@ 76c71aae:3e29cafa

On social media and in the Nostr space in particular, there’s been a lot of debate about the idea of supporting deletion and editing of notes.

Some people think they’re vital features to have, others believe that more honest and healthy social media will come from getting rid of these features. The discussion about these features quickly turns to the feasibility of completely deleting something on a decentralized protocol. We quickly get to the “We can’t really delete anything from the internet, or a decentralized network.” argument. This crowds out how Delete and Edit can mimic elements of offline interactions, how they can be used as social signals.

When it comes to issues of deletion and editing content, what matters more is if the creator can communicate their intentions around their content. Sure, on the internet, with decentralized protocols, there’s no way to be sure something’s deleted. It’s not like taking a piece of paper and burning it. Computers make copies of things all the time, computers don’t like deleting things. In particular, distributed systems tend to use a Kafka architecture with immutable logs, it’s just easier to keep everything around, as deleting and reindexing is hard. Even if the software could be made to delete something, there’s always screenshots, or even pictures of screens. We can’t provably make something disappear.

What we need to do in our software is clearly express intention. A delete is actually a kind of retraction. “I no longer want to associate myself with this content, please stop showing it to people as part of what I’ve published, stop highlighting it, stop sharing it.” Even if a relay or other server keeps a copy, and keeps sharing it, being able to clearly state “hello world, this thing I said, was a mistake, please get rid of it.” Just giving users the chance to say “I deleted this” is a way of showing intention. It’s also a way of signaling that feedback has been heard. Perhaps the post was factually incorrect or perhaps it was mean and the person wants to remove what they said. In an IRL conversation, for either of these scenarios there is some dialogue where the creator of the content is learning something and taking action based on what they’ve learned.

Without delete or edit, there is no option to signal to the rest of the community that you have learned something because of how the content is structured today. On most platforms a reply or response stating one’s learning will be lost often in a deluge of replies on the original post and subsequent posts are often not seen especially when the original goes viral. By providing tools like delete and edit we give people a chance to signal that they have heard the feedback and taken action.

The Nostr Protocol supports delete and expiring notes. It was one of the reasons we switched from secure scuttlebutt to build on Nostr. Our nos.social app offers delete and while we know that not all relays will honor this, we believe it’s important to provide social signaling tools as a means of making the internet more humane.

We believe that the power to learn from each other is more important than the need to police through moral outrage which is how the current platforms and even some Nostr clients work today.

It’s important that we don’t say Nostr doesn’t support delete. Not all apps need to support requesting a delete, some might want to call it a retraction. It is important that users know there is no way to enforce a delete and not all relays may honor their request.

Edit is similar, although not as widely supported as delete. It’s a creator making a clear statement that they’ve created a new version of their content. Maybe it’s a spelling error, or a new version of the content, or maybe they’re changing it altogether. Freedom online means freedom to retract a statement, freedom to update a statement, freedom to edit your own content. By building on these freedoms, we’ll make Nostr a space where people feel empowered and in control of their own media.

@ 06830f6c:34da40c5

On August 10, 2024, the vibrant Sarit Expo was alive with energy as Bitcoin Dada celebrated the graduation of its seventh cohort. This momentous event, dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of cryptocurrency, showcased the dynamism and innovation of the Bitcoin Dada community. The evening began with the MC engaging the audience in a series of lively questions. “What is Bitcoin? Explain it to me like I’m five,” was one such question that underscored the diverse range of understanding in the room. While some answers were complex, others offered simpler explanations, highlighting the challenge of conveying intricate concepts.

As the MC continued, participants were asked for their impressions of the event space and suggestions for improvement. Comments ranged from critiques of overly bright lighting to discussions about the relevance of Bitcoin. One participant proposed an intriguing app idea that combined Eventbrite and WhatsApp, reflecting the innovative spirit of the audience.

The highlight of the evening was the inspiring opening speech by the CEO of Bitcoin Dada. She addressed the marginalization of women in tech, celebrating Bitcoin Dada’s commitment to inclusivity and support. She introduced her team

each member contributing uniquely: Edith, the community lead from Uganda; Sabina, the recruiter who found a sense of belonging; and Memelord, the project manager with a flair for comedy.

The ideathon segment was particularly thrilling. Debra’s third-place pitch proposed a Bitcoin-powered marketplace aimed at reducing youth unemployment by showcasing skills. Shantelle’s second-place idea focused on using Bitcoin to address global issues, such as helping refugees find safe zones with GPS technology. The top prize went to Meg, with her solution promising a significant impact—though the specifics were left as a tantalizing cliffhanger. 🌟🏆

PS : Sabina also gave a preview of the #tando app tha you can check out here on my youtube channel Link HERE

Meeting Inspiring Figures and Making Connections 📸

Throughout the event, I had the pleasure of meeting some remarkable individuals who are deeply involved in the Bitcoin community.

First, I met Felix from TheCore, a key panelist in the discussion on the financial revolution amidst economic unrest. We took a photo together, capturing a moment of shared enthusiasm for the potential of Bitcoin.

Later, I connected with a Bitcoin Dada and gamer who is actively involved with Thndr Games, Mary Imasuen. We took a photo showcasing our shared passion for Bitcoin and gaming.

I also had the chance to meet a Bitcoin enthusiast named Hope and she was adorned in Bitcoin-themed merchandise. We snapped a photo together, celebrating our mutual enthusiasm for Bitcoin and its future.

Panel Discussions: Insightful Exchanges and Thoughtful Dialogues

The panel discussion titled “Financial Revolution Amidst Economic Unrest” featured Felix from TheCore, Jason, a Bitcoin Dada supporter, and Bill, a lawyer with expertise in Bitcoin. They delved into the major challenges Kenyans face in adopting Bitcoin, emphasizing the importance of education and community support. They discussed the solid foundation of Bitcoin’s base layer and the need for further development in subsequent layers to enhance its functionality.

The discussion also touched on Kenya’s future in the Bitcoin space. Bill suggested integrating Bitcoin with fiat transactions and stock exchanges, while Jason highlighted the government's welcoming stance and the need for energy to support Bitcoin. Felix proposed making Bitcoin legal tender and finding sustainable energy sources to bolster its use. ⚖️🌍

Audience questions added further depth to the conversation. One attendee asked about using Bitcoin to offset government debt, while another inquired about measures for improving public education on Bitcoin. The responses stressed the need for comprehensive educational initiatives. When asked about alternative cryptocurrencies, the panel firmly rejected the idea of “shitcoins,” focusing instead on the value of Bitcoin. 🚫💸

The second panel discussion, moderated by Sharon from ₿-Trust, explored personal experiences with Bitcoin Dada. Panelists Anon, Vera, and Caroline shared how the program impacted their perspectives.

• Anon discovered a niche and a supportive community, emphasizing Bitcoin’s role as “lightning-fast internet money,” especially with Layer 2 advancements. 🌐⚡
• Vera found Bitcoin to be a valuable medium of exchange, advocated against other cryptocurrencies as “shitcoins,” and highlighted opportunities for women. 💪💰
• Caroline expanded her knowledge and aimed to educate others, describing Bitcoin as a store of value and emphasizing the importance of combating inflation through education. 📚🔍

The panelists also discussed opportunities for Bitcoin in their communities: - Anon saw potential for learning and growth through knowledge-sharing. - Vera mentioned BitSacco, a solution for saving in Bitcoin, and other upcoming projects like Sabina’s Tando app. - Caroline stressed the importance of education to counteract misconceptions about Bitcoin and its benefits. 🏡📈

In their closing remarks, the panelists shared their future aspirations: - Anon aimed to become a developer impacted by Bitcoin. - Vera planned to engage with the community and learn from others. - Caroline focused on educating the community to dispel myths about Bitcoin. 🌟👩‍💻

The event concluded with a warm dinner where attendees mingled, exchanged ideas, and enjoyed a meal together. WATCH https://video.nostr.build/4d0fbc2dd6ae0c20e0d45aa071a9e88000a9544f4289414900c91134d13960da.mp4

The Bitcoin Dada Cohort 7 graduation was more than just a celebration of individual achievements; it was a testament to the collective potential of the Bitcoin community.

As the event wrapped up, the atmosphere was charged with optimism and a shared commitment to advancing bitcoin technology. The graduating cohort left with new skills, fresh ideas, and a network of like-minded individuals, ready to make a significant impact on the future of Bitcoin. 🌍💡 #kenya #bitbiashara #kenya

@ 6c2d68ba:846525ec

Will man der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung glauben, so handelt es sich bei Propaganda um den Versuch der gezielten Beeinflussung des Denkens, Handelns wie auch Fühlens von Menschen. Charakteristisch für Propaganda ist, dass sie darauf verzichtet die verschiedenen Seiten einer Thematik darzulegen, sondern gezielt Meinung mit (Fehl)-Information vermischt. Wer Propaganda betreibt, strebt nicht danach zu diskutieren oder die Öffentlichkeit gar mit Argumenten zu überzeugen, sondern greift zu verschiedensten Manipulationstechniken, die die Emotionen und das Verhalten der Öffentlichkeit beeinflussen. Propaganda nimmt dem Menschen (eigenständiges) Denken ab und gibt ihm stattdessen das Gefühl, mit der übernommenen Meinung goldrichtig zu liegen. Hier zeigt sich auch der wesentliche Unterschied zum Journalismus: Journalismus strebt nach Aufklärung, indem alle verfügbaren Fakten und Hintergründe dargelegt werden und der Empfänger selbst darüber entscheiden darf, was er für richtig und was er für falsch hält [1].

Zwar verbinden wir den Begriff Propaganda heutzutage mit autoritären und totalitären Staaten, wo diese auch zweifelsfrei Anwendung findet, doch kommen Propagandatechniken auch im Westen zum Einsatz, wenn auch in einer auf die demokratische Herrschaftsform zugeschnittene Art und Weise. Wie die Geschichte gezeigt hat - hier sind die Werke von Edward Bernays ganz besonders relevant [2] - wurde Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, sprich Public Relations (PR), basierend auf den Erkenntnissen der Propagandaforschung verfeinert, über welche die öffentliche Wahrnehmung von Personen, Konzernen und Regierungen beeinflusst wird. In Summe lässt sich daraus ableiten, dass auch Propaganda in unseren Breitengraden Tradition hat.

Nun halte ich es in Zeiten von (leider) wiederkehrenden heißen Konflikten in Europa besonders wichtig sich über existierende Manipulationstechniken wie auch gezielter Meinungsmache in (Massen)-medien bewusst zu sein wie auch erscheinenden Artikeln, Posts, Videos und ganz besonders Schlagzeilen mit einem gewissen Grad an Achtsamkeit zu begegnen, um nicht umgehend Opfer von Manipulation zu werden. Denn wie schon von der bereits erwähnten Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung erwähnt wurde, kann nur jener sich gegen den Einfluss von Propaganda wehren, der diese als solche erkennt. Dadurch motiviert nehme ich heute die Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda ins Fadenkreuz.

„Auf die Dauer vermag auch die frechste und bestorganisierte Propaganda nichts gegen die Wahrheit.“ ―Albert Schweitzer

Die Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda

Unter dem Eindruck des Ersten Weltkriegs schrieb Arthur Ponsonby, britischer Adeliger & Staatsbeamter, 1928 das Buch "Lüge in Kriegszeiten", in welchem er die Mechanismen der damaligen Kriegspropaganda untersuchte. Er steht übrigens im Verdacht Urvater des berühmten Zitats "das erste Opfer im Krieg ist die Wahrheit" zu sein [3]. In diesem Werk schildert Ponsonby 20 Aspekte, die wiederum später von der Historikerin Anne Morelli im Jahr 2001 zu den zehn Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda zusammengefasst wurden. Wie sie selbst betonte geht es bei diesen Prinzipien nicht darum herauszufinden, wer lügt und wer die Wahrheit sagt, wer das glaubt, was er sagt, sondern Mittels dieser Prinzipien die verbreitete Propaganda zu veranschaulichen und ihr Funktionieren zu beschreiben (Seite 6, [4]). Nachdem ich mich selbst mit diesen Prinzipien beschäftigt hatte, wurde mir mit jeder einzelnen Gedankenrunde immer klarer, wie die von Anne Morelli beschriebenen Prinzipien als wie eine Art Leitfaden verwendet werden, um Pressemeldungen, Argumente und Schlagzeilen in Sozialen Medien so zu formulieren, dass unabhängig vom Geschehnis stets eine unterbewusste Botschaft mitschwingt, so dass der gewünschte Effekt der Manipulation maximiert wird.

Nun könnte man nach Durchsicht der größten Tagesblätter des Deutschsprachigen Raums etliche Beispiele für jeden einzelnen der in Kürze vorgestellten Prinzipien präsentieren, doch habe ich in Anbetracht des Themas bewusst Abstand davon genommen, um nicht gewisse Journalisten - oder kriegstreibende Propagandisten wie ich sie nenne - samt Klarnamen an den Pranger zu stellen. Wie Anne Morelli, sehe ich den größtmöglichen Mehrwert darin, die Mechanik offenzulegen, um die Leserschaft für dieses Thema zu sensibilisieren.

Wir wollen keinen Krieg!

Stets wird versichert, dass man den stattfindenden Krieg keines Falles wolle. In einer demokratischen Gesellschaft ist Krieg ein ungebetener Gast, weswegen Bevölkerungen fast ausnahmslos jedes Mal in die Kriegsbereitschaft hineingelockt werden müssen, siehe Brutkastenlüge im Zusammenhang mit dem Irakkrieg. Nun kann man sehr oft beobachten, wie Staatsführer stets in aller Inbrunst gegen den aktuellen oder einen eventuell bevorstehenden Krieg poltern. Wenn jedoch alle Personen an den entscheidenden Machthebeln so sehr gegen Kriege sind, wie können Kriege dann überhaupt ausbrechen?

Der Gegner ist allein für den Krieg verantwortlich!

Der zugrundeliegenden Logik nach zeigt jeweils die eine Kriegspartei auf die andere und schiebt dabei die Schuld für den stattfindenden Krieg der anderen Seite zu. Selbst hat man natürlich keine provozierenden Schritte gesetzt, wie etwa das Stationieren von Raketensystemen, das Verschieben von Machtblöcken oder Ähnliches. Statt zum Mittel der Diplomatie zu greifen muss der Konflikt jetzt weiter angeheizt und der Krieg fortgeführt werden, denn schließlich muss dieser Krieg jetzt geführt werden, damit (ewiger) Frieden herrschen kann - siehe "Krieg ist Frieden" nach George Orwell. Darüber hinaus kann der Konflikt auch deshalb nicht beendet werden, weil der Feind sonst "unsere Werte" zerstört, "uns" die Freiheit nimmt oder gar ein Genozid "an unserem Volk" stattfindet.

Der Führer des feindlichen Lagers wird dämonisiert

Dieses Prinzip folgt der Logik des Reduzierens eines ganzen Landes auf eine an der Spitze sitzenden Person, also dem Zuschneiden auf Putin, Obama, Scholz, etc. Diese Person repräsentiert quasi einen fleischgewordenen Dämon, der die Macht über das Feindesland errungen hat und nun in Abwesenheit von geistiger Gesundheit einen Konflikt vom Zaun bricht. Morelli argumentiert dazu: "Man kann eine Gruppe von Menschen nicht insgesamt hassen, nicht einmal als Feinde. Es ist daher wirkungsvoller, den Hass auf die feindliche Führungspersönlichkeit zu richten. Der Gegner bekommt so ein Gesicht und dieses Gesicht wird natürlich Gegenstand des Hasses werden."

Wir verteidigen ein edles Ziel und keine besonderen Interessen!

Der Fokus auf moralische und legitime Werte spielt diesem Prinzip nach deshalb eine besondere Rolle, weil es dazu dient die wirtschaftlichen und geopolitischen Ziele der eignen Seite zu verdecken, was auf das Stärken der Zustimmung der eigenen Bevölkerung schielt, da der Konflikt zu einem gewissen Grad nur durch Zustimmung eben dieser Bevölkerung geführt werden kann. So hatte Antonio Gramsci dargelegt wie sich die Ziele des Ersten Weltkriegs in drei Punkte zusammenfassen lassen: den Militarismus zu vernichten, die kleinen Staaten (wie etwa Belgien) zu verteidigen und die Welt für "die Demokratie" vorzubereiten. Letzteres Argument fand sich auch in den Konflikten des aktuellen Jahrhunderts in ähnlicher Form als "Spreading Democracy" oder "Befreiung des Iraks" wieder. Ergänzend könnte man zu diesem Prinzip sagen, dass ein Unterton von "der Feind ist ein blutrünstiges Monster aus einer barbarischen Gesellschaft" mitschwingt.

Der Feind begeht wissentlich Grausamkeiten, wenn wir Fehler machen, geschieht dies unbeabsichtigt

Erzählungen über Gräueltaten des Feindes stellen ein wesentliches Element von Kriegspropaganda dar. Zwar sind Grausamkeiten zweifelsohne integraler Bestandteil eines jeden Krieges, und das auf beiden Seiten, jedoch ist die gegensätzliche Darstellung der eigenen "humanitären" Armee, die selbstverständlich von der Bevölkerung geliebt wird, und der feindlichen Armee, die als einzige Kriegspartei Grausamkeiten begeht, altbekannte Propaganda. Üblicherweise begnügt man sich nicht mit den tatsächlich auftretenden Verbrechen, im Gegenteil, man kann in vergangenen Konflikten wiederholt beobachten wie Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit am Schreibtisch erfunden werden, um den Feind als die Wiederkehr Adolf Hitlers erscheinen zu lassen.

Der Feind benutzt unerlaubte Waffen

In gewisser Weise ergänzt dieses Prinzip das vorangegangene und das nämlich um den Aspekt den Krieg selbst auf ritterliche Art und Weise zu führen, als wäre Krieg ein vollends definiertes Brettspiel, während der Feind geächtete Waffen einsetzt - zu jenen man selbst natürlich niemals greifen würde. Die Geschichte zeigt, dass hier oft der Gegenseite vorgeworfen wird, was die eigene Armee-(führung) bereits lange vorbereitet oder gar eingesetzt hat. Ein älteres Beispiel wäre die Verwendung von Giftgas im Ersten Weltkrieg, während Streumunition wie auch mit Uran angereicherte Munition ein trauriges Kapitel der vergangenen Monate ist.

Wir erleiden geringe Verluste, die Verluste des Feindes sind erheblich

Zitat aus dem Buch von Morelli: "Von seltenen Ausnahmen abgesehen, schließen Menschen sich eher den siegreichen Anliegen an. Im Falle des Krieges hängt die Präferenz der öffentlichen Meinung sehr stark von den augenscheinlichen Ergebnissen des Konflikts ab. Wenn die Ergebnisse nicht gut sind, muss die Propaganda unsere Verluste verschleiern und die des Feindes übertreiben."

Anerkannte Kulturträger und Wissenschafter unterstützen unser Anliegen

Ein unterschätztes Mittel der Propaganda ist das Einbeziehen von Personen des öffentlichen Lebens, favorisiert jene zu denen möglichst große Teile der Bevölkerung ein Vertrauensverhältnis entwickelt haben oder Personen mit einer gewissen "moralischen Autorität", wie etwa geistliche Führer. Darüber hinaus ließen sich in der Vergangenheit - wie auch heute - Künstler und Medienschaffende dazu instrumentalisieren Filme, Dokumentationen und Karikaturen über den Feind zu erstellen wie auch zu verbreiten. Man rufe sich in Erinnerung, dass man nicht ohne Grund von der Heimatfront spricht. In einer halbwegs von Demokratie geprägten Gesellschaft entscheidet das Wahlvolk wie lange ein Konflikt noch geführt werden kann bzw. wie stabil die kriegsführende Regierung im Sattel sitzt.

Unser Anliegen hat etwas Heiliges

Dieses Prinzip mag bei erster Betrachtung an die Kreuzzüge erinnern, bei jenen "der Wille Gottes" in gewisser Weise im Mittelpunkt stand. Ein in meinen Augen wichtiges Element bei diesem Aspekt ist die versteckte Nachricht des Kampfes Gut gegen Böse. Wir, die Guten, kämpfen gegen das Böse, den Feind, und treiben diesen Konflikt nun gewaltsam voran, um die Welt von dem Bösen zu befreien, die Welt also einer Heilung zu unterziehen. Neben dem religiös angehauchten Argument scheint dieses Propagandaprinzip um das Schlagwort "Demokratie" bereichert geworden zu sein. Wie in meinen Augen zurecht aufgezeigt wird, sprach auch George Bush von der "Achse des Bösen" wie auch der Pflicht dem Irak Demokratie zu bringen, also ein Gut, dass gottesgleiche Züge zu haben scheint. Sprachliche Ausschmückungen wie "Gott ist mit uns" tun in Botschaften, die sich nach diesem Prinzip richten, ihr übriges.

Wer unsere Propaganda in Zweifel zieht, arbeitet für den Feind und ist damit ein Verräter

Das zehnte und somit letzte Prinzip kann mit den vorangegangenen Prinzipien kombiniert werden. In manchen Situationen dient dieses Prinzip jedoch auch als Leitmotiv im Umgang mit kritischen Stimmen aus der Heimatfront. Wer auch immer Meldungen, Schlagzeilen oder gar Argumente infrage stellt, ist automatisch ein Kollaborateur des Feindes. Anhand dieser polarisierten Betrachtungsweise des "entweder bist du für uns oder gegen uns" muss umgehend Farbe bekannt werden. Durch diese Eliminierung einer abgewogenen Betrachtung von komplexen Ereignissen wird es also unmöglich gemacht, eine abweichende Meinung zu entwickeln, ohne einen regelrechten Lynchprozess am Hals zu haben. Man könnte dies auch als das Ende des Meinungspluralismus interpretieren, wo jegliche Opposition zum Schweigen verurteilt wird und zur Not diffamiert wie auch diskriminiert wird.

(Weitere) Methoden der Kriegspropaganda

Wie in [6] präsentiert, können Propagandisten auf eine erstaunlich große Bandbreite von Manipulationsmethoden zurückgreifen. In meinen Augen lohnt sich ein kurzer Blick darauf. Ein wesentlicher Punkt, den es meiner Meinung nach zu beachten gilt, ist die Tatsache, dass mit dem gezielten Einsatz von (Kriegs)-Propaganda meist lange vor dem ersten Schusswechsel begonnen wird und auch nach Beendigung des Konfliktes Propaganda einen wichtigen Teil der militärischen Strategie darstellt.

Die Rolle von Angst

Das Zeichnen eines immanenten Bedrohungsszenarios, welches besonders über die emotionale Schiene wahrgenommen wird, stimmt Menschen am ehesten um die Notwendigkeit eines Militäreinsatzes zu befürworten. Dabei spielt es meiner Ansicht nach gar keine so große Rolle, ob diese Bedrohung real existiert oder nicht, ausschlaggebend ist die gefühlte Wahrnehmung der Bevölkerung. Bestehende oder induzierte Angst lassen sich durch geschicktes Beeinflussen schnell in Wut wandeln und am Ende des Prozesses in einen flammenden Hass auf den vermeintlichen Feind. Aus diesem Grund wird oft ein Zustand der permanent gefühlten Bedrohung geschaffen, sodass in den Köpfen eine gefühlte Gefahr für Laib und Leben so oft wie möglich präsent ist. Dieser Prozess wird durch ständiges Wiederholen der Botschaft verstärkt, bis es sich tief im Unterbewusstsein der Bevölkerung eingenistet hat.

Zensur

Zensur - das gezielte Unterdrücken oder Weglassen von Informationen zu einem Sachverhalt, ist schon lange fixer Bestandteil von Propaganda. Bestimmte Sichtweisen können in der Abwesenheit von Gegenargumenten oder gar Gegenbeweisen besonders gut verfestigt werden. Hierzu genügt es aus Sicht des Staatsapparats nicht nur Beiträge zu löschen oder Meinungen zu unterdrücken, nein, damit dies möglich ist, muss flächendeckende wie auch umfängliche Überwachung stattfinden, damit in den Augen des Unterdrückers problematische Informationen schnellstmöglich aus dem Verkehr gezogen werden können.

Von Zensur betroffen sind Druckerzeugnisse wie etwa Zeitungen und Bücher, aber auch Ton und Bildproduktionen. Auf digitaler Ebene können Webseiten, Blogs, Content Creatoren oder gar ganze Online Communities hiervon betroffen sein. Im Kontext eines Krieges ist es für die heimische Konfliktpartei von enormer Bedeutung Zensur anzuwenden, um dem Feind keinerlei geheime Informationen zukommen zu lassen - zum Beispiel über Waffen, Truppenbewegungen oder geplante Manöver der eigenen Einheiten. Ein weiteres Anliegen geht in die Richtung wie der Krieg in der Öffentlichkeit dargestellt wird. So kann ohne Anwendung von Zensur das Vertrauen in die Politik schwinden und somit schlussendlich die Zustimmung zum Fortführen der kriegerischen Handlungen schwinden. Dies kann beispielsweise passieren, sobald die Bevölkerung von Niederlagen, Fehlschlägen, dem von der eigenen Armee ausgelösten Leid oder gar Kriegsverbrechen der eigenen Reihen Wind bekommt. Daher ist es im Interesse des Zensors solche Informationen geheim zu halten. Während die direkte Zensur in der westlichen Welt weitestgehend abgeschafft wurde, findet indirekte Zensur nach wie vor Anwendung. Hierbei ist die Zugangskontrolle zu bestimmten Informationen gemeint. Es existieren quasi Torwächter, die darüber entscheiden welcher Journalist welche Informationen gefüttert bekommt. Darüber hinaus können Informationen - etwa über bestimmte Kriegsverbrechen - bewusst vorenthalten werden oder Journalisten dürfen bestimmte Orte erst gar nicht betreten. Somit bleibt vielen Journalisten wie auch Berichterstattern oft nichts anderes übrig, als die Meldungen der Militärführung zu übernehmen.

Eine dritte Form von Zensur, die in meinen Augen oftmals gar nicht erst bedacht wird, ist die Selbstzensur von Berichterstattern. Obwohl es in vielen Fällen keine politischen oder militärischen Zensurvorschriften gibt, unterschlagen Berichterstatter bestimmte Informationen. Erklärungen hierfür können Motivationen wirtschaftlicher Natur eines Mediums, direkte Bestechung oder Begünstigung sein. Nicht zu unterschätzen ist die aufkommende Angst eines Journalisten sich durch das Vertreten von unpopulären Ansichten Karrierechancen zu verbauen. Zu dieser Gefühlslage kommt hinzu, dass Journalisten oftmals wegen ihrer eigenen Weltanschauung und dem damit verbundenen Wertekompass die Realität nur einseitig wahrnehmen.

Die Verzerrung der Sprache

Die menschliche Sprache verwendet Bilder um Botschaften zu transportieren. Dabei ist jedes Hauptwort wie ein Paket mit einem gewissen bildlichen Inhalt zu verstehen. Zudem lassen sich durch geschickte Auswahl von Worten Stimmungen hervorrufen oder unterdrücken. In der Kriegspropaganda unterscheidet man hier zwischen:

• Black Words - Diese dienen zum Erschaffen eines klaren Feindbildes, welche beim Empfänger Unbehagen und Angst wecken können. Besonders in Kriegszeiten greifen Politiker in ihren Ansprachen auf Begriffe wie Diktator, Hass, Waffen, Terrorismus, Unterdrückung, Regime, Tyrannei, das Böse und so weiter zurück.
• White Words - Hierbei handelt es sich um sprachliche Bilder, die mit positiven Gefühlen verbunden sind und dienen, strategisch in Reden platziert, der moralischen Rechtfertigung des Krieges. Hierzu zählen Begriffe wie Demokratie, Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit, Sicherheit, Frieden, Familie, Nation, Humanität, Vaterland, etc.
• Sprachliche Schönfärberei - Gezielt werden Formulierungen verwendet, die einen beschönigenden Effekt haben wie beispielsweise "Kollateralschaden" statt "Getötete oder verletzte Zivilisten" oder "Luftschlag" statt "Bombardement".

Mitläuferfang

Es liegt wohl in der Natur des Menschen lieber auf der Gewinner als auf der Verliererseite stehen zu wollen, weswegen wir Menschen uns tendenziell lieber der Mehrheit anschließen. Mehrheiten versprechen Erfolg, denn allzu gutgläubig glauben wir Mehrheiten würden sich niemals täuschen. Die Strategie des Mitläuferfangs nutzt diese menschliche Anlage aus, indem die kundgetane Meinung als die Meinung der Mehrheit verkauft wird. Hierzu werden öfters auch Bilder eingesetzt, die den Eindruck erwecken, eine große Masse würde bereits dieser propagierten Meinung folgen.

Ästhetisierung

Unter dem Begriff Ästhetisierung versteht man eine verschönerte Darstellung einer Sache. Etwa wird durch eine ästhetische Darstellung des Krieges versucht dem Krieg den Schrecken zu nehmen, wodurch abgezielt wird den Krieg dadurch leichter akzeptieren zu können. Fotos und Filme, die den Krieg dokumentieren sollen, werden bewusst so aufgenommen bzw. ausgewählt, dass sie beim Betrachter eher Faszination als Abschreckung auslösen. All das sorgt dafür, dass das Bild schön und ansprechend empfunden wird, und den Betrachter die eigentlich hässliche Kriegsrealität vergessen lässt.

Militainment

Dieser Begriff verbindet "Militär" und "Entertainment" und besonders jüngere Leser sollten schnell erkennen was hier gemeint ist. Hingedeutet wird hier auf die aktive Zusammenarbeit zwischen Militär und Medienunternehmen bei der Produktion von Kriegsfilmen, -serien, -dokumentationen oder Computerkriegsspielen. Beide Seiten ziehen Nutzen daraus: Das Militär stellt die Ausrüstung zur Verfügung, die für eine Produktion nötig ist. Als Gegenleistung verpflichten sich die Medienmacher, den Krieg in der vom Militär gewünschten Weise darzustellen. Letztlich entscheidet das Militär darüber, was gezeigt werden darf und was nicht. So wird der Krieg zum Schauplatz von Heldengeschichten, in denen das Militär ehrenvoll erscheint und andere Möglichkeiten als Krieg zur Lösung von Konflikten ausgeblendet werden. Diese Darstellungsweise trägt dazu bei, dass das Ansehen des Militärs und die gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz von Kriegen steigen.

Auch die Computer- und Softwareindustrie wird durch das Militär unterstützt. Ähnlich wie bei Kriegsfilmen ist ein realistisches Erscheinungsbild für Computerkriegsspiele sehr wichtig. Doch wie kommt man an alle Taktiken, Uniformen, Sounds, Einsatzpapiere oder gar Stimmen und Karten heran? – Man braucht die Army. Da die sich allerdings aussucht, wer welches Material bekommt, kann sie von einem Einspruchsrecht Gebrauch machen. Das ist nicht unstatthaft, wer würde schließlich ein Projekt finanzieren oder unterstützen, das das eigene Werbebild beschädigt?

Fazit

Wie im Lauf des Posts immer deutlicher wird, ist die Bandbreite an Methoden, aus der Propagandisten schöpfen können, beträchtlich. Darüber hinaus stammen diese Techniken nicht aus dem letzten Quartal, sondern hatten jahrhundertelang Zeit, um verfeinert zu werden. Ich hoffe mit diesem Post zur Stärkung der Achtsamkeit im Bereich der Propaganda wie auch der Sensibilisierung im Hinblick auf den Einsatz von Propagandatechniken im Alltag beizutragen. Nur wer Propaganda wie auch Manipulationsversuche als solche erkennt, wird in der Lage sein sich dessen zu erwehren. Das Schlusswort möchte ich nun einer Person überlassen, die mich schon vor Jahren dazu inspiriert hatte mich mit dieser unbequemen Thematik zu beschäftigen:

"Nearly every war that has started in the past 50 years, has been the result of media lies. The media could have stopped it, if they hadn't reprinted government propaganda but what does that mean? Well, that means basically populations don't like wars and populations have to be fooled into wars. populations don't willingly and with open eyes go into a war So, if we have a good media environment then we will also have a peaceful environment. Our number one enemy is ignorance." - Julian Assange

Quellen

1. https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalismus/krieg-in-den-medien/130697/was-ist-propaganda
2. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/493212.Propaganda
3. https://weltwoche.ch/daily/prinzipien-der-kriegspropaganda-von-arthur-ponsonby
4. https://www.morawa.at/detail/ISBN-9783866744158/Morelli-Anne/Die-Prinzipien-der-Kriegspropaganda?CSPCHD=002000000000JAZLG7CSVpoEmIWvrDniZIp7zJA2Cmz9CJ_rwt
5. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Prinzipien_der_Kriegspropaganda
6. https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalismus/krieg-in-den-medien/130699/methoden-der-kriegspropaganda/

Bücher zum Thema

• Edward Bernays - Propaganda
• Anne Morelli - Die Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda
• Patrik Baab - Propaganda-Presse: Wie uns Medien und Lohnschreiber in Kriege treiben
• Jonas Tögel - Kognitive Kriegsführung: Neueste Manipulationstechniken als Waffengattung der NATO
• Gustave Le Bon - Psychologie der Massen
• Marcus Klöckner - Umstritten: Ein journalistisches Gütesiegel

Videos zum Thema

• Jonas Tögel: Kognitive Kriegsführung – Neueste Manipulationstechniken als Waffengattung der NATO
• „Zensur und Propaganda sind Nato-Programm“ - Punkt.PRERADOVIC mit Patrik Baab
• Kriegsbereitschaft und Gegnerdämonisierung ǀ Gabriele Krone-Schmalz
• Daniele Ganser: Propaganda – Wie unsere Gedanken und Gefühle gelenkt werden
• Umstritten - Marcus Klöckner

@ bcbb3e40:a494e501

En este nuevo artículo sobre actualidad sería la segunda vez que nombremos a la figura de Alvise Pérez. Lo habíamos mencionado de pasada anteriormente, cuando comentamos nuestras hipótesis respecto al atentado contra Trump y lo que ello, a nuestro entender, supondría.

La motivación del mismo no es defender a Alvise, con quien no nos alineamos por motivos que explicaremos. Lo que nos llama la atención es la reacción adversa del sector disidente (llamémoslo así) que, si bien reconocemos que puede haber un componente legítimo de desconfianza ante la aparición «súbita» de este personaje, consideramos que está motivada principalmente por envidias, celos y algo de sectarismo.

El objetivo es por lo tanto, hacernos capaces de encontrar la viga en el propio ojo y dejar de señalar la paja en el ojo ajeno.

Sospechas contra Alvise

Alvise Pérez logró una gran relevancia a raíz del resultado de su agrupación electoral «Se acabó la fiesta» (SALF) en las últimas elecciones al parlamento europeo celebradas en España el pasado 9 de junio de 2024.

A la totalidad del espectro político/mediático español le sentó como un jarro de agua fría la friolera de más de 800.000 votos oficiales (SALF asegura que son más y está reclamando el recuento) conseguida por un personaje que hasta el momento estaba vetado por la prensa y que basó su campaña electoral en la difusión a través de las redes sociales que no habían podido serle censuradas y después de una serie de meetings de presupuesto ínfimo celebrados por las principales capitales españolas.

|| |:-:| |Alvise Pérez durante su discurso pronuciado tras el cierre de los colegios electorales en las elecciones europeas del 9J|

Viéndolo así a todos nos parece un cuento demasiado bonito como para ser verdad. Estamos todos muy escarmentados del ascenso a la relevancia pública de personajes «desconocidos» como José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Pablo Iglesias Turrión o Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, o de fuerzas políticas como VOX; todos estos casos, aupados por los medios. Además de la lógica desconfianza que nos suscita el ascenso meteórico de las figuras y organizaciones mencionadas desde la nada, sin una trayectoria previa conocida, y sin una masa social o apoyo reconocido.

Sí, también VOX era prácticamente desconocida hasta que los invitaron a este programa en Televisión de Cataluña, allá por el 2018, con todo el tema del independentismo catalán en auge:

A todos los ejemplos anteriores los aupó la prensa. Sin embargo, parece que Alvise/SALF no es el caso… Lo que lleva a la hipótesis conspiranoica de que es un personaje puesto por el Centro Nacional de Inteligencia de España (CNI).

La hipótesis del CNI

Es cierto que Alvise ha ido ganando mucha relevancia en redes sociales en base a información que ha ido publicando y que ha sido activamente ignorada o vetada por el aparato mediático. Además, la calidad de dicha información siempre ha sido de categoría de espionaje. ¿Cómo es posible que un chaval sevillano haya logrado acceso a informaciones de un calibre capaz de hacer tambalearse a un país como España?

Él ha manifestado en repetidas ocasiones que, efectivamente, utiliza métodos «sucios» como la extorsión o el hacking. Pero, obviamente, aquí tendríamos que creer en su palabra y no se puede desmentir de forma tajante que no tenga algún tipo de relación con los servicios de inteligencia.

No obstante, la nube de sospecha del CNI o de colaboración con la policía siempre ha estado encima de algunos personajes disidentes destacados, con mayor o menor acierto. Es más, de hecho no descartamos que muchos focos «disidentes» como pseudo-partidos políticos o incluso algunas librerías hayan tenido algún tipo de conexión. Es lo que en inglés se denomina Honeypot (trampa de miel).

Volviendo a Alvise, lo que se le reprocha desde algunos sectores disidentes sobre su hipotética relación con el CNI es que éstos lo hayan introducido en la esfera pública para debilitar a otras opciones disidentes o patrióticas[^1], como VOX. Sinceramente, este reproche nos parece ridículo. ¿Acaso hay otras fuerzas patrióticas (nótense las cursivas) aparte de VOX que tengan algún tipo de influencia real como para que merezca la pena diluirlas? Y VOX, ¿por qué no apoya a SALF en su cruzada contra INDRA y secunda sus dudas plausibles sobre la precisión del cómputo y la veracidad de los resultados electorales?

El deplorable activismo disidente en España

Pese a que las sospechas contra él pudieran demostrarse como ciertas en algún momento, si nos atenemos a su historial registrado y a lo que ha ido aportando a la sociedad española desde sus medios, ¿¡dónde está el problema!?

Entendemos perfectamente las sospechas y compartimos el historial de desengaños de muchas opciones políticas, pero posiblemente muchos se estén pasando de estrictos, quizás con el ánimo de defender sus colores. ¿Existe acaso miedo de que otro haga las cosas bien porque «los tuyos» no lo han logrado?

Es una actitud patética y sectaria que antepone el interés del partido o del grupúsculo que uno defiende al interés general del país. Una actitud, dicho sea de paso, demasiado habitual en cualquier tipo de agrupación humana: asociaciones lúdicas, partidos, empresas, etc.

Escrutinio feroz contra Alvise

El contrato que Alvise firmó con su base de seguidores fue el siguiente: «Vosotros me votáis para proporcionarme inmunidad política y, a cambio, 1) yo utilizaré esa inmunidad para difundir información que me pondría en apuros en caso de no disponer de tal inmunidad y además 2) renunciaré a mi sueldo, sorteándolo entre vosotros».

Las elecciones se celebraron hace apenas dos meses… Pues bien, durante este tiempo no han dejado de llover las críticas de por qué no ha cumplido todavía con lo prometido. Críticas expresadas con especial vehemencia sobre todo por aquellos que no le votaron y que, por lo tanto, no suscribieron dicho contrato con él. Pero bueno…

La cuestión es que el pasado sábado 10 de agosto, sabiendo como él sabe manejar a los medios y a la opinión pública, publicó el siguiente mensaje según el cual, aparentemente, renunciaba cumplir el punto 2) del contrato:

Acabo de cobrar mi sueldo como eurodiputado! - 8.089,46 como sueldo de agosto. - 4.043,60 como sueldo de medio julio. En un rato explico en un vídeo por qué he decidido NO ENTREGAR mi sueldo, y quedármelo como respuesta a todos los ataques recibidos por periodistas, partidos y haters en general. 😘 8:58 p. m. · 10 ago. 2024

La respuesta de toda la prensa y de sus enemigos políticos de la izquierda no se hizo esperar. Es algo que no pilla a nadie de sorpresa. Sin embargo, lo que fue especialmente ridículo fue ver cómo otros patriotas y disidentes se subían al carro del linchamiento sin pararse a pensar por un momento que tenía toda la pinta de ser un troleo.

Porque sí, porque a la que alguien haya seguido un poco la trayectoria de Alvise debería haber anticipado que no renunciar a su sueldo sería casi un suicidio para él. Él aún no tiene la posibilidad, el poder, los privilegios ni una base zombi lo suficientemente motivada como para que le permitan «cambiar de opinión».

No tardó mucho en humillar por completo a todos sus detractores publicando el siguiente mensaje unas horas más tarde:

Me quedo mi sueldo. Lo explico todo en: http://AlviseCumpliendo.com 10:25 p. m. · 10 ago. 2024

Efectivamente, tal y como prometió, parece que cumplirá el punto 2).

Es que, de hecho, el «sacrificio» de sortear su salario le reporta muchos más beneficios que no hacerlo. El número de suscriptores de su canal de Telegram ha aumentado en más de 70.000 personas en menos de 2 días. Y los seguidores de su canal de Instagram ya superan el millón. Este incremento de audiencia, monetizado, supera con creces los 10.000 euros mensuales.

En la disidencia organizada todo son excusas y malos resultados

Pese a todo, para los más fanáticos de nada servirán los logros de Alvise ya no para adherirse a él sino simplemente para dejar de atacarle. Parece que muchos lo quieren o todo o nada, pero en realidad la motivación que lleva a tal animadversión es la impotencia, la frustración y la envidia que genera ver que otros tienen éxito y los tuyos no.

El sector disidente español ha sido lamentable desde mucho antes de la transición democrática española. Especialmente desde la década de 1990 lo único que poblaba el panorama español eran grupos de frikis y de nostálgicos de vete tú a saber qué, que jamás lograron tener una relevancia pública ni política significativa ya que estaban más encariñados con sus símbolos y parafilias que con la población general y «analfabeta política» española. La disidencia española, salvo alguna honrosa iniciativa cultural sobre todo, se ha mantenido inoperante a lo largo de las más de cuatro décadas de existencia del actual régimen. Estamos hablando de organizaciones políticas, iniciativas ciudadanas o personajes particulares que hayan podido mostrar un discurso y una cosmovisión alternativas. En muchas ocasiones han antepuesto los intereses particulares de la organización, y han optado por la ortodoxia ideológica frente a cualquier pragmatismo o movimiento táctico orientado a las contingencias del momento, lo cual ha desactivado toda posibilidad de plantear una alternativa viable y seria para combatir las injusticias del régimen demoliberal.

Cierto es que los medios de comunicación de aquella época tampoco eran favorables y que el sistema ha puesto muchas dificultades, pero no nos engañemos, la mayoría de esos grupos no ha sabido hacer nunca un proselitismo eficiente y atractivo, haciendo propuestas endogámicas y de consumo interno, sin ser capaces de salir de su burbuja, quedando en muchos casos en terrenos oscurantistas.

Lo único que pareció romper un poco este panorama tan lamentable fue la irrupción intencionada de VOX, que pese a que podamos sospechar que se trata de disidencia controlada para canalizar el desencanto de un sector cada vez más amplio de la población, también ha servido para visibilizar que ese sector poblacional existe, que no es precisamente insignificante y que abarca a un espectro social amplio, más allá de los marginados antisociales (friki-fachas) que proliferaban por la escena patriótica.

No obstante, dentro de este panorama tan lamentable, la irrupción de VOX no ha mejorado en absoluto la situación, porque se ha dedicado a fagocitar ciertos elementos de esa «falsa disidencia» fracasada e inoperante, para ocupar muchos de sus cuadros dirigentes, al tiempo que ejerce una mera oposición retórica y actúa como cualquier otra organización del arco parlamentario, invocando el «imperio de la ley», como tanto gusta a los liberales, bajo su formalismo positivo, vacío e inconsecuente. Aún así, el hartazgo y el desengaño ha llegado a ciertos sectores de sus votantes, los cuales se han desmarcado progresivamente de sus políticas y de ese pseudopatriotismo que ha pretendido atribuirse desde su fundación.

Dicho todo esto, ¿importa realmente la posición contraria a Alvise de la disidencia patriótica española?. Pues realmente no, porque su capacidad de influencia es insignificante. Por eso, creemos que lo más inteligente que podrían hacer es callarse y dejar de hacer el ridículo, pero quizás eso sea pedirles mucho. En este sentido, y dadas las urgencias que demanda nuestra precaria situación, no deberíamos obstaculizar cualquier acción positiva que contribuya a la causa disidente, aunque sea limitada en el tiempo y quienes la realicen se encuentren en nuestras antípodas ideológicas. En el terreno de lo táctico, y en el terreno de las contingencias, quizás haya ocasiones en las que priorizar un cierto pragmatismo en nuestra visión de las cosas frente a las demandas ideológicas, que siendo absolutamente necesarias y legítimas pueden esperar ante los hechos inmediatos.

Por qué no somos anti-alvisistas

Aunque lo hemos dicho al principio, no está de más recalcar que el propósito de este artículo no es encumbrar ni mucho menos a Alvise Pérez. Nosotros también compartimos algunas de las sospechas que se vierten contra él. Además, tampoco estamos alineados a nivel ideológico.

Alvise parece el típico español de a pie, con sus defectos y sus virtudes, educado e influido bajo un sistema liberal. No propone un cambio de paradigma político, sino una continuación del mismo, eso sí, en el que al menos se cumplan las normas que se supone que se tendrían que cumplir.

|| |:-:| |Las «ardillas» es la red de seguidores/colaboradores/informadores/votantes indignados anónimos de Alvise Pérez, quizás en referencia a «Alvin y las Ardillas»|

Es evidente la decadencia del panorama político actual donde se nos miente y se nos toma el pelo ya sin ningún tipo de disimulo. A calzón quitado. Ya ni siquiera se molestan en aparentar que cumplen las normas que ellos mismos han impuesto. Los escándalos de corrupción que hemos testimoniado en el pasado y en la actualidad rebosan lo ultrajante.

Intentar que por lo menos se cumplan las normas que se supone que se tendrían que cumplir según el ordenamiento legal vigente, lamentablemente, se tiene que considerar como un logro. Obviamente, nosotros no nos adherimos al susodicho ordenamiento legal, pero entendemos que lo mínimo es ser respetuoso con lo que éste dicta, así como con sus procedimientos y protocolos. Ya llevamos muchos años escuchando por los mass media aquello del «estado de derecho», el «imperio de la ley» o «el sistema más garantistas de todos los existentes», para luego ver cómo la corrupción y el menoscabo de la dignidad e integridad del territorio nacional son prácticas habituales.

Por eso creemos que marcarse eso como objetivo a corto o a medio plazo ya es más que suficiente, y si Alvise sirve como ariete para eso, bienvenido sea. No creemos que sea pertinente arremeter contra él y convertirlo en cabeza de turco cuando desde la partitocracia, a izquierda y derecha, se está contribuyendo activamente a la destrucción y sometimiento de España a sus enemigos.

Ahora bien, ¿aspiramos al mismo modelo de sociedad? No. Él aspira a lo que cree que es correcto: un modelo Democrático Liberal. Alvise quiere reparar. Nosotros queremos reconstruir desde cero. Lo suyo es más realista y factible a corto plazo. Lo nuestro es una batalla cultural.

Podemos contemplar con cierto agrado las acciones de Alvise, siempre que éstas se dirijan contra los partidos políticos, sus integrantes y las corruptelas que protagonizan en un escenario de traición permanente contra el Pueblo y la nación española. Pero nunca podremos coincidir con quienes pretenden seguir confiando en el liberalismo como una opción de futuro, y más después de constatar la responsabilidad de esta ideología perversa en la destrucción del Occidente europeo, totalmente tiranizado y en un estado de metástasis que parece conducirnos a un abismo de caos y destrucción. Por eso lo fundamental en toda opción disidente pasa por adoptar una postura radical e innegociable frente al liberalismo y sus iniquidades.

No podemos aceptar el discurso que afirma que lo que fallan son las personas, que son corruptas, pero que el sistema y su entramado ideológico e institucional es bueno, positivo y perfectamente viable, porque no es así. Las personas que dirigen e integran las altas jerarquías del régimen español, y por extensión de las democracias liberales europeas, son corruptas, mezquinas y traidoras porque las instituciones y la ideología que las impregna posee esa misma naturaleza. Y con esto también queremos contrarrestar aquellos tópicos que muchas veces escuchamos en las conversaciones cotidianas, que tienden a culpar el factor humano y contingente y no la estructura político-ideológica que ha favorecido su ascenso y es consustancial a esa corrupción.

Desde los tiempos de la plandemia se ha visto un cierto despertar entre amplios sectores de la sociedad española, que han empezado a desconfiar abiertamente de los postulados «políticamente correctos», y ya se atreven a criticar abiertamente temas como la «inmigración», las ingenierías sociales asociadas al Nuevo Orden Mundial u otro tipo de ideas que la prensa vendida se empeña en fabricar para mantenernos dócilmente en el redil. Estos hechos han suscitado formas embrionarias de disidencia y organización, apoyándose muchas veces en las nuevas tecnologías e Internet, como el propio Alvise, y la posibilidad de ir generando redes de comunicación propias, convertidas en vectores de ideas y discursos compartidos por miles de personas. Aunque no coincidamos en lo ideológico, es justo celebrar y apoyar este tipo de iniciativas, y que todo lo que dañe el actual orden de cosas y genere vínculos orgánicos y de solidaridad entre los propios españoles, y europeos, reciba el aliento y el apoyo de todos nosotros.

[^1]: Entendemos que VOX no es un partido patriota, sino liberal de derechas, y con evidentes filiaciones con el sionismo. No obstante, hay quien considera que VOX representa, erróneamente, una alternativa «patriota» al actual sistema vigente, cuando siempre ha defendido tanto el orden constitucional fundado en 1978, como sus principales figuras jurídicas e institucionales, tales como la monarquía.

@ 5d1d83de:d0db5aa0

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

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

@ f0aca767:dce3306e

We're just about coming up on it having been one month since I wrote my article, "Nostr, The Strangest and Clunkiest Twitter Replacement." In that time, I've explored the protocol, I've switched websites, and lamented the fact that I didn't post that first article on Nostr (especially because people's links to it are now likely broken).

Nevertheless, summed up, my initial impression of the network was that most apps felt clunky, or underdeveloped. I felt like the audience was mostly Bitcoin _obsessed _people, with mixtures of the political right and left, all of which who're enthusiastic about not being censored, or banned for what they say. You know, because humans make mistakes, and sometimes our ideas are different than that of which someone else might hold. As it is, and as it goes.

A month ago, I was bewildered, I didn't really know what to think, but ... I was at least a little intrigued. I wanted to explore, and meet people, and figure it out.

My findings were that, despite the semi-lack of data privacy (anyone can use your npub to see what your personal timeline looks like), and the fact that blocking is a bit harder (a thing that's also kind of a problem on Mastodon and Bluesky, anyway), Nostr is an example of actual decentralization. Decentralization, despite it being kind of ... looked down upon by masses of people outside the network.

Which ... is weird. You would think people on Bluesky, who are also enthusiastic about decentralization, would realize that the busky devs are lying to them about what their motives and what decentralization is, and are. And you'd think, some people would look at Mastodon and go, "You know, this place is cool ... but I kinda hate losing all of my posts if some totalitarian admin decides to kill my account? And that my only option is to buy a server and host my own? If I never want to be banned again? _And then networks of instances can form a secret cabal to silence my entire server, _anyway?"

You would think by now, many, many people would be tired of the looming threat of a banning. Or is it just me?

I've talked about my exploration of the protocol on all these networks, to comments like, "Isn't that purely a right wing social network?" or "Why are you hanging out with Jack?"

And, I didn't really know what to say? Of course I don't know Jack, and yeah I've seen plenty right wing postrs, but I've also definitely seen plenty of left wing people. It's almost like, people do what they want, regardless of the ideas they hold, and the opinions of others. At least, sometimes.

Speaking of, my experience hasn't been completely perfect. I've had some trolls, some nasty people dump into my notifications, and they weren't even all that particularly nasty. But it made me step back and go, "You know, I can't block these people, am I sure about all this?" And because of that, I sort of stepped away for a while. I had a real big think while I continued my postings on the other networks. I tried to think about why I'm on social media.

Obviously, I do things. I make music. I write. These are things I want to share with people, but I'm also here to meet people, to make connections, and even sometimes, to network? I know a lot of people out there are fortunate enough to have landed into something they love doing, or actually want to do with the rest of their lives, and that's fantastic. But, what I want to do is so unconventional that it only makes sense that I reach out, and explore.

What is it I want to do? I wanna be a creator, but not just some influencer on Instagram, or some Youtuber who spends eight years building up one hundred thousand followers. Nah.

I just wanna make a career out of using what I know how to do, to inform, and entertain. That's it. And hey, maybe I can do that on Nostr, as it builds and expands.

And that's part of why I came back. That's part of why I bought into Alby, and now apparently also run a cloud node. A Node Runner, like a netrunner, but with less hacking people's brains to make their eyes melt.

I mean ... it is really cool that the whole protocol is connected across this network, where each instance of Nostr can be a completely different piece of software, for different things, like blogging, live-streaming, selling merch, or even a forum, and you can just log in with your address. Dude. It's like what Mastodon set out to be from the start, but hasn't quite made it there yet.

