@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Zwei mal drei macht vier, \ widewidewitt und drei macht neune, \ ich mach mir die Welt, \ widewide wie sie mir gefällt. \ Pippi Langstrumpf

Egal, ob Koalitionsverhandlungen oder politischer Alltag: Die Kontroversen zwischen theoretisch verschiedenen Parteien verschwinden, wenn es um den Kampf gegen politische Gegner mit Rückenwind geht. Wer den Alteingesessenen die Pfründe ernsthaft streitig machen könnte, gegen den werden nicht nur «Brandmauern» errichtet, sondern der wird notfalls auch strafrechtlich verfolgt. Doppelstandards sind dabei selbstverständlich inklusive.

In Frankreich ist diese Woche Marine Le Pen wegen der Veruntreuung von EU-Geldern von einem Gericht verurteilt worden. Als Teil der Strafe wurde sie für fünf Jahre vom passiven Wahlrecht ausgeschlossen. Obwohl das Urteil nicht rechtskräftig ist – Le Pen kann in Berufung gehen –, haben die Richter das Verbot, bei Wahlen anzutreten, mit sofortiger Wirkung verhängt. Die Vorsitzende des rechtsnationalen Rassemblement National (RN) galt als aussichtsreiche Kandidatin für die Präsidentschaftswahl 2027.

Das ist in diesem Jahr bereits der zweite gravierende Fall von Wahlbeeinflussung durch die Justiz in einem EU-Staat. In Rumänien hatte Călin Georgescu im November die erste Runde der Präsidentenwahl überraschend gewonnen. Das Ergebnis wurde später annulliert, die behauptete «russische Wahlmanipulation» konnte jedoch nicht bewiesen werden. Die Kandidatur für die Wahlwiederholung im Mai wurde Georgescu kürzlich durch das Verfassungsgericht untersagt.

Die Veruntreuung öffentlicher Gelder muss untersucht und geahndet werden, das steht außer Frage. Diese Anforderung darf nicht selektiv angewendet werden. Hingegen mussten wir in der Vergangenheit bei ungleich schwerwiegenderen Fällen von (mutmaßlichem) Missbrauch ganz andere Vorgehensweisen erleben, etwa im Fall der heutigen EZB-Chefin Christine Lagarde oder im «Pfizergate»-Skandal um die Präsidentin der EU-Kommission Ursula von der Leyen.

Wenngleich derartige Angelegenheiten formal auf einer rechtsstaatlichen Grundlage beruhen mögen, so bleibt ein bitterer Beigeschmack. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob und inwieweit die Justiz politisch instrumentalisiert wird. Dies ist umso interessanter, als die Gewaltenteilung einen essenziellen Teil jeder demokratischen Ordnung darstellt, während die Bekämpfung des politischen Gegners mit juristischen Mitteln gerade bei den am lautesten rufenden Verteidigern «unserer Demokratie» populär zu sein scheint.

Die Delegationen von CDU/CSU und SPD haben bei ihren Verhandlungen über eine Regierungskoalition genau solche Maßnahmen diskutiert. «Im Namen der Wahrheit und der Demokratie» möchte man noch härter gegen «Desinformation» vorgehen und dafür zum Beispiel den Digital Services Act der EU erweitern. Auch soll der Tatbestand der Volksverhetzung verschärft werden – und im Entzug des passiven Wahlrechts münden können. Auf europäischer Ebene würde Friedrich Merz wohl gerne Ungarn das Stimmrecht entziehen.

Der Pegel an Unzufriedenheit und Frustration wächst in großen Teilen der Bevölkerung kontinuierlich. Arroganz, Machtmissbrauch und immer abstrusere Ausreden für offensichtlich willkürliche Maßnahmen werden kaum verhindern, dass den etablierten Parteien die Unterstützung entschwindet. In Deutschland sind die Umfrageergebnisse der AfD ein guter Gradmesser dafür.

[Vorlage Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Spanien bleibt einer der Vorreiter im europäischen Prozess der totalen Überwachung per Digitalisierung. Seit Mittwoch ist dort der digitale Personalausweis verfügbar. Dabei handelt es sich um eine Regierungs-App, die auf dem Smartphone installiert werden muss und in den Stores von Google und Apple zu finden ist. Per Dekret von Regierungschef Pedro Sánchez und Zustimmung des Ministerrats ist diese Maßnahme jetzt in Kraft getreten.

Mit den üblichen Argumenten der Vereinfachung, des Komforts, der Effizienz und der Sicherheit preist das Innenministerium die «Innovation» an. Auch die Beteuerung, dass die digitale Variante parallel zum physischen Ausweis existieren wird und diesen nicht ersetzen soll, fehlt nicht. Während der ersten zwölf Monate wird «der Neue» noch nicht für alle Anwendungsfälle gültig sein, ab 2026 aber schon.

Dass die ganze Sache auch «Risiken und Nebenwirkungen» haben könnte, wird in den Mainstream-Medien eher selten thematisiert. Bestenfalls wird der Aspekt der Datensicherheit angesprochen, allerdings in der Regel direkt mit dem Regierungsvokabular von den «maximalen Sicherheitsgarantien» abgehandelt. Dennoch gibt es einige weitere Aspekte, die Bürger mit etwas Sinn für Privatsphäre bedenken sollten.

Um sich die digitale Version des nationalen Ausweises besorgen zu können (eine App mit dem Namen MiDNI), muss man sich vorab online registrieren. Dabei wird die Identität des Bürgers mit seiner mobilen Telefonnummer verknüpft. Diese obligatorische fixe Verdrahtung kennen wir von diversen anderen Apps und Diensten. Gleichzeitig ist das die Basis für eine perfekte Lokalisierbarkeit der Person.

Für jeden Vorgang der Identifikation in der Praxis wird später «eine Verbindung zu den Servern der Bundespolizei aufgebaut». Die Daten des Individuums werden «in Echtzeit» verifiziert und im Erfolgsfall von der Polizei signiert zurückgegeben. Das Ergebnis ist ein QR-Code mit zeitlich begrenzter Gültigkeit, der an Dritte weitergegeben werden kann.

Bei derartigen Szenarien sträuben sich einem halbwegs kritischen Staatsbürger die Nackenhaare. Allein diese minimale Funktionsbeschreibung lässt die totale Überwachung erkennen, die damit ermöglicht wird. Jede Benutzung des Ausweises wird künftig registriert, hinterlässt also Spuren. Und was ist, wenn die Server der Polizei einmal kein grünes Licht geben? Das wäre spätestens dann ein Problem, wenn der digitale doch irgendwann der einzig gültige Ausweis ist: Dann haben wir den abschaltbaren Bürger.

Dieser neue Vorstoß der Regierung von Pedro Sánchez ist ein weiterer Schritt in Richtung der «totalen Digitalisierung» des Landes, wie diese Politik in manchen Medien – nicht einmal kritisch, sondern sehr naiv – genannt wird. Ebenso verharmlosend wird auch erwähnt, dass sich das spanische Projekt des digitalen Ausweises nahtlos in die Initiativen der EU zu einer digitalen Identität für alle Bürger sowie des digitalen Euro einreiht.

In Zukunft könnte der neue Ausweis «auch in andere staatliche und private digitale Plattformen integriert werden», wie das Medienportal Cope ganz richtig bemerkt. Das ist die Perspektive.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

Dazu passend:

Nur Abschied vom Alleinfahren? Monströse spanische Überwachungsprojekte gemäß EU-Norm

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ c3c7122c:607731d7

Help!

Calling all El Salvador Nostriches! If you currently live in SV, I need your help and am offering several bounties (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 BTC).

In Brief

In short, I am pursuing El Salvador citizenship by birthright (through my grandmother). I’ve struggled to progress because her name varies on different documents. I need someone to help me push harder to get past this barrier, or connect me with information or people who can work on my behalf. I am offering:

• 0.001 BTC (100k sats) for information that will help me progress from my current situation
• 0.01 BTC (1 MM sats) to get me in touch with someone that is more impactful than the immigration lawyer I already spoke with
• 0.1 BTC (10 MM sats) if your efforts help me obtain citizenship for me or my father

Background

My grandma married my grandfather (an American Marine) and moved to the states where my father was born. I have some official and unofficial documents where her name varies in spelling, order of first/middle name, and addition of her father’s last name. So every doc basically has a different name for her. I was connected with an english-speaking immigration lawyer in SV who hit a dead end when searching for her official ID because the city hall in her city had burned down so there was no record of her info. He gave up at that point. I find it odd that it was so easy to change your name back then, but they are more strict now with the records from that time.

I believe SV citizenship is my birthright and have several personal reasons for pursuing this. I want someone to act on my behalf who will try harder to work the system (by appeal, loophole, or even bribe if I have to). If you are local and can help me with this, I’d greatly appreciate any efforts you make.

Cheers!

Corey San Diego

@ aa8de34f:a6ffe696

In seinem Beitrag vom 30. März 2025 fragt Henning Rosenbusch auf Telegram angesichts zunehmender digitaler Kontrolle und staatlicher Allmacht:

„Wie soll sich gegen eine solche Tyrannei noch ein Widerstand formieren können, selbst im Untergrund? Sehe ich nicht.“\ (Quelle: t.me/rosenbusch/25228)

Er beschreibt damit ein Gefühl der Ohnmacht, das viele teilen: Eine Welt, in der Totalitarismus nicht mehr mit Panzern, sondern mit Algorithmen kommt. Wo Zugriff auf Geld, Meinungsfreiheit und Teilhabe vom Wohlverhalten abhängt. Der Bürger als kontrollierbare Variable im Code des Staates.\ Die Frage ist berechtigt. Doch die Antwort darauf liegt nicht in alten Widerstandsbildern – sondern in einer neuen Realität.

-- Denn es braucht keinen Untergrund mehr. --

Der Widerstand der Zukunft trägt keinen Tarnanzug. Er ist nicht konspirativ, sondern transparent. Nicht bewaffnet, sondern mathematisch beweisbar. Bitcoin steht nicht am Rand dieser Entwicklung – es ist ihr Fundament. Eine Bastion aus physikalischer Realität, spieltheoretischem Schutz und ökonomischer Wahrheit. Es ist nicht unfehlbar, aber unbestechlich. Nicht perfekt, aber immun gegen zentrale Willkür.

Hier entsteht kein „digitales Gegenreich“, sondern eine dezentrale Renaissance. Keine Revolte aus Wut, sondern eine stille Abkehr: von Zwang zu Freiwilligkeit, von Abhängigkeit zu Selbstverantwortung. Diese Revolution führt keine Kriege. Sie braucht keine Führer. Sie ist ein Netzwerk. Jeder Knoten ein Individuum. Jede Entscheidung ein Akt der Selbstermächtigung.

Weltweit wachsen Freiheits-Zitadellen aus dieser Idee: wirtschaftlich autark, digital souverän, lokal verankert und global vernetzt. Sie sind keine Utopien im luftleeren Raum, sondern konkrete Realitäten – angetrieben von Energie, Code und dem menschlichen Wunsch nach Würde.

Der Globalismus alter Prägung – zentralistisch, monopolistisch, bevormundend – wird an seiner eigenen Hybris zerbrechen. Seine Werkzeuge der Kontrolle werden ihn nicht retten. Im Gegenteil: Seine Geister werden ihn verfolgen und erlegen.

Und während die alten Mächte um Erhalt kämpfen, wächst eine neue Welt – nicht im Schatten, sondern im Offenen. Nicht auf Gewalt gebaut, sondern auf Mathematik, Physik und Freiheit.

Die Tyrannei sieht keinen Widerstand.\ Weil sie nicht erkennt, dass er längst begonnen hat.\ Unwiderruflich. Leise. Überall.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Der Irrsinn ist bei Einzelnen etwas Seltenes – \ aber bei Gruppen, Parteien, Völkern, Zeiten die Regel. \ Friedrich Nietzsche

Erinnern Sie sich an die Horrorkomödie «Scary Movie»? Nicht, dass ich diese Art Filme besonders erinnerungswürdig fände, aber einige Szenen daraus sind doch gewissermaßen Klassiker. Dazu zählt eine, die das Verhalten vieler Protagonisten in Horrorfilmen parodiert, wenn sie in Panik flüchten. Welchen Weg nimmt wohl die Frau in der Situation auf diesem Bild?

Diese Szene kommt mir automatisch in den Sinn, wenn ich aktuelle Entwicklungen in Europa betrachte. Weitreichende Entscheidungen gehen wider jede Logik in die völlig falsche Richtung. Nur ist das hier alles andere als eine Komödie, sondern bitterernst. Dieser Horror ist leider sehr real.

Die Europäische Union hat sich selbst über Jahre konsequent in eine Sackgasse manövriert. Sie hat es versäumt, sich und ihre Politik selbstbewusst und im Einklang mit ihren Wurzeln auf dem eigenen Kontinent zu positionieren. Stattdessen ist sie in blinder Treue den vermeintlichen «transatlantischen Freunden» auf ihrem Konfrontationskurs gen Osten gefolgt.

In den USA haben sich die Vorzeichen allerdings mittlerweile geändert, und die einst hoch gelobten «Freunde und Partner» erscheinen den europäischen «Führern» nicht mehr vertrauenswürdig. Das ist spätestens seit der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz, der Rede von Vizepräsident J. D. Vance und den empörten Reaktionen offensichtlich. Große Teile Europas wirken seitdem wie ein aufgescheuchter Haufen kopfloser Hühner. Orientierung und Kontrolle sind völlig abhanden gekommen.

Statt jedoch umzukehren oder wenigstens zu bremsen und vielleicht einen Abzweig zu suchen, geben die Crash-Piloten jetzt auf dem Weg durch die Sackgasse erst richtig Gas. Ja sie lösen sogar noch die Sicherheitsgurte und deaktivieren die Airbags. Den vor Angst dauergelähmten Passagieren fällt auch nichts Besseres ein und so schließen sie einfach die Augen. Derweil übertrumpfen sich die Kommentatoren des Events gegenseitig in sensationslüsterner «Berichterstattung».

Wie schon die deutsche Außenministerin mit höchsten UN-Ambitionen, Annalena Baerbock, proklamiert auch die Europäische Kommission einen «Frieden durch Stärke». Zu dem jetzt vorgelegten, selbstzerstörerischen Fahrplan zur Ankurbelung der Rüstungsindustrie, genannt «Weißbuch zur europäischen Verteidigung – Bereitschaft 2030», erklärte die Kommissionspräsidentin, die «Ära der Friedensdividende» sei längst vorbei. Soll das heißen, Frieden bringt nichts ein? Eine umfassende Zusammenarbeit an dauerhaften europäischen Friedenslösungen steht demnach jedenfalls nicht zur Debatte.

Zusätzlich brisant ist, dass aktuell «die ganze EU von Deutschen regiert wird», wie der EU-Parlamentarier und ehemalige UN-Diplomat Michael von der Schulenburg beobachtet hat. Tatsächlich sitzen neben von der Leyen und Strack-Zimmermann noch einige weitere Deutsche in – vor allem auch in Krisenzeiten – wichtigen Spitzenposten der Union. Vor dem Hintergrund der Kriegstreiberei in Deutschland muss eine solche Dominanz mindestens nachdenklich stimmen.

Ihre ursprünglichen Grundwerte wie Demokratie, Freiheit, Frieden und Völkerverständigung hat die EU kontinuierlich in leere Worthülsen verwandelt. Diese werden dafür immer lächerlicher hochgehalten und beschworen.

Es wird dringend Zeit, dass wir, der Souverän, diesem erbärmlichen und gefährlichen Trauerspiel ein Ende setzen und die Fäden selbst in die Hand nehmen. In diesem Sinne fordert uns auch das «European Peace Project» auf, am 9. Mai im Rahmen eines Kunstprojekts den Frieden auszurufen. Seien wir dabei!

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 10fe3f70:3489c810

contract-drafting #agreement-drafting #learn-drafting #keep-learning

I am a lawyer and a teacher. I am interested in learning new things every day.

I am from India, and have studied in a reputed law school in Delhi. I have long experience of working as in-house counsels to some reputed organisations.

My present goal is to teach drafting of contracts. What I will teach is some basic skills required by students to draft contracts.

I did some freelance online teaching during Covid Pandemic, and found that students are very interested in learning the craft. But, I also understood that they may not have enough free time to learn due to busy schedule.

If you are interested, you can access my curated playlist on Youtube

Keep watching this space, if you wish to know more...

Lessons on Contract Drafting

1. Contract Drafting - An Introduction
2. ...

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

เริ่มจากบรอกโคลี แล้วขยายผลไปสู่ระดับโลก

หลายประเทศในเอเชีย แอฟริกา ละตินอเมริกา ตกอยู่ในสภาพ “จนหนี้หัวโต” ทั้งจากวิกฤตเศรษฐกิจหรือปัญหาสภาพภูมิอากาศ แล้วใครกันล่ะเข้ามาช่วย?

ชื่อที่ได้ยินบ่อยคือ IMF (กองทุนการเงินระหว่างประเทศ) World Bank (ธนาคารโลก) WTO (องค์การการค้าโลก) FAO (องค์การอาหารและการเกษตรของ UN)

ฟังดูเหมือนองค์กรการกุศล แต่เบื้องหลังคือกลไกที่ “แลกข้าวกับกฎหมาย” โดยเฉพาะเมื่อประเทศยากจนขอเงินกู้หรือขอเข้าเป็นสมาชิกข้อตกลงการค้า พวกเขาจะถูก “บังคับกลายๆ” ให้ต้องแก้กฎหมายภายในประเทศให้สอดคล้องกับ UPOV 1991

ตัวอย่างชัดๆ กันครับเช่น 1. แอฟริกาใต้ / กานา / เคนยา ถูกกดดันจาก World Bank ให้ปรับกฎหมายคุ้มครองพันธุ์พืช ไม่งั้นจะไม่อนุมัติเงินช่วยเหลือสำหรับเกษตรกรรมและการศึกษา 2.ฟิลิปปินส์ / เวียดนาม / อินโดนีเซีย ต้องรับเงื่อนไข UPOV 1991 เพื่อเข้า FTA กับ EU หรือสหรัฐฯ ถ้าไม่ยอม? ข้าว ข้าวโพด หรือสินค้าเกษตรอื่นๆ จะเข้าไปขายไม่ได้ 3.เม็กซิโก เคยต่อสู้กับ Monsanto เรื่องสิทธิในการปลูกข้าวโพดดั้งเดิม แต่สุดท้ายโดน “ตีท้ายครัว” ด้วย FTA กับสหรัฐที่ฝัง UPOV 1991 มาแบบแนบเนียน

ปี 2561 รัฐบาลบางประเทศพยายาม “รีบแก้กฎหมายพันธุ์พืช” ให้สอดคล้องกับ UPOV 1991 เพื่อปูทางเข้าสู่ CPTPP ซึ่งเป็นข้อตกลงการค้าเสรีระดับภูมิภาคที่มีประเทศร่ำรวยอยู่เต็มไปหมด

ข้อเรียกร้องจาก CPTPP คือ -ต้อง ห้ามเกษตรกรเก็บพันธุ์ไว้ใช้ซ้ำโดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาต -ต้อง คุ้มครองพันธุ์พืชที่พัฒนาขึ้นโดยบริษัทเอกชน 20-25 ปี -ต้อง เปิดทางให้บริษัทต่างชาติเข้ามาจดทะเบียนพันธุ์พืชในประเทศได้โดยง่าย

เสียงค้านจึงดังกระหึ่มจากเกษตรกร นักวิชาการ และภาคประชาสังคม นำโดยเครือข่ายเกษตรกรรมยั่งยืน กลุ่มรักษ์พันธุ์ข้าว จนนายกรัฐมนตรีในขณะนั้นต้องออกมาประกาศ “พักเรื่องนี้ไว้ก่อน” แต่ถึงวันนี้... ก็ยังไม่มีการยืนยันว่าจะ “ล้มเลิกโดยสิ้นเชิง”

รู้หรือไม่ว่า บริษัทพันธุ์พืชที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในโลกไม่ใช่คนปลูกข้าว แต่มาจาก “บริษัทยา” และ “บริษัทเคมี”!!!

Bayer (เยอรมนี) ที่ควบรวม Monsanto Corteva (สหรัฐฯ) แยกตัวจาก DowDuPont Syngenta (สวิตเซอร์แลนด์) ที่ตอนนี้เป็นของบริษัทจีน ChemChina

3 บริษัทนี้ครองตลาดพันธุ์พืชดัดแปลงพันธุกรรม (GMO) และพันธุ์ลูกผสมทั่วโลก และผลักดัน UPOV 1991 แบบดุดันผ่านองค์กรเช่น ISF (International Seed Federation)

องค์กรเหล่านี้พวกเขาไม่ได้ปล้นด้วยปืน แต่ใช้ สัญญา พวกเขาไม่ได้เผาไร่ แต่ “จดสิทธิบัตร” สิ่งที่ไม่ควรเป็นของใคร และสิ่งที่พวกเขาต้องการ ไม่ใช่แค่ข้าวโพดหรือถั่วเหลือง แต่คือ “สิทธิในการออกแบบอาหารทั้งโลก” ในแบบที่คนตัวเล็ก... ต้องจ่ายค่าเช่ากินข้าว ทุกปี ตลอดชีวิต

จากปัญหาเหล่านี้ก็เลยเกิดแนวคิดที่เรียกว่า Seed Sovereignty ซึ่งมองว่าเมล็ดพันธุ์เป็นสมบัติร่วมของมนุษยชาติ ไม่ควรถูกครอบครองแบบผูกขาด และเกษตรกรควรมีสิทธิในการ
-เก็บเมล็ดพันธุ์ -แลกเปลี่ยน -ปรับปรุง -ใช้งานซ้ำ โดยไม่ต้องขออนุญาตใคร

ตอนต่อไปเรามาคุยเรื่อง UPOV 1991 กันครับ

#pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Wir werden nicht zulassen, dass technisch manches möglich ist, \ aber der Staat es nicht nutzt. \ Angela Merkel

Die Modalverben zu erklären, ist im Deutschunterricht manchmal nicht ganz einfach. Nicht alle Fremdsprachen unterscheiden zum Beispiel bei der Frage nach einer Möglichkeit gleichermaßen zwischen «können» im Sinne von «die Gelegenheit, Kenntnis oder Fähigkeit haben» und «dürfen» als «die Erlaubnis oder Berechtigung haben». Das spanische Wort «poder» etwa steht für beides.

Ebenso ist vielen Schülern auf den ersten Blick nicht recht klar, dass das logische Gegenteil von «müssen» nicht unbedingt «nicht müssen» ist, sondern vielmehr «nicht dürfen». An den Verkehrsschildern lässt sich so etwas meistens recht gut erklären: Manchmal muss man abbiegen, aber manchmal darf man eben nicht.

Dieses Beispiel soll ein wenig die Verwirrungstaktik veranschaulichen, die in der Politik gerne verwendet wird, um unpopuläre oder restriktive Maßnahmen Stück für Stück einzuführen. Zuerst ist etwas einfach innovativ und bringt viele Vorteile. Vor allem ist es freiwillig, jeder kann selber entscheiden, niemand muss mitmachen. Später kann man zunehmend weniger Alternativen wählen, weil sie verschwinden, und irgendwann verwandelt sich alles andere in «nicht dürfen» – die Maßnahme ist obligatorisch.

Um die Durchsetzung derartiger Initiativen strategisch zu unterstützen und nett zu verpacken, gibt es Lobbyisten, gerne auch NGOs genannt. Dass das «NG» am Anfang dieser Abkürzung übersetzt «Nicht-Regierungs-» bedeutet, ist ein Anachronismus. Das war vielleicht früher einmal so, heute ist eher das Gegenteil gemeint.

In unserer modernen Zeit wird enorm viel Lobbyarbeit für die Digitalisierung praktisch sämtlicher Lebensbereiche aufgewendet. Was das auf dem Sektor der Mobilität bedeuten kann, haben wir diese Woche anhand aktueller Entwicklungen in Spanien beleuchtet. Begründet teilweise mit Vorgaben der Europäischen Union arbeitet man dort fleißig an einer «neuen Mobilität», basierend auf «intelligenter» technologischer Infrastruktur. Derartige Anwandlungen wurden auch schon als «Technofeudalismus» angeprangert.

Nationale Zugangspunkte für Mobilitätsdaten im Sinne der EU gibt es nicht nur in allen Mitgliedsländern, sondern auch in der Schweiz und in Großbritannien. Das Vereinigte Königreich beteiligt sich darüber hinaus an anderen EU-Projekten für digitale Überwachungs- und Kontrollmaßnahmen, wie dem biometrischen Identifizierungssystem für «nachhaltigen Verkehr und Tourismus».

Natürlich marschiert auch Deutschland stracks und euphorisch in Richtung digitaler Zukunft. Ohne vernetzte Mobilität und einen «verlässlichen Zugang zu Daten, einschließlich Echtzeitdaten» komme man in der Verkehrsplanung und -steuerung nicht aus, erklärt die Regierung. Der Interessenverband der IT-Dienstleister Bitkom will «die digitale Transformation der deutschen Wirtschaft und Verwaltung vorantreiben». Dazu bewirbt er unter anderem die Konzepte Smart City, Smart Region und Smart Country und behauptet, deutsche Großstädte «setzen bei Mobilität voll auf Digitalisierung».

Es steht zu befürchten, dass das umfassende Sammeln, Verarbeiten und Vernetzen von Daten, das angeblich die Menschen unterstützen soll (und theoretisch ja auch könnte), eher dazu benutzt wird, sie zu kontrollieren und zu manipulieren. Je elektrischer und digitaler unsere Umgebung wird, desto größer sind diese Möglichkeiten. Im Ergebnis könnten solche Prozesse den Bürger nicht nur einschränken oder überflüssig machen, sondern in mancherlei Hinsicht regelrecht abschalten. Eine gesunde Skepsis ist also geboten.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Er ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ aa8de34f:a6ffe696

19. März 2025

🔐 1. SHA-256 is Quantum-Resistant

Bitcoin’s proof-of-work mechanism relies on SHA-256, a hashing algorithm. Even with a powerful quantum computer, SHA-256 remains secure because:

• Quantum computers excel at factoring large numbers (Shor’s Algorithm).
• However, SHA-256 is a one-way function, meaning there's no known quantum algorithm that can efficiently reverse it.
• Grover’s Algorithm (which theoretically speeds up brute force attacks) would still require 2¹²⁸ operations to break SHA-256 – far beyond practical reach.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

🔑 2. Public Key Vulnerability – But Only If You Reuse Addresses

Bitcoin uses Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to generate keys.

• A quantum computer could use Shor’s Algorithm to break SECP256K1, the curve Bitcoin uses.
• If you never reuse addresses, it is an additional security element
• 🔑 1. Bitcoin Addresses Are NOT Public Keys

Many people assume a Bitcoin address is the public key—this is wrong.

• When you receive Bitcoin, it is sent to a hashed public key (the Bitcoin address).
• The actual public key is never exposed because it is the Bitcoin Adress who addresses the Public Key which never reveals the creation of a public key by a spend
• Bitcoin uses Pay-to-Public-Key-Hash (P2PKH) or newer methods like Pay-to-Witness-Public-Key-Hash (P2WPKH), which add extra layers of security.

🕵️♂️ 2.1 The Public Key Never Appears

• When you send Bitcoin, your wallet creates a digital signature.
• This signature uses the private key to prove ownership.
• The Bitcoin address is revealed and creates the Public Key
• The public key remains hidden inside the Bitcoin script and Merkle tree.

This means: ✔ The public key is never exposed. ✔ Quantum attackers have nothing to target, attacking a Bitcoin Address is a zero value game.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

🔄 3. Bitcoin Can Upgrade

Even if quantum computers eventually become a real threat:

• Bitcoin developers can upgrade to quantum-safe cryptography (e.g., lattice-based cryptography or post-quantum signatures like Dilithium).
• Bitcoin’s decentralized nature ensures a network-wide soft fork or hard fork could transition to quantum-resistant keys.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

⏳ 4. The 10-Minute Block Rule as a Security Feature

• Bitcoin’s network operates on a 10-minute block interval, meaning:Even if an attacker had immense computational power (like a quantum computer), they could only attempt an attack every 10 minutes.Unlike traditional encryption, where a hacker could continuously brute-force keys, Bitcoin’s system resets the challenge with every new block.This limits the window of opportunity for quantum attacks.

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🎯 5. Quantum Attack Needs to Solve a Block in Real-Time

• A quantum attacker must solve the cryptographic puzzle (Proof of Work) in under 10 minutes.
• The problem? Any slight error changes the hash completely, meaning:If the quantum computer makes a mistake (even 0.0001% probability), the entire attack fails.Quantum decoherence (loss of qubit stability) makes error correction a massive challenge.The computational cost of recovering from an incorrect hash is still incredibly high.

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⚡ 6. Network Resilience – Even if a Block Is Hacked

• Even if a quantum computer somehow solved a block instantly:The network would quickly recognize and reject invalid transactions.Other miners would continue mining under normal cryptographic rules.51% Attack? The attacker would need to consistently beat the entire Bitcoin network, which is not sustainable.

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🔄 7. The Logarithmic Difficulty Adjustment Neutralizes Threats

• Bitcoin adjusts mining difficulty every 2016 blocks (\~2 weeks).
• If quantum miners appeared and suddenly started solving blocks too quickly, the difficulty would adjust upward, making attacks significantly harder.
• This self-correcting mechanism ensures that even quantum computers wouldn't easily overpower the network.

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🔥 Final Verdict: Quantum Computers Are Too Slow for Bitcoin

✔ The 10-minute rule limits attack frequency – quantum computers can’t keep up.

✔ Any slight miscalculation ruins the attack, resetting all progress.

✔ Bitcoin’s difficulty adjustment would react, neutralizing quantum advantages.

Even if quantum computers reach their theoretical potential, Bitcoin’s game theory and design make it incredibly resistant. 🚀

@ caa88a52:6c226a91

Running Nestr!

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Bald werde es verboten, alleine im Auto zu fahren, konnte man dieser Tage in verschiedenen spanischen Medien lesen. Die nationale Verkehrsbehörde (Dirección General de Tráfico, kurz DGT) werde Alleinfahrern das Leben schwer machen, wurde gemeldet. Konkret erörtere die Generaldirektion geeignete Sanktionen für Personen, die ohne Beifahrer im Privatauto unterwegs seien.

Das Alleinfahren sei zunehmend verpönt und ein Mentalitätswandel notwendig, hieß es. Dieser «Luxus» stehe im Widerspruch zu den Maßnahmen gegen Umweltverschmutzung, die in allen europäischen Ländern gefördert würden. In Frankreich sei es «bereits verboten, in der Hauptstadt allein zu fahren», behauptete Noticiastrabajo Huffpost in einer Zwischenüberschrift. Nur um dann im Text zu konkretisieren, dass die sogenannte «Umweltspur» auf der Pariser Ringautobahn gemeint war, die für Busse, Taxis und Fahrgemeinschaften reserviert ist. Ab Mai werden Verstöße dagegen mit einem Bußgeld geahndet.

Die DGT jedenfalls wolle bei der Umsetzung derartiger Maßnahmen nicht hinterherhinken. Diese Medienberichte, inklusive des angeblich bevorstehenden Verbots, beriefen sich auf Aussagen des Generaldirektors der Behörde, Pere Navarro, beim Mobilitätskongress Global Mobility Call im November letzten Jahres, wo es um «nachhaltige Mobilität» ging. Aus diesem Kontext stammt auch Navarros Warnung: «Die Zukunft des Verkehrs ist geteilt oder es gibt keine».

Die «Faktenchecker» kamen der Generaldirektion prompt zu Hilfe. Die DGT habe derlei Behauptungen zurückgewiesen und klargestellt, dass es keine Pläne gebe, Fahrten mit nur einer Person im Auto zu verbieten oder zu bestrafen. Bei solchen Meldungen handele es sich um Fake News. Teilweise wurde der Vorsitzende der spanischen «Rechtsaußen»-Partei Vox, Santiago Abascal, der Urheberschaft bezichtigt, weil er einen entsprechenden Artikel von La Gaceta kommentiert hatte.

Der Beschwichtigungsversuch der Art «niemand hat die Absicht» ist dabei erfahrungsgemäß eher ein Alarmzeichen als eine Beruhigung. Walter Ulbrichts Leugnung einer geplanten Berliner Mauer vom Juni 1961 ist vielen genauso in Erinnerung wie die Fake News-Warnungen des deutschen Bundesgesundheitsministeriums bezüglich Lockdowns im März 2020 oder diverse Äußerungen zu einer Impfpflicht ab 2020.

Aber Aufregung hin, Dementis her: Die Pressemitteilung der DGT zu dem Mobilitätskongress enthält in Wahrheit viel interessantere Informationen als «nur» einen Appell an den «guten» Bürger wegen der Bemühungen um die Lebensqualität in Großstädten oder einen möglichen obligatorischen Abschied vom Alleinfahren. Allerdings werden diese Details von Medien und sogenannten Faktencheckern geflissentlich übersehen, obwohl sie keineswegs versteckt sind. Die Auskünfte sind sehr aufschlussreich, wenn man genauer hinschaut.

Digitalisierung ist der Schlüssel für Kontrolle

Auf dem Kongress stellte die Verkehrsbehörde ihre Initiativen zur Förderung der «neuen Mobilität» vor, deren Priorität Sicherheit und Effizienz sei. Die vier konkreten Ansätze haben alle mit Digitalisierung, Daten, Überwachung und Kontrolle im großen Stil zu tun und werden unter dem Euphemismus der «öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaft» angepriesen. Auch lassen sie die transhumanistische Idee vom unzulänglichen Menschen erkennen, dessen Fehler durch «intelligente» technologische Infrastruktur kompensiert werden müssten.

Die Chefin des Bereichs «Verkehrsüberwachung» erklärte die Funktion des spanischen National Access Point (NAP), wobei sie betonte, wie wichtig Verkehrs- und Infrastrukturinformationen in Echtzeit seien. Der NAP ist «eine essenzielle Web-Applikation, die unter EU-Mandat erstellt wurde», kann man auf der Website der DGT nachlesen.

Das Mandat meint Regelungen zu einem einheitlichen europäischen Verkehrsraum, mit denen die Union mindestens seit 2010 den Aufbau einer digitalen Architektur mit offenen Schnittstellen betreibt. Damit begründet man auch «umfassende Datenbereitstellungspflichten im Bereich multimodaler Reiseinformationen». Jeder Mitgliedstaat musste einen NAP, also einen nationalen Zugangspunkt einrichten, der Zugang zu statischen und dynamischen Reise- und Verkehrsdaten verschiedener Verkehrsträger ermöglicht.

Diese Entwicklung ist heute schon weit fortgeschritten, auch und besonders in Spanien. Auf besagtem Kongress erläuterte die Leiterin des Bereichs «Telematik» die Plattform «DGT 3.0». Diese werde als Integrator aller Informationen genutzt, die von den verschiedenen öffentlichen und privaten Systemen, die Teil der Mobilität sind, bereitgestellt werden.

Es handele sich um eine Vermittlungsplattform zwischen Akteuren wie Fahrzeugherstellern, Anbietern von Navigationsdiensten oder Kommunen und dem Endnutzer, der die Verkehrswege benutzt. Alle seien auf Basis des Internets der Dinge (IOT) anonym verbunden, «um der vernetzten Gemeinschaft wertvolle Informationen zu liefern oder diese zu nutzen».

So sei DGT 3.0 «ein Zugangspunkt für einzigartige, kostenlose und genaue Echtzeitinformationen über das Geschehen auf den Straßen und in den Städten». Damit lasse sich der Verkehr nachhaltiger und vernetzter gestalten. Beispielsweise würden die Karten des Produktpartners Google dank der DGT-Daten 50 Millionen Mal pro Tag aktualisiert.

Des Weiteren informiert die Verkehrsbehörde über ihr SCADA-Projekt. Die Abkürzung steht für Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, zu deutsch etwa: Kontrollierte Steuerung und Datenerfassung. Mit SCADA kombiniert man Software und Hardware, um automatisierte Systeme zur Überwachung und Steuerung technischer Prozesse zu schaffen. Das SCADA-Projekt der DGT wird von Indra entwickelt, einem spanischen Beratungskonzern aus den Bereichen Sicherheit & Militär, Energie, Transport, Telekommunikation und Gesundheitsinformation.

Das SCADA-System der Behörde umfasse auch eine Videostreaming- und Videoaufzeichnungsplattform, die das Hochladen in die Cloud in Echtzeit ermöglicht, wie Indra erklärt. Dabei gehe es um Bilder, die von Überwachungskameras an Straßen aufgenommen wurden, sowie um Videos aus DGT-Hubschraubern und Drohnen. Ziel sei es, «die sichere Weitergabe von Videos an Dritte sowie die kontinuierliche Aufzeichnung und Speicherung von Bildern zur möglichen Analyse und späteren Nutzung zu ermöglichen».

Letzteres klingt sehr nach biometrischer Erkennung und Auswertung durch künstliche Intelligenz. Für eine bessere Datenübertragung wird derzeit die Glasfaserverkabelung entlang der Landstraßen und Autobahnen ausgebaut. Mit der Cloud sind die Amazon Web Services (AWS) gemeint, die spanischen Daten gehen somit direkt zu einem US-amerikanischen «Big Data»-Unternehmen.

Das Thema «autonomes Fahren», also Fahren ohne Zutun des Menschen, bildet den Abschluss der Betrachtungen der DGT. Zusammen mit dem Interessenverband der Automobilindustrie ANFAC (Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones) sprach man auf dem Kongress über Strategien und Perspektiven in diesem Bereich. Die Lobbyisten hoffen noch in diesem Jahr 2025 auf einen normativen Rahmen zur erweiterten Unterstützung autonomer Technologien.

Wenn man derartige Informationen im Zusammenhang betrachtet, bekommt man eine Idee davon, warum zunehmend alles elektrisch und digital werden soll. Umwelt- und Mobilitätsprobleme in Städten, wie Luftverschmutzung, Lärmbelästigung, Platzmangel oder Staus, sind eine Sache. Mit dem Argument «emissionslos» wird jedoch eine Referenz zum CO2 und dem «menschengemachten Klimawandel» hergestellt, die Emotionen triggert. Und damit wird so ziemlich alles verkauft.

Letztlich aber gilt: Je elektrischer und digitaler unsere Umgebung wird und je freigiebiger wir mit unseren Daten jeder Art sind, desto besser werden wir kontrollier-, steuer- und sogar abschaltbar. Irgendwann entscheiden KI-basierte Algorithmen, ob, wann, wie, wohin und mit wem wir uns bewegen dürfen. Über einen 15-Minuten-Radius geht dann möglicherweise nichts hinaus. Die Projekte auf diesem Weg sind ernst zu nehmen, real und schon weit fortgeschritten.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Was nützt die schönste Schuldenbremse, wenn der Russe vor der Tür steht? \ Wir können uns verteidigen lernen oder alle Russisch lernen. \ Jens Spahn

In der Politik ist buchstäblich keine Idee zu riskant, kein Mittel zu schäbig und keine Lüge zu dreist, als dass sie nicht benutzt würden. Aber der Clou ist, dass diese Masche immer noch funktioniert, wenn nicht sogar immer besser. Ist das alles wirklich so schwer zu durchschauen? Mir fehlen langsam die Worte.

Aktuell werden sowohl in der Europäischen Union als auch in Deutschland riesige Milliardenpakete für die Aufrüstung – also für die Rüstungsindustrie – geschnürt. Die EU will 800 Milliarden Euro locker machen, in Deutschland sollen es 500 Milliarden «Sondervermögen» sein. Verteidigung nennen das unsere «Führer», innerhalb der Union und auch an «unserer Ostflanke», der Ukraine.

Das nötige Feindbild konnte inzwischen signifikant erweitert werden. Schuld an allem und zudem gefährlich ist nicht mehr nur Putin, sondern jetzt auch Trump. Europa müsse sich sowohl gegen Russland als auch gegen die USA schützen und rüsten, wird uns eingetrichtert.

Und während durch Diplomatie genau dieser beiden Staaten gerade endlich mal Bewegung in die Bemühungen um einen Frieden oder wenigstens einen Waffenstillstand in der Ukraine kommt, rasselt man im moralisch überlegenen Zeigefinger-Europa so richtig mit dem Säbel.

Begleitet und gestützt wird der ganze Prozess – wie sollte es anders sein – von den «Qualitätsmedien». Dass Russland einen Angriff auf «Europa» plant, weiß nicht nur der deutsche Verteidigungsminister (und mit Abstand beliebteste Politiker) Pistorius, sondern dank ihnen auch jedes Kind. Uns bleiben nur noch wenige Jahre. Zum Glück bereitet sich die Bundeswehr schon sehr konkret auf einen Krieg vor.

Die FAZ und Corona-Gesundheitsminister Spahn markieren einen traurigen Höhepunkt. Hier haben sich «politische und publizistische Verantwortungslosigkeit propagandistisch gegenseitig befruchtet», wie es bei den NachDenkSeiten heißt. Die Aussage Spahns in dem Interview, «der Russe steht vor der Tür», ist das eine. Die Zeitung verschärfte die Sache jedoch, indem sie das Zitat explizit in den Titel übernahm, der in einer ersten Version scheinbar zu harmlos war.

Eine große Mehrheit der deutschen Bevölkerung findet Aufrüstung und mehr Schulden toll, wie ARD und ZDF sehr passend ermittelt haben wollen. Ähnliches gelte für eine noch stärkere militärische Unterstützung der Ukraine. Etwas skeptischer seien die Befragten bezüglich der Entsendung von Bundeswehrsoldaten dorthin, aber immerhin etwa fifty-fifty.

Eigentlich ist jedoch die Meinung der Menschen in «unseren Demokratien» irrelevant. Sowohl in der Europäischen Union als auch in Deutschland sind die «Eliten» offenbar der Ansicht, der Souverän habe in Fragen von Krieg und Frieden sowie von aberwitzigen astronomischen Schulden kein Wörtchen mitzureden. Frau von der Leyen möchte über 150 Milliarden aus dem Gesamtpaket unter Verwendung von Artikel 122 des EU-Vertrags ohne das Europäische Parlament entscheiden – wenn auch nicht völlig kritiklos.

In Deutschland wollen CDU/CSU und SPD zur Aufweichung der «Schuldenbremse» mehrere Änderungen des Grundgesetzes durch das abgewählte Parlament peitschen. Dieser Versuch, mit dem alten Bundestag eine Zweidrittelmehrheit zu erzielen, die im neuen nicht mehr gegeben wäre, ist mindestens verfassungsrechtlich umstritten.

Das Manöver scheint aber zu funktionieren. Heute haben die Grünen zugestimmt, nachdem Kanzlerkandidat Merz läppische 100 Milliarden für «irgendwas mit Klima» zugesichert hatte. Die Abstimmung im Plenum soll am kommenden Dienstag erfolgen – nur eine Woche, bevor sich der neu gewählte Bundestag konstituieren wird.

Interessant sind die Argumente, die BlackRocker Merz für seine Attacke auf Grundgesetz und Demokratie ins Feld führt. Abgesehen von der angeblichen Eile, «unsere Verteidigungsfähigkeit deutlich zu erhöhen» (ausgelöst unter anderem durch «die Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz und die Ereignisse im Weißen Haus»), ließ uns der CDU-Chef wissen, dass Deutschland einfach auf die internationale Bühne zurück müsse. Merz schwadronierte gefährlich mehrdeutig:

«Die ganze Welt schaut in diesen Tagen und Wochen auf Deutschland. Wir haben in der Europäischen Union und auf der Welt eine Aufgabe, die weit über die Grenzen unseres eigenen Landes hinausgeht.»

[Titelbild: Tag des Sieges]

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ a95c6243:d345522c

«Wir brauchen eine digitale Brandmauer gegen den Faschismus», schreibt der Chaos Computer Club (CCC) auf seiner Website. Unter diesem Motto präsentierte er letzte Woche einen Forderungskatalog, mit dem sich 24 Organisationen an die kommende Bundesregierung wenden. Der Koalitionsvertrag müsse sich daran messen lassen, verlangen sie.

In den drei Kategorien «Bekenntnis gegen Überwachung», «Schutz und Sicherheit für alle» sowie «Demokratie im digitalen Raum» stellen die Unterzeichner, zu denen auch Amnesty International und Das NETTZ gehören, unter anderem die folgenden «Mindestanforderungen»:

• Verbot biometrischer Massenüberwachung des öffentlichen Raums sowie der ungezielten biometrischen Auswertung des Internets.
• Anlasslose und massenhafte Vorratsdatenspeicherung wird abgelehnt.
• Automatisierte Datenanalysen der Informationsbestände der Strafverfolgungsbehörden sowie jede Form von Predictive Policing oder automatisiertes Profiling von Menschen werden abgelehnt.
• Einführung eines Rechts auf Verschlüsselung. Die Bundesregierung soll sich dafür einsetzen, die Chatkontrolle auf europäischer Ebene zu verhindern.
• Anonyme und pseudonyme Nutzung des Internets soll geschützt und ermöglicht werden.
• Bekämpfung «privaten Machtmissbrauchs von Big-Tech-Unternehmen» durch durchsetzungsstarke, unabhängige und grundsätzlich föderale Aufsichtsstrukturen.
• Einführung eines digitalen Gewaltschutzgesetzes, unter Berücksichtigung «gruppenbezogener digitaler Gewalt» und die Förderung von Beratungsangeboten.
• Ein umfassendes Förderprogramm für digitale öffentliche Räume, die dezentral organisiert und quelloffen programmiert sind, soll aufgelegt werden.

Es sei ein Irrglaube, dass zunehmende Überwachung einen Zugewinn an Sicherheit darstelle, ist eines der Argumente der Initiatoren. Sicherheit erfordere auch, dass Menschen anonym und vertraulich kommunizieren können und ihre Privatsphäre geschützt wird.

Gesunde digitale Räume lebten auch von einem demokratischen Diskurs, lesen wir in dem Papier. Es sei Aufgabe des Staates, Grundrechte zu schützen. Dazu gehöre auch, Menschenrechte und demokratische Werte, insbesondere Freiheit, Gleichheit und Solidarität zu fördern sowie den Missbrauch von Maßnahmen, Befugnissen und Infrastrukturen durch «die Feinde der Demokratie» zu verhindern.

Man ist geneigt zu fragen, wo denn die Autoren «den Faschismus» sehen, den es zu bekämpfen gelte. Die meisten der vorgetragenen Forderungen und Argumente finden sicher breite Unterstützung, denn sie beschreiben offenkundig gängige, kritikwürdige Praxis. Die Aushebelung der Privatsphäre, der Redefreiheit und anderer Grundrechte im Namen der Sicherheit wird bereits jetzt massiv durch die aktuellen «demokratischen Institutionen» und ihre «durchsetzungsstarken Aufsichtsstrukturen» betrieben.

Ist «der Faschismus» also die EU und ihre Mitgliedsstaaten? Nein, die «faschistische Gefahr», gegen die man eine digitale Brandmauer will, kommt nach Ansicht des CCC und seiner Partner aus den Vereinigten Staaten. Private Überwachung und Machtkonzentration sind dabei weltweit schon lange Realität, jetzt endlich müssen sie jedoch bekämpft werden. In dem Papier heißt es:

«Die willkürliche und antidemokratische Machtausübung der Tech-Oligarchen um Präsident Trump erfordert einen Paradigmenwechsel in der deutschen Digitalpolitik. (...) Die aktuellen Geschehnisse in den USA zeigen auf, wie Datensammlungen und -analyse genutzt werden können, um einen Staat handstreichartig zu übernehmen, seine Strukturen nachhaltig zu beschädigen, Widerstand zu unterbinden und marginalisierte Gruppen zu verfolgen.»

Wer auf der anderen Seite dieser Brandmauer stehen soll, ist also klar. Es sind die gleichen «Feinde unserer Demokratie», die seit Jahren in diese Ecke gedrängt werden. Es sind die gleichen Andersdenkenden, Regierungskritiker und Friedensforderer, die unter dem großzügigen Dach des Bundesprogramms «Demokratie leben» einem «kontinuierlichen Echt- und Langzeitmonitoring» wegen der Etikettierung «digitaler Hass» unterzogen werden.

Dass die 24 Organisationen praktisch auch die Bekämpfung von Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon und anderen fordern, entbehrt nicht der Komik. Diese fallen aber sicher unter das Stichwort «Machtmissbrauch von Big-Tech-Unternehmen». Gleichzeitig verlangen die Lobbyisten implizit zum Beispiel die Förderung des Nostr-Netzwerks, denn hier finden wir dezentral organisierte und quelloffen programmierte digitale Räume par excellence, obendrein zensurresistent. Das wiederum dürfte in der Politik weniger gut ankommen.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Die «Eliten» führen bereits groß angelegte Pilotprojekte für eine Zukunft durch, die sie wollen und wir nicht. Das schreibt der OffGuardian in einem Update zum Thema «EU-Brieftasche für die digitale Identität». Das Portal weist darauf hin, dass die Akteure dabei nicht gerade zimperlich vorgehen und auch keinen Hehl aus ihren Absichten machen. Transition News hat mehrfach darüber berichtet, zuletzt hier und hier.

Mit der EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI-Brieftasche) sei eine einzige von der Regierung herausgegebene App geplant, die Ihre medizinischen Daten, Beschäftigungsdaten, Reisedaten, Bildungsdaten, Impfdaten, Steuerdaten, Finanzdaten sowie (potenziell) Kopien Ihrer Unterschrift, Fingerabdrücke, Gesichtsscans, Stimmproben und DNA enthält. So fasst der OffGuardian die eindrucksvolle Liste möglicher Einsatzbereiche zusammen.

Auch Dokumente wie der Personalausweis oder der Führerschein können dort in elektronischer Form gespeichert werden. Bis 2026 sind alle EU-Mitgliedstaaten dazu verpflichtet, Ihren Bürgern funktionierende und frei verfügbare digitale «Brieftaschen» bereitzustellen.

Die Menschen würden diese App nutzen, so das Portal, um Zahlungen vorzunehmen, Kredite zu beantragen, ihre Steuern zu zahlen, ihre Rezepte abzuholen, internationale Grenzen zu überschreiten, Unternehmen zu gründen, Arzttermine zu buchen, sich um Stellen zu bewerben und sogar digitale Verträge online zu unterzeichnen.

All diese Daten würden auf ihrem Mobiltelefon gespeichert und mit den Regierungen von neunzehn Ländern (plus der Ukraine) sowie über 140 anderen öffentlichen und privaten Partnern ausgetauscht. Von der Deutschen Bank über das ukrainische Ministerium für digitalen Fortschritt bis hin zu Samsung Europe. Unternehmen und Behörden würden auf diese Daten im Backend zugreifen, um «automatisierte Hintergrundprüfungen» durchzuführen.

Der Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen und Verbraucherverbände (VZBV) habe Bedenken geäußert, dass eine solche App «Risiken für den Schutz der Privatsphäre und der Daten» berge, berichtet das Portal. Die einzige Antwort darauf laute: «Richtig, genau dafür ist sie ja da!»

Das alles sei keine Hypothese, betont der OffGuardian. Es sei vielmehr «Potential». Damit ist ein EU-Projekt gemeint, in dessen Rahmen Dutzende öffentliche und private Einrichtungen zusammenarbeiten, «um eine einheitliche Vision der digitalen Identität für die Bürger der europäischen Länder zu definieren». Dies ist nur eines der groß angelegten Pilotprojekte, mit denen Prototypen und Anwendungsfälle für die EUDI-Wallet getestet werden. Es gibt noch mindestens drei weitere.

Den Ball der digitalen ID-Systeme habe die Covid-«Pandemie» über die «Impfpässe» ins Rollen gebracht. Seitdem habe das Thema an Schwung verloren. Je näher wir aber der vollständigen Einführung der EUid kämen, desto mehr Propaganda der Art «Warum wir eine digitale Brieftasche brauchen» könnten wir in den Mainstream-Medien erwarten, prognostiziert der OffGuardian. Vielleicht müssten wir schon nach dem nächsten großen «Grund», dem nächsten «katastrophalen katalytischen Ereignis» Ausschau halten. Vermutlich gebe es bereits Pläne, warum die Menschen plötzlich eine digitale ID-Brieftasche brauchen würden.

Die Entwicklung geht jedenfalls stetig weiter in genau diese Richtung. Beispielsweise hat Jordanien angekündigt, die digitale biometrische ID bei den nächsten Wahlen zur Verifizierung der Wähler einzuführen. Man wolle «den Papierkrieg beenden und sicherstellen, dass die gesamte Kette bis zu den nächsten Parlamentswahlen digitalisiert wird», heißt es. Absehbar ist, dass dabei einige Wahlberechtigte «auf der Strecke bleiben» werden, wie im Fall von Albanien geschehen.

Derweil würden die Briten gerne ihre Privatsphäre gegen Effizienz eintauschen, behauptet Tony Blair. Der Ex-Premier drängte kürzlich erneut auf digitale Identitäten und Gesichtserkennung. Blair ist Gründer einer Denkfabrik für globalen Wandel, Anhänger globalistischer Technokratie und «moderner Infrastruktur».

Abschließend warnt der OffGuardian vor der Illusion, Trump und Musk würden den US-Bürgern «diesen Schlamassel ersparen». Das Department of Government Efficiency werde sich auf die digitale Identität stürzen. Was könne schließlich «effizienter» sein als eine einzige App, die für alles verwendet wird? Der Unterschied bestehe nur darin, dass die US-Version vielleicht eher privat als öffentlich sei – sofern es da überhaupt noch einen wirklichen Unterschied gebe.

[Titelbild: Screenshot OffGuardian]

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Ständige Lügen und Unterstellungen, permanent falsche Fürsorge \ können Bausteine von emotionaler Manipulation sein. Mit dem Zweck, \ Macht und Kontrolle über eine andere Person auszuüben. \ Apotheken Umschau

Irgendetwas muss passiert sein: «Gaslighting» ist gerade Thema in vielen Medien. Heute bin ich nach längerer Zeit mal wieder über dieses Stichwort gestolpert. Das war in einem Artikel von Norbert Häring über Manipulationen des Deutschen Wetterdienstes (DWD). In diesem Fall ging es um eine Pressemitteilung vom Donnerstag zum «viel zu warmen» Winter 2024/25.

Häring wirft der Behörde vor, dreist zu lügen und Dinge auszulassen, um die Klimaangst wach zu halten. Was der Leser beim DWD nicht erfahre, sei, dass dieser Winter kälter als die drei vorangegangenen und kälter als der Durchschnitt der letzten zehn Jahre gewesen sei. Stattdessen werde der falsche Eindruck vermittelt, es würde ungebremst immer wärmer.

Wem also der zu Ende gehende Winter eher kalt vorgekommen sein sollte, mit dessen Empfinden stimme wohl etwas nicht. Das jedenfalls wolle der DWD uns einreden, so der Wirtschaftsjournalist. Und damit sind wir beim Thema Gaslighting.

Als Gaslighting wird eine Form psychischer Manipulation bezeichnet, mit der die Opfer desorientiert und zutiefst verunsichert werden, indem ihre eigene Wahrnehmung als falsch bezeichnet wird. Der Prozess führt zu Angst und Realitätsverzerrung sowie zur Zerstörung des Selbstbewusstseins. Die Bezeichnung kommt von dem britischen Theaterstück «Gas Light» aus dem Jahr 1938, in dem ein Mann mit grausamen Psychotricks seine Frau in den Wahnsinn treibt.

Damit Gaslighting funktioniert, muss das Opfer dem Täter vertrauen. Oft wird solcher Psychoterror daher im privaten oder familiären Umfeld beschrieben, ebenso wie am Arbeitsplatz. Jedoch eignen sich die Prinzipien auch perfekt zur Manipulation der Massen. Vermeintliche Autoritäten wie Ärzte und Wissenschaftler, oder «der fürsorgliche Staat» und Institutionen wie die UNO oder die WHO wollen uns doch nichts Böses. Auch Staatsmedien, Faktenchecker und diverse NGOs wurden zu «vertrauenswürdigen Quellen» erklärt. Das hat seine Wirkung.

Warum das Thema Gaslighting derzeit scheinbar so populär ist, vermag ich nicht zu sagen. Es sind aber gerade in den letzten Tagen und Wochen auffällig viele Artikel dazu erschienen, und zwar nicht nur von Psychologen. Die Frankfurter Rundschau hat gleich mehrere publiziert, und Anwälte interessieren sich dafür offenbar genauso wie Apotheker.

Die Apotheken Umschau machte sogar auf «Medical Gaslighting» aufmerksam. Davon spreche man, wenn Mediziner Symptome nicht ernst nähmen oder wenn ein gesundheitliches Problem vom behandelnden Arzt «schnöde heruntergespielt» oder abgetan würde. Kommt Ihnen das auch irgendwie bekannt vor? Der Begriff sei allerdings irreführend, da er eine manipulierende Absicht unterstellt, die «nicht gewährleistet» sei.

Apropos Gaslighting: Die noch amtierende deutsche Bundesregierung meldete heute, es gelte, «weiter [sic!] gemeinsam daran zu arbeiten, einen gerechten und dauerhaften Frieden für die Ukraine zu erreichen». Die Ukraine, wo sich am Montag «der völkerrechtswidrige Angriffskrieg zum dritten Mal jährte», verteidige ihr Land und «unsere gemeinsamen Werte».

Merken Sie etwas? Das Demokratieverständnis mag ja tatsächlich inzwischen in beiden Ländern ähnlich traurig sein. Bezüglich Friedensbemühungen ist meine Wahrnehmung jedoch eine andere. Das muss an meinem Gedächtnis liegen.

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Europa – das Ganze ist eine wunderbare Idee, \ aber das war der Kommunismus auch. \ Loriot

«Europa hat fertig», könnte man unken, und das wäre nicht einmal sehr verwegen. Mit solch einer Einschätzung stünden wir nicht alleine, denn die Stimmen in diese Richtung mehren sich. Der französische Präsident Emmanuel Macron warnte schon letztes Jahr davor, dass «unser Europa sterben könnte». Vermutlich hatte er dabei andere Gefahren im Kopf als jetzt der ungarische Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán, der ein «baldiges Ende der EU» prognostizierte. Das Ergebnis könnte allerdings das gleiche sein.

Neben vordergründigen Themenbereichen wie Wirtschaft, Energie und Sicherheit ist das eigentliche Problem jedoch die obskure Mischung aus aufgegebener Souveränität und geschwollener Arroganz, mit der europäische Politiker:innende unterschiedlicher Couleur aufzutreten pflegen. Und das Tüpfelchen auf dem i ist die bröckelnde Legitimation politischer Institutionen dadurch, dass die Stimmen großer Teile der Bevölkerung seit Jahren auf vielfältige Weise ausgegrenzt werden.

