise need to do. I can basically run a business completely free of the government and not need to do anything other than simply do what I would do if it were a hobby. This really excites me.

Imagine a world where you can just transact without having to report anything on your taxes. Imagine not having taxes at all! In an industry such as photography where it's mostly digital anyways, Bitcoin is the perfect method of payment for your services. With the lightning network And NFC chips, You can do all of your transacting right there on your phone to a lightning enabled Bitcoin wallet.

I think these industries where there isn't any regulation at all or at least very little regulation, are the perfect places to start doing this. They're the perfect breeding ground for all Bitcoin transactions and businesses. Why get the government involved at all when you can simply run your business the way it should be run? As they say on nostr, "Bitcoin fixes this."

I'm really looking forward to building my business in the nostr environment and on the back of a Bitcoin standard. I've already started the transition by joining nostr and I'm beginning to speak about photography there. I don't think I have felt as positive or as enthusiastic about this endeavor since joining nostr as a social platform and I'm really happy that I'm here. I believe that this is the future of digital transactions and social media and it may just be the best way to run an online business going forward.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if anybody wants to see anything specific from me feel free to hit me up on nostr! I hope my thoughts brought some value to you and maybe got you thinking about how you could start transitioning your business to a Bitcoin standard.

@ 6871d8df:4a9396c1

Embracing AI: A Case for AI Accelerationism

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) development is at the forefront of technological innovation, a counter-narrative championed by a group I refer to as the 'AI Decels'—those advocating for the deceleration of AI advancements— seems to be gaining significant traction. After tuning into a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Podcast, I realized that the prevailing narrative around AI was heading in a dangerous direction. Rogan had Aza Raskin and Tristan Harris, technology safety advocates, who released a talk called 'The AI Dilemma,' on for a discussion. You may know them from the popular documentary 'The Social Dilemma' on the dangers of social media. It became increasingly clear that the cautionary stance dominating this discourse might be tipping the scales too far, veering towards an over-regulated future that stifles innovation rather than fostering it.

Are we moving too fast?

While acknowledging AI's benefits, Aza and Tristan fear it could be dangerous if not guided by ethical standards and safeguards. They believe AI development is moving too quickly and that the right incentives for its growth are not in place. They are concerned about the possibility of "civilizational overwhelm," where advanced AI technology far outpaces 21st-century governance. They fear a scenario where society and its institutions cannot manage or adapt to the rapid changes and challenges introduced by AI.

They argue for regulating and slowing down AI development due to rapid, uncontrolled advancement driven by competition among companies like Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft. They claim this race can lead to unsafe releases of new technologies, with AI systems exhibiting unpredictable, emergent behaviors, posing significant societal risks. For instance, AI can inadvertently learn tasks like sentiment analysis or human emotion understanding, creating potential for misuse in areas like biological weapons or cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Moreover, AI companies' profit-driven incentives often conflict with the public good, prioritizing market dominance over safety and ethics. This misalignment can lead to technologies that maximize engagement or profits at societal expense, similar to the negative impacts seen with social media. To address these issues, they suggest government regulation to realign AI companies' incentives with safety, ethical considerations, and public welfare. Implementing responsible development frameworks focused on long-term societal impacts is essential for mitigating potential harm.

This isn't new

Though the premise of their concerns seems reasonable, it's dangerous and an all too common occurrence with the emergence of new technologies. For example, in their example in the podcast, they refer to the technological breakthrough of oil. Oil as energy was a technological marvel and changed the course of human civilization. The embrace of oil — now the cornerstone of industry in our age — revolutionized how societies operated, fueled economies, and connected the world in unprecedented ways. Yet recently, as ideas of its environmental and geopolitical ramifications propagated, the narrative around oil has shifted.

Tristan and Aza detail this shift and claim that though the period was great for humanity, we didn't have another technology to go to once the technological consequences became apparent. The problem with that argument is that we did innovate to a better alternative: nuclear. However, at its technological breakthrough, it was met with severe suspicions, from safety concerns to ethical debates over its use. This overregulation due to these concerns caused a decades-long stagnation in nuclear innovation, where even today, we are still stuck with heavy reliance on coal and oil. The scare tactics and fear-mongering had consequences, and, interestingly, they don't see the parallels with their current deceleration stance on AI.

These examples underscore a critical insight: the initial anxiety surrounding new technologies is a natural response to the unknowns they introduce. Yet, history shows that too much anxiety can stifle the innovation needed to address the problems posed by current technologies. The cycle of discovery, fear, adaptation, and eventual acceptance reveals an essential truth—progress requires not just the courage to innovate but also the resilience to navigate the uncertainties these innovations bring.

Moreover, believing we can predict and plan for all AI-related unknowns reflects overconfidence in our understanding and foresight. History shows that technological progress, marked by unexpected outcomes and discoveries, defies such predictions. The evolution from the printing press to the internet underscores progress's unpredictability. Hence, facing AI's future requires caution, curiosity, and humility. Acknowledging our limitations and embracing continuous learning and adaptation will allow us to harness AI's potential responsibly, illustrating that embracing our uncertainties, rather than pretending to foresee them, is vital to innovation.

The journey of technological advancement is fraught with both promise and trepidation. Historically, each significant leap forward, from the dawn of the industrial age to the digital revolution, has been met with a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension. Aza Raskin and Tristan Harris's thesis in the 'AI Dilemma' embodies the latter.

Who defines "safe?"

When slowing down technologies for safety or ethical reasons, the issue arises of who gets to define what "safe" or “ethical” mean? This inquiry is not merely technical but deeply ideological, touching the very core of societal values and power dynamics. For example, the push for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives shows how specific ideological underpinnings can shape definitions of safety and decency.

Take the case of the initial release of Google's AI chatbot, Gemini, which chose the ideology of its creators over truth. Luckily, the answers were so ridiculous that the pushback was sudden and immediate. My worry, however, is if, in correcting this, they become experts in making the ideological capture much more subtle. Large bureaucratic institutions' top-down safety enforcement creates a fertile ground for ideological capture of safety standards.

I claim that the issue is not the technology itself but the lens through which we view and regulate it. Suppose the gatekeepers of 'safety' are aligned with a singular ideology. In that case, AI development would skew to serve specific ends, sidelining diverse perspectives and potentially stifling innovative thought and progress.

In the podcast, Tristan and Aza suggest such manipulation as a solution. They propose using AI for consensus-building and creating "shared realities" to address societal challenges. In practice, this means that when individuals' viewpoints seem to be far apart, we can leverage AI to "bridge the gap." How they bridge the gap and what we would bridge it toward is left to the imagination, but to me, it is clear. Regulators will inevitably influence it from the top down, which, in my opinion, would be the opposite of progress.

In navigating this terrain, we must advocate for a pluralistic approach to defining safety, encompassing various perspectives and values achieved through market forces rather than a governing entity choosing winners. The more players that can play the game, the more wide-ranging perspectives will catalyze innovation to flourish.

Ownership & Identity

Just because we should accelerate AI forward does not mean I do not have my concerns. When I think about what could be the most devastating for society, I don't believe we have to worry about a Matrix-level dystopia; I worry about freedom. As I explored in "Whose data is it anyway?," my concern gravitates toward the issues of data ownership and the implications of relinquishing control over our digital identities. This relinquishment threatens our privacy and the integrity of the content we generate, leaving it susceptible to the inclinations and profit of a few dominant tech entities.

To counteract these concerns, a paradigm shift towards decentralized models of data ownership is imperative. Such standards would empower individuals with control over their digital footprints, ensuring that we develop AI systems with diverse, honest, and truthful perspectives rather than the massaged, narrow viewpoints of their creators. This shift safeguards individual privacy and promotes an ethical framework for AI development that upholds the principles of fairness and impartiality.

As we stand at the crossroads of technological innovation and ethical consideration, it is crucial to advocate for systems that place data ownership firmly in the hands of users. By doing so, we can ensure that the future of AI remains truthful, non-ideological, and aligned with the broader interests of society.

But what about the Matrix?

I know I am in the minority on this, but I feel that the concerns of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) are generally overblown. I am not scared of reaching the point of AGI, and I think the idea that AI will become so intelligent that we will lose control of it is unfounded and silly. Reaching AGI is not reaching consciousness; being worried about it spontaneously gaining consciousness is a misplaced fear. It is a tool created by humans for humans to enhance productivity and achieve specific outcomes.

At a technical level, large language models (LLMs) are trained on extensive datasets and learning patterns from language and data through a technique called "unsupervised learning" (meaning the data is untagged). They predict the next word in sentences, refining their predictions through feedback to improve coherence and relevance. When queried, LLMs generate responses based on learned patterns, simulating an understanding of language to provide contextually appropriate answers. They will only answer based on the datasets that were inputted and scanned.

AI will never be "alive," meaning that AI lacks inherent agency, consciousness, and the characteristics of life, not capable of independent thought or action. AI cannot act independently of human control. Concerns about AI gaining autonomy and posing a threat to humanity are based on a misunderstanding of the nature of AI and the fundamental differences between living beings and machines. AI spontaneously developing a will or consciousness is more similar to thinking a hammer will start walking than us being able to create consciousness through programming. Right now, there is only one way to create consciousness, and I'm skeptical that is ever something we will be able to harness and create as humans. Irrespective of its complexity — and yes, our tools will continue to become evermore complex — machines, specifically AI, cannot transcend their nature as non-living, inanimate objects programmed and controlled by humans.
The advancement of AI should be seen as enhancing human capabilities, not as a path toward creating autonomous entities with their own wills. So, while AI will continue to evolve, improve, and become more powerful, I believe it will remain under human direction and control without the existential threats often sensationalized in discussions about AI's future.

With this framing, we should not view the race toward AGI as something to avoid. This will only make the tools we use more powerful, making us more productive. With all this being said, AGI is still much farther away than many believe.

Today's AI excels in specific, narrow tasks, known as narrow or weak AI. These systems operate within tightly defined parameters, achieving remarkable efficiency and accuracy that can sometimes surpass human performance in those specific tasks. Yet, this is far from the versatile and adaptable functionality that AGI represents.

Moreover, the exponential growth of computational power observed in the past decades does not directly translate to an equivalent acceleration in achieving AGI. AI's impressive feats are often the result of massive data inputs and computing resources tailored to specific tasks. These successes do not inherently bring us closer to understanding or replicating the general problem-solving capabilities of the human mind, which again would only make the tools more potent in our hands.

While AI will undeniably introduce challenges and change the aspects of conflict and power dynamics, these challenges will primarily stem from humans wielding this powerful tool rather than the technology itself. AI is a mirror reflecting our own biases, values, and intentions. The crux of future AI-related issues lies not in the technology's inherent capabilities but in how it is used by those wielding it. This reality is at odds with the idea that we should slow down development as our biggest threat will come from those who are not friendly to us.

AI Beget's AI

While the unknowns of AI development and its pitfalls indeed stir apprehension, it's essential to recognize the power of market forces and human ingenuity in leveraging AI to address these challenges. History is replete with examples of new technologies raising concerns, only for those very technologies to provide solutions to the problems they initially seemed to exacerbate. It looks silly and unfair to think of fighting a war with a country that never embraced oil and was still primarily getting its energy from burning wood. The evolution of AI is no exception to this pattern. As we venture into uncharted territories, the potential issues that arise with AI—be it ethical concerns, use by malicious actors, biases in decision-making, or privacy intrusions—are not merely obstacles but opportunities for innovation. It is within the realm of possibility, and indeed, probability, that AI will play a crucial role in solving the problems it creates. The idea that there would be no incentive to address and solve these problems is to underestimate the fundamental drivers of technological progress.

Market forces, fueled by the demand for better, safer, and more efficient solutions, are powerful catalysts for positive change. When a problem is worth fixing, it invariably attracts the attention of innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs eager to solve it. This dynamic has driven progress throughout history, and AI is poised to benefit from this problem-solving cycle.

Thus, rather than viewing AI's unknowns as sources of fear, we should see them as sparks of opportunity. By tackling the challenges posed by AI, we will harness its full potential to benefit humanity. By fostering an ecosystem that encourages exploration, innovation, and problem-solving, we can ensure that AI serves as a force for good, solving problems as profound as those it might create. This is the optimism we must hold onto—a belief in our collective ability to shape AI into a tool that addresses its own challenges and elevates our capacity to solve some of society's most pressing issues.

An AI Future

The reality is that it isn't whether AI will lead to unforeseen challenges—it undoubtedly will, as has every major technological leap in history. The real issue is whether we let fear dictate our path and confine us to a standstill or embrace AI's potential to address current and future challenges.

The approach to solving potential AI-related problems with stringent regulations and a slowdown in innovation is akin to cutting off the nose to spite the face. It's a strategy that risks stagnating the U.S. in a global race where other nations will undoubtedly continue their AI advancements. This perspective dangerously ignores that AI, much like the printing press of the past, has the power to democratize information, empower individuals, and dismantle outdated power structures.

The way forward is not less AI but more of it, more innovation, optimism, and curiosity for the remarkable technological breakthroughs that will come. We must recognize that the solution to AI-induced challenges lies not in retreating but in advancing our capabilities to innovate and adapt.

AI represents a frontier of limitless possibilities. If wielded with foresight and responsibility, it's a tool that can help solve some of the most pressing issues we face today. There are certainly challenges ahead, but I trust that with problems come solutions. Let's keep the AI Decels from steering us away from this path with their doomsday predictions. Instead, let's embrace AI with the cautious optimism it deserves, forging a future where technology and humanity advance to heights we can't imagine.

@ ddf03aca:5cb3bbbe

Disclaimer: Beware, there be dragons... Deploying your own version of npubcash-server is highly experimental. Do not use this in production yet. If you do deploy it, please make sure to leave your feedback with me.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, you'll need a few things:

1. Blink API Key: npubcash-server uses Blink API for payment callbacks. If you don’t have a Blink account yet, sign up here.
2. Postgres: npubcash-server utilizes a Postgres database for storage.
3. fly.io Account and flyctl: While you can deploy npubcash-server anywhere, this guide focuses on fly.io and its CLI tool, flyctl.

Setup

Step 1: Clone the Repository

First, clone the npubcash-server repository, specifically the migrations branch, as it contains the necessary deployment scripts. Don’t forget to clone all submodules recursively.

zsh git clone -b migrations --recurse-submodules https://github.com/cashubtc/npubcash-server.git cd npubcash-server

Step 2: Create fly.toml Configuration

Next, create your fly.toml file to configure your deployment.

zsh nvim fly.toml

Here's a sample configuration. Adjust the environment variables to match your setup:

```toml app = "npubcash-server" primary_region = "ams"

[build]

[http_service] internal_port = 8000 force_https = true auto_stop_machines = true auto_start_machines = true min_machines_running = 0 processes = ["app"]

[[vm]] memory = "512mb" cpu_kind = "shared" cpus = 1

[env] NODE_ENV = "production" PGUSER = "" PGPASSWORD = "" PGHOST = "" PGDATABASE = "" PGPORT = "" MINTURL = "" BLINK_API_KEY = "" BLINK_WALLET_ID = "" BLINK_URL = "https://api.blink.sv/graphql" HOSTNAME = "" JWT_SECRET = "" ZAP_SECRET_KEY = "" LNURL_MIN_AMOUNT = "" LNURL_MAX_AMOUNT = "" NPC_SERVER_URL = "" ```

Note: fly.io offers additional security for sensitive environment variables through secrets, which are encrypted and never exposed directly. Consider using secrets for sensitive data like your Blink or Nostr key. Learn more here.

Deploying

With your configuration ready, it’s time to deploy!

zsh fly launch

When prompted, choose to use the existing fly.toml file by inputting y. Fly.io might suggest deploying a Postgres instance, but since we're using an external Postgres instance, adjust the settings as needed through their web interface. Watch the build logs in your terminal, and once completed, your instance of npubcash-server is live. Congrats!

Setting Up a Custom Domain

To fully utilize npubcash-server as an LNURL server, you’ll need a custom domain. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Get the IP Address: Use flyctl to list your IP addresses.

zsh fly ips list

Copy the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

1. Create DNS Records: Set up an A record with your domain provider using the IPv4 address and a AAAA record using the IPv6 address.

2. Request an SSL Certificate: For encrypted traffic, request a Let’s Encrypt certificate.

zsh fly certs add <your domain name>

Note: DNS propagation can take some time. Ensure your machine is running and try connecting to the domain once the DNS records are updated. Fly.io will verify the DNS setup when traffic starts coming in.

Wrapping up

That is it... Hopefully by now your very own instance of npubcash-server is running and reachable on your own domain. If you got this far, please reach out to me and let me know. Now please go ahead and try to break it. If you do, please open an issue so that I can fix it :)

@ dc4cd086:cee77c06

A formal system is defined by its axioms. We try to treat science (and by proxy, the natural world) with an assumption of nature itself being a formal system -> start with axioms and explore the space from there. Axioms and derived theorems then create the boundaries for the environment you're working with.

Mathematical proofs show you absolute truth in the axiomatic system you are working with. They will also show the absolute falshoods of the system. The space is fractal, endlessly deep, you only can work with the knowledge you have of system you are working with.

The problem is that nature is mind-bogglingly entangled.

You think CS dependencies are tough? Biological processes seemingly have not only unenumerable dependencies, but dependencies that well eventually circle back to the process itself. At that point, you'd expect a computer to be in deadlock, but it gets worse. There there are not only multiple different clock-cycles, but its a gradient everywhere you go. In biology, it is often said that there are always contradictions to rules being stated and that whatever "rules" we come up with are more guidelines, so we can't even make the assumption that biology and nature is a formal system.

What are the implications of that? A real strangely looped rabbit hole for you 🕳️🔄🐇

The image is from Doug Hofstadter's Godel Escher Bach ch 3, a visualization of this process with some defined formal system. Godel's Incompleteness Theorem proved that any formal system will have statements about it that cannot be proved from within said system. For example, where in the system of language rules do you get meaning from? You're not going to derive semantics from syntax.

So if formal systems can't even be fully explicated , what does that imply for non-formal systems? Damned if nature is formal, damned even more if its not.

Now for a sleight shift. Humans, we live outside many axiomatic systems, but use them to frame our understanding of the world. Ever work on a problem for such a long time, and then stop and do something else? Thats because we aren't bound by said box/axiomatic system and can move outside it. This feature itself allows us to reenter the system from different angles, or just say "Stop, its not worth it."

The capacity for humans to exit systems is a core part that separates us from computers. Wisdom incorperates restraint of application as a consequence from viewing the system wholistically.

The real questions now: What kind of boxes are we living in, be they foundational or self constructed? Are we agents taxing towards new provable theorems contained in some system we can't exit from? What are the generating functions for this system? Are we the system itself?

This gives me hope on the unknowable truths and falshoods. Spiritual experience is the experience of The Other, whatever that may be.

original thread: nostr:nevent1qqsqrry7heeq2u38gjursxel9w54t66za3xh0avarfawxnv5rfgvlesprfmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuargv4ekzmt9vdshgtnfduhsygrszgsjsfemmsr6lxl8wf06t39uplq5dpntasudgsmqm39udnqchypsgqqqqqqsdkt4pc

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Laeserin's theory of assortative clustering

I was nerding again

I posted a wiki breadcrumb trail of events, today, from entropy, to information entropy, to social media entropy. (Source for the last entry in that list: I made it up.)

The more mathematically-inclined npubs immediately saw the usefulness in such a score, probably because it can be so very difficult to find anyone writing anything particularly complex or "deep" about one's own topics of interest. So, that is a subset of npubs that personally suffers from the difficulty of finding such slender trees within the increasingly vast, wild forest of Nostr notes.

Thar be dragons

However, this sort of score is a proxy-measure for general intelligence, so there is obvious nervousness about measuring something that many people think it is immoral to measure, and that others do not believe is an actual thing. (Despite the fact that we are quickly developing artificial copies of the organic version and you can't copy something that is nonexistent... but I digress.)

There is always the fear of "intellectual elitism", whereby the worth, or value, of some particular person or group of people is determined by measuring their intelligence. This fear is not unfounded, as there are many amoral people who view humans in this reductive manner, but fear of amoral people being wicked about something is not a sufficient reason to cut off entire fields of study. That would, in fact, bar us from thinking much about anything.

More is not always better

I suppose the assumption would be that a higher SME would always be considered better, but this is a fallacy based upon the overemphasis on intelligence in our particular culture and time.

Most people would actually prefer the content of someone similar to themselves, who is conversing on a level they can easily understand and respond to, without feeling intimidated or bored. Humans tend to associate with those more like themselves (i.e. assortatively), and don't tend to associate more than one SD out on the IQ curve, in either direction, as they find the experience confusing, tiresome or alienating.

What is "better", in other words, is subjective and dependent upon the person asked, which is why SME scores make sense, but not necessarily SME rankings. In the same way that a sky-high WoT score can actually make an account less-attractive because you might assume that they're #NostrElite, a sky-high SME score will assume to represent nerdiness or a tendency to verbosity.

We will self-sort

That is why the largest npubs are, by design, never going to be the most information-dense ones, and the most information-dense ones will tend to be treated like spam, by many other npubs. This same spam-effect will hit the least information-dense ones, which is why we can expect each cohort to eventually branch off into their preferred nevent, relay, client and hashtag realms, where they can be themselves without feeling put-upon by other npubs' negative reactions.

Academic centers, such as universities and startup hubs were developed in order to support this self-sorting effect, by allowing those to the right-end of the bell curve to congregate with the like-minded and have conversations with people who don't treat them as if they are space aliens. However, it carried the negative effect that those people were then clustered geographically, where they eventually lost sight of the day-to-day issues that effected the majority of the populace. Their isolation made them insular and ignorant, and fostered the very "intellectual elitism" that creates so much worry, now.

Make it a feature, not a bug

Nostr solves for the worst effects of this problem, by keeping all of the conversation within one data structure and profile silo, so that those from one group will regularly have contact with the others, and frenships (and romances, who knows?) can take root at the margins. Nostr, in other words, recreates the social mixing common to a village, where the groups are largely separate when deep in discussion or at work, but interact incidentally when moving around in shops, attending church services, festivals, or joining sports clubs or choirs.

In closing, I would say that the concern is completely justified, but a universal communications protocol is the best way to alleviate such concern and have all reap some reward for making the relationship structure of humankind more transparent.

One man's treasure is another man's trash, and everything happily reverts to the mean. The End.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Monday Market Update

ECB lowered interest rates

Press release from the ECB

The Governing Council today decided to lower the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points. Based on an updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission, it is now appropriate to moderate the degree of monetary policy restriction after nine months of holding rates steady. Since the Governing Council meeting in September 2023, inflation has fallen by more than 2.5 percentage points and the inflation outlook has improved markedly.

Press conference from the ECB featuring ECB President Christine Lagarde).

Euro-area inflation stabilizes

Source: Eurostat

Gold, silver, and Bitcoin continue to boom

Precious metals

Source: Goldpreis.de

Bitcoin

Source: Coinmarketcap

Source: Fiat Market Cap

Source: Infinite Market Cap

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Why Nostr needs writers

... and how you can be one.

Literary art deserves a suitable frame

I have repeatedly suggested that people who are inclined to truly write, in an informative or artistic (a.k.a. "high signal") manner, switch from merely posting micro-blogging (kind 01) notes to long-form notes, wiki pages, and community notes.

These OtherStuff articles are contained within new types of events and are handled differently by potential readers and algorithms. It is true that the engagement you receive will be much lower (at least, initially), and this content may not be very popular, but:

• the articles will be more long-lasting on the relays and others will likely pay to archive them for you,

• the direct responses will tend to consider the article in its entirety, rather than merely using them to grandstand or straw-man,

• the articles are easily editable and will soon be versioned, to allow for both change and traceability,

• articles will increasingly be moved to the forefront of new types of clients, so you will be part of the pioneer subset for those clients,

• the complex structure encourages you to write more complex material,

• the notes will draw more attention from those arriving late to the conversation,

• and they will create a gallery of your "best of" and "essential me" for potential followers to peruse.

Expand the knowledge base

Nostr developers are an exhausted and harried group, that is trying to build under duress on a rather thin budget, with mile-long roadmaps and nagging users hounding them the whole way.

The last thing these devs want to do is write software documentation. But documentation is actually one of their most important forms of marketing to new users and documentation writing and maintenance often inadvertently uncovers bugs and workflows that need to be redesigned.

The simple solution is to have their most-enthusiastic users writing the documentation for them, which is now simple to do, with the wikis that are being built. Simply find your favorite apps and begin documenting things you typically do with those apps, or write an overview page showcasing your favorite features, including screenshots.

Not only is this useful for later users, it's free advertisement for those apps and it lends the weight of your WoT (Web of Trust) to their endeavor. You are showing, through proof of work, that you care enough about this developer and their efforts that you'd spend your free-time writing about them. That is the strongest recommendation you can make.

Make Nostr more attractive to search engines

Search engines are the gatekeepers of the Internet. Applications don't necessarily rise to popularity because of the "clout" of the people who write there. They rise because readers from outside of those applications found the content within them useful, entertaining, or informative.

Although social media drama and influencing can make for a fun read, if you like that sort of thing, it isn't generally what someone who isn't familiar with the actors in the argument would bother reading. It looks like squabbling, mogging, tribalism, and gamesmanship, to outsiders. Which is what it is. Most people eventually weary of it or being involved in it.

Much more useful is the a compendium of ideas pulled together by an individual npub (human or not), and forced to go head-to-head with counterarguments contained in a separate, but jointly-listed compendium. This format eschews the more emotive forms of rhetoric (pathos and ethos) and encourages someone to engage and debate on a more intellectual level (logos).

This is the idea behind the Nostr wiki, and I heartily support it. Make dialectic great again.

Escape the scourge of AI

Don't bother telling me that AI makes human writing obsolete. It rather makes it a more-exclusive endeavor, by reducing the scope of the content to something more reflective of the person writing.

Yes, ChatGPT can write articles, but whether they are "better" is subjective. They have fewer minor flaws and cater more to general tastes, and can be produced quickly and in high numbers, at relatively low cost. The same way that robot-created art is "better" than most human-created art, or factory-produced food is "better" than most home-cooked food.

I'm only writing for the sort of person who prefers human art. Writing can be an expression of the self and a window to the soul. Read what I write because you want to know what I really thought.

I thought this.

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

With more than 6000 products listed, it's time to extract some numbers again.

The following are some findings in the data, followed by the full data.

Removed or defunct

Of all the 3381 products that are no more,

• 1600 had less than 1000 downloads at the time we first listed them
• 628 we did not get to review before they were removed or defunct
• 607 were custodial or did not even allow to send or receive BTC. That is 607 products that if you used them to store bitcoins, you would now not be able to do anything with those bitcoins.
• 18 had public source but we failed to build that source
• 13 we managed to build but not reproduce
• 2 were reproducible - namely Zap which was discontinued in favor of BitBanana and ABCore which was a very limited experiment from the start.

Obsolete or stale

Of all the 775 products that are not getting updates in years,

• 221 have less than 1000 downloads (and many of them are likely to disappear as shown above)
• 179 are custodial or "no send or receive". You definitely don't want to use these.
• 0 are reproducible

OK

Of the 2164 products that look well and alive

• 937 are custodial or "no send or receive"
• 143 are do-it-yourself projects (20), not yet actually released (41) or most likely never getting released (82)
• 306 are closed source
• 46 are not compilable (12) or the compiled app does not match the released app (34)
• 20 are reproducible

https://walletscrutiny.com/

@ 9eeca894:4afe5882

How I put NixOS on my UDM (trashcan model) router

a rare cursed fetch!

Content also available on https://code.despera.space/iru/htdocs/src/branch/main/notes/UDM-NIXOS.md

Really it's just a running NixOS on systemd-nspawn thing.

The UDM product line basically runs on Linux kernel and userland. It is a surprisingly normal device that allows you to SSH and run commands. It even has apt and systemd services installed. The only catch being that for the most part the file system structure is immutable with only a few exceptions like /data and /etc/systemd. Previous versions even had the Unifi services running on a podman container. On recent versions of the firmware podman was phased out but we got something that resembles a more complete system structure as opposed to a busybox-like system.

So basically its some kind of Debian-based Linux running on a headless ARM64 computer. Can we install and run stuff? Yes! In fact projects like https://github.com/unifi-utilities/unifios-utilities publish scripts to run general purpose programs and configurations on UDM. Be aware however that firmware upgrades might wipe the persistent data storage so don't put anything in there that you don't want to lose and preferably keep scripts so you can setup again after having its flash storage nuked by a major update.

I have the base UDM model. The first with the pill format that has been aparently replaced by the UDR. The UDR seems to have more features like Wifi6, bigger internal storage and even an SD card slot meant for vigilance camera footage storage but comes with a weaker CPU in comparison with the original UDM base. As far as I know the rack mountable models follow the same OS and file system structure.

Okay but why?

I'm gonna leave this to your imagination on why would you add services to your proprietary router applicance. To me its the fact that I don't really like running servers at home and I'm ultimately stuck with this router so why not put it to work maybe running a static webserver or something silly like Home Assistant. The truth of the matter is that I can't just leave things alone.

And if you can run Linux why would you run something that is not NixOS? Thats crazy and it doesn't make sense.

How do we root the UDM? What kind of jailbreak do I need?

No.

You enable SSH from the Controller UI, log into it as root with the password you set to the admin user. You just waltz in and start installing and configuring.