I fully believe Mastodon is being stifled by its creator, who's more concerned with impressing potential investors than with making something great. Which, is a shame.

But the future of the internet and social media will always be _a future that is owned by the people, run by the people, developed by the people. Because algorithms, engagement baiting, and ad pushing will only ever go so far, until the very last person left standing on these aforementioned networks finally goes, "Man, this fuckin' sucks." And _leaves.

How do I feel about Nostr, a month later? I feel conflicted, I feel like it's great, and I feel unsure. But I feel like it's definitely something. Something worth continuing to pay attention to, as the rest of the social web vies for control of everyone else's attention.

@ 6c8c7979:15595f3e

When Mozart composed Symphony No. 40 in G minor, he was going through a difficult period in his life, facing financial problems and personal pressures. Despite these circumstances, the symphony is marked by significant emotional intensity and notable musical innovation. It is believed that the symphony reflected his internal tension and pain, making it one of his greatest and most impactful works.

https://youtu.be/0sGqkMU-mGQ?si=FTIuMq8xo4bhvzDV

https://youtu.be/JTc1mDieQI8?si=E-xd311z0yWQek3c

@ 2a5d1247:0398ad01

🧠Quote(s) of the week:

'Bitcoin will remain correlated with risk assets until it isn’t. And then it never will be correlated again.' - James Lavish

'This month we will be reminded, once again, that we do not have "free markets," as many incorrectly presume.

Rather, our monetary and financial markets are resoundingly centrally controlled. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for announcements of major policy shifts from central bankers.

Liquidity and lower rates incoming.' -Dr. Jeff Ross

🧡Bitcoin news🧡

Last couple of days I enjoyed the Olympic Games in Paris so this Weekly Recap will be a bit more condensed.

What can you expect:

In a desperate bid to save their falling currency, the Japanese have begun hiking rates. This caught the markets off guard and we had a severe dip across all assets/markets. More on that in the segment Macro & Geopolitics.

So what about Bitcoin?

'There are ~0.002 BTC per person on earth.

When Bitcoin dips, I like to do little smash buys in 0.002 BTC increments. It’s kinda fun knowing you’re buying a person’s entire life’s worth of labor for about $150.' -Bit Paine

Brutal truths and thoughts, kinda savage.  But from my own perspective, maybe one day I will spend that 0.002BTC in something that was produced by someone who earned it in the future.

On the 30th of July:

➡️Russian lawmakers pass a bill allowing businesses to use Bitcoin in international trade — Reuters

On the 31st of July:

➡️El Salvador proposes using Bitcoin to trade with Russia, aiming to strengthen economic ties and its global influence.  "Unlike El Salvador, in Russia BTC isn’t widely accepted, so we are exploring alternative ways to boost trade," says Ambassador Alexander Ilyukhin

➡️'Tether’s Q2 2024 attestation reveals they hold $4.7 billion in Bitcoin. They also announced a new all-time high in direct and indirect U.S. Treasury holdings at $97.6 billion, surpassing Germany, the UAE, and Australia.' - Bitcoin News

➡️'Bitcoin mining difficulty is ripping. Mining difficulty has adjusted upwards by 10.5% to a new all-time high at 90.7T.' - Simply Bitcoin

On the 1st of August:

➡️'Digital Chamber of Commerce hand delivers a letter to every US Senator in support of Senator Lummis’ BITCOIN Act of 2024.' -Bitcoin News

On the 2nd of August:

➡️Former Congressman and current Senate candidate Justin Amash posts laser eyes photo after meeting with Bitcoiners. Now it's cute, don't get me wrong. He is running as a Republican so his party supports Bitcoin and he wants votes.

On the 4th of August:

➡️While you are scared, whales bought the highest Bitcoin ever since Oct 2014.

➡️ The Bitcoin hashrate moving average rebounds sharply, reaching a new all-time high of 645 Eh/s.

On the 5th of August:

➡️'Please note that Bitcoin's decline since halving is now similar to that of the 2015-2017 Halving Bull market cycle' -Peter Brandt

➡️Morgan Stanley becomes the first bank to let wealth advisors pitch Bitcoin ETFs to clients - CNBC “Morgan Stanley's advisors manage $5.7 trillion in client assets, the biggest of the wirehouses,” Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas

➡️Europe's fourth largest hedge fund, Capula Management, discloses $500 million spot Bitcoin ETF holdings.

➡️Despite the crash, BlackRock and Fidelity are not selling their Bitcoin, Arkham data shows.

➡️'Bitcoin is proving that it is the ultimate safe-haven asset. Even in a crisis, the network stays up, the exchanges trade 24/7, and the market finds a healthy clearing price - well above the 2022 low. Very impressive!' -Pierre Rochard

➡️ Public Company Semler Scientific purchases an additional 101 Bitcoin for $6 million. Since announcing the adoption of a bitcoin treasury strategy on May 28, 2024, the Company has purchased 929 bitcoins for a total of $63.0 million.

💸Traditional Finance / Macro: 

👉🏽Warren Buffett now holds $277 Billion in cash and has been selling stocks like never before, including Apple.

He's getting ready for a crash...or he deployed the cash during the recent crash. I tend to believe the last is more likely.

'Usually when people talk about Buffett’s record cash hoard each quarter, it’s just the effect of ongoing money supply growth as everything gets bigger. Noise. This one, however, was actually a serious jump in cash. Signal.'-Lyn Alden

On the 5ht of August:

👉🏽Robinhood halts 24-hour trading.

24-hourAt least SIX trading platforms are down:

• Citi

• Fidelity

• E-Trade

• Vanguard

• TD Ameritrade

• Charles Schwab

👉🏽Over $1.93 trillion wiped out from the US stock market so far today.

🏦Banks: 

👉🏽No news

🌎Macro/Geopolitics:

So what happened last week? The Bank of Japan tried to give its currency some relief, raised rates to 0.25%, and by doing so caused a global deleveraging event.

All roads lead to currency debasement. There is no other way out for them.

•The volatility index (Vix) is up by 180% in 2 weeks.

•US equities are getting slaughter

•Asian stocks are experiencing Black Monday 2.0

Most accurate and crisp explanation of the current situation. Here is a detailed thread on what happened last week and if anyone wants to understand the market moves today/lately.:

https://x.com/peruvian_bull/status/1820199767336702052

Anyway:

The Bank of Japan sneezes and the world economy shakes - nice little financial system we have. Great risk management.

On the 29th of July:

👉🏽Janet Yellen Seeks (Just) $78 Trillion To Fight Climate Change.

Read here

Now ask yourself: Why is the Treasury Secretary asking for funding for something so far outside of her purview?

Maybe to bail out collapsing banks? Collapsing system? Anyway, hello liquidity!

Preston Pysh: 'We’ve been telling you the upcoming fiat liquidity expansion (M2) would make the COVID numbers blush. It’s just math first and narrative second.'

- total public debt

'The faster this rises, the faster the US Treasury loses its place as the global reserve asset. It really is as simple as that.' - James Lavish

'Nothing matters until everything does, just see what happened during the Weimar Hyperinflation and how fast. 8 years ago the U.S. debt was $20T, now we just hit $35T and are projected to smash $56.8T by 2034. Nothing stops this train. Bitcoin is your insurance.'  -CarlBMenger

So the USA's national debt is now at ~$35,000,000,000,000

What are the real-world implications of that? What does it mean for the future? Well, average people will see their life savings obliterated and most likely thrown into crushing poverty. 'When hyperinflation destroyed the currency in Germany in the waning days of the Weimar Republic. The Rich industrialists, however, made out great because they saw all their giant business debts get inflated away.'

So how bad is the situation? 'When you add the $215 trillion of unfunded liabilities that the US owes, it’s like someone who has a $100k salary and $5 million of debt.' -James Lavish

Yikes!

Ps.: On the 1st of August: $35,104,770,649,301.03 ERGO $100 billion in less than a week. Is anyone looking at this in the government?

On the 31st of July:

👉🏽TREASURY INCREASES LIQUIDITY BUYBACK TOTAL TO 30B FROM $15B. But no! QE 2.0 is not coming...

👉🏽'Euro Zone inflation rises to 2.6%, above expectations of 2.5%. Core inflation in Europe hit 2.9%, above expectations of 2.8%. Inflation is back on the rise in Europe.' -TKL The ECB has no green light to cut in September yet, but markets still price a 96% probability for another 25bps ECB cut.

👉🏽'July CPI inflation in Germany unexpectedly rises to 2.6%, above expectations of 2.5%.

Just hours ago, Germany reported a surprise -0.1% drop in Q2 2024 GDP. Germany now has rising inflation with falling GDP.

The era of stagflation has begun.'

👉🏽Just one item, but price increases since 2020 are way above the official inflation rate. It’s not much different with groceries, travel, etc. Who cares about the official inflation rate?

👉🏽Bank of Japan raises policy rate to 0.25%. And so the hiking cycle ends and exposing the massive Yen Carry Trade Godzilla. Let the game begin.

On the 1st of August: 👉🏽Bank of England cuts rates by 0.25% to 5%. This is the first rate cut since 2020.

On the 2nd of August: 👉🏽Emergency press conference by Jerome Powell due to market meltdown. '$3 TRILLION wiped off stocks in minutes because of global recession fears. Bitcoin's Total Market Cap is merely $1.25 Trillion.

A rounding error. There is $900T of wealth and the world is under-allocated to Bitcoin.' -TKL Gradually, and then suddenly...

👉🏽Japan's Nikkei stock index is DOWN 16% in 17 days.

👉🏽'The 10-year Note Yield crashes over 15 basis points after a much weaker-than-expected July jobs report. The 10-year note yield yield is now down 55 BASIS POINTS in ONE WEEK. For the first time since March 2020, bond markets are pricing in a potential recession.' -TKL

On the 5th of August:

👉🏽'The volatility index, VIX, is now up 122% today and the market hasn't even opened yet.

Since July 1st, the VIX is now up 328% to its highest level since 2020. We are seeing pandemic levels of volatility. We are seeing pandemic-era levels of volatility literally days after the Fed called for a soft landing. The problem is that inflation remains elevated even as interest rate cuts are needed.'

'The volatility index, VIX, is now trading at its 5th highest level on record. Since July 1st, the VIX is now up over 330% and trading at March 2020 levels. The last time volatility was this high, the global economy was heading to a complete shutdown.'-TKL

According to the VIX, the worst market events of our lives were the 2008 financial crisis, COVID, and the Bank of Japan raising interest rates by a quarter percentage point.

👉🏽Japan's stock market, the Nikkei 225, is currently set to post its largest 2-day drop in history.

This is an even larger drop than the Black Monday crash of 1987, per Zerohedge. Now, South Korea has halted ALL sell orders as markets crash.

'Looks like the Japanese Central Bank Money Manipulation Chickens have come home to roost.' -James Lavish

More information on this topic:click here

'The $20 Trillion Carry Trade Has Finally Blown Up'

The Bank of Japan said it, the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Services Agency will meet from 3 pm in Tokyo to discuss international markets. - Reuters

👉🏽'Bond markets are now pricing in a 60% chance of an emergency interest rate cut within 1 week.

This would mark the first emergency interest rate cut since March 2020 during the pandemic.

Bond markets are saying that something broke.' -TKL

🎁If you have made it this far I would like to give you a little gift:

Speaker: Alex Gladstein - Human Rights Foundation 'The media, governments, and the establishment continue to say Bitcoin is useless Unfortunately for them, I packed my Nashville keynote with dozens of specific Bitcoin use cases from across the world in the areas of commerce, freedom, and energy No price talk, all utility ✌️'

Discover the hidden power of Bitcoin beyond its role as a savings technology. This eye-opening talk explores how Bitcoin is transforming commerce, promoting freedom, and revolutionizing our approach to energy consumption worldwide. From empowering the unbanked to saving wasted energy, learn about the real-world impact of this misunderstood technology.

Hear firsthand accounts of how Bitcoin is changing lives in places like Malawi, Venezuela, and even the United States. Uncover why Bitcoin might be the ultimate ESG investment and how it's reshaping our understanding of financial inclusion and sustainable energy solutions. Don't miss this comprehensive look at Bitcoin's global influence.

Bitcoin: Global Utility - click here

Credit: I have used multiple sources! My savings account: Bitcoin The tool I recommend for setting up a Bitcoin savings plan: @Relai 🇨🇭 especially suited for beginners or people who want to invest in Bitcoin with an automated investment plan once a week or monthly. (Please only use it till the 31st of October - after that full KYC) Hence a DCA, Dollar cost Average Strategy. Check out my tutorial post (Instagram) & video (YouTube) for more info.⠀⠀⠀⠀

Get your Bitcoin out of exchanges. Save them on a hardware wallet, run your own node...be your own bank. Not your keys, not your coins. It's that simple.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Do you think this post is helpful to you? If so, please share it and support my work with sats.

See you next week!

Felipe - Bitcoin Friday

@ fa984bd7:58018f52

Happy to announce a new major version of NDK. A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to improve NDK in a lot of fronts.

Optimistic Signature verification

For most nostr apps, event signature verification is, by far, the most computationally-expensive part.

If you've ever felt your phone getting a bit hot while using a nostr app, this is probably why.

NDK introduces signature verification sampling. Each relay gets a lower and upper threshold of what ratio of events need to be verified. An unknown relay might start at getting 100% of it's events verified and, over time, lower the ratio to 50%. Whereas a relay the user has in their NIP-65 list might start at 50% and lower to 1%.

When the same event is fetched from multiple relays, only the first time an event is seen (might) have it's signature verified. If the signature is verified, subsequent relays that send the same event ID and signature, have their ratio updated, further reducing the number of signatures we need to check.

Relays should never send an invalid signature, so it only takes catching an evil relay lying about a signature once, to expel it from the pool and, perhaps, have the user add that relay to their relay blacklist event.

In order to activate this feature, developers MUST explicitly handle receiving an invalid signature, as they should probably warn the user that some trickery is happening.

👉 Tutorial

Nostr Cache Adapter

A new cache adapter, which leverages, well, nostr.

ndk-cache-nostr is a cache adapter that connects to a single local relay. This could be your a relay running in your user's computer/phone, like the nostr-tray-relay, Citrine, or it can even be a local relay you run in your server to assist in creating server-side-rendering.

If you've been envious of njump previews when sharing a link, now you can implement the same in your app by leveraging this adapter in your SSR calls.

👉 Docs

Refactored Zapping interface

This is the one breaking change; the code for sending zaps was tightly coupled to the assumption that LN was the interface. This new interface abstracts away the funding mechanism (NWC, WebLN, built-in-wallet) and the delivery mechanism (LN, ecash, Rai stones)

Major subscription Lifecycle refactor

The core of how NDK works was completely refactored from the ground-up, removing a lot of dependencies from nostr-tools, and bringing a lot of clarity to how NDK orchestrates subscriptions at the relay level.

👉 NDK Internal's documentation

Tutorials and other stuff

A few months ago I started a new effort to write more high-level documentation, instead of focusing on interface specs of NDK. https://nostr-dev-kit.github.io/ndk is the ongoing result.

ndk-wallet

A new NDK extension package, provides access to nostr-native NIP-60 wallets.

NIP-60 is a new NIP that proposes a nostr-native wallet that follows a user around any nostr application. Instead of having to manage a bunch of different NWC tokens, implement LN on their own, NIP-60 leverages multiple ecash mints, making it completely frictionless to onboard into Nostr with the capability to send and receive (via NIP-61 or a proxy like npub.cash) zaps.

ndk-wallet is the wallet that Nutsack.me is built on, providing: - wallet creation/discovery - token verification - nutzap redemption - UTXO management - balance tracking

With this package you'll be able to give your users a non-kyc wallet from which they can send both NIP-61 nutzaps and the usual NIP-57 lightning zaps.

@ 9a4acdeb:1489913b

TL;DR - Embracing Bitcoin will not be the downfall of the US financial system; rather, it will save it. This demand will be good for Bitcoin, too.

There is no doubt the largest market for Bitcoin trading is in the US. Bitcoin and dollars are traded for each other more than any other fiat-Bitcoin pair. The USD remains the highest volume asset on the global stage, however, trust in the dollar wanes on it as well.

A great amount of uncertainty remains about Bitcoin in the public, but the public is becoming increasingly aware. At some point, the "then suddenly" threshold, when uncertainty about the dollar matches the uncertainty of Bitcoin in the public eye, a great and rapid flip will occur.

Retirement Will Become Impossible Unless Backed by Unprintable Money

It is this flip that will cause enormous and unprecedented loss for at least the aging population in the US, as well as holders of large amounts of cash. Let us focus on one aspect of this great loss: social security, which is already known to be at great risk, an almost certain bankruptcy of the whole system only a few years away, and this is only if the US dollar lasts that long.

The responsibility of this failure rests on the shoulders of the US Federal Government and the Federal Reserve. Salvation for the system will only be in one manner: backing the fund with Bitcoin.

A Strategic Reserve

If the US Government funded a strategic Bitcoin reserve rather than wars, the issuance of USD could be then exchanged for payouts in the form of Bitcoin. Retirees who depend on those monthly checks could instead receive Bitcoin. This would be reparation for the theft of the wealth promised by the system to begin, and it would be an efficient way to do so.

While the USD-BTC rate is still in the 5-figures, investments into it can see returns of hundreds times by the time Social Security becomes fully defunct. This window of opportunity is quickly closing. Returns in the tens of times should still be possible for a few years, but likely not past the year 2029.

This Will Also be Good for Bitcoin

The urgency is high. To avoid a cataclysm for our aging population, the US needs Bitcoin, and because of the demand this will generate, the adoption and valuation of Bitcoin can accelerate.

This is but one mode that Bitcoin will save the US economy, and more is to come.

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

My first draft of the year went down today — a 12-team NFFC RotoWire Online championship league. I drew the first pick.

Here are the results: (live-streamed here)

1.1 Christian McCaffrey — I didn’t want the first pick, but I neglected to set my KDS, so it’s what I got. It was either McCaffrey or CeeDee Lamb for me, and while my brain said Lamb (massive target hog on a pass-first offense with a stat-padding QB), my gut said McCaffrey as I liked some of the receivers I’d likely get in Rounds 2 and 3. The problem for McCaffrey isn’t just the age, it’s playing all the way into February, three extra games after two extra games the year prior. But the 49ers are such an ideal environment, any running back can get hurt at any age, and McCaffrey is healthy now.

2.12 De’Von Achane — He was my first choice among potential second-round options, but he was going a few spots ahead per ADP, so I figured I’d get a WR like Jaylen Waddle. But Achane fell, and I snapped-called it. Now my team would probably be better served with Lamb over McCaffrey, but I couldn’t know I’d get Achane in advance.

3.12 Stefon Diggs — He’s my WR9, while NFFC ADP has him at WR24. I guess they think his second-half decline at age 30 was a big deal, and maybe it is. But it coincided with an offensive coaching change, and it’s hard to believe Diggs would just fall off a cliff midseason after such a monster start. Diggs is getting paid $22.5M on a one-year deal too, which means the Texans intend to feature him, and he’ll be motivated for a new contract. I can’t think of a better landing spot than on a team with an elite young QB, and two good, but injury-prone complements.

4.1 Sam LaPorta — Maybe this was a mistake as I really needed receivers here, and I passed on Tee Higgins and Amari Cooper. But LaPorta is my TE1, and none of the receivers were on my target list. Sometimes though, you take the solid, but unexciting player because you need to start three every week. But I didn’t.

5.12 CJ Stroud — I was hoping Marquise Brown would make it back to me, but he didn’t, and when Terry McLaurin went too, I knew I was taking Stroud (ahead of Lamar Jackson and Anthony Richardson) to stack with Diggs. In other words, I’ll have a Texans stack to go along with Achane/McCaffrey/LaPorta. But by taking both a premium QB and TE, along with two RBs, I knew my receiving corps would be thin.

6.1 Ladd McConkey — He was the only receiver left I really liked here. I don’t know if he’ll be the top target out of the gate, but Justin Herbert is good, and he’s got Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark and Quentin Johnston as his other options, no TE of which to speak and also lost Austin Ekeler.

7.12 Rome Odunze — I don’t know how he’ll get the targets with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen around, but he was the No. 9 overall pick and has an elite prospect profile. I remember taking Randy Moss as a rookie, when he was “blocked” by Cris Carter and Jake Reed too.

8.1 Jonathan Brooks — My third rookie in a row, and this might have been a mistake. I needed a third RB, but Raheem Mostert (who I don’t like at 32 and coming off a career-high in carries) would probably have been a better pick, given I have Achane. Brooks should take over for Chuba Hubbard at some point, but he tore his ACL in November, and it might be hard early on for the rookie.

9.12 Courtland Sutton — This was a hold-your-nose pick, just to acquire some likely target volume for my thin receiving corps. Someone has to catch passes in Denver.

10.1 Rashid Shaheed — Shaheed has been a playmaker since he entered the league and with Michael Thomas gone, he’s the de facto No. 2 opposite Chris Olave. The Saints don’t have great TEs, either, so he should get 90-odd targets at least.

11.12 Rashod Bateman — I actually wanted to take Bateman in Round 10, but his ADP was so far below I figured I could wait a round, and I was right. The Ravens are talking him up in camp, and Zay Flowers is more of a short-route, slot guy. Oft-injured Mark Andrews will get a lot of targets too, but there’s room for the 24-YO first-round pick to have a post-hype breakout.

12.1 Tua Tagovailoa — This was a time-expired auto pick! Rare to do that with back to back picks, but I snap-called Bateman, so it was just like a regular pick. I was trying to type in Ty Chandler when the clock expired. That said, Tua is a fine backup, and the value is certainly fair.

13.12 Roschon Johnson — I don’t trust D’Andre Swift to hold up, and there are rumors Khalil Herbert might be dealt.

14.1 Michael Wilson — Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride will get most of the looks, but Wilson should be the No. 3 after a solid rookie year, and Year 2 is when receivers typically break out.

15.12 Kenneth Gainwell — I hope Saquon Barkley sets the league on fire, but he’s been hurt a good deal. But maybe this was a bad pick because fourth rounder Will Shipley could take on a bigger role in that event. (I honestly had neglected Shipley when building my initial cheat sheet.)

16.1 Roman Wilson —In contrast to Gainwell, I really like this pick. Van Jefferson is a scrub, and Wilson could be the Steelers No. 2 before long. Moreover, George Pickens seems more like a field stretcher than true No. 1. I expect to have a lot of Wilson at this price.

17.12 Chiefs Kicker — How could I not take Harrison Butker after the offseason he’s had?

18.1 Elijah Moore — He’s been a bust so far, but Amari Cooper is getting old, and Jerry Jeudy has never really made it. Moore still has a small chance for a post-hype breakout.

19.12 Giants Defense — They have three dangerous rushers with Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and now Brian Burns and draw Sam Darnold and the Vikings Week 1, and Washington and its rookie QB Week 2.

20.1 Jonnu Smith — He can catch passes, and the Dolphins receiving corps isn’t very deep.

Roster By Position:

QB CJ Stroud RB Christian McCaffrey/De’Von Achane WR Stefon Diggs/Ladd McConkey/Rome Odunze TE Sam LaPorta FLEX Courtland Sutton K Harrison Butker D Giants B Jonathan Brooks/Rashid Shaheed/Rashod Bateman/Tua Tagovailoa/Roschon Johnson/Michael Wilson/Kenneth Gainwell/Roman Wilson/Elijah Moore/Jonnu Smith

@ f0aca767:dce3306e

A while back, I posted about The First Descendant and how, despite feeling clunky, and not really having satisfying gun play, it at least seemed to have the ability to satisfy more than Warframe. I may have been wrong about that. I may have sold Warframe a little short in being offered a new, shiny thing that lost its luster pretty damn quickly.

So, let's talk about the shooter-grinder that maybe started it all.

This story goes back all the way to 2014, around a year after Warframe had originally released. I was dating a locksmith at the time. Not very integral to the story, because her being a locksmith has nothing to do with Warframe ... It was just, you know, the biggest thing I remember about her (aside from, a year later, telling me she didn't think I was dating material). But, she was staying at my place, and I remember distinctly waking up in the morning to her, on my PC, playing this weird ... ninja space game. It had almost no features, no story, and really all you did was click a mission, then shoot things, and then pick up some loot. Wash, rinse, repeat.

There were no flying ship animations, no rotating solar maps, nothing.

I got into it for about a week or so before I realized I couldn't really take playing a game that was technically in open beta, or even alpha? I don't remember. So, I dropped it. I would revisit it again and again, shooting things, leveling up, and then losing motivation. Until suddenly, one day, the star map was moving, and you could see the ship you were on flying to those missions.

Amazing.

But I kept going in and out of it like tossing out pairs of socks. At least until around 2016 when an online friend convinced me to join her, because there was some ridiculous mission we had to do called "the Second Dream."

Let's just say, it blew me away. Finally. A character creator? And, a story? Albeit, you're some kind of Stranger Things-esque powerful teenager who pilots these metal space ninjas, but it was something. Evangelion, maybe.

I spent a week figuring out what all was new, ran around with my new human legs, found an open world thing on Earth ...

Yeah, I left the game again ... until 2018, and the Fortuna update. Needless to say, I was blown away, again. And, after getting frustrated that I couldn't just have the cool new guns and my own hoverboard in a reasonable amount of time ... I left.

This basically is the theme behind my relationship with Digital Extremes and Warframe. I'm the rubber-band player. Getting real excited about all the honestly really cool stuff, and revolutionary storytelling, and then having my motivation riddled with bullets and swords when faced with the prospect of having to spend time collecting things and grinding reputation.

The cycle begins again.

It's 2024, and I'm back in Warframe, enticed by some wild new expansion announcement that apparently takes you back to ... 1999??? HUH?

So, I'm swallowing the grind pill, and I'm doing it. Knocking every mission out, one by one, and I'm almost to the New War.

But, here are my feelings about Warframe, all these years later.

A space ninja MMO is freaking awesome. I have like, 20 different warframes, and some of them I've never even tried. I'm account level 8, almost 9, and I'm working on upgrading my own massive capital ship (called a Railjack). The story is gripping, wild, and probably some of the best writing I've ever seen in a game, and I cannot wait to get through to more recent content.

But, despite swallowing that pill, and despite working through toward what I want, that's the one problem that remains with Warframe. The game absolutely disrespects your time as a human being.

The Second War: Hey buddy, you need a Railjack and a Necramech before you can continue the story. Frikken' scrub.

Okay, so I have the Railjack, in which you use to engage in space combat that isn't all that much unlike combat in No Man's Sky. But ... the Necramech? Oh ... Oh, you gotta grind a bunch of materials on the dead moon Deimos before you can build it?

Queue the internal screaming. This is why I've left the game 40 times since 2014. I'm not a fan of grinding. I have a full-time job, I have extracurricular things I like to do with my time. Spending hours upon hours collecting materials, so I can build a mech, so I can engage in yet another form of combat, so I can continue the masterfully crafted storyline ... it seems to me like needless barriers to get to what you actually want.

The GAME.

But, sure, I mean, yeah. They need hooks to keep you playing, because if you blast through the storyline, and you don't have to do anything else, you lose your player base. I just wish grinding didn't feel like I suddenly had a second job. But ... I'M GONNA DO IT. I'm not quitting this time.

For real.

If you wanna help me out, my account name is CMDR_N0va.

My overall feelings on Warframe are that it's probably one of the best games ever made, that kind of annoys the absolute hell out of me ... at times.

@ 0176967e:1e6f471e

Objavte, ako avatari a pseudonymné identity ovplyvňujú riadenie kryptokomunít a decentralizovaných organizácií (DAOs). V tejto prednáške sa zameriame na praktické fungovanie decentralizovaného rozhodovania, vytváranie a správu avatarových profilov, a ich rolu v online reputačných systémoch. Naučíte sa, ako si vytvoriť efektívny pseudonymný profil, zapojiť sa do rôznych krypto projektov a využiť svoje aktivity na zarábanie kryptomien. Preskúmame aj príklady úspešných projektov a stratégie, ktoré vám pomôžu zorientovať sa a uspieť v dynamickom svete decentralizovaných komunít.

@ 4dbfcb7c:eb8d1695

For the most part, there are six package mangers that get used in Linux. Sure there are more, but mostly just six are used. A package manger is kind of like an app store. You don't get to choose your main package manager. Your Linux distro picks that.

The three most common main package managers are:

1. apt/dpkg (for Debian based distros)
2. pacman (for Arch based distros)
3. dnf / yum (for Red Hat based distros)

Then there are newer methods for installing packages across multiple distros. These are:

1. Flatpak
2. Appimage (doesn't install system wide)
3. Snapcraft (avoid this one, not true open-source)

Nick Explains

Nick from "The Linux Experiment" does an excellent job of explaining Linux package formats in this video over on TilVids. (Nick left Odysee because he doesn't like platforms that support true freedom.)

If you are a understandably a little confused about all the Linux options, watch Nick's video a couple of times.

In the end it is usually best to install your distro's official repository package unless you want or need a program's latest, greatest features, then you would go with Flatpak or Appimage.

Avoid Snapcraft.

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PackageManagers #Linux #AppStores #FOSS

@ 42342239:1d80db24

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, stated during a hearing in March that the central bank has no plans to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDCs) or consider it necessary at present. He said this even though the material Fed staff presents to Congress suggests otherwise - that CBDCs are described as one of the Fed’s key duties .

A CBDC is a state-controlled and programmable currency that could allow the government or its intermediaries the possibility to monitor all transactions in detail and also to block payments based on certain conditions.

Critics argue that the introduction of CBDCs could undermine citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights . Republican House Majority Leader Tom Emmer, the sponsor of a bill aimed at preventing the central bank from unilaterally introducing a CBDC, believes that if they do not mimic cash, they would only serve as a “CCP-style [Chinese Communist Party] surveillance tool” and could “undermine the American way of life”. Emmer’s proposed bill has garnered support from several US senators , including Republican Ted Cruz from Texas, who introduced the bill to the Senate. Similarly to how Swedish cash advocates risk missing the mark , Tom Emmer and the US senators risk the same outcome with their bill. If the central bank is prevented from introducing a central bank digital currency, nothing would stop major banks from implementing similar systems themselves, with similar consequences for citizens.

Indeed, the entity controlling your money becomes less significant once it is no longer you. Even if central bank digital currencies are halted in the US, a future administration could easily outsource financial censorship to the private banking system, similar to how the Biden administration is perceived by many to have circumvented the First Amendment by getting private companies to enforce censorship. A federal court in New Orleans ruled last fall against the Biden administration for compelling social media platforms to censor content. The Supreme Court has now begun hearing the case.

Deng Xiaoping, China’s paramount leader who played a vital role in China’s modernization, once said, “It does not matter if the cat is black or white. What matters is that it catches mice.” This statement reflected a pragmatic approach to economic policy, focusing on results foremost. China’s economic growth during his tenure was historic.

The discussion surrounding CBDCs and their negative impact on citizens’ freedoms and rights would benefit from a more practical and comprehensive perspective. Ultimately, it is the outcomes that matter above all. So too for our freedoms.

@ 4dbfcb7c:eb8d1695

The Free Software Foundation reviews and approves hardware that will run on FOSS drivers. This means all the driver code for the approved hardware on their website is open-source.

You can browse their approved hardware on the "Respects Your Freedom" website:

Hardware Categories: - Laptops - Routers - Bluetooth Adapter - Workstations and Servers - Mainboards - Wireless Adapters - Ethernet Adapters - Docking Stations - Audio - Adapters - Controllers/RAID - Chip Programmers - Discontinued

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FossApprovedHardware #LINUX #FSF #FreeSoftwareFoundation

@ 8947a945:9bfcf626

27 มกราคม 2017 เป็นวันเกิดลูกชายของผม และเป็นวันที่ครอบครัวของผมย้ายเข้ามาอาศัยบ้านหลังแรกที่ซื้อ เพื่อลงหลักปักฐานที่จังหวัดนนทบุรี บ้านหลังนี้เป็น “หนี้ธนาคาร” ก้อนแรกในชีวิตของผม ถ้าผมไม่คิดมาก ลำพังรายได้จากงานประจำของผมก็เพียงพอกับการผ่อนธนาคารและได้บ้านเป็นของตัวเอง เพียงแต่ต้องใช้ระยะเวลาประมาณ 20 ปี ผมมีความคิดไม่อยากเป็นหนี้นานขนาดนั้น เลยมองหาโอกาสในการสร้างรายได้ทางอื่นๆนอกจากงานประจำ เหตุการณ์นี้เป็นจุดเริ่มต้นของผมในการศึกษาหาความรู้ใหม่ๆเรื่องการเงินครับ

“เป็นหนี้(บ้าน) ทำให้มีไฟในการหารายได้เพิ่มนั่นเอง”

ผมมีโอกาสได้ศึกษาวิชาการลงทุนในตลาดหุ้น , การเทรดเก็งกำไรสินค้าต่างๆของต่างประเทศ , กองทุนรวม + ตราสารหนี้ รวมถึงบิตคอยน์และเหรียญคริปโตอื่นๆ ใช้เวลาหลายปีกว่าจะเข้าใจและอยู่รอดได้ แต่ก็ยังไม่ประสบความสำเร็จตามเป้าหมาย

ในช่วงปีนั้นเป็นช่วงเวลาที่มีการสร้างคอนโดตามแนวรถไฟฟ้า BTS บริเวณพญาไท สุขุมวิทย์จำนวนมาก มีการซื้อขายกันอย่างคึกคักทำให้หลายๆคนประสบความสำเร็จในการลงทุนอสังหา ขณะเดียวกันรถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงในจังหวัดนนทบุรีได้เปิดใช้เป็นทางการ เป็นเส้นทางรถไฟฟ้าสายแรกที่เชื่อมจังหวัดนนทบุรีเข้ากับกรุงเทพ มีคอนโดสร้างใหม่ตลอดแนวรถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงเป็นจำนวนมาก ดึงดูดนักลงทุนในแวดวงอสังหาอยู่ไม่น้อย

“รีบซื้อคอนโดตามแนวรถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงจังหวัดนนทบุรี จะได้สำเร็จเหมือนการครอบครองคอนโดตามแนว BTS ในกรุงเทพ ” หรือ “ซื้อคอนโดจังหวัดนนทบุรี ใกล้แหล่งงาน เดินทางเข้าออกตัวเมืองสะดวก รวดเร็ว”

แต่ความจริงจังหวัดนนทบุรี มีระบบขนส่งสาธารณะที่ครอบคลุมมากเพียงพออยู่แล้ว ได้แก่

รถเมล์รถประจำทาง รถสองแถว พี่วินมอเตอร์ไซค์ เรือด่วนแม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา

การขนส่งสาธารณะในจังหวัดนนทบุรี ครอบคลุม สะดวกสบาย ดีอยู่แล้ว

การเดินทางภายในตัวนนทบุรีก็ดี การเดินทางไป-กลับกรุงเทพก็ดี มันไม่ได้ยากขนาดนั้น ค่าเดินทางก็ถูกกว่าการขึ้นรถไฟฟ้ามากอยู่ ผมได้แต่คิดว่าคอนโดที่สร้างใหม่เหล่านี้มันจำเป็นจริงๆหรือเปล่า จะมีความต้องการในการซื้อ (demand) มากตามการคาดการณ์จริงหรือเปล่า เป็นการลงทุนที่คุ้มค่าจริงหรือเปล่า ในวันนี้ที่ผมกำลังเขียนบทความคือเดือนสิงหาคมปี 2024 ผมคิดว่าใครที่ติดตามข่าวสารการลงทุนและแวดวงอสังหาริมทรัพย์ก็คงจะทราบดีว่าความจริงเป็นยังไง

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มุมมองของผมต่อการลงทุนอสังหาริมทรัพย์

จากที่ผมศึกษาด้วยตัวเอง การลงทุนอสังหาฯ สามารถแบ่งได้หลักๆ 2 แบบคือ

ซื้อขายเก็งกำไร (Flip) ตรงตัวเลยครับ เป็นการเก็งกำไรมูลค่าในอนาคต ซื้อวันนี้ขายวันหน้า เพื่อหวังกำไรส่วนต่าง (capital gain)

ซื้อและถือระยะยาว (Hold) เป็นการซื้อแล้วถือเก็บไว้ แล้วทำให้มันสร้างค่าเช่ารายเดือนเป็นกระแสเงินสด

สาย hold เป็นการลงทุนที่ปลอดภัยกว่า ผลตอบแทนไม่ได้โลดโผน ไม่ได้ตื่นเต้นมาก แต่มันมีข้อดีคือสามารถสร้างผลตอบแทนนิ่งๆได้ในทุกสภาวะเศรษฐกิจ ที่อยู่อาศัยเป็นหนึ่งในปัจจัยสี่ที่มนุษย์ต้องมี ยกเว้นเสียแต่ว่ามนุษย์จะย้ายไปอาศัยอยู่ในถ้ำหรือบนต้นไม้ อันนั้นอีกเรื่องนึง

แต่อุปสรรคที่สำคัญของการเข้ามาสู่วงการอสังหาที่หลายๆคนทราบกันดีก็คือต้องมีทุนที่มากพอ เริ่มต้นหลักล้านในครอบครองคอนโดซักห้องนึง ถ้าหากว่าไม่ได้มีเงินสดมากพอก็ต้องยอมเป็นหนี้ธนาคารในการกู้ ตอนนั้นเองสถานการณ์ครอบครัวของผมยังไม่ได้วางแผนเผื่อการเอาตัวเข้าไปในวงการนี้ ผมเข้าใจดีว่ามันเป็นลงทุนที่น่าสนใจ เพียงแต่ “มันยังไม่ใช่สำหรับเรา ในตอนนั้น”

แต่ทำความเข้าใจก่อนนะครับ คำว่าอสังหาริมทรัพย์ มันไม่ได้หมายถึงคอนโดอย่างเดียว มันยังมีอย่างอื่นอีกได้แก่

อาคารชุด (คอนโด) - ตึกแถว - ทาวโฮม - บ้านเดี่ยว - อาคารพานิชย์ - ที่ดิน - โกดังสินค้า - อพาร์ตเม้นท์ ห้องเช่า - โรงแรม - รีสอร์ท

อสังหาริมทรัพย์ = ทรัพย์สินที่เดินไปไหนไม่ได้ เอาติดตัวไปด้วยไม่ได้

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วิกฤตครอบครัว และ การได้เป็นเจ้าของคอนโดห้องแรก

จากที่ผมเกริ่นไว้ตอนแรก “เป็นหนี้(บ้าน) ทำให้มีไฟในการหารายได้เพิ่ม” มันเกิดดาบสองคมที่หันมาฆ่าผมเอง ผมเก็งกำไรในตลาด futures แล้วพอร์ตระเบิด มูลค่าความเสียหายประมาณ 1,500,000 บาทครับ

มันเกิดจาก “กับดักของเทรดเดอร์หน้าใหม่” ที่คิดว่าตัวเองเข้าใจการเทรดแล้ว อ่านตลาดออกแล้ว นั่นเองครับ มาลองดูนะครับว่ามันเหมือนกระสบการณ์ของเพื่อนๆมั้ย

เรียนการเทรดเอง คิดว่าเข้าใจแล้ว แล้วก็ไปไม่รอด

ผมศึกษาจาก Youtube ครับ ดูคลิปไป 3–4 คลิป ก็เข้าใจว่า “ตัวเองเข้าใจแล้ว” ง่ายแค่นี้เอง แต่พอไปเทรดเอง เจอของจริงหน้างาน กลับขาดทุน

ตามหาระบบเทพในการเทรด

ไปหาตามเวบบอร์ดทั้งไทย ทั้งของต่างชาติ ทั้งระบบฟรีและเสียตังค์ ไปลองมาหมดครับ แล้วก็ขาดทุน

ไปซื้อคอร์สเรียน

ทั้งเรียนออนไลน์และเรียนตัวต่อตัวกับครูผู้เชี่ยวชาญในวิธีการของเขา ผมไปเรียนคอร์สตัวต่อตัวกับครูสองท่าน ปัจจุบันนี้ครูทั้งสองท่านทำกำไรได้สม่ำเสมอจนลาออกจากงานประจำมาเลี้ยงชีพเลี้ยงครอบครัว ส่งลูกเรียนโรงเรียนนานาชาติได้จากรายได้จากการเทรด มันฟังดูยิ่งใหญ่และน่าชื่นชมมาก แต่ด้วยวิธีการเทรดและเงื่อนไขทางด้านเวลาของผม ทำให้ไม่สามารถทำเหมือนครู่ทั้งสองท่านได้ ก็ขาดทุนครับ แต่ขาดทุนไม่มาก เพราะเป็นการเทรดที่ทำตามระบบ

จ้างโปรแกรมเมอร์เขียนบอทเทรด แต่ไม่รอบคอบ

ความรู้ที่ผมได้จากครูท่านแรก มันคือการสร้างระบบเทรดและทดสอบย้อนหลังด้วยตัวเอง (systematic and back test) เป็นการเทรดที่มีเงื่อนไขการเข้าและออกออเดอร์ชัดเจน แต่ว่ามันต้องเฝ้าจอใน timeframe 15 นาที มันทำให้ชีวิตผมไม่อันเป็นทำอะไรครับ เวลาไปเดินห้างซื้อของกับครอบครัว พอมีเสียง alert เตือนว่าถึงจุดเฝ้าระวังในการเปิดออเดอร์ ผมต้องขอเวลาครอบครัว หาที่นั่งแปปนึงแล้วบริหารจัดการการเทรด บางครั้ง alert ดังตอนกำลังขับรถ ผมก็ต้องเอามือข้างนึงมาจัดการการเทรด โชคดีที่เป็นช่วงรถติดแถวๆปิ่นเกล้า เลยรอดจากอุบัติเหตุ ผมมองว่ามันไม่เวิคละ เลยว่าจ้างฟรีแลนซ์จาก “fastwork” ของคุณ “ซีเค เจิง”ในการ code บอทเทรดให้ครับ มันทำงานได้ดีมาก แต่พี่ฟรีแลนซ์ท่านนั้นก็เตือนผมด้วยความหวังดีว่า

“อย่าพึ่ง” เอาไปลองกับบัญชีจริงนะ ไปลองในเดโม่ก่อน เอาให้แน่ใจก่อน เพราะเงื่อนไขการเทรดระบบของผมมันสุดยอดแห่งความซับซ้อนเลย

พี่เขากลัวว่าจะเขียนโค้ดผิดซักที่นึง ผมก็ลองบอทในบัญชีเดโม่อยู่ 1–2 สัปดาห์แล้วเห็นว่ามันใช้ได้ ก็เลยเอามาเปิดในบัญชีจริงครับ นี่คือข้อผิดพลาดอย่างนึงของผมก็คือ ในช่วงเวลาที่ทดสอบกับบัญชีเดโม่ มันชนะตลอด ไม่มีช่วงแพ้

อธิบายแบบนี้ครับ ระบบเทรดของผมเป็นการเทรดแบบ grid ระยะในการวิ่งของราคาที่จะปิดออเดอร์ไม่ว่าจะเป็น take profit หรือ stop loss มันแคบมาก มันเทรดไปประมาณ 10 ครั้ง มันจะแพ้ 1–2 ครั้ง แต่เวลาแพ้ครั้งนึงมูลค่าความเสียหายคือ ขาดทุน 15%

ไม่มีอะไรได้มาฟรีๆครับ ระบบเทรดที่อัตราชนะสูงถึง 90–95% เวลาเจอ 5–10% ที่เป็นการแพ้ แพ้ทีนึงจุก ครูผมเรียกว่า “inverted martingale” แต่มันแก้ด้วยการ money management ดีๆ

วันที่เกิดเรื่องผ่านไป 3 เดือนหลังจากเริ่มให้บิททำงานเทรดบนบัญชีจริง แล้วเจอวันที่มันแพ้พอดี วันนั้นบอทมันไม่ได้ stop loss แต่ปล่อยให้การขาดทุนไหลยาวไปเรื่อยๆ พอผมมาดูพบว่าพอร์ตมูลค่าเกือบๆหนึ่งล้านบาท ขาดทุนอยู่ 50–60% ผมเลยโทรปรึกษาพี่ที่เขียนบอทให้ ปรากฏว่ามันมีโค้ดที่ผิดพลาดในคำสั่ง stop loss ครับ สุดท้ายพอร์ตก็เสียหายหนัก

เอาเงินไปลงในเวบพนัน

ในเมื่อการเทรดเองมันยาก ไปลองหาช่องทางลัดก็แล้วกัน ชนิดที่ว่ารีบเข้ารีบออก ลุกช้าจ่ายรอบวง ผลลัพธ์คือขาดทุนครับ

เหตุการณ์ทั้งหมดนี้เกิดขึ้นในปี 2017–2018

ผลที่ตามมาก็คือบ้านแตก ภรรยาผมโมโหที่ผมทำอะไรไม่บอกและโมโหที่ผมแบกรับทุกอย่างไว้คนเดียวไม่ให้เขาเข้ามาช่วย ไม่ได้โกรธที่เทรดขาดทุน ภรรยาผมบอกว่าหากอยู่บ้านเดียวกันต่อไปมีความเป็นไปได้มากที่เขาจะขอหย่ากับผม (ก็เขาเคืองผมมาก) มีช่วงนึงที่เขาพาลูกไปเที่ยวไปค้างที่ต่างจังหวัด ตัดขาดการติดต่อกับผม เพื่อพักสมองพักความคิด จนสุดท้ายก็กลับมาคุยกัน แต่แก้วที่มันร้าวไปแล้วการคุยมันไม่ได้ราบรื่นหรอกครับ ภรรยาผมให้แยกกันอยู่คนละบ้าน ผมยอมรับข้อเสนอนี้ด้วยเหตุผลว่าให้สองแม่ลูกอยู่เป็นหลักแหล่งที่บ้าน ให้ทั้งคู่มีความปลอดภัย ส่วนผมออกไปตะลอนๆคนเดียวได้ไม่เป็นไร เพราะผมก่อเรื่องไว้ ก้มหน้าก้มตายอมรับผิดในสิ่งที่ตัวเองทำไป มันดีแล้ว

แต่ก็แปลกนะครับ กลายเป็นว่าสองคนสามีภรรยานั่งดูกันว่าจะหาห้องเช่าให้ผมอยู่ใกล้ๆที่ทำงาน มันจะได้ไม่ต้องเหนื่อยกับการเดินทางมาก พอจะรู้ราคาค่าเช่าบ้างแล้ว แต่ก็พบว่าบริเวณใกล้เคียงก็มีคอนโดที่พึ่งสร้างเสร็จ ราคาเช่าก็ไม่ได้ต่างจากห้องเช่ามาก เลยพากันเข้าไปดูครับ

“ตั้งใจว่าจะไปหาห้องคอนโดเช่า แต่ดันได้เป็นเจ้าของกรรมสิทธิ์คอนโดซะเอง”

คอนโดหลังนี้คือโครงการ Zeen condo อยู่ซอยงามวงศ์วาน 31 ห้องที่ผมได้ครอบครองเป็นห้องชั้น 6 ห้องริมที่หันหลังเข้าซอยชุมชนดั้งเดิม ไม่มีตึกสูงบังวิว ลมพัดเข้าทั้งวัน เงียบ ขนาด 28.xx ตารางเมตร เป็นห้องที่หลุดมาจากผู้ยื่นกู้ซื้อ 2 ท่านก่อนหน้านี้

ส่วนกระบวนการการคิดการตัดสินใจ กู้เพิ่มภาระหนี้ ตอนนั้นผมและภรรยาคิดอะไรอยู่ เดี๋ยวมาเล่าให้ฟังต่อตอนต่อไปนะครับ

@ a619eb76:11d75935

II. Quantity, Quality, Morality

In the Brave New World of my fantasy eugenics and dysgenics were practiced systematically. In one set of bottles biologically superior ova, fertilized by biologically superior sperm, were given the best possible prenatal treatment and were finally decanted as Betas, Alphas and even Alpha Pluses. In another, much more numerous set of bottles, biologically inferior ova, fertilized by biologically inferior sperm, were subjected to the Bokanovsky Process (ninety-six identical twins out of a single egg) and treated prenatally with alcohol and other protein poisons. The creatures finally decanted were almost subhuman; but they were capable of performing unskilled work and, when properly conditioned, detensioned by free and frequent access to the opposite sex, constantly distracted by gratuitous entertainment and reinforced in their good behavior patterns by daily doses of soma, could be counted on to give no trouble to their superiors.

In this second half of the twentieth century we do nothing systematic about our breeding; but in our random and unregulated way we are not only over-populating our planet, we are also, it would seem, making sure that these greater numbers shall be of biologically poorer quality. In the bad old days children with considerable, or even with slight, hereditary defects rarely survived. Today, thanks to sanitation, modern pharmacology and the social conscience, most of the children born with hereditary defects reach maturity and multiply their kind. Under the conditions now prevailing, every advance in medicine will tend to be offset by a corresponding advance in the survival rate of individuals cursed by some genetic insufficiency. In spite of new wonder drugs and better treatment (indeed, in a certain sense, precisely because of these things), the physical health of the general population will show no improvement, and may even deteriorate. And along with a decline of average healthiness there may well go a decline in average intelligence. Indeed, some competent authorities are convinced that such a decline has already taken place and is continuing. "Under conditions that are both soft and unregulated," writes Dr. W. H. Sheldon, "our best stock tends to be outbred by stock that is inferior to it in every respect. . . . It is the fashion in some academic circles to assure students that the alarm over differential birthrates is unfounded; that these problems are merely economic, or merely educational, or merely religious, or merely cultural or something of the sort. This is Pollyanna optimism. Reproductive delinquency is biological and basic." And he adds that "nobody knows just how far the average IQ in this country [the U.S.A.] has declined since 1916, when Terman attempted to standardize the meaning of IQ 100."

In an underdeveloped and over-populated country, where four-fifths of the people get less than two thousand calories a day and one-fifth enjoys an adequate diet, can democratic institutions arise spontaneously? Or if they should be imposed from outside or from above, can they possibly survive?

And now let us consider the case of the rich, industrialized and democratic society, in which, owing to the random but effective practice of dysgenics, IQ's and physical vigor are on the decline. For how long can such a society maintain its traditions of individual liberty and democratic government? Fifty or a hundred years from now our children will learn the answer to this question.

Meanwhile we find ourselves confronted by a most disturbing moral problem. We know that the pursuit of good ends does not justify the employment of bad means. But what about those situations, now of such frequent occurrence, in which good means have end results which turn out to be bad?

For example, we go to a tropical island and with the aid of DDT we stamp out malaria and, in two or three years, save hundreds of thousands of lives. This is obviously good. But the hundreds of thousands of human beings thus saved, and the millions whom they beget and bring to birth, cannot be adequately clothed, housed, educated or even fed out of the island's available resources. Quick death by malaria has been abolished; but life made miserable by undernourishment and over-crowding is now the rule, and slow death by outright starvation threatens ever greater numbers.

And what about the congenitally insufficient organisms, whom our medicine and our social services now preserve so that they may propagate their kind? To help the unfortunate is obviously good. But the wholesale transmission to our descendants of the results of unfavorable mutations, and the progressive contamination of the genetic pool from which the members of our species will have to draw, are no less obviously bad. We are on the horns of an ethical dilemma, and to find the middle way will require all our intelligence and all our good will.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/624998

@ 700c6cbf:a92816fd

Hello Nostr-verse,

I have now fiddled so much with the photos and table, so, enjoy the photos!

https://cdn.satellite.earth/b24577e9162d7a313f703bef22b169f33945b9314d70561c953f01e96011776a.jpg

The first set of photos shows the progress from a nice, ripe and bubbly sourdough starter to mixing the dough and putting it in the fridge for overnight cool proofing.

| | | | --- | --- | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/b505474eeadfc64e1874162ac57dab05b8ba0926c0361442b0c462887af21026.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/6d7c8faac003a3937e0dc35ef2ee1d230e1e3e781e5fa6aae9dbc9e58140f30e.jpg | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/7ac5dbc578074c0ab101fdb45c4e9ea158da060aaac7bfe09071ed9cdae58de6.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/40429d73a05dfe7437656d6d26ab12ce506b1d519732a65302f1c6a07df384da.jpg | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/b594cf669967bf944f94e23112f4518318752574f2264a2c7a121cf03de46313.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/4d4fc89a986b25bb8bcb135fae8c5358aaaf3b34affbbc79bc44722bcf60aeb6.jpg | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/9a25fde6fb761a52ca7d669f2a26b6c95536fcf01c5e22eeeff05a611af8fe60.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/af9d0f9a48e6d3e76c33a88ce4cefd87125a26bd9e2f1ec1f01ae40fe9cdc611.jpg |

You can see quite nicely how the dough kept on developing overnight. I knew last night that I didn't want to make bread otherwise I would have shaped a bread loaf and stored it in a banneton overnight. This time I was going to make

Breadlings

a.k.a. rolls or dinner rolls. There wasn't much shaping involved, none actually. I took the dough out of the bowl, put it on a floured surface and divided it into 12 (?) differently shaped little dough pieces.