Um «UnsereDemokratie» steht es schlecht. Dass seine Mandate immer schwächer werden, merkt natürlich auch unser «Führungspersonal». Entsprechend werden die Maßnahmen zur Gängelung, Überwachung und Manipulation der Bürger ständig verzweifelter. Parallel dazu plustern sich in Paris Macron, Scholz und einige andere noch einmal mächtig in Sachen Verteidigung und «Kriegstüchtigkeit» auf.

Momentan gilt es auch, das Überschwappen covidiotischer und verschwörungsideologischer Auswüchse aus den USA nach Europa zu vermeiden. So ein «MEGA» (Make Europe Great Again) können wir hier nicht gebrauchen. Aus den Vereinigten Staaten kommen nämlich furchtbare Nachrichten. Beispielsweise wurde einer der schärfsten Kritiker der Corona-Maßnahmen kürzlich zum Gesundheitsminister ernannt. Dieser setzt sich jetzt für eine Neubewertung der mRNA-«Impfstoffe» ein, was durchaus zu einem Entzug der Zulassungen führen könnte.

Der europäischen Version von «Verteidigung der Demokratie» setzte der US-Vizepräsident J. D. Vance auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz sein Verständnis entgegen: «Demokratie stärken, indem wir unseren Bürgern erlauben, ihre Meinung zu sagen». Das Abschalten von Medien, das Annullieren von Wahlen oder das Ausschließen von Menschen vom politischen Prozess schütze gar nichts. Vielmehr sei dies der todsichere Weg, die Demokratie zu zerstören.

In der Schweiz kamen seine Worte deutlich besser an als in den meisten europäischen NATO-Ländern. Bundespräsidentin Karin Keller-Sutter lobte die Rede und interpretierte sie als «Plädoyer für die direkte Demokratie». Möglicherweise zeichne sich hier eine außenpolitische Kehrtwende in Richtung integraler Neutralität ab, meint mein Kollege Daniel Funk. Das wären doch endlich mal ein paar gute Nachrichten.

Von der einstigen Idee einer europäischen Union mit engeren Beziehungen zwischen den Staaten, um Konflikte zu vermeiden und das Wohlergehen der Bürger zu verbessern, sind wir meilenweit abgekommen. Der heutige korrupte Verbund unter technokratischer Leitung ähnelt mehr einem Selbstbedienungsladen mit sehr begrenztem Zugang. Die EU-Wahlen im letzten Sommer haben daran ebenso wenig geändert, wie die Bundestagswahl am kommenden Sonntag darauf einen Einfluss haben wird.

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Die «moralische Weltordnung» – eine Art Astrologie. Friedrich Nietzsche

Das Treffen der BRICS-Staaten beim Gipfel im russischen Kasan war sicher nicht irgendein politisches Event. Gastgeber Wladimir Putin habe «Hof gehalten», sagen die Einen, China und Russland hätten ihre Vorstellung einer multipolaren Weltordnung zelebriert, schreiben Andere.

In jedem Fall zeigt die Anwesenheit von über 30 Delegationen aus der ganzen Welt, dass von einer geostrategischen Isolation Russlands wohl keine Rede sein kann. Darüber hinaus haben sowohl die Anreise von UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres als auch die Meldungen und Dementis bezüglich der Beitrittsbemühungen des NATO-Staats Türkei für etwas Aufsehen gesorgt.

Im Spannungsfeld geopolitischer und wirtschaftlicher Umbrüche zeigt die neue Allianz zunehmendes Selbstbewusstsein. In Sachen gemeinsamer Finanzpolitik schmiedet man interessante Pläne. Größere Unabhängigkeit von der US-dominierten Finanzordnung ist dabei ein wichtiges Ziel.

Beim BRICS-Wirtschaftsforum in Moskau, wenige Tage vor dem Gipfel, zählte ein nachhaltiges System für Finanzabrechnungen und Zahlungsdienste zu den vorrangigen Themen. Während dieses Treffens ging der russische Staatsfonds eine Partnerschaft mit dem Rechenzentrumsbetreiber BitRiver ein, um Bitcoin-Mining-Anlagen für die BRICS-Länder zu errichten.

Die Initiative könnte ein Schritt sein, Bitcoin und andere Kryptowährungen als Alternativen zu traditionellen Finanzsystemen zu etablieren. Das Projekt könnte dazu führen, dass die BRICS-Staaten den globalen Handel in Bitcoin abwickeln. Vor dem Hintergrund der Diskussionen über eine «BRICS-Währung» wäre dies eine Alternative zu dem ursprünglich angedachten Korb lokaler Währungen und zu goldgedeckten Währungen sowie eine mögliche Ergänzung zum Zahlungssystem BRICS Pay.

Dient der Bitcoin also der Entdollarisierung? Oder droht er inzwischen, zum Gegenstand geopolitischer Machtspielchen zu werden? Angesichts der globalen Vernetzungen ist es oft schwer zu durchschauen, «was eine Show ist und was im Hintergrund von anderen Strippenziehern insgeheim gesteuert wird». Sicher können Strukturen wie Bitcoin auch so genutzt werden, dass sie den Herrschenden dienlich sind. Aber die Grundeigenschaft des dezentralisierten, unzensierbaren Peer-to-Peer Zahlungsnetzwerks ist ihm schließlich nicht zu nehmen.

Wenn es nach der EZB oder dem IWF geht, dann scheint statt Instrumentalisierung momentan eher der Kampf gegen Kryptowährungen angesagt. Jürgen Schaaf, Senior Manager bei der Europäischen Zentralbank, hat jedenfalls dazu aufgerufen, Bitcoin «zu eliminieren». Der Internationale Währungsfonds forderte El Salvador, das Bitcoin 2021 als gesetzliches Zahlungsmittel eingeführt hat, kürzlich zu begrenzenden Maßnahmen gegen das Kryptogeld auf.

Dass die BRICS-Staaten ein freiheitliches Ansinnen im Kopf haben, wenn sie Kryptowährungen ins Spiel bringen, darf indes auch bezweifelt werden. Im Abschlussdokument bekennen sich die Gipfel-Teilnehmer ausdrücklich zur UN, ihren Programmen und ihrer «Agenda 2030». Ernst Wolff nennt das «eine Bankrotterklärung korrupter Politiker, die sich dem digital-finanziellen Komplex zu 100 Prozent unterwerfen».

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Auf der diesjährigen Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz geht es vor allem um die Ukraine. Protagonisten sind dabei zunächst die US-Amerikaner. Präsident Trump schockierte die Europäer kurz vorher durch ein Telefonat mit seinem Amtskollegen Wladimir Putin, während Vizepräsident Vance mit seiner Rede über Demokratie und Meinungsfreiheit für versteinerte Mienen und Empörung sorgte.

Die Bemühungen der Europäer um einen Frieden in der Ukraine halten sich, gelinde gesagt, in Grenzen. Größeres Augenmerk wird auf militärische Unterstützung, die Pflege von Feindbildern sowie Eskalation gelegt. Der deutsche Bundeskanzler Scholz reagierte auf die angekündigten Verhandlungen über einen möglichen Frieden für die Ukraine mit der Forderung nach noch höheren «Verteidigungsausgaben». Auch die amtierende Außenministerin Baerbock hatte vor der Münchner Konferenz klargestellt:

«Frieden wird es nur durch Stärke geben. (...) Bei Corona haben wir gesehen, zu was Europa fähig ist. Es braucht erneut Investitionen, die der historischen Wegmarke, vor der wir stehen, angemessen sind.»

Die Rüstungsindustrie freut sich in jedem Fall über weltweit steigende Militärausgaben. Die Kriege in der Ukraine und in Gaza tragen zu Rekordeinnahmen bei. Jetzt «winkt die Aussicht auf eine jahrelange große Nachrüstung in Europa», auch wenn der Ukraine-Krieg enden sollte, so hört man aus Finanzkreisen. In der Konsequenz kennt «die Aktie des deutschen Vorzeige-Rüstungskonzerns Rheinmetall in ihrem Anstieg offenbar gar keine Grenzen mehr». «Solche Friedensversprechen» wie das jetzige hätten in der Vergangenheit zu starken Kursverlusten geführt.

Für manche Leute sind Kriegswaffen und sonstige Rüstungsgüter Waren wie alle anderen, jedenfalls aus der Perspektive von Investoren oder Managern. Auch in diesem Bereich gibt es Startups und man spricht von Dingen wie innovativen Herangehensweisen, hocheffizienten Produktionsanlagen, skalierbaren Produktionstechniken und geringeren Stückkosten.

Wir lesen aktuell von Massenproduktion und gesteigerten Fertigungskapazitäten für Kriegsgerät. Der Motor solcher Dynamik und solchen Wachstums ist die Aufrüstung, die inzwischen permanent gefordert wird. Parallel wird die Bevölkerung verbal eingestimmt und auf Kriegstüchtigkeit getrimmt.

Das Rüstungs- und KI-Startup Helsing verkündete kürzlich eine «dezentrale Massenproduktion für den Ukrainekrieg». Mit dieser Expansion positioniere sich das Münchner Unternehmen als einer der weltweit führenden Hersteller von Kampfdrohnen. Der nächste «Meilenstein» steht auch bereits an: Man will eine Satellitenflotte im Weltraum aufbauen, zur Überwachung von Gefechtsfeldern und Truppenbewegungen.

Ebenfalls aus München stammt das als DefenseTech-Startup bezeichnete Unternehmen ARX Robotics. Kürzlich habe man in der Region die größte europäische Produktionsstätte für autonome Verteidigungssysteme eröffnet. Damit fahre man die Produktion von Militär-Robotern hoch. Diese Expansion diene auch der Lieferung der «größten Flotte unbemannter Bodensysteme westlicher Bauart» in die Ukraine.

Rüstung boomt und scheint ein Zukunftsmarkt zu sein. Die Hersteller und Vermarkter betonen, mit ihren Aktivitäten und Produkten solle die europäische Verteidigungsfähigkeit erhöht werden. Ihre Strategien sollten sogar «zum Schutz demokratischer Strukturen beitragen».

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@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Nur wenn wir aufeinander zugehen, haben wir die Chance \ auf Überwindung der gegenseitigen Ressentiments! \ Dr. med. dent. Jens Knipphals

In Wolfsburg sollte es kürzlich eine Gesprächsrunde von Kritikern der Corona-Politik mit Oberbürgermeister Dennis Weilmann und Vertretern der Stadtverwaltung geben. Der Zahnarzt und langjährige Maßnahmenkritiker Jens Knipphals hatte diese Einladung ins Rathaus erwirkt und publiziert. Seine Motivation:

«Ich möchte die Spaltung der Gesellschaft überwinden. Dazu ist eine umfassende Aufarbeitung der Corona-Krise in der Öffentlichkeit notwendig.»

Schon früher hatte Knipphals Antworten von den Kommunalpolitikern verlangt, zum Beispiel bei öffentlichen Bürgerfragestunden. Für das erwartete Treffen im Rathaus formulierte er Fragen wie: Warum wurden fachliche Argumente der Kritiker ignoriert? Weshalb wurde deren Ausgrenzung, Diskreditierung und Entmenschlichung nicht entgegengetreten? In welcher Form übernehmen Rat und Verwaltung in Wolfsburg persönlich Verantwortung für die erheblichen Folgen der politischen Corona-Krise?

Der Termin fand allerdings nicht statt – der Bürgermeister sagte ihn kurz vorher wieder ab. Knipphals bezeichnete Weilmann anschließend als Wiederholungstäter, da das Stadtoberhaupt bereits 2022 zu einem Runden Tisch in der Sache eingeladen hatte, den es dann nie gab. Gegenüber Multipolar erklärte der Arzt, Weilmann wolle scheinbar eine öffentliche Aufarbeitung mit allen Mitteln verhindern. Er selbst sei «inzwischen absolut desillusioniert» und die einzige Lösung sei, dass die Verantwortlichen gingen.

Die Aufarbeitung der Plandemie beginne bei jedem von uns selbst, sei aber letztlich eine gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgabe, schreibt Peter Frey, der den «Fall Wolfsburg» auch in seinem Blog behandelt. Diese Aufgabe sei indes deutlich größer, als viele glaubten. Erfreulicherweise sei der öffentliche Informationsraum inzwischen größer, trotz der weiterhin unverfrorenen Desinformations-Kampagnen der etablierten Massenmedien.

Frey erinnert daran, dass Dennis Weilmann mitverantwortlich für gravierende Grundrechtseinschränkungen wie die 2021 eingeführten 2G-Regeln in der Wolfsburger Innenstadt zeichnet. Es sei naiv anzunehmen, dass ein Funktionär einzig im Interesse der Bürger handeln würde. Als früherer Dezernent des Amtes für Wirtschaft, Digitalisierung und Kultur der Autostadt kenne Weilmann zum Beispiel die Verknüpfung von Fördergeldern mit politischen Zielsetzungen gut.

Wolfsburg wurde damals zu einem Modellprojekt des Bundesministeriums des Innern (BMI) und war Finalist im Bitkom-Wettbewerb «Digitale Stadt». So habe rechtzeitig vor der Plandemie das Projekt «Smart City Wolfsburg» anlaufen können, das der Stadt «eine Vorreiterrolle für umfassende Vernetzung und Datenerfassung» aufgetragen habe, sagt Frey. Die Vereinten Nationen verkauften dann derartige «intelligente» Überwachungs- und Kontrollmaßnahmen ebenso als Rettung in der Not wie das Magazin Forbes im April 2020:

«Intelligente Städte können uns helfen, die Coronavirus-Pandemie zu bekämpfen. In einer wachsenden Zahl von Ländern tun die intelligenten Städte genau das. Regierungen und lokale Behörden nutzen Smart-City-Technologien, Sensoren und Daten, um die Kontakte von Menschen aufzuspüren, die mit dem Coronavirus infiziert sind. Gleichzeitig helfen die Smart Cities auch dabei, festzustellen, ob die Regeln der sozialen Distanzierung eingehalten werden.»

Offensichtlich gibt es viele Aspekte zu bedenken und zu durchleuten, wenn es um die Aufklärung und Aufarbeitung der sogenannten «Corona-Pandemie» und der verordneten Maßnahmen geht. Frustration und Desillusion sind angesichts der Realitäten absolut verständlich. Gerade deswegen sind Initiativen wie die von Jens Knipphals so bewundernswert und so wichtig – ebenso wie eine seiner Kernthesen: «Wir müssen aufeinander zugehen, da hilft alles nichts».

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@ b1b16be0:08f41c1d

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@ a95c6243:d345522c

Im Augenblick wird mit größter Intensität, großer Umsicht \ das deutsche Volk belogen. \ Olaf Scholz im FAZ-Interview

Online-Wahlen stärken die Demokratie, sind sicher, und 61 Prozent der Wahlberechtigten sprechen sich für deren Einführung in Deutschland aus. Das zumindest behauptet eine aktuelle Umfrage, die auch über die Agentur Reuters Verbreitung in den Medien gefunden hat. Demnach würden außerdem 45 Prozent der Nichtwähler bei der Bundestagswahl ihre Stimme abgeben, wenn sie dies zum Beispiel von Ihrem PC, Tablet oder Smartphone aus machen könnten.

Die telefonische Umfrage unter gut 1000 wahlberechtigten Personen sei repräsentativ, behauptet der Auftraggeber – der Digitalverband Bitkom. Dieser präsentiert sich als eingetragener Verein mit einer beeindruckenden Liste von Mitgliedern, die Software und IT-Dienstleistungen anbieten. Erklärtes Vereinsziel ist es, «Deutschland zu einem führenden Digitalstandort zu machen und die digitale Transformation der deutschen Wirtschaft und Verwaltung voranzutreiben».

Durchgeführt hat die Befragung die Bitkom Servicegesellschaft mbH, also alles in der Familie. Die gleiche Erhebung hatte der Verband übrigens 2021 schon einmal durchgeführt. Damals sprachen sich angeblich sogar 63 Prozent für ein derartiges «Demokratie-Update» aus – die Tendenz ist demgemäß fallend. Dennoch orakelt mancher, der Gang zur Wahlurne gelte bereits als veraltet.

Die spanische Privat-Uni mit Globalisten-Touch, IE University, berichtete Ende letzten Jahres in ihrer Studie «European Tech Insights», 67 Prozent der Europäer befürchteten, dass Hacker Wahlergebnisse verfälschen könnten. Mehr als 30 Prozent der Befragten glaubten, dass künstliche Intelligenz (KI) bereits Wahlentscheidungen beeinflusst habe. Trotzdem würden angeblich 34 Prozent der unter 35-Jährigen einer KI-gesteuerten App vertrauen, um in ihrem Namen für politische Kandidaten zu stimmen.

Wie dauerhaft wird wohl das Ergebnis der kommenden Bundestagswahl sein? Diese Frage stellt sich angesichts der aktuellen Entwicklung der Migrations-Debatte und der (vorübergehend) bröckelnden «Brandmauer» gegen die AfD. Das «Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz» der Union hat das Parlament heute Nachmittag überraschenderweise abgelehnt. Dennoch muss man wohl kein ausgesprochener Pessimist sein, um zu befürchten, dass die Entscheidungen der Bürger von den selbsternannten Verteidigern der Demokratie künftig vielleicht nicht respektiert werden, weil sie nicht gefallen.

Bundesweit wird jetzt zu «Brandmauer-Demos» aufgerufen, die CDU gerät unter Druck und es wird von Übergriffen auf Parteibüros und Drohungen gegen Mitarbeiter berichtet. Sicherheitsbehörden warnen vor Eskalationen, die Polizei sei «für ein mögliches erhöhtes Aufkommen von Straftaten gegenüber Politikern und gegen Parteigebäude sensibilisiert».

Der Vorwand «unzulässiger Einflussnahme» auf Politik und Wahlen wird als Argument schon seit einiger Zeit aufgebaut. Der Manipulation schuldig befunden wird neben Putin und Trump auch Elon Musk, was lustigerweise ausgerechnet Bill Gates gerade noch einmal bekräftigt und als «völlig irre» bezeichnet hat. Man stelle sich die Diskussionen um die Gültigkeit von Wahlergebnissen vor, wenn es Online-Verfahren zur Stimmabgabe gäbe. In der Schweiz wird «E-Voting» seit einigen Jahren getestet, aber wohl bisher mit wenig Erfolg.

Die politische Brandstiftung der letzten Jahre zahlt sich immer mehr aus. Anstatt dringende Probleme der Menschen zu lösen – zu denen auch in Deutschland die weit verbreitete Armut zählt –, hat die Politik konsequent polarisiert und sich auf Ausgrenzung und Verhöhnung großer Teile der Bevölkerung konzentriert. Basierend auf Ideologie und Lügen werden abweichende Stimmen unterdrückt und kriminalisiert, nicht nur und nicht erst in diesem Augenblick. Die nächsten Wochen dürften ausgesprochen spannend werden.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Menschen tun alles, egal wie absurd, \ um ihrer eigenen Seele nicht zu begegnen. \ Carl Gustav Jung

«Extremer Reichtum ist eine Gefahr für die Demokratie», sagen über die Hälfte der knapp 3000 befragten Millionäre aus G20-Staaten laut einer Umfrage der «Patriotic Millionaires». Ferner stellte dieser Zusammenschluss wohlhabender US-Amerikaner fest, dass 63 Prozent jener Millionäre den Einfluss von Superreichen auf US-Präsident Trump als Bedrohung für die globale Stabilität ansehen.

Diese Besorgnis haben 370 Millionäre und Milliardäre am Dienstag auch den in Davos beim WEF konzentrierten Privilegierten aus aller Welt übermittelt. In einem offenen Brief forderten sie die «gewählten Führer» auf, die Superreichen – also sie selbst – zu besteuern, um «die zersetzenden Auswirkungen des extremen Reichtums auf unsere Demokratien und die Gesellschaft zu bekämpfen». Zum Beispiel kontrolliere eine handvoll extrem reicher Menschen die Medien, beeinflusse die Rechtssysteme in unzulässiger Weise und verwandele Recht in Unrecht.

Schon 2019 beanstandete der bekannte Historiker und Schriftsteller Ruthger Bregman an einer WEF-Podiumsdiskussion die Steuervermeidung der Superreichen. Die elitäre Veranstaltung bezeichnete er als «Feuerwehr-Konferenz, bei der man nicht über Löschwasser sprechen darf.» Daraufhin erhielt Bregman keine Einladungen nach Davos mehr. Auf seine Aussagen machte der Schweizer Aktivist Alec Gagneux aufmerksam, der sich seit Jahrzehnten kritisch mit dem WEF befasst. Ihm wurde kürzlich der Zutritt zu einem dreiteiligen Kurs über das WEF an der Volkshochschule Region Brugg verwehrt.

Nun ist die Erkenntnis, dass mit Geld politischer Einfluss einhergeht, alles andere als neu. Und extremer Reichtum macht die Sache nicht wirklich besser. Trotzdem hat man über Initiativen wie Patriotic Millionaires oder Taxmenow bisher eher selten etwas gehört, obwohl es sie schon lange gibt. Auch scheint es kein Problem, wenn ein Herr Gates fast im Alleingang versucht, globale Gesundheits-, Klima-, Ernährungs- oder Bevölkerungspolitik zu betreiben – im Gegenteil. Im Jahr, als der Milliardär Donald Trump zum zweiten Mal ins Weiße Haus einzieht, ist das Echo in den Gesinnungsmedien dagegen enorm – und uniform, wer hätte das gedacht.

Der neue US-Präsident hat jedoch «Davos geerdet», wie Achgut es nannte. In seiner kurzen Rede beim Weltwirtschaftsforum verteidigte er seine Politik und stellte klar, er habe schlicht eine «Revolution des gesunden Menschenverstands» begonnen. Mit deutlichen Worten sprach er unter anderem von ersten Maßnahmen gegen den «Green New Scam», und von einem «Erlass, der jegliche staatliche Zensur beendet»:

«Unsere Regierung wird die Äußerungen unserer eigenen Bürger nicht mehr als Fehlinformation oder Desinformation bezeichnen, was die Lieblingswörter von Zensoren und derer sind, die den freien Austausch von Ideen und, offen gesagt, den Fortschritt verhindern wollen.»

Wie der «Trumpismus» letztlich einzuordnen ist, muss jeder für sich selbst entscheiden. Skepsis ist definitiv angebracht, denn «einer von uns» sind weder der Präsident noch seine auserwählten Teammitglieder. Ob sie irgendeinen Sumpf trockenlegen oder Staatsverbrechen aufdecken werden oder was aus WHO- und Klimaverträgen wird, bleibt abzuwarten.

Das WHO-Dekret fordert jedenfalls die Übertragung der Gelder auf «glaubwürdige Partner», die die Aktivitäten übernehmen könnten. Zufällig scheint mit «Impfguru» Bill Gates ein weiterer Harris-Unterstützer kürzlich das Lager gewechselt zu haben: Nach einem gemeinsamen Abendessen zeigte er sich «beeindruckt» von Trumps Interesse an der globalen Gesundheit.

Mit dem Projekt «Stargate» sind weitere dunkle Wolken am Erwartungshorizont der Fangemeinde aufgezogen. Trump hat dieses Joint Venture zwischen den Konzernen OpenAI, Oracle, und SoftBank als das «größte KI-Infrastrukturprojekt der Geschichte» angekündigt. Der Stein des Anstoßes: Oracle-CEO Larry Ellison, der auch Fan von KI-gestützter Echtzeit-Überwachung ist, sieht einen weiteren potenziellen Einsatz der künstlichen Intelligenz. Sie könne dazu dienen, Krebserkrankungen zu erkennen und individuelle mRNA-«Impfstoffe» zur Behandlung innerhalb von 48 Stunden zu entwickeln.

Warum bitte sollten sich diese superreichen «Eliten» ins eigene Fleisch schneiden und direkt entgegen ihren eigenen Interessen handeln? Weil sie Menschenfreunde, sogenannte Philanthropen sind? Oder vielleicht, weil sie ein schlechtes Gewissen haben und ihre Schuld kompensieren müssen? Deswegen jedenfalls brauchen «Linke» laut Robert Willacker, einem deutschen Politikberater mit brasilianischen Wurzeln, rechte Parteien – ein ebenso überraschender wie humorvoller Erklärungsansatz.

Wenn eine Krähe der anderen kein Auge aushackt, dann tut sie das sich selbst noch weniger an. Dass Millionäre ernsthaft ihre eigene Besteuerung fordern oder Machteliten ihren eigenen Einfluss zugunsten anderer einschränken würden, halte ich für sehr unwahrscheinlich. So etwas glaube ich erst, wenn zum Beispiel die Rüstungsindustrie sich um Friedensverhandlungen bemüht, die Pharmalobby sich gegen institutionalisierte Korruption einsetzt, Zentralbanken ihre CBDC-Pläne für Bitcoin opfern oder der ÖRR die Abschaffung der Rundfunkgebühren fordert.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Durante décadas, ouvimos que o Brasil era o "país do futuro". Uma terra rica, com imenso potencial humano e natural, destinada a se tornar uma grande potência e referência para o mundo. Essa ideia, repetida em discursos políticos e publicações internacionais, alimentou gerações com esperança. Mas o tempo passou — e esse futuro promissor parece nunca chegar.

Na prática, o que vemos é um ciclo de promessas não cumpridas, problemas sociais profundos e um povo muitas vezes desiludido. Apesar do potencial imenso, o Brasil enfrenta barreiras estruturais e culturais que dificultam seu pleno desenvolvimento. E é justamente sobre isso que precisamos refletir.

A raiz dos nossos desafios

Não há como ter jeito sem que haja um enfrentamento com seriedade aos problemas que estão na base da nossa sociedade. Um dos maiores entraves é a precariedade da educação, tanto no acesso quanto na qualidade. Em muitas regiões, o estudo ainda é visto como perda de tempo, algo que não contribui para o sustento imediato da família. Mesmo com incentivos governamentais, o desempenho das escolas é baixo. Em vez de formar cidadãos críticos e profissionais capacitados, muitas vezes vemos instituições focadas em ideologias ou agendas desconectadas da realidade do aluno.

Outro ponto sensível é a estrutura familiar. Em áreas onde faltam referências morais, espirituais e sociais, o ambiente familiar pode se tornar disfuncional, com casos extremos de abusos e ausência total de valores básicos. Nesses contextos, a ausência de instituições que promovem virtudes e limites — como a Igreja, por exemplo — faz diferença. Não se trata de impor uma religião, mas de reconhecer o papel histórico que a fé teve (e ainda tem) na construção de uma base ética e civilizatória.

A falta de valores basilares e estrutura para a promoção da relações em sociedade, faz do ambiente escolar um local sem propósito, onde são depositados crianças para serem expostas a um convívio forçado com estranhos sem nenhum preparo familiar, e sendo muitas vezes subentendido pelos profissionais educadores como dever da família, no entanto tal estrutura foi corrompida e devido o combate a religião pelos veículos midiáticos.

O papel da cultura e da moralidade

A cultura brasileira também tem sido afetada por uma inversão de valores. Virtudes como honestidade, humildade e dedicação são muitas vezes vistas com desdém, enquanto comportamentos imprudentes e hedonistas são exaltados. Essa distorção enfraquece a sociedade e prejudica qualquer tentativa de avanço coletivo.

A elite intelectual e política, por sua vez, parece muitas vezes mais preocupada com interesses próprios do que com o bem comum. Muitos aderem a ideias que, em vez de promover a soberania e a autonomia nacional, aprofundam nossa dependência e fragilidade como país.

Existe saída?

Sim, existe. Mas não será simples — e muito menos rápida. O Brasil precisa de uma mudança profunda de mentalidade. Isso inclui:

Resgatar o valor da família e da formação moral;

Investir de verdade em uma educação que liberte, que forme e que inspire;

Incentivar a produção científica e tecnológica local;

Valorizar o trabalho árduo, a persistência e o compromisso com a verdade.

Também é preciso reconhecer que o desenvolvimento de uma nação não é apenas econômico, mas também espiritual e cultural. Mesmo que você não seja religioso, é possível entender que a construção de uma sociedade mais justa exige princípios, virtudes e limites. Sem isso, qualquer progresso será frágil e passageiro.

O Brasil tem jeito? Sim. Mas depende de nós — da nossa capacidade de enxergar com coragem onde estamos falhando, e da nossa disposição para agir com sabedoria, verdade e esperança.

@ 0fa80bd3:ea7325de

DAOs promised decentralization. They offered a system where every member could influence a project's direction, where money and power were transparently distributed, and decisions were made through voting. All of it recorded immutably on the blockchain, free from middlemen.

But something didn’t work out. In practice, most DAOs haven’t evolved into living, self-organizing organisms. They became something else: clubs where participation is unevenly distributed. Leaders remained - only now without formal titles. They hold influence through control over communications, task framing, and community dynamics. Centralization still exists, just wrapped in a new package.

But there's a second, less obvious problem. Crowds can’t create strategy. In DAOs, people vote for what "feels right to the majority." But strategy isn’t about what feels good - it’s about what’s necessary. Difficult, unpopular, yet forward-looking decisions often fail when put to a vote. A founder’s vision is a risk. But in healthy teams, it’s that risk that drives progress. In DAOs, risk is almost always diluted until it becomes something safe and vague.

Instead of empowering leaders, DAOs often neutralize them. This is why many DAOs resemble consensus machines. Everyone talks, debates, and participates, but very little actually gets done. One person says, “Let’s jump,” and five others respond, “Let’s discuss that first.” This dynamic might work for open forums, but not for action.

Decentralization works when there’s trust and delegation, not just voting. Until DAOs develop effective systems for assigning roles, taking ownership, and acting with flexibility, they will keep losing ground to old-fashioned startups led by charismatic founders with a clear vision.

We’ve seen this in many real-world cases. Take MakerDAO, one of the most mature and technically sophisticated DAOs. Its governance token (MKR) holders vote on everything from interest rates to protocol upgrades. While this has allowed for transparency and community involvement, the process is often slow and bureaucratic. Complex proposals stall. Strategic pivots become hard to implement. And in 2023, a controversial proposal to allocate billions to real-world assets passed only narrowly, after months of infighting - highlighting how vision and execution can get stuck in the mud of distributed governance.

On the other hand, Uniswap DAO, responsible for the largest decentralized exchange, raised governance participation only after launching a delegation system where token holders could choose trusted representatives. Still, much of the activity is limited to a small group of active contributors. The vast majority of token holders remain passive. This raises the question: is it really community-led, or just a formalized power structure with lower transparency?

Then there’s ConstitutionDAO, an experiment that went viral. It raised over $40 million in days to try and buy a copy of the U.S. Constitution. But despite the hype, the DAO failed to win the auction. Afterwards, it struggled with refund logistics, communication breakdowns, and confusion over governance. It was a perfect example of collective enthusiasm without infrastructure or planning - proof that a DAO can raise capital fast but still lack cohesion.

Not all efforts have failed. Projects like Gitcoin DAO have made progress by incentivizing small, individual contributions. Their quadratic funding mechanism rewards projects based on the number of contributors, not just the size of donations, helping to elevate grassroots initiatives. But even here, long-term strategy often falls back on a core group of organizers rather than broad community consensus.

The pattern is clear: when the stakes are low or the tasks are modular, DAOs can coordinate well. But when bold moves are needed—when someone has to take responsibility and act under uncertainty DAOs often freeze. In the name of consensus, they lose momentum.

That’s why the organization of the future can’t rely purely on decentralization. It must encourage individual initiative and the ability to take calculated risks. People need to see their contribution not just as a vote, but as a role with clear actions and expected outcomes. When the situation demands, they should be empowered to act first and present the results to the community afterwards allowing for both autonomy and accountability. That’s not a flaw in the system. It’s how real progress happens.

@ d0aa74cd:603d35cd

Experimenting with cat package examples.

Gleam #Gleamlang #cat #Haskell

https://photonsphere.org/post/2025-04-11-gleam-cat/

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Die grauenvollste Aussicht ist die der Technokratie – \ einer kontrollierenden Herrschaft, \ die durch verstümmelte und verstümmelnde Geister ausgeübt wird. \ Ernst Jünger

«Davos ist nicht mehr sexy», das Weltwirtschaftsforum (WEF) mache Davos kaputt, diese Aussagen eines Einheimischen las ich kürzlich in der Handelszeitung. Während sich einige vor Ort enorm an der «teuersten Gewerbeausstellung der Welt» bereicherten, würden die negativen Begleiterscheinungen wie Wohnungsnot und Niedergang der lokalen Wirtschaft immer deutlicher.

Nächsten Montag beginnt in dem Schweizer Bergdorf erneut ein Jahrestreffen dieses elitären Clubs der Konzerne, bei dem man mit hochrangigen Politikern aus aller Welt und ausgewählten Vertretern der Systemmedien zusammenhocken wird. Wie bereits in den vergangenen vier Jahren wird die Präsidentin der EU-Kommission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Begleitung von Klaus Schwab ihre Grundsatzansprache halten.

Der deutsche WEF-Gründer hatte bei dieser Gelegenheit immer höchst lobende Worte für seine Landsmännin: 2021 erklärte er sich «stolz, dass Europa wieder unter Ihrer Führung steht» und 2022 fand er es bemerkenswert, was sie erreicht habe angesichts des «erstaunlichen Wandels», den die Welt in den vorangegangenen zwei Jahren erlebt habe; es gebe nun einen «neuen europäischen Geist».

Von der Leyens Handeln während der sogenannten Corona-«Pandemie» lobte Schwab damals bereits ebenso, wie es diese Woche das Karlspreis-Direktorium tat, als man der Beschuldigten im Fall Pfizergate die diesjährige internationale Auszeichnung «für Verdienste um die europäische Einigung» verlieh. Außerdem habe sie die EU nicht nur gegen den «Aggressor Russland», sondern auch gegen die «innere Bedrohung durch Rassisten und Demagogen» sowie gegen den Klimawandel verteidigt.

Jene Herausforderungen durch «Krisen epochalen Ausmaßes» werden indes aus dem Umfeld des WEF nicht nur herbeigeredet – wie man alljährlich zur Zeit des Davoser Treffens im Global Risks Report nachlesen kann, der zusammen mit dem Versicherungskonzern Zurich erstellt wird. Seit die Globalisten 2020/21 in der Praxis gesehen haben, wie gut eine konzertierte und konsequente Angst-Kampagne funktionieren kann, geht es Schlag auf Schlag. Sie setzen alles daran, Schwabs goldenes Zeitfenster des «Great Reset» zu nutzen.

Ziel dieses «großen Umbruchs» ist die totale Kontrolle der Technokraten über die Menschen unter dem Deckmantel einer globalen Gesundheitsfürsorge. Wie aber könnte man so etwas erreichen? Ein Mittel dazu ist die «kreative Zerstörung». Weitere unabdingbare Werkzeug sind die Einbindung, ja Gleichschaltung der Medien und der Justiz.

Ein «Great Mental Reset» sei die Voraussetzung dafür, dass ein Großteil der Menschen Einschränkungen und Manipulationen wie durch die Corona-Maßnahmen praktisch kritik- und widerstandslos hinnehme, sagt der Mediziner und Molekulargenetiker Michael Nehls. Er meint damit eine regelrechte Umprogrammierung des Gehirns, wodurch nach und nach unsere Individualität und unser soziales Bewusstsein eliminiert und durch unreflektierten Konformismus ersetzt werden.

Der aktuelle Zustand unserer Gesellschaften ist auch für den Schweizer Rechtsanwalt Philipp Kruse alarmierend. Durch den Umgang mit der «Pandemie» sieht er die Grundlagen von Recht und Vernunft erschüttert, die Rechtsstaatlichkeit stehe auf dem Prüfstand. Seiner dringenden Mahnung an alle Bürger, die Prinzipien von Recht und Freiheit zu verteidigen, kann ich mich nur anschließen.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Ich begann, Social Media aufzubauen, \ um den Menschen eine Stimme zu geben. \ Mark Zuckerberg

Sind euch auch die Tränen gekommen, als ihr Mark Zuckerbergs Wendehals-Deklaration bezüglich der Meinungsfreiheit auf seinen Portalen gehört habt? Rührend, oder? Während er früher die offensichtliche Zensur leugnete und später die Regierung Biden dafür verantwortlich machte, will er nun angeblich «die Zensur auf unseren Plattformen drastisch reduzieren».

«Purer Opportunismus» ob des anstehenden Regierungswechsels wäre als Klassifizierung viel zu kurz gegriffen. Der jetzige Schachzug des Meta-Chefs ist genauso Teil einer kühl kalkulierten Business-Strategie, wie es die 180 Grad umgekehrte Praxis vorher war. Social Media sind ein höchst lukratives Geschäft. Hinzu kommt vielleicht noch ein bisschen verkorkstes Ego, weil derartig viel Einfluss und Geld sicher auch auf die Psyche schlagen. Verständlich.

«Es ist an der Zeit, zu unseren Wurzeln der freien Meinungsäußerung auf Facebook und Instagram zurückzukehren. Ich begann, Social Media aufzubauen, um den Menschen eine Stimme zu geben», sagte Zuckerberg.

Welche Wurzeln? Hat der Mann vergessen, dass er von der Überwachung, dem Ausspionieren und dem Ausverkauf sämtlicher Daten und digitaler Spuren sowie der Manipulation seiner «Kunden» lebt? Das ist knallharter Kommerz, nichts anderes. Um freie Meinungsäußerung geht es bei diesem Geschäft ganz sicher nicht, und das war auch noch nie so. Die Wurzeln von Facebook liegen in einem Projekt des US-Militärs mit dem Namen «LifeLog». Dessen Ziel war es, «ein digitales Protokoll vom Leben eines Menschen zu erstellen».

Der Richtungswechsel kommt allerdings nicht überraschend. Schon Anfang Dezember hatte Meta-Präsident Nick Clegg von «zu hoher Fehlerquote bei der Moderation» von Inhalten gesprochen. Bei der Gelegenheit erwähnte er auch, dass Mark sehr daran interessiert sei, eine aktive Rolle in den Debatten über eine amerikanische Führungsrolle im technologischen Bereich zu spielen.

Während Milliardärskollege und Big Tech-Konkurrent Elon Musk bereits seinen Posten in der kommenden Trump-Regierung in Aussicht hat, möchte Zuckerberg also nicht nur seine Haut retten – Trump hatte ihn einmal einen «Feind des Volkes» genannt und ihm lebenslange Haft angedroht –, sondern am liebsten auch mitspielen. KI-Berater ist wohl die gewünschte Funktion, wie man nach einem Treffen Trump-Zuckerberg hörte. An seine Verhaftung dachte vermutlich auch ein weiterer Multimilliardär mit eigener Social Media-Plattform, Pavel Durov, als er Zuckerberg jetzt kritisierte und gleichzeitig warnte.

Politik und Systemmedien drehen jedenfalls durch – was zu viel ist, ist zu viel. Etwas weniger Zensur und mehr Meinungsfreiheit würden die Freiheit der Bürger schwächen und seien potenziell vernichtend für die Menschenrechte. Zuckerberg setze mit dem neuen Kurs die Demokratie aufs Spiel, das sei eine «Einladung zum nächsten Völkermord», ernsthaft. Die Frage sei, ob sich die EU gegen Musk und Zuckerberg behaupten könne, Brüssel müsse jedenfalls hart durchgreifen.

Auch um die Faktenchecker macht man sich Sorgen. Für die deutsche Nachrichtenagentur dpa und die «Experten» von Correctiv, die (noch) Partner für Fact-Checking-Aktivitäten von Facebook sind, sei das ein «lukratives Geschäftsmodell». Aber möglicherweise werden die Inhalte ohne diese vermeintlichen Korrektoren ja sogar besser. Anders als Meta wollen jedoch Scholz, Faeser und die Tagesschau keine Fehler zugeben und zum Beispiel Correctiv-Falschaussagen einräumen.

Bei derlei dramatischen Befürchtungen wundert es nicht, dass der öffentliche Plausch auf X zwischen Elon Musk und AfD-Chefin Alice Weidel von 150 EU-Beamten überwacht wurde, falls es irgendwelche Rechtsverstöße geben sollte, die man ihnen ankreiden könnte. Auch der Deutsche Bundestag war wachsam. Gefunden haben dürften sie nichts. Das Ganze war eher eine Show, viel Wind wurde gemacht, aber letztlich gab es nichts als heiße Luft.

Das Anbiedern bei Donald Trump ist indes gerade in Mode. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) tut das auch, denn sie fürchtet um Spenden von über einer Milliarde Dollar. Eventuell könnte ja Elon Musk auch hier künftig aushelfen und der Organisation sowie deren größtem privaten Förderer, Bill Gates, etwas unter die Arme greifen. Nachdem Musks KI-Projekt xAI kürzlich von BlackRock & Co. sechs Milliarden eingestrichen hat, geht da vielleicht etwas.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 2ed3596e:98b4cc78

Americans can now instantly sell bitcoin directly from their Lightning Wallets. The same auto conversion Bitcoin Well Customers are used for instantly and conveniently selling bitcoin from self-custody now has a Lightning option ready in the Sell bitcoin page of your Bitcoin Well account.

Adding the ability to sell bitcoin from the Lightning Network underscores our commitment to enabling you to get the most out of the freedom and independence Bitcoin has to offer. No longer must you rely on giving up custody of your bitcoin or navigate complicated trading interfaces for fast and convenient sales! Just send sats and receive dollars – Lightning fast.

Selling sats from the Lightning Network is quick and easy:

1. From your Bitcoin Well account, go to Sell bitcoin and enter the amount of dollars you want
2. Choose your bank, select “Lightning” and then generate a Lightning Invoice
3. Pay the Lightning invoice and we’ll send dollars to your bank account

Here are detailed steps to guide you on how to sell sats from the Lightning Network 👇

Get your Lightning Invoice

Navigate to your Sell bitcoin page, enter the amount of dollars you wish to receive, set your destination bank account and select “Lightning”.

Tap ‘Generate invoice’ to create a Lightning invoice. This Lightning invoice will be for the exact amount of sats you need to send for the amount of dollars you want to receive.

Send sats to your Lightning Invoice

To instantly sell bitcoin for dollars, simply pay the Lightning Invoice from your Lightning wallet. You can do this by scanning the QR code or by tapping the QR code to copy + paste the invoice into your Lightning wallet. Once received (basically instantly), we automatically convert received sats into dollars and send the dollars to your selected bank account. No waiting for confirmations, no mining fees and no complicated trading interfaces. Just sats in, dollars out. Lightning fast ⚡️

## What is the Lightning Network?

The Lightning Network is a second-layer protocol built on top of Bitcoin. It enables fast, cheap, and private bitcoin payments, perfect for small transactions and daily use. Think of it like the relationship between the credit card network and the banking system. While Bitcoin’s base layer is optimized for security, Lightning is optimized for frequent or small, cheap and private payments for everyday transactions — instantly and without bloating the blockchain. The Lightning Network makes it much more convenient to use bitcoin in everyday life, bringing you closer to replacing your bank with bitcoin.

Currently, sats on the Lightning Network cannot be directly sent to an on-chain bitcoin wallet, and vice versa. However, that won’t remain true for Bitcoin Well accounts for long…

Why Does the Lightning Network Matter?

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Was du bist hängt von drei Faktoren ab: \ Was du geerbt hast, \ was deine Umgebung aus dir machte \ und was du in freier Wahl \ aus deiner Umgebung und deinem Erbe gemacht hast. \ Aldous Huxley

Das brave Mitmachen und Mitlaufen in einem vorgegebenen, recht engen Rahmen ist gewiss nicht neu, hat aber gerade wieder mal Konjunktur. Dies kann man deutlich beobachten, eigentlich egal, in welchem gesellschaftlichen Bereich man sich umschaut. Individualität ist nur soweit angesagt, wie sie in ein bestimmtes Schema von «Diversität» passt, und Freiheit verkommt zur Worthülse – nicht erst durch ein gewisses Buch einer gewissen ehemaligen Regierungschefin.

Erklärungsansätze für solche Entwicklungen sind bekannt, und praktisch alle haben etwas mit Massenpsychologie zu tun. Der Herdentrieb, also der Trieb der Menschen, sich – zum Beispiel aus Unsicherheit oder Bequemlichkeit – lieber der Masse anzuschließen als selbstständig zu denken und zu handeln, ist einer der Erklärungsversuche. Andere drehen sich um Macht, Propaganda, Druck und Angst, also den gezielten Einsatz psychologischer Herrschaftsinstrumente.

Aber wollen die Menschen überhaupt Freiheit? Durch Gespräche im privaten Umfeld bin ich diesbezüglich in der letzten Zeit etwas skeptisch geworden. Um die Jahreswende philosophiert man ja gerne ein wenig über das Erlebte und über die Erwartungen für die Zukunft. Dabei hatte ich hin und wieder den Eindruck, die totalitären Anwandlungen unserer «Repräsentanten» kämen manchen Leuten gerade recht.

«Desinformation» ist so ein brisantes Thema. Davor müsse man die Menschen doch schützen, hörte ich. Jemand müsse doch zum Beispiel diese ganzen merkwürdigen Inhalte in den Social Media filtern – zur Ukraine, zum Klima, zu Gesundheitsthemen oder zur Migration. Viele wüssten ja gar nicht einzuschätzen, was richtig und was falsch ist, sie bräuchten eine Führung.

Freiheit bedingt Eigenverantwortung, ohne Zweifel. Eventuell ist es einigen tatsächlich zu anspruchsvoll, die Verantwortung für das eigene Tun und Lassen zu übernehmen. Oder die persönliche Freiheit wird nicht als ausreichend wertvolles Gut angesehen, um sich dafür anzustrengen. In dem Fall wäre die mangelnde Selbstbestimmung wohl das kleinere Übel. Allerdings fehlt dann gemäß Aldous Huxley ein Teil der Persönlichkeit. Letztlich ist natürlich alles eine Frage der Abwägung.

Sind viele Menschen möglicherweise schon so «eingenordet», dass freiheitliche Ambitionen gar nicht für eine ganze Gruppe, ein Kollektiv, verfolgt werden können? Solche Gedanken kamen mir auch, als ich mir kürzlich diverse Talks beim viertägigen Hacker-Kongress des Chaos Computer Clubs (38C3) anschaute. Ich war nicht nur überrascht, sondern reichlich erschreckt angesichts der in weiten Teilen mainstream-geformten Inhalte, mit denen ein dankbares Publikum beglückt wurde. Wo ich allgemein hellere Köpfe erwartet hatte, fand ich Konformismus und enthusiastisch untermauerte Narrative.

Gibt es vielleicht so etwas wie eine Herdenimmunität gegen Indoktrination? Ich denke, ja, zumindest eine gestärkte Widerstandsfähigkeit. Was wir brauchen, sind etwas gesunder Menschenverstand, offene Informationskanäle und der Mut, sich freier auch zwischen den Herden zu bewegen. Sie tun das bereits, aber sagen Sie es auch dieses Jahr ruhig weiter.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

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Heute möchte ich ein Gedicht mit euch teilen. Es handelt sich um eine Ballade des österreichischen Lyrikers Johann Gabriel Seidl aus dem 19. Jahrhundert. Mir sind diese Worte fest in Erinnerung, da meine Mutter sie perfekt rezitieren konnte, auch als die Kräfte schon langsam schwanden.

Dem originalen Titel «Die Uhr» habe ich für mich immer das Wort «innere» hinzugefügt. Denn der Zeitmesser – hier vermutliche eine Taschenuhr – symbolisiert zwar in dem Kontext das damalige Zeitempfinden und die Umbrüche durch die industrielle Revolution, sozusagen den Zeitgeist und das moderne Leben. Aber der Autor setzt sich philosophisch mit der Zeit auseinander und gibt seinem Werk auch eine klar spirituelle Dimension.

Das Ticken der Uhr und die Momente des Glücks und der Trauer stehen sinnbildlich für das unaufhaltsame Fortschreiten und die Vergänglichkeit des Lebens. Insofern könnte man bei der Uhr auch an eine Sonnenuhr denken. Der Rhythmus der Ereignisse passt uns vielleicht nicht immer in den Kram.

Was den Takt pocht, ist durchaus auch das Herz, unser «inneres Uhrwerk». Wenn dieses Meisterwerk einmal stillsteht, ist es unweigerlich um uns geschehen. Hoffentlich können wir dann dankbar sagen: «Ich habe mein Bestes gegeben.»

Ich trage, wo ich gehe, stets eine Uhr bei mir; \ Wieviel es geschlagen habe, genau seh ich an ihr. \ Es ist ein großer Meister, der künstlich ihr Werk gefügt, \ Wenngleich ihr Gang nicht immer dem törichten Wunsche genügt.

Ich wollte, sie wäre rascher gegangen an manchem Tag; \ Ich wollte, sie hätte manchmal verzögert den raschen Schlag. \ In meinen Leiden und Freuden, in Sturm und in der Ruh, \ Was immer geschah im Leben, sie pochte den Takt dazu.

Sie schlug am Sarge des Vaters, sie schlug an des Freundes Bahr, \ Sie schlug am Morgen der Liebe, sie schlug am Traualtar. \ Sie schlug an der Wiege des Kindes, sie schlägt, will's Gott, noch oft, \ Wenn bessere Tage kommen, wie meine Seele es hofft.

Und ward sie auch einmal träger, und drohte zu stocken ihr Lauf, \ So zog der Meister immer großmütig sie wieder auf. \ Doch stände sie einmal stille, dann wär's um sie geschehn, \ Kein andrer, als der sie fügte, bringt die Zerstörte zum Gehn.

Dann müßt ich zum Meister wandern, der wohnt am Ende wohl weit, \ Wohl draußen, jenseits der Erde, wohl dort in der Ewigkeit! \ Dann gäb ich sie ihm zurücke mit dankbar kindlichem Flehn: \ Sieh, Herr, ich hab nichts verdorben, sie blieb von selber stehn.

Johann Gabriel Seidl (1804-1875)

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Falls du beim Lesen des Titels dieses Newsletters unwillkürlich an positive Neuigkeiten aus dem globalen polit-medialen Irrenhaus oder gar aus dem wirtschaftlichen Umfeld gedacht hast, darf ich dich beglückwünschen. Diese Assoziation ist sehr löblich, denn sie weist dich als unverbesserlichen Optimisten aus. Leider muss ich dich diesbezüglich aber enttäuschen. Es geht hier um ein anderes Thema, allerdings sehr wohl ein positives, wie ich finde.

Heute ist ein ganz besonderer Tag: die Wintersonnenwende. Genau gesagt hat heute morgen um 10:20 Uhr Mitteleuropäischer Zeit (MEZ) auf der Nordhalbkugel unseres Planeten der astronomische Winter begonnen. Was daran so außergewöhnlich ist? Der kürzeste Tag des Jahres war gestern, seit heute werden die Tage bereits wieder länger! Wir werden also jetzt jeden Tag ein wenig mehr Licht haben.

Für mich ist dieses Ereignis immer wieder etwas kurios: Es beginnt der Winter, aber die Tage werden länger. Das erscheint mir zunächst wie ein Widerspruch, denn meine spontanen Assoziationen zum Winter sind doch eher Kälte und Dunkelheit, relativ zumindest. Umso erfreulicher ist der emotionale Effekt, wenn dann langsam die Erkenntnis durchsickert: Ab jetzt wird es schon wieder heller!

Natürlich ist es kalt im Winter, mancherorts mehr als anderswo. Vielleicht jedoch nicht mehr lange, wenn man den Klimahysterikern glauben wollte. Mindestens letztes Jahr hat Väterchen Frost allerdings gleich zu Beginn seiner Saison – und passenderweise während des globalen Überhitzungsgipfels in Dubai – nochmal richtig mit der Faust auf den Tisch gehauen. Schnee- und Eischaos sind ja eigentlich in der Agenda bereits nicht mehr vorgesehen. Deswegen war man in Deutschland vermutlich in vorauseilendem Gehorsam schon nicht mehr darauf vorbereitet und wurde glatt lahmgelegt.

Aber ich schweife ab. Die Aussicht auf nach und nach mehr Licht und damit auch Wärme stimmt mich froh. Den Zusammenhang zwischen beidem merkt man in Andalusien sehr deutlich. Hier, wo die Häuser im Winter arg auskühlen, geht man zum Aufwärmen raus auf die Straße oder auf den Balkon. Die Sonne hat auch im Winter eine erfreuliche Kraft. Und da ist jede Minute Gold wert.

Außerdem ist mir vor Jahren so richtig klar geworden, warum mir das südliche Klima so sehr gefällt. Das liegt nämlich nicht nur an der Sonne als solcher, oder der Wärme – das liegt vor allem am Licht. Ohne Licht keine Farben, das ist der ebenso simple wie gewaltige Unterschied zwischen einem deprimierenden matschgraubraunen Winter und einem fröhlichen bunten. Ein großes Stück Lebensqualität.

Mir gefällt aber auch die Symbolik dieses Tages: Licht aus der Dunkelheit, ein Wendepunkt, ein Neuanfang, neue Möglichkeiten, Übergang zu neuer Aktivität. In der winterlichen Stille keimt bereits neue Lebendigkeit. Und zwar in einem Zyklus, das wird immer wieder so geschehen. Ich nehme das gern als ein Stück Motivation, es macht mir Hoffnung und gibt mir Energie.

Übrigens ist parallel am heutigen Tag auf der südlichen Halbkugel Sommeranfang. Genau im entgegengesetzten Rhythmus, sich ergänzend, wie Yin und Yang. Das alles liegt an der Schrägstellung der Erdachse, die ist nämlich um 23,4º zur Umlaufbahn um die Sonne geneigt. Wir erinnern uns, gell?

Insofern bleibt eindeutig festzuhalten, dass “schräg sein” ein willkommener, wichtiger und positiver Wert ist. Mit anderen Worten: auch ungewöhnlich, eigenartig, untypisch, wunderlich, kauzig, … ja sogar irre, spinnert oder gar “quer” ist in Ordnung. Das schließt das Denken mit ein.

In diesem Sinne wünsche ich euch allen urige Weihnachtstage!

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Dieser Beitrag ist letztes Jahr in meiner Denkbar erschienen.

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Das Betriebsklima ist das einzige Klima, \ das du selbst bestimmen kannst. \ Anonym

Eine Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel hat das deutsche Bundeskabinett diese Woche beschlossen. Da «Wetterextreme wie die immer häufiger auftretenden Hitzewellen und Starkregenereignisse» oft desaströse Auswirkungen auf Mensch und Umwelt hätten, werde eine Anpassung an die Folgen des Klimawandels immer wichtiger. «Klimaanpassungsstrategie» nennt die Regierung das.

Für die «Vorsorge vor Klimafolgen» habe man nun erstmals klare Ziele und messbare Kennzahlen festgelegt. So sei der Erfolg überprüfbar, und das solle zu einer schnelleren Bewältigung der Folgen führen. Dass sich hinter dem Begriff Klimafolgen nicht Folgen des Klimas, sondern wohl «Folgen der globalen Erwärmung» verbergen, erklärt den Interessierten die Wikipedia. Dabei ist das mit der Erwärmung ja bekanntermaßen so eine Sache.

Die Zunahme schwerer Unwetterereignisse habe gezeigt, so das Ministerium, wie wichtig eine frühzeitige und effektive Warnung der Bevölkerung sei. Daher solle es eine deutliche Anhebung der Nutzerzahlen der sogenannten Nina-Warn-App geben.

Die ARD spurt wie gewohnt und setzt die Botschaft zielsicher um. Der Artikel beginnt folgendermaßen:

«Die Flut im Ahrtal war ein Schock für das ganze Land. Um künftig besser gegen Extremwetter gewappnet zu sein, hat die Bundesregierung eine neue Strategie zur Klimaanpassung beschlossen. Die Warn-App Nina spielt eine zentrale Rolle. Der Bund will die Menschen in Deutschland besser vor Extremwetter-Ereignissen warnen und dafür die Reichweite der Warn-App Nina deutlich erhöhen.»

Die Kommunen würden bei ihren «Klimaanpassungsmaßnahmen» vom Zentrum KlimaAnpassung unterstützt, schreibt das Umweltministerium. Mit dessen Aufbau wurden das Deutsche Institut für Urbanistik gGmbH, welches sich stark für Smart City-Projekte engagiert, und die Adelphi Consult GmbH beauftragt.

Adelphi beschreibt sich selbst als «Europas führender Think-and-Do-Tank und eine unabhängige Beratung für Klima, Umwelt und Entwicklung». Sie seien «global vernetzte Strateg*innen und weltverbessernde Berater*innen» und als «Vorreiter der sozial-ökologischen Transformation» sei man mit dem Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreis ausgezeichnet worden, welcher sich an den Zielen der Agenda 2030 orientiere.

Über die Warn-App mit dem niedlichen Namen Nina, die möglichst jeder auf seinem Smartphone installieren soll, informiert das Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK). Gewarnt wird nicht nur vor Extrem-Wetterereignissen, sondern zum Beispiel auch vor Waffengewalt und Angriffen, Strom- und anderen Versorgungsausfällen oder Krankheitserregern. Wenn man die Kategorie Gefahreninformation wählt, erhält man eine Dosis von ungefähr zwei Benachrichtigungen pro Woche.

Beim BBK erfahren wir auch einiges über die empfohlenen Systemeinstellungen für Nina. Der Benutzer möge zum Beispiel den Zugriff auf die Standortdaten «immer zulassen», und zwar mit aktivierter Funktion «genauen Standort verwenden». Die Datennutzung solle unbeschränkt sein, auch im Hintergrund. Außerdem sei die uneingeschränkte Akkunutzung zu aktivieren, der Energiesparmodus auszuschalten und das Stoppen der App-Aktivität bei Nichtnutzung zu unterbinden.

Dass man so dramatische Ereignisse wie damals im Ahrtal auch anders bewerten kann als Regierungen und Systemmedien, hat meine Kollegin Wiltrud Schwetje anhand der Tragödie im spanischen Valencia gezeigt. Das Stichwort «Agenda 2030» taucht dabei in einem Kontext auf, der wenig mit Nachhaltigkeitspreisen zu tun hat.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

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Die Ungerechtigkeit ist uns nur in dem Falle angenehm,\ dass wir Vorteile aus ihr ziehen;\ in jedem andern hegt man den Wunsch,\ dass der Unschuldige in Schutz genommen werde.\ Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Politiker beteuern jederzeit, nur das Beste für die Bevölkerung zu wollen – nicht von ihr. Auch die zahlreichen unsäglichen «Corona-Maßnahmen» waren angeblich zu unserem Schutz notwendig, vor allem wegen der «besonders vulnerablen Personen». Daher mussten alle möglichen Restriktionen zwangsweise und unter Umgehung der Parlamente verordnet werden.

