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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-01-26 15:32:13
Here are today's picks using my proprietary betting strategy at [Freebitcoin](https://freebitco.in/?r=51325722). For details about what Risk Balanced Odds Arbitrage is and why it works see https://stacker.news/items/342765/r/Undisciplined.
For a hypothetical 1k-ish wager on each match, distribute your sats as follows:
| Outcome 1 | Outcome 2 | Outcome 3 | Bet 1 | Bet 2 | Bet 3 |
|--------------|-------------|--------------|-------|-------|-------|
| Newcastle| Fullham| Draw | 583| 200| 238|
| Man United| Crystal Palace| Draw | 459| 286| 280|
| Chelsea| West Ham| Draw | 714| 125| 179|
| Brentford| Tottenham| Draw | 417| 364| 250|
| Arsenal| Man City| Draw | 465| 278| 274|
| Bournemouth| Liverpool| Draw | 211| 565| 238|
A note of caution about Freebitcoin: they recorded the wrong outcome for last week's Bills vs Ravens game and as of yet have not corrected it. I recall one other instance of something similar happening, so proceed with caution.
This RBOA strategy is largely immune from that problem, but be aware of it when just betting on one outcome.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/864472
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-26 15:26:44
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued new guidance halting spending on most foreign aid grants for 90 days, including military assistance to Ukraine. This immediate order shocked State Department officials and mandates “stop-work orders” on nearly all existing foreign assistance awards.
While it allows exceptions for military financing to Egypt and Israel, as well as emergency food assistance, it restricts aid to key allies like Ukraine, Jordan, and Taiwan. The guidance raises potential liability risks for the government due to unfulfilled contracts.
A report will be prepared within 85 days to recommend which programs to continue or discontinue.
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@ c11cf5f8:4928464d
2025-01-26 15:16:48
Let's hear some of your latest Bitcoin purchases, feel free to include links to the shops or merchants you bought from too.
If you missed our last thread, [here](https://stacker.news/items/855696/r/AG) are some of the items stackers recently spent their sats on.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/864463
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@ 378562cd:a6fc6773
2025-01-26 14:50:23
**Top 20 U.S.-Based Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Secretary of Defense Amid Crypto Talks**\
The newly confirmed Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has hinted at exploring blockchain applications for national security and defense logistics.
2. **Senate to Debate Cryptocurrency Taxation Reform**\
A bipartisan bill focusing on cryptocurrency taxation is set for Senate debate, aiming to simplify tax reporting and encourage blockchain innovation.
3. **Florida Launches State-Backed Blockchain Pilot Program**\
Florida has initiated a pilot program leveraging blockchain for state services, including property records and public benefits distribution.
4. **Silicon Valley Firms Ramp Up Blockchain Development**\
Tech giants in Silicon Valley, including Meta and Google, have announced increased investments in blockchain R&D to align with U.S. policy shifts.
5. **California Mulls Digital Asset Consumer Protection Bill**\
California lawmakers are reviewing a proposed bill designed to strengthen consumer protections in cryptocurrency transactions and prevent fraud.
6. **Wyoming Leads in Blockchain Legislation**\
Wyoming continues to set the standard for pro-blockchain legislation, introducing additional laws to attract cryptocurrency businesses and miners.
7. **Texas Becomes a Hub for Crypto Mining**\
Texas remains a hotbed for cryptocurrency mining operations, with favorable regulations and abundant energy resources attracting global miners.
8. **New York Revisits BitLicense Regulations**\
The New York Department of Financial Services is revising its stringent BitLicense requirements, seeking to balance industry growth and consumer protection.
9. **SEC Proposes Clearer Guidelines for ICOs**\
The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed new rules to clarify and reduce ambiguity surrounding initial coin offerings (ICOs).
10. **Banking Giants Reenter Crypto Markets**\
JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are reportedly resuming their cryptocurrency trading desks, reflecting renewed institutional confidence in the market.
11. **Crypto Job Market Expands in the U.S.**\
Major crypto companies, including Coinbase and Kraken, are expanding hiring efforts, focusing on compliance, engineering, and product development roles.
12. **U.S. Treasury Collaborates with Private Sector on Blockchain Security**\
The U.S. Treasury has launched a joint initiative with private companies to enhance blockchain cybersecurity and combat crypto-related crimes.
13. **Nevada Considers Tax Incentives for Crypto Startups**\
Nevada legislators are discussing tax breaks for cryptocurrency startups to attract more tech companies to the state.
14. **Miami Hosts Blockchain Week**\
Miami has kicked off Blockchain Week, drawing thousands of participants from around the world to discuss cryptocurrency innovation and regulation.
15. **Colorado Accepts Tax Payments in Cryptocurrency**\
Colorado residents can now pay state taxes using Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a milestone in government adoption of digital currencies.
16. **Boston Dynamics Explores Blockchain in Robotics**\
Boston Dynamics has announced research into using blockchain technology to enhance coordination and security for robotic systems.
17. **Crypto Payments Expand in the Retail Sector**\
Major U.S. retailers, including Walmart and Home Depot, are piloting cryptocurrency payment systems in select locations.
18. **Federal Reserve Examines Decentralized Finance (DeFi)**\
The Federal Reserve has initiated a study on the potential implications and opportunities of decentralized finance within the U.S. economy.
19. **Chicago Becomes a Cryptocurrency Innovation Hub**\
Chicago has unveiled a public-private initiative to attract blockchain startups and establish the city as a leading hub for cryptocurrency innovation.
20. **Arizona Proposes Bitcoin as Legal Tender**\
Arizona legislators are drafting a bill recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender, potentially making it the first U.S. state to do so.
---
**Top 5 Worldwide Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **European Union Accelerates Crypto Regulation Framework**\
The EU is working on comprehensive legislation to standardize cryptocurrency regulations across member states, focusing on consumer protection and innovation.
2. **China's Shadow Crypto Market Flourishes Despite Crackdowns**\
Despite stringent bans, underground cryptocurrency trading in China continues to thrive, fueled by over-the-counter brokers and international platforms.
3. **India Explores Blockchain Voting Systems**\
India is piloting blockchain technology for secure and transparent voting, aiming to modernize its electoral process.
4. **El Salvador Expands Bitcoin Adoption Programs**\
El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, is launching new programs to educate its citizens on cryptocurrency use and blockchain technology.
5. **African Nations Adopt Bitcoin for Cross-Border Transactions**\
African countries increasingly leverage Bitcoin to streamline cross-border trade, addressing inefficiencies in traditional banking systems.
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-26 14:48:01
# Page 1
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## Welcome to Stories
This is a new way to tell stories on nostr.
##
Some content in the middle of the page.
## Read More
Swipe left to continue...
# Page 2
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## Top Info
This text appears at the top of the page.
## Important Point
This content is centered in the middle.
## Bottom Line
And this wraps it up at the bottom.
# Page 3
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##
##
## The End
Thanks for reading! This text appears at the bottom.
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@ 0463223a:3b14d673
2025-01-26 13:07:36
Hmm so I heard that in order to improve my brain I should try writing… Ok groovy, I’ll give it a go. In all honesty I don’t know what to write, my brain is a jumble of noise and titbits of random knowledge. I likely know more about sound than the average person but as physics goes, I don’t have anything new or profound to add. Air moves and noises happen. Is there really any more to it? I could write some flowery bollocks about refraction, absorption coefficients and reverberation times, or I could write some out there, arty shit but I don’t think that adds any value to anyone.
A lot of folks online have very strong beliefs in how the world operates or should operate. Whilst their conviction is strong, there’s also is a large percentage of people who totally disagree with them and think the exact opposite is the answer. That’s quite shit isn’t it? Humans have been around for 100,000 years or so and haven’t worked it out. I wonder what makes the internet celeb so certain they’ve got it right when the next internet celeb completely disagrees? I do my best to avoid any of these cunts but despite running to the obscurest social media platforms they still turn up with their profound statements. Meh.
Ideologically I’m leaning toward anarchism but even that seems full of arguments and contradictions and ultimately I don’t think I can be arsed with identifying with any particular ideology. I tried reading some philosophy and struggled with it, although I deep fall into a lovely deep sleep. It’s fair to say I’m not the brightest button in the box. I have a wife, a couple of cats and lots of things that make nosies in my shed. That’s pretty cool right? Well it works for me.
So why write this? I clearly wrote in the first sentence that I’m trying to improve my brain, a brain that’s gone through a number to twists and turns, a lot brain altering substances. I own that, no one forced me to. Beside, George Clinton was still smoking crack aged 80, didn’t do him any harm…
I’m on the 5th paragraph. I don’t feel any smarter yet and each paragraph is getting shorter, having started from a low base. I guess I’m being too high time preference… Might be a while before I launch my Deep Thought podcasts where myself and a guest talk for 500 hours about the philosophy of money and 13 amp plug sockets.
I’ve tortured myself enough. I’m posting this on Nostr where it will never go away.. lol. If you got this far, I congratulate/commiserate you and wish you a wonderful day.
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@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39
2025-01-26 12:40:45
# **Hackathon 概览**
[BTCfi 夏季黑客松](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon) 是于2024年夏季由CoreDAO组织,为期12周的黑客松活动。本次活动旨在推动比特币经济中的创新,吸引了来自Web3和BTCfi社区的开发者参与。共有291位开发者参与,提交了74个去中心化应用项目(BUIDLs)到Core平台上。此举旨在加强Core在BTC领域的作用。
Hackathon于2024年6月6日开始,包含开幕式、申请期以及于2024年8月19日的demo日。获奖者于2024年8月26日公布。NLX、Halborn、TokenSoft、Verichains和Request Finance等赞助商给予了支持。
参与者专注于开发将Core链技术融入其解决方案的独特应用。此次活动有效扩展了Core生态系统,增强了开发人员的参与度。所提交项目的多样性和范围突显了活动的成功实施及其对未来区块链技术进步的潜在影响。
# **Hackathon 获奖项目**
- **1st Place:**[Rune Bridge](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14486): 该系统实现了比特币和Core区块链之间无需权限的集成。它利用EVM兼容性和混合共识模型来实现可扩展性,由智能合约、链外中继器和一个工厂ERC20合约组成,以高效管理代币。
- **2nd Place:**[OnchainVampireSurvivors](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14468): 这是一款Web3时间生存游戏,具有基于区块链的链上排行榜和彩票功能。项目使用ThirdWeb进行钱包访问,注重gas效率,并使用Cocos和Hardhat开发。未来增强计划包括AI资产和在Core主网上的部署。
- **3rd Place:**[b14g Network - Enhancing Decentralization and Security on Core Chain with b14g](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14353): 本项目旨在通过实施观察者节点和合并质押来增强Core Chain的安全性,促进监控的去中心化并解决承诺问题。它旨在将BTC与DeFi集成,提升CORE代币的实用性并确保网络的完整性。
欲了解所有提交项目的综合概述,请访问[BTCFi Summer Hackathon 2024页面](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon/buidl)。
# **关于组织者**
### **CoreDAO**
Core DAO管理着Core Chain,这是一条以安全性和可扩展性为重点的去中心化区块链网络。通过将比特币的工作量证明与Satoshi Plus共识系统(委托工作量证明和委托权益证明的组合)相结合,Core DAO旨在增强去中心化和安全性。该平台提供以太坊虚拟机兼容性,使比特币矿工可以参与,同时比特币持有者可以在不放弃托管的情况下进行质押。Core Chain支持高交易吞吐量,由社区管理,并提供与其他区块链的互操作性,使用Solidity进行高效智能合约开发。该组织的使命是推动由比特币保护的去中心化应用程序开发。
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@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a
2025-01-26 12:39:54
# **Hackathon Summary**
The [**BTCfi Summer Hackathon**](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon), organized by Core DAO in 2024, concluded after a 12-week period. The hackathon aimed to drive innovation in the Bitcoin economy, engaging developers from the Web3 and BTCfi communities. A total of 291 developers participated, submitting 74 decentralized application projects (BUIDLs) on the Core platform. This initiative sought to reinforce Core’s role within the BTC space.
The hackathon commenced on June 6, 2024, featuring key activities such as the opening ceremony, application period, and a demo day on August 19, 2024. Winners were revealed on August 26, 2024. The event was supported by sponsors, including NLX, Halborn, TokenSoft, Verichains, and Request Finance.
Participants focused on developing unique applications that incorporated Core Chain technologies into their solutions. The event effectively expanded the Core ecosystem, enhancing developer engagement. The diversity and range of submitted projects underscored the event's successful execution and potential impact on future blockchain technology advancements.
# **Hackathon Winners**
### **1st Place**
[Rune Bridge](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14486): This system facilitates integration between the Bitcoin and Core blockchains without requiring permission. It leverages EVM compatibility and a hybrid consensus model for scalability, consisting of a smart contract, off-chain relayer, and a factory ERC20 contract to manage tokens efficiently.
### **2nd Place**
[OnchainVampireSurvivors](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14468): A Web3 time survival game featuring a blockchain-based on-chain leaderboard and lottery. The project uses ThirdWeb for wallet access, prioritizes gas efficiency, and is developed using Cocos and Hardhat. Future enhancements include AI assets and deployment on the Core mainnet.
### **3rd Place**
[b14g Network - Enhancing Decentralization and Security on Core Chain with b14g](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/14353): This project aims to bolster Core Chain's security by implementing Observer Nodes and Merge Staking, promoting decentralization in monitoring and addressing commitment challenges. It seeks to integrate BTC with DeFi, enhancing CORE token utility and ensuring network integrity.
For a comprehensive overview of all submitted projects, visit the [BTCFi Summer Hackathon 2024 page](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/btcfi-summer-hackathon/buidl).
# **About the Organizer**
### **Core DAO**
Core DAO manages the Core Chain, a decentralized blockchain network with a focus on security and scalability. By integrating Bitcoin’s Proof of Work with the Satoshi Plus consensus system—a combination of Delegated Proof of Work and Delegated Proof of Stake—Core DAO aims to enhance decentralization and security. The platform offers Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility, enabling Bitcoin miners to participate and Bitcoin holders to stake without relinquishing custody. Core Chain supports high transaction throughput, is community-governed, and provides interoperability with other blockchains, utilizing Solidity for efficient smart contract development. The organization's mission centers on promoting decentralized application development secured by Bitcoin.
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@ 19f16cc9:dde72785
2025-01-26 12:17:23
Rikvip là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến nổi bật, mang đến cho người tham gia những trò chơi thú vị và hấp dẫn. Với giao diện dễ sử dụng, người tham gia có thể nhanh chóng tìm kiếm và tham gia vào các trò chơi yêu thích của mình. Nền tảng này cung cấp nhiều thể loại trò chơi khác nhau, giúp đáp ứng nhu cầu giải trí đa dạng của người dùng. Bất kể là người mới hay đã có kinh nghiệm, Rikvip đều có thể mang đến những trải nghiệm giải trí tuyệt vời.
Điểm mạnh của Rikvip chính là sự đa dạng và phong phú trong các trò chơi mà nền tảng này cung cấp. Người tham gia có thể thử sức với các trò chơi trí tuệ, các trò chơi giải trí nhẹ nhàng, hoặc những trò chơi chiến thuật đầy thử thách. Rikvip luôn cập nhật các trò chơi mới và các sự kiện đặc biệt để người tham gia không bao giờ cảm thấy nhàm chán. Nền tảng này cũng chú trọng vào việc cải tiến các trò chơi hiện có để mang lại cho người tham gia những trải nghiệm mượt mà và thú vị hơn.
Bảo mật là một yếu tố rất quan trọng tại <a href="https://www-rikvip.com">RIKVIP</a>. Nền tảng này sử dụng công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến để bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và giao dịch của người tham gia. Mọi giao dịch và dữ liệu người dùng đều được mã hóa và bảo vệ an toàn, giúp người tham gia yên tâm khi tham gia các trò chơi trên nền tảng. Rikvip cam kết mang đến một môi trường an toàn và bảo mật cho tất cả người dùng.
Bên cạnh đó, đội ngũ hỗ trợ khách hàng của Rikvip luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp mọi thắc mắc và hỗ trợ người tham gia trong suốt quá trình sử dụng dịch vụ. Đội ngũ chăm sóc khách hàng của Rikvip được đào tạo chuyên nghiệp và tận tâm, giúp người tham gia có thể nhanh chóng giải quyết các vấn đề hoặc yêu cầu của mình. Dịch vụ hỗ trợ của Rikvip rất linh hoạt và dễ tiếp cận, mang đến cho người tham gia sự hài lòng cao.
Cuối cùng, Rikvip không chỉ là một nền tảng giải trí mà còn là một môi trường an toàn, đáng tin cậy và thú vị cho tất cả người tham gia. Với các trò chơi đa dạng, tính bảo mật cao và dịch vụ khách hàng chuyên nghiệp, Rikvip đã xây dựng được lòng tin vững chắc trong cộng đồng người tham gia. Nền tảng này xứng đáng là sự lựa chọn tuyệt vời cho những ai muốn tìm kiếm một không gian giải trí tuyệt hảo và đáng tin cậy.
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@ 19f16cc9:dde72785
2025-01-26 12:16:31
123B là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến được yêu thích, mang đến cho người tham gia một không gian giải trí đa dạng và phong phú. Với giao diện thân thiện và dễ sử dụng, 123B giúp người dùng dễ dàng tiếp cận các trò chơi yêu thích. Nền tảng này không chỉ hướng đến người dùng mới mà còn đáp ứng được nhu cầu của những người tham gia lâu dài, tạo ra một môi trường giải trí thú vị và luôn tươi mới.
Một trong những yếu tố khiến 123B nổi bật là sự đa dạng trong các trò chơi mà nền tảng này cung cấp. Người tham gia có thể tìm thấy nhiều thể loại trò chơi từ các trò chơi trí tuệ cho đến những trò chơi giải trí thư giãn. Nền tảng này luôn cập nhật các trò chơi mới và mang lại những sự kiện đặc biệt để người tham gia không bao giờ cảm thấy nhàm chán. 123B luôn sáng tạo và cải tiến để mang lại trải nghiệm tốt nhất cho người tham gia.
Bảo mật là một yếu tố quan trọng tại <a href="https://123b-online.com">123B</a>. Nền tảng này sử dụng các công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến để bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và dữ liệu giao dịch của người tham gia. Mọi thông tin đều được mã hóa và bảo vệ an toàn, giúp người tham gia yên tâm trong suốt quá trình sử dụng dịch vụ. Các biện pháp bảo mật mạnh mẽ của 123B giúp đảm bảo sự an toàn tuyệt đối cho người tham gia và giữ cho họ không phải lo lắng về việc bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân.