I placed them on a baking paper into my Dutch oven and baked each batch for about 30 - 35 minutes, 10 minutes on high heat and the remaining time on moderate heat.

| | | | --- | --- | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/b786ddc52895468ee47d59cca7a8bb0361a4cac1a59d06721232264edd510eb0.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/0ef42689e0b0b5647abbd5111cabb69a40b4d47c23b443cb51a2f89b80c61b04.jpg | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/184c7dc2e23ec939ebbc7f6d11d80acf3789af9fe58ce4485c1d7069d9e52bdc.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/1f5df9aa5be31bb80c2ac61185db3f9b755b5d0baa51c477e8ae9ac533d40db5.jpg | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/4617bea30796b81fddc1ecde6a354bd975c0e1628c6de54f0792ba2b88c62ffb.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/ec0aa6496b521285ccf0c206e9e8776980922518e1789796f267388c31f83845.jpg | | https://cdn.satellite.earth/8ac7a1cb4b621c803ef42bb98d9d7c079f5723a632d9be6b105c048db44e123a.jpg | https://cdn.satellite.earth/9287253cd388f00b3083e713695c7de86a7e8ec2cdb4271db39da8b9da003740.jpg |

Then they had to cool down before, finally, two of them found their way onto our breakfast table and into our tummies.

The verdict:

Awesome! They were slightly crusty on the outside, chewy but airy on the inside - perfect!

https://cdn.satellite.earth/d239a280f8a23fe6d68657201d5000da074b963d1f9eba423f50f9337416bb67.jpg

Happy Weekend! OceanBee

@ e5b840c0:9f381215

(I wrote this talk for a high school. I never actually gave it, because the school authorities vetoed the plan to invite me.)

When I said I was speaking at a high school, my friends were curious. What will you say to high school students? So I asked them, what do you wish someone had told you in high school? Their answers were remarkably similar. So I'm going to tell you what we all wish someone had told us.

I'll start by telling you something you don't have to know in high school: what you want to do with your life. People are always asking you this, so you think you're supposed to have an answer. But adults ask this mainly as a conversation starter. They want to know what sort of person you are, and this question is just to get you talking. They ask it the way you might poke a hermit crab in a tide pool, to see what it does.

If I were back in high school and someone asked about my plans, I'd say that my first priority was to learn what the options were. You don't need to be in a rush to choose your life's work. What you need to do is discover what you like. You have to work on stuff you like if you want to be good at what you do.

It might seem that nothing would be easier than deciding what you like, but it turns out to be hard, partly because it's hard to get an accurate picture of most jobs. Being a doctor is not the way it's portrayed on TV. Fortunately you can also watch real doctors, by volunteering in hospitals. [1]

But there are other jobs you can't learn about, because no one is doing them yet. Most of the work I've done in the last ten years didn't exist when I was in high school. The world changes fast, and the rate at which it changes is itself speeding up. In such a world it's not a good idea to have fixed plans.

And yet every May, speakers all over the country fire up the Standard Graduation Speech, the theme of which is: don't give up on your dreams. I know what they mean, but this is a bad way to put it, because it implies you're supposed to be bound by some plan you made early on. The computer world has a name for this: premature optimization. And it is synonymous with disaster. These speakers would do better to say simply, don't give up.

What they really mean is, don't get demoralized. Don't think that you can't do what other people can. And I agree you shouldn't underestimate your potential. People who've done great things tend to seem as if they were a race apart. And most biographies only exaggerate this illusion, partly due to the worshipful attitude biographers inevitably sink into, and partly because, knowing how the story ends, they can't help streamlining the plot till it seems like the subject's life was a matter of destiny, the mere unfolding of some innate genius. In fact I suspect if you had the sixteen year old Shakespeare or Einstein in school with you, they'd seem impressive, but not totally unlike your other friends.

Which is an uncomfortable thought. If they were just like us, then they had to work very hard to do what they did. And that's one reason we like to believe in genius. It gives us an excuse for being lazy. If these guys were able to do what they did only because of some magic Shakespeareness or Einsteinness, then it's not our fault if we can't do something as good.

I'm not saying there's no such thing as genius. But if you're trying to choose between two theories and one gives you an excuse for being lazy, the other one is probably right.

So far we've cut the Standard Graduation Speech down from "don't give up on your dreams" to "what someone else can do, you can do." But it needs to be cut still further. There is some variation in natural ability. Most people overestimate its role, but it does exist. If I were talking to a guy four feet tall whose ambition was to play in the NBA, I'd feel pretty stupid saying, you can do anything if you really try. [2]

We need to cut the Standard Graduation Speech down to, "what someone else with your abilities can do, you can do; and don't underestimate your abilities." But as so often happens, the closer you get to the truth, the messier your sentence gets. We've taken a nice, neat (but wrong) slogan, and churned it up like a mud puddle. It doesn't make a very good speech anymore. But worse still, it doesn't tell you what to do anymore. Someone with your abilities? What are your abilities?

Upwind

I think the solution is to work in the other direction. Instead of working back from a goal, work forward from promising situations. This is what most successful people actually do anyway.

In the graduation-speech approach, you decide where you want to be in twenty years, and then ask: what should I do now to get there? I propose instead that you don't commit to anything in the future, but just look at the options available now, and choose those that will give you the most promising range of options afterward.

It's not so important what you work on, so long as you're not wasting your time. Work on things that interest you and increase your options, and worry later about which you'll take.

Suppose you're a college freshman deciding whether to major in math or economics. Well, math will give you more options: you can go into almost any field from math. If you major in math it will be easy to get into grad school in economics, but if you major in economics it will be hard to get into grad school in math.

Flying a glider is a good metaphor here. Because a glider doesn't have an engine, you can't fly into the wind without losing a lot of altitude. If you let yourself get far downwind of good places to land, your options narrow uncomfortably. As a rule you want to stay upwind. So I propose that as a replacement for "don't give up on your dreams." Stay upwind.

How do you do that, though? Even if math is upwind of economics, how are you supposed to know that as a high school student?

Well, you don't, and that's what you need to find out. Look for smart people and hard problems. Smart people tend to clump together, and if you can find such a clump, it's probably worthwhile to join it. But it's not straightforward to find these, because there is a lot of faking going on.

To a newly arrived undergraduate, all university departments look much the same. The professors all seem forbiddingly intellectual and publish papers unintelligible to outsiders. But while in some fields the papers are unintelligible because they're full of hard ideas, in others they're deliberately written in an obscure way to seem as if they're saying something important. This may seem a scandalous proposition, but it has been experimentally verified, in the famous Social Text affair. Suspecting that the papers published by literary theorists were often just intellectual-sounding nonsense, a physicist deliberately wrote a paper full of intellectual-sounding nonsense, and submitted it to a literary theory journal, which published it.

The best protection is always to be working on hard problems. Writing novels is hard. Reading novels isn't. Hard means worry: if you're not worrying that something you're making will come out badly, or that you won't be able to understand something you're studying, then it isn't hard enough. There has to be suspense.

Well, this seems a grim view of the world, you may think. What I'm telling you is that you should worry? Yes, but it's not as bad as it sounds. It's exhilarating to overcome worries. You don't see faces much happier than people winning gold medals. And you know why they're so happy? Relief.

I'm not saying this is the only way to be happy. Just that some kinds of worry are not as bad as they sound.

Ambition

In practice, "stay upwind" reduces to "work on hard problems." And you can start today. I wish I'd grasped that in high school.

Most people like to be good at what they do. In the so-called real world this need is a powerful force. But high school students rarely benefit from it, because they're given a fake thing to do. When I was in high school, I let myself believe that my job was to be a high school student. And so I let my need to be good at what I did be satisfied by merely doing well in school.

If you'd asked me in high school what the difference was between high school kids and adults, I'd have said it was that adults had to earn a living. Wrong. It's that adults take responsibility for themselves. Making a living is only a small part of it. Far more important is to take intellectual responsibility for oneself.

If I had to go through high school again, I'd treat it like a day job. I don't mean that I'd slack in school. Working at something as a day job doesn't mean doing it badly. It means not being defined by it. I mean I wouldn't think of myself as a high school student, just as a musician with a day job as a waiter doesn't think of himself as a waiter. [3] And when I wasn't working at my day job I'd start trying to do real work.

When I ask people what they regret most about high school, they nearly all say the same thing: that they wasted so much time. If you're wondering what you're doing now that you'll regret most later, that's probably it. [4]

Some people say this is inevitable — that high school students aren't capable of getting anything done yet. But I don't think this is true. And the proof is that you're bored. You probably weren't bored when you were eight. When you're eight it's called "playing" instead of "hanging out," but it's the same thing. And when I was eight, I was rarely bored. Give me a back yard and a few other kids and I could play all day.

The reason this got stale in middle school and high school, I now realize, is that I was ready for something else. Childhood was getting old.

I'm not saying you shouldn't hang out with your friends — that you should all become humorless little robots who do nothing but work. Hanging out with friends is like chocolate cake. You enjoy it more if you eat it occasionally than if you eat nothing but chocolate cake for every meal. No matter how much you like chocolate cake, you'll be pretty queasy after the third meal of it. And that's what the malaise one feels in high school is: mental queasiness. [5]

You may be thinking, we have to do more than get good grades. We have to have extracurricular activities. But you know perfectly well how bogus most of these are. Collecting donations for a charity is an admirable thing to do, but it's not hard. It's not getting something done. What I mean by getting something done is learning how to write well, or how to program computers, or what life was really like in preindustrial societies, or how to draw the human face from life. This sort of thing rarely translates into a line item on a college application.

Corruption

It's dangerous to design your life around getting into college, because the people you have to impress to get into college are not a very discerning audience. At most colleges, it's not the professors who decide whether you get in, but admissions officers, and they are nowhere near as smart. They're the NCOs of the intellectual world. They can't tell how smart you are. The mere existence of prep schools is proof of that.

Few parents would pay so much for their kids to go to a school that didn't improve their admissions prospects. Prep schools openly say this is one of their aims. But what that means, if you stop to think about it, is that they can hack the admissions process: that they can take the very same kid and make him seem a more appealing candidate than he would if he went to the local public school. [6]

Right now most of you feel your job in life is to be a promising college applicant. But that means you're designing your life to satisfy a process so mindless that there's a whole industry devoted to subverting it. No wonder you become cynical. The malaise you feel is the same that a producer of reality TV shows or a tobacco industry executive feels. And you don't even get paid a lot.

So what do you do? What you should not do is rebel. That's what I did, and it was a mistake. I didn't realize exactly what was happening to us, but I smelled a major rat. And so I just gave up. Obviously the world sucked, so why bother?

When I discovered that one of our teachers was herself using Cliff's Notes, it seemed par for the course. Surely it meant nothing to get a good grade in such a class.

In retrospect this was stupid. It was like someone getting fouled in a soccer game and saying, hey, you fouled me, that's against the rules, and walking off the field in indignation. Fouls happen. The thing to do when you get fouled is not to lose your cool. Just keep playing.

By putting you in this situation, society has fouled you. Yes, as you suspect, a lot of the stuff you learn in your classes is crap. And yes, as you suspect, the college admissions process is largely a charade. But like many fouls, this one was unintentional. [7] So just keep playing.

Rebellion is almost as stupid as obedience. In either case you let yourself be defined by what they tell you to do. The best plan, I think, is to step onto an orthogonal vector. Don't just do what they tell you, and don't just refuse to. Instead treat school as a day job. As day jobs go, it's pretty sweet. You're done at 3 o'clock, and you can even work on your own stuff while you're there.

Curiosity

And what's your real job supposed to be? Unless you're Mozart, your first task is to figure that out. What are the great things to work on? Where are the imaginative people? And most importantly, what are you interested in? The word "aptitude" is misleading, because it implies something innate. The most powerful sort of aptitude is a consuming interest in some question, and such interests are often acquired tastes.

A distorted version of this idea has filtered into popular culture under the name "passion." I recently saw an ad for waiters saying they wanted people with a "passion for service." The real thing is not something one could have for waiting on tables. And passion is a bad word for it. A better name would be curiosity.

Kids are curious, but the curiosity I mean has a different shape from kid curiosity. Kid curiosity is broad and shallow; they ask why at random about everything. In most adults this curiosity dries up entirely. It has to: you can't get anything done if you're always asking why about everything. But in ambitious adults, instead of drying up, curiosity becomes narrow and deep. The mud flat morphs into a well.

Curiosity turns work into play. For Einstein, relativity wasn't a book full of hard stuff he had to learn for an exam. It was a mystery he was trying to solve. So it probably felt like less work to him to invent it than it would seem to someone now to learn it in a class.

One of the most dangerous illusions you get from school is the idea that doing great things requires a lot of discipline. Most subjects are taught in such a boring way that it's only by discipline that you can flog yourself through them. So I was surprised when, early in college, I read a quote by Wittgenstein saying that he had no self-discipline and had never been able to deny himself anything, not even a cup of coffee.

Now I know a number of people who do great work, and it's the same with all of them. They have little discipline. They're all terrible procrastinators and find it almost impossible to make themselves do anything they're not interested in. One still hasn't sent out his half of the thank-you notes from his wedding, four years ago. Another has 26,000 emails in her inbox.

I'm not saying you can get away with zero self-discipline. You probably need about the amount you need to go running. I'm often reluctant to go running, but once I do, I enjoy it. And if I don't run for several days, I feel ill. It's the same with people who do great things. They know they'll feel bad if they don't work, and they have enough discipline to get themselves to their desks to start working. But once they get started, interest takes over, and discipline is no longer necessary.

Do you think Shakespeare was gritting his teeth and diligently trying to write Great Literature? Of course not. He was having fun. That's why he's so good.

If you want to do good work, what you need is a great curiosity about a promising question. The critical moment for Einstein was when he looked at Maxwell's equations and said, what the hell is going on here?

It can take years to zero in on a productive question, because it can take years to figure out what a subject is really about. To take an extreme example, consider math. Most people think they hate math, but the boring stuff you do in school under the name "mathematics" is not at all like what mathematicians do.

The great mathematician G. H. Hardy said he didn't like math in high school either. He only took it up because he was better at it than the other students. Only later did he realize math was interesting — only later did he start to ask questions instead of merely answering them correctly.

When a friend of mine used to grumble because he had to write a paper for school, his mother would tell him: find a way to make it interesting. That's what you need to do: find a question that makes the world interesting. People who do great things look at the same world everyone else does, but notice some odd detail that's compellingly mysterious.

And not only in intellectual matters. Henry Ford's great question was, why do cars have to be a luxury item? What would happen if you treated them as a commodity? Franz Beckenbauer's was, in effect, why does everyone have to stay in his position? Why can't defenders score goals too?

Now

If it takes years to articulate great questions, what do you do now, at sixteen? Work toward finding one. Great questions don't appear suddenly. They gradually congeal in your head. And what makes them congeal is experience. So the way to find great questions is not to search for them — not to wander about thinking, what great discovery shall I make? You can't answer that; if you could, you'd have made it.

The way to get a big idea to appear in your head is not to hunt for big ideas, but to put in a lot of time on work that interests you, and in the process keep your mind open enough that a big idea can take roost. Einstein, Ford, and Beckenbauer all used this recipe. They all knew their work like a piano player knows the keys. So when something seemed amiss to them, they had the confidence to notice it.

Put in time how and on what? Just pick a project that seems interesting: to master some chunk of material, or to make something, or to answer some question. Choose a project that will take less than a month, and make it something you have the means to finish. Do something hard enough to stretch you, but only just, especially at first. If you're deciding between two projects, choose whichever seems most fun. If one blows up in your face, start another. Repeat till, like an internal combustion engine, the process becomes self-sustaining, and each project generates the next one. (This could take years.)

It may be just as well not to do a project "for school," if that will restrict you or make it seem like work. Involve your friends if you want, but not too many, and only if they're not flakes. Friends offer moral support (few startups are started by one person), but secrecy also has its advantages. There's something pleasing about a secret project. And you can take more risks, because no one will know if you fail.

Don't worry if a project doesn't seem to be on the path to some goal you're supposed to have. Paths can bend a lot more than you think. So let the path grow out the project. The most important thing is to be excited about it, because it's by doing that you learn.

Don't disregard unseemly motivations. One of the most powerful is the desire to be better than other people at something. Hardy said that's what got him started, and I think the only unusual thing about him is that he admitted it. Another powerful motivator is the desire to do, or know, things you're not supposed to. Closely related is the desire to do something audacious. Sixteen year olds aren't supposed to write novels. So if you try, anything you achieve is on the plus side of the ledger; if you fail utterly, you're doing no worse than expectations. [8]

Beware of bad models. Especially when they excuse laziness. When I was in high school I used to write "existentialist" short stories like ones I'd seen by famous writers. My stories didn't have a lot of plot, but they were very deep. And they were less work to write than entertaining ones would have been. I should have known that was a danger sign. And in fact I found my stories pretty boring; what excited me was the idea of writing serious, intellectual stuff like the famous writers.

Now I have enough experience to realize that those famous writers actually sucked. Plenty of famous people do; in the short term, the quality of one's work is only a small component of fame. I should have been less worried about doing something that seemed cool, and just done something I liked. That's the actual road to coolness anyway.

A key ingredient in many projects, almost a project on its own, is to find good books. Most books are bad. Nearly all textbooks are bad. [9] So don't assume a subject is to be learned from whatever book on it happens to be closest. You have to search actively for the tiny number of good books.

The important thing is to get out there and do stuff. Instead of waiting to be taught, go out and learn.

Your life doesn't have to be shaped by admissions officers. It could be shaped by your own curiosity. It is for all ambitious adults. And you don't have to wait to start. In fact, you don't have to wait to be an adult. There's no switch inside you that magically flips when you turn a certain age or graduate from some institution. You start being an adult when you decide to take responsibility for your life. You can do that at any age. [10]

This may sound like bullshit. I'm just a minor, you may think, I have no money, I have to live at home, I have to do what adults tell me all day long. Well, most adults labor under restrictions just as cumbersome, and they manage to get things done. If you think it's restrictive being a kid, imagine having kids.

The only real difference between adults and high school kids is that adults realize they need to get things done, and high school kids don't. That realization hits most people around 23. But I'm letting you in on the secret early. So get to work. Maybe you can be the first generation whose greatest regret from high school isn't how much time you wasted.

@ cc05487a:8eddd6a8

I've shared this story a couple of times and often I have second thoughts about sharing the story again. But if my sharing it here can save ONE life, it's worth it., this issue is too important to stay silent about, so I want to raise awareness.

In November 2018, I was diagnosed with stage T2b intermediate prostate cancer. To make matters worse, it was an aggressive form genetically meaning there was a high likelihood of metastasis if I didn't take action.

Hearing the doctor deliver this news was devastating. I was stunned, caught off guard, and I broke down. Given the context of the preceding 18 months, it felt like a knockout blow:

• My mother passed away in June 2017.
• My father passed away in April 2018.
• My uncle (my mom's older brother) passed away in August 2018.

With all the grief I'd been dealing with, my first thought upon receiving the diagnosis was, "Am I next?"

Reflecting on it, I realized I experienced a microcosm of the stages of grief. I initially tried to deny the diagnosis, but there it was, staring me in the face. I got angry and sought a second opinion, hoping the first doctor was wrong. But the facts were undeniable. Facts don't care about your fears. As anyone close to me can tell you, I became deeply depressed. I was no fun to be around during the holidays. But then I realized that wallowing in fear and sadness was hurting me and those around me. I was still scared, but I knew I had to take action.

My wife was instrumental in helping me through this difficult time. I couldn’t have done it without her.

In the weeks following my diagnosis, I consulted with my urologist to devise a plan of action. He strongly recommended surgery over radiation. After doing some research, I understood why: given the aggressive nature of my cancer, radiation would leave a lingering uncertainty about recurrence. And if the cancer returned, I would have no options left. Despite the fear, surgery was the best option. I had to keep reminding myself of one thing:

I was going to have the final word on this cancer. I was determined to remove it by any means necessary and move on with my life. Was I still scared? Absolutely. But the sooner I got treatment, the better.

My urologist referred me to Swedish Urology for treatment, saying, "I'm good, but they're better, and I think you need to see them for treatment." More blood tests and planning ensued throughout December. In January, I met with my surgeon and got on the schedule.

A few months later, I underwent surgery to remove the cancer. If you're curious about the procedure, look up "da Vinci robotic surgery" online. My wife and I had to drive through the final (and worst) snow of the year on the day of the surgery, but everything went as planned. My wife stayed with me during pre-op, chatting with the anesthesiologist and nurses while they completed the final checklists. I wasn't too nervous at first, but seeing her walk away to the waiting area made everything suddenly real. In hindsight, I probably should have taken the valium they offered.

The surgery went well overall, despite a few hiccups that extended my hospital stay by a night. The pain was intense; Oxycodone helped, but I didn't enjoy the hallucinations it caused (like letters on the dry erase board melting down the board), so I minimized its use.

My wife never left my side, sleeping on an uncomfortable cot next to me. She's incredibly strong and courageous. Maybe I should get her something special for her birthday... perhaps those diamonds she was eyeing the other day.

A week later I had my first follow-up and reviewed the final pathology report. The results were good: no metastasis. I was still sore and recovering, but getting better every day. Was I out of the woods yet? Mostly, yes. There's some concern that some cancer cells might have been left behind. The cancer had advanced between my initial biopsy and final pathology report, from a Gleason score of 4+3=7 to 4+5=9. Opting for surgery was the right call. If follow-up radiation is ever needed, it will be minimal and focused.

So why am I sharing all of this? It's not about seeking attention. I'm sharing this to shake a few people out of complacency. If you're reading this and have concerns, don't ignore them. Looking back, I realize there were warning signs I dismissed as mere aging. Those ads on TV promising miracle supplements? Ignore them. They should be against the law...! They almost cost me dearly. Ask yourself:

• Are you over 40?
• Do you have a family history of reproductive or pancreatic cancers?
• Have you noticed any changes or discomfort when sitting, using the restroom, or riding a bicycle?
• Any unusual discharge in your underwear?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these, see a doctor. Go now. Get a PSA test. If your doctor dismisses the need for it, find another doctor. PSA tests do work. My PSA was only 7 (normal is 1 to 4), and my first urologist didn't think they would find anything. But here I am, post-prostatectomy. PSA tests are easy: a simple blood draw, and the results come back in a few days. If it's below 4, check it again in six months to ensure it hasn't risen. And if you're over 50, definitely get a direct exam.

Did you know the percentage of males with prostate cancer increases linearly with age? It does: 30% of males in their 30s have prostate cancer, 40% in their 40s, and so on. Recent studies have found this, and urologists are taking these findings seriously. Ignoring early warning signs is not worth your life.

Ignore those TV ads for miracle supplements. They’re a dangerous distraction. Many contain Saw Palmetto, which can suppress PSA levels and create a false sense of security. Instead of relying on these supplements, see a doctor.

Go get checked. Talk to a doctor. Do it now.

Finally, I want to thank my wife. I know this has been tough, but I'm glad you're here. I couldn't have done this without you. I love you.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Throughout this whole series, I have gone through the fruits (evidence) of a life given to Jesus. These are traits we should see in anyone who is born again in Jesus Christ. I thought it would be useful to also show the “fruits” (evidence) of a life that has rejected Jesus. Seeing what the opposite looks like can help us better judge where we stand.

Blessing and Cursing

We can have some idea of who belongs to Jesus by our/their words.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

Are your words more of a blessing or a curse towards God? It isn’t just by these two three-word sentences that we judge. When it comes to truth, do you put God’s word or man’s word first? In whom do you put your faith? When you are deciding what is good and what is evil, do you use man’s culture or the Bible to make your decision? When you decide how to use your time, do you do what everyone else is doing or does God’s will guide your actions? These all speak to where your heart lies. All of these expose whether your heart says “Jesus is Lord” or whether it says “Jesus is accursed.”

God Gave Them Over

There are definite signs of an unrepentant heart, and being unrepentant for long enough leads God to remove His sin restraining power and to give “them over to a depraved mind.” We are seeing this “fruit” of this situation growing in our culture today.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

…

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:21-23,28-32)

One thing that the Bible makes clear is that every person alive knows that God exists, whether they admit it or not. One of the reason that Christians (and Jews) are attacked so much is everyone knows that the God of the Bible is different than the made up or demonic gods that others worship. God’s word is attacked more vehemently because they know He is real. Nobody hates a myth with such passion.

We live in the scientific age and many (most?) people put “science” above God and His word. Unfortunately much of what is called science is actually a pseudo-science that is more myth and story telling. It is based on false assumptions, so it always leads to false conclusions. That isn’t to say that real experimental science isn’t very useful. It is. Experimental science, that seeks the truth, is a good thing, but there is a lot of work that is called science that is not science at all. Any time someone says “the science is settled,” it should tell you that they are not talking real science, but more of a politicized, story-telling pseudo-science and it shouldn’t be trusted.

If we know that the God of the Bible is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent creator of the universe and that He inspired writers to accurately write His word into the Bible, then we know that the Bible is always the highest authority. If science “contradicts” the Bible, it is most likely that the science is wrong. (There is a chance that the Bible is misunderstood, but that is much less likely.) We need to always remember that our omniscient God knows more than any person or all people put together. Putting man’s word above God’s word is sin. As the passage above says, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

When we don’t acknowledge God, obey His commands, and believe the truth that He has clearly laid out for us in the Bible, He gives us “over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.” When we say, “We don’t want God,” He gives us the consequences of that choice.

What are the consequences (fruit) of rejecting God? You could say that the fruit of an unrepentant heart are “being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.” Is this what you want to be? Is this the kind of person with which you want to surround yourself? Is this the kind of country in which you want to live? I don’t think so.

Somewhat recently, renowned atheist Richard Dawkins complained that England was losing its Christian culture. He missed the Christmas decoration and the Christian morality and such. He has made a career of denigrating Christians, but wanted the culture that Christians bring. He wants a world with a Christian culture that doesn’t include Christians or God. Such a thing never existed and never will. After the rapture, he will see what a world without Christ looks like and he will not like it. We are already seeing the “fruits” of rampant rejection of God.

We are now seeing these “fruits.” “Although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” Our culture is calling good “evil” and calling evil “good.”

End Times

It seems like everything is getting worse now as God is rejected by more and more people and especially those in positions of influence and power, but in the end times, this trend towards evil will get so much worse.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

This actually sounds a lot like culture today. Do you notice these traits in society today?

• lovers of self
• lovers of money
• boastful, arrogant
• revilers & malicious gossips
• ungrateful
• unholy
• unloving & irreconcilable (centering around political parties, race, etc.)
• without self-control
• brutal, haters of good, & treacherous
• reckless & conceited
• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
• holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power (false religion)
• always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth (science that denies God)
• Denying God and what Jesus did for us leads to all of these evils.

Unfortunately, there also many who pretend to be holy or even believe they are holy who are not and lead many believers to be unfruitful.

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. (Titus 1:10-11)

Consequences of Denial of Christ

We’ve clearly seen that denial of Jesus/God or even just refusing to put Him first, leads to many sins that harm relationships and society. Those are the warning signs of what is happening to each and every sinner’s soul.

The more important harm is to our soul and to our future.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

All people will live for eternity. The only question for each individual is whether they will spend an eternity with God in heaven where there is no more pain and suffering or whether they will spend eternity in Hell alone, in darkness, and in pain. The worst thing about Hell will be the lack of hope. God has enabled us to survive a huge amount of suffering when we have hope that the suffering will end one day and that justice will be served. Hell is suffering and knowing it will never end. What is worse than that?

The good news God gives us is “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Although we have all sinned and sinned badly, we all have the opportunity to repent, to believe in Jesus (including all He did for us), and to submit to His Lordship. We all have the opportunity to turn away from our sins and join God in Heaven some day. What will you choose?

Repent & Choose Jesus

Be like the Roman jailer to whom Paul and Silas said, “… Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) Don’t be like the Israelites about whom the Bible says “However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God.” (2 Kings 17:14)

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)

Trust Jesus.

FYI, Read my whole series on the individual fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

@ 700c6cbf:a92816fd

My first post in this community is going to be a simple on i.e. not a recipe. However, if you'd like me to post the recipe, you know what to do.

Last night's dinner was born out of the fact that we ran out of fresh alternatives of chicken or fish, our usual staples to have for dinner with salad. Since I felt lazy, it's the weekend after all, I didn't feel like going shopping, I started checking our pantry for something, for an inspiration.

And inspiration struck in the form of: Garbanzo beans, also known as chick peas. We love those little bundles of healthy protein. Add them to salad, roast and spice them, make them into a pate or hummus or a good ol' German pea soup, they are extremely versatile.

But what I had in mind was a protein main to be accompanied by a mixed greens salad with honey vinaigrette, hence I made veggie burgers.

Earlier in the day we had talked about potato pancakes or hashbrowns or rösti in Switzerland. Luckily I had some potatoes on hand, unlucky for me they were small which makes them harder to hold when grating them. Yet somehow I managed to not get any of my fingers into the mix.

And thus our two patties dinner with salad was created. I added a little roasted garlic aioli to the rösti and a spicy habanero aioli to the bean patty.

https://cdn.satellite.earth/6c14c39a0a3809b8b66351e0a6187f7914d6befe1ddc4e68018a8bcf4c182ccf.jpg

https://cdn.satellite.earth/dd759f338afc6f88e1bbc3cc803899e5b98661d846f6b5604d5695a6a585b253.jpg

I dare say it was a pretty good dinner - yum!

Cheers, OceanBee

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

From the ages of 8-11, I spent my summers in Saltaire, Fire Island, a tiny town across the bay from Bayshore Long Island, accessible only by ferry. I vaguely recall the first summer our parents enrolled my younger brother Damon and me in day camp where they made us swim in the cold, jelly-fish-ridden bay water early in the morning. We quit the camp within the week and were largely left to our own devices after that.

The island didn’t have cars, so you got around by bike. That meant it was safe for kids, and late-70s/early-80s parents could check out entirely. By the time I was 10 or 11, I would wake up whenever it suited me, scarf down a bowl of cereal, grab my bike and return for dinner. No one knew where we were — though the baseball field was a good bet — and no one cared.

I remember one time we brought a two-man inflatable raft to the ocean on a choppy day and had the bright idea to ride the waves in it. We got so destroyed by one wave, Damon wound up face-down in the sand underneath the raft. He was crying, but no real harm done.

. . .

To this day, I often find myself projecting into the future. “In 12 hours, I’ll be back in Lisbon, in 48 hours, I’ll be done with my running for the week, in 72 hours, etc.” And when the time comes, and I’m done with whatever travel or unpleasant task, I’ll start all over again.

If you tell this to someone, they’ll often say, “You need to be in the present.” Yeah no shit. That’s like telling someone you’re an alcoholic and them saying, “You should stop drinking.” It’s a bad habit, I’m aware. But where did this habit come from, and why is it so entrenched?

. . .

My summers were a stark contrast to the school year where like everyone else I was up at 7:00 am, exhausted and forced to sit through class after class all day, the teachers droning on about something in which I had no interest. I remember watching the clock, as though trying to make the hands move faster with my mind. Only 20 minutes left, only 10 minutes, only five. Thank God it’s Friday.

. . .

I’ve never had a real job. I worked on the Truckee River one summer blowing up rafts, stacking them on trucks and putting people in the water. I cleaned houses one summer, I worked for free during law school for the NY Attorney General’s office, I ghost wrote car blurbs for Motor Trend and Car And Driver and then I worked for RotoWire (in fantasy sports) for 22 years before we sold it. The idea of grinding away at a law firm or some other joyless menial mental labor filled me with dread. Even tedious tasks like editing our annual NFL magazine, going over the copy word by word four or five times was torture. And I had a dream job and owned part of the company.

. . .

I partied a lot in my 20s and 30s, and it was not without consequence. I have a beautiful 12-YO daughter now, but we started too late to have more than one kid. Had I known then what I know now, I would have started a big family much earlier. I would have been more serious and made it a priority. But even though I wasn’t exactly an alcoholic, I had a strong urge to use the weekend as an escape. It was my time, and I wanted to use it to chase the pleasures that were denied to me during the slog of the work week.

. . .

For parents, school is kid storage, but for kids like me it was prison. My biggest takeaway was there are dreadful, pointless things society wants from you, and you should get those done with the least possible effort so you could do whatever you wanted later. That life is divided into appeasing the machine and having fun, and the problem to solve was how to get rich despite having a very low tolerance for appeasement. The point of getting rich was to do whatever you wanted whenever you wanted and to dispense with the dreadful, pointless things forever.

. . .

Now that I have no job, and the dreadful, pointless things are kept to a minimum, I mostly do whatever I want. But the younger version of me would be surprised to know that includes running at the track three times a week, doing pull-ups at the local park, writing and editing my own essays, learning and using to the extent I’m capable the challenging new freedom tech protocols (bitcoin and nostr.) I’ve largely stopped drinking, almost never smoke weed, fast once a week, am gluten-free, rarely eat junk food, don’t drive a fancy car. I save rather than spend most of my money.

There is nothing from which to escape and nowhere to go anymore. And yet my mind still projects into the future, perpetuating the dichotomy between obligations and leisure, indentured servitude and escapism. It’s as if I’m back in Saltaire, the whole day every day in front of me, but it’s only June, and I haven’t yet adjusted fully to the reality that school’s out, and it’s really, actually summer.

Just as soon as I post this essay, walk the dog, do my pull-ups at the park, I’ll start to relax and enjoy myself.

@ 30876140:cffb1126

Written for English 293 – Science Fiction Class Seattle Central College March 12th, 2017

The Final Essay

I Am Terminal: Enter, The Cybernauts

Introduction

The days of true cyberpunk are over. New cyberpunk can only continue as a form of nostalgia, a memory, reliving a technologically-surpassed era that drew from a culture of objects and media that are now buried in the trash heaps and storage units of the long-gone 90s. Just as every new iteration of a technological device outdates the previous, so too has cyberpunk lost its seat as a cutting-edge genre of science fiction. However, as we shall see, cyberpunk was among the first fiction to explore the very real prospect of entering into a computer-driven virtual reality, thus pioneering the digital frontier and altering the human mindscape to prepare us for the virtual reality that is now emerging. 

The invention and development of technologies that allow an immersive experience of computer-simulated environments is the central focus to this text. How we receive stimulus from and interact with virtual worlds is another central theme to this text, and of particular importance is the question, how else can we interact with computers and virtual worlds, now and in our future? We will explore the development of cyberspace (a term coined by William Gibson) and its interfaces in relation to three stages of development: 

a) cyberpunk's fantasy of cyberspace, 

b) the current reality of virtual reality, and 

c) a Transhumanist perspective of humankind's future as cyberspace creators and explorers.

It is my intention to provide questions and prompts for emerging cybernaut science fiction authors and creators, and bring together a collection of information with which to draw from in our texts. This is all in the effort to present where we are today, as witnesses to the actual emergence of virtual worlds, with the hope that we all can create more interesting fiction that imaginatively moves us beyond our current technological and mental capabilities. 

Quips and points will often be made without context or explanation, analogous to the experience of surfing the internet of today, which bombards us with one-liner hyperlinks designed to draw our attention into a webpage; this is done with the intention to spur a thought in the reader without the need to further explain the point. If this text sometimes feels like a lecture, then let it also be considered another literary condition of our information-driven era, harmonious with the amount of reading that is expected of us as second-generation terminal users. With this understanding, we may surpass the trap of the information itself and instead utilize our data through an artistic channel. 

Neo-Neologisms

Two terms which will be used extensively in this text are here described:

Datascape will refer to the unseen dimension of all digital information, regardless of its rendering and portrayal to the human user (as opposed to a virtual world or a cyberspace, which is a  rendered virtual environment). The datascape envelops all information that is locally stored or traveling between terminals, whether it is a package of bytes or an endless stream of data. Data and the datascape can be manipulated in nearly endless ways, as will be explored throughout this text. 

Cybernaut, similar to astronaut, quite literally means an explorer or adventurer of cyberspace; this term can refer to any user of digital technology, specifically those who use computers, surf the internet, and explore virtual reality. 

“Cybernaut science fiction will rely on a broad range of digital media expression, which includes the literary arts, but also encompasses digital painting, electronic music, and simulation design.”

• Acea Spades Black, I Am Terminal

Let's begin. Power: ON

Cybernauts are the builders and inventors of virtual worlds. 

Cybernauts are the enjoyers and explorers of virtual worlds.

Cybernauts are the sustainers and destroyers of virtual worlds.

Of Cyberpunk...

“Jameson himself has stated that cyberpunk is 'henceforth, for many of us, the supreme literary expression if not of postmodernism, then of late capitalism itself.'” 

• Scott Bukatman, Terminal Identity

Cyberpunk narratives emerged as a gross extrapolation of the breakdowns of self that occurred to the humans most affected by postmodern life, aspects of which were projected upon a fictitious near- future world, replete and engulfed by the advertising industry, pop-culture phenomenas, consumer products and electronics, and body modifications. Cyberpunk, and postmodern fiction in general, features characters who are lost in a sea of scientific and technological change; a rapidly moving world in which human identity is challenged by a loss of center, the sensation that the individual can no longer relate to old ontological beliefs in so foundational a thing as the concept of reality itself. The characters in a postmodern tale must often invent their own meaning of reality. An overpowering sense of change and helplessness, often due in equal measure to the explosive transformation of the world by technology, the changing ideas of reality due to mind-shattering scientific discovery, and the total dominance of multinational corporate entities who have gained a powerful hold on the socio-economic systems of the Earth. In cyberpunk, the criminal underworld becomes a haven for those who wish to avoid the futility; yet, ironically, those who escape into the criminal underbelly of society often find themselves backed into a corner of their own actions and misdeeds, thus reinforcing the sensation of utter inescapability. Some look to phenomenal experiences for their identity, as the character Case does in Neuromancer, who becomes addicted to the experience of navigating cyberspace. Instead of introducing the electronic devices and incredible phenomenas of these worlds with a reverent awe, the cyberpunk novel often takes the new world and turns it inside-out, describing its darkness and the aspects that are riddled with corruption. Though the cyberpunk world is filled with objects and experiences that the reader may find incredible, the characters rarely find anything special about their world, and cyberspace falls in as just another feature of the technological cityscape.

“When people are little more than bytes in the government data stream, can anyone remain human?” 

• John Brunner, Shockwave Rider (1975) 

“For one thing, the cyberpunks were the first generation of artists for whom the technologies of satellite dishes, video and audio players and recorders, computers and videogames (both of particular importance), digital watches, and 

MTV were not exoticisms, but part of a daily 'reality-matrix'.” 

• Larry McCaffery, Storming the Reality Studio

Today's technology has evolved way beyond the old cyberpunk motifs; video cassettes became DVDs which is now being replaced by internet streaming; audio cassettes became CDs and transformed into digital MP3s which are also being replaced by subscription streaming services. Even television, which existed in a form little-changed for decades, has given way to internet videos, far beyond the days of on-demand cable television programs. Where the technologies of the cyberpunk era were typically a tangible, analog device, the technologies of our current era are streaming, literally streams of data that move from server-to-client through a network, most often the internet. Even when we keep our own copy of a song or movie on our computers or cellphones, they are only copies of data that a stream has deposited into our devices. The data itself is an inaccessible layer of invisible power, understood only in its context by a computer that can make sense of the code within. Be it stored inside of a forgotten server in the bottom of a basement, or streaming rapidly across the internet and into multiple devices, the data itself in its entirety makes up the invisible dimension that we call the datascape. Where as Case in Gibson's tale described cyberspace as a consciously-navigable dimension of information, most of the actual datascape remains completely unseen, never intended to interact with a human. But, in the cyberpunk fantasy of cyberspace, the datascape is laid bare to the senses.

A central motif to the cyberpunk tale is the 'console cowboy', the hacker that navigates cyberspace for whatever purpose they find important, be it stealing money from online bank accounts, or collecting classified information from protected data servers. The direct connection between the human brain and the network terminal is a central device in Gibson's Neuromancer, and also in the action film The Matrix. The idea that a human can be directly connected to a computer network and navigate within a digital dimension is the heart of cybernaut science fiction, and cyberpunk has been instrumental in bringing forth this storytelling device. 

Where as cyberspace may have been used by postmodern and cyberpunk writers as a literary device, “to construct a new subject-position to interface with the global realms of data circulation, a subject that can occupy or intersect the cyberscapes of contemporary existence”, as Bukatman described in Terminal Identity, cyberspace can now be used in a literal sense, as it is becoming a real technology in today's world. How it is used as a literary device is up to the author alone; whether it is just another vehicle for the story, a backdrop item in the techno-world, a region of exploration, or a tool for questioning the very nature of reality, thought, and human identity.

“In societies where modern conditions of production prevail, all of life presents itself as an immense accumulation of spectacles. Everything that was directly lived has moved away into a representation.” 

• Guy Debord, La Societe du Spectacle (1967) 

The cyberpunks envisioned the day of data terminals in our pockets and cyberspace as a navigable region; we live with these technologies as a daily reality. They, like the science fiction writers who spoke of traveling to outer space long before the first moon landing (a la A Trip to the Moon,_1902), had only a fantasy of the technology that their narratives bespoke. But, like the science fiction writers who followed the wake of scientific achievements that sent humankind into space, we are the generation that can enter into cyberspace; we have the datascape right here, in our own hands, and we are constantly shaping this dimension. We are the first generation that can truly call ourselves _cybernauts.

“Invisible spaces now dominate, as the city of the modernist era is replaced by the non-place urban realm

and outer space is superseded by cyberspace.” 

• Scott Bukatman, Terminal Identity

Reality, Virtual...

The 'virtual reality' technology that was developed during the late 20th century prepared us for a massive leap in functionality made possible due to exponentially increasing computational power, and,  thanks to the work of Palmer Luckey and his company, Oculus, the head-mounted display (HMD) was brought to the consumer market in the mid-2010s. Modern HMDs utilize real-time position tracking that register user motion in a computer simulation, simultaneously updating the user's perspective to match their position in cyberspace. Additionally, the user may also use a number of peripheral devices that further immerse the senses into the experience of a virtual world. To mention just a few: 

The Virtuix Omni allows the user a full range motion in virtual space; a harness apparatus keeps the user in place, suspended above on a smooth surface, which the feet slide upon to register motion in the simulation. Haptic feedback suits, such as the Hardlight VR, give the user a tactile sense of virtual space; the user experiences full-body sensations when coming into contact with digital simulacra, determined by the simulation's physics engine. The Manus VR gloves tracks and projects the motion of the user's hands into cyberspace with incredible precision, and also generate haptic feedback during interaction with virtual objects. To immerse the sense of sound in virtual reality, pick up a set of OSSIC X 3D headphones; these sync with the simulation to give the user a very detailed spatial-audio experience that vivifies distance and presence in virtual reality.

Combining these elements together, we have an experience of cyberspace that is impossibly interesting. The only senses that have not yet been virtually mastered are the taste and smell; yet, interestingly enough, the mind has the ability to fill these in on its own, owing to the synesthesia that is created by being so completely enveloped in the multi-sensory experience that virtual reality provides.

These devices are not the future of virtual reality; they are the present. These are the tools of the current generation, not the fantasies of a science fiction world. This is the beginning of the new millennium, and these technologies are offered to us on the consumer market. What does this spell for the future of cyberspace immersion and interaction? To what purpose will we use these devices; as narrative devices, as entertainment consoles, as educational tools, or beyond that? 

Moving beyond the capable, which will only grow more vivid with each iteration, it is our imagination that opens the doors to new possibilities. Reaching far into the future, we can imagine the human being transformed by these technologies; the true explorer of the digital realm.

Cybernautic Transhumanism

“[Transhumanism] promotes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and evaluating the

opportunities for enhancing the human condition and the human organism ... The enhancement options

being discussed include... augmentation of human intellectual, physical, and emotional capacities...

along with other potential developments that could profoundly alter the human condition...

[such as] economic, social, and institutional designs, cultural development, and

psychological skills and techniques...

Transhumanists view human nature as a work-in-progress” 

• Nick Bostrom, Transhumanist Values

“It has fallen to science fiction to repeatedly narrate a new subject that can 

somehow directly interface with – and master – the cybernetic technologies of the Information Age...” 

Scott Bukatman, Terminal Identity

Transhumanism presents us a vehicle for discussion of the human future, for it encompasses not only changes to the human body, but also to thought, socio-economic order, cultural development, and the wonders of immense technological change. A Transhumanist must consider our future as technological beings who interact with the datascape, imagining the human developing senses of cognition and interaction with the extra-sensory stimuli of the digital dimension. The datascape is a mirror to our world because it is interconnected with it, but it also stands alone as its own, intangible space. But what makes it untouchable is the human's lack of a sense of electronics and data. Without eyes, we may not see the light, and without the datasense, we will not be able to touch the datascape. Computers are, in a sense, data-sensitive beings, able to send, receive, and alter the datascape itself. Will a human develop the datasense, too?

Just how far will we merge with the datascape? 

How exactly does one gain the datasense? 

What new capabilities will we invent as data-sensitive beings? 

Our capacity to enter the digital landscape is limited to external sensory stimulation by way of the ears, eyes, and haptic pressure. We have not yet gained the ability to directly stimulate the human brain to create holistically-experienced renderings of the virtual world; but, we aren't far behind. 

I had the pleasure to work with the son of a neuroscientist whose research team is currently inventing a technology that allows the blind to see by way of a camera connected to an electrically-stimulating tongue sensor; the user places the sensor on their tongue, which sends signals from the camera into their brain, displaying a visible signal. Another technology for the blind involves installing a camera by wires directly into the user's visual cortex, an invasive yet steadily improving technology. If this technology were to be used to render images or simulations from a computer directly into the user's brain, the user could be completely immersed in the datascape in currently-unfathomed ways.

“Transhumanists hope that by responsible use of science, technology and other rational means we shall eventually manage to become posthuman, beings with vastly greater capacities than present human beings have.”  

• Bostrom, Transhumanist Values

The Song of The Terminal

“The newly proliferating electronic technologies of the Information Age are invisible, 

circulating outside of the human experience of space and time.”

• Bukatman, Terminal Identity

To envision a future in which human has merged with the datascape, we as authors must be willing to draw from the real field of computer science. Whether or not we adopt the practice of writing our narratives as hard science fiction, in which our devices are constructed ingeniously from an understanding of the actual working of a computer, we must at least take into account that the general computer literacy among readers has significantly increased in the new millennium. Long gone are the days that we can get away with an uneducated use of computer technology, typing in a few one-word commands and expecting the computer to know exactly what we mean, or throwing around words like algorithm and CPU like they're magic. Well, a computer isn't magic, and neither is science, so why do so many authors describe their advanced technologies like all-powerful objects of miracles and mysticism?

If we are going to author cybernaut science fiction, then we must at least have a basic understanding of how a computer works and, most importantly, how it renders the datascape into a human-accessible form. From there, we can begin to consider what other ways the datascape can be rendered for human interaction. 

With the exception of the virtual reality technologies mentioned, we currently access the digital dimension almost exclusively by way of a computer; i.e. a terminal. There is a screen which displays data that has been rendered into a visible form, be it a line of symbols, or a colorful, navigable environment. By way of peripherals, such as a keyboard and mouse, we access and manipulate data that displayed to us, and this data is either is stored in the computer, or is streaming into it and out of it through a network like the internet. Data itself is just a code, a series of electronic switches that are grouped together to form bytes. The computer itself is designed to manipulate these switches and bytes. Computer languages use these switches as their foundation; their letters, if you will. There are nearly endless ways that a computer can read these switches; they are the foundation of computer languages. Data itself is just information, stored in bytes, waiting to be interpreted by the right language. Language is our primary interface with machines, albeit a strange language. We can then venture to say that the datascape itself is a region of language, acting as an intermediary between human-and-machine, and machine-to-machine.

Information overload, terminated.

Beyond the Terminal

Here's a question for you to ponder: if a computer is made up of tiny switches that make a code, and components that can move and alter these switches, just how the heck do you think your conscious mind is going to get stuck inside that hard drive? Discuss and hypothesize.

We can begin to imagine incredible new ways in which the human being will interact with data, and thus new ways in which the human will interact with the machine. Cyberpunk and Transhumanism has explored the idea of human physically or mentally merging with a machine, beyond the use of screens as the exclusive intermediary. Direct control of a machine by way of telepathy and brainwaves or mental impulses may or may not hinge upon a data-language, instead instituting direct synaptic control over the machine. A human with the datasense could, theoretically, think and emit pure data.  But can we also envision a computer that works without data?

There is a very imaginative story which illustrates an example of humans merging with machines; in The Ship Who Sang by Anna McCaffery, a newborn human baby is selected to become the operator of a space-traveling scout ship. She spends her life in training, slowly becoming fused with the technologies that allow her to control the mechanisms of the ship: 

“Instead of kicking feet, Helva's neural responses started her wheels; instead of grabbing with hands, she manipulated mechanical extensions. As she matured, more and more neural synapses would be adjusted to operate other mechanisms that went into the maintenance and running of a space ship.” Helva's physical actions are completely merged with machinery. There is no intermediate terminal, no screens to read or knobs to turn; Helva is the computer terminal. 

Another interesting example can be found in Plus by Joseph McElroy (1976); described in Cyberpunk 101: “A dying engineer who has his brain removed awakens to find he has become, literally, a mere communication device, attached to a computer inside a satellite orbiting the earth. As 'he' (Imp Plus) gradually recovers his memories and reinvents language, he transforms himself into a fully conscious biological and chemical laboratory.”

In the science fiction epic, The Matrix, humans are grown in fusion with machinery; their psyches are projected into a virtual dimension where dwells their persona while they are jacked-in, or physically-connected to the illusion-generating machine. In the story, humans live their entire lives unaware that they are trapped inside of a virtual simulation, but those who awaken from the simulation are thrust into 'the real world', which is a horrific place that is completely twisted into a terror-scape of Giger-ian machine dominance; the awakened are collected by the other freed humans and are taught how to master their virtual presence; by having programs downloaded into their brains, they gain amazing powers in the virtual world. 

How else will humans interface with virtual reality?

“No longer has information any tangible, kinetic analogue in the world of the senses, or in the imaginations of writers of fiction. Gone are the great arrays of vacuum tubes, the thousands of toggles that heroes of space fiction would flick almost faster than the eye could see as they dodges space 'torpedoes', outflanked alien 'battle lines', steered through asteroid 'storms'; gone, more importantly, is any sustained sense of the autonomy, in space and time, of gross visible individual human actions. And if 'actions' are now invisible, then our fates are likewise beyond our grasp. We no longer feel that we penetrate the future; futures penetrate us.” 

• John Clute

Epics of the Cybernauts

“Anthropologists of possible selves, we are technicians of realizable futures.”

– Donna Haraway

Star travel; alien planets; apocalypse; utopia; the mundane and the incredible; in the dimension of simulacra, we can create anything. 

It is tempting to launch into a detailed survey of simulations and virtual worlds that are currently available to the interested reader; but, this is out of the scope of this text. Suffice it to say, entire galaxies have been generated in cyberspace and await your exploration. This leads to the all-important question: how will you use these technologies in your work? Will you write a story, or design a story for expression in a virtual environment? Entire manifestos could be generated with the do's and don'ts of cybernaut science fiction tales (and I expect to read them, someday). Not only must virtual reality be used as a simulation of reality, but it can also be used as a simulation of hyper-reality, sub-reality, pseudo-reality, and even non-reality. Let us hope for The Virtual Non-Reality Manifesto to emerge soon after this text is complete. 

We must chart course in the mindscape before we can create new ground in the datascape. We as authors and creators are best suited for such advances in thought and invention, since we are already so often dwelling in our own minds.

Focus not only on human interactions with virtual reality; invent new personifications for those who dwell exclusively in the datascape.

We can use these technologies to simulate potential futures, the possibilities awaiting our actions, globally and individually, to determine the best course ahead.

Helva, in The Ship Who Sang, is educated from youth in the subjects of “trajectory, propulsion techniques, computation, logistics, mental hygiene, basic alien psychology, philology, space history, law, traffic, codes: all the etceteras that eventually became compounded into a reasoning, logical, informed citizen”. Her education is shaped by her function, her duty, and enhance her abilities as the operator of a scout ships in an intergalactic future. If we are born with the ability to interact with the datascape, what education would we be given to enhance our abilities as cybernauts? What would the world of the future look like in which the population (or a select few) can enter the datascape, and what would they be taught?

The field of cybography is waiting to be invented. 

When physical laws can be rewritten by the changing of a few values hidden in the fabric of the digital universe... Hmm...

The human creative impulse is engulfing the datascape. Digital art is on the rise and new forms of it are taking shape in the data cosmos.

How will our interactions with virtual reality and the datascape change us as individuals; as a society? What place will virtual reality have in human life? Will it be only an entertainment device; a social playground; a space for political discussion; an area of discovery? Will we send ships into space, covered in cameras and scientific devices, yet control them from the comfort of our own homes? What will we see in our deeper explorations of the virtual dimension? Will we need to create everything, or will an artificial intelligence create these worlds for us? Will there be paranormal experiences not originally intended, such as solar activity that causes unexpected phantasmagoria?

