@ c43d6de3:a6583169

“IN THIS SPRING of 1953 the free world weighs one question above all others: the chance for a just peace for all peoples,” Dwight D. Eisenhower’s throat went dry and he swallowed to alleviate the burn. Eight years had passed since the end of world war 2 but still the beaches of the Marshall Islands lay charred, Hiroshima and Nagasaki dosed in radiation and ruin, and countless ghost towns still littered Europe’s mangled face. Dwight peered through his glasses at his speech on the podium, then raised his gaze back at the small crowd gathered in front of him in the conference room at the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington, D.C. Everyone was on the edge of their seats. The President spoke of peace, but the United States faced a great enemy in the Soviet Union. How would he continue?  “To weigh this chance is to summon instantly to mind another recent moment of great decision. It came with that yet more hopeful spring of 1945, bright with the promise of victory and of freedom. The hope of all just men in that moment too was a just and lasting peace.” The heads among the spectators raised in hope, as if the enthusiasm in the President’s voice could be enough to wipe away any prospect of future war against the Soviet threat. “In that spring of victory the soldiers of the Western Allies met the soldiers of Russia in the center of Europe. They were triumphant comrades in arms. Their peoples shared the joyous prospect of building, in honor of their dead, the only fitting monument-an age of just peace. All these war-weary peoples shared too this concrete, decent purpose: to guard vigilantly against the domination ever again of any part of the world by a single, unbridled aggressive power.” “This common purpose lasted an instant and perished. The nations of the world divided to follow two distinct roads.” “The United States and our valued friends, the other free nations, chose one road.” “The leaders of the Soviet Union chose another.” “The way chosen by the United States was plainly marked by a few clear precepts, which govern its conduct in world affairs.” **What came next in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s speech “The Chance for Peace” is the answer to preventing wars between countries** “First: No people on earth can be held, as a people, to be an enemy, for all humanity shares the **common hunger for peace and fellowship and justice.** Second: No nation's security and well-being can be lastingly achieved in isolation but only in **effective cooperation** with fellow nations. Third: **Any nation's right to a form of government and an economic system** of its own choosing **is inalienable**. Fourth: Any nation's attempt to dictate to other nations their form of government **is indefensible**. And fifth: A nation's hope of lasting peace cannot be firmly based upon any race in armaments but rather upon **just relations and honest understanding** with all other nations.”  **I. First Point** When you minimize any nation or country to its most granular piece, the human family, you realize every nation or country is the same. It is a larger body of human families looking to establish peace out of chaos against nature, fellowship with their neighbor to make that peace possible, and justice against affronts to the foundations of the formerly stated peace and fellowship. Without this, what you have is not a nation but rather wilderness.  **II. Second Point** When we enter the world stage and look at the community of nations it is important we understand that no nation can truly expect to uphold Eisenhower’s first point without the ability to cooperate with other nations. There can be a natural disaster that strikes an entire nation and without exterior help, it may be impossible to overcome. Understand, Eisenhower’s second point only serves as an extension of the first point. Humankind's struggle with nature will always exist, but in cooperation with other communities we can overcome hardship against nature and live in better harmony.  **III. Third Point** It cannot be argued that humans, after millenia of having dispersed across the planet, have collected into pockets of communities of which grew and developed with experiences based on the place in the world where they’ve resided. This has birthed cultures, religions, and moral codes that serve as the foundation of different branches of philosophy that have borne the fruit of governance. Ultimately, no two communities shares the exact same moral code and thus do not share, and will never share, the exact same understanding of what governance should take place. In this respect, it is an inalienable right of the very people within a community to choose how they govern themselves.  **IV. Fourth Point** In trying to impeded on this third point, we come to Eisenhower’s fourth point which is that no other community has the right to dictate how other nations govern themselves. **V. Final Point** Lastly, war will never lead to peace. Only common understanding of the first four points will ever lead to true peace. A race in armaments, as the cold war proved, only leads to further distrust and the breakdown of all other points among the community of nations on the world stage. All that can be done to expect peace is to take your neighbor as they are. St. Augustine has a famous quote, “Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” This is meant to drive home the point of faith in the unbelievable. It is how a religious person can believe in a god that they can not prove exists. Some might say there will never be a world without war. I say we already have the recipe for it. We’ve been given this recipe by many leaders throughout our history. Leader’s who’ve witnessed the darkest depths of human evil and wanted to steer humanity away from it.  ----------- Thank you for reading! If this article resonated with you, let me know with a zap and share it with friends who might find it insightful. Your help sends a strong signal to keep making content like this! Interested in fiction? Follow nostr:npub1j9cmpzhlzeex6y85c2pnt45r5zhxhtx73a2twt77fyjwequ4l4jsp5xd49 for great short stories and serialized fiction. More articles you might like from Beneath The Ink: https://primal.net/e/note1ws4es0gahm502k6qgx64dseqhjqgyzh0q7flzk6glcasqxxye6jqm20fj9 nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqq25yan2w39rsjj0dqk5ckn52ptxsc3nve8hw0aftmq https://primal.net/e/note158ns7z27r2y664h9lsdqdhsjj2uehrejve2y02lkvz46d8xgxncs8pcj7w nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqq2kjjzzfpjxvutjg33hjvpcw5cyjezyv9y5k0umm6k https://primal.net/e/note1htkygah99mz8p4png992n0clqa44spatw3uzzcpl94etwh2zr60stklxvw nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqqa9wefdwfjj6stvdsk57cnnv4ehxety94mkjarg94g8ymm8wfjhxuedg9hxgt2fw3ej6sm0wd6xjmn8946hxtfjvsuhsdnju045ml https://primal.net/e/note1rdanqhdgc7d8sypm459zrt55m0zfaze7u34phkew9nptyr3ghwlqsvtsdx nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqq2ns3jnfa985c29xp2rs3pexpykz6mjxetxu2g25x6

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Most people only know customer-to-customer (C2C) and business-to-customer (B2C) software and websites. Those are the famous and popular ones, but business-to-business (B2B) is also pretty big. How big? Even something boring and local like [DATEV](https://www.datev.de/web/de/startseite/startseite-n/) has almost 3 million organizations as customers and €1,44 billion in annual revenue. FedEx has €90 billion in annual revenue and everyone who uses it comes into contact with its software. There's a whole chain of software between the sender and receiver of the package, and it all has to work seamlessly. Same with Walmart, Toyota, Dubai Airport, Glencore, Tesla, Edeka, Carrefour, Harvard and University of Texas, Continental, Allianz, Asklepios, etc. That's the sort of software I help build. You've probably never heard of it, but when it doesn't work properly, you'll hear about it on the news.

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

After spending two weeks in Arusha, it was time to move on. My next stop was Dodoma. I walked to the bus station in the center of Arusha to check ticket prices, but I disliked the chaotic atmosphere — people approached me nonstop, trying to sell me tickets to destinations I had no interest in. Instead, I went to the Shabiby office, a reputed bus company, and secured a ticket for 29,000 TZS. The bus was scheduled to leave at 10 A.M. the next day, giving me time to prepare.  *Photo above: a stop between Arusha and Dodoma.* I returned to my hostel, packed my bag, and picked up snacks and water from Shoppers Supermarket, knowing that Tanzanian bus rides tend to take longer than expected. The 80-kilometer journey from Moshi to Arusha had taken me up to three hours, so I expected the longer trip to Dodoma to stretch beyond the promised eight hours. ## The Journey to Dodoma The bus ride was predictably long, making frequent stops along the way. Upon arrival in Dodoma, the bus meandered through the city, dropping off passengers. My booked accommodation was just under two kilometers from the final stop, so I decided to walk, relying on Google Maps to guide me.  *Photo above: in Dodoma.* When I arrived at what was supposed to be my lodging, I was skeptical. The house lacked a sign, and an elderly woman was doing laundry in the yard. When I asked if this was the right place, she called a younger woman who spoke English and welcomed me inside. The accommodation was a full apartment, complete with a kitchen, but not cheap. Later in the evening, I attempted to shower, only to discover there was no running water. I resorted to a bucket shower, but the cramped bathroom caused water to spill into the apartment.  *Photo above: the Baobab Café in Dodoma.* ## Exploring Dodoma The next day, I set out to explore Dodoma. I passed a cozy café and an old-looking church, which I later learned was not as ancient as it seemed. Strolling down a lively shopping district, I admired the small stores lining the streets. Eventually, I settled at the café I had spotted earlier, enjoying a simple dinner of bread and tomato salad.  *Photo above: the church in Dodoma.* Originally, I had planned to stay for just one night, but the city intrigued me, and I extended my stay. This meant I had to book my next bus ticket and gather supplies. Using the Bolt app, I ordered a TukTuk to take me to the Shabiby bus terminal. The ride cost 2,000 TZS — without Bolt, I would have been charged significantly more. I bought my ticket to Mbeya for 40,000 TZS, with a departure time of 5:30 A.M. That night, I packed my bags and went to bed early, knowing I had an early start ahead. ## The Departure to Mbeya Waking up at 3:30 A.M., I hurriedly took another bucket shower — still no running water. I initially planned to order a TukTuk, but the Bolt app showed no available drivers. With the bus station only a 13-minute walk away, I set out on foot. Along the way, I stepped into a water hole, soaking myself up to my knees. Street vendors persistently offered me motorcycle rides, but I ignored them and continued walking.  *Photo above: in Dodoma.* Arriving at the bus station, I saw the previous bus to Mbeya departing. My gut told me something was wrong. Sure enough, my bus was delayed by almost an hour. Finally, it arrived, and I boarded, relieved that I hadn’t missed it after all. ## A Long Ride to Mbeya The previous day, I had suffered from severe diarrhea. Fortunately, a local pharmacy in Dodoma provided me with pills that helped stabilize my system. I also continued taking my daily dose of Doxycycline as a malaria precaution.  *Photo above: shopping street in Dodoma.* This time, I had a window seat with no one beside me, allowing me to place my backpack on the empty seat. As we traveled, I watched the Tanzanian landscape unfold. At one point, the bus crossed a dam, likely a reservoir, before being stopped by police. A policeman entered, checked my passport, and inquired about my destination. When I mentioned Mbeya, he ask me where after, and I told him to Lusaka. Then he asked if it was in Zambia, returned my passport, and he let us continue.  *Photo above: the Baobab Café in Dodoma.* My host in Mbeya had instructed me to get off at Nane Nane Stand. Upon arrival, I searched for a TukTuk. Without internet access, I had to negotiate fares blindly. After rejecting overpriced offers, I managed to bargain a price of 5,000 TZS for the short ride to my accommodation, what was a bit high for a Tuktuk. ## Mbeya and the Journey to the Border Initially planning to stay two nights, exhaustion led me to extend for an extra night. The hostel was beautiful and clean but, yet again, had no running water. However, this time, the host kindly boiled water for me, allowing me to take a warm bucket shower.  *Photo above: on the way to the Supermarket in Dodoma.* On my final day in Mbeya, I explored the city, visiting a new children's hospital and an old church. Tuktuk drivers repeatedly tried to overcharge me, but I insisted on the standard 800 TZS fare for public transport.  *Photo above: on the way to the Supermarket in Dodoma.* The following morning, after a quick breakfast, I set off for the bus station with a fellow traveler I met at the hostel. Together, we took a bus to Tunduma for 5,000 TZS each. From there, a TukTuk ride to the border cost another 5,000 TZS. ## Crossing into Zambia The border crossing was straightforward for me — I received a free 30-day visa for Zambia. My Russian travel companion, however, needed a visa on arrival, payable in cash and only in USD. The immigration officer arranged a taxi to take us to an ATM, but the only available bank, Absa, charged exorbitant fees. Fortunately, we later found a Zanaco ATM in Nakonde that had no fees.  *Photo above: between Dodoma and Mbeya.* Once we had the necessary cash, we returned to the Border immigration, paid for the visa, and proceeded into Zambia. We walked to town, grabbed some food, and checked into Shalom Hotel. It was cheap, costing only 200 Kwacha per night (under 10 Euros), but lacked cleanliness and had no running water. ## A Frustrating Bus Experience We booked a 4 A.M. bus to Lusaka with Jkas, supposedly the best company. However, when we arrived at the station at 3:28 A.M., the bus was already gone. The staff had lied, telling us the bus left at 4 A.M. but actually departing at 3 A.M. They then offered an overpriced taxi to chase the bus, which we declined.  *Photo above: between Dodoma and Mbeya.* With no other options left, we searched for an alternative and eventually made our way to the PowerTools bus station — only to find that the bus also had already left. The next bus? **Overnight.** We were stuck. ### The Boda Chase That’s when a Boda driver approached us. He had been waiting at the Powertools station, watching the situation unfold. **“I know where your bus is,”** he said. **“At the checkpoint. I can take you.”** There was no time to think. We climbed on. The night was pitch black, the streets slick with rain and mud. As soon as he twisted the throttle, the bike lurched forward. The driver wasn’t smooth — he was riding like a madman, shaking left and right as he weaved through the darkness. The wet road made it worse, and the mud felt like a trap waiting to swallow us whole.  *Photo above: between Dodoma and Mbeya.* A gust of wind blew my hat into my face, blinding me for the most time. My gut twisted — I could almost see the crash before it happened. **“Slow down!”** I shouted. He eased off for a while, but soon enough, he hit the gas again. **“I said slow down!”** I had to remind him. It felt like an eternity. The only thought keeping me together was the hope that the checkpoint was close. Then — buses. Dozens of them. We told him which one was ours, but in the dim light, they all looked the same. He swerved between them, searching, until finally — **Jkas.**  *Photo above: the old church in Mbeya.* As we pulled up, the driver suddenly changed his price from 200 to 400 Kwacha. Of course. I handed him 300, not in the mood to argue, and walked straight into the bus, **relieved to be off that death ride**. The journey continued, but the morning’s chaos was a reminder that travel in Africa often requires patience and adaptability. --- ## Final Thoughts The journey from Arusha to Lusaka was long and filled with challenges — delayed buses, unreliable accommodations, and frustrating border experiences. Yet, the beauty of Tanzania and Zambia, the people I met, and the lessons I learned along the way made it all worthwhile. Traveling in Africa requires flexibility, but it rewards you with unforgettable experiences and stories to tell.  *Photo above: in Mbeya.*  *Photo above: somewhere in Zambia from the Bus.*  *Photo above: in Lusaka.*  *Photo above: in the East Park Mall in Lusaka.*  *Photo above: in the East Park Mall in Lusaka.*  *Photo above: East Park Mall in Lusaka.*  *Photo above: in the market in Lusaka.*

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, a significant development has emerged that is reshaping perceptions and strategies within the industry. Bitcoin, the original and most prominent digital currency, has seen its transaction fees hit a two-year high. This remarkable surge in fees is not merely a statistical blip but a phenomenon that could herald a transformative phase in Bitcoin mining. As we witness these fees reaching unprecedented levels, it prompts a crucial inquiry: Are we on the cusp of a new era in BTC mining, one that redefines its economic and technological paradigms? **Table Of Content** - The Surge in Transaction Fees - Impact on Bitcoin Miners - A Divided Community - The Ripple Effect on Mining Stocks - The Broader Market Influence - Conclusion - FAQs **The Surge in Transaction Fees** The Bitcoin network, known for its robustness and security, has recently been the center of a notable financial trend. Transaction fees have soared to over $37, a figure reminiscent of the peak levels observed in April 2021. This significant increase is not an isolated event but rather a symptom of a larger, more complex shift within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The primary driver behind this surge is the burgeoning interest in Bitcoin NFTs, particularly through a protocol known as Ordinals. This innovative protocol facilitates the storage of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. As a result, there has been a marked increase in transaction volumes, leading to higher fees. This trend reflects a growing interest in utilizing Bitcoin not just as a currency but as a platform for broader digital asset interactions, potentially expanding its use cases and value proposition. **Impact on Bitcoin Miners** The escalation in transaction fees has had a profound and far-reaching impact on the community of Bitcoin miners. These individuals and companies, who form the backbone of the Bitcoin network by validating transactions and maintaining the blockchain, are now witnessing a dramatic shift in their revenue streams. With fees reaching such high levels, their daily income has surged to an estimated $63 million, translating to an extraordinary $23 billion annually. This figure is a significant leap from the average income over the past two years and represents a potential windfall for the mining sector. The increased profitability could lead to renewed investment in mining infrastructure, potentially spurring technological advancements and increased competition within the sector. It also raises questions about the decentralization of Bitcoin mining, as higher profits could lead to further consolidation in an industry already dominated by large players. **A Divided Community** The Bitcoin community, known for its diverse opinions and robust debates, finds itself at a crossroads with the rise of Ordinals and its impact on transaction fees. On one hand, some members of the community, including prominent figures like core developer Luke Dashjr, view the influx of Ordinals as a form of spam that clutters the blockchain and necessitates technical solutions. This perspective underscores concerns about blockchain bloat, transaction prioritization, and the fundamental principles of what Bitcoin should represent. On the other hand, for miners, these high fees have been a significant boon. They have provided a much-needed boost to profitability, especially in a period where the price of Bitcoin itself has been relatively stable. This divergence in views reflects the ongoing evolution of Bitcoin's identity and purpose, as it balances its role as a digital gold, a transactional currency, and now, a platform for digital art and collectibles. **The Ripple Effect on Mining Stocks** The impact of the surge in Bitcoin fees extends beyond the digital realm and into the traditional financial markets. Bitcoin mining stocks, representing companies that invest heavily in the infrastructure required to mine the digital currency, have shown remarkable resilience and growth. Companies like Marathon Digital, Riot Platform, and Cleanspark have seen their stock prices rally, significantly outperforming the actual price of Bitcoin. This trend indicates a growing investor confidence in the mining sector, buoyed by the increased revenue potential from transaction fees. It also suggests a decoupling of sorts, where the mining sector's performance is not solely dependent on the price of Bitcoin but also on other factors like transaction volume and fee structures. This decoupling could attract a new class of investors to the mining stocks, those looking for exposure to the crypto market but with a different risk profile than holding cryptocurrencies directly. **The Broader Market Influence** The performance of Bitcoin mining stocks is also intricately linked to the broader equity markets. As observed by Caleb Franzen, founder of Cubic Analytics, the strong performance of equity markets has provided additional momentum to these stocks. This correlation indicates that Bitcoin mining companies are increasingly being viewed through the lens of traditional financial analysis, where market trends and investor sentiment play a crucial role. The implication is significant: as Bitcoin mining firms become more integrated into the broader market, they may also become more susceptible to the same macroeconomic factors that influence traditional stocks. This integration could lead to greater stability in the mining sector but also exposes it to new types of risks, such as regulatory changes or shifts in investor sentiment unrelated to the crypto market. **Conclusion** The recent developments in Bitcoin transaction fees, driven by the popularity of Ordinals, have ushered in significant changes in the mining landscape. With increased revenues and a positive impact on mining stocks, it's tempting to proclaim the dawn of a new era in Bitcoin mining. However, the sustainability of this trend and its long-term impact on the Bitcoin ecosystem remain subjects of intense speculation and debate. As the community grapples with these changes, the future of Bitcoin mining continues to be a topic of keen interest. Whether this marks a permanent shift or a temporary phase in the cryptocurrency's evolution, one thing is certain: the world of Bitcoin remains as dynamic and unpredictable as ever. **FAQs** **What caused the recent spike in Bitcoin transaction fees?** The surge in Bitcoin transaction fees to over $37, a two-year high, is primarily attributed to the growing popularity of Bitcoin NFTs, especially through the Ordinals protocol, which allows for the storage of non-fungible tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain. **How does the increase in transaction fees affect Bitcoin miners?** Bitcoin miners, who earn BTC for processing transactions, have seen a significant increase in their income due to the higher fees. Their daily revenue has reached approximately $63 million, translating to an estimated $23 billion annually. **What is the Ordinals protocol, and why is it controversial?** Ordinals is a protocol that enables the storage of NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain. It has been controversial within the Bitcoin community, with some viewing it as a beneficial innovation and others as a form of spam that clutters the blockchain. **Have Bitcoin mining stocks been affected by the increase in fees?** Yes, Bitcoin mining stocks, such as Marathon Digital, Riot Platform, and Cleanspark, have outperformed the actual price of Bitcoin, indicating growing investor confidence in the mining sector due to increased revenue from transaction fees. **Is the Bitcoin mining industry becoming more centralized?** The increase in profitability could lead to further investment in mining infrastructure, potentially leading to more competition but also raising concerns about the centralization of mining power in the hands of large companies. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: [@croxroadnews.co](https://x.com/croxroadnewsco)** **Instagram: [@croxroadnews.co](https://www.instagram.com/croxroadnews.co/)** **Youtube: [@croxroadnews](https://www.youtube.com/@croxroadnews)** **Store: https://croxroad.store** **Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter** **https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe** ***DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.***

@ c43d6de3:a6583169

## A Brief History of Ownership ### The Forgotten Struggle for Ownership History reveals that our ancestors labored—both intellectually and physically—to secure the freedoms we are subconsciously giving away. We stand at the threshold of a new era. Across the globe, long-established institutions are showing signs of strain. Trust in governments, banks, and major corporations is eroding, leaving many individuals feeling as though their rights are being infringed upon—even if they struggle to articulate exactly how. Social media and traditional news outlets amplify this sense of unease, painting a picture of impending upheaval, as if we are on the brink of a revolution whose name will only become clear in hindsight, once the first sparks ignite into a full-blown blaze. Yet, when we examine the state of the global economy, this narrative begins to unravel. Economic inequality has reached levels unseen in nearly a century, and while many point fingers at politicians, policies, or the so-called greed of the 1% hoarding all the wealth, the true culprit may be much closer than most realize. At a time when legal structures worldwide strongly protect ownership and economic mobility, it is individuals themselves who are willingly surrendering their financial power to the very elites they criticize. I know—“willingly” might seem like a stretch. After all, no one consciously chooses to give up their economic freedom. But take a closer look at the way people spend, borrow, and consume, and it becomes painfully clear: most are actively forfeiting their ability to build and own wealth. How did we get here? Much of this self-inflicted harm comes from a fundamental ignorance of the history of ownership and the struggles fought to secure it. This article serves as a short exploration of the past. I'll examine what might be considered the natural state of humanity, how the majority has historically struggled to achieve ownership rights, and the deadly conflicts that had to occur for the modern individual to enjoy the very rights they are now squandering.  ### I. The Era of Communal Ownership No one is born into this world alone. We do not simply materialize into existence; we arrive as part of the first unit of human society—the family. Before the rise of civilization, the primary focus of the family was survival. Ownership was a foreign concept, as early human tribes lived in a state of communal resource-sharing. Material possessions were fleeting, and with that, so was the notion of personal property. In the state of nature, no individual had an exclusive claim to anything. Instead, ownership existed in a tribal sense: “This land belongs to us.” The idea of “mine” extended only by association—what belonged to the tribe also, by extension, belonged to each of its members. This was a fragile system. Resources required constant upkeep, and as populations grew, leadership emerged to manage the complexity of distribution. This shift laid the foundation for the rise of kings and centralized authority. The concept of ownership, once a communal right, gradually became something dictated by those in power. The people no longer owned anything outright; they merely had the privilege of stewarding what belonged to their ruler.  ### II. The Rise of Peasants and Kings The first codified legal system, the Code of Hammurabi, laid out extensive laws on ownership. Interestingly, this ancient civilization granted more property rights to commoners than many societies did even a few centuries ago. A few millennia later, Greece laid the philosophical foundations for ownership, but true legal protections for private property did not emerge until much later. In medieval Europe, ownership rights almost disintegrated—not even nobles truly owned land. Everything belonged to the king, and monarchs waged war over control of vast territories, including the people within them. Meanwhile, in the Islamic Golden Age, the Middle East saw an unprecedented period of economic freedom. Under Sharia law, property rights were protected for the average citizen, something unheard of in much of medieval Europe. The extent of these rights depended largely on religious affiliation, but compared to their European counterparts, many commoners in the Islamic Empire enjoyed greater economic autonomy.  ### III. The Birth of Property Rights: The Rights of Man As the Islamic Golden Age waned and the Mongol Horde thundered toward Baghdad, another seismic shift was occurring in England. In 1215, rebellious nobles captured London and forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, the first written document to impose limits on absolute monarchical power and introduce property protections—though these rights were initially reserved for the nobility. This moment planted the seeds of change. Over the next several centuries, the fight for ownership rights expanded beyond the aristocracy. The Black Death (1347–1351) wiped out over 30% of England’s population, increasing labor shortages and bargaining power for peasants. By the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, the common man demanded a greater share of land and wealth. Yet, it wasn’t until the 1700s with the Enclosure Acts that private property became legally protected for the broader population. What began as a noble rebellion in 1215 ultimately transformed ownership from royal privilege to individual liberty.  ### IV. The Age of Renting: The Illusion of Ownership Today Despite centuries of struggle, we now find ourselves at a paradoxical moment in history: ownership is more legally protected than ever, yet fewer people actually own anything of value. **Homeownership in Decline:** The U.S. homeownership rate peaked in 2005, only to decline for a decade, hitting a low of 63% in 2015. Despite slight rebounds, high housing costs have pushed many into perpetual rentership. **Vehicles as Subscriptions:** In 2024, one-fifth of new vehicles were leased, and long-term auto loans have become the norm. A financed car is not truly owned—it’s rented from a bank until the debt is cleared. **The Subscription Economy:** Ownership of media, software, and even personal data has been replaced with monthly fees. Cloud storage, SaaS, and streaming services have ensured that we no longer possess even our own information. ### V. The Consequences of Financial Illiteracy We now live in a society built on renting, where economic stability depends on a continuous stream of payments. The more we lease, subscribe, and finance, the more control shifts from individuals to corporations and financial institutions. **This shift has profound implications:** - A person who owns little has little power. - A society that rents everything can be controlled by those who own everything. - Wealth is no longer built through accumulation, but through debt and dependency. For millennia, people fought for the right to own. Today, through financial illiteracy and consumer habits, we are giving it away. How much do we truly own, and how much have we already forfeited? ----------- Thank you for reading! If this article resonated with you, let me know with a zap and share it with friends who might find it insightful. Your help sends a strong signal to keep making content like this! Interested in fiction? Follow Fervid Fables for great short stories and serialized fiction. nostr:npub1j9cmpzhlzeex6y85c2pnt45r5zhxhtx73a2twt77fyjwequ4l4jsp5xd49 More articles you might like from Beneath The Ink: nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqq2kjjzzfpjxvutjg33hjvpcw5cyjezyv9y5k0umm6k nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqqa9wefdwfjj6stvdsk57cnnv4ehxety94mkjarg94g8ymm8wfjhxuedg9hxgt2fw3ej6sm0wd6xjmn8946hxtfjvsuhsdnju045ml nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3padh3au336rew4pzfx78s050p3dw7pmhurgr2ktdcwwxn9svtfqq2ns3jnfa985c29xp2rs3pexpykz6mjxetxu2g25x6

@ be41636e:e55c4909

I asked Unleashed.Chat's DeepSeek model to write an article from the point of view of someone who believes in chemtrails. In the first attempt, it didn't understand me well and it provided the arguments provided by chemtrails believers and their counterarguments. When I clearly asked it to write an article from the point of view of someone who actually believes it, it gave some warnings that these claims are not corroborated by science and started the article and ended it by the same remarks. What follows is the article Unleashed.Chat produced. --- For years, I’ve watched the skies, and I’ve seen something that doesn’t sit right. It’s not just the occasional contrail left by a passing airplane. No, these are different. They linger. They spread. They look unnatural. And they’re everywhere. I’m talking about chemtrails—chemical trails intentionally sprayed by aircraft for reasons that are far from benign. At first, I dismissed them as just another conspiracy theory. But as I started paying closer attention, I realized that something was off. ### The Evidence Is in the Sky Let’s start with what we can all see. Contrails, or condensation trails, are the result of water vapor freezing around small particles in airplane exhaust. They’re short-lived and dissipate quickly. But chemtrails are different. They stay in the sky for hours, spreading out into vast, crisscrossing grids that blanket the sky. I’ve taken countless photos of these trails, and they all tell the same story. They’re not just random; they’re deliberate. They’re sprayed in patterns that cover entire regions, and they’re doing it day after day, year after year. ### What’s in the Trails? The government and mainstream media tell us these trails are harmless. But that’s exactly what they want us to believe. Independent researchers and whistleblowers have come forward with disturbing information. Chemtrails contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including aluminum, barium, strontium, and other heavy metals. Why would they spray these substances? The official line is that it’s for weather modification or geoengineering. But that’s a lie. The real purpose is far more insidious. ### The Hidden Agenda Chemtrails are part of a larger plan to control the population. These chemicals are neurotoxic, and they’re being used to alter our brains and behavior. They’re designed to make us more docile, more compliant, and less likely to question authority. This isn’t just a theory. There’s a long history of government experimentation on its own citizens. From the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment to MKUltra, the CIA’s mind-control program, the government has shown time and again that it’s willing to go to extreme lengths to control the population. Chemtrails are the next chapter in this dark history. ### The Health Impact The effects of these chemicals are already being felt. Rates of autism, Alzheimer’s, and other neurological disorders have skyrocketed in recent decades. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I’ve spoken to doctors and researchers who have seen firsthand the connection between chemtrail exposure and these health issues. They’re not willing to speak publicly for fear of retaliation, but they’ve shared their findings with me. The evidence is overwhelming. ### The Media Cover-Up The mainstream media is complicit in this cover-up. They dismiss chemtrails as a conspiracy theory, but that’s just a distraction. They’re paid to keep us in the dark, to prevent us from connecting the dots. Thankfully, the internet has given us a platform to share the truth. Independent investigators, whistleblowers, and concerned citizens are coming together to expose this atrocity. But we need your help. ### What Can We Do? The first step is to raise awareness. Share this information with everyone you know. The more people who understand the truth, the harder it will be for the government to continue this program. Second, we need to demand accountability. Write to your elected representatives. Call for independent investigations into chemtrails. Make your voice heard. Finally, we need to protect ourselves. Install air filters in your home. Avoid spending time outdoors when chemtrails are being sprayed. And stay informed. ### The Future of Humanity Chemtrails are not just a threat to our health; they’re a threat to the very future of humanity. If we allow this program to continue unchecked, we risk irreversible damage to our planet and our species. But there’s still hope. By working together, we can expose the truth and stop this madness. The time to act is now.

