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@ df67f9a7:2d4fc200
2025-06-05 19:52:32Nostr is NOT a social network. Nostr is a network of interconnected social apps. And, since any app is a social app, Nostr is for every app.
ONLY Nostr incentivizes inter-connectivity between independent apps, simply by respecting sovereignty at the protocol layer. For end users, sovereignty means that the content they post “to Nostr” will never be owned by the apps that they use. For businesses building apps on Nostr, sovereignty means that every app actually benefits by other apps being on the network. Because sovereignty is respected, users are retained for longer and independent apps thrive far longer on Nostr than on the legacy “black box” social networks.
Social apps thrive on Nostr
Nostr integration provides these benefits for every app :
- Unrestrained access for any app, to all public and private data “on Nostr”. No fees or licenses for harvesting user data from the network.
- Unburdened from liability, when collecting user data with any app. When sending “to Nostr”, end users retain custody of user data while apps never loose access.
- Unlimited free market of search engines and feed algos. Users and brands can create, use, and share any algos or custom feeds. Grow your audience on your own terms.
- Universal open network for all apps. Build any kind of app for any audience, on the same network as other apps for other audiences. Discover new trends from user data.
- Unregulated tech platform. Build your own app and use it as you wish. No gate keepers. No code review.
Sovereignty is good for business.
Regardless of the network size, a Nostr integrated app can grow its user base MUCH faster and with greater independence BECAUSE of the sovereignty respecting protocol. While end users may retain custody of their identities and data on the network, it’s the apps that determine which data is, or is not, sent to the network. Respect for sovereignty IS the killer feature that ONLY the Nostr protocol provides for apps and for end users.
Because Nostr is permissionless for any app to integrate :
- end users will always have a free market of apps choose from
- apps are free to integrate only as much as benefits their business model.
- apps gain access to more novel data as new apps bring new users to the network.
Because data on Nostr is managed by end users and available to all apps :
- User data looses exclusivity and the demand shifts toward novel insights and information derived from these data.
- Apps are freed from having to be “data pirates”, and can focus on establishing a trusted user base, providing valuable services to satisfied customers, informed by the abundance of user data.
- Apps are incentivized to offload data onto the network, establishing a new paradigm for interconnectivity, where independence is NOT at stake as the network grows.
- New markets spring up to support users with self custody of their data, driven by the reality that apps can have full access without assuming responsibility.
- The market for search and algo tools opens up for independent apps and end users to discover and interact freely with each other.
- The ad based “attention economy” slowly transforms to a value based consumer economy, where the end user is the customer rather than the product being sold.
Even while privacy is respected
Sometimes sovereignty is at odds with privacy, but Nostr allows all parties to win while both are protected.
- For end users sending sensetive data "to Nostr", privacy is assured by encrypting it with their own private keys and/or sending it to private (auth required) relays of their choosing.
- For apps handling private IP or business data, any traditional “black box” infrastructure can be used in the back end to manitain isolation from Nostr.
This means apps and end users remain in control of their own private data, without requiring “big social” as trust provider or data reseller. To access a user's private data, client apps (even search engines, running locally) only need explicit permission from the end user to retrieve or decrypt from Nostr relays. Public data, on the other hand, is freely available for any app or search engine to harvest from any Nostr relay. In either case, user data on the Nostr network is always accessible to client apps, without additional restrictions or fees.
Nostr is for every app.
Adding social to any app makes it a better app. Add reviews for products or services. Add commenting or direct messaging. Share or collaborate on content creation. Nostr integration is straightforward and incremental for any app.
Nostr doesn't define your app's business model ... Nostr 10X's it!
Here's how :
- Start with your own business and app design. Add Nosrr login.
- Discover what "kinds" of user data already exists "on Nostr" that your app can ingest and make use of.
- Decide which "kinds" of data would benefit your business, your users, and the network, if sent "to Nostr".
- Implement Nostr integration for data kinds and add webs of trust tools for recommendation and discovery.
- Verify your app is sovereignty respecting in how it handles private data and implements Nostr NIPs.
- Engage with existing users, and onboard new users from your app, to earn their trust and patronage over Nostr.
For more info and assistance, contact our team of Nostr integration experts.
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@ 05a0f81e:fc032124
2025-06-05 18:36:08Akhenaten (originally named Amenhotep IV) was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt known for radically transforming Egyptian religion, art, and culture. He is most famous for promoting the worship of one god—Aten, the sun disk—marking one of the earliest recorded movements toward monotheism.
Early Life and Rise to Power of pharaoh Akhenaten.
The Birth Name was Amenhotep IV, and he was born Around 1380 BCE. By Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and the mother Likely Queen Tiye. He grew up and married a Wife, Nefertiti, one of Egypt's most iconic queens. He have children, Including daughters and likely the father of Tutankhamun (King Tut).
Amenhotep IV ascended the throne around 1353 BCE, succeeding his father, a powerful and prosperous pharaoh, and there was a Religious Revolution.
A Shift Toward Monotheism
Around his 5th regnal year, Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaten, meaning "Effective for Aten".
He abandoned the traditional Egyptian pantheon, especially the powerful god Amun, and elevated Aten as the sole god.
This was a dramatic break from Egypt's deeply rooted polytheistic religion.
The capital city Akhetaten (Modern-day Amarna). Akhenaten moved the capital from Thebes to a new city he built from scratch: Akhetaten (Horizon of Aten).
The city was dedicated entirely to the Aten religion and became a center of art, culture, and politics.
Nefertiti was not just a queen but a powerful co-ruler. Some theories suggest she may have ruled independently for a time after Akhenaten’s death (possibly as Neferneferuaten).
They had at least six daughters. The identity of Akhenaten's sons is debated, but Tutankhamun is widely believed to be his son, possibly by a secondary wife.
Decline and Death
Akhenaten died around 1336 BCE after a 17-year reign.
After his death, his successors (including Tutankhamun) restored traditional religion, abandoned Atenism, and moved the capital back to Thebes.
His monuments were defaced, and his name was erased from king lists, a process known as damnatio memoriae (damnation of memory).
Legacy
Akhenaten is remembered as:
A visionary who introduced monotheism before it appeared in other cultures.
A heretic who defied over a thousand years of religious tradition.
A reformer whose bold changes caused cultural upheaval.
His religious revolution was short-lived, but modern historians and archaeologists regard him as one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in ancient history.
The reasons why Pharaoh Akhenaten introduced monotheism, the worship of Aten, the sun disk, as the one true god are still debated by historians, but several key political, religious, personal, and philosophical factors likely contributed.
✅ Main Reasons Why Akhenaten Introduced Monotheism
- Religious Reform: Belief in a Universal Power
Akhenaten may have genuinely believed in Aten as the supreme creator and life-giver.
The sun was already important in Egyptian religion (Ra, Amun-Ra), but Akhenaten stripped away all personification, choosing the sun's disk (Aten) as a pure, abstract symbol of divine power.
He saw Aten as omnipresent, providing light and life to everything and everyone equally.
- Political Motivation: Weaken the Power of the Priests
The priesthood of Amun at Thebes had become extremely wealthy and powerful, almost a state within a state. By elevating Aten and banning Amun's worship, Akhenaten dismantled the influence of the Amun priests and centralized religious power in his own hands. He made himself the sole mediator between Aten and the people, increasing royal control.
- Personal Vision and Identity
Akhenaten may have had a personal religious experience or conviction that shaped his devotion to Aten.
His new name, “Akhenaten,” meaning “Effective for the Aten,” reflects a deep, personal connection to this god.
He often depicted himself and his family in direct contact with Aten, showing a highly intimate and unique belief system.
- Philosophical and Artistic Shift
Akhenaten's reign saw a revolution in art, emphasizing naturalism, emotion, and individuality.
This change in thinking may reflect a broader philosophical shift toward a more abstract and spiritual understanding of the divine unified in Aten.
Atenism removed the idea of gods with human forms, replacing them with a universal force (the sun's light).
- Reaction Against Religious Corruption or Complexity
Traditional Egyptian religion had hundreds of gods, rituals, and temple hierarchies.
Akhenaten may have seen the system as corrupt, ritualistic, and too complex for ordinary people.
Atenism was simple, focused, and accessible, with the sun’s light reaching everyone equally.
- Political Instability or Health Issues (Speculative)
Some theories suggest Akhenaten’s appearance (depicted with elongated head, wide hips, etc.) may reflect a genetic disorder (e.g., Marfan syndrome or Froehlich's syndrome).
If he was sickly, he may have been drawn to religious introspection or spiritual reform.
Others suggest that political instability or unrest during his early reign may have motivated a bold unifying reform.
Summary
Akhenaten’s monotheism was unprecedented in Egypt’s long religious history. Whether he was a spiritual visionary, a political tactician, or both, his religious revolution stands out as one of the most dramatic and controversial in ancient history.
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@ ac8bb9b0:70278acc
2025-06-05 18:12:29Details
- ⏲️ Prep time: 15 min
- 🍳 Cook time: 20 min
- 🍽️ Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large ripe bananas)
- 1/3 cup (113g) honey
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (56g) coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (130g) whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup (41g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mash the bananas up using a fork.* Try to mash up any large lumps. Once mashed, whisk in the honey, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla extract until combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until everything is combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, reserving some for the tops of the warm muffins.
- Spoon the batter evenly into each cup or liner, filling each all the way to the top.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F (218°C); then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce heat to 350°F (177°C) and continue baking for another 15–17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 20–21 minutes, give or take. (For mini muffins, bake 11–13 minutes at 350°F (177°C) the whole time.)
- Press any remaining chocolate chips into the tops of the warm muffins. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling, or enjoy warm.
- Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days, then transfer to the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-06-05 18:02:22The Spanish coffee chain follows in Strategy’s footsteps, aiming for a Bitcoin-first strategy.
Vanadi Coffee SA, a well-known Spanish coffee shop chain, is preparing for a major shift in its business model through a bitcoin investment worth over $1.1 billion. The company plans to transform itself from a simple coffee distributor into an entity centered around the leading cryptocurrency.
Salvador Martí, chairman of the board of directors, has outlined a clear vision for the company’s future, seeking authorization to implement a bitcoin accumulation strategy with a maximum budget of €1 billion, according to documentation submitted to BME Growth.
The strategy involves using convertible financing lines to support the bitcoin acquisition, following the model successfully pioneered by Strategy. Martí has already demonstrated his conviction by purchasing 5 BTC for approximately $500,000 two weeks ago.
Vanadi Coffee’s decision comes at a critical moment for the company, which reported losses of $3.7 million in 2024 — exceeding its annual revenues by nearly $600,000. The GameStop episode offers a relevant case study: the American company, facing similar difficulties, opted to purchase bitcoin through a debt securities issuance, acquiring a total of 4,710 bitcoins.
The corporate bitcoin trend
Vanadi Coffee’s initiative is part of a broader global movement, with companies from various industries embracing bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. From Chinese logistics firms to football clubs, the phenomenon of corporate adoption is crossing both geographic and sectoral boundaries.
Strategy remains the pioneer of this approach, having demonstrated how a company can completely reinvent itself through bitcoin accumulation. Michael Saylor’s success story has inspired numerous other businesses to consider cryptocurrency not merely as an investment, but as a central pillar of their business strategy.
The next Vanadi Coffee board meeting, scheduled for June 29, will mark a pivotal moment for the Spanish company. Approval of the $1.1 billion strategy could trigger further investments from other corporations.
The post Spanish company Vanadi Coffee bets on Bitcoin: $1.1 billion investment appeared first on Atlas21.
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@ 20e7c953:3b8bcb21
2025-06-05 10:45:0721… That number means something. A reminder that limits create value - both in Bitcoin and in life.
Every June 21st, skaters around the world remind us that freedom is something you make yourself - one push at a time only constrained by your own limitations.
This year in Vientiane, we’re proud to support one of the few real skate spots in Laos. A place built and held together by skaters for skaters.
Expect around 50 locals - from young kids to older heads - showing up not just to skate, but to hold space for each other. No ego, no filters, just boards, fun and respect.
Bitcoiners have lots to learn from these communities on this regard. Go skate and you'll find out.
SnF
Laostr
Skateboardingisfun
Skate4Fun
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@ da8b7de1:c0164aee
2025-06-05 17:39:41| Régió/Ország | Fő esemény/politika | Forrás | |------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Egyesült Államok | Végrehajtási rendeletek a nukleáris termelés négyszeresére növeléséről; a nem létfontosságú K+F költségvetésének csökkentése; SMR és mikroreaktor kezdeményezések | world-nuclear-news, nucnet, aoshearman, ans | | Kanada | Engedélyezés új BWRX-300 SMR reaktor építésére Darlingtonban | world-nuclear-news, ans | | Európa | EU tervek az orosz nukleáris importok korlátozására; Westinghouse–Bulgária beszállítói megállapodások | nucnet, world-nuclear-news | | Globális/Világbank | A nukleáris finanszírozási tilalom esetleges feloldása a fejlődő országok számára | globalissues | | Egyesült Királyság| Új kiberbiztonsági jogszabályok a nukleáris szektorban | aoshearman | | Katonaság/Védelem| A védelmi minisztérium cégeket választott ki mikroreaktorok telepítésére | ans |
Források:
world-nuclear-news
nucnet
aoshearman
globalissues
ans -
@ 2f5de000:2f9bcef1
2025-06-05 17:33:37I've wanted to write this piece for months. Not because I have anything against Jack Mallers personally - quite the opposite. But because I've watched a pattern emerge in Bitcoin that mirrors one of the most chilling dynamics in Atlas Shrugged: the systematic destruction of our most productive builders by the very people who should be celebrating them.
We are the looters. And Jack might just be our Hank Rearden.
The Underdog's Dilemma
There's a cruel irony in how we treat success in Bitcoin. We champion the underdog, root for the builder in the garage, celebrate the cypherpunk taking on the establishment. But the moment that underdog succeeds - the moment they scale, grow, and inevitably have to navigate the messy realities of the existing system - we turn on them with the ferocity of the same establishment we claim to oppose.\ \ Jack began building Zap (which evolved into Strike) from his parents home in Chicago. Strike has grown into one of the most seamless fiat-to-bitcoin on-ramps for everyday users. No complexity, just pure utility. From day one, he's operated at a level of transparency that would make most CEO's uncomfortable. He's been building in public, taking feedback, admitting mistakes, and iterating - sometimes within hours of criticism.
The Rearden Parallel
In Atlas Shrugged, Hank Rearden creates Rearden Metal - a revolutionary alloy that's stronger, lighter, and more efficient than anything that came before. Instead of celebration, he faces endless scrutiny, regulation, and demands to prove is worthiness. The people who benefit from his innovation spend their time questioning his motives, dissecting his business practices, and demanding he justify his success.
Sound familiar?
Jack comes from a finance background - his father and grandfather were in the industry. This isn't a liability; it's an asset. He understands the beast we're fighting. He's been a Bitcoiner since 2013 with a spotless track record in a space littered with exit scams and broken promises. His values align with proof of work, individualism, and the radical idea that bitcoin is for everyone.
Yet when he helps launch 21 Capital, we don't see innovation - we see betrayal. When he navigates regulatory requirements to build products that can actually reach mainstream adoption, we don't see pragmatism - we see capitulation.
The Scarred Perspective
Our skepticism isn't entirely unfounded. We've been burned before. Mt. Gox, FTX, Three Arrows Capital, Celcius, Terra/ LUNA, BlockFi, Bitconnect, Voyager, QuadrigaCX - the graveyard of Bitcoin is littered with the corpses of trusted institutions. We've learned, painfully, that trust must be earned and verified.
But somewhere along the way, our healthy skepticism has metastasized into destructive paranoia. We've become so focused on protecting ourselves from the next SBF that we're attacking the people building the future we claim to want.
I'm guilty of this myself. I've made scathing attacks on my Nostr feed, comparing Jack to SBF, scrutinising contract clauses about re-hypothecation, and questioning his every move privately. I was viewing his actions through the lens of collective trauma rather than the reality of his long track record.
The Looters Paradox
Here's the uncomfortable truth: we're not just passive observers in this drama. We're active participants. We're the looters.
In Atlas Shrugged, the looters don't necessarily steal directly. They steal time, energy, and focus. They create bureaucracy, demnd endless justification, and burden the productive with the weight of constant explanation. They don't build competing products - they just tear down what others have built.
Everytime we demand Jack explain his business model for the hundredth time, we're stealing his time. Every time we scrutinize his partnerships without offering alternatives, we're creating bureaucracy . Everytime we attack his character rather than his arguments, we're furthering the system we claim to oppose.
The free market will create products whether we like them or not. People will build services that use bitcoin as collateral, create lending products, and navigate regulatory frameworks. The question isn't whether these products will exist - it's whether they'll be built by people who share our values or by those who don't.
The Atlantis Risk
The producers eventually withdraw from society in Atlas Shrugged, retreating to Galt's Gulch (Atlantis) and leaving the looters to face the consequences of their destructive behaviour. The economy collapses because the people who actually build things decided it wasn't worth the hassle anymore.
We're walking dangerously close to this precipice in Bitcoin. We're creating an environment where our most capable builders might just decide it's not worth it. Where the hassle of dealing with our constant scrutiny and bad-faith attacks outweighs the mission of building the future.
Jack has been more patient with our criticism than we deserve. He's addressed concerns publicly, changed the course when necessary, and continued building despite the noise. But patience has limits. At some point, even the most mission-driven builders will ask themselves: "Why am I doing this?"
The Path Forward
I don't know enough about finance to fully understand everything Jack is building with 21 Capital. Neither do most of his critics. But I know enough about Bitcoin to recognise someone who's been fighting the good fight for over a decade.
This doesn't mean we should trust blindly. It doesn't mean we should stop asking questions or demanding transparency. But it does mean we should approach our builders with the same benefit of the doubt we'd want for ourselves.
We need to distinguish between healthy skepticism and destructive paranoia. Between holding people accountable and tearing them down. Between being vigilant and being looters.
The fiat system is the real enemy here. It's massive, entrenched, and infinitely resourcesful. It will adapt, co-opt, and corrupt everything it touches. Fighting it requires builders who are willing to get their hands dirty, navigate imperfect systems, and make pragmatic compromises while holding onto their core values.
We can continue to be looters, tearing down what we don't understand and driving our best builders toward their own version of Atlantis. Or we can be what we claim to be: supporters of the free market, believers of proof of work, and champions of those building the future.
Don't trust. Verify. But remember: verification works both ways.
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-06-04 01:24:36Howdy stackers, this is the place to share your ~HealthAndFitness triumphs and challenges.
I was glad to hit my step goal today, since it's gloomy and rainy here. Once again, I ate too many cookies. Gotta stop being a cookie monster.
How'd you all do, today?
https://stacker.news/items/996659
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-05-21 16:58:36The other day, I had the privilege of sitting down with one of my favorite living artists. Our conversation was so captivating that I felt compelled to share it. I’m leaving his name out for privacy.
Since our last meeting, I’d watched a documentary about his life, one he’d helped create. I told him how much I admired his openness in it. There’s something strange about knowing intimate details of someone’s life when they know so little about yours—it’s almost like I knew him too well for the kind of relationship we have.
He paused, then said quietly, with a shy grin, that watching the documentary made him realize how “odd and eccentric” he is. I laughed and told him he’s probably the sanest person I know. Because he’s lived fully, chasing love, passion, and purpose with hardly any regrets. He’s truly lived.
Today, I turn 44, and I’ll admit I’m a bit eccentric myself. I think I came into the world this way. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I carry few regrets. Every misstep taught me something. And as I age, I’m not interested in blending in with the world—I’ll probably just lean further into my own brand of “weird.” I want to live life to the brim. The older I get, the more I see that the “normal” folks often seem less grounded than the eccentric artists who dare to live boldly. Life’s too short to just exist, actually live.
I’m not saying to be strange just for the sake of it. But I’ve seen what the crowd celebrates, and I’m not impressed. Forge your own path, even if it feels lonely or unpopular at times.
It’s easy to scroll through the news and feel discouraged. But actually, this is one of the most incredible times to be alive! I wake up every day grateful to be here, now. The future is bursting with possibility—I can feel it.
So, to my fellow weirdos on nostr: stay bold. Keep dreaming, keep pushing, no matter what’s trending. Stay wild enough to believe in a free internet for all. Freedom is radical—hold it tight. Live with the soul of an artist and the grit of a fighter. Thanks for inspiring me and so many others to keep hoping. Thank you all for making the last year of my life so special.
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@ 51bbb15e:b77a2290
2025-05-21 00:24:36Yeah, I’m sure everything in the file is legit. 👍 Let’s review the guard witness testimony…Oh wait, they weren’t at their posts despite 24/7 survellience instructions after another Epstein “suicide” attempt two weeks earlier. Well, at least the video of the suicide is in the file? Oh wait, a techical glitch. Damn those coincidences!
At this point, the Trump administration has zero credibility with me on anything related to the Epstein case and his clients. I still suspect the administration is using the Epstein files as leverage to keep a lot of RINOs in line, whereas they’d be sabotaging his agenda at every turn otherwise. However, I just don’t believe in ends-justify-the-means thinking. It’s led almost all of DC to toss out every bit of the values they might once have had.
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@ 2e8970de:63345c7a
2025-06-05 16:07:04https://x.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1930203297396249067
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1lp1dwzx608xdu8jfpkqk/FT_GENDER_DIVIDE_SXSW.pptx?rlkey=9gcwvn77zss3k5l5vgiquennl&e=1&st=apgyr3ug&dl=0
https://stacker.news/items/998014
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@ c9badfea:610f861a
2025-05-20 19:49:20- Install Sky Map (it's free and open source)
- Launch the app and tap Accept, then tap OK
- When asked to access the device's location, tap While Using The App
- Tap somewhere on the screen to activate the menu, then tap ⁝ and select Settings
- Disable Send Usage Statistics
- Return to the main screen and enjoy stargazing!
ℹ️ Use the 🔍 icon in the upper toolbar to search for a specific celestial body, or tap the 👁️ icon to activate night mode
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-06-05 16:01:20Bitcoin Magazine
Adam Back Invests SEK 21 Million to H100 Group Bitcoin Treasury StrategyToday, H100 Group AB announced it has entered a SEK 21 million convertible loan from an investment agreement with Adam Back, with the option to expand his investment to SEK 277 million through a five-tranche convertible loan deal. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin in alignment with H100 Group’s long-term Bitcoin treasury strategy.
H100 Group AB (Ticker: H100) secures a SEK 21M ($2.1M) commitment from @adam3us , with rights to invest an additional SEK 128M ($12.8M) in tranches—bringing the total contemplated raise to SEK 277M (~$27.7M). pic.twitter.com/c0HgMSRxut
— H100 (@H100Group) June 3, 2025
Under the agreement, Back may invest up to SEK 128 million across four additional tranches, with guaranteed participation of at least 50%. Each tranche is twice his committed amount, demonstrating his support for H100’s long-term growth.
The press release said, “Adam Back may request the Second Tranche within 90 days from signing of the Initial Tranche, the Third Tranche within 90 days from signing of the Second Tranche, the Fourth Tranche within 90 days from signing of the Third Tranche and the Fifth Tranche within ninety 90 days from signing of the Fourth Tranche. In the event Adam Back does not request a Future Tranche within the deadline, the right to request subsequent Future Tranches lapses.”
The convertible loans have no interest and have a five year maturity. At any time, Back may convert the loans into shares of the Company. Conversion prices are fixed per tranche: SEK 1.75 per share for the initial tranche, rising to SEK 5.00 by the fifth tranche. H100 retains the right to force conversion if the stock price exceeds the conversion rate by 33% over a 20 day period. Full conversion of the initial tranche would result in 12 million new shares and a 9.3% dilution.
“Upon request of a tranche Adam Back is obliged to invest in the relevant Tranche with SEK 15,750,000 in the second tranche, SEK 23,625,000 in the third tranche, SEK 35,437,500 in the fourth tranche, and SEK 53,156,250 in the fifth tranche,” stated the press release. “The contemplated size for each tranche is twice the entitled amount of Adam Back.”
Blockstream has “been around since 2014 and we work with our investors to put Bitcoin in a balance sheet back then and since then,” said Adam Back at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference. “I think the way to look at the treasury companies is that Bitcoin is effectively the hurdle rate; it’s very hard to outperform bitcoin. Most people that have invested in things since bitcoin has been around have thought, ‘oh, I should have put that in bitcoin and not in the other thing.”
This post Adam Back Invests SEK 21 Million to H100 Group Bitcoin Treasury Strategy first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.
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@ 58537364:705b4b85
2025-06-05 15:55:12อารมณ์ คือ โลก - โลก คือ อารมณ์ อารมณ์ ในโลกปัจจุบันรวมอยู่ที่ วัตถุนิยม อารมณ์ จึงเป็นปัจจัยแห่งเหตุการณ์ทุกอย่างในโลก
…. “ เดี๋ยวนี้คําว่า “อารมณ์” ในภาษาไทยนั้น หมายถึงความรู้สึกในใจมากกว่า; เช่น พื้นเพของจิตใจในขณะนั้นเป็นอย่างไร, เรียกว่าอารมณ์ของเขาเป็นอย่างไร, อารมณ์กําลังดี อารมณ์กําลังไม่ดี, นี่ คําว่าอารมณ์ในภาษาไทยใช้กันไปเสียอย่างนี้ ; มันคนละเรื่องกับในภาษาบาลี ซึ่งคําว่า “อารมณ์” หมายถึง สิ่งที่จะเข้ามากระทบ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ.
…. ถ้ากระทบแล้วเกิดความรู้สึกอย่างไร งุ่นง่านอยู่ในใจ อันนั้นไม่ได้เรียกว่าอารมณ์; อันนั้นก็เรียกว่ากิเลสอย่างอื่น เช่น เรียกว่าตัณหาบ้าง อุปาทานบ้าง; ถ้าจัดเป็นพวกขันธ์ ก็เรียกว่า เวทนาขันธ์บ้าง สัญญาขันธ์บ้าง สังขารขันธ์บ้าง; ถ้าเป็นความคิดที่งุ่นง่านก็เรียกว่า “สังขารขันธ์” ทั้งนั้น ดังนั้น เราจะต้องถือเอาคําว่าอารมณ์ในบาลีมาเป็นหลัก …. คําว่า อารมณ์ ที่จะเข้าใจกันง่ายๆ ก็หมายความว่า รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส โผฏฐัพพะ ที่จะมากระทบ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย นี้ ๕ อย่าง แล้วก็ความรู้สึกเก่าแก่ที่จะมาผุดขึ้นในใจอีก เรียกว่า ธัมมารมณ์ ที่จะมากระทบใจในปัจจุบันนี้ นี้ก็เป็นอันหนึ่ง เลยได้เป็นอารมณ์ ๖. อารมณ์กระทบ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ๕ อย่างข้างนอกนี้ก็สําคัญไปพวกหนึ่ง ที่ปรุงขึ้นภายในสําหรับกระทบใจโดยไม่ต้องอาศัย ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ เลย ในเวลานั้นก็ยังมีอยู่นี้เรียกว่าธัมมารมณ์ นี้ก็ยิ่งสําคัญ: แต่ว่ารวมกันแล้วก็เรียกว่า อารมณ์ ได้ด้วยกันทั้งนั้น แปลว่า สิ่งที่จะมากระทบกับ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ นั่นเอง
…. นี้ ดูให้ละเอียดตามตัวหนังสือ คําว่า “อารมณ์” แปลว่า ที่หน่วงบ้าง แปลว่า ที่ยินดีบ้าง, มันมีความหมายละเอียดมาก. ถ้าถือเอาความหมายอย่างคนที่มีตัวตนเป็นหลัก ธรรมะในฝ่ายฮินดูหรือฝ่ายพรหมณ์เขาก็จะพูดว่า สําหรับจิตหรืออาตมันเข้าไปจับฉวยเอา. แต่ถ้าพูดอย่างภาษาชาวพุทธพูดอย่างนั้นไม่ได้ เพราะไม่มีจิตไม่มีอาตมันชนิดนั้น แล้วจิตนี้ก็เพิ่งเกิดขึ้นหลังอารมณ์กระทบแล้ว; เลยต้องพูดตามพระบาลีที่ว่า อาศัยตาด้วย อาศัยรูปด้วย ย่อมเกิดจักษุวิญญาณ; ตาอาศัยกับรูปคืออารมณ์นั้นได้แล้วจึงจะเกิดจักษุวิญญาณ วิญญาณหรือจิตนี้เกิดทีหลัง
…. ฉะนั้น จึงไม่พูดว่า อารมณ์นี้เป็นสิ่งสําหรับจิตหรือตัวตนเข้าไปจับฉวยยึดเอา; ถ้าพูดอย่างนั้นมันก็จะเป็นฮินดูหรือพราหมณ์ไป คือมีตัวตนไป. พูดอย่างพุทธไม่มีตัวตน ทุกอย่างไม่ใช่ตัวตน เป็นสักว่าธาตุ, ได้การปรุงแต่งที่เหมาะแล้วมันก็ปรุงแต่งเป็นสิ่งใหม่ขึ้นมา ในนั้นอาจจะมีความรู้สึกโง่ไปว่าเป็นตัวเราก็ได้
…. ฉะนั้น คําว่าอารมณ์ ถ้าถือตามหลักในทางพุทธศาสนา ก็แปลว่า สิ่งที่อาศัยกันกับจิต จะเรียกว่าเป็นที่หน่วงของจิตมันก็ยังได้: ถ้าเข้าใจผิดมันก็ผิดได้: เรียกว่าสิ่งที่อาศัยกับอายตนะ แล้วก็เกิดเป็นความรู้สึกเป็นจิตขึ้นมา จิตกําลังหน่วงสิ่งนั้นเป็นอารมณ์ก็ได้ แต่จะให้เป็นตัวตนนั้นไม่ได้
…. โดยพยัญชนะก็มีอยู่อย่างนี้ ตัวพยัญชนะก็ยังกํากวม อารมฺมณํ หรือที่มาจาก อาลมฺพนํ ก็แปลว่า ที่หน่วงของจิต. ถ้าจะถือว่ามาจาก รม ที่แปลว่า ยินดี ก็แปลว่า มันเป็นสิ่งที่หลงใหลยินดีของจิต อย่างนี้ก็ยังได้อีก
…. แต่ขอให้รู้จักจากภายในดีกว่าที่จะมารู้จักจากตัวหนังสือ เมื่อตากระทบรูป เมื่อหูกระทบเสียง เป็นต้น มันเกิดขึ้นในใจ, แล้วสังเกตเอาที่นั่นก็แล้วกัน ว่ารูปที่มากระทบตานั้นมันคืออะไร? เสียงที่มากระทบหูนั้นมันคืออะไร? จะค่อยเข้าใจแจ่มแจ้งขึ้นทีละน้อยๆ ว่าอารมณ์นั้นคืออะไร? แต่ให้เข้าใจไว้ทีหนึ่งก่อนว่าสิ่งที่เรียกว่าอารมณ์ๆที่มากระทบนี้ มันยังไม่ดีไม่ชั่ว ยังไม่จัดเป็นสิ่งดีสิ่งชั่ว มันต้องผสมปรุงแต่งเป็นความคิดอย่างนั้นอย่างนี้เสียก่อน จึงจะจัดเป็นดีเป็นชั่ว อารมณ์ล้วนๆยังไม่ดีไม่ชั่ว จะได้รู้จักป้องกัน อย่าให้เป็นไปในทางชั่ว, ให้เป็นไปแต่ในทางดีได้ตามปรารถนา
…. นี้เรียกว่าโดยพยัญชนะ โดยตัวหนังสือ คําว่า “อารมณ์” แปลว่า เป็นที่ยินดีแห่งจิต, เป็นที่ยึดหน่วงแห่งจิต; โดยเฉพาะภาษาอภิธรรมแล้วก็ใช้คําว่า “เป็นที่หน่วงเอาของจิต”, คือจิตย่อมหน่วงสิ่งใดสิ่งหนึ่งเป็นอารมณ์ แปลคําว่าอารมณ์บ้าง, อาลัมพนะ แปลว่า เป็นที่หน่วงเอา.
…. เดี๋ยวนี้เราเรียนพุทธศาสนาไม่ใช่เรามาเรียนหนังสือบาลี, เราจะเรียนพระธรรมคําสอนของพระพุทธเจ้า เราก็ต้องดูสิ่งที่เรียกว่าอารมณ์ โดยหลักของธรรมชาติที่ปรุงแต่งกันอยู่ในใจดีกว่า; ก็อย่างพระบาลีที่ได้ว่ามาแล้วข้างต้นว่า จกฺขุญฺจ ปฏิจฺจ รูเป จ อุปฺปชฺชติ จกฺขุวิญฺญาณํ = เพราะอาศัยตาด้วย รูปด้วย ย่อมบังเกิดจักษุวิญญาณ ติณฺณํ ธมฺมานํ สงฺคติ ผสฺโส - การประจวบกันของ ๓ สิ่งนี้เรียกว่า “ผัสสะ”, ผสฺสปจฺจยา เวทนา = เพราะผัสสะเป็นปัจจัยจึงเกิดเวทนา, อย่างนี้เรื่อยไปจนเกิดทุกข์ จนเกิดความทุกข์, นี้เรียกว่าโดยธรรมชาติ
…. สิ่งที่เรียกว่าอารมณ์มีอยู่โดยธรรมชาติที่จะเข้ามาอาศัยกันกับตาข้างใน ที่มีอยู่ในตัวคน. แล้วจะเกิดจักษุวิญญาณ เป็นต้น ขึ้นในตัวคน; จะเกิด ผัสสะ เวทนา ตัณหา อุปาทาน ภพ ชาติ ขึ้นในตัวคน; นี้โดยธรรมชาติ พระพุทธเจ้าท่านบันดาลอะไรไม่ได้ : ธรรมชาติเป็นอยู่อย่างนี้ แต่ท่านรู้เรื่องนี้ท่านจึงนํามาสอนว่า ธรรมชาติมันมีอยู่อย่างนี้ เราจะต้องเข้าใจให้ถูกต้อง โดยที่จะป้องกันความทุกข์ไม่ให้เกิดขึ้นมาได้, หรือถ้าเกิดขึ้นมาได้ก็จะดับเสียได้
…. เราควรจะรู้จักอารมณ์ในฐานะที่เป็นธรรมชาติอันหนึ่ง ที่มีอยู่ตามธรรมชาติ แล้วที่จะเข้ามาทําเรื่องทําราวขึ้นในจิตใจของคนเราให้เกิดปัญหายุ่งยากนี้ให้ดีๆ นี้เรียกว่ารู้จักอารมณ์จากธรรมชาติโดยตรงอย่างนี้ ดีกว่าที่จะรู้จักตามตัวหนังสือ, ดีกว่าที่จะรู้จักตามคําบอกเล่าบางอย่างบางประการที่มันไม่มีประโยชน์อะไร. รู้จักตามคําบอกเล่าก็รู้จักตามที่พระพุทธเจ้าท่านตรัสดีกว่า แต่แล้วยังไม่รู้จักตัวจริง จนกว่าจะมารู้จักจากที่เมื่ออารมณ์มากระทบตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ เข้าจริงๆ : นั่นจึงจะรู้จักอารมณ์ รู้จักผลที่เกิดขึ้นจากการกระทบของอารมณ์, รู้จักต่อไปตามลําดับ จนแก้ปัญหาต่างๆ ได้
…. นี่ ขอร้องให้รู้จักสิ่งที่เรียกว่า อารมณ์ ในฐานะที่เป็นธรรมชาติอันหนึ่ง ที่มีอยู่ตามธรรมชาติ ที่จะเข้ามากระทบอายตนะภายใน คือ กระทบ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ แล้วมีเรื่องมีราวมีปัญหา
อารมณ์ คือ โลก - โลก คือ อารมณ์ …. “ ที่นี้จะให้ดูต่อไปอีก ว่าโดยข้อเท็จจริงที่เป็นอยู่แล้ว อารมณ์นั้นคืออะไร? ถ้าจะพูดโดยข้อเท็จจริงหรือตามสถานการณ์ที่เป็นอยู่จริงในชีวิตของคนเรา อารมณ์มันก็คือ “โลก” นั่นเอง. เดี๋ยวนี้เราไม่รู้จักโลกในฐานะอย่างนี้, เราไปเข้าใจความหมายของคําว่าโลกแคบไปบ้าง หรือว่าเขวไปบ้าง.
…. ถ้าจะรู้ตามหลักพระพุทธศาสนาแล้ว โลกทั้งหมดก็คือสิ่งที่จะมาปรากฏแก่ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ ของเรา, เรามีเพียง ๖ อย่าง, แล้วมันก็ ปรากฏได้เพียง ๖ ทาง, มากกว่านั้นมันปรากฏไม่ได้ ดังนั้น โลกก็คือสิ่งที่จะมาปรากฏแก่ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ ๖ อย่างของเรา. “โลก” ก็คือ รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส โผฏฐัพพะ ธัมมารมณ์ ๖ ประการเท่านั้น, ไม่มีอะไรมากไปกว่านั้น
…. ฉะนั้น รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส โผฏฐัพพะ ธัมมารมณ์ แต่ละอย่าง ๆ ก็คือ โลกในแต่ละแง่ละมุม นั่นเอง, ที่เป็น รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส โผฏฐัพพะ ก็อยู่ข้างนอก จะเรียกว่าอยู่ข้างนอกก็ได้, ที่เป็นอารมณ์เกิดขึ้นในใจ ปรุงขึ้นในใจก็เรียกว่าโลกข้างในก็ได้ แต่มันก็เป็นโลกอยู่นั่นแหละ เพราะมันเป็นสิ่งที่จิตจะต้องรู้สึก จิตรู้สึกก็เรียกว่าโลกสําหรับจิต ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย รู้สึก ก็เรียกว่าโลกสำหรับ ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย. นี้ขอให้มองให้เห็นชัดตามพระพุทธประสงค์ว่า โลก ก็คือ อารมณ์, อารมณ์ ก็คือ โลก.
…. แต่ทีนี้ พระพุทธเจ้าท่านมองลึกกว่านั้น ท่านตรัสถึงข้อที่ว่า ถ้ามันมาเกิดเป็นปัญหาแก่เราเมื่อไรจึงจะเรียกว่า “มันมี” พอมันมาเป็นปัญหาแก่เราเมื่อไรก็เรียกว่า “เป็นทุกข์”; เพราะว่าเราได้ไปจับฉวยยึดถือเอาตามประสาตามวิสัยของคนที่ไม่รู้จักโลก ถ้าพูดว่าไม่รู้จักโลกแล้วคนก็มักจะไม่ยอมรับ เพราะว่าเขาจะพูดว่าเขารู้จักโลกดี. ยิ่งพวกฝรั่งสมัยนี้ นักวิทยาศาสตร์ปราดเปรื่องนั้น เขาจะไม่ยอมรับว่าเขาไม่รู้จักโลก. แต่ถ้าพูดตามหลักพุทธศาสนาแล้วก็จะพูดได้ว่ายังไม่รู้จักโลกเลย เป็นคนตาบอดยิ่งกว่าตาบอด; เพราะว่าฝรั่งเหล่านั้นรู้จักโลกแต่ในแง่สําหรับจะยึดมั่นถือมั่นเป็น “ตัวกู ของกู” จะครองโลกจะอะไร เอาประโยชน์ทุกอย่าง; เขารู้จักโลกในแง่นี้ อย่างนี้พุทธบริษัทไม่เรียกว่า “รู้จักโลก”; แต่ถือว่าเป็นคนตาบอดต่อโลก, หลงยึดมั่นถือมั่นในโลก. เพราะว่าคนเหล่านั้นไม่รู้จักโลกโดยความเป็นอารมณ์ ๖ ประการ คือ รูป เสียง กลิ่นรส โผฏฐัพพะ ธัมมารมณ์, แล้วเป็น “มายา” คือ เอาจริงไม่ได้ เป็นของชั่วคราวๆ หลอกให้เกิดความรู้สึกยึดมั่นถือมั่น
…. นี้เรารู้จัก เราไม่ไปหลงยึดมั่นถือมั่นกับมัน นี้จึงเรียกว่า “คนที่รู้จักโลก” ไปตามหลักของพุทธศาสนา, ฉะนั้น จึงไม่ยึดมั่นถือมั่นสิ่งใดโดยความเป็นตัวตน หรือโดยความเป็นของตน, เรียกว่าเป็นผู้รู้จักอารมณ์ ๖ ประการนั้นก็คือรู้จักโลกทั้งปวง, แล้วก็ไม่หลงไปในโลกในแง่ใดแง่หนึ่ง นี้เรียกว่า อารมณ์ ก็คือ โลก นั่นเอง ในความหมายที่ลึกที่สุดของพระพุทธสาสนา ไม่ใช่โลกก้อนดิน, ไม่ใช่โลกก้อนกลมๆ นี้. แต่มันหมายถึงคุณค่าอะไรที่มันมีอยู่ในโลกกลมๆ นี้ ที่จะเข้ามามาทําให้เกิดปัญหา ที่ตา ที่หู ที่จมูก ที่ลิ้น ที่กาย ที่ใจ ของคน. นั่นแหละคือตัวร้ายกาจของสิ่งที่เรียกว่า โลก เราจะต้องรู้จักในส่วนนี้ให้เพียงพอ
อารมณ์ในโลกปัจจุบันมารวมที่วัตถุนิยม …. ทีนี้ ดูอีกแง่หนึ่งก็โดยปัญหาที่กําลังมีอยู่ อารมณ์ในโลกนี้ในฐานะที่มันเป็นตัวปัญหาที่กําลังมีอยู่ มันมารวมอยู่ที่คําว่า “วัตถุนิยม”: หมายความว่า ตา หู จมูก ลิ้น กาย ใจ นี้ มันเป็นฝ่ายชนะ ไปหลงใหลในอารมณ์ รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส โผฏฐัพพะ ฯลฯ, แล้วก็เกิดนิยมหลงใหลในวัตถุเหล่านั้น จนเกิดความคิดใหม่ๆ, ปรุงแต่งไปในทางที่จะให้หลงใหลในโลกยิ่งขึ้นๆ, ความเจริญก้าวหน้า ในโลกสมัยนี้เป็นไปแต่ในทางอย่างนี้ ฉะนั้น จึงไกลความสงบ, ไกลสันติภาพ ไกลอะไรออกไปทุกที. การที่มนุษย์ที่มีปัญญาในโลกสมัยนี้ โดยเฉพาะฝรั่งที่ก้าวหน้านั้นเขาก็จัดโลกไปแต่ในแง่ของวัตถุมากขึ้นๆ: มันก็ไกลจากสันติภาพ ไกลจากความสงบสุขยิ่งขึ้นทุกที
…. ความสะดวกสบายที่ทําให้เกิดขึ้นมาได้นั้น ไม่ได้ช่วยส่งเสริมเกิดสันติภาพ; แต่มันช่วยให้เกิดความหลงในโลกนั้นเองมากขึ้น แล้วก็ช่วยให้หลงใหลใน “ตัวกู ของกู”, ยึดมั่นถือมั่นเห็นแก่ตัวมากขึ้น รวมกันแล้วมันไม่มีทางที่จะเกิดสันติภาพหรือสันติสุขในโลกได้เลย, จึงกลายเป็นความหลอกลวงเหลือประมาณ โลกจึงกลายเป็นความหลอกลวง, หรือสิ่งที่หลอกลวงเหลือประมาณใน เวลานี้ เราเรียกกันว่า ติดบ่วง หรือว่า ติดเหยื่อของวัตถุนิยม. คําพูดทั้งหมดนี้ ล้วนแต่เป็นการแสดงให้เห็นว่า อารมณ์นี้คืออะไร สิ่งที่เรียกว่าอารมณ์นั้น คือตัวโลกที่กําลังหลอกลวงเราอยู่ทุกวันอย่างยิ่ง โดยเฉพาะในปัจจุบันนี้เป็นวัตถุนิยม นี้คืออารมณ์”
พุทธทาสภิกขุ ที่มา : ธรรมบรรยายภาคมาฆบูชา ครั้งที่ ๗ หัวข้อเรื่อง “อารมณ์ คือ ปัจจัยแห่งเหตุการณ์ทุกอย่างในโลก” เมื่อวันที่ ๑๖ กุมภาพันธ์ ๒๕๑๗ จากหนังสือชุดธรรมโฆษณ์ เล่มชื่อว่า “ก ข ก กา ของการศึกษาพุทธศาสนา”
หมายเหตุ
“อารมณ์ ” ในทางพุทธศาสนา มี ๖ คือ... * ๑. รูปะ = รูป, สิ่งที่เห็น หรือ วัณณะ คือ สี * ๒. สัททะ = เสียง * ๓. คันธะ = กลิ่น * ๔. รสะ = รส * ๕. โผฏฐัพพะ = สัมผัสทางกาย * ๖. ธรรมารมณ์ = สิ่งที่ใจนึกคิด, อารมณ์ที่เกิดกับใจ
…. ทั้ง ๖ อย่างนี้ เป็นสิ่งสำหรับให้จิตยึดหน่วง เรียกอีกอย่างว่า "อายตนะภานนอก" ก็ได้
“อายตนะภายใน ๖” คือ ที่เชื่อมต่อให้เกิดความรู้, แดนต่อความรู้ฝ่ายภายใน มี * ๖ อย่าง คือ... * ๑. จักษุ - ตา * ๒. โสตะ - หู * ๓. ฆานะ - จมูก * ๔. ชิวหา - ลิ้น * ๕. กาย - กาย * ๖. มโน - ใจ
… หรือจะเรียกอีกอย่างว่า “อินทรีย์ ๖” ก็ได้ เพราะเป็นใหญ่ในหน้าที่ของตนแต่ละอย่าง เช่น จักษุ เป็นเจ้าการ(เป็นใหญ่)ในการเห็น เป็นต้น
ท. ส. ปัญญาวุฑโฒ – รวบรวม.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:53:48This 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.