```

apt update && apt install systemd-container

```

Thats it. Kinda. The complicated part is modifying the programs to write into the persistent data directories while also making sure your stuff starts on boot and doesn't get wiped on minor firmware upgrades.

Building the NixOS root image.

Might want to read first: https://nixcademy.com/2023/08/29/nixos-nspawn/

We need a NixOS tarball image. TFC's https://github.com/tfc/nspawn-nixos contains the flake to build such an image and also publishes artifacts for AMD64 but not ARM64. I guess you could build this from an AMD64 machine but I haven't looked into building a cross platform environment (didn't needed to compile anything though). I have a recent macbook with UTM so I just downloaded one of the default Linux virtual machine images from the UTM page and installed the Nix runtime over the OS.

Make sure you have git and curl installed.

$ sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon

You need to start another terminal session.

$ git clone https://github.com/tfc/nspawn-nixos $ cd nspawn-nixos $ nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' build .

Optionally you could try to edit the configuration to generate an image with everything you need. In case you need something like Home Assistant, some compilation might be necessary and although I haven't tried compiling code on the UDM I suspect it might be a painful process due to CPU performance and space constraints. Here is an example with Home Assistant, Caddy and Tailscale.

The image will be available under ./result/tarball/nixos-system-aarch64-linux.tar.xz. Use scp to send this to the /data/ directory of the UDM.

Installing the image

First we create the folder structure:

```

mkdir -p /data/custom/machines

ln -s /data/custom/machines /var/lib/machines

```

Under normal circunstainces by now you would just run machinectl import-tar /data/nixos-system-aarch64-linux.tar.xz <machinename> however the version of tar that is present in this system doesn't really like the resulting tarball image. It will yeld errors like Directory renamed before its status could be extracted.

Thankfully we can install bsdtar through apt install libarchive-tools however machinectl import-tar is hardcoded to use the tar command. Adding a symlink from /usr/bin/bsdtar to /usr/local/bin/tar won't work since some parameters are used that are not supported in bsdtar. You could try writing a wrapper shell script but just unpacking the tarball directly was sufficient.

```

mkdir /var/lib/machines/udmnixos

bsdtar Jxvfp /data/nixos-system-aarch64-linux.tar.xz -C /var/lib/machines/udmnixos

```

Lets start the container.

```

machinectl start udmnixos

machinectl

MACHINE CLASS SERVICE OS VERSION ADDRESSES udmnixos container systemd-nspawn nixos 23.11 192.168.168.88…

```

Good. Now we need to change the root password.

```

machinectl shell udmnixos /usr/bin/env passwd

Connected to machine udmnixos. Press ^] three times within 1s to exit session. New password: Retype new password: passwd: password updated successfully Connection to machine udmnixos terminated. ```

Finally we can login into the container.

```

machinectl login udmnixos

Connected to machine udmnixos. Press ^] three times within 1s to exit session.

<<< Welcome to NixOS 23.11.20240115.b8dd8be (aarch64) - pts/1 >>>

nixos login: root Password:

[root@nixos:~]# ```

We haven't finished yet. By default the network is set to its own container network. We also don't have a DNS resolver configured. You can leave that session with CTRL+]]].

https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/latest/systemd-nspawn.html#-n

```

machinectl stop udmnixos

```

Networking and Persistence

The first thing that needs to be addressed is the DNS configuration. The default setting that copies the /etc/resolv.conf from host won't work since it points to localhost. Either install resolved, netmask or set a static DNS config.

As for the network method we have some options here.

• Run using the default network stack and map ports to the container.
• Run using something akin to --network=host where the container has full access to the host network.
• Give the container its own independent interface through a bridge.
• Give the container its own independent interface through macvlan.

Using --network-veth and port mapping

```

mkdir -p /etc/systemd/nspawn

cat > /etc/systemd/nspawn/udmnixos.nspawn <<HERE

[Exec] Boot=on ResolvConf=off

[Network] Port=tcp:2222:22 HERE

machinectl enable udmnixos

Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/machines.target.wants/systemd-nspawn@udmnixos.service → /lib/systemd/system/systemd-nspawn@.service

machinectl start udmnixos

```

Remember this will listen on ALL UDM interfaces so you might want to make sure the firewall rules will accomodate it.

```

iptables -t nat -L -n -v | grep 2222

0     0 DNAT       tcp  --  *      *       0.0.0.0/0            0.0.0.0/0            tcp dpt:2222 ADDRTYPE match dst-type LOCAL to:192.168.206.200:22
0     0 DNAT       tcp  --  *      *       0.0.0.0/0           !127.0.0.0/8          tcp dpt:2222 ADDRTYPE match dst-type LOCAL to:192.168.206.200:22

```

Using the host network

This will give access to all the network interfaces. Any service that runs on the container will be accessible from the UDM interfaces without the need to map ports. The container will also have the same IP addresses as the UDM.

You might want to read about capabilities if you plan on running some VPN software like Wireguard or Tailscale.

```

mkdir -p /etc/systemd/nspawn

cat > /etc/systemd/nspawn/udmnixos.nspawn <<HERE

[Exec] Boot=on

Daring are we?

Capability=all

ResolvConf=off

[Network] Private=off VirtualEthernet=off HERE

machinectl enable udmnixos

Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/machines.target.wants/systemd-nspawn@udmnixos.service → /lib/systemd/system/systemd-nspawn@.service

machinectl start udmnixos

```

Using a bridge to give the container its own interface

I had to give some capabilities to the container otherwise it wouldn't properly start. Replace the value of Bridge with the bridge corresponding to the UDM network you want to add. Normally these correspond to the VLAN id of that network. Use brctl show to find out.

```

mkdir -p /etc/systemd/nspawn

cat > /etc/systemd/nspawn/udmnixos.nspawn <<HERE

[Exec] Boot=on Capability=CAP_NET_RAW,CAP_NET_ADMIN ResolvConf=off

[Network] Bridge=br2 Private=off VirtualEthernet=off HERE

machinectl enable udmnixos

Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/machines.target.wants/systemd-nspawn@udmnixos.service → /lib/systemd/system/systemd-nspawn@.service

machinectl start udmnixos

machinectl login udmnixos

machinectl login nixos

Failed to get login PTY: No machine 'nixos' known root@UDM:/etc/systemd/nspawn# machinectl login udmnixos Connected to machine udmnixos. Press ^] three times within 1s to exit session.

<<< Welcome to NixOS 23.11.20240518.e7cc617 (aarch64) - pts/1 >>>

nixos login: root Password:

[root@nixos:~]# ifconfig host0: flags=4163 mtu 1500 inet [redacted] netmask 255.255.255.192 broadcast [redacted] inet6 [redacted] prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x20 inet6 [redacted] prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x0 ether 92:01:4c:a7:a1:7b txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet) RX packets 2415 bytes 611986 (597.6 KiB) RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0 TX packets 61 bytes 5337 (5.2 KiB) TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

lo: flags=73 mtu 65536 inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 255.0.0.0 inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128 scopeid 0x10 loop txqueuelen 1000 (Local Loopback) RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B) RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0 TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B) TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

```

MACVLAN isolation and more

Here is where some custom configuration might be needed. Read https://github.com/unifi-utilities/unifios-utilities/tree/main/nspawn-container to find out how to setup custom scripts.

Persistence

As far as I verified by rebooting the UDM many times to write this note all configurations were preserved. According to the article on nspawn-containers on the unifies-utilities project although /etc/systemd and /data folders are preserved during firmware upgrades /var/ and /usr/ are not and there goes our packages and symlink. Please follow the steps on that page to setup persistence across firmware upgrades.

@ d7607464:421e573a

chezmoi is a command-line tool that uses git to keep your dotfiles in sync across all of your machines. In this guide, I'll show you a simple use case of keeping dotfiles synced between two machines, machine_A and machine_B. chezmoi has many more features that you can explore beyond this as you become more comfortable with the workflow.

Chezmoi Cheatsheet

This is a diagram of the various locations chezmoi accesses to manage your dotfiles, as well as the relevant commands to move files around. I'll be referencing the locations home_A, chezmoi_A, home_B, chezmoi_B, and repo shown in this diagram throughout this guide.

Installation

The first step to using chezmoi is installing and initializing it. We will be on machine_A to start with. Here, I'll be building the binary from the source code.

First, make sure you have golang installed: https://go.dev/doc/install

Then, clone the chezmoi repo and use make to build it:

bash cd /tmp git clone https://github.com/twpayne/chezmoi.git cd chezmoi make build

This will create the chezmoi binary, which you can then copy any directory in your PATH. Here, I'll move it to ~/bin. If ~/bin doesn't exist, you have to create it and re-source ~/.profile to add it to PATH.

bash mkdir -p ~/bin && source ~/.profile cp chezmoi ~/bin/chezmoi

Now you should be able to run chezmoi:

```bash

chezmoi --version chezmoi version dev, commit 255846 . . . ```

Initialization

Now that you've installed chezmoi, you have to initialize it. This guide uses the main branch for all git operations, and you can change the default branch for git repositories as follows before you initialize chezmoi:

bash git config --global init.defaultBranch main

Then initialize chezmoi:

bash chezmoi init

This creates the chezmoi git repository at ~/.local/share/chezmoi. Based on the diagram above, this is the location corresponding to chezmoi_A.

Adding your first file

Most systems have a .bashrc or similar configuration file, so that can be the first dotfile you add to chezmoi:

bash chezmoi add ~/.bashrc

Change into the chezmoi_A directory to see the file added to chezmoi:

bash chezmoi cd ls

You'll see dot_bashrc listed. chezmoi renames the dots at the start of all of your dotfiles as 'dot_' so they are not considered hidden. This directory is a git repository as well, but it isn't linked to an online repository yet. You can use a private repository on GitHub or GitLab, or even a self-hosted instance of GitLab. Whatever remote repository you choose to use, follow its instructions to create a new repository called dotfiles and add it as origin to your local chezmoi git repository. Here, I'll create a private GitHub repository and link it using ssh. Then you should be able to see it with:

```bash

git remote -v origin git@github.com:wisehodl/dotfiles.git (fetch) origin git@github.com:wisehodl/dotfiles.git (push) ```

Now commit your first dotfile and push it to the online repo:

bash git add dot_bashrc git commit -m "Added .bashrc" git push -u origin main

Congratulations! You've successfully backed up your first dotfile using chezmoi. chezmoi add can add individual files as well as directories.

Adding directories and ignoring files.

chezmoi can add whole directories with chezmoi add but you may want to ignore certain files if they are auto-generated or contain sensitive information. Say you have a directory you want to add to chezmoi that contains some authentication details as well as actual config files, like so:

bash /home/wise/.test/ ├── .auth └── .config

Here, we want to add .test to chezmoi but ignore the .auth file that contains some login information. First, you'll have to tell chezmoi to ignore the .auth file using the .chezmoiignore file. It works just like .gitignore if you're familiar with that.

bash echo ".test/.auth" >> .chezmoiignore

Now you can add the .test directory:

```bash

chezmoi add ~/.test chezmoi: warning: ignoring .test/.auth ```

And you'll see that chezmoi is purposely ignoring the .auth file. If you look at your chezmoi directory now, you'll see the dot_test directory added with only the config file.

Add these changes to your git repo:

bash git add -A git commit -m "Added .test/" git push

Here, you should start to get a feel for how the workflow for adding files to chezmoi typically goes. Before we start modifying files, let's move over to machine_B and sync your dotfiles over there.

Syncing to another machine

For the sake of simplicity, I'll assume that you are syncing your dotfiles to a fresh install of the same Linux distro as machine_A. If you have a lot of conflicting dotfiles between machine_A and machine_B, you'll either need to utilize git merge or chezmoi merge at your discretion and resolve the conflicts. If certain files do need to be different between the machines, then you'll have to utilize chezmoi's templating capabilities. These situations are beyond the scope of this guide and are left as an exercise for the reader.

On machine_B follow the steps above to install and initialize chezmoi. Then, add your remote git repository as before, and pull it into the chezmoi directory:

bash git pull origin main

The first time you push from chezmoi_B, you may have to run git push -u origin main to set the upstream branch and fully set up the remote connection.

Now to review, we've synced up 4 out of the 5 locations in the diagram above: home_A, chezmoi_A, repo, and chezmoi_B. Syncing chezmoi_B and home_B is where things can get complicated if, like I said before, you have a lot of file conflicts. You can check for differences between the source directory, chezmoi_B and the destination directory, home_B using chezmoi diff. There is also the concept of a "target state" in chezmoi, but it only becomes relevant if you use templates. In the context of this guide, the source directory is also the target state.

Say, for example, you had some conflicting lines in ~/.bashrc, chezmoi diff would show you the changes that would need to occur to make the destination state, ~/.bashrc, match the source state, ~/.local/share/chezmoi/dot_bashrc. There are a few strategies you can use to resolve this conflict:

1. Create a new branch in chezmoi_B, add the file from home_B with chezmoi add, then perform a git merge back to main.
2. Use chezmoi merge ~/.bashrc, which will take you into a vimdiff window to manually change the files to match.
3. Overwrite the source file with the destination file using chezmoi add ~/.bashrc
4. Overwrite the destination file with the source file using chezmoi apply ~/.bashrc

[DANGER AHEAD]