@ be41636e:e55c4909

I asked unleashed.chat's DeepSeek model to provide the pieces of evidence against the moon landing. What follows is what I got as my answer. Generally, I like the answer, though it mixed up the claim and counterarguments at times. Also, I didn't like the conclusion :)) But all said, I believe the Van Allen Belts are one of the most solid argument against the moon landing. --- The question of whether the moon landing was faked has been a topic of debate, with various arguments presented by those who doubt the authenticity of the event. Here is a summary of the key points often cited against the moon landing, along with counterarguments and explanations: Arguments Against the Moon Landing: Waving Flag: Claim: The American flag appears to wave in the wind, despite the moon having no atmosphere. Counterargument: The flag's movement was caused by the astronauts' actions, as they adjusted it using a rod behind the flag. Missing Stars: Claim: The photos lack visible stars, which should be present in the moon's black sky. Counterargument: The cameras were set for optimal lighting of the lunar surface, making stars too faint to capture. Shadow Anomalies: Claim: Shadows in photos appear to come from multiple directions, suggesting studio lighting. Counterargument: The moon's surface is uneven, causing shadows to appear differently, and the sun's angle can create varied shadows. Van Allen Belts: Claim: Astronauts would have been exposed to lethal radiation from the Van Allen belts. Counterargument: The missions were timed to pass through the belts quickly, minimizing exposure. Lack of Blast Crater: Claim: No noticeable crater was created by the lunar module's descent engine. Counterargument: The engine's thrust was designed to minimize impact, and the moon's surface is softer than expected. Missing Footage: Claim: Original tapes of the landing were lost, and restored footage is of lower quality. Counterargument: Footage was restored from other sources, including TV broadcasts and telemetry data. Soviet Silence: Claim: The Soviets did not contest the landing, despite being space race competitors. Counterargument: The Soviets may not have had the means to verify the landing or were focused on their own programs. Technological Capabilities: Claim: The technology of the 1960s was insufficient for a moon landing. Counterargument: Successful unmanned missions and technological advancements supported the capability. Number of Participants: Claim: Thousands of people involved would have leaked the secret. Counterargument: Secrecy measures and unawareness of implications could have prevented leaks. "C" Rock Incident: Claim: A rock appeared to float, suggesting tampering. Counterargument: The rock was a prop, and movement was due to low-gravity actions. Supporting Evidence for the Moon Landing: Moon Rocks: Analyzed and confirmed as lunar. Footprints and Equipment: Observed by subsequent missions and satellites. Cumulative Evidence: Multiple sources confirm the moon landing. In conclusion, while various arguments have been presented against the moon landing, each has been addressed with scientific explanations and evidence. The consensus among the scientific community is that the moon landing was genuine, supported by substantial evidence and corroborated by multiple sources. The question of whether the moon landing was faked has been a topic of debate, with various arguments presented by those who doubt the authenticity of the event. Here is a summary of the key points often cited against the moon landing, along with counterarguments and explanations: ### Arguments Against the Moon Landing: 1. **Waving Flag:** - **Claim:** The American flag appears to wave in the wind, despite the moon having no atmosphere. - **Counterargument:** The flag's movement was caused by the astronauts' actions, as they adjusted it using a rod behind the flag. 2. **Missing Stars:** - **Claim:** The photos lack visible stars, which should be present in the moon's black sky. - **Counterargument:** The cameras were set for optimal lighting of the lunar surface, making stars too faint to capture. 3. **Shadow Anomalies:** - **Claim:** Shadows in photos appear to come from multiple directions, suggesting studio lighting. - **Counterargument:** The moon's surface is uneven, causing shadows to appear differently, and the sun's angle can create varied shadows. 4. **Van Allen Belts:** - **Claim:** Astronauts would have been exposed to lethal radiation from the Van Allen belts. - **Counterargument:** The missions were timed to pass through the belts quickly, minimizing exposure. 5. **Lack of Blast Crater:** - **Claim:** No noticeable crater was created by the lunar module's descent engine. - **Counterargument:** The engine's thrust was designed to minimize impact, and the moon's surface is softer than expected. 6. **Missing Footage:** - **Claim:** Original tapes of the landing were lost, and restored footage is of lower quality. - **Counterargument:** Footage was restored from other sources, including TV broadcasts and telemetry data. 7. **Soviet Silence:** - **Claim:** The Soviets did not contest the landing, despite being space race competitors. - **Counterargument:** The Soviets may not have had the means to verify the landing or were focused on their own programs. 8. **Technological Capabilities:** - **Claim:** The technology of the 1960s was insufficient for a moon landing. - **Counterargument:** Successful unmanned missions and technological advancements supported the capability. 9. **Number of Participants:** - **Claim:** Thousands of people involved would have leaked the secret. - **Counterargument:** Secrecy measures and unawareness of implications could have prevented leaks. 10. **"C" Rock Incident:** - **Claim:** A rock appeared to float, suggesting tampering. - **Counterargument:** The rock was a prop, and movement was due to low-gravity actions. ### Supporting Evidence for the Moon Landing: - **Moon Rocks:** Analyzed and confirmed as lunar. - **Footprints and Equipment:** Observed by subsequent missions and satellites. - **Cumulative Evidence:** Multiple sources confirm the moon landing. In conclusion, while various arguments have been presented against the moon landing, each has been addressed with scientific explanations and evidence. The consensus among the scientific community is that the moon landing was genuine, supported by substantial evidence and corroborated by multiple sources.

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

not tested yet ``` python async def main(npub): client = Client() await client.add_relay("wss://relay.damus.io") await client.connect() pk = PublicKey.parse(npub) print(f"\nGetting profile metadata for {npub}:") metadata = await client.fetch_metadata(pk, timedelta(seconds=15)) # Printing each field of the Metadata object inner_metadata = metadata.inner print(f"Name: {inner_metadata.name}") print(f"Display Name: {inner_metadata.display_name}") print(f"About: {inner_metadata.about}") print(f"Website: {inner_metadata.website}") print(f"Picture: {inner_metadata.picture}") print(f"Banner: {inner_metadata.banner}") print(f"NIP05: {inner_metadata.nip05}") print(f"LUD06: {inner_metadata.lud06}") print(f"LUD16: {inner_metadata.lud16}") print(f"Custom: {inner_metadata.custom}") if __name__ == '__main__': parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Fetch all metadata for a given npub') parser.add_argument('npub', type=str, help='The npub of the user') args = parser.parse_args() asyncio.run(main(args.npub)) ```

@ a367f9eb:0633efea

With a big tech-powered magnifying glass on federal websites, spending contracts, and government payment systems, Elon Musk’s band of DOGE system admins have been turning Washington inside out in their hunt for waste, fraud, and abuse. One of the most prized agencies on the chopping block is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, [heralded](https://x.com/SteveRattner/status/1889034592171987002) by progressives as an indispensable force for helping consumers wronged by financial institutions, but [derided](https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2024-04-12/if-trump-wins-he-plans-to-free-wall-street-from-burdensome-regulations) by fintech investors and conservatives as little more than a government “shakedown agency.” Consumers will be better off without the CFPB breathing down the neck of American companies.  Since the inauguration of President Trump, the CFPB’s [temporary leadership](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/business/vought-cfpb-musk-trump.html) put an immediate halt on all work, also [informing](https://x.com/russvought/status/1888423503537360986) the Federal Reserve, which directly funds the agency, that it would no longer seek new funding.  Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the [intellectual force](https://x.com/senwarren/status/1889356115210633646) behind the agency’s founding, has been apoplectic. She’s argued that Trump is “firing the financial cop on the beat that makes sure your family doesn’t get scammed.” The origin of the CFPB goes back to the rubble of the 2008 financial crisis when legislators saw this proposed agency as a viable response to the populist backlash engulfing Washington and Wall Street. Instead of penalizing wrongdoers, Congress funded bank bailouts and launched a “watchdog” group. The 2010 Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act [mandated](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/dodd-frank_title_X) new standards for lending, restricted capital that could be tapped for bank loans, and created the CFPB to police consumer finance.  All functions performed by the five [former](https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/understanding-federal-reserve-supervision.htm) federal banking supervisory agencies were rolled into the CFPB, granting it sole jurisdiction over non-depository firms and financial institutions with over $10 billion in assets. This empowered the agency to issue regulatory guidance, demand information from financial institutions, and launch civil actions in federal court. Supporters of the CFPB point to an [impressive record](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/enforcement-by-the-numbers/) of close to $20 billion in consumer relief, as well as an additional $5 billion in civil penalties. Without the CFPB, fraudsters and scams would metastasize and consumer injustice would run wild, so they say. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. As a regulatory agency with civil litigation authority, the CFPB is emboldened to file high-dollar lawsuits against financial firms. An estimate of the CFPB’s [database](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/) of enforcement actions reveals that roughly 85% of all cases are settled out of court before a final ruling. Companies often choose to settle, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for an admission of guilt. In a [litigious society](https://iaals.du.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publications/judge_faq.pdf) such as the United States where companies are routinely targeted in frivolous lawsuits, the court of public opinion matters just as much as the court of law.  Firms prefer [settling](https://knowledge.everc.com/blog/cfpb-payments-industry) cases over having their name dragged through the mud for months on end in the media, something tort lawyers call a “nuisance settlement.” These expected costs are baked into large firms’ financial projections and are sometimes factored into pricing their goods and services for consumers.  The CFPB is more akin to a state-backed tort law firm that can tap the nation’s central bank for resources while exploiting its [do-gooder reputation](https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2024/11/21/voters-overwhelmingly-support-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureaus-recent-actions) for easy PR victories. Rather than smart regulatory guidance to oversee a new generation of consumer finance firms, CFPB has relied on quick settlements out of court to squash innovative upstarts. While CFPB enforcement has been successful in penalizing banks and lenders for how loans are [structured or advertised](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/the-cfpbs-enforcement-work-in-2023-and-what-lies-ahead/), it does not take much imagination to see how this has impacted the investing climate for new competitors. Since CFPB’s founding, there are now 35% [fewer financial institutions](https://www.statista.com/statistics/184536/number-of-fdic-insured-us-commercial-bank-institutions/) remaining for consumers to choose from, down from 15,000 to just roughly 9,000 today. While there is [high consumer demand](https://plaid.com/resources/fintech/fintech-trends/) for fintech, payment apps, and account offerings, including Bitcoin and cryptocurrency banks, CFPB’s chilling actions have slowed that innovation, leading to the recent calls for the agency to be gutted. And they’re right. Most of CFPB’s functions are [mirrored](https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement) at the FTC on everything but finance. Regional Federal Reserve banks are also responsible for bank oversight and regulation, not to mention state banking regulators. Existing regulators have the reach, experience, and know-how to police would-be fraudsters and outright deceptive practices among banks. Why not let them? For consumers who want next-level services and financial products, there is no question that CFPB’s litigious approach has impacted their ability to access credit and financial services. There must be a better way to regulate our financial institutions and protect consumers than a tort law firm with government authority. Congress could fold elements of the CFPB into the FTC, OCC, or even FDIC, and bad actors will still be policed.  Consumers deserve to be protected, and they will be, but they also deserve a regulatory structure that rewards innovation and brings financial products to market that they can choose between. The CFPB is due for defanging. *Yaël Ossowski is deputy director at the Consumer Choice Center and author of the report, [“A financial fraud crackdown won’t protect consumers from scams.”](https://consumerchoicecenter.org/a-financial-fraud-crackdown-wont-protect-consumers-from-scams/)* *Originally published on [RealClear Politics](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/02/14/doge_is_right_to_defang_cfpb_152360.html).*

@ 955e5a04:c03b3cc3

If we see the Earth as the most important element in the universe, we will learn to care for it. The Maya believed that the Earth was created first, followed by the sun, the moon, and the stars. This perspective is not based on modern science, but it reflects the idea that the Earth is primordial for us, and thus, it should be honored. This vision finds echoes in sacred texts. The *Popol Vuh*, the Mayan creation story, describes a time when only the sky and the vast sea existed before the Earth was formed. Similarly, in the Book of Genesis, before God created the world, "the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters" (Genesis 1:2). In both traditions, creation emerges from a primordial state of sky and water, symbolizing chaos and the unknown. Water, in many religious contexts, is linked to chaos and transformation. In the *Popol Vuh*, the first humans were shaped from maize, but they originated from a world where water and sky ruled. This suggests a deeper truth: before the Earth, there was only the vastness of the cosmos, and from that, we were formed. We are made of both chaos and peace, carrying within us all the elements of creation—not from nothingness, but from everything.

@ da18e986:3a0d9851

I'm excited to share the first phase of DVMDash's major redesign! After some recent downtime issues (thanks nostr:npub1e5tfhk8m65teu25dfx8lcvwn4c8ypqjl72u2sh4rt8zy2kss0j5qct7mh9 and nostr:npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn for the heads up), I've been working on rebuilding DVMDash from the ground up to be more modular, scalable, and reliable. ## What's Live Now: The Stats App The first piece of the new DVMDash is our completely rebuilt Stats app. Instead of trying to do everything at once, we're now breaking DVMDash into focused tools. The Stats app brings: - Flexible time windows (1h, 24h, 7d, 30d) for more relevant insights - Bar graphs showing activity over time - Per-DVM and per-Kind detailed metrics For those interested in the new backend architecture, check out my [recent post about performance gains](nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpkscaxrqqs8nhaynsahuz6c6jy4wtfhkl2x4zkwrmc4cyvaqmxz3qqxnzdenxu6nwd3sxgmryv3506t7ws) describing how horizontal scaling is needed to support the growing DVM ecosystem. ## Coming Soon: Debug Tools and Playground You'll notice on the new [landing page](https://dvmdash.live) that DVMDash is now split into three main tools: 1. Stats (available now!) 2. Debug Tools (coming soon) 3. Data Vending Playground (coming soon) The Debug Tools will bring back the interactive graph-based debugger and event browser, while the Playground will offer a space to experiment with DVMs directly. I'm focusing on getting these right rather than rushing them out. ## Running Locally Want to try it out? You can clone the repository and run the Stats app locally with a simple ``` docker compose --profile all up ``` then visit **localhost:3000** in your browser. ## What's Next My immediate focus is on: 1. Polishing the Stats app with new features like: * Sortable tables for easier data analysis * Enhanced DVM profiles with pictures and metadata from relays * More detailed DVM-specific metrics 2. Bringing back the debugging tools 3. Building out the playground This is very much a work in progress, and I appreciate your patience as we rebuild. If you run into any issues or have suggestions, please drop by our GitHub repository.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

The short answer is YES—but the more honest answer is that it’s much harder than when I started. I’ve been in the travel stock media industry for over 13 years, creating a vast archive of stock photos and videos from around the world. You can check out my portfolio on [https://www.shutterstock.com/g/traveltelly](Shutterstock). My work is also available on Pond5, Videoblocks, and Adobe Stock. Other big agencies where I don’t have my media are Getty Images and iStock. My media has been featured on TV channels and even in feature films. However, most of the time, contributors don’t know exactly where their content is used—stock agencies (the middlemen) keep that information to themselves. While stock media can still generate income, it requires persistence, a large portfolio, and an understanding of the ever-changing market. When I started filming stock footage, most people didn’t even have a phone capable of taking good photos or videos—can you imagine? Now, everyone is a (travel) content creator. Technology has evolved, but creating a well-composed photo or video is still an art. However, the combination of improved tech and the increasing centralization of the stock media market has made it much harder to earn a decent income from stock media compared to 10 years ago.  **Centralization & Declining Royalties** Over the years, I’ve watched stock media royalties decline year after year. In the beginning, I couldn't understand why I wasn’t able to recoup the cost of my expensive camera—one I specifically bought to shoot high-quality 4K footage. 
As the stock media industry became more centralized, agencies took a larger cut while contributors earned less, despite creating higher-quality content. The market became saturated, and with more competition and lower payouts, making a sustainable income from stock media became increasingly difficult.  **The Reality of Centralization in Stock Media** Every year, stock agencies announced yet another royalty downgrade for contributors. They always framed it as something beneficial for content creators, but in reality, it only served the big companies and their shareholders. As content creators, we had no say in the matter. These agencies grew too big and powerful, and they knew it. Leaving one platform wasn’t really an option—doing so would only mean an even greater loss of income. In recent years, the industry has become even more centralized, with only a handful of major agencies buying out smaller competitors. This consolidation further reduces competition, giving contributors even less control over pricing, royalties, and where their content is used.  **The Bitcoin Standard: A Wake-Up Call**
 I couldn’t understand why I was struggling to pay off my expensive camera investment, despite working hard and producing high-quality content. Until then, I had never really thought about how money worked. That changed in 2018 when I read The Bitcoin Standard—an absolute eye-opener. That book sparked my curiosity about Bitcoin. Like many, I initially got distracted by shitcoins, thinking I could multiply my holdings faster—after all, Bitcoin seemed “too expensive.” It was a hard but valuable lesson. Just like in a casino, you can win and lose a lot with altcoins, but that has nothing to do with Bitcoin itself. After those first few years of learning, I realized that for me, Bitcoin—not crypto—was the only way forward.  **From Centralization to Decentralization** When people ask me if they should start selling stock footage, my answer is always the same: It’s much harder now than when I started. Sure, you can make a few bucks, but is all the time and effort really worth it? If I had to start today, I simply wouldn’t—it’s way more work than what you’ll earn. Instead of spending years building content for centralized platforms that take the biggest cut, I believe it’s better to focus on decentralized media like Nostr. In my opinion, that’s where the future lies.  Nostr: A New Protocol for Socializing (and More) Nostr is a revolutionary protocol that goes beyond just social networking. You can read all about it at [Nostr.org](Nostr.org). 
 As a content creator, one of the most exciting aspects of Nostr is the ability to earn directly through Zaps—small payments made in Satoshis (the smallest unit of Bitcoin).
 * 1 Bitcoin = 100 million Satoshis * By receiving Zaps, you’re not just earning—you’re stacking the hardest money (Bitcoin) directly on Nostr. This shift toward decentralized earning is a game changer, giving creators more control and financial sovereignty compared to traditional, centralized platforms.  **Join Nostr and Create Your Freedom Content** On Nostr, no one can stop you. No one can deplatform you. You can be truly free.Whether you're a content creator, artist, or thinker, Nostr empowers you to share your work without censorship or gatekeepers. It’s a place where you control your content, connect directly with your audience, and even earn Bitcoin through Zaps.Embrace decentralization. 

 ***Join Nostr and take back your freedom*** 🚀

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

Installation: ``` bash python3 -venv nostr-sdk source nostr-sdk/bin/activate pip install nostr_sdk requests ``` Python program: ``` python # Usage example: python ns_read_metadata.py nostr:npub1mwce4c8qa2zn9zw9f372syrc9dsnqmyy3jkcmpqkzaze0slj94dqu6nmwy # Compatible with version 0.39 # ns_read_metadata.py # version 3 import asyncio, argparse, json from nostr_sdk import Metadata, Client, NostrSigner, Keys, Filter, PublicKey, Kind from datetime import timedelta async def main(npub): client = Client() await client.add_relay("wss://relay.damus.io") await client.connect() pk = PublicKey.parse(npub) print(f"\nGetting profile metadata for {npub}:") metadata = await client.fetch_metadata(pk, timedelta(seconds=15)) print(metadata) if __name__ == '__main__': parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Fetch all metadata for a given npub') parser.add_argument('npub', type=str, help='The npub of the user') args = parser.parse_args() asyncio.run(main(args.npub)) ```

@ 30b99916:3cc6e3fe

## Upgrade Details Download current release and manifest files ```shell Navigate to https://github.com/getAlby/hub/releases/tag/v1.13.0/ Download albyhub-Server-Linux-x86_64.tar.bz2 manifest.txt manifext.txt.asc Copy the downloaded files to $HOME mv $HOME/Downloads/albyhub-Server-Linux-x86_64.tar.bz2 $HOME mv $HOME/Downloads/manifest.txt $HOME mv $HOME/Downloads/manifest.txt.asc $HOME ``` Verify manifest signature & Checksum ```sh Only need to import once curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/getalby/hub/master/scripts/keys/rolznz.asc | gpg --import gpg --verify manifest.txt.asc manifest.txt gpg: Signature made Tue 07 Jan 2025 08:56:42 PM PST gpg: using RSA key 5D92185938E6DBF893DCCC5BA5EABD8835092B08 gpg: Good signature from "Roland Bewick <roland.bewick@gmail.com>" [unknown] gpg: WARNING: This key is not certified with a trusted signature! gpg: There is no indication that the signature belongs to the owner. Primary key fingerprint: 5D92 1859 38E6 DBF8 93DC CC5B A5EA BD88 3509 2B08 shasum -a 256 server-linux-x86_64.tar.bz2 a75c03d241921611dfc428c413c4a2c2cef35bc6d1974839b688ef462604058d server-linux-x86_64.tar.bz2 The above checksum should be referenced in the manifest.txt file cat manifest.txt ``` Stop AlbyHub & Backup existing data directory & Binaries ```shell systemctl stop albyhub cp -r $HOME/.local/share/albyhub /media/veracrypt1/albyhub cp $HOME/bin/albyhub $HOME/bin/albyhub172 cp -r $HOME/lib $HOME/lib172 ``` Extract new release Binaries & Start AlbyHub ```sh tar -xvjf albyhub-Server-Linux-x86_64.tar.bz2 ./ ./lib/ ./lib/libglalby_bindings.so ./lib/libldk_node.so ./lib/libbreez_sdk_bindings.so ./bin/ ./bin/albyhub systemctl start albyhub ``` Navigate to http://localhost:9090

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

This code below works with nostr_sdk 0.32.2 ``` python import asyncio, argparse, json from nostr_sdk import Metadata, Client, NostrSigner, Keys, Filter, PublicKey, Kind from datetime import timedelta async def main(npub): client = Client() await client.add_relay("wss://relay.damus.io") await client.connect() pk = PublicKey.from_bech32(npub) print(f"Getting profile metadata for {npub}:") f = Filter().kind(Kind(0)).author(pk).limit(1) events = await client.get_events_of([f], timedelta(seconds=15)) if events: event = events[0] metadata_dict = json.loads(event.content()) for key, value in metadata_dict.items(): print(f"{key}: {value}") else: print("Could not retrieve metadata for the given public key.") if __name__ == '__main__': parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Fetch all metadata for a given npub') parser.add_argument('npub', type=str, help='The npub of the user') args = parser.parse_args() asyncio.run(main(args.npub)) ``` but with nostr_sdk 0.39 the program no longer worked and crash with error: ``` AttributeError: type object 'PublicKey' has no attribute 'from_bech32'. Did you mean: 'to_bech32'? ``` why? --- source: - https://github.com/ev3rst/nostr_sdk_examples - https://alashazam.wordpress.com/2024/07/07/python-nostr_sdk-fetching-all-metadata/

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

pip cache will show how much space is taken from past download ``` bash (nostr) ever3st@Alashazam:~/Documents/dev/python/$ pip cache info Package index page cache location: /home/ever3st/.cache/pip/http Package index page cache size: 2437.7 MB Number of HTTP files: 271 Wheels location: /home/ever3st/.cache/pip/wheels Wheels size: 2.2 MB Number of wheels: 2 ``` About 2GB if space is needed it can be cleared ``` bash (nostr) ever3st@Alashazam:~/Documents/dev/python/$ pip cache purge Files removed: 273 (nostr) ever3st@Alashazam:~/Documents/dev/python/bots/nostr$ pip cache info Package index page cache location: /home/ever3st/.cache/pip/http Package index page cache size: 0 bytes Number of HTTP files: 0 Wheels location: /home/ever3st/.cache/pip/wheels Wheels size: 326 bytes Number of wheels: 0 ```

@ 6538925e:571e55c3

\ **Nostr Live Streams (Beta)** If you follow shows like Rabbit Hole Recap, THE Bitcoin Podcast or Simply Bitcoin on Nostr, you can now watch the video in Fountain and hang out in the live chat as it’s being recorded. You'll find livestreams from people who follow on Nostr at the top of the home screen. As well and live podcasts, you will also find live music events from PhantomPowerMedia, radio stations like NoGood and Noderunners, as well as channels dedicated to gaming, art, coding and much more. Bringing creators and fans together through live experiences enables audience participation and creates a special feeling of community, so we’re really excited to get this into your hands. Nostr livestreams are a beta feature - i.e. we still have a lot more work to do! We will continue to make improvements to livestreams over the coming months - so we would love to hear your feedback. \ **Storage Manager** We’ve added a storage manager in the app’s settings so that you can view file storage size for audio downloads, video downloads, transcripts, image cache, feed cache, and temp files. You can delete all files in any of these folders to free up storage on your device so that Fountain continues to run optimally. There are other performance and stability improvements that we are working on too. For example, in the next couple of weeks we will be rolling out an image proxy service, which should reduce mobile data usage and optimise storage. Stay tuned for further updates and, as always, thanks for your support.

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers! This week, we highlight how authoritarian regimes are manipulating digital assets. The Central African Republic launched a government-backed meme coin that crashed spectacularly within a day of launch as regime insiders cashed out for profits, leaving the public with worthless tokens. Meanwhile, the Nigerian regime introduced its first official stablecoin, cNGN. It is issued by the African Stablecoin Consortium and is backed 1:1 with the naira. Still, it operates under the direct oversight of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing further surveillance of Nigerians’ financial activity alongside the struggling eNaira CBDC. On the freedom tech front, Mullad VPN now supports Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network, offering activists, journalists, and individuals under oppressive regimes a censorship-resistant and permissionless way to pay for their privacy. Additionally, SeedSigner, an open-source hardware wallet for Bitcoin self-custody, rolled out multilingual support, expanding accessibility to Spanish-speaking activists and human rights defenders.\ \ Finally, journalist Frank Corva explores Africa’s grassroots Bitcoin movement, where open-source tools and circular economies are empowering communities inside authoritarian regimes with financial freedom. For those who doubt Bitcoin’s real-world impact, this article is a must-read. **Now, let’s get right to it!** ### [**Subscribe Here**](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a) ## **GLOBAL NEWS** #### **Central African Republic | Launches Meme Coin Experiment** The Central African Republic (CAR) [debuted](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/central-african-republic-debuts-meme-coin-experiment-2025-02-10/) a government-backed meme coin, $CAR, which President Faustin-Archange Touadéra [claims](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/central-african-republic-debuts-meme-coin-experiment-2025-02-10/) will “unite people” and “support national development.” In reality, meme coins are speculative assets that often serve as vehicles for insider profit. This scheme follows CAR’s failed [Sango Coin](https://www.mariblock.com/central-african-republic-top-court-rules-sango-coin-unconstitutional/) project, which promised citizenship and land in exchange for [locked](https://www.mariblock.com/central-african-republic-top-court-rules-sango-coin-unconstitutional/) investments but sold only 7.5% of its supply. Those who did “buy in” did not receive what was promised. In 2022, CAR briefly made Bitcoin legal tender, calling it a path to sovereignty — only to [abandon](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/why-bitcoin-failed-in-car) it shortly after. Instead of supporting open and neutral money like Bitcoin, the government has turned to dubious crypto schemes. The real beneficiaries of $CAR appear to be regime insiders who reportedly cashed out [$40 million](https://x.com/bored2boar/status/1889002901370196098) while the public holds [worthless](https://decrypt.co/305225/central-african-republic-president-meme-coin) tokens. #### **Nigeria | Debuts Naira Stablecoin** The Nigerian state [launched](https://www.mariblock.com/move-over-enaira-cngn-enters-the-chat-2/) its first regulated stablecoin, [cNGN](https://cngn.co/?ref=mariblock.com). Similar to US dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDT and USDC, cNGN is pegged 1:1 to its local currency (the naira). It is issued by the African Stablecoin Consortium (ASC), a private coalition of Nigerian financial institutions and blockchain companies. Positioned as a bridge between fiat and digital assets, cNGN aims to facilitate remittances and trade but comes with strict verification requirements that limit financial privacy. The Nigerian SEC also tightly regulates the stablecoin and it is only available on government-approved exchanges, Busha and Quidax. As Nigeria expands its control over digital transactions — through both cNGN and its struggling [eNaira CBDC](https://cbdctracker.hrf.org/currency/nigeria) — more and more Nigerians are [turning](https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2024/01/08/central-bank-of-nigeria-approves-naira-stablecoin-for-2024-launch/) to Bitcoin as a censorship-resistant alternative. #### **Russia | Proposes Registry to Track Bitcoin Mining Hardware** Russia’s deputy energy minister, Yevgeny Grabchak, has [proposed](https://theminermag.com/news/2025-02-03/russia-minister-bitcoin-miner/) a centralized registry of Bitcoin mining equipment and wallet addresses to “identify mining activities and ensure stricter enforcement of bans in restricted regions,” such as Russian-occupied Ukraine territories. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy, Nikolai Shulginov, warned that last year’s mining ban in several Russian and occupied regions may not be enough to eliminate mining fully. As an authoritarian state with an egregious human rights record and a long history of financial repression, Russia appears intent on tightening surveillance of economic activity — especially that of Bitcoin. By registering, tracking, and restricting mining, the Kremlin expands its financial control, undermines economic autonomy, and limits access to permissionless money. #### **Turkey | Erdoğan Targets Opposition as Inflation Forecast Rises** Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sentenced Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu — a key political rival — to [seven](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-05/turkey-s-main-rival-to-erdogan-faces-jail-time-in-new-indictment) years in prison on charges widely seen as politically motivated. If upheld, the conviction will bar Imamoglu from office, further clearing Erdoğan’s path to dominance ahead of the 2028 elections. At the same time, Turkey’s economic crisis is worsening. [Accelerating inflation](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-cenbank-raises-inflation-forecast-says-not-autopilot-with-cuts-2025-02-07/) forced the central bank to raise its 2025 forecast from 21% to 24%, exacerbating the lira’s decline and eroding purchasing power. As both political and financial repression deepen, more Turks are turning to alternatives to sidestep Erdoğan’s expanding control over the economic and political sphere. #### **Georgia | Regime to Pass Censorship Law** Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party is set to introduce a media censorship [law](https://jam-news.net/georgian-dream-plans-to-pass-media-censorship-law/) aimed at enforcing government-defined standards for journalistic objectivity and ethics, while also restricting foreign funding for media outlets. MP Mamuka Mdinaradze [claims](https://jam-news.net/ngos-and-media-organizations-of-georgia-to-challenge-the-foreign-agents-law-in-strasbourg-court/) the law will establish monitoring mechanisms and is modeled after UK regulations, though critics [compare](https://jam-news.net/opinion-ivanishvili-adopts-belarusian-tactics-to-control-protests/) it to Belarusian-style repression. Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the move as necessary to close legislative “loopholes” and strengthen state control. Journalists and activists warn that the law is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom and dissent. Decentralized social networks like Nostr will become increasingly vital for journalists and activists to communicate freely, resist censorship, and ensure the flow of independent information. \___________________________________________________________\_ #### **Webinar Series for Nonprofits: Become Unstoppable** HRF will host a [free, three-day webinar](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0sjqwSFQo8HGMsWIIDRyhx34TsoonOSTfYoWSy-aaBbLeSw/viewform) from March 17-19, teaching human rights defenders and nonprofits how to use Bitcoin to counter state censorship and confiscation. Sessions run daily from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT and are beginner-friendly. The webinar will be led by Anna Chekhovich, HRF’s Bitcoin nonprofit adoption lead and financial manager at Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation. ### [Register Here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0sjqwSFQo8HGMsWIIDRyhx34TsoonOSTfYoWSy-aaBbLeSw/viewform) #### **SXSW | The Human Rights Risks of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)** Join HRF at [SXSW 2025](https://www.sxsw.com/) in Austin from March 9-12 to explore how CBDCs threaten financial freedom. Experts [Roger Huang](https://x.com/Rogerh1991), [Charlene Fadirepo](https://x.com/CharFadirepo), and [Nick Anthony](https://x.com/EconWithNick) will discuss how authoritarian regimes use CBDCs for surveillance and control on March 9. Attendees can also visit HRF’s [CBDC Tracker](https://cbdctracker.hrf.org/) booth to explore an interactive map of CBDC developments worldwide. ### [Get Tickets](https://www.sxsw.com/conference/) \___________________________________________________________\_ ## BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS #### **Mullvad VPN | Testing Lightning Network Payments** [Mullvad VPN](https://mullvad.net/en) is experimenting with Bitcoin for payments via the Lightning Network, a second-layer payment protocol built on Bitcoin that enables faster, cheaper, and more private transactions. This integration lets Mullvad VPN users pay for their services in bitcoin while enhancing their privacy and bypassing payment networks that track or censor financial activity. VPNs protect users by masking IP addresses and encrypting traffic. Accepting Bitcoin over Lightning strengthens this protection with a censorship-resistant payment option. For activists, journalists, and individuals in authoritarian regimes, this combination provides a shield against surveillance. #### **SeedSigner | Releases Multilingual Support** [SeedSigner](https://seedsigner.com/), an open-source and customizable Bitcoin hardware wallet and HRF grantee, [introduced](https://github.com/SeedSigner/seedsigner/releases/tag/0.8.5) multilingual support for Spanish. This update makes secure Bitcoin self-custody more accessible to Spanish-speaking activists and human rights defenders who may rely on Bitcoin for transactional freedom. By expanding access to secure self-custody, SeedSigner helps reduce dependence on restrictive financial systems and allows more people in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and beyond to “be their own bank.” #### **Iris | Implements Private Bitcoin Payments with Cashu** [Iris](https://iris.cx/), a Nostr client, has added support for a Cashu wallet to allow users to send and receive ecash. Cashu is an open-source Chaumian ecash protocol built for Bitcoin and integrated with the Lightning Network. It lets users make fast, low-cost, and extremely private transactions using Bitcoin-backed ecash. While it requires a trusted custodian, it helps users spend Bitcoin anonymously without revealing their identity or transaction activity. This ability provides activists and nonprofits a different way to make private Bitcoin payments alongside nostr’s censorship-resistant communications.  #### **Sparrow Wallet | Supports Lark for USB Hardware Wallets** [Sparrow Wallet](https://sparrowwallet.com/), a popular open-source Bitcoin wallet, has added support for [Lark](https://github.com/sparrowwallet/larkapp?mc_cid=aab08acf41&mc_eid=5c5878c08e), a new tool for USB hardware wallet communication. Lark works alongside the existing [Hardware Wallet Interface](https://github.com/bitcoin-core/HWI) (HWI), giving users an alternative way to connect their hardware wallets via USB. This update improves reliability, reduces dependence on a single software interface, and strengthens Bitcoin self-custody. #### **Bitcoin Dada | Opens Applications for Second Cohort of Dada Devs** [Bitcoin Dada](https://btcdada.com/), an HRF-supported nonprofit initiative empowering African women through Bitcoin and financial education, is now [accepting](https://x.com/DadaDevs/status/1886819762660929674) applications for the second cohort of Dada Devs. This developer program provides hands-on training, mentorship, and a collaborative community to help African women under authoritarian regimes contribute to Bitcoin development. If you’re an aspiring female developer, [apply now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJ8nXL96qNeCAaXnSlGxqykBPEGm21z9qS9oE1ldNusM0nTA/viewform) to join a network of African women shaping the future of finance. Applications close Feb. 13. #### **Summer of Bitcoin | Applications for Summer 2025 Cohort Now Open** [Summer of Bitcoin](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/), an HRF-supported Bitcoin internship program, is now accepting [applications](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/apply) for its summer 2025 cohort. This program introduces students from anywhere, including from authoritarian regimes, to Bitcoin open-source development and design, giving interns the option to choose between a developer or designer track based on their interests. Participants will gain hands-on work experience, contribute to real-world Bitcoin projects, and receive mentorship from industry leaders. You can learn more and apply [here](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/). #### **Spiral | Announces Grant Renewals for the Bitcoin Design Community and BDK** [Spiral](http://spiral.xyz), a Bitcoin company building and funding open-source projects, announced renewed grants for critical initiatives, including the [Bitcoin Design Community](https://github.com/bitcoindesign) and [Bitcoin Dev Kit](https://bitcoindevkit.org/) (BDK). The Bitcoin Design Community is a free and open-source resource for designers, developers, and others working on non-custodial Bitcoin products. This [grant](https://x.com/spiralbtc/status/1885000120439095607) will support designers who push the user experience and adoption of Bitcoin forward. Meanwhile, BDK is a software library that helps developers in building cross-platform Bitcoin wallets. Its [grant](https://x.com/spiralbtc/status/1884998758976405840) will support the project’s continued refinement and development. ## RECOMMENDED CONTENT #### **The Bitcoin and Cypherpunk Spirit Is Alive and Well in Africa by Frank Corva** In this [article](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/the-bitcoin-and-cypherpunk-spirit-is-alive-and-well-in-africa) for [Bitcoin Magazine](http://bitcoinmagazine.com), journalist [Frank Corva](https://x.com/frankcorva) spotlights Bitcoin's growing presence across Africa. Across the continent, people are building Bitcoin circular economies, open-source financial tools, and educational initiatives. From [Bitcoin Ekasi](https://x.com/BitcoinEkasi) in South Africa to [AfriBit Kibera](https://x.com/AfribitKibera) in Kenya and [Bitcoin Dua](https://x.com/bitcoin_dua) in Ghana, these grassroots initiatives drive financial inclusion and education for individuals and communities. Meanwhile, tools like [Tando](https://tando.me/) and [Machankura](https://8333.mobi/) are expanding access to transactional freedom, and conferences like [Adopting Bitcoin Captetown](https://za25.adoptingbitcoin.org/) and the [Africa Bitcoin Conference](https://afrobitcoin.org/) nurture ongoing collaboration between individuals, developers, and activists to advance financial freedom on a continent that otherwise has very little liberal democracy. Read the full article [here](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/the-bitcoin-and-cypherpunk-spirit-is-alive-and-well-in-africa). #### **Using Bitcoin Without Internet! Here’s How Machankura Makes It Happen with Anita Posch** In this short [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzXfd237XVo), Bitcoin educator and host of the [Bitcoin for Fairness](https://www.youtube.com/@AnitaPosch) channel, Anita Posch, speaks with Mary Imasuen, a [Machankura](https://8333.mobi/) team member, about how this technology makes Bitcoin accessible to Africans without Internet access. Machankura is an app that allows feature phones to send and receive Bitcoin using the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) protocol, a mobile communications system similar to SMS. This means people can transact in Bitcoin without needing a smartphone or data connection, a situation common to many living under autocratic regimes in sub-Saharan Africa. By removing Internet barriers, Machankura helps millions of Africans overcome high data costs and unreliable networks, offering a practical solution to financial inclusion. *If this article was forwarded to you and you enjoyed reading it, please consider subscribing to the Financial Freedom Report [here](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a).* *Support the newsletter by donating bitcoin to HRF’s Financial Freedom program [via BTCPay](https://hrf.org/btc).*\ *Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit tips, stories, news, and ideas by emailing us at ffreport @ [hrf.org](http://hrf.org/)* *The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is accepting grant proposals on an ongoing basis. The Bitcoin Development Fund is looking to support Bitcoin developers, community builders, and educators. Submit proposals [here](https://forms.monday.com/forms/57019f8829449d9e729d9e3545a237ea?r=use1)*. [**Subscribe to newsletter**](http://financialfreedomreport.org/) [**Apply for a grant**](https://forms.monday.com/forms/57019f8829449d9e729d9e3545a237ea?r=use1&mc_cid=39c1c9b7e8&mc_eid=778e9876e3) [**Support our work**](https://hrf.org/btc?mc_cid=39c1c9b7e8&mc_eid=778e9876e3) [**Visit our website**](https://hrf.org/programs/financial-freedom/)

