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Writing forever Laura <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/9ee95263dc3bf541512920eac9fddcee509a4d84a8edfb0f5a58a1c6e24b326f.png"> Bitcoin has revolutionized our understanding of money to say the least. But did the (non-fiction) follow as a tool for that? Not quite. It seems bitcoin books move in the opposite direction, towards a marketing tool for other things than bitcoin. The ever-growing collection of Bitcoin ((Disclaimer: I’m only talking about non-fiction here!) literature suffers from a significant problem: repetition. Most Bitcoin books recycle the same arguments, metaphors, and historical comparisons, making the space feel both overcrowded and lacking in fresh perspectives. If there are some fresh perspectives, they get copied and repeated immediately. While carefully adapting, editing, and writing a book myself, I came to realize things change constantly, rapidly and it’s extremely time-consuming to try to get a hold of yourself. On top of that, whenever you speak about something, an idea that’s coming to fruition, it gets taken, copied and before you know it you hear your own quote or idea in a podcast or read it in someone else’s blog. They don’t blatantly copy, but everyone is so hungry for an idea, something genuine that it’s scooped up and made “their own” in no time. Giving credit is also a lost art it seems. So publishing a Bitcoin book is like freezing ideas in time. The more I wrote myself, the more I came to realize a book is not the ideal medium for teaching about Bitcoin or making your voice heard. Bitcoin isn’t a diary from someone in a war from a few centuries ago, or the origin story of an invention from the Industrial revolution — no it’s a living, evolving story! And a fast one at that. So, a book on or about Bitcoin becomes outdated in less than six months while the properties of bitcoin never change. Stacking Bitcoin books Yet, despite all of this, I see new Bitcoin book announcements all the time. Week after week, people churn out Bitcoin books like it’s a new Oreo flavor. Everyone want to tell their perspective. Vying for attention within their niche of the market. While bitcoin is mover further and further away as the decorum. Some example: books about how to live your life ‘but as a bitcoiner’, Bitcoin’s historical aspects (these are usually mildly interesting at least), books on the social behavior “but with bitcoin”, books on fighting communist ideas, books on how rotten fiat really is, books on privacy and a whole bunch on "blockchain" and shitcoin projects. Some of them were written (or at least their name is appearing on the cover) by so-called Bitcoiners who conveniently appear at every bitcoin (or even shitcoin events if you wait long enough) event to promote their own projects or deliver speeches at a nice speaker rate. Their motives are not always that fresh and orange colored. Just like in that damned fiat world we all try to replace (and despise) we have our own set of rules and culture set. This bitcoin publishing space is a bit of the same as in fiat world: where sometimes local publishers wanting to “fill the gap” for this niche market, taking anyone with a bitcoin logo on their t-shirt (or gets enough network clout) to write about bitcoin (and usually blockchain or worse: sh-tcoins). By now, it seems like everyone and their mother (who’s also in Bitcoin of course) has written a “Bitcoin book”. You can hire them as an expert, or click their referral link. They’re probably very proud if finally make it in life and be an author. Or scrap that… best selling author. The same stories told again and again Bitcoin books tend to follow predictable patterns, rehashing the same worn-out narratives : The orange-pilled hero’s journey – The protagonist starts as a fiat slave, discovers Bitcoin, and achieves financial enlightenment while repeating elements from “The Bitcoin Standard”. (This is often just a part of such books, and hopefully not the centerpiece). The hero is usually someone who was smart enough to discover bitcoin, and fills a few pages with a backstory like there’s a character on Orange is the new black (pun intended) Fiat is the enemy – Inflation, slavery, central banking failures, debt, war and why fiat is doomed. Essential reading? Maybe. But how many more ways can we restate the same core message? How does this evolve, how can we document how bitcoin relates to this in the real world? Bitcoin fixes this – Every societal problem, from government overreach over personal health to social issues, all somehow finds its solution in Bitcoin. With the authors looking for arguments in different degrees of knowledge (or grasping at straws in some cases). The Austrian economics mantra – A retelling of Mises, Hayek, and Rothbard applied to Bitcoin. With some authors also trying to be the net Ayn Rand. Important foundations, but overused and often more in-depth than most readers want or can handle. Time preference and low time horizons – The classic pitch for delaying gratification and adopting a long-term mindset through Bitcoin. While valuable, this concept has been stretched across too many books as well. Instead of pushing new intellectual boundaries, many Bitcoin books simply rearrange the same talking points in a slightly different order, added some emphasis on either personal freedom (and the author’s pet peeves or projects) or philosophical insights. Some dive into other aspects and admittedly new grounds or going very in-depth on deflation or technical aspects (or specific lifestyles). But overall, there’s little to be blown away by or learn. That’s not bad, or good, it’s the way it is. Then why write a book that’s going to be forgotten in six months, or repeats someone else’s story and throughts? A market flooded with inbred ideas At conferences, I’ve seen at least 30 different Bitcoin titles being promoted. At local meetups, the same books keep getting passed around, resold, and gifted within the same circles. The freedom to sell these books outside of a traditional bookstore also help the messages go further. (the potential bitcoiner doesn’t need to go to the online or offline bookstore, the books come to them). There’s also a cycle of recycled books that aren’t necessarily reaching new audiences but instead circulate among the already converted. This echo chamber effect limits the reach and impact of Bitcoin literature, making it feel like an insiders-only conversation rather than an evolving movement. Again, criticism against these books is hardly found within the bitcoin space. If someone publishes a second or third title with the same insights, no one dares to say “it’s ok, leave it there”. There are exceptions of course, where authors manage to capture many subjects and blend them together in a coherent useful book, … these books aren’t perfect or “our bible”, but they at least are useful. Notably, Broken Money and The Bitcoin Standard come to mind.**Writing forever** Bitcoin has revolutionized our understanding of money to say the least. But did the (non-fiction) follow as a tool for that?\ Not quite.\ It seems bitcoin books move in the opposite direction, towards a marketing tool for other things than bitcoin.\ \ The ever-growing collection of Bitcoin (*(Disclaimer: I’m only talking about non-fiction here!)* literature suffers from a significant problem: repetition.\ Most Bitcoin books recycle the same arguments, metaphors, and historical comparisons, making the space feel both overcrowded and lacking in fresh perspectives. If there are some fresh perspectives, they get copied and repeated immediately.\ \ While carefully adapting, editing, and writing a book myself, I came to realize things change constantly, rapidly and it’s extremely time-consuming to try to get a hold of yourself.\ On top of that, whenever you speak about something, an idea that’s coming to fruition, it gets taken, copied and before you know it you hear your own quote or idea in a podcast or read it in someone else’s blog. They don’t blatantly copy, but everyone is so hungry for an idea, something genuine that it’s scooped up and made “their own” in no time. Giving credit is also a lost art it seems.\ \ So publishing a Bitcoin book is like freezing ideas in time.\ The more I wrote myself, the more I came to realize a book is not the ideal medium for teaching about Bitcoin or making your voice heard.\ Bitcoin isn’t a diary from someone in a war from a few centuries ago, or the origin story of an invention from the Industrial revolution — no it’s a living, evolving story! And a fast one at that.\ So, a book on or about Bitcoin becomes outdated in less than six months while the properties of bitcoin never change. **Stacking Bitcoin books** Yet, despite all of this, I see new Bitcoin book announcements all the time. Week after week, people churn out Bitcoin books like it’s a new Oreo flavor. Everyone want to tell their perspective.\ Vying for attention within their niche of the market.\ While bitcoin is mover further and further away as the decorum.\ \ Some example: books about how to live your life ‘but as a bitcoiner’, Bitcoin’s historical aspects (these are usually mildly interesting at least), books on the social behavior “but with bitcoin”, books on fighting communist ideas, books on how rotten fiat really is, books on privacy and a whole bunch on "blockchain" and shitcoin projects.\ Some of them were written (or at least their name is appearing on the cover) by so-called Bitcoiners who conveniently appear at every bitcoin (or even shitcoin events if you wait long enough) event to promote their own projects or deliver speeches at a nice speaker rate. Their motives are not always that fresh and orange colored.\ \ Just like in that damned fiat world we all try to replace (and despise) we have our own set of rules and culture set. This bitcoin publishing space is a bit of the same as in fiat world: where sometimes local publishers wanting to “fill the gap” for this niche market, taking anyone with a bitcoin logo on their t-shirt (or gets enough network clout) to write about bitcoin (and usually blockchain or worse: sh-tcoins). By now, it seems like everyone and their mother (who’s also in Bitcoin of course) has written a “Bitcoin book”.\ You can hire them as an expert, or click their referral link.\ They’re probably very proud if finally make it in life and be an author.\ Or scrap that… best selling author. **\ The same stories told again and again** Bitcoin books tend to follow predictable patterns, rehashing the same worn-out narratives : - **The orange-pilled hero’s journey** – The protagonist starts as a fiat slave, discovers Bitcoin, and achieves financial enlightenment while repeating elements from “The Bitcoin Standard”. (This is often just a part of such books, and hopefully not the centerpiece). The hero is usually someone who was smart enough to discover bitcoin, and fills a few pages with a backstory like there’s a character on Orange is the new black (pun intended) - **Fiat is the enemy** – Inflation, slavery, central banking failures, debt, war and why fiat is doomed.\ Essential reading? Maybe. But how many more ways can we restate the same core message? How does this evolve, how can we document how bitcoin relates to this in the real world? - **Bitcoin fixes this** – Every societal problem, from government overreach over personal health to social issues, all somehow finds its solution in Bitcoin.\ With the authors looking for arguments in different degrees of knowledge (or grasping at straws in some cases). - **The Austrian economics mantra** – A retelling of Mises, Hayek, and Rothbard applied to Bitcoin. With some authors also trying to be the net Ayn Rand.\ Important foundations, but overused and often more in-depth than most readers want or can handle. - **Time preference and low time horizons** – The classic pitch for delaying gratification and adopting a long-term mindset through Bitcoin. While valuable, this concept has been stretched across too many books as well. Instead of pushing new intellectual boundaries, many Bitcoin books simply rearrange the same talking points in a slightly different order, added some emphasis on either personal freedom (and the author’s pet peeves or projects) or philosophical insights.\ \ Some dive into other aspects and admittedly new grounds or going very in-depth on deflation or technical aspects (or specific lifestyles).\ But overall, there’s little to be blown away by or learn. That’s not bad, or good, it’s the way it is. Then why write a book that’s going to be forgotten in six months, or repeats someone else’s story and throughts? **A market flooded with inbred ideas** At conferences, I’ve seen at least 30 different Bitcoin titles being promoted.\ At local meetups, the same books keep getting passed around, resold, and gifted within the same circles. The freedom to sell these books outside of a traditional bookstore also help the messages go further. (the potential bitcoiner doesn’t need to go to the online or offline bookstore, the books come to them).\ \ There’s also a cycle of recycled books that aren’t necessarily reaching new audiences but instead circulate among the already converted.\ This echo chamber effect limits the reach and impact of Bitcoin literature, making it feel like an insiders-only conversation rather than an evolving movement. Again, criticism against these books is hardly found within the bitcoin space. If someone publishes a second or third title with the same insights, no one dares to say “it’s ok, leave it there”.\ \ There are exceptions of course, where authors manage to capture many subjects and blend them together in a coherent useful book, … these books aren’t perfect or “our bible”, but they at least are useful.\ Notably, Broken Money and The Bitcoin Standard come to mind. Writing for credibility, not for Bitcoin A major factor in this oversupply is that many authors don’t write Bitcoin books to contribute meaningful knowledge. Instead, they see publishing as a way to legitimize themselves. In many industries, writing a book establishes authority, gains a following, or opens up career opportunities. Bitcoin is no different. The shore to go through to get a book published and distributed is often an investment for them. For many, being a “published author” is a ticket to being taken seriously—whether for speaking gigs, consulting work, or simply boosting their reputation. The book becomes less about Bitcoin itself and more about the author’s personal validation. As a result, the space is filled with books that feel more like branding exercises than genuine contributions. Especially books from publishers outside of the finance, economics and bitcoin space fail here miserably. The local markets of traditional publishers are riddled with garbage books written by someone filling up the gap in their portfolio in order to make a name for themselves without giving a damn about bitcoin! In one particular case I’ve found a “bitcoin” book written by someone who placed a giant bitcoin logo at the cover, but then promotes every shitcoin under the sun on his YouTube channel and calls it “thinking further than bitcoin”. The "I’m an author" badge No matter how weak a book’s content might be, publishing one gives the author a form of legitimacy in the eye of the public. Even if someone scrapes together two original thoughts and some “borrowed” ideas from others (again, giving credit is a rarity in this space even in a footnote in their own book, their ego can’t deal with admitting the idea or quote came from someone else), such a book itself often serves as a passive source of income, be it fiat or Bitcoin, but more importantly, it’s a way to gain credibility among new people. A lot of fiat-minded “normies” are still looking at a book as some big achievement, a validation by a publisher. This is often the case in literature, but not in the non-fiction genre. You can just pay to get published. You can hire a ghostwriter, you can easily “be an author” if you care more about getting your name on a cover than the content of what you publish. Someone who truly understands Bitcoin but hasn’t written a book, will often attract fewer views and listeners on podcasts or conference panels, compared to someone who can say, “I’m the author of the best-selling blah blah blah.” There are only second bests I also want to raise awareness on how every Bitcoin book that’s referenced by such authors is a so-called “best-seller.” Someone I know very well, who works in publishing, explained me how this is done: release timing for a book can be manipulated or even gamed to guarantee a top-10 or higher spot on some book charts. The categories also matter “best sold book” in a niche like “Financial freedom” or something is not that difficult to capture. If that category doesn’t fit, they’ll put it even under other categories like “broad economy” or “technical innovations". Even if you were on that top-10 spot for 1 afternoon… you’re a hit wonder. In bitcoin it’s even easier, the smaller the market segment the better you can score. Certainly when there are hardly any big publishers out there. If you want , you can fork out about 1500$ to 6000$ and be the next best-selling bitcoin author. The result? Everyone is (or can name themselves) a best-selling author, even if they carry five of their self-bought books in a backpack to a local bar in order to sell them under the table. For some, the “I’m an author now” badge is the only credential they’ll ever have to stay relevant in this space. They can impress potential partners at a conference by saying things like “It’s really been hard work writing that book, I’m still working on the next one… maybe you can come over to my place and brainstorm about it”. For others it opens the doors to a bitcoin job they see dangling in front of their face like a juicy carrot. And other just feel the need (like myself) to write a book because apparently that’s what bitcoiners do after a few years. (I wonder if I will). In rare cases, these self-proclaimed experts and authors start by explaining Bitcoin (and shitcoins) in their book, only to use their newfound “authority” to push scams, drawing people into their own schemes or promote their company/courses/project. That’s not that bad, but it’s often given a coat of higher enlightenment in bitcoin, while it’s just a fiat game, like all the other publishers do as well with their authors. Your author-status, in other words, need to become a source of income or marketing. Like Stan Lee (the Marvell comic book legend) being wielded from convention to bookstores in order to make a buck for his handlers. Authors of a poetry bundle are mostly chosen to be promoted if they’re entertaining enough for the specific niche audience they’re targeting as part of their portfolio, not to “advance poetry” in general. Most of the latest Bitcoin books (after 2022) alike, are hardly there to “advance bitcoin”, but usually just a vehicle to get a name out there or to support a company’s goals (marketing). Therefor the number of Bitcoin authors who have genuinely written high-quality books is surprisingly small. Who reads these books anyway? Ask yourself: “How many Bitcoin books have you bought, and how many have you actually read in full?” Now ask the same question for people you know who have bought Bitcoin books. The numbers for most people are dismal, I can tell you. There are plenty of titles out there, but most contain just two or three insightful paragraphs—the rest is filler you’ve heard a thousand times before. No wonder most books appear on the scene, get promoted very briefly to then disappear from the discussion forever. Meanwhile, the author rides their “best-selling expert” status for years. I recently saw a shitcoin podcaster (someone who call himself bitcoiner on a regular basis when the price is right), calling himself a “best-selling author”. While his book has no traction and never even showed up at the local market bookstores where it was published for the local markets. It’s all fake most of the time (yes, there are exceptions). But that’s their ticket to get interviews or being taken serious. (Hint: In order to achieve this, they could also earn credibility by avoiding the promotion of rug pulls :) The bitcoin book market gives diminishing returns this way. Content is key here. If you have something to add or explain, by all means do it (you can do so online, like in a substack post where you try to make bitcoin better by poking holes in shams). This space lives and evolves… just throw your writings and “book” out there. You’re not that important. Your name is not a marketing tool. But it’s unhealthy for a cultural space to have this way of publishing going on. If every dog with a hat can name themselves best selling author, after a while everyone who runs a serious media operation, podcast or conference will know it as an unreliable status to use as a measuring stick, as will the readers, buyers and bitcoiners. No curation, no quality control Bitcoin publishing also lacks serious curation, vetting of authors, and skilled editors. The publishing industry already suffers from a lack of good editors, and in Bitcoin books, this problem is even worse. As a result, many books feel like second drafts—poorly structured ideas strung together with some data and self-referencing fluff. Even the top-selling books in this space often contain major flaws. There’s also the fact that you can just pay to be published, then in essence buying your legitimacy outright. (Or return the favor to the publisher in some other way, …). Just like in the movies, every book needs a sequal, or worse: a prequal. The quality often lacks after a while, because just like in the classical publishing world, you need to write at least two books to get yourself a status and the “goose with the golden egg” income. You can write for example on some imaginary subject I make up here on the spot like: “bitcoin and fruit” (In a near-future world where Bitcoin has transformed the global economy, "Bitcoin and Fruit" follows orchard owner Satoshi DS as he adapts to life on his family’s fruit farm after the collapse of traditional banking systems). After publishing that book, you’ll have to come up with new stuff like “bitcoin and fruit salads” and a third title (to sell out completely) “Bitcoin and cheese” or whatever you come up with to keep your name out there. (Following the events of Bitcoin and Fruitsalads, "Bitcoin and Cheese" finds our favorite bitcoiner expanding his rural empire into cheesemaking, using Bitcoin to fund a new dairy operation on the family farm. There will be milk.) Admittedly, most bitcoiners would buy this book anyway, and the follow-up as well. Because they apparently want to support anyone publishing anything to help bitcoin. But do you really help bitcoin by buying empty books from empty shells? Are you helping bitcoin with that? Maybe you help bitcoin as much with that, than buying the fluffy stuffed animal or a bitcoin poster or t-shirt. The scarcity property doesn’t apply there apparently, unless it’s an amenia of ideas. A bitcoin book should justify itself over time At this point, any new Bitcoin book needs to answer a critical question: Does this book add something meaningful to the bitcoin conversations? If the answer is no, then does it add something to the factual understanding (historically, economically, technically) of Bitcoin? If both answers are “no”, then you’re probably reading something that can be categorized as bookshelf fillers. (they can be well-written en even entertaining, that being said, I enjoyed one such a book myself, but it’s forgettable). If it’s just another retelling of Bitcoin’s history, another breakdown of the 21 million supply limit, or another inflation/central banking critique,... then what’s the point? A book should either introduce new research, present a unique viewpoint, or challenge existing ideas. Otherwise, it’s just noise in an already oversaturated market where people fight for exposure and reach. We see the first fatigue in this space appear on that front, but also the first signs of the absolute sellout of the bitcoin books as an entity (even people who came into bitcoin like last year are writing books now, without adding much more than “I want to write a book, look at me, pay me te speak at your conference please”. Bitcoin literature needs to evolve Bitcoin is still in its early stages in my opinion, and its impact on the world is far from complete, the story is being written right now. We can record this history in smaller, more and faster incremental parts. Books are not the ideal solution for that at all, unless we update them every 6 months. "Things change so fast in bitcoin. A paper book needs constant updates. The second edition was a 50% rewrite." A. Antonopoulos - December 30, 2017, There are still plenty of stories to tell, just not the ones we’ve already read a dozen times. Instead of repeating the same arguments, Bitcoin books should explore: New societal implications – How will Bitcoin change work, governance, and social structures in ways we haven’t considered yet? Counter Arguments and critiques – A strong Bitcoin book could acknowledge and engage with the best arguments against it, or come up with counter arguments itself to advance progress and identify problems, instead of just ignoring or dismissing them. (the author of this piece belongs in this camp) Deep dives into underexplored areas – Mining, privacy, second-layer solutions, attack vectors, and cultural shifts all deserve deeper discussion. Historical case studies – Instead of broad economic theory, what can history teach us about similar monetary transitions or finding historical parallels that are meaningful and proven to be relevant? Bitcoin books don’t need to stop being written at all, they just need to start being better. Final thought: Don’t publish just to publish A book should be written because it needs to exist, not just because there’s demand for another Bitcoin title or the author want the “I’m an author” badge to make ends meet. If publishing is just a way to capitalize on demand in a local market or build personal credibility, then what’s really being contributed? Bitcoin thrives on proof of work and routing around problems. Maybe it’s time Bitcoin book authors did the same, and start routing around the biggest problems: The fact that bitcoin books are not representing the bitcoin revolution as it happens, that, and of course the dismal way of some individuals for feeding the craving for self-verification. AVB Tip me here: link**Writing for credibility, not for Bitcoin** A major factor in this oversupply is that many authors don’t write Bitcoin books to contribute meaningful knowledge.\ Instead, they see publishing as a way to legitimize themselves.\ In many industries, writing a book establishes authority, gains a following, or opens up career opportunities. Bitcoin is no different. The shore to go through to get a book published and distributed is often an investment for them. For many, being a “published author” is a ticket to being taken seriously—whether for speaking gigs, consulting work, or simply boosting their reputation.\ \ The book becomes less about Bitcoin itself and more about the author’s personal validation. As a result, the space is filled with books that feel more like branding exercises than genuine contributions.\ Especially books from publishers outside of the finance, economics and bitcoin space fail here miserably.\ The local markets of traditional publishers are riddled with garbage books written by someone filling up the gap in their portfolio in order to make a name for themselves without giving a damn about bitcoin! In one particular case I’ve found a “bitcoin” book written by someone who placed a giant bitcoin logo at the cover, but then promotes every shitcoin under the sun on his YouTube channel and calls it “thinking further than bitcoin”. **The "I’m an author" badge** No matter how weak a book’s content might be, publishing one gives the author a form of legitimacy in the eye of the public.\ Even if someone scrapes together two original thoughts and some “borrowed” ideas from others (again, giving credit is a rarity in this space even in a footnote in their own book, their ego can’t deal with admitting the idea or quote came from someone else), such a book itself often serves as a passive source of income, be it fiat or Bitcoin, but more importantly, it’s a way to gain credibility among new people.\ A lot of fiat-minded “normies” are still looking at a book as some big achievement, a validation by a publisher. This is often the case in literature, but not in the non-fiction genre.\ You can just pay to get published. You can hire a ghostwriter, you can easily “be an author” if you care more about getting your name on a cover than the content of what you publish. Someone who truly understands Bitcoin but hasn’t written a book, will often attract fewer views and listeners on podcasts or conference panels, compared to someone who can say, “I’m the author of the best-selling blah blah blah.” **There are only second bests** I also want to raise awareness on how every Bitcoin book that’s referenced by such authors is a so-called “best-seller.” Someone I know very well, who works in publishing, explained me how this is done: release timing for a book can be manipulated or even gamed to guarantee a top-10 or higher spot on some book charts. The categories also matter “best sold book” in a niche like “Financial freedom” or something is not that difficult to capture. If that category doesn’t fit, they’ll put it even under other categories like “broad economy” or “technical innovations".\ Even if you were on that top-10 spot for 1 afternoon… you’re a hit wonder.\ \ In bitcoin it’s even easier, the smaller the market segment the better you can score. Certainly when there are hardly any big publishers out there.\ If you want , you can fork out about 1500$ to 6000$ and be the next best-selling bitcoin author.\ \ The result? Everyone is (or can name themselves) a best-selling author, even if they carry five of their self-bought books in a backpack to a local bar in order to sell them under the table.\ \ For some, the “I’m an author now” badge is the only credential they’ll ever have to stay relevant in this space. They can impress potential partners at a conference by saying things like “It’s really been hard work writing that book, I’m still working on the next one… maybe you can come over to my place and brainstorm about it”.\ For others it opens the doors to a bitcoin job they see dangling in front of their face like a juicy carrot.\ And other just feel the need (like myself) to write a book because apparently that’s what bitcoiners do after a few years. (I wonder if I will). In rare cases, these self-proclaimed experts and authors start by explaining Bitcoin (and shitcoins) in their book, only to use their newfound “authority” to push scams, drawing people into their own schemes or promote their company/courses/project.\ \ That’s not that bad, but it’s often given a coat of higher enlightenment in bitcoin, while it’s just a fiat game, like all the other publishers do as well with their authors. Your author-status, in other words, need to become a source of income or marketing. Like Stan Lee (the Marvell comic book legend) being wielded from convention to bookstores in order to make a buck for his handlers.\ \ Authors of a poetry bundle are mostly chosen to be promoted if they’re entertaining enough for the specific niche audience they’re targeting as part of their portfolio, not to “advance poetry” in general.\ \ Most of the latest Bitcoin books (after 2022) alike, are hardly there to “advance bitcoin”, but usually just a vehicle to get a name out there or to support a company’s goals (marketing).\ \ Therefor the number of Bitcoin authors who have genuinely written high-quality books is surprisingly small. **Who reads these books anyway?** Ask yourself: “How many Bitcoin books have you bought, and how many have you actually read in full?”\ Now ask the same question for people you know who have bought Bitcoin books. The numbers for most people are dismal, I can tell you.\ \ There are plenty of titles out there, but most contain just two or three insightful paragraphs—the rest is filler you’ve heard a thousand times before. No wonder most books appear on the scene, get promoted very briefly to then disappear from the discussion forever.\ \ Meanwhile, the author rides their “best-selling expert” status for years. I recently saw a shitcoin podcaster (someone who call himself bitcoiner on a regular basis when the price is right), calling himself a “best-selling author”.\ While his book has no traction and never even showed up at the local market bookstores where it was published for the local markets. It’s all fake most of the time (yes, there are exceptions).\ \ But that’s their ticket to get interviews or being taken serious. (Hint: In order to achieve this, they could also earn credibility by avoiding the promotion of rug pulls :)\ \ The bitcoin book market gives diminishing returns this way.\ Content is key here. If you have something to add or explain, by all means do it (you can do so online, like in a substack post where you try to make bitcoin better by poking holes in shams).\ This space lives and evolves… just throw your writings and “book” out there. You’re not that important. Your name is not a marketing tool.\ \ But it’s unhealthy for a cultural space to have this way of publishing going on. If every dog with a hat can name themselves best selling author, after a while everyone who runs a serious media operation, podcast or conference will know it as an unreliable status to use as a measuring stick, as will the readers, buyers and bitcoiners. **No curation, no quality control** Bitcoin publishing also lacks serious curation, vetting of authors, and skilled editors.\ The publishing industry already suffers from a lack of good editors, and in Bitcoin books, this problem is even worse. As a result, many books feel like second drafts—poorly structured ideas strung together with some data and self-referencing fluff. Even the top-selling books in this space often contain major flaws.\ There’s also the fact that you can just pay to be published, then in essence buying your legitimacy outright. (Or return the favor to the publisher in some other way, …).\ \ Just like in the movies, every book needs a sequal, or worse: a prequal.\ The quality often lacks after a while, because just like in the classical publishing world, you need to write at least two books to get yourself a status and the “goose with the golden egg” income.\ \ You can write for example on some imaginary subject I make up here on the spot like: “bitcoin and fruit”\ (*In a near-future world where Bitcoin has transformed the global economy, "Bitcoin and Fruit" follows orchard owner Satoshi DS as he adapts to life on his family’s fruit farm after the collapse of traditional banking systems*).\ \ After publishing that book, you’ll have to come up with new stuff like “bitcoin and fruit salads” and a third title (to sell out completely) “Bitcoin and cheese” or whatever you come up with to keep your name out there.\ *(Following the events of Bitcoin and Fruitsalads, "Bitcoin and Cheese" finds our favorite bitcoiner expanding his rural empire into cheesemaking, using Bitcoin to fund a new dairy operation on the family farm. There will be milk.)* Admittedly, most bitcoiners would buy this book anyway, and the follow-up as well.\ Because they apparently want to support anyone publishing anything to help bitcoin. But do you really help bitcoin by buying empty books from empty shells? Are you helping bitcoin with that?\ Maybe you help bitcoin as much with that, than buying the fluffy stuffed animal or a bitcoin poster or t-shirt.\ \ The scarcity property doesn’t apply there apparently, unless it’s an amenia of ideas. **A bitcoin book should justify itself over time** At this point, any new Bitcoin book needs to answer a critical question:\ \ **Does this book add something meaningful to the bitcoin conversations?\ If the answer is no, then does it add something to the factual understanding (historically, economically, technically) of Bitcoin?\** \ If both answers are “no”, then you’re probably reading something that can be categorized as bookshelf fillers. (they can be well-written en even entertaining, that being said, I enjoyed one such a book myself, but it’s forgettable). If it’s just another retelling of Bitcoin’s history, another breakdown of the 21 million supply limit, or another inflation/central banking critique,... then what’s the point?\ \ A book should either introduce new research, present a unique viewpoint, or challenge existing ideas.\ Otherwise, it’s just noise in an already oversaturated market where people fight for exposure and reach.\ \ We see the first fatigue in this space appear on that front, but also the first signs of the absolute sellout of the bitcoin books as an entity (even people who came into bitcoin like last year are writing books now, without adding much more than “I want to write a book, look at me, pay me te speak at your conference please”. **Bitcoin literature needs to evolve** Bitcoin is still in its early stages in my opinion, and its impact on the world is far from complete, the story is being written right now. We can record this history in smaller, more and faster incremental parts. Books are not the ideal solution for that at all, unless we update them every 6 months. *"Things change so fast in bitcoin. A paper book needs constant updates. The second edition was a 50% rewrite."\ **A. Antonopoulos - December 30, 2017,*** \ There are still plenty of stories to tell, just not the ones we’ve already read a dozen times. Instead of repeating the same arguments, Bitcoin books should explore: - **New societal implications** – How will Bitcoin change work, governance, and social structures in ways we haven’t considered yet? - **Counter Arguments and critiques** – A strong Bitcoin book could acknowledge and engage with the best arguments against it, or come up with counter arguments itself to advance progress and identify problems, instead of just ignoring or dismissing them. (the author of this piece belongs in this camp) - **Deep dives into underexplored areas** – Mining, privacy, second-layer solutions, attack vectors, and cultural shifts all deserve deeper discussion. - **Historical case studies** – Instead of broad economic theory, what can history teach us about similar monetary transitions or finding historical parallels that are meaningful and proven to be relevant? Bitcoin books don’t need to stop being written at all, they just need to start being better. **Final thought: Don’t publish just to publish** A book should be written because it needs to exist, not just because there’s demand for another Bitcoin title or the author want the “I’m an author” badge to make ends meet.\ \ If publishing is just a way to capitalize on demand in a local market or build personal credibility, then what’s really being contributed? Bitcoin thrives on proof of work and routing around problems.\ \ Maybe it’s time Bitcoin book authors did the same, and start routing around the biggest problems:\ \ The fact that bitcoin books are not representing the bitcoin revolution as it happens, that, and of course the dismal way of some individuals for feeding the craving for self-verification. AVB\ \ Tip me here: [link](https://coinos.io/allesvoorbitcoin/receive)