Bên cạnh đó, đội ngũ chăm sóc khách hàng của 123B luôn sẵn sàng hỗ trợ người tham gia. Dịch vụ khách hàng của 123B luôn chuyên nghiệp và nhanh chóng, giúp giải quyết mọi thắc mắc và vấn đề mà người tham gia gặp phải. Nhờ vào đội ngũ hỗ trợ tận tâm và chu đáo, người tham gia có thể yên tâm khi trải nghiệm dịch vụ mà không gặp phải bất kỳ sự gián đoạn nào.
Cuối cùng, 123B cam kết mang đến cho người tham gia một môi trường giải trí an toàn, thú vị và chuyên nghiệp. Với sự kết hợp hoàn hảo giữa bảo mật, sự đa dạng trong các trò chơi và dịch vụ hỗ trợ khách hàng tuyệt vời, nền tảng này đã chiếm được lòng tin của cộng đồng người tham gia. 123B xứng đáng là lựa chọn lý tưởng cho những ai muốn tìm kiếm một không gian giải trí đáng tin cậy và tuyệt vời.
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@ 19f16cc9:dde72785
2025-01-26 12:14:35
Lucky88 là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến nổi bật, mang đến cho người tham gia nhiều trò chơi đa dạng và hấp dẫn. Với giao diện dễ sử dụng, người dùng có thể dễ dàng tìm kiếm và tham gia vào các trò chơi yêu thích. Nền tảng này được thiết kế thân thiện với người dùng, giúp người tham gia có một trải nghiệm giải trí mượt mà và thú vị. Với Lucky88, mỗi lần truy cập đều mang lại một không gian giải trí tươi mới và đầy thử thách.
Điểm mạnh của Lucky88 là sự đa dạng trong các trò chơi mà nền tảng này cung cấp. Người tham gia có thể lựa chọn từ các trò chơi trí tuệ, các trò chơi giải trí nhẹ nhàng, đến những trò chơi chiến thuật đầy thử thách. Lucky88 không ngừng cập nhật và cải tiến các trò chơi để giữ cho người tham gia luôn cảm thấy mới mẻ và không bị nhàm chán. Mỗi trò chơi đều được thiết kế tỉ mỉ để mang lại trải nghiệm thú vị và tạo sự kích thích cho người tham gia.
Bảo mật là một yếu tố rất quan trọng đối với <a href="https://lucky88-vn.com">Lucky88</a>. Nền tảng này áp dụng các công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến, giúp bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và dữ liệu giao dịch của người tham gia một cách an toàn. Mọi giao dịch và thông tin người dùng đều được mã hóa, đảm bảo không có sự xâm nhập trái phép. Chính vì vậy, Lucky88 luôn cam kết mang đến cho người tham gia một môi trường giải trí an toàn và bảo mật.
Dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng của Lucky88 là một trong những yếu tố khiến người tham gia luôn hài lòng. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ luôn sẵn sàng giải đáp mọi thắc mắc và giúp đỡ người tham gia trong suốt quá trình sử dụng nền tảng. Dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng nhanh chóng và hiệu quả, đảm bảo rằng người tham gia luôn nhận được sự hỗ trợ kịp thời khi gặp phải bất kỳ vấn đề nào.
Cuối cùng, Lucky88 không chỉ là một nền tảng giải trí, mà còn là một môi trường an toàn và đáng tin cậy. Với sự kết hợp giữa bảo mật cao, các trò chơi đa dạng và dịch vụ hỗ trợ tận tâm, Lucky88 đã xây dựng được lòng tin vững chắc trong cộng đồng người tham gia. Đây là nơi lý tưởng cho những ai muốn tìm kiếm một không gian giải trí phong phú và an toàn.
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@ fd78c37f:a0ec0833
2025-01-26 12:07:12
## **ETHOS & PURPOSE**🌐
SATS'N'FACTS emphasizes Creativity, Privacy, FOSS Advocacy,with a focus on Local Community, Decentralization, and Health Balance. It is dedicated to nurturing an environment where decentralization and open collaboration thrive, providing space for deep technical discussions, hands-on learning, and meaningful networking, all with the goal of strengthening the Bitcoin community in Asia.
They aspire to redefine boundaries and usher in a new era of design and development excellence that leaves an indelible mark on the bitcoin environment. A three-day event dedicated to fostering innovation, and freedom within the Bitcoin Developer Community in Asia.
## LEADS🧑💼
Enthusiast developers and builders from around the globe, will attend this first installments of the SATS’N’FACTS. Including nostr:npub1nvfgglea9zlcs58tcqlc6j26rt50ngkgdk7699wfq4txrx37aqcsz4e7zd nostr:npub1cj6ndx5akfazux7f0vjl4fyx9k0ulf682p437fe03a9ndwqjm0tqj886t6 nostr:npub148jz5r9xujcjpqygk69yl4jqwjqmzgrqly26plktfjy8g4t7xaysj9xhgp nostr:npub1htnhsay5dmq3r72tukdw72pduzfdcja0yylcajuvnc2uklkhxp8qnz3qac nostr:npub1ejxswthae3nkljavznmv66p9ahp4wmj4adux525htmsrff4qym9sz2t3tv nostr:npub1gwa27rpgum8mr9d30msg8cv7kwj2lhav2nvmdwh3wqnsa5vnudxqlta2sz nostr:npub1zk6u7mxlflguqteghn8q7xtu47hyerruv6379c36l8lxzzr4x90q0gl6ef nostr:npub13rvvn5g23anm09kwnya8qvzqejxfajfa56rnn47ck5l96ke6cq4sdcd4e0 nostr:npub147whqsr5vsj86x0ays70r0hgreklre3ey97uvcmxhum65skst56s30selt nostr:npub190trvg63e6tyqlwlj6lccqpftx76lckj25c006vwx3dzvdl88yxs2nyqdx nostr:npub1hw6amg8p24ne08c9gdq8hhpqx0t0pwanpae9z25crn7m9uy7yarse465gr nostr:npub10xk2rsg9l9ksht66egss98z7mzhetf8d7q4476d9cm6vsfv3a00qld5tdf nostr:npub19x0h8jm3mnwzhv4tpq62zta05er0qlyge73m0pwsp7h666khkd9qev2ree and more.
## AGENDA📝
The event is designed to be a “decentralized and collaborative” effort between all participants, with activities being put together with attendees’ feedback. So no agenda, but here some guidance to make sure this event will be joyful and constructive:
🗓️**8ᵗʰғᴇʙ Doors Opening**:
- [ ] Event Opening
- [ ] Welcome session and intros
- [ ] Presentations and open discussions
- [ ] Initial networking and collaborative sessions
- [ ] Hackathon begins
🗓️**9ᵗʰғᴇʙ** :
- [ ] Hackathon continues
- [ ] Attendee-led sessions
- [ ] Recording room open for voluntarily podcasting and interviews
- [ ] Peer-to-peer learning and networking
🗓️**10ᵗʰғᴇʙ Closing UP**:
- [ ] Hackathon wrap-up
- [ ] Pitching contest and project presentations
- [ ] Networking
- [ ] Closing remarks and final session
## MERCH🛍️
Their event merch is not just cool—it’s a must-have! T-shirts 👕, bags 🎒, stickers 🖼️, caps 🧢...Get yours and carry the event vibe wherever you go!
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## Other Fun Activities🎡
In addition to the exciting conference, they've prepared a variety of enriching experiences for you—live art and craft activities🎨, art exhibitions🖼️, creative workshops✨, and Thai massage 💆……, and more.
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## How to join the Event🎡
If you're in Asia this February, don't miss out—join them in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭 for an unforgettable experience!
📅 **Time**:8—10th February 2025
📍**Location**:12/8 ถ.วัวลาย ซอย 3 ตำบลหายยา, เมืองเชียงใหม่ 50100 🇹🇭ไทย
💺**Book your seat:** https://formstr.app/#/fill/b3b9bd115fe936848a5e03134fefff945287285d51b1dee4731fef6a1070c597
🎤**Submit an idea**: https://formstr.app/#/forms/cf02333ea3c0d0c21080df599373e289fa343a55e63a1abdc7f633d1594078ff
🎫**Buy your ticket**: https://satsnfacts.btc.pub/p/ticket/
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-26 11:57:39
# Page: cover
background: #000000
template: vertical
# Welcome to My Story
This is an amazing story.
# Page: page1
background-image: https://nostr.build/i/nostr.png
template: vertical
## First Page
Content goes here
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 11:48:45
For centuries, the global narrative has been dominated by Western powers, their economies, and their cultural hegemony. But beneath this veneer of dominance lies a reality that is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore: the East—spanning Asia, the Middle East, and beyond—is awakening, mobilizing human potential and economic resources on a scale that dwarfs anything seen in the West.
To grasp this transformation, one must break free from traditional Western-centric paradigms and understand the numbers, the sheer scale, and the unstoppable momentum of this shift.
---
#### **Population: The Power of Numbers**
The East’s greatest asset is its people. To put this into perspective:
- **China**: With a population of 1.4 billion, it has more than four times the people of the United States. Imagine the United States replicating its entire labor force four times over, and you begin to see the scale of China’s potential.
- **India**: By 2023, India officially surpassed China as the most populous nation. Its **Gen Z population alone—over 375 million people**—is larger than the entire U.S. population.
- **Southeast Asia**: The ASEAN region, comprising nations like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, boasts a combined population of over **680 million**. Indonesia alone, with **280 million people**, is the world’s fourth-most populous country.
In total, Asia accounts for **60% of the world’s population**. The raw human potential here is akin to unlocking billions of minds, all innovating, producing, and consuming.
The East is like a beehive, with billions of individuals working in unison, each contributing to a collective force that is buzzing with energy and unstoppable growth. Meanwhile, the West, though still industrious, often resembles a lone artisan toiling in a workshop, unaware of the scale of production happening just beyond their horizon.
---
#### **Economic Growth: The Compounding Engine**
Western economies, long considered the gold standard, are now being eclipsed by the rapid growth of Eastern nations.
- **China’s GDP**: In 1980, China’s GDP was a mere **$191 billion**, less than 5% of the U.S. economy. By 2023, it surpassed **$19 trillion**, closing in on the U.S. ($25 trillion) as the largest economy. Analysts predict that by the 2030s, China will overtake the U.S. to claim the top spot.
- **India’s Growth Rate**: India, now the fifth-largest economy, has consistently achieved GDP growth rates of **6-8% annually** over the past two decades. Its economy, currently valued at **$3.7 trillion**, is projected to become the world’s third-largest by 2030.
- **ASEAN Economic Bloc**: The combined GDP of ASEAN nations exceeds **$3.6 trillion**, making it the fifth-largest economic bloc globally. Its strategic position as a manufacturing hub and its youthful workforce are propelling it forward.
Compare these numbers to the **2-3% growth rates** in the U.S. and Europe, and it becomes evident that the East isn’t just catching up; it’s compounding at a rate that will leave Western economies in the dust.
The economic growth of the East is like a tidal wave gathering strength far out at sea. At first, it’s almost imperceptible, but as it approaches the shore, its size and force become undeniable, reshaping everything in its path. By comparison, the West resembles a well-built dam holding back a steady river—resilient, but incapable of matching the raw power of the oncoming surge.
---
#### **Infrastructure Development: Building Tomorrow**
The East is constructing the foundations of its future at an unprecedented pace:
- **High-Speed Rail**: China’s high-speed rail network spans over **42,000 kilometers**, more than the rest of the world combined. To put it in perspective, this is like building a rail line that circles the Earth’s equator—with some to spare—in just two decades.
- **Smart Cities**: India has embarked on its ambitious **100 Smart Cities Mission**, modernizing urban infrastructure to support its growing population. Meanwhile, the ASEAN region is investing billions in digital infrastructure to create hyper-connected economies.
- **Energy Transition**: China leads the world in renewable energy investment, accounting for **45% of global renewable energy capacity additions** in 2022. This is the equivalent of powering all of Europe’s renewable energy needs annually.
These infrastructure projects aren’t just impressive feats of engineering; they are the scaffolding of economies that are designed to scale.
The East’s infrastructure boom is like planting an immense forest. Each rail line, smart city, and renewable energy project is a tree—seemingly small on its own but, when viewed together, forming a vast and thriving ecosystem that reshapes the climate of global power.
---
#### **Education and Innovation: The Engine of Progress**
The East is also mobilizing its human capital through education and innovation.
- **China** graduates over **1.2 million engineers annually**, dwarfing the **70,000 engineering graduates in the United States**.
- **India’s Tech Workforce**: India’s IT sector employs **5 million professionals** and contributes nearly **10% of the country’s GDP**. Companies like Infosys and TCS aren’t just outsourcing hubs; they’re global innovation powerhouses.
- **Patents and R&D**: China filed **1.5 million patents in 2022**, compared to the U.S.’s **620,000**. This means that for every patent filed in the West, two or more are being filed in China.
Innovation ecosystems in places like Shenzhen and Bangalore are the modern equivalents of Silicon Valley, but on steroids—fueled by scale, government support, and an unrelenting hunger to lead.
The East’s educational and innovation push is like lighting a thousand candles in a dark room. Where the West may hold a single, steady flame, the East is illuminating every corner, creating a dazzling and unstoppable glow.
---
#### **A Metaphor for the West: The Dam Bursting**
For the average Westerner, understanding this shift requires a relatable metaphor. Imagine standing behind a dam holding back a massive reservoir. For decades, the dam (the West) controlled the flow, regulating what trickled out to the downstream (the East). But now, the reservoir has grown so vast and powerful that it can no longer be contained. The dam is cracking, and when it bursts, the torrent of economic and human potential will reshape the entire landscape.
Alternatively, think of it as a relay race. For centuries, the West held the baton and set the pace. But now, the baton has been passed to the East, whose runners—with their sheer numbers and untapped potential—are sprinting at a speed that leaves the previous team struggling to keep up.
---
#### **Conclusion: The Multi-Polar Future**
The West must wake up to this reality, not with fear or resentment, but with a willingness to adapt. The world is moving towards a multi-polar order, where power is distributed rather than concentrated. Cooperation, not confrontation, will define success in this new era.
As the East continues to mobilize its vast resources, the question is not whether it will surpass the West, but how the West will respond. Will it resist, clinging to outdated notions of supremacy, or will it embrace this shift and find its place in a rebalanced world?
One thing is certain: the scale of what’s happening in the East is not just big; it’s colossal. And it’s time for the world to take notice.
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-26 11:48:05
# Page: cover
background: #000000
template: vertical
# Welcome to My Story
This is an amazing story.
# Page: page1
background-image: https://nostr.build/i/nostr.png
template: vertical
## First Page
Content goes here
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@ 599f67f7:21fb3ea9
2025-01-26 11:01:05
## ¿Qué es Blossom?
nostr:nevent1qqspttj39n6ld4plhn4e2mq3utxpju93u4k7w33l3ehxyf0g9lh3f0qpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsygzenanl0hmkjnrq8fksvdhpt67xzrdh0h8agltwt5znsmvzr7e74ywgmr72
[Blossom](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom) significa _Blobs Simply Stored on Media Servers_ (Blobs Simplemente Almacenados en Servidores de Medios). _Blobs_ son fragmentos de datos binarios, como archivos pero sin nombres. En lugar de nombres, se identifican por su hash [sha256](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2). La ventaja de usar hashes sha256 en lugar de nombres es que los hashes son IDs universales que se pueden calcular a partir del archivo mismo utilizando el algoritmo de hash sha256.
💡 archivo -> sha256 -> hash
Blossom es, por lo tanto, un conjunto de puntos finales HTTP que permiten a los usuarios almacenar y recuperar blobs almacenados en servidores utilizando su identidad nostr.
## ¿Por qué Blossom?
Como mencionamos hace un momento, al usar claves nostr como su identidad, Blossom permite que los datos sean "propiedad" del usuario. Esto simplifica enormemente la cuestión de "qué es spam" para el alojamiento de servidores. Por ejemplo, en nuestro Blossom solo permitimos cargas por miembros de la comunidad verificados que tengan un [NIP-05](https://nips.nostr.com/5) con nosotros.
Los usuarios pueden subir en múltiples servidores de blossom, por ejemplo, uno alojado por su comunidad, uno de pago, otro público y gratuito, para establecer redundancia de sus datos. Los blobs pueden ser [espejados](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/blob/master/buds/04.md) entre servidores de blossom, de manera similar a cómo los relays nostr pueden transmitir eventos entre sí. Esto mejora la resistencia a la censura de blossom.
A continuación se muestra una breve tabla de comparación entre torrents, Blossom y servidores CDN centralizados. (Suponiendo que hay muchos seeders para torrents y se utilizan múltiples servidores con Blossom).
| | Torrents | Blossom | CDN Centralizado |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------- | ---------------- |
| Descentralizado | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Resistencia a la censura | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| ¿Puedo usarlo para publicar fotos de gatitos en redes sociales? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
## ¿Cómo funciona?
Blossom utiliza varios tipos de eventos nostr para comunicarse con el servidor de medios.
| kind | descripción | BUD |
| ----- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 24242 | Evento de autorización | [BUD01](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/blob/master/buds/01.md) |
| 10063 | Lista de Servidores de Usuarios | [BUD03](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/blob/master/buds/03.md) |
### kind:24242 - Autorización
Esto es esencialmente lo que ya describimos al usar claves nostr como IDs de usuario. En el evento, el usuario le dice al servidor que quiere subir o eliminar un archivo y lo firma con sus claves nostr. El servidor realiza algunas verificaciones en este evento y luego ejecuta el comando del usuario si todo parece estar bien.
### kind:10063 - Lista de Servidores de Usuarios
Esto es utilizado por el usuario para anunciar a qué servidores de medios está subiendo. De esta manera, cuando el cliente ve esta lista, sabe dónde subir los archivos del usuario. También puede subir en múltiples servidores definidos en la lista para asegurar redundancia. En el lado de recuperación, si por alguna razón uno de los servidores en la lista del usuario está fuera de servicio, o el archivo ya no se puede encontrar allí, el cliente puede usar esta lista para intentar recuperar el archivo de otros servidores en la lista. Dado que los blobs se identifican por sus hashes, el mismo blob tendrá el mismo hash en cualquier servidor de medios. Todo lo que el cliente necesita hacer es cambiar la URL por la de un servidor diferente.