Inzwischen hat sich immer deutlicher herausgestellt, dass viele jener «Schutzmaßnahmen» den gegenteiligen Effekt hatten, sie haben den Menschen und den Gesellschaften enorm geschadet. Nicht nur haben die experimentellen Geninjektionen – wie erwartet – massive Nebenwirkungen, sondern Maskentragen schadet der Psyche und der Entwicklung (nicht nur unserer Kinder) und «Lockdowns und Zensur haben Menschen getötet».

Eine der wichtigsten Waffen unserer «Beschützer» ist die Spaltung der Gesellschaft. Die tiefen Gräben, die Politiker, Lobbyisten und Leitmedien praktisch weltweit ausgehoben haben, funktionieren leider nahezu in Perfektion. Von ihren persönlichen Erfahrungen als Kritikerin der Maßnahmen berichtete kürzlich eine Schweizerin im Interview mit Transition News. Sie sei schwer enttäuscht und verspüre bis heute eine Hemmschwelle und ein seltsames Unwohlsein im Umgang mit «Geimpften».

Menschen, die aufrichtig andere schützen wollten, werden von einer eindeutig politischen Justiz verfolgt, verhaftet und angeklagt. Dazu zählen viele Ärzte, darunter Heinrich Habig, Bianca Witzschel und Walter Weber. Über den aktuell laufenden Prozess gegen Dr. Weber hat Transition News mehrfach berichtet (z.B. hier und hier). Auch der Selbstschutz durch Verweigerung der Zwangs-Covid-«Impfung» bewahrt nicht vor dem Knast, wie Bundeswehrsoldaten wie Alexander Bittner erfahren mussten.

Die eigentlich Kriminellen schützen sich derweil erfolgreich selber, nämlich vor der Verantwortung. Die «Impf»-Kampagne war «das größte Verbrechen gegen die Menschheit». Trotzdem stellt man sich in den USA gerade die Frage, ob der scheidende Präsident Joe Biden nach seinem Sohn Hunter möglicherweise auch Anthony Fauci begnadigen wird – in diesem Fall sogar präventiv. Gibt es überhaupt noch einen Rest Glaubwürdigkeit, den Biden verspielen könnte?

Der Gedanke, den ehemaligen wissenschaftlichen Chefberater des US-Präsidenten und Direktor des National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) vorsorglich mit einem Schutzschild zu versehen, dürfte mit der vergangenen Präsidentschaftswahl zu tun haben. Gleich mehrere Personalentscheidungen des designierten Präsidenten Donald Trump lassen Leute wie Fauci erneut in den Fokus rücken.

Das Buch «The Real Anthony Fauci» des nominierten US-Gesundheitsministers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. erschien 2021 und dreht sich um die Machenschaften der Pharma-Lobby in der öffentlichen Gesundheit. Das Vorwort zur rumänischen Ausgabe des Buches schrieb übrigens Călin Georgescu, der Überraschungssieger der ersten Wahlrunde der aktuellen Präsidentschaftswahlen in Rumänien. Vielleicht erklärt diese Verbindung einen Teil der Panik im Wertewesten.

In Rumänien selber gab es gerade einen Paukenschlag: Das bisherige Ergebnis wurde heute durch das Verfassungsgericht annuliert und die für Sonntag angesetzte Stichwahl kurzfristig abgesagt – wegen angeblicher «aggressiver russischer Einmischung». Thomas Oysmüller merkt dazu an, damit sei jetzt in der EU das Tabu gebrochen, Wahlen zu verbieten, bevor sie etwas ändern können.

Unsere Empörung angesichts der Historie von Maßnahmen, die die Falschen beschützen und für die meisten von Nachteil sind, müsste enorm sein. Die Frage ist, was wir damit machen. Wir sollten nach vorne schauen und unsere Energie clever einsetzen. Abgesehen von der Umgehung von jeglichem «Schutz vor Desinformation und Hassrede» (sprich: Zensur) wird es unsere wichtigste Aufgabe sein, Gräben zu überwinden.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

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Konsum ist Therapie.
Wolfgang Joop

Umweltbewusstes Verhalten und verantwortungsvoller Konsum zeugen durchaus von einer wünschenswerten Einstellung. Ob man deswegen allerdings einen grünen statt eines schwarzen Freitags braucht, darf getrost bezweifelt werden – zumal es sich um manipulatorische Konzepte handelt. Wie in der politischen Landschaft sind auch hier die Etiketten irgendwas zwischen nichtssagend und trügerisch.

Heute ist also wieder mal «Black Friday», falls Sie es noch nicht mitbekommen haben sollten. Eigentlich haben wir ja eher schon eine ganze «Black Week», der dann oft auch noch ein «Cyber Monday» folgt. Die Werbebranche wird nicht müde, immer neue Anlässe zu erfinden oder zu importieren, um uns zum Konsumieren zu bewegen. Und sie ist damit sehr erfolgreich.

Warum fallen wir auf derartige Werbetricks herein und kaufen im Zweifelsfall Dinge oder Mengen, die wir sicher nicht brauchen? Pure Psychologie, würde ich sagen. Rabattschilder triggern etwas in uns, was den Verstand in Stand-by versetzt. Zusätzlich beeinflussen uns alle möglichen emotionalen Reize und animieren uns zum Schnäppchenkauf.

Gedankenlosigkeit und Maßlosigkeit können besonders bei der Ernährung zu ernsten Problemen führen. Erst kürzlich hat mir ein Bekannter nach einer USA-Reise erzählt, dass es dort offenbar nicht unüblich ist, schon zum ausgiebigen Frühstück in einem Restaurant wenigstens einen Liter Cola zu trinken. Gerne auch mehr, um das Gratis-Nachfüllen des Bechers auszunutzen.

Kritik am schwarzen Freitag und dem unnötigen Konsum kommt oft von Umweltschützern. Neben Ressourcenverschwendung, hohem Energieverbrauch und wachsenden Müllbergen durch eine zunehmende Wegwerfmentalität kommt dabei in der Regel auch die «Klimakrise» auf den Tisch.

Die EU-Kommission lancierte 2015 den Begriff «Green Friday» im Kontext der überarbeiteten Rechtsvorschriften zur Kennzeichnung der Energieeffizienz von Elektrogeräten. Sie nutzte die Gelegenheit kurz vor dem damaligen schwarzen Freitag und vor der UN-Klimakonferenz COP21, bei der das Pariser Abkommen unterzeichnet werden sollte.

Heute wird ein grüner Freitag oft im Zusammenhang mit der Forderung nach «nachhaltigem Konsum» benutzt. Derweil ist die Europäische Union schon weit in ihr Geschäftsmodell des «Green New Deal» verstrickt. In ihrer Propaganda zum Klimawandel verspricht sie tatsächlich «Unterstützung der Menschen und Regionen, die von immer häufigeren Extremwetter-Ereignissen betroffen sind». Was wohl die Menschen in der Region um Valencia dazu sagen?

Ganz im Sinne des Great Reset propagierten die Vereinten Nationen seit Ende 2020 eine «grüne Erholung von Covid-19, um den Klimawandel zu verlangsamen». Der UN-Umweltbericht sah in dem Jahr einen Schwerpunkt auf dem Verbraucherverhalten. Änderungen des Konsumverhaltens des Einzelnen könnten dazu beitragen, den Klimaschutz zu stärken, hieß es dort.

Der Begriff «Schwarzer Freitag» wurde in den USA nicht erstmals für Einkäufe nach Thanksgiving verwendet – wie oft angenommen –, sondern für eine Finanzkrise. Jedoch nicht für den Börsencrash von 1929, sondern bereits für den Zusammenbruch des US-Goldmarktes im September 1869. Seitdem mussten die Menschen weltweit so einige schwarze Tage erleben.

Kürzlich sind die britischen Aufsichtsbehörden weiter von ihrer Zurückhaltung nach dem letzten großen Finanzcrash von 2008 abgerückt. Sie haben Regeln für den Bankensektor gelockert, womit sie «verantwortungsvolle Risikobereitschaft» unterstützen wollen. Man würde sicher zu schwarz sehen, wenn man hier ein grünes Wunder befürchten würde.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

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Und plötzlich weißt du:
Es ist Zeit, etwas Neues zu beginnen
und dem Zauber des Anfangs zu vertrauen.
Meister Eckhart

Schwarz, rot, gold leuchtet es im Kopf des Newsletters der deutschen Bundesregierung, der mir freitags ins Postfach flattert. Rot, gelb und grün werden daneben sicher noch lange vielzitierte Farben sein, auch wenn diese nie geleuchtet haben. Die Ampel hat sich gerade selber den Stecker gezogen – und hinterlässt einen wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Trümmerhaufen.

Mit einem bemerkenswerten Timing hat die deutsche Regierungskoalition am Tag des «Comebacks» von Donald Trump in den USA endlich ihr Scheitern besiegelt. Während der eine seinen Sieg bei den Präsidentschaftswahlen feierte, erwachten die anderen jäh aus ihrer Selbsthypnose rund um Harris-Hype und Trump-Panik – mit teils erschreckenden Auswüchsen. Seit Mittwoch werden die Geschicke Deutschlands nun von einer rot-grünen Minderheitsregierung «geleitet» und man steuert auf Neuwahlen zu.

Das Kindergarten-Gehabe um zwei konkurrierende Wirtschaftsgipfel letzte Woche war bereits bezeichnend. In einem Strategiepapier gestand Finanzminister Lindner außerdem den «Absturz Deutschlands» ein und offenbarte, dass die wirtschaftlichen Probleme teilweise von der Ampel-Politik «vorsätzlich herbeigeführt» worden seien.

Lindner und weitere FDP-Minister wurden also vom Bundeskanzler entlassen. Verkehrs- und Digitalminister Wissing trat flugs aus der FDP aus; deshalb darf er nicht nur im Amt bleiben, sondern hat zusätzlich noch das Justizministerium übernommen. Und mit Jörg Kukies habe Scholz «seinen Lieblingsbock zum Obergärtner», sprich: Finanzminister befördert, meint Norbert Häring.

Es gebe keine Vertrauensbasis für die weitere Zusammenarbeit mit der FDP, hatte der Kanzler erklärt, Lindner habe zu oft sein Vertrauen gebrochen. Am 15. Januar 2025 werde er daher im Bundestag die Vertrauensfrage stellen, was ggf. den Weg für vorgezogene Neuwahlen freimachen würde.

Apropos Vertrauen: Über die Hälfte der Bundesbürger glauben, dass sie ihre Meinung nicht frei sagen können. Das ging erst kürzlich aus dem diesjährigen «Freiheitsindex» hervor, einer Studie, die die Wechselwirkung zwischen Berichterstattung der Medien und subjektivem Freiheitsempfinden der Bürger misst. «Beim Vertrauen in Staat und Medien zerreißt es uns gerade», kommentierte dies der Leiter des Schweizer Unternehmens Media Tenor, das die Untersuchung zusammen mit dem Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach durchführt.

«Die absolute Mehrheit hat absolut die Nase voll», titelte die Bild angesichts des «Ampel-Showdowns». Die Mehrheit wolle Neuwahlen und die Grünen sollten zuerst gehen, lasen wir dort.

Dass «Insolvenzminister» Robert Habeck heute seine Kandidatur für das Kanzleramt verkündet hat, kann nur als Teil der politmedialen Realitätsverweigerung verstanden werden. Wer allerdings denke, schlimmer als in Zeiten der Ampel könne es nicht mehr werden, sei reichlich optimistisch, schrieb Uwe Froschauer bei Manova. Und er kenne Friedrich Merz schlecht, der sich schon jetzt rhetorisch auf seine Rolle als oberster Feldherr Deutschlands vorbereite.

Was also tun? Der Schweizer Verein «Losdemokratie» will eine Volksinitiative lancieren, um die Bestimmung von Parlamentsmitgliedern per Los einzuführen. Das Losverfahren sorge für mehr Demokratie, denn als Alternative zum Wahlverfahren garantiere es eine breitere Beteiligung und repräsentativere Parlamente. Ob das ein Weg ist, sei dahingestellt.

In jedem Fall wird es notwendig sein, unsere Bemühungen um Freiheit und Selbstbestimmung zu verstärken. Mehr Unabhängigkeit von staatlichen und zentralen Institutionen – also die Suche nach dezentralen Lösungsansätzen – gehört dabei sicher zu den Möglichkeiten. Das gilt sowohl für jede/n Einzelne/n als auch für Entitäten wie die alternativen Medien.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Es ist besser, ein Licht zu entzünden, als auf die Dunkelheit zu schimpfen. Konfuzius

Die Bemühungen um Aufarbeitung der sogenannten Corona-Pandemie, um Aufklärung der Hintergründe, Benennung von Verantwortlichkeiten und das Ziehen von Konsequenzen sind durchaus nicht eingeschlafen. Das Interesse daran ist unter den gegebenen Umständen vielleicht nicht sonderlich groß, aber es ist vorhanden.

Der sächsische Landtag hat gestern die Einsetzung eines Untersuchungsausschusses zur Corona-Politik beschlossen. In einer Sondersitzung erhielt ein entsprechender Antrag der AfD-Fraktion die ausreichende Zustimmung, auch von einigen Abgeordneten des BSW.

In den Niederlanden wird Bill Gates vor Gericht erscheinen müssen. Sieben durch die Covid-«Impfstoffe» geschädigte Personen hatten Klage eingereicht. Sie werfen unter anderem Gates, Pfizer-Chef Bourla und dem niederländischen Staat vor, sie hätten gewusst, dass diese Präparate weder sicher noch wirksam sind.

Mit den mRNA-«Impfstoffen» von Pfizer/BioNTech befasst sich auch ein neues Buch. Darin werden die Erkenntnisse von Ärzten und Wissenschaftlern aus der Analyse interner Dokumente über die klinischen Studien der Covid-Injektion präsentiert. Es handelt sich um jene in den USA freigeklagten Papiere, die die Arzneimittelbehörde (Food and Drug Administration, FDA) 75 Jahre unter Verschluss halten wollte.

Ebenfalls Wissenschaftler und Ärzte, aber auch andere Experten organisieren als Verbundnetzwerk Corona-Solution kostenfreie Online-Konferenzen. Ihr Ziel ist es, «wissenschaftlich, demokratisch und friedlich» über Impfstoffe und Behandlungsprotokolle gegen SARS-CoV-2 aufzuklären und die Diskriminierung von Ungeimpften zu stoppen. Gestern fand eine weitere Konferenz statt. Ihr Thema: «Corona und modRNA: Von Toten, Lebenden und Physik lernen».

Aufgrund des Digital Services Acts (DSA) der Europäischen Union sei das Risiko groß, dass ihre Arbeit als «Fake-News» bezeichnet würde, so das Netzwerk. Staatlich unerwünschte wissenschaftliche Aufklärung müsse sich passende Kanäle zur Veröffentlichung suchen. Ihre Live-Streams seien deshalb zum Beispiel nicht auf YouTube zu finden.

Der vielfältige Einsatz für Aufklärung und Aufarbeitung wird sich nicht stummschalten lassen. Nicht einmal der Zensurmeister der EU, Deutschland, wird so etwas erreichen. Die frisch aktivierten «Trusted Flagger» dürften allerdings künftige Siege beim «Denunzianten-Wettbewerb» im Kontext des DSA zusätzlich absichern.

Wo sind die Grenzen der Meinungsfreiheit? Sicher gibt es sie. Aber die ideologische Gleichstellung von illegalen mit unerwünschten Äußerungen verfolgt offensichtlich eher das Ziel, ein derart elementares demokratisches Grundrecht möglichst weitgehend auszuhebeln. Vorwürfe wie «Hassrede», «Delegitimierung des Staates» oder «Volksverhetzung» werden heute inflationär verwendet, um Systemkritik zu unterbinden. Gegen solche Bestrebungen gilt es, sich zu wehren.

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum dritten Geburtstag, liebe Denk Bar! Wieso zum dritten? Das war doch 2022 und jetzt sind wir im Jahr 2024, oder? Ja, das ist schon richtig, aber bei Geburtstagen erinnere ich mich immer auch an meinen Vater, und der behauptete oft, der erste sei ja schließlich der Tag der Geburt selber und den müsse man natürlich mitzählen. Wo er recht hat, hat er nunmal recht. Konsequenterweise wird also heute dieser Blog an seinem dritten Geburtstag zwei Jahre alt.

Das ist ein Grund zum Feiern, wie ich finde. Einerseits ganz einfach, weil es dafür gar nicht genug Gründe geben kann. «Das Leben sind zwei Tage», lautet ein gängiger Ausdruck hier in Andalusien. In der Tat könnte es so sein, auch wenn wir uns im Alltag oft genug von der Routine vereinnahmen lassen.

Seit dem Start der Denk Bar vor zwei Jahren ist unglaublich viel passiert. Ebenso wie die zweieinhalb Jahre davor, und all jenes war letztlich auch der Auslöser dafür, dass ich begann, öffentlich zu schreiben. Damals notierte ich:

«Seit einigen Jahren erscheint unser öffentliches Umfeld immer fragwürdiger, widersprüchlicher und manchmal schier unglaublich - jede Menge Anlass für eigene Recherchen und Gedanken, ganz einfach mit einer Portion gesundem Menschenverstand.»

Wir erleben den sogenannten «großen Umbruch», einen globalen Coup, den skrupellose Egoisten clever eingefädelt haben und seit ein paar Jahren knallhart – aber nett verpackt – durchziehen, um buchstäblich alles nach ihrem Gusto umzukrempeln. Die Gelegenheit ist ja angeblich günstig und muss genutzt werden.

Nie hätte ich mir träumen lassen, dass ich so etwas jemals miterleben müsste. Die Bosheit, mit der ganz offensichtlich gegen die eigene Bevölkerung gearbeitet wird, war früher für mich unvorstellbar. Mein (Rest-) Vertrauen in alle möglichen Bereiche wie Politik, Wissenschaft, Justiz, Medien oder Kirche ist praktisch komplett zerstört. Einen «inneren Totalschaden» hatte ich mal für unsere Gesellschaften diagnostiziert.

Was mich vielleicht am meisten erschreckt, ist zum einen das Niveau der Gleichschaltung, das weltweit erreicht werden konnte, und zum anderen die praktisch totale Spaltung der Gesellschaft. Haben wir das tatsächlich mit uns machen lassen?? Unfassbar! Aber das Werkzeug «Angst» ist sehr mächtig und funktioniert bis heute.

Zum Glück passieren auch positive Dinge und neue Perspektiven öffnen sich. Für viele Menschen waren und sind die Entwicklungen der letzten Jahre ein Augenöffner. Sie sehen «Querdenken» als das, was es ist: eine Tugend.

Auch die immer ernsteren Zensurbemühungen sind letztlich nur ein Zeichen der Schwäche, wo Argumente fehlen. Sie werden nicht verhindern, dass wir unsere Meinung äußern, unbequeme Fragen stellen und dass die Wahrheit peu à peu ans Licht kommt. Es gibt immer Mittel und Wege, auch für uns.

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Danke, dass du diesen Weg mit mir weitergehst!

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Ein Lämmchen löschte an einem Bache seinen Durst. Fern von ihm, aber näher der Quelle, tat ein Wolf das gleiche. Kaum erblickte er das Lämmchen, so schrie er:

"Warum trübst du mir das Wasser, das ich trinken will?"

"Wie wäre das möglich", erwiderte schüchtern das Lämmchen, "ich stehe hier unten und du so weit oben; das Wasser fließt ja von dir zu mir; glaube mir, es kam mir nie in den Sinn, dir etwas Böses zu tun!"

"Ei, sieh doch! Du machst es gerade, wie dein Vater vor sechs Monaten; ich erinnere mich noch sehr wohl, daß auch du dabei warst, aber glücklich entkamst, als ich ihm für sein Schmähen das Fell abzog!"

"Ach, Herr!" flehte das zitternde Lämmchen, "ich bin ja erst vier Wochen alt und kannte meinen Vater gar nicht, so lange ist er schon tot; wie soll ich denn für ihn büßen."

"Du Unverschämter!" so endigt der Wolf mit erheuchelter Wut, indem er die Zähne fletschte. "Tot oder nicht tot, weiß ich doch, daß euer ganzes Geschlecht mich hasset, und dafür muß ich mich rächen."

Ohne weitere Umstände zu machen, zerriß er das Lämmchen und verschlang es.

Das Gewissen regt sich selbst bei dem größten Bösewichte; er sucht doch nach Vorwand, um dasselbe damit bei Begehung seiner Schlechtigkeiten zu beschwichtigen.

Quelle: https://eden.one/fabeln-aesop-das-lamm-und-der-wolf

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

วันนี้เรามาคุยกันเรื่องที่ว่า บรอกโคลี เข้าร่วมเส้นทางของความ fiat food ยังไงกันครับ

ในอดีตกาล เมล็ดพันธุ์เป็นของสาธารณะ เป็นมรดกของมนุษยชาติที่ส่งต่อจากรุ่นสู่รุ่น ต้นข้าว ต้นถั่ว ต้นผัก ล้วนเติบโตจากธรรมชาติ ผ่านมือของชาวนาอย่างเสรี ไม่มีใครเป็นเจ้าของมันได้ คนอินเดีย คนไทย คนแอฟริกัน ต่างมีเมล็ดพันธุ์ของตนเอง เหมือนมีภาษาท้องถิ่นที่เล่าขานกันรุ่นต่อรุ่น

แต่แล้ววันหนึ่ง โลกเข้าสู่ยุค “Fiat” เมื่ออุตสาหกรรมเกษตรข้ามชาติอย่าง Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta และ DuPont รวมพลังกันเปลี่ยนสิ่งมีชีวิตให้กลายเป็น “ทรัพย์สิน” เมล็ดพันธุ์ถูกจดสิทธิบัตร เกษตรกรเก็บเมล็ดพันธุ์ไว้ปลูกใหม่ กลับกลายเป็น “อาชญากร”! โลกเปลี่ยนจากการปลูกเพื่อกิน สู่การปลูกเพื่อขึ้นศาล กฎหมายและสิทธิบัตรกลายเป็นเครื่องมือในการควบคุม บริษัทเหล่านี้ใช้กฎหมายทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา เช่น สิทธิบัตรและสิทธิของผู้ปรับปรุงพันธุ์พืช (Plant Breeders' Rights) เพื่อควบคุมเมล็ดพันธุ์ กฎหมายเหล่านี้จำกัดสิทธิของเกษตรกรในการเก็บ ใช้ แลกเปลี่ยน หรือขายเมล็ดพันธุ์ของตนเอง

ปลูกอะไร? ปลูกหนี้? ชาวนาในอินเดียบางรัฐถึงกับฆ่าตัวตาย เพราะซื้อเมล็ดพันธุ์จีเอ็มโอที่มีสิทธิบัตรราคาแพงจากบริษัทเหล่านี้ พวกเขาไม่สามารถเก็บเมล็ดไว้ใช้ปีต่อไป ต้องซื้อใหม่ทุกปี บางครั้งซื้อแล้วปลูกไม่ได้ผล เพราะพันธุ์ไม่เหมาะกับภูมิอากาศของเขา แต่ก็ยังต้องจ่ายหนี้ จ่ายค่าปุ๋ย จ่ายค่าฆ่าแมลงที่บริษัทบอกว่าจำเป็นต่อเมล็ดของมัน ในขณะที่ผู้ที่ไม่ได้เดือดร้อนจากเรื่องนี้ มักบอกว่า ช่วยไม่ได้ไปเลือกซื้อของเขาเอง?

พูดให้เห็นภาพก็คือบริษัทเหล่านี้สร้างระบบแบบ “log in” เหมือนซอฟต์แวร์ ผูกเมล็ดพันธุ์เข้ากับเคมีภัณฑ์ ผูกเคมีเข้ากับกฎหมาย ผูกกฎหมายเข้ากับรัฐบาล และผูกรัฐบาลเข้ากับองค์กรโลกที่เห็น “ความมั่นคงทางอาหาร” เป็นเพียงบรรทัดนึงของ account เราครับ

-ค่าใช้จ่ายที่เพิ่มขึ้น เกษตรกรต้องซื้อเมล็ดพันธุ์ใหม่ทุกฤดูกาลเพราะถูกห้ามไม่ให้เก็บเมล็ดพันธุ์จากผลผลิตเดิม ทำให้ต้นทุนการผลิตสูงขึ้น​ -การสูญเสียความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ การเน้นปลูกพืชสายพันธุ์เดียวกันทั่วโลกทำให้พืชท้องถิ่นและสายพันธุ์พื้นเมืองลดลง ซึ่งส่งผลต่อความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพและความยืดหยุ่นของระบบนิเวศ​ -ความเสี่ยงต่อความมั่นคงทางอาหาร การพึ่งพาเมล็ดพันธุ์จากบริษัทไม่กี่แห่งทำให้ระบบอาหารโลกเสี่ยงต่อการผันผวนของตลาดและการเปลี่ยนแปลงทางการเมือง

บรอกโคลี กับการเป็น Fiat Food ในรูปแบบพืช เริ่มมาจากพืชตระกูลผักกาด เช่น บรอกโคลี กระหล่ำดอก คะน้า และกะหล่ำปลี ถูก “ปรับปรุงพันธุ์” โดยมนุษย์จากบรรพบุรุษเดียวกัน มัสตาร์ดป่า พวกมันไม่สามารถขยายพันธุ์ตามธรรมชาติได้ ต้องอาศัยโรงงานผลิตเมล็ดพันธุ์โดยเฉพาะ และในบางกรณี ไม่มีเมล็ดเลย ต้องขยายพันธุ์โดย “Hybrid Sterility System” บริษัทผู้ผลิตเมล็ดพันธุ์จึงควบคุมได้หมด ใครจะปลูกต้องขออนุญาต ใครจะขายต้องผ่านระบบควบคุม

นั่นแหละ... เข้าคออนเสป Fiat Food ตัวจริง อาหารที่ดูเขียว ดูคลีน ดูดีต่อใจ แต่ไร้ “รากเหง้า” และถูกสร้างขึ้นด้วยอำนาจเหนือธรรมชาติอย่างจงใจ ไม่ใช่ของจากธรรมชาติ ไม่ใช่ของจากพระเจ้าแต่เป็นของจาก “วาระซ่อนเร้น” ที่ซ่อนอยู่ในแสงแฟลชของโฆษณาอาหารคลีน การประเคนข้อดีของความเป็น super food โดยไม่พูดถึงเหรียญอีกด้าน เหรียญด้านมืดของมัน

ดังนั้นก็เลยเกิดสมการ อธิปไตยของเมล็ดพันธุ์ = อิสรภาพของมนุษยชาติ การต่อสู้ครั้งนี้ไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องของเกษตรกรรม แต่มันคือ “การเมืองของชีวิต” เพราะใครก็ตามที่ควบคุมเมล็ดพันธุ์ เขาคือผู้ควบคุมอาหาร และใครควบคุมอาหาร เขาคือผู้ควบคุมโลก การต่อสู้ก็เลยมีองค์กรอย่าง Navdanya ในอินเดีย หรือ La Via Campesina ในลาตินอเมริกา ที่ลุกขึ้นมาปกป้อง “สิทธิในการปลูกของมนุษย์” มีคนขนานนามว่าพวกเขาไม่ใช่นักเกษตร พวกเขาคือนักปฏิวัติ

ดร. วันทนา ศิวะ Vandana Shiva นักฟิสิกส์ชาวอินเดียผู้กลายมาเป็นนักเคลื่อนไหวด้านสิ่งแวดล้อมและอาหาร ผู้ก่อตั้งโรงเรียนเมล็ดพันธุ์พืชนวธัญญะ (Navdanya) ผู้ปกป้องพืชท้องถิ่นจากบริษัทข้ามชาติที่คิดจะเข้ามายึดประชาธิปไตยทางอาหารไปจากมือประชาชน คือตัวอย่างที่ชัดเจนคนหนึ่ง เจ้าของวลี “หากจะยึดครองประเทศจงยึดแหล่งน้ำมัน แต่หากต้องการยึดครองชีวิต จงยึดเมล็ดพันธุ์พืชของพวกเขา”

งานเขียนที่น่าสนใจของเธอคือ Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability and Peace ปี 2005 เป็นการออกมาตอบโต้ระบบทุนนิยม ที่มองว่าทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างบนโลกใบนี้มีไว้ขาย เพื่อเก็งกำไร พร้อมทั้งตั้งคำถามว่า หากผืนดินไม่ใช่ของมนุษย์ โลกไม่ได้เป็นสินทรัพย์ น้ำทุกหยด เมล็ดพันธุ์พืชทุกชนิดล้วนเป็นของธรรมชาติ ความคิดของบริษัทที่จะเข้ามาผูกขาดธรรมชาติเป็นสิ่งที่สมควรจริงหรือ

ดังนั้นสรุปๆกันจากที่ผมจั่วไว้ว่า บรอกโคลี อีกตัวแทนแห่ง fiat food นั้นคือประตูบานแรกที่ชักนำให้เราฉุกคิดถึงรูปแบบของ อาหารที่ปลอมตัวมาอยู่ในรูปแบบ real food โดยภาพร่างประมาณนี้ครับ เมล็ดพันธุ์พื้นเมือง เคยเป็นของสาธารณะ → ถูกบริษัท “แปรรูป” เป็นทรัพย์สิน การเก็บเมล็ดพันธุ์ใช้ซ้ำ กลายเป็นสิ่งผิดกฎหมายในหลายประเทศ เกษตรกรกลายเป็นทาส ของระบบ “Fiat Seed” เหมือนเราทุกคนเป็นทาสของ “Fiat Money” บรอกโคลีและผักไฮบริดอื่นๆ คือตัวแทนของการควบคุมระบบอาหารผ่านสายพันธุ์ที่คนทั่วไปปลูกเองไม่ได้ ทางออกที่กลุ่มคนมีความหวังกับมันคือ Seed Sovereignty คืนสิทธิให้ชุมชน เก็บ แบ่ง แลก เปลี่ยนเมล็ดพันธุ์เองได้

การผูกขาดเมล็ดพันธุ์โดยบริษัทยักษ์ใหญ่ส่งผลกระทบต่อเกษตรกรและความมั่นคงทางอาหารอย่างมาก การเคลื่อนไหวเพื่ออธิปไตยทางเมล็ดพันธุ์เป็นสิ่งจำเป็นในการปกป้องสิทธิของเกษตรกรและรักษาความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพของพืชผลในอนาคต ใครกุมเมล็ดพันธุ์ คนนั้นกุมคอหอยมนุษย์ทั้งโลก

อ่านถึงตรงนี้แล้ว นึกถึงพืชอื่นอะไรอีกบ้าง? ทิ้งไว้ให้ตั้งคำถามกันต่อครับ ตอนต่อไปจะว่าด้วยเรื่องของ สนธิสัญญาและกฎหมายต่างๆครับ

แถมให้ดูคลิปการปลูก บรอกโคลี ครับ https://youtu.be/8ZNPTMIEFV8?si=SKZy
ผมเลือกคลิปที่ถ่ายโดย local ไม่ได้เป็น pr film โปรโมทองค์กรใดๆ เพื่อให้เห็นกระบวนการแท้ๆเลยนะครับ

ส่วนคำถามที่ว่า แล้วจะกินอะไรได้ ตอบได้เลยว่า กินได้ทุกอย่างแหละครับ แต่ช่วยรู้ด้วยว่า อย่าไปคิดว่าอะไรเทพ อะไร superfood เลย โลกไม่ได้สวยงามขนาดนั้นครับ เราถึงพยายามชักชวนมาทำให้ local แข็งแรงไง

#PirateKeto #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก

@ 95cb33b5:f4580cd4

​Electrical overloads are a significant concern in residential and commercial settings, often leading to hazardous situations such as fires, equipment damage, and power outages. One effective strategy to mitigate these risks is the installation of additional electrical circuits. By distributing electrical loads more evenly, additional circuits enhance safety, improve system efficiency, and accommodate the growing demand for electrical power in modern infrastructures.​

Understanding Electrical Overloads

An electrical overload occurs when the current flowing through a circuit exceeds its designated capacity. This situation typically arises when multiple high-power devices operate simultaneously on a single circuit, drawing more amperage than the wiring can safely handle. Consequences of overloads include overheating of wires, degradation of insulation, and, in severe cases, ignition of fires. Common indicators of an overloaded circuit are:​

Flickering or dimming lights

Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses

Warm or discolored wall plates​

Buzzing sounds from outlets or switches​

Burning odors emanating from electrical fixtures​

Mild shocks or tingling sensations when touching appliances

The Prevalence and Impact of Electrical Fires

Electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of residential fires. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, resulting in nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. These statistics underscore the critical need for preventive measures to address electrical overloads and enhance the safety of electrical systems.​

The Role of Additional Circuits in Preventing Overloads

Incorporating additional circuits into an electrical system effectively distributes the electrical load, reducing the likelihood of overloads. This approach involves segmenting the electrical supply into multiple pathways, each dedicated to specific areas or high-power appliances. Benefits of this strategy include:​

Enhanced Safety: By preventing excessive current flow through any single circuit, the risk of overheating and potential fires is significantly reduced.​

Improved Performance: Appliances and devices operate more efficiently when supplied with adequate power, free from the voltage drops associated with overloaded circuits.​

Capacity for Expansion: Additional circuits provide the necessary infrastructure to support new appliances or technological upgrades without compromising the existing system's integrity.​

Implementing Additional Circuits: Practical Considerations

When planning to add circuits, several factors must be considered to ensure effectiveness and compliance with safety standards:​

Assessment of Current Load: A thorough evaluation of the existing electrical load helps identify circuits that are frequently overloaded and areas where additional circuits are needed.​

Professional Installation: Engaging a licensed electrician ensures that new circuits are installed correctly, adhering to local codes and regulations.​

Use of Appropriate Materials: Selecting wiring and components that match the intended load capacity is crucial for safety and durability.​

Regular Maintenance: Periodic inspections and maintenance of the electrical system help detect and address potential issues before they escalate.​

Complementary Measures to Prevent Overloads

In addition to installing extra circuits, other practices can further mitigate the risk of electrical overloads:​

Use of Surge Protectors: Surge protectors safeguard sensitive electronics from voltage spikes, which can occur during overload conditions.

Avoidance of Extension Cords for Permanent Use: Relying on extension cords as a permanent solution indicates insufficient outlets and can contribute to overloads. Installing additional outlets or circuits is a safer alternative.​

Upgrading Electrical Panels: Older electrical panels may not support the increased load demands of modern appliances. Upgrading to a panel with higher capacity can enhance system safety and performance.​

Conclusion The integration of additional electrical circuits is a proactive and effective measure to prevent electrical overloads. By ensuring a balanced distribution of electrical loads, this approach enhances the safety, efficiency, and adaptability of electrical systems. Given the significant number of fires attributed to electrical malfunctions annually, prioritizing such preventive strategies is imperative. Engaging qualified professionals to assess and implement necessary electrical upgrades, including the addition of circuits, is essential in safeguarding property and lives against the hazards of electrical overloads.

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

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Autor: Jens Fischer Rodrian. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier.**

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In den letzten fünf Jahren wurde mit allen Mitteln versucht, die Menschen auseinanderzutreiben. Egal welches Thema gestreut oder welche Angst geschürt wurde, ob Corona, Ukraine, Gaza, Energiepolitik, Wirtschaft, Gendern oder Klima – immer sollten die Menschen einem vorgegebenen Narrativ folgen anstatt in einen offenen Debattenraum einzutreten und Differenzen auszuhalten, also das zu leben, was eine lebendige Demokratie ausmacht.

Natürlich stellt sich die Frage – ja aber wer hat das denn versucht? Wer hat denn ein Interesse daran, daß Diversität im Sinne von Vielfalt an Meinungen ausgehebelt wird? Dies zu beantworten würde den Rahmen hier sprengen, ist aber mit Verweis auf die Texte von Journalisten wie Milosz Matuschek, Tom-Oliver Regenauer u.v.a. schnell in Erfahrung zu bringen. Fest steht, nicht alle haben bei dem Versuch, die Bevölkerung ruhig und dumm zu halten, mitgemacht.

Der Wahnsinn als Chance

Egal wie laut die Bellizisten in Regierung und Medien ihre Kriegspropaganda in Dauerschleife rausbrüllen, in dem Wahnsinn steckt auch eine Chance. Immer mehr Leute verstehen, daß Deutschland in nahezu allen oben angeführten Themen, falsch abgebogen ist. Wenn es darum geht, seine Kinder für einen irrsinnigen, von den USA und der NATO provozierten Krieg in der Ukraine, zu opfern, werden hoffentlich mehr Menschen erkennen, daß sie verheizt werden sollen. Wichtig ist, daß wir nicht mit der Energie, die man für einen Sprint braucht, an all die Themen ran gehen, sondern uns auf einen Marathonlauf einstellen. Das wissen wir spätestens, seitdem die von Paul Schreyer heraus geklagten RKI Files nicht für die Empörung gesorgt haben, die man hätte erwarten können, obwohl sie klar aufzeigen, daß die Kritiker der Coronamaßnahmen in fast allen Punkten recht behalten sollten. Spätestens dann hätte die bis dahin sehr einseitig berichtende Konzernpresse auf das Thema aufspringen können, ja müssen, ist sie aber nicht. Milosz Matuschek hatte schon sehr früh in der NZZ gefragt: „Was, wenn am Ende ‚die Covidioten‘ Recht haben?“ 

Dass die Medien jetzt im Gleichschritt die Bevölkerung auf Krieg einstellen wollen (zahlreiche Links sind am Ende des Artikels zu finden), ist an Irrsinn nicht zu überbieten. Caren Miosga, die u.a. schon durch ihr unsägliches Interview mit Exkanzlerkandidat Robert Habeck durch mangelnde Objektivität und Einfältigkeit auffiel, sagte jüngst: „ (...) das lag lange nicht in unserer DNA, da lag Pazifismus. Wie können wir diesen Code schneller überschreiben?“ Die Antwort des Wehrdienstverweigerers und Kriegstreibers Joschka Fischer, sowie seine wirre Einschätzung einer korrupten ukrainischen Regierung und der von Neonazis durchzogenen Paramilitärs, findet Ihr in den Links am Ende des Artikels.

Seit 1945 war es nie so wichtig wie heute, daß wir uns dem entgegenstellen, alle anderen Unstimmigkeiten für den Moment beiseitelegen und gemeinsame Sache machen, denn es geht um alles, es geht um Krieg oder Frieden! Wir sollten keinen Zweifel daran haben, daß die Verantwortlichen, die Menschen mit einem experimentellen Gentherapeutikum „impfen“ auch keine Bedenken haben, die Kinder anderer Eltern in den Krieg zu treiben. Wären die Staatenlenker verpflichtet, ihre eigenen Kinder auch an die Front zu schicken, wäre das Säbelrasseln sofort vorbei – wobei ich mir bei Anton Hofreiter oder Annalena Baerbock gar nicht so sicher bin, sie sind Überzeugungstäter. Letztere fordert allen Ernstes, Russen bei Kriegsgedenken auszuschließen, sie seien per ‚Hausrecht“ zu behandeln. Der geschichtsvergessenen „Noch -Außenministerin“ ist anscheinend entfallen, daß die Russen 25 Millionen Opfer aus dem 2. Weltkrieg zu beklagen und Auschwitz befreit haben.

Das German Foreign Policy schreibt:

„Das Mindset für den Krieg – Bundeswehr-Kommandeure fordern Einstimmung der Bevölkerung auf Kriegssituationen, dringen auf stärkeren ‚Willen zur Selbstbehauptung‘. Bundesregierung arbeitet an ‚Bunker-App‘. CDU- Politiker spekuliert über ‚Spannungsfall‘“. 

Um ein Zeichen gegen diesen Irrsinn zu setzen und sowohl auf die drohende Eskalation in der Ukraine wie auch die seit Jahrzehnten andauernde ethnische Säuberung in Palästina hinzuweisen, veranstalten wir am Karfreitag eine Friedensprozession in Dresden. Die Teilnehmerliste und den Text, den man auch unterzeichnen kann, findet Ihr hier im Anhang.

Jeder, der sich für den Frieden stark macht, ist willkommen.

Einer der Teilnehmer ist Tino Eisbrenner, ein Sänger und Friedensaktivist, der sich seit Jahrzehnten für Dialog und ein friedliches Miteinander einsetzt. Er selbst ist immer wieder mit Angriffen von Leuten konfrontiert, die es nicht ertragen, daß er sich beharrlich mit Wort und Musik für den Dialog mit Russland einsetzt. Erst vor Kurzem mußte er sich die inquisitorischen Fragen einer Journalistin gefallen lassen, die eine Art Gesinnungsprüfung durchführte, da ihr zu Ohren gekommen sei, das Bürger besorgt wären, Eisbrenner könne ein Putinfreund sein. Eisbrenner merkte an, daß sicherlich kein Künstler, der in Amerika auftrete oder amerikanische Poeten verehre, dadurch in Verdacht geraten könne, die imperialistische Politik eines amerikanischen Präsidenten zu unterstützen. Hier der Teil seiner Antwort, der die Kraft der Kultur und deren Funktion, Brücken zu bauen, sehr schön zusammenfasst: 

„ (...) wenn man als Künstler der Ansicht ist, daß die Kunst, als wesentlichstes Merkmal des Menschseins, Grenzen überfliegen und die Brücken zwischen den Völkern erhalten und pflegen sollte, und dies auf Russland genau wie auf die USA anwendet, muss man sich rechtfertigen? In der Stadt Wolgograd (ehemals Stalingrad) gibt es ein riesiges Mahnmal für die Opfer des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Das Hauptgebäude, unweit der riesigen Grabstätte deutscher Soldaten, ist eine gigantische Kuppel in deren Mitte ein ewiges Feuer brennt. An den Wänden sind zigtausende Namen sowjetischer Bürger eingraviert, die der deutschen Schlacht um Stalingrad zum Opfer fielen. Und aus den Lautsprechern tönen in Dauerschleife die „Träumereien“ von Robert Schumann, einem deutschen Komponisten. Die Kunst, als Brücke zwischen den Völkern. Vielleicht können ihre „besorgten Bürger“ darüber mal in Ruhe nachdenken (...)“ 

Ich hatte die große Freude, mit Tino gemeinsam einen Song aufzunehmen, den wir beide bei der Friedensprozession in Dresden das erste mal live aufführen werden. 

Frieden mit dem Frieden schließen

Frieden fragt nicht wo warst Du gestern\ Frieden fragt nicht wer ist Dein Gott\ Frieden braucht jetzt jeden, mit Herz Verstand und Mut 

Frieden geht oft über Grenzen\ Frieden geht, wenn man ihn übersieht\ Frieden braucht jetzt jeden, mit Herz Verstand und Mut 

Frieden schweigt wenn Menschen brüllen\ Frieden erstarrt wenn Schüsse fallen\ Frieden braucht jetzt jeden, mit Herz Verstand und Mut 

Frieden fragt nicht nach Deinen Eltern\ Frieden stellt sich vor Deine Wut\ Frieden braucht jetzt jeden, mit Herz Verstand und Mut 

Wir müßen Frieden mit dem Frieden schließen

Mit Leib und Seele, Tag für Tag\ Frieden braucht Dich jetzt\ Er ist erschöpft und schwer verletzt                     ****

Kommt zur Friedensprozession!

Unser Orga-Team hat gemeinsam mit Jürgen Fliege den Text für die Friedensprozession am Karfreitag in Dresden verfasst, den man gern auch unterzeichnen kann.

https://friedensprozession.de

FUNDAMENT FÜR DEN FRIEDEN   Mit Dir! Mit uns! Mit allen!

Jenseits jeder politischen Orientierung wollen wir dieser Sehnsucht eine Stimme geben. Denn ein Krieg, ob er nun wie ein Flächenbrand in der Ukraine oder wie in Palästina wütet, verschont immer die Mächtigen. Nie die Ohnmächtigen. Das sehen viele Menschen in unserem Land längst. Wie schon in Jugoslawien und Afghanistan scheint das die Volksvertreter nicht zu interessieren.

Wir alle wollen keinen Krieg. Wir wollen Abrüstung, Frieden und gute Nachbarn sein.

Was sind das nur für Politiker, die im Gleichschritt gegen das Wohl der Völker marschieren? Die Strack-Zimmermanns, Pistorius‘, die Baerbocks, Merz und Kiesewetters, die den Krieg weit nach Russland hineintragen und amerikanische Raketen in Deutschland stationieren wollen, ähnlich wie ihn der Kriegsverbrecher Netanjahu nach Gaza trug. Wer stoppt die Eskalationsspirale des Wahnsinns? Können wir das noch? Wir müssen es versuchen!

Friede sei mit uns allen! Ohne Ausnahme! Darum müssen wir uns vereinen. Versöhnen statt Spalten war einmal eine gute Idee der alten Sozialdemokratie – genau das wollen wir wieder aufgreifen!

Das alles war einmal der Boden, auf dem unser Grundgesetz wuchs. Die Trümmer des Krieges und die Gräber von Millionen Toten verpflichten uns zum Frieden durch Diplomatie.

Wenn Ihr unsere Sehnsucht nach Frieden teilt, dann freuen wir uns sehr, euch in Dresden zu sehen, wo der Feuersturm des 2. Weltkrieges unvergessen bleibt. Am Karfreitag, an dem die Stille das Waffenrasseln um so hörbarer macht.

Nie wieder Antisemitismus! Nie wieder Faschismus! Nie wieder Krieg! Kommt nach Dresden! Bitte!

Das aktuelle Album „Voices for Gaza“ mit 32 Beiträgen findet Ihr hier:

https://protestnoten.de/produkt/voices-for-gaza-doppel-cd/

Mit dabei sind:

Uwe Steimle, Tino Eisbrenner, Jürgen Fliege, Prof. Ulrike Guérot, Yann Song King, Arnulf Rating, Markus Stockhausen, Kilian Forster, Diether Dehm, Jakob Heymann, Jens Fischer Rodrian, Alexa Rodrian, Guido de Gyrich, Dennis DuVall, Prof. Justus Frantz, Reiner Kröhnert

(Links:

• https://taz.de/Sportunterricht-fuer-den-Ernstfall/!6059664/
• https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/wir-mussen-uns-auf-krieg-vorbereiten-nato-chef-rutte-fordert-von-deutschland-deutlich-hohere-verteidigungsausgaben-13131001.html
• https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/unternehmen/bundeswehr-bereitet-unternehmen-auf-kriegsfall-vor-operationsplan-deutschland-110118573.html
• https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/sicherheit-in-deutschland-innenministerium-fuer-zivilschutz-uebungen-an-schulen-a-1680d64e-4a42-4e00-954b-0cb38e315a90
• https://www.facebook.com/henning.rosenbusch/videos/die-pflicht-zur-musterung-brauche-es-wegen-der-gefallenen-und-verwundeten-um-die/1073875391166801/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juGk0aY5Rdo Fischer bei Miosga
• https://www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/die-wehrpflicht-sollte-fur-alle-gelten-frauen-ans-gewehr-13480606.html

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Jens Fischer Rodrian, geboren 1967 in Pinneberg, ist ein deutscher Musiker, Komponist, Musikproduzent und Dichter. Aufgewachsen nahe Murnau am Staffelsee, entdeckte er früh seine Liebe zur Gitarre. Er studierte in Los Angeles an der Grove School of Music und wurde 1995 Mitglied der Blue Man Group in New York und Boston. Seit 2004 lebt er mit seiner Frau, der Jazzsängerin Alexa Rodrian in Berlin, wo er als musikalischer Leiter der Blue Man Group tätig ist. Neben seiner Arbeit mit Künstlern wie Konstantin Wecker veröffentlichte er mehrere Soloalben und Gedichtbände, darunter „Sich kurz fassen – ach“ (2017) und „Wahn & Sinn“ (2019). Mit seiner Konzertlesung tourt er durch den deutschsprachigen Raum und setzt sich leidenschaftlich für Frieden und Demokratie ein. Zuletzt erschien: „Die Armada der Irren. Künstlerischer Widerstand in pandemischer Zeit“ (2022): Ein Buch mit beiliegender CD, das sich mit gesellschaftlichem Widerstand und der Rolle der Kunst in Krisenzeiten auseinandersetzt. Es enthält Beiträge von verschiedenen Autoren wie Wolfgang Wodarg, Gunnar Kaiser und anderen.

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Die Friedenstaube fliegt auch in Ihr Postfach!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt. (Vorerst an alle, da wir den Mailversand testen, später ca. drei Mails pro Woche.).

Schon jetzt können Sie uns unterstützen:

• Für 50 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF/EURO werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie die Friedenstaube an: milosz@pareto.space

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Sie sind noch nicht auf Nostr and wollen die volle Erfahrung machen (liken, kommentieren etc.)? Zappen können Sie den Autor auch ohne Nostr-Profil! Erstellen Sie sich einen Account auf Start. Weitere Onboarding-Leitfäden gibt es im Pareto-Wiki.

@ 95cb33b5:f4580cd4

Your wedding day in London is a story waiting to unfold—a stroll through Hyde Park, vows at the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral, and dancing under the stars at a Thames-side venue. But before the "I dos" and the first dance, there’s one detail that sets the scene: your wedding car. In a city where history meets modernity, your choice of wheels isn’t just transportation—it’s the opening act of your love story. Here’s how to find the perfect wedding car in London, whether you’re dreaming of vintage charm or sleek, 21st-century luxury.

1. London’s Wedding Car Options: From Vintage Classics to Modern Marvels

London’s diverse vibe means you’re spoiled for choice. Here’s a breakdown of popular picks:

A. Vintage & Classic Cars

Best For: Traditional weddings, history lovers, or couples marrying at landmarks like Kensington Palace.

Top Picks:

Rolls-Royce Phantom (1960s): Timeless elegance with coach doors and a starlight headliner. Bentley S1 (1950s): Polished wood dashboards and leather seats for old-world glam. Austin Princess (Vintage): A British icon perfect for retro-themed weddings.

Cost: £500–£1,500+ for 6–8 hours.

Real-Life Romance: Sarah and James hired a 1950s Bentley for their Westminster Abbey wedding. “It felt like stepping into a royal procession,” Sarah said.

B. Modern Luxury Cars

Best For: Glamorous city weddings or receptions at venues like The Shard.

Top Picks:

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: Heated massaging seats and ambient lighting.

Tesla Model X: Eco-friendly and futuristic, ideal for green-minded couples.

Range Rover Autobiography: Bold and spacious for urban chic.

Cost: £600–£2,000+ for full-day hire.

Pro Tip: Opt for a car with tinted windows if you’re navigating busy spots like Piccadilly Circus—privacy plus style!

C. Quirky & Unique Rides

Best For: Couples who dare to be different.

Top Picks:

London Black Cab (Decorated): Adorned with flowers for a playful, local twist.

Vintage Double-Decker Bus: Fit your entire bridal party (and a brass band!).

Electric Rickshaw: Zip through Covent Garden for a fun, eco-friendly entrance.

Cost: £200–£800 for shorter hires.

3.2. How to Choose Your London Wedding Car: 5 Key Factors

Don’t get overwhelmed—narrow your options with these tips:

Match Your Wedding Theme:

A vintage Rolls-Royce suits a classic church wedding.

A Tesla Model S pairs with a modern art gallery reception.

Consider Practicality:

Space: Ball gown? Choose a Bentley Mulsanne. Compact? Try a Jaguar E-Type.

Route: Narrow streets in Notting Hill? Avoid stretch limos.

Weatherproofing:

Convertibles are risky in London’s drizzle. Prefer a hardtop or ensure the hire includes a waterproof cover.

Sustainability:

Many companies now offer hybrid or electric cars (e.g., Tesla, BMW i7).

Budget:

Prioritize: Splurge on the ceremony car, then use a simpler ride for the exit.

Pro Tip: “We hired a vintage car for photos and a Tesla for the reception—best of both worlds!” —Laura, Hackney bride.

1. Cost of Wedding Car Hire in London: What to Expect

London prices vary wildly, but here’s a rough guide:

Vintage Cars: £500–£1,500+ (includes chauffeur).

Modern Luxury: £600–£2,000+ (Maybachs at the higher end).

Unique Rides: £200–£1,000 (buses or themed vehicles).

Money-Saving Hacks:

Off-Peak Discounts: Book a weekday wedding for 10–20% off.

Bundle Deals: Some companies offer cars + photo booth or floral decor.

Short-Term Hire: Use the car for 3–4 hours (ceremony + photos only).

Watch For Hidden Fees:

Congestion Charge (£15/day for Central London).

Overtime charges (£50–£150/hour).

1. Booking Your London Wedding Car: Step-by-Step

Start Early: Book 6–12 months ahead for peak season (June–September).

Read Reviews: Check Google and Hitched.co.uk for reputable companies.

Visit the Garage: Inspect the car in person—avoid surprises!

Confirm Details:

Backup vehicle clause.

Insurance coverage.

Decor permissions (e.g., floral hoops).

Red Flags:

No physical address or vague contracts.

Pressure to pay 100% upfront.

London Pro Tip: Use local companies like London Vintage Car Hire or Prestige Wedding Cars for better rates.

1. Unique London Wedding Car Ideas

Make your ride unforgettable with these twists:

Thames-Side Photos: Park your Rolls-Royce near Tower Bridge for iconic shots.

Themed Decor: Add London Underground-inspired signage or Union Jack ribbons.

Surprise Stops: Arrange a quick champagne toast at Primrose Hill for skyline views.

Real-Life Magic: A couple from Camden hired a red London bus to shuttle guests from St. Pancras to their reception. “It was a party on wheels!” they shared.

Key Takeaways

🚗 Diverse Options: London offers everything from vintage Rolls-Royces to eco-friendly Teslas.

💷 Budget Smart: Prioritize, bundle, or book off-peak.

📅 Book Early: Secure your dream car 6–12 months ahead.

🌧️ Plan for Rain: Choose weather-appropriate vehicles.

📸 Photo Ready: Use London landmarks like the Thames or Kensington Gardens as backdrops.

FAQs About Wedding Car Hire in London

Q: How much does a wedding car cost in London?

A: From £200 for a decorated taxi to £2,000+ for a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Q: Can we drive ourselves?

A: Rarely. Most luxury hires require a licensed chauffeur (and let you relax!).

Q: Are permits needed for photo locations?

A: Yes! Check with your photographer. Westminster Bridge requires permits for professional shoots.

Q: What if our car breaks down?

A: Reputable companies offer backup vehicles. Always ask!

Q: Can we personalize the car?

A: Yes—ribbons, flowers, or temporary decals. Avoid anything adhesive.

Final Thought: Your London Love Story Starts Here

At your wedding the transportation becomes more than just a method of getting from point A to point B but it creates the start of your lifetime story. The wedding car you select will leave an indelible mark in your memories as well as picture album forever because it can be a vintage Bentley near Big Ben or a flower-adorned bus with your friends onboard.

The streets of London will become the perfect backdrop when you choose your cars that trigger your heart's enthusiasm for your future eternal bond. Each romantic tale in this mesmerizing city ought to receive its definitive entrance.

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Chef's notes

Wildly enough, this is delicious. It's sweet and savory.

(I copied this recipe off of a commercial cheese maker's site, just FYI)

I hadn't fully froze the ice cream when I took the picture shown. This is fresh out of the churner.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 15 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 30 min
• 🍽️ Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz blue cheese
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 c sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 qt heavy cream
• 3/4 c chopped dark chocolate

Directions

1. Put the blue cheese, lemon juice, sugar, and salt into a bowl
2. Bring heavy cream to a boil, stirring occasionally
3. Pour heavy cream over the blue cheese mix and stir until melted
4. Pour into prepared ice cream maker, follow unit instructions
5. Add dark chocolate halfway through the churning cycle
6. Freeze until firm. Enjoy.

@ e516ecb8:1be0b167

¿Qué es realmente la inflación? Si alguna vez has escuchado que la inflación es “la subida constante de precios”, no estás solo. Hace poco, un economista soltó esa definición en una entrevista, y otro, desde la Fundación para el Progreso (FPP), una institución que suele citar a pensadores como Mises o Hayek, repitió lo mismo. Suena lógico, ¿no? Pero están equivocados. Y ese error, aunque parezca pequeño, puede tener consecuencias catastróficas. Para entender por qué, no hace falta ir muy lejos: miremos a Argentina.

La subida de precios no es la inflación. Es solo el síntoma. La inflación, en esencia, es la pérdida del valor adquisitivo de la moneda. Confundir la causa con el efecto es como tratar una fiebre con un paño frío sin atacar la infección. Y cuando las políticas públicas se basan en esa confusión, el desastre está garantizado.

Argentina: una lección que duele Argentina es el caso de estudio perfecto. Antes de que Javier Milei llegara al poder en diciembre de 2023, la inflación en el país vecino estaba desbocada, alcanzando picos de 211% anual según datos del INDEC. El peronismo, convencido de que el problema eran los precios, implementó medidas como los “Precios Justos”, fijando topes artificiales. ¿Resultado? Escasez total. En un país famoso por su carne, los supermercados se quedaron sin ella. Los productores, enfrentados a costos que subían sin control, preferían exportar antes que vender localmente a precios que no les daban ni para cubrir gastos. Y ahí no terminó la cosa. En lugar de atacar la raíz del problema, el gobierno peronista complicó todo aún más: restringió exportaciones y creó un sistema surrealista de múltiples tipos de dólar (¡hasta uno distinto para Netflix!). Todo porque seguían peleando con el efecto, no con la causa.

¿Por qué los argentinos corrían a ahorrar en dólares y no en pesos? Porque el peso se devaluaba a una velocidad alarmante. Si la inflación fuera solo una cuestión de precios, habría afectado a todas las monedas por igual. Pero no. Como dice Milei una y otra vez, la inflación es un fenómeno monetario: demasiados billetes circulando sin respaldo o una moneda que la gente considera “de segunda” frente a otras.

¿Por qué seguimos repitiendo el error? Entonces, si la inflación es tan claramente un problema del valor de la moneda, ¿por qué seguimos escuchando que es una subida de precios? La respuesta es sencilla: culpar a otros es más fácil. Cuando se vende esa idea, los políticos pueden apuntar con el dedo a empresarios, comerciantes o “especuladores” y lavarse las manos. Es más cómodo que admitir una emisión monetaria irresponsable, un gasto público descontrolado o una pésima gestión económica. Y no faltan economistas, a veces financiados por grupos estatistas o formados en sistemas educativos que promueven esas ideas, que les hacen el coro.