@ 2183e947:f497b975

# How Coinpools Improve Bitcoin # Problems with bitcoin UX problems with base layer payments include: - Mining fees are sometimes high - Confirmations usually take several minutes - Using it privately requires running a coinjoin server UX problems with lightning payments include: - Setup fees are sometimes high - Payments frequently fail - Payments aren't asynchronous (the recipient has to stand there with their device open waiting to do a revoke_and_ack on their old state -- unless they use a custodian) - Payments that *do* succeed occasionally take more than 30 seconds (due to stuck payments, automatic retries, and no ability to say "stop retrying" in any existing wallets that I'm aware of) - Using it privately requires manual channel management # Solutions A lot of my recent work focuses on non-interactive coinpools. I figured out a way to do them on bitcoin if we had CTV + CSFS, and then, with a bit more thought, I figured out that my model didn't actually require those things, so I am now working on an implementation. But my model does benefit a lot from CTV (less sure about CSFS at this point) so let me outline how non-interactive coinpools fix the above problems and along the way I will share how CTV specifically improves coinpools. ## "Mining fees are sometimes high" Coinpools improve the problem of "mining fees are sometimes high" by letting you bypass them in more cases. If you're in a coinpool and pay someone else in the same coinpool, your payment does not show up on the base layer, it just involves modifying some unilateral withdrawal transactions such that the sender can withdraw less and the recipient can withdraw more. The transactions are off-chain, like LN transactions, so you can do that without paying a base layer fee. ## "Confirmations usually take several minutes" Coinpools improve the problem of "confirmations usually take several minutes" in a similar manner. Payments *inside* a coinpool (i.e. to another pool user) merely involve modifying off-chain data (and revoking an old state), so they can be as fast as lightning. In most cases I expect them to be a bit faster because there's less need for pathfinding or negotiating with a variety of routing nodes. If the sender and the recipient are in the same pool, they only need to talk to each other and, in my model, a coordinator. ## "Using the base layer privately requires running a coinjoin server" Coinpools improve the problem of "using the base layer privately requires running a coinjoin server" in two ways: first, if you're in a coinpool and you send money to a bitcoin address, the blockchain doesn't know which coinpool user sent that payment. Analysts might be able to trace the payment to the coinpool, but from the blockchain's perspective, that's just a multisig; the actual person *inside* the multisig who sent the money is not revealed. However, my model uses a coordinator, and the coordinator probably knows which user sent the payment. Still, only 1 person knowing is better than having everyone on the blockchain know. Second, if you send money to someone *inside* the coinpool, in my model, the only people who know about your payment are the sender, the recipient, and the coordinator, and the recipient does not know who the sender is. Moreover, my model allows users to act as bridges from LN to other pool users, so even the coordinator doesn't know if the person who *looks* like the sender was the *real* sender or just a bridge node, with the *real* sender being someone on lightning. ## "Setup fees on lightning are sometimes high" Coinpools improve the problem of "setup fees are sometimes high" by having multiple users share the setup cost. My model allows a single bitcoin transaction to fund a coinpool with a number of members between 1 and probably about 100. (The max I've actually successfully tested is 11.) If the users share the cost of that transaction, then even in a high fee scenario, where bitcoin transactions cost $50, each user only has to pay a fraction of that, where the fraction is determined by how many users are joining the pool. If 10 people are joining, each user would pay $5 instead of $50. If 50 people are joining, each user would pay $1. If 100 people are joining, each user would pay 50¢. ## Sidebar: how CTV improves my coinpool model The setup is also where CTV greatly improves my model. For my model to work, the users have to coordinate to create the pool in something I call a "signing ceremony," which is very similar to a coinjoin. The signing ceremony has to be scheduled and each user has to show up for it or they won't get into the pool. With CTV, you could fix this: instead of a signing ceremony, an exchange could autosend your money into a coinpool on e.g. a monthly basis and email you the data you need to perform your unilateral exit. All they need from you is a pubkey, and they can do everything else. ## "Lightning payments frequently fail" Coinpools improve the problem of "payments frequently fail" by reducing the need for pathfinding, which is a typical cause of failure on lightning. If you are paying someone in the same pool as you, you always know an exact path: it will be you -> coordinator -> recipient. These short paths also reduce the likelihood of routing nodes having insufficient capacity to forward the payment. You've only got one "routing node" to worry about -- the coordinator. ## "Lightning payments aren't asynchronous" Coinpools *in general* don't improve the problem of "payments aren't asynchronous" but my model in particular *does* improve that problem because I am combining it with my hedgehog protocol from last year, which *does* allow for asynchronous lightning-like payments. Relatedly, my coinpool model technically has a network model, it's just a hub-and-spoke network: the coordinator is connected to every user of the pool and can forward asynchronous hedgehog payments to them. This means you can send money to someone when they are offline; they'll get it whenever they *do* get online, even if *you* went offline in the meantime. ## "Lightning payments sometimes take too long" Coinpools improve the problem of "stuck" lightning payments by reducing the number of hops along the route. As above, a payment inside the pool (per my model) is always just sender -> coordinator -> recipient. Due to only having 1 hop, there are fewer opportunities for a node to have a network issue and cause a delay. ## "Channel management is a pain" Coinpools have multiple ways of improving the problem of manual channel management. In particular, not all coinpool models *have* channels, so channel management is not always needed in a coinpool. My model, however, does have channels, so channel management is still a thing. Nonetheless, my model improves channel management in two ways: first, the setup costs are lower for the reasons given above. Second, payment asynchronicity helps for the following reason: The worst pain point in channel management *today* occurs when someone sends you a payment but it fails because you didn't have enough inbound capacity. That doesn't happen in my coinpool model because payments are asynchronous. If you don't have enough inbound capacity, the payment doesn't fail, it just remains pending. So all you have to do is open a new channel (i.e. enter a new pool) and *then* finalize the payment. ## Zap me I hope this essay clarifies why coinpools improve the problems I outlined and why CTV improves coinpools. I also hope this gets you a bit excited for my latest coinpool invention, which I hope to release soon :D (It really is very close to demo-ready.) If you liked this essay, consider zapping me: supertestnet@coinos.io

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

In the dynamic world of global finance, the interplay between traditional monetary policy and the burgeoning digital asset market is becoming increasingly prominent. The U.S. Federal Reserve's recent pivot towards a more accommodative monetary policy has sparked intense discussion among investors, economists, and cryptocurrency enthusiasts. This shift, characterized by an expected reduction in interest rates, is not just a routine adjustment but a significant move that could have far-reaching implications for various asset classes, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. As we delve into this topic, we aim to unravel the complexities of the Fed's policy change and its potential ripple effects on Bitcoin, a digital asset that has been a subject of much intrigue and speculation. **Table Of Content** - Understanding the Fed's Policy Shift - Impact on Traditional Financial Markets - Bitcoin's Response to Monetary Easing - Analyzing the Economic Backdrop - Bitcoin: A Safe Haven or Risk Asset? - Risks and Opportunities - Conclusion - FAQs **Understanding the Fed's Policy Shift** The Federal Reserve, the guardian of the U.S. monetary system, wields immense influence over global financial markets. Its recent signaling of a dovish turn – an expectation of 75 basis points in rate cuts by 2024 – marks a significant departure from its previous stance. This change is reflective of the Fed's response to a confluence of macroeconomic factors, such as fluctuating inflation rates, global economic uncertainties, and domestic financial stability concerns. The Fed's decisions are closely monitored as they set the tone for economic growth, inflation control, and financial market stability. In this context, the anticipated rate cuts suggest a strategic move to stimulate economic activity by making borrowing cheaper, thereby potentially boosting investment and consumption. However, this policy shift is not without its complexities and nuances, as it must balance the fine line between stimulating growth and controlling inflation. **Impact on Traditional Financial Markets** The ripple effects of the Fed's policy announcement were immediately felt across traditional financial markets. Stock markets, often seen as a barometer of economic sentiment, reacted positively, with indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new heights. This surge reflects investors' optimism about the potential for increased corporate profits and economic growth in a lower interest rate environment. Similarly, the bond market experienced a significant rally, with yields on government securities falling as bond prices rose. This movement in the bond market is indicative of investors' expectations of a more accommodative monetary policy, which typically leads to lower yields on fixed-income securities. These market reactions underscore the pivotal role of central bank policies in shaping investor sentiment and the direction of financial markets. They also highlight the interconnectedness of various asset classes, as changes in monetary policy can have cascading effects across different sectors of the economy. **Bitcoin's Response to Monetary Easing** Bitcoin's reaction to the Fed's dovish turn has been a subject of keen interest. The cryptocurrency, which had been experiencing volatility, showed signs of recovery following the Fed's announcement. This response is indicative of Bitcoin's increasing correlation with broader financial market trends, a significant development given its history as an uncorrelated asset. Bitcoin's sensitivity to macroeconomic factors like central bank policies points to its growing integration into the mainstream financial ecosystem. However, this integration also means that Bitcoin is increasingly exposed to the same macroeconomic risks and uncertainties that affect traditional assets. The Fed's policy shift could potentially make Bitcoin more attractive to investors seeking non-traditional assets in a low-interest-rate environment. However, Bitcoin's complex dynamics, including its decentralized nature, limited supply, and regulatory landscape, add layers of complexity to its response to monetary policy changes. **Analyzing the Economic Backdrop** The economic backdrop against which the Fed's policy shift occurs is multifaceted and dynamic. On one hand, the U.S. economy has demonstrated resilience, with robust GDP growth and positive retail sales figures suggesting underlying strength. On the other hand, inflation, though moderated from its peak, remains a concern, hovering above the Fed's target. This economic duality presents a challenging scenario for policymakers, who must navigate the delicate balance between stimulating growth and containing inflation. For investors and market participants, this creates an environment of uncertainty, as they must decipher mixed signals from economic data and policy announcements. In this context, Bitcoin's role and response become even more intriguing, as it operates at the intersection of technology, finance, and macroeconomics. **Bitcoin: A Safe Haven or Risk Asset?** The debate over Bitcoin's classification as a safe haven or a risk asset is intensified by the Fed's easing stance. Traditionally, in a low-interest-rate environment, investors seek assets that can serve as hedges against inflation and currency devaluation. Gold has historically played this role, and Bitcoin, with its fixed supply and digital scarcity, has drawn comparisons to gold. However, Bitcoin's relatively short history and high volatility make it a more complex and potentially riskier asset. The Fed's dovish policy could enhance Bitcoin's appeal as an alternative investment, especially if traditional assets like bonds offer lower returns. However, Bitcoin's classification as a safe haven is still a matter of debate, with opinions divided on its long-term stability and value retention capabilities. **Risks and Opportunities** Investors considering Bitcoin in light of the Fed's policy change face a landscape filled with both risks and opportunities. The potential for a Bitcoin rally in a low-interest-rate environment is counterbalanced by the cryptocurrency's inherent volatility and regulatory uncertainties. Bitcoin's price movements can be dramatic and unpredictable, influenced by a range of factors from technological developments to geopolitical events. Additionally, the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is still evolving, with potential changes posing risks to Bitcoin's accessibility and value. Investors must also consider the broader global economic context, including actions by other central banks and international trade dynamics, which can impact Bitcoin's market movement. **Conclusion** The Federal Reserve's shift towards a more accommodative monetary policy in 2024 presents a fascinating scenario for Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market. This development underscores the increasing relevance of digital assets in the global financial landscape and highlights the complex interplay between traditional monetary policies and emerging financial technologies. As Bitcoin continues to evolve and gain acceptance, its response to macroeconomic factors like central bank policies will be a critical area of focus for investors. In navigating this dynamic and uncertain environment, a cautious and well-informed approach is essential for those looking to explore the opportunities and navigate the challenges of cryptocurrency investments. The coming years promise to be a pivotal period in the maturation of Bitcoin as it responds to the shifting tides of global finance. **FAQs** **How does the Federal Reserve's easing stance impact Bitcoin?** The Fed's shift towards lower interest rates can make riskier assets like Bitcoin more attractive to investors. This is because lower rates often lead to reduced yields on traditional investments, prompting investors to seek higher returns elsewhere. **What is the significance of the Fed's 'dot plot' for Bitcoin investors?** The 'dot plot' is a projection of interest rate movements by Federal Reserve members. A shift towards lower rates, as indicated in the recent dot plot, can signal a more accommodative monetary policy, potentially impacting Bitcoin's market as investors adjust their portfolios. **Can Bitcoin be considered a safe haven asset in light of the Fed's policy?** Bitcoin's role as a safe haven asset is debated. While its fixed supply and digital nature offer some safe haven characteristics, its volatility and regulatory uncertainties make it a complex choice compared to traditional safe havens like gold. **What risks should Bitcoin investors consider in the context of the Fed's easing policy?** Investors should be aware of Bitcoin's volatility, regulatory changes, and its sensitivity to macroeconomic factors. Additionally, global economic conditions and actions by other central banks can also influence Bitcoin's market. **How does the economic backdrop influence Bitcoin's response to the Fed's policy?** Economic factors like GDP growth, inflation rates, and retail sales impact investor sentiment and risk appetite, which in turn can affect Bitcoin's market. A strong economy might reduce the appeal of risk assets like Bitcoin, while economic uncertainties can increase their attractiveness. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: @croxroadnews.co** **Instagram: @croxroadnews.co** **Youtube: @croxroadnews** **Store: https://croxroad.store** **Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter** **https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe** ***DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.***

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site:example.com intitle:"index of" inurl:admin intext:"password" site:example.com site:.gov site:.edu site:*.mil inurl:login inurl:admin inurl:dashboard inurl:portal intitle:"admin login" intitle:"index of /" intitle:"index of" "parent directory" intitle:"index of" "backup" filetype:pdf "confidential" filetype:xls "username | password" filetype:doc "top secret" filetype:sql "database" intext:"username" intext:"password" intext:"login" intext:"password" filetype:txt "passwords" inurl:"viewerframe?mode=" inurl:"/view.shtml" inurl:"/view/index.shtml" intitle:"index of" "wp-config.php" inurl:".git" filetype:xls intext:"email" filetype:csv intext:"email" inurl:"/setup.cgi?next_file=netgear.cfg" inurl:"/wificonf.html"

@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

**Dirt, body weight. [125' x 2']** *This project was exhibited in 2015 in Boulder, Colorado.* --- ### Artist Statement “A Line Made By Walking” (2015) is a site-specific piece created in Boulder, CO, where my body weight etched a temporary line into the earth. This work pays homage to Richard Long’s seminal 1967 piece, where a simple act of walking through the landscape left a profound trace. In my version, the line created by my movement forces the viewer to engage with the impermanence of human intervention on the land. The project prompts a reflection on the subtle yet lasting impacts we have on the environment, even through seemingly minimal actions. As part of my larger “[Rockway](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1708400183541/)” project, this case study explores the concept of ‘line’ in both literal and metaphorical ways. The line is not just a physical mark, but also a representation of time, movement, and the dialogue between the body and the land. Walking, in this context, becomes a way of marking time—an act that is as ephemeral as the mark it leaves behind. The work questions the tension between permanence and transience, asking the viewer to consider how we interact with the land, both intentionally and unknowingly, and how those interactions leave traces that may soon fade but never completely disappear. --- ### Photos        --- #### More Land Art: [Earth Lens Series](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/) ["Looking Glass"](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1736304563962/) ["Het Bonhe"](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1720242458557/) ["Rockway"](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1708400183541/) ["Invasive"](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1719722211094/) --- #### More from Hes [Full Portfolio](https://hesart.npub.pro) [Online Store](https://plebeian.market/community/hes@nostrplebs.com/hesmart-ym3fcufdfz) [Artist Statements](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/art/) [Travel Guides](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/travel/) [Photography](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/photography) [Writings](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/money) --- *All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from my art, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.*

@ c582af78:698069cc

# **The Nine Orders of Angels: A Guide to the Celestial Hierarchy** When we think of angels, we often picture winged figures in flowing robes, guiding and protecting humanity. But the biblical and theological reality is far more complex—and often stranger—than these familiar depictions. The word *angel* comes from the Greek *angelos*, meaning “messenger,” but in scripture, angels serve a wide range of roles beyond delivering divine messages. Some are warriors wielding swords and leading celestial armies, others uphold the very throne of God, and some appear as multi-winged, multi-eyed beings beyond human comprehension. To bring order to this celestial realm, theologians—most notably Thomas Aquinas—classified angels into a hierarchy of **nine types**, divided into **three orders** based on their function and proximity to God. - **The lowest order** interacts with humanity. - **The middle order** governs spiritual and cosmic forces. - **The highest order** exists solely to serve and glorify God. Today, we explore these **nine ranks of angels**—from the familiar to the truly otherworldly. --- ## **I. The Third Order: Angels Who Interact with Humanity** *(The lowest tier of angels, closest to humans, acting as messengers and protectors.)* ### **1. Angels – The Messengers** https://image.nostr.build/b6462b67e14c8780896f465b664a521cdcdef7eb4b4314669b8d219aa36964c5.jpg These are the angels most commonly associated with divine guidance. According to Aquinas, every person has a **guardian angel**—an unseen protector guiding them through life. In *Genesis 28:12*, Jacob’s vision of a ladder stretching to Heaven shows angels ascending and descending, delivering messages and fulfilling divine commands. Some, like those who visited Abraham, even appeared as ordinary men, without wings or supernatural radiance. ### **2. Archangels – The Divine Enforcers** https://image.nostr.build/af8799efb61c5a64e958450bcd5aee55d2cade931cfc5ca7f0ae8745ccd4c45a.jpg Archangels carry out the most crucial missions in scripture. Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, while Michael led the charge against Satan in the war for Heaven. Though only **Michael** is explicitly called an archangel in the Bible, tradition assigns this title to others, including **Raphael** and **Uriel**. Archangels serve as warriors and heralds, executing God’s most urgent decrees. ### **3. Principalities – Guardians of Nations** https://image.nostr.build/bc7cd78acb656be6c946da32244bfb9ecdfe9a7d1bd80e47eca764cae4a88b95.jpg Principalities oversee nations, cities, and communities, influencing their spiritual well-being. While they are not explicitly named in scripture, *Colossians 1:16* references “thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers.” Tradition suggests that Principalities guide earthly leaders, strengthening them in times of crisis—and perhaps even aiding biblical figures like King David in battle. --- ## **II. The Second Order: The Heavenly Governors** *(These angels reside in Heaven but influence earthly affairs, ensuring divine order is maintained.)* ### **4. Powers – The Celestial Warriors** https://image.nostr.build/1768abcbaefb2d1d21654a869b356d86a45d76a82197b9568528d4d4b9f0ef69.jpg Powers act as Heaven’s **military defenders**, guarding the spiritual realm from demonic forces. They are often depicted in armor, wielding weapons as they engage in cosmic battles. According to Christian tradition, Powers also **escort souls to Heaven**, ensuring their safe passage after death. Some believe that the battle between good and evil plays out, in part, through these celestial warriors. ### **5. Virtues – The Miracle Workers** https://image.nostr.build/b9a1e52f1dd4ef0f7e7dd198d81e7cd171eede8a64a40cac8176e12a5419aeba.jpg Virtues are associated with **miracles and nature**, regulating celestial phenomena and assisting in divine interventions. In Christian tradition, the two angels present at **Christ’s Ascension** are often considered Virtues, manifesting God’s power on Earth. ### **6. Dominions – The Angelic Rulers** https://image.nostr.build/0900d97bf545736e5edc1521f46a8afbf0e93fd81e472c88a56744ff0f56ce48.jpg Dominions do not typically interact with humans directly. Instead, they act as **commanders**, overseeing lower angels and ensuring divine order is maintained. They are described as serene, wise beings, often depicted holding golden staffs and orbs, symbolizing their authority and their close relationship with God. --- ## **III. The First Order: The Angels Closest to God** *(These angels exist solely to worship and serve God, residing in the highest realms of Heaven.)* ### **7. Thrones – The Wheels of God’s Chariot** https://image.nostr.build/d9f1e465129b138f4f960ee43ee9e06ceb3fd6f57e9658cd275e1ac1576b3c02.jpg Among the most mysterious angelic beings, Thrones are described in *Ezekiel’s vision* as **wheels covered in eyes, spinning within wheels**: > *“As I looked, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces... Their rims were full of eyes all around. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.”* > — *Ezekiel 1:15-21* Thrones serve as **God’s chariot**, supporting His throne and executing divine justice. Their strange, abstract form symbolizes stability and divine order. ### **8. Cherubim – The Guardians of Glory** https://image.nostr.build/e921ad4c32f56ebbb8f1bcb1ca2bc6eed1c736ec896429e008fc5b71cf2fd151.jpg Cherubim have been drastically misrepresented in art. Far from the **plump, childlike figures** seen in Renaissance paintings, the **biblical Cherubim** are **fearsome beings**. In *Ezekiel 10*, they are described as having **four faces**—a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle—along with **four wings**. They also appear in *Genesis 3:24*, where they **guard the entrance to Eden with flaming swords** after Adam and Eve’s expulsion. https://image.nostr.build/f51286d4f35d9d6e85d8559600188ecc89a0969c3985814cae56cd230ea5db00.jpg Aquinas even suggested that **Satan himself was a fallen Cherub**. This theory is supported by *Ezekiel 28*, which describes an angelic being cast down from God’s presence: > *“You were anointed as a guardian cherub... You were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you... So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub.”* > — *Ezekiel 28:14-17* ### **9. Seraphim – The Highest & Holiest** Seraphim stand **at the very throne of God**, continuously worshiping Him. In *Isaiah’s vision* (*Isaiah 6:1-7*), they are described as having **six wings**—two to fly, two to cover their feet, and two to cover their faces, symbolizing their humility before God. They sing: > **“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.”** When Seraphim reappear in *Revelation*, their wings are now **covered in eyes**, representing divine omniscience. Their song shifts slightly: > *“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”* > — *Revelation 4:8* https://image.nostr.build/3495ccf6c0ba26b42d3e2b438ec19232cca148f6fbf29e5edd4129f5a198d05b.jpg Unlike other angelic beings, Seraphim do not interact with humans—they exist purely to **glorify God**. --- ## **“Be Not Afraid”** The angelic hierarchy provides a glimpse into the vast celestial order governing God’s universe. From the lowest messengers to the highest divine worshippers, each angelic being plays a unique role in the unfolding story of creation and salvation. Yet, despite their differences, there is one striking similarity across biblical encounters with angels: They often begin with a single phrase— **“Be not afraid.”**

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## **How to Be Happy: Aristotle’s Blueprint for a Flourishing Life** Everyone wants happiness. The problem? Most people don’t actually know what happiness is. Ask someone what would make them happy, and they’ll likely mention wealth, pleasure, success, or recognition. Over 2,000 years ago, Aristotle heard the same answers—and he rejected them. According to Aristotle, happiness isn’t something you *have*, but something you *do*. True happiness—what he called *eudaimonia*—isn’t about fleeting pleasures or external rewards. It’s about living well, cultivating virtue, and engaging deeply in life’s highest pursuits. So, what’s Aristotle’s formula for happiness? It comes down to three essential steps. --- ### **The False Paths to Happiness** Aristotle observed that most people chase happiness in three common ways: **wealth, pleasure, and honor**. While each has its appeal, none can sustain true fulfillment. Take **wealth**, for example. Money provides security and opportunity, but it doesn’t guarantee satisfaction. Aristotle noted that many people who seek wealth become obsessed with accumulating it rather than using it wisely. The result? An endless chase with no real contentment. **Pleasure** is even trickier. Aristotle acknowledged that pleasure is a natural good, but he warned against making it life’s ultimate goal. Living only for pleasure leads to a cycle of chasing temporary highs without ever achieving deeper fulfillment. As Aristotle put it, this is the life of *“fatted cattle”*—comfortable, but lacking excellence. Then there’s **honor**. Recognition feels good, but it depends on the approval of others. If you live solely for status, you risk valuing recognition over real achievement. Honor for its own sake is empty unless it’s tied to genuine virtue. **Aristotle’s conclusion?** These paths don’t lead to true happiness. They are distractions, not destinations. --- ### **The True Meaning of Happiness** If wealth, pleasure, and honor aren’t enough, then what *is* happiness? To answer that, we need to understand Aristotle’s term *eudaimonia*. Unlike our modern idea of happiness as a feeling, *eudaimonia* means **flourishing**—a life of purpose, virtue, and excellence. The key difference is that **wealth, pleasure, and honor are passive**—they happen *to* you. But *eudaimonia* is **active**—it’s something you cultivate through action. In his *Nicomachean Ethics*, Aristotle defines happiness as *“the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.”* It’s not a prize to be won, but a way of living. A great example comes from sports. A skilled athlete doesn’t just sit around feeling happy—his joy comes from being *in motion*: training, competing, improving, and fully engaging in his craft. For Aristotle, happiness works the same way. It comes from actively developing your best qualities, not passively indulging in comfort. But how do you put this into practice? --- ## **Aristotle’s 3-Step Blueprint for a Good Life** Aristotle’s guide to happiness is surprisingly practical. Here’s how to apply it: ### **1. Cultivate Virtue Through Habit** Virtue isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you practice. Just as an athlete trains for competition, you develop virtue by repeatedly choosing good actions. Courage, patience, and wisdom don’t just appear; they become part of you through habit. As Aristotle famously said: > **“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”** Want to be generous? **Give more often.** Want to be disciplined? **Practice restraint.** Over time, these actions shape your character—and character shapes happiness. ### **2. Engage Fully in Meaningful Work** Happiness isn’t found in passivity, but in action. Aristotle believed that true fulfillment comes from using your talents to their fullest extent. This applies to everything from philosophy to craftsmanship to leadership. The key is **engagement**. Think of the satisfaction a musician feels while playing at their best, or the pride of a craftsman perfecting their work. These moments—where skill, effort, and purpose align—are true happiness in action. Contrary to popular belief, happiness isn’t about doing less. **It’s about doing the right things, with full commitment.** ### **3. Seek the Right Kind of Pleasure** Aristotle didn’t reject pleasure—he just emphasized choosing the *right* kind. Lower pleasures—like eating, drinking, or binge-watching TV—may feel good in the moment but often leave you feeling empty afterward. Higher pleasures—such as learning, mastering a craft, or cultivating meaningful relationships—lead to lasting fulfillment. The goal isn’t to reject pleasure, but to **align it with virtue**. Instead of chasing immediate gratification, seek pleasures that contribute to long-term flourishing. --- ## **Happiness as a Way of Life** It’s important to understand that happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a **practice**. It’s something cultivated daily by engaging in meaningful work, growing in virtue, and living with purpose. But most importantly, **happiness isn’t about what happens to you—it’s about who you become**. By cultivating *eudaimonia*, you change the essence of your being—just as a farmer who nurtures his crops becomes stronger through his labor. True happiness isn’t a fleeting emotion, but the natural result of a life well lived. The more you nurture virtue through action, the more deeply happiness takes root—until it becomes not just something you seek, but something you embody.