Ahora, además de los conceptos básicos de cómo funciona Blossom, también hay otros tipos de eventos que hacen que Blossom sea aún más interesante.
| kind | descripción |
| ----- | --------------------- |
| 30563 | Blossom Drives |
| 36363 | Listado de Servidores |
| 31963 | Reseña de Servidores |
### kind:30563 - Blossom Drives
Este tipo de evento facilita la organización de blobs en carpetas, como estamos acostumbrados con los drives (piensa en Google Drive, iCloud, Proton Drive, etc.). El evento contiene información sobre la estructura de carpetas y los metadatos del drive.
### kind:36363 y kind:31963 - Listado y Reseña
Estos tipos de eventos permiten a los usuarios descubrir y reseñar servidores de medios a través de nostr. kind:36363 es un listado de servidores que contiene la URL del servidor. kind:31963 es una reseña, donde los usuarios pueden calificar servidores.
## ¿Cómo lo uso?
### Encuentra un servidor
Primero necesitarás elegir un servidor Blossom donde subirás tus archivos. Puedes navegar por los públicos en [blossomservers.com](https://blossomservers.com/). Algunos de ellos son de pago, otros pueden requerir que tus claves nostr estén en una lista blanca.
Luego, puedes ir a la URL de su servidor y probar a subir un archivo pequeño, como una foto. Si estás satisfecho con el servidor (es rápido y aún no te ha fallado), puedes agregarlo a tu Lista de Servidores de Usuarios. Cubriremos brevemente cómo hacer esto en noStrudel y Amethyst (pero solo necesitas hacer esto una vez, una vez que tu lista actualizada esté publicada, los clientes pueden simplemente recuperarla de nostr).
### noStrudel
1. Encuentra Relays en la barra lateral, luego elige Servidores de Medios.
2. Agrega un servidor de medios, o mejor aún, varios.
3. Publica tu lista de servidores. ✅
### Amethyst
1. En la barra lateral, encuentra Servidores multimedia.
2. Bajo Servidores Blossom, agrega tus servidores de medios.
3. Firma y publica. ✅
Ahora, cuando vayas a hacer una publicación y adjuntar una foto, por ejemplo, se subirá en tu servidor blossom.
⚠️ Ten en cuenta que debes suponer que los archivos que subas serán públicos. Aunque puedes proteger un archivo con contraseña, esto no ha sido auditado.
### Blossom Drive
Como mencionamos anteriormente, podemos publicar eventos para organizar nuestros blobs en carpetas. Esto puede ser excelente para compartir archivos con tu equipo, o simplemente para mantener las cosas organizadas.
Para probarlo, ve a [blossom.hzrd149.com](https://blossom.hzrd149.com/) (o nuestra instancia comunitaria en [blossom.bitcointxoko.com](https://blossom.bitcointxoko.com)) e inicia sesión con tu método preferido.
Puedes crear una nueva unidad y agregar blobs desde allí.
### Bouquet
Si usas múltiples servidores para darte redundancia, Bouquet es una buena manera de obtener una visión general de todos tus archivos. Úsalo para subir y navegar por tus medios en diferentes servidores y sincronizar blobs entre ellos.
### Cherry Tree
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqfngzhsvjggdlgeycm96x4emzjlwf8dyyzdfg4hefp89zpkdgz99qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqyp3065hj9zellakecetfflkgudm5n6xcc9dnetfeacnq90y3yxa5z5gk2q6
Cherry Tree te permite dividir un archivo en fragmentos y luego subirlos en múltiples servidores blossom, y más tarde reensamblarlos en otro lugar.
## Conclusión
Blossom aún está en desarrollo, pero ya hay muchas cosas interesantes que puedes hacer con él para hacerte a ti y a tu comunidad más soberanos. ¡Pruébalo!
Si deseas mantenerte al día sobre el desarrollo de Blossom, sigue a nostr:nprofile1qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqyqnxs90qeyssm73jf3kt5dtnk997ujw6ggy6j3t0jjzw2yrv6sy22ysu5ka y dale un gran zap por su excelente trabajo.
## Referencias
- [hzrd149/blossom en GitHub](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom)
- [Blossom Drive](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom-drive/blob/master/docs/drive.md)
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@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9
2025-01-26 10:29:32
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/864256
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@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a
2025-01-26 08:43:57
**First** make sure to add this relay wss://relay.momostr.pink in your Nostr [setting](https://primal.net/settings/network)
and **second** follow this [account ](https://nosta.me/npub1pqr3g2gk3vsnrqk9kwfqqcxc6d5cwjr0hyc0nlzz9py5nf92vd9sn02sck)
Soon after an account will be created on bluesky and will mirror your Nostr profile
the address will be like this:
bsky.app/profile/npub1mwce4c8qa2zn9zw9f372syrc9dsnqmyy3jkcmpqkzaze0slj94dqu6nmwy.momostr.pink.ap.brid.gy
And from there keep spreading the good word
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/825913
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@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a
2025-01-26 08:37:55
## Step by Step migration from the Alby Hub Cloud to the Alby Hub local application. ##
**Step 1**. From the Alby Hub select the 'migrate node' option, this will generate a bkp file, and will shutdown the node
https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-account-and-browser-extension/alby-hub/faq-alby-hub/how-can-i-migrate-alby-hub-to-a-different-machine
**Step 2.** Preferably on a second machine, install the Alby application, synchronize the application with the Alby extension, then run the Alby 'advanced setup' import the bkp file, enter the password, and the Hub will open the wallet.
https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-account-and-browser-extension/alby-hub/faq-alby-hub/how-can-i-migrate-alby-hub-to-a-different-machine
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Note: if the password is incorrect this message will show up
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@ 89ccea93:df4e00b7
2025-01-26 06:27:11
Hello friend. I write a blog at [expatriotic.me](https://expatriotic.me).
Yesterday I posted "Expatriotic's Master List" on SN [here](https://stacker.news/items/863051) and on my blog [here](https://expatriotic.me/expatriotics-master-list/).
This was effectively a road map.
I'm now going to commence this next phase of my blog.
But I'd like some help in picking the next topic.
Please vote in the comments below. The comment that has the most zaps will win. I'll post the short list as a set of comments to be voted on.
Taking a leaf out of Bitcoin QnAs book with how he did it on bitcoiner.guide once. Seemed pretty awesome, so let's see then.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/864182
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@ 8d34bd24:414be32b
2025-01-26 04:54:21
My writing tends to be responsive. I respond to something I read in a book. I respond to something I read online. I respond to a podcast or sermon I was listening to. I also have a strong longing for truth (which seems to be in short supply these days). Because of my ideas being responsive, I probably tend to speak against things too often and not for things enough. I condemn not having a high enough view of God, but may inaccurately convey a harsh God and not spend enough time conveying His love and the positive reasons to follow Him. I may spend too much time on the stick and not enough on the carrot.
I’ve noticed in others that I can see two people arguing over a biblical point. One is arguing against an error/extreme to one direction while the other is arguing against an error/extreme in the opposite direction. In reality, their beliefs are very close, but they sound like they are far apart. I’ve had many opportunities to help the two people realize that they mostly agree with each other, but they are each personally dealing with opposite errors. Just as I can do a good job editing someone else’s writing, but can’t edit my own (I usually have my amazing, wonderful, handsome, intelligent, humorous husband \[editor’s note - adjectives added by editor\] read and edit everything I write before publishing), I may sometimes be too reactive to an error and fail to properly communicate the whole and complete truth.
## Differences in Perspective
I was recently listening to a podcast by a by Bible teacher. He was talking about how he had an unloving father and how, after being saved, he originally didn’t think God cared about him personally. He then went on to teach about how personal and loving God is and how God is actively involved in every detail of every believer’s life. I agree.
On the other hand, I have seen many people that focus only on God’s love and ignore God’s holiness. They believe it is more important to be “loving” and therefore they withhold the truth (if they even know it). They are so focused on God’s forgiveness that they excuse believers actively sinning and promoting sin. Since being saved, I never doubted God’s love or His involvement in my life, so I tend to not talk about God’s love as much as I probably should. My big “Ah Ha!” was seeing His absolute sovereignty and holiness and coming to understand that the fact that He is creator gives Him the authority to tell us how to live our lives, so I tend to focus on this area.
Although I would never say God’s truth is whatever the compromise of ideas is, there are a lot of truths about God where we can fall into error in two (or more) opposing directions. God is loving and is holy. If we focus only on His love or only on His holiness, we are in error. God is forgiving and has the right to judge. If we focus so much on the fact that we are forgiven that we do not obey Him, we have erred, but if we focus so much on His judgment that we don’t acknowledge His mercy for others and for ourselves, we have also erred.
## To Associate or Not to Associate
There are lots of different denominations and division among Christians that are not what God desires. At the same time, there are churches that focus on the truth as communicated through God’s word, the Bible and there are churches that have compromised that truth and let the culture, evil spirits, or just interest in self and popularity lead them astray. As Christians, we need to know God’s word, so we can know when we should avoid a close association with those who call themselves Christians, but actively disobey His clear commands.
> But actually, I wrote to you **not to associate with any so-called brother** if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (1 Corinthians 5:11) {emphasis mine}
> If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and **do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame** (2 Thessalonians 4:13) {emphasis mine}
On the other hand there are many areas where our differences are not salvation issues but are more about style than substance. One side may be in error, but still be in right fellowship with God and earnestly seeking to follow Him faithfully. We shouldn’t allow these things to cause the church to fight against itself.
> But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now **there are many members, but one body**. (1 Corinthians 12:18-20) {emphasis mine}
> Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, **being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace**. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-5) {emphasis mine}
A so-called church, that encourages or condones things God has called evil, is not a church with which we want to associate. There are other things of which we may disagree and disagree strongly (Armenian vs Calvinist, preterist/pre-trib/post-trib, or [young earth](https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/literal-genesis) vs old earth) that although important shouldn’t cause division within the church. We should always seek the truth as spoken by God through the Scriptures, but we shouldn’t let disagreements, that don’t affect the Gospel and how we should live, keep us divided. Between Armenian and Calvinist opinions on whether we freely choose to accept Jesus or Jesus causes us to accept Jesus, as long as we agree that salvation comes through faith and not works and through Jesus and no other path, we can work together. With the different end times interpretations, as long as we agree that God said it and it will be as He said it and that it is important for us to live godly lives and to share the gospel with the lost, we can work together. With young earth vs old earth, as long as we both agree that God is ultimately our creator and His word is true, we can work together.
I do believe that there is only one truth in these and other areas, and discovering the truth is very important. Being wrong can mislead us and make us less effective for Jesus. Many of these errors can be caused by or lead us to put scientists or historians or theologians in authority over God’s word. This is wrong. We should always continually search the scripture to find the truth. We should not fear honest debate which can help lead us to the truth and strengthen our faith in God’s word. It is not wrong to correct a brother in Christ using Scripture as our foundation, but we also need to acknowledge that it could be we who are in error. I don’t know any great theologian since the apostles that hasn’t had an error in their thinking somewhere.
## The Head or the Body
There can also be differences between the leadership and the individuals in a church or denomination. I have major concerns with the Vatican leadership and question if many of them are Christians at all. So much of what they say and do seem to be working against God and His commands. At the same time, I have many good friends (in person and online) who are wonderful Catholics, who I would never doubt are devout Christians with a true relationship with Jesus. I will maintain my Christian fellowship with my Catholic, Christian friends while speaking against unbiblical words and actions by the Pope and the Vatican.
> But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Of course false prophets and false teachers are most definitely not limited to the Catholic Church. For example, the female Episcopalian Bishop that led the inauguration prayer breakfast for Trump spent most of her time promoting LGBTQ+ issues which are contrary to the word of God and little to none actually honoring God or supporting the issues that God has stated are important. (For that matter, scripture specifically says women shouldn’t be church leaders.) We all need to be more like the Bereans “*Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so*.” (Acts 17:11) We need to use the Scripture to both test if our beliefs and actions are **biblical and if the teachings** of our leaders are biblical.
## Different Paths, but One Jesus
Ultimately, there is only one way of salvation — repentance and faith in Jesus. On the other hand, the path each believer is called to walk towards sanctification can vary. I have seen God lead me at different times to correct different sins and misconceptions. The areas of my life that I am convicted of and my path towards understanding the truth communicated in the Bible is not the same as other believers. We should all be growing to be more like Jesus, but our path to His likeness will not look the same. We start as different people; we have different experiences; and God works on us in different ways. We must be careful about judging another because their growth in Christ looks different.
We all have strengths and weaknesses. We all have doctrines of the Bible that we understand better than others and doctrines of the Bible about which we are either unsure or in error. Most of us also have a tendency to judge someone who is weak where we are strong and overlook the fact that that same person might be strong where we are weak. We need to pray for wisdom and mercy. We need to earnestly study God’s word. We need to listen closely to the Holy Spirit’s leading and use these differences to build up each other rather than divide and beat down those who are different, but are still part of the body of Christ.
> For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-8)
My prayer is that we would all study God’s word, understand His word, live His word, and work together to share the Gospel with the word. My prayer is that our different understandings of the Bible will lead to fruitful debate that leads all parties closer to truth, to God and to each other. May God lead us all to truth and fellowship in Him.
Trust Jesus.
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 04:07:03
In the grand tapestry of existence, humanity finds itself in a peculiar position: neither wholly bound to the physical nor fully immersed in the metaphysical. We stand at the threshold of realities, a liminal space that is both transitional and transformative, where dimensions overlap and professions converge to illuminate the intricacies of our shared existence.
Through the lens of Bruce Cathie’s harmonic worldview, the Earth is not merely a sphere of rock and water but an interconnected energy grid, a lattice of electromagnetic harmonics pulsing beneath our feet. If this grid represents the physical scaffolding of existence, humanity inhabits a liminal space within it—a realm where the boundaries of time, space, and consciousness blur.
A Multidimensional Perspective
From a multidimensional standpoint, this liminality can be seen as the overlap between the three-dimensional world we perceive and higher-dimensional realities we intuit. The Earth's energy grid, as theorized by Cathie, may function as a bridge—a harmonic resonance linking the seen and the unseen, the measurable and the ineffable.
Physics and the Unseen Forces: Modern physics hints at the existence of dimensions beyond our perceptual grasp. String theory posits that the universe comprises multiple dimensions, vibrating at frequencies we cannot yet detect. In Cathie’s terms, the Earth's energy grid could be the physical manifestation of these vibrations, a harmonized nexus where the material world intersects with the quantum.
Consciousness as a Dimensional Traveler: Neuroscience reveals that the human brain operates on frequencies that resonate with the Earth's Schumann resonance, the harmonic pulse of the planet. This resonance suggests that our consciousness is not confined to our physical bodies but interacts with the energy grid, allowing glimpses of higher-dimensional realities through meditation, intuition, or creative inspiration.
A Multiprofessional Perspective
The liminal space we cohabit is not solely the domain of philosophers or physicists. It is a convergence point for professionals across disciplines, each contributing a facet to the mosaic of understanding.
Architects and Builders: The alignment of ancient structures like Stonehenge and the pyramids with the Earth’s energy lines hints at an architectural awareness of this grid. These monuments, enduring testaments to harmonic knowledge, suggest that ancient architects were as much energy workers as they were builders, attuned to the liminal currents of the Earth.
Healers and Scientists: In the medical profession, understanding the human body as an energy system has led to breakthroughs in alternative healing practices like acupuncture, which aligns with the body's energy meridians. These meridians mirror Cathie’s grid, suggesting that healing occurs not only in the physical but also in the liminal spaces where energy flows harmonically.
Artists and Creatives: Art, music, and literature often emerge from the liminal spaces of the human psyche, where conscious and subconscious meet. The harmonic interplay of tones and colors in art mirrors the vibrational nature of the universe, making creators unwitting cartographers of the unseen.
The Liminal Space as a Collective Experience
Humanity’s existence in this liminal space is not an individual journey but a shared, collective experience. It is where science meets spirituality, where logic and intuition find harmony, and where the professional and the personal intersect. It is the space where we question our origins and our destinies, where we ponder the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.
Cultural Intersections: Across cultures, liminality has been revered as sacred. Indigenous traditions, for example, often speak of the Earth as a living, conscious entity, resonating with Cathie’s grid. Rituals, dances, and ceremonies are designed to align human energies with the Earth’s harmonics, bridging the physical and spiritual realms.
Technological Implications: As we advance technologically, we edge closer to mapping the liminal space. Artificial intelligence and quantum computing may one day decode the harmonic mathematics Cathie proposed, providing tangible evidence of the multidimensional realities we only intuitively grasp today.
Humanity as Harmonic Resonators
To dwell in the liminal space is to accept that humanity itself is a harmonic entity, resonating with the Earth and the cosmos. Just as the Earth’s grid hums with energy, so do we, each individual a unique frequency within the symphony of existence. Our thoughts, actions, and creations ripple through the grid, influencing not only the physical world but also the higher-dimensional realities beyond it.
In this liminality lies our greatest potential. It is here, at the edge of the seen and unseen, that we find the power to transcend, to harmonize with the greater energies of the universe, and to co-create a future that resonates with truth, beauty, and unity.
Conclusion
The liminal space we cohabit is not a void but a vibrant threshold—a meeting place of dimensions, disciplines, and destinies. It is where the harmonic mathematics of Bruce Cathie converge with the lived experience of humanity, offering us a glimpse of the profound interconnectedness of all things. To exist in this space is both a challenge and a privilege, an invitation to explore, to create, and to harmonize with the infinite.
In this liminal existence, we are not merely observers but participants, co-creators of the grid that binds us. By embracing the liminal, we step into the fullness of our multidimensional selves, resonating with the harmonic rhythms of the Earth and beyond.
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@ df57b498:d049124f
2025-01-26 03:59:47
## Chef's notes
This is cobbled together from trial and error and the web.
Serve hot pancakes with preferably butter and maple syrup. Add other toppings like bananas, nuts, or other fruits and toppings as have available and/or desired.