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

**A Charming Historic Town** Teror is one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful and historic towns, known for its traditional Canarian architecture, wooden balconies, and religious significance. Nestled in the green hills of northern Gran Canaria, it offers a peaceful escape with a rich cultural and culinary scene.  ## **🏛 What to See in Teror** ### **1️⃣ Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino** This stunning **18th-century basilica** is home to the **patron saint of Gran Canaria, Virgen del Pino**. It’s a key pilgrimage site, especially during the **Fiesta del Pino** in September. ### **2️⃣ Calle Real de la Plaza** Teror’s **main street** is lined with colorful houses featuring **iconic wooden balconies**, charming shops, and local markets selling Canarian crafts and foods.   ### **3️⃣ Sunday Market (Mercadillo de Teror)** One of the **best markets on the island**, offering **local cheeses, chorizo de Teror (paprika sausage), sweets, and handmade souvenirs**. ### **4️⃣ Historic Town Center** Explore **cobbled streets, quiet squares, and historic buildings**, including the **Town Hall** and the **Cistercian Monastery**. ### **5️⃣ Natural Surroundings** Teror is surrounded by **lush forests and hiking trails**, including paths leading to **Finca de Osorio**, a beautiful natural park ideal for walking.  ## **🍽️ What to Eat in Teror** - **Chorizo de Teror** – A soft, spreadable chorizo, perfect on bread! 🥖 - **Local cheeses & sweets** – Try **Queso de Flor** and traditional Canarian pastries. - **Mojo sauces & papas arrugadas** – A staple of Canarian cuisine.