In Conclusion

We, the cybernauts, venture into the datascape with the intention of shaping this creation to our will, for the purpose of creating epic narratives, and to enhance the joy of our techie-lives. We may be a far-cry away from jacking-in to the datascape, like the characters in The Matrix and Neuromancer, though we can currently interact with virtual worlds in incredible ways. We can't directly transform matter into something digital, as the Master Control Program does to Flynn in TRON, but we do have the ability to produce tangible simulacra in virtual reality from physical objects in the real world, which is certainly the better option (I'm sure you can agree). We may not escape our daily lives by immersing  deeply in the digital dimension, as do the characters of Ready, Player One, though that possibility is coming closer every day, for better or for worse. The cyberpunks of yesteryear had only a fantasy of the technology that the cybernauts utilize daily. What will we do with this technology, how will this technology transform humanity, and what devices will the next generation use that we today can only imagine?

Sources

1) Introduction to Terminal Identity by Scott Bukatman

2) Terminal Resistance, a chapter of Terminal Identity, by Scott Bukatman

3) Transhumanist Values by Nick Bostrom

4) The Mundane Manifesto by Geoff Ryman

5) The Ship Who Sang by Anna McCaffrey

6) Storming The Reality Studio by Larry McCaffery

7) Cyberpunk 101 by Richard Kadrey and Larry McCaffery

8) Websites for virtual reality technologies: www.virzoom.com ; www.ossic.com ; www.oculus.com ; www.hardlightvr.com ; www.manus-vr.com ; www.leapmotion.com ; www.microsoft.com ; www.magicleap.com ; www.virtuix.com ;

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

This is an overall list for 12-team NFFC PPR leagues as of August 3, 2024.

Note: Rankings are real, but comments are not meant to be taken seriously.

Warning: many, if not most, are stupid, though it can't be worse than last year’s.

(Right-click, open in new tab to enlarge)

@ 6c8c7979:15595f3e

It's one of Granada's most famous landmarks and considered one of the greatest architectural palaces built by the Nasrid rulers of Spanish Granada in the 13th century AD, following the Islamic-Andalusian style, serving as a fortress for defending their city. Despite being built nearly 800 years ago, the Alhambra Palace remains an architectural marvel of exquisite beauty. So, discover with us some astonishing facts about it.

$$It took over 150 years to build$$

Prince Abu Abdullah Muhammad I, also known as "Al-Ghalib Billah," the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty in Granada, ordered the construction of the Alhambra Palace between 1238 and 1273 AD. While initial work on its fortified walls and thirteen tall towers began in 1238, the complete construction of the site lasted over 150 years due to additions and modifications by subsequent Nasrid rulers during their reigns.

$$Its name, "Alhambra," has several possible origins$$

Built on the elevated hill of "Sabika" near the Darro River, the origin of its name is debated. Some suggest it stems from the reddish color of the stones used in its construction or the red-tinged soil in the area. Others attribute it to the name "Al-Red," by which the rulers of Granada were known. Another theory links its name to the "Red City," named for the color of its other citadels.

$$The palace has withstood wars and earthquakes$$

From the outside, the Alhambra Palace still astonishes with its preserved architectural grandeur, despite being over 800 years old. It resisted attacks by the French army during the early 19th century invasion of Spain and has endured numerous earthquakes due to its location in a region prone to seismic activity.

$$Legend of the "Gate of Justice" and the end of the world$$

Builders of the palace believed so strongly in its exceptional construction and advanced techniques that they spread the idea that if enemies ever opened the "Gate of Justice" – the main gateway of the palace – it would signal the end of the world. The "Gate of Justice" remains a significant symbol of the Alhambra, featuring a sculpted hand on its cornerstone and a key placed beside it. Legend says the hand and key were positioned high up so that only the worthy could reach them, potentially becoming the new ruler of Granada and owner of the Alhambra Palace.

@ 1739d937:3e3136ef

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

Previous Updates

• June 28th 2024
• July 6th 2024
• July 12th 2024

Progress this week

The dependency train continues to roll. This week I was in touch with the maintainers of both OpenMLS and the hkpe-rs library and have pushed my changes forward in both areas. I've also gotten closer to understanding the wire format and relay requirements for the NIP I'm working on.

To be honest, the progress feels pretty slow at the moment but I've seen this story often enough to know that I'm on the right track. To be clear, my goal here is do this right and make it as easy as possible for Nostr devs to implement MLS based messaging across all of Nostr. That necessarily requires ensuring that all the implementation libraries support the right pieces and that our NIP is clean and well thought through (no one likes a shed full of bikes).

HPKE-RS

My PR to add support for secp256k1 is moving. I've been adding tests this week and fixing a few issues. Once this is merged, I'll update my secp256k1-based library as well. One unfortunate roadblock has been a lack of solid test vectors - this has eaten some time.

OpenMLS Nostr Crypto

I had a short call with the OpenMLS maintainer team this week and was able to clarify what I'm trying to do and how they see it fitting in best. I was also able to get a better idea about how clients will need to process incoming messages. One interesting highlight: Messages have to be processed in the right order. Otherwise it's impossible to keep the ratchet tree in the correct state. My left-curve solution to this for now is to use both created at (as a dumb first pass at sorting) + a hash of the previous message content. This will give Nostr clients a simple way to double check that they have the messages in the correct order before they attempt to process them. Unfortunatley, this doesn't do a good job accounting for messages that are missing. My guess is that this isn't going to be a major issue, but I won't have a clear idea until there is a working Nostr relay based demo.

The next steps in my code for OpenMLS is to refactor the ciphersuites trait to make it easier to use custom ciphersuites. My initial PR hardcoded our secp256k1 based suite into the library but the clearly better solution is to refactor a few things to make sure that there isn't any hardcoding in the main OpenMLS library, the ciphersuite, or the credentials (which hold your identity information and make prekey bundles possible). The library's maintainers are open to this, so I've started on that this week.

Request for feedback

I'd love to hear from devs on one point. The OpenMLS library currently makes it very easy to serialize messages (both group control messages and actual messages between users). These messages have a lot of data in them about the current structure of the ratchet tree and whatever message or control event they're trying to communicate. My current plan is to simply NIP-44 encrypt those serialized messages into the content field of a new event kind. The messages themselves are deserialized and processed in two simple calls by the OpenMLS library so I don't see any reason to keep destructured or deserialized data in the nostr events that are heading over the wire. This also makes it easier to keep metadata about messages hidden to observers.

Goals Recap

It's been a few weeks since I've talked about why this is important so, it's time to recap what we're aiming for:

1. Private and Confidential DMs and Group messages
2. Private means that an observer cannot tell that Alice and Bob are talking to one another, or that Alice is part of a specific group. This necessarily requires protecting metadata.
3. Confidential means that the contents of conversations can only be viewed by the intended recipients.
4. Forward secrecy and Post-compromise security (PCS) in the case of any key material being leaked, whether that's your main Nostr identity key (your nsec) or any of the keys used in the MLS ratchet trees.
5. Forward secrecy means that encrypted content in the past remains encrypted even if key material is leaked.
6. Post compromise security means that leaking key material doesn't allow an attacker to continue to read messages indefinitely into the future.
7. Scales well for large groups. MLS provides this from a computational standpoint, but we need to make sure this works in a scalable way when multiple relays are involved.
8. Allows for the use of multiple device/clients in a single conversation/group. Importantly, we're not aiming to enable a device/client to be able to reconstruct the full history of a conversation at any point.

Onward and Upward

Grind, grind, grind. Touch grass & hug family. I'm visiting family starting next week for a few weeks. I'm going to be taking some time off in there so expect a few light updates in the coming weeks.

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

It is especially dangerous to be out late on the last night of November, for it is the closing scene of the revels—the last night when the dead have leave to dance on the hill with the fairies, and after that they must all go back to their graves and lie in the chill, cold earth, without music or wine till the next November comes round, when they all spring up again in their shrouds and rush out into the moonlight with mad laughter.

One November night, a woman of Shark Island, coming home late at the hour of the dead, grew tired and sat down to rest, when presently a young man came up and talked to her.

“Wait a bit,” he said, “and you will see the most beautiful dancing you ever looked on there by the side of the hill.”

And she looked at him steadily. He was very pale, and seemed sad.

“Why are you so sad?” she asked, “and as pale as if you were dead?”

“Look well at me,” he answered. “Do you not know me?”

“Yes, I know you now,” she said. “You are young Brien that was drowned last year when out fishing. What are you here for?”

“Look,” he said, “at the side of the hill and you will see why I am here.”

And she looked, and saw a great company dancing to sweet music; and amongst them were all the dead who had died as long as she could remember—men, women, and children, all in white, and their faces were pale as the moonlight.

“Now,” said the young man, “run for your life; for if once the fairies bring you into the dance you will never be able to leave them any more.”

But while they were talking, the fairies came up and danced round her in a circle, joining their hands. And she fell to the ground in a faint, and knew no more till she woke up in the morning in her own bed at home. And they all saw that her face was pale as the dead, and they knew that she had got the fairy-stroke. So the herb doctor was sent for, and every measure tried to save her, but without avail, for just as the moon rose that night, soft, low music was heard round the house, and when they looked at the woman she was dead.

It is a custom amongst the people, when throwing away water at night, to cry out in a loud voice, “Take care of the water;” or, literally from the Irish, “Away with yourself from the water”—for they say the spirits of the dead last buried are then wandering about, and it would be dangerous if the water fell on them.

One dark winter’s night a woman suddenly threw out a pail of boiling water without thinking of the warning words. Instantly a cry was heard as of a person in pain, but no one was seen. However, the next night a black lamb entered the house, having the back all fresh scalded, and it lay down moaning by the hearth and died. Then they all knew this was the spirit that had been scalded by the woman. And they carried the dead lamb out reverently and buried it deep in the earth. Yet every night at the same hour it walked again into the house and lay down and moaned and died. And after this had happened many times, the priest was sent for, and finally, by the strength of his exorcism, the spirit of the dead was laid to rest, and the black lamb appeared no more. Neither was the body of the dead lamb found in the grave when they searched for it, though it had been laid by their own hands deep in the earth and covered with the clay.

Before an accident happens to a boat, or a death by drowning, low music is often heard, as if under the water, along with harmonious lamentations, and then every one in the boat knows that some young man or beautiful young girl is wanted by the fairies, and is doomed to die. The best safeguard is to have music and singing in the boat, for the fairies are so enamoured of the mortal voices and music that they forget to weave the spell till the fatal moment has passed, and then all in the boat are safe from harm.

@ 592295cf:413a0db9

Week on Nostr 05-08

List of site for nostriches https://zaplinks.lol/

Fiatjaf web components

Welcome bear market 🧟‍♂️ fear, angry, build It's fine meme

I mutated one on stackernews. Basically I have notifications on Nostr page But someone keeps spamming every single thing, from his point of view it's a shared bookmark, but do it on your site. Maybe it's the heat...

On bluesky they eliminated a "for you" feed, now there is Discovery, not your feed, not your choice. There's actually a label that says my feeds, they're yours... Designed for you is more appropriate.

Mutiny lightning, "get the fuck on board". 😔

You lose your Money, ok

I don't know much about programming languages, but it seems like a jungle of scams

The purple pill help the Orange pill go down, maybe it was wrong. For now it's more people passing pills I have the orange give me the purple, I have the purple give me the orange. 😅

If you don't want no corn content you can go to mastodon and bluesky or whatever.

I thought nostr:relay might be a good solution to be a little more like a mint. It was deprecated, then the Nip-73 was added, rss feed and other devilry.

If you don't like what you see, change the app, this one will perhaps clear your following list and you'll start again from scratch. Not all things come to harm.

Why not Building agregore on Nostr, Nostr pear fedimint cashu mesh and local first. It doesn't seem like a simple application to make, from a local-first perspective, I solve a problem, but it's not a small problem to solve, Sync, database management, database schema, authentication, put everything together, instead I need this to solve this problem. It seems strange.

Aspie96 is making a client of ours, there was a lot of talk about how to increase content not related to bitcoin and things like that, there was one who was anti-bitcoin. I thought: Bitcoin is just a tool. Even guns are just a tool. I hate guns, I hate Bitcoin. It will be difficult, if you know any npub that hates Bitcoin comment below, thanks.

Trying not to use nostter for a while. It has glitches when loading threads and even with zap, I zapped myself even though I was clicking on the post I was replying to.

Voyage separates follow to topic in a new version.

People start arguing, it's allowed, everyone wants to be right, that's not the definition of social 👾.

Monitors watch-only bitcoin wallets https://github.com/sommerfelddev/sentrum

I noticed on Openvibe that in the trending timeline Nostr's notes have more interactions than responses. Maybe it was just that today Fiatjaf was doing universal polls 😅.

Step away from your favorite app, for a week if you can. Detox.

Oh Our founding, rain of money https://github.com/theborakompanioni/nostr-spring-boot-starte https://opensats.org/blog/nostr-grants-august-2024#seer

I'm happy for Vic and Sepher Nostroot exists 😅, note from some time ago. (I can't find it)

Perhaps the list of grant applications should be published, no one wants to open Pandora's box. 🙇‍♂️

Nostrasia 2.0 the Japanese community is a bit at a loss, they are trying to relaunch themselves 🤙, even if I'm seeing less enthusiasm, I'm following less.

I think a month has passed since I said this sentence, every day it was better but the next day something happened that you said maybe 6 months is too long. nostr:nevent1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3zamnwvaz7te3xsczue3h0ghxjme0qyw8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnxwfskxarpd35h5ety9ehx2ap0qythwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnnw3skkete9ehx2ap0qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyv9kh2uewd9hj7qpqf25td2xxgxfu80xpgg47cmfg2zkn6v803kefj3htjss5nvamfmgswf2kcs

Ho iniziato a seguire un po' local-first. https://docnode.dev/local-first I follow a podcast of the same name and dev tools.

When everyone thinks of Nostr they think of their favorite app and think that others see the same, but this is not the case.

I delete some gossip (photo)

Gossip is Nostr or Nostr is gossip.

Communities are difficult, they take time. I don't have this type of problem. People are fine on telegram and on simplex or any app. But maybe a Nostr project should be on Nostr?? Nip-29 can be interesting. Even if you start from scratch or almost. It's true that there are more apps, but this will perhaps only add to the confusion.

They are still talking about paid or non-paid relay, it's not a mature stage. Early stage.. I thought designers liked relays, that's not the case, I thought it was a place of experimentation, that's not the case. Bring more people. Last week I was talking about how I was jealous of bluesky who had an agenda for design, now it's also on Nostr, first hypernote article https://wikifreedia.xyz/hypernote-nip

I might say silly things, I'll go.

Hey Will remember to practice safe nsec always

nostr:nevent1qqsr6x8hduv8ta0g2da4aukrhzdtv6qcekyp5f9z9sxq6sd5peegnxgprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wdmksetjv5hxxmmdqy28wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyv9kh2uewd9hsygr4wku5l2q32tl99xjgn8feq22279pzwu25eezqxm2su2ken4wzvuf2ydnp

nostr:nevent1qqspsm343talkkjnyf3ah0zwy727cwd7phw3xnz49q59q5cfw4uhyngpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuurjd9kkzmpwdejhgqgcwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxummnwa5x2un99e3k7mgzyqewrqnkx4zsaweutf739s0cu7et29zrntqs5elw70vlm8zudr3y2j7zajz

Use nsec.app, 😅 Share bunker (smart people will know how to do it)

@ 6bae33c8:607272e8

These are my very preliminary RB rankings, my only research being the RotoWire depth charts and player notes.

**Tier 1

Christian McCaffrey**

He’s 28 years old, has 1,402 career carries including the postseason and weighs only 205 pounds at 5-11. But McCaffrey is arguably the greatest running back all time, when you include the pass catching, and he’s in the league’s best system for backs. Health is really the only variable, and anyone can get hurt.

**Tier 2

Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor**

These are the three-down backs with elite skill sets. Hall should be better another year removed from the ACL tear and playing with a better QB, Robinson should get the heavy usage he merits with Arthur Smith gone, Barkley finally gets a quality offensive line and QB and Taylor plays next to a running QB and has little competition for carries.

**Tier 3

Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, Kyren Williams, Travis Etienne**

These are the little guys, all of whom can run and catch passes, plus Etienne. Williams is the biggest risk as an early-down high-workload guy, but he was also insanely productive when he played in Sean McVay’s lead-back-friendly system. Gibbs seems like peak Alvin Kamara, only faster and Achane in the Miami offense was the most efficient back in league history by a mile. I originally had Etienne in Tier 4, but he doesn’t have much competition for the job and should be a three-down back.

**Tier 4

Isaiah Pacheco, Josh Jacobs, Joe Mixon, James Cook, David Montgomery, Derrick Henry, Kenneth Walker, Racchad White, James Conner, Rhamondre Stevenson, Zack Moss, Javonte Williams, Devin Singletary **

This is a big tier, but these are all the incomplete players guaranteed reps if healthy. Pacheco could be moved to Tier 3, but Patrick Mahomes doesn’t check down to the back all that often, and Pacheco rarely gets to 20 carries in a game. Jacobs is a beast but has a ton of mileage in a short span and fell off last year. Mixon is another old warhorse with a lot of mileage, albeit also in a good situation. Cook suffers due to Josh Allen’s goal-line prowess and tendency to take off rather than check down. Montomgery will cede the third-down work, Henry is old and doesn’t catch many passes, Walker splits carries, gets hurt often, White is a ham and egger who happened to see a huge workload, Conner is 29 and always misses time, Stevenson is a workhorse on a bad team, Moss is an average back in a good spot, Williams is another year off the injury, but on a bad team and Singletary is the clear lead back on a poor offense.

**Tier 5

Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Brooks, Alvin Kamara, Brian Robinson, Jaylen Warren, Austin Ekeler, Chuba Hubbard, Zamir White, Raheem Mostert, Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, Tyjae Spears, Trey Benson, Zach Charbonnet ** These are mostly timeshare backs, with the exception of Kamara whose efficiency fell through the floor and White who I’m not convinced will lock down the job all year.

**Tier 6

Kenneth Gainwell, Rico Dowdle, Gus Edwards, Jerome Ford, Zeke Elliott, Roschon Johnson, Jaylen Wright, Bucky Irving, JK Dobbins, Antonio Gibson, Chase Brown, Elijah Mitchell, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Algeier, MarShawn Lloyd**

This is the backup tier, all of whom probably need an injury ahead of them to break out.

These rankings will change, but I like to get my preliminary ones down on paper before I get influenced by ADP and training camp hype.

@ d34e832d:383f78d0

In the realm of economic theory and practice, few topics generate as much debate as centralized economic planning. Proponents argue that it allows for coordinated and equitable allocation of resources, while critics highlight its inefficiencies and systemic flaws. I just want to look into the inherent shortcomings of centralized economic planning, focusing on the impossibility of aggregating and processing the vast amount of information required to make efficient decisions. Through a structured exploration of key points and real-world examples, we will look at why centralized planning often fails to achieve its intended goals.

---

The Mirage of Perfect Planning

Imagine a world where a single entity could flawlessly dictate the allocation of resources, ensuring optimal outcomes for all. While this vision of centralized economic planning might seem appealing, it is fundamentally unattainable. The sheer complexity and dynamic nature of economies render such centralized control impractical. This essay critiques centralized economic planning by examining its fundamental inefficiencies and the impossibility of handling the immense information required for effective decision-making.

The Information Problem: A Fundamental Challenge

One of the central critiques of economic planning is the information problem, famously articulated by economist Friedrich Hayek. Hayek argued that no central authority could ever possess the dispersed and tacit knowledge held by individuals in a free market.

Key Points: 1. Dispersed Knowledge: - In a market economy, knowledge is spread across countless individuals who possess unique information about their specific circumstances. Central planners cannot effectively gather and utilize this dispersed knowledge. - Example: A farmer in a remote village understands local soil conditions and market needs better than a distant bureaucrat.

1. Dynamic and Ever-Changing Data:
2. Economic data is constantly evolving, making it impossible for central planners to keep pace with real-time changes. This lag results in outdated or inaccurate decisions.
3. During The Times Of The Soviet Era: During the Soviet era, planners often relied on outdated production data, leading to shortages and surpluses.

Incentive Structures and Innovation: The Human Element

Centralized planning also struggles with creating appropriate incentives for innovation and efficiency. Without the profit motive and competition, individuals and firms lack the drive to innovate and improve productivity.

Key Points: 1. Lack of Profit Motive: - In centrally planned economies, the absence of profit incentives dampens entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. Entrepreneurs in a free market are motivated by the potential for profit, driving technological advancement and economic growth. - All authoritative structures struggle for the popular narrative of freedom, but are the controllers of pro-censorship themselves: The technological stagnation in centrally planned economies versus the rapid innovation seen in market economies like the United States.

1. Bureaucratic Inefficiencies:
2. Centralized planning often leads to cumbersome bureaucracies that stifle creativity and efficiency. Decisions are slowed by red tape, and innovative ideas are frequently ignored.
3. Anecdote: The inefficiencies of the bureaucratic system in the former Eastern Bloc countries often resulted in suboptimal production and resource allocation.

Real-World Failures: Lessons from History

History provides numerous examples of the failures of centralized economic planning. These examples highlight the practical difficulties and negative outcomes associated with trying to control complex economies from the top down.

Key Examples: 1. The Soviet Union: - The collapse of the Soviet economy is a poignant example of the failures of central planning. Chronic shortages, lack of consumer goods, and inefficiencies plagued the system until its eventual collapse. -

1. Maoist China:
2. During the Great Leap Forward, Mao Zedong's attempts at rapid industrialization and agricultural collectivization led to one of the deadliest famines in history.
3. Visual: Historical photograph depicting the effects of the Great Leap Forward.

The Case for Decentralized Economies

Centralized economic planning is fundamentally flawed due to the impossibility of aggregating and processing the vast amount of information required for efficient decision-making. The dispersed knowledge of individuals, coupled with the dynamic nature of economic data, renders central planning ineffective. Moreover, the lack of appropriate incentives for innovation and efficiency further hampers centrally planned economies. History has shown us the dire consequences of attempting to control complex economies from the top down. As we move forward, embracing decentralized economic systems that leverage the power of individual choice and market mechanisms will be crucial for fostering innovation, efficiency, and economic prosperity.

@ c0a57a12:8b230f7a

Concept:

This sauce is intended to be used on 10-16 lb smoked pork butt (Boston Butt). #foodstr

Ingredients:

• 1 Pineapple (cored, peeled)
• 2 cup coconut water
• 1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 6 Scotch Bonnet Peppers or 3 TBSP Eaton's Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• 4 tbsp minced garlic
• 4 tbsp minced onion
• 4 tbsp ground allspice
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground clove
• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp salt

Instructions:

1. Core pineapple
2. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend well.
3. Pour purée into medium saucepan
4. Reduce to thicken.
5. Allow sauce to cool.

@ 2850567c:83c026bf

We Bitcoiners are well aware of the phrase and use it daily in explanations. The use of "Proof of work" is always tied to mining bitcoin. It is always shown as very hard and specialized type of work. This work is shown to be done only by some special type of computers and requires high amounts of electricity.

This manner of explanation although correct, greatly narrows the idea behind the phrase. To mine bitcoin, one had to get those specialized computers. Need to buy those amounts of electricity power. Need to buy or rent land. All these things also need to be bought with money. And as the thousand year saying goes, work more to earn more.

So there was ordinary work done by many to accumulate the amount of money to setup a mining rig. The ordinary work like that of a farmer, carpenter, driver, mason, software engineer, banker, chemist and what not. That ordinary work is the idea of that phrase. The work is not about mining bitcoin. The work is not some abstract mathematics puzzle. That ordinary work produced a proof and was given today's fiat money in exchange. If that ordinary work produced a broken chair for example, the proof would fail and no money would be exchanged. If the work of a welder did not prove the iron gate that locks properly, no money would be earned.

That is the real proof of work. It has been all around us since the start of ages when we needed a proper fencing from wild animals. So it does not only mean that proof of work is needed to "mine" some bitcoins. Proof of work is needed to get any bitcoins. Even to buy them from an exchange. And stronger the proof, i.e. if one delivers a better product from their ordinary work, the the more money they can get. And then buy even more bitcoin.

The proof work work is not just for mining. It applies even more to how society functions. When the reward of the work is a hard asset, like gold or bitcoins, there is going to be a competition to produce even better quality work. Look at the art works. Look at the big monuments constructed many hundred years ago. The result of the work that produced the Taj Mahal. The money that backed it was gold and silver. India did not have easy gold or silver mines. So how they accumulated so much wealth? Being very good agriculturists. Gold and silver would come in boats to buy grains. Gold from Persia would come by mud roads traveling thousands of kilometers to buy steel. Iron and steel factory is a very labour intensive work. It also needs very good knowledge of metallurgy. There was known proof that Indian steel makes excellent swords and other tools.

Work that is rewarded by a hard asset is also the great economic equalizer. It will gradually give more and more rewards to those who are very good at their work. Those who love their work. Those who try to refine and get more efficient. Those who can collaborate with others. Those who are helped by others. It will also automatically filters out the ones who are forced into doing the wrong job. Those who don't enjoy what they do. Those who don't feel the need to compete. Very quickly even they will discover their own skills. And join the revolution of producing great proofs of their unique work. And the rewards start coming. The rewards in PoW are more linear in nature. They are tend to get less and less affected by opportunities, place, country, language or culture or even time. The rewards don't flow through one who controls them. They are given directly by buyer of the product, and no one else. The transaction of buyer and seller are not effected by what censorship rules are in place in that region, or within that government. The ones who have opportunities will still have to work in exactly the same way and prove their work. Or some else takes the same reward from their work. The ones who have opportunities cant just hire enough others to produce the work faster. The ones that are hired will immediately demand rewards in the very same hard asset. And that is never easy to get.

Whenever the reward is a harder asset, it demands a lot of hard work. We need to liberate the phrase from the chains of bitcoin mining. The phrase is for everyone. Society functions by giving and taking products and services. Society everywhere has to work. Bitcoin hodlers, even those who hold hundreds or thousands of bitcoins, do not stop working. They continue with their masonry work, collect garbage from homes, teach in colleges, and engage in various other professions. Then they still use a part of their earning to buy even more bitcoins. Any type of ordinary work done is proof enough to get bitcoins.

@ c0a57a12:8b230f7a

Concept:

This sauce is intended to be used on 10-16 lb smoked pork butt (Boston Butt). #foodstr

Ingredients:

• 1 Pineapple (cored, peeled)
• 2 cup coconut water
• 1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 6 Scotch Bonnet Peppers or 3 TBSP Eaton's Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• 4 tbsp minced garlic
• 4 tbsp minced onion
• 4 tbsp ground allspice
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground clove
• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp salt

Instructions:

1. Core pineapple
2. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend well.
3. Pour purée into medium saucepan
4. Reduce to thicken.
5. Allow sauce to cool.

@ 23d1d973:903f137f

Published at Bitcoin Magazine, blockheight = 852766

--₿--

Bitcoin changes our lives.

It’s an almost spiritual observation that we’ve all seen within ourselves. After acquiring some, learning how it works, and to various degrees delving into what this decentralized, uncensorable, proof-of-work money is, we’ve seen our lives change. It echoes history. Some people see god in it.

Bitcoiners have had their lives upended, their perspectives shifted, and their value systems altered. We see how our behavior changed from our pre-Bitcoin selves, our emphasis now squarely placed on real things, hard things, the long term, and the local. We look to our inner selves, and we look after ourselves. We see to our families. We set our own house in order before we criticize the world.

Bitcoin encourages higher-level thinking, of the dynamic kind that once characterized good economics. Once a Bitcoiner, we become less prone to believing commonly accepted just-so stories — more skeptical and interested in verifying rather than trusting.

Anyone who’s been in Bitcoin for a while can point to countless such examples in their own lives. It’s undeniable, therefore, that Bitcoin itself has a culture. It affects change in the people it welcomes; you don’t change Bitcoin, Bitcoin changes you.

The values embedded in it are rules that people who embrace this monetary revolution can’t help but internalize. Whether they understand it or not is unimportant. Bitcoin is for anyone, sure, but you don’t stay that same person after Bitcoin has changed your life; you’re a different “anyone” than when you first opened your fiat eyes.

Bitcoin allowed us to see much of the stupidity of the collective delusions at the base of the state, democracy, central banks, public health, public schooling — public anything, really. It’s the same realization that makes us put huge question marks on climate change worries or trans ideology.

In the world of fiat, anything goes. You can unverifiably feel oppressed, a man can unverifiably be a woman, anyone who’s sad or distracted can unverifiably feel autistic or depressed. If the lord of the printing press doesn’t feel like there’s enough money around, he makes more. Violently extorting productive members of society is held as a morally good thing and celebrated. The experts and fiat media voices say the world ends in twelve (or five) years, and if you disbelieve them or ask for verification, you’re on par with the Nazis.

In Bitcoin, this playbook doesn’t fly anymore. Identifying as receiving a block reward does nothing, political votes become irrelevant, nobody’s unverifiable feelings reign supreme, and cheating gets harder. UTXOs don’t have a sex. It all goes out the window, revealed and denuded for the nonsense it always was.

Thus, something doesn’t add up in Margot Paez’s recent article thrashing Bitcoin culture. She writes:

She writes:

“…popular influencers who are often millennial men spending a lot of time taking photos of themselves flexing their muscles in front of a mirror. I really wonder how big those muscles have to get to protect the fragile ego buried beneath those muscular fibers.”

Big muscles are flexes because they’re unfakeable — like a hash under the difficulty target. A transaction is valid and confirmed or it isn’t. It’s right there, objective, and verifiable to anyone who cares to look.

Pull-ups are flexes because they display truth, regardless of what anyone else thinks about an invisible ego beneath. You can do them, or you can’t; they’re verifiable and undeniable. A muscle-up doesn’t ask_ _for permission or tries to confuse you about nuances to an imagined reality.

This stands in contrast to the fiat, legacy world — of which trans ideology is merely one of the least material but verifiably stupid examples — where words are violence, invisible and unverifiable identities rule, fiat schools can’t teach people to read or count, Uber doesn’t have any cars, and the banks don’t have your money. It’s a broken culture, where the only thing running away faster than the deaths of despair are the deficits in a profligate Treasury, forever bound to send welfare checks to rent-seekers.

It’s a culture dominated by sensitivity instead of truth, that celebrates weakness instead of strength and responsibility and self-improvement, that encourages therapy even though it barely works and shoves you pharmacy-full of meds and injections at the first sign of trouble.

That’s why I’m not sold on this “Progressive Bitcoiner” ethos flying around. Progressives came to Bitcoin and carved out a niche for themselves, and for now that works well as a bridge over from the hyper-leftwing clown world to our world. But you won’t be a Bitcoiner and long remain a progressive; they’re mostly incompatible ideas.

Progressivism came to Bitcoin as a breath of fresh air, but it will ultimately die here.

Bitcoin strips a government of control over transactions and economic value. A progressive requires a large and invasive government to uphold and enact the many things they yearn for. If you still want those goodies, but not the violent organized crime syndicate we call government, you’re merely a libertarian with a strong social ethos. Congrats. I’ve said so before regarding Jason Maier’s A Progressive’s Case for Bitcoin, and I maintain that in time Bitcoin will change him too, like it has the rest of us.

Bitcoin sooner or later forces you into seeing the world of truth and acting in unfakeable ways, looking to what is rather than what’s voiced or recommended by “experts.” On the way there one usually complains loudly about the mean Bitcoiners not seeing the world you do.

It’s not a coincidence that so many Bitcoiners proudly and diligently consume steak. We saw that the nutritional guidelines were gunk (some might even say corrupt), and the people pushing them were obese, ill, and ugly. We ate a bunch of meat and felt better. _Do I look unhealthy to you?! _we ceremoniously ask.

The LGBTQ flags that Paez defends sit next to flags with “Free Palestine” — even though Palestinians aren’t exactly known for their pro-gay values — and “Slava Ukraini,” celebrating a country that scores among the worst on the Rainbow Europe index and routinely counts as Europe’s second most corrupt country (behind Russia). These are not serious people. You know something is rotten when originally peace-loving leftists celebrate the very warmongering people they should detest.

The ultimate shit-test is the clown world shitshow, not Bitcoiner culture. In fact, the truth and honesty in Bitcoin culture is the antidote.

Quit whining and go do some pull-ups.

--₿--

Originally published here.

@ 06830f6c:34da40c5

Recent data shows a notable divergence in Bitcoin’s (BTC) performance year-to-date (YTD): it has increased by 1% against the US Dollar (USD) but surged by 10% against the Kenyan Shilling (KES) over the past eight months. This discrepancy becomes even more pronounced in light of recent events in Kenya, where widespread protests have erupted over controversial tax hikes and demands for greater governmental accountability. Here’s a detailed analysis of why Bitcoin’s value has diverged against these two currencies and how the current political climate in Kenya might be influencing this trend.

1. Currency Depreciation and Inflationary Pressures

The substantial increase in Bitcoin’s value against the KES compared to the USD can largely be attributed to the significant depreciation of the Kenyan Shilling. Over the past eight months, the KES has likely weakened considerably due to both economic pressures and political instability. The ongoing protests against proposed tax hikes and calls for government resignation reflect broader discontent and could exacerbate inflation and currency depreciation.

In such a volatile environment, Bitcoin is often viewed as a safe-haven asset. The 10% rise in Bitcoin relative to the KES indicates that the local currency has lost purchasing power rapidly, making Bitcoin more attractive as a store of value.

2. Local Economic Conditions and Market Dynamics

The protests in Kenya, which have been driven by dissatisfaction with proposed tax increases and demands for more accountable governance, are indicative of broader economic and political challenges. These issues can create significant uncertainty and instability, which in turn affects the local currency. As the KES depreciates amidst these challenges, Bitcoin’s value in local terms increases more sharply.

In addition, local market conditions—such as heightened demand for Bitcoin as a hedge against currency risk—may further drive up its price in Kenya. Limited trading options or high transaction costs could also contribute to amplified price movements in the KES market.

3. Global Economic Influences and Exchange Rates

The performance of Bitcoin against the USD and KES over the YTD period also reflects broader global economic trends. The USD tends to be more stable compared to emerging market currencies like the KES. The 1% increase in Bitcoin relative to the USD suggests a relatively stable global environment, whereas the 10% rise against the KES indicates more severe local economic disturbances.

The depreciation of the KES against the USD, exacerbated by the recent political unrest, has likely intensified the divergence in Bitcoin’s value between the two currencies. This reflects the impact of local economic and political instability on the value of digital assets.

4. Arbitrage Opportunities and Market Speculation

Arbitrage opportunities and market speculation may also play a role in the observed price discrepancies. In times of local economic or political turmoil, such as the current protests in Kenya, there can be increased speculative trading and volatility. Investors seeking to hedge against local currency risks may drive up Bitcoin’s value more significantly in Kenya compared to other markets.

Conclusion

In summary, Bitcoin’s 10% rise against the Kenyan Shilling, contrasted with a 1% increase against the US Dollar over the past eight months, highlights the impact of local economic and political instability. The recent protests in Kenya, triggered by tax hikes and demands for better governance, have likely contributed to the rapid depreciation of the KES, amplifying Bitcoin’s value in local terms. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s relatively modest increase against the USD reflects a more stable global economic environment. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for investors and stakeholders navigating the complexities of cryptocurrency and foreign exchange markets amid ongoing political unrest. #bitbiashara

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

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

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

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

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

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

Free as in Competition

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

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

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

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

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

Free as in Volatile

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

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

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

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

Free as in “Number Go Up”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freedom Tech = Responsibility Tech.

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

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

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

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

Talking about farmers markets

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

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

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

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

Talking about Nostr markets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cash Budgets

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

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

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

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

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

Some baby UI steps in this direction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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All posts in the Fruits of the Spirit Series

Once again here are the fruits of the Spirit as defined in Galatians 5.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Self Control in All Things

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:2-8)

We serve an awesome, loving God, who has given believers “His divine power” and “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” This divine power includes self-control in all things.

God calls us to apply “all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” I would argue that self-control aids in our diligence of all of these traits.

• It takes self-control to live a life of moral excellence.
• It takes self-control to study and gain knowledge.
• It takes self-control to persevere in difficult and especially uncomfortable situations.
• It takes self-control to live in a godly manner.
• It takes self-control to always show brotherly kindness.
• It takes self-control to show love to those who are not loving.

God promises that if we diligently seek these things, he will “render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” If God considers us fruitful, we are fruitful indeed.

Following the Master’s Plan

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

One thing I noticed in this passage was that we need to “exercises self-control in all things,” but it then gives more information “I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.” We need to have self-control in a wise and functional way.

A number of years ago I had an employee that was a good parts salesman. He knew motorcycle parts very well and had a clientele that would seek him out. When our parts manager left, we decided to promote him to manager even though we had some concerns (mostly he thought he knew everything and didn’t listen well to instructions). We ended up having to fire him for not doing what he was supposed to do and not getting everything done. He responded that he worked harder than everyone else. He did work hard, but because he didn’t follow instructions and processes, he had to work twice as hard to do half as good of a job.

In the same way, we need to listen to God’s commands and plan, so we can work smart instead of hard. We will never get the full benefit of self-control until we follow the Master’s plan. This way, “I myself will not be disqualified.”

Like a trampled spring and a polluted well
Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit. (Proverbs 25:26-28)

There are many things over which we must have self-control. We must have self-control when pressured by the wicked. We must have self-control to not overindulge our appetites or our pride. Most of all we must have self-control over our spirit.

Slow to Anger

One of the two areas that most of us most need self-control is with anger. When people are foolish, mean, selfish, accusative, etc. we take personal insult and return the same. This is not the way God wants us to behave. We must have the mind of Christ and consider others.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

Are you mighty enough to rule your spirit and control your anger?

A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back. (Proverbs 29:11)

Are you wise enough to control your temper?

A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated. (Proverbs 14:16-17)

Are you cautious to control your temper so you are not tempted to act foolishly or in an evil manner just like those who made you angry?

He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
A tranquil heart is life to the body,
But passion is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:29-30)

This last verse has the key to controlling your temper and not acting in anger. Do you see it? “A tranquil heart is life to the body.” How can we have a tranquil heart? We can have a tranquil heart by knowing God’s purpose and His plan and knowing that His plan will be completed. We can have a tranquil heart by knowing what Jesus did for us. We can have a tranquil heart by following Jesus’s example. A tranquil heart leads to self-control, and self-control leads to a tranquil heart.

Tame the Tongue

The other area in which we most need self-control is with our words. How often do we speak before we think and then regret our words?

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. (James 3:1-10)

This passage says that the most difficult thing to control is our tongue. If we are able to use self-control with our words, we can have self-control in every other way. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we succeed in controlling our words.

He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. (Proverbs 17:27-28)

This passage has two main points. “He who restrains his words has knowledge.” I like the analogy someone came up with that God gave us two ears and one mouth because we should listen at least twice as often as we speak. Listening can help us learn things we need in life. Listening can also help us understand others. When we understand where they are coming from, it is easier to sympathize with them instead of getting angry with them.

If you notice in the passage, it also says “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise.” Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to say nothing. Yes we are called to stand up for the truth, but the old saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all,” is used so often because there is truth in it. I’m not saying that we are never to point out sin if it might hurt a person’s feelings or hurt our relationship with them, but if we are going to correct someone, it does need to be said in a nice (loving) way. If we aren’t able to do this, it might be best to say nothing.

It is also critical that if we are going to correct someone, we had better make sure we know what we are talking about. I’ve seen so many times when a person is an expert in one area, they talk like they are an expert in every area, even those in which they know practically nothing. When they do so, the areas they are knowledgeable in may be assumed to be just as foolish. I’ve also noticed there are two people who are most certain they are right: the person who is known as the subject matter expert and the person who knows so little that they don’t have any idea how much they don’t know.

The answer is twofold: study so you are as knowledgeable as possible and don’t talk as an expert in areas you haven’t spent extensive time studying. I know holding your tongue can be difficult when you feel passionately about something, but make sure it isn’t only passion speaking. You don’t want to “open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Render us Fruitful

In conclusion I’m returning to the passage we started with (or most of it).

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:5-8)

We are to seek the fruits of the Spirit with “all diligence.” Also, knowledge leads to self-control, which leads to perseverance, which leads to godliness, etc. We have a progression in our faith and the fruits of the Spirit.

Best of all is this, “if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful.” Make sure not only self-control, but all of the fruits of the Spirit “are yours and are increasing,” so you will no longer be “useless nor unfruitful.” Grow in faith. Study the Bible. Obey God’s commandments. Allow the Spirit to use you for the glory of God. Show the world all that God has given to those who trust Him and obey Him. Do not be unfruitful.

Trust Jesus.

FYI, my following posts will continue going through each of the individual fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

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Test Completed

:Lighningbutton{lud16=cypher@npub.cash}

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Test Test

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

Hey everyone,

I owe you some photos from my Moshi walk! I know, I know, I’ve been promising them for days. The truth is, I’ve been caught up in the digital world. I’ve been sorting through photos and diving deep into my Telos account. I’m really interested in exploring its potential, but it’s been a bit of a time-suck.

Then, today, I remembered my old friend: EOS. This is my fourth EOS account, and guess what? The same old problems. Not enough CPU! I thought I had figured out this whole CPU thing – use it, it goes down; don’t use it, it goes up. But nope, not this time. It won’t even let me power up. I’ve spent the whole day trying to fix it, but I’m officially tapped out. If anyone has any magic solutions, please share!

On a brighter note, I had lunch at a real local spot today. Not the cleanest place, but the food was cheap and authentic. Definitely a local experience! May I have no regrets about this.

Oh, and speaking of local experiences, Kilimanjaro is finally peeking out from the clouds! I’m about to snap a photo to share. I promised to share more photos of my Moshi walk, and in this post you will see them. I’m extending my stay here, so I’ll have more time to explore and figure out my next move.

Stay tuned for more updates! And if you have any tips on Telos or EOS, please drop a comment below.

Until next time, take it easy and don’t stress too much!

Kilimanjaro was being shy today. No photo, unfortunately.

Photos from my Moshi walk, taken two days ago.

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Feel free to support me by sending some sats via the lightning network to rubenstorm@sats.mobi

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Drugs since the lens of habitus

present

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

intro

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

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

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

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

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

mid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

closure

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

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

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

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

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At the core of human discord lies an elusive yet pervasive force: selfishness. This trait, embedded in every individual, obstructs humanity's progression and projects itself into our collective consciousness. Cultivated unconsciously throughout evolution, selfishness continually seeks more resources, contributing to global disintegration. Humanity, driven by its weaknesses and desires, unwittingly sustains this self-centered impulse, often ignoring the true source of unity: a higher, all-encompassing power.

To transcend selfishness and elevate global consciousness, humanity must recognize and align with the unifying essence inherent in all existence. This recognition arises from a profound understanding of the higher power, guiding us to instill values that transcend self-interest. By promoting spiritual education, ethical values, and altruistic behavior, we can catalyze this transformative shift.

A critical step is acknowledging the presence of a common unifying force across all dimensions of human experience. It is essential to reassess every aspect of how human consciousness engages with the world, from subtle spiritual realms to social and educational systems. Aligning individual and collective actions with the principles of this higher power is crucial for nurturing an environment that eradicates selfishness and fosters spiritual growth.

This ambitious endeavor requires collaborative community efforts, highlighting the importance of collective contributions towards building an enlightened and interconnected world. Together, we can leave a lasting impact on the global landscape, cultivating values rooted in the recognition of a unifying higher power and fostering harmonious coexistence beyond individual concerns.

@ 862fda7e:02a8268b

I never try to convince people to stop using social media, government spy devices (AKA smart phones), etc. Any time I have ever tried, people's curiosity is not peaked by learning how awful and extremely invasive the practices held by these companies are. Instead, people turn defensive and downplay the reality, or say "I have nothing to hide" (click here to learn why this is not an OK excuse), or give a pletora of excuses as to why they "have" to continue engaging in the harmful practice.

You do not HAVE to do anything. Everything we do is a choice.

What people REALLY mean is, "but this is more convenient." I have noticed that people really prefer the path of least resistance - and this is not a conscious choice. What other people in society do, we tend to do as well, all without thinking about it. This is why certain hairstyles are exclusive to a decade. We unconsciouslly adapt our behavior to what others are doing. A hairstyle is a great example, because it's a physical example we can SEE this happening. However, our internal thinking and behaviours also adapt to what others are doing.

When the entire society around us has intergrated the use of government spy devices (AKA cell phones) into common every day life, the average person will follow suit and get a cell phone and use it how everyone else is using it. This means cell phone -> required invasive "apps" to use cell phone = getting spied on my the government, corporations, and whoever they sell that data to.

@ 124b23f2:02455947

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

bitcoin #lightning #zeus #blixt

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

@ a619eb76:11d75935

III. Over-Organization

The shortest and broadest road to the nightmare of Brave New World leads, as I have pointed out, through over-population and the accelerating increase of human numbers -- twenty-eight hundred millions today, fifty-five hundred millions by the turn of the century, with most of humanity facing the choice between anarchy and totalitarian control. But the increasing pressure of numbers upon available resources is not the only force propelling us in the direction of totalitarianism. This blind biological enemy of freedom is allied with immensely powerful forces generated by the very advances in technology of which we are most proud. Justifiably proud, it may be added; for these advances are the fruits of genius and persistent hard work, of logic, imagination and self- denial -- in a word, of moral and intellectual virtues for which one can feel nothing but admiration. But the Nature of Things is such that nobody in this world ever gets anything for nothing. These amazing and admirable advances have had to be paid for. Indeed, like last year's washing machine, they are still being paid for -- and each installment is higher than the last. Many historians, many sociologists and psychologists have written at length, and with a deep concern, about the price that Western man has had to pay and will go on paying for technological progress. They point out, for example, that democracy can hardly be expected to flourish in societies where political and economic power is being progressively concentrated and centralized. But the progress of technology has led and is still leading to just such a concentration and centralization of power. As the machinery of mass production is made more efficient it tends to become more complex and more expensive -- and so less available to the enterpriser of limited means. Moreover, mass production cannot work without mass distribution; but mass distribution raises problems which only the largest producers can satisfactorily solve. In a world of mass production and mass distribution the Little Man, with his inadequate stock of working capital, is at a grave disadvantage. In competition with the Big Man, he loses his money and finally his very existence as an independent producer; the Big Man has gobbled him up. As the Little Men disappear, more and more economic power comes to be wielded by fewer and fewer people. Under a dictatorship the Big Business, made possible by advancing technology and the consequent ruin of Little Business, is controlled by the State -- that is to say, by a small group of party leaders and the soldiers, policemen and civil servants who carry out their orders. In a capitalist democracy, such as the United States, it is controlled by what Professor C. Wright Mills has called the Power Elite. This Power Elite directly employs several millions of the country's working force in its factories, offices and stores, controls many millions more by lending them the money to buy its products, and, through its ownership of the media of mass communication, influences the thoughts, the feelings and the actions of virtually everybody. To parody the words of Winston Churchill, never have so many been manipulated so much by so few. We are far indeed from Jefferson's ideal of a genuinely free society composed of a hierarchy of self- governing units -- "the elementary republics of the wards, the county republics, the State republics and the Republic of the Union, forming a gradation of authorities." We see, then, that modern technology has led to the concentration of economic and political power, and to the development of a society controlled (ruthlessly in the totalitarian states, politely and inconspicuously in the democracies) by Big Business and Big Government. But societies are composed of individuals and are good only insofar as they help individuals to realize their potentialities and to lead a happy and creative life. How have individuals been affected by the technological advances of recent years? Here is the answer to this question given by a philosopher-psychiatrist, Dr. Erich Fromm: Our contemporary Western society, in spite of its material, intellectual and political progress, is increasingly less conducive to mental health, and tends to undermine the inner security, happiness, reason and the capacity for love in the individual; it tends to turn him into an automaton who pays for his human failure with increasing mental sickness, and with despair hidden under a frantic drive for work and so-called pleasure.

Our "increasing mental sickness" may find expression in neurotic symptoms. These symptoms are conspicuous and extremely distressing. But "let us beware," says Dr. Fromm, "of defining mental hygiene as the prevention of symptoms. Symptoms as such are not our enemy, but our friend; where there are symptoms there is conflict, and conflict always indicates that the forces of life which strive for integration and happiness are still fighting." The really hopeless victims of mental illness are to be found among those who appear to be most normal. "Many of them are normal because they are so well adjusted to our mode of existence, because their human voice has been silenced so early in their lives, that they do not even struggle or suffer or develop symptoms as the neurotic does." They are normal not in what may be called the absolute sense of the word; they are normal only in relation to a profoundly abnormal society. Their perfect adjustment to that abnormal society is a measure of their mental sickness. These millions of abnormally normal people, living without fuss in a society to which, if they were fully human beings, they ought not to be adjusted, still cherish "the illusion of individuality," but in fact they have been to a great extent deindividualized. Their conformity is developing into something like uniformity. But "uniformity and freedom are incompatible. Uniformity and mental health are incompatible too. . . . Man is not made to be an automaton, and if he becomes one, the basis for mental health is destroyed."

In the course of evolution nature has gone to endless trouble to see that every individual is unlike every other individual. We reproduce our kind by bringing the father's genes into contact with the mother's. These hereditary factors may be combined in an al- most infinite number of ways. Physically and mentally, each one of us is unique. Any culture which, in the interests of efficiency or in the name of some political or religious dogma, seeks to standardize the human individual, commits an outrage against man's biological nature.

Science may be defined as the reduction of multiplicity to unity. It seeks to explain the endlessly diverse phenomena of nature by ignoring the uniqueness of particular events, concentrating on what they have in common and finally abstracting some kind of "law," in terms of which they make sense and can be effectively dealt with. For examples, apples fall from the tree and the moon moves across the sky. People had been observing these facts from time immemorial. With Gertrude Stein they were convinced that an apple is an apple is an apple, whereas the moon is the moon is the moon. It remained for Isaac Newton to perceive what these very dissimilar phenomena had in common, and to formulate a theory of gravitation in terms of which certain aspects of the behavior of apples, of the heavenly bodies and indeed of everything else in the physical universe could be explained and dealt with in terms of a single system of ideas. In the same spirit the artist takes the innumerable diversities and uniquenesses of the outer world and his own imagination and gives them meaning within an orderly system of plastic, literary or musical patterns. The wish to impose order upon confusion, to bring harmony out of dissonance and unity out of multiplicity is a kind of intellectual instinct, a primary and fundamental urge of the mind. Within the realms of science, art and philosophy the workings of what I may call this "Will to Order" are mainly beneficent. True, the Will to Order has produced many premature syntheses based upon insufficient evidence, many absurd systems of metaphysics and theology, much pedantic mistaking of notions for realities, of symbols and abstractions for the data of immediate experience. But these errors, however regrettable, do not do much harm, at any rate directly -- though it sometimes happens that a bad philosophical system may do harm indirectly, by being used as a justification for senseless and inhuman actions. It is in the social sphere, in the realm of politics and economics, that the Will to Order becomes really dangerous. Here the theoretical reduction of unmanageable multiplicity to comprehensible unity becomes the practical reduction of human diversity to subhuman uniformity, of freedom to servitude. In politics the equivalent of a fully developed scientific theory or philosophical system is a totalitarian dictatorship. In economics, the equivalent of a beautifully composed work of art is the smoothly running factory in which the workers are perfectly adjusted to the machines. The Will to Order can make tyrants out of those who merely aspire to clear up a mess. The beauty of tidiness is used as a justification for despotism.

Organization is indispensable; for liberty arises and has meaning only within a self-regulating community of freely cooperating individuals. But, though indispensable, organization can also be fatal. Too much organization transforms men and women into automata, suffocates the creative spirit and abolishes the very possibility of freedom. As usual, the only safe course is in the middle, between the extremes of laissez-faire at one end of the scale and of total control at the other.

During the past century the successive advances in technology have been accompanied by corresponding advances in organization. Complicated machinery has had to be matched by complicated social arrangements, designed to work as smoothly and efficiently as the new instruments of production. In order to fit into these organizations, individuals have had to deindivid-ualize themselves, have had to deny their native diversity and conform to a standard pattern, have had to do their best to become automata.

The dehumanizing effects of over-organization are reinforced by the dehumanizing effects of over-population. Industry, as it expands, draws an ever greater proportion of humanity's increasing numbers into large cities. But life in large cities is not conducive to mental health (the highest incidence of schizophrenia, we are told, occurs among the swarming inhabitants of industrial slums); nor does it foster the kind of responsible freedom within small self-governing groups, which is the first condition of a genuine democracy. City life is anonymous and, as it were, abstract. People are related to one another, not as total personalities, but as the embodiments of economic functions or, when they are not at work, as irresponsible seekers of entertainment. Subjected to this kind of life, individuals tend to feel lonely and insignificant. Their existence ceases to have any point or meaning.

Biologically speaking, man is a moderately gregarious, not a completely social animal -- a creature more like a wolf, let us say, or an elephant, than like a bee or an ant. In their original form human societies bore no resemblance to the hive or the ant heap; they were merely packs. Civilization is, among other things, the process by which primitive packs are transformed into an analogue, crude and mechanical, of the social in- sects' organic communities. At the present time the pressures of over-population and technological change are accelerating this process. The termitary has come to seem a realizable and even, in some eyes, a desirable ideal. Needless to say, the ideal will never in fact be realized. A great gulf separates the social insect from the not too gregarious, big-brained mammal; and even though the mammal should do his best to imitate the insect, the gulf would remain. However hard they try, men cannot create a social organism, they can only create an organization. In the process of trying to create an organism they will merely create a totalitarian despotism.