## Details
- ⏲️ Prep time: 10 minutes
- 🍳 Cook time: 10 minutes
## Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 egg, beaten
## Directions
1. Combine the dry ingredients.
2. Add the wet ingredients and mix.
3. Pour or ladle the batter onto the oiled griddle or pan.
4. Cook until bubbles form, flip, and cook on the other side.
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@ ae6ce958:d0f02c7d
2025-01-26 02:31:38
In a world increasingly shaped by decentralization, Bitcoin stands as the pioneer of a revolutionary asset class—non-Newtonian assets. These assets defy conventional economic and financial expectations, thriving under pressure and leveraging their mathematical underpinnings to achieve exponential growth. However, as the ecosystem expands, the failures of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) architectures and the relentless attacks by financial incumbents have highlighted the need for resilience and verifiable integrity. Enter Damage Token, built on the Aeternity blockchain—a Proof-of-Work (PoW) platform designed to embrace Bitcoin's ethos while pushing the boundaries of verifiable behavior and incentivized accountability.
This article explores Bitcoin’s role as the foundation of non-Newtonian assets, the failures of centralized alternatives, and why Damage Token on Aeternity PoW strengthens the narrative of decentralized resilience in a hostile landscape.
### Bitcoin: The Non-Newtonian Pioneer
Bitcoin’s design is rooted in immutable mathematical certainties. Its decentralized Proof-of-Work consensus ensures that every block, transaction, and piece of data is secured by external energy expenditure. This thermodynamic foundation makes Bitcoin resilient to attacks, centralization, and censorship—a trait unmatched by PoS systems or fiat currencies.
As Bitcoin grows, its adoption follows an S-curve driven by Metcalfe’s Law, where network value increases exponentially with each new user. Bitcoin’s halving cycles further enforce scarcity, creating predictable supply shocks that fuel demand. Importantly, Bitcoin thrives under stress, becoming stronger with every regulatory crackdown or macroeconomic crisis—a hallmark of non-Newtonian behavior.
### Aeternity PoW: Extending the Bitcoin Ethos
Aeternity, like Bitcoin, is a PoW blockchain designed for scalability and flexibility. Unlike Ethereum’s shift to PoS, Aeternity retains the security and decentralization benefits of PoW while incorporating features like state channels, oracles, and efficient smart contracts. This combination makes it uniquely positioned to support projects that demand verifiable trust, resilience, and high-performance scalability.
Aeternity’s PoW mechanism ensures that every action on the network is backed by energy expenditure, maintaining the immutability and decentralization that PoW guarantees. This framework lays the groundwork for Damage Token, a non-Newtonian asset designed to tokenize and verify behaviors, incentivizing accountability in a way that aligns with Bitcoin’s principles.
### Damage Token: The Case for PoW and Verifiable Integrity
Damage Token, an AEX9 token built on the Aeternity blockchain, represents a new breed of non-Newtonian assets that thrive on mathematical certainty and verifiable behavior. Unlike speculative PoS systems that lack intrinsic resilience, Damage Token leverages Aeternity’s PoW foundation to ensure:
1. **Immutability**: All verifications and behaviors recorded via Damage Token are immutable and tamper-proof, thanks to PoW consensus. This ensures that participants in the ecosystem can trust the system’s data and outcomes.
2. **Incentivized Accountability**: Damage Token introduces a model where behaviors (such as software testing, milestone completion, or conflict resolution) can be immutably verified and tokenized. Participants are incentivized to contribute positively, as their actions directly translate into payouts tied to provable outcomes.
3. **Resilience Under Pressure**: Like Bitcoin, Damage Token thrives in hostile environments. Regulatory scrutiny, competitive pressure, or market turbulence only highlight its unique value proposition: a verifiable, decentralized system immune to central authority or co-option.
4. **Alignment with Bitcoin’s Vision**: By utilizing Aeternity’s PoW architecture, Damage Token aligns with Bitcoin’s philosophy of trustless systems. This ensures the token’s utility and security are not compromised by centralization risks or reliance on wealth-based governance (a flaw inherent in PoS).
### The Failures of PoS and the Importance of PoW
As Bitcoin and Damage Token continue to thrive, the failures of PoS systems like Ethereum become increasingly apparent. PoS centralizes control in the hands of large stakeholders, making networks vulnerable to censorship, collusion, and regulatory capture. These systems lack the external energy-backed security that PoW provides, making them brittle and susceptible to manipulation.
In contrast, PoW systems like Aeternity and Bitcoin externalize security through energy expenditure, creating a neutral, trustless environment where no single entity can dominate the network. For Damage Token, this ensures that every verification, behavior, and transaction remains free from undue influence, preserving the integrity of the ecosystem.
### Non-Newtonian Assets and Mathematical Certainty
Both Bitcoin and Damage Token exhibit behaviors that reflect their non-Newtonian nature. Small inputs—like increased adoption or the resolution of conflicts via Damage Token—can generate outsized impacts. This phenomenon is driven by mathematical principles, including:
1. **Exponential Growth**: Network effects drive the adoption of Bitcoin and Damage Token, where each new participant amplifies the system’s value quadratically, as per Metcalfe’s Law.
2. **Halving Dynamics and Supply Scarcity**: Bitcoin’s halving cycles are mirrored in Damage Token’s fixed supply of 42 million tokens. This scarcity creates long-term value and ensures that utility, not inflation, drives adoption.
3. **Emergent Behavior**: Both assets operate in decentralized systems governed by chaos theory, where minor events—like a developer joining DamageBDD or a nation adopting Bitcoin—can cascade into massive structural changes.
### Damage Token in a Hostile Landscape
In today’s financial and technological environment, non-Newtonian assets face relentless attacks. Incumbent systems resist the rise of decentralized alternatives through regulatory crackdowns, control over fiat on- and off-ramps, and energy consumption narratives. Yet, these attacks often backfire, driving innovation and adoption instead of suppression.
Damage Token, built on Aeternity’s PoW foundation, is uniquely positioned to resist these pressures. By incentivizing verifiable behaviors, it creates a system where trust, accountability, and resilience are rewarded. Whether it’s verifying software quality through DamageBDD or facilitating peace initiatives, Damage Token demonstrates that PoW-backed assets can transform hostile environments into opportunities for growth.
### Conclusion
Bitcoin is the flagship of non-Newtonian assets, a pioneer of resilience and exponential growth in the face of adversity. However, the rise of alternatives like Damage Token on Aeternity’s PoW blockchain showcases how this ethos can be extended to new domains, from software verification to incentivized accountability.
In a world increasingly shaped by centralization and coercion, non-Newtonian assets offer a path to freedom, resilience, and trust. By embracing PoW, Bitcoin and Damage Token ensure that a slight push is all they need to achieve terminal velocity—changing the trajectory of global finance and human behavior in the process.
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@ 0ce97fba:4f9081a3
2025-01-26 01:48:00
He walked the decaying streets; his curious expression masked a lifetime of hardship. The city of Bethada spread before him, a tangled maze of buildings and passages clinging to the surface of Mool. This settlement-turned-city once thrived as humanity expanded throughout the galaxy but was now an almost forgotten backwater outpost. A thin crescent of reflected sunlight hugged the horizon as the sun dipped behind the gas giant, casting the lunar city in a soft glow.
“Hey, Mr. Fannec!” A voice from across the street hailed him. The human scowled; he hated being called “Mr. Fannec.” He waved an arm in acknowledgment but didn’t break stride, eager to leave the concrete and steel jungle behind for the day.
Robert Fannec grew up in a crowded housing unit on Mool, raised by his grandmother, while his mother went to work long hours to scrape by. From a young age, he learned that life was difficult and one should take respite where possible. He lived on the outskirts of Bethada City, barely getting by, as he grew up in poverty. His mother worked to exhaustion but failed to improve their living conditions.
“Ya know, Bobby-boy,” said Pete, the local unkempt homeless man whom Robert was friendly with, “This world is reminiscent of a less-than-ideal sandwich, the bread stale and the cheese nothing to write home about. One is left pondering if their hunger is clouding their judgment or if there isn’t much to be thrilled about.”
Robert met the man when he first arrived in Bethada as a young teen; although Robert would not consider them close friends, a particular understanding drove him to keep checking up on the older man. Indeed, life was a struggle for Pete, an elderly citizen, amidst the chaos of the metropolis. Plus, they’d talk about random topics such as music or history during their visits, which made those times personal rather than plain help alone from Robert.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” he replied, half-smirking. “One day, we’ll get some fresh ingredients around here.”
“Ha! I’ll believe it when I see it.” Pete laughed, shaking his head.
“Me too, Pete. Me too.” The heaviness of the town’s stagnant air pressed on his back as he nodded and walked down the street.
Robert’s face contorted as he inspected the town. It resembled a knockoff designer watch; instead of shoddy craftsmanship and cheap parts, it had abandoned storefronts and peeling paint. He let out a hearty chuckle at the comparison. As he wandered through the decrepit streets, he wondered what treasures lay beyond these crumbling walls.
“Damn shame,” Robert said, taking in the breathtaking landscape before him. “Nature got the memo about beauty, but Bethada sure didn’t.”
“Hey, Rob.” One of his coworkers waved as they clocked into their shift at the local industrial farm. “You daydreaming again?”
Responding with a grin, Robert shoved his hands into the pockets of his worn coveralls. “Hey, Dave. The way this place looks, it’s a wonder we haven’t all packed up and moved to a better neighborhood.”
“Tell me about it.” Dave chuckled, pulling on his protective gloves. “But then, who’d keep these machines running? They’re almost family, after all.”
“Only if your family is a ragtag group of misfits held together by sheer willpower.” Robert’s eyes crinkled in amusement.
“You got me there.”
The atmosphere was filled with the howl of steam, engines, and other loud machinery as their shifts began; the high-pitched note of pressure released into a valve opening providing a familiar backdrop to their daily lives.
The other workers chattered about their outside lives, which was a welcome distraction from the monotony of work. Family adventures, weekend getaways, and hobbies or creative outlets were among the stories shared to describe how they spent their spare time. Robert kept his distance as snippets of their conversations reached him.
For Robert, the idea of discussing personal matters with his peers was uncomfortable. He struggled to bridge the gap between himself and his co-workers, unable to relate to their shared interests in such pastimes. They were experiences he could never relate to, as he had grown up too fast due to his family’s financial struggles. As a result, he put more effort into getting along with the machines than with his fellow humans. He considered the equipment to be more dependable than any human friend, even if some machines were beyond repair or had been handled in a careless manner. But for him, the genuine excitement started when the work whistle blew, signaling the end of another grueling day.
“About time!” He wiped the sweat off his face. He often daydreamed about heading to the range to take out some frustration.
“Man, you love that shooting range, don’t you?” Dave’s voice had a hint of envy.
“Sure do,” Robert said, shrugging off his coveralls. “It’s the one place where I feel like I’m actually in control and not another cog in this rusted-out machine of a city. I don’t have to worry about life, exes, debt, nothin’.”
“I’m hopeful that one day you’ll be able to leave this place behind. Start off somewhere new.” Dave said, slapping Robert on the back.
“Here’s hoping.” His eyes were locked on the horizon as if he could see himself leaving this hellhole. He was off to the local shooting range, where he could pretend everything still had order.
After almost being run over by a white hover van while crossing the street, Robert arrived at his sanctuary’s shooting range. The aroma of gunpowder, battery acid, and cut grass mingled as he reached his usual spot. Robert found it delightful compared to Bethada City’s typical mildew and burnt leather odor.
“Alright, let’s dance,” he said, loading his trusty rifle with practiced ease. His rifle was a simple affair that allowed Robert to vent his frustrations on targets. He was a decent shot; at least, that is what he thought of himself.
Squeezing the trigger, firing off round after round. The targets quivered under the onslaught—a symphony of destruction played by the percussion section of his life’s dull and sad orchestra.
When he was still a teen, he found abandoned buildings around Bethada. He’d take his rifle and practice shooting at bottles, furniture pieces, walls, and whatever appeared. His mother and grandmother were furious when they found out, but that didn’t stop him from terrorizing bottles and paper targets.
“Take that, you cylindrical bastards,” he said, landing a satisfying shot on the smallest target. He was absorbed in his practice, not thinking about his lackluster life.
His rifle was a standard design of a powered weapon. The long barrel gun accelerated hunks of metal via a magnetic rail system, unlike other, more exotic armaments that used energy to produce high-speed plasma rounds. The sound of a round from this rifle would startle any man.
“Still the targets, if I had to guess,” came a raspy voice behind him. Turning around, Robert saw Pete. His beard was a patchwork quilt of gray and white strands, and his clothes had more holes than fabric.
Pete lived near the range because he realized the people who would frequent such an establishment would be well-armed and well-disciplined, making it a safe spot compared to other less savory locations.
“Ah, Pete, my favorite critic,” Robert joked, setting down his weapon. “What brings you here today?”
“Same thing that always does,” Pete said, scratching his chin. “The sweet sound of gunfire, the scent of ambition, and a hankering for some ol’ fashioned conversation.”
“Still working on that novel?” Robert knew that Pete had been “working” on it for years.
“Indeed, young Robert. Though I fear my magnum opus may never appear in daylight, trapped as it is in the literary purgatory between my brain and the page.”
“Hey, at least it’s got company in there, right?” Robert laughed at his joke. “You’ve got a ton of unwritten works in there, right?”
“True enough,” Pete said, a sparkle in his eyes and tales left untold. “Speaking of company, how’s your aim today? Plan on shootin’ repo-men?”
“Pretty good, if I do say so myself. The grouping on the smallest target isn’t the best I’ve done, but overall, I hit what I’m aiming at.” Ignoring the quip about Robert shooting repo men. Embarrassed that he could not manage money as well as other people. He still wasn’t able to constrain his urges to buy things he couldn’t afford.
“Ah, a prodigy in our midst!” Pete performed a mock bow.
Robert didn’t always know how to handle Pete. So the younger man looked at him with an odd expression.
“You remind me of my son.” A sad smile flickered across Pete’s weathered face. “He was an odd duck, too, always tinkering with machines and dreaming big. He went off to work in the mines when he was a boy. Never saw him again after the collapse.” Pete shrugged, fidgeting with a broken timepiece in his hands.
“Sorry to hear that. How old would he be?”
“About your age, I guess.”
“I bet I would have liked him.”
“I would like to think so, too. You’re both good kids.”
After a brief conversation about Pete being unable to find one of his friends, they exchanged farewells. Robert packed his rifle into his worn bag and exited the street, where he focused on his thoughts and started making his way home.
The sun and planet started to set, and their fading orange light gave the sky a beautiful hue. Robert took in the scenery as he strolled, not paying attention to one of the sleek white hover vans that had become so popular in the past months. It zipped away through the air as he watched before returning to his thoughts on what he would have for dinner.
The building he lived in stood like a weary sentinel at the town’s boundary, a hodgepodge of mismatched bricks and creaking metal that had long ago lost any semblance of architectural grace. Despite its weather-beaten exterior, the residents maintained a veneer of pride, as evidenced by the door with a fresh coat of paint.
Upon entering his small apartment, Robert was greeted by the neutral aroma of cleanliness, not too sterile but not fragrant enough to be noticeable. The scent was as unremarkable as beige. A fragrance that announced, “I am clean and functional, but please don’t expect any frills.”
He lived alone, which was considered a luxury tantamount to owning a solid gold toilet brush. He cherished living alone, deeming it a worthwhile trade-off to sacrifice financial stability for solitude.
His independence was threatened when he received an eviction notification last week. It had been weeks since his rent had been due, and the creditors were no longer in the mood to accept any more late payments. Unless Robert could find a way to earn the money necessary for back-rent and tenancy fees, he would have to pack his belongings and leave his beloved apartment for good.
Robert switched on his computer to search for night jobs but was soon distracted by a video that had popped up. The government shared an informative clip, motivating citizens to be proactive and responsible financially.
Robert recognized a humanoid alien named Damian Krestov, with pale yellow skin and a texture Robert couldn’t place; he didn’t know where the man was from. He almost spoke to Robert as if aware of his situation. Damian spoke about taking responsibility and believing and trusting in yourself when times are demanding because one must never give up hope.
As he spoke, Damian gestured enthusiastically to express himself and emphasize his points. This man believed every word that came from his mouth. After watching out of curiosity, Robert realized that it was all a propaganda video in disguise; he didn’t pay enough attention to understand the actual goal of the ad, but he knew it wasn’t ‘just an ad.’
His green eyes fell on a colored flyer that someone had slipped under his door while he was stretching out his legs. It bore the headline: “Prestigious Shooting Competition on Zorath!” Beneath the flashy text, an illustration portrayed a muscular figure raising a gun in triumph while standing on top of a mountain of defeated foes.
Robert scoffed; he was skeptical of such an over-the-top advertisement, and one delivered on paper door-to-door. Still, a twinge of excitement hit him as he read the details: a grand prize of one million credits and a chance to become a professional shooter, whatever that means. Despite his initial skepticism about the ridiculous flyer, his heart raced at the thought of escaping his less-than-ideal life on Mool, proving his skills, and making enough money to not worry about those debt collectors.
Questions swirled in Robert’s mind, but none could snuff out the flame of hope that had ignited within him. As he crumpled the flyer in his hand, he imagined the look on Pete’s face if he were to win the competition and return to Mool with a million credits and a newfound sense of freedom.
“Who designed this? A five-year-old with a crayon?” Robert scoffed. Yet, despite the ridiculous presentation, he couldn’t ignore the Sub-Lunar Protective Service logo, a shield with ‘SLPS’ stamped in the bottom right corner.
“What is a government agency running a shoot for?” It wasn’t news to Robert that the agency would run events, but it still perplexed him why.
“Alright, Fannec,” he said, attempting to rationalize the situation. “Let’s say this is legit. You’ve spent your whole life shooting targets at the range. You can leave this shit moon and pay off some debts.”
As he weighed the pros and cons, his eyes flicked back to the grand prize: one million credits. With that money, his life could undergo a complete metamorphosis, rescuing him from this decrepit city and launching him into an existence he had only imagined. But was it worth the risk of taking time off work? He was already behind by several weeks’ rent and couldn’t afford time off.
“It’s a risky gamble.” He thought. “But it might be my ticket out of this mess.” He rubbed his temples. “Why couldn’t they have made a normal ad instead of this cartoonish mess? Is this some cruel joke?”
Deep down in his subconscious, he was aware he had already decided. His desire to escape was far more potent than any doubts he might have about the competition’s legitimacy or his abilities.
“Okay,” he said, preparing himself for the decision ahead. “Worst-case scenario, I lose the apartment, and I’m the laughingstock of the city for a while. Best case, I walk away with a million credits, which would pay off all of my debt and buy me a new life somewhere else.”