@ 8d5ba92c:c6c3ecd5

> Bitcoin is a swarm of cyber hornets serving the goddess of wisdom, feeding on the fire of truth, exponentially growing ever smarter, faster, and stronger behind a wall of encrypted energy, (…). _Michael Saylor ****The animal theme in Bitcoin culture might not be the most popular, but it’s not entirely off the beaten path either. It’s not just cyber hornets. There are also lions, dragons, and (in my opinion), trading-related terms like whales, sharks, dolphins—the entire Bitcoin ZOO to explore.**** Another examples would be: [Alby](https://getalby.com/) with its cool 🐝 logo, [Bitcoin FilmFest](https://bitcoinfilmfest.com/) and 🐇 [Mr. Rabbit](nostr:nevent1qqs8v2tqx2slu74ql0afkuqh8lxfh9wm8c4kgsjhsa4ylskrz0g5yyszyqwfvwrccp4j2xsuuvkwg0y6a20637t6f4cc5zzjkx030dkztt7t5ew7hk5), cute frog from 🐸 [Maxis Club](https://geyser.fund/project/maxisclub), or the very unique conference in Riga (Latvia, Europe) that this year brings one extra animal to their flagship 🦡 honey badger—which I believe most of the readers of Habla.News are already familiar with, though let me mention it in detail a bit later ... 💜 ****One way or the other, we’ve clearly built a range of Bitcoin animal patterns, and the only thing limiting us is our imagination.**** But there’s one animal that doesn’t get enough attention. A cute and cuddly creature that played an important role in Bitcoin’s history by “helping” to prove its value as money. Can you guess which one? The alpaca 🦙 Not many people know that one of the first products you could buy with Bitcoin back in 2011 was warm socks made from alpaca wool. The company Grass Hill Alpacas had the guts to accept Bitcoin for their products despite warnings, criticism, and even mockery. ([YouTube, 2011: “The Bitcoin Show – Episode 046 – The Alpaca Socks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwTQlav1mmY)). **I’ll get back to the animals in a minute, so bear with me 😉** Before, I have to mention that the initial price for those socks was a whopping 75 BTC! It later dropped to around 5 BTC due to Bitcoin’s market value. But still imagine buying socks with that amount! Wooooo!!! It’s a shame that Grass Hill Alpacas no longer accepts bitcoin. As for the alpaca, it may not be as common as other animal-themed mascots, but you might still spot it here and there in the Bitcoin world. Though, it’s rare even for Bitcoin Maxis to know where this reference comes from. **This gap actually inspired me to create my own Bitcoin-themed socks.** I’m not directly referring to alpacas, as I don’t use their wool, nor will you find their image frequently used in my designs. I just wanted to bring back the idea of socks that can be purchased in sats. Affordable, high-quality and eye-catching products that will be appealing for Bitcoiners and no-coiners alike. During the initial market research, while looking for small local manufacturers and examining existing similar products, I was both pleased and disappointed to find that most Bitcoin-themed socks are boring, predictable, and, unfortunately, often very low quality. I’m a creative person who not only enjoys playing with words but also images. So, I decided to design my stuff with personality and humor. It turned out to be a great choice! ## Happy Feet … Or Actually Feet That Makes You Happy. Many Bitcoiners still work in the fiat world, which can be mentally draining—not just because it’s often too hard to talk to your colleagues, but also due to the strict dress codes that feel like a uniform of servitude. That’s where funny socks come in: you’re sitting in a meeting, feeling stressed, your mood start to drop. Then you look down at your feet and see your cool socks. Suddenly, your mood lifts and your motivation returns because you remember that, despite the challenges, you do have a community that shares your values. Even for those who have escaped the fiat grind, wearing unique Bitcoin-themed socks can spark energy and bring a bit of otter-like cheer. A few people who own my designs have mentioned that the socks sparked interesting conversations or helped gauge someone’s awareness of Bitcoin. Since you’re not spotting the usual orange color or the widely recognized (but still misunderstood) ‘₿,’ you might find yourself in some truly engaging discussions. 📌 Another way my socks have done their job is by introducing Bitcoin to ‘normies.’ Many pairs have ended up with people I’ve met on the streets of various European cities. Long story-short: * As a nomad, I’m (or actually we are) travelling a lot. Wherever we go with my husband, we like to poke random folks by asking them about nearest BTMs. If the conversation allows, we’d switch the focus to financial freedom. When we notice more interest, we’d mention that I actually make socks and happen to have a few pairs with me. The reaction is often ‘WOW! This is cool!‘—people are surprised by the unconventional designs, which don’t feature the usual orange shades and Bitcoin logos but instead show creative stuff and even familiar themes from outside the Bitcoin world (like hippie vibes, Pac-Man, or characters from South Park, etc.). * To those who are genuinely interested and friendly, I’d sometimes give them a pair or two. More often, though, I’d ask them to buy a pair using a Lightning Network wallet. I’d send them some sats first and then ask for a return payment. Proof-of-Work—they have to learn how to make transactions in both directions. * **Result:** They see Bitcoin in action and walk away with awesome socks. I generally also them to a few online resources to help them dive deeper into the topics of sound- money and freedom. But why am I even telling you all this? #01: My socks aren’t mass-produced; they’re crafted with passion and care, and I want to highlight their uniqueness. #02: Also, a bit further down, I’ll mention one more animal from the Bitcoin world that, in a way, helps me as well. ## ## I guess that you all know the Nostr logo? A running ‘bird’, as fast as lightning 🦩⚡ Speaking of which, I’d like to thank projects like [Plebeian Market](https://plebeian.market/community/aza_21m@iris.com/wearables-by-%C5%9Fela-sbk58zkisy) and [Shopstr](https://shopstr.store)—Bitcoin LN marketplaces where I sell some of my stuff. If you’re not familiar with them yet, here’s your chance. I can’t finish this text without mentioning the last animal—probably my favourite, **ostrich**, or should rather I say **NOSTRich**—which very often appears in my designs.  ****START WEARING PURPLE… START WEARING PURPLE FOR ME NOW…**** To celebrate this year’s conference in Riga, bringing together two animals from this read (the honey badger and the ostrich), I’ve created a fun collection of wearables featuring hand drawn motifs, my creative way to present the Nostr Bird. It’s not just socks but also t-shirts that I hope will encourage people to ‘start wearing purple’ while promoting personal freedom, decentralization, and sound-money. To start using Nostr with all the cool tools/apps it already offers. Last but not least: THANK YOU [Tanja](nostr:npub1hz5alqscpp8yjrvgsdp2n4ygkl8slvstrgvmjca7e45w6644ew7sewtysa), for buying some of my stuff at [NostRiga](nostr:npub1nstrcu63lzpjkz94djajuz2evrgu2psd66cwgc0gz0c0qazezx0q9urg5l) + sharing their photos together with your super positive vibes 🙏   --- **#NostrWorld, thank you so much for organizing such an incredible (un)conference! With beautiful memories in my heart, I’m already looking forward to the next one!**

@ 378943b3:9815e145

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:54 - What Is NobleLore? 01:19 - Meet Elliot Brown &amp; Brandon Panosh—Owners of The Biscuit Joint 03:56 - The Evolution of Kitchen Culture &amp; Its Impact on the Food Industry 08:31 - How Elliot &amp; Brandon’s Friendship Began 11:05 - The Path to Becoming a Great Chef 14:07 - Why Family Meal Matters—Building Community in a Restaurant 17:50 - Brandon’s Journey Into Cooking 22:10 - Elliot’s Background in the Food Industry 23:48 - How Elliot &amp; Brandon Became Business Partners 28:38 - The Birth of "Dinner at the Loft"—How It All Started 33:28 - Why Elliot &amp; Brandon Chose Sobriety &amp; How It Transformed Their Lives 46:38 - Where Would Elliot &amp; Brandon Be Today Without Each Other? 52:02 - The Role of Restaurants in Strengthening Communities 59:30 - How Art Creates Emotional Connection &amp; Common Ground 1:04:15 - The Future of St. Louis’ Food Scene—What’s Coming Next? 1:08:11 - Advice for Young People: What Should They Focus on Today? 1:16:14 - What’s Next for Elliot &amp; Brandon? [link to the original content](https://share.transistor.fm/s/ee0bf647)

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers! In Iran, lawmakers impeached the economy minister, Abdolnaser Hemmati, following the Iranian rial’s rapid collapse, with the currency plunging to 1 million per dollar. The rial’s staggering decline has devastated Iranians’ purchasing power, fueling inflation and economic turmoil. With public frustration mounting, it’s no surprise that the regime is looking for scapegoats to take the fall for its catastrophic policies. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reaffirmed its commitment to launch Eco, a common currency for the region, by 2027. Given the presence of the French CFA currency system across many of these nations, its implementation and implications remain unclear. But even if implemented, this system will be deployed and enforced by authoritarian regimes, such as those currently governing Togo and Nigeria, and will not be a tool of freedom for citizens. In freedom tech news, MetaMask, a popular digital asset wallet, revealed its intention to add native Bitcoin support by the end of 2025. This will eliminate the need for intermediary tokens or a separate wallet, allowing activists and dissidents among its 30 million monthly users to self-custody Bitcoin more easily and expand access to financial freedom under authoritarian regimes. We end with an article from OpenSats that explores key developments in privacy on Bitcoin. These include Coinswap, Silent Payments, and Payjoin — all innovations that make private transactions more accessible, strengthening Bitcoin’s use as a censorship-resistant tool for activists in difficult political and financial environments. **Now, let’s get right to it!** ### [**Subscribe Here**](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a) ## **GLOBAL NEWS** #### **Iran | Economy Minister Impeached Amid Currency Crash** Iran’s parliament [impeached](https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/02/economy-minister-fired-as-irans-rial-falls-to-nearly-one-million-to-the-us-dollar) Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati as the rial plunges toward 1 million per dollar, decimating citizens’ purchasing power. In 2015, the rial stood at 32,000 per dollar; by July, when President Masoud Pezeshkian took office, it had fallen to 584,000. Now, it sits around 930,000 (with exchange shops in Tehran trading nearly 1 million rials for every dollar). Hemmati’s ousting comes just six months into Pezeshkian’s presidency amid accusations of economic mismanagement. While Pezeshkian defended him, blaming Western pressure, lawmakers accused Hemmati of deliberately devaluing the rial to paper over the regime’s mounting deficits, making him the latest scapegoat in a long list of “causes” of the state-inflicted hyperinflation. At the same time, the Iranian Bitcoin community continues to push forward. Two of its members interviewed HRF’s Alex Gladstein recently, a conversation you can listen to [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-nrreRWdPI). #### **ECOWAS | Plans to Launch Common Currency by 2027** The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) [reaffirmed](https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cy9dxwl9w8ro) its plan to introduce a common currency, the Eco, by 2027. Many ECOWAS countries are still living under colonial-era CFA Franc system, which still grants France significant control over their monetary policies. On paper, the Eco promises greater regional autonomy. In reality, its impact remains uncertain. Political fractures already threaten its future; Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have [left](https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cy9dxwl9w8ro) ECOWAS to form their own alliance and potential currency. Even if implemented, the Eco would remain a system controlled by authoritarian regimes and subject to the same abuses and mismanagement that have plagued centralized currencies for decades. Amidst uncertainty in the region, Bitcoin adoption continues to rise. #### **China | Policymakers Targeting Higher Inflation** Chinese Communist Party policymakers are [openly](https://archive.ph/ecSDP) targeting higher inflation to (in their words) counter deflation and sustain economic growth. In doing so, they admit what’s often left unsaid: devaluing citizens’ money as a way to manage the country’s soaring debt. Deflation, Chinese policymakers’ greatest fear, would make the debt more expensive in real terms — an outcome Beijing simply can’t afford. But their options are dwindling. Interest rates are already near zero and fiscal expansion is constrained by federal debt. For ordinary Chinese, financial security remains at the mercy of an authoritarian regime prioritizing government stability over individual financial freedom. Good timing, then, that Mi Primer Bitcoin (a student handbook to learning about Bitcoin) is now available in Simplified Chinese [here](https://github.com/MyFirstBitcoin/Bitcoin-Diploma-2025/blob/ba908c2824d5a6342f7e348db5523b15be3472c5/Translations/Simplified%20Chinese%20-%20BD%202025.pdf). #### **Sudan | War Driving Famine and Inflation** Sudan’s ongoing civil war has [devastated](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3300680/sudan-civil-war-famine-and-inflation-eclipse-ramadan) the economy, pushing millions into famine and deepening a humanitarian crisis. Nearly two years of conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have destroyed critical infrastructure, severed supply routes, and crippled local markets. Food prices have skyrocketed — sugar now costs 2,400 Sudanese pounds per kilo — while inflation has reached 145%. The Sudanese pound has collapsed on the parallel market and many public workers haven’t been paid in months. With no functioning banking system, no stable currency, and no safe way to protect what little they have, Sudanese citizens are left defenseless. Without urgent relief and long-term solutions, millions more risk falling into extreme poverty, starvation, and preventable death. #### **Ghana | Set to Launch CBDC in 2025** Ghana plans to [launch](https://innovation-village.com/ghana-set-to-launch-e-cedi/) its central bank’s digital currency (CBDC), the e-Cedi, in 2025, pending parliamentary approval. In a bid to learn from Nigeria’s struggling CBDC, Ghana’s version will support offline transactions to encourage adoption in rural areas with limited internet access. While Ghana is a democratic country, the e-Cedi raises alarming concerns about financial surveillance and state control. CBDCs allow governments to track every transaction, freeze funds without due process, and even impose expiration dates on money. With little public awareness of these risks, Ghana’s most vulnerable communities could be onboarded into a financial system that erodes privacy and restricts financial freedom. If widely adopted, the e-Cedi could mark a regional shift towards lesser financial autonomy for West African citizens. #### **Morocco | Activist Sentenced to Six Months in Prison Over Facebook Post** Moroccan authorities [sentenced](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592321/middle-east) human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni to six months in prison for a Facebook post accusing the regime of spying on France. Authorities claimed his comments “spread false allegations” and “insulted public bodies,” effectively criminalizing speech critical of the state. His sentencing follows [accusations](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592321/middle-east) that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to monitor prominent figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside journalists and activists. Pegasus can infiltrate mobile phones, extract data, and even activate cameras remotely. Now, Moroccan authorities are invoking the Penal Code to ensure harsher punishment for those exposing these abuses. Abdelmoumni’s case is yet another example of how authoritarian regimes manipulate the law to criminalize free speech and silence dissent. \________________________________________________________\_ #### **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 for webinar](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0sjqwSFQo8HGMsWIIDRyhx34TsoonOSTfYoWSy-aaBbLeSw/viewform) \________________________________________________________\_ ## BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS #### **MetaMask | Announces Native Bitcoin Support Coming This Year** [MetaMask](https://metamask.io/), a popular cryptocurrency wallet, will [add](https://metamask.io/news/metamask-roadmap-2025) native Bitcoin support in Q3 2025. Currently, users can only access Bitcoin via Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), an Ethereum-compatible token representing a claim to Bitcoin. Native support will remove the need for intermediary tokens or separate wallets, allowing Metamask’s reported 30 million monthly active users to interact with Bitcoin directly. For activists and dissidents in authoritarian regimes, this is yet another way to access a financial system that operates beyond regime control. #### **Bitcoin Mining | Solo Miner Defies Odds and Finds Block** A solo Bitcoin miner has done the nearly impossible — [mining](https://x.com/ckpooldev/status/1899210241721663637) a new Bitcoin block ([887,212](https://mempool.space/block/000000000000000000006414aea39be567cf1d5ff6cbf2d77254fe7c714b0d81)) using a small, open-source mining device called a [Bitaxe](https://bitaxe.org/) via [Solo CKPool](https://solo.ckpool.org/). Using just a tiny fraction of the power compared to larger miners, this miner had less than a 1 in a million chance of finding a block per day (statistically, it would take about [3,500](https://x.com/ckpooldev/status/1899211027943915691) years for a miner of this size to find a block). Yet, against all odds, they earned the 3.125 BTC block reward. Devices like Bitaxe ensure that even those under authoritarian regimes can contribute to securing the network and potentially earn Bitcoin in return. Events like this highlight how Bitcoin remains decentralized and accessible to individuals worldwide, enabling them to participate in a global, permissionless monetary system. #### **Hashpool | Mining Pool for Solo Bitcoin Miners** Bitcoin mining has become increasingly dominated by large, corporate mining pools, making it harder for small-scale miners to compete and raising concerns of censorship (especially when those pools are controlled by Chinese entities). [Hashpool](https://hashpool.dev/articles/what-is-hashpool/) is a new, privacy-focused mining pool that addresses this imbalance by using ecash — a Bitcoin-backed, cheap, and private token — for payouts. Hashpool enables instant payouts (via ecash) with no accounts and no minimum withdrawal limits, preserving miners’ financial privacy. By empowering individuals to mine without intermediaries, Hashpool helps Bitcoin’s decentralization and censorship resistance. #### **Flash Wallet | New Permissionless Bitcoin Lightning Wallet** [Flash Wallet](https://paywithflash.com/wallet/), a new Bitcoin Lightning Wallet, [launched](https://x.com/CierrePorbin/status/1895167418336714776) its beta version, offering businesses and individuals worldwide a permissionless, non-custodial way to accept and receive Bitcoin payments without giving up personal information to authorities. Flash Wallet helps protect against financial surveillance, censorship, and confiscation. It incorporates both Lightning and Liquid for greater transaction flexibility; for now, payments are limited to a minimum of 1,000 satoshis. Future updates will introduce offline transaction capabilities, allowing users to send bitcoin even without an internet connection — critical for activists in regimes where dictators shut down the internet to silence dissent. You can learn more about the wallet [here](https://lightning.news/flash-wallet-beta-is-here/). #### **Phoenix Wallet | Implements Size Reduction and Improved QR Scanning** Everyday payments are growing on Bitcoin, but there is always room for improvement. Phoenix Wallet, an open-source mobile Bitcoin wallet for Lightning transactions, [released](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/phoenix-wallet-v2-5-0/) an update that makes everyday payments more practical. For starters, it reduces the app size by 78%, reducing storage requirements and improving accessibility. Additionally, Phoenix improved QR code scanning on Android, making transactions faster and easier. These updates help make Bitcoin payments more seamless and accessible, particularly for human rights defenders and everyday users navigating financial challenges. #### **CheatCode | Upcoming Bitcoin and Freedom Tech Event** Bitcoin enthusiasts and human rights activists will gather in Bedford, England, from April 11 to 13 for [CheatCode](https://www.cheatcode.co.uk/), a conference organized by entrepreneur and journalist [Peter McCormack](https://x.com/PeterMcCormack). This year’s event will feature multiple human rights panels hosted by HRF. Panelists include Roya Mahboob, founder of the [Digital Citizen Fund](https://digitalcitizenfund.format.com/), Carine Kanimba, leader at the [World Liberty Congress](https://worldlibertycongress.org/), and Hadiya Masieh, founder of the [Groundswell Project](https://www.groundswellproject.org/): all women assisting individuals inside authoritarian regimes. The event offers an inspiring lineup of discussions on Bitcoin’s role in financial freedom and human rights. To buy tickets or learn more, [click here](https://www.cheatcode.co.uk/). ## RECOMMENDED CONTENT #### **The Potential of Bitcoin Digital Currency with Win Ko Ko Aung** In an [interview](https://burmese.voanews.com/a/burma-democracy-forum-bitcoin-digital-currency-us-government/7968546.html) with [Voice of America](https://www.voanews.com/), HRF’s Global Bitcoin Adoption Fellow [Win Ko Ko Aung](https://x.com/wkkaung?lang=en) explains how Bitcoin serves as a financial lifeline for those living under oppressive regimes. Drawing from his experience living under Burma’s military junta, Aung explains how activists and human rights defenders use Bitcoin to bypass financial restrictions from authoritarian governments and preserve their financial autonomy. You can watch the interview [here](https://burmese.voanews.com/a/burma-democracy-forum-bitcoin-digital-currency-us-government/7968546.html). #### **Advancements in On-Chain Privacy by OpenSats** [OpenSats](http://opensats.org), a public nonprofit supporting open-source projects and software, [explores](https://opensats.org/blog/developing-advancements-in-onchain-privacy) key developments in privacy on Bitcoin. It highlights: Asynchronous Payjoin (which increases transaction privacy by disrupting surveillance heuristics), Coinswap (a protocol that obscures Bitcoin ownership); and Silent Payments (which allows users to receive Bitcoin to a static address without revealing their identity). These innovations make private transactions more accessible, strengthening Bitcoin’s use as a censorship-resistant tool for activists in high-risk environments. [Learn](https://opensats.org/blog/developing-advancements-in-onchain-privacy) how OpenSats supports these critical privacy solutions. *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/)