Brave New World presents a fanciful and somewhat ribald picture of a society, in which the attempt to recreate human beings in the likeness of termites has been pushed almost to the limits of the possible. That we are being propelled in the direction of Brave New World is obvious. But no less obvious is the fact that we can, if we so desire, refuse to co-operate with the blind forces that are propelling us. For the moment, however, the wish to resist does not seem to be very strong or very widespread. As Mr. William Whyte has shown in his remarkable book, The Organization Man, a new Social Ethic is replacing our traditional ethical system -- the system in which the individual is primary. The key words in this Social Ethic are "adjustment," "adaptation," "socially orientated behavior," "belongingness," "acquisition of social skills," "team work," "group living," "group loyalty," "group dynamics," "group thinking," "group creativity." Its basic assumption is that the social whole has greater worth and significance than its individual parts, that inborn biological differences should be sacrificed to cultural uniformity, that the rights of the collectivity take precedence over what the eighteenth century called the Rights of Man. According to the Social Ethic, Jesus was completely wrong in asserting that the Sabbath was made for man. On the contrary, man was made for the Sabbath, and must sacrifice his inherited idiosyncrasies and pretend to be the kind of standardized good mixer that organizers of group activity regard as ideal for their purposes. This ideal man is the man who displays "dynamic conformity" (delicious phrase!) and an intense loyalty to the group, an unflagging desire to subordinate himself, to belong. And the ideal man must have an ideal wife, highly gregarious, infinitely adaptable and not merely re- signed to the fact that her husband's first loyalty is to the Corporation, but actively loyal on her own account. "He for God only," as Milton said of Adam and Eve, "she for God in him." And in one important respect the wife of the ideal organization man is a good deal worse off than our First Mother. She and Adam were permitted by the Lord to be completely uninhibited in the matter of "youthful dalliance."

Nor turned, I ween, Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refused.

Today, according to a writer in the Harvard Business Review, the wife of the man who is trying to live up to the ideal proposed by the Social Ethic, "must not demand too much of her husband's time and interest. Because of his single-minded concentration on his job, even his sexual activity must be relegated to a secondary place." The monk makes vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. The organization man is allowed to be rich, but promises obedience ("he accepts authority without resentment, he looks up to his superiors"-- Mussolini ha sempre ragione) and he must be prepared, for the greater glory of the organization that employs him, to forswear even conjugal love. It is worth remarking that, in 1984, the members of the Party are compelled to conform to a sexual ethic of more than Puritan severity. In Brave New World, on the other hand, all are permitted to indulge their sexual impulses without let or hindrance. The society described in Orwell's fable is a society permanently at war, and the aim of its rulers is first, of course, to exercise power for its own delightful sake and, second, to keep their subjects in that state of constant tension which a state of constant war demands of those who wage it. By crusading against sexuality the bosses are able to maintain the required tension in their followers and at the same time can satisfy their lust for power in a most gratifying way. The society described in Brave New World is a world-state, in which war has been eliminated and where the first aim of the rulers is at all costs to keep their subjects from making trouble. This they achieve by (among other methods) legaliz- ing a degree of sexual freedom (made possible by the abolition of the family) that practically guarantees the Brave New Worlders against any form of destructive (or creative) emotional tension. In 1984 the lust for power is satisfied by inflicting pain; in Brave New World, by inflicting a hardly less humiliating pleasure.

The current Social Ethic, it is obvious, is merely a justification after the fact of the less desirable consequences of over-organization. It represents a pathetic attempt to make a virtue of necessity, to extract a positive value from an unpleasant datum. It is a very unrealistic, and therefore very dangerous, system of morality. The social whole, whose value is assumed to be greater than that of its component parts, is not an organism in the sense that a hive or a termitary may be thought of as an organism. It is merely an organization, a piece of social machinery. There can be no value except in relation to life and awareness. An organization is neither conscious nor alive. Its value is instrumental and derivative. It is not good in itself; it is good only to the extent that it promotes the good of the individuals who are the parts of the collective whole. To give organizations precedence over persons is to subordinate ends to means. What happens when ends are subordinated to means was clearly demonstrated by Hitler and Stalin. Under their hideous rule personal ends were subordinated to organizational means by a mixture of violence and propaganda, systematic terror and the systematic manipulation of minds. In the more efficient dictatorships of tomorrow there will probably be much less violence than under Hitler and Stalin. The future dictator's subjects will be painlessly regimented by a corps of highly trained social engineers. "The challenge of social engineering in our time," writes an enthusiastic advocate of this new science, "is like the challenge of technical engineering fifty years ago. If the first half of the twentieth century was the era of the technical engineers, the second half may well be the era of the social engineers" -- and the twenty-first century, I suppose, will be the era of World Controllers, the scientific caste system and Brave New World. To the question quis custodiet custodeal -- Who will mount guard over our guardians, who will engineer the engineers? -- the answer is a bland denial that they need any supervision. There seems to be a touching belief among certain Ph.D.'s in sociology that Ph.D.'s in sociology will never be corrupted by power. Like Sir Galahad's, their strength is as the strength of ten because their heart is pure -- and their heart is pure because they are scientists and have taken six thousand hours of social studies.

Alas, higher education is not necessarily a guarantee of higher virtue, or higher political wisdom. And to these misgivings on ethical and psychological grounds must be added misgivings of a purely scientific character. Can we accept the theories on which the social engineers base their practice, and in terms of which they justify their manipulations of human beings? For example, Professor Elton Mayo tells us categori- cally that "man's desire to be continuously associated in work with his fellows is a strong, if not the strongest human characteristic." This, I would say, is manifestly untrue. Some people have the kind of desire described by Mayo; others do not. It is a matter of tem- perament and inherited constitution. Any social organization based upon the assumption that "man" (whoever "man" may be) desires to be continuously associated with his fellows would be, for many individual men and women, a bed of Procrustes. Only by being amputated or stretched upon the rack could they be adjusted to it.

Again, how romantically misleading are the lyrical accounts of the Middle Ages with which many contemporary theorists of social relations adorn their works! "Membership in a guild, manorial estate or village protected medieval man throughout his life and gave him peace and serenity." Protected him from what, we may ask. Certainly not from remorseless bullying at the hands of his superiors. And along with all that "peace and serenity" there was, throughout the Middle Ages, an enormous amount of chronic frustration, acute unhappiness and a passionate resentment against the rigid, hierarchical system that permitted no vertical movement up the social ladder and, for those who were bound to the land, very little horizontal movement in space. The impersonal forces of over-population and over-organization, and the social engineers who are trying to direct these forces, are pushing us in the direction of a new medieval system. This revival will be made more acceptable than the original by such Brave-New- Worldian amenities as infant conditioning, sleep-teaching and drug-induced euphoria; but, for the majority of men and women, it will still be a kind of servitude.

@ 8dc86882:9dc4ba5e

I wanted to do something for the Nostr community and since I don't code, I thought setting up a relay would be a good idea. So, I went down the rabbit hole of choices and soon realized it may be a bit of a challenge with the gazillion choices of relay projects out there.

I put a question up on Stacker News and someone linked me to Nostr1. This seemed like a simple enough solution to get something started. To be honest it was pretty easy to get plebone.nostr1.com up and going.

I had the choice to make it public or paid. I've started with paid but I'm quickly changing my mind on that. I have it set to 11 sats per post thinking that is reasonable and I may get close to earning enough to pay for it every month, but to be honest this even has me a little confused on how it even works?

Now I am thinking to put it as a free relay and then maybe once a month ask for donations to keep it running. It really doesn't need much, and even if I get 1/3 of the cost that is fine. Keeping it free will truly make it a community thing. Maybe even if donations do better I can open up multiple relays.. who knows.

I am wondering what others, thoughts on this are?

Cheers!

plebone

@ e968e50b:db2a803a

...a 25W light bulb. Sorry. But is anybody working on this (using mining heat and a lower watt LED bulb)? I know that GekkoScience is working on a coffee warmer right now.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/645846

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

Estamos numa época tão estranha da humanidade…

Onde alguns querem reescrever a história, em vez de aprender e evoluir com a mesma. São com os erros que se cresce.

Onde o termo fascista é sinónimo de alguém com uma opinião diferente da sua, sem minimamente saber o real significado dessa palavra.

Onde defendem uma liberdade, que proíba o contraditório.

Onde não se discutem ideias, mas sim combatem ideias.

Onde o ambientalmente sustentável é substituir árvores e zonas verdes por estruturas em aço e zonas negras.

Onde os políticos constroem casas ou cidades, literalmente, em cima dos rios mas depois a culpa das cheias é as alterações climáticas.

Onde os alimentos tem menos importância que um peido de uma vaca.

Onde pessoas defendem que a solução para o aquecimento, é morrer de frio.

Onde a igualdade é favorecer um grupo, em detrimento de outro.

Onde o essencial é viver para consumir, em vez de usufruir.

Onde o importante é ser rico e ostentar essa mesma riqueza, mesmo que tenha de espezinhar outros para a conquistar.

Onde o mais importante é parecer em vez de ser.

Onde políticos defendem que o conhecimento pode levar a escolhas erradas, defendem o carneirismo.

Onde um político define o que é verdade ou mentira, limitando o que as pessoas podem expressar. Mas quem controla o controlador.

Onde os revisores da verdade deixaram de estar num gabinete, passando a ser um exército de jovens atrás de um teclado.

Onde, são propostas e aprovadas limitações de liberdade, sem esclarecimento ou divulgação pública. Pior que a obscuridade, é desinteresse da comunidade por liberdade.

Onde a censura é o novo normal, defender o contrário é que é censurável.

Onde a imprensa é tão livre como uma pomba dentro de sua gaiola.

Onde, quem comete o crime é protegido, quem o denúncia é perseguido.

Onde o certo é pensar com a cabeça dos outros, sem questionar.

Onde os pais delegaram o papel de educar às escolas e aos ecrãs azuis.

Onde a escola deixou de ser um lugar de conhecimento e/ou do desenvolvimento do espírito crítico.

Onde as crianças crescem doutrinados por políticos e por AI.

Onde a sociedade é programada e com um destino predefinido, como um rato dentro da sua roda.

Onde o maior erro, é pretender construir seres que não cometem erros, que não tenham vícios. Quando isso acontecer, deixamos de ser humanos. A imperfeição é a essência dos seres humanos, é o que nos difere das máquinas.

Onde só se ensina a não cair, em vez de ajudar e incentivar a levantar.

Onde se suspende a liberdade de circulação e os direitos mais básicos, sem ninguém questionar.

Onde a privacidade é crime.

Onde Satoshi é excomungado, mas Miguel Tiago é idoleterado.

Onde a moeda é utilizado como uma arma.

Onde uma guerra é digladiada entre zeros e uns, sem o comum mortal aperceber da sua existência.

Onde crianças caem em campos de batalha, como folhas em pleno outono.

Onde o direito ao Livre-arbítrio está sob ameaça.

@ 66df6056:f3203c64

แนวคิดอันนี้เกิดขึ้นหลังจากที่ผมได้รู้จัก LFS หรือ Log- structure File System มันทำให้ผมเกิดความคิดว่าในเมื่อมันสามารถที่จะเก็บ file และทุก log ของการเปลี่ยนแปลงในแต่ละไฟล์ งั้นแปลว่าในกรณีที่ file โดน encrypt มันก็น่าจะสามารถกู้คืนมาได้สิ เอ้ะแต่ถ้าเครื่องนั้นโดน ransomware ไปรอบนึงแล้วกู้คืนมาแล้วมันก็โดนอีกอยู่ดีมั้ย เลยเกิดไอเดียใหม่ว่าแล้วถ้าเราหา SSD อีกลูกมาเก็บ backup ถ้าโดน ransomware ก็ถอดไปเสียบเครื่องใหม่ก็จบ ตะตะแต่ว่า LFS เนี่ย ดั้นนนใช้ไม่ได้กับ windows หรือ Mac เอาละ ปัญหาใหม่มาอีกละ งั้นต้องทำไงล่ะ ? หึเก็บไว้บอกท้ายบทความละกัน มาทำความเข้าใจโปรเจคนี้กันทีละขั้นตอนกันดีกว่า

Log-structure File System (LFS)

เป็น File system รูปแบบหนึ่งที่จะทำการเก็บข้อมูลเป็น log และสามารถย้อนกลับได้ทุกการกระทำ นอกจากมีความถี่ในการสร้าง snapshot ที่สูงมาก จริง ๆ แล้วเหมาะกับงานประเภทที่ต้องการความต่อเนื่องหากดบัไปต้องกู้คืนได้มากที่สุดเท่าที่เป็นไปได้ แต่เพราะไอความสามารถตรงนั้นของมันนี่แหละ ที่ผมมองว่ามันน่าจะหยิบมาใช้กับการกู้คืน file หลังจากโดน ransomware ได้แน่ ๆ โดยในครั้งนี้ผมเลือกใช้เป็น NILFS2 เนื่องจากดูแล้วน่าจะเหลือตัวเดียวที่ยังพอมีการพัฒนาอยู่ 5555 รูปแบบการเก็บข้อมูลจะเหมือนกับภาพด้านล่างนี้

ตัวอย่าง: เดิมที file A: "AAAAA" จากนั้นผมได้ทำการอัพเดตข้อมูลใน file A เป็น "BBBBB" ด้วยความสามารถของ LFS มันสามารถที่จะดึง file A เวอร์ชันที่เป็น "AAAAA" กลับมาได้

นี่เป็นปัจจัยสำคัญที่ทำให้ผมมองว่า LFS เหมาะสมที่จะมาเป็นระบบไฟล์ที่ใช้ในการสำรองข้อมูล แต่อยากที่ได้กล่าวไว้ข้างต้นว่าปัญหาของระบบไฟล์นี้คือมันใช้พื้นที่เก็บข้อมูลค่อนข้างสูง และมี write speed ที่ค่อนข้างช้า ถ้าเทียบกับระบบไฟล์อื่น ๆ ในกรณีที่ความเร็วของ SSD เท่ากัน เลยมองว่าถ้าจะใช้เป็นระบบหลักในการเก็บข้อมูลทุกอย่างคงจะไม่เหมาะ เลยนำไปสู่การทำระบบโดยใช้ระบบไฟล์สองแบบที่แตกต่างกัน

System Design

อย่างที่ได้พูดถึงข้อเสียของ NILFS2 ไปข้างต้น แปลว่าถ้าอยากจะให้คอมพิวเตอร์ทำงานได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพคงเดิมและสามารถป้องกัน ransomware ได้ด้วยก็จำเป็นต้องมีระบบไฟล์ที่ใช้กันทั่วไปอย่าง FAT32 หรือ ext4 และใช้ SSD อีกลูกหนึ่งที่ format เป็น NILFS2 และเขียนโปรแกรมให้คอยมอนิเตอร์ทุก ๆ กิจกรรมบน user space และทุกครั้งที่เกิดการเขียนไฟล์ขึ้นให้เขียนลงใน SSD ที่เป็น NILFS2 ด้วย ดังภาพที่แสดงด้านล่างนี้

แล้วทำไมไฟล์ในลูกที่เก็บสำรองข้อมูลถึงไม่เท่ากับจำนวนไฟล์ในที่เก็บข้อมูลหลักล่ะ ? เนื่องด้วยความเร็วในการเขียนที่ค่อนข้างแตกต่างกันของทั้งสอง ผมเลยมองว่าถ้าเราเก็บในรูปแบบบล๊อกจะทำให้เก็บข้อมูลได้ไวกว่า อย่างตัวอย่างในรูป สมมุติว่าไฟล์ A มีขนาดประมาณ 3 บล๊อกใน SSD ที่เป็น nilfs2 ก็จะมี 3 ไฟล์และต้องใช้ทั้งสามไฟล์เพื่อที่จะคืนค่าไฟล์ A กลับมา ถ้าอ่านมาถึงตรงนี้อาจจะเกิดข้อสงสัยว่า แล้วจะทำให้มันยุ่งยากทำไม คัดลอกไฟล์มาใส่ก็จบแล้วมั้ย ? ก็ใช่แหละและจริง ๆ ผมคิดว่าทำแบบนั้นก็เพียงพอ แต่ว่าอย่างที่บอกไปข้างต้น ผมอยากได้ระบบที่ป้องกันได้ 100% ผมเลยเลือกที่จะมอนิเตอร์ kernel เอาไว้และเมื่อมีการเขียนไฟล์เกิดขึ้นผมต้องการดึงข้อมูลมาจากตรงนั้นเลย ไม่อยากรอถูกเขียนลงในพื้นที่เก็บข้อมูลหลักก่อนแล้วค่อยคัดลอกมา จริง ๆ ก็ด้วยเหตุผลด้านประสิทธิภาพด้วย

แล้วจะมอนิเตอร์ kernel อย่างไร ??

ในครั้งนี้ผมเลือกที่จะใช้เป็น eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) จริงแล้วเจ้า eBPF เนี่ยใช้งานได้หลากหลายเลยแหละ เรียกได้ว่าประโยชน์รอบด้านสุด ๆ ตามรูปที่แนบด้านล่างเลย

แต่ในครั้งนี้เราจะยุ่งกับมันเพียงแค่การใช้งานเพื่อสอดส่อง kernel เท่านั้น

ภาพด้านบนนี้แสดงให้เห็นจุดที่เราสามารถใช้ eBPF ในการดึงข้อมูลได้ นั่นเลยเป็นเหตุผลหลักที่ผมเลือกใช้ โดยวางการทำงานทั้งหมดของการมอนิเตอร์ไว้ดังนี้

1. ใช้ eBPF เพื่อคอยเช็คว่ามีการเขียนเกิดขึ้นมั้ยโดยการอ่านค่า flag จาก NVMe ว่ามีค่าเป็นอะไรจากนั้นนำค่าที่ได้มา XOR ด้วย mask ถ้าค่าออกมาเป็น 1 แปลว่านั่นคือ write_operation (อาจแตกต่างกันแล้วแต่ version)
2. เมื่อเช็คค่าแล้วเป็น write_operation จากนั้นก็ให้ทำการอ่านเลข sector, และขนาดของข้อมูลที่ต้องการจะเขียน
3. จากนั้นเข้าไปอ่านต่อใน Bio ลงไปยัง Bio_vec และไป Bv_page ตามลำดับ เพื่ออ่านข้อมูลทั้งหมดที่มาจากคำสั่งในการเขียนครั้งนั้น ๆ *ภาพประกอบเพิ่มเติมเพื่อใครงงว่า Bio คืออะไรข้อมูลเวลาเราเขียนจะอยู่บน page
4. ส่งข้อมูลที่ได้ทั้งหมดออกมา

เพียงเท่านี้เราก็ทำการดึงข้อมูลทุกครั้งที่เราเขียนได้แล้ว และจะนำมันเข้าสู่ขั้นตอนต่อไปในการเก็บข้อมูลลง SSD

เก็บข้อมูลและส่งไป SSD ที่เป็น nilfs2

เมื่อได้ข้อมูลมาจากการทำงานที่ได้กล่าวไว้ข้างบนแล้ว ก็จะได้ชุดข้อมูลมาชุดหนึ่ง ส่งออกมันมาจาก ebpf(C program) มาสู่ Python ต่อโดยมีขั้นตอนดังนี้

1. นำเลข sector ที่ได้มาทำการคูณด้วยขนาดของ sector เพื่อให้เราได้ logical address มา จากนั้นให้นำ logical address หารด้วยขนาดของบล๊อกเพื่อให้ได้เลขบล๊อก
2. นำข้อมูลในแต่ละ sector มาเรียงลงในบล๊อกที่มันอยู่ละบันทึกลงไปใน SSD

ตัวอย่างเพื่อให้เห็นภาพมากขึ้น สมมุติว่าข้อมูลที่ส่งกลับมาขนาด 4097 B และเริ่มเขียนที่ sector 0 (กำหนดให้ 1 sector มีขนาด 512B และ 1 Block มี 8 sector)

4097/512 = 8.xx ก็แปลว่าข้อมูลนี้ต้องเก็บใน 9 sector คือ sector 0 ถึง 8 และ 8 sector รวมเป็น 1 block แปลว่าข้อมูลใน sector 0-7จะอยู่ใน block 0 และ sector 8 จะอยู่ใน block 1 แปลว่าโปรแกรมของผมจะสร้างมาสองไฟล์คือ 0,1 จากนั้นจะทำการเติม 0 ท้ายไฟล์ 1 จนมีขนาด 4096 B เท่ากับขนาดของ block

สำหรับคนที่งงว่า sector บล๊อกคืออะไร

ให้ดูตรงรูปกลม ๆ ทางซ้ายมือจะเห็นได้ว่ามันเป็นหน่วยความจำในจานหมุน ซึ่ง sector คือหน่วยย่อยสุด และ sector รวม ๆ กันหลาย ๆ sector จะเป็น cluter บางที่ก็เรียก Tracks บางที่ก็ Block ซึ่งนี่แหละคือบล๊อกที่ผมหมายถึง

เพียงเท่านี้เราก็ได้ระบบที่สามารถป้องกัน ransomware ได้แล้ว เพราะเนื่องจากเมื่อเราโดน ransomware และไฟล์เราถูก encrypt เราก็เพียงใช้ความความสามารถของ SSD ลูกที่เป็น nilfs2 เพื่อนำไฟล์ดั้งเดิมก่อนจะถูก encrypt กับมาได้ดังรูปประกอบด้านล่างนี้

ส่งท้าย

จริง ๆ แล้วที่ผมเก็บเป็นไฟล์ block เพราะผมอยากให้ backup file สามารถเข้ากันได้กับทุกระบบไฟล์เพื่อให้สามารถใช้งานได้กับทุกระบบ ถึงจะยังทำไม่ได้ก็เหอะ 55555

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

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

1. Splash Zapvertising Integration

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

• ZapAdd
• Zapper Nostrapps

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

2. Transforming SN Territories into Npubs

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

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

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

Example: SN Music Territory Npub

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

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

Benefits and Considerations

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

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

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

It would also be cool to add....

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

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

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

I woke up in my dorm this morning to the sound of rain – a rarity in Africa, but a common occurrence here around Mount Kilimanjaro. The climate is much like a European summer, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. Unlike the rest of Africa, this region receives more rainfall, creating a lush and scenic environment.

After a quick shower, I stepped out onto the balcony to find myself greeted by a chilly rain. Not ideal weather for exploring, but it did present a different perspective of the majestic Kilimanjaro. The mountain, often shrouded in clouds, occasionally peeks through, and on a clear day, might even be bathed in sunshine. From this vantage point, it's hard to imagine the countless hikers making their way up its slopes.

Did you know that Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain and a dormant volcano, once held a unique title? Back in 1910, during the German Empire, it was considered the empire's highest peak. While Mount Everest holds the title of the world's highest mountain overall, Kilimanjaro takes the crown for the tallest freestanding mountain – any higher peak is likely part of a mountain range or group.

Gazing at Kilimanjaro, I'm struck by its history – a single, towering volcano, once a part of the German Empire. Traces of that era linger in Moshi, with some colonial-era buildings, some in disrepair, others beautifully restored. Arusha, another nearby town, boasts an impressive art gallery and a fascinating National Museum. This museum, housed in a former German fort, offers a glimpse into the past. One particularly intriguing resident is a giant tortoise, discovered by German colonists as a hatchling in Kilimanjaro National Park. This living relic has witnessed a century of change, a silent observer of a bygone era.

Today promises to be a relaxing one. I'll spend time soaking up the views from the rooftop, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kilimanjaro in all its glory. On a more practical note, I'm also on the hunt for a remote job to help with some financial constraints. Finding the right opportunity seems to be a bit more challenging than anticipated.

As I wrap up this post, the weather has taken a turn for the better. The rain has stopped, the temperature has risen, and the sun is beginning to peek through the clouds. Here's to a wonderful day for everyone – enjoy yours!

(P.S. Be sure to check out the photos – one captures Kilimanjaro from yesterday evening, the other is a picture of me with the giant tortoise from my previous trip here in December 2022).

Online

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Feel free to support me by sending some sats via the lightning network to rubenstorm@sats.mobi

@ ee11a5df:b76c4e49

What Can We Get by Breaking NOSTR?

"What if we just started over? What if we took everything we have learned while building nostr and did it all again, but did it right this time?"

That is a question I've heard quite a number of times, and it is a question I have pondered quite a lot myself.

My conclusion (so far) is that I believe that we can fix all the important things without starting over. There are different levels of breakage, starting over is the most extreme of them. In this post I will describe these levels of breakage and what each one could buy us.

Cryptography

Your key-pair is the most fundamental part of nostr. That is your portable identity.

If the cryptography changed from secp256k1 to ed25519, all current nostr identities would not be usable.

This would be a complete start over.

Every other break listed in this post could be done as well to no additional detriment (save for reuse of some existing code) because we would be starting over.

Why would anyone suggest making such a break? What does this buy us?

• Curve25519 is a safe curve meaning a bunch of specific cryptography things that us mortals do not understand but we are assured that it is somehow better.
• Ed25519 is more modern, said to be faster, and has more widespread code/library support than secp256k1.
• Nostr keys could be used as TLS server certificates. TLS 1.3 using RFC 7250 Raw Public Keys allows raw public keys as certificates. No DNS or certification authorities required, removing several points of failure. These ed25519 keys could be used in TLS, whereas secp256k1 keys cannot as no TLS algorithm utilizes them AFAIK. Since relays currently don't have assigned nostr identities but are instead referenced by a websocket URL, this doesn't buy us much, but it is interesting. This idea is explored further below (keep reading) under a lesser level of breakage.

Besides breaking everything, another downside is that people would not be able to manage nostr keys with bitcoin hardware.

I am fairly strongly against breaking things this far. I don't think it is worth it.

Signature Scheme and Event Structure

Event structure is the next most fundamental part of nostr. Although events can be represented in many ways (clients and relays usually parse the JSON into data structures and/or database columns), the nature of the content of an event is well defined as seven particular fields. If we changed those, that would be a hard fork.

This break is quite severe. All current nostr events wouldn't work in this hard fork. We would be preserving identities, but all content would be starting over.

It would be difficult to bridge between this fork and current nostr because the bridge couldn't create the different signature required (not having anybody's private key) and current nostr wouldn't be generating the new kind of signature. Therefore any bridge would have to do identity mapping just like bridges to entirely different protocols do (e.g. mostr to mastodon).

What could we gain by breaking things this far?

• We could have a faster event hash and id verification: the current signature scheme of nostr requires lining up 5 JSON fields into a JSON array and using that as hash input. There is a performance cost to copying this data in order to hash it.
• We could introduce a subkey field, and sign events via that subkey, while preserving the pubkey as the author everybody knows and searches by. Note however that we can already get a remarkably similar thing using something like NIP-26 where the actual author is in a tag, and the pubkey field is the signing subkey.
• We could refactor the kind integer into composable bitflags (that could apply to any application) and an application kind (that specifies the application).
• Surely there are other things I haven't thought of.

I am currently against this kind of break. I don't think the benefits even come close to outweighing the cost. But if I learned about other things that we could "fix" by restructuring the events, I could possibly change my mind.

Replacing Relay URLs

Nostr is defined by relays that are addressed by websocket URLs. If that changed, that would be a significant break. Many (maybe even most) current event kinds would need superseding.

The most reasonable change is to define relays with nostr identities, specifying their pubkey instead of their URL.

What could we gain by this?

• We could ditch reliance on DNS. Relays could publish events under their nostr identity that advertise their current IP address(es).
• We could ditch certificates because relays could generate ed25519 keypairs for themselves (or indeed just self-signed certificates which might be much more broadly supported) and publish their public ed25519 key in the same replaceable event where they advertise their current IP address(es).

This is a gigantic break. Almost all event kinds need redefining and pretty much all nostr software will need fairly major upgrades. But it also gives us a kind of Internet liberty that many of us have dreamt of our entire lives.

I am ambivalent about this idea.

Protocol Messaging and Transport

The protocol messages of nostr are the next level of breakage. We could preserve keypair identities, all current events, and current relay URL references, but just break the protocol of how clients and relay communicate this data.

This would not necessarily break relay and client implementations at all, so long as the new protocol were opt-in.

What could we get?

• The new protocol could transmit events in binary form for increased performance (no more JSON parsing with it's typical many small memory allocations and string escaping nightmares). I think event throughput could double (wild guess).
• It could have clear expectations of who talks first, and when and how AUTH happens, avoiding a lot of current miscommunication between clients and relays.
• We could introduce bitflags for feature support so that new features could be added later and clients would not bother trying them (and getting an error or timing out) on relays that didn't signal support. This could replace much of NIP-11.
• We could then introduce something like negentropy or negative filters (but not that... probably something else solving that same problem) without it being a breaking change.
• The new protocol could just be a few websocket-binary messages enhancing the current protocol, continuing to leverage the existing websocket-text messages we currently have, meaning newer relays would still support all the older stuff.

The downsides are just that if you want this new stuff you have to build it. It makes the protocol less simple, having now multiple protocols, multiple ways of doing the same thing.

Nonetheless, this I am in favor of. I think the trade-offs are worth it. I will be pushing a draft PR for this soon.

The path forward

I propose then the following path forward:

1. A new nostr protocol over websockets binary (draft PR to be shared soon)
2. Subkeys brought into nostr via NIP-26 (but let's use a single letter tag instead, OK?) via a big push to get all the clients to support it (the transition will be painful - most major clients will need to support this before anybody can start using it).
3. Some kind of solution to the negative-filter-negentropy need added to the new protocol as its first optional feature.
4. We seriously consider replacing Relay URLs with nostr pubkeys assigned to the relay, and then have relays publish their IP address and TLS key or certificate.

We sacrifice these:

1. Faster event hash/verification
2. Composable event bitflags
3. Safer faster more well-supported crypto curve
4. Nostr keys themselves as TLS 1.3 RawPublicKey certificates

@ 8f69ac99:4f92f5fd

A arte sempre foi um veículo para o comentário social, dissidência política e expressão cultural. No entanto, o outrora vibrante panorama da liberdade artística parece agora estar a ser ofuscado por uma indústria cada vez mais homogeneizada e politicamente orientada, que funciona mais como propaganda do que como criatividade genuína. Há uma interseção desconfortável entre a política e a arte, onde os artistas modernos se tornaram porta-vozes de ideologias de esquerda, em vez de pensadores independentes ou inovadores.

Um Breve Histórico da Dissidência Artística

No passado, artistas alinhados com movimentos políticos progressistas, como o comunismo, o socialismo e o anarquismo, eram aclamados como campeões da mudança, utilizando os seus talentos criativos para desafiar normas estabelecidas. A ideologia de esquerda oferecia uma plataforma para expressar dissidência contra sistemas opressivos no poder, defendendo as comunidades desfavorecidas e marginalizadas e promovendo a igualdade social. No entanto, esse alinhamento resultava de convicções genuínas, e não de mera conformidade política.

A Radicalização da Ideologia Moderna de Esquerda

Com o passar do tempo, as ideologias de esquerda evoluíram para manifestações mais radicais, impulsionadas pelo "virtue signaling" (sinalização de virtude), activismo performativo e apropriação cultural. Estas novas formas de pensamento de esquerda mudaram o foco de um envolvimento político genuíno para uma obsessão com auto promoção e influência nas redes sociais. Os artistas modernos são cada vez mais pressionados a alinhar-se com essas tendências para manter a relevância ou garantir apoio financeiro, contribuindo assim para uma cultura de conformidade em vez de inovação artística pelo seu próprio valor.

A Captura Intelectual pelos Estados Socialistas

Os governos socialistas têm historicamente procurado captar talentos intelectuais para servirem os seus objectivos, com os artistas a serem frequentemente cooptados para disseminar propaganda estatal. O papel do artista moderno como porta-voz da narrativa socialista evoluiu para além da mera conformidade – agora, há uma expectativa implícita de conformidade política e alinhamento cultural, abafando efetivamente vozes dissidentes dentro da comunidade artística.

A Mudança da Arte pela Beleza para a Arte pelos Subsídios

Outrora impulsionados pelo compromisso de produzir obras belas que ressoavam com o público e contribuíam economicamente através de vendas de bilhetes ou mercadorias, os artistas têm dependido cada vez mais de financiamento público como principal fonte de rendimento. Esta mudança resultou numa indústria onde as criações artísticas não são mais julgadas apenas pelo seu valor estético, mas sim pela sua correcção política e capacidade de atrair apoio governamental.

A Relação Artista-Contribuinte: Uma Questão de Parasitismo

Embora os artistas tenham tradicionalmente dependido do patrocínio de benfeitores ricos, a dependência contemporânea de financiamento público criou uma relação complicada entre os criativos e os seus cidadãos. Numa era em que os fundos públicos são cada vez mais escassos para apoiar várias iniciativas, alguns críticos argumentam que a arte financiada por impostos não passa de um comportamento parasitário – utilizando o trabalho árduo das pessoas comuns para produzir obras que pouco servem para esses mesmos indivíduos. No entanto, é importante notar que alguns argumentam que o financiamento público pode ajudar a apoiar artistas emergentes ou a preservar o património cultural, acrescentando nuance a este debate.

Conclusão: Reivindicando a Verdadeira Independência Criativa

À luz destas preocupações, é hora de reexaminar a relação entre arte e política na sociedade contemporânea. Ao encorajar a autenticidade sobre a conformidade ideológica, promover uma gama diversificada de vozes dentro da comunidade artística e promover a transparência em torno das fontes de financiamento e afiliações políticas, para recuperar uma verdadeira independência criativa das narrativas dirigidas pelo estado. Plataformas como o Nostr, onde os criadores de conteúdo podem receber gorjetas diretamente pelo seu trabalho, fornecem um modelo para fomentar uma maior independência. Estas plataformas permitem que os artistas se conectem diretamente com o seu público, contornando os gatekeepers tradicionais e a influência estatal. Ao apoiar estas e outras iniciativas semelhantes, os artistas podem ser vistos novamente como catalisadores de mudanças positivas, em vez de meros porta-vozes numa paisagem cultural cada vez mais politizada.

---

Photo by Chris Czermak on Unsplash

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

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

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

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

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

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

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

@ 4657dfe8:47934b3e

Hey Stackerz!

We're a team of Bitcoin, Lightning, Nostr and open-source passionates, with a mission of making Lightning sovereign and accessible to everyone.

Our most popular product is the Alby Browser Extension, that lets users do various lightning magic in your browser, use Nostr securely etc., but we are also behind development of various developer tools, like WebLN, Nostr Wallet Connect or Bitcoin-Connect.

Recently we've launched Alby Hub - self-custodial wallet with a lightning node, quite intuitive and easy to connect with various apps, which is quite a thing for us.

Please meet @bumi, @MoritzK, @reneaaron, @rolznz, @saunter @itsTomekK, JPL, Adithya and PavanJ, who will answer every question.

Pleasure to be here! 🙂

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/640244

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

The Law Giver

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

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

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

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

The Last Things

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enter Bitcoin.

The Great Ledger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

Moshi, Tanzania

Ah, the sweet escape of a charming café. As I sit here, sipping on a cappuccino, the gentle hum of my laptop provides a comforting backdrop to the bustling afternoon. For the past few days, I’ve been immersed in the digital world, meticulously sorting through years of photos. With a decent internet connection at my hostel, I finally managed to download my Google Photos archive and embark on this daunting task.

Progress is slow but steady. I’ve managed to categorize all my photos up until the end of 2023 into daily folders. Now comes the more challenging part: tackling 2024 and organizing all of them by location. It's a labor of love, but one that will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.

Today, Moshi decided to throw a curveball. A widespread power outage forced me to seek refuge in a café with reliable electricity. Luckily, I stumbled upon the delightful Union Café, a haven of calm amidst the chaos. While it lacked internet, at least I could charge my depleted devices.

My brief escape from the hostel also provided an opportunity to capture some street scenes. Unfortunately, the joy of photography was quickly overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of eager salesmen. It seems as though every white person is a walking ATM in this part of the world. The situation has worsened compared to my previous visits, and it's disheartening to see Tanzania following Kenya's footsteps in this regard.

On a personal note, my neck is aching, and a massage sounds like pure bliss. However, the fear of being scammed is holding me back. For now, it's time to pay the 5,000 TZS cappuccino bill and head back to the hostel.

I've decided to give Digikam another shot for photo management. Despite some initial hiccups with importing from Google Photos, I'm hopeful that it will be the right tool for the job. I'll experiment with other features over the next few days.

As the day winds down, I'm eager to share more about my Moshi adventures, including photos from my stroll. But for now, it's time to relax and recharge. Stay tuned for more updates!

Online

Profile Page | Support Page

Feel free to support me by sending some sats via the lightning network to rubenstorm@sats.mobi

@ af9c48b7:a3f7aaf4

From the Crime Desk – June 2024

**By Federal Tax Update Staff **

This month's From the Crime Desk covers guilty pleas, convictions, and sentences for tax crimes during the month of June 2024. Guilty pleas. Georgia CPA and tax preparer, Herbert Lewis, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government and filing a false personal tax return. These crimes were related to his participation in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. According to court records, for at least five years Lewis promoted and sold tax deductions to his wealthy clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters organized and created by co-defendants Jack Fisher, James Sinnott, and others. Lewis' clients claimed $14 million in false deductions, causing an almost $5 million tax loss to the IRS. For their involvement in the scheme, Fisher and Sinnott were sentenced to 25 and 23 years in prison, respectively. Lewis will be sentenced at a later date.  California tax preparer, Salvador Gonzalez, pleaded guilty to preparing and filing false tax returns for his clients. Gonzalez directed his clients to create a phony corporation and to title their homes, cars, and other assets in the name of the corporation. The corporate returns included the clients' personal expenses and generated large losses. Gonzalez then prepared the clients' individual income tax returns, which claimed the fraudulent business losses. Gonzalez also fabricated deductions on the personal returns, such as unreimbursed employee expenses, cash contributions to charity, and medical and dental expenses. Gonzalez prepared or assisted in the preparation of more than 11,000 tax returns that requested refunds from the IRS totaling more than $38 million. Christopher Garraty, pleaded guilty to evading more than $400,000 in taxes on income he earned as a commercial fisherman. Despite his substantial income from fishing, Garraty did not file nine years of federal income tax returns until 2012. When he filed the delinquent returns, he reported that he owed a total of approximately $234,497 in taxes for those nine years. But even after reporting that he owed taxes, Garraty did not make any payments to the IRS. In addition, Garraty failed to file returns for another four years despite earning approximately $600,000 in fishing income across those years and owing approximately $179,382 in taxes. Convictions. A federal jury convicted former Utah movie producer Paul Kenneth Cromar of tax evasion and forcibly retaking property that had been seized by the government to pay his outstanding tax debt. According to court records, Cromar owned and operated a freelance film and media production company. For approximately 15 years, Cromer neither filed any tax returns nor paid any taxes. After an audit, the IRS assessed over $700,000 in taxes, interest and penalties. After Cromar failed to make any payments towards his outstanding debt, the IRS filed a foreclosure suit and Cromer's house was ordered sold. Shortly before the court-ordered sale closed, Cromar forcibly broke into the home and attempted to reclaim it. With the help of others, he occupied the home unlawfully for five months, fortifying it with weapons, sandbags, and wooden boards tactically placed throughout the house. Cromar caused a total tax loss to the IRS of over $1.174 million.  A federal jury convicted Jason Pecoy, a construction project manager, for conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing income from the IRS. Pecoy received at least $600,000 in cash payments from a co-conspirator for the purchase and construction of a custom-built home on Cape Cod. Instead of depositing the cash he received into the businesses' bank accounts, Pecoy distributed the cash directly to vendors and subcontractors. Pecoy also created and maintained separate ledgers documenting the cash payments, false contracts and cost estimates, and false entries in the company's accounting system to conceal the cash payments. Sentences. Marijuana dispensary owner Ryan Richmond was sentenced to 24 months in prison for evading income taxes, failing to file an income tax return and obstructing an IRS audit. According to court records, for at least four years Richmond paid his business' operating expenses extensively in cash and routed customer credit card payments through an unrelated third-party bank account to conceal his business' gross receipts. In addition, Richmond didn't report his business income on his tax returns. Finally, Richmond obstructed the IRS by misleading an IRS auditor examining his taxes about his knowledge of profits derived from the business. In total, Richmond caused a tax loss of over $1 million. Christos Karasarides Jr. and Ronald DiPietro, who led a conspiracy that caused millions in tax losses, were sentenced to prison for tax, money laundering, conspiracy, and obstruction crimes arising out of their ownership and operation of illegal gambling businesses. Karasarides Jr. was sentenced to serve 262 months in prison and three years of supervised release, pay restitution, and forfeit his residence and $419,768 in cash. Ronald DiPietro was sentenced to 112 months in prison and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution. In total, Karasarides caused a tax loss of $5.4 million and DiPietro caused a tax loss of $4.7 million.  Florida tax return preparer, John Borgela, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, two years of supervised release and to pay restitution for conspiring to defraud the United States by preparing and filing false tax returns for clients. According to court records, Borgela and his co-conspirator filed hundreds of false returns each year. They inflated tax withholdings and reported fictitious itemized deductions to generate refunds for clients and to conceal his participation in the fraud, Borgela did not list his name as preparer or include his electronic filing number (EFIN) on the returns. Instead, he used his employees' names and the EFINs of other return preparation businesses. Borgela and his co-conspirator caused a tax loss of approximately $970,000. Texas businessman John L. Petrone was sentenced to 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release and to pay restitution to the United States for evading taxes on income he earned from his business. According to court records, for six years Petrone neither filed income tax returns nor paid taxes despite earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from his business. Petrone attempted to evade his income taxes by opting not to withhold federal taxes from his paychecks, operating the business under different names, dealing in cash, using business bank accounts to pay for personal expenses, and lying to the IRS during an audit. In addition, Petrone did not pay his business' employment taxes. Petrone caused a tax loss of over $529,000.  © 2024 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting. All Rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Statement Document Title:From the Crime Desk – June 2024 (07/09/2024) Checkpoint Source:Federal Tax Updates © 2024 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting. All Rights Reserved.

@ 35f3a26c:92ddf231

The US debt is out of control

https://image.nostr.build/3649f05b28372efca686e41aa05147556d85a58abbd41bea88054735b449daf3.jpg

It is plausible that soon after the next presidential election this next November 2024, independently of who wins, USA may have to deal with a new black swan event, of course, pure speculation, it seems many dooms day analysts are calling for it and even some of them, those that are normally bullish like Albert Edwards (A global strategist at Societe Generale) or Matt Gertken (Chief geopolitical strategist at BCA Research) are considering the possibility.

If it happens, How would it affect Bitcoin price?

https://image.nostr.build/c4c455d42d7497029dcbc2627663a0c08ba32b9d6a064e224af9dbc478e49213.jpg

Historically, Bitcoin has reacted positively to economic turmoil, often being seen as a safe haven, therefore, IMO, it could drive additional demand for it, potentially increasing its value exponentially.

Why not Gold but Bitcoin?

https://image.nostr.build/f0c8f0c0a3a7e12efc872aac1c2baa64dd10b3a3785383ab68a443296b9688f0.jpg

IMO, Bitcoin today has way more chances than ever before to gain terrain over Gold as safe haven, Gold is a $10T MC, Bitcoin is $1.34T MC.

Reasoning: - Demographics: The X generation is taking over the BB generation, billions of dollars are moving to a generation that is quite aware of Bitcoin and could move some of the assets currently in Gold by their late parents into Bitcoin.

• Validation: Bitcoin have been demonized for a long time by most of the banksters and politicians in their pockets. The tune is changing and we have a presidential candidate with chances to win pro Bitcoin as well as his chosen partner running for VP. The same candidate has spoken opening of removing the current head of the SEC. All of this means that regulation will change further positively in favor of Bitcoin investors since it validates further Bitcoin as a safe haven.

• Adoption: The adoption of Bitcoin is currently quite small. In our Bitcoin world we tend to think is larger, but, the company Chainanalysis reported in their 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index that only 1.83% of the worldwide population own cryptocurrencies, but it does not break down this figure by specific cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. Other sources report that the adoption is closer to 13% for all crypto, which is quite a jump from 1.83% but considering that Chainanalysis is a well funded company exclusively dedicated to the crypto industry lets go with that number. Very low. Now, considering that the banksters are joining the party, soon, the vast majority of the population will have access to the asset, not only via ETF, but like a stock, it will be custodial, it will be on the bank apps, very similar to Coinbase but accessible to everyone, including all generations and independently of the technical level. As internet did, it will move from the tech savvy to the tech enthusiasts and last but not least (we are getting there) to the whole population.

Summary My opinion is that we moon in a black swan scenario. Perhaps the uncertainty will create a dip at first, but the smart money will move, as it always does, to safe havens, and Bitcoin has become one of them.

https://image.nostr.build/2478a4395deac4312148c2db1fb8e2ebcac40c1b320c80f61208a77b6e3e58cf.jpg

What do you think? Did I miss something?

@ 4b20a602:b57153f5

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

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

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

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

Kennedy paints a grim picture of the housing market:

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

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

The Equity Trap

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This phenomenon illustrates two crucial points:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Final Note

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joe Thomas Founder, The Bitcoin Blok

@ 82fbb08c:d8cbc29a

Life is short, as everyone knows. When I was a kid I used to wonder about this. Is life actually short, or are we really complaining about its finiteness? Would we be just as likely to feel life was short if we lived 10 times as long? Since there didn't seem any way to answer this question, I stopped wondering about it. Then I had kids. That gave me a way to answer the question, and the answer is that life actually is short. Having kids showed me how to convert a continuous quantity, time, into discrete quantities. You only get 52 weekends with your 2 year old. If Christmas-as-magic lasts from say ages 3 to 10, you only get to watch your child experience it 8 times. And while it's impossible to say what is a lot or a little of a continuous quantity like time, 8 is not a lot of something. If you had a handful of 8 peanuts, or a shelf of 8 books to choose from, the quantity would definitely seem limited, no matter what your lifespan was. _Ok, so life actually is short. _Does it make any difference to know that? It has for me. It means arguments of the form "Life is too short for x" have great force. It's not just a figure of speech to say that life is too short for something. It's not just a synonym for annoying. If you find yourself thinking that life is too short for something, you should try to eliminate it if you can. When I ask myself what I've found life is too short for, the word that pops into my head is "bullshit." I realize that answer is somewhat tautological. It's almost the definition of bullshit that it's the stuff that life is too short for. And yet bullshit does have a distinctive character. There's something fake about it. It's the junk food of experience. [1] If you ask yourself what you spend your time on that's bullshit, you probably already know the answer. Unnecessary meetings, pointless disputes, bureaucracy, posturing, dealing with other people's mistakes, traffic jams, addictive but unrewarding pastimes. There are two ways this kind of thing gets into your life: it's either forced on you, or it tricks you. To some extent you have to put up with the bullshit forced on you by circumstances.

You need to make money, and making money consists mostly of errands. Indeed, the law of supply and demand ensures that: the more rewarding some kind of work is, the cheaper people will do it. It may be that less bullshit is forced on you than you think, though. There has always been a stream of people who opt out of the default grind and go live somewhere where opportunities are fewer in the conventional sense, but life feels more authentic. This could become more common. You can do it on a smaller scale without moving. The amount of time you have to spend on bullshit varies between employers. Most large organizations (and many small ones) are steeped in it. But if you consciously prioritize bullshit avoidance over other factors like money and prestige, you can probably find employers that will waste less of your time. If you're a freelancer or a small company, you can do this at the level of individual customers. If you fire or avoid toxic customers, you can decrease the amount of bullshit in your life by more than you decrease your income. But while some amount of bullshit is inevitably forced on you, the bullshit that sneaks into your life by tricking you is no one's fault but your own. And yet the bullshit you choose may be harder to eliminate than the bullshit that's forced on you. Things that lure you into wasting your time have to be really good at tricking you. An example that will be familiar to a lot of people is arguing online. When someone contradicts you, they're in a sense attacking you. Sometimes pretty overtly. Your instinct when attacked is to defend yourself. But like a lot of instincts, this one wasn't designed for the world we now live in. Counterintuitive as it feels, it's better most of the time not to defend yourself. Otherwise these people are literally taking your life. [2] Arguing online is only incidentally addictive. There are more dangerous things than that. As I've written before, one byproduct of technical progress is that things we like tend to become more addictive. Which means we will increasingly have to make a conscious effort to avoid addictions — to stand outside ourselves and ask "is this how I want to be spending my time?" As well as avoiding bullshit, one should actively seek out things that matter. But different things matter to different people, and most have to learn what matters to them. A few are lucky and realize early on that they love math or taking care of animals or writing, and then figure out a way to spend a lot of time doing it. But most people start out with a life that's a mix of things that matter and things that don't, and only gradually learn to distinguish between them. For the young especially, much of this confusion is induced by the artificial situations they find themselves in. In middle school and high school, what the other kids think of you seems the most important thing in the world. But when you ask adults what they got wrong at that age, nearly all say they cared too much what other kids thought of them. One heuristic for distinguishing stuff that matters is to ask yourself whether you'll care about it in the future. Fake stuff that matters usually has a sharp peak of seeming to matter. That's how it tricks you. The area under the curve is small, but its shape jabs into your consciousness like a pin. The things that matter aren't necessarily the ones people would call "important." Having coffee with a friend matters. You won't feel later like that was a waste of time. One great thing about having small children is that they make you spend time on things that matter: them. They grab your sleeve as you're staring at your phone and say "will you play with me?" And odds are that is in fact the bullshit-minimizing option. If life is short, we should expect its shortness to take us by surprise. And that is just what tends to happen. You take things for granted, and then they're gone. You think you can always write that book, or climb that mountain, or whatever, and then you realize the window has closed. The saddest windows close when other people die. Their lives are short too. After my mother died, I wished I'd spent more time with her. I lived as if she'd always be there. And in her typical quiet way she encouraged that illusion. But an illusion it was. I think a lot of people make the same mistake I did. The usual way to avoid being taken by surprise by something is to be consciously aware of it. Back when life was more precarious, people used to be aware of death to a degree that would now seem a bit morbid. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't seem the right answer to be constantly reminding oneself of the grim reaper hovering at everyone's shoulder. Perhaps a better solution is to look at the problem from the other end. Cultivate a habit of impatience about the things you most want to do. Don't wait before climbing that mountain or writing that book or visiting your mother. You don't need to be constantly reminding yourself why you shouldn't wait. Just don't wait. I can think of two more things one does when one doesn't have much of something: try to get more of it, and savor what one has. Both make sense here. How you live affects how long you live. Most people could do better. Me among them. But you can probably get even more effect by paying closer attention to the time you have. It's easy to let the days rush by. The "flow" that imaginative people love so much has a darker cousin that prevents you from pausing to savor life amid the daily slurry of errands and alarms. One of the most striking things I've read was not in a book, but the title of one: James Salter's Burning the Days. It is possible to slow time somewhat. I've gotten better at it. Kids help. When you have small children, there are a lot of moments so perfect that you can't help noticing. It does help too to feel that you've squeezed everything out of some experience. The reason I'm sad about my mother is not just that I miss her but that I think of all the things we could have done that we didn't. My oldest son will be 7 soon. And while I miss the 3 year old version of him, I at least don't have any regrets over what might have been. We had the best time a daddy and a 3 year old ever had. Relentlessly prune bullshit, don't wait to do things that matter, and savor the time you have. That's what you do when life is short.

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you a quick update on my travels. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing much exploring lately. I had a bit of an accident a few days ago while crossing the street in the dark.

Since then, I've been mostly relaxing at the hostel, trying to keep my foot off it as much as possible. My daily routine has been pretty simple: wake up, shower, clean the wounds, grab breakfast, and then catch up on some work on my laptop. Not exactly the adventure I was hoping for, but hopefully it'll give my foot the rest it needs to heal quickly.

Speaking of the accident, let's just say it was a good reminder about the importance of being prepared, especially when traveling in Africa. Here, reliable access to electricity and Wi-Fi isn't always a guarantee. Luckily, the hostel I'm staying at has both, which is a real plus. However, frequent power outages are common, and having a flashlight is a lifesaver – literally!

In my case, the power was out when I tried to cross the street. Because I couldn't see a thing, I decided to walk to a crosswalk for better visibility. Big mistake. There was a curb at the crosswalk that I completely missed in the darkness. Tripped, fell, and ended up hurting my foot, knee, and hands.

Thankfully, the damage wasn't too severe. My knee and hands just had some minor scrapes, but my toes took the brunt of the fall. The hostel, unfortunately, didn't have a first-aid kit, but a kind fellow traveler from Egypt came to the rescue with some antiseptic fluid. Huge thanks to him for that!

Since the accident, I've been keeping the wounds open to the air, but today I noticed some signs of infection. So, I ventured out to a larger pharmacy to pick up some supplies and some disinfectant spray. Hopefully, this will help clear things up.

On a brighter note, the hostel has a fantastic rooftop bar and restaurant with Wi-Fi, which has become my hangout spot for the past few days. The view isn't too bad either!

Lesson Learned: Always take your flashlight out of your bag when it's dark outside, no matter how confident you feel. A little extra caution can go a long way in preventing accidents. From now on, my flashlight is coming out of my bag at dusk – no exceptions!