“Alright, let’s see what kind of mess I’m getting myself into.” Pulling up the competition details on his comm device, he scrolled through the information, his eyebrows furrowing with each new bit of it. “It’s scheduled during storm season on Zorath. Do these event planners even know how to read a weather report?”
The thought of traveling to a distant planet during its tumultuous storm season made Robert’s stomach churn. He had never left Mool before, and while he was confident in his shooting skills, everything else about this trip was uncharted territory.
This kind of shoot requires more than marksmanship. To outsmart his rivals, Robert must think fast and use the landscape and surroundings to gain an advantage. Storms would make that difficult, and Robert didn’t practice a lot of situational shooting. Sniper shooting was his strong suit, which he practiced most.
“At least it’ll be a memorable experience.”
Robert couldn’t shake off his hesitation. His worries extended beyond the storms. He would be up against marksmen who possessed more shooting and life experience. He stopped pacing and stared at his reflection in the window. The city lights of Bethada flickered in the glass, casting a melancholy glow over his face. His eyes were tired but resolute.
The competition didn’t worry him; the entry fee wasn’t refundable. The price was going up soon to encourage more people to register early. He had to decide, and quick.
“I guess if these guys are dumb enough to hold a shooting competition during one of the worst storm seasons in the Confederation, then they’re dumb enough to let me win.”
He chuckled, imagining the event planners huddled over a meteorological terminal, unaware of the impending storm clouds. The United Confederation’s government should have caught such an obvious detail. Perhaps they thought the turbulent weather would excite or challenge the competition. Which would be something that a management or administrative employee would think of.
“Perhaps the storms will scare off some of the competition,” his mind was scrambling with images of seasoned marksmen fleeing in terror from the torrential rains and howling winds. “Yeah, I bet half of ’em will drop out before they even fired the first shot.”
His chest swelled with newfound confidence. Sure, he had never left Mool before, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t hold his own on a strange, stormy planet. After all, he spent countless hours honing his skills at the local shooting range. And he always dreamed of fleeing the drudgery of his dull life in this rundown city on a forgotten moon.
“Alright, enough daydreaming,” he chided himself, shaking off his momentary lapse into fantasy. “Let’s make this official.”
Robert picked up his comm device and navigated to the registration page for the competition. He paused for a moment. The magnitude of the decision he was about to make was massive. He would have to prepare for missing out on some income. Once he registered, there would be no backing out, no second-guessing. The entry fee was substantial, but it would have to be bought on credit, like everything Robert paid for.
With a final deep breath and a surge of determination, Robert tapped the ‘Register’ button on his comm device. A cheerful confirmation message popped up on the screen: “Congratulations! You are now officially registered for the Zorath Shooting Competition!” It was followed by information about equipment checks, times, and locations.
“Well, this will be fun.”
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-26 01:31:31
## Chef's notes
# arbitray
- test
- of
- chefs notes
## hedding 2
## Details
- ⏲️ Prep time: 20
- 🍳 Cook time: 1 hour
- 🍽️ Servings: 5
## Ingredients
- Test ingredient
- 2nd test ingredient
## Directions
1. Bake
2. Cool
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-26 01:03:44
The colonial fiat system—an intricate network of financial, social, and psychological constructs—relies on its ability to manipulate collective behavior, sustain economic dependency, and enforce systemic conformity. For the individual navigating this landscape, the brain becomes both a target and a tool. The question arises: how can the human brain, with its remarkable capacity for autonomy and adaptability, defend itself against the manipulative information siege of such a system? The answer lies in understanding and leveraging the brain's strengths to build defenses, foster resilience, and reclaim personal sovereignty.
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Understanding the Siege: The Colonial Fiat System's Manipulative Arsenal
The fiat system exerts its control through psychological and informational tactics designed to overwhelm the individual mind:
1. Fear and Uncertainty: Constant narratives of inflation, economic crises, and scarcity exploit the brain’s amygdala, triggering anxiety and compliance.
2. Hyperconsumerism: By hijacking the brain’s reward pathways, the system fosters addiction to materialism, making individuals dependent on endless cycles of consumption.
3. Herd Mentality: Swarm consciousness, driven by social norms and media influence, suppresses critical thinking and reinforces collective conformity.
4. Short-Term Thinking: The system capitalizes on impulsive decision-making, eroding long-term planning and independence.
To resist these tactics, the individual brain must become a fortress—fortified by critical thought, emotional regulation, and intentional living.
---
Fortifying the Mind: Strategies for Resilience
1. Cultivate Cognitive Autonomy
At the heart of resistance lies the brain’s ability to think independently. By engaging the prefrontal cortex—the seat of logic, reasoning, and decision-making—individuals can reclaim their mental autonomy.
Question Narratives: Evaluate the motives behind information presented by media, corporations, and governments. Ask: Who benefits from this message?
Strengthen Critical Thinking: Regularly challenge your own assumptions and seek out diverse perspectives to avoid echo chambers.
Learn the System: Understand how the fiat system functions, from its reliance on inflationary policies to its ties to debt-based economies. Knowledge dismantles manipulation.
2. Master Emotional Regulation
The colonial fiat system thrives on fear, uncertainty, and the dopamine-driven cycles of consumerism. Emotional regulation shields the brain from these manipulative forces.
Practice Mindfulness: Techniques such as meditation and deep breathing calm the amygdala, reducing reactivity to fear-based propaganda.
Delay Gratification: Strengthen your ability to prioritize long-term rewards over impulsive consumption, engaging the brain’s executive functions.
Build Emotional Awareness: Recognize when your emotions are being manipulated, whether through scarcity marketing or fearmongering headlines.
3. Rewire Reward Systems
The brain’s reward pathways, driven by dopamine, are a primary target of the fiat system’s consumerist messaging. Reclaim control by redefining what brings you fulfillment.
Seek Intrinsic Rewards: Shift focus from material possessions to meaningful activities, such as learning, creating, and connecting with others.
Limit Exposure: Reduce consumption of advertising and social media, which are designed to exploit your reward circuits.
Adopt Sound Money Principles: Embrace financial practices that align with long-term stability, such as saving in Bitcoin or other deflationary assets.
---
Adaptability: The Key to Outwitting the System
4. Harness Neuroplasticity
The human brain’s neuroplasticity—its ability to rewire and adapt—offers a powerful tool for resisting the system’s influence.
Unlearn Dependency: Challenge habits and beliefs that tie your self-worth to fiat-driven success metrics, such as status symbols or debt-financed lifestyles.
Learn Decentralization: Educate yourself on alternatives to fiat systems, such as Bitcoin, decentralized finance, and peer-to-peer economies.
Adopt Resilient Skills: Develop capabilities that enhance your independence, such as critical financial literacy, coding, or permaculture.
5. Reclaim Time and Focus
The fiat system thrives on distraction, keeping individuals too overwhelmed to question its constructs. Reclaiming focus is an act of rebellion.
Set Boundaries: Allocate time for deep work and personal growth, free from the constant noise of digital media.
Practice Digital Minimalism: Use technology intentionally, ensuring it serves your goals rather than consuming your attention.
Value Rest: Recognize that productivity is not your sole measure of worth. Rest and reflection strengthen your cognitive resilience.
---
A Community of Sovereignty: The Collective Defense
While the individual brain is formidable, collective resistance amplifies its power. The social brain network enables connection with others who share a vision of autonomy and decentralization.
Build Like-Minded Networks: Engage with communities that value critical thinking, self-reliance, and alternative systems.
Share Knowledge: Spread awareness of the manipulative mechanisms of the fiat system, empowering others to resist.
Collaborate on Solutions: From supporting decentralized technologies to creating resilient local economies, collective action dismantles dependency.
---
Finding Anchors: Philosophy, Purpose, and Meaning
The brain’s capacity for self-reflection and existential thought provides a deep well of strength. By anchoring your life to principles and purpose, you can resist the shallow incentives of fiat-driven systems.
Explore Philosophical Anchors: Ideas such as sound money, personal sovereignty, and ethical living provide a framework for resistance.
Seek Transcendence: Practices like spirituality, art, and nature connection foster a sense of purpose beyond materialism.
Define Success on Your Terms: Reject fiat-driven definitions of success, focusing instead on values like freedom, creativity, and meaningful relationships.
---
Conclusion: The Brain as a Bastion of Sovereignty
The colonial fiat system’s manipulative siege is formidable, but the human brain is a far greater force. Through critical thinking, emotional regulation, adaptability, and purpose, the brain has the power to resist the swarm consciousness that perpetuates systemic dependency. By building mental fortresses, individuals can reclaim their autonomy, foster resilience, and pave the way for a decentralized, self-sovereign future.
The battle for freedom begins not in institutions but within the neural networks of the individual brain. Each mind fortified against manipulation is a victory for personal sovereignty—and a step toward a world where human potential thrives beyond the shadow of fiat control.
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 23:32:19
This is some test content dsadfsadfasdfasdf
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@ d3052ca3:d84a170e
2025-01-25 23:17:10
It seems to me that the primary opposition to ecash from bitcoiners comes from the belief that lightning will enable self-custodial micropayments for the masses. Many lightning enthusiasts see ecash as competition that will eliminate this technological outcome (whether they admit it or not).
I understand the motivation for this line of reasoning but I don't see things this way at all. Ecash is a superset of lightning. Cashu literally doesn't have a spec for on-chain transactions (yet!). Everything cashu accomplishes is built on the back of lightning. Standing on the shoulders of giants.
I don't believe that ecash will take away market share from self-custodial lightning because lightning is not a good technology for self-custody. The high overhead costs of running your own node create a natural incentive for a semi-centralized hub and spoke network graph. It just makes economic sense for many users to share a lightning node. It doesn't make economic sense for individuals to bear this cost alone.
This stacker news post is the best writeup on this topic: https://stacker.news/items/379225
It comes from a builder who struggled with these issues for years and learned the shortcomings of the tech first hand. Notice they experimented with ecash as a solution to these problems before they burned out and pivoted to save the company.
Ecash is a superset of lightning. It extends the capability and reach of the lightning network. Without ecash, I don't believe we can achieve bitcoin mass adoption. You can't jam a square peg into a round hole.
We still have a need for self-custody of "small" amounts of bitcoin. I put small in quotes because the block size limit and the fee market it creates impose a fundamental constraint on the minimum practical size of a UTXO. This limit is pegged to the unit of bitcoin. As bitcoin increases in value the minimum size for an on-chain transaction will grow in value as well. You can send $10 worth of bitcoin on-chain today but will this be true in 10 years when the price is much higher? 100 years?
If the current exponential trends hold, we will soon price out the majority of humanity from owning a UTXO. This is bad. Like really bad. "Bitcoin is a failure" bad. This is the motivation for my posts about scaling on-chain usage to 10 billion people. I believe we will need to radically rearchitect bitcoin to achieve this goal.
Lightning is not up to the task. We should leverage lightning for what it's good at: gluing together different self-custodial bitcoin service providers. We should leverage ecash for what it's good at: peer-to-peer electronic cash micropayments. IN ADDITION we also need to start seriously looking at new ideas for scaling self custody to "small" amounts of bitcoin. I am very optimistic that we can solve this problem. There are a number of promising avenues to pursue but I think first we need to move the Overton window ~~beyond the idea of mass adoption of self-custodial lightning~~ regarding on-chain scaling.
Edit: I think the original Overton window statement was incorrect. If on-chain fees stay low then self-custodial lightning or something similar is a much better prospect.
Just my 2 sats...let me know what you think. Keep it civil or be muted.
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@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462
2025-01-25 23:13:34
***Tree branches. 4' x 4 [Castle Pines, USA. 2016]***
#### Introduction
Sanctuary offers a layered view of resilience, juxtaposing the green expanses of the Sanctuary Golf Course with the majesty of Pikes Peak and the scars of past destruction. Framed by the lens, this work explores the tension between human intervention and nature’s cycles of renewal.
#### Site & Placement
Perched at Daniels Park in Castle Pines, the lens focuses on the rolling terrain of the golf course, leading the eye to the distant peak. The surrounding brush, which once burned in a major fire, adds depth to the narrative of renewal. A bench, positioned for an unobstructed view, invites visitors to sit and reflect on the land’s capacity to heal and endure.
#### Impermanence & Integration
As an ephemeral installation, Sanctuary embodies nature’s cycles of destruction and rebirth. The materials—branches and rock—will eventually decay and return to the earth, a process that mirrors the recovery of the landscape itself after fire. This impermanence underscores the delicate balance between human influence and natural forces.
#### Reflection
Sanctuary serves as a reminder of both the fragility and resilience of the world around us. It invites viewers to pause and consider the interplay of destruction and growth, human and natural, as they gaze upon a scene shaped by both time and transformation
---
## Photos
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---
#### More from the 'Earth Lens' Series:
[Earth Lens Series: Artist Statement + List of Works](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
["Looking Glass" (Earth Lens 001)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1736304563962/)
["Folsom" (Earth Lens 002)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1737844073125/)
[COMING SOON: "Platte" (Earth Lens 004)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Grandfather" (Earth Lens 005)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Chongming" (Earth Lens 006)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
---
#### More from Hes
[Portfolio](https://hesart.npub.pro)
[Online Store](https://plebeian.market/community/1cb14ab335876fc9efc37d838ba287cf17e5adcccb20bf6d49f9da9695d52462:hesmart-ym3fcufdfz)
[Artist Statements](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/art/)
[Travel Guides](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/travel/)
[Photography](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/photography)
[Writings](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/money)
---
*All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from my art, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.*
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 23:05:47
The entanglement of fiat currency, racial hierarchies, and colonialism is not merely a historical artifact but a systemic force that continues to shape the modern world. While colonialism has shifted from overt territorial domination to more subtle forms of economic and ideological control, its foundations remain deeply rooted in racialized exploitation and fiat-based financial systems. This article explores how fiat currency has historically been a tool of colonial power, how race has been weaponized to justify and sustain economic hierarchies, and how these forces persist in contemporary global structures.
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The Role of Fiat in Colonial Domination
Fiat currency—money without intrinsic value, issued by centralized authorities—played a pivotal role in enabling colonial powers to exert control over colonized territories. By dismantling indigenous systems of trade and imposing fiat-based economies, colonizers centralized power, creating a structural dependence that persists to this day.
1. Monetary Imposition and Disruption:
Colonial administrations replaced local barter systems and commodity currencies with fiat systems, compelling indigenous populations to use colonial currencies for taxes, goods, and services. This enforced participation in a colonial economic order undermined self-sufficient local economies. For example, the British introduction of the rupee in India dismantled complex indigenous trade networks, forcing economic realignment under colonial terms.
2. Taxation and Forced Labor:
Fiat systems were weaponized to coerce colonized populations into labor. Taxes, often payable only in colonial currency, forced people to work within colonial enterprises to earn the money required. This dependency reinforced economic subjugation.
3. Inflation as Extraction:
By manipulating fiat currency supplies, colonial powers extracted wealth from colonies. Printing excess money devalued local economies while enriching colonial elites. This strategy was less visible but equally exploitative compared to direct resource extraction.
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Race as an Economic Justification
While fiat systems provided the mechanisms of economic control, racial ideologies provided the moral and political justification for colonial domination. Race became a lens through which economic inequality was normalized, rationalizing the exploitation of non-European populations.
1. Racialized Labor Exploitation:
Under colonialism, racial hierarchies determined access to wealth and opportunities. Indigenous and enslaved peoples were systematically underpaid or unpaid, while Europeans occupied privileged economic positions. Racial ideologies framed these disparities as natural or deserved.
2. The Commodification of Racialized Bodies:
Fiat systems also underpinned the commodification of human lives during slavery. Loans, bonds, and other financial instruments were issued based on the value of enslaved people, reducing human beings to economic units within racialized systems of extraction.
3. The Devaluation of Indigenous Economies:
Indigenous systems of wealth and exchange were not merely disrupted but devalued, portrayed as primitive or inefficient compared to fiat-based systems. This cultural erasure further entrenched economic hierarchies tied to race.
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Fiat Colonialism’s Modern Legacy
The relationship between fiat and racialized economic control persists in the global financial architecture:
1. Structural Dependence:
Many post-colonial nations remain reliant on currencies introduced during colonial rule or tied to foreign powers. For example, the CFA franc in West Africa still links former French colonies to the French treasury, perpetuating neo-colonial dependency.
2. Global Financial Institutions:
Organizations like the IMF and World Bank, operating within fiat systems, impose structural adjustment policies on Global South nations. These policies prioritize debt repayment to wealthy nations, often at the expense of local development. The racialized logic of colonialism reappears in these economic relationships, where predominantly non-European nations bear the brunt of austerity measures.
3. Racialized Access to Capital:
In modern fiat economies, access to credit and capital is often disproportionately restricted for marginalized racial groups. This reinforces historical inequities rooted in colonial systems of economic exclusion.
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Ideological Colonialism Through Fiat
Fiat currency is not merely a tool of economic exchange but a vehicle for ideological dominance. The imposition of Western fiat systems during colonialism also imposed Western economic values, undermining indigenous worldviews and institutionalizing a global hierarchy that remains intact today.
Monetary Sovereignty: By denying colonized nations the right to issue their own currencies, colonial powers stripped them of economic sovereignty. Today, this legacy continues as many nations remain economically constrained by foreign-controlled fiat systems.
Cultural Hegemony: Fiat systems have been a means of propagating cultural imperialism. Indigenous concepts of value and exchange, which often prioritized communal well-being over profit, were replaced by extractive models tied to fiat economies.
---
A Decolonial Perspective: Bitcoin and Alternatives
In the face of these enduring systems, decentralized financial systems like Bitcoin present a potential challenge to the colonial logic embedded in fiat systems:
1. Decentralized Sovereignty:
Bitcoin operates independently of centralized authorities, offering nations and individuals the opportunity to bypass fiat dependencies. This could empower post-colonial states to reclaim economic autonomy.
2. Neutrality and Accessibility:
Unlike fiat systems, which often reflect and reinforce racial and geopolitical hierarchies, Bitcoin is borderless and non-discriminatory, creating opportunities for marginalized groups to access capital and build wealth.
3. Transparency and Accountability:
Blockchain technology ensures transparency, reducing the opacity that has historically allowed global financial institutions to exploit vulnerable nations through predatory practices.
---
Conclusion
The historical entanglement of fiat currency, race, and colonialism reveals how economic systems have been designed to sustain power imbalances. While colonialism has shifted in form—from direct rule to economic and ideological control—the core principles remain intact, with fiat currency serving as a critical mechanism for perpetuating these hierarchies.