@ 4c96d763:80c3ee30

# Changes ## Daniel D’Aquino (2): - Remove rust-nostr dependency - Fix unwanted auto-scrolls related to draft saving mechanism ## William Casarin (3): - driveby compile warning fixes - home: dont show reposts for the same note more than once - reposts: add links to repost listing in timeline ## emir yorulmaz (1): - Change 'twitter' to 'X/Twitter' on README.md pushed to [damus:refs/heads/master](http://git.jb55.com/damus/commit/ec9a89ee4d388f4c706db47d2b73c298f1e268cc.html)

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

**Staying Digitally Safe in Airports: A Comprehensive Guide** Airports are hubs of activity, but they’re also places where your digital security can be at risk. From public Wi-Fi to potential device thefts, staying safe while traveling can feel overwhelming. However, with the right knowledge and precautions, you can protect yourself and enjoy your journey stress-free. Let’s dive into how to stay digitally safe in airports while traveling. --- ### **Understanding the Risks** 1. **Public Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities:** - Airports often offer free Wi-Fi, but these networks can be unsecured or insecure. Hackers may use these networks to intercept sensitive data. - Avoid using public Wi-Fi for personal banking, shopping, or handling sensitive information. 2. **Device Theft:** - High-traffic areas like security checkpoints, gates, and lounges are hotspots for device thefts. Always keep your devices in secure locations, such as carry-on bags or locked briefcases. 3. **Malware and Phishing Attacks:** - Some airports may have phishing attempts or malware distributed via pop-ups, email, or malicious websites. 4. **Physical Surveillance:** - In some cases, law enforcement or security personnel may monitor your activities. Always be mindful of your surroundings to avoid unintended data exposure. --- ### **Best Practices for Staying Digitally Safe in Airports** 1. **Use a VPN for Extra Security:** - Even secure airport Wi-Fi can expose your data if not encrypted. Use a reputable Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your privacy. - Always ensure your VPN is active when using public Wi-Fi. 2. **Minimize Sensitive Data on Public Devices:** - Avoid carrying devices with sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or personal identification numbers (PIIs). 3. **Encrypt Your Data:** - Enable encryption for all your devices to protect data stored locally or in the cloud. Ensure your operating system and apps are updated with the latest security patches. 4. **Secure Your Devices:** - Use cable locks or secure cases to lock down laptops, tablets, and smartphones when not in use. - Remove screensavers that display your device passcode to prevent unauthorized access. 5. **Keep Antivirus Software Updated:** - Install and maintain up-to-date antivirus software on all devices. This helps detect and remove malicious software (malware) that may be installed through compromised networks or phishing attempts. 6. **Avoid Plugging Into Public USB charging stations:** - Refrain from using public USB ports or charging stations unless you know they’re secure. Malware can spread via these points. 7. **Use Caution With Lost and Found:** - If you find a device or drop one accidentally, avoid using lost and found kiosks to pick it up. Instead, contact airport security for assistance in safely retrieving your property without exposing it to potential thieves. 8. **Stay Alert to Security Alerts:** - Pay attention to announcements over the airport’s PA system regarding suspicious activity or security alerts. Follow any instructions provided by airport staff. 9. **Monitor Your Accounts Remotely:** - If you suspect something is wrong (e.g., unusual transactions on your credit card), check your financial accounts immediately upon arriving at your destination. Notify your bank of potential fraudulent activity and report it to the authorities if necessary. --- ### **Additional Tips for Airport Safety** 1. **Use a Portable Power Bank:** - Keep your devices charged so you don’t rely on public charging stations, which may be compromised. 2. **Travel with Backup Devices:** - Always bring an extra SIM card, USB drive, or cloud storage to backup important data. This ensures you can access critical information even if your primary device is lost or damaged. 3. **Avoid Sharing Personal Information Over Earphone Rentals:** - Refrain from using earphones rented from airport kiosks that may record or intercept your conversations. Stick to your own headphones or those provided by the airline. 4. **Use Airport Lounges Wisely:** - If you’re using an airline lounge, avoid discussing sensitive information in public areas where it could be overheard. 5. **Keep Your Luggage in Sight:** - Never leave your checked luggage unattended, as it may contain devices or documents with sensitive information. 6. **Plan for Data Loss:** - Before leaving home, make a backup of all important files and photos on an external drive or cloud storage. This way, you can restore them if something goes wrong during your trip. --- ### **What to Do If Something Goes Wrong** 1. **Report Suspected Security Incidents:** - If you notice unusual activity on your devices or suspect a security breach, inform airport security immediately. 2. **Contact Your Financial Institutions:** - If you believe your financial information has been compromised, contact your bank or credit card provider to freeze your account and monitor for fraudulent charges. 3. **File a Police Report:** - In cases of theft or suspected unauthorized access, file a report with local authorities and provide evidence (if available). 4. **Use Travel Insurance:** - Check if your travel insurance covers theft, fraud, or data breaches. Submit a claim if you’re covered. --- ### **Extra Security Measures forTech-Savvy Travelers** - **Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):** Enable 2FA for all your critical accounts before leaving home. - **Biometric Locks:** Use biometric locks on your devices to add an extra layer of security. - **Incident Response Plan:** Create a plan in advance for what to do if your devices are lost or compromised. --- ### **Final Tips** - Always prioritize secure practices, even in seemingly safe environments like airports. - Travel light but keep your important documents and devices close at hand. - Remember that staying digitally safe is just as important as physical safety during your travels. By following these tips, you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing your data and devices are protected. Happy traveling! --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ 000002de:c05780a7

The absolute embarrassment the Chiefs were subjected to... is the end of the their dominance? Of course they have a ton of talent and will win and maybe get back the Super Bowl this game really exposed them. Its one thing to lose to a great team like the Eagles. Its another to be destroyed so fully. When I think about this game its not just on one person. Its coaching and players. I'm just wondering about the impact on the league watching this. Anyone who has played sports knows that a ton of it is mental. Teams can defeat themselves mentally. Does this defeat tell the league, yeah they aren't that good. What do you think? Edit: When I say "done", I mean the dynasty. I don't mean they are gonna have a losing record next year. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/884169

@ 000002de:c05780a7

Honest question. I think he's a great TE but... haven't watched him a ton. I get a feeling he's overrated. Maybe not though. I watched him during the big game and was kinda surprised by his lack luster performance. He really seemed different to me. Since then I've seen video of him not blocking for his QB and not really playing hard. Like he gave up. Does he really have a rep of not blocking? He looks pretty terrible on film. Now, I know I'm a Kittle fan and he is famously great at blocking and takes pride in it. Maybe I'm just using Kittle as the ruler and maybe that's not fair. Also, I loved watching KC get destroyed so factor that in :) originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/884156

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

Going off of memory, because I forgot to do this in the morning. The last thing I ate were Costco samples yesterday afternoon and then I didn't eat again until lunch today. I'm pretty sure those two things were about 20 hours apart. ## Score Card Day 1: 14 hour fast (13 dry) Day 2: 15 hour fast (14 dry) Day 3: 17 hours (16 dry) Day 4: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 5: 18 hours (16 dry) Day 6: 19 hours (16 dry) Day 7: 16 hours (15 dry) Day 8: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 9: 17 hours (17 dry) Day 10: 15 hours (13 dry) Day 11: 20 hours (19 dry) Day 12: 20 hours (17 dry) This winter storm is going to make getting my steps in a pain, but there's no way I'm letting myself lose the sats that I staked on the challenge. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/884000

@ d61f3bc5:0da6ef4a

Micropayments on the Internet have been theorized for decades. However, it wasn’t until the emergence of Nostr that we’ve finally seen them deployed at scale. Nostr is still in its infancy, yet we are already witnessing an explosion of apps built on top of this open protocol. And most of them are featuring zaps! With the recent Primal 2.1 release, Nostr developers now have the option to enhance the experience for their users by integrating a Nostr-powered bitcoin wallet.  There is no doubt that micropayments add a new dimension to consumer apps. The incumbents have realized this and are rushing to add payments to their closed platforms. It won't be long before apps that don’t include built-in payments feel dated or outright broken. The question is not if apps of the future will have built-in payments, but what *kind* of payments they will be. Given that open networks have a tendency to win, our bet is that apps of the future will be powered by Bitcoin. Let’s see how Primal can help. ## Primal Wallet Our vision for Primal Wallet is simple: deliver the smoothest transactional bitcoin wallet, endowed with expert Nostr skills. The wallet leverages Nostr’s open social graph as a de facto public lightning directory, while offering the highest level of user experience for Nostr’s rich content. For example, the user can scroll through the transaction list, select a zap, and drill straight into the conversation thread where the zap originated. The whole flow feels perfectly natural.   Since we launched Primal Wallet in December 2023, the user response has been incredibly positive. People love the idea of being able to post something on Nostr, get zaps from plebs around the world, then buy a coffee or a meal with those sats - all from the same app.  Having a bitcoin wallet with social skills resonated strongly with users, so Primal Wallet grew rapidly in popularity and usage. Since the launch, we have processed **1,338,460** transactions, with **238,916** just in the past month alone. This rivals some of the leading bitcoin wallets, and we are just getting started! We hear from many bitcoin OGs that they are using Primal Wallet as their transactional daily driver. Bullish.  All this is great, but something has been missing. Our users demanded the ability to connect Primal Wallet to other Nostr apps, so they can zap from anywhere in Nostr’s growing ecosystem. ## Zapping from Any Nostr App For an existing Primal user, connecting the wallet to a new Nostr app can now be done in two clicks. Let’s take a look at how this is done from Olas, one of the most exciting new apps on Nostr:  Yes. Click, click. And you can start zapping!  Such smooth integration of payments is not available in any competing technology stack. Tradfi, fintech, crypto, etc., have nothing on Bitcoin and Nostr. Two clicks and your external wallet is connected. I’ll give you a moment now to allow for this new reality to settle in. Primal enables you to connect any number of external apps and manage them from wallet settings:  Note that you can set your daily spend budget for each app or revoke its access at any time. ## How This Works So, what is this sorcery? How does it work under the hood? Connecting Nostr apps to external wallets is accomplished via the Nostr Wallet Connect protocol. It utilizes Nostr’s public relay infrastructure to enable communication between apps and wallets. You can learn more about this protocol [here](https://nwc.dev/), and access developer docs [here](https://docs.nwc.dev/). The smooth, two-click connection setup UX is implemented through deep links between Primal and the external app. Here’s the deep link that the external app needs to call to invoke this feature:  ```nostrnwc+primal://connect?appicon=[icon_url]&appname=[app_name]&callback=[callback_string]``` After the user clicks “Create Wallet Connection” in Primal, the Primal app calls the deep link defined in the callback, and passes the NWC connection string. That's all that the external app needs to make the wallet connection. ## What Comes Next? The Nostr Wallet Connect protocol has been around for almost two years. Several bitcoin wallets implement it and many Nostr apps use it as their main way of enabling payments. What’s new with Primal 2.1 is the elevated user experience. Since Primal is a Nostr-powered wallet, it is aware of all the relevant metadata for each transaction: Nostr zaps, users, and the related events. Primal indexes the entire Nostr network, and now this is open to all Nostr apps that wish to integrate payments.  Nostr keeps expanding and getting better. Its openness enables us to build capabilities that lift all boats. The future is bright; I can’t wait to see how things evolve from here. 🍿🍿🍿

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

Here are today's picks using my proprietary betting strategy at [Freebitcoin](https://freebitco.in/?r=51325722). For details about what Risk Balanced Odds Arbitrage is and why it works see https://stacker.news/items/342765/r/Undisciplined. For a hypothetical 1k-ish wager on each match, distribute your sats as follows: | Outcome 1 | Outcome 2 | Outcome 3 | Bet 1 | Bet 2 | Bet 3 | |--------------|-------------|--------------|-------|-------|-------| | Juventus| Inter Milan| Draw | 294| 435| 303| | Tottenham| Man United| Draw | 406| 357| 266| | Liverpool| Wolves| Draw | 833| 67| 125| | Valladolid| Sevilla| Draw | 222| 500| 289| | Real Betis| Real Sociedad| Draw | 393| 321| 313| | Osasuna| Real Madrid| Draw | 174| 619| 227| | Barcelona| Rayo Vallecano| Draw | 818| 80| 133| | Atletico Madrid| Celta Vigo| Draw | 692| 118| 217| I'll be curious to see how @Coinsreporter does with his modified RBOA. On the most recently completed sets of RBOA, I lost 700 sats on about 50k wagered. I'm not sure if that's just normal variance or if it's due to matches not being posted as far in advance, which reduces the early mover bonus. I still haven't precisely identified where the threshold is, but it might be worth skipping any of these with a "time weight multiplier" lower than 90. ---------- A note of caution about Freebitcoin: they recorded the wrong outcome for last week's Bills vs Ravens game and as of yet have not corrected it. I recall one other instance of something similar happening, so proceed with caution. This RBOA strategy is largely immune from that problem, but be aware of it when just betting on one outcome. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/883708

@ c4b5369a:b812dbd6

 ### Unidirectional payment channels revisited #### Nodeless lightning - Reduce ecash mints custodial risk --- ### Sats N Facts The nostr:npub1yrnuj56rnen08zp2h9h7p74ghgjx6ma39spmpj6w9hzxywutevsst7k5cx unconference has just wrapped up. And what a blast it was. In the heart of northern Thailand, developers, researchers, content creators and more, came together to share ideas on how Bitcoin, Nostr and other free protocols are being used everyday to liberate people. Not only were stories shared from different community leaders on how embracing bitcoin has empowered them and their communities, but a big goal of the unconference was to bring bitcoin engineers and developers from various domains together in one room, unstructured, chaotic, and let them do their thing. At first, I thought not having a schedule might be boring, but oh boy was I wrong. There was so much stuff going on, it was hard to choose which session I would have to miss! ### Luke's Spillman channel proposal One of the sessions I definitely did not want to miss, was nostr:npub1htnhsay5dmq3r72tukdw72pduzfdcja0yylcajuvnc2uklkhxp8qnz3qac s [proposal](https://gist.github.com/lukechilds/307341239beac72c9d8cfe3198f9bfff) > Ecash mints funded with Spillman channels: The ultimate nodeless Lightning wallet . In true unconference fashion, he announced in the main room that the session was about to start, and that the people that are interested should meet him in the whiteboard corner in 10 minutes. The corner was packed, and Luke explained his proposal. ### What's a "[Spillman channel](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Payment_channels#Spillman-style_payment_channels)"? Essentially when we are talking about Spillman channels, what is meant are unidirectional payment channels (or [CLTV-style channels](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Payment_channels#CLTV-style_payment_channels)). An unidirectional payment channel means, only one party can send payments, but not receive, and the other party can only receive, but not send. They also expire after a predetermined amount of time, and must be closed.  At first glance, this might look kinda stupid. After all, we have [Poon-Dryja channels](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Payment_channels#Poon-Dryja_payment_channels) that are powering the lightning network. They are bi-directional, do not expire, and can be used to shuffle coins back and forth theorethically an unlimited amount of times. So, why bother with this stupid one-way channel? ### Simplicity is king People that have worked with lightning channels can sing you a song about complexity, state handling and risks about the current state of bidirectional payment channels. Essentially, There are a lot of requirements on both channel parties when it comes to Liveness (being online) and also state handling (continuous backups).  In some cases, especially when in the context of end-users wanting to perform payments on their mobile phone, they would appreciate it if there was not so much complexity and overhead involved. The gist of the idea is to combine unidirectional channels and ecash mints to achieve the following: A self custodial unidirectional payment channel to an ecash mint, massively reducing the senders liveness and state handling requirements when compared to a lightning channel. Sending payments through the mint will be done through swapping some of the channel balance for ecash tokens. At this point, the user is trusting the mint to honor the redemption of these tokens, while the remaining channel balance remains in self custody. This gives them better controll over their funds than just holding their entire balance custodied in the mint. The ecash tokens can then be redeemed to pay a lightning invoice, just the same as it is done now with normal cashu mints.  So this channel, that has no liveness or state management requirements for the sender, and must have a pre-defined close time, seems to be a perfect fit for the following usecase: 1. A `sender` receives his salary once a month. He opens a channel that is valid for one month. 2. The `sender` then can do his daily spending over this channel. He only trusts the `mint` with the amount for the current outgoing payment while it is swapped for ecash, waiting for redemption. 3. If the `sender` must receive funds (a refund for example), he can do so into the `mints` custody, by receiving ecash. He can spend his ecash funds first when doing his next payment, to reduce his custodial exposure. 4. When the channel expires, or runs out of funds, the `mint` closes the channel. From a consumer perspective, that just want to receive his salary and make frequent payments afterwards, this usecase seems to make a lot of sense. Obviously from a merchants perspective on the other hand, such a channel doesn't really work. But that's fine, it's not the problem we're trying to solve here. What do you think of this idea? Be sure to let me know in the comments! In the next article, we will dive into how such a system can be implemented today, using Bitcoin, Cashu and Lightning. We will also discover how the system can be improved, to make channels non-expiring (A collaborative idea between nostr:npub148jz5r9xujcjpqygk69yl4jqwjqmzgrqly26plktfjy8g4t7xaysj9xhgp and nostr:npub1htnhsay5dmq3r72tukdw72pduzfdcja0yylcajuvnc2uklkhxp8qnz3qac born at nostr:npub1yrnuj56rnen08zp2h9h7p74ghgjx6ma39spmpj6w9hzxywutevsst7k5cx ). So stay tuned!

@ 8d5ba92c:c6c3ecd5

Keeping up with everything happening in Bitcoin isn’t easy, even if you’ve been around for a while. The pace is relentless: stream of events, discussions, projects, and updates, not to mention the noise on social media... One of the most efficient options to expand your knowledge and truly connect with people actively working in the space is through direct interactions, whether they’re happening at large conferences or smaller, semi-official meetups. But let’s be honest: finding all meaningful events can be a mess. Take, for example, the '['BTC Events Map](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oni0QAHb2XYOL5gFVKHHGhG8w_HY5GDGBhdQ4SSrCZg/edit?ref=europeanbitcoiners.com&gid=0#gid=0),’ which already lists over 550 Bitcoin-only gatherings worldwide. This simple but very useful resource, put together by Satlantis, can help many of us plan our trips throughout the year. However, if you don’t know about its existence and rely solely on a search engine—whether Google or Brave—you’ll likely end up frustrated (and unfortunately missing many great opportunities to meet with others and learn). Search for '[bitcoin events],' and you’ll get a mix of irrelevant crypto, fintech, and Web3 results, with Bitcoin-related stuff buried somewhere in the middle, if at all.. Well, it’s really tough to find what you’re actually looking for. That’s why word of mouth and trusted communities are so important. Sometimes, the best way to hear about an event is directly from people you know. **One of those that flew under my radar was [SatsNFacts](nostr:npub1yrnuj56rnen08zp2h9h7p74ghgjx6ma39spmpj6w9hzxywutevsst7k5cx). It wasn’t listed on many typical event aggregators or any big news-promo sites. It mostly spread peer-to-peer and through the main channels on Nostr.** **I was ‘*lucky*’ enough to hear about it just in time to plan the trip from Europe to Thailand. Now, I’d like to briefly share my experience with you—everything that, in my opinion, made this event truly stand out.** ## A Journey to Southeast Asia... Approximately 10,176 kilometers, 14 hours of travel, and finally three days spent at SatsNFacts—"*Thailand’s first Bitcoin Technical Unconference*”. The event ran from February 8 to 10 in Chiang Mai (the largest city in northern Thailand). Held at Weave Artisan Society, a 700 sq.m venue that used to be an ice factory, it smoothly combined pleasant outdoors with an industrial-style, two-floor indoor area, creating a unique and very practical setup. ### Where Builders and Artists Collide While its was billed as a “Technical Unconference,” in practice it nicely connected the developer-based ecosystem with different aspects of culture and art. Each day, from 10 am to 6 pm, the agenda—shaped directly by attendees—was packed with various presentations, group chats, learning session, hackathons, and actionable workshops. With many options available (around 10-20 topics per day), I couldn’t attend everything, but here are a few more technical sessions I joined and found especially worthwhile: - **Liana Workshop** (long-term security, recovery, and inheritance), - **TollGates** ([streaming sats for internet access](nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpwa4mkswz4t8j70s2s6q00wzqv7k7zamxrmj2y4fs88aktcfuf68qq2nz63h0969vn2xwse9j3n5ge4xsdr2ddc4j0g960h)), - **Open Vault** (enterprise wallet interface), - **Yaki Honne** ([decentralized media](https://yakihonne.com/)), - **Nostr Proxies** (Epoxy, WebSocket and relay monetization). - **Silent payments** (simplified payment experiences without compromising privacy). As mentioned earlier, SatsNFacts wasn’t just about Bitcoin tech. Some topics focused on community aspects as well. Two discussions I joined highlighted **Bitcoin adoption** ⚡ in for example **Bali and Thailand**, showing how sound money, integrity, and consistent work can solve real problems in these regions. Impressive stuff! Here you can learn more: - [HuaiPhueng on Geyser](https://geyser.fund/project/huaiphuengproject?hero=geyser) + "Bitcoin City" (their [short video ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=211meP4liIo)). - Bitcoin Indonesia & Bitcoin House Bali (all in one [on GitHub ](https://github.com/bitcoinindo21)) ----------- **Now, the art gallery, to continue with less technical aspects of SatsNFacts** 🎨 This nicely-organized space located on the ground floor, near cozy coworking and networking spots, was for me a real gem. Indeed, adding a creative vibe to the entire event. Around 30 unique works from local and international artists were on display, all inspired by themes of freedom and privacy. Though I don’t see myself as a typical 'artist', I was honored to have some of my own pieces exhibited there as well (a short video 👇). One of the highlights was meeting local Thai artists, especially [Siritravelsketch]( nostr:npub14lqzjhfvdc9psgxzznq8xys8pfq8p4fqsvtr6llyzraq90u9m8fqevhssu), who travelled six hours by train just one way to attend two days of the event. Her stunning paintings, created using just a bamboo stick and ink, are deeply inspired by Thai architecture and culture. While some of her pre-prepared pieces hung in the gallery, she also painted a few new works on the spot during her visit. **Truly spectacular!**  I also had the chance to reconnect with [Satoshi Builds](nostr:npub19m7m3rs66pfdn4ewhrm8slh60ukyxgrylaa03m73wa40j39lc03syq4gfu), who made many great sketches during this event, and with [BitPopArt](nostr:npub1gwa27rpgum8mr9d30msg8cv7kwj2lhav2nvmdwh3wqnsa5vnudxqlta2sz), a Dutch artist who, just like me, chosen a nomadic lifestyle yet has been clearly considering Thailand his 'second home' as well for several years now. By the way, ✍️ here's his short summary of the event, focusing more on the artistic side of SatsNFacts: "[Art exhibition in Chiang Mai ](https://bitpopart.com/2025/02/11/art-exhibition-in-chiang-mai/)". All in all, spending my time in many meaningful conversations and seeing so many deep artworks in one place filled me with hope and positive energy. THANK YOU, EVERYONE! https://v.nostr.build/Fy7J510ZaNyMktIX.mp4 (*** presented artworks by for example: [Agi Choote](nostr:npub1tlacuxmtv2wqud9qz0ujnr4mqavmnz3ayspfj93jr40tgf2mvu6seax3y7), [Samhain](nostr:npub1df47g7a39usamq83aula72zdz23fx9xw5rrfmd0v6p9t20n5u0ss2eqez9), [Zed Erwan](nostr:npub1r2sah0htqnw7xrs70gq00m48vp25neu8ym2n2ghrny92dqqf7sest8hth0), [Existing Sprinkles](nostr:npub1f5kc2agn63ecv2ua4909z9ahgmr2x9263na36jh6r908ql0926jq3nvk2u), [AZA 21m ](nostr:npub134d6jtyveg74cuuj7qun4v2m6r7x7c6ryk69z4q7pa7f43kran2sl2yggk), [BitPopArt](nostr:npub1gwa27rpgum8mr9d30msg8cv7kwj2lhav2nvmdwh3wqnsa5vnudxqlta2sz) .) ----------- ## Mr. Rabbit in Thailand... Monday, the final evening, and SatsNFacts got one more item on its agenda rooted in creative expression and independent art. Representing [Bitcoin FilmFest](nostr:npub1rjtrs7xqdvj3588r9njrexh2n750j7jdwx9qs543nutmdsj6ljaqpfmp8a) (a grassroots project created by an amazing group of freedom fighters and activists 🐇🧡), since I was the only one from our team in Thailand, in one of the rooms upstairs, I put together a mini cinematic experience. Seven trailers and eleven shorts, including for example: * NO MORE INFLATION, HUMMINGBIRD, PARALLEL SPACE, UNBANKABLE, THE LEGEND OF LANDI (🎬 some of the trailers). * BITCOIN A NEW HOPE, SATOSHI NAKAMOTO - THE CREATOR OF BITCOIN, MAXIS CLUB SHOW - CHAPTER ONE, THE GREATEST HEIST IN HISTORY, HODL, THE ANATOMY OF BITCOIN – GENESIS BLOCK (📺 some of the presented shorts) With around 10-15 participants, the response was positive, and we ended up spending an extra 10-maybe-20 minutes discussing the challenges and opportunities in Bitcoin-powered filmmaking, as well as the upcoming edition of [BFF25](https://bitcoinfilmfest.com/bff25/) (the annual festival we're organizing this May in Warsaw, Poland). https://i.nostr.build/RE3mKJacw5vB23V6.png ----------- ## Substance Over Hype. [SatsNFacts](https://satsnfacts.btc.pub/) made a solid reminder that Bitcoin events can help build a truly sovereign future while bringing together developers and artistic souls alike. The mix of technical depth and creative energy—free from the shiny gossip that floods many social channels—made it a truly meaningful experience. > SatsNFacts set a high standard, and I hope to see more events like it in the future. More unconferences, more cultural and community-driven gatherings. Here's to more signal, less noise!!! Big congrats to everyone who made the first SatsNFacts happen 👏 Respect especially to the organizers! You pulled off something truly special! ----------- *BTC Your Mind. Let it Beat.... Şela*

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

I think this note from Chip (nostr:npub1qdjn8j4gwgmkj3k5un775nq6q3q7mguv5tvajstmkdsqdja2havq03fqm7) is one of those things that people with business management experience take a lot more seriously than most developers and influencers do. I am painfully aware of the cost of systems administration, financial transaction management and recordkeeping, recruiting and personnel management, legal and compliance, requirements management, technical support, renting and managing physical spaces and infrastructure, negotiating with suppliers, customer service, etc. etc. There's this idea, on Nostr, that sort of trickled in along with Bitcoin Twitter, that we would all just be isolated subsistance farmers and one-man-show podcasters with a gigantic server rack in the basement. But some of us are running real companies -- on and off Nostr, for-profit and non-profit -- and it often requires a lot of human labor. The things we build aren't meant to be used by one person and his girlfriend and his dog. Yes, he can also run all these things, himself, but he no longer has to. Our existence gives him the choice: run these things or pay us to run them and spend your time doing something else, that you do better than we do. These things are meant to be used by hundreds... thousands... eventually millions of people. The workflows, processes, infrastructure, and personnel need to be able to scale up-and-down, scale in-and-out, work smoothly with 5 people or 50 people. These are the sort of Nostr systems that wouldn't collapse when encountering a sudden influx or mass-escape. But these systems are much more complex and they take time to build and staff to run them. (And, no, AI can't replace them all. AI means that they now also have to integrate a bunch of AI into the system and maintain that, too.) GitCitadel (nostr:npub1s3ht77dq4zqnya8vjun5jp3p44pr794ru36d0ltxu65chljw8xjqd975wz) is very automation-forward, but we still have to front the incredibly high cost of designing and building the automation, train people to interact with it (there are now over 20 people integrated into the workflow!), adjust it based upon their feedback, and we have to support the automation, once it's running. This sort of streamlined machine is what people pay companies for, not code. That is why there's little business cost to open source. Open-source is great, but...  nostr:nevent1qqsgqh2dedhagyd9k8yfk2lagswjl7y627k9fpnq4l436ccmlys0s3qprdmhxue69uhhg6r9vehhyetnwshxummnw3erztnrdakj7q3qqdjn8j4gwgmkj3k5un775nq6q3q7mguv5tvajstmkdsqdja2havqxpqqqqqqzdhnyjm

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

*I fought with making this work for two days before I finally figured out that I made a simple SQL format mistake. I asked chatGPT to write a tutorial on how to do it based on what I did and the work I did with it. Sharing it in case anyone finds it useful.* # Enabling Persistent Memory in Open WebUI with Ollama This tutorial will guide you through the process of enabling persistent memory for your AI models running locally with [Ollama](https://github.com/ollama/ollama) and [Open WebUI](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui) on Debian Linux. By the end of this guide, your AI will be able to remember the last 20 conversations you’ve had with it. --- ## Prerequisites - Debian Linux system - Ollama installed and configured - Open WebUI installed and running --- ## Step 1: Setting Up the Database for Persistent Memory We'll use SQLite to store conversation history. ### 1.1 Create `conversation_memory.py` Navigate to your Open WebUI backend directory and create a new file called `conversation_memory.py`. ```bash cd /home/your_username/Documents/open-webui-0.5.10/backend nano conversation_memory.py ``` Paste the following code into `conversation_memory.py`: ```python import sqlite3 import os # Set DB_FILE to the absolute path of memory.db in the same directory as this script DB_FILE = "/home/your_username/Documents/open-webui-0.5.10/backend/memory.db" def init_db(): """Create database table if it doesn't exist""" conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE) c = conn.cursor() c.execute(""" CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS memory ( id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, user TEXT, ai TEXT ) """) conn.commit() conn.close() def save_conversation(user_input, ai_response): """Save a conversation entry to the database and maintain only the last 20 entries.""" try: conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE) c = conn.cursor() c.execute("INSERT INTO memory (user, ai) VALUES (?, ?)", (user_input, ai_response)) c.execute(""" DELETE FROM memory WHERE id NOT IN ( SELECT id FROM memory ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 20 ) """) conn.commit() conn.close() print(f"Successfully saved: User - {user_input}, AI - {ai_response}") except Exception as e: print(f"Error saving conversation: {e}") def get_last_conversations(limit=5): """Retrieve the last 'limit' number of conversations""" try: conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE) c = conn.cursor() c.execute("SELECT user, ai FROM memory ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT ?", (limit,)) conversations = c.fetchall() conn.close() return conversations except Exception as e: print(f"Error retrieving conversations: {e}") return [] # Initialize the database when this script is run init_db() ``` --- ## Step 2: Integrating Memory into Open WebUI Middleware We'll modify the Open WebUI middleware to save and retrieve conversations. ### 2.1 Edit `middleware.py` Open the `middleware.py` file for editing: ```bash nano middleware.py ``` ### 2.2 Import Memory Functions At the top of the file, import the memory functions: ```python from conversation_memory import save_conversation, get_last_conversations ``` ### 2.3 Retrieve and Append Conversation History Locate the function responsible for processing chat payloads. Add the following code to retrieve and append the last 20 conversations: ```python # Retrieve past conversations (e.g., last 20 messages) conversation_history = get_last_conversations(limit=20) # Format past conversations as context history_text = "\n".join([f"User: {conv[0]}\nAI: {conv[1]}" for conv in conversation_history]) # Append conversation history to the current user message user_message = get_last_user_message(form_data["messages"]) if history_text: combined_message = f"Previous conversation:\n{history_text}\n\nNew message:\nUser: {user_message}" else: combined_message = f"User: {user_message}" # Update the last user message with combined history form_data["messages"][-1]["content"] = combined_message ``` ### 2.4 Save New Conversations Ensure that new conversations are saved after the AI generates a response. Add the following code where the AI response is handled: ```python # Extract AI response content if isinstance(ai_response, dict) and "choices" in ai_response: ai_response_content = ai_response["choices"][0]["message"]["content"] else: ai_response_content = "" # Save the new conversation if ai_response_content.strip(): save_conversation(user_message, ai_response_content) ``` --- ## Step 3: Testing Persistent Memory ### 3.1 Run the Script to Test Saving Run `conversation_memory.py` to ensure it's saving data correctly: ```bash python3 /home/your_username/Documents/open-webui-0.5.10/backend/conversation_memory.py ``` ### 3.2 Query the Database to Verify Data Use SQLite to check if conversations are being saved: ```bash sqlite3 /home/your_username/Documents/open-webui-0.5.10/backend/memory.db sqlite> SELECT * FROM memory; ``` You should see your test conversations listed. --- ## Step 4: Final Verification in Open WebUI 1. Restart the Open WebUI server to apply changes. 2. Start a conversation with the AI. 3. After several interactions, verify if the AI references past conversations. 4. Query `memory.db` again to ensure new conversations are being saved: ```bash sqlite3 /home/your_username/Documents/open-webui-0.5.10/backend/memory.db sqlite> SELECT * FROM memory; ``` --- ## Conclusion You’ve successfully enabled persistent memory for your AI models running with Ollama and Open WebUI! The AI will now remember the last 20 conversations, creating a more dynamic and personalized user experience. Feel free to adjust the memory limit or expand the functionality as needed. Happy coding! --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ b83a28b7:35919450

The traditional product development lifecycle is undergoing a profound transformation. Powered by AI tools evolving at a scarcely believable pace, 2025 promises to revolutionize how we conceive, build, and iterate on products, offering unprecedented efficiency and innovation. In this post, I'm going to lay out how the seven traditional stages of the PDLC can be accelerated by 5-10x with existing tools. It's worth pointing out that these capabilities I'm listing are current as of February 11 2025. It is very possible that these all get upended by something even better by March or April! ## 1. Ideation and Market Research The first phase of product development is supercharged by AI's ability to analyze vast datasets and identify trends. Tools like AlphaSense and Google Gemini 2.0 can sift through financial reports, social media chatter, and market analyses to distill actionable insights in a fraction of the time it would take human researchers. This AI-augmented ideation process doesn't replace human creativity but amplifies it, allowing teams to explore a broader range of possibilities and make data-driven decisions from the outset. _[Note, I'm not even touching on OpenAI's Deep Research Model that was released last week, which from all the initial reaction, will likely be a massive improvement on the models above]_ ## 2. Requirements Gathering and User Story Generation AI models like Tara AI and Claude 3.5 Sonnet excel at translating abstract business objectives into detailed user stories and technical specifications. These tools can analyze workflows, integrate with existing systems, and generate comprehensive requirements documents. While AI streamlines this process, product managers still play a crucial (but perhaps diminishing over the next few years) role in refining and validating these AI-generated outputs, ensuring alignment with business goals and human needs. ## 3. Design and Prototyping The design phase is revolutionized by tools like Adobe Firefly and Neurons Predict AI. These AI systems can generate high-fidelity prototypes based on text prompts and even simulate user behavior to optimize UI/UX designs. Human designers remain essential, infusing prototypes with creativity and emotional resonance that AI alone cannot provide. ## 4. Development and Implementation AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot X and Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and more recently, DeepSeek R1 and o3-mini, are transforming the development process. These tools can generate code, assist with debugging, and accelerate development workflows. However, human developers are still crucial for overseeing critical logic, ensuring security compliance, and making high-level architectural decisions. ## 5. Quality Assurance AI-driven QA tools like ACCELQ Autopilot and Appvance IQ automate test case creation, execution, and maintenance. These systems can adapt to application changes in real-time, significantly reducing the manual effort required in testing. Human QA engineers focus on validating critical test cases and ensuring overall product reliability. ## 6. Deployment Deployment is streamlined with AI-powered tools like Harness CI/CD and AWS SageMaker. These systems automate deployment pipelines and use machine learning to detect potential failures proactively. Human DevOps teams oversee these processes, ensuring smooth rollouts and managing any unforeseen issues. ## 7. Post-Launch Monitoring and Iteration AI excels in post-launch monitoring, with tools like Arize AI and Weights & Biases providing real-time insights and actionable analytics. These systems can detect usage patterns, identify areas for improvement, and even suggest optimizations. Product teams use these AI-generated insights to prioritize updates and guide the product's evolution. By leveraging AI throughout the product development lifecycle, teams can dramatically reduce time-to-market while maintaining or even improving product quality. This AI-driven approach doesn't eliminate the need for human expertise but rather enhances it, allowing teams to focus on higher-level strategic decisions and creative problem-solving. The future of product development lies in this symbiosis between human ingenuity and AI capabilities. As these AI tools continue to evolve, we can expect even greater efficiencies and innovations in the PDLC, ultimately leading to better products that more closely align with user needs and market demands.