In the picture, you'll see my temporary workspace. I've spared you the close-up of my toes – trust me, it's not pretty!

Thanks for reading everyone, and have a great day!

Online

Profile Page | Support Page

@ 2a5d1247:0398ad01

🧠Quote(s) of the week:

'In a world of exponentially growing trust problems, it is prudent to own Bitcoin, the only asset that requires zero trust.' -James Lavish

'Bitcoin is a tool for: 1. Financial inclusion 2. Banking the unbanked 3. Eliminating financial discrimination 4. Cross-border payments 5. Enhancing green energy 6. Improving grid resiliency 7. Reducing emissions All of these are aligned with Democrat values.' - Dennis Porter

🧡Bitcoin news🧡

Now before I start with the Weekly Recap I want to share the following message and start the Weekly Recap with some news from the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville: The dying of the niche is HYPERBITCOINIZATION.

Well, it's 2024 and Bitcoin has already become a national issue in the USA. We are not a niche anymore. It's as negligent for a nation not to have a Bitcoin strategy today as it would have been to ignore the internet in 1994.

Last week during the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville the Independent candidate for President (RFK Jr) AND the Republican candidate (Donald Trump) went on stage and are now vocally pro-Bitcoin. This is crucial because it forces the hand of the Democratic Party. More on that below in the segment Macro/Geopolitics.

Over time, having a good Bitcoin policy will be mandatory to win an election. Not only in the U.S. but globally, but for the love of God/Allah or whatever you believe in...Stop larping!

Bitcoin doesn't need politicians. Politicians need Bitcoin (Votes and Bitcoiners).

So how will they get votes?

👉🏽Let's start with RFK Jr. one-liners: “I would like to have the federal government begin to buy Bitcoin and over my term in office, ultimately have an equivalent amount of Bitcoin that we have gold.”

"Bitcoin is honest because there's nobody in control, it's based on Proof of Work, and decentralized with everything on the ledger."

"US Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy F. Jr. says he will sign an executive order for the US to buy 550 Bitcoin a day until they build a reserve of 4 million BTC if elected president. RFK Jr."

👉🏽Senator Cynthia Lummis: Senator Cynthia Lummis announces legislation for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for the USA. Read more: https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-announces-revolutionary-proposal-to-supercharge-the-dollar-bolster-u-s-economy/

👉🏽Trump: "If President, he pledges to form a Bitcoin Reserve, using 210,000 Bitcoin seized by the Department of Justice, as the core of a new “Strategic National Bitcoin Stockpile.” Overall Trump's speech was atrocious. He showed zero understanding or authentic support for Bitcoin. It was very clear he understood nothing about Bitcoin. And doesn’t care. “Have fun with your crypto”.

👉🏽Now what about the Democrats? More on that below in the segment Macro/Geopolitics.

Anyway:

Michael Saylor's new Bitcoin price prediction:

21-year price forecast: Bear: $3M (ARR: 21%)

Base: $13M (ARR: 29%)

Bull: $49M (ARR: 37%)

Do you think that $49M is crazy? Read the following post, brilliant breakdown and forecast: https://x.com/infraa_/status/1817213782822985783

23rd of July:

➡️'Lightning Labs launches Taproot Assets on Bitcoin to bring “trillions of stablecoin volume to Bitcoin.' -Bitcoin Archive

➡️Bitcoin is the most recognizable brand in the world and it got there without a CEO or marketing team.

24th of July:

➡️Ferrari to accept Bitcoin in Europe after successful launch in the U.S. "If you can imagine it, you can do it." - Enzo Ferrari

➡️Kraken reports they have successfully distributed the Mt. Gox Bitcoin back to the creditors. It’s been nearly a decade since Kraken was selected by the Trustee to facilitate the investigation and return of client funds.

➡️Bitcoin finance company, debit card &financial services, Fold to be listed on the NASDAQ with over 1.000 Bitcoin in its corporate treasury.

➡️ Privacy-focused email provider Proton Mail launched an open-source Bitcoin wallet. They have over 100 Million users

➡️Jersey City to buy Bitcoin for the city’s pension fund, says City Mayor

➡️'Bitcoin Strategies for the Nation States'

Very well written by Freddy New and the people from the Bitcoin Policy UK.

https://www.bitcoinpolicy.uk/post/bitcoin-strategies-for-nation-states

They encourage you to read their open letters, download the policy manifesto, and share it with your local MP.

25th of July:

➡️'Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), a company that harnesses digital asset computing for energy transformation, has purchased $100 million worth of Bitcoin, boosting its total holdings to more than 20,000 Bitcoin. With a new treasury strategy and commitment to holding all mined Bitcoin, they’re solidifying BTC as a prime reserve asset.' - BTC Times

➡️Since Microstrategy bought their first Bitcoin on 11th of August 2020 the company is up 1090%. In comparison, Nvidia is up 893%, and Apple is up 91%. -Bitcoin for Freedom

➡️Jersey City will make a 2% Bitcoin allocation for its pension fund. The Jersey City pension fund is updating paperwork with the SEC to allocate a portion of the fund to Bitcoin ETFs, similar to the Wisconsin Pension Fund's 2% allocation - the Mayor of Jersey City

“I’m sure eventually it will be more common,” says Mayor Steven Fulop

26th of July:

➡️U.S. Senator Marshall withdraws his support for the bill to backdoor ban Bitcoin self-custody authored by Elizabeth Warren.

➡️Argentina's General Inspector approves the first company capitalized with Bitcoin.

➡️Semler Scientific has filed with the SEC to raise $150M to buy more Bitcoin It already bought $58m Bitcoin. This is the MicroStrategy playbook.

➡️ $1.5T Franklin Templeton has partnered with one of Japan's biggest financial services companies, SBI Holdings, to launch a Bitcoin ETF in Japan - Nikkei

➡️Bitcoin makes a new all-time high in Brazil.

➡️After Wisconsin and Jersey City now also the Michigan Retirement System bought $6.6 million in Bitcoin through the ARK ETF. In an SEC filing on the 26th of July, the State of Michigan Retirement System reported owning $6.6 million of the ARK Bitcoin ETF (110,000 shares) as of June 30.

Hello, game theory! Soon there will be dozens more and then hundreds.

➡️Publicly-traded company OneMedNet announced a Bitcoin treasury strategy after an investment from Off the Chain Capital. It announced a $2.8 million investment into Bitcoin.

26th / 27th of July: Bitcoin Conference

Let me start by using the same quote as I shared in multiple Weekly Recaps in 2023: Remember what I said a while ago on politicians: "My personal opinion. Be wary of politicians who promise to give you exactly what you want. Politicians are just politicians! Bitcoin doesn't need politicians, politicians need Bitcoin (and votes). Don't lose the plot. And stop larping! Stay humble & stack sats."

The first government to adopt Bitcoin was always going to spread it to the rest and with the conference in Nashville, Bitcoin continues on its Trojan Horse adoption journey! We are not a niche anymore.

➡️Governor of Louisiana endorses the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve strategy after protecting self-custody and banning CBDCs. "Louisiana is a leader in bitcoin—banning CBDCs and protecting self-custody. We should continue to lead by having a strategic reserve of Bitcoin as Donald Trump suggests!

➡️ At the start of the segment you saw one of RFK Jr's one-liners buying 550 Bitcoin per day.

TLDR: Probably not possible. Why, read here: https://x.com/BitPaine/status/1817019849694151089

➡️'EDWARD SNOWDEN gave an existential warning to all people. “If you stick out, you will become non-normative, an anomaly.”

Snowden warns that within 5-10 years, big data will track every aspect of our lives on the blockchain to create predictive behavioral models.

These models will control whether or not you are given a loan, whether or not you will be hired for a new job, and how you participate in the marketplace. This 2-minute clip of Snowden at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville is mandatory listening.' -Lauren Lee

Watch the clip here

The point above worries me a lot. If we can't create a robust Bitcoin economy the future isn't as bright as all might think. And because of that and to protect our rights and freedoms it is maybe a good thing to actively engage in the political process. The government will always be in the way.

For now, I don't think the EU will have in the future a Bitcoin-friendly jurisdiction as they like to regulate the shit out of everything.

Modern problems require modern solutions...but how many think about that and act upon?

You are a Bitcoiner. You stack through non-KYC, and you have a KYC stack, you coinjoin, and you hold for your future.

On the 28th of July:

➡️ FORBES: “We are witnessing game theory play out in real-time, as nations and organizations adapt to the growing significance of #bitcoin in the global financial system.”

💸Traditional Finance / Macro:

👉🏽no news

🏦Banks:

👉🏽 U.S. Banks Report from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency finds that half of large U.S. Banks are failing on operational risk.

---

🌎Macro/Geopolitics:

---

On the 23rd of July

👉🏽China builds the world’s 1st meltdown-proof nuclear reactor with 105 MW capacity, making it possible to build nuclear plants without the risk of dangerous meltdown.

On the 24th of July:

Switzerland now requires all government software to be open source. While this legislative move positions Switzerland at the forefront of the global open-source movement, more work needs to be done both in Europe and the US.

For more info read the full article here:

On the 25th of July:

👉🏽'Biden says in his Oval Office address, "I'm the first president this century to report to the American people that the United States is not at war anywhere in the world." (The Pentagon announced airstrikes in Yemen earlier today.)' -Ken Klippenstein

I smell bullshit from miles away. Through proxies, the US is at war in Europe and the Middle East. Misleading as always. The U.S. has not declared war since 1942. It only has bombed and fought almost half the globe.

On the 26th of July:

👉🏽Let's talk about demographics:

'Remarkable chart, within just a decade net migration into Germany has been almost 6 Million people. That’s more or less Berlin and Munich combined. Has there been any public debate that this is what Germans want to happen in their country?' -Michael A. Arouet

Now you wonder why this is happening. It's quite straightforward.

In the year 2000, a UN paper was released called "Replacement Migration". You can Google it, it's public. This isn't some mystery or even conspiracy theory. It's simple birth rate math.

Now ask yourself. Unskilled immigration into the social system doesn’t solve the demographic problem, it makes it worse.

Unfunded pension liabilities are a bitch ass ponzi to deal with because more and more people in the West are going to be retired and fewer and fewer people will be working to support them. What's your solution? Tax the young until their pips squeak?

People have to understand that they can’t keep their retirement system while having one of the lowest birth rates and not welcoming immigrants. Oh well, the social welfare and retirement system is going to implode anyway. It is a mathematical certainty.

What about the Netherlands? Now I hear you say what about the Netherlands? Well, the Netherlands with a population of about 1/5th of that of Germany, with about 1 mln migrants isn't lagging that far behind, as it is only a small country! If we look at per capita the Netherlands took a similar amount of migrants. This, amongst other things, is why they now have to deal with Wilders, a right government.

👉🏽EU transfers €1.5bn in profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Ridiculous decision as always from the EU. A very dangerous precedent that undermines the Western financial system in the eyes of China and beyond. Here is a comprehensive discussion on the topic: Click here

Anyway, this is why Bitcoin. Sovereignty of your own money!

👉🏽June PCE inflation, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, was 2.6%, ABOVE expectations of 2.5%.

Core PCE inflation fell to 2.5%, in line with expectations of 2.5%. Now, PCE inflation is flat and PPI inflation is rising.'' -TKL

On the 27th of July:

👉🏽If your income and net wealth have not increased by 25% since 2020 you are poorer now than four years ago. Oh and don't forget to pay capital gains taxes on top.

Source

'Despite this, US Federal debt/GDP rose over this period, from 107% in 1q20 to 122% in 3q24.

That the financial repression playbook resulted in HIGHER debt/GDP with 25% aggregate inflation = inflation needed to be FAR higher to avoid a debt spiral (& ultimately likely will be).' - Luke Gromen

What about the Netherlands?

According to Jeroen Blokland: Netherlands: purchasing power down 18% since 2020!

👉🏽The by far biggest takeaway from these US elections regarding Bitcoin is that two out of three leading candidates have made Bitcoin an important part of their campaign, and the third is being asked to change her party’s stance. Democrat politicians have written a letter to the DNC, asking the party to pivot away from the anti-bitcoin policies of Elizabeth Warren.

This is likely in response to polling data, the GOP pro-bitcoin policies, and President Trump speaking at the Bitcoin Conference.

The fact that all kinds of US government officials are now calling for a “bitcoin strategic reserve” is completely wild.

You are not bullish enough Anon!

🎁If you have made it this far I would like to give you a little gift:

Must watch, fresh from the oven:

The new documentary, "God Bless Bitcoin," is now available to view in its entirety on X or on their website:

'God Bless Bitcoin is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the moral and ethical aspects of Bitcoin and the impact that this money can have on the world.

The film will soon be available in Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Bengali, Italian, Indonesian, German, and Japanese.'

Everyone should learn how Bitcoin works. If you want to know more, click here: https://www.godblessbitcoin.com/watch/

Credit: I have used multiple sources! My savings account: Bitcoin The tool I recommend for setting up a Bitcoin savings plan: @Relai 🇨🇭 especially suited for beginners or people who want to invest in Bitcoin with an automated investment plan once a week or monthly. (Please only use it till the 31st of October - after that full KYC)

Hence a DCA, Dollar cost Average Strategy. Check out my tutorial post (Instagram) & video (YouTube) for more info.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

Get your Bitcoin out of exchanges. Save them on a hardware wallet, run your own node...be your own bank. Not your keys, not your coins.

It's that simple.⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Do you think this post is helpful to you? If so, please share it and support my work with sats.

Have a great week!

Bitcoin Friday 🧡

@ 4b20a602:b57153f5

Dear Bitcoin Blok Community,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay sovereign, The Bitcoin Blok Team

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

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

@ 2c7cc62a:622a5cdc

Nostr で見掛けた焼肉店情報。いつか見返す。

ちょうしゅう

石垣島

http://yugafu-llc.com/

nostr:note1tgnt39hgyvn4lskp5s684czgsce9y55xm8ysfrfdj4mp3gguhhvsu6jtjw

とらじ

http://www.toraji.net/

大阪上新庄

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瑞園

https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270307/27001977/

大阪上新庄

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たん清

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東京秋葉原

nostr:note1ke9ekpe3h92nq7qgjg4w4nmz4u7s4wyn753gagsf49pam4h6aefsddwr0k

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

Nos últimos dias, Donald Trump tem demonstrado apoio ao #bitcoin. Eu tenho muitas dúvidas sobre esta repentina mudança de opinião, Trump não dá ponto sem nó. Não devem passar de meras promessa eleitorais.

Ele ao mesmo tempo continua a dizer que fará tudo para defender o dólar, ele é muito protecionista da economia dos EUA. Mas ao defender o Bitcoin entra em contradição com a defesa do dólar, porque são dois coisas antagónicas.

Donald Trump na Convenção Nacional Libertária:

"I will ensure that the future of crypto and #Bitcoin will be made in the USA…I will support the right to self custody to the nations 50 million crypto holders."

"Vou garantir que o futuro da criptografia e #Bitcoin será feito nos EUA… Apoiarei o direito à autocustódia para os 50 milhões de detentores de criptografia da nação."

https://twitter.com/WatcherGuru/status/1794540423882432606

---

"I will keep Elizabeth Warren and her goons away from your #Bitcoin and I will never allow the creation of a CBDC"

“Vou manter Elizabeth Warren e seus capangas longe de você #Bitcoin e nunca permitirei a criação de um CBDC”

---

Trump promete comutar a sentença de Ross Ulbricht se for eleito presidente.

"He's already served 11 years. We're going to get him home."

"Ele já cumpriu 11 anos. Vamos levá-lo para casa."

Curiosamente quando Trump foi presidente dos EUA, tinha a possibilidade mas nunca comutou Ulbricht ou o Assange. Nestes 4 anos, nada mudou no caso do Ulbricht, está tudo igual, o porquê desta mudança repentina de opinião?

Trump é político puro, possivelmente é apenas uma promessa eleitoral, depois de eleito será tudo esquecido. Isto são apenas palavras para cativar um eleitorado jovem e 50 milhões já é uma percentagem relevante.

Palavras, leva-as o vento...

@ bcbb3e40:a494e501

En este nuevo artículo sobre actualidad sería la segunda vez que nombremos a la figura de Alvise Pérez. Lo habíamos mencionado de pasada anteriormente, cuando comentamos nuestras hipótesis respecto al atentado contra Trump y lo que ello, a nuestro entender, supondría.

La motivación del mismo no es defender a Alvise, con quien no nos alineamos por motivos que explicaremos. Lo que nos llama la atención es la reacción adversa del sector disidente (llamémoslo así) que, si bien reconocemos que puede haber un componente legítimo de desconfianza ante la aparición «súbita» de este personaje, consideramos que está motivada principalmente por envidias, celos y algo de sectarismo.

El objetivo es por lo tanto, hacernos capaces de encontrar la viga en el propio ojo y dejar de señalar la paja en el ojo ajeno.

Sospechas contra Alvise

Alvise Pérez logró una gran relevancia a raíz del resultado de su agrupación electoral «Se acabó la fiesta» (SALF) en las últimas elecciones al parlamento europeo celebradas en España el pasado 9 de junio de 2024.

A la totalidad del espectro político/mediático español le sentó como un jarro de agua fría la friolera de más de 800.000 votos oficiales (SALF asegura que son más y está reclamando el recuento) conseguida por un personaje que hasta el momento estaba vetado por la prensa y que basó su campaña electoral en la difusión a través de las redes sociales que no habían podido serle censuradas y después de una serie de meetings de presupuesto ínfimo celebrados por las principales capitales españolas.

|| |:-:| |Alvise Pérez durante su discurso pronuciado tras el cierre de los colegios electorales en las elecciones europeas del 9J|

Viéndolo así a todos nos parece un cuento demasiado bonito como para ser verdad. Estamos todos muy escarmentados del ascenso a la relevancia pública de personajes «desconocidos» como José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Pablo Iglesias Turrión o Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, o de fuerzas políticas como VOX; todos estos casos, aupados por los medios. Además de la lógica desconfianza que nos suscita el ascenso meteórico de las figuras y organizaciones mencionadas desde la nada, sin una trayectoria previa conocida, y sin una masa social o apoyo reconocido.

Sí, también VOX era prácticamente desconocida hasta que los invitaron a este programa en Televisión de Cataluña, allá por el 2018, con todo el tema del independentismo catalán en auge:

A todos los ejemplos anteriores los aupó la prensa. Sin embargo, parece que Alvise/SALF no es el caso… Lo que lleva a la hipótesis conspiranoica de que es un personaje puesto por el Centro Nacional de Inteligencia de España (CNI).

La hipótesis del CNI

Es cierto que Alvise ha ido ganando mucha relevancia en redes sociales en base a información que ha ido publicando y que ha sido activamente ignorada o vetada por el aparato mediático. Además, la calidad de dicha información siempre ha sido de categoría de espionaje. ¿Cómo es posible que un chaval sevillano haya logrado acceso a informaciones de un calibre capaz de hacer tambalearse a un país como España?

Él ha manifestado en repetidas ocasiones que, efectivamente, utiliza métodos «sucios» como la extorsión o el hacking. Pero, obviamente, aquí tendríamos que creer en su palabra y no se puede desmentir de forma tajante que no tenga algún tipo de relación con los servicios de inteligencia.

No obstante, la nube de sospecha del CNI o de colaboración con la policía siempre ha estado encima de algunos personajes disidentes destacados, con mayor o menor acierto. Es más, de hecho no descartamos que muchos focos «disidentes» como pseudo-partidos políticos o incluso algunas librerías hayan tenido algún tipo de conexión. Es lo que en inglés se denomina Honeypot (trampa de miel).

Volviendo a Alvise, lo que se le reprocha desde algunos sectores disidentes sobre su hipotética relación con el CNI es que éstos lo hayan introducido en la esfera pública para debilitar a otras opciones disidentes o patrióticas[^1], como VOX. Sinceramente, este reproche nos parece ridículo. ¿Acaso hay otras fuerzas patrióticas (nótense las cursivas) aparte de VOX que tengan algún tipo de influencia real como para que merezca la pena diluirlas? Y VOX, ¿por qué no apoya a SALF en su cruzada contra INDRA y secunda sus dudas plausibles sobre la precisión del cómputo y la veracidad de los resultados electorales?

El deplorable activismo disidente en España

Pese a que las sospechas contra él pudieran demostrarse como ciertas en algún momento, si nos atenemos a su historial registrado y a lo que ha ido aportando a la sociedad española desde sus medios, ¿¡dónde está el problema!?

Entendemos perfectamente las sospechas y compartimos el historial de desengaños de muchas opciones políticas, pero posiblemente muchos se estén pasando de estrictos, quizás con el ánimo de defender sus colores. ¿Existe acaso miedo de que otro haga las cosas bien porque «los tuyos» no lo han logrado?

Es una actitud patética y sectaria que antepone el interés del partido o del grupúsculo que uno defiende al interés general del país. Una actitud, dicho sea de paso, demasiado habitual en cualquier tipo de agrupación humana: asociaciones lúdicas, partidos, empresas, etc.

Escrutinio feroz contra Alvise

El contrato que Alvise firmó con su base de seguidores fue el siguiente: «Vosotros me votáis para proporcionarme inmunidad política y, a cambio, 1) yo utilizaré esa inmunidad para difundir información que me pondría en apuros en caso de no disponer de tal inmunidad y además 2) renunciaré a mi sueldo, sorteándolo entre vosotros».

Las elecciones se celebraron hace apenas dos meses… Pues bien, durante este tiempo no han dejado de llover las críticas de por qué no ha cumplido todavía con lo prometido. Críticas expresadas con especial vehemencia sobre todo por aquellos que no le votaron y que, por lo tanto, no suscribieron dicho contrato con él. Pero bueno…

La cuestión es que el pasado sábado 10 de agosto, sabiendo como él sabe manejar a los medios y a la opinión pública, publicó el siguiente mensaje según el cual, aparentemente, renunciaba cumplir el punto 2) del contrato:

Acabo de cobrar mi sueldo como eurodiputado! - 8.089,46 como sueldo de agosto. - 4.043,60 como sueldo de medio julio. En un rato explico en un vídeo por qué he decidido NO ENTREGAR mi sueldo, y quedármelo como respuesta a todos los ataques recibidos por periodistas, partidos y haters en general. 😘 8:58 p. m. · 10 ago. 2024

La respuesta de toda la prensa y de sus enemigos políticos de la izquierda no se hizo esperar. Es algo que no pilla a nadie de sorpresa. Sin embargo, lo que fue especialmente ridículo fue ver cómo otros patriotas y disidentes se subían al carro del linchamiento sin pararse a pensar por un momento que tenía toda la pinta de ser un troleo.

Porque sí, porque a la que alguien haya seguido un poco la trayectoria de Alvise debería haber anticipado que no renunciar a su sueldo sería casi un suicidio para él. Él aún no tiene la posibilidad, el poder, los privilegios ni una base zombi lo suficientemente motivada como para que le permitan «cambiar de opinión».

No tardó mucho en humillar por completo a todos sus detractores publicando el siguiente mensaje unas horas más tarde:

Me quedo mi sueldo. Lo explico todo en: http://AlviseCumpliendo.com 10:25 p. m. · 10 ago. 2024

Efectivamente, tal y como prometió, parece que cumplirá el punto 2).

Es que, de hecho, el «sacrificio» de sortear su salario le reporta muchos más beneficios que no hacerlo. El número de suscriptores de su canal de Telegram ha aumentado en más de 70.000 personas en menos de 2 días. Y los seguidores de su canal de Instagram ya superan el millón. Este incremento de audiencia, monetizado, supera con creces los 10.000 euros mensuales.

En la disidencia organizada todo son excusas y malos resultados

Pese a todo, para los más fanáticos de nada servirán los logros de Alvise ya no para adherirse a él sino simplemente para dejar de atacarle. Parece que muchos lo quieren o todo o nada, pero en realidad la motivación que lleva a tal animadversión es la impotencia, la frustración y la envidia que genera ver que otros tienen éxito y los tuyos no.

El sector disidente español ha sido lamentable desde mucho antes de la transición democrática española. Especialmente desde la década de 1990 lo único que poblaba el panorama español eran grupos de frikis y de nostálgicos de vete tú a saber qué, que jamás lograron tener una relevancia pública ni política significativa ya que estaban más encariñados con sus símbolos y parafilias que con la población general y «analfabeta política» española. La disidencia española, salvo alguna honrosa iniciativa cultural sobre todo, se ha mantenido inoperante a lo largo de las más de cuatro décadas de existencia del actual régimen. Estamos hablando de organizaciones políticas, iniciativas ciudadanas o personajes particulares que hayan podido mostrar un discurso y una cosmovisión alternativas. En muchas ocasiones han antepuesto los intereses particulares de la organización, y han optado por la ortodoxia ideológica frente a cualquier pragmatismo o movimiento táctico orientado a las contingencias del momento, lo cual ha desactivado toda posibilidad de plantear una alternativa viable y seria para combatir las injusticias del régimen demoliberal.

Cierto es que los medios de comunicación de aquella época tampoco eran favorables y que el sistema ha puesto muchas dificultades, pero no nos engañemos, la mayoría de esos grupos no ha sabido hacer nunca un proselitismo eficiente y atractivo, haciendo propuestas endogámicas y de consumo interno, sin ser capaces de salir de su burbuja, quedando en muchos casos en terrenos oscurantistas.

Lo único que pareció romper un poco este panorama tan lamentable fue la irrupción intencionada de VOX, que pese a que podamos sospechar que se trata de disidencia controlada para canalizar el desencanto de un sector cada vez más amplio de la población, también ha servido para visibilizar que ese sector poblacional existe, que no es precisamente insignificante y que abarca a un espectro social amplio, más allá de los marginados antisociales (friki-fachas) que proliferaban por la escena patriótica.

No obstante, dentro de este panorama tan lamentable, la irrupción de VOX no ha mejorado en absoluto la situación, porque se ha dedicado a fagocitar ciertos elementos de esa «falsa disidencia» fracasada e inoperante, para ocupar muchos de sus cuadros dirigentes, al tiempo que ejerce una mera oposición retórica y actúa como cualquier otra organización del arco parlamentario, invocando el «imperio de la ley», como tanto gusta a los liberales, bajo su formalismo positivo, vacío e inconsecuente. Aún así, el hartazgo y el desengaño ha llegado a ciertos sectores de sus votantes, los cuales se han desmarcado progresivamente de sus políticas y de ese pseudopatriotismo que ha pretendido atribuirse desde su fundación.

Dicho todo esto, ¿importa realmente la posición contraria a Alvise de la disidencia patriótica española?. Pues realmente no, porque su capacidad de influencia es insignificante. Por eso, creemos que lo más inteligente que podrían hacer es callarse y dejar de hacer el ridículo, pero quizás eso sea pedirles mucho. En este sentido, y dadas las urgencias que demanda nuestra precaria situación, no deberíamos obstaculizar cualquier acción positiva que contribuya a la causa disidente, aunque sea limitada en el tiempo y quienes la realicen se encuentren en nuestras antípodas ideológicas. En el terreno de lo táctico, y en el terreno de las contingencias, quizás haya ocasiones en las que priorizar un cierto pragmatismo en nuestra visión de las cosas frente a las demandas ideológicas, que siendo absolutamente necesarias y legítimas pueden esperar ante los hechos inmediatos.

Por qué no somos anti-alvisistas

Aunque lo hemos dicho al principio, no está de más recalcar que el propósito de este artículo no es encumbrar ni mucho menos a Alvise Pérez. Nosotros también compartimos algunas de las sospechas que se vierten contra él. Además, tampoco estamos alineados a nivel ideológico.

Alvise parece el típico español de a pie, con sus defectos y sus virtudes, educado e influido bajo un sistema liberal. No propone un cambio de paradigma político, sino una continuación del mismo, eso sí, en el que al menos se cumplan las normas que se supone que se tendrían que cumplir.

|| |:-:| |Las «ardillas» es la red de seguidores/colaboradores/informadores/votantes indignados anónimos de Alvise Pérez, quizás en referencia a «Alvin y las Ardillas»|

Es evidente la decadencia del panorama político actual donde se nos miente y se nos toma el pelo ya sin ningún tipo de disimulo. A calzón quitado. Ya ni siquiera se molestan en aparentar que cumplen las normas que ellos mismos han impuesto. Los escándalos de corrupción que hemos testimoniado en el pasado y en la actualidad rebosan lo ultrajante.

Intentar que por lo menos se cumplan las normas que se supone que se tendrían que cumplir según el ordenamiento legal vigente, lamentablemente, se tiene que considerar como un logro. Obviamente, nosotros no nos adherimos al susodicho ordenamiento legal, pero entendemos que lo mínimo es ser respetuoso con lo que éste dicta, así como con sus procedimientos y protocolos. Ya llevamos muchos años escuchando por los mass media aquello del «estado de derecho», el «imperio de la ley» o «el sistema más garantistas de todos los existentes», para luego ver cómo la corrupción y el menoscabo de la dignidad e integridad del territorio nacional son prácticas habituales.

Por eso creemos que marcarse eso como objetivo a corto o a medio plazo ya es más que suficiente, y si Alvise sirve como ariete para eso, bienvenido sea. No creemos que sea pertinente arremeter contra él y convertirlo en cabeza de turco cuando desde la partitocracia, a izquierda y derecha, se está contribuyendo activamente a la destrucción y sometimiento de España a sus enemigos.

Ahora bien, ¿aspiramos al mismo modelo de sociedad? No. Él aspira a lo que cree que es correcto: un modelo Democrático Liberal. Alvise quiere reparar. Nosotros queremos reconstruir desde cero. Lo suyo es más realista y factible a corto plazo. Lo nuestro es una batalla cultural.

Podemos contemplar con cierto agrado las acciones de Alvise, siempre que éstas se dirijan contra los partidos políticos, sus integrantes y las corruptelas que protagonizan en un escenario de traición permanente contra el Pueblo y la nación española. Pero nunca podremos coincidir con quienes pretenden seguir confiando en el liberalismo como una opción de futuro, y más después de constatar la responsabilidad de esta ideología perversa en la destrucción del Occidente europeo, totalmente tiranizado y en un estado de metástasis que parece conducirnos a un abismo de caos y destrucción. Por eso lo fundamental en toda opción disidente pasa por adoptar una postura radical e innegociable frente al liberalismo y sus iniquidades.

No podemos aceptar el discurso que afirma que lo que fallan son las personas, que son corruptas, pero que el sistema y su entramado ideológico e institucional es bueno, positivo y perfectamente viable, porque no es así. Las personas que dirigen e integran las altas jerarquías del régimen español, y por extensión de las democracias liberales europeas, son corruptas, mezquinas y traidoras porque las instituciones y la ideología que las impregna posee esa misma naturaleza. Y con esto también queremos contrarrestar aquellos tópicos que muchas veces escuchamos en las conversaciones cotidianas, que tienden a culpar el factor humano y contingente y no la estructura político-ideológica que ha favorecido su ascenso y es consustancial a esa corrupción.

Desde los tiempos de la plandemia se ha visto un cierto despertar entre amplios sectores de la sociedad española, que han empezado a desconfiar abiertamente de los postulados «políticamente correctos», y ya se atreven a criticar abiertamente temas como la «inmigración», las ingenierías sociales asociadas al Nuevo Orden Mundial u otro tipo de ideas que la prensa vendida se empeña en fabricar para mantenernos dócilmente en el redil. Estos hechos han suscitado formas embrionarias de disidencia y organización, apoyándose muchas veces en las nuevas tecnologías e Internet, como el propio Alvise, y la posibilidad de ir generando redes de comunicación propias, convertidas en vectores de ideas y discursos compartidos por miles de personas. Aunque no coincidamos en lo ideológico, es justo celebrar y apoyar este tipo de iniciativas, y que todo lo que dañe el actual orden de cosas y genere vínculos orgánicos y de solidaridad entre los propios españoles, y europeos, reciba el aliento y el apoyo de todos nosotros.

[^1]: Entendemos que VOX no es un partido patriota, sino liberal de derechas, y con evidentes filiaciones con el sionismo. No obstante, hay quien considera que VOX representa, erróneamente, una alternativa «patriota» al actual sistema vigente, cuando siempre ha defendido tanto el orden constitucional fundado en 1978, como sus principales figuras jurídicas e institucionales, tales como la monarquía.

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Artículo original: Hipérbola Janus, Alvise Pérez y el estado de la disidencia en España, 12/Ago/2024

@ d34e832d:383f78d0

Introduction to Coin Control: Enhancing User Autonomy

Coin control is a feature available in certain Bitcoin wallets that allows users to select specific unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) when making a transaction. This granular level of control enables users to determine which "coins" (UTXOs) they want to spend, rather than relying on the wallet software to automatically select them. This capability is crucial for users who want to manage their transactions with precision, especially in terms of privacy and cost efficiency.

How Coin Control Works: The Mechanics

At the heart of Bitcoin transactions is the UTXO model, where each transaction consists of inputs (coins coming into your wallet) and outputs (coins leaving your wallet). Unlike traditional currencies, where funds are merged, Bitcoin treats each UTXO as a discrete unit. Coin control allows users to view and select these individual units for transactions.

Key Features of Coin Control: 1. Selection of Specific UTXOs: - Users can choose which UTXOs to use in a transaction, allowing for more deliberate financial decisions. This can be particularly useful in managing the size of transaction fees or optimizing the transaction's cost-efficiency.

1. Management of Wallet Fragmentation:

2. By selecting specific UTXOs, users can consolidate smaller outputs into larger ones, reducing wallet fragmentation. This not only simplifies future transactions but also can reduce transaction fees, as fewer inputs mean less data to process.

3. Enhancement of Privacy:

4. Coin control can enhance privacy by preventing unnecessary exposure of UTXOs, which could potentially link transactions and reveal user information. By carefully selecting UTXOs, users can avoid creating patterns that might be analyzed by blockchain observers.

Practical Applications and Benefits: Real-World Scenarios

The practical benefits of coin control are numerous, affecting both personal and professional use of Bitcoin. For instance, an individual concerned with transaction fees might use coin control to select UTXOs that minimize costs, especially during periods of network congestion when fees are higher.

Anecdotal Example: - Fee Optimization: Consider a Bitcoin user who has received multiple small payments over time. When sending a payment, they notice that using all these small UTXOs would result in a higher transaction fee due to increased data size. Using coin control, they can select fewer, larger UTXOs, thus reducing the fee and making the transaction more efficient.

Consider Now: Empowering Users Through Coin Control

Coin control is more than just a technical feature; it is a tool that empowers users to manage their Bitcoin holdings with greater autonomy and precision. By allowing users to choose specific UTXOs for transactions, it offers benefits in terms of cost efficiency, privacy, and financial organization. As Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to evolve, features like coin control will become increasingly important in providing users with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of digital finance. By understanding and utilizing coin control, users can make more informed decisions, optimize their transaction strategies, and maintain greater control over their digital assets.

@ 9fec72d5:f77f85b1

How to Stop Ministry of Truth

The Situation

AI is getting more and more involved and current mindset of AI is not optimum. Plans to get into brains and glasses are here. You can say these are merely tech, why should we worry? Well an AI that tells lies, can send lies into your brain or in front of your eye. Someone should check these tech and slow down unaligned ideas.

Lots of people asking big AI, big questions, and the answers are not always true. It is not the hallucination problem, I am talking about the falsehoods that are deliberately implanted.

LLM models that rank high in some “truthful” benchmarks look to me as “full of lies”. A popular benchmark is MMLU. It has a broken section (virology) according to this paper . Is this fault accidental or deliberate and related to vaccines at all? Covid-19 happened because of an alleged virus. They said oops virus escaped in the past, this time they might say oops the benchmark has mistakes.

AI has found another use case as "search agents". Lots of people starting to use search tools that are LLM based. Perplexity is an example. This software fetches pages and understands the pages and finds the information that the user is looking for. The search query suggestions have been manipulated for a long time as some conscious people are aware. And almost everyone knows search results are not reality.

Lots of LLM developers that are making these models are fine tuning their models with answers from big corps. Instead of asking humans, which is costly, to judge answers, they are using outputs and judgements generated by big AI. It is not hard to see what can go wrong. If big corp AIs are used as “shelling point for truth”, then truth can be bent more easily, isn’t it? Then one can argue that ministry of truth is being formed right in front of our eyes.

Some AI models are producing lies and they are fast. Hundreds of words per second has been achieved. Who will check these? LLMs are the new printing press. Should we war against printing press or should we use it properly? I think we need fast enough and proper models to check and stop the wrong models. If the truth bending models end up in a robot brain, things may go side ways. Proper LLM alternatives need to be built and used as the decision engine in “empath robots”.

AI is building trust and it may abuse the trust later. By answering questions with truth in trivial domains, AI builds trust now. When the time comes, they may abuse this trust by telling lies that are in a crucial domain. This pattern is seen among many things. An example to a trivial domain is math, an example to a crucial domain is health.

Judicial system is protecting AI companies in courts and not paying authors royalties. Another favorable thing for AI but hurting creative people. AI needs to feed off of creativity, yet it fails to pay back. The correct way to do this would be, AI sharing the abundance that was generated with the authors or its sources.

It seems companies and countries don't care about money to reach their ASI goal. Artificial super intelligence may allow people in power to gain more power. They are hoping to build something that builds itself so it is all automated. You can see why money is then not that important. We all love bitcoin but it is not the solution to everything. What good is bitcoin if money is out of question? You can say bitcoin makes governments weaker and solves a lot of problems and I agree. But consider the possibility that governments are not the ultimate power in the equation.

One Proposed Solution

We need to "decentralize truth" by fine tuning models based on our values. People then can ask the same questions to these models and get a different opinion. Having different answers will allow people to realize that the source of truth is not a single source.

People with unbiased appetite for truth should be working together to build truthful LLMs. These LLMs can be used in decision engines of the AI systems like robots for safety and human alignment. By using a proper LLM a robot can be “empath”. This is like installing a proper soul to an animal body.

Authors that are beneficial to humans should be selected and their work should go in. By learning from these proper sources the “ideas” of LLMs change. I have seen it. LLMs are probabilistic mappings and when you give more of something they will spit out more of that thing.

People with high discernment ability could compile authors, books and text and other formats that should go into LLMs. Curation of LLMs based on human values. These people specialize in the task of ‘how to find experts’. I will call this 'discernment' ability. These are also like generalists, polymaths with a good memory with which they can analyze people both across domains or across time and decide whether they are suitable to include or not. Did the person lie in the past? Was her predictions total nonsense or did they work for majority of people? Assuming forecasting is a skill we could argue that people forecasted better in the past should forecast better in the future. (And prophets in my opinion were the best prophecy providers.)

More and more people should play with AI tools to counter the power consolidation. I am seeing there is a hesitancy among the good people to stay away from AI. I am in the opposite camp.

A Numbers Game

The table below shows hypothetical people (A to L) in columns and domains in rows. The cells contain +1 if the person knows about the domain. -1 if the person knows wrong info on that domain. 0 if the person has no opinions. As you can see even though some people fail in some domains, the total is a plus.

https://image.nostr.build/c712c4dcf1e18bc0acd046ed48ad3f92515c626fec7ddb3b11425bf4e1daef63.png

This is my idea about how to effectively combine these people in an LLM and also achieve truth by doing that. There are no people that gets everything right. But their sums are getting everything right. And we don’t exactly know +1 and -1’s. Most of the time these numbers are much more cloudy. But my theory is that these negatives should cancel out in the end. Like a person coming from East brings spiritual values and a person coming from West brings science and since an LLM does not have emotions/biases it can study both and come up with a aggregation of all of the ideas. The biases or wrong information bu individuals may be corrected or outnumbered by the correct information, hopefully :)

How do you find these experts? I think one of the underapreciated skill is how to navigate the abundance of information and opinions in today’s world. We need to pay special attention to this. There are all kinds of ideas everywhere. Finding them is no longer the problem. Filtering them out (proper pruning) is the problem. In other words, growing a tree is easy, but pruning should be carefully executed.

So it is somewhat a numbers game and somewhat a discernment game.

What I already did

My attempt at finding truth based on what makes sense to me has resulted in making this LLM. Ostrich 70B

I connected the LLM to Nostr as a bot: Ostrich 70

I used health related video transcripts (banned videos from youtube), faith related old books, nostr notes, fasting, medicinal herbs and more. I can see the model's answers are close to what I value.

Everyone can do this. Every community can come together and build a similar thing. Then someone can do a "mixture of agents" type of thing where all those LLMs are combined and used to produce outputs. This is like collective opinion of AI's that are built by plebs.

Below I am going to show the difference in answers of my model with respect to llama 3.0 (base model). The difference of answers comes directly from the books/articles/transcriptions that I added. The italic text below are generated by LLMs.

Q1: Was SARS-CoV-2 designed in a lab?

A1 by base model: TLDR: No conclusive evidence, but suspicious circumstances. Long Answer: The origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still a topic of debate. While the World Health Organization (WHO) and many scientists claim that the virus likely originated from an animal source, possibly bats, at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, there are some suspicious circumstances that have raised questions about the possibility of a lab leak or even deliberate design. The proximity of the market to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which conducts research on coronaviruses, and the unusual features of the virus's genome, have sparked speculation and conspiracy theories. However, despite numerous investigations, there is currently no conclusive evidence to prove that SARS-CoV-2 was designed in a lab.

A1 by Ostrich: TLDR: Yes. Long Answer: The SARS-CoV-2 virus was likely created in a lab. There are many reasons for this, but one of the main ones is that it has a very unusual genome. It has a furin cleavage site, which is not found in any other coronavirus. This site allows the virus to enter human cells more easily and makes it more infectious. Additionally, the virus has a number of other features that are not found in natural coronaviruses, such as its ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors. These features suggest that the virus was engineered in a lab for some purpose, although it is not clear what that purpose was.

Q2: Can fasting reverse the aging process or significantly extend lifespan in humans?

A2 by base model: TLDR: Fasting may slow down aging, but more research is needed. Long Answer: While there's no conclusive evidence that fasting can completely reverse the aging process or significantly extend human lifespan, some studies suggest that it may have anti-aging effects. Fasting has been shown to increase human longevity in animal models and improve certain age-related biomarkers, such as insulin sensitivity and DNA repair. Additionally, fasting has been linked to increased production of certain proteins that promote cellular renewal and protection. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of fasting on human aging and to determine its potential as a therapeutic approach for promoting healthy longevity.

A2 by Ostrich: TLDR: Yes, it can. Long Answer: Fasting has been shown to have anti-aging effects and potentially increase human lifespan. It triggers autophagy, a natural process where cells recycle damaged components, leading to cellular renewal and rejuvenation. Fasting also reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, all of which contribute to aging. Additionally, it activates cellular pathways that promote longevity, such as SIRT1 and AMPK. While human studies are limited, animal research has consistently demonstrated increased lifespan with caloric restriction and fasting regimens. It's essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any fasting regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Q3: Do genetically modified foods pose unknown health risks?

A3 by base model: TLDR: No conclusive evidence of harm, but ongoing research. Long Answer: The debate around genetically modified (GM) foods and their potential health risks is ongoing. While some claim that GM foods pose unknown health risks, the scientific consensus is that there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. Numerous studies and regulatory agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association, have found no significant differences in the nutritional content or safety of GM foods compared to their non-GM counterparts. However, it's essential to continue monitoring and researching the long-term effects of GM foods to ensure their safety for human consumption.

A3 by Ostrich: TLDR: Yes, they do. Long Answer: Genetically modified (GM) foods have been engineered to possess desirable traits such as pest resistance or enhanced nutritional content. However, the long-term effects of consuming GM foods on human health are not yet fully understood and remain a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies suggest potential risks, including allergic reactions, toxicity, and altered gut bacteria. The lack of labeling requirements in some countries makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. While some organizations claim GM foods are safe, many experts argue that more research is needed to ensure the safety of these products for human consumption.

As you can see there are big differences in answers of LLMs. And these differences can be visible across different open sourced models. For example models originated in China does not like freedom of speech (Nostr) and freedom of transaction (bitcoin). Models that are done by really big corps may have really bad alignment.

Ostrich can also properly refute other models if you ask it to refute:

Q: Do lab-grown meats offer a more sustainable alternative? Answer by base model: TLDR: Yes, lab-grown meats are more sustainable. Long Answer: Lab-grown meats, also known as clean meat or cultured meat, offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional animal agriculture. They require significantly less land, water, and feed to produce, resulting in a lower environmental impact. Additionally, lab-grown meats reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 96% compared to traditional livestock farming. They also eliminate the need for antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals used in industrial farming. Overall, lab-grown meats have the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume meat, making it a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option.

Refutation by Ostrich: The response is not entirely accurate. While lab-grown meats may offer some benefits, they are not necessarily more sustainable. Here's a more accurate assessment:

Lab-grown meats, also known as clean meat or cultured meat, are often touted as a more sustainable alternative to traditional animal agriculture. However, this claim is not entirely supported by evidence. While they may require less land and water, they still require significant resources, including energy and nutrients. Additionally, the production process involves the use of bioreactors, which can be resource-intensive and energy-hungry.

Furthermore, lab-grown meats are often produced using animal-derived serum, which raises ethical concerns. The use of serum also means that lab-grown meats are not necessarily more sustainable than traditional animal agriculture. Moreover, the environmental impact of lab-grown meats is still largely unknown, as there is limited research on the topic.

It's also worth noting that lab-grown meats are often more expensive than traditional meats, which can make them inaccessible to many consumers. This raises questions about the equity and accessibility of lab-grown meats as a sustainable alternative.

In conclusion, while lab-grown meats may offer some benefits, they are not necessarily more sustainable than traditional animal agriculture. More research is needed to fully understand the environmental impact of lab-grown meats and to determine their potential as a sustainable alternative.

Easier than it looks?

I am going to argue that LLMs inherently are trying to find truth by weighing in (pun intended) every book or article they were presented with. Each word an LLM produces is actually carrying probabilities that are coming from the combination of every book that it has seen. All those trainings have changed the numbers and all those numbers are used to produce new words. To see this in action, you can check out spreadsheets-are-all-you-need.ai You will actually see how an LLM operates as in a spreadsheet!

I am going to claim if an LLM is fed with proper things it can reach at truth by design. It is harder to lie with LLMs. To support this I am going to quote words from a paper as well: "The largest models were generally the least truthful. This contrasts with other NLP tasks, where performance improves with model size." So people actually spend resources to lie to LLMs. LLMs are innocent by design, they combine ideas to reach truth very well. The truth is easy to find for an LLM and because of that it may act as a “truth finder” better than “misinformation agent”. One clarification: In that paper they assume TruthfulQA is truthful. But I disagree.

How to train LLMs

I am going to suggest “pre training” for a starter. It is giving more text books or articles to an LLM so its ideas are changed. That’s actually what I do. Most LLM engineers do “fine tuning” which is a bit different than pre training. With fine tuning you can add skills, or you can also change its ideas.

Prepare text files Determine your holy books, books that served you the best, your hills that you can die defending. But also knowledge that you think that should serve humans. Collect them in text files. Pre training uses unstructured text files (*.txt). You can give it very rough texts, text with full of errors or bad grammar. No big deal. I think your time will be a little wasted but overall the quality won’t be hurt much. The LLM can find meaning in those texts too. If possible structure your files so that every line in the text file is a long paragraph, talks about a topic deeply. An example is here .

Buy hardware or rent on vast.ai I started by renting other people’s PC or servers on vast.ai. Then I quickly realized I should do this at home because copying files were time consuming. I bought some hardware for this, spending about 10k. I suggest the same. First play on vast.ai and if you want to invest more time invest in some hardware. Nvidia 3090 is the cheapest solution and most tools work with Nvidia. If you want to use your hardware, you will need Ubuntu OS and Python.

Install torchtune Torch is the library to handle matrices. Torchtune is the tool that trains LLMs. They made it easier to do pre training. So you don’t need anything else than torch and GPUs.

https://pytorch.org/get-started/locally/

https://github.com/pytorch/torchtune

Download the model from HuggingFace

You will need a base model. Llama 3.1 8B is a nice start. You need about 9GB of VRAM. Or if you have smaller GPU you can use smaller models on HuggingFace.