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.
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.
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@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b
2025-06-05 15:54:42比特币正在主动引诱量子计算“破解自己”
引言:危机还是契机?
比特币和量子计算,这两个看似对立的存在,正在酝酿一场耐人寻味的博弈。许多人担心未来强大的量子计算机将秒破比特币的密码学基石,从而令区块链安全灰飞烟灭。然而,本文想传达的核心观点却截然相反:比特币不仅不会被量子破解打败,反而正在通过协议层的巧妙设计来“引诱”量子计算进入自己的游戏规则之中。通过诸如BIP-360等提案,比特币有望将量子计算的威胁转化为动力,开启一个“后挖矿时代”的全新正反馈经济体系,让“破解”本身成为新的挖矿机制。
这样的观点听起来近乎狂想,但背后有着深厚的技术逻辑支撑。我们将从基本的密码学原理谈起,逐步剖析量子计算的能力与局限,以及比特币协议在抗量子方向做出的结构性准备。最后,我们探讨一种大胆的经济模型:当量子计算被诱导去参与“破解竞赛”时,或许正是比特币凤凰涅槃、新经济形态崛起之机。
非对称加密的数学本质:“上帝视角”的陷门答案
非对称加密(如RSA、椭圆曲线加密ECC等)的核心在于存在一种单向函数:正向计算容易,反向推导极难。公钥可以视作某个难题的题目,私钥则相当于“上帝视角”提前知道的答案。一旦掌握私钥,就能轻松完成从答案到题目的逆推;而只有公钥时,想要逆推出私钥则被设计为在现实中不可行。这类单向难题通常通过陷门函数来实现——对合法持有者(私钥)来说,存在隐藏的捷径(陷门)可以快速解题;而对局外人来说,题目看似无解。
举例来说,比特币当前采用的ECC加密:私钥与公钥的关系就像“一次难以逆推的乘法”。给定私钥x,乘以基点G可轻易得到公钥点P = x·G,但已知P却无法高效求出x。这种不对称确保了签名者可以用私钥生成签名,而验证者只能用公钥验证签名而无法伪造。私钥掌握了解题的“上帝答案”,公钥则只能用于验证答案是否正确。
这一点在新型的抗量子算法中同样体现。以格密码(lattice cryptography)为例:Falcon等基于NTRU格的签名算法,其公钥可以被视为一个高维长基,私钥是对应的短基。pqshield.com在二维格子上的示意说明了这种不对称性:拥有短基(私钥)时,我们可以高效地找到距离某个目标点很近的格点解;但只有长基(公钥)时,我们顶多能验证某个给定解是否有效,却很难自行找到足够优质的解pqshield.com。换言之,私钥提供了一个陷门,允许持有者快速逆推答案,而公钥持有者只能望“题”兴叹。
图:在二维格子中,签名者持有的短基(私钥)可以高效求解出距离目标点(黑色方块)极近的格点解(绿色圆点)。绿色平行四边形表示短基下求解空间很小,因而容易找到最优解。这直观展示了陷门函数的威力:私钥掌握短基就如同拿到了解题捷径。
图:仅持有长基(公钥)时,使用相同算法得到的格点解(红色圆点)可能距离目标(黑色方块)很远。红色平行四边形代表在无陷门情况下求解范围巨大,找到最佳解极其困难。但验证者仍可用长基检查出某个解(如绿色点)确实是有效解pqshield.com。这体现了公私钥在计算能力上的不对称:私钥可求解,公钥仅可验证。
总而言之,非对称加密的安全性源自数学难题的单向性质和陷门结构。私钥就是那个隐藏的逆向通道,“上帝视角”的答案;公钥则是不具备捷径的信息,只够验证而无法逆推。从RSA的整数分解、ECC的离散对数,到Falcon的近似最近矢量问题,每一种公钥体制都是在构造“题目易出答案难逆”的格局,让持有陷门者轻松,旁观破解者绝望。
量子计算的原理与极限:并行穷举的神话与现实
量子计算机令人畏惧之处,在于其并行计算能力。通过量子叠加态,n个量子比特(qubit)可同时表示2^n种状态——仿佛能把指数级的可能性同时考虑。配合量子干涉与算法设计,量子计算机能够以远胜传统计算机的效率解决某些特定问题。其中最著名的就是Shor算法,它能在多项式时间内完成对大整数的质因数分解和离散对数求解。这正是传统公钥加密(RSA、ECC)的命门:一旦有足够强大的量子计算机,基于这些数学问题的公钥体制将不再困难,私钥可以由公钥“解密”而出coindesk.com。
然而,“并行穷举”的神话背后有严格的物理和工程学限制。首先是量子比特数量和质量的限制:当前的量子芯片规模远未达到破解现代加密所需的级别。据风险研究机构与专家调查,目前我们只有几十到几百个物理qubit,而要威胁256位ECC或2048位RSA,需要数百万高质量qubitdeloitte.com。不仅数量上相差几个数量级,现有量子芯片的纠错和降噪技术也远不成熟。量子比特极其敏感,微小噪声都会引入错误,真正实用的量子计算机需要对成千上万的物理比特进行纠错编码,形成稳定的逻辑比特。这个工程挑战之巨大,使得可攻破密码的量子计算机仍是多年之后的前景——多数专家预测大概还需十几年时间才可能出现实质威胁deloitte.com。
其次,量子计算并非万能破解,仅对特定问题有指数级加速。Shor算法擅长因数分解和离散对数,Grover算法可以对无结构的穷举搜索加速(将时间复杂度平方根降低)。但许多新兴的抗量子算法依赖的问题(如格上的最短向量问题SVP、最近向量问题CVP,或多变量方程、哈希预像等)目前并无高效量子算法。这些问题大多属于NP难类,甚至找近似解也极为困难emerginginvestigators.org。尽管量子计算提供并行试探能力,但对这类高度复杂的问题也爱莫能助。正如一项研究指出:SVP和CVP问题即便在量子计算机上依然“极端困难”,在可预见的将来仍足以保证安全性emerginginvestigators.org。Falcon所使用的NTRU格就是这样的难题代表——没有已知算法可以像Shor之于RSA那样,高效攻破NTRU问题。
最后,我们还需注意量子攻击的实际条件。量子破解比特币主要有两种情景:存储攻击和传输攻击deloitte.com。存储攻击指利用量子计算找出已公开公钥对应的私钥,从而盗取静态存放于链上某地址的币;传输攻击则是当交易广播(公钥暴露)后,在被矿工打包上链前的短暂窗口内,量子计算抢先推导私钥并盗转。这两种攻击对量子能力要求不同:存储攻击允许耗时几周甚至数月破解一个密钥,只要在币移动前完成即可;而传输攻击要求在区块确认之前(比特币约10分钟内,以太坊更短)秒破私钥deloitte.com。显然,目前和可预见的中期内,量子计算都远达不到传输攻击所需的即时破解水平;即便存储攻击,由于比特币区块链的UTXO模型(稍后详述),真正高价值、长时间暴露公钥的币也相对有限deloitte.com。因此,量子威胁虽然现实存在,但并非一夜之间让比特币崩溃的魔法。这反倒给予我们部署抗量子方案、引导量子力量“为我所用”的时间窗口。
抗量子密码学的三大结构前提
要让比特币真正抵御量子威胁,并把量子计算纳入自身生态,需要满足几个结构性前提。经过多年社区讨论和研究,以下三点被认为是比特币走向抗量子的关键设计要素:
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UTXO模型:隐藏公钥缩短攻击窗口 – 比特币采用UTXO模型,每次交易都会生成新地址,公钥通常以哈希形式隐藏在地址中,直到你花费时才公布。这意味着量子计算只有在你发起交易后的很短时间内(交易确认前)才能获得公钥并尝试破解,大大压缩了攻击窗口anduro.iodeloitte.com。相较之下,账户模型(如以太坊)重复使用固定地址,公钥一旦被提取或首次使用后就长久暴露,使得65%以上的以太币当前都处于量子暴露风险中,而比特币约只有25%处于类似风险deloitte.com。UTXO模型通过“一次性地址”和“不用则公钥不出”的原则,天然提供了对抗量子存储攻击的第一道屏障。
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“见证隔离”(SegWit):模块化升级签名算法 – 抗量子方案的发展日新月异,比特币必须保持签名算法的可插拔升级能力。2017年的见证隔离升级正是为此奠定基础:SegWit将签名等见证数据与交易本体分离,并引入版本化的见证脚本格式。这使得添加新签名类型成为可能——通过软分叉引入新的输出类型和见证版本,就能兼容地支持不同算法delvingbitcoin.org。正如BIP-341利用SegWit扩展出了Taproot的Schnorr签名,比特币也可以扩展出抗量子签名的新地址类型而无需硬分叉或显著增加区块体积delvingbitcoin.org。这一模块化特性对于迎接未来各类抗量子算法至关重要,没有SegWit的铺垫,抗量子改造将困难重重。
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分级安全机制:根据价值和时效选择算法强度 – 由于UTXO的性质,每笔交易在花费时都会暴露其公钥。因此,安全策略不能“一刀切”,应允许根据币值大小或持有时长采用不同强度的抗量子算法。高价值的UTXO、长期未移动的“老币”,应使用更高安全级别但可能更重型的签名方案;反之,小额频繁交易可用较轻量的方案以兼顾效率和区块容量。好比Falcon提供了512和1024两种参数版本:Falcon-1024安全级别更高但签名稍大,而Falcon-512签名更小速度更快,适合资源受限场景emerginginvestigators.org。未来比特币或可同时支持多种抗量子算法或参数,用户按需选用,让“安全性”成为一种可以权衡和市场定价的链上资源。每一次支付都在安全与成本之间找到平衡,这将促使一个分层的安全市场形成——进一步论述见后文经济模型部分。
上述三大前提缺一不可:UTXO模型提供了基础的_安全缓冲_,SegWit机制给予_升级弹性_,分级算法让_经济可行性_落地。在这方面,比特币的体系结构远优于某些后来的公链。例如,以太坊的账户模型天生缺乏隐藏公钥的机制,地址就是固定的公钥哈希,一旦使用过私钥签名就永久暴露公钥,同时其交易脚本(EVM)对签名算法固定死,没有灵活插拔空间。这意味着以太坊想转向抗量子算法,必须经过极其痛苦的整体迁移或硬分叉——开发者需要为每个账户引入新密钥,新老算法并行过渡,智能合约地址、签名验证逻辑全部推倒重来。这种难度令人生畏,以至于有人嘲讽以太坊“几乎不可能”实现真正的抗量子迁移。反观比特币,得益于其简单而弹性的UTXO+Script设计,只需通过新的输出类型软分叉,就可以逐步引入抗量子地址,让用户自愿迁移过渡,避免一次性硬分叉的系统性风险。
BIP-360:可选抗量子签名,引入量子博弈
面对量子威胁,比特币开发社区并未坐以待毙。2024年,由开发者Hunter Beast提出的BIP-360提案(又称P2QRH,意为“支付到抗量子哈希”)正式将抗量子签名引入了议事日程anduro.io。BIP-360核心思路是在比特币中增加新的地址类型,这些地址采用后量子密码学的签名算法(当前优先考虑Falcon,并备选CRYSTALS-Dilithium和SPHINCS+等)来取代易受量子攻击的ECDSA/Schnorr签名anduro.iogroups.google.com。换句话说,用户可以自愿选择生成一种“抗量子地址”,对应的UTXO需使用抗量子算法签名才能解锁。
为什么说BIP-360让比特币“引诱”量子计算加入博弈?这里有几层含义:
首先,BIP-360采用软分叉方式部署,可选而非强制。这意味着在量子计算真正成熟之前,绝大多数交易仍可继续使用原有签名算法,不平添负担;而有安全偏好的用户或机构可以提前迁移一部分资金到抗量子地址以高枕无忧。随着量子技术进展,逐步会有更多人选择这个选项,形成一个与量子威胁赛跑的过程。这种自愿迁移机制本身就是一种对量子黑客的诱导:网络主动暴露出一个“堡垒更坚固”的区域,鼓励守法用户往那里走,同时意味着留下的旧区域反而成为显眼的攻击目标和“诱饵”。
其次,BIP-360在算法选择和参数上充分考虑了区块链经济的承受力。起初提案曾讨论过一些前沿算法如SQIsign,但发现其验证开销高达ECDSA的15,000倍,若全网采用将使验证一块新区块从1秒暴涨到4小时,带来难以接受的性能瓶颈groups.google.com。最终的方案优选Falcon等NIST标准算法,它们签名体积较小、验证高效,可与当前区块大小和验证速度相容groups.google.com。例如Falcon-1024的签名约1.3KB、公钥1.7KB左右,这虽然比当前64字节的Schnorr签名大得多,但并非无法承受。通过配置灵活的安全级别(如重要交易才用Falcon-1024,一般小额用Falcon-512或普通Schnorr),比特币区块空间将被合理分配在安全性和费用之间。BIP-360精心设计了新的地址格式和见证结构,确保即便引入抗量子签名,区块验证和存储开销也在经济范围内,不会动摇挖矿和节点运行的成本平衡anduro.io。
最后也是最具前瞻性的一点,BIP-360为量子计算参与链上博弈打开了一扇门。通过提供抗量子和非抗量子地址并存的环境,比特币网络其实设置了一个对量子计算的挑战擂台:量子计算可以选择去攻击那些仍使用旧签名算法且价值巨大的UTXO,但同一时间,网络里的用户也在不断提升关键UTXO的签名强度来应对。量子计算不再是一个纯粹的外部敌人,而被巧妙地“请”进了系统,在规则内与用户和矿工互动。这为下一节将讨论的新经济模型奠定了基础——破解即挖矿的雏形由此孕育。
值得一提的是,BIP-360还提出了一个Taproot的量子安全补丁方案P2TRH,用哈希隐藏Taproot的公钥以弥补其“公钥长曝”缺陷groups.google.comgroups.google.com。因为现有的Taproot地址(见证v1)是直接以公钥生成地址,失去了UTXO模型隐藏公钥的优势,量子攻击者可以随时尝试破解Taproot资金。P2TRH通过将Taproot公钥再哈希一层,恢复“见证前隐藏公钥”的特性,代价是每笔此类输入增加8.25字节开销groups.google.com。这显示出比特币开发者未雨绸缪,连新升级的Taproot漏洞也在想办法弥补,使全局达到抗量子的结构性统一。
综上,BIP-360及相关提案不仅提供了技术方案,更释放出一种积极的信号:比特币正主动拥抱量子挑战,将其纳入规则之内。正如Anduro团队支持BIP-360时所言:“量子攻击的威胁严肃而迫近,我们不能坐等紧急关头才手忙脚乱。”anduro.ioanduro.io比特币社区选择了在危机到来前主动布局,以最小的代价换取最大的安全冗余和发展新契机。
“破解竞赛”经济模型:当量子成为新矿工
设想未来5-15年内,量子计算技术逐步成熟。在比特币网络中,可能会上演这样一幕令人惊叹的图景:量子计算矿工和抗量子验证者同时在线,围绕着尚未升级的老式UTXO展开一场你追我赶的“破解竞赛”。这将引发怎样的经济动力?我们大胆描绘一个后PoW时代的可能场景:
一方面,强大的量子计算机不再浪费算力去挖掘哈希谜题(传统PoW),而是直接瞄准那些“量子易攻”的UTXO,即尚使用老式ECDSA/Schnorr签名且公钥已暴露的地址。这些地址里的币对合法持有人来说如果迟迟未迁移到抗量子地址,实际上就变成了躺在链上的“悬赏”:谁能先算出私钥,谁就能转走这些币。在量子计算参与者眼中,这些币和早期比特币矿工眼中的区块奖励无异,都是凭借算力可竞争获取的收益。值得注意的是,根据分析,目前约有25%的比特币(按币量)处于公钥已暴露状态deloitte.com。随着时间推移,这个比例可能上升——除非持有人主动升级安全。这就像网络故意留出了一片“牧场”,让量子计算在其中竞相捕猎,以获得收益。量子攻击者之间形成竞争:更快的量子芯片、更好的算法意味着可以更早破解特定私钥,拿下那笔币。这几乎就是PoW的变体——过去矿工拼SHA-256算力抢区块奖励,未来量子矿工拼质因数分解/离散对数能力抢遗留UTXO。
另一方面,守护这片“牧场”的则是抗量子验证者和普通用户自身的防范行为。所谓抗量子验证者,可能是运行完整后量子节点或提供安全服务的专业机构。他们一方面帮助用户升级UTXO(例如提供一键迁移服务,把旧地址币转移到新PQ地址上,收取服务费),另一方面监测全网可疑交易。当量子攻击者尝试盗取某UTXO时,如果该UTXO持有者事先购买了“安全服务”,验证者可以抢先代为花费将币转移到更安全的地址(类似白帽黑客行为),或者提供更高级别签名升级以挫败攻击。总之,抗量子能力本身也成为一种商品,在市场上明码标价。你想让自己的币绝对安全?可以付费请量子安全服务团队定期轮换密钥、使用最高强度签名、监控链上异常。你的交易想确保不中途被截胡?可以支付更高矿工费甚至指定量子保险节点护送。在链上,一个根据签名难度和安全级别定价的市场逐渐形成:越高难度的签名(比如超长位的Falcon变种、多重签名方案结合等)需要支付越高的费用来存储和验证;反过来,这些费用补贴给保障网络安全的矿工/节点,激励他们投入更多资源提升抗量子能力。这种正反馈循环下,“安全”本身成为了新的经济激励。
如此一来,比特币生态迎来了“后挖矿时代”的转型:当区块补贴逐渐趋零,原本空缺的矿工激励由量子破解竞赛和安全服务市场所填补。量子计算加入竞争并非摧毁网络,反而扮演起类似矿工的角色,通过攻破薄弱环节来获得收益;而诚实的参与者则通过不断升级安全措施和支付安全费用来保护资产。这看似矛盾,却形成了动态平衡:正如生物进化中的“红后效应”,猎豹越快,羚羊也进化得更快,两者共同提升了系统的活力。
当然,这一模型中也充满戏剧性和讽刺意味——尤其当我们把眼光投向其他缺乏这种机制的公链。以太坊等账户制链若在量子时代陷入危机,很可能只能选择停机硬分叉、或者由中心化机构出面更换用户密钥,几乎无自动博弈的空间可言。而比特币网络则通过精妙的协议调整,把外部威胁内化为内部博弈,让市场机制去调节和应对。这种弹性与活力,正是比特币经久不衰的原因。
结语:危机催生新生,量子力量为我所用
当年互联网面对计算机病毒肆虐时,人们最终没有被动防守,而是发展出杀毒产业、安全协议,将病毒的威胁转化为推动网络更加健壮的动力。同样道理,比特币面对量子计算的冲击,并非只能筑高墙固步自封,而是选择了更具前瞻性的道路:拥抱威胁、化敌为友。通过提前布局抗量子基础设施(UTXO模型、SegWit扩展、PQ签名算法)、逐步推行BIP-360等方案,比特币正悄然改变游戏规则。在这个新规则中,量量对决、攻守博弈将上演全新篇章,网络安全不再是一成不变的盾牌,而是一套动态进化的生态系统。
或许若干年后回望,我们会发现量子计算并没有摧毁比特币,反而成就了比特币历史上的一次重大飞跃——开启了一个后工作量证明时代的新纪元。在这个纪元里,“破解就是新挖矿”不再只是戏谑之语,而成为链上真实上演的经济现象;“出售安全”也从附属服务变成每个节点和用户的日常考量。比特币将继续履行其角色:作为一个去中心化的、自我强化的金融体系,它有能力将任何挑战转化为自身进化的燃料。
正如BIP-360提案作者所言,这是一个“when 而非 if”的议题anduro.io。量子计算终将到来,而比特币已在主动邀请它参与一场精心设计的游戏。当量子计算机真的站上擂台,比特币早已不再是那个任人宰割的靶子,而更像是一位早已摆好阵势的棋手,静候对手入局。在这盘大棋中,没有永远的猎物,只有不断进化的猎人。比特币,会是那个始终笑到最后的“猎人”吗?让我们拭目以待。
参考文献:
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【18】PQShield博客:《Falcon – A Post-Quantum Signature Scheme》 – 阐释格密码中长基(公钥)与短基(私钥)的不对称性pqshield.com。
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【28】Deloitte报告:《Quantum risk to the Ethereum blockchain》 – 比较了比特币UTXO模型与以太坊账户模型在量子攻击下的差异,指出以太坊65%资产易受量子威胁,而比特币约25%deloitte.comdeloitte.com。
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【23】Bitcoin开发者论坛:《Proposing a P2QRH BIP towards a quantum resistant soft fork》 – 描述了通过SegWit扩展新签名算法的思路,无需硬分叉且不增加区块大小delvingbitcoin.org。
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【22】Emerging Investigators论文:《A meta-analysis on NIST post-quantum cryptographic primitive finalists》 – 说明Falcon-512与Falcon-1024在安全性和性能上的差异,并强调SVP/CVP等问题对量子计算依然极为困难emerginginvestigators.orgemerginginvestigators.org。
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【36】Anduro博客:《Bitcoin Needs Quantum Resistant Addresses – We Support BIP360》 – 介绍了BIP-360提案内容,引入抗量子地址类型P2QRH,采用Falcon和Dilithium签名,软分叉兼容anduro.io。同时强调量子威胁需提早应对的紧迫性anduro.ioanduro.io。
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【32】Bitcoin开发邮件列表:《P2QRH/BIP-360 Update》 – 提供了BIP-360提案的最新动态,算法选型从SQIsign转向Falcon、Dilithium、SPHINCS+,原因是前者验证开销过大(15,000倍)而不切实际groups.google.comgroups.google.com。
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【30】CoinDesk报道:《Quantum Computing Could Break Bitcoin-Like Encryption Far Easier…》 – 提及比特币所用ECC也可被Shor算法破解,只要有足够强大的量子计算机coindesk.com。
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【33】Deloitte报告:《Quantum risk to the Ethereum blockchain》 – 阐述当前量子计算的物理局限:需要上百万qubit且降低噪声量级,目前技术远不能攻击密码算法deloitte.com。
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【38】Bitcoin开发邮件列表:《P2QRH/BIP-360 Update》 – 描述了针对Taproot的P2TRH抗量子方案,用哈希隐藏公钥以减小长时间暴露,并分析其开销和局限groups.google.comgroups.google.com。
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:50:22There 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. 🫡
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@ 2cde0e02:180a96b9
2025-06-05 15:13:03pen & ink; monochromized
Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón[a] (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈfɾiða ˈkalo]; 6 July 1907 – 13 July 1954[1]) was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Inspired by the country's popular culture, she employed a naïve folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society.[2] Her paintings often had strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. In addition to belonging to the post-revolutionary Mexicayotl movement, which sought to define a Mexican identity, Kahlo has been described as a surrealist or magical realist.[3] She is also known for painting about her experience of chronic pain.[4]
https://stacker.news/items/997980
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:47:16Here’s a revised timeline of macro-level events from The Mandibles: A Family, 2029–2047 by Lionel Shriver, reimagined in a world where Bitcoin is adopted as a widely accepted form of money, altering the original narrative’s assumptions about currency collapse and economic control. In Shriver’s original story, the failure of Bitcoin is assumed amid the dominance of the bancor and the dollar’s collapse. Here, Bitcoin’s success reshapes the economic and societal trajectory, decentralizing power and challenging state-driven outcomes.
Part One: 2029–2032
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2029 (Early Year)\ The United States faces economic strain as the dollar weakens against global shifts. However, Bitcoin, having gained traction emerges as a viable alternative. Unlike the original timeline, the bancor—a supranational currency backed by a coalition of nations—struggles to gain footing as Bitcoin’s decentralized adoption grows among individuals and businesses worldwide, undermining both the dollar and the bancor.
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2029 (Mid-Year: The Great Renunciation)\ Treasury bonds lose value, and the government bans Bitcoin, labeling it a threat to sovereignty (mirroring the original bancor ban). However, a Bitcoin ban proves unenforceable—its decentralized nature thwarts confiscation efforts, unlike gold in the original story. Hyperinflation hits the dollar as the U.S. prints money, but Bitcoin’s fixed supply shields adopters from currency devaluation, creating a dual-economy split: dollar users suffer, while Bitcoin users thrive.
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2029 (Late Year)\ Dollar-based inflation soars, emptying stores of goods priced in fiat currency. Meanwhile, Bitcoin transactions flourish in underground and online markets, stabilizing trade for those plugged into the bitcoin ecosystem. Traditional supply chains falter, but peer-to-peer Bitcoin networks enable local and international exchange, reducing scarcity for early adopters. The government’s gold confiscation fails to bolster the dollar, as Bitcoin’s rise renders gold less relevant.
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2030–2031\ Crime spikes in dollar-dependent urban areas, but Bitcoin-friendly regions see less chaos, as digital wallets and smart contracts facilitate secure trade. The U.S. government doubles down on surveillance to crack down on bitcoin use. A cultural divide deepens: centralized authority weakens in Bitcoin-adopting communities, while dollar zones descend into lawlessness.
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2032\ By this point, Bitcoin is de facto legal tender in parts of the U.S. and globally, especially in tech-savvy or libertarian-leaning regions. The federal government’s grip slips as tax collection in dollars plummets—Bitcoin’s traceability is low, and citizens evade fiat-based levies. Rural and urban Bitcoin hubs emerge, while the dollar economy remains fractured.
Time Jump: 2032–2047
- Over 15 years, Bitcoin solidifies as a global reserve currency, eroding centralized control. The U.S. government adapts, grudgingly integrating bitcoin into policy, though regional autonomy grows as Bitcoin empowers local economies.
Part Two: 2047
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2047 (Early Year)\ The U.S. is a hybrid state: Bitcoin is legal tender alongside a diminished dollar. Taxes are lower, collected in BTC, reducing federal overreach. Bitcoin’s adoption has decentralized power nationwide. The bancor has faded, unable to compete with Bitcoin’s grassroots momentum.
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2047 (Mid-Year)\ Travel and trade flow freely in Bitcoin zones, with no restrictive checkpoints. The dollar economy lingers in poorer areas, marked by decay, but Bitcoin’s dominance lifts overall prosperity, as its deflationary nature incentivizes saving and investment over consumption. Global supply chains rebound, powered by bitcoin enabled efficiency.
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2047 (Late Year)\ The U.S. is a patchwork of semi-autonomous zones, united by Bitcoin’s universal acceptance rather than federal control. Resource scarcity persists due to past disruptions, but economic stability is higher than in Shriver’s original dystopia—Bitcoin’s success prevents the authoritarian slide, fostering a freer, if imperfect, society.
Key Differences
- Currency Dynamics: Bitcoin’s triumph prevents the bancor’s dominance and mitigates hyperinflation’s worst effects, offering a lifeline outside state control.
- Government Power: Centralized authority weakens as Bitcoin evades bans and taxation, shifting power to individuals and communities.
- Societal Outcome: Instead of a surveillance state, 2047 sees a decentralized, bitcoin driven world—less oppressive, though still stratified between Bitcoin haves and have-nots.
This reimagining assumes Bitcoin overcomes Shriver’s implied skepticism to become a robust, adopted currency by 2029, fundamentally altering the novel’s bleak trajectory.
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@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-06-05 15:02:16Another week of conversations with sharp minds thinking about Bitcoin's future and the broader economic landscape. Here are the three most compelling predictions from recent episodes.
Bitcoin Core Will Face a Major Governance Crisis Over Covenant Proposals in 2025 - James O'Beirne
James made a prediction that sent chills through the Bitcoin development community - he believes Bitcoin Core's current governance structure will reach a breaking point this year over covenant proposals like CTV. After working as a Core developer for nearly a decade, he's convinced that the organization's inability to make progress on scaling solutions will force alternative implementations.
His timeline is specific and urgent. James believes that if Core doesn't show "substantive review discussion about how we get this stuff in" within six months, credible developers will start building alternate activation clients. The technical argument is compelling: covenants like CheckTemplateVerify have been thoroughly reviewed for seven years, with a 5 BTC bounty (worth over $500,000) still unclaimed for finding material bugs.
The stakes couldn't be higher for Bitcoin's future. James noted that currently "just over two and a half percent of Americans would be able to, on a monthly basis, buy Bitcoin on an exchange, withdraw it to self-custody, and then maybe make a spend." Without scaling solutions, this number won't improve meaningfully. His prediction reflects growing frustration with Core's de facto monopoly over protocol development. "You simply can't ignore that there is a social reality to being in that world," he said, referring to the concentrated funding and decision-making power that has created what he sees as an unsustainable bottleneck for Bitcoin's evolution.
The U.S. Will See Widespread Energy Blackouts as AI Data Centers Strain the Grid - Anas Alhajji
Dr. Anas delivered a sobering prediction about America's energy infrastructure failing to keep pace with exploding AI demand. He expects we'll see significant blackouts in major cities within the next few years, with a particularly concerning scenario where AI facilities maintain power while residential areas go dark. "I will not be surprised if we end up with a situation like this in some states and some cities," he warned.
The mathematics behind his prediction are stark. Energy consumption is skyrocketing due to multiple factors: urbanization, AI data centers, and simple population growth. When migrants move from rural areas to U.S. cities, their energy consumption increases by 30-70 times. Meanwhile, AI facilities require massive baseload power that renewable sources simply cannot provide reliably.
The infrastructure problems run deeper than just generation capacity. Anas explained that America's electrical grid is aging and wasn't designed for this level of demand. Even worse, we lack the manufacturing capacity to produce enough natural gas turbines - the only realistic solution for reliable baseload power at scale. He predicts this will create a dangerous political dynamic where tech companies with guaranteed power contracts maintain operations during blackouts while regular citizens lose electricity. "We might see a backlash from the population, and we will see politicians basically being forced to fight them because of that."
AI Will Force Millennials Into Career Reinvention Within the Next Decade - Bram Kanstein
Bram made a stark prediction about the collision between artificial intelligence and millennial career paths. He believes that traditional knowledge-based jobs will become obsolete much faster than people expect, forcing an entire generation to completely rethink their working lives. "If you think you're going to work for the next 30 years of your life, think again," he warned during our conversation.
His argument centers on the rapid advancement of AI capabilities that he's witnessed firsthand. After spending just 12 hours working with AI tools, Bram claims he developed what could be "a top 10 cybersecurity invention" - despite having no cybersecurity background. This experience convinced him that jobs requiring strict knowledge and logic are already dead. The implications are massive for millennials who built their careers around expertise that AI can now replicate instantly.
The timing couldn't be worse, as Bram notes that this technological disruption is happening precisely when millennials need stable income to support families and prepare for retirement. His solution? Use Bitcoin to create the time and space needed to figure out how to function in an AI-dominated world. "You need to be aware of that. This is where it's going. So how do you protect yourself in an age of AI? Bitcoin is the perfect way to do that."
Blockspace conducts cutting-edge proprietary research for investors.
New Bitcoin Mining Pool Flips Industry Model: "Plebs Eat First" Could Threaten Corporate Dominance
Parasite Pool's radical zero-fee structure challenges mining giants by guaranteeing payouts to small miners while rewarding block finders with instant Bitcoin. It disrupts traditional mining with a hybrid payout model that gives block discoverers 1 BTC immediately, while distributing remaining rewards (~2.125 BTC plus fees) among all pool participants. This "plebs eat first" approach targets the 22% discount miners typically accept in exchange for guaranteed income.
Key innovations that matter:
- Lightning Network integration bypasses Bitcoin's 100-block maturity rule, delivering instant payouts to Lightning wallets
- 10-sat minimum withdrawal eliminates traditional barriers for small miners
- Block withholding protection through substantial honest-miner rewards reduces pool attacks
The pool currently commands just 5 PH/s (0.000006% of Bitcoin's network), meaning an expected 3+ years before hitting a block. But this represents a growing counterculture against Full Pay Per Share (FPPS) pools that dominate corporate mining.
Industry impact: If successful, Parasite Pool could attract commercial miners seeking downside protection while maintaining the lottery appeal that drives pleb participation. The model challenges the structural advantages of corporate mining pools.
What's next: ZK Shark plans to open-source components over time, with the current beta suggesting this is just "V1" of a broader disruption strategy.
Subscribe to them here (seriously, you should): https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com/
Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.
Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/
STACK SATS hat: https://tftcmerch.io/
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@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-06-05 15:02:16Key Takeaways
In this episode, Bram Kanstein delivers a powerful exploration of how studying money for thousands of hours led him to a single, life-changing conclusion: Bitcoin is the key to preserving value and reclaiming personal agency in an increasingly unstable world. Through the lens of a disillusioned millennial generation—raised with technological optimism but betrayed by economic reality—Bram exposes the fiat system as one built on illusion, debt, and diminishing returns. He explains how Bitcoin’s transparent, rule-based design offers a principled alternative, especially for those wired to question systems and seek truth. Describing the fiat economy as a “high-velocity trash system” that undermines innovation and long-term planning, he argues Bitcoin creates the time and space to think, build, and live freely. As AI reshapes the labor market, Bram sees Bitcoin as a vital foundation for individuals to adapt, maintain sovereignty, and thrive in a future defined by rapid technological disruption.
Best Quotes
“Anything that you would want to fix in the world is broken because the money is broken.”
“You’re stacking nothing. Literal paper.”
“You have to red pill before you orange pill.”
“The only thing you need to do is move to the other money that they cannot mess with.”
“One Bitcoin is one Bitcoin. That’s the whole point.”
“Millennials are primed to understand Bitcoin.”
“Bitcoin lets you get out of the rat race and start walking your own path.”
“The fiat mindset is a zero-sum game. In Bitcoin, value is created.”
“We should stop asking how to value Bitcoin—and start asking how to value everything else in Bitcoin.”
“Even with a master’s in economics, people still don’t understand what money is.”
Conclusion
This episode delivers a powerful call to rethink everything we assume about money, arguing that understanding Bitcoin is less about profit and more about reclaiming personal agency in a world defined by uncertainty. Bram Kanstein shows how asking fundamental questions—like “What is money?”—can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and autonomy. As AI and systemic instability accelerate, Bitcoin emerges not just as sound money, but as a life tool for intentional living, long-term thinking, and individual sovereignty.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - INTJ bitcoiners
4:58 - The millennial headspace is primed for bitcoin
7:25 - Bitcoin gives time and space to build
15:29 - Fold & Bitkey
17:05 - Seeing systemic problems
26:25 - Bitcoin’s positive feedback loop
33:55 - Recognize your agency
37:58 - Unchained
38:27 - Fiat money creates uncertainty
44:41 - What is money?
54:04 - Money and energy
1:03:43 - Bitcoin allows growth
1:09:02 - Bitcoin/AI
1:31:34 - Optimistic noteTranscript
(00:00) Let's say you're a millennial and mid-30s and you want to retire in 30 years. If you calculate the amount of dollar, pound the euro, yen units. You need way more units of that money than you think right now. They are funding pension funds, but the pension funds are using that money for the people that are actually retiring.
(00:17) No one knows about money. They don't know how debt works, how finance works. But that's kind of how it's designed, right? Like that's what eventually keeps the Ponzi alive. And I just started with the question, what do you think happens if you call the bank and say like, hey, can I get 100 or 200k in cash? Man, you got an editor like in house.
(00:39) That's That's pro. That's uh it's because this setup I'm so far away from the computer. I just need somebody to hit the button. Okay. Okay. the extent the extent of of Logan's job extends far beyond just hitting the button. But yeah, INTJ I think uh I think it was as we rear into what looks to be another bull market.
(01:05) I think getting back to first principles and discussing the challenges of studying and understanding Bitcoin, it's important to to highlight the archetype of individuals who have studied fallen down the rabbit hole and really dedicated their lives to Bitcoin. And this INTJ cohort that exists within Bitcoin seems pretty material apparently. Yeah.
(01:35) I mean, I have many moments where I just realize that I'm lucky that my brain is wired in a certain way, you know. I feel like crazy blessed that I figured out this Bitcoin thing, you know, and that when I ran into certain realizations along the way in my Bitcoin journey that I was like, hm, you know, how does this actually work? you know, do I actually understand the systems I'm participating in, the things that I believe, you know, the the the the people that I abstracted um or or outsourced certain responsibilities to to take care of, for example, my money
(02:10) in the bank. You know, I I think um being wired in a certain way definitely helps in grasping Bitcoin to a degree where you're like, okay, this is the only thing I need to pay attention to, you know, in my life. And yeah, we we jokingly started talking about this because I have the hat here, but there was this um I think it was like like a Twitter poll actually or someone shared it on Twitter and this is already like two or three years old where where someone investigated these MyersBriggs um personality types and I think there's
(02:42) only like 2% of people that have INTJ but like 20% of Bitcoiners have that personality type. So it um it apparently helps. So yeah, I just I just quickly Googled it actually. It says uh the INTJ is the architect. It's a personality type with the introverted intuitive thinking and judging traits. These thoughtful tacticians love perfecting the details of life, applying creativity and rationality to everything they do.
(03:09) I think the rationality part here is what um what uh I think helps you to to gro Bitcoin eventually. Yeah, it reminds me of I forget what the study was, but postco it was a similar distribution of just like 2% of people were highly skeptical of what was going on with the lockdowns and the attack on bodily autonomy.
(03:38) And there was a study that was done about I forget it was bees or some type of fly that they they have like the horde of um the horde of the particular fly I think it was bees has like 2% act as these sort of alarm bells that are on the outside the outskirts of the community and they'll start communicating like hey something's wrong here and people the other flies or bees will be skeptical at first but then eventually uh the alarm bells will be proven to be right that there was some sort of danger around the corner. That's fascinating.
(04:09) Yeah. Yeah, that's fascinating. I I think we're not that special eventually, you know, like we think we have all this autonomy, but but um yeah, we're we're just wired in a certain way. And I think I don't know where you want to take this conversation, but I think, you know, part of growing up and being an adult is figuring out, you know, how do I actually work and how do I work with how I work, you know? Yeah. No, it is.
(04:36) And as I get older, creep into my mid-30s, which is hard hard to come to grips with, it is uh really falling back on like, all right, I I feel like I have a good perspective on the world and my place in it, and how do I just optimize to make sure I'm aligning my my work and my career, I guess, if you call it that, with what I'm passionate about. Yeah.
(05:00) Well, I also think that is actually why our generation, you know, my my podcast is Bitcoin for millennials. I think uh the millennials are primed to understand Bitcoin. You know, we are in this life phase where big things happen, you know, starting a family or settling somewhere or or making big career moves or decide Yeah.
(05:25) like deciding what am I going to spend like the next 10 20 years on and uh I think it's an interesting phase actually I I don't know how that was for you but but for me like the the 30s were really where I dove more and more into Bitcoin like got got that stronger conviction and also yeah kind of was invited to go further down that that rabbit hole you know and like how I see it now is that that Bitcoin is really the foundation for the rest of my life, you know, like it it gives me time and space to look forward and enthusiasm, you know, like I sometimes lurk on the
(06:01) millennial subreddit, you know, or the finance sub subreddit. And many people in our generation are very nihilistic, you know, they're very unsure about the future. Like some people aren't even having kids because they think they cannot afford it, you know. And uh whenever I read that, I just think like, yeah, I I don't really have those things.
(06:22) But I know it's because of Bitcoin, you know. I I know that Bitcoin gives me, yeah, like I said, the time and space to figure out what's next, like what should I focus on? Like it gives time and space to to try out stuff, to build something, you know, to to to really attempt at at doing something. Where I see many people that don't see that, they are more in the consumer type, you know, like they they just spend the money that's worth the most today, you know, like that's what they're incentivized to do. Yeah.
(06:49) And is is that why you started Bitcoin for millennials is to number one put the put the message out there. Millennials come listen to this. One of you Yes. that is trying to educate you about this. But because this is something I think about a lot is somebody's like dead smack in the middle of the millennial generation and has observed many of the things you just described in my own life, my own network.
(07:13) And that's part of the reason why this podcast exists. And um what I'm trying to do at TFTC is just try to figure out a way to reach into the minds of millennials, hopefully c -
@ b83a28b7:35919450
2025-05-16 19:26:56This article was originally part of the sermon of Plebchain Radio Episode 111 (May 2, 2025) that nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpqtvqc82mv8cezhax5r34n4muc2c4pgjz8kaye2smj032nngg52clq7fgefr and I did with nostr:nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7ct5d3shxtnwdaehgu3wd3skuep0qyt8wumn8ghj7ct4w35zumn0wd68yvfwvdhk6tcqyzx4h2fv3n9r6hrnjtcrjw43t0g0cmmrgvjmg525rc8hexkxc0kd2rhtk62 and nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpq4wxtsrj7g2jugh70pfkzjln43vgn4p7655pgky9j9w9d75u465pqahkzd0 of the nostr:nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7ct5d3shxtnwdaehgu3wd3skuep0qyt8wumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgtcqyqwfvwrccp4j2xsuuvkwg0y6a20637t6f4cc5zzjkx030dkztt7t5hydajn
Listen to the full episode here:
<<https://fountain.fm/episode/Ln9Ej0zCZ5dEwfo8w2Ho>>
Bitcoin has always been a narrative revolution disguised as code. White paper, cypherpunk lore, pizza‑day legends - every block is a paragraph in the world’s most relentless epic. But code alone rarely converts the skeptic; it’s the camp‑fire myth that slips past the prefrontal cortex and shakes hands with the limbic system. People don’t adopt protocols first - they fall in love with protagonists.
Early adopters heard the white‑paper hymn, but most folks need characters first: a pizza‑day dreamer; a mother in a small country, crushed by the cost of remittance; a Warsaw street vendor swapping złoty for sats. When their arcs land, the brain releases a neurochemical OP_RETURN which says, “I belong in this plot.” That’s the sly roundabout orange pill: conviction smuggled inside catharsis.