This guide will go with option 4 for every file in chezmoi_B:

```bash

Do not do this unless you want to OVERWRITE files in your

home directory.

chezmoi apply ```

chezmoi will do its best to warn you if you're about to do something dangerous and give you some options on how to proceed.

Doing this, the dotfiles in both machine_A and machine_B are in sync! But you know that your dotfiles will change and grow over time, so we have to talk about strategies for maintaining this sync.

Modifying your dotfiles

You have to remain mindful that you're using chezmoi to keep your dotfiles in sync, otherwise machine_A and machine_B can get out of sync pretty easily. chezmoi has the chezmoi edit command to edit files in the destination state, but I prefer to edit files in either home_A or home_B and then follow the path in the diagram above from end to end to sync up the whole network.

For example, you can change or add a file from home_B and do:

1. (home_B) $ chezmoi add ~/path/to/.file
2. (home_B) $ chezmoi cd
3. (chezmoi_B) $ git add -A
4. (chezmoi_B) $ git commit -m "Changed ~/path/to/.file"
5. (chezmoi_B) $ git push
6. (home_A) $ chezmoi cd
7. (chezmoi_A) $ git pull
8. (chezmoi_A) $ chezmoi apply

And that will propagate the change across your network. You can also use chezmoi update from home_A to pull the repo and apply the target state all in one step. The best way to avoid conflicts and headaches is to always push changes you make to you dotfiles as soon as you can and avoid making changes to the same file on two different machines simultaneously, just like with any git repository.

Conclusion

If you've followed the steps in this guide, you will have learned a workflow to keep the dotfiles between two Linux machines in sync using chezmoi. The diagram at the top of the guide should serve as a useful cheatsheet for the most common tasks you'll perform to maintain your dotfiles.

chezmoi is a very versatile application, and is capable of managing very complex dotfile setups. Their documentation is very technical and daunting to the new user, but it remains a good resource for doing more complex tasks with chezmoi.

• Command Overview: https://www.chezmoi.io/user-guide/command-overview/
• Reference: https://www.chezmoi.io/reference/

---

All the best!

• WiseHODL

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

Opinion about Bitcoin Core (desktop)

Bitcoin Core is the most prominent continuation of Satoshi Nakamoto's original work. Contributors to this project are pioneers in reproducible builds and it's the software with most attestations to its reproducibility and with probably thousands of academics looking at the code and how it's being compiled, this software sets the benchmark for transparency in self custody.

It started out being the Bitcoin full node, wallet, miner and even parts for a market place could be found in the early code base. Today, it is being stripped of the mining feature and even the wallet feature might get removed at some point.

For the average user, Bitcoin core is not a convenient wallet but arguably it's the only software that can really make sure you are receiving Bitcoin on the Bitcoin blockchain so almost all wallets talk to a server running this software one way or another.

WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion

Join the conversation!

@ 0b963191:fc5e7ffd

Chef's notes

Can of course substitute in beef for the lamb.

In terms of canned peas, always prefer La Sueur

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 30 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 1 hour
• 🍽️ Servings: 4

Ingredients

• Potatoes:
• 1 ½ pounds potatoes (Russet)
• ½ cup half-and-half
• 2 ounces unsalted butter
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg yolk
• Meat Filling:
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup chopped white onion
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 ½ pounds ground lamb
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3-4 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 teaspoons chopped rosemary leaves (fresh)
• 1-2 teaspoons chopped thyme leaves (fresh)
• ¾ cup corn kernels
• ¾ cup peas

Directions

1. Potatoes:
2. Peel and dice potatoes.
3. Place in a pot and cover in cold water.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Lower fire to simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes.
6. Heat butter and half-and-half for 30-40 seconds in the microwave.
7. Drain potatoes and put back into the pot.
8. Mash potatoes and add half-and-half, butter, salt, pepper.
9. Continue mashing until smooth and stir in yolk until combined.
10. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
11. Filling:
12. Heat canola oil in a 10-12 inch pan over high heat.
13. Add onions and carrots and saute over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes.
14. Add garlic and combine for 30 seconds.
15. Add Lamb, salt, and pepper and cook until browned.
16. Sprinkle flour and stir to coat lamb and cook for 1-2 minutes.
17. Add Tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme. Stir and bring to a boil.
18. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes while sauce thickens.
19. Oven:
20. Add meat filling to baking dish.
21. Add peas and corn and stir in evenly
22. Spread mashed potatoes using a rubber spatula. start at the corners and make sure to seal around the edges.
23. Bake for 25 minutes
24. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15-20 minutes.

@ b2d670de:907f9d4a

This is a list of nostr clients exposed as onion services. The list is currently actively maintained on GitHub. Contributions is always appreciated!

| Client name | Onion URL | Source code URL | Admin | Description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Snort | http://agzj5a4be3kgp6yurijk4q7pm2yh4a5nphdg4zozk365yirf7ahuctyd.onion | https://git.v0l.io/Kieran/snort | njump | N/A | | Nostrudel | http://a2zmtsslt7g7v5shssufp4uuh7wvr7betxglxf4fbtcxpejrvr7qmwid.onion | https://github.com/hzrd149/nostrudel | njump | N/A | | Nostrudel Next | http://pzfw4uteha62iwkzm3lycabk4pbtcr67cg5ymp5i3xwrpt3t24m6tzad.onion | https://github.com/hzrd149/nostrudel | njump | Nostrudel Next is the beta version of Nostrudel |

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Why GitCitadel is primarily self-funded

This week has been full of discussion about the various pros and cons of what I've previously described as the "patronage funding model", including a formalized version called "grants":

This is the current common business model. A creator (artist, developer, writer, etc.) receives grants or donations that are more or less attached to conditions. -- The Zap Economy

We at GitCitadel have been questioned repeatedly, as to why we have not applied for a grant, when we are putting so much time and effort into the Nostr ecosystem. I would, therefore, like to explain the logic we have used to make this decision:

We are a package deal

We aren't merely a product team, we're a project team. That means that we aren't building a product, we're building an entire line (or suite) of products, and the corporate and technical infrastructure to support them.

Those products will be marketed under our own brand, built upon our own tech stack, and managed by our own team. We're used to doing this sort of thing for our various employers, so we haven't seen much benefit in looking outside of our team to acquire such things. Applying for formal grants would undermine this strategy, as we would be expected to tie into the grant-giver's own brand, stack, and team.

We have external income sources

We have made the point, to anyone interested in joining, that our project cannot and will not provide a source of income large enough to replace anyone's current source. At least, not yet. We are receiving donations and will eventually have a pricing model, but this project is our labor of love, not a get-rich-quick scheme. More a go-broke-slowly scheme, if anything.

We see this as a feature, rather than a bug, as it means our personal financial well-being is not immediately tied to our project work, and is therefore more secure, stable, and independent. This allows us the ability to ruminate, take time discussing architecture, and make more grandiose plans. It also allows us to discuss funding models, amongst ourselves or with a wider audience, while remaining calm.

Not everyone is in the same financial position and not everyone wants to split their attention, in such a manner, and we respect that. We also respect the right of every project member to decide differently, for themselves, and to apply for grants in their own name.

We're enjoying "L'expérience FOSS"

This is our first, major, open-source, software project. This is our chance to do something different, to be edgy, to build something for ourselves, to try out new technologies and strategies, to found a company and design a brand, to tinker and scheme... To boldly go where no team has gone before!

But, seriously. We're having fun. We're friends. We're enjoying the ride. We wouldn't enjoy the ride as much, if we were driving someone else's car.

We want to prove that it can be done

One of the things we found disturbing about the Nostr ecosystem is the pervasive pressure individual developers are under to apply for grants and labor full-time on Nostr products. It can feel quite rebellious, to simply tinker on evenings, weekends, or holidays.

It isn't rebellious.

It is a perfectly normal and acceptable way to contribute to a growing technological ecosystem, and we want to help re-normalize it. The emotional pressure to deliver new features at a rapid pace is exciting, but onerous, can lead to developers burning out and eventually moving on, and is the main cause of the frequent low quality of the existing software and the plethora of abandoned repos. This is the landscape that grants sometimes build.

We are here to show that "steady, stable, secure, supported, sturdy" sounds dull and a bit slow, but it can also be a winning development style, if the team chooses it deliberately and plans accordingly and cultivates a team environment that makes "code and chill together" a long-term motivator. We think the Nostr ecosystem is ready to accept a team with this style, and it's a style that advanced grants simply aren't designed to support because grant-givers have to account for the money spent within a reasonable time.

We want to support independent funding models

As with all things, talk is cheap. We are all persons eager to establish independent funding models because we want Nostr to help create a free market of sovereign individuals, at the global scale. We think this is a particular "good work" that Nostr is in a prime position to define, but it won't happen, if nobody actually does it, or if only a few do it and and are perceived as greedy oddballs. There needs be a lot of people doing it, including large, influential teams.

The strongest motivation to develop such models is the profit motive, and that is inevitably weakened by grant-lethargy. One has to take risks to become a change agent, so we have put ourselves on a diet, to get our creative financial juices flowing.

We have decided to stay hungry. https://image.nostr.build/28ddca2ef029e8be27e351867f37e457e2070e005f5588f88f486208709ee00d.jpg

@ 8ea48526:e6720a43

Recently there has been discussion on the socials about supporting open source developers, specifically those who work on Bitcoin and Nostr. There is a small-ish camp of people who think that Bitcoin should remain as is…it’s perfect, don’t mess with a good thing. Many others think – correctly, in my opinion – that Bitcoin needs to be maintained and even enhanced. As long as the changes make Bitcoin better money, we should evaluate, go slow, and keep things simple.

Who will maintain Bitcoin and other open source projects? Will devs do it out of the goodness of their heart? Builders gotta eat; food ain’t free. A handful of institutions, both non-profit and businesses, provide grants and long term support to developers. This is great and I hope that continues. However, there is more that we can do. There is more that you can do.

Zappy 21st

I propose we make the 21st day of every month the (un)official ”Zap a Builder Day”. It’s simple. On day 21 in the current month, find a developer and zap them sats.

Created in the spirit of #v4v and the #grownostr social experiment, I’d love to see people make this part of their monthly routine. It’s common for certain days of the month to have meaning. The 1st day marks the start of a new month. The 5th day is a common day when mortgage payments are due. In the United States, on the 15th day of April taxes are due. So now there is the 21st day, the day you send some value to devs.

Who are you gonna zap?

Any open source developer. Start simple; don't overthink this. If you're using a Nostr client that you love, go find one of the contributors and zap them. If you use Bitcoin or Lightning regularly, find a Bitcoin or Lightning dev. There are many other great freedom tech tools, like wallets, sovereign computing apps, and privacy tools that have developers behind them. Zap a developer. (I say developer, but I really mean "contributor". Remember the designers, product, support, and project people who also contribute.)

I'm intentionally not giving names of developers here because I don't want to favor one over the other. Every open source developer is important to different people based on the tools they use. So go zap the people in your realm.

I'm only publishing this on Nostr, but I'm happy if the idea spreads beyond that. Nostr is the perfect place because you can so easily find a core dev and zap them. No need to track down their website hoping to find a wallet address or request a Lightning invoice.

Join the Zaps

While everyone is excited about block 840000, halvings come and halvings go. But the 21st is always here for you. Every month, reliably, quietly doing its thing. Just like those open source devs you rely on so much. They’re here every month, reliably, quietly doing their thing. Let’s show them some love.

This April 21st find a dev and zap them. If you’d like, add a message telling them how awesome their work is and tag it with #Zappy21st. Let’s flood the feeds with #Zappy21st messages and surface great open source developers to others. Next month on the 21st, we’ll do it again.

🤘

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

3724

Dürbününü yazı masasının çekmecesine koydu. O adamın bakışlarında bir şey vardı, tüylerini ürperten bir aşinalık.

Sağ tarafa kavislenen toprak yol, şehir merkezindeki idam platformuna doğru uzanırdı. On, on beş adım aralıkla, telefon ve radyo tellerini taşıyan, aynı zamanda geceleri yağ fenerlerinin asıldığı direkleri geçerdiniz. At arabalarının kaldırdığı toz ve yaydığı koku gözlerinizi yaşartırdı.

Ve darağacının önüne geldiğinizde, arkanızda bıraktığınız direklerin ne kadar güçsüz, acınası olduğu, öncesinde defalarca fark etmediyseniz bile, tam o anda, yüreğinize otururdu. Platformun üstünden gökyüzünü tehdit eden, ölüme mahkûm edilenleri kınayan gövdesi ve aniden yere eğdiği, acıyla çarpılmış boynuyla kaba tahtadan bir ucube!

Oysaki geçip geldiğiniz direklerin aksine, yanınızda uzanan, çoğunluğu iki katlı evler de tahtadan yapılmıştı ve çatıların, yağmur oluklarının, kapı çerçevelerinin, pencere kapaklarının üstündeki doğa tasviri süslemeleriyle öyle kibarlardı ki...

Dikkat etmemiş olacaksınız ama aralarında, soğuk elleriyle sizi yere bastıran, tasvirlerin yerini görkemli hayvanların -kartalların, aslanların, köpeklerin- aldığı taş evler sıralanırdı. Darağacının bedeni diğer evlerdense, ruhu kesinlikle bunlardan geliyordu.

Uzaktan kuş sesleri duyuluyordu. Bülbül. Buraya ait olmayan, dalgınlığını tamamlayan, kafese kapatılmış bir ses.

Çalışma masasının üzerine, pencereye doğru abandı. Artık ezberlediği bu hac yolculuğuna ihtiyacı yoktu. Evinden olanları az buçuk seçebiliyordu ve zaten görmeye katlanabileceğini görmüştü.

Adamın boynuna ilmeği çoktan geçirmişlerdi. Otuzlu yaşlarının başında gösteriyordu. Teni güneşten sertleşmişti. Çatlaklar gözlerinin yanından elmacık kemiklerine uzanıyordu. Saçı ve sakalı uzun, mat siyahtı.

Neredeyse kimse izlemiyordu. Sadece tek tük, aralarına mesafe koymuş ilgisiz kişiler...

Radyo her zamanki gibi celladın konuşmasını canlı olarak yayınlıyordu.

“...lece günahlarımızdan arınmış olacağız! Doğaya küfür olan tüm bu ucubeler, düzensizlikler...”

Bir kişiyi kurtarmak için ölen onlarca insan... Attıkları çığlıklar bilinçaltının derinliklerinde hafifçe kıvrandı.

İdamların başladığı o gün...

Erken saatlerde ortaya çıkıveren genci tanımıyorlardı. İnsanlara garip sorular sormuş ve kısa süre sonra ortadan kaybolmuştu. Öğlen vakti kucağındaki paketle geri dönmüştü.

“...lumumuz için büyük tehdit teşkil etmektedirler. Şüphesiz bundan birkaç yıl sonra yapacağı hareketleriyle sadece öldüreceği insanların değil, toplumun çökü...”

Darağacını hiç değiştirmediler. Yoksa bu da hafızasındaki bulanıklığın çarpıttığı anılardan mıydı? Hatırlamaya her çalıştığında başı ağrıyordu.

Gence üzülmüş ve apar topar alınan karar karşısında dehşete düşmüştü. Diğerlerinin arasına karışmak, sesini çıkarmak, hiç değilse bunların neden olduğunu öğrenmek istemişti.

“...esin iyiliğini gözetmek zorundayız. Bunu yapabilecek gücümüzün kalmış olduğu için şükretmeliyiz. Omzumuzdaki bu gö...”

Vazgeçmişti. Korkmuştu. Ellerini titreten ilkel dürtüden değil, uzun zamandır üzerinde çalıştığı romanının bittiğini görememe ihtimalinden. “Ertesi gün,” demişti, “ertesi gün orada olacağım.”

Odanın büyük bölümünü işgal eden radyoyu kapattı. İnsan boyu ve genişliğinde, üzerindeki kontrol düğmeleri dışında cilalı ahşaptandı. Güzel olsa da pili hızlı tükeniyordu. Yenisini alması gerekecekti.

Banyoya gitti. Evin her yerinde az eşya bulundurmayı severdi: içi temiz su dolu kova, küvet olarak kullandığı büyük varil ve ayna.

Şehirdeki diğerleri gibi hafif esmer tenli, kahverengiye çalan koyu saçlı ve gözlüydü. Onların aksine gözlerinin içinde hâlâ heyecan ateşi yanıyordu. Saçları bile daha canlıydı sanki. Ve ne kısa ne uzun ne yakışıklı ne çirkin... Olması gereken neyse o. Yüzünü yıkadı, gülümseyip çalışma odasına geri döndü.

Yeniden kâğıtlarının karşısına geçi. Romanını nihayet bitiriyordu. Son cümlelerini yazdı.

Her şeye geç kalmasına değmişti.

9386

Dürbününü pencerenin iç denizliğine, yaslandığı yerin kenarına bıraktı. O adamın bakışlarında açıklayamadığı bir şey vardı. Tüylerini ürperten bir aşinalık.

Adamın boynuna ilmeği çoktan geçirmişlerdi. Orta yaşlarındaydı. Beyazlaşmaya, griye dönmeye yeni yeni başlamış saçı ve sakalı, rengi atmış kıyafetleriyle oldukça hırpaniydi.

Kimdi o? Tanıyordu sanki..

Mutlaka yakından bakmalıydı.

“...felaketin eşiğinden döndüğümüz günün üzerinden uzun zaman geçmedi. Unutmayın! Unutmanız on...”

Radyoyu kapattı. Pili hızlı bitiyordu. Ne zaman değiştirmişti? Baş ağrısı geri geliyordu.

Merdivenlerden indi. En az dört basamağı gıcırdamıştı. Yenilenmelerinin zamanı geliyordu, temizlenmelerinin de. Parmak kalınlığında toz! Eski ve yeni ayak izleri üst üste binmişti.

Kulaklarındaki ince çınlama, ensesindeki ter... İçinden yükselip göğsünü ittiren, dengesini bozup neredeyse düşercesine aşağıya inmesine neden olan panik...

Holü geçerken diğer odalara kısaca göz attı. Hepsinin durumu aynıydı. Onu asıl şaşırtansa yatak odası oldu. Her gün uyuduğu yatağın, yanındaki bazanın, kirli çamaşır sepetinin ve etejerin üzeri... Nasıl fark etmemişti tüm bunları? Peki elbiselerinin böyle eskidiğini?

Dokunduğu elinde kalıyor veya kapalı kalmışlık kokusu yüzünden midesini bulandırıyordu. Eline geçen paçavraları apar topar giydi. Dokuması incelmiş bol beyaz keten gömleği, rengi griye yaklaşmış pantolonu -önceden? Belki siyah-, her tarafı çatlamış ve dikişleri atmış uzun deri çizmesi.

Neler oluyor neler oluyor neler oluyor neler oluyor...

Sokağa çıktı ve hava soluk borusunu temizlerken gözleri yaşardı. Hayır, kendimi kaptırmış olmalıyım. Kesin zamanın ucunu kaçırdım. Ev dün böyle değildi. Hayır hayır hayır hayır hayır...

Bulanık görüyordu ama hiç değilse burası normaldi.

İdam platformu şehir merkezindeydi. Oraya koştu.

Buranın o eğlenceli, panayır havasından eser kalmamıştı elbette. Kahveye girip çıkanlar, yan sokaktaki pazara gidip gelenler... Kimsenin olup bitenlere ilgisi yoktu. Dükkânların yarısı kapalıydı zaten. İnsanların burada oyalanmak için gittikçe daha az sebebi oluyordu.

“...lediğimiz kurtuluşumuz.”

Cellat, onun tam karşısında durduğunu görünce sustu. Herkes merakla onlara döndü.

Ve işte o anda, darağacındaki adamın bağırmasıyla celladın koşup kolu çekmesi ve zemindeki kapağı açması, infazı tamamlaması bir oldu.

“Koñrul! Onu...”

Çığlıkları ancak onu eve, yatağına taşıdıklarında biraz dindi. Sayıklamaya devam ediyordu: “Romanım romanım romanım romanım..."

Sakinleşmesi için yukarıdan kâğıtlarını ve kalemini getirdiler. Son cümlesini yazdı. Yarını göremeyecekti.

14796

Masanın üzerinde, koyduğu yerde durmayan, yuvarlanan ve düşüp merceği kırılan dürbünü fark etmedi. O adamın bakışlarında açıklayamadığı bir şey vardı. Tüylerini ürperten bir aşinalık.

Ve yine aynı gün, diğerlerinin aynı... İnsanlar bile gün geçtikçe birbirine benziyordu.

Adamın boynuna ilmeği çoktan geçirmişlerdi. Yaşlı sayılırdı veya yaşlanmaya başlıyordu. Saçı ve sakalı beyaz ama gösterdiği yaşa rağmen hâlâ gürdü. Istırap çekmenin, büyük yük taşımanın bezginliği her yerinden hissediliyordu.

“...rine inmemiz gerek. Bu insan müsveddeleri toplumumuz için büyük tehdit...”

Evet... evet. Demek bu adam da kimsenin anlamadığı haltlar yemek üzereydi.

Rahatı kaçanlar olacaktı, belki ölenler.

Adamı gerçekten tanıyor olabilir miydi?

Kendini aşırı zorlamıştı. Radyoyu kapatıp banyoya gitti. Yeni pili ne zaman takmıştı?

Aynada kendine baktı. Geceleri uyuyup uyumadığını bile bilmiyordu. Gözleri iyice yuvalarına kaçmış, etrafı kararırken akları sararmış, zayıf ve soluk, yüzünün üstüne bırakılıp unutulmuş çöplerden farksızdı. Saçlarını düzeltmeye çalıştı, her hareketiyle onlarca saç teli kopunca vazgeçti. Renkleri solmuştu.

Şehirde yiyecek kalmamıştı. Her gün stoklar azalıyordu. Tarlalardaki olgunlaşmamış meyve sebzelere düşmüşlerdi. Tüccarlar niye gelmiyordu ki? Diğer şehirlerde de mi durum kötüydü?

Kafasından aşağı su döküp geri döndü. Kâğıtlarını önüne çekti. Romanını bitirmeliydi, açlıktan ölmeden veya idam edilen sonraki kişi olmadan. Son cümlelerini yazdı:

“Dünya yine ölürken ve her şey baştan başlarken gidebileceği bir yer kalmamıştı. Eski çağların roketlerini düşündü. Gerçekten başka gezegenler var mıydı? O zamanlarda yaşasaydı Güneş’e giderdi! Şimdi hareket etmek için duracaktı. Sonraki güne kadar.”

20251

Dürbününü kapıdan çıkarken tuvalet kovasının içine attı. Yine bir idam. Saçları dökülüyordu. Alnının iki yanı geriye doğru açılmış, sakallarıyla birleşip yekpare olan tellerin arasından kafa derisi seçilebiliyordu.

Ne ilgi çekici... Bıraksalar kendisi ölecekti zaten. Pazara gidip ne bulabileceğine bakmayı tercih ederdi.

İnsanlar ayağını sürüyerek yürüyordu. Celladın konuşması dışında çıt çıkaran yoktu. Ne kuş ötüşü veya köpek havlaması ne çocuk gülüşmeleri... Konuşanları görebiliyordu, duyamıyordu. Fısıltıdan fazlasını çıkaracak istekleri yoktu.

“...hennemin böyleleriyle dolu olduğundan şüphesi olan var mı aranızda? Onları tekrar layık oldukları yere göndereceğiz. Bunun için yardı...”

Evet... evet. “Elma kaça?”

Pazarcı taburesinden kalkıp tezgâha geldi. O da aynıydı. Farklı bedende aynı sefalet. “Hangisi?”

“Fazla ham olmayanlardan.”

“Tanesi 600 lira.”

“Yarım ver. Şundan da...” Lafını tamamlayamadı. Biri bağırıyordu. Genç, on yedisinde bile göstermeyen biri. Yüzü etli, hareketleri canlı, kıyafetleri yeni ancak kendisine büyük gelmiş ve epey hırpalanmıştı. Hele o paltosu... İçi pamukla dolu olmalıydı. Kocamandı.

“Ya idam ne demek abi! Manyak mısınız lan siz? Kaçıncı yüzyıldasınız a...”

Küfrünün ortasında ağzını kapattılar. Koluna girmiş, kahveye geri sokuyorlardı.

Tezgâhtara “Kim bu?” diye sordu.

“Birinin torunuymuş, öyle diyor. Daha önce duyduysam n’olayım. Meczup herhalde,” dedi tezgâhtar.

“İsmi neymiş dedesinin?”

“Hakan mı, Hasan mı, öyle bi’şey.”

“Ekmekten çeyrek dilim, deri parçasını da ver. Çorbalık, değil mi?”

“Evet, çorbalık.”

Hakan... Şu saçma romanını bitirmek için evine döndü. Artık tozlar ayak bileğine geliyordu. Umursamadı. Son cümlelerini yazdı, kâğıt tomarını masanın yanından tertemiz yere bıraktı.

25803

Dürbünüyle ensesini kaşıdı. O adamın gözlerinde küçük cinler vardı. Neşeyle hoplayıp zıpladıklarını ta buradan seçebiliyordu! Ah, tatlılığa bak! Hahaha!Boynundaki ilmekle, gözlerinin içine bakan, hiç korkmayan ama bıkkın, ölümün bile hayatında olup bitenleri değiştirmeyeceğini kabullenmiş bir adamın duruşuna sahipti. Çok yaşlı, kafasında tel tel beyaz saçları, göbeğine uzanan sakallarıyla kurumuş bir ceset. Omuzları çökmek üzereydi, kamburunun ağırlığıyla ipi geriyordu.

Dürümü tekrar gözüne kaldırdı. Dürüm? Hahaha! Evet... evet! Radyoda cellat konuşuyordu.

“...endinizde değişiklik hissederseniz yakınınızdaki güvenlik güçleriyle ileti...”

Ah! Kendisine şöyle baktı. Yok... Aynı ben ya!

Sahneye -Tam bir gösteri! Gösteri!- doğru koşan adamı gördü. Üzerindeki puf puf paltosuyla, orta yaşlarında...

Masanın üzerine fırladı, dizlerinin üstüne çöküp içindeki safrayı pencereden dışarıya kustu. Eliyle ağzını silerken derisinin yapışarak etinden ayrıldığını hissedebiliyor ve o bant sökülürken çıkana benzeyen sesi duyabiliyordu. Cellat konuşmayı bırakmıştı. N’oldu? N’oulduuv?

Yaşlı adamı asmışlardı. Şimdi dik duruyordu, yükü hafiflemişti ama huzurlu olduğunu söyleyemezdiniz.

Diğer adam onları umursamadı, yere eğilip mikrofonun kablosunu tuttu ve ayaklığını devirerek kendisine çekti.

“Tabutun kapağını kaldırdığında yerin altına döne döne ilerleyen o kuyuyu... Tamam... tamam!”

Adamın şakağına inen ilk sopadan çıkan ses odayı doldurdu. Sonrası sessizlik ve ölüm. Ahhh... ahhh...

Hemen bağdaş kurup kaldığı sayfayı buldu. Ne ilham! NE İLHAM!

Son cümlelerini yazıp romanını bitirdi.

34125

Dürbünü öylece dışarıya bırakıverdi. Derisi kemiklerine yapışmış, kaşına kadar her tüyü dökülmüş bir ihtiyarı asıyorlardı. Açıktaki tüm bedeni yaşlılık lekeleriyle doluydu. Bembeyaz sakalı uzun ve temizdi. Dönecek! İpin ucunda! Sağa sola!_Tahta pencereleri kapadı ve -_Ha ha!- fenerin fitilini -Ha ha _ha!- yaktı. Duvardaki gölgeleri beğenmedi ama. Söndürdü. Püf füfüfüf ha ha _ha! Tekrar yaktı. Yine istediği gibi olmasa da iş görürdü.

Radyonun sesini açtı. Evet... Evet açtım! Tiz ve kalın, tanıdık ve yabancı... Burnu kanadı.

“...EN HİÇBİR ŞEYİN SONU YOKTUR! SONU OLAN HİÇBİR ŞEY BİTMİŞ DEĞİLDİR VE BİTEN HİÇBİR ŞEYİN SONU YOKTUR! SONU OLAN HİÇBİR ŞEY...”

Yüzüne döktüğü suyu alttaki tasla toplayıp içtikten sonra -Ha ha _ha! Hazırım, evet hazırım! Romanı bitirelim. Bundan iyisi olamaz! Olamaz! Ha ha!- masasına dönüp kâğıtlarını önüne çekti. Son cümleler ve sonrasında -Özgürüm! Özgürüm!” Radyo yayınına başka, yabancı biri karıştı. Öyle bağırıyordu ki duvarlar titriyordu. Çok yaşlıydı, çok...

“Geldiğimden beri, her gün! Asmayın artık şu adamı! Görmüyor mu...”

Sonra celladın sesi duyuldu. Cılız, uzaktan...

“Bunu da hazırlayın.”

“Evet... evet. Ne olacak, beni de her gün asın a...”

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2019 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

Opinion about Phoenix - LN Bitcoin wallet (android)

Phoenix is one of my favorite wallets. It makes using Bitcoin really easy but at a price. The wallet lets you send and receive both over the lightning network and on-chain without jumping through hoops, first but at the cost of either kind of hidden fees or unexpected on-chain fees.

To my understanding, when you receive on-chain funds, the wallet does yet another on-chain transaction to get these funds onto lightning and when you send via lightning, you pay an extra 0.4% to the provider. This 0.4% fee is not capped in any way, so while you can send $1000 via lightning, that will cost you $4 even when on-chain transactions would have cost just $1.

As of writing this opinion, the wallet is not reproducible which is a red flag to updating to this version but the provider hopefully will fix that soon as they are an OG player in the space.

WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion

Join the conversation!

@ c48e29f0:26e14c11

A Harvard economist published 100+ pages of survey analysis to confirm what anyone outside of the fiat academic bubble already knows: people don't like it when the stored value of their time+energy is inflated into oblivion.

You can access the full report here for anyone interested: https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w32300/w32300.pdf

One quote from the Abstract really jumped out at me: "The predominant reason for people’s aversion to inflation is the widespread belief that it diminishes their buying power."

Well, yeah, no shit... But this isn't a "belief"... this is a fact.

Here's the thing: the average person understands the problem, because they feel the effects of the problem every single day...

They may not understand the root cause of the problem (creating money out of thin air)--instead blaming "greedy corporations" or "Joe Biden" or "Putin's Price Hike" or whatever the propaganda du jour happens to be--but they know inflation feels wrong. It feels like someone is stealing from them (which is true).

They know their purchasing power has decreased, because when they spend a dollar today it buys less than it did five years ago, and much less than it did 20 years ago.

It doesn't matter if fiat academics tell them "everything is fine! stop complaining! inflation is ackshually a good thing!"

People can feel that something is broken.

Most people still think there is a partisan/political solution to the problems they feel.

They think "if only OUR guy was in charge, things would be better" or "if only we taxed the greedy corporations and the rich more, then things would be better."

But political solutions will always be bandaids meant to superficially treat the symptoms of the disease so the Political Team proposing the "solution" can score short-term perceived wins ahead of the next election. "Look, we did something! Now stop complaining and vote for us because the other guy is literally the devil."

A few people already realize that the money itself is broken.

They understand that when the money breaks, society breaks with it.

Money created out of thin air disproportionally enriches those closest to the creation of the new money.

Money created out of thin air is used to fund Forever Wars we never agreed to enter.

Money created out of thin air is used to subsidize companies/industries that the free market does not value, distorting price signals.

Money created out of thin air bails out banks.

Money created out of thin air perpetuates never-ending boom and bust cycles.

Money created out of thin air reduces the purchasing power of the money in your pocket.

Money created out of thin air steals the value of your time and energy, of your life itself.

The people who realize the money is broken now save the value of their time and energy in Bitcoin; a money separate from the State with a fixed supply of 21M which cannot be arbitrarily inflated.

Bitcoiners know we need to cure the base layer disease, not just treat the symptoms while politicians kick a can full of worthless money down the road until it lands at the feet of our children.

Bitcoiners refuse to abdicate responsibility. Bitcoiners refuse to pass this disease on to our children. Fiat is the disease, and we know we must cure it.

It will not be easy, but it must be done.

We need to fix the money.

Study Bitcoin. https://bitcoinpodcast.net https://primal.net/walker

@ 52b4a076:e7fad8bd

Why this is happening

This happens due to an invalid real IP header.

You are most likely using X-Forwarded-For as the real IP header. Strfry expects the real IP header to contain just an IP, but the X-Forwarded-For header is a list of IPs, with every proxy adding the IP of where it got the request from.

If a client specifies an X-Forwarded-For header, like X-Forwarded-For: 1.1.1.1, your proxy will add the remote IP, like this: X-Forwarded-For: 1.1.1.1, 127.0.0.1 When you use $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for in Nginx, this is what it is doing: appending the remote IP to the header.

Strfry tries parsing 1.1.1.1, 127.0.0.1 as an IP address, fails, and throws an exception.

How to fix it

If you are using Caddy, just switch to X-Real-IP.

If you are using Nginx, you can add a real IP header like so, and switch to using it: proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;

You can also disable the real IP header, but this will cause problems if you use a write filter script or look at the logs.

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

Opinion about Samourai Wallet (android)

Samourai has cost me many many hours due to their strong social media presence and constant ad hominem attacks. They blamed me for not being able to compile or reproduce their product instead of helping me to compile it. Given I compile wallets all the time as can be found on walletscrutiny, I doubt I lack the expertise to compile wallets but even if I did, why not show me? Not one developer other than their team themselves disagreed with my technical assessments of their product. Apart from proven scams, this is the product I trust least in the whole space.

But it's not only me. To quote Bitcoin Core developer and absolute genius Gregory Maxwell:

I have seen far too much outright dishonest and extremely incompetent behaviour from Samourai to ever trust it myself. Samourai has very poor privacy while bragging about having good privacy: It sends your addresses all back to their server. Their "trusted node" mode doesn't change this, it just exposes your Bitcoin node to attacks completely needlessly. (Needlessly because they only use it to relay transactions, which they could do via the public P2P ports of any node, and because since they've already sent your addresses back to their server sending your transactions via something else doesn't increase your privacy.) If you want strong privacy then as a start you need to run a full node (and use either Bitcoin Core wallet, or run your own electrum server), preferably via tor. I don't doubt that they want and intend to eventually have good privacy but it seems that they're just unable to stop lying about it, even after previously being caught.

You can find many more very competent people complaining about Samourai's dishonesity and aggressive behavior or outright incompetence if not malice here, here, here, and here. And yes, those links are to nopara, who is the founder of Wasabi wallet which targets the same audience of privacy focused users but that doesn't take away from the facts reported there.

Stay away from Scamourai!

WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion

Join the conversation!

@ 079d727b:00099650

Found these somewhere and I totally can't remember who authored the note. I THANK YOU! Also here's a reddit link for those who want to get started!

https://nostr.com/ - A decentralized social network with a chance of working

https://www.whynostr.com/ - the WHY https://www.heynostr.com/ - Introduction https://uselessshit.co/resources/nostr/ - Plentiful Guides and resources https://kyc3.life/resources/ - LIFE KYC (Know Your Customer) FREE (#IMPORTANT) https://www.reddit.com/r/nostr/ - Reddit Nostr Feed https://fountain.fm/show/0N6GGdZuYNNG7ysagCg9 - Plebchain Radio Podcast https://stacker.news/items/492921 - Guide by @TresDMan https://nostr.how/en/get-started - Understanding the basics https://www.nostrapps.com/ - A directory of Nostr Apps https://nak.nostr.com/ - nostr army knife (dev tool) https://nostrstuff.com/ - A terminal for playing with Nostr https://nostrfreaks.com/add/ - Multiple Web Client Viewer https://nostrends.vercel.app/ - What's trending on Nostr? https://nosta.me - Profile Viewer

And now here's a list of sites which are Nostr friendly.

R/nostr user's collection of nostr apps:

• https://nostr.watch/relays/find - Finding Nostr Relays (#IMPORTANT#)
• https://shopstr.store/marketplace - A Nostr Marketplace
• https://zap.stream/ - A Nostr Live Streaming Site
• https://formstr.app/ - Creating your own Forms on Nostr
• https://metadata.nostr.com/ - Nostr Profile Manager (#IMPORTANT#)
• https://shipyard.pub/posts - Write, schedule, and boost your notes.
• https://slidestr.net/ - Nostr Slideshow
• https://github.com/aljazceru/awesome-nostr - an AMAZING list of ALOT
• https://pinstr.app/ - Pinning content on Nostr
• https://plebeian.market/ - A Nostr Marketplace
• https://nostree.me/ - A Nostr Linktree
• https://listr.lol/feed - Curate, Organize, and Discover everything Nostr has
• https://www.wavlake.com/ - a V4V music streaming site on Nostr
• https://ostrich.work/ - The first and best Nostr Jobs board on the internet.
• https://zaplife.lol/ - A live feed of zaps
• https://highlighter.com/ - The site you're on right now!
• https://shopstr.store/ - An Nostr Marketplace
• https://nostr.band/ - A Nostr search engine
• https://nostrudel.ninja/#/ - A Nostr Client/Frontend
• https://dtan.xyz/ - A Nostr Torrent site
• https://app.mutinywallet.com/ - A Lightning wallet with Nostr Integration
• https://www.flockstr.com/ - Events and Meetups on Nostr
• https://cornychat.com/ - A live talk space on Nostr akin to Twitter Spaces
• https://nostrnests.com/ - A Live Talk Space on Nostr akin to Twitter Spaces
• https://comingle.co/ - conference app powered by Nostr
• https://geyser.fund/ - A crowdfunding site powered in part by Nostr
• https://heya.fund/ - Fund causes and goals with lightning on Nostr
• https://www.nostrchat.io/ - A Chat Client on Nostr
• https://w3.do/ - A URL Shortener on Nostr
• https://yakihonne.com/ - Long form writing on Nostr
• https://habla.news/ - Long form writing on Nostr
• https://nostrsync.live/ - A Broadcast & Export Service for your Data
• https://follows.lol/ - The Nostr follower tool
• https://globalthreat.info/ - Realtime global threat assessment driven by AI

There is ALOT more out there so I recommend you look at https://github.com/aljazceru/awesome-nostr !

Nostrapps is also excellent for finding web clients to actually view the twitter style of the Nostr.

I shall update this list from time to time with more or less content... hopefully. Or something cooler will come out and I'll use that. 🤷

@ 079d727b:00099650

https://i.nostr.build/vGd7P.png

What am I doing here? What am I doing here with Fatty and Spotty Fatty and Spotty Fatty and Spotty What am I doing here with Fatty and Spotty

SORRY! This will make no sense unless you've seen the British Channel 4 sitcom, Black Books. Actually, not sorry at all. Because here's a link to watch the entire series off YT. Otherwise I dunno, torrent or news it, or even better... BUY THE DVD BOXSET SECOND HAND!!! (The decent boxset should have commentary tracks for Season 1 & Season 2, making the show twice as good imo.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcQb7zEzXv8 (Enjoy! Also I recommend starting at Season 1 Episode 1 as what I've linked is S2E3). Stars the very talented, Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran and Tamsin Greig. Directed by Graham Linehan I'm pretty sure and he was just 'censored' by the trans police so you know it's probably quite funny. 😂

Many thanks to PABLOF7z for being my FIRST foundational supporter. That really means A LOT! I remember blogging in the mid 90's before the word blog was a thing. One of these day's I'll upload the html pages which show how stupid 13yr old's can be. But shit.. the enthusiasm and pure joy I got from blogging... I don't know if anything has compared in those 20+ years from writing. I hope to bring it back with these Highlighter posts which I plan to drain and publish my thoughts, finds and whatever discoveries I may find interesting.

Apologies if this bores the shit out of you. That's also why it's free. 🫡

Many more links, resources and the brain of tigs' - coming to nostr... really soon.

P.S. Don't expect anything useful or educational or in any particular order, this is MY brain after all 😂

💜🤙🫂 - tigs

@ 2f7463a4:e92b8023

Original „Speaking Freely“ von Gigi, veröffentlicht zur Blockzeit 836245 unter der CC BY-SA 4.0 Lizenz. Übersetzt von sefiro.

---

Neulich unterhielt ich mich mit einem Freund und wir kamen auf das Problem der Meinungsfreiheit zu sprechen. Ich sollte es nicht als Problem bezeichnen, denn es ist die Lösung eines Problems. Das Problem ist ein immerwährendes Problem, was eine andere Art ist zu sagen, dass es ein wirklich schwieriges Problem ist, ein Problem, mit dem wir immer konfrontiert sein werden, solange wir Menschen sind.

Das Problem ist folgendes: Was ist das Problem, das es zu lösen gilt? Es ist ein Problem von Problemen, was natürlich ein Metaproblem ist. Wir als Homo Sapiens sind ein denkender Organismus. Sowohl kollektiv als auch individuell. Denken ist das, was uns ausmacht, aber es ist nicht einfach Denken als Selbstzweck, es ist Denken, um Dinge herauszufinden, ohne ständig dabei umgebracht zu werden. Eine weniger brutale Form der Evolution sozusagen.

Die Menschen der Antike haben der Aufmerksamkeit einen sehr hohen Wert beigemessen. Auch die Aufmerksamkeit ist von einem Metaproblem geplagt: Worauf soll man seine Aufmerksamkeit richten? Um diese Frage zu beantworten, muss man darauf achten, worauf man seine Aufmerksamkeit richtet, und das unterscheidet einen klugen von einem weisen Menschen.

Das bringt mich zu einem der Dinge die mir derzeit Sorgen bereiten. Wir sind zivilisatorisch gesehen sehr klug, aber nicht sehr weise. Wir sind schlecht darin, auf das zu achten, worauf wir unsere Aufmerksamkeit richten, zumindest gegenwärtig. Und ich fürchte, dass sowohl die falschen Anreize, die das Internet plagen, als auch unser kaputtes Geld daran schuld sind.

Annahmen [n=0]

• ∀ i ≤ c[^1]
• P! = NP[^2]
• Leben ist es wert gelebt zu werden[^3]
• Es gibt kein kostenloses Mittagessen[^4]
• Meinungsfreiheit ist erstrebenswert[^5]

Der Logos [n=1]

Es gibt einen Grund, warum Der Logos heilig ist. Aus dem gleichen Grund ist der Erste Zusatzartikel zur Verfassung der Vereinigten Staaten der erste, d.h. der wichtigste.

Meinungsfreiheit ist nicht optional; sie ist nicht optional, weil wir frei sprechen können müssen, um frei denken zu können. Es gibt kein echtes Denken ohne echtes Sprechen, genauso wie es kein echtes Sprechen ohne echtes Denken gibt. Es muss erlaubt sein, dummes Zeug zu sagen, so wie es erlaubt sein muss, dummes Zeug zu denken.

„Der Vernünftige passt sich der Welt an, der Unvernünftige versucht beharrlich, die Welt an sich anzupassen. Daher hängt aller Fortschritt vom Unvernünftigen ab.“\ — George Bernhard Shaw, Man and Superman

Der Grat zwischen Genie und Wahnsinn ist nicht ohne Grund schmal. Was idiotisch und was genial ist, ist oft schwer zu unterscheiden. Deshalb hängt aller Fortschritt vom Unvernünftigen ab.

Wie können wir den Unvernünftigen finden und ihm zuhören, wenn wir ihn zum Schweigen bringen? Schlimmer noch, wie können wir dem unvernünftigen/genialen Teil in uns selbst hören, wenn wir Angst haben, ihn in der Öffentlichkeit oder im Privaten zu äußern?

DiaLogos [n=2]

Auch freier und unbelasteter Dialog sind nicht optional. Wir müssen in der Lage sein, Dinge zu diskutieren, damit andere uns sagen können, wo wir idiotisch sind. Und wir sind alle idiotisch. Wir sind vielleicht auf unsere Weise idiotisch, aber wir sind alle idiotisch. Es gibt keine wertfreie Meinung, so wie es keine Sichtweise ohne blinden Fleck gibt. Das Beste, was wir tun können, ist, uns unserer Vorurteile und blinden Flecken bewusst zu werden und zu versuchen, ihnen entgegenzuwirken. Aber das können wir nicht individuell, das müssen wir kollektiv tun, und noch wichtiger: auf eine verteilte Art und Weise.[^6]

Der Bau eines Turms von Babel ist eine schlechte Idee.

Verteilte Erkenntnis [n=m]

Auch öffentlicher Diskurs ist nicht optional. In der heutigen Zeit, insbesondere im Internet, ist öffentlicher Diskurs, gelinde gesagt, problematisch. Eines der Probleme ist, dass wir keine öffentlichen Räume haben, so dass wir gezwungen sind, private Räume als quasi-öffentliche Räume zu nutzen.

Die übliche Methode, sich öffentlich zu äußern, besteht darin, auf eine Plattform zu gehen und zu sagen, was man zu sagen hat. Das Problem ist natürlich, dass es nicht deine Plattform ist. Es ist die Plattform eines anderen. Deshalb kannst du von der Plattform ausgeschlossen werden.

Der Unterschied zwischen all diesen Plattformen liegt im Grad, nicht in der Art. Auf einigen Plattformen kann man für sexuelle Inhalte sprichwörtlich ins Gefängnis kommen. Auf anderen Plattformen kann man für politische Äußerungen ins Gefängnis kommen. Nicht einmal sprichwörtlich.[^7]

„Geben Sie mir sechs Zeilen, die von der Hand des ehrlichsten Menschen geschrieben wurden, ich würde etwas darin finden, um ihn hängen zu lassen.“\ — Kardinal Richelieu

Wenn jemand die Macht hat, jemand anderen von einer Plattform auszuschließen, dann wird diese Macht früher oder später auch genutzt und missbraucht. Ein ausreichend großer Skandal oder eine entsprechende Kontroverse wird gefunden oder inszeniert und *puff* ist der „problematische“ Nutzer verschwunden. Depersonalisiert, auf Knopfdruck. Egal, wie mächtig man ist.[^8]

Aus diesem Grund können Plattformen für Meinungsfreiheit nicht existieren. Es kann nur Protokolle für Meinungsfreiheit geben.

Der Unterschied ist ebenso subtil wie wichtig: Wenn du ein Protokoll verwendest, bist du kein Nutzer im herkömmlichen Sinne. Du bist ein Sprecher. Du sprichst die gleiche Sprache wie andere, und wenn jemand anderes dich hören und verstehen kann, dann gibt es eine Verbindung. Es gibt keinen Vermittler. Die Sprache selbst ist der Vermittler. Sprachen sind Protokolle, und Protokolle sind Sprachen. Sie haben keine Nutzer, sie haben Sprecher.

Sprache ist naturgemäß frei. Du brauchst keinen Deutsch-Account, um diese Sätze zu lesen. Genauso wie dein Computer keinen HTTP-Account braucht, um die Nullen und Einsen zu verstehen, aus denen die Bytes bestehen, die wiederum die Zeichen dieses Satzes bilden. Beide sprechen die Sprache, daher könnt ihr euch verstehen.

Sprachen und Protokolle sind Netzwerkphänomene. Ohne Netzwerk keine Sprache. Ohne Peers keine Protokolle.

Deshalb ist Sprache, wie Geld, in einer komplexen Gesellschaft nicht optional. Wenn man in das eine oder das andere hineinpfuscht, zerbricht die Gesellschaft.

Es liegt an uns, es ist soweit [n=i]

Wir stehen an einem Wendepunkt in der Geschichte. Noch nie war unsere Zivilisation so vernetzt, so global, und sich ihrer Grenzen und Ignoranz so wenig bewusst.

Meine Hoffnung ist, dass hartes Geld und Meinungsfreiheit das wiederbeleben, was unsere Gesellschaft groß gemacht hat. Kooperation und verteilte Erkenntnis haben es uns ermöglicht, das Chaos des Dschungels hinter uns zu lassen. Sie haben es uns ermöglicht, von Auge um Auge zu einer klaren Sicht zu gelangen, zumindest teilweise. Sie haben es uns ermöglicht, von der Knappheit zum Überfluss zu gelangen. Sie haben uns ermöglicht, zur Wahrheit, zum Guten und zum Schönen zu gelangen. Sie ermöglichen es uns zu streben. Nach vorne und nach oben.

Der Kairos unserer Zeit ist ein persönlicher – vielleicht sind das alle kairotischen Momente.

Du musst entscheiden wie du weitermachen willst. Du musst entscheiden, welches Spiel du spielen willst; wie viel Verantwortung du bereit bist zu übernehmen. Willst du weiterhin in der Maschine stecken bleiben? Einer Maschine, die dich benutzt und ausnutzt? Eine Maschine, die sich selbst nährt, indem sie deine Zeit, deine Aufmerksamkeit und deinen Wert raubt und verschlingt? Oder hast du den Mut, die Kontrolle über deinen Wohlstand, deine Gesundheit, deine Gedanken und deine Sprache zu übernehmen?

Diese Entscheidung kann dir niemand abnehmen. Sie beginnt und endet mit dir.

💜

[^1]: Keine Information kann sich schneller als Lichtgeschwindigkeit verbreiten. Folglich stoßen alle Informationssysteme an physikalische Grenzen, wenn es um Synchronisation und Informationsweitergabe geht.

[^2]: Kryptographie funktioniert und wird weiterhin funktionieren. „[...] irgendwie lächelt das Universum bei Verschlüsselung.“

[^3]: Existenz ist real und gut. Weder Nihilismus noch Solipsismus sind wünschenswert. „[...] und es war gut.“

[^4]: Wir können nicht etwas für nichts haben. Freiheit erfordert Verantwortung; elektronisches Bargeld erfordert Zeit; Zeit erfordert Wärme.

[^5]: Meinungsfreiheit ist erstrebenswert, weil Freiheit der Tyrannei vorzuziehen ist, und der erste Schritt eines jeden Tyrannen ist es, die Meinungsfreiheit einzuschränken, Dissidenten zum Schweigen zu bringen, und Bücher zu verbrennen. Der zweite Schritt ist Völkermord.

[^6]: Es ist großartig, dass es immer mehr lange Dialoge in Form von Podcasts gibt. Der Nutzen dieser Gespräche geht jedoch verloren, wenn sie von einer zentralen Partei gehostet werden, weshalb ein offenes Podcast-Ökosystem so wichtig ist.

[^7]: Siehe Fälle im Vereinigten Königreich, in Saudi Arabien, etc.

[^8]: Noch nicht einmal amtierende US-Präsidenten sind vor einem Ausschluss von Plattformen sicher.

@ 1bc70a01:24f6a411

We’re all daily users of Nostr, so it can be easy to see things through an advanced user lens while forgetting what it felt like to be a newbie. I thought I would take some time to go over major client from the start in hopes of evaluating what it might feel like for a new user.

The other reason for running this review is to hopefully improve the overall nostr retention rate across clients. As it stands, according to nostr.band, retention of trusted users 30 days after signups trends to 0 for recent cohorts. This seems to be supported by the lack of growth in daily active users, with the average remaining in the 10,000-12,000 range for “trusted” pub keys.

The following report consists of several criteria which I felt were essential to basic first-time social media experience:

1. Ease of signup
2. Ease of logging in
3. Ability to understand what you are looking at (sufficient explanations)
4. Seeing a good initial feed
5. Ability to follow something of interest
6. Minimizing technical /dev lingo
7. A fast scrolling experience
8. Ability to easily upload media
9. A good search experience overall
10. Good keyword searching
11. Hashtag searching
12. Ability to follow hashtags
13. Easily accessing followed hashtags
14. Good experience reacting to notes

In total there are 140 points, 10 for each category. This is by far not the most comprehensive score card, but I felt it did a decent job covering most things you’d want to do in a social client.

Some notes of caution:

1. This report and score card are meant to be a general quick glance at where your client may stand in overall UX. It does not differentiate between the intended target audiences.
2. The criteria that I deem important may not be important to you as the founder / developer, so take it for what it’s worth. Adding your desired criteria may increase your score significantly. For example, I did not evaluate the zap experience, or thoroughly test nested replies.
3. This report is not a substitute for proper user testing. It’s just one person’s observations. While we have done some user testing in the past, I highly recommend doing your own. You can do so by approaching and interviewing new users (if you are able to distinguish if they came from your client), or via other user testing software. Talk to me (@karnage) if you need some help getting set up.
4. People’s reported experience regarding usability may vary greatly depending on their familiarity with cryptographic concepts, their background, and technical experience. What I may deem as a great score of 10, may not be a 10 for others. I have seen user tests where “obvious” things were not obvious to testers.
5. This report only looks at the English language version of the client. The actual user experience for someone on a different language version of the app could be totally different from what is graded here. It’s worth considering geographies of where users are coming from and how they experience your client.
6. I did not test re-activation of new users. Meaning, once they close the app, I did not test if they are pulled back by some notification or other means. This is a crucial aspect of any new app usage that should be considered carefully.

Tested Clients: Damus, Amethyst, Primal iOS, Snort (web), Iris (sort of), Coracle, Nostur.

I also tested Instagram and X/Twitter for comparison.

Results, highest points to lowest: Primal iOS: 136 Twitter: 125 Instagram: 109 Nostur: 108 Coracle: 99 Amethyst: 93 Snort: 90 Damus: 87 Iris: N/A Facebook: could not test.

My main takeaway was that among all apps (including Twitter and Instagram), the traditional apps win simply by having much better content selection. You get to see a variety of interesting things that Nostr simply can’t match. Going forward, this is an area I would probably recommend focusing on - how to engage people to post more interesting content, onboard creators etc… Nostr is lacking in content and I believe this could be the primary reason people are not sticking around after trying it.

Other Nostr Notes:

There seemed to be little of interesting topics to follow or stick around for. The experience of joining nostr doesn't feel special or different in any way opposed to X for example. Twitter has interesting accounts, TikTok has interesting videos, what does Nostr have? The lack of "popular" conent due to the generally low number of users is probably to blame. In a way we suffer from the chicken / egg problem where new users are needed to generate more content, and more content is needed to retain new users. Going forward, I think clients should think about ways to encourage users to share content (whether that be their own, or posted from other platforms). Nostr also does not seem to have any external growth loops. For example, there is no way to invite people to the platform by email with a single click (by accessing the address book). Even if a friend does manage to join and you can find them, they are in no way notified when tagged (as far as I know). People have to have a habit of opening the app to know if something is happening. The habit formation of using a new app is important in the early usage phase and nostr seems to have a weak spot here.

You can find all of the detailed scoring, notes for each client and other thoughts in this spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14w8-aQ1sHfGBSuNpqvOA9i7PHNSfhn6lUOV6H293caw/edit?usp=sharing

@ 1739d937:3e3136ef

"Gossip", "Outbox", "Inbox", "Blastr", "Small relays vs Big relays". You've probably seen most of these topics come up in conversations and memes recently. You might have even read nostr:nprofile1qqsf03c2gsmx5ef4c9zmxvlew04gdh7u94afnknp33qvv3c94kvwxgsm3u0w6's article (nostr:naddr1qq2hxenh2cchynnpdag4sepkx4gxyj2dt9nk6q3qjlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qxpqqqp65wd3a9ny), or nostr:nprofile1qqswuyd9ml6qcxd92h6pleptfrcqucvvjy39vg4wx7mv9wm8kakyujgua442w's very technical article (nostr:naddr1qqxnzde3xycngdpjxg6nqdfsqgswuyd9ml6qcxd92h6pleptfrcqucvvjy39vg4wx7mv9wm8kakyujgrqsqqqa28906usv), or maybe even nostr:nprofile1qqsrhuxx8l9ex335q7he0f09aej04zpazpl0ne2cgukyawd24mayt8g2lcy6q's one with the clickbaity title (nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzqwlsccluhy6xxsr6l9a9uhhxf75g85g8a709tprjcn4e42h053vaqydhwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnhv4ehgetjde38gcewvdhk6tcprfmhxue69uhhq7tjv9kkjepwve5kzar2v9nzucm0d5hsz9mhwden5te0wfjkccte9ehx7um5wghxyctwvshsqzpcxasnyvpcvsusgpcqx3).

These are all great, and you should go and read them too. But one thing that each of them is guilty of is assuming that the audience has enough context to jump into the middle of a very nuanced and technical discussion. I've yet to see a clear description of what Gossip or Outbox really are and certainly none that are written in a way that is approachable for a non-technical audience. I hope this article can give you that context and serve as a high-level overview of the discussion and the technologies involved so that you can go forth to create better, more informed memes (is there anything more important, really?) and join the discussion in a productive way.

The problems

Centralization is the default

First off, why are we even talking about relays? Most of know that nostr is a protocol which is designed to be decentralized from the ground up. That decentralization is due in large part to the fact that users read and write data to multiple relays by default. So instead of all your data going to a centralized database (usually owned and operated by a single company) with nostr you have the ability to send your data to as as many relays as you'd like (relays are just databases, after all). Likewise, you can read other people's data from as many relays as you'd like to. Decentralized design = decentralized system, right!? Well, turns out, no.

The problem with a design like this is that what can be done and what will be done are often very different things. Imagine the following scenario: You follow 1000 people; 700 of them post their notes to the Primal relay, the other 300 post their notes to the Damus relay. If you don't also write your content to those two relays, the people that you care about won't see your content, they won't see your replies to their notes, they won't even know you exist. So while; in practice, it's easy to read & write to many different relays, users and their content will tend to centralize because it's the path of least resistance to a good user experience. Network effects and economies of scale always apply, they just don't always lead to the outcomes that you want.

Before you start to panic, this sort of centralization isn't a huge issue just yet. We are still a nascent network and there are still hundreds of active relays out there. Almost all nostr clients make relay selection a first class citizen and don't default new users to a single relay. The fact that we're even having this conversation in a serious way at this stage is a great sign that the community cares enough to be proactive about maintaining (and improving) decentralization over time.

That said, this is not a issue that we can take lightly either. The top 5-10 relays do already have an outsized percentage of users and we have many examples of these centralizing tendencies across dozens of protocols and networks over the last 30 years, so the threat is real.

The status quo is wasteful

The other major issue is that currently most nostr clients are extremely wasteful in how they fetch data. The default is to simply get everything from all the relays a user wants to connect to. Because most of us are writing the same data to many relays, this leads to huge amounts of duplicated data being downloaded, having its signatures verified, and then (for the most part) thrown away. For those of us with latest generation smartphones, unlimited data, and a working power outlet nearby, this is fine. For everyone else, this is a major roadblock to adopting nostr.

A lightly technical aside

There are a few important features of nostr that make any sort of intelligent data fetching possible. To understand how any of the potential solutions to the aforementioned problems would actually work, it's important to have a baseline understanding of these technical details. I promise, I'll keep it high level.

Relay lists

Recently the concept of a Relay List Metadata has been introduced to the spec in NIP-65 (there are also other types of relay lists documented in NIP-51). This is a nostr list event where users publish their preferred relays with a marker that says whether the relay is for read-only, write-only, or read & write. This vastly simplifies the process of finding preferred user relays for clients and I imagine that this will become the de facto standard place to look for a user's preferred relays.

NIP-05

The NIP-05 spec also documents a way for users to signal their preferred relays. However, unlike the NIP-65 relay list, this is a simple list of relays without any details on whether the user reads or writes to those relays.

Tag markers

Tag markers are positional elements in tags that give the client publishing the event the ability to leave a hint as to which relay other clients can expect to find a given user or note that is being referenced.

For example, in a user's contact list (a kind: 3 event) you have many "p" tags to reference all the user's that are followed. These tags look like this:

{ "kind": 3, "tags": [ ["p", "91cf9..4e5ca", "wss://alicerelay.com/", "alice"], ["p", "14aeb..8dad4", "wss://bobrelay.com/nostr"], ["p", "612ae..e610f"] ], "content": "", ...other fields }

All three of these "p" tags are valid (only the "p" and the user's pubkey are required), in the first and second you can see the third item is a relay where the user's events can be found.

These types of tag markers are repeated all throughout nostr. Here's a few more example references for an event (in this case a long-form article):