Chile: por un pelo nos salvamos Este malentendido estuvo a punto de colarse en Chile. En el segundo intento de reforma constitucional, impulsado por Chile Vamos en 2023, se propuso que el Banco Central velara por la “estabilidad de precios”, no por la estabilidad del valor de la moneda. Parece un detalle técnico, ¿verdad? Pero no lo es. Ese cambio abría la puerta a políticas que podrían habernos llevado por el mismo camino que Argentina. Por suerte, aunque muchos expertos lo pasaron por alto, la ciudadanía no: la propuesta fue rechazada en las urnas con un contundente “En Contra”.

Nos salvamos, pero no porque nuestros políticos tuvieran las ideas claras. Nos salvamos porque los chilenos dijimos “basta”. Y menos mal, porque en 2024 la inflación en Chile se mantuvo controlada, rondando el 3,5% anual según el Banco Central, lejos del caos argentino. Pero no podemos confiarnos, porque esa inflación sigue siendo alta para nuestros estándares pre-pandémicos o pre-estallido social. El retiro desde las AFP convirtió activos en consumo, en otras palabras aumentó el circulante y todavía batallamos con esa inflación.

No es un “detallito” Cada vez que alguien diga que la inflación es una subida de precios o que la solución está en controlarlos, por favor, corrígelo. No es un error menor. Argentina lleva más de un año intentando salir del pozo que cavó este malentendido. Milei ha dado pasos importantes: transparentó la inflación real, ajustó el tipo de cambio para acercarse al valor de mercado y, aunque la inflación sigue alta (cerca del 50% anual a fines de 2024, según estimaciones), empieza a estabilizarse. Pero el camino es largo, y los costos de este “detallito” los pagan todos los argentinos.

¿Y ahora qué hacemos? La próxima vez que escuches a un político o un experto hablar de inflación como si fuera solo un problema de precios, no te quedes callado. Pregúntales: ¿y el valor de la moneda qué? Comparte esta historia, porque entender la inflación es el primer paso para no repetir los errores del pasado. En Chile esquivamos la bala, pero no podemos bajar la guardia. Los errores pequeños, cuando se trata de economía, terminan costándonos caro.

¿Qué opinas? ¿Crees que Chile aprendió la lección o estamos a un paso de tropezar otra vez? ¡Déja tu comentario y comparte este post si te hizo clic!

@ 2101a7ec:d9d8f2db

Ghostty is terminal manager with GPU acceleration and great looks. It works mostly out of the box, but you might want to do some setups to tailor it to your particular needs.

Here is how I set it up.

Installation

I won't spend much time on installation details, I installed it using brew there are multiple installation options, surprisingly flatpack is not within the options at the moment. For further details please check ghostty installation instructions.

Configuration

Config file is available on these locations

$HOME/Library/Application Support/com.mitchellh.ghostty/config

$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/ghostty/config

I use $XDG_CONFIG_HOME as I keep all my config there.

Configuration reference is available on line. And can be generated from the command line doing

ghostty +show-config --default --docs

And finally to list available themes ghostty +list-themes.

This is my config, it's available with my dotfiles

```config

~/.config/ghostty/config

to show the default configuration with documentation.

ghostty +show-config --default --docs

font-family = "JetBrains Mono"

font-size = 14

Run ghostty +list-themes to browse available themes.

theme = SynthwaveAlpha cursor-style = block

background-opacity = 0.96 background-blur-radius = 40

shell integration.

shell-integration = bash shell-integration-features = cursor, sudo, title

macos-titlebar-style = tabs

Auto-update Ghostty when a new release is available.

auto-update = download

mouse-hide-while-typing = true

keymaps

keybind = global:cmd+`=toggle_quick_terminal

keybind = cmd+left=previous_tab keybind = cmd+right=next_tab

byobu keybinds fix

macos-option-as-alt = left keybind = alt+left=unbind keybind = alt+right=unbind

quit-after-last-window-closed = true window-new-tab-position = end

```

I had some issues with SSH, so I added this to my ~/.ssh/config which fixed my issues.

ssh Host * # ghostty https://ghostty.org/docs/help/terminfo SetEnv TERM=xterm-256color # end ghostty

@ c066aac5:6a41a034

I’m drawn to extremities in art. The louder, the bolder, the more outrageous, the better. Bold art takes me out of the mundane into a whole new world where anything and everything is possible. Having grown up in the safety of the suburban midwest, I was a bit of a rebellious soul in search of the satiation that only came from the consumption of the outrageous. My inclination to find bold art draws me to NOSTR, because I believe NOSTR can be the place where the next generation of artistic pioneers go to express themselves. I also believe that as much as we are able, were should invite them to come create here.

My Background: A Small Side Story

My father was a professional gamer in the 80s, back when there was no money or glory in the avocation. He did get a bit of spotlight though after the fact: in the mid 2000’s there were a few parties making documentaries about that era of gaming as well as current arcade events (namely 2007’sChasing GhostsandThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters). As a result of these documentaries, there was a revival in the arcade gaming scene. My family attended events related to the documentaries or arcade gaming and I became exposed to a lot of things I wouldn’t have been able to find. The producer ofThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters had previously made a documentary calledNew York Dollwhich was centered around the life of bassist Arthur Kane. My 12 year old mind was blown: The New York Dolls were a glam-punk sensation dressed in drag. The music was from another planet. Johnny Thunders’ guitar playing was like Chuck Berry with more distortion and less filter. Later on I got to meet the Galaga record holder at the time, Phil Day, in Ottumwa Iowa. Phil is an Australian man of high intellect and good taste. He exposed me to great creators such as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Shakespeare, Lou Reed, artists who created things that I had previously found inconceivable.

I believe this time period informed my current tastes and interests, but regrettably I think it also put coals on the fire of rebellion within. I stopped taking my parents and siblings seriously, the Christian faith of my family (which I now hold dearly to) seemed like a mundane sham, and I felt I couldn’t fit in with most people because of my avant-garde tastes. So I write this with the caveat that there should be a way to encourage these tastes in children without letting them walk down the wrong path. There is nothing inherently wrong with bold art, but I’d advise parents to carefully find ways to cultivate their children’s tastes without completely shutting them down and pushing them away as a result. My parents were very loving and patient during this time; I thank God for that.

With that out of the way, lets dive in to some bold artists:

Nicolas Cage: Actor

There is an excellent video by Wisecrack on Nicolas Cage that explains him better than I will, which I will linkhere. Nicolas Cage rejects the idea that good acting is tied to mere realism; all of his larger than life acting decisions are deliberate choices. When that clicked for me, I immediately realized the man is a genius. He borrows from Kabuki and German Expressionism, art forms that rely on exaggeration to get the message across. He has even created his own acting style, which he calls Nouveau Shamanic. He augments his imagination to go from acting to being. Rather than using the old hat of method acting, he transports himself to a new world mentally. The projects he chooses to partake in are based on his own interests or what he considers would be a challenge (making a bad script good for example). Thus it doesn’t matter how the end result comes out; he has already achieved his goal as an artist. Because of this and because certain directors don’t know how to use his talents, he has a noticeable amount of duds in his filmography. Dig around the duds, you’ll find some pure gold. I’d personally recommend the filmsPig, Joe, Renfield, and his Christmas film The Family Man.

Nick Cave: Songwriter

What a wild career this man has had! From the apocalyptic mayhem of his band The Birthday Party to the pensive atmosphere of his albumGhosteen, it seems like Nick Cave has tried everything. I think his secret sauce is that he’s always working. He maintains an excellent newsletter calledThe Red Hand Files, he has written screenplays such asLawless, he has written books, he has made great film scores such asThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the man is religiously prolific. I believe that one of the reasons he is prolific is that he’s not afraid to experiment. If he has an idea, he follows it through to completion. From the albumMurder Ballads(which is comprised of what the title suggests) to his rejected sequel toGladiator(Gladiator: Christ Killer), he doesn’t seem to be afraid to take anything on. This has led to some over the top works as well as some deeply personal works. Albums likeSkeleton TreeandGhosteenwere journeys through the grief of his son’s death. The Boatman’s Callis arguably a better break-up album than anything Taylor Swift has put out. He’s not afraid to be outrageous, he’s not afraid to offend, but most importantly he’s not afraid to be himself. Works I’d recommend include The Birthday Party’sLive 1981-82, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’The Boatman’s Call, and the filmLawless.

Jim Jarmusch: Director

I consider Jim’s films to be bold almost in an ironic sense: his works are bold in that they are, for the most part, anti-sensational. He has a rule that if his screenplays are criticized for a lack of action, he makes them even less eventful. Even with sensational settings his films feel very close to reality, and they demonstrate the beauty of everyday life. That's what is bold about his art to me: making the sensational grounded in reality while making everyday reality all the more special. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is about a modern-day African-American hitman who strictly follows the rules of the ancient Samurai, yet one can resonate with the humanity of a seemingly absurd character. Only Lovers Left Aliveis a vampire love story, but in the middle of a vampire romance one can see their their own relationships in a new deeply human light. Jim’s work reminds me that art reflects life, and that there is sacred beauty in seemingly mundane everyday life. I personally recommend his filmsPaterson,Down by Law, andCoffee and Cigarettes.

NOSTR: We Need Bold Art

NOSTR is in my opinion a path to a better future. In a world creeping slowly towards everything apps, I hope that the protocol where the individual owns their data wins over everything else. I love freedom and sovereignty. If NOSTR is going to win the race of everything apps, we need more than Bitcoin content. We need more than shirtless bros paying for bananas in foreign countries and exercising with girls who have seductive accents. Common people cannot see themselves in such a world. NOSTR needs to catch the attention of everyday people. I don’t believe that this can be accomplished merely by introducing more broadly relevant content; people are searching for content that speaks to them. I believe that NOSTR can and should attract artists of all kinds because NOSTR is one of the few places on the internet where artists can express themselves fearlessly. Getting zaps from NOSTR’s value-for-value ecosystem has far less friction than crowdfunding a creative project or pitching investors that will irreversibly modify an artist’s vision. Having a place where one can post their works without fear of censorship should be extremely enticing. Having a place where one can connect with fellow humans directly as opposed to a sea of bots should seem like the obvious solution. If NOSTR can become a safe haven for artists to express themselves and spread their work, I believe that everyday people will follow. The banker whose stressful job weighs on them will suddenly find joy with an original meme made by a great visual comedian. The programmer for a healthcare company who is drowning in hopeless mundanity could suddenly find a new lust for life by hearing the song of a musician who isn’t afraid to crowdfund their their next project by putting their lighting address on the streets of the internet. The excel guru who loves independent film may find that NOSTR is the best way to support non corporate movies. My closing statement: continue to encourage the artists in your life as I’m sure you have been, but while you’re at it give them the purple pill. You may very well be a part of building a better future.

@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb

There’s an African proverb that says, “To get lost is to learn the way.”

Humans have always been explorers, searching for connection. To belong. To feel home. You can trace this instinct back to the start of our existence. Whether you start with Adam and Eve or the “Out of Africa” theory, the story is the same. We’ve always moved toward each other, building tribes and forming communities.

But somewhere along the way, something broke. With the rise of empires and organized control, religion and politics divided us into bubbles. We were sorted, labeled, and often pitted against one another. While technology advanced, something fundamental was lost. Our ability to truly connect started to fade.

Then came the internet, a modern-day Silk Road. It rekindled hope. Walls seemed to crumble, distances disappeared, and we dreamed of a truly connected world. For a time, it felt like the answer.

And then it wasn’t.

The history of Internet

The story began around 1830s when Charles Babbage started working on his computer prototype but without moolah he couldn't continue. A century later, after WW2 in the 1950s, the US Department of Defense funded what became known as modern computing.

Back then the military relied on systems like the Navajo Code Talkers. The indigenous code talkers were ingenious but operated under dangerous conditions, always on the frontlines.

In 1969, ARPANET made a revolutionary breakthrough as it connected four university computers for the first time. It was a big deal.

At that time, the internet was about openness. Researchers pushed for universal protocols. This gave rise to hacker culture that valued knowledge-sharing and keeping systems accessible to everyone.

In the 80s, NSFNET (National Science Foundation ) expanded these connections but kept it strictly for academic use only. That caused massive dissatisfaction.

Senator Al Gore pitched the concept of the “information superhighway,” to balance public access with private innovation. But by the 90s, the Clinton administration leaned into privatization. NSFNET’s infrastructure was completely handed off to private companies, and the internet grew into a commercial powerhouse.

The good news is that everyone has internet access now. Bad news is that what started as something free from government and commercial control became completely dominated by both.

Open source vs IP during the early internet days

This part of the story is about Bill Gates and Marc Andreessen.

Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, but Marc saw the opportunity to make it user-friendly. He launched Netscape, an open-source browser. It drove the openness of internet culture. Netscape captured 90% of the market by giving its software away for free, and monetizing through other means.

Then came along Bill Gates. Microsoft back then was known for its aggressive tactics to monopolize industries. Gates licensed Mosaic’s code, created Internet Explorer, and bundled it for free with Windows 95. He wasn’t shy about playing dirty, even formed exclusive contracts with manufacturers to block competitors. Even the Department of Justice tried to file an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, but by then, it was too late. Netscape’s market share crumbled, and its position in the industry eroded.

Windows 95 brought the internet to the people globally, but it also closed it up.

Marc Andreeson started with open source ideologies, but is now funding altcoin projects.

The Californian ideology

Around this time, the term “Californian Ideology” started floating around. It was an unusual mix of libertarianism, techno-utopianism, and countercultural ideals. A marriage of cultural bohemianism (hippies) with high-tech entrepreneurship (yuppies). This ideology fused left-wing values like freedom of expression and direct democracy with right-wing beliefs in free markets and minimal government interference.

I absolutely love it.

Ironically, the term “Californian Ideology” wasn’t coined as a compliment. Richard Barbrook and Andy Cameron used it to piss on these visionaries for romanticizing the idea that the internet must remain a lawless, egalitarian space.

But many people loved and embraced the Californian ideology. Stewart Brand, who founded The Whole Earth Catalog, connected counterculture with early tech innovation. His work inspired people like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Steve Wozniak used to share Apple’s early schematics at the Homebrew Computer Club for feedback and collaboration.

EBay’s founder Pierre Omidyar envisioned eBay as a libertarian experiment. He believed the “invisible hand” of the market would ensure fairness. But as eBay grew, fraud, disputes, and dissatisfaction among users forced Omidyar to introduce governance which contradicted his goals.

And this story repeats itself over the years.

Platforms begin with libertarian visions, but as they scale, real-world challenges emerge. Governance (government, corporate charters, advertisers, and investors) is introduced to address safety and trust issues.

But they also chip away at the liberty the internet once promised.

Can Nostr be the solution ?

Yes.

But to appreciate Nostr, let’s first understand how the internet works today. (Note : I am no expert of this section but I'll try my best to explain)

The internet operates through four main layers:

1. Application Layer (where apps like browsers, Google, or Zoom live)
2. Transport Layer
3. Internet Layer
4. Network Access Layer

Let’s use a simple example of searching “Pink Panther” on Google.

Step 1: The Application Layer - You open your browser, type "Pink Panther," and hit search. This request is sent using HTTP/HTTPS (a protocol that formats the query and ensures it's secure).

Step 2: The Transport Layer - Think of your search query as a letter being sent. The Transport Layer breaks it into smaller packets (like splitting a long letter into multiple envelopes). TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures all packets arrive and reassemble in the correct order.

Step 3: The Internet Layer - This layer acts like a postal service, assigning each device an address (IP address) to route the packets properly. Your device's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.10) and Google’s server IP (e.g., 142.250.72.238) help routers find the best path to deliver your packets.

Step 4: The Network Access Layer - Finally, the Network Access Layer physically delivers the packets. These travel as electrical signals (over cables), radio waves (Wi-Fi), or light pulses (fiber optics). This is the act of moving envelopes via trucks, planes, or postal workers, just much faster.

So how is data transmitted via Nostr ?

Nostr’s architecture of the Internet

Nostr reimagines the Application Layer while keeping the lower layers (Transport, Internet, and Network Access) largely unchanged.

In the traditional internet stack, the Application Layer is where platforms like Google or Twitter operate. It’s also where most censorship occurs due to single point of failure (centralised servers). Nostr flips this model on its head.

Technically, it’s like building a parallel internet that shares the same foundational layers but diverges at the top.

To borrow from Robert Frost:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

For Nostr to fully realize its potential, it needs its own ecosystem of apps. Developers can build these tools within the Nostr protocol's framework

Let’s say there is a search engine on Nostr called Noogle.

Here’s how it works:

When you type "Pink Panther" on Noogle, your query is sent to multiple relays (servers) simultaneously. Each relay processes or forwards the query and returns results based on the data it holds.

As Nostr grows, the amount of information on relays will increase, giving Noogle more robust search results. But the biggest win is that compared to Google, Nostr's Noogle will have no ads, no surveillance, just pure, decentralized searching that respects your privacy.

For the transport layer, Nostr still relies on TCP/IP but enhances it with privacy and efficiency. Encrypted messages and simplified protocols enable faster real-time communication. The rest of the layer remains unchanged.

At its core, Nostr takes the internet back to its original ideals: open, uncensored, and decentralized.

Why Nostr matters ?

The internet we use today relies on centralized systems at the application layer. This creates a single point of failure where governments and corporations can control access, censor content, monitor activity, and even shut down entire platforms.

For example, the Malaysian government once proposed routing all web traffic through a centralized system, claiming it was for "security" reasons. In reality, this action allow those in power to block access to specific content or platforms that might threaten their positions.

Centralization weaponizes the internet.

It turns what was meant to be a tool for connection and freedom into a mechanism for control and oppression.

Let's look at DNS and ISPs as examples. DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet. It helps translate website names (like example.com) into IP addresses so your browser can connect to them. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are companies that give you access to the internet.

Both are controlled by centralized entities. If a government gains control of either, it can block specific websites or even shut down internet access entirely.

We've seen this happen repeatedly: * India’s internet shutdowns in regions like Kashmir * Turkey’s social media bans during political events * Ethiopia’s internet blackouts * China’s Great Firewall blocking major platforms like Google and Facebook * Even the US, where Edward Snowden revealed massive surveillance programs

This is where Nostr comes in, as the antidote to centralized control.

Instead of relying on centralized servers or platforms, Nostr creates a peer-to-peer network of independent relays. No single entity controls it. There is no central switch governments can flip to block access. If one relay is shut down, users simply connect to others in the network.

Nostr’s decentralized design makes it: * Resistant to censorship: Governments cannot easily block or filter content. * Privacy-preserving: Users can communicate anonymously, even in heavily surveilled environments. * Resilient: With no single point of failure, the network keeps running, even under attack.

And it gets better. Nostr can integrate with privacy tools like Tor to bypass restrictions entirely, making it nearly impossible for governments to stop.

The internet has become a battlefield for control, but Nostr provides a way to reclaim digital freedom. It empowers people to build, connect, and share without fear of being silenced.

How does Nostr overcome the "Californian Ideology" problems?

The Californian Ideology seemed like the blueprint for a utopian internet, libertarian ideals wrapped in Silicon Valley innovation. But as centralized platforms scaled, cracks started to show. Challenges like trust, safety, and accessibility forced governance teams to step in and decide “what’s best for the people.”

This resulted in platforms once built on ideals of freedom in becoming gatekeepers of control.

Nostr breaks this cycle. How?

1. Trust issues - With private keys, you control your identity and data. Moderation is decentralized. You can block or mute others at a personal level or through client tools, not by relying on a central authority. While this system needs refinement to be more user-friendly, it fundamentally shifts the power to users.

2. Funding Without Advertiser - Nostr’s integration of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network eliminates reliance on advertisers or corporate sponsors. Bitcoin enables anyone to contribute without gatekeeping. As more people join and apps mature, this model only gets stronger. For now, we have good souls like Jack seeding it.

3. Resisting Government Control - (refer to the above) Nostr avoids single points of attacks.

So what is Nostr ?

Nostr is internet

The new internet.

The open and free internet.

What can you build on Nostr?

Anything you have seen on the internet, you can recreate on Nostr. Anything you can imagine, you can bring to life here. It is a blank canvas for dreamers, builders, and changemakers.

But the best part is this. You have Bitcoin as its financial backbone. This changes the game entirely.

And with new games, comes new rules. New vibes. New ways.

The way people use this new internet will be different from the traditional internet as control falls back to the people. With Bitcoin as the underlying backbone, the business models will be different.

But there is more to it than just creating. There's that joy of creation, where we invite curiosity and inspire users to experience something new, something revolutionary.

Have you watched “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch?

He coined the term “head fake.” He taught his students programming, but not everyone was excited to learn programming. So he created fun projects and performances that pulled them in. The students had so much fun, they didn’t even realize they were learning to code.

What you build on Nostr is that head fake. The apps and projects you create draw people in with fun and utility, subtly reminding them they have a right to their own voice and thoughts.

The work you’re doing is so precious. When everything feels like doom and gloom, it’s these kinds of projects that give people hope.

Through Nostr, you’re making a difference. One project, one connection at a time.

The new Internet era

Centralized systems, like empires of the past, eventually crumble under the weight of their control. Decentralization provides a different path. It is a modern revival of our primal instincts to explore, connect, and build tribes.

By definition, Nostr is a protocol. I think more so, it's a philosophy. It challenges us to rethink how we share, communicate, and create. It is the internet as it was meant to be. Free, open, and governed by no one.

The beauty of Nostr lies in its simplicity. It does not rely on massive infrastructure, corporate giants, or government oversight. It thrives on community, much like the early tribes that defined humanity.

We have come full circle. From wandering continents to building roads, bridges, and networks, our journey has always been about connection and finding our tribe.

As the African proverb reminds us, 'To get lost is to learn the way.' There is finally a way now.

But at the end of the day, it’s entirely up to you what kind of world you want to be part of.

Find your tribe. Build the future. Love them hard.

---

More info :

On those who played a role in the history of internet and computers
https://hiddenheroes.netguru.com/

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Capitalism is the most effective system for scaling innovation. The pursuit of profit is an incredibly powerful human incentive. Most major improvements to human society and quality of life have resulted from this base incentive. Market competition often results in the best outcomes for all.

That said, some projects can never be monetized. They are open in nature and a business model would centralize control. Open protocols like bitcoin and nostr are not owned by anyone and if they were it would destroy the key value propositions they provide. No single entity can or should control their use. Anyone can build on them without permission.

As a result, open protocols must depend on donation based grant funding from the people and organizations that rely on them. This model works but it is slow and uncertain, a grind where sustainability is never fully reached but rather constantly sought. As someone who has been incredibly active in the open source grant funding space, I do not think people truly appreciate how difficult it is to raise charitable money and deploy it efficiently.

Projects that can be monetized should be. Profitability is a super power. When a business can generate revenue, it taps into a self sustaining cycle. Profit fuels growth and development while providing projects independence and agency. This flywheel effect is why companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple have scaled to global dominance. The profit incentive aligns human effort with efficiency. Businesses must innovate, cut waste, and deliver value to survive.

Contrast this with non monetized projects. Without profit, they lean on external support, which can dry up or shift with donor priorities. A profit driven model, on the other hand, is inherently leaner and more adaptable. It is not charity but survival. When survival is tied to delivering what people want, scale follows naturally.

The real magic happens when profitable, sustainable businesses are built on top of open protocols and software. Consider the many startups building on open source software stacks, such as Start9, Mempool, and Primal, offering premium services on top of the open source software they build out and maintain. Think of companies like Block or Strike, which leverage bitcoin’s open protocol to offer their services on top. These businesses amplify the open software and protocols they build on, driving adoption and improvement at a pace donations alone could never match.

When you combine open software and protocols with profit driven business the result are lean, sustainable companies that grow faster and serve more people than either could alone. Bitcoin’s network, for instance, benefits from businesses that profit off its existence, while nostr will expand as developers monetize apps built on the protocol.

Capitalism scales best because competition results in efficiency. Donation funded protocols and software lay the groundwork, while market driven businesses build on top. The profit incentive acts as a filter, ensuring resources flow to what works, while open systems keep the playing field accessible, empowering users and builders. Together, they create a flywheel of innovation, growth, and global benefit.

@ 34ff86e0:dbb6b9fb

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

One of the most common criticisms leveled against nostr is the perceived lack of assurance when it comes to data storage. Critics argue that without a centralized authority guaranteeing that all data is preserved, important information will be lost. They also claim that running a relay will become prohibitively expensive. While there is truth to these concerns, they miss the mark. The genius of nostr lies in its flexibility, resilience, and the way it harnesses human incentives to ensure data availability in practice.

A nostr relay is simply a server that holds cryptographically verifiable signed data and makes it available to others. Relays are simple, flexible, open, and require no permission to run. Critics are right that operating a relay attempting to store all nostr data will be costly. What they miss is that most will not run all encompassing archive relays. Nostr does not rely on massive archive relays. Instead, anyone can run a relay and choose to store whatever subset of data they want. This keeps costs low and operations flexible, making relay operation accessible to all sorts of individuals and entities with varying use cases.

Critics are correct that there is no ironclad guarantee that every piece of data will always be available. Unlike bitcoin where data permanence is baked into the system at a steep cost, nostr does not promise that every random note or meme will be preserved forever. That said, in practice, any data perceived as valuable by someone will likely be stored and distributed by multiple entities. If something matters to someone, they will keep a signed copy.

Nostr is the Streisand Effect in protocol form. The Streisand effect is when an attempt to suppress information backfires, causing it to spread even further. With nostr, anyone can broadcast signed data, anyone can store it, and anyone can distribute it. Try to censor something important? Good luck. The moment it catches attention, it will be stored on relays across the globe, copied, and shared by those who find it worth keeping. Data deemed important will be replicated across servers by individuals acting in their own interest.

Nostr’s distributed nature ensures that the system does not rely on a single point of failure or a corporate overlord. Instead, it leans on the collective will of its users. The result is a network where costs stay manageable, participation is open to all, and valuable verifiable data is stored and distributed forever.

@ e17e9a18:66d67a6b

We wrote this album to explain the inspiration behind Mutiny Brewing, and as a way to share the story of Bitcoin and freedom technologies like nostr. Through these songs, we’ve tried to capture every truth that we believe is essential to understand about money, freedom, trust, and human connection in the internet age. It’s our way of making these ideas real and relatable, and we hope it helps others see the power of taking control of their future through the systems we use.

01. "Tomorrow's Prices on Yesterday's Wage" explores the harsh reality of inflation. As central banks inflate the money supply, prices rise faster than wages, leaving us constantly falling behind. People, expecting prices to keep climbing, borrow more to buy sooner, pushing prices even higher in a vicious cycle. You're always a step behind, forced to pay tomorrow's inflated prices with yesterday's stagnant wages.

https://wavlake.com/track/76a6cd02-e876-4a37-b093-1fe919e9eabe

02. "Everybody Works For The Bank" exposes the hidden truth behind our fiat money system. When banks issue loans, they create new money from debt—but you must pay back both the principal and interest. That interest requires even more money, relying on others to borrow, creating an endless cycle of debt. If borrowing slows, the system falters and governments step in, printing more money to keep banks afloat. Ultimately, we’re all working to service debt, chained to the banks.

“Paying back what they create, working till I break” https://wavlake.com/track/4d94cb4b-ff3b-4423-be6a-03e0be8177d6

03. "Let My People Go" references Moses' demand for freedom but directly draws from Proverbs 6:1–5, exposing the danger of debt based money. Every dollar you hold is actually someone else's debt, making you personally liable—held in the hand of your debtor and at risk of their losses, which you ultimately pay for through inflation or higher taxes. As the song says, "The more you try to save it up, the deeper in you get." The wisdom of Proverbs urges immediate action, pleading urgently to escape this trap and free yourself, like a gazelle from a hunter.

https://wavlake.com/track/76214ff1-f8fd-45b0-a677-d9c285b1e7d6

04. "Mutiny Brewing" embodies Friedrich Hayek's insight: "I don't believe we shall ever have good money again before we take it out of the hands of government... we can't take it violently... all we can do is by some sly roundabout way introduce something they can't stop."

Inspired also by the Cypherpunk manifesto's rallying cry, "We will write the code", the song celebrates Bitcoin as exactly that unstoppable solution.

"Not here to break ya, just here to create our own little world where we determine our fate." https://wavlake.com/track/ba767fc8-6afc-4b0d-be64-259b340432f3

05. "Invisible Wealth" is inspired by The Sovereign Individual, a groundbreaking 1990s book that predicted the rise of digital money and explores how the return on violence shaped civilizations. The song references humanity's vulnerability since agriculture began—where stored wealth attracted violence, forcing reliance on larger governments for protection.

Today, digital privacy enabled by cryptography fundamentally changes this dynamic. When wealth is stored privately, secured by cryptographic keys, violence becomes ineffective. As the song emphasizes, "You can't bomb what you can't see." Cryptography dismantles traditional power structures, providing individuals true financial security, privacy, and freedom from exploitation.

“Violence is useless against cryptography” https://wavlake.com/track/648da3cc-d58c-4049-abe0-d22f9e61fef0

06. "Run A Node" is a rallying cry for Bitcoin's decentralisation. At its heart, it's about personal verification and choice: every node is a vote, every check’s a voice. By running the code yourself, you enforce the rules you choose to follow. This is true digital democracy. When everyone participates, there's no room for collusion, and authority comes directly from transparent code rather than blind trust.

"I verify, therefore I do." https://wavlake.com/track/ee11362b-2e84-4631-b05e-df6d8e6797f8

07. "Leverage is a Liar" warns against gambling with your wealth, but beneath the surface, it's a sharp critique of fractional reserve banking. Fractional reserves inflate asset prices, creating the illusion of wealth built on leverage. This system isn't sustainable and inevitably leads to collapse. Real wealth requires sound money, money that can't be inflated. Trying to gain more through leverage only feeds the lie.

"Watch it burn higher and higher—leverage is a liar." https://wavlake.com/track/67f9c39c-c5e1-4e15-b171-f1f5442f29a5

08. "Don't Get Rekt" serves as a stark warning about trusting custodians with your Bitcoin. Highlighting infamous collapses like Mt.Gox, Celsius, and FTX. These modern failures echo the 1933 Executive Order 6102, where the US government forcibly seized citizens' gold, banned its use, and then promptly devalued the currency exchanged for it. History shows clearly: trusting others with your wealth means risking losing it all.

"Your keys, your life, don't forget." https://wavlake.com/track/fbd9b46d-56fc-4496-bc4b-71dec2043705

09. "One Language" critiques the thousands of cryptocurrencies claiming to be revolutionary. Like languages, while anyone can invent one, getting people to actually use it is another story. Most of these cryptos are just affinity scams, centralized towers built on shaky foundations. Drawing from The Bitcoin Standard, the song argues money naturally gravitates toward a single unit, a universal language understood by all. When the dust settles, only genuine, decentralized currency remains.

"One voice speaking loud and clear, the rest will disappear." https://wavlake.com/track/22fb4705-9a01-4f65-9b68-7e8a77406a16

10. "Key To Life" is an anthem dedicated to nostr, the permissionless, unstoppable internet identity protocol. Unlike mainstream social media’s walled gardens, nostr places your identity securely in a cryptographic key, allowing you total control. Every message or action you sign proves authenticity, verifiable by anyone. This ensures censorship resistant communication, crucial for decentralised coordination around Bitcoin, keeping it free from centralised control.

"I got the key that sets me free—my truth is mine, authentically." https://wavlake.com/track/0d702284-88d2-4d3a-9059-960cc9286d3f

11. "Web Of Trust" celebrates genuine human connections built through protocols like nostr, free from corporate algorithms and their manipulative agendas. Instead of top down control, it champions grassroots sharing of information among trusted peers, ensuring truth and authenticity rise naturally. It's about reclaiming our digital lives, building real communities where trust isn't manufactured by machines, but created by people.

"My filter, my future, my choice to make, real connections no one can fake." https://wavlake.com/track/b383d4e2-feba-4d63-b9f6-10382683b54b

12. "Proof Of Work" is an anthem for fair value creation. In Bitcoin, new money is earned through real work, computing power and electricity spent to secure the network. No shortcuts, no favourites. It's a system grounded in natural law: you reap what you sow. Unlike fiat money, which rewards those closest to power and the printing press, Proof of Work ensures rewards flow to those who put in the effort. Paper castles built on easy money will crumble, but real work builds lasting worth.

"Real work makes real worth, that's the law of this earth." https://wavlake.com/track/01bb7327-0e77-490b-9985-b5ff4d4fdcfc

13. "Stay Humble" is a reminder that true wealth isn’t measured in coins or possessions. It’s grounded in the truth that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Real wealth is the freedom to use your life and time for what is good and meaningful. When you let go of the obsession with numbers, you make room for gratitude, purpose, and peace. It's not about counting coins, it's about counting your blessings.

"Real wealth ain't what you own, it's gratitude that sets the tone." https://wavlake.com/track/3fdb2e9b-2f52-4def-a8c5-c6b3ee1cd194

@ 1bc70a01:24f6a411

The heading to be

Testing apps, a tireless quest, Click and swipe, then poke the rest. Crashing bugs and broken flows, Hidden deep where logic goes.

Specs in hand, we watch and trace, Each edge case in its hiding place. From flaky taps to loading spins, The war on regressions slowly wins.

Push the build, review the log, One more fix, then clear the fog. For in each test, truth will unfold— A quiet tale of stable code.

This has been a test. Thanks for tuning in.

• one
• two
• three

---

Listen a chill

Tranquility

And leisure

@ bf95e1a4:ebdcc848

This is a part of the Bitcoin Infinity Academy course on Knut Svanholm's book Bitcoin: Sovereignty Through Mathematics. For more information, check out our Geyser page!

An Immaculate Conception

Some concepts in nature are harder for us humans to understand than others. How complex things can emerge out of simpler ones is one of those concepts. A termite colony, for instance, has a complex cooling system at its lower levels. No single termite knows how it works. Completely unaware of the end results, they build complex mounds and nests, shelter tubes to protect their paths, and networks of subterranean tunnels to connect their dirt cities. Everything seems organized and designed, but it is not. Evolution has equipped the termite with a pheromone receptor that tells the termite what task he ought to engage himself in by simply counting the number of neighboring termites doing the same thing. If there’s a surplus of workers in an area, nearby termites become warriors, and so on. Complex structures emerge from simple rules. The fractal patterns found all around nature are another example. Fractals look complex, but in reality, they’re not. They’re basically algorithms — the same pattern, repeated over and over again with a slightly modified starting point. The human brain is an excellent example of a complex thing that evolved out of simpler things, and we humans still have a hard time accepting that it wasn’t designed. Religions, which themselves are emergent systems spawned out of human interaction, have come up with a plethora of explanations for how we came to be. All sorts of wild origin stories have been more widely accepted than the simple explanation that our complexities just emerged out of simpler things following a set of rules that nature itself provided our world with.

Complex systems emerge out of human interactions all the time. The phone in your pocket is the result of a century of mostly free global market competition, and no single human could ever have come up with the entire thing. The device, together with its internet connection, is capable of a lot more than the sum of its individual parts. A pocket-sized gadget that can grant instant access to almost all of the world’s literature, music, and film, which fits in your pocket, was an unthinkable science fiction a mere twenty years ago. Bitcoin, first described in Satoshi Nakamoto’s whitepaper ten years before these words were written, was designed to be decentralized. Still, it wasn’t until years later that the network started to show actual proof of this. Sound money, or absolute digital scarcity, emerged out of the network not only because of its technical design. How Bitcoin’s first ten years actually unfolded played a huge part in how true decentralization could emerge, and this is also the main reason why the experiment cannot be replicated. Scarcity on the internet could only be invented once. Satoshi’s disappearance was Bitcoin’s first step towards true decentralization. No marketing whatsoever and the randomness of who hopped onto the train first were the steps that followed. Bitcoin truly had an immaculate conception.

The network has shown a remarkable resistance to change over the last few years especially, and its current state might be its last incarnation given the size of the network and the 95% agreement threshold in its consensus rules. It might never change again. In that case, an entirely new, complex life form will have emerged out of a simple set of rules. Even if small upgrades are implemented in the future, the 21 million coin supply cap is set in stone forever. Bitcoin is not for humans to have opinions about — it exists regardless of what anyone thinks about it, and it ought to be studied rather than discussed. We don’t know what true scarcity and a truly global, anonymous free market will do to our species yet, but we are about to find out. It is naïve to think otherwise. Various futurists and doomsday prophets have been focused on the dangers of the impending general artificial intelligence singularity lately, warning us about the point of no return, whereupon an artificial intelligence will be able to improve itself faster than any human could. Such a scenario could, as news anchor Ron Burgundy would have put it, escalate quickly. This may or may not be of real concern to us, but meanwhile, right under our noses, another type of unstoppable digital life has emerged, and it is already changing the behavior and preferences of millions of people around the globe. This is probably bad news for big corporations and governments but good news for the little guy looking for a little freedom. At least, that’s what those of us who lean towards the ideas of the Austrian school of economics believe. This time around, we will find out whether this is the case or not. No one knows what it will lead to and what new truths will emerge out of this new reality.

Unlike the termite, we humans are able to experience the grandeur of our progress. We can look in awe at the Sistine Chapel or the pyramids, and we can delve into the technicalities and brief history of Bitcoin and discover new ways of thinking about value along the way. Money is the language in which we express value to each other through space and time. Now, that language is spoken by computers. Value expressed in this language can’t be diluted through inflation or counterfeiting any longer. It is a language that is borderless, permissionless, peer-to-peer, anonymous (if you have the skills), unreplicable, completely scarce, non-dilutable, unchangeable, untouchable, undeniable, fungible, and free for everyone on Earth to use. It is a language for the future and it emerged out of a specific set of events in the past. All languages are examples of complex systems emerging out of simpler things, and Bitcoin evolved just as organically as any other human language did.

Decentralization is hard to achieve. Really hard. When it comes to claims of decentralization, a “don’t trust, verify” approach to the validity of such claims will help you filter out the noise. So, how can the validity of Bitcoin’s decentralization be verified? It’s a tricky question because decentralization is not a binary thing, like life or death, but rather a very difficult concept to define. However, the most fundamental concepts in Bitcoin, like the 21 million cap on coin issuance or the ten-minute block interval as a result of the difficulty adjustment and the Proof of Work algorithm, have not changed since very early on in the history of the network. This lack of change, which is arguably Bitcoin’s biggest strength, has been achieved through the consensus rules, which define what the blockchain is. Some special mechanisms (for example, BIP9) are sometimes used to deploy changes to the consensus rules. These mechanisms use a threshold when counting blocks that signal for a certain upgrade. For example, the upgrade “Segregated Witness” activated in a node when 95% or more of the blocks in a retarget period signaled support. Bitcoin has displayed a remarkable immutability through the years, and it is highly unlikely that this would have been the case if the game-theoretical mechanisms that enable its decentralized governance model hadn’t worked, given the many incentives to cheat that always seem to corrupt monetary systems. In other words, the longer the system seems to be working, the higher the likelihood that it actually does.

Satoshi set in stone the length of the halving period — a very important aspect of Bitcoin’s issuance schedule and initial distribution. During the first four years of Bitcoin’s existence, fifty new coins were issued every ten minutes up until the first block reward halving four years later. Every four years, this reward is halved so that the issuance rate goes down by fifty percent. This effectively means that half of all the Bitcoin that will ever exist was mined during the first four years of the network’s life, one fourth during its next four years, and so on. At the time of writing, we’re a little more than a year from the third halving. After that, only 6.25 Bitcoin will be minted every ten minutes as opposed to 50, which was the initial rate. What this seems to do is to create hype cycles for Bitcoin’s adoption. Every time the price of Bitcoin booms and then busts down to a level above where it started, a hype cycle takes place. Bitcoin had no marketing whatsoever, so awareness of it had to be spread through some other mechanism. When a bull run begins, people start talking about it, which leads to even more people buying due to fear of missing out (FOMO), which inevitably causes the price to rise even more rapidly. This leads to more FOMO, and on and on the bull market goes until it suddenly ends, and the price crashes down to somewhere around, or slightly above, the level it was at before the bull run started. Unlike what is true for most other assets, Bitcoin never really crashes all the way. Why? Because every time a hype cycle occurs, some more people learn about Bitcoin’s fundamentals and manage to resist the urge to sell, even when almost all hope seems lost. They understand that these bull markets are a reoccurring thing due to the nature of the protocol. These cycles create new waves of evangelists who start promoting Bitcoin simply because of what they stand to gain from a price increase. In a sense, the protocol itself pays for its own promotion in this way. This organic marketing creates a lot of noise and confusion, too, as a lot of people who don’t seem to understand how Bitcoin works are often very outspoken about it despite their lack of knowledge. Red herrings, such as altcoins and Bitcoin forks, are then weeded out naturally during bear markets. Every time a bull market happens, a new generation of Bitcoiners is born.

The four-year period between halvings seems to serve a deliberate purpose. Satoshi could just as well have programmed a smooth issuance curve into the Bitcoin protocol, but he didn’t. As events unfold, it seems that he had good reason for this since these hype cycles provide a very effective onboarding mechanism, and they seem to be linked to the halvings. They certainly make Bitcoin volatile, but remember that in this early stage, the volatility is needed in order for these hype cycles to happen. Later on, when Bitcoin’s stock-to-flow ratio is higher, the seas will calm, and its volatility level will go down. In truth, it already has. The latest almost 80% price drop was far from the worst we’ve seen in Bitcoin. This technology is still in its infancy, and it is very likely that we’ll see a lot more volatility before mainstream adoption, or hyperbitcoinization, truly happens.

About the Bitcoin Infinity Academy

The Bitcoin Infinity Academy is an educational project built around Knut Svanholm’s books about Bitcoin and Austrian Economics. Each week, a whole chapter from one of the books is released for free on Highlighter, accompanied by a video in which Knut and Luke de Wolf discuss that chapter’s ideas. You can join the discussions by signing up for one of the courses on our Geyser page. Signed books, monthly calls, and lots of other benefits are also available.

@ bf95e1a4:ebdcc848

This is a part of the Bitcoin Infinity Academy course on Knut Svanholm's book Bitcoin: Sovereignty Through Mathematics. For more information, check out our Geyser page!

An Immaculate Conception

Some concepts in nature are harder for us humans to understand than others. How complex things can emerge out of simpler ones is one of those concepts. A termite colony, for instance, has a complex cooling system at its lower levels. No single termite knows how it works. Completely unaware of the end results, they build complex mounds and nests, shelter tubes to protect their paths, and networks of subterranean tunnels to connect their dirt cities. Everything seems organized and designed, but it is not. Evolution has equipped the termite with a pheromone receptor that tells the termite what task he ought to engage himself in by simply counting the number of neighboring termites doing the same thing. If there’s a surplus of workers in an area, nearby termites become warriors, and so on. Complex structures emerge from simple rules. The fractal patterns found all around nature are another example. Fractals look complex, but in reality, they’re not. They’re basically algorithms — the same pattern, repeated over and over again with a slightly modified starting point. The human brain is an excellent example of a complex thing that evolved out of simpler things, and we humans still have a hard time accepting that it wasn’t designed. Religions, which themselves are emergent systems spawned out of human interaction, have come up with a plethora of explanations for how we came to be. All sorts of wild origin stories have been more widely accepted than the simple explanation that our complexities just emerged out of simpler things following a set of rules that nature itself provided our world with.

Complex systems emerge out of human interactions all the time. The phone in your pocket is the result of a century of mostly free global market competition, and no single human could ever have come up with the entire thing. The device, together with its internet connection, is capable of a lot more than the sum of its individual parts. A pocket-sized gadget that can grant instant access to almost all of the world’s literature, music, and film, which fits in your pocket, was an unthinkable science fiction a mere twenty years ago. Bitcoin, first described in Satoshi Nakamoto’s whitepaper ten years before these words were written, was designed to be decentralized. Still, it wasn’t until years later that the network started to show actual proof of this. Sound money, or absolute digital scarcity, emerged out of the network not only because of its technical design. How Bitcoin’s first ten years actually unfolded played a huge part in how true decentralization could emerge, and this is also the main reason why the experiment cannot be replicated. Scarcity on the internet could only be invented once. Satoshi’s disappearance was Bitcoin’s first step towards true decentralization. No marketing whatsoever and the randomness of who hopped onto the train first were the steps that followed. Bitcoin truly had an immaculate conception.

The network has shown a remarkable resistance to change over the last few years especially, and its current state might be its last incarnation given the size of the network and the 95% agreement threshold in its consensus rules. It might never change again. In that case, an entirely new, complex life form will have emerged out of a simple set of rules. Even if small upgrades are implemented in the future, the 21 million coin supply cap is set in stone forever. Bitcoin is not for humans to have opinions about — it exists regardless of what anyone thinks about it, and it ought to be studied rather than discussed. We don’t know what true scarcity and a truly global, anonymous free market will do to our species yet, but we are about to find out. It is naïve to think otherwise. Various futurists and doomsday prophets have been focused on the dangers of the impending general artificial intelligence singularity lately, warning us about the point of no return, whereupon an artificial intelligence will be able to improve itself faster than any human could. Such a scenario could, as news anchor Ron Burgundy would have put it, escalate quickly. This may or may not be of real concern to us, but meanwhile, right under our noses, another type of unstoppable digital life has emerged, and it is already changing the behavior and preferences of millions of people around the globe. This is probably bad news for big corporations and governments but good news for the little guy looking for a little freedom. At least, that’s what those of us who lean towards the ideas of the Austrian school of economics believe. This time around, we will find out whether this is the case or not. No one knows what it will lead to and what new truths will emerge out of this new reality.

Unlike the termite, we humans are able to experience the grandeur of our progress. We can look in awe at the Sistine Chapel or the pyramids, and we can delve into the technicalities and brief history of Bitcoin and discover new ways of thinking about value along the way. Money is the language in which we express value to each other through space and time. Now, that language is spoken by computers. Value expressed in this language can’t be diluted through inflation or counterfeiting any longer. It is a language that is borderless, permissionless, peer-to-peer, anonymous (if you have the skills), unreplicable, completely scarce, non-dilutable, unchangeable, untouchable, undeniable, fungible, and free for everyone on Earth to use. It is a language for the future and it emerged out of a specific set of events in the past. All languages are examples of complex systems emerging out of simpler things, and Bitcoin evolved just as organically as any other human language did.

Decentralization is hard to achieve. Really hard. When it comes to claims of decentralization, a “don’t trust, verify” approach to the validity of such claims will help you filter out the noise. So, how can the validity of Bitcoin’s decentralization be verified? It’s a tricky question because decentralization is not a binary thing, like life or death, but rather a very difficult concept to define. However, the most fundamental concepts in Bitcoin, like the 21 million cap on coin issuance or the ten-minute block interval as a result of the difficulty adjustment and the Proof of Work algorithm, have not changed since very early on in the history of the network. This lack of change, which is arguably Bitcoin’s biggest strength, has been achieved through the consensus rules, which define what the blockchain is. Some special mechanisms (for example, BIP9) are sometimes used to deploy changes to the consensus rules. These mechanisms use a threshold when counting blocks that signal for a certain upgrade. For example, the upgrade “Segregated Witness” activated in a node when 95% or more of the blocks in a retarget period signaled support. Bitcoin has displayed a remarkable immutability through the years, and it is highly unlikely that this would have been the case if the game-theoretical mechanisms that enable its decentralized governance model hadn’t worked, given the many incentives to cheat that always seem to corrupt monetary systems. In other words, the longer the system seems to be working, the higher the likelihood that it actually does.

Satoshi set in stone the length of the halving period — a very important aspect of Bitcoin’s issuance schedule and initial distribution. During the first four years of Bitcoin’s existence, fifty new coins were issued every ten minutes up until the first block reward halving four years later. Every four years, this reward is halved so that the issuance rate goes down by fifty percent. This effectively means that half of all the Bitcoin that will ever exist was mined during the first four years of the network’s life, one fourth during its next four years, and so on. At the time of writing, we’re a little more than a year from the third halving. After that, only 6.25 Bitcoin will be minted every ten minutes as opposed to 50, which was the initial rate. What this seems to do is to create hype cycles for Bitcoin’s adoption. Every time the price of Bitcoin booms and then busts down to a level above where it started, a hype cycle takes place. Bitcoin had no marketing whatsoever, so awareness of it had to be spread through some other mechanism. When a bull run begins, people start talking about it, which leads to even more people buying due to fear of missing out (FOMO), which inevitably causes the price to rise even more rapidly. This leads to more FOMO, and on and on the bull market goes until it suddenly ends, and the price crashes down to somewhere around, or slightly above, the level it was at before the bull run started. Unlike what is true for most other assets, Bitcoin never really crashes all the way. Why? Because every time a hype cycle occurs, some more people learn about Bitcoin’s fundamentals and manage to resist the urge to sell, even when almost all hope seems lost. They understand that these bull markets are a reoccurring thing due to the nature of the protocol. These cycles create new waves of evangelists who start promoting Bitcoin simply because of what they stand to gain from a price increase. In a sense, the protocol itself pays for its own promotion in this way. This organic marketing creates a lot of noise and confusion, too, as a lot of people who don’t seem to understand how Bitcoin works are often very outspoken about it despite their lack of knowledge. Red herrings, such as altcoins and Bitcoin forks, are then weeded out naturally during bear markets. Every time a bull market happens, a new generation of Bitcoiners is born.

The four-year period between halvings seems to serve a deliberate purpose. Satoshi could just as well have programmed a smooth issuance curve into the Bitcoin protocol, but he didn’t. As events unfold, it seems that he had good reason for this since these hype cycles provide a very effective onboarding mechanism, and they seem to be linked to the halvings. They certainly make Bitcoin volatile, but remember that in this early stage, the volatility is needed in order for these hype cycles to happen. Later on, when Bitcoin’s stock-to-flow ratio is higher, the seas will calm, and its volatility level will go down. In truth, it already has. The latest almost 80% price drop was far from the worst we’ve seen in Bitcoin. This technology is still in its infancy, and it is very likely that we’ll see a lot more volatility before mainstream adoption, or hyperbitcoinization, truly happens.

About the Bitcoin Infinity Academy

The Bitcoin Infinity Academy is an educational project built around Knut Svanholm’s books about Bitcoin and Austrian Economics. Each week, a whole chapter from one of the books is released for free on Highlighter, accompanied by a video in which Knut and Luke de Wolf discuss that chapter’s ideas. You can join the discussions by signing up for one of the courses on our Geyser page. Signed books, monthly calls, and lots of other benefits are also available.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Rome isn’t just a city—it’s a living, breathing museum where ancient ruins, baroque fountains, and buzzing piazzas come together in beautiful, chaotic harmony. Every cobblestone has a story, every espresso has a punch, and every sunset behind the Colosseum feels like a scene from a movie. Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, Rome never gets old.

🏛️ Top Things to See & Do in Rome

1️⃣ The Colosseum & Roman Forum

• Step inside the iconic arena of gladiators
• Wander through the ruins of the Forum, once the heart of ancient Rome
• Don’t miss Palatine Hill for views over it all

2️⃣ Vatican City

• Home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums
• Climb to the top of the basilica dome for one of the best panoramas in Rome
• Book tickets ahead—it gets packed!

3️⃣ Trevi Fountain

• Toss in a coin to ensure your return to Rome 💧
• Visit early in the morning or late at night to beat the crowds and get that perfect photo

4️⃣ Pantheon

• One of the best-preserved Roman temples—free to enter, awe guaranteed
• Look up: the open oculus in the dome is engineering genius
• Step outside for a coffee in Piazza della Rotonda

5️⃣ Piazza Navona & Campo de’ Fiori

• Piazza Navona: Elegant fountains, artists, street performers
• Campo de’ Fiori: Bustling morning market and lively nightlife
• Great spots to grab an aperitivo or soak up atmosphere

🍕 What to Eat in Rome

• Cacio e Pepe – Pasta with pecorino and black pepper—simple, bold, and pure Rome
• Carbonara – No cream! Just egg, cheese, guanciale, and pepper
• Supplì – Deep-fried rice balls with melted mozzarella inside
• Roman-style pizza – Thin and crispy, often sold by weight
• Gelato – Try real artisan shops like Gelateria del Teatro or Otaleg

🌇 Bonus Rome Moments

• Watch sunset from Pincian Hill or Gianicolo Terrace
• Stroll across the Tiber River to the charming Trastevere neighborhood
• Visit the Jewish Ghetto for history, architecture, and amazing food (hello, fried artichokes!)
• Wander without a map—Rome loves surprising you

🛵 Tips for Visiting

✅ Wear comfy shoes—Rome’s cobbles are beautiful, but brutal on feet
✅ Book major attractions in advance to skip lines
✅ Tap water is fresh—refill from Rome’s historic fountains (nasoni)
✅ Don’t rush—Rome is best enjoyed slowly, with a gelato in hand

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 概要

Cambrian Hack 是一场最近的在线比赛，旨在吸引开发人员使用 Cambrian SDK 和 Jito Restaking 开发 Node Consensus Networks (NCNs)。此次活动吸引了88位注册开发人员，最终产生了九个批准项目。参与者专注于快速部署 NCN，探索如 AI 协处理器、预言机网络和区块链桥梁等应用。Hackathon 结束时，Cambrian 和 Jito 团队为前三名项目颁发了奖项。奖池的一部分包括 Cambrian 奖励 NFT，可以转换为 Cambrian 代币。

此次 Hackathon 强调了 Cambrian SDK 通过简化流程加速 NCN 开发的能力，减少了对大型团队的需求，并提供了预建组件。评估标准包括技术复杂性、市场潜力和创新性。

活动以在 Solana Apex 开普敦宣布获奖者而告终。Cambrian Hack 为开发者提供了与技术专家联系的机会，通过工作坊提升技能，并对 web3 和 Solana 生态系统的发展做出贡献。

Hackathon 获奖者

Cambrian NCN Builder 卓越奖获奖者

• Ping Project: 该项目通过在 Solana 区块链上使用 PoS 共识以及 Cambrian SDK 和 Jito Restaking 技术，强化网络完整性并管理奖励分配，提供去中心化的内容传递服务。
• Ant Vault: 结合 ElizaOS AI 代理与 Cambrian oracle 战略性管理 DeFi，提供智能化市场挑战解决方案。
• STABLE-FUNDS: Solana 上的平台，用于创建稳定币，集成去中心化预言机和质押机制，以连接政府支持的证券和 DeFi。

Cambrian 生态系统创新者奖获奖者

• NebulaCDN: 一种去中心化的内容传递网络，利用 Web3 技术提供高效且抗审查的数据分发。
• Kamui: 一个经济高效、安全的 Solana VRF oracle，旨在提供可靠且负担得起的随机性解决方案。

有关更多详情，请访问 Cambrian Hack BUIDL。

关于组织者

Cambrian

Cambrian 因其对技术和区块链发展的贡献而受到认可。该组织专注于创新区块链应用，已进行多项项目以提升数字基础设施。其成就包括与行业领袖合作开发安全高效的区块链系统。Cambrian 目前正在扩展其对去中心化技术的关注，努力提升不同平台的可访问性和安全性。通过其专业知识，Cambrian 在不断演变的技术和区块链产业中扮演着重要角色。

@ a39d19ec:3d88f61e

Nun da das deutsche Bundesregime den Ruin Deutschlands beschlossen hat, der sehr wahrscheinlich mit dem Werkzeug des Geld druckens "finanziert" wird, kamen mir so viele Gedanken zur Geldmengenausweitung, dass ich diese für einmal niedergeschrieben habe.

Die Ausweitung der Geldmenge führt aus klassischer wirtschaftlicher Sicht immer zu Preissteigerungen, weil mehr Geld im Umlauf auf eine begrenzte Menge an Gütern trifft. Dies lässt sich in mehreren Schritten analysieren:

1. Quantitätstheorie des Geldes

Die klassische Gleichung der Quantitätstheorie des Geldes lautet:

M • V = P • Y

wobei:
- M die Geldmenge ist,
- V die Umlaufgeschwindigkeit des Geldes,
- P das Preisniveau,
- Y die reale Wirtschaftsleistung (BIP).

Wenn M steigt und V sowie Y konstant bleiben, muss P steigen – also Inflation entstehen.

2. Gütermenge bleibt begrenzt

Die Menge an real produzierten Gütern und Dienstleistungen wächst meist nur langsam im Vergleich zur Ausweitung der Geldmenge. Wenn die Geldmenge schneller steigt als die Produktionsgütermenge, führt dies dazu, dass mehr Geld für die gleiche Menge an Waren zur Verfügung steht – die Preise steigen.

3. Erwartungseffekte und Spekulation

Wenn Unternehmen und Haushalte erwarten, dass mehr Geld im Umlauf ist, da eine zentrale Planung es so wollte, können sie steigende Preise antizipieren. Unternehmen erhöhen ihre Preise vorab, und Arbeitnehmer fordern höhere Löhne. Dies kann eine sich selbst verstärkende Spirale auslösen.

4. Internationale Perspektive

Eine erhöhte Geldmenge kann die Währung abwerten, wenn andere Länder ihre Geldpolitik stabil halten. Eine schwächere Währung macht Importe teurer, was wiederum Preissteigerungen antreibt.

5. Kritik an der reinen Geldmengen-Theorie

Der Vollständigkeit halber muss erwähnt werden, dass die meisten modernen Ökonomen im Staatsauftrag argumentieren, dass Inflation nicht nur von der Geldmenge abhängt, sondern auch von der Nachfrage nach Geld (z. B. in einer Wirtschaftskrise). Dennoch zeigt die historische Erfahrung, dass eine unkontrollierte Geldmengenausweitung langfristig immer zu Preissteigerungen führt, wie etwa in der Hyperinflation der Weimarer Republik oder in Simbabwe.