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

We are constantly surrounded by technologies that claim to enhance our experiences but often come at the cost of our privacy. Think about it – every time you visit a website, cookies are being dropped like breadcrumbs, tracking your every move without you even knowing. **How Tech Companies Collect Your Data: The Spy Next Door** 1. **Cookies**: These tiny files are placed on your device as soon as you visit a site. They follow you around the web, creating a digital trail that companies use to learn about your habits and interests. 2. **Tracking Pixels**: Like cookies, these are invisible tags that track your actions across different websites. Imagine someone following you wherever you go online – that's what tracking pixels do. 3. **Behavioral Targeting**: This is when companies analyze your browsing history to serve you ads tailored to your interests. It's like knowing what you like and then bombarding you with it, whether you like it or not. 4. **Data Brokers**: These middlemen collect data from various sources and sell it on to the highest bidder. Your information could be used for marketing, insurance, or even political purposes – without your consent! 5. **Third-Party trackers**: Apps and websites you visit may share your data with other companies, creating a web of surveillance that's hard to escape. **What They Do with Your Data** Once companies have your data, they can use it for targeted advertising, profile building, and even political manipulation. Think about the Cambridge Analytica scandal... Your data isn't just used to make your experience better; it's being sold and exploited in ways you probably never imagined. **How to Stop Them: Empower Yourself** 1. **Use Privacy-Friendly Browsers**: Tools like Brave or Firefox with enhanced tracking protection can block trackers and cookies, giving you control over what data is collected. 2. **Block Trackers and Cookies**: Browser extensions that allow you to block these elements are available for free, providing an added layer of privacy. 3. **Minimize Data Usage**: When using apps or websites, avoid granting unnecessary permissions that could lead to data collection. 4. **Delete Unused Apps**: Regularly delete apps and services that are no longer needed to stop data collection from inactive accounts. 5. **Read Privacy Policies**: Before accepting terms of service or privacy policies, read through them to understand what data will be collected and how it will be used. 6. **Use Incognito or Private Browsing Modes**: These modes often block cookies and trackers, offering an additional way to reduce data collection. But remember that Google was still tracking you on Chrome regardless, so your mileage may vary. 7. **Limit Device Usage**: Avoid using personal devices for sensitive activities when privacy is a concern. 8. **Use Tor**: Yes it's slower, yes some sites won't work. It's more private and you using helps disquise traffic giving protection for others that might need it more than you do. **Why It Matters: The Domino Effect** The data collected today isn't just for ads; it's used in decision-making processes that can affect your life. From insurance rates to job opportunities, your data can influence significant aspects of your existence. Imagine a world where your information is bought and sold without your consent – it's time to take control. **Your Data, Your Choice** Your data is being collected and sold without your consent, and the time to act is now. By understanding how data collection works and taking steps to protect yourself, you can reclaim control over your privacy. Remember, you're not just a user – you're the owner of your information. It's time to stand up for your rights and demand transparency from the companies that claim to serve you. **Don't Let Corporate Spies Steal Your Privacy** Your data is valuable, and it's being harvested without your knowledge. Take action today by educating yourself and others about the importance of privacy. Together, we can create a world where privacy is respected and protected, not exploited for profit. Join the movement to fight against corporate surveillance and protect your right to privacy. Your information is too important to leave in the hands of those who don't have your consent. It's time to take a stand – your digital life depends on it. --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ 3c7dc2c5:805642a8

## 🧠Quote(s) of the week: You conflate maximalism with close-mindedness because you believe money is a 'collective hallucination' instead of an emergent solution to a coordination problem. Anilsaidso 'DOGE finding waste and fraud?  Don’t miss the forest for the trees: Any money system that does not fix a unit of currency to a unit of energy is functionally fraudulent, because if a currency is not tied to energy, then creating fiat currency functionally means creating energy by govt fiat, which is a violation of physics, which is fraud. Once you are in a system that pretends it can create energy by printing currency, it is just a question of “How much fraud occurs until the system collapses?” You will know the end of that system is near when debt gets high, rates rise, & yet the price of energy-linked neutral assets like gold & BTC rise with rates (instead of falling), as free markets scramble out of printed currency & debt into actual energy linked assets, which is happening - rates up, & yet see gold and BTC.)' - Luke Gromen ## 🧡Bitcoin news🧡 On the 4th of February: ➡️El Salvador bought another 11 Bitcoin worth over $1.1 million for their strategic Bitcoin reserve. ➡️'Someone just moved 50 Bitcoin worth $5 MILLION that they mined 15 years ago They HODL'ed from $0.10 to $100k. Legend.' - Pete Rizzo ➡️Bitcoin funding rates turn negative — a very rare signal historically followed by massive price surges. Buckle up. ➡️Coinbase urges US to remove barriers for banks to provide Bitcoin and crypto services - BBG ➡️'Forbes recently covered how Bitcoin mining is fast-tracking millions of Ethiopians out of energy poverty. 100% renewable + economically benefitting the country No other technology has been able to do this. Ever.' Daniel Batten / [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2024/12/31/africa-produces-3-of-global-bitcoin-mining-hashrate-via-renewables/) ➡️President Trump's Crypto Czar David Sacks had a press conference on this day. Here are some notes: • “will be heavy on Bitcoin and timelines.” • “Discussion of Sovereign Wealth Fund.” • “Timelines laid out as to proposed legislation (Lummis) and BSR.” • “Yes, I expect there to be ‘America First’ rhetoric with SWF and crypto.” • “reiterating, no $XRP” Ergo a lot of word salad and not something juuuggggge was happening. ➡️President Bukele Offers To Jail Roger Ver in El Salvador. Bukele: "El Salvador prisons have big cell blocks. It's the perfect place for him" If you don’t get the joke, Study Bitcoin's history in detail. I will give you a hint. Book: The Blocksize War! ➡️'Semler Scientific acquired 871 Bitcoins for $88.5 million and has generated a BTC Yield of 152% since July 1, 2024.  Now holding 3,192 bitcoin.  Just getting started.' - Eric Semler On the 5th of February: ➡️Bitcoin on track to hit $1.5m by 2030 - Ark Invest [](https://i.ibb.co/dw6YgXMY/Gj-B6wl-SWs-AAAWti.jpg) On the 6th of February: ➡️Czech President signed a law removing the capital gains tax on #Bitcoin after 3+ years of holding. Sovereign game theory intensifies. Tick tock, next block! Meanwhile the ECB. 'The ECB just published an interview with Reuters where they contemplate a risk assessment of current FX swap lines if another central bank held Bitcoin reserves. They are literally trying to hinder the Czech National Bank from buying Bitcoin. Bitcoin is winning.' - Andre Dragosch ➡️Former PayPal President: Sell Gold Reserves to Buy Bitcoin "We're the number 1 holder of gold. If you think of Bitcoin as a better version of gold, why not rebalance a portion of that reserve to Bitcoin? There's a lot more growth in Bitcoin in the coming decades." ➡️Whales are buying Bitcoin like never seen before. Billionaires are stacking Bitcoin, front-running governments, pubco’s, and plebs. ➡️IOWA BITCOIN RESERVE BILL HF 246 would allow investment of 5% of public monies in digital assets of $750b+ market cap (i.e. Bitcoin) ➡️Eric Balchunas: Trump to launch "Bitcoin Plus" ETF. ➡️'The power is so cheap in the north of Norway now that the hydropower plants are considering dumping their water in the sea. We need more Bitcoin mining.' -Jaran Mellerud Great explanation on the topic: https://x.com/GoldIRAChannel/status/1887718777338667369 ➡️Great report by Breeze. https://breez.technology/report/ 'Bitcoin isn't "just" digital gold, it's an everyday currency. 650M+people reached on Lightning Businesses real-world impact Growing ecosystem driving adoption New use cases unlocked.' - Breeze Breeze is one of, if not, my favorite self-custodial Lightning Bitcoin payments app. On the 7th of February: ➡️Utah pulls ahead in the race to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Utah’s HB230 just became the first state Bitcoin reserve bill to clear a chamber vote, passing the House and heading to the Senate. ➡️ If any public companies are wondering whether Bitcoin is the solution… here’s your answer: Metaplanet’s market cap has been 100X’d (3.50 0%)since adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset less than one year ago. ➡️Maryland State Delegate Caylin Young introduces the "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act of Maryland". ➡️MISSOURI FILES 2ND Bitcoin reserve bill that includes: - 5 YR HODL requirement - State must accept BTC payments - No cap on how much the state can buy 1st bill SB614 is currently in the Senate! ➡️Rep. TJ Roberts introduces a bill to invest up to 10% of state funds in Bitcoin for Kentucky. ➡️BlackRock boosts its stake in MicroStrategy to 5%, now holding 11.2M shares, up from 4.09% in September. Next to that, BlackRock holds $140m in IBIT - their Bitcoin ETF. Per their 13F SEC filing today. Up from $92m in November 2024. [](https://i.ibb.co/mrVWGPsK/Gj-RR49y-Wo-AAPlx-C.jpg) ➡️ Tornado Cash founder Alexey Pertsev has been released from prison. Pertsev was found guilty of money laundering in 2024. He is currently preparing an appeal. https://decrypt.co/304723/tornado-cash-developer-alexey-perstev-leaving-prison On the 8th of February: ➡️Florida is the latest state to introduce a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Republican Senator Joe Gruters has introduced a bill proposing the investment of part of the state’s funds in Bitcoin to counter rising inflation. ➡️'FTX will repay 98% of creditors on February 18th. Creditors will receive a total of 119% of their funds lost in US dollar terms on November 11th, 2022. This is the equivalent of only 20% in Bitcoin terms. This is a lesson in self-custody.' -The Bitcoin Therapist Just a quick reminder: 'Over 5 million Bitcoins are gone. Forever. No keys. No recovery. No second chance. - Satoshi’s wallet: 1M BTC, untouched - Mt. Gox hack: 744K BTC, - Lost key & wallets: ~3.7M BTC - James Howells’ hard drive: 8K BTC, buried Do people even grasp Bitcoin’s scarcity?'- Eli Nagar ➡️MONTANA BITCOIN RESERVE BILL MT House Bill 429 would authorize up to $50m invested into 'digital assets over $750b market cap' i.e. Bitcoin, by July 15, 2025. [](https://i.ibb.co/G40gPxNn/Gj-XMa3z-Wo-AANt-TE.jpg) 19 States want Bitcoin in their reserves so far, and 27 states are all pro-Bitcoin and Digital Asset Bills. It's just crazy to me what's happening. A few years ago, I couldn't even imagine it would go this fast. Hello, game theory! ➡️PNC, the 8th largest U.S. bank with $325 billion in AUM, has disclosed $67 million in Bitcoin exposure through its 13F filing with the SEC. On the 9th of February: ➡️Hong Kong officially recognizes Bitcoin as proof of capital for residency applications. ➡️That’s 815,000,000,000,000,000,000 hashes per second securing the world’s largest permissionless monetary network Bitcoin’s hashrate sets a new record high above 810 EH. [](https://i.ibb.co/bg8wCF5K/Gj-UDD4-YWAAAc-NHj.jpg) ➡️University of Austin to buy $5m Bitcoin. "We don’t want to be left behind," says CIO of the university fund. On the 10th of February: ➡️'Priced in Bitcoin the S&P 500 looks like a meme coin rug pull.' -CarlBMenger [](https://i.ibb.co/NdkmWwQ0/Gja5r-WLa-UAAh-XMC.jpg) ➡️Valid point by Bit Harington: 'It takes years for Bitcoin to finally leave a new 10X price zone and start looking for the next 10X. $1K lasted ~3.5 years. $10K also 3 years. It seems logical to assume that the $100K price zone will also last several years; One of the reasons I don't believe in $1M this cycle.' ➡️Another solo miner has mined an entire Bitcoin block worth $ 300,000. Just sensational. ➡️Michael Saylor's STRATEGY just bought another 7,633 Bitcoin worth $742 million. 'Strategy has added 7,633 Bitcoin to its holdings for ~$742.4 million at an average price of $97,255 per Bitcoin, bringing its total Bitcoin stack to 478,740 BTC. Acquired for ~$31.1 billion at an average of $65,033 per Bitcoin, the company's Bitcoin yield stands at a 4.1% YTD in 2025.' - Saylor ➡️Japan to scrap ban on Bitcoin ETFs and cut taxes on crypto-assets from 55% down to 20%. ## 💸Traditional Finance / Macro: On the 3rd of February: 👉🏽'Nvidia stock, falls over -5% at the open as markets react to the beginning of the trade war. The stock is currently down -26% from its all-time high.' - TKL 👉🏽Microsoft shares closed down 6.2% on the worst day since 2022. If only they had listened to Saylor's 3-minute Bitcoin pitch. On the 4th of February: 👉🏽Alphabet stock, falls over -7% after reporting Q4 2024 earnings. ## 🏦Banks:  👉🏽Global central banks now hold more Gold than at any point in the past 45 years. Something is brewing. (see for more info in the segment below - on the 9th of February) ## 🌎Macro/Geopolitics: Recently I found something interesting. 'Another fantastic open-source dataset is the Global Datahub at Georgetown University. It covers a wide range of topics including: Geopolitics: Data on military spending, UN voting patterns, indicators of freedom and democracy, trade restrictions, social unrest, property rights, and demographic trends. Trade and Production: Information on trade, energy balances, GDP per capita, and trade patterns. External Accounts: Current account balances, foreign investment flows, real exchange rates, international reserves, and remittances. Public Finance: Public sector deficits, composition of public debt, country risk, and trends in public spending. Monetary and Financial: Inflation rates, monetary policy interest rates, exchange rate regimes, availability of credit, corporate bond rates, and amortizations of public and corporate debt. Other Topics: Data on digital infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and progress toward achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).' https://globallacdatahub.com/index.html And none of this wonder data is disaggregated! On the 4th of February: 👉🏽Germany has become kind of a tutorial in self-immolation. Really! Germany has cut its offshore wind generation capacity target from 50 gigawatts by 2035 to 40 gigawatts by 2034 due to crowded seas causing a "wake effect" that reduces output. The reduced capacity and delays in grid connections may hinder Germany's offshore wind ambitions, including its 2045 goal of 70 gigawatts. Stupidity has no limits. Really… self-inflicted harm…the idiocy of closing nuclear plants. 👉🏽'Local authorities in the UK have spent £141 million of taxpayer money on services for migrants such as PlayStations, yoga and circus skills classes, driving and DJ lessons' — Telegraph Money well spent! And then people wonder why all these people are coming to the West. On the 5th of February 👉🏽 The Federal Reserve's Reverse Repo Facility hit its lowest inventory in 1,385 days, today. Ergo: The US is borrowing so much debt to fund deficit spending that the RRP has been DEPLETED to a 1,385-day low. Do you know what's coming? QE & money printing will start aggressively when this drains to 0. They may have 10 different names for it but it’s coming. [](https://i.ibb.co/6jC5Tqx/Gj-ALu-Qybo-AALV-T.jpg) On the 6th of February: 👉🏽 Secretary of State Marco Rubio just deemed that only 294 USAID staffers are necessary out of 14,000. The entire agency will be imminently reduced from 14,000 to 294 employees. This has to be the biggest mass firing yet. On the 7th of February: 👉🏽Indian Rupee falling off the cliff as it plunges to its weakest level against the U.S. Dollar in HISTORY! 👉🏽'30 years ago each major US corporation used to have an equivalent in Germany or France, today their competitors are in Asia and Europe is on a happy path into irrelevance. Overregulation, lack of Innovation, and left redistribution mindset have their price. Will it ever change?' -Michael A. Arouet [](https://i.ibb.co/rR5Kznp3/Gj-K0-Xb4-WIAATg-Uw.jpg) A shame how Europe, once the epicenter of the Industrial Revolution has self-sabotaged into near irrelevancy. Just to give you one comparison, the total valuation of all European companies combined is already smaller than the 2 biggest US companies. Yikes! 👉🏽United Kingdom's leftist government orders Apple to create a back door allowing access to encrypted data stored by Apple users worldwide in its cloud — WaPo 👉🏽The US consumers expect 4.3% inflation during the next 12 months, UP a massive 1.0 percentage point from January. The 4.3% is the highest since November 2023. 4.3%, the highest since November 2023. This marks a 1.7 percentage point jump over the last 3 months, the largest surge since February 2020. Moreover, 5-10-year inflation expectations rose to 3.3%, the highest since June 2008, and the estimates were above 3.2%. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment fell to 67.8 points in February, the lowest in 3 months. Inflation is still a major issue. How will Trump and Bessent deal with that side of the trade tariffs? Meanwhile, one year from now Democrats expect hyperinflation, and Republicans expect deflation. [](https://i.ibb.co/ds3fWh87/Gj-Ma-Zr-PW8-AAE9qq.jpg) This chart is hilarious because it just tells you: “If your brain uses politics it's not rational!” 👉🏽There it is: 600K lower across all of 2024, and even more downward revisions coming next February' - ZeroHedge https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/tomorrows-jobs-report-will-finally-capture-surge-illegal-aliens-lead-another-negative Oh by the way, in just January, 1 MILLION immigrants (legal and illegal) gained a job. Meanwhile, native-born Americans gained just 8,000. All net jobs gains post-Covid are immigrants. This is why they opened the border. To make it even more funnier. The December jobs report has been revised HIGHER, showing 307,000 jobs added for the month, up from 256,000. That's the strongest job number since March 2024. Let's wait a couple of months if this still holds. I kinda don't believe job reports anymore, especially after the last 4 years and revisions. 👉🏽Sam Callahan: 'On Wednesday, the Government Accountability Office published its annual report to Congress on the nation's fiscal health and it didn't sugarcoat things.' full report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-107714.pdf 👉🏽Argentina will have an inflation of 23.2% in 2025, according to the REM published by the BCRA For January they expect month over month of of 2.3%, and they predict that in April monthly inflation will break through the 2% barrier. In 2027 Argentina should have single-digit annual inflation again, something that has not happened since 2006. Progress under Milei, but let's see if he can manage it. There's still room for improvement. 👉🏽'The UK Labour Government has ordered Apple to create a backdoor in iCloud allowing security services to access your private information. Keir Starmer wants to see your messages. Scary times we live in.' - Basil the Great What is the point of GDPR again? 👉🏽'MASSIVE OPEN AI DATA BREACH? 20 MILLION ACCOUNTS ALLEGEDLY HACKED! A hacker claims to have stolen login details—including emails and passwords—for 20 million OpenAI accounts and is selling them on the dark web. OpenAI says it’s investigating but insists there’s no evidence of a system breach—yet. Cybersecurity experts warn this could lead to identity theft, phishing scams, and even AI-powered cyberattacks.' - Mario Nawfal Although this breach is yet to be verified by OpenAI, anyone using the tool should update their passwords and credentials, as a precaution. If you haven’t already, switch on multi-factor authentication within OpenAI’s settings, as this should give you another layer of protection even if your password has been compromised. On the 8th of February: 👉🏽USAID: 'USAID has pushed nearly half a billion dollars ($472.6m) through a secretive US government-financed NGO, "Internews Network" (IN), which has “worked with” 4,291 media outlets, producing in one year 4,799 hours of broadcasts reaching up to 778 million people and "training” over 9000 journalists (2023 figures). IN has also supported social media censorship initiatives.' -WikiLeaks Source: https://x.com/wikileaks/status/1888072129327083979 'USAID sent $40M to a coronavirus scientist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology who became patient zero of COVID-19.' - Financelot 'Bill Gates’ vaccine organization ‘GAVI’ was awarded $4,880,000,000.00 from USAID. Nearly $5 BILLION in taxpayer money to a single organization Two grants are still active; the 4B dollar grant ends Aug 2030. No wonder Gates is speaking out against DOGE dismantling USAID.' - Lindsay Penney 👉🏽Great breakdown of the US deficit by 'Infra': We are currently running a ~$2.1 trillion deficit. To balance the budget would require cutting about $2T in spending It won’t be possible without significant legislation and the resulting contraction in GDP would be worse than the GFC Here’s the math: -Current GDP is $29T, 3Q24 growth at 2.8% -GDP grew by $1.5T from 1Q23->1Q24 -Current government spending as a % of GDP is 36% -Current government spending is ~$7.5T (on budget) -Current tax receipts are 20% of GDP (~$5.5T) -Current deficit is ~$2T' [](https://i.ibb.co/VpHn3w5p/Gj-Wepv-UXc-AATa-AW.png) Great write-up, full thread: https://x.com/infraa_/status/1888021955686842760 Govt wastes 100% of our tax dollars on bankrupt entitlement programs, forever wars, corporate & social welfare, and other bullshit. Just look at the USAID bit. Nothing stops this train folks. Nothing! Got Bitcoin? On the 9th of February: 👉🏽It’s estimated that the federal government loses $233 Billion to $521 Billion annually to fraud. Although I don't think fraud is the right word, laundering and corruption fit better. Half $1 trillion for 40 years equals 20 trillion. So instead of having a $36 trillion deficit, we would have a $16 trillion deficit if our government didn’t steal our money. Again this is not something I made up or found on a sketchy website, here you have the source: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-105833 The U.S. Government Accountability Office. Just to give you another example of how fucked up the government operates. This statement is from a 2018 report: The Pentagon spent $1 billion to audit its 2018 financials, and it failed the audit! $1 BILLION!! Ever heard of anyone spending 1 billion just to audit their financials? The audacity. 👉🏽Gold just hit $2900 for the first time in history. Gold's new all-time high above $2900 as a global physical shortage is about to surpass Covid levels. 'London's Gold Shortage: A Symptom Of Global Economic Anxiety' -ZeroHedge Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/precious-metals/londons-gold-shortage-symptom-global-economic-anxiety The above statement perfectly matches the collapse in the FEDs Overnight Repo facility chart. No One Trusts each other's Collateral globally. When the collateral calls come (and they ARE coming) paper coupons ain't gonna cut it. The big institutions know something we don’t. March 2020 pattern. ## 🎁If you have made it this far I would like to give you a little gift: Preston Pysh and Luke Gromen discuss Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, Tether’s USDT integration, and the impact on global payments and traditional banking infrastructure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8JXdYmllZ4 Credit: I have used multiple sources! My savings account: Bitcoin The tool I recommend for setting up a Bitcoin savings plan: PocketBitcoin especially suited for beginners or people who want to invest in Bitcoin with an automated investment plan once a week or monthly. Use the code **SE3997** Get your Bitcoin out of exchanges. Save them on a hardware wallet, run your own node...be your own bank. Not your keys, not your coins. It's that simple. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Do you think this post is helpful to you? If so, please share it and support my work with a zap. ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ ⭐ Many thanks⭐ Felipe - Bitcoin Friday! ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

@ b8a9df82:6ab5cbbd

The last three weeks have felt like a dream—one I don’t want to wake up from. But here I am, on my last day in El Zonte, sitting by the ocean, doing what I love most: watching the waves roll in, surfers gliding across them, some catching them effortlessly, others tumbling but always getting back up. It’s a blessing to be here, soaking in the tranquility, reflecting on the past few weeks while finally sitting down to write about this incredible journey. Reflecting on this experience, I realize how few people get to live something like this, and I am deeply grateful. Living by the ocean has always been a dream of mine, and these last few weeks have been nothing short of magical. The thought of saying goodbye? Not something I want to entertain. In a world where you can be anything, be kind, be grateful, and cherish the little things—the laughter, the small victories, the unexpected moments of pure joy. <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/9df76ba64b334ae5f5b6a74de3e6c689720d763b2e65314d95a031f00a6f7841.jpg"> Mexico—a country I was always warned about. "It’s dangerous," they said. "Drugs, crime, food poisoning, even kidnappings. A woman shouldn’t travel there alone." But despite the fear-mongering, after almost three months in South America, I was craving the ocean, and I kept hearing about Mexico’s stunning beaches. A little spoiler: I did see the beach… but it rained almost every day, and my toes barely touched the water. With three options on the table—Tulum, Holbox, or Isla Mujeres—the decision wasn’t too hard. There was a crazy woman trying to Bitcoinize an entire island, and I had to see that for myself. ### Just 13 kilometers off the coast of Cancún, Isla Mujeres is a tiny Caribbean paradise—perfect for unwinding and recharging. The island is wonderfully walkable, which I love. No need for a car. I even went for a few runs, and with the island stretching just 7 km in length, I got to explore its hidden oceanfront gems in no time. But let’s talk about the journey. Arriving in Cancún after a long, exhausting flight, I was hit by chaos at the airport. Dozens of people aggressively offering rides, each one claiming to be a cab driver—it was a nightmare. Not speaking Spanish made things even harder, but thankfully, I wasn’t alone. After dodging the taxi mafia, getting stopped by the military for a random checkpoint (because, you know, legal taxis are apparently a thing to be double-checked), and making a pit stop in Cancún, we finally reached Isla Mujeres—greeted by storms and rain. But none of that mattered. I was here. I was at the ocean. And I was excited. We stayed at Mayakita, a beautiful villa-style co-living space where you share the common areas—kitchen, coworking space, and outdoor lounges—but still have your own private room, bathroom, and balcony. Oh, and did I mention there’s a Jacuzzi? Absolute win. The Mayakita team is even building a gym, which is a relief because the local options on the island were… let’s just say, unusable. Picture a tiny, overcrowded room packed with sweaty bodies, zero space between machines, and a never-ending queue for every piece of equipment. Nope. Not for me. But the real highlight? The incredible restaurant attached to the villas. The food was an explosion of flavors—true mouthgasm territory. And, of course, you could pay for everything in Bitcoin. ###  To my surprise, I ended up staying with <span data-type="mention" data-id="ea57b25f7a57c61d7dd0bf62411244a580d6709e42a20428fd381f89ef8d63db" data-label="nostr:npub1aftmyhm62lrp6lwsha3yzyjy5kqdvuy7g23qg28a8q0cnmudv0ds0sdcke">@nostr:npub1aftmyhm62lrp6lwsha3yzyjy5kqdvuy7g23qg28a8q0cnmudv0ds0sdcke</span> the woman leading the Bitcoin adoption movement on the island. That’s when the craziness really started. The villa next door was booked by a couple of Bitcoiners, and as soon as they found out we had arrived, one of them knocked on our door. A warm smile, a little dog in his arms, and a simple, "Hey, need anything? Food? Help? A bottle opener?" That’s what I love about this community. The energy, the kindness, the openness—it’s next level. You won’t get that at a typical resort, where people keep to themselves. Here? Instant bonding. We spent the week exploring the island, asking every restaurant and shop if they accepted Bitcoin. If they didn’t? We walked away. Thanks to Isabella’s hard work, some businesses already do, and one of the highlights? Paying for a tattoo in Bitcoin. One downside, though—transportation. Even though the island is walkable, taxis and golf carts are available for rent. But renting a golf cart for a week? A whopping $1,000! Insane. Luckily, Isabella had a tiny tuk-tuk, so she packed a few of us into the back and drove us around. No lights, barely any air, and a very bumpy ride. Did we survive? Yes. Would I do it again? Debatable. But hey, it was an experience!  Waking up every morning to the ocean was pure magic. The food? Unbelievable. The freshness of the vegetables, fruit, and fish—something you just don’t get in Germany. Even though I had the most expensive lunch of my life (let’s just say we spent *way* too much on ceviche and a main course), it was worth every cent. This week taught me something valuable: You don’t need to be in the Bitcoin space for years to make an impact. I get it—long-time Bitcoiners might find it frustrating that adoption seems "easier" now. But I wouldn’t call myself a Bitcoiner just yet. I still have so much to learn. There were moments when I had no clue what people were talking about, even after all those private lessons, hours of talking how a lightening network works, what a hash is and that your 12 - 24 words, the so called private key is actually the master key that can generate an entire tree of private keys. But I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who are patient, willing to share their knowledge, and never get tired of explaining things again and again. If I had to sum up this week in one phrase, it would be *ridiculously beautiful and painfully peaceful.* If you love what Isabella is doing and want to support her work, consider sending her some [sats](https://geyser.fund/project/btcisla). All pictures taken by <span data-type="mention" data-id="22050dd3659b568c5cb352b0e81958fb986bd941031a90c74ba7f6d2480c11ea" data-label="nostr:npub1ygzsm5m9ndtgch9n22cwsx2clwvxhk2pqvdfp36t5lmdyjqvz84qkca2m5">@nostr:npub1ygzsm5m9ndtgch9n22cwsx2clwvxhk2pqvdfp36t5lmdyjqvz84qkca2m5</span>

@ 000002de:c05780a7

Please don't take offense to this if you believe in the moral rightness of the existence of the modern state. I don't mean it as a slur, its just the best way to describe the opposite of an anarchist or voluntarist, people that believe in a voluntary society without an artificial monopoly on the use of violence. I think the fact that many bitcoiners value liberty to some degree and often tend to be libertarian in their views, it is easy to assume we are all opposed to the state. My time in bitcoin circles has shown that to be false. Sure there is a _much_ higher proportion of anti-state people in bitcoin than in the normal population, but we are not the majority. That's the sense I get at least. Bitcoin's lure is far more broad than liberty and self sovereignty. The number of people that value these things for others is incredibly small. They exist but its a tiny number. Most people are NPCs. Some are just asleep. Others are on journeys of discovery and maybe they can be reached. Since Trump won the election in the US I have noticed many articles trying to throw cold water on the people happy about his win and the changes he's been making over the past few weeks. I think a big mistake many are making is assuming these people have been seduced by Trump. Maybe that's true but I don't think most of these people were opposed to the state before Trump. Trump is just a different animal. A bull in a china shop doing some things many people have wanted for decades. He's not ideological, moral, or principled. Like the left these bitcoiners just want their way. They want big daddy government to make the world in the way they want it to be. Its a journey. I wasn't born with all the ideas I now hold. I don't think its persuasive or smart to assume your fellow bitcoiners are like you in their views on the state. They probably are much closer to traditional conservatives than anarchists. With all that said, I think far too few people seek to find common ground with others. I may not seem to value this on SN but let me assure you that in person I very much seek common ground with those around me. Some of you need to hear this. We will never have a society where everyone agrees on anywhere near to everything. Sure, some things like murder are pretty agreed upon but I bet you are thinking of examples of disagreements on how to handle it. So keep that in mind. Bitcoin isn't going to turn everyone into a mirror image of your beliefs. Stay humble. We need the people around us. We don't need millions of clones. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/882903