``` ["e", "b3e392b11f5d4f28321cedd09303a748acfd0487aea5a7450b3481c60b6e4f87", "wss://relay.example.com"],

["a", "30023:a695f6b60119d9521934a691347d9f78e8770b56da16bb255ee286ddf9fda919:ipsum", "wss://relay.nostr.org"] ```

As you can imagine, these hints can be very helpful but only if clients actually attempt to fetch the content from the referenced relay.

The solutions?

Now that you understand the problem space a bit better let's define those terms we started with.

Blastr

Blastr was created by nostr:nprofile1qqs9hejyd252x8q3kw6980ud4lymx3hlx2x3lgg6p7sz58nyv8m2nvgdswkeh and nostr:nprofile1qqswrlemlh2wgqc4jkds3d8ueqj9a2j3gcm7r48v9tskdd6rxsd7rtcpwpuwc from Mutiny and isn't a relay. Instead, Blastr is a proxy (i.e. it looks like a relay to clients) that ingests any event sent to it and, in turn, sends those events to EVERY online relay on the network. It's a mass re-broadcaster for events that can be helpful to get your data pushed out to as many relays (and thus users) as possible. The drawback, of course, is that this is tremendously wasteful from a bandwidth and storage perspective.

Gossip (in 3 flavors)

This is by far the most confusing part for most people when watching the memes of the last few weeks fly by and I've seen a lot of confused takes out there. Most of the confusion stems from the multiplicity of definitions of what the "gossip model" actually is. Let's go through the options. 1. Gossip protocols: This is a general concept more than a specific implementation. Gossip protocols are protocols that attempt to spread information around a network in a uniform way. For example, Bitcoin nodes use a variation of the gossip protocol to make sure that transactions end up in as many mempools as possible. This is important in computing when you want to reach consensus or when all nodes in a network need to have the same information in order to operate the network. Since nostr doesn't have any consensus rules or shared compute, it's somewhat pointless to try and make sure all events are propagated to all relays (hence the limited usefulness of Blastr). 2. The Gossip client from nostr:nprofile1qqswuyd9ml6qcxd92h6pleptfrcqucvvjy39vg4wx7mv9wm8kakyujgua442w : This is a nostr client that was built from the ground up to try and use relays and relay hints in events to the fullest to keep things as decentralized as possible while being efficient in how much data it was fetching. Mike has a great (slightly outdated and very technical) video that talks about his motivation behind building Gossip in the way he did. It's worth a watch. video link 3. Gossip model: This is what people are usually referring to when they are talking about relays on nostr. The Gossip model is a loose, catch-all term used to refer to all the ways in which clients attempt to understand which relays they should read & write to for a given user. Again, this isn't really a specific spec or implementation but encompasses many different strategies. This vagueness inherent in the term makes discussions about the "gossip model" pretty imprecise and prone to misunderstanding.

Don't gossip

To be clear: You really shoud not be thinking about or talking about any of this as the "gossip model" since that definition is so abstract as to be unusable. Which brings us finally to the real topic being discussed at the moment among devs; the Outbox model.

Outbox/Inbox model

This is the real topic of conversation right now: How should client developers build relay discovery and selection features into their apps. As we already talked about, if left alone, it's likely that we'd unintentionally centralize most of nostr onto a few huge relays. So making sure that we encourage (and build sensible defaults) to help client developers to treat relay discovery and selection properly is really critical.

Right now, the discussion centers around one main approach, called the "Outbox model". There is also an "Inbox model" which is a still just a high level idea which I'll mention below but it's not being implemented yet (as of late March 2024). 1. The "Outbox model": This strategy looks at what relays users are using to publish their events (from relay lists and tag markers) and then uses an algorithm to decide how to fetch all the needed events from the array of relays. Different implementations can use different algorithms to select relays. For example, one implementation might optimize fetching events from the smallest number of relays (favoring large relays), while another might optimize for fetching from the relays that have the smallest user overlap (favoring small relays). 2. The "Inbox model": As you can imagine, this strategy flips the outbox model on it's head. It's so far just an idea (proposed by nostr:nprofile1qqs8nsk2uy2w529fs8n4tx60u7z553e4yx5dy2nxhw4elgjgawpqlas9waufq) and a draft NIP but the idea is that when your client posts on your behalf, it will loop over your entire follow list, making a list of the relays that each of your followers uses to read events. Then the client will publish your event to all of those relays. If all clients followed this paradigm, then each of us would only have to read from a single relay. To quote nostr:nprofile1qqs8nsk2uy2w529fs8n4tx60u7z553e4yx5dy2nxhw4elgjgawpqlas9waufq 's original post, "This doesn't take away from the outbox approach, and maybe should even be used together instead of as a replacement. But my point is that clients should be trying harder to deliver posts instead of just fetch posts. Because it benefits users when their posts can be seen."

Why the Outbox model has broad support

To understand why implementing an Outbox model is so powerful at solveing the problems laid out at the beginning of this article, you can do two quick thought experiments:

A user banned from all other relays

Imagine a user who's content is banned from all public relays for some reason. Instead, they have to run their own relay and publish their events there. With a simple "follow the major relays model" (or even with Blastr attempting to copy and paste their events to every other relay) this user is completely invisible to the network. User's would have to know about the banned user's private relay and select that relay in each client they use. What's more, if that relay ever had to change URL (likely for a user that is banned so broadly), all user's would need to know what the new URL is in order to change relays and fetch events from the new location.

With Outbox however, clients will see that their user's follow this user, will then look up this user's relay list, and will know where they need to go to fetch their events. It becomes much more difficult for relays to censor or block users with an Outbox model in place

Duplicate event fetching

We talked earlier about how many nostr clients often fetch the same data many times, just to throw that data away. Even using the simplest algorithms with an Outbox model, you can significantly reduce the amount of duplicate data you're fetching from relays. We, as users, would all also need to specific many fewer relays in our relay lists but would still be quite sure our clients would be able to find all the content we want to see.

Wrapping up

Hopefully this has given you a better overall understanding of what folks are talking about when they refer to Gossip (remember: don't refer to it this way) or Outbox (outbox, yay!) and why we need to be proactive about maintaining the decentralization of nostr.

@ 52b4a076:e7fad8bd

Introduction

LNbits is a project plagued with poor code quality, potential security risks and bad management. What can be done about it?

The problems

Improper handling of vulnerability disclosures

Case 1

Two years ago (don't remember exactly when, Twitter account deleted), I discovered an SQL injection vulnerability in LNbits. This could be exploited very easily by setting by sending the injected data in keys in the payload of most requests. (anyone could create create wallets)

This was possible due to the query to insert/update was generated using the body of the request, with basically no sanitization.

When I contacted Ben Arc about this, the fix for this exploit was not implemented for several months, and when it was, I do not recall there being an advisory for people to update.

Case 2

A month or two ago, I had discovered an exploit that allows draining nodes completely under certain conditions. I had reported this to an active maintainer of the project, which had passed it on to the team. The exploit has not been fixed.

Case 3

Again, a month or two ago, a flaw was discovered in the SatsDice extension that allowed anyone to drain wallets. I had investigated this, and found that the extension allows invoice keys (instead of admin keys only) to create dice that have a guaranteed win rate and return more sats than put in, and then use it to drain balances.

I had reported this to the team, and while it was fixed a week or two later, there was no easily visible for people to update except an "update your SatsDice extension" message in the LNbits chat buried in a conversation about the exploit.

Bad security practices

"Don't do one thing, and don't do it well"

LNbits has over time expanded its scope, from being a wallet layer to an LN apps platform to a node management tool. While this may seem great for users, it has come at a significant security cost: - There is a larger attack surface for attackers to exploit. - The newly introduced node management and admin UI feature allows easy draining of nodes if the admin URL was leaked, whether by by the autocomplete on the search bar or the user's history. - All extensions run at the same privilege level as LNbits itself which has direct access to funds.

Developers can accidentally shoot themselves in the foot

The LNbits codebase encourages many harmful development patterns that allows developers to easily create vulnerabilities that put funds at risk

Example 1

Most LNbits extensions use the following system for handling object creation/deletion: - Take the body and convert it to a class - Overwrite/sanitize fields in that class, such as preventing overwrite of the wallet ID - Pass it to the DB to write

There is a slight problem: it can be easy to miss what to sanitize and what to not sanitize.

When you are doing an update request, you may accidentally forget to overwrite the wallet_id on the request sent by the user to update a withdraw link, and trust the user. You just created a bug to drain anyone's wallet given its ID, which LNbits does not consider sensitive information and sometimes requires you to share.

Example 2

LNbits treats any error during a payment attempt an error. But errors don't always happen due to failures in your request. Network connectivity is flaky, nodes restart, and way more reasons for there to be an error while the payment actually may be going through.

If you can get a way to trigger an error during a payment call, but also have it succeed, you can easlly drain a node. I have reasons to believe this is possible in production deployments.

This could easily be fixed as attempting to check the status of a payment after an error, and if that also fails, consider the payment pending until it can be checked, but ths has not been implemented.

Bad project management

LNbits' current management suffers from many problems: - the project suffers from feature and scope creep, implementing things for the sake of it - bugs go unaddressed - security is not a top priority

This is problematic for a project that deals with funds, as it is everything that you shouldn't be doing for a project meant to deal with funds. Tens of thousands of dollars in some cases and thousands in others.

What can we do about it?

For me, I have disabled withdrawals on my LNbits instance. I am also working on a replacement project called LNLocker that will solely focus on the wallet layer bit.

I would encourage trying to replace LNbits, as hard and sometimes impossible as it may be, or if you can, modify the code or restricting access via LND macaroons so that withdrawals cannot be made.

I highly recommend not exposing LNbits to the internet if you cannot disable withdrawals.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

A discussion of the problems and the promise of an economy based upon a deflationary currency, with suggestions for how to restructure payments to accommodate this.

The Zap Economy

I think many people have been breaking their heads, trying to figure out business models, when the currency used in the models continuously rises in purchasing power, often even going parabolic, for a time. Let's have a debate about which models are the best and how we can design our own business funding, going forward.

Note: From here on, all producers will be described as "creators," which is more fitting to the Nostr lingo.

Dealing with spikes in fiat prices

I think the best way to create a business model that deals with sudden spikes in fiat prices is to simply ignore them. The people who are motivated to sudden action by such spikes are traders, and they probably shouldn't be your target market.

Employment Contracts

One tried-and-true business model is the fee-for-project type of contract that we usually call "employment". These all have a defined beginning, a defined end, and a defined scope. (I will differentiate them from direct, quick fee-for-service; see Sales Contracts.)

Typical "day jobs" are defined this way, with creators being employed for a month or two weeks, to perform a particular task, with a payout at the end and often an automatic extension to the next employment period. Contracting is another common type, as are retainers for specialists like doctors and lawyers.

I think this model can be easily implemented in a zap economy (and, indeed, it already is), as employers can simply keep the employment scope or period small and renegotiate the next one to reflect any deflation. For longer-term employment, they could simply negotiate regular rebalancing to reflect price changes, or link payments to some measure of deflation.

Patronage

This is the current common business model. A creator (artist, developer, writer, etc.) receives grants or donations that are more or less attached to conditions.

The fewer the conditions attached and the more diverse/larger the patron set is, the more valuable the patronage is and the freer the creator. The negative impact of strings or condensed patronage can be mitigated by the availability of non-funding resources (infrastructure, training, marketing, legal advice, psychological support, access to a team, etc.) or the sheer size of the patronage.

(Although creators, by nature, grate under management and may eventually resent condensed patronage, even if it is very generous, helpful, and well-intentioned.)

Customer Classifications

This is a highly desirable model, from the viewpoint of most creators, as it is defined and controlled by them, and offers the promise of stable, long-term funding. It is also popular among smaller patrons, as their money investment is more effective and -- let's be honest -- more fun, if it is converted to a Class A Customer status and bundled with the money and enthusiasm of others.

This vaguely resembles a club membership. In this model, there are different levels of customer classes (usually defined using the alphabet, with "A" being the highest level).

An example structure might be:

A: The most emotionally-invested group. Often very early and constant investors, willing to pay a high premium for membership and to front relatively large sums of money in advance of services rendered. These are your "premium account holders".

They should receive some outward/public sign of their membership (so that they can find each other, more easily, and to help you market your creations) and some premium content, features, or services. Their support tickets have priority and their complaints and ideas go straight to the lead developer or product owner.

Even simply arranging for them to attend a teleconference before releases, reserving a special lounge or party for them at conferences, or announcing new features in newsletters, can go a long way.

B: These are the "normal payees". They pay the minimum to unlock some extra-stuff and always get new releases first, and that's all they really want. Mostly, they just want to not feel like freeloaders, so providing them with a clear payment scheme is enough.

C: These are the freeloaders. They get a reduced service, but stay friendly because they sometimes market your product to others and they have the potential to move up to a higher class.

The essential part of this model is the pricing.

Class A customers should be onboarded first and pay the highest regular membership fee. This fee should be automatically lowered to Class B level, when adding Class B customers, at a later date, so that your early supporters don't feel disadvantaged.

Class B (with Class A) should have deflation-tracked pricing: 500 sats today, 250 after the next halving, 125 after the next halving, etc. Or something similar. You should always plan for your prices to steadily decrease in nominal terms, while slightly rising in real terms, as your service becomes more advanced and valuable.

Sales Contracts

This is a clear fee-for-service and is generally set and reset regularly. If you have a long-term sale or resale contract, you should have fee adjustments accounted for, from the beginning.

---

And that is all that I have time to write, at the moment.

@ d7607464:421e573a

Chef's notes

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 0 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 5 min
• 🍽️ Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Raw Milk
• 1 tbsp Dutch-Processed Cocoa
• 1 tbsp Cane Sugar, to taste
• 1 tbsp Raw Unfiltered Honey, to taste

Directions

1. Heat milk in a pot until steaming.
2. Whisk in cocoa, sugar, and honey.
3. Serve hot.

@ 52387c6b:49dbdfb2

Chef's notes

Not a healthy snack by any means but sometimes you just have too.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 1
• 🍳 Cook time: 0
• 🍽️ Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1 Bag of Chips
• 1 Bottle of Wooster
• 1 Bowl
• Many Beers

Directions

1. Open Chips
2. Pour chips into bowl
3. Add Wooster to taste
4. Now savour the flavour

@ 6871d8df:4a9396c1

In an era where data seems to be as valuable as currency, the prevailing trend in AI starkly contrasts with the concept of personal data ownership. The explosion of AI and the ensuing race have made it easy to overlook where the data is coming from. The current model, dominated by big tech players, involves collecting vast amounts of user data and selling it to AI companies for training LLMs. Reddit recently penned a 60 million dollar deal, Google guards and mines Youtube, and more are going this direction. But is that their data to sell? Yes, it's on their platforms, but without the users to generate it, what would they monetize? To me, this practice raises significant ethical questions, as it assumes that user data is a commodity that companies can exploit at will.

The heart of the issue lies in the ownership of data. Why, in today's digital age, do we not retain ownership of our data? Why can't our data follow us, under our control, to wherever we want to go? These questions echo the broader sentiment that while some in the tech industry — such as the blockchain-first crypto bros — recognize the importance of data ownership, their "blockchain for everything solutions," to me, fall significantly short in execution.

Reddit further complicates this with its current move to IPO, which, on the heels of the large data deal, might reinforce the mistaken belief that user-generated data is a corporate asset. Others, no doubt, will follow suit. This underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards recognizing and respecting user data as personal property.

In my perfect world, the digital landscape would undergo a revolutionary transformation centered around the empowerment and sovereignty of individual data ownership. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, Yelp, YouTube, and Stack Overflow, integral to our digital lives, would operate on a fundamentally different premise: user-owned data.

In this envisioned future, data ownership would not just be a concept but a practice, with public and private keys ensuring the authenticity and privacy of individual identities. This model would eliminate the private data silos that currently dominate, where companies profit from selling user data without consent. Instead, data would traverse a decentralized protocol akin to the internet, prioritizing user control and transparency.

The cornerstone of this world would be a meritocratic digital ecosystem. Success for companies would hinge on their ability to leverage user-owned data to deliver unparalleled value rather than their capacity to gatekeep and monetize information. If a company breaks my trust, I can move to a competitor, and my data, connections, and followers will come with me. This shift would herald an era where consent, privacy, and utility define the digital experience, ensuring that the benefits of technology are equitably distributed and aligned with the users' interests and rights.