That’s why, from 22–25 May in Warsaw’s Kinoteka, the Bitcoin Film Fest is loading its reels with rebellion. Each documentary, drama, and animated rabbit‑hole is a stealth wallet, zipping conviction straight into the feels of anyone still clasped within the cold claw of fiat. You come for the plot, you leave checking block heights.
Here's the clip of the sermon from the episode:
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzpwp69zm7fewjp0vkp306adnzt7249ytxhz7mq3w5yc629u6er9zsqqsy43fwz8es2wnn65rh0udc05tumdnx5xagvzd88ptncspmesdqhygcrvpf2
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@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-06-05 15:02:13Marty's Bent
via me
I think we'll look back at last weekend as one of the most pivotal points in human history. Ukraine's Operation Spider Web is one of the more shocking things I've seen in terms of military operations in my life. It validates something that many bitcoiners, many cypherpunks, and many prescient individuals have been talking about for decades now at this point, which is asymmetric drone warfare.
The Sovereign Individual is a book that many bitcoiners have talked about throughout the years due to how prescient it was in terms of the inevitable emergence of a digital currency outside the control of central banks and governments. The book was written in the mid-90s, so the fact that the two authors were able to predict that something like bitcoin would emerge less than 20 years after writing the book is pretty incredible. However, digital currencies leveraging cryptography were not the sole focus of the book. Another portion of the book was dedicated to the idea of asymmetric drone warfare and its effects on society overall.
It seems pretty clear today that this is another call from The Sovereign Individual that is coming true. Obviously, unless you've been living under a rock, you've noticed that Ukraine has been using drones in the battlefield to target strategic Russian assets and individual soldiers over the last year. The amount of battlefield videos I've seen of Russian soldiers running from autonomous drones that are hunting them down has been increasing significantly over the last six months. The footage is truly harrowing. It is a death that I wouldn't wish on anybody. With Operation Spider Web Ukraine has increased the stakes of this type of drone warfare by going deep into Russian territory and targeting strategic long-range bombers, some of which had the ability to deploy nuclear warheads. This is sure to incite a reaction from Russia. No one will be surprised if, by the end of the week, Russia has started a shock and awe campaign that goes deep into Ukrainian territory in retaliation for the kamikaze drone strikes on their long-range aircraft. I pray for peace and a quick resolution to this war, and every other war for that matter.
I didn't come here to pontificate and give my thoughts on this particular war, but I would like to focus on this new tactic of war and what it means for military budgets moving forward. The Sovereign Individual laid it out clearly when they wrote in the 1990s that at some point in the future autonomous drones would be leveraged in the battlefield and prove to be asymmetric because of the fact that they are extremely cheap to produce. When you compare the price it cost to produce one of these drones to the price of the equipment they are destroying, things get pretty crazy. With tens of thousands of dollars of drone equipment the Ukrainian army destroyed tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars worth of long-range missile aircraft. And it did so without putting any Ukrainian military personnel in harm's way. Directly, at least.
When you consider the return on investment of deploying these drones compared to sending in soldiers, tanks, and your own aircraft, it becomes pretty obvious that this is going to quickly become the most logical way to fight a war moving forward. The question that remains is how quickly do other governments recognize this and implement it into their own defense strategies? As an American looking at our military budget, which is quickly approaching $1 trillion in annual spend, I'm forced to question whether or not most of that money is simply being wasted, considering the fact that we live in a time where these asymmetric battlefield strategies now exist. Why build new fighter jets when a Somali pirate, or nefarious individual for that matter, could use a $200 drone to destroy it in a matter of seconds with no threat of direct physical harm?
I'm no military expert, but if I were at the helm of the Defense Department, I would seriously be forcing those below me to focus a ton of effort on this problem and create plans to make sure that we are sufficiently protected from these risks. The only way to protect from these risks is to build the capabilities yourself. When it comes to the risk reward from a defense tech investment perspective I think a majority of the effort should be focused on defensive drone technologies and capabilities.
With that being said, it does seem like the US military is privy to this asymmetric reality that we currently live in. Defense contracts with Andruil make this pretty clear. Andruil is certainly ahead of the curve when it comes to autonomous drone warfare and defense against it. As an American, even though I don't like war, or the military industrial complex, knowing that the military is working with companies like Andruil does give me some comfort. However, the other side of that coin is that it is very unnerving when you consider that the government creating these public-private partnerships could lead to some Orwellian outcomes here at home. It may make some of you feel uncomfortable, but I believe the ideal scenario is that any individual has access to these types of defensive drone technologies in the future. The end goal being to create a nuclear game theoretical outcome where violence is reduced because one always has to assume that anyone they intend to attack has access to sufficient and formidable defensive technologies.
It's truly scary times we're living in as we transition further into the Digital Age. Part of the reason that I've dedicated my whole life to bitcoin is because I truly do believe that if you fix the money, you can fix the world. That is not to say that kinetic wars or physical violence will not exist in the future. It certainly will. But I believe sound money and open access to these systems and tools creates conditions which are much more suitable for cooperation and less so for conflict.
Multi-Signature Bitcoin Custody Is Replacing Single-Point Solutions
Jesse Gilger made a compelling case for why multi-signature Bitcoin custody represents the future of secure storage. He explained how Gannett Trust's approach ensures "not all of the keys are going to be at any one entity," fundamentally reducing the honeypot risk that plagues centralized custodians. This distributed model means no single point of failure can compromise your Bitcoin, whether through hacking, internal fraud, or regulatory seizure.
"I was on the list. I got the email. 'You were affected.'" - Jesse Gilger
Jesse's firsthand experience with the Coinbase data breach drives home why centralized custody is fundamentally flawed. While Coinbase holds keys for 10 of 12 Bitcoin ETFs, smart money is moving toward multi-institutional setups where Gannett holds a key, Unchained holds a key, and a third party holds a key. This alignment with Bitcoin's decentralized ethos isn't just philosophically pure—it's pragmatically superior for protecting generational wealth.
Check out the full podcast here for more on MSTY risks, Bitcoin retirement strategies and nation-state adoption dynamics.
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Final thought...
Trying to imagine the future my children are going to live in gets harder by the day.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 18:06:46Bitcoin 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.
Using stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see 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.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-06-05 15:01:26Bitcoin Magazine
How Strategy (MSTR) Built Their Capital Stack to Accelerate Bitcoin AccumulationMicroStrategy—now operating as Strategy
—has built the most aggressive Bitcoin treasury in the world. But its true innovation isn’t just holding Bitcoin. It’s in how it finances the accumulation of Bitcoin at scale without giving up control or diluting shareholder value.
The engine behind this? A meticulously designed capital stack—a multi-tiered structure of debt, preferred stock, and equity that appeals to different types of investors, each with unique risk, yield, and volatility preferences.
This is more than corporate finance—it’s a blueprint for Bitcoin-native capital formation.
What Is a Capital Stack?
A capital stack refers to the layers of capital a company uses to finance its operations and strategic goals. Each layer has its own return profile, risk level, and repayment priority in the event of liquidation.
Strategy’s capital stack is designed to do one thing exceptionally well: convert fiat capital into Bitcoin exposure—efficiently, at scale, and without compromise.
The Stack: Ordered by Priority
Strategy’s capital stack comprises five core instruments:
1. Convertible Notes
2. Strife Preferred Stock ($STRF)
3. Strike Preferred Stock ($STRK)
4. Stride Preferred Stock ($STRD)
5. Common Equity ($MSTR)These layers are ranked from highest to lowest in repayment priority. What makes this structure unique is how each layer balances downside protection, yield, and Bitcoin exposure—offering institutional investors fixed-income alternatives with varying degrees of correlation to Bitcoin.
Strategy’s Capital Stack illustrated by Chris Millas
Convertible Notes: Senior Debt with Optional Upside
Strategy’s capital stack begins with convertible notes—senior unsecured debt that can convert into equity.
- Downside: Low risk, high priority in liquidation
- Upside: Modest unless converted
- Appeal: Institutional debt investors seeking protection with optional Bitcoin-adjacent upside
These notes were Strategy’s earliest fundraising tools, enabling the company to raise billions in low-interest environments to accumulate Bitcoin without issuing equity.
Strife ($STRF): Investment-Grade Yield
Strife is a perpetual preferred stock designed to mimic high-grade fixed income.
- 10% cumulative dividend, paid in cash
- $100 liquidation preference
- No conversion rights or Bitcoin upside
- Compounding penalties on unpaid dividends
- Low volatility, medium risk profile
Strife targets conservative capital—allocators who want predictable income without equity or crypto exposure. It’s senior to other preferreds and common stock, making it a high-quality fixed-income proxy built atop a Bitcoin treasury.
Strike ($STRK): Yield + Bitcoin Optionality
Strike is convertible preferred stock—bridging fixed income and equity upside.
- 8% cumulative dividend
- Convertible into $MSTR at $1,000 strike
- Paid in cash or Class A shares
- Bitcoin exposure via conversion option
- Medium volatility, low risk
Strike appeals to investors who want income with optional participation in Bitcoin upside. In bullish Bitcoin cycles, the conversion option becomes valuable—offering a hybrid between bond-like stability and equity-like potential.
Stride ($STRD): High Yield, High Risk
Stride is the most junior preferred—non-cumulative, perpetual stock issued with high yield and few protections.
- >10% dividend, only if declared
- No compounding, no conversion, no voting rights
- Highest relative risk among preferreds
- Liquidation priority above common equity, but below all others
Stride plays a crucial role. Its issuance improves the credit quality of Strife, adding a subordinate capital buffer beneath it—similar to how mezzanine debt protects senior tranches in structured finance.
Stride attracts yield-hungry investors, enabling Strategy to raise capital without compromising more senior layers.
Common Equity ($MSTR): Pure Bitcoin Beta
At the base is Strategy’s common equity—the most volatile, least protected, but highest potential instrument in the stack.
- Unlimited upside
- No dividend, no priority
- Full exposure to Bitcoin volatility
- Voting rights, long-term ownership
Common equity is for conviction-driven investors. Over the past four years, this layer has attracted capital from funds and individuals aligned with Strategy’s Bitcoin thesis—investors who want maximal upside from a corporate Bitcoin strategy.
The Big Picture: Saylor Is Targeting the Fixed Income Market
This isn’t just a financing mechanism—it’s a direct challenge to the $130 trillion global bond market.
By issuing instruments like $STRF, $STRK, and $STRD, Strategy is offering Bitcoin-adjacent yield vehicles that absorb demand from across the capital spectrum:
- Institutional investors seeking investment-grade yield
- Hedge funds chasing structured upside
- Yield hunters willing to go down the stack for returns
Each instrument behaves like a synthetic bond, yet all are backed by a Bitcoin accumulation engine.
As Director of Bitcoin Strategy at Metaplanet, Dylan LeClair put it: “Saylor is coming for the entire fixed income market.”
Rather than issue traditional bonds, Saylor is constructing a Bitcoin-native capital stack—one that unlocks liquidity without ever selling the underlying asset.
Why It Matters: A Model for Bitcoin Treasury Strategy
Strategy’s capital structure is more than innovation—it’s a financial operating system for any public company that wants to monetize Bitcoin’s rise while maintaining capital discipline.
Key takeaways:
- Every layer matches a specific investor need: From low-risk debt to speculative yield
- Capital flows in, Bitcoin stays put: Preserving treasury position while scaling
- No single instrument dominates: The stack is diversified by design
- Control is retained: Most securities are non-voting, non-convertible
For corporations serious about building a Bitcoin-native balance sheet, this is the playbook to study.
Saylor isn’t just stacking Bitcoin—he’s engineering the financial infrastructure for a monetary paradigm shift.
Disclaimer: This content was written on behalf of Bitcoin For Corporations. This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as an invitation or solicitation to acquire, purchase, or subscribe for securities.
This post How Strategy (MSTR) Built Their Capital Stack to Accelerate Bitcoin Accumulation first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Nick Ward.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-06-05 15:01:20Bitcoin Magazine
MARA Announces Over $100 Million in Bitcoin Mined in May 2025Today, MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA) reported a record high month of bitcoin production in May 2025, mining 950 BTC worth over $100 million at the time of writing. A 35% increase from April and the highest monthly output since the April 2024 halving event. MARA did not sell any bitcoin in May.
JUST IN: MARA mined 950 #Bitcoin worth over $100 MILLION in May
They HODLed all of it
pic.twitter.com/Z4v1zoEfga
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 3, 2025
“May was a record-breaking month for MARA with 282 blocks won, a 38% increase over April and a new monthly high,” said the Chairman and CEO of MARA Fred Thiel. “Our total bitcoin holdings surpassed 49,000 BTC during May and the 950 bitcoin produced were the most since the halving event in April 2024.”
The company mined 282 blocks during the month, a 38% rise over the previous month, and now holds 49,179 BTC, worth roughly $5.23 billion at the time of writing.
“Our fully integrated tech stack is a key differentiator, and MARA Pool is the only self-owned and operated mining pool among public miners, offering greater control and efficiency,” stated Thiel. “Operating our pool means no fees to external operators and retention of the full value of block rewards. Production in May also benefitted from block reward luck. Since launch, MARA Pool’s block reward luck has outperformed the network average by over 10%, contributing to our industry-leading block production.”
Operational efficiency also improved, with energized hashrate rising 2% from 57.3 EH/s to 58.3 EH/s. MARA’s average daily bitcoin production hit 30.7 BTC, which is 31% more than the last month from April.
“We remain laser-focused on transforming MARA into a vertically integrated digital energy and infrastructure company,” commented Thiel. “We believe this model gives us tighter operational control, improves cost-efficiency, and makes us more resilient to shifts in the broader economy.”
Earlier this month, on May 8, MARA released its first quarter 2025 earnings, posting 213.9 million dollars in revenue. A 30 percent increase over the same period last year. The company’s bitcoin holdings surged 174 percent year over year, rising from 17,320 BTC to 47,531 BTC as of March 31, with an estimated value of 3.9 billion dollars at the time. In Q1, MARA mined 2,286 BTC and acquired an additional 340 BTC. Operational performance also strengthened, with energized hashrate nearly doubling from 27.8 EH/s to 54.3 EH/s, and cost per petahash per day improving by 25 percent.
This post MARA Announces Over $100 Million in Bitcoin Mined in May 2025 first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.
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@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39
2025-06-05 14:08:24Hackathon 概要
ETHBratislava Hackathon Vol.2 汇聚 54 名开发者并审核通过 11 个项目,成为以太坊社区的重要盛事。此次黑客马拉松在斯洛伐克技术大学举办,参与者可免费参与 ETHBratislava 大会,这一安排助力开发者探索区块链技术的前沿进展。
项目在解决以太坊可扩展性与互操作性问题上成果显著,尤其在 “World Computer” 赛道表现突出。“Zircuit Restaking Track” 赛道也带来重要创新,聚焦通过 AI 驱动的 zk rollups 技术提升安全性与扩展性。“European Stablecoin EURØP Challenge” 则致力于开发欧元背书的稳定币,推动欧洲监管数字货币概念落地。
参与者不仅获得资深导师指导、与行业领袖建立连接的机会,现场更有招聘方挖掘技术人才。活动在兼具庆祝与社交属性的派对中落幕。总计 4,000 欧元奖金的设置,营造了开发者之间竞争与合作并存的创新氛围。ETHBratislava Vol.2 成功孵化出影响以太坊未来的创新构想,同时强化了社区联结。
Hackathon 获奖者
World Computer 奖项获奖者
此类别着重于利用以太坊能力的面向消费者的应用程序。开发者创建了解决方案,旨在增强包容性、金融工具和教育平台。获奖者包括:
- Zhar: 该去中心化平台使用AI和以太坊区块链来管理、执行和激励使用智能合约和代币的链上挑战。
- Ledger Lens: 一个Web应用程序,促进对以太坊多层生态系统的可视化和分析,强调代币流动和跨链桥使用等指标。
现实世界代币化奖项获奖者
此类别集中于在欧洲利用EUR锚定的稳定币EURØP构建效用。项目目标是在此数字货币之上部署初步技术增强。
- dEST: 一个去中心化平台,利用NFTs和智能合约来促进无中介的代币化房地产交易。
- EnergyHub: 一个提供去中心化平台以货币化多余绿色能源并通过智能合约和用户友好的仪表板实现能源捐赠的应用程序。
Restaking 奖项获奖者
此类别鼓励团队在Zircuit生态系统内的AI驱动zkEVM上进行构建,着重于支持AI增强安全性和创新zk rollup技术的项目。
- RestakerX: 一个仪表板应用程序,设计用于跟踪Zircuit网络上的数字资产,提供算法建议以最大化收益。
有关所有项目的更多详细信息和此次黑客马拉松中展示的创新理念的进一步见解,请访问 ETHBratislava Hackathon页面。
关于组织者
Ethereum Bratislava
Ethereum Bratislava 是中欧和东欧地区区块链和技术领域的一个重要社区,致力于推进以太坊的开发和整合。由一支专家团队支持,该组织在增强以太坊在中欧和东欧地区的可扩展性和安全性的项目中作出了重大贡献。积极参与社区活动和教育活动强调了他们在区块链领域促进技术创新和知识共享的承诺。Ethereum Bratislava 继续支持技术改进和生态系统增长,旨在增强以太坊的能力和跨各行业的采用。
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:59:23Recently we have seen a wave of high profile X accounts hacked. These attacks have exposed the fragility of the status quo security model used by modern social media platforms like X. Many users have asked if nostr fixes this, so lets dive in. How do these types of attacks translate into the world of nostr apps? For clarity, I will use X’s security model as representative of most big tech social platforms and compare it to nostr.
The Status Quo
On X, you never have full control of your account. Ultimately to use it requires permission from the company. They can suspend your account or limit your distribution. Theoretically they can even post from your account at will. An X account is tied to an email and password. Users can also opt into two factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection, a login code generated by an app. In theory, this setup works well, but it places a heavy burden on users. You need to create a strong, unique password and safeguard it. You also need to ensure your email account and phone number remain secure, as attackers can exploit these to reset your credentials and take over your account. Even if you do everything responsibly, there is another weak link in X infrastructure itself. The platform’s infrastructure allows accounts to be reset through its backend. This could happen maliciously by an employee or through an external attacker who compromises X’s backend. When an account is compromised, the legitimate user often gets locked out, unable to post or regain control without contacting X’s support team. That process can be slow, frustrating, and sometimes fruitless if support denies the request or cannot verify your identity. Often times support will require users to provide identification info in order to regain access, which represents a privacy risk. The centralized nature of X means you are ultimately at the mercy of the company’s systems and staff.
Nostr Requires Responsibility
Nostr flips this model radically. Users do not need permission from a company to access their account, they can generate as many accounts as they want, and cannot be easily censored. The key tradeoff here is that users have to take complete responsibility for their security. Instead of relying on a username, password, and corporate servers, nostr uses a private key as the sole credential for your account. Users generate this key and it is their responsibility to keep it safe. As long as you have your key, you can post. If someone else gets it, they can post too. It is that simple. This design has strong implications. Unlike X, there is no backend reset option. If your key is compromised or lost, there is no customer support to call. In a compromise scenario, both you and the attacker can post from the account simultaneously. Neither can lock the other out, since nostr relays simply accept whatever is signed with a valid key.
The benefit? No reliance on proprietary corporate infrastructure.. The negative? Security rests entirely on how well you protect your key.
Future Nostr Security Improvements
For many users, nostr’s standard security model, storing a private key on a phone with an encrypted cloud backup, will likely be sufficient. It is simple and reasonably secure. That said, nostr’s strength lies in its flexibility as an open protocol. Users will be able to choose between a range of security models, balancing convenience and protection based on need.
One promising option is a web of trust model for key rotation. Imagine pre-selecting a group of trusted friends. If your account is compromised, these people could collectively sign an event announcing the compromise to the network and designate a new key as your legitimate one. Apps could handle this process seamlessly in the background, notifying followers of the switch without much user interaction. This could become a popular choice for average users, but it is not without tradeoffs. It requires trust in your chosen web of trust, which might not suit power users or large organizations. It also has the issue that some apps may not recognize the key rotation properly and followers might get confused about which account is “real.”
For those needing higher security, there is the option of multisig using FROST (Flexible Round-Optimized Schnorr Threshold). In this setup, multiple keys must sign off on every action, including posting and updating a profile. A hacker with just one key could not do anything. This is likely overkill for most users due to complexity and inconvenience, but it could be a game changer for large organizations, companies, and governments. Imagine the White House nostr account requiring signatures from multiple people before a post goes live, that would be much more secure than the status quo big tech model.
Another option are hardware signers, similar to bitcoin hardware wallets. Private keys are kept on secure, offline devices, separate from the internet connected phone or computer you use to broadcast events. This drastically reduces the risk of remote hacks, as private keys never touches the internet. It can be used in combination with multisig setups for extra protection. This setup is much less convenient and probably overkill for most but could be ideal for governments, companies, or other high profile accounts.
Nostr’s security model is not perfect but is robust and versatile. Ultimately users are in control and security is their responsibility. Apps will give users multiple options to choose from and users will choose what best fits their need.
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@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39
2025-06-05 14:06:35Hackathon 概要
Verifiable AI Hackathon 由 cheqd 主办,聚焦通过安全、可验证的道德系统构建可信 AI 生态。活动吸引 278 名开发者参与,共提交 21 个项目,致力于推动可信 AI 环境的建立。开发者针对 AI 技术滥用问题(如 deepfake 欺诈)及透明化、道德化 AI 系统构建挑战提出解决方案。
参与者围绕自主经济、AI 验证、安全数据应用等主题,借助 cheqd 的去中心化标识符(DID)与可验证凭证(VC)技术展开探索。核心成果包括内容认证创新方案,以及通过验证数据集防范虚假信息的应用实践。
本次黑客松凸显了 AI 解决方案需以透明度和用户权益为核心的发展方向,旨在通过区块链工具为开发者赋能,夯实安全可靠的 AI 应用基础。这一举措致力于将数字身份与 AI 的交互模式,升级为兼顾可持续性与隐私保护的新型范式。
Hackathon 获奖者
AI Agents 奖项获奖者
- Kith: 这个去中心化系统利用加密的可验证凭证,通过去中心化标识符(DIDs)确保 AI 代理的隐私、认证和可信度。
- Identone: 该项目通过在电话交谈中验证身份来保障人与AI语音代理之间的互动可信度。
- SNAILS.: 利用去中心化数字身份来验证内容的机器人,从而增强 AI 环境中的信任。
其他奖项获奖者
- CheqDeep: 利用区块链技术认证媒体内容,通过 DID 链接资源验证人类来源和真实性。
- Trusty Bytes: 为 AI 代理提供一个获取经过验证数据的市场,使用基于区块链的验证来确保可信交易。
- crdbl: 一个平台,通过可验证凭证、去中心化身份、加密签名和AI验证来提升在线可信度。
构建一个整合私人用户数据的Agent奖项获奖者
- Viskify: 一个AI辅助手的平台,用于人才验证,利用可验证凭证和确定性去中心化标识符,并与 Stripe 和 Verida 集成以进行账单和私人数据管理。
有关所有项目的更多信息,请访问 The Verifiable AI Hackathon。
关于主办方
cheqd
cheqd 是区块链行业的重要参与者,专注于数字身份解决方案。该组织以其在建立支持安全和注重隐私数据管理的去中心化身份基础设施中所扮演的角色而闻名。通过利用最前沿的区块链技术,cheqd 在身份生态系统的标准开发中发挥了关键作用。其努力包括建立战略合作伙伴关系,以创建可互操作的身份服务。秉承加强数字信任框架的承诺,cheqd 继续通过先进且有效的身份管理解决方案来赋能个人和组织。
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@ 7f6db517:a4931eda
2025-06-05 14:03:20Bank run on every crypto bank then bank run on every "real" bank.
— ODELL (@ODELL) December 14, 2022
The four main banks of bitcoin and “crypto” are Signature, Prime Trust, Silvergate, and Silicon Valley Bank. Prime Trust does not custody funds themselves but rather maintains deposit accounts at BMO Harris Bank, Cross River, Lexicon Bank, MVB Bank, and Signature Bank. Silvergate and Silicon Valley Bank have already stopped withdrawals. More banks will go down before the chaos stops. None of them have sufficient reserves to meet withdrawals.
Bitcoin gives us all the ability to opt out of a system that has massive layers of counterparty risk built in, years of cheap money and broken incentives have layered risk on top of risk throughout the entire global economy. If you thought the FTX bank run was painful to watch, I have bad news for you: every major bank in the world is fractional reserve. Bitcoin held in self custody is unique in its lack of counterparty risk, as global market chaos unwinds this will become much more obvious.
The rules of bitcoin are extremely hard to change by design. Anyone can access the network directly without a trusted third party by using their own node. Owning more bitcoin does not give you more control over the network with all participants on equal footing.
Bitcoin is:
- money that is not controlled by a company or government
- money that can be spent or saved without permission
- money that is provably scarce and should increase in purchasing power with adoptionBitcoin is money without trust. Whether you are a nation state, corporation, or an individual, you can use bitcoin to spend or save without permission. Social media will accelerate the already deteriorating trust in our institutions and as this trust continues to crumble the value of trust minimized money will become obvious. As adoption increases so should the purchasing power of bitcoin.
A quick note on "stablecoins," such as USDC - it is important to remember that they rely on trusted custodians. They have the same risk as funds held directly in bank accounts with additional counterparty risk on top. The trusted custodians can be pressured by gov, exit scam, or caught up in fraud. Funds can and will be frozen at will. This is a distinctly different trust model than bitcoin, which is a native bearer token that does not rely on any centralized entity or custodian.
Most bitcoin exchanges have exposure to these failing banks. Expect more chaos and confusion as this all unwinds. Withdraw any bitcoin to your own wallet ASAP.
Simple Self Custody Guide: https://werunbtc.com/muun
More Secure Cold Storage Guide: https://werunbtc.com/coldcard
If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:51:54In 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.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:12:05One 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.
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@ 7f6db517:a4931eda
2025-06-05 14:03:17The newly proposed RESTRICT ACT - is being advertised as a TikTok Ban, but is much broader than that, carries a $1M Fine and up to 20 years in prison️! It is unconstitutional and would create massive legal restrictions on the open source movement and free speech throughout the internet.
The Bill was proposed by: Senator Warner, Senator Thune, Senator Baldwin, Senator Fischer, Senator Manchin, Senator Moran, Senator Bennet, Senator Sullivan, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Collins, Senator Heinrich, and Senator Romney. It has broad support across Senators of both parties.
Corrupt politicians will not protect us. They are part of the problem. We must build, support, and learn how to use censorship resistant tools in order to defend our natural rights.
The RESTRICT Act, introduced by Senators Warner and Thune, aims to block or disrupt transactions and financial holdings involving foreign adversaries that pose risks to national security. Although the primary targets of this legislation are companies like Tik-Tok, the language of the bill could potentially be used to block or disrupt cryptocurrency transactions and, in extreme cases, block Americans’ access to open source tools or protocols like Bitcoin.
The Act creates a redundant regime paralleling OFAC without clear justification, it significantly limits the ability for injured parties to challenge actions raising due process concerns, and unlike OFAC it lacks any carve-out for protected speech. COINCENTER ON THE RESTRICT ACT
If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.
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@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-06-05 14:03:00The crypto platform had been aware of the data breach for months before the official announcement, internal sources reveal.
A Reuters investigation uncovered that Coinbase had been informed as early as January 2025 about a data breach involving outsourced customer support agents in India. Six sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the exchange knew sensitive user information had been compromised through its contractor, TaskUs, months before the formal disclosure in May.
On May 14, in a filing with the SEC, TaskUs documented part of the breach, in which an employee at its Indian office was caught photographing his work computer screen with a personal phone. Five former TaskUs workers confirmed that this employee and an alleged accomplice had been bribed by hackers to obtain Coinbase user data.
Coinbase had a long-standing partnership with TaskUs, a Texas-based outsourcing company, to reduce labor costs by assigning customer support functions to offshore teams. Since 2017, TaskUs agents handled Coinbase customer inquiries, often from lower-wage countries like India, where employees earned between $500 and $700 per month.
The financial impact of the breach
The exchange estimated that the breach could cost the company up to $400 million. In its May filing, Coinbase admitted it hadn’t fully grasped the extent of the attack until May 11, when it received a $20 million extortion demand. In response, the company terminated the TaskUs employees responsible for the breach, along with several other unnamed foreign contractors.
The post Coinbase data breach: the exchange knew about the theft since January appeared first on Atlas21.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-15 15:31:45Capitalism 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.
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@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-06-05 14:01:57This article was originally published on aier.org
Even after eleven years experience, and a per Bitcoin price of nearly $20,000, the incredulous are still with us. I understand why. Bitcoin is not like other traditional financial assets.
Even describing it as an asset is misleading. It is not the same as a stock, as a payment system, or a money. It has features of all these but it is not identical to them.
What Bitcoin is depends on its use as a means of storing and porting value, which in turn rests of secure titles to ownership of a scarce good. Those without experience in the sector look at all of this and get frustrated that understanding why it is valuable is not so easy to grasp.
In this article, I’m updating an analysis I wrote six years ago. It still holds up. For those who don’t want to slog through the entire article, my thesis is that Bitcoin’s value obtains from its underlying technology, which is an open-source ledger that keeps track of ownership rights and permits the transfer of these rights. Bitcoin managed to bundle its unit of account with a payment system that lives on the ledger. That’s its innovation and why it obtained a value and that value continues to rise.
Consider the criticism offered by traditional gold advocates, who have, for decades, pushed the idea that sound money must be backed by something real, hard, and independently valuable. Bitcoin doesn’t qualify, right? Maybe it does.
Bitcoin first emerged as a possible competitor to national, government-managed money in 2009. Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper was released October 31, 2008. The structure and language of this paper sent the message: This currency is for computer technicians, not economists nor political pundits. The paper’s circulation was limited; novices who read it were mystified.
But the lack of interest didn’t stop history from moving forward. Two months later, those who were paying attention saw the emergence of the “Genesis Block,” the first group of bitcoins generated through Nakamoto’s concept of a distributed ledger that lived on any computer node in the world that wanted to host it.
Here we are all these years later and a single bitcoin trades at $18,500. The currency is held and accepted by many thousands of institutions, both online and offline. Its payment system is very popular in poor countries without vast banking infrastructures but also in developed countries. And major institutions—including the Federal Reserve, the OECD, the World Bank, and major investment houses—are paying respectful attention and weaving blockchain technology into their operations.
Enthusiasts, who are found in every country, say that its exchange value will soar even more in the future because its supply is strictly limited and it provides a system vastly superior to government money. Bitcoin is transferred between individuals without a third party. It is relatively low-cost to exchange. It has a predictable supply. It is durable, fungible, and divisible: all crucial features of money. It creates a monetary system that doesn’t depend on trust and identity, much less on central banks and government. It is a new system for the digital age.
Hard lessons for hard money
To those educated in the “hard money” tradition, the whole idea has been a serious challenge. Speaking for myself, I had been reading about bitcoin for two years before I came anywhere close to understanding it. There was just something about the whole idea that bugged me. You can’t make money out of nothing, much less out of computer code. Why does it have value then? There must be something amiss. This is not how we expected money to be reformed.
There’s the problem: our expectations. We should have been paying closer attention to Ludwig von Mises’ theory of money’s origins—not to what we think he wrote, but to what he actually did write.
In 1912, Mises released The Theory of Money and Credit. It was a huge hit in Europe when it came out in German, and it was translated into English. While covering every aspect of money, his core contribution was in tracing the value and price of money—and not just money itself—to its origins. That is, he explained how money gets its price in terms of the goods and services it obtains. He later called this process the “regression theorem,” and as it turns out, bitcoin satisfies the conditions of the theorem.
Mises’ teacher, Carl Menger, demonstrated that money itself originates from the market—not from the State and not from social contract. It emerges gradually as monetary entrepreneurs seek out an ideal form of commodity for indirect exchange. Instead of merely bartering with each other, people acquire a good not to consume, but to trade. That good becomes money, the most marketable commodity.
But Mises added that the value of money traces backward in time to its value as a bartered commodity. Mises said that this is the only way money can have value.
The theory of the value of money as such can trace back the objective exchange value of money only to that point where it ceases to be the value of money and becomes merely the value of a commodity…. If in this way we continually go farther and farther back we must eventually arrive at a point where we no longer find any component in the objective exchange value of money that arises from valuations based on the function of money as a common medium of exchange; where the value of money is nothing other than the value of an object that is useful in some other way than as money…. Before it was usual to acquire goods in the market, not for personal consumption, but simply in order to exchange them again for the goods that were really wanted, each individual commodity was only accredited with that value given by the subjective valuations based on its direct utility.
Mises’ explanation solved a major problem that had long mystified economists. It is a narrative of conjectural history, and yet it makes perfect sense. Would salt have become money had it otherwise been completely useless? Would beaver pelts have obtained monetary value had they not been useful for clothing? Would silver or gold have had money value if they had no value as commodities first? The answer in all cases of monetary history is clearly no. The initial value of money, before it becomes widely traded as money, originates in its direct utility. It’s an explanation that is demonstrated through historical reconstruction. That’s Mises’ regression theorem.
Bitcoin’s Use Value
At first glance, bitcoin would seem to be an exception. You can’t use a bitcoin for anything other than money. It can’t be worn as jewelry. You can’t make a machine out of it. You can’t eat it or even decorate with it. Its value is only realized as a unit that facilitates indirect exchange. And yet, bitcoin already is money. It’s used every day. You can see the exchanges in real time. It’s not a myth. It’s the real deal.
It might seem like we have to choose. Is Mises wrong? Maybe we have to toss out his whole theory. Or maybe his point was purely historical and doesn’t apply in the future of a digital age. Or maybe his regression theorem is proof that bitcoin is just an empty mania with no staying power, because it can’t be reduced to its value as a useful commodity.
And yet, you don’t have to resort to complicated monetary theory in order to understand the sense of alarm surrounding bitcoin. Many people, as I did, just have a feeling of uneasiness about a money that has no basis in anything physical. Sure, you can print out a bitcoin on a piece of paper, but having a paper with a QR code or a public key is not enough to relieve that sense of unease.
How can we resolve this problem? In my own mind, I toyed with the issue for more than a year. It puzzled me. I wondered if Mises’ insight applied only in a pre-digital age. I followed the speculations online that the value of bitcoin would be zero but for the national currencies into which it is converted. Perhaps the demand for bitcoin overcame the demands of Mises’ scenario because of a desperate need for something other than the dollar.
As time passed—and I read the work of Konrad Graf, Peter Surda, and Daniel Krawisz—finally the resolution came. Bitcoin is both a payment system and a money. The payment system is the source of value, while the accounting unit merely expresses that value in terms of price. The unity of money and payment is its most unusual feature, and the one that most commentators have had trouble wrapping their heads around.
We are all used to thinking of currency as separate from payment systems. This thinking is a reflection of the technological limitations of history. There is the dollar and there are credit cards. There is the euro and there is PayPal. There is the yen and there are wire services. In each case, money transfer relies on third-party service providers. In order to use them, you need to establish what is called a “trust relationship” with them, which is to say that the institution arranging the deal has to believe that you are going to pay.
This wedge between money and payment has always been with us, except for the case of physical proximity.
If I give you a dollar for your pizza slice, there is no third party. But payment systems, third parties, and trust relationships become necessary once you leave geographic proximity. That’s when companies like Visa and institutions like banks become indispensable. They are the application that makes the monetary software do what you want it to do.
The hitch is that
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-05-09 13:56:57Someone asked for my thoughts, so I’ll share them thoughtfully. I’m not here to dictate how to promote Nostr—I’m still learning about it myself. While I’m not new to Nostr, freedom tech is a newer space for me. I’m skilled at advocating for topics I deeply understand, but freedom tech isn’t my expertise, so take my words with a grain of salt. Nothing I say is set in stone.
Those who need Nostr the most are the ones most vulnerable to censorship on other platforms right now. Reaching them requires real-time awareness of global issues and the dynamic relationships between governments and tech providers, which can shift suddenly. Effective Nostr promoters must grasp this and adapt quickly.
The best messengers are people from or closely tied to these at-risk regions—those who truly understand the local political and cultural dynamics. They can connect with those in need when tensions rise. Ideal promoters are rational, trustworthy, passionate about Nostr, but above all, dedicated to amplifying people’s voices when it matters most.
Forget influencers, corporate-backed figures, or traditional online PR—it comes off as inauthentic, corny, desperate and forced. Nostr’s promotion should be grassroots and organic, driven by a few passionate individuals who believe in Nostr and the communities they serve.
The idea that “people won’t join Nostr due to lack of reach” is nonsense. Everyone knows X’s “reach” is mostly with bots. If humans want real conversations, Nostr is the place. X is great for propaganda, but Nostr is for the authentic voices of the people.
Those spreading Nostr must be so passionate they’re willing to onboard others, which is time-consuming but rewarding for the right person. They’ll need to make Nostr and onboarding a core part of who they are. I see no issue with that level of dedication. I’ve been known to get that way myself at times. It’s fun for some folks.
With love, I suggest not adding Bitcoin promotion with Nostr outreach. Zaps already integrate that element naturally. (Still promote within the Bitcoin ecosystem, but this is about reaching vulnerable voices who needed Nostr yesterday.)
To promote Nostr, forget conventional strategies. “Influencers” aren’t the answer. “Influencers” are not the future. A trusted local community member has real influence—reach them. Connect with people seeking Nostr’s benefits but lacking the technical language to express it. This means some in the Nostr community might need to step outside of the Bitcoin bubble, which is uncomfortable but necessary. Thank you in advance to those who are willing to do that.
I don’t know who is paid to promote Nostr, if anyone. This piece isn’t shade. But it’s exhausting to see innocent voices globally silenced on corporate platforms like X while Nostr exists. Last night, I wondered: how many more voices must be censored before the Nostr community gets uncomfortable and thinks creatively to reach the vulnerable?
A warning: the global need for censorship-resistant social media is undeniable. If Nostr doesn’t make itself known, something else will fill that void. Let’s start this conversation.
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@ 90c656ff:9383fd4e
2025-06-05 12:27:43When people talk about Bitcoin, it’s often described as a digital currency or a “speculative investment.” However, one of Bitcoin’s most fundamental and least understood roles is its function as a settlement network. To understand this, it’s worth comparing it with traditional settlement systems like SWIFT and exploring how Bitcoin offers a foundational layer for global value transfer decentralized and censorship-resistant.
First, let’s explain the difference between liquidity and settlement:
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Liquidity refers to the ease with which an asset can be converted into “money” without losing value.
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Settlement is the process of completing a transaction (actual transfer of value between parties).
SWIFT: The communication layer of the traditional financial system
The SWIFT system (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a network for communication between banks. It doesn’t move money directly but sends standardized messages that instruct financial institutions to perform transfers. The process involves multiple intermediaries, is costly, slow (can take days), and depends on trust between parties and local regulations.
Unlike SWIFT, Bitcoin is a self-sufficient network that enables the direct settlement of value between two parties, without the need for intermediaries. With each block mined, transactions are validated and recorded immutably in a global, transparent, and secure database: the timechain or "blockchain".
01 - Final settlement: Once a transaction is confirmed by a sufficient number of blocks, it is considered final and irreversible.
02 - Censorship resistance: There is no central entity that can block or reverse a valid transaction.
03 - Global availability: The network is accessible 24/7 anywhere in the world with internet access.
Just as gold once served as the foundation of monetary systems, Bitcoin is establishing itself as a base layer of digital value. This layer can support others, such as:
01 - The Lightning Network, which enables near-instant transactions with extremely low fees;
02 - Tokenized financial services, which can use Bitcoin as collateral or for inter-institutional settlement.
By functioning as a public and neutral settlement network, Bitcoin offers an alternative to the traditional system, which is fragmented, closed, and reliant on trust between institutions.
In summary, more than just a speculative asset, Bitcoin is emerging as a global financial infrastructure. As a settlement network, it removes intermediaries, reduces costs, increases security, and democratizes access to value transfer. In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, understanding Bitcoin’s role as a base layer may be key to understanding the future of money.
Thank you very much for reading this far. I hope everything is well with you, and sending a big hug from your favorite Bitcoiner maximalist from Madeira. Long live freedom!
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@ f5369849:f34119a0
2025-06-05 14:01:51Hackathon Summary
The ETHBratislava Hackathon Vol.2 convened 54 developers and approved 11 projects, representing a noteworthy event within the Ethereum community. Hosted at the Slovak Technical University, the hackathon offered participants complimentary access to the ETHBratislava Conference. This setting promoted the exploration of current advancements in blockchain technology.
Key achievements were evident in projects that addressed issues of scalability and interoperability within Ethereum, particularly in the "World Computer" track. Significant innovations also emerged from the "Restaking Track by Zircuit," which focused on AI-enabled zk rollups to enhance security and scalability. The "European Stablecoin EURØP Challenge" aimed to develop a stablecoin backed by the euro, advancing the concept of regulated digital currency in Europe.
Participants gained from high-level mentorship, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and the presence of onsite recruiters searching for tech talent. The event ended with an afterparty that served as a venue for celebration and additional networking. A total of 4,000 EUR in prizes was distributed, fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment among innovative developers. ETHBratislava Vol.2 successfully propelled ideas to influence the future of Ethereum while reinforcing community connections.
Hackathon Winners
World Computer Prize Winners
This category highlighted consumer-facing applications that harness Ethereum's capabilities. Developers created solutions aimed at enhancing inclusivity, financial tools, and educational platforms. The winners included:
- Zhar: This decentralized platform employs AI and Ethereum blockchain to manage, execute, and incentivize on-chain challenges using smart contracts and tokens.
- Ledger Lens: A web application that facilitates visualization and analysis of Ethereum's multilayer ecosystem, emphasizing metrics such as token flows and bridge usage.
Real World Tokenization Prize Winners
This category concentrated on building utility on regulated digital money in Europe, specifically utilizing the EUR-pegged stablecoin, EURØP. Projects targeted the deployment of the initial technological enhancements atop this digital currency.
- dEST: A decentralized platform that utilizes NFTs and smart contracts to facilitate tokenized real estate transactions without intermediaries.
- EnergyHub: An application providing a decentralized platform to monetize surplus green energy and enable energy donations through smart contracts and a user-friendly dashboard.
Restaking Prize Winners
This category encouraged teams to build on the AI-powered zkEVM within the Zircuit ecosystem, focusing on projects that support AI-enabled security using innovative zk rollup technology.
- RestakerX: A dashboard application designed to track digital assets on the Zircuit network, offering algorithmic suggestions to maximize returns.
For more detailed information about all projects and further insights into the innovative ideas presented at the hackathon, please visit the ETHBratislava Hackathon page.
Organization
About the Organizer: Ethereum Bratislava
Ethereum Bratislava is a prominent community in the CEE region in the blockchain and technology sector, dedicated to advancing Ethereum development and integration. Supported by a team of experts, the organization has substantially contributed to projects that enhance Ethereum's scalability and security in the CEE region. Active participation in community initiatives and educational events underscores their commitment to fostering technological innovation and knowledge sharing within the blockchain realm. Ethereum Bratislava continues to support technological improvements and ecosystem growth, aiming to bolster Ethereum's capabilities and adoption across various industries.
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@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee
2025-06-05 17:14:50The silent revolution: Ethereum's pivot to 'digital oil' could redefine crypto's future. While Bitcoin grabs headlines as digital gold, Ethereum is quietly transforming into something potentially more valuable—the essential infrastructure powering our digital economy. Ryan Berckmans reveals Ethereum's strategic shift from being just another cryptocurrency to becoming the foundation for stablecoins, tokenized assets, and global financial systems. With $480 billion in stablecoin volume and institutional players entering the space, Ethereum isn't just competing with Bitcoin—it's creating an entirely different value proposition. The question isn't whether ETH will hit $3K, but whether we're underestimating its long-term potential as the backbone of digital finance. Are you positioning yourself for the real crypto revolution happening right under our noses?