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

Hackathon 概要

Core Global Gaming Hackathon 圆满落幕。作为去中心化游戏领域的重要活动，其吸引了众多参与者。在 231 位注册开发者中，86 个项目获得批准，所有项目共同竞逐 38 万美元的奖金池。此次黑客松鼓励在 Bitcoin 与 Core 平台上进行游戏开发，着重强调去中心化游戏的创新。

活动通过激发参与者拓宽去中心化游戏开发的视野，催生出一系列创新参赛作品。它为开发者搭建了与活跃社区互动的平台，既能激发创意，也可能对游戏未来发展方向产生影响。

活动取得了显著成果，例如将 Core Chain 技术融入游戏应用，展现了利用去中心化平台的独特思路。2025 年 3 月 24 日，活动以 Demo Day 收官，现场展示最终项目并公布获奖者。总体而言，这场黑客松凸显了区块链技术在游戏领域的潜力，也体现了开发者们力求影响行业发展的合作精神。

Hackathon 获奖者

超休闲游戏奖获奖者

• Farming Saga：一款专注于建立农业帝国的策略和模拟游戏，特色为动态挑战和NFT整合以丰富游戏玩法。
• Zenista：一款闲置游戏，旨在通过经营虚拟水疗中心提供放松体验，设计用于提供自我护理体验。
• Market Magnate：一款零售模拟游戏，结合区块链实现真正的资产所有权，强调策略、创意和管理。

社交游戏PvP（玩家对玩家）奖获奖者

• Core Arena：一款PvP游戏，允许在战斗中使用任何ERC-721 NFT，并自动分配技能，促进NFT社区间的统一并延长项目生命周期。
• Fight For Tcore：一款基于区块链的实时PvP游戏，玩家参与双人对决并下注TCORE代币，利用智能合约实现去中心化游戏玩法。
• CoreVerse Battleground：一款实时多人区块链游戏，提供NFT交易和基于Core Blockchain的游戏内货币。

益智游戏奖获奖者

• Temporal Odyssey：一款基于区块链的益智游戏，提供跨越多样世界的解谜NFT奖励。
• Dungeon：提供程序生成的地牢探险体验，结合区块链元素，允许玩家将成就铸造成Dungeon Tokens ($DGN)。
• Skateflow：一款无尽滑板游戏，实施区块链技术实现潜在的游戏内奖励。

欲了解所有项目的更多详细信息，请访问Core Gaming Hackathon 页面。

关于组织者

Core DAO

Core DAO是一个专注于推进区块链技术的去中心化自治组织。其主要关注点在于增强去中心化和促进区块链生态系统中的社区驱动治理。Core DAO因其对开发创新共识机制和智能合约解决方案的贡献而受到认可。该组织采取重大措施以提高去中心化网络的可扩展性和安全性。目前，Core DAO致力于培育开放、包容的区块链环境，倡导技术进步，并支持社区主导的开发举措，以促进去中心化技术的全球采用。

@ f57bac88:6045161e

مقدمه\ کتاب پول درهم‌شکسته نوشته لین الدن، یکی از برجسته‌ترین آثار در زمینه اقتصاد و فناوری مالی است که در تابستان ۱۴۰۲ (۲۰۲۳ میلادی) منتشر شد. این کتاب با نگاهی عمیق به ریشه‌های پول، کاستی‌های نظام مالی کنونی و ظرفیت‌های فناوری‌های نوین مانند بیت‌کوین، خوانندگان را به سفری فکری دعوت می‌کند. الدن با زبانی روان و دیدگاهی چندجانبه، پیچیدگی‌های پول را به شکلی ساده اما پرمغز توضیح می‌دهد و به ما کمک می‌کند تا درک بهتری از چیستی پول، نقش آن در زندگی و آینده‌اش به دست آوریم. این اثر ۵۳۸ صفحه‌ای، با ساختاری جامع، گذشته، حال و آینده پول را در شش بخش اصلی بررسی می‌کند.

بخش اول: گذشته پول – از دفترهای قدیمی تا بانکداری نوین\ الدن داستان تکامل پول را در دو بخش ابتدایی کتاب روایت می‌کند. او پول را به‌عنوان یک «دفتر حسابداری» معرفی می‌کند که از ابتدا برای ثبت بدهی‌ها و طلب‌ها در جوامع به کار می‌رفت. بخش اول به بررسی پول‌های کالایی مانند صدف و فلزات گران‌بها و ویژگی‌های ایده‌آل پول می‌پردازد. بخش دوم به ظهور خدمات بانکی اولیه و بانکداری گسترده اختصاص دارد و نشان می‌دهد که چگونه فناوری‌هایی مانند تلگراف در قرن نوزدهم تراکنش‌ها را سریع‌تر کردند. اما این پیشرفت‌ها، به گفته الدن، با متمرکز شدن کنترل پول در دست بانک‌های مرکزی، اغلب به زیان مردم عادی تمام شدند و شکاف طبقاتی را عمیق‌تر کردند.

بخش دوم: حال پول – چرا سیستم مالی کنونی شکسته است؟\ در دو بخش بعدی، الدن به نقد نظام مالی کنونی می‌پردازد که بر پایه پول بی‌پشتوانه (فیات) بنا شده است. او استدلال می‌کند که این سیستم با مشکلاتی مانند تورم مداوم، نابرابری اقتصادی و سلطه بیش‌ازحد نهادهای مالی دست‌به‌گریبان است. بخش سوم به نظام مالی جهانی از اوایل قرن بیستم، از جمله نظام برتون وودز، می‌پردازد. بخش چهارم خلق پول مدرن و تأثیرات بدهی‌های بی‌ثبات‌کننده را تحلیل می‌کند. الدن معتقد است که پول بی‌پشتوانه به‌گونه‌ای طراحی شده که ارزش آن به‌مرور کاهش می‌یابد و ثروت را از جیب مردم عادی به‌سوی بانک‌ها و شرکت‌های بزرگ هدایت می‌کند. او با مثال‌هایی واقعی، مانند بحران اقتصادی لبنان در سال ۱۴۰۱ (۲۰۲۲) یا تورم افسارگسیخته در کشورهایی مانند ترکیه، آرژانتین و ایران، نشان می‌دهد که این مشکلات چگونه زندگی میلیون‌ها نفر را تحت تأثیر قرار داده‌اند.

بخش سوم: آینده پول – نقش نوآوری‌های دیجیتال\ در دو بخش پایانی، الدن به بررسی فناوری‌های نوین مالی، به‌ویژه بیت‌کوین و بلاک‌چین، می‌پردازد. بخش پنجم به نوآوری‌های دیجیتال قرن بیست‌ویکم، مانند بیت‌کوین، اختصاص دارد که الدن آن را یک دفتر حسابداری غیرمتمرکز می‌بیند. این فناوری می‌تواند قدرت را از نهادهای مرکزی خارج کرده و به افراد بازگرداند. بخش ششم به اخلاقیات پول و نقش رمزنگاری در شبکه‌های مالی می‌پردازد و آینده‌ای را تصور می‌کند که در آن افراد کنترل بیشتری بر دارایی‌های خود دارند. بااین‌حال، الدن به چالش‌های بیت‌کوین، مانند نوسانات شدید قیمت، مصرف بالای انرژی و مشکلات مقیاس‌پذیری، نیز اشاره می‌کند. او همچنین به نمونه‌هایی از استفاده بیت‌کوین در کشورهای درحال‌توسعه، مانند السالوادور، اشاره دارد که این ارز به‌عنوان ابزاری برای دور زدن محدودیت‌های مالی به کار گرفته شده است.

نقاط قوت کتاب\ ۱. سادگی در عین عمق: الدن مفاهیم پیچیده‌ای مانند تورم، نظام بانکی و بلاک‌چین را با زبانی قابل‌فهم برای همگان توضیح می‌دهد، بدون آنکه از دقت علمی کاسته شود.\ ۲. دیدگاه چندرشته‌ای: او با ترکیب دانش مهندسی و تحلیل مالی، پول را به‌عنوان یک فناوری بررسی می‌کند که با پیشرفت‌های بشری تکامل می‌یابد.\ ۳. تمرکز بر انسان‌ها: کتاب تنها به آمار و ارقام بسنده نمی‌کند؛ الدن نشان می‌دهد که نقص‌های نظام مالی چگونه زندگی واقعی مردم را تحت تأثیر قرار داده است.\ ۴. بی‌طرفی نسبی: اگرچه الدن از طرف‌داران بیت‌کوین است، تلاش می‌کند با بررسی جنبه‌های مثبت و منفی هر سیستم، از یک‌جانبه‌گرایی پرهیز کند.

نقاط ضعف کتاب\ ۱. تمرکز بیش‌ازحد بر بیت‌کوین: برخی معتقدند که الدن بیش‌ازحد به بیت‌کوین خوش‌بین است و به دیگر فناوری‌های مالی نوین، مانند اتریوم یا استیبل‌کوین‌ها، کمتر پرداخته است.\ ۲. پیچیدگی برای تازه‌کارها: هرچند کتاب برای مخاطب عام نوشته شده، برخی بخش‌ها ممکن است برای افرادی که هیچ آشنایی با اقتصاد یا ارزهای دیجیتال ندارند، دشوار باشد.\ ۳. کمبود راه‌حل‌های عملی: الدن در شناسایی مشکلات موفق است، اما راه‌حل‌های پیشنهادی او گاهی کلی و غیرملموس به نظر می‌رسند.

چرا این کتاب را بخوانیم؟\ پول درهم‌شکسته برای هرکسی که می‌خواهد بداند پول چیست، چرا ارزشش تغییر می‌کند و آینده‌اش چه خواهد شد، یک راهنمای بی‌نظیر است. این کتاب به ما کمک می‌کند تا به چیزهایی که بدیهی می‌پنداریم—مانند اسکناسی که هر روز خرج می‌کنیم—عمیق‌تر نگاه کنیم. برای خوانندگان ایرانی، که سال‌هاست با تورم، کاهش ارزش پول ملی و تحریم‌های مالی دست‌وپنجه نرم می‌کنند، این کتاب پاسخ‌هایی روشنگر به سؤال‌هایی مانند «چرا پول ما بی‌ارزش می‌شود؟» یا «آیا راهی برای محافظت از دارایی‌ها وجود دارد؟» ارائه می‌دهد. ساختار شش‌بخشی کتاب، با پوشش جامع گذشته، حال و آینده، خواننده را به درک کاملی از پول و قدرت آن هدایت می‌کند.

جمع‌بندی\ پول درهم‌شکسته بیش از یک کتاب اقتصادی است؛ دعوتی است به تأمل و تغییر. لین الدن با دانش، دقت و نگاهی انسانی، ما را به سفری از گذشته پول تا آینده‌اش می‌برد و نشان می‌دهد که چگونه می‌توانیم با آگاهی و انتخاب‌های درست، به‌سوی سیستمی عادلانه‌تر حرکت کنیم. این کتاب برای هرکسی که به اقتصاد، فناوری یا عدالت اجتماعی علاقه‌مند است، اثری ضروری و الهام‌بخش به شمار می‌رود.

منابع و دسترسی به ترجمه\ بخش‌هایی از این کتاب به فارسی ترجمه شده و از طریق کانال‌های تلگرامی مانند «ترجمه‌ی مقاله‌های بیت‌کوین» در دسترس است. برای یافتن ترجمه، می‌توانید عبارت «پول درهم‌شکسته» یا نام نویسنده را در این کانال جستجو کنید. همچنین، پیشنهاد می‌شود برای ادامه این مسیر و فرهنگ از مترجم و مدیر کانال ترجمه مقالات حمایت مالی کنید

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

So stay a while and listen.

🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨

🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/940429

@ 34ff86e0:dbb6b9fb

test description 2 lang arabic

@ 9a1adc34:9a9d705b

Testing the concept of using Nostr as a personal CMS.

@ 8d5ba92c:c6c3ecd5

It’s often said that 'Bitcoin doesn’t need marketing'—and the internet proves it well, almost like a daily feed. Instead of typical ads in the form of 'sell-me-anything-and-everything', the space thrives on organic memes and threads: a grassroots testament to Bitcoin ethos.

This isn’t about the artificial promotion of THE TRUMAN SHOW, where desires are manufactured and ads dictate specific behaviours. Bitcoiners don’t just reject the Proof-of-Hype, so typical in a fiat-driven world, they replace it with Proof-of-Work: value emerging not from coercion, but from consensus (i.e., what the community validates as genuine and meaningful).

The "Funny Money" Crew

On the other hand, equally common is the twist with memes labeled 'Bitcoin’s Marketing Team', featuring faces like:

🤡 Jerome Powell (Fed Chair), Christine Lagarde (ECB), Agustín Carstens (BIS chief, CBDC pusher), Janet Yellen (U.S. Treasury Secretary), Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan CEO), Elizabeth Warren (U.S. Senator), and so on.

Sophisticated jokes—appreciated by those who understand their actual impact. After all, what better advertisement for Bitcoin could there be than watching the fiat system degrade in real time? 😎

Why Bring This Up?

First, because I want to remind that Bitcoiners weaponize even simple ideas better than entire Wall Street-hired PR firms. Every "Bitcoin doesn’t need marketing" or "Thanks, Fed for the free promo!" is a clever, almost subversive way of raising topics we should be aware of. Exposing fiat’s failures often speaks louder than directly evangelizing how sound Bitcoin is—and how well it solves problems that keep many non-coiners awake at night.

Second, to credit where it’s due: Bitcoin-only projects and individuals who are actively spreading the word—hard money, real solutions, and the culture itself. But this isn’t 'marketing' in the traditional, pushy, profit-at-all-costs sense. Instead, it’s built on:

• Information (no bullshit, just facts)
• Education (orange-pilling, not upselling)
• Community (value, instead of dry PR)
• Creativity (proof-of-mind, not algo-baits)
• Experiences (how-to solutions, not showing off)

And let’s be clear: Earning money isn’t evil—it’s necessary for these projects to survive. What matters is the intention. No one should apologize for creating Bitcoin-themed ads, so long as they’re carrying the meaning, instead of being rooted in hype.

PoW: Earning Attention, Not Buying It

The list below (part one) is based on my own preferences, but it was also inspired by Bitcoin FilmFest, which—in its upcoming edition #BFF25, May 22-25—introduced a new block to the program: ‘BFF PoWies: The Show for Bitcoin-Only Advertising.’ A dedicated space for creative expression beyond films, where projects and individuals compete for awards in categories like Grand Prix, Best Visual, and Best Identity—with a $4,500 prize pool to grab.

Anyways, as our small but passionate team dug into this topic, I was really happy to uncover unique video ads, some of which I’m excited to share with you now.

If you know others, tag me (private profile) or 'Bitcoin FilmFest' directly on socials. Feel free to submit your work to the PoWies too (submissions close May 6th).

Without further ado... Let's explore the space where value is discovered, not packaged in empty promises 📺👇

Bitcoin-Video Ads: Part One.

Creative, funny, dynamic, inspirational. All four below. Enjoy!

1/. NEVER LOSE YOUR BITCOIN (Liana)

https://v.nostr.build/P7To0HpNmmB6iudR.mp4

2/. MAKE A CHANGE, (Wasabi)

https://v.nostr.build/rUGQAysAIDH8Wx9x.mp4

3/. THE MOTHER OF ALL BACKUPS (Cryptosteel)

https://v.nostr.build/3zesnSjQudQoxl5f.mp4

1. FINANCIAL FALLOUT (21 Futures)

https://v.nostr.build/sFvmt8oCWfxLKJRb.mp4

---

PS. The most effective Bitcoin ads aren't 'typical' campaigns—they're the result of creativity, PoW, and authentic storytelling move hand-in-hand.

BTC Your Mind. Let it Beat... Şela

@ ac58bbcc:7d9754d8

Research highlights the importance of using visual representations and precise language to develop students’ conceptual understanding of fractions.

Fractions are a cornerstone of mathematics education, essential for developing robust number sense and laying a solid foundation for algebra and more advanced mathematical pursuits. Despite their significance, fractions present persistent and considerable challenges for numerous learners. This research overview synthesizes key insights from the literature, focusing on the prevalent misconceptions, specific difficulties students encounter, and evidence-based instructional practices promoting a deeper, more conceptual grasp of fractions. This overview aims to equip educators with the knowledge and strategies necessary to foster student success in this critical area by examining the cognitive obstacles and exploring effective teaching approaches. Traditional instruction in fractions often falls short of promoting meaningful understanding, frequently emphasizing procedures and algorithms at the expense of conceptual development (Lamon, 2001).

Understanding the Complexities

Developing a robust understanding of fractions is far from straightforward. Students encounter a variety of conceptual hurdles that can hinder their progress. Research identifies several overarching conceptual challenges that contribute significantly to these difficulties, each stemming from misunderstandings about the nature of fractions and their relationship to other mathematical concepts.

Core Conceptual Challenges

One of the most fundamental challenges is conceptualizing fractions as numbers with magnitude and understanding their position on the number line (Simon et al., 2018). Many students struggle to see fractions as more than parts of a whole, failing to grasp that they represent quantities that can be ordered, compared, and operated on, much like whole numbers. This requires understanding that fractions have a specific location and value on the number line, just as whole numbers do.

A common misconception involves applying whole number rules inappropriately to fractions. For instance, students may believe that a fraction with a larger denominator is always larger or that adding numerators and denominators is the correct way to add fractions. This stems from the tendency to apply additive thinking, appropriate for whole numbers, to multiplicative situations involving fractions.

Grasping fraction equivalence—that different fractions can represent the same quantity (Simon et al., 2018)—is a significant hurdle. It requires recognizing that a fraction can be partitioned into smaller, equivalent units and that multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero number results in an equivalent fraction.

Performing arithmetic operations with fractions, notably addition and subtraction with unlike denominators, presents challenges due to a lack of understanding of the roles of numerators and denominators and the necessity of common units (denominators). This requires understanding the concept of common denominators, emphasizing that these represent the same-sized units.

Specific Difficulties

Beyond the broad conceptual challenges, students often grapple with more specific difficulties that stem from limited or flawed understandings:

Many students view fractions as deriving from fractions solely as parts of a whole divided into n equal pieces (n/n). This can hinder their ability to conceptualize improper fractions, as having more parts than the "whole" seems illogical (Simon et al., 2018; Stafylidou & Vosniadou, 2004). This limited view restricts their understanding of fractions to only those less than one, making it challenging to work with mixed numbers and other more complex fraction concepts.

Some students conceive of fractions (m/n, where m<n) solely as an arrangement where a whole is divided into n identical parts, and m parts are designated. They do not understand 1/n or m/n as a quantity, measure, or amount. Based on this limited notion, 1/n and m/n have no meaning when not included as parts in a whole partitioned into n identical parts (Behr, Harel, Post, & Lesh, 1992; Mitchell & Clarke, 2004; Simon, 2006; Simon et al., 2018).

Students often struggle with the concept of a referent unit, understanding a fraction only as a part of the presented totality. The difficulty arises when the referent unit is greater or less than that totality (Simon et al., 2018; Tzur, 1999). Understanding of referent units is generally not emphasized in the development of whole numbers; when whole number development is based on counting, the unit is generally left implicit. This also includes understanding that fractions can represent the same quantity or relationships (ratios) depending on the context and the considered unit.

Effective Instructional Strategies and Representations

Instruction must focus on conceptual development, utilize varied representations, and employ precise language to address the challenges and promote deep understanding.

Building Conceptual Understanding

Traditional "part-whole" language can be limiting. Brendefur and Strother propose using "count" for the numerator to emphasize that it counts the number of equivalent units of a given unit fraction. Moreover, use "unit size" for the denominator to define the size of each unit. Using "1" instead of "whole" reinforces that a fraction’s unit size is determined by the number of equal partitions between any whole numbers or, more precisely, between 0 and 1. For example, partitioning the unit of 1 into 4 equal units would be called "fourths." This precise language helps students conceptualize fractions as measurements of a unit rather than parts of a whole and helps students understand fractions greater than one.

Instruction should promote semantic analyses of written symbols, connecting them with real-world referents (Wearne & Hiebert, 1988). This involves gradually building rich symbolic meanings through connections with appropriate referents, eliminating dependence on rote memorization. Establishing connections between numeric and operational symbols with familiar referents is essential. Note that it is important to use real-world examples that are not circles when introducing fractions. Start with 1-dimensional examples (e.g., ribbon or distance) before moving to 2-dimensional ones. Students can develop a stronger conceptual understanding of fractions by progressing from one-dimensional to two-dimensional examples before encountering more complex circular representations.

Utilizing Multiple Representations

Research highlights the importance of using multiple representations to help students comprehensively understand fractions (Watanabe, 2002). These representations should be explicitly linked to show their connections and move from enactive to iconic and, then, symbolic (Bruner, 1964).

Enactive (Concrete) representations involve hands-on experiences with physical objects. Examples include using fraction bars, pattern blocks, or Cuisenaire rods to represent fractions and perform operations physically. Enactive representations are crucial for initially grounding fraction concepts in concrete experiences, allowing students to manipulate and visualize fractions directly. The connection from action to thought helps students develop a deeper understanding of fraction concepts.

Iconic (Visual) representations involve models that represent fractions, such as number lines and bar models initially, followed by area models. These representations help students transition from enactive experiences to visual support for fraction concepts. Number lines and bar models are particularly effective for illustrating relationships, comparing magnitudes, and building a conceptual understanding of fractions. However, children's understanding of twodimensional figures and their area measurements significantly affects their reasoning with area models of fractions. If this understanding is still developing, the area model may be inappropriate for discussing fractions (Watanabe, 2002).

Symbolic (Abstract) representations involve using mathematical symbols and notation to represent fractions, such as 1/2, 3/4, etc. They are the most abstract form of representation and require students to understand the underlying concepts and relationships represented by the symbols. Instruction should explicitly connect symbolic representations to iconic representations to ensure that students understand the meaning behind the symbols.

Importance of Structural Language

Using precise structural language is essential for helping students develop a clear and flexible understanding of fractions. Words such as unit, partition, iterate, compose, decompose, and equivalence provide a foundation for conceptualizing fractions and their relationships.

Partitioning a unit of 1 into equal-sized units is fundamental to understanding fractions and what the denominator means. Iterating means copying a unit with no gaps and overlaps. For example, the fraction 5/4 means that from 0 to 1 (or within each whole number) is partitioned into four equal units called "fourths." Each one-fourth unit is then iterated five times to create a precise location on a number line. This approach allows students to see fractions as measurable quantities, reinforcing their understanding of fractions as numbers and the numerator as the count of these iterated units.

Composing and decomposing units is a crucial skill in understanding and manipulating fractions. It involves combining or breaking apart fractions of similar or different sizes. This skill forms the foundation for adding and subtracting fractions with both like and unlike denominators. For instance, when solving ¾ + ½, a student might decompose ¾ into ¼ + ½. Then, they can compose the two ½ fractions to form 1, resulting in 1¼. This process demonstrates the importance of creating equivalent fractions with the same unit (denominator) to facilitate addition and subtraction. By decomposing and recomposing fractions, students develop a deeper understanding of fraction equivalence and the flexibility to work with fractions in various forms.

Historical Perspective

Examining math proficiency trends over the past few decades reveals progress and ongoing challenges. For instance, while 4th-grade proficiency rates increased from 13% in 1992 to 42% in 2013 before declining to 36% in 2022, 8thgrade proficiency saw a similar rise from 15% in 1992 to 35% in 2013, only to fall back to 26% in 2022 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2022). More alarmingly, less than 20% of 8th graders consistently demonstrated longterm retention of math facts over these periods, underscoring a persistent issue in mathematics education and highlighting the challenges students face maintaining fluency as they progress through higher grades (National Center for Education Statistics, 2022). Recent data shows a significant decline in math proficiency, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach to teaching math facts has evolved over the past century.

Creating Effective Fraction Instruction

Effective fraction instruction requires a multi-faceted approach, prioritizing conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. A key focus should be developing fraction magnitude and sense by encouraging students to estimate, judge the reasonableness of answers and build intuition about fraction operations. Activities such as comparing and ordering fractions, estimating their size, and relating them to benchmarks like 0, 1/2, and 1 on a number line are essential for a deeper understanding of fractions as measurable quantities.

Teachers should also explicitly address common misconceptions, such as treating fractions as separate whole numbers, by designing activities that challenge these misunderstandings directly. Providing opportunities for students to explore fractions through hands-on activities and real-world problems further enhances learning by making abstract concepts more concrete and meaningful. By combining these strategies, educators can create a comprehensive instructional approach that supports students in developing a flexible and confident understanding of fractions.

Conclusion

Fostering a robust understanding of fractions demands a comprehensive and deliberate approach. Educators must move beyond rote memorization and emphasize underlying concepts, varied interpretations, and diverse representations of fractions. Key considerations for instruction include awareness of part-whole versus comparison methods for representing fractions, careful development of partitioning concepts, and sequential instruction that develops symbol meanings before practicing syntactic routines (Watanabe, 2002; Wearne & Hiebert, 1988). By attending to common misconceptions, utilizing precise language, and grounding instruction in meaningful contexts, educators can empower students to develop a flexible and confident understanding of fractions. This approach addresses the immediate challenges of fraction comprehension and sets students up for success in future mathematical endeavors, providing a solid foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts.

References

Behr, M. J., Harel, G., Post, T., & Lesh, R. (1992). Rational number, ratio, and proportion. In D. A. Grouws (Ed.). Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning (pp. 296–333). New York: Macmillan.

Brendefur, J. & Strother, S. (n.d.). The effect of math vocabulary instruction on student achievement. Developing Mathematical Thinking Institute. www.dmtinstitute.com.

Bruner, J. S. (1964). Toward a theory of instruction. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press.

Lamon, S. J. (2001). Presenting and representing: From fractions to rational numbers. In A. A. Cuoco, & F. R. Curcio (Eds.), The roles of representation in school mathematics (pp. 146–165). Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Mitchell, A., & Clarke, D. M. (2004). When is three quarters not three quarters? Listening for conceptual understanding in children’s explanations in a fractions interview. In I. Putt, R. Farragher, & M. McLean (Eds.). Mathematics education for the third millennium: Towards 2010 (Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 367–373).

Simon, M. A. (2006). Key developmental understandings in mathematics: A direction for investigating and establishing learning goals. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 8(4), 359–371.

Simon, M. A., Placa, N., Avitzur, A., & Kara, M. (2018). Promoting a concept of fraction-as-measure: A study of the Learning Through Activity research program. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 51, 11-30.

Stafylidou, S., & Vosniadou, S. (2004). The development of students’ understanding of the numerical value of fractions. Learning and Instruction, 14(5), 503-518.

Tzur, R. (1999). An integrated study of children’s construction of improper fractions and the teacher’s role in promoting that learning. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 30(4), 390–416.

Watanabe, T. (2002). Representations in Teaching and Learning Fractions. Teaching Children Mathematics, 8(8), 457- 463.

Wearne, D., & Hiebert, J. (1988). A Cognitive Approach to Meaningful Mathematics Instruction: Testing a Local Theory Using Decimal Numbers. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 19(5), 371-384.

Social Media

Research highlights the importance of using visual representations and precise language to develop students’ conceptual understanding of fractions. Tools like number lines and bar models have proven especially effective for illustrating fraction relationships, comparing magnitudes, and supporting problem-solving across various fraction contexts. These representations help students see fractions as measurable quantities, bridging the gap between iconic representations and symbolic notation.

Moreover, research suggests that precise language—such as “count,” “unit size,” “partition,” and “iterate”—is essential for fostering a deeper understanding of fractions. Moving beyond traditional part-whole descriptions, this structural language emphasizes fraction equivalence and flexibility in reasoning. By combining visual tools with clear language, educators can help students build a strong foundation in fractions, setting them up for success in advanced mathematics and real-world applications.

Join us in exploring these powerful learning strategies and their impact on early mathematical thinking!

@ 2b24a1fa:17750f64

Schon Wolfgang Borchert rief alle dazu auf, laut und deutlich „NEIN“ zu sagen, wenn der Ruf zu den Waffen ertönt. In Vorkriegszeiten, und in diesen leben wir – mal wieder –, dann ist meist nicht viel Zeit, Sand in das Getriebe der anlaufenden Kriegsmaschinerie zu werfen. Jene, die von den Kriegen profitieren, bereiten sie nicht lange vor, um kurz vorher einen Rückzieher zu machen. Die meinen das ernst! Das ist keine Übung!

https://soundcloud.com/radiomuenchen/krieg-einfach-nur-nein-von-tom-oliver-regenauer

Und deswegen formulierte neuerdings auch Tom-Oliver Regenauer ein klares und unmissverständliches „Nein“ für die „Friedenstaube“ auf der neuen, zensurresitenten Plattform Pareto. pareto.space/a/naddr1qqxnzde5xg…xarj9e3xzmny3sn3aw

Hören Sie seinen Text „Krieg? Einfach nur: Nein!“.

Sprecher: Ulrich Allroggen

Bild: Gezeichnet von Tina Ovalle

@ f1989a96:bcaaf2c1

Good morning, readers!

Today, HRF takes part in the launch of the Bitcoin Humanitarian Alliance in London, where a dozen human rights and aid groups will convene with policymakers, media, finance professionals, and technologists at the Frontline Club to explain how they are using Bitcoin in their work in the field.

Elsewhere, we bring news from Turkey, where large, pro-democracy protests erupted over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s increasing political repression and economic fallout. The Turkish regime has detained more than 2,000 protesters (and counting) as youth appear in droves demanding democracy, accountability, and economic reform.

In Eastern Africa, Tanzania’s government extended immense restrictions on foreign currency, effectively barring its use in day-to-day payments outside a few circumstances. In a poverty-stricken country where fuel prices have moved forcibly upward for two consecutive months, access to and usage of alternative currencies can be a financial lifeline.

In Bitcoin news, we spotlight Misty Breez, a new open-source Bitcoin wallet built by Lightning Network infrastructure company Breez. The wallet is a Lightning and Liquid Network hybrid wallet. It gives users control over their funds and abstracts away any complexities of payment channel management, but users must trust the Liquid Federation. In terms of functionality, Misty Breez supports a wide variety of address types, offering users flexibility across the fees, privacy, and censorship resistance of their payments. It may prove a helpful tool for dissidents and activists standing against tyranny.

We end with the latest edition of the HRF x Pubkey Freedom Tech Series, where HRF’s Ayelen Osorio joins Zimbabwean pastor-turned-activist Evan Mawarire, who recounts his inspiring journey of a peaceful uprising against Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship and the hyperinflation and repression he unleashed on the population. We also feature the live streams of the 2025 MIT Bitcoin Expo in collaboration with HRF. These videos highlight the speakers, panels, and activities led by HRF to raise awareness about financial repression and the tools being built to resist it.

Now, let’s jump right in!

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GLOBAL NEWS

Turkey | Government Detains Thousands of Pro-Democracy Protesters

The largest protests in over a decade erupted in Istanbul, Turkey, after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan detained political opposition figure and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Turks of all walks of life find themselves united by common outrage at the regime’s ongoing political repression and tumultuous economic conditions. With inflation soaring above 39% and widespread unemployment among the nation’s youth, it’s no surprise Turks are flooding the streets and demanding change. In response to these demonstrations, law enforcement has since detained more than 2,000 demonstrators, and police blockades have met student protesters with water cannon trucks to suppress their dissent. Many young Turks feel their future is slipping away in a country where saving is futile, the currency is collapsing, and speaking out comes at a high personal cost. “This feels like our last chance,” one young protester said, adding, “If we don’t succeed, many of us will have to leave Turkey.”

Tanzania | Regime Enacts Restrictions on Foreign Currency

Tanzania’s regime is banning the use of foreign currency outside of a few circumstances (such as duty-free retailers and government membership fees). This means quoting prices in, accepting, or facilitating payments with foreign currency is now illegal, alongside declining to accept the official Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Losing the ability to transact with more stable currencies removes individuals’ ability to shield themselves from inflation and subjects them to local currency volatility. The mandate comes in addition to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority raising the cost of fuel for a second consecutive month. Locals worry this could further increase the cost of living as the fuel price hike ripples through the economy. These policies mirror the tactics of authoritarians using financial control to limit dissent and restrict individual financial freedom.

China | Incorporates e-CNY CBDC into Financial Sector Guidelines

China is incorporating the e-CNY central bank digital currency (CBDC) into financial sector guidelines for the first time, signaling a strengthening commitment to fully roll out its CBDC. The e-CNY’s usage is reportedly expanding among Chinese citizens, with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claiming 800 million wallets and over 10.2 trillion CNY in transaction volume — though these numbers are both dubiously high and difficult to independently verify. As usage grows, so do concerns over financial and individual liberties. The CCP already uses the financial system to monitor and suppress dissent. For Uyghurs, a Muslim minority in the Uyghur Region grappling with ongoing cultural genocide, mass surveillance, and forced labor from the CCP, the e-CNY would allow the regime to restrict their financial autonomy and freedom completely. As it begins to roll out, it’s important to become aware of the dangers of the e-CNY here.

Burkina Faso | Arrests Three Journalists in Press Crackdown

Burkina Faso’s military junta arrested three journalists for reporting on regime-imposed press restrictions. Since seizing power in 2022, the military junta, under the leadership of Ibrahim Traoré, has targeted independent media by detaining reporters, forcing critics into exile, abusing emergency laws to suppress dissent, and using financial repression to disrupt independent funding. Journalists disappear under the guise of forced conscription, international coverage of military abuses is blocked, and outlets that report on crimes against humanity are eradicated. With press freedom in ashes, Burkinabés face an information blackout where state propaganda proliferates. In these contexts, open and uncensorable protocols like nostr can serve as a digital town square where information, value, and assembly flow undisturbed by the reach of oppressive regimes.

Tunisia | Saied Sacks Prime Minister as Economy Crumbles

Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri less than a year into his term and replaced him with Sara Zaafarani, Tunisia’s third prime minister in under two years. As Saied reshuffles his cabinet to best suit his interests and goals, Tunisia’s economy has reached a standstill. Growth is running below 1.5%, the cost of living continues to climb, and shortages of staple goods like rice, sugar, and coffee burden the everyday lives of Tunisians. After staging a coup, dissolving the government, and ruling by decree, Saied’s consolidation of power has come inch by inch with the erosion of democracy and financial stability.

BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS

Breez | Releases New Open-Source Bitcoin Wallet

Breez, a company helping build out the Bitcoin Lightning economy, released a new open-source Bitcoin wallet called “Misty Breez.” It is a hybrid Lightning and Liquid Network wallet built using the Nodeless Breez SDK. The wallet offers fast and private transactions without the complexities of payment channel management. The tradeoff? Trusting the Liquid Federation with custody of your Bitcoin. Still, Misty Breez supports many Bitcoin and Lightning features, including on-chain payments, Lightning addresses, BOLT 12 invoices, and offline receiving. So, while the wallet is a trust-minimized solution rather than fully custodial, users gain a wide range of use cases and features unique to this wallet. This could make Misty Breez useful for people facing financial surveillance, internet outages, or authoritarian-imposed financial restrictions. Learn more about the wallet here.

OpenCash | Bounty for Open Source Cashu x BTCPay Server Plugin

The OpenCash Association is offering a two million satoshi bounty for an open-source plugin allowing merchants to accept Cashu payments through BTCPay Server. Cashu is a Bitcoin-based ecash protocol designed to offer fast, low-cost, and very private transactions. For activists and dissidents, ecash enables payments without compromising financial privacy, but they must trust the mints (entities managing the system) to custody their funds. OpenCash specified that the Cashu plugin must integrate cleanly with BTCPay Server and include an input field for ecash redemption or a scannable Cashu payment request. If claimed, this bounty and subsequent integration will help advance Bitcoin’s medium of exchange capabilities and make private payments more accessible by integrating with self-hosted, independent Bitcoin payment infrastructure. Learn more about the bounty here.

Machankura | Adds Support for Offline Bitcoin Transactions in Uganda

Machankura, a custodial Bitcoin Lightning wallet that helps Africans access Bitcoin without the Internet, announced they expanded service to Uganda, enabling Ugandans to use Bitcoin without an Internet connection. To do so, Machankura leverages the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) protocol for sending text messages. To use the service, users simply dial a designated number on a feature phone (or a smartphone without data) and can access the Bitcoin network in countries like Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, and now Uganda. Machankura helps democratize Bitcoin access, expands censorship-resistant money across Africa, and offers a practical solution to financial inclusion. If you’re in Uganda or another supported country, try it here.

Zeus Wallet | Plans to Introduce Cashu Support

Zeus, a leading self-custodial mobile Lightning wallet, shared plans for a future Cashu integration. Cashu is an ecash protocol for Bitcoin. It enables practical everyday payments on Bitcoin that are private by design (but users must trust mints to manage their funds). By adding ecash support, Zeus can expand the accessibility of private Bitcoin payments and provide its users with greater flexibility over their financial activity. As part of its upcoming release, the wallet also introduces two new types of addresses: Zaplocker addresses for Lightning self-custody on mobile and Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) addresses for remote node runners. While a little more technical, these integrations will improve individuals' ability to transact without exposing their financial history, reducing surveillance risks, especially for those living under authoritarian regimes or in jurisdictions with strict financial controls.

Bitcoin Thailand Festival | Half-Marathon to Challenge Financial Repression

The Thai city of Chiang Mai will host the nation’s inaugural Bitcoin Half Marathon and Bitcoin Thailand Festival from Nov. 1-2, 2025, under the theme “Run For Freedom.” The marathon’s theme contrasts Thailand’s increasing financial repression and long history of erasing dissent. Even still, the festival’s mission to advance financial freedom and financial literacy with participation from the local Bitcoin community comes at a pressing time. The Thai government is increasingly restricting financial freedoms through digital cash handouts, which, for all intents and purposes, function as a central bank digital currency that imposes spending restrictions and expiration dates on money. In these environments, Bitcoin education and awareness are more urgent than ever.

Btrust Builders | Announces Builders Pathways

Btrust Builders introduced Btrust Builders Pathways, a new program designed to equip African developers with the skills and experience needed to contribute to Bitcoin open-source software. The initiative offers five learning tracks, from beginner-friendly Bitcoin fundamentals to advanced Rust programming and Bitcoin Core development. Participants will gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and access to potential funding via Btrust Developer Grants. With this launch, Btrust Builders continues its mission to grow Africa’s Bitcoin development talent and strengthen the software’s ecosystem in a region where many suffer under dozens of authoritarian governments.

RECOMMENDED CONTENT

How Bitcoin Fights Corruption & Injustice with Evan Mawarire

In the latest edition of the HRF x Pubkey Freedom Tech Series, HRF’s Content & Research lead Ayelen Osorio sits down with Zimbabwean pastor-turned-activist Evan Mawarire to explore how Bitcoin can serve as a tool for fighting inflation, corruption, and injustice. Together, they unpack Mawarire’s personal journey of leading a peaceful uprising against the tyranny of Robert Mugabe and the hyperinflation he unleashed on his undeserving population. Mawarire details how Zimbabwe’s economic collapse became an orchestrated strategy to control and silence Zimbabweans. He further explains how the peaceful movement galvanized a generation, why financial repression is a central pillar of authoritarianism, and how Bitcoin offers ordinary citizens a way to resist and rebuild. Catch the full conversation here.

MIT Bitcoin Expo Livestream

Last week, software developers, human rights activists, students, and researchers gathered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the 12th annual MIT Bitcoin Expo — this year in partnership with HRF — to explore how Bitcoin and freedom technologies can defend civil liberties and empower individuals, especially under authoritarian regimes. Born from MIT’s 2014 Bitcoin Project, the expo has grown into a major forum for individual liberation, with panels, workshops, and hackathons centered on privacy, financial autonomy, and decentralized protocols. Tune into the livestream recording to catch the speakers, presentations, and panels that defined the event.

If this article was forwarded to you and you enjoyed reading it, please consider subscribing to the Financial Freedom Report here.

Support the newsletter by donating bitcoin to HRF’s Financial Freedom program via BTCPay.\ Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit tips, stories, news, and ideas by emailing us at ffreport @ hrf.org

The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is accepting grant proposals on an ongoing basis. The Bitcoin Development Fund is looking to support Bitcoin developers, community builders, and educators. Submit proposals here.

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Hackathon 概要

由 Flare 与 Google Cloud 合作举办的 Flare x Google Verifiable AI 线上黑客松&线下黑客松 于 2025 年 3 月同期举行，聚焦可验证自主 AI 应用开发，推动区块链与人工智能技术的深度融合。提交项目涵盖 Social AI Agent、RAG Knowledge、AI x DeFi（DeFAI）和 Consensus Learning 四大核心类别。依托 Google Cloud 机密计算与 Flare 预言机技术，为数据密集型 AI 应用提供安全可信的链上链下协同支持，同时通过线上辅导、技术研讨会及与伯克利大学、DoraHacks 等机构合作，助力开发者实现技术落地

所有获奖者由 Flare 联合创始人 Hugo Philion、Google Cloud 代表 Ross Nicoll 等行业专家组成的评审团评定。线上黑客松于 3 月 7 日至 14 日开展，总奖池 40,000 美元，吸引了 358 名开发者参与，最终提交审核通过了 46 个的创新项目。线下黑客松于 3 月 7 日至 9 日在加州伯克利大学举办，总奖池 60,000 美元，共有 105 位开发者现场参与，提交了 24 个项目。

此次黑客松通过技术整合验证了 AI 代理在去中心化场景中的可信运行机制，为 DeFAI、隐私计算等领域提供实践案例，同时构建产学研一体化平台，加速区块链与 AI 技术的跨领域应用，标志着两大技术在去中心化生态中的深度协同进入新阶段。

线上黑客松获奖者

Social AI Agent 奖项获得者

• ScribeChain - 该项目利用AI将X Spaces中的实时音频转换为简明的文字摘要，帮助有效的信息处理。

• Gosenica je lezla - Telegram 机器人，使用 RAG 数据库分离代码/文档，用于 Flare 文档查询和代码示例生成。

• Flarebot - Flare 的 AI 驱动 Telegram 机器人，提供 DeFi 分析，通过 FTSOv2 和 Gemini 模型进行代币价格/TVL 跟踪。

RAG Knowledge 奖项获得者

• Decentralized Trusted AI - 引入去中心化区块链系统以验证 AI 生成的响应，从而增强对 AI 输出的信任。

• Gosenica je lezla

• chaincontext - 可验证知识系统，将 FTSO 数据、区块链状态和 RAG 合并在 TEE 中，以进行透明的信任评估。

AI x DeFi (DeFAI) 奖项获得者

• Quince Finance - 该项目结合了由 AI 驱动的聊天机器人和 Google Cloud 于 Flare 上的 DeFi 网页应用中，专注于提高用户安全和访问。

• Flare DeFAI - 在 TEE 中提供安全的 AI 助手，使用自然语言进行 DeFi 操作并在 Flare 上进行智能合约风险评估。

• Flare Sense - 使用实时监控、RAG 和 Telegram 警报检测风险并建议解决方案的 DeFi 安全代理。

Consensus Learning 奖项获得者

• DemistiFI - 在自动钱包管理中利用 AI 代理，并采用共识学习来实现一致、可靠的交易。

• Flava AI - 构想 Flare 网络与爬虫、分块器和嵌入器组件进行交互的智能 RAG 和共识机制。

• Forecaster - 多模型共识平台，通过信心评分和技术分析提高市场预测，以便更好地进行投资决策。

有关这些项目的更多信息，请访问 DoraHacks。

线下黑客松获奖者

Social AI Agent 奖项获奖者

1st Place:

• Flare Fact Checker - 开发了一种基于 AI 的事实检查工具，利用可信执行环境中的验证节点验证社交媒体上的科学声明。

2nd Place:

• FlareBot - 一个 Discord 机器人，为 Flare 社区提供 24/7 支持，具有实时数据检索和可定制的安全过滤器。

3rd Place:

• Flara - 为开发者关系自动化社交媒体互动提供 AI 代理，结合 Gemini-2.0-Pro 模型和可信执行环境确保自主性验证。

RAG Knowledge 奖项获奖者

1st Place:

• Command Flare - 为 DeFi 提供自然语言 AI 界面，使用新颖的图形和向量方法在安全环境中增强交易和查询。

2nd Place:

• 2DeFi - 通过为传统金融用户提供个性化投资策略和 AI 分析，简化在 Flare 区块链上的 DeFi 访问。

3rd Place:

• ragstoriches - 提供抓取、解析和组织区块链数据的工具，以提高分析和响应准确性。

AI x DeFi (DeFAI) 奖项获奖者

1st Place:

• 2DeFi （同时获得 RAG Knowledge 类别的奖项）

2nd Place:

• Voice To Flare - 促进在 Flare 区块链上的安全、多语言区块链交易，借助 AI 增强。

3rd Place:

• Solar v1 - 一个 AI 驱动的 DeFi 助手，通过高级分析和自动化增强在 Flare Network 上的互动。

Consensus Learning 奖项获奖者

1st Place:

• NFT Deep Appraisal - 使用共识学习结合 AI 评估 NFT 价值，结合数据分析和一致性验证。

2nd Place:

• mikey-codebase - 实施了一种合奏 LLM 响应聚合器，包括评估模型影响的 Shapley 估计。

3rd Place:

• Command Flare （也在 RAG Knowledge 类别中获得名次）

欲了解完整的项目列表和更多信息，请访问 DoraHacks。

关于组织者

Flare

Flare 是一家专注于推动区块链解决方案和智能合约应用的技术组织。Flare 以将以太坊虚拟机集成到更广泛的区块链生态系统中而闻名，实现跨链互操作性。Flare Network 是该公司的一个著名开发项目，通过促进各种网络之间的无缝交易，增强数字资产的实用性。Flare 继续扩展去中心化技术能力，推动创新和更广泛的区块链采用。

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Hackathon 概要

HackSecret 5 展示了在去中心化机密计算中的创新，共吸引了 142 位开发者参与并提交了 53 个项目。此 Hackathon 利用 Secret Network 的特性推进了在 Cosmos、EVM 和 Solana 等区块链平台上的机密 AI 应用。

参与者探索了四个主要方向：Secret AI 应用、Autonomys Network dApps、跨链 dApps 和原生 Secret Network dApps。值得注意的项目包括利用 Secret AI SDK 的 AI 驱动法律助理和私密健康咨询平台。

此次 Hackathon 亮点在于通过 Secret Network 增强安全通信和存储的应用。例如，一个去中心化的 AI 人才市场和机密 AI 写作助手，都关注于去中心化应用中的隐私和数据机密性。

总奖池为 15,000 美元，表彰了项目的技术复杂性、创新性和可能的实际应用。HackSecret 5 促进了跨领域合作并激发了对去中心化应用的兴趣。

Hackathon 获奖者

Secret AI dApps 奖项获奖者

此类别表彰了创新利用 Secret Network 的 Secret AI SDK 的 dApps。

• Sentinex: 一个通过 AI 驱动的合约审计和机密分析增强 DeFi 安全的多代理平台，利用 Secret SDK 和 Autonomys 代理进行安全的代币推出和智能合约审计。
• Secret AI Accountant System: 通过结合 Confidential Computing 和 Secret Network 的 AI 安全管理商业账簿，以实现透明的审计过程。
• JS SDK for Secret AI: 通过简单的 JavaScript API 轻松将 Secret Confidential AI 模型集成到 Web 应用中。
• Conflux-AI: 一个去中心化平台，通过联合学习和智能合约实现隐私感知的协同交易及全球模型聚合。
• DocAssist: 通过 AI 洞察安全管理患者数据，利用 Secret AI SDK 支持医生。
• codeforgeai: 促进 AI 与区块链的协作编码开发工具生态系统，提供像 CodeForge CLI 这样的工具。
• Secret AI Writer: 一个确保内容隐私的 AI 写作平台，通过 Secret Network 的智能合约和端到端加密实现。
• autonomous-copilot: 结合 AI 和去中心化存储的安全数据分析数据管理工具。
• SecureChat AI: 提供 AI 驱动的加密聊天，确保跨设备的安全通信。

Native Secret dApps 奖项获奖者

此类别强调了构建于 Secret Network 上的 dApps，注重默认隐私机制。

• Unchained Poker: 一个使用秘密合约解决信任问题的去中心化扑克平台，提供统计分析和语音聊天以增强安全性。
• HabiChain: 部署区块链用于安全的心理健康支持，利用功能行为分析提供个性化工具，同时保护隐私。

使用 Autonomys Agents Framework 的不可阻挡 AI 代理奖项获奖者

此类别表彰了使用 Autonomys Agents Framework 开发具有可验证链上记忆 AI 代理的项目。

• AgentMint.AI: 自动化跨区块链的 AI 驱动 meme 币创建和管理，集成社交媒体工具。
• Aetherlink: 实现 ai3:// 协议以标准化内容访问和发现于去中心化网络中。
• Pixel Lock: 使用 Auto Drive 提供安全图像存储解决方案，保护数据隐私，消除未经授权访问风险。
• Conflux-AI

Autonomys Track 2: 使用 Auto Drive 构建 - 永久去中心化存储奖项获奖者

此方向寻求利用 Auto Drive 的数据持久性和安全性解决方案，超越传统的固定方法。

• autonomous-copilot
• Decentralized Collaborative File Repository (DCFR): 基于 DAO 的文件管理，通过去中心化存储和治理协议提供民主控制和透明操作。

有关所有 hackathon 项目的更多信息，请访问 HackSecret 5 Projects。

关于组织者

Secret Network

Secret Network 是一个通过 Intel SGX 技术、加密和密钥管理实现隐私功能的区块链平台。它支持可扩展的、无需许可的智能合约，默认设计了隐私功能，支持独特的区块链应用。Secret Network 于 2020 年 9 月在其主网上推出了私密智能合约，确立了其在隐私导向区块链开发中的角色。该组织持续探索隐私在区块链技术中的创新应用。

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After five years and over 6,000 commits, LNbits has reached a momentous milestone: Version 1.0.0 is here. LNbits is officially out of beta!

This release represents the five years relentless development, dedication, bug-hunting, feature-building, and community involvement. What started as a lightweight Lightning wallet application for Lightning Network payments has evolved into one of the most versatile, modular, and widely-used Bitcoin tools in the space.

We want to offer a heartfelt thank you to every contributor, developer, tester, and user—from those running LNbits for personal use to the communities and businesses who rely on it every day. Your feedback, bug reports, feature requests, and support have made LNbits what it is today.

🚀 Key Highlights in v1.0.0

• LNbits now at v1.0.0 – the software is stable, hardened, and production-ready.
• Vue 3 migration – a complete frontend overhaul for performance and long-term maintainability.
• WebSocket payments – faster and more efficient, replacing older SSE and long-polling methods.
• New lnbits.sh install script – simplifies setup and local deployment.
• Access Control Lists (ACL) – token-based permissions for powerful role and scope control.
• Admin tools:
• Admin payments overview
• Toggle outgoing payments
• View payments from deleted wallets
• NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect) support
• Login with Nostr or OAuth – expanding integration and authentication options

💱 Fiat & Exchange Upgrades

• Custom exchange providers
• Improved fiat precision
• Wallet-level fiat tracking and labels
• Support for Bitpay and Yadio fiat rate providers

🧑‍🎨 UI / UX Improvements New Login/Register interface

• Default theme for new users
• Custom background images
• Visual refresh with new themes (including neon and light/dark modes)
• Revamped Pay Invoice dialog and invoice creation
• Custom wallet icons/colours
• CSV export and in-wallet payment filtering

🛠️ Developer Tools & Internal Enhancements Migration to pyjwt, updated to breez-sdk 0.6.6, pyln-client 24.5

• Support for Python 3.10–3.13
• New nodemanager for managing Lightning channels
• Backend refactors, improved database handling, type hinting, and extension logic
• More robust testing and CI support

🩹 Maintenance & Fixes Persistent fix for admin removal bug

• Improved extension handling
• Bug fixes across wallet logic, funding sources, and legacy compatibility
• Dozens of improvements to reliability, performance, and developer experience

🎉 A Huge Thank You

To every developer, translator, tester, UX contributor, node runner, and user: thank you.

LNbits wouldn’t be what it is without your involvement. Whether you've written code, opened issues, translated labels, or simply used it and given feedback—this release is yours too.

Here's to the next chapter!

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Tucked into Italy’s far northeastern corner, Trieste feels like a place where cultures meet and stories linger. With Austro-Hungarian architecture, Adriatic views, literary cafés, and a unique Central European flair, it’s Italy—but not quite like the Italy you know. Bordering Slovenia and once the seaport of an empire, Trieste is full of quiet charm and timeless elegance.

🌟 Top Things to Do in Trieste

1️⃣ Piazza Unità d’Italia

• One of Europe’s largest sea-facing squares
• Surrounded by grand buildings and open to the Adriatic—sunsets here are magical
• Great spot to sit at a café and people-watch

2️⃣ Castello di Miramare

• A fairy-tale white castle perched over the sea, built for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian
• Explore the ornate interiors and stroll the surrounding park with sea views
• A short bus or bike ride from the city

3️⃣ Canal Grande & Borgo Teresiano

• A small Venetian-style canal lined with cafés, bridges, and boats
• At its end, you’ll find the neoclassical Sant’Antonio Nuovo church
• The area is perfect for evening walks and aperitivo

4️⃣ Caffè Culture & James Joyce Trail ☕📖

• Trieste has a legendary café scene—literary, elegant, and historic
• Visit Caffè San Marco or Caffè degli Specchi
• Follow the trail of James Joyce, who lived here for over a decade

5️⃣ Barcola Promenade

• A local favorite for seafront walks, swimming, and sunbathing
• Bring a towel, grab a gelato, and relax like a true Triestino
• Especially lively in summer

🏛️ Also Worth a Visit

• Teatro Romano – A well-preserved Roman theater right in the city center
• Castello di San Giusto & Cathedral – Hilltop views and Roman ruins nearby
• Risiera di San Sabba – A sobering WWII concentration camp memorial site

🍝 What to Eat in Trieste

• Jota – A hearty stew of sauerkraut, beans, and potatoes (Slavic roots!)
• Seafood everything – Fresh Adriatic catch, especially scampi and sardoni
• Strudel, goulash, and schnitzel – Trieste’s menu mixes Italian and Mitteleuropean
• Pair with local wines like Vitovska or a crisp Malvasia

🎯 Tips for Travelers

✅ Trieste is walkable and elegant—bring comfy shoes for those marble pavements
✅ Great base for day trips to Miramare Castle, Grotta Gigante, or even Ljubljana and Piran
✅ Try the osmize in the surrounding hills—rustic, family-run wine farms that open to the public
✅ Slovenian and Croatian borders are right nearby—Trieste is a crossroads city

@ 20986fb8:cdac21b3

社交应用正迎来全新阶段：从传统的中心化平台迈向去中心化生态，用户对轻量级、智能化和隐私保护的应用需求与日俱增。在这一趋势下，Mini Apps 凭借其快速开发、灵活部署和去中心化的特性，正在成为社交应用的主流选择。加密货币支付的兴起进一步推动了这一趋势，其低成本、无国界和金融自由的优势，不仅大幅降低了交易门槛，还为 Mini Apps 的规模化发展注入了强劲动力。作为比特币生态 Nostr 协议上最受欢迎的去中心化社交支付客户端之一，YakiHonne 凭借卓越的用户体验和便捷的社交支付功能，覆盖全球 170 多个国家。如今，YakiHonne 即将推出可编程 Smart Widgets——一款支持 Mini Apps 的开发者组件。这款产品将重新定义用户在社交平台上的互动与消费方式，为链上应用生态和社交支付带来全新活力。

YakiHonne Smart Widgets：社交与消费的创新引擎

YakiHonne Smart Widgets 是一款融入社交动态的可编程微型应用，让用户在浏览内容时就能轻松完成链上支付、互动和操作。它不仅是一款工具，更是一个开放的去中心化应用市场，为用户和开发者带来无限创造力与灵活性。

Smart Widgets 提供三种简单易用的创建方式，满足不同用户的需求：

• 基础组件（Basic Widgets）：任何用户都能通过直观编辑器快速创建，只需选择模板、输入内容，就能生成打赏、Mint 或投票等互动功能。用户在浏览动态时，点击按钮即可完成链上操作，体验快速、无需跳转。
• 动作组件（ActionWidgets）：用户可通过嵌入应用链接快速创建，无需开发经验。普通用户点击动态中的按钮，就能直接在当前界面访问外部去中心化应用（如交易所），享受顺畅不中断的体验。
• 工具组件（Tool Widgets-Mini App）：适合有开发能力的用户或开发者，通过 Smart Widgets SDK 打造功能更丰富的应用，支持复杂链上操作。用户在社交动态中即可完成数据查询、链上任务、游戏互动或即时支付，体验高度集成且流畅。

主要特性：

• 快速构建：开发者仅需数小时即可将创意变为现实，支持常用 Web 技术，打造接近原生应用的体验，无需繁琐的应用商店审核。
• 社交登录：用户无需账号密码即可进入 Mini Apps，直接使用 Nostr/YakiHonne 身份在动态中互动，流程简单，社交体验更紧密。
• 易于发现与留存：通过动态 feeds 一键发现新应用，内置裂变机制助力快速传播，Mini App 商店提供更多选择，用户可保存喜爱应用并通过通知随时回归。
• 即时互动与消费：Mini Apps 通过 YakiHonne 的社交支付功能基础设施实现无缝集成，用户无需离开动态即可完成支付、投票或游戏等操作。社交互动与链上行为自然融合，消费体验轻松融入每一次互动场景。

改变日常体验：Smart Widgets 的多场景应用

YakiHonne Smart Widgets 将社交互动与链上消费深度结合，为用户带来多样化的应用场景：

• 链上互动：用户在浏览动态时，可通过 Smart Widgets 参与链上投票或轻量游戏。例如，一键完成社区提案投票，或与好友挑战链上小游戏，互动即刻完成，无需跳转。
• 智能 Agent：用户可使用 Agent Widgets 自动创作并发布内容，例如生成个性化帖子或短视频，打造 AI 驱动的新型媒体体验。
• DAO 治理：基于aMACI创建匿名投票，结合 Agent 实现自主治理。用户直接在社交动态中参与 DAO 决策，推动去中心化社区发展。
• 社交支付：用户可通过动态发送即时支付或链上红包，例如分享一笔小额打赏，激发好友互动与消费转化。
• 订阅服务：支持内容创作者或应用的连续订阅，用户一键订阅喜爱的服务，享受无缝续费体验。

这些场景不仅提升了用户的参与感和便利性，还为创作者、开发者及社区提供了新的增长机会。

引领新趋势：Smart Widgets 的生态价值

YakiHonne Smart Widgets 的推出将为链上消费应用生态和社交支付带来深远影响。它为开发者提供了一个开放的舞台，任何人都可以通过 Widgets 快速部署创新应用，丰富 YakiHonne 的生态多样性。YakiHonne 的社交支付功能基础设施进一步为 Mini Apps 赋能，提供高效的支付支持，降低了开发者的支付集成成本，同时为用户带来安全、便捷的交易体验。这种支持不仅加速了 Mini Apps 的商业化进程，还推动了链上消费的规模化增长。

对于用户而言，Smart Widgets 将社交互动与消费行为融为一体，创造更具沉浸感和实用性的数字体验。对于内容创作者和社区，它则提供了一个低门槛的链上入口，助力其触达全球用户。这一产品不仅是对技术边界的探索，更是对未来去中心化生活方式的预演。YakiHonne 致力于通过 Smart Widgets 构建一个开放、活跃的社交与消费生态，让每一次互动都成为链上价值流动的起点。

立即体验：Smart Widgets 等你探索

YakiHonne 诚邀全球用户和开发者共同参与这一激动人心的旅程。开发者可申请加入 Smart Widgets SDK 测试计划，开发属于自己的 Mini Apps，与 YakiHonne 的全球用户群共享成果。用户则可关注 YakiHonne 官方渠道（X或下载YakiHonne iOS/Android），体验链上互动与社交支付的全新可能。

@ 3b3a42d3:d192e325

Atomic Signature Swaps (ASS) over Nostr is a protocol for atomically exchanging Schnorr signatures using Nostr events for orchestration. This new primitive enables multiple interesting applications like:

• Getting paid to publish specific Nostr events
• Issuing automatic payment receipts
• Contract signing in exchange for payment
• P2P asset exchanges
• Trading and enforcement of asset option contracts
• Payment in exchange for Nostr-based credentials or access tokens
• Exchanging GMs 🌞

It only requires that (i) the involved signatures be Schnorr signatures using the secp256k1 curve and that (ii) at least one of those signatures be accessible to both parties. These requirements are naturally met by Nostr events (published to relays), Taproot transactions (published to the mempool and later to the blockchain), and Cashu payments (using mints that support NUT-07, allowing any pair of these signatures to be swapped atomically.