The conversation needs to shift fundamentally. We must challenge this trajectory and advocate for a future where data ownership and privacy are not just ideals but realities. If we continue on our current path without prioritizing individual data rights, the future of digital privacy and autonomy is bleak. Big tech's dominance allows them to treat user data as a commodity, potentially selling and exploiting it without consent. This imbalance has already led to users being cut off from their digital identities and connections when platforms terminate accounts, underscoring the need for a digital ecosystem that empowers user control over data. Without changing direction, we risk a future where our content — and our freedoms by consequence — are controlled by a few powerful entities, threatening our rights and the democratic essence of the digital realm. We must advocate for a shift towards data ownership by individuals to preserve our digital freedoms and democracy.

@ e1ff3bfd:341be1af

Ben's fuck the bears book

Only sign this if you want to fuck the bears

@ 03742c20:2df9aa5d

ปกติแล้ว Nostr extension ส่วนใหญ่จะมีอยู่ในเบราว์เซอร์บน PC ถ้าเป็นในมือถือเบราว์เซอร์ต่างๆจะไม่มีฟังก์ชั่นนี้มาให้ นอกจาก Kiwi browser และ Firefox for Android

ถ้าเป็น ios ส่วนใหญ่จะใช้ Nostore

แต่สำหรับ Android แล้วมีวิธีที่ง่ายกว่าดาวน์โหลด kiwi browser แล้วผติดตั้ง Extension มันหลายขั้นตอนเกินไปอาจจะยากสำหรับใครที่พึ่งเริ่มใช้งาน ในปัจจุบันมีแอปพลิเคชันที่ชื่อว่า Spring ที่ช่วยให้ง่ายขึ้น

https://spring.site/

Spring

ดาวน์โหลด Spring มาติดตั้งบนเครื่องของเรา

1 เปิด spring ขึ้นมาแล้วกดที่มุมขวาบนที่เป็นรูปคนเพื่อ Login

2 Login ในการเข้าใช้งานทาง Spring มีให้เราเลือกหลายแบบแต่ถ้าง่ายสุดแนะนำให้เราเลือก Import private key จากนั้นให้วาง private key ของเราแล้วกด save

แค่นี้เราก็ใช้งานได้แล้วแล้ว

จะสังเกตได้ว่าภายใน spring จะรวม Clients ต่างๆที่มีอยู่บน Nostr ไว้เกือบหมดเลย

งั้นเรามาลองใช้งานกันดีกว่า

เลือก Clients ที่เราอยากใช้งานแล้วกดเปิดขึ้นมาแล้วกด Login จากนั้นให้เลือก Login with extension ทาง Spring จะขึ้นถาม Permission ให้เรากด Allow แค่นี้เราก็ Login ได้แล้ว

ไปลองใช้งานกันได้ครับภายในโปรโตคอล Nostr มีอะไรให้เราลองอีกเยอะเลยครับ

ใครติดขัดขัดตรงไหนแวะมาพูดคุยกันได้ครับ แล้วเจอกันใหม่ครั้งหน้า บ๊ะบาย

Siamstr #Nostr

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

Exploring the Tor Network: A Gateway to Privacy and Security

In this note, we delve into the fascinating world of the Tor network, a powerful tool that enhances privacy and security on the internet. We uncover how individuals and organizations utilize the Tor network to safeguard their online activities and protect sensitive information from prying eyes.

Understanding Tor: Anonymity at Its Core

The Tor network, comprised of volunteer-operated servers, allows users to connect for free, enhancing privacy and security online. With the utilization of ".onion hidden services," individuals and organizations can share information without compromising their anonymity.

"Tor is not just a network; it's a shield against surveillance, censorship, and data interception, empowering users to reclaim their online privacy."

How Tor Works: Navigating the Network

Tor operates by routing internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers, obscuring the origin and destination of the data. This intricate network architecture ensures that no single server can trace the complete path of the traffic, preserving user anonymity.

To connect to the Tor network, users can employ various methods, including the Tor Browser, Orbot for smartphones, and Onion Browser for iOS devices. Each of these tools provides a secure gateway to the Tor network, offering different levels of anonymity and protection.

Enhancing Security: Tips and Best Practices

To maximize security and anonymity while using the Tor network, it's essential to follow best practices and utilize recommended tools. For instance, users should avoid installing additional extensions or modifying browser settings, as these actions can compromise anonymity.

"Protecting your privacy on the Tor network requires diligence and adherence to recommended security measures. By staying informed and vigilant, users can navigate the digital landscape with confidence."

In addition to browsing securely, individuals can contribute to the Tor network's resilience by operating a Snowflake proxy. This innovative feature allows users to donate bandwidth to the Tor Project, aiding individuals in censored networks to access the internet freely.

Learn more about the Tor network and its capabilities and take steps to protect your online privacy.

Tor: The Ultimate Privacy Tool for Everyday Browsing

Transformative potential of Tor as a daily driver for web browsing. Tor enhances privacy and security online, providing users with a shield against surveillance and data interception.

Understanding Tor: A Gateway to Anonymity

Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a powerful network of volunteer-operated servers that enables users to browse the internet anonymously. By routing internet traffic through multiple servers, Tor obscures the user's identity and location, making it difficult for third parties to track their online activities.

"Tor is not just a privacy tool; it's a game-changer for those seeking to reclaim control over their online data and digital footprint."

Embracing Anonymity: Benefits of Tor for Daily Browsing

Using Tor as a daily driver for web browsing offers numerous advantages. With Tor, users can browse the internet without fear of surveillance or data collection by ISPs, governments, or malicious actors. Additionally, Tor's censorship circumvention capabilities ensure access to unrestricted information, even in regions with strict internet controls.

To experience the benefits of Tor firsthand, users can download the Tor Browser on their desktop or mobile device. This specialized browser comes equipped with built-in privacy features and default settings optimized for secure and anonymous browsing.

Navigating the Tor Ecosystem: Tips for Safe and Secure Browsing

While Tor provides robust privacy protections, users must take steps to ensure safe and secure browsing practices. Avoid installing additional browser extensions or modifying default settings, as these actions can compromise anonymity and security.

"Protecting your privacy on the Tor network requires diligence and adherence to recommended security measures. By staying informed and vigilant, users can harness the full potential of Tor for everyday browsing."

In addition to the Tor Browser, users can contribute to the Tor network's resilience by running a Snowflake proxy. This innovative feature allows users to donate bandwidth to support individuals in censored regions, further strengthening Tor's impact worldwide.

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

Digital Computing: From Origins to Modern Innovations

In this note, we embark on a journey through the captivating history of digital computing, tracing its evolution from its humble beginnings to the cutting-edge technologies of today. We consider into the pivotal moments, key innovations, and notable figures that have shaped the landscape of digital computation.

Understanding Early Developments

The roots of digital computing, from the abacus and mechanical calculators to the invention of the first programmable devices such as the Analytical Engine by Charles Babbage.

"The dawn of digital computing marked a significant shift in human history, paving the way for unprecedented advancements in science, technology, and society."

Emergence of Electronic Computers

The emergence of electronic computers in the mid-20th century, including landmark developments like the ENIAC and UNIVAC, which laid the groundwork for modern computing.

"The advent of electronic computers revolutionized the field of computation, enabling faster calculations, complex simulations, and unprecedented data processing capabilities."

Rise of Personal Computing

Next, The rise of personal computing in the late 20th century, with the introduction of iconic devices such as the IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, and the evolution of operating systems like MS-DOS and Windows.

"The democratization of computing power through personal computers ushered in a new era of accessibility, empowering individuals and businesses to harness the potential of digital technology."

The Digital Age and Beyond

The transformative impact of digital computing in the modern age, from the proliferation of smartphones and tablets to the rise of cloud computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence.

"As we stand on the cusp of the digital frontier, the possibilities of digital computing are limitless, driving innovation, connectivity, and progress in every aspect of our lives."

Through this exploration of the history of digital computing, we gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable journey that has brought us to where we are today, poised at the forefront of a digital revolution.

Learn more about the history of digital computing and discover its impact on society.

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

Node Types: Exploring the Different Types of Nodes in the Bitcoin Network

The Bitcoin network, often hailed as the pioneer of blockchain technology, operates through a decentralized network of nodes. These nodes play various roles in maintaining the integrity and functionality of the network. Let's delve into the different types of nodes in the Bitcoin network and their significance.

Full Nodes

Full nodes are the backbone of the Bitcoin network. They maintain a complete copy of the blockchain and validate all transactions and blocks according to the consensus rules. Full nodes ensure the security and decentralization of the network by independently verifying the entire transaction history. Running a full node helps in strengthening the Bitcoin network and ensuring its resilience against attacks.

"Full nodes are the cornerstone of decentralization in the Bitcoin network, providing users with trustless access to the blockchain."

Learn more about running a full node

Mining Nodes

Mining nodes, also known as miners, play a critical role in securing the Bitcoin network by adding new blocks to the blockchain through the process of mining. Miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, and the first one to find a valid solution gets to add a new block to the blockchain and receive a reward in the form of newly minted bitcoins and transaction fees. Mining nodes contribute to the network's security and enable the creation of new bitcoins.

"Mining nodes are essential for maintaining the security and integrity of the Bitcoin blockchain by validating and adding new transactions to the network."

Learn more about Bitcoin mining

Lightweight Nodes (SPV Nodes)

Lightweight nodes, also known as Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) nodes, do not store the entire blockchain like full nodes. Instead, they only store block headers and verify transactions directly relevant to them. SPV nodes rely on full nodes to provide them with accurate information about the state of the network. While lightweight nodes offer reduced resource requirements and faster synchronization, they sacrifice some level of security and trustlessness compared to full nodes.

"Lightweight nodes offer a convenient way to interact with the Bitcoin network without the need to download and validate the entire blockchain, making them suitable for resource-constrained devices."

Learn more about SPV nodes

Pruned Nodes

Pruned nodes store only a subset of the blockchain's data by discarding older transaction information beyond a certain threshold. Pruned nodes maintain the integrity of the blockchain while significantly reducing storage requirements. Although pruned nodes cannot serve historical data to other network participants, they still contribute to the network by validating new transactions and blocks.

"Pruned nodes strike a balance between maintaining network security and reducing storage overhead, making them suitable for users with limited storage capacity."

Learn more about pruned nodes

In conclusion, the Bitcoin network consists of various types of nodes, each serving a unique purpose in ensuring the network's integrity, security, and decentralization. Whether you're a full node operator, miner, or lightweight node user, your participation contributes to the strength and resilience of the Bitcoin ecosystem.

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

The Evolution of Lightning Network Implementations: An Overview

In the dynamic landscape of Bitcoin lightning technology, the Lightning Network has emerged as a game-changer, providing a scalable solution for Bitcoin transactions. As the demand for efficient and cost-effective payment solutions grows, so does the need for robust Lightning implementations. Let's delve into the evolution of these implementations and explore their significance in the rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Understanding the Lightning Network

The Lightning Network serves as an overlay network atop the Bitcoin blockchain, offering trustless instant payments with minimal fees. It operates through two key layers: the Bitcoin Network and the Lightning Network. The former serves as the foundation, while the latter facilitates peer-to-peer transactions.

In essence, developing a Lightning-powered application requires interfacing with two main components: the Bitcoin node and the Lightning node. The former interacts with the underlying blockchain, while the latter manages transactions on the Lightning Network.

Exploring Lightning Implementations

c-lightning by Blockstream

c-lightning, developed by Blockstream, stands as a pioneering Lightning implementation written in C. Known for its modular architecture and extensibility, c-lightning has been in production since 2018, offering low-level access for customization.

Eclair by ACINQ

Eclair is a Scala implementation of the Lightning Network, developed by ACINQ. Launched in 2018, Eclair emphasizes robustness and scalability, providing both a library and a mobile implementation of Lightning.

lnd by Lightning Labs

lnd, developed by Lightning Labs in Go, serves as a developer-friendly Lightning node. With an extensive feature set and a focus on application development, lnd has been a staple choice since its mainnet release in 2018.

Rust-Lightning and LDK

Rust-Lightning, developed by the Rust Bitcoin Community, offers a flexible Lightning library in Rust. Collaborating with Square Crypto, the community aims to simplify Lightning integrations through the Lightning Development Kit (LDK).

Electrum

Electrum, a renowned Bitcoin client, ventured into Lightning development in 2020. Integrating Lightning support into its Python implementation, Electrum extends its privacy-focused approach to Lightning transactions.

LNP Node

LNP Node, introduced by LNP/BP Standards Association, represents a new Rust-based Lightning implementation. With a focus on modularity and extensibility, LNP Node introduces Generalized Lightning Channels (GLCs) for future protocol enhancements.

The Path Forward

The Lightning Network implementation ecosystem continues to expand, catering to diverse user needs and use cases. As institutional adoption gains momentum, Lightning implementations play a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation within the blockchain space.

In conclusion, while this overview provides insights into the current state of Lightning implementations, the ecosystem remains dynamic. With ongoing developments and new entrants, the future promises further evolution and refinement of Lightning technology.

Remember, in the fast-paced world of blockchain, staying informed and adaptable is key to navigating the ever-changing landscape.

"The only constant in life is change." - Heraclitus

If you have any updates or insights to share, feel free to reach out and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding Lightning Network implementations. Together, we can understand the future of Bitcoin technology.

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

Making The Effort To Understanding Liquid Network: A Beginner's Perspective

In the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology, solutions like the Liquid Network are paving the way for faster, more private, and secure transactions. But what exactly is the Liquid Network, and how can beginners get started with it? Let's delve into the world of layer-2 solutions and explore the fundamentals of the Liquid Network.

Layer-2 Solutions: Unlocking Bitcoin's Potential

Bitcoin's limited throughput has long been a challenge for its widespread adoption. With a capacity of only 5-7 transactions per second, the Bitcoin blockchain can sometimes struggle to meet the demands of institutional investors and retail buyers alike. Layer-1 solutions, which require rewriting the blockchain protocol, present significant challenges. Enter layer-2 solutions like the Liquid Network, which operate on top of the main blockchain without the need for protocol changes.

Introducing the Liquid Network: Faster, More Private, More Secure

The Liquid Network is a layer-2 network built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, offering faster, more private, and secure transactions. Designed to enable the issuance, transfer, and exchange of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, digital assets, and security tokens, the Liquid Network provides a solution to Bitcoin's scalability and privacy challenges.

Key Features of the Liquid Network

The Liquid Network achieves its goals through several key features:

• Wrapped Bitcoin (L-BTC): Liquid Network issues a "wrapped" version of BTC called L-BTC, which can be used on its chain.
• Issued Assets: In addition to L-BTC, Liquid Network supports Issued Assets, enabling the creation of tokens for various applications like stablecoins and security tokens.
• Confidential Transactions: Liquid Network uses Confidential Transactions to hide key transaction information, ensuring greater privacy.
• Federated Byzantine Agreement (FBA): The consensus mechanism of the Liquid Network ensures security and proper asset management.

Getting Started with the Liquid Network

For beginners looking to explore the Liquid Network, one of the most accessible solutions is to utilize exchanges like Bisq and Robosats With these exchange protocols and DAO's, users can seamlessly convert their BTC to L-BTC on the Liquid Network with zero fees, unlocking the benefits of faster transactions and greater privacy. By leveraging platforms like Bitfinex , Bisq, Robosats, users can tap into the full potential of the Liquid Network without incurring additional costs.

In summary, the Liquid Network offers a promising solution to Bitcoin's scalability and privacy challenges. By understanding its fundamentals and leveraging platforms like Bitfinex, beginners can embark on a journey of exploring the possibilities offered by layer-2 solutions and unlocking the full potential of the Bitcoin blockchain.

Learn more about the Liquid Network

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

Bitcoin Network Congestion: The Battle Over Ordinals and BRC-20 Tokens

As the Bitcoin network experiences increasing congestion, users are facing longer confirmation times and higher transaction fees. This bottleneck not only impacts the speed of transactions but also raises concerns about accessibility and affordability for users requiring swift and cost-effective transfers.

At the forefront of this issue is the Ordinals Project, a groundbreaking protocol designed to revolutionize digital content storage on the Bitcoin blockchain. By leveraging a specialized transaction type known as an "ordinal," this project enables the creation and preservation of digital art, music, and other media in a decentralized and secure manner. The Ordinals Project represents a significant leap forward in the realm of blockchain innovation, offering users unprecedented opportunities to store and transmit large volumes of data efficiently.

However, alongside the Ordinals Project, the emergence of BRC-20 tokens has added another layer of complexity to the debate. These tokens, akin to ERC-20 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, are utilized on the Binance Smart Chain for various purposes, including fundraising, trading, and participation in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities. While BRC-20 tokens offer exciting possibilities for expanding the utility of blockchain technology, they also raise questions about scalability and their potential impact on the Bitcoin network.

The crux of the debate surrounding Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens lies in the delicate balance between innovation and scalability within the Bitcoin community. On one hand, proponents argue that these projects open up new avenues for creativity and utility on the Bitcoin network, enhancing its value proposition and relevance in the digital age. Conversely, critics express concerns about the strain that such initiatives may place on the network, exacerbating congestion and impeding its efficiency and reliability.

Ultimately, the discussion surrounding Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens underscores the ongoing dialogue within the Bitcoin community about the trade-offs inherent in technological advancement. While innovation is essential for driving progress and expanding the capabilities of blockchain technology, it is equally crucial to consider the potential ramifications and challenges posed by new initiatives. As Bitcoin continues to evolve and adapt to meet the demands of its growing user base, striking a balance between innovation and sustainability remains paramount for ensuring the network's long-term success.

Get Familiar with the Lightning Network

The Lightning Network represents a revolutionary layer-2 scaling solution for the Bitcoin blockchain, offering lightning-fast and low-cost transactions. To embark on your journey of understanding this innovative technology, let's delve into its architecture and protocols, uncovering the mechanisms that power its efficiency and scalability.

Lightning Network Architecture

At its core, the Lightning Network operates as a network of bidirectional payment channels that enable users to conduct off-chain transactions without relying on the main Bitcoin blockchain for every transaction. These payment channels are established between two parties and allow for rapid exchange of funds, facilitating instant micropayments with negligible fees.

Payment Channels

Payment channels are the building blocks of the Lightning Network, serving as conduits for peer-to-peer transactions. These channels leverage multi-signature smart contracts, enabling participants to securely transact without broadcasting every transaction to the blockchain. By opening and closing channels as needed, users can seamlessly conduct transactions off-chain while maintaining the security and trustlessness of the Bitcoin network.

Lightning Network Nodes

Lightning Network nodes play a pivotal role in facilitating transactions across the network. Nodes serve as intermediaries for routing payments between users, ensuring that funds can flow efficiently between different parties. With a robust network of nodes distributed globally, the Lightning Network achieves unparalleled speed and scalability, making it ideal for microtransactions and everyday purchases.

Lightning Network Protocols

To harness the full potential of the Lightning Network, it's essential to grasp the underlying protocols that govern its operation. These protocols dictate how transactions are routed, payments are processed, and channels are managed, laying the groundwork for seamless and secure interactions within the network.

HTLCs (Hash Time Locked Contracts)

Hash Time Locked Contracts (HTLCs) form the backbone of Lightning Network transactions, enabling atomic swaps and ensuring the trustless exchange of funds between parties. Through the clever use of cryptographic hashes and time locks, HTLCs enable secure and instantaneous payments across the Lightning Network, mitigating the risk of fraud or double-spending.

Sphinx Protocol

The Sphinx Protocol plays a critical role in preserving the privacy and confidentiality of Lightning Network transactions. By encrypting payment information and routing instructions, Sphinx ensures that only the intended recipient can decipher the transaction details, enhancing the privacy and security of Lightning Network transactions.

AMP (Atomic Multipath Payments)

Atomic Multipath Payments (AMP) enable the splitting of large payments into smaller, more manageable chunks, allowing for more efficient routing and improved reliability within the Lightning Network. With AMP, users can enjoy greater flexibility and resilience when sending funds across the network, reducing the risk of payment failures and ensuring smooth transaction flows.

Conclusion

As you embark on your journey to get familiar with the Lightning Network, remember that it represents a paradigm shift in the way we think about blockchain scalability and usability. By embracing its innovative architecture and protocols, you can unlock a world of possibilities for fast, low-cost, and privacy-preserving transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain.

With a solid understanding of the Lightning Network's architecture and protocols, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the intricacies of this groundbreaking technology and harness its full potential for revolutionizing the future of finance.

Lightning Network - Official website for the Lightning Network.

Understanding the Lightning Network - Comprehensive guide to understanding the Lightning Network's architecture and protocols.

HTLCs Explained - In-depth exploration of Hash Time Locked Contracts and their role in Lightning Network transactions.

Sphinx Protocol - Research paper detailing the Sphinx Protocol and its contributions to privacy-enhanced transactions on the Lightning Network.

Atomic Multipath Payments - Article discussing the benefits of Atomic Multipath Payments for improving transaction reliability and efficiency within the Lightning Network.

@ 6871d8df:4a9396c1

The Apple Vision Pro was released, and it is the talk of the town right now. To be frank, I think it's a stupid product. It's not useful or particularly enticing to me in its current form factor. It's a toy, not a tool. All the features seem gimmicky as opposed to generally helpful. I'm not saying it may never be worthwhile, but as of this first release, it is only a party trick.

Coincidently, this is the first product that does not have any of Steve Jobs' influence. To me, it shows. I don't think Jobs would have ever let this product see the light of day.


Jobs understood product. He didn't make things for the sake of progress or to make sci-fi reality; he made things because he 'wanted to make a dent in the world.' He wanted to solve problems for everyday people by innovating with cutting-edge technology. He aspired to make people's lives better. Steve Jobs' genius was the way he married cutting-edge technologies with valuable tools that made those cutting-edge technologies simple and elegant.


The Vision Pro may be technically innovative, but it is not a tool, at least in its current form. It may be one day, but that is precisely my point; Jobs would have never released a product where the form factor would hold it back from becoming a tool. At best, it is an intriguing toy that is additive to some content at the behest of being very awkward to wear or be seen in. In my view, mainstream adoption can happen only in a world where we can use the Vision Pro as a contact lens or very small, discreet, minimalist glasses, but certainly not this iteration where it covers more than half your face.


Seeing people's eyes makes us human. So much emotion, understanding, and communication happens with just a look. It is a window into the soul. I don't want to live in a world where we are actively bringing all the negatives about communicating in the digital world to the physical one.

https://image.nostr.build/2365609411f144f5d789ffd684ffce9b4d867626a7bfe11bb311cb0f61057199.jpg

I can't help but wonder or hypothesize what Steve Jobs would focus on if he were still alive today. I think Apple's priorities would be completely different. My gut tells me he would not have let Siri get as bad as it is. Siri is a horrible product; I never use it, and everyone I know who tries to use it does so unsuccessfully, at least most of the time. I personally always default to ChatGPT or Bard. These AI systems make my life dramatically more productive. They are tools in the purest sense.

In my opinion, Steve would not have missed this train. Sure, Apple could wake up and integrate these systems into Siri — if they were smart, they would — but in its current form, it is so far behind that it almost astounds me. My intuition leads me to believe he would be closer to what [Rabbit] is doing.

Who knows? Maybe I am entirely wrong, and Apple just kickstarted VR's mass adoption phase. Unfortunately, I think this will likely be the biggest failure of a physical product that Apple will have seen since Jobs returned ages ago. The Vision Pro is only slightly better than the Oculus, and Facebook has already deprioritized VR for AI. Apple is further behind, and I don't see a world where they do not make the same pivot. There is a skill to creating successful, innovative products, and it makes me sad to see the torch that Jobs passed lose its flame. As someone who respected how Apple used to innovate, watching this decay in real-time is jarring as this is just the latest in a string of disappointing decisions that exemplify that 'peak Apple' is behind us.

@ 6a39a186:88f51c19

The Bitcoin Manifesto: Unleashing the Power of Digital Gold

Thoughts

Bitcoin Manifesto, a paper that explores the untapped potential of Bitcoin. In this work, inspired by the spirit of Satoshi Nakamoto, we delve into the compounding free cash flows for Bitcoiners, expose the inherent rigging of the existing financial system, and discuss the ways in which Bitcoin can save one's life energy while fostering success for others. We emphasize the importance of thinking and communicating differently, breaking free from the limitations of a fiat mindset. Furthermore, we highlight Bitcoin's role as the base layer for preserving wealth, acting as a capital fortress against the relentless onslaught of inflation that erodes and destroys our hard-earned assets.

1. Introduction

Welcome to the Bitcoin Manifesto, a testament to the transformative power of digital gold. This paper explores the revolutionary capabilities of Bitcoin, shedding light on its role in compounding free cash flows for Bitcoiners, unmasking the rigged nature of the existing financial system, and unveiling the ways in which Bitcoin can save our life energy while fostering the success of our peers.

2. Compounding Free Cash Flows for Bitcoiners

Bitcoin is a catalyst for financial liberation, enabling Bitcoiners to unlock the power of compounding free cash flows. Unlike traditional systems that stifle wealth creation through burdensome fees, intermediaries, and arbitrary barriers, Bitcoin empowers individuals to engage in direct, peer-to-peer transactions. By embracing this decentralized approach, Bitcoiners can harness the exponential growth potential of their wealth.

"Bitcoin is the conduit through which we unleash the compounding free cash flows that transform stagnant fiat currencies into a flourishing ecosystem of financial prosperity." -

3. Unveiling the Rigged System

The existing financial system is rigged, designed to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Traditional currencies are subject to the whims of governments and central banks, leading to inflationary practices that erode our wealth and purchasing power. In contrast, Bitcoin operates on an immutable blockchain, free from the clutches of centralized authorities. This decentralized nature ensures that no single entity can manipulate the system, leveling the playing field for all participants.

"Bitcoin disrupts the rigged game, empowering individuals to reclaim control of their financial destinies and transcend the limitations imposed by a corrupt system." -

4. Saving Life Energy and Fostering Success

Bitcoin not only offers a means to save our life energy but also a pathway to uplift others towards success. By embracing Bitcoin, we secure our financial well-being and invest in a future where prosperity is not limited to a select few. Through collaboration and support within the Bitcoin community, we create an environment where everyone can thrive, breaking free from the scarcity mindset perpetuated by the fiat world.

"In Bitcoin, we find the power to save our life energy and channel it towards creating a future where success is a shared experience, not a solitary pursuit." -

5. Thinking and Communicating Beyond Fiat

To unlock the full potential of Bitcoin, we must break free from the confines of a fiat-centric mindset. This paradigm shift in thinking and communication allows us to transcend the limitations of the existing financial system. Bitcoiners challenge conventional wisdom, question the status quo, and envision a world where financial freedom and autonomy are the new norms. By adopting this fresh perspective, we unlock untapped potential and shape a future where Bitcoin's influence extends far beyond the realms of finance.

"Bitcoin demands that we think and communicate differently, liberating ourselves from the constraints of a fiat mindset and embracing the transformative power of decentralized finance." -

6. Preservation of Wealth: Bitcoin as Base Layer 1

At its core, Bitcoin serves as the bedrock for preserving wealth in an era plagued by inflation. Governments worldwide continue to print fiat currencies, leading to the gradual erosion of value and the destruction of hard-earned assets. Bitcoin, with its limited supply and decentralized nature, acts as a fortress against this value decay. As the first layer of the financial revolution, Bitcoin provides a solid foundation upon which we can safeguard our wealth.

"Bitcoin, as base layer 1, stands as the bulwark against the relentless assault of inflation, offering us a sanctuary to preserve and grow our financial futures." -

7. Layer 1: Capital Defense Against Inflation

Inflation poses an ever-growing threat to the preservation and growth of wealth. Fiat currencies, subject to the whims of governments and central banks, steadily lose value over time, eroding the purchasing power of individuals. Bitcoin, on the other hand, operates on a protocol with a fixed supply, rendering it immune to the effects of inflation. By embracing Bitcoin as capital, we shield our wealth from the destructive forces that undermine its value.

"Inflation, the silent destroyer of wealth, falls powerless against the fortress of Bitcoin's layer 1, solidifying its role as the ultimate safeguard for our hard-earned assets." -

8. Conclusion

The Bitcoin Manifesto presents a groundbreaking perspective on the potential of Bitcoin. We have explored the compounding free cash flows for Bitcoiners, exposed the rigged nature of the existing financial system, and emphasized the ways in which Bitcoin can save our life energy while fostering success for others. We have called for a shift in thinking and communication, breaking free from the limitations of a fiat mindset. Furthermore, we have recognized Bitcoin's role as the base layer for preserving wealth, acting as a fortress against the growing threat of inflation. By embracing Bitcoin, we can transcend the confines of the current system and propel ourselves towards a future of financial empowerment and prosperity.

"Let us embrace the power of Bitcoin, for it has the potential to revolutionize our financial landscape and forge a path towards a more equitable and prosperous future." -

Assets for phots taken from The ColdPower Post Thank You!

@ 079d727b:00099650

tigs$> what is the difference between a BBS with fidonet and the internet?

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chatgpt>"A Bulletin Board System (BBS) with FidoNet and the Internet are distinct in their purposes, technologies, and how they facilitate communication and information sharing. Here's a detailed comparison:

Technology and Structure

1. BBS with Fidonet

A BBS is a computer server running software that allows users to connect over a phone line (using a modem) or, in some cases, via a terminal protocol over the internet. Users can share messages, files, play games, and participate in discussions.

FidoNet is a networked system for distributing messages between BBSes. It uses a store-and-forward system to pass messages and files between systems, typically over dial-up phone lines or, more recently, over the internet. FidoNet allowed BBSes to form a global network, with messages being relayed from one BBS to another until they reached their destination.