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@ e4950c93:1b99eccd
2025-06-05 10:23:39Marques
Nordkidz est une marque allemande qui crée à la demande des vêtements et linges pour les bébés, les enfants, et un peu pour leurs parents.
Matières naturelles utilisées dans les produits
⚠️ Attention, certains produits de cette marque contiennent des matières non naturelles, dont :
Catégories de produits proposés
Cette marque propose des produits intégralement en matière naturelle dans les catégories suivantes :
Vêtements
- Tailles vêtements : bébés, enfants, unisexe
- Hauts : pulls, t-shirts
- Bas : pantalons, pantalons de survêtement, shorts
- Tête et mains : bonnets, écharpes
Maison
- Linge : housses de pouf, langes, ponchos de bain
Autres informations
👉 En savoir plus sur le site de la marque
Où trouver leurs produits ?
- Nordkidz (en allemand, zone de livraison : Allemagne et Union Européenne) 💚 Via ce lien vous soutenez directement la marque.
📝 Tu peux contribuer à cette fiche en suggérant une modification en commentaire.
🗣️ Tu utilises des produits de cette marque ? Partage ton avis en commentaire.
⚡ Heureu-x-se de trouver cette information ? Soutiens le projet en faisant un don pour remercier les contribut-eur-ice-s.
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@ f5369849:f34119a0
2025-06-05 14:01:46Hackathon Summary
The Verifiable AI Hackathon from cheqd concentrated on trustworthy AI through secure, verifiable, and ethical systems. The event engaged 278 developers, leading to the submission of 21 projects aimed at fostering trustworthy AI environments. Developers addressed issues related to the misuse of AI technologies, such as deepfake scams, and the challenge of creating transparent, ethical AI systems.
Participants explored themes such as agentic economies, AI verification, and secure data usage, utilizing cheqd’s technologies, including Decentralized Identifiers and Verifiable Credentials. Key accomplishments included innovations in content authentication and the application of verified datasets to prevent disinformation.
The hackathon highlighted the pressing necessity for AI solutions that prioritize transparency and user interests, promoting a trust-focused ecosystem. By equipping developers with blockchain-based tools, the event sought to establish a foundation for more secure and credible AI applications. This initiative aims to transform interactions between digital identities and AI into sustainable and privacy-respecting processes.
Hackathon Winners
AI Agents Prize Winners
- Kith: This decentralized system employs cryptographic verifiable credentials to ensure privacy, authenticate, and maintain the trustworthiness of AI agents through decentralized identifiers (DIDs).
- Identone: This project secures interactions between humans and AI-powered voice agents by verifying identities during phone calls to ensure trustworthiness.
- SNAILS.: A bot that uses decentralized digital identities to verify content, enhancing trust within AI environments.
Other Prize Winners
- CheqDeep: Utilizes blockchain technology to authenticate media content, using DID Linked Resources to verify human origin and authenticity.
- Trusty Bytes: Provides a marketplace for AI agents to access verified data, employing blockchain-based verification for trustworthy transactions.
- crdbl: An open-source platform that improves online credibility using verifiable credentials, decentralized identity, cryptographic signatures, and AI verification.
Build an Agent Incorporating Private User Data Prize Winner
- Viskify: An AI-assisted platform for talent verification, employing verifiable credentials and deterministic decentralized identifiers, and integrating with Stripe and Verida for billing and private data management.
For more information on all projects, please visit The Verifiable AI Hackathon.
Organization
About the Organizer: cheqd
cheqd is a key player in the blockchain industry, focusing on digital identity solutions. The organization is known for its role in establishing decentralized identity infrastructure that supports secure and privacy-focused data management. By leveraging cutting-edge blockchain technologies, cheqd has been pivotal in developing standards within the identity ecosystem. Its efforts include forming strategic partnerships to create interoperable identity services. With a commitment to bolstering digital trust frameworks, cheqd continues to empower both individuals and organizations through advanced and effective identity management solutions.
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@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee
2025-06-05 17:11:03The $220 million crypto heist that took just minutes reveals a fatal flaw in DeFi security. While blockchain tech promises trustless transactions, the Cetus DEX exploit on Sui exposed how a single undetected bug in a math library became catastrophic. What's truly alarming isn't the hack itself but the revelation from Curve's founder that professional hackers-for-hire are now coordinating sophisticated cross-platform attacks. This signals a dangerous evolution in crypto threats where vulnerabilities aren't just discovered—they're hunted by organized teams with specialized skills. The industry faces a stark choice: invest aggressively in preventative security or watch as billions more vanish in seconds. Is your crypto truly safe, or just waiting for the right hacker to find its weakness?
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@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-06-05 09:01:10Starting January 1, 2026, the United Kingdom will impose some of the world’s most stringent reporting requirements on cryptocurrency firms.
All platforms operating in or serving UK customers-domestic and foreign alike-must collect and disclose extensive personal and transactional data for every user, including individuals, companies, trusts, and charities.
This regulatory drive marks the UK’s formal adoption of the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), a global initiative designed to bring crypto oversight in line with traditional banking and to curb tax evasion in the rapidly expanding digital asset sector.
What Will Be Reported?
Crypto firms must gather and submit the following for each transaction:
- User’s full legal name, home address, and taxpayer identification number
- Detailed data on every trade or transfer: type of cryptocurrency, amount, and nature of the transaction
- Identifying information for corporate, trust, and charitable clients
The obligation extends to all digital asset activities, including crypto-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat trades, and applies to both UK residents and non-residents using UK-based platforms. The first annual reports covering 2026 activity are due by May 31, 2027.
Enforcement and Penalties
Non-compliance will carry stiff financial penalties, with fines of up to £300 per user account for inaccurate or missing data-a potentially enormous liability for large exchanges. The UK government has urged crypto firms to begin collecting this information immediately to ensure operational readiness.
Regulatory Context and Market Impact
This move is part of a broader UK strategy to position itself as a global fintech hub while clamping down on fraud and illicit finance. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has championed these measures, stating, “Britain is open for business – but closed to fraud, abuse, and instability”. The regulatory expansion comes amid a surge in crypto adoption: the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority reported that 12% of UK adults owned crypto in 2024, up from just 4% in 2021.
Enormous Risks for Consumers: Lessons from the Coinbase Data Breach
While the new framework aims to enhance transparency and protect consumers, it also dramatically increases the volume of sensitive personal data held by crypto firms-raising the stakes for cybersecurity.
The risks are underscored by the recent high-profile breach at Coinbase, one of the world’s largest exchanges.
In May 2025, Coinbase disclosed that cybercriminals, aided by bribed offshore contractors, accessed and exfiltrated customer data including names, addresses, government IDs, and partial bank details.
The attackers then used this information for sophisticated phishing campaigns, successfully deceiving some customers into surrendering account credentials and funds.
“While private encryption keys remained secure, sufficient customer information was exposed to enable sophisticated phishing attacks by criminals posing as Coinbase personnel.”
Coinbase now faces up to $400 million in compensation costs and has pledged to reimburse affected users, but the incident highlights the systemic vulnerability created when large troves of personal data are centralized-even if passwords and private keys are not directly compromised. The breach also triggered a notable drop in Coinbase’s share price and prompted a $20 million bounty for information leading to the attackers’ capture.
The Bottom Line
The UK’s forthcoming crypto reporting regime represents a landmark in financial regulation, promising greater transparency and tax compliance. However, as the Coinbase episode demonstrates, the aggregation of sensitive user data at scale poses a significant cybersecurity risk.
As regulators push for more oversight, the challenge will be ensuring that consumer protection does not become a double-edged sword-exposing users to new threats even as it seeks to shield them from old ones.
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-05-01 01:51:10Please respect Virginia Giuffre’s memory by refraining from asking about the circumstances or theories surrounding her passing.
Since Virginia Giuffre’s death, I’ve reflected on what she would want me to say or do. This piece is my attempt to honor her legacy.
When I first spoke with Virginia, I was struck by her unshakable hope. I had grown cynical after years in the anti-human trafficking movement, worn down by a broken system and a government that often seemed complicit. But Virginia’s passion, creativity, and belief that survivors could be heard reignited something in me. She reminded me of my younger, more hopeful self. Instead of warning her about the challenges ahead, I let her dream big, unburdened by my own disillusionment. That conversation changed me for the better, and following her lead led to meaningful progress.
Virginia was one of the bravest people I’ve ever known. As a survivor of Epstein, Maxwell, and their co-conspirators, she risked everything to speak out, taking on some of the world’s most powerful figures.
She loved when I said, “Epstein isn’t the only Epstein.” This wasn’t just about one man—it was a call to hold all abusers accountable and to ensure survivors find hope and healing.
The Epstein case often gets reduced to sensational details about the elite, but that misses the bigger picture. Yes, we should be holding all of the co-conspirators accountable, we must listen to the survivors’ stories. Their experiences reveal how predators exploit vulnerabilities, offering lessons to prevent future victims.
You’re not powerless in this fight. Educate yourself about trafficking and abuse—online and offline—and take steps to protect those around you. Supporting survivors starts with small, meaningful actions. Free online resources can guide you in being a safe, supportive presence.
When high-profile accusations arise, resist snap judgments. Instead of dismissing survivors as “crazy,” pause to consider the trauma they may be navigating. Speaking out or coping with abuse is never easy. You don’t have to believe every claim, but you can refrain from attacking accusers online.
Society also fails at providing aftercare for survivors. The government, often part of the problem, won’t solve this. It’s up to us. Prevention is critical, but when abuse occurs, step up for your loved ones and community. Protect the vulnerable. it’s a challenging but a rewarding journey.
If you’re contributing to Nostr, you’re helping build a censorship resistant platform where survivors can share their stories freely, no matter how powerful their abusers are. Their voices can endure here, offering strength and hope to others. This gives me great hope for the future.
Virginia Giuffre’s courage was a gift to the world. It was an honor to know and serve her. She will be deeply missed. My hope is that her story inspires others to take on the powerful.
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@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee
2025-06-05 17:00:01Forget Lambos, think real estate tokens.
A European fund just dropped $3.4 million on tokenized real estate, marking the first time big money directly bought retail available tokens. This isn't just about crypto hype; it's about institutions embracing regulated crypto assets. Real World Assets (RWAs) are booming, up 260% this year, fueled by clearer US crypto rules. This surge pushes the tokenization sector past $23 billion.
Is this the start of crypto's mainstream moment?
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@ 975e4ad5:8d4847ce
2025-06-05 13:14:46What is the Fiat System and How Do Central Banks Set Interest Rates?
When central banks expand credit, they often increase the money supply by creating new money through mechanisms like quantitative easing (QE). For instance, a central bank may purchase government bonds, injecting money into the economy. This boosts liquidity but can lead to inflation when too much money chases limited goods and services.
Low interest rates make borrowing cheaper, encouraging spending and investment. However, this can overheat the economy, create speculative bubbles (e.g., in real estate), and drive inflation. Conversely, high interest rates restrict borrowing, slow the economy, and curb inflation but may trigger recessions.
How Would Interest Rates Work Under a Bitcoin Standard?
Under a Bitcoin standard, the money supply is fixed—only 21 million bitcoins will ever exist, with the last one mined around 2140. Unlike the fiat system, no central authority can manipulate the money supply or set interest rates. Instead, interest rates would be determined entirely by the market—by the supply and demand for capital.
If someone wants to borrow bitcoins, the interest rate would depend on negotiations between the lender and borrower. For example, if demand for loans is high and available bitcoins are scarce, interest rates would rise. Conversely, if there are ample bitcoin savings, rates might fall. This process would be fully decentralized and reflect real market conditions, not central bank decisions.
Since new bitcoins cannot be “printed,” there would be no inflation caused by an expanding money supply. Instead, bitcoin’s value would likely rise over time (deflation) as its fixed supply competes with growing demand. This could encourage saving over reckless spending, reshaping economic behavior.
Advantages of a Bitcoin Standard
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Protection Against Inflation: Bitcoin’s fixed supply prevents currency devaluation, a common issue with fiat money. This safeguards savings and promotes long-term planning.
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Decentralization: Without a central bank manipulating the market, economic decisions are made by individuals, not bureaucrats. This aligns with free-market principles where competition and innovation thrive.
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Transparency and Security: The Bitcoin blockchain is public and immutable, ensuring transactions are transparent and secure from tampering.
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Financial Freedom: Under a Bitcoin standard, individuals have full control over their money without government or bank interference, which is especially crucial in countries with unstable regimes or currencies.
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Discipline in Lending: Without the ability to print money, lenders would be more cautious, reducing risky investments and speculative bubbles.
Potential Drawbacks and Why a Bitcoin Standard is Superior
One major argument against a Bitcoin standard is that it could slow economic growth. Low interest rates in the fiat system encourage borrowing and spending, driving economic activity. Under a Bitcoin standard, where interest rates are market-driven and likely higher, borrowing would be costlier, potentially limiting investments in new projects.
However, this critique misses a key point: economic growth fueled by artificially low interest rates and money printing is often unsustainable. It leads to debt crises, inflation, and bubbles that eventually burst, as seen in 2008. A Bitcoin standard promotes healthy economic discipline, where investments are based on real value, not artificial capital.
Moreover, bitcoin’s deflationary nature could shift how people view money. Instead of chasing endless growth, societies might prioritize sustainability, innovation, and efficiency. This could lead to a more stable and equitable economy in the long run.
Additional Considerations
A Bitcoin standard could transform global trade. Today, countries with fiat currencies often manipulate exchange rates to gain trade advantages. With bitcoin as a universal currency, such manipulations would vanish, fostering fairer competition.
Another aspect is energy efficiency. While bitcoin mining consumes energy, it incentivizes the development of renewable sources as miners seek cheap, sustainable energy. This could accelerate the transition to a green economy.
Conclusion
The Bitcoin standard offers a vision of an economy rooted in sound money, free markets, and financial freedom. While it may slow certain aspects of economic growth, it creates a more stable and sustainable system that protects individuals from inflation and centralized control. In a world where trust in institutions is waning, the Bitcoin standard is a step toward a fairer and more transparent future.
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@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee
2025-06-05 16:54:43Think your crypto is FDIC insured like your bank account? Big mistake. Crypto's wild west demands you be your own bank and security guard.
Crypto trading involves buying, selling, and exchanging digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, aiming to profit from price fluctuations. Security is paramount. Understand basic concepts like wallets (digital storage for your crypto), private keys (passwords to access your crypto), and blockchain (the technology that records all transactions).
Real world applications include using crypto for online purchases, international money transfers, and decentralized finance (DeFi) services like lending and borrowing. Current trends include the rise of DeFi, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and increasing institutional investment.
Best practices? Use strong, unique passwords, enable two factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts, and store most of your crypto in cold wallets (offline storage) to protect against hacking. Be wary of phishing scams and fake websites. Never share your private keys or seed phrases.
Misconceptions? Crypto is not anonymous, transactions are not easily reversible, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Also, remember that regulations are evolving, so stay informed.
With crypto hacks on the rise, are you truly ready to secure your digital fortune, or are you leaving the door open for the next billion dollar heist?
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@ 31a4605e:cf043959
2025-06-05 13:03:59Nos últimos anos, o Bitcoin tem sido frequentemente comparado ao ouro, ganhando o nome de "ouro digital". Essa comparação ocorre porque ambas as formas de valor têm características em comum, como escassez, durabilidade e aceitação mundial. Contudo, o Bitcoin também representa uma novidade tecnológica que muda a ideia de dinheiro e investimento, se destacando como uma alternativa moderna e eficaz ao ouro físico.
Uma das razões pelas quais o Bitcoin é comparado ao ouro é a sua escassez programada. Enquanto o ouro é um recurso natural limitado, cuja oferta depende da mineração, o Bitcoin tem um teto máximo de 21 milhões de unidades, definido em seu código. Esse teto faz com que o Bitcoin seja protegido contra a inflação, ao contrário das moedas tradicionais, que podem ser criadas sem limites pelos bancos centrais.
Essa característica traz um valor duradouro, parecido com o ouro, já que a oferta limitada ajuda a manter o poder de compra ao longo do tempo. Com o aumento da procura por Bitcoin, sua quantidade reduzida reforça seu papel como reserva de valor.
Outro aspecto que aproxima o Bitcoin do ouro é a durabilidade. Enquanto o ouro resiste à corrosão e pode ser guardado por séculos, o Bitcoin é um ativo digital protegido por criptografia avançada e armazenado na blockchain — um livro-razão imutável e descentralizado.
Além disso, o Bitcoin é mais fácil de transportar do que o ouro. Mover ouro físico envolve custos e segurança, tornando o transporte complicado, principalmente em transações internacionais. Por outro lado, o Bitcoin pode ser enviado digitalmente para qualquer parte do mundo em minutos, com taxas baixas e sem intermediários. Essa vantagem tecnológica torna o Bitcoin mais eficaz para um mundo globalizado e digital.
A segurança é outra característica que o Bitcoin e o ouro têm em comum. O ouro é difícil de falsificar, fazendo dele uma reserva de valor confiável. Da mesma forma, o Bitcoin usa protocolos de criptografia que asseguram transações seguras e protegidas contra fraudes.
Além disso, todas as transações feitas com Bitcoin são registradas na blockchain, fornecendo um nível de transparência que o ouro físico não oferece. Qualquer pessoa pode revisar as transações na rede, aumentando a confiança e a rastreabilidade.
EconômicaHistoricamente, o ouro tem sido utilizado como proteção contra a inflação e crises econômicas. Durante momentos de instabilidade, os investidores buscam o ouro como uma maneira de preservar seu patrimônio. O Bitcoin, por sua vez, está surgindo como uma alternativa digital com o mesmo propósito.
Em países com alta inflação ou instabilidade política, o Bitcoin tem sido usado como uma proteção contra a desvalorização das moedas locais. Sua natureza descentralizada impede que governos confisquem ou controlem diretamente o ativo, garantindo maior liberdade financeira para os usuários.
Apesar de suas semelhanças com o ouro, o Bitcoin ainda enfrenta desafios. Sua volatilidade é muito maior, o que pode causar incertezas a curto prazo. No entanto, muitos especialistas afirmam que essa volatilidade é uma característica comum em ativos novos e tende a diminuir com o tempo, à medida que a aceitação cresce e o mercado se desenvolve.
Outro desafio é a regulamentação. Enquanto o ouro já é reconhecido globalmente como um ativo financeiro, o Bitcoin ainda enfrenta resistência de governos e instituições financeiras, que procuram formas de controlá-lo e regulá-lo.
Resumindo, o Bitcoin, muitas vezes chamado de "ouro digital", oferece uma nova forma de valor que combina as melhores características do ouro com a eficiência e a inovação da tecnologia digital. Sua escassez planejada, segurança criptográfica, portabilidade e resistência à censura fazem dele uma alternativa viável para preservar riqueza e realizar transações no mundo moderno.
Mesmo com muita volatilidade, o Bitcoin está se firmando como uma reserva de valor e como um ativo de proteção contra crises econômicas. Assim, ele representa não apenas uma evolução do sistema financeiro, mas também um símbolo da mudança para uma economia digital descentralizada e global.
Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!
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@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee
2025-06-05 16:50:08Think crypto is just magic internet money? Think again.
Tokenomics is the secret sauce that makes or breaks a crypto project. It is the study of how tokens are created, distributed, and used within a blockchain ecosystem. Imagine it as the economic policy of a digital nation, dictating everything from supply and demand to user incentives.
Key features include supply caps, distribution models, utility, and burn mechanisms. A well designed token economy incentivizes user behavior, secures the network, and fosters long term growth. Poor tokenomics? It can lead to manipulation and project failure.
Zero Knowledge Proofs are like showing you know a password without revealing the password itself. This tech allows for private and secure transactions, verifying data without exposing the data itself. Think of voting systems where your vote stays secret, or supply chains where product details are confirmed without revealing the supplier.
Want to dive deeper into the economics of crypto? What project has the most interesting tokenomics you have seen?
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@ 52b4a076:e7fad8bd
2025-04-28 00:48:57I have been recently building NFDB, a new relay DB. This post is meant as a short overview.
Regular relays have challenges
Current relay software have significant challenges, which I have experienced when hosting Nostr.land: - Scalability is only supported by adding full replicas, which does not scale to large relays. - Most relays use slow databases and are not optimized for large scale usage. - Search is near-impossible to implement on standard relays. - Privacy features such as NIP-42 are lacking. - Regular DB maintenance tasks on normal relays require extended downtime. - Fault-tolerance is implemented, if any, using a load balancer, which is limited. - Personalization and advanced filtering is not possible. - Local caching is not supported.
NFDB: A scalable database for large relays
NFDB is a new database meant for medium-large scale relays, built on FoundationDB that provides: - Near-unlimited scalability - Extended fault tolerance - Instant loading - Better search - Better personalization - and more.
Search
NFDB has extended search capabilities including: - Semantic search: Search for meaning, not words. - Interest-based search: Highlight content you care about. - Multi-faceted queries: Easily filter by topic, author group, keywords, and more at the same time. - Wide support for event kinds, including users, articles, etc.
Personalization
NFDB allows significant personalization: - Customized algorithms: Be your own algorithm. - Spam filtering: Filter content to your WoT, and use advanced spam filters. - Topic mutes: Mute topics, not keywords. - Media filtering: With Nostr.build, you will be able to filter NSFW and other content - Low data mode: Block notes that use high amounts of cellular data. - and more
Other
NFDB has support for many other features such as: - NIP-42: Protect your privacy with private drafts and DMs - Microrelays: Easily deploy your own personal microrelay - Containers: Dedicated, fast storage for discoverability events such as relay lists
Calcite: A local microrelay database
Calcite is a lightweight, local version of NFDB that is meant for microrelays and caching, meant for thousands of personal microrelays.
Calcite HA is an additional layer that allows live migration and relay failover in under 30 seconds, providing higher availability compared to current relays with greater simplicity. Calcite HA is enabled in all Calcite deployments.
For zero-downtime, NFDB is recommended.
Noswhere SmartCache
Relays are fixed in one location, but users can be anywhere.
Noswhere SmartCache is a CDN for relays that dynamically caches data on edge servers closest to you, allowing: - Multiple regions around the world - Improved throughput and performance - Faster loading times
routerd
routerd
is a custom load-balancer optimized for Nostr relays, integrated with SmartCache.routerd
is specifically integrated with NFDB and Calcite HA to provide fast failover and high performance.Ending notes
NFDB is planned to be deployed to Nostr.land in the coming weeks.
A lot more is to come. 👀️️️️️️
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@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365
2025-04-15 11:03:15Prelude
I wrote this post differently than any of my others. It started with a discussion with AI on an OPSec-inspired review of separation of powers, and evolved into quite an exciting debate! I asked Grok to write up a summary in my overall writing style, which it got pretty well. I've decided to post it exactly as-is. Ultimately, I think there are two solid ideas driving my stance here:
- Perfect is the enemy of the good
- Failure is the crucible of success
Beyond that, just some hard-core belief in freedom, separation of powers, and operating from self-interest.
Intro
Alright, buckle up. I’ve been chewing on this idea for a while, and it’s time to spit it out. Let’s look at the U.S. government like I’d look at a codebase under a cybersecurity audit—OPSEC style, no fluff. Forget the endless debates about what politicians should do. That’s noise. I want to talk about what they can do, the raw powers baked into the system, and why we should stop pretending those powers are sacred. If there’s a hole, either patch it or exploit it. No half-measures. And yeah, I’m okay if the whole thing crashes a bit—failure’s a feature, not a bug.
The Filibuster: A Security Rule with No Teeth
You ever see a firewall rule that’s more theater than protection? That’s the Senate filibuster. Everyone acts like it’s this untouchable guardian of democracy, but here’s the deal: a simple majority can torch it any day. It’s not a law; it’s a Senate preference, like choosing tabs over spaces. When people call killing it the “nuclear option,” I roll my eyes. Nuclear? It’s a button labeled “press me.” If a party wants it gone, they’ll do it. So why the dance?
I say stop playing games. Get rid of the filibuster. If you’re one of those folks who thinks it’s the only thing saving us from tyranny, fine—push for a constitutional amendment to lock it in. That’s a real patch, not a Post-it note. Until then, it’s just a vulnerability begging to be exploited. Every time a party threatens to nuke it, they’re admitting it’s not essential. So let’s stop pretending and move on.
Supreme Court Packing: Because Nine’s Just a Number
Here’s another fun one: the Supreme Court. Nine justices, right? Sounds official. Except it’s not. The Constitution doesn’t say nine—it’s silent on the number. Congress could pass a law tomorrow to make it 15, 20, or 42 (hitchhiker’s reference, anyone?). Packing the court is always on the table, and both sides know it. It’s like a root exploit just sitting there, waiting for someone to log in.
So why not call the bluff? If you’re in power—say, Trump’s back in the game—say, “I’m packing the court unless we amend the Constitution to fix it at nine.” Force the issue. No more shadowboxing. And honestly? The court’s got way too much power anyway. It’s not supposed to be a super-legislature, but here we are, with justices’ ideologies driving the bus. That’s a bug, not a feature. If the court weren’t such a kingmaker, packing it wouldn’t even matter. Maybe we should be talking about clipping its wings instead of just its size.
The Executive Should Go Full Klingon
Let’s talk presidents. I’m not saying they should wear Klingon armor and start shouting “Qapla’!”—though, let’s be real, that’d be awesome. I’m saying the executive should use every scrap of power the Constitution hands them. Enforce the laws you agree with, sideline the ones you don’t. If Congress doesn’t like it, they’ve got tools: pass new laws, override vetoes, or—here’s the big one—cut the budget. That’s not chaos; that’s the system working as designed.
Right now, the real problem isn’t the president overreaching; it’s the bureaucracy. It’s like a daemon running in the background, eating CPU and ignoring the user. The president’s supposed to be the one steering, but the administrative state’s got its own agenda. Let the executive flex, push the limits, and force Congress to check it. Norms? Pfft. The Constitution’s the spec sheet—stick to it.
Let the System Crash
Here’s where I get a little spicy: I’m totally fine if the government grinds to a halt. Deadlock isn’t a disaster; it’s a feature. If the branches can’t agree, let the president veto, let Congress starve the budget, let enforcement stall. Don’t tell me about “essential services.” Nothing’s so critical it can’t take a breather. Shutdowns force everyone to the table—debate, compromise, or expose who’s dropping the ball. If the public loses trust? Good. They’ll vote out the clowns or live with the circus they elected.
Think of it like a server crash. Sometimes you need a hard reboot to clear the cruft. If voters keep picking the same bad admins, well, the country gets what it deserves. Failure’s the best teacher—way better than limping along on autopilot.
States Are the Real MVPs
If the feds fumble, states step up. Right now, states act like junior devs waiting for the lead engineer to sign off. Why? Federal money. It’s a leash, and it’s tight. Cut that cash, and states will remember they’re autonomous. Some will shine, others will tank—looking at you, California. And I’m okay with that. Let people flee to better-run states. No bailouts, no excuses. States are like competing startups: the good ones thrive, the bad ones pivot or die.
Could it get uneven? Sure. Some states might turn into sci-fi utopias while others look like a post-apocalyptic vidya game. That’s the point—competition sorts it out. Citizens can move, markets adjust, and failure’s a signal to fix your act.
Chaos Isn’t the Enemy
Yeah, this sounds messy. States ignoring federal law, external threats poking at our seams, maybe even a constitutional crisis. I’m not scared. The Supreme Court’s there to referee interstate fights, and Congress sets the rules for state-to-state play. But if it all falls apart? Still cool. States can sort it without a babysitter—it’ll be ugly, but freedom’s worth it. External enemies? They’ll either unify us or break us. If we can’t rally, we don’t deserve the win.
Centralizing power to avoid this is like rewriting your app in a single thread to prevent race conditions—sure, it’s simpler, but you’re begging for a deadlock. Decentralized chaos lets states experiment, lets people escape, lets markets breathe. States competing to cut regulations to attract businesses? That’s a race to the bottom for red tape, but a race to the top for innovation—workers might gripe, but they’ll push back, and the tension’s healthy. Bring it—let the cage match play out. The Constitution’s checks are enough if we stop coddling the system.
Why This Matters
I’m not pitching a utopia. I’m pitching a stress test. The U.S. isn’t a fragile porcelain doll; it’s a rugged piece of hardware built to take some hits. Let it fail a little—filibuster, court, feds, whatever. Patch the holes with amendments if you want, or lean into the grind. Either way, stop fearing the crash. It’s how we debug the republic.
So, what’s your take? Ready to let the system rumble, or got a better way to secure the code? Hit me up—I’m all ears.
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@ 812cff5a:5c40aeeb
2025-06-05 12:55:10Chorus: تجربة في البرمجة الانسداحية
كيفية بناء تطبيق Nostr بسرعة البرق باستخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي.
في 26 مايو، تم إطلاق تطبيق Chorus في منتدى أوسلو للحرية. صُمم هذا التطبيق للناشطين والمعارضين ومنظمي المجتمع، ويتميز بمجموعات تشبه تلك الموجودة في فيسبوك مع محفظة eCash مدمجة لجمع التبرعات.
Chorus مبني على Nostr، وهو بروتوكول لامركزي ومفتوح مصمم ليكون مقاومًا للرقابة. يمكن لأي شخص في العالم إنشاء حساب Nostr والنشر إلى خوادم Nostr، أو حتى بناء تطبيق Nostr خاص به — ولا يمكن لأحد إيقافه. هذا ما يجعل Nostr المكان المثالي للمقاتلين من أجل الحرية، الذين غالبًا ما يواجهون الرقابة من الحكومات الاستبدادية أو الشركات التي تتحكم في المنصات الاجتماعية الرئيسية.
يمكن للمستخدمين إنشاء حساب Chorus (أو تسجيل الدخول باستخدام حساب Nostr موجود) في ثوانٍ والبدء فورًا في استلام eCash، وإنشاء مجموعات، ومشاركة المحتوى. يتضمن التطبيق ميزات قوية لإدارة المجتمع، بحيث يمكن للمجموعات اختيار أنواع المحتوى التي تسمح بها وفقًا لشروطها الخاصة. يمكن للمستخدمين إرسال eCash على الفور إلى المجموعات التي يرغبون في دعمها، مما يوفر أداة لجمع التبرعات عبر الحدود لا يمكن لأي حكومة إيقافها.
قبل عام فقط، ربما استغرق بناء النسخة التي تم إطلاقها الأسبوع الماضي من Chorus أسابيع. ولكن بفضل أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي الحالية، قمنا بذلك في خمسة أيام فقط.
⸻
كيفية القيام بذلك: بناء تطبيق في أيام باستخدام وكلاء الذكاء الاصطناعي
الخطوة 1: تجميع الفريق
تم بناء Chorus بواسطة And Other Stuff، وهي مجموعة جديدة مكرسة لتعزيز Nostr في خمسة مجالات رئيسية: تجربة المستخدم والتسجيل، المجتمعات، الاتصالات الخاصة، التجارة، والذكاء الاصطناعي. شمل فريق هذا المشروع: • Calle، منشئ Cashu (eCash) • JeffG، منشئ White Noise (الاتصالات الخاصة) • Rabble و Liz Swiegart من Nos (تجربة المستخدم والتسجيل) • Alex Gleason و MK Fain، منشئو Soapbox (المجتمعات) • و Jack Dorsey (مستشار)
الخطوة 2: البدء بقالب قوي
عند البرمجة بالانسداح، السياق هو الملك. إذا بدأت بمجلد فارغ وطلبت من وكيل ذكاء اصطناعي “بناء تطبيق مجموعات Nostr”، فلا يزال أمامك الكثير من العمل للحصول على شيء وظيفي حتى بشكل بسيط. من المحتمل أن تكون تنفيذات Nostr محاكاة، لا تتصل بخوادم حقيقية، أو تم تنفيذها بشكل غير صحيح. قد تكون أنواع الأحداث خاطئة، وقد لا يتم تحميل واجهة المستخدم، وحظًا سعيدًا في محاولة معرفة الخطوة التالية لإصلاح الفوضى.
هذا لأن الذكاء الاصطناعي يفتقر إلى بعض السياقات الرئيسية للبدء: • وثائق صديقة للذكاء الاصطناعي حول بروتوكول Nostr • أمثلة عالية الجودة على تنفيذ Nostr • أساسيات حول تكديس التكنولوجيا المفضل • سياق حول كيفية بناء المشروع وتشغيله وتصحيحه
الحل هو توفير المزيد من السياق، وسيكون العديد من مبرمجي الانسداح المخضرمين على دراية بالصراع في محاولة جعل الوكيل يقرأ روابط مختلفة للوثائق ويتبع 500 كلمة من السياق المصاغ بعناية في مطالبتهم الافتتاحية. ومع ذلك، غالبًا ما يربك هذا الوكلاء الذين يعملون بشكل أفضل مع مطالبات بسيطة. الحل لهذه المشكلة هو Stacks.
Stacks: بدء البرمجة الانسداحية بسرعة
Stacks تحل مشكلة نقص السياق الأولي من خلال إنشاء قوالب جاهزة مصممة خصيصًا لاستخدام وكلاء الذكاء الاصطناعي. يمكن استخدام “stack” لبناء أي نوع من المشاريع بأي لغة برمجة مع أي هدف نهائي في الاعتبار. بالنسبة لـ Chorus، استخدمنا MKStack، وهو قالب مصمم خصيصًا لبناء تطبيقات Nostr.
يتميز MKStack بعدة حلول للمشاكل الشائعة في الذكاء الاصطناعي: • Nostrbook MCP للاستعلام عن وثائق Nostr • مكونات بداية لميزات Nostr الشائعة مثل تسجيل الدخول • دعم Blossom لتحميل الوسائط • ملفات سياقية لتوجيه الوكيل خلال العقبات الشائعة وسير عمل التصحيح • نشر موقعك على الفور باستخدام Surge
النتيجة هي موقع جميل يعمل مباشرة مع Nostr في مطالبة واحدة:
“بناء تطبيق مجموعات على غرار فيسبوك على Nostr باستخدام NIP 72.”
كان هذا هو نتيجة تلك المطالبة الواحدة: http://groups72.surge.sh
الخطوة 3: إضافة الميزات باستخدام وكلاء الذكاء الاصطناعي
Stacks بدأت تطوير Chorus بسرعة. بعد ذلك، استخدمنا وكلاء الذكاء الاصطناعي لإضافة ميزات إضافية مثل: • محفظة eCash مدمجة • ميزات إدارة المجتمع • دعم الوسائط المتعددة
كل ذلك تم باستخدام مطالبات بسيطة وتوجيهات للذكاء الاصطناعي، مما سمح لنا ببناء تطبيق كامل الوظائف في أيام قليلة فقط.
⸻
ملاحظة:تم استخدام مصطلح برمجة الانسداحية بهدف الطرفة كترجمة لمصطلح Vibe coding تم كتابة هذه المقال من قبل المبدعة nostr: npub1jvnpg4c6ljadf5t6ry0w9q0rnm4mksde87kglkrc993z46c39axsgq89sc
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@ e2c72a5a:bfacb2ee
2025-06-05 16:46:19Think proving you're over 21 without showing your ID is impossible? Zero Knowledge Proofs make it real.
Zero Knowledge Proofs let you prove something is true without revealing the information itself. Imagine proving you know a password without saying it. It's like magic, but it's math.
They're used in crypto for private transactions, secure voting, and faster blockchains. Zcash and Aztec use them to hide transaction details. StarkWare uses them to make Ethereum faster.
But here's the twist: zk STARKs don't need a trusted setup, unlike zk SNARKs. This makes them more secure and decentralized.
Misconception alert: ZKPs aren't just for privacy. They also boost scalability and interoperability.
Want to dive deeper into this mind bending tech? What other secrets can ZKPs unlock?
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@ 3eab247c:1d80aeed
2025-06-05 08:51:39Global Metrics
Here are the top stats from the last period:
- Total Bitcoin-accepting merchants: 15,306 → 16,284
- Recently verified (1y): 7,540 → 7,803 (the rest of our dataset is slowly rotting; help us before it's too late!)
- Avg. days since last verification: 398 → 405 (more mappers, please)
- Merchants boosted: 22 (for a total of 4,325 days, someone is feeling generous)
- Comments posted: 34
Find current stats over at the 👉 BTC Map Dashboard.
Merchant Adoption
Steak n’ Shake
The US 🇺🇸 is a massive country, yet its BTC Map footprint has been lagging relative to other countries ... that is until now!
In what came as a nice surprise to our Shadowy Supertaggers 🫠, the Steak ’n Shake chain began accepting Bitcoin payments across hundreds of its locations nationwide (with some international locations too).
According to CoinDesk, the rollout has been smooth, with users reporting seamless transactions powered by Speed.
This marks a significant step towards broader Bitcoin adoption in the US. Now to drop the capital gains tax on cheesburgers!
SPAR Switzerland
In other chain/franchise adoption news, the first SPAR supermarket in Switzerland 🇨🇭 to begin accepting Bitcoin was this one in Zug. It was quickly followed by this one in Rossrüti and this one in Kreuzlingen, in what is believed to be part of a wider roll-out plan within the country powered by DFX's Open CryptoPay.
That said, we believe the OG SPAR crown goes to SPAR City in Arnhem Bitcoin City!
New Features
Merchant Comments in the Web App
Web App users are now on par with Android users in that they can both see and make comments on merchants.
This is powered by our tweaked API that enables anyone to make a comment as long as they pass the satswall fee of 500 sats. This helps keep spam manageable and ensure quality comments.
And just in case you were wondering what the number count was on the merchant pins - yep, they're comments!
Here is an 👉 Example merchant page with comments.
Merchant Page Design Tweaks
To support the now trio of actions (Verify, Boost & Comment) on the merchant page, we've re-jigged the design a little to make things a little clearer.
What do you think?
Technical
Codebase Refactoring
Thanks to Hannes’s contributions, we’ve made progress in cleaning-up the Web App's codebase and completing long overdue maintenance. Whilst often thankless tasks, these caretaking activities help immensely with long-term maintainability enabling us to confidently build new features.
Auth System Upgrades
The old auth system was held together with duct tape and prayers, and we’re working on a more robust authentication system to support future public API access. Updates include:
- Password hashing
- Bearer token support
- Improved security practices
More enhancements are in progress and we'll update you in the next blog post.
Better API Documentation
Instead of relying on tribal knowledge, we're finally getting around to writing actual docs (with the help/hindrance of LLMs). The "move fast, break everything" era is over; now we move slightly slower and break slightly less. Progress!
Database Improvements
We use SQLite, which works well but it requires careful handling in async Rust environments. So now we're untangling this mess to avoid accidental blocking queries (and the ensuing dumpster fires).
Backup System Enhancements
BTC Map data comes in three layers of fragility:
- Merchants (backed up by OS - the big boys handle this)
- Non-OSM stuff (areas, users, etc. - currently stored on a napkin)
- External systems (Lightning node, submission tickets - pray to Satoshi)
We're now forcing two core members to backup everything, because redundancy is good.
Credits
Thanks to everyone who directly contributed to the project this period:
- Comino
- descubrebitcoin
- Hannes
- Igor Bubelov
- Nathan Day
- Rockedf
- Saunter
- SiriusBig
- vv01f
Support Us
There are many ways in which you can support us:
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Become a Shadowy Supertagger and help maintain your local area or pitch-in with the never-ending global effort.
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Consider a zapping this note or make a donation to the to the project here.
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@ c066aac5:6a41a034
2025-04-05 16:58:58I’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.
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@ a74cf7d3:37b9b82e
2025-06-05 17:03:04Lava is the most secure way to borrow against your bitcoin. Lava Loans allow you to borrow dollars using your bitcoin as collateral, all without giving up self-custody. No need to wait days, sign paperwork, bridge your bitcoin, or trust third-party custodians to take out a loan. All you have to do is set the terms of your loan within your Lava Vault, and you can get your loan capital within seconds.
Unlike other bitcoin-backed lending options, Lava is entirely self-custodial. You control your own keys and never have to transfer your bitcoin to a third party. Historically, most bitcoin-backed lending solutions required users to trust custodians with their bitcoin, exposing them to hacks, rehypothecation risk, insolvency, and seizures. This resulted in more than $24B in user funds lost in 2022 alone. Lending protocols on other chains like Ethereum or Solana require users to bridge their bitcoin, introducing additional custodial, bridge, smart contract, and platform risks. Both options are clunky, risky, and slow.
Lava Loans introduces a better model. We’ve built a borrowing protocol that works entirely on native bitcoin. Taking out a loan on Lava takes seconds, doesn't require paperwork, and allows you to maintain self-custody. Lava is the best option for simple, low-cost, and safe bitcoin-backed loans.
In this article we’ll dive into the key features of Lava Loans, how it is different from other borrowing options on the market, and explain how it works at a technical level.
Key Features of Lava
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Instant loans: No paperwork. Just answer 2 questions and get your loan within seconds.
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Low cost: We minimize costs by reducing loan risk, allowing us to offer the lowest rates on the market. All fees are made transparent at the start.
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Flexible amounts: Borrow exactly what you need.
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No Custodial Risk: Your BTC never leaves your control. There’s no risk of hacks, seizure, or rehypothecation. You can verify this yourself on-chain. Lava is the only loan product where you can independently verify—on-chain and in real time—that your bitcoin is not being rehypothecated.
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No Loan Initiation Risk: Using atomic swaps, your collateral only moves if your loan capital is already secured.
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No Repayment Risk: Repay your loan and your BTC is automatically returned, guaranteed by cryptography.
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Reduced Liquidation Risk: You choose your own blinded, off-chain price source, minimizing the chance of unfair liquidation.
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Bug-Minimized: Lava uses formally verified smart contracts on bitcoin (Discreet Log Contracts), meaning all contract outcomes are known and signed ahead of time. Execution is private and secure.
How It Works
The Lava Loans Protocol is built on top of bitcoin-native smart contracts, called Discreet Log Contracts (DLCs). DLCs enable conditional (oracle-based) contracts on bitcoin, meaning they can execute transactions based on pre-specified and approved conditions. Lava Loans are executed via custom DLCs that allow the borrower and lender to agree to the terms of a loan, enter into a contract based on those terms, and have the contract enforce the terms on-chain— all without requiring a third-party custodian.
DLCs allow for a trust-minimized borrowing experience, and they avoid many of the risks inherent with smart contracts on other platforms like Ethereum. DLCs operate on Bitcoin itself— you don’t need to move your coins to another chain or layer. They also mitigate bug risk because they are formally verified, meaning the output conditions of the contract are known from the beginning. This helps to avoid the exploits commonly seen in Ethereum. Because the contracts use off-chain oracles, they aren't susceptible to oracle manipulation by miners. Not only that, but these contracts are private, customizable (choose your own oracle), and scalable (minimal on-chain cost because execution happens off-chain).
Lava Loans are on-chain contracts between borrowers and lenders. The borrower and the lender agree on a loan amount (in USD), a collateral amount (in BTC), the loan duration, the interest rate, the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio at which liquidation happens, and a data feed (oracle) that will provide the Bitcoin price. When the contract is initialized, the collateral is locked and the loan capital is transferred to the borrower. The oracle feeds the price of Bitcoin into the contract on a continuous basis, and the contract executes according to its pre-defined parameters. As long as the borrower maintains a healthy LTV and repays their loan, their collateral is automatically returned to them upon completion.
Each Lava Loan goes through three phases:
Phase 1: Loan Initiation
- The loan is initialized via an atomic swap; the bitcoin collateral is locked in the smart contract and the loan capital is transferred from the lender to the borrower. Because this is done via an atomic swap, the borrower and lender do not have to trust one another or use an escrow. The collateral moves into the smart contract, and the loan capital is automatically sent to the borrower.