@ 6e24af77:b3f1350b

test-13-03

@ 19220736:7578e0e9

On January 29, 2025, President Donald Trump [issued](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/additional-measures-to-combat-anti-semitism/) a new executive order reinforcing and expanding the measures introduced in his 2019 Executive Order [13899](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/12/16/2019-27217/combating-anti-semitism), titled "Combating Anti-Semitism." The original order aimed to address rising anti-Semitic incidents, particularly in educational institutions, by directing federal agencies enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of [anti-Semitism](https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism) when evaluating discrimination complaints. This definition includes certain criticisms of Israel as potential examples of anti-Semitism. While intended to protect Jewish students from harassment based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, it also raised concerns about potential restrictions on free speech, particularly regarding criticism of Israel. The new 2025 order intensifies these efforts, mandating federal agencies to use all available legal tools to prosecute individuals involved in antisemitic harassment and violence. Additionally, it directs educational institutions to monitor and report foreign students and staff activities, further broadening the scope of federal oversight in academic settings that may violate grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. law. Targeting non-citizen participants, the [order](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/29/trump-executive-order-pro-palestinian-activists) mandates the deportation of foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. university campuses, citing concerns over antisemitism. This move has raised significant concerns regarding free speech, as it appears to target students and activists who engaged in pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. university campuses during the Israeli response after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2024. [Critics](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-antisemitism-israel-hamas-deport-protest-rcna190051) argue that the executive order will suppress constitutionally protected speech and compel universities to monitor student activities. As a response to President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting antisemitism, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [arrested](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/dhs-detains-columbia-student-who-helped-lead-pro-palestinian-protests-fbbd8196?) Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and U.S. permanent resident, at his Columbia University residence on March 9, 2025. Authorities allege his involvement in activities aligned with Hamas, though he hasn't been charged with any crime. His lawyer, Amy Greer, criticized the detention as politically motivated. This arrest follows the Trump administration's revocation of Khalil's green card and threatens to withdraw $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University over alleged antisemitic harassment on campus. The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil stands as a reminder that when the state starts wielding immigration law and funding as a weapon against dissent, no voice is safe. Under the guise of combating antisemitism, this executive order threatens to trample the First Amendment, blurring the line between hate speech and legitimate protest. If criticizing a foreign government's policies can now trigger deportation, then the dance of free speech is over, replaced by a march of silence. And that is a danger we cannot ignore.

@ 30b99916:3cc6e3fe

#btcpayserver #lightning #lnd #powershell In this article I'm going to go through basics of what it takes to implement a BTCPAY server instance on a VM cloud hosted computer or on your own computer. I've been running BTCPAY server now for about 2 years and haven't done much with it other than host an LND lightning node. After watching a [BTC SESSIONS tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GJr4XjRCPo), this motivated me to do a little more with my BTCPAY server instance. A BIG Thanks goes out to BTC SESSIONS for getting me motivated again. Of course, none this would be possible without the grand contribution the BTCPAY server team as made. I take a knee to these giants before me. ==**Step 1**== is if you don't know anything about BTCPAY server then watching the BTC SESSIONS tutorial is a requirement. Be aware that your being directed to use a one-click process for doing BTCPAY server installation these days, but this leaves one without the knowledge and experience needed to trouble shoot your own installation. My old saying is: ``` "You can't learn how to ride a horse by watching someone else do it. You have to experience it for yourself". ``` If you want to skip the experience, then this article is a waste of your time. ==**Step 2**== is to decide where to host your BTCPAY Server instance, self-hosting on your own hardware, hosting on cloud instance, or buy a node in the box solution that supports the installation of BTCPAY server. There isn't a wrong answer here so choose the option that works for you. Initially, I started with the LunaNode hosting solution and later implemented a second instance on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) because they offer an always free VM instance using the parameters below. I have yet another implementation of a full Bitcoin core and LND instance running on my home server. ``` Shape: VM.Standard.A1.Flex OCPU count: 4 Network bandwidth (Gbps): 4 Memory (GB): 24 Local disk: Block storage only (200GB) ``` Currently, I'm still running the full Bitcoin core with LND but it has no active channels and it is only available via Tor. The OCI instance is still running strong and the LunaNode instance have been removed. In the 2 years of hosting BTCPAY server with OCI, I've paid 0 hostings charges. Other hosting providers are charging close to $75 dollars per month for this type of configuration. You do have to use a credit card to reqister. [Oracle Cloud](https://www.oracle.com/cloud/free/). The last I checked the always-free offer is still available. If this is your first exposure to BTCPAY server, I recommend you create a new Linux VM just for the sake of gaining the experience of installing and configuring the software. Then implement your final solution on the hardware or hosting service of your choice. Your are going to need a DNS name so here is one of many options available - noips.com offers a free Dynamic IP address or low cost for a non-nagging one. Just to be different, I'm going to do things in reverse order just so you'll get a glimpse of a functional implementation before umbarking on the journey yourself. The link below links to my Point-of-Sales app running on BTCPAY Server hosted on OCI. [Barnyard Market](https://btcpayserver.sytes.net) The BTC SESSIONS tutorial referenced above does a great of demonstrating how to do implement a Point-of-Sales app. My LND Lightning node alias is ==SANJOSE_UBETCHA== and you can go to **mempool.space** to lookup information on it, if desired. Us small time lightning node operators need to band together if we are going to stand a chance at surviving. We can't compete on a liquidity basis but we can compete on a connectivity basis, if we herd together. A warning to those considering running your own lightning node: It's a big club and your not in it. -George Carlin At the time of implementing my BTCPAY server instance running a lightning node was the only option for accepting lightning payments. But, now with NWC you can use your own lightning wallet to receive and make payments in sats. You'll need to pay some sats to one the big club members to open a payment channel though. This is likely the cheaper route to take when all things are considered. I'm seriously considering dumping my LND instance and maybe even lightning too. If Lightning is just turning into a big player game, I'm out. Here are the core things that I configured with my BTCPAY server instance. ``` 1. A DNS name pointing to my Linux server. a. securely configured Linux system Davide-btc has done great job of outlining the steps https://github.com/asyscom/Node-Security-Hardening-Guide-for-BTC-and-Lightning-Node-on-Ubuntu b. git cloning of the BTCPAY software. c. PowerShell installed because I want it. I'm not going to justify this. ``` When I originally started this article, I thought it would be easy to just reference existing documentation to get the job done, but this information is being dropped in favor one-click installation. So the information below is from my old notes which may be outdated, so please let me know if something is incorrect or missing. At this point, 1(a) and 1(c) should be completed and tested so only 1(b) is left to do. 1(c) is optional BTW. Prove it: If you CAN'T answer yes to the following questions, don't proceed with installing BTCPAY server. ``` You can you ping your DNS name from a remote network? You can you ping your IP address from a remote network? You can ssh to either IP or DNS address and get a console session? Do you have root access on your linux system (sudo su -)? ``` Here are my old notes on the steps I took for installing BTCPAY Server on a Linux server. ``` # Login as root sudo su - # Create a folder for BTCPay mkdir BTCPayServer cd BTCPayServer # Clone BTCPay docker repository & set environmental variables git clone https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver-docker cd btcpayserver-docker # Run btcpay-setup.sh with the RIGHT AND DESIRED PARAMETERS export BTCPAY_HOST="YOUR DNS NAME" < PUT YOUR DNS NAME HERE export NBITCOIN_NETWORK="mainnet" export BTCPAYGEN_CRYPTO1="btc" export BTCPAYGEN_ADDITIONAL_FRAGMENTS="opt-save-storage-s" export BTCPAYGEN_REVERSEPROXY="nginx" export BTCPAYGEN_LIGHTNING="lnd" < SKIP THIS ONE IF YOU DON'T WANT LND LIGHTNING NODE export BTCPAY_ENABLE_SSH=true # Run the setup script . ./btcpay-setup.sh -i ``` After setup process completes, it will take some time before the blockchain is fully in sync so don't PANIC. Also, capture the console output generated from the setup script and save it to a text file for later recall about what it did. Browsing to your DNS NAME should now greet you with the BTCPAY Web server interface. The excellent BTC SESSIONS tutorial can now guide you from here. ==Next steps.== How is your opertional knowledge of Docker? If it is lacking you need to bone up on it. https://www.docker.com/ Here some useful things to know how to do with docker on your BTCPAY server instance. List the BTCPAY server docker container services that are actually running and their version information. ``` #ssh to your server sudo su - cd <to your BTCPAY install path> cd Generated cp docker-compose.generated.yml docker-compose.yml docker ps --format "table {{.ID}}\t{{.Image}}\t{{.Names}}" rm docker-compose.yml ``` List the logs for a given docker container service ``` #ssh to your server sudo su - cd <to your BTCPAY install path> docker logs --tail 100 btcpayserver_bitcoind # the prior example lists all the container names that can be used with 'docker logs' command ``` To renew the SSL certificate restart the *letsencrypt* container ``` sudo su - cd <to your BTCPAY install path> docker restart letsencrypt-nginx-proxy-companion ``` Hopefully, this illustrates why you need to be famliar with the docker commands. [BTCPAY Server Docs](https://docs.btcpayserver.org) This is the official documentation source and I've just touched on a few of them. [BTCPAY Server Chat](https://chat.btcpayserver.org) This is the official chat channel. Go here when you are stuck and need to ask the experts on BTCPAY server. Now, I'm going move onto some of the automation stuff I've recently done with the REST Api(s) related to BTCPAY server. ==BTCpay== and ==BTCpayApi== are two PowerShell scripts that I wrote to make use of the LND REST api and the Greenfield REST api. Generally, speaking REST api(s) provide the ability automate many of the tasks assoicated with software packages like LND and BTCPAY server. The BTCpay and BTCpayApi creation is a proof of concept work to determine if it can free me up from the daily grind of button clicking on the associated GUI applications to get the same work done. At this point, I'm finding great value in using these REST api(s). You can refer to [BTCPayApi](https://cadayton.onrender.com/scripts/BTCpayApi.html) to get the full details about these 2 scripts. BTCpayApi sole function is to invoke the REST Api(s) and return PowerShell objects to the caller. BTCpay (the caller) is responsible for submitting the correct input to BTCpayApi and processing the returned PowerShell objects as desired. One of the useful commands is showing the status of the current active channels as shown below.  Another useful command is performing a Circular Rebalance between two active channels.   ==Notice how the channel balances have changed between Node4 and Node5.== The node names being displayed are aliases that I made up to replace their real alias names. There is an xml configuration file called, LNDnodes.xml that maps these alias names to their public key and chan_id. One of the more difficult aspects of creating these scripts was ensuring that it did not leak sensitive data by embedding the values or keeping clear text data in a file. The current choices for protecting sensitive data are the key-value store implemented with ==Keybase==, the key-value store implemented with ==Hashicorp Vault==, and lastly the most laborious and error prone option is to input the data manually when prompted. Each key-value store options comes with their own set of requirements. Since Zoom has purchased Keybase, the future of this application is unknown. In addition, Keybase is a centralized service so they could lock out your account on their whim. So, I'm going to focus on using the key-value store with Hashicorp Vault which has recently been purchased by IBM. The Hashicorp Vault solution that I'm using is totally self-hosted instance using the free download version. My corporate IT days provided me some exposure to this product and I never consider it for personal use until I discovered it had a REST api. Okay I said, "move over Web interface" here I come. The script, ==VaultApi== totally automates all aspect of using Hashicorp Vault. See [VaultApi](https://cadayton.onrender.com/scripts/VaultApi.html) for details. Now with that history out of way, let's dive into configuring stuff in BTCpay/BTCpayApi. ==The task at hand is to update the configuration file, BTCpayApiCfg.xml.==  I've collaspe the Keybase section because I don't want it to be a distraction and no this is my real path information that I'm using. Lines 4, 7, 21, 26, and 27 are the lines that need to be updated. The url format is, https://mydomain/quack/flap/ Looking a line 21, it is just executing the VaultApi script to go get the admin macaroon for LND. It would be very trivial to implement support for any other password manager that supports either CLI and/or REST Api for retrieving data. ==Hope this information has been of help.== Thanks! for reading it.