1. Internet

The Internet is a vast global network that connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks. It uses the TCP/IP protocol suite for communication and supports a wide range of services, including the World Wide Web (WWW), email, voice over IP (VoIP), and file sharing.

Unlike BBSes where you typically connect to a single server at a time, the Internet allows simultaneous access to countless servers and services worldwide.

2. Accessibility and Usage

---

BBS with FidoNet:

Accessing a BBS generally required direct dial-up access to the server or, in later years, a telnet connection over the internet. Users would often engage with a single BBS or a small selection of BBSes. FidoNet's message and file sharing was not instant; it could take hours or days for content to propagate across the network due to the store-and-forward method.

Internet

The Internet is accessible through a wide range of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, using various technologies like Wi-Fi, broadband, and mobile data. Communication and information retrieval over the Internet can occur in real-time, making it a platform for instant messaging, live streaming, and immediate access to web content.

1. Content and Services BBS with FidoNet: BBS content and services are limited by the software capabilities of the BBS itself and the interests of its community. Common features include forums, file downloads, email, and games. FidoNet provided a way to exchange emails and public messages (echomail) with users on other BBSes, but its capabilities are relatively basic compared to modern internet services.

Internet: Offers a vast array of content and services, including comprehensive search engines, social media platforms, online shopping, digital streaming, and much more. Supports sophisticated protocols for secure communication, data exchange, and content delivery (e.g., HTTPS, FTP, streaming protocols).

A Bulletin Board System (BBS) with FidoNet and the Internet are distinct in their purposes, technologies, and how they facilitate communication and information sharing. Here's a detailed comparison: 1. Technology and Structure

BBS with FidoNet:
    A BBS is a computer server running software that allows users to connect over a phone line (using a modem) or, in some cases, via a terminal protocol over the internet. Users can share messages, files, play games, and participate in discussions.
    FidoNet is a networked system for distributing messages between BBSes. It uses a store-and-forward system to pass messages and files between systems, typically over dial-up phone lines or, more recently, over the internet. FidoNet allowed BBSes to form a global network, with messages being relayed from one BBS to another until they reached their destination.
Internet:
    The Internet is a vast global network that connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks. It uses the TCP/IP protocol suite for communication and supports a wide range of services, including the World Wide Web (WWW), email, voice over IP (VoIP), and file sharing.
    Unlike BBSes where you typically connect to a single server at a time, the Internet allows simultaneous access to countless servers and services worldwide.

1. Accessibility and Usage

   BBS with FidoNet: Accessing a BBS generally required direct dial-up access to the server or, in later years, a telnet connection over the internet. Users would often engage with a single BBS or a small selection of BBSes. FidoNet's message and file sharing was not instant; it could take hours or days for content to propagate across the network due to the store-and-forward method. Internet: The Internet is accessible through a wide range of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, using various technologies like Wi-Fi, broadband, and mobile data. Communication and information retrieval over the Internet can occur in real-time, making it a platform for instant messaging, live streaming, and immediate access to web content.

2. Content and Services

   BBS with FidoNet: BBS content and services are limited by the software capabilities of the BBS itself and the interests of its community. Common features include forums, file downloads, email, and games. FidoNet provided a way to exchange emails and public messages (echomail) with users on other BBSes, but its capabilities are relatively basic compared to modern internet services. Internet: Offers a vast array of content and services, including comprehensive search engines, social media platforms, online shopping, digital streaming, and much more. Supports sophisticated protocols for secure communication, data exchange, and content delivery (e.g., HTTPS, FTP, streaming protocols).

3. Evolution and Current Status

BBS with FidoNet: While most BBSes and FidoNet have largely been supplanted by the Internet, a niche community still exists. Some BBSes have transitioned to the Internet, offering telnet access or web interfaces.

Internet: Continues to evolve with emerging technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence, expanding its capabilities and services.

In summary, while BBSes with FidoNet played a crucial role in the early days of digital communication and community building, the Internet has surpassed them in terms of accessibility, speed, and breadth of content and services."

BUT I THOUGHT... surpassed in terms of WHAT?

---

tigs$> but what about the decentralized nature of BBS?

---

"The decentralized nature of Bulletin Board Systems (BBSes) and their network, such as FidoNet, is indeed a key characteristic that differentiates them from the modern Internet in significant ways. Both BBSes and the Internet can be described as networks, but their approaches to decentralization, control, and community engagement have notable differences. Decentralization in BBS and FidoNet:

BBSes: Individual BBSes were standalone systems usually operated by enthusiasts or small organizations. Each BBS was independently owned and managed, setting its own rules, available services, and community standards. This meant a highly decentralized structure where each system was a distinct entity within the larger ecosystem of BBSes.

FidoNet: FidoNet connected these disparate BBSes into a wider network, allowing message and file exchanges. Despite this connectivity, the network maintained a decentralized approach. FidoNet's structure was hierarchical in terms of message routing (using Zone, Region, Net, and Node levels), but each node (or BBS) operated independently under the broader protocol standards. This allowed for a distributed messaging system without a central authority controlling the entire network.

Comparison with the Internet:

Internet: The Internet is decentralized in its fundamental design, with no central control over its networks and services. It operates on a global scale, connecting millions of networks and devices. However, certain aspects of the Internet, such as infrastructure (backbone networks, ISPs), standards (protocols, software), and services (search engines, social media platforms), are controlled by a relatively small number of organizations. This has led to concerns over centralization in terms of control, data ownership, and privacy.

Key Aspects of Decentralization in BBS/FidoNet vs. Internet:

Control and Ownership: BBSes and FidoNet featured a more grassroots level of ownership and control, with individuals and small groups operating their own nodes in the network. In contrast, significant portions of the Internet's infrastructure and popular platforms are owned and controlled by large corporations.

Community Engagement: BBSes often fostered tight-knit communities with a strong sense of ownership and participation in the platform's governance. The decentralized nature of the Internet also supports diverse communities, but the scale and commercialization of major platforms have changed the dynamics of community engagement.

Resilience and Censorship: Decentralization in both BBSes/FidoNet and the Internet contributes to resilience against failures and censorship. However, the concentration of power among key Internet players has raised concerns about censorship, privacy, and the potential for service disruption.

Evolution and Adaptability: The Internet has continually evolved, absorbing or overshadowing technologies like BBSes and FidoNet. The decentralized nature of the Internet's early days has shifted towards a more centralized model in terms of content distribution and service provision, though initiatives like blockchain and decentralized web projects aim to counteract this trend.

In summary, while both BBSes/FidoNet and the Internet embody principles of decentralization, the scale, control structures, and community engagement mechanisms differ significantly between them. The grassroots, individualistic nature of BBSes and FidoNet's decentralized network contrasts with the broader, more centralized control seen in parts of the Internet today, despite its inherently decentralized architecture."

well well well... We gotta return to our roots...

BBS: The Documentary (by Jason Scott) ((NOT me))

@ f866d5b1:c526b32f

ในทางเศรษฐศาสตร์มีการวิจัยมาเนิ่นนานแล้วพบว่า บุหรี่/ ยาสูบ เป็นสินค้าที่มีความยืดหยุ่นอุปสงค์ต่อราคาต่ำ นั่นคือแม้สินค้าจะมีราคาสูงขึ้นแต่ผู้บริโภคก็ยังเต็มใจจ่ายเพื่อให้ได้บุหรี่มาสูบเติมเต็มความสุข คลายเหงา คลายเศร้า สร้างภาพลักษณ์ หรือเข้าสังคม เนื่องจากบุหรี่/ ยาสูบ เป็นสินค้าที่หาสินค้าอื่นมาทดแทนได้ยาก

วิธีแก้ปัญหาสินค้าที่ทดแทนได้ยาก

การแก้ปัญหาสินค้าที่ทดแทนได้ยาก มีสองแนวทาง โดยสามารถแก้ได้จากทางด้านความต้องการสูบ (ด้านอุปสงค์ : Demand) และทางด้านต้นทุนการผลิต (ด้านอุปทาน : Supply)

โดยวิธีทำลายธุรกิจบุหรี่/ ยาสูบ มีอยู่ 2 วิธีใหญ่ ๆ นั่นคือ
 1. การสร้างความตระหนักรู้ว่าการสูบบุหรี่มีอันตรายต่อชีวิตตนเองและคนที่เรารักอย่างไร หรือการหาทางประดิษฐ์คิดค้นสิ่งที่ให้ความพึงพอใจในการบริโภคเหมือนการสูบบุหรี่แต่ไม่เกิดผลเสียต่อผู้สูบและสังคม


1. การขึ้นอัตราภาษีแบบก้าวกระโดดอย่างฉับพลัน (High Shock Taxes Policy) โดยให้มีผลบังคับใช้ในทันที

การค้นหาสิ่งมาแทนคงยาก และการกล่อมเกลาจิตใจคนก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย ต้องใช้เวลาในการปลูกฝังความรู้ที่ถูกต้อง ดังนั้นวิถีทางที่ง่ายที่สุด แต่ก็ต้องขึ้นกับจิตสำนึกของรัฐบาลว่าจะห่วงใยสังคม หรือสนใจแต่ผลประโยชน์ของโรงงานยาสูบแห่งประเทศไทย

(ซึ่งข้อเสนอของผู้เขียนประยุกต์มาจากงานวิจัย เรื่อง A Theory of Rational Addiction ของ Gary Becker & Kevin Murphy ซึ่งตีพิมพ์ใน Journal of Political Economy ฉบับที่ 96 เดือนสิงหาคม ปี ค.ศ. 1988)

++นั่นคือ การประกาศขึ้นอัตราภาษีแบบสูงมาก ๆ แบบปรับอัตราภาษีแล้วทำให้ราคาบุหรี่เพิ่มขึ้นทันที 10 เท่า 100 เท่า อย่างฉับพลัน นั่นเอง++

โดยการขึ้นอัตราภาษีแบบก้าวกระโดดอย่างฉับพลัน จะทำให้เกิดการหักดิบของนักสูบ เพราะไม่มีเงินไปซื้อบุหรี่มาสูบ หรือไม่ก็เอาเงินไปซื้อบุหรี่มาสูบ จนไม่มีเงินไปซื้ออาหารทำให้เกิดภาวะทุพโภชนาการจนหมดอายุขัยไปเอง

การปรับขึ้นภาษีในอดีตที่ผ่านมาทุกประเทศล้วนใช้วิธีการแบบค่อย ๆ เป็น ค่อย ๆ ไป เพื่อรีดเลือดจากเหล่าผู้ชื่นชอบควัน หรือที่เรารู้จักกันในชื่อ “ภาษีบาป” นั่นเอง โดยรัฐต่าง ๆ ล้วนอ้างว่าเก็บภาษีเหล่านี้เพื่อไปสร้างประโยชน์ให้ด้านอื่นของสังคม แต่มันจะดีกว่าหรือไม่ ถ้าไม่มีธุรกิจบุหรี่/ ยาสูบ ที่คอยทำลายสุขภาพประชาชน และเป็นต้นเหตุให้เกิดปัญหาค่าใช้จ่ายด้านสาธารณสุขที่บานปลาย เพื่อรักษาโรคร้ายแรงต่าง ๆ ที่เกิดจากการสูบบุหรี่ อย่างเช่นทุกวันนี้

ทำไมมาตรการขึ้นอัตราภาษีแบบก้าวกระโดด อาจไม่ช่วยจำนวนผู้สูบ

จากข่าว โรงงานยาสูบค้านการขึ้นภาษีบุหรี่แบบอัตราเดียว เพราะเกรงว่าจะไม่ได้ทำให้จำนวนผู้สูบลดลง

การใช้มาตรการด้านอุปทาน อย่างการขึ้นอัตราภาษีสินค้าในประเทศ จะทำให้ราคาสินค้าในตลาดเพิ่มสูงขึ้น ทำให้เกิดแรงจูงใจให้ผู้ประกอบการบางรายหาสินค้าหนีภาษีมาจำหน่ายให้ผู้บริโภคในประเทศ

ด้วยเหตุนี้ หากภาครัฐไม่มีมาตรการควบคุมสินค้าหนีภาษีที่เข้มข้น เมื่อมีการขึ้นอัตราภาษีบุหรี่ในประเทศ ก็จะเกิดการลักลอบนำเข้าบุหรี่จากประเทศใกล้เคียงที่มีอัตราภาษีน้อยกว่าเข้ามาขายให้ผู้สูบชาวไทย จึงทำให้ภาครัฐสูญเสียจำนวนภาษีที่ควรจะได้จากภาษีรายได้ของผู้ประกอบการ และภาษีสรรพสามิตของการขายบุหรี่ อีกทั้งจำนวนผู้สูบก็ไม่ได้ลดลงแต่อย่างใด ทำให้ค่าใช้จ่ายด้านสาธารณสุขยังคงสูงเช่นเดิม

@ f866d5b1:c526b32f

“Greedflation" หรือ “เงินเฟ้อจากความโลภ” เกิดจากค่าจ้างที่คาดหวังในวงจรอุบาทว์ของระบบเศรษฐกิจ ที่เมื่อค่าจ้างเพิ่มขึ้นจะทำให้ราคาสินค้าในตลาดเพิ่มสูงตามไปด้วย เหตุการณ์นี้เกิดขึ้นมาได้ ก็เพราะว่าระบบเศรษฐกิจสามารถผลิตปริมาณเงินในระบบได้มากขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ ไม่สิ้นสุด

ทำไมถึงเกิด Greedflation

เหตุการณ์นี้ไม่ได้เกิดจากความโลภของกลุ่มใดกลุ่มหนึ่ง ดังคำกล่าวอ้างของภาครัฐที่พิมพ์เงินเข้ามาในระบบแบบไม่หยุดยั้ง หากพวกเขาไม่ขึ้นราคาสินค้า ขณะที่สินค้าอย่างอื่นมีราคาสูงขึ้น จะทำให้ความเป็นอยู่ของพวกเขาแย่ลง เพราะเงินของเขาซื้อของได้ปริมาณน้อยลง

ตัวอย่างเช่น ช่วงเหตุการณ์โควิดที่ผ่านมา รัฐบาลหลาย ๆ ประเทศมีการกระตุ้นเศรษฐกิจด้วยการแจกเงินให้ประชาชนบางกลุ่มไปใช้จ่าย จึงทำให้ประชาชนอีกกลุ่มที่ไม่ได้รับเงินอุดหนุนจากโครงการ แต่มีอาชีพที่สามารถขึ้นราคาสินค้าเพื่อชดเชยค่าจ้างที่คาดหวังของพวกเขาให้เทียบเท่ากลุ่มที่ได้รับเงินอุดหนุนจากภาครัฐ การที่ต้องขึ้นราคาสินค้าก็เพื่อทำให้พวกเขาสามารถใช้ชีวิตได้ตามปกติเหมือนที่เคยเป็นมา แม้ว่าสินค้าอื่น ๆ จะขึ้นราคาเพราะว่ามีความต้องการที่มากขึ้นจนผลิตสินค้าไม่ทันตามความต้องการของตลาด

หากปริมาณเงินคงที่ไม่มีการเปลี่ยนแปลง การที่สินค้าชนิดหนึ่งราคาสูงขึ้นไปเรื่อย ๆ ความต้องการก็จะลดลงเองตามธรรมชาติ แต่ "เงินเฟ้อจากความโลภ" ซึ่งเป็นคำสร้างใหม่ของคำว่า "วงจรอุบาทว์ทางเศรษฐกิจ" จะไม่เกิดขึ้น หากปริมาณเงินในระบบคงที่ไม่เปลี่ยนแปลง

ทางแก้ปัญหานี้มีรึเปล่า

ทางแก้ของปัญหานี้ก็คือ เราต้องมี “เงิน” ที่มีปริมาณจำกัด ไม่สามารถผลิตซ้ำใหม่ได้ ซึ่งเราโชคดีมากที่ยุคนี้ได้เกิด “เงิน” ที่มีคุณสมบัติดังกล่าว นั่นคือ Bitcoin ที่ริเริ่มโดยบุคคลที่ใช้นามแฝงว่า Satoshi Nakamoto

@ f866d5b1:c526b32f

จริง ๆ แล้ว พวกเราไม่จำเป็นต้องมีอะไรมาครอบงำเพื่อบงการให้เรากระทำอะไรก็ตาม แต่พวกเรายอมให้มีกฎหมายมาครอบไว้เพื่อไม่ให้มีเหล่าสัตว์ประหลาดเกิดขึ้นมาทำลายล้างพวกเรากันเอง

แต่เมื่อกฎหมายไม่ได้ถูกใช้ตามหน้าที่ของมันที่ถูกสร้างมา ก็จะบังเกิดสัตว์ประหลาดมาทำหน้าที่เป็น “ศาลเตี้ย” จนสังคมเกิดความอลม่านวุ่นวายไม่จบสิ้น

ความโกลาหลจะถึงบทสุดท้าย ก็ต่อเมื่อเราทุกคนเล่นกันตามกฎกติกาโดยไม่บิดพริ้ว ทว่าระบบนิเวศที่ขยายตัวขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ เราไม่มีทางที่จะเกิดมติเอกฉันท์อีกต่อไป ซึ่งเหตุการณ์แบบนี้จะทำให้ทุกคนมีความสุขทั้งหมด

ดังนั้นเราจึงใช้ระบบประชาธิปไตย ที่จุดหมายแท้จริงมิใช่การเอาชนะเกินกึ่งหนึ่งของทั้งหมด แต่เป็นการที่เราจะใช้ชีวิตร่วมกันแบบประนีประนอม ฟังความเห็นเสียงอีกฟากหนึ่งด้วย

ประชาธิปไตย ไม่ได้มีเพียงแค่ "สิทธิ" แต่มันมาพร้อมกับ "หน้าที่" ด้วย และ "เสรีภาพ" ก็ไม่ได้หมายถึงการจะทำอะไรก็ได้ตามอำเภอใจ แต่ต้องคำนึงถึง "สิทธิ" และ "เสรีภาพ" ของผู้อื่นในสังคมด้วยเช่นกัน

หากเราดันทุรังยึดแต่คำว่า “เสียงข้างมาก” มันก็ไม่ต่างอะไรกับคำว่า “เผด็จการ” นั่นเอง

黄彬三 (SunnyMoo) นักเรียนเศรษฐศาสตร์อาวุโส ที่ชื่นชอบหลากหลายกีฬา (ยกเว้นวอลเลย์บอล) และบิตคอยน์

@ f866d5b1:c526b32f

การทำนายดวงชะตาด้วยการใช้ไพ่ชนิดต่าง ๆ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นไพ่ทาโรต์ (ไ่พ่ยิปซี)/ ไพ่ออราเคิล/ ไพ่เลอเนอมองด์ ฯลฯ เป็นการทำนายแบบสุ่ม ที่เราเชื่อกันว่า “จิตใต้สำนึกของเราจะสั่งการให้หยิบไพ่ที่มีความหมายตรงกับความรู้สึกที่แท้จริงของเรื่องต่าง ๆ ที่เราต้องการทราบคำตอบ” แล้วเราควรถามคำถามแบบไหนเมื่อไปดูดวงด้วยการใช้ไพ่ทาโรต์/ ไพ่ออราเคิล หรือไพ่ชนิดอื่น ๆ ในการดูดวง

การถามคำถามที่ต้องการคำตอบว่า “ใช่” หรือ “ไม่ใช่” แบบการันตีความแม่น เป็นรูปแบบคำถามที่ไม่ควรใช้ในการดูดวงด้วยไพ่รูปแบบต่าง ๆ เช่น ไ่พ่ทาโรต์ (ไพ่ยิปซี) เป็นต้น เพราะว่า “อคติ” ของคนหยิบไพ่ อาจทำให้จิตใต้สำนึกสั่งให้หยิบไพ่ที่มีความหมายตามคำตอบที่ต้องการให้เกิดขึ้น

ด้วยเหตุนี้จึงเกิดประเด็นหมอดูทายพลาดเกิดขึ้นอยู่เป็นประจำ แม้ว่าหมอดูท่านนั้นจะอ่านความหมายของไพ่ทำนายได้ถูกต้องตามที่ได้ร่ำเรียนกันมา และมีประสบการณ์ที่ได้พบเจอมามากมายตลอดระยะเวลาในการประกอบอาชีพนักพยากรณ์

ตัวอย่างคำถามที่มักทำให้ทายพลาด

งวดนี้จะถูกหวยไหม? หุ้นตัวนี้ราคาจะขึ้นหรือจะลง? เดือนหน้าจะไปสอบเข้า จะสอบติดรึเปล่า?

แล้วควรถามคำถามรูปแบบไหนดีล่ะ

ถ้าเราซื้อหวยงวดนี้จะเป็นยังไงบ้างนะ? ถ้าซื้อหุ้นตัวนี้ อีก 3 เดือนข้างหน้า เราจะรู้สึกอย่างไรบ้างนะ? ถ้าต้องการสอบผ่านในการสอบเข้าเดือนหน้า ควรทำอย่างไรบ้างนะ?

ช่วงโฆษณา

สนใจดูดวงด้วยไพ่ทาโรต์/ ไพ่ออราเคิล/ หรือลูกเต๋าออราเคิล สามารถติดต่อ SunnyMoo Horo ได้ทาง Nostr: sunnymoo@nostrplebs.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/sunnymoohoro

ค่าบริการดูดวง แบบจัดเต็ม

ครั้งละ 30 นาที ราคา 489 บาท เริ่มต้นด้วยการดูพื้นดวงของเจ้าชะตา จากนั้นสามารถถามคำถามที่ต้องการทราบเพิ่มเติมได้ตามต้องการจนครบเวลาที่กำหนด

ค่าบริการดูดวง แบบ Minimal

หากต้องการทราบคำแนะนำของปัญหาต่าง ๆ ที่คาใจ แบบรายคำถาม ราคาคำถามละ 55 บาท

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

Güneşin kaybolmasının üçüncü günü, saat öğlen on ikiyi yirmi geçiyordu. Trenin kalkmasına yaklaşık iki saat vardı. Hepimiz perondaydık. Valizlerimiz, kolilerimiz, renk renk ve biçimsiz çantalarımızla yan yana dizilmiş, kısa aralıklarla tepemizdeki devasa saati kontrol ediyorduk.

Ama ne kadar dik bakarsak bakalım zaman bir türlü istediğimiz hızla ilerlemiyordu. Herkes birkaç dakika sürmesi gereken alelade bir doğa olayına sıkışıp kalmış, karanlıktan sürünerek çıkmayı deniyordu.

Bekleme salonuna doğru döndüm. Nefesimden çıkan buharın arkasında, kalın taş duvarları ve camlarıyla morg kadar güvenli ve soğuk duruyordu. Cesetleri o yüzden bunun gibi yerlere taşımaya başlamışlardı. Demek insanların bütün iyiliği başkaları onları gördüğü içindi ki gündüzleri gecelerden daha karanlık olduğunda hemen birbirlerinin gırtlağına çökmüş, böğürlerinde delikler açmış, gözlerini oyup kafataslarını parçalamışlardı.

İstasyonun ışığı titrediğinde karanlığın enseme saplandığını hissettim. Eğer şimdi, böyle kalabalık bir yerde elektrik kesilse başımıza ne gelirdi?

İçerideki askerlerden biri bakışlarımı yakalayınca yeniden saate odaklanmış gibi yaptım. Sadece birkaç dakika geçmişti.

“Tarlalarım gitti. Böyle boyum kadar ayçiçeği doluydu. Ah, hepsi ölüp gidiyor. Afitap’ın çiçekleri de gi-”

“Dayı, Allah’ını seversen sus. Hepimizi yakacaksın şimdi.”

Karanlıkta durduğunda, görünmez olmayı istemeye başlıyordun. Kimse seni görmemeli, nefesini bile duymamalıydı. Kimsenin de ayağının altında dolaşmamalıydın; gelip kazayla sana çarpmamalılar, takılıp sendelememeliydiler. Yoksa aslında hedefi sen olmadığın bir öfke gürlemeye başlar, yaşadığın ilk şoku ve acıyı silerek üstünden geçerdi.

İlk konuşan, yaşlıca bir adam, kafasında kasketi, nasırlı ellerine hohluyordu. Gözleri ve burnu kızarmıştı. Güneşin kaybolması onun için kendi başına bir felaket değildi. Hayatına olan pratik yansımalarından korkuyordu olsa olsa. Bir anının kaybolması, bu yüzden çoktan kaybettiği birinin biraz daha eksilmesi. Hayatta kalmasını gerektiren sebepler azalırken, hayatta kalmasını sağlayacak kaynaklarını da kaybediyordu.

Onu susturan delikanlıysa atkısını bütün kafasına sarmış, sakalı ve yüzünün derinliklerine kaçmış gözleri dışında bedeninin bütün parçalarını gizlemeye çalışıyordu. İşte o, güneşin kaybolmasının tam olarak ne anlama geldiğini anlamamış olsa bile, dehşetini olduğu gibi hissedebilenlerdendi.

Güneşin onlardan alındıktan sonra kime verileceğini sormuyorlardı. En başta onlara verildiğinde de hiçbir soru sormamışlardı zaten.

İki saat ne zaman geçer?

Midemin üstünde, sağ tarafıma doğru keskin bir acı hissettim. Karaciğerim. Gözlerimi yumdum. Yanımda biri metal bir nesneyi yere bıraktı. Bir kafesti. İçerisindeki kartalın ıslak kokusu burnuma ulaşmadan önce bile biliyordum bunu.

“Yeniden mi?” diye sordu bana kartal. Kanatları kanlı. Zamanın her bir parçası tüylerinin üstüne çöreklenmişti. Gagası bir şey, tahminen et parçası geveliyor gibi hareket ediyordu. Eski anılar kolay unutulmazmış. Şu anda kafesinin kalın parmaklıklarının ardında olsa da bunun bir aldatmaca olduğunu bir tek ben biliyordum. Her an kanatlarını iki yana uzatıverebilir, hava bu hareketiyle dalgalanarak kafesi esneterek hepimizi içine alacak kadar genişleyebilir, parmaklıklar önce ayaklarımızın altına serilir gibi gözükebilir ama aslında hepimizin üstünde yükselerek tepemize çökebilirdi.

Aşağıya baktım. Tahtalarla zapt edilmiş, hiçbir yere gidemeyen ama her yere uzanan tren rayları. Atlayıp koşsam… Çantam çok ağırdı. Daha birkaç adım atamadan, kartal, suratını bedenime gömerdi.

“Bu sefer farklı,” diye yanıtladım onu. “Yeniden diyemezsin. Tekrarladığım bir şey değil bu. Hatta bir hata yapıyormuşum gibi tonlayamazsın da. Bu sefer, insanların hak etmediğini biliyorum.”

“O zaman daha vahim. Süzme salaksın demektir.”

“İnsanların hak etmemesi, insanlığın hak etmediği anlamına gelmez ki.”

Az önce göz göze geldiğim genççe ama çökük asker hâlâ bana bakıyordu. Bir kartalla konuştuğumu anlamamıştı şüphesiz. Yanımdakilerden biriyle konuştuğumu sanmış olmalıydı. Ama konuştuğum kişiye bakmıyordum ona göre. Çekingence kafamı eğmiştim. Bir kez daha göz göze geldiğimizde içerideki diğer iki askere bir şeyler söyledi, onlar dönüp beni süzerken dışarı çıktı.

Yanımızdaki, az önce konuşan iki adam da şaşkınlıkla bir bana bir kartala bakıyordu.

“Yalnız bu sefer kalbin de kırılacak, Prometheus,” dedi kartal, bana. “Belki son olur. Biliyorsun, bir sürü soruna neden oluyor bu yaptıkların.”

Beni koruyordu sözde. En çok kanıma dokunan buydu. Kasıklarımın üstüne oturmuş, kanlı suratının ardında gözleri parlarken attığı çığlık kulaklarımda titremeye devam ediyordu. Bu tabloda kimsenin kimseyi düşündüğü yoktu. Kartalın, yanımızdaki adamların, artık arkama kadar gelmiş olması gereken askerin, tren raylarının, geçmeyen saatlerin…

Arkamı döndüğümde, asker sahiden oradaydı. Zaten öyle olması gerekiyordu; görmüştüm bunu, biliyordum. Kehanetler… Bir şeyler söylüyordu ama ağzı oynarken sesi çıkmıyordu. Yavaşlamış, kendisini saatin akışına uydurmuştu. Havada donan tükürüğünden anlaşılıyordu, sinirliydi. Korktuğu için olduğunu biliyordum. Her seferinde korkmuşlardı. Beni unutmuş olmaları işlerini kolaylaştırmıyordu. Sadece yeni bir isim vermelerine neden oluyordu. Bu seferkiyle beni lanetleyecekleri kesinleşmişti.

Olması gerekenle olanların farklı olması ne kadar acınasıydı. Olması gerekenlerin doğasının kötücül olmasıysa bir yerde buna dayanıyordu.

“Salaksın,” dedi kartal bana. Zamanı aşan bir çığlık. Hepimizin önüne geçmişti ama kimseyi durduramıyordu.

Sonsuzluğa kaç tane iki saat sıkıştırabilirsiniz?

Ben bir tane bile sıkıştıramadım.

Çantama uzanıyordum. Asker de sırtındaki tüfeğini indiriyordu. Benim acelem yoktu, onunsa eli ayağı birbirine dolaşıyordu. Oysaki her şey tam olması gerektiği anda olacaktı. Kehanet başkasının parmaklarının ucundaydı.

Güneş, bir tüfeğin patlamasıyla yeryüzüne doğdu.

Rayların üzerine serilmiş göğsümün ortasından, bir çantanın içinden.