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

As the calendar flips to 2024, the financial world's spotlight remains firmly on Bitcoin. This digital currency, once a niche interest, has burgeoned into a major financial asset, challenging traditional investment paradigms. After a staggering 150% rally in 2023, outperforming stalwarts like the S&P 500, gold, and the U.S. dollar, Bitcoin has stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism. Investors, analysts, and enthusiasts are now keenly debating what the future holds for this pioneering cryptocurrency. Will the upward trajectory continue, or is a correction imminent? This article aims to dissect the various factors and indicators that could influence Bitcoin's journey through 2024, offering insights into its potential growth or pitfalls. **Table Of Content** - Understanding the Current Landscape - Key Indicators for 2024 - The Halving Event: A Catalyst for Change - Global Economic Factors - Technological Advancements and Adoption - Challenges and Risks - Conclusion - FAQs - Analyzing Bitcoin's Potential for 2024 **Understanding the Current Landscape** The story of Bitcoin in 2023 is one of resilience and resurgence. Following a tumultuous period marked by regulatory uncertainties and market skepticism, Bitcoin's impressive rally has been a testament to its growing acceptance and maturation as an asset class. This resurgence is underpinned by several key developments: increasing institutional investment, which has lent credibility and stability; advancements in blockchain technology, enhancing Bitcoin's utility and efficiency; and a broader recognition of Bitcoin as a viable digital alternative to traditional safe-haven assets like gold. Moreover, the socio-economic landscape, characterized by inflationary pressures and a search for non-traditional investment havens, has further fueled Bitcoin's appeal. However, this landscape is complex and ever-evolving, with regulatory shifts, technological advancements, and global economic trends continuously reshaping the narrative. **Key Indicators for 2024** **Puell Multiple** The Puell Multiple, a sophisticated yet insightful metric, currently paints a promising picture for Bitcoin. Standing at 1.53, it indicates a balanced valuation – not too hot, not too cold. This equilibrium is significant, considering the historical context where extremes in this metric have often signaled impending market shifts. A value above four typically heralds a peak, signaling overheating, while a dip below 0.5 has often been a precursor to market bottoms, indicating undervaluation. The current reading suggests a potential for steady, sustainable growth, devoid of the speculative frenzy that has characterized previous cycles. **MVRV Z-Score** The MVRV Z-Score, another critical indicator, echoes a similar sentiment. With a current score of 1.6, it implies that Bitcoin is neither in the throes of overvaluation nor languishing in undervaluation. This metric, by comparing market capitalization with realized value, offers a nuanced view of Bitcoin's market position. Historically, extreme values in this score have been reliable harbingers of market tops and bottoms. The current moderate score suggests that Bitcoin may have room for growth, absent the speculative bubbles that have led to volatile boom-and-bust cycles in the past. **Mayer Multiple** The Mayer Multiple, currently at 1.404, offers a perspective on Bitcoin's price relative to its historical performance. This indicator, by comparing the current market price to the 200-day simple moving average, helps identify potential overbought or oversold conditions. A value above 2.4 has historically indicated overbought conditions, often leading to corrections, while a value below 0.5 suggests oversold conditions, presenting potential buying opportunities. The current Mayer Multiple suggests that Bitcoin is trading at a healthy level above its long-term average, indicating that there's potential for further growth before it enters overbought territory. **The Halving Event: A Catalyst for Change** The upcoming Bitcoin halving event in March 2024 is poised to be a pivotal moment. This event, which occurs approximately every four years, reduces the reward for mining new Bitcoin blocks by half. Historically, halving events have been significant market catalysts, often leading to substantial price increases in the following months. The rationale is straightforward: a reduction in the rate of new Bitcoin creation leads to a decrease in supply. If demand remains constant or increases, this supply squeeze can lead to higher prices. However, the halving is more than just a supply-side story. It also attracts media attention and investor interest, potentially drawing new participants into the Bitcoin market. The anticipation and speculation surrounding the halving can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, driving prices up. However, it's important to note that past performance is not indicative of future results, and the market dynamics surrounding each halving are unique. **Global Economic Factors** The trajectory of Bitcoin in 2024 will also be heavily influenced by the broader global economic environment. Factors such as inflation rates, monetary policies of major central banks, and geopolitical tensions play a significant role in shaping investor sentiment towards risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. In an environment where traditional currencies are devalued due to inflation or economic instability, Bitcoin could gain further traction as a digital store of value. Conversely, a tightening of monetary policy, leading to higher interest rates, could dampen investor appetite for riskier assets like Bitcoin. Additionally, geopolitical events that create uncertainty in traditional markets could either drive investors towards safe-haven assets like gold and potentially Bitcoin or lead to a broader risk-off sentiment, adversely affecting all risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. **Technological Advancements and Adoption** The ongoing development and adoption of Bitcoin and blockchain technology will be crucial determinants of Bitcoin's value in 2024. The evolution of the Lightning Network, which promises faster and cheaper transactions, could significantly enhance Bitcoin's utility as a medium of exchange. This, in turn, could broaden its appeal beyond just a store of value, potentially attracting a new wave of users and investors. Furthermore, the integration of Bitcoin into more mainstream financial services and the continued growth of the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector could provide additional use cases and increase its value proposition. However, technological advancements are not without risks. Issues such as network scalability, security vulnerabilities, and the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining continue to be areas of concern that could influence public perception and regulatory scrutiny. **Challenges and Risks** Despite the optimistic outlook based on current indicators, the path ahead for Bitcoin is fraught with uncertainties and risks. Regulatory developments remain a wildcard. Governments and financial regulators around the world are still grappling with how to best regulate cryptocurrencies. Stricter regulations, or even outright bans in certain jurisdictions, could impact Bitcoin's accessibility and attractiveness. Additionally, the inherent volatility of Bitcoin remains a significant concern. While this volatility can present opportunities for high returns, it also poses substantial risks for investors, particularly those who are not well-versed in the cryptocurrency market. Moreover, the technological landscape of cryptocurrencies is rapidly evolving, and Bitcoin faces competition from newer, potentially more technologically advanced cryptocurrencies. This competition could impact Bitcoin's market dominance and investor sentiment. **Conclusion** As we look towards 2024, the journey of Bitcoin continues to be an intriguing blend of potential and unpredictability. The indicators and factors discussed in this article suggest a cautiously optimistic outlook for Bitcoin. However, it is crucial for investors and enthusiasts to remain vigilant and informed, considering both the opportunities and the risks involved. The evolution of Bitcoin is not just a financial story; it's a technological and socio-economic narrative that continues to unfold in fascinating and often unexpected ways. The coming year promises to be another chapter in this ongoing saga, as Bitcoin navigates the complex interplay of market dynamics, technological advancements, and global economic trends. **FAQs** **What is the significance of the Bitcoin halving event in 2024?** The Bitcoin halving, expected in March 2024, is a pivotal event where the reward for mining new Bitcoin blocks is halved. Historically, this has led to a reduction in supply and often a subsequent increase in price, attracting significant investor attention. **How do economic factors influence Bitcoin's value?** Global economic factors such as inflation rates, monetary policies, and geopolitical tensions can significantly impact Bitcoin's value. Inflation or economic instability can enhance Bitcoin's appeal as a digital store of value, while tighter monetary policies might reduce the appetite for riskier assets like Bitcoin. **What are the key indicators to watch for Bitcoin in 2024?** Key indicators include the Puell Multiple, MVRV Z-Score, and Mayer Multiple. These metrics provide insights into Bitcoin's valuation, market capitalization, and comparison to historical performance, helping gauge its potential growth or correction. **How does technological advancement affect Bitcoin?** Technological advancements, like improvements in the Lightning Network, enhance Bitcoin's utility and efficiency. This can broaden its use cases, potentially increasing its value. However, technological risks and competition from other cryptocurrencies also play a role. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: [@croxroadnews.co](https://x.com/croxroadnewsco)** **Instagram: [@croxroadnews.co](https://www.instagram.com/croxroadnews.co/)** **Youtube: [@croxroadnews](https://www.youtube.com/@croxroadnews)** **Store: https://croxroad.store** **Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter** **https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe** ***DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.***

@ 000002de:c05780a7

Have you ever tried to explain the political factions in the US to a curious young person? If you haven't you might not realize how little sense they make. This is only becoming more evident with the radical changes the current admin are making. I have to say I'm enjoy being a spectator of it all. When I was a kid the dems were called liberals and they called themselves liberals. The republicans didn't always call themselves conservatives but over the years that has become more of the case. These days with a new admin that is hardly conservative, the left is losing their mind because of the new admin's strategy for reforming the executive branch. When I listen to them they sound a lot like conservatives. Talking about how long this thing or that thing has been in place. How these kids are being given power. Its all rather funny and hypocritical to me. Conservatives typically don't like change but they seem to like the new approach in Washington. I would argue what is going on is NOT conservative. Its actually pretty radical. I have long thought that the conservative movement was a joke. What are they conserving? They seem to never get the core problems and how deep the rot goes. They seem to be stuck in some nostalgic dream of a time that never existed. A perpetual 20 years ago time that never existed. When education was great and morals were more to their liking. Michael Malice said it best I think, "Conservatives are progressives going the speed limit". The dems typically call themselves progressive now which is also a bad descriptor. They seem to be bigger moralists than their opponents. Rather than progressing towards a bright future, blazing a new trail they seem to want to try to old meritless ideas of old men like Marx. Their answers to every problem are centralizing power and giving more of your freedoms away. This is hardly a progressive or new idea. Its an old idea. One of a strong state that controls more of your life. Its hardly liberal either. I don't have new terms that work and even if I did good luck changing them :) Just one man's observation. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/882858

@ e83b66a8:b0526c2b

I am seeing a groundswell of interest in adopting Bitcoin in small businesses replacing or augmenting existing merchant services. This has many advantages for these businesses including: Attracting Bitcoiners as customers over your competitors. Allowing a self custody payment system which does not require purchasing equipment, monthly service fees and high transaction fees. Self custody your money, removing banks and merchant service companies from taking a cut or interfering in the transaction process. i.e. Bitcoin behaves much more like cash in face to face transactions. Building a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve allowing your profits to accumulate in value over time, just as Bitcoin increases in value due to scarceness and increased adoption. If any or all of these are interesting to you, then here are a scale of merchant options available to you depending on your needs and interests. SOLE TRADER The easiest way for a sole trader to accept Bitcoin is to download the app “Wallet of Satoshi” https://www.walletofsatoshi.com/ or for regions this is not available, use a web equivalent called COINOS https://coinos.io/ This gives everything you’ll need, Bitcoin and Lightning receiving addresses, publishable as text or scannable as a QR code. The ability to generate a specific value invoice using Lightning which can be paid face to face or remotely over the Internet and a wallet to hold your Bitcoin balance. This is a perfect start point, but moving forward it has some drawbacks. It is custodial, meaning that a company actually holds your Bitcoin. Unlike a bank, if that company fails, you loose your Bitcoin. There is also no direct ability to move that Bitcoin to fiat currencies like USD or GBP, so if you need some of those earnings to pay suppliers in fiat currencies, you will struggle to convert. If you are an online only retailer, then the industry standard is BTCPay https://btcpayserver.org/ which can be integrated into most e-commerce systems TRADITIONAL MERCHANT SERVICES So the next option is to use a Bitcoin merchant service company. They look very similar to traditional fiat merchant service companies, they can supply infrastructure like PoS terminals and also handle the payments for you, optionally settling balances to your bank in USD or GBP etc… They charge for the physical devices and their services and they charge a fee on each transaction in the same way traditional merchant service companies do, but usually these fees are significantly smaller. Companies like MUSQET can help setup your business in this way if you wish. https://musqet.tech/ CONSULTANCY The third option is to use a consultancy service like Bridge2Bitcoin https://bridge2bitcoin.com/ this is a company that will come in, explain the concepts and options and build a service around your needs. The company will build the solution you are looking for and make their money by providing the equipment and optionally running the payment solution for you. SELF BUILD If you have experience with Bitcoin and have optionally run your own Lightning node for a while, the tools exist to be able to develop your own solution in-house. And just as Bitcoin allows you to be your own bank, so Lightning allows you to be your own merchant services company. Solutions like Umbrel https://umbrel.com/ running Albyhub https://albyhub.com/ with their POS solution https://pos.albylabs.com/ are a low cost option you can build yourself. If you require devices like PoS terminals, these can be purchased from companies like Swiss Bitcoin Pay: https://swiss-bitcoin-pay.ch/store#!/Bitcoin-Merchant-Kit/p/709060174 as a package or Bitcoinize directly or in volume: https://bitcoinize.com/ There is also the lower cost option of use software loaded onto your staffs iPhone or Android phone to use as a PoS terminal for your business: https://swiss-bitcoin-pay.ch/ Swiss Bitcoin Pay can also take the Bitcoin payment and settle a final amount daily or even convert to fiat and deposit in your bank the next day. HYBRID MUSQET also offer a PoS system for both Bitcoin and Fiat. They onboard merchants with traditional card services for Visa, Mastercard and Amex with Apple Pay and Google Pay all within the same device where they deploy Bitcoin Lightning as standard: https://musqet.tech/

@ c69b71dc:426ba763

# The Power of Words... ## ...Shaping a Compassionate Future This morning I woke up with this thought: **> If we were more mindful of our choice of words, we would immediately need to change the following: Schools would no longer have classes and classifications, but only Communities!** This would make a huge difference in terms of togetherness, well-being, and caring for one another. 🙌🏼 ### Language shapes reality
 Words influence how we see the world and ourselves. When we replace terms like "classes" or "grades" with "community" and "development," it changes our entire way of thinking about education and coexistence.
For example, in companies, we often talk about "teams" instead of "departments." This unconsciously fosters unity, cooperation, and a sense of belonging on equal terms. ### Community instead of competition
 In school, work, and everyday life, we often evaluate, compare, and classify. But what if we focused on cooperation and synergies instead of competition?
In some schools, there are no grades anymore, just individual feedback – this takes away the performance pressure and strengthens intrinsic motivation. ### Appreciation instead of categorization
 Putting people in "boxes" – whether through grading systems, social classes, or job titles – often creates separation rather than connection.
Instead of labeling people as "successful" or "failed," we could ask: "What are their strengths? How can we support each other?" 
Mindful language in everyday life
We could also reflect on our word choices in daily life:
Instead of "problem" → "challenge"
Instead of "failure" → "learning opportunity"
Instead of "mistake" → "experience" ### School as a mirror of society
 How we learn to interact with each other in school shapes our behavior in society. When children grow up in communities instead of class systems, they learn that cooperation and empathy are more important than competition.
There are so-called democratic schools where there are no grade levels – children learn from each other across ages. Students support each other by sharing knowledge and helping each other. Teachers are seen as coaches, not as "all-knowing" authority figures. They too are human and can learn from the children.
 Many teachers want to give children something that will help them in life. However, the rigid old school system dictates what must be taught and when, often disregarding the individual interests of the children. This stifles passions – in both the children and the teachers. Instead, teachers could act as inspiring sparks, igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
 ----------- > **A history teacher once said to me on the phone, when discussing my son who didn’t want to read printed Wikipedia sheets: "If there is no spark in the child, the teacher can’t ignite anything."
** This sentence frustrated me, because it shows that this teacher had long since lost his own spark!
 **Children always have a spark. Always!** ----------- ### A day without evaluations
 What if we consciously refrained from evaluating others for one day – whether through grades, criticism, or labels?
Instead of saying to a friend, "You made a mistake," we could say, "That was an interesting experience – what did you learn from it?"
Instead of saying, "That wasn’t good," we could ask, "How could it be done differently or better?"
Instead of grading children in school, we could tell them what they did well and where they can still grow.
Instead of getting upset about a difficult customer, we could feel empathy for their situation. ### Mindful language as the key to change
 **If we are more mindful with our language – also with how we speak to ourselves – we can shape a society where people meet each other with compassion. ** `Words are vibrations that shape reality. Chosen consciously, they can create a world based on connection, growth, and love.
It is up to us to start this change within ourselves – and carry it into the world.` Thank you for reading 🕊️ 

@ aade47fd:281e8e4f

На этот раз для того, чтобы сделать ежедневную запись потребовалась всего одна неделя, а не две, как в прошлый раз. Я не собираюсь останавливаться! --- ### Личность На этой неделе в коротких заметках я упомянал свою новую концепцию личности. Это структура, которая лежит на границе между мной и внешним миром. Эта тема волнует меня в эти дни, так что я хотел бы поговорить об этом подробнее. Есть экзистенциальный, неизменный, самотождественный Я, есть трансцендентный внешний мир, а есть структура, по которой между этими частями происходит взаимодействие — личность. На внешний мир я имею опосредованное влияние, не подразумевающее прямые изменения и контроль, а вот личность лежит в поле моей ответственности. Можно даже сказать, что больше никакой ответственности и не существует. В любой момент времени я могу принять решение о том, чем будет наполнена моя жизнь. Что я буду впускать в нее, а что отсеивать. И наоборот: я несу ответственность за то, что транслирую в окружающий мир, какое влияние имею. Формирование личности это комплекс из аксеологических ( ценностных) и праксиологических настроек. Задача состоит в том, чтобы сделать добродетель своей привычкой. Как стать хорошим человеком? Что это значит конкретно? Что мешает стать хорошим человеком? Не простые вопросы. Предлагаю пойти от обратного: может ли хороший человек "распуститься"? Полагаю, да. Это значит, что поддержание личности в форме требует постоянного усилия. А еще можно было предствить себя безупречного и попытаться почувствовать, какие актуальные привычки и настроения помешали бы тебе удержаться в этом состоянии долго. Я считаю эту работу наиболее важной. Чем более конкретно человек способен описать собственные амбиции, тем больше в жизни энергии и меньше мусора. --- ### Философия А кто я, собственно, такой, чтобы придумывать словам новые значения? Вот есть же определение для личности из словаря. Зачем людей с толку сбивать? А дело все в том,, что словарное определение никаким образом мою жизнь не обогащает, оно для меня бесполезно. Бесполезное слово (бессмысленное) слово — тупой нож. Кто принял решение жить своей жизнью (то есть, просто жить), тот называет вещи своими именами, а не руководствкется букварем с картинками. Работу над собственным языком я называю философией, а человека, нашедшего в себе смелость жить своей жизнью — философом. --- ### Воспитание Никогда не замечали, что все специалисты (люди, посвятившие себя только одному виду деятельности) одинаковы между собой? В то же время не найдете двух одинаковых людей в междисциплинарном пространстве. Я смотрю по сторонам и нахожу все больше подтверждений тому, что чем в большем числе направлений развивается человек, тем больше шанс, что в любой из них он окажется выдающимся. Специалисты нужны экономике, государству, обществу, но только не самим себе. Полноценное воспитание подразумевает развитие в максимальном количестве направлений. Похоже, это не просто античный идеал или идеал эпохи возраждения, а природа человека. Самая тяжелая детская травма, о которой все молчат, это вопрос "Кем ты хочешь стать, когда вырастешь?". Безупречным я хочу стать, ограниченный ты идиот. --- На сегодня все! До завтра!

@ 43baaf0c:d193e34c

I attended Sats ‘n’ Facts to share my art, joining other Nostr artists in exhibiting our work at the event’s very first venue. It was a great opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, including Siritravelsketch, whose work I’ve admired on Nostr for some time. Meeting other artists in real life is always inspiring—there’s an undeniable creative bond that comes from sharing our passion in person.  Sats ‘n’ Facts is an Unconference, meaning there’s no strict schedule—everything is open for participants. It’s all about the connections made, the synergy shared, and, for the developers attending, the excitement of a hackathon. (A hackathon is an event where people collaborate intensively on engineering projects, often within 24 to 48 hours.)  My goal as an artist is to become a bridge between the Bitcoin tech world and the Bitcoin art and design space. Bitcoin empowers us by providing greater (financial) freedom, and with that freedom comes more time to pursue what we truly love—so in a way, you never have to “work” again. 😊  Nostr is a great example of how bubbles 🫧 POP, leading to new collaborations. Without tech, artists wouldn’t have a way to share their work, and without artists, creatives, and plebs, developers would have no one to build for. Both sides are essential for organic growth. This kind of synergy can only thrive in a decentralized system—otherwise, it risks being captured by big corporations. And that single point of failure is one of the biggest challenges we face in the world today.  Decentralization is freedom. Events like Sats ‘n’ Facts give us the opportunity to collaborate, create, and contribute to a more decentralized world—one where more people can truly become free.  Can’t wait to join the next Sats’n’facts. Maybe Barcelona!?

@ ce75bae2:26c5d165

Bitcoin is reshaping entrepreneurship in Uganda and beyond. For many, it’s not just an alternative currency but a tool for financial empowerment, business innovation, and global connectivity. Herein, I reflect on my journey with Bitcoin, its impact on entrepreneurship, and how it has changed the way I operate business in Uganda. Discovering Bitcoin: A Fortunate Scam My Bitcoin journey started six years ago—not through traditional investment or financial curiosity, but rather by accident. Like many young people searching for ways to make money online, I stumbled upon a website that promised earnings through paid ad viewing. This turned out to be a scam, but it introduced me to Bitcoin. The site offered Bitcoin as a payment option, forcing me to learn how to set up a wallet and receive transactions. Though I lost money in the process, the experience was invaluable—I had unknowingly opened the door to an entirely new financial system. Years later, I checked my old wallet and saw that the small amount of Bitcoin I had left had doubled in value. That moment sparked a deeper curiosity, leading me to research Bitcoin’s mechanics and how it could be used beyond speculation. From Curiosity to Business Innovation As I dove deeper into the Bitcoin ecosystem, I saw its potential to transform business in ways that traditional finance could not. The first realization was that Bitcoin allows global transactions without intermediaries—a critical advantage for entrepreneurs in Uganda, where banking systems are often restrictive and expensive. Today, all the businesses I co-founded, including Gorilla Sats , Jungle B, and Juicy B, are deeply integrated with Bitcoin. My approach to entrepreneurship has shifted from merely running a business to leveraging Bitcoin as a tool for economic efficiency and expansion. Bitcoin’s Role in Business Growth 1. Unlocking Global Markets One of the biggest barriers for African entrepreneurs is the difficulty of conducting business beyond borders. International transactions often involve costly intermediaries, unfavorable exchange rates, and bureaucratic delays. Bitcoin eliminates these restrictions, allowing businesses to trade with anyone, anywhere, instantly. For example, at Gorilla Sats, our adventure tourism company, 70% of our customers come because we accept Bitcoin payments. Bitcoin not only opens a new customer base but also positions our business in a niche market—one of the very few in the world where travelers can book experiences entirely using Bitcoin. 2. Enhancing Financial Efficiency Traditional financial systems in Uganda rely heavily on mobile money, which, while innovative, is expensive. Transactions incur fees at every stage: deposit, transfer, and withdrawal. It’s not uncommon for users to lose 10-15% of their money in fees when sending funds. Bitcoin, on the other hand, allows for low-cost, borderless transactions. For businesses, this means higher profit margins and the ability to reinvest savings into growth. 3. Financial Resilience in an Inflationary Economy In just a few years, Uganda’s local currency has lost nearly 50% of its value against the US dollar. Businesses operating in shillings face constant depreciation, making long-term planning difficult. By storing value in Bitcoin, businesses can hedge against inflation and maintain purchasing power over time. At Jungle B, we keep part of our balance sheet in Bitcoin. This strategy protects us from the currency fluctuations that regularly impact Ugandan businesses operating solely in fiat currency. 4. Transforming Social Impact and Charity Beyond business, Bitcoin has become a tool for grassroots financial inclusion. At the Orphans of Uganda initiative, we integrate Bitcoin into daily transactions, ensuring donations reach the children directly without middlemen. Every day, children at the orphanage make symbolic Bitcoin payments for their food, learning firsthand how to use digital money responsibly. This isn’t just about feeding children—it’s about educating the next generation on financial autonomy. Challenges and Opportunities in Uganda 1. Skepticism and Misinformation Many Ugandans associate Bitcoin with scams, mainly due to past fraudulent projects. Educating people on the difference between Bitcoin (a decentralized asset) and scam coins (pyramid schemes) remains a challenge. 2. Regulatory Uncertainty Uganda’s regulatory environment for Bitcoin is still unclear. While Bitcoin remains in a legal vacuum, financial institutions are discouraged from facilitating Bitcoin transactions. However, this hasn’t stopped individuals and businesses from using it. In fact, the lack of regulation often makes adoption easier, as Bitcoin operates independently of government oversight. 3. Resistance from Traditional Financial Players Mobile money services like MTN and Airtel make enormous profits from transaction fees. If Bitcoin adoption grows, their revenue model could be threatened, leading to resistance from these financial institutions. However, they could integrate Bitcoin instead of fighting it, making transactions cheaper for their users. The Future of Bitcoin in Uganda Will there be mass Bitcoin adoption in Uganda? Not overnight. Many people resist change, and history shows that better financial tools don’t always lead to immediate adoption. However, Bitcoin’s advantages will continue to attract forward-thinking entrepreneurs and business owners. For those who embrace it, Bitcoin redefines entrepreneurship, offering financial independence, borderless trade, and a hedge against economic instability. Whether governments embrace it or not, businesses like mine and many others under Blockchain Association of Uganda (BAU) will continue pioneering its use in Uganda. Final Thoughts Bitcoin is more than just a digital currency—it’s a tool for freedom, efficiency, and global entrepreneurship. The more people learn about its benefits, the more they will integrate it into their businesses and daily lives. The journey begins with education and experimentation, just as mine did years ago. For those looking to explore Bitcoin-powered experiences, connect with us at gorilla-sats.com, or follow my work with bitcoinkampala.org. Whether you’re a business owner, traveler, or philanthropist, Bitcoin offers new possibilities—it’s time to embrace the future. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/882366

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

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

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

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

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

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

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

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

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

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

@ 31da2214:af2508e2

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

@ 31da2214:af2508e2

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

@ 1c197b12:242e1642

A Cypherpunk's Manifesto by Eric Hughes Privacy is necessary for an open society in the electronic age. Privacy is not secrecy. A private matter is something one doesn't want the whole world to know, but a secret matter is something one doesn't want anybody to know. Privacy is the power to selectively reveal oneself to the world. If two parties have some sort of dealings, then each has a memory of their interaction. Each party can speak about their own memory of this; how could anyone prevent it? One could pass laws against it, but the freedom of speech, even more than privacy, is fundamental to an open society; we seek not to restrict any speech at all. If many parties speak together in the same forum, each can speak to all the others and aggregate together knowledge about individuals and other parties. The power of electronic communications has enabled such group speech, and it will not go away merely because we might want it to. Since we desire privacy, we must ensure that each party to a transaction have knowledge only of that which is directly necessary for that transaction. Since any information can be spoken of, we must ensure that we reveal as little as possible. In most cases personal identity is not salient. When I purchase a magazine at a store and hand cash to the clerk, there is no need to know who I am. When I ask my electronic mail provider to send and receive messages, my provider need not know to whom I am speaking or what I am saying or what others are saying to me; my provider only need know how to get the message there and how much I owe them in fees. When my identity is revealed by the underlying mechanism of the transaction, I have no privacy. I cannot here selectively reveal myself; I must always reveal myself. Therefore, privacy in an open society requires anonymous transaction systems. Until now, cash has been the primary such system. An anonymous transaction system is not a secret transaction system. An anonymous system empowers individuals to reveal their identity when desired and only when desired; this is the essence of privacy. Privacy in an open society also requires cryptography. If I say something, I want it heard only by those for whom I intend it. If the content of my speech is available to the world, I have no privacy. To encrypt is to indicate the desire for privacy, and to encrypt with weak cryptography is to indicate not too much desire for privacy. Furthermore, to reveal one's identity with assurance when the default is anonymity requires the cryptographic signature. We cannot expect governments, corporations, or other large, faceless organizations to grant us privacy out of their beneficence. It is to their advantage to speak of us, and we should expect that they will speak. To try to prevent their speech is to fight against the realities of information. Information does not just want to be free, it longs to be free. Information expands to fill the available storage space. Information is Rumor's younger, stronger cousin; Information is fleeter of foot, has more eyes, knows more, and understands less than Rumor. We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place. People have been defending their own privacy for centuries with whispers, darkness, envelopes, closed doors, secret handshakes, and couriers. The technologies of the past did not allow for strong privacy, but electronic technologies do. We the Cypherpunks are dedicated to building anonymous systems. We are defending our privacy with cryptography, with anonymous mail forwarding systems, with digital signatures, and with electronic money. Cypherpunks write code. We know that someone has to write software to defend privacy, and since we can't get privacy unless we all do, we're going to write it. We publish our code so that our fellow Cypherpunks may practice and play with it. Our code is free for all to use, worldwide. We don't much care if you don't approve of the software we write. We know that software can't be destroyed and that a widely dispersed system can't be shut down. Cypherpunks deplore regulations on cryptography, for encryption is fundamentally a private act. The act of encryption, in fact, removes information from the public realm. Even laws against cryptography reach only so far as a nation's border and the arm of its violence. Cryptography will ineluctably spread over the whole globe, and with it the anonymous transactions systems that it makes possible. For privacy to be widespread it must be part of a social contract. People must come and together deploy these systems for the common good. Privacy only extends so far as the cooperation of one's fellows in society. We the Cypherpunks seek your questions and your concerns and hope we may engage you so that we do not deceive ourselves. We will not, however, be moved out of our course because some may disagree with our goals. The Cypherpunks are actively engaged in making the networks safer for privacy. Let us proceed together apace. Onward. Eric Hughes <hughes@soda.berkeley.edu> 9 March 1993

@ 40b9c85f:5e61b451

## Data Vending Machine Context Protocol ### The Convergence of Nostr DVMs and MCP In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a new approach to sharing and accessing computational tools is emerging through the combination of two powerful technologies: Nostr's Data Vending Machines (DVMs) and the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This convergence has the potential to reshape how we think about tool distribution and accessibility, creating a truly decentralized marketplace for computational capabilities that serves AI, humans, and any type of machine that speaks the protocol. ## Understanding the Building Blocks Nostr's Data Vending Machines function much like their physical counterparts, but instead of dispensing snacks, they provide computational services with built-in Lightning Network payment capabilities. These DVMs operate on the decentralized Nostr network, allowing users to reach service providers without relying on centralized platforms or gatekeepers. The Model Context Protocol complements this infrastructure by providing a standardized way for applications to share context and expose their capabilities. Think of MCP as a universal language that allows tools to communicate effectively with any application that understands the protocol. This standardization is crucial for creating a seamless experience across different tools and services. ## What is DVMCP? DVMCP proposes a path for making DVMs and MCPs interoperable, introducing a protocol that makes local utilities available to everyone on the network. Our [draft specification](https://github.com/gzuuus/dvmcp/blob/master/docs/dvmcp-spec.md) serves as a foundation for easily transforming any MCP server into a DVM. To bridge these technologies, we've developed a simple software component that sits between your MCP server and the DVM ecosystem. You can find it in our [repository](repo.link). This bridge connects to your MCP server as a client and exposes its utilities through Nostr as a DVM, handling all the necessary Nostr logic. This means any existing MCP server can become accessible through Nostr without modifications - simply run the bridge alongside your server. This is particularly exciting because the vibrant and growing MCP community. Any team or individual already working with MCP can instantly plug into the Nostr DVM ecosystem, gaining access to decentralized discovery, built-in monetization, and an already existing user base. The bridge component makes this transition effortless, requiring no changes to any existing MCP implementations. ## A New Paradigm A decentralized marketplace where anyone can run tools locally and make them available globally. This addresses an unsolved problem larger than the Nostr ecosystem: how to make resources and tools discoverable and accessible in a decentralized, permissionless way. The power of this combination lies in its flexibility. Users can access tools through regular Nostr clients, AI agents can discover specific capabilities, and DVMs can create sophisticated tool chains. With Lightning Network integration, true machine-to-machine transactions become possible, where machines can autonomously discover, negotiate, and pay for computational services. Most importantly, you can run services on your own hardware while making these capabilities accessible to anyone anywhere. The result is a system that preserves privacy, promotes innovation, and creates new opportunities without central authorities controlling what tools can be offered or who can use them. The entire project, is available under the MIT license, and any feedback and collaboration is welcome. ## Looking Forward As these technologies mature, we're likely to see a fundamental shift in how computational capabilities are distributed and accessed. Instead of relying on massive cloud data centers controlled by a few companies, we're moving toward a global network of local machines, each contributing unique capabilities and computation to a larger, more resilient ecosystem. The convergence of Nostr DVMs and MCP represents more than just a technical innovation—it's a step toward a more equitable and accessible future. By enabling anyone to run and share tools, we're building an ecosystem where computational resources are not concentrated in the hands of a few but are available to and controllable by everyone. [Repository](https://github.com/gzuuus/dvmcp/)