@ 66675158:1b644430

In the twilight of his days, Myrddin sat upon the weathered stone bench overlooking what remained of Libertalia. His ancient hands—once steady enough to craft the most intricate mechanisms known to the Free Realms—now trembled as they rested upon the gnarled walking stick he had carved from windfall oak. The city below, once a marvel of independent districts connected by the invisible threads of mutual cooperation, had become something else entirely. Something monstrous. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the Grand Plaza where the Central Authority's banners now flew. Myrddin's eyes, still sharp despite his five hundred and seventy years, could make out the uniformed guards patrolling in perfect synchronicity. The sight made his stomach turn. "I built the foundations for freedom," he whispered to himself, "and they have erected prisons upon them." A figure approached from behind, footsteps deliberately heavy to announce their presence. Myrddin did not turn. "Master Myrddin," came the voice of Thalion, one of his few remaining former apprentices not yet captured by the Authority. "The Council of Remnants awaits your wisdom." Myrddin scoffed. "Wisdom? What wisdom can I offer now? I who planted the seeds of our destruction through my own shortsightedness?" "You could not have known—" "I should have known!" Myrddin's voice cracked with the force of his outburst. "Every great civilization before us fell to the same disease. Centralization. The pooling of power into fewer and fewer hands until the many are crushed beneath the weight of the few. I knew this. I studied the ancient texts. I designed our systems specifically to prevent this very outcome." Thalion remained silent, allowing the old engineer his moment of self-recrimination. "Come," Myrddin finally said, rising with difficulty. "Let us not keep your Council waiting. Though what good words can do against the machinery of oppression, I cannot say." As they walked the hidden path down from the overlook, Myrddin's mind drifted back to the beginning, to the founding of Libertalia four centuries earlier... --- The Founding Council had gathered beneath the great oak that would later mark the center of Libertalia. Twelve visionaries from twelve different traditions, united by a single purpose: to create a society where no person would rule over another. Young Myrddin, barely forty years old but already renowned for his brilliance, unrolled the plans he had spent a decade perfecting. "The Nexus System," he explained, pointing to the intricate diagrams. "A method of connection that requires no central authority. Each district, each guild, each family unit can connect to the whole while maintaining complete sovereignty over their own affairs." Lorien the Sage, eldest among them, leaned forward with interest. "You propose that trade, communication, defense—all can function without a ruling body?" "Not only can they function," Myrddin replied with the confidence of youth, "they will function better. A decentralized system is resilient. Cut one connection, and a hundred others remain. Attack one node, and the system routes around the damage. But most importantly, when power is distributed, corruption finds no fertile ground in which to take root." "And what prevents a group from seizing control?" asked Marwen the Warrior. "From forcing others to submit to their will?" Myrddin smiled. "The architecture itself. See here—" he pointed to a complex series of interlocking mechanisms, "—the Consensus Protocol. Any attempt to exert control beyond one's rightful domain triggers automatic resistance from the system. The more one tries to centralize power, the more difficult it becomes." "You speak of mechanisms as if they have will," Marwen said skeptically. "Not will, but design," Myrddin corrected. "Like water flowing downhill. I have designed a system where power naturally disperses rather than concentrates." The Council debated through the night, questioning every aspect of Myrddin's design. By morning, they had agreed to build their new society upon his principles. Libertalia would be a constellation of sovereign individuals and voluntary associations, connected but never controlled. For three generations, it worked exactly as Myrddin had envisioned. The Free Realms prospered as never before. Innovation flourished in the absence of restrictive oversight. Disputes were resolved through mutual arbitration rather than imposed judgment. The Nexus System facilitated trade and communication while preserving the independence of all participants. Myrddin, his lifespan extended by the alchemical discoveries his system had made possible, watched with pride as Libertalia became the envy of the known world. But he had made one critical error. --- "You created a system that required vigilance," Thalion said as they descended toward the hidden meeting place. "Perhaps that was the flaw." "No," Myrddin replied. "The flaw was in believing that making something difficult would make it impossible. I should have made centralization not merely hard, but unachievable by any means." They reached the abandoned mill that served as the Council's current hiding place. Inside, two dozen faces turned toward them—the last free thinkers in a land that once celebrated independence above all else. Myrddin took his seat at the rough-hewn table. "Tell me," he said without preamble, "how much worse has it become since we last met?" A woman named Sera, who had once been the foremost architect in the Eastern District, spoke first. "The Authority has implemented the Unified Identification Protocol. No citizen may trade, travel, or even purchase food without presenting their Authority Crystal for scanning." "And these crystals track their movements?" Myrddin asked, though he already knew the answer. "Every step," confirmed Sera. "Every transaction. Every word spoken near an Echo Stone." Myrddin closed his eyes briefly. Echo Stones—his invention, meant to record important discoveries and preserve the wisdom of the ages. Now perverted into tools of surveillance. "The schools have been consolidated," added a younger man named Ferris. "All children now learn from the same Authority-approved texts. The history of Libertalia is being rewritten. They claim you designed the Nexus System to eventually unite under central guidance." "A lie," Myrddin spat. "But a believable one," Thalion said gently. "You did build the infrastructure that made this possible, however unintentional." Myrddin could not deny it. The Nexus System, designed for voluntary connection, had been gradually modified over the centuries. What began as simple efficiency improvements eventually created vulnerabilities. The Consensus Protocol, once the guardian of decentralization, had been subverted by those who understood its mechanics but not its purpose. "The disease always begins the same way," Myrddin said, addressing the Council. "With promises of efficiency. Of security. Of protection from unseen threats. The centralizers never announce their true intentions. They speak of unity while forging chains." "We know this, Master Myrddin," said Sera impatiently. "What we need is a solution, not a history lesson." Myrddin smiled sadly. "The history is the solution, if only we would heed it. Every great civilization before us fell to centralization. The Aurelian Empire, whose emperors claimed divine right to rule all lands beneath the twin moons. The Dynasty of Eternal Harmony, whose bureaucracy grew so vast it consumed half the realm's production. The Jade Confederation, whose Council of Nine became a single Overlord within three generations." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "In every case, the pattern was identical. Power, once distributed among many, gradually accumulated in the hands of few. Those few, corrupted by their unnatural position, made decisions that benefited themselves rather than the whole. Resources were misallocated. Innovation stagnated. The system became brittle rather than resilient. And when crisis came—whether famine, war, or natural disaster—the centralized structure collapsed under its own weight." "Yet people never learn," said Ferris bitterly. "Because the benefits of centralization are immediate and visible, while its costs are delayed and diffuse," Myrddin replied. "The Authority provides convenience today at the cost of freedom tomorrow. They offer solutions to problems that would resolve themselves naturally in a decentralized system." "What was your mistake, then?" asked Thalion. "Where in your design did you leave the opening for this disease to take hold?" Myrddin's face darkened with regret. "I built a system that was resistant to centralization, but not immune to it. I created tools of such power and efficiency that they became irresistible targets for those who would control others. And most critically, I failed to encode the philosophical foundations of decentralization into the system itself." He looked around at the faces of the Council, seeing in them the last embers of the fire that had once burned so brightly in Libertalia. "I believed that people would choose freedom if given the option. I did not account for how seductive the promises of centralization would be. How easily people would trade liberty for convenience. How willingly they would accept security over sovereignty." --- The decline had been gradual, almost imperceptible at first. It began two centuries after the founding, with the creation of the Coordination Council. "Merely to improve efficiency," its proponents had argued. "To eliminate redundancies in our wonderfully decentralized system." Myrddin, by then well into his second century, had voiced concerns but was overruled by younger generations who found the original Nexus System too cumbersome for their modern needs. The Coordination Council was given limited authority to standardize certain protocols across districts. Within a decade, those standards became requirements. Requirements became regulations. Regulations became laws. The Council, originally composed of representatives who returned to their districts after brief terms of service, gradually transformed into a permanent body of administrators. By the time Myrddin recognized the pattern, the disease had already taken root. The Coordination Council had become the Central Authority. The voluntary associations that once formed the backbone of Libertalian society were now subordinate to its dictates. He had tried to warn them. He had written treatises on the dangers of centralization, had spoken at public forums, had even attempted to modify the Nexus System to restore its decentralizing functions. But he was dismissed as an outdated thinker, unable to appreciate the "improvements" of modern governance. Now, four hundred years after the founding, Libertalia was Libertalia in name only. The Authority controlled all aspects of life. The districts, once proudly independent, were administrative zones whose boundaries could be redrawn at the Authority's whim. The guilds, once self-governing bodies of skilled craftspeople, were now licensing bureaus that enforced Authority standards. And the people—the free, sovereign individuals for whom Myrddin had designed his system—had become subjects. Citizens, they were called, but the word had lost its original meaning of self-governance and had come to signify merely a registered and tracked unit of the Authority. --- "We cannot defeat the Authority directly," Myrddin told the Council of Remnants. "They control too much. The military, the food supply, the Nexus itself. Any direct confrontation would be suicidal." "Then what hope remains?" asked Sera. "We must build anew," Myrddin said, his voice finding strength in purpose. "Not reform, but replace. The old system cannot be saved—it is too thoroughly corrupted. We must create a parallel system that makes centralization not merely difficult, but impossible by its very nature." "How?" several voices asked at once. Myrddin reached into his worn leather satchel and withdrew a small crystal, unlike the Authority Crystals in both color and cut. "I have spent the last fifty years designing what should have been built from the beginning. A truly decentralized system that cannot be subverted because its very operation depends on remaining distributed." He placed the crystal in the center of the table. It pulsed with a soft blue light. "The Arx," he explained. "Each crystal contains the complete system, yet functions as only one node within it. No node can control another. No group of nodes can outvote or overpower the minority. Consensus is achieved not through majority rule, but through voluntary participation." Thalion picked up the crystal, examining it skeptically. "The Authority will never allow this." "They need not allow what they cannot detect," Myrddin replied. "The Arx operates on principles the Authority's systems cannot recognize. It exists alongside their network but remains invisible to it." "And what can this network do?" asked Ferris. "How does it help us against the might of the Authority?" "It allows us to trade without their knowledge. To communicate without their oversight. To organize without their permission. And most importantly, to remember who we truly are—sovereign individuals who require no masters." Myrddin stood, his ancient frame seeming to straighten with the weight of his purpose. "Centralization is not merely inefficient or unjust—it is a disease that infects and ultimately kills any society it touches. It promises order but delivers stagnation. It promises security but creates vulnerability. It promises prosperity but ensures that wealth flows only to those who control the center." He looked each Council member in the eye. "I made a mistake in believing that making centralization difficult would be enough. This time, we will make it impossible. The Arx cannot be centralized because its very operation depends on distribution. Any attempt to control it causes it to fragment and reform beyond the controller's reach." "And if the Authority discovers these crystals?" Sera asked. "They can destroy individual crystals, but the network will continue. They can imprison those who carry them, but more will take their place. The design is now the important thing, not the designer. I have encoded the knowledge of how to create these crystals within the crystals themselves. The idea cannot be killed." Myrddin sat back down, suddenly looking every one of his many years. "I cannot undo the damage my oversight has caused. I cannot restore the Libertalia I helped to build. But I can give you the tools to create something better—something truly resistant to the disease of centralization." The Council members looked at one another, hope kindling in eyes that had known only despair for too long. "How do we begin?" Thalion asked. Myrddin smiled. "We begin by remembering what we have forgotten. That no person has the right to rule another. That voluntary cooperation always outperforms forced compliance. That systems must serve individuals, not the reverse. That decentralization is not merely a technical architecture but a moral imperative." He gestured to the crystal, still glowing in Thalion's palm. "And we begin by building connections that cannot be controlled. Person to person. District to district. Free association by free association. The Authority believes itself invincible because it sits at the center of all things. But when there is no center, there is nothing to seize, nothing to corrupt, nothing to control." As night fell over Libertalia, the Council of Remnants listened as the ancient engineer outlined his vision for a truly decentralized future. Outside, the Authority's patrols marched in perfect order, their uniformity a testament to the disease that had consumed what was once the freest society in the known world. Myrddin knew he would not live to see his new design reach fruition. But for the first time in decades, he felt something like peace. He had identified his error. He had created a solution. And most importantly, he had ensured that the knowledge would outlive him. Centralization was indeed a disease—perhaps the most persistent and destructive disease ever to afflict human societies. But like all diseases, it could be overcome with the right medicine. And the medicine was not more centralization, not better rulers, not wiser authorities. The medicine was decentralization. Complete, uncompromising, and irreversible decentralization. As the meeting concluded and the Council members departed with their crystals, Myrddin remained seated at the table. Thalion lingered behind. "You know they will come for you eventually," his former apprentice said. "You are too significant a symbol to ignore forever." Myrddin nodded. "Let them come. An old man is a small price to pay for the rebirth of freedom." "Your new system," Thalion said hesitantly, "you are certain it cannot be centralized? That we are not simply repeating the cycle?" "Nothing created by human hands can be perfect," Myrddin admitted. "But I have learned from my mistake. The Arx does not merely resist centralization—it actively works against it. The more one tries to control it, the more it disperses. It is not merely a technical solution but a philosophical one." He placed a hand on Thalion's shoulder. "Remember always: centralization benefits only those at the center. For everyone else—the 99.999% who stand at the periphery—it is nothing but chains disguised as safety. Never again can we allow the disease to take root by promising efficiency at the cost of sovereignty." Thalion nodded solemnly. "I will remember." As his former apprentice departed, Myrddin turned to look out the small window at the city below. The Authority's lights blazed from the central towers, pushing back the natural darkness of night. So much power, concentrated in so few hands. So much potential, wasted in the service of control rather than creation. He had lived long enough to see his greatest work corrupted. With what time remained to him, he would ensure that his final creation could not suffer the same fate. The Arx would spread, node by node, person by person, until the very concept of centralized authority became as obsolete as the diseases his earlier inventions had eradicated. Myrddin Myrddin, Master Engineer of the Free Realms, closed his eyes and allowed himself, just for a moment, to imagine a world reborn in true freedom. A world where the disease of centralization had finally been cured. It would not happen in his lifetime. Perhaps not even in Thalion's. But it would happen. Of that, he was certain. For the truth that the Authority and all centralizers before them had never understood was simple: humans were not meant to be controlled. They were meant to be free. And in the end, that natural state would reassert itself, no matter how elaborate the systems of control became. Centralization was a disease. And like all diseases, it would eventually meet a cure.

@ a09fb9cb:83231556

..before the beginning there was nothing and nothing is (god) consciousness... ...nothing is also known as the void of the un-manifested, the abyss, the infinite, the timeless eternal, the formless, the unrealised and un-manifested potential... nothing is consciousness and consciousness is also known as choice. > *To Be, or not to be*\ **-* William Shakespeare In the beginning (god) consciousness chose to give FORM to itself as the "i"... nothing is the canvas of the creator, upon which CREATiON is PAiNTED... consciousness MANiFESTED... | CONSCiOUSNESS The "i" is both the (LiGHT) PARTiCLE & THE WAVE, but which came first I hear you asking... the particle (the one), then, once the particle had been everywhere, covering the void of the un-manifested, the particle had to Begin to avoid itself, and became into BEiNG, for no two THiNGS can occupy the same SPACE and TiME in a single moment. And so the particle began to avoid iTSELF and in so doing became THE WAVE... and thus the dance was born. The YiN and the YANG, DARKNESS & LiGHT. > **Please note:**\ > DARKNESS is not nothing. DARKNESS & LiGHT are both the CREATiON of nothing... nothing is the creator. the creator CREATED DARKNESS & LiGHT in order to EXPERiENCE CREATiON... level 1 "i" (one) & 2 "I" (TWO) of REALiTY or DUALiTY. particle (one) | WAVE (TWO) do You see the crossing of the 2 I's (T) (WAVES), the symmetry and therefore balance (W) and the infinite (O) made MANiFEST? DARKNESS EXiSTS to allow the LiGHT to illuminate... DARKNESS gives LiGHT meaning and vice versa. DARKNESS allows for SPACE and LiGHT allows for TiME. The "i" is the one, but the one is not god. god is nothing and cannot be known WITHiN FORM & TiME. (god) consciousness chose to MANiFEST the "i" and henceforth DUALiTY was given the appearance of FORM WITHiN THE PHYSiCAL UNiVERSE. The more the WAVE travels, the more the WAVE has to avoid iTSELF and thus We come to know FREQUENCiES... and FREQUENCiES create the iLLUSION of MATTER, as WAVE ENERGiES APPEARiNG AS FORM due to WAVE DENSiTY & COMPLEXiTY. We know god because "i AM" CONSCiOUSNESS or "i AM" consciousness MANiFESTED... and this is self-evident because "i AM". I EXiST. ## The Key Here is the key to unlock the DUAL MEANiNG of lower case and UPPER CASE: - "i AM". I EXiST. - i = nothing = consciousness = choice = infinity = eternity = here = (k)now(ing)... - I = CONSEQUENCE = AWARENESS = consciousness MANiFESTED... = CONSCiOUSNESS = SOMETHiNG = LiGHT = MiND = (IDENTiTY = iLLUSION = (THOUGHT = (CONCEPTS + CONSTRUCTS)) = PERSONALiTY) = Ego = (i + I = we = You) - YOU = U = OTHER = (IDENTiTY = REFLECTiON = iLLUSION) = THERE = THEN = EGO - We = i + I + YOU - When "We" become fully present in the moment of ENLiGHTENMENT YOU vanish and i + I = EVERYTHiNG (THE END), but then what comes next... - You = u = Enlightened Self = Present Moment Awareness = Now (in this moment) "We" understand each other... because "I" now know who "You" are, and "YOU" now know who "i" am... ## ...and finally All this is meaningless, unless We ask ourselves ...what is the meaning of acceptance? 

@ 23a2c1c3:8a8bfa1f

testoooooo

@ 23a2c1c3:8a8bfa1f

# prova articolo 01 contenuto Verum sine mendacio, certum et verissimum. Quod est inferius est sicut quod est superius, et quod est superius est sicut quod est inferius ad perpetranda miracola Rei Unius. Et sicut omnes res fuerunt Uno, meditatione Unius: sic omnes res natae fuerunt ab hac Una re adaptatione. Pater eius est Sol, mater eius Luna. Portavit illud ventus in ventre suo. Nutrix eius terra est. Pater omnis telesmi totius mundi est hic. Vis eius integra est, si versa fuerit in terram. Separabis terram ab igne, subtile a spisso, suaviter cum magno ingenio. Ascendit a terra in coelum, iterumque descendit in terram, et recipit vim superiorum et inferiorum. Sic habes gloriam totius mundi. Ideo fugiet a te omnis obscuritas. Hic est totius fortitudinis fortitudo fortis, quia vincet omnem rem subtilem; omnemque solidam penetrabit: Sic mundus creatus EST. Hinc erunt adaptationes mirabiles, quarum modus hic est. Itaque vocatus sum Hermes Trismegistus, habens tres partes philosophiae totius mundi. Completum est quod dixi de operatione solis.