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2021 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ f866d5b1:c526b32f

ทุกสิ่งในโลกล้วนมีทั้งด้านความต้องการบริโภค (อุปสงค์) และด้านความต้องการผลิต (อุปทาน) อยู่เสมอ การแก้ปัญหาที่ต้องการให้เลิกบริโภคอย่างยั่งยืนต้องไปแก้ที่ต้นเหตุ นั่นคือ ต้องลดความต้องการบริโภคสินค้าลงให้ได้ ไม่ใช่การขยันออกกฎหมายมาห้ามนู้นนี่นั่นไปเรื่อยเปื่อย

หากเราขยันออกกฎหมายมาห้าม ก็ต้องมีการบังคับใช้กฎหมายอย่างเข้มงวดทุกกรณี เช่น การห้ามเด็กอายุต่ำกว่า 20 ปี ซื้อเครื่องดื่มที่มีแอลกอฮอล์ ก็ต้องทำให้เข้มงวด รัดกุม ไม่ใช่ปล่อยให้มีร้านขายของชำบางร้าน แอบขายให้เด็กที่อายุต่ำกว่า 20 ปี เป็นต้น 
 การแก้ปัญหาความต้องการบริโภคสินค้าเสพติดแบบยั่งยืนต้องแก้ที่ด้านอุปสงค์ ซึ่งเครื่องมือของรัฐที่มีไว้ใช้ในการลดจำนวนนักดื่มคือ การให้ความรู้ หรือ การเก็บภาษี ซึ่งมาตรการให้ความรู้ที่ถูกต้องมันยุ่งยากและใช้เวลาในการดำเนินนโยบายมากกว่ามาตรการเก็บภาษี



หากจะใช้มาตรการเก็บภาษีเพื่อแก้ปัญหาที่มาจากด้านอุปสงค์ ก็ต้องเก็บภาษีแบบเซอร์ไพร์ส คือประกาศขึ้นอัตราภาษีเหล้าเบียร์แบบสูงลิบลิ่วและไม่ทันได้ตั้งตัว ซึ่งอย่างเหล้าเบียร์เนี่ย มันเป็นสินค้าทดแทนได้ยาก เพราะมันเป็นเครื่องดื่มที่เสพแล้วติด จึงต้องเก็บภาษีให้สูงมาก ๆ เพื่อลดจำนวนนักดื่มลงมา


หรือไม่รัฐบาลก็ต้องให้ความรู้ความเข้าใจที่ถูกต้องถึงผลเสียที่ตามมาจากการดื่มเหล้าเบียร์ที่มากเกินไป หรือหาสินค้าทดแทนอื่น ๆ ที่สร้างความมึนเมา และสนุกสนานในวงสนทนา ที่ส่งผลเสียต่อสุขภาพน้อยกว่า มาให้ประชาชนได้บริโภคแทนเหล้าเบียร์ นั่นเอง

มิเช่นนั้น มาตรการภาษีที่ใช้ไป ก็เป็นแค่เพียงเครื่องมือในการสร้างรายได้ให้ภาครัฐเอาไปถลุงในเรื่องต่าง ๆ ที่อาจไม่เกิดประโยชน์แท้จริงต่อส่วนรวม ไม่ได้ทำให้ปัญหาที่เกิดจากการดื่มเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์มากเกินไป หายไปจากสังคมนั้นอย่างถาวร

@ 2f7463a4:e92b8023

Dies ist die deutsche Übersetzung von / This is the German translation of :

nostr:naddr1qqxnzd3cxserxdpsxverzwp4qgs87hptfey2p607ef36g6cnekuzfz05qgpe34s2ypc2j6x24qvdwhgrqsqqqa28zcj37a — nostr:npub10awzknjg5r5lajnr53438ndcyjylgqsrnrtq5grs495v42qc6awsj45ys7

Weitere Übersetzungen / Other translations : - Spanisch / Spanish : nostr:naddr1qqx9zat994jhxttgv93xccgzypl4c26wfzswnlk2vwjxky7dhqjgnaqzqwvdvz3qwz5k3j4grrt46qcyqqq823cf6w59v — nostr:npub138s5hey76qrnm2pmv7p8nnffhfddsm8sqzm285dyc0wy4f8a6qkqtzx624

---

Habla ist eine auf Nostr basierende Plattform, mit der du umfangreiche Beiträge erstellen und verwalten kannst. Man könnte es mit Medium vergleichen, aber Habla ist viel mehr als das. Habla ist herkömmlichen Blogging-Plattformen überlegen, weil es auf Nostr basiert. Es ist mit einer Vielzahl anderer Nostr-Apps interoperabel, was die Benutzererfahrung nahtlos und fesselnd macht. Darüber hinaus können deine Inhalte, wenn sie von den Lesern als wertvoll empfunden werden, dank des Lightning-Netzwerkes sofort mit dem besten Geld, das die Menschheit je gesehen hat, belohnt werden: Bitcoin.

Was ist Nostr?

Nostr ist eine neue Art der Online-Kommunikation, die ihren Nutzern zahlreiche Vorteile bietet. Nostr ist für alle kostenlos, man braucht keine ID oder andere Verifizierung durch Dritte, um sich anzumelden, Gleichgesinnte zu treffen und die Community um sich herum zu vergrößern. Nostr wird oft mit einer Social-Media-Plattform verwechselt, ist aber viel mehr als das. Wir empfehlen dir einen Blick auf die hier gesammelten Nostr-Ressourcen zu werfen, um die potenzielle Dimension dieses Tools zu erkennen.

Wie melde ich mich bei Habla an?

Um auf Habla zu schreiben, erstelle einfach ein Habla/Nostr-Konto und melde dich an. Folge diesen einfachen Schritten, um dich zu registrieren, Mehrwert zu bieten und Gegenwert zurückzuerhalten.

Wie verdiene ich mit Habla?

Habla ermöglicht es, Werte direkt von deinen Lesern zu erhalten. Es ist kein Bankkonto oder Ausweis erforderlich. Verbinde einfach deine Lightning-Adresse mit deinem Habla/Nostr-Konto und erhalte Geld direkt auf dein Wallet – ohne Dritte, ohne Warten auf Abhebungen, ohne Stress. Folge diesen einfachen Schritten, um loszulegen.

Warum ist das Publizieren auf Habla anders?

Das Nostr-Protokoll ist sehr schlank, was einige Besonderheiten im Verhalten von Nostr-basierten Anwendungen mit sich bringt. Wir gehen hier nicht auf die technischen Details ein, aber der offensichtlichste Unterschied, den du als Autor bemerken wirst, ist, dass du ein anderes und möglicherweise ungewohntes Textformat für deine Beiträge verwenden musst. Aber keine Angst, Habla bietet Tools, die diesen Prozess einfach und intuitiv machen. Hier ist ein kurzes Video von nostr:npub1wkljx5c6a8uccc5etws8ry0y3r4dgavh2dcav0tal4rtmcdl4z2sfu5u0t, das die Grundlagen des Publizierens mit Habla erklärt (der Leitfaden wurde vor dem Redesign erstellt, ist aber immer noch nützlich):

https://nostr.build/p/nb9474.mp4

Habla (und viele andere Nostr-Anwendungen) verwendet das etablierte Format Markdown. Das gibt es schon seit fast einem Jahrzehnt und wird von den meisten Apps, die du jeden Tag benutzt, unterstützt. Der Grund, warum du vielleicht noch nichts von Markdown gehört hast, ist, dass herkömmliche Anwendungen es normalerweise vor dem Benutzer verbergen, und wir arbeiten daran, dies auch zu tun. Mehr über Markdown kannst du hier herausfinden.

Wo werden meine Inhalte gespeichert?

Herkömmliche Blogging-Plattformen speichern die Inhalte auf ihren eigenen Servern. Das ist ein bequemer und (früher) solider Ansatz, der aber auch kritische Risiken birgt. Wenn du die Früchte deiner Arbeit einer einzigen Partei überlässt, hat diese die vollständige Kontrolle über deine Inhalte. Nostr löst dieses Problem. Jedes Mal, wenn du etwas veröffentlichst, wird dein Inhalt an zahlreiche Relais zur Speicherung und Verbreitung weitergeleitet. Wenn ein Relais-Betreiber deinen Beitrag blockiert oder sich weigert, ihn weiterzuverbreiten, können deine Leser auf andere Relais zurückgreifen, um Zugang zu deinen Inhalten zu erhalten (keine Sorge, wenn das kompliziert klingt, alles geschieht unter der Haube). Auf diese Weise wird sichergestellt, dass du niemals zum Schweigen gebracht wirst. Wir haben uns entschieden, uns auf das zu konzentrieren, was wir am besten können: eine intuitive, effiziente und einfach zu bedienende Blogging-Plattform zu entwickeln, die sich lohnt – und das Speichern und Verbreiten von Inhalten den Profis auf diesem Gebiet zu überlassen.

Wie publiziere ich?

Habla bietet alle Tools, die du brauchst, um eindrucksvolle Artikel zu erstellen, die sich von anderen abheben. Bereite deinen Artikel vor, formatiere deinen Text mit den entsprechenden Tools, füge Medien hinzu und schau dir das Ergebnis vor Veröffentlichung selbst noch einmal an. Alles, was du brauchst, steht dir zur Verfügung, und die Plattform wird von Tag zu Tag besser und benutzerfreundlicher.

Wer kann meine Beiträge auf Habla lesen?

Jeder im Internet kann deine Beiträge lesen. Wenn deine Leser jedoch mit deiner Arbeit interagieren möchten – sei es durch Folgen, Kommentieren oder indem sie dir etwas zurückgeben möchten – sollten sie ein Nostr-Konto einrichten. Wir ermutigen dich, deine Follower einzubeziehen, um eine blühende Community aufzubauen und neue Höhen zu erreichen. Diese Kurzanleitung wird dir und deinen Fans den Einstieg erleichtern.

---

Dieses FAQ befindet sich in ständiger Entwicklung und wird sich in dem Maße ändern, wie Habla und Nostr zu noch leistungsfähigeren Tools werden. Bitte teile mir dein Feedback mit, damit ich es noch besser machen kann.

@ 52387c6b:49dbdfb2

Chef's notes

Easy start to the day, can also put some Woostr in your Bloody Mary. Perfect for washing down the toast. Breakfast of champions. If you have some sharp cheddar you can melt this on the toast, altho this may prove too complex for the average bloke, just an option. Be mindful this will add significant prep and cook time. 2-3 minutes

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 30 sec
• 🍳 Cook time: 2 min
• 🍽️ Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• Butter
• Woostr sauce
• Bloody Mary

Directions

1. Toast bread to your liking, lather a dollop of butter on. Criss cross the toast with a butter knife ( so the woostr dont roll off) and then drizzle on woostr.

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

A Show for Thai Nostrs That Aligns with Austrian Economics

The initiative behind the specific program #สภายาม่วง (The Purple Council, hosted by nostr:npub1ejn774qahqmgjsfajawy7634unk88y26yktvwuzp9kfgdeejx9mqdm97a5) emerged from blending various concepts together. My objective is thus diverse and dynamic.

Benefits to the Community

• Supporting Austrian Economic Principles: When you create value out of self-interest, leading to genuine benefits to the community, you deserve to be rewarded.
• Open to All: This space is for everyone in our community who contributes value through their proof of work, expecting more than just personal gain.
• Opportunity for Recognition: Individuals can voluntarily reveal their stories, helping the community to appreciate and understand different aspects of their identities.
• Promoting a Culture of Respect and Admiration: We push a new culture where value creation is not seen as futile or ignored.
• Accessible to All, Not Just Influencers: The platform is for anyone who deserves it, even if the positive value they bring is just making others laugh.
• Inspiring Community Engagement: Motivating everyone to benefit others without expecting anything in return other than personal satisfaction, while respecting each other through creative and positive contributions.
• Fostering a Positive Community Atmosphere: Connecting values and interactions among community members.
• Self-Value and Pride in the Community: Encouraging unity and cooperation to achieve greater things in the future.
• Content Rich in Value: Easygoing and comfortable viewing culture, full of warmth and fun, with a free and interactive chat environment.
• Unique Experiences with Influencers: Exclusive content on Nostr that differs from mainstream media, offering new experiences and fun.
• Space for Special Agendas and Topics: A place for sharing knowledge, experiences, and discussions beneficial to the community, not necessarily requiring interviews.

Benefits to Individuals (Crew, Guests, Audience)

• Freedom of Speech: Discuss topics that are hard to find a platform for, without self-censorship (while still being responsible for one's actions). Allows for full expression of personality (if distributed further, some parts may be cut to prevent negative impacts on the speaker and our community).
• On-Camera Presence in Live Shows: Practice real-time, unscripted interaction. Mistakes and slip-ups are allowed, fostering a more relaxed expression without the pressure of production quality expectations. This leads to habituation in public speaking and skill development.
• Spontaneous Interaction: As I am the only one aware of the content and the identity of the guests in each episode, other participants must respond spontaneously to unforeseen situations (known at the same time as the audience). It's a practice in handling unprepared presentations, unexpected questions, and developing quick thinking, reducing panic in similar future scenarios (especially for my team members).
• Listening Skills Development: Cultivate mindfulness, attention, and the ability to think, analyze, and discern. Design approaches to respond to unscripted events and create content with a forward-thinking approach, while considering the experiences and values the audience will gain.
• Boost in Self-Confidence: Pride in handling unforeseen events effectively, overcoming fears and perceived obstacles.
• Learning Responsibility: Understand the consequences of actions, decisions, and immediate responses, as well as the digital footprint created. These experiences are valuable for personal development.
• For the Audience: Enjoy uncensored, friendly, and relaxed content (even if some topics are mentally challenging). The informal setting allows for engaging and entertaining discussions in chat, alleviating loneliness.
• Using Satoshi through Zaps: A beneficial use-case for both giver and receiver. It allows one to appreciate and marvel at the value of their choices. Receivers gain pride and recognition for their contributions, supported by positive reinforcement. Givers feel fulfilled, contributing to the community's value creation.
• Inspiration for Self-Improvement: Encourages bold suggestions for both the program and the platform, aiming for future improvements. Participate in the development of these improvements.

My Contribution to the Global Nostr Community

One thing I believe I have contributed to the global Nostr community is bringing into practical use the creations of developers. By implementing these developments, I have helped realize beneficial use-cases that genuinely add value in various aspects. Moreover, I strive to demonstrate that these contributions significantly benefit a large number of people, creating a ripple effect that extends both within and beyond the community.

---

There are many things in my mind, but let me just share a part of it. I hope this gives you some understanding of my intentions behind producing this program.

Although I don't have enough time to personally acknowledge everyone who contributes value extensively (and there are many who are not comfortable being in the media - no problem there), as long as this Purple Field exists, there will come a day when I can express my appreciation to everyone.

If there is anyone you would like to know more about, I am more than willing to listen to suggestions and invite these individuals to join and share their value in future episodes of The Purple Council.

Another thing I want to emphasize about the value of this program (even if it seems self-praising) is that I've never intended to appear in the media or any programs before. It's still the same today, except for very important and necessary occasions.

This program is the only one I've chosen to be a part of, to show the "price" of the value created here, to demonstrate how much I value this principle and love our Purple Field community.

Please continue to follow The Purple Council. If there's anything I can improve or develop, don't hesitate to give your suggestions.

Thank you. 🙏

P.S. We now have #Siamstr Radio on #Nostrnest operating 24/7. It's a similar space for our Purple Field community. You can join and have fun with friends there without having to wait for The Purple Council.

I've been quite busy with various tasks lately and haven't been as active in the Purple Field as before. I apologize for this.

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

Kendisini aynada ilk defa gördüğü o gün, diğerleri gibi olduğunu anlamıştı. Oysaki her insan biricik olmalıydı. Sözgelimi sinirlendiğinde bir kaşı diğerinden birkaç milimetre daha az çatılabilirdi veya sevindiğinde dudağı ona has bir açıyla dalgalanabilirdi. Hatta bunların hiçbiri mümkün değilse, en azından, gözlerinin içinde sadece onun sahip olabileceği bir ışık parlayabilirdi. Çok sıradan, öyle sıradan ki kimsenin fark etmediği o milyonlarca minik şeyden herhangi biri. Ne olursa.

Ama yansımasına bakarken bunların hiçbirini bulamadı ve diğer günlerden hiç de farklı başlamamış o gün, işe gitmek için vagonunun gelmesini beklediği alelade bir metro istasyonunda, içinde kaybolduğu illüzyon dağılmaya başladı.

İlk önce derisi döküldü. Tam olarak dökülmedi aslında, daha çok kıvılcımlara dönüşüp bedeninden fırlamış ve bir an sonra sönerek külleşmiş, havada dağılmıştı. Ardında da, kaybolmadan hemen önce, kısa süre için hayal meyal görülebilen, bir ruhun yok oluşuna ağıt yakan rengârenk peri cesetleri bırakmıştı. Beklenenin aksine, havaya toz kokusu yayıldı.

Dehşete düştü elbette. Dehşete düştüler. Panikle üstlerini yırtan 50 işçi. Her şeyin sebebiyse o vagon.

Saçları da döküldü. Her tel, yere varmadan önce, her santimde ikiye ayrıla ayrıla yok oldu.

Bütün yüzeylerin mat olduğu, hiçbir şeyin yansımadığı, suyun siyah aktığı ve kendine ancak kameralarla bakabildiğin bir dünyada, vagonun içine yerleştirilmiş bir aynadan ilk defa kendini görmek.

Gözlerinin akları buharlaşıp havada dağıldı, mercekleri boşalan yeri doldurmak için eriyip yayıldı. Gerçeği görmemek için yaratılmış, bu yüzden görmeye hazır olmayan ve hiç olmayacak gözler.

Her şeyin o anda sona erdiğini sanabilirdi insan. Derin bir karanlık ve ölüm. Görmenin görmek olduğu o anın bitişi.

---

Ben geldiğimde ölmüşlerdi.

Yani bozulmuşlardı demek istiyorum.

Belleklerini yeni taşıyıcılara takmam mümkün olmadı. Fiziksel olarak kusursuz durumdaydılar, olmayanları da tamir edebilirdim ama tüm o hengamede kendilerini baştan programlamış ve girdilerini modifiye etmişlerdi.

Belleklerden birini masanın üzerinden ileriye savurdu. Hınca hınç dolu bir barda oturuyorlardı. O ve arkadaşı.

Sırf şu kendisini insan sanan androidler travma geçirip delirmesin diye neler yapıyoruz, insanın aklı almıyor.

Eliyle arkasını işaret etti.

Polislerin söylediğine göre biri vagonun içerisine ayna yerleştirmiş. Bu zavallılar da kapı açılıp bir anda yansımalarını görünce kafayı kırmışlar.

Arkadaşı bunların ona ne hissettirdiğini sordu. Yani o kadar bozuk, insan olduğunu sanan androidi kendilerini parçalamış olarak yerde görmek onu sarsmamış mıydı?

Hayır, sonuçta belirli bir amaç için yaratılmış şeyler onlar. Kaliteli bir bilgisayarım bozulduğunda üzülürüm çünkü parasını ben vermişimdir. Bunlarsa devletin. Bana ne ki?

Arkadaşı anlayışla kafasını sallayıp suyundan bir yudum aldı. Kravatını biraz gevşetti.

Bira istemediğinden emin misin?

İstemediğini söyledi. Sahi, neden deliriyordu bu androidler?

Basit. Onların yapay zekâlarını kodlarken bir şeyler yazıyorlar. Yazılımcılar. Biliyorsun, ben donanımdayım. Bunlar da kendilerini insan sanıyorlar. Tiplerine bak.

Sesini alçalttı.

Arabalarda kaza testi yapılan mankenlere benziyor hepsi. Ağızları burunları bile yok ama şu geldiğimizden beri sakalını düzeltip duruyor mesela. Hayır, hepsi de diğerleri onun sakalı varmış sanıyor, o manyak bir şey.

Arkadaşı bunun delirmeleriyle bağlantısını çözemediğini söyledi. O da normal sesiyle konuşmaya devam etti.

Anlasana, aynayı falan ayırt edemiyor mercekleri. Lönk diye kendilerini görüyorlar. Böyle, olduğu gibi...

Nedenmiş peki? Ne gerek varmış?

Ne bileyim be abicim! Ahiret soruları gibi.

Birasına bakarak dalıp gitti. Sonra masaya abanarak arkadaşına iyice yaklaştı. Bulanık, bir tünelin ucundaki biri gibi, şekli şemalı belirsiz bir adam.

Ben seni nereden tanıyorum ki ulan? Kimsin sen?

Belleği makineden çıkardılar. İki kişiydiler. Soruşturmadan sorumlu memurlar.

─ Baştan mı başlıyoruz, diye sordu belleği elinde tutan ilk memur.

─ Bir kere daha deneyelim ama bu sefer direkt aynayı sorarak başla, diye cevapladı ikinci memur.

─ Bence de. Yeterince düzgün çalışıyor.

Simülasyon yüklenirken, ayakta, biraz arkada duran ve alnını kaşıyan ikinci memur sormaktan kendisini alamadı:

─ Bu androidleri niye böyle bir olay yerine göndermişler ki? Belli tost olacakları. İsraf. Gidip biz baksak aynayı kırıp delilleri mahvetmek zorunda da kalmazlar.

Diğer memur sandalyesinde hafifçe dönecek oldu, o sırada soruyu bilgisayarın hoparlöründen teknisyen cevapladı.

Hangi işimizde bir yamukluk yok ki be abi.

---

Ama bir son değildi. Üstlerindeki tüm illüzyon dağıldığında ve çıplak, cinsiyetsiz, birbirinin aynı bedenleriyle kaldıklarında sıra dünyaya gelmişti.

Yere düştüler. Elleri -bütün bedeni gibi siyah turmalinden, boğumları çelikten- yere değdiği anda, metronun zemini dağıldı.

Yerdeki karolar öncesinde beyazdı ve çok parlaktı. Tepelerindeki floresan, ışığını olduğu gibi yansıtıyor, tek bir lekenin olmadığı ve tek bir tozun uçmadığı istasyonu aydınlatıyorlardı.

Duvarlara duyurular asılmıştı. Örneğin, yarın akşam kültür merkezinde 20.00’da başlayacak bir tekno blues festivalinin cıvıl cıvıl afişi vardı. Onun yanında daha geniş, sarı puntolu harflerle yazılmış, yatay siyah kesiklerle çerçevesi çizilmiş, bir platformdan düşen çöp adamın bulunduğu “Dikkat! Sarı bandı geçmeyin!” uyarısı. Biraz ilerisinde günlük resmi gazete, onun ilerisinde bir aksiyon filminin ve başka bir romantik komedi filminin afişleri, yapılacakların ve yapılmayacakların söylendiği küçük puntolu çeşitli duyurular... Duvar uzayıp giden bir panoydu. On, on beş metrede bir tekrarlanıyordu.

Tüm istasyonun eni yüz metre kadar. Genişliği on metre civarı.

Önlerinde, açık kapısından o mendebur aynanın gözüktüğü vagon duruyordu. Metro, istasyona sığmayacak kadar uzundu. Bir kılıcın keskinliğiyle uzanıyor ama yer yer vagonların ek yerleriyle bölünüyordu.

Hiçbir vagonda pencere olmadığı için metronun içi, içlerindekiler meçhuldü.

Sonrasında karolar zerrelerine ayrılarak yükseldi. Floresanın ışığında her yeri toza boğdular ve ortalığı gri bir sisin altına gömdüler. Çok kısa bir an. Afişleri dalgalandırmadılar. Dalgalandırmaya vakitleri olmadı. Yerlerinden söküp aldılar en fazla. Işık birkaç kere sönüp yanarak direndi. Son kez söndüğünde bir daha geri gelmedi.

Yine de etraf aydınlıktı. Kırmızı, her yere eşit dağılan soluk bir ışıkla.

Yer tamamen tele dönüşmüştü. Altında çapraz hatlarla desteklenmiş demir bir iskelet. Işık birkaç metreden daha fazla aşağıya uzanamıyordu. Sonsuzluğa giden bir uçurum.

Duvarın yerini aynı teller ve demir iskelet almıştı. Arkasında, birbirine vidalarla tutturulmuş demir plakalardan oluşan, üstünden geçen boruların ek yerlerinden bazen ince buharların çıktığı ve bir süre asılı kaldıktan sonra ağır, yağlı bir havayla sürüklendiği bir koridor.

Diğer tarafta paslanmış, pencerelerindeki camlar kırıldığı için demir plakalarla kapatılmış külüstür bir metro. Kapının karşısındaki aynadan her şey olduğu gibi yansıyordu.

---

Bir konteynırın içini andıran bir evde, gerçi gayet de birbirine eklenmiş konteynırlardan oluşan bir şehirde “andıran” demek doğru olmayacağı için düpedüz bir konteynırın içinde, masaya mum görüntüsü vermek için koyulmuş, yarı katı yağ atıklarından şekillendirilmiş kütleleri yakmayı deniyordu. Kafasında hayvan kıllarından yapılmış grili siyahlı bir peruk. Aynı kıllardan kendisine gür bir bıyık da yapmıştı.

Üstünde mavi çöp poşetlerinden yapılmış, kravatlı, şık bir takım.

Masanın ayakları yerine oradan buradan çıkmış parçalar konulmuştu: bir arabanın şaft mili, üst üste konulmuş ve üstünde yazı okunamayan tenekeler, boş kitaplar, boş gazete balyaları... Hiçbir şeye yazı yazılmıyordu, gerek yoktu da zaten çünkü merkez veri bankası onları fark ettirmeden, merceklerden giren veriyi sentezleyerek insanlar için dolduruyordu. Yani, androidler için. Farklı şekilde isimlendirmek bir fark yaratacaksa.

Onların mercekleri için değil. Bağlantıları çok önceden kopmuştu.

─ Hayatım, sofra hazır, diye bağırdı yatak odasındaki karısına.

Sofrada tabak yerine düz, bardak yerine bükülmüş, çatal ve bıçak yerine sivriltilmiş plakalar.

Karısı salonun kapısında durakladı ve ancak kulaklarına kadar uzanan, kocasınınkine benzeyen, cansız, ölü hayvanların kıllarından ibaret peruğunu eliyle düzeltti. Dudağını, daha doğrusu dudağının olması gereken yeri koyu kırmızı bir yağ tabakasıyla renklendirmeyi denemişti. Biraz da yanaklarına sürmüştü.

─ Nasıl olmuş, diye sordu.

Sesi tek düzeydi ama hafif bir neşe olduğunu hissettiğinize yemin edebilirdiniz.

Üzerinde, çöp poşetlerinin içini yazısız gazete kağıtlarıyla doldurarak yaptığı iki parça giysi.

─ Çok güzelsin, diyerek kravatını düzeltti kocası.

─ Sen de öylesin, sevgilim.

Yaklaşıp kocasını öptü. Kocası da onu. Sonra nazikçe elinden tutarak, sandalyesini geriye çekerek oturmasına yardım etti.

Sofrada yemek niyetine hiçbir şey yoktu. Gerek de yoktu zaten.

Konteynırın kapısı gürültüyle tekmelenip içeri iki memur girene kadar birbirlerine öyküler anlattılar. O gün neler yaptıklarını. İşten erken çıkıp yemyeşil çimenlerde gezdiklerini, uçurtma uçurduklarını, kadının nasıl o elbiseyi bulmak için saatlerce gezip yorulduğunu, kocasının kısa süreliğine işe dönüp nasıl başarılı bir hamleyle yaşanan krizi çözdüğünü ve kadının yanına döndükten sonra, alışveriş merkezinde oturdukları yeni dondurmacının dondurmalarının ne kadar lezzetli olduğunu, boğazlarının ağrımasından korktuklarını...

Akşam film izleyebilirlerdi, televizyonda -boş ve mat bir plaka- güzel bir film oynayacaktı.

İki memur. Çıplak bedenleriyle birbirinin aynı. Ellerindeki silahları onlara doğrultmuşlardı. Mum ışığında, tertemiz bir örtünün serili olduğu masada, bardaklarında şaraplarla oturan ve henüz sofranın ortasındaki hindiye dokunmamış çifti gördüklerinde bocaladılar.

Hiç de androidlere bilinçli olarak zarar verebilecek gibi gözükmüyorlardı.

─ Sessiz kalma hakkına sahipsiniz, diye bağırdı içeri giren ikinci memur. Söylediğiniz her şey...

Cümlesini bitiremedi. Yatak odasındaki, masanın üzerinden gördüğü o şey, onunla aynı hareketleri yapan android, yoksa, bir aynadaki yansıması mıydı?

Bütün illüzyon o anda dağılmaya başladı.

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2020 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ 6871d8df:4a9396c1

One of my favorite Christmas movies is 'It's a Wonderful Life.' The end is so heartwarming, and being such a Bitcoiner, I find it interesting that the movie's premise centers around the issues of fractional reserve banking. Bedford Falls reminds me of where I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. I also resonate with George Bailey as I felt the same way about leaving my small town growing up. Unlike George Bailey, however, I got out; it has been a decade since I lived there, though every year at Christmas, I make it back and stay with family.

This year is the first year that felt different. This trip was the first year where each time I went to go to an old stomping ground, I had to first think of whether it was still in business. It was the first time I noticed that a very high proportion of buildings that used to be small businesses had wood in their windows. The buildings that did seem upgraded changed to cannabis dispensaries. It was the first time I sat back and thought, 'What is happening here?'

In talking to friends and family about work, I became disheartened by how many either now worked for the government or the majority of their business came from steady government contracts. Those who worked in local education institutions regularly complained about how administrations had gotten out of control or dysfunctional due to lousy leadership or bloat. In one case in particular, leadership got so bad, but nothing could be done because he "wasn't white" and "firing a Latino president would look bad." It seemed difficult to imagine how these institutions would right the ship.