Decolonizing the global economy requires dismantling these systems, recognizing their racialized foundations, and exploring alternatives that prioritize equity and autonomy. Bitcoin and decentralized technologies offer a potential pathway, though their success depends on a broader commitment to addressing the structural inequalities that fiat-based colonialism has left in its wake.
This is not just an economic imperative but a moral one: to imagine and build a world no longer bound by the exploitative legacies of fiat and race.
-
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 22:55:49
This is some test content
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 22:51:13
This is some test content
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@ 1cb14ab3:95d52462
2025-01-25 22:51:08
***Tree branches, Rock. 4' x 4 [Boulder, USA. 2016]***
#### Introduction
From atop Flagstaff Mountain, Folsom frames Boulder’s iconic Folsom Field, a symbol of youth, learning, and community. This lens offers a moment of reflection on the brevity of the college experience and the transient nature of life, inviting viewers to connect with the campus and its fleeting but impactful moments.
#### Site & Placement
The lens is strategically placed to frame the stadium, blending the vibrant life of the campus with Boulder’s vast and enduring natural landscape. The bench, situated 6 feet from the lens, offers a space to sit and contemplate the juxtaposition of permanence and change, of structure and wilderness.
#### Impermanence & Integration
Constructed from branches and rock, Folsom is designed to fade into the mountain landscape after only a short time. Its impermanence echoes the fleeting nature of the college years, reminding viewers that growth and transformation are rooted in moments that pass all too quickly.
#### Reflection
Through its brief presence, Folsom captures the delicate interplay between human experiences and the enduring landscapes that frame them. It invites viewers to celebrate the vibrant present while acknowledging the inevitability of change.
---
## Photos
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---
#### More from the 'Earth Lens' Series:
[Earth Lens Series: Artist Statement + List of Works](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
["Looking Glass" (Earth Lens 001)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1736304563962/)
[COMING SOON: "Sanctuary" (Earth Lens 003)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Platte" (Earth Lens 004)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Grandfather" (Earth Lens 005)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
[COMING SOON: "Chongming" (Earth Lens 006)](https://hes.npub.pro/post/1731091744332/)
---
#### More from Hes
[Portfolio](https://hesart.npub.pro)
[Online Store](https://plebeian.market/community/1cb14ab335876fc9efc37d838ba287cf17e5adcccb20bf6d49f9da9695d52462:hesmart-ym3fcufdfz)
[Artist Statements](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/art/)
[Travel Guides](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/travel/)
[Photography](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/photography)
[Writings](https://hes.npub.pro/tag/money)
---
*All images are credit of Hes, but you are free to download and use for any purpose. If you find joy from my art, please feel free to send a zap. Enjoy life on a Bitcoin standard.*
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@ d9cfbbde:e7cfd9fd
2025-01-25 22:47:10
Testing if this can be edited after publishing...
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@ ec642f38:a8b07008
2025-01-25 22:43:05
This is some test content
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 22:32:58
In the world of fiat, bosses are no longer mere professionals managing resources and people. They are, in essence, Big Brother's appointed handlers, glorified totems of obedience whose primary role is to ensure the herd stays docile, compliant, and tethered to their assigned hamster wheels. They don’t just manage; they surveil. With Orwellian precision, their every motivational email, team-building exercise, and performance review is an insidious mechanism for upholding the grand illusion of "freedom within structure."
These citizen-handlers come cloaked in titles like "team leader" or "manager," but their true mandate is far more sinister. Their KPIs aren’t just productivity or revenue—it’s compliance. It’s ensuring that no one questions why a third of their paycheck evaporates into the shadowy depths of taxes and inflation, why corporate policies look more like legislation, or why time—the only non-renewable resource—is spent propping up systems designed to ensure it is wasted.
Their tools? The carrot and the stick, but reinvented for the modern serfdom. The carrot is a pay raise that barely outpaces inflation, a shiny "employee of the month" badge that says, "You’re a good hamster!" The stick? Passive-aggressive emails, whispered conversations about "alignment with company values," and the ever-present specter of "budget cuts," a euphemism for your expendability in the machinery.
Dark satire requires pointing out the absurdities they enforce with a straight face: They orchestrate pointless Zoom meetings that siphon hours of productivity but demand employees "turn on their cameras" as proof of existence. They impose performance reviews steeped in doublespeak, where "areas of improvement" mean "You’re not docile enough," and "leadership potential" is code for "You’re great at mirroring propaganda."
Their allegiance is not to you, nor even to the company. It’s to the system that birthed them—a system that thrives on mediocrity, rewards complicity, and punishes dissent. The fiat boss isn’t a mentor; they’re a handler armed with spreadsheets, PowerPoints, and policies designed to turn independent thought into a liability. They are the human interface of a system that cannot tolerate deviation, individuality, or questions like, "Why are we doing this in the first place?"
In their world, promotions aren’t about merit but about trust—trust that you will perpetuate the cycle without asking too many questions. "You’re like family here," they say, but families don’t dock your pay for being late. "We value innovation," they claim, while shackling creativity with bureaucratic hurdles. "We care about work-life balance," they insist, while quietly monitoring your Slack activity at 11 PM.
Ultimately, the fiat boss-handler is a tragic figure in this dark satire, a cog who believes they’re the engine, a shepherd who thinks they’re free while they guide the sheep. They are the unwitting enforcers of a dystopia where freedom is rationed, individuality is commodified, and dissent is erased—not by decree, but by performance improvement plans.
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-25 22:16:54
President Trump plans to withdraw 20,000 U.S. troops from Europe and expects European allies to contribute financially to the remaining military presence. Reported by ANSA, Trump aims to deliver this message to European leaders since taking office. A European diplomat noted, “the costs cannot be borne solely by American taxpayers.”
The Pentagon hasn't commented yet. Trump has previously sought lower troop levels in Europe and had ordered cuts during his first term. The U.S. currently maintains around 65,000 troops in Europe, with total forces reaching 100,000 since the Ukraine invasion. Trump's new approach may shift military focus to the Pacific amid growing concerns about China.
[Sauce](https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-01-24/trump-europe-troop-cuts-16590074.html)
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@ 920165f0:049cf1bb
2025-01-25 21:29:02
Periodically, alone, at a less-than-preferred time, you must sit with yourself. Or I suppose you could take a walk, but unless you can guarantee your solidarity, you will likely appear somewhere on the outskirts of normal. While your pride may shine about this little compliment now, it will at times irritate you and ask if you’re sure you want to continue. That’s how everyone gets swallowed. Don’t ask questions. Don’t pick up rugs. Don’t be unruly with yourself or those you love, quietly drift into a more compliant state.
This is why you must go off and write or speak aloud. You ought to answer the question often: would you prefer explore the many routes of numbing medications, or feel your face melting as you take your most prized possessions and hold them to the fire?
There are no lifetime passes on this route. You must renew every day. But you’ve snuck away for months or years this time, and now you have to pay for your absence. You are required to bring your sacrifices to the table in order to continue. Nobody makes it out of here with a neat note, without mistakes or drops of blood on the page. If so, it wasn’t done.
You sacrifice yourself—your rightness, defensiveness, and all forms of denial.
So we sit and write. We pace and speak. We come near pulling our eyes from their sockets. We face ourselves in this heap of trash left to us by our predecessors. It’s not to say they weren’t left it as well—it’s to say it’s yours now.
Whether or not you want to think is your decision alone. Hoping others will take responsibility is an irresponsible management of your own life. As you lift every corner, you’ll find this dirt scattered across your life. You’ll turn your head, cite a guilty party, anything but take ownership.
If you see it, it’s yours. Nothing here belongs to anyone else. That’s the guarantee of mulling around in the mind. You’ll always find this, or you can be sure you’re lying.
It sounds tricky, but it’s only tricky because you are playing the tricks. Let us be clear: any form of matter you see is your responsibility.
Can you breathe now? Not any easier.
If the world around you is so foolish and dumb, why haven’t you adjusted for it sooner? If you did, don’t you think you’d employ a new method of crossing paths with them, beyond disappointment and frustration?
Who is the lagging party?
If you’d notice this quirk—which you cannot stop seeing in the same boring way—you’d realize you see the game very well but haven’t bothered acknowledging the rules. You’ve taken every other route, exactly what someone does when they’re trying not to see what’s in front of them.
You may be aware of this in others, but that’s not sufficient for someone who sits down to attempt to think, for someone who puts himself at the stake. That kind of man is responsible for the game, what he sees, and the rules in which the game is played.
That kind of man abandons the point-keeping devices he’s clung to over the years. He finally realizes he’s been using a unique scoring system to quantify himself, and it’s outdated.
The game goes on. You have a clear score, a clear basis for winners and losers, but you are consistently wrong. Impossible, you say? You’re diligent and precise?
Give it up. Give up your metrics.
If you wish to play the game, know the rules. Sound the buzzer, set all to zero, and dissolve everything you know about keeping track of points. Acknowledge the layers built into the game, the veils you must pierce to be successful within it.
You are susceptible to thinking you’ve thought. You are susceptible to believing it’s all or nothing. You won’t give up a few marbles for a bar of gold.
There’s only one reason. You think very highly of your marbles.
And be it gold or anything else, you are sticking to your marbles for the sake of never changing.
So is it them who can’t change? Is it them who cannot see? Is it they who’ve lost their minds?
Maybe. Maybe.
But it’s also you.
And until you can read the room without defending something, until you learn to play the game as if you knew the rules, your efforts are as good as they’ve always been.
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@ 1ec45473:d38df139
2025-01-25 20:15:01
```
______________
/ /|
/ / |
/____________ / |
| ___________ | |
|| || |
|| #NOSTR || |
|| || |
||___________|| |
| _______ | /
/| (_______) | /
( |_____________|/
\
.=======================.
| :::::::::::::::: ::: |
| ::::::::::::::[] ::: |
| ----------- ::: |
`-----------------------'
```
-
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@ 1ec45473:d38df139
2025-01-25 20:15:01
Preston Pysh posted this event this morning:

Behind the scenes, the nostr event looks like this:
```
Event = {
"id":"a6fa7e1a73ce70c6fb01584a0519fd29788e59d9980402584e7a0af92cf0474a",
"pubkey":"85080d3bad70ccdcd7f74c29a44f55bb85cbcd3dd0cbb957da1d215bdb931204",
"created_at":1724494504,
"kind":1,
"tags":[
[
"p",
"6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"77ec966fcd64f901152cad5dc7731c7c831fe22e02e3ae99ff14637e5a48ef9c",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"c1fc7771f5fa418fd3ac49221a18f19b42ccb7a663da8f04cbbf6c08c80d20b1",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"50d94fc2d8580c682b071a542f8b1e31a200b0508bab95a33bef0855df281d63",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"20d88bae0c38e6407279e6a83350a931e714f0135e013ea4a1b14f936b7fead5",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"273e7880d38d39a7fb238efcf8957a1b5b27e819127a8483e975416a0a90f8d2",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"t",
"BH2024"
]
],
"content":"Awesome Freedom Panel with...",
"sig":"2b64e461cd9f5a7aa8abbcbcfd953536f10a334b631a352cd4124e8e187c71aad08be9aefb6a68e5c060e676d06b61c553e821286ea42489f9e7e7107a1bf79a"
}
```
In nostr, all events have this form, so once you become familiar with the nostr event structure, things become pretty easy.
Look at the "tags" key. There are six "p" tags (pubkey) and one "t" tag (hashtag).
The p tags are public keys of people that are mentioned in the note. The t tags are for hashtags in the note.
It is common when working with NOSTR that you have to extract out certain tags. Here are some examples of how to do that with what are called JavaScript Array Methods:
### Find the first "p" tag element:
```
Event.tags.find(item => item[0] === 'p')
[
'p',
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb',
'',
'mention'
]
```
### Same, but just return the pubkey":
```
Event.tags.find(item => item[0] === 'p')[1]
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb'
```
### Filter the array so I only get "p" tags:
```
Event.tags.filter(item => item[0] === 'p')
[
[
'p',
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'77ec966fcd64f901152cad5dc7731c7c831fe22e02e3ae99ff14637e5a48ef9c',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'c1fc7771f5fa418fd3ac49221a18f19b42ccb7a663da8f04cbbf6c08c80d20b1',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'50d94fc2d8580c682b071a542f8b1e31a200b0508bab95a33bef0855df281d63',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'20d88bae0c38e6407279e6a83350a931e714f0135e013ea4a1b14f936b7fead5',
'',
'mention'
],
[
'p',
'273e7880d38d39a7fb238efcf8957a1b5b27e819127a8483e975416a0a90f8d2',
'',
'mention'
]
]
```
### Return an array with only the pubkeys in the "p" tags:
```
Event.tags.filter(item => item[0] === 'p').map(item => item[1])
[
'6c237d8b3b120251c38c230c06d9e48f0d3017657c5b65c8c36112eb15c52aeb',
'77ec966fcd64f901152cad5dc7731c7c831fe22e02e3ae99ff14637e5a48ef9c',
'c1fc7771f5fa418fd3ac49221a18f19b42ccb7a663da8f04cbbf6c08c80d20b1',
'50d94fc2d8580c682b071a542f8b1e31a200b0508bab95a33bef0855df281d63',
'20d88bae0c38e6407279e6a83350a931e714f0135e013ea4a1b14f936b7fead5',
'273e7880d38d39a7fb238efcf8957a1b5b27e819127a8483e975416a0a90f8d2'
]
```
-
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@ 1ec45473:d38df139
2025-01-25 20:15:01
### The probability of AGI ending us is negative.
A common tactic among doomers is to state something along the lines of the following:
"If we create AGI, there is some non-zero chance every year, that the AGI will end humanity. Whatever that chance is compounds every year, and is thus unacceptable."
The question I would ask the doomer is **"How do you know that the chance of AGI ending humanity isn't negative?"**
What does it mean for AGI to have a negative chance of ending humanity?
Setting aside AGI for a moment, what is the chance every year that humanity ends from other events, such as nuclear war, solar flares, super-volcanoes, asteroid hits, societal collapse, etc?
How do you even answer this question in a reasonable manner? Well lets look at past data.
Of all species that have existed 99% have gone extinct.
Of our closest 7 relatives from the genus Homo, 100% have gone extinct.
On a higher level looking at civilizational collapse. According to Wikipedia, [virtually all](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse) historical societies have collapsed.
Looking out into the universe, we see no signs of life elsewhere, so if there was life in the past we can assume that they have gone extinct.
It would therefore be reasonable to say that the chance of our extinction is very high even without AGI, well above 90%. Maybe 99%.
You could argue the numbers but at least with these numbers we are using some past data to extrapolate the future, where the doomers are using no data whatsoever to support their numbers.
We can also state, that of all the species and societies that have collapsed in the past, they have done so because they did not yet have the knowledge on how to survive. They didn't know how to create antibiotics, or generate enough energy, or defend themselves from the environment.
What is AGI? AGI is a way to create knowledge. Most all societies in the past have collapsed because they didn't have the knowledge on how to survive, and the doomer argument is that we should slow down our ability to create knowledge, when we know that this has been precisely the problem in the past.
It is a certainty we will all die without more knowledge then we have now. The future death of our sun ensures that.
We have to create the knowledge on how to survive, and that is what AGI does - it creates knowledge.
AGI most certainly has a negative probability of ending humanity.
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@ 0d7bc80d:aaf2218d
2025-01-25 16:55:59
\
Volkesbewusstsein, as interpreted from Carl von Savigny’s legal philosophy, and utilized by Carl Schmitt in his own, refers to the common consciousness of the people.
For Savigny, this meant that the laws and boundaries of the state evolve organically out of the collective consciousness of the people in a given historical period. A blooming out of the shared cultural fabric of a society.
Schmitt’s interpretation is slightly more assertive, seen more as an imposition of the collective will in defining the sovereign and the state.
But what makes up the common consciousness of society in our time? How does that influence the formation of our state and its laws? My sense is that the thing most shared or collective about our current consciousness is the schizophrenic quality of it. Our cultural fabric is that of an insane asylum,. We swim deep inside the algorithmic passivity of our historical moment, and this has fragmented our consciousness.
The concept of the public sphere as conceptualized by Jürgen Habermas projects an idealized image of a bygone era of communal communication and a genuine shared experience of reality. The public sphere was an arena for dialogue, disagreement, and maybe even reconciliation. This ideal held that communication occurred outside the bounds of state and market manipulation and held to rational discourse as a means of discovering Volkesbewusstsein.
Habermas was aware and critical of the modern erosion of the public sphere due to mass media and its influences. And here we are now in our cultural moment. It’s become trite to remind ourselves of the algorithmic sway that we encounter on a daily basis through social media news feeds. But this is one of those realities we need to continually encounter to take seriously, because it backgrounds itself so well. We become passive automatons swayed for engagement. AI agents capturing our attention and manipulating the lizard brain.
We are all aware of this.
However, to what extent are we understanding the schizophrenic agency of the algorithmic hyper-agent? There’s undoubtedly intentional manipulation of information for explicit ends, not explicit to us necessarily, but to someone or some bureaucracy.
What happens though when we have a myriad of explicit algorithmic hyper-agents taking over the public sphere? I’m no clinician, but my diagnosis is schizophrenia at the level of our distributed cognition. We’re in a collective asylum and the guards are insane too.
What kind of heroes emerge out of that cultural fabric? Well, insane ones. And they will look perfectly sane in their response to a system of state sovereignty and laws that have emerged out of that asylum. And we’ll cheer it on as it feels like entropy towards collapse is the only thing that might save us. Not that we are always conscious of our entropic aims. But the walls are crumbling down, and everyone has a sledgehammer, so we decide to pick one up as well. We’d prefer to feel that we’re at least exercising SOME sort of agency, after all.
I find myself entirely addicted to my comforting insanity. Precisely because it gives me the illusion of agency, rather than the passivity that Habermas feared would be the destruction of the public sphere. I’m grateful that every now and then, I’m able to stand back and examine the frames I’m applying, or that have been applied for me, and recognize my passivity.
Perennially, it becomes apparent that we need to step outside of the passive sway of our screens and to engage in an algorithmic free salon. The idealized picture of humans in a communal space, with minimally distorted flows of information, in true dialogue. A mutual respect for each other and our different value judgements, with a shared commitment to orienting towards truth.
The most basic way we can do this is to continually step back from the asylum, and find a quiet corner to discuss with other well intentioned patients how we might organically blossom out a new common consciousness. It’s hegemonic character, that which dominates it, need not be the assertion of one difference over the other, but the assertion that differences in value systems share some orientation.