How the Cryptographic Magic Works 🪄

This is a Schnorr signature (Zₓ, s):

s = z + H(Zₓ || P || m)⋅k

If you haven't seen it before, don't worry, neither did I until three weeks ago.

The signature scalar s is the the value a signer with private key k (and public key P = k⋅G) must calculate to prove his commitment over the message m given a randomly generated nonce z (Zₓ is just the x-coordinate of the public point Z = z⋅G). H is a hash function (sha256 with the tag "BIP0340/challenge" when dealing with BIP340), || just means to concatenate and G is the generator point of the elliptic curve, used to derive public values from private ones.

Now that you understand what this equation means, let's just rename z = r + t. We can do that, z is just a randomly generated number that can be represented as the sum of two other numbers. It also follows that z⋅G = r⋅G + t⋅G ⇔ Z = R + T. Putting it all back into the definition of a Schnorr signature we get:

s = (r + t) + H((R + T)ₓ || P || m)⋅k

Which is the same as:

s = sₐ + t where sₐ = r + H((R + T)ₓ || P || m)⋅k

sₐ is what we call the adaptor signature scalar) and t is the secret. ((R + T)ₓ, sₐ) is an incomplete signature that just becomes valid by add the secret t to the sₐ:

s = sₐ + t

What is also important for our purposes is that by getting access to the valid signature s, one can also extract t from it by just subtracting sₐ:

t = s - sₐ

The specific value of t depends on our choice of the public point T, since R is just a public point derived from a randomly generated nonce r.

So how do we choose T so that it requires the secret t to be the signature over a specific message m' by an specific public key P'? (without knowing the value of t)

Let's start with the definition of t as a valid Schnorr signature by P' over m':

t = r' + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅k' ⇔ t⋅G = r'⋅G + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅k'⋅G

That is the same as:

T = R' + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅P'

Notice that in order to calculate the appropriate T that requires t to be an specific signature scalar, we only need to know the public nonce R' used to generate that signature.

In summary: in order to atomically swap Schnorr signatures, one party P' must provide a public nonce R', while the other party P must provide an adaptor signature using that nonce:

sₐ = r + H((R + T)ₓ || P || m)⋅k where T = R' + H(R'ₓ || P' || m')⋅P'

P' (the nonce provider) can then add his own signature t to the adaptor signature sₐ in order to get a valid signature by P, i.e. s = sₐ + t. When he publishes this signature (as a Nostr event, Cashu transaction or Taproot transaction), it becomes accessible to P that can now extract the signature t by P' and also make use of it.

Important considerations

A signature may not be useful at the end of the swap if it unlocks funds that have already been spent, or that are vulnerable to fee bidding wars.

When a swap involves a Taproot UTXO, it must always use a 2-of-2 multisig timelock to avoid those issues.

Cashu tokens do not require this measure when its signature is revealed first, because the mint won't reveal the other signature if they can't be successfully claimed, but they also require a 2-of-2 multisig timelock when its signature is only revealed last (what is unavoidable in cashu for cashu swaps).

For Nostr events, whoever receives the signature first needs to publish it to at least one relay that is accessible by the other party. This is a reasonable expectation in most cases, but may be an issue if the event kind involved is meant to be used privately.

How to Orchestrate the Swap over Nostr?

Before going into the specific event kinds, it is important to recognize what are the requirements they must meet and what are the concerns they must address. There are mainly three requirements:

• Both parties must agree on the messages they are going to sign
• One party must provide a public nonce
• The other party must provide an adaptor signature using that nonce

There is also a fundamental asymmetry in the roles of both parties, resulting in the following significant downsides for the party that generates the adaptor signature:

• NIP-07 and remote signers do not currently support the generation of adaptor signatures, so he must either insert his nsec in the client or use a fork of another signer
• There is an overhead of retrieving the completed signature containing the secret, either from the blockchain, mint endpoint or finding the appropriate relay
• There is risk he may not get his side of the deal if the other party only uses his signature privately, as I have already mentioned
• There is risk of losing funds by not extracting or using the signature before its timelock expires. The other party has no risk since his own signature won't be exposed by just not using the signature he received.

The protocol must meet all those requirements, allowing for some kind of role negotiation and while trying to reduce the necessary hops needed to complete the swap.

Swap Proposal Event (kind:455)

This event enables a proposer and his counterparty to agree on the specific messages whose signatures they intend to exchange. The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{     "give": <signature spec (required)>,     "take": <signature spec (required)>,     "exp": <expiration timestamp (optional)>,     "role": "<adaptor | nonce (optional)>",     "description": "<Info about the proposal (optional)>",     "nonce": "<Signature public nonce (optional)>",     "enc_s": "<Encrypted signature scalar (optional)>" }

The field role indicates what the proposer will provide during the swap, either the nonce or the adaptor. When this optional field is not provided, the counterparty may decide whether he will send a nonce back in a Swap Nonce event or a Swap Adaptor event using the nonce (optionally) provided by in the Swap Proposal in order to avoid one hop of interaction.

The enc_s field may be used to store the encrypted scalar of the signature associated with the nonce, since this information is necessary later when completing the adaptor signature received from the other party.

A signature spec specifies the type and all necessary information for producing and verifying a given signature. In the case of signatures for Nostr events, it contain a template with all the fields, except pubkey, id and sig:

{ "type": "nostr", "template": { "kind": "<kind>"        "content": "<content>"        "tags": [ … ],        "created_at": "<created_at>" } }

In the case of Cashu payments, a simplified signature spec just needs to specify the payment amount and an array of mints trusted by the proposer:

{   "type": "cashu",   "amount": "<amount>",   "mint": ["<acceptable mint_url>", …] }

This works when the payer provides the adaptor signature, but it still needs to be extended to also work when the payer is the one receiving the adaptor signature. In the later case, the signature spec must also include a timelock and the derived public keys Y of each Cashu Proof, but for now let's just ignore this situation. It should be mentioned that the mint must be trusted by both parties and also support Token state check (NUT-07) for revealing the completed adaptor signature and P2PK spending conditions (NUT-11) for the cryptographic scheme to work.

The tags are:

• "p", the proposal counterparty's public key (required)
• "a", a kind:30455 Swap Listing event or an application specific version of it (optional)

Forget about this Swap Listing event for now, I will get to it later...

Swap Nonce Event (kind:456) - Optional

This is an optional event for the Swap Proposal receiver to provide the public nonce of his signature when the proposal does not include a nonce or when he does not want to provide the adaptor signature due to the downsides previously mentioned. The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{     "nonce": "<Signature public nonce>",     "enc_s": "<Encrypted signature scalar (optional)>" }

And the tags must contain:

• "e", a kind:455 Swap Proposal Event (required)
• "p", the counterparty's public key (required)

Swap Adaptor Event (kind:457)

The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{ "adaptors": [ {         "sa": "<Adaptor signature scalar>",         "R": "<Signer's public nonce (including parity byte)>",         "T": "<Adaptor point (including parity byte)>",         "Y": "<Cashu proof derived public key (if applicable)>",     }, …],     "cashu": "<Cashu V4 token (if applicable)>" }

And the tags must contain:

• "e", a kind:455 Swap Proposal Event (required)
• "p", the counterparty's public key (required)

Discoverability

The Swap Listing event previously mentioned as an optional tag in the Swap Proposal may be used to find an appropriate counterparty for a swap. It allows a user to announce what he wants to accomplish, what his requirements are and what is still open for negotiation.

Swap Listing Event (kind:30455)

The content field is the following stringified JSON:

{ "description": "<Information about the listing (required)>", "give": <partial signature spec (optional)>, "take": <partial signature spec (optional)>, "examples: [<take signature spec>], // optional "exp": <expiration timestamp (optional)>, "role": "<adaptor | nonce (optional)>" }

The description field describes the restrictions on counterparties and signatures the user is willing to accept.

A partial signature spec is an incomplete signature spec used in Swap Proposal events kind:455 where omitting fields signals that they are still open for negotiation.

The examples field is an array of signature specs the user would be willing to take.

The tags are:

• "d", a unique listing id (required)
• "s", the status of the listing draft | open | closed (required)
• "t", topics related to this listing (optional)
• "p", public keys to notify about the proposal (optional)

Application Specific Swap Listings

Since Swap Listings are still fairly generic, it is expected that specific use cases define new event kinds based on the generic listing. Those application specific swap listing would be easier to filter by clients and may impose restrictions and add new fields and/or tags. The following are some examples under development:

Sponsored Events

This listing is designed for users looking to promote content on the Nostr network, as well as for those who want to monetize their accounts by sharing curated sponsored content with their existing audiences.

It follows the same format as the generic Swap Listing event, but uses the kind:30456 instead.

The following new tags are included:

• "k", event kind being sponsored (required)
• "title", campaign title (optional)

It is required that at least one signature spec (give and/or take) must have "type": "nostr" and also contain the following tag ["sponsor", "<pubkey>", "<attestation>"] with the sponsor's public key and his signature over the signature spec without the sponsor tag as his attestation. This last requirement enables clients to disclose and/or filter sponsored events.

Asset Swaps

This listing is designed for users looking for counterparties to swap different assets that can be transferred using Schnorr signatures, like any unit of Cashu tokens, Bitcoin or other asset IOUs issued using Taproot.

It follows the same format as the generic Swap Listing event, but uses the kind:30457 instead.

It requires the following additional tags:

• "t", asset pair to be swapped (e.g. "btcusd")
• "t", asset being offered (e.g. "btc")
• "t", accepted payment method (e.g. "cashu", "taproot")

Swap Negotiation

From finding an appropriate Swap Listing to publishing a Swap Proposal, there may be some kind of negotiation between the involved parties, e.g. agreeing on the amount to be paid by one of the parties or the exact content of a Nostr event signed by the other party. There are many ways to accomplish that and clients may implement it as they see fit for their specific goals. Some suggestions are:

• Adding kind:1111 Comments to the Swap Listing or an existing Swap Proposal
• Exchanging tentative Swap Proposals back and forth until an agreement is reached
• Simple exchanges of DMs
• Out of band communication (e.g. Signal)

Work to be done

I've been refining this specification as I develop some proof-of-concept clients to experience its flaws and trade-offs in practice. I left the signature spec for Taproot signatures out of the current document as I still have to experiment with it. I will probably find some important orchestration issues related to dealing with 2-of-2 multisig timelocks, which also affects Cashu transactions when spent last, that may require further adjustments to what was presented here.

The main goal of this article is to find other people interested in this concept and willing to provide valuable feedback before a PR is opened in the NIPs repository for broader discussions.

References

• GM Swap- Nostr client for atomically exchanging GM notes. Live demo available here.
• Sig4Sats Script - A Typescript script demonstrating the swap of a Cashu payment for a signed Nostr event.
• Loudr- Nostr client under development for sponsoring the publication of Nostr events. Live demo available at loudr.me.
• Poelstra, A. (2017). Scriptless Scripts. Blockstream Research. https://github.com/BlockstreamResearch/scriptless-scripts

@ 20986fb8:cdac21b3

Social apps are entering a new era, evolving from traditional centralized platforms to decentralized ecosystems. Users increasingly demand lightweight, intelligent, and privacy-focused applications. In this shift, Mini Apps have emerged as a mainstream choice for social applications, thanks to their rapid development, flexible deployment, and decentralized nature. The rise of cryptocurrency payments has further fueled this trend, offering low-cost, borderless, and financially liberating solutions that significantly lower transaction barriers and drive the scalability of Mini Apps. As one of the most popular decentralized social payment clients on the Bitcoin ecosystem’s Nostr protocol, YakiHonne has earned a global reputation for its exceptional user experience and seamless social payment features, reaching over 170 countries. Now, YakiHonne is set to launch its programmable Smart Widgets—a developer toolkit for Mini Apps. This product will redefine how users interact and transact on social platforms, bringing fresh energy to the on-chain app ecosystem and social payments.

Smart Widgets: A Game-Changer for Social and On-Chain Consumption

YakiHonne Smart Widgets are programmable mini-apps embedded within social feeds, enabling users to effortlessly make on-chain payments, engage in interactions, and perform actions without leaving their content stream. More than just a tool, Smart Widgets serve as an open, decentralized app store, empowering both users and developers with unparalleled creativity and flexibility.

Smart Widgets come in three user-friendly formats to meet diverse needs:

• Basic Widgets: Anyone can create these using an intuitive editor—just pick a template, add content, and generate features like zap, minting, or voting. Users can interact with these actions directly in their feed with a single click, enjoying a fast, seamless experience.
• Action Widgets: Users can quickly create these by embedding app links, no coding required. With a single tap on a button in the feed, users can access external decentralized apps (like exchanges) right within the interface, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted experience.
• Tool Widgets (Mini Apps): Designed for developers or users with coding skills, these are built using the Smart Widgets SDK to create more advanced apps with complex on-chain operations. Users can perform tasks like data queries, on-chain actions, gaming, or instant payments directly in their social feed, with a highly integrated and fluid experience.

Key Features:

• Rapid Development: Developers can turn ideas into reality in just hours, using familiar web technologies to create near-native app experiences—no lengthy app store reviews required.
• Social Login: Users can access Mini Apps without usernames or passwords, using their Nostr/YakiHonne identity to interact seamlessly within their social feed, making the experience more connected and effortless.
• Easy Discovery and Retention: With one-tap discovery through social feeds, built-in viral growth mechanics, and a Mini App store for more options, users can explore new apps effortlessly. They can save favorites and get notifications to return for more.
• Instant Interaction and Consumption: Mini Apps integrate seamlessly with YakiHonne’s social payment infrastructure, allowing users to pay, vote, or play games without leaving their feed. Social engagement and on-chain actions blend naturally, with consumption woven effortlessly into every interaction.

Transforming Daily Experiences: Smart Widgets in Action

YakiHonne Smart Widgets bridge social engagement and on-chain consumption, delivering a wide range of use cases: - On-Chain Interactions: While browsing their feed, users can join on-chain votes or play lightweight games through Smart Widgets—like casting a vote on a community proposal or challenging a friend to a quick game, all without leaving the app. - Smart Agents: Users can leverage Agent Widgets to auto-create and share content, such as personalized posts or short videos, powering an AI-driven media experience. - DAO Governance: Using aMACI for anonymous voting, combined with Agent Widgets for autonomous governance, users can participate in DAO decisions directly within their feed, fostering decentralized community growth. - Social Zap: Users can send small tips through their feed, like rewarding a friend’s post with an on-chain token, sparking more engagement and driving consumption. - Content Subscriptions: Support creators or apps with ongoing subscriptions—users can subscribe to their favorite services with one tap, enjoying a seamless renewal experience.

These scenarios not only boost user engagement and convenience but also open new growth opportunities for creators, developers, and communities.

Shaping the Future: The Ecosystem Impact of Smart Widgets

YakiHonne Smart Widgets are poised to transform the on-chain app ecosystem and social payments. They provide an open platform for developers, enabling anyone to deploy innovative apps quickly and enrich YakiHonne’s ecosystem. YakiHonne’s social payment infrastructure further empowers Mini Apps by offering efficient payment support, reducing integration costs for developers while ensuring a secure, seamless transaction experience for users. This support accelerates the commercialization of Mini Apps and fuels the growth of on-chain consumption.

For users, Smart Widgets seamlessly blend social interaction with consumption, creating an immersive and practical digital experience. For creators and communities, they offer a low-barrier entry to on-chain opportunities, helping them connect with a global audience. This product isn’t just a technological leap—it’s a glimpse into the future of decentralized lifestyles. YakiHonne is committed to building an open, vibrant social and consumption ecosystem through Smart Widgets, where every interaction sparks on-chain value.

Join the Future: Explore Smart Widgets Today

YakiHonne invites users and developers worldwide to join this exciting journey. Developers can apply to join the Smart Widgets SDK testing program, creating their own Mini Apps and tapping into YakiHonne’s global user base. Users can follow YakiHonne on official channels –X or download the YakiHonne iOS/Android app– to experience the next generation of on-chain interactions and social payments.

YakiHonne Programmable Smart Widgets are set to launch a new chapter for social and on-chain consumption. Let’s embrace this transformation together!

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Some banners to promote ~Design territory in the Wild Web. Interested to kand feedback now your thought on it.

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originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/939548

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

The United States is on the cusp of a historic technological renaissance, often referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Artificial intelligence, automation, advanced robotics, quantum computing, biotechnology, and clean manufacturing are converging into a seismic shift that will redefine how we live, work, and relate to one another. But there's a critical catch: this transformation depends entirely on the availability of stable, abundant, and inexpensive electricity.

Why Electricity is the Keystone of Innovation

Let’s start with something basic but often overlooked. Every industrial revolution has had an energy driver:

• The First rode the steam engine, powered by coal.
• The Second was electrified through centralized power plants.
• The Third harnessed computing and the internet.
• The Fourth will demand energy on a scale and reliability never seen before.

Imagine a city where thousands of small factories run 24/7 with robotics and AI doing precision manufacturing. Imagine a national network of autonomous vehicles, delivery drones, urban vertical farms, and high-bandwidth communication systems. All of this requires uninterrupted and inexpensive power.

Without it? Costs balloon. Innovation stalls. Investment leaves. And America risks becoming a second-tier economic power in a multipolar world.

So here’s the thesis: If we want to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we must first lead in energy. And nuclear — specifically Gen IV Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — must be part of that leadership.

---

The Nuclear Case: Clean, Scalable, Strategic

Let’s debunk the myth: nuclear is not the boogeyman of the 1970s. It’s one of the safest, cleanest, and most energy-dense sources we have.

But traditional nuclear has problems:

• Too expensive to build.
• Too long to license.
• Too bespoke and complex.

Enter Gen IV SMRs:

• Factory-built and transportable.
• Passively safe with walk-away safety designs.
• Scalable in 50–300 MWe increments.
• Ideal for remote areas, industrial parks, and military bases.

But even SMRs will struggle under the current regulatory, economic, and manufacturing ecosystem. To unlock their potential, we need a new national approach.

---

The Argument for National Strategy

Let’s paint a vision:

SMRs deployed at military bases across the country, secured by trained personnel, powering critical infrastructure, and feeding clean, carbon-free power back into surrounding communities.

SMRs operated by public chartered utilities—not for Wall Street profits, but for stability, security, and public good.

SMRs manufactured by a competitive ecosystem of certified vendors, just like aircraft or medical devices, with standard parts and rapid regulatory approval.

This isn't science fiction. It's a plausible, powerful model. Here’s how we do it.

---

Step 1: Treat SMRs as a National Security Asset

Why does the Department of Defense spend billions to secure oil convoys and build fuel depots across the world, but not invest in nuclear microgrids that would make forward bases self-sufficient for decades?

Nuclear power is inherently a strategic asset:

• Immune to price shocks.
• Hard to sabotage.
• Decades of stable power from a small footprint.

It’s time to reframe SMRs from an energy project to a national security platform. That changes everything.

---

Step 2: Create Public-Chartered Operating Companies

We don’t need another corporate monopoly or Wall Street scheme. Instead, let’s charter SMR utilities the way we chartered the TVA or the Postal Service:

• Low-margin, mission-oriented.
• Publicly accountable.
• Able to sign long-term contracts with DOD, DOE, or regional utilities.

These organizations won’t chase quarterly profits. They’ll chase uptime, grid stability, and national resilience.

---

Step 3: Build a Competitive SMR Industry Like Aerospace

Imagine multiple manufacturers building SMRs to common, certified standards. Components sourced from a wide supplier base. Designs evolving year over year, with upgrades like software and avionics do.

This is how we build:

• Safer reactors
• Cheaper units
• Modular designs
• A real export industry

Airplanes are safe, affordable, and efficient because of scale and standardization. We can do the same with reactors.

---

Step 4: Anchor SMRs to the Coming Fourth Industrial Revolution

AI, robotics, and distributed manufacturing don’t need fossil fuels. They need cheap, clean, continuous electricity.

• AI datacenters
• Robotic agriculture
• Carbon-free steel and cement
• Direct air capture
• Electric industrial transport

SMRs enable this future. And they decentralize power, both literally and economically. That means jobs in every region, not just coastal tech hubs.

---

Step 5: Pair Energy Sovereignty with Economic Reform

Here’s the big leap: what if this new energy architecture was tied to a transparent, auditable, and sovereign monetary system?

• Public utilities priced in a new digital dollar.
• Trade policy balanced by low-carbon energy exports.
• Public accounting verified with open ledgers.

This is not just national security. It’s monetary resilience.

The world is moving to multi-polar trade systems. Energy exports and energy reliability will define economic influence. If America leads with SMRs, we lead the conversation.

---

Conclusion: A Moral and Strategic Imperative

We can either:

• Let outdated fears and bureaucracy stall the future, or...
• Build the infrastructure for clean, secure, and sovereign prosperity.

We have the designs.
We have the talent.
We have the need.

What we need now is will.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution will either be powered by us—or by someone else. Let’s make sure America leads. And let’s do it with SMRs, public charter, competitive industry, and national purpose.

It’s time.

---

This is a call to engineers, legislators, veterans, economists, and every American who believes in building again. SMRs are not just about power. They are about sovereignty, security, and shared prosperity.

---

Further reading:

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@ 502ab02a:a2860397

เมื่อวานโพสเรื่องบรอกโคลีฝีมือมนุษย์แล้ว มีคนสงสัยว่าตกลงมันดีไหม เวลาพูดถึงอาหารสุขภาพ ภาพที่ลอยมาในหัวของหลายๆ คนคงหนีไม่พ้น "บรอกโคลีลวก" สีเขียวสดใส เสิร์ฟคู่ไข่ต้มขาวๆ หรืออกไก่นุ่มนิ่มในกล่อง meal prep แต่ก่อนจะตักเข้าปาก เราลองตั้งคำถามง่ายๆ ก่อนว่า… “บรอกโคลีเกิดขึ้นในธรรมชาติไหม?” คำตอบคือ ไม่ เลยครับ

บรอกโคลีไม่ได้เกิดจากการงอกงามของเมล็ดในป่า หรือเติบโตตามชายเขาเหมือนพืชสมุนไพรหรือผลไม้ดั้งเดิม แต่มันคือพืชที่มนุษย์ สร้างขึ้นมา ผ่านการคัดสายพันธุ์อย่างตั้งใจให้ได้รูปร่าง กลิ่น สี และรสชาติที่ต้องการ โดยมีจุดเริ่มต้นจากพืชตระกูลเดียวกันกับ “มัสตาร์ดป่า (wild mustard)” ซึ่งเป็นพืชที่แทบไม่มีใครกิน มนุษย์ใช้วิธีเลือกต้นที่มีลักษณะ “หัวดอกใหญ่” มาเพาะซ้ำๆ จนกลายเป็นบรอกโคลี ในขณะที่พืชอีกกิ่งสายพันธุ์จากต้นเดียวกัน กลายร่างไปเป็น กะหล่ำปลี กะหล่ำดอก คะน้า และใบมัสตาร์ด

ฟังไม่ผิด ทั้งหมดนี้คือ “ญาติกัน” จากพืชป่าต้นเดียวกัน และเป็น ผลผลิตของการทดลองจากมนุษย์ ไม่ใช่ธรรมชาติ มันคือ “ของใหม่” ที่เราเพิ่งรู้จักในช่วง 100–150 ปีหลังนี้เอง

แล้วอะไรที่ทำให้บรอกโคลีกลายเป็นอาหารสุขภาพ? หนึ่งในคำตอบคือ ภาพลักษณ์ (branding) บรอกโคลีถูกผลักดันในยุคหลังสงครามโลกโดยรัฐบาลสหรัฐฯ เพื่อโปรโมท “การกินผักเพื่อสุขภาพ” และเป็นพืชที่ปลูกง่าย อดทน ขนส่งสะดวก

อุตสาหกรรมอาหารก็โหนกระแส ผนวกกับงานวิจัยที่เลือกตีแผ่ “ประโยชน์เฉพาะด้าน” ของสารบางตัวอย่างเช่น ซัลโฟราเฟน (sulforaphane) ที่ได้จากกลูโคซิโนเลต (glucosinolate) ในบรอกโคลี ซึ่งมีฤทธิ์กระตุ้นเอ็นไซม์ล้างพิษในตับ

แต่นั่นเป็นแค่ด้านเดียวของเหรียญ…

บรอกโคลียังมีสารในกลุ่มเดียวกันนี้ที่ ต่อต้านการดูดซึมไอโอดีน ทำให้ไทรอยด์เฉื่อยได้ในบางคน ยังไม่รวมถึงความยากในการย่อย ก่อแก๊สในลำไส้ และอาจทำให้เกิดอาการแพ้ในกลุ่มคนที่ระบบภูมิคุ้มกันไวเกิน นอกจากนี้ที่บอกไปแล้วว่า มันไม่ใช่ธรรมชาติ เราเลยไม่สามารถพบบรอกโคลีได้ในป่า มันต้องเกิดจากการปลูกเท่านั้น นั่นแน่ ตาสีส้มเริ่มทำงาน

บรอกโคลี “ไม่มีเมล็ด” แบบธรรมชาติ เพราะมันไม่ได้เกิดจากธรรมชาติแท้ๆ แต่นั่นไม่ได้แปลว่าเราปลูกมันไม่ได้เพราะ “เมล็ดของบรอกโคลีมีนะ แต่เป็นเมล็ดที่ได้จากต้นพันธุ์ที่มนุษย์คัดแยกและควบคุมการผสมพันธุ์มาแล้ว”

บริษัทเมล็ดพันธุ์ระดับโลก อย่าง Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer ฯลฯ จะพัฒนาเมล็ดที่ผ่านการผสมสายพันธุ์แบบ "F1 Hybrid" ซึ่งหมายความว่าเขาจะเอาพ่อแม่พันธุ์เฉพาะที่คัดเลือกไว้ มาผสมกันเพื่อให้ได้ลูกบรอกโคลีที่มีลักษณะตรงตามต้องการ เช่น ดอกแน่น สีเขียวเข้ม โตเร็ว ต้านทานโรค เมล็ดบรอกโคลีจึงเป็น เมล็ดลูกผสมรุ่นแรก (F1) ซึ่งเกษตรกร ไม่สามารถเก็บเมล็ดจากต้นบรอกโคลีที่ปลูกไว้เอง แล้วปลูกต่อได้ เพราะถ้าเอาไปปลูกใหม่รุ่นถัดไป (F2) ลักษณะจะเริ่มแปรปรวน แตกแถว ดอกเล็กลง หรือกลายพันธุ์ ดังนั้น ทุกปี เกษตรกรต้องซื้อเมล็ดใหม่จากบริษัทผู้ผลิต ซึ่งนี่แหละคือระบบ seed monopoly หรือ เศรษฐกิจผูกขาดพันธุ์พืช ที่ควบคุมโดยบริษัทยักษ์ใหญ่ เอาไว้จะมาขยายความมุมนี้ให้อีกทีครับ

ส่วนเรื่องสารอาหารความอาหารคลีนเค้าว่าดี ต้องมาเคลียร์ mind set กันอีกทีในนี้ คือในโลกของพืชนั้น การเอาตัวรอดไม่ใช่เรื่องเล่น ๆ เพราะพวกมันวิ่งหนีไม่ได้ ไม่มีกรงเล็บ ไม่มีเสียงคำราม มีแค่ “เคมี” เป็นอาวุธ และในกลุ่ม Brassica oleracea หรือพวกบล็อกโคลี กระหล่ำดอก กระหล่ำปี คะน้า ฯลฯ พวกมันเลือกใช้อาวุธลับที่ชื่อว่า glucosinolate และ goitrogen เป็นด่านหน้าในการรับมือสิ่งมีชีวิตที่มากินมัน ซึ่งแน่นอนว่ารวมถึงมนุษย์ด้วย

สารพวกนี้เมื่อถูกเคี้ยว ถูกตัด หรือโดนความร้อน จะเปลี่ยนเป็นสารชื่อ isothiocyanate ซึ่งหลายงานวิจัยมองว่าสามารถกระตุ้นเอนไซม์ต้านอนุมูลอิสระในร่างกาย และลดความเสี่ยงมะเร็งได้ แต่ในขณะเดียวกัน... มันก็สามารถ “ยับยั้งการดูดซึมแร่ธาตุสำคัญ” อย่างไอโอดีน สังกะสี เหล็ก และแคลเซียมได้ด้วย โดยเฉพาะหากกินดิบ หรือกินปริมาณมากเป็นประจำ

ลองนึกภาพตามแบบขำๆ ว่า เรากินผักเพราะคิดว่ามันมีธาตุเหล็ก แต่ตัวมันเองกลับมี “แม่กุญแจเคมี” ที่ล็อกไม่ให้เหล็กดูดซึมได้จริง เหมือนพาเด็กไปสวนสนุกแล้วล็อกไว้ไม่ให้เล่นเครื่องเล่นอะไรเลย

นี่ยังไม่รวมถึง oxalate และ lectin ที่แฝงอยู่ในผักบางกลุ่ม ซึ่งสามารถจับกับแร่ธาตุจำพวกแคลเซียมหรือแมกนีเซียม และพาออกจากร่างกายไปทางลำไส้แบบไม่แยแสว่าเรากำลังขาดมันอยู่

คำถามคือ... แล้วคนที่กินสาย animal-based ซึ่งได้แร่ธาตุจากตับ ไข่แดง เนื้อแดงอยู่แล้ว จำเป็นต้องเสี่ยงกับผักที่มี anti-nutrient สูงแบบนี้ไหม?

คำตอบอาจจะไม่ได้ตรงไปตรงมาเหมือนสูตรยำปลากระป๋อง แต่ถ้าจะตอบในแนวระมัดระวังและตั้งอยู่บนหลักการชีววิทยา คือ “หากจะกินผักกลุ่มนี้ ควรกินในปริมาณที่พอดี และต้องผ่านการปรุงที่เหมาะสม” เช่น ลวก ต้ม หรือนึ่ง เพื่อสลายฤทธิ์ของสารเหล่านั้นลงไปให้ได้มากที่สุด

และที่สำคัญที่สุดอย่าเชื่อว่าผักมีแต่คุณเสมอไป เพราะในขณะที่แร่ธาตุจากเนื้อสัตว์มาพร้อมเอนไซม์ช่วยดูดซึมและไม่มีตัวขัดขวาง แร่ธาตุจากพืชกลับต้องฝ่าด่านสารยับยั้งมากมายที่ซ่อนอยู่

การกินแบบ animal base ที่เน้นเนื้อ เครื่องใน ไข่ น้ำมันดี และหลีกเลี่ยงน้ำตาล เป็นทางเลือกที่ทำให้ร่างกายได้รับสารอาหารสำคัญในรูปแบบที่ดูดซึมได้เต็มที่ ไม่ต้องพึ่งพาการเล่นปาหี่ของเคมีพืชที่คอยยับยั้งการดูดซึม เพราะสุดท้าย ถ้าเรามองอาหารเป็นเหมือนบทสนทนา ผักบางชนิดอาจจะพูดว่า “ฉันดีนะ กินฉันสิ” แต่ลึกๆ แล้ว มันกำลังพูดภาษาสารพิษที่เราแปลไม่ออก

แต่ทำความเข้าใจกันก่อนนะครับว่า เวลาเราพูดเรื่องนี้ไม่ใช่ว่า plant = toxic คือมันมีความพอดี มีกระบวนการบางอย่างที่เราต้องสกัดมันออกมาใช้งาน เหมือนไทยโบราณเรารู้ดีว่า พืช สมุนไพร ยา มันคือเส้นทางการใช้พืชจากความรู้ของมนุษย์ ดังนั้น มองพืชเป็น option ของสารพฤกษะ สารสำคัญ ได้นะครับ ไม่ต้องหัวสี่เหลี่ยมขนาดว่า เห้ย พืช กูไม่เอาเว้ย อะไรขนาดนั้นนะทิด

สารพฤกษะไม่ใช่วิตามิน ไม่ใช่แร่ธาตุ แต่เป็นสารที่พืชสร้างขึ้นเองเพื่อใช้ป้องกันตัวเองจากศัตรูพืช รังสี UV หรือเชื้อจุลินทรีย์ เรารู้จักชื่อพวกนี้อยู่ไม่น้อย เช่น

กลูโคซิโนเลต (glucosinolate) จากตระกูลกะหล่ำ ไลโคปีน (lycopene) จากมะเขือเทศ เรสเวอราทรอล (resveratrol) จากองุ่น ซาโปนิน (saponin) และ เลคติน (lectin) จากธัญพืชและถั่ว

สารพฤกษะมีหลายหมื่นชนิด และในบางกรณีมี ฤทธิ์ต้านอนุมูลอิสระ (antioxidant) หรือ ปรับภูมิคุ้มกัน จึงถูกจัดเป็นสารส่งเสริมสุขภาพ (nutraceutical) ได้ในบางมุม แต่ต้องระวัง... เพราะสารพฤกษะบางชนิดก็คือ "สารต้านสารอาหาร" (anti-nutrient) บางครั้งสิ่งที่เป็น “เกราะป้องกัน” ของพืช ก็กลายเป็น “กับดัก” สำหรับร่างกายเรา เช่น ไฟเตต (phytate) จับแร่ธาตุจำพวกเหล็ก สังกะสี ทำให้ร่างกายดูดซึมไม่ได้ ออกซาเลต (oxalate) สะสมในไตและอาจก่อให้เกิดนิ่ว กลูโคซิโนเลต ไปยับยั้งการดูดไอโอดีน ส่งผลต่อการทำงานของไทรอยด์ เลคติน ทำลายผนังลำไส้และกระตุ้นระบบภูมิคุ้มกันเกินจำเป็น

สารพฤกษะ คือ "ลูกเล่น" ทางชีววิทยาของพืช ที่อาจจะมีประโยชน์บ้าง ถ้าได้รับในปริมาณน้อย และในบริบทที่ร่างกายจัดการได้ แต่ถ้ามากเกิน หรือรับสะสมจากอาหาร plant-based ตลอดเวลา โดยไม่มีอาหารจากสัตว์มาคานสมดุล ก็อาจสร้างปัญหาเงียบๆ ระยะยาว

จะดีก็ฟงหวิน จะเลวก็ฟงหวิน พอเห็นภาพแล้วเนอะครับ

พรุ่งนี้เราจะขุดลงไปลึกอีกหน่อย กับเบื้องหลังของพืชพันธุ์ ที่ "เขา" บอกว่าทำเพื่ออาหารที่ดีของโลกครับ

#pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Warning: This piece contains a conversation about difficult topics. Please proceed with caution.

TL;DR please educate your children about online safety.

Julian Assange wrote in his 2012 book Cypherpunks, “This book is not a manifesto. There isn’t time for that. This book is a warning.” I read it a few times over the past summer. Those opening lines definitely stood out to me. I wish we had listened back then. He saw something about the internet that few had the ability to see. There are some individuals who are so close to a topic that when they speak, it’s difficult for others who aren’t steeped in it to visualize what they’re talking about. I didn’t read the book until more recently. If I had read it when it came out, it probably would have sounded like an unknown foreign language to me. Today it makes more sense.

This isn’t a manifesto. This isn’t a book. There is no time for that. It’s a warning and a possible solution from a desperate and determined survivor advocate who has been pulling and unraveling a thread for a few years. At times, I feel too close to this topic to make any sense trying to convey my pathway to my conclusions or thoughts to the general public. My hope is that if nothing else, I can convey my sense of urgency while writing this. This piece is a watchman’s warning.

When a child steps online, they are walking into a new world. A new reality. When you hand a child the internet, you are handing them possibilities—good, bad, and ugly. This is a conversation about lowering the potential of negative outcomes of stepping into that new world and how I came to these conclusions. I constantly compare the internet to the road. You wouldn’t let a young child run out into the road with no guidance or safety precautions. When you hand a child the internet without any type of guidance or safety measures, you are allowing them to play in rush hour, oncoming traffic. “Look left, look right for cars before crossing.” We almost all have been taught that as children. What are we taught as humans about safety before stepping into a completely different reality like the internet? Very little.

I could never really figure out why many folks in tech, privacy rights activists, and hackers seemed so cold to me while talking about online child sexual exploitation. I always figured that as a survivor advocate for those affected by these crimes, that specific, skilled group of individuals would be very welcoming and easy to talk to about such serious topics. I actually had one hacker laugh in my face when I brought it up while I was looking for answers. I thought maybe this individual thought I was accusing them of something I wasn’t, so I felt bad for asking. I was constantly extremely disappointed and would ask myself, “Why don’t they care? What could I say to make them care more? What could I say to make them understand the crisis and the level of suffering that happens as a result of the problem?”

I have been serving minor survivors of online child sexual exploitation for years. My first case serving a survivor of this specific crime was in 2018—a 13-year-old girl sexually exploited by a serial predator on Snapchat. That was my first glimpse into this side of the internet. I won a national award for serving the minor survivors of Twitter in 2023, but I had been working on that specific project for a few years. I was nominated by a lawyer representing two survivors in a legal battle against the platform. I’ve never really spoken about this before, but at the time it was a choice for me between fighting Snapchat or Twitter. I chose Twitter—or rather, Twitter chose me. I heard about the story of John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, and I was so unbelievably broken over it that I went to war for multiple years. I was and still am royally pissed about that case. As far as I was concerned, the John Doe #1 case proved that whatever was going on with corporate tech social media was so out of control that I didn’t have time to wait, so I got to work. It was reading the messages that John Doe #1 sent to Twitter begging them to remove his sexual exploitation that broke me. He was a child begging adults to do something. A passion for justice and protecting kids makes you do wild things. I was desperate to find answers about what happened and searched for solutions. In the end, the platform Twitter was purchased. During the acquisition, I just asked Mr. Musk nicely to prioritize the issue of detection and removal of child sexual exploitation without violating digital privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption. Elon thanked me multiple times during the acquisition, made some changes, and I was thanked by others on the survivors’ side as well.

I still feel that even with the progress made, I really just scratched the surface with Twitter, now X. I left that passion project when I did for a few reasons. I wanted to give new leadership time to tackle the issue. Elon Musk made big promises that I knew would take a while to fulfill, but mostly I had been watching global legislation transpire around the issue, and frankly, the governments are willing to go much further with X and the rest of corporate tech than I ever would. My work begging Twitter to make changes with easier reporting of content, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation material—without violating privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption—and advocating for the minor survivors of the platform went as far as my principles would have allowed. I’m grateful for that experience. I was still left with a nagging question: “How did things get so bad with Twitter where the John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 case was able to happen in the first place?” I decided to keep looking for answers. I decided to keep pulling the thread.

I never worked for Twitter. This is often confusing for folks. I will say that despite being disappointed in the platform’s leadership at times, I loved Twitter. I saw and still see its value. I definitely love the survivors of the platform, but I also loved the platform. I was a champion of the platform’s ability to give folks from virtually around the globe an opportunity to speak and be heard.

I want to be clear that John Doe #1 really is my why. He is the inspiration. I am writing this because of him. He represents so many globally, and I’m still inspired by his bravery. One child’s voice begging adults to do something—I’m an adult, I heard him. I’d go to war a thousand more lifetimes for that young man, and I don’t even know his name. Fighting has been personally dark at times; I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat it, but it has been worth it.

The data surrounding the very real crime of online child sexual exploitation is available to the public online at any time for anyone to see. I’d encourage you to go look at the data for yourself. I believe in encouraging folks to check multiple sources so that you understand the full picture. If you are uncomfortable just searching around the internet for information about this topic, use the terms “CSAM,” “CSEM,” “SG-CSEM,” or “AI Generated CSAM.” The numbers don’t lie—it’s a nightmare that’s out of control. It’s a big business. The demand is high, and unfortunately, business is booming. Organizations collect the data, tech companies often post their data, governments report frequently, and the corporate press has covered a decent portion of the conversation, so I’m sure you can find a source that you trust.

Technology is changing rapidly, which is great for innovation as a whole but horrible for the crime of online child sexual exploitation. Those wishing to exploit the vulnerable seem to be adapting to each technological change with ease. The governments are so far behind with tackling these issues that as I’m typing this, it’s borderline irrelevant to even include them while speaking about the crime or potential solutions. Technology is changing too rapidly, and their old, broken systems can’t even dare to keep up. Think of it like the governments’ “War on Drugs.” Drugs won. In this case as well, the governments are not winning. The governments are talking about maybe having a meeting on potentially maybe having legislation around the crimes. The time to have that meeting would have been many years ago. I’m not advocating for governments to legislate our way out of this. I’m on the side of educating and innovating our way out of this.

I have been clear while advocating for the minor survivors of corporate tech platforms that I would not advocate for any solution to the crime that would violate digital privacy rights or erode end-to-end encryption. That has been a personal moral position that I was unwilling to budge on. This is an extremely unpopular and borderline nonexistent position in the anti-human trafficking movement and online child protection space. I’m often fearful that I’m wrong about this. I have always thought that a better pathway forward would have been to incentivize innovation for detection and removal of content. I had no previous exposure to privacy rights activists or Cypherpunks—actually, I came to that conclusion by listening to the voices of MENA region political dissidents and human rights activists. After developing relationships with human rights activists from around the globe, I realized how important privacy rights and encryption are for those who need it most globally. I was simply unwilling to give more power, control, and opportunities for mass surveillance to big abusers like governments wishing to enslave entire nations and untrustworthy corporate tech companies to potentially end some portion of abuses online. On top of all of it, it has been clear to me for years that all potential solutions outside of violating digital privacy rights to detect and remove child sexual exploitation online have not yet been explored aggressively. I’ve been disappointed that there hasn’t been more of a conversation around preventing the crime from happening in the first place.

What has been tried is mass surveillance. In China, they are currently under mass surveillance both online and offline, and their behaviors are attached to a social credit score. Unfortunately, even on state-run and controlled social media platforms, they still have child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery pop up along with other crimes and human rights violations. They also have a thriving black market online due to the oppression from the state. In other words, even an entire loss of freedom and privacy cannot end the sexual exploitation of children online. It’s been tried. There is no reason to repeat this method.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out why I always felt a slight coldness from those in tech and privacy-minded individuals about the topic of child sexual exploitation online. I didn’t have any clue about the “Four Horsemen of the Infocalypse.” This is a term coined by Timothy C. May in 1988. I would have been a child myself when he first said it. I actually laughed at myself when I heard the phrase for the first time. I finally got it. The Cypherpunks weren’t wrong about that topic. They were so spot on that it is borderline uncomfortable. I was mad at first that they knew that early during the birth of the internet that this issue would arise and didn’t address it. Then I got over it because I realized that it wasn’t their job. Their job was—is—to write code. Their job wasn’t to be involved and loving parents or survivor advocates. Their job wasn’t to educate children on internet safety or raise awareness; their job was to write code.

They knew that child sexual abuse material would be shared on the internet. They said what would happen—not in a gleeful way, but a prediction. Then it happened.

I equate it now to a concrete company laying down a road. As you’re pouring the concrete, you can say to yourself, “A terrorist might travel down this road to go kill many, and on the flip side, a beautiful child can be born in an ambulance on this road.” Who or what travels down the road is not their responsibility—they are just supposed to lay the concrete. I’d never go to a concrete pourer and ask them to solve terrorism that travels down roads. Under the current system, law enforcement should stop terrorists before they even make it to the road. The solution to this specific problem is not to treat everyone on the road like a terrorist or to not build the road.

So I understand the perceived coldness from those in tech. Not only was it not their job, but bringing up the topic was seen as the equivalent of asking a free person if they wanted to discuss one of the four topics—child abusers, terrorists, drug dealers, intellectual property pirates, etc.—that would usher in digital authoritarianism for all who are online globally.

Privacy rights advocates and groups have put up a good fight. They stood by their principles. Unfortunately, when it comes to corporate tech, I believe that the issue of privacy is almost a complete lost cause at this point. It’s still worth pushing back, but ultimately, it is a losing battle—a ticking time bomb.

I do think that corporate tech providers could have slowed down the inevitable loss of privacy at the hands of the state by prioritizing the detection and removal of CSAM when they all started online. I believe it would have bought some time, fewer would have been traumatized by that specific crime, and I do believe that it could have slowed down the demand for content. If I think too much about that, I’ll go insane, so I try to push the “if maybes” aside, but never knowing if it could have been handled differently will forever haunt me. At night when it’s quiet, I wonder what I would have done differently if given the opportunity. I’ll probably never know how much corporate tech knew and ignored in the hopes that it would go away while the problem continued to get worse. They had different priorities. The most voiceless and vulnerable exploited on corporate tech never had much of a voice, so corporate tech providers didn’t receive very much pushback.

Now I’m about to say something really wild, and you can call me whatever you want to call me, but I’m going to say what I believe to be true. I believe that the governments are either so incompetent that they allowed the proliferation of CSAM online, or they knowingly allowed the problem to fester long enough to have an excuse to violate privacy rights and erode end-to-end encryption. The US government could have seized the corporate tech providers over CSAM, but I believe that they were so useful as a propaganda arm for the regimes that they allowed them to continue virtually unscathed.

That season is done now, and the governments are making the issue a priority. It will come at a high cost. Privacy on corporate tech providers is virtually done as I’m typing this. It feels like a death rattle. I’m not particularly sure that we had much digital privacy to begin with, but the illusion of a veil of privacy feels gone.

To make matters slightly more complex, it would be hard to convince me that once AI really gets going, digital privacy will exist at all.

I believe that there should be a conversation shift to preserving freedoms and human rights in a post-privacy society.

I don’t want to get locked up because AI predicted a nasty post online from me about the government. I’m not a doomer about AI—I’m just going to roll with it personally. I’m looking forward to the positive changes that will be brought forth by AI. I see it as inevitable. A bit of privacy was helpful while it lasted. Please keep fighting to preserve what is left of privacy either way because I could be wrong about all of this.

On the topic of AI, the addition of AI to the horrific crime of child sexual abuse material and child sexual exploitation in multiple ways so far has been devastating. It’s currently out of control. The genie is out of the bottle. I am hopeful that innovation will get us humans out of this, but I’m not sure how or how long it will take. We must be extremely cautious around AI legislation. It should not be illegal to innovate even if some bad comes with the good. I don’t trust that the governments are equipped to decide the best pathway forward for AI. Source: the entire history of the government.

I have been personally negatively impacted by AI-generated content. Every few days, I get another alert that I’m featured again in what’s called “deep fake pornography” without my consent. I’m not happy about it, but what pains me the most is the thought that for a period of time down the road, many globally will experience what myself and others are experiencing now by being digitally sexually abused in this way. If you have ever had your picture taken and posted online, you are also at risk of being exploited in this way. Your child’s image can be used as well, unfortunately, and this is just the beginning of this particular nightmare. It will move to more realistic interpretations of sexual behaviors as technology improves. I have no brave words of wisdom about how to deal with that emotionally. I do have hope that innovation will save the day around this specific issue. I’m nervous that everyone online will have to ID verify due to this issue. I see that as one possible outcome that could help to prevent one problem but inadvertently cause more problems, especially for those living under authoritarian regimes or anyone who needs to remain anonymous online. A zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) would probably be the best solution to these issues. There are some survivors of violence and/or sexual trauma who need to remain anonymous online for various reasons. There are survivor stories available online of those who have been abused in this way. I’d encourage you seek out and listen to their stories.

There have been periods of time recently where I hesitate to say anything at all because more than likely AI will cover most of my concerns about education, awareness, prevention, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation online, etc.

Unfortunately, some of the most pressing issues we’ve seen online over the last few years come in the form of “sextortion.” Self-generated child sexual exploitation (SG-CSEM) numbers are continuing to be terrifying. I’d strongly encourage that you look into sextortion data. AI + sextortion is also a huge concern. The perpetrators are using the non-sexually explicit images of children and putting their likeness on AI-generated child sexual exploitation content and extorting money, more imagery, or both from minors online. It’s like a million nightmares wrapped into one. The wild part is that these issues will only get more pervasive because technology is harnessed to perpetuate horror at a scale unimaginable to a human mind.

Even if you banned phones and the internet or tried to prevent children from accessing the internet, it wouldn’t solve it. Child sexual exploitation will still be with us until as a society we start to prevent the crime before it happens. That is the only human way out right now.

There is no reset button on the internet, but if I could go back, I’d tell survivor advocates to heed the warnings of the early internet builders and to start education and awareness campaigns designed to prevent as much online child sexual exploitation as possible. The internet and technology moved quickly, and I don’t believe that society ever really caught up. We live in a world where a child can be groomed by a predator in their own home while sitting on a couch next to their parents watching TV. We weren’t ready as a species to tackle the fast-paced algorithms and dangers online. It happened too quickly for parents to catch up. How can you parent for the ever-changing digital world unless you are constantly aware of the dangers?

I don’t think that the internet is inherently bad. I believe that it can be a powerful tool for freedom and resistance. I’ve spoken a lot about the bad online, but there is beauty as well. We often discuss how victims and survivors are abused online; we rarely discuss the fact that countless survivors around the globe have been able to share their experiences, strength, hope, as well as provide resources to the vulnerable. I do question if giving any government or tech company access to censorship, surveillance, etc., online in the name of serving survivors might not actually impact a portion of survivors negatively. There are a fair amount of survivors with powerful abusers protected by governments and the corporate press. If a survivor cannot speak to the press about their abuse, the only place they can go is online, directly or indirectly through an independent journalist who also risks being censored. This scenario isn’t hard to imagine—it already happened in China. During #MeToo, a survivor in China wanted to post their story. The government censored the post, so the survivor put their story on the blockchain. I’m excited that the survivor was creative and brave, but it’s terrifying to think that we live in a world where that situation is a necessity.

I believe that the future for many survivors sharing their stories globally will be on completely censorship-resistant and decentralized protocols. This thought in particular gives me hope. When we listen to the experiences of a diverse group of survivors, we can start to understand potential solutions to preventing the crimes from happening in the first place.

My heart is broken over the gut-wrenching stories of survivors sexually exploited online. Every time I hear the story of a survivor, I do think to myself quietly, “What could have prevented this from happening in the first place?” My heart is with survivors.

My head, on the other hand, is full of the understanding that the internet should remain free. The free flow of information should not be stopped. My mind is with the innocent citizens around the globe that deserve freedom both online and offline.

The problem is that governments don’t only want to censor illegal content that violates human rights—they create legislation that is so broad that it can impact speech and privacy of all. “Don’t you care about the kids?” Yes, I do. I do so much that I’m invested in finding solutions. I also care about all citizens around the globe that deserve an opportunity to live free from a mass surveillance society. If terrorism happens online, I should not be punished by losing my freedom. If drugs are sold online, I should not be punished. I’m not an abuser, I’m not a terrorist, and I don’t engage in illegal behaviors. I refuse to lose freedom because of others’ bad behaviors online.

I want to be clear that on a long enough timeline, the governments will decide that they can be better parents/caregivers than you can if something isn’t done to stop minors from being sexually exploited online. The price will be a complete loss of anonymity, privacy, free speech, and freedom of religion online. I find it rather insulting that governments think they’re better equipped to raise children than parents and caretakers.

So we can’t go backwards—all that we can do is go forward. Those who want to have freedom will find technology to facilitate their liberation. This will lead many over time to decentralized and open protocols. So as far as I’m concerned, this does solve a few of my worries—those who need, want, and deserve to speak freely online will have the opportunity in most countries—but what about online child sexual exploitation?

When I popped up around the decentralized space, I was met with the fear of censorship. I’m not here to censor you. I don’t write code. I couldn’t censor anyone or any piece of content even if I wanted to across the internet, no matter how depraved. I don’t have the skills to do that.

I’m here to start a conversation. Freedom comes at a cost. You must always fight for and protect your freedom. I can’t speak about protecting yourself from all of the Four Horsemen because I simply don’t know the topics well enough, but I can speak about this one topic.

If there was a shortcut to ending online child sexual exploitation, I would have found it by now. There isn’t one right now. I believe that education is the only pathway forward to preventing the crime of online child sexual exploitation for future generations.

I propose a yearly education course for every child of all school ages, taught as a standard part of the curriculum. Ideally, parents/caregivers would be involved in the education/learning process.

Course: - The creation of the internet and computers - The fight for cryptography - The tech supply chain from the ground up (example: human rights violations in the supply chain) - Corporate tech - Freedom tech - Data privacy - Digital privacy rights - AI (history-current) - Online safety (predators, scams, catfishing, extortion) - Bitcoin - Laws - How to deal with online hate and harassment - Information on who to contact if you are being abused online or offline - Algorithms - How to seek out the truth about news, etc., online

The parents/caregivers, homeschoolers, unschoolers, and those working to create decentralized parallel societies have been an inspiration while writing this, but my hope is that all children would learn this course, even in government ran schools. Ideally, parents would teach this to their own children.

The decentralized space doesn’t want child sexual exploitation to thrive. Here’s the deal: there has to be a strong prevention effort in order to protect the next generation. The internet isn’t going anywhere, predators aren’t going anywhere, and I’m not down to let anyone have the opportunity to prove that there is a need for more government. I don’t believe that the government should act as parents. The governments have had a chance to attempt to stop online child sexual exploitation, and they didn’t do it. Can we try a different pathway forward?

I’d like to put myself out of a job. I don’t want to ever hear another story like John Doe #1 ever again. This will require work. I’ve often called online child sexual exploitation the lynchpin for the internet. It’s time to arm generations of children with knowledge and tools. I can’t do this alone.

Individuals have fought so that I could have freedom online. I want to fight to protect it. I don’t want child predators to give the government any opportunity to take away freedom. Decentralized spaces are as close to a reset as we’ll get with the opportunity to do it right from the start. Start the youth off correctly by preventing potential hazards to the best of your ability.

The good news is anyone can work on this! I’d encourage you to take it and run with it. I added the additional education about the history of the internet to make the course more educational and fun. Instead of cleaning up generations of destroyed lives due to online sexual exploitation, perhaps this could inspire generations of those who will build our futures. Perhaps if the youth is armed with knowledge, they can create more tools to prevent the crime.

This one solution that I’m suggesting can be done on an individual level or on a larger scale. It should be adjusted depending on age, learning style, etc. It should be fun and playful.

This solution does not address abuse in the home or some of the root causes of offline child sexual exploitation. My hope is that it could lead to some survivors experiencing abuse in the home an opportunity to disclose with a trusted adult. The purpose for this solution is to prevent the crime of online child sexual exploitation before it occurs and to arm the youth with the tools to contact safe adults if and when it happens.

In closing, I went to hell a few times so that you didn’t have to. I spoke to the mothers of survivors of minors sexually exploited online—their tears could fill rivers. I’ve spoken with political dissidents who yearned to be free from authoritarian surveillance states. The only balance that I’ve found is freedom online for citizens around the globe and prevention from the dangers of that for the youth. Don’t slow down innovation and freedom. Educate, prepare, adapt, and look for solutions.

I’m not perfect and I’m sure that there are errors in this piece. I hope that you find them and it starts a conversation.

@ 28635a6d:ee6f3a73

Over the past few years, The School of Bitcoin (TSOBTC) has built a reputation as a decentralised, open-source educational initiative dedicated to financial sovereignty and digital literacy. Our faculty, contributors, and global community have worked tirelessly to create resources that embody the Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) ethos, ensuring that knowledge remains accessible to all.

As part of our commitment to maintaining an open and transparent model, we are excited to announce that The School of Bitcoin is officially migrating to Consensus21.School. This transition is not just a rebranding--it marks the consolidation of all our initiatives, projects, and educational resources under the Consensus21.School banner. The School of Bitcoin will no longer exist as a separate entity.

This move comes as a response to growing confusion between our initiative and another entity operating under the domain schoolofbitcoin (SOB), which has taken a direction that does not align with our open-source philosophy. To reaffirm our dedication to FOSS and community-driven education, we are bringing everything--our courses, programs, and collaborations--into a singular, more focused ecosystem at Consensus21.School.

What Does This Mean for Our Community?

Rest assured, all the valuable content, courses, and educational materials that have been developed under TSOBTC will remain available. We continue to embrace a value-for-value model, ensuring that learners can access resources while supporting the ecosystem in a way that aligns with their means and values.

By consolidating under Consensus21.School, we are doubling down on the principles of decentralisation, self-sovereignty, and permissionless learning. This transition includes all of our key initiatives, including V4V Open Lessons, the Decentralised Autonomous Education System (DAES), and our involvement with the Plan B Network.

Full Migration of DAES and Plan B Network Collaboration

As part of this transition, the Decentralised Autonomous Education System (DAES) is now officially part of Consensus21.School and is fully reflected in the Consensus21.School Whitepaper. DAES will continue to provide a platform for aspiring learners to submit their Bitcoin project ideas for potential funding and mentorship, with active engagement in our Stacker News /~Education territory and Signal chat for collaboration. We invite contributors to support our learner fund and help bring innovative ideas to fruition within this new ecosystem.

Additionally, our collaboration with the Plan B Network will now operate under Consensus21.School. Through this partnership, we will continue teaching using the Plan B Network's curriculum to provide high-quality Bitcoin education and strengthen local Bitcoin communities. This global initiative remains a core part of our mission, now fully integrated within Consensus21.School.

Looking Ahead

With Consensus21.School, we will continue innovating in peer-to-peer learning, integrating cutting-edge developments in Bitcoin, Nostr, and decentralised technologies. We encourage our community to stay engaged, contribute, and help us build an even stronger foundation for the future of open education.

This is more than just a domain change--it is the next evolution of our mission. The School of Bitcoin as an entity is now retired, and all our efforts, including DAES and the Plan B Network collaboration, will move forward exclusively under Consensus21.School. We invite educators, students, and enthusiasts to join us in shaping this next phase of open financial education.