In short, I couldn't help but think that my small town was becoming Pottersville, where the government was Potter. Everyone of that age was concerned that a malicious businessman would come in and ruin their town, but that is not what happened. When constituents of a small town do not service it themselves, the soul of it disappears. Businesses will start to feed vices versus adding value. When small business owners have a greater interest in the long-term health of their small town, they will add value in more moral ways. Short versus long-term time preference matters for small towns. Interestingly, as citizens start to worry more about "how will I put food on the table?" rather than "how will I add value to my community?" things go downhill quickly. The community will start to look to Potter to solve their problems — in this case, the government — rather than each other.

This is, of course, only one anecdote, but I find it hard to believe that small towns aren't taking a beating like this everywhere. What are the consequences of something like this? What do we need to do to turn it around? Do we need or want to turn this around? As I leave the place where I grew up, these are the questions that are rattling around my head, along with "How much longer will I be able to come back and recognize it?"

@ 1bc70a01:24f6a411

The following is a baseline FAQ intended to be copy / pasted / modified into clients Help section to get people familiarized with some terms. Some of the information may not be totally accurate, or can age very quickly due to the rate of development on nostr. If you have anything you'd like to add or correct, please leave a comment.

If you have any further questions, use the #asknostr hashtag for help. Keep in mind, some of this information may become obsolete since the protocol is under constant development.

What is nostr & how does it work?

Nostr stands for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. It is an open, permission-less protocol that aims to provide censorship-resistance and interoperability. It can be used to create social networks or just about any other type of app (other stuff part of the acronym). It is not a single website or app, but the glue that holds together many apps (clients).

At its core, nostr consists of relays and events. A person does something (event) and this event is sent to a relay. The relay stores the event, then waits for another person to request it. The most common types of events are notes and reactions - the stuff social media is made of, but there are many other types of events. It works very similar to how any other app would work with a database, except in nostr there is no single database, rather a large number of relays that store the events.

What’s the big deal?

The big deal is that anyone can build on top of nostr and access the same user base. Prior to this companies relied on APIs which require permission to use. This means apps live in silos and can dictate everything a user does. It also means they can de-platform anyone at any time for any reason. On nostr, a person cannot be de-platformed or silenced. Since anyone can run a relay, everyone can have a backup of their own stats (followers, notes, etc) and can make that available to any app that requests it. If one app bans the user, they’ll still be found in another. Since there is no single database, it is very difficult to silence anyone.

For the first time ever, creators can own the relationship with their followers and take it anywhere they wish to go. Speech is protected the way it should have been but hasn’t until now.

Why do I keep seeing “nostr” when I am using an app by a different name? Your app (also called client) is just how you access the nostr protocol. It’s a bit like email - you use your email app to send email over SMPT, and people can read that email in an app of their choice.

There are many apps which can access the same protocol.

What is a relay & how do I join them?

A relay is just a server that stores events (data such as notes). When a person writes a note, they broadcast it to their relays. Another person who is connected to at least one of the same relays then sees that note and can re-broadcast it further. This is how notes spread on nostr.

Most apps (clients) will automatically connect to a handful of relays when you start. You can discover other relays by inspecting people’s profiles and adding missing ones to your list. Some clients may also connect you to relevant relays automatically so you don’t have to think about that.

How many relays should I have?

On average, a person is able to reach a lot of their followers with 10-15 relays. Some clients will show the recommended relays shared by your followers so you can always be in touch.

Is one relay better than another?

The goal of nostr is to enable censorship-resistant speech. This means notes need to be on as many relays as possible. However, since most people will have 10-15 relays on average, some relays are going to be more popular than others. Having a few large ones in your list is a good idea, but broadcasting to other small ones is important.

In terms of quality, relays with good uptime, willingness to accept your notes, and close proximity should be prioritized.

Where can I find new relays?

1. Client settings. Some apps will recommend some relays in their settings. 2. Automatically connected. Some apps will automatically connect you to relays so you don’t need to worry about them at all. 3. Via other user relay settings. If you browse a profile of a person you follow, you will see their relay list and can add any missing ones to your list. Remember, it’s not Pokemon, you don’t need to catch them all!

Where do I find new people to follow?

It depends on the client being used. Some may have more functionality than others. Here are some possible places to discover new people to follow: 1. Trending users 2. Trending notes 3. Trending hashtags 4. Popular hashtags 5. Suggested follows 6. Followed by friends 7. Conversations - simply engaging in conversations and following interesting people. 8. Global (not recommended, but if you must).

What is a client?

A client is just another name for an app. They are called clients because they act as one - fetching data from relays.

What are private and public keys?

In nostr there are no databases and therefore no place to create an account. Instead, the protocol uses public-key cryptography to generate “keys”. It’s all very technical and is based on algorithms and math, but at the core you generate a key pair - a public key and a private one. These more or less act as username / password. You can think of a public key as your username (except anyone can access data associated with your username), and a private key as password. To post a note, you need to “sign it” with your key that proves you actually hold this secret key.

Anyone can see your public key (often called npub). But only you have the password - the secret key (often called nsec) which authorizes you to publish as yourself. It’s a good idea to keep the private key safe - hence “private”.

NEVER SHARE YOUR PRIVATE KEY. ONCE LEAKED, ANYONE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS YOUR PRIVATE MESSAGES AND POST AS YOU, FOREVER. THERE IS NO WAY TO RESET A KEY!!

How should I manage my keys?

Your nsec (private key) is your super secret piece of information. Never disclose your private key! It is not possible to “reset” it. Once leaked, that key pair is done and you have to start over with a new one. There are some services that can help transfer your data from the old key to a new one, but they are still in development.

NEVER input your private key into a website. Websites can leak data. Instead, use a signing extension where you add your key once and let the “signer” do the job of authorizing events such as notes on your behalf.

Popular signer extensions: - Alby (Chrome) - Nos2X (Chrome) - Nostr Connect (Chrome & Firefox) - based on Nos2X - Amber (on Android) - Nostore (on iOS Safari)

So, I can access any nostr app with my keys?

Yes, your private key is all that is needed to “sign in” to any app on nostr. You don’t need to re-register every time. This is one of the interesting things about nostr!

How come I don’t use an email to sign up or log in?

Email-based accounts rely on gated databases. Your email address is just a lookup field for your password. In nostr, there are no central databases hence no emails or passwords. You interact with the protocol with your public and private keys.

Why are my follower numbers inconsistent?

Different relays may have different information about your followers. It can be difficult for clients to get the accurate number since it is so dispersed. Some people find this to be a fun feature and not a bug.

What is a nostr address, do I need one? Where can I get it?

In traditional social media, users get “verified” by proving their identity with some state-issued document. The company confirms it and gives them a verified badge. This tells their followers they are who they say they are.

Nostr does not require identification - it is pseudonymous. Since there is know KYC (know your customer) process, it is up to the user to prove their identity if they wish to.

It is entirely possible to have 10 people with the same name and the same “handle” on nostr. 

Elon @elon Elon @elon Elon @elon Etc... 

A nostr address is a unique human-readable identifier that can help prove your identity. It looks like this:

bob@mydomain.com

There can only be one bob@mydomain.com hence why it is unique. Any new Bob that registers on that domain will be Bob2, Bob3 or whatever name they choose.

If you choose to have a nostr address, it’s an easy way to share your profile with people, but also to indicate to everyone that you are the real you and not an impersonator.

Before nostr address: Elon @elon With nostr address: Elon elon@x.com

The nostr address is entirely OPTIONAL. You do not need to have one to use nostr. However, it is available as a free service and people register one just to prove it’s them.

A nostr address is not a scam-proof method of identification for reasons too lengthy to discuss here.

Am I anonymous on nostr?

No. While you can post under a pseudonym and never share your identity, relays are able to see your IP address which could in theory be used to identify you in combination with some other things. It is best to use a VPN that is also not tied to you via any identification if you wish to remain anonymous.

What is “global”?

Global is just the feed where all notes go by default. It’s usually a mess, but can be interesting. While nostr is growing, seeing the global chat can be a good way to discover content, but as nostr matures it may become less useful.

How do I minimize spam?

The simple way to minimize spam is to not visit Global. Once you’ve found some people to follow, browse through their following lists and discover new people through conversations to expand your network.

Some nostr clients also utilize Web of Trust (WoT) scoring to minimize spam.

Why are some relays paid? Are they worth it?

Relays are the backbone of nostr. Without relays, nostr simply won’t work. Since there is no central company paying for all the infrastructure, relay costs are incurred by their operators. It is a good idea to help cover some of those costs by becoming a paid relay user. Paying for relays keeps the network functioning and healthy.

Besides good will, paid relays can minimize spam and offer other services such as advanced filtering and translation. If you use nostr extensively, consider paying for a few relays, we’ll all be better for it.

How do I edit or delete a note?

You can’t. Once posted, notes are there to stay. They cannot be edited or deleted. This is because notes are sent to relays and there is no way to control what a relay does. The only thing one can do on some clients is to request deletion, but it’s up to relays to honor that request.

How can I delete my account?

The simple answer is you can’t because there is no “account”. Once a key pair is generated it will remain forever. The only thing you can do is remove your keys from a client.

Your data can disappear if all the relays you published to decided to drop your data after some period of time to save on storage costs, so in a way that would “delete” your “account”.

How does muting work?

Mostly the same as any other social network. Once you mute a person, you will not see their notes in your feed. But, if someone else you follow posts, and the muted person replies, you will see a notice that there’s a muted reply. The same goes for the muted person replying to your note. You can still choose to view the reply, or skip it.

I'll add more info about zaps and wallets later.

@ e1ff3bfd:341be1af

Over the last few months it feels the bitcoin community has gotten more and more jaded on lightning. To be honest, this is for good reason, back in 2017 we were promised a decentralized payment network that would always have cheap payments and everyone would be able to run their own node. Nowadays, the average lightning user actually isn't using lightning, they are just using a custodial wallet and the few of that do run lightning nodes often find it a burdensome task. For us at Mutiny Wallet, we are trying to make this better by creating a lightweight self-custodial wallet and in my opinion we have been executing on that dream fairly well. In this post, I'll analyze these issues and present a new way to view lightning and what that means for bitcoin going forward.

First and foremost one of the hardest UX challenges of lightning is channel liquidity. No other payment system has these problems today besides lightning so this often confuses lots of users. To make matters worse, there aren't any practical hacks that we can do to get around this. Muun Wallet used an on-chain wallet + submarine swaps to get around the channel liquidity problem, this worked very well until fees went up and everyone realized it wasn't actually a lightning wallet. The better solution is JIT liquidity like we do in Mutiny or splicing like that is done in Phoenix. These solutions abstract some of it away but not enough, we often get support questions confused on why some payments have fees and others do not. The fact is channel liquidity is not a usable UX for most end users.

The other major pain point of lightning is the offline receive problem. Inherently, you must be online with your private keys to sign and claim a payment. There is technically an ongoing spec proposal to be able to work around this (essentially creating a notification system of when people are online to receive payments), but it doesn't solve the fundamental problem and still has limitations. There has been a few attempts to get around this, most notably was Zeus Pay lightning addresses. These essentially worked by just creating stuck payments and waited for the user to come online to claim, this caused a ton of problems for people and even forced us at Mutiny to block users from paying them because it caused so many force closures. This is a hard problem because the entire rest of the bitcoin/crypto ecosystem works by just copy-paste an address and you can send to it whenever, there isn't caveats around asking your friend to open their wallet. This is further exacerbated by things like lightning address that requires a webserver to even get an invoice in the first place.

Channel liquidity and offline receives in my opinion are the two most obvious reasons why self-custodial lightning is not popular. When most users hear about any of these, they just think screw that and move to a custodial wallet because it is so much easier. If these were our only two problems, I think self-custodial lightning would be fine, it may never be the predominant way people use lightning, but we could get the UX good enough that we have a significant portion of people using lightning in a sovereign way. However, there are more problems under the surface.

Channel liquidity is a problem, but it is also deceptive. When you have 100k sats of inbound liquidity you would think you could receive up to 100k sats, but this isn't the case, often you can't actually receive any. This is because of on-chain fees, when a payment is being made in lightning you are creating pre-signed transactions that have outputs for every in-flight payment, these outputs cost potential on-chain fees and the high on-chain fees go the more it eats into your liquidity. After we've solved most of our force close issues Mutiny this has been number one support request. Even if you do everything right, understand liquidity and have enough for your payment, sometimes it still won't work because on-chain fees are too high. This is always really discouraging because isn't the whole point of lightning to not have to pay on-chain fees? Fundamentally, all current lightning channels could become entirely useless if on-chain fees went high enough because a single payment would require too many reserves. Obviously this is hyperbolic, but I hope I am getting the point across that on-chain fees don't just effect the opening and closing costs of channels, even if you are a diligent node runner that only opens channels when fees are low, that is not enough, your channels need to be large enough to pay for the on-chain fees of each HTLC at any future on-chain fee rate. As on-chain fees go up and up this problem will only get worse.

The proposed solution to these reserve issues are things like anchor channels, package relay, ephemeral anchors, etc. These are all well and good but kind of just mask the problem. They do solve it so the fee reserve can be much lower and possibly zero, however with the tradeoff that you need on-chain funds available to fee-bump your force closes so they can actually get into a block. This again breaks the UX for self-custodial users because they have hold on-chain funds alongside their lightning funds so they can do those on-chain fee bumps. The size requirements for their on-chain funds is still dynamically based on how high on-chain fees can spike. Solutions for this can include having someone else bump your transaction fees but this brings basically a trusted 3rd party into the mix and isn't ideal.

When you lay out all the different tradeoffs a lightning node needs to make, especially in a high fee environment, it makes me think, what are we doing here, are we going down the wrong path? Lightning is still fundamentally a fantastic payment protocol but its limitation is that it requires scale. Basically every problem I've outlined goes away when you have a large lightning node with lots of liquidity and high uptime so many we should optimize for that. The market has been telling us this for years already, +90% of lightning users are using custodial wallets because it works so much better at scale. So how can we use large scale lightning nodes without custodial wallets?

Combining existing large scale lightning infrastructure with self-custodial solutions sadly, isn't totally possible. The only real way to do that as of now is Muun Wallet which as we talked about earlier, doesn't really solve the problem because everything is just an on-chain transaction. However, Muun was onto something. The architecture of having a simpler protocol interface with lightning is genius and gives us the best of both worlds. We can make fast cheap payments and let the big boys collect fees for running the lightning node. Aqua Wallet just launched which is essentially a Muun Wallet but on top of Liquid, this is a good bandaid fix but doesn't get to the root of the problem.

Before we go further we should take a step back and break down what problems we are trying to solve. Bitcoin has a fundamental scaling limitation through the block size, if we could make infinite, then we wouldn't necessarily need any layer 2s because we could just make on-chain payments. However, we live in the real world and have a 1mb block size limit, and this limits the number of transactions we can make on-chain. Lightning is a huge improvement to bitcoin because we don't need to put every transaction on-chain, we just need to open a channel and can make seemingly countless payments. So why isn't lightning the silver bullet? Lightning lets us move payments off-chain but what it doesn't do is let us move ownership off-chain. Fundamentally lightning still relies on that, at the end of the day, a utxo goes to single user. So even if every on-chain transaction was a lightning channel, we still run into the limit of how many people can actually own those channels. What we need is another layer 2 that can scale utxo ownership and caninterop with lightning, that way we have a way to scale ownership combined with scaling payments.

So how do we scale ownership? Simply put, the answer today is custody, whether that is pure custodial like a Wallet of Satoshi or in the grey area like fedimints and liquid, the only way to do it today is through custody or federated bridges. In bitcoin, the only way to delegate ownership of a utxo to multiple parties is through multisig, however, that requires every user to be online when anyone wants to transact, and when you take go down this path far enough you end up just reinventing lightning.

Are we doomed then? Is there no way to scale bitcoin in a self-sovereign way? Luckily, the answer is no, but we need some soft-forks. Covenants are the way to scale bitcoin ownership. There are a bunch of covenant proposals but at their core what they propose to do is to add a way, so you can have a bitcoin address that limits where and how the coins in it can be spent. This can seem scary, but we already have these in bitcoin today, OP_CTLV (Check LockTime Verify), which was soft forked in 2016, only allows you to spend from a bitcoin address if the transaction has a given locktime, this lets you gate when a utxo can be spent. What the current covenant proposals do is let you gate where a utxo can be spent. With that simple primitive many different protocols can be built that allow for scaling ownership.

There are a lot of current covenant proposals, the main ones being: OP_CTV, OP_VAULT, OP_CSFS, OP_TXHASH, OP_CAT, and APO. They all have different functionality and tradeoffs but in my opinion we should be looking towards activating a form of covenants because otherwise we will likely be moving towards a future of less sovereign bitcoin users.

The future is not bleak however, even without covenants we can still scale bitcoin for the world, just not in the ideal way. At Mutiny, we are full steam ahead on implementing fedimint into the wallet, in my opinion (and the rest of the team's) it looks like the best current scaling solution for bitcoin. Fedimints give us the ability to dynamically share ownership over a group of utxos and is able to interop with lightning through gateways. It is the pinnacle of the scaling dream for bitcoin with current technology and I can't wait to help make it reality while we can.

@ 26bd32c6:cfdb0158

I've been experiencing a bit of writer's block recently, which is somewhat strange because it's about topics I genuinely want to write about. In a way, I have so many different ideas that I want to express, I can't pin them down, leading to writing nothing at all.

It's funny because, for me, Nostr was that place where I could say anything. It didn't matter whether people hated or loved it. But now, I feel this daunting responsibility to share highly impactful words that can't be easily criticized by haters or lovers. It's as if suddenly, Nostr isn't my safe place anymore; it's become my serious place.

If, when reading this, you think it sounds as ridiculous as I feel, trust me, I won't take any offense. I am pushing myself here just by writing it down. The reason I'm writing this on a blog is due to this daunting feeling of needing perfection, which I like to call the 'traditional social media effect.'

The Traditional Social Media Effect

Definitely not a medical term or diagnosis, but I am now self-diagnosed with it, and well, "delulu makes trululu."

If you hang out long enough on Nostr, you'll start noticing some traditional social media patterns that freak me out. And because they freak me out, I feel the need to write them out, perhaps to leave them behind.

Everyone is now fighting over something, and whoever is the loudest will win the 'shitposter' award. And I love shitposting... but there's no need to disparage others' projects to ensure mine is the best.

Everyone is begging for attention. Guys, there's no algorithm; there is a high chance absolutely no one will read this, and that's okay with me. I am just creating this blog because I have things I want to get off my chest, and because nostr:npub1nxy4qpqnld6kmpphjykvx2lqwvxmuxluddwjamm4nc29ds3elyzsm5avr7 is hosting a cool contest that I just want to contribute to.

And the last part, everyone is begging for an easy fix. An easy fix that will get them zaps, an easy fix that will get them followers, an easy fix that will make them the next Nostr superstar, and solve all their life's issues.

This is just sad. What happened to PoW?

Yes, This Is about PoW!

I came into Nostr because I am a Bitcoiner, and I love complicated stuff that requires hours of my time, for me to barely understand anything, and then look at the rest of the world like, "Ha! You losers don't know what I know..."

Therefore, Nostr is not for anyone who is lazy... or at least it wasn't. It required effort; videos had to be carefully crafted to go viral and get zaps.

Actually, even e-girl content isn't top-notch anymore. A bunch of AI-generated fake content is getting more zaps than nostr:npub1cj8znuztfqkvq89pl8hceph0svvvqk0qay6nydgk9uyq7fhpfsgsqwrz4u's feet on #footstr.

Actually, these are the last feet to make it on Footstr, and they are from Walker, back in August... https://cdn.nostr.build/i/fb64c0f064e11dabff69d56e7e4edfd47aebd1c752b84e76d50fb0e43f9f7e6b.jpg We are lacking that good feet content.

Is She Going to Stop Ranting or Explain This Effect Thing?

Okay, here I go. What I mean is that it seems to me that we are here looking for something different, but wanting that same dopamine hit Instagram and Twitter gave us.

Where am I going with this? Well, I just wanted to post on Nostr because it made me happy. I just wanted to come here and say whatever silly thing came to mind.

But now, I just see a bunch of posts of people either fighting over which federation is going to fix layers and lighting or the latest e-beggar. And these beggars are seeking everything from attention to zaps, no limits or questions asked. Just "look at my sad face, fix my life please."

And these things are not PoW. PoW is about creating the best new federation, and I believe you did, just work on it and show it. Don't waste your time disparaging the other one.

You want a life change, a path change? Instead of coming here to complain, ask for advice, ask questions, look for a mentor.

STOP WHINING! Okay, I was trying that writing in caps thing to seem angry and badass. But now I just feel cringe...

This Was It, This Was the Rant...

I usually don't say anything because if I'm as annoyed as I am about the way feeds are starting to look, I think I will produce that same feeling in everyone else.

I've said it hundreds of times: the cool thing is that I choose what I want to see. And that's how I plan to fix this writer's block and get back to being more hands-on... back to building the Nostr I want to see!

I want to stop feeling the need to drop the most perfect note, and to do so, I am pushing myself to do a 30-day photography challenge.

I won't win anything, and if you want to join me, the prize is also absolutely nothing.

Why photography? Well, because I suck at it. I have no idea how to do it; I just started asking for help, and everyone loves to critique the composition of "art"... and I doubt anyone will call my terrible photography skills art... so I'm putting myself out there to be critiqued.

My 30-day challenge, starting today, will include daily reminders to take a picture of whatever I can, and an explanation of what I was trying to achieve.

It will also come eventually with more blogs and vlogs, with less ranting and more building. The world is just starting... at least that's how it feels to me.

We are so early... https://media.giphy.com/media/z85pBkLFP6izGn6see/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47kcqu2k7sshjuox6wsy8zrbms9210r1obb1d9ytof&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

But for real, it is early... and that is why there's a lot we can do. And also why for real "There Is So Much Noise... I Can't Think Straight..."

So, join me or don't, in this challenge or just be challenged to put out there a better version of the things you see that bother you.

I think I sometimes feel angry and tired, but before I resort to running off to the woods and becoming a hermit, I'm going to stay hopeful and try to give to the world what I want the world to give me.

And yeah, that's it... This was the whole rant. I was just being louder so I could start thinking again.

If you are here and you've read the whole thing, thank you; you are truly resilient! I'm sure not even my mom made it all the way here (but just in case: Hi mom! I love you 🫶🏽).

With this, I say goodbye... going to try that photography thing and be back with another note in a bit!

Marce 💜

@ 6871d8df:4a9396c1

2023 Reflections

General

• In 2023, the layoffs continued, with many high-profile companies letting many people go. There is a need to make money now, so businesses are (rightly) focused on revenue.
• I see dependence on the government on the rise, either more people getting government jobs or jobs where the government is their biggest customer.
• Democrats are becoming everything they told you Trump was. They are ‘saving democracy’ by dictating who you are allowed to vote for.
• Ideological institutional capture peaked in 2022, and you have now started to see it turn over. No example exemplifies this more than Ivy League institutions and the clear harm DEI policies have caused there. The downfall of higher education is moving quickly.
• Alternative media grew a lot in 2023. More and more people find the mainstream media far too biased. Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter helped this out a lot.
• AI was a HUGE winner in 2023. It started to become a regular in my daily routine. Every app started to market an AI component.

Freedom tech

• The lightning network has made significant strides, and the growth is steady but still very slow. Unfortunately, the lightning network may be years away from solving the problems I would like to see it solve.
• Bitcoin is out of the doldrums of the bear market and showing teeth. We are officially in the 'and then they fight you' stage, encompassed by Elizabeth Warren and co, who are trying to ban it.
• High-fee environments were a theme in 2023 for Bitcoin and have highlighted Layer 1's scalability issues. Lightning has been a benefactor of this.
• Nostr had significant organic growth, and the app ecosystem has improved tremendously. The growth is still only organic, though, and there is not that 'killer app' that got adoption outside of bitcoiners.
• Tether has shown to be a fan favorite in the global south, much more so than Bitcoin in its current state.

2024 Predictions

General

• Democrats' attempt to stifle democracy, I think, will likely put Trump in the Whitehouse. If not, some real sketchy stuff would need to happen to keep him out.
• People will continue to wake up to ideologically captured institutions and the harm they are doing. DEI will be the main loser in this.
• I expect independent and alternative media to continue to grow as people's trust in legacy media declines.
• As interest rates start to come down, I expect public markets and IPOs specifically to heat up.
• AI and LLMs will continue to move at a rapid rate that will continue to increase productivity. It is niche to use Bard today, and I expect it to become more common for people to default to that (and apps like it) rather than go to Google search.

Freedom Tech

• I expect 2024 to bring more institutions to Bitcoin. For now, it has only been Microstrategy. I wouldn't be surprised to see another large company or nation-state place a bet. The ETF should help this a lot. I expect this to bring a new all-time high to Bitcoin.
  • With this being said, I do not expect the attack on self-sovereignty to stop.
• Lightning will make improvements but will still be used primarily as a means of acquiring Bitcoin. The tools will likely improve, but it won't be as big as we'd like.
• Nostr will continue to grow, and we will start to see new companies sprouting up, leveraging the network effects of an existing network and not having to create it themselves. Hopefully, we will see other use cases outside social media (and Twitter) manifest—things like flare.pub. I hope that in 2024, we can see the first app that brings non-bitcoiners to the network.
• I expect to see stable-coin-specific regulations, specifically regulations that will be good for stables.
• I hope decentralized AI can make a name for itself in 2024 to relieve concerns about captured LLMs from the big players.

@ 00000000:f729d700

Chef's notes

Choose a good-quality feta cheese made from sheep’s milk. This combo is also delicious served over pasta, which is great if you have leftovers. Feta cheese that comes in a dry package may not melt as expected.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 15
• 🍳 Cook time: 20
• 🍽️ Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (7 oz) block Greek feta cheese
• 2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1/3 cup Kalamata olives (halved)
• 1/3 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon oregano (dried)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• fresh basil (chopped)
• black pepper
• salt

Directions

1. preheat oven to 400 ºF (200 ºC)
2. place the feta cheese in the center of a baking dish
3. spread with honey and drizzle with olive oil
4. combine tomatoes, olives, red onion, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl
5. sprinkle bowl with oregano, season with salt and pepper, and mix
6. arrange the mix around the feta cheese
7. bake in oven until cheese is soft and tomato mixture is bubbly for 20 to 30 minutes
8. garnish with fresh basil, if desired

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

After my second attempt at running Lightning Network node went wrong, mainly due to my own mistake and bad cli interface of LND, I have decided to look deeply into the alternative implementation of the lightning node software. Eclair was more final choice driven by multiple reasons that I am planning to further talk about in this write-up. The main reason I even considered Eclair despite my dislike of Java and JVM, was that one of the largest lightning nodes on the network is ACINQ, and they are the company behind the implementation and maintenance of this open source software.

I’ve noticed them first after reading their blog about how they run $100M Lightning node and what level of care and thought they put into the whole implementation. Lightning is used to transfer large quantities of value across the internet, and I would only trust something well designed and actively maintained by the people who have to lose the most if they make a wrong choice.

Eclair in itself is not a complex implementation of the lightning network standards, and highly modular, which allows for an easy segregation of duties among different components of the node. One of the biggest sales-points for me was their approach of crash-only software which guarantees consistency of the state regardless of what happens with the running software. By that extension, to shutdown the node, you simply kill the process and start it again. It doesn’t matter what transactions were in-flight, or what stage they were in. This is huge, since anything can happen to a running node (e.g., failed disk, failed RAM, CPU, kernel panic, etc.)

Getting back to the architecture, the Eclair is simple and elegant in design and implementation. The node is separated into three main components that comprise the node: eclair-core, eclair-node, eclair-front. All of the entities are sandboxed actors (e.g., peer, channel, payment), which allows for scalabilities across CPUs and faults. This ensures high availability and security.

Clustering is also an option and can be achieved by migrating from the single node to a multi-server node. There is no need to dive into complexities of that, and by the time you need to scale, I am sure you’ll be able to figure it out.

Simple and robust API, is yet another major reason that keeps the node simple and fast. One downside of the API, is that it is protected by a single password and is not designed for RBAC (Role Based Access Control). One solution could be an implementation of another API wrapper that would implement things similar to Runes or Macaroons, which should not be a challenge considering the REST API simplicity.

On-the-fly HTLC max size adjustment, which will prevent your node accepting forwarded payments that would fail due to lack of liquidity on your side. This also makes routing better for the rest of the lightning network, but may “leak” your channel balances if not done right.

Experimentation and adjustment of path-finding algorithm. I am not there yet myself, but I see this as a great option in the future if I need it. This will allow me to make my own choices how I want to route payments and what parameters I would use to determine the best path.

Full production support of PostgreSQL server. Not only Eclair itself is not a beta release unlike LND, but also has full production support of the very reliable and battle tested database as its backend data storage. You are able to(and should) to run Active/Passive PostgreSQL cluster in synchronous mode, and ensure that all of the written data by the node are backed-up in real-time. This removes the worry of corrupted database that I have seen happen all too often.

Excellent monitoring and metrics, that can be collected by Prometheus and viewed in Grafana. Eclair provides template dashboards that you can import into Grafana to make your life easier. You can also use Kamon (external service) where you could send the metrics and monitor your node.

Support for all common networking protocols and support Socks5.

Last, but not least, support for plug-ins. Even if you are not well versed in writing plug-ins, you could take some of the available ones and modify them to your liking.

There are many more features and limitations that I didn’t mention, but you can explore them yourself here.

One down-side that you should consider, is not such a great availability of the readily available tools. So far I found that Ride-The-Lightning works well; LNBits works but I am yet to see if it is reliable; BTCPayServer has support but I have failed to use it with API directly, and only was able to use it via LNBits.

Lightning is still reckless, but nothing stops you from doing it carefully and reliably. Good luck and happy node-running! 🐶🐾🫡⚡️

My Node - RAϟKO