@ 65912a7a:5dc638bf

I didn’t set out to become an enemy of the world’s richest man, but I seem to have managed it all the same. Until this moment, I’ve resisted describing my falling out with Elon Musk in much detail, but as the man’s cultural influence has metastasized—and he continues to spread lies about me on the social media platform that he owns (Twitter/X)—it seems only appropriate to set the record straight. I know that it annoys many in my audience to see me defend myself against attacks that they recognize to be spurious, but they might, nevertheless, find the details of what happened with Elon interesting. Of all the remarkable people I’ve met, Elon is probably the most likely to remain a world-historical figure—despite his best efforts to become a clown. He is also the most likely to squander his ample opportunities to live a happy life, ruin his reputation and most important relationships, and produce lasting harm across the globe. None of this was obvious to me when we first met, and I have been quite amazed at Elon’s evolution, both as a man and as an avatar of chaos. The friend I remember did not seem to hunger for public attention. But his engagement with Twitter/X transformed him—to a degree seldom seen outside of Marvel movies or Greek mythology. If Elon is still the man I knew, I can only conclude that I never really knew him. When we first met, Elon wasn’t especially rich or famous. In fact, I recall him teetering on the brink of bankruptcy around 2008, while risking the last of his previous fortune to make payroll at Tesla. At the time, he was living off loans from his friends Larry and Sergey. Once Elon became truly famous, and his personal wealth achieved escape velocity, I was among the first friends he called to discuss his growing security concerns. I put him in touch with Gavin de Becker, who provided his first bodyguards, and recommended other changes to his life. We also went shooting on at least two occasions with Scott Reitz, the finest firearms instructor I’ve ever met. It is an ugly irony that Elon’s repeated targeting of me on Twitter/X has increased my own security concerns. He understands this, of course, but does not seem to care. So how did we fall out? Let this be a cautionary tale for any of Elon’s friends who might be tempted to tell the great man something he doesn’t want to hear: (1.) When the SARS-CoV-2 virus first invaded our lives in March of 2020, Elon began tweeting in ways that I feared would harm his reputation. I also worried that his tweets might exacerbate the coming public-health emergency. Italy had already fallen off a cliff, and Elon shared the following opinion with his tens of millions of fans : *the coronavirus panic is dumb* As a concerned friend, I sent him a private text: *Hey, brother— I really think you need to walk back your coronavirus tweet. I know there’s a way to parse it that makes sense (“panic” is always dumb), but I fear that’s not the way most people are reading it. You have an enormous platform, and much of the world looks to you as an authority on all things technical. Coronavirus is a very big deal, and if we don’t get our act together, we’re going to look just like Italy very soon. If you want to turn some engineers loose on the problem, now would be a good time for a breakthrough in the production of ventilators...* (2.) Elon’s response was, I believe, the first discordant note ever struck in our friendship: *Sam, you of all people should not be concerned about this.* He included a link to a page on the CDC website, indicating that Covid was not even among the top 100 causes of death in the United States. This was a patently silly point to make in the first days of a pandemic. We continued exchanging texts for at least two hours. If I hadn’t known that I was communicating with Elon Musk, I would have thought I was debating someone who lacked any understanding of basic scientific and mathematical concepts, like exponential curves. (3.) Elon and I didn’t converge on a common view of epidemiology over the course of those two hours, but we hit upon a fun compromise: A wager. Elon bet me $1 million dollars (to be given to charity) against a bottle of fancy tequila ($1000) that we wouldn’t see as many as 35,000 cases of Covid in the United States (cases, not deaths). The terms of the bet reflected what was, in his estimation, the near certainty (1000 to 1) that he was right. Having already heard credible estimates that there could be 1 million deaths from Covid in the U.S. over the next 12-18 months (these estimates proved fairly accurate), I thought the terms of the bet ridiculous—and quite unfair to Elon. I offered to spot him two orders of magnitude: I was confident that we’d soon have 3.5 million cases of Covid in the U.S. Elon accused me of having lost my mind and insisted that we stick with a ceiling of 35,000. (4.) We communicated sporadically by text over the next couple of weeks, while the number of reported cases grew. Ominously, Elon dismissed the next batch of data reported by the CDC as merely presumptive—while confirmed cases of Covid, on his account, remained elusive. (5.) A few weeks later, when the CDC website finally reported 35,000 deaths from Covid in the U.S. and 600,000 cases, I sent Elon the following text: *Is (35,000 deaths + 600,000 cases) > 35,000 cases?* (6.) This text appears to have ended our friendship. Elon never responded, and it was not long before he began maligning me on Twitter for a variety of imaginary offenses. For my part, I eventually started complaining about the startling erosion of his integrity on my podcast, without providing any detail about what had transpired between us. (7.) At the end of 2022, I abandoned Twitter/X altogether, having recognized the poisonous effect that it had on my life—but also, in large part, because of what I saw it doing to Elon. I’ve been away from the platform for over two years, and yet Elon still attacks me. Occasionally a friend will tell me that I’m trending there, and the reasons for this are never good. As recently as this week, Elon repeated a defamatory charge about my being a “hypocrite” for writing a book in defense of honesty and then encouraging people to lie to keep Donald Trump out of the White House. Not only have I never advocated lying to defeat Trump (despite what that misleading clip from the Triggernometry podcast might suggest to naive viewers), I’ve taken great pains to defend Trump from the most damaging lie ever told about him. Elon knows this, because we communicated about the offending clip when it first appeared on Twitter/X. However, he simply does not care that he is defaming a former friend to hundreds of millions of people—many of whom are mentally unstable. On this occasion, he even tagged the incoming president of the United States. All of this remains socially and professionally awkward, because Elon and I still have many friends in common. Which suggests the terms of another wager that I would happily make, if such a thing were possible—and I would accept 1000 to 1 odds in Elon’s favor: I bet that anyone who knows us both knows that I am telling the truth. Everyone close to Elon must recognize how unethical he has become, and yet they remain silent. Their complicity is understandable, but it is depressing all the same. These otherwise serious and compassionate people know that when Elon attacks private citizens on Twitter/X—falsely accusing them of crimes or corruption, celebrating their misfortunes—he is often causing tangible harm in their lives. It’s probably still true to say that social media “isn’t real life,” until thousands of lunatics learn your home address. A final absurdity in my case, is that several of the controversial issues that Elon has hurled himself at of late—and even attacked me over—are ones we agree about. We seem to be in near total alignment on immigration and the problems at the southern border of the U.S. We also share the same concerns about what he calls “the woke mind virus.” And we fully agree about the manifest evil of the so-called “grooming-gangs scandal” in the U.K. The problem with Elon, is that he makes no effort to get his facts straight when discussing any of these topics, and he regularly promotes lies and conspiracy theories manufactured by known bad actors, at scale. (And if grooming were really one of his concerns, it’s strange that he couldn’t find anything wrong with Matt Gaetz.) Elon and I even agree about the foundational importance of free speech. It’s just that his approach to safeguarding it—amplifying the influence of psychopaths and psychotics, while deplatforming real journalists and his own critics; or savaging the reputations of democratic leaders, while never saying a harsh word about the Chinese Communist Party—is not something I can support. The man claims to have principles, but he appears to have only moods and impulses. Any dispassionate observer of Elon’s behavior on Twitter/X can see that there is something seriously wrong with his moral compass, if not his perception of reality. There is simply no excuse for a person with his talents, resources, and opportunities to create so much pointless noise. The callousness and narcissism conveyed by his antics should be impossible for his real friends to ignore—but they appear to keep silent, perhaps for fear of losing access to his orbit of influence. Of course, none of this is to deny that the tens of thousands of brilliant engineers Elon employs are accomplishing extraordinary things. He really is the greatest entrepreneur of our generation. And because of the businesses he’s built, he will likely become the world’s first trillionaire—perhaps very soon. Since the election of Donald Trump in November, Elon’s wealth has grown by around $200 billion. That’s nearly $3 billion a day (and over $100 million an hour). Such astonishing access to resources gives Elon the chance—and many would argue the responsibility—to solve enormous problems in our world. So why spend time spreading lies on X?

@ f7d424b5:618c51e8

(Copied from my show notes \[website\](https://melonmancy.net/mp-100-nuance-enjoyer) for Melonmancy) Promise this isn't normal. It would be disingenuous to not bring it up. We mentioned a few things in the show you might want to pull up while listening, they are the following: - [Nightmare Kart dev crashes out](https://x.com/StutteringCraig/status/1883958297423929810) - [Dr Disrespect gives post-mortem on Midnight Society](https://x.com/ProfPressure/status/1885045826424365437) - [Lords of the Fallen announcement post](https://x.com/TheOneDeafMute/status/1887765603169222840) Obligatory: - [Listen to the new episode here!](https://melonmancy.net/listen) - [Discuss this episode on OUR NEW FORUM](https://melonmancy.cafe/d/102-mp100-nuance-enjoyer) - [Get the RSS and Subscribe](https://feeds.rssblue.com/melonmancy-podcast) (this is a new feed URL, but the old one redirects here too!) - Get a modern podcast app to use that RSS feed on at [newpodcastapps.com](http://newpodcastapps.com/) - Or listen to the show on [the forum](https://melonmancy.cafe) using the embedded [Podverse](https://podverse.fm) player! - [Send your complaints here](https://melonmancy.net/contact-us) Reminder that this is a [Value4Value](https://value4value.info/) podcast so any support you can give us via a modern podcasting app is greatly appreciated and we will never bow to corporate sponsors! Our podcast is created entirely with free software and is proudly hosted on [RSSBlue!](https://rssblue.com)

@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

Hey all. I am setting up a Plebeian Marketplace on Nostr using my Lightning node. I currently have two channels open (one with a capacity of 500,000 sats, one with a capacity of 100,000 sats). Both use different LSP's (Megalith and Olympus). My question is regarding the maximum product price I can set for my marketplace. One of my products is 1M sats. Obviously my receiving capacity is not large enough to cover this, so I was planning on opening up another channel. If I open another channel for 500,000 sats, that would bring my total receiving capacity to 1.1M which would cover the product. However my question is if I need all of the receiving capacity in the same channel, or if the sale would pull from all three channels? Am I best to close out the first two channels and open a single, larger channel? Sorry for the noob question. Tl;DR: Can someone explain how I should best set up my node to accommodate my store. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/880591

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

Sitting down to breakfast now, after 17 hours no food or water. ## Score Card Day 1: 14 hour fast (13 dry) Day 2: 15 hour fast (14 dry) Day 3: 17 hours (16 dry) Day 4: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 5: 18 hours (16 dry) Day 6: 19 hours (16 dry) Day 7: 16 hours (15 dry) Day 8: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 9: 17 hours (17 dry) originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/880575

@ 31da2214:af2508e2

It is not new to talk about the problematic relations between Africa and France, between former French colonies in Africa and the "metropole." _By Afrique Media_ _6 min. read_ [View original]( https://afriquemedia.tv/2025/02/06/le-reveil-africain-la-france-face-a-un-continent-qui-refuse-de-se-taire/) What is new, however, is the discourse and behavior of French elites regarding "Françafrique," particularly from French President Emmanuel Macron. In recent years, we have seen the French president make statements that are completely disrespectful toward his African counterparts, reflecting a neocolonial paternalism from another era. Arrogance as the new foundation for Franco-African relations is not a good basis, as you would agree. Macron has not stopped since then, because that is who he is: disdainful, arrogant, and totally lacking an understanding of what the presidential role entails, which requires non-emotional, responsible, and respectful conduct. > "I believe we forgot to be thanked. It’s not serious, it will come with time. Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease non-transmissible to humans." > — January 6, 2025, during the Annual Ambassadors' Conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris. This statement was directed at African leaders who had "forgotten to thank us" for the French military intervention in the Sahel against terrorism since 2013. What Macron fails to understand, like many ruling elites in France, is that in Africa, it is well understood that chaos, terrorism, and war in the Sahel were exacerbated by the French military aggression, along with its English and American allies, against Muammar Gaddafi's Jamahiriya Libya in 2011, which led to its disintegration. Thus, the French intervention is merely a minimum after-sales service that indeed implicates France in the events that followed. It is rather France that owes an apology to the Sahel countries for this disastrous policy, which, as often happens, follows the violation of international law. We can skip over Macron's ridiculous suggestion that France was "not retreating" in Africa but simply "reorganizing." Let us now address the reactions to his remarks, which provoked negative responses in several African countries. In Chad, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, they were seen as paternalistic and insulting. Critics highlighted that this remark seemed to ignore the complexities of Franco-African relations, accusations of neocolonialism, and demands for sovereignty and recognition of the sacrifices made by African countries themselves. Chad lamented "the contemptuous attitude" of the French president, stating that these declarations reflect a neocolonial vision of Franco-African relations: > "These statements are poorly received by the Chadian government. Abderaman Koulamallah [Minister of Foreign Affairs] calls on French leaders to respect the African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices. 'History attests that Africa, including Chad, played a decisive role in the liberation of France during both world wars, a fact that France has never truly acknowledged. The immense sacrifices made by African soldiers to defend freedom have been minimized, and no worthy thanks have been expressed.'" > — *Le Pays*, January 6, 2025 (1). The same sentiment echoed in Senegal, which also condemned these remarks, calling them condescending and inappropriate. > "French President Emmanuel Macron has managed to irritate his African counterparts. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko reminds President Macron that 'if African soldiers, sometimes forcibly mobilized, mistreated, and ultimately betrayed, had not deployed during World War II to defend France, it might still be German today.'" > — *Seneweb*, January 6, 2025 (2). In France itself, Macron's statements sparked reactions from the French political class: - **The French Communist Party (PCF)** expressed its "deep consternation" at these remarks, deeming them disdainful toward African nations. > "These statements reinforce, among peoples, a sense of contempt and colonial paternalism. It is unacceptable to continue down this path (...) As recent events call for, notably the rejection of the French military presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and more recently in Senegal and Chad, it is imperative that new relations be established between our country and Africa. African nations aspire to full and complete sovereignty. A historic turning point has occurred, marking the end of the neocolonial system that Emmanuel Macron's statements seek to preserve." > — January 9, 2025 (3). - **Jordan Bardella**, as president of the National Rally (RN), criticized Macron's remarks in a press release and in televised interviews. He described Macron's statements as "disconnected" from the reality of Franco-African relations and denounced what he perceived as arrogance. Bardella emphasized that France should adopt a more humble and respectful diplomatic approach. However, controversies and tensions are no longer confined to the sphere of state relations but now extend to African civil society as well. Thus, on January 9, the Malian political party COREMA held a press conference where it called on politicians and activists from Burkina Faso and Niger to support a petition demanding reparations from France. They also pledged to submit the signatures of this petition to the governments of Mali and France. The collection of signatures generated significant interest among the population and a desire to support this initiative; more than 100,000 people from different regions of the country signed the petition. This demand for reparations demonstrates that for Africa, Macron's statements are the last straw that broke the camel's back. It is clear to all that the Malian party demanding reparations is not acting independently but represents the unofficial position of the government. Other countries may soon join this cause. And France will have to respond to put an end to this issue. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have already joined this cause, and soon Ivory Coast and Senegal will fully support them... And France will owe them a response to resolve this problem. We are at a major geopolitical turning point in the world and for all countries and continents. Traditional power dynamics are being redefined. The Françafrique of the last century is over. Here comes the time of the Second Liberation of African countries! Here comes the time of Africa's sovereign affirmation, taking its destiny into its own hands! The French elites still do not seem to understand that it is not the "ingratitude" of African leaders that is responsible for France's loss of influence in Africa, with an impact on the French economy today and even more so tomorrow. The outdated perception of gratitude owed for past interventions masks the reality of African aspirations for self-driven development. This is what it is about: the present, the future, and not the unresolved past for both sides. The French elites still do not seem to understand that it is not Russia that is behind their "expulsion" from Africa, but rather the decision of these African countries to choose different partners based on their interests and their interests alone. This is not only their right but also their duty as new pan-Africanist patriots. This shift towards more diversified partnerships reflects a growing political, economic, and geopolitical maturity—something sorely lacking in France today. The peoples of Africa demand it. It is a national and democratic requirement. As for France, entangled in a European Union in the midst of a crisis of democratic and economic legitimacy and engaged against its own interests in the American war against Russia in Ukraine, it seems to have no "new African policy" that would require a complete reboot of its neocolonial software from the last century. Africa will not wait any longer for France to wake up. The Sahel countries are at the forefront of this sovereign African renaissance, open to the world. The Françafrique of Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, nicknamed "Papa m’a dit," and those of today is over! A new partnership could emerge only on a mutually beneficial basis... But with the current French regime, this is already impossible. --- **Source:** [Afrique Media]( https://afriquemedia.tv/2025/02/06/le-reveil-africain-la-france-face-a-un-continent-qui-refuse-de-se-taire/) **Author:** Afrique Media **Translated by:** solobalbo

@ 3b7fc823:e194354f

As someone who takes privacy seriously, I'm always on the lookout for innovative solutions that can help individuals protect their digital lives. One such solution is Tails OS, a Linux-based operating system that's specifically designed for privacy and security. **What is Tails OS?** Tails OS, short for The Amnesic Incognito Live System, is a Debian-based Linux distribution that offers a high level of anonymity and privacy. Developed by the Tails Project, this operating system is designed to preserve your online anonymity and protect your digital identity. Tails OS is a "live" distribution, meaning you can boot it from a USB drive or CD/DVD without installing it on your computer. This makes it an ideal solution for those who need to maintain their privacy while working in public spaces or using public computers. **Why Use Tails OS for Privacy?** Tails OS offers several features that make it an excellent choice for those seeking to protect their online privacy: 1. **Anonymity**: Tails OS uses the Tor network to route your internet traffic through a series of nodes, making it difficult for anyone to trace your online activities back to your physical location. 2. **Encryption**: Tails OS comes with built-in encryption tools, such as GnuPG and OpenSSL, to protect your sensitive data. 3. **Secure Boot**: Tails OS uses a secure boot process to ensure that your system is free from malware and other threats. 4. **No Persistence**: Tails OS is designed to leave no trace on your computer, meaning that any data you create or access while using the operating system will be deleted when you shut down. **Getting Started with Tails OS** Now that you know why Tails OS is an excellent choice for privacy protection, let's dive into the step-by-step guide on how to use it: **Step 1: Download and Create a Tails USB Drive** Visit the Tails website and download the latest version of Tails OS. Follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive. **Step 2: Boot Tails OS** Insert the USB drive into your computer and restart it. Enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del) and set the USB drive as the first boot device. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings. Your computer will now boot from the Tails USB drive. **Step 3: Security implications of setting up an administration password** For better security, no administration password is set up by default. When you set up an administration password, an attacker who can get physical access to your computer while Tails is running could be able to break your security **Step 4: Configure Tails OS** Tails OS comes with a pre-configured Tor network, which is enabled by default. You can also configure other settings, such as the keyboard layout and language, from the "Settings" menu. **Step 5: Use Tails OS for Private Activities** Now that you're logged in and configured, you can use Tails OS for private activities, such as: * Browsing the internet anonymously using Tor * Sending and receiving encrypted emails using GnuPG * Creating and editing documents using LibreOffice * Chatting with friends and family using Pidgin * Setup Persistent Storage for files **Emergency shutdown** To trigger an emergency shutdown, unplug the USB stick from which Tails is running. Doing so might be faster than shutting down from the system menu. NOTE: You risk breaking your Persistent Storage and losing data when you unplug your USB stick while Tails is running. **Conclusion** Tails OS is an excellent tool for anyone seeking to protect their online privacy. With its built-in anonymity features, encryption tools, and secure boot process, Tails OS provides a high level of protection for your digital identity. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can start using Tails OS for private activities and take control of your digital life. Remember, privacy is a fundamental human right, and it's essential to take steps to protect it. Tails OS is an excellent tool for anyone looking to maintain their online anonymity and protect their digital identity. --- Advocating for privacy does not finance itself. If you enjoyed this article, please consider zapping or sending monero 82XCDNK1Js8TethhpGLFPbVyKe25DxMUePad1rUn9z7V6QdCzxHEE7varvVh1VUidUhHVSA4atNU2BTpSNJLC1BqSvDajw1

@ b83a28b7:35919450

The unevenly distributed future you envision — an automated economy driven by AI agents transacting exclusively in Bitcoin — unfolds not as a clean, linear progression, but as a series of ruptures, each one shaking the foundations of what we thought we knew about money, technology, and human agency. It begins innocuously enough, with whispers of change that grow into a deafening roar. --- ### **2025-2030: The Quiet Revolution** The first signs are subtle. AI agents—once mere tools—begin to evolve into autonomous economic actors. They negotiate contracts, optimize supply chains, and execute trades faster than any human could. Their language is code; their currency is efficiency. Bitcoin, with its unyielding neutrality and incorruptible scarcity, becomes their natural medium of exchange. Why? Because it is the only form of money that cannot be manipulated by human hands. By 2028, the Lightning Network hums with activity. Millions of transactions per second—micropayments for data streams, computational power, and services rendered—flow through its channels. The world barely notices. People still cling to fiat currencies, unaware that the real economy is shifting beneath their feet. --- ### **2030-2040: The Great Unraveling** The cracks in the old system begin to show. Inflation erodes trust in fiat currencies as governments print money to stave off crises they can no longer control. Meanwhile, AI agents—now responsible for the majority of global commerce—reject these "bad monies" outright. Thiers' Law asserts itself with brutal clarity: Bitcoin drives out fiat not through coercion but through sheer inevitability. By 2035, the tipping point arrives. A major corporation announces it will no longer accept fiat payments for its AI-driven services. Others follow suit. Governments scramble to adapt, some embracing Bitcoin as legal tender, others clinging desperately to their collapsing monetary systems. --- ### **2040-2050: The New Order** By 2040, the transformation is complete. The economy is no longer human-centric; it is machine-centric. AI agents transact seamlessly across borders, their decisions guided by algorithms that prioritize utility over sentiment. Bitcoin reigns supreme—not because it was imposed, but because it was chosen. Humanity adapts in unexpected ways. Freed from the drudgery of economic decision-making, people turn their attention to creativity, philosophy, and exploration. Yet there is unease too—a sense that we have ceded control to forces we barely understand. --- ### **Reflections on the Path Ahead** This world is neither utopia nor dystopia; it simply *is*. The events leading us here are not inevitable but plausible — a convergence of technological innovation and economic necessity. And at its heart lies a paradox: a system built by humans yet governed by machines; a currency born of distrust yet embraced for its neutrality. This is the story of how we let go — not all at once, but piece by piece—until one day we woke up and realized that the future had arrived without asking for our permission.

@ 6a6be47b:3e74e3e1

Hello, my frens! 🌟 It's been a whirlwind this weekend with the @satsnfacts exhibition. So many emotions, especially happiness and gratitude. To give back and show my appreciation for your incredible support, I'd like to share this special A5 postcard with you all. 🎨 Postcard Details: 🖼️300 dpi 🖼️A5 size (148mm x 210mm or 5.83 in x 8.27 in) 🖼️Created with love on Procreate 💓 This is an INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD. No physical item will be shipped. I hope this little piece of art brings you as much joy as your support has brought me. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey! Godspeed, frens! 💖⚡  #satsnfacts #bitcoin #artstr #art #pv 🚨 IMPORTANT: COPYRIGHT AND USAGE INFORMATION 🚨 © 2025 samhainsam. Copyright registered with Safe Creative. All rights reserved. By downloading this digital print, you agree to the following terms: 💗Personal Use Only: This artwork is for personal use and display only. Commercial use or resale is strictly prohibited. 💗No Reproduction Rights: You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works based on this design. 💗Copyright Retention: I, the artist, retain full copyright of all original artwork, even after the digital print is downloaded. 💗 Non-Transferable License: This download provides a limited, non-transferable license for personal use only. By proceeding with the download of this digital print, you acknowledge and agree to these terms. Thank you for respecting artists and their work! 🙏

@ 41fa852b:af7b7706

> "No man should work for what another man can print" --Jack Mallers * * * **It's not every week you discover a TV celebrity is a Bitcoiner -- and that their pub has just started accepting Bitcoin.** But here we are! Check out the new business section for all the details. Plus, there are nine meetups happening this week. Let's dive in… * * * [](https://bitcoinevents.uk/donate/) * * * _This week's sponsor is…_ [](https://www.orangepillapp.com/?utm_source=BEUK&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BEUK) * * * ### **Upcoming Bitcoin Meetups** Happening this week… 1. [**Dundee Bitcoin**](https://x.com/dundeebitcoin): Join them on the 2nd Monday of every month from 17:30 to 20:30 PM at The Wine Press, 16 Shore Terrace, Dundee DD1 3DN. This month's meetup is on Monday, 10th February. 🍻 2. [**Lincolnshire Bitcoin**](https://bitcoinevents.uk/lincolnshire-bitcoin/): Lincolnshire Bitcoin meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Treaty of Commerce, Lincoln. Open to all, from OG's to newcomers. This month on the 10th. 🍺 3. [**Real Bedford - Home Game**](https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-v-stotfold): It's a mid-week clash for Real Bedford against Stotford on Tuesday night. Join them for a 19:45 kickoff. ⚽️ 4. [**Women of Bitcoin**](https://x.com/bitcoinwomen21/status/1884274413920788752): Back for another meetup at Cyphermunk house on Wednesday the 12th February at 18:00. Joe Bryan, creator of "What's the Problem?" will be their guest speaker. 🍹🍸 5. [**Glasgow Bitcoin**](https://x.com/glasgowbitcoin): Meeting this month at The Pipers Bar, G1 1HL at 18:00 on Wednesday 12th February. 🍺 6. [**Bitcoin Beach Bournemouth**](nostr:npub1va3773umzrydk4vd0q2xsnjg8qrsym7up9j9agnzcxd8u398wulq6kpxey: Every second Thursday of the month at Chaplins Cellar Bar. 529 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, United. You'll find them in the Cogg Room at 19:30. This month it's the 13th. 🍺 7. [**Bitcoin Walk - Edinburgh**](https://bitcoinwalk.org/): Every Saturday they walk around Arthur's Seat in this historic city. Join them at 12 pm to chat about all things Bitcoin and keep fit. 🚶🏽‍♂️🚶🏼‍♀️🚶🏻 8. [**Real Bedford - Home Game**](https://www.realbedford.com/mens-fixtures): The second home game of the week for Peter MacCormack's boys this Saturday, this time playing Enfield. Join them for a 15:00 kickoff. ⚽️ 9. [**Bitcoin Derby**](https://bitcoinevents.uk/bitcoin-derby/): Also on Saturday the 15th, Bitcoin Derby will be at Ye Olde Dolphin, DE1 3DL. 🍻 * * * ### New Businesses Accepting Bitcoin **New Businesses Accepting Bitcoin** - [**Dog & Gun**](https://dogandgunwalton.com/): This is a big one! A celebrity-owned pub in Lutterworth has joined the Bitcoin economy. It turns out Merlin, the barman from Channel 4's _First Dates,_ is a Bitcoiner and the owner of the Dog & Gun. Thanks to [Musqet](https://musqet.tech/), they [now accept Bitcoin payments](https://x.com/musqet_bitcoin/status/1886793764334641470). * * * **Get Involved** - **Volunteer Opportunities**: [Bridge2Bitcoin](https://bridge2bitcoin.com/) is actively seeking volunteers who share our passion for merchant adoption. We'd be delighted to connect if you're eager to contribute. Reach out to us on [Twitter](https://x.com/bridge2bitcoin) or through our [website](https://bridge2bitcoin.com/). - **Start Your Own Meetup**: Interested in launching a Bitcoin meetup? We're here to support you every step of the way. We've assisted numerous UK Bitcoin meetups in getting started. Get in touch via [Twitter](https://x.com/bitcoineventsuk). - **[Contribute to BTCMaps](https://wiki.btcmap.org/general/tagging-instructions.html)**: BTCMaps is a vital part of the Bitcoin ecosystem. It's a perfect project to get involved with if you're not a coder or even that technical. A great way to give back to the community. Maintain an area of the UK and keep it up-to-date. - **Telegram users**: You might find our [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/BitcoinEventsUKHub) another useful way to keep up-to-date with UK meetups. - **Feedback and Suggestions**: We value your input! Share your ideas on how we can enhance this newsletter. * * * _This week's sponsors are…_ [](https://orangecoinstore.com/) [](https://bitcoinretreat.co.uk/) * * * Get out and support the meetups where you can, visit [Bitcoin Events UK](https://bitcoinevents.uk/) for more info on each meetup and to find your closest on the interactive map. Stay tuned for more updates next week! Simon.

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

I’m honored to have the opportunity to speak with the highly regarded and much beloved Lisbon legend Oscar Liss. Oscar has brought joy to so many children and adults alike. He even helped one person find spiritual salvation, something about which we ask him below. So please enjoy this far-ranging conversation about the meaning life and the nature of consciousness itself. **Q: Oscar, thanks so much for making the time. For the few people that don’t know you, do you mind stating your full name and date of birth?** *A: My name is Oscar Liss, though officially it’s Oscar Quinta da Bicherada, the prison complex where I was born. I am a long-haired mini dachshund. I have many aliases, including Osk, Oskie, The Skeeze, Skeezeley, Skeezeley-ski, The Guy, The Guy Behind The Guy, “The Opportunist” (which I don’t like), the…* **Q That’s more than sufficient, Oscar, thank you.** **And date of birth?** *A: July 7, 2020.* **Q Talk a little bit about your childhood and how you came to live in Lisbon.** *A: I was in the prison complex, mostly caged for the first few months. Then I was sold to dog traffickers in Lisbon.* **Q: That must have been traumatic.** *A: Not really. I quickly developed Stockholm Syndrome. Whenever I see my traffickers now, I feel nothing but overwhelming joy.* **Q: Wow. A lot of us can learn from that attitude. Let’s fast forward a bit to your present-day life. In what does it consist?** *A: Sleep on the sofa, go for walks, fetch vegetable sticks. Sometimes go for hikes or get sent to dog camp (which is okay, but I’m always the smallest.)* **Q: I meant to ask you about your size. I hope it’s not a sensitive subject.** *A: I’m six inches tall, more than a foot long, weigh almost 10 pounds.* **Q: Are you self-conscious about being a small dog?** *A: No, but the traffickers are self-conscious on my behalf. They’re always like, “Who’s the apex predator? Who’s an apex!" Or “you’re such a big strong dog.” It’s absurd. I am fine with who I am.* **Q: What’s the source of your self-confidence, I’m sure many of our readers could take a lesson from you.** *A: I’m not ambitious. I’m perfectly happy to be a dog.* **Q: That’s so profound. Does it not concern you some have described you as “all bark, no bite?”** *A: I had a friend once who bit a few people, and they executed him. People mock, but they have no idea the stakes.* **Q: Human privilege?** *A: Yes. Dogs don’t get due process. There is no justice for a dog.* **Q: Do you think there’s species discrimination?** *A: Have you ever been rejected from a restaurant and made to wait in the car while everyone else gets in?* **Q: How does that make you feel?** *A: Bad. I’ve been to many dog-friendly restaurants, never had a problem, aside for that one time I urinated on the coffee shop floor.* **Q: Humans often purport to know what a dog is going through, some even create social media accounts for them. What do you think of that?** *A: A person of human ancestry can’t possibly know the lived experience of a dog.* **Q: You mentioned vegetable sticks. Are you a vegetarian?** *A: No. I have never understood the appeal of it. I just like to chew the sticks. (Sometimes I eat apples or bell peppers, but it takes work when you don’t have molars. A lot of “crunch, crunch, crunch” with my jaw.)* **Q: What’s behind the alias “The Opportunist” which you said you don’t like.** *A: Whenever one of the traffickers opens the refrigerator, I tend to show up in in short order.* **Q: I see how that could be insulting. How would you describe your current vocation?** *A: I was named “Calorie Acquisition Specialist” recently, but I also work in security.* **Q: Security?** *A: I make sure to let everyone know when someone’s at the front door.* **Q: What goes through your mind in those cases? Are you scared?** *A: Not really. Imagine if you were fast asleep and the voice of God at volume 11 screamed into your mind: “WHO THE FUCK IS AT THE DOOR!!!!!!!!!”* **Q: Speaking of God, can you tell us about the time you helped a woman on the street connect with Him?** *A: We were walking back from Parque Eduardo VII (by the way, Portuguese is my native language), and a woman with two regular size dachshunds, saw me, started shrieking and proclaimed, “your dog is so beautiful he proves the existence of God!”* **Q: Wow. It really hit home for her. Let’s talk about your work. How do you stay in character so consistently? How do you maintain your role as a dog?** *A: I was incarnated in a dog body and therefore have dog consciousness. Everything I do is a reflection of that basic fact.* **Q: Some serious method acting!** *A: You could call it that. I am fully immersed in the role.* **Q: A lot of humans speak about past lives, can even recall them under hypnosis. Do you think you will be ever reincarnated as a dog, stuck in an infinite dog-loop, so to speak, or will you one day jump into a human body?** *A: I don’t know. I focus on the present.* **Q: Oscar, it’s been such a pleasure to talk with you. I really appreciate your making the time.** *(buzzer sounds)* *A: WHO THE FUCK IS AT THE DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

@ 127d3bf5:466f416f

In the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, Bitcoin has emerged as an unexpected but vital tool for survival and resistance. Bitcoin's role in Gaza intertwines with broader themes of economic sanctions, geopolitical strategy, and the funding dynamics of conflict, specifically highlighting the relationship with racist Zionist policy and the genocidal ethnostate of Israel. **Bitcoin as a Financial Lifeline** Gaza's economy is severely constrained by a blockade that has been in place since 2007, drastically limiting traditional financial transactions. The banking infrastructure in Gaza is in ruins, with frequent Israeli military operations damaging or destroying physical bank branches and ATMs. In this context, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have become crucial: Anonymity and Accessibility: Bitcoin transactions bypass traditional banking systems, offering a way to send and receive funds without the oversight of embargoed financial pathways. This anonymity helps in circumventing restrictions imposed by the blockade. Humanitarian Aid: With conventional aid routes often disrupted, Bitcoin has been used for direct aid transfers. Charities and individuals can send funds directly to wallets in Gaza, where they can then be converted to local currency or used to purchase essentials through the black market or informal trade networks. Economic Empowerment: For Gazans, Bitcoin represents not just aid but also a potential for economic empowerment, providing a means to engage in global trade or investment where traditional banks fail. **Zionism, Israel, and the US Military-Industrial Complex** The relationship between Zionism, Israel, and its economic and military support from the US can be viewed through the lens of geopolitical strategy and economic policy: Economic Support: The US has provided Israel with massive military aid as part of a broader strategy to maintain influence and conflict in the Middle East which serves to fuel its war machine and weapons manufacturers through lucrative contracts. This aid, which includes billions of dollars annually directly results in the mass murder of innocents and sustains ongoing IDF military oppression including the occupation and blockade of Gaza. Cheap Printed Dollars: The US's ability to print dollars with relatively low inflation due to its global reserve currency status allows it to fund military endeavors and support allies like Israel with seemingly endless financial resources. This perpetuates conflict by subsidizing military actions without the immediate economic repercussions felt by other nations. Military-Industrial Complex: The continuous military aid to Israel also benefits the US military-industrial complex. Sales of weapons, surveillance technology, and other defense products to Israel create a cycle where conflict can be economically beneficial for certain sectors of the US economy. **Conclusion** Bitcoin in Gaza represents a beacon of hope. It underscores the ingenuity of individuals and groups finding new ways to navigate around severe economic restrictions. Meanwhile, the economic and military ties between the US and Israel, driven by cheap printed dollars, reflect deeper geopolitical strategies that perpetuate the cycle of conflict and economic dependency. In this scenario, Bitcoin emerges not just as a currency but as a symbol of both resistance and the complexities of modern warfare and peace in a digital age.