All this must be, for now, done from the place of acceptance of our diagnosis. Our conversations in the public sphere will need to continually encounter and correct for our schizophrenia. But if enough of us pick up a hammer and start smashing it against the wall of the asylum, a new organic shared consciousness has a shot at arising.
-
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@ d57360cb:4fe7d935
2025-01-25 15:43:16
Martial Arts has a way of imparting deep lessons on you, lessons that you feel deep to the core. Here are a few that have stuck with me. These lessons extend beyond the field of martial arts into every area of life, may you find value in them.
# **Static Vs Dynamic**
The world is a dynamic and fluid domain, yet we think statically. This error makes us incompatible. When we think about the future and the past, they are fixed in our minds. We might have a grand plan for how we will beat our opponent or hold fear of a loss we suffered at the hands of another opponent. Because these are harbored in our minds, we are fixed in place entering a battle which is constantly moving.
To succeed one has to abandon the static and learn to dance. Let me explain this through the problem solving process.
# Problem Solving
Imagine there's a giant wall in front of you and this wall is going to fall directly on top of you. Here you're faced with a problem, the wall falling and you also might have guessed the solution which is get out of the way. The usual approach people take in solving problems is they wait til the problem has already taken place and established itself to act.
Knowing fully the wall is falling they will wait til the wall has crushed them, only then they'll enact their plan to get out of the way. Their plan may very well work but not when the wall has already fallen, this renders their plan useless even though it is the correct solution. In their minds they see the problem and the solution only taking place when certain factors are met and conditions are perfect.
They will not act to evade a punch until hit in the face, they won't try to escape a choke until their opponent is squeezing the life out of them. This is the error of unskilled beginners yet it's a necessary path to the dynamic.
# The best way to avoid danger is not going there in the first place
At a certain point you will get tired of getting hit in the face, getting choked out, and having the wall get crushed on you. You will see others using the very same solutions you're using and wonder why they succeed and you don't. The cogs in your brain come alive and you begin to think if the solution is to get out the way, I need to do it before or as the wall is falling not when it's already fallen. This takes you from the static to the dynamic, from thinking to feeling.
Instead of thinking and anticipating a punch and then moving, you no longer anticipate you immerse yourself in the chaos and are free to feel. You no longer wait for your opponent to have his hands around your neck to avoid getting choked, you avoid the situation altogether. You see the wall falling and you step out of the way, by nature another wall replaces it, this one is also falling and you maneuver out of its way. This is the great dance, this is the art.
# Failure is Information
"The fool that persists in his folly soon becomes wise"
In life as in the arts you will continually face failures or walls. Most people view these as negative. Having a wall crushed on them they take it personally, blame themselves, how terrible they are and how much better their opponent is. These are your trusted guides they show you where you are fixed in place, they show you your inflexibility, your rigidity. They humble you over and over. It may take days, weeks, years or months for you to realize. In this way the end never arrives, the path of practice is the goal.
With diligence and patience the thing you once saw as a failure will become your wisest friend.
# No opponent
Each person is going through this struggle internally. They face their own set of problems. In this way your opponents serve you as you serve them. The person that beats you down is not a rival, he's also not 'better' in any way he's exposed you and shown you the areas you have blindspots and weakness in. In the same way you serve that purpose for those just starting on the path. You may beat someone down and think you are 'better' than those you dominate. This is the wrong view you are a guide to those below you and student to those above you.
If you get caught up in your ego and status you will be blinded. One must leave the static world of victory and loss to find the dynamic.
# Everything Bleeds
This was a post on material arts, but you could very well replace martial arts with any field and any set of problems. The incompatible mix of the static mind and dynamic world is found in every area of life. The lessons you learn from one area can be translated to another, these lessons are fundamental. In this way lessons bleed and overflow into everything you touch. You are the center of experience the things you devote time to in life are merely tools of expression.
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@ 378562cd:a6fc6773
2025-01-25 15:19:53
**Top 20 U.S. Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **SEC Reverses Crypto Accounting Rule, Easing Bank Participation** The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has overturned guidance that previously treated digital tokens as liabilities on bank balance sheets. This reversal is expected to facilitate banks in offering cryptocurrency custody services without facing significant penalties.
[ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/24854c53-98ef-42b5-96ed-efd6f5b70271?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
2. **President Trump Signs Executive Order to Bolster Crypto Industry.** President Donald Trump has issued an executive order titled "Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology," aiming to position the U.S. as a global leader in the digital asset market. The order includes the creation of a task force to propose new crypto regulations and explore the establishment of a national digital asset stockpile.
[Investor's Business Daily](https://www.investors.com/news/trump-cryptocurrency-executive-order-bitcoin-reserve-digital-asset-stockpile/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
3. **Crypto Markets React to New Regulatory Initiatives.** Following the administration's recent policy moves, the cryptocurrency market experienced a dip, with Bitcoin stabilizing around $105,000. The creation of a task force to propose new crypto regulations has introduced uncertainty, leading to profit-taking among investors.
[reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-markets-lose-steam-after-trumps-first-policy-move-2025-01-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
4. **Industry Celebrates Anticipated Deregulation Amid Caution.** The cryptocurrency community is optimistic about the administration's supportive stance, including proposals for a U.S. Bitcoin reserve. However, experts caution that increased government endorsement could expose the financial system to significant risks if the market faces downturns.
[ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/8d302c79-8912-4f8e-bb1a-eea77ea0d99e?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
5. **White House Appoints David Sacks as Crypto and AI Advisor.** The administration has appointed tech entrepreneur David Sacks as the White House's cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence advisor. Sacks will lead the newly formed Presidential Task Force on Digital Asset Markets, focusing on developing regulatory frameworks and exploring the creation of a national Bitcoin reserve.
[Barron's](https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-bitcoin-stockpile-crypto-78398022?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
6. **Bitcoin Price Surges to All-Time High Amid Policy Shifts.** Bitcoin has reached a record high of $109,000, driven by increased interest following endorsements from President Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch of cryptocurrencies associated with both Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump has further fueled market enthusiasm.
[The Times & The Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/your-complete-guide-to-crypto-and-bitcoin-77xwhlz6h?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
7. **Financial Institutions Show Renewed Interest in Crypto Services.** Major financial firms, including Charles Schwab, are exploring deeper engagement in the crypto market following recent regulatory changes. Traditional banks are now better positioned to offer cryptocurrency custody services, reflecting a shift towards mainstream adoption.
[ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/24854c53-98ef-42b5-96ed-efd6f5b70271?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
8. **Congressional Leaders Express Concerns Over Rapid Crypto Expansion.** Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the swift regulatory changes favoring the cryptocurrency industry. They caution that rapid deregulation could lead to increased market volatility and potential risks to the broader financial system.
[reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-markets-lose-steam-after-trumps-first-policy-move-2025-01-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
9. **Crypto-Related Crimes Prompt Calls for Enhanced Security Measures.** The recent kidnapping and assault of Ledger co-founder David Balland have highlighted the risks associated with the crypto industry. Security experts advise individuals involved in cryptocurrency to exercise discretion regarding their personal wealth and implement robust security protocols.
[The Times & The Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/david-balland-ledger-kidnapping-z3kx6svj0?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
10. **Stablecoin Development Encouraged Under New Executive Order.** The administration's executive order promotes the development of dollar-backed stablecoins for global use, aiming to enhance the U.S. dollar's presence in the digital asset space while prohibiting the establishment of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S.
[Investor's Business Daily](https://www.investors.com/news/trump-cryptocurrency-executive-order-bitcoin-reserve-digital-asset-stockpile/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
11. **Crypto Education Initiatives Launched to Foster Public Understanding.** In response to the growing interest in digital assets, educational programs are being developed to inform the public about cryptocurrency investment risks and opportunities, aiming to promote responsible participation in the market.
12. **Tech Companies Explore Blockchain Integration Amid Regulatory Clarity.** With the recent regulatory developments, technology firms are increasingly considering blockchain integration into their operations, anticipating that clearer guidelines will support innovation in the sector.
13. **Crypto Taxation Policies Under Review Following Executive Order.** The Treasury Department is reviewing existing cryptocurrency taxation policies to align with the new executive order, potentially leading to revised guidelines that could impact investors and businesses.
14. **Investment Funds Increase Crypto Holdings Amid Policy Support.** Investment funds are bolstering their cryptocurrency portfolios, encouraged by the administration's supportive policies and the SEC's reversal of restrictive accounting rules.
15. **Public-Private Partnerships Form to Advance Blockchain Research.** New collaborations between government agencies and private companies are emerging to advance blockchain research and development, aiming to maintain the U.S.'s competitive edge in digital financial technologies.
16. **Crypto Mining Operations Expand in the U.S**.Cryptocurrency mining firms are expanding their operations domestically, attracted by the favorable regulatory environment and potential incentives outlined in recent policy initiatives.
17. **Consumer Protection Agencies Advocate for Crypto Awareness.** Consumer protection agencies are launching campaigns to raise awareness about the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments, emphasizing the importance of due diligence.
18. **State Governments Explore Local Crypto Regulations.** In light of federal initiatives, state governments are examining their regulatory frameworks concerning cryptocurrencies to ensure alignment and address local concerns.
19. **Academic Institutions Introduce Cryptocurrency Courses.** Universities and colleges are adding cryptocurrency and blockchain courses to their curricula, preparing students for careers in the evolving digital asset landscape.
20. **Crypto Exchanges Enhance Compliance Measures.** Cryptocurrency exchanges are strengthening their compliance protocols in anticipation of forthcoming regulatory recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Digital Asset Markets.
**Top 5 Worldwide Cryptocurrency Headlines:**
1. **Global Banks Anticipate U.S. Regulatory Changes.** International banks are closely monitoring the U.S. regulatory shifts, assessing the potential global impact on cryptocurrency custody services and market participation.
2. **European Union Debates Crypto Regulatory Framework.** The European Union is engaging in discussions to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, aiming to balance innovation with consumer protection.
3. **Asian Markets React to U.S. Crypto Policy Developments**\
Cryptocurrency markets across Asia, including Japan and South Korea, are seeing increased trading activity following the U.S. administration's supportive stance on digital assets. Investors are optimistic about the ripple effects on the global crypto ecosystem.
4. **India Announces Plans for Blockchain-Based Voting System**\
The Indian government has unveiled plans to pilot a blockchain-based voting system aimed at enhancing election security and transparency. This initiative is part of India's broader efforts to explore blockchain technology in governance.
5. **African Nations Embrace Bitcoin for Cross-Border Payments**\
Several African countries are increasingly using Bitcoin to facilitate cross-border payments, citing its efficiency and reduced transaction costs. This trend reflects the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies in regions with limited access to traditional financial services.
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-01-25 14:32:21
| Parameters | Dry Mead | Medium Mead | Sweet Mead |
|------------|-----------|-------------|------------|
| Honey | 2 lbs (900 grams) | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) | 4 lbs (1.81 kg) |
| Yeast | ~0.07 oz (2 grams) | ~0.08 oz (2.5 grams) | ~0.10 oz (3 grams) |
| Fermentation | ~4 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Racking | Fortnight or later | 1 month or after | ~2 months and after |
| Specific Gravity | <1.010 | ~1.01 to ~1.025 | >1.025 |
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@ 0b14a03f:3f0257c2
2025-01-25 13:33:47
Change doesn’t come from something external. The change comes from within. But people are so disconnected from themselves that they keep trying and trying with tools to connect without realizing that if there is no connection within, there won’t be a healthy and long-term connection outside.
Bitcoin has no name or last name because it’s not important who created it. What’s important is what it was made for. That’s written on its roots, in its essence. And that essence won’t be discovered if we keep trying to set it up in old avatars, systems, protocols, and connections.
Bitcoin is not a tool to get rich and be free. It’s a means to disconnect from a broken environment and find a safe place to pause, to feel, to see what’s really inside of ourselves, and to analyze if the world around us is not a consequence but a reflection of our internal disconnection.
Freedom will be a consequence, not a cause of a better future. We can be the artisans of that future by connecting with ourselves from within, as individuals first, and as a community after.
Community as in Common Identity. We need to find our identity, then share it, nurture it with others, and by doing so, be able to create a better world.
Don’t fall into old traps. After all, this is a journey from the mind to the heart.
Happy arriving!
Hug✨
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@ a012dc82:6458a70d
2025-01-25 13:09:46
The landscape of cryptocurrency is witnessing a potential paradigm shift with the growing interest of institutional investors in Bitcoin. The excitement surrounding the prospect of a spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is palpable, yet it brings with it a wave of concern. Arthur Hayes, a renowned figure in the cryptocurrency space and the founder of the Maelstrom Fund, stands as a vocal critic of this development. His insights offer a critical perspective on how institutional involvement could fundamentally alter the essence of Bitcoin, potentially steering it away from its founding principles of decentralization and autonomy. This article delves into Hayes' concerns, unraveling the complexities and potential repercussions of institutional custody on the future of Bitcoin.
**Table Of Content**
- The Rising Concern of Institutional Involvement
- The Scenario of Institutional Custody
- The Essence of Bitcoin at Stake
- Influence on Network Consensus
- Long-Term Implications for Bitcoin
- Conclusion
- FAQs
**The Rising Concern of Institutional Involvement**
Arthur Hayes' apprehensions about institutional involvement in Bitcoin are rooted in a deep understanding of both the cryptocurrency world and traditional financial systems. The entry of large financial institutions like BlackRock into the Bitcoin space could signify a significant shift in the dynamics of cryptocurrency ownership and control. These institutions, often perceived as extensions of state interests, could bring a level of centralization and control antithetical to Bitcoin's decentralized ethos. The historical relationship between large financial entities and state mechanisms, and their potential influence on Bitcoin, raises critical questions about the future of this cryptocurrency. The impact of this shift on the broader crypto ecosystem, investor behavior, and Bitcoin's perception in the global financial landscape is profound and multifaceted.
**The Scenario of Institutional Custody**
The future that Hayes envisions, where significant portions of Bitcoin are locked away in institutional ETFs, is a stark departure from the current state of the cryptocurrency. This transformation could relegate Bitcoin from a vibrant, actively traded asset to a passive component of investment portfolios. Such a shift would not only alter Bitcoin's market dynamics but also its fundamental utility. The implications of this change are far-reaching, affecting everything from Bitcoin's liquidity to its role as a tool for financial freedom and empowerment. The prospect of Bitcoin becoming a mere line item in institutional balance sheets is a scenario that challenges the very ideals upon which the cryptocurrency was built.
**The Essence of Bitcoin at Stake**
The core of Hayes' argument lies in the potential loss of Bitcoin's identity. If Bitcoin becomes predominantly held in institutional ETFs, it risks becoming just another asset in the global financial system, losing its unique characteristics as a decentralized and autonomous currency. This transformation would affect the philosophical and practical aspects of Bitcoin, impacting principles of autonomy, privacy, and decentralization. The shift from a user-driven to an institutionally controlled asset could have profound implications for the future of Bitcoin, potentially undermining the trust and support of its community.
**Influence on Network Consensus**
Hayes raises a significant concern about the potential influence of institutional holders on Bitcoin's consensus mechanism and development path. The risk of having a large portion of Bitcoin controlled by entities with different priorities than the broader Bitcoin community is real and concerning. This influence could lead to a misalignment between Bitcoin's development and the needs of its user base, especially regarding crucial updates related to security and privacy enhancements. The integrity and future evolution of Bitcoin's technology could be at stake, raising questions about the true independence and resilience of this decentralized network.
**Long-Term Implications for Bitcoin**
While the short-term effects of institutional investment, such as price appreciation, are clear, the long-term consequences are more nuanced and complex. The potential trade-offs between short-term gains and long-term impacts on Bitcoin's utility and independence are a critical aspect of this discussion. The paradox of Bitcoin's growing acceptance by traditional financial institutions and the possible erosion of its foundational principles is a dilemma that the crypto community must navigate carefully. The future of Bitcoin, in this context, is not just about its price or market capitalization, but about its ability to retain its core values and functionality.
**Conclusion**
Arthur Hayes' insights provide a crucial perspective on the evolving landscape of Bitcoin in the face of institutional interest. As the cryptocurrency world grapples with these developments, understanding the balance between mainstream acceptance and the preservation of Bitcoin's core values is essential. This article reflects on the potential risks and implications of institutional custody of Bitcoin, offering a comprehensive analysis that underscores the importance of maintaining the decentralized ethos that has defined Bitcoin since its inception.
**FAQs**
**What is the main concern raised by Arthur Hayes about institutional involvement in Bitcoin?**
Arthur Hayes expresses concern that institutional involvement, particularly through Bitcoin ETFs, could lead to centralization and control by large financial entities, undermining Bitcoin's decentralized ethos.
**How could institutional custody of Bitcoin alter its market dynamics?**
Institutional custody could transform Bitcoin from an actively traded asset to a passive component of investment portfolios, affecting its liquidity and role as a tool for financial freedom.
**What implications does institutional control have on Bitcoin's network consensus?**
Institutional control could influence Bitcoin's consensus mechanism and development path, potentially leading to a misalignment with the needs of the broader Bitcoin community, especially regarding updates related to security and privacy.
**Are there long-term implications of institutional investment in Bitcoin?**
Yes, while institutional investment might boost Bitcoin's price in the short term, it raises concerns about the long-term impact on Bitcoin's utility, independence, and adherence to its foundational principles.
**What is the essence of Arthur Hayes' argument against institutional custody of Bitcoin?**
Hayes argues that institutional custody risks turning Bitcoin into just another financial asset, losing its unique characteristics as a decentralized and autonomous currency.
**That's all for today**
**If you want more, be sure to follow us on:**
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*DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.*
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@ 89ccea93:df4e00b7
2025-01-25 13:02:52
Meh.
I'm ambivalent.
For the cypher/crypto punks out there, the freedom fighters. You already didn't like what the government was doing before, why should this be any different?
For all those who preached hyperbitcoinization, but are now upset, it only makes sense for companies and countries to eventually want this thing on their balance sheet.
Soo.... Enjoy.
You got what you wanted... ?
I think.
For those who think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread...
Yeah, again, meh.
It'd probably be better for individuals to have it and the "State" to muddle through oblivious. I think by worshipping it, you're showing you literally ONLY care about the price, which is dumb. Price doesn't matter if you're cattle herded into a KYC-only pen. If you become a criminal for wanting to be outside the system.