Phase 2: Active Loan
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Once the atomic swap is complete, the loan is active. The bitcoin collateral remains locked in the smart contract, and the borrower has access to their loan capital.
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While the loan is active, the oracle feeds the bitcoin price into the contract on an ongoing basis. This allows the contract to monitor the LTV.
Phase 3: Loan Termination
Once the loan is active, it can terminated in one of the following ways:
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Repaid: If the borrower repays the loan, the collateral is released to the borrower atomically.
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Liquidated: If the loan value reaches a pre-determined LTV or the borrower misses a payment, the collateral is immediately released to the lender for liquidation.
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Expired: If the borrower does not repay the loan before the loan term ends, some of the collateral, equivalent to principal plus interest, is released to the lender, and the rest is sent to the borrower.
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Fail-Safe: In rare scenarios where the loan process cannot be completed as expected due to unresponsive oracles, the protocol has built-in fail-safe mechanisms. These mechanisms ensure that the collateral is not lost.
As you can see, all of the loan terms and conditions are built into the smart contract. The borrower and lender agree on the terms, enter into the loan, and then the contract executes the pre-specified and approved transactions based on either the actions taken by the borrow/lender, or the price changes in BTC. As a user, you can verify at any point that your collateral sits on-chain, is locked in the contract, and isn’t being used or rehypothecated in any way.
Security
Lava Loans are designed to be the most secure option for Bitcoiners who want to borrow against their holdings. Lava’s approach is trust-minimized, bug-minimized, and verifiable for users.
Trust-Minimized
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Traditional platforms expose you to bridge, custodian, or bank risk. Lava lets you borrow against native-BTC directly in your vault. This means there can’t be rehypothecation, funds lost in custodial hacks, or asset confiscation.
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While other platforms require blind trust during loan initiation, Lava uses atomic swaps to ensure your BTC collateral only moves to the escrowed smart contract once the loan is in your hands.
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The uncertainty of receiving collateral post-repayment is a concern with many platforms. Lava uses cryptographic guarantees to ensure that once you fulfill your repayment, your BTC is promptly returned.
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You don’t have to trust a lender who can liquidate your BTC unjustly. With Lava, you choose your off-chain, blinded oracles per loan to provide price data, drastically reducing risks from malicious entities.
Bug-Minimized
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Lava’s bitcoin smart contract is formally-verified, meaning the output conditions to the contract are known ahead of time, minimizing technical risk. DLCs, the underlying technology Lava uses, use pre-signed, encrypted transactions to specify the output conditions to a contract ahead of time. Since all the output conditions to the contract are specified ahead of time, and then encrypted using adaptor signatures, the output conditions are known (money can only move to borrower/lender).
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Lava’s contracts have been audited by the best auditors in the industry, Antoine Riard from thelab31 and Conduition, as well as the core contributors to the cryptography behind DLCs.
Verifiable
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Lava is the only loan product where you can independently verify—on-chain and in real time—that your bitcoin is not being rehypothecated. When you borrow using Lava, you have cryptographic proof, not just legal or reputational assurances, that your collateral is secure.
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Lava’s oracle implementation is open-source.
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Lava’s oracles make daily attestations and calculate a median price across various price feeds to avoid flash crash and unreliable margin call risk.
How Lava Compares
Loan Payments + Fees
Users who take out a Lava Loan pay a one-time origination fee (currently 2%) to open a loan, and each loan has a determined, fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan. Interest rates depend on the length of the loan, but they currently start at 5% annually. Users can also extend their loan by paying an extension fee (currently 2%) at the time that the loan is extended.
Loans that are longer than one month in duration require users to make monthly payments on their loans. Because the terms of Lava Loans are set programmatically in the smart contract, users must make their monthly payments on time in order to avoid being liquidated. You can make your monthly payments using digital dollars (either those held in your Lava Vault, or by depositing USDC into the vault) or via bank transfer. Bank transfers may take several days to clear, so it’s important to plan ahead in order to make the payments on time. Lava offers notifications in advance of payment deadlines in order to allow you sufficient time to plan and make payments.
FAQ
What are oracles?
Oracles are independent data feeds that attest to the price of Bitcoin and feed that price into the contract. At Lava, we’ve built Sibyls, an open-source oracle implementation for bitcoin. Users can choose their own oracles, and oracles have zero knowledge about the contracts they influence. In the case of the Lava Loans Protocol, oracles also make off-chain attestations, and in doing so, this helps us avoid the increased fees and miner manipulation that comes from on-chain oracles. You can learn more about our oracles here.
Why does Lava use digital dollars?
To ensure a fast, trust-minimized loan, Lava uses smart contracts that require HTLC compatibility. Fiat doesn’t support this, so we use digital dollars (like USDC on Solana) — which you can instantly withdraw to your bank account.
What are bitcoin smart contracts?
Bitcoin smart contracts (also known as discreet log contracts) enable conditional (oracle-based) contracts on bitcoin. The way it works is that each party to a contract creates and shares encrypted signatures for each output condition to the contract. Each counterparty has confidence they can decrypt the encrypted signatures and use them correctly at the right time because they can verify the encryption: verify when they can decrypt the signatures and that the signatures are valid.
Bitcoin smart contracts are a better way to do smart contracts because they are secure, private, customizable, and scalable. They mitigate bug risk because they are formally verified, meaning the output conditions of the contract are known from the beginning. This helps avoid exploits you constantly see in Ethereum. Since these contracts use off-chain oracles, they aren't susceptible to oracle manipulation by miners. Not only that, but these contracts are private, customizable (choose your own oracle), and scalable (minimal on-chain cost because execution happens off-chain).
These contracts are zero knowledge in that the blockchain has zero knowledge about the contract, the oracles have zero knowledge about the contract, and the counterparty can verify the encryption without needing the decrypted material.
Where can I learn more?
If you want to learn more about the Lava Loans Protocol, check out the loans paper here: https://github.com/lava-xyz/loans-paper/tree/main
Ready to borrow? Download the Lava Vault on iOS or Android and take out your first bitcoin-secured loan in seconds.
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@ 31a4605e:cf043959
2025-06-05 12:49:36O surgimento do Bitcoin trouxe uma nova visão para o conceito de dinheiro, desafiando o sistema financeiro convencional baseado em moedas fiduciárias. Enquanto as moedas fiduciárias, como o real, o dólar e o euro, são amplamente usadas e reconhecidas como métodos de troca, o Bitcoin representa uma inovação digital que propõe descentralização e autonomia financeira. Embora ambos desempenhem funções básicas como meio de troca e reserva de valor, suas diferenças principais estão na maneira como são emitidos, geridos e transacionados.
Uma das principais distinções entre o Bitcoin e as moedas fiduciárias é a maneira como são emitidos e administrados. As moedas fiduciárias são emitidas por bancos centrais, que têm o poder de regular sua quantidade em circulação. Esse modelo permite a aplicação de políticas monetárias, como o aumento da oferta de dinheiro para estimular a economia ou a diminuição para controlar a inflação. No entanto, essa capacidade também pode resultar na desvalorização da moeda, se for emitida em excesso.
O Bitcoin, por outro lado, tem um sistema de emissão totalmente descentralizado. Ele é criado por meio de um processo chamado mineração, no qual computadores resolvem problemas matemáticos complexos para validar transações na rede. Além disso, a oferta total de bitcoins é limitada a 21 milhões de unidades, tornando-o um ativo deflacionário, ou seja, sua escassez pode aumentar seu valor ao longo do tempo. Essa limitação contrasta fortemente com a natureza ilimitada da impressão de moedas fiduciárias.
Moedas fiduciárias são centralizadas, o que significa que sua emissão e controle são decididos por autoridades governamentais. Isso também implica que transações feitas com essas moedas passam por intermediários, como bancos, que podem aplicar taxas e limites, além de estarem sujeitos a regulamentações e auditorias.
O Bitcoin, por sua vez, é descentralizado. Ele opera em uma rede peer-to-peer, onde as transações são verificadas por participantes chamados mineradores e registradas em um livro público conhecido como blockchain. Essa descentralização elimina a necessidade de intermediários, tornando o Bitcoin mais resistente à censura e ao controle governamental. Isso também proporciona maior transparência, já que qualquer pessoa pode verificar as transações na rede.
Outra diferença importante está na maneira como as transações são feitas. Com moedas fiduciárias, as transações geralmente dependem de bancos ou sistemas de pagamento, que podem impor restrições de horários e taxas altas, especialmente para transferências internacionais.
O Bitcoin, por outro lado, permite transferências diretas entre pessoas, em qualquer lugar do mundo e a qualquer momento, sem a necessidade de intermediários. Isso torna o sistema mais acessível, especialmente para aqueles que não possuem contas bancárias ou vivem em países com sistemas financeiros restritivos. Além disso, as taxas de transação do Bitcoin podem ser menores do que as taxas cobradas por bancos tradicionais.
As moedas fiduciárias proporcionam segurança baseada em leis governamentais e no sistema bancário, mas os usuários precisam confiar nesses intermediários. O Bitcoin, em contrapartida, oferece um alto nível de segurança através de criptografia avançada. As carteiras digitais, que guardam bitcoins, são protegidas por chaves privadas, assegurando que somente o dono possa acessá-las.
No entanto, a privacidade funciona de maneira diferente. Transações em moedas fiduciárias normalmente estão ligadas à identidade do usuário, enquanto o Bitcoin oferece um certo nível de anonimato, já que os endereços das carteiras não requerem identificação pessoal. Ainda assim, todas as transações são públicas e registradas no blockchain, o que pode ser um ponto de monitoramento para autoridades.
O valor das moedas fiduciárias é sustentado pela confiança no governo que as emite e na economia do país. Por outro lado, o Bitcoin não é apoiado por nenhum governo ou ativo físico. Seu valor é definido pela oferta e demanda no mercado, fazendo com que seja altamente volátil. Embora essa volatilidade apresente um risco, também atrai pessoas que veem o Bitcoin como uma possibilidade de valorização a longo prazo.
Resumindo, o Bitcoin e as moedas fiduciárias diferem significativamente em sua estrutura, controle e funcionalidade. Enquanto as moedas fiduciárias são controladas por governos e dependem de intermediários, o Bitcoin oferece descentralização, transparência e liberdade financeira. Apesar de sua volatilidade e alguns desafios relacionados à regulamentação, o Bitcoin representa uma alternativa nova ao sistema financeiro tradicional.
Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-03-15 23:00:40I 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
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@ 527337d5:93e9525e
2025-06-05 03:09:02The Algorithmic Pursuit of Connection: A Five-Book Journey into the Self
As a researcher, hitting my thirties and the winding down of a significant project prompted a crucial re-evaluation of life's latter half. While I'd successfully applied probabilistic control theory to one-on-one interactions, the complexities of group dynamics remained a persistent challenge. My recent dive into five diverse books on human relationships inadvertently became a profound journey of self-discovery, fundamentally reshaping my perspective on social connections.
Neil Strauss: A Mirror Reflecting the Self's Evolution
Neil Strauss's The Truth resonated deepest among my recent reads. The author's battle with sex addiction uncomfortably mirrored my own past struggles: the fragile self-esteem stemming from rejection, the hubris born of early successes, and the tendency to view women as mere objects of manipulation. It felt eerily prescient, a glimpse into a potential future.
Yet, I found myself arriving at Strauss's ultimate conclusion – the paramount importance of self-preparation and community – far sooner than he did. This acceleration wasn't accidental; it was the result of intense focus on individual experiences, meticulously replayed and analyzed in my mind. The book, therefore, served less as a revelation and more as a powerful validation of my own journey of introspection and root-cause analysis.
Quantifying Connection: The Promise and Limits of Mathematical Models
Hannah Fry's The Mathematics of Love offered a kindred spirit in its attempt to quantify human relationships. While I appreciate the mathematical lens, Fry's models primarily concern dyadic relationships (N=2), relying on relatively simple systems of two-variable ordinary differential equations. For me, these are akin to linear models, sufficient only up to a certain point. Beyond N=4, the dependencies become exponentially complex.
My own pursuit extends to understanding and optimizing group dynamics within complex systems. This involves multi-variable problems (N $\ge$ 3) and the application of network theory, a far more sophisticated approach. Human collectives, after all, are systems of nodes and edges, where information propagates in predictable ways. My focus is on deriving optimal behavioral controls within these intricate frameworks.
Conversely, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus initially struck me as bordering on conspiracy theory. However, its latter half proved unexpectedly useful. Its clear enumeration of male and female desires, and its articulation of common points of conflict, presented a practical template for communication styles. In a systemic view, this serves as a rudimentary, yet functional, interface design for complex social interactions.
A Dispassionate Critique of Relationship Dogma
My drive for efficiency and systematic understanding led to a rather blunt assessment of certain relationship classics. The New Science of Adult Attachment felt disorganized and frustratingly anecdotal. Lacking a coherent theoretical framework, it burdened the reader with deciphering meaning from a jumble of examples. Its inefficiency was, frankly, its most irksome flaw.
Similarly, Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People struck me as closer to pseudoscience than social science. Its plethora of specific anecdotes obscured any underlying principle. Given my deep engagement with social engineering – a discipline that systematically and practically analyzes human interaction – Carnegie's work appeared largely irrelevant and inefficient. From my perspective, which views humans as objective systems to be analyzed with mathematical rigor, such unstructured approaches hold little value.
The Unveiling of a Core Principle: Humans as Systems
This intensive reading period solidified my most crucial insight: humans, at their core, are systems. This understanding allows for a dispassionate, methodical approach to human collectives, mitigating unnecessary emotional friction.
This revelation has sharply refined my future learning trajectory. I'm now prioritizing foundational theories like graph theory and network theory over anecdotal accounts of human behavior. By mastering these theoretical underpinnings, I aim to precisely model complex human interactions as systems of nodes and edges, enabling the derivation of optimal behavioral controls within communities.
My choice of the term "target for capture" for individuals stems from a personal aversion to perceived equality in certain human interactions, a mechanism to avoid cognitive dissonance. This rational approach, I believe, is key to cultivating secure attachment styles – relationships demonstrably sustainable in the long term. My philosophy is to strategically approach the initial engagement, then transition to a stable, enduring connection. It's a calculated, dispassionate method for achieving desired relational outcomes.
Ultimately, this period of reading wasn't just about acquiring knowledge; it was a profound journey of self-discovery, clarifying my personal frameworks for navigating life's complexities and forging meaningful, yet strategically managed, connections.
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@ bc575705:dba3ed39
2025-03-13 05:57:10In our hyper-connected age, the concept of "Know Your Customer" (KYC) has morphed from a regulatory necessity into a pervasive surveillance apparatus, subtly eroding our fundamental liberties. While purported to combat financial crime, KYC has become a tool for mass surveillance, data exploitation, and the gradual dismantling of personal privacy. Let’s embark on a comprehensive exploration of this system, exposing its inherent flaws and advocating for a paradigm shift towards decentralized financial sovereignty.
Beyond the Surface: The Intricate Web of KYC Data Collection
KYC transcends mere identity verification; it's a deep dive into the minutiae of our lives. Consider the breadth and depth of data extracted:
Geographic Surveillance: Proof of address requirements delve into historical residency, creating granular maps of our movements. Combined with location data from mobile devices and online activity, this paints a comprehensive picture of our physical presence.
Financial Autopsy: KYC dissects our financial lives with surgical precision. Income sources, asset declarations, and transaction histories are meticulously cataloged. Algorithmic analysis reveals spending habits, investment strategies, and even potential political affiliations.
Behavioral Predictive Modeling: AI algorithms analyze our financial behavior, predicting future actions and preferences. This data is invaluable for targeted advertising, but also for social engineering and political manipulation.
Biometric Invasiveness: Facial recognition, iris scans, and voice analysis create permanent, immutable records of our physical selves. These biometrics are highly sensitive and vulnerable to breaches, potentially leading to identity theft and even physical harm.
Social Network Mapping: KYC extends beyond individuals, mapping our social and professional networks. Institutions analyze our connections, identifying potential risks based on our associations. This has a chilling effect on free association and dissent, as individuals become hesitant to associate with those deemed "risky."
Psychometric Profiling: With the increase of online tests, and the collection of online data, companies and states can build psychometric profiles. These profiles can be used to predict actions, and even manipulate populations.
The Fallacy of Security: KYC's Ineffectiveness and the Rise of the Surveillance State
Despite its claims, KYC fails to effectively combat sophisticated financial crime. Instead, it creates a system of mass surveillance that disproportionately targets law-abiding citizens.
The Scourge of False Positives: Automated KYC systems frequently generate false positives, flagging innocent individuals as potential criminals. This can lead to financial exclusion, reputational damage, and even legal persecution.
A Ticking Time Bomb: Centralized KYC databases are prime targets for hackers, putting vast amounts of sensitive personal information at risk. Data breaches can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and even physical harm.
The State's Panopticon: KYC empowers governments to monitor the financial activities of their citizens, creating a powerful tool for surveillance and control. This can be used to suppress dissent, target political opponents, and enforce conformity.
The Criminals Advantage: Sophisticated criminals easily bypass KYC using shell companies, money laundering, and other techniques. This makes KYC a system that punishes the innocent, and gives the criminals a false sense of security for the data collected.
Decentralized Alternatives: Reclaiming Financial Sovereignty and Privacy
In the face of this encroaching surveillance state, decentralized technologies offer a path to financial freedom and privacy.
Cryptocurrency | A Bastion of Financial Freedom: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies provide censorship-resistant alternatives to traditional financial systems. They empower individuals to transact freely, without the need for intermediaries or government oversight.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) | Democratizing Finance: DeFi platforms offer a range of financial services, including lending, borrowing, and trading, without the need for traditional banks. These platforms are built on blockchain technology, ensuring transparency, security, and accessibility.
Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) | Empowering Individuals: SSI solutions enable individuals to control their own digital identities, without relying on centralized authorities. This allows for secure and private verification of identity, without the need to share sensitive personal information with every service provider.
Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) | Shielding Your Data: Technologies like zero-knowledge proofs, homomorphic encryption, and secure multi-party computation can be used to protect personal data while still allowing for necessary verification.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) | Creating new forms of governance: DAOs provide new ways for groups to organize, and make decisions. They provide a transparent way to pool resources, and make decisions.
A Call to Action: Defending Our Digital Rights and Building a Decentralized Future
We cannot passively accept the erosion of our fundamental freedoms. We must actively defend our digital rights and demand a more just and equitable financial system.
Advocate for Robust Privacy Laws: Demand stronger regulations that limit the collection and use of personal data.
Champion Decentralized Technologies: Support the development and adoption of cryptocurrencies, DeFi platforms, and other decentralized solutions.
Educate and Empower: Raise awareness about the dangers of KYC and state surveillance.
Cultivate Critical Thinking: Question the narratives presented by governments and corporations.
Build Decentralized Communities: Join and support decentralized communities that are working to build a more free and open financial system.
Demand transparency from all data collection: Insist that all data collection is open, and that there are strong penalties for those that misuse data.
The fight for financial freedom is a fight for human freedom. Let us stand together and reclaim our digital sovereignty.
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-03-12 00:40:25Before 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
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@ 87fedb9f:0da83419
2025-06-05 12:15:33So Much… and Still, Not Feeling It
So much abundance. It’s everywhere—overflowing around me. My six-year-old car would be a magical carriage to kings and queens of old. And yet, I get in, turn the key, and don’t often Feel The Magic.
Do I let myself feel how abundant life is? Eh. That does not come by default for me.
Adapting Is Normal. Savoring Is Not.
I adapt. I’m good at it. Weather shifts 40 degrees? No problem. A new location? I’ll adjust. And that’s useful—it keeps me moving. But it also numbs me. If I only adapt, life flattens out. That’s not thriving. That’s functioning.
Thriving, I’ve come to feel, asks for something more.
Our ancestors had rituals. They didn’t just adapt… they paused to feel the blessings, to name them. That created richness—not just survival. And today? I can have food delivered to my door. Are you a king? No—just have Amazon Prime.
Still, I want more than convenience. I want connection. To the food I eat. The flowers that bloom. The people I love. I want to feel that connection in my bones.
My Engineer Brain Doesn’t Celebrate
And yet, my mind often slips into improvement mode. I see what could be better. Smoother. More efficient. Useful? Sure. Celebratory? Not so much.
So I’ve started something: at the end of each day, when I look at my to-do list, I take a breath. I ask: what were the blessings today? Not just the big ones—because we adapt to those too. A new car? A new house? We get used to it. Quickly. But the micro-blessings… those are different.
My daughter’s laugh at a silly face I made yesterday. That memory settles deeper when I notice it and write it down. That’s a micro-blessing. I want to feel more of those.
A New Practice, A Shift in Dreams
And after about 75 days of doing this nightly pause, I’m noticing something surprising: my dreams are changing. They’re weaving in those sweet, ordinary moments. They say, “Yes. Adapt. And also savor.”
The Confusion Between Privilege and Blessing
But here’s something raw. Something I’ve hesitated to share.
I’m a white man. An older one. And I’ve been in spaces where “white male privilege” is spoken as a curse. I absorbed that. My body did. And it twisted something deep inside me. Because in my system, “privileged” and “blessing” are linked.
So I started feeling that feeling blessed was wrong. Like I should shrink from it. That it was unfair, maybe even immoral.
I’ve had to tap through that.
Is it okay to feel blessed? Not above anyone—but blessed to have food. Skill. Mobility. A car that works. Is it okay?
Yes.
I Don’t Want to Shrink or Perform
Scarcity and guilt are real energies, but I don’t want them steering my experience of life. I want to choose presence. Connection. I want to know in my body: I am blessed. And I can feel that without disconnecting from those who are struggling.
I don’t want to perform gratitude out of duty. But I also don’t want to avoid it out of shame.
Practicing Our Birthright
Abundance is our birthright. Many of us are born with protections our ancestors could barely dream of—shelter, clean water, safety from predators. And if we want to truly be thriving, not just surviving, it feels essential to practice remembering that.
Because adaptation will keep us alive.
But only conscious attention to blessings—only savoring—will let us thrive.
Useful Concepts for Thriving in This Story
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Abundance\ Abundance is the felt experience of more-than-enoughness, when we pause to really receive what surrounds and sustains us.
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Adapting\ Adapting keeps us functional, but thriving asks us to adapt and engage with what truly nourishes us.
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Awareness\ Awareness brings the blessings into view—even the ones so small they almost disappear without it.
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Allowing\ Allowing lets us stay open to blessings, even when shame or guilt try to close the door.
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Thriving\ Thriving means more than surviving—it’s about feeling, savoring, and aligning with life’s richness.
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@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-06-05 12:01:29Square, the payments platform operated by Block (founded by Jack Dorsey), is reporting 9.7% bitcoin yield on its bitcoin holdings by running a Lightning Network node.
The announcement was made by Miles Suter, Bitcoin product lead at Block, during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Suter explained that Square is earning “real bitcoin from our holdings” by efficiently routing payments across the Lightning Network.
Square’s yield comes from its role as a Lightning service provider, a business it launched two years ago to boost liquidity and efficiency on the Lightning Network. According to Lightning Labs’ Ryan Gentry, Square’s 9% yield could translate to roughly $1 million in annual revenue.
The Lightning Network, a Bitcoin layer-2 protocol, has long been promoted as a solution to Bitcoin’s scalability and transaction speed issues. It enables micropayments and off-chain transactions, reducing congestion on the main blockchain. However, the network faces challenges, including the need for inbound liquidity—users must lock up BTC to receive BTC—potentially limiting participation by smaller nodes and raising concerns about decentralization.
Despite these hurdles, Square remains committed to advancing Bitcoin payments via Lightning. Suter revealed that 25% of Square’s outbound bitcoin transactions now use the Lightning Network. The company is actively testing Lightning-based payments at the Bitcoin 2025 event and plans to roll out the service to all eligible Square merchants by 2026.
Suter emphasized the transformative potential of Lightning:
“When you enable real payments by making them faster and more convenient, the network becomes stronger, smarter, and more beneficial. So if you’re questioning whether bitcoin is merely an asset, the response is no. It has already evolved into both an asset and a protocol, and now Block is spearheading the initiative to transform it into the world’s premier payment system.”
Square’s ongoing investment in Lightning signals its belief in Bitcoin’s future not just as a store of value, but as a global payments protocol.
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@ 6389be64:ef439d32
2025-02-27 21:32:12GA, plebs. The latest episode of Bitcoin And is out, and, as always, the chicanery is running rampant. Let’s break down the biggest topics I covered, and if you want the full, unfiltered rant, make sure to listen to the episode linked below.
House Democrats’ MEME Act: A Bad Joke?
House Democrats are proposing a bill to ban presidential meme coins, clearly aimed at Trump’s and Melania’s ill-advised token launches. While grifters launching meme coins is bad, this bill is just as ridiculous. If this legislation moves forward, expect a retaliatory strike exposing how politicians like Pelosi and Warren mysteriously amassed their fortunes. Will it pass? Doubtful. But it’s another sign of the government’s obsession with regulating everything except itself.
Senate Banking’s First Digital Asset Hearing: The Real Target Is You
Cynthia Lummis chaired the first digital asset hearing, and—surprise!—it was all about control. The discussion centered on stablecoins, AML, and KYC regulations, with witnesses suggesting Orwellian measures like freezing stablecoin transactions unless pre-approved by authorities. What was barely mentioned? Bitcoin. They want full oversight of stablecoins, which is really about controlling financial freedom. Expect more nonsense targeting self-custody wallets under the guise of stopping “bad actors.”
Bank of America and PayPal Want In on Stablecoins
Bank of America’s CEO openly stated they’ll launch a stablecoin as soon as regulation allows. Meanwhile, PayPal’s CEO paid for a hat using Bitcoin—not their own stablecoin, Pi USD. Why wouldn’t he use his own product? Maybe he knows stablecoins aren’t what they’re hyped up to be. Either way, the legacy financial system is gearing up to flood the market with stablecoins, not because they love crypto, but because it’s a tool to extend U.S. dollar dominance.
MetaPlanet Buys the Dip
Japan’s MetaPlanet issued $13.4M in bonds to buy more Bitcoin, proving once again that institutions see the writing on the wall. Unlike U.S. regulators who obsess over stablecoins, some companies are actually stacking sats.
UK Expands Crypto Seizure Powers
Across the pond, the UK government is pushing legislation to make it easier to seize and destroy crypto linked to criminal activity. While they frame it as going after the bad guys, it’s another move toward centralized control and financial surveillance.
Bitcoin Tools & Tech: Arc, SatoChip, and Nunchuk
Some bullish Bitcoin developments: ARC v0.5 is making Bitcoin’s second layer more efficient, SatoChip now supports Taproot and Nostr, and Nunchuk launched a group wallet with chat, making multisig collaboration easier.
The Bottom Line
The state is coming for financial privacy and control, and stablecoins are their weapon of choice. Bitcoiners need to stay focused, keep their coins in self-custody, and build out parallel systems. Expect more regulatory attacks, but don’t let them distract you—just keep stacking and transacting in ways they can’t control.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://fountain.fm/episode/PYITCo18AJnsEkKLz2Ks
💰 Support the show by boosting sats on Podcasting 2.0! and I will see you on the other side.
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@ 20e7c953:3b8bcb21
2025-06-05 10:46:0721… That number means something. A reminder that limits create value - both in Bitcoin and in life.
Every June 21st, skaters around the world remind us that freedom is something you make yourself - one push at a time only constrained by your own limitations.
This year in Vientiane, we’re proud to support one of the few real skate spots in Laos. A place built and held together by skaters for skaters.
Expect around 50 locals - from young kids to older heads - showing up not just to skate, but to hold space for each other. No ego, no filters, just boards, fun and respect.
Bircoiners have lots to learn from these communities on this regard. Go skate and you'll find out.
SnF
Laostr
Skateboardingisfun
Skate4Fun
Skatestr
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@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8
2025-06-04 22:06:06In dem Video geht es um Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wie er sich zu Dummheit und vorsätzlicher bzw. rationaler Ignoranz geäußert hat. Schon seit einiger Zeit geht bei vielen Seltsames vor: Sie werden mit einem Thema persönlich konfrontiert und postum gibt es genau zu diesem Thema ein Video oder einen Artikel. Das kommt manchmal so vor, wie ein Frage- und Antwort-Spiel innerhalb der Schwarm-Intelligenz. Irgendwie spooky.
Die erschreckende Theorie der Dummheit, die Sie nie hören sollten - Dietrich Bonhoeffer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH-Vs5ILEko
Dem Entdecken, oder besser, dem Auf-einen-Zukommen, ist dieser E-Mail-Schriftverkehr in zeitlichem Zusammenhang vorausgegangen:
Nachfrage zu einem Aufruf durch einen Mitarbeiter zur Blutspende in einem Unternehmen mit über 100 Mitarbeitern über den E-Mail-Verteiler:
Lieber XXXXXXX,
danke zunächst für Dein Engagement.
In meiner näheren Familie gibt es jemanden, der regelmäßig Blut spendet, daher bin ich ein wenig für das Thema sensibilisiert.
Seit Du die E-Mail verschickt hast, gehe ich damit „schwanger“, ob ich ein vielleicht „heißes Eisen“ anfassen soll.
In den angehängten Informationen (des Roten Kreuzes) steht, dass das gespendete Blut auf bestimmte „Verunreinigungen“ durch Vorerkrankungen untersucht wird. Was nicht aufgeführt ist, ist eine Untersuchung, von der ich noch nicht einmal weiß, ob sie überhaupt schon durchgeführt wurde, und wenn ja, zu welchem Ergebnis sie gekommen ist, ob das gespendete Blut auch mit Substanzen der Corona-Gen-Behandlung verunreinigt sein kann. Leider zeigen ja die aktuellen Erkenntnisse, dass das Spike-Protein noch nach Jahren aktiv sein kann. Auch in gespendetem Blut? Die konkrete Frage wäre, ob das Rote Kreuz definitiv ausschließen kann, dass das nicht der Fall ist, damit ein möglicher Schaden nicht die Gefahr läuft, größer zu sein, als der Nutzen.
Soweit ich weiß, hat das Rote Kreuz bis heute keine separaten Blutbanken von „geimpftem“ und „ungeimpftem“ Blut angelegt. Wenn zu 100% ausgeschlossen werden kann, dass keine schädlichen Substanzen der Gen-Behandlung in die Blutkonserve gelangen, wäre das ja natürlich nicht nötig. Ist das so? Wenn ja, wo ist der Nachweis dazu zu finden, wie ist der aktuelle Erkenntnisstand, von wem wurden Studien dazu erarbeitet, wer hat das finanziert?
Mindestens 20% der Bevölkerung, das sind rund 16 Millionen Menschen, haben auf die Gen-Behandlung verzichtet und wollen im Ernstfall kein kontaminiertes Blut empfangen. Wie kann das Rote Kreuz belegbar und glaubhaft nachweisen, dass möglicherweise verunreinigtes Blut nicht doch in die Blutkonserven gelangt, weil sonst die Gefahr besteht, dass im Ernstfall Impfverzichter einen Schaden davontragen könnten?
Ich finde das eine wichtige Frage dem Roten Kreuz gegenüber und vielleicht wäre es auch gut, die möglichen Spender im Vorfeld für dieses heikle Thema zu sensibilisieren. Ich finde es auffällig, dass das Rote Kreuz sich hierzu weder in die eine, noch andere Richtung in den Informationen äußert, obwohl sie uns alle betrifft.
Ich schreibe diese Email aus kollegialen Gründen, aber auch zur Sensibilisierung gegenüber der Verantwortung aller Menschen gegenüber ihren Mitmenschen, die (hoffentlich nie) in die Situation kommen, einmal auf eine Blutspende angewiesen zu sein.
Wenn sich etwas Neues auf meine Nachfrage an Dich ergibt, wäre es klasse, ich würde davon erfahren.
Vielen Dank und viele Grüße
YYYYYYY
(Die Intension war, sich so vorsichtig wie möglich, quasi auf „Samtpfötchen“, an den Kern heranzupirschen. Dass es bereits Erkenntnisse dazu gibt, dass das Blut kontaminiert sein kann, wurde bewusst weggelassen, um keine Angriffsfläche zu bieten, ein „Verschwörungstheoretiker“ zu sein. Wenn die andere Seite auf einen Austausch eingestiegen wäre, wäre eine Quelle zu dieser Aussage vorhanden gewesen.)
Die Antwort:
Hallo YYYYYYY,
danke für die ausführliche Nachricht und dass du dir Gedanken zu dem Thema machst. Ich finde, man sollte Blutspenden als eine persönliche und private Sache betrachten.
Jeder und jede sollte für sich selbst abwägen, ob und unter welchen Bedingungen er oder sie das tun möchte.
Die Fragen, die du gestellt hast, sind echt speziell. Da geht's um medizinische und wissenschaftliche Themen, da kann ich als Privatperson nicht mitreden. Ich denke, dass sich Interessierte bei solchen Themen am besten direkt an medizinische Fachstellen oder das Rote Kreuz vor Ort wenden sollten, um fundierte und belastbare Informationen zu erhalten.
Mir persönlich ist es wichtig, Menschen auf die Möglichkeit der Blutspende aufmerksam zu machen.
Jeder kann das für sich selbst entscheiden und es ist auch okay, wenn man dabei Überzeugungen hat.
Beste Grüße
XXXXXXX
(„Blutspende…eine persönliche und private Sache“, nach dem Corona-Ereignis auch noch?, „…ich als Privatperson“ empfehle anderen etwas, bei dem sie möglicherweise anderen einen Schaden zufügen. Ist das schon grob fahrlässig, nach den Denkanstößen, die gegeben wurden?, „Wenn man dabei Überzeugungen hat.“, interessante Formulierung.)
Darauf die Reaktion:
Hallo XXXXXXX,
danke auch für Deine Antwort.
Wenn so eine im Grundsatz sicher gute Aktion beworben wird, liegt es nach meinem Empfinden auch in der Verantwortung, auf mögliche Folgen hinzuweisen, wenn es das Rote Kreuz schon nicht tut. Vorausgesetzt, man misst ihnen Bedeutung zu. Wenn meine E-Mail keine Veranlassung zu einer Beunruhigung und eigener Recherche angeregt hat, dann kann ich leider mehr nicht tun.
Dass das Rote Kreuz keine Hinweise gibt, liegt wohl daran, dass es Teil des Systems ist. Wer die Augen aufmacht, kann mit wenig Aufwand leider mehr als genug Tatsachenwahrheiten finden, die mit Schäden im Zusammenhang der Gen-Behandlung verursacht wurden und immer noch verursacht werden. Es ist nicht meine Aufgabe, einen Wissensrückstand von 5 Jahren auf den aktuellen Stand zu bringen. Allein die veröffentlichten RKI-Protokolle sollten schon genug Anlass zur Skepsis bieten. Der ÖRR berichtet leider nicht darüber, weil er auch Teil des Systems ist.
Ich will es damit genug sein lassen und hoffe, dass es unter den Kolleginnen und Kollegen noch weitere kritische Geister gibt.
Es geht nicht gegen Dich persönlich, aber ich hoffe, das Angebot wird nicht zahlreich genutzt.
Viele Grüße
YYYYYYY
(Einen halben Gang hochgeschaltet, ein Versuch, XXXXXXX aus der Reserve zu locken.)
Und ein Nachtrag von YYYYYYY:
Lieber XXXXXXX,
wir sind schon einmal unter Missbrauch des Begriffes „Solidarität“ hinter die Fichte geführt worden. Das darf nicht noch einmal passieren!
Nochmals viele Grüße
YYYYYYY
(Keine Reaktion mehr von XXXXXXX)
Und, wie gesagt, daraufhin kam das Video mit Bonhoeffer entgegen. Besser kann man vorsätzliche, rationale Ignoranz in Bezug auf den Schriftwechsel nicht beschreiben.
Hier wird eine jeden angehende allgemeinmedizinische Frage zu einer Frage der persönlichen Überzeugung gemacht. Das kommt doch sehr bekannt vor, oder?
Sehr wahrscheinlich lässt es sich vermuten, dass es sich bei XXXXXXX wohl um einen Corona-Jünger handelt, der die Tatsachen scheut, wie der Teufel das Weihwasser. Bloß nicht nachdenken, bloß nicht in Frage stellen, bloß nicht hellhörig oder gar neugierig werden, bloß nicht auf die Äußerungen eingehen, bloß nicht konkret werden, bloß keine eindeutig formulierte Stellung zu den Aussagen beziehen. „Angriffsfläche“ wäre vorhanden gewesen.
Das vorsichtige Anpirschen war alles andere, als mit-der-Brechstange-herangehen. Und doch setzt sofort automatisch der Teflon-Effekt ein. Selbstschutz.
Die Frage ist, wie soll da die Spaltung überwunden werden, wenn „die andere Seite“ so überhaupt nicht bereit ist, sich mit dem Vorgebrachten auseinanderzusetzen. Noch nicht einmal, wenn man nur die Spitze der Spitze des Eisbergs leise anhaucht.
Diesem Beispiel könnten viele unzählige weitere Beispiele hinzugefügt werden. Jeder hat so etwas schon einmal auf die eine oder andere Weise erlebt.
Das Gefühl lässt sich nicht unterdrücken, dass sich die Menschheit in zwei Lager aufgeteilt hat, und es gibt derzeit keinen Weg, wie man wieder aufeinander zukommen könnte.
Wie zwei Welten aufeinanderprallen, kann man derzeit auch in der Enquete-Kommission im sächsischen Landtag erleben: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6ACmwBUBFM
Aus der Sicht von YYYYYYY ist das kein Grund zur Verzweiflung, jedoch drängt sich der Wunsch auf, dass man mit solchen Menschen wie XXXXXXX nichts mehr anfangen will. Man möchte mit ihnen, so schade es auch ist, am liebsten gar nichts mehr zu tun haben, und wenn doch aus irgendwelchen Gründen, nur noch das Allernotwendigste, so kurz und knapp, wie möglich. Empathie aufzubringen erscheint einem als vergeudete Energie, besser ist es, sich auf die Menschen zu konzentrieren, die wegen fehlender Genbehandlung keine Wesensveränderungen, die mittlerweile leider auch schon bestätigt sind, erlitten haben.
Wie Bonhoeffer richtig sagt, es geht hier nicht um Intelligenz, es geht viel tiefer. Es geht um das Menschsein an sich, und man hat den Eindruck, dass vor allem dies unter dem Einfluss der Spritze sehr stark gelitten hat. Da scheint so eine Abgestumpftheit durch, die einem einen kalten Schauer über den Rücken fahren lässt. Und das ist vielleicht noch gefährlicher, als diejenigen, die wirklich dumm sind. Das ist keine Arroganz oder Überheblichkeit, sondern unschuldig, wahllos von der Natur vergebene Dummheit, die jeden hätte ereilen können, hat es immer schon zu einem großen Teil gegeben. Hier hat man wenigstens noch die Möglichkeit, sich einfühlen zu können und Verständnis aufzubringen. Bei Menschen aber, von denen man weiß, dass sie die kognitiven Fähigkeiten zur Reflektion hätten, sie jedoch aus welchen Gründen auch immer nicht nutzen, oder sie als Verdrängungsmechanismus gerade nutzen, weil sie es können, geht auch eine gewisse Gefahr aus, weil man nie wissen kann, was sie sich sonst noch so ausdenken könnten, wenn sie in die geistige Enge getrieben werden, um ja nicht von Menschen, die den Mut haben, die Wahrheit auszusprechen, in ihrem mühsam aufgebauten Weltbild erschüttert zu werden. „Was nicht sein darf, das nicht sein kann!“, obwohl doch eigentlich die Wahrheit dem Menschen zumutbar ist.
So hat man das Gefühl, man atmet Honig ein und bewegt sich mühsam durch einen zähen Brei vorwärts, der einem bis zu den Oberschenkeln reicht. Jeder Schritt eine Anstrengung.
Und bevor man noch tiefer in dieses Verlustgefühl von Lebensqualität eintaucht (das hat nichts mit Depressionen zu tun, man bekommt einfach nur schlechte Laune), sich immer wieder bewusst machen, dass es da draußen noch eine Menge bei Verstand gebliebener Menschen gibt, die unermüdlich daran arbeiten, dass die Wahrheit weiter so sehr erkraftet, dass sie sich ihren Weg in den sogenannten Mainstream bahnt und die Menschen endlich aufwachen. So schmerzlich das für viele sein mag, es muss sein!
Selbst für einen wenig religiösen Menschen, im Sinne von regelmäßigen Kirchgängen und keinem Kontakt zur Institution Kirche, bekommt der Satz eine ganz besondere Bedeutung:
„Ich schicke euch den Geist der Wahrheit, und der wird euch frei machen!“
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-06-05 11:03:01H100 Group AB, a Swedish publicly listed health technology company, has made the headlines after investing in bitcoin as part of a new financial strategy.
The move has caused a stir in Sweden and beyond, with H100’s stock price rising 40% after the announcement.
The company has bought 4.39 bitcoin for 5 million Norwegian Krone (around $475,000–$492,000).
This is the company’s first foray into the digital asset space and makes H100 Group the first publicly-listed health tech company in Sweden to hold bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.
The bitcoin was bought at an average price of 1,138,737 NOK (around $108,000) per coin.
The bitcoin purchase is part of H100 Group’s new “Bitcoin Treasury Strategy” to diversify its financial assets and strengthen its balance sheet. Instead of holding idle cash, the company decided to invest in what it sees as a long-term asset.
“This addition to H100’s Bitcoin Treasury Strategy follows an increasing number of tech-oriented growth companies holding bitcoin on their balance sheet,” said CEO Sander Andersen.
“And I believe the values of individual sovereignty highly present in the Bitcoin community aligns well with, and will appeal to, the customers and communities we are building the H100 platform for.”
Andersen said they will “build and hold” bitcoin long-term, viewing it as a savings tool, not a short-term trade.
The market reacted fast. On May 22, the company’s stock went up 39.27%, seeing highs of 1.620 SEK on the Nordic Growth Market.
This helped the company to recover a big part of the losses from the last two months, during which the stock fell 46%.
And now, after the purchase, the firm’s market cap is around $150.46 million.
H100 has said this might not be the only purchase. The company has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to set up a convertible loan facility of up to 10 million SEK with an undisclosed investor.
H100 Group’s announcement — Source
The funds will be used for general corporate purposes and to potentially increase bitcoin holdings. The loan will have a 3-year term and can be converted into shares at 1.3 SEK per share.
If H100’s stock price is more than 33% above the conversion price for more than 60 days, H100 will have the right to force conversion.
The company also announced today that it has successfully raised 21 million SEK ($2.21 million) through a convertible round led by Blockstream founder and CEO Adam Back.
Despite the Bitcoin pivot, H100 Group has made it clear that the core business remains the same.
They will continue to develop AI-powered automation tools and digital platforms to help healthcare providers deliver better services, especially in the health and longevity space.
Andersen said they are committed to healthy living, and adopting a bitcoin strategy is a smarter financial move that aligns with their values.
H100’s move comes as corporate adoption of bitcoin accelerates globally.
According to BitcoinTreasuries over 109 public companies now list bitcoin on their balance sheets. Among those are companies like Twenty One Capital, Strive and Metaplanet.
-
@ 94a6a78a:0ddf320e
2025-02-19 21:10:15Nostr is a revolutionary protocol that enables decentralized, censorship-resistant communication. Unlike traditional social networks controlled by corporations, Nostr operates without central servers or gatekeepers. This openness makes it incredibly powerful—but also means its success depends entirely on users, developers, and relay operators.
If you believe in free speech, decentralization, and an open internet, there are many ways to support and strengthen the Nostr ecosystem. Whether you're a casual user, a developer, or someone looking to contribute financially, every effort helps build a more robust network.
Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference.
1️⃣ Use Nostr Daily
The simplest and most effective way to contribute to Nostr is by using it regularly. The more active users, the stronger and more valuable the network becomes.