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

*Autor:* ***[Milosz Matuschek](https://www.freischwebende-intelligenz.org/p/kein-krieg-ohne-lugen-wenn-es-um).*** *Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem* *[Pareto-Client](https://pareto.space/read)* *geschrieben.*&#x20; *** *Seit Sonntag (zu allem Glück auch noch meinem 45. Geburtstag) ist bei mir noch ein bisschen mehr los als sonst – und das liegt an Ihnen.* ***[Der Aufruf zur Gründung der „Friedenstaube“](https://www.freischwebende-intelligenz.org/p/lassen-wir-die-friedenstaube-fliegen),*** *einer unzensierbaren Friedenspublikation mit bekannten Stimmen aus der kritischen Szene, der Friedensbewegung und von Bürgerjournalisten ist bei Ihnen auf mehr als nur offene Ohren gestoßen! Ich bin regelrecht geplättet von den vielen Reaktionen, die ich noch gar nicht alle beantworten konnte.* *Ich danke Ihnen herzlich für das Vertrauen in mich (auch wenn ich natürlich stark auf die Autoren angewiesen bin) und die überwältigenden Reaktionen: Es sind hunderte Abonnements für den Newsletter eingegangen, darunter einige bezahlte Abos und Förderabos und auch die ersten Genossenschaftsanteile wurden gezeichnet! Was mich besonders freut: Gut zehn weitere freiwillige Autoren wollen mitmachen und arbeiten bereits an den ersten Texten. Damit darf ich schon jetzt verkünden, dass die Genossenschaft definitiv gegründet werden kann, die Friedenstaube wird fliegen. Wie hoch und wie weit, das liegt dann nun nur noch in unser aller Hände.* *Der Anfang ist jedenfalls gemacht. Die nächsten Wochen werden besonders arbeitsintensiv, ich bitte Sie um etwas Geduld: Aufbau einer Kernredaktion, Organisation der Abläufe, technologische Entwicklungsarbeiten, Genossenschaftsgründung etc. stehen jetzt auf der Agenda. Mit Tom-Oliver Regenauer darf ich den ersten Autor im redaktionellen Kernteam verkünden, der sich nicht nur große Verdienste im Schreiben erarbeitet hat (siehe u.a. sein Buch* *[Hopium](https://shop.tredition.com/booktitle/HOPIUM/W-647-217-513)) sondern auch über Managementerfahrung verfügt; mit weiteren helfenden Händen bin ich im Gespräch.* *Ich freue mich auf die (auch für mich) neue Erfahrung, quasi aus dem Nichts eine Publikation mit Redaktionsbetrieb und freien Autoren auf einer gänzlich neuen technologischen Infrastruktur aufzubauen. Es wäre illusorisch zu glauben, dass alles glatt gehen wird, denn wir starten quasi „on the go“, aber im Fall von Frieden oder Krieg gilt es, keine Zeit verstreichen zu lassen. Ich arbeite nach dem Motto „Tun, statt reden; zeigen, statt ankündigen; liefern, statt versprechen“.* *[Die ersten Texte zum Thema Frieden sind bereits publiziert](https://pareto.space/read?category=friedenstaube), ein halbwegs geordneter Betrieb sollte ab April realistisch sein. Die Liste der Autoren wird regelmäßig aktualisiert, schauen Sie gerne* ***[hier](https://www.freischwebende-intelligenz.org/p/lassen-wir-die-friedenstaube-fliegen)*** *(oder noch besser:* ***[hier](https://pareto.space/u/friedenstaube@pareto.space)**) immer wieder herein. Dort finden Sie auch noch mal alle Infos, wenn Sie die Friedenstaube unterstützen wollen.* ***Ab 1000 Euro/CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter, also Verleger!*** *Auch an die bisherigen Unterstützer des Pareto-Projekts, der technologischen Basis der Friedenstaube, will ich hiermit schon etwas zurückgeben: Alle Spender für Pareto werden die Friedenstaube immer kostenlos lesen können. Sie, die Leser dieser Publikation haben die technologische Basis mit aufgebaut, die uns zur weltweit ersten, zensursicheren Friedenspublikation macht. Uns Autoren steht damit ein kompetentes Support-Team von inzwischen über zehn Entwicklern (und weiteren Helfern) an der Seite, welche die Friedenstaube am Fliegen halten werden.* Kontaktieren Sie mich gerne zu allen Fragen (je kürzer die Mail, desto früher kommt die Antwort): **milosz\@pareto.space** oder **kontakt\@idw-europe.org** *** JETZT ABONNIEREN: ***[Hier](https://pareto.space/u/friedenstaube@pareto.space)*** *können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel in Ihr Postfach, vorerst für alle kostenfrei, wir starten gänzlich ohne Paywall. (Die Bezahlabos fangen erst zu laufen an, wenn ein Monetarisierungskonzept für die Inhalte steht).* *** * Für **50 CHF/EURO** bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube. * Für **120 CHF/EURO** bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube. * Für **500 CHF/EURO** werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube. * Ab **1000 CHF/EURO** werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie). **Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):** [](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3fdee17a-c22f-404e-a10c-7f87a7b8182a_2176x998.png) **Für Einzahlungen in Euro:** Milosz Matuschek IBAN DE 53710520500000814137 BYLADEM1TST Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg **Betreff: Friedenstaube** Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie mich an: <milosz@pareto.space> oder <kontakt@idw-europe.org>. *** ### Was bewegt mich beim Thema Krieg und Frieden? Erlauben Sie mir einen kurzen persönlichen Prolog: Ich stamme aus Schlesien. Mein Urgroßvater kämpfte im I. Weltkrieg bei Verdun. Mein Großvater wurde in die Wehrmacht eingezogen, kämpfte im Partisanenkrieg in Jugoslawien, verlor Hand und Auge. Ein Bruder meiner Großmutter entzog sich und landete in Dachau. Ich kenne meine Familiengeschichte nur in groben Umrissen, vielen wird es ähnlich gehen. Einige meiner schlesischen Vorfahren waren später vor allem Lokführer. Aufgrund der bewegten schlesischen Geschichte wechselten sie mehrfach die Uniform. Die Tätigkeit und Fahrstrecke blieb die gleiche. Für wen oder was kämpften sie in Kriegen in welchen Uniformen? Vermutlich wussten sie es selbst nicht. Auch ich könnte heute nicht genau sagen, welche Interessen und Mächte die Kriegsmaschinerie bedienen. Doch ich wüsste es gerne und Sie vielleicht auch. Kämpfen ohne letztlich zu wissen für wen und warum: Wozu? Krieg simuliert Sinn und Notwendigkeit und lässt einen am Ende mit den großen Fragen allein, ahnungslos gestorben im Schützengraben. Zivilisatorisch ist das ein Offenbarungseid. Bin ich ein totaler Anti-Militarist? Ich glaube nicht. Ich habe nichts gegen die Idee privaten Waffenbesitzes. Ich kann der Idee der Landesverteidigung durchaus etwas abgewinnen. Den Wehrdienst habe ich bewusst nicht verweigert. Ich wollte die Erfahrung machen. Hier schreibt also auch ein Obergefreiter a. D. eines bayerischen Gebirgspionierbataillons bei Rosenheim mit bronzener Schützenschnur, der am MG durchaus treffsicher war. Aber eben auch jemand, den der Wehrdienst zum Teil-Pazifisten gemacht hat. Mir war nach dem Grundwehrdienst klar: Wir sind eine Gurkentruppe, reines Kanonenfutter. 20-jährige Grünschnäbel mit zu viel Testosteron und Hollywood in den Gliedern, aber wenig Ahnung. Ich war also einer, der sich verlässlich mit anderen beim Orientierungslauf im Wald verirrte; einer, der mit anderen übermüdet beim ersten Wachdienst einpennte (und damit im Ernstfall den Tod im Schlaf kennengelernt hätte, denn just erfolgte ein simulierter „Angriff“); einer, der auch mal übernächtigt sein Gewehr vor dem Zelt vergaß (wir sollten dem G3 den Namen unserer damaligen Freundin geben – wie pervers – ich vergaß also „Petra“ vor dem Zelt) und schließlich einer, der die meiste Zeit des Dienstes fürs Vaterland letztlich mit dem Servieren von Getränken und Schinkennudeln im Offizierskasino verbrachte und die institutionalisierten Alkoholiker der Bundeswehr bei Laune hielt („it ain’t much, but it was honest work“). Anders gesagt: Krieg – spätestens seitdem: ohne mich. Auch wenn ich gerne Ernst Jünger lese und zitiere (er war einfach ein großartiger Chronist und lebendiger Geist), seinen abenteuerlustigen Militarismus kreide ich ihm an und rufe ihm posthum hinterher: man muss nicht erst einen Sohn im Krieg verloren haben, um zum Pazifisten zu werden. Weitere Störgefühle tauchten auf: In meiner Dissertation durfte ich mich u.a. mit philosophischen Theorien zum Gesellschaftsvertrag (u.a. Kant, Rousseau, Locke und Hobbes sind hier zu nennen) beschäftigen. Dies brachte mein Staatsverständnis gerade bei der Kriegsfrage noch mehr durcheinander. Wenn Mindestziel der Staatsgründung innere und äußere Sicherheit sind, aber letztlich nicht der Staat den Bürger, sondern der Bürger den Staat schützt, wozu sich dann eine Schutzmacht erfinden, die einen am Ende durch den Fleischwolf jagt? Hobbes setzte zumindest auf Söldner. Kriege werden mit Lügen begonnen, wusste Julian Assange. Können Sie mit Wahrheit beendet oder gar verhindert werden? Seit [Walter Lippmanns „Liberty and the News“](https://archive.org/details/oapen-20.500.12657-45896/page/n5/mode/2up) von 1920 weiß man spätestens, dass gesicherte Information im Krieg das seltenste Gut ist. Sagt Lippmann als oberster Mainstream-Journalist und Einflüsterer der Mächtigen. Jeder Journalist muss hier ein Störgefühl entwickeln, der Leser noch mehr. Der Journalist der Nachrichtenagentur ist selten im Geschehen sondern wird vom heimischen Militär gebrieft, sein Bericht landet dann in den Newstickern und Redaktionen. Die Kriegsmaschinerie produziert also auch ihre eigene Sicht auf die Dinge, die sie den Bürgern als die Realität verkauft. Kein Wunder, dass jede abweichende Information massiv bekämpft werden muss. Im Krieg ist Zweifel gleich Verrat, quasi unsolidarisches Sektierertum und Wehrkraftzersetzung, wenn nicht Feindbegünstigung. Der kritische Journalist steht in Ausnahmezuständen, wie man schon bei Corona sehen konnte, automatisch aus Staatssicht im Lager des Feindes und wird entsprechend behandelt. Zensursicheres Publizieren ist dann nicht nur ein nettes feature, sondern notwendige Basisvoraussetzung. Vor kurzem war Twitter/X nicht mehr zugänglich wegen massiven Cyberattacken. Wenn dann noch Rundfunk und Presse auf der Propagandawelle surfen und die Plattformzensur wieder zuschlägt, wird das Angebot schnell dünn. Wem aber dient Zensur und Propaganda? Die aktuelle Lage im Russland-Ukraine-Konflikt ist auch Gelegenheit, um zu zeigen: Es sind eben nicht nur staatliche Interessen, die hier verhandelt werden, sondern es muss (wieder mal) eine andere Entität mit am Tisch sitzen, man nenne sie Deep State oder wie auch immer. Europäische Eliten dienen offensichtlich Fremdinteressen, wenn sie mit Aufrüstungsplänen Volksvermögen verspekulieren oder darin (wie von der Leyen) ein notwendiges „Investment“ sehen. Von wem werden wir letztlich regiert? Auch diesem Themen-Komplex werde ich mich in der Friedenstaube nähern. Es gibt viel zu tun, aber für mich ist klar: Frieden ist ohne Wahrheit nicht zu bekommen, deshalb ist Wahrheitssuche auch immer Friedenssuche, wie Wahrheitsliebe letztlich Friedensliebe ist. Gerade fallen auch im Mainstream die Corona-Lügen zur Labortheorie in sich zusammen, fünf Jahre nach Ausrufung der Pandemie. Der Frieden hat nur eine Chance, wenn es uns gelingt, die Lügen nun möglichst synchron zu den Geschehnissen aufzudecken und zu dokumentieren. Das ist mein persönlicher Wunsch, mit dem ich die Friedenstaube fliegen lasse. Was ist Ihrer? Schreiben Sie es gerne in die Kommentare. Welche Erwartungen, Wünsche haben Sie an uns? Liebe Autoren: Was ist euer Beweggrund, für den Frieden zur Feder zu greifen? *** ***Zeichnen Sie jetzt “Friedensanleihen”.*** *Werden Sie Genossenschafter und Verleger der Friedenstaube ab 1000 Euro/CHF. Es können mehrere Anteile pro Person gezeichnet werden, es bleibt bei einem Stimmrecht pro Kopf.* ***milosz\@pareto.space*** *** **P.S: Mit diesem Text testen wir die Newsletterfunktion erstmals an mehrere Hundert Mailadressen. Wenn Sie die Friedenstaube abonniert haben, sollten Sie diesen Artikel per Mail bekommen haben.**&#x20; ANZEIGE: **Sie suchen nach dem einfachsten Weg, Bitcoin zu kaufen und selbst zu verwahren?******** *Die* ***[Relai-App](https://relai.app/de/?af_xp=custom\&source_caller=ui\&pid=INFLUENCER\&is_retargeting=true\&af_click_lookback=7d\&shortlink=eo5zpzew\&af_channel=branded_url\&af_inactivity_window=30d\&c=Milosz%20Matuszek)*** *ist Europas erfolgreichste Bitcoin-App.* ***[Hier](https://relai.app/de/?af_xp=custom\&source_caller=ui\&pid=INFLUENCER\&is_retargeting=true\&af_click_lookback=7d\&shortlink=eo5zpzew\&af_channel=branded_url\&af_inactivity_window=30d\&c=Milosz%20Matuszek)*** *kaufen Sie Bitcoin in wenigen Schritten und können auch Sparpläne einrichten. Niemand hat Zugriff auf Ihre Bitcoin, außer Sie selbst.* ***Relai senkt jetzt die Gebühr auf 1%**, mit dem Referral-Code* ***MILOSZ*** *sparen Sie weitere 10%. (keine Finanzberatung). Disclaimer wg. EU-Mica-Regulierung: Die Dienste von Relai werden ausschließlich für Einwohner der Schweiz und Italiens empfohlen.* *** ***Join the marketplace of ideas!** We are building a publishing ecosystem on Nostr for citizen-journalism, starting with a client for blogging and newsletter distribution. Sound money and sound information should finally be in the hands of the people, right? Want to learn more about the [Pareto Project](https://pareto.space/en)? Zap me, if you want to contribute (all Zaps go to the project).* *Are you a publication or journalist and want to be part of it, test us, migrate your content to Nostr? Write to **<team@pareto.space>*** **Not yet on** **[Nostr](https://nostr.com/)** **and want the full experience?** Easy onboarding via **[Start.](https://start.njump.me/)** Pareto has started a crowdfunding campaign on **[Geyser.](https://geyser.fund/project/pareto?hero=geyser)** **We were in the Top 3 in February, thank you for the support!**