The journey continues, and we are thrilled to embark on this new chapter together

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

I want to see Nostr succeed. If you can think of a way I can help make that happen, I’m open to it. I’d like your suggestions.

My schedule’s shifting soon, and I could volunteer a few hours a week to a Nostr project. I won’t have more total time, but how I use it will change.

Why help? I care about freedom. Nostr’s one of the most powerful freedom tools I’ve seen in my lifetime. If I believe that, I should act on it.

I don’t care about money or sats. I’m not rich, I don’t have extra cash. That doesn’t drive me—freedom does. I’m volunteering, not asking for pay.

I’m not here for clout. I’ve had enough spotlight in my life; it doesn’t move me. If I wanted clout, I’d be on Twitter dropping basic takes. Clout’s easy. Freedom’s hard. I’d rather help anonymously. No speaking at events—small meetups are cool for the vibe, but big conferences? Not my thing. I’ll never hit a huge Bitcoin conference. It’s just not my scene.

That said, I could be convinced to step up if it’d really boost Nostr—as long as it’s legal and gets results.

In this space, I’d watch for social engineering. I watch out for it. I’m not here to make friends, just to help. No shade—you all seem great—but I’ve got a full life and awesome friends irl. I don’t need your crew or to be online cool. Connect anonymously if you want; I’d encourage it.

I’m sick of watching other social media alternatives grow while Nostr kinda stalls. I could trash-talk, but I’d rather do something useful.

Skills? I’m good at spotting social media problems and finding possible solutions. I won’t overhype myself—that’s weird—but if you’re responding, you probably see something in me. Perhaps you see something that I don’t see in myself.

If you need help now or later with Nostr projects, reach out. Nostr only—nothing else. Anonymous contact’s fine. Even just a suggestion on how I can pitch in, no project attached, works too. 💜

Creeps or harassment will get blocked or I’ll nuke my simplex code if it becomes a problem.

https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=2-4&smp=smp%3A%2F%2FSkIkI6EPd2D63F4xFKfHk7I1UGZVNn6k1QWZ5rcyr6w%3D%40smp9.simplex.im%2FbI99B3KuYduH8jDr9ZwyhcSxm2UuR7j0%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-2%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAS9C-zPzqW41PKySfPCEizcXb1QCus6AyDkTTjfyMIRM%253D%26srv%3Djssqzccmrcws6bhmn77vgmhfjmhwlyr3u7puw4erkyoosywgl67slqqd.onion

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

In much of the world, it is incredibly difficult to access U.S. dollars. Local currencies are often poorly managed and riddled with corruption. Billions of people demand a more reliable alternative. While the dollar has its own issues of corruption and mismanagement, it is widely regarded as superior to the fiat currencies it competes with globally. As a result, Tether has found massive success providing low cost, low friction access to dollars. Tether claims 400 million total users, is on track to add 200 million more this year, processes 8.1 million transactions daily, and facilitates $29 billion in daily transfers. Furthermore, their estimates suggest nearly 40% of users rely on it as a savings tool rather than just a transactional currency.

Tether’s rise has made the company a financial juggernaut. Last year alone, Tether raked in over $13 billion in profit, with a lean team of less than 100 employees. Their business model is elegantly simple: hold U.S. Treasuries and collect the interest. With over $113 billion in Treasuries, Tether has turned a straightforward concept into a profit machine.

Tether’s success has resulted in many competitors eager to claim a piece of the pie. This has triggered a massive venture capital grift cycle in USD tokens, with countless projects vying to dethrone Tether. Due to Tether’s entrenched network effect, these challengers face an uphill battle with little realistic chance of success. Most educated participants in the space likely recognize this reality but seem content to perpetuate the grift, hoping to cash out by dumping their equity positions on unsuspecting buyers before they realize the reality of the situation.

Historically, Tether’s greatest vulnerability has been U.S. government intervention. For over a decade, the company operated offshore with few allies in the U.S. establishment, making it a major target for regulatory action. That dynamic has shifted recently and Tether has seized the opportunity. By actively courting U.S. government support, Tether has fortified their position. This strategic move will likely cement their status as the dominant USD token for years to come.

While undeniably a great tool for the millions of users that rely on it, Tether is not without flaws. As a centralized, trusted third party, it holds the power to freeze or seize funds at its discretion. Corporate mismanagement or deliberate malpractice could also lead to massive losses at scale. In their goal of mitigating regulatory risk, Tether has deepened ties with law enforcement, mirroring some of the concerns of potential central bank digital currencies. In practice, Tether operates as a corporate CBDC alternative, collaborating with authorities to surveil and seize funds. The company proudly touts partnerships with leading surveillance firms and its own data reveals cooperation in over 1,000 law enforcement cases, with more than $2.5 billion in funds frozen.

---

The global demand for Tether is undeniable and the company’s profitability reflects its unrivaled success. Tether is owned and operated by bitcoiners and will likely continue to push forward strategic goals that help the movement as a whole. Recent efforts to mitigate the threat of U.S. government enforcement will likely solidify their network effect and stifle meaningful adoption of rival USD tokens or CBDCs. Yet, for all their achievements, Tether is simply a worse form of money than bitcoin. Tether requires trust in a centralized entity, while bitcoin can be saved or spent without permission. Furthermore, Tether is tied to the value of the US Dollar which is designed to lose purchasing power over time, while bitcoin, as a truly scarce asset, is designed to increase in purchasing power with adoption. As people awaken to the risks of Tether’s control, and the benefits bitcoin provides, bitcoin adoption will likely surpass it.

@ 554ab6fe:c6cbc27e

We all live with our bodies every day, but do we truly experience them? Does this experience of the body have a broader consequence on our interpretation of life and our experience of well-being? The ability to experience the sensations of the body is known as interoception, and mindfulness meditation seems to be a powerful way of enhancing this ability. Enhanced interoception may not just result in a better understanding of the body, but may lead to a general increase in subjective well-being. Furthermore, it also may be indicative of a broader truth about how we can reach a more profound level of consciousness.

In a previous post, I began an exploration into possible reasons why those who meditate claim to achieve an altered form of consciousness. I mentioned that across enlightenment-related research, there is a common experience and interpretation of being one with everything during these altered or heightened states. I proposed that this interpretation of reality was achieved through an improved capability of the brain to process incoming information. The argument stems from the idea that the brain is constantly receiving signals from internal and external stimuli, trying to interpret those signals using previous experiences and predicted models (Seth, 2013). The interpretation created, in part, manifests itself as our conscious reality. I used an analogy of a calm pond to describe a possible consequence of this neuroscientific idea: imagine the brain as this pond, where incoming signals can be thought of as raindrops. When a single raindrop falls upon a pond, the ripples created are distinct. It is incredibly easy to determine how big the raindrop was, where it dropped, and came from, etc. However, if there is a massive rainstorm, then it is almost impossible to interpret all the intersecting ripples, and it is very hard to understand the “information” of each raindrop. This is analogous to how our brains work. The busier the incoming signals, the more difficult it is to interpret the reality of what is happening. This would also be true for the signals within the brain manifested by our thoughts and ruminations. Therefore, the calmer the pond/brain, the clearer and more accurate understanding of our world, and ourselves, is achieved. Meditation may be a method to achieve this heightened state of awareness. I find this idea profoundly interesting, and so my goal is to further explore this idea using scientific evidence as support.

To further explore and verify this idea, I felt it was important to research interoception. If this idea holds water, then it should be observed that meditation allows an individual to achieve a better understanding of incoming stimuli, both internal and external. In this post, I will explore the ability to interpret internal stimuli, which is known as interoception.

A quick note before I continue: As I began researching this topic, I found that the study of interoception was quite complex. The research is constantly evolving, and previous notions are quickly dismissed as the research progresses. Therefore, much of the research presented is speculative, and surely not indicative of definitive truth. Nothing you ever read is definitive of course, but I find that this is especially true here. Regardless, it will adequately depict the fascinating nature of our bodies and the processes involved in interpreting ourselves and reality, hopefully highlighting how important interoception is, and how poorly it is understood.

Understanding the Different Senses

To begin, an outline of our body’s senses is required. Classically speaking, the senses are defined as teloreception (vision and hearing), proprioception (limb position), exteroception (touch), chemoreception (smell and taste), and interoception (sensations from the internal organs)(A. D. Craig, 2002). In this classical definition, sensations of pain, temperature, and itches belonged to the family of touch/exteroception (A. D. Craig, 2002). Therefore, the line between the stimuli from the outside world is clearly defined and separated from the stimuli coming from inside the body. However, more recent findings suggest that temperature, pain, and itch are distinct from touch because they are associated with different neuronal pathways, and the experiences of these sensations seem to rely upon post-processing (A. D. Craig, 2002, 2003). In other words, the experience of these stimuli is more related to the mind than pure touch is. Additionally, interoception is also being redefined. The lamina I spinothalamocortical system is one of the major neuronal pathways that provide the brain with interoceptive signals (A. D. Craig, 2002, 2003). This nerve, across multiple studies, has been shown to not just send signals regarding the organs, but a sense of the condition of the entire body as well (A. D. Craig, 2002). Therefore, interoception encompasses the general feelings we have about the body’s state of being including, but not limited to, thirst, hunger, penile stimulation, exercise/exhaustion, and the condition of our organs such as bladder, stomach, etc. (A. D. B. Craig, 2009). To further complicate things, some researchers have attempted to distinguish between different aspects of interoception (Garfinkel et al., 2015):

• interoceptive accuracy – “Objective accuracy in detecting internal bodily sensations” • interoceptive sensibility – “Self-perceived dispositional tendency to be internally self-focused and interoceptively cognizant” • interoceptive awareness – “Metacognitive awareness of interoceptive accuracy”

Here, the ability to accurately detect signals and the subjective belief of one’s accuracy is differentiated. The interoceptive awareness evaluates if your subjective confidence in your ability to sense the signals coincides with the true ability. Therefore, the mind and our subjective evaluation of our signals are incredibly related to our perceived understanding. For this reason, the neuroscience of interoception should be explored, to gain a better understanding of how it works. The two brain areas that are involved in interoception and that will be discussed here are: the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

Insula

The insula is located deep within the cerebral cortex, and likely plays the most important role in interoception. The insula, especially the anterior portion of the insula, is thought to be involved in bodily and emotional awareness (Giuliani et al., 2011). It plays a major role in interoception and the sensations of internal physical states (Fox et al., 2014; Wolf E. Mehling et al., 2012). Not only is it integral to generating mental images of the internal state, but it is required for the motivation to make reactions based upon the interpretation, which subsequently affect the quality of life and survival (Craig, 2002). Consequentially, it plays a predictive role in awareness and decision-making (Craig, 2009). Therefore, falling in line with the idea that consciousness is the product of the predictive model generating nature of the brain to understanding and interpret incoming stimuli, the insula is thought to be a major seat of human consciousness and awareness of self-hood (Craig, 2009; Fox et al., 2014; Seth, 2013). Already, there is a clear connection between interoception, body awareness, and consciousness within the scientific literature.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

The other brain region heavily involved in interoception is the ACC. Where the insula largely is involved in the processing of the signal, the ACC is more involved with the response to the signal (Craig, 2002). In other words, the insula is related to the limbic sensory cortex, whereas the ACC is associated with the limbic motor cortex (Craig, 2002). Most recent studies have also shown that the ACC and insula are co-activated when a person experiences feelings (Craig, 2002, 2009). For example, both brain regions are involved in the sensation of the intensity and unpleasantness of pain (Grant et al., 2011). This provides further evidence that interoception is both a feeling and a motivation (Craig, 2009). Additionally, this enhances the argument that our interpretations and feelings from our internal environment are there for survival. It supports the idea that our brain is organized in a way that makes predictions, generates a conscious experience, that then elicits a reaction for the continuation of life.

Meditation and Interoception

Interoception involves more than just sensory information. It influences our feelings, and our understanding of our body, self, and the surrounding world. This understanding and experience of the self are seemingly influenced by the practice of meditation. Not only is this idea espoused in the east, but recent research has also indicated that increased mindfulness is correlated with increase interoceptive awareness (de Jong et al., 2016; Farb et al., 2010; Hanley et al., 2017). The exact mechanisms to how this occurs are still unclear. However, fMRI studies have shown that mindfulness meditation seems to increase activation in the insula (Farb et al., 2010). This may indicate that mindfulness promotes neurogenesis in areas that promote interoception. On that same note, the cognitive practices of mindfulness meditation may promote a mental framework that is helpful towards interoception. Mindfulness meditation involves orienting one’s attention to their immediate experience and becoming aware of all incoming stimuli with an open, curious, non-reactive, and non-judgmental interpretation (Bishop et al., 2004). This process helps generate a feeling of safety within the body, and the individual learns to interpret thoughts not as concrete objects of reality, but simply as thoughts that come and go within the mind. Researchers have found evidence to suggest that the non-reactivity obtained through meditation practice is closely linked to the ability to sustain attention towards bodily sensations (Hanley et al., 2017). This concept closely links to the idea that the calmer the mind is, the better the brain can process incoming information. This article brings forward evidence that the brain, with a calmer mind, can process interoceptive information better.

Consciousness

An interesting observation amongst interoceptive research is that an increase in interoceptive awareness is negatively correlated with emotional distress, hence an increase in subjective well-being is achieved (Hanley et al., 2017; W E Mehling et al., 2012). This is further supported by the observation that sadness is correlated with decreased activation of the insula and ACC, the brain regions involved in interoception (Farb et al., 2010). The relationship between the ability to be aware of the internal signals of the body and our mental well-being is very interesting. It suggests that not only does a calm mind generate a greater ability to understand the inner body, but it generates a more positive orientation to said experience. Additionally, it may be possible that this positive outlook spills over into other aspects of life beyond the interpretation of the self. Perhaps the calmer mind generates an accurate and positive outlook on all information received. This is perhaps why those who are expert meditators seem to be so peaceful, loving, and have a feeling of unity amongst everything.

The way we interpret information influences our experience of both ourselves and the world. Being aware of the body and its sensations in a non-judgmental way, creates a general sense of well-being. This may be indicative of a deeper philosophical idea: that the calmer the mind, the more capable the brain can interpret and understand information. This would not only provide a more accurate depiction of reality but provide a more profound understanding of it. Leading to a perspective of the world that is more positive, and potentially more oriented around the idea that we are all one. I cannot claim this is true. Nonetheless, it will be a concept that I will continue to explore. Regardless, it does seem to be the case that mindfulness meditation is capable of increasing interoception and therefore well-being. This being the case, I highly recommend that anyone interested in this topic incorporates mindfulness practice into their life. Reading and thinking about these ideas are all well and good, but to achieve full understanding, one must practice and experience it for themselves.

References

Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., Segal, Z. v., Abbey, S., Speca, M., Velting, D., & Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: A Proposed Operational Definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph077

Craig, A. D. (2002). How do you feel? Nature Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308095062

Craig, A. D. (2003). Interoception: The sense of the physiological condition of the body. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 13(4), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-4388(03)00090-4

Craig, A. D. (2009). How do you feel — now? The anterior insula and human awareness. 10(January).

de Jong, M., Lazar, S. W., Hug, K., Mehling, W. E., Hölzel, B. K., Sack, A. T., Peeters, F., Ashih, H., Mischoulon, D., & Gard, T. (2016). Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on body awareness in patients with chronic pain and comorbid depression. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(JUN). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00967

Farb, N. A. S., Anderson, A. K., Mayberg, H., Bean, J., McKeon, D., & Segal, Z. v. (2010). Minding One’s Emotions: Mindfulness Training Alters the Neural Expression of Sadness. Emotion, 10(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017151

Fox, K. C. R., Nijeboer, S., Dixon, M. L., Floman, J. L., Ellamil, M., Rumak, S. P., Sedlmeier, P., & Christoff, K. (2014). Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 48–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.016

Garfinkel, S. N., Seth, A. K., Barrett, A. B., Suzuki, K., & Critchley, H. D. (2015). Knowing your own heart: Distinguishing interoceptive accuracy from interoceptive awareness. Biological Psychology, 104, 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.11.004

Giuliani, N. R., Drabant, E. M., Bhatnagar, R., & Gross, J. J. (2011). Emotion regulation and brain plasticity: Expressive suppression use predicts anterior insula volume. NeuroImage, 58(1), 10–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEUROIMAGE.2011.06.028

Grant, J. A., Courtemanche, J., & Rainville, P. (2011). A non-elaborative mental stance and decoupling of executive and pain-related cortices predicts low pain sensitivity in Zen meditators. Pain, 152(1), 150–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.006

Hanley, A. W., Mehling, W. E., & Garland, E. L. (2017). Holding the body in mind: Interoceptive awareness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 99, 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.05.014

Mehling, W E, Price, C., Daubenmier, J. J., Acree, M., & Bartmess, E. (2012). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). PLoS ONE, 7(11), 48230. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048230

Mehling, Wolf E., Price, C., Daubenmier, J. J., Acree, M., Bartmess, E., & Stewart, A. (2012). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). PLoS ONE, 7(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048230

Seth, A. K. (2013). Interoceptive inference, emotion, and the embodied self. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(11), 565–573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2013.09.007

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Hello Brazil

@ 878dff7c:037d18bc

Coalition Proposes Sovereign Wealth Funds to Address National Debt

Summary:

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a plan to reduce Australia's $1.2 trillion debt by creating two sovereign wealth funds: the Future Generations Fund and the Regional Australia Future Fund. These funds aim to allocate 80% of commodity windfall revenues toward debt reduction and regional development, focusing on infrastructure and economic support outside metropolitan areas.

Sources: The Australian - April 10, 2025

Australian Dollar Falls Below 60 US Cents Amid Tariff Concerns

Summary:

The Australian dollar has dropped to a five-year low, trading below 60 US cents, as markets react to escalating tariff tensions initiated by the U.S. This depreciation reflects investor fears of a potential global economic downturn impacting Australia's economy.

Sources: ABC News - 9 April 2025, Reuters - 7 April 2025

AI Transformation Reshaping Australia's Software Development Landscape

Summary:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming Australia's software development industry. Recent research indicates widespread adoption of AI tools and methodologies, leading to increased efficiency and innovation. This trend positions Australian tech companies competitively in the global market and highlights the importance of AI literacy for professionals in the sector. Sources: Tech Business News - April 10, 2025

UK and Australia Collaborate on Next-Generation Weapons Development

Summary:

The United Kingdom and Australia have launched a partnership to develop next-generation sub-systems for low-cost weapons. This collaboration integrates the UK's Modular Weapons Testbed with Australia's SHARKTOOTH program, featuring innovative 'plug-and-launch' modular technology. The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of advanced, affordable weapons technologies, enhancing both nations' defense capabilities. Sources: The Defense Post - April 7, 2025, ASD News - April 4, 2025

Smoke Advisory Issued for Greater Sydney Due to Hazard Reduction Burns

Summary:

The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued a smoke advisory for the Greater Sydney area, including the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, due to planned hazard reduction burns. Residents are advised to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and keep respiratory medications close by.​ rfs.nsw.gov.au+1rfs.nsw.gov.au+1 ABC

Sources: NSW Rural Fire Service - April 9, 2025

Leaders Clash in First Election Debate

Summary:

In the first leaders' debate of the 2025 federal election campaign, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton clashed on several key issues during the Sky News/Daily Telegraph People's Forum. Albanese accused the Coalition of historically cutting health and education funding, which Dutton vehemently denied. The debate also saw pointed exchanges over spending levels, energy policy, and cost-of-living concerns. Dutton challenged Albanese’s tax cuts and left open the possibility of extending fuel excise relief. The leaders also addressed infrastructure funding, economic management, and health services. The debate occurred with only 25 days until the election and 14 days before early voting begins.

Sources: The Daily Telegraph - 10 April 2025, News.com.au - 10 April 2025

Australia and Philippines to Increase Joint Military Exercises

Summary:

Australia and the Philippines have agreed to double their joint military drills and security engagements in 2025. This decision underscores the strengthening defense ties between the two nations in response to regional security challenges. Sources: Manila Bulletin - April 7, 2025

Victoria's Working with Children Check System Criticized for Allowing Individuals Under Investigation to Retain Clearance

Summary:

Victoria's Working with Children Check system is under scrutiny for permitting individuals under investigation for abuse and assault to retain their clearance. Parents and advocates are calling for urgent reforms, highlighting cases where children were allegedly harmed by individuals who maintained their working with children credentials despite serious allegations.​ ABC

Sources: ABC News - April 10, 2025

Ecological Revival Following Inland Floods

Summary:

After unprecedented rainfall transformed over a million square kilometers of inland Australia into floodplains, the region is witnessing a remarkable ecological revival. Native wildlife such as fish, long-haired rats, frogs, and birds are thriving, and previously dried-out habitats are being replenished. Experts view the floods as a rare opportunity for broad ecological regeneration, including mega breeding events and species migrations. While challenges remain, the natural rebirth offers hope as long-dormant ecosystems awaken with vibrant life.

Sources: The Times - April 10, 2025, SciTechDaily - April 10, 2025

CyberCX Report Highlights Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape

Summary:

CyberCX's annual Threat Report for 2025 reveals that business email compromise remains the top incident type, with espionage-related incidents taking longer to detect compared to previous years. The report underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across Australian organizations. Sources: CyberCX - April 9, 2025

Greens-Backed Study Targets Environmental Impact of Pet Dogs

Summary:

A new study, receiving attention from progressive environmental circles including the Greens, has flagged pet dogs as a significant ecological threat. The research claims dogs contribute to pollution, wildlife disturbances, and even climate change due to their carbon footprint. Critics argue this is part of a broader ideological push to regulate personal lifestyle choices, sparking concerns that common household pets may soon be in the environmental policy crosshairs. With the Greens already pushing for sweeping environmental reforms, some Australians fear this could lead to overreach targeting ordinary families and their beloved pets.

Sources: The Guardian - 10 April 2025

High-Intensity Resistance and Impact Training Enhances Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women

Summary:

The LIFTMOR randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) on bone health in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Over eight months, participants engaged in twice-weekly, 30-minute HiRIT sessions, performing exercises such as deadlifts, overhead presses, and back squats at over 85% of their one-repetition maximum. The study found significant improvements in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) by 2.9%, femoral neck BMD by 0.3%, cortical thickness, and functional performance measures, including enhanced leg and back strength. Notably, the HiRIT program was well-tolerated, with high compliance and minimal adverse events, suggesting that such training is both safe and effective for improving bone health and physical function in this demographic. Sources: PubMed - October 4, 2017

Anti-Aging Expert Peter Attia Discusses Longevity and Health Optimization

Summary:

In this episode of "The Diary Of A CEO," host Steven Bartlett engages with Dr. Peter Attia, a physician specializing in longevity and health optimization. Dr. Attia delves into the often-overlooked aspects of aging, emphasizing the importance of proactive health measures. He highlights the critical role of maintaining muscle mass and strength, noting that a decline in these areas significantly increases mortality risk. Dr. Attia also explores natural methods to enhance testosterone levels without resorting to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), advocating for lifestyle interventions such as strength training, adequate sleep, and balanced nutrition. Throughout the conversation, he underscores the necessity of individualized health strategies and regular monitoring to effectively prevent age-related diseases. Sources: Spotify - April 2025

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Nestled along the Cassowary Coast in Far North Queensland, Mission Beach is a dreamy stretch of palm-fringed sand where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Wet Tropics rainforest. It's serene, scenic, and refreshingly uncrowded—a perfect escape if you’re chasing natural beauty, island vibes, and a bit of adventure.

🌟 Top Things to Do in Mission Beach

1️⃣ Walk the Endless Beach

• A stunning 14-kilometer stretch of golden sand
• Often you’ll feel like you have it all to yourself
• Lined with coconut palms and mountain backdrops—ideal for morning strolls or sunset walks

2️⃣ Dunk Island Adventures

• Just a 10-minute boat ride away, Dunk Island offers hiking trails, snorkeling, and tranquil beaches
• Go for a day trip or camp overnight for the real castaway feel
• You can kayak there if you're feeling adventurous 🚣‍♀️

3️⃣ Spot a Cassowary in the Wild

• Mission Beach is one of the best places to see the endangered cassowary, a striking and ancient-looking bird
• Keep your eyes peeled around Licuala Rainforest Walk or Bicentennial Trail

4️⃣ Skydiving with a Beach Landing 🪂

• One of the most iconic skydives in Australia
• Jump from 15,000 ft with views of the reef, rainforest, and islands—and land right on the sand!

5️⃣ Explore the Rainforest

• Walk in the Djiru National Park, home to lush jungle, creeks, and butterflies
• Or hike the Clump Mountain track for coastal views

🍉 Where to Eat & Chill

• The Garage Bar & Grill – Laid-back, good vibes, great burgers
• Baba Curry – Casual spot for Indian and tropical twists
• Mission Beach Tavern – Classic Aussie pub fare, cold beers, and often live music
• Spicy Thai Hut – Small, authentic, and big on flavor

🌺 Need-to-Know Tips

✅ Stinger season (Oct–May) means you should swim in designated netted areas or wear stinger suits
✅ Great base to explore the Atherton Tablelands, Tully Gorge, or Paronella Park
✅ Car rental is super handy—Mission Beach is spread out and public transport is limited
✅ It’s quiet here—perfect for relaxing, recharging, and going off-grid

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Havana (La Habana) is a city that grabs you with its vintage soul, vivid colors, and irresistible rhythm. Picture classic 1950s cars cruising past crumbling colonial mansions, locals dancing to live salsa in the streets, and the smell of strong Cuban coffee and cigars in the air. It’s not polished, but that’s part of the magic—Havana is alive.

🌟 Top Things to Do in Havana

1️⃣ Explore Old Havana (Habana Vieja)

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets, pastel facades, and grand plazas
• Must-see spots: Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, and El Capitolio
• Stop at a rooftop bar for mojitos and views over the city 🌆

2️⃣ Ride in a Classic American Car 🚗

• Take a guided tour in a vintage convertible—pink, red, or baby blue, your choice!
• Cruise along the Malecón, past the Hotel Nacional and through leafy neighborhoods like Vedado

3️⃣ Walk the Malecón

• Havana’s famous seaside promenade is the city’s open-air living room
• Best at sunset, when locals gather to fish, chat, play music, or just watch the waves crash

4️⃣ Visit the Museum of the Revolution

• Housed in Batista’s former palace, it tells the story of Cuba’s revolutionary history
• The building itself, with bullet holes and all, is part of the experience

5️⃣ Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)

• A mix of gallery, nightclub, performance space, and bar
• Where Havana’s artsy and creative crowd hangs out—don’t miss it if you're into music or culture

🍹 What to Eat & Drink in Havana

• Ropa vieja – Shredded beef in tomato sauce, a Cuban classic
• Moros y Cristianos – Black beans and rice served with everything
• Tostones & yuca – Tasty fried plantains and cassava
• Mojitos & daiquiris – Best enjoyed where Hemingway drank them: La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita
• Cuban coffee – Small, strong, and sweet

🎵 Feel the Vibe

✅ Catch live music in every bar—from salsa and rumba to jazz and son cubano
✅ Watch a local dance show, or better yet, join a salsa class
✅ Visit Callejón de Hamel on Sundays for Afro-Cuban rhythms and street art

🛺 Tips for Visiting Havana

🌞 Bring cash (euros or USD)—credit cards aren’t widely accepted
📶 Expect limited Wi-Fi—most people use Wi-Fi parks with pre-paid cards
💡 Embrace the slower pace—this is Cuba, not a rush
🚖 Use official taxis or pre-negotiate fares
💬 Learn a few Spanish basics—locals really appreciate it
💃 Talk to people—Cubans are warm, proud, and full of stories

@ 3c7dc2c5:805642a8

🧠Quote(s) of the week:

My current state of mind:

It is always the same story Government debases the currency and then blames business for profiteering and "the rich" who the Government has actually enriched. The root cause is government, and its addiction to printing money.

The DEBT crisis cannot be sustained. EU, UK, USA, China, etc., cannot continue the Ponzi scheme of printing more money to pay off old money. The previous rate for debt was 0.1%. Countries have to pay their Treasury Bonds, which will be around 4-5%. Wars start so they can all default, and then what comes after is a global financial reset. This is the information the majority of you do not understand or even look at.

Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, Scott Bessent, before the Election: “In the next few years, we are going to have some kind of grand economic reordering. Something equivalent to a new Bretton Woods. There’s a very good chance that happens in the next 4 years and I’d like to be a part of it.”

Any change of the Bretton Woods order will play in the cards of the scarce, politically neutral, immutable money: Bitcoin.

The problem has, and always will be the abuse and misuse of money by those in power. No one should ever have to work for a currency that others can print at will. The foundations are corrupted. Our money is broken.

This is the real problem.

Until that changes, nothing changes.

Educate yourself. Study Bitcoin.

🧡Bitcoin news🧡

On the 1st of April:

➡️The value of Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury is now 24x larger than the market cap of the company in April 2024.

On the 2nd of April:

➡️'Foundry just mined the emptiest non-empty block in over two years, containing only 7 transactions and weighing just 5369 units. The last block weighing less than this was by Binance Pool at height 769895 in January 2023 when the mempool was similarly empty, containing only 4 transactions and weighing 4370 units.' - Mononaut

➡️Last week I mentioned that Gamestop now has $ 1.48 billion available to purchase Bitcoin. If they invest that amount, $1.5 billion, in Bitcoin, it will make them the fourth largest Bitcoin holder among public corporations.

https://i.ibb.co/k6x0YLnV/Gne0shqb-QAAnx4-Z.jpg"

➡️Fidelity announces a no-fee Bitcoin retirement account that allows their 49 million customers to buy in Bitcoin.

➡️Publicly traded Enish announces to buy ¥100 million worth of Bitcoin.

➡️94.5% of the 21 million Bitcoin supply has been mined, based on its predictable predetermined issuance schedule—programmed in the protocol code, enforced by consensus, and verified through hundreds of thousands of globally distributed network nodes. Only 5.5% left to be mined over the next 115 years! - Wicked

➡️'Today, Breez launches Misty Breez, their latest application built using the Breez SDK. The Breez SDK was initially developed to simplify the process of integrating Lightning Network support into different consumer applications. Dozens of existing projects and companies currently build on Lightning using the SDK. 

Breez: 'Lightning Made Easy → No channels. No setup fees. Just permissionless P2P payments.
Receive Offline Payments → Receive payments offline using mobile notifications.
Lightning Address Support → Accept payments with a customizable Lightning address.'

Documentation for the Breez SDK Nodeless configuration used by Misty Breez is available here. The Github for the Misty Breez implementation is available here. Lastly, for users who wish to play around with the application, an early access release is available here for Android, and here for iOS.  A direct APK download is available here.' - Bitcoin Magazine

➡️'Managing over 1.62 trillion dollars, the Bank of America CEO just said they would launch a stablecoin once it's legal. That amount of capital will disrupt all of crypto -- but, only a few networks will capture most of that value.' - Austin King

➡️'Bitcoin processed $5.5 trillion worth of transactions in Q1' - Pierre Rochard https://i.ibb.co/nqwkcCvn/Gni-MSFWYAAg7xu-1.png

On the 3rd of April:

➡️New Record Bitcoin Network Hashrate: 840,000,000,000,000,000,000x per second Bitcoin mining hashrate is rapidly approaching 1 zettahash.

➡️Metaplanet Inc. raised ~$17.8 million (¥2.63 billion) in equity capital through the first two days of April to further our Bitcoin Treasury Operations.

➡️Of 2024’s Top Performing Stocks, Only Two Remain Positive in 2025 — Both Are Bitcoin Treasury Firms. - METAPLANET - STRATEGY

➡️Finally, Jack Dorsey's Block enables Bitcoin payments on merchant terminals. "We are working on it" - Jack

➡️The Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index is now back at "Extreme Fear". Hodl the line people, hodl the line!

➡️'Today, the United States stock market lost $1.65 trillion. To help understand that number, it’s more than all Bitcoin combined. Not one coin—every coin. The global supply of Bitcoin is currently worth $1.63 trillion.' - Documenting Bitcoin

Just to give you one more perspective, the stock market has had the single worst day since the Covid crash. Bitcoin went as low as $3,843 during the Covid crash, and now it's $82,000. That is ~21x increase in just 5 years.

➡️Now, no matter what will happen with Bitcoin's price. Not enough people ask how much purchasing power $? will still hold by in the future. The nominal price is only part of the story.

https://i.ibb.co/qY2Rsfn0/Gno-Qu-Ki-WEAEp-EAM.jpg

On the 4th of April:

➡️Fortnite added a Bitcoin mine to the new map.

➡️Mastercard plans to help users send Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. "We've made a sizable bet on this," said Mastercard’s head of digital assets yesterday. The company has 3 billion cards worldwide and over 100 million places that accept them. So you are telling me that Mastercard wants to use a p2p cash system, Bitcoin, wild. Suddenly is becoming more suddenly all of a sudden. Hello, game theory!

➡️Bitdeer releases test footage of their new Bitcoin mining computer. The SealMiner A2 Pro Hyd calculates 500,000,000,000,000 hashes per second. That's some serious computing power. Do you wonder what the energy bill looks like...

https://www.asicminervalue.com/miners/bitdeer/sealminer-a2-pro-hyd

➡️Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admits "Bitcoin is a store of value". In an interview with Tucker Carlson.

'Bessent was asked, "Why is Gold moving around the world right now?" After giving a one-line answer, he immediately of his own accord started saying "Bitcoin is becoming a store of value" This is quite the signpost for those with eyes to see.',

Ray Dalio was right, there's a change in world order. But it ain't China, it's Bitcoin.

➡️"Bitcoin is showing signs of breaking free from the gravitational pull of technology stocks during the financial market turmoil of the last few days." - Bloomberg

“We think Trump’s aggressive move has sped up a re-thinking of BTC’s longer-term value in a portfolio.” - Augustine Fan

https://i.ibb.co/cX1FLwr5/Gntq-Le-EXEAAZg-QA.jpg

On the 5th of April:

➡️The mysterious inventor of Bitcoin, going only by the username Satoshi Nakamoto, set April 5th—today—as their birthday. No one knows why for sure, but the date may be symbolic: it’s the same day the U.S. ordered citizens to turn in their gold under Executive Order.

➡️'A new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) from developer Agustin Cruz suggests destroying unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) to protect Bitcoin from potential quantum computer attacks. The proposal, “Quantum-Resistant Address Migration Protocol” (QRAMP), would require users to move funds to quantum-resistant wallets before a deadline or face their coins being effectively burned.' -Bitcoin News

This would mean that Satoshi either becomes active again or his/her Bitcoin is forever gone. There should never be a requirement to force move your coins. Try some other quantum-resistant approach.

Any quantum-resistant upgrade to the Bitcoin network should be a soft fork and completely optional. It is unethical to delete anyone's funds if they don't upgrade within an allotted time limit.

On the 6th of April:

➡️'Bitcoin mining difficulty recently adjusted upwards by 6.81% to an all-time high. Expect more small/medium operators to shut down as margins evaporate. Only survivors- those with ultra-cheap power or hobbyists who don't mine for profit. 'Bitcoin miners are the ultimate Bitcoin psychopaths. If you think we'll turn our miners off, you don't understand Bitcoin.' -Tomas Greif

On the 7th of April:

➡️ETH/BTC has fully retraced 5 years, now down 11% over that timeframe. This is catastrophic for the thesis that new cryptos “with more utility” can sustainably outperform the OG Bitcoin.

Willy Woo: 'ETH "ultrasound money" traded at $1569 today. It traded at $1448 in Jan 2018, thus a compounded IRR of 1.2% for a 7-year investment. I just thought I'd post this to help ETH holders as comments like these are what it takes to help an asset put in a bottom.'

➡️ Luke Broyles: '5 years ago we had a stock market crisis in 2020. Bitcoin fell 40% in one day and 65% in total. The S&P 500 fell 9.5% on that same day. Bitcoin bottomed at $4,000 then went up by 17x in the rebound from the crisis as we printed money.

If Bitcoin now falls 45% from the top and then goes up 10x in a similar timeframe, that would be a $600,000 Bitcoin in late 2026. I don’t care if Bitcoin is $50,000 or $600,000 next year. It is lower risk and more humanitarian than corporate paper.

Stocks had a higher human cost, less upside, and higher downside risk in time frames over 2 years. No matter what prices do I expect the S&P 500 to fall 80% against BTC in the next 5 years. I also suspect in 5 years $60,000 will sound as cheap as $4,000 and most will forget the pain of April 2025 like how most forgot March 2020.'

➡️ There are ~58 million millionaires in the world. And eventually, money printing will turn everyone into a millionaire. But there will only be 21 million bitcoin. 0.362 bitcoin per millionaire alive today. https://i.ibb.co/SDxYXYBz/Gn8-T-xc-XIAAc-GJM.png

➡️ Strategy discloses $5.91 billion in unrealized losses on its Bitcoin holdings for Q1 2025, according to a new SEC filing.

➡️ Cango increased its Bitcoin monthly production to 530.1 bitcoin in March, a 12% rise, with holdings reaching 2,474.8 BTC by month-end, up from 1,944.7 BTC in February. Deployed hashrate remained at 32 EH/s, with the average operating hashrate at 30.3 EH/s.

➡️'Bitcoin's MVRV for supply in loss drops to 0.88. This downturn is milder than previous major corrections in 2018 and 2022; investors remain cautiously optimistic rather than capitulating.' -Bitcoin News

💸Traditional Finance / Macro:

On February 20, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon sold $234 million worth of JPM stock.

On February 22, Warren Buffett disclosed a record $334 billion cash balance. 30 trading days later, the Nasdaq 100 crashed -24%.

How did they know?

And just to show you how F'ed up the traditional markets are and acting like a memecoin:

On the 7th of April, the following sequence happened.

At 10:10 AM ET, rumors emerged that the White House was considering a "90-day tariff pause."

At 10:15 AM ET, CNBC reported that Trump is considering a 90-day pause on tariffs for ALL countries except for China.

By 10:18 AM ET, the S&P 500 had added over +$3 TRILLION in market cap from its low.

At 10:25 AM ET, reports emerged that the White House was "unaware" of Trump considering a 90-day pause.

At 10:26 AM ET, CNBC reported that the 90-day tariff pause headlines were incorrect.

At 10:34 AM ET, the White House officially called the tariff pause headlines "fake news."

By 10:40 AM ET, the S&P 500 erased -$2.5 TRILLION of market cap from its high, 22 minutes prior.

Never in history have we seen something like this.

Wall Street now trades like meme coins.

So basically > a guy reported fake news > all of World Finance aped the news and added 2.5T to the market > The news is fake, so everyone dumped so basically, finance is just memecoins with suits.

What a world we live in...

On the 2nd of April

👉🏽'President Trump just announced tariffs on 185 countries AT ONCE, one of the largest tariffs in US history. S&P 500 futures erased -$2 TRILLION of market cap in under 15 minutes.' ...'After 3+ years of compounding inflation: 2025 is the year when President Trump, Fed Chair Powell, and Treasury Secretary Bessent all came to the same conclusion. A recession is the only remaining way for inflation AND rates to fall.' -TKL

On the 3rd of April:

👉🏽How bad was today's stock market decline? Of the 11,406 trading days since January 1980, only 29 had larger declines.

https://i.ibb.co/3mg85KLt/Gno34klb-QAAJs52.png

The Magnificent 7 Index is now down over -30% from its all-time high seen on December 18th. While the S&P 500 is down -7.5% year-to-date, most investors are down much more. Large-cap tech is beyond bear market territory.

The Nasdaq 100 is in a bear market following a -6% drop today, the largest drop since March 2020. US stocks have now erased a massive -$11 TRILLION since February 19th with recession odds ABOVE 60%. The S&P 500 has lost ALL OF ITS RETURNS since March 2024.

Just to give you perspective. $10T, that’s a lot, right?
For context, the FED balance sheet is $6.7T. US M2 money supply $21.7T.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin is up ~30% in the same period.

March 2020:

The S&P 500 is down 13% Bitcoin down

24% April 2025:

The S&P 500 is down 13% Bitcoin is down 5%

Another perspective, the S&P 500 dropping 10% in two days happened in:

October 1987

November 2008

March 2020

April 2025

On the 4th of April:

👉🏽Retail investors bought $4.7 billion in stocks yesterday, the most in a decade.

On the 5th of April:

👉🏽You can say whatever you wanna say about good ol' Warren Buffett, but he is killing it. https://i.ibb.co/NgfqjF50/Gnudptr-XQAAHPSW.jpg"

🏦Banks:

👉🏽 no news

🌎Macro/Geopolitics:

On the 1st of April:

👉🏽The scandal surrounding Le Pen. She is accused of fraud for allegedly using European Parliament staff for her French party. While everyone in Brussels knows this is exactly how things have worked for years. The whole system is full of these kinds of grey areas and conflicts of interest. Of course, it's not right, but it's also nearly impossible to prove definitively without political motivation. It's a political prosecution, whichever way you look at it. Now, I am no fan of Le Pen, not at all, but isn't it interesting that the unelected ECB President, Christine Lagarde, was accused of fraud, but without a criminal record—so she could become president of the ECB?

What scandal is Christine Lagarde known for, and what was the outcome?

Christine Lagarde was involved in a scandal known as the "Tapie affair" in France. This took place when she served as Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance from 2007 to 2011 under President Nicolas Sarkozy. The scandal revolves around an arbitration ruling in 2008, in which French businessman Bernard Tapie was awarded €403 million in damages in a dispute with the state-owned bank Crédit Lyonnais over the sale of Adidas in the 1990s. Lagarde approved the arbitration, which later became controversial as critics claimed the process was unfair and that Tapie—a known friend of Sarkozy—had been favored.

The outcome of the case came in December 2016, when Lagarde was found guilty of "negligence" by the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR), a special tribunal for French government officials. The judge cited her “personality” and “international reputation,” as well as the context of the economic crisis during which she had to make decisions. Following the verdict, she remained in her position as managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which she had held since 2011, and in 2019 she was even appointed president of the European Central Bank (ECB), showing that the scandal did not significantly harm her career. However, the case remains a topic of debate, especially due to the perception of class-based justice and the large amount of taxpayer money involved in the payout.

And that is just one example. Just look up all the scandals around Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. And remember, unelected. Or our own Dutch EU playboy, Frans Timmermans. Today, the EU Commission publicly admitted that NGOs were paid to lobby Members of the European Parliament in favor of the Green Deal. https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/commission-admits-financing-undue-lobbying-activities

'The European Commission admits it has used EU funds that were supposed to "fight climate change" for financing left-wing NGOs and climate organizations to silence the voices of European conservatives in a secretive influence operation. The funds came from the LIFE Program, which is supposed to fund environmental initiatives and has had a total budget of EUR 9 billion since 2014.'

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1908561357114352127

Nearly a quarter of the 705 Members of the European Parliament have at some point been involved in a scandal or legal violation, reports Follow the Money. It concerns a wide range of behaviors, says investigative journalist Peter Teffer from FTM — from parking fines to corruption. "Perhaps the most extreme case is a Greek MEP who is currently doing his job from prison."

As mentioned before, it's a political prosecution whichever way you look at it. More and more, judicial systems in the West are being weaponized to crush the political opposition of the globalist elites / the ones that are in power now. Supposedly to save 'the rule of law'. Is it all just a coincidence—or a pattern of lawfare? Ask yourself that question.

I will give you a hint...It’s a tale of two justices: Le Pen faces potential jail time for allegedly misusing €2.9M in EU funds, while Christine Lagarde, found guilty of mismanaging €403M, walks free and now runs the European Central Bank!

Giorgia Meloni strongly criticized the disqualification of Marine Le Pen from the elections: “No one who truly believes in democracy can welcome a decision that targets the leader of a major party and deprives millions of citizens of their right to representation.”

Meloni’s right, banning opposition leaders isn’t democracy, it’s soft authoritarianism. Le Pen’s party earned 42% in the last presidential runoff. Silencing millions through legal tricks is a dangerous game.

For the Dutch readers: https://i.ibb.co/9HHsR3z3/Gnbuq-Pi-Xc-AAB1ye.jpg

We need a DOGE in Europe!

👉🏽'Job postings on Indeed dropped -10% year-over-year last week to the lowest in 4 years. Over the last 3 years, job postings have declined -33%. As a result, available vacancies are just 8% above pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, NEW job postings have dropped -40% since February 2022 to near the lowest since December 2020. Data provided by Indeed has been a leading indicator for the BLS-provided job openings data, suggesting more weakness ahead. The labor market is deteriorating.' -TKL

👉🏽'Despite a drop in unemployment and a rise in the labor force participation rate, the growing burden of retirees and public spending recipients is weighing on our finances and blocking essential reforms.' https://www.lepoint.fr/argent/comment-la-dependance-des-electeurs-a-l-argent-public-bloque-les-reformes-en-france-01-04-2025-2586277_29.php?at_variante=Community%20Management

30 million French citizens are economically dependent on public funds. That’s 44% of the population. 60% of eligible voters consist of civil servants, retirees, the unemployed, and welfare recipients. This is why France must reform — but cannot reform. For the Dutch readers, please click here for more insight: https://x.com/hollandgold/status/1908182490130341985

👉🏽The Top 1% of U.S. earners now have more wealth than the entire middle class.

On the 2nd of April:

👉🏽President Trump just announced tariffs on 185 countries AT ONCE, one of the largest tariffs in US history. As Luke Gromen mentioned last week: "Low tariffs on the world’s factories were part and parcel of the post-1971 structure of USD reserve status. Now that US tariffs are no longer low, the next shoe to drop will be a change to the post-1971 structure of USD reserve status."

UBS says a permanent implementation of President Trump's reciprocal tariffs would result in inflation rising to 5%. This would be a result of prices rising to "adjust to the higher costs of imports." We are on the verge of 5% inflation and negative GDP growth

'The rumor is that Trump is crashing the market so that The Fed cut the rate since several trillion of the national debt needs to be refinanced this year. When he refinances the debt on low rates he removes tariffs and the market moons.' -Bitcoin for Freedom

If true, that’s some 4D chess. The script would be: Get the 10-year down to sub 3.5, refinance the debt, initiate QE, roll back the tariffs, RF rate at 3.5% tech rips stocks up.

But I do find a problem with that theory. Most likely, tariffs will increase inflation, so there will be no QE. Trump is causing stagflation, which will kill jobs and businesses. The only people who benefit are oligarchs/the rich with extra cash to buy the dip.

👉🏽Almost every year since 08', GDP growth has been negative if you take out increases in government spending. You don't believe me:

https://i.ibb.co/8gLcnBT5/Gnke94-LWw-AAXHe-X.jpg"

Debt-fueled growth. Loosen monetary policy, FREE Money, ZIRP. Massive government spending has led to over 36T public debt with over $1T/yr. We have not fixed anything since 08. Just kicked the can down the road.

On the 3rd of April:

👉🏽Orthonormalist on Twitter cracked the tariff formula. It’s simply the nation’s trade deficit with the US divided by the nation’s exports to the US. Yes. Really. Vietnam: Exports 136.6, Imports 13.1 Deficit = 123.5 123.5/136.6 = 90% EU: exports 531.6, imports 333.4, deficit 198.2. 198.2/531.6 is 37, close to 39.

https://i.ibb.co/PG03LQwT/Gnmy-Krq-WQAAOf1-N.jpg

The fact that the Trump tariff rates are a simple calculation of the trade balance with that country means that the intention is to close the trade deficit, NOT negotiate for lower export tariffs. Seems the only way to avoid high tariffs is to improve the trade balance with the USA. Crude method, but ingenious all the same. Whether this approach is wise depends entirely on your economic priorities. Do you value balanced trade above all else, or do you prefer more nuanced economic efficiency and diplomatic stability?

Bottom line: simplistic, yes. Insane, no. Worth debating? Absolutely. Just some examples, the US administration imposed a 10% tariff on exports from Heard and McDonald Islands populated only by penguins. What a time to be alive.

https://i.ibb.co/DHdHRgSd/Gnm5-Eh-OXEAAy-GVc.jpg

I really love the Netflix series Peaky (focking) Blinders. The tiny island of St Pierre et Miquelon, featured in Peaky Blinders, St Pierre was a big warehouse for alcohol headed to the US, now got a 50% tariff because somebody bought 3.4 million worth of goods in July 2024 (most likely crustaceans). The 5,8k inhabitants "only" bought 100k worth of US goods in 2024. In the case of St Pierre, it's funny, but tragic in many others.

The tiny island of St Pierre et Miquelon got a 99% tariff because somebody bought 3.4 million worth of goods in July 2024 (most likely crustaceans) The 5,8 k inhabitants "only" bought 100k worth of US goods in 2024

Students for Liberty:

"It’s bold. It’s nationalist. It’s flawed. Because you can’t tariff your way to prosperity. And you can’t revive American industry without fixing what’s broken. The enemy isn’t foreign competition. It’s a big government. That’s what classical liberals have always warned: When the state manipulates markets, prints money, and micromanages trade, it always ends up hurting the very economy it claims to protect. Tariffs won’t save America. But freedom, competition, and reform might."

Trump and Bessent are orchestrating a grand economic reordering on US terms.

👉🏽President Trump invites President Bukele to the White House to discuss "ways we can support each other."

👉🏽China urges the US to "immediately" cancel reciprocal tariffs or they will take "counter-measures." Reciprocal tariffs on reciprocal tariffs should begin within the next 24 hours.

'China has three options: 1. Concede defeat to whatever terms Trump demands 2. Devalue the yuan by 20-40% 3. Unleash the biggest fiscal stimulus in its history (talking $2-3 trillion), which will push its debt off the chart' - ZeroHedge

I am not sure about that though. China isn’t collapsing—but it’s facing real structural headwinds: an aging population, a deflating housing bubble, rising youth unemployment, declining productivity, and global pushback.

Meanwhile, the U.S. still has deep capital markets, global alliances (well, let's see how the tariffs war will play out haha), energy independence, and innovation leadership.

So no—this is not “China checkmate.” It’s the start of a very long game.

👉🏽China claims that they found 2k+ TONNES of new Gold in the past 6 months that could reshape global markets. You can mine more gold if you want, but you can't mine more Bitcoin. That's the difference.

👉🏽That was quick: Thailand to Negotiate With the US on 36% Imposed Tariffs: PM Next: everyone else

👉🏽The European Union is preparing further countermeasures against newly announced US tariffs of 20%, per CNBC.

Apparently, no one is asking why, if these import tariffs are so harmful, the EU itself imposed high tariffs on imports for years. Tariffs that were actually higher than what the U.S. imposed on EU goods — which is what triggered the conflict in the first place.

On the 4th of April:

👉🏽The "World War 3" of Trade Wars Has Begun: Americans are waking up to the first MAJOR tariff retaliation against President Trump. China has announced 34% tariffs on ALL US goods with the S&P 500's 2-day losses now at -$3.5 TRILLION.

👉🏽'The last time the market dropped 9.5% in two days, the Fed unleashed a multi-trillion bailout of the economy including $500BN in QE, $1 trillion daily repo, and tens of billions in junk bond ETF purchases.' - ZeroHedge

👉🏽Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tells Tucker Carlson - The top 10% of Americans own 88% of equities, and 88% of the stock market. The next 40% owns 12% of the stock market - The bottom 50% has debt - In the summer of 2024: more Americans were using food banks than they ever have in history

On the 5th of April:

👉🏽EU financed targeted campaigns against political opponents and uncomfortable voices.

👉🏽Germany considers withdrawing 1200 tons worth of gold from a US Federal Reserve vault following new tariffs.

👉🏽'On Thursday ALONE, hedge funds sold $40 BILLION of stocks in their largest daily selling spree since 2010. Short sales exceeded longs by 3 TIMES, with North American stocks accounting for 75% of volume.' -TKL

👉🏽'US job cut announcements spiked 205% year-over-year to 275,240 in March, the 3rd-highest monthly reading on record. This is also up 60% from the previous month when 172,017 cuts were announced. Moreover, this is higher than in any month during the 2008 Financial Crisis and the 2001 recession. Year-to-date, US employers have announced 497,052 job cuts, the highest quarterly total since Q1 2009. The US government has led all sectors with 216,215 cuts in March and 279,445 cuts year-to-date, up 672% from Q1 2024' -TKL

On the 7th of April:

👉🏽Hong Kong's stock market closes down 13.2%, the biggest one-day drop since 1997, and China's stock market officially opens with a -10% drop. China's stock market suffers worst single-day crash since 2008. And this isn't a meme coin, it's the Japanese stock market

https://i.ibb.co/7dqwPSc4/Gn5-Hjqc-Xw-AAzn-Yv.jpg

👉🏽European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says the EU stands ready to negotiate a zero-for-zero tariff deal with the United States. Meanwhile, the President of the European Central Bank: The European Union wants to abandon the American credit cards Visa and Mastercard, PayPal, and Alipay. Make up your goddamnn minds ladies.

👉🏽If China invades Taiwan, the stock market gets cut in half. Apple, Nvidia, all of it. Conflict/trade issues would cause a global recession on top of it. It would make tariffs and Ukraine look like nothing. Immediate global disaster. Still the ultimate risk. Please read Ray Dalio's book The Changing World Order. When, not if...The fourth turning is real.

https://i.ibb.co/yFw7CkLg/Gnd6yqy-Ww-AAb-GFz.jpg

I am convinced this will happen because they need an excuse for why the market crashed or will crash in the future. The entire system in the USA and China is broken. No money, all fake, constant inflation, and debt.

War solves it for both, as mentioned in my quote at the start of this week's Weekly Recap.

I will end this week's Weekly Recap with the following quote made by Bitcoin Archive:

'Bitcoin is a neutral, global commodity without counterparty risk. Zero tariffs. The only commodity with a verifiably limited supply. 21 million forever. Your 0.01 BTC is the same quality as BlacRock's $50b.'

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

Start by taking 30 minutes to watch this video. Spend under 40 minutes of your time watching and showing you simply and compellingly what the problem is and the potential solution. Bitcoin.

https://www.satsvsfiat.com/en/#watch

After watching that video, I have another great video: https://youtu.be/k3NN_NZOdhY?si=xwBkv2lRHvEdCA0y

$13 trillion on war over the past two decades: Funded by inflation, hidden taxes, and silent theft. This is how fiat money became a weapon. In this episode with Lyn Alden: 'This might have been my top interview last year. In person at a conference in Madeira. Published today. An evergreen discussion on the Broken Money thesis. The history of monetary technology and its impacts on current socioeconomic realities.'

Credit: I have used multiple sources!

My savings account: Bitcoin The tool I recommend for setting up a Bitcoin savings plan: PocketBitcoin especially suited for beginners or people who want to invest in Bitcoin with an automated investment plan once a week or monthly.

Use the code SE3997

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

⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀

Do you think this post is helpful to you?

If so, please share it and support my work with a zap.

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⭐ Many thanks⭐

Felipe - Bitcoin Friday!

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@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Before I saw those X right-wing political “influencers” parading their Epstein binders in that PR stunt, I’d already posted this on Nostr, an open protocol. 

“Today, the world’s attention will likely fixate on Epstein, governmental failures in addressing horrific abuse cases, and the influential figures who perpetrate such acts—yet few will center the victims and survivors in the conversation. The survivors of Epstein went to law enforcement and very little happened. The survivors tried to speak to the corporate press and the corporate press knowingly covered for him. In situations like these social media can serve as one of the only ways for a survivor’s voice to be heard. 

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the line between centralized corporate social media and the state is razor-thin, if it exists at all. Time and again, the state shields powerful abusers when it’s politically expedient to do so. In this climate, a survivor attempting to expose someone like Epstein on a corporate tech platform faces an uphill battle—there’s no assurance their voice would even break through. Their story wouldn’t truly belong to them; it’d be at the mercy of the platform, subject to deletion at a whim. Nostr, though, offers a lifeline—a censorship-resistant space where survivors can share their truths, no matter how untouchable the abuser might seem. A survivor could remain anonymous here if they took enough steps. 

Nostr holds real promise for amplifying survivor voices. And if you’re here daily, tossing out memes, take heart: you’re helping build a foundation for those who desperately need to be heard.“

That post is untouchable—no CEO, company, employee, or government can delete it. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take it down myself. The post will outlive me on the protocol. 

The cozy alliance between the state and corporate social media hit me hard during that right-wing X “influencer” PR stunt. Elon owns X. Elon’s a special government employee. X pays those influencers to post. We don’t know who else pays them to post. Those influencers are spurred on by both the government and X to manage the Epstein case narrative. It wasn’t survivors standing there, grinning for photos—it was paid influencers, gatekeepers orchestrating yet another chance to re-exploit the already exploited.

The bond between the state and corporate social media is tight. If the other Epsteins out there are ever to be unmasked, I wouldn’t bet on a survivor’s story staying safe with a corporate tech platform, the government, any social media influencer, or mainstream journalist. Right now, only a protocol can hand survivors the power to truly own their narrative.

I don’t have anything against Elon—I’ve actually been a big supporter. I’m just stating it as I see it. X isn’t censorship resistant and they have an algorithm that they choose not the user. Corporate tech platforms like X can be a better fit for some survivors. X has safety tools and content moderation, making it a solid option for certain individuals. Grok can be a big help for survivors looking for resources or support! As a survivor, you know what works best for you, and safety should always come first—keep that front and center.

That said, a protocol is a game-changer for cases where the powerful are likely to censor. During China's # MeToo movement, survivors faced heavy censorship on social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat, where posts about sexual harassment were quickly removed, and hashtags like # MeToo or "woyeshi" were blocked by government and platform filters. To bypass this, activists turned to blockchain technology encoding their stories—like Yue Xin’s open letter about a Peking University case—into transaction metadata. This made the information tamper-proof and publicly accessible, resisting censorship since blockchain data can’t be easily altered or deleted.

I posted this on X 2/28/25. I wanted to try my first long post on a nostr client. The Epstein cover up is ongoing so it’s still relevant, unfortunately.

If you are a survivor or loved one who is reading this and needs support please reach out to: National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 https://rainn.org/

Hours: Available 24 hours

@ 16f1a010:31b1074b

Arceus was born from nothing, not even chaos.

Arceus soon made Dialga, Palkia, and then Giratina. Dialga created time, Palkia created space, and Giratina created anti-matter. And thus, the Universe was born.

Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina began battling and as a result were banished to their individual realms by Arceus.

Arceus then created Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. Groudon formed the huge celestial bodies known as planets, and the trio chose one to inhabit with life. Arceus created the sun, then shot off across the universe to create all the many stars.

But he had learnt from experience, so he tasked Rayquaza as the peace-keeper.

The trio set to work, with Groudon raising land violently, creating volcanoes and mountains; Kyogre, creating the seas, where the land was not, and Rayquaza making an atmosphere full of 'air'.