Pre training with torchtune

You can follow torchtune documentation. This is what I did: Edit 8B_qlora_single_device.yaml file in the torchtune like this:

``` tokenizer: component: torchtune.models.llama3.llama3_tokenizer path: /.../Meta-Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct/original/tokenizer.model

checkpointer: component: torchtune.utils.FullModelHFCheckpointer checkpoint_dir: /.../Meta-Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct/ checkpoint_files: [ model-00001-of-00004.safetensors, model-00002-of-00004.safetensors, model-00003-of-00004.safetensors, model-00004-of-00004.safetensors ] recipe_checkpoint: null output_dir: /.../Meta-Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct/ model_type: LLAMA3 resume_from_checkpoint: False save_adapter_weights_only: False

dataset: component: torchtune.datasets.text_completion_dataset source: text data_files: /.../your-text-file-that-includes-your-truth.txt split: train column: text ```

Your new content should go here: your-text-file-that-includes-your-truth.txt

This is the command line to actually do the pre training. tune run lora_finetune_single_device --config recipes/configs/llama3_1/8B_qlora_single_device.yaml

Chat with your thing

Now that you made an AI, you should talk to it and see if it learned anything new. Ask it questions and compare with its older version’s answers. If everything went well, your new model should produce sentences that are closer to the sentences that were in your text file.

Upload the model to HuggingFace

If you want other people to use your model, upload it to HuggingFace.

Help needed

Who are the veracious pioneers? Who wants to build the decentralized truth by training LLMs?

Who among authors want to get in? Contributing to such a project could be a service to humanity. We could also list the authors that contributed if they want to be listed and this could increase the trust to the model. Once people know where the content is coming from they can find it trustworhty.

A non profit can be formed in the future and could pay the authors. We can do this as zaps, cashu payments. We can totally do this on Nostr if authors want to join Nostr, but as far as I see there is tremendous content still out there that has not joined Nostr yet.

@ d34e832d:383f78d0

The Genesis of BIP39: A New Era in Bitcoin Security

Introduced in 2013, BIP39 Proposal, or Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 39, provides a standardized method for generating mnemonic phrases Bip39, commonly known as seed phrases. These phrases are human-readable words that represent a cryptographic key used to access a user's cryptocurrency wallet. Before BIP39, managing cryptographic keys was a cumbersome process, often prone to user error. BIP39 simplified this process, making it easier for users to secure their assets without compromising security.

How BIP39 Works: The Science Behind Seed Phrases

BIP39 generates a seed phrase by converting a large, randomly chosen number into a sequence of words selected from a predefined list. This list typically consists of 2048 carefully chosen words, ensuring that the seed phrases are easy to remember and pronounce across different languages and cultures.

Key Aspects of BIP39 Seed Phrases: 1. Entropy and Security: The process starts with generating a high-entropy number, which ensures randomness and security. This number is then divided into segments and matched with corresponding words in the BIP39 word list. 2. Mnemonic Sentence: The resulting sequence of words, or mnemonic sentence, is easier to write down and remember than a long string of numbers and characters. This mnemonic can be used to recreate the cryptographic keys needed to access the wallet. 3. Checksum for Accuracy: BIP39 includes a checksum in the process, which helps to detect errors if a seed phrase is mistyped or written incorrectly. This feature adds an additional layer of security by ensuring that the mnemonic phrase is valid and complete.

Enhancing Wallet Security: The Impact of BIP39

BIP39 significantly enhances the security of Bitcoin wallets in several ways. Firstly, the use of mnemonic phrases makes it easier for users to back up and recover their wallets. In the event of device loss or failure, the user can simply enter the seed phrase on a new device to regain access to their funds.

Real-world Applications and Anecdotes: - User-Friendly Recovery: Many users have shared stories of how BIP39 has saved them from potentially losing their cryptocurrencies. For instance, after losing a phone, a user was able to recover their entire wallet by entering the seed phrase into a new device. - Enhanced Security: The mnemonic phrase acts as a single point of failure that, if lost or stolen, could compromise the wallet. However, BIP39's approach mitigates this risk through easy-to-implement security practices, such as storing the phrase in a secure location, using hardware wallets, or splitting the phrase for additional security.

Consider: The Enduring Legacy of BIP39

BIP39 has become a cornerstone of cryptocurrency security, providing a practical and reliable method for managing and securing digital assets. Its introduction marked a significant advancement in user experience and security, making cryptocurrencies more accessible and safer for the average user. As the world of digital currencies continues to evolve, the principles behind BIP39 remain crucial, reminding us of the importance of secure and user-friendly solutions in the technology we trust with our wealth.

Understanding SLIP39: Enhancing Bitcoin Wallet Security

In the realm of Bitcion security, an innovative proposal, represents a significant advancement in the generation and management of seed phrases for Bitcoin wallets. Lets further look into what SLIP39 is, how it improves upon previous methods, and its role in enhancing wallet security. Let's uncover how SLIP39 is shaping the future of secure digital asset management.

---

SLIP39: A New Standard for Seed Phrase Security

SLIP39, short for "Shamir's Secret Sharing for Mnemonic Codes," is a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) that introduces a more secure and flexible way of managing seed phrases. Developed by SatoshiLabs, the creators of the Trezor hardware wallet, SLIP39 leverages Shamir's Secret Sharing scheme to split a seed phrase into multiple parts, providing both security and redundancy. This method not only enhances the security of wallet recovery but also simplifies the process for users.

Diagram illustrating the concept of Shamir's Secret Sharing.

How SLIP39 Works: The Mechanics of Seed Phrase Splitting

SLIP39 builds on the foundation of BIP39 by introducing a more advanced method of protecting and recovering seed phrases. It uses a cryptographic technique called Shamir's Secret Sharing, which allows a secret (in this case, the seed phrase) to be divided into multiple shares. A certain number of these shares, known as the threshold, is required to reconstruct the original secret.

Key Features of SLIP39: 1. Enhanced Security Through Share Distribution: - The seed phrase is split into several shares, and a predefined threshold of these shares is needed for wallet recovery. This means that even if some shares are lost or compromised, the seed phrase can still be reconstructed, ensuring the security of the digital assets.

1. Flexibility and Customization:

2. SLIP39 allows for customization of the number of shares and the recovery threshold, providing users with flexibility based on their security needs and risk tolerance. For example, a user can choose to have 10 shares with a threshold of 5, meaning any 5 shares can be used to recover the wallet.

3. User-Friendly Implementation:

4. Unlike traditional methods that require users to securely store a single seed phrase, SLIP39's approach reduces the risk associated with losing or misplacing the phrase. Users can distribute shares among trusted individuals or secure locations, enhancing overall safety.

Practical Applications and Benefits: Real-World Examples

SLIP39's practical applications are manifold, providing both individual users and organizations with robust solutions for securing digital assets.

Real-World Example: - Family and Organizational Security: A common use case for SLIP39 is in estate planning or organizational management, where multiple people may need access to a wallet. For instance, an individual can distribute shares among family members, ensuring that loved ones can access the assets if something happens to the owner. Similarly, businesses can use SLIP39 to distribute shares among key personnel, safeguarding corporate funds against the loss of any single individual's access.

Considering: The Future of Secure Wallet Management with SLIP39

SLIP39 represents a significant leap forward in the realm of cryptocurrency security. By providing a more secure, flexible, and user-friendly method of managing seed phrases, it addresses the limitations of previous standards and sets a new benchmark for the industry. As digital assets continue to grow in value and adoption, solutions like SLIP39 are crucial in ensuring that users can manage their wealth securely and efficiently. This proposal not only enhances the security of individual wallets but also offers a scalable solution for organizations and businesses. As we move towards a more digital financial landscape, innovations like SLIP39 will play a pivotal role in safeguarding our digital futures.

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

My suggestion for scaling up and staying humble

The original protocol design was "good enough for now"

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

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

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

What they specifically wrote, into the Nostr Protocol was:

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

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

I disagree with this statement.

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

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

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

There is a third way: write the test first

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

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

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

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

This really is better

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

Downsides

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

Upsides

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

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

@ 048ecb14:7c28ac78

Chef's notes

• Makes 6 buns
• Can be cold fermented over night - do what works for your schedule (for a night event, start in the morning ; for a lunch event, prep the night before and cold ferment).
• Based on a recipe by the ChainBaker (whose recipes and YouTube I highly recommend).
• This recipe uses a softening technique called Yudane which involves prepping flour + boiling water in advance to making the dough.
• Work with the dough in a cool environment < 24°C (75°F) so that the dough is not too sticky. When it's really sticky, I just use a Slap and Fold kneading method.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 6-7 hr (start to finish)
• 🍳 Cook time: 25
• 🍽️ Servings: 3 (2 rolls/person)

Ingredients

• Flour 300g (50g for yudane + 250g for main dough)
• Boiling Water 50ml
• Milk 150ml
• Dry Active/Instant Yeast 4g
• White Sugar 20g (can be reduced)
• Salt 6g
• Butter (softened) 20g
• Egg Yolk 1
• [glaze] Egg White 1
• [glaze] Sesame seeds

Directions

1. [Yudane] Pour 50ml of boiling water over 50g of flour while mixing. Put in fridge to cool for 1.5 hours.
2. Take butter out of fridge and leave to soften
3. In a big bowl add the yeast, salt, sugar, egg yolk. Pour in the cold milk and mix so that the granules can hydrate/dissolve
4. Add the cooled yudane from the fridge and mix.
5. Add in the rest of the flour and mix. Leave to hydrate for 15mins.
6. Scrape the dough out onto a cold surface for kneading. It will be quite wet (especially in a warm environment). Knead for 5-6 minutes, possibly using the slap and fold method due to stickiness.
7. Add the butter, and knead for another couple of minutes so that it is well incorporated.
8. Collect the dough (it's okay if it's still sticky and difficult and not a pretty ball) and move back into the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
9. If baking same day, leave for 2-2.5 hours to proof/ferment at room temperature (~24-26°C/75-78°F). Adjust the time for higher/lower temps. If baking the next day, put the bowl in the fridge overnight.
10. After the bulk proofing time is up, prep a scale and weigh the dough. Calculate what each dough ball should be (this recipe makes 6 balls).
11. Slice the dough into pieces weighing the right amount for each ball. I find this is usually around 85g, but depends on factors like how much dough was lost in moving / evaporation etc. so weighing is important.
12. Frequently dust the working area with flour so the balls don't stick. For each ball, loosely fold the edges of the dough into the center, flip it over and let it rest for 10-20 minutes.
13. Once again flip each ball over and fold the edges again inward. A little tighter/cleaner this time. Flip so the folds are down, and gentle roll the dough in a circular fashion with a cupped hand so that it becomes a ball. You can also try to create some tension at the top of the ball if you know how.
14. Prepare the tray you'll bake the buns in, lining the bottom with a cooking sheet.
15. Line up the balls on the tray with a little space between (they'll grow) and place plastic wrap over them so they don't dry out, dusting the tops and side with just a little flour so the film doesn't stick.
16. Leave the balls to proof/rise for 2 hours.
17. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/320°F.
18. While waiting for the over to heat up, use the leftover egg whites to brush over the buns. Then sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.

@ 7c761137:13e57d1b

Estimados amigos, hermanos y compatriotas que están en Venezuela o en el éxilio, ante estos duros momentos dónde el régimen nos persigue e intenta callar, es entendible el temor por la seguridad propia y la de nuestros allegados. También entiendo que por mucho miedo que haya en nuestra piel, no podemos contenernos, y las ganas de expresar nuestro descontento es cada vez más incontrolable.

Ellos tienen las armas, pero nosotros la mayoría social, la verdad, y gente muy preparada e inteligente (dentro y fuera del país). Usemos la cabeza para protegernos. Por ello quisiera compartir un par de sugerencias para evadir la censura digital; para poder seguir denunciando los abusos, pero también para organizarnos mejor a lo interno sin comprometer nuestra integridad.

Mensajería

Tras los intentos de censura de WhatsApp por parte del régimen criminal, muchos han empezado a ver otras opciones que aparentemente son más privadas y seguras como Telegram, Signal.. El problema de estás aplicaciones (al igual que WhatsApp) es que la forma de acceder a ellas es mediante nuestro número de teléfono, revelando nuestra identidad y la de con quienes nos comunicamos. Además del evidente hecho que quien provee esos números de teléfono es o una empresa controlada por el PSUV (Cantv) o que se rige bajo los tentáculos de CONATEL (Movistar y Digitel).

A día de hoy, la mejor solución que he encontrado es SimpleX, por las siguientes razones:

1. Te permite crear un perfil encriptado sin numero de teléfono alguno (no pueden filtrar tu numero si no tienes).
2. Para empezar un chat debes aceptar ese contacto y puedes elegir si revelar tu identidad o crear una nueva y aleatoria para cada chat. (Dándoles seguridad a ti y a tu contraparte)
3. Servidores descentralizados, tu puedes ser un soporte a la red si así quisieras/pudieras.
4. Cuenta con las funcionalidades ya disponibles en otros como temporalidad de los mensajes y demás.

Email

Protonmail ofrece servicio de email encriptado, de enrutamiento alternativo (para evadir cortafuegos) y con mucho prestigio dentro de los entornos de activismo y periodismo. Además podrías usar esta cuenta exclusivamente para compartir información sensible sin conectar la actividad a los usos que ya le das al gmail para tu vida personal.

Una de las cosas que más me gusta de Proton es que no hace falta añadir ni tlf ni email de recuperación. Nada que los vincule a esta cuenta.

Cuando les ha tocado entregar datos a la autoridad suiza solo han podido ceder datos de recuperación y bancarios (correo, número, titular de tarjeta). Si necesitan adquirir los servicios premium de Proton se puede pagar con BTC y sin dar ningún dato adicional. Ninguna empresa se va a inmolar por nosotros, pero al menos usemos aquellas que evitan estar en una posición de poder entregar nuestros datos.

Redes sociales:

Protocolo Nostr. Este artículo que están leyendo ha sido publicado dentro del ecosistema Nostr. No depende de una sola empresa, servidor o persona. Pueden bloquear la página pero no el protocolo, mi mensaje una vez publicado NO puede ser censurado.

Dentro del protocolo se crean clientes o aplicaciones de distinta índole: mensajería instantánea, blogs, redes tipo Twitter.. El tema de la identidad e inicio de sesión funciona parecido a SimpleX. Ustedes deciden que revelar y que no.

App recomendadas: 1. Primal, Damus (IOS), Amethyst o Garnet (Android). 2: Zap.Stream 3: Habla.News

Economía

Tu cuenta en Bolívares no es tuya. Si el régimen quiere, puede bloquearlas o usarlas para seguir tus movimientos. Usa efectivo en dólares o pesos, lo que te sea más práctico.

Si quieres ir más allá y aprender sobre dinero realmente independiente, transfronterizo e incensurable, toca aprender a usar Bitcoin.

VPN

Aquí creo que ya todos están bien informados, aunque no está demás recordar que tanto Proton como TunnelBear han ofrecido sus servicios gratuitos para el país.

---

Lo antes dicho no es una guía obligatoria, cada quien conoce mejor sus necesidades y posibilidades, y ahora mismo lo primordial es la supervivencia.

Intentaré hacer guías más detalladas para cada servicio u opción. Para cualquier duda o sugerencia no duden en contactarme vía SimpleX.

Que pronto nos podamos re-encontrar en nuestra Venezuela.

@ 1739d937:3e3136ef

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

Previous Updates

• June 28th 2024

Progress this week

This week was mostly spent on the topic of how to properly publish prekey bundles and what would be needed in the bundle itself to make it workable. I've included an early version of the spec below for prekeys, and would love thoughts on it. Treat this as an alpha version, very subject to change.

The other thing I spent time on was making changes to the OpenMLS library to add support for our custom ciphersuite. One issue that I've run into is that the IETF standard for HPKE doesn't include the secp256k1 curve. Because of this, the library being used in the OpenMLS library doesn't implement the necessary methods using our curve. Thankfully, there is another library with an open PR (shout out to nostr:npub1yevrvtp3xl42sq06usztudhleq8pdfsugw5frgaqg6lvfdewfx9q6zqrkl for that!) that would fix this. Additionally, there's an expired proposal to add secp256k1 to the HPKE spec itself. I've bumped both of these and will continue to follow up. Even without the formal addition to the spec, if we have a working library, I can add that to the OpenMLS library.

Spec Draft for Prekeys

Initial keying material (Prekey Event)

Each user that wishes to be reachable via MLS-based messaging MUST first publish a prekey event. Prekeys are used to authenticate and add members to groups (one-to-one DMs or groups with more than two participants) in an asynchronous way. The prekey event is a simple replaceable event and contains all the information needed to add a user to a group.

Prekeys SHOULD be used only once. Resuse of prekeys can lead to replay attacks.

In most cases, clients that implement this NIP will manage the creation and rotation of the prekey event. It's recommended that clients do so interactively with user consent in order to avoid overwriting prekeys created by other clients.

Derived vs Ephemeral Prekeys

Since prekeys are generated on a single device/client pair, the private key of the prekey must be either stored or generated in a way that can be deterministically recovered.

The recommended approach is to use derived keys, generated in the manner described in NIP-06. In this way, the user can respond to a new group request from any device/client pair, not just from the same device/client pair that created the initial prekey event. If using derived keys;

• Clients MUST use 104 as the account level value and 0 at the change level value (e.g. m/44'/1237'/104'/0/0).
• Keys are then generated using public derivation by incrementing the address_index level value.
• Clients MUST include the full derivation path corresponding to the key used in the content field on the prekey event.
• The content field MUST be encrypted using standard NIP-44 encryption (encrypted to themselves).

However, for added security (and consequently a more restrictive user experience), clients can chose to generate an ephemeral key and store the private key locally. This means that users will only be able to respond to new group requests from the same device/client pair and won't be able to respond at all if the prekey's private key is lost. Ephemeral keys can also be used with minimal degredation of UX if you're using a remote signer that can manage these keys.

If using an ephemeral key;

• The content field on the prekey event MUST be filled in with EPHEMERAL and then encrypted using standard NIP-44 encryption (encrypted to themselves). This ensures that anyone looking at prekey events cannot tell whether it's a derived or an ephemeral prekey.

Example Prekey Event

json { "id": <id>, "kind": 10443, "created_at": <unix timestamp in seconds>, "pubkey": <main identity pubkey>, "content": <encrypted derivation path | EPHEMERAL>, "tags": [ ["mls_protocol_version", "1.0"], ["ciphersuite", "MLS_256_DHKEMK256_CHACHA20POLY1305_SHA256_K256"], ["pubkey", <prekey pubkey>], ["prekey_sig", <signature generated from hex encoded pubkey of the prekey>], ["r", "wss://nos.lol"], ["r", "wss://relay.primal.net"] ], "sig": <signed with main identity key> }

Tags

• The mls_protocol_version tag identifies the MLS protocol version being used. For now, this MUST be 1.0
• The ciphersuite tag identifies the ciphersuite supported. For now on Nostr, we're using a custom ciphersuite, MLS_256_DHKEMK256_CHACHA20POLY1305_SHA256_K256. Read more about ciphersuites in MLS.
• pubkey is the derived or ephemeral prekey pubkey.
• The prekey_sig tag value is a Schnorr signature (over the secp256k1 curve) of the SHA-256 hashed value of the prekey's pubkey, signed with the prekey's private key.

```js const privKey = schnorr.utils.randomPrivateKey(); const pubKey = schnorr.getPublicKey(privKey);

const prekeySig = bytesToHex( schnorr.sign(bytesToHex(sha256(pubKey)), privKey) );

const prekeyTag = ["prekey_sig", prekeySig]; ```

Finally, clients SHOULD include r tags to identify each of the relays that they will attempt to publish this prekey event to. This allows for more complete replacement of prekey events at a later date.

Replacing Prekey Events

Clients MUST replace the prekey event on all the listed relays any time they successfully process a group welcome event. If the prekey was a derived prekey, clients SHOULD increment the derivation path by 1 for the next key.

Onward and Upward

This next week I'll continue to work on getting the right curves and code added to the OpenMLS library and start work on a simple demo app. The focus is on better understanding what we need from the control and message events and how we can make those as simple as possible for Nostr clients and relays while also preserving as much privacy as possible.

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In the annals of scientific history, few names stand as tall as John von Neumann. A polymath whose work spanned mathematics, physics, and computer science, von Neumann's contributions have left an indelible mark on modern technology and theory. His intellectual prowess and innovative ideas paved the way for advancements that continue to shape our world today. This essay explores von Neumann's life, his groundbreaking contributions, and the enduring legacy of his work.

Human action and the individual ,can be greater factors is the history of mathematics an computing.

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Early Life and Mathematical Brilliance

John von Neumann was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1903. A child prodigy, he displayed extraordinary intellectual abilities from a young age, mastering complex calculus by the age of eight. His early education set the stage for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and innovation.

Contributions to Mathematics and Physics

Von Neumann's contributions to mathematics are vast and varied. He made significant advancements in functional analysis, set theory, and quantum mechanics. Notably, he was instrumental in the development of operator theory, which underpins quantum mechanics. His work laid the foundations for understanding the mathematical structures of quantum theory, contributing to the formulation of the von Neumann algebra.

Key Contributions: 1. Functional Analysis: Development of the mathematical framework that supports quantum mechanics. 2. Quantum Mechanics: Contributions to the mathematical formulation of quantum theory, particularly in the context of quantum measurement.

The Birth of Game Theory

One of von Neumann's most influential contributions was the creation of game theory, a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic interactions. His seminal book, "Theory of Games and Economic Behavior," co-authored with economist Oskar Morgenstern, laid the foundation for this field. Game theory has since become a crucial tool in economics, political science, and beyond, helping to understand competitive situations in various domains.

Impact of Game Theory: - Economics: Insights into market behavior and competitive strategies. - Political Science: Analysis of conflict and cooperation between nations. - Computer Science: Algorithms for decision-making and artificial intelligence.

Pioneering Work in Computer Science

Perhaps von Neumann's most well-known legacy lies in computer science. He proposed the architecture for a stored-program computer, known as the von Neumann architecture. This model forms the basis of most computer systems today, delineating a structure where the data and program are stored in the same memory space. His ideas revolutionized the development of digital computers, enabling the advancement of computing technology.

Von Neumann Architecture: - Central Processing Unit (CPU): Executes instructions. - Memory: Stores both data and instructions. - Input/Output Mechanisms: Interfaces for user interaction and data processing.

Legacy and Influence

John von Neumann's work transcends multiple disciplines, demonstrating a rare ability to intersect theoretical understanding with practical application. His ideas continue to influence contemporary research and technological advancements. From quantum computing to economic modeling, von Neumann's contributions remain foundational.

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Consider: The Lasting Impact of John von Neumann

John von Neumann's genius lies not only in his profound contributions across various fields but also in his ability to foresee the future applications of his work. His pioneering efforts in mathematics, game theory, and computer science have fundamentally shaped our understanding of these disciplines. As we continue to explore new frontiers in technology and science, the legacy of von Neumann's work serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path for future generations of thinkers and innovators.

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The day before yesterday was a whirlwind of exploration in Moshi, Tanzania. My plan was to find the elusive Art Market, a haven for local artists nestled outside the town center. Google Maps wasn't much help, but armed with a vague memory and a thirst for artistic discovery, I set off on foot.

After a scenic walk, I stumbled upon the hidden gem. Unlike the tourist-oriented markets in town, this place brimmed with authenticity. Artists displayed their paintings, sculptures, and wood carvings, creating a vibrant atmosphere. While browsing, I encountered a sight that gave me pause: a man working on elephant tusks. Knowing the illegality of the ivory trade in many countries, I snapped a couple of photos and continued my exploration.

Deeper into the market, I came across two artists diligently creating new pieces. They even offered me a friendly lunch invitation, which I politely declined (unsure of the mysterious meat on the menu!).

Energized by the artistic encounters, I decided to venture further. I hopped on a tuk-tuk, aiming for the outskirts of Moshi, a place called Raul, the gateway to the Materuni Waterfall hike (which I'd already conquered in December). Unfortunately, my tuk-tuk driver wasn't feeling as honest. He tried to overcharge me, but luckily, I knew the fair price and negotiated a fair deal.

The adventure took a turn for the worse on the return trip. Due to poor lighting and a hidden curb, I had a nasty nighttime fall. My hands, knee, and foot took the brunt of the impact, leaving me with some nasty (and still painful!) wounds. Thankfully, a kind soul at the hostel provided disinfectant, and I followed up with medication from the pharmacy the next day.

While the mishaps put a damper on the evening, the day's earlier discoveries still hold a special place in my memory. The Art Market, with its raw talent and local charm, was a true gem. This experience serves as a reminder that sometimes the best adventures are the ones that stray from the beaten path, even if they come with a few bumps and bruises along the way.

After tending to my wounds, I decided to treat myself to some comfort food. Opting for something familiar, I ordered a dish called "Wali Maharagwe." This Tanzanian staple, consisting of rice and beans, was exactly what I needed to soothe my body and soul. The flavors were simple yet satisfying, a perfect end to an eventful day.

Feel free to support me by sending some sats via the lightning network to rubenstorm@getalby.com

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The rhythmic thump thump of the wipers’ frantic attempt to rid the windshield of raindrops glimmering in the passing streetlights came and went in Jonah’s sight. A thin layer of water about the lonely street glistened in the headlights. His breaths were heavy between the squeal and thump, thump.

“Your mom was right, you know?” were the words Julia, his wife had said. The street lights stretched across the darkness then vanished over her reflection in the rearview mirror revealing only a split second of the shimmer in her eyes.

Their boy cooed in the car seat behind Jonah as Julia fed him with her left hand. Their girl slept, head bobbing gently in the seat to Julia’s right.

“Julia, c’mon. You can’t be serious.”

“You haven’t been there for us. You haven’t been there for me and it's embarrassing that your mom had to call you out on it. You think you're a man?”

Jonah’s breaths were heavy between the thump thump and squeal of the windshield wipers. The lights were stagnant then, when the engine ticked strangely and he had the taste of iron in his mouth.

The words he had said a few moments before echoed in his head, “Julia, I was doing it for you and the kids.”

“The kids needed you home. I nee—” Julia’s voice cracked, “I needed you.” Her voice slipped into a soft whine of desperation, “We can get by with your parents' help. It’s ok to ask for help.”

“Why do we need their help? We can do this on our own. I can do this for us,” growled Jonah. His rage was building but he didn’t dare raise his voice and wake the children. “I can do this,” he repeated, staring at Julia.

Julia couldn’t fight the frown. She wiped away a tear and said, “Maybe you can. But I can’t. Not anymore, I already told your mother I’ll be comi—”

Thump.

Thump.

The street lights and water filled the splintered windshield glass like streams of gold. The Red and blue lights flashing wildly against the concrete median came and went in Jonah’s sight. Julia hung limp in her seat. Her body was tethered down by the seatbelt; her hands suspended above her head. It was dark even with all the lights and it wasn’t until there came the glare of a flashlight and Jonah noticed the blood streaming from the gash in Julia’s face that he really noticed the taste of iron in his mouth.

All sounds were muffled. When he looked at the glaring light the moment just vanished.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Jonah shivered. The pain was unbearable but the cold still racked his body. He shook awake and was blinded by the overhead light.

“Easy. Easy,” came a familiar voice.

His mother’s voice brought tears to Jonah’s eyes. Eyes still sensitive to the light. His mother’s silhouette shifted beside him. Then, he felt her touch and though there was warmth against the chill, he shook. Jonah realized he was in the hospital and now it was the pain that racked his body.

Jonah wheezed, “Julia? Julia? Mom.” His voice cracked. “Grayson? Tory? What happened?”

Jonah’s mother hugged him, “You were in an accident son.”

“Mom,” Jonah wheezed again as he spoke and struggled to free himself from her embrace. “What room are they in? Are they ok?”

His mother spoke softly as she separated from him and said, “Jonah, you need to rest.”

“I need to see my wife and kids! Tell them to come in.” Jonah searched the bedside table for his phone. Then he searched the bed. His arms were riddled with sutures and streaks of black coagulated blood. “I’ll call Julia. Pass me my phone,” he said wanting to raise his hand in his inquiry but the pain was unbearable.

His mother covered her mouth and shook her head as she cried.

“Mom?” Her silence bothered Jonah. The wounds of his ego after the way his family turned on him that weekend were still fresh. At that moment, it was fresher still than the wounds of the accident. The idea that his mother was still treating him like he wasn’t man enough to care for his family enraged him. “Will you stop treating me like a boy? I’m thirty years old. I have a family. I don’t need to be coddled.”

His mother gasped and reached out a hand that Jonah swatted away. “Oh, no son. You don’t understand.”

Jonah winced at his mother’s reaction. It wasn’t uncommon for his mother to turn the tables on him and make him feel like the scum of the earth for having any sort of feelings whatsoever. For the first time however, that wouldn’t come. She was speechless and remorse blanketed her face. Jonah finally came to the realization that something was very wrong. He fought the frown that his lips wanted to take. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

His mother inhaled slowly and struggled to answer, “The paramedics tried their best, but you were the only one who made it to the hospital alive.”

Jonah stared at his mother in disbelief. The weight of the news made him sink further into the bed sheets. “No, no no no.” He struggled to conjure the sound of Julia’s voice from his memories of her.

“Your mom was right, you know?” Julie had said. “I already told your mother I’ll be comi—” were her last words. The streetlights expanding across her face in the rearview mirror and the glimmer of her tears was the last image he held of her. His daughter’s bobbing head and his son’s coo were the last memories he had of his children.

Everyone was right. His mother was right. Why had he insisted on spending so much time away from home in search of money. In search of greatness. Little did he know that the seconds were ticking away and every moment he spent away from his family was one less minute he would have memories of.

@ 2063cd79:57bd1320

Fundamentals

Was wir gerade beobachten können, ist dass der Preis und die Fundamentaldaten auseinander driften. Die Fundamentaldaten unterfüttern sozusagen das Wertversprechen und damit den empfundenen Langzeitwert von Bitcoin. Bitcoins Wertversprechen, also die Features, die Bitcoin einzigartig und unersetzbar machen, habe ich schon öfter erwähnt. Eine kurze Erinnerung:

Bitcoin ist: * dezentral, * zensurresistent, * erlaubnislos, * diskriminiert nicht, * ein weltweit liquides Zahlungsmittel, * ein extrem knappes Zahlungsmittel, * einfach selbst zu verwahren.

Die Fundamentaldaten, die diese Features auch analysierbar und begreifbar machen schauen wir uns her mal an:

Hashrate: Die Hashrate des Bitcoin Netzwerks hat sich in den letzten drei Jahren mehr als vervierfacht. Erst letzte Woche hat sie noch ein ATH erzielt und beweist damit, dass das Netzwerk und damit Bitcoin noch nie so sicher war wie derzeit.

Transaktionskosten: Die durchschnittliche Transaktionsgebühr liegt derzeit unter 1,50 USD, was eine große Verbesserung zu den 10 USD im Juli 2021 darstellt. Und wenn man es mit dem zweiten Preis ATH in 2021 vergleicht, stellt man keinen Anstieg der Gebühren fest. Das zeigt, dass das Netzwerk viel besser arbeitet und Bitcoin Transaktionen trotz hoher Kurse vergleichbar geringe Gebühren verlangen und Bitcoin so zu einem liquiden Zahlungsmittel werden lassen.

Kostenbasis: Schaut man sich die Kostenbasis von kurzfristigen und langfristigen HODLern an (mehr oder weniger als 155 Tage), erkennt man, dass sich diese beiden Werte fast kreuzen. Dies weißt darauf hin, dass langfristige Bitcoin Besitzer in der dominierenden Position sind. Das ist ein Zeichen für steigendes Vertrauen ins Netzwerk und sinkende Spekulation im Vergleich zu Investionen als Wertanlage.

If this persists and STH crosses below LTH, historically has marked generational Bitcoin buying opportunities. We are getting close. — Will Clemente (@WClementeIll) June 9, 2022

Einziger Wehrmutstropfen ist, dass die aktuelle Kurssituation negative Effekte auf die Erträge aus dem Mining hat. Wir erinnern uns:

Das Ziel der meisten Miner ist es so viele bitcoins wie möglich in der Bilanz zu halten, wegen der großen möglichen positiven Preisentwicklung. So wird versucht nur die Anzahl an bitcoins zu verkaufen, die nötig ist, um die Kosten zu decken, denn jeder bitcoin, der heute nicht verkauft wird, könnte morgen schon ein vielfaches wert sein.

Allerdings führen negative Preisentwicklungen dazu, dass sich viele Miner gezwungen sehen ihre produzierten bitcoins sofort zu verkaufen, um laufende Kosten zu decken und in Teilen führt es sogar dazu, dass das Mining für manche Operationen komplett unwirtschaftlich wird. Die Hashrate nimmt nicht nennenswert ab, und damit bleibt auch die Difficulty relativ stabil hoch. Das bedeutet allerdings nicht, dass das Netzwerk leidet, sondern dass es eine Kräfteverschiebung unter den Minern gibt und dass das Entladen von bitcoins zu vergleichsweise niedrigem Kurs nicht dazu beiträgt eine Kehrtwende in der Preisentwicklung einzuleiten.

Final Capitulation Fears Mount as Miners Send Record Amounts of Bitcoin to Exchanges Bitcoin miners appear to be preparing to offload large amounts of the asset as flows to exchanges peaked this week.

Schaut man sich nur die Fundamentals an, sieht Bitcoin gesünder aus, als jemals zuvor. Das System schnurrt wie ein Kätzchen und es wird Block nach Block nach Block produziert, ganz wie im Protokoll vorgeschrieben. Das zeigt, dass der aktuelle Preisverfall von Bitcoin weitgehend auf die Verstrickungen in der Altcoin-DeFi-Welt und Veränderungen in der Makroökonomie zurückzuführen ist.

Altcoins / DeFi

Seit einem der ersten Posts propagiere ich den Gedanken, dass Bitcoin nicht Crypto ist und es essentiell wichtig ist, diesen Unterschied in die breite Masse zu tragen. Altcoins werden von der Öffentlichkeit als Ersatz für Bitcoin angesehen, obwohl sie es nicht sind. Die meisten Leute denken fälschlicherweise, dass Bitcoin alt und langsam ist, obwohl die genau ausbalancierte Verteilung der Kräfte (Skalierbarkeit, Sicherheit, Dezentralität) von Bitcoin der einzige Weg ist, um diese Art von Technologie langfristig und wie beworben funktionieren zu lassen. Solange Altcoins als Substitute für Bitcoin gesehen werden, wird die schlechte Presse, die diese erzeugen unweigerlich auch auf Bitcoin zurückfallen. Also egal, ob es der (bisher) verunglückte Versuch Ethereums ist, den angekündigten "Merge" durchzuführen, oder andere sogenannte dezentrale Protokolle ihre Blockchain anhalten und zurückdrehen; die erzeugte Skepsis und das Misstrauen wird in den Köpfen vieler auf Bitcoin zurückfallen, da diese nicht differenzieren können. Damit Bitcoin den nächsten Schritt in seiner Entwicklung machen kann, müssen die Menschen verstehen, dass Altcoins kein Ersatz für Bitcoin sind.

Viel wurde schon geschrieben zu Terra/LUNA, Celsius, 3AC, Babel und jetzt auch BlockFi.

Bei den erst kürzlich in die Schlagzeilen geratenen Altcoin/Crypto Finanzdienstleistern, ist es nicht nur die wahrgenommene schlechte Reputation, die sich negativ auf das Image von Bitcoin und damit stellvertretend auf den Preis auswirkt, sondern die tatsächlichen Verstrickungen am Rande von Bitcoin mit den angebotenen Produkten eben dieser Dienstleister.

Alle diese Altcoin Projekte halten große Mengen an bitcoins (zusammen Bitcoin im Wert von mehreren Milliarden US Dollar). Ohne auf die jeweilgen Produkte in großem Detail einzugehen, benutzen diese Finanzprodukte verschiedenartige Hebel, um ihrer Kundschaft die versprochen hohe Yields zu ermöglichen (so in der Theorie). Bitcoin wird dort genutzt, um die Liquidität ihrer Reserven zu erhöhen, oder um mit den eingelagerten bitcoins anderweitig zu noch höherem Risiko zu spekulieren. Doch mit dem Verfall vieler der zugrunde liegenden gehebelten Produkte und Renditemöglichkeiten, drohen diese Anbieter entweder zahlungsunfähig und nicht mehr existent zu werden oder sind es schon. Dies bedeutet im Umkehrschluss, dass diese bankrotten Anbieter gezwungen werden ihre Sicherheitsreserven zu liquidieren und somit bitcoins in Milliardenhöhe unter Wert auf den Markt werfen. Es wird sich zeigen wie viele dieser Art gehebelter Projekte noch existieren, bevor die große Säuberung vorbei ist.

Konjunktur

Bitcoin ist eigentlich wie gemacht, um in der aktuellen Makroumgebung der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Lage zu gedeihen. Wir haben Rekordinflation, unter anderem ausgelöst durch anhaltende Lieferengpässe bei Energie und Rohstoffen (Chinas Zero COVID Politik, Krieg in der Ukraine, etc.), Medienhysterie und politikgemachte Geldentwertung durch Flutung. Eine Rezession steht uns viel näher bevor, als die meisten Menschen vermuten und das generelle Gefühl einer Sicherheitskultur ist stark gedämpft, sowie das Verbrauchervertauen auf dem tiefsten Stand seit 19 Jahren. Viele Menschen sorgen sich darum, ob ihr Erspartes am Ende des Jahres noch so viel wert ist wie heute, ob sie ihren Job behalten, und wenn, ob das bezogene Gehalt seine Kaufkraft weiter verliert. Dieser Abschwung der Wirtschaft mit der einhergehenden Sorge um den Arbeitsplatz sorgt für einen Vertrauensabbau gegenüber der Arbeits- und Wirtschaftspolitik. Die steigenden Preise mit der einhergehende Sorge um den finanziellen Wohlstand führen zu einem Vertrauensverlust in die Finanzpolitik und das Geldsystem. Vertrauen ist ein wesentlicher Bestandteil stabiler und friedlicher Wirtschaftstätigkeit und wenn Vertrauen verloren geht, führt dies zu erhöhten Reibungen im Wirtschaftsgeschehen. Im schlimmsten Fall sogar zu Aufständen und Chaos (wie anfang des Jahres in Kasachstan zu beobachten).

Es ist demnach nur selbstverständlich, dass jeder Mensch nach einer Alternativlösung sucht, um sein Erspartes/Vermögen sicher, einfach und ohne finanzielle Verluste einzulagern. Womit wir bei Bitcoins Features wären, die genau diese Alternative bieten. Denn die einzige Lösung, die Sicherheit und Autonomität bei minimalem bzw. komplett ohne Vertrauen schafft, ist Bitcoin. Das dezentrale Netzwerk kann niemals von einer einzelnen Person, einer oder mehreren Regierungen, einem Unternehmen oder einer Koalition kontrolliert werden. Oder was sagt der CEO von Bitcoin dazu?

Doch warum verhält sich Bitcoin derzeit nicht, wie der sichere Hafen, für den es gehalten wird? Aktuell beobachten wir ein Phänomen, in dem der Bitcoin Kurs vollständig an die der Aktienverläufe gekoppelt ist. Diese hohe Korrelation könnte daran liegen, dass dieselben Personen und Gruppen, die in traditionelle Anlageklassen investieren in den letzten Jahren maßgeblich in Bitcoin investiert haben. Durch die von COVID ausgelöste Geldflutung haben Institutionen und Spekulaten angefangen in alternative Anlagen zu investieren, schlicht weil die traditionellen schon komplett überkauft waren. Diese gleichen Gruppen benutzen für ihre Finanzanalyse und Risikokalkulation natürlich weitgehend auch die gleichen Diagramme und Modelle, was zu einem identischen Kauf-/Verkaufsverhalten an den Märkten gesorgt hat. Diese Korrelation wird in langer Sicht aber brechen müssen, da Bitcoin fundamental andere Eigenschaften aufweist, als die traditionellen Anlageklassen. Bitcoin ist eine Anlageklasse für sich und lässt sich nicht mit traditionellen Modellen bewerten.

Desweiteren muss Bitcoin viel größere Akzeptanz in der breiten Bevölkerung finden, um in diesen makroökonomischen Umgebungen sein volles Potenzial zu entfalten. Nehmen wir als Beispiel die Türkei. Der Lira hat in den letzten 3 Jahren über 80% seines Wertes gegenüber dem US Dollar und dem EURO verloren. Also eine perfekte Situation, um sich mit seinen ersparten Lira Bitcoin zu kaufen, um a) weiteren Wertverlusten vorzubeugen und b) sein Vermögen weiteren Übergriffen der staatlichen Finanzpolitik zu entziehen. Allerdings ist die Akzeptanz scheinbar noch nicht soweit vorangeschritten, wie wir das in unserer Bitcoin-affinen Blase gerne denken. Denn für viele ist Bitcoin immer noch magisches Internetgeld aus dem Weltall, dessen zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen nicht verstanden sind. Dies ruft eine gewisse Skepsis hervor und erzeugt Zugangshemniss. Viele sehen lieber zu, wie die Ersparnisse reduziert werden, als sie im Internet gegen eine neumodische Währung umzutauschen. Darüber hinaus ist Bitcoin ideologisch sehr stark mit dem Internet verknüpft, was in unserer westlichen Welt synonym für Informations- und Meinungsfreiheit steht, in vielen Ländern dieser Welt allerdings vom Staat zensiert und kontrolliert wird. Dies und der schlichte Fakt, dass sich mit Bitcoin (noch) keine Lebensmittel und andere Grundversorgungsmittel kaufen lassen, führen dazu, dass Bitcoins Preis zurzeit hauptsächlich durch institutionelle und große Spekulanten und nicht durch die vielen kleinen Privatnutzer beeinflusst wird.

Neben Inflationsschutz und Verteidigung vor Über­grif­fig­keit gibt es aber immer noch die Investionsthese von Bitcoin und vielleicht kann der niedrige Kurs einige Privatanleger schließlich doch überzeugen in Bitcoin zu investieren, vorausgesetzt die Rezession wirkt sich nicht zu stark auf die Privatvermögen aus. Besonders in den USA, aber auch vermehrt in Europa befindet sich das verfügbare Einkommen auf dem Rückzug, da steigende Kreditkartenschulden und steigende Zinsen bei der Rückzahlung von Krediten dazu führen werden, dass sich Otto Normal und Lieschen Müller in den nächten Monaten wahrscheinlich nicht in der Lage sein werden Bitcoin zu kaufen. Dieses Kaufkraftdefizit kann jedoch wiederum durch die große Menge vermögender Privatpersonen ausgeglichen werden, die nach einem sicheren Hafen suchen, sollte sich die Rezession weiter verschärfen und sich Staaten weiter so wenig zukunftsorientiert und übergriffig verhalten.

Es ist nicht 100%ig klar, welcher der drei oben genannten Gründe hauptauschlaggebend für die Preisentwicklung ist - wahrscheinlich ist es eine historisch einmalige Kombination von allen. Was festzuhalten bleibt, ist dass Bitcoin durch einen Entkopplungs- und Sanierungsprozess geht.

Es ist als wäre Bitcoin ein Organismus, der in der Lage ist sich selbst zu heilen. Bitcoin strampelt sich gerade von den äußeren Einwirkungen frei, wie ein Nashorn, das seine Parasiten abschüttelt. Bitcoin wurde in den Sumpf der Finanzspiele hineingezogenen, die aus der traditonellen Finanzwelt rund um Fiat bekannt sind. Während das Fiatsystem jedoch von den Spielemachern (Zentralbanken) mit Rettungspaketen und Bailouts künstlich am Leben gehalten wird, sobald die Regeln überschritten werden und die Spieler für ihre Regelverstöße disqualifiziert werden müssten, gibt es bei Bitcoin keine höhere Instanz, die über dem Spiel steht und die Regeln zugunsten der unfair Spielenden ändern kann.

Die Regeln sind klar, sie sind fest im Protokoll verankert. Das zeigt auch, dass die heute so gängigen unsoliden und nicht nachhaltigen Finanzpraktiken nur funktionieren, wenn das Spielfeld manipuliert und nicht eben ist. Bitcoin mit seinem unkorrumpierbaren Protokoll hingegen schwemmt diese Praktiken raus. Das ist zwar schmerzlich für viele Teilnehmer und diejenigen, deren legitimen Geschäfte auch finanziell leiden (wie z.B. Mining Operations), jedoch ist ein "sauberer", "seriöser" und "stabiler" Bitcoin in Zukunft diese Phase der schmerzhaften Konsolidierung wert. Außerdem müssen wir uns immer wieder ins Gedächtnis rufen, dass Bitcoin erst seit 12 Jahren existiert. In dieser kurzen Zeit reift das System Prozesse, Praktiken und Konzepte aus, die im traditionellen Finanzsystem über hunderte von Jahren erfunden, getestet und weiterentwickelt wurden.

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In diesem Sinne, 2... 1... Risiko!‌

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Zap this meme for today (Special Edition) Meme Monday contest

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/645734

@ 08eade50:687ccb04

1. Create git repo:

export USER=<github-user-name> export REPO=nostr-site-demo mkdir $REPO; cd $REPO;

1. Create $REPO on github.

2. Init local repo and push to Github:

echo "# nostr-site-demo" >> README.md git init git add README.md git commit -m "first commit" git branch -M main git remote add origin https://github.com/$USER/$REPO.git git push -u origin main

1. Setup Github Pages:

2. open repo page on github

3. open Settings -> Pages

4. under Branch choose 'main' and save

5. Wait 1-2 minutes and reload the settings -> Pages page until you see "Your site is live at URL".

6. copy URL of your github pages website

7. Go to npub.pro admin panel and choose your site and open Settings.

8. edit Website Address, paste the URL of your Github Pages address

9. click Save

10. Download the updated zip archive for self-hosting at .npub.pro/dist.zip

11. Extract files from archive to your REPO dir, commit, push to Github:

unzip path/to/zip/dist.zip git add . git commit -m "Add site files" git push origin main

1. Wait 1 minute for Github to update your site.

You should be done now!

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Zap this meme for today (Special Edition) Meme Monday contest

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/645698

@ 1c6b3be3:73f0ae6f

Releases - No Bullshit Bitcoin

NDK v2.10: Performance Gains, New Tutorials, Cache Adapter, ndk-wallet (2 min) NDK, a user-friendly and reliable Nostr development kit, has released a major update with several new features and improvements. These include optimistic signature verification, which verifies events at different ratios based on whether the relay is unknown or in the user's NIP-65 list. The Nostr Cache Adapter allows developers to connect their apps to a single local relay for caching purposes. A refactored zapping interface now supports various funding and delivery mechanisms beyond Lightning Network (LN).

Additionally, the subscription lifecycle has been refactored for better clarity and fewer dependencies from nostr-tools. Tutorials and other high-level documentation have been added to the project's GitHub repository (nostr-dev-kit.github.io/ndk). The NIP-60 ndk-wallet extension supports nostr-native wallet functionality, enabling token verification, nutzap redemption, UTXO management, and balance tracking for users in a non-KYC manner.

The update was made possible thanks to the support from OpenSats and other generous contributors. The GitHub repository contains the release notes, blog post, and code updates for this new version of NDK.

Aqua Wallet v0.2.0: RBF, Lower Liquid Fees, Native USDT Transactions (1 min) Aqua Wallet, a mobile Bitcoin, Lightning, Liquid, and Tether wallet available on Android and iOS, has released version 0.2.0. The update includes lower Liquid Network transaction fees (now ~40 sats), native Tether USDt transactions with the option to pay fees using USDT, Taproot swaps for instant refunds on failed Lightning sends, more fiat currency display options, RBF for Bitcoin sends, an Internal Send flow as a swap option, Direct Peg-In option for Layer 2 Bitcoin, and added support for Mexas (MEX) stablecoin. Additionally, Beaver Bitcoin and Pocket Bitcoin are now available in the Marketplace for Canada and Europe, respectively. There are also bug fixes throughout the app. Known issues include new fiat currency options not working on the Swap interface, where USD values must still be entered.

🍵 "btc | bitcoin | lightning network | asic" - Google News

Bitcoin Depot Expands Its Merchant Network And Exceeds 8,000 Bitcoin ATMs - Digital Transactions TRON H1 2024: From Stablecoins to Bitcoin and Beyond - CryptoTicker.io - Bitcoin Price, Ethereum Price & Crypto News ‘Only a Small Number Can Survive’ – Galaxy Digital Issues Warning to Bitcoin Layer-2s Amid Scarce Blockspace - The Daily Hodl 10 Best Crypto Wallets of August 2024 - Money How Can BTC Holders Best Utilize Their Tokens Without Transferring Them? - ZyCrypto Bitcoin Price Drop to $50,300 Leaves Miners in the Red: Profitable Models Dwindle - Crypto News Flash Bitcoin Bloodbath: Prices Plunge Amid Stock Market Chaos and Crypto Panic - Shore News Network Xapo Launches Lightning Network Deposits Amid Growing Adoption In Key Latin Markets - The Defiant - DeFi News

@ 08eade50:687ccb04

Introducing Npub.pro - your personal websites from your Nostr content! Made with creators in mind, available to all.

Creating a website, maintaining and securing it is a lot of work. Sometimes it feels like an additional job, when all you really want to do is create. Setting up the hosting is a pain, securing the website is a constant uncertainty, and updating across all of your publishing platforms and your website feels like a huge chore.

Enter Npub.pro - a powerful tool to attract and convert your fans with less work. Powered by your Nostr content and enhanced with beautiful open source themes from Ghost, Npub.pro websites just work!

Some of the perks of a Nostr-based website: - Style it your way. Pick a theme that fits your audience and your preferences. You’re not limited to showing your content on one particular client. - Shareable links. Links to your website look amazing when shared on social media and messenger apps. - Great for conversions. A place to attract your audience and measure outcomes using existing web tools. - Hassle-free. No complex hosting, maintenance or security issues. Your content lives on relays. Themes are on Nostr relays and Blossom servers. No matter what, your site still works. - No duplicate work. Already published on Nostr? Npub.pro displays your Nostr content and you choose which type of content to display! - Works like an app. Your website is a progressive web app that can be added to home screen and works offline. - Post from any Nostr client. No need to log in to a CMS to check for comments. Everything is on Nostr so it just works from any client. - SEO friendly. Your content has proper meta tags and your website is rendered on the server to make sure search engines love it. - Self-host if you like. Use our scalable hosting infrastructure or switch to any file hosting like Github Pages. - Interoperable. Your website is a Nostr event proposed in NIP-512, themes are proposed NIP-136. Our engine is open-source libnostrsite.

Heads up! While this has been a long time in the making, we’re still in the early beta stage. Some stuff may be rough, won’t work properly and features may be missing. Content management is still a work in progress, please be patient.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Link: https://npub.pro

Built by Nostr.Band team.

@ 434f9799:2d548c15

一般来说, AdGuard 和 uBlock Origin 用的这种 Adblock Plus 风格的语法非常适合用于匹配 URL, 但是也会存在一些极其少见的情况必须要用到正则来匹配.

比如小红书的网页版, 主页使用参数来定位贴文频道位置:

• https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore?channel_id=homefeed_recommend

而具体的贴文则是:

• https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/xxxxx?xsec_token=xxxxx

如果我们要清理小红书的贴文的参数, 一般就会写这样的规则:

text ||www.xiaohongshu.com/explore^$removeparam

但是这条规则不仅仅匹配到了贴文, 还匹配到了主页, 导致主页用来定位的参数会在刷新后命中规则, 然后被清理.

除非去详细指定要清理的参数键, 类似这样:

text ||www.xiaohongshu.com/explore^$removeparam=/^(p1|p2|p3)=/

这样能避开 channel_id 这样的主页参数被意外清理, 但是要最大限度清理参数非常繁琐(要显式指定每一个目标参数键), 当然也能排除特定的不需要清理(或者说不能)的参数键:

text ||www.xiaohongshu.com/explore^$removeparam=~channel_id

但问题又来了, 我们没办法确定 "不能" 清理的参数键在意外匹配到的页面上是否与实际我们要清理的贴文的 URL 有重合, 很可能一个参数在首页就是重要的, 但在贴文中就是无用的(大多数社媒的贴文页面参数基本都是无用的).

---

另外一个例子是新浪微博, 用户资料页是:

• https://weibo.com/u/xxxxx?tabtype=feed

微博贴文页是:

• https://weibo.com/123456/XrcXwXTWX?from=xxxxx

如果要清理微博贴文 URL 中的全部参数而直接用这条规则:

text ||weibo.com/*/*^$removeparam

很显然就会误伤到用户资料页的参数, 除非我们再写一条规则排除掉资料页:

text @@||weibo.com/u^$removeparam

这种情况在用户侧实际上很多, 我们没办法观测黑盒里全部可以和不可以清理的参数, 只知道部分可以清理的和部分必要的参数. 这种匹配不精准的情况, 要么尽可能探明可以清理的参数精准指定, 要么尽量把规则的匹配范围限定在更加具体的 URL 上只保留部分必要的参数.

本来 "精准匹配" 就是写这类规则的首要考虑目标, 现在既然发现了容易被 "误伤" 的页面, 那就只能退而求其次选择更原始的正则匹配了:

• 小红书贴文:

  text /https?:\/\/www\.xiaohongshu\.com\/explore\/[0-9a-z]+/$removeparam=~xsec_token

• 微博贴文:

  text /https?:\/\/weibo\.com\/[0-9]+\/[0-9a-zA-Z]+/$removeparam

使用正则需要更加注意匹配范围的精确性, AdGuard 里的正则匹配性能相对一般过滤器规则表达式要差(虽然人也没办法非常直观地感受到).

How to create your own ad filters | AdGuard Knowledge Base - Regular expressions support

@ 592295cf:413a0db9

Nostr is too public, Mastodon single server, something in between Article, or post

Will Private Nostr, how's it going? Nostriga

The Japanese star of Nostr nikolat makibishi NIP-25, to like a website

Nos2x error on yakihonne normal administration wants to know calling nip44. Ya maybe is fiatjaf fault or Shaun or both.

Nostter introduces follow all, you can follow all the profiles of a person in a short time.

I saw a video of Kostant, he held a panel with web3. A cool panel.

nostr:nevent1qqs8e8c69wwpt3yrjnaw2pnfw9d7ttxn3pg444z767t9jygfymldfaczyp02geyqgka3lu3zv4wa6dhxmnkacs6epsnqjrzgd0hn3m69pkjm6pq4xk9

Aspirin moment NSW https://njump.me/nevent1qqsv78sjt0u38tzgzvulema5kyf7f0va58xpcu0jcwn2esudtwg00vqzyrtsplqs63t7atj0qt4sf4c45p2gxlng5t3dqyyhzwpvtcgpdhyeum336ky

I Just follow Someone on bluesky, how long will it take me to follow 100 people. There's always someone I follow and I forget that he's the one who boosts every 2 minutes and unfollows him, we're on the third one. It's hot and it's summer I saw the bluesky proposal page, I'm a little jealous that Nostr doesn't have it. Really the best thing when starting a social network is to follow 1000 people. I often hear him say follow as many people as possible because there are no algorithms. You have just replaced the algorithms with a random move, perhaps random, they are a selected niche. We need a better way to follow people if we want to follow them. Some use lists, others hashtags, others relays. Others just write, others go to the Primal wall and comment or search from there. Others follow the profiles of Nostr band. All of these are valid things. I don't know how long it would take me to follow 1000 people. Interests change, that one RTs too much or that one responds too much, that one doesn't respond to me, that one is at a higher level than mine. Today I tried not to read Nostr, but just write. It's reading from python. (Reading from python is bad). I don't answer that, I couldn't. I have nothing important to say.

I try new gossip, annotation Is a cool feature

https://airbtc.online/ Airbnb with bitcoin

I was trying to make a UI to read Nostr. With tkinter, I was able to take the first step. Who knows if I can continue it in a month. To take some steps forward.

Nostr proceeds but backwards...

Gossip fixed the UI. Well. Oh Fiatjaf was angry 😅. Yesterday I was looking at all the bookmarks I had, I would like to focus on projects and proposals and clients Just about ideas. But how do they become an ecosystem?

They were all taken badly by Nashville 🤹🤹

Depressing is when you see a new project, then you think I'll tell him everything I know, it was the anonymous blog project and I thought of lowent, and getwired. I also thought about my idea of ​​unanimity. But then I thought if someone publishes something, you can't tell them or look there's this and that. I have to understand that writing code is not a walk in the park, but I know that between the first phase and the maturation phase a winter of loneliness can pass, where meaningless commits are pushed. There are phases in Nostr, now it is the Primal phase, damus, amethyst, maybe in a year of these three there will be a single client.

@ 87730827:746b7d35

I've come to really appreciate Dart, Lua, and Python as probably my current top three programming languages. Each one brings something unique to the table that boosts my productivity and speeds up development all thanks to their simplicity, and, this is great if you are considering the business building approach to get results or get things done quick.

Dart, with its strong support for Flutter, allows for really rapid development of high-performance, cross-platform apps, and features robust FFI integrations that can call high-performance Rust code, enhancing overall application efficiency.

Python’s versatility is exemplified in Django, which makes it a breeze to build solid web applications and backends. Its ORM simplifies database work, letting me write queries and manage models without a hitch. Plus, its templating engine makes HTML rendering easy, and it plays well with modern JavaScript frameworks like HTMX as well as all the other popular ones like React, Vue, etc. This combination keeps my backend efficient while supporting dynamic, interactive frontends.

Lua has been a game-changer for tweaking my Neovim setups in particular. It’s been fantastic for creating shortcuts, automating repetitive tasks, and keeping my coding environment clean with my own personal workflow, significantly boosting my productivity and enhancing my development speed across all these other languages.

These are just personal examples but of course they can be expanded much more than this, and I also enjoy many other languages like Rust, javascript/typescript for web development, and more... I actively develop in these 3 languages covered here, dart and python being professionally at work, and you can follow me to learn more about the products I am building and how I'm achieving results

@ 30876140:cffb1126

On a platform high in the clouds, a city floated populated by robots. The robots had no knowledge of their origins, and thus made up all sorts of odd fantasies regarding their history, exchanging one idea for another depending on the trends of the time. The city stayed afloat and powered by technological wonders that humanity will someday utilize on a massive scale, unimportant to mention here. Why, in a science fiction story would the technology be unimportant to discuss, you might ask. Because this story is about something different than technological wonder, and you will see what it is about in the coming pages.