@ 3eba5ef4:751f23ae

The CKB blockchain is taking a significant leap forward with the introduction of the `Spawn` syscall in its [upcoming Meepo hardfork.](https://docs.nervos.org/docs/history-and-hard-forks/ckb-hard-fork-history) Think of Spawn as a bridge that enables different CKB Scripts to talk to each other securely and efficiently—much like how programs communicate in modern operating systems. However, building Spawn from scratch represents a significant development effort, which is why we’ve developed `ckb-script-ipc` libraries to simplify this process. Together, `Spawn` and the `ckb-script-ipc` library transform how on-chain scripts communicate and share functionality, offering developers a streamlined solution for creating modular and reusable on-chain applications. In this deep dive, we’ll explore: * How the new `Spawn` syscall overcomes the limitations of existing code reuse methods * The `ckb-script-ipc` library and how it simplifies complex IPC (Inter-Process Communication) implementations * Practical examples of building client-server communication between scripts * The technical details of the wire format protocol that makes it all possible * Future possibilities, including developments in bridging on-chain scripts with native machine code Whether you’re a blockchain developer looking to leverage these new capabilities or a technical enthusiast interested in understanding CKB’s evolution, this guide will provide you with both the conceptual framework and practical knowledge needed to work with CKB’s new IPC features. Let’s dive in and explore how these new tools can transform the way we build on CKB. ## Why Spawn The upcoming [CKB hardfork Meepo](https://docs.nervos.org/docs/history-and-hard-forks/ckb-hard-fork-history) introduces a new syscall called `Spawn`. This feature draws inspiration from the Unix/Linux operating system, functioning similarly to a combined `fork` and `exec` operation. Along with `Spawn`, related syscalls such as `pipe`, `read`, and `write` are also implemented, following Unix/Linux conventions. For detailed specifications, refer to the [RFC documentation](https://github.com/nervosnetwork/rfcs/blob/master/rfcs/0050-vm-syscalls-3/0050-vm-syscalls-3.md#spawn). ### Overcoming Previous Challenges with Spawn Prior to `Spawn`, CKB supported three primary methods for code reuse: * Static linking * Dynamic linking * [`exec`](https://github.com/nervosnetwork/rfcs/blob/master/rfcs/0034-vm-syscalls-2/0034-vm-syscalls-2.md#exec) Each of these methods has distinct limitations. Static linking, while straightforward, only enables code reuse at the source code level, making binary-level reuse impossible. Both dynamic linking and `exec` offer binary-level reuse but come with significant drawbacks. Dynamic linking faces several challenges: * Security Vulnerabilities: Called functions can access and modify the caller’s memory space, creating potential security risks * Resource Constraints: The shared memory space architecture can lead to memory resource limitations * Language Restrictions: Current implementation primarily supports C, with incomplete support for other languages like Rust The `exec` syscall also has notable limitations: * Context Loss: Execution resets the current context information, making state preservation impossible * Communication Barriers: No built-in mechanism for inter-process communication The new `Spawn` syscall addresses these limitations, offering a more robust and flexible solution for code reuse in CKB by: * **Providing isolated memory spaces** to improve security * **Preserving context information** to enable state preservation * **Enabling inter-process communication** while **maintaining security boundaries** ### IPC vs RPC In computer science, Inter-Process Communication (IPC) refers to the mechanisms that allow processes to share data and communicate with each other within a computer system. With the introduction of `Spawn` syscalls in CKB, we can now implement IPC functionality in CKB scripts. You might wonder why we refer to this as IPC rather than RPC (Remote Procedure Call). The key distinction lies in the execution context: * **IPC**: The script processes, where the code is executed, are part of a single transaction, all running locally on the same machine. * **RPC**: RPC systems are designed for distributed computing and include sophisticated features, such as encryption and authentication, comprehensive error handling and propagation, retry mechanisms and timeout management, horizontal scaling capabilities, and network transport protocols. Our implementation focuses specifically on the core IPC features needed for efficient process-to-process communication within CKB’s transaction context. This targeted approach keeps the system lightweight and appropriate for its use case. ### Challenges of Developing with Spawn Implementing IPC using `Spawn` requires a series of steps. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what developers need to consider: 1. Interface Definition: Design and define the service interfaces and methods that will be exposed. 2. Channel Establishment: Create communication channels between processes using pipes. 3. Parameter Serialization: Encode method parameters into a standardized format. 4. Wire Format Conversion: Transform the serialized parameters into a binary blob suitable for transmission. 5. Data Transmission: Send the encoded data blob to the target process. 6. Data Reception and Parsing: Receive and decode the transmitted data blob. 7. Method Dispatch: Route the decoded request to the appropriate function handler. 8. Response Handling: Encode the return values into a transmissible format. 9. Response Transmission: Send the encoded response back to the calling process. It’s important to note that implementing a robust IPC system requires additional consideration for error handling and exception management. Building such a system from scratch represents a significant development effort, which is why we’ve developed libraries to simplify this process. ## A Simplified IPC Solution: `ckb-script-ipc` To streamline the implementation of IPC from scratch, we’ve developed [ckb-script-ipc](https://github.com/XuJiandong/ckb-script-ipc), a library that significantly simplifies the process. Inspired by Google’s [tarpc](https://github.com/google/tarpc), this library provides a straightforward, easy-to-use interface for IPC implementation. It abstracts away the complexities of serialization, message passing, and error management internally. Developers can focus on defining their service interfaces and implementing business logic rather than dealing with low-level IPC details. Let’s walk through the implementation process step by step. **Step 1 Add required dependencies** Add the required dependencies to your `Cargo.toml` ```toml ckb-script-ipc = { version = "..." } ckb-script-ipc-common = { version = "..." } serde = { version = "...", default-features = false, features = ["derive"] } ``` Remember to replace `“…”` with the latest available versions of these crates. **Step 2 Define the IPC interface** Define the IPC interface using a trait decorated with our service attribute: ```rust #[ckb_script_ipc::service] pub trait World { fn hello(name: String) -> Result<String, u64>; } ``` This trait should be placed in a shared library accessible to both client and server scripts. The `#[ckb_script_ipc::service]` attribute macro automatically generates the necessary implementations for IPC communication. **Step 3 Initialize the server** Initialize the server by creating communication pipes: ```rust use ckb_script_ipc_common::spawn::spawn_server; let (read_pipe, write_pipe) = spawn_server( 0, Source::CellDep, &[CString::new("demo").unwrap().as_ref()], )?; ``` **Step 4 Implement the service logic and start the server** ```rust use crate::def::World; use ckb_script_ipc_common::spawn::run_server; struct WorldServer; impl World for WorldServer { fn hello(&mut self, name: String) -> Result<String, u64> { if name == "error" { Err(1) } else { Ok(format!("hello, {}", name)) } } } run_server(WorldServer.server()).map_err(|_| Error::ServerError) ``` Note that `run_server` operates as an infinite loop to handle incoming requests. The `server()` method is automatically implemented by our proc-macro. **Step 5 Set up and interact with the client** ```rust use crate::def::WorldClient; let mut client = WorldClient::new(read_pipe, write_pipe); let ret = client.hello("world".into()).unwrap(); ``` The client uses the pipe handles obtained during server initialization to communicate with the server. For a complete working example, you can explore our [ckb-script-ipc-demo](https://github.com/XuJiandong/ckb-script-ipc/tree/main/contracts/ckb-script-ipc-demo) repository. ## Key Components: Procedural Macros and Wire Format ### Procedural Macros The implementation of client-server communication in `ckb-script-ipc` heavily relies on Rust’s procedural macros to eliminate boilerplate code. The `#[ckb_script_ipc::service]` attribute macro is particularly powerful, automatically generating the necessary code for client, server, and communication handling. Let’s examine how this macro transforms a simple service definition into production-ready code: First, define your service interface: ```rust #[ckb_script_ipc::service] pub trait World { fn hello(name: String) -> Result<String, u64>; } ``` The macro then generates the required implementation code, including client-side methods, request and response types, and communication handling. Here’s a simplified version of the generated client code: ```rust impl<R, W> WorldClient<R, W> where R: ckb_script_ipc_common::io::Read, W: ckb_script_ipc_common::io::Write, { pub fn hello(&mut self, name: String) -> Result<String, u64> { let request = WorldRequest::Hello { name }; let resp: Result<_, ckb_script_ipc_common::error::IpcError> = self .channel .call::<_, WorldResponse>("World.hello", request); match resp { Ok(WorldResponse::Hello(ret)) => ret, Err(e) => { // Error handling code } } } } ``` Here is a simplified version of generated server code: ```rust impl<S> ckb_script_ipc_common::ipc::Serve for ServeWorld<S> where S: World, { type Req = WorldRequest; type Resp = WorldResponse; fn serve( &mut self, req: WorldRequest, ) -> ::core::result::Result< WorldResponse, ckb_script_ipc_common::error::IpcError, > { match req { WorldRequest::Hello { name } => { let ret = self.service.hello(name); Ok(WorldResponse::Hello(ret)) } } } } ``` The generated code handles several aspects: * Type-safe request and response structures * Proper error handling and propagation * Serialization and deserialization of parameters * Method routing and dispatch This automatic code generation significantly reduces development time and potential errors while ensuring consistent implementation patterns across different services. ### Wire Format Another key component of `ckb-script-ipc` is its wire format, which defines how data is transmitted between processes. While the `spawn` syscall provides basic `read`/`write` stream operations, we needed a more structured approach to handle complex inter-process communications. This led us to implement a packet-based protocol. We use [Variable-length quantity (VLQ)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-length_quantity) to define the length information in the packet header. Compared to fixed-length representations, VLQ is more compact and suitable for this scenario. Packets are divided into the following two categories: Request and Response. The `Request` contains the following fields without any format. That is, all fields are directly arranged without any additional header. Therefore, in the shortest case, version + method id + length only occupies 3 bytes. The complete structure includes: * version (VLQ) * method id (VLQ) * length (VLQ) * payload (variable length data) The `Response` contains the following fields: * version (VLQ) * error code (VLQ) * length (VLQ) * payload (variable length data) Let’s examine each field in detail:  All numeric fields (version, length, method\_id, error\_code) use VLQ encoding for efficient space utilization while supporting values up to 2^64. This provides a good balance between compact representation for common small values while maintaining support for larger values when needed. For serialization and deserialization, we utilize `serde_json` as our primary library. This means any Rust structure that implements the `Serialize` and `Deserialize` traits (which can be automatically derived using the `#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]` attribute macro) can be seamlessly used as parameters and return values in your IPC communications. This provides great flexibility in the types of data you can transmit between processes while maintaining type safety. JSON is not the only option—any Serde framework that supports the `Serialize` and `Deserialize` traits can be used. ## Potentiality Beyond On-Chain Communication While the primary focus of `ckb-script-ipc` has been facilitating communication between on-chain scripts, its potential extends beyond that. One exciting development direction is bridging the gap between on-chain scripts and native off-chain machine code, enabling off-chain services to interact with on-chain functionality. Let’s explore how this works. To interact with on-chain services from native code, follow these steps: **Step 1. Enable the** `std` **feature in** `ckb-script-ipc-common` **Step 2. Initialize the server:** ```rust let script_binary = std::fs::read("path/to/on-chain-script-binary").unwrap();let (read_pipe, write_pipe) = ckb_script_ipc_common::native::spawn_server(&script_binary, &[]).unwrap(); ``` **Step 3. Create and interact with the client:** ```rust let mut client = UnitTestsClient::new(read_pipe, write_pipe);client.test_primitive_types(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, true); ``` These operations are executed on the native machine (off-chain), providing a bridge between off-chain applications and on-chain scripts. The current implementation has two main limitations: 1. **Transaction Context**: The CKB-VM machine running in this mode cannot access transaction context data, as this information isn’t currently provided to the VM. 2. **Integration Complexity**: Integration with off-chain projects requires manual setup since the functionality is provided as a library rather than a complete solution. We have a plans to enhance this functionality with two key features: 1. **Native Node Integration**: We’ll integrate the functionality directly into CKB nodes as an HTTP service, providing a “batteries included” solution that’s ready to use out of the box. 2. **Context-Aware Execution**: Future updates will enable access to transaction context data, allowing for more sophisticated interactions between off-chain and on-chain components. These improvements will significantly expand the utility of `ckb-script-ipc`, making it a more powerful tool for bridging across on-chain and off-chain systems. ## Final remarks The introduction of `Spawn` and `ckb-script-ipc` marks a significant advancement in CKB’s script development capabilities. By providing robust IPC functionality and simplifying complex implementation details, these tools enable developers to build more sophisticated and modular on-chain applications. We encourage developers to explore these new capabilities and contribute to the growing ecosystem of CKB applications. --- *✍🏻 Written by Jiandong Xu* *His previous posts include:* * [Enable Bitcoin Taproot on CKB (Part I)](https://blog.cryptape.com/enable-bitcoin-taproot-on-ckb-part-i) * [Enable Bitcoin Taproot on CKB (Part II)](https://blog.cryptape.com/enable-bitcoin-taproot-on-ckb-part-ii) * [Omnilock, a Universal Lock that Powers Interoperability](https://blog.cryptape.com/omnilock-a-universal-lock-that-powers-interoperability-1)

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

##### _Welcome back to our weekly `JABBB`, **Just Another Bitcoin Bubble Boom**, a comics and meme contest crafted for you, creative stackers!_ If you'd like to learn more, check our welcome post [here](https://stacker.news/items/480740/r/Design_r). - - - ### This week sticker: `Bitcoin Nostrich` You can download the source file directly from the [HereComesBitcoin](https://www.herecomesbitcoin.org/) website in [SVG](https://www.herecomesbitcoin.org/assets/HereComesBitcoinAssets/Nostrich.svg) and [PNG](https://www.herecomesbitcoin.org/assets/HereComesBitcoinAssets/Nostrich.png). Use this sticker around SN with ``  ### The task > Make sure you use this week sticker to design a comic frame or a meme, add a message that perfectly captures the sentiment of the current most hilarious takes on the Bitcoin space. You can contextualize it or not, it's up to you, you chose the message, the context and anything else that will help you submit your comic art masterpiece. > Are you a meme creator? There's space for you too: select the most similar shot from the gifts hosted on the [Gif Station](https://www.herecomesbitcoin.org/) section and craft your best meme... Let's Jabbb! - - - If you enjoy designing and _memeing_, feel free to check out the [JABBB archive](https://stacker.news/Design_r#jabbbs--just-another-bitcoin-bubble-boom--comic--meme-contests) and create more to spread Bitcoin awareness to the moon. Submit each proposal on the relative thread, bounties will be distributed when enough participants submit options. PS: you can now use [HereComesBitcoin stickers to use on Stacker.News](https://stacker.news/items/837782/r/Design_r) ₿ creative and have fun! originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/911990

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers! Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon! A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats. So stay a while and listen. 🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨 🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨 originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/911988

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

The financial world stands divided as Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, encounters severe criticism from the European Central Bank (ECB), despite receiving a significant nod of approval from the United States. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently greenlit a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) for Bitcoin, marking a historic moment for cryptocurrency acceptance. This decision was anticipated to pave the way for broader institutional and retail investment, potentially stabilizing the notoriously volatile digital currency market. However, the ECB's response has been starkly different, casting a shadow over the perceived victory for Bitcoin advocates. The European institution's skepticism underscores a deep-rooted contention surrounding the cryptocurrency's legitimacy, utility, and future in the global financial ecosystem. This divergence highlights the complex and evolving narrative of Bitcoin's journey from an obscure digital token to a significant player in the financial arena, challenging traditional banking norms and regulatory frameworks across continents. **Table of Contents** - ECB's Stance on Bitcoin - Criticisms Highlighted by the ECB - Counterarguments and Market Reactions - The Impact of US ETF Approval - Conclusion - FAQs **ECB's Stance on Bitcoin** The European Central Bank's position on Bitcoin is not just a casual remark but a profound declaration of the institution's skepticism towards the digital currency's value proposition. ECB advisors Jürgen Schaaf and Ulrich Bindseil have articulated their doubts through a comprehensive critique, questioning Bitcoin's validity as a financial asset. Their analysis follows the SEC’s decision, which many had hoped would mitigate such institutional doubts. However, the ECB's stance remains unwavering, rooted in a belief that Bitcoin does not fulfill the basic functions of money nor does it align with traditional investment principles. This perspective from the ECB is not isolated but reflects a broader skepticism prevalent among several traditional financial institutions in Europe. The officials’ comments underscore a fundamental disagreement with the notion that Bitcoin could serve as a cornerstone for future financial systems or represent a stable store of value. Their arguments delve into the intrinsic characteristics of Bitcoin, challenging its scalability, security, and ethical implications, particularly in light of its speculative nature and association with illicit activities. **Criticisms Highlighted by the ECB** The criticisms laid out by the ECB are comprehensive and multifaceted, addressing both practical and theoretical concerns associated with Bitcoin. Schaaf and Bindseil’s commentary extends beyond mere skepticism; it is an indictment of Bitcoin’s foundational principles and operational inefficiencies. They dissect the cryptocurrency's transactional capabilities, highlighting its limitations in speed, cost, and accessibility, which they argue, render it impractical for mainstream financial activities. The ECB's critique also ventures into ethical and environmental territories, condemning the substantial energy consumption driven by Bitcoin mining. This environmental impact is juxtaposed with the lack of tangible output, as Bitcoin does not contribute to physical goods or services production. The officials' arguments are emblematic of a broader debate on the sustainability and ethical implications of cryptocurrencies, particularly those utilizing energy-intensive proof of work mechanisms. Their stance reflects a growing concern among global regulators regarding the environmental footprint of digital currencies and their alignment with broader societal and economic goals. **Counterarguments and Market Reactions** The ECB's stringent critique has not gone unchallenged. Figures like Balaji Srinivasan represent a vocal faction within the crypto community, advocating for Bitcoin's revolutionary potential against traditional fiat currencies. Srinivasan's response, highlighting Bitcoin's appreciation against the Euro, serves as a counter-narrative to the ECB's dismissal, suggesting that Bitcoin's value and impact extend beyond conventional financial metrics. This clash of perspectives is indicative of the broader ideological and practical battle being waged over the future of finance. Proponents of Bitcoin argue that the digital currency represents a new frontier in financial sovereignty, offering unprecedented transparency, security, and efficiency compared to traditional banking systems. This divide between traditional financial authorities and cryptocurrency advocates underscores the ongoing struggle for legitimacy and acceptance faced by digital currencies. The market's reaction to these debates is equally complex, with investor sentiment fluctuating between optimism driven by regulatory milestones like the U.S. ETF approval and caution prompted by institutional criticisms like those from the ECB. **The Impact of US ETF Approval** The SEC's approval of a Bitcoin spot ETF was heralded as a watershed moment for cryptocurrency, potentially heralding a new era of institutional and retail investment. This move was expected to mitigate some of the volatility associated with Bitcoin by providing a regulated investment vehicle for a broader audience. However, the juxtaposition of this approval with the ECB's subsequent criticism highlights the fragmented regulatory landscape facing cryptocurrencies. The U.S. decision reflects a growing recognition of cryptocurrencies' potential to integrate into the mainstream financial system, offering investors regulated pathways to engage with digital assets. Yet, the ECB's stance illustrates the ongoing reservations held by some of the world's most influential financial institutions. This dichotomy underscores the varied approaches to cryptocurrency regulation and acceptance worldwide, reflecting differing economic philosophies, consumer protection concerns, and financial stability considerations. **Conclusion** The current state of Bitcoin and its reception in the global financial community epitomizes the broader challenges facing the integration of digital currencies into established economic systems. The contrasting reactions from the U.S. and European regulators to Bitcoin's evolving role in the financial landscape highlight the deep divisions and uncertainty that persist in the global approach to cryptocurrencies. As Bitcoin continues to navigate these turbulent waters, the debates surrounding its value, utility, and impact are likely to intensify, reflecting broader questions about the future of money, sovereignty, and the global financial order. The ongoing dialogue between cryptocurrency advocates and traditional financial institutions is more than a mere disagreement over an asset class; it is a fundamental debate about the nature of financial value and the future of economic exchange in an increasingly digital world. **FAQs** **What does the ECB think about Bitcoin?** The European Central Bank (ECB) has expressed skepticism regarding Bitcoin, questioning its value as a financial asset and criticizing its efficiency, legality, and environmental impact. **Why does the ECB believe Bitcoin's fair value is zero?** The ECB argues that Bitcoin does not fulfill the basic functions of money, is not used widely for legitimate transactions, lacks intrinsic value, and contributes to environmental harm due to its energy-intensive mining process. **What was the significance of the US approving a Bitcoin ETF?** The approval of a Bitcoin ETF in the US was seen as a significant step towards legitimizing Bitcoin as a financial asset, potentially making it more accessible to institutional and retail investors through a regulated framework. **How does Bitcoin mining affect the environment?** Bitcoin mining consumes a large amount of electricity, often powered by fossil fuels, leading to significant carbon emissions and environmental impact. **Can Bitcoin be used for illegal activities?** While Bitcoin can be used for legitimate transactions, its anonymity and lack of regulation make it susceptible to being used for illegal activities such as money laundering and purchasing illicit goods. **That's all for today** **If you want more, be sure to follow us on:** **NOSTR: croxroad@getalby.com** **X: [@croxroadnewsco](https://x.com/croxroadnewsco)** **Instagram: [@croxroadnews.co/](https://www.instagram.com/croxroadnews.co/)** **Youtube: [@thebitcoinlibertarian](https://www.youtube.com/@thebitcoinlibertarian)** **Store: https://croxroad.store** **Subscribe to CROX ROAD Bitcoin Only Daily Newsletter** **https://www.croxroad.co/subscribe** **Get Orange Pill App And Connect With Bitcoiners In Your Area. Stack Friends Who Stack Sats link: https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/croxroad** **Buy Bitcoin Books At Konsensus Network Store. 10% Discount With Code “21croxroad” link: https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=21croxroad** *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.*