✅ Post, comment, and zap (send micro-payments via Bitcoin’s Lightning Network) to keep conversations flowing.\ ✅ Engage with new users and help them understand how Nostr works.\ ✅ Try different Nostr clients like Damus, Amethyst, Snort, or Primal and provide feedback to improve the experience.
Your activity keeps the network alive and helps encourage more developers and relay operators to invest in the ecosystem.
2️⃣ Run Your Own Nostr Relay
Relays are the backbone of Nostr, responsible for distributing messages across the network. The more independent relays exist, the stronger and more censorship-resistant Nostr becomes.
✅ Set up your own relay to help decentralize the network further.\ ✅ Experiment with relay configurations and different performance optimizations.\ ✅ Offer public or private relay services to users looking for high-quality infrastructure.
If you're not technical, you can still support relay operators by subscribing to a paid relay or donating to open-source relay projects.
3️⃣ Support Paid Relays & Infrastructure
Free relays have helped Nostr grow, but they struggle with spam, slow speeds, and sustainability issues. Paid relays help fund better infrastructure, faster message delivery, and a more reliable experience.
✅ Subscribe to a paid relay to help keep it running.\ ✅ Use premium services like media hosting (e.g., Azzamo Blossom) to decentralize content storage.\ ✅ Donate to relay operators who invest in long-term infrastructure.
By funding Nostr’s decentralized backbone, you help ensure its longevity and reliability.
4️⃣ Zap Developers, Creators & Builders
Many people contribute to Nostr without direct financial compensation—developers who build clients, relay operators, educators, and content creators. You can support them with zaps! ⚡
✅ Find developers working on Nostr projects and send them a zap.\ ✅ Support content creators and educators who spread awareness about Nostr.\ ✅ Encourage builders by donating to open-source projects.
Micro-payments via the Lightning Network make it easy to directly support the people who make Nostr better.
5️⃣ Develop New Nostr Apps & Tools
If you're a developer, you can build on Nostr’s open protocol to create new apps, bots, or tools. Nostr is permissionless, meaning anyone can develop for it.
✅ Create new Nostr clients with unique features and user experiences.\ ✅ Build bots or automation tools that improve engagement and usability.\ ✅ Experiment with decentralized identity, authentication, and encryption to make Nostr even stronger.
With no corporate gatekeepers, your projects can help shape the future of decentralized social media.
6️⃣ Promote & Educate Others About Nostr
Adoption grows when more people understand and use Nostr. You can help by spreading awareness and creating educational content.
✅ Write blogs, guides, and tutorials explaining how to use Nostr.\ ✅ Make videos or social media posts introducing new users to the protocol.\ ✅ Host discussions, Twitter Spaces, or workshops to onboard more people.
The more people understand and trust Nostr, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.
7️⃣ Support Open-Source Nostr Projects
Many Nostr tools and clients are built by volunteers, and open-source projects thrive on community support.
✅ Contribute code to existing Nostr projects on GitHub.\ ✅ Report bugs and suggest features to improve Nostr clients.\ ✅ Donate to developers who keep Nostr free and open for everyone.
If you're not a developer, you can still help with testing, translations, and documentation to make projects more accessible.
🚀 Every Contribution Strengthens Nostr
Whether you:
✔️ Post and engage daily\ ✔️ Zap creators and developers\ ✔️ Run or support relays\ ✔️ Build new apps and tools\ ✔️ Educate and onboard new users
Every action helps make Nostr more resilient, decentralized, and unstoppable.
Nostr isn’t just another social network—it’s a movement toward a free and open internet. If you believe in digital freedom, privacy, and decentralization, now is the time to get involved.
-
@ 472f440f:5669301e
2025-06-04 20:58:53Marty's Bent
J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon has long been an outspoken skeptic and critic of bitcoin. He has called Bitcoin a speculative asset, a fraud, a pet rock, and has opined that it will inevitably blow up. A couple of years ago, he was on Capitol Hill saying that if he were the government, he would "close it down". Just within the last month, he was on Fox Business News talking with Maria Bartiromo, proclaiming that the U.S. should be stockpiling bullets and rare earth metals instead of bitcoin. It's pretty clear that Jamie Dimon, who is at the helm of the most powerful and largest bank in the world, does not like bitcoin one bit.
Evidence below:
via Bitcoin Magazine
via me
via CNBC
Despite Dimon's distinguished disdain for Bitcoin, J.P. Morgan cannot deny reality. The CEO of the largest bank in the world is certainly a powerful man, but no one individual, even in the position that Jamie Dimon is in, is more powerful than the market. And the market has spoken very clearly, it is demanding bitcoin. The Bitcoin ETFs have been the most successful ETFs in terms of pace of growth since their launch. They've accumulated tens of billions of dollars in AUM in a very short period of time. Outpacing the previous record set by the gold ETF, GLD.
Whether or not Jamie Dimon himself likes Bitcoin doesn't matter. J.P. Morgan, as the largest bank in the world and a publicly traded company, has a duty to shareholders. And that duty is to increase shareholder value by any ethical and legal means necessary. Earlier today, J.P. Morgan announced plans to offer clients financing against their Bitcoin ETFs, as well as some other benefits, including having their bitcoin holdings recognized in their overall net worth and liquid assets, similar to stocks, cars, and art, which will be massive for bitcoiners looking to get mortgages and other types of loans.
via Bloomberg
I've talked about this recently, but trying to buy a house when most of your liquid net worth is held in bitcoin is a massive pain in the ass. Up until this point, if you wanted to have your bitcoin recognized as part of your net worth and count towards your overall credit profile, you would need to sell some bitcoin, move it to a bank account, and have it sit there for a certain period of time before it was recognized toward your net worth. This is not ideal for bitcoiners who have sufficient cash flows and don't want to sell their bitcoin, pay the capital gains tax, and risk not being able to buy back the amount of sats they were forced to sell just to get a mortgage.
It's not yet clear to me whether or not J.P. Morgan will recognize bitcoin in cold storage toward their clients' net worth and credit profile, or if this is simply for bitcoin ETFs only. However, regardless, this is a step in the right direction and a validation of something that many bitcoiners have been saying for years. Inevitably, everyone will have to bend the knee to bitcoin. Today, it just happened to be the largest bank in the world. I expect more of this to come in the coming months, years, and decades.
Lyn Alden likes to say it in the context of the U.S. national debt and the fiscal crisis, but it also applies to bitcoin adoption and the need for incumbents to orient themselves around the demands of individual bitcoiners; nothing stops this train.
Corporate Bitcoin Treasuries are Changing Market Dynamics
Leon Wankum revealed how corporate Bitcoin treasuries are fundamentally reshaping business dynamics. Companies can now issue equity to fund operations while preserving their Bitcoin holdings, creating a revolutionary capital structure. Leon highlighted MicroStrategy's position, noting they hold enough Bitcoin to cover dividend payments for over 200 years. This model enables companies to reduce founder dilution since they don't need repeated funding rounds when their treasury appreciates.
"Some companies' Bitcoin treasuries are now worth more than all money they've ever raised." - Leon Wankum
Leon shared examples from his own portfolio companies where this strategy has proven transformative. Public companies have discovered an entirely new business model through strategic dilution that actually increases BTC per share. As Leon explained, this approach allows firms to leverage equity markets for operational funding while their Bitcoin treasury compounds in value, creating a positive feedback loop that benefits both shareholders and the company's long-term sustainability.
Check out the full podcast here for more on real estate price cycles, Bitcoin lending products, and the transition to a Bitcoin standard.
Headlines of the Day
California May Seize Idle Bitcoin After 3 Years - via X
Semler Scientific Buys $20M More Bitcoin, Holds $467M - via X
US Home Sellers Surge as Buyers Hit 4-Year Low - via X
Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io
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Final thought...
I feel old.
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@ ca76c778:e784c54b
2025-06-04 19:45:11A few days ago I remembered video by Antonio Stappaerts(Artwod) on Youtube. And I thought to myself I want to be really good at drawing hands.\ In the video he explains something that, in my opinion, applies when learning just about anything.
If you've heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect then you know the first part.\ If you haven't, one begins learning something and on top of the first peak thinks oneself to be almost a master. And then one learns a little bit more and realizes how little skill one actually has.
\ Now, what is really interesting is this. He points out that the second slope is made up of many smaller Dunning-Kruger effects. For example the effect will apply when learning: the basic shape of the figure, how to pose the figure, how draw the hands, the hair etc.
So the way to climb the second hill is to understand and practice these smaller skills. And not just once or twice. You want to reach close to the second peak of each of the smaller skills.
And with that in mind I search for a good tutorial about drawing hands and got down to it(for the third time).
Step one was to learn pose and gesture using a grid shape.
https://cdn.satellite.earth/f55a9d1ef2fd687a9dce5ceee5e05a1b666c436509e264ddbac4d260b99e882a.jpg
https://cdn.satellite.earth/1b5524635c20ee4869f4860c982deea469cb87be7ad7b404e1777497b5a4fbd4.jpg
https://cdn.satellite.earth/35652251243ffd8c495b855c319d27da0c193ff2e951591f0a9f1b35aad39b29.jpg
https://cdn.satellite.earth/68f55979d102b4ebe55177842c6d9ab2ab30b95f926441429d977b47fae925c3.jpg
Step two. Practice the basic forms for the palm and fingers.\ I got carried away and drew some hands.
https://cdn.satellite.earth/48b400f72e35d078368149f00182cb58e606ddd16f6db4e7789c1431c28d44a0.jpg
Step three. learn the measurements.
https://cdn.satellite.earth/75c9b82da90ef50d17f698dd7b1eadc223b74a019a702a4617ed7d321646a87c.jpg
Step four. Understand the fingers.
https://cdn.satellite.earth/e33f9f3f9217bf5e3e206e96dfe764eba09b9fb3c10b450bb9c8a4075e3c1ec8.jpg
Step five. Learn about the thumb and put it all together. Drawing from reference and imagination.
https://cdn.satellite.earth/b2dd9c1cc1045dde021272199818b0db331e71a603c5900122aa850eb2d4148a.jpg
https://cdn.satellite.earth/8f5647ae9e148ad6217c106b5b69cf231384475e0a0eedf210bd149f75ade0b7.jpg
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-06-05 11:02:30Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has voted down a shareholder proposal to add bitcoin to its treasury. The vote took place at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 30, 2025.
The proposal, known as Proposal 13, was submitted by investor Ethan Peck on behalf of the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR).
It asked Meta to convert a portion of its $72 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities into bitcoin. The idea was to hedge against inflation and low returns from traditional bond investments.
But the company’s shareholders said no.
According to the official count, more than 4.98 billion shares were voted against the proposal, while 3.92 million shares were for it—less than 0.1% of total votes. 8.86 million shares were abstentions and over 204 million were broker non-votes.
Meta shareholders rejected bitcoin reserve proposal — SEC
So now, Meta joins Microsoft and Amazon in rejecting calls to add bitcoin to their balance sheets.
Related: Microsoft Shareholders Reject Bitcoin Investment Proposal
Proponents of the proposal argued that bitcoin would help protect Meta’s reserves from inflation and weak bond returns. Peck and others pointed to bitcoin’s strong performance in 2024 and growing institutional interest in the scarce digital asset.
The proposal said bitcoin’s fixed supply and track record make it a long-term store of value.
High-profile supporters, including Matt Cole, CEO of Strive Asset Management, brought the issue to the forefront. At the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Cole addressed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg directly:
“You have already done step one. You have named your goat Bitcoin,” he said. “My ask is that you take step two and adopt a bold corporate bitcoin treasury strategy.”
Others, like Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, said if Meta added bitcoin to its balance sheet it would be a big deal. “If Meta or Microsoft adds BTC to the balance sheet, it will be like when Tom Hanks got COVID—suddenly, it feels real,” Balchunas said.
Despite all the hype and arguments for Bitcoin, the tech giant’s board of directors opposed the measure. The board said the company already has a treasury management process in place that prioritizes capital preservation and liquidity.
“While we are not opining on the merits of cryptocurrency investments compared to other assets, we believe the requested assessment is unnecessary given our existing processes to manage our corporate treasury,” Meta’s board noted.
The board also noted that it reviews many investment options and sees no need for a separate review process specific to Bitcoin.
Meta’s decision shows the broader hesitation of large-cap companies to get into bitcoin as part of their financial strategy.
While companies like Michael Saylor’s Strategy are adding bitcoin to their treasuries every chance they get, companies like Microsoft, Amazon and now Meta, are taking a more cautious approach.
According to recent reports, Meta is exploring ways to integrate stablecoins into its platforms to enable global payouts.
This would be a re-entry into the digital asset space after the company shelved its Diem project due to regulatory issues—a step that bitcoin advocates deem unnecessary, insufficient, and irrelevant to protecting the company’s finances.
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@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-06-05 10:00:43Starting January 1, 2026, the United Kingdom will impose some of the world’s most stringent reporting requirements on cryptocurrency firms.
All platforms operating in or serving UK customers-domestic and foreign alike-must collect and disclose extensive personal and transactional data for every user, including individuals, companies, trusts, and charities.
This regulatory drive marks the UK’s formal adoption of the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), a global initiative designed to bring crypto oversight in line with traditional banking and to curb tax evasion in the rapidly expanding digital asset sector.
What Will Be Reported?
Crypto firms must gather and submit the following for each transaction:
- User’s full legal name, home address, and taxpayer identification number
- Detailed data on every trade or transfer: type of cryptocurrency, amount, and nature of the transaction
- Identifying information for corporate, trust, and charitable clients
The obligation extends to all digital asset activities, including crypto-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat trades, and applies to both UK residents and non-residents using UK-based platforms. The first annual reports covering 2026 activity are due by May 31, 2027.
Enforcement and Penalties
Non-compliance will carry stiff financial penalties, with fines of up to £300 per user account for inaccurate or missing data-a potentially enormous liability for large exchanges. The UK government has urged crypto firms to begin collecting this information immediately to ensure operational readiness.
Regulatory Context and Market Impact
This move is part of a broader UK strategy to position itself as a global fintech hub while clamping down on fraud and illicit finance. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has championed these measures, stating, “Britain is open for business – but closed to fraud, abuse, and instability”. The regulatory expansion comes amid a surge in crypto adoption: the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority reported that 12% of UK adults owned crypto in 2024, up from just 4% in 2021.
Enormous Risks for Consumers: Lessons from the Coinbase Data Breach
While the new framework aims to enhance transparency and protect consumers, it also dramatically increases the volume of sensitive personal data held by crypto firms-raising the stakes for cybersecurity.
The risks are underscored by the recent high-profile breach at Coinbase, one of the world’s largest exchanges.
In May 2025, Coinbase disclosed that cybercriminals, aided by bribed offshore contractors, accessed and exfiltrated customer data including names, addresses, government IDs, and partial bank details.
The attackers then used this information for sophisticated phishing campaigns, successfully deceiving some customers into surrendering account credentials and funds.
“While private encryption keys remained secure, sufficient customer information was exposed to enable sophisticated phishing attacks by criminals posing as Coinbase personnel.”
Coinbase now faces up to $400 million in compensation costs and has pledged to reimburse affected users, but the incident highlights the systemic vulnerability created when large troves of personal data are centralized-even if passwords and private keys are not directly compromised. The breach also triggered a notable drop in Coinbase’s share price and prompted a $20 million bounty for information leading to the attackers’ capture.
The Bottom Line
The UK’s forthcoming crypto reporting regime represents a landmark in financial regulation, promising greater transparency and tax compliance. However, as the Coinbase episode demonstrates, the aggregation of sensitive user data at scale poses a significant cybersecurity risk.
As regulators push for more oversight, the challenge will be ensuring that consumer protection does not become a double-edged sword-exposing users to new threats even as it seeks to shield them from old ones.
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-02-17 17:12:01President Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, likening it to a wartime effort. Despite pouring resources into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arrest numbers are declining and falling short of goals. ICE fell from about 800 daily arrests in late January to fewer than 600 in early February.
Critics argue the administration is merely showcasing efforts with ineffectiveness, while Trump seeks billions more in funding to support his deportation agenda. Increased involvement from various federal agencies is intended to assist ICE, but many lack specific immigration training.
Challenges persist, as fewer immigrants are available for quick deportation due to a decline in illegal crossings. Local sheriffs are also pressured by rising demands to accommodate immigrants, which may strain resources further.
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@ 1c5ff3ca:efe9c0f6
2025-06-05 06:29:45Just calling it Open is not enough - Herausforderungen öffentlicher Bildungsinfrastrukturen und wie Nostr helfen könnte
Ich möchte gerne mit euch teilen, an welchen Konzepten ich arbeite, um die öffentliche Bildungsinfrastruktur mit Hilfe von Nostr zugänglicher und offener zu gestalten. Ich arbeite im Bereich öffentlicher Bildungsinfrastrukturen, besonders im Feld von Open Educational Resources (#OER). OER sind offen lizenzierte Bildungsmaterialien, die mit einer offenen Lizenz, meist einer Creative Commons Lizenz, versehen sind (CC-0, CC-BY, CC-BY-SA). Durch die klare und offene Lizenzierung ist es leicht möglich, die Lernmaterialien auf die individuellen Bedarfe anzupassen, sie zu verbessern und sie erneut zu veröffentlichen.
Seit vielen Jahren wird einerseits die Entwicklung freier Bildungsmaterialien gefördert, andererseits werden Plattformen, insbesondere Repositorien gefördert, die diese Materialien verfügbar machen sollen. Denn irgendwo müssen diese Materialien zur Verfügung gestellt werden, damit sie auch gefunden werden können.
Das klappt allerdings nur so mittelgut.
Herausforderungen
Nach vielen Jahren Förderung kann die einfache Frage: "Wo kann ich denn mein OER-Material bereitstellen" nicht einfach beantwortet werden. Es gibt Services, bei denen ich mein OER hochladen kann, jedoch bleibt es dann eingeschlossen in dieser Plattform und wird nicht auf anderen Plattformen auffindbar. Außerdem sind diese Services häufig an bestimmte Bildungskontexte gebunden oder geben Content erst nach einer Qualitätsprüfung frei. Dies führt dazu, dass ein einfaches und gleichzeitig öffentliches Teilen nicht möglich ist.
Diese und weitere Herausforderungen haben ihren Ursprung darin, dass Service und Infrastruktur in der Architektur öffentlichen Bildungsarchitektur ungünstig vermischt werden. Als Infrastruktur verstehe ich hier die Bereitstellung einer öffentlichen und offen zugänglichen Bildungsinfrastruktur, auf der Daten ausgetauscht, also bereitgestellt und konsumiert werden können. Jedoch existiert eine solche Infrstruktur momentan nicht unabhängig von den Services, die auf ihr betrieben werden. Infrastrukturbetreiber sind momentan gleichzeitig immer Servicebetreiber. Da sie aber die Hand darüber haben wollen, was genau in ihrem Service passiert (verständlich), schränken sie den Zugang zu ihrer Infrastruktur mit ein, was dazu führt, dass sie Lock-In Mechanismen großer Medienplattformen in der kleinen öffentlichen Bildungsinfrastruktur replizieren.
Es ist in etwas so, als würde jeder Autobauer auch gleichzeitig die Straßen für seine Fahrzeuge bauen. Aber halt nur für seine Autos.
Anhand einiger beispielhafter Services, die bestehende Plattformen auf ihren Infrastrukturen anbieten, möchte ich die Herausforderungen aufzeigen, die ich im aktuellen Architekturkonzept sehe:
- Upload von Bildungsmaterial
- Kuration: Zusammenstellung von Listen, Annotation mit Metadaten
- Crawling, Indexierung und Suche
- Plattfformübergreifende Kollaboration in Communities -> Beispiel: Qualitätssicherung (was auch immer das genau bedeutet)
- KI- Services -> Beispiel: KI generierte Metadaten für BiIdungsmaterial
Material Upload
Der Service "Material-Upload" oder das Mitteilen eines Links zu einem Bildungsmaterial wird von verschiedenen OER-Pattformen bereitgestellt (wirlernenonline.de, oersi.org, mundo.schule).
Dies bedeutet konkret: Wenn ich bei einer der Plattformen Content hochlade, verbleibt der Content in der Regel auch dort und wird nicht mit den anderen Plattformen geteilt. Das Resultat für die User: Entweder muss ich mich überall anmelden und dort mein Material hochladen (führt zu Duplikaten) oder damit leben, dass eben nur die Nutzer:innen der jeweiligen Plattform meinen Content finden können.
Der "Open Educational Resource Search Index" (OERSI) geht diese Herausforderung an, indem die Metadaten zu den Bildungsmaterialien verschiedener Plattformen in einem Index bereitgestellt werden. Dieser Index ist wiederum öffentlich zugänglich, sodass Plattformen darüber auch Metadaten anderer Plattformen konsumieren können. Das ist schon sehr gut. Jedoch funktioniert das nur für Plattformen, die der OERSI indexiert und für alle anderen nicht. Der OERSI ist auf den Hochschulbereich fokussiert, d.h. andere Bildungskontexte werden hier ausgeschlossen. Der Ansatz für jeden Bildungsbereich einen passenden "OERSI" daneben zustellen skaliert und schlecht und es bleibt die Herausforderung bestehen, dass für jede Quelle, die indexiert werden soll, ein entsprechender Importer/Crawler geschrieben werden muss.
Dieser Ansatz (Pull-Ansatz) rennt den Materialien hinterher.
Es gibt jedoch noch mehr Einschränkungen: Die Plattformen haben sich jeweils auf spezifische Bildungskontexte spezialisiert. D.h. auf die Fragen: Wo kann ich denn mein OER bereitstellen, muss immer erst die Gegenfrage: "Für welchen Bildungsbereich denn?" beantwortet werden. Wenn dieser außerhalb des allgemeinbildendenden Bereichs oder außerhalb der Hochschule liegt, geschweige denn außerhalb des institutionellen Bildungsrahmens, wird es schon sehr, sehr dünn. Kurzum:
- Es ist nicht einfach möglich OER bereitzustellen, sodass es auch auf verschiedenen Plattformen gefunden werden kann.
Kuration
Unter Kuration verstehe ich hier die Zusammenstellung von Content in Listen oder Sammlungs ähnlicher Form sowie die Annotation dieser Sammlungen oder des Contents mit Metadaten.
Einige Plattformen bieten die Möglichkeit an, Content in Listen einzuordnen. Diese Listen sind jedoch nicht portabel. Die Liste, die ich auf Plattform A erstelle, lässt sich nicht auf Plattform B importieren. Das wäre aber schön, denn so könnten die Listen leichter auf anderen Plattformen erweitert oder sogar kollaborativ gestaltet werden, andererseits werden Lock-In-Effekte zu vermieden.
Bei der Annotation mit Metadaten treten verschiedene zentralisierende Faktoren auf. In der momentanen Praxis werden die Metadaten meist zum Zeitpunkt der Contentbereitstellung festgelegt. Meist durch eine Person oder Redaktion, bisweilen mit Unterstützung von KI-Services, die bei der Metadateneingabe unterstützen. Wie aber zusätzliche eigene Metadaten ergänzen? Wie mitteilen, dass dieses Material nicht nur für Biologie, sondern auch für Sport in Thema XY super einsetzbar wäre? Die momentanen Ansätze können diese Anforderung nicht erfüllen. Sie nutzen die Kompetenz und das Potential ihrer User nicht.
- Es gibt keine interoperablen Sammlungen
- Metadaten-Annotation ist zentralisiert
- User können keine eigenen Metadaten hinzufügen
Crawling, Indexierung und Suche
Da die Nutzer:innen nicht viele verschiedene Plattformen und Webseiten besuchen wollen, um dort nach passendem Content zu suchen, crawlen die "großen" OER-Aggregatoren diese, um die Metadaten des Contents zu indexieren. Über verschiedene Schnittstellen oder gerne auch mal über das rohe HTML. Letztere Crawler sind sehr aufwändig zu schreiben, fehleranfällig und gehen bei Design-Anpassungen der Webseite schnell kaputt, erstere sind etwas stabiler, solange sich die Schnittstelle nicht ändert. Durch den Einsatz des Allgemeinen Metadatenprofils für Bildungsressourcen (AMB) hat sich die Situation etwas verbessert. Einige Plattformen bieten jetzt eine Sitemap an, die Links zu Bildungsmaterial enthalten, die wiederum eingebettet
script
-tags vom Typapplication/ld+json
enthalten, sodass die Metadaten von dort importiert werden können.Beispiel: e-teaching.org bietet hier eine Sitemap für ihre OER an: https://e-teaching.org/oer-sitemap.xml und auf den jeweiligen Seiten findet sich ein entsprechendes script-Tag.
Das ist schon viel besser, aber da geht noch mehr:
Zunächst ist dieser Ansatz nur für Plattformen und Akteure praktikabel, die über IT-Ressourcen verfügen, um entsprechende Funktionalitäten bei sich einbauen zu können. Lehrende können dies nicht einfach auf ihrem privaten Blog oder ähnliches umsetzen. Zum anderen besteht immer noch ein Discovery Problem. Ich muss nach wie vor wissen, wo ich suchen muss. Ich muss die Sitemaps kennen, sonst finde ich nichts. Statt eines Ansatzes, bei dem Akteure eigenständig mitteilen können, dass sie neuen Content haben (Push-Ansatz), verfolgen wir derzeit einen Ansatz, bei dem jede Plattform für sich Content im Pull-Verfahren akquiriert. Dies führt an vielen Stellen zu Doppelarbeiten, ist ineffizient (mehrere Personen bauen genau die gleichen Crawler, aber halt immer für ihre Plattform) und schliesst vor allem kleine Akteure aus (lohnt es sich einen Crawler zu programmieren, wenn die Webseite "nur" 50 Materialien bereitstellt?).
Anstatt erschlossene Daten zu teilen, arbeiten die Plattformen für sich oder stellen es höchstens wieder hinter eigenen (offenen oder geschlossenen) Schnittstellen bereit. Das ist wohl nicht das, was wir uns unter einer offenen und kollaborativen Gemeinschaft vorstellen, oder?
Bei der Suche stehen wir vor ähnlichen Herausforderungen, wie bereits oben geschildert. Obwohl verschiedene OER-Aggregatoren in Form von Repositorien oder Referatorien bereits viele der "kleineren" Plattformen indexieren und somit eine übergreifende Suche anbieten, ist es nicht möglich, diese Aggregatoren gemeinsam zu durchsuchen. Dies führt im Endeffekt dazu, dass die User wieder verschiedene Plattformen ansteuern müssen, wenn sie den gesamten OER-Fundus durchsuchen wollen.
- An vielen Stellen wird Content doppelt erschlossen, aber immer für die eigene Plattform
- Es gibt keinen geteilten Datenraum, in den Akteure Content "pushen" können
- Es gibt keine plattformübergreifenden Suchmöglichkeiten
Plattformübergreifende Kollaboration
Das wäre schön, oder? Mir ist schleierhaft, wie #OEP (Open Educational Practices, genaue Definition durch die Community steht noch aus) ohne funktionieren soll. Aber es gibt meines Wissens nach nicht mal Ansätze, wie das technisch umgesetzt werden soll (oder doch? let me hear).
Ein Szenario für solche plattformübergreifende Kollaboration könnte Qualitätssicherung sein. Gesetzt, dass sich zwei Plattformen / Communities auf etwas verständigt haben, dass sie als "Qualität" bezeichnen, wie aber dieses Gütesiegel nun an den Content bringen?
Plattform A: Na, dann kommt doch alle zu uns. Hier können wir das machen und dann hängt auch ein schönes Badge an den Materialien.
Plattform B: Ja, aber dann hängt es ja nicht an unseren Materialien. Außerdem wollen/müssen wir bei uns arbeiten, weil welche Existenzberechtigung hat denn meine Plattform noch, wenn wir alles bei dir machen?
- Obwohl nun #OEP in aller Munde sind, gibt es keine technischen Ansätze, wie (plattformübergreifende) Kollaboration technisch abgebildet werden kann
KI-Services
Was ist heute schon komplett ohne das Thema KI zu erwähnen? Mindestens für den nächsten Förderantrag muss auch irgendetwas mit KI gemacht werden...
Verschiedene Projekte erarbeiten hilfreiche und beeindruckende KI-Services. Beispielsweise, um die Annotation von Content mit Metadaten zu erleichtern, Metadaten automatisch hinzuzufügen, Content zu bestimmten Themen zu finden oder (halb-)automatisch zu Sammlungen hinzuzufügen. Aber (vielleicht habt ihr es schon erraten): Funktioniert halt nur auf der eigenen Plattform. Vermutlich, weil die Services nah am plattformeigenen Datenmodell entwickelt werden. Und da die Daten dieses Silo nicht verlassen, passt das schon. Das führt dazu, dass an mehreren Stellen die gleichen Services doppelt entwickelt werden.
- KI-Services funktionieren oft nur auf der Plattform für die sie entwickelt werden
Zusammenfassung der Probleme
Wir machen übrigens vieles schon sehr gut (Einsatz des AMB, Offene Bidungsmaterialien, wir haben eine großartige Community) und jetzt müssen wir halt weiter gehen.
(Die OER-Metadatengruppe, die das Allgemeine Metadatenprofil für Bildungsressourcen (AMB) entwickelt hat, bekommt für ihre Arbeit keine direkte Förderung. Gleichzeitig ist sie eine zentrale Anlaufstelle für alle, die mit Metadaten in offenen Bildungsinfrastukturen hantieren und das Metadatenprofil ist eines der wenigen Applikationsprofile, das öffentlich einsehbar, gut dokumentiert ist und Validierungsmöglichkeiten bietet.)
Betrachten wir die gesamten Plattformen und die beschriebenen Herausforderungen aus der Vogelperspektive, so lassen sich drei ineinander verschränkte Kernbestandteile unterscheiden, die helfen, die beschriebenen Probleme besser zu verstehen:
- User
- Service
- Daten
User: Auf (fast) allen Plattformen agieren User. Sie laden Material hoch, annotieren mit Metadaten, sind in einer Community, suchen Content usw. Egal, ob sie sich einloggen können/müssen, irgendetwas bieten wir unseren Usern an, damit sie daraus hoffentlich Mehrwerte ziehen
Service: Das ist dieses irgendetwas. Die "Webseite", die Oberfläche, das, wo der User klicken und etwas tun kann. Es ist das, was den Daten oft eine "visuelle" Form gibt. Der Service ist der Mittler, das Interface zwischen User und Daten. Mithilfe des Services lassen sich Daten erzeugen, verändern oder entfernen (Es gibt natürlich auch viele nicht-visuelle Services, die Interaktion mit Daten ermöglichen, aber für die meisten normalen Menschen, gibt es irgendwo was zu klicken).
Daten: Die Informationen in strukturierter maschinenlesbarer Form, die dem User in gerenderter Form durch einen Service Mehrwerte bieten können. Ungerenderte Daten können wir schwieirg erfassen (wir sind ja nicht Neo). Das können entweder die Metadaten zu Bildungmaterialien sein, die Materialien selbst, Profilinformationen, Materialsammlungen o.ä.
Meines Erachtens nach haben viele der oben beschriebenen Herausforderungen ihren Ursprung darin, dass die drei Kernbestandteile User, Service, Daten ungünstig miteinander verbunden wurden. Was kein Vorwurf sein soll, denn das ist genau die Art und Weise, wie die letzten Jahre (Jahrzehnte?) Plattformen immer gebaut wurden:
- User, Service und Daten werden in einer Plattform gebündelt
Das heisst durch meinen Service agieren die User mit den Daten und ich kann sicherstellen, dass in meiner kleinen Welt alles gut miteinander funktioniert. Sinnvoll, wenn ich Microsoft, Facebook, X oder ähnliches bin, weil mein Geschäftsmodell genau darin liegt: User einschließen (lock-in), ihnen die Hohheit über ihren Content nehmen (oder kannst du deine Facebook Posts zu X migrieren?) und nach Möglichkeit nicht wieder rauslassen.
Aber unsere Projekte sind öffentlich. Das sind nicht die Mechanismen, die wir replizieren sollten. Also was nun?
Bildungsinfrasstrukturen auf Basis des Nostr-Protokolls
Nostr
Eine pseudonyme Person mit dem Namen "fiatjaf" hat 2019 ein Konzept für ein Social Media Protokoll "Nostr - Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted By Relays" wie folgt beschrieben:
It does not rely on any trusted central server, hence it is resilient, it is based on cryptographic keys and signatures, so it is tamperproof, it does not rely on P2P techniques, therefore it works.
Fiatjaf, 2019
Die Kernbestandsteile des Protokolls bestehen aus:
- JSON -> Datenformat
- SHA256 & Schnorr -> Kryptographie
- Websocket -> Datenaustausch
Und funktionieren tut es so:
User besitzen ein "Schlüsselpaar": einen privaten Schlüssel (den behälst du für dich, nur für dich) und einen öffentlichen Schlüssel, den kannst du herumzeigen, das ist deine öffentliche Identität. Damit sagst du anderen Usern: Hier schau mal, das bin ich. Die beiden Schlüssel hängen dabei auf eine "magische" (kryptografische) Weise zusammen: Der öffentliche Schlüssel lässt sich aus dem privaten Schlüssel generieren, jedoch nicht andersherum. D.h. falls du deinen öffentlichen Schlüssel verlierst: Kein Problem, der lässt sich immer wieder herstellen. Wenn du deinen privaten Schlüssel verlierst: Pech gehabt, es ist faktisch unmöglich, diesen wieder herzustellen.
Die Schlüsselmagie geht jedoch noch weiter: Du kannst mit deinem privaten Schlüssel "Nachrichten" signieren, also wie unterschreiben. Diese Unterschrift, die du mit Hilfe des privaten Schlüssels erstellst, hat eine magische Eigenschaft: Jeder kann mithilfe der Signatur und deinem öffentlichen* Schlüssel nachprüfen, dass nur die Person, die auch den privaten Schlüssel zu diesem öffentlichen Schlüssel besitzt, diese Nachricht unterschrieben haben kann. Magisch, richtig? Verstehst du nicht komplett? Nicht schlimm, du benutzt es bereits vermutlich, ohne dass du es merkst. Das ist keine fancy neue Technologie, sondern gut abgehangen und breit im Einsatz.
Merke: User besitzen ein Schlüsselpaar und können damit Nachrichten signieren.
Dann gibt es noch die Services. Services funktionieren im Grunde wie bereits oben beschrieben. Durch sie interagieren die User mit Daten. Aber bei Nostr ist es ein kleines bisschen anders als sonst, denn: Die Daten "leben" nicht in den Services. Aber wo dann?
Wenn ein User einen Datensatz erstellt, verändert oder entfernen möchte, wird dieses "Event" (so nennen wir das bei Nostr) mit deinem privaten Schlüssel signiert (damit ist für alle klar, nur du kannst das gemacht haben) und dann mehrere "Relays" gesendet. Das sind die Orte, wo die Daten gehalten werden. Wenn ein User sich in einen Service einloggt, dann holt sich der Service die Daten, die er braucht von diesen Relays. User, Service und Daten sind also entkoppelt. Der User könnte zu einem anderen Service wechseln und sich dieseleben Daten von den Relays holen. Keine Lock-In Möglichkeiten.
Merke: User, Service und Daten sind entkoppelt.
Zuletzt gibt es noch die Relays. Relays sind Orte. Es sind die Orte, zu denen die Events, also die Daten der User, ihre Interaktionen, gesendet und von denen sie angefragt werden. Sie sind sowas wie das Backend von Nostr, allerdings tun sie nicht viel mehr als das: Events annehmen, Events verteilen. Je nach Konfiguration dürfen nur bestimmte User auf ein Relay schreiben oder davon lesen.
Das Protokoll ist von seinem Grunddesign auf Offenheit und Interoperabilität ausgelegt. Keine Registrierung ist nötig, sondern nur Schlüsselpaare. Durch kryptografische Verfahren kann dennoch die Authentizitität eines Events sichergestellt werden, da nur die Inhaberin des jeweiligen Schlüsselpaares dieses Event so erstellen konnte. Die Relays sorgen dafür die Daten an die gewünschten Stellen zu bringen und da wir mehr als nur eines benutzen, haben wir eine gewisse Ausfallsicherheit. Da die Daten nur aus signierten JSON-Schnipseln bestehen, können wir sie leicht an einen anderen Ort kopieren, im Falle eines Ausfalls. Durch die Signaturen ist wiederum sichergestellt, dass zwischendurch keine Veränderungen an den Daten vorgenommen wurden.
Beispiel: Ein Nostr Event
Hier ein kleiner technischer Exkurs, der beschreibt, wie Nostr Events strukturiert sind. Falls dich die technischen Details nicht so interessieren, überspringe diesen Abschnitt ruhig.
Jedes Nostr Event besitzt die gleiche Grundstruktur mit den Attributen:
id
: Der Hash des Eventspubkey
: Der Pubkey des Urhebers des Eventscreated_at
: Der Zeitstempel des Eventskind
: Der Typ des Eventstags
: Zusätzliche Metadaten für das Event können in diesem Array hinterlegt werdencontent
: Der textuelle Inhalt eines Eventssig
: Die Signatur des Events, um die Integrität der Daten zu überprüfen
json { "id": <32-bytes lowercase hex-encoded sha256 of the serialized event data>, "pubkey": <32-bytes lowercase hex-encoded public key of the event creator>, "created_at": <unix timestamp in seconds>, "kind": <integer between 0 and 65535>, "tags": [ [<arbitrary string>...], // ... ], "content": <arbitrary string>, "sig": <64-bytes lowercase hex of the signature of the sha256 hash of the serialized event data, which is the same as the "id" field> }
Die verwendeten Eventtypen sowie die existierenden Spezifikationen lassen sich unter https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/ einsehen.
Wichtig ist auch: Du kannst einfach anfangen, Anwendungen zu entwickeln. Die Relays werden alle Events akzeptieren, die dem o.g. Schema folgen. Du musst also niemanden um Erlaubnis fragen oder warten, bis deine Spezifikation akzeptiert und hinzugefügt wurde.
You can just build things.
Exkurs: Nostr für Binärdaten - Blossom
Ja, aber... das ist doch nur für textbasierte Daten geeignet? Was ist denn mit den Binärdaten (Bilder, Videos, PDFs, etc)
Diese Daten sind oft recht groß und es wurde sich auf das Best-Practice geeignet, diese Daten nicht auf Relays abzulegen, sondern einen besser geeigneten Publikationsmechanismus für diese Datentypen zu finden. Der Ansatz wird als "Blossom - Blobs stored simply on mediaservers" bezeichnet und ist recht unkompliziert.
Blossom Server (nichts anderes als simple Medienserver) nutzen Nostr Schlüsselpaare zur Verwaltung Identitäten und zum Signieren von Events. Die Blobs werden über ihren sha256 Hash identifiziert. Blossom definiert einige standardisierte Endpunkte, die beschreiben wie Medien hochgeladen werden können, wie sie konsumiert werden können usw.
Die Details, wie Authorisierung und die jeweiligen Endpunkte funktionieren, werden in der genannten Spezifikation beschrieben.
Nostr 🤝 Öffentliche Bildungsinfrastrukturen
Wie könnten Herausforderungen gelöst werden, wenn wir Nostr als Basis für die öffentliche Bildungsinfrastruktur einsetzen?
Material-Upload
- Es ist nicht einfach möglich OER bereitzustellen, sodass es auch auf verschiedenen Plattformen gefunden werden kann.
Mit Nostr als Basis-Infrastruktur würden die Metadaten und die Binärdaten nicht an den Service gekoppelt sein, von dem aus sie bereitgestellt wurden. Binärdaten können auf sogenannten Blossom-Servern gehostet werden. Metadaten, Kommentare und weitere textbasierte Daten werden über die Relay-Infrastruktur verteilt. Da Daten und Service entkoppelt sind, können die OER Materialien von verschiedenen Anwendungen aus konsumiert werden.
Kuration
- Es gibt keine interoperablen Sammlungen
- Metadaten-Annotation ist zentralisiert
- User können keine eigenen Metadaten hinzufügen
Sammlungen sind per se interoperabel. Auf Protokollebene ist definiert, wie Listen funktionieren. Die Annotation mit Metadaten ist an keiner Stelle zentralisiert. Das Versprechen der RDF-Community "Anyone can say anything about any topic" wird hier verwirklicht. Ich muss mir ja nicht alles anhören. Vielleicht konsumiere ich nur Metadaten-Events bestimmter Redaktionen oder User. Vielleicht nur diejenigen mit einer Nähe zu meinem sozialen Graphen. Jedenfalls gibt es die Möglichkeit für alle User entsprechende Metadaten bereit zu stellen.
Crawling, Indexierung und Suche * An vielen Stellen wird Content doppelt erschlossen, aber immer für die eigene Plattform * Es gibt keinen geteilten Datenraum, in den Akteure Content "pushen" können * Es gibt keine plattformübergreifenden Suchmöglichkeiten
Keine Doppelerschließungen mehr. Wenn ein User im Netzwerk ein Metadatenevent veröffentlicht hat, ist es für alle konsumierbar. Der Datenraum ist per se geteilt. Plattformübergreifende Suche wird durch die Kombination aus Relays und NIPs ermöglicht. In den NIPs können spezielle Query-Formate für die jeweiligen NIPs definiert werden. Relays können anzeigen, welche NIPs sie untersützten. Eine plattformübergreifende Suche ist im Nostr eine relay-übergreifende Suche.
Plattformübergreifende Kollaboration
- Obwohl nun #OEP in aller Munde sind, gibt es keine technischen Ansätze, wie (plattformübergreifende) Kollaboration technisch abgebildet werden kann
Nostr ist der technische Ansatz.
KI-Services
- KI-Services funktionieren oft nur auf der Plattform für die sie entwickelt werden
Es gibt im Nostr das Konzept der Data Vending Machines (s. auch data-vending-machines.org). Statt also einfach nur eine API zu bauen (was auch schon sehr schön ist, wenn sie offen zugänglich ist), könnten diese Services auch als Akteure im Nostr Netzwerk fungieren und Jobs annehmen und ausführen. Die Art der Jobs kann in einer Spezifikation beschrieben werden, sodass die Funktionsweise für alle interessierten Teilnehmer im Netzwerk einfach nachzuvollziehen ist.
Die Services könnten sogar monetarisiert werden, sodass sich hier auch Möglichkeiten böten, Geschäftsmodelle zu entwickeln.
Fazit
Die Open Education Community ist großartig. Es sind einzigartige und unglaublich engagierte Menschen, die sich dem hehren Ziel "Zugängliche Bildung für Alle" -> "Offene Bildung" verschrieben haben. Wir verwenden Creative Commons Lizenzen -> Commons -> Gemeingüter. Es ist okay, dass viele Projekte von Sponsoren und Förderungen abhängig sind. Was wir machen, ist im Sinne eines Gemeingutes: Öffentliche Bildung für alle. Also zahlen wir als Gemeinschaft alle dafür.
Was nicht okay ist: Dass das, wofür wir alle gezahlt haben, nach kurzer Zeit nicht mehr auffindbar ist. Dass es eingeschlossen wird. In öffentlich finanzierten Datensilos. Es muss für alle auch langfristig verfügbar sein. Sonst ist es nicht zugänglich, nicht offen. Dann ist das O in OER nur ein Label und Marketing, um für eine ABM-Maßnahme 3 Jahre Geld zu bekommen. Denn nichts anderes ist Content-Entwicklung, wenn der Content nach drei Jahren weggeschmissen wird.
Und dasselbe gilt für OEP. Offene Lernpraktiken, sind auch nur eine Phrase, wenn wir die passende technische Infrastruktur nicht mitdenken, die wirkliche Offenheit und Kollaboration und damit die Umsetzung offener Lernpraktiken ermöglicht.
Und wenn wir uns jetzt nicht Gedanken darüber machen, die Infrastruktur für offenes Lernen anzupassen, dann werden wir vermutlich in einigen Jahren sehen können, was bei politischen Umorientierungen noch davon übrig bleiben wird. Wenn die Fördertöpfe komplett gestrichen werden, was bleibt dann übrig von dem investierten Geld?