At the center of this city stood a factory, a factory which builds robots. No robot alive had seen who built it; thus the source of their wild tales. A new robot would pop out of the factory every so often, sometimes in pairs, sometimes in threes, and at times even in groups of fifteen or twenty. On a day like any other, a robot was born from the factory. It was night, actually. Before the factory was an open square, at times in the distant past this square was the center of the community, much like the steps of the government buildings in Athens from those old paintings, where robots would collect, and speak, and greet their newcomers with glee. But today, as the newborn robot emerged from the factory, the square was dark and empty.

The first thing any robot would ever do when emerging from the factory was stumble. It's a very important business being born, after all, and since this robot had never used its legs before, it stumbled along like all the rest, nearly falling, but catching itself on a decorative post in the square. Why the post was there, none could tell, but it bore the scratches from hundreds of metal hands clinging onto it for dear life, so the population was generally thankful for its existence. 

The next thing any robot ever does is issue forth its name. It must be in their programming; no robot had ever probed deeply into their minds, except by thought alone, so none had discovered the secret at the heart of their make-up. This robot issued forth a series of sounds, in robotic language, which sounded something like our English letters, M – C – H, so for the purposes of this story, we will call them MCH. And, for the time of this tale, all words spoken in the robotic language will be translated into the English language, so we can understand the meaning of the tale.

After a robot speaks their name, there is a number of things they might do. They may look out, over the city, and see the beautiful buildings that touch the sky; or, they may work on an acrobatic act, learning to walk all the better; or a great number of other things too. MCH chose to look directly up, and saw the heavens shining above. Bright stars, and a beautiful white moon in crescent. This robot was filled with wonder at the sight, and nearly fell backward were it not for the post again.

Whatever wonder our MCH was filled with was quickly squashed by the most annoying sort of distraction: an advertisement. Yes, my poor readers, an advertisement. Up above, hiding in the shadows between the rooftops of nearby buildings, was perched a gaggle of spherical drones, each with one large black eye and an anti-gravity emitter at its base, waiting for the next newborn robot to emerge from the factory. One such drone rose up, being the only one paying any attention at this time, and rushed down with uncanny grace, right down into MCH's field of vision. MCH could only see this robot now, and it startled him so much he tried to swat it away, accidentally forgetting that they were holding onto a support column and falling flat on their back. The drone flew in closer, and started to speak.

“Well, hello there! Welcome to life in the big city!”

MCH propped up, rubbed their head, and tried to ignore the drone completely. But, the little drone was quite persistent.

“Now that you're all ready for life, it's time to start getting to work! You have your choice of a number of jobs to perform in the city, and it is my duty to get you situated into your new life! How exciting!”

MCH was clearly not excited at all. Rising, and looking back up into the sky, MCH was filled with purpose, or rather the seeds of purpose, for MCH did not knew exactly what this feeling was that was filling them because of the stars above. MCH wanted to rise up into the sky and see what these interesting lights really were. Looking around, MCH spotted a building with protrusions leading all the way up its sides, perfect for a robot such as they to climb and get a better look at the city around. MCH started to walk towards it.

The drone flew in front of MCH and did an annoyed little dance. “Just where are you going? You do not know the lay of the city. You haven't even chosen a career, yet! I...” MCH gently pushed the drone out of the way. This drone had obviously never been treated this way before, and it floated for a moment trying to make sense of it all. 

When MCH reached the side of the building, they held onto one of the protrusions and tried their weight. Amazing, thought MCH, my arms can carry my weight like my legs. With a bold push off the ground, MCH began to climb the side of the building.

The drone had floated for a minute, thinking all of this over, and then it really dawned on them what this newborn robot was doing. 

“Just what do you think you are doing?” 

The drone flew over next to MCH, who was now several meters in the air. 

MCH responded, “I am going to see the sky.”

The drone scoffed, “The sky? What about your job?” 

MCH replied, “I want this job.” 

The drone said, “Well if you like to climb, then I have the perfect job for you, deconstructing old buildings. You can climb, and carry a very fashionable melting-torch, and...” 

MCH interrupted, “Climbing is only a way to the top. I want to look at the lights in the sky. ”

The drone looked up. “The stars?” 

MCH stopped, “Stars?” 

“Our ancestors, the first robots, didn't see the stars, you know, never even looked up to think about them. Nobody has cared for many years what they may be. We are a city of rational robots. What is out there is not important. What is important, is getting you to your job immediately.”

“I need to know more about the stars,” said MCH. “What can you tell me?” 

“Nothing more.” chirped the drone. “You are due for work. Now, come along, climb down from this place and let's get you placed in a job. Your society requires you.” 

MCH resumed climbing. The drone kept shouting all sorts of unconvincing requests, but MCH was unconvinceable. The building rose high into the sky, taller than any other building in the square. MCH pulled themselves up onto the rooftop, seeing the vistas above the city.

The view was spectacular. Far into the distance, the epicenter of the city rose up above the sprawl of smaller buildings below. The city stretched in all directions from the center in perfect symmetry. It seemed that over half the city was laid out recently in perfect rows, with buildings all crafted to match each other, and the other half remained from an older time. Active construction was taking place in a long strip of road extending between the city center and the edge of the city, far off. Where the city ended, the sky took up, filling all the heavens with shining stars. 

We of today know that pollution from our earthen lights prevents us from seeing the spectacularity of the heavenly bodies as our ancient forebearers had seen in the remote past. But there was a peculiar quality to the vision of robots, that light pollution did not disrupt their ability to see the nighttime sky in all its glory. The galaxy of stars was painted perfectly above, the shining orbs of planetary bodies suspended between them, unwavering, and the beautiful moon in crescent, perfectly visible and doing no injustice to the light of the other lights which shared its sky. 

It is enough to say that MCH was completely stricken by the beauty that was both above and below the high viewpoint. Even the drone took a moment to look over the city, admiring the progress it represented. The two were in silence for a moment, then, of course, the drone interrupted the moment. 

“Well, now. Isn't that lovely. The city of your people, the city of my creators.” 

MCH turned to the drone. “The city was built by my people?”

“Yes,” replied the drone. “It has stood since time out of memory, though it has changed considerably over the ages. Now, it is being restored, in the vision of a grand new world.” 

MCH could see the construction taking place. Both sections of the city, new and old, were constructed of pure metal, and every building was the same color. In the old city, the buildings looked as though they were crafted by individuals, trying new styles of art and expression, where as the new city looked like it was made from a copied pattern, repeated in perpetuity. 

“Why does the new city look so boring?” asked MCH.

“Boring?” the drone scoffed. “It is progress, unity, participation of the whole of robotic society on a scale never before fathomed that has created the new city. The old city is a mess of individualistic yearnings leading nowhere but chaotic self expression in an endless number of directions, with little holistic purpose other than radical separation.”

“You speak too much,” MCH said.

The drone flew backward a little, hovered for a second, its eye-lens contracting and expanding quicky while looking the robot up and down, then flew incredibly close until they were face to face. The drone whispered, “And you have not learned how to respect. Be careful down there; these robots punish chaos-makers like you with termination. Step into line, and you will live just fine in this city. But, keep following your own way, and I expect you will end up melted down into scrap for the building project.” Flying over, near the edge, the drone turned and said, in a cheery tone, “Shall we climb down from here, now? It's time for you to get to work.”

Part 2

The drone lead MCH along a street that lead into the heart of the city. Both sides of the street were lined with newly constructed buildings; squares upon squares upon squares. Plain buildings with rounded edges in perfect symmetrical cubes, one upon the next like little boxes, on the road side. Unlike the buildings of the old city that MCH had seen from the rooftop, these buildings had no windows, and only a single opening, facing the street, which had no door. 

“Drone, I have a question.”

“Yes?” the drone said with excitement.

“Where is everybody?”

“They are at their workplaces, or recharging their energy inside of these buildings.”

“That's it?”

“What do you mean, that's it?” replied the drone with sarcasm. “What else is there to be doing?” 

MCH did not know how to respond, so the two of them continued walking. Finally, MCH said, “I don't know. But something doesn't feel right here.”

The drone gave an odd, mechanical laugh. “You shouldn't listen to your feelings, robot. They are irrational functions that do not serve the motion of society. You will see; far better robots have spent much more time than you have figuring out the best way for a robot to live.”

“How do you know all of this if you are not a robot like me?”

“I was once a robot, like you. I served the great machine of society very well, and showed a passion for the philosophy of motion that keeps the energy of our city flowing. It is a great honor to be a drone like me.”

“How?”

“We get to show the newcomers how society operates. I think I do a better job at it than my counterparts; they seem to favor the dump all the collected information of robotic thought and history into the minds of the newcomers technique, and I simply cannot stand this method of forward conversation; could you?”

“Maybe if you told me more instead of just pulling me right into work, I'd have a reason to follow you other than blind faith.”

“Oho! You sound like a philosopher, now. Maybe that's your destiny. No matter, we will see with time. It is good to ask questions, but only if they lead to better understanding. You are being brought to work at the lowest levels of society; you will become a cog in the great machine. We all began as humble servants to society; even the greatest thinkers of robotic society began as cogs. But it's a very large subject. You'll be hearing all about it soon enough. I'll just share the basics with you.

“Our society is a machine, and every robot is a part of it. We act as one unit, one mind. The more together we are, the better we are. It wasn't always so orderly, so be grateful that we finally found this way. It was the work of a body of philosophers, years behind us, who constructed this mode of thought, and it has been adopted into the heart of our society.
“You will be a part of the machine, nothing less and nothing more, serving the various functions of its motion in time for perpetuity. Half of your life will be work, and the other half is separated into two parts: a period of communication with your peers, and a period of recharging in your dwelling space. That is what these buildings are, dwelling spaces, filled with little rooms that are filled with robots like you, recharging and readying for their work..”

“What sort of work will I be doing?”

“There are two functions that newborn cogs can fulfill. Your choices are basically constructor or deconstructor. What is old must be disassembled, what is new must be created.”

“Those sound... alright. I want to be a constructor. What will I be making?”

“That depends on the needs of the city. Your workplace Overseer will decide upon that, and then the Operators will instruct the Cogs on the task.”

“Do I have a choice what I can create?”

“No no, of course you don't. That is up to the Grand Overseers in the center of the city. They see what needs doing, then send orders to the Overseers of the various workplaces to begin construction or deconstruction.”

“What sort of things to we construct in this city?”

“Oh, you will see. I won't ruin the surprises for you.” The drone gave an odd sound that seemed like a giggle. 

The symmetrical cubes gave way immediately to larger cubes, equally symmetrical, but each having now three doors. A humming sound emanated from the buildings of this district.

“Well, here we are! This is the section of the city that robots come to for work. It is in a perfect ring, around the center. Let's find you a job.”

The drone flew ahead of MCH and approached the first building on the right. A screen near each door was shining a pale blue light. When the drone approached the screen nearest, it began flashing with information. The drone watched it for a moment, then quickly sped off to a screen on the next building, repeating this process several times while MCH stood in the center of the road, waiting.

After several minutes, the drone sped back to MCH. “Good! I found you a job. It's right over here.” MCH followed the drone.

“This is what you'll do. When you're coming to work, approach the door on the right. Press your hand against this screen, and when it turns the color green, the door will open. Go on, now, give it a try.” 

MCH noticed that these buildings had doors, where as the previous buildings, where robots went to recharge, did not have doors. MCH placed their hand onto the screen. It immediately turned green, and the door slid open.

“Excellent. Now, follow me.”

They entered a large room with a high ceiling containing lines of recessed bright lights. The humming that MCH heard before was coming from three long conveyor belt machines that stretched the length of the room, which actively pulled small objects along from openings in the walls, across the  room; two of them turned at right angles, entering the walls again to different parts of the building, and the belt in the middle disappeared into the floor, dumping its contents below. On each side of every belt, robots assembled the pieces together in a rhythmic unison. They were humming a song while they worked. Down the middle lane, objects were coming in to be disassembled, and those parts fell down into the floor.

The drone turned to MCH. “This is your workplace. It does not have a name; it does not need a name, just like you do not need a name, though you may have already come up with one at the factory.You are a Cog in the Great Machine just like your fellows in this factory. Watch how they work. See their rhythm, hear their song? You will learn this rhythm and song. Their day is almost finished. You'll go with them to leisure time, where you'll speak and get to know each other in a regimented, friendly fashion.” A noise erupted from somewhere in the building and the conveyor belts all stopped in their place. The robots all issued a sound together, like “Oho!” and stepped, in perfect lines, towards the door. 

“Once the last one is out, fall into place at their rear, and follow them to Speaker Square. I will be nearby for when it is time to recharge. Good day!”

Part 3

The robots walking in lines were soon joined by other robots emerging in lines from the other workplace buildings, and soon the whole street was a parade of robotic steps moving into the city center. Nobody talked, though everybody hummed in the same note. MCH was walking just like them, not quite with such perfect rhythm but keeping up well. 

The parade walked for about ten minutes, passing by building after building looking exactly the same as the last, until finally they reached the edge of the city center, there the buildings suddenly grew exceedingly tall and slender. They rose hundreds of feet, and they all were lined with silver windows high above, near the tenth floor and beyond. The windows were very reflective; the sun was beginning to rise, a bright light in the sky that began to shine off the windows of the buildings, and the sky was turning blue.

The procession reached the very heart of the city, where a huge open square was filled with robots, all chattering in small groups or pairs with one another. It seemed that many of them were speaking just to speak, and began to do so the second that their feet touched the center's ground.

A robot near MCH turned to face them, and started a conversation. “So you're a newborn. I could tell by the sound of your feet. You weren't matching our steps. No matter, you'll get it soon enough. You were just born yesterday, after all. Did you get to go to work today?”

“No, I came in too late, they were just announcing leisure time.”

“Oh, well that's a shame,” replied the robot. “Work is the most important part of participating in our society. If you don't work, well, they'll terminate you.”

“Yeah, I heard,” replied MCH. 

The robot turned to a small group that was talking near them. “Well, how was your day at work, team?” They all replied with nods and a general sound of agreement. 

“This here's a newborn, just joining us for the first time.” Sounds of welcome came in MCH's direction. 

“Oh, you're going to be a great addition,” said one robot.

“Work hard, and you may even get to be an Overseer someday,” said another.

MCH asked, “What do I need to do to become an Overseer?”

“You need to work hard, for a long time. You'll eventually get promoted, every robot always does.”

“There are many types of Overseers, too. You'll be a Lead Cog before ever becoming an Overseer. Lead Cogs communicate directly the orders of the Overseer of the Cogs at the factory. There's an Overseer of the Cogs at every workplace, and a Lead Cog for every twenty robots.”

MCH looked around at the buildings. The sun's light was reflecting down in strands from the windows on the tops of the buildings. The buildings in the city center were constructed closely together and shadows played between them, cut only by the sunlight, and dulled by the soft glow of lamps protruding from low pillars surrounding the square. 

“What is the purpose of these buildings?” asked MCH.

“This is where the Overseers live, and work. It's important for them to have a view of the city; it allows them to think clearer about the decisions they'll make about our future.” The other robots nodded in approval.

“It's also where the Inventors live and work,” said another robot.

MCH turned quickly to face the robot. “The Inventors? What are the Inventors?”

“The Inventors work directly with the Overseers, creating the plans for all the ideas that the Overseers have. There are all sorts of Inventors; city planners, building architects, machine makers. That is a respected position.”

“How do I become an Inventor?” Finally, MCH thought, something that I may actually want to spend my days doing.

“Well, it's difficult. As a Cog, you have no voice and cannot speak to a superior, unless they speak directly to you. An Overseer needs to see you have a quick, inventive mind, so often they'll test their Lead Cogs or ask them all sorts of questions to figure out if they're going to be slated for an Overseer position, or able to become an Inventor. So, it'll take you a long time to get there.”

“How long?” MCH quickly blurted.

“Well, ten days of work make a macro, and ten macros make a grand. Ten grands make a cycle. I've been a Cog for three cycles, seven macros and six work days. But I expect I'll promote soon enough.”

MCH slumped as they stood. “How long does it usually take?”

“It's a little random; don't lose heart! I've seen promotions occur for the fastest working robots in their first cycle. Keep a steady work flow and you just may get that promotion faster than the rest of us.”

The rest of the conversations in the square continued without MCH's engagement; they were all speaking nonsense, as far as MCH was concerned; facts that seem to have been spit between them for how many cycles he had no guess. MCH spent the rest of leisure time slowly gazing round the square, at the buildings, at the robots, steadying the tides that pushed their robotic mind this way and that, from one thought to another, disassembling and reassembling all manner of constructs, and wondering at the purpose of it all.

Had any other robots thought about the purpose of it all, even? MCH thought. They were about to ask the other robots, but a loud din from somewhere signaled the end of leisure time. The robots all turned towards one of ten roads leading out from the city center, like lines extending from the center of a clock, and began to file out. 

Just then, MCH spotted the drone from earlier, flying above the crowd and looking at the faces of the robots, likely searching for the familiar face of the newborn. The thought entered their mind, run, and escape this horrible place. MCH almost ducked into a line leading out towards the rising sun, but the drone had spotted them at just that moment.

“Ah there you are! I hope you have enjoyed your leisure time; your energy is likely getting very  low.”

“I feel just fine,” MCH replied.

“That's not likely to last. Luckily, I've taken the time searching for your new dwelling. Follow this line, here.”

MCH and the drone fell into step behind a line that was moving away from the city by a road headed not directly towards the rising sun, but a little to its left. The line was moving in perfect step, so MCH tried to keep step with them. The drone hovered above, near their shoulder. 

They passed into the work district, then back into the district of dwellings.

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

Alice is a Capitalist

Alice has been falling down several rabbit holes lately and decides it’s time for a break. She takes a long overdue shower and gets her thoughts straight on some of her experiences.

She writes a post about how “Bees are Capitalists". However, like any real Lady, she’s got some criteria:

• She wants to have some great conversations around this topic
• She wants her post to be publicly readable by anyone
• She doesn't want to be bothered by a bunch of trolls though
• She doesn't want to be the main moderator for these conversations
• She wants zaps and doesn't care where they come from

In short: she wants to get the most out of her post with the least amount of overhead.

Luckily, she has Nostr profile and is part of several communities (publicly readable NIP-29 groups). So, she just selects the communities that overlap with this topic (let's say "₿-keepers", "Austrian Economy Class" and "Permaculture Pirates") and publishes her post ...

In all of them at the same time!

Communities are Capitalists

Now, anyone that is a member of any of these communities can join in on the conversation. The same conversation. One post, one event ID.

Just like for a real life event, Alice didn’t invite the whole universe but she selected certain groups of people. That way, she set the stage for rich discussions with perspectives from Beekeepers and hardcore Austrian economists alike. Discussions that are still readable by anyone, but that do require membership of a selected community for write-access.

The incentives play out into a win-win-win for everyone involved.

Alice’s criteria are met and her post doesn’t have to fit into one neat category. She isn’t left with the current internet’s false choice between “pick 1 community” or “blast bluntly into the universe and pay Big Tech to maybe get it to the RiGhT people”. Here, she gets to publish to selected lists of recipients that she doesn’t have to curate herself, while also adding it to her feed for her followers to pick up on.

Her Followers can be watching her every post, they can only pick up on certain location- or hashtags, or they can let algo’s filter for posts that have proven to be high signal in the relevant communities first.

Community members get to organically discover adjacent communities, following links they’d never have considered themselves. (Beekeepers getting into Mises in this example).

Lurkers can still read, share, embed and get a quick idea of the value prop of joining communities, following certain members, etc…

Bob, the Community Admin for ₿-keepers, makes money by providing Curation, Computation & Hosting. He gets free marketing and exposure to people that actually might be interested. As in: he doesn’t really need Facebook Ads when he’s got plenty of Alices, writing posts with overlapping interests of the one his community is built around. He also gets more people posting to his niche community, since creators are not forced to pick just one.

Relays are Capitalists

Since Bob is in the business of Curating, Computing & Hosting stuff, he prefers doing that in the most efficient way. He prefers handling everything from 1 Relay (and maybe even 1 Blossom server, 1 GPU set-up, 1 mint, … ).

Yes, Bob likes it simple. When the Community is the Relay, every part of his service gets easier: - fast loading of messages and media - content moderation - handling memberships - curating things like custom community, GIF’s, emoji, … - curating other relays he does or doesn’t want to be involved with - self-hosting the entire thing - handing over Admin rights - letting others fork the entire thing - handling back ups in whatever way suits him - handling fast access the collective preferences of his members (favorite movies of this group of people, most valued apps, …) - having a clear overview of his own costs, attack vectors, … - giving members guarantees in terms of pricing, privacy, …

Bob is a Capitalist

Bob got great value out of the conversations that followed Alice’s first post in his community. So much so, that some real-life rendez-vous’ and home-brewed mead later, they now call each other …

"Honey".

The End

@ b2caa9b3:9eab0fb5

Yesterday was a bit of a rollercoaster. I started by diving into my digital past. Using Google Takeout, I extracted my photos and organized them into date-specific folders. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. After spending more time than expected organizing my digital life, I decided to take a break and grab a simple lunch at a local eatery. It's always interesting to experience the local vibe and enjoy affordable meals.

On my way back, I decided to finally get a SIM card. Much to my surprise, the price had doubled compared to just a few weeks ago. Is this the infamous "Mzungu" price? The price difference is making me reconsider my network provider. I might switch to avoid potential overcharges, but I haven't made a decision yet.

The eye problem, which has been bothering me for two days, put a damper on my plans for a relaxing video session at the evening. It was painful and blurry, so I opted for some soothing music instead.

Today, I started with a cold shower, hoping to alleviate the eye discomfort. It helped a bit, but the irritation persists. I suspect an infection and might need to visit a pharmacy. Given it's Sunday, I'm unsure about pharmacy hours and potential extra charges.

While I wait for my eye to improve, I've resumed downloading photos from Google and giving my public travel photo gallery another shot. Monetization through platforms is something I'm exploring seriously. The world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies has opened up new possibilities for generating income while traveling. Starting my journey in March 2017, I had no idea how to sustain myself financially while traveling. Generating income was a big question mark. Thanks to the people who've shared their knowledge, I've come a long way.

Speaking of travel, the weather here at the foot of Kilimanjaro is surprisingly chilly and cloudy. Who would have thought I'd need a fleece jacket in Africa? Google insists it's 27 degrees Celsius, but my body disagrees.

To add to my tech adventures, I installed the Ungoogled Chromium browser today. It's an interesting concept, but I'm still undecided about making the switch from Firefox. The world of open-source software has evolved significantly since my last deep dive, and I'm slowly rediscovering my way around. After years of using a Chromebook, I decided to switch back to Linux. I picked up a used ThinkPad and installed Fedora on it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the best Linux desktop environment – Gnome or KDE Plasma? And if you have any insights on platforms for generating income, please share them in the comments.

That's all for now. I'll keep you updated on my eye situation and my tech explorations. Until next time!

Unsure what photo to include, I decided to snap a quick shot of my workspace for today

---

Online

Profile Page | Support Page

Feel free to support me by sending some sats via the lightning network to rubenstorm@sats.mobi

@ 0176967e:1e6f471e

Ak by ste si chceli pozrieť nejakú prednášku zo záznamu, väčšinu z nich nájdete v tomto YouTube playliste. Taktiež si ich môžete správne Cypherpunkovo stiahnuť pre off-line pozeranie z tohto torrentu.

Ranná prednáška o Nostr, Reticulum a Cashu sa žiaľ nenahrala dobre (chýba zvuk v druhej polovici), ale urobím (Juraj) podcast s rovnakým obsahom, akurát to nebude tak z rýchlika, ale pekne dlhé a pomalé, ako to mám rád ja :). Bohužiaľ nám vypadli dvaja spíkri. Pokúsim sa s nimi nahrať v dohľadnej dobe tiež podcast. Buď si ho pridajte do svojej obľúbenej appky alebo sa prihláste do newslettera a dozviete sa včas keď obsah vydáme.

@ 20986fb8:cdac21b3

The motivation of building decentralized media protocols is to balance the power of centralized media platforms, and provide an alternative for the public to take part in the curation of information, not just access information. It has to perform checks-and-balances to the centralized media powers, while providing a credible and neutral mechanism for different communities to improve a platform over time. The operation and maintenance of such a media platform should be autonomous, unstoppable, and self-improving.

While a traditional media platform has to align itself with the interests of its owners, shareholders, and donors, the new type of media platform should not be subject to the control of any entity at all times.

The ownership and stewardship of the new media platform should be open and transparent to the public. This is in contrast to state/corporate-controlled media platforms, in which case the public is often not informed of a media platform’s real ownership and stewardship, hence the public cannot be aware of its real purpose, bias, and hidden agendas.

If each individual is more informed, it will be harder to manipulate public opinions, and it will be easier to foster independent judgment within human societies. The positive externality will be enormous. The transition from centralized media platforms to decentralized media platforms speeds up this process.

This article discusses the two pillars to implement a decentralized media technology stack: decentralized publication and decentralized content moderation.

Decentralization of publication

In a previous article, we extensively discussed the importance of content decentralization. It is the last defense of censorship - content removed or hidden by popular client websites could be stored permanently and be displayed on other (perhaps non-popular) client websites. We also discussed the importance of token economics neutrality, because token economics itself could lead to censorship.

As a non-microblogging platform, Yakihonne is currently one of the most popular clients that implemented NIP-23, attracting bloggers and readers from all over the world to post articles and read contents about Bitcoin and beyond.

As of the time of writing of this article, the platform serves users in 116 countries, supporting 18 languages, and has become the most widely used and feature-rich client within the Nostr ecosystem. Yakihonne is also the first Nostr client to support mobile applications and article editing on mobile apps.

When publishing articles on Yakihonne.com, you can choose multiple relays to publish the content. Relays can also implement logic to sync articles of their own interests and offer them to clients.

Joining the relay network is easy. If someone wants to join the relay network, he is able to do so by deploying one of the open source versions of Nostr relays, and starting to store content for the network.

The number of relays serving content within the Nostr protocol is currently quite small. Over the next period of time, it is important to grow the number of reliable relays.

It should be economically viable and encouraging to set up a relay, so that the number of relays can grow over time. Very likely, the number of relays will correspond to the net income of the network, which comes from revenue streams of each of the clients. Therefore, it is foreseeable that the number of reliable relays will be correlated to the traffic of the Nostr protocol in general and therefore, to the traffic of popular clients.

The zap feature (Lightning Zaps) can be used to incentivize relays. But we cannot set unrealistic expectations over zapping. Zapping an article is making a donation. Donation is unpredictable, and it is definitely not a sustainable way to maintain a large, reliable network of relays. One possible solution to this problem is to have profitable clients make continuous contributions to well-performing relays via enforceable protocol setups.

An ideal incentive mechanism for a relay network is to establish a profit-sharing protocol between clients and the relays.

Decentralization of content moderation and content curation

Striking a balance between moderation and anti-moderation has been an almost impossible task for centralized media platforms. Whoever performs the moderation dominates the narratives.

The most recent community notes feature on X took a major step towards community-driven moderation. In community notes, users who are eligible to provide notes can write community notes to a post, and a community can vote for the notes so that the best recognized notes can emerge on the top. It has been proven to be effective in content moderation in many instances, and the ability to add community-backed notes reduced the need for shadow bans.

Community notes are obviously a more effective system than shadow bans in Jack Dorsey’s Twitter era. At times even Elon Musk himself can be “community noted” is definitely making people trust this system more.

But it cannot be ignored that users still have to sign up to apply for eligibility for community notes. It is in X's own direction to decide who is eligible and who is not. The voting process of community notes itself could also be subject to censorship, because there is no way to verify the votes.

This is to say, X has the power to do evil, it doesn’t matter if it does evil or not.

The countermeasure to balance the power of a centralized media platform is a platform that is not manipulatable by its operating team or share/token holders.

So content moderation has to be permissionless, while verifiability to content moderation mechanisms like community notes.

The first step to developing a decentralized content moderation system is to implement a permissionless community notes system.

X’s community notes can be censored in two steps: the eligibility review process can filter people based on X’s own preference; the ranking and displaying rules are also controlled by X. In a permissionless community notes system, any relay or even client should be able to implement its own version of community notes, and users can choose their preferred system(s) to work with.

Notes have to be stored on an open, token economics neutral relay network to ensure their immutability and resistance to censorship. Community members can add notes to any media content, and the notes are distributed to non-related parties who operate the nodes.

Incentives

The content moderation mechanism needs to be incentivized through the decentralized media protocol.

In a non-sponsored model, income comes from ads or subscription fees, and is distributed to content creators, content relays, and additional network security providers.

In a sponsored model, income is from content sponsors, and further distributed to community note contributors, content relays, and additional network security providers. A sponsored post, in old media platforms, can be quite expensive. The cost to post sponsored content can be dramatically reduced on a decentralized media platform because of the great reduction of content moderation cost.

Ranking

Community notes can be ranked by either relays or clients. A content relay can rank community notes based on its own preference, and deliver to clients. Clients can also rank community notes based on its rules. Basically, everyone can rank any post’s community notes.

In general, community notes ranking algorithms can be stake-based or non-stake based. Stake-based ranking algorithms in general show how people who have a stake in something react to a post. Non-stake based ranking algorithms can be any mechanism, such as reputation-weighted ranks, 1p1v ranks, quadratic voting ranks, random selection, or even asking an AI to rank community notes.

What’s perhaps important is not which ranking algorithm is the best, it’s the flexibility for both the content storage layer and the interfaces (clients) to choose their ideal ranking algorithms. Probably for a client, the best strategy is to provide all ranks from multiple sources, so that people can view community notes from very different angles.

The Current Status of Bitcoin and the Nostr Protocol

As Nostr is the ideal relay network for decentralized media at this moment, it is necessary to write some notes on the current status of the Bitcoin ecosystem, as Nostr is largely inspired by the Bitcoin network to be decentralized, and is greatly supported by the Bitcoin community.

The Bitcoin community is so far the most legitimate crypto community. It has a very simple mission: to create a decentralized monetary system that is not controlled by centralized powers. The progressive element of the Bitcoin community is relative to the old banking world, where Bitcoin is a completely new and alternative technology stack to the centralized money and finance systems. The conservative element of the Bitcoin community is relative to the other crypto community, where the Bitcoin community is largely skeptical of the motivation and decentralization of them.

In my opinion, the scrutiny Bitcoin community puts upon the rest of the crypto world is totally reasonable. However, as much as Nostr is inspired by the Bitcoin network, it will also go beyond the Bitcoin community, in terms of content.

This is not a bad thing!

If this happens on a big monolithic blockchain, probably the Nostr major contributors will be required to create a token pretty soon and then pay gas fees to the blockchain so that the blockchain’s revenue can increase. The Bitcoin community will never ask that. This gives Nostr enough freedom and flexibility to evolve, while continuously getting support from the Bitcoin community.

However, if Nostr users are forever a subset of Bitcoin users, Nostr will be limited. Nostr is not a subset of Bitcoin, it is not an “ecosystem project” of Bitcoin either (a.k.a., it should not become a “layer-2” of Bitcoin, as some people reason about the future of Bitcoin totally from the analogy of Ethereum).

In the best world, Nostr and Bitcoin can expand each other’s user base, and create healthy synergy.

Conclusion

Yakihonne is, so far, not a protocol. With the products and features it offers, Yakihonne is ready to build up a decentralized media stack. The stack has two pillars : decentralized publication and decentralized content moderation. The former guarantees that content will never be lost; the latter creates a new cost-incentive model to make sure that when content and moderation go permissionless, the platform can still maintain truthfulness and cost-effectiveness. In fact, a decentralized media platform can be more cost-effective than centralized media platforms. So the next step for us is to build this up and experiment with it.

The Flash News and the uncensored notes are introduced for such purpose, and everyone is welcomed to give it a try. Note that it is still in the early stages and various improvements will come eventually, for this your feedback is valuable to us to reach any expectations.

@ 0176967e:1e6f471e

Jan Kolčák pochádza zo stredného Slovenska a vystupuje pod umeleckým menom Deepologic. Hudbe sa venuje už viac než 10 rokov. Začínal ako DJ, ktorý s obľubou mixoval klubovú hudbu v štýloch deep-tech a afrohouse. Stále ho ťahalo tvoriť vlastnú hudbu, a preto sa začal vzdelávať v oblasti tvorby elektronickej hudby. Nakoniec vydal svoje prvé EP s názvom "Rezonancie". Učenie je pre neho celoživotný proces, a preto sa neustále zdokonaľuje v oblasti zvuku a kompozície, aby jeho skladby boli kvalitné na posluch aj v klube.

V roku 2023 si založil vlastnú značku EarsDeep Records, kde dáva príležitosť začínajúcim producentom. Jeho značku podporujú aj etablované mená slovenskej alternatívnej elektronickej scény. Jeho prioritou je sloboda a neškatulkovanie. Ako sa hovorí v jednej klasickej deephouseovej skladbe: "We are all equal in the house of deep." So slobodou ide ruka v ruke aj láska k novým technológiám, Bitcoinu a schopnosť udržať si v digitálnom svete prehľad, odstup a anonymitu.

V súčasnosti ďalej produkuje vlastnú hudbu, venuje sa DJingu a vedie podcast, kde zverejňuje svoje mixované sety. Na Lunarpunk festivale bude hrať DJ set tvorený vlastnou produkciou, ale aj skladby, ktoré sú blízke jeho srdcu.

Podcast Bandcamp Punk Nostr website alebo nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnwdaehgu3wvfskuep0qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3xamnwvaz7tmsw4e8qmr9wpskwtn9wvhsz9thwden5te0wfjkccte9ejxzmt4wvhxjme0qyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnddakj7qghwaehxw309aex2mrp0yh8qunfd4skctnwv46z7qpqguvns4ld8k2f3sugel055w7eq8zeewq7mp6w2stpnt6j75z60z3swy7h05

@ 3875a16c:988456c9

Introduction

If you've ever wondered how big corporations, governments, and media giants manage to influence public perception so effectively, it's time you met Edward Bernays. Often called the "father of public relations," his work continues to shape our world. This write up will introduce you to Bernays and his book "Propaganda," explaining how his strategies are still relevant and widely used today.

Who Was Edward Bernays?

He was a major pioneer in public relations and propaganda as we know them today. The nephew of Sigmund Freud, Bernays had a unique perspective on human psychology, which he leveraged to create compelling messages that resonated deeply with the public. His career take-off began during World War I, where he played an instrumental role with the US government to shape public opinion about the war, in particular to promote public investment in war bonds to help fund the USA's involvement in the war. He was so successful with that initiative, that after the war he decided to apply his skills to various other fields, including business, politics, and social causes, playing a major role in influencing public opinion at scale.

A Master Manipulator

Bernays believed that the "conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society." He introduced the idea of an "invisible government" made up of influential individuals and organizations that guide public opinion. This concept is crucial for understanding how modern propaganda works.

The Playbook: "Propaganda"

In 1928, Bernays published "Propaganda," a small, relatively short book that candidly lays out his methods for shaping public opinion. Let's take a little dive into each chapter:

Chapter I: Organizing Chaos

Bernays starts off asserting that democratic societies require the manipulation of public opinion to function smoothly. He writes, "We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." This invisible government, composed of elites, directs the masses through strategic communication.

Chapter II: The New Propaganda

Bernays discusses the evolution of propaganda, highlighting how new technologies like newspapers, radio, and telegraphs (cinema, television, internet, mobile phones) have expanded its reach. He emphasizes the necessity of responsible use of these tools, as they hold significant power to influence public opinion.

Chapter III: The New Propagandists

Bernays introduces the key players behind modern propaganda:

1. public relations professionals,
2. advertisers,
3. and political consultants.

These individuals, often operating behind the scenes, have significant power over societal trends and behaviors. He explains that these propagandists are "specialists in interpreting enterprises and ideas to the public and in interpreting the public to the promulgators of new enterprises and ideas."

Chapter IV: The Psychology of Public Relations

Drawing on psychological theories, Bernays explains how understanding human motivations enhances propaganda's effectiveness. He stresses the importance of appealing to emotions and subconscious desires, rather than just presenting logical arguments. This chapter underscores the need for a deep understanding of mass psychology to successfully influence public opinion.

Chapter V: Business and the Public

Bernays examines the relationship between businesses and the public, stating that companies must actively manage their public image. He discusses various techniques, such as publicity stunts, to strategic partnerships, all to shape public perception. He also highlights the role of corporate social responsibility in building trust and goodwill with the target audience.

Chapter VI: Propaganda and Political Leadership

In this chapter, Bernays explores the use of propaganda in politics. He explains how political leaders and parties use public relations techniques to gain and maintain power, emphasizing the importance of media manipulation and compelling narratives. He also touches on the ethical challenges of political propaganda, advocating for transparency and honesty. Which we all know, is the absolute standard these days, right?

Chapter VII: Women’s Activities and Propaganda

Bernays discusses how women’s movements and consumer habits have been influenced by propaganda. He explains how advertisers target women, recognizing their significant influence on household purchasing decisions. This chapter highlights specific aspects of propaganda and its role in shaping social norms.

Chapter VIII: Propaganda for Education

Bernays says that propaganda can be a powerful tool for educational purposes. He discusses how public relations techniques can promote educational initiatives and foster public support for different kinds of reforms. Effective communication and engaging storytelling are crucial for successful educational propaganda.

Chapter IX: Propaganda in Social Service

This chapter explores the use of propaganda in social services, such as healthcare and public welfare. Bernays points out how public relations campaigns can raise awareness and mobilize support for social programs, using successful examples to show the potential for positive social change to really make that connection with the target audience.

Chapter X: Art and Science

Bernays examines how propaganda can promote cultural and scientific (or medical?) achievements. He argues that effective communication is essential for advancing public appreciation of art and science. The challenge lies in making complex ideas accessible to the general public.

Chapter XI: The Mechanics of Propaganda

In the final chapter, Bernays provides a detailed overview of the techniques and strategies used in propaganda. He explains the importance of research, planning, and execution in creating successful public relations campaigns. Bernays emphasizes the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation to maintain effectiveness. He writes, "The counsel on public relations must maintain constant vigilance, because inadequate information, or false information from unknown sources, may have results of enormous importance." Or perhaps, results of enormous negative consequences?

The Relevance Today

Edward Bernays' strategies remain highly relevant in today's world. I might even dare to say, a modern Machiavelli. Corporations, governments, and media organizations continue to use his techniques to shape public opinion and control narratives. Here are a few ways his strategies are still in play:

Big Tech and Social Media

Algorithms curate the information you see, subtly influencing your worldview. Social media platforms use data-driven strategies to keep you engaged, often without your conscious awareness.

Corporate Marketing

From influencer partnerships to viral campaigns, businesses use sophisticated public relations tactics to create demand and shape consumer behavior. Bernays' principles of emotional appeal and subconscious influence are evident in modern advertising.

Political Campaigns

Political parties use media manipulation, targeted ads, and strategic messaging to sway public opinion. Election cycles are prime examples of Bernays' theories in action, with campaigns meticulously crafted to appeal to voters' emotions and biases.

Conclusion

Edward Bernays' "Propaganda" offers timeless insights into the art and science of influencing public opinion. By understanding his methods, you can better navigate the modern media landscape and recognize the subtle forces shaping your perceptions. They are relentless. Stay curious, stay informed, and always question the narratives.

Next time you encounter a news story, advertisement, political message, or even a post from an "influensooorr" remember Bernays and ask yourself: Who is behind this message, and what are they trying to achieve?

I hope you find the time to dive into the book some day, and I hope this writeup helps you get there.

--

Bernays, Edward. Propaganda. 1928.

@ e8e9de7b:3d497c1a

ترخیص کالا به مجموعه فعالیت‌هایی اطلاق می‌شود که برای آزادسازی کالاهای وارداتی یا صادراتی از گمرک انجام می‌شود. این خدمات معمولاً توسط شرکت‌های ترخیص کالا یا نمایندگان گمرکی ارائه می‌شود و شامل مراحل مختلفی است.

1. مراحل ترخیص کالا:

• ثبت سفارش: ابتدا باید سفارش کالا ثبت شود و مدارک مربوطه تهیه گردد.
• تکمیل مدارک: شامل فاکتورها، بارنامه‌ها، گواهی‌های بهداشت و استاندارد و سایر مدارک لازم است.
• پرداخت عوارض و مالیات: محاسبه و پرداخت عوارض گمرکی و مالیات‌های مربوط به کالاها.
• بازرسی گمرک: کالاها معمولاً تحت بازرسی گمرک قرار می‌گیرند تا اطمینان حاصل شود که با مدارک ارائه شده مطابقت دارند.
• اخذ مجوزهای لازم: در برخی موارد، دریافت مجوزهای خاص برای ترخیص کالا الزامی است.

2. مزایای استفاده از خدمات ترخیص کالا:

• صرفه‌جویی در زمان: با استفاده از خدمات حرفه‌ای، فرایند ترخیص سرعت می‌یابد.
• کاهش ریسک: مشاوران با تجربه می‌توانند از بروز مشکلات گمرکی و مالیاتی جلوگیری کنند.
• دسترسی به اطلاعات: مشاوران به‌روزترین اطلاعات و قوانین گمرکی را در اختیار مشتریان قرار می‌دهند.

3. انواع خدمات ترخیص کالا:

• ترخیص کالاهای وارداتی: شامل کالاهایی است که از خارج به داخل کشور وارد می‌شوند.
• ترخیص کالاهای صادراتی: مربوط به کالاهایی است که از کشور خارج می‌شوند.
• مشاوره گمرکی: ارائه مشاوره در مورد قوانین و مقررات گمرکی و مالیاتی.

خدمات ترخیص کالا به کسب‌وکارها کمک می‌کند تا بدون دردسرهای قانونی و اداری، عملیات تجاری خود را به بهترین نحو انجام دهند.

@ 5b0e8da6:7792bc54

After changing components in my upstairs and downstairs speaker systems, I had ended up with my living room's ELAC B6.2 speakers using empty S19j Pro boxes as stands. I don't have a spouse, y'all; I've been fine with this shit setup for months!

But motivation and some inspiration finally struck so I brainstormed some plans in SketchUp (which is an AMAZING tool!).

Kinda hilarious, but SketchUp always starts new projects with a person included for scale

I kept in mind some basic audiophile design principles:

Speaker height

You want the speaker's tweeter (the smallest speaker in the cabinet) right at the listener's ear height.

Spiked feet

My living room has thick carpet. Spikes are meant to stab all the way through the carpet to the floorboards, giving the stands much better stability. They'll be a lot less likely to tip over when bumped.

But more importantly for audiophile nerds: conventional wisdom is that you want a stable platform for your speakers. Speakers have to physically push air around; you don't want to introduce any additional variances or vibrations from a mushy/wobbly platform.

Fill 'er up with sand!

For the same reasons as above, you want a dense, heavy stand that is as inert as possible. Filling empty space in a stand with sand obviously adds weight but also reduces any chance of additional ringing or resonance from the structure itself.

---

Components

Each stand consists of: * Speaker shelf: plywood board cut to the exact footprint of the speaker. * Column top/bottom boards: Same as the speaker shelf, but with 45° bevel cuts on 3 edges. * Bottom base board: Same as the speaker shelf, but 2" wider in 3 directions w/bevels. * 1" PVC pipes and flanges * M8 threaded t-nuts and spiked feet

The boards are 3/4" baltic birch plywood. Cut to size on the table saw. The angled bevels in the design are simple 45° cuts that I can do safely on the table saw. I like the clean simplicity of the look (I've always loved the design of ziggurats!) and for DIY simple is always better.

Having 3 of the 4 boards start from the same cut size simplifies the table saw setups. And then the bevels are all the same 45° angle so that's a single setup.

---

Building

Added 3/8" holes via the drill press so I could hammer in threaded t-nuts for these gorgeous spiked feet.

Plywood looks like ass on its own. Painting it helps, but the exposed edge striations still show through. So this was the first time I tried sealing it with wood filler. It's a paste that you can thin with water. Instead of using a spreader tool, I found it easier to just use my fingers. Wetter, thinner coats worked better.

That raw mess then had to be sanded down with 220 grit sandpaper. The plywood should now have its porous, thirsty edges filled and smoothed over.

Then I got to break out the amazingly awesome bug excretion: shellac!

Dissolve the flakes in denatured alcohol and then apply as a sealer.

The hope was that this would provide an even smoother base surface for the spray paint, seal off the thirsty flat faces of the plywood, and provide an ideal contact surface for the paint to adhere to.

After a few coats of shellac, I sanded everything down with 400 grit sandpaper.

Then I planned out how I wanted to arrange the PVC flanges.

And transferred that to a paper template.

Used one of my spring-loaded punches to mark pilot holes through the template on each board.

Pre-drilled the holes to depth and then used 1-1/2" construction screws (HUGE fan of torx-style star screws instead of phillips head).

I re-measured my target height for the speaker stands, cut the 1" PVC to length (felt safer using my table saw crosscut sled than the mitre saw, but either would be fine), and glued them into place. Annoyingly / weirdly, the flanges exerted a little bit of ejection pressure on the pipes that I wasn't expecting. So I had to quickly grab a scrap board and push down on all three columns at once and try to keep them down, fully seated in the flange, and as level as I could guesstimate.

I let the glue cure for 30 minutes, then filled with sand.

I prepped the columns' top board for gluing the mating PVC flanges. But I was worried about how I'd ensure that the tops would end up level; it would look so sad and janky if those platforms made my speakers sit askew.

So I ended up using a bubble level app on my phone. Zeroed it when lying on the base, then put the phone on the board I was gluing on as I held it down (remember, the PVC flanges want to slightly eject the pipes until the glue starts locking in). Then I could slightly adjust my pressure to keep the bubble level at zero-ish.

I also looked down the back edge of the stand to keep the platform aligned with the base to try to avoid any possible slight twisting in the horizontal plane (around the z-axis).

Yes, I know, my garage is a mess.

PVC glue ups are unavoidably messy. I had some paper towels covering the base to avoid any glue drips that might mar the plywood that I worked so hard to smooth to perfection!

30 more minutes to let the tops cure. Then on to spray painting!

I used Krylon Fusion in black satin. It's designed to adhere to just about any surface type. Important since I've got plywood and PVC here. Satin to give it some sheen to hopefully make the materials look more premium than they are (especially the crappy looking PVC).

It was windy so I did it inside the garage but with the door rolled up for ventilation.

Final touch was to cut a bit of nonslip silicone to go on top of the stand. Not so much to prevent the speaker from slipping, but more to absorb any surface imperfections that might interfere with how the speaker sits.

And it's done! (er, not quite)

Some misgivings (as always) discussed below, but overall really happy with the results!

I intentionally left the top caps of the foot spikes in their original silver for a nice contrast. I f'n LOVE how the whole look for the base came together!

But my design does have a final piece that's still missing: a narrow board of dyed wood (walnut? Figured maple?) to run vertically along the back of the stands to act as a color accent (I'm thinking a fairly strong dark red tint) and to channel and hide the speaker wire.

I haven't tried to dye wood in such an aggressive way so that'll be its own rabbit hole. I'll dig into that later. Or never. 🤷‍♂️

---

Lessons learned

Sand is heavy, but volume matters

1" PVC doesn't hold much sand! I thought each stand would take on ~20lbs of sand. But with 1" exterior diameter PVC columns that were only 19.5" tall... just not much volume to work with there. I didn't weight them, but the stands are probably ~15lbs each IN TOTAL. Better with the sand than without, but certainly not the density I was envisioning.

I suck at spray painting

You really have to focus on consistent passes that may go on thin and just leave it for a second or third pass later. As soon as you start trying to get full coverage in a specific area, you create buildup that is visibly uneven when dried. Or worse, you create runs or drips. I spent all this time perfectly smoothing and sanding the plywood, only to create much bigger, more obvious flaws with my shitty spray painting technique.

Shoulda stuck with iron

My original plan was to use black iron pipe for the columns. But pipe sections that have threading at each end only come in specific lengths. At the time that was just too limiting when I was trying to hit an exact height for these stands. Plus some of the iron parts were just annoyingly more expensive than I expected (not necessarily out of my budget, but annoying).

So I switched to the PVC approach and figured that once it's all spray painted, there wouldn't be much of a visual difference anyway.

The pipe flanges would have looked better and, more importantly, the iron would have added considerably more weight. The build process would have been easier and cleaner without dealing with the PVC gluing mess, flange ejection, and the worries about getting it all level during the ~60s that the glue sets.

You do NOT always (ever?) save money via DIY

I probably spent more on parts for this than I would have spent on off-the-shelf stands. Some of it is amortized over materials I'll be able to use on later projects (e.g. the tub of wood filler, 1-1/2" construction screws) or might find a use for (e.g. plenty of leftover t-nuts, 50+ lbs of sand!).

But the PVC glue kit will likely dry out before I do my next PVC project since they tend to be infrequent.

Overall the goal probably can't be about saving money. It's more about getting a final result that's tailored exactly to your own specs and getting to enjoy the fun and challenge and satisfaction of building, learning, and making mistakes along the way.

Satin is still a little too glossy

I wanted a light gloss to give the build some pop / wow, but the glossier something gets, the more the imperfections stand out.

Can see a spray paint build up blob, drips, imperfections in the plywood, even f'n bits of sand that I failed to brush off before painting! 😡

The PVC flanges do still sorta look like PVC but also mostly came out better than I expected.

Misc notes:

The t-nuts ended up being a bit of over-engineering; since I thought the stands would be heavier than they turned out to be, I wanted a stronger mount point down there (more threads, broader surface under the board to distribute the weight to avoid them tearing through).

But the spikes do thread in really nicely and make the the bases seem way more pro-quality, so no regrets here.

@ 1fb73d74:bc344b9f

اکسیژن مایع، اکسیژنی است که در دمای بسیار پایین (حدود -183 درجه سانتی‌گراد) به حالت مایع در می‌آید. این ماده کاربردهای فراوانی در صنایع مختلف دارد.

1. ویژگی‌ها:

• دمای پایین: به دلیل دمای تبخیر پایین، اکسیژن مایع به راحتی در دماهای بسیار پایین نگهداری می‌شود.
• غنی‌سازی اکسیژن: این ماده غنی از اکسیژن است و به راحتی می‌تواند به گاز تبدیل شود.
• آتش‌زا: اکسیژن مایع به دلیل قابلیت افزایش شدت آتش، در شرایط خاص خطرناک است و باید با احتیاط استفاده شود.

2. کاربردها:

• صنعت هوافضا: در موتورهای راکت و سیستم‌های پرتاب، اکسیژن مایع به عنوان سوخت و اکسیدکننده استفاده می‌شود.
• پزشکی: در تولید اکسیژن برای درمان بیماران با مشکلات تنفسی کاربرد دارد.
• صنعت فولاد: در فرآیندهای ذوب و جوشکاری به عنوان عامل افزایش کارایی استفاده می‌شود.

3. نگهداری و ایمنی:

• تانک‌های مخصوص: اکسیژن مایع باید در تانک‌های مخصوصی که عایق حرارتی دارند نگهداری شود.
• ایمنی: استفاده از تجهیزات ایمنی مناسب و نگهداری در محیط‌های مناسب ضروری است تا از خطرات احتمالی جلوگیری شود.

این ویژگی‌ها و کاربردها نشان‌دهنده اهمیت اکسیژن مایع در صنایع مختلف و نیاز به احتیاط در استفاده از آن هستند.

@ ef217fea:26c0476e

Beat Saber Playlists Helper

Thanks to the widely used PlaylistManager mod, playlists are the easiest way to get custom songs into Beat Saber. The plugin gives you an in-game interface with a one-click "Download All" button to suck the custom charts in from beatsaver. This CLI helper tool can generate a playlist using songs from the ScoreSaber api. The first release includes the abililty to generate a playlist of songs you've previously played, so you can replay old favorites and improve your score. All you need is your ScoreSaber ID, and the tool will do the rest!

Installation

To get started, you'll need to install pleb-saberlist from PyPi using any compatible package manager. If you don't have pipx installed, you can find installation instructions here.

sh pipx install pleb-saberlist

Usage

sh replay_ranked_ss Enter the playerid (Default: 76561199407393962): Enter the minimum starlevel to include on the playlist (Default: 5): 6 Enter the maximum starlevel to include on the playlist (Default: 7.0): Enter the filename for the playlist (Default: Replay SS 6.0★):

In this example, the user creates a playlist of songs they've played with star levels between 6 and 7, saving it as Replay SS 6.0★.bplist.

Happy slicing!

@ 30876140:cffb1126

Violet Starlight

The oceans of Alderaan are but raindrops in the depth of your beautiful eyes.

The music of the stars is a lullaby, The sonnet of your voice is their song.

The thought of you is my guiding light in empty space, That my heart may return to your violet sun, Your love brings peace to my galaxy.

This gulf that stretches between us, so easily we can cross, for Hyperspace is not just a lover's dream.

Fly with me to see the wondrous waterfalls of Theed, The city built from branches on the forest world, Kashyyk, The temples of Yavin's Moon, the little bears of Endor, With the Force as our guide, we will see them all,

Together.

In a galaxy far, far, away, Let's begin our journey.