But in the meantime, before the dystopia descends.
Just use it. Earn it. Save it. Spend it. Hodl it.
Whatever floats your boat.
But for the love of God, and I'm actually serious now, practice responsible Bitcoin ownership...
Don't tell eeeevveeeryyooonee you have it.
Hold the keys yourself.
Don't give your blood, voice, 3D picture, passport, first born, stool, DNA, SSN just to buy Bitcoin.
I bought some Bitcoin via Bisq the other day at BELOW market value. Peach and RoboSats at 0.5% above market value. So there's no excuse in my mind to use an centralized KYC exchange.
[Kycnot.me](https://kycnot.me)
Inspired by this [post](https://livingonbitcoin.substack.com/p/reject-the-sbr) by Rare Passenger.
[Original post](https://expatriotic.me/the-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-is-awfulamazing/)
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/863448
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@ 54286b98:3debc100
2025-01-25 12:15:02
The gift and the challenge? More time with my kids than most dads get. Days filled with them. It's a blast.
Diapers, potty training, sticky fingers, the easy stuff. Expected. A privilege, really.
But here's what I'm learning: Undivided attention. Presence. That's the hard part. The part that fades.
We walk. Parks, trails, anywhere but inside. They love it. S'mores, impromptu campsites, boats on the horizon, Florida beaches (no walking next to Florida freshwater for this dad, gators!). We read. We play hard. My oldest is discovering the magic of computers.
Mornings with my daughter. Just us. Quiet. Books. Connection. Then her brother wakes, and the day explodes with breakfast, more books, more play.
Knowledge, manners, a little discipline, and a lot of fun. That's the legacy.
But even with all this time, there's still work. Responsibilities. ***"Papa needs to work."*** ***"Papa, don't you want to play with me?"*** The hardest lesson: balance. ***Teaching them independence when all they want is connection.***
The reminder: Even when life gets crazy, make the moments count. Be there. Truly be there. And trust that when I can't, they'll know it's not about them. It's about the work.
Love them. Cherish them.
Until the next one.
J
\__\_
Feel free to follow me here on ***nostr*** or ***sign up on my website*** for my blog posts/newsletters, talking about ***crafting beauty in life, family, entrepreneurship, culture, woodworking & faith.***\
<https://www.javierfeliu.com/>
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@ 6b57533f:eaa341f5
2025-01-25 11:45:15
# Page: cover
background: #000000
template: vertical
# Welcome to NoStry
This is the first nostr-story ever posted!
# Page: intro
background-image: https://nostr.build/i/nostr.png
template: vertical
## What is NoStry?
NoStry is a new way to tell stories on nostr, combining the best of social media stories with the decentralized nature of nostr.
# Page: end
background: #333333
template: vertical
# Join the Revolution
[Learn More]( https://github.com/nostry)
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@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9
2025-01-25 10:38:21
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/863327
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@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39
2025-01-25 09:28:25
# **Hackathon 概要**
[**Request Network - Summer Hackathon**](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer) 在2024年夏季结束,吸引了144名开发者参与,并审核通过了32个项目。该活动由Request Network举办,着重于利用其兼容EVM的基础设施开发Web3金融应用。在Hackathon期间,参与者有机会参加针对初学者和高级用户量身定制的工作坊。这些工作坊旨在提高开发发票、支付、会计和借贷应用的技能。
激励措施包括总奖金池15,000美元,分为发票、支付、会计和借贷应用等奖项类别。此外,Request Network基金会为提交至其资助计划的项目提供额外35,000美元。评审标准强调实用性、易用性、技术复杂性和创新性。
参与者可以访问丰富的资源,如视频教程、GitHub代码库,还可以通过专用的Discord热线获得支持。Hackathon强调了积极参与,促进了旨在提升区块链交易能力的应用程序的创建。2024年7月8日,获奖项目公布,展示了参与者的创造力和技术专长。
# **Hackathon 获奖者**
### **Invoicing Prize Winners**
- [**ChainPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13883) - 该项目通过与QuickBooks集成,将Request Network的功能扩展至Web3支付组件。它解决了Sepolia Testnet上的智能合约调用问题,目标是提供全面的解决方案。
- [**PiperPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13896) - 一个支持多种货币和代币的发票和支付管理系统。它通过智能合约代理和代币交换遵循Request Network标准。
- [**Wavein**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13901) - 该项目通过Request Network和Superfluid为自由职业者提供实时支付,提供带转换功能的流线型支付流。
### **Accounting Prize Winner**
- [**request-accounting**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13911) - 基于区块链的会计应用程序,确保安全交易,同时集成与行业标准一致的高效财务管理。
### **Lending Prize Winners**
- [**Invoice Lending (Factoring)**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13838) - 该项目通过将发票铸造成NFT提供流动性,允许在Request Network上进行点对点发票融资。
- [**Invisy Network**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13912) - 一个去中心化发票平台,利用NFT提升效率和透明度,提供实时发票流动性的市场。
欲了解完整项目列表,请访问 [DoraHacks Request Network Summer Hackathon](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer/buidl)。
# **关于主办方**
### **Request Network**
Request Network是一个兼容EVM的基础协议,致力于推动包括发票、支付和会计在内的Web3金融应用的发展。通过向区块链交易附加额外数据,网络确保合规、对账和可追溯性。这使用户能够维护其财务数据的所有权,促进灵活的转移和选择性共享。关键举措包括支持未抵押贷款和增强区块链交易流程。Request Network致力于促进一个包容的金融未来,通过优化服务来实现数据所有权和金融操作的自动化。
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@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a
2025-01-25 09:28:20
# **Hackathon Summary**
The [**Request Network - Summer Hackathon**](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer) concluded with 144 developers participating and 32 project submissions approved. Hosted by Request Network, the event focused on developing Web3 financial applications utilizing its EVM-compatible infrastructure. Throughout the hackathon, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops tailored to both beginner and advanced users. These workshops aimed to enhance skills in developing applications for invoicing, payments, accounting, and lending.
Incentives included a total prize pool of $15,000, divided into categories such as invoicing, payments, accounting, and lending applications. Additionally, the Request Network Foundation provided an extra $35,000 for projects submitted to their grants program. The judging criteria emphasized utility, ease of use, technical sophistication, and innovation.
Participants were given access to extensive resources such as video tutorials, GitHub repositories, and support through a dedicated Discord helpline. The hackathon highlighted active engagement, promoting the creation of applications intended to improve blockchain transaction capabilities. On July 8, 2024, the winning projects were announced, showcasing the creativity and technical expertise of the participants.
# **Hackathon Winners**
### **Invoicing Prize Winners**
- [**ChainPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13883) - This project expands Request Network's capabilities into Web3 payment components by integrating with QuickBooks. It addresses smart contract call issues on the Sepolia Testnet and aims for comprehensive solutions.
- [**PiperPay**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13896) - An invoice and payment management system that supports various currencies and tokens. It follows Request Network standards using smart contract proxies and token swaps.
- [**Wavein**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13901) - This project facilitates real-time payments for freelancers through Request Network and Superfluid, offering streamlined payment streams with conversion features.
### **Accounting Prize Winner**
- [**request-accounting**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13911) - A blockchain-based accounting application that ensures secure transactions while integrating efficient financial management aligned with industry standards.
### **Lending Prize Winners**
- [**Invoice Lending (Factoring)**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13838) - This project provides liquidity by minting invoices as NFTs, enabling peer-to-peer invoice financing on the Request Network.
- [**Invisy Network**](https://dorahacks.io/buidl/13912) - A decentralized invoice platform leveraging NFTs to enhance efficiency and transparency, offering a marketplace for real-time invoice liquidity.
For a complete list of projects, visit [DoraHacks Request Network Summer Hackathon](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/requestnetwork-summer/buidl).
# **About the Organizer**
### **Request Network**
Request Network is an EVM-compatible infrastructure protocol dedicated to advancing Web3 financial applications, including invoicing, payments, and accounting. By appending extra data to blockchain transactions, the network ensures compliance, reconciliation, and traceability. This empowers users to maintain ownership of their financial data, facilitating flexible transfers and selective sharing. Key initiatives include supporting under-collateralized loans and enhancing blockchain transaction processes. Request Network is committed to fostering an inclusive financial future by streamlining services to enable data ownership and automation in financial operations.
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 08:51:09
This is a test long form article publish via Nostr Article Publish in Obsidian
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@ ec642f38:a8b07008
2025-01-25 08:31:58
This is my test document for nostr publish
Although Sainsbury's was already in the midst of a plan to save £1bn over the next few years, the rise in employer's National Insurance contributions set out in the Budget has also been a factor in this latest restructuring plan.
### Add some text
this is is a test
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 08:27:44
This is my test document for nostr publish
Although Sainsbury's was already in the midst of a plan to save £1bn over the next few years, the rise in employer's National Insurance contributions set out in the Budget has also been a factor in this latest restructuring plan.
### Add some text
this is is a test
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@ 16d11430:61640947
2025-01-25 08:12:55
In Australia, a country where the Union Jack flies as a silent yet potent reminder of its colonial origins, the lives of non-violent, non-agitating individuals remain deeply entangled in a system built on inequality. Beneath the surface of modern democratic institutions and peaceful imagery lies a historical and ongoing strategy to maintain systemic dominance, often underpinned by the latent threat of violence.
For those who do not agitate, who simply wish to exist in peace, the daily experience can be one of quiet oppression. The colonial legacy ensures that fairness and justice are privileges reserved for a select ingroup—those who align with the dominant cultural narrative. Meanwhile, others find themselves trapped in a system designed to perpetuate inequality, all while cloaked in the language of ethics, science, and progress.
The Mask of Fairness
Australia’s institutions present themselves as bastions of fairness, meritocracy, and equality. Yet, these ideals are often undermined by the foundational violence that protects and privileges the dominant cultural group. This violence need not always be explicit—it exists in the form of legal frameworks, economic systems, and cultural narratives that favor the descendants of the colonial ingroup while marginalizing others.
For Indigenous Australians, immigrants, and those outside the dominant culture, the system does not just fail to deliver fairness—it actively maintains their disadvantage. The history of dispossession, forced assimilation, and cultural erasure is not simply a relic of the past. It continues to inform how resources, opportunities, and power are distributed today.
Privilege and Forgiveness
One of the most insidious aspects of this system is the privilege afforded to the ingroup. Actions that would be condemned or punished when carried out by marginalized groups are often forgiven, excused, or even celebrated when done by those within the dominant cultural framework. This double standard perpetuates a sense of impunity among the ingroup, while reinforcing the notion that fairness is conditional and selectively applied.
For example, protests or acts of civil disobedience by marginalized groups are often met with harsh policing and public condemnation. Meanwhile, similar actions by those in the dominant culture—especially when framed as defending “traditional values” or “national identity”—are met with leniency, if not outright support.
The Union Jack as a Symbol of Violence
The Union Jack, emblazoned on Australia’s flag, serves as a subtle yet powerful symbol of this systemic violence. It is a constant reminder of the country’s colonial roots, a time when land was taken by force, and Indigenous peoples were systematically oppressed. Today, while the overt violence of colonization has shifted into the background, its legacy persists in the structural inequalities that shape everyday life.
For many Australians, the flag represents pride and progress. For others, it is a symbol of dispossession and exclusion. This dual meaning highlights the deep divisions in how fairness and justice are experienced, depending on one’s place within the colonial hierarchy.
The Control of Peaceful Imaginations
Non-violent individuals often turn to ideals of peace, ethics, and community as a way to navigate the unfairness of the system. However, the colonial strategy has long been to co-opt these imaginations, redirecting them to serve the interests of the dominant group.
For example, the rhetoric of multiculturalism and reconciliation is frequently used to promote the idea that Australia has moved beyond its colonial past. Yet, these efforts often fall short of addressing the structural inequalities that continue to disadvantage marginalized groups. Instead, they serve as a way to maintain the status quo, offering symbolic gestures rather than substantive change.
Unfairness as a Daily Reality
For non-violent, non-agitating individuals, the daily reality of unfairness can manifest in countless ways:
Economic Disparity: Wages, employment opportunities, and wealth distribution continue to favor the dominant cultural group.
Cultural Erasure: Indigenous languages, traditions, and histories are often sidelined in favor of a Eurocentric narrative.
Policing and Justice: Marginalized groups are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement and are less likely to receive fair treatment in the justice system.
While these injustices may not always involve direct violence, the threat of coercion and enforcement looms large. The institutions that govern daily life are protected not by a commitment to fairness, but by the implicit and explicit threat of violence to those who challenge the system.
A Call for Change
Addressing this systemic unfairness requires more than symbolic gestures or surface-level reforms. It demands a reckoning with the colonial legacy and a commitment to dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality. For true fairness to be realized, Australia must confront the uncomfortable truths about its past and present, moving beyond the veneer of peaceful coexistence to create a society built on genuine equity and justice.
Until then, the Union Jack will remain not just a symbol of the past, but a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those who dare to imagine a fairer world.
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@ 37305b10:4676ca73
2025-01-25 07:58:12
This is my test document for nostr publish
Although Sainsbury's was already in the midst of a plan to save £1bn over the next few years, the rise in employer's National Insurance contributions set out in the Budget has also been a factor in this latest restructuring plan.
### Add some text
this is is a test
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@ ae6ce958:d0f02c7d
2025-01-25 06:54:35
In the age of precision technology, photonic measurement systems like LiDAR play a critical role in transformative industries such as autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and telecommunications. These systems rely on the precise behavior of sensors and software to ensure accuracy and reliability in complex, real-world environments. DamageBDD, with its innovative approach to Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), provides a platform for enabling a large number of people to participate in defining, testing, and refining the behavior of such systems.
By democratizing the process of behavior definition, DamageBDD unlocks new possibilities for collaboration and innovation. This article explores how DamageBDD can be applied to photonic measurement systems, demonstrating its potential to involve diverse stakeholders and enhance the quality of these technologies.
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Why Involve Large Numbers of People in Defining Behavior?
1. Diverse Perspectives: A wide range of participants, including developers, domain experts, end-users, and testers, brings diverse perspectives to defining system behavior. For example:
A developer might focus on system performance.
A medical professional might prioritize safety in imaging technologies.
An end-user might emphasize usability and intuitive interfaces.
2. Real-World Scenarios: Large-scale participation ensures that real-world scenarios are thoroughly explored and represented. For instance, in autonomous vehicles, scenarios such as heavy rain, fog, or crowded urban streets can be identified and tested by people from various geographies and climates.
3. Collective Intelligence: Crowdsourcing behavior definitions can leverage collective intelligence to anticipate edge cases and improve system robustness.
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DamageBDD in Photonic Measurement Systems
DamageBDD’s unique ability to verify behavior at scale makes it an ideal platform for optimizing photonic measurement systems like LiDAR. Here’s how DamageBDD can be applied:
1. Defining Behavior Using Real-World Scenarios
DamageBDD allows participants to write clear, human-readable scenarios that define expected behavior for photonic measurement systems. These scenarios are stored immutably on-chain, ensuring traceability and accountability.
Example:
Feature: LiDAR distance measurement
Scenario: Accurate measurement in clear weather
Given a reflective object is placed 10 meters from the sensor
When the LiDAR system emits a pulse
Then the system should report the distance as 10 ± 0.1 meters
Scenario: Measurement in foggy conditions
Given a reflective object is placed 10 meters from the sensor
And fog reduces visibility by 50%
When the LiDAR system emits a pulse
Then the system should report the distance as 10 ± 0.5 meters
With DamageBDD, such scenarios can be written by both technical and non-technical participants, enabling large-scale participation in defining behavior.
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2. Automating Behavior Verification
DamageBDD’s platform integrates seamlessly with testing frameworks, enabling automated verification of defined behaviors. This ensures that photonic measurement systems consistently meet the specified criteria across a wide range of scenarios.
Example: A team testing a LiDAR system can run automated tests against a DamageBDD-powered test suite. If a test fails—say, the system misreports distances under foggy conditions—it is flagged on-chain, triggering iterative improvements.
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3. Leveraging Crowdsourcing for Edge Cases
DamageBDD enables stakeholders to contribute new test cases and scenarios directly to the platform. For photonic measurement systems, this could involve:
Community members submitting scenarios involving unique environmental conditions (e.g., desert sandstorms or arctic snow).
Engineers proposing tests for hardware variations or upgrades.
Example: A developer in a tropical region might contribute the following scenario:
Scenario: Measurement in heavy rain
Given a reflective object is placed 5 meters from the sensor
And rainfall intensity is 50 mm/hour
When the LiDAR system emits a pulse
Then the system should report the distance as 5 ± 0.3 meters
By involving a global community, DamageBDD ensures comprehensive testing and improved resilience.
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4. Creating Incentives for Participation
One of the standout features of DamageBDD is its ability to incentivize participation through tokenized payouts. Contributors who define or verify behavior are rewarded in Damage Tokens, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that encourages ongoing collaboration.
Example:
A developer contributes a new test case for low-light conditions.
A tester verifies the scenario by running it against a live system.
Both participants receive tokens for their contributions, fostering continued engagement.
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5. Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
With DamageBDD, all behavior definitions, tests, and results are immutably recorded on-chain. This ensures that:
Every contribution is traceable to its author.
Changes to system behavior are documented over time, creating an auditable history.
Example: When a new feature is added to a LiDAR system (e.g., enhanced fog detection), its behavior is verified through DamageBDD. The on-chain record shows:
Who defined the behavior.
When it was tested.
How it performed against previous versions.
This transparency builds trust among stakeholders and accelerates adoption.
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Scaling to Other Photonic Applications
The principles outlined above can be applied to other photonic measurement systems, such as:
Medical Imaging: Ensuring MRI or CT scanners meet safety and accuracy standards across diverse patient demographics.
Telecommunications: Optimizing fiber-optic networks for different bandwidth and latency requirements.
Astronomy: Enhancing telescopes to accurately measure cosmic phenomena under varying atmospheric conditions.
In each case, DamageBDD enables mass participation, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement.
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Conclusion
By enabling large numbers of people to define and verify behavior, DamageBDD revolutionizes how we approach photonic measurement systems and other complex technologies. Through its emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and tokenized incentives, DamageBDD not only improves the quality of these systems but also democratizes their development.
As industries continue to adopt precision technologies, DamageBDD provides a scalable framework for ensuring they meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. From LiDAR in autonomous vehicles to medical imaging and beyond, the potential for innovation is limitless when empowered by DamageBDD.