Wir brauchen Lösungen, die engagierte Communities weiter betreiben können und denen kein Kopf abgeschlagen werden kann, ohne dass wir zwei neue daneben setzen könnten.
Wir müssen uns jetzt Gedanken darüber machen.
Wie offen will öffentliche Bildungsinfrastruktur sein?
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@ 0b65f96a:7fda4c8f
2025-06-04 18:07:06Es gibt Bibliotheken voll Literatur zur „Kunst“ der Kriegsführung. Dies hier ist ein Beitrag zu den Bibliotheken der Kunst Frieden zu führen. Denn Frieden ist nicht die Abwesenheit von Krieg. Sondern eine mindestens ebenso intensive Aktivität. Worin genau besteht sie aber? Ich glaube darin, weder nach der einen noch nach der anderen Seite vom Hochseil zu fallen. Denn vom Hochseil kann man immer nach zwei Seiten fallen. Das ist dann auch schon die Kernherausforderung: Gleichgewichthalten!
Es scheint zunächst ein ganz äußerlicher Auftrag. Es gibt immer und wird immer widerstreitende Interessen geben. Allerdings ist das nur die äußerste Zwiebelschale. Denn wenn wir die Sache etwas mit Abstand von uns selbst betrachten, werden wir in uns hinein verwiesen: Frieden kann nur von innen nach außen gestiftet werden. Wenn wir das Hochseil in uns suchen, was finden wir dann? – Zweifels ohne, wissen wir von uns, dass wir nicht jeden Tag unser bestes Selbst sind. Würde es sich nicht lohnen etwas genauer über die Möglichkeit nach zwei Seiten vom Hochseil zu fallen nachzudenken, zugunsten der eigenen Balancierfähigkeit?
Wir sind daran gewöhnt zu denken dem Guten steht das Böse gegenüber. Daraus ziehen ja alle Western und Martial Arts Streifen ihren Plot: Der Gute bringt den Bösen um die Ecke und damit hat wieder mal das Gute gesiegt. Wir bewerten das „um die Ecke bringen“ unterschiedlich, je nach dem, von wem es kommt.
Ich möchte einen neuen Gedanken vorschlagen über unser Inneres, über Gut und Böse nachzudenken. Denn, wie gesagt, vom Hochseil kann man nach zwei Seiten fallen. Und es hat immer drastische Wirkung. Wo kommen wir also hin, wenn wir sagen: Frieden ist immer ein Gleichgewichtszustand, ergo eine Zeit der Mitte?
Sagen wir Toleranz ist ein erstrebenswertes Ideal. Dann würden wir sicher sagen Engstirnigkeit ist das Gegenteil davon und alles andere als Wünschenswert. Ja, so ist es gewiss. Und es bleibt hinzuzufügen, auch Beliebigkeit ist das Gegenteil von Toleranz. Denn es gibt eine Grenze, wo Toleranz nicht mehr Toleranz ist, sondern Beliebigkeit, ein „alles ist möglich“. Ähnlich können wir es für Großzügigkeit denken: Großzügigkeit ist ein erstrebenswertes Ideal. Ihr Gegenteil ist Geiz. Ihr anderes Gegenteil die Verschwendung. Oder Mut. Mut ist ein erstrebenswertes Ideal. Feigheit sein Gegenteil. Sein anderes Gegenteil ist Leichtsinn. Mit andern Worten: Das Ideal wird immer zum Hochseil. Und wir können immer nach zwei Seiten von ihm fallen. Wenn wir diesem Gedanken folgen, kommen wir weg von der Gut-Böse-Dualität. Und stattdessen zur Frage nach dem Gleichgewicht. Zur Frage nach der Mittezeit.
Natürlich steht es uns frei all das zu denken. Oder auch nicht zu denken. Denn selbstverständlich ist es möglich es nicht zu denken und bei einer Dualitätsvorstellung festhängen zu bleiben. Es wird uns nur nicht helfen Frieden zu denken und in Frieden zu handeln. Wenn wir wollen können wir durch das Aufspannen einer Trinität einen neuen Raum eröffnen und betreten. In ihm wird Frieden aktiv führbar, denn er wird eine Gleichgewichtssituation in uns selbst! – Nicht eine, sich einander gegenüberstehender äußerer Mächte!
Gehen wir noch einen Schritt weiter in unserer Betrachtung, können wir feststellen, dass es durchaus einen Unterschied macht nach welcher Seite wir runter fallen. Denn auf der einen Seite ist es immer eine Verengung: Engstirnigkeit, Geiz, Feigheit in unseren Beispielen. Auf der anderen ist es immer eine Zersplitterung oder Versprühung. In unseren Beispielen Beliebigkeit, Verschwendung und Leichtsinn. Und das erstrebenswerte ist eben immer die Mitte, das von uns ständig aktualisierte Gleichgewicht.
Das interessante ist, wo diese Mitte liegt, lässt sich niemals statisch festlegen. Sie ist immer dynamisch. Denn sie kann zu unterschiedlichen Momenten an unterschiedlicher Stelle liegen. Es ist immer ein Ich, das sich in Geistesgegenwart neu ausbalanciert. Und darum ist Frieden so schwer. Wir werden ihn niemals „haben“, sondern ihm immer entgegen gehen.
Der Kriegsruf ist nichts anderes, als ein Versuch von denen, die vom Hochseil gefallen sind, uns auch herunter zu kicken.
Netter Versuch. Wird aber nichts!
In der Nussschale: Die Dualität auflösen in die Trinität der balancierenden Mitte zwischen der Geste der Versteinerung und der Geste des Zerstäubens oder Zersplitterns. Die dynamische Qualität der Mitte bemerken. Oder, tun wir es nicht, ist das gleich der erste Anstoß, der uns wieder zum Wackeln bringt. Und des Ich´s gewahr werden, das balanciert. Frieden führen ist eine Kunst.
Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.
Patric I. Vogt, geb. 1968 in Mainz. Autor von „Zukunft beginnt im Kopf Ein Debattenbeitrag zur Kernsanierung von Rechtsstaat und Demokratie“. Lebt als freischaffender Künstler, Lehrer und Unternehmer. Über drei Jahrzehnte Beschäftigung mit dem Ideenfeld soziale #Dreigliederung und Anthroposophie. Moderation und Mediation von sozialen Prozessen und Organisationsentwicklung. Staatlich ungeprüft, abgesehen von den Fahrerlaubnissen zu Land und zu Wasser. Motto: Gedanken werden Worte, werden Taten! www.perspektivenwechsel.social
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@ a5142938:0ef19da3
2025-06-05 10:24:37Brands
Nordkidz is a German brand that creates made-to-order clothing and linens for babies, children, and a little bit for their parents.
Natural materials used in products
⚠️ Warning: some products from this brand contain non-natural materials, including:
Categories of products offered
This brand offers products made entirely from natural materials in the following categories:
Clothing
- Clothing fits : babies, children, unisex
- Tops : sweaters, t-shirts
- Bottoms : pants-trousers, shorts, sweatpants
- Head & handwear : hats, scarves
Home
- Linen : bath ponchos, bean bag covers, muslin squares
Other information
👉 Learn more on the brand website
Where to find their products?
- Nordkidz (in German, delivery area: Germany and the European Union) 💚 Via this link, you directly support the brand.
📝 You can contribute to this entry by suggesting edits in comments.
🗣️ Do you use this brand's products? Share your opinion in the comments.
⚡ Happy to have found this information? Support the project by making a donation to thank the contributors.
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@ fd208ee8:0fd927c1
2025-02-15 07:37:01E-cash are coupons or tokens for Bitcoin, or Bitcoin debt notes that the mint issues. The e-cash states, essentially, "IoU 2900 sats".
They're redeemable for Bitcoin on Lightning (hard money), and therefore can be used as cash (softer money), so long as the mint has a good reputation. That means that they're less fungible than Lightning because the e-cash from one mint can be more or less valuable than the e-cash from another. If a mint is buggy, offline, or disappears, then the e-cash is unreedemable.
It also means that e-cash is more anonymous than Lightning, and that the sender and receiver's wallets don't need to be online, to transact. Nutzaps now add the possibility of parking transactions one level farther out, on a relay. The same relays that cannot keep npub profiles and follow lists consistent will now do monetary transactions.
What we then have is * a transaction on a relay that triggers * a transaction on a mint that triggers * a transaction on Lightning that triggers * a transaction on Bitcoin.
Which means that every relay that stores the nuts is part of a wildcat banking system. Which is fine, but relay operators should consider whether they wish to carry the associated risks and liabilities. They should also be aware that they should implement the appropriate features in their relay, such as expiration tags (nuts rot after 2 weeks), and to make sure that only expired nuts are deleted.
There will be plenty of specialized relays for this, so don't feel pressured to join in, and research the topic carefully, for yourself.
https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/60.md https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/61.md
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@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365
2025-02-13 06:16:49My favorite line in any Marvel movie ever is in “Captain America.” After Captain America launches seemingly a hopeless assault on Red Skull’s base and is captured, we get this line:
“Arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must say, you do it better than anyone.”
Yesterday, I came across a comment on the song Devil Went Down to Georgia that had a very similar feel to it:
America has seemingly always been arrogant, in a uniquely American way. Manifest Destiny, for instance. The rest of the world is aware of this arrogance, and mocks Americans for it. A central point in modern US politics is the deriding of racist, nationalist, supremacist Americans.
That’s not what I see. I see American Arrogance as not only a beautiful statement about what it means to be American. I see it as an ode to the greatness of humanity in its purest form.
For most countries, saying “our nation is the greatest” is, in fact, twinged with some level of racism. I still don’t have a problem with it. Every group of people should be allowed to feel pride in their accomplishments. The destruction of the human spirit since the end of World War 2, where greatness has become a sin and weakness a virtue, has crushed the ability of people worldwide to strive for excellence.
But I digress. The fears of racism and nationalism at least have a grain of truth when applied to other nations on the planet. But not to America.
That’s because the definition of America, and the prototype of an American, has nothing to do with race. The definition of Americanism is freedom. The founding of America is based purely on liberty. On the God-given rights of every person to live life the way they see fit.
American Arrogance is not a statement of racial superiority. It’s barely a statement of national superiority (though it absolutely is). To me, when an American comments on the greatness of America, it’s a statement about freedom. Freedom will always unlock the greatness inherent in any group of people. Americans are definitionally better than everyone else, because Americans are freer than everyone else. (Or, at least, that’s how it should be.)
In Devil Went Down to Georgia, Johnny is approached by the devil himself. He is challenged to a ridiculously lopsided bet: a golden fiddle versus his immortal soul. He acknowledges the sin in accepting such a proposal. And yet he says, “God, I know you told me not to do this. But I can’t stand the affront to my honor. I am the greatest. The devil has nothing on me. So God, I’m gonna sin, but I’m also gonna win.”
Libertas magnitudo est
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@ da8b7de1:c0164aee
2025-06-04 16:37:07Nukleáris politika és szabályozási fejlemények
A Nemzetközi Atomenergia-ügynökség (IAEA) Kormányzótanácsa 2025. június 9-én kezdi meg szokásos júniusi ülését Bécsben. A főbb napirendi pontok között szerepel a 2024-es éves jelentés, a technikai együttműködési tevékenységek, az iráni ellenőrzés és felügyelet, az ellenőrzések végrehajtása Észak-Koreában és Szíriában, a nukleáris biztonság és védelem Ukrajnában, valamint a nukleáris anyagok átruházása és ellenőrzése az AUKUS-keretében. Az ülésen új tagokat is kijelölnek a Kormányzótanácsba, és előkészítik a 69. rendes közgyűlést[iaea.org].
Jelentős projektek és iparági bővülés
Az amerikai Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) benyújtotta kérelmét az Egyesült Államok Nukleáris Szabályozási Bizottságához egy GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 kis moduláris reaktor (SMR) megépítésére a Clinch River telephelyen, ami jelentős lépés az amerikai fejlett nukleáris technológiák elterjesztésében[world-nuclear-news.org]. Kanadában a hatóság engedélyezte az Ontario Power Generation számára, hogy egy BWRX-300 reaktort építsen a Darlington New Nuclear Project helyszínen, ezzel tovább haladva az észak-amerikai SMR-projektek terén[world-nuclear-news.org].
India nukleáris szabályozója jóváhagyta a négyblokkos Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomerőmű telephelyét, Kínában pedig folytatódnak a szerelési munkák a Haiyang 3 egységen. Eközben Belgium és Dánia felülvizsgálják nukleáris politikájukat: Belgium visszavonja a korábbi leállítási döntést, Dánia pedig újragondolja álláspontját[world-nuclear-news.org].
Ellátási lánc, munkaerő és nemzetközi együttműködés
A nukleáris kapacitás várható gyors növekedése miatt egyre nagyobb hangsúly kerül mind a helyi, mind a globális ellátási lánc felkészítésére. A World Nuclear Association legutóbbi konferenciája kiemelte az ellátási lánc „globalizációjának” fontosságát a bővülés támogatásához[world-nuclear-news.org]. A nukleáris munkaerő világszerte növekedni fog, ami új lehetőségeket teremt, nem pedig hiányt. Az iparági szakértők hangsúlyozzák a jelentkezők tapasztalatának javítását és a szektorok közötti készségek hasznosítását a jövőbeni igények kielégítésére[world-nuclear-news.org].
A nemzetközi szabályozói együttműködés is fejlődik, különösen a kis moduláris reaktorok (SMR) tervezési értékelése terén. A brit Nukleáris Szabályozási Hivatal közzétette első jelentését ebben a témában, globális szinten hatékonyabb és összehangoltabb megközelítést célozva[world-nuclear-news.org].
Gazdasági és befektetési trendek
A nukleáris szektorban újra optimizmus tapasztalható, egészséges projektportfóliókkal és növekvő magánbefektetésekkel, különösen a fejlett üzemanyagok, például a HALEU (magas dúsítású urán) terén. A Világbank lehetséges politikai váltása, amely lehetővé tenné nukleáris projektek finanszírozását, jelentős hatással lehet a globális befektetésekre, példát mutatva más hitelezőknek is[ans.org].
Az USA-ban jelentős lépés a Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act életbe lépése, amely megtiltja a feldolgozatlan, alacsony dúsítású orosz urán behozatalát, és 2,72 milliárd dollár szövetségi támogatást szabadít fel a hazai urántermelés fellendítésére. A törvény 2027-ig korlátozott mentességeket engedélyez, 2040-ben pedig lejár[ans.org].
Technológia és innováció
A TerraPower hivatalosan is jelezte a brit hatóságoknak, hogy megkezdi a Natrium nátrium-hűtésű gyorsreaktor általános tervezési engedélyezési folyamatát, ezzel jelezve, hogy a vállalat nemzetközi szinten is be kívánja vezetni ezt a technológiát[world-nuclear-news.org]. Olaszországban új nemzeti bizottság alakult a radioaktív anyagok szállításával kapcsolatos kihívások kezelésére, a megfelelőség és a logisztika egyszerűsítése érdekében[world-nuclear-news.org].
Az Enel, az Ansaldo Energia és a Leonardo megalapította a Nuclitalia céget, hogy tanulmányozza a fejlett nukleáris technológiákat és elemezze a piaci lehetőségeket, ami jól mutatja az európai érdeklődés növekedését a következő generációs nukleáris megoldások iránt[world-nuclear-news.org].
Friss és közelgő események
- Az IAEA Kormányzótanácsának ülése (2025. június 9–13.) számos politikai, biztonsági és védelmi kérdéssel foglalkozik majd[iaea.org].
- Az amerikai Fehér Ház nemrégiben csúcstalálkozót tartott a hazai nukleáris fejlesztésekről, és elindította a legnagyobb szövetségi kezdeményezést az elmúlt ötven évben a hálózati méretű nukleáris reaktorok felgyorsított építésére[ans.org].
Források: - world-nuclear-news.org - iaea.org - ans.org - nucnet.org
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@ d5c440ce:04726d89
2025-06-05 06:19:49Effektiv behandling af blodsprængninger kræver en professionel tilgang og de rette metoder. Hos Klinik Zenit tilbyder vi skånsomme og dokumenterede teknikker til at reducere synligheden af blodsprængninger i ansigt og på krop. Vores behandlinger tilpasses individuelt og udføres af erfarne specialister med fokus på sikkerhed og langvarige resultater. Få vejledning om hudpleje før og efter behandlingen for at opnå det bedste resultat. Kontakt Klinik Zenit for en professionel vurdering og behandlingsplan.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-06-05 15:01:14Bitcoin Magazine
Adam Back Invests SEK 21 Million to H100 Group Bitcoin Treasury StrategyToday, H100 Group AB announced it has entered a SEK 21 million convertible loan from an investment agreement with Adam Back, with the option to expand his investment to SEK 277 million through a five-tranche convertible loan deal. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin in alignment with H100 Group’s long-term Bitcoin treasury strategy.
H100 Group AB (Ticker: H100) secures a SEK 21M ($2.1M) commitment from @adam3us , with rights to invest an additional SEK 128M ($12.8M) in tranches—bringing the total contemplated raise to SEK 277M (~$27.7M). pic.twitter.com/c0HgMSRxut
— H100 (@H100Group) June 3, 2025
Under the agreement, Back may invest up to SEK 128 million across four additional tranches, with guaranteed participation of at least 50%. Each tranche is twice his committed amount, demonstrating his support for H100’s long-term growth.
The press release said, “Adam Back may request the Second Tranche within 90 days from signing of the Initial Tranche, the Third Tranche within 90 days from signing of the Second Tranche, the Fourth Tranche within 90 days from signing of the Third Tranche and the Fifth Tranche within ninety 90 days from signing of the Fourth Tranche. In the event Adam Back does not request a Future Tranche within the deadline, the right to request subsequent Future Tranches lapses.”
The convertible loans have no interest and have a five year maturity. At any time, Back may convert the loans into shares of the Company. Conversion prices are fixed per tranche: SEK 1.75 per share for the initial tranche, rising to SEK 5.00 by the fifth tranche. H100 retains the right to force conversion if the stock price exceeds the conversion rate by 33% over a 20 day period. Full conversion of the initial tranche would result in 12 million new shares and a 9.3% dilution.
“Upon request of a tranche Adam Back is obliged to invest in the relevant Tranche with SEK 15,750,000 in the second tranche, SEK 23,625,000 in the third tranche, SEK 35,437,500 in the fourth tranche, and SEK 53,156,250 in the fifth tranche,” stated the press release. “The contemplated size for each tranche is twice the entitled amount of Adam Back.”
Blockstream has “been around since 2014 and we work with our investors to put Bitcoin in a balance sheet back then and since then,” said Adam Back at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference. “I think the way to look at the treasury companies is that Bitcoin is effectively the hurdle rate; it’s very hard to outperform bitcoin. Most people that have invested in things since bitcoin has been around have thought, ‘oh, I should have put that in bitcoin and not in the other thing.”
This post Adam Back Invests SEK 21 Million to H100 Group Bitcoin Treasury Strategy first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.
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@ 94a6a78a:0ddf320e
2025-02-12 15:05:48Azzamo is more than just a relay provider—it’s a high-performance network designed to make Nostr faster, smoother, and more reliable for everyone. Whether you're posting notes, zapping sats, sharing media, or sending DMs, Azzamo keeps your Nostr experience seamless and efficient.
Nostr is unstoppable, but not all relays are the same. Some are slow, unreliable, or disappear overnight, while others get overloaded, making message delivery inconsistent. Azzamo is built differently—offering fast, stable, and globally distributed relays to ensure low-latency, high-speed connections, no matter where you are.
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@ 8d34bd24:414be32b
2025-06-04 13:21:20It is hard going through difficult situations. Health problems, family problems, financial problems, feeling alone, feeling stuck in the wrong place, and persecution are all situations that Christians regularly find themselves. The question is “How will we respond to pain?”
Advice for the Suffering
Some Christians pull away from God when it feels like everything is going wrong. They think God doesn’t care or can’t fix things. They resent every minute of pain and accuse God of wrongdoing. Even Job, who fell on his face in worship after losing everything had a moment of weakness.
“Oh that my grief were actually weighed\ And laid in the balances together with my calamity!\ For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas;\ Therefore my words have been rash.” (Job 6:2-3) {emphasis mine}
After a moment of doubt, he did, however, repent of his rash words, as should we all.
Job should be an example to us all in dealing with pain and difficult situations. This is the verse that inspired this post.
But it is still my consolation,\ And I rejoice in unsparing pain,\ That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. \ (Job 6:10) {emphasis mine}
What an example! “I rejoice in unsparing pain.” When we trust God so much that we can rejoice in unsparing pain, we are trusting God as we should. We are accepting that God is working good in our life and we can trust Him even when nothing makes sense to us.
I also love how he says that his consolation is that “I have not denied the words of the Holy One.” Job is hurting terribly. His heart is broken. He is destitute. He lost 8 children in one day. His friends, that came to console him, have instead accused him of wrongdoing. He doesn’t understand what God is doing and why, but he has “NOT denied the words of the Holy One.” He is still putting his faith in God and his word. He is still submitting to God when he feels mistreated. He is still trusting \ God, even when he doesn’t understand what God is doing and why so many bad things are raining down on him in a torrent. Despite it all, he refuses to deny God. I hope if I am ever put through similar situations, that I can trust God and not deny His goodness.
Advice for friends
The book of Job, in addition to advice to those who are suffering, also gives advice to friends of those who are suffering. (or maybe more accurately, what not to do)
Job’s friends came with the intention to encourage and console Job. Every time Job would confess his thoughts, concerns, and questions, the response by his friends would get harsher and harsher. In the beginning they were gentle corrections, but they quickly escalated to accusing Job of great sins, that they had to know were not true, and blaming Job for every hard thing that had happened to him.
I’ve talked to other Christians who have confessed to being dragged down by other Christians who would tell them that every difficult thing that happened to them was due to their sin or lack of faith. In the case of Job, his difficulties were due to his faithfulness, in order to prove to Satan and all of history that a faithful man would stay faithful to God in good times and in bad.
Can Christians suffer as a consequence of sins and poor decisions? Of course, but there are many times that the faithful suffer. In Scripture, the people who suffered most were frequently the most faithful.
Job’s correction of his friends was accurate.
“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend;\ So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.\ My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi,\ Like the torrents of wadis which vanish, (Job 6:14-15)
For those who don’t know, a wadi is a streambed that has water running in the wet season, but is bone dry during the dry season. Job accused his friends of being encouraging and helpful when he was prospering, then showing up and providing no encouragement or help when he needed it most. He thought refreshment was coming to visit, and instead what hope he had left was drained from him by his “friends.”
We need to make sure we aren’t one of those who decreases hope and decreases faith in one who is hurting. We need to have mercy when a hurting person works through their confusion and doubts and help lead them back to God instead of driving a wedge between them and God.
May the God of heaven protect us and lead us through the trials of life and may our trials lead us into the arms of our Savior. May God help us to merciful and to help guide the hurting into the Savior’s care.
Trust Jesus
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@ 49d472c1:a63cd544
2025-06-05 02:59:12Bitcoin Miners Pivot to Power AI Boom, Offering a Lifeline to America’s Data-Center Crunch
A fresh Morgan Stanley analysis warns that U.S. data-center demand will balloon to ≈65 GW between 2025 and 2028—about 45 GW more than the grid can currently supply. One solution the bank singles out: repurposing the oversized, transformer-fed campuses originally built for Bitcoin mining. (investopedia.com)
Several public miners are already moving. Riot Platforms has begun buying extra land near its Corsicana, TX complex and hired a veteran data-center executive to head a “high-performance compute” division aimed squarely at AI customers. (riotplatforms.com, coindesk.com) Bitfarms, meanwhile, is marketing North-American sites to hyperscalers after hiring consultants to evaluate GPU-ready retrofits. (reuters.com)
Industry analysts say the pivot is existential. April 2024’s fourth halving chopped block rewards to 3.125 BTC, shrinking miner revenue just as network difficulty hit record highs. By leasing idle megawatts—or fully converting halls—operators lock in dollar-denominated cash-flows while retaining the option to resume mining if margins rebound.
“Miners spent the last cycle amassing land, switchgear and transformers. AI is about to pay them for it.” —Greg Miller, Citizens JMP (research note quoted in multiple sector briefings)
Why it matters
- Grid relief: Every gigawatt shifted from speculative hashing to AI compute eases ERCOT’s peak-load stress and shortens transmission-upgrade timelines. (datacenterdynamics.com)
- Cap-ex savings for cloud firms: Retrofitting a mining hall is months faster—and currently 30-40 % cheaper—than green-field construction, analysts estimate. (govtech.com)
- Dual-revenue model: Miners keep upside to future BTC price spikes while monetizing power capacity today.
The roadblocks
- Cooling retrofits: Air-cooled ASIC barns must be re-engineered for liquid-cooled GPU clusters, at up to \$3 M per MW in conversion costs. (driehaus.com)
- Policy risk in Texas: Lawmakers are weighing caps on industrial load-flex credits after recent grid-stress events, which could dent miners’ ancillary revenue. (dallasnews.com)
Bottom line: Once-beleaguered Bitcoin mines may become critical real estate for the surging AI sector—turning yesterday’s crypto boomtowns into tomorrow’s compute hubs while giving miners a much-needed new income stream.
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@ daa41bed:88f54153
2025-02-09 16:50:04There has been a good bit of discussion on Nostr over the past few days about the merits of zaps as a method of engaging with notes, so after writing a rather lengthy article on the pros of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, I wanted to take some time to chime in on the much more fun topic of digital engagement.
Let's begin by defining a couple of things:
Nostr is a decentralized, censorship-resistance protocol whose current biggest use case is social media (think Twitter/X). Instead of relying on company servers, it relies on relays that anyone can spin up and own their own content. Its use cases are much bigger, though, and this article is hosted on my own relay, using my own Nostr relay as an example.
Zap is a tip or donation denominated in sats (small units of Bitcoin) sent from one user to another. This is generally done directly over the Lightning Network but is increasingly using Cashu tokens. For the sake of this discussion, how you transmit/receive zaps will be irrelevant, so don't worry if you don't know what Lightning or Cashu are.
If we look at how users engage with posts and follows/followers on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc., it becomes evident that traditional social media thrives on engagement farming. The more outrageous a post, the more likely it will get a reaction. We see a version of this on more visual social platforms like YouTube and TikTok that use carefully crafted thumbnail images to grab the user's attention to click the video. If you'd like to dive deep into the psychology and science behind social media engagement, let me know, and I'd be happy to follow up with another article.
In this user engagement model, a user is given the option to comment or like the original post, or share it among their followers to increase its signal. They receive no value from engaging with the content aside from the dopamine hit of the original experience or having their comment liked back by whatever influencer they provide value to. Ad revenue flows to the content creator. Clout flows to the content creator. Sales revenue from merch and content placement flows to the content creator. We call this a linear economy -- the idea that resources get created, used up, then thrown away. Users create content and farm as much engagement as possible, then the content is forgotten within a few hours as they move on to the next piece of content to be farmed.
What if there were a simple way to give value back to those who engage with your content? By implementing some value-for-value model -- a circular economy. Enter zaps.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, Nostr does not actively use algorithms to determine what content is popular, nor does it push content created for active user engagement to the top of a user's timeline. Yes, there are "trending" and "most zapped" timelines that users can choose to use as their default, but these use relatively straightforward engagement metrics to rank posts for these timelines.
That is not to say that we may not see clients actively seeking to refine timeline algorithms for specific metrics. Still, the beauty of having an open protocol with media that is controlled solely by its users is that users who begin to see their timeline gamed towards specific algorithms can choose to move to another client, and for those who are more tech-savvy, they can opt to run their own relays or create their own clients with personalized algorithms and web of trust scoring systems.
Zaps enable the means to create a new type of social media economy in which creators can earn for creating content and users can earn by actively engaging with it. Like and reposting content is relatively frictionless and costs nothing but a simple button tap. Zaps provide active engagement because they signal to your followers and those of the content creator that this post has genuine value, quite literally in the form of money—sats.
I have seen some comments on Nostr claiming that removing likes and reactions is for wealthy people who can afford to send zaps and that the majority of people in the US and around the world do not have the time or money to zap because they have better things to spend their money like feeding their families and paying their bills. While at face value, these may seem like valid arguments, they, unfortunately, represent the brainwashed, defeatist attitude that our current economic (and, by extension, social media) systems aim to instill in all of us to continue extracting value from our lives.
Imagine now, if those people dedicating their own time (time = money) to mine pity points on social media would instead spend that time with genuine value creation by posting content that is meaningful to cultural discussions. Imagine if, instead of complaining that their posts get no zaps and going on a tirade about how much of a victim they are, they would empower themselves to take control of their content and give value back to the world; where would that leave us? How much value could be created on a nascent platform such as Nostr, and how quickly could it overtake other platforms?
Other users argue about user experience and that additional friction (i.e., zaps) leads to lower engagement, as proven by decades of studies on user interaction. While the added friction may turn some users away, does that necessarily provide less value? I argue quite the opposite. You haven't made a few sats from zaps with your content? Can't afford to send some sats to a wallet for zapping? How about using the most excellent available resource and spending 10 seconds of your time to leave a comment? Likes and reactions are valueless transactions. Social media's real value derives from providing monetary compensation and actively engaging in a conversation with posts you find interesting or thought-provoking. Remember when humans thrived on conversation and discussion for entertainment instead of simply being an onlooker of someone else's life?
If you've made it this far, my only request is this: try only zapping and commenting as a method of engagement for two weeks. Sure, you may end up liking a post here and there, but be more mindful of how you interact with the world and break yourself from blind instinct. You'll thank me later.
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-06-05 01:28:52How did the stackers do on their ~HealthAndFitness journeys today?
I did very well: Slept well? Check Stuck to fast? Check Ate healthy? Check Activity target? Checkarooni
The one oddity I need to work on is that I got a foot cramp while playing turtle tag with my daughter.
https://stacker.news/items/997476
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@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-06-04 11:01:29Bitcoin FilmFest (BFF25) returns to Warsaw for its third edition, blending independent cinema—from feature films and commercials to AI-driven experimental visuals—with education and entertainment.
Hundreds of attendees from around the world will gather for three days of screenings, discussions, workshops, and networking at the iconic Kinoteka Cinema (PKiN), the same venue that hosted the festival’s first two editions in March 2023 and April 2024.
This year’s festival, themed “Beyond the Frame,” introduces new dimensions to its program, including an extra day on May 22 to celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day, the first real-world bitcoin transaction, with what promises to be one of Europe’s largest commemorations of this milestone.
BFF25 bridges independent film, culture, and technology, with a bold focus on decentralized storytelling and creative expression. As a community-driven cultural experience with a slightly rebellious spirit, Bitcoin FilmFest goes beyond movies, yet cinema remains at its heart.
Here’s a sneak peek at the lineup, specially curated for movie buffs:
Generative Cinema – A special slot with exclusive shorts and a thematic debate on the intersection of AI and filmmaking. Featured titles include, for example: BREAK FREE, SATOSHI: THE CREATION OF BITCOIN, STRANGE CURRENCIES, and BITCOIN IS THE MYCELIUM OF MONEY, exploring financial independence, traps of the fiat system, and a better future built on sound money.
Upcoming Productions Preview – A bit over an hour-long block of unreleased pilots and works-in-progress. Attendees will get exclusive first looks at projects like FINDING HOME (a travel-meets-personal-journey series), PARALLEL SPACES (a story about alternative communities), and THE LEGEND OF LANDI (a mysterious narrative).
Freedom-Focused Ads & Campaigns – Unique screenings of video commercials, animations, and visual projects, culminating in “The PoWies” (Proof of Work-ies)—the first ever awards show honoring the best Bitcoin-only awareness campaigns.
To get an idea of what might come up at the event, here, you can preview 6 selected ads combined into two 2 videos:
Open Pitch Competition – A chance for filmmakers to present fresh ideas and unfinished projects to an audience of a dedicated jury, movie fans and potential collaborators. This competitive block isn’t just entertaining—it’s a real opportunity for creators to secure funding and partnerships.
Golden Rabbit Awards: A lively gala honoring films from the festival’s Official Selection, with awards in categories like Best Feature, Best Story, Best Short, and Audience Choice.
BFF25 Main Screenings
Sample titles from BFF25’s Official Selection:
REVOLUCIÓN BITCOIN – A documentary by Juan Pablo, making its first screening outside the Spanish-speaking world in Warsaw this May. Three years of important work, 80 powerful minutes to experience. The film explores Bitcoin’s impact across Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, and Spain through around 40 diverse perspectives. Screening in Spanish with English subtitles, followed by a Q&A with the director.
UNBANKABLE – Luke Willms’ directorial debut, drawing from his multicultural roots and his father’s pioneering HIV/AIDS research. An investigative documentary based on Luke’s journeys through seven African countries, diving into financial experiments and innovations—from mobile money and digital lending to Bitcoin—raising smart questions and offering potential lessons for the West. Its May appearance at BFF25 marks its largest European event to date, following festival screenings and nominations across multiple continents over the past year.
HOTEL BITCOIN – A Spanish comedy directed by Manuel Sanabria and Carlos “Pocho” Villaverde. Four friends, 4,000 bitcoins , and one laptop spark a chaotic adventure of parties, love, crime, and a dash of madness. Exploring sound money, value, and relationships through a twisting plot. The film premiered at the Tarazona and Moncayo Comedy Film Festival in August 2024. Its Warsaw screening at BFF25 (in Spanish with English subtitles) marks its first public showing outside the Spanish-speaking world.
Check out trailers for this year’s BFF25 and past editions on YouTube.
Tickets & Info:
- Detailed program and tickets are available at bitcoinfilmfest.com/bff25.
- Stay updated via the festival’s official channels (links provided on the website).
- Use ‘LN-NEWS’ to get 10% of tickets
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@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740
2025-06-04 08:32:29"Modern science is based on this principle: give us one free miracle and then we'll explain the rest."
— Terrence McKenna
I always wondered why a pot of water boils on the stove. I mean I know it boils because I turned on the electricity, but why does the electricity cause it to boil? I know the electricity produces heat, and the heat is conducted through the stainless steel pot and into the water, but why does the heat transfer from stovetop to the water?
I know the heat from the stove via the pot speeds up the molecules in the water touching it and that they in turn speed up the molecules touching them and so on throughout the pot, but why do speedy molecules cause adjacent molecules to speed up?
I mean I know they do this, but why do they do this? Why couldn’t it be that sped-up molecules only interact with sufficient speedy molecules and ignore slower ones? Why do they interact with all the molecules, causing all of them to speed up? Or why don’t the speedy ones, instead of sharing their excited state, hoard it and take more energy from adjacent slower molecules, thereby making them colder, i.e., why doesn’t half the water boil twice as fast (on the left side of the pot) while the other half (right side) turns to ice?
The molecules tend to bounce around randomly, interacting as equal opportunists on the surrounding ones rather than distinguishing only certain ones with which to interact. Why do the laws of thermodynamics behave as such rather than some other way?
There may be yet deeper layers to this, explanations going down to the atomic and even quantum levels, but no matter how far you take them, you are always, in the end, left with: “Because those are the laws of physics”, i.e., “because that’s just how it is.”
. . .
The Terrence McKenna quote, recently cited by Joe Rogan on his podcast, refers to the Big Bang, the current explanation adopted by the scientifically literate as to the origins of the universe. You see there was this insanely dense, infinitesimally small micro dot that one day (before the dawn of time) exploded outward with unimaginable power that over billions of years created what we perceive as the known universe.
What happened prior? Can’t really say because time didn’t yet exist, and “prior” doesn’t make sense in that context. Why did it do this? We don’t know. How did it get there? Maybe a supermassive black hole from another universe got too dense and exploded out the other side? Highly speculative.
So why do people believe in the Big Bang? Because it comports with and explains certain observable phenomena and predicted other phenomena which were subsequently confirmed. But scratch a little deeper for an explanation as to what caused it, for what purpose did it occur or what preceded it, and you hit the same wall.
. . .
Even if we were to understand at a quantum level how and why the Big Bang happened and what preceded it, let’s assume it’s due to Factor X, something we eventually replicated with mini big-bangs and universe creations in our labs, we would still be tasked with understanding why Factor X exists in the universe. And if Factor X were explained by Process Y, we’d still be stuck needing an explanation for Process Y — ad infinitum.
Science can thus only push the wall back farther, but can never scale it. We can never arrive at an ultimate explanation, only partial ones. Its limitations are the limitations of thought itself, the impossibility of ever creating a map at a scale of one mile per mile.
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@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365
2025-02-05 17:47:16I got into a friendly discussion on X regarding health insurance. The specific question was how to deal with health insurance companies (presumably unfairly) denying claims? My answer, as usual: get government out of it!
The US healthcare system is essentially the worst of both worlds:
- Unlike full single payer, individuals incur high costs
- Unlike a true free market, regulation causes increases in costs and decreases competition among insurers
I'm firmly on the side of moving towards the free market. (And I say that as someone living under a single payer system now.) Here's what I would do:
- Get rid of tax incentives that make health insurance tied to your employer, giving individuals back proper freedom of choice.
- Reduce regulations significantly.
-
In the short term, some people will still get rejected claims and other obnoxious behavior from insurance companies. We address that in two ways:
- Due to reduced regulations, new insurance companies will be able to enter the market offering more reliable coverage and better rates, and people will flock to them because they have the freedom to make their own choices.
- Sue the asses off of companies that reject claims unfairly. And ideally, as one of the few legitimate roles of government in all this, institute new laws that limit the ability of fine print to allow insurers to escape their responsibilities. (I'm hesitant that the latter will happen due to the incestuous relationship between Congress/regulators and insurers, but I can hope.)
Will this magically fix everything overnight like politicians normally promise? No. But it will allow the market to return to a healthy state. And I don't think it will take long (order of magnitude: 5-10 years) for it to come together, but that's just speculation.
And since there's a high correlation between those who believe government can fix problems by taking more control and demanding that only credentialed experts weigh in on a topic (both points I strongly disagree with BTW): I'm a trained actuary and worked in the insurance industry, and have directly seen how government regulation reduces competition, raises prices, and harms consumers.
And my final point: I don't think any prior art would be a good comparison for deregulation in the US, it's such a different market than any other country in the world for so many reasons that lessons wouldn't really translate. Nonetheless, I asked Grok for some empirical data on this, and at best the results of deregulation could be called "mixed," but likely more accurately "uncertain, confused, and subject to whatever interpretation anyone wants to apply."
https://x.com/i/grok/share/Zc8yOdrN8lS275hXJ92uwq98M
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@ 42a071ab:3391e086
2025-06-05 09:31:56Trong một thế giới mà sự cạnh tranh ngày càng khốc liệt, yếu tố tạo nên sự khác biệt không chỉ nằm ở chất lượng sản phẩm mà còn ở cách một thương hiệu chăm sóc và kết nối với khách hàng. AV88 hiểu rõ điều đó và đã không ngừng đầu tư vào trải nghiệm người dùng như một chiến lược cốt lõi để xây dựng lòng tin và sự trung thành. Ngay từ những bước đầu tiên khi khách hàng tiếp cận AV88, họ được đón nhận bởi một giao diện thân thiện, dễ sử dụng và được thiết kế dựa trên hành vi sử dụng thực tế. Tất cả các chức năng, từ đăng ký tài khoản, quản lý thông tin cá nhân cho đến các bước tương tác hằng ngày đều được tối ưu để đảm bảo sự liền mạch và thuận tiện. Hơn thế, AV88 còn xây dựng một hệ thống chăm sóc khách hàng luôn sẵn sàng hỗ trợ 24/7, cung cấp thông tin kịp thời và giải quyết mọi thắc mắc nhanh chóng, mang lại cảm giác yên tâm tuyệt đối cho người sử dụng. Không chỉ dừng lại ở mức độ phản hồi, đội ngũ tại AV88 còn chủ động thu thập ý kiến, khảo sát nhu cầu và cải tiến dịch vụ theo thời gian thực, từ đó đảm bảo rằng mỗi sự đổi mới đều xuất phát từ chính kỳ vọng của người dùng. Nhờ vậy, AV88 không đơn thuần là một nền tảng dịch vụ mà còn là một người bạn đồng hành đáng tin cậy trong hành trình số hóa của mỗi khách hàng.
av88 cũng đặt ra một tiêu chuẩn mới cho sự minh bạch và bảo mật – hai yếu tố then chốt trong việc xây dựng niềm tin lâu dài. Mọi quy trình đều được thiết lập rõ ràng, dễ theo dõi và có hướng dẫn chi tiết, từ quy trình giao dịch cho đến các chính sách bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân. Các công nghệ mã hóa tiên tiến và lớp xác thực đa tầng giúp bảo đảm an toàn tuyệt đối trong mọi hoạt động. Không dừng lại ở việc duy trì chất lượng dịch vụ, AV88 còn tiên phong trong việc tích hợp công nghệ nhằm tối ưu hóa hiệu suất và giảm thiểu thời gian chờ đợi của người dùng. Các thao tác nạp – rút nhanh chóng, hệ thống thông báo thông minh và tính cá nhân hóa trong trải nghiệm giúp người dùng cảm nhận được sự linh hoạt và chuyên nghiệp. Chính sự kết hợp giữa công nghệ, con người và tầm nhìn chiến lược đã giúp AV88 không chỉ duy trì vị thế trên thị trường mà còn định hình chuẩn mực mới cho ngành dịch vụ lấy khách hàng làm trung tâm. Dù trong bối cảnh nào, AV88 vẫn luôn giữ vững cam kết: lắng nghe, thấu hiểu và đồng hành cùng khách hàng trên mọi hành trình. Điều này không chỉ tạo dựng giá trị bền vững cho thương hiệu mà còn góp phần nâng cao tiêu chuẩn chung của ngành, thúc đẩy sự phát triển toàn diện và dài lâu.
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@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365
2025-02-04 08:29:00President Trump has started rolling out his tariffs, something I blogged about in November. People are talking about these tariffs a lot right now, with many people (correctly) commenting on how consumers will end up with higher prices as a result of these tariffs. While that part is true, I’ve seen a lot of people taking it to the next, incorrect step: that consumers will pay the entirety of the tax. I put up a poll on X to see what people thought, and while the right answer got a lot of votes, it wasn't the winner.
For purposes of this blog post, our ultimate question will be the following:
- Suppose apples currently sell for $1 each in the entire United States.
- There are domestic sellers and foreign sellers of apples, all receiving the same price.
- There are no taxes or tariffs on the purchase of apples.
- The question is: if the US federal government puts a $0.50 import tariff per apple, what will be the change in the following:
- Number of apples bought in the US
- Price paid by buyers for apples in the US
- Post-tax price received by domestic apple producers
- Post-tax price received by foreign apple producers
Before we can answer that question, we need to ask an easier, first question: before instituting the tariff, why do apples cost $1?
And finally, before we dive into the details, let me provide you with the answers to the ultimate question. I recommend you try to guess these answers before reading this, and if you get it wrong, try to understand why:
- The number of apples bought will go down
- The buyers will pay more for each apple they buy, but not the full amount of the tariff
- Domestic apple sellers will receive a higher price per apple
- Foreign apple sellers will receive a lower price per apple, but not lowered by the full amount of the tariff
In other words, regardless of who sends the payment to the government, both taxed parties (domestic buyers and foreign sellers) will absorb some of the costs of the tariff, while domestic sellers will benefit from the protectionism provided by tariffs and be able to sell at a higher price per unit.
Marginal benefit
All of the numbers discussed below are part of a helper Google Sheet I put together for this analysis. Also, apologies about the jagged lines in the charts below, I hadn’t realized before starting on this that there are some difficulties with creating supply and demand charts in Google Sheets.