Sure enough, Kyogre's waters started to corrode Groudon's land, and this angered him. The two battled, but Rayquaza broke it up, and sent Groudon deep underground, while Kyogre was sent deep into the oceans, before returning out into the ozone layer.

Soon, Arceus returned, and it tried to make life, but failed miserably. So it created Regigigas. Regigigas moved the continents with its bare hands, piecing them together like a puzzle.

When the final chunk of land was put into place, the world sprung to life, with grass and trees sprouting everywhere. Finally, the world was ready for life.

Arceus sent Regigigas into a coma until it was needed once more. It then created thousands of Pokémon to inhabit the world. These Pokémon belonged to one of five races.

Celebi   Jirachi   Mew  

Manaphy   or Victini  

It also created Latios and Latias, its personal agents, whom it sent flying through the universe in search of a species with great intelligence to live in harmony with its creations, before leaving once more to regain energy.

      

After much searching, Latias found an intelligent alien species known as Deoxys. They were bacterial but advanced. They chose a few of them and brought them back to their world.
  
For a while, things were fine, and the Deoxys and natives lived together in harmony. Until the Deoxys discovered they could 'infect' the natives and use their bodies. Suddenly, they were all infecting a host, and then war broke out.

The Mew, Jirachi, Manaphy, Celebi, and Victini battled their infected brethren to set them free, while the Deoxys sought total dominance.

The war raged on for many centuries, until there were but a handful left of each species. Arceus returned and destroyed the last of the Deoxys, but the damage was done. The population of the world was little more than 20.

The Celebi retreated to the forests, hiding amongst the trees and in time. The Manaphy retreated to the sea, the Jirachi fell asleep, only waking up every so often, and the Victini hid in far-off lands.
This left only the Mew.

During the war, three Mew had hidden under lakes in search of enlightenment.
          
               
Leaving only a handful of Mew left to roam. They were alone.

The war had left the land in ruins; some places were battle-scarred beyond repair. Instead of lush grass, there were harsh deserts. This angered Groudon, sending him into a rage. Volcanoes spurted and spewed lava everywhere.

One day, a Mew was floating along when a sudden flow of lava approached it. Thinking quickly, Mew unleashed energy inside it that even Arceus didn't know about. It morphed the lava into a form and gave it LIFE. The first Heatran was created.
 

Arceus sensed this and had an idea. Gathering all the able Mew, it channeled immense power through them, using their life-giving abilities to create more living creatures. These were crude and unfinished, prototypes of what was to come.

Aerodactyl filled the sky, while Lileep, Cranidos, and Shieldon roamed the land.

Anorith, Omanyte, and Kabuto populated the seas.
  

Arceus also bestowed upon most of these beings the power to 'evolve' into more powerful creatures if the correct environment was met.

Finally, Latias returned once more. They had been far more thorough in their searching than before. However, Arceus had told them to stop, but guilt kept them going. They were determined to complete their job.

They brought humans from another planet. Basic but intelligent beings who definitely lacked the ability to infect anything. The humans settled in quickly, initially living relatively separately from the animals.

But Arceus wasn't convinced; he felt the need to test them.

First, Arceus created Articuno, who he ordered to send the planet into an Ice Age.
  

Articuno froze the planet, killing many creatures, but giving birth to new ones like Mamoswine.
  

To Arceus' pleasure, the humans adapted, creating structures out of ice and snow. The severe drop in temperature awoke Regigigas, who rose high above the land and saw what was happening.

The humans instantly fell in love with Regigigas, worshipping the titan and creating statues of it from ice. Touched by this, Regigigas found one of the statues and breathed life into it before returning to sleep.
  

However, this scared the humans, and they locked it away in a cave.

Realizing that the Ice Age did not affect the humans, Arceus created another bird, Moltres, and ordered it to send the world into a drought. The ice melted, and the water evaporated as the temperature rose higher and higher.
  

While the humans continued to adapt, using the skills they had learned with the ice and applying them to rock, the creatures weren't as lucky. The Mamoswine and other creatures that adapted to the cold died off, but new ones such as huge insects like Yanmega became common.
  

Once again, the drought awoke Regigigas, who once again saw a statue of himself. Thinking the humans would have learned from last time, Regigigas gave it life. But rumors of the living statue had been passed down and exaggerated since last time, and once again, the scared humans locked away this second 'Regi'.
  

When the drought finally wore off, Arceus began the third and final test. He created one more legendary bird, Zapdos. Zapdos created powerful electrical storms all across the land.
  

The storms killed off the last of the prototype creatures, leaving only the humans and the few pets they brought from their home land. One extremely intelligent man managed to harness the power of electricity, creating the first electronic device.

Of course, Regigigas awoke one final time. He discovered that the humans were far more evolved than expected, able to harness metals and electricity, albeit at a somewhat primitive level. More out of tradition than anything else, Regigigas created the third Regi out of steel. The humans were no longer scared of this Regi, but they sealed it away with the other two nonetheless, knowing that one day someone powerful enough would tame them.
  

Arceus was baffled. The humans had passed all three tests of harsh weather. Zapdos calmed the storms, and the world became peaceful once again.

Arceus herded the Mew together for a second time. Having learned the strengths and weaknesses of his prototype beings, Arceus was ready to go farther.

Siphoning its huge power through the small pink beings, Arceus filled the world with hundreds of species of creatures that would become known as 'Pokémon'. They were more diverse than it had ever imagined, filling the skies, land, and sea.

The life energies even reacted with the sun rays and moonlight, creating Ho-oh and Lugia respectively.
    

Some radiated out of the planet's moon, creating a population of Clefairy, as well as Cresselia on the light side and Darkrai on the dark side of the moon.
      

Lugia befriended the three elemental birds, and they followed him like a leader. Meanwhile, humans started to get closer to these new creatures, using them as slaves, weapons, or pets. The term 'Pokémon' arose from strange travelers and stuck.

The first Pokéballs were created from Apricorns, and the bond between human and Pokémon was complete.
    

Ho-oh took residence at the top of the Bell Tower. It was jealous of Lugia's trio of birds and wanted one of its own. One day, three Kimono girls entered its tower with a Jolteon, Flareon, and Vaporeon.
      

Ho-oh burnt down the tower with its Sacred Fire. Most escaped, but the three Pokémon were trapped and perished in the flames. Ho-oh soon resurrected them as Entei, Raikou, and Suicune.
      

Humans continued to evolve and take over the land, and Pokémon continued to work alongside and for them for many, many years.

That is the story of the Pokémon World.

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Bitcoin has always been rooted in freedom and resistance to authority. I get that many of you are conflicted about the US Government stacking but by design we cannot stop anyone from using bitcoin. Many have asked me for my thoughts on the matter, so let’s rip it.

Concern

One of the most glaring issues with the strategic bitcoin reserve is its foundation, built on stolen bitcoin. For those of us who value private property this is an obvious betrayal of our core principles. Rather than proof of work, the bitcoin that seeds this reserve has been taken by force. The US Government should return the bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex and the Silk Road.

Usually stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see a bitcoin as a valuable asset, they will ramp up efforts to confiscate more bitcoin. The precedent is a major concern, and I stand strongly against it, but it should be also noted that governments were already seizing coin before the reserve so this is not really a change in policy.

Ideally all seized bitcoin should be burned, by law. This would align incentives properly and make it less likely for the government to actively increase coin seizures. Due to the truly scarce properties of bitcoin, all burned bitcoin helps existing holders through increased purchasing power regardless. This change would be unlikely but those of us in policy circles should push for it regardless. It would be best case scenario for American bitcoiners and would create a strong foundation for the next century of American leadership.

Optimism

The entire point of bitcoin is that we can spend or save it without permission. That said, it is a massive benefit to not have one of the strongest governments in human history actively trying to ruin our lives.

Since the beginning, bitcoiners have faced horrible regulatory trends. KYC, surveillance, and legal cases have made using bitcoin and building bitcoin businesses incredibly difficult. It is incredibly important to note that over the past year that trend has reversed for the first time in a decade. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a key driver of this shift. By holding bitcoin, the strongest government in the world has signaled that it is not just a fringe technology but rather truly valuable, legitimate, and worth stacking.

This alignment of incentives changes everything. The US Government stacking proves bitcoin’s worth. The resulting purchasing power appreciation helps all of us who are holding coin and as bitcoin succeeds our government receives direct benefit. A beautiful positive feedback loop.

Realism

We are trending in the right direction. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a sign that the state sees bitcoin as an asset worth embracing rather than destroying. That said, there is a lot of work left to be done. We cannot be lulled into complacency, the time to push forward is now, and we cannot take our foot off the gas. We have a seat at the table for the first time ever. Let's make it worth it.

We must protect the right to free usage of bitcoin and other digital technologies. Freedom in the digital age must be taken and defended, through both technical and political avenues. Multiple privacy focused developers are facing long jail sentences for building tools that protect our freedom. These cases are not just legal battles. They are attacks on the soul of bitcoin. We need to rally behind them, fight for their freedom, and ensure the ethos of bitcoin survives this new era of government interest. The strategic reserve is a step in the right direction, but it is up to us to hold the line and shape the future.

@ 67078065:928c2893

If you need to use a C/C++ library in your Android app, you will need to use the Java Native Interface (JNI). This was my experience integrating a C blockchain library called "libqaeda" ,into an Android application we are working on with lash. Many thanks to lash for advising on using this platform , and who wrote the C library.

Libqaeda and What it does

libqaeda is a cryptographic library designed to enable bi-lateral countersigning of chains of promises and statements. At its core, the library provides a robust framework for creating verifiable certificates that require dual signatures - one from the requester and one from the responder. The library excels at establishing cryptographic proof chains that can be used for:

• Verifying authenticity and proof-of-ownership of certificates
• Tracking credit or commitments between individuals
• Creating chains of trust where each link requires mutual agreement

What makes libqaeda particularly flexible is its modular design. It offers customizable components for cryptography implementations, data storage backends, and trust management - allowing developers to adapt it to various environments from servers to mobile devices. While currently in alpha development status and not safe in any way, libqaeda shows promise as a foundation for applications requiring strong cryptographic verification of bilateral agreements.

Java Native Interface

JNI makes it possible to interact with native code( code written in C , C++ , Assembly).

It is useful in the following cases:

1. Reusing existing native libraries in your java app
2. Accessing low-level system APIs.
3. Implementing JVM into a native application.
4. Performance critical tasks such as gaming.

How JNI Works 1. Java calls the native methods which are declared with the native keyword. 2. The native code is compiled into a shared library (.so on Linux/Android, .dll on WIndows) 3. JVM loads the library at runtime and executes native functions.

The Challenge

We wanted to use the C library in the Android app, but we faced a few challenges:

• The library was originally built for desktop systems, not Android
• Android needs code compiled for specific CPU architectures like arm64-v8a
• There were dependencies on specific C libraries not available in Android

Step 1: Define the Java Interface

First, I created a Java class that declares the native methods I wanted to use:

``` package org.defalsified.android.badged.services;

public class LibQaeda { static { System.loadLibrary("qaeda"); }

public native long createDummyStore();
public native String dummyContentGet(int payloadType, long storePtr, byte[] key);

} ``` The static block loads our native library, and the native methods tell Java these functions are implemented in C.

Step 2: Create the JNI Function Implementations

Next, I created a C file that implements the Java native methods: ```

include

include

include "libqaeda/src/lq/store.h"

include "libqaeda/src/lq/err.h"

include

// Functions from the library extern int lq_dummy_content_get(enum payload_e typ, LQStore store, const char key, size_t key_len, char value, size_t value_len); extern struct lq_store_t LQDummyContent;

// JNI implementation JNIEXPORT jlong JNICALL Java_org_defalsified_android_badged_services_LibQaeda_createDummyStore (JNIEnv env, jobject thiz) { LQStore store = (LQStore)malloc(sizeof(LQStore)); store = LQDummyContent; return (jlong)store; }

JNIEXPORT jstring JNICALL Java_org_defalsified_android_badged_services_LibQaeda_dummyContentGet (JNIEnv env, jobject thiz, jint payloadType, jlong storePtr, jbyteArray key) { LQStore store = (LQStore)storePtr; jbyte keyBytes = (env)->GetByteArrayElements(env, key, NULL); jsize keyLength = (env)->GetArrayLength(env, key);

char value[4096] = {0};
size_t valueLen = sizeof(value);

int result = lq_dummy_content_get(
        (enum payload_e)payloadType,
        store,
        (const char*)keyBytes,
        (size_t)keyLength,
        value,
        &valueLen
);

(*env)->ReleaseByteArrayElements(env, key, keyBytes, JNI_ABORT);

if (result != 0) {
    return NULL;
}

return (*env)->NewStringUTF(env, value);

} ``` The function names must match the Java class and method names, prefixed with Java_ and using underscores for package separators.

Step 3: Set Up CMake to Build the Native Library

The key step was creating a CMakeLists.txt file to build our native library. Initially, I tried to use the pre-built library, but it was incompatible with Android. So I decided to directly compile the necessary source files:

``` cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.10) project(badged_app)

set(LIBQAEDA_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/libqaeda) set(LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR ${LIBQAEDA_DIR}/src)

include_directories( ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR} ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR} ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/aux/include ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/aux/liblash/src ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/aux/liblash/src/hex ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/aux/liblash/src/rerr )

Create qaeda library with all required source files

add_library(qaeda SHARED ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/org_defalsified_android_badged_services_LibQaeda.c ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/store/dummy.c ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/aux/liblash/src/hex/hex.c ${LIBQAEDA_SRC_DIR}/aux/liblash/src/rerr/rerr.c )

Link against Android libraries

target_link_libraries(qaeda android log atomic m )

Create main app library

add_library(badged SHARED native-lib.cpp )

Link app against our JNI wrapper

target_link_libraries(badged qaeda android log ) ``` Instead of trying to use a pre-built library, I included just the specific source files we needed for our minimal implementation.

Step 4: Configure the Android Project

In the app's build.gradle file, I added the CMake configuration:

``` android { // Other settings...

externalNativeBuild {
    cmake {
        path = file("src/main/cpp/CMakeLists.txt")
        version = "3.22.1"
    }
}

// Specify the NDK version to use
ndkVersion = "25.1.8937393"

// Configure for multiple architectures
defaultConfig {
    ndk {
        abiFilters.addAll(listOf("armeabi-v7a", "arm64-v8a", "x86", "x86_64"))
    }
}

} ```

Step 5: Use the Library in Your Android Activity

Finally, I used the library in my app:

``` public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity { private static final String TAG = "MainActivity";

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

    TextView textView = new TextView(this);
    textView.setText("Welcome to Badges!");

    try {
        LibQaeda libQaeda = new LibQaeda();
        long storePtr = libQaeda.createDummyStore();
        byte[] key = "test_key".getBytes();
        String result = libQaeda.dummyContentGet(1, storePtr, key);

        textView.append("\n\nLibQaeda Test:\n" + result);
    } catch (Exception e) {
        textView.append("\n\nLibQaeda Test Error:\n" + e.getMessage());
    }

    setContentView(textView);
}

} ```

Key Lessons Learned

1. Be careful with pre-built libraries for Android: Pre-built libraries need to be compiled specifically for Android's architectures (arm64-v8a, armeabi-v7a, x86, x86_64). If a library was built for desktop systems (like x86_64 Linux), it won't work on Android devices with different architectures.
2. Consider direct compilation when needed: If you have access to the library's source code and encounter compatibility issues with pre-built versions, compiling the source files directly for Android can solve architecture incompatibility problems.
3. Use Android NDK tools for cross-compilation: When you do need pre-built libraries, use the Android NDK's toolchain to properly cross-compile them for all target Android architectures.
4. Be selective about which files to include: Only include the specific source files you need, which can reduce complexity and potential issues.
5. Handle dependencies carefully: Make sure to include any header files and source code required by your library functions.

Conclusion

In this project, we successfully integrated a C library with an Android application using JNI. While this approach of directly compiling the necessary source files worked well for our immediate needs, there are other paths we could explore in the future. We may need to create an arm64 static library instead, but having the code running is an important first step. The JNI bridge provides a powerful way to leverage existing C/C++ code in Android applications. Whether you're working with algorithms, legacy systems, or performance-critical components, understanding how to connect Java and native code opens up many possibilities for Android development. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you should now have the knowledge to integrate your own C libraries into Android applications, adapting the approach to your specific requirements. Adios!

@ ba36d0f7:cd802cba

¿Qué es un Jaque Mate?

Jaque mate es la jugada decisiva que termina la partida. Ocurre cuando el rey está bajo amenaza directa (en jaque) y no existe ningún movimiento legal que lo salve: ni capturar la pieza atacante, ni interponer una defensa, ni huir a una casilla segura.

A diferencia de otras piezas, el rey nunca puede ser capturado - su caída sería el fin del juego. Por eso, cuando no hay escape posible, la partida concluye inmediatamente. No es necesario "comerlo", pues su destino ya está sellado.

¿Cómo se llega al mate?
Requiere:

1. Amenaza inminente: Una o más piezas atacando al rey enemigo.

2. Bloqueo total: Todas las casillas de escape controladas por el rival.

3. Sin defensa posible: Ninguna pieza puede interceptar el ataque.

Ejemplo básico: El Mate del Pasillo (con torre o dama en la última fila, donde el rey no puede escapar por estar bloqueado por sus propias piezas).

---

1. El primer mandamiento ajedrecístico: Buscar el mate

En una partida, todo movimiento debería comenzar con una pregunta esencial: ¿Existe un jaque mate en esta posición? Tanto para uno mismo como para el rival. Si no lo hay, la partida se desarrolla en torno a la ventaja material o el control posicional. Pero este orden no es arbitrario: un descuido táctico puede arruinar una posición dominante, mientras que un mate pasado por alto significa la derrota inmediata.

Un ejemplo clásico es el Mate del Pastor (1.e4 e5 2.Ac4 Cc6 3.Dh5 Cf6?? 4.Dxf7#). Las blancas ganan porque las negras, al enfocarse únicamente en el desarrollo, ignoraron la amenaza mortal.

➡ Reflexión: En la estrategia, como en la vida, lo urgente (sobrevivir) precede a lo importante (triunfar).

---

2. Filosofía del tablero: Cuando las ventajas no bastan

Un rey solitario puede escapar eternamente si el rival no sabe dar mate. De igual forma, en la existencia humana, las ventajas - ya sean talento, recursos o oportunidades - carecen de valor si no se materializan en acciones decisivas.

• ¿De qué sirve dominar el centro del tablero si no se sabe convertir esa ventaja en un ataque?

• ¿De qué sirven los privilegios si no se usan para construir algo significativo?

El ajedrez, al igual que la vida, no premia la acumulación, sino la ejecución.

---

3. El instinto de supervivencia: Entre el ataque y la resistencia

El miedo a la derrota desencadena reacciones viscerales: ataques desesperados, defensas obsesivas o incluso abandonos prematuros. Pero estas respuestas también revelan verdades profundas sobre la naturaleza humana:

• Supervivencia no siempre significa violencia: Un rey acorralado puede refugiarse tras sus piezas, como un estratega que elige la paciencia sobre la confrontación. ¿Es cobardía o sabiduría?

• El peligro del ego: La arrogancia ("debo ganar rápido") conduce a errores irreparables. La humildad ("resistiré hasta que el rival se equivoque") puede convertir una derrota anunciada en una salvación.

➡ Reflexión: El tablero no miente. Cada jugada expone los instintos más profundos del jugador: miedo, ambición o templanza.

---

Recursos en linea

• Jaque mate - Chess.com https://www.chess.com/es/terms/jaque-mate-ajedrez

• Los 10 mates más rápidos que existen - Chess.com https://www.chess.com/es/article/view/jaques-mates-rapidos-ajedrez

• Aprendiendo a realizar jaque mates básicos - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/iQ5KuZ0y/g87kp3nS

• Ejercicios Mate en 1 - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/buY7UIv2/wze0wPRL

• Patrones de mates - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/HqgY3Z1I/Sv4QhDIb

• Ejercicios Mate en 5 - Lichess.org https://lichess.org/study/VQEv9Cxr

---

article #chess #ajedrez #elsalvador #ajedrezelsalvador #somachess

@ 378562cd:a6fc6773

So, this is the way I see things...

Bitcoin’s rise is not merely a technological revolution—it serves as a masterclass in game theory unfolding in real time. At its core, game theory examines how individuals make decisions when outcomes rely on the choices of others. Bitcoin adoption adheres to this model precisely.

Imagine a global network where each new participant increases the value and security of the system. Early adopters take a risk, hoping others will follow. The incentive to join grows stronger as more people opt in—whether out of curiosity, conviction, or FOMO. No one wants to be last to the party, especially if that party rewrites financial history.

Here’s how the game theory of adoption plays out:

• 🧠 First movers take risks but gain the most—they enter when the price is low and the potential is high.

• 👀 Everyone watches everyone else—people, companies, and countries are scanning the field for the next move.

• The network effect kicks in—the more players are in the game, the more valuable and secure the system becomes.

• ⏳ Waiting can cost you—as adoption grows, the price of entry rises, making hesitation expensive.

• No one wants to be left behind—especially in a global economy battling inflation and instability.

Game theory tells us that smart players make decisions that bring them the most goodies. As Bitcoin gets more popular, it’s like a party that’s really heating up, and you don’t want to be the one left outside! In this thrilling game, the early bird doesn’t just get the worm—it lands a juicy opportunity in a brand-new way to spend money. So don’t dawdle; now’s the time to jump in and grab your piece of this financial fiesta!

@ c253bd19:7911dadc

Welcome to my overly technical green nook and follow me as I explore the possibility of becoming partially self reliant in terms of produce in an urban setting with only limited resources and effort. 🌱🌱

I was going to write a cool lengthy article explaining my motivation. Explaining how I got here and why I want to do what I want to do. I had all the punchy lines ready and I spend a decent amount of time on the first draft. Some parts were even pretty good. But then I realized that the audience of this content probably already knows that something is off. That some parts of our world are just broken. That we need to do something. We can feel it in our bones. The great uneasiness. I realized I'd be preaching to the choir for most part and I therefore decided to park my lengthy article. At least for now.

I am just going to lay out 3 quick thoughts for you to ponder and then I am going to jump straight in. Alright, here it goes:

1. I do software engineering for living. I used to love it for the freedom and creativity. I still like it but I feel like most of my projects have no meaning and add no real world value. You might say this is just a typical case of burnout. But I think that we might be interpreting burnout wrong. Maybe it's just our inner voice telling us to put our skills and efforts towards something meaningful. Maybe we should not fight it. Maybe we should listen.

2. I think our world has become overly complex. I think technology and complicated systems bring a lot of convenience and comfort but I also think that sometimes we go too far and we give up control of our lives. The complexity often hides poor design and occasionally even ill intentions - seeking profit no matter the cost. I think some things should remain small-scale, simple, transparent, and pure.

3. I value personal freedom but I also think we need to take responsibility for our actions, or lack of action. We use nebulous labels to transfer guilt and abstract problems away. The corporations are exploiting the poor countries. The corporations are killing the planet. It helps us sleep better at night. But in fact, the corporations are just groups of people. It's us exploiting each other. It's us destroying the plant. I think it's up to us to do something about it on the individual level. We don't need any grand plans, we just need to do something. Baby steps.

Loosely following the 3 points above, I set out to come up with a personal project that would be:

1. technical and involve coding but at the same time has a very tangible final product
2. has potential to improve my day-to-day life, is reproducible, and may inspire other people
3. revolves around self-reliance, sustainability, and decreasing my environmental footprint

...and voila, I landed with microgreens. I've always had a green thumb and I have a ton of plants in my apartment. I also like to cook and I pay attention to my nutrition. Especially to the quality of the ingredients I use. Produce is a frequent flyer in my meals so naturally I was curious if I could maybe just grow some on my own. I wanted to see if I can opt out from the grocery industry for at least this little part of my nutritional intake. Baby steps, remember? Well, there's one catch. I am not exactly a farmer. Quite the opposite. I live in a tiny apartment in a big city and I don't have a garden (at least for now). That's why microgreens came into play. Being able to grow fresh greens indoors and within just a few days. With only limited supplies and space. That'd be pretty neat.

In my typical fashion, I jumped straight into it. I got some trays and some soil. I ordered some seeds and in just a couple days I successfully...made a huge mess. I hit all kinds of snags. There was soil everywhere. Majority of my crop went down with mold, and the few greens I actually harvested had soil all over them. Mmmm earthy. They were basically unusable. A great success!/s

I quickly realized that this is not the way to go. Sure, I could learn and make this work, but it was clear to me that this is not what I was looking for. I didn't exactly want to start a farm in my living room. I wanted to come up with a clever yet simple process. I wanted something that might take some effort initially but something that is a smooth sailing once set up. With that I went back to the drawing board.

My pilot attempt was a failure but I did learn a few things:

1. soil = mess
2. more variables means more things to go wrong
3. precise and consistent watering is the key to success

For my next iteration I decided to go small and simple. I am going use my 3d printer to print a reusable tray suitable for bottom watering. I will use a coconut fiber mat as the growing medium in order to avoid all the soil mess. I am also thinking about using a simple grid laid on top of the mat to make the greens grow evenly and to make it easier to cut them once they are ready for harvest.

After a few (read countless) hours with Blender, I've got my prototype and the 3d printer warming up so stay tuned...

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

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Autor: Bewegung für Neutralität. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier.**

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Der neue Schweizer Verteidigungsminister, Bundesrat Martin Pfister, wurde gewählt, weil er eine weitere Annäherung an die Nato und die Verteidigiungsstrukturen der EU befürwortet. Die «Bewegung für Neutralität» will ihm mit einem offenen Brief zeigen, dass die Basis anders denkt und die Neutralität hochhalten will. Wenn die Medien die Neutralität schon nicht vertreten, müssen wir es den Verantwortlichen selber sagen, in angemessener Deutlichkeit. Die Bewegung für Neutralität freut sich, wenn möglichst viele den offenen Brief unterzeichnen. (Text: Christoph Pfluger, Mit-Initiator).

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Unter dem Titel «Hoffnungen, Sorgen und ein wachsamer Blick auf Ihre Arbeit» haben wir dem angehenden Bundesrat Martin Pfister einen offenen Brief geschrieben.\ \ Wir machen uns Sorgen, dass Druck auf ihn ausgeübt wird, sich der Nato weiter anzunähern und die Rüstungskosten der EU mitzutragen.\ \ Im Brief erinnern wir ihn an seinen Verfassungsauftrag (Art. 185), die Neutralität zu wahren und teilen ihm mit, dass seine Arbeit unter Beobachtung steht.\ \ Das Original des Briefes ist hier zu finden.

Herrn\ Martin Pfister\ 6319 Allenwinden\ \ 31. März 2025\ \ Hoffnungen, Sorgen und ein wachsamer Blick auf Ihre Arbeit\ \ Sehr geehrter Herr Bundesrat\ \ Wir möchten Sie ganz herzlich zu Ihrer Wahl in den Bundesrat beglückwünschen, ein Amt, das Sie dieser Tage antreten. Wir haben grosse Hoffnungen, dass Sie sich als Historiker der Wurzeln unseres Landes bewusst sind und sie durch Ihre Entscheidungen stärken. Die tragenden Werte der Eidgenossenschaft – Freiheit, Unabhängigkeit und direkte Demokratie – sind auch heute die Basis für eine Zukunft, die wir gerne den nächsten Generationen übergeben möchten.\ \ Alle diese Werte bauen auf der Neutralität. Denn wenn wir uns fremden Mächten und Militärbündnissen anschliessen oder auch nur «annähern», unterordnen wir uns Entscheidungen, die anderswo getroffen werden und irgendwelchen Interessen dienen. Wir verlieren damit nicht nur unsere Freiheit und unsere Unabhängigkeit, sondern auch das Primat des Souveräns und seiner direkt-demokratischen Instrumente.\ \ Wir hegen nicht nur Hoffnungen in Sie, wir haben auch Sorgen. Sie wurden gemäss allgemeiner Wahrnehmung mit den Stimmen derjenigen gewählt, die eine Öffnung gegenüber Allianzen anstreben und zu diesem Zweck die Neutralität «flexibilisieren», «aktualisieren» und «modernisieren» wollen.\ \ Wir halten diese «Flexibilisierung» für eine hochproblematische Position, die unser Land zu einer Parteinahme zwingt  – und dies in einer Zeit, in der sich das bereits bestehende Kriegsgeschehen unvorhersehbar entwickelt und durchaus existenziell werden könnte.\ \ Die sichere Position in Konflikten Dritter ist die neutrale – nicht in schweigender, sondern  in vermittelnder Haltung. Praktisch alle Kriege hätten durch frühzeitige Vermittlung durch eine neutrale Partei verhindert werden können.\ \ Eine Schweiz der guten Dienste muss deshalb neutral bleiben – nicht um Geschäfte zu machen, sondern um den Frieden zu gewinnen. Wir gehen davon aus, dass auch Sie das wollen.\ \ Wir befürchten aber auch, dass Druck auf Sie ausgeübt wird, nicht nur aus dem Parlament, sondern auch von fremden Kräften, die sich eine Beteiligung der Schweiz an Rüstungskosten wünschen oder sonstwie von einer kriegerischen Entwicklung profitieren. In vielen Ländern zählen Rüstungslobbies zu den verschwiegensten und mächtigsten Einflussgruppen.\ \ Wir hoffen, dass Sie diesem Druck standhalten, Ihrem Gewissen folgen und die Neutralität wahren, wie es gemäss Art. 185 der Bundesverfassung Ihr Auftrag als Bundesrat ist.\ \ Wir erlauben uns, Ihre Arbeit in diesem Sinn zu beobachten und Ihnen in angemessener Deutlichkeit mitzuteilen, wenn wir Ihren Verfassungsauftrag in Gefahr sehen.\ \ Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Weisheit und Erfolg in Ihrer grossen Aufgabe, die Ihnen das Schicksal so unerwartet gegeben hat und sichern Ihnen unsere Unterstützung bei der Wahrung der Neutralität zu. Wir wünschen uns eine Schweiz der guten Dienste und nicht der teuren Waffen.\ \ Mir vorzüglicher Hochachtung\ Der Vorstand der Bewegung für Neutralität:\ John C. Ermel\ Daniel Funk\ Alec Gagneux\ Dr. phil. Ariet Güttinger\ Peter König\ Christoph Pfluger\ Pia Rycroft\ Dr. phil. René Roca

u.v.m.

Hier kann der Brief unterzeichnet werden.

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*«Die «Bewegung für Neutralität» wurde am 9. März 2025 als Verein gegründet. Er versteht sich als Trägerverein zur Unterstützung von lokalen Gruppen und Aktivisten, die sich für die Neutralität als Basis von Frieden, direkter Demokratie und eine Schweiz der guten Dienste einsetzen wollen. *

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Die Friedenstaube fliegt auch in Ihr Postfach!

Hier können Sie die Friedenstaube abonnieren und bekommen die Artikel zugesandt. (Vorerst an alle, da wir den Mailversand testen, später ca. drei Mails pro Woche.).

Schon jetzt können Sie uns unterstützen:

• Für 50 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo der Friedenstaube.
• Für 120 CHF/EURO bekommen Sie ein Jahresabo und ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Für 500 CHF/EURO werden Sie Förderer und bekommen ein lebenslanges Abo sowie ein T-Shirt/Hoodie mit der Friedenstaube.
• Ab 1000 CHF werden Sie Genossenschafter der Friedenstaube mit Stimmrecht (und bekommen lebenslanges Abo, T-Shirt/Hoodie).

Für Einzahlungen in CHF (Betreff: Friedenstaube):

Für Einzahlungen in Euro:

Milosz Matuschek

IBAN DE 53710520500000814137

BYLADEM1TST

Sparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg

Betreff: Friedenstaube

Wenn Sie auf anderem Wege beitragen wollen, schreiben Sie die Friedenstaube an: milosz@pareto.space

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Sie sind noch nicht auf Nostr and wollen die volle Erfahrung machen (liken, kommentieren etc.)? Zappen können Sie den Autor auch ohne Nostr-Profil! Erstellen Sie sich einen Account auf Start. Weitere Onboarding-Leitfäden gibt es im Pareto-Wiki.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

I was listening to “Ultimately with R.C. Sproul.” He made the comment that “Sin is so common that we don’t think it is that concerning, but it is especially concerning because it is so common.” This is so true.

I used to really look down on Adam and Eve for eating the forbidden fruit. I thought, “How hard is it to obey a single command? We have so many to obey today from God, government, parents, etc.” One day I finally realized two truths. Adam and Eve were adults, but they had not been around very long (the Bible doesn’t say how long, but the implication is not very long, maybe even as short as days after being created.) They didn’t have life experience. They also had never been lied to before. They weren’t looking at the world with suspicion. They lived in a perfect environment with a perfect, loving God. It would’ve never crossed their mind that a person would lie, so they trusted the lie instead of God.

Today, we live in a sinful, fallen world. Everyone lies. Everyone steals. Everyone is unkind. Everyone has selfish motives. Yes, there is a difference in how often and how “bad” the lie, the theft, the motive, or the unkindness, but sin is everywhere. We get used to it and it seems normal. When we act the same way, it doesn’t seem that bad. We just took a pen home from work, nobody will miss it. We just told the person what they wanted to hear, so we won’t hurt their feelings. It is only a little white lie. Yes, I was unkind, but that person really deserved it because they were worse. We think this way and excuse our sins because we aren’t as bad as someone else.

I’ve noticed as I’ve grown older that the age when you become old keeps getting older and older. Old is always a little bit older than I am. When I was 10, a teenager was really old. When I was 16, an 18 year old was an adult and old. When I was 20, a 40 year old was old. When I was 50, a 65 year old was old. Old keeps getting older because my reference is myself. The truth is that I am getting older. I am on the downhill slide. I am closer to death than I am to birth. My arbitrary, moving reference doesn’t change this fact.

In the same way, when we look at sin, we have the same problem. We are always looking for someone who sins worse to make us look better and to excuse our sins. We compare ourselves to sinful men instead of our perfect, holy, sinless Savior.

In an earlier post, I made the comparison of the lights in the sky. If you go outside on a dark, moonless night, you will see the stars in the sky shining. They seem bright, but some are brighter than others. You can compare the brightness of the stars and call some brighter and others darker, but when the sun rises, you can’t see any light from the stars. Their light is drowned out by the light of the sun. The sun is so much brighter that it is as if the stars don’t produce any light at all.

In the same way, we may do some good things. When we compare our good deeds to others, we may look better, but when the true reference, the Son of God is our reference, our good works look like they don’t exist at all. The differences between the best person and the worst person are insignificant, just like the brightness of the brightest star and the dimmest star seems insignificant when compared with the brightness of the Sun.

The cool thing is that there is another light in the sky, the moon. The moon doesn’t have any light of its own, but it is the second brightest light in the sky. Why? Because it reflects the light of the sun. We should be the same way. We will never measure up if we seek to be good and sinless. We will never meet the standard that Jesus set for us with His perfect, sinless, sacrificial life, but we can reflect the glory of Jesus in our lives.

Yes, when we sin, we can hurt others, but who are we really sinning against? David knows.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;\ According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.\ Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity\ And cleanse me from my sin.\ For I know my transgressions,\ And my sin is ever before me.\ **Against You, You only, I have sinned\ And done what is evil in Your sight,\ So that You are justified when You speak\ And blameless when You judge.\ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,\ And in sin my mother conceived me.\ Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,\ And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. (Psalm 51:1-6) {emphasis mine}

Yes, our sins can hurt other people and do, but the true damage is to the glory of our generous Creator God. We must confess our sins to God first and then to anyone we have hurt. We must accept that we deserve any judgement God gives us because He created us and everyone and everything with which we interact. Our allegiance, submission, and worship is due to our Creator God.

Because we can never fully understand how abhorrent sin is to God, I thought I’d share how a godly man, the priest and prophet, Ezra, reacted to sin among his brethren.

When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat appalled until the evening offering.

But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the Lord my God; and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, our kings and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to open shame, as it is this day. But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. (Ezra 9:3-8) {emphasis mine}

Ezra sees sin, shreds his clothes, pulls out his hair, and sits appalled. Do we feel even a fraction of the horror at guilt that Ezra showed? When faced with some Israelites marrying non-Israelite (many from the banned people groups), Ezra admits that “our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.” How many of us would think that was only a little sin or that since it was only a few people, it wasn’t that important? Ezra, instead of saying, “Why did you send us into exile for 70 years and why are you not blessing us now?” said, “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God.” Instead of accusing God of not being good enough or kind enough, thanks God for His grace which was completely undeserved. If only we could look at sin in this way.

After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and our great guilt, since You our God have requited us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us an escaped remnant as this, (Ezra 9:13) {emphasis mine}

Ezra understood that we all deserve only judgment. Every good thing we receive is only due to God’s grace. Instead of asking why God would allow a bad thing to happen to us, we should be asking why God is so gracious to give us good things in our lives and not give us nothing but punishment.

Jesus also talked about our sins. Although it is good, when we are tempted to sin, to choose to not sin, even evil thoughts are sins. They mean our minds and hearts are not fully submitted to God.

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:21-48) {emphasis mine}

Many people say that as New Testament believers, we are not under the Old Covenant and the Old Testament laws do not apply to us. While that may be true of the ceremonial laws, the truth is that Jesus made the laws stricter. It is still true that we are not to commit murder, but we are also not to hate another. It is still true that we are not to commit adultery, but we are also not to lust after another. We are also not to fight against those who mistreat us and we are to love those who hate us. Jesus expects more, not less, maybe because we now have the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit within us.

If we have the mind of Christ, we should despise the things God hates. If we have the heart of Christ, we should love even those who hate us and we should seek their eternal good. We should see with the eyes of Christ and see the hurt behind the hate and dishonesty. How do we do this? We need to fill our minds with the word of God. We need to obey Paul’s command to those in Philippi:

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

We need to so fill our mind with God’s word that God’s goodness overflows into our lives.

God of heaven, please change our hearts and minds and make them fully aligned with your heart and mind. Help us to see sin as you see sin and to see people as you see people. Help us to see the hurt instead of the lashing out, so we can have a merciful heart towards those who are unkind to us. Help us to fill our minds with your goodness and your word, so there is no room for evil in us. Make us more like you.

Trust Jesus

FYI, there are many people who can’t see their own sin and who discount the severity of sin. I am writing for these people. There are also people who have no trouble seeing their own sin. Their problem is not accepting the forgiveness of God. Never doubt that God has forgiven you if you have confessed your sins and trusted Jesus as Savior. Jesus has covered your sins and the Father sees only the holiness of Jesus. Your relationship with the Godhead is fully reconciled. You should do right out of thankfulness and love of God, but there is nothing else you need to do to be saved and have a right relationship with God.

@ 4925ea33:025410d8

1. O que é um Aromaterapeuta?

O aromaterapeuta é um profissional especializado na prática da Aromaterapia, responsável pelo uso adequado de óleos essenciais, ervas aromáticas, águas florais e destilados herbais para fins terapêuticos.

A atuação desse profissional envolve diferentes métodos de aplicação, como inalação, uso tópico, sempre considerando a segurança e a necessidade individual do cliente. A Aromaterapia pode auxiliar na redução do estresse, alívio de dores crônicas, relaxamento muscular e melhora da respiração, entre outros benefícios.

Além disso, os aromaterapeutas podem trabalhar em conjunto com outros profissionais da saúde para oferecer um tratamento complementar em diversas condições. Como já mencionado no artigo sobre "Como evitar processos alérgicos na prática da Aromaterapia", é essencial ter acompanhamento profissional, pois os óleos essenciais são altamente concentrados e podem causar reações adversas se utilizados de forma inadequada.

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2. Como um Aromaterapeuta Pode Ajudar?

Você pode procurar um aromaterapeuta para diferentes necessidades, como:

✔ Questões Emocionais e Psicológicas

Auxílio em momentos de luto, divórcio, demissão ou outras situações desafiadoras.

Apoio na redução do estresse, ansiedade e insônia.

Vale lembrar que, em casos de transtornos psiquiátricos, a Aromaterapia deve ser usada como terapia complementar, associada ao tratamento médico.

✔ Questões Físicas

Dores musculares e articulares.

Problemas respiratórios como rinite, sinusite e tosse.

Distúrbios digestivos leves.

Dores de cabeça e enxaquecas. Nesses casos, a Aromaterapia pode ser um suporte, mas não substitui a medicina tradicional para identificar a origem dos sintomas.

✔ Saúde da Pele e Cabelos

Tratamento para acne, dermatites e psoríase.

Cuidados com o envelhecimento precoce da pele.

Redução da queda de cabelo e controle da oleosidade do couro cabeludo.

✔ Bem-estar e Qualidade de Vida

Melhora da concentração e foco, aumentando a produtividade.

Estímulo da disposição e energia.

Auxílio no equilíbrio hormonal (TPM, menopausa, desequilíbrios hormonais).

Com base nessas necessidades, o aromaterapeuta irá indicar o melhor tratamento, calculando doses, sinergias (combinação de óleos essenciais), diluições e técnicas de aplicação, como inalação, uso tópico ou difusão.

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3. Como Funciona uma Consulta com um Aromaterapeuta?

Uma consulta com um aromaterapeuta é um atendimento personalizado, onde são avaliadas as necessidades do cliente para a criação de um protocolo adequado. O processo geralmente segue estas etapas:

✔ Anamnese (Entrevista Inicial)

Perguntas sobre saúde física, emocional e estilo de vida.

Levantamento de sintomas, histórico médico e possíveis alergias.

Definição dos objetivos da terapia (alívio do estresse, melhora do sono, dores musculares etc.).

✔ Escolha dos Óleos Essenciais

Seleção dos óleos mais indicados para o caso.

Consideração das propriedades terapêuticas, contraindicações e combinações seguras.

✔ Definição do Método de Uso

O profissional indicará a melhor forma de aplicação, que pode ser:

Inalação: difusores, colares aromáticos, vaporização.

Uso tópico: massagens, óleos corporais, compressas.

Banhos aromáticos e escalda-pés. Todas as diluições serão ajustadas de acordo com a segurança e a necessidade individual do cliente.

✔ Plano de Acompanhamento

Instruções detalhadas sobre o uso correto dos óleos essenciais.

Orientação sobre frequência e duração do tratamento.

Possibilidade de retorno para ajustes no protocolo.

A consulta pode ser realizada presencialmente ou online, dependendo do profissional.

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Quer saber como a Aromaterapia pode te ajudar? Agende uma consulta comigo e descubra os benefícios dos óleos essenciais para o seu bem-estar!

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

There is something quietly rebellious about stacking sats. In a world obsessed with instant gratification, choosing to patiently accumulate Bitcoin, one sat at a time, feels like a middle finger to the hype machine. But to do it right, you have got to stay humble. Stack too hard with your head in the clouds, and you will trip over your own ego before the next halving even hits.

Small Wins

Stacking sats is not glamorous. Discipline. Stacking every day, week, or month, no matter the price, and letting time do the heavy lifting. Humility lives in that consistency. You are not trying to outsmart the market or prove you are the next "crypto" prophet. Just a regular person, betting on a system you believe in, one humble stack at a time. Folks get rekt chasing the highs. They ape into some shitcoin pump, shout about it online, then go silent when they inevitably get rekt. The ones who last? They stack. Just keep showing up. Consistency. Humility in action. Know the game is long, and you are not bigger than it.

Ego is Volatile

Bitcoin’s swings can mess with your head. One day you are up 20%, feeling like a genius and the next down 30%, questioning everything. Ego will have you panic selling at the bottom or over leveraging the top. Staying humble means patience, a true bitcoin zen. Do not try to "beat” Bitcoin. Ride it. Stack what you can afford, live your life, and let compounding work its magic.

Simplicity

There is a beauty in how stacking sats forces you to rethink value. A sat is worth less than a penny today, but every time you grab a few thousand, you plant a seed. It is not about flaunting wealth but rather building it, quietly, without fanfare. That mindset spills over. Cut out the noise: the overpriced coffee, fancy watches, the status games that drain your wallet. Humility is good for your soul and your stack. I have a buddy who has been stacking since 2015. Never talks about it unless you ask. Lives in a decent place, drives an old truck, and just keeps stacking. He is not chasing clout, he is chasing freedom. That is the vibe: less ego, more sats, all grounded in life.

The Big Picture

Stack those sats. Do it quietly, do it consistently, and do not let the green days puff you up or the red days break you down. Humility is the secret sauce, it keeps you grounded while the world spins wild. In a decade, when you look back and smile, it will not be because you shouted the loudest. It will be because you stayed the course, one sat at a time. \ \ Stay Humble and Stack Sats. 🫡

@ 0f9da413:01bd07d7

หลังจากที่เดินทางเกือบ 18 ชั่วโมงเราก็มาถึงหาดใหญ่กันแล้ว ช่วงระยะเวลาที่อยู่บนรถไฟเป็นอะไรที่เรี่ยเปี่ยมากๆ นั่งมองข้างทางส่วนมีเหตุการณ์อะไรนั่น ติดตามบทความพิเศษได้เร็วๆ นี้ ผมก็ได้พบเจอเพื่อนบน nostr ท่านหนึ่งที่อยู่หาดใหญ่อาสาพาทัวร์ในหาดใหญ่แห่งนี้ กัปตันนั่นเอง ขนาดชื่อเล่นจริงๆ ยังไม่เคยถามหลังจากที่ดูใน btcmap แล้วพบว่าร้านเปิดตอนกลางคืน ซึ่งเรามีเวลาคืนเดียวในการอยู่ที่หาดใหญ่ ดังนั้นหลังจากช่วงกลางวันพาทัวร์แถวสงขลากันแล้ว ก็ได้พากลับมาตามล่าหาร้านรับ bitcoin lighting ในหาดใหญ่ มีอยู่สามสถานที่ แต่มีเพียงสองร้าน คือ

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Soymilk Toyou ฉือฉาง และ น้ำเต้าหู้ SOYMILK TOYOU

น้ำเต้าหูหลากหลายรสชาติ มีอยู่สองสาขาอยู่บริเวณ ตลาดโต้รุ่งฉื่อฉาง และ ถนนปุณณกัณฑ์ สาขาแรกอยู่ในตลาดโต้รุ่ง ร้านเล็กๆ เหมาะกับการชื้อกลับ และอีกร้านหนึ่งอยู่บริเวณเป็นร้านที่เหมาะกับนั่งทานที่ร้าน ซึ่งมีเต้าหู้หลากหลายรสชาติ ให้เลือกจนตาลายกันเลยทีเดียว สำหรับสาขา ถนนปุณณภัณฑ์นั้นมีเมนูเพิ่มเติมอย่าง เฉาก๋วยนมสด พุดติ้ง เต้าถึง และเฉาก๊วยโบราณ สาขานี้ลักษณะร้านออกแนวเกาหลีหน่อยๆ ซึ่งก็ค่อนข้างเหมาะกับชื่อร้านเหมือนกัน ค่อนข้างได้ฟิลพอสมควร ซึ่งผมเองกับกัปตันเองก็ได้แวะทั้งสองร้าน 4 แก้ว น่าจะเป็นเบาหวานเร็วๆ นี้ แต่ยังมีอีกหลากหลายอย่างที่ผมยังไม่ได้ลองชิม คราวหน้าอาจจะต้องได้ไปแวะใช้บริการอีกครั้ง ทั้งสองสาขานี้มีป้ายรับ bitcoin lighting ด้วยซึ่งอาจจะต้องสังเกตกันนิดหนึ่ง หากต้องการใช้งาน ซึ่งทั้งสองร้านนี้ก็สปีนประมาณ 5,820 sats

Soymilk Toyou ฉือฉาง (ตลาดโต้รุ่งฉื่อฉาง) Google-map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1PUVX3wkuzLBrQjw7

BTC-map: https://btcmap.org/merchant/node:12351330907

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น้ำเต้าหู้ SOYMILK TOYOU (ถนนปุณณกัณฑ์) Google-map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FFaZSXKEvGwKvrwZ7

BTC-map: https://btcmap.org/merchant/node:12346018233

และเมื่อผมและกัปตันต้อง spin sats ทั้งสองร้านก็กลายเป็นว่าได้น้ำตาลมาหน่อยๆ แต่ไหนๆก็มาแล้วจะไม่ใช้ก็อย่างไรอยู่ ซึ่งรสชาติก็แตกต่างกันไปตามที่เราได้สั่ง ส่วนตัวเองสาขาตลาดโต้รุ่งฉื่อฉาง ผมสั่งน้ำเต้าหู้ธรรมดา และสาขา ถนนปุณณกัณฑ์ ก็น้ำลำใยบวกกับพุดติ้งเมนูของร้าน น้ำตาลน่าจะสไปรท์กันสุดๆแล้วละ 555+

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ดูด(Dude) หลังจากเมากับความหวานทั้งสองสาขากันไปแล้ว เอ้ยนี่เราจะลุยกันต่อเรอะ เออว่ะ ก็กูนอนที่หาดใหญ่แค่คืนเดียวแล้วดันก็เปิดแค่กลางคืนด้วย ก็คงต้องอัดหน้าท้องแล้วละ กับอีกร้านหนึ่งที่รับ sats กับร้าน ดูด(Dude)

หากดูในแผนที่อยู่ระหว่างกลางร้านก่อนหน้าทั้งสองสาขา กึ่งกลางพอดิบพอดี ร้านนี้เป็นร้านขายเครื่องดื่มและกับแกล้มและมีกับข้าวช่วงเย็น เป็นบาร์กลางคืน ไม่มีเบียร์เหล้าขายนะ (ในใจนึกว่าจะมีเสียอีก) แต่หากอยากจ่าย lighting อาจจะต้องแจ้งกับเจ้าของร้านหน่อยเพราะไม่เจอป้ายรับ lighting เราก็อัดน้ำถังไปอีกคนละแก้ว (แก้วถังที่ใส่น้ำแข็งเยอะๆ) นั่งคุยกันเพลินๆ ซึ่งทั้งสามร้านเราก็เมากับน้ำหวาน มีกับแกล้มซึ่งกินไม่ค่อยไหวแล้วเพราะไปเปย์สาวๆตอนเย็นไปแล้ว เอ้ย และร้านท้ายนี้หมดไปทั้งหมด 6,809 sats

Google-map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/41Tsj4GLWvm7M6TC6

BTC-map: https://btcmap.org/merchant/node:12478715046

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จบกันแล้วสำหรับสองร้านในหาดใหญ่ ตามบน BTC-map ถือว่าเราได้ไปครบแล้วในหาดใหญ่ ซึ่งโซนบริเวณภาคใต้นี่เป็นสถานที่ที่ผมซึ่งเป็นคนเหนือเองอยากจะได้เยี่ยมชมแวะไปหาและอยากไปเรียนรู้เกี่ยวกับวัฒนธรรมที่นี้ มันมีอะไรที่ผมอยากจะค้นหาและตามลิ้มลองรสชาติของอาหารปักใต้ แน่นอนยังมีอีกหลายสถานที่ที่กำลังจะมีให้ใช้งานในอนาคต ร้านค้าที่เกี่ยวข้องที่รับ lighting ซึ่งพอมีเยอะๆแล้วก็คงตามไล่ไปแวะชิมก็น่าจะไม่หมดแน่นอน อย่างน้อยๆ ผมเองก็ได้แวะไปเที่ยวหาเพื่อนที่อยู่บน nostr ที่นั่นที่นี้ แม้จะระยะเวลาสั้นๆ แต่ก็ถือว่าเป็นครั้งแรกที่ได้แวะเที่ยวหาดใหญ่ เที่ยวสงขลา ถ่ายรูปกับรูปนางเงือกหาดสมิลา (กัปตันบอกลูบนมเลย ไม่เอากลัวได้แฟนที่นี้ เอ้าไปที่ไหนก็กลัวหมด บวชพระป่ะ 555+)

แต่เพลงนี้มันเพราะจริงๆ นะถึงแม้จะเศร้านิดหน่อย ไปตรงนั่นได้ยังไง และจุดสุดท้ายนั่นคือเชียงใหม่ ซึ่งช่วงระหว่างกำลังจะขึ้นเครื่องไปเชียงใหม่ อ้าวเกิดแผ่นดินไหวชะงั้น ซึ่งเชียงใหม่นั้น มีร้านใน btcmap เยอะพอสมควรและมีแวะไปร้านหนึ่งกลายเป็นว่าไม่รับชะแล้ว จะมีกี่ร้านที่ผมไปแวะเยี่ยมชิม ติดตามใน ตอนสุดท้ายในบทความกับ ep4

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ท้ายนี้ผมเปิดเพจบนเมนสตรีมละเน้อ ตามได้ในเพจ ไปกับจิ๊บ (บนเฟสบุ๊ค) ผมคงเอาไว้แอบติดตามเพื่อนบน nostr บนเฟสบุ๊คที่พอที่จะติดตามได้บ้าง น่าจะได้อ่านอะไรต่างๆที่ใหลมา คงเอาไว้เขียนรีวิวประสบการณ์การท่องเที่ยวส่วนตัว เพื่อนสมัยเรียนผมเคยบอกว่ามึงไปเที่ยวบ่อยมึงไม่เขียนลงบ้างวะ ไม่เอาขี้เกียจวะ ไม่รู้จะดึงพลังงานตอนทำเพจสมัยมอปลายได้หรือไม่ ก็ไม่รู้เหมือนกัน เอาไว้ส่องๆโปรไฟล์ใครบน nostr ที่อยู่บนเฟสแหละ ฮ่าๆ เป็นเพจอยากเล่าอะไรก็อยากเล่า และแว๊บไปคอมเมนต์เพื่อนๆ บน nostr บ้าง ขอบคุณครับ

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

This piece is the first in a series that will focus on things I think are a priority if your focus is similar to mine: building a strong family and safeguarding their future.

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Choosing the ideal place to raise a family is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. For simplicity sake I will break down my thought process into key factors: strong property rights, the ability to grow your own food, access to fresh water, the freedom to own and train with guns, and a dependable community.

A Jurisdiction with Strong Property Rights

Strong property rights are essential and allow you to build on a solid foundation that is less likely to break underneath you. Regions with a history of limited government and clear legal protections for landowners are ideal. Personally I think the US is the single best option globally, but within the US there is a wide difference between which state you choose. Choose carefully and thoughtfully, think long term. Obviously if you are not American this is not a realistic option for you, there are other solid options available especially if your family has mobility. I understand many do not have this capability to easily move, consider that your first priority, making movement and jurisdiction choice possible in the first place.

Abundant Access to Fresh Water

Water is life. I cannot overstate the importance of living somewhere with reliable, clean, and abundant freshwater. Some regions face water scarcity or heavy regulations on usage, so prioritizing a place where water is plentiful and your rights to it are protected is critical. Ideally you should have well access so you are not tied to municipal water supplies. In times of crisis or chaos well water cannot be easily shutoff or disrupted. If you live in an area that is drought prone, you are one drought away from societal chaos. Not enough people appreciate this simple fact.

Grow Your Own Food

A location with fertile soil, a favorable climate, and enough space for a small homestead or at the very least a garden is key. In stable times, a small homestead provides good food and important education for your family. In times of chaos your family being able to grow and raise healthy food provides a level of self sufficiency that many others will lack. Look for areas with minimal restrictions, good weather, and a culture that supports local farming.

Guns

The ability to defend your family is fundamental. A location where you can legally and easily own guns is a must. Look for places with a strong gun culture and a political history of protecting those rights. Owning one or two guns is not enough and without proper training they will be a liability rather than a benefit. Get comfortable and proficient. Never stop improving your skills. If the time comes that you must use a gun to defend your family, the skills must be instinct. Practice. Practice. Practice.

A Strong Community You Can Depend On

No one thrives alone. A ride or die community that rallies together in tough times is invaluable. Seek out a place where people know their neighbors, share similar values, and are quick to lend a hand. Lead by example and become a good neighbor, people will naturally respond in kind. Small towns are ideal, if possible, but living outside of a major city can be a solid balance in terms of work opportunities and family security.

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Let me know if you found this helpful. My plan is to break down how I think about these five key subjects in future posts.

@ 7bc05901:8c26d22b

My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I were heading back from Nashville after celebrating the opening of Bitcoin Park in Nashville. My boy Ryan had, once again, drug me to a Bitcoin event in the waning days of my stubborn shitcoinery. This event was the nail in the coffin for those days, and I'm happy to say the "stay humble stack sats" message finally permeated.

My wife is a dedicated reseller, her family has been flipping garage sale finds and auction grabs for years, so we rarely see a flea market or antique mall that we pass up. Somewhere between Missouri and Nashville we pulled off the highway to check out a spot in a dying but (if you squint your eyes and imagine it is 50 years in the past) a picturesque little town.

We were in my little Scion FRS, a two door sports car, so when I came across an old newspaper vending machine, I had to do a lot of geometry to figure out if I could shove this thing in the Scion. I concluded that my girlfriend would have to ride in the backseat for the remaining three hour drive if I really wanted to scoop up this vending machine, because it was too wide to slide into the trunk. Even though she knew I had an infatuation for retro newspaper things and was encouraging me to buy it, I declined. Probably the right call, but I still think about that thing -- the price was right.

I don't know what I would have done with it, but I have for years produced various hobbyist newspaper zines focusing on local political issues that I distributed from the coffeeshop that I worked at in my small town. The idea was hitting so hard when the social media censorship conversation was at a fever pitch after 2016 -- You can't censor a copy machine, I kept thinking. Analog zines, I was convinced, were the future.

I hadn't thought through decentralized social media protocols, but I did get really tired of distributing zines that nobody was excited to pay me for. Copying, organizing, stapling. I should have known I didn't have the patience to maintain that, or the finances.

Even established local news corporations, especially in my town, are struggling to justify a print version. This wasn't the case a quarter of a century ago.

My dad would stop at the Casey's convenience story every morning on the way into town, as he took us to school. If you brought your own travel mug, it was only fifty cents to fill up your cup of coffee. Nearly everyday, he would also come out with a copy of the local newspaper: The Daily Journal. The price was right around a dollar for the paper. It might have even been cheaper, like fifty or seventy-five cents.

The idea I am inching towards in this post, is that if every person valued the distribution of local (and global) news to the tune of a buck or a buck fifty, we could see the re-emergence sustaining news ecosystems. A buck fifty is almost two thousand sats today -- imagine if each appreciator of local news set aside just a thousand sats a day to zap news distributors. If there was a bias for following and amplifying local news events in each user's town, which tend to get a lot of attention on the centralized social media platforms, I think an entirely new value-4-value journalism enterprise model could emerge.

It may be important to start tinkering on a client that is built specifically for newspapers. I am not sure which features would be critical, but as the normies trickle over to the uncensorable social media protocol -- let's be ready.