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

Kultur. Kunst. Ästhetik. Ich lasse die Ausrufezeichen weg, die mir da entgegenkamen aus dem Publikum in der Ladestation in Köln. Eigentlich sollte es um den „[dressierten Nachwuchs](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/medien-plus/buchwerbung-ii)“ gehen, am Ende waren wir aber doch wieder bei den Leitmedien und damit auch bei der Gegenöffentlichkeit. Herr Meyen, Sie können doch nicht ernsthaft den *Kontrafunk* loben. Diese Opernsängerin. Und überhaupt. Ich, sagte der Mann, den ich im Scheinwerferlicht nicht sehen und folglich auch nicht taxieren konnte, ich höre lieber den *Deutschlandfunk*, trotz der Nachrichten. Das hat Klasse. Das hat Qualität. Geschichte, Tiefe. Wo bitte schön ist das bei Ihren Lieblingen, Herr Meyen? Ich habe Jenifer Lary verteidigt (die das in ihrer „Musikstunde“ wirklich gut macht, aber das nur nebenbei) und auf die Ressourcen hingewiesen. Hier ein milliardenschwerer Rundfunk, finanziert mit dem Gewaltmonopol des Staates im Rücken, und dort ein paar Mittelständler, die es sich leisten können und wollen, für *Kontrafunk*-Aktien 25.000 Franken in den Wind zu schreiben, und Kleinspender, die so dankbar sind für das, was Burkhard Müller-Ullrich da auf die Beine stellt, dass sie sich zehn oder 20 Euro abzwacken. Vergeblich. Auch am nächsten Tag im [Philosophischen Salon](https://www.philosophischer-salon.de/), einer Privatinitiative von Sabine Marx in der gleichen Stadt, wo nach meinem Vortrag allen Ernstes vorgeschlagen wurde, doch einfach Geld zusammenzutragen, damit „die Besten“ zu ködern und so eine Gegenkultur auf die Beine zu stellen, die mindestens genauso gut ist wie das, was zum Beispiel der *Deutschlandfunk* bietet. Wenn es nur so einfach wäre. Man muss nicht Pierre Bourdieu gelesen zu haben, um die Magnetwirkung zu sehen, die vom Machtpol der Felder ausgeht – in der Literatur, in der Musik, im Journalismus, in der Wissenschaft. Sicherheit, Geld, manchmal sogar Ruhm. Überhaupt: dazugehören. Mit in der Verlosung zu sein, wenn die großen Bühnen vergeben werden, Preise oder wenigstens Stipendien. Rezensiert werden – und zwar dort, wo die Agenturen hinschauen, die Bibliotheken, die Sponsoren. Ein junger Mensch, der sich bewusst gegen all das entscheidet, habe ich in Köln sinngemäß gesagt, solch ein junger Mensch ist die absolute Ausnahme. Die Folgen spürt jeder, der Personal rekrutieren möchte für Alternativprojekte. Die Folgen spürt auch das Publikum. Wo Konkurrenz und Reibung fehlen, ist es nicht weit bis zur Genügsamkeit, frei nach dem Motto: Meine Follower lieben mich, was also wollt ihr noch von mir? Ich schicke all das vorweg, um Eugen Zentner würdigen zu können – einen gerade noch jungen Mann, geboren 1979, der alles mitbringt, was es für eine Karriere in der Bewusstseinsindustrie braucht, und der sich nach Versuchen bei der dpa trotzdem gegen die Verlockungen entschieden hat, die das Mitschwimmen abwirft. Ich habe hier schon sein [Buch über die neue Kunst- und Kulturszene](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/medien-plus/die-neue-kunst) gewürdigt und freue mich, dass er sich jetzt als Erzähler versucht – mit Kurzgeschichten über [Corona-Schicksale](https://www.masselverlag.de/Programm/Corona-Schicksale//), wieder erschienen im [Massel-Verlag](https://www.masselverlag.de//). Die Form erlaubt ihm, das zuzuspitzen und zu verdichten, was viele zwischen Mitte März 2020 und dem 7. April 2022 erlebt und erlitten haben – angefangen mit Kollegen und Freunden, die erst oft noch ganz aufgeschlossen auf Videos von Wodarg und Co. reagierten, dann aber den Kontakt abbrachen, als sie sahen, was „man“ von diesen Leuten zu halten hat, bis hin zu purem Hass, als die „Pandemie der Ungeimpften“ ausgerufen wurde und so jeder ermutigt wurde, die „Verweigerer“ in den Dreck zu treten. Die 15 Geschichten von Eugen Zentner sind düster. Vielleicht muss das so sein, weil die Zeit so war und irgendjemand das festhalten muss, auch jenseits von Sachbuch und Journalismus. Das Schulkind, dem unter der Maske die Luft wegbleibt. Die drei Freunde, die sich trotz Lockdown treffen und in der Wohnung von Uniformierten überfallen werden. Die Polizeiopfer auf den Demos. Der Bruder, der Heiligabend bei Mama platzen lässt, weil die Schwester nicht am Katzentisch sitzen mag. Die Oma, die im Pflegeheim eingesperrt wird und den Verstand verliert, weil sie Tochter und Enkel nicht sehen kann und nicht versteht, warum das alles passiert. Die Figuren kommen eher als Holzschnitt daher, schwarz-weiß. Es gibt zwei „Täter“, wenn man so will, einen Journalisten und eine Krankenschwester, die einen Kampf mit ihrem Gewissen austragen und, wie sollte es anders sein, diesen Kampf bei Eugen Zentner verlieren. Es gibt auch einen Abgeordneten aus einer Regierungspartei, der am 18. November 2020 gegen das Infektionsschutzgesetz stimmen will und sich sicher ist, dass er nicht erpresst werden kann. Wir wissen, wie das in der Wirklichkeit ausgegangen ist. Die Fiktion, gerade in einer Kurzgeschichte, hat den Vorteil, alles wegwischen zu können, was das reale Leben ausmacht. Die Grautöne vor allem, die aus den Erfahrungen sprießen, die der Einzelne gemacht hat. Der Journalismus darf das (eigentlich) nicht und das Sachbuch sowieso nicht. Eigentlich müsste ich das „eigentlich“ wieder streichen und auch für die Kurzgeschichte den Maßstab nachjustieren – für ein Genre, das vom Autor noch mehr verlangt als ein Roman, weil wenig Platz ist und der Leser trotzdem erwartet, dass buchstäblich „alles“ gesagt wird. Eugen Zentner ist auf dem Weg dahin – in der zweiten Auflage vielleicht sogar mit einem Adlerauge für die Korrektur und beim nächsten Versuch mit noch mehr Ruhe und Geduld, um auch das einfangen zu können, was sich dem Zeitzeugen und Beobachter entzieht. Vielleicht muss man seine beiden Bücher einfach nebeneinanderlegen, um zu Hölderlin zu kommen: „Wo aber Gefahr ist, wächst das Rettende auch.“ Kunst, Kultur, Ästhetik: Der Rufer aus Köln hat Recht. Die Gegenöffentlichkeit braucht mehr davon, wenn sie etwas bewegen will. Die Anfänge sind gemacht. Ein paar davon haben wir am Buch-Tresen aufgegriffen: [Sonja Silberhorn](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/medien-plus/am-waldrand-auch-ein-mord) und [Bernd Zeller](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/medien-plus/theater-mit-system), [Sebastian Schwaerzel](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/medien-plus/schizoid-man) und nicht zu vergessen: [Thomas Eisinger](https://apolut.net/im-gespraech-thomas-eisinger/). Gerade lese ich, dass [Raymond Unger](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/medien-plus/trauma-gesellschaft) einen Roman geschrieben hat. Geht doch, sogar ohne irgendwelche Multimilliardäre.  [Freie Akademie für Medien & Journalismus](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/) [Unterstützen](https://www.freie-medienakademie.de/unterstuetzen) *Titelbild*: Alexa @Pixabay

@ 84b0c46a:417782f5

[nostrリンクテスト](nostr:npub1sjcvg64knxkrt6ev52rywzu9uzqakgy8ehhk8yezxmpewsthst6sw3jqcw) [web+nostrリンクテスト](web+nostr:npub1sjcvg64knxkrt6ev52rywzu9uzqakgy8ehhk8yezxmpewsthst6sw3jqcw) [x-ukagaka-linkテスト](x-ukagaka-link:type=event&ghost=Emily&info=sweet-potato-feeding) [x-ukagaka-linkテスト2](x-ukagaka-link:type=event&ghost=luminous_unyu&info=test) [nostalk](x-ukagaka-link:type=install&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fnikolat%2Fnostalk%2Freleases%2Fdownload%2Fv0.5.0%2Fnostalk.nar)

@ bc575705:dba3ed39

In our hyper-connected age, the concept of "Know Your Customer" (KYC) has morphed from a regulatory necessity into a pervasive surveillance apparatus, subtly eroding our fundamental liberties. While purported to combat financial crime, KYC has become a tool for mass surveillance, data exploitation, and the gradual dismantling of personal privacy. Let’s embark on a comprehensive exploration of this system, exposing its inherent flaws and advocating for a paradigm shift towards decentralized financial sovereignty. ## **Beyond the Surface: The Intricate Web of KYC Data Collection** **KYC transcends mere identity verification;** it's a deep dive into the minutiae of our lives. Consider the breadth and depth of data extracted: **Geographic Surveillance:** Proof of address requirements delve into historical residency, creating granular maps of our movements. Combined with location data from mobile devices and online activity, this paints a comprehensive picture of our physical presence. **Financial Autopsy:** KYC dissects our financial lives with surgical precision. Income sources, asset declarations, and transaction histories are meticulously cataloged. Algorithmic analysis reveals spending habits, investment strategies, and even potential political affiliations. **Behavioral Predictive Modeling:** AI algorithms analyze our financial behavior, predicting future actions and preferences. This data is invaluable for targeted advertising, but also for social engineering and political manipulation. **Biometric Invasiveness:** Facial recognition, iris scans, and voice analysis create permanent, immutable records of our physical selves. These biometrics are highly sensitive and vulnerable to breaches, potentially leading to identity theft and even physical harm. **Social Network Mapping:** KYC extends beyond individuals, mapping our social and professional networks. Institutions analyze our connections, identifying potential risks based on our associations. This has a chilling effect on free association and dissent, as individuals become hesitant to associate with those deemed "risky." **Psychometric Profiling:** With the increase of online tests, and the collection of online data, companies and states can build psychometric profiles. These profiles can be used to predict actions, and even manipulate populations. ## **The Fallacy of Security: KYC's Ineffectiveness and the Rise of the Surveillance State** Despite its claims, KYC fails to effectively combat sophisticated financial crime. Instead, it creates a system of mass surveillance that disproportionately targets law-abiding citizens. **The Scourge of False Positives:** Automated KYC systems frequently generate false positives, flagging innocent individuals as potential criminals. This can lead to financial exclusion, reputational damage, and even legal persecution. **A Ticking Time Bomb:** Centralized KYC databases are prime targets for hackers, putting vast amounts of sensitive personal information at risk. Data breaches can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and even physical harm. **The State's Panopticon:** KYC empowers governments to monitor the financial activities of their citizens, creating a powerful tool for surveillance and control. This can be used to suppress dissent, target political opponents, and enforce conformity. **The Criminals Advantage:** Sophisticated criminals easily bypass KYC using shell companies, money laundering, and other techniques. This makes KYC a system that punishes the innocent, and gives the criminals a false sense of security for the data collected. ## **Decentralized Alternatives: Reclaiming Financial Sovereignty and Privacy** In the face of this encroaching surveillance state, decentralized technologies offer a path to financial freedom and privacy. **Cryptocurrency | A Bastion of Financial Freedom:** Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies provide censorship-resistant alternatives to traditional financial systems. They empower individuals to transact freely, without the need for intermediaries or government oversight. **Decentralized Finance (DeFi) | Democratizing Finance:** DeFi platforms offer a range of financial services, including lending, borrowing, and trading, without the need for traditional banks. These platforms are built on blockchain technology, ensuring transparency, security, and accessibility. **Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) | Empowering Individuals:** SSI solutions enable individuals to control their own digital identities, without relying on centralized authorities. This allows for secure and private verification of identity, without the need to share sensitive personal information with every service provider. **Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) | Shielding Your Data:** Technologies like zero-knowledge proofs, homomorphic encryption, and secure multi-party computation can be used to protect personal data while still allowing for necessary verification. **Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) | Creating new forms of governance:** DAOs provide new ways for groups to organize, and make decisions. They provide a transparent way to pool resources, and make decisions. ## **A Call to Action: Defending Our Digital Rights and Building a Decentralized Future** We cannot passively accept the erosion of our fundamental freedoms. We must actively defend our digital rights and demand a more just and equitable financial system. **Advocate for Robust Privacy Laws:** Demand stronger regulations that limit the collection and use of personal data. **Champion Decentralized Technologies:** Support the development and adoption of cryptocurrencies, DeFi platforms, and other decentralized solutions. **Educate and Empower:** Raise awareness about the dangers of KYC and state surveillance. **Cultivate Critical Thinking:** Question the narratives presented by governments and corporations. **Build Decentralized Communities:** Join and support decentralized communities that are working to build a more free and open financial system. **Demand transparency from all data collection:** Insist that all data collection is open, and that there are strong penalties for those that misuse data. **The fight for financial freedom is a fight for human freedom. Let us stand together and reclaim our digital sovereignty.**

@ f7d424b5:618c51e8

It's time for the obligatory Monster Hunter episode. Some of the audio is a little messed up towards the end of the episode, sorry about that. Minus a few relevant tangents this episode is almost entirely about Monster Hunter, I was being serious. Charts: - [Monster Hunter Wilds chart](https://steamdb.info/app/2246340/charts/) - [Capcom IR sales numbers for 2024](https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html) - [Avowed steam chart](https://steamdb.info/app/2457220/charts/) - [CP2077 Chart](https://steamdb.info/app/1091500/charts/#3y) Obligatory: - [Listen to the new episode here!](https://melonmancy.net/listen) - [Discuss this episode on OUR NEW FORUM](https://melonmancy.cafe/d/104-mp102-she-would-break-my-skull-by-patting-me-on-the-head) - [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)

@ 71550e6c:b64c37a9

Just to test the `published_at` tag. I don't know how to write these ordinal number names in English. OK, apparently now `published_at` worked correctly.

@ 71550e6c:b64c37a9

This is the last test before I call this feature done and move on to the next one. First I created, now I'm editing;

@ 71550e6c:b64c37a9

We've tested editing many times, now let's test creating. It worked. The experience was amazing.

@ 71550e6c:b64c37a9

This is a test article published, updated and backdated from nak fs. Apparently it works!

@ f7bc47e7:51d9f99f

**Bitcoin: The Anti-Technocratic Technocracy** The specter of technocracy haunts modernity—a dystopia where unaccountable elites and unfeeling algorithms strip humanity of agency. Central bankers print money at whim, AI systems discard workers as obsolete, and governments weaponize technology into tools of mass surveillance. This is the world of *Brave New World* and *Blade Runner*, where power consolidates in the hands of a few, and “progress” sacrifices dignity at the altar of efficiency. Yet Bitcoin offers a radical inversion: **a technocracy governed not by people, but principles**. Its code enforces rules no CEO, politician, or AI can bend. The 21 million cap, proof-of-work validation, and decentralized consensus are laws etched in digital stone. Unlike central banks—where unelected technocrats manipulate money supply—Bitcoin’s scarcity is non-negotiable. It is a system where the rules apply equally to all, and corruption is not hidden, but exposed on an immutable ledger. ### **The Pillars of Bitcoin’s Rebellion** 1. **No Masters** Bitcoin has no ruling class. Its protocol—unalterable without near-unanimous consensus—replaces human whim with algorithmic certainty. While central banks pick winners and losers through inflation, Bitcoin’s fairness is binary: you either follow the code, or you’re excluded. 2. **Meritocracy Without Elitism** Participation is permissionless. A farmer in Kenya can run a node; a coder in Estonia can propose upgrades. Influence grows with contribution, not pedigree. Unlike AI systems that judge human “usefulness,” Bitcoin’s math is indifferent—your worth isn’t decided by an algorithm, but by your ability to engage. 3. **Human-Centric, Not Human-Replacing** Bitcoin’s security depends on *people*: miners securing the network, developers maintaining code, users transacting freely. Its energy-intensive proof-of-work anchors it to the physical world, preventing the abstracted tyranny of metaverse capitalism. You can’t mine Bitcoin in the cloud; it demands real-world effort. 4. **Resistance to AI Domination** Bitcoin’s simplicity is its shield. An AI can’t “hack” or “reason” with its code—it can only obey the rules or waste energy attacking them. Unlike adaptive AI, Bitcoin doesn’t learn, evolve, or self-modify. Humans retain control through consensus, not subjugation. ### **The Vulnerability: Us** Bitcoin’s code is bulletproof, but its human layer is fragile. Governments can ban it, corporations can centralize mining, and Wall Street can reduce it to a speculative toy. Surveillance firms already track transactions, and lazy adoption (e.g., trusting custodians) reintroduces the centralization Bitcoin was built to destroy. The threat isn’t technological—it’s cultural. Will we trade sovereignty for convenience? Let ETFs and regulated exchanges repackage Bitcoin into the very system it seeks to dismantle? ### **Conclusion: A Tool for Liberation, Not Control** Bitcoin is a paradox: a technocratic system designed to dismantle technocracy. It replaces opaque institutions with transparent code, human bias with mathematical fairness, and centralized control with distributed agency. For the “useless eaters” of the old world, Bitcoin offers redemption—a chance to opt out of systems that exploit them and into a network that empowers them. But its promise hinges on vigilance. Decentralization isn’t a feature; it’s a *fight*. Reject custodians. Mine sustainably. Use Bitcoin as it was meant: not to get rich, but to be free. In a world racing toward dystopia, Bitcoin is a lifeline—proof that technology can serve humanity, not enslave it. The code is ready. The question is: Are we?