Let’s say I absolutely love apples, they’re my favorite food. How much would I be willing to pay for a single apple? You might say “$1, that’s the price in the supermarket,” and in many ways you’d be right. If I walk into supermarket A, see apples on sale for $50, and know that I can buy them at supermarket B for $1, I’ll almost certainly leave A and go buy at B.
But that’s not what I mean. What I mean is: how high would the price of apples have to go everywhere so that I’d no longer be willing to buy a single apple? This is a purely personal, subjective opinion. It’s impacted by how much money I have available, other expenses I need to cover, and how much I like apples. But let’s say the number is $5.
How much would I be willing to pay for another apple? Maybe another $5. But how much am I willing to pay for the 1,000th apple? 10,000th? At some point, I’ll get sick of apples, or run out of space to keep the apples, or not be able to eat, cook, and otherwise preserve all those apples before they rot.
The point being: I’ll be progressively willing to spend less and less money for each apple. This form of analysis is called marginal benefit: how much benefit (expressed as dollars I’m willing to spend) will I receive from each apple? This is a downward sloping function: for each additional apple I buy (quantity demanded), the price I’m willing to pay goes down. This is what gives my personal demand curve. And if we aggregate demand curves across all market participants (meaning: everyone interested in buying apples), we end up with something like this:
Assuming no changes in people’s behavior and other conditions in the market, this chart tells us how many apples will be purchased by our buyers at each price point between $0.50 and $5. And ceteris paribus (all else being equal), this will continue to be the demand curve for apples.
Marginal cost
Demand is half the story of economics. The other half is supply, or: how many apples will I sell at each price point? Supply curves are upward sloping: the higher the price, the more a person or company is willing and able to sell a product.
Let’s understand why. Suppose I have an apple orchard. It’s a large property right next to my house. With about 2 minutes of effort, I can walk out of my house, find the nearest tree, pick 5 apples off the tree, and call it a day. 5 apples for 2 minutes of effort is pretty good, right?
Yes, there was all the effort necessary to buy the land, and plant the trees, and water them… and a bunch more than I likely can’t even guess at. We’re going to ignore all of that for our analysis, because for short-term supply-and-demand movement, we can ignore these kinds of sunk costs. One other simplification: in reality, supply curves often start descending before ascending. This accounts for achieving efficiencies of scale after the first number of units purchased. But since both these topics are unneeded for understanding taxes, I won’t go any further.
Anyway, back to my apple orchard. If someone offers me $0.50 per apple, I can do 2 minutes of effort and get $2.50 in revenue, which equates to a $75/hour wage for me. I’m more than happy to pick apples at that price!
However, let’s say someone comes to buy 10,000 apples from me instead. I no longer just walk out to my nearest tree. I’m going to need to get in my truck, drive around, spend the day in the sun, pay for gas, take a day off of my day job (let’s say it pays me $70/hour). The costs go up significantly. Let’s say it takes 5 days to harvest all those apples myself, it costs me $100 in fuel and other expenses, and I lose out on my $70/hour job for 5 days. We end up with:
- Total expenditure: $100 + $70 * 8 hours a day * 5 days \== $2900
- Total revenue: $5000 (10,000 apples at $0.50 each)
- Total profit: $2100
So I’m still willing to sell the apples at this price, but it’s not as attractive as before. And as the number of apples purchased goes up, my costs keep increasing. I’ll need to spend more money on fuel to travel more of my property. At some point I won’t be able to do the work myself anymore, so I’ll need to pay others to work on the farm, and they’ll be slower at picking apples than me (less familiar with the property, less direct motivation, etc.). The point being: at some point, the number of apples can go high enough that the $0.50 price point no longer makes me any money.
This kind of analysis is called marginal cost. It refers to the additional amount of expenditure a seller has to spend in order to produce each additional unit of the good. Marginal costs go up as quantity sold goes up. And like demand curves, if you aggregate this data across all sellers, you get a supply curve like this:
Equilibrium price
We now know, for every price point, how many apples buyers will purchase, and how many apples sellers will sell. Now we find the equilibrium: where the supply and demand curves meet. This point represents where the marginal benefit a buyer would receive from the next buyer would be less than the cost it would take the next seller to make it. Let’s see it in a chart:
You’ll notice that these two graphs cross at the $1 price point, where 63 apples are both demanded (bought by consumers) and supplied (sold by producers). This is our equilibrium price. We also have a visualization of the surplus created by these trades. Everything to the left of the equilibrium point and between the supply and demand curves represents surplus: an area where someone is receiving something of more value than they give. For example:
- When I bought my first apple for $1, but I was willing to spend $5, I made $4 of consumer surplus. The consumer portion of the surplus is everything to the left of the equilibrium point, between the supply and demand curves, and above the equilibrium price point.
- When a seller sells his first apple for $1, but it only cost $0.50 to produce it, the seller made $0.50 of producer surplus. The producer portion of the surplus is everything to the left of the equilibrium point, between the supply and demand curves, and below the equilibrium price point.
Another way of thinking of surplus is “every time someone got a better price than they would have been willing to take.”
OK, with this in place, we now have enough information to figure out how to price in the tariff, which we’ll treat as a negative externality.
Modeling taxes
Alright, the government has now instituted a $0.50 tariff on every apple sold within the US by a foreign producer. We can generally model taxes by either increasing the marginal cost of each unit sold (shifting the supply curve up), or by decreasing the marginal benefit of each unit bought (shifting the demand curve down). In this case, since only some of the producers will pay the tax, it makes more sense to modify the supply curve.
First, let’s see what happens to the foreign seller-only supply curve when you add in the tariff:
With the tariff in place, for each quantity level, the price at which the seller will sell is $0.50 higher than before the tariff. That makes sense: if I was previously willing to sell my 82nd apple for $3, I would now need to charge $3.50 for that apple to cover the cost of the tariff. We see this as the tariff “pushing up” or “pushing left” the original supply curve.
We can add this new supply curve to our existing (unchanged) supply curve for domestic-only sellers, and we end up with a result like this:
The total supply curve adds up the individual foreign and domestic supply curves. At each price point, we add up the total quantity each group would be willing to sell to determine the total quantity supplied for each price point. Once we have that cumulative supply curve defined, we can produce an updated supply-and-demand chart including the tariff:
As we can see, the equilibrium has shifted:
- The equilibrium price paid by consumers has risen from $1 to $1.20.
- The total number of apples purchased has dropped from 63 apples to 60 apples.
- Consumers therefore received 3 less apples. They spent $72 for these 60 apples, whereas previously they spent $63 for 3 more apples, a definite decrease in consumer surplus.
- Foreign producers sold 36 of those apples (see the raw data in the linked Google Sheet), for a gross revenue of $43.20. However, they also need to pay the tariff to the US government, which accounts for $18, meaning they only receive $25.20 post-tariff. Previously, they sold 42 apples at $1 each with no tariff to be paid, meaning they took home $42.
- Domestic producers sold the remaining 24 apples at $1.20, giving them a revenue of $28.80. Since they don’t pay the tariff, they take home all of that money. By contrast, previously, they sold 21 apples at $1, for a take-home of $21.
- The government receives $0.50 for each of the 60 apples sold, or in other words receives $30 in revenue it wouldn’t have received otherwise.
We could be more specific about the surpluses, and calculate the actual areas for consumer surplus, producer surplus, inefficiency from the tariff, and government revenue from the tariff. But I won’t bother, as those calculations get slightly more involved. Instead, let’s just look at the aggregate outcomes:
- Consumers were unquestionably hurt. Their price paid went up by $0.20 per apple, and received less apples.
- Foreign producers were also hurt. Their price received went down from the original $1 to the new post-tariff price of $1.20, minus the $0.50 tariff. In other words: foreign producers only receive $0.70 per apple now. This hurt can be mitigated by shifting sales to other countries without a tariff, but the pain will exist regardless.
- Domestic producers scored. They can sell less apples and make more revenue doing it.
- And the government walked away with an extra $30.
Hopefully you now see the answer to the original questions. Importantly, while the government imposed a $0.50 tariff, neither side fully absorbed that cost. Consumers paid a bit more, foreign producers received a bit less. The exact details of how that tariff was split across the groups is mediated by the relevant supply and demand curves of each group. If you want to learn more about this, the relevant search term is “price elasticity,” or how much a group’s quantity supplied or demanded will change based on changes in the price.
Other taxes
Most taxes are some kind of a tax on trade. Tariffs on apples is an obvious one. But the same applies to income tax (taxing the worker for the trade of labor for money) or payroll tax (same thing, just taxing the employer instead). Interestingly, you can use the same model for analyzing things like tax incentives. For example, if the government decided to subsidize domestic apple production by giving the domestic producers a $0.50 bonus for each apple they sell, we would end up with a similar kind of analysis, except instead of the foreign supply curve shifting up, we’d see the domestic supply curve shifting down.
And generally speaking, this is what you’ll always see with government involvement in the economy. It will result in disrupting an existing equilibrium, letting the market readjust to a new equilibrium, and incentivization of some behavior, causing some people to benefit and others to lose out. We saw with the apple tariff, domestic producers and the government benefited while others lost.
You can see the reverse though with tax incentives. If I give a tax incentive of providing a deduction (not paying income tax) for preschool, we would end up with:
- Government needs to make up the difference in tax revenue, either by raising taxes on others or printing more money (leading to inflation). Either way, those paying the tax or those holding government debased currency will pay a price.
- Those people who don’t use the preschool deduction will receive no benefit, so they simply pay a cost.
- Those who do use the preschool deduction will end up paying less on tax+preschool than they would have otherwise.
This analysis is fully amoral. It’s not saying whether providing subsidized preschool is a good thing or not, it simply tells you where the costs will be felt, and points out that such government interference in free economic choice does result in inefficiencies in the system. Once you have that knowledge, you’re more well educated on making a decision about whether the costs of government intervention are worth the benefits.
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@ 472f440f:5669301e
2025-06-04 01:37:37Marty's Bent
via nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqy0hwumn8ghj7mn0wd68yttjv4kxz7fwvf5hgcm0d9hzumnfde4xzqpq85h9z5yxn8uc7retm0n6gkm88358lejzparxms5kmy9epr236k2qtyz2zr
A lot of the focus over the last couple of months has been on the emergence of Strategy competitors in public markets looking to build sizable bitcoin treasuries and attract investors of all shapes and sizes to drive shareholder value. The other big topic in the bitcoin development world has been around OP_RETURN and the debate over whether or not the amount of data that can be shoved into a bitcoin transaction should be decided by the dominant implementation.
A topic that is just as, if not more, important that is not getting enough appreciation is the discussion around open source bitcoin developers and the lingering effects of the Biden administration's attack on Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash. If you read our friend Matt Corallo's tweet above, you'll notice that the lingering effects are such that even though the Trump administration has made concerted efforts to reverse the effects of Operation Chokepoint 2.0 that were levied by the Biden administration, Elizabeth Warren, and her friends at the Treasury and SEC - it is imperative that we enshrine into law the rights of open source developers to build products and services that enable individuals to self-custody bitcoin and use it in a peer-to-peer fashion without the threat of getting thrown in jail cell.
As it stands today, the only assurances that we have are from an administration that is overtly in favor of the proliferation of bitcoin in the United States. There is nothing in place to stop the next administration or another down the line from reverting to Biden-era lawfare that puts thousands of bitcoin developers around the world at risk of being sent into a cage because the government doesn't like how some users leverage the code they write. To make sure that this isn't a problem down the line it is imperative that we pass the Blockchain Regulatory Clarity Act, which would not hold bitcoin developers liable for the ways in which end users leverage their tools.
Not only is this an act that would protect developers from pernicious government officials targeting them when end users use their technology in a way that doesn't make the government happy, it will also protect YOU, the end user, looking to transact in a peer-to-peer fashion and leverage all of the incredible properties of bitcoin the way they were meant to be. If the developers are not protected, they will not be able to build the technology that enables you to leverage bitcoin.
So do your part and go to saveourwallets.org. Reach out to your local representatives in Congress and Senators and make some noise. Let them know that this is something that you care deeply about and that they should not only pay attention to this bill but push it forward and enshrine it into law as quickly as possible.
There are currently many developers either behind bars or under house arrest for developing software that gives you the ability to use Bitcoin in a self-sovereign fashion and use it in a privacy-preserving way. Financial privacy isn't a crime. It is an inalienable human right that should be protected at all cost. The enshrinement of this inalienable right into law is way past due.
#FreeSamourai #FreeRoman
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@ 5c26ee8b:a4d229aa
2025-06-04 21:29:51Since late December, 2024, an evil magic attack targeted me and my family as well as many people occupying governmental positions. The attack was involving the Antichrist that was on an unreachable island found by me telepathically. Sadly the information about the Antichrist reached some Russian Oligarchs Among which many Jews. And somehow he was contacted by them as well as many other Antichrist Allies among which Royal families and he led the magic attack even though magic mixed with AI and computer technologies. The attack consisted in whispering of the devils, of mankind (Antichrist allies) and jinns. Physical harm was attempted too although so weak for any significant effect for me at least. I hesitated on killing the Antichrist because his appearance is a sign of Judgement Day, however, because of acknowledging that the attack would be too intense for ordinary people that don’t know how to know the difference between inner voice or whispering of the devils I have decided to kill him by requesting that he is burned in the core of the earth and by turning any remains into dust spread in space. He didn’t have only a physical presence though he had an incorporated devil. So it took a while to kill the devil that was isolated in iron coffin first so it assumed a smaller figure while trying to escape and finally God guided me to request that the devil is hit with fireballs over and over again. It was confirmed to me that the devil of the Antichrist was completely burned out. And that the next sign would be the creature coming out of the earth, Ad-Daba as well as the smoke covering all the earth, with which there is a great punishment, and that I would be able to fly too (good for me). I hesitated on spreading the news about the Antichrist to avoid fitnah (confusion and trial). Also because he was never freed out of the island before getting burned out. I am mentioning this because it’s important to know that when God’s punishment comes and when the great signs of Judgement Day (among which what’s mentioned above) would appear the returning to God in belief or in repentance won’t be accepted; so my advise is to do it now.
27:82 An-Naml
۞ وَإِذَا وَقَعَ الْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَهُمْ دَابَّةً مِنَ الْأَرْضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ كَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ
And when the word befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith].
- Ad-Dukhaan
حم
Ha, Meem.
وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
By the clear Book,
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ
Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
On that night is made distinct every precise matter -
أَمْرًا مِنْ عِنْدِنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
[Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]
رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُوقِنِينَ
Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them, if you would be certain.
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ ۖ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.
بَلْ هُمْ فِي شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ
But they are in doubt, amusing themselves.
فَارْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِي السَّمَاءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُبِينٍ
Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke.
يَغْشَى النَّاسَ ۖ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Covering the people; this is a painful torment.
رَبَّنَا اكْشِفْ عَنَّا الْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ
[They will say], "Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers."
أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ الذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُبِينٌ
How will there be for them a reminder [at that time]? And there had come to them a clear Messenger.
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا مُعَلَّمٌ مَجْنُونٌ
Then they turned away from him and said, "[He was] taught [and is] a madman."
إِنَّا كَاشِفُو الْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّكُمْ عَائِدُونَ
Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little. Indeed, you [disbelievers] will return [to disbelief].
يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ الْبَطْشَةَ الْكُبْرَىٰ إِنَّا مُنْتَقِمُونَ
The Day We will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, We will take retribution.
6:158 Al-An'aam
هَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِيَ رَبُّكَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَ بَعْضُ آيَاتِ رَبِّكَ ۗ يَوْمَ يَأْتِي بَعْضُ آيَاتِ رَبِّكَ لَا يَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمَانِهَا خَيْرًا ۗ قُلِ انْتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنْتَظِرُونَ
Do they [then] wait for anything except that the angels should come to them or your Lord should come or that there come some of the signs of your Lord? The Day that some of the signs of your Lord will come no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had earned through its faith some good. Say, "Wait. Indeed, we [also] are waiting."
4:17 An-Nisaa
إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِنْ قَرِيبٍ فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
The repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
4:18 An-Nisaa
وَلَيْسَتِ التَّوْبَةُ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ إِنِّي تُبْتُ الْآنَ وَلَا الَّذِينَ يَمُوتُونَ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I have repented now," or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.
4:47 An-Nisaa
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ آمِنُوا بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا مَعَكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّا أَصْحَابَ السَّبْتِ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا
O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Muhammad], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the sabbath-breakers. And ever is the decree of Allah accomplished.
4:48 An-Nisaa
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَىٰ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.
41:13 Fussilat
فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا فَقُلْ أَنْذَرْتُكُمْ صَاعِقَةً مِثْلَ صَاعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَثَمُودَ
But if they turn away, then say, "I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt [that struck] 'Aad and Thamud.
61:13 As-Saff
وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا ۖ نَصْرٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And [you will obtain] another [favor] that you love - victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers.
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@ de7306de:1ea53f87
2025-06-05 08:46:54Être « de gauche » ?
Essai pour une (re)définition transversale des concepts « gauche » et « droite »
Introduction
Il y a toujours deux niveaux. Le premier est celui sur lequel on s’appuie quand on se dit « de gauche » : c’est le niveau du discours, des bonnes intentions, des objectifs ou des revendications bien rationnelles, des belles valeurs, des symboles, des vérités chéries, etc. Puis il y a l’autre niveau, moins conscient, voire inconscient, qui fait que l’on va finir par réagir d’une certaine manière, parfois, souvent, en contradiction avec le premier niveau. Ce n’est pas, par exemple, parce qu’on n’aime pas la jalousie ou le pouvoir qu’on ne va pas se sentir jalouses ou qu’on ne va pas, parfois, prendre du plaisir dans certaines dynamiques de pouvoir. Combien de fois nous sommes-nous retrouvées frustrées de voir à quel point la réalité de nos actions se déroule en totale contradiction avec nos intentions ? Et ce, dans tous les domaines de la vie : intime, amoureuse, amicale, professionnelle, militante, etc. C’est-à-dire que nous pouvons être très « de gauche » au niveau des intentions, mais réactionnaires, voire fascistes, au niveau des pratiques. C’est donc ce deuxième niveau, dominé non pas par la raison, les concepts, les manifestes ou les bonnes intentions, mais par le monde inconscient, ses flux et ses mécanismes, auquel nous allons nous intéresser, car c’est bien là que la question se joue. Nous proposons donc un ensemble de prismes (Δ), sans aucune prétention totalisante, pour contribuer à une (ré)définition collective des concepts de gauche et de droite.
1er prisme Δ
Sensibilités et compétences
S e n s i b i l i t é :
propriété / aptitude d’une matière, d’un organe, d’un corps à réagir aux stimuli externes ou internes.
Le mot sensibilité vient de sens. Les sens captent. On peut réagir seulement aux stimuli/informations que l’on capte – inutile de forcer un aveugle à voir, un sourd à entendre. Les yeux captent la lumière, les tympans captent des ondes/vibrations. Or, il ne suffit pas d’avoir de bons yeux et de bonnes oreilles pour capter, par exemple, l’injustice dans notre entourage. Il nous faut quelque chose de plus. Quelque chose d’autre que nos sens physiologiques est à l’œuvre dans nos esprits lorsqu’on capte une injustice. Comme s’il y avait un autre type de sens. Si les sens physiologiques captent les informations physiques (lumière, vibration, température, distance, etc.), cet autre type de sens capte les informations sociales (quelle est ma place dans la meute, quand est-ce mon tour de manger, quel territoire m’est attribué ? etc.). Si, pour les sens physiologiques, des récepteurs chimiques et des terminaisons nerveuses sont à l’œuvre, pour cet autre type de sens, il s’agit plutôt de programmes, de « logiciels », un peu comme les applications de nos téléphones portables ou de nos ordinateurs. Il y a donc des « logiciels » qui nous permettent de capter les injustices, les violences, les oppressions, les signes de souffrance, de maladie, de dépression, de névrose ou de psychose, etc. Inutile de forcer un aveugle à voir, inutile de forcer quelqu’un qui n’aurait pas les bons logiciels à capter une injustice, une violence, une oppression. Il ne s’agit donc pas de vouloir ou de décider de capter ces situations ou ces phénomènes sociaux, il s’agit d’avoir, de cultiver les « bons logiciels ». Voilà donc ce à quoi nous nous référons quand on parle de sensibilités. Être de gauche donc, selon ce prisme, n’est pas tellement une décision, un vouloir ou une sorte d’identité autoproclamée que l’on pourrait rajouter facilement dans nos CV, afficher sur nos réseaux sociaux ou sur nos applis de rencontre, montrer avec nos t-shirts du Che Guevara, avec nos chants anarchistes ou nos quelques actions, non, non, non. Être de gauche = être sensible. Multi-sensible, pluri-sensible. Mais sensible à quoi ? À une diversité de phénomènes concernant le mental, le social et l’environnemental – et spécialement à leur intrication. Être de gauche implique donc avoir cultivé dans nos esprits une multiplicité de sensibilités : des sensibilités psychologiques, sociologiques, anthropologiques, écologiques… De ce point de vue, être de gauche n’est pas un discours, une mode, une décision, une envie, c’est du travail ! Car cette multiplicité de sensibilités, nous ne la cultivons pas par défaut socialement, culturellement – la société industrielle, capitaliste qui nous a façonnés, n’a surtout pas besoin d’esprits pluri-sensibles. Nous sommes obligés donc, si nous voulons cultiver ces sensibilités, de nager à contre-courant, de lutter contre le cadrage et la parcellisation propres à nos sociétés modernes, consistant à produire de petits soldats, de petits robots, de petites machines spécialisées, chacune dans son champ spécifique, et ce pour servir à qui ? Surtout pas à nous-mêmes, que ce soit individuellement ou collectivement. Nous voyons bien que ce n’est pas une mince affaire d’« être de gauche ». Quelque part, personne n’est de gauche, puisque personne n’est en mesure, prenant en compte la façon dont notre culture produit des sujets, d’avoir tout cet éventail de sensibilités. Pour mieux nuancer la question, nous sommes obligés de laisser de côté les lunettes de l’être, car elles nous contraignent à aborder le sujet de façon binaire : être ou ne pas être, soit tu es de gauche, soit tu ne l’es pas. On voit très bien que nous pouvons être sensibles par rapport à un sujet, à une situation ou à un domaine spécifique et, en même temps, très insensibles par rapport à d’autres sujets, situations ou domaines. Oui, cela veut dire que nous sommes de gauche et aussi, en même temps, de droite (insensibles) selon les endroits que l’on observe en nous, dans diverses situations et contextes. Il ne suffit pas d’« être marxistes » ou d’« être anarchistes » pour ne pas devenir des grands ou des petits tyrans, des grands ou des petits colons, des sexistes, des racistes, des oppresseurs des minorités, des validistes, des violents, des agresseurs, que ce soit au niveau collectif ou sur un niveau plus personnel, plus intime. De droite et de gauche, en même temps ? Quelle idée ! C’est que « être de gauche » est une expression trop rigide. Il convient donc d’analyser la question en termes de devenir : si l’être est un état donné, une pierre, le devenir représente toujours le mouvement, le fleuve et ses tourbillons. Nous serions très prétentieux, très arrogants ou très naïfs, si nous disions que nous sommes de gauche. En revanche, nous pouvons dire sans aucune prétention que nous sommes dans un devenir de gauche, dans la mesure où l’on cultive les sensibilités diverses. Nous avons dit qu’être de gauche veut dire être multi-sensible ; que nous ne pouvons pas vraiment être de gauche, car malgré le fait que l’on soit sensibles à certains sujets ou situations, nous sommes forcément insensibles par rapport à d’autres sujets et à d’autres situations, car victimes de l’industrie et de son culte des œillères ; que nous sommes en même temps de gauche et de droite, selon les endroits que l’on observe en nous dans une situation donnée, dans un contexte donné ; que le prisme du devenir est plus adapté que les lunettes de l’être, et qu’au lieu de dire « je suis de gauche », il est plus précis de dire « je suis dans un devenir ‘de gauche’ ».
Compétences ?
Nous avons, jusqu’à maintenant, abordé la question de la gauche en ce qui concerne les sensibilités, c’est-à-dire la captation des signes ou des informations concernant le mental, le social et l’environnemental. Mais suffit-il d’être sensible, même multi-sensible ? Combien de fois avons-nous capté des injustices, des conflits et toutes sortes de problèmes par rapport auxquels nous n’avons rien pu faire ? Nous pouvons être très sensibles et en même temps nous sentir très impuissants. Il y a donc deux choses qui seraient précieuses pour la gauche selon ce prisme : la captation et l’action, les sensibilités et les pratiques. Pour faire ou pratiquer, il faut pouvoir faire, être capable, compétent. Faire un bon discours, gérer un conflit, établir des relations de façon saine, produire autrement, consommer autrement, gérer la propriété autrement, apprendre à prendre soin et à nous soigner, apprendre à soutenir des personnes, déconstruire nos vieux logiciels, expérimenter et trouver les modes d’organisation les plus adaptés, articuler les différents terrains d’action politique (macro, micro et infra-personnel), devenir souples et ouverts au monde, à l’altérité, etc. Tout cela requiert à la fois des sensibilités et des compétences très concrètes, précisément celles que la société néglige, que notre culture ne cultive pas. Dans la gauche au sens traditionnel, y compris ladite « extrême gauche » ou « gauche radicale », prenons-nous au sérieux cette question ? Sommes-nous en train de cultiver cette multiplicité de sensibilités et de compétences ?
Et la droite, c’est quoi ?
Nous avions jusqu’à maintenant utilisé ce prisme pour définir la gauche comme sensible, comme multi-sensible. Comment faire alors sens de la droite ? Est-ce l’insensibilité qui la définit ? Les personnes plus à droite sont-elles insensibles ? Nous avions défini la sensibilité comme une sorte de logiciel nous permettant de capter et de réagir à un stimulus, à une information, à une situation donnée. L’acte raciste, classiste, sexiste, n’est-il pas nécessairement la conséquence d’un type de sensibilité, selon notre définition ? Sensibilité par rapport à l’« invasion » de la part des étrangers, au « grand remplacement », aux « déviances » sexuelles ou de genre, à l’« hystérie » des femmes, à l’« insolence » des travailleurs, etc. Nous pourrions dire que la droite est aussi sensible, et même multi-sensible ! Ce constat fait-il effondrer notre propos ? Ou est-ce qu’il y aurait des « bonnes » et des « mauvaises » sensibilités ? Les sensibilités, expliquent-elles vraiment le clivage gauche-droite ? Nous considérons qu’au contraire, notre propos tient très bien. Pour nous, la droite s’explique en termes d’insensibilité et aussi en termes de sensibilité. D’abord d’insensibilité, car la droite est insensible à une diversité de phénomènes, à un ensemble d’injustices, de violences et d’oppressions, et en même temps, elle se définit par un ensemble de sensibilités que nous pourrions qualifier d’inadaptées. Il y aurait donc des sensibilités adaptées et des sensibilités inadaptées selon la situation, selon le contexte. Mais adaptées ou inadaptées selon quels critères, selon quelle science ou quelle philosophie ? Qualifier une sensibilité, un logiciel d’inadapté, n’est-il pas trancher de façon complètement arbitraire dans l’amoralité du cosmos ? Ce problème philosophique n’est pas facile à résoudre sans invoquer une justice divine, un évangile religieux ou un évangile militant. Or, il y a une chose, pour nous la seule, qui tranche la question malgré nous, en dépit de nous, au-delà de nous, en deçà de nous, autour de nous, à travers nous. C’est la vie elle-même, ou plus précisément l’écologie. Tout système « vivant », y compris les rapports sociaux, obéit à des « principes » écologiques : si on ne boit pas assez d’eau, on finit par mourir ; si nous refoulons des émotions, des pulsions vitales, nous serons condamnés à être névrosés, malades ; si nous colonisons un peuple et si, lorsque ce peuple se défend, nous le réprimons violemment, une partie de ce peuple cherchera à se défendre d’une façon plus violente, et si notre réponse à une telle « radicalisation » est de fusiller ou de bombarder les « radicaux », les « terroristes », alors au lieu de diminuer la « menace terroriste » qui nous fait peur, nous sommes en train de la nourrir, le paradoxe étant que c’est nous, avec le premier acte de colonisation, qui l’avons provoquée. Ces trois exemples représentent des réalités, des déterminations écologiques qui n’ont rien à voir avec nos croyances, nos valeurs, nos idéologies, nos symboles. Nous pouvons identifier de mieux en mieux quand un écosystème comme une forêt est perturbé, troublé, malade ou menacé de mort. C’est l’interrelation de fonctions en équilibre(s) qui fait forêt. Tout ce qui perturbe, trouble ou menace ces équilibres est considéré comme toxique, comme nocif, comme maladif. Cela semble évident pour la forêt, or nous devons souligner que l’esprit humain ainsi que les sociétés humaines obéissent aux mêmes types de déterminations écologiques. Ces déterminations sont elles-mêmes déterminées par la singularité de chaque écosystème : il y a des forêts qui ont moins besoin d’eau, de chaleur et de lumière que d’autres, c’est d’ailleurs ce qui différencie la forêt de la jungle. Et il y a aussi des déterminations qui s’appliquent dans toute forêt, dans toute jungle : si les bactéries qui captent l’azote de l’air (N≡N – non assimilable) et qui le fixent dans le sol sous forme d’ammoniac, nitrites et nitrates (·NH3, ·NO2, ·NO3 - assimilables) disparaissent, alors n’importe quelle forêt ou jungle serait condamnée à une mort subite/rapide, car ces bactéries représentent la source d’azote pour la quasi-totalité des êtres vivants, l’azote faisant partie essentielle de l’ADN, leur absence serait fatale – pas d’azote assimilable, pas de vie. Nous considérons que ce sont ces déterminations, générales et singulières, dans chaque registre écologique et dans leur intrication – mental, social et environnemental – qui détermineront les sensibilités adaptées ou inadaptées dans un moment, une situation, un contexte, un territoire donné. Nous pouvons dire alors que les sensibilités de la gauche, ce sont des sensibilités seulement par rapport aux / concernant les trois registres écologiques dans leur intrication, tandis que la droite est précisément insensible aux rapports écologiques, à l’écologie dans ce sens large, et sensible ou hyper-sensible par rapport à ce qui fait inconsciemment peur, à ce qui menace leurs territoires existentiels, et plus précisément leurs points d’accrochage (deuxième Δ), autour desquels ces territoires ont été constitués / formés.
Gauche = sensibilités et compétences qui œuvrent dans le sens écologique – Écosophique : articulation transversale de trois registres écologiques – mental, social et environnemental.
Droite = sensibilités et compétences qui œuvrent dans un sens non-écologique, anti-écologique, écocide.
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@ 8c29b321:4336aaa0
2025-06-05 08:32:10Community 🧑🤝🧑
- Did you see that the Designathon wrapped up? If not, take a peek at the previous newsletter.
- The community conducted research at Oslo Freedom Forum. Bitcoin and Nostr have the potential to provide privacy focussed financial and communication tools for activists. We'll publish findings publicly and host developer workshops to share the insights.
- BTC Prague is coming up from June 18 to 21. Meet up at the design track during dev/hack/day and around the general conference. The aforementioned activist research and Bitcoin Core App are two of the scheduled talks.
- We had an exploratory call about how Liana could implement Payjoins (recording).
- The price for Best Design at the Bitcoin 2025 hackathon, sponsored by the Bitcoin Design Foundation, went to Arcana Seed Lodge. Check out all the projects.
- For anyone in the US, help protect your right to transact freely via Save our Wallets. There’s a bill being discussed around protecting builders of non-custodial wallets and services.
Bitcoin design guide 🗺️
- The intro page to the Getting Started section got a rewrite. Does it read better and is it more informative now?
- The section for visual formatting of addresses was updated with a note about using fonts with clearly distinguishable characters.
- Find new t-shirt designs with bitcoin & design related taglines on the Design files page (Figma community file).
- Would you like to help create an online course around design for Plan₿ Network?
- AI knows the guide and can evaluate your design based on it. How else can we use AI?
Seeking feedback 🗣️👂
- Liana Wallet is interviewing bitcoiners around frustrations with self-custody.
- Yashraj is seeking feedback on UX challenges around Payjoin V2 (outline, Github, Stacker News).
- 0commons is a bitcoin-powered value-for-value marketplace for digital goods. Leave your feedback.
- Kelbs is looking for feedback on home screen designs for Sovrn.
- m1sterc001guy is looking for feedback on a Fedimint wallet prototype (repo).
- There is a lot of activity around bitcoin redenomination (BIP 177), removing the term satoshi as a unit. Join the conversation.
Wallet updates 👜
- An update on Cashu ecosystem developments in Q1 2025.
- Boardwalk Cash is an example for the redenomination of bitcoin units. A live example on how “1 Satoshi” can be displayed as “1 Bitcoin”.
- Wallet of Satoshi is going to release a non-custodial wallet and become available again in the US.
- Akron released a beta wallet with support for the Spaces protocol.
- Blockstream released a new wallet app.
- Sparrow made several accessibility improvements in the 2.2.0 release.
Conferences 📅
- Catch up with the recordings and hackathon winners of the BTC++ Austin conference.
- Watch presentations of the Bitcoin Presidio hackathon finalists.
- Find a more complete list of conferences here.
Opportunities 💡
- BRAIINS is looking for a content Lead.
- Apply to the Bitshala design fellowship.
- Cowbolt is looking for a designer.
Everything else 😀
- HRF is supporting another 22 projects with grants. Take a look.
- Happy Bitcoin Pizza Day!
- Check out Jason’s guide to bitcoin accessibility.
- View survey results around mobile wallet usage in Japan by Diamond Hands.
- The Second team published research around how the Ark network can complement Lightning infrastructure.
- Watch the Freedom Tech track presentations from the Oslo Freedom forum.
- Watch Daniel answer 21 questions in 21 minutes.
- Read Bitcoin testing is a ghost town by AVB (also part two).
- Saving Satoshi did a workshop at the Bitcoin Conference. Have you tried it?
- See the UX of paying for burgers at the US fast-food chain Steak’n Shake.
- A guidepr to Robosats, for private exchange of bitcoin.
- Hear about the latest on Fedimint in this podcast.
- Read about building inclusivity into every phase of a project.
- Check out the Global State of Crypto report by Gemini.
—
For more, visit the Bitcoin Design website and follow us.
This update is brought to you by Christoph & Mo. We’d love to hear your feedback. -
@ 7f6db517:a4931eda
2025-06-05 08:02:20For years American bitcoin miners have argued for more efficient and free energy markets. It benefits everyone if our energy infrastructure is as efficient and robust as possible. Unfortunately, broken incentives have led to increased regulation throughout the sector, incentivizing less efficient energy sources such as solar and wind at the detriment of more efficient alternatives.
The result has been less reliable energy infrastructure for all Americans and increased energy costs across the board. This naturally has a direct impact on bitcoin miners: increased energy costs make them less competitive globally.
Bitcoin mining represents a global energy market that does not require permission to participate. Anyone can plug a mining computer into power and internet to get paid the current dynamic market price for their work in bitcoin. Using cellphone or satellite internet, these mines can be located anywhere in the world, sourcing the cheapest power available.
Absent of regulation, bitcoin mining naturally incentivizes the build out of highly efficient and robust energy infrastructure. Unfortunately that world does not exist and burdensome regulations remain the biggest threat for US based mining businesses. Jurisdictional arbitrage gives miners the option of moving to a friendlier country but that naturally comes with its own costs.
Enter AI. With the rapid development and release of AI tools comes the requirement of running massive datacenters for their models. Major tech companies are scrambling to secure machines, rack space, and cheap energy to run full suites of AI enabled tools and services. The most valuable and powerful tech companies in America have stumbled into an accidental alliance with bitcoin miners: THE NEED FOR CHEAP AND RELIABLE ENERGY.
Our government is corrupt. Money talks. These companies will push for energy freedom and it will greatly benefit us all.
Microsoft Cloud hiring to "implement global small modular reactor and microreactor" strategy to power data centers: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/microsoft-cloud-hiring-to-implement-global-small-modular-reactor-and-microreactor-strategy-to-power-data-centers/
If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.
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@ 9e69e420:d12360c2
2025-02-01 11:16:04Federal employees must remove pronouns from email signatures by the end of the day. This directive comes from internal memos tied to two executive orders signed by Donald Trump. The orders target diversity and equity programs within the government.
CDC, Department of Transportation, and Department of Energy employees were affected. Staff were instructed to make changes in line with revised policy prohibiting certain language.
One CDC employee shared frustration, stating, “In my decade-plus years at CDC, I've never been told what I can and can't put in my email signature.” The directive is part of a broader effort to eliminate DEI initiatives from federal discourse.
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@ 6be5cc06:5259daf0
2025-06-04 00:58:46Introdução
O princípio do sola scriptura, pedra angular da teologia protestante desde a Reforma do século XVI, estabelece que apenas a Escritura constitui a autoridade final e suprema em questões de fé e prática cristã. Este princípio, formulado inicialmente por Martinho Lutero e sistematizado pelos reformadores subsequentes, pretende oferecer um fundamento epistemológico sólido para a teologia, livre das supostas corrupções da tradição eclesiástica.
Contudo, uma análise rigorosa revela que o sola scriptura incorre em contradições lógicas fundamentais que comprometem sua viabilidade como sistema epistemológico coerente. Este artigo examina essas contradições através de três perspectivas complementares: filosófica, exegética e histórica.
A Contradição Performativa Fundamental
O Problema da Autoreferência
O sola scriptura enfrenta um dilema epistemológico insuperável: afirma que apenas a Escritura possui autoridade final em matéria de fé, mas essa própria regra não é explicitamente ensinada na Escritura. Trata-se de uma contradição performativa clássica, onde o enunciado viola suas próprias condições de possibilidade.
Esta situação configura uma falácia de petitio principii (círculo vicioso), pois exige que se aceite uma doutrina que não pode ser sustentada pelas premissas do próprio sistema. Para estabelecer o sola scriptura, seria necessário recorrer a uma autoridade externa à Escritura – precisamente aquilo que o princípio pretende rejeitar.
Fundacionalismo Mal Estruturado
Do ponto de vista epistemológico, o sola scriptura apresenta-se como um fundacionalismo defeituoso. Pretende funcionar como axioma supremo e auto-evidente, mas falha ao não fornecer a base textual que sua própria metodologia exige. Um verdadeiro fundacionalismo escriturístico deveria ser capaz de demonstrar sua validade através de uma prova explícita nas próprias Escrituras.
O Testemunho Contrário das Escrituras
Limitações do Registro Escrito
A própria Escritura reconhece as limitações do registro textual. João 21:25 declara explicitamente: "Jesus fez também muitas outras coisas. Se cada uma delas fosse escrita, penso que nem mesmo no mundo inteiro haveria espaço suficiente para os livros que seriam escritos."
Este versículo é particularmente problemático para o sola scriptura, pois reconhece que nem todos os ensinamentos de Cristo foram preservados por escrito. Como pode a Escritura ser suficiente se ela própria admite sua incompletude?
A Valorização da Tradição Oral
Paulo, em 2 Tessalonicenses 2:15, oferece uma instrução que contradiz frontalmente o sola scriptura: "Assim, pois, irmãos, ficai firmes e conservai os ensinamentos que de nós aprendestes, seja por palavras, seja por carta nossa."
O apóstolo valoriza inequivocamente tanto a tradição oral ("por palavras") quanto a escrita ("por carta"), estabelecendo um modelo de autoridade dual que o protestantismo posterior rejeitaria.
A Necessidade de Autoridade Interpretativa
A narrativa do eunuco etíope em Atos 8:30-31 demonstra a inadequação da Escritura isolada como autoridade final. Quando Filipe pergunta se o eunuco entende o que lê, a resposta é reveladora: "Como poderei entender, se alguém não me ensinar?"
Este episódio ilustra que a mera posse do texto bíblico não garante compreensão adequada. É necessária uma autoridade interpretativa externa – no caso, representada por Filipe, que age com autoridade apostólica.
A Complexidade Hermenêutica
Pedro, em sua segunda epístola (3:16-17), reconhece a dificuldade interpretativa inerente às Escrituras: "Suas cartas contêm algumas coisas difíceis de entender, as quais os ignorantes e instáveis torcem, como também o fazem com as demais Escrituras, para a própria destruição deles."
Esta passagem não apenas reconhece a complexidade hermenêutica dos textos sagrados, mas também alerta sobre os perigos da interpretação inadequada. Implicitamente, sugere a necessidade de uma autoridade interpretativa confiável para evitar distorções doutrinárias.
O Paradoxo Histórico da Canonização
A Dependência da Tradição Eclesiástica
Um dos argumentos mais devastadores contra o sola scriptura emerge da própria história da formação do cânon bíblico. Os concílios de Hipona (393 d.C.) e Cartago (397 d.C.) foram responsáveis pela definição oficial do cânon das Escrituras tal como conhecemos hoje.
Este fato histórico cria um paradoxo insuperável: aceitar a Bíblia como autoridade única requer aceitar a autoridade da tradição eclesiástica que a definiu. O próprio cânon bíblico é produto da tradição apostólica e da deliberação conciliar, não de autodefinição escriturística.
A Circularidade da Autopistia
Tentativas protestantes de resolver este dilema através do conceito de "autopistia" – a suposta capacidade das Escrituras de se auto-autenticar – apenas aprofundam o problema circular. Como determinar que as Escrituras possuem esta propriedade sem recorrer a critérios externos? A própria doutrina da autopistia não é explicitamente ensinada na Escritura.
Implicações Teológicas e Epistemológicas
A Fragmentação Interpretativa
A história do protestantismo oferece evidência empírica das consequências práticas do sola scriptura. A multiplicação de denominações e interpretações divergentes sugere que o princípio, longe de fornecer clareza doutrinária, pode na verdade contribuir para a fragmentação teológica.
Se a Escritura fosse verdadeiramente suficiente e auto-interpretativa, seria razoável esperar maior convergência hermenêutica entre aqueles que aderem ao sola scriptura. A realidade histórica sugere o contrário.
A Alternativa Católica e Ortodoxa
As tradições católica e ortodoxa, embora enfrentando suas próprias tensões epistemológicas, mantêm pelo menos coerência interna ao reconhecer explicitamente múltiplas fontes complementares de autoridade: Escritura, Tradição e Magistério (no caso católico) ou Escritura e Tradição (no caso ortodoxo).
Estas posições evitam a contradição performativa do sola scriptura ao não reivindicar que sua própria metodologia epistemológica seja derivada exclusivamente da Escritura.
Conclusão
A análise crítica do sola scriptura revela contradições estruturais que comprometem fundamentalmente sua viabilidade como princípio epistemológico. O princípio incorre em contradição performativa ao estabelecer uma regra que não pode ser derivada de suas próprias premissas, configura um fundacionalismo mal estruturado ao carecer de base textual explícita, e enfrenta o testemunho contrário da própria Escritura, que reconhece suas limitações e a necessidade de autoridades interpretativas externas.
O paradoxo histórico da canonização – onde o próprio cânon bíblico depende da autoridade tradicional que o sola scriptura pretende rejeitar – representa talvez o golpe mais decisivo contra o princípio protestante.
Isso não implica necessariamente a falsidade do protestantismo como sistema teológico, mas sugere que seus fundamentos epistemológicos requerem reformulação substancial. Uma teologia protestante intelectualmente honesta precisaria reconhecer as limitações do sola scriptura e desenvolver uma epistemologia mais nuançada que leve em conta a complexidade das fontes de autoridade religiosa.
A busca pela verdade teológica, independentemente de compromissos confessionais, exige o reconhecimento rigoroso das limitações e contradições inerentes aos nossos sistemas epistemológicos. No caso do sola scriptura, essa honestidade intelectual revela um princípio que, por mais central que seja para a identidade protestante, não pode sustentar o peso epistemológico que tradicionalmente lhe foi atribuído.
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