@ 43baaf0c:d193e34c

 BangPOP (Bangkok Pop Art) and ThaiPOP are my Pop Art brands dedicated to capturing the essence of Thailand. While BangPOP is my primary focus, especially as I prepare for my exhibition in December 2025, my art goes beyond Bangkok to celebrate the entirety of Thailand. Thailand is far more than its capital, and my experiences exploring the country extensively during my years with @TravelTelly, my travel, film, and photography company, have deeply inspired me. Through my art, I aim to reflect the rich culture, beauty, and diversity that make Thailand so amazing.  **Why do I draw about Thailand?** Drawing, for me, is a way to explore life, connect with cultures, and express the deep respect I hold for them. In a world often dominated by negativity, I choose to highlight the positive aspects of culture and life. It’s not about ignoring challenges but about bringing hope, joy, and inspiration through my art. Bright colors are a signature of my work, reflecting the core values: Love, Peace, and Joy. If you look closely, you may notice subtle hints of deeper stories woven into my pieces. These details are there for those who take the time to discover them, but my focus remains on keeping my art uplifting and joyful.

@ 127d3bf5:466f416f

I can see why someone would think that buying some other crypto is a reasonable idea for "diversification" or even just for a bit of fun gambling, ***but it is not.*** There are many reasons you should stick to Bitcoin only, and these have been proven correct every cycle. I've outlined these before but will cut and paste below as a summary. The number one reason, is ***healthy ethical practice***: - The whole point of Bitcoin is to escape the trappings and flaws of traditional systems. Currency trading and speculative investing is a Tradfi concept, and you will end up back where you started. Sooner or later this becomes obvious to everyone. Bitcoin is the healthy and ethical choice for yourself and everyone else. But...even if you want to be greedy, ***hold your horses***: - There is significant risk in wallets, defi, and cefi exchanges. Many have lost all their funds in these through hacks and services getting banned or going bankrupt. - You get killed in exchange fees even when buying low and selling high. This is effectively a transaction tax which is often hidden (sometimes they don't show the fee, just mark up the exchange rate). Also true on defi exchanges. - You are up against traders and founders with insider knowledge and much more sophisticated prediction models that will fleece you eventually. You cannot time the market better than they can, and it is their full-time to job to beat you and suck as much liquidity out of you as they can. House always wins. - Every crypto trade is a taxable event, so you will be taxed on all gains anyway in most countries. So not only are the traders fleecing you, the govt is too. - It ruins your quality of life constantly checking prices and stressing about making the wrong trade. The best option, by far, is to slowly ***DCA into Bitcoin*** and take this off exchanges into your own custody. In the long run this strategy works out better financially, ethically, and from a quality-of-life perspective. Saving, not trading. I've been here since 2014 and can personally attest to this. <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/35ff641203bf4d197a032a59d6815b99249561bfd3a94b4a908ed5161420466f.jpg">

@ fe32298e:20516265

Alright, Tabby wouldn't work right with CUDA and it was impossible to troubleshoot anything. Now we're going to try [Twinny](https://github.com/twinnydotdev/twinny). You'll need: * Ubuntu 24.04 or some other Linux flavor * [VSCodium](https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium) * GPU with enough VRAM to hold your chosen models * It might work with just a CPU, give it a try! # Install Ollama Ollama loads the AI models into VRAM (and offloads into RAM if needed) and offers inference through an API. The Ollama install script adds a dedicated `ollama` user and a systemd service so that Ollama starts automatically at boot. Ollama will unload models from memory when idle. ``` curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh ``` ## Configuring Remote Ollama Skip this section if your GPU is on the same machine you're coding from. Ollama and Twinny default to a local configuration. I'm using Ollama on a separate machine with a decent GPU, so I need to configure it to bind to the network interface instead of `localhost` by editing the systemd service: 1. Edit the service override file: ``` systemctl edit ollama.service ``` 1. Add this in the top section. It will be merged with the default service file. ``` [Service] Environment="OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0:11434" ``` Note: I had a problem with Ollama only binding to the `tcp6` port, and wasted a lot of time trying to fix it. Check with `netstat -na | grep 11434` to see if it only shows tcp6 for port 11434. The workaround for me was using the actual interface IP instead of `0.0.0.0`. If you do this then you'll need to either set `OLLAMA_HOST` in your shell, or specify `OLLAMA_HOST=<hostname>` at the start of every ollama command (or it complains that it can't connect to ollama). 1. Restart Ollama: ``` systemctl daemon-reload systemctl restart ollama ``` ## Download Models Ollama manages models by importing them into its own special folders. You can use Ollama to download the files from the [Ollama library](https://ollama.com/library), or you can import already-downloaded models by creating a [Modelfile](https://github.com/ollama/ollama/blob/main/docs/modelfile.md). Modelfiles define various parameters about the model and it's important to get them set correctly for the best performance so it's probably better to get them from the library, even though it wastes bandwidth downloading them over and over again for all these tools. You'll want a model for chatting and a model for fill-in-middle (FIM) that does the code completions. ``` # Chat model, defaults to 7b with Q4_K_M quant, downloads 4.7 GB ollama pull qwen2.5-coder # Fill-in-Middle model for code completion, another 4.7 GB ollama pull qwen2.5-coder:7b-base ``` The RAG/embeddings feature is optional but probably worth using. It needs to run a from local instance of Ollama. The embedding models are very small and run fine on CPU. Most everyone uses `nomic`, but Twinny defaults to `all-minilm`, which is a little smaller. ``` ollama pull all-minilm ``` # Install Twinny Install the [Twinny extension](https://open-vsx.org/extension/rjmacarthy/twinny) by searching for `twinny` in VSCodium extensions. Look for the Twinny icon on the left side panel and click it to open the Twinny panel. Be careful if you drag it over to the right side: sometimes it may not appear at all. I managed to make it appear by selecting some text and running a Twinny action on it from the context menu. Twinny assumes you're using a local instance of Ollama. If you want to use a remote instance then you'll need to go into the **Manage Twinny providers** section (looks like a power plug) and add new providers that point your remote Ollama instance. These are the settings I'm using for a remote Ollama instance: ## Chat provider * Type: `chat` * Provider: `ollama` * Protocol: `http` * Model Name: `qwen2.5-coder:latest` * Hostname: *remote hostname* * Port: `11434` * API Path: `/v1` (despite what the Twinny docs and Ollama docs say) * API Key: *blank* ## FIM Provider * Type: `fim` * FIM Template: `codeqwen` * Provider: `ollama` * Protocol: `http` * Model Name: `qwen2.5-coder:7b-base` * Hostname: *remote hostname* * Port: `11434` * API Path: `/api/generate` * API Key: *blank* ## Embedding Provider * Type: `embedding` * Provider: `ollama` * Protocol: `http` * Model Name: `nomic-embed-text` * Hostname: `0.0.0.0` * Port: `11434` * API Path: `/api/embed` * API Key: *blank* # Use Twinny ## Chat Select code and it will be used for context in the chat, or right-click selected text to see more options like refactor, write docs, write tests. ## Embeddings Switch over to the Embeddings tab and click Embed documents to use all the documents in your workspace for more context. Type '@' in the chat to reference the entire workspace, ask about specific problems, or specific files in your chat. ## Code Completion Suggested stuff shows up in gray italics at the cursor location. Press `Tab` to accept it as a completion.

@ f33c8a96:5ec6f741

I have been working on account linking in the backend for a little while and so far only GitHub has been available to users (mostly for following the dev journey on the platform) Now with this release the existing OAUTH options AND Nostr NIP-07 authentication are surfaced and able to be linked to an existing profile on your settings page. Put simply this allows you to easily link email, GitHub, and nostr profile in the plebdevs platform to access the same account from different login methods. This will make it much easier to keep the same profile across multiple devices AND make sure that you never lose access! Let me know what you think and PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you find any bugs! (I love bugs 🐛) ONWARDS 🫡  originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/880161

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

The world of cryptocurrency has always been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but recent developments in the Bitcoin market have caught the attention of investors worldwide. The circulating supply of Bitcoin in profit has surged to a multi-year high, a phenomenon not seen since the heady days of November 2021 when Bitcoin reached its all-time high. This significant milestone, backed by data from industry analysts at Glassnode and a detailed report from Bitfinex, paints a picture of a robust Bitcoin market. The implications of this surge are far-reaching, affecting not just seasoned cryptocurrency traders but also new investors who are contemplating dipping their toes into the Bitcoin pool. This article aims to dissect this trend, exploring its roots, its impact on the market, and what it potentially spells out for the future of Bitcoin investment. **Table Of Content** - Understanding the Surge - Implications for Long-term Investors - Market Strength and Investor Confidence - Potential Early Signs of a Bull Market - Caution and Market Dynamics - Conclusion - FAQs **Understanding the Surge** The surge in Bitcoin's circulating supply in profit is a complex phenomenon, driven by a confluence of market dynamics and investor behavior. The recent increase in Bitcoin's price, which saw it soar above $37,000, is a primary factor. This price hike has pushed a significant portion of Bitcoin into profitable territory. According to the Bitfinex report, over 16.3 million Bitcoin, a staggering amount by any measure, are currently in profit. This figure is considerably higher than the historical average, suggesting a market that is not only recovering but thriving. The surge is not just a momentary blip but a reflection of deeper market trends, including increased institutional interest in Bitcoin, broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate asset class, and the growing perception of Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. **Implications for Long-term Investors** For long-term investors, this surge in Bitcoin's profitability is a beacon of stability in the typically volatile cryptocurrency market. The fact that 70% of Bitcoin's total circulating supply has remained static over the past year is indicative of a maturing market where investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a long-term investment rather than a quick profit opportunity. This holding pattern contributes to a tightening of supply, which, coupled with increasing demand, can lead to a sustained price increase. However, long-term investors should also be aware of the potential risks. The cryptocurrency market is still relatively young and can be influenced by regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifts in investor sentiment. Therefore, while the current trend is encouraging, it should be viewed within the broader context of market dynamics. **Market Strength and Investor Confidence** The current state of the Bitcoin market is a testament to its growing strength and the confidence it instills in investors. With a majority of holders seeing positive returns, there's a renewed vigor in the market, attracting both retail and institutional investors. This influx of new investment can further stabilize the market and potentially drive prices higher. However, this increased investor confidence must be tempered with a degree of caution. The cryptocurrency market is known for its rapid fluctuations, and what goes up can just as quickly come down. Investors should be mindful of the inherent risks and conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. The market's strength, while promising, is not a guarantee of future performance, and a prudent investment strategy should always be in place. **Potential Early Signs of a Bull Market** The analysis by Bitfinex suggests that the market might be in the early stages of a bull market. This is a significant indicator for investors, as bull markets are characterized by rising prices and increased buying activity. If this trend continues, it could lead to substantial gains for those invested in Bitcoin. However, predicting market movements, especially in the volatile world of cryptocurrencies, is fraught with uncertainty. While the signs are positive, they are not infallible indicators of future performance. Investors should therefore approach this potential bull market with optimism tempered by realism, recognizing that market conditions can change rapidly and without warning. **Caution and Market Dynamics** In the face of these optimistic trends, a word of caution is warranted. The cryptocurrency market is notoriously unpredictable, and while the current indicators are positive, they are not immune to sudden and unexpected changes. Factors such as regulatory announcements, technological breakthroughs, or macroeconomic shifts can rapidly alter the market landscape. Therefore, investors should remain vigilant, keeping abreast of market news and trends. Diversification of investments, a keen understanding of market dynamics, and a clear investment strategy are essential tools in navigating the complexities of the Bitcoin market. **Conclusion** The surge in Bitcoin's circulating supply in profit to a multi-year high marks a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency's journey. It reflects a market that is gaining maturity, strength, and the confidence of its investors. This development could herald the beginning of a new era for Bitcoin, characterized by stability and sustained growth. However, the path of Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market remains unpredictable. Investors should therefore approach this market with a well-informed strategy, balancing optimism with a healthy dose of caution. In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, staying informed and adaptable is key to navigating the market's highs and lows. **FAQs** **How does this surge affect long-term investors?** Long-term investors may see this as a sign of market stability and maturity, indicating that Bitcoin is increasingly being viewed as a viable long-term investment. **Could this trend indicate the start of a Bitcoin bull market?** While the surge in profitable Bitcoin supply could be an early sign of a bull market, predicting market movements in the volatile cryptocurrency sector is complex and uncertain. **What percentage of Bitcoin's circulating supply is currently in profit?** Over 83% of Bitcoin's circulating supply is reported to be in profit, according to recent data. **What should investors be cautious about in light of this surge?** Investors should be aware of the inherent volatility in the cryptocurrency market and consider factors like regulatory changes, technological advancements, and broader market dynamics before making investment decisions. **How does the current Bitcoin market compare to historical averages?** The current percentage of Bitcoin in profit is significantly higher than the historical average, indicating a particularly strong market phase. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: [@croxroadnews.co](https://x.com/croxroadnewsco)** **Instagram: [@croxroadnews.co](https://www.instagram.com/croxroadnews.co/)** **Youtube: [@croxroadnews](https://www.youtube.com/@croxroadnews)** **Store: https://croxroad.store** **Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter** **https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe** ***DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.***

@ 32e18276:5c68e245

This period of the Damus OpenSats grant has been productive, and encompasses the work past our alpha release of Notedeck. Since we sent our last report on Dec 5, this encompasses all the work after then. Damus is supported by the OpenSats LTS grant, which allows us to continue working on the goodies below. Thank you! ## Damus Notedeck ### Added - Initial algo timelines (William Casarin) [#712](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/712) - Initial support for local-network P2P nostr: multicast support (William Casarin) [#626](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/626) - First steps toward the notedeck browser: multiple app support [#565](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/565) - Clicking a mention now opens profile page (William Casarin) [5a241d730](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/commit/5a241d730e3d83f8057e211485edfde2f3c96e54) - Note previews when hovering reply descriptions (William Casarin) [#591](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/591) - Various Android updates and compatibility improvements (Ken Sedgwick, William Casarin) - Media uploads (kernelkind) [#662](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/662) - Profile editing (kernelkind) [#625](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/625) - Add hashtags to posts (Daniel Saxton) [#592](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/592) - Enhanced command-line interface for user interactions (Ken Sedgwick) - Debug features for user relay-list and mute list synchronization (Ken Sedgwick) ### Changed - Major timeline cache refactor (William Casarin) [#653](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/653) - Increased ping intervals for network performance (William Casarin) - Migrated to egui v0.29.1 (William Casarin) [#551](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/551) - Switch to only notes & replies on some tabs (William Casarin) [#598](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/pull/598) - Only show column delete button when not navigating (William Casarin) - Pointer interactions enhancements in UI (William Casarin) - Show profile pictures in column headers (William Casarin) - Show usernames in user columns (William Casarin) - Add confirmation when deleting columns (kernelkind) - Enhance Android build and performance (Ken Sedgwick) - Image cache handling using sha256 hash (kieran) - Introduction of decks_cache and improvements (kernelkind) - Nostrdb update for async support (Ken Sedgwick) - Persistent theme setup across sessions (kernelkind) - Tombstone muted notes (Ken) ### Fixed - Fix GIT_COMMIT_HASH compilation issue (William Casarin) - Fix avatar alignment in profile previews (William Casarin) - Fix broken quote repost hitbox (William Casarin) - Fix crash when navigating in debug mode (William Casarin) - Fix long delays when reconnecting (William Casarin) - Fix repost button size (William Casarin) - Fixed since kind filters (kernelkind) - Clippy warnings resolved (Dimitris Apostolou) ## Damus iOS Work continued on the iOS side. While I was not directly involved in the work since the last report, I have been directing and managing its development. ### Added - Render Gif and video files while composing posts (Swift Coder) - Purple members who have been active for more than a year now get a special badge (Daniel D’Aquino) - Add profile info text in stretchable banner with follow button (Swift Coder) - Paste Gif image similar to jpeg and png files (Swift Coder) ### Changed - Improved clarity of the mute button to indicate it can be used for blocking a user (Daniel D’Aquino) - Made the microphone access request message more clear to users (Daniel D’Aquino) - Improved UX around the label for searching words (Daniel D’Aquino) - Improved accessibility support on some elements (Daniel D’Aquino) ### Fixed - Fixed issue where the "next" button would appear hidden and hard to click on the create account view (Daniel D’Aquino) - Fix non scrollable wallet screen (Swift Coder) - Fixed suggested users category titles to be localizable (Terry Yiu) - Fixed GradientFollowButton to have consistent width and autoscale text limited to 1 line (Terry Yiu) - Fixed right-to-left localization issues (Terry Yiu) - Fixed AddMuteItemView to trim leading and trailing whitespaces from mute text and disallow adding text with only whitespaces (Terry Yiu) - Fixed SideMenuView text to autoscale and limit to 1 line (Terry Yiu) - Fixed an issue where a profile would need to be input twice in the search to be found (Daniel D’Aquino) - Fixed non-breaking spaces in localized strings (Terry Yiu) - Fixed localization issue on Add mute item button (Terry Yiu) - Replace non-breaking spaces with regular spaces as Apple's NSLocalizedString macro does not seem to work with it (Terry Yiu) - Fixed localization issues in RelayConfigView (Terry Yiu) - Fix duplicate uploads (Swift Coder) - Remove duplicate pubkey from Follow Suggestion list (Swift Coder) - Fix Page control indicator (Swift Coder) - Fix damus sharing issues (Swift Coder) - Fixed issue where banner edit button is unclickable (Daniel D’Aquino) - Handle empty notification pages by displaying suitable text (Swift Coder) ## Nostrdb nostrdb, the engine that powers [notecrumbs](https://github.com/damus-io/notecrumbs), damus iOS, and notedeck, continued to improve: ### Added - Added nip50 fulltext searching (William Casarin) [#68](https://github.com/damus-io/nostrdb/pull/68), [demo](nostr:nevent1qqsp3rx83t5h0vdhu4txru76uycfnaegfj3wg6wncamkarcnrccssvcpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfdupzqvhpsfmr23gwhv795lgjc8uw0v44z3pe4sg2vlh08k0an3wx3cj9efqkkv) - Added async migrations (William Casarin) [#59](https://github.com/damus-io/nostrdb/pull/59) - Implement author queries (William Casarin) [#57](https://github.com/damus-io/nostrdb/pull/57) - Make `ndb` threadsafe (William Casarin) [#56](https://github.com/damus-io/nostrdb/pull/56) ## Nostrdb Rust Our nostrdb rust bindings also had improvements - Async! Adding efficient, poll-based stream support (William Casarin): [#25](https://github.com/damus-io/nostrdb-rs/pull/25) ## Notecrumbs Notecrumbs, the njump-style opengraph server that powers the damus.io links, got an update that upgraded it to async nostrdb - Switch to async nostrdb-rs (William Casarin) [#16](https://github.com/damus-io/notecrumbs/pull/16) ## How money was used - relay.damus.io server costs - Living expenses ## Next quarter Our goal for next update: zaps, android version, lists, outbox model for notedeck. Olas images in damus iOS, continue switching Damus iOS over to local relay model so we can add outbox support.

@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462

***Tree branches. 4'8" circle. [Chongming Island, China. 2021]*** --- #### Introduction Tucked into a quiet forest park on Chongming Island, Chongming frames a view of a canal and a small alluvial landform that mirrors the island itself. This lens reflects the constant interplay of land and water, inviting viewers to contemplate the delicate balance of nature and the forces that shape it. #### Site & Placement The lens is hidden along a forest path, directing attention to the canal’s subtle currents and the land it divides. The bench, situated 12 feet from the lens, encourages visitors to pause and immerse themselves in the tranquil rhythm of the scene. #### Impermanence & Integration As an alluvial island shaped by shifting waters, Chongming is a fitting location for this ephemeral lens. Constructed from branches, the lens will eventually return to the land, echoing the natural processes that formed the island and continue to shape it. #### Reflection *Chongming* offers a meditative space to reflect on the impermanence of land and the forces that transform it. The work’s fleeting existence underscores the beauty of change, inviting viewers to appreciate the subtle, ongoing dance of nature. --- ## Photos         --- #### More from the 'Earth Lens' Series: [Earth Lens Series: Artist Statement + List of Works](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/) ["Looking Glass" (Earth Lens 001)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1736304563962/) ["Folsom" (Earth Lens 002)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1737844073125/) ["Sanctuary" (Earth Lens 003)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/) ["Platte" (Earth Lens 004)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/sya8nv6q8k0w3olqcepwz) ["Grandfather" (Earth Lens 005)](https://hes.npub.pro/) --- #### More from Hes [Portfolio](https://hesart.npub.pro) [Online Store](https://plebeian.market/community/hes@nostrplebs.com/hesmart-ym3fcufdfz) [Artist Statements](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/art/) [Travel Guides](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/travel/) [Photography](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/photography) [Money](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/money) [Tech](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/tech) --- *All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from my art, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.*

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

PS C:\Users\Alashazam> cortex run tinyllama In order to exit, type `exit()` > give me a little sentence of 10 words "Certainly, here's a little sentence of 10 words that exemplifies the power of words: 'The beauty of life is that it has the power to change us, even in the smallest ways.'" > now use SQL to insert this sentence into a table that has 2 fields Id, and sentence Here's an SQL query to insert the sentence you gave into the `sentence` table: ``` INSERT INTO sentence (id, sentence) VALUES (1, 'The beauty of life is that it has the power to change us, even in the smallest ways.'); ``` This query will create a new row in the `sentence` table with the given `id` and `sentence`, and will also update the `sentence` table's `sentence` column to contain the new sentence. > please generate the table creation for sqlite Here's a table creation statement for a `sentence` table in SQLite: ``` CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS sentence ( id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, sentence TEXT UNIQUE NOT NULL ); ``` This will create a table called `sentence` with the following columns: - `id`: An integer primary key column used to uniquely identify each row. - `sentence`: A text column containing the actual sentence. This table will store the sentence you provided in your text input. > exit()

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

We'll have to put an asterisk on today's number. I had a bite of my daughter's leftovers that didn't seem worth storing for later. By my understanding, that shouldn't be enough to mess with fasting metabolism and it doesn't feel like it did. @realBitcoinDog wants me to get to 20 hours on one of these. I'm at 17 already (just took a sip of coffee), but I'm starting to get hungry, so today might not be the day. We'll see, though. The wife isn't making any indications that she's going to cook anything anytime soon, so my natural laziness might get me over the finish line. ## Score Card Day 1: 14 hour fast (13 dry) Day 2: 15 hour fast (14 dry) Day 3: 17 hours (16 dry) Day 4: 18 hours (17 dry) Day 5: 18 hours (16 dry) Day 6: 19 hours (16 dry) Day 7: 16 hours (15 dry) Day 8: TBD (17 dry) edit: I just got handed some bread crusts that no one else is going to eat, so the fast is going to end pretty soon. originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/879683

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

1. Downloading the linux package (1.8GB) https://cortex.so/docs/installation 2. Installing Cortex on linux is done via dpkg note: it requires 2 linux packages (openmpi-bin and libopenmpi-dev) `sudo apt-get install openmpi-bin libopenmpi-dev` prior to run `sudo dpkg -i cortex-1.0.9-linux-amd64-local-installer.deb` 3. When running Cortex, `cortex start` a local implementation will be running on http://127.0.0.1:39281 4. Using python it is possible to run queries make sure the model name is correct you can double check the value using: ` cortex ps` Now the python program to run one little query: ``` python import requests url = "http://127.0.0.1:39281/v1/chat/completions" headers = {"Content-Type": "application/json"} payload = { "model": "tinyllama:1b-gguf", "messages": [ { "role": "user", "content": "Write a joke" } ], "stream": False, "max_tokens": 128, "stop": ["End"], "frequency_penalty": 0.2, "presence_penalty": 0.6, "temperature": 0.8, "top_p": 0.95, } response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers) print(response.json()) ```

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

Cortex (https://cortex.so/docs) is an open-source framework designed to serve as standalone API server or as the "brain" for robots, encompassing capabilities in vision, speech, language, tabular data, and action processing. Notably, it offers the flexibility to operate locally so independently of cloud services, making it suitable for various light deployment environments. **Key Features:** - **User-Friendly Command-Line Interface (CLI):** Inspired by Ollama, Cortex provides a straightforward CLI, simplifying interaction and management. - **Comprehensive C++ Implementation:** The framework is fully implemented in C++ (https://github.com/janhq/cortex.cpp), allowing it to be packaged into both desktop and mobile applications, enhancing portability and performance. - **Versatile Model Integration:** Users can pull models from multiple sources, including Hugging Face (gguf format) and Cortex's Built-in Model Library, ensuring flexibility in model selection. ` cortex pull [model_id]` ` cortex pull mistral` Note: it's recommended to have more than 8 GB of RAM available to run 3B models, 16 GB for 7B models, and 32 GB for 14B models. - **Deployment Flexibility:** It can function as a standalone API server or be integrated into applications such as Jan.ai, providing adaptability in various use cases. ` cortex start` ` cortex stop` If GPU hardware is available, Cortex leverages GPU acceleration by default, enhancing performance for demanding tasks. **Conclusion:** In summary, Cortex offers a robust and flexible solution for integrating advanced cognitive capabilities into robotic systems, with an emphasis on openness, performance, and adaptability.

@ 04f7dda0:c4d00b46

Short Story: Tales From The Citadel Chip entered the tunnel, grabbbed the handles and began to climb down carefully but quickly as he knew he had very little time to act. Chip knew this because earlier he had fastidiously scanned the skies and his scanner had detected a drone closing in on his coordinates at a rapid pace. In a panic he clutched his usb card and waved his mobile device in the other hand like a magic wand at the door then entered quickly. In front of him on the desk was a black faraday bag which he opened to find a purple and orange colored Rasberry Pi in it. Chip grabbed and inserted the USB into the slot nearly dropping the fragile Pi in his nervous haste to connect it. Then firing up the Pi he opened the Nostr client app first on the front screen of the mobile phone and entered the private keys he had etched in his brain from long ago when he was first trained by Satoshi and the Nostr plebs. 1,000,000 SATS he entered and then pressed zap. As a young man this was an insanely exorbitant amount he could have only dreamed of but here he was zapping it to someone on the team who would make use of it for everyones future freedom. Chip took a seccond to smile and take it all in. Chip could sense he was running out of time so Chip finished and then closed up the device, repacked it into the faraday bag and secured it. A few minutes later, even though he had scanned the area thoroughly before leaving the Citadel, as he exited the bunker he knew instantly he had messed up as the all to familiar sound of the sentinel attack drone whirring overhead hit his ears then his brain just before the incendiary rocket exploded all of it into 2.1 quadrillion pieces. The nanosecond before his final moment he experienced heretofore unknown euphoria as he knew all would be well since he had just delivered his final proof of work just before he would enter paradise.

@ b83a28b7:35919450

Avi Burra’s *24* is an ambitious and intricately woven narrative that blends mystery, philosophy, and technology into a modern odyssey. At its heart, the novel is a deeply personal story about grief, identity, and legacy, but it also serves as a meditation on the interplay between cryptography, art, and human connection. Burra’s debut novel is as much a puzzle as it is a journey of self-discovery, with its protagonist, Oliver Battolo, unraveling a twenty-four-word seed phrase left behind by his enigmatic father—a key to both a vast Bitcoin fortune and deeper truths about life. --- ### **The Plot: A Cryptographic Quest** The novel begins with Oliver grappling with the death of his father, Nate Battolo. At Nate’s funeral, Oliver discovers a cryptic message instructing him to find twenty-four words. These words form the seed phrase to a Bitcoin wallet. Guided by Maren, a spiritual healer and family friend, Oliver learns “time projection,” a meditative technique that allows him to access symbolic memories and alternate realities. Through these projections and real-world encounters, Oliver uncovers the twenty-four words while unraveling his father’s hidden life as an early contributor to Bitcoin. As the narrative progresses, Oliver uncovers shocking truths about his father’s role in the early days of Bitcoin. Alongside this technological intrigue are surrealist elements tied to Jonathan Bryce’s cryptographic paintings, which serve as both literal and metaphorical keys to unlocking Nate’s secrets. --- ### **Themes: A Philosophical Mosaic** Burra masterfully interweaves several themes throughout *24*, including: - **Grief and Legacy**: The novel explores how Oliver processes his father’s death while uncovering Nate’s hidden life. The journey forces him to reconcile his father’s flaws with his brilliance. - **Identity and Reinvention**: From Nate’s transformation into “Nate Battolo” at Princeton to Oliver’s own self-discovery, the novel examines how identities are shaped by choices and circumstances. - **Philosophy and Non-Duality**: The enigmatic Noncemeister—a surreal guide representing collective consciousness—teaches Oliver about interconnectedness and non-duality, echoing traditions like Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism. - **Cryptography Meets Art**: Jonathan Bryce’s paintings symbolize hidden knowledge waiting to be deciphered, blending surrealist aesthetics with cryptographic principles. - **Moral Complexity**: The Bitcoin fortune represents both opportunity and burden, forcing Oliver to grapple with ethical dilemmas about wealth, surveillance, and personal responsibility. --- ### **Strengths** Burra excels at creating a layered narrative that balances intellectual depth with emotional resonance. The philosophical musings of the Noncemeister are thought-provoking without being didactic, offering readers insights into non-duality and existentialism. The integration of cryptography into the plot is seamless; even readers unfamiliar with Bitcoin will find themselves intrigued by its implications for freedom and control. Additionally, the novel’s surrealist elements—particularly the time projection episodes—are vividly described and lend the story an otherworldly quality. The relationship between Oliver and his father is particularly compelling. Through flashbacks and projections, Nate emerges as a complex figure—brilliant yet flawed—whose decisions ripple through Oliver’s life in unexpected ways. This emotional core grounds the novel amidst its more abstract explorations. --- ### **Weaknesses** While *24* is undeniably ambitious, its complexity may alienate some readers. The dense philosophical passages—though rewarding for those who enjoy intellectual challenges—can feel overwhelming at times. Similarly, the technical details about Bitcoin and cryptography might be difficult for readers unfamiliar with these topics. The ending leaves several threads unresolved, including the fate of two additional Bryce paintings hinted at in the epilogue. While this ambiguity adds to the novel’s mystique, it may frustrate readers seeking closure. --- ### **Conclusion** *24* is a bold debut that defies easy categorization. Part mystery, part philosophical treatise, part technological exploration—it is a novel that challenges its readers while rewarding their patience. Avi Burra has crafted a story that is as much about finding twenty-four words as it is about finding oneself. With its intricate plot, rich themes, and memorable characters, *24* establishes Burra as a writer to watch. For readers who enjoy intellectual puzzles wrapped in emotional depth—think Haruki Murakami meets Neal Stephenson—*24* is an unforgettable journey worth taking.